Twilight Sparkle
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After numerous interrogations and careful observation of the city of Cloudsdale, I have reached several irrefutable conclusions. First of all, the pegasi are certainly criminals, but they are not involved with the plot to overthrow Nightmare Moon. They don't even know why the no fly order was issued in the first place. The second conclusion that I have reached is that the data I've always seen doesn't add up when compared to the condition of the pegasi in Cloudsdale. Everything I read said that the city should be wealthy and the population healthy, but everywhere I look, I see malnourished ponies and run down buildings.
There has to be some reason for it, after all the data is gathered through countless studies ordered by Nightmare Moon herself. But I can't ignore what I see, that would be incredibly unscientific. One must always observe the facts without allowing previous bias to influence the conclusion. Everypony besides the Royal Guards and powerful members of society appear to be underweight and afraid. At first, I had thought that it was because of the no fly order and recent upheaval, but I now see that they are quite clearly afraid of the guards.
I look out of a window in the jail and turn my thoughts towards the two pegasi. Fluttershy certainly is an enigma. It is clear that she has a strong will inside, but so far at least, she only showed it when she was first brought in. Since then, whenever I've asked her anything, she's just cowered and whispered her answers. Although... it does seem like she's made several comments that were intended to make me angry with Captain Nightstrike. On the other hoof, Rainbow Dash shows overt contempt for me and the government. I believe that she would be willing to join an anti-government movement, but she seems too dedicated to Fluttershy to risk anything that doesn't directly benefit her. And, of course, they are both completely ignorant of the matter at hoof.
“Spike,” I call, “Take a letter.”
He rushes to my side, scroll and quill in hand, ready to write.
“Dear Nightmare Moon,” I say, “I have come to the conclusion that Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are not involved in the plot to instigate rebellion against your rule. However, Rainbow Dash is a thief, and they are both guilty of running away from the Cloudsdale Orphanage. I believe that it is time to put them on trial and for me to return to my studies, as this case is closed. Your Student, Twilight Sparkle.”
Turning to look at Spike, I tell him, “Get on my back. I want to talk to Captain Nightstrike, but Nightmare Moon could reply at any second.”
I find Captain Nightstrike staring intently at Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. All three pegasi are completely silent when I approach them. Fluttershy seems nervous, but Rainbow Dash is glaring directly back at Captain Nightstrike. I stand back in uncertainty, unsure of whether he's in the middle of an interrogation.
Without turning around, he breaks the silence by asking, “Yes, Twilight Sparkle, what is it?”
“Will you come with me for a moment?” I ask him in return.
He turns to face me, a hint of curiosity visible on his face. “Very well,” he responds. “We can talk in my office if you wish.” Without waiting for an answer, he turns and walks down the hall.
I look back at Spike, surprised by his answer. We've been here for almost a week, but we had never even learned the location of his office before. I follow him, and he pushes open an unmarked door several yards from the cell. I enter it, and look about, surprised by what I see.
Spike simply shrugs his shoulders and whispers, “That guy creeps me out.”
I can't deny that I share the feeling. He seems to take a rather hooves-on approach to leading the Cloudsdale Royal Guards, which could be why everypony is so afraid of them. In Canterlot, everypony seems secure when Royal Guards are around, probably because my brother is such a good captain.
Inside the room, there a two plain wooden seats, a desk, and numerous books. All of the walls are lined with shelving, and books from all genres written by authors both famous and obscure are arranged on them. Other books lie scattered and open across the desk, mixed with papers and files. I hear a rasping noise that sends shivers down my spine behind me and turn around, startled. I realize that Captain Nightstrike is laughing. The sound is not one that I would have ever associated with any kind of amusement without seeing for myself that it is indeed laughter.
“Yes, I enjoy reading, too,” he says, taking the seat farthest from the door. “Now, what did you want to discuss?” His yellow eyes seem to indicate a feeling that somehow contains both supreme interest and utter boredom.
“I don't think that Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had anything to do with the ponies that distributed the anti-Nightmare Moon pamphlets,” I respond.
“I have to agree,” he responds tersely. “I reached that conclusion almost immediately.”
“So why are we still interrogating them?” I ask in surprise. I had thought that despite all of his shortcomings Captain Nightstrike would want to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. So why hasn't he arranged for a trial for the theft or simply dropped the charges?
“Because that is irrelevant,” he responds, a hint of surprise in his voice. “Surely you understand this?”
I shake my head slowly. What does he mean irrelevant? The whole point of the interrogations is to determine if they were innocent or guilty!
“I would have thought that you would have been aware of the situation,” he continues. “The ponies who are actually involved have not yet been detained, and the truth is we have almost no evidence to lead us to them. However, a fair number of ponies know why we imposed the no fly order. We need to show them what happens to ponies who oppose us, even if the ponies we punish are not actually in direct opposition to the government. Furthermore, these rebels may attempt to help them, in which case we have a chance to capture them. That possibility, however, is simply the best case scenario and not one I think is particularly likely.”
Suddenly, I hear a belching noise behind my head, and I smile. Good, there's Nightmare Moon's letter. Now we can clear this all up, I can return to Canterlot, and justice can take its course.
