Of Kingdoms and Cutie-Marks

by GreyGuardPony

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Human, Main 6, Other, Princess Luna, Original Character, Adventure, Princess Celestia
Length: 59004

The threat of The Collector has been vanquished. However, the nations beyond Equestria's borders stare at the land of the dual monarchs in suspicion. Meanwhile Skitch-Sketch struggles to find purpose in her new home. Sequel to A Skitch in Time.

The threat of The Collector has been vanquished, and peace has returned to the land of Equestria. Everything should be back to normal, right?

If only it were that simple.

The nations beyond Equestria's borders now stare at the sister monarchs with suspicion, viewing them as potentially compromised and dangerous; forcing Celestia and Luna to play international politics while they hurry to keep tabs on wards and prisons for dark forces long sealed away.

Meanwhile, the former human, now pony known as Skitch-Sketch struggles to find purpose in her life in Ponyville. Fear of other threats dominate her nightmares, and to make matters worse she will have to face her most deadly foe yet...

A mortgage!

Oh yeah, and her cutie-mark is fading away too.

Published 2013-09-19 22:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-11-07 02:57:46 UTC

The Eighth World Congress of Canterlot (And Some Movies in Ponyville)

“Captain Armor, have you brought the guard up to speed on the security procedures for the night?”

Celestia, Luna, and Shining Armor quickly trotted down one of the many elegant white stone hallways of Canterlot. A haggard looking unicorn stallion with a light blue coat, dark gray mane and scroll and quill cutie-mark rushed along behind the three. His attention was focused on a three foot long scroll that was crammed full of preparations and other instructions.

“Yes princess. I've informed the guards of the particulars on each of the delegates, their new patrol schedules, as well as which guest rooms will require extra security. We're as ready as we'll ever be.”

“Very good.” Celestia said, glancing back at the unicorn. “Herald, what of the other preparations?”

“The kitchens are prepared and the menus assembled. Hors d'oeuvres will be in the grand hall for the initial mingling session at five, then the main meal in the grand banquet hall at seven. Though a few of the chefs wanted to walk out over the meat dishes for a few of the delegates.”

Celestia gave a wry smile. “Yes...I do not blame them. But it would be horribly rude to not meet the dietary needs of the Raj delegates. See that the chefs are given some time off after tonight in compensation.”

“As you wish your highness.” Royal Herald said. “I do have to once again ask if you are quite sure about leaving the element bearers out of this...”

Luna interrupted, flicking a wing out in annoyance. “We believe that our sister made her position quite clear.”

“But your highness! The delegates are here because of their concerns over the actions of The Collector. Having the element bearers here...”

“...Would help prove that they haven't been “tainted” in some way by the time the Collector had them under his control?” Celestia finished for him, her voice measured.

“Well...yes! That creature put most of Equestria under a powerful enchantment spell. There are some serious concerns about lingering effects...”

“Concerns that I have looked into and determined to be unfounded.” Celestia said simply.

“The Court still has its doubts. As do many of our neighbors.” Royal Herald responded.

Luna snorted, annoyance clear in her voice. “Our neighbors always have “concerns”. That has not changed in the thousand years we've been in the moon. They were also quite eager to come begging to Equestria when great evils rose in their backyards. Now they lack trust.”

“Not everyone remembers those dark days sister.” Celestia responded. “It has been a very long time.”

She paused for a moment before flicking her eyes over to Shining Armor, who had been fixing her with a very steady gaze while she had been speaking. “You have something you wish to bring up as well?”

“Well...there is the issue of the Tapir ambassador. It's the emperor himself and...”

Celestia held up a wing. “I know Placido the Magnanimous well. If he has decided to attend this conference in person, nothing we can do will convince him otherwise. Just make sure that the guard are as prepared as they can be.”

Royal Herald coughed, trying to get his monarch's attention. “So my suggestions regarding the element bearers...”

“Have been noted, but are not needed.” Celestia said simply. “Their presence is not needed for this affair and I have no intention on interrupting their movie night.”

Herald blinked. “Movie night?”

“Yes. According to Twilight, Skitch-Sketch brought back some manner of media center when she returned to Equestria. She's having Twilight and the others over tonight to show them movies from her home world.”

Herald looked like Celestia had just invited Discord over for tea. “And this is more important than the conference?”

“They are not needed for the conference. Luna and I can handle these affairs of state while Cadance deals with those nations who couldn't come in person. Now, have the lodgings for the Ivory Coast representative been completed?”

Herald sighed. “Yes. Of course some of the nobles have complained that a large shed is now taking up part of the royal gardens...”

Celestia frowned ever so slightly, finding herself wishing that she could go to movie night as well.

Skitch ran through the streets of Ponyville as fast as her legs could carry her, hooves pounding hard against the ground. Both of her firearms were suspended before her, wrapped in her magic field, ready to deliver fiery bolts of power upon her foes. Death and devastation greeted her wherever she looked.

Bon Bon's was on fire, her and Lyra's bodies crumpled outside the front door, fore-arms still wrapped around each other in death. Derpy's body was draped over the form of her daughter. Vinyl had been sliced to pieces, her body flayed open by knives. Scootaloo was hung from the rafter of a building by bloody chains. She slid around a corner, her hooves kicking up dust and small stones as she spied her end destination.

A battle raged in the town square. The Mane Six, Celestia and Luna clashing with twisted doppelgangers of themselves. Shouts and screams punctuated the roaring sounds of magical exchanges, the impact of hooves on flesh, and the explosions of Pinkie's party cannon. She raised her plasma cannon, trying to line up a shot, but the battle was far too chaotic to pick out a target.

“I'm coming girls!” She yelled taking off at top speed again.

She ran and she ran as fast as she could, but the battle never got any closer. Her legs burned from exhaustion as she pushed herself beyond her breaking point, and she still never got any closer.

And one by one, she watched her friends fall. Each body hit the ground, echoing like an explosion in her ears.

“No! No! NO!” Skitch screamed, as she watched her version of Celestia crash to the ground, the last to fall.

The distance distortion suddenly ended and Skitch was at the edge of the town square. The dark replacements to the ponies she knew standing over the remains of her friends.

The evil Twilight laughed, her glowing red and green eyes boring into Skitch, her fangs clearly visible, her horn a dagger looking red spike; a victim of King Sombra's corruption.

“Ooo. Far too late. I'm afraid.” She cackled. “Your Twilight so was hoping that you'd arrive in time.”

“SHUT UP!” Skitch yelled, as she aimed her plasma cannon right at the smug monster that dared to call herself Twilight Sparkle. She wrapped her magic around the trigger and fired.

The plasma cannon just fell apart, it's pieces hitting the ground to the sound of more raucous laughter from the evil Mane Six. Swearing, she aimed her Tesla gun next and hit it's trigger. It exploded in a flash of light, crumbling to pieces as well.

“Performance anxiety?” Twilight giggled, as she idly waved a hoof towards Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow Dash. Kill her.”

Skitch didn't even see Rainbow Dash move. One moment she was standing over the body of her good self, the next Skitch felt two long knives sink themselves into her chest, up to their handles.

“Any last words, you miserable worthless whore of a mare?” Rainbow whispered, her eyes wide and wild.

Skitch just collapsed to the ground, choking on her own blood as Pinkie Pie approached.

“Save some for me Dashie! I've never made cupcakes out of an ex human before...”

“WHAA!”

Skitch jerked awake with a shocked shout, toppling backwards off her desk chair and hitting the floor; a cloud of papers flying into the air before floating down on her. She laid on her back for a few minutes, breathing hard as the remains of the nightmare fled from her mind.

“Nightmare...just a nightmare.” She moaned as she sat up, beginning to gather up the spilled papers with her magic.

Once she had them all gathered up, she put them back in their associated file folders, before sliding those into the lower right hand drawer of the desk.

“Never eat spicy carrot soup before you start writing about evil alternate universe versions of your friends.” She muttered.

Placing her fore-hooves on the floor in front of her and arching her back she stretched out; her bones cracking and popping as she worked the kinks out. Sleeping slumped over a desk was not good for one's back.

Sighing happily at the sensation of stiffness fleeing from her body, she looked over at her crowning achievement since arriving. The Chart. The chart was a massive roll of paper that she had pinned against the far wall of her room. A collection of facts and points of divergence between the canon MLP universe and most of the fan created universes she was aware of.

A single line had been drawn through universes where the Mane Six were different ponies than the canonical cast, such as “The Lunaverse”. Much more violent squiggles had been drawn through universes that she considered to be “grimdark” in nature, such as “Cupcakes” and “The Rainbow Factory”.

From there it had descended more into the nitty gritty, adding either check or x marks next to the relevant info points. Things had hadn't been determined one way or another yet were left blank for now.

Pinned to the same wall along the left side of the chart was a collection of maps she had gotten from Twilight and the school teacher Cheerilee. They showed a much more complex view of the world than the officially released Hasbro map ever did, with many, many more nations outside the borders of Equestria, bearing names both foreign and familiar at the same time.

All of this together was reinforcing some of the thoughts that she had started to develop since her arrival. Namely, A.) That the view of Equestria that was shown back home was wrong or incomplete somehow. Or B.) that The Collector had just picked the first version of Equestria he had found and she was now in some alternate version of the universe. Either way though, it meant one glorious, glorious thing to Skitch-Sketch.

She had no idea what was going to happen next.

It was so relaxing in its own way. No need to stay up late every night wondering and worrying if she should tell the girls about what was going to happen. No doubts in the back of her mind about playing god. She was in the same boat as them and would have to deal with each change and challenge as they presented themselves. And she had made plans for some of those eventualities.

Turning her mind away from those matters for now, she headed downstairs and into her little kitchen. Grabbing a pot with her magic she filled it with cool water and placed it on the stove, letting the fire begin to bring it to a boil; as she rummaged in the fridge for breakfast.

Going with a pair of apples, she placed them on the table before grabbing a mug and placing it on the counter next to the stove. Once the pot was boiling, she pulled a brown paper bag from a cupboard shelf, adding three scoops of grinds before letting the whole mixture steep.

While she waited, her eyes drifted to the calendar that was pinned to the wall, where a red check-mark had been drawn in on the last day of the week. Today was the seventh day since her return. One whole week in her new home.

Grabbing a filter to catch the grinds, Skitch poured herself a nice and full cup of coffee as she sat at her table, taking the time to get a full whiff of the rich smell.

“Thank Celestia this stuff exists in Equestria.”

She took a long drink of of the mixture, letting the slightly bitter taste wash over her tongue before she tore into the apples.

I really need to learn to cook. Maybe Applejack can teach me some tricks?

Either way, she really wanted to add some food options other than raw fruit and vegetables to her diet. She had to counter-act the complete loss of meat in her diet with something other than coffee.

There would be time for that later though. She had plans for the day. Levitating some paper and pencils into her saddlebags of holding, Skitch slid them onto her back and trotted downstairs. It was time for some cartography! ...And shopping.

She trotted out into the streets the warm sun of a spring afternoon washing over her flanks and back. A few of the ponies she passed in the streets nodded to her in greeting, her appearance in Ponyville becoming a more normal occurrence in the town over the last week.

Skitch sketched as she walked, marking in both streets and buildings as she worked her way towards Ponyville's shops and markets. She noticed that lines were coming out a little squiggly, but she paid it no mind. Drawing in mid-air didn't give her much support after all.

Wrapped up in her mapping, she wasn't paying attention to where she was going until she bumped right into another pony.

“...Really need to stop doing that.” She thought to herself as she looked at who she bumped into.

She seemed to have run into a tan earth pony with a gray mane as she was coming out of the town bar. Skitch's brain clicked in recognition a moment later.

“Oh! I'm sorry Mayor. I was kind of wrapped up in what I was doing...”

Mayor Mare's cheeks had a slight flush to them, but she was still standing straight and seemed to be focused. She waved a hoof in a dismissive manner.

“It's all right.” Her eyes focused on Skitch's map. “What are you working on?”

“Oh.” Skitch said, smiling slightly. “I'm just finally mapping out my new home. I figure that I should get used to it.”

The mayor blinked, before laughing slightly. “Really? You don't need to do that. Follow me.”

Skitch blinked, but decided not to argue as she followed Mayor Mare to town hall. She watched as the Mayor poked around in some drawers of her desk, before pulling out what looked like a map of Ponyville.

“I should have given this too you at Pinkie's party. We had a bunch of them printed up for new arrivals to Ponyville, but we've not had too many. Just you and Twilight, really.” She explained.

“Thanks Mayor.” Skitch said as she floated it into her and opened it up. “This will really come in handy.”

“Think nothing of it.” She replied as she dug out some more papers. “Though, so long as you're here...” Sliding the papers across the desk, she continued to talk. “I'd like to make your immigration to Ponyville official. For the records and everything.”

“Sure thing, mayor.”

Most of the form looked rather standard for this kind of thing. Name, gender, current address, that sort of thing. That was all easy to fill out. The more difficult question came from the previous residence section. She glanced at Mayor Mare when she came to that section.

“How honest do you want me to be here?”

She shrugged. “I don't see much point in being coy here. You're somewhat well known, in Ponyville at least, for what happened in Canterlot.”

“Fair point, that.” Skitch nodded as she filled in that section, before sliding the paperwork back over to the mayor.

She scanned the document, nodding to herself as she did before coming to the line about “next of kin”. “Ahh. Still have living family, I see.” She paused for a moment. “If I'm not prying, can I ask how they took...” She waved a hoof at Skitch, letting that question finish asking itself.

“As well as they could have, all things considered.” Skitch answered.

“Well, if they ever decide to come and visit you here, can you let me know ahead of time?”

“I don't think that it'll come up, but if it does, you'll be the third to know. Right after the princesses.”

Mayor Mare nodded as she slid the form back into the drawer. “Well, that's all I needed. Enjoy the rest of your day Skitch-Sketch.”

Skitch thanked the mayor for her time and trotted out of the town hall and headed across town towards the markets and shops, floating a list out of her saddlebags as she went. She had a decent amount of supplies to bring in before the others arrived tonight. First stop on the list was Bon Bon's Confectionery.

Waves of different scents washed over Skitch as she stepped into the candy shop. Sweet and tangy fruit smells mixed with the more bitter tones of chocolate and caramel, all blended together with the smell of raw sugar.

Bon Bon was re-arranging a few trays of candy and glanced up when Skitch entered. The barest of frowns crossed her face for a moment before her salespony smile returned and she nodded to the unicorn.

“Afternoon Skitch-Sketch. What can I do for you?”

“I need some sweets for a little party I'm throwing tonight.” Skitch replied as she scanned the trays and dishes of candy. “I was thinking some fruit flavored stuff just for eating and then some chocolate and caramel squares to melt down and dip apple slices in.”

Bon Bon couldn't help but smirk at that as she began to round up the requested candy. “Trying to give Pinkie a run for her money?”

“Pfft. I'm no where near that insane. There just might be up to nine ponies there.”

“Nine?” Bon Bon asked, eyebrow raised.

“Well,” Skitch said. “I had wanted to extend the invitation to you and and Lyra, if you wanted to come.”

Bon Bon looked surprised at the offer, almost dropping the bag of chocolate squares she had just grabbed. “Us? Why?”

“You two were technically the first ponies I sold a painting to when I first came here. So..uhh...it seemed like the right offer to make, really.”

Bon Bon looked at Skitch oddly for a moment before nodding slowly and sliding the bags of candy over to her.

“All right. I'll run it past Lyra. I'm sure she'll probably want to show up for the chance of seeing something new.”

Skitch grinned back as she floated some bits over and then tucked the candy into her saddlebags. “I'll see you around five-ish then.”

The rest of the shopping had gone simply enough. The ingredients to make dough had been acquired first, followed by some fresh ripe tomatoes and other spices. Then it was onto other produce, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. She was also glad to see that cheese was something that ponies still ate, as that was added to the bags. All of that would be part of the main course. After that it was a quick trot over to Applejack's stand.

The orange mare was busy selling the first harvest of the spring to passing ponies. While Skitch was quite glad that she had wound up as a unicorn, she couldn't help but be amazed how the innate magical talent of earth ponies could make crops grow in record time compared to human farmers.

“Afternoon AJ! Got some apples for me?”

The earth pony smiled back. “Sure do sugarcube! Ya look excited for tanight.”

“Sure am!” Skitch nodded. “Looking forward to sharing a bit of my home with you girls.”

“We appreciate it. Ah'm gonna be interested to see what movies look like from yer world.” She motioned a hoof towards a bag of apples. “That one's yours.”

Skitch nodded and just floated the whole thing into her own bag, Applejack's eyes going a little wide as the lip actually stretched to accommodate the full bag of apples.

“What in Equestria are those bags?” She asked.

“Oh! Remember that staff we found in the remains of the fake pony?”

Applejack nodded.

“I actually managed to find the wizard it belonged to during my whole attempt to return all the things The Collector stole. He repaid me by making me these beauties, Saddlebags of Holding! Each one can hold up to fifteen hundred pounds and two hundred and fifty cubic feet of stuff.” Skitch grinned as she twisted slightly to show them off.

“Well...that's right convenient. Don't suppose I could maybe borrow them at some point?”

“Fine by me. You'd just have to give me a heads up on when you'd want it. See you tonight then?”

“Sure thing!”

Humming to herself she trotted back to her shop, a distinct spring in her steps as she planned out the night. With any luck tonight would be a strong step towards moving her friendship with the mane six past a fangirl infatuation. Building bonds in her new home.

Unloading the groceries in the kitchen and dropping her saddlebags on the kitchen table, Skitch-Sketch hummed to herself as she checked the time. Three hours to go. Plenty of time to get everything put together. Trotting up to her room, she stopped in front of what she considered to be her crowning acquisition from her time bouncing between different realities.

To someone from earth, it would have had a superficial resemblance to a futuristic plasma screen TV made out of gray aluminium. Closer inspection would have revealed the disk slot on its base, and the detachable tablet that slotted neatly into its side. A toy from the twenty fourth century, crammed with an archive of human media that most videophiles would kill to have.

“Computer.” Skitch spoke calmly, the system coming to life at the sound of her voice. “Transfer recipes for pizza dough and marinara sauce to the tablet please.”

Once the confirmation chirp reached her ears Skitch picked the whole affair up and floated it downstairs, placing it in the main room before pulling the tablet out and heading back into the kitchen.

She read and re-read the instructions about three times before beginning. The extent of her cooking skills back on earth had tended towards using the microwave. In Equestira, or at least Ponyville, that wasn't an option.

Yeast and sugar were mixed together in warm water, before she began to add in the flour. Slowly mixing the concoction she watched as it grew thicker and thicker.

“Well, that looks like dough to me.” She muttered after a bit of mixing sprinkling some flour on the counter to kneed it out. Unicorn telekinesis was coming naturally to her these days so it didn't take her long to get the dough ready before draping a cool cloth over it to let it rise.

“Right! Marinara sauce now.” She said as she glanced at the clock. Two and a half hours to go.

Following the directions she gave the tomatoes a quick blanch to make the skins easier to peel and then began working the skins off of them as she continued to read the directions.

“Squeeze peeled tomatoes to make sauce base. Should be doable.”

Wrapping her magic field around the mass of peeled tomatoes, she gave them a firm telekinetic squeeze to pulp them down.

...And was promptly hit in the face by a squirt of tomato juice. Sputtering more in shock than anything else, she dropped the assorted mess into a bowl and grabbed a towel to clean off.

“Back stabbing tomatoes.” She half grumbled, half chuckled as she turned back to her preparations.

Picking out the tomato seeds the best she could, spices and garlic were added to the mix next before she stirred it up. The rest of the produce was then sliced up for toppings. She glanced at the clock again. Still over two hours before her friends would be showing up.

Time to get the downstairs ready.

The easels had all been folded up and tucked next to the artists rack and a long table (borrowed from the Cakes) had been set up near the left wall. Her future entertainment center had been moved to the right wall and she had scattered no less than ten pillows around it in a semi-circle for ponies to lay on.

With five minutes to go before her friends were to arrive, Skitch began to carry the fruits of her labor out to the refreshment table, a cheerful look on her face and a tune on her lips.

I gotta feeling, that tonight's gonna be a good night.
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night!

She levitated her two handmade pizzas into place on wide plates, before dropping two bowls of sliced apples down next to them.

Tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night!

She floated the bowls of candy, both melted and solid out next, arranging them in front of the apples. They were soon joined by a plate of carrots, and a small cask of root beer but plenty of room was left for any snacks, food or drink that her friends would bring.

I know that we'll have a ball
If we kick back and stay in and just watch it all
I feel stressed out, I wanna let it go
Let's chill out, kick back and lose all control!

Trotting back across the room towards the pile of pillows she stood up on her hind legs, fore-arms raised into the air, letting the last few lines of her song play out.

Tonight's gonna be a good, good night
Wooohoooooo!

Letting herself fall backwards onto her pillow, she stared at the ceiling for a few moments before the sound of a knock on her front door called her back to her hooves. Throwing the door open she was greeted by the sight of eight ponies and one baby dragon.

“Hey girls, and Spike.” Skitch beamed. “Come on in, I got snacks, food and drinks inside. Lyra, Bon Bon, glad you two could make it as well.”

“Are you kidding?” Lyra said as the group trotted inside. “There's no way I'm going to miss the chance to see the kinds of movies humans made!”

Bon Bon rolled her eyes. “That's my marefriend. Attracted to the weird.”

“I'll have you know that human cinema is some of the best on my planet.” Skitch-Sketch said a smirk on her face.

“Aren't humans the only species that makes movies on your planet?” Twilight asked.

“Exactly. Really cuts down on the competition.”

An appreciative chuckle swept the room as Applejack added a small cask of cider to the table, and Pinkie Pie slid a plate of cookies next to the other sweets.

“So,” Applejack asked as she took a seat on a pillow. “What kinda movies are ya gonna show us tonight? They got westerns on earth?”

“Ooo! Ooo!” Pinkie bounced in place. “How about something funny?! With jokes and laughter and zaniness!”

“I'd like to see something historical.” Twilight interjected as she laid down. “I'd like to put some images to all those books of notes in the library. And I thin...”

“Action!” Rainbow Dash cut across Twilight's sentence as she took her seat. “Something with a lot of fights! Ooo! Or how about something scary?”

“Umm...” Fluttershy squeaked out. “If you have any movies with animals in them I'd like to see those. If it's not too much trouble.”

“Anything more slice of life, dear?” Rarity asked as she nestled down on her pillow. She glanced over at Lyra and Bon Bon, who were snuggling together. “Or something romantic?”

“Well,” Skitch responded. “I kind of pictured this clash of tastes. And there's so many different kinds from over fifty plus years of cinema, that I didn't want to just pick for you. Soo...” Her horn glowed as she floated a large bowl into view from behind the entertainment center.

“I wrote as many different films as I could remember. We can probably fit in a pair of films tonight. You'll make some picks, if the same genre of film gets picked twice one goes back into the pot and draw again. Sound fair?”

There was a general nod of agreement from the assembled crowd. Skitch nodded, giving the bowl a nice little shake before floating it over to Lyra. “First pick's all yours.”

A beaming grin on her face, Lyra's own horn lit up as she felt around in the bowl before pulling out a strip of paper and reading it. “Looks like I got something called “Star Wars: A New Hope”. And then you have sci-fi in parentheses next to that.”

“Ahh! One of my favorites.” Skitch grinned. “Looks like science fiction is off the list for the night.” She floated the bowl in front of the group again. “Who wants to pick next?”

“I will!” Twilight spoke up as her horn glowed.

Twilight likewise drew from the bowl. Her eyes went wide and a grin crossed her face as she read the result. “Ooo! I got something historical! “The Ghost and The Darkness.” Historical and...horror?”

“Ahh.” Skitch said, laughing slightly. “Yeah. I think we'll save that one for last. I'll have to give some context on that one....Still! Grab some grub while I get this flick started.”

As drinks and food began to be passed out, Skitch couldn't help but smile to herself. This was going to be a good night.

Canterlot's great hall was bustling. Half of the nobles in the city were here for the presentation of the delegates and the pre-meeting mingle. Celestia was in her full royal regalia, as was Luna. Both the sisters were sitting in their thrones at the end of the hall, the assembled nobles gathered up along either side of the long red carpet that the delegates would enter via.

Luna looked stoic, but Celestia could sense her sibling's aggravation. She never did have much patience for the affairs of state that were of a more preening nature. Still for the first world congress in forty years, Celestia had decided to do things by the book. All the world's eyes were on Canterlot and Equestria these days.

Shining Armor was in his position to Luna's left, his eyes scanning the room for any last minute holes in his security. To her right, Royal Herald's horn glowed as he wove a voice amplification spell upon him and unrolled his scroll.

“Mares and gentlestallions, lords and ladies!” He spoke, his voice echoing through the room with magically augmented crystal clarity. “The rulers of sun and moon hereby call the Eighth World Congress of Canterlot, so that the nations of the world may discuss the issues of the day clearly and openly.”

A round of polite applause rippled through the crowd as the nobles gently stomped their hooves on the floor.

“We now welcome the delegates with Equestrian hospitality, Equestrian warmth and Equestrian friendship.”

The great double doors to the great hall creaked open at this point as Royal Herald began to introduce the delegates.

“Representing the Duchy of Hollstein, Countess Hendrika Lifeflower!”

The cow delegate slowly and calmly walked down the red carpet, bowing her head every so often to the assembled ponies. Her red dress was embroidered with a simple gold trim and her expression was one of warmth. After coming to the end of the carpet she bowed to Celestia and Luna before turning left and moving into the crowd.

“Representing Brayton, Count Amando the Great!

The young donkey entered the room with a great deal of swagger to his steps. He was dressed simply, no more than a red sash to indicate his badge of office, and his mane cropped neatly and short between his ears. That didn't stop him from flashing wide smiles and winks towards a few of the more pretty looking mares in attendance.

Celestia kept her mask of state clearly on her face, but internally she wanted to roll her eyes. Everything she had heard about Amando was that he was an absolutely shameless flirt towards anything beautiful and female. And in a pinch, the former could slide. Hitting the edge of the carpet he gave a very over dramatic bow before turning to the right and moving into the crowd.

“Representing the North Griffon Confederation, General Ironfeather!”

General Ironfeather was the first to enter with an honor guard as he was flanked by two very no-nonsense looking griffons. The general also wore a sash, this one gleaming with medals from successful military campaigns, the red contrasting greatly with his iron gray features. While his guard looked straight ahead, his eyes scanned and darted about the room, probing for weakness. Upon reaching the end of the carpet he gave a slight bow and marched off to the left.

“Representing the Kingdom of Elkienhiem, Count Axal Winterbite, Lord High Chancellor of Elkienhiem!”

The elk delegate was as tall as Celestia looming over the assembled ponies as he strode down the aisle with purpose, his eyes locked directly on Luna. He wore a deep blue sash, and a simple white collar that clung tightly to his neck. The most striking feature, however, were the engraved silver caps he had attached to the points of his antlers. Upon reaching the end of his march, he bowed once to Celestia and then purposefully snubbed Luna as he turned to the right and marched into the crowd.

“Representing the Buffalo Tribes, Little Strongheart!”

Celestia raised an eyebrow ever so slightly as the young buffalo marched down the carpet, wearing an elaborate headdress. She was surprised that the chiefs had sent a young warrior such as this to the congress. Were they not taking it seriously? She reached the end of the carpet, bowed, and marched to the left.

“Representing the Republic of Dromedus, Lord Hei!”

The camel delegate walked down the aisle in a slow, dignified manner, a fez perched neatly on his head. He bowed his head graciously to each pony as he passed, radiating the kind of calm smile from someone in control of his situation. Celestia was quite sure that he was already working the angles in his head. Dromedian merchants were some of the cleverest and most patient she had met. His bow was long and deep before he broke off to the right.

“Representing the allied kingdoms of Zebrica, the Ivory Coast, and Regula, Duchess Zelenia, Consular Cornelius, and General Firetail. “

A slight gasp echoed through the room as the allied delegates entered, partially due to their exotic nature, and partially due to the figure at the lead. The group consisted of a zebra, an elephant and...a lioness.

General Firetail, so named because of the bright shock of red fur at the end of her tail, wore a green sash and nodded gracefully to the assembled ponies as she passed. The smile on her face was very warm and regal, which may have made her presence a little more unnerving to some of the nobles. Griffons were a somewhat known factor to Equestrian nobility, but now another predator delegate was here and from a part of the world most of them had never been too.

Zelenia's face was an impassive mask, as she played up the whole “mystic” angle that swirled around zebras since the arrival of Zecora to the Everfree. She wore an elegant looking green cloak and not much else.

Consular Cornelius was probably fighting with General Firetail the most for attention. The gray skinned giant loomed over even Celestia, his long tusks making him look more fearsome than he really was. He wore a dark gray coat with a red collar, and had a pair of glasses perched precariously before his eyes. The trio bowed as one before heading to the left.

Celestia's smile grew a little wider. If the nobles of Canterlot had been shocked by that grouping, they hadn't seen anything yet.

“Representing The Free Hive of Venexia, Princess Rosewater.”

A much more pronounced gasp filled the room this time as a Changeling stepped into view her black carapace glinting in the light. Her eyes were a rich pink color and had full pupils, unlike the solid color that drones sported. That and the crooked horn that rose from her head signified that she would be a future hive queen. She didn't wear much, just a simple badge that looked like it had been hooked into her carapace. It showed a twisted red ribbon on a green background. She bowed quickly before walking to the right.

“Representing the Empire of Taperia, Emperor Placido II the Magnanimous!”

The elder tapir walked down the aisle looking rather unconcerned about much of anything. He wore a pale green jacket, and sported a full white beard that added to his dignified appearance. He gave a simple bow to Celestia before stepping to the left.

“Representing the Raj of Inj, Lord Ananth and his wife Amrita!”

Another wave of uncomfortable shifting rippled through the crowd of noble ponies as the pair of tigers strode down the carpet. Their sleek, muscled forms were bedecked in silk sashes, and glittery golden jewelry that was studded with gems.

And then there was their body language. Where General Ironfeather was focused and disciplined, and General Firetail was calm and comforting, Ananth and Amrita were smug and intimidating. With each step they let their claws naturally extend their eyes scanning the crowd, smug smiles on their faces. There was a brief bow at the end of the carpet before turning right.

“And our final delegate for these proceedings, representing the Kingdom of Boda, Lama Choejor!”

Choejor strode in, the shaggy looking yak's horns adorned with charms and symbols of good fortune. He was the most clothed of the delegates, wearing full flowing orange robes over his silvery-gray fur. He bowed deeply, the charms ringing slightly at the dip of his shaggy head. He broke to the left, bringing the procession to an end as the crowd began to break up and engage in general milling about and chatter.

Celestia and Luna climbed down from their thrones, moving to the crowd to begin the necessary duties of state, Celestia running over the list of countries that had opted to not send delegates. Saddle Arabia, Neighpon, the middle kingdoms of Wei, Wu and Shu, and the city states of Minos, to name a few, all had opted to not send anycreature. She hoped that Cadance would have more luck on her end.

Keeping her expression locked in her usual serene mask, Celestia turned her mind towards the business of politics. Now just to make it to dinner.

As the final scene of A New Hope faded away Skitch stretched slightly and turned her head to look at the reactions on the faces of her fellow viewers.

“So...what did you all think?” She asked with a nervous grin.

“That...was...awesome!” Rainbow shouted, her wings beating with enthusiasm. “Han Solo is so cool! How fast do you think that ship really goes compared to my Sonic Rainboom? And those glowing swords! So, awesome!”

“Ah don't know. Isn't the Empire still around and everythin? They did only destroy one thing. Seems like a heck thing to forget.”

“Well, there are two more films in the trilogy AJ. That gets addressed then.”

“Ahh. Well, that makes sense then. Ah'd say I liked it then.”

“The Force kind of reminded me of unicorn magic.” Twilight said as she tilted her head to the side in thought. “But humans don't have a special talent...” She trailed off as she pulled out a notebook and began to scribble a few notes down.

“...Twilight, are you taking notes on Star Wars?” Skitch blinked and incredulous look crossing her face.

“Of course! Fiction says a great deal about a culture.”

“You can't turn it off, can you?”

“Total. Egghead.” Dash snickered.

“I have to admit.” Bon Bon commented from her own seat. “I enjoyed that more than I thought I would. Not what I was expecting.”

Skitch raised an eyebrow as she thought that one over. “What were you expecting?”

Bon Bon shrugged. “I dunno. Something...alien, I guess? I don't really know.”

Skitch sighed slightly as she shifted on her pillow, her doubt on showing the other movie beginning to grow in her mind. She was just about to suggest that they pick something else when Pinkie spoke up.

“So, Skitch, going to start the other one?” Pinkie asked.

“Right...okay. So, this next one is actually somewhat based on actual events. ...Not a period of earth history that I'm all that proud of I will admit. And it is about a pair of lions that hunted and killed people...sooo, anypony that would want to call it quits for the night now, I wouldn't blame...”

“Skitch.” Fluttershy interjected, her soft voice cutting through the unicorns rambling surprisingly well. “It's just a movie. I think that we'll be able to handle it. And...well, I would like to see one of the ways your people viewed lions. If that's okay with you.”

Skitch's mouth hung open for a moment before she nodded. “Okay, Flutters. Computer, play The Ghost and the Darkness.”

An oppressive silence hung over the royal dining hall of Canterlot castle. The first course had been served- a rich onion soup for everyone, and a spicy chicken affair for General Ironfeather, Ananth, and his wife - and the delegates were mostly eating over occasional glances at each other. The intent was to discuss matters of state over dinner. Celestia found that the relaxed atmosphere was more conducive to talking, but everyone was on edge tonight.

Celestia could almost taste the underlying current of fear that filled the room. Not that she could really blame them. When she thought back to how The Collector had managed to take control of her and Luna, it was hard to not shudder. She was grateful that his plans were specific enough that he hadn't just started ordering her to bring the sun down on the world.

The delegates had been joined by Prince Blueblood, who was here to represent the concerns of the Equestrian noble houses. His presence combined with that of Advisor Cornelius lead to a very crowded table.

“Thank you all for coming.” Celestia began, keeping her expression warm and friendly. “I am hoping that we can discuss some plans of action in light of the defeat of The Collector. I am concerned that his attempt to drain the power of the world may have damaged the wards and defences that we have used to lock away some of the threats from the Era of Nightmares. We would ask for your cooperation in making sure that none of these threats that were locked away in the ancient days escape again.”

Countess Hendrika spoke first. “While I do agree that this is important, I am unsure what you expect the Dutchy to do. None of your ancient evils were locked beneath our lands, and we are not a warlike or magically inclined people.”

“Yes.” Lord Hei chimed in. “Dromedus is likewise ill equipped for such engagements. We are traders. The best we could offer would be material support. However, if certain cultural artifacts were returned to us...”

