//------------------------------//
// Bubble Berry is Awake and Alive 
// Story: The Tyranny of Princess Celestia 
// by AkemiTheSunbro 
//------------------------------//

	"Is that how you really feel, Berry?" Duskshine asked.
"Yes." Berry replied. "And that voice affirmed something for me. It may not have sounded much to anypony else, but to me, it sounded like a god gave himself to save us. A GOD. That's something huge! I mean, who does that? I'd rather serve somepony who gave his life to save me rather than a tyrant!"
"Yeah, no." Duskshine frowned. "All this is a little too far-fetched for me. Maybe your tired. You can stay here for a while until you feel better. We'll leave you alone. Come on everypony."
As they all walked out the door, Berry's mane and tail went flat and whispered with a distraught expression on his face. "They... they don't believe me..."
Just then, Fluttershy walked back inside the door and shyly said, "I... um... I believe you..."
Berry looked up and flashed a small smile. "You do?"
Fluttershy replied, "Well, you believe it, don't you? You've never lied to us before. Maybe there is something to this God-thing."
Berry sighed. "I really don't even know if that voice is correct. It may have been all our imaginations or something. But I do know that I'm not going to fight or live for a tyrant. Now, we should get out of here. Celestia saw me at Town Hall, and she's probably going to send guards to find me or something."  He walked over to the door, opened it, then instantly slammed it shut and yelled, "NOPE."
"What's wrong?" Fluttershy asked.
Berry replied. "I was right. There are guards posted everywhere... Shoot..."
"Um... I may know another way out..." Fluttershy offered. Berry raised an eyebrow. Fluttershy continued. "Well, sometimes... when I'm really scared to leave my cottage... and Twilight wants all of us to meet here, I use this passageway..." She pulled up a floorboard, revealing an underground passage.
"Quick question," Berry said. "why is there a passageway leading from your house to Twilight's? On second thought, never mind. We need to get out of here." 
"Hold on," Fluttershy squeaked. "it's supposed to be lit... and not so dark..." Her eyes grew wide. "...and SCARY..."
Just then, there was a knocking on the door, and a voice yelling, "Mr. Duskshine! We have information that you are harboring a fugitive! We must ask that you allow us inside!"
"Shoot..." Berry whispered. "Come on Fluttershy! There's no time!" Berry grabbed Fluttershy and forced her down the dark pathway, shutting the floorboard behind him.
____________________________________________________________________

"Is this really what you believe?" Fluttershy asked as they continued down the dark corridor.
"Yes." Bubble Berry replied. "Well, mostly. I'm still not entirely sure about what that voice said, but I know and believe that Celestia is not what she was. And seeing how she murdered that pony with Alchemy... I don't think she'll ever return to what she once was..." He paused. "That's why we HAVE to stop her! And that's what I believe inside."
"Well," Fluttershy spoke with determination. "I believe you, so I guess I believe that truth as well."
"Well," Berry started, "I know that I won't be under Celestia's control anymore."



Berry sighed. "I'm at war with the world, and they try to pull me into the dark. I struggle to find my faith... as I'm slipping from her hooves..."
Fluttershy spoke with a worried tone as they continued walking. "Hey, Berry..." 
"Please. Use my name. My REAL name. Not the one that the tyrant is making you use." Berry interrupted.
"Oh... okay..." Fluttershy stammered. "Pinkie... It's getting harder to stay awake... and my strength is fading fast... Will He breathe into us at last...?"
Berry paused, shrugged, then yelled. "I'm awake! I'm alive! Now I know what I believe inside! Now, it's my time! I'll do what I want, because this is MY life! Here!"
"Right here?" Fluttershy asked.
"Right now!" Berry replied. 
"Right now?" She asked again, then realized, "I get it... to stand our ground and never back down..."
Berry nodded, then stated, "I know what I believe inside. I'm awake and I'm alive." He sighed. "It's time for us to wake up."
He continued onward down the corridor. "I'm at war with the world, because I will NEVER sell my soul. I've made up my mind. No matter what, I won't be bought or sold."
He looked up at the ceiling, but it was as if he were looking at something else through the ceiling. "In the dark, I can feel You in my sleep. In Your arms I feel you breathe into me! Forever hold this heart that I will give to You! Forever I will live for You!"
"What do you mean by that?" Fluttershy asked.
Berry paused. "You know... I have NO idea. I just know that I'm awake and I'm alive."
"Ah! So you are the one who spied on me." A figure appeared from the shadows, and the two friends knew exactly who it was.
"Son of a cupcake..." Berry breathed.