• Published 15th Apr 2014
  • 19,383 Views, 2,467 Comments

An Extended Holiday - Commander_Pensword



Adventure, Mayhem, Magic of unknown origins, and talking colorful Ponies. All being unrelated events have brought three friends together into the wildest holiday that anyone could imagine.

  • ...
69
 2,467
 19,383

PreviousChapters Next
56 - Rising from the Ashes

Extended Holiday
Ch 56: Rising from the Ashes
Act 7


Princess Celestia stared out the window of her hospital room as she sat on a large cushion. Her ear turned at the sound of her door opening, but she did not move. Truth be told, she couldn’t without her body crying out in pain. Shawn had done his work well. She frowned as another thought flicked through her mind, pursing her lips.

“You were foolish, Sister,” Luna’s voice broke the silence.

“I was trying to save a friend. I have no regrets,” Celestia said, still staring through the stained glass.

“He means the same to all of us, Tia. It was only together we could hope to succeed,” Luna chastened. “Had the two of you been present, perhaps the battle would have gone better,” she said, idly using her wing to rub her neck. “As it is, we were lucky to be able to come out of this alive, especially that human.”

Celestia sighed. “I know, Luna. And I feel even worse about it now knowing that they’re both in a critical condition. Worse yet … I’ll have to face Lunar Fang soon.” She sighed. “I guess even princesses make mistakes, don’t we Luna?”

“Heal for now, Tia,” Luna said as she gently nuzzled Celestia’s mane. “You will not be leaving this room until I am convinced of your well being. And you’d best be quick about it. The courier with that timed package you planned for Twilight leaves tomorrow.”

Celestia swore. “Have I really been unconscious for that long?” Her wing twitched and she winced.

“It surprised me you and Pensword both woke up so soon, or at all even. It was fortunate that he didn’t desire your death.” Luna sighed. “So many things piled on top of each other: this disaster, Twilights destiny, the Equestria Games Committee. I wonder how you did this for a thousand years alone.”

“It wasn’t easy, sister.” Celestia groaned as she got up on all fours and walked over to Luna. “But let’s not talk of a certain pony’s destiny when we’re in a hospital, hmm? There’s a bit too much of a chance for prying eyes and ears to hear and see things they shouldn’t.”

“Very well, Celestia,” Luna nodded. “I did not come here to chastise you either way. I came to confirm that the Equestria Games this year will be held within the Crystal Empire and also that I have sponsored New Unity to participate.”

Celestia smiled. “Excellent. It will make for good entertainment when Shawn wakes up again. Hammer Strike may even want to enter in the strength of arms challenges.”

“Possibly, yes.” Luna smiled. “But I am hoping this will inspire the birth of a military games.”

“One step at a time, Sister. First we need to get your bill through the House of Lords.” Celestia smiled back. “And you have my complete support.”

“Recent events have finally opened your eyes?” Luna asked.

“If the elements of harmony can be defeated, we need to have a backup plan.” Celestia sighed. “As much as I hate to admit it, it was wrong of me to disband the military.”

“This will make things easier, at least,” Luna said.

Celestia smirked. “Don’t count on it, sister. But I think we’ll be able to manage.”


Shawn stared down at his motionless body, his eyes looking over his arm and the edges of his face to ensure that the crystals were truly gone. He stared into the distance as the visages of Luna, Grif, and Conor played before his eyes. He trailed over them, knowing he thankfully didn’t do enough damage to kill them.

“So … went on a rampage, did ya?” A voice asked from beside him, then whistled. “Quite a bit of damage too.”

“Nothing fatal at least,” Shawn responded as he looked towards the voice. A dark grey earth pony stood next to him wearing a long black tattered cloak over his thin fur and fragile looking skin.

“Bet you have an interesting time dealing with someone like me,” Shawn commented.

With a wince the specter rubbed his jaw. “Yeah, well, you had to kick the bucket sooner or later,” Death said.

“Sure, but I still got time on my hands.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Death sighed, not bothering to fight. “Still, you got alot of things to make right now.”

“Trust me, I know,” Shawn replied. “So, how many times have we met? I don’t get to remember these meetings, it seems.”

“Too many.” Death chuckled. “So far you’ve been harder to reap than that Rasputin fellow.”

“I’ll agree with that too many part. I should have been long dead by now, but I can’t. Not until I’m done with everything I need to do.”

“You do realize you're not the first guy to use that line, right?” Death asked.

“Yeah, but I think I’m one of the rare ones that will ensure I get the job done, even if it’s against your wishes,” Shawn said as his eyes flicked back towards Death. “And I take it I already tried something before.” He gave a small grin.

Death glared at him. “You punched me in the face.”

“I could have done worse,” Shawn shrugged as he replied.

“Not many people are stupid enough to threaten Death,” Death pointed out.

“Who says it was a threat?” Shawn gave a small grin.

“Whatever,” Death said. “I have souls to reap. I’ll be heading out now.”

“I guess I’ll see you when I nearly die once again, hmm?” Shawn hummed.

“Maybe next time I’ll let someone else handle it,” Death said. “Till our paths cross again.” With that, Death was gone.

“Teacher!” Luna’s voice cut into Shawn’s head suddenly as he realised the blue alicorn was shaking him slightly, really there this time, rather than the visage he’d imagined previously.

Shawn blinked as he snapped out of his thoughts. “Huh, yes?” He looked over to her. “Sorry, thinking.”

“You were awake when I entered, but just staring at the wall, mumbling,” Luna said. “I have been trying to get your attention for nearly ten minutes.”

“There are multiple reasons for that, a primary one being the fact that I had a conversation with Death… Interesting spectral being,” he finished with a sigh.

“He is quite something.” Luna nodded.

“He doesn’t like me much.” Shawn gave a weak chuckle before giving a sigh with a small cringe.

“And how many times have you escaped him?”

“I’ve been unable to remember any of the other meetings. Don’t know why I remember this one though. Then again, I have a lot to remember and think on.”

“Because you would have died,” Luna said. “If it had been any other solution you would have perished without any chance.”

“I should be dead right now, honestly,” Shawn replied. “I’ve gotten to the point where I can’t live without magic, quite literally.”

“But even as the magic left you, Conor left a spark inside you that kept you alive,” Luna said. “I have rarely seen a friend so giving of his heart.”

“He’s a good guy who shouldn’t have been dragged into this mess. I’m glad I still had some control over myself…”

“You seemed to be losing that at the end of it,” Luna said, making no secret of rubbing her neck.

“Considering I had the ability to disintegrate all of your internal organs before you got even close, I was holding back the whole time.”

“It takes a lot of strength to leave a physical mark on me or my sister,” Luna reminded him. “That hold certainly felt genuine.”

“Didn’t you notice how I didn’t use your hammer against you after I took it?” he asked.

“I figured you simply would have preferred to make your point personally,” Luna said.

“I would have made the fight over as quickly as I could if I was going all out. That’s why the crystals were growing so quickly. I wasn’t using the energy against you until I couldn’t hold it in anymore. And even then part of me kept trying to use it in some way: the whispers, the fake shadows, stuff like that.”

“Maybe, but you were sweating during the fight.” Luna smirked. “I noticed several times you were unprepared.”

Shawn gave a soft chuckle. “Yeah, yeah. You caught me off guard several times, at least from what I remember.” The two laughed together for a time, mainly Luna before she calmed herself enough to look on the human once more.

“I am glad, however, that you are back,” she said as she looked at him with concern. “It would not do for you to die and break your record.”

“I still have work to do before I die, and I hope to at least die of old age rather than some battle. But I honestly have little hopes for that.”

“Don’t think age will be able to kill you either?” Luna asked.

“With the way things are, I doubt I’ll live long enough for that. This doesn’t help considering I felt my internal organs fail as my magic left my body. I can barely move as it is now.”

“But you are alive,” Luna said. “That itself is a victory.”

“Certainly is.” Shawn sighed as he propped himself up.

“I shall take my leave,” Luna said, nodding. “You must be tired.

Shawn sighed again. “I guess I’ll try to get some rest, though there is next to no chance of it happening,” he replied as he watched her go. “Good luck dealing with the nobles in Celestia’s place.”

“I’ll need it,” Luna said with a grim chuckle as the door closed behind her.

Shawn placed his head against his pillow. He felt exhausted, weak even, but he couldn’t find himself getting anymore rest. So he closed his eyes, thinking quietly to himself as he waited for time to move on until his next encounter, or until sleep took hold of him once again.

“‘Sup?” An all too familiar voice spoke into his ear.

“Why do I have a feeling you’re here for revenge?” Shawn asked as he opened his eyes and looked to his left. Death stood there, a malicious grin on his face.


The oh so formerly Great and Powerful Trixie slept restlessly, tossing and turning. The hospital staff could only watch, unable to approach as large portions of purple and blue static seemed to battle over the mare.

Surrender to the dark. Let the lovely corruption devour you and bathe in the sweet power. Then we shall be great and powerful like no unicorn ever was before. We shall reap such lovely chaos. The voice in Trixie’s head was dark and feminine, the horrific words it spoke offset by the gentle allure of her voice.

Do not fall from the light. We must remain strong and find strength within our own power. We swore we would seek redemption. The second voice was lighter, kinder. And yet it’s undertone was the same grasp for control.

We swore we would have vengeance on Twilight Sparkle. We should accept this power and take that vengeance, the dark voice rebuttled.

We swore we would live to bring happiness to others, the kind voice spoke, throwing images of Trixies early days of performing: a filly doing simple tricks for her parents, a young mare amazing her classmates with simple illusions artistically set, a fully grown mare standing before a crowd of starry eyed foals.

We swore we would let no one best us, the dark voice rebuttled with images of that same filly hidden behind the table with the cookie jar while her mother attempted to put out an illusionary burning loaf of bread. That same young mare laughed wickedly as a young colt slammed into a tree chasing an illusionary bit. Again the same mare smirked over a waterlogged pegasus stallion who had dared to heckle her.

