> Aftermath > by flutterJackdash > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trixie lay in bed, staring at the ceiling of her spacious room in Twilight’s castle. She was unable to pull the covers over herself because it felt wrong to her. She concentrated on evening out her breathing, listening to the sounds of the castle around her. Hearing the opening of the door to her chambers, the clip-clop of hooves trotted in.  “Trixie?” called out Starlight.  Trixie turned her gaze to Starlight, but said nothing.  “Trixie…,” said Starlight as she sat down next to the bed, her eyes tracing Trixie’s form uncovered by blankets. “It’s okay. You’re really here. This is not a dream, this is real… I am real.”  Trixie whimpered in response, shying away from Starlight.  Starlight sighed as she reached out a hoof and carefully pressed it against Trixie’s front left hoof. She gently massaged the hoof, observing how thin the foreleg it was attached to was. It hurt to see how frail Trixie had become. She couldn’t walk under her own power anymore and her magic had grown very weak.  A pop of magic told Starlight that Twilight had arrived, and she turned to address her.  “Hi, Twilight,” she said.  “Hello, Starlight,” was the response, followed by, “How is Trixie doing?” Twilight asked with a gesture toward Trixie.  “Still not talking… barely moving… and she won’t use the blankets,” Starlight said with a frown.  “Zecora said this would take a lot of time,” Twilight reminded.  “It’s been weeks, Twilight!” said Starlight.  “I know, I know,” assured Twilight with a troubled frown.  “How long was she in there anyway?” asked Starlight, sickened by the thought.  “The reading said fourteen months, twenty days, and about seven hours,” replied Twilight.  “Where is she?” Starlight asked as her voice hardened in anger.  “East wing, lower floor, sealed a room for use as a prison. She’s there,” replied Twilight, whose eyes were carefully examining Trixie as she prepared for Trixie’s therapy.  “I’m going to visit her,” Starlight announced in a thin, tense voice.  “I’m sure she’ll love that,” remarked Twilight with sarcasm.  Starlight vanished in a pop of magic, leaving Twilight with Trixie.  “You’ll be alright. You’re safe here, Trixie… We’ll get you walking on your own again,” said Twilight in a soothing voice.  Starlight appeared in the sealed room with a pop of magic. Hers and Twilight’s signatures had been specifically excluded from the seal.  “Hello,” said Starlight in a tense voice.  The mare said nothing.  Starlight trotted around her for a moment before stopping in front of her. The harness had been rigged to hold her perfectly still. The ring around her horn had been specially crafted to seal in her magic and be uncomfortable. She was raised off the floor on a stand. All told, she resembled one of Rarity’s dress forms. The strap around her muzzle kept her mouth closed, and a series of spells kept her conscious, sustained, and eyes open.  “She’s very slow in recovering, and still hasn’t spoken. You’ll be here until she does and decides what we’re going to do with you. I really do want her to recover, but I know now that it will take time,” Starlight informed.  The dark red mare said nothing. Her eyes kept following Starlight whenever she came into view.  “Even then, there is no guarantee. Personally? I’d like to remove your coat and sever your horn completely, and I don’t feel that would be enough, either!” Starlight screeched in anger. For a brief moment, as she spoke, her neck veins appeared again.  “Let me tell you what you did to her,” Starlight went on. “Her muscles have atrophied to such a degree that she cannot walk under her own power. She has so little magic that she can’t lift anything heavier than a feather. She is terrified to cover herself with a blanket. She can hardly cope with being in a small room, and she doesn’t speak at all.”  The mare stared at Starlight wordlessly. Starlight moved in closer, snout to snout with the captive. The mare could feel Starlight’s breath on her face.  “Fourteen months, twenty days, seven hours. That is how long she suffered in that horrid condition. What did you do to her? She hasn’t said, so we don’t really know,” said Starlight with a frown.  “But you know what? We’re going to make her better,” Starlight assured.  “You still don’t understand how we found out, or found you, do you?” Starlight growled as she pressed her snout to the mare’s snout.  “I’m a good friend of Trixie. I follow her show. I followed the tour itinerary, but she hadn’t performed at any of those towns… so I went the other way, and that was when I found her discarded cart. After that? I went to Twilight Sparkle, and together we began a search for Trixie… but she was shielded from all types of sensory spells… At least on the basic level. Princess Twilight has something far more powerful and sophisticated at her disposal. We used the Cutie Map, we just calibrated the map to Trixie’s magical signature and cutie mark signature, and it pinpointed her. It wasn’t exact. We had to search the area she was located too. We found the statue garden, nice plaques and realistic statues… Magic masked the feeding tube and breathing tubes and the rear opening too. They just looked just like an ordinary statue… until Twilight cast a clearing spell, unmasking things. All of those statues… disgusting. They weren’t all alive, but those that were were brought back to their loved ones and given medical care. They’ll recover, but it’ll take time… And that’s just for the physical part. The psychological damage… that’s…,” Starlight stopped, her voice beginning to crack with emotion as her eyes welled with tears.  “You… will… pay,” she growled quietly, watching the mare’s eyes shrink to pinpricks as she visibly struggled against her restraints.  Twilight gradually moved Trixie’s limbs to promote blood flow and produce muscle mass.  “This is real, Trixie… You aren’t dreaming. You aren’t going to wake up and find this isn’t true. Starlight and I found you, and we’re working to get you healthy again… And we have the mare responsible for your captivity. We’ve rescued all the other ponies in her statue garden… Trixie, please… You’ll be okay. We’re all here for you,” Twilight soothed softly.  Trixie stared straight ahead at a wall behind Twilight as Twilight flexed and bent her foreleg. A pop of magic told her that Starlight had arrived in the room again.  “I never feel better after talking to her,” Starlight admitted.  “No… Me either,” returned Twilight.  “Trixie, this is real… You’re awake. You’re not dreaming… You really are here. We really are here. You aren’t… trapped inside that abomination anymore,” said Starlight.  It had been Fluttershy’s suggestion to continually assure Trixie that she was really free. Rarity paid for all of Trixie’s medical care out of her own wealth, although Twilight balanced it out on her own end.  Rainbow Dash organized a workout regimen which Twilight executed when Starlight did not. Applejack provided nutrition, although Trixie didn’t hold food down very well most of the time.  Pinkie Pie attempted to provide a positive atmosphere. The room was kept dim, not so others couldn’t see, but so that Trixie’s eyes could spend their time readjusting to seeing anything. The bandages had come off some weeks prior.  The time spent trapped inside a statue of herself had cost her much. Her friends were working tirelessly to help her recover. The mental damage was proving far more difficult to overcome. Trixie hadn’t spoken a word since she was returned. She barely moved.  Fluttershy tended to her hygiene, keeping her bed and linens clean, and cleaning up her waste. At that moment, Twilight smelled something pungent slipping into her nostrils. Trixie had voided her bladder again.  “Oh my,” said Fluttershy as she fluttered into the room and alit on the floor.  “Oh, good timing Fluttershy,” said Twilight.  Fluttershy wasted little time in collecting some towels from the armoire, then proceeded to clean Trixie’s hindquarters and tail while Twilight carefully cleaned the linens beneath.  “The poor thing, she hasn’t got any strength…,” murmured Fluttershy.  “I’m scared, Fluttershy,” wailed Twilight.  “Of what?” asked Fluttershy.  “What if there are other ponies like that mare out there? What do we do about them? I don’t want to hurt anypony else. I don’t like what’s happening to her right now, but… I don’t know what else to do and I won’t let her hurt anypony else,” said Twilight through a sigh.  “I don’t know Twilight, but I agree with you,” she said.  A light chuckle, disembodied, faded into the room. A pair of eyes, red with yellow sclera, appeared before the trapped mare, then a mouth, then a mismatched face and body.  “You have made some very powerful enemies, you know?”  The mare said nothing.  “I am curious to know… how did you mask Trixie from me? That is impressive magic you possess…er… possessed, I suppose.” The mare said nothing. “I, in particular, sympathize with Trixie and your other victims. I endured it for more than a millennia.” The mare said nothing. “And let me tell you something… That is a very boring, very scary existence. I could show you, of course… but I’m going to respect the wishes of my friends and leave this up to Trixie. Count your lucky stars.”  Starlight sat next to the bed while reading a novel to Trixie as Twilight continued to exercise Trixie’s limbs. It was one of Rarity’s “Shadow Spade” novels this time. The story focused on a bad guy being brought to justice through quality detective work while describing the various outfits. Starlight strongly suspected that this was the reason why Rarity enjoyed these novels so much.  It had proven impossible to get too near Trixie, to hug her, and she didn’t easily accept food at first. It took a few weeks before she ate anything solid, and even then not very much of it.  