//------------------------------// // Day zero // Story: The Exiled // by maxxxxxx //------------------------------// “Twilight Sparkle, you are hereby sentenced to Exile!” Celestia's voice boomed as the gavel slammed down with a hard crack, echoing through the room. Her fiery gaze burned through her former pupil as she stared down with disgust at Twilight. Soft whispers filled the court room, agreeing nods and spiteful glares were directed at the former princess. No, no! How did this happen? I- I didn't do anything wrong! Twilight's eyes were clouded with tears and her legs became weak. She was trembling, her thoughts racing and her heart beating so fast she felt like it could burst at any moment. Her strength and will sapped from her body, she knelt down, her shaky legs no longer able to support her body. Rapid and shallow breaths left her lips as she struggled to breath through her sobs. Turning to the stands, she looked to her friends; for what? She didn't know, there was nothing they could have done. Through her bleary vision she could see her four friends, Fluttershy was being help by Pinkie Pie who was stroking her mane, trying to quell her crying. Applejack bolted up, a fierce anger washed over her normally collected face. There's nothing you can do Applejack... There's nothing anypony can do. Just before the farm pony could leave her seat a white hoof took her by her shoulder. Rarity solemnly shook her head, something was conveyed between the two the Twilight couldn't see, something, a look in Rarity's eyes showed to Applejack that it was hopeless. That was the only explanation because, after a long moment of looking into her eyes, Applejack sat down. Her face was contorted in rage, her eyes squeezed shut as she looked away. That was it, that told Twilight everything she needed to know, everything she already knew. She was alone, there was truly nothing that could be done. “Do you understand Twilight Sparkle? Your punishment for your treason will be banishment, exiled the harshest of lands, alone, for the rest of your life.” “Y-yes...” Her voice cracked as she spoke in little more than a whisper. Her eyes were shut tight and her head hung low as she felt her life fall apart. There lay the evidence that showed her to be guilty in the eyes of her mentor and the ruler of the land, laying right on a table encased in glass beneath the high podiums that her judge, jury and executioners sat. Papers, that's what put her away, that's what is destroying her life she thought. Testimonies of a guard, a magic investigator and one from her own brother, written in paper, the documents stolen, found in her possession, the communication to the enemy, detailing a hideous plot written in her writing, found in her library. She tried, she tried so hard to prove her innocence, but Princess Celestia's verdict was already decided long before this moment, likely when she was first arrested. “Then your life sentence beings now. Twilight Sparkle, you are no longer permitted to set hoof in this land, upon site you are to be executed if you should ever return. Also, hence forth, any physical communication shall be considered contraband, and anypony found in possession of any form of tangible correspondence shall be treated as an accomplice to treason and shall be sentenced to imprisonment without trial. Any form of magical communication will be traced and the receiving party, if they do not report you immediately, will be treated as an accomplice. You will also not be granted asylum by any ally nation of Equestria. Any nation found to be granting you asylum will be treated as protecting a war criminal and will be an enemy of Equestria.” As Princess Celestia read off the conditions of her banishment, Twilight fought to not break down. She had to fight off every impulse to cry, to beg for understanding, to curse the unfairness of it all, but, under the weight of anger and rejection that was coming from some of the ponies she loved more than any other, including her own brother, her voice fell short, dying as a weak breath past her lips. “Further more, you will be branded with the mark of a traitor. More than just a symbol of your shame and guilt, this magical engraving into your flesh and soul will alert us if you attempt to set hoof in this land, and the moment you cross an inch into our soil your magic shall be sealed away, never to be used again. Shining Armor, mark the traitor.” Twilight's head shot up, her eyes wide open. Trails from her tears led down her face and drops pooled on the floor beneath her. She looked to her older brother as her slowly turned his head to face Princess Celestia. It felt agonizingly long, the time it took his serious, grave eyes to meet hers before he spoke. “Yes, Princess.” His voice was calm, but as he turned back and looked down at his sister, she could see pain, rage, regret and sorrow in his eyes. It broke Twilight's heart, to see that, the only thing she couldn't find in his eyes, was remorse. His horn lit up, charging with immense magic. Twilight helplessly closed her eyes, knowing there was nothing she could do. She quietly accepted her fate. Suddenly, her body felt hot, stiflingly hot as the magic burned into her, it felt worse than the worst fever she's ever had. Her mouth and throat dried and her vision blurred. She fell to the floor in pain as a searing hot sensation burned into her flank, overlapping her cutie mark. Gritting her teeth only a strained whimper escaped her. 