"Avalon, a fantastic city where all races live together peacefully. Or at least that's what the news would say. In reality, it's hell. Especially for a changeling. But then again being a griffon isn't much better; the only difference is that you are expected to hate changelings too. I've never really understood why changelings are hated, I mean, sure, they can change how they look but any semi decent unicorn can do the same and, if I'm correct and I usually am when it comes to changelings, it's a hell of a lot easier to maintain. But then when has anybody ever been swayed by logic. I've seen undeniable proof that the sun rotates by itself and only needs a slight push every year but people insist that the unicorns struggle to do it daily. I'm getting off topic here though. Griffons are hated for a more understandable reason. This is because they have the strength of an earth pony and yet are still faster than most pegasi. Doesn't mean that people can keep abusing them. I swear to god, if a war isn't looming on the horizon it will be a bloody miracle. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get out of town before anypony read this. Although griffons and changelings should be defended, I would rather avoid being beaten to death." Dusty Tome, one of the top librarians and head of the changeling information department, explained to an up-and-coming "fair" newspaper reporter. Dusty Tome was of average build for a unicorn of his age, with dark grey fur and a very pale blue, oiled back mane that would often have a few wisps of hair poking out in front of his face. His cutie mark was the same as his name which often made him wonder which came first.
the reporter nodded and motioned to the door. "Feel free. You did this purely by your own choice and I doubt I could ever stop a unicorn such as yourself," He sighed. "I guess it's time to see which editor will horribly disfigure your views." They both smiled slightly.
"So you actually agree with me? There's a first. Never caught your name by the way. What was it?" Dusty Tome asked.
"Before I came here, there is a pub I would often go to called The Hoof And Talon. It was a great place and it was run by a friendly Griffon. New people avoided it like the plague but the locals and him were great friends. Only time he ever sent anyone to the hospital was with a poorly aimed, drunken hi-five. Despite the witness statements and his spotless past, he lost his home and his job to the law and was run out of town. I heard about this place and, well, it seemed too good to be true, so I decided to check it out and I was right. Thing is, I didn't expect to be this right. I mean sure a little hostility to other races is to be almost expected and maybe a biased law system could come from that but people just going out with sticks and picking random creatures to attack is just wrong. Not to mention the fact that nobody will help them after. Name's Quiltip by the way." He offered out his hoof in a handshake and Dusty Tome accepted.
"Well if you ever need a place to stay I'm more than happy to welcome someone as open minded as yourself."
They talked for a while longer until it began to get dark and if there is one thing either of them had learnt is that nobody ever goes out after dark. They said there farewells and Dusty Tome began the walk home.
He was nearing his home when he saw it. The whole street was a mass of technicolour carnage and in the centre were a pegasus and a griffon. At first, he just assumed it was another fight until the griffon hugged the pegasus. If he was perhaps forty years younger and more proficient in combat magic he would let off a few bolts and tell the two to run, then do the same but at this age all he could do was avoid the street, hope for them to get a swift death, and ignore the screams. He hated it here. If someone even refused to help attack someone else they would be called a "sympathizer" and beaten half to death.
There was only one other way to his house. The alleys. They weren't strictly alleyways as they were underground tunnels wide enough to fit two or three griffons side by side and tall enough so that they just don't scrape their head. During the day, the alleys worked wonders for the old stallion, softening the ground with moss for his tired, old, legs and nearly cutting his travel time in half but at night they were the worst place in all of Equestria for a person to be and, being a librarian, he knew some horrible places.
A voice shook him out of his half sympathetic, half grateful, thoughts.
"Oi," A group of pegasi behind him shouted. Dusty Tome turned around but kept moving. "We saw you back there just walk on. Why Di'n't you help us fuck up those bastards?" A green stallion with a blue mohican, who was obviously the leader of the mob, shouted. The statement was backed up by cheers of agreement from the rest of the group.
"I'm an old unicorn. My legs aren't strong and I know next to no offensive magic." Dusty Tome said, trying to keep the fear out of his voice.
"Know what I think? I think we got us a sympathizer on our hands." The crowd cheered
"I can assure you, gentlemen, that's not the case." His mind was screaming for him to bolt but his legs just wouldn't obey.
A cry burst out from the back of the crowd "Please! Just kill me already!" The pegasus mare he saw earlier was roughly pushed down in front of him.
"Prove it." Dusty just stood there in shock until he saw a glimmer of hope. There were no long term injuries. In fact, she was physically no worse for wear than if she had just got a cramp mid-flight at low altitude. To top it all off her legs looked relatively unharmed, they had mainly focused on her face. A plan began to form in his head. It was crazy, sure, but what were the alternatives. Either maim or even kill an innocent mare and go against everything he stood for or run halfway to Canterlot and find a nice ditch to live in.
"RUN" He shouted as he telekentically pulled the roof of the alley downwards above them and pulled the mare to her feet.
Narrowly avoiding the collapse of nearly the whole segment of the tunnels, they both made it out alive. Dusty Tome pulled a cloak out of his saddlebag and handed it to her.
"I wouldn't be surprised if many more of those people lived around here so put this on. If anyone asks say you crashed. I'm dusty tome by the way." He smiled and helped her put on the cloak. While he was helping her he had a look to see if he recognized her. She was very beautiful with purpley red fur, a deep red mane swept over the right side of her face, and a cutie mark of a rose in a vase. This made him question what would have happened to her had he not intervened. Dusty tome shuddered and tried to push those thoughts out of his mind.
"Why'd you help me?" The tone and suddenness frightened Dusty Tome. "I said why did you help me? I'm just an artist and we have never met each other. For all I know, this could be all a fake rescue for part of some sick game."
Dusty Tome had to think for a few seconds before answering.
"Because all the other options went against all I stand for as a pony. Look, I won't be staying in this town much longer and if you want you can join me in getting the hell out of here but even if you don't want my help at least let me take a look at those injuries." He said nodding towards a rather small house on the hill.
When they got inside Dusty Tome motioned toward the couch as he went in to the kitchen. "You never did tell me your name, by the way," Dusty Tome shouted.
"It's Rosebed. I'm sorry but I can't join you in getting out of here. I wish I could do something like that but..." She trailed off and sighed.
"It's Alright. Never really expected you to join me anyway, being a stranger and all. But if you don't mind me asking, why not?"
"You seem like a decent person, either that or you are one of the best spies ever, in which case not telling you won't help much. But I'm part of a group that is trying to peacefully unite all races. We even have an ambassador for the dragons, he's only a young one but that's the only way he'll fit in the base. This probably goes without saying but please don't tell anybody"
"If it's okay with you I would like to do one better. I'd like to join you. I know I'm not the most useful of creature but I'll do my best. I just hate how everybody treats each other." Dusty Tome got out some cider and began pouring it on Rosebed's open wounds. She hissed and winced. "Sorry, I should have asked or at least warned you." Time went by in silence apart from the occasional moan of pain and apology.
"I must say, you are taking the death of your partner well." After saying this, Dusty Tome instantly regretted it and the silence only made it worse.
"We knew what would most likely happen from the start and we agreed that if one of us dies at the hands of another pony then the other should live on and keep mourning to a minimum. The only way we can save this city is by helping the rebellion and we won't help much if we're moping about the place doing nothing." Dusty Tome was both amazed and a little disturbed at this but decided against asking further. Rosebed glanced at a clock "there is a meeting in about half an hour, I wasn't really planning on attending but I better tell them what went down and show you the way." They both grabbed a cloak and headed back into the alleys.