King Mahrek's Portal

>Ponyville has been rocked by a rash of disappearances near the forest but none of that worries you much

>You came through there many years ago without hastle and besides, Twilight Sparkle says it's safe, no reason not to believe her

>Although you do feel some unease about the forest this time, as though something is watching you, you carry on

>With hearthswarming eve around the corner you don't have much on your mind except making your family proud by bringing home some firewood to stay warm

>It fills your growing filly heart with pride strapping a log to your sled to bring home

>It's a much simpler life than when you were a human.

>The toil of a minimum wage job was about as hard as life in Equestria but work in Equestria was infinitely more rewarding

>With a smile your earth pony legs get to work as your hooves dig into the mud to get the log moving

>You shove against your horse collar with all your might trying to prove your growing filly body was just as strong as the biggest stallions, maybe as strong as big mac you tell yourself

>As you pull the log to the trail you stop to take a breather

>You hear some faint whispers in the forest as your ears flick wildly trying to find out where the sound is coming from

>The silence is palpable as your heart begins to pound, 'im just imagining things' you tell yourself as your jet black mane flows in the chilly wind

>You drop your horse collar to check the log and make sure it's well secured

>It's not a long trip back to ponyville but having to get the log back on the sled again would not be a fun endeavor

>Your hear a twig crack which sends shivers down your back

>You nervously scan the woodline wondering if it's a timberwolf, a bugbear, or even a cockatrice, but as you see nothing there, you start to relax

"It's ok nonny, if it wanted to hurt you it would be chasing you right now"

>You tell yourself as you pull the straps tight

>You glance up to see a human

>Despite your surprise your face lights up with joy

"Somepony else made it!"

>You cheer with joy ignorant of the danger you're in

>"Wait, why aren't you a pony? I lost my stallion bits and everything, that's not fair."

>You whine as the human creeps closer

>Something is strange with this human and you start to question why the human is silent

>Your first week in Equestria was filled with crying and asking why ponies can talk but this human seems entirely unphased

"Um, hello? Yes, you. I know you might be wondering, where you are, you're in Equestria!"

>The human seems to be doing everything to gain your attention without saying a word

>Despite wanting to give your fellow human a warm welcome to Equestria, you grow increasingly frustrated with the lack of response

"You can talk to me you know, I know English, asshole"

>You gripe before hearing the faint sound of leaves crunching underfoot behind you

>Before you can react the humans rush you

>You scream in panic as one jumps on your back and quickly lashes a bridle to your muzzle

>Your teeth clench down on the metal bridle as you try to shake off your attackers

"No! Stop! What are you doing!"

>You beg as the lasso tightens around your neck tighter as you pull away

Why are you doing this?!

>You quickly beg before the straps to your harness get tightened down

>You struggle to get words out as your words slur around the bridle

>With the ropes tightening around your legs you fall to dirt throwing the human off your back

>Despite your kicking and crying you struggle against the ropes as the tears flow wondering why a human would do something so cruel

Twi-ght he-p!

>You beg against the bridle as the humans discuss their plans

"You were right, this one isn't a unicorn, I was worried there"

"Ok, bring the cart around, we will have to tranq this one. This one isn't being cooperative"

>Desperate for any kind of favor you beg past the bridle

"P-ease, i- b-have"

>You fearfully promise wiggling in your ropes flinching as the human pinches your flank

"No, i- Be good, I- be good"

>You tearfully beg feeling the pinch of the needle

>As the human steps away you finally get a good look at the humans

>Your confusion grows even stronger as you try to remember how you got to Equestria in the first place

>As the drugs start to take effect the ropes and harness start to feel numb

>All you can remember is leaning against a plinth and seemingly falling into an ocean of bliss

>Did they come through to Equestria the same way I did?

>The drugs cloud your mind as your start to think more philosophically

"Humans in Equestria are too impure to become ponies"

>You slur past your bridle fighting off the urge to sleep as the humans wait like vultures

>You smile remembering fondly having your stallion parts taken from you

>Mare bits are more pure anyway, you tell yourself

>Your head falls to the ground as it's weight becomes too much to bear

>Glancing up to your human captors, your eyelids become too heavy

>With pleasant dreams taking over, the humans begin their work tightly binding your limp legs

>Being hauled onto the cart you give Equestria one last smile before you fade into your dreams

>You startle yourself awake realizing it was all a terrible dream. Taking a breath, you look around your surroundings to see you're safely inside twilight's castle

>Hugging your pillows tight, you're thankful that the humans coming to take you back to the human world were just a dream

>Why you wound up in twilight's castle though is still a mystery

>Was it real, did the humans actually try to get me?

>If so, why take me to the castle instead of taking me home, you ask yourself as you make your way through the maze-like corridors

>In the candlelight you see Twilight up for another late-night study session

>You want to ask her what happened; but you pull your hoof back not wanting to bother her

"Oh, hi nonny, you're awake, I wish I had better news, but didn't find anything on a spell to get you back to the human world"

>Her words hit you with intense confusion,

>you haven't asked her about a portal to the human world in years, so many hearth's warmings spent with your new family, you almost forgot about the human world all together.

>Your silence causes twilight to turn around and make sure it is you

>With her suspicion confirmed she wonders what could be wrong and realizes you probably want to go by your human name instead

>Understandable, the transformation from a man to a filly is a very tough and twilight is very accommodating

"Oh, sorry Michael, I'll still use your Human name if it makes you feel better"

>Twilight smiles trying to reassure the distraught filly

>You reel with distress hearing your name, you almost forgot what it even sounded like.

>Michael Gomez, that's right! You sniffle as you're flooded with memories of the human world

>You can't help but crumble under the agonizing thoughts of your mom wondering where you are and that she will never know

>Twilight brings you into her embrace as her chest soaks up your tears

>Why did I have to go to Equestria

"It's ok Michael, we are going to find a way to get you back to the human world, you just have to imagine yourself going home and giving your family a warm hug"

>Twilight explains holding you in her tight embrace

"I just want my family back"

>You sniffle into the cold uncaring castle library"

"Your family is closer than you think Michael, just close your eyes, imagine them holding and hugging you once again."

>Twilight softly explains trying to comfort you

>You clench your eyes shut desperate for any chance of seeing them again

>You feel twilight's embrace slip away, vanishing as you try to hold on

"Twilight!"

"Keep your eyes shut little filly, you're almost there"

>With a worried whine you obey

>Silence permeates everything as the sensations grow numb, the floor beneath you seems to fade away as you whine

"Twilight!"

>You ask with no response

"Twilight, please! Don't leave me"

>An odd sensation rises inside you as you feel freefall

>Thrashing your hooves in panic your eyes shoot open

>You scan your cell with dread, twilight was just a dream, the humans were real but where are you?

>Am I still in Equestria?

>Where did the humans come from?

>Who's responsible for this?

>As your body starts to regain its senses, you realize you've been sleeping in a puddle of drool

>Laying in your hay filled pin you struggle to your hooves with a groan

>Your legs wobble as you've never seen such a structure in Equestria

>A closer look reveals cinder block

>This must be the human world you think to yourself with excitement trying to crane your little filly neck to see over the door of your stable

>You see the hustle and bustle of humans going about their business

>With your bridle hung up on the wall you can finally talk but you wonder how safe it is

>As you look around you see many other ponies in their stables as the humans discuss them

>You point your ear up to get a listen

"This one here is Sweetie Plum, she's a well behaved Unicorn, she rents for a premium, she can perform simple magic tricks, perfect for a birthday party pony ride, the package we discussed includes transport, handling, and all the care the pony needs for 4 hours, she is a talking pony and she will even sing happy birthday for your little girl too

>You glance up to see the lavender mare submitting to pets from her potential renter

"Oh, so this one talks too, oh my daughter will absolutely love this"

>The tall balding human cheers as Sweetie Plum smiles gracefully desperate to avoid the human's wrath

>You slink back down behind the stable door wondering what this place is.

>Poor Sweetie Plum has been missing for almost a year and here you are with her

>Your heart wrenches inside your chest

>Even the unicorn has been trapped here by the humans

>Is this your fate, to be a party rental pony for the rest of your life

>The menacing straps and harnesses hanging on the walls tell you of your fate with terrifying certainty

>Hyperventilating the panic causes the tears to flow,

"You have to let me go, I’m not a pony, I’m a human! Please you have to let me go!

>You tearfully beg desperately trying to keep your mind together

"Please, you don't understand! I’m not supposed to be here!"

>You shriek as the human pounds on your stable door

>You scramble away from the door as the human opens the stable door

>You cower in the corner looking up to your human captor with fear almost as though you're looking at a gigantic monster

>The gruff ranch hand makes it clear he means business just from his mere presence as he kneels down to talk to the new filly

"I don't know where you think you can get away with talking like that without permission"

>The ranch hand cracks his crop and teases your flank menacingly

"There is no going back, there is no letting you go, you are ranch property now. Your dear Princess Celestia will not find you here"

"But you don't understand, I’m not a pony"

>A stinging whip to your flank quickly silences any protest as you gaze with fear

"Don't back-talk me pony. Things can get a lot more difficult for you if you fight back. I’m talking whips, branding, breaking, everything to break you down till you become a good little pony just like everyone else"

>His hand roughly grabs your muzzle and forces you to lock eyes

>Your heart flutters at the thought of being a pet, you look up to the saddle and harnesses up on the wall and it makes your mare bits tingle with delight

>No, you have to focus on escape! you tell yourself with enthusiasm

>But as your heart pounds you feel an unsettling hand run through your mane and down your side

>You flinch as it reaches your flank and gives it a squeeze

>You whine with disgust trying to move your head away but the ranch hand holds your muzzle firm

"You will choose the easy way, right? It'd be a shame to have to scar up this soft hide of yours"

>Desperate for the ranch hand to go you quietly nod

"Good little pony, before too long a feller from the Bureau of Land Management will come and sign your papers. I don't want to hear any human words coming out of your mouth when he does so.

>He squeezes your muzzle shut even tighter

"Do I make myself clear pony?"

>With his grip holding firm all you can do is nod

"Good, not a peep out of you or I'll have that flank tore to pieces."

>He throws you to the hay as you scramble back into the corner terrified of the ranch hand.

>With the stable door shutting behind the human you finally get a moment to breathe but dare not make a sound

>The reality hits hard, this isn't some fantasy, this is real, you're a slave, a pet, your sole purpose is the satisfaction of other humans

>You hold your jet black tail for comfort ducking in fear every time a human glances over your door

>You quietly sulk in the stable

>You hear the other ponies come and go as they make their way out for events parties

>Your thoughts wander

>You were a pony in Equestria

>Becoming a pony was a hard adjustment but you were at least in Equestria

>Now being dragged back to the human world and still being a pony seemed like a cruel irony

>At least in the human world you could finally reunite with your family

>That is if you were free

>The crushing pain of being a prisoner far away from home, any home repeatedly stabs at your stomach, even with all the hay available, you have no appetite

>You wish nothing more than to see a familiar face

>Just then the stable door opens

>Your heart leaps with joy, could it be rescue, could be a chance to escape

>Your hopes are dashed as you see a uniformed BLM officer

"Ok Jeff, give me a minute with the pony and I'll sign off on the title, just have to verify there's no microchips, brandings, or any other identifiable marks of ownership"

>The officer explains shutting the stable door behind him

>Even with the boots stepping away you look to the officer with suspicion knowing that a single word to the officer could result in beatings or worse

"Ok, I’m officer Knowles, what's your name little pony"

>Your thoughts scatter and only seem to reset when the microchip scanner activates

"What?"

>You cautiously ask wondering if this is a trap

"Yes, you, I know you can talk"

>The officer waves his wand around typical chipping spots

"This ranch has been finding all these bright colorful ponies and some even have wings or magic horns. Finding out you can talk was the least surprising thing here."

>With no beeps he starts looking through your coat for any signs of potential chip removal or any health problems

"I take it your name isn't Nonny Moose, they've all had something cute like Apricot Pie or something, so what name do you want on here"

>Your heart pounds wondering if this is your chance, maybe he can help you but how much are you willing to trust him

>Once he signs those papers, it's effectively over, you'll be a slave to the ranch for the rest of your life

>You have to try

>Screw the consequences

"My name is Michael Gomez"

>You blurt out trembling with fear with the officer's confused reaction

"What, is that a name you heard from one of the ranch hands?"

>Cowering at the officers dismissal you boldly double down

"No, I’m actually a human, I went to this pony world and turned into a pony. I disappeared a few years ago. I might be on a missing person list"

>The officer scoffs. Magic talking ponies was already hard to believe, but a human becoming a talking pony was another thing entirely.

"Is that the story you want to go with? Just because you can talk doesn't mean you can just waltz out of here free"

>Officer Knowles jokes knowing as much as he'd like to free the sentient ponies there's nothing he can do.

>Your heart quivers as the adrenaline flows

>your only chance to get away slips away from your hooves

"It's not a story, it's the truth!"

>You yell before hushing your voice again

>You fear one of the ranch hands could be listening as you whisper

"Please, I’m telling the truth, I remember my mom's phone number."

>Your eyes pour out emotion as you plead to the officer

"Just call her and ask if she knows a Michael Gomez, that's all I ask"

>The officer is indignant

>He can't help but smirk at this nonsense of being a human that turned into a pony

>Hearing the pony repeat the same phone number over and over does intrigue him

>He puts the number into his phone and questions how silly it is that he is even considering the green pony's story

>He tells himself it's no different than calling a number if he found a microchip

"Her name is Maria."

>You add as you see the officer hesitating

>Your ears perk as you hear the phone dialing

"Hello, this is officer Knowles with the Bureau of Land Management, am I speaking with a Maria Gomez?"

>The officer is already shocked the phone number went through but when the woman responds to the name the pony gave, he gives you a stare of disbelief

"I’m doing good, I’m calling in regards to a Michael Gomez, do you know-"

>The officer nearly stumbles in disbelief

>He looks to you as though he's seen a ghost

>The voice on the other end of the line brings the officer back to reality

>His voice trembles not sure what to say

"Mama, it's me, I’m alive!"

>You yell as you hear cheering over the phone

"Is that my son! Is that him?"

>Officer Knowles finally finds words

"Yes, if you can verify his identity then uh, we can, uh see what we can do here. I will send a text to this number with the information we have here, alright, I’m glad to give you the good news. Take care"

>You roll around in the hay whinnying with joy

>Someone knows where you are

"Hell yea! Get me outta here officer"

>You cheer as the officer finishes his texts

>Officer Knowles doesn't share your enthusiasm

>He knows this is just the beginning of a long drawn out process

>Afterall, you are simply a pony in the eyes of the law

"I can't get you out of here, all I can do is file paperwork for a disputed title"

>Your hope is crushed as soon as it's stoked

"What do you mean, my parents are coming to get me right?"

"No, all it means is the ranch can't claim your title till the dispute is resolved. Till then you're ranch property"

>Your hooves grasp at the officer’s uniform

"That won't take long, will it? It should be quick right?"

"I’m not a lawyer but it's entirely possible that the court may side with the ranch since your parents have no way to prove they owned you"

>The officer regretfully admits wishing he could do more to help

>The denial strikes hard as your rump plops down onto the straw

"Can't you just say you found a microchip and that was the number it gave."

>The officer fills in the paperwork as a disputed title clearly shaken by the revelations

"I'd love to help but I’m not going to commit perjury on your behalf."

>The stress makes you want to vomit

>Your stomach churns as you collapse onto the straw

>You finally let the emotions flow bleating out a haunting wail that can be heard throughout the stables

>The officer packs his tools and patiently waits at your side stroking your mane to try and help you feel better

"I gave your mom the information she needs, it's up to your parents and the courts now and I hope for the best."

>Watching you burst into tears and collapse onto the floor nearly wrenches the heart out of the officer's chest

>His only solace is a shred of disbelief the story could be true

"I'm sorry Michael, I really am"

>The officer tearfully apologizes as he leaves the stable wondering if he has made a grave mistake

>The only hope left is to let the courts decide the little pony's fate

>He gives the news of the disputed title status to the to the operator

"What do you mean disputed! they're wild horses, did you find a chip, if so I want to fucking see it"

>Officer Knowles wants to leave before the situation escalates but he is obligated to fulfill his duty and explain the process

"Look Jeff, I know all the others have been straightforward, you take good care of the ponies, none of them had any identifiable owners but this one did and I was able to contact the other party and they're disputing the title. At this point it will have to be resolved in court. I’m just informing you of your rights right now"

>Jeff huffs with anger

>he doesn't know exactly when the portal will close again or if it will open again

>He is hell bent on getting as many ponies through as possible

>Even one going into dispute and getting into the wrong hands can slow his progress and even worse make competition

>With the officer not being forthcoming with the information he fears two possibilities

>Officer Knowles is somehow trying to take the pony for himself

>Or the pony talked and managed to convince the officer he had an owner to try and escape

>Given how good Knowles has been about all the other ponies so far, he decides the latter of the two scenarios is more likely

>He thought he made himself clear to the pony but he imagines that pony will need a much more permanent lesson

"Well, I appreciate you officer, you're doing your job. I’m sure this dispute will amount to nothin’"

>Jeff tips his hat to the officer as he climbs up into his truck

>Turning to his ranch hand with his fist clenched in rage he utters his orders

"Heat the irons, this pony is gonna learn a lesson in keeping her mouth shut"

>Jeff grabs a bridle off the hook and gives you a stern scowl

>In an unsettlingly friendly tone he opens the door to your stable

"Come here little mare, time for you to start your training"

>You initially cooperate as it makes no sense to upset your captor

>You hear hushed whispers about you going to "the shed" which cause you to hesitate when Jeff pulls your lead

"I wasn't asking you little mare, come along"

>He growls with a forceful pull of your lead dragging you out of the stable before you obediently trot alongside

>You look to the worried expressions of the other ponies peeking over their doors to see who's going to the shed

"It's just some training nonny, we're going to make sure you know what's expected of you"

>Jeff explains opening up the shed were a couple ranch hands are waiting

>Your hooves stamp firm in the ground as the fear starts to creep in

>The whips, the various bits of harnesses, and red hot branding irons stir your paranoia

>This isn't training, this is punishment!

