Choices
This chapter now has an audio reading by Skijarama
***
Five ponies pushed open the large doors leading into the throne room. Rainbow Dash poked her head in and took a hasty surveillance. She was right; empty. There wasn’t even the clatter of a guard making his rounds out of sight. They were well and truly alone.
The room itself was exactly as she remembered it: dark and imposing. Shadows seemed to come from nowhere and choke the details out of the stone and floor, while blue fire danced on the torches without a fuel source, causing the unnatural shadows to flicker and wave as if alive with malicious intent. Silver and purple tapestries and furnishings decorated every wall and brought a chill that had nothing to do with the night air.
The pictures sewn into the tapestries weren’t warming either. Nightmare Moon herself was a common theme. Standing regally over her subjects, stoically watching the moon, even striking down some long forgotten enemy in a quilted fire. There were, however, more abstract images as well. The moon and stars, of course, what looked like rolling tides over the sea, and strange symbols long forgotten to the modern world.
The only thing relatively calming about the whole setup was the ceiling. It was made entirely out of glass and gave a perfect view of the star strung sky. Unlike the torches, the light shining from the ceiling was steady and true. Oh sure, light also poured in from the many stained glass windows lining the hall, but the piercing gaze of Nightmare Moon diminished their beauty somewhat. The ceiling though… The ceiling’s view was unobstructed even by clouds, each constellation bathing the throne room with its own radiant light.
Dash would spend most of her shifts gazing up because of it, getting lost in the beauty and freedom the sky promised.
Shaking her mind out of memories, she did one last sweep with her eyes and, confirming that they truly were alone, signaled the others to follow her in.
They were mostly silent entering, but Applejack let out a low whistle as she brought up the rear and closed the doors behind her. "Would ya get a load of this setup? Someone's in love with themselves."
"Well, maybe not. I mean, Rarity is the interior decorator," Pinkie supplied with a grin to said pony.
Rarity snorted. "Please, this place would be so much more inviting and if I had any say in it. There is only so much purple one can use after all.” She rolled her eyes and let out a haughty huff. “No, my job is simply to hang the tacky things. Every. Single. Night."
"Girls focus," Twilight muttered, eyes darting and ears flicking with nervous energy as she trotted briskly up to the towering throne. It was by far the grandest thing in the room. Brilliant white steps led up to something more akin to a decorative piece of art than any type of chair. Bat like wings extended from the base with claw like metal climbing its way to the top. A swirling cloud churned at the peak, supporting a dark crescent moon nestled inside another moon. That part had always made Dash nervous. The amount of constant magical force used to keep the cloud holding the metal moons and not simply dissipating into the air with time was beyond anything she had ever heard of. Twilight ignored all of this and made straight for the plain purple wall behind it. "Discord said the Elements were in a room behind the throne. It's probably locked with a spell, so keep a lookout while I try and..."
"Why don't we just push the button?"
Twilight glanced over her shoulder at the approaching Earth Pony and mirrored Pinkie’s genuinely puzzled expression. Twilight glanced back at the smooth stone wall, and then back to Pinkie Pie. "What button?"
Pinkie gave her an exasperated look and pointed to one of the stones that made up the wall. "That rock isn't a rock so it's probably a button. Unless it's just style choice to put a piece of plastic in a stone wall."
Four pairs of eyes blinked at her.
"How the hay do you know that?" Applejack asked, coming up and squinting at the wall, "That one don't look a bit different from the others."
"Rock Farmer," Pinkie replied smoothly, pushing the indicated stone until it gave an audible click. "Duh."
The back wall swung inward with a grinding screech, as if it hadn't been used in years, and the five ponies shuffled in with eager anticipation.
At first it was dark, the light from the throne room spilling in only illuminated a few feet beyond the wall. After a few steps Rarity’s horn flared to life and the ponies got a complete view of the room.
