//------------------------------// // Act XXII: The Execution // Story: Sweetie Belle's Descent Into Madness- A Musical // by Matthais Unidostres //------------------------------// . . . . . . . . . Curtain Rise! Act XXII: The Execution Scene i: That's What You Get All of the remainder of Ponyville was aroused from their slumber as the massive search party returned. They all turned on their lights and opened their windows, sticking their heads out to see what all the commotion was. Leading the large group were Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash. Between them was the purple dragon himself tied up and sitting inside Pinkie's Party Cannon. Ponies gasped and left their houses to get a closer look at the criminal dragon. Sympathy for Sweetie Belle, who had such a wonderful musical talent; and Rarity, who had created so many beautiful outfits for them; burned brightly in their souls. This slowly turned into anger for the dragon who had harmed the two innocent ponies and broke their hearts. Mayor Mare came out of Town Hall to meet the group as they brought the dragon over. "Good work," she said to Pinkie, Dash, and Applejack. Then she glared hard at Spike and said, "Well, it seems your path of destruction has come to an end!" The huge crowd of ponies cheered at the mayor's statement. Spike, however, seemed very uninterested and turned away. "Don't be rude! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Mayor Mare said angrily, "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Spike continued to silently frown, still not looking at Mayor Mare, but staring into the angry crowd. The crowd was muttering darkly, some suggesting possible punishments for the dragon before them. However, something suddenly broke through the crowd. It was a small white unicorn filly. Spike glared fiercely at Sweetie Belle as she skidded to a halt in front of Town Hall. Pinkie spun Spike around in the Party Cannon and said, "Well, here he is, Sweetie Belle! We got him right where we all want him! All tied up!" "Heh-heh, yeah Pinkie," Sweetie Belle chuckled a bit. She then went over to the spinning cannon and stopped it with her hoof. Spike's eyes were spinning along with his head as his entire being was overcome with dizziness. Eventually he managed to recover and was face to face with the unicorn filly. "Spike," she whispered softly so only he could hear, "I can get you out of this, no questions asked. I can fix everything. I can put all of the blame on Diamond Tiara right now," Sweetie Belle smiled softly, "All you have to do is realize how perfect we are for each other. . ." She leaned close to Spike's ear and whispered, "I still love you." Spike suddenly spat out a spurt of fire, which scorched Sweetie Belle's left cheek. She squealed and stumbled back as the whole crowd gasped in shock and disgust at the action. "You got a lot of nerve," Spike said angrily, "After what you did to Twilight." Everyone became confused when they heard that statement. Sweetie Belle was completely shocked, "You know- I- I mean, what are you talking about?!" Spike shifted his weight forward and rolled out of the cannon in an undignified manner. "Not so fast!" Rainbow Dash said as she stepped on Spike's back, holding him down. "You're reign of terror has come to an end!" Mayor Mare declared. Spike growled as he tried to push himself up. She glared at Mayor Mare angrily. She then turned her gaze to Sweetie Belle. "Don't even look at me!" Sweetie Belle squeaked, "You monster!" Spike snorted smoke out of nostrils. He kept his eyes directly on Sweetie Belle. Then, with a mighty burst of draconian strength, Spike snapped the ropes and pushed Rainbow Dash off of him. He got up on his feet and walked angrily towards Sweetie Belle, pointing angrily at her as he moved. No girl! Well, I don't wanna be the blame, not anymore It's your turn, so take a seat We're settling the final score! And why do you like to hurt so much? Sweetie Belle went through a feeling of fear, but then it turned to anger as her horn turned green, and she shouted back at him. I can't decide, you have made it harder Just to go on And why, all the Possibilities Well, I was wrong Spike stomped on the ground in response as he continued. That's what you get When you let your heart win, whoa! That's what you get When you let your heart win, whoa! I drowned out all my sense away With the sound of your singing! And that's what you get When you let your heart win, whoa. "Shut-up!" Sweetie Belle shouted, "You attacked me and my big sister!" Spike's eyes widened in shock, but then they turned somber as sudden realization came to him. He frowned as he replied. I wonder, How am I supposed to feel When she's not here? 