”...it is believed that the number of dead has reached over three thousand, President Putin has declared martial law.” The television’s glow was all that illuminated the dim living room of the Valova Family, some newscaster was reporting that St. Petersburg was being overrun by numerous infected individuals. Dominic sat beside Maria on the floor, watching the fires burning in the streets as people fled for their lives. “More resistance from citizens of Las Angeles, many refusing to open their homes for refugees from asia and europe.”

“We don’t want to sound unreasonable, but these folk are floodin’ in without any screening! It’s like trying to catch water with a sieve!” Declared one of the citizens on the screen, his face blurred on the screen. As the news continued, Dominic felt Maria lean against him. Her parents had gone out for the evening, leaving the two high schoolers alone. As the news continued pouring in, it was more and more difficult to shut out the fear.

“Dominic.” Maria’s voice drew the man’s attention to her. “You’re not even shaking… Aren’t you scared?” The teen looked at her for a few moments, then sighed and nodded.

“Terrified.” He said, turning his head back to face the television. “At the moment, though, I know I’m strong enough to take care of myself and my loved ones.” The man watched as russian police officers fired into a crowd that was swarming towards them on the screen. “Besides, when’s the last time anything bad happened in Evergreen? I mean, we’re the place people come to when shit get’s bad.”

“I know, still… I worry.” Maria muttered. “They’ve started posting cops in the school parking lot, Dom. Armed cops. I’ve seen that damned black helicopter fly over town three times this week!” She sighed and leaned her head on Dominic’s shoulder. “Promise me, if it does get bad… You’ll come get me, if mom and dad don’t blow anything within a five mile radius to pieces that is.”

“Are you kidding? I should be making you promise you won’t blow my head off if we come here, you’re scary accurate with your mom’s mosin.” The girl looked at Dominic with a serious tone. “I promise, if shit hits the fan, I’ll come get you.” He paused and went back to watching the TV, for a few more minutes they watched. “Why me?”

“Huh?” responded Maria.

“Why have me come get you? You’ve got plenty of other people closer.” Dominic turned down the volume and looked at his friend.

“First of all, I’ve known you since we were kids.” She began in a serious tone. “Second, as much as I try, I know you’re a paranoid motherfucker. You’ve probably got a kit all set up, ideas on where to go, stuff like that.”

“What gave you that idea?” Asked Dominic.

“Dom.” Maria deadpanned. “When they had that wild fire near your house, I know damn well how you and your family evacuated so fast. Hell, you gave me a list of things to stock a bug out bag with for my birthday!”

“And didn’t that go over well with your parents…” Dominic said with a humorless chuckle, Maria socked him in the arm. “I mean it though, Maria… I’ll come get you, on my honor.”

“Thanks…”

Dominic blinked his eyes as he found himself standing in a familiar looking desert, it stretched out for who knew how long in each direction. The only things of note were the mountains in the distance, he assumed that was west. He could feel the ground beneath his feet shift, it began to tilt to one direction. Sand began running past his boots, and soon he ended up slipping and sliding along the ground. His eyes bugged out as he realized that the desert was being tilted by a giant infected person, it’s jaws were snapping wildly as Dominic got closer. He scrambled and started climbing against the sliding landscape until the angle grew to great and he began falling towards the gnashing jaws. He flailed helplessly, screaming as he fell. Ringing bells and whistles drowned out his cries before everything went black.

[♦]

The ringing of the alarm clock near his Dominic’s bed was what roused the man, he panted heavily and he could feel he was covered in sweat. With a few grunts he’d kicked his blankets off and swung his legs over the side of the bed, Dominic sat up and rubbed his face quietly. His alarm clock continued ringing as he did so, rapidly testing his already short patience. The clock found itself captured in a crushing vice-like grip before being hurled at a wall where it proceeded to shatter into numerous bits of metal.