It was a decently sized chamber. The five ponies easily fit with space to spare. It was simple, however, just plain grey stone for the structure, not even given a paint job. The only furnishing at all was an alcove in the far wall. A layer of dust carpeted the stone underhoof, billowing around them with each step, and spiderwebs grew in the corners. The place seemed to be long out of use.
Unfortunately, there was one troubling aspect about the plain and barren chamber that the five ponies noticed almost immediately.
"Empty?!?" Twilight cried, running to the alcove and unconsciously scanning it with spells. "How can it be completely empty?"
"Th- the Elements aren't here?!?" Rarity shrilled, spinning around as if the ancient weapons would materialize out of the wall if she looked hard enough.
Applejack clenched her hat and let out a low growl. "I knew we shouldn't have trusted that snake. This was probably a trap all along!"
"Well yes," a voice purred from the entryway, "But certainly not one set by Discord."
“Nightmare.” Rainbow growled as her friends froze in their tracks. Dash spun around and crouched into an aggressive stance. One that instantly melted as she saw who exactly was at the door. "Fl-Fluttershy!"
Nightmare Moon stood at the entryway, the tyrant looking as regal and imposing as always as more light seemed to flood around her like a spotlight. Standing next to her, kept near by a dark wing draped across her back, was Rainbow's oldest friend.
"Rainbow!" The buttercream Pegasus replied, giving Dash a shaky smile. "You came."
"Well, of course, she came," Nightmare Moon chuckled, "She's an idiot."
Rainbow Dash ground her teeth and seethed at the Nightmare. "Let her go. She hasn't done anything to you."
"And look at this,” Nightmare continued, flashing Dash a devilish smile but otherwise ignoring her. “You brought me presents." She swept her gaze around the room, lingering on each individual pony. "Let's see, we have the farmer that thought I didn't notice her suspicious activities after she lives practically right on my doorstep. I see you keep similar company Rainbow Dash."
"Ya didn't know nothing ya varmint," Applejack spat, "I know ya. I know ya would have taken us out if ya knew what we were doin'. Yer bluffin'."
Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes. "Please, I just let you have your harmless fun. You were being too 'careful' to actually do anything to harm me." Her gaze moved on. "Oh and Rarity, it's always the least noticeable of ponies in a crowd, isn't it? What was it? Your family not appealing enough anymore? Had to seek thrills now that Mommy isn't holding your hoof?"
"You're the reason they were taken from me you monster," Rarity seethed. "How dare you even mention them."
"Oh spare me from your family drama, child. I've had enough of it to last a lifetime." Nightmare's gaze then moved to the pony trying to discreetly hide behind the Unicorn. "And it seems I am just as bad a teacher as I am a sister. What's wrong Pinkamena? Did my lessons not get through to you? Perhaps we need a refresher."
Pinkie Pie flinched back and squeezed her eyes shut but managed to speak through her shaking. "We... we can't let you hurt anyone else... I-it's not right."
Nightmare Moon clicked her tongue and shook her head. "And here I thought you finally understood that the only morals one should have are the ones I give them." Her hard gaze finally moved to the last pony in the room. "And look Dash, you even brought me the Alicorn that paid us a visit." She cocked her head to the side and sized Twilight up. "Hmmm, not as impressive this time around is she?"
Twilight laughed nervously and took a few steps back. "L-look, like I've been telling Rainbow, you've got the wrong mare. I...I'm not Alicorn material."
"Hmmm, I don't think you'll live long enough to find out either way."
With a wave of magic the ponies were slammed backwards into the walls. Fluttershy cried out in shock and tried to rush to Dash’s aid but only got her wing twisted for the effort.
“After all,” Nightmare Moon laughed, “You’re all so pathetic as you are. Really, it’s obvious you could never stop me. At least the last group understood that much.”
"Why are you here?" Dash snapped, shakily rising to her hooves, even as her muscles screamed at her in protest, "How did you know we were coming? What did you do with the Elements?"
