I looked at the odd creature staring up at me, between my hooves.
I sincerely wished I could be somewhere, anywhere else. I was deeply considering suggesting to the crowd that we forget all of this nonsense and carry on with the rest of the Nightmare Night festival. But of course, somepony had to go and get themselves murdered, and somepony had to dump the body in the middle of town square. Of course this would happen on the one night out of the year I visit.
More than anything, I wished my sister was present. I did not command the same presence that she did. How one thousand years of absence corrodes one's authority. All my pleas to the crowd were in vain.
They would listen to Celestia. She could quell them. She could make sense of all of the scattered shouting, piece together some sort of coherent picture of the situation.
But instead, it was I, the banished princess, left to execute the will of the mob.
“What are you waiting for? Kill him!” the pony named Lucky screamed. The crowd behind him fell into a cacophonous roar, crying for blood to be spilt. I unconsciously took a step backwards. For the first time since I returned to the throne, I was truly and wholeheartedly afraid. Not of the trembling creature beneath me, but of bloodthirsty group of townsponies in front of me. More specifically, what they would do if they didn’t see blood. I was not their beloved princess of the sun; I was merely a royal returned from exile. They had no great love of me. Only a year before, they fled from the very sight of me. I was only some vague figure of authority now, elected by unspoken mob rule to be the executioner of some equally vague threat. If I failed to deliver, would they turn those pitchforks at me, and my guards, wherever they might be in this chaos.
I pointed my horn down, and began charging a magical blast. For a brief moment I locked eyes with the creature between my hooves, too shocked to move away from the glowing horn pointed at his face. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with bloody, animalistic fear.
He recognized me.
I have seen him before. I had walked in his dreams. I stifled the charge in my horn, and pulled the human to his feet, much to the crowd's fury. “What is thy name?”
He jerkily stood up, looking me dead in the eye. “Jeremiah Walker.”
“Kill him! Kill him…” the mare shrieked before breaking down into hysterical sobbing. “He killed my Pokey!” She gathered her two foals close to her. They were unresponsive, numbly looking at their father’s bloodied corpse. Somepony had the decency to throw a cloth over the fallen pony.
I swallowed nervously, and prepared my royal Canterlot voice, in hope of quelling the crowd. “SILENCE! WE ARE NOT LAWLESS. HE SHALL STAND TRIAL!” I boomed, my voice amplified by magic.
The protest roared through the cacophony like a clap of thunder.
“He's covered in blood! That's enough trial for me!”
“The only thing that abomination should stand on is a gallows platform!”
“She's too scared to kill it!”
“Kill it, before it kills you!”
The one named Lucky snarled. “Celestia would kill this greasy morlock in a heartbeat. If this so called princess refuses to protect us, we'll take care of the human ourselves!”
Lucky's protest was greeted by a spartan cheer. The ponies started drawing closer, weapons raised.
“HALT, halt!” I cried, but to no avail. Step by step, they approached the two of us. The panting human raised his arms, ready to fight his way out of the throng of ponies. His wan expression did not inspire confidence.
I could blast all of these ponies away, I realized. They would be grievously injured, but if it meant stopping this madness, and regaining control of the situation...
I could easily send them flying, or throw magic missiles in every direction, or call down a dancing sword of flame, or even bolts of lightning. But I knew that would never work. They would never forgive me for hurting more ponies. I don't think I could even make them all stop without outright killing them.
The moon beamed so calmly, so clearly in the night sky. Amidst the roiling crowd, the moon seemed to mock me. Visiting so soon? The four stars around it twinkled callously. Panic tugged my heart at the mere thought of the empty desert that had been my prison for a thousand years.
Panic tried to cloud my thoughts, but I banished the tightness in my chest. I scanned the clear night sky for something, anything. My eye caught the top platform of town hall, off in the distance.
I did the only sensible thing. “Grab on!” I shouted, flaring my wings.
He looked for a moment at the crowd, then me. He wrapped his limbs around my neck, managing to swing his body onto my back.
I prayed to the Cosmic Matriarch that this worked. I cast the only spell I could think of, Cloud Conceal. Within a fraction of a second, the entire street was enveloped in a thick, roiling blue cloud.
“Jesus Christ,” the human murmured.
I leaped into the air, and took flight. I strained with the effort of a sudden take off and the extra weight. Bear in mind I was never the strongest flier. Walker almost tumbled off of me, but he clung onto my mane. I wasn't able to correct my shaky flight. We barely made it to the third floor balcony, and ended up crash landing through one of the windows.
I landed on most of my hooves, and given the circumstances, I considered it a small victory. Walker slumped off of me, and curled into a small ball on the floor, rocking gently back and forth.
Shards of glass crunched beneath my horseshoes as I stumbled over to the blatantly shattered window. The cloud had not fully dissipated, and few ponies had realized that we weren't even there. I hastily magicked the curtains in place. To my horror, they were flapping in the breeze. This problem was solved by levitating a cabinet against the window, pinning the curtains against the wall. Hopefully nopony would notice anything out of place.
I magically swept all of the glass into the pile, and then collapsed. I needed a moment to recover from all of the chaos.
I felt tears blur my vision. Silly Luna thought that after everything that happened last year, that ponies actually liked and respected her. I supposed ponies do not forgive one's past so easily. To them, I was just Celestia's weak, pathetic little sister who had recently returned from a very long time out session. What good is a crown if it bears all the respect and authority as a cheap, plastic plaything?
There was no doubt in my mind they would have killed me just as easily as him.
Um, excuse me. Suffice it to say, it took me a moment to gather myself.
The poor thing. In addition to all of his scrapes and bruises, he had a set of fresh cuts from the window. Even a few splinters were in his arm and wrist. He was shakily pulling them out. I looked back towards the window. Perhaps it was not my most well thought through plan.
He was murmuring to himself, between rapid short breaths. “...They're going to kill me... They're going to kill me.”
I reluctantly pulled myself onto my hooves, and walked towards the panicking human. “No pony is going to hurt you. I won't allow it,” I said, trying to sound confident. My words sounded hollow, weak, empty. “I won't allow it,” I said again more definitively. It almost seemed like I was convincing him instead of myself.