Dominic hated the clock, and what it stood for. Normally, he would be able to sleep until seven. Normally. As it turned out, he’d set the clock to wake him at six. The sun was only just beginning to glow on the horizon out his window. The days since the incident had been a flurry of confusion and aggravation. Luna and her guards had investigated, interrogated, questioned, examined and inquired as deeply as they could in seven days. All the while she had sequestered herself, as had the other princesses, in preparation for the tribunal.

The man had no idea what they knew, how deep they’d gone, or if the evidence was lost to time. Dominic had more important things to worry about, however. Sonar had been seriously injured by both magic and the ordeal she endured soon after. The doctors had said she would have permanent trouble breathing for the rest of her life, and soon after the president had been forced to write and prepare his first set of ‘Honorable Discharge’ papers, as well as have one of the palace jewelers come up with medals.

The man realized that they were most likely meaningless to the world, but the soldiers under him deserved recognition. There had been a slew of promotions as well, meaning new rank insignia had been made. Sonar had been bumped up from Corporal to Sergeant before her discharge, while Bolt Cutter had been upped to Second Lieutenant, among numerous other upgrades. With them, however, came problems. Dominic had enough funds to pay his people, including the two defectors from the town, for seven years. That is, if he didn’t buy anything else. Factoring the expenses of not only purchassing the southern site, as well as repairing the run down buildings and other such items, he still only had enough funds for two years.

It wasn’t urgent, but the numbers worried him.

The more pressing issue, however, was the tribunal. An event that was set to begin that very day. After only one week, public intrigue had swelled to massive proportions. They were so interested that some news sources were coming from as far as Manehattan to cover the trial. Seven days Dominic had been waiting, separated from most of the people he cared about. It was with these thoughts in his mind that he showered, shaved, and combed his hair. His face became an impassive mask of stoney resolve.

The man slipped into his black suit, adjusting his tie and tying the laces on his shoes. With those finished, he walked slowly to the window that looked out over Canterlot. The sun was cresting the horizon, meanwhile he could make out an eerily familiar mob of ponies massed around the gates. Dominic sighed as he spotted Solar and Lunar guards standing in a line separating the gates of the palace from the city. They’d been issued riot equipment out of fear.

There was a quiet knock on his door, prompting yet another sigh. He turned and walked away from the window, each step seemed to take longer than the last. Dominic pulled the door to the room open with a silent stoic look and was faced by a thestral he recognized.

“Lieutenant Colonel Errant.” He said firmly as the mare saluted him, he gave one in return. In that moment he was surprised to see her wearing her full dress uniform. A shining medal was pinned proudly upon the left breast that depicted a nighthawk perched upon a horizontal sword. The mare’s mane was pulled back into a bun and she held an air of authority to her that reminded him of his old English teacher.

“Mister President.” Errant replied in the same firm tone. “They requested your presence, I see you’ve already readied yourself.” Dominic nodded quietly. “They requested you come unarmed.” The man quietly opened his suit jacket and revealed he was holsterless, then pulled up his pant legs to reveal his blade was also not on him.

“Shall we?” He asked, the Lieutenant Colonel nodded and began leading him down the hall away from the room. For several tense minutes they went in silence, then the gradual sound of murmuring and meandering became present. They rounded a final corner, one that Dominic could recall only rounding ten times during his entire stay. He and Errant didn’t pause as they became visible to the crowd of reporters and journalists. Many of them flashed pictures, some bellowed questions. Both Dominic and Errant pushed through the crowd and towards the room that would hold the tribunal.

The two royal guards that stood outside snapped to attention at the sight and pushed the doors inwards, they fought hard to keep the reporters out as Dominic and Errant entered the room. Dominic took a moment to examine his surroundings as the doors closed behind him. The walls were a drab blue and most of the room was taken up by sixty chairs set up into rows of five. The right side of the room was full of thestrals in American uniforms, as well as the two defectors from the incident. All in all, the entirety of the American population was fit into a single room. On the other side of the room were reporters and journalists, as well as some members of nobility.

