MERRY CHRISTMAS MY LITTLE PONIES!
Here's my present to you, chapter five, ready to go. But first let's meet a few new friends that have joined the party.
Lemon Blossom – a unicorn filly with a light yellow coat and a cute yellow mane cut short (but not too short) and a long tail.
Hand Grenade – an earth pony colt with a dark gray coat and a black mane and tail with a brilliant orange streak running through it. He has bright orange eyes.
Kunai – an earth pony colt with a sandy colored coat and long dark, dark brown (anime style) mane and a short cut tail. He usually wears a Japanese sparing kimono. Lemon Blossom, Hand Grenade, and Kunai have known each other for some time and are good friends. These three ponies have all been Submitted by: Torsten der Milch
Onyx Charmer – a light green unicorn colt with a slightly darker green and silver mane and tail. He has hazel gray eyes. Submitted by: fungusbrain1
Hawthorn was feeling quite good about himself. He had just defeated, humiliated and imprisoned Cinder Gold in a closet. She was forced to watch as he knocked Wolfee's lights out right in front of her, adding insult to injury. He smiled at the thought.
No sooner had Hawthorn and Lightning Runner stepped out of Miss Sweet Pea's class was he bombarded with more tedious issues.
"Lord Hawthorn! Students in class five tried to escape out the window."
"Lord Hawthorn! Some wanna-be hero attempted to free the teachers from the lounge."
Lord Hawthorn! Lord Hawthorn! Lord Hawthorn!
Hawthorn barked orders to his minions. "I want two minions in each classroom standing watch, double the hallway patrols. Then set up two roving units outside to secure any escape attempts. No more funny business from our captives." My way, Hawthorn thought.
No plan was without its flaws. He took these minor inconveniences with a grain of salt, and focused on the bigger plan. He had to find Onyx Charmer.
His thoughts were interrupted when Metal Hooves and Quicksilver paraded up the hallway singing in a mocking tone, "Looky at what we caught," while forcing three young ponies – two colts and a filly – to walk up ahead.
"Boss, we found these three trouble makers snooping around the hallway," Metal Hooves said, barely audible over the blaring headphones playing noisy music.
"You want us to take them out back and mess them up Boss?" Quicksilver asked, eyeing the little filly deviously.
Hawthorn examined the captives. He had seen them before, hanging out and doing stuff together. They made an odd group. Kunai was a bit small for his age. He was a quiet pony and his cold eyes seemed to analyze everything. Hawthorn instantly despised the dirty earth pony. Next to Kunai stood Hand Grenade, a tall strong looking pony with bright orange eyes, and despite being an earth pony, Hawthorn saw potential in him. Lastly, Lemon Blossom, a very cute yellow unicorn smelling strong of lemons.
"Hey! I was not snooping," Lemon Blossom protested. "I had to go to the bathroom."
"And I was looking for Crystal," Hand Grenade quickly added.
"I was snooping," Kunai said bluntly
Hawthorn bit his lip, slight bewildered and annoyed, and said to nopony in particular, "What's wrong with everypony? What part of I'm in complete control do you not understand? Did anypony even hear me over the intercom when I said it was a bad idea to go out into the halls? Now I've got ponies snooping around and others trying to jump out window, fillies throwing pencils at my head and everyone thinks' they can beat me up. What the hay!" he vented.
"We're sorry," Lemon Blossom said.
"Okay, okay, enough." Rubbing his temple. "I'll give you all one chance. Swear your loyalty to me. Call me Lord Master and you can join me."
Without a seconds hesitation Lemon Blossom spoke confidently, "Never. I could never betray my classmates or teachers."
Hand Grenade nodded in support. "I stick with my friends. We my not have much but we will always have eachother."
"I'll do it," Kunai said without a care or concern in his voice.
"WHAT!" Lemon Blossom and Hand Grenade said in unison.
"Kunai, w-what are you doing?" Lemon Blossom craned her neck to look him in the eyes.
