None of us went home that night, we were too worried about Glint. We kept waiting for him to eventually walk through the door like nothing happened, but as noon approached the following day, the possibility of that happening looked dismal. It was about this time when a town crier began to echo through the city streets.
“Citizens of Cirro! Listen and hear!” the crier began, “Last night, a robbery occurred. Food items were stolen from a house in the Cumulus District by dastardly thieves! While the guards locked down the city and the majority escaped, one of the evildoers was captured. Any information leading to the arrest of his accomplices will be greatly rewarded. A life-time supply of food, ensuring you never go hungry again. The execution of this criminal is set for today at sunset, followed by an announcement from the mayor himself! Come and bear witness to the end of this criminal’s spree!” He continued to shout this speech again and again as he passed through the city, ensuring that everypony heard the news.
Sapphire went extremely pale as she heard the crier mention a captured thief. When he mentioned his execution, she ran to her room, tears streaming from her eyes. Pocket, Lunk, and I could only sit in stunned silence, not knowing what to do next. Glint had been captured and was going to be executed, we had to do something, but I knew better. There was nothing our small group could do to help him now.
As the day progressed, Sapphire finally stopped crying, her eyes were red and bloodshot and she didn’t say more than a few words to anyone. Pocket and Lunk understood the situation and weren’t their usual rowdy selves. We were all sitting in the pews, spread out and not talking or saying a word, just waiting.
When the time for the execution came we began walking back towards Cumulus District and to the courthouse within it. Sapphire wore a hood pulled low to avoid being recognized and we walked beside her. As we walked, a crowed started to form around us, other ponies heading to watch the execution. It wasn’t long before we were in front of the courthouse, with a newly assembled stage and gallows in the courtyard.
The courtyard was full of ponies who had gathered to witness the execution, as well as to hear the mayor’s announcement. Guards stood watch around the perimeter and on the gallows, watching for anyone who might try to make a move. But, we knew better. We weren’t fighters, just thieves, and if we got caught, we expected not to be saved.
The time fully arrived and the mayor came out onto the stage beside the gallows, escorted by a few guards. He looked out into the crowd as the crowd quieted down, whispering occasionally to a guard. Once the crowd had quieted a good amount, he held up his arms started waving for the remaining ponies talking to be quiet, and then he began speaking.
“Greetings citizens of Cirro!” he bellowed, “I am glad so many of you could make it here today, to see the execution of this horrible criminal.” He turned towards a guard and said a bit quieter, “Bring him out.” He then turns back to face the crowd as the guard moves back towards the buildings and comes back moments later with Glint in tow. Glint looked beaten and ragged, as though they had questioned him about us. The guard takes Glint to the gallows and puts the noose around his neck before returning to the mayor’s side.
The mayor looks at Glint, smiles, and then turns back to face the crowd. “Citizens of Cirro, this is the criminal, the scoundrel who, with his accomplices, plundered the food from Sing Crest Manor last night. He was caught fleeing from the manor with bags stuffed full of food and drink. But let us not forget, he has been a wanted criminal for a while now, with various counts of theft and resisting arrest. And to his accomplices who are no doubt in the crowd today, in the end, they all get caught. You can run and hide, but you will slip up eventually.”
He then turned to Glint, “Any last words, before you meet your maker?” he asked. Glint did his best to smile as he said, “You might kill me here and now, but I was right in what I did. You, and those who horde their food, are the guilty ones. Someday everypony will see that,” the mayor raised his hoof as Glint continued, “someday they will rise up and…” Glint was cut off as the mayor waved his hoof down and the floor fell out from under Glint. “Yes, well, that is enough of that,” the mayor said as Glint’s body swayed limply from the gallows.
“Now, let that be a reminder to his accomplices and others who wish to steal food. Guards, if you will?” The mayor motioned towards a few of the guards, who then moved over to Glint’s body, cut it down, and began transporting it back inside. “For the last order of business, I have an important announcement to make today. Due to the recent thefts from various food donators, they have decided to cease the sale of food to the city. What this means for all of you, is that the Ration Station will run out of food within a few days.” As the mayor says this the crowd began to talk among themselves, some shouting out at the mayor and guards.
“Now, now citizens, it cannot be helped.” The mayor changed his expression to one of regret and sorrow, “The gardens are private property and we cannot rightly claim it for our own. If you are looking to place blame, look no further than the executed criminal and his accomplices.” He then looked out into the crowd with a look filled with hope, “However! The donators have agreed that if the accomplices can be brought to justice, they will once again give their food to us. We know there are at least four from the guard reports and the amount of food that was stolen. We also know one is the wanted criminal Sapphire. It can also be assumed that they have a hideout somewhere.”