'I won't let them see me like this, I have to be strong!' Her thoughts turned to her friends as she weathered the pain. 'I won't let the last thing they see be me screaming in pain.' All too slowly, the fiery sensation retreated, leaving her nauseous and weaker than ever. She lay panting on the floor, desperately trying to keep her composure. “The seal's magic is absolute, it is not just his magic, but combined with Princess Luna's and my own, it is unbreakable and a mark you will be left with for the rest of your days. Now, it is time. You will leave this land and are never to return!” Princess Celestia's eyes ignited in a blinding white and her horn lit up. The still air in the court room began to swirl. Twilight struggled to her hooves as she stared before her fate. No... please. I didn't do it... I don't deserve this. Please. “Stop!” A scream to rival Princess Luna's royal voice called. The entire room turned to the direction of the voice, even Princess Celestia was caught off guard as her spell vanished. Wait, I know that voice! Twilight whipped around just a moment before the massive wooden doors she had been ushered through violently blasted open and apart followed by a bright rainbow trail. The guards were dumbfounded as the prismatic streak darted to the floor and a pegasus mare skidded along the ground, grinding to a halt only meters away from Twilight. “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight's jaw dropped. There she stood, with those eyes blazing with definite purpose and unyielding resolve as she glared up at Princess Celestia. Then, the patter of small feet came from the hall the Rainbow had just made her grand entrance from, as Spike ran as fast as he could behind them, huffing and carrying a rather dusty and hefty old tome. He came to a stop behind Rainbow, wiping sweat from his brow before looking around the room nervously. “Rainbow Dash! What are you thinking!” Twilight screamed as she eyed the guards, just coming to their senses pick up their spears behind. “Yes, I would also like to know. Explain this... interruption. I hope this is not some foolhardy attempt at a rescue.” Her horn lit up once again with a dim light, the fragments of the broken door floated into the air, reassembling themselves once again into the massive and heavy doors without a blemish before slamming shut with finality. With a glance at the court guards she commanded them to drop their stand down, of course, they did just that as Rainbow approached the Princess. “Princess, you know Twilight wouldn't do any of the things you said she did, she just wouldn't! She couldn't! She saved your flank more times than I can count and don't get me started on all the things she's done for Equestria! How can you just ignore all that!” “How dare you speak to her royal highness with such disrespect! You dare barge into this room with such sentimentality and no proof and then disrespect the Princess!” Shining Bolted up, his rage boiled over and his magic flared up, engulfing Rainbow Dash and forcing her to the floor, crushing her under his magic. Rainbow struggled to to so much as move her wings but his grip was too strong. She coughed as she struggled to lift her throat off the hard floor. “Shining stop! Please! She can't breath! You're hurting her!” Twilight rushed to her friend's side. “This is all your fault Rainbow Dash! You have no respect and no regard for authority or rules! You're recklessness and disgusting attitude is what encouraged my own sister to become a traitor! You! You did this! This is all your fault!” “That's enough.” The Princess said calmly, glaring down not at him, nor even at Rainbow, but her deathly glare was directly solely at Twilight. “But your highness!” “Do I need to ask again?” She spoke just as softly, but her tone was freezing and frightening. Twilight had never heard such a voice from her benevolent mentor. It sent a shiver down her spine. The tone was enough to ever shake Shining Armor of his rage as he glared down one last time at Rainbow Dash before releasing her. “No, Princess...” “Is this all you have to say, Rainbow Dash? I am well aware of her past, more so than anypony, but this does not give her license to try to end the peace of this land. She will face her punishment. She is to be exiled, alone for the rest of her life for her crimes.” Princess Celestia