//------------------------------// // ii - Strike Two // Story: The Path of Absolution - Punishment // by Morningstar1337 //------------------------------// The next day, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were looking for ideas how to apologize now that their column plan failed. They walked around town on a sunny but slightly cold day. They could feel the winds blowing at the small village of Ponyville. And they could see most of the townsponies locking their doors and retracting their mats in fear and hatred of them. The three fillies sighed at their notoriety. They decided to head to the marketplace for ideas, and to prepare for the snowstorm. Elsewhere in Cloudsdale, the white pegasus with the cloud and sun cutie mark flew to a tower, followed by a violet pegasus. “Over Cast,” said another pegasus. “What took you so long?” “Sorry,” Over Cast said. “I had to rest in Ponyville. Did you examine the storm?” “Not yet. We haven’t seen anything like it. The weather teams assigned to take care of the Crystal Mountains went to find out what happened, but we haven’t heard from them since.” “So what did you find out?” The pegasus next to Over Cast spoke up. “It came from the Frozen North and is moving down western Equestria.” Her pink mane was getting wet from the increased humidity around Cloudsdale. The other pegasus was surprised. He said, “Over Cast, who is this and what were you doing near Ponyville in the first place?” “I went there to warn Los Pegasus about the storm,” Over Cast said. “And this is-” The violet pegasus interrupted Over Cast. “I am Star Song.” Over Cast then continued and said, “as I was leaving, I had to take the long way around Ghastly Gorge and had to rest in Ponyville for a while.” Just then, two pegasi went in the room. One of them said, “sir we found some ponies frozen in Unicorn Range.” “What do you mean, frozen, Cloudchaser?” Over Cast said. “It’s the storm sir. It’s getting worse,” the other pony said. “Ponies are being frozen alive.” “Take it easy Flitter,” Cloudchaser said. “This seems unlikely,” Star Song said. “the weather teams have made sure that the snowstorms wouldn't freeze ponies, right?” The pegasus stallion said, “That would be the case if the weather ponies were able to control that thing. Anyway, you four should keep an eye out for the storm.” “Roger, Gale Force,” Over Cast chuckled. “That’s Commander to you.” Over Cast, Star Song, Flitter and Cloudchaser left. Gale Force looked at the sky above and wondered how the snowstorm was able to go south. The pegasi there should have been able to keep the weather in the Frozen North, away from civilization. He thought of several possibilities but discarded all of them. He said, “there’s no way. They should have been gone long ago.” But he couldn't stop thinking about it. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were sitting at a table in the marketplace. Some of the ponies there glared at them, others just avoided the tables, and a few were just shopping like they usually would. “So what do we do?” Apple Bloom said. “We could try apologizing individually,” Sweetie Belle said. “Nah,” Scootaloo said. “They wouldn't let us finish. We could try a public announcement.” “I don’t think so,” Apple Bloom said. “The Mayor wouldn't let us make any announcement after that ‘mane dye’ column. There has to be a way we could fix this.” The Crusaders’ stomachs were growling. They went to find some food. They saw a stand selling asparagus and waited in line. They went to the back of the line. An earth pony saw the Crusaders. “Hey, you’re cutting in line.” “No we’re not,” Apple Bloom said. “Yeah, you are,” the earth pony said. “But this is the back of the line,” Sweetie Belle said. “Oh really?” the earth pony said. The fillies saw several ponies behind her. “Now back of the line!” The Crusaders were disheartened, but they went to the back of the line. Slowly the customers in front have made their purchases, while an even longer line had amassed behind the fillies. When they made it to the counter Apple Bloom said, “3 bunches please.” “Sorry kid, we’re sold out,” said the clerk. “But there’s some behind you,” Sweetie Belle said. “No there’s not,” The clerk lied. “We’re sold out.” Scootaloo pointed her orange hoof to the walls of the stand. “But there’s some asparagus over there.” She noticed a copy of the Foal Free Press to his left. “Look, kid,” The clerk said. ”I don’t sell to sleazy gossip writers, so scram!” He then closed the shack, and after a few minutes, took his shares and left.. The bitter line behind the Crusaders also left. “Well that sucks,” Scootaloo said. “Ah well,” Apple Bloom said. “There’s still some other stands here.” They went to a nearby cherry stand. There was a sign that read “Cherries: Five Bits.” the fillies went up to the stand. Sweetie Belle took out of a bag of bits and placed it on the counter, “we’ll have some cherries please.” The stand owner counted the bits and shoved the bits back. “That’s not enough money. The cherries are fifty bits.” “But the sign said they were five bits,” Apple Bloom said. “That sign is old,” The stand owner lied. The fillies looked at the sign and noticed that it was brand new. They also saw the newspaper below it. “Now pay me sixty bits each or no deal.” “Sixty bits?” Scootaloo said. “That’s ridiculous!” Her stomach was growling. “You’re really hungry, aren't you?” the stand owner said.”In that case, six hundred sixty six bits.” “Um, we don’t have that much money,” Sweetie Belle said. “Too bad,” The stand owner said. “Now get out so that other ponies can have their cherries.” The three fillies sighed and left the stand. The pony behind them said, “I’ll have some cherries for ten bits.” “Deal,” the stand owner said. The fillies overhead that, and saw the transaction. The stand owner in turn noticed that the Crusaders hadn’t left and said, “you know, these could have been yours if you kept your trap shut, Gabby Gums.” By that point the Crusaders had given up on getting lunch. They left the marketplace knowing full well that they were not welcome there.