Episode 56: Marked For Life, Both In Mind And Body
"Uh... Daddy? What happened to your eye?" Ask Nightshade worried
You begin to think, as you see the look of the other mares, they suspect something but they don't seem to want to say it.
"I... Uhhh... I did it with a branch of a tree when I was walking and thinking without looking around" Say as a excuse
Nightshade and the others seem to believe it at all except Applejack that look to you one second like if she want to say something but instead she let it go and all of you leave without talking about.
give Nightshade her present. She's overjoyed at her first video game... until she remembers she doesn't have a console ("D'oh!"). When it's brought up that the video game you got her was banned by Celestia, Twilight tries to take it away, but Nightshade says "Look, a distraction!" and bolts off with the game causing you to comment "That's my girl..."
"Uh... Daddy? What happened to your eye?" Nightshade asks.
The mares all notice and look at your diagonal eye scar too. Needing an excuse, you say the first thing that pops to mind.
"I... Uhhh... got hit with a branch of a tree when I was walking and thinking without looking around, yeah!"
Nightshade and the others seem to believe it at all except Applejack who looks at you suspiciously. Deciding to disarm the situation, you reach into the Inventory as you say,
"I know this is late honey but..."
You pull out Hatred and hold it out to her as you continue,
"Merry Hearth's Warming Eve."
Nightshade grabs the game and excitedly says,
"Watashi no saisho no bideogēmu! Sugoi! Soshite, soreha bōryoku-teki ni mie, i~ēi bōryoku!" (My first video game?! Awesome! And it looks violent, yay violence!)
The other mares (and Spike) smile at Nightshade's excited happiness as she asks,
"So Daddy, what's this game about?"
You scratch behind your head in embarrassment as you say,
"I... honestly don't know Sweetie, but Solar Fla- I mean Princess Celestia banned it a few years back, so it must be awesome for a foal your age cause logic!"
Nightshade nods her head at your 'logic' and is about to say something when the game is suddenly snatched from her in a violet colored aura. With a cry of "Hey!" you and Nightshade look over to Twilight with glares, only for Twilight to glare back as she says,
"If Princess Celestia banned this game, then there must be a very good reason for a foal her age to not play. I think we should just take this game to the local guard an-"
Her sentence is interrupted as a rainbow blur zips by and the game in no longer in her magical grasp. Rainbow lands next to you with the game in her hoof as she says,
"Sorry Twi, but B.S. is right. Banned games are often the best games! I say we let her play it-"
Suddenly, a white aura grabs the game as Rarity says,
"I say we bury this piece of trash. Just look at this cover art, it's absolutely hideous! Plus I've heard the nasty rumors about this game, we should just get rid of it!"
As soon as she said that a pink blur grabs the game as Pinkie says excitedly,
"I think we should let her play it. Who knows it could have been banned because there was just to much cuteness in it! Ohmaybeitwasbannedbecausethereweretoomanysweetsthatyouhadtoeat! ButIdon'tseewhythatisabadbecauseeatingabunchofsweetsissuperdupercool!"
As you try to think of what the heck Pinkie just said, Applejack grabs the game and says,
"Sorry Pinkie, but this game is trash. There was a reason this game was banned and I intend to finish what Celestia started by smashing this thing."
Before she can, a huge argument breaks out between the Deadly Six and poor Fluttershy is stuck in the middle (literally, she's between the arguers). Applejack looks like she's have enough and looks like she's about to smash the game, but Nightshade jumps up and grabs it before quickly pointing behind all of you and yelling,
"LOOK, A DISTRACTION!"
You all turn around and see that there's nothing there! When you turn back, Nightshade's zipping down the street with her first HWE present. You can't help but give a sigh of fatherly pride as you say,
"That's my girl."
As you watch Nightshade run off, you suddenly put on a serious expression as you turn back to the Deadly Five and Fluttershy. They look at you in confusion as you say,
"What I'm about to tell you, you must never tell Nightshade, understand? She must never know about what really happened..."
They look at you in confusion as Applejack asks,
"Uh... what are you talking about sugarc- I mean Mister Tennant?"
You let out a heavy sigh as you say,
"Well, I lied about getting this scar while not watching where I'm going. You see... in Fillydelphia... well something really bad happened."
The Deadly Six and Fluttershy look at you in worry and confusion as Twilight asks,
"Mister Tennant... what happened?"
You let out another sigh as you say...
You let them know the truth, partially, make sure Nightshade doesn’t know the truth.
“I was attacked during the Fillydelphia riot. A radical Horde member cut my eye, but…”
“Wait now, hold on, Fillydelphia had a riot?” Twilight asks surprised.
“Ya, last night most of the city was broken, here see” you hold up today’s paper everyone gasps at that, “how do you not know this?”
“We just got on the train this morning, we hadn’t heard” Twilight proclaims, she then looks at the paper and gasps, “The Offender was involved, I should have known!”
“I was attacked during the Fillydelphia riot. A radical Horde member cut my eye-”
“THERE WAS A RIOT IN FILLDELPHIA?!” all the mares shout in surprise.
“Yeah, last night most of the city was broken. See?” you hold up today’s paper everyone gasps at that, “How do you not know this?”
“We just got on the train this morning, we hadn't heard” Twilight proclaims, she then looks at the paper and gasps, “The Offender was involved, I should have known!”
You stare at Twilight for a few seconds, before you realize that you just gave her a newspaper stating your biggest mistake yet! You resist the urge to facehoof as you think,
Buck! I just gave her the one thing that's gonna make the Deadly Five more determined to kill me! Plus Fluttershy is gonna find ou-
Your thought is cut off as you are suddenly surrounded by Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash who are fussing over you in worry...
She begins to read more while the others fuss over you, in particular, Rainbow Dash, AJ, and Fluttershy.
“Oh my goodness are you OK?”
“Who’s the varmit that cut you?”
“Yeah, we’ll beat him into next week!”
“I’m OK, I’m OK,” you reassure them, pushing each off of you, “The Hooded Offender saved me.”
Fluttershy looks at you in knowing, while the rest feel conflicted, until Twilight says aloud.
“Oh No…”
“Oh my goodness are you OK?”
“Who’s the varmint that cut you?”
“Yeah, we’ll beat him into next week!”
“I’m OK, I’m OK,” you reassure them, “The Hooded Offender saved me.”
Fluttershy looks at you in knowing, while the rest feel conflicted.
“Oh No...” Twilight says in disbelief.
The mares look over to Twilight in confusion at her comment as you think with a pained face,
Buck... they're gonna know about it! Fluttershy's gonna find out! She's never gonna trust me again!
As if to confirm your fears, Applejack asks the one question you wish Twilight didn't have the answer to...
“What, what is it Twi?” asks Applejack.
“Th-the Offender…he killed somepony.”
“WHAT!” the rest cry outloud.
She begins to read the article outloud, and the others get more shocked as she reads. Fluttershy gives you a horrified look.
“B-but he’s a hero…” Spike says to himself.
“I-is this true?” Fluttershy asks you shakily
“Y-yeah, it’s true” you admit, “I was there.”
“What, what is it Twi?”
“Th-the Offender... he killed somepony.”
“WHAT!” the rest cry out in disbelief.
Twilight begins to read the article out loud, and the others get more shocked as she reads as Fluttershy gives you a horrified look.
“B-but he’s a hero...” Spike says to himself.
“I-is this true?” Fluttershy asks you shakily
“Y-yeah, it’s true” you admit, “I was there.”
Flashes of what happened begin to appear in your mind, causing you to start shaking and hyperventilate, but noling seems to notice as Twilight continues to read the article. Your begin to shake even more as you think,
The way this reporter describes what happened... it feels so bucking real. Of course it was, I was there, I bucking did it!
You feel the accusing voices coming back as you grab your head in both pain and sorrow, but before you can even start ranting you hear someling ask loudly,
"Mister Tennant! Baker!? Snap out of it!"
Snapping back to reality, you look around in panic, expecting to see destroyed buildings and fire, but all you see is Spike and the mares looking at you in worry. You start to regain your normal breathing again as you say,
"I'm... I'm fine. Just some... bad memory's popping up. Don't worry Spike."
The mares look at you in doubt, but Spike accepts your answer with a nod. You're about to change the subject (to anything but this) when Twilight says...
“I can’t believe this, he was always a pain in the neck, but now he’s a killer to boot?” Twilight says.