>Jeff pulls your lead as you dig into the dirt

"No! No!!!"

>You scream as the ranch hands rope your hind legs and drag you into the shed

"You bitch, you talked to the officer didn't you! You think you're fucking slick spinning a fucking story about having another owner so you can escape! It doesn't work like that little pony"

>The lead gets violently pulled through an anchor on the floor of the shed despite all your effort; you can't pull your face from the floor leaving your flanks exposed in the air

"I expect a certain level of cooperation from my ponies and they all understood immediately. I don't worry about them trying to escape or spinning a web of lies. They know when to obey and keep their mouths shut. You, you just didn't get the hint, I promised you pain and that's what you're gonna get"

>The crack of a whip rips across your flanks as you shriek in pain kicking your hooves frantically trying to buck anything in range

"Get her tied down!"

>Jeff orders giving the whip a crack in the air to startle you

"Good ponies keep their heads down and make me happy. I have these ponies booked out for months in advance, day in day out making money. I don't have time to deal with a rebellious little bastard like you"

>Your hind legs get tied to the anchors in the floor giving you barely any room to wiggle

>Jeff snakes the whip across the floor menacingly before giving your flank another strike

>Your teeth clench the bit of your bridle as you tremble instinctively trying to kick against the ropes binding you

"Every red cent I spend to keep you in my possession is going to be earned back with interest you little fucker. You should have just done what you were told, and you would have been fine. I'd could have had you saddled up and shipped off by now making me money if you just kept your fucking mouth shut!"

>Jeff growls with anger unleashing his wrath on your flanks with unyielding fury

>His ire turns to the stunned ranch hands sitting idly in the corner

"Get out of here! Go make yourselves useful!"

>Jeff takes a breath as the ranch hands flee out the door

>As the door slams shut you and Jeff share a moment

>He kneels in front of you running his fingers through your mane

"I’m going to give you one chance to tell me little pony, what did you tell the officer, who did you say your owner was"

>Expecting to be hit or in some other way abused you instinctively flinch and bite down on your bit not saying a word

>You hold till you hear the boots turn on the gravelly floor

>Without any hits or even verbal abuse you question what the psycho cowboy is up to

>He disappears behind you as you hear the clinking of metal causing your paranoia to run wild

"So now you decide it's the time to keep your mouth shut. That’s fine, I warned you though"

>He explains examining the branding iron and making sure it's nice and hot

>Without warning he jabs the red hot rod into your flank

>The excruciating pain sends shockwaves through your body despite the rod only contacting your hide for less than a second

>The burning sensation works its way deep as you kick and struggle at the restraints

"Better get talking little po-"

"Okay! I told the officer I had an owner!"

>You desperately shout still reeling from the intense pain of the burn

>Happy to see some progress he teases the hot rod between your legs so you feel it's heat dangerously close to your mare bits

"Good little mare, tell me everything you told him, verbatim. If we go into discovery and I find out you hid information from me I will not be nearly as merciful."

>He threatens setting the iron back into the searing hot coals.

>You clench your bit tight as your front hooves slide uselessly across the floor

"If you don't get talking, I will burn your precious cutie mark right off your flank"

>You take his threat deadly seriously

>any advantage you may have by keeping information from him is not worth having your body mutilated in the process

>You reluctantly start to spill the secrets as you hear the metal clinking once more

"Ok! I told him my mom's phone number and he was able to confirm she was my mom and my "owner"

>Jeff takes issue with the pony's description of the pony's owner being 'mom'

>He coaxes more answers out of the pony playing with the irons to keep the fear high

"What do you mean by mom, like she raised you from a foal?"

>Your heart quivers with fear, you fear no answer you give will be satisfactory but you tell the truth anyway

"No, I’m a human, she gave birth to me. I went through a portal to the pony world and you captured me"

>Despite the revelation of his victim being a former human, Jeff has no change of heart

>Instead he finds it answers a lot of questions about why you seemed so oddly familiar with humans

>Testing the pony's commitment to this story he draws the iron out of the coals once more

"You lying sack of shit!"

"It's the truth, I swear! I was born a human and turned into a pony when I went to world"

>Jeff holds the burning hot rod close to your face, the white hot glow hurts your eyes in the dark of the shed

"If going to the pony world turns you into a pony, then why haven't any of my guys turned into ponies, can you answer that?"

>You struggle to pull away from the burning hot rod as it's heat singes the hairs on your coat

"I don't know, I just became a pony, I don't know what else to tell you"

>You beg with desperation floating on every word

>The jab of the rod in your flank sears your flesh once more

>Despite your distressed screams Jeff holds the rod much longer and forcefully against your flank till you collapse trembling in agony

>Finally pulling the rod away and placing it back in the embers Jeff demands answers

"I’m only going to ask one more time. If it turned you into a pony, why hasn't the portal turned anyone else into a pony or any pony into a human for that matter"

>Afraid to answer you clench the bit in your mouth and leak tears onto the floor

"Please, I don't know, I really don't know, magic just does things in that world. There are ponies who dedicate their entire lives to magic and still don't understand."

>Your sobs fill the small shed as Jeff stands over you

>He growls with anger wishing he had answers or at least a guarantee that he nor any of his guys will suffer your fate.

"I guess I’m asking the wrong pony. You're not a unicorn, you don't have magic anyway."

>Jeff steps away towards the door pacing wondering what if anything could come from these revelations

>He drafts an email to his lawyer giving over any information he can

>The last thing he needs is a legal challenge over his pony's status as a human or a pony

>With the sobs quieting and all the useful information extracted, he has only just started having fun

>The revelation of his pony being a human trapped in a pony body makes the abuse far more exciting

>The ponies are just animals he thinks to himself with a smile grabbing a saddle off the wall

>Slamming the saddle onto your back and strapping it down he relishes in the suffering of his helpless victim

"Time for some training little mare, you have to be ready for anything. After all, my customers are a demanding bunch. They require perfection"

>You whine with disgust as your legs are finally untied

>Jeff takes a hold of your lead and unties you from the floor

>You limp lightly

>The pain from your burns flares with every step

>With a strong tug of the lead Jeff leads you to the door

"Come along little mare, let's practice your strut"

>Your hooves tremble but stay planted on the floor

>Jeff's game is obvious

>It's not training, it's humiliation

>You chomp down on your bit glaring as the crop gently runs along your flank

"Fuck you..."

>You cautiously utter through your clenched teeth

>With a well-aimed crack of the crop on your burn your body trembles in shock

>You stumble before quickly limping back to your hooves

"Don't get smart with me little mare, now get those hooves up. I want to hear your best trot"

>He slaps his crop against your flank once more

>You're happy this one wasn't on the burn again so you obediently try your best

>Jeff has you trot alongside

>Despite the pain from the burns you keep your hooves high

>Anything to keep your owner happy

"You're losing the cadence, it's 1-2, 1-2, 1-2 keep those hooves high!"

>Jeff smiles giving your rump another strike with the crop.

"Are you sure you're human? Look at you, you a fine proper show pony. Such a beautiful trot."

>Jeff smirks carefully watching for any hints of resistance

>The words strike fear into your heart but you obediently continue your trot

>Even as the exhaustion slowly creeps in you maintain the demanding cadence

"My customers will definitely agree: best pony ever, so calm and obedient."

>Jeff hears a silent whimper as he presses on

"I’m sure the judge will think the same thing too...what an adorable mare, she looks so cute with her little saddle"

>The fear starts to manifest as your cadence waivers

>Swiftly correcting your misstep, Jeff cracks the crop against your flank his face nearly sporting a full grin

"You'll impress the judge so much, he might even say, hell, let’s throw out this silly born a human nonsense, little mare was born for pony rides"

>Jeff adds as he catches a glimpse of a tear running down your cheek

>Your eyes water as the hope fades away

>Your mind falls into the robotic trotting cadence as the fear consumes you

>Is this going to be my life, being a stupid little show pony

>Your mind goes to your parents, as you manage to crack a smile and find some strength to hold on

>Jeff catches a glimpse of your smile

>Despite his best efforts he has failed to make you utterly miserable

>He realizes what's keeping you together

>Hope

>It wasn't enough to just say the judge wouldn't think you're human

>No, nobody could be convinced of your humanity, not even your parents

>You have to believe that too

>That's the only way I can ensure this pony's compliance, I have to be the only person left in their life that cares about them

"What would your parents think? My son is a pony? huh, not a chance"

>Jeff adds trying to provoke a response from you

"He was a strong boy not some little pony on a ranch in the middle of nowhere"

>You pant with rage the doubt starts to worm its way into your mind

"You're wrong! They'll know it's me!"

>You blurt out fearing a swift and harsh reprisal but instead you're met with a smug smile from your captor

"Are you sure about that little mare? You're a talking magic pony, a lying talking magic pony isn't that much of a stretch now is it."

>You listen as your heart pounds with adrenaline

>What is he getting at you think to yourself

"Just imagine me telling your parents: oh, these ponies are something else alright. They can read minds, they can seek out your fears and desires."

>You groan with distress as you try your best to ignore him

"They use that those tricks to try and manipulate the best of us. We're professionals, we can tell when these ponies are up to their tricks so be mindful when talking to the little mare"

>Your trot stumbles as your emotions consume you

>My parents will know it's me!...right?

>Your eyes sting and your nostrils burn

>Overwhelmed with sadness you finally stop and tremble in place

>Crying and shivering with despair you lower your head

"These little ponies are relentless, and will say anything to get what they want, you cannot trust them."

>Jeff adds as he gives your lead a tug pulling you back to the stables

>The sobbing is music to Jeffs ears as you submissively follow behind

"Nobody will ever believe you little mare"

>Your howling cries echo as the door to your stable is opened and you're lead inside

>Jeff unclips your harnesses and saddle leaving you to sulk on your pile of hay

>With his work complete, Jeff shuts the door with a satisfied smile trilled for his visitors visit

>You bury yourself in the straw trying to find some comfort

>Who am I kidding, he's right

>Nobody will believe some talking pony

>Your heart implodes with another loud sob.

>The idea of your own parents not being able to recognize you already hurts as it is

>The thought of your own parents being convinced not to believe you is too much to bear

"Please! Mom, Dad, I’m here!"

>You weakly cry in a pathetic display of desperation

>You hear the sounds of another pony giving in to the sorrow and quietly sob in their stable

>The shared sorrow does little to comfort you

>Even if you manage to get out of here, you will be leaving your fellow ponies behind

>The guilt grips you as you desperately try to think of a way for all of you to get out but it's hopeless

>The ranch hands are too strong and their lassos are deadly accurate.

>Even if you all did escape, a human world that would never let a pony live free

"You win Jeff, I will never be anything more than a pretty show pony."

>You cry finally admitting defeat and rolling over in the straw

>A familiar stallion voice whispers through the wall

"Nonny? Nonny, is that you?"

>You try to put a face to the voice. Someone you haven't heard in years

>Could it be? But he left Ponyville 2 years ago

"Cinnamon Twist? Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me, please tell me Twilight knows we're here, somepony at least."

>The stallion begs with the desperation carrying on his voice

>Your excitement withers as quickly as it comes

"No, I told my family I was going to get some firewood that's all anypony knows"

>Cinnamon Twist's head thumps against the wall

"That's what everypony has said. Nopony knows where we are"

>Cinnamon quietly laments having come used to the disappointment of years as Jeff's slave

"That's unfortunate for us. What about you Nonny. I heard your human family is coming to get you"

>He asks trying to cheer you up

>The silence fills him with worry

"If at least one pony managed to escape this place, it would being me much joy"

>You manage to stir yourself from the straw and lean against your shared wall

"Yea, they're supposed to come sometime next week but I don't know what will come of it"

>You admit not wanting to crush Cinnamon's hopes like you've already done for yourself

"Even if I did end up leaving, I'd be leaving everypony behind. I don't know if I could live with myself"

>Cinnamon's hoof taps the wall

"Nonny, you have to do what's best for you, it's too late for us but you still have a life to live, a family to reunite with here"

>The guilt drags you down even if you could overcome the doubt

"But what about everypony else. You'll all be stuck here. I can't just leave"

>Cinnamon shushes you

"Nonny, it's not the end of the world. Some of us are making the best of it. Berry Plush and I had a foal together here. Isn't that wonderful? She's our little ray of sunshine and when I see her, I know everything going to be fine."

>Cinnamon Twist finally sniffles wiping away some tears with his hoof.

>The sniffle tells all, the idea that Cinnamon's foal will never see Equestria weighs on both of you

>Your voice quivers as you try to refute him but can't find the words

"I have to do something though"

>Cinnamon Twist shakes his head tapping his head against the wall

"The only way we are getting back to Equestria is if one of the princesses knows we're here. No need for you to be stuck here too. You need to promise me Nonny, you won't give up. You're not just some show pony, you're more than that. Make us proud to see that one of us can leave this place behind"

>Cinnamon smiles retuning to the comfort of his straw pile

>Your mind goes to your parents

>You want nothing more than to hold them in your embrace

>You can't let Jeff win

>You'll have to convince them somehow and you will

>You'll be with your family one way or another and keep all these ponies in your heart

"I won't give up Cinnamon. I'll make everypony proud"

>You smile pulling yourself out of the doom spiral

"Even your little foal"

>You tearfully smile hopeful for the ponies here to find joy

"What's the filly's name anyway."

>Cinnamon's eyes light up with joy as he lets out a joyous sigh

"We decided to name her Berry Twist. A fun play on our names she has my coat and her mother's mane. She's just so precious."

>You blush with envy some part of you has wanted a foal for yourself, but the thought always weirds you out

"Are you with her right now? She sounds precious"

>Cinnamon's smile fades, as he lay on the straw alone

"No, she's with Berry Plush. Jeff says he doesn't trust me to be around her unsupervised."

>You growl with anger, Jeff's cruelty knows no bounds but Cinnamon continues

"According to him stallions in this world hurt foals so he watches over us when we're in the corral together"

>The idea of having a stallion to walk along side with a little foal toddling along makes you slip into dreamy fantasy

"At least you still get to be with Berry Plush and Berry Twist. I hope Jeff lets you stay with them for a night"

>Cinnamon remains optimistic imagining cuddling his mare on the straw with their foal between them

"Yea, I've been on my best behavior. I think even Jeff has noticed that, so we'll see. I’m going to get to bed Nonny. Jeff has me booked back-to-back tomorrow so I'm going to be gone sunrise to sunset. We'll talk tomorrow, just behave yourself and listen to Jeff. I know this is going to be a hard adjustment but again, it's not the end of the world, besides, you'll be gone in a week"

>Cinnamon smiles laying his head on the straw proud to help his fellow pony feel better

>Feeling strangely optimistic, you lay your head on the straw too.

"Thanks for talking with me Cinnamon, I wasn't myself there for a bit, I needed that."

>You smile finally getting cozy on the straw

"Anytime Nonny, good night"

"Good night Cinnamon"

>You whisper finally able to settle on for some sleep

>The big day has come and you pace in your stall

>Your parents are supposed to be here any minute and you pace back and forth

>Your heart pounds as every footstep has you looking over the door to see if it's them

>Sound of the trucks pulling in over the gravel gives you a panic attack every time

>Keep calm Michael, you got this they'll know it's you

>You chant to yourself as the sound of another truck pulls up to the stables

>You carefully listen ad hear Officer Knowles voice once more

>Your heart pounds as you pace over the straw again breathing heavily

>You hear boots enter the stables as you try looking over the door

>You hear the lock slide open and back away as the door swings open

>Officer Knowles gives your mane a gentle stroke before he steps aside

>What you see instantly breaks any rehearsal you may have had

>Your eyes instantly flood with tears as you see your mom and dad cautiously approach you

>You throw yourself into your mom's arms throwing your hooves around her bawling

"Mom, dad! I thought I'd never see you again!"

>You cheer as you feel some apprehension in your mom's embrace

>You're suddenly reminded of Jeffs words

>”Nobody will ever believe you little mare"

"This is the pony here that claimed to be your son Michael Gomez. As we discussed, he recited your phone number and name. That was enough for me to call the title into dispute. If you want to claim this pony that is your right but it will have to go through the legal process and the courts will have to resolve the title dispute"

>You start sensing the lack urgency and a sense of doubt as your mom's embrace loosens

"How do we know for sure he's our son?"

>Your heart shatters hearing your own mother call into question your sincerity

"Yea, the guy who runs this place says they can read minds and shit"

>He's gotten to them you think to yourself

>You struggle to breathe as your chests tightens

"Mama, don't listen to that guy he's just saying that so you leave me here"

>Your desperation doesn't go unnoticed

>You scramble to remember what you wanted to say

"Mama, remember when I was a kid and I'd stand on my stool and mix the guacamole so I could say I helped with dinner?"

>Maria whimpers

>She has longed to see her son again for so long the mere mention of memory is enough to convince her

>Even though her memories recall a happy human boy, she clings to the little mare

>She wants nothing more than to have her son back

>This little mare might be the closest thing she will get to that, even if it's not real

"Oh Michael, I never gave up hope!"

>She cries suffocating you with her hug

"Maria, don't be ridiculous. It read your mind. It's just saying this to get out of here. The guy said it would do this"

>You hold your mom harder crying trying to fight the pain of the accusation

"Dad, please, I’m telling the truth!"

>You mind scours for happy memories with your dad

>You instantly go to the Ranchero your mind floods with joy recalling the Ranchero taking road trips in and sitting between your parents barely able to look over the dash

"Dad, remember the Ranchero, do you still have it!"