Trixie’s movements became erratic as the voices argued, more images, more oaths. The energy around her cackled menacingly until Trixie forced herself up and out of her mind. “ENOUGH!” The one word echoed through the halls as the mare willed her mind to be quiet. Her eyes blinked a few times as she woke to the world around her. “Trixie is … alive?” she questioned the nearby hospital staff who stared at her with awe and a hint of fear.

The earth pony stallion with a shot for his cutiemark balked. “Uhhh … yes. Just a moment. You keep in that bed and I’ll go get Doctor Strange.”

Trixie sighed a bit as she looked around the room. She noticed the darker fur on one of her hooves and stared for a moment, not sure what it could mean. She looked around, caught a distorted glimpse of her reflection on a nearby metal tray, and reacted in the most sensible way her mind could figure. She screamed.

Doctor Strange came running full speed with a very breathless orderly behind him. “What’s going on? Is everything alright?” The doctor asked, his horn glowing and at the ready.

“What happened to Trixie?” Trixie asked in tears.

“You were exposed to an incredibly high dosage of dark magic. Most ponies would have died, or succumbed to the corruption, but somehow you managed to survive until the power was dispelled. Then you were rescued by Grif. They brought you here along with Lord Shawn and the human, Conor,” the doctor explained.

“Can you fix Trixie?” she asked.

“Do you want the truth, or do you want me to tell you what you want to hear?”

Trixie shot him a very pointed glare.

“I’m perfectly serious,” the doctor said.

“Tell Trixie the truth,” she said.

“Alright. The truth is that we don’t know. You’re a unique case: perhaps the only unicorn in history to have absorbed so much dark power and still maintained her core self. If you wish to find a way to return to your former appearance, we can do some tests and research, but I’ll likely have to call in some outside assistance on this one. The odds are very slim,” he said grimly.

“What about Twilight Sparkle?” Trixie asked.

“That’s the help I had in mind. I’ll have a message sent to her immediately. In the meantime, you need to rest. Your magic has been fighting itself for the last week.”

“But a unicorn can’t survive its magic attacking itself. If that were true, Trixie would be dead,” Trixie said.

“Well, you don’t look dead to me. There’s a first time for everything,” Doctor Strange said as he shrugged. “Get some rest, Miss Trixie. We’ll figure this all out in time. If you need anything, press the call button on your bed. A nurse will come to see what they can do to help. Just don’t abuse it, okay?” he asked as he strode toward the door.

“Okay.” Trixie nodded.


Pensword glared ahead as he listened to the creaking of metal on his wheelchair’s wheels. His left shoulder was heavily bandaged and he winced in pain as the chair came to a halt, the momentum shifting him forward in his seat.

“Maybe I should have held off the attack with Celestia,” he muttered. The doctor next to him knocked on the door. After a muffled response, he pushed the door open and wheeled the commander in. A moment later he exited, leaving the pegasus to visit with its occupant. Sitting on a cushion staring out the window was Princess Celestia.

“Princess, we need to talk. I have concerns,” Pensword said, waiting for Celestia to respond. She nodded to the three nurses and two doctors to leave. They were about to protest but a glare cast them out without further argument, leaving just Pensword and Celestia. She moved a bandaged wing, giving permission for Pensword to begin.

“My concern is thus. I have gone ballistic twice. What is happening? I fear it is some instinct and seeing as I am not, well, I was raised, but in a time of war and a different time period, what am I experiencing? I fear if I cannot get a handle on these emotions and urges, I will have to resign on the grounds of posing a danger to all of Equestria.”

“Pensword, what do you mean going ballistic? I’ve never seen you act in such a manner, and neither has my sister,” Celestia said.

“My actions against the dome over Ponyville. I took almost all troops that I could command and attacked the dome without any forethought.” Pensword hung his head. “But I was not going for the citizens, it was just for two lives. Only two lives: my Life Mate and my daughter. How could I do that? Abuse resources just to protect my family… Princess, I fear that because of losing my family before the war, I may become or have become overprotective of my current one. I have been compromised.”

Celestia stood and slowly walked up to the pegasus. “Pensword, you voice a legitimate concern. However, I believe your fears are misplaced. To love and care for one’s family is completely natural. Have you never wondered why it is that Rainbow Dash was chosen to represent the element of loyalty?”

“To be honest, Princess, no. I have not wondered. I thought she is a loyal friend,” Pensword answered.

Celestia smiled. “Pegasi are all an incredibly loyal race. And while they are well known for their military prowess, the main reason for this is because each and every one of them wanted to be the best and strongest pony they could be to protect the ones they love. To protect their families. Their loyalty drove them to become the great race they are today.”

Pensword paused to turn and looked at Princess Celestia, “Princess, are ... are you saying that this is normal to feel? Normal to react? Then how do I handle this?” He paused as he lowered his eyes. “Am I so… overreactive because I lost my family?”

“It’s possible. Trauma has been known to drive many a pony to extremes. The question is how you use the power you wield. So far, you’ve used it in a perfectly reasonable manner, even if it was for more selfish ends. If you truly are concerned, then talk to Lunar Fang about it. I’m sure she’ll be happy to help you come up with a solution. And if you don’t talk with her about this, then I will myself.”

“Very well, Princess,” Pensword said wearily. “I shall speak with Lunar Fang when I see her next.” He paused. “I never thought that I would have an instinct this strong. Still, thank you, your Majesty, for your kind words.”

Celestia chuckled. “You’re welcome, Pensword. By the way, it’s pretty easy to explain the overreaction. I believe that Shawn would say ‘Welcome to fatherhood.’”

Pensword chuckled softly before wincing. “I better return to my room. It is time to rest. I am sorry, Princess. Would you like me to return tomorrow for tea?”

“You know, Pensword, I think I’d love that. There is strength in numbers. And I get the feeling we’ll need that in the coming days when your friends come to chastise us.”

“Agreed. I fully expect my Life Mate to be the first to chastise me.” He spoke softly. “Still, I will stand by, battling at your side. We both felt we had to act, and in acting, we discovered what he would have done if we waited. I doubt you would have liked Lord Shawn marching to Canterlot and “speaking” to the nobility.”

“No, Pensword, I would not. But to seek to justify and make excuses would merely inflame them. We’ll weather the storm in silence and take what will come. Then we can explain later.”

The door opened and the doctor entered the room with the nurses. “Very well, Princess Celestia. Until tomorrow,” Pensword said as the nurse took his wheelchair and wheeled him out.


Grif yawned as he reached New Unity. The sun was beginning its descent thanks to Luna, and the sky behind the fortress shone with a blood orange tinge, casting the fortress itself in an eerie light. As he landed in the courtyard, he examined the area before finally catching sight of Black Rook.

“Rook, I need everyone gathered here for a minute before lights out. I have a few announcements to make and something important to do,” he told the pony. Rook didn’t speak. He just gave Grif a tired nod before heading out. Around half an hour later, as the last bits of light were fading, the majority of New Unity’s occupants stood at attention in the courtyard.

“Okay, everybody. The last few days have been especially rough and you're all tired from preparing for your night posts, so I’ll make this quick.” He cleared his throat. “Lord Hammer Strike has taken ill and Lord Shawn will be stuck in the hospital until such a time as the princesses believe he is in condition to leave. Commander Pensword sustained minor injuries himself and will remain in the hospital till week’s end. As per usual, any problems or issues should be brought to me until the two of them return. If I’m unavailable, Lunar Fang, Silver Spear, Black Rook, or Fox Feather will be present to hear your issues. In the case of the Bladefeather family, that will mean taking your issues to Thalia or Shrial. I want to thank you all for your loyalty and your calm in the past crisis. I have looked over the reports and am happy to say the damages were considerably minor and should be well repaired within the next two weeks.”

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Grif smiled onto the crowd. “One last piece of news before you can return to your duties.” This received a groan from the audience, which Grif couldn’t help but chuckle at. “I assure you this is a good one.” Reaching into his pack he pulled out a scroll. “New Unity has received permission to nominate a team for the qualifiers and barring we make it past that in at least one event, the Equestria Games.” That seemed to bring some life to the group as they sounded with cheers and stomps. Grif held up a talon again. “Now, my friends, I am going to say that we are not going to focus on the flying competitions this time. The wonderbolts are competing this year and while all the winged creatures present are great flyers, it is doubtful we would outpace, let alone outperform them in the air.” This received a mixed reaction, which was expected. “So let’s focus where we shine. Tomorrow the officers of each branch will be passing out forms where you will all nominate who you think the best choices for the events will be. Then, at the end of the week, I will meet with Commander Pensword, Lunar Fang, and the other officers to decide from your choices.”

Sensing at least a few objections, Grif held up his talons again. “Let’s remember that until further notice this fortress is a military installation. Even you civilian residents are currently here under military contracts. This isn’t a democracy, people. Your suggestions will be taken into account, but the hierarchy must be remembered.” Shooting the group a challenging look, he laughed. “Now let’s do this right so we can kick the other teams’ flanks all the way back to wherever they're from.” The reaction to this statement wasn’t quite as energetic as he’d hoped. A few ponies stomped, and gryphons clapped obligatorily for their clan head. “Oh, give me a break, guys. I’m exhausted.” Grif sighed. “Dismissed.”

The ponies and gryphons dispersed. With a yawn and a crack of his neck, Grif took to the air, making a beeline for his tower.


Grif smiled as he sat at the small table in his room, perhaps the only time he was ever to be found with neither armor nor weapons on his person was in these rare moments of peace in the morning when he woke before Shrial did. With a relaxed poise he watched his wife sleeping soundly as he thought about Zecora’s words when he had asked about the gender of their first child. His mind wanted to race, considering all the exciting and terrifying things all at once, but for some reason all that came to the gryphon was peace as he waited.

Slowly, the dawn light touched the gryphoness’ eyes and Shrial awoke, blinking blearily as she turned to face her lover and mate. She groaned in contentment as she stretched. “Morning, dear.”

“Morning.” Grif smiled. “Sleep well? No cramps? No morning sickness?”

