//------------------------------//
// What happened to the town at the end of Season 5 episodes 1 and 2? 
// Story: My Little Random 
// by UniqueSKD 
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"So, now that everypony in the town has their cutie marks back, I guess we can take our leave now," Twilight Sparkle said as she and her friends walked towards the entrance to the town formerly ruled by Starlight Glimmer. Double Diamond walked with them to see them off.

"Yes. Once again, thank you all for your help," Double Diamond said with a polite bow. "We'll always be grateful for what you've done here."

"Are you sure you can all take over things from here?" Twilight asked, looking back at the town with a look of concern. "I mean, you've gone for some time without your special talents, so it might take time to get used to having them again."

Double Diamond raised a hoof. "Princess, I am confident that we can all band together and survive just fine. With our talents returned, I am sure we can make our town the brightest community in all of Equestria!" he replied with a confident smile.

- - - - - - - - - - 

Three hours later

- - - - - - - - - - 

Double Diamond watched with bewildered eyes and his mouth agape as he and his fellow ponies watched the huge blazing fire engulf their town, burning the wood of the buildings into charred timber and ashes in minutes. All of their homes were destroyed before their very eyes, their livelihoods gone in a short period of time as the fire consumed everything in its wake.

Except for Double Diamond, the now-homeless townsfolk turned their heads and gave venomous glares at one of their group, a stallion with singed hair and black marks all over his body, and holding a box of matches in his hooves. He gave an awkward smile from one angry pony to the other.

"Um, I'd like to say in my defense," he began with a nervous smile, "that this would never have happened if Starlight Glimmer hadn't taken my cutie mark and made me forget my special talent was burning stuff."

The group of ponies slowly closed in on him, growling and muttering unpleasant torture techniques. The burnt stallion thought he could see a few ponies at the back of the pack brandishing pitchforks and heavy metal chains. He gulped and began to sweat profusely from his charred brow.

"O-o-on the plus side, at least our, um, town is, er, the brightest place in Equestria?" he squeaked in desperation. He mentally slapped himself for the stupid pun, but it was too late for regrets when the group all leaped upon him.

Double Diamond continued to watch the town burn away to ashes, not even acknowledging the sounds of agonizing screams behind him, or the splatter of blood that splashed on to the side of his cheek.