At the front of the room seated behind a wall of mahogany, as it was the superior wood, were four alicorns. The bench, as it were, was freshly shined. The Equestrian seal was inset with gold at it’s center while a large Equestrian banner was hung on the wall behind it. The bench overlooked the whole of the room, including the most important seat in the house. A simple table of oak, decorated with a smaller Equestrian flag and a small American flag. Two seats were behind the table, directly facing the tribunal of alicorns.

Twilight and Cadence appeared somewhat uncomfortable with their situations, at least, as far as Dominic could tell. Luna seemed to have the most composure out of all of them, even more than Celestia. Her eyes were closed, as if she were in a state of meditation, even with the loud noise of the courtroom. Dominic noticed, however, that as he began making his way to his seat in the front of the right row the room gradually got quieter. It was dead silent by the time he and Errant sat down. He looked around and spotted Sonar and her family among the crowd, she still wore her uniform despite it all.

“Attention.” Celestia’s voice called all gazes away from him and onto the tribunal board. “We are about to begin.” There was a wave of clicking and scratching as the journalists prepared their pens and began recording with their tape recorders. “Before we do, however, we wish to make it clear. There will be no outbursts, and anything said in this room will not leave this room until our business is concluded.” As she spoke, two royal guards at the back of the room locked the doors shut. Some of the reporters began to speak but one glare from Luna shut them up.

“Bring in the accused.” Luna said firmly, a door on the side of the room opened and two lunar guards escorted a unicorn in chains and an orange jumpsuit in. Behind her tagged along a nervous looking pegasus with a gavel as his cutiemark. The guards plopped the mare down at the table that faced the tribunal, her attorney took a nervous seat beside her. “Please rise.” Both of them stood up.

“Starlight Glimmer, you stand accused of assaulting members of a foreign military, torture, treason of the highest order and crimes against equinity.” Celestia said in a firm voice, Starlight Glimmer seemed to take the words in stride. “How do you plead?”

“Not guilty.” The pegasus said before his client could speak, his voice was shaking.

“Be seated.” He and Starlight Glimmer sat down, all the while the entire room watched. Luna let out a quiet sigh as she looked down at the unicorn, hiding her contempt as best she could. Celestia, Twilight, and Cadence were all well aware of how angry she was. Considering the evidence they’d figuratively and in some gruesome cases literally dug up, they were hard pressed to blame her.

“Let us address the first charge.” Cadence said, getting several nods from the other alicorns. “We would like Sergeant Sonar Net to come before the tribunal.” From the crowd, Luna watched the poor thestral struggle out of her seat. She could see Dominic was watching her as well. The thestral limped slowly from her seat in the back of the room to the front, her breathing labored. Still her head was held high, her uniform jacket displaying both her stripes and the two medals she’d been awarded after the incident. Pictures snapped of her would later be described as eerily regal.

Sonar passed the table that seated the unicorn responsible for her condition with an almost nervous demeanor. She stood at at ease and looked towards the tribunal, breathing heavily and coughing. After a minute she stood straight.

“Miss Net.” Celestia said with a slight nod. “Evidence reports you were the victim of assault, as well as torture.” Sonar nodded quietly, Luna could feel her respect for the mare rise as she saw her wobbling legs and twitching wings. “Would you explain, for the record, what happened?”

“President Occisor ordered me and some others to survey a ghost town, we were looking for a new home, you see?” Sonar began, she coughed a bit. “We arrived at the northern site and spent the night there, I felt a real bad feeling in my gut. Next morning we look o’er the hill and there’s a bunch of ponies prancing around down there, so we went to see what was happening…” The mare trailed off and took a few breaths.

“Is this where you were captured?” Asked Twilight, Sonar shook her head.

