Trials and Tribulations: Storming the Ring Part 2

As Velvet made her way back to her hooves, a ripple formed on the barrier. She took a cautious step back as the barrier began to dim slightly.

"Is that thing contained," Zephyr shouted.

Velvet walked toward Zephyr and shook her head.

"Trixie is keeping the barrier up as best she can, but there's no way that she can maintain it for much longer."

Another unicorn screamed and collapsed to the floor.

"Kill it," Storm Ring said, "I'll have to salvage what I can."

"She's far too powerful," Velvet said, "And Trixie is the only one that's keeping her at bay."

Her ears twitched, and she turned to Trixie.

"What did you say?"

Sweat poured from Trixie's head as she focused all her energy into reinforcing the barrier.

"Bring me crystals."

Velvet looked away as she scanned the basement floor for any unopened crates. When she spotted one, she motioned for Thunderclap to retrieve it.

"What is she planning," Flashpoint asked.

"I'm not certain," Velvet said, "But do as she asks."

Flashpoint nodded to Thunderclap, "If it'll keep us alive."

"I'm going, I'm going," Thunderclap moaned.

Rainbow Dash saw the large pegasus casually make his way over to her crate though all she could see was red. She crouched down lower and waited.

Thunderclap looked at the crate and said, "Are you sure this one's still full?"

"Just bring it over," Velvet shouted.

"Fine. I was just asking."

He leaned over to pick up the crate, and managed to jump back in time to avoid being struck in the face with the box's lid.

Rainbow Dash landed next to the box and lunged at Thunderclap.

---

"What do we have here," Thunderclap asked as he sidestepped Rainbow's lunge.

He grabbed her tail with his mouth and spun causing Rainbow to crash into a crate.

Thunderclap wasted no time. He hoisted up a crate that still had crystals and tossed it toward Flashpoint.

The unicorn caught it with her magic and sent to Velvet before running to her partner's aid.

"We'll deal with her," she shouted, "You keep that thing contained."

Rainbow Dash staggered to her hooves, her attention on Thunderclap, which left her open to Flashpoint's attack.

As she readied herself to attack Thunderclap, a sharp crack struck her in the side of the head dropping her to the ground. Instinctively, she flapped her wings and shot backward just in time to avoid a heavy crate's fall.

"Another Bearer," Flashpoint said, "Be careful."

Thunderclap faced Rainbow Dash and studied her carefully.

"I'm going to enjoy this," he said.

Rainbow wasted no time. She dove and struck Thunderclap hard in the side.

The large pegasus stumbled but managed to remain standing.

"That all you got? Even the earth ponies put up a better fight."

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth and lunged again only to be stopped mid-charge.

"That's enough from you," Flashpoint said as she held Rainbow Dash in place with her magic.

Thunderclap laughed as he took a step closer to Rainbow.

"Hold her," he said.

Rainbow struggled against the magical field holding her in place but couldn't do anything. She braced herself for the oncoming assault...

And the wind was knocked out of her when she fell to the floor with a painful thud.

Flashpoint let out a pained scream as she tumbled into a crate with a pink blur on top of her.

Rainbow Dash wasted no time and struck Thunderclap in the head as hard as she could.

The large pegasus staggered back and growled at her.

"You're going to pay for that."

Pinkie Pie ran behind Flashpoint and kicked her in the ribs.

Flashpoint cried out in pain and spun around prepared to attack Pinkie.

"Wait," Thunderclap shouted, "Not yet."

Pinkie Pie saw Flashpoint's hesitation and rushed at her. She tackled her dead on and the two tumbled over crates.

Thunderclap ran to help his partner, but Rainbow Dash landed in front of him.

"We're not done," Rainbow Dash said, "You're gonna pay for what you did to AJ."

He grinned and said, "Kicking an earth pony's flank is easy enough. This should be interesting."

The two squared off and rushed at each other.

Pinkie Pie rolled away from Flashpoint and looked around for something to tie her up.

"I beat you before," Flashpoint said, "Don't think I won't again."

Pinkie narrowed her eyes and said, "You hurt Jackie."