“Oh, Lord Hei,” Celestia smiled back, “it is still the policy of Equestria that any historical artifacts lost during the Era of Nightmares if found on our soil, are to be returned to their rightful owners as soon as possible.”

The implied subtext hung in the air for a moment as the camel frowned slightly before nodding and returning to his soup. Celestia flicked her eyes around the table again. Cards were still being played close at the moment, though Emperor Placido seemed to have become infatuated with his soup spoon. Of more immediate concern to the monarch was the look of loathing that Lord Ananth was shooting General Firetail.

“How does it feel to deny your natural birthright and eat like a grazer?”

For her part General Firetail just fixed the tiger with a calm look. “It's called diplomacy and stewardship. Perhaps your people should try it. The non predators of your lands might stop cowering in fear.”

“The ponies and cows of our lands live perfectly well, without having to shackle ourselves with ritual magic to weaker nations.”

“Weaker?” Cornelious rumbled. “Foolish to assume that we are weak, just because we are slow to violence. Our unity improves us. Makes us unbreakable.”

“And being able to eat plants is such an important part of that, I'm sure.”

“Please, my friends.” Celestia said. “Let us discuss the matters before us instead of snipe at each other. The after effects of The Collector's actions and the possible fallout it might have on the world need to be addressed.”

That statement focused their attention again, General Ironfeather coughing before he spoke.

“Yes. We would ask for some greater clarity on the events that occurred. This...Collector creature is dead, yes? And his pawn has left?”

“The Collector has been banished.” Celestia said simply. “As far as Skitch-Sketch is concerned...”

Prince Blueblood spoke up. “The creature known as Skitch-Sketch has since returned to Ponyville. The Element of Laughter threw one of her famous “parties” for her.”

The moods of several delegates immediately dropped, looks of horror crossing their faces. Celestia glanced at Blueblood for the quickest of moments, registering the smug look on his face at his sudden revelation.

“So...not only is the monster that almost destroyed the world is still possibly alive out there, but that the other abomination is now living in the same town as the bearers of your Elements of Harmony?” General Ironfeather hissed.

“Abomination? Come now general. Skitch-Sketch fought against The Collector and almost died in the attempt. If she meant this world harm, she's had plenty of opportunity to so do.”

“Isn't your assumption based on the idea that her goals are the same as The Collector?” Count Amando proposed. “She is a creature from beyond our time and space. It would be foolish to assume that her motives are the same as ours.”

“I spoke to her. She seemed quite normal to me.” Celestia countered.

“Yes, but we have no reason to trust you on that.” Count Axal said simply as he took another bite of his soup.

Celestia was taken aback by the elk's bluntness. “Pardon?”

“Celestia, your decisions have been suspect for some time now. Ever since you supported the efforts of that bug colony.”

Rosewater's wings buzzed with an angry thrum at the slur, her lips pulling back and baring her fangs. “We are a free hive! We do not steal love and life like those still enslaved to the likes of Queen Chrysalis.”

“Words, like gems,” Amrita purred. “Are quite capable of being fake. And Changelings spread deception like a farmer spreads seeds.”

“Yes. I spread deception while sitting here, in my actual form, having onion soup. Surely the wickedness of we changelings knows no bounds! And now I shall double my evil plans by asking for extra croutons!” She turned to one of the servers her voice loosing it's sarcastic edge. “If it's not to much trouble.”

Celestia had to suppress her desire to giggle at the look of sheer confusion on the server's face as he nodded and trotted for the kitchens. Amirta looked more annoyed that her attempt to dig at Rosewater had failed to truly get under her carapace. Sometimes it seemed like sarcasm was just another weapon for the changeling.

Axal frowned as he spoke again, trying to regain control of the situation. “I still question your judgment. You let this creature just wander about the same town as the wielders of the most powerful weapons of defence this world has. They could be getting corrupted as we speak.”

“I do not believe Skitch-Sketch is capable of “corrupting” anyone.”

“Then you are either a liar or a fool.”

Luna slammed her fore-hooves on the table, her ears flicked back in anger, her face twisted in a snarl.

“Thou dare call our sister a liar? Thou slander her by calling her a fool?”

“Yes I do, Nightmare Moon.”

“We are no longer Nightmare Moon! Thou double thy insults and slander!”

“Luna...be calm.” Celestia said as she gently put a hoof on her side.

“Elkenhiem has never forgotten the first reign of Nightmare Moon, brief though it was.” The delegates voice was even, but full of hidden menace. “Your family connections may have given you reprieve for your actions in Equestria, but our people will never forget the fact that we have a scant two month growing season for our crops thanks to you!”

Luna and Axal stared each other down; the elk haughty and nose turned up, the disdain quite evident on his face, Luna's wings spread wide, her face still locked in a snarl as she glared right back.

The sound of General Ironfeather drumming his claws on the table punctuated the scene a slightly smug smile playing across his beak.

“To be frank, Celestia, even the issues of your sister aside, you were under the control of one of these human creatures. There is no way to know if he left any kind of lingering control that this other human could exploit. And your bleeding heart blinds you on this matter.”

Pushing himself away from the table, he ruffled his feathers before looking to Celestia. “Tell the servers that I will have the rest of my meal in my room. The North Griffon Confederation considers these discussions closed.”

As he strode towards the doors, Ananth and his wife likewise left. The tiger looked back at Celestia, his expression one of mocking pity. “My wife and I will be taking our leave. My apologies to your kitchen staff for the extra work, but the Raj is quite capable of handling it's own internal affairs.”

Count Axal shot one last glance towards Luna before stalking to the door and turning his head to look at Celestia. “While you are a kind ruler Celestia, Elkenhiem has no desire to engage in diplomatic relations so long as Nightmare Moon is part of your court and you are so foolish.”

As the elk left, Celestia sighed to herself. Things were off to a great start so far.

“I'm going...to sort it out.”

The ponies winced as the sound of gunshots rung out from the screen as Val Kilmer walked into the final confrontation of the movie. Skitch winced herself. Less from the scene in the movie- she had seen it before after all- but more from the death grip that Fluttershy had around her midsection while she buried her face into Skitch's side.

“Flutters...you're hurting me.”

“I'm sorry! It's just scary! I was wrong!”

“Just...let go...please.”

Fluttershy shifted her hooves but kept her position cowering behind Skitch as Val Kilmer managed to kill the second of the man eating lions of Tsavo. The mood was much more subdued as the credits ran this time, the sound of Twilight scribbling the main thing that came to her ears.

“So...I'm guessing this one didn't go over as well as Star Wars did.”

“I dunno. I liked it!” Rainbow said. “It was a horror movie. Horror movies are supposed to be scary.”

“Those poor lions...” Fluttershy whimpered. “if only they could talk. Maybe they could have worked something out...”

“Humans in that movie seemed more like a buncha bullies for the most part.”

“Well...that was the British Empire for you. Kind of had a tendency to throw their weight around.” Skitch finished lamely.

“Well,” Twlight said as she got to her hooves and stretched. “it is pretty late. Thanks for the evening Skitch, but I think we all should be getting back home.”

“Yeah. I got plenty of chores to do at the farm tomorrow. Thanks for havin us Skitch.”

“Any time AJ. Do we wanna try for doing this again next week?” She asked, hope clear in her voice.

The assembled ponies exchanged looks, before looking at Skitch again.

“Ah don't think so Skitch. Weekly is a bit much for a party night like this. How about we get together again in another two weeks though?”

Skitch smiled back. “I'd like that.”

“Then let's make it a date, darling.” Rarity added.

As her friends filed out for the night, Skitch smiled to herself as she began to clean up. Tonight had been a good night.

Luna paced through the corridors of Canterlot, her wings still twitching in anger and frustration over how the dinner had gone. She hadn't made it to the end, excusing herself while Celestia finished the negotiations. Axal's words still rung in her ears and itched under her fur.

Nightmare Moon...

“We are not!” She hissed stomping the floor as she continued to pace, tears threatening to escape her eyes. “The Elements fixed us. Why won't they see it?!”

She paused outside an old set of double wooden doors deep in the maze of chambers beneath Canterlot. An image of a golden ring was emblazoned on the door, slightly tarnished from age.

Pushing the doors open with a hoof Luna stepped into the empty chamber. It was half library half meeting hall in nature, dominated by a massive circular oak table in the middle of the room and shelves full of books along the walls. A fine layer of dust covered every surface of the room, it's long disuse quite evident.

Walking across the room- her hoof falls muffled by the plush red carpet- she cast her eyes towards the series of paintings that overlooked the table. The first one was the largest, painted immediately after Discord's defeat, showing Celestia and Luna at the head of a massive marble table that was surrounded with representatives from the other races; so much so that it was almost overflowing. Even through her anger she couldn't help but smirk at the togas everypony was wearing. Hard to believe that was the fashion fifteen hundred years ago.

She scanned down the successive paintings watching the number of delegates at each world congress dwindle away as the ages marched on, bonds forged during the fear of Discord's reign crumbling as the era of nightmares continued.

Her eyes fell on the last painting on the wall, her heart almost breaking. The date on it's small golden plaque came from a year after she had been banished away to the moon. Celestia sat stoicly at the head of the table, Luna's seat empty, a scant handful of delegates filling the rest of the seats of the now wooden table.

Sighing to herself she began to channel, a soft glow settling over the surfaces of the room as she began to whisk the dust away. After a few minutes of work she had the room back to a more presentable state.

“Lulu?” Came the soft voice of her sister from the doorway.

Celestia observed the room as she walked inside looking pleased. “It seems that you beat me to getting this room ready again. It's been quite a bit since I came here.”

“We could tell.” Luna responded. “Did the negotiations go better once we left?”

“I'm afraid not. Hollstien and Brayton both promised their support, but I have my doubts.”

Luna snorted as she looked back at the paintings. “We feel helpless sister. We are so deeply sorry for the fate we inflicted upon Elkienhiem while Nightmare Moon. But we can't fix it! We can't even walk through dreams without additional magic aid anymore. We are too weak.”

Celestia nuzzled her sister.

“Oh, Luna. Your magic will return to you and I'm sure that with enough effort we'll be able to convince the elk to allow us to help.”

Luna sighed, leaning her head against her sister's side as the pair looked up at the paintings on the wall.

“We have been gone for so long...are any of the old alliances still intact? Or is Equestria truly alone in the world now?”

Celestia smiled as she motioned her head towards the doors. “See for yourself sister.”

Luna looked towards the doors blinking at the sight of some of the delegates that walked into the ballroom. General Firetail, Duchess Zelenia, and Consular Cornelius lead the way, flanked by Princess Rosewater and Emperor Placido.

“Some still stand with us.” Celestia said simply as she walked over to them.

The first thing that Luna noticed was that the tapir emperor was acting far more lucid than she had seen him acting at any point during the night so far. Gone was the airy, wandering quality, and now he stood straight and at attention. Facing Luna, he bowed to her.

“A pleasure to finally meet you face to face, Princess Luna. Please forgive my earlier displays. Just the games of state.”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “By playing the buffoon?”

The tapir just winked at her as he took his seat at the table. “Other rulers underestimate the fool. I use that to my advantage.”

The other delegates all carried small crystal orbs that they inserted into small grooves in front of each seat. Magical power flowed from each orb as images flowed into being in each of the associated seats as connections were made with their companion orbs scattered across the globe. Luna regarded each image carefully as she put names to faces she had studied since awakening.

King Regulus was an older, but still quite regal looking lion. There was some gray in his mane but his form was still well muscled, presumably from exercise and combat practice. His expression was a calculating one, but one tempered with wisdom as well.

By contrast King Halia was a younger zebra, newly risen to the throne of his part of the tripartite nation. His mane was cut straight, and short and his oddly stylized zebra cutie-mark seemed to resemble a shield.

King Babar was the middle of the three in terms of age, and much like his adviser loomed over everyone else at the table. His expression was kind and inquisitive as he gazed around at the rest of the group.

Queen Magnolia had the typical intimidating look of most changelings, but it was tempered by the orange flowers she kept in her mane at all times. They matched her eyes and helped make her look more approachable.

Celestia smiled as she took her seat, Luna following close behind.

“I am glad to see you all. The world will need our support, strength and guile more now than ever before. And we will face those issues together.”

She looked to Luna, nodding to her sister. “Luna, the oath, if you could?”

Luna was taken aback for a moment. It had been a very long time since she had been asked to lead the oath of Celestia's unity of rulers. Not since before she was Nightmare Moon. Still she bowed her head and began to speak, her fellows likewise bowing their heads.

“Join us, fellow monarchs. Join us as we watch over the fates of our people and guide them towards peace and prosperity. Join us as we fight against the horrors that threaten them. Join us as we rule with strength, honor, wisdom and kindness. For as go our morals, so go we and so do our charges suffer. So say we all.”

“So say we all.” Came the assembled reply.

“Now,” Celestia said. “we need to begin to check some of the possible outbreaks of the things that were locked away during the Age of Nightmares. Regulus...is Daring Do still in your lands?”

“Finishing up a tour over the release of the latest book based on her exploits.” He raised an eyebrow. “You're thinking Dromedus?”

“Someone needs to watch the sands for Akhem the Twice Cursed. And her skill as an archaeologist gives her a ready made cover for operations in that area. More so if she has support from nations other than Equestria.”

Regulus nodded. “We can back your play Celestia. Support her with some of our own archaeologists to make it an international force.”

Celestia looked to Queen Magnolia. “Any movement from Chrysalis?”

“My spies tell me what she's sending out feelers right now, more trying to work out what happened. She will be cautious, most likely. She's never been struck at in this matter before.”

“Hmm. While keeping tabs on Chrysalis is important, I do need some spies for a special assignment. Can you spare any of them?”

She thought for a moment. “Most of my spies are currently occupied. But, two of my more talented retired sets of eyes have been acting as love gatherers in Ponyville. I'm sure they would be willing to do both of us this favor.”

Celestia thought for a moment, before a look of recognition crossed her face.“Ahh. You speak of Roseluck and Cherry Berry, yes? I met them at the Summer Sun Celebration last year. They will do just fine. I need them to relocate to Brayton for now.”

“Grogar?” Magnolia asked.

“It was where he last operated.” Celestia frowned. “And we were never able to find him after that last battle...”

“What about Discipline, up in the griffon lands?” Placido asked. “What agents do we have in play there?”

“There are some griffons that still remember the old ties and that have worked closely with ponies in the past. I'll send a message to her via the usual channels.”

“Then it seems that we have our initial plans into place.” Regulus commented. “We shall put them into motion and assist each other along the way.”

Celestia nodded. “To work then.”

Blueblood sighed as he closed the door to his home and walked into the sitting room, where some of his follow conspirators were also waiting.

Jet Set and Upper Crust sat together, near the fireplace. Jet Set was reading a paper, his dark blue eyes going over the same report on the events of The Collector's attack yet again, looking for any other details he could extract. Upper Crust just cradled a glass of wine in one hoof, looking thoroughly annoyed.

A new arrival to their little conspiracy, Nouveau Riche sat on his own, tapping a hoof against the armrest as he overlooked a mess of bank documents. His light brown coat was a contrast to his light gray mane and tail, a neatly trimmed beard and moustache around his mouth. His cutie-mark was a large and shiny new gold bit.

“Well.” Blueblood said. “The bomb has been dropped. The delegates acted about as well expected. Three whole groups stormed out.”

Upper Crust smiled as she took a drink of wine. “Excellent. Celestia's cage needed to be rattled. She's playing far too fast and loose with the security of our kingdom. Now to drive the human away.”

“I believe I have a way to begin that.” Nouveau Riche interjected holding up a sheet of paper. “I discovered something.”

“Do tell.” Blueblood said as he sat down.

“Well, up until now, we've assumed that the building she's living in was created wholesale by The Collector. But that never entirely sat right with me. It's easier to transform something, than to create something from thin air, after all.”

“Since her return, I've been going over the records of every house lot in Ponyville. And imagine my surprise when I discovered a deed for another house in the spot where her's is now.”

Jet Set raised an eyebrow. “And you're sure?”

“The records are quite clear of what was there. Yes, the house looks different now, but it is still property that we own and that has never been paid for. Legally, the human is squatting on bank property.”

“And?” Blueblood asked. “For one, you are quite aware of the grace laws Celestia put in place. If she makes a good faith payment by the end of the month, she'll be legally allowed to sign on to an actual mortgage. Plus, she is friends with the element bearers. I'm sure they'll be able to help her if she is short the bits.”

“The point is, to begin rattling her cage. If we can destabilize her and prove that she's dangerous, we can break her hold on Celestia. Besides, I intend to go to Ponyville myself. Some direct application of...leverage, might be able to circumvent those issues.”

“And if she does have some magical control over the princess?”

“Then this will help prove it and we can rally support from the rest of the court.”

Blueblood thought for a moment before nodding.

“Send your hatchet-pony.”

Skitch woke up the next morning, with a slight spring in her step. Perhaps she'd poke around the town some and see about scaring up some new contracts. The first ever movie night had drained her finances a little bit.

She was about to head the door when there was a sudden sharp knock. Blinking, she pulled it open and found herself staring face to face with a pony she was unfamiliar with.

She was stern looking, her dark brown mane pulled up in a no-nonsense bun, thin glasses perched on the end of her nose. Her cutie-mark was a large bag of golden bits, that almost seemed to be over-flowing. Her saddlebags were neat, no-nonsense affairs that seemed to be full at the moment.

“Skitch-Sketch?” She asked.

“Uhh...yeah. That's me.”

“Can I come in? There's something I need to speak with you about.”

“Sure.”

Skitch closed the door once she was fully inside. The mare was looking around the room a thoroughly unimpressed look on her face, before she turned to face Skitch.

“So, Miss Skitch-Sketch. I am Balloon Payment, and I represent The First Canterlot Bank. We hold the mortgage on this property.”

Skitch was stunned.

“...I have a mortgage?”

A slight frown crossed Payment's face. “I'm sorry, how did you think Equestria handled these things? Sunshine and love?”

“...Yes?” Skitch responded, a nervous smile on her face as she tried to lighten the mood with some humor.

Payment's icy stare made that smile melt away in a moment.

“I will be blunt. You do not own this house. The records we have indicate that this house was owned by the bank before The Collector changed it around with his magic. Legally, you are a squatter and we could evict you now because of that fact.”

She took a step closer to Skitch.

“However, legally, if you were to sign the mortgage papers and make a good faith down payment by the end of the month, you would be allowed to stay.”

Skitch just gulped her eyes flicking to the calendar pinned by the door to the kitchen.

“But...the end of the month is a week away.”

“That is not our problem.”

She floated a stack of documents out of her saddlebags. “These contain the details of your mortgage. Three hundred bits by the end of the month will let you keep your house.”

Skitch took the documents and shakily signed her name. Balloon Payment took the copies and headed for the door. Skitch looked at her as she began to step out.

“I'll have the money ready! Art is my special talent and I can whip up that cash in time.”

Payment paused, looking back at Skitch and smirking.

“I wouldn't be too sure about that.”

“...Why?”

“Your cutie-mark is fading.”

With that she was gone, the door snapping shut behind her. Dropping the papers on the floor Skitch bolted for her bedroom, almost tripping and crashing over her self in her panic. Coming to a sliding stop in front of her mirror, she stared at her flanks.

And, horrifyingly enough, her cutie-mark was faded. Lighter and less solid, the lines edging the brush and pencil broken in places.

Her talent was fading away.

Author's Note

A lot of this chapter was set up and world building, admittedly. But I think that it'll pay off down the line.

Most of the nations introduced here are loosely based on historical nations. I've covered a few of them on my connected blog in more depth, but here's a lose list.

Duchy of Hollstein- Holland
Brayton- Spain
North Griffon Confederation- North German Confederation
Kingdom of Elkienhiem- Swedish Empire
Buffalo Tribes- Great Plains Native American Tribes
Republic of Dromedus- A Mix of Dynastic Egypt and Morocco
The Allied Kingdoms- Kind of a united sub-Saharan African gestalt nation
Free Hive of Venexia- A blending of Venice and a budding socialist state
Empire of Tapira- Brazil
The Raj of Inj- The Mhugal Empire of India
Kingdom of Boda- Tibet

We're officially off the original timeline everypony. Things will only deviate more from here.

The Emperor and the Cellist (Bonus Chapter 1)

Equis was a bright and happy world, or so the stories all said.

Gustav the Second hated those stories.

Looking out over the capital of his empire from his second story palace bedroom always reminded him why. It was mid spring and snow still covered the streets and houses; the night still coming hours early. The thaw wouldn't come till the beginning of summer, then would begin the frenzied rush to plant before the cold and the dark returned.

Casting his gaze down towards the city square that the palace was built off of, his eyes landed on the source of extended night. The six foot tall black stone pillar rose out of the ground of the palace courtyard, its inky blackness almost eating the light around it.

The parting gift of Nightmare Moon. The lesson for sticking one's neck out. Frowning and turning away from the window, he trotted back over to the couch that was before the roaring fire. The half read paper still lay across the fine cushions, the bold headline taking up most of the page.

Nightmare Moon Returns! Princess Luna Returns to Equestria's Diarchy!

Gustav sighed, shaking his head.

“Madness.”

Thinking, he let his mind carry him back to simpler times.

Gustav and his father stood in Martyr's Square, looking up at the black monolith as snow lightly drifted down on their heads. The younger Gustav was still very young; no older than eight years. Gustav the First was a tough, no nonsense elk; his long flowing beard almost down to his knees.

He looked down at his son, his gaze searching.

“And what does the pillar teach us, my son?”

Gustav the Second stared at it's glassy black surface, searching for deeper meaning within.

“Never trust ponies?”

The elder elk sighed and responded by giving his son a rap across the back of the head.

“I would never dare to teach something so foolishly simple minded and wrong. It's not a question of not trusting ponies. It's a question of being prepared, making hard decisions, and being willing to face the consequences of your choices.”

Looking back towards the pillar, he continued his lesson.

“We elk have shouldered the burden of defying Nightmare Moon more so than any other, save Celestia herself. And it is the burden that we must carry that because we came to Celestia's aid those centuries ago. And it is a problem we must fix ourselves. Always remember, the elk do what they must.”

“Gustav?”

He glanced towards the voice, seeing his wife, Anika, standing in the doorway.

“Gustav, we're going to be late for the concert.” She smiled. “Come my dear. The matters of state will wait until Lord Axal returns from Celestia's conference.”

Gustav nodded a genuine smile crossing his face. “Of course dear. You are correct.”

Gustav and Anika got out of their carriage and walked stoically into the Agnafit Grand Opera and Concert House, followed by two of their guards. It was an old building, built around the time of Gustav's great grandfather, in a very Baroque style. Carvings and paintings of the old elk pantheon abounded.

Heading upstairs, he took a seat in the royal box and prepared to enjoy the concert. The Canterlot Royal Orchestra played outside of Equestria just as much as they did within the nation's borders; Celestia quite enjoyed sharing their music with the world.

Gustav loved classical music, and despite the political tensions between his nation and Equestria, he was quite looking forward to the performance. The lights went down and the curtain went up, Gustav settling into his seat more.

The hours of the concert seemed to almost speed by from the elk's point of view, the music that the ponies played dancing about the hall with supreme timing and skill, each instrument in the orchestra coming together to form a unified wave of sound that engulfed the emperor and bore his spirits aloft.

As the encore came to an end, the conductor took a few steps forward and bowed to the assembled audience.

“Ladies and gentlecreatures.” He said in a crisp voice. “Our first chair cellist has a special encore that she wishes to play for you all tonight. It is, with pleasure that I present to you Octavia Philharmonica.”

He stepped aside, one of the ponies picking herself up from the first chair and moving to center stage. Her dark gray mane and tail were impeccably styled, her light gray coat perfectly groomed. She bowed simply, before looking out at the crowd.

“I now present to you, a collection of pieces from old Coltland.”

Her voice was clear and she didn't engage in any additional comments. Instead, she just began to play.

It was a quick, rapid series of notes reminiscent of the sounds of cannon fire. Notes and sounds that took Gustav back to an earlier point in his life.

Twenty years ago...

Gustav surveyed the battle lines of his army, rank after rank lined up and prepared to throw themselves into battle. Each regiment fully equipped with new rifles from Dromedus, backed up by lines of canons, the whole army supported by Elkienhiem battle skalds.

He was situated under a small tree on the far eastern side of his battle line. Across the way, he could see the rows of earthworks that the ponies of Coltland had dug to protect their capitol, Horsaw. If he could punch through here, it would be a quick two mile march to the end goal.

Sighing, he sat on his haunches, picking up his custom rifle and raising the scope to his eye. He was still looking to try and minimalize casualties. Perhaps a sign of weakness?

“We all must face the consequences of our actions...” He muttered under his breath.

“Sir?” His personal battle skald- Anika, he believed her name was- asked, confusion clear in her voice.

“Nothing...just memories.”

They were dug in well, but he had a solution to that.

“Begin the artillery salvo. Signal the skalds to enchant with fear.”

The lines of robe wearing elk behind the gleaming 12 pounder cannons began to chant songs; songs of death and funerary marches. A moment later the thunderous salvo of cannons echoed across the battlefield.

Explosions rocked the ground before the entrenched positions, sending gouts of dirt and grass into the sky. Shot after shot tore and slammed into the ground, reducing it to furrowed and chewed rows. For all of it's noise, however, a canny observer would have noticed that the artillery salvo was being aimed short of the actual lines.

The reason for that were the massive explosions of magic that washed over the trenches with each cannon impact. Raw bursts of fear exploded outwards, inciting terror and panic through the ranks. Raising the scope back to his eye, Gustav watched the rows of ponies in the trenches waver and ripple, small groups breaking away. They were on the edge, but something was keeping the rest of the army from collapsing.

“Break, you fools.” He hissed under his breath. “You are out of your depth.”

The Coltland army was infamously under trained, under equipped, and riddled with incompetent leadership; this level of resistance wasn't normal. Frowning, he swept his firearm towards the left, looking for who or what was keeping them around.

After a moment, he found it.

A dark gray maned earth pony with a light tan coat was marching before the regiments; he caught a glimpse of a golden bugle cutie-mark as he walked. Gustav had to admit, that he was impressed. He had seen magic users applied to counter fear charms, but this pony was keeping them together by sheer force of will.

Keeping his eye on the stallion he could see that he was making grand gestures with his hooves as he talked, motioning to his assembled forces before pointing at the elk lines. Gustav frowned. Was he seriously suggesting a charge?

An open run across flat ground, towards a gun line backed up with cannon? It would be a massacre. The pony was very brave, but incredibly foolish. And it would fall to him to snuff out the poor stallion's life. Sighing sadly he rested his left hoof over the firing lever, ready to give it a sharp yank.

“I am sorry my friend. But know that you die so your countrymen may live.”

He flicked his eyes towards his battle skald. “Range enchantment, please. And may the words that allow me to strike him down be...funeral appropriate. He deserves that much.”

The skald nodded and began to chant.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.

As the magic coiled around his firearm, Gustav slowly tracked his target, keeping his aim fixed halfway up his flank. It would be quick and relatively painless.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush

The spell had completed it's weave, though the skald would continue her chant anyway, as was tradition. The pony turned, gesturing towards Gustav's army again with an outstretched hoof.

And with a simple yank of the lever, he fired.

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

In the time it took for that line to reach his ears the bullet had crossed the distance between the lines and struck the pony squarely in the chest. His body jerked, a red stain appearing across his chest as he fell. The look on his face was shocked at first, but it moved towards a sad smile as he toppled.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

The pony's body hit the ground and the army broke; whatever courage he had provided gone in an instant.

Gustav remembered that battle well. The Elkienhiem press had cheered the praises of their emperor who had won the battle with only a single casualty. Of course, he hadn't ever entirely been able to forget the look on that stallion’s face as he died. It was the proper course of action, though. Better that one pony die then hundreds or thousands.

Octavia had switched pieces while he had mentally checked out. Moving to a slow and somber affair that almost seemed to be timed to match Gustav's changing mood. Though now that he looked at her again, her mane and tail color looked...familiar.

“...No...” He muttered as he lapsed into another memory.

The rush to Horsaw had been quick, the Elkienhiem army overtaking some of the stragglers from the retreat with how fast they moved. They had been taken prisoner, naturally. Soon enough, they were at the outskirts of the city, where a hasty militia had been drawn up.

Gustav had one of the skalds cast a vocal amplification spell on him, before addressing the militia.

“I DEMAND TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF YOUR GOVERNMENT!” He bellowed. “TO DISCUSS THE TERMS OF YOUR SURRENDER! SEND SOMEONE FORWARD, I GAURANTEE THEM NO HARM!”

He waited patiently. His army had plenty of time now. Their main city was surrounded. He could easily starve them out if need be.

Four hours later, the militia lines parted and a mare with a light gray coat, blonde mane and tail and scroll cutie-mark stumbled forward. Even more shocking was the fact that a young mare with dark gray mane, light gray coat, and purple treble cleft cutie-mark was running after her. She couldn't be more than eight years old.

He turned to his commanders, who had formed up near him. “No one fires but on my command. Any harm comes to these two and I will draw and quarter the offending solider myself. Is that clear?”

After the general murmur of ascent, Gustav strode forward, meeting the ponies halfway. He bowed to the pair. No excuse for not showing proper decorum, even to a defeated foe.

“Whom do I have the pleasure to speak with?” He began, speaking in Coltish.

The mare was frightened, but she was hiding it well as she quickly bowed to the monarch. “Silver Scrolls, sir.”

“Very well, Silver Scrolls. What is your role in the Coltland government? Diplomat, royal adviser?”

“I'm an alderpony for the south ward of Horsaw, sir.” She finished nervously.

Gustav raised an eyebrow. “I'm surprised the king would trust someone of your political level to conduct these negotiations.”

Silver Scroll laughed. It was a bitter, angry laugh.

“There is no king, your grace. He and most of the national leadership fled. I am the most senior politician left, that the militia could find.”

Gustav snorted in disgust. This mare and her daughter were showing more courage than a supposed monarch.

“And why did you bring the child?”

Silver Scrolls winced. “I'm sorry your grace. But my husband hasn't been seen since the battle, and I couldn't leave her alone with the panic beginning to sweep the city...”

Gustav paused, tilting his head to look at the child more closely. She was glaring up at him from behind her mother's legs, defiant, but unable to keep her body shaking from fear all the same. Her dark gray mane was both striking and familiar.

Returning his gaze to Silver Scrolls, he asked a question. “Your husband. What does he look like?”

She licked her lips. “Brazen Trumpet, your grace. Dark gray mane and tail like my daughter, light tan coat...”

Gustav gave a sorry sigh as he bowed his head. “My apologies. It is with great sadness that I must inform you that your husband was killed in the battle.”

Silver Scrolls looked like she had just been kicked very hard in the midsection; her filly beginning to whimper as she pulled herself closer to her mother.

“H-how do you know?” Silver managed to choke out.

“I was the one who the unfortunate task fell to.”

The filly let out a shriek of anger and despair as she rushed past her mom and threw herself against Gustav; needing to stand on her hind legs to futility beat her fore-hooves against the elk monarch's breastplate.

“Y-you killed my papa, you monster!”

Gustav just stood there, letting the young pony beat on his breastplate before her mother snatched her up, holding her close as she looked up at the elk. Her eyes were wide, a mix of fear for her daughter, and anger towards Gustav for killing her husband.

“Please, your grace. She is young and angry please...”

Gustav held up a hoof as he gave a weary sigh, a resigned sadness filling his eyes.

“I am not so cruel that I would punish a child for raging against the unfair circumstances of fate. On the contrary. It shows that she is strong, unwilling to roll over even for the likes of an emperor. But, Silver Scrolls, there is the matter of my terms of surrender.”

Silver Scrolls took a shaky breath, but nodded, motioning for Gustav to continue with one hoof as she held her daughter close with the other; the young one was sobbing into her mother's coat at this point.

“The terms that I am offering is that Coltland will surrender, unconditionally. You will be brought into the fold of the Empire as full citizens with rights equal to any elk.”

Silver Scrolls stared back, trying to maintain her composure. “Or, we could send a request to Celestia for aid and wait you out. Do you wish to fight the sun monarch?”

“Celestia's standing army is small. It will take her time to bring up more volunteers. All the while your people will suffer. And if Equestria is dragged into open war, even more people will suffer.”

He shook his head.

“I am not the monster you think I am, miss Scrolls. I do not take pleasure in death. So, please...help me spare more children your daughter's pain.”

Silver Scrolls squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back her own shuddering sob for a moment, tears leaking down her cheeks. But she quickly recovered, wiping her tears away and fixing Gustav with a steady look again.

“Gustav...the curse of Nightmare Moon has followed you with every acquisition. Your previous nations were mostly elk in population. We are ponies. We can't forage and draw nutrition from tree bark and lichen. So many will starve.”

Gustav nodded, acknowledging the concerns.

“We have been working on ways to offset the growing season issues. While they are not yet complete, I swear to you that Cotland will receive the fruits of our efforts first.”

Silver Scrolls looked back at the city and the militia, and then to her sobbing daughter, before looking to Gustav. She quietly sighed before nodding. “Very well. We accept.”

Coming out of his second mental walk down memory lane, Gustav looked back towards the stage, a stunned expression of realization crossing his face. Octavia had finished playing at this point and was taking her bow to raucous applause; and when she straightened back up her eyes locked with Gustav's.

The look wasn't an angry one, like she had fixed him with back on the outskirts of Horsaw. It was impassive...almost pitiable in a way. She turned around and walked off stage as the curtain fell.

Gustav rushed backstage, having sent his wife on ahead to the palace. The guards had been weary about leaving the Emperor alone, but in the end they had no choice but to obey. When he got back there he found the cellist sitting in her chair, closed cello case resting next to her.

Gustav froze for a moment, for once unsure of what to say. Octavia ended the silence instead. He noticed that she had completely lost her Coltland accent, instead speaking with the crisp and even tones of Canterlot.

“Emperor Gustav. It's been twenty long years.”

“...Was coming here your idea?”

“No. It was not. Though I did ask for the solo encore once I knew that this was our destination. It seemed appropriate.”

Gustav frowned. “Celestia then?”

Octavia rolled her eyes. “Celestia has better things to do with her time then bother you. The Canterlot Royal Symphony makes it's own appointments.”

“What do you want then?”

“I?” Octavia blinked. “I want nothing. I assumed you wished to speak with me about something.”

Gustav's frown grew deeper. He had to make some kind of offer. Something to make it up for that angry and broken filly.

“Allow me to give you a bonus to your usual fees. It's the least I could do.”

“Emperor Gustav...I don't need your money. I am quite comfortable as is.”

“I insist. Your family must have struggled growing up, without a father. Due compensation is due.”

She shook her head. “It was hard, in it's own odd way.” An odd little half smile played across her face. “I think that I had to work twice as hard to earn every orchestral position I received. Everypony always assumed that my prior listed experience were positions handed to me out of pity. Having a relative die in war is so rare.”

