Everyone got into the van, but not before Circuit unloaded Starlight's body, leaving her to die in the cold, unforgiving wilderness of 1980's Russia. "So, does this mean that we can go back home now?" asked Rarity. "Actually..." replied Circuit, "That's a good idea, Rarity. What was the date when we first left, Twilight?" "January 30, 2016," replied Twilight. "Alright, that's where we're going," said Circuit. "Homeward bound!" And he set the date to January 31, 2016, and off they went.
The van headed down the cold road before vanishing in a blast of light, leaving back a tire trail of flames as they headed back home. The van and the group materialised merely just outside of Canterlot High, nearby the car park. Glad to be home again...
Something was off, however. There was a slight hint of industrial soot in the air. "I don't remember Canterlot smelling so bad," said Twilight. As they approached the school, they saw something terrifying. Gone was the American flag waving at the top of the pole, for it had instead been replaced with a light lavender flag bearing a purple star leaving a cyan trail behind it. And it got worse, for they could now see inside the classrooms. Everyone was grinning broadly and unnaturally, and what appeared to be propaganda posters lined the walls. They prominently featured a woman, who looked to be in her mid-forties. But there was no mistaking her... "She lived..." said Circuit, "we left her to die and she lived..." "And she managed ta take over the world while we were gone," said Applejack.
"We're going back," said Circuit, as they all got back in the van. ----- January 31, 1986 A platoon of Soviet soldiers had just spotted a young woman lying in the snow, bleeding out. However, just before they could so much as attempt a rescue, she had been backed over by a van that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, killing her. The soldiers opened fire, but the van had vanished again, leaving nothing behind but a trail of fire in its wake.
2016 The van reappeared back in the normal timeline, this time everything looked completely normal. With Starlight permanently out of the picture, it seemed the world was free from another dictatorship...
----- A week had passed, mostly without incident. However, the group was unexpectedly hit with a jail sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison for allegations of supporting terrorist activities. They were hauled off to the Canterlot Correctional Facility and locked away for crimes they had never committed...
Canterlot Correctional Facility was built in 1963, and was merely several miles out of the city. Due to the age of the facility itself, the prison had high concrete walls that were trademark of the era, reinforced with another fence of razor wire and guard towers. This was a effective psychological aspect, where sheer size was valued as a means of intimidation. During the past couple of decades, as available technology such as surveillance cameras and motion sensors began to replace heavy and expensive construction, CCF never lost it's infamy and respect for being the home to some of the worst criminals on the West-Coast, from murderers, serial killers, pedophiles and more recently, terrorists who are slowly being transferred onto the mainland. Petty thugs didn't belong here, and the Facility was infamous for apparently being impossible to escape from. Because of this, Canterlot Correctional Facility earned the nickname "The Castle" The Prison Bus arrived with the group of nine on board, already wearing their new jumpsuits, just about to go through the gate and lose the last amount of freedom they will ever have for the next 10 to 15 years...
Circuit began to cry. It wasn't the sort of cry that an anime girl would make when senpai was flat out ignoring her, but rather the sort of cry one would let loose upon hearing their son had died of cancer. He knew that escape was a madman's dream, and that he and his friends were stuck here. And there was nothing he could do about it. "Dude, it's alright, we'll make it somehow," said Rainbow Dash, comforting Circuit. ----- "Ah can't believe they took Applejack away!" lamented Apple Bloom, as she missed her sister already. "Yeah! She would never back ISIS, no matter what the fuzz say!" said Derpy Hooves. "None of them would," said Sweetie Belle while drawing a picture of Rarity, captioned "I Love You." "Terrorism isn't cool, guys!" understated Scootaloo, hugging her homemade Rainbow Dash plush. "Hey, ah just got an idea," said Apple Bloom, her face brimming with hope, "If we can make the feds realize that they got the wrong people, ah reckon we'll see our friends again in no time!" "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, LAWYERS! YAY!" "And also me," said Derpy awkwardly. "...yay?"
Crimson didn't say anything as the bus stopped near the entrance of the prison, where eight guards armed with almost military equipment stood nearby the Warden, a middle aged silver haired man that looked more like a Texan Oil Baron then a warden. Regardless, they were taken off the bus. "I've been waiting for the lot of you..." The Warden told them. "You'll be escorted to your cells immediately, today is no time for a tour. Welcome to your new home..." And they went through the prison. The girls were lucky enough to share cells at least, as well as Circuit. Crimson however, got solitary...