"Please Rainbow Dash, stop embarrassing yourself with talking. I heard your fight with my guards, you weren't exactly being quiet, and I had known you were coming back even before you had left. After all..." She cupped Fluttershy's cheeks in her hooves and gave a fake pouty frown as the Pegasus squirmed in her grasp, "You wouldn't leave your poor little friend all alone with a big scary Nightmare would you?" She dropped her hooves and turned her glare back to Rainbow Dash. "And as for the Elements, I'm not an idiot. I had them destroyed as soon as I had defeated my sister. They're nothing but sparkly sand now."
The atmosphere in the room plummeted with the ponies' hearts. Destroyed. All their work, all their plans... it was pointless. The Elements, their only chance, were gone and they were in Nightmare Moon's clutches. Rainbow felt despair settle in over her heart and had to fight tears. She had failed them. She had failed everyone. Again.
"Now now, don't look so glum Rainbow Dash," Nightmare Moon gently chided, "Not all is lost. I still have an offer to make you."
Despite herself, Rainbow's ears perked up. "Oh, and what could you have to ever offer me?"
"Life, your old job back, the chance to save your friends."
Now Rainbow was really listening. "What? You'll just let us go back to our old lives?"
"Well, not exactly," Nightmare chuckled, "You still disobeyed me. You will have to be punished. But if you come back now it will be significantly lessened."
Rainbow glared. "Why? Why would you show us any mercy?"
Nightmare gasped. "I'm hurt. You do not think I am a kind and merciful ruler." She dropped the feigned offense only after a moment when it was obvious no one was buying it. "No, in all honesty, you're still one of the best guards I've ever had despite your... loose loyalty. I could still find use for your skills, so surrender now and I might just spare your life."
Nightmare gave Dash a sickly sweet grin and strode father into the room. “After all, think of what you’ve already done for me. You’ve helped make the forest safer by killing that Ursa Minor and aided in driving off the Major.”
Dash flinched as Fluttershy’s eyes went wide. She had never told her that particular tale. Not about her killing a bear cub.
“Your unmatched speed has aided in catching deserters before they could flee my glorious kingdom.”
Rainbow felt a shudder run through her as Rarity took a sharp breath. She hadn’t known about the Unicorn’s family… she hadn’t…she hadn’t hurt them had she?
“Your keen instincts have saved a number of my troops from ambushes.”
“That was…” She heard Applejack mutter and had to squeeze her eyes shut to keep tears from escaping. She was just trying to protect herself and she probably got some of Applejack’s family hurt or worse because of it.
“The list goes on and on doesn’t it?” Nightmare mused, something resembling a fond grin directed at Dash. “You’re always so willing to do what you’re told. Just a little lap dog doing tricks for my scraps.”
Stupid stupid. Twilight had been right. Who was she to fight Nightmare Moon? She wasn’t a rebel or a hero. She was a coward. She wasn’t sticking to the shadows and working just to survive. She was one of the elites. The elites of a cruel world that had broken families apart and hurt countless ponies. She was as much a monster as the Alicorn in front of her.
Nightmare shook her head. “And that’s why I’m willing to put this transgression aside Rainbow. You’ve always been so good to me that I feel you’ve earned some kind of reward. Your life is a very big prize after all.”
She paused to ruffle Fluttershy's mane, causing the battered pony to grimace uncomfortably under the touch. “I’ll even let you keep your little friend, just like old times. And I suppose…” She mused to herself, “I still need to keep Pinkamena alive for that little arrangement to work. So you get a deal Rainbow Dash. Three ponies get to live and all you lose is your pride."
Rainbow was frozen with indecision. She could save someone. She could save two ponies and herself. If she didn't surrender, Nightmare Moon might kill them all. But if she did... if she took her offer wouldn't it be just like killing the other three herself? Wasn't she going to fight for their lives? Wasn’t that what a true friend would do? The Elements were gone, their plan ruined, and all of them too injured to take on an Alicorn. Would a true friend understand how beaten they were and try to save all that she could? Was she even their friend anymore? After they had heard all she had done… She could save her own skin but kill others or try to save all and almost certainly kill them. How was she supposed to make that choice? What was she to do?
