//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Humans and Stone // Story: The Dusk of Troubled Views // by ScorchingFlamesInc //------------------------------// When the former villains entered the creature's home and sat on the living room couch, they decided to ask him a few questions. The conversation between the trio and the creature lasted for about 30 minutes, but the trio learned a lot about this creature. The creature decided to explain his life story first. Apparently, his name was Leo. He is a young adult living on his own, and he's a human. He told them that the planet they were on is called Earth. However, for some odd reason, Leo decided to tell them that this wasn't the ONLY world with humans. Apparently, there was a SECOND human world that would turn ponies into humans, dragons into dogs, ect, when they would enter a magic mirror, which was located in Ponyville. As for the portal in THAT world, it would on a statue pedestal in front of a high school. He also decided to mention that one of Twilight's friends lived there. He then pointed out the differences between THAT world and this one. He said that the mirror world had magic, and humans would have more colors variants. As for this world, magic was NONEXISTANT and color ranges were lower. Due to the lack of magic, the sun and moon aren't moved by a magical being, and weather isn't manual. Instead, Earth orbits the Sun, the Moon orbits the Earth, and the weather is automatic. When the Sun sets and the Moon rises, or the other way around, it's due to the location the Earth and Moon is at. He calls it "gravity". He asked if the only signs of gravity in Equestria was the force that enabled them to stand on the ground. The trio nodded. When Cozy asked how he knows about the mirror world and how he knew their names, he hesitantly told the trio that they existed on a TV show in his world. Although it was about Twilight and her friends, the trio would appear on episodes that broadcast their mischievous deeds. When Tirek asked if the show broadcasted them reforming, he fell silent for a moment before he said, "No." The main focus of the show would be the adventures of Twilight in her friends, starting with when she moved to Ponyville, and ending with an showcasing the aftermath of their final defeat. Leo then decided to be the next one asking questions. First, he asked who was ruling Equestria to get a better understanding of time zones. Chrysalis told him that Twilight was the ruler. Leo questioned what they are doing in this day and age, but Tirek pointed out that they reformed yesterday. Cozy immediately piped up and said that she secretly planned to ask Tirek and Chrysalis to help her earn her second cutie mark. She slightly rotated on the couch and pointed to her bare flank. That drove Leo to ask how the trio reformed. Slight suspicion was in his voice. Then, the trio told him the story, starting with when they were released from stone, and ending with when they returned to Canterlot. As the story continued, the former villains couldn't help but feel that their new human was hiding something. Immediately when the story ended, he asked if they wanted to be his friend, and promised that he would teach them friendship lessons. Despite their suspicions of his secrets, the villains happily agreed. Leo then left to make the trio salads and told them where his room was. That way, they can have somewhere to go if they wanted to explore. They didn't even hesitate. As the villains entered one by one, a few objects in his room diverted their attention away from the large book pile on the floor. "He really IS a fan of Twilight and her friends!" Cozy said when she saw six small figurines of the Mane 6 on two books. Tirek came over to see, while something on Leo's bed caught Chrysalis' attention. Tirek then saw two other figures on a metal plate attached to the wall. "From the looks of it, he's a fan of ALL of Equestria." Tirek moved the figurines off the books. The cover caught the trio's attention. "The Elements of Harmony?" Tirek picked up the book and scrolled through it. "Wait... I think it's a guide book." "Look! There's another one!" Cozy said, pointing at volume 2. She picked it up and opened it. "It's another guidebook." The two former villains then put down the books and turned to Chrysalis, who was looking in Leo's closet, and seemed to be levitating a stuffed animal. Tirek and Cozy saw that the plush Chrysalis was levitating was none other than... herself! Cozy and Tirek turned their heads and then got a glimpse of the other contents in Leo's closet. Chrysalis wasn't the only Equestrian plush. They also managed to see Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash from all those years ago, along with what looked like Fluttershy as a bat. Tirek and Cozy then looked back at Chrysalis. "What could this mean?" she asked them, with sorrow and guilt in her voice. "Do you think he wanted to be our friends for who he was?" "He seems like a good guy..." Cozy said. "Maybe he has that because he wanted a plush of you, but that was the only option." "Maybe..." Chrysalis said. "I better talk to him just to be sure." Tirek and Cozy got out of Chrysalis' way as she got off her bed. Cozy and Tirek looked at eachother, then continued to explore Leo's room. Outside the room, Chrysalis made her way to Leo, who was in the middle of making their salads. She was still levitating the plush. Leo looked up from the cutting board and saw the reformed changeling. "I overheard you," Leo said. "And?" asked Chrysalis. "I got that because it was the only you I could get WITHOUT someone requesting to make it! Honestly, you were one of my favorite villains. Not for your deeds. Just probably because I favor you." Chrysalis looked a bit flustered before she shook it off. "Honestly, seeing the clip of you and the others getting turned to stone disappointed me. I WANTED you to reform. Although there were some upcoming continuations to the show you were on would probably reform you, I was just so... IMPATIENT!!! So, I took matters into my own hands." "What did you do?" Leo took a deep breath. "You will find out tomorrow. Now, I'm gonna finish these salads. And when I do, I'm gonna try to find a place for you and the others to sleep. Maybe make the shed a little more... homey and safe." "Ok." She turned and went back to Leo's room, only to see Cozy Glow sitting down and examining what looked to be a latex mask with brown hair. Tirek was sitting down also and seemed to be holding a hockey mask. "Uuuuuhhhh..." Chrysalis said. "This guy must be a horror fanatic. Look at all of these masks!" Cozy said, lifting a hoof above her so Chrysalis could see what she meant. The masks Tirek and Cozy had weren't the only ones. There were multiple other masks on the bookshelf. "Ok then... anyway, did any of you hear the conversation between Leo and I?" Chrysalis said. "Yeah, we did. I wonder what he will show us tomorrow" Tirek pondered. "Me too," said Cozy. "In the mean time, we should eat the salads and then help Leo find a place for us to sleep," Chrysalis nodded and left the room, with Cozy and Tirek putting down the masks and getting on their hooves to follow suit. Back in Equestria... Everypony and every creature had no idea what was going on. They were all enjoying their day when multiple posters suddenly appeared all around Equestria. The posters apparently said that Princess Twilight wants them to meet up at the location where the final Summer Sun Celebration was held. And it was required as well. Those that didn't show up would be punished severely! As ponies, changelings, griffons, and others showed up, they couldn't help but wonder why Canterlot was surrounded by a yellow force field. When the last creature showed up, the forcefield suddenly flashed. "That's the last of them," a voice said. "Perfect! Can they hear everything?" a second voice said. "I'm sure of it," said the third. "As long as they all hear what I say an do, everything will work out well!" the second voice erupted. At the center of the audience, nopony was there. The curtains and statues were long gone, with a large wooden stand only in place. It didn't even take a minute for a POOF to be heard. Suddenly, three cloaked ponies appeared on the stage. "Greetings! I am Judgement Law! And I'm here to state an important announcement!" A faint yellow glow emmited from his hood before a fourth pony appeared on stage: Princess Twilight. Multiple ponies and creatures gasped and murmured. The ponies and creatures closer to the stage could highly tell that she looked different. Her mane and tail had no flow and she seemed weakened. She was laying on her belly when she appeared. When she attempted to get up, however, a yellow glow surrounded her and held her to the ground. Judgement could see yellow flashes from a far distance away. "Don't even try!" Judgement said "This magic dome prevents any escape, whether it's running away or teleporting! Besides... I only did what was right! She freed three vile villains from stone so her student could reform them! Sure, it seems like a success! But then they attacked me brutally! So I captured Princess Twilight and, with the combined magic of my helpers, STOLE her magic!" More murmers erupted. Judgement even heard a couple ponies say: "They seem nice enough." "They looked sorry." "How could he be able to steal the