Who was I?

Paranoia was running rampant across the Crystal Empire as many of its citizens were preparing for the worst once they heard news of Sombra's return.

Sitting at the cafe was the Internal Affairs Adviser getting his usual morning coffee as if it was an ordinary day.

"You seem unusually calm." stated a female voice. The adviser looked up to see a blue unicorn mare sitting across from him.

"Well...I'm not that easy to panic. Besides, I have a duty as one of Cadance's advisers to NOT show fear in the face of crisis." he explained, he looked out the window to see several shadow crystal growing from the pavement and some crystal ponies evacuating the city.

"How brave of you...?" said the blue unicorn, asking for a name.

"Rex, Adipose Rex." he greeted. "And you are?"

"Lulamoon, Trixie Lulamoon." the mare greeted back. "And did you say that you work for Princess Cadance?"

"Why yes, I'm her Adviser of Internal Affairs, I'm responsible for giving the princess advice regarding homeland security and the bureaucracy." he explained.

"Wow...I bet Cadance has a lot on her hooves now, what with the return of Sombra and all." Trixie went on.

"Yes, she does, but at least she tries and braves through it." the adviser explained.

"But can I tell you something?" she asked. "It involves Cadance."

"Sure, go ahead and ask away."

"Well, how should I put this, but," the mare began. "don't you think she looks tired?"

Rex nearly choked on his coffee when he heard those six words, confirming his worst fears; Cadance has lost the confidence of her subjects. "Well..." he began, trying to figure out what to say. "...now that you mention it, she kind of does, but knowing her, she'll handle the crisis regardless." Rex knew he lied about that last part. He actually doubt if Cadance could handle it. "Anyways, I have to go to work now, got a bureaucracy to help run, it was a pleasure talking to you Miss Lulamoon."

"Oh, the pleasure is mine." Trixie winked at the stallion.

Rex just blushed slightly before getting up and leaving the cafe.

Trixie's eyes shimmered green and a big evil smile formed on her face as he left. "Six words," she grinned to herself. "that's all it takes."

Rex reached his office an hour later and the first thing he did was quickly write a memo.

Secret Emergency Adviser meeting at noon to hold a secret vote to decide whether Cadance is fit to rule. We have lost public confidence. Cadance must NEVER know of this.

Adipose Rex, Adviser of Internal Affairs

"Oh Cadance, forgive us, but this is for the sake of the Crystal Empire." he mumbled to himself, knowing he just risked his job for this.

At the Royal Palace in Canterlot, Twilight slowly stirred awake to the sound of a heartbeat beating in her ear. She quickly got up to realize that she was sleeping on a stallions chest. "Oh my." she blushed.

Sleeping soundly next to her was Kage, looking cute with his mouth wide open and a small trail of drool running from his mouth. Twilight just giggled. "So cute!"

Kage slowly stirred awake. "Ugh..." his eyes fluttered open to see Twilight leaning over him.

"Good morning sleepy head." the lavender alicorn smiled.

"Oh...good morning." Kage smiled back. "Did you sleep well?"

"Best night in weeks, it felt relaxing cuddling up to you, and comfortable too, like a pillow."

The stallion chuckled. "Well, thanks for being so nice with me."

"No problem."

They both just stared into each other's eyes in complete silence. Twilight couldn't help but fall for the stallion. "Why does he have to be so...so...PERFECT!" she exclaimed in her head. "He's just as smart as me, he's kind, he's understanding and he's so...well...FIT!"

Little did Twilight knew, but both her's and Kage's faces where inching closer and closer. Just as their lips were about to meet, a loud knock came from the chamber door.

"Princess Twilight?! You're late for breakfast-super!" yelled Flash Sentry from the other side.

"Oh...sorry about that, give a few minutes to get ready!" yelled Twilight back. She turned to Kage. "I really have to go now, but I'll see you again okay? Tonight at the gardens?"

"Oh, of course I'll be there." nodded the stallion.

"Great!" exclaimed the alicorn as she gave a quick peck on the cheek. Kage blushed. "Got to run." she quickly left the bed and went to her bathroom, while Kage used the pink crystal to transport him back to his home at the boarding house.

One in the afternoon, and Cadance was in her chambers eating her lunch. At least she wasn't feeling as nauseous as yesterday, although she wondered how long it would last.

A knock came on her door. "Come in." the princess yelled.

She saw her Internal Affairs adviser walk in nervously with two guards by his side. "What is it?" she asked.

Rex said nothing as he gave Cadance a note for her to read. The alicorn used her magic to get the note and began reading, she mumbled to herself while doing so but then her eyes went wide. "YOU'RE WHAT!?"

"We have declared you unfit to rule until the crisis is adverted." Rex answered.

"THIS IS NOT FAIR, YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT!!!" Cadance exclaimed, feeling like she was betrayed.

"According to the Royal Incapacitation Act that YOU yourself sighed, we, your advisers, do have the right." he spat. "And we have ordered the guards to put you under house arrest so you can focus on recovering and so you can't interfere."

Cadance said nothing as she accepted her fate, she was in no mood or condition to fight this. But the moment the crisis is over, she will demand that ALL of her advisers to submit their resignation papers.

"Okay guards, make sure she stays within the living quarters of the palace and ground, and also make sure she gets the best medical care okay?" ordered Rex to the guards.

Both guards silently agreed as Rex walked out.

Cadance was in too much in shock to react or say anything.

At another part of the Crystal Empire, the Crystal Heart, now being kept hidden so that no one would see how dark as shadow it has become has stopped working.

Suddenly, a large crack appeared on the surface of the heart. Followed by a loud, sinister and dark laugh echoing across the room.

TO BE CONTINUED...