spoke again with the icy tone. Rainbow pulled herself off of the floor coughing and rubbing her throat. “Article 17, section 8 of the Royal Banishment decree.” An intrigued look took over Celestia's face, almost bringing out an amused smile that she forced back. Princess Luna had been little more that a face, one could almost have places a cut out of her and achieved the same end, but just then, as Rainbow spoke she looked up to her sister, her eyes were deep and her expression complex but it seemed like she had just comprehended something that had once puzzled her. “Rainbow, what are you talking about?” Twilight said as she helped her friend stand. “Do you really know what you are saying?” Celestia said, still seeming as though she were pleasantly surprised, as though something entertaining had presented it's self. “Yes, I do! Spike, the book!” “R-right!” He opened the tome, rapidly flipping though pages until he came to an abrupt stop. Rainbow spun around and tore the book out of his claws, placing it down on the floor between her and Celestia. “Article 17, section 8 of the Royal Banishment Decree,” Rainbow began, glancing between the book on the floor and the Princess looming over her. Dash's tail lashed back and forth, both in anger and nervousness. She fought to keep her voice from trembling, loyalty and outrage fueling her will and courage. “A law that was used only once before, when Princess Luna herself was banished to the moon! A member of royalty, stripped of their rule for treachery may be banished with their closest followers. It was an idea to keep followers of Luna from starting an uprising.” “they chose to get banished with her, isn't that right?” Rainbow Dash shot a glance at the Princess of the Night, who looked down at her with a gaze as soft and cool as the full moon. Her expression was deep, but impossible to read. Twilight watched, her usually sharp mind, sluggish from stress and heartbreak, was only beginning to catch on to what Rainbow was getting at. “So, you are admitting to being a radical? Once banished, you can never return. Unlike my sister, Twilight was not overcome by a spirit of emotion, her betrayal was one of cold thought and logic. There is no redemption to be found.” “Listen! I'm telling you, she didn't... she didn't...” The flash of rage began to die as she spoke. Despair clouded her eyes and her shoulders slumped. Taking a deep, shaky breath, she calmed herself. “Yes... I admit it, I'll follow Twilight, no matter what!” “Rainbow...” Twilight whispered, stunned out of better words she at her friend as tears sparkled in her eyes. “And so will we!” Rainbow spun around to face the familiar voice behind her. Applejack stood staunchly, clear conviction burned in her eyes. Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie all stood with her, all affirmed their support of their friend in the face of banishment. “Do you all realize what you're saying!?” Twilight snapped, facing her friends. She was stunned, there wasn't even a hint of fear or hesitation among them. All she could see was the same strength and solidarity in each of them. “Relax sugar cube, we aren't gonna let you go just like that. We-” “Twilight's right. You didn't think this through...” Everypony's was stunned to hear those words in that solemn tone coming from Rainbow Dash as she took up Twilight's side, facing their friends. “Rainbow, what are you saying?” Fluttershy spoke, she nervously glanced between her friends and Princess Celestia, who was quietly watching them. “You can't simply expect us to do nothing can you? Twilight is important to us all dear, we aren't going to-” Rarity's began, but was swiftly cut off and Rainbow interjected. “Listen! I know you all want to help but you need to think about this!” Rainbow stomped her hoof and turned her gaze towards Applejack. “AJ, What about Granny Smith? What about Sweet Apple Acres, you sister and brother? You can't just disappear for Celestia knows how long.” Applejack opened her mouth to retort, but she couldn't. With a sigh, her mouth closed and she brought her gaze to the floor. Almost under her breath she spoke. “None of us should be go'n alone...” “No.” Everypony looked up. Princess Celestia, who had been silently observing now spoke. “I will only allow one of you to accompany Twilight Sparkle, this way...” She brought her eyes down on Twilight who looked back up at her. A cold shiver ran down her spine as Celestia addressed her. Terror filled Twilight's heart as though Celestia were a monster, a predator creeping towards her. Twilight gulped as she braced herself as Celestia continued. “This way you know, that should you return, you will not be the only one to face the consequences. Do you understand Twilight Sparkle?” “Y-yes... yes I do.” Twilight wasn't sure if the Princess could even hear her, her words came out as nothing more than a whisper. “Then I'll go!” Rainbow turned to