Sob-sob-sob…
Twilight woke up to find her entire body being shaken. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but she could still see some kind of yellow and pink mass in front of her, shaking her body. It didn’t take long for Twilight to recognize her friend.
Fluttershy sobbed as she continued to try and shake Twilight awake, “T-Twilight, p-please wake up. Please. I-I don’t know what else to do. They won’t listen to me”.
Twilight was hardly awake. She could barely sense what she was laying on. After a few more seconds, she could identify it as a hospital bed. She turned her head on the soft pillow and looked up at her friend. Twilight now noticed her friend’s wing was heavily bandaged and held up by a sling. “Fluttershy? What’s wrong? What happen to me?”
Fluttershy pushed herself off the bed as the door to Twilight’s left opened. A tan-coated unicorn stallion in a lab coat walked in the room. He levitated a clipboard in front of him and did not look up as he spoke. “Well princess, I can enlighten you on that.” One of the papers of his clipboard floated and folded forward. “According to these reports, a creature known as a ‘human’ has been causing a little havoc in Ponyville. He was in custody of the local guard, but got away. You and a few of your friends gave chase and followed him into the Everfree forest; more specifically, into the ruins of the Castle of The Two Regal Sisters. You’ve been attacked by this human in the throne room and then,” The doctor flipped another page. “Now I can barely believe this, but apparently a chimera jumped in and tried to steal… prey from the human. The human managed to kill the chimera, but had been incapacitated soon after and rearrested by the commander of the Ponyville Guard, whom managed to show up just in time.”
Fluttershy slammed her hooves on the medical bed. Her eyes were wide with a mix of fear, rage, and tears, “NO! It’s not true!!” She turned to Twilight and used her hooves to shake her friend’s shoulders, more rapidly this time, “Don’t listen to them. Dave didn’t attack us, he saved us! Please, Twilight, you have to believe me!”
The doctor stomped his hoof. “Ms. Fluttershy. Please. I’ve already told you these are simply delusions cause by a concussion. They will fade and your memory will return nominal, but you must stopped yelling at my other patients.”
Fluttershy turned to the doctor, yelling loud enough to intensify the headache Twilight was already forming, “NO! Get out! Just get out!!”
“Ms. Fluttershy, please cooperate or I will have you escorted out.”
“NO!” Fluttershy continued to stare at him with rage few ponies ever had or ever wanted to see.
Twilight turned her head left towards the doctor, “Doctor, please, I’ll take care of it.”
The doctor took half a step back, eyes wide in surprise, “B-but princess-“
“I’ll be fine, please leave us be for a few minutes.”
“Well-I-ugh,” The doctor let out a sigh of defeat, “Very well, princess.” He brought his head down and bowed before leaving the room. His clipboard floated behind him and followed.
As soon as the door closed, Twilight tested her newly awakened, but tense muscles as she twisted and turned in her bed, trying to sit up. Fluttershy reached around and pulled her shoulder up. With that, Twilight rolled forward and now sat on her flanks. She used a fore hoof to rub her eyes. When she dropped her hoof, she could see bandages rapped around her chest. She used her horn to make a small peak at her wound. They were arcane burns, two of them, and Twilight could tell they’d take a while heal completely.
Fluttershy kept herself quiet as much as she could as she waited and watched her friend reoriented herself. Twilight shut her eyes and took a moment to recall what happened. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and turned to her friend, “The chimera…w-what happened to us?”
Fluttershy’s muzzle was stained with tears from her sobbing, “Please Twilight, you have to believe me! Nopony else will, but I saw what happened. Dave didn’t attack us, he saved us! He really did.”
“Fluttershy,” Twilight put a hoof on her friends shoulder. Instantly, the guesture dammed the flow of tears. “The chimera hit me with a magic blast of some sort. I lost consciousness; exactly what happened after that? And Applejack and Rarity, are they okay?”
Fluttershy hanged her head. Depresion was deep under her skin. “Oh, they’re fine. They’re in the next room but neither of them woke up yet.”
Twilight used her hoofs to pull Fluttershy’s head up, “Hey, hey. Don’t be like that, I’m sure they’ll wake up in no time at all. Now, the chimera, what happened after I blacked out?”