>Your dad's eyes widen for a second before the doubt start to fill his mind again.

"Yea, I still have it. I love that car..."

>He cautiously adds suspicious of the alleged mind reading pony

"My favorite thing was going to Uncle Robert's orchard and doing donuts in the orchard flying around in the bed with my cousins. It was the best"

>He briefly flashes a smile before clenching his teeth

>He feels some anger well up inside him upset that some mind reading pony is stealing his memories of his precious son

>He chokes up as he relives the memory

>The happy terrified squeal of the boys being drowned out by the roar of the ford 302

>He steps away finally cracking under the weight of his emotional pain

"Damn it Maria, get away from that thing. It's not our son!"

>Mom clenches you tighter as you reciprocate in turn feeling comfort in her embrace

>Miguel! This is him; I can feel it! He is our son.

"Maria! It's just reading our memories and telling us what we want to hear! It's not real!"

>He shoves you away as you have to stumble back to your hooves

>Your heart rips in your chest as you collapse back to the floor

>Maria wants to comfort you but she hesitates not sure what to believe

>You want to beg but the words just fail to form as you simply sob

>He won, you think to yourself collapsing to the floor, he fucking won

>Jeff stole your family from you

>They're in your hooves but they’re slipping away refusing to believe

>Officer Knowles steps in standing between you and your parents

>He looks down to you with pity feeling sorry for the little pony

"Mr. and Mrs. Gomez, do you acknowledge this pony as your son?"

>You look up to your dad with pleading eyes

>Please, you know it's me! Your watery eyes beg

"No, I don't think this is my son"

>The words out of your own father's mouth devastate you

>You cannot muster the energy to fight back

>You lay on the cold concrete listening to the conversation unfold without you

>Officer Knowles looks to you wanting you to fight but your defeated silence causes the officer to sigh with disappointment

"Do you still want to pursue a dispute on the pony's title?"

"No"

>Miguel brashly yells trying to usher Maria back to the car

>You see them turn for the door

>Heavy hesitant footsteps as they keep turning to look back at you

>There's still doubt you tell yourself

>You get a rush of strength and clarity to finally for some words

>You pull yourself off the concrete and yell with all your might

"Dad! I wrecked your Ranchero!"

>They stop in their tracks

>Your dad turns around in confusion

"What do you mean? My son never wrecked the Ranchero; he never even drove it"

>Despite your desperation you hesitate

>Dad loves his Ranchero more than life itself

>Sometimes you wonder if he loved it more than you but can't blame him

>You take a breath and get it off tour chest

"Joseph and I were playing in the car and I wasn't thinking. I played with the shifter, and it popped out of gear. It started rolling and I couldn't press the brake hard enough and it rolled down the hill into the tree. Joseph and I got out and ran and we agreed to never talk about it."

>You hang your head in shame taking your eyes off your stunned dad for just a second.

>Before you can look back to him, you get body slammed

>You fear dad might be trying to kill you but as you hear your manly father break down in sobs

>You relax and let yourself be crushed in his embrace

"Michael, oh my god! He's my son! He's my son! Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry."

>He cries as your mom drops everything to join the family embrace

"Michael, where were you...and why are you a pony?"

>Maria asks stroking your mane and wiping your tears

"I don't really understand how it happened either, I was walking over to a friend's house after school and I leaned up against a statue and I fell through it. I was turned into a pony, and I couldn't find a way back. I found a world full of ponies, and they started taking care of me there. I've been there ever since"

>You briefly explain as your journey has been long enough to fill plenty of books

"I don't mean to interrupt the happy moment here but, if you would sign this, all it says is you intend to dispute the title on your son here"

>Your dad gets up standing between you and the officer

"There's nothing to dispute, that's my fucking son right there. He's coming with me and that's it, I'll fucking kill anyone who tries to take my son from me again!"

>Officer Knowles gives your dad a stern look before handing over the clipboard

"Just sign this, I can't let you take your son, I know as a parent it must be devastating but legally the pony will remain in Jeff's possession till the title dispute is resolved"

>Your dad takes the clipboard and reads the dense legalese with rage

"What do you mean title, he's a person not a fucking car he shouldn't even be here"

>Officer Knowles takes a step back to try and deescalate and hopefully explain the process

"Mr. Gomez, I’m sorry. I don't make the laws. I totally agree your son should absolutely go with you; but we have a process to resolve these disputes, and you'll have to make your case in court. All I can do now is file the paperwork and explain your rights to you."

>Your dad shakes the clipboard in fury

"What about HIS rights. He's a human fucking being. Doesn't he have rights too. He's fucking keeping him like a slave and shit."

>Your dad feels you nudge up against his hand

>His anger almost seems to melt away as his hand runs through your mane

>You lean against your dad trying your best to comfort him

>Despite how upset you all may be, you know threatening people is going to do nothing but put people in jail

"Dad, it's ok. I'll be safe here. Just do what you need to do with the cop."

>You're pulled tight as your dad doesn't want to let go.

"I lost you once. I’m not going to lose you again."

>He whispers with sorrow as he grapples with the injustice

"As long as you know that I'm here and that I’m alive. That’s all that matters"

>You whisper back leaning against your dad as your mom joins in the embrace

>Your dad takes a deep trembling breath before looking at the clipboard.

>The lengths they have gone to dehumanize his son fills his heart with pain

>He signs the document anyway

"Fucking ridiculous that I have to fight to keep my own fucking son"

>Miguel growls giving Officer Knowles the clipboard back

>Officer Knowles lowers his head in shame watching the parents stand between him and the pony

"I agree sir, it's a travesty. I have felt so much remorse for every pony here but I have to do my job and enforce the law. With this being signed you've started the first step in getting your son back. At this point it's up to the courts."

>He directs the parents to the door of the stables and they refuse to budge

"The owner of the property is only required to allow you on the property long enough to identify the pony. Now it's time to leave Mr. Gomez. Michael is in good hands here, all the animals here are well looked after and he will be no different"

>Maria hugs her son tight

>She strokes her little pony's mane before giving a big kiss on the forehead

"I don't care what you are Michael, I will always love you. We will be back. We promise!"

>She quietly but passionately swears before gently leading her husband away

>You follow but as you get to the door of the stables your hooves hesitate to follow

>As they walk over to their car, you're overwhelmed with joy

>The nightmare will be over soon you think to yourself

>You trot in place waving your hoof in the air

"Mom, dad, I love you!"

>You cheer as your parents get back into their car

>Even as they leave and you see Officer Knowles explaining the situation to Jeff

>Your hopes are high

>So much so you even give Jeff a smug smile

>You return to your stable as Jeff follows behind

>The scowl on Jeff's face brings joy to you as the stable door slams closed

"You think you're smart little mare? All you did was make it more difficult on yourself. Now lawyers are gonna have to get involved and it's gonna be a long expensive process. I sure hope your parents have deep pockets because will bury them"

>Jeff threatens trying to keep his anger in check

"Why don't you just give up, I’m only one pony. You have almost 2 dozen ponies here. My parents just want-"

>Jeff rips his hat off his head and slams his fist against the door

>You shrink back against the wall terrified of the seemingly unhinged violent outburst

"It's the principle of it"

>Jeff growls

>Jeff tries to understand his own feelings

>Even his own lawyer questioned the rationale behind pursuing legal action for a single pony while the business operates in a legal blind spot

>These ponies are by any metric sapient creatures and a court might agree

>Jeffs heart pounds with adrenaline coursing through his veins

>It's a risk worth taking to keep this one he tells himself

>This human might be smug now but when little mare is under my whip with the law on my side, she will be utterly powerless to stop me

>Jeff puts his cowboy hat back on and regains his composure

>None of these ponies can have hope

>Jeff tells himself slipping away from the door letting himself think

"You'll see little mare"

>Jeff ominously whispers

>He turns for the door finding himself yearning for a whip to teach that human (mare) a lesson she'll never forget

>You peek over the door to see if he's finally gone

>As the stable door closes you sigh with relief thankful Jeff left

>Your mind burns with anxiety furiously trying to understand what he meant

>"It's the principle of it, you’ll see little mare"

>Those words echo in your mind

>They sound like the words of a man who will fight through hell to keep you under his thumb

>The principle is clear: all the ponies are his to control

>All ponies are meant to serve him

>Any one pony getting away upsets the natural order of the world as he sees it

>Your hooves quake with fear

>You wish everypony here could go back to families and loved ones but that is a lofty dream

>all you want is to be with your family again and that will be a hard won battle

>You groan with fear

>Your fate is in the hands of the system

>Being a human at one point, you know the human world is full of injustice and you fear is you and your family might just be its next victim.

>The worst part is all you can do is wait and see

>You pace in your stable

>You keep hearing that it'll be only a few more days for weeks

>You hold your head high though.

>You will be home for Christmas, you're sure of it

>You hear a car pull up to the stables

>You get your hopes up again trying to look over the door

>You expect to see Officer Knowles but you see the cowboy hat and you back yourself into the corner

>You expect an angry outburst

>You know he lost the court case and he's going to beat you into a pulp

>The bootsteps stop at your stall

>You brace for whatever happens

>He won't break you

>You'll go home with your head held high no matter what

>The silence is broken by the sound of paper being unfolded

>You see a piece of paper slipped under the stall door

"Go on, read it little mare"

>You cautiously approach the door to read the paper

>Certificate of ownership

>Your name

>Judges signature

>Jeff's name

>You stumble and take a seat unable to believe the papers in front of you

>They lost...how?

>You ask yourself as you feel your stomach curl

>The nauseous whine you make is drowned out by a smug laugh

>Jeff relishes in the delight of his victory

"What did I tell you little mare, I was going to bury them and bury them I did. Quite pricey but you'll be paying that back real soon".

>He laughs and allows you to whine and let your panic attack ride

"You can't, you're lying."

>You cry as he folds the title back up and slips it into his coat

"Oh I’m not lying little mare, signed, sealed, delivered, you're mine"

>You start a fit of coughing genuinely fearing you will vomit on the floor

"Oh, go on, get it all out of your system little mare. I’m gonna give you a few days to rest up and be ready to be shipped out. Had a couple customers excited about my little emerald green pony. I reckon I can have you booked up a few months in advance or more"

>He adds antagonizing you further

"You can't do this to me! I’m a human too"

"Not according to the law! You are my property now little mare, I can have you processed for meat if I wanted to you ungrateful little shit"

>Jeff yells kicking the stable door to add to your distress

"So when I have you loaded up for a job you better be smiling saying: 'thank you Jeff for not turning me into a hamburger!"

>The sobs echo through the stables as Jeff takes a breath

"Will you be a good little mare?"

>You look up to the smug cowboy leaning over the door and avert your eyes with disgust

>You want to resist but the terrifying thought of being butchered for meat sends shivers down your spine

>What choice do I have? You ask yourself

>You whine with despair

>Where are your parents, where's Officer Knowles, why isn't anyone helping you!

"I'll be a good little mare, Jeff"

>You painfully cry

>Jeff isn't satisfied.

>He wants nothing less than this pony's total submission

"Oh no, it's not Jeff anymore little mare. It's master now. Better get used to it"

>The pain of defeat crushes you

>He won, he fucking won and now he is excited to make it your problem

>Jeff knocks on the door to get your attention again

"What will it be, are you gonna be a good little mare?"

>You can't even lift your head as you pathetically whimper

"Yes master."

>Jeff smiles

"Yes what? Look at me when you're talking to me, I can't hear you!"

>You choke up even harder

>Your face is wet with tears as you manage to lift your head

>Your sight is blurred from tears as you do what needs to be done

"I'll be a good little mare, master"

>You see Jeff's evil smile spread across his face

>It's a look that strikes fear into your heart as you meekly lay on the straw in your stall

"Good little mare, we'll have another training session tomorrow. I hope you're ready"

>Jeff teases excited to whip his new pony into shape

"Yes master, I'll be ready"

>You whimper with a trembling voice hearing bootsteps approach

>Could it be rescue? Officer Knowles? The possibilities run wild till you hear the familiar voice of one of the ranch hands

"Hey boss. Look what I got"

>Jeff leans away from door

"WHAT! what could possibly need my attention right now!

>The startled ranch hand opens up the sack and reveals a pale yellow, red maned filly

>Jeff's tone instantly changes

"A filly? How'd you get this one I've been wanting a filly for a while"

>Applebloom squirms her way out of the sack finally getting a good look at her captors

"I’m not scared of you. Applejack and big mac will buck you till there aint a good bone left in your body"

>Applebloom boldly yells with her charming country accent

>Jeff leans down and pinches the filly's cheek

"Aw, aren't you just adorable, you're even wrapped up in a little bow for me. Might wanna watch your tongue around your new owner there little filly"

>Applebloom's eyes widen in terror

"Owner?"

>Jeff chuckles at the filly's naivety

"That's right little filly, you're mine now"

>Applebloom's eyes dart around the stables seeing the faces of ponies that have been missing from Ponyville for years and her jaw trembles

"Soon you'll be just another one of my little ponies. Don't feel bad I take good care of my ponies"

>Jeff chuckles

“The good ones anyway”

>The initially bold little filly starts to panic as her voice trembles with desperation

"You won't get away with this T-Twilight will save us"

>Jeff laughs hearing about this twilight pony again

"Oh, the princess of friendship, I’m so scared. Listen little filly, there's no hope for you here, nobody has escaped. I've been hearing about this twilight pony for years and I have yet to see her. Nobody is coming to save you"

>Jeff smiles taking delight in the filly's terror

"Leave Applebloom alone!"

>You blurt out feeling pity for the poor filly

>Jeff scowls in the direction of your stall

"Applebloom? That's a cute name for a filly"

>He pulls Applebloom along by her mane as she drags her hooves along the concrete

"Nonny, since you've taken an interest in our little filly here, how about you give her the run down on how things work around here. Tell her how her attitude can lead to some not-so-great outcomes for her if she doesn’t mind her tongue"

>The stable door opens and Applebloom takes a quick look

>Though she only knows you as the strange newcomer to Ponyville, she rushes in

>Applebloom throws her hooves around you looking back to make sure the humans don't follow

>Despite being in fear yourself, you put on a brave face for the little filly

>As you cling to each other the door shuts

>Jeff leans over the door taking delight in the cowering ponies in the stall

"You've outdone yourself on this one Johnny. You all keep saying that forest on the other side of the portal is super dangerous. I’m surprised a filly was in there all alone"

>The ranch hand smiles taking pride in his handiwork

"Yea, it was a surprise to me too. I leapt at the opportunity and wrestled her to the ground. She was light enough to carry back"

>Leaving the stables and leading the ranch hand off to other business around the ranch, Jeff has a laugh

"Good work Johnny, you are earning your keep for sure"

>With the humans finally gone Applebloom cracks and cries against your chest

>You hold the filly tight mostly for your own comfort however you know poor Applebloom must be devastated

"Applebloom, what were you thinking. What were you doing in the Everfree Forest"

>You ask genuinely upset that the filly got herself wrapped up in this nightmare

"I was helping Zecora gather ingredients for a potion and-"

"Why! Look at all these ponies in here, you know the forest is dangerous"

>You whine with disbelief

"But I-"

>Applebloom tries to respond before being cut off

"No buts! You should have known better than to go through the forest alone-"

>Applebloom speaks up hitting your chest with her hoof

"But I wasn't alone! I was with Zecora"

>You immediately go to respond to her, but the words finally process in your mind

"Wait, you were with Zecora? What happened to her?"

>You ask afraid they caught her too

>The ranch hand didn't mention anything about a Zebra

"We were going through the forest, and she told me to hide. She disappeared and next thing I know I’m being tackled by some hairless monkey"

>You briefly take some offense to the pony racism but you realize the implications of what the filly has said

>Somepony knows where we are!

"They didn't get Zecora?"

>You cheer with joy squeezing the life out of Applebloom

"Did you see where the portal is?"

>You ask as your heart pounds with hope

"Yes, it's a collection of rocks a short walk up the trail"

>Applebloom manages to squeeze out trying to breathe

"Do you think Zecora saw where the portal is?"

>You ask afraid to get your hopes any higher than they already are

"I don't know, I didn't see her after she left"

>Even though she doesn't know for certain you know that Zecora of all ponies would be able to help

"Don't worry Applebloom, if Zecora saw you go through the portal then Applejack and Twilight will save us!"

>You quietly cheer as a trailer backs up to the stables to unload some ponies from their day

>You keep it down fearing the word of potential rescue might spread

>The ranch hands start unloading the ponies

>The hustle and bustle of stall doors opening and closing frightens Applebloom

>Applebloom flinches every time she sees a human peering over the door

>you start whispering to Applebloom holding the filly tight

"Don't be afraid Applebloom, the humans won't hurt you"

>She whines and buries her face in your face

"What do they want with us, why won't they just let us go?"

>You wish you could give an optimistic answer but you know exactly what motivates the humans

>You comfort the filly and take a breath

"They make bits off of us. They rent us out to other humans for parties because in this world ponies don't talk and humans will pay lots of bits to play with talking ponies"

>Applebloom's hooves hold you harder as she sniffles

>You decide it's important for her to know exactly what she has gotten herself into

>As you struggle to say the words you feel immense guilt

"The humans like unicorns and Pegasi but Jeff has been wanting a filly for the extra cute factor"

>Applebloom's heart shatters realizing she's been reduced to cattle

>You comfort you as she starts to break down again

"But why? it's not fair!"

>You don't have an answer for her but you know the only thing that can possibly cheer her up is hope

>you put on a brave face for the poor filly

"It's not fair, that's why they're going to get what's coming to them. When Zecora gets Princess Twilight these humans are gonna get a nasty surprise."

