//------------------------------//
// Book 4: Manehattan 
// Story: Discord's Game 
// by Scribblestick 
//------------------------------//


Book 4: Manehattan


“It all makes sense,” Luna said, distracting Scrollkeeper once again. “These orbs represent truth and happiness. They’re powerful magic artifacts that have been used in the past to defeat draconequus.”
“May have been used,” Scrollkeeper said. “Your research is a good start, but not conclusive.”
“Not conclusive?” Luna said. “What more do you need?”
“Considering the gravity of the situation, it would be wise to gather more than a few clues connected by guesswork,” Scrollkeeper said. “Your theory holds promise, but we need to examine it more closely before putting it to the test.”
“I’m telling you, these two stones are the answer!” Luna said. “Celestia and I can use them and defeat Discord right now!”
“There are too many discrepancies for me to be sure,” Scrollkeeper said. “I’ve read through the records you brought from Canterlot, and they don’t all agree.”
“What do you mean?” Luna asked.
“Well, what the orbs represent, for example,” Scrollkeeper said. “Many of the scrolls refer to powers of truth and happiness, but others speak of faithfulness, compassion, and generosity, to name a few. Then there are the six magics, which are almost certainly connected to these orbs as well.”
“But –”
“I’m sorry, but there are simply too many unknowns and too much at stake,” Scrollkeeper said. “I must advise that you wait until we are able to answer more of these questions.”
Luna turned away from the librarian with an exasperated groan. She had been trying to convince Scrollkeeper that her theory was correct for the last week, and it always ended the same way. “We don’t have time for this!”
“What we don’t have time for are mistakes,” Scrollkeeper said. “If you wish to help us find a solution, I suggest you help us find answers.”
Luna grabbed a few scrolls with her magic, muttering under her breath. Celestia made a mental note to speak with her later. Impatience and frustration will get us nowhere, little sister, she pictured herself saying.
A knock at the door interrupted her silent conversation. “Excuse me,” said Galeforce as he entered the library. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but the Security Council would like to ask a favor of the alicorns.”
“Oh?” Celestia set her scroll aside and gave the security pony her full attention. “What might that be?”
“It appears that Discord has been wreaking havoc in Trottingham,” Galeforce said. “He’s all but destroyed their crops, and it’s too late in the season to replant. Unless they get more supplies, they won’t last the winter.”
“I don’t see what this has to do with the alicorns,” Scrollkeeper said. “Why not ask Manehattan to send them food? I heard they’ve had a good harvest this year.”
“That’s precisely what we did,” Galeforce said. “Manehattan refuses to help. Grainthresh and Color Wheel have agreed to take some supplies to Trottingham, but we can’t spare much. Unless Manehattan agrees to send aid, Trottingham will face a very difficult winter.”
“I’m still not sure how my sister and I can help,” Celestia said. “We may be able to control the sun and the moon, but we can’t make crops grow faster.”
“Our request is twofold,” Galeforce said. “We would like one of you to travel to Trottingham with Grainthresh and Color Wheel to help them distribute supplies. We would like the other to travel to Manehattan with Shuttleweave and convince the ponies there to send supplies.”
“That’s a job for a politician or a spokespony,” Scrollkeeper said. “We are very busy trying to find a way to defeat Discord. Why do you need an alicorn to do somepony else’s job?”
“Because they’re alicorns,” Galeforce said. “Every village this side of the mountains now knows who they are and what they intend to do. If Discord means to discourage our fellow ponies in Trottingham, seeing a pony who can defeat him will do them immeasurable good. As for the Manehattan ponies, we believe they will respond most positively to an alicorn.”
“So you want to use us as cheerponies and political leverage,” Celestia said.
“We want to maintain unity,” Galeforce said. “We believe this is the best way to achieve that goal.”
“And what of our studies?” Scrollkeeper asked. “Has the Council forgotten its pledge to help them defeat Discord? Do you know what will happen if they should fail?”
“Of course I know!” Galeforce shouted. “I watched Canterlot fall from Cloudsdale! I just spent five days in its ruin!” Galeforce stopped himself and took several breaths while the others watched in silence. “Discord is trying to turn us against each other,” he said. “You saw it yourselves in Las Pegasus. We can’t afford to have our allies betray us. Our best chance is to show them that we can fight back against Discord. If we restore their hope, we won’t have to restore the peace later.”