“The Varmit really bucked up this time” AJ says.
“I-I didn’t really think he was that big of a meanie…” Pinkie adds.
“How horrifying,” Rarity swoons.
“That’s bucked up” Rainbow says.
“H-how could y…he do this?” Fluttershy asks you directly.
You look down in shame.
“I don’t know” you say.
The others look solemn as well until someone breaks the silence.
“Well then again, he only did kill that Flag dude, and it sounds like he deserved it,” Rainbow says aloud, causing everyone, including yourself to look at her in shock.
“I can’t believe this, he was always a nuisance, but now he’s a murderer too?” Twilight says.
“The Varmint really bucked up this time...” Applejack comments.
“I-I didn't really think he was that big of a meanie...” Pinkie adds in an unusually sad tone.
“How horrifying...” Rarity swoons.
“That’s bucked up.” Rainbow says.
“H-how could y... he do this?” Fluttershy asks you directly.
You look down in shame.
“I-I don’t know” you say.
The others look solemn as well until a certain pegasus breaks the silence,
“Well then again, he only did kill that Flag dude, and it sounds like he deserved it,” Rainbow says aloud, causing everyone (including yourself) to suddenly look at her in shock. You stare at Rainbow in shock and anger as you think,
Don't bucking defend me! What I did was horrible and unacceptable!
Before you can voice this thought, Twilight cries out,
“Rainbow!” Twilight chides.
“Oh Come on! This Flag guy broadcasts himself across the city, executes the freaking guard captain live, and blew up a bunch of buildings, he had it coming” she defends.
“That’s not the point!” Twilight argues “It says here, in my own brother’s words, that the Offender brutally executed him, after he was beaten and captured!”
“OK, ya that’s messed up, but still…” she says.
“Why are you defending that varmit?” asks AJ.
“Well…he did save Tennant right?” Rainbow speculates.
They all turn to you and you nod. “Yeah, he did…still, even I don’t like what he did…I got out of there as soon as I could” you admit.
Rainbow looks at you and the rest but then shrugs.
Any other talk is interrupted as Spike burps up a letter. Twilight reads it then says aloud “Girls, come with me right now, we have to put some new contingency plans in place…his threat level is even higher now.”
She rushes off with Spike, who still looks very conflicted.
You look down in shame.
“There there pardner,” AJ puts a hoof on your shoulder “It’s gonna be alright…how’s your family?”
You look at her and say.
“They’re good…safe for the moment.”
“Rainbow!”
“Oh Come on! This Flag guy broadcasts himself across the city, executes the freaking guard captain live, and blew up a bunch of buildings, he had it coming!” Rainbow defends.
“That’s not the point!” Twilight argues “It says here, in my own brother’s words, that the Offender brutally executed him, after he was beaten and captured!”
“OK, ya that’s messed up, but still...” she says.
“Why the hay are you of all ponies defending that varmint?” Applejack angrily demands,
“Well... he did save Tennant right?” Rainbow speculates.
They all turn to you and you nod,
“Yeah, he did... still, even I don’t like what he did... I got out of there as soon as I could...” you admit.
Rainbow looks at you and the rest but then shrugs. Before any talk could continue, Spike burps up a letter. Twilight reads it then says aloud,
“Girls, come with me right now, we have to put some new contingency plans in place... his threat level is even higher now.”
With that said, Twilight rushes off with Spike who still looks very conflicted and Rarity follows. You look down in shame.
“There there pardner,” Applejack says as she puts a hoof on your shoulder “It’s gonna be alright... how’s your family?”
You look at her and say,
“They’re good... safe for the moment.”
You look back towards the ground with a hardened glare as you think,
But as long as Flag's leftover nuts are still running around and the Horde is still a thing, Nightshade will never be safe...
You feel another pat on your back as you look back at Applejack as she says...
“That’s good…listen, take as much time as you need, I’ll see you back at the farm” She hugs you then runs off.
“Hey look on the bright side, your scar looks pretty awesome,” Rainbow says as she tries to cheer you up. She hugs you to then flies off.
Pinkie Pie crushes you in a big hug and whispers
“Someone you know made a Pinkie Promise, I can sense it…Tell them to Never Break it, or else!”
Selena gulps within your head.
As the rest run off, you are left with Fluttershy who looks at you with tears in your eyes.
“W-why Bugze? Why?”
“Listen... take as much time as you need, I’ll see you back at the farm” She hugs you then runs off after Twilight.
“Hey look on the bright side, your scar looks pretty awesome,” Rainbow says as she tries to cheer you up. She hugs you too before flying off.
Suddenly you feel yourself caught in a pink crusher grip before you hear Pinkie whisper,
“Someone you know made a Pinkie Promise, I can sense it... Tell them to Never break it, or else!”
*Gulp*
As the rest run off, you are left with Fluttershy who looks at you with tears in your eyes,
“W-why Hoody? Why?”
You look at her with so much regret, anger, sadness, and pain that you swear you were going to break down crying right there, but you managed to keep it together as you say,
You talk with her, explaining just a bit. You tell her that Octavia has set up a meeting and to talk to her. The Offender is going away, the Horde is going away. It’s for the best.
"Fluttershy... I know you must fear and even hate me right now, trust me when I say I'm not very fond of myself right now either..."
You sigh even more as you continue...
"Yes I did do it, I killed Flag Burner in a fit of rage. There's nothing I can do to change it. Even worse is that Flag Burner had a splinter group called the "Crimson Knights" and I caught a few holding Octavia down trying to get to Nightshade."
Fluttershy's eyes widen as she gasps in shock at this new information as you continue,
"I told her to start getting a meeting ready for us to talk about it. We need to get those truths out to the Horde and I don't want any more death because of me."
Fluttershy looks hesitant, but she eventually responds,
"O...OK I can arrange that. Are you sure you're alright?"
"No, I'm not." you sadly and bluntly reply, "All I want is to take my baby back to the shack, hold her close, and bawl my eyes out, but I can't even think about doing that until I'm sure that she's safe."
"You really do love her with all your heart, don't you?" Fluttershy asks sympathetically.
"Yes. Her mother and I both do with our all hearts. It was Flag Burner saying that he sent some ponies to get her that caused me to lose control and end him. Although I heard that they couldn't find his body, so that means that he could still be alive. I really don't know if I should hope that he's dead or alive at this point..."
Fluttershy looks solemn for a moment before she realizes something and says,
"Wait, you said that her mother and you BOTH love her. I thought she was, um... dead. You always said that she lived on in your mind."
"I did say that. but I never said she was dead. In fact you and Cadence have met her before... At the Gala."
Fluttershy goes wide-eyed realizing what you meant as she asks,
"So she was the one who..."
"Yep... Although she's calmed down a lot since then and has been trying to help me contain my rage and keep me from doing things I will regret. She even tried to hold me back from..."
You hesitate as you remember your deed, but you shake it off before continuing,
"She really is nice once you get to know her."
WHAT DOES THOU THINK THOU ART DOING YE IDIOT?! WHY DOTH YOU TELL HER ABOUT US? Selena yells inside your head.
You wince from the yelling and mentally respond,
I'm trying to tell a pony I trust the truth and hope for the best.
"Fluttershy," you say out loud, "I realize that this is a big secret to dump on you, but can I ask you to keep this as well as my true self from anypony?"
"Um, Sure I can. But... you haven't even told me her name."
"Her name is Selena."
As Fluttershy begins to walk away, you look at her and say,
"Fluttershy... the meeting isn't just a meeting."
She looks back at you in confusion as you continue,
"The Offender is going away, and with him everything that relates to him. Including the Horde. I'm sorry, but this meeting is going to end the Horde."
Fluttershy's eyes widen in surprise and is about to say something when you interrupt,,
"Sorry, but they need to go. They'll be safer if they just vanished, like..."
Flashbacks to your rant at Flag appear in your mind as you continue,
"...like a true Nobody should."
Fluttershy nods her head in sadness and then walks away. You sigh again, and walk away as you hope that she'll keep your secret... well your other secret at least.
You were a fool to tell her of my existence. With what's happening, you should trust nopony.
You sigh as you reply,
I know, but if she can keep you a secret, then I'll be able to relax a little bit. Now to go and find Nightshade, where did she tell us she was going again?
...She didn't tell us anything you imbecile.