“No, you see, there was this pony who took us to meet the mare in charge.” Sonar continued speaking, Luna watched between the mare and Dominic. The man, for his part, was quietly steepling his fingers and watching Sonar. “So, she took us into her home and offered us tea. We started talking about why we were there, then things got weird.”

“Weird how?” Cadence asked, Sonar coughed a few times. “Please, take your time.”

“Thank you.” Sonar spoke. “Well, everything got all fuzzy. Then the lady said the tea was ‘Dream Pedal’, I managed to get my emergency beacon out in time or else we’d be gonners.” The alicorns looked between each other before Luna leaned forwards.

“The lady of the house, could you point her out to us?” She asked, Sonar nodded and turned around. Her hoof shakily landed on Starlight Glimmer. “Let the record reflect the witness has indicated the defendant.”

“Ob-Objection!” The lawyer called out, sending a hush over the crowd. “Goes to the witness’ credibility. She wears glasses, she could have-”

“You’re mane, while well worked, still doesn’t cover your bald spot. Your briefcase is stuffed with blank paper and your wedding ring is hidden inside.” Sonar blurted out, the pegasus blinked a few times. “I’m… Really good at seeing stuff. Even if I don’t have my glasses I can tell.” Sonar turned towards the tribunal. “Is it alright if I go now, ma’ams?”

“Not quite.” Celestia said softly. “After the Dream Pedal what happened?” Luna watched the thestral look off into space for a moment, she could also see that Dominic’s hands were now clenched together. He was glaring daggers into the back of the attorney’s head, the alicorn internally sighed.

“That’s where it gets kind of scary…”

Sonar’s testimony went relatively smoothly afterwards, as she described what had happened from her point of view more and more of the audience seemed to be blinking disbelief. Those journalists who weren’t filling their notebooks were staring slack jawed at the unicorn in the orange jumpsuit. After nearly an hour of questions, Sonar made a somewhat slow retreat to her seat.

“The Tribunal calls Miss Sugarbelle to testify.” Twilight said as she looked over the list of names. Meanwhile, Starlight seemed to become nervous. She shot a desperate hasty glare at the unicorn who went to take a seat before the tribunal. “Miss Sugarbelle, you lived under the defendant for…”

“Almost a year.” Sugarbelle said with confidence.

“What was your opinion of the defendant?” Asked Cadence.

“Well, to be honest…” Sugarbelle looked over her shoulder at Starlight before turning back to face the board. “I hated her.” A lot of pent up emotion seeped into her voice.

“What prompted this hatred?” Celestia asked, again she saw Sugarbelle turn and face Starlight Glimmer.

“Every day I lived in constant fear that I didn’t live up to her standards, we all did! She forced us to smile a certain way, to wave a certain way, to eat, sleep, even use the bathroom a certain way!” The unicorn began to rant, but a quick clearing of the throat by Dominic in the audience calmed her down.

“When you didn’t follow her rules?”

“She sent you to the clubhouse.” Sugarbelle said grimly, all those present raised an eyebrow. “Basically a one room cottage, outfitted with loudspeakers that screamed at you.” The mare shuddered. “Sometimes it drove ponies crazy, she’d have her thugs escort them out of town.” Sugarbelle sighed. “That’s what she said, anyway… We always had our doubts.”

“Thank you, you’re excused.” Celestia said, she then called for the second defector to take the stand. His statements were almost identical to those of Sugarbelle, though they shed more light on the actual locations of those who had been ‘escorted’ away. Two more hours passed, each moment seemed was accented by the quiet scratching of pencils and pens in the background. Luna couldn’t believe they hadn’t even gotten to the big charge in the lineup. Already they’d heard testimony and seen evidence that were enough to damn Starlight Glimmer. Second Lieutenant Bolt Cutter’s statements only put an extra nail in the coffin. All in all, after viewing numerous pictures and reviewing numerous testimonies, and after nearly seven additional hours, the tribunal was ready for the final charge. The reporters had resorted to bartering for pens and paper, so extensive were their notes.

