Glory to The Necropolis!

Twilight couldn’t believe her eyes as princess Celestia approached with the most gentle of smiles upon her face. "You needn't be afraid, Twilight. I am right here beside you." The darkness and fog around them faded back to the library.

Twilight felt safe in Celestia's presence, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right as she felt her head begin to itch again. In her mind Twilight felt a strange pressure starting to build, along with a crawling sensation. "Is it really you?" she asked apprehensively.

Celestia gave Twilight the most comforting of smiles. "Yes dearest, I am here to help." Then her expression hardened as she turned to face Vengeance, who had taken his scythe in both hands. Celestia stood tall, and she too got ready for combat. "You will not harm my subjects!"

Vengeance's expression was determined but firm. "I have no intention, nor desire to. I just want my book, and some answers. Then I’ll leave peacefully."

Celestia looked back to Twilight while still keeping Vengeance in the corner of her eye. “Twilight, has he done you harm?” Twilight shook her head, not wanting a fight to break out. Celestia’s expression softened a little. “Very well then.” And both she and Vengeance relaxed a bit. Celestia then turned back to Vengeance. “What do you wish to know?”

Vengeance raised an eyebrow as he looked back and forth at the two of them. "You two seem close. What’s your relation with each other?"

Celestia turned back to Twilight, and spoke with an encouraging smile. "Care to answer, dear?"

Celestia went unanswered as Twilight tried to figure out why this all felt wrong. She felt as if a thick fog was starting to settle over parts of her mind that began to scatter and weigh down her thoughts. Memories... something I... didn't do...

Twilight tried focusing onto the places most clouded in her mind, and there in the fog she found the missing piece to the puzzle. She never told Celestia about any of this.

Twilight’s eyes widened as she remembered it now. She gathered her will, and forced away what fog she could from her mind. Twilight stood up tall, and put on a playful smile, she wasn’t about to let this imposter get away with this. “Actually your highness, why don’t you tell him.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow at her. “Come now, Twilight. There's no need to hide it.”

“No your highness, I insist,” Twilight said, again with a smile as she motioned for Celestia to proceed.

Celestia frowned disappointedly at her. “Dear, there is no need to be difficult. Just tell him what he wants to know.”

Twilight could feel the fog returning to her mind again as doubt wore away at her will. The pressure continued to build within her head, and Twilight felt on the verge of telling Celestia everything she kept secret and all she'd ever known. Twilight didn’t feel forced, but instead compelled to speak, and bit by bit she was nearing the bursting point.

No! Twilight fought back against the force, but it felt like she was facing a growing wave within her mind. Twilight’s body was shaking, but she held her ground, as she narrowed her eyes at Celestia. “Why don’t you tell me something first ‘princess’. What are you doing here in the first place?”

Celestia flinched back, seemingly hurt by Twilight’s words. “What are you talking about, dear? I’m just trying to help.” Meanwhile, Vengeance narrowed his eyes at the two of them.

Twilight felt almost ready to give in to the presence wearing away at her. She looked up once again at Celestia and scowled. Beads of sweat were rolling down Celestia’s face, while the crawling sensation within Twilight’s mind had turned frantic.

Feelings of guilt and worry were starting to bleed into Twilight’s own emotions from the entity, as a fog began to swallow the library around them. As the world broke and cracked around her, Twilight held close to the thought that all this just couldn’t be real, that this Celestia was a lie. It took Twilight every last ounce of will in her just to stand and stay coherent, as she looked defiantly at the false Celestia. “Really? Because I never told the real Celestia about any of this! Who are you?”

The image of the library shattered to pieces, as ‘Celestia’ flinched back with tears in her eyes. “Please, I don’t want to hurt you.”

That was the last straw for Vengeance. Things had all gone wrong, and it was high time to put a stop to this before it went too far. “Alright that’s it, I’m pulling the plug on this.”

Almost instantly, Twilight felt like a pressure valve had been released in her head. She collapsed to the floor, but gave a sigh of relief as she felt a great weight leave her mind. She looked at ‘Celestia’ with a tired, but triumphant smile. “You lose… fake...”

As Twilight recovered on the floor, Vengeance got between her and ‘Celestia’. His steps were slow and methodical, with every step accompanied by the ominous tapping of his scythe. Twilight’s confidence was replaced with dread and fear as she was harshly reminded of the fact that she was lying on the ground helpless. As Vengeance drew near to her, he looked down at her with a spiteful sneer before he roughly picked her up, and stood Twilight back on her hooves.