“Oh, that. Well, after the chimera got you, he came after me. Rarity tried to defend me and fight him off, but she was thrown across the throne room. I tried to fly away, but the chimera teleported and broke my wing with his paw. So I fell and hit the ground pretty hard.” Fluttershy rubbed her head with a hoof. Her gaze fell to the floor again. “After that, all I could do was try and crawl away, but I knew I’d never outrun the chimera. I didn’t know what else to do. I just sat there and screamed for help. I just screamed to the sky, hoping somepony would help me.”
Fluttershy raised her head on her own this time, “But somepony did help, Twilight. Well, not a pony, but it was Dave. It was really Dave! He charged in and fought the chimera. He…He killed the chimera, but he really saved us. If he didn’t show up, we’d all be dead.”
Fluttershy let out a sigh, but still kept her head up, “That’s when the guard showed up. I guess Rainbow Dash and Big Mac called them. They think he did it, though.” Tears began to form in her eyes again. “They think he attacked us. You heard the doctor, but I saw him, and nopony believes me.”
Twilight shook her head. “But I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t they believe you?”
“It was Rainbow Dash. She’s convinced everypony in town that Dave is some pony killing monster. Almost everypony in town is in a frenzy.”
Twilight brought a hoof to her own lips, “That’s horrible. Wait! Where’s Dave now?”
“That’s just it, Twilight. There’s some kind of... public court-thing right now in front of town hall. That’s why I need your help. They all hate him so much right now, and they’re…they’re…it’s horrible, Twilight, you have to stop it!”
Twilight smiled, “Of course.” She got up on her hooves and jumped off the small hospital bed.
Fluttershy got off her flank and finally smiled herself, “Thanks, Twilight. I knew I could count on you.”
“Not a problem.” Twilight crossed her eyes and looked up, inspecting her horn. “Arcane burns always have unpredictable side effects. I don’t think I should teleport us right now.” Twilight opened the door with her unique purple aura, “Oh well, I guess I need to walk all this off any way.” Fluttershy followed her out the door.
***
The walk through and out of the hospital was met with little resistance. Multiple doctors and nurses insisted at Twilight and Fluttershy to return to their rooms. However, none dared to outright challenge the princess. A simple decline made the many medical ponies simply bow as they passed by. Twilight was still a little uncomfortable having ponies bow for her, but it was something she was getting used to.
As they left the main doors of the Ponyville Hospital and into the bright sun and cool air, Fluttershy galloped off deeper into Ponyville calling to her friend, “Please hurry!” Fluttershy rarely galloped for anything, and it only gave hint to just how severe the situation had become. Despite her resisting lungs, Twilight sprinted by her friend.
As they galloped through town, they noticed it looked empty of any residents that normally filled the busy streets. However, it did not sound empty at all. The closer they got to the center of town, the louder the obvious crowed of ponies got. Whatever was going on, it was big.
It didn’t take long to reach the crowd. It seemed everypony in Ponyville was in attendance. Every one of them seemed to beat and scream at the large, grey force field in front of them. Unicorns and earth ponies obscured any clear view of what was going on inside, while pegasi peppered the air above them. Ponies off all kinds repeatedly beat against the shield and the occasional rock or bottle was thrown at it.
Many members of the local guard patrolled the crowd armed with maces. They trotted around in pairs on riot patrol. They broke up the occasional fight that occurred within the large crowd, but ignored any futile attempt to break the giant shield.
One pair of guards took notice of the two mares and trotted up to them, “Princess! It’s good to see you’re alright. Do you need any help with anything?”
“Actually, I’d like to be able to see what’s going on, please.”
“Of course, your highness. Would you like an escort to the VIP seating?”
“Umm, yes. That’d be nice.” Internally, Twilight was a little confused how there could be a ‘VIP’ section to all this madness.
The guard leaned his head to one side, “Is this guest coming with you?”
“Yes, she is.”
“Very well, your highness.” The guard dipped his head down in a quick bow before turning around and waving to a pair of pegasi guards. “Feather! River! The princess is here! Help me make a path to the VIP seats!!”