You freeze in your tracks as you say,
"Eh?"
...*crack*
"BUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!"
AN HOUR OF ASKING AROUND TOWN LATER
Fortunately, she decides she can play on Button Mash's console. Reluctantly go to his house (Nightshade used "Puppy Eyes". It's super effective!) with her
*knock knock*
You knock on the door of (what you at least hope to be) Button's house. An earth pony mare with a light tan coat and a brown mane in a ponytail answers the door.
"Hello- Oh, you must be Nightshade's father, Mr. Tennant. I'm-"
"Yeah that's me, have you seen my daughter?" you interrupt in a worried rush.
"She's in Button's room-"
She didn't get to finish as you rush past her into the house and whip out the Power Glove before bucking down the door and roaring,
"Would you kindly GET YOUR FILTHY HOOVES OFF MY-"*wham*
"FALCON KICK!"
Nightshade's flame-covered hoof slams into your nards sending you slamming into the hallway wall behind you.
"Mister Tennant!"
"Ohhhh, that's gotta hurt."
"Oh, Hi daddy." Nightshade says obliviously as she recognizes you.
"Nightshade, I think ya'll might have a tad anger issues..." Apple Bloom comments.
"Eh, runs in the family." Nightshade replies.
"That was awesome!" Button cheers, "You replicated Captain Falcon's attack perfectly! Teach me, oh wise one, in the ways of the Falcon Kick."
Button starts bowing to Nightshade and as you lose consciousness from the pain you manage to say,
"Tha... that's my girl...*thud*"
A FEW MINUTES LATER
"Owww..."
You moan groggily as you wake up and find yourself on a sofa with a bag of ice on your nether regions.
"What the b-"
"Finally awake?"
You turn towards the voice and see the mare from before with an annoyed look on her face.
"Who are you?" you ask in confusion.
"As I was trying to say before, I'm Elaina, Button Mash's mother and your daughter was playing the video game that YOU got her here with him and the Cutie Mark Crusaders because she doesn't have her own console." She responds with slight annoyance in her voice.
"Oh..." you realize awkwardly.
"Your daughter's pretty strong for a unicorn filly her age." she says as she walks back into the kitchen, "Not many foals can knock a fully-grown stallion into a wall hard enough to leave a dent, but that probably explains her appetite."
"What did she devour this time?" you ask in a 'not surprised' tone.
"The little dear ate every single snack I gave her. Yet for some reason whenever I went to get more, there's always less food there then I remember. Which is strange because I just went shopping yesterday..."
You nod your head at her answer as you begin to look around the living, when you spot a old-looking game system. You stare at it in confusion as you ask Elaina (who just walked into the room),
"Hey Ms. Elaina, what's that thing?"
Elaina looks at where your pointing, and giggles slightly as she says,
"Oh that old thing, it's my old Pong game system. I used to play this all the time back in the old days. Here, let me fire it up and we can go a round on it."
As Elaina goes to start up this... really old system with a classic game, you hear a familiar voice in your head say,
While at Button's house, the colt's mother brings down an old video game machine for you two to play.
Perhaps you should mate with this one.
Excuse me?!
Think about it. If the two of you share relations, it would make her colt consider the same act with our daughter... how the devil do you say it? "Make it weird?"
The mare is rather pretty. And she has an original machine of Pong. How many more times will you find that combination?
"So... Pong, huh? Where did you get this anyway?"
"It's Button's father's, actually. We would play all the time when we were younger."
"His father?"
"Oh, yes. He's on a business trip this week."
Well, so much for that idea. She finishes getting the machine ready and smiles at you.
"Loser tells the foals it's time to turn their game off!"
Perhaps you should mate with this one.
Excuse me?! you think in shock.
Think about it. If the two of you share relations, it would make her colt consider the same act with our daughter... how the me do you say it? "Awkward?"
Well... she does have an original machine of Pong. How many mares have that?! Plus her eyes look like Octavia's and her flanks have got it going on- NO! BAD BUG!
"So... Pong, huh? Where did you get this anyway?" you say in an attempt to keep your thoughts clean as a little blood trickles from your nose under your face mask and scarf.
"It's Button's father's, actually. We would play all the time when we were younger."
"Oh- wait, His father?"
"Oh, yes. He's on a business trip this week."
Well, so much for that idea.
Elaina finishes getting the machine ready and smiles at you,
"Loser tells the foals it's time to turn their game off!"
You smile competitively as you say,
"Bring it on!"
Well, that's going to be a long session of Pong that only two true gamers will enjoy, so let's see what Nightshade and the gang are up to...
POV change: Nightshade
Meanwhile, Nightshade is playing Hatred while her friends are being put off by its brutal mindless violence.
“This is horrible, why are ya'll just going around killing innocent ponies?” Apple Bloom asks as the onscreen character executes a Pegasus stallion with his crossbow.
“I don’t know!” Button wails in sorrow, “Let’s just stop playing…”
“Please, this is scary!” Sweetie yells as she and the rest of the crusaders cover their eyes as the onscreen character repeatedly stabs a Royal Guardpony in the nether regions with his knife.
“Really? I mean this game is kinda sick, but from what Daddy tells me, I thought the whole point of video games was to kill things in the most-”
“You’re in my way sir!” one of the mares on the screen says in a familiar voice.
“Wait stop stop...” Nightshade says.
“Get out of the way!” another mare shouts in the same voice.
“I know that voice! I know it...” Nightshade says.
“Move along” says another character.
“Luna Darnit, I know that voice... something about it just p*** me off!” she growls.
A few more mares continue to have the same voice.
“Who is it?” Button asks
“I need to check this so hold on. This mare is doing something with her voice and I don't know what it is, but I never forget an flankhole, Come on, where is she...” She flips the box over and reads through the voice actors,
“Let’s see, Stallions 1-10: Northern Nolan, Mares 1-5: Felicia Daily, I don’t know them,” she reads off, “Mares 6-20 The Great and Powerful Tri- what the buck?”
“You’re in my way sir!” Trixie’s haughty voice now recognized comes through to her.
“WHAT THE BUCK!” she yells in anger as she remembers Trixie’s betrayal.
“Get out of the way!” Trixie’s voice says from the screen,
“GGGGRRRRAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!”, Nightshade’s eyes glow white as she screams, “SCREW THE INNOCENTS! KILL THIS MOTHERBUCKER AND RAVAGE HER HEART OUT AS YOU WATCH THE WORLD BURN!!!”
She grabs the controller even tighter and begins slaughtering every mare with Trixie’s voice in a blood frenzy, laughing manically,
Button’s mother walks in and is extremely shocked at the display,
“What is going on here?!”
“Nightshade’s gone loco!” yells Scootaloo as Nightshade has her character run around with a flamethrower incinerating all NPCs in sight.
Applebloom does the only thing she can think of and smashes the console, which snaps Nightshade out of it.
“My console!” Button whines.
“Sorry Button, I had to do something...” Applebloom apologizes.
Nightshade shakes her head before looking at them sheepishly as she realizes she may have went a little nuts.
“Heh heh... sorry?” she says as she looks at Button’s mom.
“...I think I’m going to have a little talk with your father” she says sternly.
“Buck…” Nightshade whimpers.
"MISTER TENNANT GET OVER HERE!!!"
As Button's mom calls out for Bugze, Nightshade can't help but think,
I done bucked up...
POV Change: Bugze (you)
"MISTER TENNANT, GET OVER HERE!"
You jump at the yell, causing pain to come from your still sore you-know-what area, and you can't help but think,
What happened? She lost and she was just gonna tell them to get off like we agreed, I wonder why she's so mad?
With that thought you walk over to Buttons room and walk in and say,
"Yo, what do you need Eliaaaaaaaaaa...."
You eyes widen in shock as you see the broken console and Nightshade sitting in the corner with waves of sadness radiating off of her. You turn towards Elaina and ask,
"Uhhhhh... what happened?"
Before Elaina could answer, Button chimes in,
"Nightshade went loco after she found out that some pony named 'Trixie' was a voice actresses in the game you bought. (*snap*) I mean I know this Trixie wasn't that good of a actress, but I wonder why she went so cra... zy..."
Everypony backs away a bit as your eyes glow orange at the mention of her name as you growl,
"I assure you she had a very good reason..."
"Mr. Tennant, why would you give such a young filly such a violent game?" Elaina indignantly asks.