>Applebloom manages to lift her face from your chest and wipe her tears

"You think so?"

>You hug the filly tight and rub noses

"I know it, when has Twilight let us down"

>Applebloom fantasizes bucking the humans clear across the room as a cautiously optimistic smile spreads across her face

"Don't get ahead of yourself little filly, we don't know when Princess Twilight is coming to save us so we have to behave till then, got it?"

>Her little smile vanishes

"I have to be nice to them? They took me and locked me in a cage!"

>You hush the filly trying not to attract attention from the ranch hands as they finish up getting the ponies settled for the night

"Yes Applebloom. You have to make sure the humans like you. If they think you're a well behaved little pony, they will let their guard down and when Twilight comes to rescue us, that's when we buck ‘em as hard as we can"

>Applebloom can hardly contain her excitement as she holds you tight

>You feel some quilt feeling like you're doing Jeff's bidding by encouraging the filly to be compliant but you have to tell yourself it's in the filly's best interest.

>You dream of rescue however unlikely it may be but you can't let the filly lose hope

>Seeing Applebloom's smile beaming through the tears brings you joy you never thought possible on Jeff's ranch but you embrace it

"Ok I'll behave, but not because I’m scared of them"

>Applebloom promises shaking your hoof

>You wipe the tears off her face and give her another hug before laying in the straw for some well-deserved sleep

"Good filly, sleep tight Applebloom"

>Applebloom rolls on the straw curling up trying her best to stay warm

>She already misses her warm bed and more importantly her big sister to tuck her in

"Don't we get to have a blanket at least, maybe a pillow?"

>She cutely whines as you snuggle her nice and tight

"You can whine to cowboy hat guy about your accommodations if you'd like. Till then I think I’m going to be the best you're gonna get"

>You reply with the filly whining more

"I know, it's only for a few nights, I promise."

>Applebloom settles into the straw and accepts the discomfort.

"It's not too different from sleeping in the barn I guess..."

>You can't help but smile proud of the filly for making the best of her situation

"That's the spirit Applebloom"

>As you both quietly settle in for the night the filly settles in closer to you

"Thank you Nonny"

>She quietly whispers as you drift off to sleep

 

>The days drag by, one two three.

>Each day the anxiety builds

>Each day you have to answer for why Twilight hasn't come to save you

>Applebloom's nights become restless despite your best efforts

>Her training in particular humiliates her as she's expected to be a classy fairy tale princess

>Jeff has taken extreme interest in the filly

>while good for you, it has led to you having to comfort the filly every night

>Getting a blanket though proved that Jeff wasn't entirely heartless despite his exploitation

>The coming days have proved stressful for you as well.

>Your first booking is already planned later that week

>Far later than Jeff would have liked as he reminds you every day how much you cost him in court fees

>You haven't even heard a word from your parents either

>With Christmas fast approaching, you wish you could hear something from them

>Getting settled for another night, you comfort Applebloom once more

"It's so embarrassing, I feel like a clown. Why couldn't they have taken Rarity? She would love this. It's all sparkle dresses and smiles and waves. They're even making me speak all fancy like. I feel like some Canterlot snob"

>You pull the ratty old blanket over the both of you and try to comfort her

"I told you Applebloom, you just have to stick with it till Twilight saves us"

>Applebloom snaps back welling up with tears and emotions

"You've been saying that all week! Poor Applejack probably sets the table for me every night and doesn't even know I’m here"

>Your hope slowly faded with hers but as you see the sad defeated faces of the other ponies who have accepted servitude as their destiny, you know hope is all you have left

>Yet you quietly acknowledge that if twilight knew you were here, you would have heard something by now

"Applebloom, you have to trust Twilight and Applejack. You know it'd be retarded to come charging in here without a plan. They'd probably just end up captured like the rest of us."

>Applebloom lowers her head to the straw with shame

"I guess you're right, but twilight is a powerful alicorn, can't she just stop the humans with magic?

"Magic isn't as powerful here in the human world. The unicorns can barely lift a cake with their horn and Pegasi can barely hover over the ground. Us earth ponies can't even break down a simple wooden door. I don't think even alicorns would have magic here."

>You explain as you hear some commotion outside from some ranch hands

>Ignoring the shouting thinking it's another fight you settle down Applebloom

"You just have to trust Twilight will do what's right"

>You hear someone outside shouting to call 911 and you shoot up out of the straw

"What's happening? What's 911?"

>Applebloom yawns wanting to see what's going on outside

"Aw, I wanna see. Please?"

>Applebloom begs as you glance through the window

>The scene is only lit with phone lights

>You have a hard time making out what all the fuss is about

>The filly pounding at your legs demands your attention as you groan and concede

"Alright, get on my back little filly"

>You sigh letting her up on your back

"Alright! What are the humans doing!"

>You start peeking out the window somewhat jealous the filly has a better vantage than you

"Don't get too excited Applebloom, the humans just like fighting each other sometimes, it doesn't make much sense"

>Applebloom gasps getting a good look at the bloody mess of a ranch hand yelling frantically

>You hear the terrified gasp as you finally get a glimpse of the battered human

"What, what is it..."

>The ranch hand groans and tells his story

"Josue and I were patrolling when we saw another pony, we tracked the pony waiting for an opportunity to ambush and we were attacked. Every direction ponies everywhere! Unicorns, flying ones and...and this purple flying unicorn!"

>He yells as Applebloom trots on your back in excited disbelief

"Nonny! It's twilight! I know it is!"

>You lower her back down and listen carefully

"The flying unicorn shot powerful magic beams, they picked up Josue and tossed him. I got hit with a magic beam. I barely managed to crawl back to the portal. Has anyone seen Josue?"

>Applebloom mimics ninja moves vividly imagining beating up the humans

"Alright! Go Twilight! You hear that everypo-"

>You have to hush Applebloom before her excitement attracts attention

>The ranch hand desperately cries out as Jeff finally arrives on scene

"What the hell is going on here!"

>Jeff asks as his eyes widen with disbelief at the sight of the badly beaten ranch hand

"The flying unicorn, Twilight. It's real! It's real"

>The ranch hand yells before getting slapped across his bloody face

"Shut up dumbass, the fucking ponies can hear you. When the ambulance gets here, you aint gonna mention a fucking lick about the portal, Twilight, none of that shit. Keep that mouth shut or I'll put you down like a fucking dog"

>The ranch hand cries as he quiets his voice

"What about Josue?"

"What about him?"

>Jeff callously growls as he grapples with the realization that his money printer has been compromised

>Jeff realizes the panic in his ranks and pats his ranch hand on the shoulder

>He stands to face the growing crowd

>He doesn't know what happened to Josue but being he is on all their minds, it becomes a perfect opportunity

"Gather up! We've been on easy street long enough. Do you think those fat paychecks have been for nothin? I knew this day would come and the ponies have gotten wise to our game. They lured Josue and Miguel deep into the forest and attacked."

>He lets his words sink in

"If any of you thought we would continue like we were year after year then you're a fool. If you're trembling in your boots at the thought of some ponies fighting back, then get the hell out of here. We knew this day was coming

>He whistles and has a team lead run to the shed

"These ponies forgot one little thing, the indomitable human spirit lives in all of us, they think a show of force will keep us down?! No! We will bring a wrath they aint never seen before

>His team lead returns slamming down crates filled with non-lethal weapons and long range tranquilizer rifles

"They will rue the day they messed with one of our own, I will have their entire pony civilization bowing to me!"

>The men start to cheer collecting the weapons from the stash

"Not even their precious Princess Twilight will stop us! 200,000 dollars to the man you can bring the purple flying unicorn to its knees"

>The men start cheering throwing fists into the air ready to claim their prize

"It will be a glorious day for us all gentlemen. Riches beyond your heart’s desire. Paychecks fat enough to satisfy every want or need. We will succeed. We will triumph; we will conquer! NO PONY WILL STAND IN OUR WAY!"

>The ranch hands start breaking into resounding cheers as you tremble in your hooves

>You see the weapons and know what humanity is capable of but as you sit in your inescapable stall, there's nothing you can do to warn them

>Even as the ambulance arrives and the energy dies down you quiver in fear worrying Applebloom

"Nonny, you were a human once...right? They don't have magic, how are they supposed to beat Twilight?"

>You struggle to answer wanting nothing more than to leave this nightmare behind but as the humans gear up for war, you don't know if you'll ever escape

 

>Jeff takes a quiet walk up the trail to the portal

>It's been so long since he has seen it

>The last time he saw the portal it nearly drove him to madness

>He's desperate to know if he can resist it like he has before

>The cold mountain air bites at his face as he finally faces the portal once more

>Piles of mysterious rocks with incomprehensible letters carved into them stand high above him

>He stops short of the portal hearing its temptations whisper in his ear

>The other ranch hands can't hear the words much less understand them

>Jeff understands the ancient ponish as if it were his native tongue

>The words stoke his heart with immeasurable greed

>Visions of ponies and humans alike groveling before him make him swell with pride

>He feels the magic coursing through his body

>Every nerve tingles with delight

"These ponies are mine every last one and it all starts with you Twilight Sparkle

>He growls taking steps towards the portal

>The words become all consuming

"The world will be mine, my men will want for nothing. The fate of every pony will rest in my hands"

>Jeff smiles reaching for the portal before a ranch hand stops him in his tacks

"Hey Jeff. You made an amazing speech. Some of the guys just wanted to know: are you going to cross the portal with us?"

>Jeff feels the words of the portal fade as he comes back to his senses

"What? No, no, I have a lot of business to attend to here at the ranch, besides. It wouldn't be fair for me to bag that uh flying unicorn for you guys"

>Jeff casually explains somewhat terrified by the portals temptation

>He turns from it feeling withdraw, powerlessness and dread outside of its presence

>Joining his ranch hand he decides to leave the portal

"I do wish you boys the best just remember to save your darts and don't be afraid to call for help"

>Jeff weighs his concerns now that he is away from the portal's temptations clouding his mind

>What if Twilight is as powerful as the ponies say she is

>What if my men fail?

>No! They won't fail. Twilight Sparkle will be mine.

>Jeff shakes his mind free of the doubt the portal cast upon him

>I don't need to cross the portal, I won't surrender myself to it!

>He mumbles to himself clenching his teeth in anger

"What was that boss?"

>Johnny asks abruptly drawing Jeff back to reality

"Huh, what are talking about?"

>Jeff asks lost in thought

"Something about I won't surrender to it?"

>Johnny delicately asks not wanting to upset his clearly stressed boss

"Oh, it's nothing, I’m getting all worked up about nothing is all. It's just I’m counting on all of you to bring down the flying unicorn. Our whole operation depends on keeping new ponies coming through that portal. If we're ever going to expand this operation we need hundreds, maybe thousands more ponies coming through that portal to meet demand. We cannot afford to lose Johnny, bringing in that princess could mean the difference between keeping the lights on and never having to think about money again. Keep that in mind when you walk through that portal tomorrow".

>Jeff explains trembling from the visions of riches beyond compare

>His eyes water as the shadowy figure of an alicorn vaporizes it all before him

>Despite the chilly air, a bead of sweat escapes from the brim of his hat

>Johnny notices and tries to help

"Woah, are you alright boss? Coming down with something?"

>Jeff shakes the thoughts from his mind again stumbling on a tree root

"Yea, yea, I’m fine. I think I just need some rest."

>Jeff explains with unusual calm

>Johnny helps his boss back to his feet and back to his house

"Come on now, it's not too far. You work to much boss; you need to get some shut eye"

>Johnny jovially explains as they continue down the cold dark trail back to the ranch

>You sit quietly in your stall your hooves tapping nervously on the concrete

>Everypony's planned booking was cancelled in preparation for the big day

>You gaze out the window

>Dozens of humans armed to the teeth cheering and chatting amongst themselves

>You'd think it was a block party if they weren't prepared for war

>Applebloom hasn't eaten

>The dread fills everypony's hearts

>No appetite

"You think Twilight will win nonny?"

>The question grips your heart as you struggle to breathe

"Please, nonny, you're the only human we know, do you think Twilight has a chance?"

>Applebloom begs more afraid of the silence than an honest answer

"I don't know Applebloom...I don't know"

>You forcefully reply through choked up tears

>Applebloom sits dejected as Jeff's voice roars over the crowd

>Jeff's presence brings all the muttering voices to a calm

>Every ranch hand stands at attention

>Jeff raises his hat

"Today is a big day for us all! For too long we operated in the shadows of this pony world. Taking one or two here and there like dirty scavengers. Today is the day that all changes. We have found their princess, their leader. The opportunity is here for us to rise. We shall no longer continue as meager scavengers. After today we will reign as conquerors! Every pony will bow to us once they see their dear princess under our heels. Imagine the pride in all of us storming the castle and roaming their land with impunity. I know all of you have the will, the strength to make our dreams a reality! So, march on to the portal! Claim your prize! 10 grand for every head, 200 grand for the flying unicorn!

>Resounding cheers echo through the air as the boots trample the ground below them

>The speech sends shivers down your spine

>You wished more than anything to see your friends again, but not like this

>Applejack paces back and forth at the Basecamp

>Her eyes struggle to stay open as she hasn't slept since Applebloom has gone missing

>She blames herself for letting Applebloom go to Zecora's

>The guards spend half their time stopping Applejack from storming the portal and the other making sure the humans don't come through

>The Pegasi Royal guard stand ready with spears pointed at the portal

>Twilight and Shining Armor meet to discuss new revelations with the portal

>Applejack rushes up to Twilight and Shining desperate for answers

"Twilight! What did you find out? Please tell me there's some good news! What are the creatures that came out of it AND WHAT DID THEY DO WITH APPLEBLOOM!?

>Applejack cries desperate for any hope at all

"Don't worry Applejack, we at least know Applebloom is safe. We asked the one human Josue and he said he works on a ranch that has been keeping Ponies as pets"

>Before Twilight can finish Applejack throws her hat to the ground in a fit of rage

"They're keeping her as a pet!"

>Applejack takes a breath and just appreciates the fact that Applebloom is safe, at least for now

>She imagines getting a minute alone with the human that took Applebloom

"They're gonna look mighty silly eating corn on the cob with no teeth! Poor little filly, she's probably worried sick"

>Applejack cries throwing her hooves around Twilight

>Shining Armor comforts Applejack with his hoof

"Don't worry Applejack, we're planning an expedition past the portal. Based on what the human has told us, the ranch is poorly guarded at night and should be easy to perform a rescue mission."

>Shining Armor explains showing Applejack a rough map of the ranch

>Applejack starts to feel some hope as she yawns and rubs her eyes

"Please let me go with you, I want to be there when you meet Applebloom"

>Twilight gives an uncomfortable smile

"That might not be a great idea."

>Applejack can barely keep herself from falling over as she picks up her hat

"What are you talking about? I’m *yawn* perfectly fine"

>Twilight has to think for a moment in confusion before realizing what Applejack meant

"Oh, no I’m talking about the portal, it's not some ordinary portal. The portal is pre-Equestrian and the only mention of it is a footnote in Starswirl’s journal. I started translating the old ponish runes on the stones. It did give me a lead. The portal was built by an ancient centaur who led a war against the 3 tribes"

>Applejack pipes up frustrated with the lack of urgency

"What does all this have to do with going to get Applebloom!"

>Twilight blushes realizing this isn't a history lesson

"Right, sorry. The tribes joined together and defeated this centaur. They managed to defeat him and trap him in the portal and end his enslavement of pony kind. My fear is that any one of us entering the portal could release him once more on Equestria, but we don't know for certain"

>Applejack yawns nodding off despite the daylight overhead

"Don't be ridiculous Twilight! How many ponies have these humans pulled through with nothing bad happening? We have to...to"

>Twilight catches Applejack before she falls to the snowy ground finally passes out from exhaustion

>She deeply considers Applejack's concern and wants to consult fellow researchers but as even the restless AJ finally gives in to fatigue, it's clear that they've been too cautious

>Precious days have been wasted milling about and studying the ruins

"Maybe you're right Twilly, we don't know what this portal is capable of, it's a wise choice to-"

>Twilight interrupts her brother feeling some guilt especially as Applejack has spent day and night wanting to go through the portal

"No, Applejack is right, we've been too cautious. We should have acted sooner. We would have had an element of surprise but now they know we're waiting here for them"

>Shining quickly rebuts trying to reassure his little sister of her choices as a leader

"If we went in immediately, we would have been at a disadvantage. We knew nothing on the other side of the portal but since we captured that human, we know a lot more about what's happening on the other side. We found out that this is a much larger operation than we thought and ponies that have been missing for years are over there. It's not a simple rescue mission and I have more units of the royal guard coming down to lend a hoof. You made the right choice to keep everypony safe Twilight. Don't be so hard on yourself"

>The guilt still consumes Twilight as she leaks a single tear hugging Applejack tightly

"Thanks big brother, I needed to hear that,"

>Shining beams with pride happy to see a relieved smile spread across Twilight's face

"Once the rest of the royal guard get here we will be able to mount a large enough raid on the ranch to rescue everypony and you'll see it was the smart choice to wait"

>With a glow of his horn he brings AJ into the tent to finally get her some rest

>The portal glows a cold ominous blue hue

>The guards ready their spears

>They go from quietly muttering how they would rather be at home spending the hearth's warming season with family to sitting behind the bulwarks ready for anything that will come their way.

>Though there are only 6 royal guard, they do not fear any human coming through

"Captain! The portal is opening!"

>Twilight spreads her wings

>She knows her magic will be essential against whatever may come through that portal

>Shining rushes to the forefront taking his position at the bulwarks

"Remember, the humans don't have magic. They have to get close to you to hurt you. Do not attack till I give the order!"

>Shining commands as the blue glow of the portal pulses.