She didn't wait for a response before striking Flashpoint hard in the face.

Flashpoint staggered backward before recovering her bearings.

She glared at Pinkie and said, "Not as bad as I'm going to hurt you."

---

Trixie strained under the pressure the spell placed on her. Pain coursed through her body, and the battling ponies were not helping.

"The crystals are in place," Velvet said.

She took a cloth into her mouth and gently dabbed Trixie's brow.

"Th-thank you," Trixie groaned.

She slowly opened her eyes and shuddered as the basement door blew open.

The containment spell weakened slightly, and Applejack wasted no time attacking the barrier. She fired a blast of energy at Trixie and readied to strike again as the barrier shattered.

"Guards," Shining Armor shouted, "Secure this area."

The Royal Guard ponies began to file into the basement but all stopped in their tracks at the sight of the alicorn before them.

All except Twilight.

She ran over to Trixie and raised a barrier just as a magical blast struck.

"What happened," Trixie asked in a daze.

"I was about to ask you," Twilight said, "What did you do?"

Trixie rose to her hooves, "Now is not the time for that. Trixie must undo what has happened."

She turned to face Applejack and took a deep breath. Her gaze hardened as she focused her magic. The constant attacks on the barrier caused her to shudder, but she soon found what she was looking for.

"Trixie has you now," she said as she cast her spell at Applejack.

A beam of energy shot out of her horn and struck Applejack in the chest. The pony screamed in pain as a beam emerged from her chest. This new beam shot downward towards the crystals.

"What are you doing," Twilight asked.

"Trixie is busy. Don't bother her."

Shining Armor walked to Storm Ring, "Storm Ring?"

"That is correct," Storm Ring replied with a smile and a bow, "How may I assist the Princesses' most loyal servant?"

He glanced toward Applejack and added, "I think you have slightly more pressing matters to deal with than me."

Shining Armor shook his head, "Twilight Sparkle is more than capable to dealing with that thing."

He took a small step back when Zephyr began to laugh.

"Some thing," Zephyr said between laughs, "Do you truly not recognize the very Element of Honesty before you?"

Shining Armor looked at the enraged alicorn and felt his heart sink.

"You will pay for this," he growled.

Sapphire Breeze turned to two archers and said, "Assist the Bearers with the mercenaries."

Two unicorns nodded and ran toward the fray.

Shining Armor then turned to Sapphire Breeze, "Keep a close watch on this one."

The mare nodded and took her position a fair distance away from Storm Ring.

---

"Come on," Thunderclap growled, "You should be putting up a better fight than this."

Rainbow Dash wiped some blood from her lip with a hoof and lunged at the large pegasus.

Thunderclap stood his ground and the considerably smaller pegasus barely nudged him.

Rainbow took a step back and lunged at him again. Only this time she used her speed instead of her strength.

Thunderclap prepared to catch Rainbow, but soon found himself sprawled on the ground next to Flashpoint.

She levitated a crate and threw it at Pinkie.

The pink pony ducked under the crate and pounced onto Flashpoint.

"I know your tricks," Flashpoint said with a smirk.

"Wha-,"

A crate slammed into Pinkie's head and she flew into Rainbow Dash.

The two ponies got to their hooves and steadied themselves.

"Now this is what I'm talking about," Thunderclap said, "I missed a good fight."

"Somepony has to," Flashpoint said with a groan.

"That's enough," a voice shouted.

All four ponies turned and stared at the two guards pointing loaded crossbows at them.

Rainbow glared at the mercenaries, "You're lucky."

Flashpoint shook her head, "No. You have no idea how lucky you two are."

She nudged Thunderclap and sighed, "We surrender."

The large pegasus grumbled and nodded, "Yeah, we surrender. You're not getting any more trouble from us."

Pinkie smiled at Rainbow Dash and collapsed.

"Pinkie," Rainbow shouted, "Are you okay?"

The pink pony laughed and said, "Yeah, just tired."

---

Rarity monitored the entire scene with an almost detached demeanor. Her eyes moved from her friends fighting two mercenaries, to Twilight and Trixie trying to save Applejack, to Shining Armor placing Storm Ring under arrest, to the almost unseen figure sneaking their way towards a wall.