"Oh come one, I've played plenty of violent video games at her size and I turned out alri- SPIDER!!!"
You whip out the Power Glove and yell,
"Would you kindly BUR-"
"Daddy! Don't hurt the cute widdle spider!" Nightshade yells as she picks up the spider and starts petting it like a hamster.
Deciding to see what the fuss is about, you patch Button's console and start playing Hatred yourself. It starts with a large unicorn with a wild long barbarian mane and a trenchcoat giving a gritty speech on how he hates everypony as he loads a repeating crossbow and stocks up on weapons.
"If I had a bit for every gritty speech I've seen in an action flick or video game I would never have to worry about feeding Nightshade again..." you comment.
When the unicorn exits the house you ask,
"What's my goal again?"
"Weren't you listening to Not Important's speech? You have to kill everypony in sight."
"So... it's basically just free-roam mode in any Grand Theft Carriage game? Why would that be so-"
You're cut off when the unicorn grabs the nearest Royal Guard stallion and snaps his neck. Seeing how you've played every Alicorn of War game, a snapped neck is a pretty tame and usual way of killing in a video game. However, this time it causes a flashback to Fillydelphia...
"NOT AGAIN, NOT AGAIN, NOT AGAIN! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT BUCKING STOP!" you scream as you grab the game out of the console and start smashing it in a frenzy as you rant, "I DIDN'T MEANT IT TO HAPPEN, STOP IT! I NEVER WANTED THIS!!!"
Your rant is suddenly ended when a boot is thrown at your head. You look around in confusion only to see Nightshade (and the rest) looking at you in fear and worry. You sigh as you say...
"Sorry... Just had some really bad memories..."
You look out the window and see that the sun is setting. Seeing an opportunity to leave, you quickly say,
"Hey, look at the sun. It looks like it's getting late, I'm gonna take Nightshade home. Say goodbye to your friends Sweetie."
"I have to leave too?" Sweetie Belle asks in confusion
You, Nightshade, and everyling else looks over to the confused Sweetie Bell and you all say at the same time,
"Not you."
A FEW MINUTES LATER
As you and Nightshade begin to walk back to the shack you both live in, you start thinking about the matter of the Crimson Knights...
As long as those nuts are around, my Nightshade will never be safe. I don't even have any way of knowing how many ponies Flag Burner shared her name with. I need some supplies- Oh, that's convenient.
Just as you were thinking that, you come across Hay's Hardware Store.
To keep Nightshade away from the power tools, you leave her outside the front door with some food ("0 carrots" remaining in The Inventory) and a dare that she can't resist eating it while you shop. If she wins, she gets to pick to movies you watch tonight.
You walk up to the stallion behind the counter and ask,
"Do you know how to build a carbonite chamber?"
He blinks and shakes his head.
\"Okay, how about a mechanism that will launch a volley of arrows at any unsuspecting fool that steps on a pressure switch? Can you help me build that?"
Again, he shakes his head.
"Really? Well how about shovels? Do you have any shovels?"
"I'm almost afraid to ask, but why do you want shovels?"
"So I can dig a pit, put sharp spikes at the bottom, then cover the top with a net of leaves so nopony knows it's a pit. Obviously."
"And can you tell me why I shouldn't run screaming to the nearest guard station right now?" he asks.
"Oh! Uh... I'm a gardener?"
"I don't believe you."
"No no no, really! I'm just... trying to plant trees! Yeah. Trees. With carbonite. And arrows."
"Yeah... the guard station is sounding like a very good idea to me right now. What kind of trees are you-"
"Daddy, you win. I got bored. Can we go home now?" Nightshade says as she walks in.
You point to her. The stallion smiles and nods,
"Home defense. You could have just said so. I've got something that could help."
He goes to the back and returns, giving you a catalog.
"All you need is in there. Land mines, razor wire, Keep-Out signs with self-destruct proximity triggers, everything. Go wild. Just forget that you got that from me."
You smirk and wink,
"Got what from you?"
Nightshade tilts her head and obviously says,
"That catalog of lethal weapons that can in no possible way be legal. What else would he be talking about?"
You and the shop owner sweat drop at Nightshades bluntness, but you just laugh it off as you suddenly get a idea and ask,
"Hey, you also wouldn't have any kind of item that can magically deliver any letter you want to anypony you want to by just thinking about said pony do you?"
The shop owner gives you a blank stare for a few seconds before he smiles and says,
"Yep, a few actually. There's enchanted can's that, when you put a letter in them and think of the pony you want to send the letter to, instantly transport to the pony your thinking of."
You look at him in surprise as you ask,
"Really?"
The owner just glares at you as he says,
"No you idiot, do you know how much enchantments cost now a days?"
You chuckle nervously as you say,
"Hehehe, so about those traps...
AN HOUR LATER
You managed to score a deal with the owner of five set's of trap materiel for only 20 Bits, it would have been more but Nightshade brought out the 'Puppy Dogs' look and the owner caved in.
5 sets of Trap Materials added to the Inventory
21 Bits Remaining
You head to the Post Office to write a letter to Cadance.
As you and Nightshade once again begin your walk back to the shack, you walk by the post office. You were just gonna walk past it, when you remember another one of your friends that should know about what happen. She is your first ever friend after all, so she should find out from you. With that you and Nightshade walk into the post office as you think,
Cadance... please forgive me...
A FEW HOURS LATER
After shipping off the letter with the "Secret Speedy Express" option (18 Bits remaining), you and Nightshade arrived back at Sweet Apple Acres when your stomach started growling really loud.
"Woah! Daddy, was that your stomach or did King Ghidorah come back for round two?"
Nightshade looks around with caution as she says that, but you can't help but chuckle as you say,
"Don't worry dear, that was just my stomach. I haven't eaten in... woah I haven't eaten in days! Luna, I'm starving, what do you want to eat?"
"I'm not hungry." Nightshade responds,
"Okay that's *crack* WHAAAAAATTT?! How come YOU of all ponies aren't hungry? How can this be?!"
Nightshade chuckles sheepishly as she says,
"Well, I might have, sorta, kinda ate all of Button's food back at his house..."
You stare at her in shock as you say,
"You ate all of Elaina's food?!"
"Hehehe... yes."
You can't help but facehoof as you say,
"Welp, Elaina is gonna kill me for sure..."
You stomach growls again as you throw your hooves into the air and say,
"Ah screw it, I'm gonna make me some grub."
With that you go into the main house and borrow some bowls, pots, utensils, and a few apples from Granny Smith before taking them back to the shed and (using the lantern to cook) make a feast for yourself,
0 Pre-prepared Salads
0 Cans of Broccoli Cheese Soup
0 Cans of Tomato Cream Soup
0 Boxes of Crackers
10 Granola bars
5 Water bottles
0 Cans of powdered milk
Remaining in the Inventory
"Uh Daddy, why are you eating so much. It's not like you were in a brawl with two groups of ponies who all want to kill you... right?" Nightshade asks.
Not wanting to stop your meal, you change the subject as you down a granola bar,
"So sweetie, (*munch*) how was Ponyville while I was gone. (*gulp*) Anything interesting happen?"
Nightshade beams at you as she says...
When you and Nightshade go back home to the shack, you ask her what she did while you were gone. Among the highlights
-Made the Cake twins her new minions against Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon
Nightshade nods her head rapidly as she says,
"Yeah! Mrs. Cake had foals!"
You look at her surprise as you say,
"Oh! Sweet, That explains why I haven't seen them in days. What are their names?"
Nightshade smiles as she says,
"The boy pegasus name is Pound Cake, while the girl unicorn's name is Pumpkin Cake!"
While she is giving you a adorable smile, your eye is just twitching as you think while dipping crackers into the big bowl of Broccoli Cheese soup,
How did two earth ponies get a pegasus and a unicorn for kids? Then again I have a alicorn for a child soooo...
Before you can continue that thought, Nightshade gets a mischievous look as she says,
"I made them my minions! I made it their job to torture Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon whenever they're at Sugarcube Corner!"
FLASHBACK TO A FEW DAYS AGO
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are making fun of the Cutie Mark Crusaders as usual when Nightshade comes over carrying the baby foals.
"BABIES, ATTACK!!!" Nightshade yells as she throws the babies who cry out in glee at the short flight before they land on the bullies.