“Now why in Equis would I have morning sickness?” She asked, her tail swishing back and forth as the hair snapped like a whip.

“Oh, I had an interesting talk with Zecora,” Grif said. “I asked her about the gender of our first born and she gave me some interesting news.” Grif smirked at her with the same ‘gotcha’ smirk she had seen so many times in the war.

“And what, pray tell, was this news?” She asked, returning the smirk with one of her own.

“Twin girls. In just over four months,” Grif said. “Funny considering last I checked these things took five months for our race.” He casually buffed a talon against his feathers.

“You know that’s cheating, Grif. You took all the fun out of the surprise.” She frowned “I was waiting for the right time to tell you.”

“Considering for our species-” Grif smiled as he reached out and pulled her over to him. “-these kind of things are intentional. It may have helped to tell me beforehand.” He turned her around gently and hugged her from behind. “Perhaps I wasn’t entirely ready for this yet.”

“And since when has that stopped you before?” She asked with a sly smirk and a raised eyebrow. “But twins? You’re sure she said twins?”

“I asked her four times,” Grif said as he planted a slow kiss on her crest. “Just to be sure.”

“I can only imagine what she said after that,” Shrial said, chuckling. “‘Ask not again, for this is no joke. Seek one more time and face my poison joke,’” she said in as close an impersonation as she could manage to the wise zebra.

Grif laughed awkwardly for a moment. “So… I guess this leaves a few questions. And I guess the first and most important is, are we going to be the kind of parents who name their twins with similar sounding names?” he asked, taking her talons in his.

“Well now, that depends on what sounds right now, doesn’t it?” she asked playfully.

“Back from Taze’s home there was a lady in myth: a goddess. She represented wisdom in combat. He always liked her name and I think Athena has a nice ring to it,” Grif said, smiling. “A strong, proud, and hopefully wise gryphoness. Let’s hope she gets that from her mother.” He laughed.

“And let’s hope that both get their father’s loving heart,” She said, snuggling close as she ran her beak through his neck feathers. “The question is … what do we name the second, hmm? Since we’re taking an earth name for the first, it seems only fair that we use a Gryphonian name for the other. How does Gentle Wing sound?”

“It sounds like there is something more to that suggestion than spur of the moment,” Grif said. “What's it mean to you?”

“My mother.” No other words needed to be said. Grif knew only too well what she meant.

“Then it’s perfect.” He hugged her gently again. “It’s just too bad this happened now.” Grif chuckled. “Now I’m going to have to look for someone to practice my fencing with. I have to look sharp if I’m representing Unity for the games.”

“Hasn’t Rarity grown rather proficient as a pupil? Perhaps you could challenge her. Or else go with Hammer Strike once he wakes. He has had a lot of experience.”

“With Rarity’s fast growing skill I fully expect to be facing her for Ponyville in the qualifier, if not the games themselves,” Grif said with pride. “And even if Hammer Strike were ready to spar for the foreseeable future, his technique isn’t exactly for skill, but more for power,” he told her. “Now we should head to breakfast. Rook will be waiting for me soon and we have a lot to prepare for.” He kissed her beak gently.

“Then let’s eat.” She smiled. “I’ve got a sudden hankering for pickles.”

“Then pickles you shall have,” he said as she got to her feet and then he allowed himself to fall forward onto his. “I still have to wonder when you decided this.” He stopped for a moment. “Wait … the storm?” he asked, his eyes widening.

She winked at him slyly. “Why else do you think I was so passionate?” She asked as she made her way out the door, rubbing her tail underneath his beak, just as she did when they first started dating.

“I… don’t deserve you,” Grif said in a shocked tone as he followed her out.

“Stop that,” She chided absently as she swayed her hips in front of him. “If you say that one more time, so help me, Grif, I’ll give you the biggest lashing since Graf trained you.”

“Yes, dear.” Grif gulped. Well, definitely mood swings. He didn’t dare give voice to his thoughts this time. The two gryphons left their tower only stopping so each could belt on their weapons. They had a long day ahead of them.


Conor groaned as an annoying beep stabbed its way into his consciousness. He slowly opened his eyes to see flickering lights on a blank high ceiling.

“Back in the hospital again, I see,” he muttered. Then he started as his eyes widened. Shawn, he thought. What happened to Shawn? He immediately reached for the call button on his bed only to see a white coat as bright as the light Harmony had used to dispel the chaos staring back at him. He prodded it, running his hands over it curiously as he felt the rough sensation of running against the grain and the smoothness of going back. He shuddered as a tingling sensation ran across his body. The skin felt rough, thicker than normal, but not to the point where it could be called a hide, perse. He slowly reached up to his forehead, fearing for the worst as he prodded around the usually sensitive area. He could feel a small lump as he pressed, but it was not too prominent just yet. He was pleasantly surprised to find it didn’t hurt.

For the first time in weeks, Conor could think and see clearly without fear of pain. … Wait a minute. He could see clearly? He smiled. “I can see.” He laughed. “Well, at least that’s one positive thing to come from all this. He shook his head and felt his newly regrown hair shake. “And there’s another one. I’m gonna have to see about getting a haircut soon,” he muttered to himself. With that said, he snapped back to Shawn again and pressed the call button. Besides, he was hungry.

And then a cupcake dropped onto his chest. “Happy you just woke up after being a big hero party!” A familiar voice of a pony he’d met only once before cried. Conor couldn’t help but smile. “Gummy was so right about you waking up just now,” Pinkey said.

“Heya, Pinkey. How’s it going?” Conor asked as he pulled the cover off the cupcake and started eating. “And thanks for the cupcake. I needed this.”

“It’s great!” Pinkie cheered. “Well, Rainbow Dash is still complaining about the fight with Shawn, and Twilight’s been trying to figure out for days how he stopped the Elements of Harmony, but I’m doing well.”

“You have no idea how glad I am. Say, Pinkie, I have a question. Did you ever sense a doozie coming on for me before all this stuff happened with Shawn and the corruption and all that? And secondly, how long have I been unconscious?”

“I had a lot of doozies just before this happened.” Pinkie Pie shrugged. “I wasn’t able to tell what was going to happen for sure though. Oh, and you’ve been out for a week. The doctors said something about some weird magic thing that was assembling all around you keeping them from any real deep testing or something like that.”

“Huh, well how about that. What about Shawn? Is he doing alright?”

The sight of an awkward smile on Pinkie Pie’s face seemed wrong. Everything about the idea seemed wrong. “Well … he’s alive,” she said, her hair deflating slightly.

“Pinkie, what aren’t you telling me?” Conor pressed.

“When Luna brought him in he was only hanging on by a tiny spark of energy. He was almost out of magic and Twilight said it’d be like a machine without a power source. But now everything’s left and it’s going to take a long time for him to be back to where he was,” Pinkie said. “It may be a month before he can fully leave his room.”

But he’s alive and he’s on the mend,” Conor said. Pinkie nodded. “Then there’s nothing to worry about.” Conor smiled. “Come on, Pinkie, cheer up. You’ve got another party to plan for when Shawn gets back out of the hospital, right? Come on and give me a smile. I don’t like seeing friends who’re sad.”

The mention of this caused the pink pony’s mane to instantly pop back up. “Thats right! I have to plan his party, and your party, and a party for Grif and Luna, and the shower, so many parties to plan.” In an instant the pink pony was standing on Conor’s chest staring right into his face. “Do you know what this means?”

“Uhhh … that you have a lot of baking to do?”

“YES!” She practically screamed in his face, and by practically… she literally screamed before leaving so fast that a pink dust cloud in the exact silhouette of the party pony stood on the human’s chest for a whole 10 seconds before he realised she was gone. Several seconds later the pink blur returned, taking the dust cloud with it and leaving behind another cupcake on the stand beside his bed.

Conor laughed and shook his head as a very confused looking Nurse Redheart walked in, her nurse’s cap knocked askew.

“Pinkie Pie?” she asked as she fixed her cap.

“Pinkie Pie,” Conor said, grinning as a fresh bout of laughter came on. All was well with the world, at least for now.


“You know, I figured you would have gone by now, due to your job.” Shawn said as he looked towards Death once again.

“I’ve got employees.” Death shrugged.

“I somewhat figured that when you stuck around,” he replied. “Still trying to think of the reason for why I can see you now...”

“Because you died,” Death said. “The other times you were only mostly dead. Mostly dead is still slightly alive”

“Glad to know I flatlined.” Shawn shrugged, then paused as he looked towards the door. “And company…”

The door opened with a bang as Rainbow Dash blew through in her usual speedy manner, shortly followed by Twilight and Pinkie Pie as the party pony came bouncing in in her usual style. She quickly popped a cupcake on Shawn’s bedside table before jumping into the air and landing on Death’s back.

“Hiya, Shawn! Just finished visiting Conor earlier. He’s doing just fine. Well, aside from the whole fur all over the body and a bump on the head, and maybe some thicker fingernails, but yeah, he’s fine.” She smiled at the human. “I just wanted to drop off a get well soon cupcake to help you get back your energy. Oh, and I have one for your friend here too.” She smiled as she pulled out yet another cupcake from nowhere.

“What-?” Death started to ask when his face was suddenly stuffed full of pastry.

Shawn only gave a faint grin as he watched the event unfold before turning back towards the others as they gaped at the sight. “The sad part is, only I and she can see what she just did.”

Strangely enough, as Pinkie stood on Death’s back Shawn was sure he could hear chanting in the background of the room in a strange language he heard inside his mind, but couldn’t understand. He shook his head weakly.

“So, what brings you for the visit?” He questioned.

“Don’t start, buddy,” Rainbow said, poking his chest with a hoof. “What's the big idea with trying to kill us? You should’ve been able to whoop that black magic’s butt easy.”

“Dealing with dark power isn’t something easy.” Shawn said. “As for trying to kill you, had that part of me wanted you dead, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be here,” he replied.

“What do you mean by ‘that part of you’?” Twilight asked

“Chapter thirteen,” he replied.

“You cut that chapter out,” Twilight reminded him.