The half smile grew a little wider.

“But you were right about one thing Gustav. I am strong. And I am unwilling to roll over.”

Octavia got to her hooves and hefted her cello case, shaking her head. “This isn't about offering me due compensation. This is about you dealing with the guilt you are suffering from the path you've set your kingdom on.”

Gustav's fur bristled.

“The elk do what we must.”

“You must absorb all countries before you?”

“Not all. Just enough to be a reasonable counter-balance to Celestia and Equestria. The world needs a recourse if Celestia follows Luna into madness! You've seen what Nightmare Moon did to our country!”

He stomped a hoof, his emotions getting the best of him.

“Hate me if you must! But see that I do because it's what needs to be done!”

Octavia fixed him with that strange, even stare again, before shaking her head.

“I stopped hating you a while ago, Gustav. While killing my father was a tragedy and one that hurt me for years, his charge would have most likely ended in his death anyway. And the death of all under his command. What you did, did save lives. You may take absolution from that at least.”

“...But?”

“But, in the end, I more pity you than anything else.”

“P-pity!?” Gustav roared as he bore down on Octavia, stopping when his snout was an inch away from hers; she did not move a muscle. “I do this for the good of the world! Not all of us have the luxury of Celestia's immortal power!”

Octavia shook her head again. “If you think that's the secret to Equestria's success, then you haven't been paying attention. Goodbye, emperor.”

The emperor watched her leave, shock on his face, before he stumbled away as well.

Back at the palace, in his war room, Gustav was looking over the map of the world. The war room was a large and well furnished room, full of maps, drawings and plans of attack and acquisition. To the north east were the twin island nations of Greenwurld and Icewurld. They were both settled by elk back in the day, and they were far enough north that they were already lands with short growing seasons.

But at least his next acquisitions wouldn't need violence. He could pull this off with some canny diplomacy. He had to push on. His eyes drifted to the border between Elkienhiem and Equestria, drawn where the old Cotland-Equestria border had been. The negotiations to reestablish that border had been...tense.

Gustav walked towards the throne room of Canterlot, flanked by two of his royal guard. He had opted to come and re-negotiate the boundaries of the Elkienhiem-Canterlot border personally; Chancellor Axal Winterbite accompanying for support.

“The curse has swept over Coltland, as predicted.” Axal said. “Our magical solutions are still months out, assuming nothing goes wrong. What are we to do for them in the mean time?”

“Access the stores. Our new pony citizens will get the grown food, while the elk will tighten their belts and forage. When I speak to Celestia, I will see if I can negotiate for some food shipments for the short term. Once we return to Elkienhiem, we will make contact with the Dromedian ambassador and see if they can provide some technological solutions.”

Axal nodded, the sound of a pony yelling reaching their ears as they drew closer to the throne room.

“...And you need to provide us some support! When will Equestria help us reclaim our stolen land?”

“That remains to be seen.” Celestia responded. Her voice was calm and sweet, but Gustav could read the subtext in her statement. Axal snorted.

“So, Regal Sceptre has come begging to Equestria for a counter attack. Shall I inform the army?”

“No need.” Gustav responded as he approached the doorway. “I doubt that Celestia will indulge his whining.”

Gustav strode into the throne room with purpose. Regal Sceptre stood before Celestia's throne, his deep red fur contrasting greatly with his white mane and tail. He stared at Gustav in shock before managing to sputter out some form of response.

“Usurper! Stealer of a rightful throne!” He yelled, pointing a hoof at Gustav. “Smite him Celestia! Rain righteous fire upon his pronged head!”

Celestia frowned, getting to her hooves and rustling her feathers, before looking right at the offending pony. “No.”

Regal Sceptre boggled.

“He stole my throne!”

“Which you had been pillaging for years.” Celestia said simply. “Or did you think I was somehow unaware of how you had been stealing from your nations coffers to fill out your personal wealth? While the slums of Horsaw went unaddressed?”

Gustav smiled as Regal Sceptre fell into a very strong impression of a fish, Celestia beginning to pace around him in a circle.

“And then you have the audacity to come to my court and ask for me to shed Equestrian blood to give you your national bank back, when you abandoned it when your citizens needed guidance the most.”

She got very close to the quavering pony now, her voice devoid of it's usual warmth, instead sounding like a stern parent; if one was generous in their definition of “stern”. “Your request for an invasion is denied. Your request for political asylum is denied. As angry as I am with Gustav, even a blind pony could see that your people are better off without you.”

Gustav looked towards Axal and then towards his two guards. “Seize him. His former country-creatures will want him to answer for his crimes.”

Regal Scepter threw himself to the floor.

“Please! No! They'll kill me! W-what do I have to do? I'll do anything! Just don't give me back to those ponies.”

Gustav glared down at the blubbering would be monarch, thinking for a moment before speaking.

“Your finances, your wealth, and everything else you own. All will be liquidated and used to provide food and other supplies to your currently struggling people. An act of actual leadership and responsibility towards your people, that and nothing less, is the price for your life.”

Regal just nodded in silence as Celestia pointed to him with a wing. "Take him away. Gustav and I have matters to discuss and his own guards can collect him on the way out."

He watched the pony get dragged off before looking back to Celestia, who still looked quite angry.

“So, shall we redraw the border at the same place it was before?” He asked.

Celestia frowned.

“I am just as angry with you, Gustav. Nearly a thousand years without war on this continent and you open these realms back up to the sorted affair. Peace since the Age of Nightmares, shattered! And all for your own paranoia that I'll become another Nightmare Moon.”

Gustav glared back. "The elk do what they must."

Celestia's expression was very deadpan as she stared at Gustav. “Platitudes?”

“It is not a platitude. It is fact. You did what you had to with your sister. I will do what I have to with my nation. And, like you, I hope. I hope that this is the only time my armies have to rise up against anything other than an absolute tyrant. It is a tough world out there, and sometimes hard decisions must be made. Now...shall we discuss matters of state, or not?”

Celestia shook her head. “You, are a study in frustration. One of these days, Gustav, your “hard decisions” will cost you. And I just hope you don't drag the rest of us down with you.”

“The elk do what they must.” He muttered to himself as he headed to bed.

Laying down next to his wife, he drifted off to sleep, the image of Octavia's pitying look still burned into his mind.

Equis was a bright and happy world, or so the stories all said.

Gustav the Second hated those stories.

Author's Note

And thus ends the first interlude chapter. I have a few of these planned out to shed a little more light on the other major dramatis personae of my world.

Gustav the Second is rather complicated character. In temperament, he would probably get along well with Celestia. A strong sense of justice, dedicated to his people and a tireless worker. He also has a stubborn streak that would make Applejack boggle, has a massive streak of personal and racial pride and is somewhat of a pessimist, seeing the worst of the world.

He truly believes that he must build his own empire to act as a counter-balance to Equestria, should Celestia ever go crazy the way Luna did. Kind of a tragic figure that way.

Also, had to get some Octavia love in this thing. Been a huge fan of her as a character since I read GrassAndCloud2's Symphony For Moon and Sun, which is a feaking awesome fic and if you haven't read it you need to! Finally, the poem that was used is "Do Not Stand on my Grave and Weap" by Mary Elizabeth Frye.

Cutie-Mark Crisis

Cutie-Mark Crisis

The image in the mirror was almost mocking Skitch-Sketch, her eyes unable to move away from her faded cutie-mark.

“No. No no no no no.” Skitch babbled as she stared at her faded pencil and paintbrush marking. “This...I...NO!”

Icy panic ran down her spine, to the tip of her tail. If her cutie-mark was fading away, then her art talent could possibly fade away to, and if that went away, she wouldn't have a way to make money and at the end of her first week in Equestria with the intent to live here...

“I'll be homeless...” She gulped.

The indignity of facing eviction in two different realities made her want to scream. It was like some force in the universe, somewhere, had decided that it was her lot to suffer in life.

She spun around charging back down the stairs, tripping over her hooves in her blind panic and crashing into a shelf of supplies. Cans of paint brushes tumbled off and rained down on her head, but she paid them no mind as forced herself back to her hooves and ran out the door.

She galloped at top speed across Ponyville her mane and tail streaming in the breeze, her heart hammering in her chest like a jackhammer. As she wove through the morning crowds, she barely missed crashing into multiple ponies in her mad dash to find some kind of help.

Reaching Golden Oaks Library she began to slam her fore-hooves on the front door.

“Twilight! Twilight! Please open up!”

After a few moments the door opened up and Spike stared at her, blinking sleep out of his eyes.

“Skitch-Sketch? ...It's seven AM, what's wrong?”

“Twilight! I need to talk to her, it's...well, I don't know what it is exactly, but she might be able to help me figure it out.”

Spike stared at her for a moment or two before rubbing his forehead. “Okay, sure. Come on in.”

Skitch stepped inside, flicking her tail over one of her fading cutie-marks and then back over the other, nervously waiting for Twilight to come downstairs.

Stupid tail not being able to cover both sides! It's okay...it's gonna be okay. Twilight is one of the best magic users of this era and she's Princess Celestia's prize student! She can figure this out and she'll fix it and everything will be okay! Eeevvverrything will be okay!

Twilight came downstairs mane and tail looking a little frazzled from being yanked out of sleep early, after a later night. Spike did not come back downstairs, Skitch assuming that he had gone back to bed.

“Skitch?” She blearily blinked. “What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost.”

Skitch bit her lip as she twisted to the side and wordlessly pointed to her cutie-mark. That snapped Twilight out of her half asleep state quickly enough as she trotted over to Skitch and examined it closely.

“Oh my! Your cuite-mark, it's...”

“Disappearing, I know. Can you help? Please?”

Twilight winced, thinking for a moment. “Well, okay. Let me see what I can find in the books. I know I have a few books on cutie-mark studies here somewhere.”

Skitch blinked. “Cutie-mark studies? That's a whole academic field or something?”

“Kind of. Everypony accepts that cutie-marks work, and that they first appear when a pony discovers something about themselves, but there are still some things we don't understand about them.”

She pulled a few books off the shelves and piled them on a reading table.

“Such as?” Skitch asked.

“Mostly their origin and why only ponies and zebras have them. We share the world with all sorts of creatures, but cutie-marks are rare when you look at things on a species by species level.”

Twilight began to flip through pages while, Skitch's panic over her cutie-mark situation was blunted by this revelation.

“That's kind of surreal. Cutie-marks are probably one of the things your world is most known for in my reality and now that I'm here I find out that they're rare.”

“Well, kind of...” Twilight corrected. “See, ponies are the most populous species on Equis. But when you look at all of the sapient species, only two of them have cutie-marks.”

“So...what kind of conclusions have those who study cutie-marks come to?”

“Not a lot.” Twilight admitted, the frustration clear in her voice.

“What about Celestia? Isn't she immortal? Wouldn't she know?”

Twilight frowned as she continued to search. “I asked her about that once. She said that cutie-marks were just something that existed when she and Luna were young. A mystery of the world I suppose.”

She suddenly perked up, an inquisitive look on her face.

“Wait! You've seen all these things from your world. What has your world said about cutie-marks?”

Skitch shook her head. “Sorry, Twilight. I have no insight here. From my world's point of view you all have cutie-marks because the toys your show were based on had them first.”

“Wait....we have toys?”

Skitch sighed and rubbed the side of her head. “The history of the My Little Pony franchise is long. And I'd rather not focus on it right now, as I really don't think it's relevant to this at the moment.” She finished, motioning to her flank.

“Right. But were there any incidents similar to this? Even if it's a vague connection It might give me a place to start from.”

Skitch sighed. “Well...I've seen stuff that can cause extra ones to appear, but nothing that would involve loosing one.”

“And how did that come about?”

“Magical herb called Heart's Desire. It basically caused a mess of cutie-marks to appear on the afflicted pony, until she stopped lying about the fact she had actually gotten one.”

Twilight rubbed her chin, mulling that information over.

“Okay...cutie-marks are slightly magical in nature themselves, just like all ponies are. Celestia taught me that there's a slight surge of magic when a cutie-mark appears in fact.”

Nodding to herself as though she reached a conclusion on something, Twilight trotted back over to Skitch.

“I'm going to try something. I learned a magic aura reading spell after the Collector's attack. May I?”

“Go wild Twilight.”

Smirking Twilight tapped into her magic, her horn lighting up first, then her eyes as she wove the spell. Once the weave was complete, she took a close look at her friend. From Twilight's point of view, it looked like Skitch had been replaced by flowing series of energy lines in the shape of a pony. That was, once she pushed past the jumbled collection of lines that was the snarl of transmutation magic responsible for her form.

Twilight knew from her studies, that magic in ponies flowed in certain patterns and pooled in certain locations, based on which tribe they were from. Skitch's magic was flowing normally for a unicorn, running from head to tail and pooling just at the base of the horn; her aura was a light blue color, indicating her natural affinity towards the school of illusion magic.

Glancing down at where Skitch's cutie-marks would be, she was unable to suppress the gasp that escaped her lips. The flow of the magic through them wasn't part of Skitch's natural magic lattice. Instead they were a pair of angry red pools, almost resembling large red scabs that were peeling away from the body. She could see the natural light blue tone of her natural aura behind them.

“That gasp didn't sound good...” Skitch winced.

“The magic of your cutie-marks! They just...they aren't part of you like they should be. They almost look stuck on. And now they're pulling away. This is unprecedented!”

“That's a phrase that I'm getting really tired of hearing applied to me.” Skitch grumbled.

Twilight laughed nervously as she let the spell end, the disgruntled looking form Skitch filling her vision again. “Sorry Skitch. But it's kind of true. Looking at your aura, they look like they're tearing away from you.”

“Ugh. Why now? I was gone for almost a month returning all those things The Collector stole and my marks were fine. I'm back in Equestria for a week and now they're falling apart?”

Twilight blinked.

“A month? You were gone a week.”

Skitch nodded. “Well, from Equestria's perspective I was. But I passed through enough different realities with their own flows of time that from my perspective, it was more like a month.”

Twilight just stared at her for a moment before responding.

“That sounds annoyingly confusing.”

Skitch shrugged.

“In the words of a man much wiser than I, “timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly”.”

“That sounds like something Pinkie would say.”

“....Okay, maybe a little.” Skitch admitted, with a slight smirk. “But what am I supposed to do about this?”

“Well...the little pockets of magic that are your cutie-marks look and are kind of acting like they were just...glued on or something.”

Twilight began to pace back and forth as she talked, her face scrunched up in thought.

“Okay...we still don't entirely know what The Collector used to make you but you inherited the cutie-marks of the original Skitch-Sketch."

“Right. And when her spirit left this body, she left some of her knowledge behind.”

“Well...what if that's part of the problem?"

Skitch blinked, sitting down as she looked at Twilight quizzically. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” Twilight bit her lip nervously. “This is complete speculation mind you. It's completely unfamiliar magic, and nothing like this has ever happened before...”

“But?”

Twilight sighed. “Okay, like I said, this is just my speculation. But what if Skitch passing on kind of shook your cutie-mark loose? It was hers after all and a pony earns their cutie-mark when they discover their special talent.”

“Which I've never done myself, technically.”

“Exactly. You can't make a cutie-mark appear with magic. Not at real one at least. And since their magic auras look like they're pulling away form yours, you're just loosing these marks you didn't earn. Maybe it was always going to be temporary and The Collector just didn't care. After all, we were all supposed to be dead by now.”

“Ugh. I thought that magic was supposed to be predictable. This all sounds like guess work.”

“Equestrian magic is predictable.” Twilight corrected. “We still don't know all of what The Collector used.”

She smiled and put a hoof on Skitch's shoulder.

“It won't be that bad Skitch. It's just part of being a pony.”

“I know Twilight. I'm just still getting used to this, I guess. I was just starting to get some stability again, and now this on top of the whole possibility of losing my house.”

“Wait.” Twilight blinked. “Losing your house?”

Skitch sighed, nervously poking the floor with a hoof. “It seems that The Collector left me another surprise. The bank came and paid me a visit. I don't actually own my house...I got till the end of the week to make enough bits to keep it. Which was gonna be hard enough to do without loosing my ability to do art.”

“Skitch...you do know that cutie-marks don't actually control a pony's ability to be good at something, right?”

Skitch winced. “Normally...yes. But I was horrible at art before. Like...stick figure at the best here. What if the skills Skitch left behind for me are bound up in those marks?”

She got to her hooves heading for the door, Twilight trotting after her, Skitch continuing to ramble. “If I push myself and get a handful of contracts maybe I can bash them out in time before my ability to do art drains away completely. And then...then...I don't know. I'll figure out my life from there. You don't have computers in this world, right?”

Twilight shook her head. “Skitch if you need some help the girls and I would be glad to...”

“How?”

Twilight paused for a moment. “Well, maybe we can get a collection together for you...”

“I'm not going to beg for money from the town Twilight.” Skitch said as she reached the front door. “I did enough of that in my human life.”

“What do you mean?”

Skitch sighed, stopping. “After I got fired from my one good job I basically floated between another series of dead end careers. I was constantly short of money to make rent and pay my bills, so I was always begging for help from my parents and friends.”

She looked back at Twilight.

“This was supposed to be a fresh start. I want to do it right this time. If I get bits, I'm going to earn them.”

She ducked out the door before Twilight had a chance to respond, leading to a frustrated groan from the unicorn before she stomped back across the room.

“Great Applejack impression she's doing there.”

Twilight looked back at the small stack of books she had pulled down from the shelves, as she thought the situation over. The timing on the situation was suspicious to her. She had been back for a week and now is when they decided to try and repossess the building?

“Could be a coincidence I suppose...How long does it take to look up bank documents anyway?”

Then again, it couldn't hurt to ask Princess Celestia's opinion.

“Spike!!”

Skitch had made a mad gallop back to what was still currently her place of residence ducking inside quickly to quickly grab her saddlebags of holding, some pencils and a sketchbook before charging back out the door.

“Right...gotta kick up some clients. Where to begin.” She muttered to herself as she ran through the streets. Thinking for a minute or two she made a sharp turn and shot towards Berry Punch's Bar.

It was her first time actually heading into the bar and she did wish that she was heading there under better circumstances, as it was a very pretty looking building. It resembled a classic old English pub in a way. White walls framed in black, with large and inviting looking glass windows.

Picking up her pace a little bit Skitch made a beeline for the door.

WHAM!

And crashed right off of it with a resounding clatter of pony body on wood. Stumbling away from the door thoroughly cross-eyed and dazed from the impact she collapsed backwards, landing on her buttocks before shooting a nasty glare at the door.

“Damn it all to the bloody depths of hell!” She snarled.

She could hear some whispers in the street behind her.

“Is she a lush?”

“It's eight thirty in the morning!”

She twisted her head to glare at the offending peanut gallery who very quickly shut up and went back about their business. The sound of the door to the bar clicking open caught her attention again. Berry Punch was staring at her, a look of utter confusion evident on her face.

“Skitch-Sketch? Wha...what in Tartarus are you doing? The bar doesn't open till elven, minimum!”

“Sorry, sorry, but I couldn't wait that long...plus I forgot. But can I please come in? I need to talk with you.”

Berry just stared at her for a few minutes before shaking her head and opening the door fully.

“Sure. Come in.”

Sktich followed the owner inside heading quickly for the bar, hopping up on a stool while Berry slid behind the bar.

“So...what's so important that you crashed into my door over?”

“Well...I'm kind of in a bits crunch here with a very, very limited time frame to pull it all together. So I was wondering if you needed any work done, or if you knew anypony else in town who could need some work done.”

“This was over work?” She asked incredulously.

“Look...” Skitch bristled. “to make a long story short, I'm facing eviction unless I come up with cash fast. So, yeah this was over work.”

Berry Punch blinked, a little taken aback at how blunt Skitch was over the situation.

“Umm...well...AH! I got it! I always do a bit of a beer garden thing for the griffon's Unification Week holiday and I could use a sign for it. Think you can do it?”

“Of course I can! ...Though I gotta ask, why is a pony doing a celebration for a griffon holiday?”

Berry fixed her with an even “are you kidding?” stare before responding. “It's a holiday where the drinking of fine beer is considered to be an integral part. Do you really need to ask this question?”

Skitch couldn't help but chuckle as she floated her sketchbook out.

“All right Berry. Give me the details.”

Luna was jerked awake by the sound of someone knocking rather loudly on the door to her room. She couldn't help but be annoyed at whoever had decided to disturb her daytime rest, but pushed it aside as she flopped out of bed and shambled over to the door and yanked it open. Emperor Placido was standing on the other side, looking apologetic.

“My apologies for disturbing your rest princesa but may I come in?”

Luna blinked but nodded closing the door behind the tapir as he trotted in and glanced around at the décor. Luna's chambers were mostly decorated in cooling deep blue, sometimes edging into almost black shades along the trim. The ceiling was a lovely sea of stars with Luna's favorite constellations prominently featured.

“Hmm. Such nice shades of blue.”

“We are sorry emperor, but we ask what thou want.”

“Mmm? Ahh, yes, of course.”

Turning to Luna, he gave a warm smile. “I was discussing further plans with your sister before I was preparing to leave and something she mentioned reminded me of something I had to do before returning to my people.”

Rummaging in one of his jacket pockets Placido pulled a polished mahogany case out. He looked it over, before looking to Luna with a perceptive look in his eyes.

“You remember the tapir delegate to the congress before your time as Nightmare Moon and banishment, yes?”

“Ahh, yes. Dimas, we believe.” She smiled wistfully. “He certainly was a charmer. Asked for a lock of our mane. We...indulged him. It seemed a harmless request.”

“Yes. He was an ancestor of mine. And he made this.”

Holding the box up with one fore-foot he lifted the lid with his prehensile snout. Resting in the padded case was a very ornate looking amulet. Cut from a piece of dark mahogany carved into a teardrop shape, a sphere of crystal clear amber had been set into the middle in which the lock from Luna's mane had been suspended; it's shimmery etherealness perfectly maintained. A replica of her cutie-mark had been painstakingly hoof painted just below the amber sphere.

“It has been passed down our family line since then, waiting for the day you would return as yourself.”

“But at the time no creature could have known that we would have...”

“We had faith, your sister and the rest of us who were still with her.” He said as he carefully slid the amulet around Luna's neck. “The amber is derived from the sap of the rare Dragon's Blood tree. It should speed the recovery of your powers princesa.”

Luna was well aware of the legends surrounding the Dragon's Blood trees that grew deep in the tapiran jungles. Supposedly having sprung from the spilled blood of a mighty dragon in ancient days the sap from the trees was legendary for it's healing properties. But they were also incredibly rare and hard to find. She gaped for a moment before finding her voice.

“Placido...I thank thou.”

“You are not alone princesa nor is Equestria. Now go to your sister. She received a letter as I took my leave that seemed to upset her.

Luna watched the tapir leave before heading out herself and trotting to her sisters room. When she arrived she could see that Celestia was scribbling out a letter herself; a frown of irritation clear on her face.

“Tia?”

Celestia looked at her sister her expression softening as she took in the amulet around Luna's next.

“I see that you spoke with Placido. He's been carrying that for a long time.”

“Yes. We were grateful. It was nice to know that there were creatures outside of family hopeful for our return.” She tilted her head to the side regarding her sister carefully. “He also said thou received a letter of some kind?”

Celestia sighed, motioning to the offending piece of paper with a hoof.

“It seems that the noble courts have decided to be foolish again. My prized student has just informed me that Skitch is facing eviction if she doesn't fall into compliance with her mortgage by the week's end. And if First Canterlot Bank is involved, that means that Nouveau Riche is involved and has most likely thrown in with Blueblood.”

She continued to write her own letter tail twitching in annoyance a gesture that she only ever really did in the sole presence of her sister.

“The seals on prisons of ancient evils around the world may have been cracked open by The Collector's actions, we need to be united more than ever, and they're focusing on the unicorn that's just trying to make herself a home.”

She sighed rolling her eyes towards the ceiling.

“I should ask her if human rulers have had to deal with things of this nature.”

Luna giggled.

“We think thou know the answer to that question already, sister.”

Celestia smiled back.

“Yes...you are right, of course. It is just frustrating. But such is the burden of leadership.”

Finishing her letter Celestia rolled it up with her magic and then touched her horn to it, causing it to fly off in a gout of green flame.

“There's something else involved here isn't there sister?” Luna asked.

Celestia nodded as she grabbed another piece of parchment and begin to quickly write another letter.

“Skitch is loosing her cutie-mark, and she believes her ability to do art with it. A possibility I expected, but the timing is bad. She's also suffering from a bad bout of pride and isn't accepting any financial help.”

She finished the second letter quickly folding this one up into a very tight and small square before wrapping it in a different spell that sent it shooting off in a different direction from the last one, north towards the griffon lands.

“I could intervene...but if they are doing this for the reasons I think they are then, a heavy hand will just make them more convinced of their positions.”

She sighed as she began another letter.

“No...this time I must have faith that she can handle it and hope that her friends will catch her if she falls.”

Skitch stumbled back into her house, barrel and flanks heaving from exhaustion as she dropped her saddlebags by the door. She had ran at top speed in between every location that she had gone too, stopping only long enough to get the information needed to begin working.

Now it was past lunchtime and she had a stack of work to look after. Yanking open her fridge she inhaled a pair of carrots like a starving wolf before stomping back into the main work room.

“Right. Beer garden sign.” She growled as she pulled out a fresh sketchbook, plopped down on her barrel and yanked a pencil to her from across the room. She began to sketch like a hurricane, laying down lines of graphite as fast as she could.

The degradation in her skill and style was already evident. The lines weren't as crisp. The composition not as ordered but it wasn't unsalvageable...yet. Working through some possibilities on designs, she ruled out a few standard long and horizontal before deciding to flip it around and do one vertically laid out banner.

It would be hung out the central window of the second floor giving everypony who walked down the street a clear view of what Berry Punch was advertising. It would have to be big though, three foot by five would probably do it. And it would have to be durable. She didn't have any canvas large enough to do the job.

“Fabric!” She shouted to the empty room before grabbing her saddlebags and charging back out the door.

Rarity looked up from her work as the bell above the door chimed.

“Welcome to Carousel Boutique...oh, Skitch-Sketch dear what is the matter?”

Still panting from her all day run about Skitch just fixed her with a steady stare. “Fabric.”

“...Fabric is what's the matter?”

“No! Fabric! I need it! I need a banner base that's three feet wide, by five foot long and that tapers to a point at the end.”

“I...see. While I would be more than happy to provide you with said fabric, I insist that you tell me what is wrong before I do so.”

Skitch's ears flicked back as she hung her head. “Come on Rarity. I'm in a rush!”

The fashionista's withering glare made Skitch-Sketch flinch.

“But...I...I already told Twilight and I don't...”

“Skitch!”

Sighing, she just motioned to her cutie-mark.

“Mark fading, might be loosing ability to do art. Bank trying to foreclose on house. One week to earn three hundred bits. The fabric is for a sign that I'm making for Berry Bunch.”

“Oh! For her beer garden festival?”

“You got it.”

Rarity walked over to her bolts of cloth grabbing a long bolt of plain white, as well as her scissors and thread. “Of course. Just give me a moment darling.”

Skitch calmed down some as she watched Rarity work as she slipped into one of her fangirl moments. Rarity quickly snapped the roll of cloth out with a flick of her magic, her scissors moving with a quick dart and flourish.

Quick cuts were made to sculpt off the bottom, a fold was made across the top and sewn shut so that it could be easily hung from Berry's place. And then the whole process was repeated to make another.

“There you are dear. One and a backup, just in case.” She said as she floated the pair over to her.

Skitch smiled as she stowed them in her saddlebags. “Thanks Rarity. You're a life saver. How much do I owe you?”

“Shall we say five bits? That and you clearing an hour from your schedule around four this afternoon for a spa trip.”

“Wait...what?”

“I'm calling the first half of my promise in. You and I will hit the spa, have a nice girl's afternoon, and talk things out. You've already proven that you have a tendency to bottle your problems up.” She said as she walked over to Skitch.

“But...I have art to do...”

“You forget dear. You're talking to another artist who's pulled plenty of all night design sessions herself. And if you have as much work as I think you do, you'll be doing that anyway.”

Skitch just stared at her for a few moments before sighing in frustration. “Fine. I know I won't be able to get out of this. But can you at least do me the favor of filling the others in if you see them before me? I don't want to have to keep explaining this.”

Rarity nodded. “Of course.”

“All right. I'll see you around four o'clock then.”

And with that she rushed out the door again.

A few hours later, Skitch walked back into her house, dropping her saddlebags by the door. A slight ache ran through her muscles from running at top speed for most of the day. Sighing to herself, she looked over at her empty canvases and art supplies and then at the clock.

She could just start now. Four large pieces were a lot to do on an unsure time schedule. Surely Rarity would understand that...right?

Ugh. No, I can't just blow her off. She's probably right. A little relaxation session can't hurt that much.

Turning and heading out the door for what felt like the fifth time today, Skitch briskly trotted for the spa, not wanting to walk too slowly as she was still feeling self conscious about her cutie-mark situation. It didn't take her long to reach the building, thankfully.

Skitch-Sketch walked into the Ponyville spa her tail nervously flicking to cover her cutie-mark as she glanced around; spying Rarity stretched out on one of the couches before the main soaking tub.

One of the spa ponies- Aloe by Skitch's memory- was giving Rarity a hooficure as Skitch came trotting over. Rarity smiled at her friend motioning her head to the couch next to her.

“Take a seat dear. We can talk while you get a hooficure.”

“Oh...uh...” Skitch winced as she slowly climbed onto the other couch. “I guess?”

“Something wrong?”

“It just...I dunno. It feels girly. Really, really girly. Super duper girly.”

Rarity regraded Skitch carefully for a moment. “Isn't being a girl what you've wanted?”

“Well...yeah. Cutie-mark freak out aside, I have felt oddly more comfortable as a girl pony than I did as a male human...” She glanced down at her fore-hooves. “Still miss my hands though.”

“But?”

“I want to be a girl on my terms. I still want to be me. Not some kind of uber girly-girl, super fashion and makeup obsessed fluff-ball!”

Immediately after those words left her she snapped her mouth shut and gave an apologetic look towards Rarity.

“Uhh...no offense Rarity. I mean...I'm not trying to slam you or anything...”

“That's just not the kind of pony you are or want to be. I know dear.” She smiled. “Hoof and horn care is important, however. We mostly interact with the world through them, walking on our hooves, channeling magic through our horns. They need to be properly cleaned and maintained. So! I won't inflict any polish on you but let's give them a simple filing.”

Skitch nodded. “All right Rarity. I trust you.”

The other spa pony, Lotus Blossom, set to work with her file. For Skitch it was probably the most bizarre thing she had felt since gaining this equine body. She could feel a light pressure on her hooves from the file but not much else.

“So,” Rarity continued. “I have a hunch that your confusion over what kind of pony you want to be is tying into the loss of your cutie-mark. You're still struggling with who you are now. Did you speak with your family about your situation when you went home?”

“Of course!” Skitch blurted out. “They were shocked, of course. It's not every day their human son shows up as their now pony daughter. But they supported me the best they could. I mean, what else would they do?”

“Mmm. Well, if I'm honest darling you still sound and act like a pony trapped between two identities.”

Skitch sighed as she rested her head against the pillow of the couch.

“I guess you have some experience here, eh Rare?"

Rarity smiled a sad smile back. "That I do. Trust me Skitch you just need to focus on working out who you are now. When you do, your cutie-mark will appear, if it's vanished by then.”

“After I finish my work.”

Rarity sighed. “Yes. After you finish your work. Now sit back and just relax for now. And maybe we can get you a bit of a massage to work the kinks out.”

By the time Skitch got back to her place Rarity had managed to talk her up into getting a massage and her mane and tail styled. Nothing too extreme, but both had picked up some more bounce and a light curl at their ends.

She wasn't entirely sure of herself still. The fear of loosing what little she had been able to build since she came here still pulsed through her, but she still had friends willing to support her.

Frowning she glanced towards the ceiling.

Is it still right for me to do this? Insert myself into the group and become friends with six of the most important ponies on Equestria? I'm living a damn Human in Equestria fic and I'm still feeling guilty about it.

She began to gather up paint and paintbrushes before unrolling the cloth that Rarity had given her. Then the other canvases were set up for her other pieces.

No way around it though, this is home now.

She looked over the assembled blank working surfaces, sighing slightly.

“My destiny is not pretty...but it's what my cutie-mark is telling me.”

And with a flourish of her magic she began to paint.

She started with Berry Punch's sign, her paintbrushes dancing across the fabric surface with a slight wobble. Resolute, she scrunched up her face and focused more magic through her horn, it's glow becoming brighter as she intensified the grip on what skill was still there.

A full cask of beer was painted in the middle of the sign the royal crest of Equestria painted on it's front, griffon wings spread wide from either side. Twisting vines were painted in a line above the top and then down the sides, instances of Berry Punch's cutie-mark added into the vines to tie the whole banner together. The right along the bottom was the practical information, the name of the event, and the bit cost for a mug of the imported griffon ale.

She turned to face the next canvas, moving onto a piece for Vinyl Scratch. She had requested something vibrant for her next record cover. Idly tapping a clean brush against the edge of a can she mulled over some possibilities. She glanced at her media center, still sitting where it was left from movie night.

“Computer. Give me some techno music. Something with a good dance beat.”

The rhythmic music began to flow through the room as Skitch launched into painting again. She blocked in a silhouette of Vinyl rearing up on her hind legs in stark white before throwing on her cutie-mark, making it larger and bolder than normal.

Switching colors to a blue that matched Vinyl's mane color, she began to paint large looping circles reminiscent of sound waves around the silhouette; her paintbrush moving in time to the sound of the bass of the music.

She painted onwards, deep into the night.

It was past midnight by the time she finished. Yawning, she dropped the brush she was using back into a can of water, the smell of freshly applied paint filling the room.

Smiling contently to herself, she took in the fruits of her labor. Aside from Berry Punch's banner, and Vinyl's record cover, she had done a portrait for the cafe, and another one for Amethyst Star's jewerly store. All told it was just enough to cover the cost of her first mortgage payment.

Slowly walking back to her bedroom, she flopped into bed with a satisfied smile. She had done it. Pushed all night, but she had done it. Now she could worry about her cutie-mark situation without having to worry about being homeless.

I can start looking for a solution tomorrow. Maybe I can try some heart's desire? Na...that'll probably just give me cutie-pox. I'm sure I can think of something...

She snuggled deep under the covers, staring at the ceiling with a tired smile before she drifted off into sleep.

Author's Note

A little shorter chapter compared to the last one, mostly due to less world-building than before. Though I couldn't resist adding a little bit explaining how Luna started to regain her powers in this alternate universe I've created.

I've also started to subtly hint at why Skitch came back. All shall be revealed on that soon enough. Yes...soon enough. *evil laugh*

In all seriousness though, this chapter was fun to write.