Vengeance slowly leaned down to look Twilight right in the eyes with a burning glow behind his own. “First, you do not treat my wife like that. Second, your stubbornness almost rewarded you with a popped head for your trouble. Third, we only let you ‘win’ because neither of us want to end our first excursion out with a burial. And forth, you’re very lucky I’m nice.”

Now Twilight was more confused than anything. “Your wife..?”

Vengeance stood up straight again, and took a few deep breaths. Once he’d calmed down, he looked back at ‘Celestia’. “Well the fast ways didn’t work. Looks like it’s time for plan B.” He then walked over to Celestia and pulled her to the side. “And I believe the questions were supposed to wait until after we had the book locked away!” he said with a growl.

‘Celestia’ smiled sheepishly at him. “I’ll admit, my curiosity got the better of me.” The face her husband made in response made it clear he wasn’t happy. “They’re colorful ponies that talk! And in standard too!” She then nudged him a little. “Admit it dear, you’re curious too.”

Vengeance opened his mouth to protest, but stopped midway as he started to wonder himself. “Well admittedly yes,” he said a few moments later. ‘Celestia’ smiled at him, but Vengeance reasserted himself. “But the book comes first.”

‘Celestia’ put a hoof to his chest, and started tracing little circles. “I think the book can wait a little longer.”

If Vengeance could blush he would be right now. “Um, uh, B-but we-”

‘Celestia’ quickly put a hoof to his mouth and shushed him. She then leaned in close to his ear. “How bout I give you a massage later?”

Vengeance’s eyes shot wide and the spikes of his crown went completely straight. He took a moment to compose himself, while his wife tried to hold back on laughing. “You’ve got an hour at most, no more.”

‘Celestia’ nodded. “Deal.”

Vengeance then leaned in close. “Wait for my cue.”

As Twilight listened in on the two of them, her anxiety continued to rise on just what plan B was. Twilight’s body trembled as her mind raced to the worst possibilities she could think of. She imagined Vengeance taking her away and torturing her for all of her knowledge, or the false Celestia possibly ripping her memories from her mind, leaving nothing more than an empty husk.

Twilight swallowed down her anxiety and decide to ask, though she dreaded the answer. “What’s plan B?” ‘Celestia’ turned to her and Twilight’s vision erupted with golden light.

When Twilight opened her eyes, she was greeted with a very worried Spike standing before her. “I’m alright,” she said, though her voice didn’t carry certainty. I think... Spike mollified a little, though Twilight could still see the worry in his eyes which she shared. Just to be sure, she placed a hoof to his chest and found it real. Spike raised an eyebrow at her, and she smiled sheepishly in return. “Just making sure.”

“Plan B is simple,” Vengeance said as he walked over to one of the nearby reading tables. He sat down, and his expression turned surprisingly warm and welcoming. “No more intimidation or tricks. Let’s chat.” He motioned for the two of them to join him at the table.

Twilight really wasn’t sure how to act. Considering the things Vengeance and his wife tried to pull just to answer some questions, she was very well inclined to trust him as little as possible. On the other hoof, this was the chance she had been looking for in the first place.

Vengeance frowned a little when neither of them joined him after a minute, though he could definitely understand why. Time was always of the essence when the book was loose. Considering it already had more than a week free, Vengeance at least had been getting desperate to go out and find it. He didn’t take joy in terrorising innocent people, but intimidation and deceit often lead to quick results, so those were the routes they often took first.

Vengeance hoped that reason would prevail here, but If it came down to it, he was, as always, willing to do whatever was necessary. He looked at Twilight and Spike, and gave them both a reassuring smile. “I understand why you are, but you’ve no need to be afraid you two. My words are still true from before, Twilight. I seek the book, and answers, not violence. I’m sure you do as well?”

Twilight was still wary, but Vengeance did sound genuine in his words, meanwhile Spike was left a little confused. If the fate of Equestria didn’t possibly hang on this visit being resolved peacefully however, she would have grabbed Spike, and made a run for the guards and her friends. Twilight gathered her courage, and she and Spike cautiously approached the table. As they did, Twilight saw a small hopeful smile sneak onto Vengeance’s mask.

When the both of them were properly seated, Vengeance leaned back in his chair. “I believe it’s fair for the two of you to start with the first question. What do you wish to know?”

There were a lot of questions Twilight wanted answered, and she was sure many of them Vengeance wouldn’t. She managed to hold back her curiosity for the most part, and started with something simple. “What are you?”

Vengeance smiled at the question. “I am what’s known as an emissary. It is our duty to find and gather lingering souls, then bring them to the peaceful rest they deserve.” He then gained a slightly reminiscent look. “Though I wasn’t always one, I used to be what’s known as a human... When I was alive.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at him. What in Equestria is a human? Suddenly an image of a bipedal hairless ape-like creature flashed in her mind. What the! Twilight jumped in her chair at the mental image, and judging by the surprised look on Spike’s face the same thing had happened to him.