Celestia pondered the pegasus’ words. Despite what had happened with Gavel Law, she hadn’t considered the possibility that other ponies might try to stop them. “He may just be trying to distract us,” she said. “If we don’t study, we won’t figure out how to beat him.”
“I know,” Galeforce said, “but the consequences will be far worse if we don’t do something. The Council would not take you from your studies without good reason. All I ask is that you consider our request.”
Celestia glanced at her sister, who was watching her from across the room. “What do you think, Luna?” she asked.
“I think Discord is going to have an advantage either way,” Luna said.
Celestia nodded. Then it’s a question of which option will do the least amount of harm, she decided. “If we choose to go, is there somepony who can help Scrollkeeper while we’re away?”
Galeforce thought for a moment. “That depends,” he said. “Scrollkeeper can be picky when it comes to assistants.”
“I want Mezzo Tint,” Scrollkeeper said. “If you must take Celestia and Luna, I need a pony who can read quickly and accurately.”
Galeforce scowled. “Fine,” he said. “If the alicorns accept our request, I’ll send Mezzo Tint to help you until they return.”
“Will that be enough, Scrollkeeper?” Celestia asked.
“I’d rather have you two, but the Council’s request is important,” Scrollkeeper said. “Mezzo Tint is an excellent researcher. If you choose to leave, I will make do.”
“Very well,” Celestia said. “When do we leave?”
“Grainthresh and Color Wheel will leave tomorrow morning,” Galeforce said. “I believe Shuttleweave is preparing to leave for Manehattan as we speak.”
“I will accompany Shuttleweave,” Celestia said.
“What? Why you?” Luna asked.
“Politics is not your strong suit, little sister,” Celestia said. “The situation in Manehattan could be very complicated, and I don’t think you’re up to the task.”
“Oh, thanks,” Luna said with a scowl.
Another knock at the door kept Celestia from answering. “Galeforce? Are you in here?” Shuttleweave opened the door with her magic and stepped inside, her saddle bags already strapped to her sides. “Oh, hello,” she said to the alicorns. “Are you still talking with Galeforce?”
“We were just wrapping up,” Galeforce said. To the alicorns, he added, “Thank you for your help. I’ll see you when you return.”





“So, why did Galeforce ask you to come with me?” Celestia asked as she and Shuttleweave walked down a quiet dirt road. They had left the Everfree Forest behind several hours ago, and Celestia wasn’t sure whether she preferred the trees or the open plain. Anypony can see us for miles out here. Then again, we can see them coming, too.
“He didn’t,” Shuttleweave said. “I volunteered. My brother and I used to visit Manehattan every summer. Before Discord came, they held a festival every year to celebrate the first harvest. Our parents grew up there, so the festival became a part of our lives as well.”
“You do know this isn’t a vacation,” Celestia said. “We’re trying to settle a conflict, not reminisce.” It would have made more sense to give me a pegasus guide, she silently added. Then we could have flown to Manehattan instead of having to walk.
“Oh, I know,” Shuttleweave said. “I volunteered because I have a few friends in town who might be able to help us.”
“I see.”
The two walked on for a few hours before they stopped to make camp for the night. Celestia used her magic to light a fire while Shuttleweave prepared a simple dinner. “Do you have any idea why Manehattan refuses to send help to Trottingham?” Celestia asked.
“I’m not sure,” Shuttleweave said. “Manehattan has always been a wealthier city, and the ponies there can be snobby sometimes, but this is going a little too far, even for them.”
“Perhaps Discord is behind it,” Celestia suggested as Shuttleweave placed a pile of hay and a couple carrots in front of her.
“I think we can count on that.”
The two ate in silence for a few minutes. “These are good carrots,” Celestia said.
“They came from Grainthresh’s farm,” Shuttleweave said. “If you don’t mind me asking, how is your research going?”
“Fairly well,” Celestia answered.
“Did Luna manage to persuade Scrollkeeper yet?”
Celestia chuckled. “Not yet,” she said, “but I’m sure she’ll keep trying.”
“She can be a bit stubborn sometimes,” Shuttleweave said with a smile.