The two pegasi simultaneously nodded their heads and dove to the ground. They pushed their ways into the ground, shouting warning of the princess’s presence and orders to move to the side.
The earth pony guard returned his attention towards Twilight and Fluttershy, “You highness, and ma’am, please follow me.” The two pegasi guards continued to shout in and at the crowd, but as the other pair of guards approached with the two mares behind them, the crowd immediately split and made more than enough room to pass.
They dug through the crowd with little resistance. Soon enough, Fluttershy and Twilight found themselves in front of a set of wooden stairs. The stairs led up to a section of seating padded with red cushions. The wood was light and fresh, giving evidence that the structure was very new. On top of that, both mares were pretty sure this wasn’t here yesterday.
Several of the seats had already been taken by what few notable ponies that resided in Ponyville. One of which was a brown stallion by the name of Filthy Rich. He sat with his daughter, Diamond Tiara, and her friend, Silver Spoon. He sat calmly, occasionally taking a sip from his drink, while the fillies watched eagerly and ate through a bucket of buttery popcorn bigger than they were.
Filthy Rich took notice of the two mares as the made their way to the top of the steps. Her turned his head towards them and waved. “Princess Sparkle! Fluttershy! Have a seat. Is so nice you could join me!”
Fluttershy and Twilight took the offer and took claim to their own cushions as they sat next to Filthy. Filthy taped at the fresh wood beneath his hooves, “What do you think? Can you believe I got it built not ten minutes ago?” Filthy chuckled to himself.
“Impressive to say the least but-“ Fluttershy interrupted Twilight by poking her side with a hoof.
“Twilight, please. This is what I need your help with.” Fluttershy pointed forward, “Look!” Twilight got up and leaned on the railing in front of her.
Emotion drained from her face. Just as the crowed and the fillies beside her suddenly cheered in unison, Twilight stepped back, shaking all over and holding a hoof to her muzzle.
She could barely believe what she saw, “T-this is barbaric!”
***
I woke up on my own this time. I could hear muffled screams and cheers all around me. In front of me was something. Another pony, I think. My vision was blurry and hazed, and the pony figure in front of me was silhouetted by the powerful sun behind it. To my left, was some sort of grey object floating in the air next to the pony.
For a split second, the object seemed to grow a little in sized. Even in my dazed state, my trained mind new instantly the object didn’t grow, but was moving towards me. A blast of energy swam through my head and I gasped breath as the object hit me.
I was splashed in the face with cold water. Like being dragged out of a hangover, my senses instantly kicked in. I found myself coughing out the water I accidently took in, and found my head unusually close to the ground. I picked up my head to look at the pony figure in front of me, all the while realizing the weight of my body was on my knees rather than my heels. Without thinking, I tried to get up to face the pony, only to find myself well restrained.
A little struggle gave me all the information I needed to understand my predicament. I was forced on my knees. My wrists and my ankles where bound and tied with rope behind some kind of post, however, my fingers where free. I was already working on untying myself as the familiar commander pony in front of me laughed at my face.
“Hahahaaa! Now that’s better. You want to be nice and clean for your court session, don’t you?”
Court session? I looked to my left and right. Past the guards that stood right next me on either side, I could see an audience of ponies and the source of all the cheering. They all seemed to be beating against some sort of grey, opaque wall between them and me.
Suddenly my head jerked skyward. The commander put his hoof under my chin and forced it up. I could see the strange opaque wall was more of a dome than a wall, for it covered the entire area in a sphere-like shape. Plenty of pegasi in the air continued to beat at it.
I could barely turn my eyes and look forward to see the commander in front of me smirking. He pushed me to my left and right, inspecting a face he could not see. He boasted, “Heh, you not so special when you’re tied down, now are you?” He pushed my head upwards again, “Ahhh, I think I see how this works.”
Suddenly, my entire head was covered in some kind of aura. I felt submerged in a liquid with infinite viscosity. But I could feel a point of force just under my chin. With a familiar click, the strap for my helmet became undone. The same force yanked my helmet off as well as my shades and bandana soon after.