But, eventually, she did start to eat a bit better, even though it still wasn’t a lot. A firm regimen of antibiotics had been prescribed. After the little more than a year that she’d been trapped, she had shed and grew a seasonal coat that had had nowhere to go. The result was that her limited room was made more limited while her shed hairs dug into her flesh.  For all that they knew, there was still so much they hadn’t learned before Trixie hadn’t spoken a word since her rescue.  Starlight’s resolve cracked. She began to tear up. Twilight turned her attention to Starlight while continuing Trixie’s exercises.  “Starlight? Want to talk about it?”  Starlight shuddered as she touched one of Trixie’s many healing bedsores which were spread throughout her coat, making swiss cheese of it. She swallowed as she pulled her hoof back and lay her head on the bed.  “I’m sorry Twilight, it’s… very hard to see her like this,” said Starlight.  Twilight brushed a hoof through Starlight’s mane. “There is no need to apologize for that. I understand completely. It’s horrid to see, and I am afraid for her… I’m afraid of what other ponies could be doing these evil things. I… never thought something like this would happen.”  “Twilight, what can we do? What if there are other ponies being victimized like this? What if there are other such evil ponies or other creatures out there? How can we protect everycreature?”  “I don’t know what we can do, at least, not on our own… And we can’t just go out there hunting for bad guys. We won’t know who is and who is not one, and everypony deserves respect for their privacy.”  “I keep thinking about myself… about what I did… I look back and think about how they were afraid. They pulled you into a basement to talk quietly… Just to remember what it was like to have their Cutie marks…,” Starlight’s voice began to crack at this last. Tears welled in her eyes from the guilt which began to overwhelm her.  “What you did was bad, but it’s in the past. You’ve been forgiven by everypony… but yourself, I suppose. It probably did feel awful, but… I don’t think what you did really compares to this mare’s evil. Your ponies could at least move around and attempt to live. She didn’t allow any of that for her victims. They were nothing to her… from what I’ve heard from others, she… she just used them.”  Starlight took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and centered herself. Twilight took a moment to embrace her, thus pulling her into a hug.  “Take a moment, Starlight… Trixie is here, she is safe with us… The others have been returned to their loved ones. The few that died have been provided proper burials and their loved ones have been given closure.”  Starlight swallowed, casting out a shuddering breath before turning her gaze to Trixie.  “Twilight… Can I be honest with you?”  “I hope you feel that you can, and I hope that I have shown you that I won’t judge you when you are,” replied Twilight.  Starlight sighed and closed her eyes. A tear painted a streak down the fur of her muzzle.  “I… I felt something for Trixie…,” said Starlight quietly.  “Felt something?”  “I wanted to protect her… and even though she felt like second best whenever you were in the room… I-I wanted her to know that she was always first with me… My heart got… a little more excited around her… I think… I love her,” admitted Starlight.  Twilight smiled, and Trixie did nothing at all.  “Will… I… do you think she’ll get better?”  “With care and time? Yes, I believe that with all my heart.”  “And that mare?”  “In time, as well. She’ll answer for all of her crimes,” said Twilight darkly.  The mare found her room growing rather dark rather quickly, followed suddenly by a presence standing just in front of her. A dark mare with crystalline blue eyes, wings, and a horn gazed into the captive mare’s eyes.  “You think to torture my subjects? You think to hold them away from sun and moon, away from life and love? You think this will go unanswered?” asked Luna in an accusing voice.  The mare stared at Luna wordlessly.  “You will answer for your crimes… Even now the mares and fillies that manage any sleep are plagued by nightmares. I do what I can to help them, but… now I have learned more about your torment,” said Luna, her eyes narrowing.  “Perversions I had never thought a pony capable of before, you have committed. Against mares and fillies both. There truly is no punishment sufficient for a mare like you. Equestria is not in the habit of withholding forgiveness or depriving creatures of second chances… However, my sister and I feel it prudent that your victims be given a unanimous voice concerning your fate. Unfortunately, that is not possible. Three of them died.”  The mare’s eyes began to water. Luna moved much closer, eyes narrowed.  “Tears?”  A flash of magic and Luna stood in the dreamscape, the mare stood shivering in the barren scene.  “You cry?”  “P-P-Princess Luna,” said the mare.  “I will hear you,” said Luna.  “I-I-I’m not the one who did it,” said the mare plaintively.  “Proof?”  “M-Magic signatures… P-Please check them,” she said quietly, her voice cracking as more tears slipped out.  “Indeed, I will bring this to Twilight’s attention. If you are found to be truthful, then you are owed a great debt,” said Luna as she faded from the dreamscape and the room.  Luna appeared in Trixie’s room.  “Twilight Sparkle, a moment of your time?”  “Of course Princess Luna,” said Twilight, who paused in her efforts to exercise Trixie’s limbs and trotted out of the room with Luna.  Luna turned her gaze on Twilight.  “I spoke to her in the dreamscape where she could do no harm… She asserts that she is not the guilty party, and to please check the magical signatures,” stated Luna.  “Right… Alright. If you think that’s necessary,” said Twilight.  “We are Equestrian. We do not convict or condemn without proof, and even in those times we prefer to offer second chances. Chances to do things differently,” said Luna with a sigh.  Twilight trotted up to her and pulled her into a hug.  “You’re right, Luna. I’m sorry. I’ll do some research then. I’ll let you know if it yields any results,” Twilight promised as she turned back to the room’s door.  “Starlight, be on guard. Princess Luna says that mare states her innocence, and she wants me to compare magical signatures. So, we aren’t sure whether or not Trixie’s captor is who we have… On that note, I’m going to send word to the guards to up their details on the recovering victims.”  Twilight’s breathing was troubled. She ruminated on the results of her exam, then sighed, then teleported to the room containing the mare. She began by releasing the mare from all but the magic suppression.  “First of all, I want to apologize to you. I suspected, and was wrong about, you being guilty of imprisoning all of those mares and fillies.”  The mare responded by vomiting all over the floor, though having had little to eat she was mostly ejecting bile.  Twilight quickly helped by moving her mane out of the way and stroking her back, waiting patiently for the nausea fit to end.  “H-He… I-I was a slave… I d-didn’t…,” the mare stammered out, almost in hysterics.  “Calm down. Take your time… You’ll be okay. Would you like something fresh to eat?”  The mare merely nodded. In response, Twilight lifted her in a bubble of telekinetic grip and carried her away to another room with a proper bed. She then settled the mare into bed and sent for Spike to bring some food.  She sat down alongside the bed and pursed her lips.  “He?”  “Calls himself Black Soul… I don’t know if I was his first, but he kept me as a servant… I-I was…,” the mare broke down crying.  “Take your time,” said Twilight.  “He didn’t lure them in… th-that was my r-responsibility… He said I had to look… um… unthreatening… I would talk to the m-mares and f-f-f,” she choked on the last word, bursting into more tears.  Twilight sighed and took her forehoof into both of her own, “Easy… Easy… It’s over now. You’re here in my castle. You’ll be alright, only please… Tell me everything.”  “He kept my magic suppressed… I-I don’t know how… and I had to talk to young mares and fillies. I had to i-i-invite them to tea in m-my cottage… the tea put them in a long sleep, and h-he sealed them in stone while they slept… He put t-tubes in their nostrils and mouths, and left their hindquarters exposed…”  She sighed, cringing at her memories.  “He liked to… to… l-lick them,” she said just barely above her breath.  Twilight cringed. What had Trixie been put through? It had been worse than she thought. It was no wonder Trixie was so bad off, so silent, and so averse to being touched.  “Where did he stay?”  “Under the c-cottage… A secret entrance… He built up his garden, and wh-when he got bored he… he stopped feeding them… I could hear the groans of the fillies as they grew too big for their prisons.”  Twilight’s eye twitched.  “There’s another?!” Starlight exclaimed.  “Yes, Starlight,” answered Twilight.  “How do we find him?”  “I’m working on that. I have his magic signature… I can work from there quite easily.”  “Please keep me informed, Twilight,” requested Starlight.  “Take care of Trixie… She…,” Twilight swallowed as she explained the rest of what Trixie endured.  Starlight scowled darkly.  Starlight lay on the bed next to Trixie. She lay on her left side with her hoof she gently brushed against Trixie’s snout. Trixie shuddered and retracted as much as she was able. Starlight sighed as she carefully moved Trixie’s gaze to her own eyes.  “Trixie… I love you… I’m sorry I didn’t say that sooner… but I do. I’m going to be here for you. I’m never going to give up… I just want you to know that… I’m here… I’m really here,” Starlight said as she placed her hoof on Trixie’s foreleg.  A tear slipped from Trixie’s eye. It traced a line down her snout and dropped to the bed. A weak struggle brought her slightly closer to Starlight, which Starlight gasped at.  Starlight took a breath and shuffled closer to Trixie. She was careful lifting her with telekinesis and slipping her forelegs around her. She pulled Trixie into a gentle caress.  “It’s okay, Trixie… I’m here,” she said as Trixie weakly buried her muzzle in Starlight’s neck fuzz. Starlight stroked a forehoof through Trixie’s mane, though it was sparse and stringy.  “I’ll never let anypony hurt you again… and you’ll get strong enough to protect yourself, too…,” Starlight promised quietly. No more… Let me out… Please please pleasepleaseplease… So dark… nothing…. Where am I?whodidthistome?please?letmeout…whawha…n-no…stopthat…pleaseidontwantthat…leavemaloneitfeels…stop…toomuch…nonono…imdonepleasestopitssosensitive…n-noooooooo  Starlight awoke with a start at Trixie’s whimpering and then screaming. She quickly nuzzled Trixie reassuringly while stroking her mane and squeezing her gently.  “Shh shh… Trixie, it’s okay… It’s okay… You’re here, with me… in Twi- er… my castle… It’s okay… Shh…,” she said quietly.  Trixie continued to whimper while pushing into Starlight’s embrace. Starlight sighed and pulled her closer still.  “You… did you sleep? Did you have a nightmare?” she asked quietly.  “Indeed so,” confirmed a voice from behind Starlight.  “Princess Luna,” said Starlight respectfully without turning away from Trixie.  “I woke her… The nightmare was intense, it had a grip… She felt so much fear she could not pull herself away… She could not see that it was not real… Because nothingness looks… the same…,” said Luna.  “So… she slept?”  “Yes, though fitfully… I suspect you are responsible for her being able to sleep a little,” said Luna.  “A little? How long?”  “An hour,” said Luna.  “That’s… She hasn’t slept that long since we rescued her,” Starlight lamented sadly.  “Yes. You bring her comfort. A sense of safety,” Luna said.  Starlight swallowed. A tear slipped down her muzzle as she smiled faintly at the thought. She pulled Trixie a little closer and kissed her cheek gently.  “You’ll be okay Trixie… I promise,” she said.  Trixie made a feeble attempt at hugging Starlight back, but had very little strength with which to accomplish it.  Twilight stood inside the cottage. She faced the back wall and scanned around the main room for anything suspicious. She hadn’t really been focused on the scene like this before. She had been more concerned with releasing all of the prisoners from their captivity. She hadn’t stopped to think about where the materials for their prisons had been stored, or where the process took place, but she hadn’t stumbled on anything in the time she’d spent opening the grim prisons.  Today, she was carefully inspecting the cottage. The walls were painted a soft, pale, blue and decorated with what appeared to be family portraits resembling the mare he’d evidently used as bait. Twilight wasn’t entirely convinced of the mare’s story, but she wasn’t ruling out the stallion in question.  A simple table and four chairs had been set up in the middle of the room while a cast-iron stove with a kettle and pot sat in the corner of the kitchen. Nothing stood out. It was plain and simple.  Twilight’s horn began to glow as she prepared a spell of truesight.  A flash of light washed the room out before settling again. Twilight scanned the room anew. She saw nothing unusual, although the paint seemed to shimmer now in her sight. She moved closer to the wall. She reached out to touch it. It felt like a standard wooden wall.  Another spell and the wall split apart, revealing a staircase where none should be. She took a deep breath, puffed out her cheeks, then descended the stairs.  The stairwell was dark. A few candles served as the sparse lighting which allowed one to see the steps on the way down. The chambers at the bottom of the stairs disturbed Twilight. It was another residence. There was a large main room with three rooms splitting off from that room. The smaller rooms were a kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom. The large main room was not a living area. Instead, it contained a large wooden frame like a sandbox, minus any sand. Instead, it contained a viscous grey material that writhed and rippled in its containment.  Twilight thought better of touching it with a hoof. Looking around, she found a rod leaning against a wall. She took this in her telekinesis and dropped it in the material. When she did, it immediately began to rise up and encase the rod.  “What the…,” she started, but her voice faded with frustration and disgust. She began to analyze the magic, carefully dissecting the spellwork and dissolving the elements in a particular order.  “This is… Where is this stallion?” she wondered aloud.   The magic slowly faded away. The material fell limp and lifeless.  Next, she cast a spell dissolving the material. Once it was gone, she turned to the other rooms. The kitchen was uninteresting. It had the basics to cook and supply food to survive in this environment.  The bathroom was a bathroom. Nothing more to it. The bedroom was another terrifying element of the abode. It seemed the stallion didn’t always simply imprison his victims in stone. The bed was queen-sized and equipped with leather cuffs at the posts which were strapped along the bedding to secure a body in place. A closet full of additional restraints and… other things... was set next to the bed. A cage was set on the other side of the room, likely meant to be viewed from the bed. The room smelled strongly of excretions of all kinds.  Twilight swallowed hard and took a deep shuddering breath as she turned away from the bed. She lost her lunch on the floor. She collapsed as she continued to heave for several seconds afterward while breathing heavily through sobs.  At that moment she felt the ring slip around her horn. Her eyes widened as she stood and looked around. A stallion with a dark grey coat, dark brown eyes, and a forest green mane and tail, smiled at her.  “Welcome, Princess,” he said.  Twilight sighed. She wiped her muzzle to remove the leftover sick while staring at him.  “Black Soul, I presume?” she asked, calm quickly returning to her.  He blinked. He stared at her as she only became calm.  “You… are unusually calm for a mare in your situation…” he said.  “Actually, I would say that you are unusually calm for a stallion in yours,” Twilight evenly returned.  He blinked again then raised an eyebrow as he approached her. Twilight watched his approach, but did not shy away from him. He reached out a hoof, quickly bringing it down in a strike to her head. It connected solidly, but she didn’t even flinch at the contact.  Twilight just stared at him.  “You’re accustomed to unicorn mares and fillies,” she began. “You have never attempted an Alicorn. I am much more than my magic, and I am not helpless with this ring on my horn,” she finished as she landed a solid blow on his throat.  He collapsed in a fit of choking coughs as Twilight trotted to the door and, using the frame, slipped the ring from her horn with ease. He continued to struggle for breath as he was lifted in a telekinetic bubble which Twilight tightened until he could no longer move.  “You’ll answer for everything,” Twilight promised as she charged her magic. After that, they both vanished in a thick bubble of magic.  Starlight, come to the sealed room. Twilight’s voice echoed in Starlight’s head.  Starlight took a moment to charge her magic while looking at Trixie.  “I’m sorry, Trixie. I’ll be back. Okay? You’re okay. You won’t be alone. Rarity is here now. Fluttershy will be around shortly… You’ll be okay. I… I love you…,” she said as she vanished in a pop of magic.  Only to reappear in the sealed room. During that time, Twilight finished restraining the stallion.  “Who…,” began Starlight, but her voice faded.  “Black Soul,” Twilight answered the unfinished question.  “So… he’s…,” Starlight didn’t finish before Twilight responded.  “Yes,” she reported. She hovered the magic suppression ring up in her telekinesis.  “He wanted to abduct me,” Twilight further informed.  “Did he?” Starlight asked, mildly entertained at the notion.  “Didn’t work. Now he’s here,” Twilight returned.  Starlight stared at him, particularly at his eyes and his mane.  “You… what you did to my friend… What… All of them…,” Starlight sputtered, fury quickly overcoming her senses. Twilight charged her magic and teleported Starlight and herself away.  “Try to calm down, Starlight… He’s… He won’t go anywhere. He’s done hurting them… So please, just…,” Twilight began, only to be cut off when Starlight wrapped her forelegs around Twilight’s neck. Wracking sobs shook her body as she buried her muzzle in Twilight’s neck.  “It’s… well… he’s done with. Now? We have to help Trixie and the others,” Twilight suggested to allay the focus off the stallion and return it to his victims.  “What about her?” asked Starlight.  Twilight sighed. She stroked Starlight’s mane as she contemplated.  “Her… We need her name, she has to answer for her part… but… she needs healing too… and everypony deserves a second chance…,” said Twilight.  “Even the stallion?” Starlight asked doubtfully.  Twilight narrowed her eyes as she said coldly, “His was when he met me. He wanted to abduct a Princess… He gave up his second chance then.”  Starlight nodded.  NONONOgetawaystoppleaseidontwantthatitfeelsgoodnostoppleaseidontmeanthatthisisntrightpleasestopstopstopstopstop  Trixie screamed. The sound echoed throughout the castle. This caused Starlight’s ears to perk and her magic to quickly charge. She used it to vanish then reappear in Trixie’s room. Starlight quickly rushed to Trixie and wrapped her forelegs around her neck, holding her gently as she whispered in her ear, “No no no… Trixie, you’re safe… You’re okay… I’m here, Twilight is around… Nopony is going to hurt you.”  Trixie trembled, sobbed, and clung to Starlight tightly. Starlight closed her eyes. Tears streamed down her own cheeks as she held Trixie tighter.  “Oh, Trixie… He did this to you… but… he’s here, imprisoned… He can’t hurt you or anypony else ever again,” she whispered desperately into Trixie’s ear.  