> Trapped > by ShadowsOfThePast > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > 1 - Double Diamond - Alone > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The sand felt warm on his hooves, yet wet from the waves that had just receded. Double Diamond looked across the ocean, and could see the faintest outlines of mountains in the distance. He wished he hadn't been so stupid. The entire village had sent out a search party for him, and it had taken a week for them to find him His family had debated over calling the royal guard. His mother's eyes were red from crying, and his father had screamed at him in front of the whole town. And not a single pony had congratulated him on finding his Cutie Mark. He had been searching his whole life for his Cutie Mark on that island, and the mountains and snow had called his name since before he could remember. He took a little trip. What harm could it do? But he stayed too long. He got lost in the mountains, got lost in his euphoria, got lost in his joy over finding his Cutie Mark. The moon slowly started rising over the horizon. He could feel the ship captain's eyes on him. Double Diamond was no longer allowed on any boats, ever again. He'd have to make it quick. He headed back home and entered the house with a plastic smile on his muzzle. He walked upstairs telling his on-guard parents he was going to bed. As soon as he entered his room, he grabbed his goggles, the rarely used scarf hung in his closet, and some skis hidden under his bed. He jumped out the window. He landed on his hooves and ran. The captain spotted him and tensed, ready to grab him- Double hit him with a ski and jumped in a boat, quickly untying it. He rowed as fast as he could as he watched the clouds start to drop the gentle pitter-patter of rain. He soon landed the boat near the mountains and ran off, and up-up-up into the cold frigid air as he climbed. He looked over the ocean. Not a single boat followed him. He put on his skis and slid down the mountain, only to find one of his skis to get caught on a rock and send him flying and flipping and lying in a broken heap on the ground. A light purple mare walked up to him, her Cutie Mark an equal sign. "Hello there, sir." Double blinked at her and tried to get up, but gasped in pain. The mare came over and used her magic to lift him onto her back. "I saw you last time you were here. You're lonely. And despite getting your Cutie Mark, no one congratulated you, just yelled at you." Double sighed. "I... I wish I could live without this thing. It's done nothing but cause me pain when I tried to get it..." The mare smiled sympathetically. "I know how it feels. Come with me, I know the perfect place for you." Double let out a small smile. He realized wherever this place was, it would make sure he wasn't alone. > 2 - Party Favor - Abused > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tick. Party Favor's hair was a mess, all over the place, unorganized, and he was even missing chunks. Tick. He gasped for breath as he lay on the ground. Tick. Blood ran from his forehead, right next to his horn. He was lucky the shot had missed. Tick. The passed out drunk mare that lay before him had hooves soaked red. Tick. The grandfather clock in the corner of the room showed the hour hand on the 12 and the minute hand on 6. Tick. He stood up, gasping in pain as he lifted up his broken back left leg. Tick. He hobbled outside, leaving drops of red wherever he went. Splash. He tried washing the word 'faggot' and 'useless' written on his front leg in permanent marker to no avail. Ka-ching. The cashier pretended not to notice his injuries as Party made his purchase. Rustle. The rope made from balloons swung over the branch, rustling the leaves. Wheeze. Party Favor gasped for breath as he hung from the tree, even though he knew this was what he wanted. Pop. Party Favor gasped as he hit the ground, taking in large breaths as the balloons popped. "Your Cutie Mark seems to say you like parties." Party Favor looked over to the Unicorn and spoke softly. "There's no reason to party when there is no happiness to ever be found. I wish I didn't have this Cutie Mark. I never want to throw a party ever." "I think I have a place for you, a place where no one would ever be mistreated." Party felt himself smiling. He could finally stop being abused. > 3 - Night Glider - Rest > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- She wanted to sleep so badly. She wanted to take a nap and not wake up in darkness. Yet her Cutie Mark said otherwise. She pushed with all her strength, moving the great black orb away from the moon. Yet it always floated right back. Her village wasn't called Eclipse for nothing. Yet she had to keep pushing it away. She wasn't even completely sure what it was, just that this black sphere wanted to make sure no light ever reached her village. She had protested, begging somepony else to do it. Yet her Cutie Mark said she had to. She felt so weak, and tired, and she wanted a good night's sleep. Yet no other pony in the village had the ability to move the black mass- She was the only Pegasus. She pushed with whatever remained of her strength, trying to stay awake. Yet she failed. She closed her eyes, only to scream in pain as she crash landed into the ground, and sobbed softly as she watched the town go dark. Yet two purple/blue eyes appeared in the dark. "You don't seem to be liking your job." Night Glider cried out. "I hate this! Because of my Cutie Mark, I have to keep that stupid black thing away from my village. I can't sleep, because in the day I have to go to school and work and do chores." Yet the eyes had a different idea. "How about you come with me to my village? You don't have to worry about a no-end job that you hate, you can relax." Glider sighed in relief and started to smile. She knew she could finally get to rest. > 4 - Sugar Belle - Murderer > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- She sobbed as the chains rattled around her hooves. "Killer..." Whispered a passing pony- Her cousin. The executioner next to Sugar Belle moved his ax an inch closer to her neck. "Killer..." Whispered the queen as she glared with watery eyes. She knew the pies weren't poisoned when she cooked them, she had even tasted them before she gave them to him! "Killer..." Whispered the judge for her trial. Sugar sobbed as she was forced a few more steps forward. She had even missed the king's funeral while she was locked in jail. "Killer..." Whispered the executioner. Sugar's head was forced onto the block, and the executioner raised his ax. "Killer? No way." There was a bright flash as the ponies were flung back, and a light purple mare stood in front of Sugar Belle. She pulled the mare off of the block and they started running. The mare started speaking. "Look, I know you didn't do it, but I can't prove it to them. However, I can hide you! In plain sight, even!" "KILL HER!" Screamed the crowd of ponies chasing them. "They can identify you by your Cutie Mark! If you get rid of it, they can't recognize you!" Sugar smiled and nodded at the mare, tears in her eyes. Finally, finally, she could find a place where she wouldn't be regarded as a murderer.