//------------------------------// // The Execution // Story: The Black Apple // by Duke of Canterlot //------------------------------// Zecora was beginning to lose any sense of optimism. If the visions from Apple Bloom’s mother didn’t change Apple Bloom’s ways, she doubted nothing will. She couldn’t believe that she missed the signs. To Zecora, Apple Bloom was just a curious and charming filly who was anxious about getting her cutie mark. But perhaps the most skilled sociopaths were the best at hiding it. At least Zecora had two new friends in prison: Twilight Sparkle and Silver Spoon. “You should have seen what Apple Bloom did to Gilda, I mean, holy shit”, prattled Silver Spoon, “this is the end of Equestria – isn’t it? And now we have Fluffy over here guarding us like we’re prisoners straight from Tartarus itself.” “I have lost sense of time. I am not even the mood to rhyme”, said Zecora, “I have tried everything to help Apple Bloom see the light but it has only made her more defiant against me.” “We all missed the signs”, said Twilight with a sigh, “I don’t know if there is more I could have done to help her. I should have taken her quest for a cutie mark more seriously.” “Her father is Tirek. Apple Bloom has too much of Tirek in her. And she killed him, surely because he was plotting to take her power away.” “I hate to say it but Apple Bloom is smarter than all of us combined. How do we defeat some.. some monster like that?” “Maybe we just accept it. You and Silver Spoon are safe because Apple Bloom knows that resurrecting Celestia is bad news for her.” “Does anyone else know your spells just in case you know, you..” “I shouldn’t be saying much. However, there is perhaps one who can destroy Apple Bloom without the need to resurrect Princess Celestia.” “There still isn’t much hope for a better future without Celestia. I think we need to do whatever we can to bring her back from the dead. As you know, I am willing to sacrifice myself.” “No. I forbid it. There is somepony else who can take my place for the spells if I am executed but no you cannot die. Neither can Silver Spoon. I am so sick of ponies dying. Too much death in recent days.” “Of course, I agree. But we can’t exactly kill Cerberus or Gilda. You should have seen how powered up Gilda is now. Apple Bloom turned her into a monster!” They heard a voice accompanied with evil laughter, “the monster says hello!” Zecora stared down at the ground. She was afraid to see Gilda. But there she was, a behemoth and muscle-bound griffon with only a look of what’s her next prey. “Come on, loser”, said Gilda, “it is time for you to say hello to Apple Bloom.” Zecora refused to say anything. “Cerberus, good job guarding the prisoners.” Cerberus barked. Zecora probably wouldn’t live to see it. But she had one last hope. The one who could defeat Apple Bloom just needed to start taking all of this seriously. Gilda opened the cage and dragged Zecora out. “You’re going to be a star on the big screen for all of Equestria to see”, said Gilda, “Apple Bloom is a hero. She saved a whole town of ponies from a dictator today.” “What? Herself?” “No. The one town which refused to follow Apple Bloom. But it turned out to be some mad unicorn who stole ponies’ cutie marks. Our Queen figured out how to get the cutie marks back to the ponies and I ripped the unicorn in half.” “Of course, you did.” “Yeah, it was rad! Not sure what we’re doing with you yet. I’ll have to see what the Queen wants me to do.” “I suppose I will find out the answer soon.” Gilda had such a powerful grip on Zecora that the zebra couldn’t escape even if she tried. There was a large crowd of ponies. Most looked despondent but Zecora noticed a crowd of about 50 ponies in the front cheering. Who were these fellows? She didn’t recognize any of them. Zecora was then thrown onto the ground right in front of the alicorn Apple Bloom. “Zecora”, said Apple Bloom with a cold sneer, “we have brought you here today to answer for all of your crimes against my rule. You have attempted to cheat my rulings themselves by trying to resurrect Princess Celestia from her timely death.” “The one you and Tirek orchestrated”, growled Zecora who then spit at the ground. “That was so rude of you.” “Good. I was wrong about you, Apple Bloom. You are a monster who is incapable of redemption. My fellow ponies, this “Is this one like Starlight Glimmer”, asked a male pegasus at the front. “Oh, Night Glider, this one is worse”, responded Apple Bloom, “she has taken measures to completely abolish my rightful rule over Equestria. Celestia passed on. The strongest and smartest pony took over – which is me. Ah want everyone to say goodbye to Zecora.” Zecora looked into the audience and she could see some familiar faces – none of them looked happy. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle seemed especially horrified by seeing what was once their best friend. “Zecora, where are your stupid rhymes now?” “Now is not the time for me to rhyme. I know that you have worked hard to gain what you think is your rightful place on the throne. But someone as heinous as you can’t rule for long. I believe in the goodness and strength of those around me. Your intellect is impressive and it is clear that you have planned well. However, you should not underestimate the power of good over evil. Apple Bloom, you are vile. You are the daughter of Tirek who is just as vile. I hope that those listening to me do not give up. Keep up the good fight in bringing goodness back to Equestria. It is what Princess Celestia would have wanted. It is what the surviving princesses still want for Equestria. Don’t let this manipulative sociopath get in the way of what is right. Don’t let fear control your lives. I may be dying tonight but I have no regrets. I tried to reform Apple Bloom. I tried to see if she had some of the good of her mother inside, but it is clear that she lacks any sense of decency. Don’t let Apple Bloom and her trained pet intimidate you. It is up to all of you to make Equestria free again!” Apple Bloom yawned and said, “that was so boring. Am ah right or am ah right?” That same crowd of ponies at the front cheered loudly for Apple Bloom. None of the others cheered. Zecora knew that Apple Bloom was smart enough to know that they would never love her – all she had was fear. “Are those the ponies you freed from the dictator?” “Ah, Gilda told you. Yes, ah freed them all.” “I have a message for these ponies. I do not know much of this dictator. I assume it is Starlight Glimmer. But whoever she was, Apple Bloom is much worse. Mark my words. You will see it soon.” “That’s pretty much what Starlight said too – we can’t trust Zecora”, shouted an earth pony. “That’s right, Double Diamond. Now, we’re on to the fun stuff! Gilda, do whatever you like.” Zecora began to run. Even though she knew it was no use. She could hear a whoosh. It was the superpowered Gilda. Zecora wanted to escape. But she knew that her apprentice, Pinkie Pie, would keep her potions alive. She quietly prayed for Pinkie’s safety and that the pink pony could be discreet. Zecora could feel the talons pierce her neck. The pain…the pain…. Zecora was lifted into the air by Gilda and then thrown up. Gilda caught Zecora halfway and began ripping apart at her body everywhere. Gilda wasn’t putting enough force yet – she wanted Zecora to feel the pain. Gilda used her beak to tear out Zecora’s mane until Zecora was completely bald. Zecora didn’t know if her whole scalp was gone but she supposed it didn’t matter. Gilda then gingerly brought Zecora to the ground and began punching, kicking, and scratching. The pain was unbearable. “This is so much fun”, cheered Gilda. Each blow was stronger than the last. The worst was a blow so strong that Zecora’s teeth were knocked out. She was losing a lot of blood. She wouldn’t be able to last much longer. The only hope that Zecora had was that she knew that her death wouldn’t mean Apple Bloom was safe. The rebellion wouldn’t die with her. It would never die as long as this tyrant brought doom and gloom upon Equestria. Zecora supposed now was the time to say her last words to the two sociopaths. “Gilda, you and Apple Bloom won’t be happy for long.” Gilda then tugged into Zecora’s chest and found her heart. And then it was eternal darkness.