She narrowed her eyes and saw that the wall opened allowing the figure to leave the scene unnoticed to all except her.

"I saw you," Rarity whispered as she quickly made her way to the wall.

As she passed a guard entering the basement, she grabbed the mare's bow and quiver with her magic.

"Hey," the guard called as she was stripped of her weapon. She began to pursue but Sapphire Breeze stopped her.

"Never mind that," she said, "Help secure the prisoners."

---

Rarity's attention was focused solely on the figure.

The wall bore no obvious markings of a secret passage, and Rarity would not have been able to find the switch had she not witnessed its operation a moment ago.

The small section of wall opened and she quickly ran up the stairs, the sound of combat slowly receding as she climbed.

The narrow stairway offered no light for her to follow, but, thankfully, this path went in one direction.

She ran out of the exit and shivered as the sudden cool breeze of the evening hit her damp coat. Without thinking she tightened her magical grip on the bow and quiver and took slow cautious steps into a garden path.

Her eyes scanned the foliage making certain to also watch the sky above for the fleeing pony.

"If I must be captured," a calm voice said, "It's a blessing that it be at the hooves of somepony as sophisticated and cultured as you."

Rarity spun on her hooves and raised the bow at the shadows.

"Reveal yourself," she commanded.

Zephyr stepped out of the shadow and gave her a warm smile. Had she not known of what he had done, she would have felt quite enraptured with him. Unfortunately for him, she bore nothing but contempt for him.

She levitated an arrow, nocked it, and said, "You will pay for what you have done."

His smile broadened the tiniest bit, and he took a cautious step forward.

"No," he said with a shake of his head, "I won't be paying for anything. In fact, I plan on flying out of here, and you will watch me go."

Rarity took a step back but kept the bow trained on Zephyr.

"Your words mean nothing to me. You hired assassins to kill one of my dearest friends, and you honestly believe that you are above punishment?"

Zephyr sighed before shaking his head.

"No," he said, "I mustn't lose my patience with you. You are in an impassioned state and can't see things clearly. I will not be punished because of the damage I will unleash if I were."

Rarity lowered the bow slightly, "You work for rich and powerful ponies, but none are more powerful than the Princesses. You will be thrown into the darkest dungeon before you have a chance to whisper a single secret."

Now Zephyr's smile turned into a grin, "I have more than secrets. I have truth on my side. Truths such as the fact that I nearly destroyed the precious balance that protects our world."

He turned his gaze upward to the night sky even though he knew better, but this pony wouldn't kill him. Murder is beneath a pony like Rarity.

"Such a beautiful sight are our skies at night. Ponies don't know true beauty and I pity them for it."

After a moment, he returned his gaze to Rarity's.

"It may surprise you that I didn't even know she was a Bearer."

Rarity rolled her eyes and said, "You still hired goons to take her life."

Zephyr let out a sigh, "Please think for a moment. I know that you are a Bearer because Storm Ring told me that you were, but nopony in Equestria knows. Imagine the panic that would spread when I tell the world that it's only means of defense is six ponies, and that defense becomes worthless should any one of them fall."

He raised a hoof to stop Rarity from responding, "Think of what would happen should I reveal the names of The Elements of Harmony. You, my dear socialite, will flourish, but what of the others?"

Rarity raised the bow again and drew back the arrow, "I will not listen to your lies. You will return to guards and accept your fate."

"Must we really do this," Zephyr asked.

Rarity's refusal to respond spurred him on.

"Very well," he said, "I place myself under provisional arrest. The provision being that I be handed over to the Royal Guard."

His grinned broadened as Rarity relaxed her stance.

"Of course," he continued, "it would mean the end of a very young life."

"You lie," Rarity said with weak resolve, "You can't do that."

"But I can," Zephyr said, "And you can imagine that I am not above ending a life in order to preserve my own."

Rarity took a few steps around Zephyr, making sure that his main escape route was blocked and said, "I believe that you would spread misery if it spared you an inconvenience."

