“A long time ago, there were two regal sisters that ruled over the kingdom of Equestria. The elder was in charge of the sun and all of the daily activities. The younger was in charge of the moon and the stars, as well as the fewer night duties. At first the two worked together, but one day the younger sister grew jealous of the elder.”
“Why?” I asked confused, “She had a good deal. If dad worked nights we’d see more of him and him wouldn’t be as tired.”
My sister decided it would be best to pop me in the snout for that. “Don’t interrupt. She’s just getting to the good part.”
“Now now,” my mother said soothingly, “Wish is just a bit misinformed.” She pulled her attention to me and gave my horn tip a little kiss. “Even if you’re father did work nights it would just make it so he’d never be able to see you at all because he’d be sleeping during the day. Does that make sense?”
“I guess,” I answered not exactly getting it. Hey I’m not exactly the smartest pony around now, as a kid I was basically a brick to basic math.
“Well,” mom said giving a little cough that I only learned later wasn’t to clear her throat, “back to the story now. The younger was jealous of the elder because ponies would sleep turning her night while playing in her sister’s sun so she felt unappreciated.”
“I still fail to see how this made her hungry for foal flesh,” I injected.
“Ugg,” my sister complained, “Would you just stop? This is a great story and you are ruining it. I guess mom named you wrong since thinking is obviously something you can’t do.”
“Nuh uh,” I cried pushing her, “I can think perfectly fine.”
“Yeah huh,” came my sisters reply pushing me back. Within no time things were heating up as the two of us started to wrestle but were pulled apart as my mother’s wings separated us.
“Calm down you two,” she said in her usual proper tone. It was small but I noticed my mother flinched and did my best to calm down. My sister followed suit. “But you have proven my point. Now think of what would happen if I wasn’t here to stop that little fight and you both could throw the sort of powers the princesses have.”
Both of us swallowed hard. It was easy to see it going wrong if I could throw the freaking sun in a fit of rage. My mother sat us bad down and continued the story, my sister now holding onto me as she finished it.
It was always like that between us back then before mom’s flu got the best of her. We’d fight but then make up just as quick. At least it was like that till the day she cost me my horn and never came to talk to me again. Bitch.
Still even somewhat happy memories like that came be very comforting when you’re trying to calm your panicking mind.
Nightmare Moon. THE Nightmare Moon. My legs shook as I watched the night ruler disappeared into her own darkness. Whatever speech she made was lost to me as I suddenly was reminded that she can thrown the freaking moon on us if we disobeyed her.
Many scrambled. Panic taking hold of the entire town. I was not immune to this. I wasn't exactly sure when but I found myself galloping as fast as I could, saddlebags draped over me form and instinct to loot. Was it even in my instinct to steal at this point? What does it matter? Equestria is screwed and I have to get out as soon as I can before things go too far.
That was the plan, until a claw grabbed my mane and pulled me down to the ground.
"Just couldn't resist," came that seductive voice again. "I knew you'd screw up eventually 24601. These damn Equestrian laws keep having me wait until you are out of the city limits or that you break the law. Though I must admit they do have a good system going."
I tried to pull away, but my neck was taken next as the full weight of Gale came onto me and the click of cuffs locked us together. "Wha, what are you talking about?"
"Oh that's right," Gale said in aa tone that showed she didn't really just realize. She chuckled a bit and said, "You didn't know how lax the laws here are because we don't allow law books in the griffin kingdom prisons. Hard enough for you to get ones on our hometown, but getting ones for here would be impossible. I still had to though, comes with being bounty hunter. I doubt you even thought to look into how one on the run may claim refuse.”
“Wha-“ I started to say but got my face slammed down again as a reward.
"Do stop talking Wishful. As I was saying: Basically, when your crime itself is in the minor category as yours was. You get a free pass so long as you stay in a different city limit. So while I have come for you I couldn't bring you in till you broke the law. Make sense now?"
It did, why someone as skilled as Gale would just flirt and give me so many chances to escape. How I could in fact escape a flyer in general. I had messed up every time and never just settled like I wanted. And I didn't know this place was so free it was allowed to do that."
"So what was it this time?" She reached into my saddlebag and hummed. "Some food, a glass, oh what's this?"
