All is Fair in Lies and War
Prologue
The night is silent, not a sound can be heard through the vacant streets on Canterlot. Most ponies were either fast asleep in their beds or enjoying a nice glass of wine on their balconies. But soon the beating on hooves slices through the silence. A lone. cloaked pony races through the streets, then soon arrives at the Sparkle residence, a hoof is raised and the sound of knocking echoes through the house.
Twilight Velvet quickly slowly opens the door as she groggily rubs the sleep out of her baby blue eyes. Not too long after, Night Light appears at her side, seeming mildly grumpy for being woken up.
"Yes, can we help you..?" Twilight Velvet eyes the stranger warily as they push back the hood of their dark cloak, then a collective gasp is heard from the two ponies.
The stranger is a unicorn mare, her mane and tail a deep red with orange streaks, resembling blazing fire. Her coat is a dark smoky gray, and her eyes are a vibrant sapphire. She is tall, and every movement she makes is laced with grace. She meets Night Light's lime green gaze and a pretty smile spreads across her face.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle, it has been a long time, has it not?" The mare lets out a soft laugh, her eyes twinkling with happiness. "I have missed Canterlot so much."
"A-Amaris?" Twilight Velvet's jaw drops as her eyes widen in disbelief. Night Light just seems stunned, frozen in place. "What is Equestria are you doing here?"
"I came to see Shining Armor." Mirth glows in her eyes as she mentions the stallion' s name. It had been nine years since she had left to go to Baltimare. Her family's business had been so deep in debt that Amaris had had to go to Baltimare herself to work hard to get them far out of their troubled spot. But she is back now and here to stay. "Where is he? I have missed him so much.."
“Amaris...” Night Life and Twilight Velvet exchange glances as they ponder on how to handle this situation as delicately as possible to the mare. “It has been 9 years, so a lot has happened.”
“I understand, but I really want to see Shining Armor, I have missed him...” Tears rim her eyes as she remembers the handsome stallion whom had been her coltfriend. Is he still mad at her for leaving? Sweet Celestia, her heart hurts just at the thought of such a thing.
“Amaris… Shining Armor is happily married now..” Night Light meets her gaze. Twilight Velvet nods in confirmation.
Amaris’ heart shatters upon hearing that horrifying sentence. Those words burn into her mind as a tear slides down her cheek. No… It is not possible! Shining had said he would wait for her! He had said that he loved her!
"No, you are lying.." Her voice cracks slightly as tears stream down her face, her voice hitching with every breath,. "That cannot be true, Night Light.."
"Amaris, you had left without even warning him, he had reason to move on, stallions do not wait around for the rest of their lives for a mare who just got up and left." Twilight Velvet has her a handkerchief, which Amaris uses to wipe away her tears. "Besides there are other stallions in Equestria."
"But he.." Amaris shakes her head, meeting Velvet's gaze, then turns around and leaves. Before Twilight Velvet can call after her, Night Light silences her with a look. He knows that the mare needs to grieve on her own.
As the sun streams into the room, Amaris sits up in her bed and sniffles, her eyes rimmed with red from crying the previous night. She had just rushed home last night and cried her heart and soul out.
As she groggily climbs out of bed and makes her way downstairs, the familiar sound of nails clicking against the hardwood floor greets her. Amaris smiles at the sound.
“Anpu, good morning!” The black jackal barks in greeting as his friend walks by, his tail wagging merrily. Amaris had tried her best to keep him from seeing her cry last night, and to her relief, she has succeeded. She leans down and gently pets him. “Would you like some breakfast?”
Soon the smell of freshly cooked eggs and coffee fills the air. As she pours doggy kibble into Anpu’s food bowl, Amaris drinks her coffee, black as she prefers, and ponders on what to do. Well the love on her life had gotten married without even telling her that their relationship was over.
She wants answers and she wants them now. Why the hay would he do such a cruel thing to her? Shining Armor was usually such a kind and gentle colt. It just makes no sense whatsoever. With a sigh, Amaris begins eating her fried eggs while using her comb to brush her messy mane.