Zephyr looked to the sky and said, "I'm certainly not quite that callous, but I grow tired of this. I bid you a fond farewell. You know what damage I will cause should I not be allowed my freedom."

He took flight and made no attempt to escape. His flight was slow, peaceful, and designed solely to mock Rarity.

She growled and raised the bow Zephyr's direction. It took all of her strength to keep her from firing a killing shot. She had no doubt that Zephyr was a liar and killer, but it was the latter that concerned her. Should she take him down, would an innocent life truly be lost?

Her eyes followed his flight, and her anger grew as he made no attempt at concealment or evasion.

"No," she whispered, "You have caused enough harm."

Rarity pulled back the string, the arrow still nocked, and judged Zephyr's ascent. She took a deep breath and thought of her dear friend. One of the few ponies who could, with her sheer nature, drive a pony so devoted to her stature and appearance to acts of violence and contemplate murder.

"For you Fluttershy," Rarity whispered and let the arrow fly, "Whatever comes from this, we will stand together."

Her arrow flew true with purpose and power toward Zephyr. It didn't take long before she saw Zephyr jerk and begin to fall. She ripped some ivy from a garden lattice, while making certain to maintain the proper aesthetic, and ran toward the downed pony.

---

"What was that," Twilight asked Trixie.

The blue unicorn groaned under the strain of her spell but managed to whisper, "Help me."

Twilight nodded and looked around the basement. Rainbow was tending to Pinkie's wounds and the guards sent to assist were putting manacles on the mercenaries.

"What can I do," she asked, "I can't do a spell if I don't know it's purpose."

"Just do something," Trixie said, "Trixie can't keep this up for much longer."

Twilight closed her eyes and tried to focus as best she could. Volumes of texts passed through her mind in an instant as she tried to find a solution. Instead, she gained insight on Trixie's intentions.

"You're draining the excess magic," she whispered and readied a spell to assist Trixie.

Her spell neared completion when an explosion knocked her off her hooves.

Applejack's screams ceased as she realized the barrier was truly gone. Her hateful gaze fell upon Storm Ring, who still lay on his side, and began to charge her magic once more.

Trixie let out a groan of pain. She stood at the epicenter of the explosion and was nearly knocked unconscious, but managed to rise to a sitting position.

"Stop," she shouted but knew that it was to no avail.

Applejack turned to Trixie and her gaze softened. Pain and rage still shone in her face and fired a magical bolt at Trixie.

Trixie stared at the ball of energy that flew at her. Time slowed to a crawl as the fatal attack drew closer. She braced herself, and found herself dumbstruck as a bright lavender light exploded before her.

"Wha-," she stammered as she regained her faculties.

Twilight, already on her hooves, kept her eyes on the magical barrier she erected.

Applejack's raged as she fired more attacks against against the two unicorns.

Shining Armor turned his attention to his younger sister and cast a spell to strengthen Twilight's barrier.

Storm Ring used this opportunity to make his way toward the exit Zephyr used. He kept his eyes on all the ponies in the room. Except for one.

"Master Ring," a calm voice said behind him.

Storm Ring turned and nodded to Velvet, "Good work. I shall be away, and I still have all my notes."

Velvet smiled and said, "It's almost over then?"

A pegasus guard armed with a crossbow entered the basement and began to secure the perimeter starting with area away from the two hidden ponies.

"Now is our chance," Storm Ring said.

He smiled at the sight of an Alicorn, even though the base was of such low quality, standing firmly against the two most powerful unicorns in Equestria. His smile twisted to pain and horror as his breath was driven out of him.

Pain wracked his body as he fell to the basement floor. He looked up and saw, with a bloody knife secured to her hoof, Velvet glaring down at him.

"Red Velvet, What are you doing?"

Velvet's face became a snarl as she said, "I wanted to kill Grey, but I'll gladly kill you instead."

She rose the dagger into the air to deliver the fatal blow and said with increasing rage, "And my name is Ginger Bread."

The blow never came. Two bolts struck her in the chest. She staggered back two steps before she fell to the dirt floor.

---

Pain coursed though Zephyr's wing and ribs, and he knew that he wouldn't be walking away. He hit the ground harder than he thought. Still, he managed to push back the anger, pain, and growing panic just enough to begin to plan his next move.

