Rainbow Dash stood in the center of town with everypony else. Her friends, the ponies that only days ago had chased her out of town, everyone.

Mayor mare slowly stepped out of the town hall, standing on a pulpit and clearing her throat.

"Everypony listen! In accordance with the ongoing investigation, the names of those convicted is to be announced to the general public. All parties have been put to trial and convicted of their crimes." Mayor Mare took an extremely deep breath.

Clash, for the crimes of: treason, attempted destruction of a unified Equestria, racketeering, conspiracy to overthrow Princess Celestia, conspiracy to overthrow Princess Luna, attempted creation of an openly aggressive pegasus state, conspiracy to withhold water, terrorism, unlawful execution of Sharp Quill, inciting panic, destruction of both personal and civic property through embargo, creation of a fascist regime, denial of pony rights... The list went on for Clash. ...for his crimes he is sentence to death.

The crowd stayed silent.

Blue Blood, for the crimes of: conspiracy to withhold water, racketeering, extortion, and treason. In light of his assistance in apprehending and identifying his fellow conspirators his sentence had been committed from execution to exile.

Guard lieutenant Brass Buckler, for the crimes of: conspiracy to withhold water, racketeering, extortion, rape, treason, conspiracy to overthrow Princess Celestia, inciting unrest, spreading dissonance through the ranks of the royal guard, assault, subversive activities...and abuse of his guard status. For his crimes his is sentenced to death.

Night guard Captain Chloric, for the....sentenced to death.

Green Apple, for the...exile.

Guards' pony Acco, exile

Guards' pony...exile

Exile

Exile

Death

Exile

Exile

The list went on for two hours. Name after name, list after list.

Mayor Mare looked exhausted by the end. "And- any and all information regarding the formation of independent city states, subversive elements, coup attempts, fleeing conspirators should be given to your nearest guard. And- ...and...excuse me, but can someone else-" Mayor mare handed the paper off to a guard.

The guard let out a rough cough. "Any and all future attempts to overthrow the Equestrian government or form an independent nation through aggressive means will result in a public execution. Peace will be maintained at any cost. A corp of ponies will arrive by tomorrow to assist in rebuilding."

Rainbow Dash turned away from the crowd, walking off towards Sweet Apple Acres. She felt terrible, but at least it was over. "Rainbow Dash...." Big Mac's voice boomed as he trotted over to her. "Ya got a second?"

Rainbow Dash tried to argue, but she knew who she was dealing with. "Did you need something?"

Big Mac took a deep breath. "I'm...I ain't...I'm.... I'm gonna offer up a room at the Acres.... I know you and Applejack had a spat an' I'd like to--"

"I can't." Rainbow Dash stated coldly, "Thank you...but I can't."

Big Mac took a deep breath. "Yeah...I figured. You know she's sorry right--"

"Big Mac, I know...I just can't. I'll be fine, and...maybe some day we can--"

Big Mac cut her off, stomping his hoof and nodding. "I don't need your reasons...I know it weren't you that cut down the tree, ya only ever gave to us, I ain't about to question ya, but if ya need it, ya got a room."

Rainbow Dash smiled at him, making him grow slightly bashful. "Thanks Mac," she threw her hoof around him and gave him a hug. "I mean it."

Big Mac shifted uncomfortably. "I uh- I...eeyup...."

They stayed together for a bit, slowly breaking off. "So, when do we start rebuilding?"

Big Mac took a breath. "Soon. Rainbow Dash...can I ask ya something?" Rainbow Dash nodded, letting Mac continue. "Could ya do it? Could ya...could ya do all this? Takin' the water, beatin' ponies, for what?"

Rainbow Dash licked her lips. "They- he...was greedy. I knew Clash, he was a family friend. He never liked Earth ponies, he never liked unicorns...he just...he was angry, bitter. I'm not sure what he had planned...but...I know what he wanted. He wanted a place for himself, he wanted a town for himself, he didn't want to be connected to anypony else, he just wanted to be powerful, an island."

"So what...he just...what the heck was his plan?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "He just wanted to live in a world where he would never have to see another pony besides pegasai." Rainbow Dash rubbed her head. "Celestia couldn't let that happen...Luna wouldn't let that happen...open racism, it's a slippery slope."

Mac shifted uncomfortably. "But you...ya got a reason. Half the town turned on ya!"

"I still couldn't do it." Rainbow Dash looked back to the crowd. "This is my town, Applejack- she's...she's still my friend. It's gonna take time to look at her the same way...but I could never stoop so low."

"You'd never go make your own town?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Not if I had to do all this."

Big Mac tapped his hooves in the dirt. "Well...I uh...you uh...you let me know if ya got any free time...alright?"

Rainbow Dash nodded and trotted away. "Maybe." She walked on towards her hill. She trotted calmly up the path and laid down in the slowly growing grass.

She stared out over the slowly growing land, a loud rustling cutting her off. "Rainbow Dash, hello again!" A green mare fell out of the tree on the hill and trotted over. "It feels so good to be back to normal!"

Rainbow Dash didn't turn around. "Pulvis?"

The green mare rubbed her mane. "Not exactly. I mean, you're not wrong, but we've got a lot of names. We're...do you know windigos? We're like...the summer version."

Rainbow Dash let out a soft sigh. "So what, you're here for what?"

The green mare rubbed her head. "Well, I'm here to say thanks. Pulvis was here to...well...you saw why Pulvis was here."

"So what...it's over?"

"Well...I'm here, not Pulvis, not the windigos, so things aren't exactly in trouble." The green pony stated, tapping her hoof on the grass. "Feels good outside."

"Yeah...it does." Rainbow Dash stated, taking a deep breath. "Hey...tell Pul--" she turned around, finding herself talking to the air. She let out a short huff and settled in. Equestria had survived yet again, the greed of ponies, the lust for power and status once again failed against the magic of the land and the loyal ponies that follow the princesses.

But for as long as she lived, Rainbow Dash would carry a flicker of doubt in her mind. But she could never leave. The ponies that stood with her were here, her truest friends were here, and she could never betray them.