“Too stubborn, if you ask me,” Celestia said. “She means well, but she needs to stop talking about her theory and keep researching.”
“Don’t worry,” Shuttleweave said. “I’m sure she’ll come through. You just need a little patience.”
Celestia pondered her words for a moment. Am I being impatient? she wondered. She’d focused so much on her sister’s frustrations that perhaps she’d overlooked her own. A chilly breeze snapped her out of her thoughts, and she used her magic to retrieve a blanket from her saddle bags. She noticed Shuttleweave had done the same and was just tying a woven green scarf around her neck. “Is that your brother’s scarf?” she asked.
Shuttleweave smiled and nodded. “I know it’s a little silly, but I feel closer to him when I wear it.”
“That’s not silly,” Celestia said. “My mother made those saddle bags for me before Luna and I left home.”
“Do you miss them?” Shuttleweave asked. “Your parents, I mean.”
“I suppose,” Celestia said. It wasn’t something she’d thought about in a while. “It’s harder for Luna. She’s younger than most are when they leave home.”
“She missed you terribly when you went to Las Pegasus,” Shuttleweave said. “She’s a brave little filly, though.”
“She is,” Celestia agreed with a smile. “She’s grown up a lot since we left home.”
“You both have,” Shuttleweave said. “You’re both stronger now than you were when you first came to my shop.”
“Do you think so?” Celestia asked. Shuttleweave nodded. “Or does it only seem that way because Discord hasn’t attacked us in a while?”
Shuttleweave chuckled. “You looked about ready to faint when Color Wheel brought you to my door,” she said.
Celestia turned her gaze to the fire and watched the flames dance for a moment. “A lot has certainly changed since then,” she said. “I can only hope they keep changing for the better.”
“They will,” Shuttleweave said. “If anypony has a chance of making the future brighter, it’s you and Luna.”
“Thank you,” Celestia said.
“You’re welcome.” Shuttleweave yawned and rested her head on her forelegs. “I think I’m going to get some sleep,” she said.
“All right,” Celestia said. Shuttleweave closed her eyes, and a few minutes later, she was lost in her dreams.





If she had seen Canterlot in its glory days, Celestia imagined it would have looked a lot nicer than Manehattan. The buildings were made of soot-stained brick and wood and were packed as tightly as possible along the city’s wide streets. “Why do they do this to themselves?” Celestia asked. “This is much too claustrophobic.”
“I have no idea,” Shuttleweave said, looking around with wide eyes. “It’s no wonder my parents left.”
“You two,” a gruff voice said. The two turned to see a pair of uniformed ponies coming their way. “What are you doing standing around?”
“Um…” Shuttleweave backed up a couple steps. “We’re here to see the mayor.”
“The mayor is busy enough as it is,” the first officer said. “Return to your homes or your work.”
“Hold on,” the second officer said. “This one looks like that alicorn the messenger talked about. Where are you from?”
“Everfree,” Celestia said. “We would like to speak with the mayor, please.”
“Unless you’ve come to take the Mad Mustang away, the mayor does not wish to see anypony from Everfree,” the first officer said.
“The what?” Shuttleweave said.
“The Mad Mustang,” the second officer repeated. “He’s a crazy brown unicorn who’s been breaking into our storehouses. The messenger said he sounded like a pony who disappeared from Everfree several years ago. Apparently he has a sister who lives there.”
Shuttleweave’s eyes had widened even further. “What does he look like?” she asked.
“Well, he’s brown, like I said,” the officer said. “I hear he has a blue mane, but I’ve never seen him.”
“I saw him once,” the first officer said. “Nearly trampled me when I tried to stop him. His cutie mark is a woodworking plane. Do you know him?”
“That’s my brother!” Shuttleweave cried. “Where is he?”
“If we knew that, we’d have caught him by now,” the second officer said. “We think he’s in the forest somewhere, but you’ll have to ask the mayor if you – hey, wait!”
Shuttleweave was already galloping down the street towards city hall. “Shuttleweave, wait for me!” Celestia called as she took off in hot pursuit. She finally caught up with the teal mare inside city hall, which was made of the same dirty brick as the rest of the city.
“You don’t understand!” Shuttleweave was saying to a secretary. “That’s my brother, Woodwright! I need to find him!”