“It has also been arranged that should an individual come forward with information leading to the arrest of one, or all of these criminals, they will be given free food for life, a rationale amount, of course, nothing extravagant. But, you will never have to worry about your next meal again.” The mayor grinned while looking out from his podium. “Give any information regarding these, or other criminals, to your nearest guard. That is all.” He then waved to the crowd before turning and entering the government building once again.
============~+~============
After the execution we went back to the church. Everyone was visibly shaken up and Sapphire was crying again. I could tell that nothing would be able to fix this except for time, and the sun was beginning to set. With this in mind, I dismissed everyone, allowing them to do whatever they wanted. I told them that unless something important came up in the next few days, to just meet back here in three days’ time. Sapphire wandered out of the church, heading home. Pocket and Lunk both shut themselves up in their rooms, and I left last, heading to my own home.
Upon entering my home, I immediately heard mother and father discussing the announcement the mayor had made. They were trying to figure out what to do when the Ration Station would eventually run out of food. I walked in and greeted them, but they only acknowledged my presence for a short time before going back to disusing the food situation. I went to my room, past the room Dust and Dawn shared, who were currently asleep, and laid down on my bed. I was exhausted from this ordeal and it felt welcoming. It wasn’t long before I had fallen asleep and the night passed me by.
============~+~============
On the first day after Glint’s execution I take care of Dusk and Dawn like usual. I wake them up, get them to school, and then go back home. I don’t really have anything to do, since I have to lay low as both the guards and citizens are all on high alert. Instead I spend my time cleaning the house. I pick up the toys Dusk and Dawn left lying around from last night and clean up the kitchen from where mother had prepared the previous day’s meal. When the time came to get Dusk and Dawn from school, I go get them and then go back home with them. I then play with them for a while, until mother and father get home and we eat dinner.
Mother and father were both quiet and morbid during the dinner. After we had finished I took the kids into the other room, but I overheard them talking. “This might be the last meal we have for a while, dear,” mother said. “Yea, unless those thieves get caught, that is,” father replied. They continued to discuss the food situation a while longer before we all went to bed.
On the second day after the execution, the food ran out. Over half the city had not gotten food when they ran out, and a lot of ponies were unhappy. Bands of citizens began to roam the city, looking for thieves they could turn in to get food or bring about the return of the Ration Stations. A few got lucky and found some minor thieves, who were promptly executed, but the four of us remained safe. Unfortunately, our leaders could tell that those minor thieves were not any of us, and the Ration Stations remained closed.
On the third day, I leave home and head to the church, since we had planned to meet up in three days. Upon my arrival I notice that Pocket and Lunk weren’t in the church, which was somewhat odd. But, it isn’t unheard of that they wonder the city and I was sure they would be back soon. For now, I decided to relax on the pews and think of what to do next.
We couldn’t go back to stealing, not right away, anyhow. We could clean out the tunnels with the free time we have. Scouting out more targets could be a good idea as well. And we should also definitely hand out all the food we have. I continue to think about the various things we can do while things calm down, until I hear the door open. I cut off my thoughts and turn to see which of my friends it is.
However, I am shocked to see not my friends, but eleven guards entering into the church, blocking the exit. One of them steps forward and addresses me, “Are you Flora?” I get to my hooves and turn to face them, “Yes, how can I help you?” I ask, while contemplating my next move. “Then you are under arrest for the crime of thievery, come along peacefully,” he responds. “What do you mean? I have stolen nothing,” I lie, hoping they will not search the church. “Silence,” he growls, “your parents charged you with this crime. Do you suspect they lied?” he then gave a laugh, “Men, search this building, make sure no one else is hiding within its walls, and seize the girl.”
Most of his men begin searching the church while the others come and grab me by the arms. I couldn’t move to avoid them as I was in disbelief of what their leader had told me. My parents told the guards? I couldn’t believe it, “You lie! My parents would never accuse me of something like that!” I shout at the guards. “Oh, but they did, my dear. For our records, we have signed documents from them accusing you. I actually have them right here,” he reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a piece of paper and hold it up to me, “See?” I look at the documents and stare at the signatures of my parents.