face Celestia, stepping between the imposing Princess and her friend. “Now hold it right there!” Applejack stepped forward. “Why should you be the one to take that risk? Lookie here, there are ponies here that would miss you to ya know. What about Scootaloo?” “You shouldn't even be thinking about it!” Twilight blurted out. Her voice was desperate and her eyes pleading. “It's too dangerous. I can take care of myself, I'm not going to let my friends be put in that much danger for me! If you all stay, you can prove that I'm innocent and then Celestia will bring me back!” “You're right Twilight, it is too dangerous! That's why we aren't going to let you go alone.” Rainbow turned from Twilight and looked back at their friends. “Look, I'm not that smart, it was Spike that found that dusty old law book in the first place. I won't be any good trying to prove Twilight's innocence here, I promise I'll keep Twilight safe but please... please, find the truth, convince Celestia... I'm begging you...” Dash's voice began to crack, as she fought off tears that were coming to her eyes. Applejack looked too Fluttershy and Rarity, after a long moment, Fluttershy gave a small nod shortly followed by Rarity. Pinkie looked sadly at Twilight and Rainbow and, without looking back at Applejack, nodded slowly. Taking a deep breath, Applejack stepped forward. “Alright Rainbow, you got it. We won't rest till we've gotten to the bottom of this whole mess and you two are home safe. You just promise that both of you get back on one piece.” “Thanks AJ, I promise we'll both come back.” “Rainbow... are you sure? We have no idea where we'll end up and we could be there for a very long time.” “Relax Twi, with all of us working together we'll be back in no time!” Rainbow's cocksure grin spread across her face, her chin raised and her chest out. Twilight felt, for the first time in days, hope. She wouldn't be alone in a cell anymore. She's right, there's nothing my friends can't do. Together, everything will be alright. “Thank you...” Tears streamed down Twilight's face, this time, not tears of fear, frustration or sorrow, but tears of joy, grateful tears. “Thank you so much girls. I- I know everything will be alright. We'll all be together again soon.” “No... we won't” “That's right we will!” Rainbow smiled. “If that is what you have decided... Rainbow Dash, you have confessed to crimes worthy of banishment. You will be banished with whom you swear fealty to.” Celestia boomed as she handed down the sentence. “Shining Armor, brand her.” “Yes, Your Highness.” The next moment, Shining Armor's horn was enveloped in a bright aura. Then, just as with Twilight, a beam of magic shot forth from it, blasting Rainbow with magic before she could even brace herself. “Don't do it! Please Rainbow Dash... it's a mistake. Don't come with me.” Rainbow gasped as a burning pain seared through her body. Gritting her teeth, she was brought to her knees from the pain. The burn suddenly concentrated over her cutie mark. She shut her eyes tight and the pain began to fade. As the spell sunk in, Rainbow took deep, heavy breaths, recovering for her loss of air from the pain. Sweat was dripping from her brow and her body was trembling. Her abdomen contracted and relaxed as though she were fighting off the urge to vomit. “Rainbow! Rainbow I'm so sorry! I should have stopped you. I shouldn't have been so selfish. Why!? Why did I let you go through with it!” “Now, you are both to begin your exile immediately.” Celestia's horn and eyes lit up. Suddenly, a blinding white light grew in front of Twilight and Rainbow, forming a porthole. “It's not too late. You could still take it back... No, it is too late. I let this happen. I let it happen. I should have gone alone! Damn it!” “Step forward, and begin your sentence.” Celestia commanded. “Come on Twi, let's go. Just think of it as a vacation. We'll be back in a couple days tops.” Rainbow gave a reassuring smile to Twilight. “R-right. We'll be alright.” Twilight turned back for one last look at her friends. “Be careful girls, I'll be back soon.” With renewed strength, they stepped forward, into the porthole, into the bright, white light. “Stop!” she screamed, her voice echoing, silencing all other voices. Time it's self yielded to her scream and everything came to a dead stop. She could see the two figures, just moments before they vanished into the porthole. Loud sobs filled the frozen court room. Tears came to a halt in mid air, freezing in time like everything else, they hung there against gravity, it looked like a photo taken just before rain strikes the ground. Twilight's jaw was clenched and her body shook. “I- I could have stopped her. I could have stopped this all, but I was too scared!” “Damn it!” She looked around the room, everything was just as she remembered it. Everything in it's place. She tread through her floating tears, past the portal that her