>The tensions rise as the guards clench their teeth

>The only sounds in that forest are the quiet hum of the portal, the hearts pounding out of the guard's chests, and Applejack's snores

>The first humans cross through

>They're startled by the sight of the large Royal guard ponies and their gleaming gold armor

>There's some hesitation, but as more excited humans shove their way through, it's clear that the Guards are severely outnumbered

>Shining Armor takes a stand on the bulwarks

"Humans! We have the portal surrounded! Surrender yourselves peacefully and release the ponies you have imprisoned"

>The humans scan the area raising their weapons

"If you comply peacefully, we will release-"

>A shot rings out, a bean bag slams into shining's chest knocking him off the bulwarks

>Panic spreads through the guards ranks

>The humans charge with unrelenting force overwhelming the guard force around the portal

"SHINING ARMOR!"

>Twilight screams taking flight

>Shining can see the humans already charging the bulwarks as he struggles to his hooves wincing.

>Seeing the guards already being overwhelmed he swallows his pride for the best of his unit

"Everypony, retreat! There are too many!"

>He yells out in despair as half his unit is already being dragged back through the portal

>A human rounds the bulwark as he unleashes a powerful blast from his horn

>Throwing the human clear across the snow

>Just as he finds himself overwhelmed by another 3 humans Twilight swoops in with a protective shield

"Twilly! You need to get out of here!"

>Shining yells blasting several more humans as tranquilizer darts bounce off his armor

"It's the flying unicorn! Take it out!"

>Twilight flinches with fear as barrages of beanbags and darts hit her magic shield

"They're after me! I'll keep them distracted! Take Applejack and get the others! I can hold them off!"

>Shining Armor wants nothing more than to protect his sister but with his unit overwhelmed and the fate of Ponyville resting squarely in his hooves, he has no time to hesitate

"You can count on me Twilight, Just promise me you'll be safe!"

>Shining Armor reluctantly confirms blasting several more humans before retreating as fast as his hooves can carry him

>With her brother and Applejack on their way to warn Ponyville, Twilight takes flight once more to escape

"Princess Twilight! Help us!"

>The last two guards valiantly fight on resisting the few humans that aren't enamored with catching the flying unicorn

>Against her better judgement she turns back

>We are going to need every hoof we can to fight back she tells herself

>Swooping down with speed she tosses the humans opening a path to retreat

>Circling back around she lands and raises a shield to protect them

"Retreat back to Ponyville! Shining Armor will be there, that's an order!"

>As the Pegasi guards take flight twilight drops her shield to turn and join them

>As her wings flap, she feels a sharp sting on her flank

>Twilight gasps with panic as she swats the dart off her flank but it's already too late

>Twilight's wings can hardly flap with coordination

>Fatigue starts to overwhelm her body as she drifts off course

>Her vision blurs as she falls through a tree tumbling across the snowy ground

>She desperately staggers to her hooves hoping she at least got far enough away from the humans

>As her hooves stumble across the snow she can't help but quake in fear hearing the cheers from the humans in the distance

>What are these monsters! She thinks to herself as she hears the cheers getting closer

>She tries bringing together what little consciousness she has left to teleport back to Ponyville

>Anything to get some distance between her and the humans

>With a poof she still finds herself deep in the Everfree Forest, far away from where she wanted to be in the castle

>With the cheers nearly on top of her she tries getting to her hooves once more as she's thrown to the snowy ground by a human

"We got her!!! We got their princess!"

>One of the ranch hands cheers making quick work of binding her wings

"She's over here!"

>The ranch hand calls out as more humans trudge through the snow

>Twilight groans with despair trying to throw the human off of her but she's barely strong enough to get to her hooves much less fight

"Why are you doing this!"

>Twilight weakly cries as a bridle is strapped to her muzzle

>As the rest of the humans pile onto her, she fades from consciousness listening to the humans plan on getting her all the way back to the portal

"We night need to bring over the ATV and a sled, it'll take all day to drag this one all the way back to the portal"

>She hears before drifting to sleep

>You and Applebloom sit in the stall

>Seeing dozens of ponies rounded up and brought through the portal including the elite royal guard crushes your already weak spirits

>You don't dare tell Applebloom but the perceptive young filly can see it in your face

"The humans won, didn't they?"

>Applebloom tearfully asks wondering how long you can keep your silence

>Much to her surprise you open your mouth

"It looks like it, they even captured some royal guards"

>You answer with a depressive monotone not wanting to imagine how terrified the ponies must be

>You gaze out the window as, one by one, ponies are either dragged down the trail

>Few "cooperative" ponies are lead down the trail

>For the sake of sorting, they had to resort to ear tags like cattle

>Jeff lords over his new additions as they tag if the pony was a mare or stallion and who was claiming the bounty on said pony

>The cries of despair from ponies mixed with the cheers of humans makes for a somber mood in the stables

"It's just not fair, twilight should have kicked their butts by now. The humans don't know what they're in for"

>You have some hope however, seeing members of the royal guard captured, the elite guards of all of Equestria, doesn't inspire confidence

>You sigh with despair as you watch one of the guards beg the humans, with tears streaming down his face, to be released

"I don't know Applebloom, we'll have to find out when-"

>Your heart freezes, your breathing stops

>The humans cheer with resounding joy as you see her

>Her purple coat and mane, the delicate wings, and horn

"It's Twilight"

>You mistakenly utter as the packed stable stirs to life with murmurs

>Applebloom lowers her head

"They got Twilight? B-but how, she's a princess. She has the strongest magic in all of Ponyville, maybe in all of Equestria"

>The sheer might of these humans despite having no magic, frightens Applebloom to her core

>The sled with the sleeping twilight is brought before Jeff

>His eyes grow wide with delight as he takes the tagging tool

"Well, if it isn't Twilight Sparkle, princess of the ponies"

>With a firm clamping on her ear, Twilight is tagged and marked

>The sharp pain on her ear wakes her

>She grumbles as the sedatives wear off and she tries to move realizing she's completely bound

"Struggle all you want sweetheart, you aint gonna get away, and don't you think your magic will save you neither. Magic don't work so well here in our world princess"

>Jeff explains with a quiet chuckle from the ranch hands gathered around

>Jeff writes the names of the guys claiming twilight's bounty

>Twilight eases out of the sedative induced brain fog as she finally meets eyes with Jeff

>She notices a peculiar aura around him, something clouding his judgement.

>His eyes darkened like they've been consumed from within

"Men, it is a proud day! The ponies are in retreat. I've received word that we have captured several small settlements and cottages surrounding the forest. AS WE SPEAK, we have about 25 more ponies on their way to the portal."

>With another round of cheers, Jeff finds some time for a joke

"Yall are gonna bankrupt me at this rate. Slow down there fellas. Our stables are going to be packed! The big prize awaits though, their main town, Ponyville is scrambling to put together a futile defense, but it'll be no use. Their elite Royal Guard was defeated in seconds and shattered, retreating into the woods like the docile cattle they are. WE WILL MARCH ON PONYVILLE! Gems, gold, and treasure all lie in wait for you to take it."

>His eyes tear imagining the hordes of pony gold waiting for him. A pony enterprise for him in the human world

"Tonight under the cover of darkness, we will raid their Town, capture every pony that dares fight back and have the rest squarely under our heels as god intended!"

>Cheers and hats fly as the men excitedly rush to refill on darts, bean bags and other munitions

>As Jeff steps down from the stump he lovingly strokes twilight's mane

"What will it be princess, the easy way, or the hard way. I’m looking for things to go easy here, if you can just convince your ponies to surrender to us, then I may be willing to make some concessions for your comfort".

>Jeff smiles as Twilight groans trying to move her body

>Twilight looks to him in defiance before she finally connects the dots in her head

"You must be the one the one the portal speaks to..."

>Jeff's smug expression evaporates instantly

>Every other thought fades from consciousness

>What does she know?

>Twilight can see the stunned expression in Jeff's face

>She realizes the runes on the portal were not mere decorations but a prophecy unfolding before her very eyes

>Twilight squirms with discomfort trying to break free of her bindings

>Before she can beg Jeff to listen a hand holds her mouth shut

>She gives a terrified whine as Jeff leans in

>She struggles fearing Jeff may try to kill her for her knowledge.

>It's entirely doubtful that any human can understand the old ponish runes especially when so few ponies can

>With Twilight gone, nobody will know how much danger their worlds will be in

>She quietly accepts her cruel fate being snuffed out by a human entirely corrupted by greed

"What do you know about the portal?"

>Jeff calmly asks taking his hand away from Twilight's mouth

"You said I am the one the portal speaks to, what does that mean?"

>He further asks curious to know what this powerful magic pony knows

>Twilight takes a moment to breathe trying to find a way to explain it to where the human will understand

"There's a lot to explain, I could tell you everything I know"

>Jeff weighs his options

>Could this all be some ploy to trick him?

>Could she be planning an escape or worse, a revolt

>He doesn't trust the unicorn but if she knows something about the mysterious portal then it's worth giving her the benefit of the doubt

"Let's discuss it. In private. As a token of good faith, I’m going to untie you. Do I have your word that you will not try to escape?"

>Jeff asks giving the pony a death stare

>Twilight is disgusted by the offer

>In a situation like this she is bound by duty to escape at any cost but this conversation could hold the fate of Equestria in the balance

>She struggles with her decision as Jeff further adds salt to the wound

"You're a princess. I can imagine you are honor bound by your word right?"

>For the good of Equestria, Twilight tells herself

"You have my word, if you untie me, I will not attempt to escape"

>Twilight struggles to say as her body slowly comes free

>The ranch hands gasp in fear as Twilight stretches her wings

>She gazes around in fear as the humans fearfully point their dart rifles at her, waiting for any sudden moves

"Put your guns down, she promised not to do anything stupid! Come with me princess, my house is the big building across from the stables"

>Twilight diligently follows the human hopeful she can help guide him to the right decision.

>Jeff's heart pounds with adrenaline fearing what the pony might say.

>He has feared the portal himself and even found himself almost entirely at its mercy like his very own ring of power

>He wants to understand the nature of what it is he is dealing with and why it chose him

>Even if that means treating a pony with respect

>The pair get settled by the fireplace as Jeff does the unthinkable and allows a pony to sit in one of his armchairs

>Jeff attempts his best to make Twilight feel comfortable however his limited resources make things difficult.

"I know you said you like tea, best I can do is iced tea, figured you wouldn't appreciate black coffee like I do"

>Twilight, despite her magic being significantly weaker in the human world still manages to lift the cup to her lips and take a sip

"It's very pleasant, could use some sugar though"

>Jeff scoffs returning to the kitchen for some snacks

"Defeating stereotypes I see, ponies love their sugar cubes"

>Jeff returns with a small plate of carrots, celery, strawberries and all manner of treats friendly to the pony diet

>Twilight happily takes some celery before getting ready to explain

>Despite all the pleasantries, she does have to get to the critical point of order

"I suppose I should ask what you know about the portal first, maybe some of your knowledge may fill in the gaps I have so I can have a more clear understanding of what's happening".

>Jeff isn't amused by the opening of the conversation

>Does she know nothing about the portal?

>Is she trying to bullshit her way out of this?

"You first. You offered to tell me everything"

>Twilight scowls with disapproval, however she did say she would be the one doing the explaining

"Well, that was what I promised Afterall. Just promise to answer my questions if I have any"

>Twilight carefully answers taking a sip of her iced tea

"I'll answer your questions once I get some answers of my own. First things' first. Why does the portal "talk" to me and only me?"

>Jeff asks desperate to get an answer to a question that has haunted him since he first set eyes on the portal many years ago

>Twilight takes a breath and tries to soothe the hostility before it escalates any further

"It’s a long story so you will have to bear with me. Over a thousand years ago, before the pony tribes came together, there was an evil centaur named King Mahrek. He used his magic to enslave the ponies of our world. The literature on how he accomplished this is sparse, only mentioning some form of collective manipulation rather than mind control. His power grew and he spread his influence across the land. When he could not satisfy his greed with our world, he created a portal so that he may leave our world and enslave everycreature across all dimensions. He was only stopped when the alicorns came together to bring an end to his tyranny"

>Jeff interrupts his dull history lesson as he quickly runs out of coffee sipping out of boredom

"Princess, can you please get to the part that matters and answer my question?"

>Twilight groans with annoyance at the second time she has been interrupted trying to explain the portal

"I'll answer your question as soon as I get finished explaining how the portal came to be. I know if I explained the voice in the portal then you'd want to know who the voice is and then you'd want to know where they came from so I figured it'd be best to start there"

>She awkwardly explains with her horn glowing to take a few strawberries

>Jeff groans and extracts himself from his chair to get another cup of coffee

"Carry on princess..."

>He concedes as his boots trudge on the hardwood

"As I was saying, when the alicorns trapped him in the portal. A prophecy outlining his return was etched into the portal and I was able to read it-"

>Jeff's hurried footsteps rush back into the room

"The words on the portal, you can read them?"

>Twilight blushes trying to suppress her pride

"It’s an ancient ponish script that hasn't been used in centuries."

>Jeff smiles as he finally realizes why none of the ponies could read the letters he showed them

"But, YOU can read it right?"

>Twilight is almost terrified of the prospect of translating the ancient ponish runes for him.

>The runes spoke of the subjugation of all, a new era under one ruler and other apocalyptic predictions

>This would be enough to persuade everypony to leave the portal be however she fears these words of caution may entice a human

"Yes, I can read the text and understand it. I’m a scholar of Star Swirl the Bearded's work and often he would write in this ancient script, so I took it upon myself to study it."

>Jeff gets comfortable in his chair excited to take her to the portal and have her translate the text sprawled all across the stones

"Please, continue, you were saying something about a prophecy"

>Twilight hesitates to recite the prophecy fearing it may convince the human, who has somehow resisted the temptations of Mahrek, to surrender to the portal

>She can see the excitement in the humans eyes, almost as though he wants to know his destiny

>With the clock ticking and Jeff's second cup of coffee running out, his patience wears thin

>One minute she wouldn't shut up and now I can't get a word out of her

>With his cup empty, Jeff loudly slams his cup on the table

>His stare unnerves Twilight till she struggles to remember what the runes even said

>With the pressure mounting, Twilight caves hoping the human doesn't get the wrong message from the prophecy

"The prophecy read: It will be on a land united and prosperous, a ponykind free and fair shall be beset by the harbingers of my return for I will speak. Creatures that know not of morality but of hedonism. The one they call their king shall be of a corrupted soul cold as the stone which bears this prophecy. Once this king has no desire for their own world, the world of pony lands shall know disharmony, misery, ponykind shall know servitude, and corruption."

>Twilight sighs with fear carefully gauging Jeff's reaction

"That's the prophecy? That's what you were so afraid to tell me? Here I was thinking it was me but here it is saying that your guy has no desire for their own world. I'll tell you right now, I have no interest in anything on that side of the portal. Except ponies obviously but you're a means to an end in my world"

>Jeff explains feeling somewhat bitter that the prophecy isn't about him

"All that waiting for you to get to the damn point and you go and tell me I have nothing to do with it?"

>Twilight can hardly believe her ears as the human, who has systematically captured and enslaved ponies, denies his role to play in the prophecy

>Twilight pipes up putting an end to her friendly demeanor

"I don't get it, what is there to explain, the portal clearly chose you to be the one that brings Mahrek back. The prophecy is clearly spelt out, and you deny the danger?"

>Jeff rolls his eyes

"Riddle me this Purple, why would I be the one. That prophecy says: 'once this king has no desire for their own world' shit will start to happen. If you hadn't noticed, I already have everything I could ever want right here in the human world. Hell, come to think of it, I can hardly think of anything I'd want in your world aside from ponies. Speaking of..."

>Taking a glance out the window to the herd of new ponies gather, Jeff gives Twilight a smug smile and a wink.

"I think I have more ponies than I'd ever know what to do with. Hell, at this rate I might have to start franchises, I'll have more money than you can possibly imagine, I'll have mansions that will make your castles look like rock piles. You're telling me, that I will have no desires for my own world? Stupid little mare, to think they call you princess."

>Jeff adds pouring Twilight another glass of iced tea

"Now, if that's all you have to say about the matter then I reckon-"

"What does the portal tell you!"

>Jeff is stunned as Twilight bursts out with her wings stretched

"You promised to answer my questions if I answered yours. Just as I will keep my word, you will keep yours!"

>Jeff, despite looking down on the ponies, does have a shred of honor and holds himself to account

"My apologies princess, as I am also a man of my word, I will answer your questions. Carry on"

>Twilight settles back into the chair with a brief apology for making a scene

"I feel I need to understand what exactly the portal is trying to tell you. If I know what these temptations are, then I may better understand the nature of the portal and how Mahrek is attempting to use you"

>Jeff quietly considers how important it is to tell Twilight what he sees. Whenever he's in the portal’s presence, vivid visions cloud his thoughts. Many centered around his own ruin with only the portal as his salvation.

>What could she do with this information?

>If that portal gives the person it speaks to power, why wouldn't I take it.

>he could be lying about the prophecy

>The conflicting theories make his heart race as his breathing becomes heavy

>Considering his knowledge of the nature of the portal is limited to his horrific visions, Jeff carefully feeds the knowledge

"I get visions, usually of horrible things come to pass"

>Jeff carefully explains putting his limited trust in Twilight

>Twilight leans in with eager anticipation, she will finally understand what Jeff sees and what the portal is trying to manipulate him with

>Jeff physically trembles remembering the devastation from one particular vision

>With a trembling sigh he finally speaks up

"One vision that has been haunting me, even in my sleep, has the ranch burning to the ground, my men in bloody tatters, all while some shadowy pony figure looks over it all. I can't tell what they look like, I can't even tell if they're a regular, a unicorn or even a flying one. Its stare pierces my soul every time."