He let go of my head and it dropped just in time to for me to see the parts of my mask fall to the ground. The helmet beat and rolled a few times on the hard ground, and my bandana silently kissed the earthly floor. My shades, however, meet a disturbing crunch under the hoof of the commander pony. “You won’t be needing these. I want you to see every detail of exactly what’s going to happen to you.”
The commander turned around, yelling as he addressed the crowd, “Ladies and Gentlestallions, this before you is the ‘Human’. This is the very creature that threatened the life of not only our young and beloved Princess Twilight Sparkle, but even some her closest friends and the bearers of the elements of harmony.” The crowed unanimously cheered. “Here he kneels, ready to receive judgment and punishment for his crimes!”
“However, even in these dark series of events,” The commander turned his neck to face me, “I must thank thee, human,” He returned his attention towards the crowd, “For now we have the opportunity so many of us have been waiting for. Today, we show that we need not call our princess to save us from tragedy. No! Today, we show to our princess that she need not put herself in harm’s way ever again. Today, we are the guardians, not the guarded.”
The commander reared up on his hooves as the crowd roared, “TODAY, WE WILL PROTECT OUR PRINCESS!!!”
I watched as the wild crowed cheered, whistled, and applauded the commander. As he finished he stepped to the side. With my view no longer obscured, I now noticed the large, circular, almost tower-like building in front of me. Part of the building, on the lower most floor, was a stage of some sort. On that was a short, wooden podium, and behind that, was another pony.
I think it was female. She was light-tan with silver, wavy hair that seemed end and stick out at a point. She wore small glasses that hung at the edge of her nose and in front of indigo eyes. Along with that, she wore a small choker around her neck along with a turquoise puff of some kind.
Her appearance gave the impression of experienced authority and her voiced matched the atmosphere she generated, “Thank you commander for that wonderful speech. Now then,” Her gaze turned ice cold as it fell on me, “Before we get started, human, we are well aware that you are similar in intellect as us ponies and speak our language. Tell us, do you have a name?”
I looked up at who I assumed is the judge to this ‘court session’. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should tell them my name, but it sounded like I committed high-treason of some sort. I figured they ought to know who they were going to execute. “Eric Davidson, but most call me Dave.”
“Very well, Dave.” She titled her glasses with a hoof as she took a closer look at the papers on her podium. “You, Dave the human, are hereby charged with six counts of assault, two counts of resisting arrest, and two counts of royal treason for two attempted assassinations, both of which directed at Princess Twilight Sparkle. How do you plead?”
I kept my gaze at the judge, trying to keep my own stare as cold as hers, “Please explain the events of each charge.”
“Very well,” She moved some of her papers around with a hoof. “One count of treason for alleged attempted murder of the young princess occurring in the barn on the farm ‘Sweet Apple Acres’. This occurring in the late afternoon three days ago. How do you plead?”
“Guilty.” The crowd cheered at my claim. It was a thing of mine. I always take my credit for what I do, but I never take credit if I don’t deserve it. No matter what they are, I always admit to my faults, and even away from home, I make no exception.
The judge moved some more papers. “Three counts of assault and one count of resisting arrest. This occurring in the late morning two days ago at the animal sanctuary. Two of the assaults were made against two local guards, Rough Feather and Sharp Eye. The third assault was made during the same altercation with a blue pegasus mare by the name of Rainbow Dash. How do you plead?”
“Guilty of all four counts.” I was still trying to untie the ropes behind my back. It was more difficult than I assumed it would be.
“Two more counts of assault and your second count of resisting arrest were made during your escape from the local Ponyville jail house yesterday morning. These were against two more guards, Sticks and Stones. How do you plead?
“Guilty of all three counts.” The crowd continued to cheer every time I pleaded guilty.
“Your sixth and final count of assault made against the yellow filly known as Applebloom. This occurred inside the home of the Apple family at Sweet Apple Acres yesterday in the late afternoon. How to you plead?”
“Guilty.” The crowed cheered again that that was its cue.
“Your final count of treason was made by another attempt at assassination yesterday evening at the ruins of the Castle of the Two Regal Sisters. How do you plead?”