Two Queens (Bonus Chapter 2)

Celestia's image nodded. “To work then.”

Queen Magnolia let the spell fade from the glowing orange sphere set into her intricately carved mahogany writing desk, severing her line of communication with Celestia. The relatively cool night air flowed through her open balcony doors and through her white colored mane and tail.

Grabbing a sheet of parchment, she began to scribble out a message to some of her former spies.

Greetings Roseluck,

It's been a little while since I've been able to write, and I do wish that it was under better circumstances. Princess Celestia and I find ourselves asking you to come out of retirement for one last mission. We require skilled operatives to relocate to Brayton and keep their eyes open for the possible return of Grogar. You and Cherry Berry have been two of the most skilled operatives to come out of the hive, so that is why I'm coming to you.

I can make no demands of you on this. You served above and beyond the call of duty and your shipments of love from Ponyville have always been appreciated. This would be a personal favor to us.

If you are willing, respond on this same letter.

-Queen Magnolia

Folding the letter up, she lightly tapped it with her horn as she channelled a spell, one that she had learned from Princess Celestia to be able to communicate quickly with creatures. The letter twisted into a little puff of flame and shoot through the open balcony doors.

Buzzing her wings to stretch them out she strode back across the room, and out onto the balcony, looking out over her hive. Though, if she was honest with herself, the overall look was much similar to the cities of other creatures than the hives of other changelings.

Wide avenues instead of twisted tunnels. Buildings, workshops and homes instead of sleeping chambers. Flowers and plant life growing from the carefully sculpted living wood instead of thorns from grown chitin. All that had lead to accusations from some creatures that her changelings were playing at civilization.

Magnolia took a deep inhale of breath through her nose, letting the potpourri smell of flowers and fruit fill her nasal passages before exhaling; the perfect mix of sweet, fragrant, and sometimes even earthy smells.

Magnolia loved flowers. Their varying smells and appearances, while all being the same general category of plant. There was a certain metaphor in that, that she extended to her own changeling brood. She let a wide smile cross her face. To Tartarus with the naysayers, her charges were healthy and happy and that was what mattered.

All of her hard work and dangerous chances were paying off. A long and hard journey of hundreds of years had all been worth it.

Two Hundred Years Ago...

Princess Monarch looked up at her mother, Queen Cocoon. Her face was an impassive mask as she looked down at her and her sister, Chrysalis. It was time for the daily lessons on how to rule. Which probably meant more yelling and harshness. She glanced towards her sister, who was sitting completely upright, her fanged grin wide, her eyes alert.

Monarch mentally sighed as she looked back towards her mother, who got to her hooves and walked down the stairs of the short dais.

“So, my daughters. It is important that you understand your roles. You are the first birth of twin royals in a thousand years. Do you know what that means?”

Chrysalis' hoof shot up immediately.

“That means the brood is evolving! One of us will learn and develop new techniques as we grow up and when we add that knowledge to the hive's brooding chambers, a whole new iteration of changelings will be born!” Her eyes were wide and full of energy. “Better, faster, stronger changelings!”

Cocoon chuckled. “Yes, but that's only half right. Both of you will add your experience and knowledge to the birthing pools. And then there will be two new iterations of changelings, working together towards the common good of advancing the swarm.”

Monarch raised a hoof. “And what about the other creatures of the world mother?”

Cocoon snorted. “They are not our concern. If they are strong enough to challenge us, they will. If they aren't, they will fall before us. That is how it is.”

Monarch let her hoof drop. “Oh.”

She waited for a moment then raised her hoof again. “Why?”

“Because conflict is the crucible in which evolution is forged. And the fate of the swarm is all that is our concern.”

“...Why?”

Cocoon glared at her.

“That is our nature. Since the earliest days of equis, we hunt and test our mettle against the lesser races of the world.”

Monarch sighed and let her hoof fall to her side, letting her mother continue her lesson.

“Now, tomorrow you and Chrysalis will head out into the world, alone. You must survive on your own for a year's time, no assisting each other. Upon the end of that year you will return to the hive and impart your gained knowledge. Do you understand?”

“Yes mother.” Monarch and Chrysalis responded.

Magnolia was pulled out of her flashback when a flash of light signalled the return of her letter. Grabbing it with her magic and unfolding it again, she blinked.

“That was fast.”

The response was short and direct.

Cherry Berry and I are in. Just like old times.

Magnolia's heart swelled with pride as she fired back another response, with instructions on what to do next. They'd head out to Fillydelphia, and from there pick up a supply cache with cover identities before heading into Brayton. She sent it off with another spell, watching the bolt of fiery light shoot over the horizon.

With a soft smile and a buzz of her wings, Magnolia launched herself off the balcony winging her way across the city. There was always plenty to do, but for now she wanted to take a fly.

Swooping lower, Queen Magnolia flew over the Tourist Quarter. Easily the prettiest district of the city, mixing architectural styles from across the world, but all grown from the living plants that her brood used.

She could feel the love radiating from the buildings around her as she flew over the streets, many of them full of young couples on their honeymoons who wanted to visit some place exotic. Other shops and buildings were staffed by changelings who took on set forms to interact with the visitors.

This was the part of her city that Magnolia was probably the most proud of. Changelings interacting with other creatures in peace. Her brood and her children showing the world the potential of her species.

Her trip took her to the center piece of the district, the sprawling central park that was lined by most of the cities great restaurants. While plants and flowers abounded in the city, the park had the highest concentration. Great weeping willow trees towered over well groomed rows of flowering shrubs.

Walking to the middle of the park, Magnolia came to the one completely artificial structure in the park; an elegant statue of white marble. It depicted herself, and the tapir emperor standing on either side of a carving of the island that Venexia had been built on. They were touching hooves in agreement, while Celestia sat on the third side of the island halfway between the two; a serene smile was on her face, approval at what had been accomplished.

Magnolia smiled herself. “Thank you, Celestia.”

Monarch and Chrysalis headed due east away from their hive on foot, aiming to conserve their energy. Chrysalis was in high spirits, a very distinct spring in her steps as they moved through the dense underbrush.

Monarch was quieter, more lost in thought as she mulled over her plan of action. Chrysalis would most likely focus her efforts more on stalking and hunting. She always played the predator in their games of predator and prey. Maybe she would focus on infiltration? She certainly wasn't a fighter like her sister was.

“So,” Chrysalis interrupted. “I think it's time we parted ways, dear sister. The trails require us to work alone.”

“Yes, I suppose so.” Monarch sighed. “See you in a year, sister.”

Monarch had set off towards the north-east, in the opposite direction from her sister. She was nervous. The deep jungles had plenty of monsters that could pose a threat towards a changeling. Her mother had told her the stories of hydra the size of castles, snakes that could swallow an elephant whole, and vicious cousins of Parasprites that could strip a creature to the bone.

She took a deep breath as she continued onwards, trotting through the undergrowth to conserve her energy; flying could drain a changeling's reserves quickly if one wasn't careful. She had been away from her hive for almost a week now and the pangs of hunger were setting in.

It was one of the great irony's of the changeling existence, that they needed the intangible substance known as love energy to survive, but they were so hated that they could only live in the deep jungles away from most other creatures. But, much to her luck, she had picked up a faint trail of love energy last night.

Following it all through the night, she was closing in now. Crouching low to the ground she crept through the underbrush to get a closer look at what she had been hunting. A pair of tents had been pitched on the other side of a small stream, a fire pit set up between the two.

A pegasus mare with a dark brown coat, short and strait goldenrod mane and tail, and telescope cutie-mark was sitting next to the fire, stirring a pot of something, softly singing to herself.

Monarch's mouth was watering. Through her horn, she could sense the different flavors of love energy radiating from her. The charged and spicy tones of love for another creature, the light and airy flavors of love for her profession and the complex and slightly sweet flavors that came from the love of life in general.

She had to be from Equestria. The land ruled by the sun alicorn was a legend among the changeling hives, a reservoir of love energy that would empower them forever if they could only find a way to tap into it.

Monarch's muscles tensed as she prepared to strike, ready to wrap the pegasus in a cocoon and drain the energy. The pegasus pulled a ladle from the pot, sampling whatever she was cooking. She nodded to herself, looking quite content and so...very happy. Monarch hesitated. It felt wrong to ruin such a scene. No! She was a changeling. She had to do this.

She prepared to strike again, when the tent flap on the other tent opened and another pegasus stepped out. His coat was a sky blue, his long mane pulled back in a simple braid, both it and the tail an off white color; his cutie-mark a small brush.

He walked over to the mare, giving her a kiss before sitting on the other side of the fire and beginning to chat. Monarch frowned. She didn't think that she could take two full grown pegasai. Maybe this called for a more indirect approach. She looked around, searching for some kind of cutie-mark inspiration. Her eyes landed on a brilliant white flower on a nearby bush.

Perfect!

Trotting a little bit back the way she came, she activated her shape changing, her whole body becoming wrapped in green flame. A moment later a pink furred, white maned unicorn stood in her place and she trotted back towards the camp. Half way there she paused, rolling on the ground and against some plants to help give the appearance of being lost in the jungle. Satisfied with her disguise she stepped out of the bushes, towards the camp.

“Umm...hello?”

The two pegasai turned to regard her for a moment before breaking into warm smiles, the mare waving a hoof at her.

“Greetings fellow traveler!” She beamed. “Who are you and what brings you out into the deep jungle? You look lost.”

Monarch smiled warmly back. “My name is Magnolia. I study plants. Unfortunately, I've never been surrounded by so many before and kind of got lost...”

The mare motioned to the food on the fire. “Have a seat my dear and partake. We'd never leave a fellow explorer abandoned. I'm Far View and this is my husband, Dusty.”

Monarch nodded to each of them as she took a seat. “The pleasure is all mine. What brings a married couple of explorers into the jungle?”

Dusty grinned. “We're searching for lost civilizations! Have you heard about the lost lizard tribes of the deep jungles...”

Monarch made small talk with the pair for over an hour, trying to draw out the conversation as much as possible as she slowly fed on the surplus love they generated. Filtering the ambient energy through her horn, she listened very closely to their plan of action.

According to the pair, they were planning on following the river for the next few days to a small series of hills in the jungle that they suspected were actually constructions of some kind. Monarch considered for a moment. The goal of the journey was to infiltrate, survive and learn. Perhaps there was some potential here.

“Interesting in having another helping set of hooves?”

Monarch had been eating well the last three days. By changeling standards she had practically been gorging herself. In fact she seemed to have needed to eat even less love than normal. It was over breakfast on the third day that she made the connection in her head. The normal food she was eating seemed to be supplementing her diet. New knowledge to bring back to the hive.

She was glad to have learned something to bring back to the hive, as what she was doing now could very easily be viewed as shirking her duties. But she couldn't help it. She was having fun hanging around this lovestruck pair of explorer ponies.

She, Far View and Dusty approached the hills. They were thick with overgrowth and looked mostly the same from every other bit of the jungle from Monarch's point of view.

“And you're sure that these are supposed to be structures of some kind?”

“Well, we don't know for sure.” Dusty said. “But that's half of the fun!”

“Indeed!” Far View grinned as she pointed at the mounds. “Now, let us venture forth and uncover the unknown!”

Monarch chuckled as she shook her head. These Equestrian ponies' enthusiasm was infectious. “Lead on my friends. Lead on.”

“Are you all right?” Far View gasped, as she bandaged Dusty's wing.

“Nothing I can't handle dear! We've both taken worse hits than this in the past.”

They had found that one of the mounds was indeed a half buried structure of some sort and it hadn't taken too long after that to find a way inside. However, the builders of the ziggarut had been smart enough to leave some defences in place.

Monarch looked at the arrow that had flown from the wall, and buried itself at the joint where where the wing met the body. The tip seemed to be carved from jagged obsidian and left quite a nasty wound.

Once Dusty was patched up, the trio continued deeper into the structure. The next room seemed to be not much more than a bottomless pit, flanked by walkways that looked like they were once connected to something else.

“Looks like there was a floor here at one point.” Far View commented.

“Think that walkway will support our weight?” Monarch asked.

“One way to find out.” She responded as she carefully walked out onto the walkway, carefully working her way around to the far side. Monarch and Dusty watched with baited breath, waiting to see if the stone would fall away. Thankfully, Far View reached the other side without anything collapsing.

Dusty grinned. “Me next.”

He began to work his way around next. About half way across however, Monarch watched one of the supports under the walkway crumble away, followed by the part of it he was standing on.

Far View shrieked, spreading her wings to go diving after her falling husband, but Monarch was faster. She had thrown herself over the edge, her disguise falling away with a burst of emerald green flame. Her wings beating as fast as she could push them, she swooped down and grabbed Dusty.

A foot away from the floor she pulled up, shooting high and landing neatly on the other side, putting Dusty down next to his wife. She glanced down in the pit again. The jagged remains of what had been the original floor before it's collapse would have surely broken every bone in Dusty's body. Smiling at what she accomplished, she looked back at Dusty and Far View.

Her smile faltered as she saw the wide eyed stares they were giving her. Here is where it would all fall apart. They would treat her like a monster just like every creature did when seeing a changeling.

“That was amazing!” Far View grinned. “Why didn't you tell us you were a changeling!”

Monarch blinked. “E-excuse me?”

“Well, we've heard about changelings, but we've never had the chance to actually meet one!” Dusty said with an equal grin. “We have a whole mess of questions for you, if you're willing to answer.”

Monarch just blinked as Far View clapped an arm around her neck. “Come on Magnolia! We still have to see what's in this next room.”

“But...aren't you afraid of what I'll do to you?”

Dusty shook his head. “Magnolia...if you wanted to hurt us, you've had three days to do it. And you just threw yourself into a pit to save me when my wife can fly. Benefit of the doubt and all that. So! Are we going to see what's in the next room or not?”

Monarch couldn't help but laugh. “You two are delightfully insane. Fine, let's see what this place is hiding.”

Heading into the next room, the two ponies and one changeling's eyes went wide as they saw the skeletal figure sitting atop a stone throne. The creature was the size of a pony, with a lizard like head that sported razor sharp teeth. Three fingered hands and feet were tipped with sharp claws, the exterior claw on each foot a three inch curved dagger.

It was dressed in an elaborate feathered headdress, golden bracelets and other jewels, indicating that it was an important creature of some kind. Clutched in one of it's bony claws was a claw like on it's feet, but that seemed to be covered in carvings.

Far View walked over to it and grinned. “I do believe we've found something amazing.”

Glancing back at Monarch, she carefully removed the carved claw from the creatures hand and tossed it to her. Monarch caught it with her magic, blinking in confusion.

“Your first discovery. Cherish it. And take it from someone who knows. Never be afraid to go out and question for yourself.”

One Year Later...

The streets of Sa Palo were packed with tapir and other visiting creatures as the party known as Carnaval was roaring full swing. The sound of music and creatures dancing and drinking floated up from the streets. Monarch was not joining them as she packed up her small office-apartment, currently in her Magnolia persona.

She picked up the last item with her magic, a photograph on the edge of her desk. It was one that she, Far View and Dusty had taken together, all three of them standing around the skeletal reptilian creature they had found in the jungle; Monarch in her pony persona.

She had been working in Sa Palo as a botanist, basically keeping the persona she had created for Far View and Dusty. It had been far from a quiet year with those two, however, having been dragged into several adventures along with them. But now she had to return to the hive with what she had learned.

...Well, what I learned and one trinket, at least.

She carefully slid the carved claw on a chain over her neck as there was a knock on her door. She trotted over to it, pulling it open to see Far View and Dusty. They both gave her sad smiles as they stepped inside.

“Thanks for coming to see me off.” Monarch said as she floated the box over to them. “And thank you for taking my personal effects.”

“It's our pleasure dear.” Dusty said, as he slid the box into his saddlebags.

“We're going to miss you, you know.” Far View added.

“I know...I'd stay, but I still have a duty to my people.” Monarch commented as she walked into the other room, the pegasai following her.

The other room was a little warmer than the main, due to the impromptu greenhouse that Monarch had created. Plant boxes full of soil and half aborted attempts were scattered all about, but sitting in the middle of a shelf against the back wall, was the fruits of all her work and failed attempts.

A hoof-ball sized plant pod, that was currently full of love energy. Monarch smiled as she carefully picked it up and slid it into her own enchanted carrier. A whole year of experimentation and enchantment to find the perfect combination of natural plant growth and magical tending that would allow a growing pod to store love energy. It was her crowning creation.

“With this, I think that my people's fate will finally change.” She said. “With this we'll be able to store away love, and get through lean times instead of always needing to be on the hunt. And then...then we might be able to actually be part of the world.”

Far View and Dusty followed her as she walked up to the roof. The Carnaval celebration was approaching it's height, which meant that the fireworks would be beginning soon. The perfect cover for her to shift back and fly off.

Far View smiled and gave her changeling friend a hug.

“Good luck Magnolia.”

Monarch chuckled and shook her head. “My name is Monarch, you know. I've told you that a few dozen times.”

“And you'll always be Magnolia to us.” Dusty responded. “So, good luck.”

The fireworks began to explode overhead, signalling to Monarch that it was time to move. With a green flash of magic, she turned back to her normal form and began to fly for the deep jungle again.

One Month Later...

The spawning chamber was full of recently hatched changelings, the remains of their cocoons scatted all over the floor. They were mulling about, stretching their wings; changelings drones were fully grown and capable at “birth”. Two future queens stood on a small balcony overlooking the chamber, one looking distinctly aggravated.

“These broodlings are...strange.” Chrysalis growled as she and Monarch looked over the new generation of hatchlings, motioning her hoof to a group separated from the others.

Monarch couldn't deny that fact. Most of the hatchlings of this generation were slight evolutions from the previous generation. Solid colored eyes, slightly sharper fangs and horns, wing muscles slightly stronger. But still very recognizable as changelings.

Separated from them, however, were a different looking group. The holes in their limbs and wings were slightly smaller, and their manes and tails were colors other than gray. Even more strange was the fact they seemed to have distinct sexes. Mares and stallions, like the ponies they kind of resembled. But their most striking difference were the eyes. Full pupiled, like a queen or princess. And it was that last fact that seemed to be upsetting Chrysalis the most.

“This is...unnatural.” Chrysalis growled. “They look like possible queens. There can only be only one queen per hive! Even we will have to separate soon.”

“Well, I kind of like them.” Monarch said. “I see potential. Such a large evolutionary leap from the last generation.”

Chrysalis glared at her, before rolling her eyes. “This is your influence, sister. You spent far to much time cavorting with other species instead of learning how to hunt, how to strike. We are not just predators. We are the predators. The predators that even other predators fear.”

Monarch shrugged. “I am a future queen, as are you. I have a right to manage my brood the way I see fit.”

“You would betray the legacy of your people?”

Monarch raised an eyebrow. “The legacy of our people is to evolve and adapt. My influence has just created a different strain.”

She turned, heading for the exit of the spawning chamber. “I will take these changelings with me to form my hive and remove my influence from this birthing pool. You can have this hive when mother passes, and I will supply my love cocoons to you. Is this acceptable?”

Chrysalis growled, but nodded.

“This is...acceptable.”

Fifty Years Later...

Monarch pushed and shoved at the edges of the cocoon, pushing and breaking away the vessel of her next metamorphosis. The remains of it fell away as Monarch stood to her hooves, stretching both her body and her wings.

Her royal guard were waiting patiently, having closely guarded her during the transformation and as she rose to her full royal height they let loose a wild cheer.

“Long live Queen Monarch!”

Monarch buzzed her wings as she thought that statement over. The name Monarch had been a reference to one of the species of butterfly that were so common in the jungle, however, it was another name for ruler and seemed redundant to her. Besides, she was a queen now, with her own hive and her own destiny to forge.

“No...that name doesn't fit me anymore. Let it be known that from here on, I shall be known as Queen Magnolia.”

Her royal guard exchanged quizzical glances at that piece of news, muttering to each other softly, before one of them stepped forward.

“Excuse me, Queen Magnolia, but are you allowed to just...change your name like that?”

Magnolia shrugged. “I don't see why not.”

The drone frowned, her wings buzzing as she thought for a moment before speaking up again.

“Queen, the drones of the hive are quite aware of how different we are to your sister's hive. We look different. We think differently. We act more like...queens?” She finished, hoping that she had picked the correct word.

Magnolia smiled at her. “I believe that the term you want is individual.”

The drone nodded rapidly. “Yes! Individuals! And individuals...well...they have names, like you, yes?”

At a nod from Magnolia, the drone smiled and quickly spit out a question.

“Can we have names too?”

Magnolia thought for a moment before answering.

“I don't see why not.”

10 Years Later...

“It's time for your hive to earn it's keep.” Chrysalis growled. “The tapir are expanding again. An example must be made.”

“And I am to stop my harvesting operations to help your war broods?” Magnolia responded, her wings twitching in annoyance. “My changelings are infiltrators and workers. Not soldiers.”

“If they are so good at infiltration, then surly you have one or two that could remove some key commanders in the tapir military for me. Then my attack wings will erase this new town they are building and it's military guard from the map!”

“You forget, sister. I lived among their kind for a year. They are not so easily intimidated by shows of force, and they know the jungles as well as we do. And they are allies with Equestria. Your actions would bring doom upon us.” She flicked her wings. “Besides, I thought you'd be happier with shorter hunting trips for love.”

“Letting creatures invade our territory does not make our species strong, dear sister.” Chrysalis snarled back. “Competing species displace and choke each other out.”

“Symbiosis exists in nature all the time Chrysalis.”

The look on Chrysalis' face- a mixture of rage and disgust at the very idea- told Magnolia that she had gone a step too far. She opened her mouth to qualify her statement only for Chrysalis to cut her off.

“Just. Be. SILENT!” She growled. “I can not believe that my own sister is suggesting that we make ourselves subservient to the other races of the world!”

“Working with other species is not the same thing as being subservient!”

“Just...keep your deviant ideas and deviant brood out of my hive! I will not have your ideas tainting the last pure strain of our people!”

Magnolia winced as she took wing and flew away from her sister's hive. Maybe some time would let her calm down.

89 Years Later...

“...And the tapir government has been stepping up their magical scans as of late your highness. We lost two collectors in their most recent sweep.”

Magnolia frowned as she sat on her bed, her new spymaster going over the reports from the most recent love energy harvest. Chrysalis' aggressive actions were continuing to spill over and cause problems for her own hive. Chrysalis could not walk away from this idea that she needed to take a hard and an aggressive stance on...pretty much everything really.

Her changelings continued to attack and harass tapir patrols. They continued to aggressively steal love via mind control and cocooning. And true to her own prediction, the tapir were swinging back, hard.

Finally growing sick of Chrysalis, they had been focusing their magical R&D into anti-changeling efforts. Chrysalis had long insisted, as had their mother, that conflict was the crucible in which change and evolution were truly coaxed forward. If such a statement was true, it seemed that the tapir were on the winning side of this arms race.

Magnolia glanced over at the corner of the room. A young hatchling- she had dubbed her Rosewater- was playing with a ball made from a hollowed out seed pod. She was destined to be a princess and someday form her own hive...if she lived that long.

“Thank you Roseluck.” She sighed. “That will be all. I need time to think.”

The changeling bowed. “Of course your highness.”

Magnolia got to her hooves and walked over to the enchanted communication spheres she and Chrysalis used to speak with each other; her sister hadn't set foot in Magnolia's hive for over eighty years.

If her own hive was going to survive, she would need to break away from her sister's insane plans. She thought back to Far View and Dusty and the friendship she had built with them over that year when everything was so much simpler.

She decided to risk it.

Reaching out with her magic, she coiled it around the communication sphere, and then cast her senses far to the north; across the sea that separated her continent from Equestria's. Onwards to Canterlot and then up to the highest tower where the sun monarch was supposed to reside.

Her progress was suddenly halted as she hit up against a spell ward of some kind. Frowning, she lightly poked and prodded at it, testing the strength of the energy field. It was strong, like poking a particularly strong piece of metal. Smiling to herself, she channeled a little more power into her spell and knocked on the ward like a creature would knock on a door.

Another source of magic responded, reaching out with curiosity. And as that tendril of magic touched Magnolia's, the connection was made, and the communication bridge was open. To an outside observer, it would appear that Princess Celestia had just appeared in Magnolia's room. But in reality the sun monarch was just a projection. Celestia regarded Magnolia carefully, her expression curious but measured.

“To what pleasure do I owe a knock on my door from a Changeling Queen. Your kind is not well known for your openness.”

“Circumstances change. My name is Queen Magnolia and I am sure that you're aware of the ongoing battles between us and the tapir.”

“I am aware.” Celestia responded, raising an eyebrow. “But if you wish to cease hostilities, I believe you would be better served speaking to Emperor Placido.”

“I have no control over this conflict.” Magnolia sighed. “I...contacted you because I wish to seek asylum for my hive.”

Magnolia guessed that Celestia wasn't used to being shocked like this. “You...what?”

“My sister is insane! She won't stop hurting creatures, thanks to her obsession with being 'strong'. It is not a direction I wish my hive to follow, and I will not follow her into oblivion. So...please, I request asylum.”

Celestia opened her mouth to respond but another surge of magic from the communication orb interrupted her, as the form of Queen Chrysalis appeared in the room as well. Her eyes locked on the projection of Celestia, rage flashing through them.

“TRAITOR!” She bellowed, spinning on her sister. “You sell us out to Equestria?”

“S-sister! I...”

“I have tolerated your weak sentimentality long enough!” Chrysalis shrieked, her expression becoming deranged. “My legions come for you! Their bodies will block out the sun as I wipe your deviant brood off the face of equis! I WILL IMPALE THEIR HUSKS ON THE SPIRES OF MY HIVE!”

Rosewater shrieked, diving under the bed as Magnolia took a wavering step back from the image of her sister. Chrysalis looked towards Celestia, the rage still clear on her facial features. “If you are smart, you will stay out of this Celestia. Interfere at your own risk.”

Chrysalis vanished, leaving Magnolia and Celestia alone in the room. Celestia didn't miss a beat, turning to face Magnolia.

“Mangolia. Listen to me!”

Magnolia snapped out of her haze, looking towards the alicorn.

“What is the closest tapir border town?”

Magnolia thought for a moment before responding. “Green Branch. Three days by hoof.”

“And how far is your sister's hive from you now?”

“Three days by hoof, a day and a half by wing.”

“Then you need to leave now. Make for Green Branch.”

Magnolia blinked. “We're still in conflict with the tapir! You ask us to walk into our deaths!”

“No...I ask you to trust me. You reached out for help and now I offer it. But you have to trust me.”

Magnolia took a deep breath. “Very well.”

“Hurry my little changelings!” Magnolia called as the unwieldy convoy moved through the jungle as quickly as possible. “Chrysalis and her brood won't give up until we reach safe haven.”

Her changelings were arranged in a rough circular pattern as they moved through the jungle. The few that considered themselves to be solider material formed an outer ring, with the vast bulk of the hive forming the next ring. The center of the circle was made up of all the still incubating cocoons and love energy pods they could carry, born along in hastily constructed sleds.

At Celestia's urging, they had set out that night, grabbing what they could and making a beeline for Green Branch. For almost three days, they had torn through the bushes and trees, not even daring to sleep lest Chrysalis catch up with them. But even now Magnolia could see occasional scouts from Chrysalis' brood fly past overhead. She was convinced her sister was just toying with her. Waiting for the right time to strike, inflicting as much fear as possible before the final blow.

“We're all going to die.”

Magnolia looked to her right, where the form of Roseluck walked on with hung head.

“Roseluck...”

“Queen...if it's not Chrysalis, it'll be the tapir who shoot us down. I...I don't see a way this ends in our favor.”

“Please Roseluck. We have to be strong for the others.”

Her spymaster lapsed into silence as they continued to walk, though Magnolia was hardly alone in those doubts. But Celestia had asked her to trust. She just hoped that it wasn't in vain.

They pushed on for a few more hours, mostly in silence, save for the sound of the sleds dragging across the ground. The buzz of scout wings had vanished now, which meant that Chrysalis had what she wanted.

“There it is!” Roseluck's shout cut through the silence.

The roofs of the small tapirian village were clearly visible at this point, and the grateful changelings ran ahead, streaming into the place they believed they were safe in. Roseluck and Magnolia looked around as they trotted into the village limits.

“It's far to quiet here...” Magnolia muttered. “It's like it's been abandoned.”

“They must have seen us coming and fled.” Roseluck muttered. “We're doomed.”

A mocking laugh echoed through the jungle behind them. Squeezing her eyes shut for a moment, Magnolia turned and faced her sister. Chrysalis was standing at the edge of the clearing, hundreds of changelings teeming in the undergrowth and tree branches. Magnolia heard her own brood shriek in fear as they backed further into the village.

“Well, well...it seems like the vaunted sun monarch of Equestria hasn't shown her face.” Chrysalis grinned. “And now, there is no where left for you to run and your creations are about to be snuffed out. Though, I might be forgiving if you're willing to walk away from them now and beg to be brought back into the fold.”

Magnolia growled.”I won't let my brood die. It's my duty to look after them...”

“Your duty?!” Chrysalis laughed. “The hive serves the queen, not the other way around! You really have been tainted by the values of Equestria, haven't you? But I ask you...dear sister, where is the sun monarch to help you now?”

An explosion of light, as bright as the noonday sun exploded in Chrysalis' face. She reared in pain, as Celestia landed with a heavy thud between the two forces. The alicorn monarch was dressed in glittering golden armor, an ornate golden halberd wrapped in her magic aura.

A battalion of armored pegasai were flanking her and perched on top many of the buildings. A hundred ponies placing themselves between Magnolia and Chrysalis, all armed with wicked looking barbed spears.

“That was a very dramatic entrance.” Chrysalis snarled. “But I warned you not to interfere! I still outnumber you, and the changelings you came this far to save are far to exhausted from traveling without sleep for three days to fight.”

“Which is why I sent a message ahead.” Celestia smiled.

The jungle brush around the town came alive as armed and camouflaged tapir stood up from their hiding places, their rifles all aimed at Chrysalis. Celestia smiled a little bit wider.

“The Emperor was kind enough to lend me some support. Now...what were you saying about being outgunned?”

Chrysalis snarled. “KILL THEM!”

The tapir responded to that deceleration by firing, the roar of rifle fire punctuating the descent of the scene into absolute pandemonium. Multiple drones collapsed from the fusillade, the rest throwing themselves forward. Pegasai, drones and tapir began to grapple in a general disorganized melee; the latter forced to drop their rifles and switch to combat knives.

Celestia went straight for Chrysalis, her eyes blazing with determination as she brought her halberd around in a glittering golden arc. Chrysalis was forced to scramble backwards, the blade of the weapon missing her by inches as it carved out a chunk of the tree she was standing next to.

Recovering and yelling in defiance, Chrysalis summoned her own spear- a corkscrew looking affair, grown from chitin- with a flash of emerald fire. She threw herself back at Celestia, her wings buzzing hard as she threw a rapid series of strikes towards her.

Celestia moved her own weapon with almost supernatural speed, blocking each strike with the haft. With a quick flick, she spun it around and slammed the butt hard into Chrysalis' chest.

Chrysalis was sent flying backwards, crashing into another tree. Light sprang from the tip of Celestia's horn as she unleashed a beam of pure sunlight towards the changeling queen. Chrysalis rolled to the side, the magical beam barely missing her and boring a charred hole straight through the tree trunk.

Chrysalis attacked again, flying straight up and weaving through the jungle foliage to use as cover. Celestia scanned the foliage for a moment before looking back to see how her ponies and their tapir allies were faring.

“WEAK!” Chrysalis snarled as she leapt from the branches above, her spear aimed for Celestia's throat.

Magnolia gasped as the tip of the spear drew ever closer to Celestia's neck, but with a flick of her wings a glimmering sphere of sunlight enveloped her. Chrysalis' spear impacted against it, and shattered into dozens of pieces. Celestia responded with another attack, driving her halberd deep into Chrysalis' chest.

The changeling queen looked down at blade that was partially sticking out of her, eyes wide in shock. As she slid off the halberd, the surviving drones of her brood immediately stopped fighting who they were engaged with and swarmed all over her, carrying her body away with a buzz of wings and angry hisses.

The horde of changelings melted back into the jungle, leaving Magnolia and her brood standing in stunned silence as Celestia landed next to Magnolia, her serene smile once again in place.

“I'm glad to see that you and your family made it Magnolia. It must have taken some courage to reach out to me the way you did. It would have been unfortunate if such a risk had ended the way Chrysalis wanted it to.”

It took Magnolia a moment to regain her composure, before she bowed to Celestia.

“Celestia...thank you. Considering my people's reputation, what some of us have done...”

Celestia smiled back. “Calm yourself Magnolia. I believe that you were true with your intentions. The reaction of your sister was certainly...explosive enough that I do not believe you are being deceptive.”

Magnolia nodded slowly. “So...what happens now?”

“Well, I have an idea about that.”

“As you can see it's nothing impressive now.” Emperor Placdio explained as he motioned to the swamp choked island. “But considering your skill with controlling and growing plants, I'm sure that you'll be able to make something grand there.”

“And you're just giving this to us?” Magnolia blinked.

“Well, consider it more of a sale with very favorable terms.” Placido chuckled. “Celestia and I discussed it, and in exchange for some trading agreements, I am happy to give your brood a chance at starting over here.”

Celestia smiled as she looked to Magnolia.

“A chance to be viewed as just another nation, instead of monsters.”

“That's all I ever wanted.” Magnolia smiled. “Princess Celestia, Emperor Placido...thank you.”

Queen Magnolia smiled as she once again took wing, heading back for her royal chambers. There was plenty more to do. Chrysalis had survived that battle, and she was still a threat on top of these new developments. She could only afford breaks like this every so often. But as she returned to work, one thought went through her head.

It had all been worth it.

Author's Note

This bonus chapter took me a bit, I will admit, especially considering how I wanted to define how Magnolia's brood of changelings were different from Chrysalis'.

It was also quite entertaining to be able to write a battle between her and Celestia that was a smack down in Celestia's favor. Mess with the sun monarch at your own risk!

Dusty and Far View are the ancestors of Daring Do, if that wasn't obvious. So there's a bit of a connection between Magnolia and the Daring line.

I also like to think that if Princess Celestia ever had to pull together a group of Element Bearers from her fellow heads of state, that Magnolia would be the Element of Kindness.

Noble's Ends

The train from Canterlot steamed towards Ponyville as the sun began it's journey through the sky. The train compartments were a little empty today, which suited the contents of one such compartment perfectly fine.

A pair of pegasai sat opposite each other, one reading the morning paper, the other looking out the window. The pony reading the paper was mustard yellow, with a dark pink mane and tail, her cutie-mark five flowers arranged in a circle. The other was light pink, with a deep blue mane and tail, her cutie-mark a pair of blue lightning bolts.

She rested her chin on a hoof as she idly stared out the window, her wings occasionally flicking with nervous energy. Her light purple eyes roamed around the compartment, searching for something to hold her attention.