Trixie’s breathing was ragged. Her coat foaming with sweat as she trembled in Starlight’s grasp and stared at nothing. Starlight swallowed, holding her close and crying.  Rarity sighed as she sat back in silence while tears brimmed in her eyes.  The stallion was still. He didn’t have a choice in the matter. He stared at the door. He had few other things to look at. He felt the restraints, the leather digging into his coat, the bit and bridle holding his snout firmly closed, and the ring upon his horn  He felt every point of restraint. The magic flowed throughout the room, yet he could touch none of it.  “So, you’re the one?” asked a husky female voice. He saw nopony at first. Then, a unicorn mare with a shocking red and yellow mane, goldenrod coat and icy blue eyes stepped into the room. She stared at him.  “I’ll have to hunt you down,” she promised, which left him utterly confused.  “There is always a parallel… Always someone just like us in the other place… All except me. I died. It made it easier to find a place in that world, but… everypony else? There’s one of us there,” she said as she marched up to him.  “Starlight’s doppelganger was… very very wrong, and I almost failed… Twilight and her friends found her here. She had an entire town captive, slaves to their equality… She took their cutie marks, some were voluntary but most had just given up,” she said quietly.  “It’s… often much nicer in this world… she was… she’d almost had them kill themselves… and I have to find her still, because in this world? She lost her town and did something so dangerous, so… huge… that it changed everything in all worlds connected to it… I came from here, but after what she’d done? I usually had no reason to come here. My life hadn’t become twisted yet… My heart hadn’t darkened with envy and greed… No… I usually just ended up dead,” she said, beginning to ramble as she trotted around him.  “Anyway… I can’t… fathom… what sort of horrors a duplicate of you would be up to… but I have to find you… so I have to understand you,” she went on.  The stallion couldn’t turn to face her. He couldn’t respond in any meaningful way at all.  “And him? I’ll make sure he never hurts another living soul. He’ll be worse than you, and that… that is what scares me the most,” she said coldly.  “You’re… fortunate. Twilight’s instructions were that I could not harm you, and believe me… Restraint is not my strong suit. Or it wasn’t. Twilight… and my friends… have helped me. I’m not who I used to be… but… I am capable of more than my friends here, and in the other world, are… And that makes me the most dangerous pony for you,” she told him.  “Princess Luna said she would help me, but I couldn’t wait to face you… so I’m here a bit early. Like I said… me and restraint…,” she said quietly.  The stallion couldn’t track her movement, so she approached his field of vision from the opposite she’d left and looked at him.  “I can’t let you run around free any longer in my world, so I have to be quick about this… and that isn’t really an option when it comes to understanding someone… It can’t be rushed. You always miss something that way.”  The stallion didn’t react other than his pupils shrinking to pinpricks.  “Starlight Glimmer is… capable of things too… I misspoke when I said I was the most dangerous pony for you… because she went further and did more damage than I wanted to do… I wanted to rule. She wanted to destroy… I wanted power… and she had all she needed, she wanted no more… And when she is given permission? She’ll destroy you, slowly.”  The stallion remained still.  “Sunset Shimmer,” spoke a disembodied voice.  Sunset Shimmer bowed.  “Princess Luna,” she said respectfully.  The shadows swelled and swirled, coalescing into Luna’s body as she spoke again.  “Do not bow to me, Sunset Shimmer. You do not need to. You wish to speak to this one?”  “No. Speaking is all I’ve done since I found him. I want to hear him,” she corrected.  “And what will be most useful?”  “His nightmares,” Sunset answered without hesitation.  Luna nodded. In response, her horn began to dim with a sickening unlight as the stallion began to lose consciousness.  A mare stood over him, looming and regal in her bearing. She stared down, cold and judgmental.  “You disappoint me, Nutshell,” she said. He whimpered as she raised a hoof and slammed it down on top of his head, driving him to the floor before winding back for another blow.  Sunset watched with interest. Luna watched with disgust.  “Abused as a child, and he became this?”  “Did anypony know? Did he ever know there was another way?” said Sunset Shimmer.  “Does that excuse him?” Luna challenged.  “No, of course not. But I… I still feel bad for him then, for this colt I see now,” Sunset said quietly.  “I wonder if his life would have been different if he’d been saved from this?” Luna wondered aloud.  “I want to believe that. I hope it would have been so,” said Sunset.  “Starlight was gifted, and still is… and Starswirl’s spells became far more potent in her hooves. Perhaps she still could save him?”, Luna proposed.  “Will she want to?” Sunset asked.  “I do not know,” Luna said with a shrug.  “I don’t think it’s wise to mess with time… Even if it helps him and all of his victims… We don’t know what else it will change,” said Sunset through a sigh.  “…I suppose you are right,” replied Luna reluctantly.  “But… I know enough now. I’ll find him in the other world,” said Sunset.  Luna nodded. After that, they both faded from his nightmare, leaving him inside of it.  Trixie had finally calmed down. Her sobs had dulled to whimpers. Her trembling to minor shivering as Starlight held her and whispered more encouragement into her ear.  “Oh darling…,” Rarity quietly said with sympathy.  Twilight paced the Cutie Map chamber. Her friends sat around the table. The mare, who had been a slave, stood next to it, trembling.  “What is your name?” asked Fluttershy in her gentle voice.  “Faith,” answered the mare.  “That’s a lovely name, dear,” cheered Rarity.  Faith closed her eyes. Tears slipped down her muzzle as she bowed her head.  “Yer safe, hun… You did some bad things… Ya have to answer fer ‘em… but… you don’t seem like a bad pony ta me,” said Applejack.  Faith swallowed, turned away from the table, and bumped into Twilight.  “He can’t hurt you, or anypony else, anymore. We have him,” Twilight promised.  Faith opened her eyes. She looked at Twilight with fear etched into her features. She stepped back, bumping into the Cutie Map table.  “No… no no no…,” she gasped.  “So…,” said Twilight, “Tell us everything you left out.”  Rainbow Dash raised a brow.  Faith swallowed and sat down on her rump.  “He was… I was… there against my will for… a few years… and then… I-I didn’t… fight it… anymore… I went along with everything. I lured them in… because… because then he left me alone… more and more often… I was… I was getting ready to escape, to leave him behind with all of his prisoners and never look back… I-I,” her voice broke.  Applejack’s gaze turned hard. Rarity’s breath caught. Fluttershy shed a tear. Pinkie Pie was expressionless, except for her mane, tail, and vivid colors she’d have been indistinguishable from her sister Maud.  Rainbow Dash cleared the distance between herself and Faith as if it hadn’t been there at all. She tackled Faith to the floor and pinned her there. Rainbow brought her face close to Faith’s own. Rainbow’s breath washed over Faith’s muzzle.  Twilight placed a hoof on Rainbow’s withers and gently brushed down.  “Calm down, Rainbow… She’s hurting as much as any of his victims… She is not proud of what she was going to do,” she said softly. Rainbow calmed down and backed off of Faith. Rainbow even offered Faith a leg up as a way of apology.  Faith whimpered as she took Rainbow’s hoof with her own trembling one, then stood. Rainbow took a few sharp breaths, then stepped forward and wrapped a leg around Faith’s neck, hugging her.  “You didn’t see another way out,” Rainbow softly acknowledged.  “I’m sorry… I’m so… so sorry,” Faith gasped through a sob as she hugged Rainbow Dash.  Faith was guided into Trixie’s room slowly. Starlight stood protectively between them. Starlight’s gaze was hard and threatening. Fire danced in them at the prospect of unleashing violence if she only had an excuse.  Faith did not offer her any excuses. She remained quiet and timid as she entered the room. She looked at the floor. Her ears drooped. A tear dropped to the floor.  “T…Trixie?” she said softly.  Starlight’s ear swiveled around before she turned her gaze to Trixie. Trixie had tensed up at the sound of the voice and begun to whimper. Starlight gently stroked a hoof through her mane.  “I… My name is Faith… I… I lured you into a cottage… My m-m… um… a terrible stallion heard your… you…,” Faith winced at herself, stopping before she’d give Trixie reason to blame herself.  “He wanted you… and I…. I had to deliver… To save my own hide… I… I didn’t care about you… o-or the others… I just wanted to escape him… I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m so so sorry… I know… I know it… it will never be enough… not ever… but… You deserve to hear it,” said Faith.  Starlight took a shuddering breath as she continued to stroke Trixie’s mane.  “I… I don’t know how to make this right… h-how to make it up to you…,” said Faith.  Trixie squeezed her eyes shut and whispered in a voice scratched by more than a year of disuse.  “Go…aw…ay…,” she croaked.  Starlight blinked, staring at Trixie for a moment.  “Bu-,” began Faith, cutting herself off as Starlight’s gaze snapped around to her.  “She told you to go away,” Starlight reminded firmly.  Faith swallowed, nodded, then turned to leave the room with Fluttershy’s guidance. Starlight turned back to Trixie and wrapped her forelegs around Trixie and hugged her gently.  “She wasn’t here to hurt you… She… was here to apologize…,” said Starlight.  