"Ahhhhh! The little beast is denting my tiara!" Diamond Tiara whines as Pound starts... well pounding Diamond's tiara.
"She's eating my glasses! Ew ew ew ew *wham*" Silver Spoon panics before running straight into a wall.
BACK TO PRESENT
"Soon those two motherbuckers won't ever set hoof near Sugarcube Corner ever again MWHAHAHAHAH!"
Lighting flashes behind her as she laughs evilly. Now most parents would be concerned about their child laughing evilly, you on the other hand...
"*sniff* They grow up so fast..."
Tears of pride slide down your face at how proud you are of your daughter and her evil laugh, but she suddenly stops as she says,
-Pinkie was annoying a Donkey who moved to Ponyville
"Oh, and a donkey moved to Ponyville too, but I never really got a chance to meet him cause Pinkie kept on bugging him. I think he's name was Cranky Doodle... something, I can't remember?"
Your eye can't help but twitch as you think,
Dang it Pinkie! If someling has 'Cranky' in their name then expect not to make friends with them! Don't bug them so much.
You shake your head from Pinkies actions as you ask,
"So, how was Canterlot? Did you meet any new ponies or... *snap* colts?"
You said that last part with a threatening tone as you glare out the window and violently chew the tomato-cream-soup-dipped crackers. Nightshade just shakes her head as she says...
-Went to Canterlot with the Mane 6 where she stayed around Fluttershy most of the time (although Applejack and Rainbow Dash did argue, but when Nightshade (copying a line she heard) said "JUST KISS ALREADY!", the fillyfoolers started blushing while Rarity and Pinkie started laughing)
-While in Canterlot after the play, she, Twilight, Pinkie, and Spike got to be ninjas/Snakes and break into the library where Twilight time traveled.
"No Daddy, I didn't meet any colts. I stayed around Fluttershy most of the time. We went over to this play they were performing in, but before we could even start, the fillyfoolers started to fight. Something about how you would like one of their costumes better. And then Rainbow said something, but Fluttershy covered my ears before I can hear what she said. But it must have been something really cool cause Fluttershy was blushing really badly and she had some blood coming outta her nose, like you do sometimes daddy!"
You 'urk' in shock and gag on a mouthful of salad as you think,
What!? There's no way Sweet, Innocent Fluttershy could have a dirty thought. I refuse to believe that!
Huh... I always figured she was the closet type-
SHUT UP SELENA!
Before you can continue your mental argument, Nightshade says,
"So anyway, the shows about to begin and they're still fighting. So I thought, 'What 'would my Daddy do?' and I got an idea and yelled "JUST KISS ALREADY!" at them. Then the fillyfoolers started blushing while Tacky McStabby Flank and Pinkie started laughing-"
"*spittake* BWAHAHAHAHAHAH *cough* OH MY SIDES HAAHAHHAAHAHAHHA!"
You are now rolling on the floor holding your sides in pain as you continue to laugh at the Fillyfoolers' misfortune. You continue to laugh for a good few minutes, and by the time you calm down Nightshade has a confused look on her face as she asks,
"What's so funny Daddy?"
You wipe a few tears form your eye's as you say,
"Nothing... nothing sweetie. I just needed a good laugh."
You open up another box of crackers to finish off the last of the tomato cream soup as you continue,
"So anything else happen?"
Nightshade nods her head as she says,
"After the play, me, Twilight, Pinkie, and Spike got to be ninja snakes and break into the library where Twilight then time traveled."
You stare at her blankly as you say,
"...Twilight sure is crazy huh?"
Nightshade nods her head as she says,
"Yep! Isn't that awesome?"
You chuckle at her attitude as you say,
"Yeah...I guess it is. Anyway off to bed with you, you have school tomorrow."
"But Daaaaaaad. You said you would pick the movies we'd watch tonight." Nightshade whines.
"I said if you didn't eat the carrots you could choose the movies, but since I won I choose we don't see any movies." you counter.
"Awwww..." Nightshade whines as you put her back in the Inventory. You lay on the cot and try to get to sleep when some thoughts drift through your head...
As you head back to the Farm, you have a few more thoughts.
1. Who was the “He” that Flag Burner was talking about before you killed him? The one who wants your power.
2. Who were those Changelings? The female one knew who you were, your old drone number anyway…who was she? They’d obviously been following you, so now you have to be on the lookout for her. They wanted me to stop Flag, and she said she’d meet you when it was safe.
3. What in the Buck does “The Nightmare Comes” Mean?!
Who were those Changelings? The female one knew who I was (well my old drone number anyway) even with the hood on. They’d obviously been following me, so now I got to keep an eye out for her. They wanted me to stop Flag, and she said she’d meet me when it was safe. And who was the “He” that Flag Burner was talking about before I... killed him? And what in the Buck does “The Nightmare Comes” mean?!
You sigh in annoyance at all these unsolved questions, but you stare out the window in your shack with determination until the digestion kicks in and you start to fall asleep...
"I can't sleep."
Your eyes shoot open and you see Nightshade out of the Inventory.
"Why can't you sleep honey?"
Nightshade looks at the ground in embarrassment as she says,
"I don't know, I used to sleep just fine, but when I couldn't sleep while I was staying at Fluttershy's, she sang to me this pretty lullaby and I fell asleep instantly."
You smile at Nightshade, when you suddenly grab your head in pain as a image flashes before your eyes,
FLASHBACK! TIME
We see a little changeling with tears in his eyes trying to sleep, but to no avail.
Suddenly, a female changeling walks into the image. Her features are blurred, but for some reason you can't help but think she's giving the young bug a motherly smile. The female changeling then says something, but you can't hear what she's saying. The young bug shakes his head, and you feel the female changeling smile again. Suddenly, you hear a gentle tone began to play. The female changeling looks like she's about to sing, but before she can the image vanishes...
BACK TO THE PRESENT
You stop holding your head in pain as you look at your hoof. There are tears in your eyes as you can't help but think,
That couldn't have been... mom?
"Daddy...?"
You snap out of your daze as you see Nightshade looking at you in worry. You give her a fatherly smile as you say,
"Don't worry sweetie, I know something that'll help ya sleep."
And with that you begin to sing (lyrics come by instinct activated by the tone of that potential memory) while you tuck Nightshade into your cot (you decided to sleep on the floor tonight),
Rest your head, little bu-girl blue,
Come paint your dreams on your pillow.
I'll be near to chase away fear,
So sleep now and dream 'til tomorrow,
I'll be near to chase away fear,
So sleep now and dream 'til tomorrow.
With that, Nightshade falls peacefully asleep.
"Good night Nightshade." you whisper before thinking,
No matter what... I will find the truth. I will stop whoever wants my power and whatever this 'Nightmare' is. And most importantly...
You stare at Nightshade's sleeping form as you continue thinking in determination,
I will protect my family at all costs. Noling will ever hurt them. Not if I have anything to say about it...
With that, you use an overturned bowl and your Seventh Doctor hat as a pillow and your Tenth Doctor longcoat as a blanket as you fall asleep on the floor of the shack.
CANTERLOT...
POV Change: ????
Should I open this? I trusted him and protected him like a little brother and now he's wanted for murder! Should I just throw away this letter, pretend it never existed, and expose him for what he really is; a monster. Or should I stay true to my heart and hear him out. Oh, why can't this decision be easy!
In front of this pony, as their thinking in panic, is a desk. And on this desk is a simple envelope. There is nothing special about this envelope, there is no secret hidden within it. There is no kind of treasure map within or a surprise worth a Pinkie gasp. No, the only thing that is on this envelope is a name. That name is...
Bugze
Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, the princess of love, has a tough decision to make....
Should she or should she not open a killer's letter addressed to her?
What does Cadence do?
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bornies soooo we're bornies now
thats a new one
cadance/we should open the letter our trust in him from before wasn't misplaced was it?
Cadence/we should open the letter and read it...After all, nothing is true, everything is permitted!
Shoiuld open it, there is literally no repercursions to opening the letter
The letter could be fake... Somehow. So yes open it.
Dear Princess Cadence,
Fillydelphia was a disaster. What should have been me talking Flag Burner out of starting a revolution devolved in to a reenactment of Die Hard. I told Flag Burner that the real meaning of the cloak is to be a nopony. I was starting to feel for Flag Burner when he told me that the death of his daughter sent him on that path; until he blew up several buildings, told me that several of his minions were after MY DAUGHTER, and said that he will kill as many as it takes. Never before had I been that angry, never before has my Nightmare Cloak reached FIVE tails. In a fit of rage, I brutally killed Flag Burner. Whether he is truly dead is unclear because his body is unaccounted for. The main reason for my living is to protect Nightshade from the Crimson Knights.
