Anger Management
Sin thought long and hard about how he was going to get out of this one as he looked out the window of the Ponyville Express.
The contract he'd subjected himself was abhorrent and grossly unfair. First off, he had to live among other ponies, interacting with them on a daily basis. Secondly, he had to make time for two visits a week from Uppity who was delegated as his probation officer. Thirdly, his residence not being enough, he was allowed to leave Ponyville city limits only for a maximum of four hours a day, barring extenuating circumstances, effectively destroying his out of claiming residence while actually living elsewhere.
One Twilight Sparkle would be visiting him at her discretion to teach him the... magic of friendship? Is that what she called it?
'Yea, that's exactly what she called it.'
And she some how did it with a straight face! He recalled the stern lecture the solar goddess had given him, threatening sever dungeon time should he break his agreement to her again. At least she was more serious about it this time instead of treating it like a joke, well that's what he told himself, lamenting the small upturning of her lips any time he'd scowl, frown or give any indication to disapproval.
And even worse, Spike's arrest weighed on his mind. Celestia had explained the dragon's situation and Sin was torn on the issue. He had no caring for their government, but his friend had to face consequences for his actions. Though, any sympathy for the dogs quickly dispersed as soon as the death penalty was mentioned.
Death? Yea he'd assaulted them and maimed one, but to kill him for that was out of order! Luckily, Celestia agreed and had already visited the pack complex to ask for mercy. However, it wouldn't be until the dragon's trial that any of them could do anything that wouldn't start a revolt within the K9 territories.
Sin rubbed the sides of his head. He'd need to find Mac and Shade to figure out a plan to get Spike out if things didn't go in his favor. That was if Uppity didn't get in his way.
He still wasn't in the best shape yet, being discharged from the palace's medical care due to his constant attempts to escape and insistence that he didn't have time to rest with so much going on. He was determined and even the orange mare across from him couldn't stop his departure. Celestia allowed it under the condition that he wouldn't strain himself too much, and for some reason, consider learning to fly.
He agreed to the terms and boarded the next train for Ponyville. Hey, she just said he had to consider it, he did and decided not to pursue the subject. The 'not straining himself' bit would need to worked around though.
The train finally reached the station and Sin limped along, careful not to put to much strain on his still healing chest. Magic was amazing, but it wasn't a cure all to everything.
"Welcome home!" Uppity smiled and breathed deeply through her nostrils, taking in the town. "So this is Ponyville huh? Seems like a charming and rustic place."
"Quite." Sin agreed, beginning his long trek to Sweet Apple Acres. The fact he'd been stagnant for so long on the train didn't help his already tightened muscles, but he pushed through the pain to maintain a decent pace.
"Easy, no need to push yourself so much." Said Uppity in an attempt to slow him down. Putting things in questions typically resulted in sarcastic answers, statements had more of an effect, she learned.
"I'm kinda strapped for time, here." Sin countered, keeping his pace.
"Part of the agreement for you being discharged from the medical wing was that you wouldn't push yourself too much, remember?"
"Aye, and I'm not pushing myself. I'm just trying to make good time."
Deciding against farther dialog, the DA resigned herself to quiet concern. The Federalist may have been proud but he was the first friend she had that seemed to genuinely care about her feelings and being around her, that and he had an IQ above the average pony in her circles. She may not be able to stop him outright, but she'd still be there to help him back if he needed it.
The duo approached the wooden farm house and rapped on the door three times. It was mid day, so if Mac was here, he'd most likely be out in the fields, but Sin wanted to make sure.
"Howdy, what can Ah-" He had to stop himself from growling at the marshmellow green mare who opened the door to greet them, and from the frown on her face, it was clear the feeling was mutual. The two shared a brief stare down before Uppity nudged him into asking where Mac was.
Granny Smith looked over at the mare and studied her for a moment. "Got yerself a cover fillyfriend, did ja?" She chuckled cynically. "Don't ya worry none, yer colt cuddlin' secret's safe with me."
He heard the mare in question gasp from the accusation, though found the response rather obvious. "I'm not worried, at your age, Alzheimers will see to that." He smirked at scowls from both mares being directed at him.
Granny was a proud mare, probably more proud than he was, but still she had to admit when a joke was funny. "I'll give ya that one, colt, but this ol' mare c'n still put the woopin on yer sorry kester."
Sin placed his hoof on his chin in mock thought. "If memory serves, that didn't work out so well for you last time." Granny's own smirk didn't falter this time though. "I'm here for Macintosh, I need to talk to him."
She told him that he was in the north western orchard and sent them on their way. The two found the named pony and another mare that Sin recognized as Annabelle. Odd that she'd be out here, but he did have a feeling about her and Mac, though.
Once the introductions were done with, Sin asked to speak with Machintosh in private, leaving the mares to themselves while they spoke. Mac spoke first, rather miffed that Sin had abandoned him to speak with Celestia about Spike on his own, though he understood why, it still made him angry.
"Yea, sorry about that. Speaking of Star, where is he? I'd rather talk to you both about this matter."
Mac told him about the... incident between himself and the aforementioned, it was somehow both surprising and not surprising at the same time that Shade would attack his friends, he seemed to have calmed down so much in recent weeks. This was explained to be Discord's doing, who had been freed from his stone prison and taken up residence in Ponyville.