Trixie shuddered as she pulled herself into Starlight.  “I know… It isn’t much consolation… but… I really believe she meant it,” said Starlight softly.  Tears streamed from Trixie’s eyes as she buried her muzzle in Starlight’s neck. Starlight sighed, closed her eyes, and held Trixie close.  “I’m here… I’ll always be here for you…,” she whispered as she stroked Trixie’s mane.  Trixie’s voice croaked as she spoke her next words, “Th-Thank… you…”  A pair of eyes with yellow sclera and red irises appeared in front of the stallion, followed by the rest of a draconequus.  “Well… You’re the one?” he asked, chuckling to himself as he slithered around the stallion’s neck, keeping his gaze firmly locked on the stallion’s eyes.  “Do you know how much you have upset Fluttershy? How scared she is of you?” he asked quietly.  The stallion remained motionless.  “Once upon a time… I was rather a bad draconequus… I did awful things. I made ponies miserable… And then I was introduced to Fluttershy… I had never been shown compassion before… But… before then? I played games. One game I played involved rules… I took the horns and wings from ponies, left them even with earth ponies… sort of… Do you know what it’s like to lose your horn?” asked Discord, who then snickered as he gazed at the stallion’s head.  “You do now… No more horn… No more magic for you… and when you are allowed to speak again?” Discord asked as he gently touched a talon to the stallion’s forehead, “Only the truth will you ever speak, knowing forever that you are weak.”  Discord’s laughter lingered long after he faded from the room. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2 “Alright, sugarcube, so we’re goin’ around Ponyville first… then we’ll reach out to Manehattan, Fillydelphia, Maresburg, Mustangia, and Baltimare to start… Dodge Junction and Appleloosa come after… After that you have Canterlot… Now… Three of them families are in mournin’… Princess Twilight reckons we’ll just leave them alone fer now… Might not go so well fer ya, ‘er them either. I’m here for moral support, but also ta keep ya in check tah make sure yer goin’ where ya need… Which don’t mean I’ll force ya to do anythin’… Ya been through quite enough o’ that, I’d say,” said Applejack.  Faith nodded to her before turning her gaze back to the town. The buildings loomed over her, somewhat intimidating and awe-inspiring. It had been quite a while since she’d been near much of civilization with the exception of errands run to collect supplies to maintain Black’s garden.  “I’m… I’m sorry… I feel a little… this is… so much,” she said breathlessly.  “Ah know… I feel much of the same when ah’m in Manehattan,” said Applejack.  “M-Manehattan?”  “’s a city… big ‘n loud ‘n fast ‘n such…,” Applejack explained.  “Sounds… frightening,” Faith quivered.  “A lil’… but… ya get used to it,” said Applejack.  Faith swallowed.  “Don’t worry. Ah saved that for last… Yer gonna have plenty of time to get used to the idea… an’ ya won’t be alone. I’ll be with ya, and Rarity’ll join us,” Applejack assured.  “Rarity?”  “The white unicorn mare… kinda fussy?”  “Oh,” said Faith. “Darling, be a dear and fetch my saddlebags while I finish this last stitch and prepare to ship this dress to Manehattan, won’t you?” Rarity cooed at Spike. Spike nodded, jogging away to do as asked. Rarity hummed a bit as she focused in on the stitching before sighing and dropping the dress and the facade both.  She trotted over to a wall, settled on her haunches, and pressed her forehead against the wall. She performed a series of controlled breathing exercises. While she did that, she closed her eyes for good measure. “Right… You are to meet with Applejack and… and… her…,” she said to herself through gritted teeth. A gentle voice spoke from behind her, just above a whisper and eternally passive in tone. Rarity knew the yellow pegasus voice quite well. “What’s wrong?” “Oh Fluttershy… I am to support Applejack as she escorts… erg… Faith… across Equestria on a tour of apologies… and is that supposed to make anypony feel the least bit better for what she did?” growled Rarity. “You don’t believe her?” “Oh… I-I…,” Rarity took a breath and started again. “I do… Honestly, I do. She does seem sincere. But I cannot help thinking of… of Sweetie Belle stumbling upon her one day and trusting her, thus following her into a terrible trap… and when I think of that?” Rarity’s hoof denting the wall answered her own question. Fluttershy trotted up closer to Rarity and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Calm down, Rarity…” Rarity turned to Fluttershy and rushed into a hug with her, trembling and crying. Fluttershy sighed and wrapped her forelegs and wings around Rarity. “None of that happened… Sweetie was never in any danger… and you can prepare her for any that might come. And don’t think for a moment that we’ll leave you to do that alone, Rarity… We’re all here for you and for the Crusaders,” Fluttershy reassured. “Fluttershy, dear, it is all I can do to avoid thinking of trampling her into the dirt… I do not know how I am going to manage restraint on a lengthy trip across the country by her side,” said Rarity quietly. “You talk about her a lot… I haven’t heard you speak about Black Soul even once… Why?” asked Fluttershy. “Because, dear, I cannot even acknowledge his existence let alone offer him any portion of my mind to occupy!” she hissed, startling Fluttershy, “Oh, I’m sorry dear… I didn’t mean to startle you.” “It’s alright. I just… I haven’t seen you this angry or… um… hateful before,” replied Fluttershy. “Yes… I… I am not myself I must admit… I do hope I can find a way to calm myself… I shall be terrible company for Applejack otherwise,” admitted Rarity. “She’ll do whatever she can to help you. You know that,” said Fluttershy. Twilight gazed out across her throne room, taking in all of the stained glass windows with the various points in history noteworthy to be recorded in this chamber of memories. Starlight’s visage finally graced these windows, her triumph that changed the tide of the changeling war recorded for posterity. She knew that, as time moved on, she would be reciting history more and more often. She traced her gaze along the walls. She saw the scenes telling the story of the triumph of the Elements of Nightmare Moon, over Discord… She thought of Spike’s courage in the face of true darkness when Sombra returned… of how much she and her friends had struggled through to bring peace to what was now her country… Then she thought of what she’d just discovered… a hidden, secret, darkness… a turmoil beneath the surface that created doubt in her heart. Ponies were hurting ponies in horrifying ways she hadn’t dreamed possible. It terrified her, for this was her country now. It was her responsibility to see that Equestria remained peaceful. It just didn’t seem real to her that so much threat could come from within its borders. She sighed. She would convene the Council of Friendship when Applejack and Rarity returned. From there, they would all discuss their choices. She just didn’t feel like there were very many. She closed her eyes. A wisp of dark smoke trailed briefly from her eyes as she reigned in her rage. A deep breath, slowly taken in through her nostrils, preceded her teleport. Rainbow Dash adjusted her goggles, and then her wings as she prepared for descent. It wasn’t a routine or training. She simply needed to feel air through her wings. She tucked her legs, thus increasing her speed as she watched the grassy field approach quickly. She closed her eyes and tucked her wings in next, thus allowing gravity to take complete control. The air rushed past her, filling her ears with a deafening roar. It wasn’t enough. She grit her teeth and waited. The ground resumed its hasty approach, mercilessly threatening her very life. She threw open her wings. Her hooves traced grooves through the grass as she leveled out at the very last possible safe moment, all without opening her eyes. She sailed past trees. She weaved around them with her eyes closed. She revelled in the rush of adrenaline. But, all too soon, her momentum was spent. She skid across the grass on all fours before slowing to a stop. Her breathing was ragged from the exertion. She hung her head, keeping her eyes closed as she relished the build-up of sweat foaming through her coat. “Rainbow Dash!” cried a familiar voice. Rainbow cringed at the voice. She loved who it belonged to like a big sister would, but she did not want herself to be seen like this by Scootaloo of all ponies. She worked to stabilize her own breathing before turning to face the oncoming filly. She regained her composure before Scootaloo closed the distance between them. She sighed as she answered. “Scoot! What’s up?” she called out. “That looked really dangerous Rainbow Dash! It was awesome!” Rainbow Dash grunted, holding out a hoof to stall Scootaloo. “No, no… Scootaloo… What I just did was not awesome it was stupid. Please don’t ever do what I just did, okay?” said Rainbow, forgetting who she was speaking to. Scootaloo looked downcast at the rebuke, and Rainbow knew precisely why. “Oh, Squirt… I-I’m sorry… I wasn’t thinking,” said Rainbow quickly. Scootaloo sniffled as she turned away from Rainbow Dash, who quickly threw open her wings and zipped a quick arc to land herself in front of Scootaloo once more. In an instant, her foreleg wrapped around Scootaloo’s neck. A wing draped over her. “I’m sorry, Scoot… I’m so sorry… That was awful of me to say… Look… I really only meant I don’t want you to take any more serious risks… I get how a stunt isn’t really a stunt without some danger, and if you want to start performing I’ll happily come to watch you… andmaybesupervise… but what I just did was… it was beyond all that. It was super dangerous, and I shouldn’t have done it at all,”  Rainbow softly explained. “What’s wrong, Rainbow Dash?” asked Scootaloo quietly. Rainbow