“I’m sorry, but the mayor is very busy,” the secretary said. “If you’d like to make an appointment –”
“I don’t want an appointment!” Shuttleweave cried. “I want to know where my brother is!”
“What is going on out here?” The door behind the secretary flew open, and gray pony with a cyan mane stormed out. “Quicknote, what is the meaning of all this shouting?”
“I apologize, Mayor Silver Ring,” the secretary said quickly. “This mare claims she’s the Mad Mustang’s sister and insisted she be allowed to see you immediately.”
“Please, I must know where he is,” Shuttleweave said.
Silver Ring glared at Shuttleweave. “I’m a very busy mare, young lady, and I do not appreciate shouting right outside my door.”
“I-I’m sorry,” Shuttleweave said. “It’s just, I haven’t seen him in years, and –”
“I’m very sorry to hear that,” Silver Ring said. “Unfortunately, you’ve arrived too late. I already have officers searching the woods. It won’t be long until he is caught and brought to justice.”
“What?” Shuttleweave gasped. “How can you do such a thing?”
“He is a public menace, and we must do something about him,” Silver Ring said. “He’s broken into our storehouses four times in the last week alone.”
“Is that why you couldn’t send food to Trottingham?” Celestia asked.
Silver Ring seemed to notice her for the first time and scowled. “And who are you?”
“My name is Celestia,” the alicorn said. “The Everfree ponies asked me to find out –”
“Why we won’t send food?” Silver Ring finished. “As I told the previous messenger, what happens in Trottingham is none of our concern. I have my own ponies to look out for. You can go tell whoever sent you to mind his own business.”
“Please,” Shuttleweave said, her voice half-strangled by tears. “Tell me where he is, and I’ll take him back to Everfree. Just don’t hurt him!”
Silver Ring stared at the weeping mare for a moment. “My officers are searching the North woods as we speak,” she said. “We believe that is where your brother is hiding. If you can find him before my officers, you may take him with you. But if he ever returns, or if my officers find him first, he will have to face the consequences of his crimes.”
“But, Mayor!”
“Enough!” Silver Ring said. “I have made my offer. Take it or leave it. In the meantime, I want both of you out of here now. Don’t make me tell you again.” Before Shuttleweave or Celestia could speak another word, the mayor disappeared into her office, slamming the doors shut behind her.





“I-It’s not fair!” Shuttleweave said between sobs. “Discord cursed him with madness! It’s not his fault!”
“Shh,” Celestia said, letting the teal mare lean her head into her chest as she wrapped a foreleg around her shaking shoulders. “Don’t worry. We’ll think of something.”
“But what can we do?” Shuttleweave asked. “Silver Ring’s officers have been searching for who knows how long.”
Celestia looked around, wracking her brain for a solution. The two had found a secluded place in a park once where Shuttleweave could cry without having to face the stares of other ponies. Shuttleweave’s sobs eventually calmed, and she backed away from Celestia, wiping the tears from her face. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m afraid I ruined everything for you.”
“Silver Ring’s decision was made long before we came here,” Celestia said. “If she won’t help us, we’ll have to find another way. You said you have friends here. Who are they?”
“Farmers, mostly,” Shuttleweave said, her voice still trembling a little. “I went to school with Quicknote, but I don’t think she remembers me.”
“We can start with that,” Celestia said. “Maybe you can persuade your friends to send aid on their own.”
“And my brother?” Shuttleweave asked.
“Leave that to me,” Celestia said. “I can’t do much good here, but if I can find your brother, Silver Ring might be more willing to listen.”
Shuttleweave nodded. “All right. I’ll go see my friends. Are you sure you’ll be okay? Woodwright can be a handful.”
“I’ll be fine,” Celestia said as she spread her wings. “Take care. We’ll meet back here when we’re done. If I’m not back by nightfall, find a hotel, and I’ll look for you.”
“Okay,” Shuttleweave said. Celestia launched herself into the air and sped North. Please, find him, Shuttleweave prayed as she made her way through the streets. If Silver Ring finds him first, there’s no telling what she might do.





It didn’t take long for Celestia to reach the North woods or catch up to the line of Manehattan officers making their way through the trees. If I were Woodwright, where would I be hiding? she asked herself as she scanned the forest below. She didn’t see any caves or other obvious hiding places, and she couldn’t come up with any spells to help find him, so she resorted to landing and calling his name.