"Don't mind me dears, I’m just providing imagery," a female voice said inside their minds with a mischievous tone.

Vengeance chuckled to himself as he watched the two of them quickly look around. “That would be my wife. How bout you properly introduce yourself honey.”

“Gladly.”

Before Twilight or Spike could react, the world around them was consumed by a golden light.

When the both of them opened their eyes, they appeared to still be in the library. The person sitting across from them however, was someone completely different.

Sitting before them was a person dressed in large thick ornate robes of golden silk. Concealing their face, was a smooth gold mask, which had the same oval shape that Vengeance’s had. Their mask was largely featureless however, save for two small eye sockets which revealed their yellow monochromatic eyes. “Greetings you two, I am Scarlet Necrolic, Queen of light, life, and creation.”

Scarlet gave a slight bow in her chair, which Twilight and Spike reciprocated. When all three of them had righted themselves, Scarlet smiled beneath her mask. “It’s a pleasure to meet you two, though you and I have already met, Twilight.”

Alarm bells were ringing like mad, as Twilight remember that this was the same person who almost made the contents of her head the library’s new interior paint job. Twilight wanted to run and get help, but felt as if a gentle hand was keeping her in place. Her eyes were drawn to Scarlet’s own as Twilight struggled in her chair.

”Twilight,” Scarlet said in her mind. “I’d say you and I are logical people, so here’s some logic for you. I am a very powerful psychic. I could easily take over your mind, or just simply make it pop if I wanted. Here’s the catch though, I hate doing those things, so my question is this. If I wanted to hurt you, I easily could, so why am I not doing so now?”

If Scarlet was telling the truth, then she did have a point. Twilight felt the grip on her body release, and although Twilight was still tense, she did calm down a little.

Scarlet gave the unicorn a small nod of approval. “Alright then, now that that nasty business is out of the way...” Scarlet slammed her elbows onto the table, and rested her head in her hands. “Let’s ask some questions!”

Scarlet’s sudden eagerness had caught the two of them off guard. Right now Twilight wasn’t sure what to do. The studious part of her mind was overflowing with scientific questions and the like, while another part of her mind was telling her to be as guarded as possible.

Now that she had calmed down however, Twilight was noticing details she had missed before about Scarlet. For one thing, Twilight realised just how thoroughly the queen covered herself. Her head was wrapped tightly with thick swaths of silk, while her arms were concealed by long golden gloves. Twilight also looked closely at Scarlet’s eyes, and she saw tiny black pupils staring right back at her in those unsettlingly changeling like eyes of hers.

Scarlet smiled as she watched Twilight examine her. She stood up and struck a more dramatic pose. “Well if you’re just going to look at me, then maybe I should just run off if you’re not willing to chat.” She turned, and started to leave for the door. “Goodnight madam and sir.”

“Wait!”

Scarlet stopped in her tracks. She looked back to see Twilight beckoning for her to stay, and she gained a wry smile beneath her mask. Bingo. In a golden flash, Scarlet was sitting back in her chair with an eager look in her eyes.

Twilight got back in her chair, and took a deep breath to relax. She wasn’t about to let the diplomatic situation go sour, and if Scarlet just wanted to chat, then she was sure that both Spike and her could accommodate. “Okay, what do you want to talk about?”

Scarlet leaned back in her chair, and started twiddling with one of her looser head wraps. “Well I was hoping that we could take turns in answering each others questions, then we could go from there. My husband answered your first one, so I believe it’s my turn.” She leaned onto the table, and gave Twilight an inquisitive look. “I’m curious about your kind, dear. you lot remind me of a species I know of, but I’d rather get it from the...eh...person herself.” She finished with a nervous laugh. “Yeah that’s it...”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at Scarlet’s nervous spout, but decided not to press it. She began to give the basics about the three different pony races, and all the while Scarlet listened intently.

When Twilight started on earth ponies, her thoughts wandered to when she’d heard about how Big Macintosh had pulled an entire house by himself. When Twilight was finished, Scarlet was looking quite fascinated.

Unbenounced to Twilight however, Scarlet had carefully wormed her way into her mind, and was now able to watch Twilight’s foremost thoughts. Scarlet had caught some of the details that Twilight had excluded, and the story of Big Macintosh was of particular interest to the queen. A whole house? I need to find that stallion sometime, and get a sample! He sounds like a prime specimen. “Alright then dears, your turn.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow as she looked Scarlet up and down. “Are you an emissary like Vengeance, or are you something else?”