Then suddenly the thought comes to her. Twilight Sparkle! Amaris smiles at the thought of Shining’s adorable, bright little sister. The little filly had been so sweet and playful, Amaris had even thought of her as a little sister. Perhaps Twilight can help make sense of all of this with her. But she just needs to figure out where she is currently living...
--
“Ponyville, are you sure?” Amaris stares at Canterlot’s librarian, whom is nodding his head in confirmation.
“She moved there a year ago.” The librarian smiles, and then sips his tea as he settles back into his chair. “The library has not been as busy since she left.”
“Well thank you, have a nice day!” Amaris quickly races out of the library, Anpu, upon seeing her leave the library, instantly runs after her. Her saddlebags bounce gently against her flank as they make their way to the train station. She wanted to be prepared in case she was travelling far.
“One ticket for Ponyville, please!” The unicorn mare slams her hooves against the ticket vendor’s desk, causing the stallion to drop his playing cards. The vendor stares at her for a moment, then shrugs and passes the ticket through the window. Amaris smiles, then nods in thanks. “Thank you so much, sir.”
As soon as she settles into her seat, Amaris stares out the window, watching Canterlot disappear in the distance. She is getting to the bottom of this once and for all. Even if it kills her.
All is Fair in Lies and War
Catching up with the World
Chapter 1 - Catching up with the World
"So this is Ponyville.." Amaris' sapphire gaze sweeps across the quaint town, a faint frown marring her features. Casting a quick glance at Anpu, whom seems just as confused as she is, she heads away from the train station, onto a road she was positive is the Town Hall. "Why would Twilight to live in such a place? It is not really her taste.."
"What do you mean blank flanks aren't welcome in Canterlot?" Amaris' gaze is instantly drawn to a group of your fillies. Three Earth ponies, one Pegasus and one unicorn. From the looks of this, they seem to be in quite a heated argument.
What really caught Amaris' eye was two of the Earth ponies. One had a glossy coat a lovely shade of cotton candy pink, her elegantly styled mane and tail coloured lavender with streaks of white. With a taunting look in her azure eyes, she smirks over at her filly friend. Her friend had a braided mane of pure silvery white, a coat which reminds Amaris very much of her own, and eyes of amethyst.
At this point, Amaris notices that both ponies are wearing a pretty little bauble. The pink one a delicate tiara, and the silver one a lustrous string of pearls. Both are well kept and in top shape.
'Must me from wealthier families in Ponyville, then..' Amaris observed, then begins making her way over to the group. Soon the pink one began speaking.
"Because it is so not classy to have ponies with no talent among the high class." Her voice makes Amaris wince inwardly, memories rushing back from her childhood of bullies and the horrid taunting. She had not been very social as a filly and she still isn't. She prefers to keep to herself, so everyone had teased her for being a witch and such. And watching these fillies reminds her of the bullies and herself. So an idea forms in her head.
"Blasphemy!" Mustering up her most elite, pompous voice as she trots gracefully over to the fillies, looking down her snout at the bullies. Then she turns to the victims and smiles her most charming smile, ignoring the gasps as the bullies catch sight of her blank flank. "Why I, myself, am from Canterlot, there are all sorts of ponies without a Cutie Mark. It is mostly ponies whom are going to be in higher position than the rest. They are more fortunate. I still have no idea what my destiny is, but I hope it is something that can help Equestria."
The trio of fillies stare up at her as Amaris turns to the bullies, looking at the as if they were scum. "What are your names..?"
"I-I am Diamond Tiara, my daddy is an important pony named Filthy Rich. Aand I'm the most popular filly at school." Diamond Tiara smiles prettily up at Amaris. but soon the silver filly beside her nudges her gently. Diamond Tiara shoots her an annoyed glance. "And this is just Silver Spoon."
"Hey!" Silver Spoon glares back.
"Well Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon," Amaris leans close, narrowing her eyes. ", you both are acting absolutely horrid. You two would be a horror to Canterlot, simply a horror! Now unless you want that to happen, go home and fix your attitudes!"