"Yeah! You've gotta stop betraying our friendship like this, man," Hand Grenade snorted.
Even Hawthorn was somewhat surprised. "Really earth pony, you want to help me? How will I know you won't back stab me and try to save your friends instead, hmm?"
Kunai stood tall, his cold eyes focused. "I give you my word and my word is my bond of honor. My Lord and Master, I will serve." Kunai kneeled and bowed.
"Huh, okay. That works for me." Hawthorn said and turned to Quicksilver. "Take Lightning Runner and Kunai and brief them on their mission. Get them ready to depart for the train station." Quicksilver nodded and they trotted off.
Hawthorn looked back at the yellow and dark gray ponies. "Too bad about your friend. It looks like you made the wrong decision. Metal Hooves, take Hand Grenade to the auditorium. He'll be the first to go to the Judgment Hearing."
Lemon Blossom shot Hawthorn a nasty look. "You have no right to treat use like this."
"Shut it Yellow before you get yourself hurt."
"Or what! You'll execute me?
Hawthorn didn't answer, as if he was considering this or that she had guessed his intents. He simple smiled and calmly said, "Walk with me."
At first Lemon Blossom wanted to defy him, but the tinging fear of an execution made her legs move. The two unicorns walked side by side down the Hallway. Sounds of innocent screams, clattering hooves and desk screeching on floors echoed through the hall as they passed classrooms, the sounds of Hawthorn's minions enforcing his law.
This unnerved Lemon Blossom, but not nearly as unnerving as Hawthorn's lack of concern as he walked by each class, as if he expected to hear the horrible sounds of suffering.
"Why are you doing this to us?"
He shook his head and moaned, "You wouldn't understand. I have my reasons. Just like you had your reasons to deny my offer."
Lemon Blossom huffed in frustration. She quickly cut him off forcing him to stop walking. "Hawthorn please tell me. We can come to some understanding. We don't have to do… to do these terrible things to each other," she pleaded.
"You couldn't possibly realize how miserable my life is, when you have such a perfect home to go to every day with a loving mother and father. When your teachers tell you how wonderful of a student you are. You live such a happy life. I don't have that." Hawthorn's voice dropped low. "I don't have any of that. So I'm taking what I deserve. And I'm doing it my way."
Hawthorn trotted around the speechless yellow pony, opening the door to the kitchen. "If you don't want to serve me, then serve your friends and schoolmates."
Lemon Blossom ambled into the kitchen, her hopes gone.
"If you do not cook food for me and my minions …then you will be executed. If you change your mind about my offer, I will have a place waiting for you on my thrown," he said before closed the door and locking it.
He trotted away upset. He should have been happy after thwarting Cinder Gold, but that moment was gone now. Hawthorn pushed his way into the 'X-principles' office only to find somepony at his desk, sitting in his chair. Feeling his fuse was a bit short he shouted, "What are you doing in here!"
"I hear ya were lookin' for my services," the light green unicorn said with a smile.
"You're LATE Onyx Charmer," Hawthorn growled.
"No, I waz busy." His smile brimming.
"I don't care. I need you to… 'fabricate' this letter. One letter for each student in school by noon. We must have the ready to be delivered no later than that." He handed over a letter to Onyx Chaser.
Message from the Royal Office of Princess Celestia
Dear loving parents of students name,
I Princess Celestia of Equestria have decided to cordially invite your gifted child to spend the next two days in the grand capital of Canterlot to stay with me at the royal castle so that I my personally mentor and tutor under my helpful wings, immediately. Such talent cannot afford to delay educating.
Simple sign and return this notice to the Royal Mail Currier, and thank you for allowing this priceless occasion be permitted.
Sincerely Princess Celestia,
Royal Pennant
Onyx finished reading the letter with a whistle. "well, that's one doozy of a letter ya've got there, chief. One for each student too? That's a lot of letters to forge by noon. A job like this will require a lot of precision and time… and money." Onyx Charmer emphasized this last word.