Scarlet smiled as she adjusted her robes. “I am an enlightened dear. We are the wielders of light, and are the protectors and preservers of life.” Once more, Scarlet leaned onto to the table. “Now I’m wondering about this ‘princess Celestia’ figure.”

Now Twilight’s wariness was coming back. “I’m wondering how you looked like her in the first place.”

Scarlet smiled as she looked Twilight in the eye. “How bout you answer my question first, dear.” You’re too curious for your own good dear, and it shows. Then again, I’m one to speak.

“She’s the ruler of Equestria.” Twilight answered tersely.

Scarlet raised an eyebrow at that. “Is she all? Not even a king or queen?”

“No.”

Scarlet could feel Twilight was thinking of something else however. “Is she the only one, or is there another who shares the throne?”

Twilight was starting to sweat. “N-no she’s the only one.” In her mind Scarlet could see a midnight blue pony with wings and a horn.

Scarlet had to resist narrowing her eyes at Twilight. Even if I wasn’t in your head, you’re bad at lying, dear.

This was the last straw for Spike, he couldn’t keep quiet anymore. “Hey Queenie, I think it’s about time you answered our question.”

Scarlet growled in her mind as Spike’s interruption caused her to lose focus on Twilight’s thoughts. By the time she was back in, Twilight was thinking of hugging the little guy. Looks like I’ll be figuring out whoever that was later...

Scarlet took a breath, and righted herself. “Quite right, dear. You see we’re in a mental picture right now.” She motioned to the library around them, before pointing to herself. ”I’m not even here, I’m all the way back home sitting in my chair. Everything you’re seeing right now is literally all in my head!”

To demonstrate her point, Scarlet disintegrated into a cloud of golden dust, and then reformed herself to look exactly like Spike. She hopped up onto the table, and struck a pose while fanfare played in the background. “Tada!” she shouted in Spike’s own voice. Neither Twilight nor Spike were amused by the show. “No no please, hold your applause, dears.” The both of them folded their arms, and raised an eyebrow at her. Scarlet hunched over, and gave the two of them a flat look. “Tough crowd...” Once more Scarlet disintegrated, and reformed as herself back in her chair.

If Scarlet had been trying to change the subject, Twilight wasn’t having it. “Now could you please tell us how you knew what princess Celestia looked like in the first place?”

Scarlet leaned back in her chair, and steepled her fingers in her lap. “You remember the eyes yes?” Twilight’s hair stood up on end as she thought about them, she was probably going to have nightmares about them for at least a week.

The look in Twilight’s eyes was all the answer Scarlet needed. “I was looking for a ‘hero figure’ that you trusted, so you’d share what you knew. The eyes were meant to create a helpless situation from which they’d ‘save’ you. When you curled up on the ground you subconsciously started thinking of the princess comforting you, which I caught and ran with it.”

Alarm bells were ringing again as Twilight realised Scarlet had been in her head more than she’d thought. Twilight’s thoughts became clouded and hazy, as she tried her best to keep the queen out. Spike meanwhile narrowed his eyes at the queen, and silently scooted his chair closer to his friend.

Regardless, Scarlet didn’t care now. She had other plans for later to get the answers she wanted, so she continued on. “However, when you looked at me as the princess, you began to register having never told her of our coming. I grabbed the memory just before it could and tried to hide it away. But It was a rushed job, as I found out that little fact at the last second, so you managed to force your way through it.” Scarlet then managed to look impressed with her mask on. “Congratulations by the way, few are able to fight me off when we first meet.”

Twilight was taken off guard by the sudden compliment. “Uh... thanks..?”

Scarlet put a hand to her chin, and started to think. “Still, I’m wondering what’s your relation to the princess...” She could tell Twilight and Celestia shared something personal with each other, though she wasn’t sure what. She pondered on this for a minute until her pupils widened as a really wild theory hit her. “Is she your mom?”

To say Twilight was caught off guard by that was an understatement as her eyes shot wide. WHAT! “N-no! She’s my mentor for ponies sake!” Twilight quickly stuck a hoof in her mouth  when she realised what she’d just blurted out. uh oh.

There was a long minute of wide-eyed staring between Twilight and Scarlet as they both realised the situation, meanwhile Spike was having his own quiet panic now that Scarlet knew that. When Scarlet calmed down she began to further process this ‘little’ discovery. Well that shot in the dark definately hit something alright!

Daughter of royalty or not, the little unicorn and dragon before her were looking a lot more important to the grand scheme of things. Scarlet realised they’d hopefully dodged a bullet on this, and was grateful now that she’d let her curiosity, and concern for her husband’s growing desperation, derail plan A. Still she feared for a great political blunder, and hoped to bring order to the situation. “I can tell you didn’t want me to know that dear, and I can see why you didn’t in the first place.”