While I am staring in disbelief at the piece of paper, a guard shouts, “Sir! There is a bunch of food in here!” Another one shouts shortly after, “Sir! I found some bags and lock picks here!” Their leader grins at me before shouting back at them, “Good job boys! Grab what you can and let’s take this criminal in. Two of you stand guard here, and make sure no one comes in after us. This is a crime scene now.” With that said he began to lead the way out of the church and to the government offices in the Cumulus District.
============~+~============
I was still in shock when I was thrown in a cell and locked up. I just laid where they had thrown me until I heard a familiar voice, “Flora? They got you too?” I got up and looked around, my eyes adjusting to the low light conditions. In the cell across from me I see Sapphire. “Sapphire! Yea. I still don’t quite believe how they got me. How did they get you?” I ask her. “A neighbor turned me in. I have a wanted poster, after all. It was only a matter of time,” she sighs, “Pocket and Lunk are here too, right guys?” I strain my eyes in the dark but I can’t see into the other cells. “Yea, we’re here,” Lunk’s voice announces. “We left with some food to hand out to Ponies, but ran into one of those groups looking for thieves,” Pocket says.
“So, why can’t you believe how you got caught?” Sapphire asks. “Well,” I begin, “I went to the Church and was waiting for you all. But, the guards somehow found out about the Church and came in while I was there,” I say. “How did they find it?” Pocket asks. “I don’t know. But it wasn’t like they just stumbled across it. They came there looking for me, specifically. That isn’t what I can’t believe though. The guard who arrested me had a statement from my parents, that they apparently made, that accused me of being a thief,” I explain. “That’s horrible!” Sapphire exclaims.
“Yea,” I agree, “but the worst part is I don’t know if it is true or not. But, if it isn’t I have no idea how they heard about me. So, it must be true, right? I just…didn’t think they could do that to me…” I trail off. “What’s done is done,” Lunk says, “There is nothing we can do now. If they did, I am sure they had their reasons.” We all look at Lunk. “I think this is the first time you’ve said something that is remotely reasonable,” Sapphire says. We all begin to chuckle a bit. “How is it that now of all times you decide to be insightful?” Pocket says while laughing. As we are laughing at the absurdity of Lunk’s new found intelligence, we hear a door open.
“Ah, so you four are the accomplices of the criminal who broke into Sing Crest Manor?” a voice playfully says. “It was just like the mayor said, round up enough thieves and when four of them eventually recognize and acknowledge each other, you’ve found your culprits.” The voice laughs and echoes though the cells, “Well, don’t you four fret, you will be executed tonight.” The voice trailed off as it seemed to pass through a door which closed after it.
“So, that’s it then,” Lunk says. “Yea, not much hope for us now,” Pocket agrees. “What? We get caught and you two just give up? There is still hope! Right, Flora?” Sapphire pleads. “No. It’s like they say, Sapphire. No one has escaped from here before, and we have no one who would be able to free us either,” I remorsefully state. “But, we had a good run, right guys? We helped a lot of ponies, and if we are executed tonight, the Ration Stations should hopefully start up again tomorrow.” They all mutter agreement and we begin talking about our exploits and all the good that we had done.
The hours went by and a group of guards entered, followed by the mayor. “Hello there,” he greets us. “Now then, you four are the accomplices of that criminal named Glint, are you not? And judging by how easily you two,” he beckoned towards Pocket and Lunk, “were captured by mere citizens and how you,” he beckoned towards Sapphire, “had a previous run-ins with the guards and are a known criminal, I am guessing that you,” he beckoned to me, “are the mastermind behind all of this. Am I correct?” He asks. “Yea, I am,” I tell him. “Good,” he laughs, “I love it when I am right. Now then, guards, if you will escort those other three to the gallows, I will be there shortly.” The guards did as he instructed and escort Pocket, Lunk, and Sapphire out of their cells.
“Now then, miss…” the mayor trailed off. “Flora,” I say, “call me Flora.” He smiles, “Miss Flora. Consider yourself lucky, you will not be hanging with your friends. I have another plan for you. I will tell you about it, but I think it might ruin the impact my speech will have, so I will go into detail about it afterwards. Feel free to listen from that window, you should be able to hear.” He says as he walks out. I was confused as to what he meant, and went to the window, which had a perfect view of the gallows and the platform the mayor would be standing on. A few minutes later, he walks up to the podium.