“Exactly,” he said as he faced her. “Chapter thirteen: Thaumic Overtake. When your natural field is filled with aspects of dark nature it will take over the field, and in turn, control the person. By taking the darkest thoughts and darkest parts of the mind, it takes control of the user with a goal for power.”

“Then that was you, just the bad you?” Twilight asked.

“Though I don’t like it, yes, that was me. A more uncontrolled version of me.” He sighed heavily.

“And that can happen to anyone?” Twilight asked. “Like dark magic?”

“It’s what happened to Sombra, but it takes time and a constant source of this energy,” he said before he paused. “Or a sudden burst ... of…” He stopped speaking, his expression falling flat.

“What is it?” Twilight asked.

“I’m going to kill him,” he said aloud. “A sudden burst of chaotic energy.”

“So Discord’s responsible for all this?” Rainbow Dash growled as she asked.

“Once I can physically get to him, that is…” Shawn sighed once again. “Oh, and Twilight, you were both right and wrong.”

“About what?” Twilight asked.

“I flatlined,” Shawn replied simply.

Twilight’s mouth pantomimed talking for a few seconds as the unicorn was unable to find the words to respond.

“So yeah, I died. Death now bothers me as punishment for not really… dying, and I have something I need you to do,” Shawn continued.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Check my coat. Inside, the top pocket on the left side,” he said, pointing towards the table across the room. His coat lay on the chair waiting to be worn again.

Twilight did as she was bidden, pulling out a rainbow colored crystal.

“Keep that crystal contained,” Shawn told her. “Being as it came from the Elements of Harmony, I figure it’s probably best that one of you six keep it. I don’t want to experiment with it.”

Twilight nodded as she placed the crystal in her saddle bag.

“Any other questions or concerns?” Shawn asked.

“I guess we should let you get some rest.” Twilight sighed.

“Twilight, you should know me by now.”

“At least try to get some rest,” Twilight said.

“Twilight,” Shawn repeated. “You should know me by now.”


Derpy answered the door with confusion. The derpy eyed pegasus was unused to visitors at her house, especially this early in the morning. Upon opening the door she found no one waiting for her, but a large cardboard box left on her doorstep. Carefully, she picked it up and opened it. Her look switched from curiosity to confusion, and then to happiness as a small tear trickled down her eye.

The box was stuffed with a dozen fresh muffins of varying flavors. They were still warm and the scent wafted off them gently in the morning air, making her mouth water. On the top, written in what had likely been a black sharpie, was a message.

Dear Derpy,

It’s march 1st and though this may not make a lot of sense, we just wanted to send you these jumbo muffins (though we understand they’re not as good as your own) and wish you a happy Derpy Day.

Your friends at New Unity

Lord Shawn

Matthew

Taze

Conor

Derpy sniffled as she swept her head back and forth, looking for the good samaritan who had left such a wonderful gift for her. “... Nopony ever remembers my birthday.” She smiled as she walked back into her house. A small greyish-purple unicorn stepped out briefly and smiled in the direction of the big blue box in their front yard. “Thanks, Grif,” she said before shutting the door and going over to her mother. Through the window, the gryphon could see the grey pegasus flying loup de loups and aerial cartwheels. He smiled warmly at the scene as he extended his wings and took to the air. The only thing nagging at his mind was how Dinky had known it was him and how she’d known where he was hiding.


Pensword’s left ear swiveled as he heard hoof falls in the hallway. He knew who was coming to visit. He took a steadying breath and waited for Lunar Fang to enter the room. He was getting better and that meant that he most likely would be able to weather the storm without getting too worn out. He hoped.

“Feeling better?” a familiar voice spoke sweetly as Lunar Fang entered, closing the door and locking it behind her.

“You do realize the lock is nothing but a placebo? If something happens the staff have to be in here in seconds at most,” he spoke with a small chuckle. “Still, I am feeling better.” His jovial look fell to one of melancholy and regret. “I know you have words to say to me. I hope I am strong enough to weather them.”

And then Lunar Fang drove her sword through the floor right in front of the door. The Lunar steel blade was not going to be moving anytime soon. “They can try,” she said sweetly.

“Very Well, dear,” was all Pensword said in a rather matter of fact tone. “I am ready.”

“Would you mind telling me why you you decided to go out on a suicide run?” she asked him, her voice level, but bearing a sharpened edge.

“Because I am battling a strong instinct to keep you and Moon River safe,” Pensword answered, looking her in the eyes. His vision blurred as the tears started to form. “My dear,” he began, “Thou knowest thou and the others I consider brothers are the only family I have left. I just learned from Celestia that I fell to the instinct to protect my family. To protect you,” he said, pointing at her. “I do not give excuses. I know what I did is foolish, yet, I feel like I did the right thing.”

“Nearly getting yourself killed was the right thing?” Lunar Fang’s glare was hard. “If you weren’t my superior I’d have you incarcerated for three days for that kind of logic.”

“I shall add that to my three days for leaving Trixie in the jail cells,” Pensword said, his head hung low. “You are the second in command, dear. You married the Commander of the Equestrian Forces and that gives you privileges, including that you can, in fact, place me in Jail. Faust knows I deserve it,” he mumbled. “I failed thee and Moon River. I need to become better at controlling my instincts.” He paused. “I fear only what I will do if Moon River’s future courter even dares to break her heart.”

“The hunter who leaves the pack is the hunter who winds up dead.” It was a thestral proverb, possibly one of the most basic ones taught to the foals. “What would I have told Moon River if something had happened to you?”

“The truth.” Pensword stared down at his blankets. “I will sleep where you deem it necessary after my time in jail. I have brought shame to our herd, and to our marriage. We had a threat and I did not ask, nor consult with thee. What kind of a husband am I where I do not even consult my wife?”

“I can never stop caring for you.” Lunar Fang sighed. “But there is no honor in a foolish death.” She brought his head up to face her with a hoof, her eyes determined. “This cannot happen again.”

“Nor I. I shall consult thee much better and speak to Princess Luna to make completely sure that we share the security clearances of the future.” He bowed his head again. “Dear, what I did was foolish and all I can say is, I have learned. I just pray thou canst help me overcome this instinct to rush into danger to protect thee and Moon River. Do the Thestrals have this instinct as well?”

“We are born together,” she reminded him. “We are the family. As the family we live and as the family we die. We hunt together, we feast together. Together we starve, together we fight. It is as we always have been: together, or not at all.”

“Thank you,” Pensword said. “I am barely into my twenties, I think, and I am still learning.” He looked up at her, his face serious. “Will you forgive your foalish husband?”

“I’ll have to.” She smiled, brushing his chin with a wing. “It’s far too late to change.”

Pensword smiled and opened his good wing to hug his Life Mate. “My Thestral,” he began. “I ... if you or I must fall in battle, I shall now hope that we fight side by side from now on.” He frowned. “How is Moon River?”

“She’s been moody without you around, but is currently on a playdate with the cake twins,” Lunar Fang said.

“Yeah, compared to her mount, that is nothing.” He paused. “I wonder if Grif would let us use Sylvio as the mount for a warrior costume for Moon River next Nightmare Night.” Pensword slowly shifted his head to look at the blade as he grit his teeth. “What do you have planned now?” He asked his lifemate.

“Grif has been tearing his crest feathers out trying to get things organized,” she said. “He needs me back at New Unity.”

“Very well. I hope to return to your side in three more days,” Pensword replied with a bow of his head. “Once again, if you want to follow through on your threat of time served, you can.”

“We shall see,” the Thestral said as she removed her sword from the floor and sheathed it. “Get some rest.”

Pensword smiled. “I will. I look forward to the day we can snuggle again together.”

“... So do I,” she responded as she walked out, closing the door behind her.


Conor strode to the desk escorted by Nurse Redheart. “Thanks so much, Redheart. I really appreciate the help you’ve given with my recovery,” he said as he brought a hand up to feel his nose again. He just couldn’t get over the fact it had grown broader. It felt so strange when he looked in a mirror.

“It’s no problem, really. Honestly, I’m kind of glad you’re leaving. Doctor Strange has been acting … well, strange, ever since you started the whole metamorphosis thing.”

“Yeah, still not quite feeling comfortable with all this, but at least I’m a bit more fit. And it doesn’t seem to be getting worse, so I guess Equestria finally had enough with me.”

“I guess.” Redheart shrugged as they approached the checkout.

“Hey, Red,” Grif called as he entered the hospital. “Oh, hey Conor. You already signing out?”

“Yeah. If I have Doctor Strange ask me one more time to be a focus for his studies, I think I might scream. I actually wanted to punch him. Me. Can you believe that?” Conor asked as he motioned to himself. “It’s a good thing Redheart did it for me.” Redheart blushed.

“Well, I was planning on visiting Shawn quickly before we left. Is that okay?” Grif asked.

“You bet. I’ve been wondering how he’s been doing. The Doc’s been keeping me a prisoner in my room the last few days. Just let me check out first.” The nurse at the desk handed him the clipboard and he started reading over the documents. “Wait a second,” Conor said as he tore off the paper. “This is a contract for a medical study!”

“Let me see that!” Redheart said as she snatchted the sheet. She looked at Conor, then back down, then she grit her teeth. “Excuse me, gentecolts, I have a rather pressing appointment with a certain unicorn who needs to get his horn on straight.” A red gleam had come into her eyes as she knocked her hooves together a couple of times. Then she trotted off. Conor signed the rest of the documents, then turned back to Grif with a smirk.

“How much you wanna bet we’re gonna be hearing a certain unicorn screaming in terror in the next half hour?” he asked.

“And I am going to smile the whole time,” Grif said. “That guy gives me the creeps.” He smiled. “So how’ve things been besides that? Honestly, it’s kinda sad how little time we’ve gotten to spend together since you got here.”

“Meh, it’s kinda boring, honestly. The only thing I could do to occupy myself was watch the clouds through the window, write, and stare at myself in the mirror. It still feels weird as all getout looking like this. Though I have to admit, the hair is nice. I missed the hair.

“You should have sent for books,” Grif said.

