The dungeon was a dank dismal place. It was however well lit, due to the morning sunlight streaming through barred windows set high into the wall, almost against the ceiling that must've been at least three Ponies high.

The cells themselves, had at least three to four individuals inside them.

And the smell…

By the stars the smell…

It reminded me of the few times I had walked by a latrine that was being covered, because it was already ‘filled in’.

I remembered gagging the first time I smelled it.

But at least then it didn’t have the smell of body odor and sweat intermixed with the smell of feces and urine.

In the dungeon, there wasn’t even the benefit of a breeze to blow the smell away.

I fought down the urge to gag, and tried my best to stop breathing through my nose.

A soldier, in Unified armor, stood up from her wooden table, on which there was a plethora of scrolls that looked to be lists of some sort.

“General.” She saluted.

“Sergeant.” I nodded back. “I’m here to talk with a few prisoners.”

“Which ones Ma’am?”

“Do you have a list of their names?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Only a few.” The mare admitted. “Not all of them are willing to talk.”

“Ah I see.” I nodded. “Firstly I’d like to talk with the Noble Pony who was raising a fuss.”

“Might be a bit hard to speak with him I’m afraid, he’s still knocked out.”

“Oh. Then would you happen to know the names of Sapphire Shine and Emerald Gleam?”

“Emerald doesn’t ring a bell, but Sapphire has been one of our most cooperative. I’ll take you to her right now, if that’s alright?”

“Completely fine. I'll know Emerald’s face if I see her.”

“Then this way General.” The mare nodded, skirting around the table to lead me deeper into the dungeon.

As we walked, I realized Flash had followed me inside, walking behind me as I walked behind the Guard.

At first, the Ponies in the cells weren’t all that interested. But that changed as we went deeper.

They pressed their faces to the bars to watch us walk past.

Most had some sort of bloody bandage or injury, indicating that they had been captured during the fighting.

I’d have to send a healer down here before they started infecting each other. I didn’t want a plague to break out because we had to keep the Prisoners in this filthy state.

Equally obvious, were the Ponies that had been sequestered down here by the now former Queen Iridium. Their coats were matted and greasy, and only occasionally were they covered with some sort of frayed rag.

These unfortunate souls were also the ones who tended to ignore us the most, too lost in their own minds or already bored of Ponies passing by. One particular Pony rocked back and forth in the fetal position, eyes bank and staring. Another one, who was actually alone in her cell, gnawed aggressively on what looked like a femur.

What said femur had belonged to originally, I wasn’t sure I wanted to guess.

“Oy Sapphire!” The soldier mare in front of me barked suddenly. "You got a visitor!”

The cell that the mare was looking at was identical to everyone we had passed, although there was only three Ponies inside.

The least noticeable, was Sapphire herself, holding herself in the corner. The next, was a stallion who I didn’t know, who was trying to jump and grab onto the high window sill.

“‘Ey!” The mare at my side yelled loudly. “Knock it off or you’re getting moved into the cannibal’s cell!”

Now I really didn’t want to think about what that mare had been chewing on.

And finally, Emerald Gleam paced back and forth between the cell walls, brow creased in fury.

Sapphire had looked up at the gaurdmare’s initial exclamation, her eyes red and puffy from crying.

“Luna?!” She gasped.

Emerald stopped her pacing, her ears erect, and her left eye twitching.

“Sapphire, Emerald.” I nodded at each, before turning to the as of yet unnamed guard and Flash. “Might I-?”

Emerald interrupted me by slamming ineffectively against the bars.

“Traitor!” She screeched, flailing her hoof uselessly through the very bars she couldn’t get through. “I should've gutted you while I had the chance!”

The mare before me looked to be half feral. Her eyes bloodshot and her eyelid twitching. If it wasn't for the horn ring she wore, I was certain she would've attacked me with spellfire.

The guard at my side made to draw her weapon, but I held a hoof in front of her before she did.

Uncertain, she let the bludgeon fall back down.

“Might I have some privacy?” I asked gently.

“General? Are you it’s a good idea for you to ent-“ the mare started.

“I have no intention of entering the cell.” I interrupted. “Just give me a moment alone… Or as alone as possible in this place.”

The cells afforded nopony any privacy, including those outside the bars. The prisoners in the neighboring cells were watching intently, their faces pressed up against the bars to get the best view they could, even stacking on top of each to do it. Out of boredom at the very least.

"As you wish General." the gaurdmare bowed slightly, before sharing a look with Flash. The two then wordlessly backed away.

"Have you come to gloat?" Emerald sneered.

"Emerald don't." Sapphire warned with a squeak.

"No actually." I responded. "You wouldn't remember, which honestly is a shame for you, because apparently you're a Solarist now-"

"Do you honestly expect me to believe your useless sister is the second coming of the Alicorn of Light?" Emerald interrupted.

I fought down the urge to use my magic and grab Emerald's head, to smash it against the very bars she had been straining against.

"Your belief is not required." I said evenly. "But I'm still carrying out her first decree. Sapphire I have judged, but you Emerald." I looked her up and down. "But as I look at you, I don't see a Pony who wants to change. I see a Pony who will fight and die for a regime that was dying and rotting long before we were born."

Why was Sapphire in here actually? Was it because she was technically the enemy General?

I’d have to at least transfer her to one of the political cells.

"And how is that different from you?!" Emerald screeched. "I've seen what you'll become! I know that you are a servant of the Night! You want to talk about dying and rotting?! Then tell me how your darkness is not already dying and rotting!"

... What?

What was this mare blathering about?

"What are you blathering about?" I asked out loud. "What do you mean, 'what you'll become'?"

"Don't lie to me demon!" she snarled. "You know perfectly well what I mean!"

"Uh... Huh." I said slowly. "Hey Sapphire?" I looked over Emerald's shoulder at the blue mare. "Did I hit your sister a little too hard or something?"

Instead of replying, Sapphire looked haunted.

"... You don't know do you?" she asked quietly.

I furrowed by brow.

That... Wasn't the answer I was expecting.

"Know what?" I asked.

Sapphire looked like she was about to respond, but Emerald interrupted her.

"I'm on to you demon!" she snarled. "You can play innocent all you want but I know better!"

I regarded the madmare once again.

"... What have I ever done to you?" I asked after a moment. "You've been after me all my life. Little shit that, demon this. But what have I ever actually done to wrong you? Is it because I'm Moon Marked? Is that it? Because really, how sad." I lowered my voice into a growl. "Being afraid of a tiny filly who didn't know she was different and just wanted to be left alone. How pathetic." I turned away from the cell and started trotting away before either of them could reply. "I'll return on the marrow to decide your fate Emerald."

I didn't even bother looking for the Noblepony before I left the dungeon.

https://discord.gg/RVvqpuGaRa