“Woodwright!” she shouted as she looked at the trees around her. Does he even know his name? she wondered. “Woodwright!” She trotted through the wood, listening for anything that might be a lost unicorn, but all she heard was her own ragged breath and heavy hoof beats.
“You again?” Celestia turned and saw one of the officers she’d seen in the city. “What are you doing out here?”
“The same thing you are,” she answered.
“Why do you keep shouting Woodwright?” the officer asked. “You’ll scare him off.”
“That’s his name,” Celestia said.
“How do you know?”
“Because unlike you and your mayor, I have a heart!” Celestia snapped. “Woodwright!”
The officer started to say something, but Celestia was already running in the opposite direction. Where could he be? She stopped and listed carefully over the sound of her own panting. There has to be some clue, she thought. Something that will give him away.
“There he is! Get him!”
Celestia’s heart rate skyrocketed as her head whipped around. She caught sight of several uniformed guards running through the trees and immediately took off after them. It soon became clear that the earth pony officers would outrun her on foot, so she took to the skies and followed them from above. From her vantage point, she could see the wall of officers closing in around a brown and blue shape running erratically through the woods. That must be Woodwright. She angled herself towards where she guessed he’d be in a few seconds and dove, preparing to cast a levitation spell as she did. She hit the ground just feet in front of him, and before he recovered from his shock, her spell was cast.
“Halt!” The wall of officers came to a stop around her, almost closing her in. They looked at one another for several seconds, as if unsure as to what to do with her, while Woodwright struggled to break free of Celestia’s magic. “Give us the stallion,” the chief officer said at last.
“He’s coming with me,” Celestia said. “I’m taking him to Everfree. He won’t trouble you anymore.”
“That stallion has committed numerous crimes against the city of Manehattan,” the chief officer said. “I demand that you surrender him to us at once so that he can face the consequences of his actions.”
“He’s not himself,” Celestia said, taking a couple steps backwards. “Discord placed a curse of madness on him. He cannot be held responsible for what he has done.”
“That’s not for you to decide,” the chief officer said, taking several steps forward. “That decision must be made by the mayor and judges.”
“The mayor has already decided,” Celestia said. “She said if I found him before you did, I would be allowed to take him back to Everfree, where he belongs.”
“But you didn’t find him,” said the officer she’d met in the city. “We did.”
“I’m the one who caught him!”
“And we thank you for your help,” the chief officer said. “Now, I’ll ask one more time. Give up the stallion, or you too will be put on trial for obstructing the law.”
Celestia began to panic as the officers closed in around her. She was fairly certain she could escape the officers, but then what? She’d be a fugitive, and the relationship between Manehattan and Everfree would only become worse. Besides, Shuttleweave was still somewhere in the city, and the officers would no doubt track her down as well. I’m sorry, Shuttleweave, she thought as she released Woodwright from her spell. The officers wasted no time in throwing several lassos over the unicorn’s head and dragging him away. I tried.
“Thank you for your cooperation,” the chief officer said, a hint of relief in his voice. “I’ll make sure the mayor knows you assisted in his capture.” He turned and followed his fellow officers, leaving Celestia alone with her guilty conscience.





Shuttleweave took a deep breath as she approached the tavern. I hope they still meet here, she thought as she carefully pushed open the doors and stepped inside. To her relief, she saw a familiar brown coat, wild yellow mane, and oat stalk cutie mark at the bar. “Hello, Oatbuck,” she said.
“Hmm?” The stallion turned around and smiled. “Well, if it isn’t Shuttleweave! Haven’t seen you in a while!”
“I haven’t been here in a while,” Shuttleweave said. “How’s the farm?”
“Doin’ well,” Oatbuck said. “We’re in the middle of the harvest, of course, so things are pretty busy. Hence I’m drinking alone today,” he added with a sweeping gesture at the near emptiness around him. “What about you?”
“I’m well enough,” Shuttleweave said. “Listen, I don’t suppose you’ve heard anything about Trottingham?”
“Trottingham?” Oatbuck scratched his chin for a moment. “Nothing in particular. Why?”