Ps. The Crimson Knights have a red version of my insignia and are a group of radicals who follow Flag Burner's ideology.
"Bornies"
gg
OPEN IT FILLY! if hes never really sent you a letter before, and hes only sending one now, he MUST be have some kind of emotional crisis! For all you know he could be planning on turning himself in because of what he did!
As of right now, you have several options that you can take right now.
1. Open the letter and read it. Even Bugze did something horrible, you know that he's not a bad bug, and hopefully he has a good explanation for this.
2. Don't read the letter and see where it came from. Maybe you can find Bugze and then make him explain himself in person.
3. Don't read the letter and tell Shining and let him take over for finding Bugze.
4. Don't read the letter and burn it. Proceed to act like you never got it in the first place.
Cadence mutters to herself: What should I do? I can't believe he could just kill a pony so mercilessly, even if Flag Burner was bad and hurt others. I know that Shiny said that Burner was whispering something to him before, what could he have possibly said to make Bugze snap?I guess I will never know if I don't give him the benefit of the doubt.
*joeyjumper94's letter suggestion*
Sweet Celestia! He threatened his daughter! I cant condone what he did, but would I have been any different if I had been in his position? Since he did not leave his name on the letter, I will show Aunt Luna and ask for her help. I do not think that Aunt Tia or Shiny will be in any mood to try to look at him in any decent light, considering how they were earlier.
*FLASHBACK TO YESTERDAY*
Celestia: HE DID WHAT!?
Shining: Like I said, he beat Flag Burner into submission, there was no way that he could fight back and we could have taken it from there, but it looked like he whispered something to the Offender and he went berserk and started beating him more, before he grew a fifth tail and killed him. He then summoned a huge group of birds and disappeared in a flash. I guess he teleported away so that he could commit more atrocities somewhere in Equestria. We also had eye-witness reports of changelings in the area appearing to help him by distracting both guards and Horde members alike.
Celestia: He has gone too far this time! Double his bounty, Dead of Alive, we will see him brought to justice.
Cadence and Luna look to each other both uneasy about the situation and Shining just sautes and runs off to carry out the order. When he finally leaves, the three princesses are alone in Celestia's study.
Cadence: Aunt Tia, isn't that a bit harsh, I don't think he would do something like that with out a very good reason.
Luna: Tis true sister, he would not hath been a treat to us if We had not threatened his daughter.
Celestia:I DON'T CARE! He murdered one of my subjects in cold blood! He could have stopped and allowed the guard to take him in but he did not. He will pay Equestrian justice. I think an eternity in stone sound fair.
Celestia storms out muttering something about devouring a stress cake.
*END FLASHBACK*
Cadence: Definitely should not talk to Aunt Tia.
To answer your question for the week? I have not watched EG2:RR yet, so I cannot give you a good answer on which is better. Sorry.
Cadence was walking around the desk, looking the card one time and another, but she did not decide about opening or not
"I can't decide... I CAN'T DECIDE!!" Shouted Cadence
Cadence leave the mail and begin to walk away to think about it a little
"What could I do? Bugzee was very good, strange but good, but after what happened in Fillydelphia, im not sure if he is the same... What if I ask auntie Celestia and Auntie Luna?" Cadence begin to think
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"Maybe Auntie Celestia could not be very good in this situation... Maybe ask Aunt Luna? But what I tell her? I can't decide... And the worst is that I don't know who to ask... Shining Armor have a closed mind in this like Auntie Celestia so I can't tell them... Twily? No... She cannot help me... Think... Think" Cadence begin to think and walk until she find herself looking to a old mirror.
"Of course... How could I forget that? Im not Celestia and Im not Luna, Im Princess Cadence the Princess of Love, and what I need this time is believe in what my heart believe" Say Cadence as she returned to her room
"Im sorry Aunties, but is time I do my own way, my heart believe he have a reason, I'm sure that if it was Twily, both of you could want all the information... Maybe it's time to settle this and talk with him, but it have to be a secret" After say that, Cadence used a illusion to make herself look like a pegasus and leave to Ponyville.
...
A couple of minutes later, Shining Armor enter to Cadence room
"Cadence? Are you here? We need to talk..." Say Shining Armor looking around to see that there is no one.
"I suposse she is somewhere else... Maybe the garden..." Commented Shining as he was going to leave but then a card called his attention
"No... I can't... That card is for Cadence, I can't read it" Muttered Shining Armor but in the end he decided to look a little to the card, only to see the only word
Rainbow Rocks was the best one because friendship failed, big hair all over the place, Vinyl was no longer a background character and Octavia spoke. Also, turntable car.
Both of the movies had massive plot holes, but I liked Rainbow Rocks better. I just think the Sirens should have been Windigos.
Yes, open the letter. If you burn it... well, you'll never hear the other side of the story and truly judge what happened.
Anyway... both are the worst. For turning one species into another. Hands should remain hands, hooves should remain hooves, and that's that.
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Ah, I love it when they have the punishments too far.
An eternity In stone? For one life of a murderer? Pfft
in situations like that, that's how you make enemies.
After a long and confusing time wondering what to do about Bugze's letter, Cadance goes back to her chambers. Shining Armor is waiting for her, standing by her desk.
"Oh! Shining. Is something wrong?"
"You tell me," he snaps. He throws the letter on the ground
"Shining! Did you read my mail?"
"I didn't have to! All I had to see was the name. Bugze. It sounded familiar."
"I... I don't know what you-"
"THE OFFENDER!"
He storms past her and into the castle hallway.
"The first time we met the Hooded Offender, he called himself Bugze! And now there is a letter from Ponyville with Bugze on it!"
Royal Guards fill the hall at the Offenders name, and Cadance takes a sharp breath.
"Shining, there's a perfectly good explanation for this. Bugze is just a friend, and-"
"Then why haven't I heard of him before? How long has he lived in Ponyville? What's his cutie mark? What kind of pony is he?!"
Cadance stammers.
"Exactly!"
Shining Armor begins to sing.
"We're not safe until he's caught; he'll come stalking us at night!
Spreading anarchy and ruin and whipping up a fright!
He'll wreck havoc in our nation if we let him wonder free,
So it's time to take some action, boys! It's time to follow me!"
He marches through the hallways, rallying the guards behind him.
"Past the city, down the vale, to the edge of Ponyville,
He's a nightmare, but he's one exciting fight!
Say a prayer and we're there, ready to bring him to justice.
He'll struggle, but taking him is worth the price!"
A guard tosses him a sword, and he catches it, brandishing it in his magic.
"He's a beast! He's got fangs, razor sharp ones!
Five tails, maybe more, to spread his wrath!
Hear his laugh; hear his shriek!
But we're not coming back 'til he's caught!
Good and caught!"
"No!" Cadance calls. "You don't understand!"
"Look what he's done with his freedom, Cadance!" Shining turns to all the guards. "If we can't trust him while he's free, he belongs in chains. Who's with me?!"
The guards cheer and take up the song.
"Grab your sword! Grab your spear!
Only courage can fight fear!
Shining Armor will lead us on our way!
Past the city, down the vale, the innocence of Ponyville
Is hiding what we've hated all its days!"
"Praise Celestia and here we go!" Shining marches them through the halls of the castle. "We'll smoke him out and drag him through the streets!"
The army pours out of the castle and into the streets of Canterlot.
"Raise the flag! Sing the song!
Here we come; we're fifty strong
And fifty stallions can't be wrong!"
Shining Armor raises his voice one last time. "Let's catch the beast!"
Flash Sentry flies in and lands next to him. "Sir? What if he's living under an alias?"
Shining Armor freezes. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he lowers his head to stare at the ground.
"Dammit..."
"Why don't you let me go to Ponyville, sir? I'll leave my armor behind and do some scouting. The minute I find something, I'll write to you."
"You do that."
Shining Armor looks around after Flash leaves. "But what am I going to do with all these guards?" He spots a unicorn stallion levitate an apple off a cart and walk away.
"THIEF! GET HIM, BOYS!"
