Chapter 4: Judgment and Trial
We've all done things we want to take back, an embarrassing interaction, a missed opportunity, but when we try we learn just how unfortunate we are. We all make mistakes; we all do things we can't take back. All we can do afterwards is accept what has happened and to keep moving forward. I'm not saying it's easy, the road ahead is a long and slow one that must be taken head on. It's stressful, it hurts, it's aggravating, but once you're through it only you can decide if it was worth all the trouble. Get past the self judgment, stop worrying about your trials and just live your life.
Resume: Thursday Night
Swiftfoot's apartment:
"So you're actually contemplating this?" Badger asked as he sat on Swiftfoot's couch holding the papers in his hand.
"Yeah, early release, clean slate, only conditions are I help protect this group of girls and give them all my information on The Kurthrecs." Swiftfoot explained as he grabbed two sodas from his fridge.
"You do realize that in doing this, you put The Cloaks at risk of exposure." Badger said as Swiftfoot sat down next to him handing him a soda.
"Only if I'm not careful." Swiftfoot said as he kicked his feet on the tea table in front of them.
"That's what I'm afraid of, if you're not careful The Cloaks will come after you and I won't be able to protect you." Badger stated as they both took a swig from their bottles.
"I can handle myself, besides I have a week until I give my answer." Swiftfoot said.
"But do they know, do they understand who you are, what you've done, do you think they will keep their promises to you once they see you for who you are, the monster you had to become because of what they did to you?" Badger asked as he set the papers down.
Swiftfoot sat there in silence as Badger finished his drink and stood up. Badger sighed as he put a hand on Swiftfoot's shoulder. It was getting late and the old man had to leave but he couldn't just let this kid sit in this depression.
"We don't always allow ourselves to grow emotionally in The Cloaks, simply for the fact that it brings conflict within our minds, keeps us focused on the mission. But I can understand why you want to leave; you were forced into this by your father's dying wish. I just want to make sure the people you're associating yourself with can look past all the bad to see the good man you can be." Badger explained before turning to the door and walking away.
Swiftfoot waited until Badger was gone, closing the door behind him, to toss his bottle across the room and yelled as loud as he could. Just being reminded of his past was enough to set him off as he broke furniture and screamed. It took him a few minutes of letting out his anger and making a mess of his apartment before he calmed down and curled up in a ball crying away his hatred.
"I … I'm not …. I'm not a monster." He said to himself softly as he sobbed all over his carpet.
"I'm not a monster!" He yelled just before he heard knocking on his door.
"Swiftfoot, It's me Sunset, is everything alright I heard a lot of smashing and yelling, please tell me your fine!?" Sunset questioned as she stood in front of his door.
"GO AWAY!" He yelled. Sunset looked offended before reaching for the doorknob to open the door.
"I don't want to hurt you to." He said just before Sunset opened the door, stopping her from doing so.
"Why would you hurt me?" Sunset asked as she leaned into the door, not full understanding what he meant.
"Because … I'm … … … I'm a monster." Swiftfoot said from his curled space in the living room. Sunset sighed as she turned the doorknob.
"I'm coming in Swiftfoot, monster or not." Sunset said as she entered his apartment to find the mess it was in.
She looked around to see glasses shattered, chairs broken into pieces, and his couch filled with stabbing holes. Shocking as it was to see such a mess Sunset ad to keep focus as she looked for her friend not saying a word until she did. In front of the couch she found Swiftfoot curled up surrounded by shattered glass from his tea table. She kneeled down towards him careful to move pieces of glass out of her way. She watched him sobbing as she helped him to sit up against the couch, again careful to move glass so they weren't cut.
"I'm sorry." He said balling his eyes out as they poured rivers of sadness into her shoulders.
"Shh, it's okay, I'm here. I'm here." She said to him as she let him just cry his heart out on her shoulder.
"I … I never … I never want to hurt anyone again." He said to her. She found that confusing but she brushed past that for now, thinking it'd be best to talk when he was calm and collected.
