My eyes flicked open, revealing that I was lying up-ended between Sugarcube Corner and one of the nearby houses, at least now I knew where my headache and neck ache came from. Day had broken and ponies were trotting around doing what they usually do. I noticed that some ponies did see that I was lying here, although none even approached me. The best I could guess is that the rumors were real.
Once standing up, I made my way to the library. Since I had come here to stop the rumors, but had no idea how to start, I thought that Twilight might have an idea. On my way there, it was easy to see that I was being avoided. I continued quickly and kept my head down, I could feel the looks of disapproval everywhere.
Eventually, I banged my head against the library door, which was quickly answered by the local baby dragon, Spike.
“Hello!” Spike started, once he saw it was me, he continued, “Oh, Spirit. Come in.” Without saying a word, I walked into the orderly library. Twilight was nose deep in another large book of some sort; I couldn’t even tell what the title was. She seemed completely fascinated by it though. Rainbow Dash was also here, lost in another Daring Do novel.
“Um… Twilight?” I started. She seemed to snap out of her book reading daze and began to look me over.
“So, you finally came back. This means you weren’t convicted?” Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No, but-“ I tried to start before I was cut off.
“Well, welcome back. You look like you’ve heard the rumors.”
“Yeah. I don’t know if they’ll ever stop.”
“They will, just give it time.” After Twilight finished, Rainbow Dash had approached. I flinched, expecting to be hit. Rainbow only sighed and stated,
“I would say I’m sorry that I wanted to tear your wings off, but you did nearly cause my oldest friend to die, you know.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. Please don’t hate me, I…” My sentence trailed off. She was right, and I already knew it, even days later the pain of regret still hurt.
“Twilight, I’m going to see how Fluttershy’s doing, I’ll return the book tomorrow.” Rainbow Dash then walked out of the library and flew off towards Fluttershy’s before waiting to hear a response.
“If I could help you Spirit, I would, but harsh feelings like these take time to heal, maybe a long time. Even if I had a hard time accepting your choice, I knew you only did what you could. So if you need someone to talk to, I’ll be here.” Twilight said, trying to comfort me.
“Thanks Twilight, I’ll remember that.” I spoke gratefully. I walked out of the library, and in an effort to avoid others, I took off flying towards Everfree again.
Hovering above the “Dangerous” forest, I looked for anything to do, trying to get my mind off of the town that hated me. Unexpectedly, a wild purple blur barreled into me, sending us down in a heap somewhere in the forest.
I was starting to get sick of crashing everywhere. When the stars cleared out of my vision, I was face to face with a familiar pair of swirled violet eyes.
“Screwball!” I shouted at recognition.
“us help you didn’t why? You found finally I, Spirit!” Screwball asked, seemingly more out of confusion than anger. Then again, she did tackle me out of the air. Either way, I was pleased to hear her voice again.
“I was scared of making a choice, I never could make a commitment.” I responded honestly.
“Soon again choice that make to have gonna you’re. That fix to need gonna we’re. Really?”
“Why?”
“Strong very wasn’t seal the, injured was kindness of element the since. Again out broke I and dad my.” Screwball replied. I winced at the mention of the injury.
“Wait. You were trapped as well? And why haven’t I heard anything if Discord’s back?”
“now for, hiding in is dad my. Well as trapped was I, yeah.” She answered smartly, “Though, soon something doing be he’ll.”
“And what about you?”
“Well as us helping be should you and, course of, him helping be to going I’m!”
“But, but-“ I stammered.
“me for, please?” She looked at me with pleading chaos-filled eyes. At this time I realized we were still collapsed in the heap. I pushed her off of me and stood up. My mind was fighting itself over what I should do. I was just asked by the only mare who could hold my attention for extended periods of time to assist in the complete overthrow of the kindest monarch in history, just so her dad could take over and cause mass chaos everywhere. Even with how much chaos I actually enjoyed, I was already losing the trust of the Elements of Harmony.
This should’ve been an easy decision, just abandon the Elements and join in the new chaotic order and live free forever. However, I knew that Discord would ‘dispose of’ the Elements right away, and I couldn’t bring myself to be a part of something that would end the lives of such nice ponies. If I knew there was an easy way to solve the entire problem, I would’ve taken it right then and there. Unfortunately, I was stuck in the same decision as before, as it seemed, I was going to have to make a commitment regardless of how badly I wanted to avoid it.
“I- I really want to help you Screwball, but I really don’t know, I’ve always had a hard time making tough decisions… Why are you so focused on helping your dad take over Equestria anyway?”
“Happy him make to want really I so… dad my he’s but exactly dunno I-I.” Screwball seemed confused, as if my question didn’t make sense, or if she never thought about why before.
“Wait… so does that mean if I can prove that he causes a lot of harm with his chaos, then would you help whatever side I chose instead?”
“uh… um…” She stammered. This was good enough for me, so I took her by the hoof and dashed off in a random direction, hoping to prove to her the harm that full on chaos could cause. Even if I had no idea where to begin, I knew I could prove why chaos needed to be limited.