I looked up to see that fire ruby once again. Had I not taken it out before? Even if I had it was likely my instinct took it since it was a gem that could net me quite the starting money.
"Oh boy, finally decided to join then big leagues eh?" She fumbled it in her claws a bit longer, her paws digging into my flesh. "This is worth well more than that old food cart. I wonder how the owner will react when I return it. Who's is it?"
I felt ashamed. Before I could just say it was so I could survive. A treasure obtained for the greater good. This was not it. I had taken something out of greed in a fit of panic. No excuses and I knew if I didn't tell Gale she would just keep the gem instead of hunting for it. In her own way she was allowing me to set things right. "The Librarian, her assistant is the owner."
I’ve found myself in front of a lot of judging eyes before. But the twelve I was placed in front of right now were by far the worst. Some of them were not as strong as others, but those of Twilight Sparkle pierced me and caused me to shake.
Gale finished explaining as she handed the Fire Ruby over to Spike with a smile and swooped back over me. That look finally broke me. I just fell limp in shame. I guess I’m nothing more than a thief after all. Maybe my sister was right to leave. She may have seen it I was a hopeless case, nothing but scum.
“It was a gift,” the little dragon piped as Gale tried to lift me.
“What,” I whimpered at the same time Gale said in obvious confusing.
“He asked me for it,” Spike said. “I was just gonna eat it anyway. I can always find a bigger one with some better shape.”
“Oh I can help you with that darling,” announced Rarity, “As soon as this whole Nightmare Moon incident if fixed of course.”
“Ba-“ Gale started to argue but Twilight cut her off.
“We don’t have time for this,” Twilight finally said. “Just let him go. Spike forgave him already and we have to get going.”
My shackles released in an instant as Gale grumbled. She stared down at me with a hint of angry but also a bit of what I would say a bit glee. Was she THAT into chasing me that she would just wait till I broke the law again?
“I’ll try to calm this stupid town down then,” Gale said. “I’ve got nothing better to do and I’m not stupid enough to fight a god so do what you will.”
“We don’t got time for this y’all,” said Applejack. “At this rate the princess will never come back and mah apples will all die from no sunlight.” The other five nodded and started galloping off.
“Wait,” I called after them. “I’ll come to. It’s the least I can do for you all.”
“Like hay we will,” cried the Blue Pegasus speeding back to me so fast I didn’t get a chance to blink. “You just stole from one of us and basically wet yourself when you saw Nightmare Moon. Heck give you another chance and I’m pretty sure you’ll just betray us the first chance ya get or my name isn’t Rainbow D. Dash.”
She did have a point. I bit my lip and looked down at my own shadow. I could see it come alive as if trying to tell me to buck up as if it was some form of friendly Vashta Nerada. It even did a little mimic to try and tell me to mouth off at the pegusas as she landed beside me and pushed me over.
“Ah I’m just joshing ya,” Rainbow said laughing. “If you did that I’d just floor you anyway.” I would have come back with ‘I’d like to see ya try’ but given the situation I still just kept my head down.
Pinkie Pie jumped on my back, “Besides, the more the merrier right?” How did she get there? She loomed over me and gave me a really odd look that almost got me to stop in my tracks. It was like her pupils were as big as my head before she skipped off me and finally left me alone.
“Whatever,” Twilight said with an obviously angry tone. That really hurt more. I really did need make up for all I did and show her trusting in others was not a bad idea.
This left me in the back with the last member of this group, the one that had yet to say a world to me. She even used her hair to block me from her eyesight. Still it would be best to start on having at least one more be friendly with me so at least half these girls would not be distracted by my presents.
“Um,” I finally said trying to approach her. She however trotted away from me. Okay I can do this, just give her a smile and introduce yourself. “I know it wasn’t the best first impression but the name is Wishful Thinking. What’s yours?” Not a peep, in fact she did her best to distance herself from me. Guess I wasn’t going to win her over, but she didn’t have to be so rude about it.
“Well buck you too,” I mumbled as I noticed I was pushing the both of us away from the group. I rejoined and heard a slight wimper from that pegusas. Well whatever, even if she was a bit hurt from hearing that she diserved it a little right? Well even if not apologizing now was pointless since she obviously still didn’t want to associate with a criminal. I’d just have to prove my good intentions to them all.
So we were off, to this Everfree forest.