A/N: well, here is the next chapter for this story, hope you enjoy it, and a quick note, this story will take place before the season 3 finale, so twilight will still be a unicorn, just to let you know, enjoy.

Trials of Redemption: chapter 1: new stallion in town

The day was bright and beautiful, the town of PonyVille, was as active as it usually was, most ponies had gone to work for the day, fillies and colts were in school, and a particular unicorn, was deep in her studies.

(PonyVille, public library)

Twilight was standing in her front room, reading a chemistry book, and observing her project, Spike was gratefully helping her, but remaining quiet, Twilight levitated her bottle of the liquid she was experimenting with, and turned to the book, she then turned to the other vials, and carefully began to tip hers.

Just as the liquid was about to spill out, there came a loud knock at the door, completely startled, Twilight nearly lost her grip in the vial.

When she caught it, she groaned angrily and walked towards the door, "I thought I told them not to disturb me, at this time" she grumbled, knowing it was probably one of her friends, she briskly opened the door, standing there were her five friends, all smiling warmly, they all walked in, without Twilight even inviting them in.

"What is this, I thought I said I can't be disturbed at this hour, I was in the middle of a project, what could possibly be so important?" she asked, Rainbow stepped up, "calm down Twi, there's a new stallion moving into town, he's very wealthy, she said it's some owner of a huge company back in Baltimare, the mayor wants the six of us to go and welcome him, apparently he bought the old Everfree Hill Manor, just a little ways outside town, so we need to go" she said, Twilight gave a curious look, "what's Everfree Hill Manor?" she asked, Applejack stepped forward, "only one of the biggest houses in PonyVille, it's been abandoned for years now, but this guy comes along and buy's it, so let's go" she said, and they all went out the door.

(PonyVille outskirts)

As they walked away from town, they saw a large building on top of a hill not far away, from what they could tell it was a very large house, at least two stories, as they walked, Twilight was curious to know about this new pony, "so, what's this pony's name, and what's the company that he owns, you girls don't know anything about him?" she asked, Applejack looked at her, "nope nothing, all we know, is that he's pretty dang wealthy, if he can afford to buy this place, and have a bunch of furniture, I think they have been planning on tearing it down for some time, but I guess not" she said as they came to the edge of the property and walked past the gate, they saw a giant moving wagon, almost completely empty, the house was two stories tall, covered with large glass windows, Twilight was shocked that she didn't know it was even here, they calmly walked up to the large double doors, and knocked a few times.

They waited a few minutes, when the door finally opened, revealing an older stallion in a butler's uniform, Twilight was the first to speak, "good afternoon, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends, it is our duty to welcome you to PonyVille, good sir" she said in a formal tone, the stallion stared at her for a few seconds, and then let out a light chuckle, his voice was very distinct, "I appreciate that, but I am just simply the master's butler, if you wish to speak with him, you'll have to come back at a more appropriate time" he said, but as Twilight was about to say something, a much younger voice came from inside the house, "come now, if we have guests, let them in" the voice said, the butler looked back, "yes, master Star" he said and opened the door fully and moved to the side and gestured for them to enter.

As they crossed the threshold, they were amazed at what they saw, the house was simply beautiful on the inside, a spiral staircase, that lead to the upper hall, they all looked around in amazement, "it must have been very expensive to buy and furnish this place" Twilight said as they stood in the middle of the corridor.

They heard a chuckle come from the top of the staircase, "yes, it was rather expensive to purchase, but for somepony in my position, it was well worth it" they all turned and saw a young stallion about their age, looking down at them smiling, he slowly descended the stairs, they saw he had a very light gray coat, and a light blue mane, as he reached the bottom he walked up to them and offered his hoof to Twilight.

Twilight smiled kindly and shook his hoof, "pleasure to meet you, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends, we've been sent by the mayor to welcome you to our town, we never caught your name" she said, he smiled at her, "pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms. Sparkle, my name is Fleet, Fleet Star, proud owner of Star Industries, and thank you for the kind welcoming, it's nice to know that there are some nice ponies in this town" he said with a warm smile.

Twilight recognized the name of his company, "wait, you mean, that Star Industries, one of the wealthiest companies in the kingdom, shouldn't you be in Baltimare, what made you come out here?" she asked, he smiled at her, "well, I may own the company, but my advisors run it, and I go whenever there's an important meeting, as for why I moved here, I have always wanted to live in a peaceful town, cities like Manehatten, Fillydelphia, and Canterlot are too fast paced for me, everypony always seems to be in a hurry, I've come here to avoid it all" he said calmly, Twilight smiled at him, "well, I think we must have taken up much of your time, so we will get going, I hope we can get together again soon, we would love to give you a tour of the town" she said as they made their way to the door.

"oh yes, I will have to take you up on that offer, I hope we see each other again soon Miss Sparkle, it's been fun" he said as he turned and walked back up the stairs.

The butler turned and ushered them out the door, as they crossed through the gate, Twilight turned and looked up into one of the windows, and from what she thought he saw, Fleet was staring at her from one of the second story windows, he seemed to stare right at her, she quickly looked away and ran to her friends, and continued on too town.

As they walked down the path, Fleet watched them through the window; he took a deep shaky breath, just as his butler walked in, he placed a tray with a wine bottle and some sandwiches on the table near the door, he gave off a light chuckle, "well sir, they all seem like a nice group of ponies, especially that Twilight Sparkle, she seemed to take a liking to you rather quickly" he said turning to him, Fleet sighed and continued to watch them as they entered town, "yes they do seem nice, and that's what I fear, they need to learn that kindness isn't always the best thing, sometimes it can get you and those around you killed, if you're not careful, I should know, more than most ponies" he said turning away from the window, and pouring himself a glass of wine.

His butler looked at him with worry, "sir if I may, I may be nothing more than your butler, but you must be careful, we both know what happens to those who get too close to you, he will not allow it, and that's the last thing you want on your mind, more guilt… goodnight sir" he said as he exited the room.

Fleet sighed and took a long swig of his drink, "goodnight, Crimson, see you in the morning" he said as the door closed, he knew he was right, it would be wise for Twilight and her friends to keep their distance, if they knew what was good for them.

A/N: well, I hoped you enjoyed a fair warning now, there will be some very gruesome scenes in the coming chapters, just a warning, see you all next time.