As soon as the two leave, their pride wounded, Amaris heads over to the trio, sitting down with them.
"I am Amaris, it is a pleasure to meet you." The mare offers a kind smile to the awestruck fillies. "And who are you adorable things?"
"M-my name is Sweetie Belle." A white unicorn, with lavender and carnation pink mane and tail, apple green eyes, returns Amaris' smiles. "Thank you for that."
"But wasn't that a bit harsh?" An earth pony, deep red mane, scarlet eyes, and daffodil yellow coat, watches Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon leave. "I'm AppleBloom, by the way."
"Are you kidding? That was awesome!" The pumpkin orange Pegasus hoofpumps (AN: Fistpumps, sorry.), her mane and tail a lovely shade of fuchsia and eyes an amethyst purple. "The name's Scootaloo!""
"The thing is, you need to be harsh at times to get a point across. You may not always like it, but it is needed. Besides, I hate bullies." Amaris grimaces, then shakes her head. "Just because they have some things you don't, does not mean they have more."
"Are you actually from Canterlot?" Sweetie Belle moves closer to the mare, noticing how straight she sits, how she is not wearing fancy clothing or jewelry. Just herself. "I have always wanted to go."
"Well I did for a while, up until a few years ago. You see, my family's business was in trouble." Amaris closes her eyes as she remembers. The struggles, the people, demanding their payment. Tears well under her eyelids as she fights them back. "I never really had time to intereact or catch up with any news. They were so close to bankruptcy, I knew I needed to work day and night to get their business back on track. When I finally did, I moved back to Canterlot, but it turns out the stallion I loved married, so I came to find his sister. Hopefully she can help me catch up.."
"Who is his sister?" Scootaloo looks around wildly, as if to catch a glimpse of the mysterious mare.
"Twilight Sparkle, I've heard she moved here quite a while ago from her parents, but I have no idea which house she lives in.." Amaris shrugs, then glances back at Anpu, whom is just sitting there, watching her."And Anpu is not much help.."
"Y'all mean the princess?" AppleBloom soon points to a tree-like home, and looks at Amaris funnily. "Now how in Equestria can y'all not know that?"
"Wait, princess?!" Amaris' eyes widen in shock. Exactly how much had she missed?! Twilight was now a princess?! And Shining Armour had been the Captain of the Royal Guard, then got married. This is what happens when you do not read the newspaper for nine years.. "Thank you girls, but I need to go!"
Amaris takes off, Anpu running at her heels, making her way towards the tree house. She passes many ponies of many colours and sizes. She notices how not many are wearing any type of fancy clothing. They are natural, being themselves. Not like the ponies in Canterlot. Except for Shining Armour..
Amaris holds back a sob as she thinks of Shining Armour, his sky blue eyes are what usually drew her to him, aside from his amazing personality, those eyes that seemed so deep she nearly drowned in them. She had hoped he would have waited for her.. But why would we wait for a mare like her? Shining Armour is handsome, smart, brave, mares much have been all over him. No wonder he moved on.
Standing at Twilight's front door, Amaris stares, obviously hesitating. Would Twilight be mad at her? Disgusted? Amaris shakes her head, realizing she is asking too many questions. It will be Twilight that will be asking questions, so she'd need good answers. With a sigh, she knocks on the door.
"Yes, can I help you?" A purple mare appears in the doorway, her dark purple mane with a pink streak in it stood there, her horn glowing as she held a thick novel, her wings neatly tucked into her.
"You really are a princess now.." Amaris finds herself breathless as she stares at Twilight. Then she hugs her tightly "Oh Twily, I have missed you so much!"
"Twily..? Wait, the only two ponies who call me that are.." Suddenly Twilight's eyes widen as the realization makes her freeze. "Amaris..?"
"S-surprise.." The grey mare pulls away and shakily smiles. Sweet Celestia, she is crying. "M-may I come in..?"
"Sure, but I have a lot of questions for you.."
"And I am willing to answer them."