He rose to a sitting position as best he could and waited.

"You're on your way," he whispered, "Full of righteous fury and vengeance. How far will you go?"

His eyes scanned the old barn. Various tools and equipment showed their age, along with their neglect. He wouldn't have to wait long.

The barn door opened and he smiled as Rarity entered.

"We meet again," Zephyr said.

Rarity walked toward the downed pegasus and narrowed her eyes as he laughed.

"And what do you expect me to do? I am not a position to do anything."

His smiled turned sinister as he added, "At least not physically at least. Oh you have no idea the damage I shall cause."

"Then tell me," Rarity said, "Why should I allow you to live? You can't spill your secrets from the grave?"

Zephyr's smile wavered, "Now Rarity, you're above such things."

He looked to his wing, still impaled by the arrow, and added, "Then again, even the best of us can stumble."

Rarity raised the bow and nocked an arrow, yet she couldn't bring herself to draw the sting back. Every hardship that she and her friends endured came to her, but she still could not draw that bowstring back.

"See," Zephyr said, "As much as you despise me, you can't bring yourself to murder. It's just not in you."

Before Rarity could respond, the barn door opened.

Two guards entered slowly and nodded when they spotted Rarity.

"Is everything all right ma'am," one guard asked.

Rarity sighed and said, "Yes, your prisoner is right here. He is injured, but I don't believe it is fatal."

The guards bandaged Zephyr's wing and led him out of the barn.

As he past Rarity he whispered in her ear.

Her heart sunk and she thought of her little sister as he said the words, "You just ensured that a child died tonight."

She shook her head and said, "Not if I have anything to say about it."

With that, she ran out of the barn.

---

Trixie's beam struggled against Applejack, and she felt her knees begin to buckle. In her exhaustion, Trixie let down her mental defenses.

She fell to her knees as a force slammed into her mind. All the emotions that Trixie suspected were running through Applejack's mind were confirmed in a painful way.

"It isn't like that," Trixie said through her teeth, "We're here to help you."

"Applejack," Twilight shouted, "It's me. Please calm down so we can help you."

Applejack looked at Twilight and her expression changed.

The rage that shown in her face lessened but disgust soon shone brightly.

Trixie rose to her hooves and said, "She's overcome with emotion. We have to use that against her."

"How do you know," Twilight asked.

"Because I was connected to her mind. Rage and pain is all she's feeling."

Twilight nodded and said, "But she recognized me."

"Then perhaps we should focus on somepony that she-"

Both ponies locked eyes and nodded.

"I'll connect with her mind again. You try to change her back."

Twilight braced herself to cast the spell and said, "Okay. Let's do this."

Trixie stared at Applejack and focused her magic with what little she knew about Fluttershy. She remembered when she first met Fluttershy in the hospital and how nervous the pony was.

Applejack staggered back and her expression softened. Most of the anger faded from her face leaving only pain and regret.

"I hope this works," Twilight whispered as she replicated the spell Trixie was casting.

The beam struck Applejack in the chest and split into multiple beams channeling energy to the nearby crystals.

---

"Where am I," Trixie asked.

She shuddered as she began to slowly walk forward her eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness around her. At least, she tried to walk forward. Something held her hooves in place.

She looked down and saw her hooves begin to slowly sink into the ground. In spite of the growing panic, she stayed kept her head and continued her attempt at walking.

It took some time, but she began to move forward. She returned her gaze to the world around her.

"This can't be inside her mind," Trixie whispered.

She stopped and tried to find some kind of landmark to guide her. To her left she saw a figure.

The figure looked feminine, but Trixie couldn't make out any features. Thankfully, the ground provided less resistance the closer Trixie moved toward the strange pony.

Each step became easier than the last, and Trixie felt firm ground beneath her hooves again. As she stepped closer, the light brightened.

The change in light came so quickly that she staggered back in surprise.

"I don't have time for this," she muttered as she stepped forward.

"Go away," a voice boomed, "Haven't you caused enough damage?"

Again Trixie staggered but recovered quickly enough.