“Can’t read Equestrian yet. Still need to learn the rest of the alphabet and language. I’m getting better, but I’m still not quite there. What I should’ve done was send for my violin. That definitely would’ve helped pass the time,” Conor replied as the two walked up the stairs to the private rooms.

“Well, here’s Shawn’s room,” Grif said, gripping the handle. The gryphon opened the door and quickly, out of reflex, his empty talon shot up, grasping a syringe meters away from his face. A dart board hung on the door next to his head, covered in syringes, scalpels and other sharp throwable objects. “Well, that’s welcoming.”

“You caught Death off guard with that one,” Shawn replied simply. “So, how goes?”

“Pretty good, other than a certain doctor trying to trick me into being his personal guinea pig,” Conor said, shrugging. “Heya Death, pleased to meet you,” he said to the thin air.

“Death?” Grif asked, lifting an eyebrow.

“Yep. He took a break to keep me company…” Shawn replied.

“Not the weirdest thing I’ve heard this week.” Grif shrugged. “How are things going, Shawn?”

“Oh, you know, steadily waiting for the Thaumic field to connect itself back to the Equestrian field so I can walk without support.”

“Yeah, speaking of, Shawn, why didn’t you guys tell me about that?” Conor asked.

“Because you don’t have a Thaumic field,” Shawn said, lifting arm. His eyes began to glow as he examined the arm in question. “I took a look at you when you arrived, and I noticed you didn-” He looked over to Conor and broke off suddenly.

“Shawn? You need to stop with the pauses,” Grif said.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Shawn looked over Conor, his eyes still glowing. “Congratulations.”

“... I wondered why my changes stopped,” Conor replied.

“Now you get to read the book that I haven’t finished translating.”

“Which is …?”

“The book explaining the Thaumic field you now have and how to use it.”

“Oh, so I basically have magic now?”

“Basically. Oh, and be sure to follow my warning in the book, because if you try any of the stuff in that book without me around, you might not live to regret it.”

“Okay. First, not quite sure I’m entirely comfortable with that. Second, thanks for the warning. I’ll keep that in mind,” Conor said.

“Don’t worry. As long as you don’t attempt anything in the book you’ll be fine.” Shawn gave a weak smile. “Just don’t pull a Twilight and we’ll be just fine.”

“Uh … do I even want to know what she did?”

“Yeah, she attempted to take the energy out of a flame. Nearly unmade herself and Golden Oaks. That's why I’m two lessons ahead of her now,” Grif said. “Seriously, what is it with ponies recently? When did I become the sensible one?”

“That’s partially accurate.”

“Is it seriously that potent?” Conor asked, surprised.

“With what I learned from that book, I could turn your entire body into energy,” Shawn told him.

“So it’s pretty much like ‘The Belgariad,’ only it doesn’t care who you target. It’ll just destroy whatever it can,” Conor said.

“It can do more than that,” Shawn replied. “Much more, but those chapters are going to remain untranslated.”

“Wise idea.” Conor nodded sagely.


“So…” Grif said as they walked. “Did Twilight have any ideas about the half unicorn thing?”

“I haven’t really talked with her about it. Last time I saw her, she was considering having Celestia and Luna make a disguise bracelet like you guys have so I can switch to a form Equestria won’t try to change. Honestly, I’m a little worried how she might react if she were to see me like this. Based on what little I’ve seen of the show, in that way at least, she and Doctor Strange can be very much alike.”

“Except she is genuinely trying to help, while I’m pretty sure that guy just likes making people suffer,” Grif said. “Any part of Ponyville you were interested in before we head back?”

“You want my honest opinion? Probably a bit of everything. I’d love to go to the school, the arcade, maybe the town hall. You know, all the great sights.”

Grif grinned. “Conor, you just made my day. I need to pick up some stuff from Bon Bon’s Bonbons. Other than that, we can go anywhere you want,” Grif said as they made their way into the heart of the town. “It’s actually a lot bigger than it appeared in the show.”

“You don’t say.” Conor smiled nervously as the ponies stared at him. Said ponies proceeded to shrug and go about their business. At least he didn’t seem to be destroying the town.

Grif stopped at the candy store he mentioned. “Anything you want?” he asked as they entered. Bon Bon greeted Grif with a nod before heading in the back for something.

Conor gawked at the cornucopia of sweets. “Where do I begin?”

“I can assure you, it’s all good.” Grif smiled as the earth pony came back out with several small square boxes. “Thanks for getting these.” He nodded to her as he put the boxes in his bag. He placed a small bag of bits on the counter. “And these are for your discretion with the situation.”

Bon Bon beamed and nodded. “I handle these sorts of things all the time. Give my best to Shrial.”

“Um … hi,” Conor said shyly as he walked up to the counter.

“Hi. Welcome to Bon Bon’s Bonbons. I’m Bon Bon.” She smiled at him. “Grif mentioned he’d be bringing you by, Conor.” She motioned towards the shelves “Go ahead, pick anything. It’s all hoof made.”

“Um … Can I get some orange cream fudge, some caramels, some salt water taffy, and some jelly beans?”

“Would you like me to throw a little of everything in a bag for you?” she asked him.

“If you mean a little of everything I asked for, sure. I don’t want to be too greedy,” Conor said, blushing violently beneath his fur.

“It’s no trouble, really.” Bon Bon laughed as she started packing up a bag of goodies. “Grif spends enough bits here a week to make up half my income. He doesn’t let me give him any extra, so I might as well give that good will to you.” She moved in quick order before handing Conor a large paper bag. “Pay it forward, you know?”

“Um … thank you. Are you sure?” He asked, squirming a little guiltily as he peeked into the bag.

“Believe me, if anything, your word of mouth should do wonders for my business. Any friend of these three would be better publicity than all the gossip rags from here to Manehattan.” She looked at the clock. “I should start getting things ready for when school lets out for the day. See you colts later.” And with that the mare vanished into the back room.

Grif chuckled as he headed out the door. “I swear for everything that makes Canterlot horrible, there is something that makes this town amazing.”

“You don’t say. I thought Canterlot was supposed to be exciting to visit,” Conor said as he bit into a handful of jelly beans.

“Conor, has Grif given you the impression that he’s an upper class kind of gryphon? Or did Taze ever come across to you as the high society type?” The gryphon shot the human a blank look. “I’m not exactly made for hanging around the rich and aristocratic.”

“I meant more along the lines of a tourist aspect, but I see your point. Is Blueblood really as bad as the show made him out to be?”

“Pretty sure he’s just an idiot. Shawn believes his father's pulling the strings behind the scenes. But not like they’re a real threat anyway,” Grif said casually, nodding to ponies as they headed to the school ground. “Might as well see if Ruby needs a ride home. Berry works late tonight, I think.”

“Great. That means I get the chance to really meet all the foals. And Miss Cheerilee to boot. She seems like such a nice teacher,” Conor said, smiling.

Grif winced a bit. “Depends on how she views you,” he said. “We didn’t really have the best start.”

“Oh come on, it can’t have been that bad, can it?”

“You realise you're comparing real life to a show about colorful cartoon ponies, right?” Grif asked. “These ponies have stresses, fears, and biases like any other living being.”

“Well, here’s hoping I can make a good impression then.” Conor furrowed his brow as he cupped an ear. “... Do you hear that?”

Grif’s face switched to one of confusion for a moment and then to anger. “Great, she’s at it again.” Grif rolled his eyes, then looked at Conor. “Keep your voice down. Past three times I nearly caught her in the act she got out just before I got there.” Grif’s body slid into an entirely different sort of stance, his weight shifting fluidly as talons and paws seemed to slide across the ground like a lion stalking prey.

Conor grimaced as the cry of “Blank flank, blank flank,” echoed over and over again. It was a voice the human had not heard on television before, but the tone and intent made it quite obvious what was going on. As he snuck behind the gryphon, he did his best to remain silent as the pair approached a set of bushes near a copse of trees that had been planted by the school.

Peering through the gaps, Conor could just make out the setting in the clearing. Six foals stood there, four facing two. The CMC and Dinky were easy enough to identify, but the grey foal with the bulky blue glasses and the pink foal with the purple and white streaked mane were unidentifiable. Well, maybe not completely unidentifiable. Those sneers brought back some rather unpleasant High School memories for the human. A flapping flash of red caught his eye as he noticed what appeared to be some sort of flags caught in the bow of one of the trees. A bright yellow CMC was embroidered boldly in their centers.

“Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.” Grif’s voice was very faint, but Conor could still make out the hiss of loathing as he spoke.

“Oh, look at the blank flank climbing the tree like a dirty little monkey,” Diamond Tiara mocked as Dinky slowly shuffled up the trunk to retrieve the capes.

“Maybe you’ll get your cutie mark in being a monkey,” Silver Spoon parroted. The purplish grey foal gave an impressive look of disregard as she inched up the tree’s trunk. She had reached the branch now and slowly edged her way along it, doing her best not to tremble as she focused on her goal. Unfortunately, just as she was about to reach the first of the capes, her body shifted just a little too much. Like a man in a logrolling contest, she began to tilt, and ultimately fall as a flailing hoof barely managed to grasp a cape. Grif was gone before Conor fully realized he had moved, catching the foal before she hit the ground. Gently, he placed her down before retrieving the other capes. Returning them to their true owners, he turned to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The look on his face frightened Conor to the point he worried his friend may not be in control.

“What in Tartarus’ name do you think you were doing?” The loathing was practically dripping from Grif’s voice as he spoke. Turning to the tree, he started laying into it with his talons, sending bits of bark and wood everywhere.

Silver Spoon quailed, shaking in her hooves. Diamond Tiara screamed as the CMC looked on, eyes wide and mouths open. Dinky was the only exception. She simply stared sadly and bowed her head.

From the schoolhouse, Cheerilee exited at a fast trot as she looked around. “Grif!” She shouted, grabbing the warrior’s attention with her commanding voice. His eyes flashed with suppressed fury as he turned to face her. “What is going on here?” She held a hoof up. “You first!” She glared, matching the warrior’s anger.