Scarlet slightly narrowed her eyes at Twilight. I can also tell you know when to keep your mouth shut. Just what else are you hiding? She stored that question away for later, and continued on. “Since that was important to you, I’ll let you ask something important of me.” Then once more Scarlet looked impressed. “And I must admit Ms Sparkle you’re quite smart.”

Twilight’s head was still running wild. She expected to be foalnapped as soon as either of the dead royals found out, not be given a compliment instead. Still she had a chance for answers, and she wasn’t about to waste it.

It took Twilight a little while longer to calm down, but she soon did, and it didn’t take her long to think of a question. There was one thing that had been worrying her the whole time Vengeance and Scarlet had been here. “What are you planning to do after this if you get the book?”

Scarlet’s demeanor turned cold when the book was mentioned. “There is no ‘if’, only a when and how.” She waited a moment to let that sink in before she continued. “First, we plan on locking that thing away.” Again… damn book... “After that, we’ll be gathering intel, and resources on this world while trying to remain quiet. When we’re done, we’re going to remain hush afterwards, if possible.”

Spike raised an eyebrow at her. “That’s it?”

Scarlet turned to him, and gave a flat look. “What were you expecting, some sort of ‘let’s take over the world muahaha’ Scheme?” Spike smiled nervously, and Scarlet responded with a *hmph*. “Frankly, when we’re done with all this, we’ll be back to dealing with the Red Hand back home.” Scarlet mumbled something under her breath, but neither of them caught it, though Twilight thought she heard a buzzing noise coming from somewhere.

Judging by Scarlet’s shift in mood, Twilight guessed they got this assumption a lot, though now she was also wondering about the Red Hand. She was about to ask what it was when…

“Can we hurry this along? I’d like to have the book now...”

Twilight and Spike looked around when the bodiless voice of Vengeance spoke, meanwhile Scarlet grinned wide under her mask. “As I said before dears, we’re in a mental picture. I may be running this little meeting, but my husband is the host!”

“Yes, and although this has all proven to be very informative, I’m afraid time is ticking. So can we please hurry this along?”

Scarlet leaned in close, and motioned for the both of them to do the same. “Don’t mind him, dears. He’s just grumpy he’s got a headache from being beat up by a little unicorn.”

The room slowly began to fill with a low monotonous drone that looked to greatly agitate Scarlet. One of the queen’s eyes began to twitch, and Twilight could swear she was hearing a buzzing sound coming from her, as Scarlet tossed her arms into the air. “Alright! Alright! I’ll wrap it up!” Instantly the droning noise came to a halt, and the look of relief Scarlet had was almost palpable, even with her mask on.

Scarlet took a few moments as she righted herself into a more friendly posture. “Well it was nice chatting with the both of you, but it looks like it’s time to go.” Before either of them could react, Twilight and Spike disappeared in a cloud of golden dust.

When the dust settled, Scarlet smiled at the little golden orb laying where Twilight had been. The table vanished before her as Scarlet got up, and gently grabbed the orb. As she looked at the orb in her hands, the library began to turn to dust around her. She continued to smile on as herself, and the world around her, all turned to dust.

“See you soon.”

When Twilight and Spike opened their eyes, Vengeance was sitting before them with his arms crossed and a grumpy frown. He wasn’t paying them any mind at the moment, and huffed out a plume of black smoke through a pair of vanishing nostril slits. “I did not get beaten up. I was caught off guard.” he mumbled under his breath.

“Whatever you say, dear”

Twilight cleared her throat and Vengeance turned to her, then narrowed his eyes. He slowly clasped his knife like hands before his face, while his eyes were cold and judging. “Alright then you two, what will it take for you to give me that book?” He wasn’t going to hold Celestia in any high regard if her student turned out to be greedy, and If either of them decided to ‘dangle it over his head’ then he was ready and willing to ‘bite off the arm’ at this point.

Twilight looked him right in the eye, and told him the one thing she wanted. “Peace.”

Vengeance’s face snapped to one of disbelief. “That’s it?”

That wasn’t a response Twilight had expected. “Uh...yes..?”

Sometimes people would ask for great material gain in exchange for the book, so this was a pleasant surprise for Vengeance. Someone noble for a change… that or simply too naive. Still, he wasn’t about to argue. “Very well.” his posture relaxed, and he offered his hand.

Twilight was grinning from ear to ear, she'd finally done it. As she went to shake his hand however, something stopped her. Her hoof trembled before his hand as the tingling sensation came back again. Instead of making her head itch however, it made her mind feel clouded and heavy.