Princess' magic?" Judgement then erupted in an uproar again. "DON'T BELIEVE THE LIES OF THOSE VILLAINS!!!!!! And as for my abilities, I HAVE MY SECRETS!!!" Judgement then heard a voice from the audience. It sounded like it was a mare. A farmer. "Pard'n me, Judgement, but even if you WERE right, aren't you goin' a BIT too harsh on the Princess?" "You TELL him, AJ!" another mare voice said. THIS one seemed scratchy and rough. "Well, well," Judgement said. "It looks like we have some DEFENDERS!!! Well, I can fix that RIGHT UP!!!" Judgement again emmited a yellow glow from his head. But two ponies didn't appear on stage. Five poinies and a dragon did! And they all were familiar to Twilight. "G-g-g-" she struggled to speak. Judgement turned around. "Awwww. Twilight, Spike, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity. TOGETHER AGAIN!!!" Twilight's six friends slowly got on their hooves (and feet). "Twilight... whats going on?" Spike asked. "I'll tell you what's gonna happen!" Judgement said. "I'll give you all a punishment for SIDING with those villains!!" POOF Suddenly, Discord appeared. "Hold up, JUDGEMENT!" the draconequis said. "Are you even aware of WHAT you're doing?" "How so?" Judgement said, not even the slightest of fear in her voice. "None of them did anything WRONG! And they have LIVES you know! Two examples: Pinkie has a kid of her own, and Fluttershy is living her BEST life with me!!!" "You know... you're right," Judgement said. A loof of relief washed over Discord, Spike, and the Mane 6. "Which is why you'll be joining them!" Judgement said. "What?" Discord said. Suddenly, Discord lifted into the air in a yellow glow. Flutterhsy, Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Applejack all followed suit. Next, Judgement levitated as his body immediatly glowed yellow. Finally, magical beams suddenly shot out of Discord and the five ponies. Their screams didn't even give Judgement remorse. When he finished, Discord and the 5 ponies fell to the ground. They all weakly got up. "W-what are you g-gonna do now?" Fluttershy asked. Despite becoming less sensitive over the years, it was hard for her to keep composure. "I'm gonna do the FUN part now!!!" Judgement said. "I know fun when I see it..." Pinkie said. "And this doesn't sound like fun!" Judgement lit up his horn. "Can you at least tell my family I love them!" Pinkie screamed. Her large, ponytailed poofy mane started to deflat. "I didn't even get to finish my latest designer line!" Rarity wimpered. "You won't get away with this! You didn't get Luster! You didn't get Starlight! You didn't get the Crusaders!" Judgement chuckled. "Oh, I will. Since every single being is here, I will enslave your friends, and family too! They made the sorry mistake of coming here! AND WHEN THEY'RE GONE, ALL will fall to ME!!!" Then, things took place. All of this happened at the same time: Twilight, Spike, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash all charged at Judgement. Rarity shielded herself from what was about to happen. Pinkie sat down, her mane fully deflating, as she was on the verge of tears. Discord rushed over and grabbed Fluttershy, hugging her in his embrace. She also seemed to be on the verge of tears. When all of that happened at the same time, Judgement suddenly blasted a large beam at the 8 beings, covering Canterlot in a bright light. When the light faded, all the ponies and creatures gasped. Princess Twilight, along with the 7 friends on stage with her, have been turned to stone. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike, and Princess Twilight herself, were all lunging toward Judgement. But they were on their own seperate statues. Behind them, Pinkie was also in stone, mane deflated, and stone tears on her cheeks. Rarity still seemed to be cowering. The only statue with two beings was Discord and Fluttershy, as he continued hugging her. Just like Pinkie, Fluttershy had stone tears on her cheeks. "There!" Judgement said. "Now, since all of you basically submit to Twilight, I WOULD turn all of you to stone. But actually, I'm gonna make sure that only ONE more pony gets turned to stone: Luster Dawn, the one who 'reformed' the villains! As for the rest of you, I shall drain your POWER with the help of my associates!!! AND WHEN THAT IS OVER, EQUESTRIA WILL FINALLY BE UNDER MY RULE!!!! ASSISTANTS, MAGIC AT THE READY!!!" Judgement's two remaining cult members stepped forward. And then, their bodies glowed yellow as they levitated into the air. Unfourtunatly for Judgement, despite the fact that he wanted to turn Luster to stone, he couldn't. Why? Because the star pupil of Princess Twilight Sparkle managed to escape at the last second.