“Discord’s been wreaking havoc on their crops,” Shuttleweave said. “Unless they get some help, they may not survive the winter.”
“No kidding?” Oatbuck said with a frown. “Have you told the mayor about this?”
“A messenger came recently asking for help, but the mayor turned him down,” Shuttleweave said. “I was hoping you and a few other farmers could help out.”
“Well, you know I’m not one to turn out a pony in need, but we have ourselves to look out for first,” Oatbuck said. “I don’t know how much the other farmers are bringing in, and with that Mad Mustang loose, who knows how much food we’ll have?”
“Don’t call him that.”
“Pardon?”
“I said, don’t call him that!” Shuttleweave repeated. “That’s Woodwright!”
“Woodwright? Your brother?” Oatbuck said with another scratch of his chin. “Can’t be. His coloring’s too dark.”
“Discord put a curse on him,” Shuttleweave said. “He doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
“Look, I sympathize with you, kid, but he’s been causing us a lot of problems,” Oatbuck said. “I suggest you go see the mayor about all this. She’s the one in charge, and I’m afraid I can’t do a lot to help you.”
Before Shuttleweave could speak another word, an out-of-breath officer barged into the tavern. “The Mad Mustang’s been caught!” he said. “The trial will begin shortly in the square!” The few ponies in the tavern immediately dropped what they were doing and rushed outside.
Shuttleweave had to fight to keep from hyperventilating. It can’t be! Not Woodwright!
“You okay, kid?” Oatbuck asked. “You look about ready to faint.”
“I… I need to sit down,” Shuttleweave said, trying not to fall over.
“Hey, relax,” Oatbuck said has he helped her take a seat. “It’s not the end of the world. I’m sure they won’t be too hard on him.”
You didn’t see the way Silver Ring talked about him, Shuttleweave thought. You didn’t see the look in her eye. She won’t take mercy on him, no matter how cursed he is.
“Feeling better?”
Shuttleweave carefully opened her eyes and was glad to see the world had stopped spinning quite as quickly. “I… I need to go to the trial,” she said, getting shakily to her hooves. “I have to help Woodwright.”
“Here, let me help you,” Oatbuck said, letting her lean against him as they walked out of the tavern. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get there in time.”





Celestia spotted Shuttleweave in the crowd, but she stayed on the rooftop overlooking the square, unable to face the teal mare. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let him go. Now all she could do was watch helplessly from the sidelines while the officers dragged the still-struggling Woodwright into the square. Four ponies in black robes were seated along one edge of the square, and Silver Ring herself sat in the middle of them while more and more ponies crowded in to see the trial.
“Order!” Silver Ring shouted, silencing the dull roar of speculation that came from the crowd. “We are here today to decide what to do with this stallion, commonly known as the Mad Mustang, who has been brought here today on multiple counts of theft, unlawful entry, assaulting an officer, and disturbing the peace. As the evidence against him is well-known and well-documented, the judges and I have decided to forego the public hearing of testimony against the accused.” This statement drew a few complaints from the audience, but they were quickly silenced. “Is there anypony who wishes to speak in defense of the accused?”
“I will!” Shuttleweave shouted, pushing her way to the front of the crowd. “I will speak in his favor!”
Silver Ring frowned at her while the crowd muttered disapprovingly. “What is your name?” she asked.
“Shuttleweave,” the teal unicorn replied. “I’m from –”
“Everfree, yes,” Silver Ring said. “You’re that mare who was making a scene outside my office this morning.”
Shuttleweave bowed her head a little at the accusation, but she held her ground. “This unicorn is my brother, Woodwright,” she said. “Several years ago, Discord placed a curse on him that drove him to madness. I know that he has caused many problems here, but I must ask you to let him return home with me.”
“I’m afraid that’s not an option,” Silver Ring said. “This stallion has caused far too much damage.”
“It’s not his fault!” Shuttleweave said. “If it wasn’t for the curse, he wouldn’t have done any of the things you say he did!”
“Is there anypony who can confirm this mare’s words?” Silver Ring asked, looking around at the crowd. “Anypony at all?”
“I can, ma’am,” said a brown-coated, yellow-maned pony as he stepped forward.
“State your name, for the record,” said the mayor’s secretary, who was taking notes at a desk to the side of the judges.