That was surprising, but since there were no cotton candy clouds, Sin figured they had it under control. Apparently, he was taken to some zebra in the Everfree named Zecora for psychological therapy, an idea that the federalist half hoped worked and half hoped didn't. One of the benefits of Shade was his insanity and unpredictability.
"So where is this Zecora, exactly?"
"You'll have tah have one of Applejack's friend's show ya, right now, Ah've gotta get back to work. Even with Annabelle helpin' me out, there's too much work tah be done fer any of us ta get distracted."
Nodding in agreement, Sin wished his friend luck for the day and called out to Uppity that it was time to go. She and, what Sin assumed to be Mac's mare friend, had shared one final giggle at something or another and she said her farewells before catching up with the stallion as he trotted down the road to the gate.
"Annabelle seems like a nice mare." Uppity commented. "I like the braid in her mane, I think I'll try that out some time."
"Fantastic," Sin said dismissively thinking about who to ask. Twilight would probably know, he had to talk to her anyways.
His companion agreed and the two eventually found themselves at the library. Though, the pony who over looked the establishment wasn't whom they expected.
"Good afternoon, welcome to Golden Oaks Library, where... Sin?" Rarity called from behind the counter, a mascara brush held within her magic. "I'm sorry, Twilight's still asleep if you were wanting to speak with her."
"Oh my gosh!" Uppity said, cutting off the stallion's words in his throat. In what had to be one of the most surreal experiences of his life, he gawked as the orange mare studied and admired the fashionista's screw like mane. "Your hair is simply magnificent! The shine is so genuine, yet it looks soft to the touch, and how did you style it to maintain it's shape? It's so unique, yet so stylish!" She squeed like a filly.
Initially taken aback by the enthusiasm, the alabaster pony quickly recovered and happily basked in the praise. Humbly accepting the compliments and explaining the beautification process.
Figuring he'd allowed the two enough time to indulge their girly habbits, Sin interject into their conversation, stating that they'd both had reason to see the library's primary caretaker. Uppity produced the royal order, and Rarity's face turned puzzled.
"They want you to stay here, in Ponyville? For a re-socialization sentence?"
"Blame her. I asked for the noose." Uppity chided him for his unnecessary bluntness. Though the mare behind the counter looked almost hurt by the comment.
"Oh, I see. I'll uh... Go get her for you. Please wait right here."
She went up the stairs at the end of the building and entered a door after knocking. A few minutes later, both her and Twilight came down, the latter's eyes red and puffy. The kind of red and puffy that indicated tears.
"Hello Sin." Twilight spat, glaring daggers at him.
'HA! Oh boy does she hate your guts.'
Oh hey, been a while.
Uppity replied much more cheerfully in greeting, and informed Twilight of the current situation. The librarian looked over the contract with scrutnous eyes, Sin wasn't sure why she was mad at him, but considering her power, it made him nervous.
"I see." She signed her name a couple of times and handed the papers back, apparently now signing her own consent into the contract. "Don't worry, Uppy, I'll make sure he's well taken care of."
Uppity thanked Twi for her assistance, apparently they were on nickname basis. Upon looking at the clock, the mare noted that she needed to get back to Canterlot. "Alright, Sin I'll be back in a weak, take care of yourself until then, alright?"
After he agreed, he received yet another hug and the Canterlot Attorney made her way out of the library and back to the train station.
With her gone, the Federalist looked back and prepared himself for whatever was about to come. "I need to talk to Star Shade, can you tell me where Zecora is?"
Twilight quirked a brow. "Rarity, go ahead and head home." She declared, her eyes locked onto his. "The Library can be closed for the rest of the day. I need to see how that pony is as well."
"Are you sure? It wouldn't be any trouble at all to-"
"GO HOME NOW, RARITY!" The lavender unicorn barked, sending the white mare running out the door.
Sin felt the a chill run up his spine as he saw the libarian's cold gaze turn just the slightest bit manic. "So, you want to see Shade, do you? Do you know what he did to me?" She asked, beginning to circle the stallion who followed her with his eyes. "He made me look like a fool in front of my princess!"
She stopped to his left. "And not only did you associate with him, you associated with my Spike, my son." She growled. "If it weren't for you, he wouldn't be in prison right now, you know that?"
Sin fought the urge to flinch from the scathing words, beginning to really wish they'd taken him more seriously when he asked to be hanged. "I recall taking responsibility and apologizing to both of you for my part in the ordeal. Yes."
Twilight nodded, beginning to circle again, this time stopping behind him. "It's because of you that he could be killed, did you know that?!"
That flinch he couldn't stop, nor his ears drooping from the guilt. She was just venting, he knew that but Twilight Sparkle was no joke of a mage, he'd felt the effects of her magic personally and had no interest of rousing her wrath yet again. Especially unarmed.
He decided, then and there, that the dragon scales he'd left in the forest would be put to good use either tonight or tomorrow. This kind of nervousness wasn't something he was fond of.
As expected, Twilight went into a tirade about how he was to blame for her stress and despair, how if he hadn't come along, Spike would still be with her. He didn't dare speak against her, as much as he wanted to, for fear of magical repercussions. She was unstable, he could see that and found silence the best means of self preservation.
But it still didn't stop the guilt and sting of truth of her words from sinking in. She was right, had he not come along, his dragon friend wouldn't be arrested. He'd probably stew in unhappiness from time to time, but that was far better than imprisonment or death.
"But I'll take you to him. Not because I want to make you happy, but because Celestia wants a report on how he's doing." She turned to the door and slammed it open with her magic. "Move it!"