“Tell that to Lucky and his goons,” he muttered.
“Do you know who I am?” I asked.
He didn't stop rocking back and forth. For a moment I thought he had not heard me. “You're that Celestia pony, aren't you?” he asked.
Sometimes words hurt more than any shard of glass. I let out a sigh. “I am her sister, Luna. Princess of the night. Although it seems such a title does not elicit much obedience.”
He was silent. After a moment, he spoke, as he gingerly felt his wounds. “Thank you, for getting me out of there.”
I looked down. “I fully expect an explanation of what happened. Just because I saved you from mob justice does not mean you are exempt from justice in court.”
He looked at me morosely. “You want to sit down and have a little make believe trial while there's a throng of ponies out for my blood?”
I glared at him, but gave up with a sigh. “We are safe for now.” I cast a sideways glance at the covered window. I hoped. “Come, you have much to tell me.”
Reluctantly, he pulled himself into a chair. He immediately flinched, and sucked air through his teeth.
“Are you hurt?” I asked.
“Did all the blood give it away?”
“Is there anything you need?”
“You're a unicorn, and can do all that magic?” he said.
“An alicorn, but yes.”
“Can you do any healing magic?” he asked.
I bit my lip. Of all the forms of magic I had learned, I never bothered to practice the ways of healing. I never thought it necessary; even the best magic healer was outdone by earthpony technology. Cursing my short-sightedness, I walked over to one of the desks. A precursory search of the drawers yielded a half empty decanter of whiskey, a box of tissues, and some scotch tape. I magicked the objects over to walker.
“I'll take that as a 'no',” he said wryly. He examined the decanter. “For drinking or for disinfectant?”
Judging by the night he had, for both. “For your wounds,” I said.
This did not stop him from taking a swig, before dampening a wad of tissues, and swiping it across his neck, face and forearms. I watched as the blood trickled back onto freshly cleaned skin. “Well, what do you want to know about these god damned ponies?” His voice started in an irritable grumble but crescendoed into a raging shout. I feared they would hear us.
I thought back to the frantic shouting on the town square. It was such a endless mass of confusion. Nevertheless, I managed to get a loose understanding of the situation. The only consensus was that the human attacked Lucky, Lyra Heartstrings, and Pokey Pierce in the woods. This did nothing to explain the mob, the violence, and the mass hysteria.
All I had seen was the pony named Lucky dump a dead body in the middle of town square, and all hell breaking loose.
“Did you kill Pokey Pierce?”
“Yes.”
I grimaced. “And you lied about it.”
“Forgive me for withholding information, but I don't think they would have listened to my plea of self defense.”
“Then what happened? Explain to me why there are two dead ponies.”
He stopped and looked up. “Lyra's dead?” he asked with an uncomfortable intensity.
I glanced towards the window. “I only know what the masses shouts”
He wrung his hands together, causing a drop of blood to well onto his skin. “She can't be. Apple Bloom wouldn't have let anything happen to her. She was going to get her help. Unless...”
“What are you speaking of?”
“Lyra. She's my friend. I got mad and ran into the woods. But she... she followed me. Lucky and Pokey attacked us in the clearing.” He continued. “I tried to help run away, but Pokey was stopping us. You have to understand. I was fighting for our lives. They did this to Lyra, and they were going to do more.” He pulled out a green chunk of a unicorn horn from his pocket.
I felt bile rise to my throat, but I stared at him. This was a creature whose sleep was robbed by memories of stabbing his brother. Why should I take his word on anything. “How am I to be sure that you are not lying?”
“If Lyra—” he abruptly stopped, the words choking him. After a moment, he found his words again. “Lyra will tell you.”
“Tell me then. Why did they try to attack you and the mare?”
He let out a sigh. “Because Lucky hates my guts, that's why.” I glared at him until he spoke again. “Lucky wanted Pokey to cast a memory spell on her, and frame me for attacking her.”
“Do you have proof of such an implausible story?”
“Lucky said something about a dead pig, and I was trying to find that as proof when the Lucky and company came after me. Look, you just have to trust me!”
“You have killed before. Why are you to be trusted?” I retorted.
“I didn't kill any cows. The only other life I took was a chicken, a god damned chicken!” he said, slamming his fist on the table
“I am talking of your brother Abe.”
Color drained from his face. “How... how did you know?”
“I have visited your dreams, Jeremiah. I advise you against trying to deceive me.”
He slumped back into the chair. He swiped the wad of tissues over his face, clearing away another smudge of blood. Beneath it a bruise was forming on his forehead. He crumpled the paper and cast it aside, burying his face in his hands. After a moment, he composed himself enough to raise his head again. He looked down at his lap as he fiddled with the beads of his necklace. “Well, what do you want to hear?”
I wanted to hear the throng of angry ponies collectively give up and leave me alone. I wanted to hear the mayor barge in and administer justice herself. I wanted more than anything to hear my sister quelling the crowd, and arbitrating over this hell hole. I swallowed. “Start from the beginning?”
“Of how I got here? Or how I got into Equestria?”
He told me everything in his sad tale.
He told me of his brother Abe, and how he appropiated Jeremiah’s ambitions of being the leader of his congregation. He shook as he explained how it was the catalyst for their argument in the church. “It wasn't only that. It was years of Abe getting whatever he wanted, and the rest of us getting what was left,” he said bitterly.
I felt a pang of empathy. I thought back to before my banishment. Yes, I was bitter and resentful, and that was what caused my own transformation into Nightmare Moon. But even when I was striving for everlasting night, I never planned on hurting her, did I? I thought back to the long years in my prison, plotting all of the vile ways I was going to make her suffer.
That jealousy and bitterness had turned me into a monster.
I looked at the human. Aside from the blood and the ripped clothing, he didn't seem like he went through any fearsome transformation.
Though he didn't look the part, he was still being treated as a monster. That wasn't just his blood. He murdered his brother, and a pony. He was beyond redemption.
But I was redeemed, was I not?
He noticed my queer expression, raising an eyebrow. I sighed. “I too, was banished for challenging my sister.”
“I wasn't banished,” he said.