sighed inwardly. Scootaloo had been growing as much as any of her friends. She wasn’t so naive anymore. Rainbow couldn’t lie to her very well and didn’t really like to anyway. Applejack would have her head for doing that anyway. “I… I don’t know how to explain it… and I don’t really want to, okay? You just… be a kid. Focus on growing up and let me be the grown-up, okay?” she said quietly. “Is this about what happened to Trixie?” Scootaloo checked. Upon asking, she noticed that Rainbow tensed up immediately. “What do you know about that?” asked Rainbow tentatively. “Nothing! Nopony will talk to us! What’s wrong with her?” asked Scootaloo. “She’s… she’s hurting, badly… she’s sort of sick… but we’ll get her better. I… Just… Trust me on this, okay? You really don’t want to know,” Rainbow assured. Scootaloo thought about that and sighed. She knew then that she’d never get a straight answer from Rainbow Dash. She resigned herself to not knowing, and to hugging Rainbow back. Rarity sighed as she tightened the strap on her saddlebags and blew a kiss to Sweetie Belle. “Stay safe now, dear… Pinkie Pie will come around to check on you. I am sure she will bring you treats of all kinds,” she said with a slight hint of disapproval in her tone. Sweetie grinned. “I’m going to be traveling with Applejack… We’re to start here in Ponyville. I’ll be meeting them on the west edge of town,” Rarity went on. Sweetie nodded. “You are welcome to have your friends over as well. I don’t believe I shall be more than a few weeks,” stated Rarity. Sweetie blinked, “Weeks?” she echoed. “Yes, dear. We have a lot of country to cover, including the outer settlements… I can’t really explain everything about this trip, but I will try to return as soon as I am able. Alright?” “I’ll be okay Rarity,” assured Sweetie. “Oh, I don’t doubt that… You can also seek out Fluttershy if you find yourself in need of any help… Rainbow Dash is probably around too… I can’t speak for Princess Twilight, but I know she’ll do what she can. And do not forget about Spikey Wikey,” Rarity said, the last name producing a smile on her face. “I know Rarity!” Sweetie said impatiently. Rarity sighed and nodded. Of course, Sweetie could take care of herself now. She turned and exited the Boutique, thus starting her journey to the west edge of the town. “So far so good, Faith,” said Applejack. “I… I guess so,” Faith returned quietly. “Y’all’re brave. Don’t sell yerself short,” replied Applejack. In that moment, a white unicorn mare with a spectacularly curled mane trotted up to Applejack with only a nod of acknowledgment. “Rares?” asked Applejack. Rarity snorted and gestured to Applejack with her head, Applejack complied by following Rarity a little way away from Faith. “What is it?” asked Applejack. “While I am loathe to disrespect Twilight by refusing to help when she asks it of me… I do not know how long I will be able to keep myself from attacking that mare. Kindly remind me why we are doing this?” said Rarity in a much-too-sweet tone. “She’s a victim too, Rares… Ah know that’s kinda hard ta swallow… but she was his first. She was terrified, an’ doin’ what she thought she had to just to survive… Now it’s wrong she didn’t ever consider any of them ponies she was lurin’ into the trap, but she’s sorry for it just the same… Ah don’t like what she did, but… Ah think she’s okay,” replied Applejack. Rarity’s eye visibly twitched as she nodded along with Applejack’s words. Before long, her features softened and she sighed. “Oh… Applejack,” began Rarity, “I do understand. I am terribly sorry, I do not mean to be such a tiresome mare… Do you know what I keep thinking about?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Blueblood,” spat Rarity. “That pig of a fellar from the gala?” asked Applejack. “The very same, yes. I do not understand how I could have been so blind… How could I not see the signs within the first few moments of meeting him? I shudder to think what sort of cretin he is when not in the public eye, do you understand?” “Ah reckon ah do, yeah. But Rares, yer a lot tougher than ya think… Don’t think he’d stand a chance against ya,” replied Applejack. “I suppose… but I am hardly the only mare to have been taken with his… erm… well his status and his appearance, frankly,” Rarity confided. “So what’s this really about then?” asked Applejack. “What ever do you mean, dear?” “Ah don’t see how that pompous idiot can be upsettin’ ya this much after this much time, even with what we know about that Black Soul feller,” Applejack began. Rarity nodded along. “So what’s the truth then? What’s really got ya so upset?” “I continue to think of… of Sweetie… and her friends… Just gone, we know not where and suddenly there we are… Our baby sisters aren’t there, and we never even saw them leave!” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “That’s a tad dramatic, no?” asked Applejack. “Dear, do you have any idea what I would do to the pony that hurt Sweetie in that way?” “Ain’t half as much as me n’ Big Mac n’ Granny would do ta anypony that hurt Applebloom like that,” stated Applejack firmly. “Yes, quite,” replied Rarity. “It’s just very difficult for me, I am trying very hard to get that out of my mind… To remember that none of them got hurt,” said Rarity. Applejack trotted nearer to Rarity and placed a hoof on her shoulder, before drawing in a bit closer and gazing directly into her eyes. “It didn’t happen. She’s safe n’ sound at the Boutique, ya got Pinkie n’ Fluttershy n’ Twi n’ my Dash to keep an eye on ‘em all. Y’all know they won’t get anywhere near hurt with them to look after ‘em,” said Applejack solemnly. Rarity nodded, and smiled faintly, “You are a dear, Applejack… And you are, of course, quite right. They are safe… But…” “But…?” Applejack coaxed. Rarity sighed and turned to look at Faith, who for her part looked terribly uncomfortable standing there on her own in the middle of the road, staring at the gravel or her hooves as her tail swished back and forth. “How do I… get along with her?” asked Rarity delicately. “Ya start by havin’ an honest talk. You don’t like what she did? Ya tell her, but ya don’t hold it over her head. See what she’s like… Ah kinda like her, to be honest. She ain’t a bad pony, just… just did some real bad things for bad reasons,” said Applejack. Rarity sighed, slipping a hoof through her mane and readjusting her posture before nodded and trotting over to Faith. “Ahem,” began Rarity, “Faith?” Faith looked up at Rarity, a little taken aback at the unpleasantness she saw in the sapphire eyes. “I am Rarity,” stated Rarity. “U-uh… H-Hi. M-My name is Faith,” stammered Faith. “Yes, dear, I know. You seem nervous,” observed Rarity. “You hate me,” Faith stated. “I… do not,” admitted Rarity. “You… you don’t?” asked Faith. “I thought that I did, I admit… but no, I do not. I do not like what you did, I have no reason to. Nopony does. I understand that you felt you did not have any choice, and I regret that you did. It hurt a great many ponies, you hurt a great many ponies,” Rarity stopped to breathe and collect her thoughts, her tone had been gradually intensifying as she spoke. “I… I’m sorry dear, let me start again,” Rarity said, taking another deep breath to center herself. “I am giving you a chance. My friends are doing much the same, I see no reason I cannot manage it. However, I want to be very clear: I do not approve of what you did,” Rarity stated. Faith nodded, “Oh, of course. I don’t either. I’m so sorry, and I know that isn’t anywhere near enough. But I am. Miss Rarity-” “Just Rarity, if you please,” interrupted Rarity. “Uh, okay. Rarity… I promise you, I want to make things right… At least as much as I can. I know that isn’t much… I-I know that I was horrid…,” said Faith. Rarity sighed and placed a hoof on Faith’s withers, calming and quieting her. “Say no more… I understand you regret your actions. But it is not me you must apologize to, hence our journey,” Rarity stated as she observed several pegasi clumsily placing fresh clouds in the sky. Weather hadn’t been the same since Rainbow retired from it to accommodate her Wonderbolts schedule and teaching schedule. “I suppose the rain will be a bit late today?” Rarity asked as she turned to Applejack. “Uh… Dash ain’t really keeping up with that no more,” replied Applejack with a chuckle. “Oh,” said Rarity. Applejack smiled at Rarity. “You feelin’ any better?” “Yes I am, dear. Thank you,” said Rarity. The trio of ponies gathered together and set off. “Where are we going next, then?” “Las Pegasus is our next stop,” said Applejack with a sigh. The vibrant pink mare hummed to herself as she poured a measure of flower into a mixing bowl with water and began to mix them. A jingle sounded, letting Pinkie know that a customer had arrived. She noted it, but did not turn to address the pony who had entered. She continued, instead, to hum. A pale cerise unicorn mare trotted around the counter, her belly swollen and her gait slow. “Oh! Sugar Belle!” Pinkie cheered happily. “Hello Pinkie,” said Sugar Belle. “How are you feeling? Are you sure you’re up to being here?” “Yes,” said Sugar Belle with a giggle, “I’m fine… A little tired, little sore… but I’m fine.” “You’re due really soon, huh?” “Weeks, maybe,” replied Sugar Belle. “Aw! Are you excited?” “More scared than excited, really,” answered Sugar Belle. “How’s Big Macintosh doing?” asked Pinkie. Sugar Belle giggled. “He’s terrified.” Pinkie Pie smiled while she resumed mixing her flour then adding sugar next. “What are you making?” asked Sugar Belle. “I’m not sure yet,” replied Pinkie. “Are you thinking about her?” asked Sugar Belle. “No. Him,” replied Pinkie. “Who?” asked Sugar Belle. Pinkie had forgotten that Black Soul’s presence hadn’t been explained outside of her circle of friends, but she supposed that wasn’t important now. “He’s called Black Soul. He used her to… to get more… and and…,” Pinkie started, but quickly devolved into