It was the kind of day that made one resentful of being indoors. Like moths to a flame, everypony was beckoned toward the meadow, into the sunlight. Thus, it came as a surprise to the inhabitants of Greenwaters when the pegasi of Guston began their descent.

Dandy sat a fair distance away under the shade of an old oak, observing the gathering with interest. An air of expectation surrounded him. Eventually, he saw what it was he had been searching for. High above, chained between two armored pegasi, flew a mare. The color of sunset with a glistening, violet mane, her presence seemed to scorch a path across the heavens.

Recognizing this as some important Guston business, those gathered upon the earth became wary, and many earth ponies began to take their leave. By the time the pegasi had all assembled, only a sprinkling of curious onlookers remained.

Dandy eyed the mare as she landed to the sound of clinking chains. She scanned the stragglers until, finally, their eyes met. There was a look of indescribable tenderness. The mare then managed to pass him a weak smile before turning to face the spectators. An old, statuesque stallion stepped forward, eyeing her with contempt. Stomping his hoof, he called for calm.

“Glowbeam Runner, you stand accused of stealing Guston rain reserves, and doling them out amongst local earth tribes without clearance, an action that goes against tribal edict. You have shown no remorse, and thus no redeeming quality that might have inspired some mercy from these courts. Therefore, for your crimes against your kind, by order of the magistrate, you are hereby banished forever from the tribes of the sky, and for the remainder of your life, shall remain upon the earth. Do you understand?”

There was a beat of silence. All eyes turned toward the mare, expecting some scandalous reaction.

“Yes, Your Grace,” Glowbeam replied, sitting calmly amongst her accusers.

“Have you nothing more to say?” the old stallion asked, leaning forward.

She seemed to think.

“Only that what I have done was right. Greenwaters and Trotchester were hungry. They had to plant. The magistrates refused them rain when none can afford this.”

Glowbeam turned away as if flushing her mind of the entire matter. Her brazenness inspired a fresh swell of whispers from the crowd. Eyeing the mare, no trace of sympathy in his gaze, the magistrate then turned toward the guards.

“Get on with it.”

A blade was unsheathed, and she was forced to the ground. She grunted in distress as one of her dainty wings was extended, and pinned with a hoof. Her breath quickened. Fighting down panic, she lifted her gaze toward the sky.

The ordeal was bearable until they cut the blood feather. She yelped, feeling something warm trickle down her barrel. Dazed, Glowbeam rolled onto her unclipped wing for comfort until the guards shoved her over, performing the ghastly task again.

Lying there, overcome, she scanned the crowd. Some pegasi eyed her with disgust, others with tearful pity. Some couldn’t bear to look at all, finding her punishment too abhorrent. Resenting their self-indulgent reprieve, Glowbeam slowly moved to sit upright. Her wings, now useless, slumped downward, shivering. Eyes glazed, she waited whilst the guards undid her shackles. By and by, the crowd began to dissipate, soaring skyward where she could never return. Soon, only she remained.

Collapsing onto her side, she closed her eyes and cried, not caring who saw. A moment passed before she felt a tender touch brushing the mane from her face. A pained smile graced her lips. She heard the sound of Dandy’s satchel opening, and the uncorking of bottles. Soon, waves of sweet relief were being rubbed into her sore wings.

“Open your eyes,” he bid her.

“What if I don’t want to?” she asked, sounding dejected.

“Oh, I think you’ll want to,” Dandy replied, a hint of joviality in his tone.

Now curious, Glowbeam allowed her eyes to flutter open, taking in her new reality. She had expected the comforting sight of Dandy’s smile, but she had not anticipated thirty more.

Stunned, she sat upright, and looked at the small crowd of earth ponies encircling her with looks of love and gratitude. She passed Dandy a rather perplexed expression, and he grinned in return. As he helped her down the hill, the sound of that special kind of laughter passed between newly made friends seemed to drown out the din of jangling chains fading into the distance.