He ran out of his church with blood on his hands. He ran and ran. Away from his brother, away from his town. Into the woods where he kept on getting lost. Not that he wanted to be found. He was scared. He was alone. For three days he wandered in those woods, fighting to stay alive, against manticore and cockatrice, and a host of other beasts.
“It was hard out there in the Everfree without my pocket knife,” he muttered.
By the time he stumbled onto Fluttershy's cottage, he was starving. He saw no one was home. I can't agree with his decision to break into her house, but I have never been that long without food or water, and I hope I never will be.
Of course Fluttershy, the caretaker, panicked when she saw her chicken being prepared for a spit roast. That altercation ended with a broken arm and a bad reputation for Walker. I struggled to imagine such a meek pony acting so violent. But that was an honest mistake. She was just trying to defend her animals. But why didn't she offer to help him later?
I am sure you have heard the rest of his struggles. His being chased off the Apple family farm, Twilight's insistence on his being employed on the threat of his banishment. Lucky's abuses. Then of course, the little incidents that wore away at him, bit by bit.
Being threatened with a gun. Watching mothers drag their foals away from him. Store signs switched to “closed” the moment he passes by. Having police officers called on him when he tried to get his mane cut at a barbershop. The rumors ponies spread about his taste for pegasi wings. Simply hearing about every injury and abuse he withstood from these ponies made me feel sick.
Finally, he spoke of Lucky's ambush.
I listened to every word, turning them over in my mind. Once he finished, the two of us sat in silence.
“Well?”
I sighed. These words I spoke with a heavy heart. “I fear that it would be in everypony's interest, as well as your own, to find you way back home.”
He looked at me, fearing, hoping, doubting. “You can send me back? Back home?”
“I am afraid I can not. I know little of the magic that binds worlds together. But in my experiences, it often happens for a reason.”
He slumped back into his chair. “What kind of fucked up reason led me to this?” he muttered.
“Atonement. There are tales of wanderers from faraway lands finding their way towards Equestria for some divine purpose, and returning when that purpose is complete.” It comes to memory, that there have been a hooffull of other creatures like Walker meandering through our land in ages past before my banishment. Though I don't recall them ever calling themselves 'humans'. “I believe that whatever force brought you here did so with the hope that you might atone for what you did to your brother.”
He clenched the arm of the chair, digging his nails into it. “Atonement? Atonement? I've been starved, humiliated, chased, beaten, I've had to fight for my life. I think I atoned plenty for anything I could have possibly done on Earth, and then some. What am I supposed to do? Wait for some beam of light to decide that I've suffered enough, and whisk me back home? Not that I would even be allowed to return. I don't have any place in either world.”
I wrapped my wing around him. “No person should have to endure what these ponies put you through. I am going to make sure that they see the error of their ways. I will make sure that Lucky, and all the others are held accountable for their actions, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that something like this will never happen again. But you Walker, your goal is atonement, and there is more to atonement than suffering. You can not always right a wrong. But you must find a way to redeem yourself in the eyes of whatever force brought you to Equestria.”
“And how the hell am I supposed to do that?”
“I am unsure. All I know for certain is that if there is any hope of you returning home, you must heal some of this world’s ailments. I think you, more than anypony are in a position to know the extent of misery. Although I doubt you'll be able to pursue this quest in Ponyville.”
“Princess Luna!” One of my night guards, Night Veil burst into the room, interrupting my train of thought. He looked fearfully at some of my scrapes. “Are you injured?”
“No, Night Veil. I am fine.”
Walker looked like he was scared to the last inch of his life. In his haste to rise, he had knocked over his chair. He stood hunched, low. My guard was still quivering. “I thought I saw the window break here when I was flying over town, looking for you, but I wasn’t sure.”
“Night Veil, Listen closely. Find the grey mare named Derpy Hooves, and have her retrieve all of the human's thing. Bring them here immediately. Do not let anypony follow you. Do not let anypony know we are here.” He looked at me, eyes brimming with confusion, and questions. I narrowed my eyes. “That is an order, Night Veil.”
“Yes, your majesty,” he said. He gently closed the door, and I heard his hoofsteps fade away.
Jerry finally eased his guard, and slumped into the chair once again. “So you're not going to send me home. You're going to leave me in this hellhole.”
I looked down at the chaos from the balcony window. “Truthfully, I do not believe you can stay here either.”
Ponies were running around, screaming. Some were trying to get away from the crowd, others were trying to join it, to listen to the frantic recounting of the ponies that had witnessed most of the events, or to gawk at the trails of blood. I saw the one name Lucky below, screaming from the top of the stage. “I’ve lost control of him! He’s a murderer! He’ll take away your foals, and tear off their wings. He’ll climb into your homes in the dead of night, and eat your children! He’s a monster that’s too dangerous to let live. He’ll eat you, he’ll eat me, he won’t stop until he sitting on top of a pile of the bones of everypony in town!”
Roves of ponies were racing around the alleyways and thoroughfares, kicking in doors and windows in a vain search for the both of us.
“Is it bad?” he asked.
I bit my lip. “The ponies are still restless. We should stay in this office for the moment.”
“No, not the mob. Not this situation, anyway. What am I supposed to do? I can't go home, I can't stay here. I can't go back in the forest. My best friend here is dead, and any pony that doesn't hate me thinks I killed her!” He stood up and flung his arms into air. “I must have gotten the shittiest guardian angel in existence!”
I swallowed the knot in my throat. I knew in my heart of hearts that Walker did not deserve this mob justice, and he could prove himself with some assistance. But after the events of tonight, how could we ever have a semblance of a fair trial? He would most likely be dragged out of prison and killed before the trial could even begin.
I briefly considered bringing him to the Canterlot castle. But even if I managed to hide him away, countless ponies would have seen him. I wasn't in any position to be harboring a criminal and pariah after tonight's events. Who’s to say that one of the guards wouldn't try to make themselves a hero and slay the human the moment I look away?
I could not send him home, and I could not protect him so long as he remained in such a hateful town. “I know what must be done. If you are to ever find your way back home, to atone for your sins, instead of accruing them, you must not, cannot, live in any of our towns.” He looked up to me. I reflected bitterly on what Jeremiah told me of how Twilight planned to take care of him. The irony was not lost that I was delivering the same sentence as Twilight Sparkle. “I must banish you from Ponyville, if not all settlements in Equestria.”