hysterics. She threw the spoon she’d been using to mix across the room and the bowl the other way. Sugar Belle blinked. She stepped back in alarm as Pinkie screamed and slammed a hoof into the counter. She became incoherent rather quickly as Sugar Belle watched in terror. The bell over the door jingled once again, admitting another pony. “Pinkie!” cried Sugar Belle, “Calm down! Please!” The other pony maneuvered themselves between Sugar Belle and Pinkie Pie just as Pinkie Pie released a pan wildly out of control. It connected with the brilliant amaranth coat of the hulking stallion, and doing little more than annoy him. Big Macintosh made his way toward the hysterical and outraged Pinkie and threw a foreleg around her, pulling her into a hug. She flailed and beat on him with everything she had. He took every hit until she tired herself out and fell into his embrace. “Easy Pinkie… Yer gonna hurt yerself or somepony else, and ya don’t want that,” said Big Macintosh. Pinkie cried into Big Mac’s shoulder as he stroked her mane. Sugar Belle joined them a moment later, nuzzling Pinkie Pie. “This is upsetting you more than I thought,” said Sugar Belle. Fluttershy sat in her chair, sipping tea. Discord sat in his chair, sipping the cup which held his tea. “So how are you doing, Fluttershy?” Discord asked. “Um… I’m okay,” she replied. “Really?” asked Discord, surprise clearly written across his features. In bold letters, colored blue. “Well… Maybe not okay… but I’ll get there. I’m worried about my friends. I know they’re taking this much harder than I am,” she replied quietly. Discord’s face softened. “You really are too kind, Fluttershy… I am not asking about our friends, I am asking about you,” he clarified. “Oh… right,” she replied quietly. “Well…?” Discord coaxed. “It’s hard, Discord… Part of me wants to ask you to… to fix everything, just… erase their memories… but… but I know that’s not right…,” she said. “And I am not capable of that anyway, Fluttershy… Sure I can twist ponies around, invert their personalities to a degree… but I can’t erase memories, especially not ones that painful.” Fluttershy sniffled and closed her eyes. She shuddered. Discord placed his lion’s paw on her head and gently pulled her into a hug. “They’ll get all the help that they need now… Princess Twilight will see to that, and I will help however I can. There is no magical cure for this, Fluttershy. I am sorry to say that,” said Discord, completely sincere. “No… no that’s… That can’t be true… You have to be able to do something! You’re Discord! Reality bows to you! How can you not help?!” she shrieked. “Fluttershy… I am not choosing to not help. I am just not able to do what you described. It isn’t in my power… and believe me, that is unpleasant to say… I am Discord after all,” he replied. “No! That’s… That’s…,” Fluttershy choked on a sob as Discord hugged her tight. “I’m sorry, Fluttershy… Truly, I am,” replied Discord. The chromatic maned mare trotted through town rather than fly or even just hover. She looked up, took in the blue of the sky, the sparse clouds, noting how oddly placed they were and that they appeared to be water-bearing. “Uh… Who the hey did that?” she wondered aloud. “Rainbow Dash!” called a familiar stallion. Rainbow turned to see Thunderlane flying down to meet her. His Wonderbolts uniform already sweat through from exertion. “What’s up Thunderlane?” “You’re wanted back at HQ, Crash,” he said simply. Rainbow blinked. It wasn’t necessarily unusual, but it wasn’t typically urgent. “Any idea what’s going on?” she checked. “Captain said she needed to talk to you personally. Didn’t go into specifics with me,” replied Thunderlane. “Okay, well… I’ll see you back at HQ then,” said Rainbow Dash. “You have to come n-,” began Thunderlane, only to stop as he saw the image of Rainbow Dash fade into a rainbow contrail that passed him by. “Oh… You meant…,” he said with a sigh as he shook his head. Pinkie Pie swallowed as she finally shed the last of her tears. She pulled away from Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle. “I’m sorry, you guys… I’m so super sorry Sugar Belle. I put you and the baby in danger like that,” she started to ramble. Sugar Belle smiled as she pressed a forehoof to Pinkie’s chest. “Calm down, hun. It’s okay… No harm done. Are you feeling any better?” asked Sugar Belle. “No… No, not really. I feel worse now… I was an angry, stupid pony and I could have hurt you… and…,” she turned her gaze to Big Macintosh who was nursing several bruises and searching for bandages. Sugar Belle looked to Big Macintosh. “Oh sweetheart, you really took a walloping, huh?” “Eeyup.” Sugar Belle turned back to Pinkie Pie. “My husband will be alright… But you know that. He’s tougher than most. Softy, true… but you won’t find too many ponies better in a fight,” she said. Pinkie Pie swallowed and nodded. “Ah’m fine Ms. Pie,” he assured Pinkie. “P-Pinkie,” said Pinkie. “Aright, Ah’m fine Pinkie. Just a few little bruises. Nothin’ I can’t handle,” he said. Sugar Belle smiled, kissing his cheek as he passed her by. “It’s been like this… uh… sorta… I get… really mad and really scary… and I mean I scare myself… because I’m not really… I feel like I’m just watching while my body gets… um… violent,” said Pinkie quietly. “Okay… and you’re calm now?” Pinkie nodded. “What’s going through your mind, hun?” asked Sugar Belle. “I’m scared… I don’t want to hurt anypony… well… there is one pony I would reeeeeally like to hurt,” Pinkie admitted. “But you can’t, can you?” Sugar Belle asked. Pinkie shook her head. “Why not?” Pinkie sighed. Her mane began to deflate as she spoke. “Because it would be wrong, and it wouldn’t make anything better. I wouldn’t really feel better.” “True… true…,” said Sugar Belle softly. Pinkie slumped into Sugar Belle’s forelegs, seeking a hug and receiving one. Fluttershy’s cottage remained tranquil. A small table and chair were set in her den. Discord sat on her couch as they both continued enjoying steaming cups of tea. The chittering of critters was in force this day as well as a general sense of tension which pervaded the atmosphere. Fluttershy exhaled and stood from her chair as she carefully placed her teacup on her table. “Discord… I need to take a trot… or… or something. I’m sorry. I hope you won’t be offended,” said Fluttershy. “Oh pish posh. Do you really think I’d leave you alone at a time like this?” replied Discord. “What do you mean?” asked Fluttershy. “Oh, I’m coming with you of course,” said Discord. “Okay, that sounds nice… Thank you,” replied Fluttershy. Together they exited Fluttershy’s cottage and began a trek toward the Whitetail Woods. “Discord?” “Yes, Fluttershy?” “What was it like for you?” asked Fluttershy. “What was… oh, the statue?” he asked. Fluttershy nodded slowly. “Well… It wasn’t enjoyable. It was really boring actually… but Fluttershy, it wasn’t the same. I hated it, but… It would have been much worse for Trixie,” said Discord. “What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked. “I may have been conscious, Fluttershy… but I wasn’t alive,” he said. Fluttershy shuddered. “My thoughts were disembodied, sort of… I had no flesh. I was stone except for my mind, so I could not act, merely exist… I felt no pain, I did not have to breathe… It was boring to be sure, but Trixie would have been feeling everything… so… I don’t fully know or understand what she went through,” said Discord. Fluttershy shuddered as her eyes shrank to pinpricks and she stared straight through Discord. Discord frowned, sighed, then snapped his claws. He and Fluttershy appeared at the Sweet Feather Sanctuary where the animals turned to see a disturbed Fluttershy and immediately set to comfort her. Discord exhaled a breath through his mismatched nostrils and stepped back. He’d never been much good at comforting anypony. It wasn’t playing to his strengths. However, he knew Fluttershy quite well so he knew that this might help. Harry scooped Fluttershy up into a hug while several birds, squirrels, and chipmunks gathered around her or landed on her and chittered or chirped at her. Harry let out a low growl. Discord raised an eyebrow, folding his lion’s leg and eagle talon over one another. He simply watched, hoping that she’d come out of this somehow. Rainbow Dash alit at the entrance to the Wonderbolts HQ & Gym. She trotted through the doors then through the locker room. Along the way, she passed discarded towels as well as the array of pictures from the Wild Blue Yonder only featuring one new addition: her. It had closed just after her time in Las Pegasus with the Gold Horseshoe Gals. The door to Spitfire’s office was closed, but Rainbow knew it was not locked. Behind that door was Spitfire. She sat at her desk while going over papers and, this time of year, choosing who would be invited to the Wonderbolts Academy to try for entry. Talent was not in short supply in Equestrian air, but talent good enough for the Wonderbolts was hard won. Rainbow sighed. Those were fond memories. Except for her friends being in danger. She shook her head to clear away the old thoughts, then raised a foreleg and knocked on the door. “Come in!” yelled Spitfire. Rainbow stepped through, using her teeth to manipulate the doorknob. Once turned, she pushed it in then stepped in. Once inside, she used a hindleg to close the door and a wing to salute Spitfire as she stood at attention. “At ease, Crash,” said Spitfire with a smile. “Captain, what’s the emergency?” asked Rainbow, a little tension creeping into her voice even as her body relaxed. “Emergency? No, no emergency, though I did want you here as soon as possible,” Spitfire clarified. Rainbow Dash waited in silence. Spitfire would pick up the conversation when she was ready. “I’m gettin’ old, Crash. My wings don’t respond like they used to. I’m thinkin’ it’s about time I retire,” said Spitfire. Rainbow blinked, caught off guard at this information. “Re...Retire?” she