>In a vulgar display of her social ineptitude, Twilight quickly chimes in to correct the clearly distraught human

"In our world they're called Earth ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi respectively-"

"Damn it Purple! I don't care what they're called!"

>Jeff lashes out before grabbing his coffee once more for another cup.

>Twilight blushes with embarrassment as the boots trudge down the hall

"I’m sorry, but back on topic, interesting you can't tell what the pony is from the visions. You said they were vivid though so why can't you remember what the pony looks like?"

>Twilight asks raising her voice so that Jeff may hear from the kitchen

>Returning with a topped-up cup and trembling hands jeff takes his seat once more

"It depends on how close I am to the portal. I hardly make the trek up to it ever considering I-"

>Jeff considers if he may be saying too much

>Given how friendly and helpful Twilight has been so far, he cannot help but to believe there is a rapport building between them

"When I get close to the portal, my hold on reality tends to slip. I've had several of my guys point this out before"

>Twilight tries to piece together what may be happening to Jeff

>vague descriptions of visions and reality distortion hardly give her any leads

"I think if I'm going to learn anything I may need a detailed description of one of these visions. May I accompany you to the portal to see what the visions are about?"

>Twilight shyly asks expecting a firm rejection considering how much effort was put into taking her from Equestria in the first place

>Jeff considers the offer. While he's looking for answers for his visions, he can't be sure if purple will make a break for it while he is actively struggling to maintain a grip on reality

>Jeff gives Twilight a suspicious scowl

>He wants to maintain decorum between them and extend another hand in goodwill

"Do I have your word that you will not attempt to escape princess?"

>Twilight, despite it being her duty to escape feels the fate of Equestria lies in her hooves

>She must make sure this human trusts her enough to never use the portal

>For the fate of Equestria, she swallows her pride once more

"As the Princess of Friendship, you have my word. I just hope some mutual trust will go a long way in making sure everypony is safe."

>Jeff feels at ease with Twilight, despite everything he's done, enslaving her kind, kidnapping her, and calling her names, tagging her like cattle, despite everything she is still amicable

>Jeff takes a breath and finishes his last cup of coffee

"You keep me to my word, I'll keep you to yours. We will go to the portal tonight and I will tell you everything I see, and hopefully we will come to a mutual understanding. That sound good to you Princess?"

>With a smile, Twilight glows with hope

>maybe there can be a peaceful resolution after all,

>She dreams of all the ponies brought home, their worlds safe from King Mahrek.

"That sounds wonderful, I can't wait. Maybe we can finally shed some light on this mystery"

>Even Jeff gets a smile, even if this only ends the visions, he would be happy

"Well then, I look forward to it princess, I'll have to come back for you this evening, till then I'll have to keep you locked up in here, it'll be more comfortable than the stables at least."

>There's a knock on the door as Jeff gets up with annoyance

"Oh, what now! Can't those mouth breathers go 2 seconds without my input"

>He opens the door to see a nervous ranch hand with a particularly excited teal mare

"Well, out with it, the hell you want Chris?"

>Twilight looks over to see Lyra giddy with delight

"I don't have an explanation for it boss but uh, I was on my way to the town and uh this one started following me"

>Jeff looks down at Lyra trying to nose her way in to see what a human house looks like

"Does she know what this is about?"

>Chris stammers just pointing to her

"I don't know what's wrong with this one, I told her I was going to make her a pet and she started following me. Its uh, kinda adorable, I was wondering if I could uh, keep her?

>Jeff pinches his eyebrows with frustration

"No, put her in the stables with the others and claim your bounty"

>Despite the pleading from the pony and ranch hand Jeff closes the door looking over to Twilight shuffling in her chair pretending to have not noticed

"Do you know that one princess?"

>Twilight taps her hooves together

"That's Lyra, she's a bit...fascinated with humans"

>Jeff nods with understanding

"I see, I'll be back later Princess"

>Jeff explains going back to his business on the ranch

>Shining Armor looks up to the sky

>He's confident his little sister could manage a few humans

>However as he pants and catches his breath crossing into Ponyville he finds the few remnants of his Royal guard

>With ponies rushing around trying to evacuate, Shining sighs with relief knowing the message had gotten through

>With Twilight nowhere to be found and the guards frantically discussing something among themselves Shining Armor finally sets the sleeping Applejack down

>He wishes he could make sure AJ was safe at sweet apple acres however with the humans bearing down on Ponyville, he doesn't have a second to waste

>He rushes over to the unit to put together the plan

>Taking off his helmet, he addresses his guard

"Fall in! Glad you all made it safe, we need to get the town ready for defense, the humans are moving faster than me could have anticipated. Did we get the reinforcements?"

>Shining asks desperate to get up to speed on the preparations

"We started the evacuation just like you asked Captain!"

>One Pegasi guard responds still trembling from the battle at the portal

"The reinforcements are on the next train bound for Ponyville, captain. 6 divisions in total"

>Sighing with relief Shining takes stock of the situation

"That's all excellent news! Where's Twilight? We need to make a plan to stop the humans."

>His guard unit waivers in their salute

>Two in particular have their lips tremble

"Captain, I’m sorry...we were... surrounded by humans, and Twilight saved us. She told us to run and we did. SHE WAS FLYING RIGHT BEHIND US! but she wasn't there when we got back to Ponyville. I don't know where she went Captain, I’m sorry!"

>Shining Armor stumbles in disbelief

>He doesn't even want to consider the possibility

"You don't think Twilight was..."

>Shining's heart pounds with fear

>Feeling the immense guilt from his cowardice, the guard breaks down dropping his salute

>Shining clenches his teeth as he holds back his rage

>The humans have Twilight

>Those no good rotten humans got her!

>Despite his rage, Shining Armor stamps his hooves to gain his guard's attention

"It’s not your fault. Twilight would just be glad everypony got here safe, but we can't give up."

>Shining Armor looks across the river to the Everfree Forest and lets his rage boil over

"That's why we have to be ready for them! They're coming and they will not stop till everypony is taken away and made a pet. We have to take them on here and now! No mercy, there's no such thing as a good human!"

>Shining Armor hears the whistle of the train arriving in Ponyville

>With dozens of royal guard unicorns and Pegasi and plenty of Ponyville volunteers, Shining gets a plan together

"We need to capture as many humans as possible, if we funnel them into the square and destroy the bridge they won't be able to escape"

>Shining Armor explains putting his helmet on and getting ready to take command of the reinforcements

"We have to win, for Twilight!"

>The cold is enough to make Twilight shiver

>Jeff shrugs off the cold with indifference as he leads the way to the portal

"This way Princess, it's up this trail"

>Jeff explains as Twilight follows closely behind

"So how far away can you hear it? Is it a: you have to be really close to it sort of thing, or can it just speak to you whenever?"

>Trudging up the gentle incline Jeff can already hear the ancient ponish drifting on the wind

"Some days it's stronger than others. The visions always seem to get me though no matter how far I am from it. I can hear it now actually"

>Twilight quickly trots to Jeffs side

"Really? What does it say?"

>In the spirit of honesty and understanding Jeff answers truthfully

"It's telling me to pursue my destiny, and telling me how powerful I can be."

>Jeff feels his blood pressure spike as the feelings of desire start to become overwhelming

"Just tell me if it becomes too much for you, we can leave. Hopefully we can see these visions before we go. I’m really curious to see what it's telling you"

>As the portal comes into sight the runes softly glow as if to acknowledge Jeff's presence

>He takes a breath and prepares himself for the visions

>The rush he feels is unlike anything he ever felt before

>As the ancient ponish wants its way into his ears he groans with satisfaction

"I think it's coming Princess, I think I see something"

>Jeff explains giving in to the whims of the portal

>Twilight hangs on the human's every word

>Every detail could spell the difference between peace and devastation

>She must understand it all

"What do you see?"

>Jeff's memory is stirred as he sees visions of things come to pass

"I see, ponies and I see Ponyville. Your castle."

>Despite Jeff never having been through the portal, and no human even setting eyes on Ponyville, his knowledge of the landscape frightens Twilight

"What else do you see?"

>Jeff smiles nearly stumbling as he steps towards the portal

"Riches beyond compare, ponies cowering before me at the end of my lead"

>Jeff continues as Twilight stands between the dissociating human and the portal

"Are these things that happened already?"

>Twilight asks trying to understand what he's talking about

"The portal never lies Twilight Sparkle, the one it speaks to will always get their deepest, darkest, desires met."

>Twilight groans with worry stamping on Jeffs boot

"Jeff? You're losing it! You warned me about this, what do I do?"

>Jeffs vision rapidly changes, his face turns to terror as he stumbles away from the portal.

>Images of bloodied men flowing from the portal, the buildings around the ranch up in flames

>Towering overhead with glowing eyes is the pony figure gazing down on him

"NO! It’s the shadow pony"

>Twilight grows increasingly concerned as Jeff groans and wails

"What do you see, I need to know, quickly!"

>Jeff grabs Twilight with force hurting her with his grip

"I see my men, screaming, my ranch in flames! and the shadow pony!"

>Twilight takes the warnings deathly seriously

>Anypony that brings these events to pass will surely doom all of Equestria and free King Mahrek

"Who is it! What color is their mane, their coat, do you see a cutie mark!? What kind of pony are they?"

>Twilight asks her desperation becoming more palpable by the second

>Jeff's eyes widen as the shadowy pony raises it's horn and spreads its wings.

"Purple, it's purple! It's...YOU!"

>Jeff screams in rage

>The portal shrieks it's warning to Jeff

>Do not let this pony stop you. The portal cryptically warns as Jeff falls to the ground in agony

>Twilight gasps in disbelief. The portal says I’m going to do this? She asks herself

"Hooves! Hooves! I need to cross the portal now!”

>He screams out frantically clawing for the portal

>She can see it in Jeffs strained eyes and dilated pupils, he is being consumed by the portal

>Using her limited magic strength, she is able to lift Jeff onto her back

>Despite the groaning and frantic yelling she struggles down the trail

>As the distance increases from the portal Jeff slowly regains his senses and brings himself back to a quiet calm

>Trembling from withdrawal and ready to vomit, he rides on the pony's back trying to remember what he saw

>As Twilight dutifully carries him back to his house, he tries to make sense of the vision

>Why her? She seems so levelheaded, how could she bring all that destruction

>As Twilight brings him to his door, he slowly brings himself to the ground gasping for air

"Jeff, are you alright? I think you started slipping. I had to take you back as you stopped making-"

>Jeff angrily grabs Twilight by her mane

"It’s you! You were the pony haunting my visions. There's a reason the portal warned of you by name"

>Twilight yells out in pain as Jeff drags her inside the house and throws her to the floor

"What? I would never do such a thing. The portal has to be wrong."

>Jeff yells over Twilight letting his rage fly

"You think, I'd believe you princess? The visions have never been wrong. Every detail down to the leaves on the trees has been correct and it has warned me of you from day one! Even with you in my possession, the portal warns me of this impending doom."

>Twilight desperately seeks any means of reconciliation as any hope of peaceful resolution vanishes before her very eyes

"No, Jeff, the portal is using you. I want-"

"Shut it, I know you want all your pony friends to be let go and you will do it by any means necessary. Admit it!"

>Jeff demands clearly building up to another violent outburst

>Twilight lowers her head as Jeff continues

"You've probably been scheming the entire time to make that happen too!"

>Twilight concedes

"Yes, I want everypony to be free, but I wanted to do it peacefully so nopony would get hurt, Jeff I'm-"

"You want to take my ponies, my land, and my wealth and burn it all to the ground for good measure. Is that it? That sure sounds peaceful to me, you lying purple bitch! Kill all my guys while you're at it!"

"Jeff! We can do it peacefully. Just listen-"

>Jeff kicks Twilight back to the floor as she tries to get to her hooves

"Oh, I think I've done enough listening to you Princess."

>Twilight groans in pain staying on the floor as Jeff leaves the room

>With the discussion over, Twilight wrestles with the grief of failing her fellow ponies

>Every attempt at being diplomatic, every hope she had for appealing to Jeff's conscience, all crumble before her

>As Jeff returns Twilight tries one more time to appeal to reason

"Jeff, I don't know what that vision meant but you have my word, I would never do anything to make that happen!"

>She pleads with him before catching a glimpse of his revolver

>She remembers seeing something vaguely similar being held by the humans at the portal

>Was it another dart gun?

>Jeff loads a single round

"Your word is a chance I cannot afford to take Princess."

>Twilight goes numb

>This isn't a dart gun

"Outside. Now!"

>Twilight fearfully complies stepping out into the frigid cold night

>With the barrel lowering to meet her head, her limited magic will do nothing to save her

>Are humans truly that irredeemable? She asks herself as she winces

"Jeff, you have to trust me"

>Jeff's hand trembles

>I have to, it's the only way to save the ranch, he tells himself

>Has she done anything to violate my trust?

>What if she's right and the portal is using me

>I must be losing it still...she could have easily escaped while I was out but she didn't

>His breathing trembles as he lowers the gun with uncertainty

>There has to be a better way

"FUCK!"

>He screams into the night frantically unloading the gun

"How can I know it's not you!"

>Twilight slowly examines every word before piecing together a reply

"Jeff, I've been true to my word, I have not done a thing to break your trust. You have done your part too; you told me what I need to know about the portal. Let's use that trust for something new. Please, just promise me that you will trust me when I say I would never do anything that vision calls for, and I will trust you have everypony's best interests at heart. Can we agree on that?"

>Twilight asks shivering from the cold and the fright

>Jeff growls through his clenched teeth

"I don't know about their best interests..."

>Jeff concedes trembling, sick from the anxiety of doubt

"If having their best interests means no pony or man getting hurt, then yes, you have my word that's what I want. I trust it's what you want too"

>Twilight sighs with relief, extremely upset with Jeff but thankful they were able to reach a new understanding

>You and the ponies crammed into the stable all watch the drama between Jeff and Twilight unfolding

>How could Twilight have become so defeated?

>Watching Twilight struggle under Jeffs weight when he rode her back and now watching Jeff hold her life in her hand demoralizes you

>The courts have failed you, your parents have failed you, and now Twilight has failed you

>Your anger wells up as you can't stand the repeat disappointment

>You summon your pride and try to fight back against the demoralization

>Applebloom stamps her hooves on your back looking out the window

"He can't treat her like that! We have to do something!"

>Applebloom yells out as the crowded stables start to murmur

"Applebloom is right! Humans aren't that strong, if we fight together, we can beat the humans!"

>You cheer as the hooves start to stamp in the stables

"Nopony is coming to save us! We have to fight for ourselves and for Twilight!"

"But how, we don't have magic, we can't fly either. Doesn't change that we are all locked in here anyway"

>An unfamiliar voice yells out dulling the enthusiasm of the ponies

>You feel the doubt hit once again. You've been angry and sounded the drum of war but to no avail. This is no different. They're all locked down; guards stand outside the door and who knows how many humans between here and the portal

"We can't give up hope! We have to escape"

>The doubting pony pipes up once more

"Shut up Nonny before the guards come in here and start whipping"

>You gasp in offense stammering before realizing the enthusiasm is dead.

>Who am I kidding, we're doomed. It’s all going to be saddles and harnesses for us and we know it. You whine to yourself

>You keep looking out the window

>You see Twilight and Jeff seem to be discussing something as a frantic ranch hand runs up to them

"Jeff, it's bad, it's bad, the guys got attacked"

>A single fuck rings out across the ranch as Jeff runs to the portal dragging Twilight along

>Even the stable guards are drawn away to the screaming and yelling heard off in the distance

>What's happening? Murmurs across the stables

>The silence starts to seep back in as the confusion mounts

>What's happening out there?

>What are the humans freaking out about

>You hear the sounds of tires on the gravel and the exhaust of a car that you thought you'd never hear again

>Is that the Ranchero?

>The stable door cracks open and shuts behind

>The ponies all back away in fear wondering who it could be

"Michael? Where are you?"

>You struggle with disbelief it can't be, you tell yourself

>You force your way to the door past the other ponies crammed into the stall

>You crane your neck trying to look over the door

>The last time you heard him was a phone call with the attorney

>Seemed like ages ago

"Dad? Dad I’m in here! What are you doing here?"

>The stable door opens as you’re instantly bodied by your adoring father

>He lovingly holds you in his embrace hugging you tight

"Like hell I’m gonna let some fucking bullshit judge say I can't have my son! I came ready for war!"

>You break the embrace excited to finally escape but seeing all the ponies sticking their heads up to see makes you feel guilty

"Do you even have a plan? Did you think you could just roll up take me and leave?"

>Miguel chuckles

"Hell no! I was going to make a diversion but nobody's here. Where the fuck they at?"

>You wonder what the ranch hands could have been freaking out about and what they could have been drawn away to

"Dad it's a long story but I need your help, we need to free these ponies"

>You stop in your tracks as the stable door opens

> Sitting there waiting is the Ranchero with mom in the driver’s seat ready for a quick getaway

>You gaze in awe for a moment before shaking it out of your mind

"What? No, get in the truck Michael, we need to get out before they come back"

>He explains with the Ranchero patiently waiting for him

"No! These ponies are just as home sick as I am, we need to help them too"

>you explain hesitating to leave the stall

“We don’t have time for this Michael, get in the car.”

>You speak up breaking the hushed conversation.

"Even if I escape, they'll look for me and if they find me, they can take me back. The court says I’m property here. I have to go to Equestria; It’s the only way I'll ever be free and I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t take everypony with me."

>You lower your head in shame hindering the escape

 

>Refusing to be separated from his son once again, Miguel insists

"We don't have time for this Michael, Uncle Robert is going to take you to his ranch and you can hide there"

>You stand your ground

>You want to show your fellow ponies the brighter side of humans

>Maybe if one human showed these ponies kindness it can bring them some peace

"Dad, I don't know if there is a future for me here in the human world anymore. I need to go back to Equestria with everypony else, no other way about it..."