He harrumphed. “Well I didn't like your shitty pony society anyways.”
“You mistake me. This is for your own safety. You can not find redemption if you spend every moment fighting for the right to live here, or even fighting for your life.”
He remained silent.
“I wish there was another way. I wish you were not treated so poorly that it came to this,” I said with a sigh.
“Where would I even go?”
“Have you made any friends outside of Ponyville? A friendship strong enough that they would be willing to lend a hoof? Perhaps a friend who won't hear about this for a while?” As the words left my mouth, I scolded myself. All this talk of friendship... My sister was beginning to rub off on me.
“My closest friend was Lyra...”
I was saved from making a fumbling condolence by the sound of approaching hoofsteps.
Night veil marched through the door, bearing a duffel bag, and a plastic first aid kit. “The human's possessions, m'lady,” He bowed deeply.
“Thank you greatly. I need you to—”
It was at that moment you and the mayor walked in. I suppose that is the moment I first met you, Loose Leaf. I suppose the two of you were trying to get away from the riot, and galloped into the first building you found.
“My office!” Mayor Mare wailed. She galloped to the desk, and spotted the empty bottle. “My liquor!” She cradled the crystal taunton decanter like it was an injured foal.
You merely rolled your eyes at this.
I don't imagine I need to tell of that cluster of confusion. Night Veil and I might have not been particularly... understanding towards your accidental intrusion, but I'm glad you stumbled onto us. I wouldn't have had the means to create this report otherwise. I needed a member of the government that I could trust.
You were ideal to assemble this report. Not only are you young, bright, and weigh your decisions carefully, but you also do not call Ponyville your home. You had no loyalties here to be defended; the only thing guiding your actions were my orders, and eventually your own sense of justice.
Perhaps, at first you were motivated only by my authority. Your initial interviews with Berry Punch, Big Mac and Caramel were so methodical, so organized, I could just imagine you going door to door, asking all of the questions passionlessly, with all of the disinterest and efficiency of any bureaucrat. What is your name? What was the human's relation to you? Describe your first experience with the human.
But slowly, as you mailed the reports, I saw you become more invested, more engaged. You started recording more and more of what ponies had to say. You started asking them questions to follow up on their answers. Part way through the process, you stopped using those ridiculous one page forms. You started to go back and interview several of the ponies again. You stopped going down the alphabetical list of names I gave you, and started following leads. I was quite delighted with your commitment when you sent a letter, asking for my own experiences with the human. I must say, you've become quite the investigative journalist. I'm pleased to see your work has come to surpass my expectations.
Your work is commendable, Loose Leaf. I hate to imagine if I had had to rely on that bumbling fool of a mayor. Yes, I suppose we'll have to include her letter to me. Still I would have much preferred to have you write up an interview with her instead. Nothing to be done about it now.
Where was I? Yes, you and Mayor Mare had walked in, and were causing us a fright. Night Veil was trying to usher you two out. I stopped him, and looked the two of you dead in the eyes.
“You shall vow on your lives you saw nothing here but an empty room,” I said, my voice low and intent. The two of you crossed your hearts and recited some foalish playground oath.
Walker grabbed the doctor's bag, and dressed his wounds. “Hey! Those are for the princess!” Night Veil protested.
Walker extended a lone digit in Night Veil's direction.
“Leave him be. The doctor's bag is for his wounds, not mine.”
He grumbled something under his breath, before adjusting his helmet and directly facing me, saluting. “Miss Hooves requested to know where the human is going, and if he'll be back soon.”
I looked at the mayor, and you. “Tell her no, he will not be back. I am sending him back to where he came.”
You are the only one I have trusted enough to confide this information in, aside from my sister Celestia. I feared that if ponies found out too early, they would only riot again, calling for my blood, instead of his.
He nodded his head. “Come civilians, leave the princess to her duty.”
“But Loose Leaf and I aren't civilians! We're part of the government!” the mayor cried.
While Night Veil was fumbling on a witty retort to this justification, you were sensible enough grab the mayor and to escort the two of you out of the building. Grudgingly, Night Veil followed you.
I turned to Walker. “We best depart before we have any more unexpected guests.” As if on cue, I heard shattering glass in the distance.
“Everypony, stop! Please, stop! You're destroying Ponyville!” I heard the voice Twilight Sparkle, Celestia's protégé, cry hoarsely from very far away.
“Sooner would be much appreciated. Is there anywhere you might be welcome?”
He sighed. “I might be pushing my luck here, but there is one pony that might help out...”
I quickly drafted a letter on the mayor's desk.
By order of Luna Phoebe Asteria, princess of the night, on the 1034th year and 305th day of the Harmonic Era, the kingdom of Equestria requests that thou harbor, and treat as an honored guest, this human by the name of Walker. Do not let his presence be known by anypony outside of thyself and thy family. Thy service to thy country will be duly rewarded.
I affixed my signature, rolled up the scroll, and hoofed it to Walker, who in turn slipped it into the small duffel bag Night Veil had brought, half filled with the few articles of clothing and trinkets he had in this world. He hopped up on my back, and I felt bandaged hands squeeze against my neck.
I slid the wardrobe away from the window, the cool autumn night breeze flooding in. “Are you ready, Jeremiah?”
“Yes.” His voice was grim.
I would like to say that we created some ingenious escape plan, like they do in those espionage novels that seemed to become so popular during my absence. In actuality, we waited for a moment when there were only a few ponies outside of the town hall, and I took off, flying above the cloud lines. Sometimes the simplest plans are the best.
After almost an two hours of exhausting flight, I touched down at the crossroads. There was not a pony to be seen in miles. He swung off my back, and felt the ground gently with his fingers. I looked at him curiously as I stretched my aching wings.
“Sorry, but I'm not used to being that high up. I thought my reunion with firm ground was going to be a lot more... sudden.”
I ignored the comment on my flying. “Are you sure you do not want me to take you directly there?”
