The Jewel Within

Exile and the Everfree

Sapphire looked up to the nearest pony, who was only getting closer. She wanted to be left alone. She knew she had no choice though, as there was only one thing that could be done.

The mayor stepped up to her and stomped her hoof on the ground. "Sapphire! I can't believe that somepony like yourself would do such a thing! To kill your own sister, how could you?" She said, stopping to take a deep breath. "I can't allow a pony like that to stay here in ponyville. You no longer have a place in this village. From this moment on, I ban you from this town for the remainder of your life. I don't want to see your face again. Now, leave." The mayor said, her voice edged with grief and anger. Bitterness held the medal in her tone though.

Sapphire stood and looked to the crowd. There were most of the ponies of ponyville creating it. A few other ponies from cloudsdale as well gathered here. She located Daisy, who was hanging her head. She moved over to her, watching as the ponies parted. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to do it… I was only…" She was cut off by her friend's harsh words.

"I don't want to hear excuses. I don't want to have to listen to your words of self-pity. Leave. Never come back, I don't want to see your murderous eyes again. Just… leave." Daisy said, hatred brimming the edges.

Sapphire took a breath to reply, but decided against it as Daisy stepped to the side. She hung her head and looked to Daisy as she passed by, but something was off. It was in Daisy's face. There seemed to be a slight humor and smile, but she blamed it on her imagination. She just lost her family, all of it. How could she possibly see anything straight? Before she could confirm it, she blinked and the frown was back in the pony's hung head. She sighed and fell forward as she was shoved.
"Just leave already, don't you listen? Just go!" Daisy said, pushing her again.

Sapphire got up after she rolled from the second push. The rain plastered her mane to her face and sides. She got up and set her sights toward the Everfree forest. It was the only place that she could go. She continued further and looked back to the town after she stepped past the boundaries of Ponyville. The crowd had already started to dissipate, but two ponies remained, watching her; Daisy and the mayor.

Sapphire stepped into the forest and heard an echo, sounding much like her sisters voice, saying "No, anywhere but here. Please no…" She jumped at the sound, looking around for her sister.

"S-sis?" She called, only to be met with silence. She heard a whimper after the silence passed. "W-who's there?" She asked.

"I-I'm scared…" She heard her sister's voice again, only a little more clear this time.

Sapphire turned around to see only the field behind her. She looked back to the dark forest and sighed. She was going insane. She was losing her mind from everything that was happening. She shook her head and continued into the woods.

She found a spot where there was no wood growing, and there was sun shining through the trees, which was weird. She smiled and went to work, taking wood from the trees nearby with her magic, giving more light to the clearing.

After about two days, she made a house, and about four more to make the furniture and a bed. The whole time, thinking of her sister and her family, but only momentarily hearing her sister's voice come in and out. She had a feeling that it was a little more deep than insanity.

Two years had passed since her exile and she had found a place in Everfree forest. It was near the old castle, but was far enough away to be undetected by tourists. She had made sure that they never visited, putting up beware signs and making things look scarier than they are with her magic, or in other words a mirage spell.

One day though, there was a tourist who found no fear in the Everfree, only joy and the thrill of danger. This tourist was a Pegasus by the name of Blitz Fire. She had been on a tour to the Everfree castle for the third time, but broke away from the tour to search the forest for some fun.