“The final matter of the tribunal is as follows.” Celestia declared, she stood with a flourish of her wings. “Crimes against Equnity, in the form of tampering with cutiemarks, the use of dark, and mass murder.” Luna rubbed her eyes as she looked out over the room, the reporters and other visitors were now on the edges of their seats. She could see the hateful expression on Dominic’s face, as if he could strike Starlight Glimmer down with a single thought.

“We have reviewed the evidence pertinent to this case, and have added the new testimony to our findings. We will retreat to solitude to make our final decision.” Cadence said, obviously disturbed by the nature of the crimes. Luna sighed as she and her fellow alicorns stood and made their way into a room off to the side. This left Dominic and his people locked in a room with reporters. It took no less than five seconds for the room to descend into chaos.

Reporters bellowed questions and clammered over eachother for a chance to speak to the American populace, those that tried to reach Sonar or her family were nearly busted over the head with chairs while the royal guards attempted to re instill order. There was a sudden high pitched whistle, causing the ponies to cringe and turn towards the source. Dominic stood there, wiping his lips with a sigh.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” He said loudly. “I understand, you all want the big scoop and wish to ask questions of miss Sonar.” The man put his hands on his hips in a manner that almost seemed to be that of a scolding grandfather. “But if any of you dunderheaded idiots dare to bother her again, I WILL SHOVE MY BOOT SO FAR UP YOUR ASS I’LL NEED TO PRY YOUR JAW OPEN TO DO MY LACES!” The man panted for a moment before straightening his tie.

“Mister President!” Shouted one reporter, it quickly transformed into an avalanche of ponies trying to ask him questions. The man sighed and gestured with his hands for them to calm down, sure enough, after a long enough while they did. He quietly prayed in his head for the strength to deal with the coming onslaught of questions.

[♦]

Twilight sighed loudly as she looked over the evidence on the table before her. The room the four princesses had retired to was far from fancy, it’s walls were drab and windowless. All four were seated around a square table, looking at eachother as they mulled over the decision for a verdict. Luna had already cast her vote for guilty, Cadence had also made a similar decision. Twilight was soon approaching the same conclusion, meanwhile Celestia stared down at the evidence. She could feel herself trembling with each passing moment, knowing that her mind was going against her heart was a scary experience. She knew the facts were irrefutable, yet still she refused to believe one of her beloved ponies could have strayed so far from the path of love and tolerance.

Celestia watched as Twilight scribbled down her vote on a piece of paper, then slid it forwards. She looked at the table as Celestia and the others read the word, a third vote of guilty. It would take a unanimous vote to allow for maximum punishment, and Celestia was well aware of what the maximum punishment was.

“Aunty.” Cadence said, Celestia looked up to see all three other alicorns were looking at her expectantly.

“I… I’m sorry, I just don’t know.” Celestia stammered.

“You do know.” Luna said firmly, looking her in the eyes. “You don’t want to send one of your precious ponies to the gallows, it is understandable…” Celestia nodded and looked down at the paper that lay before her. “Sister, imprisonment is not safe. You and I both know our prisons are woefully ill equipped as it is, a high powered unicorn would-”

“I know.” Celestia cut the mare of sharply, her horn glowed brightly as she levitated a quill to her paper and scribbled down her final verdict. Slowly she slid it forwards and looked at the table, the others just stared at her.

[♦]

“The United States is committed to justice, it was at the behest of myself that this tribunal be convened.” Dominic said to one of the reporters that had crowded around him, he figured that answering their questions would draw them away from Sonar until the princesses had finished their debating. “I can tell you, as I witnessed first hand, the crimes the defendant is accused of are not only abhorrent, but also capital offenses in my country.”

“Capital offenses?” Asked one of the reporters.

