6 Epilogue: Where's Rhu?

Canterlot Form and Finish. It had a pristine and tastefully appointed grounds. There were just enough shade trees to provide comfort yet not to disrupt traffic. There were two dormitories full of young fillies, an academics building, and an administrative building. All were made out of marble. The entire area was fortified by a fence of wrought iron cherub pegasi.

It was referred to as Rarity's not because she ran it, but rather that she owned it. She lived nearby and occasionally came it to teach the girls about proper things like composition, color theory, and etiquette. The day to day business, however, she left to her administrators.

That is, unless something huge happened. Today was one of those days. Princess Luna was bringing in a special student that she was to admit at once. Ever eager to assist the nobility, Rarity was there. She was wearing one of her most elegant new designs. It was a red and white number, complete with red canvas boots and her fire ruby necklace. She bowed low before the Princess.

“Greetings, Rarity,” acknowledged Luna. Once she was done prostrating herself, Luna continued, holding her hoof. “We have brought with us today yet another special child. Do make sure she is introduced to the one my sister did bring forth.”

“Of course. We've not assigned her a roommate yet.” Rarity knelt down to look the foal in the eye. “How would you like a big sister?”

Rhubarb Salad looked around overwhelmed. Softly she squeaked. Rarity looked on, a knowing smile on her face. “It'll be okay. You'll like Cabochon. She's quiet and not from Canterlot, just like you. She's a bit older, but I think you two will get along smashingly.” She led the filly away, in a loose hug while warning her about the duties, responsibilities, and joys of being a sister.

Several foals were beginning to congregate around the gate to gawk at the Princess of the Night. She turned and began to walk down the fence. A young filly with a cinnamon mane and chartreuse body looked at her with emerald eyes.

“So,” she asked the Princess, “who's the new student?”

The Princess glared down at her. “She is not to be trifled with.”

“How goes our agreement?”

“Delta has fled into the Everfree.”

The filly rolled her eyes. “I should have known better than to leave this to a half-breed. Pooka must be eliminated.”

“She claimed her name was Chasme.”

The filly let loose with a dark, deep laugh. “Chasme was my mother. She pretends to great power. I still don't understand how she is still alive.”

“Yards did tell me she died.”

“Then I may have to have words with this Yards.”

“He is off limits.”

“Until Pooka is dead, no being is off limits. It's very important that she die.”

“Why?”

“I will not have my children being turned into pets.” She glared forward, looking back in time. “She has chosen the path that will lead to our destruction. To make her more dangerous, she's smart, charismatic, and idealistic. She could drag countless numbers of my children into damnation and I will not have that. You must find her and kill her.”

“But ‘tis her death truly necessary?”

The filly looked away as they came to the end of the fence. “I don't know where I went wrong with her.” Her voice was sad, almost wistful. “She's been like this ever since she was a grub. It's sad, really. She was so...so...special.” Her eyes cleared of reminiscence. “But I can't allow one changeling to threaten the rest of my people. I'm certain you and especially your sister understand, eh, Mare in the Moon?”

Luna turned away and sighed. “We will not allow harm to come to any of my people from your machinations.”

The changeling queen smiled. “I agree. The last thing I want is for her to drag us into another Griffon Kingdom affair. That's what I'm trying to stop here.”

Luna shuddered at the millenia old incident before hanging her head in sorrow. “Very well. Test Subject Delta will be terminated.”

“Excellent. Don't worry, you have another option. Both of our plans are not mutually exclusive, right?”

“No, no, they're not.” Luna took off into the sky, leaving the filly to smile up at her.