"Who are you," Trixie asked.

The figure turned to face Trixie and the sight instantly made her head hurt. Trixie knew that the figure was an adult, but her mind couldn't process that. The figure appeared to be shifting. In the space of seconds, Trixie saw a filly, a mare, and all in between.

"You're not her," the figure said.

Trixie stepped closer and asked, "Who are you?"

The figure smiled, causing a sharp stab of pain in Trixie's head, and said, "That doesn't matter. All I know is that you are not her. Why are you here?"

Trixie turned away and said, "I'm here to undo what I have done."

She jumped as the ground began to shake violently. Her eyes met the figure's and she felt herself grow cold at the sight of the hateful glare.

"Is this some disguise to trick me? You are her. Leave."

"I will not," Trixie said, "I am not this 'her' your talking about. My name is Trixie, and I am here to help Applejack."

The ground grumbled again.

"Stop it," Trixie shouted, "I don't know who you are and I don't have time to waste. I am trying to save her."

"Why?"

Trixie sighed, "Because I promised that I would help Fluttershy."

The figure took a step closer to Trixie. She nodded and said, "I believe you, but you are wasting your time. This one is beyond saving."

"What do you mean?"

"Go," the figure whispered as she smiled.

Before Trixie could respond, she felt herself being pulled away.

---

Trixie's side felt cold. Far too cold. It took her a few moments to realize that she had fallen to the floor. She staggered to her hooves and tried to get her bearings.

"She's awake," a voice shouted.

"Place a guard on her," another voice called, "She is not to be harmed."

"What happened," Trixie groaned.

She felt a stick push her back down.

"Stay right there," a firm voice said.

Trixie's eyes cleared and she the scene became clear to her. Zephyr's minions were surrounded by guards and Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and the pink one stood near Applejack.

"She back to normal," Trixie whispered with a sigh of relief.

Her eyes remained on the pink pony and she felt her heart sink when she heard her cry out.

"Twilight, her heart's stopped."

"Are you sure," Trixie asked.

Pinkie slowly nodded.

Shining Armor turned to Sapphire Breeze and before he said a word, she ran out of the basement.

"Uh," Twilight began.

"She's going for one of the medics," Shining Armor said, "They may be able to stabilize her so we can transport her to a hospital."

He ran to Applejack and knelt down.

"Help me," he said to Twilight.

She nodded and the two began performing CPR.

After an eternity passed, Twilight smiled.

"I have a pulse but it's weak."

Sapphire Breeze returned with a medic and directed the pony.

"Get her stabilized," Shining Armor said.

"Yes sir," the medic replied and began to use his magic on Applejack.

"I don't think I can help her," he said, "There's too much internal damage. We need to get her to a hospital but..."

Twilight gently stroked Applejack's mane.

"How much time does she have," she asked.

"I'm not sure," the medic said, "Maybe an hour or so. We won't be able to transport her in time."

Twilight stood and said, "Get her on a stretcher. Big brother I'll need you to help me."

"What are you planning," Shining Armor asked.

He shook his head and said to the medic, "Do it. I think I understand."

The medic, and a couple of guards, placed Applejack on a stretcher and Twilight began to charge her horn.

"Where's the nearest hospital," she asked Shining Armor.

"Canterlot Memorial," he said, "Northeast."

"Got it," Twilight said and the group disappeared in a flash.

Spike entered the basement and whispered, "Is everypony okay?"

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Yeah, Spike. We're fine. Where were you?"

He cast his eyes to the floor, "I got scared once the fighting started."

Pinkie limped her way to Spike and nuzzled him gently, "It sure was. I'm still shaking."

She tapped her chin with a hoof and added, "Or is that possible brain damage?"

"Either way," she said with a shrug, "I'm shaking and it was scary."

Spike hugged Pinkie and let out a sigh.

"I wish I could have been useful for once," he whispered.

Pinkie began to respond when a door on the far side of the basement flew open.

"What in the world," Sapphire Breeze shouted.

All the ponies stared at a very exhausted Rarity.

"Twilight Sparkle," she wheezed, "Where is she?"