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It seems even if they were to defeat nightmare moon, dashie has a lot of explaining to do.
Yeah, Rainbow, what to do?
... how about turn around and ask the girls?
And after all is said and done, she'll have a lot of explaining to do. That won't be pretty.
8321614 8321707
There really isn't much explaining to do: Dash was given orders, and she followed them. That she never even thought about the greater implications is hardly a surprise; ants do not demand that gods explain themselves after all.
And in any case, Dash had promised that she would look after Fluttershy. If the price of that is blindly following orders, well...
Best not to think about things too deeply.
Always been of the opinion that each alternate time line would try to "realign" as close as it could to the way things should have happened. We know destroying the jewels doesn't destroy the elements, and we know the girls are still exemplars of their elements. But what can trigger them to activate this time, and what of Nightmare? The show made it clear Nightmare was created by Luna but the comics claim she's another entity, I always liked to split the difference in my headcannon Nightmare is a separate entity Luna created. What happens when Nightmare and Luna get separated, does Nightmare still vanish or not? She's been in full control for years, I'm not counting the time she was disembodied in the moon, that has to have had an effect.
8321743
I can understand what you are saying, but dashie is more than an ant and nightmare moon, granted she is powerful, is no God/goddess.
Many soldiers and servants can claim they were following orders of those "higher" than themselves, but in truth they are afraid for their own lives/loved ones. They (those under any tyrant) CHOOSE to commit these acts because they beleive the consequences of the alternative would be far more severe. But in short they are only expanding the problem by giving in to the fear, allowing the suffering of others to protect themselves and their own. Good short term bad long term.
dashie knows why she did what she did, but the ones she affected may wish for justice/revenge against her after nightmare is dealt with. Tyrants may give the order, but the soldiers carry them out.
Either way, we shall have to wait and see how things go.
8321885
Not so much when the other choice is letting loved ones die. If someone forces you to choose between killing your family/loved ones or strangers, you can't be called guilty of murder. Or are you saying the right thing to do would be to effectively commit suicide AND make the ones you love die?
8321961
unfortunate murder is murder, whatever the reasons may be.
i never said anything about committing suicide, that's just a waste, unless its taking another (preferably an important individual according to the situation) with you.
but to answer your question, there is no right or wrong way about it, only choices whose consequences are either beneficial/detrimental to yourself and others. say you were ordered to commit an action (lets say steal food from a village) that was "good" for you but "bad" for others. since you were the face of the one committing the action, you will be the one they blame. sure your leader/tyrant gave you the order, but you "pulled the trigger" so to speak. im not saying what is right or wrong, but when nightmare moon is defeated and the ones that rainbow dash has harmed comes calling, "i was just following orders" is not going to get you any favours.
8322105
The "commit suicide" was referring to the consequences of not pulling said trigger. Either she obeyed, or she died. Sure, it won't protect her from the ponies' desire for Vengeance, but legally? If you're coerced into a crime by a greater power you certainly will have a lesser sentence. Or it might even be waived - just like killing in self-defence won't land you in jail.
There's a fundamental difference between a willing soldier and one kept under threat to one's life, or worse, to a loved one's. The first one you can blame for "pulling the trigger". The second one? Not so much. At least not legally. There's a good reason the legal system does not endorse execution mobs anymore.
I hope Pinkie comes to Dash's aid. They have been so close so far though I guess Pinkie is also dealing with some issues here and we do not even have all the info on that yet.