Twilight felt foreign feelings of, hatred, greed, fear, despair, and more as she stared at his hand. As the corners of her vision turned grey and hazy, Twilight feared Scarlet had decided come again to steal her thoughts before the world was consumed by a grey fog.

O O O

When the fog cleared, Twilight found herself in a great hall not unlike the ones in Canterlot, but she could tell this was someplace different. Standing before her was Vengeance, with his back turned to her. When she tried to look around, Twilight found her vision was locked in place.

“...and in exchange what would you give me?” a young man asked.

Vengeance had a small laugh with his back still turned away. “Oh I can tell what you want Vensen. It’s easy: power, wealth…” Vengeance slowly looked back at him with a knowing smile, and a cracked face. “...love.” Cracks were everywhere on Vengeance’s mask, but most notably the cracks around his mouth looked like a toothy grin. It was then that Twilight realised that she was seeing things through Vensen perspective, and she was really wondering how.

There was a brief silence, and Twilight could feel Vensen’s anxiety. “You could... give me these things..?”

Vengeance smiled, and the cracks became more prominent. “Yes, as long as you hold up your end, I’ll hold up mine. That’s my policy”

Vensen stood resolute. “I keep my word! I’ll take it.”

Vengeance smiled again. “Then take it.” With that he offered his hand. As Vensen shook it, Vengeance’s robes began to run like tar, while pieces and shards of his mask fell off until all that was left of it was a twisted grin of jagged teeth. Vensen was frozen in place as he stared at Vengeance’s malicious grin. “We have a deal.” Vengeance continued to smile as he vanished in a cloud of black smoke.

Vensen’s whole body shook at what he just bore witness to. As he looked at his trembling hand, the world was consumed in fog.

When the mist next dissipated Twilight found herself standing in a throneroom with an old man in front of her.

“I know the loss of your father is hard for you,” the old man said. “but you are king now, and mustn’t let the past weigh you down.” Then the old man’s expression turned soft and warm. “However, you don’t have to bear this weight alone your highness.” He then motioned to the large throneroom doors. After a moment they opened, and in stepped a beautiful young woman in a regal dress. “May I present to you, princess Liliana!”

As Lilianna approached the old man leaned in to Vensen’s side. “She was personally recommended to me by Sir Edward Sunny. Who knew the pale old chap knew royalty!”

Liliana elegantly stepped forward, and gave Vensen a courtesy. “It is a pleasure, your majesty.” She offered her hand, which Vensen clasped tightly with both his own.

The old man looked between the two of them, and his smile stayed ever warm. “I think you two will make a fine couple.”

Once again the world fell into a fog, and when it cleared Twilight appeared to still be in the same throneroom. Now however, it was much more extravagant with a group of guards trying to keep the doors closed.

One of the guards broke away from the others, and approached. “Your majesties, I believe the peasants have overrun the rest of the castle. Do you have any orders?”

Twilight now felt empty inside as Vensen looked to Liniana who sat next to him on a lavish throne, and was covered in golden jewelry and trinkets. Liliana's expression was cold and full of scorn. “Kill them all none get in here.” The soldier bowed, and went back to the doors.

Vensen turned away from Liliana, and started looking around the room. Practically every inch was covered in signs of wealth and status with beautiful tapestries, lavish rugs, and paintings and portraits set within golden frames.

In one portrait there was a strong regal man, and in another was a man old, but kind and warm. Twilight could feel Vensen’s heartbreak as he looked at the paintings, and she too was saddened upon seeing what looked like an end date beneath both paintings.

Vensen then looked out the window, and Twilight could see his reflection in the glass. He looked much like his father, but instead of being strong, he was broken, and so too was the kingdom out the window.

*BANG* *BANG* *BOOM*

Vensen turned to the door as the mob broke it down. His eyes focused on a figure, concealed in a hood and rags, standing amongst the charging crowd. Even with the shouting of the mob and guards, Vensen could hear a voice clear, cold, and familiar. “Such greed Vensen, your father would be ashamed.”

Twilight could feel Vensen’s utter despair at those cold words. “Are you not happy?” the figure continued. “Isn’t this everything you wanted?” The figure slowly turned to look at Vensen, and Twilight instantly recognised Vengeance’s glowing red eyes. A torch flew by Vengeance’s face, and Twilight caught a glimpse of his fragment teeth still grinning that same twisted grin.

Someone tossed a pitchfork from behind Vengeance that was headed straight for Vensen. As the pitchfork stuck Vensen’s heart, the world fell away into the mist.

“Father... I’m so sorry...”

O O O

“Twiliiight, you there?”