Pinkie Pie was sharing a cell with Fluttershy, Rarity with Applejack, Twilight with Sunset, and Rainbow Dash with Circuit. And they were lucky enough to all be in the same cell block. However, they were placed in the same cell block as the most dangerous criminal in the entire prison... He simply strutted into the cell block a few hours after their arrival, wearing his orange jumpsuit like a badge of honor, as he burst out into song, to the tune of a Queen song that served as the theme music to a 1980s re-imagining of a sci-fi Saturday Matinee film serial. "FLASH... AH-AAAAAH!!! HE OWNS EVERY ONE OF YOU!!" "Technically, the state owns us, but, whatever, the freedom to believe whatever you want is one of the few freedoms you have in here," said Circuit sarcastically, not realizing who he was addressing. Flash Sentry ran over to Circuit's cell. "You the twinkle-toed little clown who thinks he can mouth off to the King of the Castle?!" he asked Circuit. Rainbow Dash stood up, knowing exactly who she was dealing with. "Flash Sentry," she sneered, "Serving a life sentence for multiple counts of sexual assault, rape, aggravated assault, first-degree murder, kidnapping and disorderly conduct. If anything, you're a king of crime." "At least I'm not a terrorist," he scoffed. "Neither am I," replied Rainbow Dash in disgust, "but the jury wouldn't listen." "I suppose you and your friends will just have to deal with being locked up with me, then," said Flash, giving Rainbow Dash a look that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was capable, let alone guilty, of his various sex crimes. "You don't get it, asshat," said Rainbow Dash, "We aren't locked up with you..." And she punched Flash Sentry in the face, breaking his nose and knocking him back about fifteen feet. "You're locked up with us." ----- "Alright team, we need to gather the evidence so that we can prove, beyond all doubt, that our friends are innocent," said Derpy, as she poured over the browser histories of the now-imprisoned group. "We're working on it," replied Scootaloo, rummaging through Rainbow Dash's mail.
Crimson's room made it impossible for him to escape, but he didn't need to. It was fairly blank, with white walls, a bed, table and stool and a metal toilet. He had no luxuries, and the entire room was deemed to be even worse then the normal jail cell. However, life became more bearable when guards began talking about the government planning installing television sets onto some cells. That way, Prisoners can catch up with the news and watch very limited amount of programs. Crimson's room had a television set plugged in that evening when guards came in. During the first night at his stay, Crimson began to practice shadow boxing. He drew a human body against the walls and began to punch it, often injuring his hands and wrapping them up in bloody bandages. But despite the pain, he wouldn't stop or give up. He kept the television to play boxing matches and other forms of martial arts for inspiration, and continued to pound against the walls. And as morning came to pass, the next day was going to be fairly eventful...
As the new day dawned, Circuit awoke, groggily in his cell. He could barely sleep through Applejack and Rarity's bickering in the next cell over, though Rainbow Dash slept without a problem. Indeed, still having Rainbow Dash around was his only true comfort in this cell. Circuit looked around in the cell. It wasn't as bleak-looking as Crimson's cell, as the walls were made of grey concrete bricks, and there was a window in the back wall. It had bars in it, as to be expected. He had slept on the bottom bunk, as Rainbow Dash occupied the top bunk. There was a table with two stools for eating and reading the newspaper that was provided to those who weren't lucky enough to have television installed in their cells. And there was one toilet, which would be bad news if both of the occupants had to use it at the same time, though at least it was a flushable toilet. "You okay, Dash?" Circuit asked as Rainbow Dash awoke. "I'm fine," she replied. She seemed to be taking wrongful imprisonment very well. "Thanks for standing up to Flash for me," Circuit continued, holding her hand, "I don't think I would have survived had you not been there." "Least I could do," said Rainbow Dash, putting one hand on Circuit's face. "Besides, I kinda owed you for making sure I wasn't wiped from history and all." They were about to kiss, but they were interrupted. "Alright, lovebirds, to the Mess Hall," said a guard as he opened the cell door, "We don't want you starving to death in here." ----- The Mess Hall was the hub of the prison. It was where every inmate gathered their food. They could even eat in the Mess Hall as opposed to within their cells, one of the few freedoms offered in the facility. Many inmates took this gift and ran with it, mainly if they were gang members and wanted to eat together and socialize. Circuit and the girls sat at the table Crimson was sitting at. They wanted to spend as much time together as a group as they could. Suddenly, Flash approached their table. "You're sitting at my table," he said threateningly. "We were here before you were, jackass," replied Rainbow Dash spitefully. "Oh really?" replied Flash, as he looked at Rainbow Dash with sexual intent, "Because I recall being in this prison for six months longer than you nine." And he grabbed Rainbow Dash's behind and squeezed. "KEEP YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF!!" she shouted as she knocked him to the ground.