This was surprising, “Wait! Is that the ruins deep in the nearby forest?”
“Yes they are.”
I tried to stand up again, but failed. Nevertheless, I yelled, “Not Guilty!” The entire crowed gasped in surprise and finally fell silent, “I didn’t try to kill them, I killed some...lion-thing, I don't know what it was. !” The crowed gasped again. “I didn't try to kill a pony."
The commander walked back up to me. “Liar! I was there just as you were about to kill one of those mares! The chimera was there simply to steal food from you; you only killed the chimera so it wouldn’t. If I hadn’t come and cast a sleep spell on you, all four of those mares would be dead by your claws!”
“It’s not true! That creature attacked them first, I only killed that… chimera, or whatever you called it! I never tried to hurt her!”
The judge jumped into the argument, “And why should we believe you?”
“Because I was paying off my dept!” I paused as the crowd gasped again. Everything fell silent. When no one made a sound, I continued, “When I first came here, I was bleeding and wounded. Even after I threaten to end her life and failed, I was saved by Fluttershy. She could’ve left me there to bleed out and die like the monster I am. Instead she chose to take me into her home, to heal me, to feed me, and even to forgive me!! I owed her more than my life, so why would I ever try to take hers again?!”
Silence reigned unchallenged for several long seconds until the commander finally broke it, “As I said, LIAR! Why would Fluttershy ever help a monster like you?”
A guard walked up to the judge by her podium. She leaned to her side as the guard whispered something into her ear. After a moment, the judge regained her posture and cleared her throat, “Ahem, there has been a special request in regards to one of your assault charges. Commander, if you would please let our special guest in.”
The commander walked through my vision again. This time, he stopped at the edge of the odd barrier that surrounded us. His horn glowed and he taped it against the wall. Instantly, a hole formed in the giant bubble, letting a large, crimson, and agrivated pony through. As he did, the hole sealed back up. The crowd began to cheer and scream again.
The large pony walked up and looked at me dead in the eyes. It took me a moment to realize it, but I knew this pony. He was there when I took that small pony hostage. A family member I assumed, father or brother maybe.
He tried to stare deep into my soul, and I returned the favor with a face just as solid. After a few seconds, he backed up and said, “This is for both ma’ sisters!”
He threw his body into the air, spinning on his fore hooves, and launching his rear hooves. He kicked me square in the chest, but I still had most of my armor on. He kicked the solid vest, doing almost no real damage to me.
He turned back around to face me and I mocked him for his pathetic attack, “Come on! Is that the best you got? Give me a challenge!”
I could see the rage in his face immediately intensify. He huffed his breath through his nostrils like a bull before jumping back to kick again.
This time, the hoof impacted me in the center of my face. Pain swam all over my head. I could feel cold adrenaline flow through my veins in their rush to ready my body to fight. But I was still bound and tied up. I couldn’t undo the knot. I tasted blood as it rushed out of my nose, stained my lips, and dripped unto my tongue. My arms and legs shivered in place, demanding that I act. All I could do is wait and suffer. I guess I did ask for it.
***
The crowed cheered in unison as Big Mac bucked the human. Dave held his head low as fresh blood poured from his face. Twilight stepped back, shaking all over and holding a hoof to her muzzle.
She could barely believe what she saw, “T-this is barbaric!”
***
I was bound to a post; left helpless and bleeding, surrounded by hate. My pain brought cheer to rejoice to the ponies around me. I picked up my bloodied face and gazed at my assaulter, defiant till the very end.
The large, crimson pony lifted himself into the air again, ready to strike. Before he could land a blow, the judge at the podium interrupted him, “That’s enough, Macintosh.”
Macintosh lowered himself back on all fours. I can feel the hate radiate off him. He wanted very much to smash me to a bloody pulp.
I licked the blood off my lips and taunted him as he walked away, “Aww, can’t stand the sight of blood? Guess your sisters aren’t that important to you.”
Just as I expected, Macintosh eyes erupted in flame. He quickly turned to charge at me, but two flying guard jumped in to intercept him. Despite their efforts, Macintosh forced his way forward, slowing getting closer to me with each defiant step. I looked at him with my gaze, unafraid and almost welcoming his assault.