>Miguel starts to breathe heavily trying to process his grief

>He remembers the cruel words the judge delivered in their verdict

>My son, is a person, they have dreams and ambitions just like all of us

>He tells himself before conceding

"If that's what you want, I won't stop you but I’m not losing my son again. I’m going with you"

>You take a step back in disbelief

>The joy of having your family with you in Equestria is too much to bear as you throw your hooves around your dad

>Despite the tender moment together you get to work

"We don't have much time, we need to get these ponies out, we will also need a distraction."

>Miguel chuckles somewhat out of embarrassment

"I told you, I’m ready for war. Punk ass judge threw my ass in jail for contempt, I told him next time he sees me it'll be something worth throwing me in jail for"

>The latches come undone on the stable doors and the ponies quietly start milling about

>With the ponies freed, your curiosity starts to get the better of you

"You don't mean you're gonna kill them right?"

>You nervously ask almost afraid to see what he means

>Grinning ear to ear opening the door to the stables, he pulls out several large containers of gas out of the bed of the Ranchero

"If you need a distraction, I've got it right here"

>He looks to his wife and brother both waiting in the truck

>He knew he was ready to go away for a long time, but going to a different world was something he wasn't ready for

>Surprised by the sheer numbers of ponies, Maria gets out of the car

"Miguel, what are you doing? We can't take them all"

>Giving his wife a goodbye kiss, he explains himself

"I’m sorry, I know we talked about it. I am ready for prison but, Michael isn't coming with us. He wants to go back to the pony place. I’m going with him"

>She raises her voice, feeling betrayed unable to believe what she's hearing

"What do you mean? The reason I agreed to do this was so we could all be together again."

>Miguel holds his wife tight giving her a kiss

"I’m sorry, its Michaels decision. I figured I can go with him and probably stay out of jail at least. -"

>Maria shoves Miguel back letting her rage flow

"Oh no! you think you can get away with leaving without me? I want him back more than anything and I’ll wind up in jail too because of your dumbass plan. If the horse world is where you two are going, I am going too, no question!"

>Maria passionately yells as she crosses her arms defiantly

>You butt your head against mom

>Hearing them talk about coming with you to Equestria fills you with anxiety and a cautious joy

>You wonder what will happen to them being humans in Equestria after the human attacks but whatever it is, it can't be any worse than prison

"Can you handle it? There won't be any humans there, it'll be a strange world with magic, flight and all kinds of strange creatures."

>Your parents kneel down and surround you in their embrace

"Oh Michael, it doesn't matter where we go, as long as we have our family."

>Maria whispers as you sniffle with joy

"I love you guys"

>You tearfully smile as Robert breaks the moment

"Yo, Miguel, what are we doing, are you staying or going?"

>Robert asks as his anxiety builds carefully keeping watch for ranch hands

>Miguel gives his brother a hug and pats him on the back

"We're going, thank you so much for everything. I don't know if I'll ever see you again"

>Miguel fearfully admits as he joins his family

"If that's what you want...I hope I'll see you again someday"

>Robert holds his sorrow as he climbs into the Ranchero and starts up the car

>With a wave the Ranchero turns and leaves the ranch

>With that one last link to the human world gone, you look towards the trail to the portal

"This is it, we need to get all these ponies to the portal. The only way we can do that is with a distraction."

>Picking up one of the 5 gallon jugs of gasoline, Miguel heads back into the stables

"No problem, I got this"

>All the ponies quietly murmur among themselves as he starts dumping the gasoline all over the straw and the wooden walls

"What's that smell? What's he dumping?"

>The ponies ask as the stables light up in flames

>The ponies gasp in surprise and back away from the bright flames

>The violence and destruction from even a "good" human stuns even the few royal guards

>Cheering with a massive ear to ear grin, he picks up another gas can

"What's that over there? Is that Cowboy's house?

>You happily trot along excited to participate

"Yep, and that's the garage over there, save some for the shed too!"

>You cheerfully add as Maria starts to herd all the ponies to safety

"Be careful, I don't want you to get burned"

>You have a laugh trotting up the Jeff's house

"We will mama!"

>With the ponies all on their way to safety and the ranch up in flames, you look to the trail to the portal with anticipation

>The flames glisten in your eyes as the ranch glows warming you in the cold night

"Let's get with the others, we need to be ready to cross the portal!"

>You explain pushing your dad along to the trail

>Jeff catches his breath getting a glimpse of the carnage at the portal

>The men limping through are badly beaten and bloodied

>Jeffs jaw trembles

>Its exactly as he saw in the vision but Twilight was with him the entire time

>Jeff bites down on his hand leaving marks as he tries to bring himself back to reality

>What remains of his wiped out men kiss the ground thankful to have made it back to their world

>Twilight cautiously and quietly trots up alongside her mere presence frightening the ranch hands

>Jeff looks down at Twilight with pure distain before turning to one of the senior Ranch hands

>He yanks the weeping man off the ground

"Damn it, what the hell happened, you had them on the run! You had the guns, you had everything. WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED"

>The ranch hand howls in despair recalling the ambush

"It was the ponies man, we entered the town, we were trapped. They took out the bridge, and swarmed us, it was a ruthless stampede, guys were getting snatched up left and right. We had to leave the ATVs behind. The flying ponies chased us all the way back to the portal, we're all that's left."

>He explains as a couple more shuffle through the portal

>Jeff drops the man as he nearly stumbles to the ground

>The portal whispers to him warning him of the danger of Twilight but he refuses to listen

"Yall are some sad pathetic little shits. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOST TO PONIES!? We were collecting them left and right and now you're saying you can't win?"

>One ranch hand manages to speak up despite a buck straight to the ribs

"Jeff, their magic is so much stronger than we could have ever guessed. Even the regular ones have some like super strength."

>Jeff growls as another outburst builds

"You have dart guns, and hell, real guns. Yall are gonna get yourselves cleaned up and ready to fight the ponies again tomorrow, we cannot afford to lose"

>The ranch hand lashes out

"Don't you have enough ponies boss? I mean, there has to be over a dozen of our guys trapped there."

>He sniffles and collapses onto the ground again

"You don't know what it was like man, I saw 300 pound guys get lassoed, I had to cross an Icey cold raging river and run through miles of deadly forest to get back here. I’m not going back!"

>He weeps as Jeff explodes on the men

"If you think we're just going to give up right here, you're sorely mistaken. If you don't march right back through that portal, I will not hesitate to fire your asses!"

>Jeff screams as silence rings over the forest

>A ranch hand shuffles to his feet, and starts to leave

>Jeff stares him down as the defeated ranch hand sighs

"I can't Jeff...After what I saw, I think I’m lucky to be alive."

>Jeff feels threatened as more and more get up and leave

"If you leave now, you can forget your bounties!"

>Jeff proudly proclaims as not even money can move these men

>He glances over to Twilight stewing in his anger before turning away

>The first of the awful visions have come to pass and he was utterly powerless to stop it

>His fist trembles thinking about the second vision, flames roaring across the ranch

>If anything can be done, it has to be now

>Twilight, braves the potential for violence and nudges Jeffs clenched fist

>Jeff angrily swats her away

>Undeterred, on a mission for peace, she tries again

>Despite Twilight's reassuring embrace, Jeff's pride burns in his chest

>He strokes Twilight's mane taking a breath to accept his position

"You win Princess...if there's a way to make things right, I'll do it..."

>Jeff sighs casting away his pride

"If we can make a deal that makes everyone happy, I'll work for it"

>Jeff explains

>Twilight beams with joy albeit cautiously

>She doesn't want to give Jeff the impression of being smug or victorious

"It's a tough decision but I’m sure we can mend bridges between the humans and ponies and we can work together so every(one) is happy"

>Twilight cheerfully explains happy to make some progress

"Well, what do you propose we do, I'll follow your lead Princess."

>Twilight starts to think and a short list of a few ponies comes to mind

"I think we should start with an exchange, one pony in particular, Applebloom is a sore spot for many ponies, her coming back would go a long way to making everypony happy"

>Twilight explains trying to stop herself from trotting in place

>Jeff thinks about the little filly with the bow

"That one is a cutie, she's over in the stables."

>With Jeff unable to cross the portal he tries to think about the best way to do this logistically

"If I let her go, you'll take her to your ponies and ask for peace?"

>Jeff asks still harboring suspicion for the purple pony

"Yep, I'll honor my word, I'll do anything in my power to make sure there is a peaceful resolution"

>Twilight explains as her joy is becoming more difficult to hide

>Jeff groans with annoyance being forced to negotiate with ponies

"Whatever it takes for peace I guess"

>Jeff concedes as he starts to walk down the trail back to the ranch

>With Jeff's back turned Twilight's wings pop with an explosion of quiet celebration

>There may be peace after all! Twilight thinks to herself raising her head high once more

>With a smile bursting with accomplishment, she may finally be able to look everypony in the eye once more

>As they continue down the trail, Jeff sniffs a peculiar smell

>The smell of smoke

>Strange, given winter is well out of season for wild fires

>He hears yelling from the ranch hands

>His stride is hurried

>He sees the glow through the trees and his face turns pale

>Leaving Twilight behind he rushes down to the end of the trail

>Twilight, fearing she may be too late to reverse the visions rushes in behind him before being stunned by the devastation before her

>Twilight rushes to the stables fearing for everypony's lives

>What few ranch hands remain physically able attempt to fight the blaze but it's far too late

>Jeff faints, his entire life's work is gone. His house, garage, and stables once filled with ponies all up in roaring flames

>The heat roasts his skin as he helps himself to the ground

>The scene around him plays out just like the visions said

>Every last thing he cared about gone

>Twilight trots back to Jeff's side

"The stables are empty, I'm just glad nopony got hurt"

>Jeff's vacant stare terrifies her

"Jeff, don't worry, we will help fix this. Everything is going to be alright"

>Jeff is hardly capable of any emotion much less rage

>He finally drags himself off the ground

"No...no, you've made it clear you will do anything in your power to sabotage me princess."

>He accuses with his voice trembling

"The portal is always right, it's never lead me astray and I was foolish enough to trust YOU over it"

>Twilight backs away in fear

"Jeff, I was with you the entire night, I had nothing to do with this, you have to believe me."

>Jeff roars in frustration having enough of Twilight's innocent facade

"I've done nothing but believe you, and it's brought me to ruin, I have nothing left!"

>Twilight desperately tries to reign Jeff back in and calm him down

"Jeff, you have my word, I promised I would do anything to-"

"The ponies are making a run for the portal!"

>A ranch hand screams spying the herd of bright pastel ponies sneaking through the forest

>Jeff rushes to the tree line as Twilight rushes to stop him

"Jeff, stop! You don't have to do this! Just let them go. We will make things right!"

>Bolting through the darkness, Jeff eyes a slow Filly making their way to the clearing up to the portal

>Ignoring Twilight's plea he targets the little filly tackling her to the ground as the rest of the ponies rush for freedom

>Applebloom eyes the terrifying human menace in horror

>Screaming and crying she struggles under Jeff's weight

>Seeing all the ponies rush to freedom while she might remain trapped in the human world sends shivers through her little body

"Somepony help me!"

>Applebloom desperately screams reaching her hoof out to anypony around

>Jeff watches as the hundreds of ponies rush through the portal to freedom slipping through his fingers like grains of sand

>In his rage he kneels on the filly's neck

"You're not going anywhere you little shit. Yall think you've won? I will just have to start over again, one by one!"

>Twilight catches up catching her breath

"Jeff, what are you doing?"

>Applebloom squirms under Jeff's knee

"Twilight! Help me!"

>Jeff puts more weight on the Filly's neck

"Shut up little filly, you'll be fine. I’m trying to keep my business going princess, and I need ponies to do it"

>Twilight shakes her head in frustration

"Jeff, I told you, we can work things out together, everyone will be happy"

>Seeing the look of fear in the filly's eyes brings a sense of calm and order to Jeff

"It’s the principle of it princess, it's the natural order of things. I don't negotiate with ponies, I subjugate them"

>Twilight takes a step back unable to comprehend the depravity of his confession

>Applebloom quietly begs struggling to breathe under his knee

"I'll do anything you ask, please let me go home"

>Jeff lashes out at the filly

"You aint in a position to beg for shit!"

>He screams in the filly's ear before turning back to Twilight

>With only a split second of surprise, Jeff is greeted with a view of Twilight's mare butt

>In the moment after, a pair of hooves collide with his face

>Twilight bucks Jeff clean off Applebloom sending him falling into the dirt like a sack of potatoes

>In stunned disbelief, Applebloom scrambles to her hooves and stands at the portal

>Seeing Jeff groan and ease himself to his knees fills the filly with smug pride

"YEA! That’s how we do it at Sweet Apple Acres!"

>She cheers before rushing through the portal

>The blood gushes from Jeff's nose as he slowly recovers from his daze

"Jeff, I’m sorry but I had to do it, it was the only way."

>Jeff pathetically sobs picking his hat off of the ground

"YOU'VE TAKEN EVERYTHING FROM ME!"

>He screams into the night as Twilight steps forward from the darkness to the faint blue light of the portal

"I had to, you didn't leave me a choice. We can still make things right if you're willing to work with us"

>She raises her horn and extends her wings offering Jeff a hoof in friendship

"We can rebuild your ranch, make sure you have what you need and make things right with the ponies you have wronged"

>Twilight offers desperately trying everything to make Jeff see the light

>Jeff reaches for his holster

>In a flash, the bright shining barrel of his revolver is brought to bear on Twilight's head

>Twilight's eyes grow wide with shock

>With a depraved smile Jeff pulls the trigger

>CLICK

>They both stare in disbelief as Jeff pulls the trigger a few more times

"You mother fucker!"

>Jeff screams scrambling for the bullet in his pocket

>Twilight hyperventilates in despair, he was going to kill me, she thinks to herself

>Backing away to the portal she watches in disbelief as he drops the bullet several times trying to load his gun

>Twilight slips back to Equestria leaving the human behind

>With everything gone, Jeff collapses into the dirt, his spirit and will to live shattered

>The quiet of the night only broken by the rumble of fire in the distance

>With everything lost, the portal whispers

>Jeff sobs trying to stop his bloody nose from leaking all over his clothes

>The portal starts to speak it's ancient ponish and worm it's way into Jeff's mind

"Everything I said would come to pass already has. Has it not?"

>The portal smugly asks as jeff can barely muster the will to lift his head

>With his teeth clenched holding back tears, Jeff finally gazes upon the gentle blue glow of the portal

>The runes glow the portal's blue lighting up almost as it reaches out to him

>The letters burn their way into Jeff's mind

>Words of the apocalypse about to unfold read like English to the human as he shakes it off

"No, I can't"

>The portal vibrates the earth around it

"Why? Because an alicorn told you I am evil? Why would you trust her? I tried to warn you of the tragedy about to befall you, and you chose to listen to her instead. Should you be surprised the visions came to pass exactly as predicted?"

>The portal asks as Jeff pounds the earth with shame

"If I had put down that purple bitch the second I had her, none of this would have happened..."

>Jeff regretfully admits to the portal as it mocks the groveling human

"You made your choice. Look what it has brought you: ruin"

>The portal teases rubbing salt into Jeff's wounded pride

"It’s not too late to destroy Twilight Sparkle and reclaim your pride"

>Jeff flinches in fear

>The portal calls to him like it has many times before

>Many times Jeff has been able to resist but this time he's not sure

>With every desire left in the human world gone or up in flames, he's left with nothing

>Jeff imagines nothing more than destroying Twilight

>The platitudes of friendship and negotiations serve as fuel to stoke the flames of rage inside him

>Growling and wincing in pain, Jeff struggles to his feet

"I will kill Twilight Sparkle!"

>Jeff screams as the runes of the portal leap from the portal enticing the human with promises of riches and power

"Reach out, touch it, and you will destroy Princess Twilight and bring everypony to heel"

>Blinded by rage, Jeff shuffles his boots closer to the portal

>Every bone in his body begged him not to go through the portal but it was already too late

>Jeff had nothing to lose and everything to gain

>Without even a moment’s hesitation Jeff's hand touches the portal

>He can feel the evil flow through him

>With it's painful rush, Jeff presses on, stepping into a new world

>The thick portal membrane clings to Jeff

>Its one last little warning before he finally breaks to the other side

>He finally opens his eyes and gets a glimpse of the world beyond

>His confusion mounts as this is nothing like what the guys told him

>He looks around the glowing blue Chrystal walls dimly lighting the small but cavernous room with a centaur suspended by chains over a bottomless cavern

>The hell? They said the portal led to a forest. Jeff thinks to himself.

>He hears the jingle of chains disturb the ear ringing silence of the room

>With Jeff unsure what to make of this, he turns around to leave the way he came

>The portal is gone, nothing but a wall of glowing blue Chrystal

>Jeff's heart pounds as he realizes there's no escape

>He has clearly been drawn here for a reason

>With nowhere to go, Jeff musters his courage and confronts the centaur

>His boots echo as he steps up to the rim of the bottomless pit

>Jeff flinches as the centaur finally raises his head.

>The bones crack as he lifts his head for the first time in over a thousand years

"You must be Jeff..."

>Never seeing a human before, King Mahrek. Gazes upon jeff with disgust

"Such a disgusting creature, all flesh with no coat"

>Jeff recognizes the voice as the one from the portal

>Seeing the centaur in it's pathetic state gives jeff undue confidence

"Yall don't look much better, I think I've seen roadkill prettier than you"

>King Mahrek chuckles finding jeffs insolence amusing

"What have you brought me here for? I came to destroy Twilight, not sit and have idle chatter."

>Jeff asks angered by the seeming lack of any urgency

>King Mahrek stretches his limbs jingling his chains

"Patience human, time becomes very relative when you have been imprisoned for over a thousand years. I have watched kingdoms rise and fall, entire races go extinct all while I waited for the one who listens to cross the portal."

