Title:           (COMPLETE) Would You Like Some Cheese?
Author:          Mendicant
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/1CUCb6R4
First Edit:      Wednesday 17th of June 2015 11:00:44 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Wednesday 17th of June 2015 11:09:51 AM CDT

"I don't care about your damned tortures Nightmare! I'm not going to sell out my family!"
>Your voice is fearful yet firm.
>You imagine your father, a Dawn Bringer Colonel, would be proud of you right now.
>Standing up against the darkness all by yourself.
>And yet to your surprise, the false princess doesn't scream, or shout, or stomp her hooves.
>She chuckles.
>"Hmhmhm. You think We'd torture you? - a little filly like you?"
>Again, she giggles.
>"We'd never lay a hoof on a pretty young mare like yourself..."
>Seeing through her lies, you narrow your stare.
>With obvious sarcasm, the Nightmare recoils.
>"You truly don't believe us do you?"
>There is silence.
>"Very well then, Twilight, why don't you come speak to our new guest?"
>You turn as you hear the doors behind you open.
>From the doorway, a small, fragile purple mare slowly wobbles her way into the room.
>As she nears, you notice her legs are bound together by thin, delicate fabric.
>Her trunk is draped in a even thinner vail, which covers her...
>Oh.
>Oh no.
>Only once she enters the light do you notice what’s wrong.
>She's thin.
>Sicklingly thin.
>Deathly thin.
>You can all but count her ribs; see her hip bones protrude from her flank.
>How can see even stand- let alone walk?
>In an instant, and your eyes are drawn to her horn, and the ring that surrounds it.
>It's anchored to her ears...
>Her gaze is distant, and locked onto the floor below her.
>She looks so lifeless...
>Almost like a zombie...
>It takes her some time to hobble to the base of the throne, but eventually, she arrives, and falls into a deep bow.
>"Y-yes your Highness?"
>With a small grin, the Nightmare nods.
>"You may rise Twilight."
>As the mare tries to stand, she briefly loses her balance, and falls to the floor with a heavy thud.
>As she hits the ground, you realize the silence which as overtaken the room.
>As if the very walls are watching her struggle.
>The pony moans, before quickly steadying herself for another attempt.
 ---------------
>This time she is much more successful, and within a few moments, she is on her hooves again.
>As you stare at the mare before you, you struggle to register just how malnourished she is.
>Her legs tremble softly in place, as she struggles to support what little weight she has left.
>"Twilight. This mare here believes the silly idea that we torture ponies."
>The mare; "Twilight" slowly turns to face you.
>"Speak the truth Twilight Sparkle; have we laid so much as a hoof on you?"
>She mare shakes her head weakly.
>"N-no my your highness."
>You look toward the Nightmare, who now bears a toothy smile.
>"Have we disturbed you in your chamber?"
>Again, the mare's dry, weak voice fills the air.
>"No. No you haven't Empress..."
Satisfied, the Nightmare speaks.
>"You see? We do not torture our ponies..."
>Horified, you state the obvious.
"You- You're STARVING her! She's going to die like that!"
>Again, she laughs.
"We have done no such thing. Tis her body that has failed her, not us."
>Suddenly, her tone darkens, her gaze narrowing on you.
>In an unexpected moment of panic, you take a small step backward.
>If you didn't know better, you say the very light itself fled from her presence.
>"Tell us- should we provide for those who conspire against us?"
>"Should we provide for those who wish to harm us?"
>The words are practically spit from her mouth, dripping with clear anger and venom.
>"Neigh- It is our duty to provide food and drink for every pony who is loyal to their Empress."
>"But if they do not respect our hoof, than we shall offer them no comfort.
"But this mare? What has she done? What did /she/ do to deserve this?"
>The brittle mare speaks.
 ---------------
>"I- I was the student of Princess Celestia..."
>Your ears fold back.
>The student of Princess Celestia?
>You quickly look at the Nightmare, before looking at the mare once again.
>This- this was Celestia’s student?
>Did she even stand a chance?
>The mare's eyes have yet to leave the floor below her.
"The Empress is right- I deserve this."
"You can't be seri-"
"I was indoctrinated by Celestia, and fought the Empress."
>She takes a long pause.
>You look up at the Nightmare, who is staring intently at the mare.
>The air is cold.
>>The mare looks up, her eyes dull and distant.
>"My mind is full of lies and decent."
>"And this... this is my penence."
 ---------------
>There is a long pause in the air, before you realize a long, blue mist reach down, and brush through the mare’s mane.
>”Very good Twilight; We see you have begun to understand the gravity of your deeds.”
>The mare flinches at the touch, but than, nods.
>”I’m sorry Empress- I truly am…”
>”Shhh-shhh little one, you have spoken enough today…”
>A small block of cheese appears before the mare’s snout.
>Her once distant eyes quickly come to life, and she looks at that the cheese with suppressed excitement.
>”We believe that you have earned a small reward: An acknowledgement of your sincerity.”
>”Empress- I- I-“
>”Speak not Twilight, eat- taste our mercy.”
>Not a moment later, the mare opens her mouth, and consumes the small block of cheese.
>She chews quickly, as if she thinks someone might steal the food from her very mouth.
>A moment later, she swallows the food, and again, the room falls silent.
>”You have done enough for today Twilight- your guards may take you to your cell now.”
>The mare mods, and bows once again, before leaving the room.
>You turn, and watch the door close behind her, before turning toward the Nightmare again.
>As the images of the mare begin to sink into your mind, you feel a deluge of emotions overtake you.
>But most of all...
>Anger.
“How- how could you that to some pony!”
>The Nightmare once again recoils sarcastically, as if offended by your aggression
”She’s going to DIE! Didn’t you see her? She’s nothing but bones!
>She giggles.
>”Mhmhmhm… Such a vocal little thing; it’s truly a tragedy that I'll be forced to place you into a cell just like Twilight.”
>Almost instantly, your anger disappears.
”Wh-what?”
 ---------------
>”Don’t be foalish my little pony; you know I can’t simply let you leave to rejoin your treasonous friends.”
>Whatever courage you had before has evaporated entirely, as you realize that you are no longer a free pony.
“Nightmare Mo- I- I mean /Empress/ Nightmare Moon- please, I don’t mean any harm…”
“I promise I won’t tell anyone about what I saw… please…”
>She giggles, and gestures toward the sitting pillow before you.
>”Come, let us converse about your friends and family…”
>You’re eyes begin to water as you realize exactly what she wants you to tell her.
“I-I can’t do that… please don’t make me do that…”
>She pushes.
>”Surely you would like to share news of your recent affairs with your Empress?"
>You shake your head.
”I can’t- I’m sorry, I just- I can’t.”
>”Perhaps you would like to send them postage? Surely They would wish to hear that their foal is alive and well.”
>You close your eyes tightly, and furiously shake your head.
”No. I can’t. I’m sorry.”
>There are a few moments of silence, before you slowly, cautiously, open your eyes.
>Surprisingly, she looks calm.
>”Very well. We understand you might be too fearful to speak with us now.”
>”We shall have a guard escort you to your chamber until you are ready…”
>You breathe a small, hesitant sigh of relief.
>While being taken prisoner is bad, at least your family will be safe.
”Thank you Empr-
>"But before you go, we’re afraid we must ask.”
>Your heart stops as she lifts a small, white block into the air.
>”Would you like some cheese?"