8322136
first of all, thanks for clarifying the "commit suicide" part, it was probably obvious to most, but i really appreciate you made that context clear.
second. we don't know what system the law uses in that world, once nightmare is gone, i have a feeling a reform will need to take place once the power vacuum is filled, but there in lies another problem, if the new government (unless Celestia is returned) is formed by members who have been harmed by dashie, then she is in for a rough time. but ultimately, law is only empowered if people follow it.
i cant say how things will go about in a fictional horse world, but throughout human history just because something is legal/lawful doesn't mean the populace is going to follow it absolutely. sure the people will be punished by the powers that be if they were to break the law, but get enough people to go against the goverment's law enforcers, then it falls to the age old "might makes right" and there will surely be some ponies or otherwise that are angry at rainbow, if there are enough of them then the law will be difficult if not impossible to uphold when the ponies are following raw emotion.
whether a soldier (or anyone for that matter) is ordered or forced to murder the fact is that if the victim has loved ones, they will most likely be angry at the one who commited the act and not the one who gave the order.
unfortunately a law's level of power is based on a game of opinion and numbers.
i can understand what you are trying to say, you are using law and logic to put reason to the action, condemn the "true" culprit and protect the manipulated. but most have no reason to listen to reasoning when incensed with and anger and loss, its worse when these people find each other and form a mob mentallity.
i apologise for the wall of text. i look forward to your view and if you want me to clarify further on something i would be happy to.
8321885
Ah, but Dash also has a very, very good defense against anyone who wants revenge, and that is asking the question, "What would you have done?" No matter how any of them try to explain themselves, the fact is that any one of them would have done the exact same thing; given the choice between protecting a loved one and protecting a complete stranger, the loved one will always win.
So I did some research, and according to the modern concept of superior orders, a soldier cannot be held accountable for actions ordered by a commanding officer (in this case, Nightmare Moon) unless they were blatantly unlawful. To analyze Nightmare Moon's examples, stopping what was most likely a rampaging beast or two isn't unlawful. Arresting deserters isn't unlawful. Fighting off ambushes isn't unlawful. Unless Rainbow Dash directly committed some sort of atrocity, which I highly doubt, she should be fine.
Unless, of course, Advent Link is right and the populace just ends up lynching her.
8322349
in this instance i honestly hope im wrong.
im just basing my thoughts on mass emotional responses and the potential fragility of laws.
Of all the places to have a cliffhanger, why did it have to be here?
8322178
Indeed, she is most likely free to go by the law. The angry mob, as you mentioned. though? They are the ones I alluded to with "There's a good reason the legal system does not endorse execution mobs anymore." She might suffer for her actions, but it won't be in the hooves of Celestia. Celly has her sister to consider, forced to act against her sound will by an external entity/one created by her jealousy and loneliness, after all.
A true, true friend helps a friend in need, Dash. And you've got five that need your help right now.
Oh dear Rainbow, choose right...
Eh, forget the Elements. Invite me in and let me show you the power of righteous indignation!
And it's also lots of fun to make emo kids cry by pounding one of their idols into a black stain on the floor.
Wow, Pinkie can still look at Nightmare moon and even manages to talk back to her. That's just unimaginable
Actually we're in season 7 now.
Don’t forget the movie is a thing! The future is now!
8544758
Don't get me started on that movie.
It is so good I can and will geek about it for a few centuries.
There we go. This makes much more sense.
And jeez, I actually felt Rainbow's pain in all of this.
8544764
It was so incredibly awesome and amazing
I was sitting at the edge of my chair at the end.
Let there be a spark of Loyalty!
They
Oh dear it's nightmare moon
"And as for the Elements, I'm not an idiot. I had them destroyed as soon as I had defeated my sister. They're nothing but sparkly sand now."
Well sh
Dang nightmare really is opening a wond on rainbow
Oh dear this is not good at all so rainbow and the others finally made it to the castle and trying to find the elements of harmony but before they could do anything nightmare moon show up and even have Fluttershy and she told them that the elements were gone and basically destroyed all the hope they needed but nightmare want to offer rainbow to come back but she basically told the others what rainbow did though out the years and they were shocked about what she did now rainbow has a choice not this is her test of loyalty and I hope she makes the right choice