“Citizens of Cirro! Today we have a treat for you all. I have a few announcements to make, the first of which is the capture of these three criminals, the accomplices of the criminal who stole from Sing Crest Manor! Those of you who rounded them up, I thank you for the good work you have done. With these dangerous criminals off the streets, our city can breathe a little easier. Now, without further delay, I know what they will say if I allow them any last words, so let’s skip that bit, guards if you will!” At his command the platforms beneath Sapphire’s, Lunk’s, and Pocket’s feet fall and their bodies with them, and instantly all three went limp.
I start to tear up at seeing my closest friends’ bodies swaying in the wind and wipe them from my eyes when the mayor starts speaking again. “On to my next announcement, with the execution of these three criminals, it has been arranged that food will once again be purchased and sold at the Ration Stations, however in less quantities than before. And that leads me to my third and final announcement. The mastermind behind this group of miscreants has yet to be captured. As such, the donators are wary of selling too much of their food. The same reward given previously, will be given for the capture of this criminal. Until this criminal is brought to justice, the Ration Stations will have limited food. As always, report any information to your nearest guard. That is all.” He said and left the stage.
Minutes later he returns and stands outside my cell. “You are probably curious why I said we haven’t captured you yet. To be completely honest, in the past few days we have rounded up so many thieves, it would be a waste to take away the citizens’ motivation for reporting them. Of course, since you aren’t the mastermind, your family won’t be getting the reward. Seems they turned you in for nothing,” he laughs. “As for your fate, a simple hanging is hardly befitting of a criminal such as yourself. I thought of a comically ironic fate for you. You stole food, so we shall steal food from you. You shall live the rest of your life in that cell, never leaving it, and without food. Oh, but don’t worry, we will give you water. Wouldn’t want you dying too quick, would we?” he laughs again as he once again leaves the prison.
============~+~============
The next day, it was just like the major said. I could hear that the Ration Stations had been opened again and, just like the mayor said, I was given water a few times a day, but no food. It is fine, I could deal with a little hunger. I am use to it by now. I sure as shit won’t allow them the satisfaction of hearing me cry for mercy.
A few days had passed and I have started to become weaker. The hunger pains I had once gotten used to, came back, and I can slowly feel my body eating itself. Being locked in this cell for every minute of every day is maddening, so I try to sleep as much as possible. Every so often a guard brings me some water, which I try to make last as long as possible. It isn’t much, but it subsides my hunger a bit.
I try to keep track of how long it has been by grinding my hoof against the wall and making a mark for each day. I am up to five marks so far, and thankfully it is easy to keep track since I have a window in my cell. I wonder how long I will make it.
I think I am up to…Thirteen days now? That is the number of marks, but it feels like so much longer. Could I have slept an entire day? I am sleeping quite a lot now so it could be possible. I’ll just make another mark and stop thinking about it. I think I will just think back on the good times, running around with my crew and helping people, it might help pass the time.
I wake up from my sleep and just stare at the wall in front of me for a while. I no longer know how long I have been in here. I stopped making marks, but I can’t seem to count them anyway. I can feel my ribs and a lot of my other bones through my skin now. I can barely move anymore, even when they bring me water. The last couple of times I haven’t moved to get it. I just woke up, but I am really tired. It’s weird, I can’t usually fall asleep like this, since my hunger keeps me up. I should try to stay awake for a while, but my eye lids feel so heavy. I’ll just close them for a little while, then wake back up.
============~+~============
The next time I awake, I am feeling much better. I’m not tired or hungry at all, but the brightness of the lighting is blinding me, so I keep my eyes closed for a while, relishing the feeling. It’s been so long since I felt this way, not days or weeks, but years since I have. Before my imprisonment, before Cirro became dismal and ugly, and before the famine. Way back when we had farms on the ground and everything was perfect. A smile creeps to my face as I think about it.
“Ah! She’s smiling Grell! She must be having a good dream or something,” I voice suddenly calls out from beside me. I open my eyes, alerted to the voice so close to me, and sit up. When I do so, a scarred stallion with a red coat steps back a bit, but smiles at me. “Hey Grell, she’s awake!” he says. “Finally! The fun can begin,” comes another voice. “What’s going on? Who are you?” I ask. I then glance around the room and realize I am no longer in a prison cell and decide to add, “And where are we?” Did they free me from the prison? I look at the red stallion in front of me, noticing his lack of wings. No, they couldn’t have if he doesn’t have wings.