“Oatbuck, ma’am,” the stallion said. “I’ve known Shuttleweave and Woodwright since they were little, and now that I’ve gotten a good look at him, this does look like Woodwright.”
“And the curse?” Silver Ring asked.
“That I can’t say,” Oatbuck said. “However, I do know that Woodwright was a good colt. Always helping out on my farm. He was a little mischievous, I guess, but what colt isn’t?”
Celestia saw a few other ponies nodding in agreement, and even Silver Ring seemed to soften a little. “Very well,” she said. “We will take your words into consideration. Is there anypony else who would like to speak for the accused?” There were no volunteers. “Very well. Judges, what do you think?”
“Based on the evidence before us, I move that we imprison the stallion until this curse can be lifted,” said one of the black-robed ponies.
“I agree,” said another.
“As do I,” said the third.
“What?” Shuttleweave cried. “How can you do such a thing?”
“While I sympathize with your case, I cannot ignore the danger your brother presents to both himself and the ponies around him,” the first judge said. “As long as he remains under this supposed curse, he cannot be allowed to wander free.”
“The curse is real!” Shuttleweave shouted. “I saw it happen with my own eyes!”
“Miss, we understand your distress,” said the second judge, “but my colleague is correct. To allow him to remain free would only invite more problems in the future. For his own safety and the safety of this city, we must restrain him.”
“But that’s not fair!” Shuttleweave ran towards her brother, but a pair of officers stopped her. “Woodwright!”
“Fair or not, it is what must be done,” said the third judge. “Even allowing you to take him to Everfree would only move the problem somewhere else. For the good of Equestria, we must lock him up.”
“Since when do you care about the good of Equestria?” Shuttleweave yelled. “All you ponies care about is looking out for yourselves! There are ponies starving in Trottingham. What have you done to help them?”
The crowd began to murmur again, but this time, it didn’t seem to be about Woodwright. Even Silver Ring was taken by surprise. “Order! Order!” she shouted to quiet the crowd. “We have heard from three of our judges. What does the fourth have to say?”
The fourth judge had remained silent throughout the trial and appeared to be deep in thought. “My decision is as follows,” he said at last. “It is clear that this stallion cannot be allowed to roam free in his current state. If he were somehow restored to his right mind, I would consider pardoning him for his crimes. If not, I must concur with my colleagues.”
The crowd nodded in agreement. “Very well,” Silver Ring said. “It seems the judges are agreed. I hereby sentence –”
“Wait!”
Silver Ring let out a heavy sigh as she turned to Shuttleweave once again. “What is it now?” she asked.
“I can cure him!”
Shuttleweave’s words sent the crowd into yet another bout of murmuring. Even Celestia was taken aback by her boldness. What are you doing? she thought. I don’t think even I could overcome Discord’s curse. What makes you think you can?
Silver Ring was obviously thinking the same thing. “And how, might I ask, will you do this?”
Shuttleweave’s horn glowed a pale blue as she retrieved a green, hoof-woven scarf from her saddle bag. “With this,” she said. “I made this scarf for him many years ago. If he wears it, it might help him come to his senses.”
Silver Ring sighed again. “I admire your persistence, but my patience is wearing thin,” she said.
“Just trust me!” Shuttleweave started to say.
“You are wasting my time!” Silver Ring shouted, cowing the teal mare into silence. “My best magicians could not overcome Discord’s magic. It certainly won’t be overcome by an old scarf. Stop this foolishness and accept your brother’s fate!”
Shuttleweave stood there for a moment without uttering a word. Celestia thought she was going to run away, and when she spoke at last, her voice was so soft Celestia almost didn’t catch her words. “The only fool is the pony who won’t try,” she said. “You may have magicians, but he is my brother. If anypony can get to him, it’s me.”
Without waiting to hear what Silver Ring had to say, Shuttleweave pushed past the officers and approached her brother. The brown stallion was still trying to break free of the ropes that held him down, and his blue mane and tail were covered in mud and twigs. “Shh,” Shuttleweave said softly as she wrapped the scarf around his neck with her magic. “It’s all right, Woodwright. I’m here.”
The stallion stopped struggling and stared at Shuttleweave with wide eyes. “Do you remember me?” Shuttleweave asked, stepping cautiously forward. “I’m your sister. Shuttleweave.”