“I only know that it's in Appleloosa. This is as direct as it gets.” He glimpsed my worried look. “Don't worry, I know the right name to ask for. If I can get my hands on a map, I'll be able to get there.”
“Are you sure you do not want me to take you to an inn?”
He frowned. “I think I've had enough of pony society for a while. I'll be fine out here.” I watched as he picked up a fallen branch and stripped it of twigs, making himself a walking stick. He gave a world weary sigh, and looked up at me. He dug into his pocket, and pulled out the piece of unicorn horn. “Make sure this gets back to Ponyville.”
I nodded my head solemnly. “And you make sure that you are safe.” I had an idea. “Walker, present your arm.” He obliged.
I continued. “The Wanderers, many of them too were atoners, men and women without a home. Each of them bore this mark. It is a sign of your divine mission. Bear this symbol and none shall slay you, lest they incur my wrath sevenfold.”
I magicked the rune onto his arm, willing it into existence. When I finished, he ran his hand over the mark on the inside of his forearm. It almost looked like two canes crossed.
I gave the wayward human a wan smile. “May fortune and my blessing travel with you. I fully have the expectation that you will have the good sense to not kill somepony’s pet next time you wander into a town. If you ever wish to seek my guidance, I am only a dream—”
I was cut off by his arms wrapping around my neck. “Thank you.” He stood there, silently weeping into my mane for a few minutes. Eventually he gathered enough courage to let go.
“Until we meet again, Jeremiah Walker,” I said.
He nodded quietly, picking up his walking stick, and shrugging the strap of the bag onto his shoulder as he walked away.
When I reached Ponyville, it was nearly time for dawn. I landed, and firmly planted my feet. With a final magical shove, I pushed the moon beyond the horizon. I looked around at the destruction. Though there were hardly any ponies out anymore, the town was in an awful state. Overturned carts and broken trees. Several stores were broken into, their contents strewn about the streets. I walked through the town, looking at the extent of the damaged caused by the pure xenophobic hatred for one creature. How was I to show this town the error of their ways, when they were so malicious in their fear of the human? Yes, he had killed, but he was sent here for a second chance. They didn't even know about his past.
To think, if only Walker had been brought to any other part of Equestria, or stumbled onto Fluttershy's cottage just a little bit later, none of this would have happened. Where was I even to begin sorting out this entire crisis, when even my own subjects only saw me as their executioner? The exhaustion from the night slowly filled my body. I felt very weary. I suppose that is when I conceived the idea for this report.
I found Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy gawking at the wreckage. Twilight tried to ask me what happened, was I in good health, what became of the human?
I swatted away her hoof. “The human is back where he belongs,” I muttered. “No thanks to my sister's student.” Had Twilight not fumbled this entire situation, Walker would have long ago been integrated into Ponyville life. Now, there were two ponies dead, and the destructive wake of a riot and witch hunt.
“I tried to stop them, Princess, I did! But I didn’t know the human was going to kill those ponies. If only I had done something sooner! I tried to get him out of town, but nopony would—”
“Twilight Sparkle, hold your tongue. I am in no mood to hear your excuses,” I snapped.
I saw dear sister's sun rise into the sky, warming the air ever so slightly and flooding the town square with light. In the distance, I saw two figures flying towards us. “Is that Rainbow Dash and Celestia?” I heard Applejack asked nopony in particular. Within moments, the two mares touched down on the street next to the four of us.
“Hey guys! Me and Celestia are back from Zebrica! Check out all these medals I got!” Rainbow Dash unbuckled her sash, and showed off the honorific badges to some of the nearby ponies. “Say, how’s that human doing?”
Fluttershy kneaded the ground with her hoof.
Applejack wearily looked around the carnage. “Um… about that…”
My sister smiled with pride at Rainbow Dash. “You were truly an admirable diplomat. Without your understanding and guidance, I don’t know what would have happened with those trade agreements!” She turned to Twilight cheerily. “Where is the human? I would very much like to meet him while I'm in town. I haven't seen one in ages.”
Twilight was hyperventilating too much to give an adequate response.
“I'll give you some time to get organized,” Celestia said with a smile. She trotted up to me, and looked around at the trashed town square, bemused. “Seems to have been quite the celebration last night. Did I miss anything?”
Let it suffice to say that I beat my head against the nearest wall until my horn got stuck.
It was not my most dignified moment.
I think our report is finally complete. Now that Ms. Heartstrings has woken up and told her side of the story, we have more than enough evidence to bring Lucky and all of those to justice, and show all of Ponyville how vile they were.
I do not know what fate befalls Twilight. That is for my sister to decide. She was not within any violation of any laws, but Celestia was crushed that Twilight not only allowed the situation with the human to deteriorate so much, but to be a part of his oppression.
Celestia has been allowing Twilight's letters to pile up in her study, unread. She doesn't want to believe her own protégé would abuse her power like this, but she is preparing for the worst news. This whole affair has left her sullen and sleepless. I have not seen her smile often in these last few months. Seeing this report complete will do little to improve her mood.
Nor for that matter, Ponyville’s. But sometimes we need to look into a mirror and see ourselves in a less savory light. I'm proud of the work you have done, Loose Leaf. Though the ponies here might not appreciate you writing this report, they will be better off seeing how hateful they have allowed themselves to become. And for this report, Loose Leaf, I am deeply grateful for your effort. This is more than a counteractive trial. This is a testament to every sin and wrongdoing, every misery these ponies put Walker through. If there is any hope for this town, they need to see just how truly awful they are.
However, I would have preferred Lucky's arrest to have come on the day we publish this report. I wanted to make an example of him. But at the same time, I commend your sense of justice for having Lucky detained the moment Lyra woke up and told you her part of the story.
Still, on my way here I heard many talk of how you unfairly called for the arrest of Lucky, the town hero. But I’ve also heard rumors that Spike has moved in with Rarity, and that Twilight’s not living in the library anymore. Nopony was there when I stopped by earlier today. Some are saying that Celestia sent her to the moon after she tried to deport the human, inadvertently laying the groundwork for the riot. I think its more likely that she is staying at her parent’s house until my sister comes to pass a judgement. We shall let them believe whatever they want until report comes out.