While I am thinking all this another buck walks into the room, this one with a black coat. But what really stands out about him is the fact he has both a horn, and wings. I stare at him with my mouth open for a moment before he says, “Hello Flora, it is nice to finally meet you. I am Grell, and this is Crimson. Though, you may know our other names better. Death, the black-cloaked alicorn, and War, the red-cloaked soldier.” I stare at him for a while longer before bursting out laughing, “The two mystical beings who claim the souls of the dead? Yea, sure, and I am a god of the Church of Stars,” I reply.
They look at each other before Crimson smiles at Grell and says to me, “No, that’s not quite what you are. You are just like us, a ‘mystical being who claims the souls of the dead’, you are Famine.” I roll my eyes at him, “Ok, you two are clearly delusional or something. Thank you for saving my life and rescuing me from that prison, but I’ll be going now,” I say. “You shouldn’t be thanking us for that, we didn’t save your life, or rescue you. You died in that cell,” Grell says.
“That’s why I’m here talking to you two now, right?” I retort. “Look, Flora, I don’t usually do this when I’m not in the field, but I’ll dispel my illusionary magic for a bit, so you can see the true me,” Grell replies. He then casts a spell and his body glows for a moment, then the flesh disappears from his limbs and muzzle. “See? The Alicorn of Death,” Crimson says. “You know, if you don’t believe him this time, he’ll pull out his scythe. So just calm down and listen. Both of us were just like you, thrown into a world of tragedy and forced to deal with it at every turn. More than anypony in all of history, past, present, and future, Grell knows what death actually is. He knows the horrible things ponies do when confronted with it and the losses it can inflict. Similarly, I know more about war, and you, more than anypony else, know more about famine.”
“It is fate, Flora. This was always destined to happen to the three of us,” Grell says. “There is a fourth, but we haven’t found them yet. And even if you did leave, there is nowhere for you to go. If you want to wonder this dimension filled with nothingness for a few years to think about it, you can. But if you need further proof, just look at your body.” I still have no idea what was going on, but I do as he said. For the first time since I woke up, I look at myself. I can see almost every bone, even some organs, moving under my skin and fur. My once lovely golden coat has become a sickly yellow and my green mane is dull and tattered. I touch myself all over, unable to believe what I am seeing, but then I realize something, I don’t have a pulse.
“So, I really am dead?” I ask them. “Yes, in a sense. But you are now immortal and exist outside of time,” Crimson replied. “W-will my body recover if I eat and take care of it properly?” I ask. Grell shakes his head as he says, “Unfortunately, any injuries or damage we have when we die, we retain. My dissolved skin, and Crimson’s…well, show her.” Crimson turns and shows me his side, covered in even more scars. But what really stands out is a large patch of hairless skin that seems to be spread thinly across a wound. I look closer and realize that, beneath the skin is a gaping cavity, devoid of muscle and organs. “What happened?” I ask, wide-eyed. “When I died I was stabbed by multiple weapons, I have a few on my other side as well. These are the holes those weapons left. They would be gaping with no skin over them, but Grell here had the idea of use the skin around them and cover them up, sewing the skin together, covering the holes. Luckily, I can’t feel it anyhow,” he replies.
“Ok, I believe you guys. But, what happens now?” I ask. “Now,” Grell responds, “You take over part of my work load. Until now, I handled every death that didn’t involve war or violence. Disease, natural causes, accidents, starvation, you name it, I handled it. But you, Famine, will take over guiding the souls of those that died from starvation, overeating, choking, any death that was caused by food or lack thereof. I’ll explain the finer details of doing that later, but now I have a gift for you.” Grell’s eyes glow and a swirling vortex appears in front of him. Using his magic, he pulls something out of the vortex, which then dissipates. Moments later, he sets what he was holding down in front of me.
“This is your weapon. It serves as your key to and from this dimension and also as a tool to quell distraught souls and guide them safely to their destination. Given your background as a thief, I thought this weapon would be most appropriate,” Grell explains. I look at the weapon in front of me, a gorgeous, expensive looking dagger, with a sheath to go with it. “Thank you!” I exclaim as I pick it up.
“Anything else I need to know?” I ask. “Nothing pressing at the moment. Take some time to get used to things, make yourself at home. If you need, or want anything, just will it into existence,” Grell answers. “And if you have any more questions, feel free to ask us, assuming we aren’t out on a job, that is,” Crimson remarks.
Thus I, the once great thief of Cirro, became the Apocalypse Pony of Famine. My friends had died and my family turned their back on me, and while I cannot help but think of what could have been, I was thankful for this opportunity. These three ponies, who I had never met in life, became my closest friends, and allies. But, enough about me, it is time for the last of us to tell his tale.