“You know we could have flown to Ponyville by now, Posey.”

Posey lowered her paper slightly, smirking at her friend.

“We were in Canterlot already, Firefly. What's wrong with a nice, relaxing train ride in the morning? I even paid extra to get us breakfast service.”

Firefly smirked. “Well...far be it for me to turn down a free meal. But this ride is so boooring! I wanna get out and stretch my wings! I can feel my muscles withering away as we speak.”

“Oh, hush. One morning of taking it easy won't ruin your figure.”

Firefly smirked as she shifted in place. “So, when's this breakfast cart come through anyway?”

“Soon enough.” Posey responded as she folded up the paper and dropped it on the seat next to her. “So, let's go over the plan again.”

“It's not much of a plan, Posey. We go, talk with our daughters about Skitch-Sketch, then talk to her. Maybe get a look at the inside of her place. Find out if these rumors are true, which, personally, I think they aren't. The Canterlot crowd is so dependent on feeling like they have the ear of the princess that new arrivals freak them out. They pulled the exact same scare fest when Luna came back, after all.”

“Normally, I'd agree with you Firefly, but you remember what the sky looked like that night.” Posey sighed. “I just...I'll feel a lot better if I could see her for myself. Just to make sure that she doesn't mean us any harm.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean...” Firefly trailed off, blinking. “...Is that Nouveau Riche?”

Posey twisted around, looking down the corridor to where the breakfast cart was rolling along, a familiar looking pony having intercepted it and grabbed a bagel. He turned, his eyes locking with Posey's before he smiled and began to walk their direction.

Both pegasai frowned as he slid into their compartment, taking a seat next to Posey. “Well, fancy meeting a pair of Cloudsdale's weather magnates on the train to Ponyville. What brings you two out this way?”

“That's private business, Nouveau.”

“Really? You sure that it's nothing in particular? Not a certain human turned pony that's living in the town?”

“You're as subtle as a run away minotaur.” Firefly growled. “I don't remember inviting you into our compartment, by the way.”

“It's a free train.”

“Fine. Same question to you.” Posey responded. “What is the head of the First Canterlot Bank doing heading out to Ponyville?”

“I'm going to visit my granddaughter, if you must know. It's been a while since I've been able to make the trip.”

Posey snorted. “Right. And I'm sure that you're not here to check up on the ex-human either.”

“And if I am? Perhaps we'd be able to work together on this?”

“I'd rather work with Discord than you.” Firefly grumbled. “I'd get screwed over all the same, and I might actually get a laugh out of the experience.”

Riche frowned. “Still bitter over that loan, Firefly? It's not my fault you didn't read the contract closely enough. Besides, you paid me back in the end and now your weather supplying business can serve the southern griffon kingdoms too.”

“Go jump off a cliff, Riche. Preferably a tall one.”

Riche shook his head. “Fine. You do what you need to do, and I'll do what I need to do.”

He got to his hooves and headed out of the compartment before heading further down the train.

Posey sighed and shook her head. “He is everything wrong with the nobility and business ponies in one package.”

“Well, forget him. Let's just worry about our own goals here.”

“Agreed.”

A few hours later, Rainbow Dash stepped out the door of her house taking a deep breath as she looked out over Ponyville. She was up earlier than usual today- the clock on her wall reading nine in the morning- which was a sign that something strange was going on weather wise. She scanned the horizon, looking for whatever might have tripped her sixth sense and awoken her early.

There it was! Rolling out of the Everfree were a series of black storm clouds that were sweeping towards the town. Leaping off her cloud home, she winged her way over to the weather station to check in.

Thunderlane and Raindrops were currently standing on the roof, looking at the storm as it was sweeping in.

“Hey!” Rainbow shouted. “Why aren't we shutting that storm down already?”

Thunderlane glanced down at Rainbow Dash, a very wide grin on his face.

“Oh, we were asked not to. She wanted to make sure you got off your tail.”

Rainbow blinked. “She?”

The next moment, Rainbow was tackled from behind, scooped into a headlock and given a light noogie.

“Yeah! She!” Came the voice that had Rainbow in a headlock.

Rainbow Dash thrashed for a moment, before she was let go. She spun around to find herself looking right at an older pink pegasus with a blue mane and tail, and two blue lightning bolts for a cutie-mark. Rainbow's annoyed expression turned to a cheerful one almost at once.

“Mom!”

Firefly gave her daughter a proper hug this time, complete with a friendly ruffle of her mane.

“How's my little girl now that she's the best young flier in the land?”

“I'm awesome, of course!”

“Really now?” Firefly grinned as her eyes glanced towards the approaching storm clouds. “How about we put you to the test on how awesome you are?”

Rainbow grinned, her wings twitching with anticipation. “You're on mom!”

Firefly smiled as she crouched down. “First one to clear the most clouds wins! See if you can keep up with your mother!”

With a flap of her wings, Rainbow's mother launched herself into the sky, Rainbow Dash behind her a moment later. Thunderlane and Raindrops watched the pair begin to tear into the stormclouds, the mare glancing over at her friend.

“So, who's your money on?”

“Well,” Thunderlane said rubbing his chin with a hoof. “Rainbow's faster, I think. But Firefly is somewhat of a legend among weather ponies. So I'll say five bits on age over youth this time.”

Raindrops smirked. “You're on!”

Up above, Rainbow pulled ahead of her mother, her natural speed propelling her with ease. She hit the first storm cloud, dispersing it with a simple buck before launching herself at the next one with a quick flap of her wings.

Firefly took a different tactic, swooping down on one of her clouds and flying around it at top speed to get it spinning. Using a slightly softer kick than her daughter, she sent the cloud shooting off at an angle, towards two others that were floating near each other. The resulting crash of the spinning cloud into the two stationary ones caused all three to dissipate.

Rainbow flapped her wings harder as she picked up the pace, not slowing down to kick with her hind legs and instead just punching the storm clouds into submission as she zipped from one to another. Firefly, by contrast, controlled the clouds like an expert billiards player; sending clouds bouncing into and off each other to help break them up or corral them into tight clusters that let her destroy them easier.

For all their differences in approach, however, mother and daughter were about evenly matched. Rainbow Dash's speed kept her closely matched with her mother's skill and soon enough the two were facing down one last very large black cloud.

A glance was exchanged. Wide and full smiles, almost daring each other, playing across their faces. They threw themselves forward, diving into the massive cloud. Thunderlane and Raindrops gasped as they watched the cloud almost seem to bulge and stretch before it exploded away into water vapor, leaving the Firefly and Rainbow Dash hovering in the middle of a clear sky.

The pair lazily glided back down to the roof of the weather station. Thunderlane shook his head as the pair landed.

“Well, I guess my whole bet is a wash then. Wasn't expecting you two to clear the sky almost in synch.”

Raindrops was beaming at Firefly.

“What you did with the clouds was amazing! I've never seen a weather pony use them that way. How do you do it?”

Firefly grinned, holding out a hoof.

“My hooves have always been a little more sensitive than other pegasai. When I touch a cloud and get it moving, I can get a feel for how the winds are flowing. Mix that in with some top notch grades from Cloudsdale's weather school and it just kind of comes naturally.”

“She's also a shark when it comes to billiards, so don't let her drag you into a game of that.” Rainbow added in with a smirk.

Firefly rolled her eyes.

“Anyway! I'd like to speak with my daughter alone for a little bit. Can you two give us some privacy?”

Nodding, Thunderlane and Raindrops took to the air, leaving Firefly and Rainbow Dash alone on the roof. Dash frowned slightly, tilting her head to the side.

“What's up mom?” A look of horror crossed her face. “Did something happen to dad? Is that why he's not here?!”

Firefly held up a hoof to stop her daughter's panic.

“Chroma is fine, Rainbow. He's actually dealing with some weather issues near the griffon border right now. I just wanted to talk to you about what happened in Canterlot and this new pony in town.”

Rainbow blinked.

“Well, I can tell ya all about how I kicked that Collector's sorry flank, but Skitch-Sketch? What about her?”

“Well, give me your thoughts on her. What's she like?”

“Well, she's pretty cool for the most part. A little weird making references to things I don't get, but if I can get used to Pinkie Pie and her madness, Skitch should be easy. But I trust her well enough.”

“Can I ask why?”

Rainbow blinked at the question.

“Okay mom, what's your angle.”

“Angle?”

“Come on! You've never asked me about any of my other friends like this. ...Did Posey put you up to this?”

“Okay, first of all, Posey doesn't put me up to anything. Second of all, none of your other friends are creatures from...well, where ever she came from.”

“So you don't trust my judgement? I'm an adult, mom! That's my cloud house and working for the weather patrol here is my job. I can make these decisions myself!”

Firefly rubbed the sides of her head with her hooves before responding.

“I'm not saying you can't! I'm not even saying that she's necessarily bad! This is why I'm coming to talk to you about your relationship with her, rather than just taking the chatter from Canterlot at face value!”

“Canterlot chatter?”

Firefly sighed as she paced over to the edge of the roof and looked out over Ponyville.

“Posey didn't put me up to anything, but she did tell me about some of the rumbling she's heard from the Canterlot self important brigade. More than a few are convinced that she's dangerous and has some kind of magical hold on the princesses. So, the two of us came here to look into the situation, and her.”

She turned to face her daughter again.

“So, Rainbow, please tell me what you think of her.”

Rainbow sighed as she sat on her haunches.

“Well, I don't think she has a magical hold on anypony and I don't think she wants to hurt anypony.”

She looked right in her mother's eyes.

“When The Collector had control over me, he ordered me to kill her and I couldn't stop myself. And I came real close. She could have run. She could have tried to save herself. Instead she fought past me and fought The Collector. And when she was given the chance to save us and let Equestria burn, she refused and fought back.”

She shook her head.

“You didn't see her immediately after the battle. She really was on death's doorstep. And if there's one thing I know better than flying really fast, it's loyalty. And that was loyalty.”

Firefly regarded her daughter carefully for a moment.

“All right then. That's what I needed to hear.”

Firefly stretched her wings wide.

“I'm going to go check in at the inn. That's where I'll be if you wanna meet up with me after your shift today.”

“Okay mom. Say hi to Posey for me.”

“Can do!”

Meanwhile across town, Fluttershy perked up as she heard the sound of a knock on the door. Trotting over to it, she pulled the door open a crack, peering out to see who was there. Once she saw the pony on the other side of the door, however, her eyes lit up and she threw the door open.

“Hello dear.” Posey said with a warm smile as she pulled her daughter into a hug.

“Mom! I'm so glad to see you!” Fluttershy said, her voice full of genuine joy.

The pegasai embraced, Posey nuzzling her daughter before they broke apart.

“How's my little lump of sunshine?

“Oh, I'm fine. I've just been taking care of my animal friends...mostly.”

Posey clicked her tongue.

“So, the dragon and your role in helping defeat Nightmare Moon?”

“Oh mom...please.” Fluttershy squirmed.

Posey smiled, letting the matter drop for now, pulling a bag out of her saddlebags. “I figured that I'd drop off next months allowance a little bit early, as I wanted to speak with you about some things anyway.”

Fluttershy sighed, nervously shifting from hoof to hoof. “Mother. We have this conversation every time. I don't need your money. I make enough of a living being the town vet.”

“And I know that you can never turn down an animal in need, even if there's no one to pay.” She held out the bag, balanced on the end of her hoof. “Now, take the bits.”

Fluttershy sighed. “Oh. Okay, I suppose.”

Grabbing the bag with her mouth, she trotted upstairs to her bedroom, pulling a large chest out from under her bed. Flipping it open, she looked down at the bag after bag of bits that mother had been giving her for an “allowance”. She dropped the new one in with all the others, sighing softly before closing it again.

She really needed to put a stop to this. At this rate she'd need to get a biggest chest to hold all these bits.

I should really do something with it...

She sighed again and headed back downstairs. Her mother had already walked right into the kitchen and was beginning to cook, chopping up some vegetables for a soup.

“So! Tell me about your new friend while your mother makes you something nice to eat.”

“Oh...but, I ate breakfast already.”

“Call it an early lunch then.”

Fluttershy flicked her ears back in annoyance as she took a seat at the table.

Just let her get it out of her system.

A little while later, two hot and fresh bowls of soup were placed on the table, and Posey had taken her seat.

“So, like I said. Tell me about your new friend.”

“Well...she's nice, I guess.”

“You guess?”

“Well...she can be a little intense. And she likes scary movies. But...she's nice enough.”

“That's hardly a ringing endorsement.”

“Mom...you're doing it again.”

Posey blinked, a nervous smile crossing her face.

“Whatever do you mean, dear?”

Fluttershy sighed. “You're hovering again.”

Posey frowned. “I'm just worried...”

“I know you are mother. But you're still hovering. Let me handle myself...if you don't mind, that is...”

“But I just want to make sure you're okay.”

“Mom, you're always like this.” Fluttershy said softly as she lightly tapped her hooves together. “Please. Let me handle myself.”

Posey stared at her daughter for a bit, before shaking her head.

“Have your soup dear.”

As was the case on any given weekday, the Ponyville schoolhouse was full of young ponies engaged in the act of learning. And like most days, there was some back and forth sniping going on over recess.

“Get off mah back!” Apple Bloom snapped. “If I hear blank flank one more time...”

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were locked in a stare down with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

“You'll do what? I mean, you can't deny it. You three are blank flanks. Even that alien creature made pony got her cutie-mark before you!”

The Cuite-Mark Crusaders all frowned at that fact. It was bad enough that they seemed stuck behind everyone else in their class, but the fact that the pony that hadn't even been born a pony had beaten them to that point made their fur bristle.

The three seemed to be ready to pounce on Diamond Tiara over that comment, but thankfully Cheerilee was watching like a hawk today.

“Girls! That's enough. Now go play and stop antagonizing each other.”

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon stalked off, leaving the Cutie-Mark Crusaders to wander towards the other side of the school yard.

“Ah hate her so much! She just neva shuts up about that blank flank thing!”

Sweetie Belle frowned. “I can't believe that Skitch-Sketch just got her cutie-mark. It's just not fair.”

“Hey!” Scootaloo said as she clapped her hooves together. “Maybe she can help us get our cutie-marks! She's gotta know something!”

“Yeah! That's a great idea! We can go see her after school!” Sweetie almost squeed as she hopped in place.

Back at her place, Skitch involuntarily shuddered in her dreams.

It was almost three in the afternoon by the time Skitch woke up and rolled out of bed. Trotting over to the bedroom mirror, she got another good look at herself in the mirror. The cutie-mark was even more faded than the day before, now resembling a poster that was left out in the sun for weeks.

She wasn't an expert on these things, admittedly, but by her guess she had another day or two before she became a blank flank and would have to start the cutie-mark search process all over again.

Sighing, she trotted downstairs, looking over all the work she had done the night before. At least she wouldn't have to worry about that for now.

“Breakfast-though I suppose that it would be lunch now.”

Grabbing a carrot for a quick lunch she headed back into the main room just as the knock came on the door. Figuring it was somepony coming for their painting, she opened the door.

Three little fillies pushed their way into the shop, staring up at her with wide eyes. For a fan of the show, it was easy to recognize the Cutie-Mark Crusaders.

“Uhh...hey girls! What do you want?”

“Well,” Apple Bloom started. “we wanted ta talk to ya about how ya got yer cutie-mark.”

Sweetie Belle nodded as she continued. “Yeah. You just woke up with it, right?”

Skitch nodded slightly. “Well, yeah. I did. I don't think I can help you though.”

“Why not?” Scootaloo asked.

“Well, for one, I don't know how the crazy human behind it did it. And two...” She pointed to her own flank.

The CMC's followed her gesture and gasped as one.

“Yer cutie-mark! What's happenin to it!”

“Fading away. Twilight took a look at it and she said that it was kind of falling away. It's all technical and magicy.”

Skitch observed the fillies and their shocked expressions. Their antics searching for their cutie-marks were well known to any fan of the show. But their reactions to the idea that someone could use their cutie-mark once getting it looked even more devastated.

“Girls, don't...”

“Hey!” Apple Bloom perked up. “What if we could help ya get yer cutie-mark back ta normal! Then maybe we'd get ours!”

“That sounds awesome!” Scootaloo grinned, her wings buzzing like a humming bird's. “We'd be like...cutie-mark counselors! Ponies would come far and wide for our advice on how to ger their cutie-marks!”

“I don't...”

“CUTIE-MARK CRUSADERS CUTIE-MARK COUNSELORS!”

Damn they recover quickly...

They were also circling her like sharks now, a look in their eyes that sent shivers down her spine and that any fan knew full well to be wary of. The Cutie-Mark Crusaders were getting an idea.

Laughing nervously she inched for the door. “Anyway! I should really go and let the the clients who hired me know that their work is done...”

“GIT HER!”

Skitch bolted, even as Sweetie Belle landed on her back wrapping her fore-arms around her neck. Apple Bloom manged to latch onto her tail as Skitch went flying out the door, dragging the young ponies along with her as she ran.

“Hey!” Scootaloo shouted as she hopped on her scooter. “Wait for me!”

Fluttershy sighed as her mother followed her through the streets of Ponyville. They had been together for most of the day, Posey...hovering, the way that she did. The topic of discussion hadn't changed much. She did love her mother, but sometimes Posey could almost be smothering.

“...and you're absolutely sure that she hasn't done anything strange or dangerous since coming back?”

“Yes mother.” Fluttershy sighed. “You keep asking me the same question. She hasn't done anything dangerous. She's a little eccentric but I'd expect that...”

The pair stepped onto the street where Ponyville's Inn was situated, just in time for a startled shout to echo through the assorted ponies on the street. A split second later Skitch-Sketch barreled past, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom still latched on like lampreys.

“We're just tryin ta help ya get yer cutie-mark back!”

“I don't need your help! Get offa me!”

“Oh, come on! Give us a chance!”

“Let GO! No moleste! No moleste!”

“Yer fancy talk won't confuse us!”

Scootaloo zipped along after them waving at Fluttershy as she passed.

“Hi Fluttershy! Bye Fluttershy!”

The strange procession vanished around a street corner. Leaving a gaggle of ponies shaking their heads and Posey staring at her daughter with a raised eyebrow.

Fluttershy just laughed nervously, unable to offer an explanation.

Skitch ran like the wind, somewhat amazed that Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom had managed to hang on with the way she was running. She hadn't even really been paying attention to which way she had run out of town, but the rolling farmland was now evident.

In that moment of distraction, Scootaloo jumped from her scooter, tackling Skitch around the midsection. Skitch's legs buckled from the sudden impact of additional weight and the four of them went tumbling end over end in a confusing tangle of legs, tails and Scoots' wings.

The resulting pile of ponies crashed up against a low rail fence a somewhat dazed looking Skitch barrel down, snout half buried in dirt, Apple Bloom and the others sprawled out on top of her.

“What on equis?”

Rolling her eyes up to see who's farm they had crashed into, Skitch found herself staring into the olive eyes of Carrot Top...or was it Golden Harvest?

Stupid conflicting names. Least I can ask her directly now.

Or at least she would have if Carrot Top didn't start to get smaller in her field of view as she felt a tugging sensation on her tail. Glancing behind her, she could see that the Cutie-Mark Crusaders had recovered and were dragging her off, all three of them pulling her by her tail.

Looking back towards Carrot Top she gave her a look of resignation.

“If I don't make it, tell my friends that I died with dignity.”

A moment later the carrot farmer dropped out of view as Skitch got dragged over the next hill.

A few minutes later Skitch was walking behind the CMCs, having decided to follow them, resigned to whatever it was they wanted to try. Best to try and have it fail rather than have the three young fillies chase her around town for the rest of the day.

The four approached Sweet Apple Acres, which remained the young trio's de facto base of operations. Made sense enough to Skitch. A farm of this size had plenty of room for their antics, even before they got their clubhouse.

Skitch tilted her head as she thought.

Do they even have that clubhouse yet? Rainbow Dash got her best young flier award a little more than a week ago, and the episode where they got it was two episodes after that. But I have no frame of reference for how time passed...Well, I can just ask at least.

“Heya Skitch! What brings ya out ta the Acres today?”

Applejack's twang brought her out of her mental wandering. The Crusaders were out of sight, leaving Skitch alone on the edge of the farm.

“...Where'd your sister and her friends go?” She asked nervously.

“Ahh. They headed on over to the barn. Said something about helpin ya with something?”

“Yeah...about that.” Skitch muttered as she pointed to her cutie-mark. “That's what they want to try and help me with, with their...usual enthusiasm.”

Applejack winced at Skitch's faded mark.

“Yeah. Rarity stopped by last night ta fill me in. Ah am sorry about that Skitch. Adaptin' to a new life's probably hard enough as it is.”

“Well,” Skitch said, diverting attention from that line of thought. “I was going to kind of play along. Keep an eye on them and direct them away from anything really dangerous. Which I do have a thought on.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow opening her mouth to say something. She was interrupted by the sound of a loud crash coming from the inside of the barn.

“...Whatcha have in mind?”

“Did you ever give them your old clubhouse?”

Applejack frowned slightly. “Ya know, it still kind of creeps me out when ya do that.”

Skitch winced, her ears flicking back. “I'm sorry AJ.”

Applejack sighed shaking her head.

“Honestly, ah do prefer ya being more truthful like this. Still just weird when ya reference somethin ah haven't done yet.”

Another loud crash came from the barn, followed by Sweetie Belle's voice. “Be careful Scootaloo! We don't want to break that!”

Skitch and Applejack just exchanged glances.

“But, that being said, it is probably best we give them somethin' else ta focus on right now.”

“Oh please yes.”

A few minutes later Applejack and Skitch-Sketch were leading Apple Bloom and her friends through the trees of Sweet Apple Acres, Skitch pulling a cart of wood, tools and other building supplies.

“Ah still can't believe ya wouldn't let us try our cutie-mark repairer. It totally would have worked!”

Skitch winced. The contraption that the girls had tried to create in the barn had seemed half obstacle course, half medieval torture device. The idea was simple enough in the girl's minds. Force Skitch to try a whole mess of things at once and surely one of them would stabilize her cutie-mark.

“No offence girls, but I think that I'd rather go another round with The Collector than try that thing.” She dropped her voice so that only Applejack heard the next bit. “Slightly better chance of coming out alive.”

Applejack suppressed a laugh as she pushed the branches of a bush aside.

“There ya are girls. Welcome to yer new clubhouse!”

The battered and run down tree house was balanced on a large apple tree, hole in the roof, broken front door and all. Skitch thought that it looked even scruffier in real life than it did in the show, if anything. The girls seemed to think the same, judging by their silence.

“Well, don't thank me all at once.” Applejack said as she walked towards it. “This was my club house when I was your age. Sure, it hasn't been used in a while, but it's empty and on a secluded part of the farm. Just needs a little TLC.”

“Tender love and care, or totally lost cause?” Scootaloo asked.

“Ahh, come on.” Skitch interjected as she swept a hoof towards the clubhouse. “You are the Cutie-Mark Crusaders after all. And proper crusaders need a grand castle to sally forth from.”

“Ain't much of a castle from the looks of it.” Apple Bloom said as she gave the ramp up a poke with her hoof.

“...Well, we are on a budget here. So wooden tree fort will have to do. Come on. I finished my work for the day, so I'll help you get it pulled together.”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at each other for a moment before looking back to Skitch.

“Ahll right.” Apple Bloom said. “Let's get ta work.”

“Nah hold that board straight!” Apple Bloom shouted down from position on the ridge of the clubhouse's roof.

“I am holding it straight!” Skitch called back as she held the board in her magic aura.

“No, yer draggin it to the right! Move it back this way.”

“You sure about that? It looks straight from here.”

“That's cause yer standin' on the ground! If ya were up here ya could see it!”

“Are you implying that I need glasses?”

Sweetie and Scootaloo just rolled their eyes.

“All right, nah we need ta remove this old busted door frame...”

“I got it!” Scootaloo shouted as she jammed a crowbar in between the wall and door frame before giving it a sharp kick.

The door frame tore loose with a mighty crack, pitching over the edge of the club house and colliding with Skitch who was sanding the entrance ramp. The collision sent her and the sander crashing to the ground.

“Sorry Skitch!”

Skitch sat up with a bit of a cross-eyed look on her face and a goofy grin.

“I don't wanna go to school today mommy....”

KA-THUD

“Ooops.”

“Well, at least we got the windows in okay.” Skitch commented, very glad that nothing had gone wrong with that particular installation.

“Yeah! Nah we just gotta rebuild the railin and then paint it and we'll be good ta go.”

“Now where did we put the wood for the railing...”

“I got it!” Scootaloo shouted as she dragged the pile of wood up the ramp with her scooter.

“Scootalo! You're coming in too hot!” Skitch shouted.

CRASH!

“Ooops.”

Outside of Skitch-Sketch's house, Firefly sat waiting. She had Posey had split up after they originally arrived in town, each heading off to meet their respective children. After finishing her conversation with Rainbow Dash, Firefly had decided to fly around Ponyville and get a general scope of the area.

The results of her fly by search had been completely inconclusive. Everything looked normal. Ponies were going about their business, while the sun was shining now that the storm had been broken up. Everything was almost aggressively normal. Of course, things had looked aggressively normal that night in Cloudsdale before the giant energy ribbons appeared.

So, with her searches inconclusive she had come to Skitch's to wait for Posey. She assumed that she was still talking with her daughter before coming to meet up with her to speak to this Skitch directly. Firefly was just about to consider go looking for her, when Posey came walking around the corner and up to her.

“I was wondering what was keeping you.”

Posey sighed. “My daughter felt the need to apologize upon Skitch's behalf when I saw her running through town, being chased by three young fillies.”

“Wait...they were chasing her?”

“According to Fluttershy they've dubbed themselves the 'Cutie-Mark Crusaders' and tend towards over the top methods to earn their cutie-marks. And now they're trying to help her because she's loosing her's.”

Firefly blinked as she mulled that information over.

“Well, I suppose we can't talk to her now. So! We'll improvise. Cover me.”

Firefly quickly darted down the alley, sliding the house's side window open and jumping inside. A moment later the front door swung open. Posey trotted inside, quickly closing the door behind her with a push of her hoof.

Looking about the main room, it struck Posey as being almost boring, if not for the strange silvery-gray machine that was resting in the corner.

I suppose that's the movie projector thing Fluttershy mentioned. She thought as she inspected it closely.

“I'm gonna check her bedroom.” Firefly said as she trotted upstairs.

Posey nodded, heading into the kitchen to take a look at what was there. The fridge contained rather normal fare for a unicorn. No meat or chopped up pony bits like some of the Canterlot nobles had been speculating.

They do love their rumors in Canterlot.

“Hey! Posey! Check this out!” Firefly called from upstairs.

Heading upstairs Posey quickly located Firefly in the houses' bedroom. Firefly was staring at Skitch's master chart and map collection, an expression of concern and confusion marring her features.

“That's a big chart.” Firefly muttered. “We're both on there.”

Poesy blinked in confusion and followed Firefly's outstretched hoof to a section of the massive collection of notes that had been blocked off slightly by Skitch-Sketch. Inside the drawn box were the names of each of the element bearer and underneath each name were a collection of other names, always paired off with each other.

Poesy noticed her husband's name paired next to her's, the connection suddenly clicking in her head.

“Parents. She's trying to work out who their parents are. You think she'd just ask that...” Squinting, she took in the rest of the massive chart. “Not sure on the rest of this though. Why would she scribble through “Cupcakes”? Who doesn't like sweets?”

“I'm more curious as to what the “Lunaverse” is supposed to be. Think she's referring to Princess Luna?”

“Know any other Lunas?” Posey ribbed as she turned her attention the desk, beginning to pull open drawers.

The large collection of files caught their attention right away. Poesy poked through the collection, reading the titles with a slight frown on her face. “Looks like she has a file on each of the element bearers...and the princesses."

“Let me see Rainbow's, please.”

She passed her friend the file, while she pulled out the one on Fluttershy. Posey frowned and began to read. The files were thick, but not as thorough as they could have been. The summary of her daughter's personality was spot on, Poesy admitted. But the file had no less than five possible backgrounds for the family; not one of them one hundred percent correct.

And then came the pages that were marked “contingency plans”. She read the first entry, her frown deepening as she scanned the page.

...Fluttershy's chief advantage is her famous stare. In a combat situation, I'll have to focus on crippling her ability to utilize it, or protect myself from it somehow. Goggles, maybe? If non-lethal means of subduing her can not be achieved, a single shot to the head would be the most humane...

Poesy snapped the file shut at that point, unable to read any more. The look on Firefly's face, and the way her wings were shaking, indicated that she had hit the same point.

“She...” Firefly muttered. “she has a plan in here on how to kill my daughter! Is she insane? After all my daughter said about her being loyal?”

Posey opened her mouth to respond, only to freeze as the sound of the front door opening reached their ears.

“Out the window!” She hissed at her friend. “Go! Go!”

Firefly hopped up on the bed, sliding the window open and flying out. Poesy zipped out right behind her, the pair flying over Ponyville and back towards the inn.

Firefly looked towards Posey. “We should warn our daughters and their friends.”

Nouveau Riche couldn't believe his luck as he crept into Skitch-Sketch's studio; his grand daughter Diamond Tiara right behind him. With the human turned unicorn occupied by Tiara's classmates, he had a golden opportunity to apply the screws to her some more. He could see the series of art projects that Skitch had worked on all night, all lined up and ready to go for pick up.

The sound of movement upstairs caused both of them to freeze in place. Then came the sound of a window being opened and then nothing. Nouveau glanced out the front window, catching a glimpse of Posey and Firefly as they winged away.

“Well...that'll be useful.” He smiled.

Diamond Tiara looked up at her grand dad. “What will grandpa?”

Nouveau grinned down at his grand daughter. “Remember what the first rule of noble dealings Diamond.”

She paused, thinking for a moment before responding. “Never do something unless you have a patsy to deflect blame to.”

Nouveau beamed with pride. His little princess was already grasping the basic principles of how to be a true wheeler and dealer in the courts of Equestria.

“And that was the target of our blame flying away. So,” He turned to the paintings, picking up a pot of paint as he did, “Now we apply some more leverage to our target.”

Diamond Tiara smiled as she grabbed her own jar of paint.

Back at Sweet Apple Acres Skitch and the girls had just finished putting a coat of paint on the roof and were standing back to admire their work.

“It's good.” Sweetie Belle commented. “A real place we can work to find our cutie-marks in!”

“It is good...” Skitch commented. “But it needs a little something....right over the door.”

Smiling to herself she grabbed the paint and began to work. The emblem of the crusaders was quickly painted in above the door, a flowing scroll painted in underneath before she finished it off with a simple phrase.

Nosce te ipsum.

The crusaders looked ready to ask what that meant when the sound of Applejack's voice called out across the farm.

“Hey girls! Looks like ya got it fixed up in record time.” She rolled her eyes up at the phrase that Skitch had just finished writing. “What's that mean?”

“It's a phrase from an old language from back home. It means 'Know thyself.'. Seems appropriate for a bunch of girls hunting for their cutie-marks.”

“What does knowing one's self have to do with finding a cutie-mark?” Sweetie Belle frowned.

“Right about when you figure that out...” Skitch commented, throwing the paintbrush she used back into the can with a simple flick of her magic, “Is when you'll be close to working out what your cutie-marks are.”

A frustrated groan escaped the crusaders mouths as Applejack chuckled. “Ahll right girls. Run along back to the farm house. Granny Smith has some dinner set aside for ya all, and then Big Mac will walk the rest of ya home. I gotta go into town.”

“Mind if I follow you back?” Skitch asked. “I should get back to my house and get my bits for all the art I did.”

“Sure thing Skitch.”

Skitch was achy by the time she got home, the sun beginning to drop below the horizon. It had been a hard and sometimes painful bit of work to get the clubhouse ready, but by her estimation, it had been worth it. The girls had seemed quite pleased with the end results, even if no cutie-marks had been gained, and it had kept Skitch's mind off her own problems in the process.

Smiling happily to herself, she pushed the door open and froze.

The devastation of her art shop was almost complete. Every painting that she had done had been ripped to pieces. Every blank canvas she had was smashed and then all her pieces of drawing charcoal had been ground into the remains.

The great banner that she had made for Berry Punch had been spread out in the middle of the floor, and every jar of paint she owned had been poured out on it. Even her paintbrushes and pencils had been snapped and dumped into a pile.

And the final insult, on top of it all, was what had been done to the backup sign fabric that Rarity had given her. It had been stretched across the stairs, right where Skitch wouldn't be able to avoid seeing it. Painted on it in flowing cursive script, in bright red paint, were the words “Go Home Human.”

Skitch stood there for quite a while, a severe tick having developed in her right eye.

“FUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!”

Author's Note

And the universe continues it's current trend of "Screw you, Skitch-Sketch."

Don't worry though, I'm sure it'll all work out in the end! Friendship is magic after all. ...Unless you screw everything up by keeping files on how to incapacitate/kill your friends if they turn evil, or their alternate universe selves show up. Whoops.

Also had a bit too much fun writing the interactions between Skitch and the CMC's. They mean so well, honestly!

And to my readers who are still waiting for it, next chapter will provide the answer as to why Skitch came back to Equestria.

An Emperor's Choice (Bonus 3)

Emperor Placido idly swirled the glass of cachaca as he looked out the window of the Pride of Tapira, leaning back in his soft high backed chair; the sleek airship was putting the spires of Canterlot behind it as it began to work it's way back south towards his homeland.

The conference had gone about as well as one could expect. No real commitments aside from the creatures already allied with Celestia. He took a long drink of his alcohol, letting the sweet, slightly molassesy flavors of the fermented sugarcane wash over his taste buds. The burden of leadership didn't allow for many pleasures, but this was one he stuck with.

Still, he had managed go give Luna her amulet, fulfilling a legacy of his family that had been passed down for a thousand years. Another little point of light in the world. Those were the moments he lived for.

Putting the drink down, he turned his attention back to the reports that rested on the table next to his chair. The military was looking for more money, of course. They were always looking for more money, because the changelings were always on the warpath. Even the ones that were their allies.

The sound of hooves on wood caught his attention as Princess Rosewater came walking into the main observation deck. She smiled and nodded to him, Placido raising his glass to her in response before downing the rest of it's contents.

“Ahh. Rosewater. Join me for a drink?”

The changeling princess lowered herself onto one of the low sitting couches, nodding as she idly buzzed her wings. “I would love one actually.”

Placdio got to his feet and trotted over to the ornate mahogany drinks cabinet, pulling two glasses down from the shelf. Grabbing a lime from the icebox, he sliced it up into eight pieces dropping four pieces in each glass before adding two scoops of refined sugar into each one. Grabbing a small wooden pestle he began to muddle the ingredients.

“The paperwork getting you down, Emperor?” Rosewater asked, motioning to the stack on the table.