'Cause you burned every bridge I ever built When you were here I still try holding onto silly things I never learn Oh why, all the possibilities I'm sure you've heard That's what you get When you let your heart win, whoa! That's what you get When you let your heart win, whoa! I drowned out all my sense With the sound of your singing! And that's what you get When you let your heart win, whoa! Spike turned dramatically to the crowd and held his arms out to them. He smiled defiantly as he shouted out loud. Pain! Make your way to me, to me And I'll always be just so inviting If I ever start to think straight This girl, will start a riot in you Let's start, start, hey! Why do you like to hurt so much? Oh, why do you like to hurt so much? That's what you get When you let her heart win, whoa! That's what you get When you let her heart win, whoa! That's what you get When you let her heart win, whoa! Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all pounced upon Spike at that moment and fought to restrain him once again. Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle just stood back, silently watching, and softly singing. Now I can't trust myself With anything like this And that's what you get When you let your heart win, whoa. . . Scene ii: Master Passion Greed Spike was chained to a wooden stake on top of a pile of sticks and charcoal. Spike looked down a sniffed. "Burning a dragon at the stake? Twilight was right. I am gonna get out of this just fine" Spike thought. The crowd looked on venomously at the young dragon. Sweetie Belle looked on angrily. "Just like I said. He's gonna burn!" "Um, Sweetie Belle?" Sweetie Belle turned to see her five friends approaching them. Dinky, Button, Scootaloo, and Applebloom were nervously hanging in the back. Silver Spoon was standing in front, leading them. "Sweetie Belle," Silver Spoon said softly, "Listen. I'm starting to get worried about all this." "Spike broke my heart and attacked my sister," Sweetie Belle said angrily. "But all this revenge?!" Silver Spoon cried, her voice at a fever pitch. "Revenge on Twilight! Revenge on Diamond Tiara! Revenge on Spike! This is all just too much! I'm not even sure if they deserved-" A larger sized spark shot out from Sweetie Belle's horn and right into Silver Spoon's mouth. She chocked and gagged, covering her mouth as she coughed. "I'll talk to you all later," Sweetie Belle angrily as she turned away and walked in Spike's direction. Applebloom turned nervously to the others and said, "Ah think there's something a little off about Sweetie Belle." "Ya think?" Scootaloo said sarcastically. Button moaned and said, "I want the old Sweetie Belle back! Not a Siren Enchantress from the ancient cove of Eastern Humgolia!" Mayor Mare and the three remaining members of the Mane Six stood around the defenseless dragon, loathing in their eyes. "Do you have anything to say for the horrible crimes you have committed?" Mayor Mare asked loud and clear. Spike looked up to see Sweetie Belle approaching him. He looked straight at her and said, "Sweetie Belle, this is your last chance to end all of this. You can still fix this. If you explain what you were thinking and feeling maybe everypony could-." "Shut-up! Shut-up! SHUT-UP!" Sweetie Belle shouted, shaking her head frantically," You're the one who's bad! Don't even talk to me! You're evil and I'm good! That's what Fate and Destiny says!" Sweetie Belle glared at Spike furiously, "So don't you even talk to me!" Sweetie Belle ran in close and stood eye to eye with the dragon. There were only centimeters away. The unicorn filly suddenly felt enraged. She began shouting in the dragon's face as her anger threatened to boil over. Her horn illuminated with green light as her screams formed a song of fury and rage. Who the hay are you to tell me What to do, why to do, why bother? Leech in a mask of virtue Such waste, to ever think of you again. Hey Sombra, your Empire was my love. Hit and run, you're be done. Never sorry, never wrong, More, more, more, more, more. Master Passion Greed! Master Passion Greed! Sweetie Belle backed up from Spike and just stared at him while fuming. Then she regained her breathe and resumed disparaging him. Hello, how are you? Let me explain one thing. Grew from your greed for all to see. Why is it so hard to see? I see no sense