//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Votes and Cloaks // Story: The Dusk of Troubled Views // by ScorchingFlamesInc //------------------------------// The morning was almost like every other morning. Princess Twilight Sparkle raised the sun and everycreature got up to start their day. However, there was one significant difference. Three reformed villains were added to the mix. Getting out of bed was dull for them. All that happened was Cozy getting out of bed and waking the other two reformed villains. Nopony even made a fuss. Cozy just told them to sit where they did last night when they played cards (and lost to Tirek every time). The three villains sat in a circle in their room. In the same spots the were in last night when they were playing cards. They really didn't know what to do today. Especially since it was only yesterday when they reformed. They didn't know if many ponies would trust them after learning that they changed their evil ways. "What did you want us to sit here for?" Tirek groggily asked, rubbing his eyes. "To discuss what we're gonna do!" Cozy exclaimed. "We only reformed last night, so I just don't feel SAFE leaving the castle for the time being!" "Why?" Chrysalis asked. "Because, we've done SO much in the past to make ponies and other creatures think that our reformation was only a ploy!" Cozy said. "But they can trust us. Right? Luster did. Princess Twilight did! Even Gallus did!" Chrysalis said. "Let's see here..." began Tirek. "Chrysalis attacked Canterlot. Then, I almost destroyed Equestria by draining the whole place of magic. Soon, Chrysalis returned and captured some of the most important ponies. Eventually, Cozy Glow nearly got rid of every single ounce of magic using artifacts. Then the REAL kicker was when we spread rumors, destroyed Canterlot, NEARLY destroyed Twilight and her friends, and brought back the Windigos. So it really wouldn't be suprising if ALL of Equestria didn't trust us." "Well, we HAVE to leave this place SOMETIME!!!!" Chrysalis said. "Maybe she already spread the news! After all, Princesses have their ways of spreading news, and usually, the ponies ALWAYS trust the Princess." Cozy and Tirek looked at Chrysalis. She immediatly caught on. "Then again, there is that belief of trickery," she said. "Ok. I have an idea. Let's all place a vote. Who wants to stay here and wait for somepony to convince us to leave?" asked Cozy. All former villains lifted a hoof (or HAND in Tirek's case). "Ok. We stay and wait for somepony to find us," Cozy said. "And let's try to convince whoever finds us to teach us friendship in HERE!!! At least until we're comfortable with getting out," Tirek said optimistically. "Agreed!" Chrysalis said. And they all did hooves (and hand) in the middle before putting them back at their sides. "Who's up for more cards?" Tirek asked, getting up. "ME!!!!" Chrysalis and Cozy said. "Ok... but prepare to lose to me every round like last time..." Tirek said, a mischevious grin on his face. Meanwhile... Deep in the grounds of Ponyville, where an unknown lair resides, a large group of ponies wearing hooded black cloaks sat in a large round table, with only one seat rendered empty. A door suddenly opened and another pony, a stallion, in a hooded black cloak walked in, his hooves clicking on the floor with every hoofstep. The pony went to the empty seat and pulled out the chair before he sat down and cleared his throat. "Greetings," he said in a deep voice. "I am Judgement Law, the leader of this group. And I thank you all for coming to this very important meeting. In case you didn't know, this meeting is centered around the release and so-called 'reformation' of Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek, and Cozy Glow, the same villains that drove us to form this cult to defend Equestria! The same villains that have laid seige on Equestria more than once in the past! The same villains that brought back the Windigos and nearly destroyed ALL of Equestria with the legendary Bewitching Bell!" All ponies slapped their forehooves on the table and chanted "Hear, hear! Down with the threats! Down with the threats!" The cult repeating the chant two more times before Judgement held up his right forehoof to silence them. "Now on to business! News from Princess Twilight Sparkle says that this student of hers, a unicorn named Luster Dawn, was sent by this... cutie map... to reform these three villains. And apparently it worked within two days! Just hearing that sentence gives the belief that it worked too well. It shouldn't take these villains only TWO days to reform! It is quite obvious they are trying to TRICK us! If these villains are capable of nearly destroying Equestria or its inhabitants MANY times in the past, they seem capable of LYING about their ways." A hooded pony, a mare, raised her hoof. "State your question," Judgement said. "I have a question..." she said. "HOW could they have changed their appearences or physical features WiTHOUT magic?" "It's simple: there was something in the forest that surrounded their campsite! According to the Princess, the forest they were in was even MORE dangerous than the Everfree because it replicated the powers of King Sombra! Only worse! So it probably was some sort of PLOY inflicted upon the pony that reformed them!" "Well then, what do you suggest we do about them?" "I say we try to show Equestria the TRUE colors of those FIENDS! Show this whole world that those VILLAINS have ALWAYS deserved to be imprisoned in stone! Show this place that the cutie map, Princess Twilight, and EVERYPONY else who sided with the villains were commiting MUTINY!!!! As for Princess Twilight, WE could defend her and tell her it wasn't her fault. Because it WASN'T! She and her guards were just manipulated by those pathetic FAKERS!!!" "And if the plan doesn't work, what do we do? Destroy them?" Judgement shook his head. "No. That will be our last resort. We all have a decent amount of magic, that, when combined, could perform a powerful spell." "What do you have in mind?" All the hooded ponies could see Judgement Law's yellow teeth as he grinned. "I have a few ideas..."