Crimson sat at the table with the rest of the group as Flash fell to the ground, as other prisoners watched. Flash slowly looked at Rainbow in disbelief and was about to stand up, before Crimson looked him dead in the eye from his seat at the table. "Piss off, Flash" He warned him.
"Didn't know you were dragged in here too, Lionheart," said Flash, not afraid of him despite being knocked down to the ground by Rainbow Dash not a few seconds ago. "Ah wouldn't keep goin' down that path, sugarcube," said Applejack as she stood before Crimson. "Agreed," said Rarity, rolling back her sleeves, "You really shouldn't concern yourself with those who aren't worth your time." Flash simply snickered and said, "Try me."
Flash Sentry tried to charge at the group, swinging his arm back and trying to attack Crimson. Instead, the moment he was within range, Crimson pulled an almost half-effort blow directly at the side of his cheek, dropping Sentry in one shot and causing him to hit the concrete ground hard. The Prisoners watched in shock, while the guards in the room were on alert to prevent the fight going further. Crimson, knowing that Flash was conscious, looked at him. "Who are you talking to right now? Who is it you think you see?" Crimson told him, deadpan face full of intent. "Let me clue you in, Flash. I am not in danger from you or anyone else in this prison. I am the danger." He said before looking at the other prisoners, as Flash's gang tried to pull whatever was left of Sentry's body to safety. "I'm done here" Crimson said, just as guards suddenly came to Crimson's side to take him back to his cell.
"Holy hell..." said Circuit as the Australian was dragged away, "I heard Crim's got TV... were they airing Fight Club or something?" "Good thing he can fight," observed Sunset as she watched Flash be dragged to his cell by his cronies. ----- The prison gym. Where the strong became stronger and the weak dared not enter. It was here that Rainbow Dash spent the time that the guards gave her outside the cell. It was the fifth day of her and her friends' sentence. She was at the bench press, pushing herself further and further. She had reached the point where she could bench-press 450 pounds. She was already quite strong when she had been arrested. But now she could effortlessly lift twice her own weight. She was preparing to return to her cell, when she was approached by a guard. "Miss, come to the warden's office," the guard said, "He wishes to speak to you and the other prisoners from your cell block." ----- "I bring the nine of you here to clear something up," said the warden, the utmost sincerity in his voice, his face filled with the deepest regret. "Your imprisonment was a grievous mistake caused by misinterpretation of your Internet browser histories by an inexperienced agent at the NSA. The misunderstanding was clarified by a Miss Derpy Hooves and three high school students. As a result, your sentence has been rendered void, you have been fully exonerated of your charges of supporting acts of terrorism against the United States, and your criminal record has been wiped clean. You are all free to go." Circuit started to cry again. It wasn't the sort of cry that a baby would make when their favorite toy was irreparably broken, but rather the sort one would make when they saw their loved one returning home from war. Rainbow Dash cradled him in her arms. "I told you we'd make it." The others were happy to hear the news as well. "Here are your belongings as we found them on the day of your imprisonment," said the warden as he gave them back to their respective owners. "I must apologize for this whole mess. I never intended to admit innocent people to this institution. Now get on the bus. I hear the city is expecting you."
As the bus approached the city limits, Circuit looked out the window. He could hear a crowd cheering as he saw a sign hanging over the road that said "WELCOME HOME, FREE BIRDS." "They missed us," said Fluttershy with a smile on her face and a tear in her eye.
The gang looked in amazement as they looked at the sign, as the CMC and Derpy stood together, along with a small crowd. The bus soon pulled up, and they stepped off as heroes...
