//------------------------------// // S3 Episode 19: Punishment Part 1 // Story: Journey To Hearth's Warming // by Lighttone GryphonStar //------------------------------// The Sun brought forth such a beautiful morning over the small town known as Gelum Voce Pia. The light dazed through the large blue grass plain, melting away the snow until reaching the town, bringing with it the smells of the last month of winter. The sounds of chariots echoed all around as citizens gathered together. They moved around wood and stones, clearly up debris and fixed up buildings. The pain they had suffered twenty days ago was gone, and they could move forward. Celestia's plan had succeeded, but at most, in helping the creatures of this town free themselves from the darkness that had chained them down for so long. Rainbow Dartz could see a few hippogriffs lifting some heavy boulders, while sirens pushed snow out of the way and unicorns were just as quick at moving new stuff in place. He laughed at a certain sound before looking at Red Steel.  The buffalo was quick to lift a hippogriff out of the way as Hermes ran by in a green blur. The griffin moved effortlessly, passing out food and other supplies before returning to the chariots to grab more. Rainbow Dartz watched in amazement as he took a drink of his cider. He stopped at his sip and noted the lighter flavor because of the less alcohol. "When do you think Lighttone will be back with the stronger supplies?" "We don't need you too drunk," Hermes laughed. "I know you and Lighttone prefer a good drink, but we have worked to do." "True, I'm certain his trip to the Earth Pony Conglomerate won't take much longer." Rainbow Dartz turned to his left and gave a hearty laugh of joy at the sight of some folks lifting the new wall for the Wolf's Apple. "That alicorn's kindness is even greater than Granny Apple." "Yeah, I just wish Princess Celestia could visit again." "I'm more hoping that Silver Pear and Granny Apple can return soon." The pegasus's eyes turned to the right and fell upon the monolith of a crystal hand. "Maybe, Twilight and Starlight as well. They all need to see how much we have grown so much since that day." Red Steel saw the strain in Rainbow Dartz's eyes and walked over beside him. The buffalo placed his hand on his back and padded lightly. The old bull didn't even need to say the words. These three had been friends for far too long. He could see the shame deep within the pegasus' eyes. During that old battle, he did so little while Red Steel and Hermes did so much more. The pegasus nodded and placed down the drink. "You're right, the work is far from over. Starlight won't give up, Silver Pear won't give up, so we certainly can't give up either." With that last word, they returned to work. Hermes continued his fast movement while Red Steel and Rainbow Dartz helped move the new wall into place. Happiness could be seen in all of them. A lone watcher of the events unfolding couldn't help but smile with them. They had grown so much with so little help. The lone figure watching from afar, in fact, watching from on top of the crystal hand. A lone lavender unicorn stallion watched and commented, "Yes, things are moving faster and soon everything will be in place." He stopped and noted the sky. Clouds were gathering, but not of snow. Instead, much needed rain. "I better return to the mission at hand." ****** Miles away, deep within the Unicorn Providence, a far different emotion could be felt as the muddy footsteps echoed around Twilight Sparkle as she walked, chains over her arms, legs, and wings. The guards kept a good watch, especially over the sky, turning on the magic dampeners as soon as the clouds gathered. The alicorn walked when she could or else she was dragged across the street, much to the laughter of the unicorns pointing at her. Among the screaming, she could see Silver Pear struggling to reach the edge of the crowds. "Twilight!" he screamed out. Twilight reached out to him but stopped as a whip cracked into her back. Her face was so cold and broken after all these days of walking that the tears of flesh meant nothing to her. She had been so detached since the imprisonment twenty days ago and each additional punishment only dulled as the days. She said nothing to the shock in Silver Pear's eyes toward her lifelessness. "Don't worry, your student is finally being released from the hospital today!" Twilight attempted to speak to him, but she was silenced as the chains pulled harshly, knocking her to the ground. "Keep moving!!" a guard screamed. "Damn monster alicorn!!" He kicked her in the gut, knocking her further ahead. Twilight gave no fight despite the rage in Silver pear's voice toward the attack. Instead, her eyes were on the flesh of her right arm. As the sight of the paling flesh, she bit down deep in her arm. Screaming through the pain, she forced the transformation away. Rex had told her one way to keep the transformation from taking over was the drain out any maroon blood by opening the flesh. She couldn't let the Pale Mare take command, no matter how much pain she was in. There was a distance to travel, there always was. She knew she had failed, so fighting it with the powers of