in doing this, Not enough for me, You almost destroyed everything on that day.. This time This time you won't flee, Panting and weak. Master Passion Greed! Master Passion Greed! Master Passion Greed! Master Passion Greed! Spike watched Sweetie Belle with a look of almost pity as she fell down to her knees and trembled. All within me gone but pain and hope, Hoping that the pain will fade away. Sweetie Belle looked up slowly. Spike looked into her eyes. For a moment, he could almost see the soul of a horrified filly, filled with self loathing and disgust for everything around her, and who wanted to let go of all her power and find some kind of piece. "Sweetie Belle?" Spike asked softly. As soon as he spoke, Sweetie Belle gained a look of loathing for Spike and continued her assault. Greed your master passion, I feed the mouth that bites me. Mammon, opiate of the masses, The reek of your lies draws flies. Sought her, Seduced her, Tamed her, Blamed her, Had her, Killed her. Sought her, Seduced her, Tamed her, Blamed her, Feast on it all. Sought her, Seduced her, Tamed her, Blamed her, Had her, Killed her. Sought her, Seduced her, Tamed her, Blamed her, Feast on it all. With awakening the tears will begin. To your everlasting shame silence will take you! Scene iii: Slaying the Dreamer As the crowd cheered and stomped, a large green spark shot out of her horn and landed on the fuel around Spike's feet. Spike looked down in an almost uninterested expression as the fuel around her began to catch fire. Sweetie Belle gave a small smile, but turned away so nopony else could get a good look at her facial expression. The crowd began to get rowdy and restless. Some even threw clods of dirt and grass at the dragon tied to the stake. Mayor Mare was shaking a bit, and befor long found herself running into the Town Hall with a pale look on her face. Rainbow Dash had a conflicted, almost puzzled look on her face. Pinkie Pie and Applejack simply turned away sadly, but Rainbow Dash looked almost as if she wanted to do something, or intervene in some way, but something strong and foreign in her mind was holding her back, and it was something she just couldn't overcome. Spike narrowed his eyes at the ponies around him. The smoke that he snorted out of his nostril mixed with the smoke billowing around him, Addressing the crowd as a whole, the dragon began to say his final piece. I'm a priest for the poorest sacrifice I'm but a raft in a sea of sorrow, sorrow and greed You bathed in my wine Drank from my cup, mocked my rhyme Your slit tongues licked my aching wounds Put a stake! Through my heart And drag me into sunlight So awake! For your greed As you're slaying the dreamer Spike looked down at the fire licking against his scaly feet. Spiek couldn't feel any heat at all through his scales. He looked up and addressed the crowd again. Swansong for the Wish of Night God it hurts, give a name to the pain Our primrose path to Tartarus is growing weed Put a stake! Through my heart And drag me into sunlight So awake! For your greed As you're slaying the dreamer Spike gave a deviant laugh as he stood tied to the burning stake. He then closed his eyes and shouted. Blame me, it's me! Coward, a good-for-nothing scapegoat Dumb kid, living a dream! Romantic only on a paper! Spike turned and craned his neck to look at Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. Tell me why! You took all that was mine! Stay as you lay - don't lead me astray! Tell me why! You took all that was mine! Stay as you lay - don't lead me astray! At this moment, Spike began to have a coughing fit. He realized that the smoke was starting to get really thick around his head. After coughing a bit more, Spike continued to make himself heard. Wake up! Mow the weed! You'd be nothing without me! Take my life if you have heart, heart to die! You all each became her tool Obeyed her words, played for a fool Gather your precious glitter and leave me be! The Great Ones are all gone And I'm tired, too. The smoke overtook the little dragon again, and he coughed and hacked to get the black soot out of his lungs. Then, with the last of his breath, the dragon shouted as loud as he could. I! Truly! Hate! You! All! BOOOOOOOOOOOM! The crowd gasped and screamed as a huge burst of smoke exploded where Spike was tied up. Many ponies backed away in fear, but one little filly just stood in place as she looked on in shock. When the smoke finally cleared, where Spike once was, there was now a large, deep, dark hole in the ground. Curtain!