Everything was hazy at first for Twilight. Soon her vision came into focus to see Spike standing on the table, and waving his hand in front of her. Twilight quickly shook her head as Spike gave her space. “What happened..?” she asked as she rubbed her head. And what was that about?

Spike shrugged. “I don’t know. You just started staring off at nowhere.” Considering Vengeance had looked just as confused as he was when Twilight ‘left’, he guessed Vengeance at least didn’t have anything to do with it, though Scarlet was another question. He was still concerned, but he didn’t want to show it for Twilight’s sake.

Vengeance meanwhile, had taken to quietly observe and think, having been vexed by Twilight’s distant foggy-eyed stare. Where have I seen that look before..?

Scarlet had been watching the odd scene through her husband’s eyes. She had her own theories, but quickly shot them down. No that doesn’t make sense, he’s long gone… I hope...

Vengeance left his thoughts, and cleared his throat. “Regardless, I’d like my book back now, so let’s seal the deal.” Once more Vengeance offered his hand.

Twilight kept thinking of that jagged grin as she looked at his hand. She wanted to complete the peace deal, but she kept thinking of what happened to Vensen, if it had really happened at all.

As Twilight hesitated, Vengeance started to wonder why. He glanced down at his knife like fingers, and the answer became obvious to him. “Afraid my hands will cut you?”

Twilight jumped as she realised she’d wandered off again. “Uh, yes!” she answered hastily

Vengeance raised an eyebrow at her, but quickly dropped it, and gave a comforting smile. “Don’t worry, they’re dull I assure you.”

Twilight looked down at his hand again, and took a moment to think. She wasn’t willing to trust Vengeance or Scarlet yet, but if peace was to be made and maintained, she had to start somewhere. Twilight slowly extended her hoof, all the while watching his mask for any signs of cracks.

Vengeance’s face was unreadable, but when Twilight finally shook his hand, he smiled. “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Twilight’s relief was overwhelming. Not only with the deal completed, but also that his hands really were dull, though he could do with some hand warmers.

Vengeance let go of her hoof with his smile still present. “We have a deal, we won’t attack you as long as you don’t threaten us, you have my word. Now then...” He got up, and grabbed his scythe. “Would you show me where the book is please.”

Twilight nodded, turned, and pointed to two of the far bookcases. “It’s over there, between the shelves.”

“Thank you.” Vengeance said with a nod. He went over to the indicated shelves, and started feeling around in the crevice. After a few moments, he felt the familiar texture of leather. Found you. Vengeance pulled the black book from its hiding place, and looked at it with utter disdain as he held it in his hand. “Hello again.”

Vengeance opened the book, and its face looked back at him with an equally hateful scowl.

Hello.

With a satisfied nod, Vengeance closed the book shut, and stuffed it into his robes. “I thank you, you two. Now however I must say goodbye.” He made his way for the door.

Before Vengeance could leave however, there was one question that had been bothering Spike for a while. “Why don’t you just get rid of the book if you hate it so much?”

Vengeance stopped in the doorway, and looked back at Spike with a flat expression. “You think we haven’t tried? Regardless, farewell you two.” With that Vengeance shut the door behind him.

Twilight got curious, and went to the door to see where he was going. When she opened it however, Vengeance was nowhere to be seen.

As Twilight looked around for any sign of Vengeance, Spike walked up from behind. “Well looks like he’s gone.” Spike gave a yawn as he stretched his arms. “Well I don’t know about you, but I’m going back to bed.”

Twilight yawned as well, as all of the nights events caught up to her. Both she and Spike headed back up to the bedroom to get some well earned sleep.

* * *

Later that night the two of them slept soundly in their beds. What neither of them knew however, was that a lady in golden robes was lurking within Twilight’s mind.

Scarlet moved with a purpose, intent on finding out whoever that midnight-blue pony Twilight had been thinking about. Scarlet was walking through Twilight’s mental landscape. A dark place when one’s asleep, but it wasn’t empty. All around her, there were pictures, images and scenes. Ones in the distance were fogged or blurred, while ones close were either clear or a little hazy.

Scarlet moved and walked around the various images near her, trying best to not catch anything that looked too private, though such things would mostly be distant images. As she walked around images of different landscapes, Scarlet saw something out of the corner of her eye that caught her attention.

Scarlet changed her course, and carefully made her way to the picture. Floating before her was a picture of Twilight and Spike, as well as five other ponies that Scarlet didn’t recognise. Well hello, who are you lot? Scarlet thought as she inspected the image. Everyone of them was huddled together smiling, and Scarlet noticed the white framings of a photo around the image.

Scarlet smiled as she realised what the picture was about. “Glad to see you have friends dear, I’ve known only a few who truly deserve to be alone.” As she continued to look at the image however, her curiosity started to nag at her.