“I was heading to the school to see if Ruby wanted a ride home, seeing as berry was working late tonight.” Grif took several deep breaths against the tree. Slowly, the anger began to drain. “I came upon these two taunting Dinky, who was attempting to climb the tree to get the capes that had been stranded in it. Dinky slipped and started to fall. I barely got to her in time. If I hadn’t been here ...” He stared at the two offending fillies.

“And why were the capes in the tree in the first place?” She asked, turning to look at Dinky. “You know one of you could have gone to get me, or Rainbow Dash.”

“It was -” Diamond Tiara started

“Hold it,” Cheerilee spoke, holding a hoof up. “I did not ask you the question, Diamond Tiara. You’ll get your chance after Dinky gives her side of the story.” She turned to Dinky and her voice softened. “Please take your time. But wait one moment first.” She turned to Grif. “You all are going to march back to the school house so we can speak in private.”

“This isn’t going anywhere until you send for Time Turner, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack. And I also what the parents of… those two.” He spat the words like he had eaten some rotten meat. “I don’t want this to have a chance to be buried.”

“Very well.” Cheerilee responded with a weary sigh. “Dinky, will you go and get everypony for me?” She turned back to Grif. “As hectic as this is likely to be, for once, I agree with your logic. I’m tired of this going in circles.”

Conor walked out of the brush, his white coat glinting in the sun alongside his newly grown hair. “Miss Cheerilee? Hi, I’m Conor. You might remember me from Grif’s wedding a few weeks back?” He plopped his bag of sweets down in front of the CMC. “Here, guys. I think you could use a little something to steady the nerves. Take your pick.” He smiled sympathetically at them, a sad look in his eyes as he let loose a heavy sigh.

“Uh, Mr. Conor, could you hold off? We’re in the middle of a rather delicate situation, and while I do appreciate your kindness, now might not be the best moment for sweets,” Cheerilee said, doing her best to keep her voice calm and collected.

“On the contrary, this is the perfect time. These foals were nearly traumatized. And I’m a key witness, so I intend to sit in on the meetings.” Diamond Tiara balked while Silver Spoon looked guiltily at the ground.

“Is this true?” She asked Grif.

“And a completely unbiased one to boot,”Conor said, smiling weakly. “Trust me, Miss Cheerilee, I don’t like conflict any more than you do.”

Cheerilee pointed dangerously at the somewhat human. “If I find out you’re lying, I’m kicking your flank right out of my school.”

“And if I find your judgement lacking, I’ll invoke my right as Hammer Strike’s proxy to have this matter taken before an official magistrate,” Grif returned. “Conor lies like Applejack.”

“Excuse me?” Conor exclaimed, turning his head to the Gryphon. “Since when have I lied to you?”

“See? Point proven. Let’s get this settled,” Grif said, lifting the CMC on his back and headed towards the schoolhouse without waiting for a response. The girls happily chomped away at the offered candy. Diamond Tiara walked daintily behind, her head held proudly as Silver Spoon trailed behind her, ears bent and crestfallen.


“He’s just through there.” Nurse Tenderheart waved her hoof in the direction of Shawn’s room.

“Thank you, Tenderheart,” Rarity said, nodding to the nurse as she headed down the hall. She was somewhat ashamed. She hadn’t actually visited Shawn in the entire time he’d been in the hospital, but the white unicorn had not been able to get herself over the image of the corrupted Shawn standing there in the courtyard. The look on his face and the darkness in his voice had shaken her to her very core. She turned to face the door, breathing deeply to regain her composure as she reached up a hoof to knock.

“You don’t have to knock,” Shawn called through the door.

“How did you know I was here?” Rarity asked as she opened the door.

“I heard you walking towards the room,” he replied with a grin. “Hello, Rarity. How are you?”

“I’m fine. And yourself, Lord Shawn?” she asked.

“I’m fine. Just recovering. And please, there’s no need for titles,” he said.

“So what did happen to you?” Rarity asked. “I’ve heard the others saying things, but I’d prefer to hear from you directly.”

“I was overtaken by my own Thaumic field because of Discord overloading it with chaotic energy,” He replied, shrugging. “Long story short, the dark part of my mind was up front and in control.”

“So Discord was at fault?”

“About eighty percent his fault.”

“And the other twenty?” she faltered.

“As said, it was my mind. Thus, it somewhat was me.” Shawn sighed. “I held back everything I could, but in the end I had little to no control of that part of me.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Rarity said as she approached the prone human.

“At least it didn’t kill me, er... Well, it did technically.”

“... Would you have killed us? If you could, I mean.”

“If I had no control, possibly. But the more likely scenario would have been…” He thought to himself for a moment. “Knocking out at worst. At least, I would hope.”

“So then, how long before you're back to normal?” she shuffled a hoof.

“It’ll be another week before I can stand without support. And even then, I’ll most likely need a cane or something to lean on.”

“Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked him.

After a moment of thinking, he responded. “If possible, could you get me a cane? I have bits inside my coat that you can take to buy one.” He shrugged. “I might need it when I leave, so I might as well get one now.”

“No trouble. I’ll make sure to find you something appropriate.” She smiled, making no effort to head towards the bits indicated.

“I know what you’re thinking right now, and trust me-” he grinned. “It won’t last long.”

“Grif has been instructing me in swordplay. Sometimes it takes numerous small victories to achieve a much larger one.” She smiled.

Shawn gave a soft laugh, shaking his head. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”

“Yes. Yes, we will. So, is there anything else you might need?”

“Food that doesn’t screech when I prod it with a spoon. From what Death himself told me, it had a soul.”

Rarity just stopped, her jaw hanging open. “I’m not quite sure how to respond to that.”

“It’s hospital food. It’s best to try and avoid it.”

A tiny knock drew the two’s attention toward the door as Dinky slowly walked in.

“Um, sorry to interrupt, but Miss Cheerilee asked me to fetch you, Rarity. … It’s pretty serious.” She frowned.


Pensword sniffed in pain as a nurse pushed his wheelchair towards the front of hospital. He looked around for Lunar Fang, hoping she would be showing up to pick him up.

The sound of rapid hoofbeats heralded the mare’s arrival as she galloped into view. “Sorry. Sorry I’m late.” Lunar Fang’s torso heaved as she gasped for breath.

The nurse smiled as she handed some papers to her. “His discharge paperwork and information. He’s on a mild muscle relaxant, so he needs to rest. I’m afraid he’s still three weeks away from returning to full active duty. So spend time together, take him to a park with his daughter, and just be with him.” The nurse smiled at Lunar Fang. “You are one Lucky Mare, you know that? You’re all he ever talks about.” Pensword blushed violently.

“Oh, I know I am.” She smiled, taking the papers and signing in the designated fields.

“Thank you.” The nurse took the release forms and gave some papers with instructions for the medication to Lunar Fang. “Here you are. You can take him home now. Just no flying, alright? And keep him sitting or lying as much as possible. I’d recommend calling a coach. He won’t be able to walk the distance to the castle.”

“Of course. Thank you.” Lunar Fang nodded and leaned over her husband. “You ready?”

“I am, dear.” He smiled up at her from his seat. “I am happy to be going home.”

“Moon River will be happy to see you, too.” She laughed as they headed out the door and into the afternoon sun.

“That is good. I have been missing her greatly. Thankfully, she is so young, I think she will be able to forgive me.”

“Just wait till the teenage years.” Lunar Fang laughed.

“I just hope we teach her correctly so those years will be at least a little bit easier. For her and for us,” Pensword responded with a smile.

“Do you need me to hire you a carriage?” Lunar Fang asked.

“I think that would be best. I would like to walk, but you heard the nurse.” Pensword sighed, then winced.

Ten minutes later Lunar Fang returned with a carriage pulled by two large stallions. In a matter of minutes the two of them were off. Once the two were situated, Pensword slowly shifted to a horizontal position, laying his head in Lunar Fang’s lap. He soon drifted off to sleep. Lunar Fang smiled as she ran her hooves through his mane. The wheelchair lay folded up on the other side of the buggy.

“Sleep well, my love. We’ll be home soon enough.”


Filthy Rich, Time Turner, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Cheerilee, Conor, Grif, and Silver Spoon’s parents all sat in a circle looking to one another. The CMC, Silver Spoon, and Diamond Tiara had been sequestered individually to avoid any potential for false stories and collaboration.

Sterling Silver, a large stallion wearing a protective smock, stood scrutinizing the two witnesses with a skilled eye. The marks of the forge shone clearly on his fur, a light grey accented by specks of Silver where the forge’s sparks had hit him in his youth brought out the Silver in his mane as it shone in the afternoon light filtering through the window. His heavy set brow was trapped in a permanent scowl from the careful inspections he placed in his works. His cutie mark, a large swage block with a hammer leaning against it.

“What’s all this about, Miss Cheerilee?” He asked with a deep voice.

“Yes, what’s happened with Silver Spoon?” Silver Chalice, Silver Spoon’s mother, asked. An intricately engraved, bejeweled goblet stood boldly on her flank as a small chisel lay against it, applying the finishing touches.

“She and Diamond Tiara have both been accused of bullying. They were present when I found them with Grif. Some personal articles had mysteriously found their way into the trees for some reason, and the foals were very upset.” Cheerilee’s voice remained calm and collected. “The capes are folded on the table behind you. It seems that the bullying has escalated to the point of stealing and attempting to damage property, which is a little more serious than verbal abuse. We’re here to ascertain what really happened and to find out what course of action to take based on that evidence.” She paused to drink from a glass of water.

“And as Cheerilee so kindly left out,” Grif broke in. “Dinky Doo Whooves nearly fell trying to retrieve said capes from a height that most certainly would guarantee serious injury if not possible death.”

“I was about to get to that, Grif,” she said gravely. Time turner’s neck tensed. “I needed a drink of water first. But what Grif says appears to be true. I found Dinky on Grif’s back shortly after a scream drew my attention to the clearing where they had been standing.