This entire incident has been receiving some notice outside of Ponyville. The Equestrian Times and Hoofington Daily reporters have been trying to make sense of the riot, the murder, and Walker’s involvement in it all. From what I have read of their speculations, they are not painting Ponyville in a favorable light. I think they will find our research very informative. None of it is in the front page yet, but it is certainly helping Spike’s movement get attention. Soon all of Equestria’s eyes will turn on Ponyville.
And the human? Well, I don't think he'd ever willingly step foot in Ponyville again, even with my pardon. I've been walking in his dreams as of late. He's in good hooves, and that's all I have to say on the matter.
Guh, seems like a cop out, he doesn't get any resolution. He just gets sent on his merry way. I really wanted to see him and Lyra get some closure. I'm guessing you just couldn't continue the story with the different perspective writing anymore. Maybe a sequel would be good, but written in the standard perspective instead. I really liked your version of Lyra and was hoping for more.
Cute. "The mark of Cain."
Ouch. This just goes to show what happens when emotions run wild. Not even Luna's actions were enough to stop the mob. Damn Lucky, they guy was a total ass hat the whole way through.
I kind of feel bad for Twilight, but also disappointed. She did the best she could while waiting for Celestia, but if she had written to Luna at the very start, this probably wouldn't have happened. Luna was only unable to stop the riot because it had been boiling for quite some time. I think if she had intervened sooner this could have had a better outcome.
This has been a very good read. And a very good ending (epilogue notwithstanding).
I LIKE that this isn't just some dumb brony self insert, you know, a character, with a life, and a personality, and a story. I LIKE that he doesn't fit into Equestria, that values dissonance creates conflict. I LIKE that there is struggle, and none of that stupid slice of life crap that seems to dominate HIEs. I LIKE that these characters FEEL real, they have faults, they make mistakes, they learn a little, they suffer, they grow, they make me care about them.
The villain does feel a little 2 dimensional, his motivations are not even remotely sympathetic, but he is a little bit more than a Bad Guy (TM). You spent time giving him a little fleshing out, piecing him together instead of pulling out a cookie cutter. Maybe he's not 3D, but at least there's some 'shading' if you will that at least gives an illusion of 3D, and that's better than most.
And maybe it feels a little vindictive, but I liked that Twilight is...taken down a peg in this story. I feel like ever since Alicorn!Twilight became canon, she's been drifting further and further into Mary Sue territory.
Good job bro.
And I hope we see some of that trial!
Justice FAIL!
Well, at least Twilight got bucked. We can only hope Fluttershy and Applejack get their lives ruined completely as well, they deserve nothing less. Hopefully Ponyville becomes the mocking spot and scorn of society as well, that would be nice.
Still, I find the idea that Luna couldn't silence a mob a bit hard to take. For goodness sake, upon her first Nightmare Night, everypony was throwing themselves to the ground when she so much as spoke, if anypony can do crowd control, it's Luna. If Lucky spoke up against her, grab him by the throat and have his face meet the ground, she's an alicorn for goodness sake, if Ponyville ponies get terrified of one human, a bit of good old "alicorn powers showoff" is gonna make them freeze in place and piss themselves. It just feels weak, as if you were afraid to "Deus Ex Machina" it or something, like everybody seems to be when it comes to the Princesses.
Your excuse for where Celestia and RD were all this time was amusing, it feels like something the show would pull to put Celestia out of the picture as well.
Still, that still leaves the question of why the heck everypony, and especially Twilight, all decided to act out of character this entire story.
Hope to see a sequel!
As always, I hope they die of guilt.
Proving fallen and disgraceful to light,
it seems ponykind will suffer from a despair of their own; deluded.
A thousand pities upon the one who so sinfully
brought a calamity such as this to be!
Awaiting further releases.
Yes! I was waiting the last few weeks for this. Can't wait to see the ending.
Still says incomplete, so I assume Walker is gonna get an epilogue at Appleloosa for the closure, though I admit that time skipping over the legal and social ramifications to the riot is pretty sad.
Loose Leaf for mayor! Loose Leaf for mayor!
4068286
This has evolved way past than just being centered around Walker.
4068338
It's not that entirely out of character. Ponyville has always been skittish. Heck, most of them feared Zecora until Applebloom decided to go see if she was truly some sort of evil enchantress. Mind you, Twilight also bought into the fear that episode.
Rainbow Dash as the most open-minded one?
Hardly see that in a fanfic. (even though she was the only one who bothered to befriend a griffin)
but it is certainly helping Spike’s movement get attention
Okay I was about to make a comment about that, but it seems all has ended well for Spike.
As for Twilight, could it possible that Celestia id indirectly responsible for how she handled things? Celestia seems to like humans (if you believe her one sentence she spoke of them) so how come she couldn't have left a letter with Twilight about their history? Seems kind of dumb there... you could also argue Celestia was the one that raised Twilight and taught her. I guess what I'm saying is I would love to see a follow up story (if you don't follow it up in the epilogue) about redeeming both Twilight and Fluttershy. Maybe the apple family too since they didn't help matters. Good story though, I normally don't go in for ones that are like this, just seems too messy. The ponies in Ponyville seem like murderers too which is pretty unbelievable, but oh well. Still written well, if not without some grammar mistakes.
Oh yeah, in my sequel idea I would love to have Walker be in it of course.So redemption for Twi + Shy + Apple Family (Sort of) and Walker 4068286
4068338
I think if she wanted, she could.
She was just truly fearful of being hated yet again, and that was somewhat of a mental block to keep her from doing anything too major, she even mentions she could just blow them all away.
She still wants to be loved, but she's afraid of being hated, seen as a tyrant, a disgrace that couldn't settle a situation with words unlike Celestia could.
Ok I HATED this ending, we got no justice, the human was just sent away, it feels like a giant cop out
I hope the epilogue helps or you change this chapter
Reminds me of that one Twilight Zone episode… with the town that lost power… and rioted… ah, well… This was a good story! I liked it, a lot!
Not the vengeance I wanted, but it will suffice.
Can't wait for the epilogue.
oh my god so awesome!
Well that was pretty satisfying. I expected him to end up dead but I feel this is better.