Scarlet looked back and forth as she started to wonder who Twilight’s friends were. Well I don’t think that’s too private... The mind tends to wander as one sleeps, and Scarlet intended to exploit that fact. She mentally ‘grabbed’ the image, and gently moved it to the forefront of Twilight’s subconscious.

When the image was inplace Scarlet closed her eyes, and listened. Images and thoughts of the five other mares appeared around Scarlet, but she paid them no mind as she listened close for something specific. As thoughts of the other ponies flew by, Scarlet heard their respective names. For example the yellow one was Fluttershy, and the orange one was Applejack.

With her question answered, Scarlet opened her eyes, and gently pulled the photo back to where it had been. With a smile, Scarlet left the image, and continued her search.

* * *

As Scarlet wandered through memories of what looked to be adventures Twilight and her friends have had, she began to feel nostalgic. She gave a heavy sigh as she thought back to times long gone. I miss the old days… She looked over to the side, and spotted a clear area. Maybe for a moment I could… She walked into the center of the clearing, and looked around once, before she closed her eyes.

Images of impossible landscapes, mystical ruins, futuristic cities, and many other wondrous places and adventures began to appear around Scarlet as she let her mind wander to happier times. A small smile came onto her face as she thought of all the fun, and adventures she’d had with her friends and family over all the long millenias of her life. Tears of silent happiness rolled down her mask as she held close to those memories for a few precious moments, before she let them go.

When Scarlet opened her eyes again she quickly realised her mistake as she saw all the images around her. Crap.

Scarlet hastily started grabbing her loose memories, and as she did, they disappeared into golden dust. Don’t leave a trail Scarlet! Castle ruins and olden towns may fit here, but cybernetic cities damn sure won’t! You can reminisce when you’re out of here.

When she vanished an image of an old castle ruin, Scarlet’s clean up was finished. She was surprised however, to see that a strange symbol had appeared directly behind the memory. “Well hello, what’s this?”

It was a picture of a pink gem in the shape of a starburst, and once more Scarlet’s curiosity was nagging at her. She moved the image to Twilight’s subconscious as before, and listened close. She heard the words elements, harmony, and magic, and now her curiosity was truly piqued.

Scarlet raised an eyebrow as the image morphed and changed to a picture of Twilight wearing a golden crown with the same starburst gem as the crown jewel. Interesting…

Scarlet jumped as the image suddenly shifted to reveal Twilight standing together with her friends who each wore golden necklaces. She pushed the image again and heard words like loyalty, generosity, and could connect each different word with one of the ponies.

The image flashed white, and Scarlet grinned hungrily beneath her mask as a flashback played before her. Let’s see what you’re hiding.

The picture moved now, and Twilight and friends were all standing united against a bizarre serpentine creature made of a mishmash of various animal body parts. Would love to see what that thing’s innards look like.

All around them was a surreal landscape, with blue and pink checker patterned hills, soap bubble roads, and houses floating in the air. Although the memory had no sound, the intent was clear from the looks on the pony's faces that the strange creature was an enemy to them.

Scarlet’s tiny black pupils widened as the gemstones in the various jewelry began to glow as the ponies were lifted into the air by an unseen force. Her eyes widened even further when what appeared to be rainbows began to emanate from each gem, and link with one another. Suddenly, Twilight and friends were engulfed in a bright light, and a large ‘rainbow ray’ shot up from the light, and went into an arc headed straight for the serpentine creature.

Scarlet looked at the creature’s eyes, and she could see its shock and fear as the rainbow cascaded down upon it. She immediately understood the reason for its fear as the creature quickly turned to stone before her eyes. When the now petrified creature toppled over, and fell to its side, the memory stopped.

Scarlet silently stared at the creature’s petrified face as she started putting all the pieces together. This is definitely some powerful arcane magic, and it looks like Twilight and friends may be the keys to operating it. She had to resist the urge to grab the memory, and dig into Twilight’s mind for every little detail she hid and knew. I think I’ll be doing a little research on just what these ‘harmony elements’ are capable of.

With a satisfied smile, Scarlet began to wipe golden dust from her hands. “Well I may not have found what I was looking for, but I think I discovered something much more... interesting for the report back home.” Her body began to turn to dust as she adjusted her robes. “I apologize for the intrusion dear, but I’m not much one for secrets.” Her lower body was gone now, but she still smiled on. “But regardless, farewell Twilight, and may you sleep well, dear.” With that Scarlet disappeared from Twilight’s mind, leaving behind only a small golden orb in a pile of dust.

“And may you have many wonderful dreams.”