"She took Applejack to a hospital," Rainbow Dash said, "Why? What's wrong?"

Rarity shook her head, "No. No. No. This is terrible. That fiend Zephyr told me that a child would die if he didn't go free."

Trixie's mouth went dry. A life was going to end tonight.

"We must do something," Rarity pleaded.

"Manehattan General," Trixie said, "That would be where you need to go."

The guard watching her leaned harder on the pole end of his spear causing Trixie to let out a small whimper of pain.

Sapphire Breeze took a step closer to Trixie and asked, "And how do you know this? Is that a backup in case your plan failed?"

"No," Trixie shouted, "It was my punishment for failing. I was coerced into helping them. They said that a young pony would die if I refused. I work at that hospital. What better punishment than harming a pony that I know?"

Rainbow Dash nudged the guard away from Trixie. Ignoring his scowl she asked, "Is that why you placed the barrier on Fluttershy?"

Trixie nodded, "I was told to kill her, but I am not a murderer. Then they said that I had to help them with this horror."

She looked at Sapphire Breeze, "I am not denying my part, but I am asking you to go to Manehattan General and save that child."

Sapphire Breeze closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She raised her hoof to silence the ponies in the room.

She turned to the guards, "Remain here and secure this building. Have a squad report to the carriage. We leave at once."

"And this one," Trixie's guard asked.

"She stays here," Sapphire Breeze said.

Trixie watched the group walk out of the basement a few guards the only ones to keep her company.

---

The crystal remained silent. Every night for the past week, it chimed at the same time and wouldn't stop until he picked it up. Now it was two hours past due. He knew his orders, but he never dreamed that he would actually have to carry them out.

He took a deep breath. There was no point in denying it. If he wasn't supposed to do this, the crystal would have sounded.

With a slow and heavy heart, he gathered the items he needed. He left the security room and made his slow walk down the hall. Lazy nods to the doctors, nurses, and orderlies as he walked by went unnoticed by him. The only thing that he saw was the door. The door of the poor soul that he had to murder.

Why couldn't it have been a random child? He asked that several times, but Zephyr was specific. It had to be this child and it hurt him even more.

He supposed that was why Zephyr chose her.

"Doing your rounds a little early," a nurse asked smiling.

"Yeah, I was getting bored in the break room."

The nurse blushed and said, "I can keep you company if you'd like."

He nodded, "How about once our shifts are over?"

She blinked in surprise and said, "Sure. Meet you in the lobby?"

"Looking forward to it," he said as he entered the room.

Why did he agree? Why did he even speak to her? He smiled. He knew why.

He wanted a witness. Somepony to place him there when he committed his crime. No matter what, his life would be over.

With measured steps, he made his way to the bed. The young filly slept soundly. He wanted to leave. Leave and hope for the best. Maybe Zephyr's hitponies would find him, but at least he wouldn't be a murderer. It was a noble thought. Sadly, he wasn't a noble pony.

"What's going on," a small tired voice whispered.

The world froze for a moment. His sense of survival threatening to overwhelm his sense of decency.

He looked down at the sleepy pony. Her eyes half-closed but still held a sense of trust. His head ached but he made his choice. There would be no going back from this.

He placed the package on the stand near her IV bag and said with a soft voice, "Nothing at all. Go back to sleep, Lilly."

---

Next Chapter: The Trial Part OneDrops of water echoed through the cells of the dungeon, and Trixie listened with patience. Cells like this weren’t new to her. In her travels, there was always a cop or city council member that wanted a few more bits. Trixie always refused to pay for anything more than the permits required for her show. That led to her laying down in prison cells. Not many, but enough that she had since gotten used to noises.
This cell, however, was different. Deep in the mountain upon which Canterlot sat was a dungeon, and Trixie found herself here. She couldn’t see much other than the dimly lit hall to her cell. The atmosphere screamed despair, but it failed to affect Trixie.
In her heart, she knew. She did the right thing. She followed her instincts and stood true to her morals. A smirk found its way to her lips as she realized the dungeons failure.
“You won’t get me,” Trixie whispered.
She closed her eyes and continued her water drop tally when a new sound came to her