Placido didn't respond at first, instead just pouring the rich golden liquid that was the top shelf cachaca into each glass. He gave each glass a short stir before walking over and handing a glass to Rosewater.

“Perhaps a little.” He responded as he walked back to his seat, and tapped a file that was resting on top. “This happens to be what feels like the three thousand and thirty fifth request from my generals to break all ties with your land and then take it back.”

“Oh,” Rosewater smirked, “Is that all?” She took a long drink.

“The military is, what it is. They seem to be quite annoyed that your people have not yet led us to a victory over your kin. They seem to feel that my deal for the land was a rip off.”

“Chrysalis is stronger than they think. She has many, many hives under her control and we are just one.”

Placido idly wove a hoof. “I know that. You know that. Celestia knows that. They want glory. A quick and decisive victory that they can use to ensure their legacy.” He took another drink of his alchohol. “Raging idiots, all of them.”

Rosewater frowned, her wings buzzing.

“You seem tired, emperor. Perhaps a nap would be in order.”

“...It's not even noon yet. Besides, I received these reports before I left for the conference. I need to have responses and solutions by the time we return. It is my duty. And then I have to look over this report Celestia gave me on the other human.”

“Stewardship is my duty as well, but I don't look as run down at you do right now.”

Placido smiled back, raising his glass towards her. “You are still young and full of energy my dear. I am old and exhausted from years of fighting, both politically and militarily.”

“...I'm fifty years old.”

“And your mother is how old again?”

Rosewater waved a hoof dismissively. “Details. I have lived through many of the same events you have emperor.”

Placido smirked slightly as he finished the last of his second drink. Lime really did enhance the natural flavors of the alcohol.

“I grow weary of the office, Rosewater. The military continues to chafe under my restrained guidance and the younger generation of nobility seem to have forgotten just how far our nation has progressed since the old days. As much as the common creature loves me, those others in the government hate me for my decisions.”

He sighed and looked out the window again. “I do not expect the monarchy to survive me, if it lasts that long.”

Rosewater frowned, tilting her head slightly as she regarded the tapir. “You have a son and a daughter. If the crown weighs heavy, perhaps it's time for them to step forward and make their own bold mark on the world.”

Placido shook his head. “I could not force that upon them before they are ready...”

“Placido. You are sixty five. Your eldest is thirty five. This is not the same situation as you being thrown into the throne at the age of fifteen.” Her expression becoming probing, almost questioning.

He sighed, rubbing his forehead, but Rosewater cut him off before he could speak again.

“Emperor, I do not know what path you should take. But what I do know is that you can't stay in this stasis. You must either rediscover your passion for the job, or let one of your children take the throne in your stead.”

She polished off her own drink, before standing up. “Anyway, I will be resting in my quarters if you need me. I shall leave you to your work.”

Placido sighed as he watched the young changeling go, turning back to to his stack of papers.

The sun was down by the time Placdio walked into his quarters on the airship. Taking off his jacket and dumping it on a chair, he crawled into bed. The airship was currently flying across the ocean that separated the Equestrian and Tapiran continents. They'd arrive at Venexia tomorrow morning, and then it would be a short trip back to the capital.

Letting his tired head hit the pillow, Placido allowed himself to rest for the first time today and let memories of times long past play through his head.

Placido sat in a plush chair in a palace hallway reading a book of economic theory as the argument raged in his father's office.

“You ask too much, Celestia! I have banned the trade, but I can not emancipate! The plantation barons would have my hide, and the economy would collapse! It's far to great a shock. Now, with some gradual pressure over time...”

It was always the same story with his father. When he was convinced of something, it was almost impossible to move him from that position. Not even his family could budge him, so he doubted that the princess of Equestria would be able to pull it off.

“That is a song and dance I have heard many times over the centuries.” Celestia cut across his father. “And you'll forgive me for saying that it always feels like an excuse. Every time slavery has been abolished, I have seen a net gain for the land and it's creatures.”

“And I say to you that the risk can not be taken here! You would ask me to risk my sons life to possible revolution...”

“And you think I wouldn't support you?”

“You can't be here all the time, Celestia. I am sorry.”

Placido frowned, looking up from his book as Celestia sighed.

“You do realize that I might have to sever our alliance? The era where this is acceptable has ended, and Equestria remaining an ally of a slave state...”

Placido jumped as the loud bang of his father slamming his hoof onto his desk echoed into the hallway; his father's tone becoming short as he began to shout.

“You threaten me, Celestia? Do you think I enjoy this? Slavery is like holding a changeling by the wings! You may not like it, but you don't dare let go! And may I remind you, princess that these creatures will suffer all the more if you leave us to the tender mercy of the changelings!”

His rant was interrupted by a round of coughing. He sunk back into his chair, sighing.

“My apologies, Celestia. I don't mean to shout. But this is the end of this discussion, I have other duties that I need to attend to.”

He walked past Celestia and past Placido, pausing only to nod to his son before heading off to handle other affairs. Placido watched his father leave, before looking back to Celestia. She hadn't left the office yet and was standing stock still, her wings twitching slightly; her expression was a mixture of anger and disappointment.

Placido snapped his book shut. This argument had happened in front of him enough times that he had been looking into the matter personally. His youth was no excuse to be ignorant of such an important issue.

Getting to his hooves, he coughed to gain Celestia's attention.

“Celestia.”

The sun princess turned her gaze towards him, an eyebrow raised in an almost questioning manner.

“I will do it.”

Placdio awoke with a start, the sunlight of the next morning streaming through the airship windows.

Sighing, he rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom, the rays of dawn beginning to creep into his cabin. A quick glance into the mirror revealed his very disheveled appearance. Sighing again, he splashed water into his face to help wake him up before drying his coat off with a towel.

Grabbing a small pair of scissors with his prehensile snout, he quickly trimmed his beard, keeping it's distinctive length but making sure that it was neat enough to look proper for an emperor. After that, it was a fresh gray jacket and white tie.

He paused in front of his dresser mirror, double checking his appearance, nodding in satisfaction at the dignified look he once again radiated. Walking back to the main observation deck, he found that Rosewater had beat him to the waking world. She also had picked up some coffee from the ship's little kitchen.

As sun continued to rise, Placido could see the spires of Venexia off in the distance. Rosewater nodded to him as she took a drink of her coffee.

“I spoke to the pilot. No need to bring the ship in to dock,” She flicked her wings, “I'll just fly out myself. Any messages that you wish me to pass onto mother?”

Placido shook his head. “No need. I'm sure that we'll speak again soon enough. We'll have to collaborate our efforts to counter Chrysalis' next moves.”

Rosewater nodded. “Placido...please consider what I have told you, and consider speaking to my mother about the situation. We are all part of Celestia's circle. The support it provides is not just on a national level.”

Placido frowned slightly. “I shall consider it.”

An hour later The Pride of Tapria slowed as it passed over Venexia, allowing Rosewater to leap from the entrance hatch of the airship and fly towards the main palace spire of the hive-city. It was the briefest of slowdowns before the airship just rolled onwards.

It was another two hours to Basila, leaving Placido alone with his thoughts and the minimal crew that it took to run the airship. With his work finished the night before, he decided to read and mull over the reports Celestia had provided on the ex-human now living in Equestria and the possible threats that were sealed away. A new variable in the world and a new crisis.

He found that his mind kept wandering off task, however. The question that Rosewater had placed in his head constantly dragged him off task. Perhaps it was time to retire and hand the reigns of state off to his children. After all, hadn't he done enough?

He took a deep calming breath, running over his prepared speech in his head. In a five minutes he would step out onto the balcony of the palace and make the announcement that would either make, or break his burgeoning rule.

It was time to fulfill the promise he had made to Celestia. To put the final nail into the coffin of slavery in Tapiria. Still, there was a small voice in the back of his head that was spelling out every objection that his father had ever brought up.

He had died suddenly, leaving Placido as Emperor at the age of fifteen. There's a chance that the nobles would turn on him for this. For making these decisions when he was so young and inexperienced. They were already antsy about his decision to trade land to Queen Magnolia's changelings.

“No.” He muttered as he pushed that thought from his head. He had spent five years studying every aspect of the problem, from walking the shanty towns so common on Basila's outskirts, to studying the economic systems of every other nation on the planet. This was the right course of action. Two minutes.

A light knock on the door called his attention. “Come in.”

The door swung open as Princess Celestia entered, the sun monarch smiling her ethereal smile.

“Ready for your big announcement Emperor?” She asked.

“For better, or for worse princesa, I'm ready to step through this door.”

“And we are ready to greet you on the other side. What you're doing is very brave.” She gazed towards the balcony, a slightly sad smile crossing her features. “I never could convince your father to take this step.”

Placido nodded. “I remember some of those arguments.”

Celestia frowned, as she ruffled her wings. “I never enjoyed clashing with your father on those fronts. We were allies on so many others.”

Placido smiled widely. “Then let us be glad that won't be the case with us.”

The sound of trumpets from outside signaled that it was time. Celestia winked as she vanished in a flash of light, Placido chuckling as he stepped out into the balcony. Two rows of bleachers flanked the courtyard of the palace, their seats mostly dominated by military officers and nobility. Princess Celestia and Queen Magnolia were with them, sitting as close to the balcony end of the bleachers as possible; they were flanked by a compliment of their royal guard.

Every other available place on the ground was taken up by common folk, pressed shoulder to shoulder. And the buildings beyond that had good views of the palace were likewise crammed full of creatures. All that they knew was that the emperor was going to make an announcement, and that work had been suspended for the day.

He raised his hooves waving to the crowd, acknowledging his subjects before speaking. A microphone had been placed at the end of the balcony, so that his words could be broadcast all across the city.

“My people!” He roared. “I bring to you today a new blueprint for the future! Your future and our nation's future!”

A round of optimistic cheers rippled across the crowd, muted, but present.

“For the entirety of my father's reign, and countless reigns before, we have clung to the past. We have clung to a useless economic system that's kept the people bound to the land and the plantations. The all working for the few, no chance to advance.” He waved hoof in the air to emphasize his point. “That ends TODAY!”

He pulled a folded stack of paper from his jacket.

“I have here a policy that will abolish slavery and make all current slaves freecreatures! This policy will allow greater economic flexibility and freedom, it will rebound our flagging economy and move to make Tapiria truly a world's great power! A great power built upon true labor and effort!”

The crowd erupted in a thunderous roar of wild cheering and the stomping of hooves. The throngs of creatures below seemed overjoyed at the prospects laid before them. The bleachers were much quieter, the nobles applauding softly, more out of obligation than anything else. Their eyes said it all, anger at having their reliable source of labor yanked out from underneath them.

Celestia and Magnolia, however, were cheering just as loud as the rest of crowd. Celestia in particular was slamming her hooves into the wooden floor of the bleachers with so much gusto that he was unsure if they'd be able to stand up much longer.

But he couldn't keep his smile off his face all the same.

That had been the start of the love/hate relationship that existed between him and his people. Though all the battles with the changelings, and internal squabbles, Celestia had been there. And through that same time period, Equestria had never been tested in the same way.

His eyes rolled down to the files again.

“I owe her support on one crisis, at the very least.”

As the Pride of Tapira continued on the rest of the trip back home, Placido was at least resolute about that.

Author's Note

Emperor Placido, the tired old man of the setting.

As I've mentioned in my blog, Placido is very much based on the historical Emperor Pedro II of Brazil. And much like the historical man, he's grown tired of the burden of rule, but continues to soldier on out of loyalty to his allies like Celestia and Magnolia.

Naturally, if he was an element bearer, he'd be the Element of Loyalty.

There was some *serious* debate in my mind about having him abolish slavery, like the historical Pedro II did, mostly because of how it might make Celestia look uncaring for being an ally of a slave state for a long period of time. But, in the end, I decided to go with it, and portray Celestia as both having been exerting pressure for that to change and being overjoyed that Placido finally ended it.

It is rare to see Celestia genuinely and visibly overjoyed about something and that was fun to write.

Consequences and Curses

Skitch stalked through the streets of Ponyville, her right eye twitching, her body trembling with rage as she dragged the “Go Home Human” banner a long with her. Ponies parted before her the expressions on their face easy enough for Skitch to read. Fear.

Yes. Everyone cower at the human!

The world suddenly seemed much nastier to her. Somepony had just broken into her house and completely trashed her ability to make a living. She had lived on earth for almost thirty years, and not suffered the feeling of violation at having her home broken into. It was like a snake squirming in her stomach.

And this is Equestria! This is supposed to be a nice, happy world! This isn't supposed to happen here.

So lost in her own thoughts as she was, Skitch didn't notice Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon come around the corner and take a seat on one of the benches that lined the street. The pair of fillies exchanged a simple glance before Silver Spoon opened up with a prepared line.

“What was with those two pegasai tearing across town like Tarturus was chasing them anyway?”

Skitch snapped her head around, spying the little brat Diamond Tiara talking with her friend Silver Spoon. The pair were sipping milkshakes, sitting on a low bench as they gossiped and nattered away. Skitch quickly stomped over to the pair, her intensity causing the pair to flinch back for a moment.

“What did you two see!”

Diamond Tiara quickly recovered her haughty air.

“Two pegasai. Flying across town like a dragon was chasing them. Why do you care?”

...Resist urge to break haughty bitch in half with bare hooves.

“Just tell me what they look like.” She growled, inching even closer.

Diamond blinked. “F-Fine! One was pink with a blue mane and tail and blue lightning bolt cutie-marks. The other was mustard yellow with dark pink mane and tail and a circle of flower cutie-marks. I think they're staying at the inn.”

Skitch blinked, making the connection in her head.

Pink with blue mane, mustard yellow with dark pink mane. That sounds like Firefly and...Posey? Really? I guess they have to be somepony's parents, probably Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash's... Would they really do that to me? This is Diamond Tiara for crying out loud. Not the most trustworthy source of information.

Still, she had to know for sure. Muttering under her breath, she turned and stalked towards where she remembered the inn was on the town map.

It was a simple two story affair and was one of the buildings that had a shingled roof over the usual thatch roof that dominated most of the rest of Ponyville's skyline. Otherwise, it would have been indistinguishable from the rest of the buildings.

Trotting inside, she ignored the workers and marched right upstairs. Once she was in the hallway, she walked very slowly from door to door, pressing her ear up to each one. At the third door on the right hand side she could hear familiar voices talking. Frowning, she listed as closely as she could.

“Okay mom, I dragged all of my friends here.” Rainbow Dash said as she sat down in her mother's hotel room. “What did you want to tell us?”

Firefly and Posey were sitting on one side of the room, Rainbow and her friends, plus Spike on the other. The mane six were mostly wondering what the elder ponies wanted, though Twilight had other concerns kicking around in her head.

“Well, it's about your friend Skitch-Sketch.” Firefly began. “We both think that you might want to not hang around her anymore...”

“This again?” Rainbow groaned. “We had this conversation already. I think she's loyal to us.”

“Rainbow, she has plans on how to fight and kill you all!” Posey yelled.

The room got very quiet as the element bearers exchanged nervous and confused looks. Only Spike seemed to be unconcerned as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Well...duh. She is an inter-dimensional traveller.” He explained, as if this should be obvious to everypony. “And they always have plans to deal with evil alternate universe versions of themselves and their friends. They run into them enough.”

There was another long pause at that statement.

“Spike...ya've been readin too many of those comic books from Manehatten.”

Twilight shook her head.

“I don't believe it, anyway. Where did you hear that?”

“We read it!” Firefly said. “We were in her house an-”

SLAM!

The door to the room was kicked open with such horrible force, that every pony almost jumped out of their skin as they turned to see what caused it. Skitch stood in the doorway, breathing deeply, muzzle twisted into a snarl and her eyes a crazed glare. A balled up wad of fabric was suspended in her magic aura.

“YOU. House. Break.” She sputtered out as her right eye twitched. “Destroy everything. Cowards.”

She threw the ball of fabric at the hooves of Firefly and Posey. It spilled open at the impact revealing the “Go Home Human” message.

“Explain. Now, please. Ruin life. Why?”

The mane six didn't know what to make of this. They had seen Skitch angry before, but this was different. When she was fighting The Collector, it was a mix of anger and mockery as she tried to get under his skin. This was pure, unhinged, rage.

Posey was the first to regain her voice. “We didn't destroy anything! But I want an explanation as to why you have a plan to try and hurt my daughter, who's supposed to be your friend!”

“SHUT UP!” Skitch roared as she stalked over to Firefly, getting uncomfortably close. “My only chance to save my house is gone thanks to you! I heard you saying that you were in my house! And everything art related I have is gone! Now I have no chance of saving my house before I loose my cutie-mark. AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!”

Her mane and tail began to ripple, licks of flame dancing along them as her out of control anger interacted with her natural magic.

Having seen this happen before with Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy took a deep breath, took a step forward and glared right into Skitch's eyes as she unleashed her infamous stare. Taken completely off guard the anger drained from Skitch, as she gave a soft squeak and toppled over; her legs locked.

“Everypony calm down.” Her voice stern but still soft, which was about as close to yelling as Fluttershy tended to get. “I want to hear explanations from everypony here, starting with you mom.” She shrunk back down, looking fearful again. “Umm...if it's no trouble.”

Posey frowned as she folded her hooves in front of her.

“Firefly and I were in her house, but we didn't break anything. We heard someone else coming in the front door and we escaped out the window. I may not want you hanging around my daughter, but I would never ruin somepony's life.”

Fluttershy looked to Skitch next, who was starting to come out of the effects of the stare.

“Skitch-Sketch. You don't really have files on how to hurt us, do you?”

Skitch opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again. Her anger had been broken by Fluttershy's actions and now she was uncomfortably aware of the nature of the explanation that she would have to give.

“Well...yes and no...” She nervously answered.

“What's that supposed ta mean?” Applejack asked, an edge of anger in her voice.

Skitch winced, as she shifted to a defensive stance.

“The files and plans are mostly for evil alternate universe versions of yourselves.”

“HA! I told you so!” Spike grinned.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “For sake of argument, why don't you tell us exactly what you mean.”

“Uhh...okay.” Skitch nervously tapped her hooves together. “Remember when I said that your world was fictional to me? There was this whole thing in my world called fan fiction, where fans of your movies would write...hypothetical scenarios, really. And I realized when I was returning the things The Collector stole, that if all these worlds that were fictional to me were actually real; then, well...why couldn't fan fiction universes be to?”

She looked from pony to pony. “And some of those universes have versions of you that are kind of...evil. And if I can find a way here, there's a chance they can find a way here. It's a small one, admittedly, but I wanted to be ready.”

“Well...ah suppose that makes sense.” Applejack frowned deeply, clearly disturbed by the thought of an evil version of herself. “...But yah said that they were “mostly” for them.”

Skitch frowned. “Well...I suppose that on the very, very, very rare chance that any of you went evil I could use them...on...you.”

She trailed off as the revelation really began to sink into the room's occupants. Applejack looked incensed, the hurt at the thought of the betrayal very clearly wrought on her features. Pinkie's mane and tail had deflated, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. Fluttershy had taken up a position of cowering behind her mother, who was glaring daggers at her.

She looked to the others, desperately looking for someone to support her. Twilight seemed to be deep in contemplation, as was Rarity. The only creatures that seemed to be perfectly okay with her revelation were Rainbow Dash, who was nodding; and Spike.

“Dash?” Skitch asked hopefully. “You understand...right?”

“Well...yeah. I mean, The Collector controlled me. If other things could do that, we'd need some kind of backup plan. Cause the Elements wouldn't work, right?”

Twilight rubbed her forehead with a hoof. “Yeah, that makes sense. The Elements would only work with all of us.”

“Ah can't believe this!” Applejack shouted. “She's had plans ta kill us if need be and yer just okay with this?”

“AJ, please...” Skitch pleaded. “I would never do it unless it was the very, very, very last resort...”

“Just...just be quiet Skitch. Ah can't look at you right now.”

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “Come on, she's helped us out to. Doesn't she deserve the benefit of the doubt?”

“She's been hidin' the truth since she met us!”

“I...I threw you a party Skitchy. How could you?” Pinkie seemed to be on the verge of a complete meltdown.

Fluttershy continued to cower as the arguments grew, Rarity stepping in at this point.

“Please, we need to think this over. She did come back to help us...”

“Did she? Or did she come back ta control us? We sure did make friends with her right quick! Maybe she was doin some kinda mind control herself!”

“You have no proof of that!” Rarity snapped. “I know you're angry, but now isn't the time for rash decisions.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash threw in. “You weren't forced to almost kill somepony AJ! You don't know what it was like!”

“No, no, no, no, NO!” Skitch yelled, shaking her head. “Y-you're the element bearers, you're best friends, you can't be fighting like this!”

“Stop applyin' the standards of yer fiction to our real world!”

“Everypony calm down!” Twilight shouted. “This isn't getting us anywhere!”

Skitch squeezed her eyes closed and took a few deep breaths, before speaking again.

“How hard do you think this was for me? Let's say this plan worked, and I did it, and one or more of you wound up dead. Apple Bloom has Mac and Granny. Sweetie's got Magnum and Pearl. Everyone has someone! What do I have?!”

She switched to a sad smile as she looked to each pony in the room.

“But, Twilight is right. Tempers are high right now. And while friends do try to cheer each other up, they also know when to back off and give each other space. I'll see you all tomorrow and we can discuss this like adults. And if you want me out of your lives then, I'll gladly comply.”

She got to her hooves and headed for the stairs.

“Please don't follow me.”

She walked back to her house, pleased to see that none of them had decided to ignore her request. With each step feeling like she was walking through mud, Skitch could almost see the cloud of misery that she could feel in her heart. Once back inside, she began to slowly clean up the wreck that was once her art studio in silence.

All of the now garbage was dumped in the alleyway cans with a heavy sigh. The house situation had been resolved, though not the way she wanted to. With the whole stock of her art supplies destroyed and her cutie-mark fading she was stuck.

“Well, I can't fix it myself anymore at least.” She sighed as she looked up towards the darkening night sky. “And now I have friendships to repair, if I even can.”

She needed a fresh perspective on this one. Idly tapping her hoof on the street in thought, a realization hit her. Cutting across town, she headed towards the Everfree Forest.

She remembered from some of Lauren Faust's own comments that Zecora was designed to be a sage and mentor for the ponies, before the nature of the show had been tweaked to more slice of life stuff. Maybe she could give some advice on the matter.

Skitch was starting to think that the Everfree forest had it out for her. Of course, it didn't help that the only sense of directions she had for to get to Zecora's was “in the Everfree Forest, past a large patch of poison joke”.

“Ugh. I'm even screwing this up.” She grumbled. “Some protector of Ponyville I am when all I'm doing is making things worse.”

In the end, she supposed that she deserved this. The whole “keep files on friends in case they go evil” thing hadn't worked out for Batman either and she was no Batman.

“Hell, I'm not even a Batgirl.”

Her ears were pulled back as she walked, her head down unless she was checking for landmarks; the thought of the zebra being able to help in some way was the only thing keeping her moving.

Maybe I shouldn't have come back...but what other choice did I have.

She thought bitterly as she pushed through another set of bushes, the branches pulling at her coat, a few twigs and leaves getting stuck in her tail.

She paused, realizing that she was on the edge of a small cliff. It was maybe only four feet tall, but she was still wondering if it would be worth it to back up and try to work a way around. Grumbling in frustration, she looked up from the ground, figuring that maybe she could see something from here.

Her eyes grew wide as she saw a large patch of blue flowers maybe half a dozen feet away from the bottom of the cliff. Grinning widely, she scrabbled down the short cliff and crept up to the edge of the field of flowers being very careful to not actually touch any of them.

“Reference point!” She beamed.

She began to work her way around the patch of poison joke, figuring that she had to be close at this point. Once she had come around the far edge of the field, however, the sound of something rustling in the brush caught her attention.

“Hello? Anypony there? Is that you Zecora?”

No zebra emerged from the brush however. Instead, a chicken headed dragon creature snaked into view. Skitch stumbled backwards into the field of poison joke as the cockatrice's eyes began to glow.

“...Oh, fu-”

She didn't have time to finish her sentence, the chill of her body being turned to stone sweeping across her form. Before blackness claimed her, one last thought played through her head.

Well, at least they won't fight about me anymore...

It was the next afternoon when Twilight, her friends, Posey and Firely came around to Skitch's with the intention of speaking with her. Tempers had cooled some and they were more willing to listen; Pinkie's mane and tail had even regained some of her usual poofyness.

“Oh dear...” Rarity muttered, pointing a hoof at the garbage cans around the side of the building, “Look at how full they are. It really does look like her whole supply was destroyed...”

Posey frowned, ruffling her wings. “Well...I'm pretty sure I know who did it.”

“Who?” Twilight asked, her eyes narrowing.

“His name is Nouveau Riche. Owner of the First Bank of Canterlot and father of Filthy Rich of Barnyard Bargins. Firefly and I saw him on the train in the way in. Was asking us about her.”

“Wait...so the bank trying to seize her house?”

“Was probably his idea, and this was his way to help make sure she'd fail to make the grace payment that would let her keep it.”

Applejack glowered. “Well, shoot. Now ah'm feelin' even more conflicted.”

Rainbow knocked on the door. “Well, we are going to sort this out.”

After waiting for a few minutes with no response the ponies looked at each other, exchanging confused expressions. Frowning, Rainbow Dash hammered her hoof on the door again, it actually creaking open from the impact.

Frowning even deeper, Rainbow stomped her way inside.

“Skitch! Hey Skitch! Where are you?!”

The others followed her inside, splitting up as they searched for the unicorn. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Firefly and Spike headed upstairs; Rarity, Fluttershy and Posey peeking into the kitchen, while Twilight and Pinkie Pie kept watch in the main room in case she came walking in the front door.

Pinkie looked over at her purple colored friend.

“Twilight, can I ask you something?”

Twilight smiled back. “Of course Pinkie.”

“Why do you think she did it? Doesn't she trust us?”

“Well, I think she actually does.” Twilight sighed. “But...look at what happened with The Collector. I could understand her being afraid enough to make plans.”

“But...we're friends.”

“I know we are darling.” Rarity said as she came back in from the kitchen. “I just think she's afraid.”

“Of us though?” Pinkie wailed. “She lost our trust. And loosing a friends' trust is the fastest way to loose them as a friend...foreverrrr!”

Rarity pulled her friend into a hug, as Twilight sighed, glancing around the room again. Her eyes locked on Skitch's media center as the others returned to the main room.

“Well,” Rainbow said, “She's not here. But all of her stuff is.”

“Yeah.” Applejack added. “Even that remote thing she used ta leave is there. So she's gotta be somewhere around here and...what are ya doing Twi?”

Twilight was looking closely at the media center, contemplating something. Frowning, she reached out with a hoof and brushed it against the screen. The computer sprung to life, causing her to jerk back slightly.

“Twilight. I don't think this is the time for movies, uhh...unless you do that is.”

“I'm just wondering if this does anything else than show movies.” She rubbed the bottom of her chin with a hoof. “It looked like it was voice controlled. Umm...computer, list functions?” She finished hopefully.

The machine beeped in response a list of options running down the screen, Twilight's eyes lighting up as she hit on something.

“Ah ha! Personal logs sound like a diary to me.” She frowned. “Only one entry though. Computer...play entry?”

A scene sprang to life on the monitor, revealing a very sad and broken looking looking Skitch-Sketch. Her mane and tail were dishevelled, her head hung, her eyes almost hollow and empty.

She was sitting at a circular table, a large lime green vehicle with a bent and twisted drill strapped to it's front was visible behind her. The Collector's dimensional travelling controller was resting on the table in front of her.

“So, just found out that this thing can record I as well as play movies. Guess I would have figured that out earlier, if I wasn't running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to find a way home.” She growled.

Her expression changed to a kind of deranged smile.

“Oh, funny thing about that! It turns out that The Collector's little creation here can't so much open pathways between worlds, but exploit what is already there. And it seems that the pathway that existed back to my world seems to have closed!”

The smile turned back into a deep glare.

“I've been trying for a month, using every last trick in my book that I've had at my disposal to get home.” She motioned to the vehicle behind her with a hoof. “The last attempt here with Professor Farnsworth. But it's failed. Every attempt I've made...I've just bounced off of whatever barrier exists between worlds.”

She took a deep breath.

“Which is why I sincerely hope that he really is dead...and that he hopefully died slowly and painfully. Because if he is alive, and I get my hands...hooves...whatever on him...”

She lurched forward almost pressing her face into the camera as she began to scream.

“I WILL MAKE HIM SUFFER! I WILL MAKE THAT TWISTED FATBOY FUCK WRITHE IN AGONY WHILE I SNAP EVERY BONE IN HIS BODY!”

“She's loosing it again!” Came a female voice from off camera. “Grab her!”

Skitch was yanked back from the camera by two pairs of hands. A one eyed woman with her purple hair pulled back in a pony tail had one side of her, while a man with orange hair had her other. Despite the two humans being twice her size, Skitch was putting up a hell of a fight.

“Let me go Fry! LET ME GO! This whole 'vent your feelings' thing was your idea!”

“I know! But you need to calm down Skitch!” The male said as he struggled to hold the squirming unicorn. “I know your upset, but last time you got this angry you caught on fire!”

“I don't care! He took everything from me!” Skitch screamed as she continued to thrash, tears streaming down her face. “He took my life, he took my friends, he took my family! I'll never see them again and...and I never got to say goodbye! I don't even have a home anymore!”

“Zoidberg! Get the shot! And Bender, turn the camera off!” The purple haired woman shouted.

A very uncomfortable silence filled the room as the entry switched off.

“She never did make it home.” Fluttershy whispered. “Oh...that poor dear.”

“She looked so happy when she came back though! She loved my party.” Pinkie pointed out.

“Skitch is not good at expressing her feelings. She wouldn't address her own gender issues for years. Is it really any surprise that she'd just pretend that everything was okay and try to solider on?” Rarity observed.

“It's darn foolish is what it is.” Applejack muttered. “And that on top of keepin these secrets about her plans fer us.”

“I'm not saying it was right for her to do it, dear. I just think I know why she did it. It's a coping mechanism, really. Trying to hang onto and protect something she still cares about.”

Applejack , Posey and Firefly all stared at Rarity for a moment their eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Oh please, don't act like that's some kind of shock.” Rarity admonished. “You saw how upset she was. Do you really think that was just because she was caught?”

“Well...if she really felt so bad about all of this and wanted to give an explanation,” Firefly interjected, “Where is she?”

“You don't think that Riche kidnapped her, do you?” Twilight gasped.

Posey shook her head. “No. I don't think so. That's not the kind of thing he'd put his own hooves on. Too easy to get caught and loose everything on. Besides, we still don't know if anything actually happened to her or not. She could have just stepped out.”

“Or she could be in trouble!” Rainbow interjected.

“Okay, let's stay calm here.” Twilight said, taking control of the situation. “Rarity, you stay here in case she comes back. The rest of us will do a quick search through town. Posey and Firefly, can you keep watch at the inn in case she comes back looking for us there? The rest of us will meet back here when we're done.”

Nodding to each other, the group split up to begin their search.

A few hours later they had come back together at Skitch's house, exchanging looks of worry as they approached, Rarity stepping back out of the house.

“I'm guessing that you didn't have much luck, darlings?”

Rainbow Dash shook her head. “I flew all over the place. No sign of her. You have any better luck?”

“Umm...well. Cloudkicker said that he thought he saw her heading towards my cottage. But she wasn't there when we looked. So...she might have gone into the Everfree Forest.”

“Now why would she go and do somethin like that?” Applejack muttered.

“Ooo! Maybe she was going to see Zecora?” Pinkie pointed out.

That statement elicited some looks from the group.

“Why do you say that?” Twilight asked.

“Well, if she wasn't going to Fluttershy's, then there are only two other creatures that way that she could be going to see, Manny and Zecora, and Manny can't talk, silly!”

Applejack shook her head as she bowed to the Pinkie logic. “Ahll right. We'll have to head out in the morning. It'll be getting dark soon, and we won't be able ta see much.”

“Applejack!” Rarity snapped. “She could be hurt, she could be in danger, she could be in real trouble! We can't leave her in there over another night.”

“But we won't do anypony any good if we get lost or hurt in there to! And more dangerous critters come out at night.”

“Come on Applejack.” Rainbow interjected. “If it was Apple Bloom in there, would you still be arguing we wait until morning?”

Applejack hung her head. “That's different. That's family.”

“Well,” Twilight interjected. “It is still dangerous...why don't we go an ask Zecora for help ourselves? She knows the forest really well, it's only a short walk in, and if that's where Skitch was heading anyway, maybe we'll find her along the way.”

“All right.” Applejack nodded, bowing to Twilight's logic. “But let's at least swing by Sweet Apple Acres on the way. I wanna get my lasso just in case somethin' nasty does turn up.”

Skitch felt herself slowly return to consciousness, ivy covered columns, a dust covered stone floor and half rotten wooden doors hanging off their hinges greeting her eyes.

Wait...wasn't there a cockatrice? And how did I get in an old castle?

Trying to take a step forward, she was horrified to find that none of her muscles responded.

Oh god...I'm still petrified aren't I? Why am I still concious? Twilight wasn't conscious! ...Or was she in this reality? Wait...I stumbled into poison joke. Is this because of the poison joke? Damn it!

Her internal raging was interrupted by the sound of something approaching. A moment later, not one, but two cockatrices walked into the room carrying what looked like petrified small animals in their beaks; a squirrel and a mouse it seemed.

The cockatrices began to stalk around the room, occasionally placing the petrified creatures in a location, staring at them for a moment, and then picking them up again to place them somewhere else. It was monster interior decorating.

Oh, come on! This is ridiculous! What am I, the living room centrepiece?

Having found proper locations for their newly made knick-knacks, the two cockatrice coiled up at her hooves, bedding down for the night.

Stupid freaking magpie cockatrices! Stupid being conscious when petrified! Stupid everything! ….Stupid me.

As the cockatrice drifted off to sleep, and the night rolled on, Skitch once again found herself dealing with the fact that she was very much, alone.

Meanwhile, the mane six were walking down the path towards Zecora's, Applejack and Twilight in the lead, the latter with her horn lit up to light the way; Pinkie Pie was walking along in the back, Rarity, Spike and Fluttershy in the middle, Rainbow Dash flying along above the group.

After walking in silence for a while, Applejack was the first one to speak up a deep frown on her face.

“Yah all know that I don't want her ta get hurt, right?”

“Of course.”

“Thought never crossed my mind, dear.”

“Duh, of course not.”

Applejack sighed in relief. “Thanks girls. It's just hard to wrap my head around.”

“We know dear. But we'll work all of this out.”

They continued on for a little bit longer, when Applejack suddenly held up a hoof to signal the group to stop. “Hold on everypony! Looks like some kind of critter scrambled across the path here.”

“Pony tracks?” Twilight asked.

“Nah...looks almost like a chicken.”