“A crime punishable by capital punishment.” Dominic answered. “The death penalty.” He paused and looked towards Starlight Glimmer who was discussing things with her attorney. “Though I can’t say I support the taking of a life, there were numerous people on earth who heartily deserved their sentences, while other cases were unjustified-” Dominic was cut off as the door to the off room was pushed open and the four alicorns filed out. All those asking questions rapidly returned to their seats, Starlight Glimmer and her attorney turned their attention to the tribunal. The unicorn appeared smug as she looked at Celestia, something that annoyed almost everyone in the room.

“We will now read our verdicts.” Luna began, using her magic to levitate her paper before her. “It is my opinion, after reviewing the evidence, that the defendant is guilty of all charges. I recommend the highest punishment.” A hush fell over the room as all eyes shifted to Cadence.

“I as well find the defendant guilty, and recommend the maximum sentence.” All eyes shifted towards Twilight Sparkle, the mare cleared her throat and lifted her own paper. Starlight Glimmer looked between her and Celestia, as if preparing to gloat.

“I find the defendant guilty of all charges, and recommend the maximum sentence.” The room became quiet, quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Starlight Looked at Celestia, a smug grin crossing her face. She could tell just from looking at her, she was going to fold. Her grin faltered, however, as Celestia’s expression became one of stone.

“Before I read my verdict, I wish to make a statement.” She said, the alicorn stood to her full height and her wings bristled. The mare glared directly down at Starlight Glimmer, nearly causing the unicorn to cower on her knees. “Looking over the evidence here today, I have become aware of a growing problem within our nation. Uprising and violence in our society have become more and more prevalent of late. Starlight Glimmer is one of many key players in this dangerous problem!”

Her voice boomed through the room as Starlight Glimmer shook on the floor.

“I am going to make an example of you, miss glimmer. Your hate and violence are a blight on our country, a blight I intend to stomp out. Right here! Right now!” Celestia’s mane whipped back and forth as the room grew warmer and warmer. “I find you guilty of all charges, and share my fellows recommendations.” Starlight Glimmer, who had been relying on Celestia’s pacifism to save her neck, was too stunned to speak. “It is the opinion of this tribunal that you are guilty of all crimes, the maximum penalty of which is death. Therefore, by the power vested in me by my post, I sentence you, Starlight Glimmer, to be hanged by the neck until dead.”

The entire audience was silent.

“The sentence will be carried out within the hour.” Celestia continued, her voice becoming more menacing. “May Faust have mercy on your soul.”

“No!” Starlight Glimmer bellowed as a pair of guards stepped forwards and grabbed her chains. “This isn’t fair! You can’t do this! You’re not supposed to do this-!” The guards dragged the thrashing mare from the room while the guards at the main doors unlocked them. Dominic quietly stood up and began walking out, his mind was numb. He hadn’t expected anything Celestia had said, he’d expected the opposite.

The man and numerous soldiers pushed their way through the crowd of reporters, but the man was lost in his own thoughts. He walked on autopilot with the rest of the crowd, he didn’t even notice that the execution was going to be a public one. He couldn’t believe how fast they’d readied a noose, for peaceful ponies they certainly were quick to tie a device of death. As Dominic transitioned from the halls of the palace to the courtyard, he could also spot the gallows. Numerous guards stood around it, holding nails and hammers, had they really constructed it so fast?

He stood in the crowd, looking over the heads of the ponies, waiting for the condemned. After forty minutes of just staring blankly, he saw a set of doors on the other end of the courtyard open. The mare being escorted by guards was sobbing, the four princesses tagged along behind her. They slowly ascended the gallows, there Dominic saw one of the guards slip a black bag over Starlight Glimmer’s head. The noose came next, Dominic could feel his heart rate in his ears. There was some speaking from the executioner, even Luna and Celestia, before finally Dominic watched the executioner yank the handle.