"Hey, you never have to, it's okay we can help, we're here for you." She told him mentioning all of her friends.
"You promise?" He asked with closed eyes slowly opening them to meet Sunset's.
"Yes, I promise." She said to him with a smile.
Twilight's House: Earlier
Twilight sat in her garage working on another personal project. Sparks flew as wires clung to the machinery of this new device. A smile grew on her face with every minute she spent on this project.
"TWILIGHT!" Her dog Spike yelled!
"AHHH!" She yelled in surprise as she fell over onto the floor.
"Sorry, Twilight but I've been trying to get your attention for the past ten minutes." Spike said as he crawled his way over to her.
"Oh my apologies Spike, when Shining asked me to make this I just zoned out, he's never asked me to make anything before so this was kinda important." She said getting up off the floor and picking up her little companion and setting him on the desk.
"So what is it anyways?" He asked giving the device a good sniff.
The device itself was all that big. It was designed with a small screen and had six buttons on it. It was like she had taken an old Gameboy Advanced and repurposed it by adding a small keyboard.
"Remember that Magic Tracker I made at the Friendship Games?" She asked.
"Um you mean the thing that turned you into Midnight Sparkle and nearly destroyed two worlds as we knew them?" Spike retorted. Twilight just stared at him raising an eyebrow.
"Okay, a little harsh, but yeah that thing." Spike said as he hopped into Twilight's lap. Twilight just rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Yes that thing, well this is like a second version only this will track Magical Objects such as my Geode." She said before turning the device on.
She pointed it to her Geode around her neck and smiled as it gave off a loud repeating beeping sound with the screen showing and arrow on a map of the area.
"Success!" She yelled as she twirled around in her seat.
"I take it that's the sound of a working Prototype!" Shining Armor said as he closed the garage door behind him.
"You bet it is." Twilight said before jumping up giving her big brother a hug.
"Wait why did you need a Tracker anyways, I thought you where stopping gangs?" Twilight asked as they let go of each other.
"Well that was when I thought these gangs were dealing in drugs, but after all the reports I've been getting about missing historical objects I had a hunch and figured, Magic is a possibility now." Shining half heartedly explained.
"I guess that makes sense, but what would they want with magic, there isn't exactly a good price on the market for it." Spike said before scratching the back of his head.
"That's what could make priceless, which is why you and the others need to keep an eye out, if these gangs really are after Magic they'll be after you, and Sunset Shimmer has already gotten attacked twice now." Shining mentioned.
"Oh don't worry, the girls and I are going camping over the weekend with a few of our classmates, that and I'm pretty sure we can take care of each other." Twilight mentioned as she picked up Spike.
"That's what I worry about sometimes." Shining Armor said with smile.
The Next Day: School Parking lot
Morning came about as quick as it went, School had just ended for the students and there was a large group of them gathered in the front lot where a school bus was being filled and packed with all sort of camping gear.
"Oh this will just be marvelous, going to Camp Everfree again isn't this exciting Girls!?" Rarity asked as the group continued to pack.
"We know Rare, you've been telling us all day since Principle Celestia announced it this morning." Applejack stated tossing her bag to Rainbow Dash.
"Um I'm pretty sure it's been longer than that." Rainbow dash complained as she caught Applejack's bag.
"Well I don't know about you guys, but I'm just as excited as Rarity, seeing the birds, swimming with the lake fish." Fluttershy stated before she was interrupted.
"AND I'M PACKING MARSHMELLOWS!" Pinkie Pie yelled as she jumped onto the pile of bags.
"So who all is coming this time around?" Applejack asked as she turned to Twilight who had the checking list.
"Well let's see, there's all of us, Bulk Biceps, Flash Sentry, Harmon, Ditzy Do, Snips, Snails, Vinyl, Octavia, and two new ones Wallflower and Swiftfoot Feather." Twilight read off before looking to her friends.
