The next morning, Shining Armor entered the dining hall of the castle to see Cadance pouring over a small stack of papers, a steaming cup of coffee on the table in front of her. He strolled up to her casually and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting next to her. She set the paper she was reading down and gave him a stern look. He was tired, due in part to the long night of searching for changelings.

“You let me sleep in again, dear.” Cadance said. “Thank you, but I really wish you’d gotten me up last night; you know I can’t hear those sirens in our chambers.”

“Why? I handled it just fine.” He stated, taking a sip from his wife’s coffee and feeling some energy return to his body. “It’s my area of expertise after all.”

“Your ‘area of expertise’ almost cost us our wedding day, Shiny.” Cadance replied, smiling. “Or maybe you’ve forgotten that?”

“It wasn’t for lack of trying.” Shining Armor said wistfully as a servant brought him his own coffee and he thanked him.

“So… did you find any last night?” Cadance asked.

“Any wha- oh, changelings… nope, couldn’t find a trace of them anywhere.” Shining Armor replied, gagging slightly. “I had Rose set up check points on all thoroughfares leading to the castle and in some side streets. Unless they’re in somepony’s house, they can’t hide from us.”

“Well, seems like you’ve got a pretty big hole in the Green–Watch Protocol.” Cadance remarked with a giggle.

“Are you telling me I can finally start bucking down doors now?” Shining Armor asked coyly, earning another giggle from Cadance.

“No, no, I don’t think we need to do that. They can’t get to the Crystal Heart, that’s all that matters right now.” She replied, kissing her husband. She turned back to the papers and levitated one over to Shining Armor. “What about those ponies you had put into our infirmary? Any of them changelings or under changeling mind control?”

“No, they’re all ponies and our mages couldn’t detect any changeling magic on them save for some fluid on the mare’s leg. When we removed the changeling fluid, we discovered she had a pretty nasty burn.” Shining Amor told her. “Doctor bandaged it, but apparently that fluid was enchanted with some kind of regenerative magic. He says it’ll fully heal in a couple of days and it won’t leave a scar.”

“Huh, I didn’t think changelings knew that kind of magic.” Cadance said, impressed. At that moment, the doors of the dining hall opened and a crystal pony in a nurse’s uniform hurried over.

“Beg pardon, milady.” She said, curtseying. “The patients in the infirmary are awake. One of them has asked to speak with you.”

Cadance thought for a moment before rising.

“If they’re awake I suppose I should go check on them, what do you think?” Cadance asked Shining Armor.

“Yeah, I need to talk to one of them any way.” He replied.

Daring Do sat in her bed. Her head didn’t ache quite as badly as it had a few hours previous, but it was still enough to put her in something of a bad mood. Uncharted Fortune was also awake and eating the breakfast the nurse had brought for him. Star Swirl was merely sipping a cup of tea and reading a newspaper, occasionally giving out a noise of wonder at one thing or another he was reading. When Daring Do had woken up, she had immediately told the nurse that she needed to speak to Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor. Once the nurse had left, Daring Do began trying to remember what happened the day before.

She couldn’t put it together like she usually could. She remembered going down into the ruins with Reliquary and Uncharted Fortune, finding Star Swirl, and the machines. Somehow the three of them escaped with Star Swirl and the only one hurt had been…

“No… no that’s not right…” Daring murmured to herself, lost in her ruminations. “Something’s missing… something doesn’t make sense…”

She thought harder, remembering the escape and how she had carried Star Swirl. However, her memory of what had happened after a certain point became fuzzy. She looked at her leg and remembered the feeling of warmth, except it hadn’t been warmth at all, but searing heat and pain. Something hot had slipped across her leg as she had fled and then... she had fallen, dropping Star Swirl. Yes, that was it… or was it? She looked over to Fortune, who was still eating, and thought maybe he and Reliquary had gotten them out. It made sense, until she remembered the flying… no, falling? She had flown through the air, and then fallen into snow. Uncharted Fortune and Star Swirl must have been nearby, because they were present, but they hadn’t been in sight when she raised her head out of the snow and…

Nothing. She almost assumed she had blacked out at that point, but something was telling her that she hadn’t. Daring somehow knew there was something else… something important that she was forgetting… but what? She closed her eyes and tried to focus, but instead her headache began to increase in intensity, as though it was trying to cut her concentration. Daring Do sighed and opened her eyes. Her headache began to die down, but not go away. Uncharted Fortune looked up at her from his plate.