4068326
Admittedly, this is unrelated to the story, but...
I don't think Twilight is turning into a Mary Sue. Uninteresting? Maybe. But she isn't becoming a Mary Sue, that just doesn't happen. A Mary Sue is when a character faces no conflict, or struggle, and is overpowered to the point of invincibility, right from the start. Twilight isn't becoming a Mary Sue, she's overcoming her flaws, and bringing her character development full-circle. Now, this might have happened a bit early in the series, especially since we know G4 will last for quite a few more years, but she isn't turning into a Mary Sue.
Very nearly done, and a long time coming
4068451
There was no real chance for a good ending for him. Either it gets resolved with his death, or he gets sent back, or he gets shipped somewhere else.
Also, about how long is the epilogue going to be?
To be brutally honest about this chapter, on it's own, it kind of feels unsatisfying. The "scolding" given to Twilight read more like Luna was frustrated with her, rather than disgusted, like the rest of the chapter indicates.
I think most of us were expecting a grand "Why You Suck" speech from the Royal Sisters, just oozing with tranquil fury. The fact that we never directly see Celestia's reaction to her faithful student doing this, or Rainbow's reaction to her friends' actions, is sort of... Weird.
Poor Lyra her friend is gone and his only friend is gone. :( I bet they can't even write each other.
Also Walker is no longer a blank flank!
A fitting conclusion. I found the Cain and Abel allegory to be rather weak, especially with the whole "mark of the wanderer" shtick, it honestly felt forced, and unneeded, as well as the whole redemption shtick with the supposed previous sinners seeking redemption. I understand that there was supposed to be a hallow and Christian motif, but taking it so far as to say that through divine intervention, sinners shall walk the earth, without rest, seeking redemption, is, well, it's cheesy, especially when you have, I believe it was Luna, quoting the story of Cain and Abel, which made no sense to me.
Other than that, I rather liked this story. Sure it was horribly dark, but it's impressive in that respect, in that it didn't have to resort to horror, gore, or war, to convey that sense. In fact, many times, I became pissed at many of the characters, the Mane six in particular, because their actions were just horrendous, but this is kind of grey, because often times, it felt like they were acting out of character. Lyra, Depry, and Rarity were actually the only three characters that really acted in character, in my opinion. The actions of the other side characters, the antagonists, if you will, did feel natural, but by human standards, and that's probably my biggest gripe, these characters live in a pony society, one that greatly believes in harmony, forgiveness, and peace, and yet, you have them acting out human mentalities, emotions, and reactions. But what I also liked was the fact that many of the characters had faults, not just the "oh, I put on a tough bravado" kind of fault, but the realistic, and serious kind of faults, everybody has. But that being said, it often went into the extreme category. Applejack, while rightfully distrusting of J, should have had been able to sense the truth in his words. Fluttershy should have been a little more understanding of J's condition, because of her experience with animals, she should have been able to tell J was wounded, starved, and an omnivore. Her attacking him at first, is a reasonable reaction, her refusing to use her vast pool of knowledge when it comes to animals, to apply it to J, is a huge stretch. Twilight felt uncharacteristically xenophobic. Yes, J didn't exactly the best track record, but she is one of the smartest ponies in Equestria, is Celesita's personal protege, and should be wise enough, as well as experienced enough, to know that the person is smart, the people are stupid, and that her actions are akin to pouring gasoline onto a bonfire. And Rarity, well, I can't really fault her, because her actions felt the most genuine. She tried to help, she tried to be a kind person, she tried to see past all the lies and scandal built up around J, and she tried to remedy the situation. And as for Pinkie, I don't remember seeing her in the story, I'll have to look again. And Dash didn't come in until the end of the story.
I also found the town's reaction to Luna to be incredibly far fetched as well. Luna may have only been in Equestria for all of one or two years, but she is still royalty, she has that air to her, that demands respect, radiates power, and fear, and most importantly, she is still incredibly powerful. While she didn't have to harm the citizens of Ponyville, how hard would it have been to put on a show of power? Just enough to take the heat off of Jeremiah, and focus it on her, so that she may quell the riot?
As for Spike's actions, I think that was one of the more interesting aspects of the story. He had a valid argument, he saw a problem, and he sought to fix it. Hopefully, through his actions, and J becoming a supposed martyr, Equestria will change for the better. And that is something I definitely want to see followed up upon.
All in all, I like the story, and at times, I had an emotional connection to Jeremiah, in that, I was often outraged by the actions of those around him. It's a good story, but has it's faults, the flow is often broken up by the repeated changes in perspective, but there a few characters I would have liked to have seen the story through, the characters have faults, which, while refreshing, is often taken too far to the point of them seeming uncharacteristic of them, and J's story of seeking redemption, while interesting, is clouded by pointless religious allegories, and metaphors, and while it isn't the first story to do the whole "humans don't belong in Equestria" ploy, it is like a good apple pie, while it doesn't do too much to break the mold, it's still a good pie, and everybody can enjoy a good pie, especially one as well done as this one.
4068338 "We can only hope Fluttershy and Applejack get their lives ruined completely as well, they deserve nothing less." I didn't have the impression that Fluttershy aggravated the overall situation after the initial misunderstanding. She didn't anything to improve it, sure, but I think Twilight was worse. Applejack, well, she did lose part of her farm, but did try to make some amends. Like paying Walker for his work.
Well that was rough. No happy ending for anyone it seems.
4068542
I didn't say she was. I said she was starting to come close to it. Frankly I've been extremely disappointed with all the SE4 episodes I've watched (and not just because of Twilight).
This is all 10x worse on FimFic, being that fimfic is like...98% amateur authors.
4068621
Also, This.
Well, to Lucky and all his mindeless pals i only have two Words....public execution.
EDIT: I'm being downvoted to oblivion here; Is it for the Twilight opinion or the fucking musical number? Or both?
Some clarification would be wonderful for me to be able to promptly delete the offense.
4068288
I'm not Abel to get it.
I feel really, really bad for Twilight in this... Was her reaction poor?
... compared to what? Compared to the rest of the panicked, godawful xenophobic clusterfuck?