darkness, no matter how tempting they were, now more than ever, it was pointless. The way she saw it now was to simply accept defeat. Silver Pear watched every second with hatred toward her punishers. While he was never too close to Twilight, he couldn't help but feel shame, at least for Starlight, unable to do anything to save Twilight despite the number of times the group tried since the fall of the towers. However, he was an earth pony in a kingdom of unicorns. He could only do so much. All he could do was look up to the cloudy skies and hoped somepony could help Twilight even in this darkest of moments. He wanted to help her, anypony to help her, no matter who they might be. ****** Those same clouds were floating above two others at the edge of the city. Rex listened to the crackle of the wind in the stormy weather above them as he and Clover walked through the outer limits of the city. He knew something was off ever since he saw Cold Blue during that battle twenty days ago. The rain had been so random on appearance and Princess Platinum was on guard every minute because of it. A lot of things outside the city used to be beyond her sight, but now she had posted guards everywhere, even in the furthest areas. He even heard reports about how nearby cities were also over-preparing for anything to happen. If her fears were genuine, that meant they were never out of that siren's sight or the sight of his master. "How long will you continue, Cold?" "What? There is no way he can control every cloud?" Clover was in denial of Cold Blue full strength. "Not every cloud, yes, but you don't know him as well as I do. The great siren of the west, known for his endless cold and harsh storms." "Know? He's been your rival since long before we ever met." She snarked back. She knew about how long their rivalry lasted, over five thousand years. "As old as you both are, your age is nothing compared to Master Starswirl." "True, but Starswirl holds back on magic that only a few can even come close to mastering. Cold Blue is a siren. Their natural magics are sound and water-based. Where Starswirl has spent many millennia mastering a skill beyond that of even alicorns, Cold Blue is using spells that even the youngest of sirens can get a handle on and he has mastered every version and every limit his species can reach." Rex stopped and pulled out his Dark Alicorn Amulet. "And to top things off, he doesn't need to rely on artifacts like this to access dark magic." "But doesn't his dark magic come at a terrible price?" Clover questioned. "Yes, much like Twilight, he too has a monstrous form, known as simply the Scaly Monster," Rex continued walking, this time with more paste, as it was clear he didn't want to talk about this darker form of magic. "Huh, what's with the simple names these other personalities come up with." However, Clover persisted. "They aren't alternate personalities, but primal urges, desires the host in question refuses to accept so they bottle it until the darkness forces it out.” "Huh, if only they were on our side we might just win against that wendigo." "Possibly, but I fear that this Indigo Frost might have his own monstrous form we have yet to see." "What makes you say that?" "All dark magic users must confront their darkest urges eventually, no matter how pure they are. Maybe he has yet to unleash his darkest half just yet, or has already mastered it to its fullest potential." "Really? I wonder if Cold Blue has mastered his own. I mean, he could keep Twilight's under some form of control." Rex came to a stop before answering. "While he has mastered every storm spell ever created, I've rarely seen his monstrous form, so I'm unclear whether he has mastered it yet. What I know is much like a wild beast. The monstrous form will respond to basic actions, sounds for example." "So legends of songs soothing the mighty beast are true." "In a certain way, yes, though I find it rather odd that Cold Blue could find the right song for Twilight so easily." The umburm looked onward to the titan airship which was just down a snowy hill in front of them. "Besides, we can't expect help from him while the unicorns are fighting his master." "Either way, it looks like that old pirate is almost finished," Clover commented at the sight of no massive hole in the titan airship. "Soon we can leave and go back to hunting down the rest of the alathar." "Just because he sealed it doesn't mean it will fly again soon." Rex was as doubtful as ever. Clover frowned at this and padded him on the back. "Don't be a grumpy puss." She laughed and slid down into the snow. Rex moodily followed behind her. The unicorn enjoyed the last bit of snow, knowing that soon it would be gone for the rest of the year. "Shit!" Clover came to a stopped and jumped clear at the sight of two siren filly's running by. She reached over to Rex to give a warning, but he already vanished into his shadow and reappeared out of her shadow. "Careful!" Lady Cat ran over and scolded the two fillies. "We're sorry," the two spoke in unison. Clover just laughed and lifted the two into a tight hug. "You two are just so adorable." Rex went to see Fredricson, who was hanging off the side of the titan