The stallion runs away, screaming for his life as fifty guards chase after him.
---
Rainbow Rocks is better because of the Sirens:
The movie itself was just better overall, especially Sunset Shimmer's character, but I love those three songs.
The first was the worst. the second they actually did a half decent job with it.
I really hope at least 2 alicorns come to an understanding.
If it weren't for him being free, so many more would be dead.
Go to an emergency royal council meeting that Celestia called for between herself Cadance, Shining Armor, and Luna about the events in Fillydelphia. In the meeting;
-Celestia tells them that she already sent new instructions to the Elements of Harmony (and elaborate what they are)
-Cadance reminds them of how Bugze kept her alive with food and water while she was imprisoned by Chrysalis and Bugze has a daughter (along with the fact that Bugze is ONLY dangerous when her daughter is in danger)
-Luna calls for a "Smite-on-sight" order for the Hooded Offender and Shining agrees, but Cadance opposes and Celestia votes that idea down as well for the pragmatic reason that it will result in unscrupulous bounty hunters and stab-happy Guards to start killing anypony wearing a black hood or con stallions bringing in corpses dressed up in black hoods in an attempt to make a quick bit off the bounty.
-Other stuff...
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5530879
Writing dialogue for this is normally your territories since I can't do dialogue that well...
5552234
5553738
5552496
Uh... Guys, we've already established that like canon-Princess Celestia, Princess Celestia in this story is still a millennium-old, benevolent, wise, mother-figure of a ruler who can still be decisive when necessary (turning Discord to stone, attempting to straight-up blast Chrysalis when she appeared, etc.), but still keeps her composure even in dire circumstances (see all her previous personal interactions with the Hooded Offender before this chapter). Celestia yelling for the Offender's head on a platter would be MASSIVELY out-of-character so maybe you could change that?
If anything, Luna would still be the brash one when it comes to the Hooded Offender and Shining would agree with her (being the military commander guy) while Cadance would support Bugze and Celestia would be the pragmatic voice of reason.
On second thought, we can excuse her normally-way-out-of-character raging in that scene excused by Celestia having a particularity bad day before-hoof (more paperwork than normal, especially arrogant nobleponies at the Day Court, disappointing and/or stolen Hearth's Warming Eve presents, and the kitchen being completely out of cake)
=============
Rainbow Rocks for better villains, music, pacing, and flow.
Also, seriously? Not a single ONE of you in the Hive Mind have ANY feels or any comments about the lullaby/flashback part of this chapter?
5554162 I was only following the others, but... It was not BOTH Princess Celestia and Princess Luna the ones that nearly tried to kill Bugzee and Nightshade after she appeared?
(No, Really, Im not sure, Maybe I need to re-check the season 1)
Even so, even Celestia could have a Rage Day... Right? I mean, maybe she is a little Out-of-Character, but still could be angry, after everything the "hooded offender" crimes. Only Luna talked with Bugzee a little and she seemed to be more calm.
5554178
To answer that question, here's are some parts from Season 1, Episode 33,
Also, DWC confirmed that Celestia's reaction to Luna's threatening to send Nightshade to the gallows was "Celestia has a hit of rage and betrayal with her face."
More evidence from Season 2, Episode 35
5554226
Even so, Celestia didn't go into a screaming frenzy when THE GOD OF CHAOS got released so she would still maintain her decisive composure in dealing with these new developments
EG2 is better because of real music
but
there was only one good part in EG1 and it was Sunset getting hit by I rainbow
My reaction:
5554211 Ok, you got a point, but in theory, Celestia that time only see a Filly that her sister say was Nightmare Moon, a sister that recently returned from the moon and was adapting to Equestria after too much time. A filly that was going to be punished.
This time is a full grown Changelling, that is wanted around Equestria, IS A CHANGELLING AND KILLED A PONY... Even Celestia can be angry, right? Yes, she is the fine example of patience, and harmony, but even a saint can lose the patience.
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To make sure this discussion doesn't take up the whole comment thread, all of my responses will be put in this comment box below this sentence
5554211
READ THE DANG LETTER!!!
When talking to Luna she contemplates aloud.
“So he’s finally taken a life. I can’t say that I didn’t see this coming, all that power and all that rage, it was bound to happen eventually.”
“I don’t think he meant it Luna,” you add, “he probably feels awful about it.”
“I’m sure he does, but still I believe that terrorist signed his own death warrant the minute he threatened the changeling’s daughter and tried to kill all those innocents” Luna says before putting her head down.
“He’s not bad, you have to understand that, he made a mistake.”
“I know that my niece, that is why I must help him.”
“What?” you ask in shock.
“This is all my fault after all, that changeling causes so much mayhem and destruction because of his hatred for me…for what I tried to do to his child.”
“Luna you didn’t…” you begin.
“I set him down this path, it was me. I tried to harm that filly, and everything he’s done since then is because of that mistake” she looks at you in determination. “It is my responsibility to ensure that he is saved.”
“Wh-why would you try to save him?” you ask.
“Because I too know what it is like to let hatred and vengeance control your life…the nightmares is brings. I must save him from the darkness before he falls further. And to apologize to him and that filly for one of my greatest mistakes.”
“Thank you Aunt Luna, thank you…” you say with relief.
“I will do what I can…but my sister and your husband are determined to bring him down by any means. Maybe you should become more involved with your savior’s life if you wish to help.”
When you try to convince your Aunt Celestia, she says that even if murdering a beaten and caught prisoner was a mistake on his behalf, the fact that his very presence caused so many Billions of bits in damages is still reason enough to take him in.
“Plus, there is also the fact that the offender is no longer alone” Celestia adds.
“What do you mean auntie?”
“Reports and photographs from the night of the riot confirm that there were other changelings present” she says as she shows you a photograph of Bugze standing in front of three other changelings. “They aided in his cause…perhaps he has rejoined his queen’s ranks.”
“NO!” you shout, “He wouldn’t do that! He’s different!”
“Cadance…” she says sympathetically, “there is no way to know that. I know you feel indebted to him for the small mercy he gave you, but someone cannot be judged by what they’ve done in the past, rather what they’ve done since then.”
“But…”
“So much damage and harm to others, including myself, freeing Discord, and now this, he still has to face justice for the crimes he has committed Cadance. It is only because of that infernal time lord that the death toll isn’t in the thousands.”
“Who?” you ask.
“No one,” she replies too quickly, “but still he still must be caught.”
You just put your head down and shake it in frustration, it’s like she’ll never understand, so you walk away in a huff even after she calls after you, although you swear you hear her say to herself..
“What is your game Doctor?”
Later in your chambers with your husband, you try to talk him down as well, with less than stellar results.
“I can’t just let this go Cadance! I have to bring him in!” he shouts.
“Shining Please, he’s hurting right now, and I know that he’ll...”
“I don’t care if he’s hurting!” he shouts, “I’m hurting, Flash is hurting, heck, most of Fillydelphia is hurting because of him!”
“If he hadn’t of been there, the situation would have been a lot worse!” you counter.
“Yeah sure, I wouldn’t have a fractured knee bone and the leader of a bunch of fanatics wouldn’t be dead…oh wait, he’s the one that caused that!” he responds.
“He feels awful for what he’s done, don’t you understand?!”
“Good! I saw him shaking after what he’d done! He brought this on himself!”
“Shining please…” you start.
“No Cadance, No! Not this time.”
“But…”
“I warned him, heck, I even pleaded with him not to go too far, but he did it anyway!” Shining kicks a chair. “We had won! Flag Burner was beaten, and rightfully so, heck I would’ve probably knocked out a few of his teeth for what he’d done…” Shining shouts before stiffening up and sitting down. “We won…but then he kept taunting your friend, and the explosions happened. I wanted to hurt that piece of filth for what he’d done, but I held back. Your friend didn’t. He went through me to kill that monster…and I can’t get that image out of my head.”
“Are…are you sure he’s actually dead? The reports say that no body was found.”
“I’m pretty sure Cadance, I saw what your friend did to him. I heard the crunch, I saw the left side of his face cave in…I saw his eye pop out of his socket as he flew into that building.”
You gasp at that little bit of news.
“The Building collapsed after that, and burnt up everything inside…nothing but ash was left by the time the fire fighters put it out, not that I wanted to see the corpse anyway” he says with a shudder “besides, we found his eye…”
“Shining…” you whisper as you see your husband is actually a bit traumatized.