There was a sickening crack as Starlight Glimmer’s neck snapped, the mare swayed back and forth at the end of the rope. Dominic could hear clicking in his mind as he watched the body swing from side to side, ticking and tocking came next. He could feel his breathing growing heavier. The clocks were joined by marching drums and manic laughter, Dominic could feel the world spinning around him. Gunshots, marching boots, artillery shells, bombs and screaming joined the cacophony. He felt himself shaking, the man wasn’t sure where he was anymore.

[♦]

Princess Luna sighed as she looked out over crowd, they had been far too eager to see the death of another pony. Even if she’d wanted it, she hadn’t expected her subjects to support the effort. The mare scanned the crowd for Dominic, hoping to find strength in his face. When she saw him, however, there was no strength. He appeared ill, drenched in sweat and swaying on his feet. The clincher that told her something was wrong was when he clamped his hands over his ears and began screaming.

“Stop it! Stop it! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP IT!” He started shouting before falling over and curling up on the ground. The crowd swarmed to try and get pictures, but they were held back by numerous concerned American soldiers. Luna opened her wings and took flight from the gallows, her fellow alicorns following behind her. The landed with grace in a small area that had been cleared around the downed man who hadn’t stopped screaming.

“Dominic!” Luna called out as she kneeled down beside him, she tried to restrain him as he began thrashing around. “Dominic, what’s wrong!?”

“It doesn’t end!” Dominic said as he stopped thrashing and instead curled up beside Luna. “It doesn’t ever end!” She could feel him shaking and looked down at him, the man obviously wasn’t himself. “Years and years, no matter where I run, it doesn’t end!”

“It’s okay…” Luna said softly as the palace guards began clearing the square and doctors ran out towards the man. “You’re okay… sweetie. Please… Stop crying.”

“Aunt Luna.” The princess heard Cadence say from the side. “I think I know what’s wrong with him…” Luna turned to look at her niece, the mare had a solemn expression. “We need to get him someplace where he’s comfortable.” Luna nodded rapidly as the doctors lifted the man onto a stretcher. The following minutes were a blur for all those involved as they ran inside and made their way for Luna’s bedroom. It was the closest.

[♦]

Once the doctors had cleared the room, Cadence locked the door. Celestia, Twilight, and Luna all looked at the now heavily sedated man on the bed. The alicorns could hear numerous reporters clamoring outside, but thankfully both the palace guards and American soldiers were holding them back. The room was dark, the curtains closed, and all that served for noise was the nervous crying of Dominic. All eyes turned to Cadence as she approached the bed, her expression calm and collected.

“What’s wrong with him?” Asked Twilight, Cadence sighed.

“He’s snapped.” she said. “To put it bluntly.” The others stared at her with raised eyebrows. “I’ve seen it before in crystal ponies who remember Sombra’s rule and end up witnessing similar events.” Luna slowly rubbed the man’s side. “Dominic is a special case.”

“How so?” Luna quickly inquired.

“He’s young, and he has witnessed immense death and suffering both on his home planet and here.” Cadence explained. “The execution today must have been too much to handle…” The mares stared at Dominic with uncertainty. “If my theory is correct, he’s retreated into his own mind.”

“How do we get him out?” Asked Celestia, Cadence let out a small sigh.

“I… Don’t know.”

“We have to try something!” Luna said, holding back tears in her eyes. She looked at the man on the bed, for the first time however, she didn’t see him as a man. She saw him as a kid, beneath the doom and gloom, beneath the scars and wounds. He was someone who should have been trying to figure out his life, worrying about dates and going to parties. “What if I went in and guided him out?”

“It could be risky.” Twilight said, looking between her fellow alicorns and the man on the bed. “I’ve only scratched the surface of mind magic, and if you run into something you can’t handle…”

“Do it.” Celestia said quietly. “I’ll help you.” All of them looked at her and Luna, then back at Dominic. Luna gave a slow nod and ignited her horn, she closed her eyes and slowly touched her horn to Dominic’s forehead. Celestia copied the action, and just like that the world around them began to fade.

Author's Notes:

Here's another one.

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