“My goodness,” Rarity said, taken aback by Cheerilee’s words. “Filthy, if I might be so bold, might I remind you that had that filly been injured, or worse, your filly and yourself would likely be held legally responsible.”

“Fortunately, that didn’t happen. But there are still damages that have been done which nopony here can see. Trust me, I speak from experience,” Conor said.

“Now I think it might be best if we all dial it back a mite here,” Applejack said. “And we can hear this whole story from everypony.”

“Agreed,” Cheerilee said. “I think it would be best if we heard from Dinky first. Then we’ll call in the others one at a time: Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo, Silver Spoon, Sweetie Belle, Grif, Applebloom, and finally Conor.”

“And how does he play into all of this?” Silver Chalice asked, pointing to the semi-human.

“He was a witness to the events with Grif,” Cheerilee responded.

“Oh.” Silver Chalice rubbed her hooves nervously as Sterling placed a comforting hoof over her back.

Several minutes later, the adults sat in a circle surrounding Dinky, who sat at her desk nervously. Her father sat beside her supportively. “Go on love, lets get this settled then,” he spoke softly.

“We’d brought our capes to school because we were planning to crusade right after class. But when we went to get them from the coat room, they were missing. We asked around and looked all over, but we couldn't find them until featherweight came back cause he forgot his lunchbox and he told us he’d seen the capes in a tree outside. When we went to look, we found them like he’d said, and Diamond Tiara’s butler was just finishing tying them off. Then he climbed down and ran away.

“I tried to get to the capes before Sweetie Belle started crying, but then Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came to the tree and they started calling me names and saying things like I should get a monkey for a cutie mark. I was near the top when my hoof slipped and I fell. Thankfully, Mr.Grif managed to catch me before I hit the ground. He got the capes back, but when he landed he was angry. He roared at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, and then he attacked a tree,” she said. “But he did that because he was scared and I forgive him for that.” She smiled at Grif, who stood there for a moment as shame and pride warred savagely inside his head. Eventually pride won out and he gave the young filly a smile in thanks.

“Thank you, Dinkie. You can go back to your room. We’ll come and get you once we finish with the others, okay?” Cheerilee said. Dinkie nodded and left, smiling. As soon as the door closed and they were certain the foal had gone, Silver Chalice chimed in.

“You don’t actually believe our little Silver Spoon would act that way, do you?” Silver Chalice asked, frantic as she looked pleadingly into Cheerilee’s eyes.

“We raised her to be better than that,” Sterling said, his voice deep as he punctuated the statement with an equine snort.

“Are you calling my daughter a liar? I can see why Grif asked me to come. Be happy it wasn’t my wife,” Time Turner said.

“Dinky doesn’t lie, lady,” Rainbow Dash was suddenly in Silver Chalice’s face. Sterling Silver gently pushed the pegasus back.

“I would appreciate it if you could please keep your distance from my wife. She’s fragile,” Sterling said.

“This isn’t getting us anywhere, Rainbow. Calm down. Let’s hear what the others have to say first before we start pointing fingers and hooves,” Conor suggested.

“I agree,” Cheerilee said. “Let’s hear what the other foals have to say first. We can come to a consensus after.”

“... Fine.” Rainbow Dash harumphed, settling back down into her chair.


Diamond Tiara stood defiantly before the adults, sniffing with disdain. The others had already been interviewed. It was time for the accused to step up to the plate. “It’s like I tried to say before. Silver Spoon and I walked into the clearing when Dinky was climbing the tree. They were probably trying to do something to get their cutie marks like they always do and something went wrong. You all remember what happened when Applebloom got the cutie pox. And then there’s the stuff with the tree sap. Need I go on?”

Filthy Rich nodded his head. “I do recall, as well as the terror they’ve caused the residents in town whenever they get a large scale event going on.” He frowned. “We all know what they’re good at. It’s just a waiting game for them to just see what we see. The sooner, the better, and less chances of property damage.”

“Life is a journey, not a destination,” Grif growled.

“A journey that appears to be out to create havoc for all of us here,” Filthy retorted. “I think Cheerilee’s nerves will calm down once they find their cutie marks.” He turned back to Diamond Tiara with a loving smile. “Now dear, please go back to your room while we discuss what you’ve brought before us.” Diamond Tiara nodded her head and left the room, a smug smile on her face as she closed the door behind her.

“If that girl weren’t lyin’ then she was a bendin’ the truth worse ‘n a hogtyin’ lasso on a Thursday.”

“I’ve done my utmost to make her speak honest words in my presence and in her life. If she is lying, then so are the others. The truth has to be a combination of the two stories,” Filthy retorted with a snort.

“... As much as I hate to admit it, it’s possible he could be correct. Most of the time back home, this was the case. However, I would like to point out that I’ve also seen cases where one side really was telling the truth in its entirety while the other sought to twist it to their advantage. We’re going to have to weigh the evidence very carefully if we’re going to get the answers we need. And that means we need to keep our minds open. All of us,” Conor said, looking to each of the ponies and gryphon present. “Miss Cheerilee, is there anyone else you wanted to hear from before we begin the discussions?”

“No, we’ve all heard the stories. Let’s move on to the deliberations,” Cheerilee responded.

“Alright, so what do we know?” Conor asked. “First, Grif and I came across the foals in the clearing. Second, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon seemed to be mocking Dinky as she climbed the tree. There are multiple accounts of this event, and even Silver Spoon quailed when asked about it, so I think we can be fairly confident that particular moment really happened, and likely was viewed in the proper light. Can we all agree on this?”

“Makes sense,” Apple Jack commented.

“... We don’t want to believe it, but the way Silver Spoon acted, she certainly seems frightened of something.” Sterling Silver sighed heavily.

“Dear, you can’t mean our daughter would-”

“Weren’t we all like that at one point, Silver? You know the signs just as well as I do. The only reason she’d be afraid is if she had something to hide.”

Silver Chalice teared up. “ But how could she? She’s always the sweetest thing at home.”

“There is such a thing as a double life,” Grif said. “She may be the sweetest little thing when she’s in front of you, or when Diamond Tiara isn’t with her, but out in public, with her friend, she is nothing of the sort.”

“I object to such slander!” Filthy said. “Diamond may very well get a little out of hand on occasion, but she would never go so far as to try something like this. Putting a filly’s life in danger, it’s ridiculous. … I taught her better than that,” he said, his head dropping as his voice grew more quiet.

“Really?” Rarity looked at him with a raised brow. “I happen to know she has been reprimanded on three separate instances by Cheerilee for sending a filly home crying. And all three of these dates after you met with Cheerilee, you took your daughter for ice cream.” Rarity glared into Filthy Rich’s eyes. “It took me two weeks to convince Sweetie Belle she wasn’t an ‘ugly mistake of nature,’ as your daughter so elegantly put it.”

Filthy winced. “I thought I’d told Precious to be more careful when she spoke with her secretary.”

“So you admit that your daughter would have heard this sort of language around the home?” Conor asked.

“... Regrettably, yes.”

“She also tried to convince Apple Bloom that Granny Smith was senile before family appreciation day,” Applejack pointed out.

“As much as we’d like to talk about past events, I think we need to focus on the present. So let’s get back to the task at hand. We know that Dinky fell and Grif saved her. This was verified by multiple witnesses, including myself, whom, might I add, has never met Diamond Tiara before. So nobody can call me a biased party here,” Conor said pointedly as he looked first to Filthy Rich, then to Silver Spoon’s parents, and lastly to Cheerilee.

“Were the capes checked for loose hairs or anything that might tie them to another pony?” Rarity asked.

“No, we thought it best to wait until everypony was gathered before we looked at anything, just to be on the safe side,” Cheerilee said.

“Well then, perhaps we should take a look, hmm?” Time Turner spoke up.

“Miss Cheerilee, if you would,” Conor said, motioning to the capes. “It seems only right since you’re the teacher here.”

Cheerilee nodded as she moved over to the capes in question. She unfurled each of them, flapping them in the air before laying them down on the table. “There we go,” she said.

They split into groups, each selecting a cape to examine. Before they could even begin, however, Rarity screamed. “My gold! My golden silk. I-i-it’s gone!” She rushed up to Cheerilee, her expression one of desperation. “Do you have any idea what this could do to my business? If someone were to analyze it and recreate my process, why, I’d be ruined. Ruined, I tell you!” She shook Cheerilee like a ragdoll as she fell into her worry. “Out of all the worst things that could happen, this is the worst possible thing!”

“Rarity, I sense your urgency, but Cheerilee probably can’t do anything with you shaking her,” Grif said as he gently separated the two. He picked up the cape Rarity had held and examined it. “She’s right. These capes were lined entirely on the inside with gold silk. It’s been removed.”

“Obviously, Randolph must have taken the gold for himself and run off. It would explain why he tied the capes to the tree in the first place. It would make a good distraction while he made his getaway,” Filthy said.

“Was the butler in the classroom today?” Grif asked Cheerilee in a hushed tone.

Cheerliee barely shook her head. “If he was here, he was waiting somewhere out of sight. But that’s simply not possible,” she whispered back.

“So then, Mr.Rich, you are saying Randolph, the butler under your employ, was the one who removed the silk?” Grif asked to make sure.

“I’m saying it’s a distinct possibility,” Filthy said. “I don’t see why he would tie those capes to a tree otherwise.”

“Then, Mr.Rich, seeing as the capes would have had to have been removed prior to school going out for the day, and considering the time it would take for a stallion of randolph’s age and build to scale such a tree even with his acrobatic abilities taken into account, it seems to me he would still have need of an accomplice for his plan. Otherwise, he would have been found outright and the crime averted.”

“He does have a point, Mr. Rich,” Conor said. He sighed. “Time for the ugly questions. Who would have had access to the closet and been able to remove the capes without being noticed?”

“Elementary, my dear Omni,” Grif said astutely. “It was the foals that have access to their belongings. Therefore, it was a foal who is our accomplice.”

“Just to double check here, Miss Cheerilee, are there any other teachers who work with you here in the school?” Conor asked.