Four more guards jumped in to try and stop the enraged pony. Even with the combined efforts of six guards, they were barely able to keep him still. After a few seconds, he turned back around, knocking every guard off their hooves. He left the bubble but kept his burning eyes on me.
The judge spoke again, “Now that we’re done with that, has the jury reach a verdict?”
Every pony outside the bubble started screaming, “Guilty, Guilty, Guilty!!”
It wasn’t like I expected anything else.
“Very well, Eric Davidson the Human, for the previously stated crimes, I hereby sentence you to execution. You are to be publicly hanged by the neck until death….”
I was expecting an execution, but I didn’t think they’d be nice enough to painlessly hang me. I figured I’d be stoned to death. Heck, maybe they’ll even give me a last meal.
“…immediately!”
Or not.
And just like that, the guards on either side of my post instantly moved in and grabbed my arms, while two more flew in and held spears inches from my neck. I could feel more of that magic stuff fumble around with the robes to free my hands and ankles. As soon as I was unbound, they forced me up and turned me around. I now stood with my back to the judge, but before pushing me forward, they tied my hands up again.
To my surprise, there was a one man gallow already there. It like this whole trial was rigged from the start. As they pushed me up some stairs, I noticed the ropes biding my hands suddenly loosened and feel off. This was great, now I didn’t have to test out those kick-boxing skill I probably don’t have. I decided to keep my hands behind my back, waiting for the right moment.
They lined me up in just the spot and wrapped the noose around my neck. At that time, the Commander decided to pop his giant gray bubble, allowing all the ponies to move in and watch my neck break from a closer view. They all looked at me with both hate for me and anticipation for my death.
I grinned back at them. I already had a plan.
I couldn’t see who it was that spoke behind me, but I assumed it was whomever my executioner was going to be. He sure sounded like one, “Any last words, human?”
That was just the question I was waiting for, “Yeah, you all suck at knots!!”
In a blur of motion, I swung my arms upward and grabbed the rope above my neck with my left hand. I swung my legs off the ground and at the same time, insheathed my knife with my right hand. In a single motion, I cut the noose and flipped around, landing back on my feet. I raised my head just in time to see all the terrified pony faces. My grin grew even wider.
My long-sharpened and experienced instincts within me worked like magic. Without even looking, I could already tell two guards to either if my side were charging at me. I did not meet their challenge. Instead, I jumped into the crowed so foolish to get closer to me. As I landed, a giant smoke screen filled the air faster than any I’d seen before. I didn’t care what it was and didn’t take time at all to think. I took the miracle for what it was and ran the hell out of town.
In all the chaos, I think they lost sight of me. Before long I was already out of the main town and into the fields. I ran for the forest once again, but this time I wasn’t hurt. This time I wasn’t running.
This time, I hoped they would chase me, because this time, I wanted to kill them all.
***
Both Fluttershy and Twilight shivered in place at the gruesome sight. It wasn’t until Dave was already taunting Big Macintosh before Fluttershy finally snapped out of it and turned to her friend.
“You see Twilight, I need your help. Please, put an end to this, its all so cruel. Look, they already set up a hang-stal’s noose. They’re going to kill him!”
Twilight could only stand there, frozen and stuttering, “I-I can’t.”
Fluttershy’s eyes grew in surprise and new-found fear for human friend, “What do you mean you ‘can’t’.”
“Well, I, um,” Twilight turned around towards Filthy Rich, "It’s confidential." She used magic to pull several coins from her mane. She floated it towards him, “Mr. Rich, can you and the fillies please leave. I need a little privacy.” She floated the coins closer, “Here, you can go get yourself more popcorn.”
Filthy pushed the mid-air coins away with a hoof, “Keep your bits, you highness. If its privacy you want, all you have to do is ask.” He got up and turned to the stairs, “C’mon now, Diamond, Sliver!”
The pink filly immediately pouted, “Aww Daddy, but we want to see the rest of the show.”