Spike clears his throat and reads, “'Twilight Sparkle, you need to get them to confess, even if they weren't actually involved. Then you can return to Canterlot. When you do, I will have a discussion with you that we probably should have had a long time ago.'”
I simply stand there in shock, unable to believe what I just heard. I use my magic to grab the letter from Spike and hold it in front of my face. I read it several times and then look up at Captain Nightsrike.
“You have your orders,” he says, eying me with an unreadable expression on his face. “I have several ideas as to how we can –”
I turn and run out of the room in shock and horror. How can this be? Equestria's judicial system has been the model for the whole world for centuries! How can they just turn their backs on it to prove a point? How can Nightmare Moon act like these? She cares for all of us, her subjects! She's told me that countless times! I feel like I don't know anything, like the ground, er clouds, have vanished from under me. I feel tears building up behind my eyes and I ask, “Spike, what should I do?”
He only answers, “I don't know.”
I look back at him and see that he's struggling the same way I am. As my assistant, he had frequently been with me during my lessons with Nightmare Moon. What's the right thing to do? I'm a scientist, not a philosopher! I deal with what can be quantified, not questions of morality! Although, I have read several books that do deal with ethics. But it's not like science, all the ponies have different opinions, there are no laws or scientific theories, only beliefs! What am I supposed to do?
I stop for a moment. Loyalty is often praised, but most of the philosophers I've read reject the idea of blind loyalty, and often advocate reason. Right, I can reason. I can do that pretty well. But reason isn't everything. Some of it is what's supposed to be what feels right, in terms of ethical activity, right? Either way, let’s start with logic. Just slow down and work this out like any sort of problem.
I begin to pace, trying to decide on a course of action. The punishment they'll get for being involved with the propaganda is far worse than what they would get for just being thieves and running away. I'm not sure I ever heard a definite punishment for them, but even if I had, could I trust it? Has everything I've learned about Equestrian society and law been a lie? But more pressingly, is it worse for ponies to not be punished at all or to be punished too harshly? What if they really had no choice and needed to escape the orphanage? I heard that it was a pleasant place, but what can I believe?!
An idea strikes me, and I stop. “I've got it Spike!” I exclaim. “I know what to do! Spike, I'll tell Nightmare Moon I'm going to release them and stick with them to gain their trust and get a confession, and then I'll let them escape me! But I'll cast a spell so I can locate them whenever I want. Then, I'll talk to Nightmare Moon about all of this to see if I should actually bring them in to be punished by finding out the truth about everything!”
Then the reality of the situation sinks in, and fear runs down my spine: I'm planning on trying to trick the ruler of the most powerful country in the world, a pony who also happens to be my teacher! I shake my head to clear it. This just feels... right. And it's not like I'll be letting them go if they really need to be punished. I'll always be able to track them down if I need to.
I have Spike send a letter and wait anxiously for a response.
This time, the Nightmare Moon's reply arrives almost immediately. Spike unfurls it and reads, “'Twilight Sparkle, I know I said I was giving you complete authority, but this is insane. Return to Canterlot at once.'”
“Now what do we do?” Spike asks me.
I stare at him, my mind racing. Now I'd be going against a direct order from Nightmare Moon herself! I might never be able to repair the damage this will cause! Oh, I wish I had never been sent here! I'm about to give up and say that we'll leave, when a little in the back of my head says, “Helping them is the right thing to do. They won't deserve whatever punishment they receive when Captain Nightstrike forces them to say they're guilty. And how do you think he'll go about getting a confession from them?”
The thought of what he would be willing to do, what he might do, makes me shudder in revulsion. I don't want to be involved with anypony that would do something like that. I've read history books, I'm not a foal when it comes to such things. But I never thought that they could happen in Equestria... Is that why everypony is afraid of the Royal Guards here and why Rainbow Dash hates me so much?
I look into Spike's eyes and answer, “We're going to help them.”
He nods slowly and says, “Okay, I'll stick with you.”
I walk down the hall towards the cell where Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are held. Luckily, there's some sort of parade today, so only a couple of Royal Guards are in the building. My heart is pounding in my chest, but I force myself to breathe at a normal rate. I approach the cell and stand for a moment, immobilized by fear.
I notice Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are staring curiously at me, so I force myself to act. I say, “I’m going to get you out of here.”
Rainbow Dash laughs, “Yeah, right. Why the hay would you want to help us?”
“Because I know you're innocent!” I shout out desperately. Realizing my mistake, I look around quickly before turning back to her and saying more quietly, “And neither Captain Nightstrike nor Nightmare Moon cares. I just don't understand why, so I want to help you.”
Rainbow Dash is looking at me with open distrust and hate, but Fluttershy looks at her and says, “No, let's let her help us.”
Rainbow Dash looks at Fluttershy in surprise, examining her face for what feels like an eternity.
They need to hurry up! Somepony could come along at any second!
Finally, Rainbow Dash says, “Fine, but I'll be watching you. If you try anything, well, just don't cross us.”
I nod and use my magic to break the lock and open the cell door, “Now come along with me queitly but quickly,” I whisper. “We could encounter a guard at any time.”
“Um,” I hear Spike say, his voice filled with fear.
I turn around slowly, coming face to face with Captain Nightstrike.
He looks at me before hissing, “This makes things much more interesting.”