"Really, well this will certainly turn out to be an interesting weekend, by the way has anyone seen Sunset or Swiftfoot for that matter?" Rarity asked.
"Last I heard Sunset had to grab her guitar, she said she's out of practice." Rainbow Dash said.
"And last I heard Swiftfoot was dropping off Jackal to someone that can take care of him over the weekend." Fluttershy said.
"Why doesn't he just bring Jackal along, I'm bringing Spike." Twilight said as Spike popped his head of her bag.
"Yeah, funny story about that, Jackal isn't too big on the going camping thing." Pinkie said before she stuffed her face full of marshmallow.
"That does make sense Pitbulls maybe natural hunters but they're more guard dogs then they are actual fighters." Fluttershy explained just before they all heard the sound of a motorcycle racing towards them.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" They all yelled as it came to a screeching halt parking right next to the bus.
"Sorry I'm late guys." Sunset Shimmer said before taking off her helmet.
"Had to get some new strings at the store." She added as she walked over to her friends.
"Well it's good to see nothing unexpected happened this time." Spike commented making Sunset roll her eyes.
"Alright that's almost everyone, has anyone seen Swiftfoot?" Twilight asked looking around.
The boy in question had hidden himself in one of the nearby bushes. Mentally preparing himself for the weekend, he had been avoiding anyone in the group to keep himself from snapping from sanity. He didn't want to avoid anyone but he felt the need in order to keep his beast at bay.
"Oh he's umm, he's getting ready." Sunset commented covering for the boy.
"Really, but Darling it's almost 3pm, he had all week." Rarity mentioned placing her hands on her hips.
"Well he had a rough night last night, we should at least give him a few more minutes." Sunset mentioned as she placed her bag in the pile that was being loaded into the back of the bus.
"What's this is Sunset covering for the new guy?" Rainbow teased as she ran up to her.
"Rainbow what are you implying?" Sunset asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh come on I can't be the only one who sees it?" Rainbow commented as she turned to the rest of her friends.
"Well, they are Neighbors Dash, I imagine they spend all kinds of time together." Applejack commented.
"Rainbow please whatever time we spend together is clearly platonic with nothing going on." Sunset explained.
"Girls we probably shouldn't even pry on these kinds of matters." Fluttershy said.
"Why because it's private?" Rainbow snickered. Twilight just rolled her eyes in unison with Sunset.
"Look Dash I find that you shipping us is kinda cute, but face it once he learns about me and where I'm from he probably wouldn't even want anything to do with me, besides I have more important things to worry about than simply … dating." Sunset said before walking into the bus.
"Oof way to mellow the mood." Rainbow said before earning glares from everyone.
"What?" She asked.
"Rainbow Dash, Darling we know that you're trying to help and all but I thought we agreed to not bring up the subject again." Rarity said before walking onto the bus.
"Hey it only just crossed my mind alright, besides if she's staying she may as well have a little fun." Rainbow said earning a scoff from Pinkie and Fluttershy as they walked onto the bus.
"Okay maybe I went a little far but come on guys she could have fun." Rainbow said.
"Dash, listen just drop it we all know after Graduation she ain't staying." Applejack stated before entering the bus herself.
"Twilight you agree with me right?" Rainbow asked.
"Sorry Dash, but sometimes it's best to just drop things." Twilight stated.
"That and an apology never hurts." Spike added before Rainbow Dash lowered her head in defeat and walked onto the bus.
Swiftfoot sat there with half a smile. He was about ready to laugh his head off at the conversation. He and Sunset, Dating please as if, Swiftfoot had is own problems to deal with before he could focus on anything related to that. Deciding he was ready to join them now after a good mental laugh, he jumped out of the bush running towards only to trip and fall onto the pile of bags making a loud thud.
"Oh Swiftfoot just in time, we're about to leave so just leave your stuff there and we'll get going, Flash and Bulk will pick it up on our way out there." Twilight said as she reached out a hand to help him up.
