In Ponyville, Sunset Shimmer appeared in the library and glanced at the faces of the worried Princesses. She looked out the window and sighed, that human was indeed…different. Her eyes suddenly widened as a bright flash appeared in the town square, a large magical screen depicting Lillyhoof, the girls, and Jasper who merely smiled. All across Equestria, the same screens appeared in the capital cities as well as the surrounding villages. Big or small, everypony now had their eyes on the screens in both curiosity and slight fear.
Jasper cleared his throat, “Citizens of Equestria, heed my words. All that you are about to see is not false, fabricated, or an illusion. It is most real, now sit and enjoy the show.”
*
Jasper turned from the small hole levitating before him, acting as a projector and walked to the front of the mares. He gazed out across the expanse of water toward the Lillyhoof and nodded. His gaze still locked onto the distance.
“You know something, I’ve been thinking,” the mares looked at the human as he continued to speak in a distant voice, “Was all of this worth it? I mean, in some instances, I could have won the affections of my subjects with showmanship and gifts. But then I realized something.”
He looked over his shoulder at them with eyes shrouded in darkness, “Why should I? One doesn’t fully respect another out of kindness,” he glanced at his fist, “Only through fear and displays of power can one achieve supreme conquest, and it is this path that will deliver Equestria to me.”
“Supreme conquest,” Twilight spoke the words as if they were foreign, “Jasper, you have to see just by what is occurring now that what you have suggested isn’t enough. The species of Equestria only see you as a monster-“
Jasper rolled his neck, “Getting real tired of that word.”
Rainbow Dash snorted, “Well get used to it, because all of Equestria is saying it.”
Jasper rolled his eyes, “Oh. Is that all?”
Pinkie Pie shook her head, “Maybe if you weren’t so mean all the time ponies would stop.”
Jasper shook his head, “They’ll all be singing a different tune soon enough.”
Jasper gestured to the town, “Now as I said before, I am here today to give you the sadistic choice. Your lesson,” he started walking, “Lillyhoof, population, three-hundred ponies’ strong including tourists and visitors. This however is not the choice,” he gestured to town, “I have placed inferno runes at key vocal points around the town. Courtesy of my wife and her swarm who swung by the previous night. With a mere thought, I will level this entire town and all who reside within. They, unlike the rest of Equestria, cannot see or hear this broadcast.”
The mares all gasped in horror, “Now here’s the choice, either you give your lives in exchange for the lives of Lillyhoof. Or they are destroyed in a flash of fire, wood, and stone. But now here is your other option,” he smiled like a predator, “you take up arms, and kill me, here and now.”
*
Celestia shook her head, “No Twilight, don’t.”
“Why shouldn’t she,” Celestia glanced at an angered Sunset, “he’s an animal, he deserves nothing less.”
Luna stared at Sunset with an even look, “No, if she were to do that. True, Equestria would be saved,” Luna became steeled, “But would Twilight or Equestria for that matter ever look upon her as the same again?”
Celestia was filled with rising sorrow, “She would have stooped to Jasper’s level. In her eyes, she would be just as bad as he is.”
*
Twilight was in utter shock, “No…don’t do this.”
“I’m done playing,” Jasper glared at the mares, “the time for hesitation has past.”
Twilight fidgeted slightly, “There has to be another way,” she stared at Jasper in sadness, “Please.”
Jasper advanced on her, “This is the harsh reality Twilight, and sometimes there is no other way. It’s either black or white, there is no grey area.”
“There is always a grey area, there is always another way,” Twilight stepped forward, “the world isn’t as black and white as you think.”
Jasper laughed, “Tell me then, how is it you know this?”
Twilight flattened her ears, “It’s…”
Jasper got down to her level, “What? It’s always been like this? Well sorry to burst your bubble, but where I’m from, it’s never been as such. There are no happy endings. There is no peace, happiness, magic of friendship, there is nothing but the harsh life you’re born into and eventually leave.”
Twilight looked at Jasper with pity, “What happened to you? Why are you like this?”
Jasper snorted as he stood, “Why is none of your concern. The concern is that how long you intend to stall. The Princesses won’t come here, they to now fear me. What will it be?”
Twilight glanced at the hole that was projecting themselves and everything around them. She then glanced to her friends who all wore sad smiles, they all nodded in unison. Twilight lowered her head.
“Alright.”
Jasper raised an eyebrow, “Hm?”
Twilight glared defiantly at Jasper, “We willingly give ourselves to you as sacrifices for the ponies of Lillyhoof. But know this Jasper, even though we will die here on this day, six more ponies will be chosen by the elements. Your dynasty, even your descendants, will eventually know defeat. For as long as the ponies of Equestria live and breathe, there will be hope. We ponies are strong, dedicated, and will not be pushed over so easily!”
All over Equestria, ponies felt a swell of pride toward the princess. Applause erupted across the land as Jasper slowly nodded.
“Celestia chose a worthy student,” he then looked at the town, “unfortunately your choice, though honorable and of a light heart, was the wrong move.”
He raised his hand as the gem blazed bright like an inferno, Lillyhoof trembled for a moment. Then the entire town went up in a mass of flames and smoke. No screams were heard, but Twilight and her friends stared on in complete horror and despair. Tears flowed freely from their eyes as Jasper stared on in indifference. He then turned to the projector.
“Remember this day well ponies. If ANY ever dare to cross me again, you shall receive no mercy from me. So be compliant, content, and GRATEFUL that I still allow you to live and breathe.”
Twilight gazed up at Jasper he stared into her tear filled eyes, no pony or human spoke a word. He walked past them, intent on returning to Canterlot.
He paused for a brief second, “Two days,” he glanced over his shoulder, “in two days’ time, you will report for an audience at the castle.”
He vanished in a flash.
Applejack looked to Twilight, “Twilight?”
The alicorn didn’t respond, her spirit, having finally been broken.