airship. "Fredricson, any news?" "Three or four more days at worst," Fredricson lowered himself down to Rex. "Speaking of news, did..." The old pirate's words drifted. "The remains of Mon arrived at his grave yesterday. The message came in through my shadows just this morning." Rex handed him the letter. Fredricson took the letter and gave it a read. The more he read, the more sweat gathered on his face. "Yes, apparently, Mon's mother has a worse use of vocabulary than you." Rex looked around. "Where is Starswirl?" "Attempting his own message with the alicorns." "Hmm, any reply?" Rex was curious. "None that I know of." Fredricson went back up. "Hmm, strange." Rex leaned against the wall and watched Clover experiment with the siren fillies. Adagio and Aria looked so happy to have found each other. At first, he had found the children to be an annoyance, but seeing the happiness grow on Clover's face made things better. He couldn't dare go against her joy. She waved at him before going back to the children. He watched her in return, letting her enjoy every moment. "My, my, with a look like that, I would assume my sister wanted children of her own." An unknown voice broke the silence. Rex jumped back at that voice. Chains rose out of his shadows and wrapped tightly around the intruder. He didn't hesitate at the sight of Clovis the Coward, Clover's younger brother. "What are you doing here?" "Really? Is this the best way to treat me? Maybe my master should come instead." Clovis was stopped as the chains got tighter. "Your alliance to Lord Red is why you are in chains now." Rex threw the unicorn to the side. "Blood Diamond is already making moves on this kingdom almost daily if Lord Red gets involved, it won't be long before Emerald himself steps forward." "I understand that as well as you." Clovis struggled. "I am all for Blood Diamond's mercy toward my species. However, the reason I'm here takes higher priority." "Liar!" Rex threw him again, this time far harsher. "Clovis," Clover's words stopped Rex from continuing the torture. "Oh, hello sister." Clovis breathed better and stood once the chains lowered back into the shadows. "Mother sends her regards." "And father?" Clovis was shocked by her question. "You don't know that father is already in the city--" He stopped as the chains rose back up. "That curiosity can wait," Rex sneered. "What is the other priority?" Clovis rolled his eyes at the umbrum. "Fine, where is the alicorn known as Twilight Sparkle?" Both Rex's and Clover's eyes went wide. "Why do you want to know about her?" Clover questioned. "Oh, our research is plentiful already. The reason I am here is the danger she presents. Now where is she?" "At the courthouse. She is a prisoner of Princess Platinum." Clovis frowned in disappointment. "Then the problem just got much worse." Lightning cracked through the air at his words. As if somepony else was listening, the rain fell with his words. "I have been sent here to give a warning. Lord Red's most elite soldiers will arrive soon to capture Twilight Sparkle, dead or alive." ****** Footsteps echoed through the courtroom as Twilight was brought forward to be judged. The former princess of friendship now faced another princess during a war between mortals and immortals; Princess Platinum stood in the judge's chair. “Twilight Sparkle, look at me.” Platinum slammed her hammer. The room was small but big enough to hold just enough juries and Platinum herself standing with a judge in this twisted proceeding. Twilight mumbled as she looked down. She dared not look at the princess or the juries, for despite their given title, it was very clear from their faces and reactions that each was chosen by her judge and would serve her will alone, not Twilight. She knew the system would be rigged, could only hope that Mira’s punishment was painless, or at least quick. “I said, look at me!” Mira screamed at Twilight only to gain no reward. She realized that Twilight had long accepted her fate. Twenty days had finally broken her hope. “I must know, why?” “Why?!” Twilight spoke with a proper volume this time. “Why did I save this city, this kingdom that wanted war so desperately?!” Her voice raised with each word. “No, why would you deceive us with such illusions?” Dim asked what Mira refused to fully admit as he pointed to Twilight's wings. “It was not meant as a deception. I was born a unicorn, of course, I would do whatever it took to save you all.” “Save us? We didn't want to be saved by your kind! The alicorns have seen us as the lower species for so many centuries.” “No, they don’t?!” Twilight argued back. “They value you as allies and as friends.” “They did nothing when my father died trying to save my life! They did nothing as wendigoes hunted and feasted on our country’s children in the night.” Princess Platinum’s words were mostly true despite how much Twilight wanted to deny them. “And now we face one of the most vicious ones, Blood Diamond, as he declares war over us all.” “Someone provoked him!” Twilight remarked to Blood Diamond’s words of how his father would not waste time with a threat. Her heart jumped upon remembering that if King Emerald Teal wanted them dead, they would already be dead. This