"Yes, yes, I will get your payment."
"Hold on there chief. This'll co$t ya more than the lunch money ya usually pay me. I want 1000 bits."
"WHAT! HOW DARE YOU TRY TO EXTORT ME!" Hawthorn bellowed. The entire room began to shake violently as his horn shinned bright green.
"Ahh! Calm down chief. It's just business."
"1000 bits! I could afford to pay ten forgers for that price." The room stopped moving.
"If it's too expensive ya can find someone else to do it but ya know I'm the best at what I do. Ya said ya needed these letters done by what time? Soon right?" Onyx smiled again.
Hawthorn looked as though he was about to burst, but knew he was hooked. "Fine, 1000 bits for the letters. But if one letter is left unfinished, I will have you personally executed. Do we understand each other," he said threateningly.
The green pony leaned back into the chair, arms behind his head, kicking up his hooves on the desk. "Deal. Where do I sign."
"JUST GET TO WORK!" Hawthorn shouted, his horn glowing green again, magically flinging Onyx Charmer out of the chair and into the hallway, the door promptly slamming shut.
Hawthorn walked around the desk and collapsed into the chair, he sputtered (the sound a horse make), "I need some aspirin," rubbing his temple again.
No plan was without its flaws.
A small hatch in the attic floor flipped open with a bang, stirring dust into the air. Bramble popped his head in and made a quick survey of the school's attic before disappearing below. A moment later Bramble reappeared with Patch Work, shoving her up through the little floor door with great difficulty, almost dropping her.
Patch Work looked around her new enclosure. The attic was cold and quite large with a low slanting ceiling. Light poured in from a small circular window, illuminating a cluttered mess of science projects from days long past, holiday decorations, costumes for school plays, and rolls of colorful fabric. Everything covered in a thick layer of dust.
Patch Work turned to Bramble. "What are you going to do with me?"
Bramble shrugged. "I'm following orders."
"Will you follow my orders, if I asked you nicely?" She looked up to the brown pegasus with her large green eyes.
"I, uhm, ahh…" he staggered nervously under the young fillies stare.
"Do you remember the time you helped me in the sandbox when I was a foal? You helped me then. I need your help now Bramble. You're such a nice guy. Don't listen to Hawthorn."
"I-I got to go now." Unsure of what to say or do.
She rolled her eyes. "Never mind, go do whatever it is you got to do. Apparently you're too wrapped around Hawthorn's hoof to make any decisions on your own." She stomped her hoof.
Bramble sadly fluttered out of the attic, closing the door behind him. The sounds of a sliding bolt locked into place on the other side. Patch Work desperately tried to pull the hatch open with no luck. She was trapped.
She was left alone in the attic. A cold breeze blew threw the little window high above, to far up to see out. Patch Work looked around for something to stand on. "A chest, that'll work." Spotting an old wooden box.
With her head she pushed the chest underneath the little round window. Carefully, she climbing on top and stretching herself up, just barely able to see out. Patch Work was surprised to see little white snowflakes gently floating down out of the sky. A light snow-cover accumulated on the ground and roof tops of Ponyville. The first snow of winter.
This made Patch Work think of her momma. She missed her so badly. Wishing she could be home with her momma and father. She wondered if they were watching the snow fall right now and thinking of her, at this same moment. Unaware that bullies have taken over of the school. What about her twin brother, Brick? Was he alright, or did Hawthorn's minions get him too?
Will I be alright? Patch Work questioned herself.
"What am I going to do?"
Notes: Thank you all for reading. I'm sorry it took so long to update this story for all of you. I appreciate your patience with this. It's killing me that I can't write them fast enough. For all of you ponies still waiting for your OC's to make there appearance, just know that I have not forgotten about any of you.
Thank you for your reviews. They mean so much to me, and I really couldn't do this without all of your support. It makes me so happy to see everypony so excited about this project.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, eat lots of good foods and spend time with your family and friends.
Till next time