“I won’t stop Cadance…I can’t. For everything that I believe in, for every principle I took an oath to uphold, I can’t let this pass. No one pony, or bug, is above the law. I will do whatever it takes.”
You walk over and hold your husband in your arms cradling his head.
“I’m sorry Shiny…” you whisper.
“You don’t have to be…It’s nothing you’ve done.”
“But I didn’t see how much you were hurting from this, I’m sorry my love.”
You feel him sigh and relax somewhat, “I’m sorry too…Cady…I’ll always be grateful for what he did to protect you…but I still have to bring him in.”
“I know you do…” you acknowledge “just promise me one thing.”
“What?” he asks.
“Please…please don’t kill him.”
He pulls away from your chest and gives you a sad look. “That’s all up to him Cady, I can’t promise that…but I will try…for you.”
You both kiss after that. You never could stay mad at your stallion for long.
Shining then picks up his reports and heads for his meeting with the Princesses.
“Shining,” you call out to him causing him to pause at the door. “If it helps, I know that he will be disbanding the horde. He doesn’t want any more people worshiping him.”
He sighs at that, “At least that’s one less thing to worry about, the Crimson Knights though are another story.” He then looks back to you. “I’ll be home later, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
After all your talks, you know that Bugze does need to come in eventually, or otherwise leave the country. But you know that while the Crimson Knights are still around, he will not cooperate, not if it risks Nightshade’s safety. Hopefully Luna will be able to help. Then there is that Stallion in the blue box that seems to follow him around. What’s his story? You shake your head from these thoughts. The whole thing is complicated. The only thing you can do is be a better friend to Bugze. Keep in contact with him more often, maybe help him. You are a princess for goodness sakes. Maybe you could transfer him some funds to help with Nightshade.
With that in mind you begin to write a letter for your friend. Whatever happens in the future, you will just take it in stride.
I haven't seen either movie, but I will say Rainbow Rocks because from what I understand, Sonata Dusk is an Evil Pinkie Pie, and that sounds Fantastic
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Okay. I'm going to try and bring some comments together.
---
Before you can decide what to do about the letter, a Royal Guard knocks on your door, telling you you've been summoned to a war council.
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Luna breaths a sigh of relief at Shining's acceptance of the search direction. "In all likelihood, the Offender will lie low. He has done that before after being seen. We could also issue a Smite-on-Sight order, just in case somepony sees something."
"No, Sister," Celestia says. "I outlawed Smite-on-Sight orders five hundred years ago. All they are good for is drawing money-grubbing bounty hunters to the castle gates, dragging any poor sap they can find that looks like the wanted poster."
"I agree," Shining Armor says. "I must speak frankly, Your Highnesses. We aren't going to bring the Offender down with anything less than an army. He's only getting stronger. Each time we see him, he has new ways to hurt us. Bounty hunters and the like would have no chance against him."
"There's another way," you say. All eyes turn to you. "He's... he's not a monster. What if we give him an olive branch? Maybe we can convince him to-"
"No." Celestia sighs and shakes her head. "You have already repaid your debt to this creature, Cadance."
"What? No! He might have saved my life! How could I-"
"And you might have saved his. Do you recall the incident of the unconscious guard in my sister's private quarters? And the changeling that was spotted in the guard barracks soon after? And right after that, I began hearing reports from Twilight Sparkle of a changeling in Ponyville. How did a changeling escape from out castle and get to Ponyville so fast? That is no small distance, even for a unicorn trained in teleportation."
Shining nods his head. "And then the Offender drops in on the four of us soon after, calling himself 'Bugze.'"
"You... you knew? You all knew?" They nod. "Then... then you know he's not always a monster! What about the Elements of Harmony? Maybe they can make him a normal changeling again."
Luna closes her eyes in thought for a moment. "I believe it is worth a try."
"I disagree," Celestia says. "There may be some truth to this plan, but we cannot risk the Elements yet. If they get damaged or broken in the battle somehow, the enchantment that holds Discord could be dispelled. If we use them, the Offender must already be defeated and immobilized."
She stands up and clears her throat. "I believe this meeting is at an end. Above all else, our goal is to preserve life. I have already sent a letter to Twilight and her friends asking them to stay out of the hunt, and if trouble arises, to evacuate as many ponies as they can. Captain, those orders apply to you as well. Take every precaution necessary to get innocent ponies out of danger before you attack any target."
He bows. "Yes, Your Highness."
The three others leave, and Cadance is left alone.
Nothing's changed! They're still going to hurt Bugze! What do I do?
You see no choice but the keep trying. If they won't listen as a group, maybe they'll listen one at a time.
---
And from there, we could use 5553738 5557280 or any others.
As cadence paced back and forth trying to decide what to do. Bugze I hope you better have a good explanation for what happened. As cadence opened the letter and started reading it she was shocked to see how the events had played out and what her friend had gone through. As cadence finished reading the letter she heard a sound from near her window she quickly turned around to see a stallion with a brown cloak over his body. She did however manage to see grey fur and a muzzle which was shaped like a stallions
Wow Mr. offender really bucked up big time didn't he. he said
Who are you?! cadence asked nervously wondering how exactly a stallion got to her room window which was in high above one of the towers
Me. he said pointing to himself.Just somepony who is very interested in the offender and I gotta say stopping a city wide riot and only killing one guy i'm impressed and confused how that happened.
But I'm not here to bore you with details. he said with a wave of his hoof. Let's stop talking about the past and start talking about the future and i'm going to need your help princess.
Help? help with what cadence asked the mysterious stallion.
Providing information on the offender of course every since I first heard of him I became very interested at everything he's done defeating a ursa minor stopping a war defeating the elements of harmony and princess Celestia in combat and even going against discord I want to more about him specifically his little power what did he call it the nightmare cloak.
Cadence was getting more nervous around this stallion something about him seemed very off. Why do you want to know so much about bugze.
Oh it's just me and him are so alike two stallions who have awesome moves are misunderstood and cause alot of trouble oh and that's not all. He then rasied his head enough to show cadance his green eyes but then something shocking happened. His eyes instantly changed color and soon a cloak of purple and green started forming it even grew a tail.
We both even have a form that gives us some really neat abilities and a cool cloak.
Cadence couldn't believe what she was seeing this stallion somehow has something very similar to bugze. She had no idea what his intentions were and she needed to find out.
W-what are you going to do with the information if I even decide to give it to you how do I know your intentions.
Oh it's simple really I get information specifically weaknesses on offender then i use said weaknesses to defeat him steal his powers become most powerful being in Equstria and defeat every major kingdom and become the ruler of the whole world. he replied
W-what! cadence asked in shock at his answer.
Princess if The offender can defeat Celestia than what's stopping me from taking that power and making sure no pony can defeat me.
I won't let you do anything of what you just said cadence said taking a stance I'll stop you here.
The stallion stopped and started at cadence for a minute before he started laughing. Pffff-hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah you really think you can stop me let's be serious who has the evil cloak that is by the way really powerful you can try and fail princess but anyways I only need to ask you two favors and if you don't follow. he started glowing darker I'll kill you k. he said in a dark tone
cadence was nervous she didn't want to follow anything of what this stallion said but had no choice.
Ok what do you want. She said giving up.
Simple really He then started walking toward cadence and got near her face one don't tell anypony about our meeting except the offender might as well let him know somepony else is like him out there. Two tell him this the nightmare is coming soon very soon and he won't be prepared for what I have in plan.
That is all. he then turned around and walked towards the wall he pulled his right hoof back which glowed in purple energy
Warlock Punch! he yelled out punching the wall breaking it.
Well till we meet again princess. he said than his cloak formed wings and flew out into the night sky disappearing into the night.
Cadence looked out the window staring at where the mysterious stallion went. I have a real bad feeling I need to warn bugze about this soon she said to herself.
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I realize now that when I wrote this, I did not mention that I thought of this as an "off day" for Celestia. I envisioned it as she has had a very bad, stressful day. One of her larger cities was attacked, a guard publicly executed, mass riots and looting throughout the streets, and buildings bombed. On top of that, a wanted fugitive was seen by a large number of ponies murdering the head rioter after he was defeated. She probably would have reacted different if everything had not happened and dumped on her at once and maybe she will change her mind after she has calmed down a bit. That is how I saw that scenario in my head any way.