asked, slightly dumbfounded. “Yep. Gotta tuck the wings away eventually,” said Spitfire, dragging a hoof through her mane which included grey streaks clashing with her orange and amber mane. “Where’s that leave us, Cap?” asked Rainbow. “To the point. I like that. That’s why I called you Crash. I gotta hand the team over to a pony I trust to keep them in top form while also keeping with our principles. Soarin fell out last year…,” Spitfire trailed off. Talking about Soarin was difficult for any of the team. Rainbow took a breath. “...So?” asked Rainbow. “When I take off in a couple months, you’re going to be promoted to Captain. This team will be yours. You will be responsible for shaping it and shaping the ponies on it. You’ll be the one to choose who makes it and who doesn’t. You might get to enjoy yelling at ‘em,” Spitfire said with a smirk. Rainbow’s jaw dropped. The trees, hills, and occasional out of the way building passed by lazily as the train click-clacked down the tracks toward its next stop. Faith leaned against the glass. Her ears drooped and her eyes half-lidded in thought and sorrow. She sighed and closed her eyes the rest of the way. Her forehead pressing against the glass. “What’s on yer mind, sugarcube?” asked Applejack from the seat right next to her. “Everything…,” Faith replied. “That’s quite a lot, dear,” said Rarity from the seat behind Faith. Faith didn’t reply. A tear slipped from her eye, painting a line down her muzzle before it dripped onto the glass and continued its journey. “I’m… I’m a murderer…,” she said quietly as her voice cracked and more tears came. Applejack placed a hoof on her shoulder, but remained silent. “Dear, that’s… a bit much, no?” said Rarity. “What?” asked Faith. “Alright, you did participate in a series of horrid crimes against equinity… You seem… kind, really… so I imagine the weight of that guilt is quite something. But… Murderer? Dear, you did not kill a single one of them. An absolutely horrid stallion is responsible for that…,” said Rarity, surprise evident in her voice. Applejack nodded, gently massaging Faith’s shoulder. “I suppose you felt… erm… cornered?” supplied Rarity. Faith didn’t respond in any way, just remained quietly crying as Applejack continued to try to comfort her. “If you are going to remain silent, then I’m afraid there isn’t much I can do for you,” Rarity huffed. Fluttershy wept into Harry’s coat. Discord frowned and floated up to her. His lion’s paw stroked her mane. “There… there?” he tried lamely. “Thank you, Discord… Harry… everyone,” she said to the various creatures. “This is… I have never seen you this upset before,” said Discord. Fluttershy looked at him. “I… I know this is upsetting, and… I knew this was quite bad… but this? Why Fluttershy?” asked Discord. Fluttershy swallowed and looked away. Pinkie Pie picked up a toppled pan and brought it to the sink. She was in the midst of cleaning up the mess she had made. Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle had parted ways after making sure she was calm and feeling better. She sighed as she collected a spatula, placing it in the sink. The sound of water splashing sounded as the spatula began to sink beneath the surface. She turned away and grabbed a cloth which she used to wipe up the wet flour that had splattered across the shop during her fit. The bell above the door sounded. Another customer entered the shop. Purple scales and green spines were joined by the sound of gentle wing flaps as Spike hovered and observed the mess. “Whoa,” said Spike. “Hi Spike,” said Pinkie. “What happened here?” he asked. “I did,” replied Pinkie. Spike hovered over to a broom. He collected it and began to sweep around the kitchen. “You’re pretty upset, huh?” Spike guessed. “Yeah…,” said Pinkie. Spike scanned the kitchen, and nodded. “Right, okay. Why don’t you go get yourself a milkshake or something? Maybe find one of your friends? I’ll clean this place up,” Spike volunteered. Pinkie wore a wan smile as she nodded gratefully at Spike. She immediately strode through Sugarcube Corner’s door and into Ponyville. “Thank you,” faded into the air as the door swung shut. Spike nodded and proceeded with sweeping. Rainbow shook her head and closed her jaw, taking a breath before she spoke. “You… what? Me? C-Captain?” she said unintelligently. Spitfire nodded. “Wh… uh… Thank you, Captain… I’m really honored,” said Rainbow Dash. “Don’t be. This job is a huge pain in the flank,” said Spitfire with a light chuckle. “I… I guess I accept,” said Rainbow. “You guess?” asked Spitfire. Rainbow took a breath, “Yeah. Um… I want to. I’m gonna have to talk it over with Applejack to make sure I have the time and she’s okay with me being away more…,” she said. “Applejack? What?” asked Spitfire. Rainbow smiled, a slight blush painting her cheeks. “Yeah. You met her, remember?” ‘Sure I do. Why does she have a say in your life?” asked Spitfire. “Uh… We’re together.” Rainbow admitted with a brighter blush. “Oh, you are?” Rainbow nodded. “Congrats. Hopefully she doesn’t ball and chain you from this, eh?” said Spitfire. Rainbow laughed. “Yeah. I don’t think that’ll happen. “Look, I’m really grateful for this. I am. I’m sorry I’m not more excited. It’s… It’s just a tough time right now. Some stuff’s been going on back home and it’s hitting everyone kinda hard. Do you mind if I take a week off?” Rainbow’s tone had shifted all over the place as she spoke, ending in a nervous chuckle. “A week? Sure. Why not? Take it. Get better. Be in top form when you get back,” Spitfire commanded before returning to paperwork. Pinkie’s travels brought her to Ponyville’s cemetery, where she took a particular trail to a specific grave. Once there, she sat down and sighed. “Hi Cranky…,” sighed Pinkie. “I know I don’t come here often enough… I can’t smile here. It’s too hard… but I wanted to talk to you… I’m being a bit selfish, I know… but I know you don’t mind that, not really…,” she began. “It’s hard right now… Trixie is hurting so badly… and she probably feels completely alone, even with all of us in the room… She can’t see that this isn’t a dream… I… um… I went with Twilight to the doctor to get updates on her… to understand everything she needs,” said Pinkie. ------ “Miss Sparkle, Miss Pie,” greeted the doctor. Twilight nodded, and Pinkie didn’t really register his words. She just stared ahead, past his desk at the wall behind that desk, into nothing. “As you know, I have ordered several tests of Trixie’s well being and functionality. I have received results,” he began. Pinkie looked at him finally, he offered her a small smile. “The atrophy to her muscles is quite significant, and I can’t be sure she’ll ever properly walk again. Not yet, at least. She cannot move under her own power, and it will take quite a lot of time and effort to get her moving on her own again. The atrophy to her magical nerves is possibly worse. It does not appear she will ever regain full use of it. Miss Sparkle, I will entrust you with some exercises that can help with that. You will have noticed that she is covered in sores. Her coat is riddled with holes from these. Those are very painful, but it will be difficult to avoid pressure on those, so I will be prescribing a regimen of various pain killers and topical ointments to aid in her recovery. She is currently extremely light-sensitive. She is unable to keep her eyes open in even basic lighting, and it will take some time for her eyes to adjust. After that, her ears are also quite sensitive. Try to speak quietly to her for a while. Let her get used to hearing sounds again.” The doctor sighed as he shuffled through his file. “She is not breathing well. I think she does not understand that she can take a full, deep, breath now. Which brings me to the deeper damage. She is mute because she cannot accept that this is real. We do not know the extent of what she dealt it, of what she was put through. We do know that she was isolated for a very long time, so there is a great deal of mental damage that needs to be addressed. “However, this is not my area of expertise. I have contacted a colleague I trust with this case, but I will not share anything with your consent, Princess.” Twilight swallowed, and spoke. “Please, contact your colleague and let them know I’m fine with it.” Pinkie’s mane grew darker and straighter with every new bit of information the doctor shared. She sank to the floor. Her eyes grew watery and downcast. Twilight gently rubbed her withers with a hoof. “Doctor,” asked Twilight, “Is she going to be alright?” “Eventually. Yes. She will not, however, be the same,” he clarified. ------ Twilight and Pinkie exited into the hallway just outside of the doctor’s office before Pinkie broke down. Twilight immediately pulled Pinkie into a hug, stroking her mane with a forehoof and whispering to her. “Pinkie? What’s wrong?” “Oh Twilight,” lamented Pinkie, “How can I ever get any of them to smile again?” Twilight swallowed as she continued to stroke Pinkie’s mane. “I don’t know, Pinkie… I don’t know,” answered Twilight in a hurt tone. “It hurts, Twi… She’s a friend… And she’s hurting and… and I don’t know how to make her smile again… How to make her feel okay,” sobbed Pinkie. “None of us knows that, Pinkie, but we’re going to support her and help her every way we can,” assured Twilight. “Is that all we can do?” pleaded Pinkie. “For now, Pinkie… It’s a step at a time, and our first step is to get her functioning again,” replied Twilight. “What about the pony that did this to her? To all of them?” “She’ll be dealt with,” Twilight promised. “But… what made her do this? Why did she hurt them so much?” cried Pinkie. “I really don’t know… but I’ll find out,” Twilight said, coldness creeping into her tone. ------ Pinkie sighed as she rested a hoof on Cranky’s grave. “I don’t know what to do… No party is going to fix this,” her voice cracked as she spoke, tears spilling openly at the painful admission.