Filthy didn’t turn around. “That’s too bad. Then I guess I’ll have to eat all of the caramel popcorn by myself.” He turned his head just enough to show Twilight his smirk.
The two fillies glanced at each other before shouting in unison, “YAA! Carmel popcorn.” They immediately dashed to Filthy’s side, knocking the large popcorn bucket over and leaving it there. They bounced around Filthy Rich as they descended the stairs and turned a corner out of sight.
Twilight returned her attention to Fluttershy. She let out a sigh before continuing, “I can’t because some of the crimes are against me. A princess can’t really pardon every crime. They can’t pardon crimes that involved them in anyway, including assassination attempts.”
“But why?”
“Because nobles in the past feared a princess’s power. The restriction was made so that a princess could not be above the law. Even if I did pardon Dave of all the other crimes…”
The crowed of ponies below and around them began to shout in unison, “Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!”
It was obvious depression was hacking away at Twilight’s attitude, “… I don’t think it would make a difference.”
Fluttershy threw her hooves on the wooden railing to take a close look. She could watch as Dave was forced to his feet and towards a noose made especially for him. She turned her head back to her friend, “Twilight, we have to do something!”
Twilight walked to the railing. She didn’t want this to go on; it was just wrong and unjust. But there was nothing she could do. Twilight felt so utterly useless and defeated. She found it difficult just to stay standing as her emotions weighed on her head like a lead crown.
Twilight watched as they pushed Dave to the instrument of his death. Just as they approached the steps, Twilight had an idea. There was almost nothing she could do. She stressed her eyes in focus and used her magic to unbind the ropes tying Dave’s claws together. At first, Dave did nothing. For a moment, Twilight just watched for things to unfold.
To her side, Twilight could see Fluttershy breaking down and sobbing on the railing. Twilight wrapped a hoof around Fluttershy’s back. “He won’t die.” Fluttershy looked back up to her friend with wet and hopeful eyes, “I promise.”
They just strung the noose around Dave’s neck. Twilight wondered to herself why he hasn’t done anything. He must’ve noticed the ropes falling off. What is he doing?
Twilight was ready to just cut the rope as they opened the trap door when her worries were quickly put to rest. She watched as the human turned into a spinning blur and fall on his feet. The rope was clearly detached. Fluttershy stopped crying and watched in awe and with new hope.
Twilight saw Dave jump into the crowed of ponies. She barely had time to properly react, but she used another spell to quickly bring up a giant smoke screen. The smoke covered a wide area, enveloping the town square almost entirely.
Twilight looked back at Fluttershy, “Told you.” They both watched the silhouette of ponies scatter within the smoker screen. Some tired to find the human and others ran from him, but Twilight knew all that effort was all in vain. “There, lets leave him alone, and hope Dave stays away from us as well.”
Fluttershy looked at Twilight, “What do you mean?”
Twilight let out another sigh, “Fluttershy, I know you want him to be your friend, but let’s face it.” Twilight lifted a hoof and pointed at the chaos below, “They hate him, and he hates us. If anypony chases him, there will just be more fighting.”
“So what?” Fluttershy started to raise her voice, “You’re just going to ‘leave him be’? You’re just going to chase him into the Everfree Forest?” Fluttershy grew aggressive, “You’re just going to sit on your royal flank, in your warm and cozy library, and leave him out there to suffer?!”
“Fluttershy, it’s for the best. He killed a chimera, didn’t he? He’ll be fine.”
“EXACTLY!! He killed that chimera, for us!” Fluttershy stepped towards Twilight, causing her to step back. “When there was no pony else there to help, he risked his own life to save us!” Fluttershy poked Twilight’s chest with every name, “He saved me! He saved Rarity! He saved Applejack! And he saved you!”
“Fluttershy, I didn’t mean-“
Fluttershy’s anger only grew, “Maybe no pony else can see it, but I can. There is good in Dave. Maybe if just one pony would stop hating him, he wouldn’t have to fight back. He ...he wouldn’t have to be a monster.”
Fluttershy’s anger finally collapsed. Fresh tears ran down her cheek. She was barely able to finish her argument, “Maybe he wouldn’t have to be all alone.”