war was his mercy. “Again, more lies. He lied to you and now you use his lies on us!” Princess Platinum showed images through magic, images of their own homes ripped apart by crystal magic, soldiers ripped apart and families slain. “All these pains and agonies, this blood is on your hands as much as on there.” “I… I…” Twilight caved and turned away. This had been the fourth time she had been brought before a courtroom, and each time Princess Platinum had struck back with more proof of her words over Twilight. This was quickly becoming a losing battle. She only hoped that Starlight and Silver Pear would find the truth before she faced her death here. “Now, face me!!” Princess Platinum demanded. Again, Twilight refused. It turned out she was wrong. Despite the twenty days, the alicorn’s will was still stronger than hers. Four times now and this insult continued. The princess screamed in a fit of rage and grabbed Twilight’s face with magic. However, Twilight fought her with every ounce of her own will. Despite the magical dampeners deeply embedded in the chains that kept her alicorn magic in check, Twilight did her best not to look at the unicorn directly. Seeing her fight even more now only angered the unicorn even more. Using her magic, she punched Twilight harshly in the gut, knocking the prideful air right out of her and pushing her to the ground. “All you alicorns are the same, prideful to the very end, vain to yourself until your death.” She pushed Twilight down more, brushing her face on the hard marble. “You all continue to mock us!!” “Mock you?” Twilight spat up blood, “I used to idolize you… Rarity.” She whispered all of her words, not letting the mare she believed to be the preincarnation of her best friend, hearing any word. Princess Platinum slapped Twilight with magic and knocked her back by several feet. “Enough,” she slapped her hammer and looked at the jury. They nodded in agreement. “You will spend another five days in prison and then repeat this process until you finally bend to my will!”  The princess gestured to her loyal naga guard. Doing as she commanded, he brought over heavier chains and tightened them over Twilight's whole body. The guard grimaced, "Just give up already." "I..." Twilight winced and whispered, "Already have..." Dim's eyes went wide at the pale flesh over the alicorn's face. Without warning, massive dark magic pushed him back and snapped the dampeners in an instant. The Pale Mare gave out a massive roar and rushed forward, grabbing Princess Platinum by the throat and punching her into the wall behind her so hard that the wall tore open, letting in the rain. Mira, in her pain, could only smile in a minor victory to the beastly face and form as the rain and light from the outside shined over it. "Go ahead, you damned alicorn, prove me right!!" "I... I... will... not." The voice softened, much to the princess' disappointment. Twilight screamed free from the transformation and fell to the ground in tears. "I will... not break..." Letting go of her grip, she fell to the side and unconscious. ****** Hours later, Twilight awoke, the pain of being thrown into her cell being her spark back to reality. "Damn, why doesn't she just kill me!" Twilight spat up more maroon liquid. She looked at her wounds from before and just like with the previous transformations, they were healing much faster; faster with each form. She quickly sneered in pain and grimaced at the source. She opened her clothes and looked at her chest. The only wound in her body that refused to heal. She had it since her first-ever transformation, and each returning transformation only made the wound bigger. It now reached from the top of her collarbone and down below her breast. And yet, despite its size, it refused to bleed or bring her any harm. Pain from it now only seemed to come just before or just after the transformations, only to fade within a few minutes. "Just what is this? Why does this mark never heal even when the pain fades?" She lifted her hand to her eyepatch and her frostbitten eye. "It remains just like this does. Just like all my older wounds, yet it is much younger than they are." She closed her clothes and leaned back as the rain returned. Soft drops of water fell in from the window above her head. The wave of cold removed the heat of the transformation that always brought her. She remembered the last memories she had before waking up here. Though none of them could see it, above them all in the clouds alone, the shadow of a siren could be seen in her memories of those clouds and the rain that calmed her down. She didn't know why he brought her back every time and why his rain was the only joy in her life now. "Thanks for saving me again..." She didn't know why or how, but every time the transformation took control, there was always something to pull her back to reality. A soft voice belonging to a stallion that she still never knew the true face of; the kind voice she had heard so many times; the song of the sirens whose rain had consumed this entire city. Whether it was under the orders of his master or of his own choice and actions, all she could be thank the only light in her darkness. "Thank you, Cold Blue." ******