Sure, Twilight was bad, but she was downright progressive by Ponyville standards. Gave him a visa, sure. I mean, yes, as Voltaire said, "Better is the enemy of 'good'" but, Christ, an omnivore in a herbivorous society is chilling.
At worst Celestia should feel bitterly resigned to the fact she leads such a desperately racist society that even her protege is not above and not see Twilight as a flawed individual for this.
That being said? Good slap on the... ankle is called for.
Now! Now!
Err...
Shit. I don't want this story to end, but it needs to end, but goddamn. Okay, okay, I can do this... suck it up...
"Loose Leaf" Sung to the tune of "One Week" by the Bare Naked Ladies"
It's been Loose Leaf with the interviews
Writing the reports in which we still stew
Two years since we had Cheerilee being
The guest monster for a class of fillies
Two weeks and the Tenant bloomed
We realized the faults were going to loom
And today they'd reached their peak
But it'll still be an update until we epilogue here
Hold it now and Appleoosa
He's on the loose, huh?
I think he's looking for Jubilee
Wonder what he eats in the desert bloomin' heat
Maybe sushi
'cause he forgot to bring a frying pan
Not like Celestia when she busts Twi
And I won't lie
But I don't know what to tell you
Mayor Mare's just a dumb hick
She's just a tad thick, but she's good at heart to value
Whilst Lucky I wanna break
I got this feeling I can't shake
Apple Bloom huh? Well, man, tell us bout her cutie mark!
Gotta end this show, cause then we'll know
Whether our love for it will grow
And it will leave us,
But we'll give it a cheery wave, huh.
How can I help it if I think you're funny and it's sad
Though I know it has to end it makes me feel bad
I don't want to have to read about Walker's funeral
Don't understand what I mean?
Well, we soon will
He has a tendency to think biblically
He has a mark of Caine, that's gotta hurt
It's been one year since we saw Cheerilee
Brought in again
I know, it's crazy
Five months since we got Derpy
When he got depressed and just wouldn't leave
It's been three months since Twi got redeemed
We realized it's not her fault
But Walker's still doomed
And today I'd forgiven her
But now I sit back and wait til she says she's sorry
Lickety Luna the moonbound chicken
Though she's quick to arrive well the plot does thicken'
Though she's getting her Nightmare Night groove on
She's now mob-gone
And Celestia's not here for one
You were asleep for Changeling antics
So don't get frantic
But it's gotta hurt, that I won't lie
Lyra Heartstrings is still lovesick
And without magic
And man I think I'm still gunna cry
And I get that's just the rub
But she'd make a cutie sub
And damn it no I can't stop the shipping
Gonna blast Lucky to the moon
He puts me in a violent mood damn pony
Their love was totally gunna be a thing!
How can I help it if I think you're funny and it's sad
Though I know it has to end it makes me feel bad
I don't want to have to read about Walker's funeral
Don't understand what I mean?
Well, we soon will
He has a tendency to think biblically
He has a mark of Caine, that's gotta hurt
It's been a year since we read Bon-Bon
Well ten months besides
a chapter with Lucky
Five chapters later I'd be filled with glee
Until the ending killed me as it was wont to do
One more till this story's doom
That's just how you play the game
And hear Lyra croon...
Last update it was Apple Bloom
Because the epilogue is coming too soon...
The epilogue is coming too soon
The epilogue is coming too soon
Eighteenth chapter, the grand finale...
4068658
If you were a professional author, you wouldn't be writing much on fanfiction sites.
I really want to see what happens to Applejack in all this. I hope she faces some sort of justice.
"I wanted to make an example of him" - I want to see it. Oooooh, I want it so much...
I forgot to ask about Loose Leaf. I remember the author once asking the readers who was writing the reports. Now we have a name, but I still don't know the significance of this character.
4068707
look back to the mayor's chapter
4068338 Have you ever stood between an angry mob and their target? You're ignored at best and beaten at worst, the best way to break a mob is to shock it. The slow synchronized march of riot cops is as much for mental reasons as tactical ones.
Can I just say that I'm wryly amused at the mob justice mentality of the comments section here... even after these past three chapters?
I mean.. really?
4068501 The Monsters are Due on Maple Street? That was one of my favorites.
Will we be seeing all the characters in the epilogue?
4068492 Now now, don't be like that! We can always ask the author if we can use Lucky for one of the Polybius stories.
I am guessing Lyra moves away and tries to find Walker. The Mayor is hopefully removed from office and the town put under the control of an outside authority. Obviously citizens of this town can't govern themselves.
Twilight has ruined her relationship with Spike and I hope Celestia just drops her as a student. Celestia should just stop with this student thing. In this timeline she doesn't appear to have much luck.
Well, I should think that any epilogue is going to center around Twilight's pathetic and failed attempt to earn Celestia's favor. I remember the IDW comic that had Celestia talk about a 'mistake' and look at the mirror Sunset Shimmer disappeared into; my guess is that she's going to look at the stained glass window that celebrated the liberation of Luna and lament another mistake.
4068552
Uh, that's kinda what I was saying. It's not a cop out. The conflict has evolved beyond past being about Walker into something different. And that is what is being resolved here.
I once heard in a comic, when the miniseries was coming to an end, that, "some stories can only end one way...". It, like this story, was a work of catharsis. It's sad but we're learning from it.
I am wondering about a few things: what is Applebloom's cutie mark, what did Bob-Bon say Lucky did to make Lyra turn away from him (he seemed like a good guy until Lyra started hitting on Jeremiah), and what is the fate of Twilight Sparkle (she deserves some sort of punishment, but how bad; I'm projecting dislike on her for others' actions though she did have a
handhoof in it)?So the epilogue will answer the questions we need to know, but I hope that those come to light as well...
4068748 Reread that chapter, but I'm not sure how it actually answers the question. Is Loose Leaf special in someway? Or just an OC and you wanted to see if the readers could figure that out?
4068817 hmm ok
HEY AUTHOR, CAN WE USE YOUR VERSION OF LUCKY FOR A STORY?
4068937
He's an OC. His only relevance is within the story. In this chapter he is revealed to be the silent listener in all of the chapters except for one. I don't think I'm understanding your question.