“Chicken?” Fluttershy frowned as she trotted forward to get a closer look at them. “Twlight, can you hold the light a little closer?”

Twilight nodded, lowering her head closer to the ground. The tracks did look like a chicken's, if not for the odd sinuous drag pattern between them.

“Oh no, oh no.” Fluttershy muttered. “Those are cockatrice tracks. This is bad! This is really bad!”

Applejack frowned and pushed through the bushes, the others close behind; Twilight kept her horn lit while Applejack and Fluttershy examined more of the tracks they found.

“Pony tracks.” Applejack pointed out. “Ah think we might have found where Skitch was.”

She trotted around the edge of the poison joke patch examining the scene closely, before beginning to walk through the steps. “She came this way, walkin' around the poison joke...” She paused at where the two sets of tracks met. “And then it ambushed her here...” She took a few more steps. “And then it turns into these drag marks.”

“It's not just that.” Fluttershy muttered as she pointed to another set of tracks. “Another set of cockatrice tracks. Which probably means that it's a mated pair. And if it's a mated pair, they've probably dragged her back to their lair.”

“Why would they do that?” Rainbow asked.

“Well, it's to show off, mostly.” Fluttershy explained as she nervously tapped her hooves together. “Cockatrice families show their territorial dominance by having large statue gardens.”

“But the Everfree is huge darling! Those beasts could have dragged her anywhere.”

“Well, cockatrice tend to live in caves or sometimes abandoned buildings when they can find them. They like being close to stone.”

“What about where we fought Nightmare Moon?” Pinkie asked. “That's probably the biggest pile of stone in the whoooole of the Everfree Forest! I mean, it was at least twice as big as Sugercube Corner!”

“Good point, Pinkie.” Twilight beamed. “Come on, girls! We have a pony to save!”

“Uhh. Hold on a second.” Spike piped up. “Maybe we should still head onto Zecora's first. Fluttershy said that there's two of them. She might have something to help us avoid their whole gaze.” He nervously rubbed his right arm. “If we all end up stone, we won't help anypony.”

The assembled ponies exchanged glances for a moment before Twilight nodded. “It's a good point. Come on, it's only a little farther to Zecroa's.”

Back in the remains of the old castle, Skitch had moved past anger though bargaining and into a deep depression.

So this is how it ends. Trapped for eternity as a show piece in a cockatrice's bedroom, having hurt and betrayed the last remnants of friends or family I had. Friendship is supposed to be magic. What does that make what I did?

She wanted to thrash. She wanted to scream. She wanted to beg. She wanted to do anything but remain locked here in the room where the ponies she hurt had forged their initial bond of friendship. It felt like fate was rubbing extra salt into the wound.

Maybe I deserve this. The human elbowing into Equestria, disrupting everything with their presence, dragging ponies down with them. No wonder some people hate it with a passion. ...Yeah, I probably do deserve this. I wonder when pony archaeologists find this place , what they'll think of me.

Her thoughts were beginning to turn morbid as time dragged on. Without the rhythm of her own heartbeat, or the sound of her own breath, time was distorted. All she knew was that it wasn't a full day yet.

She had tried to “sleep” in a way, once or twice...maybe three times, it was hard to tell. Tried to block off her consciousness and return to the unconscious state she had been in before awakening. Instead, nightmares had visited her for her trouble.

And as she mentally drifted off again they returned.

She was standing in the burning streets of Ponyville again, the twisted mockeries of the mane six and the princesses standing over the bodies of their normal selves. Skitch frowned, not much more than going through the motions as she raised her plasma cannon to fire and fail.

This time, however before she could pull the trigger something snapped the ground, causing it to roll in a manner like a beach towel being cleared of so much annoying sand. The nightmare figures went flying away, scattered to the four winds as Ponyville returned to it's non burnt state.

Skitch frowned, looking for the source of the sudden change in her dreams.

“Hello? Who's there? Is that you Luna?”

Hope rose in her chest only to be crushed by a mocking laugh sent chills down her spine instead.

“I'm sorry. Loony isn't here right now! I'll be your dream shepherd tonight.”

Skitch scrambled back from Ponyville's town hall as a miss matched serpentine form uncoiled from one of the pillars and rose to his full height.

“Discord?”

The draconequus responded with a grin, waving his eagle taloned arm at her in greeting.

“Hello there neighbor!”

“So, Fluttershy, anythin' else ya can tell us about cockatrices?”

“Well...if Zecora doesn't have anything that can protect us from the gaze, don't look in their eyes. Especially the eyes of the larger male. Their gaze is the stronger of the two. Their claws are also sharp.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow interjected. “But how do we change Skitch back?”

“Oh, well...you'd need a spell, or a potion, really. Unless you could somehow convince the cockatrice to undo it. ”

Rainbow Dash looked over at Twilight, letting the question ask itself.

“Well...I think that I should be able to find a spell that can do it. There are spells that can petrify, so if I were to look at one of those and reverse it...”

“So, is that egghead talk for yes?”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “It's egghead talk for 'I think so.'.”

There was a brief pause before Rarity spoke up.

“Twilight. Petrified creatures aren't...conscious, are they?”

Twilight bit her lip. “No. Not under normal circumstances.”

“Thank Celestia. I'm not sure the poor dear could handle that right now...being alone and locked in stone.” She looked at her friends. “We are going to give her another chance, yes?”

Pinkie frowned. “I want to, but she broke our trust. And breaking a friend's trust is the fastest way to loose a friend...”

“Foreeevvaaaaarrrrr!” Rainbow interrupted. “I know the deal Pinkie. I still think she's earned another chance though. I mean, she only helped save the world!”

“But that still doesn't automatically forgive her for hidin this from us. It's like...” Applejack sighed in frustration. “She talks about the great things we've done and that we'll do even more great things, but she wouldn't trust us with this?”

“Well, I can't entirely blame her for not wanting to bring it up.” Twilight said. “I mean...is there really an easy way to say 'Hey! There might be evil alternate versions of yourself running around out there.' Especially after loosing her family.”

“Oh...” Fluttershy sighed. “I'm so conflicted over that. I want to comfort her, but I'm scared of her now. I mean...every time she looked at me, was she thinking about how to hurt me if need be? Or the thought of any of us...well...” She trailed off.

“Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon.” Rarity said. “I know that it isn't fun to think about, but it still happened.”

Things were quiet again for a bit, as they continued to follow the drag trail, before Pinkie Pie spoke up.

“Well, I'm willing to give her another chance, when I think about it a little more.”

“Whatcha mean sugarcube?”

Pinkie sighed. “Applejack, how many times have you seen me sad?”

Applejack blinked at the question. “Can't rightly say that I've really ever seen you sad Pinkie.”

“And what would you do if I was?”

“Well...we're friends, so I'd try ta cheer you up.”

“Except I'm the pony that cheers everypony up. I'm the party masta!” She giggled, before continuing. “But since it's my job to make ponies happy, I don't really talk about when I'm sad. I just try to work through it by finding other ponies to make happy. And I think that she was doing some similar. She didn't want us to worry.”

“Seriously Pinkie?” She asked.

Pinkie nodded. “Super, duper serious!”

Applejack sighed, hanging her head slightly. “Ah want ta hear what she has ta say first.”

“Well, we have to find her first.” Twilight pointed out as they approached Zecora's tree.

Twilight stepped forward and gave the door a sharp knock, stepping back as the door swung open and Zecora stuck her head out, blinking as she took in the assembled group.

“Oh my, Twilight and her friends I spy. What troubles caused you to drop by?” She asked as she stepped back, allowing everyone to come inside.

“Well, we were wondering if you had anything that could assist with protecting against a cockatrice's gaze.” Twilight said.

“The gaze that will make a pony stone? Why...”

“See,” Pinkie interrupted, “Skitchy wandered off into the forest and we found cockatrice tracks and we're gonna go rescue her! But Spike suggested that we go and see if you have someway to keep us from turning into stone!”

Zecora just blinked at Pinkie's enthusiasm, but smiled after a moment as she walked over to her shelves and began to grab herbs and other compounds to fill her massive cauldron.

“Potion drops for your eyes I can provide. Take them, to keep from being petrified.”

“That's what I like to hear!” Rainbow grinned.

Zecora set to work, getting a fire lit under the cauldron to boil the water. Once it was at a roiling boil, she began to add ingredient after ingredient, occasionally stirring and chanting at the increasingly blue colored mixture. Once the mixture reached a level that she was comfortable with, Zecora nodded and looked to the others.

“The brew is ready. Twilight, hold this vial steady.” She stated simply as she scooped it up with a ladle. Twilight held the vial that Zecora had indicated with her magic, while Zecora filled it with the mixture; finally a lid with an eyedropper was screwed ontop.

“All right!” Rainbow said. “Let's get back out there.”

“I suggest you wait till morning.” Zecora said. “The cockatrice will be out hunting. You maybe be able to slip in without raising their warning.”

Rarity frowned. “I don't like the idea of her being out there for a full night alone.”

“Allow me to assure.” Zecora smiled. “I will use the time to brew a petrification cure.”

“Well...all right.”

Skitch took a few wobbly steps backwards from Discord, her eyes wide. Discord just grinned right back at her as he took a few steps forward.

“Why, Skitchy you look surprised to see me. Not sure why, really. Surely you saw this coming.”

Skitch continued to back away as Discord just observed her with a smirk.

“I see that my reputation precedes me.”

“What do you want?”

“It's like I said! We're neighbors now! The only two petrified and conscious creatures in the whole of Equestria! I finally have somepony to talk to!”

He snapped a claw, a basket of fruit easily the size of Skitch appearing before her. Eying it like it was a basket of grenades, Skitch took yet another resolute step backwards. Discord grinned as the fruit in the basket suddenly flew at her and exploded, leaving the pony drenched in fruit juice.

“I hate you.”

“Oh, come on Skitchy. If you can't take a little chaos, you're going to have a very miserable time. You will probably be here for a long time.”

Skitch grunted as she did her best to shake the fruit juice out of her coat.

“Hmm. I was expecting that to provoke more of a reaction.” Discord hummed, tapping his chin with a claw. “Unless...”

The draconequus vanished, reappearing next to Skitch and throwing an arm around her; he rose to his full height, leaving Skitch dangling in his grasp. “You don't want to be found! Oh, this is delicious.”

Skitch said nothing as she was dropped back to the ground, Discord strolling around her with a wide grin on his face.

“Oh, my dear little ex-human. It all makes sense to me now. You're guilty!”

“Guilty?” Skitch growled, trying to put on a brave face.

Discord grinned.

“I've broken more than a few ponies back in the good old days, Skitch. And being in your head lets me see all of the details.”

He stomped his reptilian foot on the ground, causing a file cabinet to pop up, the top drawer snapping out in the process. Discord plucked a file from the drawer, a pair of reading glasses appearing on his face.

“Human in Equestria fan-fiction. Both hated and loved, and here you are living one.”

He glanced up from the file.

“And I'm quite sure I can run down the list of reasons why it's generating your guilt.”

Skitch rolled her eyes.

“I know what's going on here. This is what happened with my feminine side all over again. My own brain forming constructs from this universes' mythology to address an issue I'm having. So, by all means 'Discord',” She held up her forelegs and twitched them in the best approximation of the “finger quotes” gesture that she could make. “Come at me bro.”

Discord's look was calm as he snapped the file closed, and then carefully took the glasses off.

“Okay Jake. But there's one thing you seem to have forgotten.”

The world spun around Skitch and she found Discord's yellow and red eyes burning down on her as he held her in his lion paw.

“The Collector found a way into your mind.”

And with a casual flick of his wrist, Discord threw Skitch deeper into the depths of her own head.

Author's Note

I think that the end of this chapter got re-written like three times. It seriously fought me every step of the way.

That being said, I like how it turned out in the end. And yes, I have been putting Skitch through sheer hell here. But next chapter it begins to turn around, I promise. You know how it goes.

You gotta break em down, to build them back up.

Resolutions

A tunnel of red and yellow light swirled and spun around Skitch as she found herself being tossed around the confines of her own mind. She moved through the tunnel for what felt like a few minutes, before she slammed into a hard wooden floor. Groaning, she got back to her hooves and took stock of where she landed.

A quick glance around revealed the warm and inviting interior of the Golden Oak's Library. She was standing before one of the book stands that dotted the bottom floor, a book of spells opened to an astral projection spell.

Spike's voice floated to her ears as he came walking back in from the kitchen, a bowl of soup in his claws.

“All right Skitch. A quick lunch to charge you up and then it's back to practicing spells.”

“Spike? What are you doing? Where's Twilight?”

“She's out getting supplies.”

“Why?”

“Because, she's your assistant. Duh.”

Skitch's expression twisted into a frown.

“Yes. I'm sure that Twilight, one of the greatest unicorn spell-casters of this generation, is the assistant of somepony who's an illusionist on her best day, and who's loosing her cutie-mark.”

“What are you talking about? You're not loosing your cutie-mark.”

Skitch frowned, twisting to look at her side. Her jaw dropped when she saw Twilight Sparkle's cutie-mark on her flank. Before she could finish wrapping her mind around that, the door to the library swung open and Twilight came trotting back in with full saddlebags; Skitch couldn't help but notice that her old cutie-mark was now on Twilight's flank.

“I got the supplies you needed Skitch! Nothing but the best for Celestia's prized student.”

“Let me guess...I'm the bearer of the element of magic too?” Skitch winced.

“Of course!” They both replied.

Skitch bit her lip, eyes darting back and forth from Twilight to Spike and back again. “I'm going for a walk.”

“But the spells!” Spike shouted after her.

“And you were going to teach me illusions!”

“Later!”

She moved through the streets of Ponyville, trying to ignore all of the overly enthusiastic greetings that were being thrown her way.

“Hey Skitch! Are you going to help me make that new batch of candy? Your ideas for flavors are amazing!”

“Skitch, when are you going to help me cut those new gems?”

“Skitch, are you going to help me bring in the carrot harvest?”

Skitch ground her teeth as she picked up the pace, moving more into a full run as she tried to drown out all of the requests.

“Skitch!-”

“Skitch!-”

“Skitch!-”

Breaking into a full gallop at this point, Skitch slalomed between ponies, ignoring all of their shouts and calls as she just made for the outskirts of the town. Only when she was far enough away that she couldn't hear the voices calling after her anymore did she stop.

Sighing she trotted over to a tree and sat down under its leafy branches, grateful for the silence again.

“All right. Trapped in my own subconscious. What's your game Discord?”

A rainbow flash of light shot by almost as a form of response.

“Skitch!”

“...Damn it.”

Rainbow Dash dropped from the sky, landing before her with a large grin on her face.

“...What is it Dash?”

Skitch was already dreading the response as Rainbow took a few steps closer, fluttering her eyes at her in a very non-Rainbow Dash manner.

“Well, Skitch...I have a reeealllyyy important question for you.”

“Yes?”

Dash buried her head into Skitch's neck, giving her a very...affectionate nuzzle. Skitch froze not expecting this kind of intimate contact from the rainbow maned pony.

“Will you be my very special somepony?”

Skitch blinked, trying to ignore the feel of Rainbow's breath on her neck, and the way she kept pressing her body close to her own. It would almost be funny, if it weren't so creepy to see Rainbow acting so lovey dovey.

“Rainbow...”

“Yes?” She muttered as she began to nibble Skitch's left ear.

Skitch shuddered, her tail swishing in annoyance.“...First of all, stop doing that. Second of all, I can't be your very special some pony.”

“What? Why!”

“Cause I don't like mares. I'm straight. I like stallions.”

A gross simplification, admittedly, but Skitch had no desire to go into a deeper explanation for a mental construct. But, much to Skitch's aggravation, Rainbow perked right up at that revelation.

“Oh, is that it?” She grinned. “Make me a stallion then! You're Celestia's prize student, that should be easy!”

Skitch got to her hooves and began to resolutely walk away, ears slicked back in annoyance.

“I'm not having this conversation with you Dash.”

She hadn't gotten more than three steps away before she felt Dash tackle her, knocking her to the ground before she was flipped into her back. Skitch found herself staring up into Rainbows wide and wild eyes.

“But, we're meant to be together! I knew it was true love when I first set eyes upon you my snuggy-wuggy huggy bear!”

Skitch gagged. Lines like that should not come out of the mouth of Rainbow Dash.

“We've known each other for a month! Come on Dash, this isn't you! You don't talk like this.”

“That's 'cause I've never had a shmoopy-doopy love dove like you!”

“Rainbow, get OFF!”

Rainbow Dash sighed and stepped back, letting Skitch get back to her hooves. Shaking her head she took in the fact that Rainbow Dash was now pouting.

“Don't you like me?”

“Well, we're friends I guess...”

“You guess?!”

“Look, Rainbow if you should be with any mare, it should be with Fluttershy. You two are childhood friends. You barely know me at all.”

Rainbow frowned, taking to the air. “Fine, be that way!”

She flew off over the horizon, leaving Skitch alone under the tree.

“She'll get over it.” She sighed to herself, before blinking. “Wait, this is just part of my mind, she's not even real.”

“Really now?” Came Discord's mocking voice as he appeared on one of the branches of the tree. “That's a strong statement for you to make, considering how your own definition of the word “real” has changed recently. Who's to say that this dream isn't just as real to them, as the waking world is to you now?”

“Because you're the one controlling it, Discord. This is your game.”

The draconequus stared at her for a moment before breaking into a howling fit of laughter, falling off the tree branch in the process.

“You think this is *my* game?” He grinned, summoning a bag of popcorn with a claw snap. “My dear little pony...I'm just here for the show!”

“Well, if you're not controlling this, then who is?”

Discord clicked his tongue. “This is your head. Desires and dreams, fears and anxieties. All are laid bare here.”

“I don't want Rainbow Dash to completely change who she is for me! That's asinine!”

Discord's smile grew wider. “I agree.”

A breeze blew through the tree branches, whipping her mane into her eyes for a moment. The breeze faded a moment later, leaving Skitch in a topsy-turvy take of Ponyville. Soap ribbons for streets and a lurid checker board pattern for grass assaulted her eyes as Discord sat on his throne.

“And that's why the show must go on!”

“Ah'll right Skitch! Let's show him how it's done!”

She glanced around, seeing the rest of the element bearers stepping forward, including a very male looking Rainbow Dash; he blew a kiss Skitch's way as he took up his position next to her. Skitch felt her brow suddenly grow heavy, as the element of magic took it's place.

“I'm ready to be defeated!” Discord grinned, motioning to his chest as a large target appeared. “You may fire when ready!”

Skitch frowned, glaring back up at Discord.

“Why should I? Maybe I don't want to follow the script.”

A shocked gasp rippled through the other ponies.

“Skitch?” Rarity gaped. “What are you talking about! We can't leave this brute causing chaos in Equestria!”

“Oh, yes.” Discord grinned. “I'll cause such havoc! Best to stop me now!”

Skitch sighed as she began to feel the magic of the elements of harmony warm up, the rainbow of energy leaping from their collected forms towards Discord. With a bright flash Discord was stone and Ponyville was back to normal.

The other element bearers began to cheer Rainbow Dash throwing his forelegs around Skitch in a tight hug, a deep frown returning to her features.

“There they are.”

Twilight and her friends were squeezed together by the double doors that lead into the empty remains of the castle where they had first found the Elements of Harmony. The cockatrice had dragged Skitch's frozen form in front of dais that had once contained the stone forms of the elements of harmony.

Both of the cockatrice were coiled up and sleeping at her hooves. Rainbow Dash sighed as she rolled her eyes.

“I thought that Zecora said that they'd be out hunting. Did they decide to sleep in or something?”

“Yer the only one who can sleep in when she wants to RD?” Applejack smirked.

“Well, let's go in there and kick their tails! We can't be petrified right now.”

All of their eyes currently had a soft yellow glow from Zecora's enchanted eye drops. Twilight and Fluttershy couldn't tear their eyes away from the rather large claws on the cockatrice rooster, however.

“Those claws could really hurt us.” Fluttershy muttered. “We need to be careful.”

Twilight grinned, an idea beginning to formulate in her mind.

“Hey Dash. Want to get your morning exercise in?”

Rainbow Dash grinned even wider.

Skitch staggered as another strong breeze washed over her, leaving her stumbling as she looked around, trying to work out where she was now. The floor was covered in soft and glowing light, motes of said light floating into the air all around her. Groaning, she looked around, the horrific possibilities running through her head.

“Oh, what fresh hell is this?”

“Congradulations Skitch-Sketch, I knew you could do it.”

Skitch glanced at the voice, unsurprised to see Celestia as the nature of the scene began to become familiar to her. The apotheosis scene.

“You did something today that's never been done before. Something that even a great unicorn like Star Swirl the Bearded couldn't do.”

“What? Screw everything up then wind up a very expressive lawn decoration?”

“...I get the feeling you aren't taking this seriously. You've learned so much though! You understand friendship better than anypony!”

“...Well, that's a damn lie.”

Celestia's expression grew dark.

“Is this because you and Rainbow Dash have been having relationship problems?”

Skitch groaned.

“No, no, NO! This is wrong!” She motioned to her flank. “This is Twilight's cutie-mark, this should be Twilight's journey to become an alicorn, and Rainbow Dash should not be a stallion!”

Celestia flicked her wings.

“Skitch-Sketch. I chose you for this honor for a reason. This is your destiny!”

“No!” She shouted as she was engulfed in more light.

The next moment she was back in the Golden Oaks Library, a blue coated stallion waiting for her.

“Ah ha! I knew you'd show up here! Check out those wings of yours!” He pressed himself up against her. “So, want to go for your first fly together? We can catch up with the others later and maybe have some private time?”

“Dash, no.”

“Come on!”

“NO!” Skitch snapped back. “This isn't right! We aren't supposed to be together, you aren't supposed to be a stallion, and I'm not supposed to be an alicorn! NONE OF THIS IS REAL!”

Rainbow Dash took a staggering step backwards as his expression became ashen.

“I'm not real? Your friends aren't real? Skitch, what are you talking about?”

“This is all some kind of twisted and warped dreamscape! So, yes! You aren't real!”

Rainbow Dash took a shuddering breath, shaking his head.

“You sound like The Collector. Skitch...I don't know what's wrong with you right now. But, until you figure it out, I don't think we should see each other.”

He pushed past Skitch, storming out the door and leaving her alone. Until the sound of Discord's mocking laugh cut through the room again.

“I couldn't have done a better job myself! I could practically see the moment right where his heart broke.”

“Die. In. A. Fire.”

“Hmm. Sorry. They tried that once already.”

Skitch winced as the wind began to blow again.

Rainbow Dash crept forward, one hoof slowly in front of the other as she closed in on the pair of cockatrice. Her tail swished back and forth in anticipation, she paused as she reached them, glancing back at where the rest of her friends were waiting.

Twilight gave a nod of approval. Dash grinned as she pulled back a hoof and smacked the pair of cockatrice across their beaks.

Awakening with an angry squawk the cockatrice jumped to their clawed feet, glaring right at Rainbow only to find their gaze ineffective. Rainbow laughed, sticking her tongue out shaking her head left and right.

“BOOGA! BOOGA! BOOGA! Come and get me suckers!”

She spun in place, whipping her tail across the cockatrice's faces before galloping back out the door. Thoroughly enraged, the pair of cockatrice gave chase, rushing after the Rainbow maned pegasus.

Once the coast was clear, the rest of the group quickly ran into the room, Spike bringing up the back.

“All right.” Twilight nodded as she grabbed Skitch's form with her magic. “Let's grab her and get out of here before those cockatrice come back!”

Rarity added her own telekinesis to the mix, Skitch's statue slowly rising into the air.

“Ah'll right. Spike, ya got your dragon scales and claws, so you're in the front with me. Fluttershy on the right, Pinkie on the left. Let's move em out!”

They rushed out the doors, petrified pony floating along with them.

The twin beams of clashing magic exploded with horrendous force, blasting the stain glass windows of the palace out in a hail of razor sharp shards. Skitch stumbled backwards, her horn still glowing with the after effects of the spell she had unleashed.

Skitch was now a tall and regal looking alicorn, essentially a deep green colored version of Celestia, her wavy mane and tail almost looking like they were made of paint.

On the other side of the throne room, an angry Celestia now sported a mane and tail combo that looked forged from flame. She glared at Skitch, a mixture of rage, jealously and sadness etched on her features.

“You dare to usurp me as the rightful ruler of Equestria? You dare to call me some figment of your mind?! I am eternal, I am the sun!”

She threw herself at Skitch again, hooves wreathed in flames. Skitch back peddled throwing spells both offensive and defensive that came naturally in this warped dreamscape. While she had no real desire to fight Celestia, she also had no desire to find out if it was possible to die in a Discord powered dream.

So she decided to play the part instead. She lashed out with her now ferocious alicorn power, grabbing Celestia in a magical aura.

“I'm sorry Celestia, but you need a timeout.”

With a mental flick she sent Celestia shooting through the roof in a pillar of light. The deed was done. Skitch looked around, sighing.

“Great. Now what.”

She sighed as she walked back across the throne room and sat back down in Celestia's...no, her throne. She slumped in the seat, idly beginning to clean up the throne room with her magic. It was something to do after all.

“Well, I have to admit, I was expecting a little more rage there Skitchy.”

Glancing up at the ceiling, Skitch could see that Discord was hanging from it. His expression was almost disappointed. Skitch shrugged.

“That's because these scenarios are ludicrous. This is some kind of warped combination of the worst aspects of human in Equestria stuff and Mary Sue character writing. This is kind of below your usual calibre.”

“Oh, completely. Far too blunt and somewhat meta for my taste. This is all pulled from your head.”

“I do not think that this stuff will happen!”

“Fear and guilt are not always rational and you know it, Skitchy.”

Skitch sighed, slumping in the throne.

“You can't be getting that much entertainment value from me. What are you really doing kicking around in my head?”

“Fine, I suppose I can't keep the truth from you!” Discord said as he melodramatically clapped a hand across his chest like he was affronted by the question.

With a flick of his wrist he produced three scripts from void. “Like I said. I'm just here for the show!”

Skitch frowned as her eyes ran across the names on the covers. The Return of Harmony Parts 1 and 2, and Keep Calm and Flutter On. She felt her stomach drop out.

Rainbow Dash dropped back below the tree line, banking between the trunks as she moved to catch back up with her friends. It hadn't taken her that long to find them once she had opened up her speed. She swooshed over their heads, landing neatly next to Applejack and falling into a gallop along side her.

“Ya give those cockatrice a proper wild goose chase RD?”

“Sure did! Those overgrown chickens never had a chance to catch up with me!”

“All right then! We just gotta make it through the rest of the Everfree and we're home free! We should be coming up on the river soon.” She glanced back at Twilight and Rarity. “How you girl's holding up?”

Rarity and Twilight were both panting, their barrels heaving from the strain of the gallop and floating a pony sized statue along for the ride. Rarity nodded all the same.

“W-well be okay Applejack. Just need to press on!”

“Uh oh...” Rainbow muttered. “They found us again.”

Swinging her head back around, Applejack could see the two cockatrice blocking the path to the river. With their wings spread wide and challenging, as they hissed and thrashed their tails.

Applejack exchanged glances with Rainbow Dash and Spike before nodding. Slowing down ever so slightly, she let Spike hop onto her back before picking up the pace again, breaking into the clearing that lined both sides of the river.

“Applejack?” Fluttershy gasped. “W-what are you doing?”

“We're gonna make a hole! Don't slow down at all!”

They drew closer, the cockatrice still not moving as they prepared to clash with the oncoming ponies. Applejack mentally judged the distance between them as it became less and less, working the timing out in her head.

When they were within a foot of the two creatures, Applejack shouted to Spike.

“Spike! Light em up!”

Spike leaned to the right, taking a deep breath and spitting a gout of fire right into the faces of the cockatrice. The pair reeled, trying to get away from the emerald green flames and in their confusion, Applejack and Rainbow Dash struck with a pair of headbutts.

The cockatrice were sent sprawling from the force of the blows, but scrabbled back to their clawed feet. The rooster lashed out with his tail, scooping up a glob of mud and hurling it at the group.

It caught Rarity across the face, splattering in her eyes.

“GAH!” She yelped, letting go of her side of Skitch as she rushed to the water's edge and dunked her head into the water to get the mud out of her eyes.

Straightening back up she sighed in relief, turning her head back towards her friends. As she looked, the cockatrice rooster's eyes lit up as it unleashed it's stare. Rarity didn't have time to react as she petrified in an instant.

“Rarity!” Spike shouted.

The friends exchanged worried glances as both cockatrice scooped up more mud.

“Put those back.” Skitch growled, putting on a brave face as she puffed up her chest and flared her wings.

“No...I don't think I will.”

“Discord!”

“Oh, please.” The draconequus grinned. “What, exactly are you going to do?”

“I'll stop you! I'll find a way and I will stop you!”

Discord blinked a few times before breaking into howling laughter.

“YOU? Ha! Please. You're not an element bearer, you're not even a particularly talented magic user. Your actions since returning to this world have been like you're equal parts Batman, and Captain Kirk, when in reality you're equal parts The Tick and Zapp Brannigan. At best, you're a sacrificial lamb, at worst you're everything that those nightmares showed.”

Skitch gaped as her bluff faltered, wings faltering.

“Glad we understand each other Skitchy.” He grinned, giving another snap of his clawed fingers.

The world shifted around Skitch again and she found herself in a well appointed bedroom, that she had a hunch used to belong to Celestia. It had now been redecorated into more of a combination art studio and bedroom. Almost like the house that was now in jeopardy.

The door to the room opened, and she glanced to see Luna trotting in.

“What is it, Luna?”

“I just wished to see if you're all right. This is the first anniversary since you were forced to banish Celestia. I was just...concerned.

“Stop it.”

Luna blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Did I stutter? I said to stop it. To drop the concern! I banished your sister!”

“You did what you had to do.”

“NO I DIDN'T! Nothing I've been doing is what I've had to do! HATE ME! At least be ANGRY with me, I banished your sister! Ponies have re-arranged their lives for me, and everyone just smiles and treats me like I'm Celestia reincarnated!”

“Skitch...I...”

“JUST GET OUT!”

Luna turned, the door closing behind her as Skitch threw herself down on the bed.

“Look out Rainbow Dash!”

The pegasus twisted just in time to avoid another glop of thrown mud. The cockatrice still seemed to be dead set on getting their now two petrified prizes away from the rest of the ponies, and possibly make more.

They were still using mud to try and strip away Zecora's protection, using their flexible tails to throw it. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Spike were doing some fancy hoof work to avoid getting hit the mud. Fluttershy, Twilight and Pinkie were staying near their petrified friends trying to keep protect them if need be.

Switching tactics, the two cockatrice launched a volley of mud at Twilight, who wasn't able to move quite fast enough to avoid getting hit. She froze, unwilling to make the same mistake that Rarity had.

“Time to put you over sized chickens down.” Rainbow growled, giving her wings a beat as she threw herself at the cockatrice rooster. Wrapping her arms around it's mid section, she gave her wings another pump and soared above the river. It lashed out with it's legs, it's claws slicing down her legs.

Wincing against the pain, she whipped into a spin, pitching the cockatrice like a hammer throw. It flared it's wings, trying to hold itself steady, as Rainbow swooped after it. Rainbow slammed both of her fore-hooves into the monster's stomach. The cockatrice pitched head over tail hitting the water with a mighty splash.

“Ha! Still the best!”

While Rainbow Dash had been grappling with the rooster, Applejack and the other cockatrice circled each other. It darted in trying to peck at Applejack's eyes. Applejack stayed nimble on her hooves, dodging the strikes before spinning around and delivering a solid buck to the creature's midsection.

Landing in the mud beak first, the cockatrice hen looked up as a butter yellow hoof stepped into view.

“Oh...umm...I'm sorry, but,” She gazed right into the hen's eyes once again using her trademark stare, “You turn my friends back to normal right now, turn those critters back and then never show your faces in this forest again or I'll sic a manticore on you!”

The rooster squawked stumbling backwards before running over to Rarity wrapping it's tail around her leg, the petrification fading as it ran over to Skitch and repeated the process. Then it turned tail and ran off into the forest like a pack of timber wolves was on its tail.

“-uck.” Skitch said as the remains of the curse she started yesterday finally left her lips.

With her muscles able to move again, Skitch's last movement from when she was petrified kicked in and she stumbled backwards tumbling end over end, hitting the ground with an undignified thud.

“Just make it stop...”

“Skitchy!” Pinkie beamed as she pulled both Skitch and Rarity into a hug. “Now neither of my friends are statues!”

“Pinkie...who...wha?” Skitch blinked, turning her head to look at the pink colored mare.

Her eyes locked onto Pinkie's. Pinkie's glowing yellow eyes. She stammered, even as Pinkie grinned all the wider.

“DISCORD!”

She pushed away from Pinkie with an all mighty shove of her legs, skidding along the ground briefly coming to a stop about a foot away. Her eyes were wide and wild, her horn glowing bright.

“Stay away! I don't know what you're planning this time, but you're not gonna turn me into an alicorn or something else!”

“Uhh...Skitch? What in Equestria are you talking about?” Spike asked.

“Like you don't know!”

Applejack sighed, rubbing her forehead. “The middle of the Everfree ain't the place ta have this conversation. I'll ask for yer forgiveness on this later, Skitch.”

Applejack calmly walked up to Skitch, swinging a hoof right into the side of her head. Skitch crumbled to the ground, Applejack flipping the unconscious unicorn up onto her own back.

“She's a little heavier than she looks.” She grunted.

Rainbow landed neatly next to Applejack.

“What the hay was that AJ?”

“Better than her havin a full blown panic attack. Let's get her back ta Fluttershy's. We can hash out our final talk with her then.”

Twilight looked up from where she had washed the mud out of her eyes.

“Rainbow, how about you two fly ahead and get your and Fluttershy's parents. We should clear the air.”

Rainbow nodded, flying into the air again. “On it!”

As she flew off, the rest of them headed back towards Fluttershy's, Skitch now snoring softly from her position on Applejack's back.

Skitch felt herself beginning to return to consciousness, a throbbing pain radiating from the spot on the side of her head where Applejack's punch had impacted. Said pain spoke to the fact that she had been quite unable to tell the actual world from another one of Discord's dreamscapes, embarrassingly enough.

“Ow! Fluttershy, they're fine!”

“They are not fine! If you don't let me clean them they could get infected.”

Opening one eye, she turned her head slightly to the right, taking in the sight of Fluttershy playing the role of doctor as she dabbed an alcohol soaked cotton swab at a series of scratches along Rainbow's legs. Rainbow winced at each dab, squirming at the stinging sensations of alcohol on open wounds.

Pinkie seemed to be playing checkers with Rarity, while Applejack and Spike were playing cards, scattered about the floor. Firefly and Posey were sitting on one of the other couches with Twilight all of them reading different books.