Fluttershy turned around, no longer facing Twilight. She unfolded her wings and dropped the sling holding the left wing, “I hope you’re happy with your decisions,” She turned her head to glare at Twilight one last time, “your highness.”
And just like that, Fluttershy flew off as fast as she could, trying to hold in an ocean of tears. She flew towards the Everfree Forest. If one pony would just let go of all their hate, then maybe…
***
It wasn’t too hard to run through the forest this time. I ended up running into the same castle I did earlier. As I suspected, the bridge was already repaired, so I used it to cross and enter the dying castle. I wouldn’t call it my dream home, but even in its degrading state, it was better than anything I ever lived in.
During my run, I left dropped my new necklace as well as all the anger I had. Right now, I was tired and just wanted to rest.
I stepped into the throne room. The familiar smell of death and decay filled my nostrils. The body of the chimera still lay where I slain it. The blood all over its head and the floor around it dried and chipped in the same manner as the few discoloring patches that stained my armor.
I looked at the thrones at the end of the room. I didn’t have time to observe it last time, but now I think I have all the time in the world. There were two stone thrones, obviously for a king and a queen, separated by several yards. Behind each throne was a banner. The one on the left seemed to symbolize the sun, the other symbolized the moon.
I decided to lie down by the lunar throne, resting my back on the other end of the stone chair. Here, the sun could not reach me directly; it was nice and dark, perfect for a nap. I rested by head and closed my eyes.
I was nearly asleep when the sound of hooves hitting the floor caught my attention. They were few and it sounded like a single pony. I assumed it was a scout, looking for me. I stood absolutely still, listening for the pony.
The steps sounded slow and cautious. Before leaving the pony spoke, “Dave, are you in here?”
I didn’t say anything and remained hidden, but my heart completely sank at the silky voice. Without a doubt, that was Fluttershy. She was the only pony that was nice to me and that was an understatement. She helped me when she had the right to just leave me for dead. I’ll never forget that.
“Dave, please, if you’re here, let me see you. I know everypony in town hates you, but I don’t. Please, I just don’t want to see you hurt again.”
I looked at my left arm. The armor plate had been long-broken by the chimera and fallen off. The sleeve was ripped in multiple small cuts. Under each cut was a small laceration.
My heart sunk even further. This time, I remained hidden, but spoke up, letting my voice echo across the walls, “After all I did, why don’t you hate me?”
There was silence, but only for a few seconds.
“Because I know you’re not a monster. I know you didn’t attack me in that barn out of hate. You attacked out of fear. You were afraid me and my friends came to hurt you. You were wounded and couldn’t run. Despite all your threats, I know you never wanted to hurt me, you just wanted to get away.”
“Then why do you try so hard to help me?”
“Because you’re my friend. Everypony makes mistakes, but sometimes we need to just forget about the past and show a little kindness.”
That’s what really hit me. It felt like someone put a bullet right in my chest. I even check myself to make sure it wasn’t the case. I had no plans to go back to that town. But after everything Fluttershy had done and was willing to do. I could never repay her, but she at least deserved to see my face.
I got up from my hiding place behind that throne. Fluttershy immediately saw me and her face filled with joy. She took flight and rushed to me. She tackled me in a hug and almost knocked me off my feet. She was almost crying.
I hugged her back. Her silky voice, her beautiful face, and now even her soft touch. All of it was heavenly and smooth. It sickened me to think that I once had my knife to her throat; that I ever even thought of hurting her. I didn’t deserve her kindness, and it only made what I was about to do harder.
“Thank you for everything, Fluttershy,” She lifted herself from my chest and looked me in the eyes, “It means more to me than you know,” My gaze turned to the cold floor. I couldn’t say this to her face, “But I’m not your friend.”
I pulled Fluttershy off my shoulders and set her back on the ground. She stood their, utterly shocked as I turned to leave to room.
Her voice almost cracked in sorrow, “Why?”
I stopped only for few seconds. There were things about me I hoped she’d never know. There wasn’t much I could do to sugar-coat this, “Because you’re still breathing.” I stood only for a seconds longer before I continued my walk and added, “I already watched all my friends die.”