past self confidently walked into, dragging with her, a victim of her selfishness and misfortune. She trotted all the way up to the seats that her brother, Princess Luna, and her former mentor sat and judged her from. She looked up, forlornly at Celestia, the Princess's eyes stopped on the porthole she had opened, she was watching intently as they vanished into the jungle. “I wonder if she knew where she was sending us. Did she know what would befall us? Y-you could have done something... You could have stopped her!” Twilight screamed again at the top of her lungs, her heart pounded with rage. “Why didn't you stop her from coming!? You knew she was just doing it for me! You knew and- and yet you... you let her come with!” “No... I let her come... this is all my fault.” Her rage died down and her body nearly went limp. She felt hot and weak. She staggered to the table that housed her guilt, pressing her forehead to the cool feeling glass. She shut her eyes and wept quietly. “I'm sorry Rainbow Dash... I'm so sorry.” “I did this to you Rainbow... I- I-” She opened her eyes, rubbing the haze of tears away with her hoof. “I don't know what to do.” She looked down at the evidence, the proof of her treachery. The stolen documents. They were old, the parchment clearly aged and worn. “Wait... something isn't right.” Twilight scanned over the papers lying on the table, coming to a stop on a single parchment laying between two others, only half exposed, it was the stolen document found in her possession. It was subtle, only with years of writing and studying could she tell... “The ink... It's oxidized differently on this parchment, differently from all the others.” “No... how can that be? Is it a forgery? That can't be right. Why? Even if... even if is a fake, if it was Celestia she could certainly have done better. No, there's no way Celestia would have done this to me! But still, how could she not have noticed? I'm not wrong, there is something off about that ink, it's not as old as the ink on the other documents. Somepony definitely framed me but... that means somepony has the original! If I find it maybe I can-” “Sparkle, Twilight Sparkle.”' A voice called, interrupting her. “No! No, I'm almost there, this is a lead, it's the first clue I've found! I can't-” “Sparkle, It is your friend, Rainbow Dash, I have words about her for you. You must awaken.” The voice spoke almost urgently, in an exotic accent. “R-Rainbow Dash?” Suddenly, everything began to fade to black, replacing the courtroom with a dark void. “Awaken!” ********************************************************* “Wha!?” Twilight bolted to alertness. The now familiar scent of the jungle filled her nostrils. It was getting dark, the sky above dyed pink and orange as the sun fell behind the horizon and the sounds of the night time wilderness were beginning to fill the air. Twilight spun around to see a Zebra with bright blue eyes staring at her. “Oh, Halimah, it's you. I'm sorry, I was using this spell, I get a little lost in it sometimes and... wait! Rainbow! How is Rainbow Dash?!" Twilight said frantically as she glanced in the direction of their camp Halimah had been at for the better part of the day, fervently tending to Rainbow Dash. Twilight knew, the fact that she was here with her now meant she was done and she could only pray that she had came to bring her good news. “There is no need for apologies, I know well what you were doing. Your companion is well, Bamidele is watching over her now as she sleeps, her wounds are clean and her sickness is treated. Now we must let her body rest so she may recover fully, but she will recover.” She gave a gentle, reassuring smile. “Thank you, thank you so much Halimah...” Twilight felt her legs go weak with relief and a smile spread across her face. “Really... thank you.” “No need to thank me, come, let us go be with her. The night dwellers will be out to feed soon, we should stay close to our fire and Bamidele.” “R-right... that sounds like a good idea. But, I do have to thank you, you saved her, I'm more grateful than you'll ever know for that.” Twilight bowed her head, not knowing how else to show her gratitude. When she looked up, Halimah was looking at her with a warm smile before turning away and walking towards their camp. Twilight followed close behind, keeping her ears to the forest, knowing that, somewhere in there, we predators, and at that very moment, could have been watching her. Rainbow is safe and now, we have something, it's not much, but it's something to go on. “I followed her, to where Rainbow Dash lay, asleep and bandaged all over. The smell of herbs clung to her fur and feathers. As she rested, her body healed with the help of the medicine given to her by Halimah. Even now, I'm convinced, had she not found us that day, neither I nor Rainbow Dash would have survived the night that followed.The night that would soon be upon us.”