Swinging her gaze back towards herself, Skitch could see that she was on Fluttershy's other couch, a blanket pulled around her, pillow under her head. Groaning, she sat up letting the blanket fall to the floor as the room's other occupants looked her direction.

“Good ta see ya up again Skitch.” Applejack grinned nervously. “Sorry about punchin ya in the head there, but you were actin a bit out of it.”

“No apologies needed Applejack.” Skitch muttered, rubbing at the sore spot “I probably deserved it.”

“Skitch, what were you even doing out there darling?” Rarity asked, her voice cutting sharply across the room, a mix of concern and exasperation.

Skitch frowned, sighing. “I was going to talk to Zecora. She's wise. I thought that I could use a different perspective on things. And then I ran into the cockatrice and the next thing I knew I was coming to again in the castle where you found the elements.”

“Wait,” Twilight interrupted, “You were conscious? That's not supposed to happen!”

“I guess it's because I stepped into some poison joke before I got petrified?” Skitch shrugged. “That's the best guess I got.”

The room got quiet for a moment as Skitch coughed and pushed ahead. “I can't believe you came for me though, after what I did...”

“Look, Skitch.” Applejack sighed. “I ain't happy, with what ya did, but do ya honestly think that we'd just leave ya, or any other pony in the middle of the Everfree?”

Skitch bit her lip, running over the memories of the events of the show in her head before finally answering.

“No...you wouldn't. You're not that kind of ponies. You went into the Everfree on the chance that you might be able to stop Nightmare Moon.”

“And yet you had plans on how to hurt and kill them if need be.” Posey growled.

Twilight held up a hoof, cutting off any further comments from Posey. She addressed Skitch in a calm tone of voice.

“Skitch. It's only fair to let you know that we saw the recording on your media center. We saw the...well, what I can only call meltdown. So...can you please tell us what actually happened once you left?”

Skitch sighed, as she moved into a sitting position that was familiar to her, and alien to the other ponies in the room; hind legs hanging over the edge of the couch, fore legs hanging at her sides. She squeezed her eyes shut, taking a deep breath.

“Okay.”

Opening her eyes again, she began to tell her story.

“So, when I first set out, I was following through with the intention to return all of the stuff that The Collector stole. I began with trying to get that staff returned...I had a rough idea of what handful of universes it could have been from so I started with the first one on the list, Oerth.”

She chuckled, slightly embarrassed.

“The owner of the staff- a mage by the name of Tenser- found me about ten seconds after landing. Thought I was the one who took it so he hit me with a hold spell and down I went.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow as Fluttershy applied some bandages to her scratches.. “Is this a thing with you Skitch? Getting petrified and paralyzed?”

“Hey, he was perfectly reasonable once I was able to explain what happened. He even made my magic saddlebags, in exchange for returning his staff. Gotta admit though, The Collector had some serious guts stealing from an archmage.”

Twilight nodded, and motioned for her to continue.

“So, what happened after that news?”

“Well, I took the rest of the stuff back easily enough. Rather surprised that went as well as it did, really. Then it was the matter of finding a way home. I was optimistic. Yeah, I was stuck as a pony for a few years, but my magic was still working in universes that normally didn't have magic. I thought that I'd be able to handle it.”

She sighed deeply.

“And that's where it all began to go wrong. The device had the coordinates for my old reality still saved in it's memory banks, so I'd open up the portal and step through and then bounce right back out like I had hit a trampoline.”

“Oh my...what did you do then?”

Skitch shrugged. “Not to many other options than to keep trying. But each time it was the same result. So then, I decided to try and find help. I went back to all of the places I had been before, seeing if the archmages, top secret groups and scientists could help.”

“Ah'm guessin because yer back here that didn't go so well?”

“Nope! Whatever gap existed in the inter-dimensional barrier...thing, that kept my universe away from all the other universes, it's gone now. And either none of them could punch their way through, or they weren't willing, or they demanded too high of a price for a dubious chance of success.”

She sighed again, rolling her eyes towards the ceiling.

“That recording you saw was after my last ditch attempt. Something had just kind of...snapped, in me. And hence, the meltdown. And without any other real options, I came back here. At least I had *something* here.”

“So,” Firefly interjected, “Why the files?”

Skitch idly tapped a hoof on the arm rest of the couch.

“I had to justify my existence here.”

That statement lead to a collection of confused stares from the assembled ponies, before Applejack broke the silence with a pointed question.

“What the hay are you talkin about Skitch?”

“Oh, come on AJ. You said it yourself. We became “friends” really quick. I am the singularity that drags everypony into my orbit and who makes them part of my story, instead of letting them be the great ponies they can be. The living proof that everyone back home who hated human in Equestria stories were completely and utterly, right.”

Once again, it was Applejack who broke the silence that followed.

“Skitch, no offence, but that is one of the dumbest things ah've heard in my life and one of the main reasons ah'm so dang angry with you!”

“What?”

“Yer not treating us like real ponies! Yer still stuck thinkin' that we're those same images ya saw on the screens back home and yeah, while we may be similar, we have our own desires and drives.”

She got to her hooves, marching right up to Skitch.

“Ah'll be friends with whatever pony I please. And if yer afraid that ya haven't done enough ta really be friends...well, that's on yer back, isn't it? Ya can always do more and try harder and work with us instead of hiding stuff from us.”

“Well...I suppose...”

“Suppose nothin! Ya ain't dead till ya don't get back up when ya fall, and ya ain't a failure till ya stop trying. So...what are ya going to do?”

Skitch blinked, looking from pony to pony.

“You all really don't think that I'm a burden?”

Twilight smiled. “Skitch...I think that you're a well intentioned, but somewhat over enthusiastic pony. We've all made mistakes in the past. It's how we move past them that counts.”

“I agree with Applejack.” Rarity nodded. “And I am all for giving you a second chance.”

“Well, I'm not!” Posey said as she stamped a hoof. “She was talking about possibly killing my little girl!”

Skitch winced, but Fluttershy spoke up.

“Mother...please. I do think that she's earned a second chance. I don't think she'll do it.” She trotted over to her mother, put a calming hoof on her leg. “If you don't trust her...please, trust me.”

Posey sighed, putting a wing around her.

“Okay Fluttershy...okay.”

Skitch gave a little half smile to the room.

“Okay. I'll try my best.”

She climbed down from the couch, stretching slightly before heading for the door.

“But, for now, I have some stuff to collect, and some ponies to apologize to, since they won't be getting their artwork from me.” She paused at the door, smiling back at the group. “Thanks for getting me though. It does mean something that someone cared enough to come.”

Her potential clients had been understanding to various levels. Berry Punch was probably the most angry over the situation, due to being left in somewhat of a bind with her event. But, in the end she couldn't do much more but glower as Skitch apologized profusely.

But once the apologies were done, Skitch began to march back towards her house. Heading back inside she trotted upstairs and began to pack the contents of her room into her saddlebags.

The file contents of the drawers went in first, followed by the chart, and then the firearms. Next she went to the kitchen and cleaned out what food was in the fridge before adding the media center to her extra dimensional space. Walking back into the main room she gave it a wistful look.

It had been a brief stay, but this place had still been home. A home that she was going to miss . Taking a deep breath, she nodded to herself.

“I shall return.”

Turning, she opened the door and paused at the sight of Nouveau Riche who was pulling a notice out of his bag. The two ponies locked eyes for a moment, both of their muzzles crossed by deep frowns.

“Come to finish your evil plans?”

“It's business, not personal.”

“Yeah. I don't buy that at all.”

She pushed past Riche.

“Not going to beg for any more time then?”

She ignored the dig, heading across town again and towards Carousel Boutique. Upon reaching the building she knocked, hoping that Rarity had returned to her home by now. She was grateful to see the white unicorn open the door.

“Hey Rarity. Riche came by and did his foreclosure, can I stay with you for a bit?”

Rarity smiled, pulling the door open a little wider. “Of course. Come in dear. I'll make some tea.”

“Thanks Rarity.” Skitch responded as she trotted inside, following Rarity back into the the kitchen.

“So, what are you going to do now?”

“Make things up to you all, find some kind of job to start saving up bits and rebuild.”

“We could always ask the princesses if they can find you a way home.”

“Rarity...no. They are great. But travelling between worlds isn't something I think they can do. And if archmages like Tenser who have had experience doing that kind of stuff can't find a way through, I don't think they can.”

She glanced out one of the windows.

“I'll do something tomorrow to make amends for what I did. But for now, I just want to rest and have a night of sleep where the lord of chaos isn't visiting my dreams.”

“All right Skitch-Sketch. Whatever you want.”

She winced. “Please don't say it like that Rarity.”

“...Sorry dear.”

Skitch opened her eyes to the morning sun, feeling much better from a Discord devoid night. Rolling off the couch, she followed the smells into the kitchen where Rarity had pulled together some toast for breakfast. Grabbing a piece, Skitch took a seat as Rarity nodded to her.

“So darling, what are your plans for the day?”

Skitch frowned as she slowly munched on her piece of toast, quiet for quite a few minutes before responding.

“That hill near Whitetail Wood...can you and the rest of the girls and Spike meet me there? It won't take that long, I promise.”

“Of course.”

Re-energized with a new goal, Skitch grabbed her saddlebags and headed off towards the small hill near the copse of trees outside of town, stopping only to buy some matches along the way. Once there, she began to gather small stones and build a fire pit.

Fire pit constructed, Skitch began to pull the files out of her bag and dump them into the fire pit. First the mane six, then the princesses, and finally the background ponies that she had files on. Then she began to arrange matches along the base of the pile in an equal circle. Once that was done, she sat down next to her creation and waited.

An hour later, the familiar looking forms of the mane six and Spike came trotting up to the hill. Skitch waved a hoof at them as she stood up.

“Thanks for coming everypony.”

“Why'd you call us out here?” Twilight asked.

“Well, I had a night to sleep on everything that happened, and what you told me yesterday. And, well...you're all correct. I have been treating you almost like little models on the shelf that I'm trying to keep pristine. Which is why I'm doing this.”

She pulled the last match from the pack and light it with a simple flick of her magic, lighting the matches around the base of the pile before dropping the match on top of the pile. The flames rapidly began to spread, rushing through the stack of paper, smoke rising into the air.

“No more playing superhero on my own. Whatever happens. Whatever comes down the line, I'll face it as is. And whatever threat rises it's head, I'll be there to help you fight it, if you'll have me. Because I do want to help protect Equestria, if possible.”

Rainbow Dash grinned. “I said it before and I'll say it again. You've done right by Equestria and us in my book. I'm by your side.”

Rarity smiled. “I agree.”

Pinkie nodded rapidly, her trademark smile back. “Everypony is my friend, and you are too Skitchy.”

Fluttershy smiled. “Thank you for destroying the files Skitch. I feel much better now.”

Twilight nodded as well. “You've had your reasons and you admitted that it was a mistake. That's good enough for me.”

Skitch looked over at Applejack, trying to get a read on the earth pony's mood. Applejack frowned slightly, and after what seemed like a long time, nodded slightly.

“Well, Skitch...I dunno if I'm ready ta call you a friend again right away. But I ah'm willin ta start over again.” She stuck out her hoof. “Pleased ta meet ya partner. Ah'm Applejack!”

Skitch smiled, bumping her own hoof against her's.

“A pleasure to meet you Applejack. I'm Skitch-Sketch...and sometimes I'm a complete pain the flank.”

“Ain't we all, sometimes.”

Skitch smiled widely. “Yeah...that we are.”

She let her hoof fall back to the ground, a feeling of warmth rolling down her spine and to the tip of her tail; the others eyes went wide as the feeling washed over her, Pinkie beaming like the sun.

“Skitchy! Your cutie-mark is back!”

Blinking, she twisted to look at her flank a wide smile crossing her muzzle as she saw the crossed pencil and paintbrush, full and crisp again. A laugh escaped her lips, deep and genuine, as she hopped to her hooves.

“HAHA! I'm back baby!”

Pinkie tackled Skitch into a hug, giggling with unrestrained glee.

“We can give you your cutesinera! Another chance for a great party!”

Skitch chuckled. “Later Pinkie, later. Right now I'm just going to make sure this fire doesn't get out of control and that it properly destroys these files. I'll catch up with you all later.”

Pinkie let go, following her friends back to Ponyville with a spring in her step. She watched them all disappear from view, before turning back towards the fire and watching it until it finally sputtered and died out.

Two Days Later...

Dear Princess Celestia,

Skitch-Sketch here. Twilight suggested that I write you this letter to fill you in on what I did while I was gone, and what I've done since I've gotten back.

Skitch looked up from her letter, taking a sip of lemonade as the hustle and bustle of Ponyville's daily routine played out before her. Smiling to herself, she returned to writing.

Naturally, I'm sure she's told you about my whole “secret file” thing, that I've since destroyed. Total disclosure, I had ones on you and Luna as well. It was just as wrong as what I was doing to them and for that, I am sorry. But, from here on out, I am just another pony who's trying to make her way in Equestria. No more human in Equestria. Just...me. As such, I'm including a full report on the broad strokes of what I was afraid of, and what I saw in my mind when I was petrified and what to watch out for there.

I've also come to a realization about friendship, thanks to the element bearers being the kind of awesome ponies that they are. See, long before the Friendship is Magic show was even a thought in it's writer's heads, long before the first pony toys that would set the trend were made, humans were writing about the nature of friendship itself. And I think that this quote from William Arthur Ward fits well.

A true friend knows your weaknesses, but shows your strengths...

She glanced up again as she heard Rainbow Dash's voice. She was walking along side Fluttershy in the middle of a pep talk of some sort.

“Come on Fluttershy, stop being so insecure! You're the best pony when it comes to critters ever! And nothing will ever change that.”

“Oh...okay Rainbow Dash. If you believe in me.” She smiled as they broke down another street.

...feels your fears but fortifies your faith...

“Don't let Diamond Tiara get you down Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo chirped as she and Sweetie Belle trotted along side their friend . “You totally do have talents! You did most of the work building the clubhouse!”

“Yeah! And she can't claim to be that good at anything.”

“Thanks girls.” Apple Bloom smiled as they disappeared around another corner.

...sees your anxieties but frees your spirit...

“...And it's just awful! How will I be able to finish this order on time?”

Rarity was quickly trotting down the street, a bolt of fresh cloth balanced on her back as Pinkie bounced along beside her.

“Don't worry about it Rarity! You're the supery-dupery bestest dress maker ever! You just get to work and I'll bring you some of your favorite muffins for a charge up...”

...recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.

“Done with that letter Skitch?” Spike asked as he came walking on over with a sandwich in claw.

“Just about Spike.”

So, the short of is that I think that I learned that friendship isn't something that I can hide in a jar, or try to be overly controlling about. I've also learned that I have to let go of my original conceptions of Equis and see the world for what it really is. Anyway, that's about it, I hope that you find this information and letter well.

Skitch thought for a moment before adding her signature.

-Your Faithful Subject

Skitch-Sketch.

She handed the letter and her report off to Spike, who sent it off into the air with a blast of green fire. Skitch smiled as she took another drink of her lemonade. This life might not have been what she originally chose, but for the first time in a long while she felt like she had direction again.

And for now, that was enough.

Author's Note

This was another difficult chapter for me to write.

The sequences with Discord that kind of poked fun at the worst excesses of Human in Equestria stories and that played on Skitch's guilt swung back and forth between too slapstick and then too grimdark before I hit what felt like a good balance with the help of my pre-readers.

This story was kind of important to me to write for a few reasons. The first was that I wanted to continue to try and elevate the "normal" Human in Equestria set up a little bit more, though we'll see how all of you fine readers think I did that.

The other reason is that this story marks kind of the end of the stories set in this universe being strictly about Skitch-Sketch and what she does. I have a lot of other stories that I want to tell in this universe I've been building, and I want the other characters of the universe to be relevant as well.

So, from here on out, Skitch is part of an ensemble cast.

There will be one more update to this story, an epilogue. And then I ask that everypony join me for the next story set in this universe, Boast Bypassed.

Epilogue

Epilogue

The office of the chancellor of the High Confederation of Wings was a shining testament to the griffon architectural style and the sensibilities of it's current occupant. More utilitarian than pretty, every decoration that Chancellor Ironclaw had chosen was chosen for a purpose.

The high statesman of the griffons was aging, but his body was still toned, his black feathers and gray coat occasionally marred by scars that he gained from a younger life of mercenary work.

Standing on his hind paws, one eagle taloned forearm resting on the mantle of his marble fireplace he resolutely stoked the fire with a simple poker; all the while he listened to the full report of the World Congress from General Ironfeather.

“...and most importantly, Celestia has offered the olive branch once again. She is offering a full alliance against 'the shadows of the past'.”

Ironclaw snorted.

“Madam Celestia certainly enjoys her 'friendship' rhetoric, doesn't she?”

Ironfeather shrugged.

“She does seem genuine in her beliefs, Chancellor.”

“Oh, I know. I've met her personally. If anything her sincerity makes it all the more tiring at times.”

Sliding the poker back into it's holder, he turned to face his general.

“Redirect the third legion to our side of the demilitarized zone. Just to send Celestia a reminder that we are quite capable of handling our own affairs.”

“And her actual concerns?”

“Are legitimate, all things considered.” He sighed, motioning to the world map he kept pinned to the wall and the borders of what was once the Crystal Empire. “The remains of the Crystal Empire are hard to ignore in that regard. Inform the nobles to step up the release of Letters of Marque for adventurers, and recall our over seas mercenary bands that are not engaged in active contracts.”

“And what of the rumors that Celestia has operatives in our own lands?”

“Inform the local constables to be on guard, and bring the State Security Ministry in on this. If there are any agents of the sun monarch in our lands, I want them found before they can cause us undo harm.”

“As you wish, Chancellor.”

Gilda opened an eye as she heard the soft thud of a paper on paper. Another folded up scroll hand landed on her bedside table, leaning at an angle on top of the others that Celestia had sent. Sighing, she reached out a claw and sliced the simple wax seal. Keeping her wings folding close to her body, she rolled onto her side and read the contained message; most likely another request from Celestia for her to undertake a mission.

Gilda,

After many letters, I've not heard a response from you in regards to any of my requests regarding the task I wanted you to undertake.

Gilda snorted. Of course that was it. She rolled her eyes and continued to read.

As I am aware of the conflict that you had with Rainbow Dash it seems that I have overlooked an important question. Are you all right? I am well aware of how it can hurt to loose somecreature you considered to be a friend. So, forget the mission requests that I've made. Is there anything I can do for you?

-Princess Celestia

Gilda's beak dropped open at that. She hadn't expected that kind of response. She read the letter a few more times before dropping it on the table with the others and rolling to her other side. Her eyes falling upon the painting of her great, great, great grandfather that hung on the wall.

The only reason Celestia was being so nice was because of who she was. Alzen the Great, ruler of the Kingdom of Bavin, one of the core states that had gone on to become part of the High Confederation of Wings. He had been part of Celestia's allied circle, and her family line had remained her allies since then; even when they had fallen out of power and become just another peasant family. Celestia was good at keeping track of her pawns.

Besides, even if she did mean it, Gilda knew that she didn't deserve it. She was no great griffon like her ancestors. Her anger and jealousy had cost her one of her oldest friends. This was not the kind of griffon that should be undertaking covert missions.

She pulled the covers over her head again. Best that Celestia find some other kind of griffon to be her spy.

In a hidden back room of a high class inn in Canterlot a clandestine meeting was taking place. Four figures sat around a low mahogany table, glasses of fine brandy balanced in their chitinous hooves. Had anypony been there to observe they would have recognized the Changelings as being of the Venexian strain, two mares and two stallions.

One of the mares, her mane and tail a long pink affair, smiled wide at her fellows.

“With the return of the human, it seems that the buzzards will be swirling around Equestria soon enough. This places us in an excellent position for profit, I'm quite sure that the other nations will be coming to us for our unique talents.”

“How far shall we take it?” A stallion with a dark green mane asked. “I have no desire to see Equestria diminished that much. This land is far too cushy.”

“Agreed. We'll do what we always do. Balance the channels of information, sell to the proper figures, and make sure we and our people maintain our plush bank accounts.”

The pink haired Changeling raised her glass to her fellows.

“To the Lernaeans!”

The others responded by raising their own glasses.

“To the Lernaeans!”

“And if the human does anything else strange, write or telegraph me right away sweetie.”

Nouveau Riche ruffed the mane of his granddaughter, as he prepared to board the train that would take him back to Canterlot. The deed had been done and he had successfully foreclosed on the human. He was already working out the next moves in his head. Hiring some paparazzi to add some additional pressure seemed like a logical next move. Diamond Tiara smiled back up at him.

“Will do granddad! You can count on Silver Spoon and I.”

Diamond Tiara was practically beaming with pride and excitement, a very wide grin crossing her muzzle.

“I know you can. You're my little court climber.”

He gave his granddaughter one last hug, before trotting into the train car and heading for his private compartment towards the back. He passed one of the others along a way, throwing a glance at Firefly and Posey as he passed. A pity he couldn't get them on his side, but perhaps they'd come around in time.

“Posey...”

“My husband can run the household, and any business that needs my absolute stamp can be telegraphed to me...”

“Posey...”

“Just need to pick some things up back at home and then I'll relocate to Ponyville for a little while...make sure that my daughter stays safe.”

“POSEY!”

Posey stopped her ramblings, glaring over at her friend.

“What?”

“Didn't you promise Fluttershy that you would trust her?”

Posey bit her lip.

“I did, yes...but...”

“Posey. You can't go back on what you promised your daughter. Fluttershy is her own mare at this point. And Skitch did burn those files.”

Posey winced, nervously tapping her hooves together.

“But...she's my only foal. I can't imagine my life without her.”

“I know. But they aren't little foals any more. And they see something in her. We have to trust them on that.”

Posey sighed as she turned her head and stared out the window. As much as she hated to admit it, her friend did have a point. Staying in Ponyville would send the message to her daughter that she didn't trust her. But maybe she could check in every so often...

Daring Do hummed to herself as she walked through the halls of the palace of Regula's capital, Addi Alada. Many of the lion guards nodded to her as she passed, the pegasus' appearance around the capital very familiar to them at this point. After all, a fair number of the artifacts that decorated the royal palace had been discovered by her.

Plenty of creatures would be nervous around the predator vibe that lions gave off, but Daring truly did not care. She had delved into enough dangerous ancient ruins that something as mundane as a predator vibe didn't phase her anymore.

She came to a large set of double doors that was flanked by a pair of lion guards in full army regalia- neatly woven green vests with their rank clearly displayed on the right breast- their expressions stony and immoveable. Daring tipped her pith helmet their direction.

“Ladies. I think that King Regulus wanted to speak with me?”

The guards rolled their eyes motioning for her to proceed. Daring pushed her way inside to where the king of the lions was looking over some books, a few of them her own. The big cat looked her way and broke into a wide and full smile spreading his forepaws wide and clapping the pegasus across the back as part of a friendly hug.

“Right on time Miss Do, punctual as always.”

“So, what can I do for the throne of Regula today your highness? ”

“Not just my throne. Celestia and I are working together on this one.”

“So, how is old fuss and feathers doing? I've been out of Equestria for a bit.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow. “And what would Celestia say if she heard you call her that?”

“Probably the exact same thing she did last time I called her that. Laugh and commend me for my daring do.”

Regulus rolled his eyes, motioning to a map on the wall. “By my memory you are familiar with Dromedus yes?”

Daring nodded. “Of course. My first published paper was on their early dynastic period. Always have wanted to get a look at their ruins up close. Just never been able to get in there...”

Regulus laughed, a low rumbling laugh as he smiled wide again.

“Well, now you'll have your chance. It seems that Dromedus' new chancellor wishes to fully exploit and uncover the remains of his land's past. Built a new museum in the capital in preparation. But they don't quite have enough in house archaeologists to cover all the sites they wish.”

He slid a piece of paper over to her, the symbol of Dromedus' national telegraph company clearly visible.

“As you can see Regula, Zebrica and the Ivory Coast are making a joint offer of support with our own archeology team. One that will be lead by the world renowned Daring Do. And Dromedus has graciously accepted our trustworthy offer.”

Daring smirked.

“And I'm guessing that you and Celestia want me to keep my eyes peeled for the usual kinds of trouble that these kinds of missions seem to attract?”

“It is as you say.”

Daring gave a sharp little salute to the ruler.

“You two can count on me your highness! I'll do my best to keep anything dangerous buried. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll be able to squeeze another book out of this trip.”

“You remain as cavalier as ever my friend. Never change.

“Wasn't planning on it, your highness.”

Celestia sighed as she finished the last page of Skitch-Sketch's report. Her emotions were conflicted over what she read. While happy that Skitch-Sketch was beginning to make some connections, she was sad that she had wound up in a position where that was even needed. And then there was the nature of her visions when she was petrified.

“Discord.”

She frowned, pushing herself to her hooves and trotting for the statue garden. Pausing at the draconequus' statue, she gave it an intense look. The statue still looked intact, no cracks or other problems marring it's surface. The scrolls that The Collector had attached to his surface were all still in place as well. No indication that he had escaped.

Frowning slightly, she lit up her horn and touched it to the surface of the statue. The transition between the real world and the mind scape was almost instantaneous. One moment she was in the Canterlot statue garden, and the next she was making a connection with Discord.

Contrary to what she was expecting from him, Celestia found herself in an ornate library. Books and scripts were piled every which way but did seem to be grouped together in small clusters of similar types.

Discord was sitting in a high backed plush chair, dressed in a fine red smoking jacket and a purple silk cravat. He held a pipe in his eagle claw and a fez, of all things, was perched between his mismatched horns. An open script was balanced on his crossed legs.

“Ahh! Celery! How good of you to visit me in my home. Can I offer you anything? Tea?”

Celestia smiled politely, ignoring the derisive nickname. “No thank you, Discord." She motioned her head towards the pages that he had been reading. "Instead, I would ask what you're reading there."

"Oh, just a little something that I liberated from Skitch's mind. You probably wouldn't like it much, your portrayal in it is downright slanderous."

"Hmm." Was Celestia's only response to that as she took in the title on the front page. The Conversion Bureau. She'd have to ask Skitch more about that later.

"We need to have a conversation about the visitation you conducted on Skitch-Sketch's mind."

"What about it?"

"How did you slip your bonds?"

"The Poison Joke, of course." Discord grinned. "You really think I wouldn't be able to make a connection to a creature effected by one of my greatest creations?"

Celestia nodded her head his way.

"I will concede that point, but that leads us to the question of why."

Discord grinned, waving his lion paw at the assorted books.

“Gathering information, of course. It was quite an interesting little journey.”

“Yes...Skitch informed me of the scripts from the episodes that featured both of your defeats. Took them to gain an edge, should you escape?”

Discord snorted.

“Oh, please. They're half viewed events from across the boundary of worlds, based on a complete lack of understanding of us and how this world actually works. Those scripts are useless. I just wanted to shake her cage a bit.”

Celestia narrowed her eyes slightly.

“If this is all so useless, why did you bother to raid her mind for it?”

Discord frowned ever so slightly.

“Oh, all right. I suppose you have me there.”

Drawing a pouch of tobacco from his jacket, her poured a generous portion into the pipe before popping the whole thing into his mouth, chewing and swallowing.

“There's enough broad stroke details that are correct there that it stirred my curiosity. And the more I dove into her memories, the more interesting things became. It's a very interesting multi-verse out there Celestia.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, picking her next words carefully.

“If that's all you wanted to know why did you decide to torture the poor mare with those nightmares? Certainly if you had just asked Skitch about the events.”

Discord's smile grew thin.

“Well, I wanted to find out all of the deepest and darkest secrets that were in her mind. We don't want a repeat of Tirek now do we?”

Celestia frowned.

“Skitch is not dangerous.”

“Oh yes.” Discord snarled, his mood turning on a dime. “You didn't think that he was dangerous either. You fell for that innocent illusion and sob story. And I warned you. I warned you that he couldn't be trusted. And you didn't listen.”

He got to his feet, rising to his full height. The shadows and lines on his face seemed to grow deeper as he continued to talk.

“And in the end, it was one of the races *I* created who sacrificed themselves to stop him. The first true blow of the Era of Nightmares and no creature remembers that. The manticore are just beasts and monsters to the world.”

“Discord...”

“Oh, but you certainly learned your lesson after that incident! Micromanaging the lives of your charges, meddling and controlling world politics. Your ponies are so dependent on you now that they might as well be a nation of invalids.”

He plopped back down in his chair, pulling another pipe out of thin air.

“You and Loony are pathetic replacements for Harmony.”

“Do not act like you are blameless, Discord. Your nature for causing constant chaos made it impossible for Luna and I to believe you.” She flicked her wings in annoyance. “And don't you dare to imply that I did not care about what happened to the manticore!”

She took a few steps closer to Discord.

“That you would imply that their suffering didn't tear at me? That I don't look at the map of the world and feel that stab in my heart every time I look at the Badlands? And it didn't end there. The diamond dogs, the camels...strike after strike during the Era of Nightmares that I could half stop, at best.”

She took a shuddering breath as she continued to glare at Discord.

“I couldn't even save my own sister.”

“Up until now, you mean. I suppose you got lucky with the elements choosing new bearers. Had that not happened and your sister was not fixed, you would still be stuck in the sun, and the world would have collapsed.”

Celestia stomped a hoof.

“Your point, Discord?”

Discord paused, taking a few puffs of his pipe.

“When you and Luna were created, all those centuries ago, did you ever think you would become this? The last creatures standing, the other creatures of the world staring at you in fear. That you would sit upon the broken remains of an ancient pact, facing down another round of nightmares?”

Celestia sighed.

“Of course not. I never wanted to see the Triad broken in the first place. Discipline forced our hoof.”

"So you say." Discord sighed, standing up and stretching. "But I think it's time that I move along."

"What?"

Discord flexed his claws, and the world suddenly exploded. Celestia found herself sprawled on the grass, Discord stretching as he stood up. Celestia immediately began to charge a spell through her horn. Discord grinned, holding up a claw.

"Ah ah ah Celestia. There's no need for this to start."

"I will not let you bring chaos to this world again!"

Discord twisted around Celestia's blast, pressing his face up against hers. "Oh, worry not my dear. I'm not interested in Equestria anymore."

Celestia's eyes went wide.

"No! I won't let you-"

Discord tapped her horn.

"There's so much out there Celestia. Things that I could unleash the full might of my power against and do whatever world they're in some good. In the end, I don't need Equestria anymore. I am off to see all the other amazing things beyond our own little bubble. And there's nothing you can do to stop me."

Bursting into a raucous bout of cackling he coiled up into a ball before vanishing with a soft popping sound. Celestia sighed, turning and heading back into the castle trying to ignore the churning sensation in her stomach. She had a bad feeling about this.

“Thanks again for letting me move in Misses Smith. It just didn't sit right with me to keep crashing in Rarity's inspiration room...she needs it for work and all.”

Skitch gently set her media center down in the corner of the guest room. It had been two days since her house had been foreclosed on. The Apple Family matriarch smiled from the doorway, shaking her head slightly.

“Ain't no worries Skitch. Ponies should help ponies, and this room don't get much use when the rest of the family aren't in town.”

“Well, hopefully I won't be here for long. Just need to properly scrape up enough bits to re-fill out the mortgage and I'll be out of your hair...mane. And if there's anything I can do to help out while I'm here, just let me know.”

“Don't worry about that tonight. Just make yourself at home. Dinner will be in an hour and a half or so.”

“Thanks Misses Smith.”

Skitch watched Granny Smith trot away, before turning and rummaging in her bag for a moment before pulling a small rectangle of parchment out. She tucked it behind the headboard of the bed, right where it had been in her old home.

The knock on the door jamb caught Skitch's attention as Applejack took a few cautious steps into the room.

“Heya Skitch. Ya settling in okay?”

“Well enough.” She nodded. “Just kind of putting my things up for the time being. I owe you another thanks, by the way."

"Ahnd why do ya say that?"

"Mostly for trusting me to move in with your family considering what I did..."

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Skitch. We're puttin a pin in that and movin on. Ya've made amends and yer gonna try harder. That's good enough for me. Though, I am curious as ta why you didn't take Fluttershy's offer?"

Skitch shook her head.

"I'm glad that she has a decent amount of bits to help with, but I won't just take them or borrow them. I'm going to do some work at her place. Help out with the animals. I'll earn my money."

Applejack nodded as she took in the picture Skitch tucked behind the headboard.

“That your family Skitch?”

Skitch nodded. “I didn't have any pictures of them, since I didn't get to take anything from home. So I drew it.”

She pointed to each person in the picture.

“The man with the graying hair that's short in the front is my dad, the blonde haired woman with the thin glasses is my mother, the guy in the gray and white splatter clothing is my younger brother.”

“That's some strange lookin' clothin'.”

“Yeah, urban camouflage. My brother's in the army.” She smiled sadly. "I hope he's okay. If he gets hurt or even killed out there...I'd never know."

Skitch sighed.

“Applejack...can I ask you something? It's kind of personal and considering how much of a jerk I've been...”

“Skitch, just spit it out.”

“Your parents...they're...”

She wavered, still unsure of how to get it out.

“Dead?” Applejack finished for her. “Yeah...they are.”

Skitch frowned, shuffling her hooves as she looked at the floor.

“...Does the pain ever go away?”

“Not entirely Skitch.” Applejack smiled sadly. “But ya move on and find new things ta live for. Friends, things ya want to accomplish in your life, the thought of starting your own family someday. Ah focus on the family ah do have still. You'll have ta find what works for you.”

She put a comforting foreleg over Skitch's withers.

“Ya never have to forget them and ya shouldn't either. Who knows...maybe someday you'll find a way back. But ya gotta keep on living.”

Skitch smiled a little bit, leaning against Applejack slightly.

“Applejack. You're a class act. Never let anyone, or anypony for that matter, tell you otherwise.”

“We'll see if yer still in the mood to say that after helping out with a full day of chores.”

“...Deal."

Author's Note

Just let me get this question out of the way first.

Yes, Discord will come back. He's just off to cause a bit of mayhem in other realities first. And a promise extracted from the lord of Chaos might sound like a complete farce, but there is a bit more involved in all of that, and it will be revealed in future fics.

And yes, I am a bastard for continuing to drop hints for future fics in my current stuff. :P

The Lernaeans are named after the so called Lernaen Hydra, a hydra of monstrous proportions that attacked a town in the Minos City States. It was fought and killed by a travelling lion hero who would only introduce himself as "a humble lion from Nemea" to those he saved.

And that's the second fic in my growing universe here. I have already started work on my next one, which will spin off an observation Skitch made back in the first fic, that Trixie had not yet shown up in Ponyville even though she should have already.

Also, a friend of mine is currently working on a fic set in this same universe, up in the High Confederation of Wings land. That's right, fans of griffins and faux-German fantasy nations, there will be something in that vein for you to read! I'll post a link to it and my friends writing account in my blog when it goes up.

Till then!