"Noted." He said as he took her hand and stood up.
"Alright I've also planned the seating arrangement and it looks like you'll be sitting with me in the front is that alright?" Twilight asked.
"Yes ma'am." Swiftfoot said as they boarded the bus and sat behind Principle Celestia.
"Is that everyone?" She asked.
"Yup, Flash and Bulk are coming by to pick up the gear that can't fit in the back of the bus." Twilight said to Celestia.
"Splendid, shall we get this trip on the road then?" She asked.
"You bet." Twilight said sitting down giving her a thumbs up.
As they got on the road Sunset couldn't help but look towards Swiftfoot as he sat with Twilight. She sighed in defeat as she turned her attention to the passing view outside her window. Rainbow wanted to make a comment on the gesture; she was sitting next to her how could she not? But ultimately decided not to, though something else did have her curious.
"So Graduation? That's coming up, any plans afterwards?" Rainbow said starting the conversation.
"You know my plans Rainbow, I have to return at some point." Sunset said.
"I know … look I'm sorry about that whole thing earlier, it was … … … rude of me trying to push you two together." Rainbow apologized. Sunset smiled as she wrapped an arm over her friend's shoulder.
"Apology accepted." Sunset said before rubbing her first over Rainbow's head.
"Hey cut it out that tickles!" Rainbow laughed.
Swiftfoot tried to ignore the conversation. He reached for his headphones in his pocket before turning to the window watching the road slip past him like a film without a pause. That was until Twilight turned to him.
"Hey so have you ever been on any crazy adventures before?" Twilight asked. Swiftfoot smiled now that had something to keep his mind off things.
"Umm, yeah a few, I've been to the Applelosian Dessert, I went to Manhattan once, I think my favorite trip was Vegas." Swiftfoot said as he put away his headphones.
"Really?" She questioned.
"Yeah Vegas is a great place, I wouldn't live there though too expensive. What about you, you go on any adventures before this?" Swiftfoot asked.
"I've had a few but never outside the city." Twilight mentioned.
There was a silent pause between the two. Twilight really had nothing else to talk about but Swiftfoot was curious about the earlier conversation he accidently eavesdropped on.
"So umm … Have to apologize firstly because I was eavesdropping earlier and I heard the whole thing Rainbow tried with me and Sunset." Swiftfoot stated with a laugh.
"Oh yeah that, I'm sorry Rainbow Dash can be … … … erotic sometimes." Twilight stated.
"Oh no I don't mind, it's just … I agree with Sunset and I think it's best we don't try to form any meaningful relationships." Swiftfoot said.
"Oh why do you think that?" Twilight asked.
"Well for Sunset she's leaving from what I've heard and for me well … I'm me, I'm not really … … …" Swiftfoot said awkwardly.
"Swiftfoot, are you … are you um …?" She questioned but could not finish.
"What Gay … … … Well actually I'm Bi slash Tri." Swiftfoot admitted.
"Umm Tri?" Twilight asked.
"To put simply I'm willing to try anything new once." Swiftfoot explained.
"… … … oh." Twilight said as she turned to the front of her seat with shock.
"Have you ever … …" Twilight started, uncomfortably.
"If I answer that you'll be scarred." Swiftfoot said stopping the conversation.
The rest of the ride was simple and quiet. There was the occasionally song or two but Swiftfoot kept to himself mostly. The previous night had still haunting him and keeping him awake. Though after hearing everyone sing and watching them dance around he found himself at peace as he slowly began to drift to sleep, which didn't seem to last long for as soon as he closed his eyes the bus came to a hard stop. Groaning he looked up to see a large cabin in front of a giant lake. The Lake was glistening in the sunlight filling Swiftfoot's eyes with nothing but beauty as he turned his attention to the trees running up the mountain near the rocky quarry where the cave lay. Swiftfoot had no idea what this weekend had in store for him but he was ready and excited.