“No, it’s just me,” she said. “I still can’t believe somepony in my class would have done something like this.”

Conor looked on the teacher with gravity. “Believe it, Miss Cheerilee. It’s sad, but it’s true. The question is who.”

“I think we should examine the bags of the accused in this matter first. Cheerilee, if you would bring in Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon and have them bring their school bags, we will examine them,” Grif said.

Cheerilee nodded grimly as she left the room. A few minutes later, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked slowly in as Cheerilee nudged them. “Go on. It’ll just take a few minutes,” she said.

Silver Chalice looked on Silver Spoon. “It’s going to be alright, honey.” She smiled. “We’re almost done here.” Silver spoon nodded, her knees knocking. Diamond Tiara remained the essence of poise as she looked confidently at the adults.

“I already know I have nothing to worry about. I’ve got nothing to hide.” Diamond Tiara smiled.

“Then if you two would be willing to hand over your saddle bags?” Conor asked, motioning to Cheerilee. The teacher grabbed the satchels in question and laid them on the table next to the capes. “Should we bring the other children in as well? Or leave it at these two for now?”

“I think it’s a matter of safety and plausible deniability,” Grif said. “We wouldn’t want anyone reacting badly, or giving a guilty party the ability to claim foul play.”

“Then they stay where they are.” Cheerilee nodded grimly. “Let’s get this over with. Conor, if you would?”

Conor nodded as he opened Diamond Tiara’s sack first. Inside was a mane brush, some bits, a make up kit, and a spare tiara. Cheerilee rolled her eyes at the lack of school books.

“... Looks pretty normal. Anyone else wanna check?” Conor asked.

“Hmm…” Grif casually took a look into the bag, scanning it for false stitches or hidden pockets. He shrugged. “It’s clear.”

Filthy let out a sigh of relief.

“Time for part two.” Conor sighed as he opened the sacks and looked in, his stomach tied in knots. “... I hate when I’m right,” he said, his head hanging low.

Grif looked inside. “Gold silk,” he said, pulling out a sheet as a united series of gasps filled the room.

“But … but that’s not possible,” Silver Spoon said. “I-I didn’t do it!”

“Applejack?” Grif asked as he started pulling out the other sheets and laying them on a nearby table.

“She ain’t lying,” Applejack answered back, somewhat troubled.

“Conor, you take those two. I’ll take these two. Search them for any other clues,” Grif said.

“You got it, chief,” Conor responded as he picked up the pieces of fabric and started to scrutinize them.

Grif scanned his sheets carefully, looking for anything out of place and trying to pick up any scents. Hunting by scent was still unusual to the gryphon, but it was something he’d been getting the hang of.

As Conor looked over the gold, a single stray glint of color caught his eye, only for a moment, but it was enough. He immediately set to work laying the cloth down as he ran his hands over it in search of what he knew must be there. He’d had enough experience with dogs and his sister to know where this would lead.

“Grif, check the cloth for hairs. Anything from a mane, or a tail. We need samples to compare and contrast,” Conor said as he triumphantly held a shiny purple hair in the air, about a half a foot in length.

“Can you pass me Diamond Tiara’s brush, please?” Grif asked as he took the hair between his talons. Cheerilee immediately did so. Diamond Tiara didn’t look so confident anymore.

“The scent’s the same, as is the color and texture. It seems that Diamond Tiara had intimate contact with this silk,” Grif said, examining the hairs.

“... Care to explain, Diamond?” Conor asked.

“... It probably transferred when they were putting them away. The coat room isn’t exactly the largest place in the world, ya know.” Diamond huffed indignantly.

“On the inner lining?” Conor asked, raising a critical eyebrow. “Last I checked, that would normally be on the foals’ flanks. The only way I could see of your own hairs getting there is if, at the very least, you snuck them on your own back out of jealousy.”

“I think in the interests of pursuing an unbiased scientific route, we should consult an expert to determine the last time the capes, either whole or apart, had been worn.” Grif turned to Rarity. “Madam, if you would.”

“Now hold on a minute. You’re asking a biased party to perform the investigation. She can’t be neutral in this affair. We need someone else,” Filthy said adamantly.

“Are you questioning an element of harmony, Mr. Rich?” Grif asked. “Are you questioning the honesty of the element of generosity, who has saved Equestria three times from certain doom, has a spotless reputation in her industry, and, might I add, the personal ear to the princess herself?”

“This involves her family. I don’t object to her morality, but I do object to neutrality,” Filthy responded.

“Couldn’t Applejack just tell if she’s lying anyways?” Conor asked.

“Well, Filthy? Are you going to also doubt the honesty of an Apple?” Grif pressed the point. Filthy huffed angrily, his face contorted into one of anguish and frustration. Grif had caught him.

“Very well,” Filthy ground. “Proceed.”

Rarity took the silk into her magical grip. Concentrating, she moved the gold, carefully analyzing it for something that no one else in the room could frankly figure out. After a good twenty minutes she set them down and shook her head. “These haven’t been worn for a good six hours, possibly longer,” Rarity noted.

“So that begs the question then. How did Diamond Tiara’s hair get on them? Unless she herself was the accomplice.” Conor looked like he was about to say more, but thought better of it as he held his peace.

“Which means, my dear Omni, that either Silver Spoon is a master actress, which I’m guessing she isn’t?” Grif asked, looking at Cheerilee and her parents.

Cheerilee opened her muzzle a little. “Well, she was voted best actress by the class in the last pageant ...” She looked at Grif. “Sorry, but you did ask.”

Sterling Silver remained silent as he looked to his wife with a flat expression.

“Applejack did say she wasn’t lying. So our Silver Spoon has to be innocent, right?” Silver Chalice asked.

“Then that can only mean one thing.” Grif walked away from the crowd before turning dramatically. “Silver Spoon … WAS FRAMED!” His words were followed by a loud crash of thunder. Stopping for a minute the ponies looked out the window to see rain “Huh. I didn’t realise the pegasi planned for a shower today.”

Rainbow looked to her watch. “They weren’t supposed to start for another hour! Wait til I get a hold of those ponies …” Rainbow said ominously.

“Diamond Tiara, would you care to explain?” Cheerilee asked in a cold tone of voice. All heads turned to the young foal. Silver Spoon had walked over to her parents and stared from behind her father’s flank.

The young foal trembled as she looked around the room. Whether in rage, betrayal, fear, or something in between could not be told. In truth, the emotions seemed to race eternally round her face and within her eyes as she turned to each of the adults in question and glared at the young foal. She shook her head, turned up her nose, and closed her eyes to hide the tears.

“Cheerilee, a word over there if you will.” Grif waved to the corner of the room. Without waiting for a response he headed for said corner. Cheerilee huffed as she plodded behind.

“Yes, Grif?” She asked.

“Listen, Silver Spoon has been through alot, and I think the CMC are probably exhausted by now. There’s enough here to see Diamond Tiara is the culprit, so why don’t you let the others go and then you and Filthy can work out a fitting punishment for this. I can’t see him trying anything stupid at this point.”

“You make a fair point,” She responded. “But I do think we should keep all the parents here, or at least one from each family. They’ll likely want to stay no matter what we do anyways.”

“Are the CMC suspects?” Grif asked blatantly.

“No, but the parent figures have a right to weigh in on the punishment, don’t you think?”

“Rarity, maybe, but Applejack and Rainbow Dash trust you enough to handle things here. And I think we’d best be letting Dinky get home before Derpy finds out her daughter was in danger,” Grif said. “Do you really have the budget for an angry Derpy?”

“... You have a point.” Cheerilee turned to the gathered ponies. “Thank you, everypony, for coming to help sort this out. I’m going to send the children home now. If any of you would like to accompany them, or have other engagements, I understand. Filthy and I will work together to decide what disciplinary action to take.”

“I’m staying too,” Sterling Silver huffed. “Dear, you take little Silver home. I’ll be along shortly. He nuzzled his wife, then his daughter as he smiled at her. Silver Spoon nodded as her mother led her out, taking her bags in muzzle before placing them on her own back.

“Let’s go home, dear,” Silver Chalice said, leading the filly with a loving gaze as the doors shut behind them. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity soon followed as the unicorn picked up the cloths in her magic. “I’ll take these back to my shop. Sweetie Belle and the others will doubtless want them back as soon as possible.” The other adults noded their assent. The trial was finished. Now all that was left was the sentencing. Rarity left gracefully as she went out the door. She turned back to Diamond but once, let loose a “humph” of disdain, and then trotted off to get her sister.

“Is that everyone?” Conor asked.

“WHERE IS SHE?” a familiar voice bellowed as a loud crash signaled the breaking of the school’s front doors. Cheerliee winced alongside The Doctor as Derpy Hooves charged through the halls before breaking down the door where they met. She stood heaving with her head hung low, wings splayed out in an aggressive posture. “WHERE IS THE FOOL WHO HURT MY MUFFIN?”

“... Oh dear,” Conor said.

“Took the words right out of my mouth,” Grif agreed.


A week and a half later, Shawn stood before the pharmacy counter, glad to finally be able to return to New Unity. He waited patiently as the nurse read off the necessary instructions. “The current medication that you’ll be taking does have a few side effects, most notable being drowsiness, irritability, and, rarely, hallucinations. You just need to take it if you begin to feel pain, but don’t take more than two within five hours. Any questions?” the nurse asked, holding out the bottle of pills to the human.

Shawn took ahold of the bottle, placing it inside his coat pocket. “Not that I can think of,” he replied as he leaned on the cane in his right hand. “Thanks for the help.”

“No problem. We hope you have a pleasant day.”

“You as well,” he replied as he turned and moved towards the door, a click accompanying every other step as the cane made impact with the tile. Opening the door he took a step out into the partially rainy, partially sunny day.

Looking around the patchwork sky with its mixed up weather patterns, he reached into his coat once more and pulled out the bottle of painkillers he’d been given. He looked to the label, then back to the sky. “And rarely, hallucinations…” He frowned. “Just how strong are these things?” He muttered to himself as he continued on his way.

PreviousChapters Next