>Jeff wipes the mud and dried blood off his face

"Well, I’m the one who listens and I've crossed the portal. Now give me the power you talked about"

>Jeff demands getting frustrated by the inaction

>Being trapped in the crystal prison, Jeff's anger builds

"Your visions promised me power, wealth, and ponies and I merely had a taste of that life on my ranch. It's time these ponies learn their rightful place under my heels. Give me the power to make these visions reality!"

>Jeff demands with vigor ready to destroy Twilight and anyone foolish enough to stand in his way

>Jeffs confidence waivers as the pathetic centaur begins to laugh

>The centaurs muscles flex as he brings himself upright

>With a bright red glow the blue crystal walls bleed red

>Jeff's heart pounds wondering if this is all part of an elaborate ritual

"The subjugation of all under my hooves requires you, great listener. A sacrifice most honorable"

>Jeff's confidence shatters as he steps away from the edge of the bottomless pit

"Sacrifice? The hell you on about?"

>King Mahrek relishes, smelling the fear in the air

"Perhaps you misunderstood your role. Maybe a form more fitting to your station will help you understand"

>The centaur's horns glow and shoot Jeff with a bolt of magic

>Jeff can hardly believe his eyes as he's struck by the powerful magic blowing him across the floor

>Groaning and taking stock of the situation, he scrambles to his knees

>Worried that another attack was imminent, he reaches for his revolver

"You son of a bitch, I was promised everything!"

>He raises the barrel carefully aiming between the eyes of the smug smiling beast

>His hand trembles cramping with intense pain

>Dropping the gun, Jeff starts to roll in agony

>Hearing more laughter, he watches as the chains come loose falling away as King Mahrek rises

"Your sacrifice will be a noble one 'Jeff' this prison was created by the alicorns themselves to contain the most contemptuous, greedy and selfish beings."

>King Mahrek explains enjoying watching the human suffer

"I waited thousands of years across many dimensions waiting for the one who listens to finally take my place and free me from this prison"

>Jeff heaves wanting to vomit hearing his fate

>Feeling a burning sensation across his chest

>Ripping open his coat and button up, he screams in horror

>A patch of dark orange starts to spread across his chest emerging from spots all across his skin

>Scraping and pulling at the coat emerging off his skin

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME!"

>Jeff screams as his fingers merge

>Groaning in agony, jeff falls on his side with his legs starting to take a distinctly pony shape

>His shining copper tail bursts through his jeans

>With a look at his newly formed hooves he realizes what the centaur has done

"HOOVES! HOOVES!"

>Jeff cries out realizing he has become a pony.

>With his transformation complete jeff struggles in his ill-fitting clothes to get to his hooves

>He gazes up in terror as the centaur cackles with joy

>King Mahrek's hooves touch the floor for the first time in centuries

>The clop of hooves echoes throughout the cavernous room as the towering centaur walks towards Jeff

"Ah, much better, I couldn't stand to look at that revolting body of yours for a second longer"

>Jeff's lips tremble as he kicks off his boots and pants

"What are gonna do to me?"

>Jeff asks with his lips trembling trying to shuffle away from the centaur

"The plan is very simple, great listener. The only way I may free myself from this prison is if I get somepony to take my place. It can't just be anypony though, oh no, the alicorns were very crafty when they made this place."

>The red glowing walls terrify Jeff as he backs himself to a wall.

>The Earth pony stallion is utterly powerless to stop the centaur

"What does that mean for me?"

>Jeff asks as the chains rattle

>The chains slowly snake their way across the floor as Jeff freezes in fear

"You will be imprisoned here, once all the ponies are my slaves, I will return for you and you may live as my pet as a reward for your servitude and loyalty"

>The painful stab of regret crushes Jeff's heart

"You can't..."

>Jeff cries as the chain snakes it's way around his leg

>Kicking away the chains he flails desperately

>With one tightening around his leg, it pulls him away towards the bottomless pit

"NO! God help me!"

>Jeff screams as the chains clasp around his limbs hauling him up into the air

>As Jeff violently thrashes, he feels the magic of the prison course through him

>The red walls of the prison fade back to a calm blue

>The prison thinks all is well

>King Mahrek, takes a moment to admire his little pet pony

>After all, what is a few more minutes of contemplation after a thousand years of meditation

>With another powerful glow of his horns, King Mahrek opens a portal to Equestria

>A sight he has dreamed up from the very first day of his imprisonment by the alicorns

"Thanks to you great listener. Everypony will rue the day they imprisoned me here."

>King Mahrek smiles taking his first steps towards domination

>Twilight steps through the portal

>The shock of Jeff's utter lack of compassion and rationality still causes her to tremble

>He was willing to take my life over material possessions

>She starts to wonder if all humans are like this, can any human be trusted?

"Twilight! You're alright!"

>She flinches as Shining Armor emerges from the crowd of confused ponies slowly being lead back to Ponyville

"Big brother!"

>She cheers throwing her hooves around him

"What happened? The humans that came across were in bad shape"

>Shining Armor puffs his chest with pride

"The humans tried to capture Ponyville, but the royal guard reinforcements came in, and we were able to push them back. We captured most of them but a group of them that were going around the town managed to get away, we chased them back to the portal where they ambushed us but we didn't hold back. We were getting ready to cross the portal when this group came through, they all escaped the humans on the other side. We were trying to find you so you can destroy the portal"

>Shining Armor explains happy to put this saga to rest

>Twilight doesn't share his enthusiasm

"I don't think I can. The portal is made from ancient centaur magic, and it has an Alicorn spell over it to seal King Mahrek inside. And...I fear the human on the other side will release him."

>Twilight explains as the portal's faint blue glow changes to a brilliant red

>Twilight's face turns pale, this is a magical challenge she isn't prepared to take

>All her efforts to avoid this have failed

>Her attempts at friendship, appealing to morality, or even just giving Jeff everything he wanted proved in vain

>According to legend, it took the power of hundreds of alicorns together to defeat King Mahrek

>Twilight trembles in fear Wondering if all the alicorn magic left in Equestria would be enough to stop him

"Jeff crossed the portal..."

>Twilight's voice trembles

>Shining Armor presses for answers

"Twilly, what does that mean?"

>Twilight looks to the crowd of confused ponies and leaps into action

"That means King Mahrek is free! Everypony! You have to get to Ponyville, now"

>Twilight yells as Shining Armor and the guards start moving the ponies along

"Quickly! We don't have any time, get to Ponyville, don't stop till you do!"

>Shining Armor orders moving the massive herd of ponies through the forest to safety

>Whatever crosses that portal, Twilight knows the fate of Equestria lay in the balance

>She has to be ready

>The suspense kills twilight as she waits valiantly for her time to stand up to King Mahrek

>Much to her confusion, the portal fades back to its blue hue with the normal hum resuming

>Standing on the bulwarks she begins to wonder if Jeff decided not to follow through with crossing the portal

>Suddenly, a pair of proud shining black horns emerge from the portal along with the rest of the centaur

>Taking a breath of the fresh air, King Mahrek looks to the sky expecting armies of alicorns to fight him

>Looking to the ground, he sees the small Alicorn princess ready to fight

>Surprised, he doesn't take a chance with the limited opposition

>Since alicorns are the only pony that can resist his mind control, he deals with Twilight in a far more violent fashion

>A blast of magic at the puny alicorn vaporizes everything in its path

>With nothing but a smoldering crater left behind, King Mahrek chuckles

"My, the mighty alicorns have grown weak . This may be easier than I thought"

>King Mahrek laughs summoning all of his strength to cast his spell and doom Equestria to serve him

>Twilight teleports far away from danger

>Taking a breath she looks to Mahrek in the distance

>Her expectation of a weak magic user like Lord Tirek was dead wrong

>Her shield was hardly enough to withstand his blast

>She had no choice but to teleport out of harm’s way

>She scrambles back to the portal to stop Mahrek

>But as a ray of magic shoots into the sky, she realizes she's too late

>Shadowy chains snake their way across the forest floor as Twilight flinches with fright

>Casting her shield once more she expects the worst

>However the chains seem to avoid her entirely

>Blasting a few of the chains with magic simply causes more to take it's place

"What? What is this?"

>She asks herself as a pair of hooves gallop towards her

"Twilight! Are you okay, I heard the blast and I rushed back to help"

>Shining armor gazes through the trees and sees Mahrek basking in the glory of his return

>With his spell cast and the alicorns nowhere to be seen, his victory is all but certain

"Its King Mahrek, his magic is too strong, we need the elements of harmony if we are going to have a chance at stopping him"

>She explains as one of the chains snakes their way up Shining and plants itself into his mind

>Shining trembles in fear at the sight of Mahrek

>Twilight notices something off about her bold courageous big brother

"Shining armor, what's wrong?"

>Shining's lips tremble as he slowly backs away haunted by horrible visions

"Twilight, are you sure it's worth fighting King Mahrek? I mean, if we just do as he says, everything will be fine"

>Twilight backs away with stunned confusion

>Big brother would never back away from danger, much less give in to it

"Shining Armor, what's gotten into you?"

>Shining Armor turns to Twilight with his horn glowing

"I can't let you fight him, Twilight, who knows what he will do to us if you make him angry"

>Shining armor explains ready to trap his sister and present her to Mahrek

"Big brother, what are you doing?"

>Twilight tearfully asks not wanting to fight her own brother

>The glimmer of tears in his little sister's eyes causes Shining armor to break free even for just a moment

"No! TWILIGHT, you have to stop him, I can't think straight...I’m... worried about you"

>Shining Armor forcefully admits slipping back into the comfort of visions of peace for compliant ponies

>Understanding what those chains are, Twilight teleports into the tree canopy hoping to escape them

>Whatever Mahrek has done to her brother, he will pay for it dearly

>Realizing time is of the essence, Twilight takes flight

>Soaring over the Everfree Forest she detours to Sweet Apple Acres

>If anyone has the grit and determination to stand up to Mahrek's mind control, it's Applejack

>Twilight tells herself flapping her wings as hard as she can

 

>You trot through the night up the dirt road to Sweet Apple Acres with Applebloom on your back

>Your parents lag behind as exercise is the last thing they'd ever do in their spare time

"Come on, it's not too much farther"

>You pant realizing just how much better at running you are as a pony

>Applebloom holds on to your back tight

>Her little filly legs couldn't hope to keep up with the running

>You try to make sense of what happened

>Suddenly all the ponies started talking about how they needed to serve King Mahrek

>You wish you had answers but despite having lived in Equestria, you've never heard of this King before

>Even Applebloom never heard of him before

>Where's Purple Smart when you need her? You ask yourself as you finally approach the gate

>Applebloom despite her exhaustion and lack of sleep gallops towards the house at full speed

"APPLEJACK, BIG MAC, GRANNY SMITH!" >She yells out as Applejack throws open the door

"APPLEBLOOM! Come here sugar cube!"

>Applejack cries throwing her hooves around her little sister

"Oh Applejack, I thought I'd never see you again"

>Applebloom cries burying her face in AJs chest

"I never gave up hope little filly, I knew one way or another you'd find your way back home"

>Applejack looks up to see your family

>She holds Applebloom tightly eyeing the humans with suspicion

>Applebloom realizes what AJs aggression is about and tries to defuse the situation

"Oh, no, they're good humans, this is Nonny's family"

>Applebloom explains with a cute smile bubbling with enthusiasm

>The reassuring words from Applebloom doesn't inspire any trust in AJ as she holds her sister even tighter

"Nice to meet everypony err, uh, creature"

>You step forward trying to break through the awkwardness

"Applejack, I don't know if you if you talked with Twilight about the portal or not. When we got through the portal and started making our way to Ponyville, everypony started acting weird"

>Applejacks eyes grow narrow with suspicion

"What KIND of weird?"

>You start to worry as you begin to explain what happened

"Well, there was a massive explosion of magic and everypony just started trembling in fear saying they needed to prepare for King Mahrek's arrival. I've only been in Equestria for a few years, who is King Mahrek?"

>Applejack looks over to the barn with fear

"King Mahrek was some old legend Twilight was talkin' 'bout. I certainly never heard of him before, nor had Big Mac for that matter but this morning long before the rooster's crow, he was right frantic trying to tear up the orchard to plant pear trees of all things. Something about Mahrek loves pears. Whoever this King Mahrek feller is needs to be stopped!"

>Applebloom holds Applejack tight

>After seeing what happened to everypony by the portal, she fears the worst

"You're not sayin' Big Mac lost his mind like the other ponies right...Big Sis?"

>Applebloom asks fearing that her long awaited reunion may not be as peaceful as she had hoped

"Don't you worry sugarcube, Big Macintosh will be fine, we just have to find out what this is all about from Twilight"

>Applejack smiles trying to keep Applebloom from worrying

>The anxiety starts to build in you

>You finally escaped slavery in the human world only to find your world submitting to some creature ages before your time

>You look up to see Twilight coming in hot

>Exhausted from flying as fast as she could Twilight tumbles across the ground before coming to a rest in front of Applejack

>She looks around to see normal acting ponies and breathes a sigh of relief

"Oh thank goodness, I’m not too late! King Mahrek has cast his spell on all of Equestria! He's mind controlling everypony and scaring them into obeying his will and we need the elements of harmony to stop him!"

>Twilight yells out in rapid fire before shrieking in fear

>Blasting some of the shadowy chains snaking across the ground

>You back away trying to understand what she's doing

"Twilight, slow down, what's happening?"

>You ask desperate for some answers

"Nonny, the chains! You're covered in them, can't you see them?"

>You and the Apple sisters all look around trying to make sense of Twilight's ramblings

"What chains?"

>You ask as you hear a whimper escape from Applejacks lips

>Frightening visions of Mahrek destroying Sweet Apple Acres and taking away her family cause her to squeeze Applebloom tightly

"Come here sugarcube, we have so much work to do, if we do what he says he'll leave us alone, come along now, I'm gonna need some help untying Big Mac"

>You gaze in utter disbelief as Applejack and Applebloom rush away to tend to the orchard

>Twilight trembles not understanding it herself

"The chains got them! Can't you see it Nonny?"

>Twilight shrieks desperate to know she isn't crazy

>You back away even more afraid of what she might do

"No, I don’t..."

>Twilight looks over to Applejack and Applebloom rushing to get to work submitting to Mahrek's will

>The frustrated Alicorn makes any attempt to reverse Mahrek's control

>Blasting the chains with magic does nothing

>The chains pass right through the magic shield

>Maybe I can reason with her! Twilight thinks to herself with hope

>All I have to do is convince her this is all just in her head and it'll all be fine

"Applejack just stop for a second, the visions are just in your mind. If you ignore them then we can defeat King Mahrek and it'll all be over"

>Twilight explains as the Apples shove right past her

"I aint taking that chance sugar cube, I worked my whole life to keep my family and my farm."

>Applejack sniffles imagining the orchards up in flames and Mahrek's minions hauling away Applebloom

"I can't lose Applebloom again, if it means sucking up my pride and serving a tyrant, then so be it"

>Applejack tearfully explains getting a section ready to plant pears despite the freezing hearthswarming season

>Twilight can hardly believe her ears

>Its Applejack's voice and reasoning but a decision she would never make otherwise

>Whatever visions Mahrek is planting in everypony's minds must be absolutely horrible

>Realizing Applejack would be a lost cause, she turns to you looking for answers

>The chains avoid Twilight, a single chain has convinced Applejack to be a servant of evil and the mysterious human pony is covered in chains yet remains entirely unphased

"You, Nonny. Have you seen any visions at all, any sort of feeling that things aren't right or that you need to do something really bad? ...anything?"

>You want to be confused but after seeing the total look of fear in Applejack's face, you know exactly what Twilight is asking about

"No, I haven't had any visions, I don’t see the chains either but I think I know what you're talking about now"

>You explain as Twilight looks on with despair

>She wonders what she will do if she can't use the elements of harmony against Mahrek

>Can she use the elements without AJ?

>Can she convince her friends to stand up to the visions?

>She doesn't know

>With her wings extending she takes flight

"Thanks for your help anyway Nonny. Maybe if I hurry, I can get to Ponyville before Mahrek's spell has a chance to take effect on anypony else"

>Twilight takes flight flying the short hop to Ponyville to gather the rest of the elements and stop Mahrek before his magic can spread

>With a glow of Princess Celestia's horn the sun rises into the sky

>For some strange reason, the morning pomp and circumstance isn't there

>Neither are the guards for that matter

>'Must be an illness going around' Celestia thinks to herself

>'would have been nice if somepony informed me' Celestia grumbles as she makes her way to the throne room to prepare for her royal duties

>The lack of guards starts to worry Celestia

>She knows a large detachment was sent off with Shining Armor to deal with the situation in Ponyville but entire rooms and halls being empty isn't right

>Entering the throne room she walks down the empty halls, her hoofsteps echoing as she admires the beauty of the stained glass in the morning light

>'the lack of guards is concerning but where is Luna, she is normally here waiting for me'

>Princess Celestia takes her seat on her throne, 'maybe this will all be cleared up in the morning briefing'

 

>The Royal Guard gather,

>Their faces pale with fear, sickened by the choice they're forced to make

>Haunted by visions of torture, Celestia in agony, and more haunt the guards as they gather putting on their helmets

"Captain, I don't know if we should do this."

>The dissent is quickly snubbed

"This is the only way Private, for the sake of Princess Celestia's safety, we must do this. If she is able to resist King Mahrek, who knows what will happen to her."

>The captain solemnly explains donning his helmet

"We cannot fail, remember the plan"

>With a heavy heart filled with guilt, the doors to the throne room open as the guards march in

>Their hoofsteps lock in unison as they ceremoniously take positions