The stallion’s gaze was fixed on the teal mare as she brushed a few leaves out of his mane. For a while, the two just stood there, looking at each other. “Come back to me, Woodwright,” Shuttleweave whispered, her eyes beginning to fill with tears. “Please.”
A blue spark shot from Shuttleweave’s horn and collided with Woodwright’s face. Both ponies cried out and stumbled away from each other, their faces frozen in expressions of utter shock. “I’m so sorry!” Shuttleweave cried as Woodwright shook his head. “I don’t know what happened!”
Woodwright rubbed his head and looked at Shuttleweave. The crowd gasped as his mane and coat seemed to grow brighter. “Wha… where am I?” he said. “And why am I tied down?”
“Woodwright!” Shuttleweave’s face broke into a smile as she leaped forward and embraced her brother. “You’re all right!”
“Of course I’m all right,” he said, returning her hug. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s a long story, son,” said Oatbuck. “Glad to see you’ve come back to your senses.”
“Senses?” Woodwright looked around with a frown. “Are we in Manehattan?”
“I’ll explain everything later,” Shuttleweave said. She turned her attention to Silver Ring and the judges, who were all watching her with open mouths. “The curse has been broken,” she said. “Will you reconsider your verdict?”
It took Silver Ring several moments to find her voice. “H-How?” she asked.
“Um, I don’t really know,” Shuttleweave said. “But I do know that generosity will always bring good things. I’ve helped many stray ponies in the hopes that somepony would be able to help my brother as well. I guess in the end, it paid off.”
A bright light flashed over Shuttleweave’s head, and Celestia watched as yet another stone orb floated to the ground. How many of these things are there? she wondered while Shuttleweave and Oatbuck cautiously examined the orb. Certainly more than Luna thought.
“A-All right, that’s enough,” Silver Ring shouted, trying in vain to maintain order. “In light of recent events, would any of the judges like to alter their decisions?”
“As I said, I would consider pardoning the stallion if the curse was lifted,” the fourth judge said. “It appears that the curse has, indeed, been lifted. Based on the testimony of Shuttleweave and Oatbuck, I move that we grant Woodwright a full pardon an allow him to return to Everfree with his sister.”
The other three judges could only nod in agreement. “Very well,” Silver Ring said. “If the judges are agreed, I hereby grant Woodwright full pardon. You may return home whenever you please.”
“Oh, thank you!” Shuttleweave cried. The crowd began to disperse through the streets. Celestia saw some who seemed displeased, but for the most part they were smiling, glad that the Mad Mustang would no longer trouble them. Celestia spread her wings and glided down to the square, where Shuttleweave and Oatbuck were helping the officers release Woodwright from his restraints.
“That took guts,” Oatbuck was saying. “I thought you’d gone crazy, but I guess your magic came through after all.”
“Thanks,” Shuttleweave said as the last rope fell away. “Come on, Woodwright. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
“And rested,” Oatbuck said.
“And caught up on what’s happening,” Woodwright added.
“Excuse me.” The four turned to see Silver Ring approaching them, a sheepish look on her face. “I wanted to apologize for my earlier behavior. The Mad – your brother had me at wit’s end, and my temper was far too short.”
“Don’t worry,” Shuttleweave said. “Woodwright won’t bother you anymore.”
Silver Ring nodded as Oatbuck and Shuttleweave led Woodwright away. “I suppose I owe you an apology, too,” she said to Celestia.
“Perhaps,” Celestia agreed, “but there are more important things to worry about right now.”
“Yes, of course,” Silver Ring said. “Now that the M – Woodwright is taken care of, I will prepare a convoy to deliver supplies to Trottingham. Tell your leaders in Everfree that we will do what we can to help the Trottingham ponies in their time of need.”
“I will,” Celestia said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get a better look at this stone.”
“You recognize it?” Silver Ring asked as the two approached the orb. Several officers were standing nearby, unsure what to do with it.
“Indeed,” Celestia said. “This is the third one I’ve seen since I arrived in this land. I believe they may help us get rid of Discord for good.”
“Really?” Silver Ring looked at the stone, her eyes shining with curiosity. “I don’t suppose you have time to tell me more?”
“Of course,” Celestia said. “What would you like to know?”