“You too, huh?” He asked and Daring nodded. Fortune looked over to Star Swirl. “What about you, pops? Got a major migraine?”

“Not as far as I am aware.” Star Swirl replied, not looking away from the newspaper. “It seems that whatever affected the two of you did not turn on me.”

“Well, aren’t you lucky.” Fortune drawled, and then he turned to Daring. “So, what’s your take on all this?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, we somehow escaped a dungeon full of death machines trying to kill us and then wake up in the royal infirmary in the Crystal Palace.” He explained. “Then there’s the fact that Reliquary isn’t here with us. What happened?”

Daring was silent for a moment before she shook her head.

“I don’t know, Fortune. None of this makes sense to me.” Daring replied, and then furrowed her brows. “It’s like… I had all the pieces at some point, or at least I knew enough to where it made sense to me but now…”

“It is as though somepony has robbed you.” Star Swirl finished, folding the newspaper and setting it on the nightstand. “It is not that you do not remember because you have amnesia, but because the memories are simply not there anymore, am I correct?”

“And when you try to remember everything, the headache gets worse.” Fortune stated.

“Yeah. Then there’s the fact that even though I only remember you and Reliquary down there, I feel like we weren’t the only ones.” Daring Do said. “And… I feel like I lost a good friend. It’s not so much that I think, as I somehow… know.”

“You’re just imagining things.” Fortune told her. “I hoofpicked the whole team, remember? It was just you, me and Reliquary; that’s all.”

Daring Do didn’t respond, instead she looked out the window to the dawnlit streets of the Crystal Kingdom. Without even thinking, she lifted a hoof to one eye and covered it, leaving the other open.

“Lady Do, are you well?” Star Swirl asked, breaking her reverie and she lowered her hoof. “Is there something amiss with your eye?”

“No, it’s nothing… I just…” She paused, and then looked at her hoof questioningly. “Why was I…?”

She didn’t have long to ponder, however, because the doors to the infirmary swung open and a pair of Crystal Royal Guard entered, flanking the door. Following close behind them was Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor. Daring Do noticed that Shining Armor was eyeing her suspiciously and she looked away.

“Well, I see you are all awake.” Cadance stated, smiling. “I hope you’ve been comfortable?”

“Indeed, your hospitality has been most satisfactory.” Star Swirl replied, then he got out of his bed and approached Cadance. The nurse immediately rushed to his side.

“You should stay in your bed, sir! The doctor hasn’t-” She said, but Star Swirl interrupted her.

“I may not be the young stallion I once was, but I assure you I am quite capable of walking, thank you.” He told her sternly and she backed off a little. He then turned to Cadance. “May I ask your name, Milady?”

“Why yes, it’s Cadance; Princess of Love and current ruler of the Crystal Kingdom.” She replied and Star Swirl bowed.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Princess Cadance.” He told her. “I see somepony – presumably Celestia – has performed the Rites of Ascension upon you. Could you tell me what kind of pony you were before the Rites?”

Cadance looked from Shining Armor, and then back to Star Swirl.

“I… I was a pegasus.” She said slowly and Star Swirl’s eyes gleamed with approval. “How… do you know about the Rites, might I ask?”

“Because I created them, of course!” Star Swirl exclaimed haughtily. “I am Star Swirl, the Bearded; you would not be who you are today without me!”

Cadance’s mouth dropped open and the two Guards had turned at this proclamation, astounded. Daring Do, however, facehoofed.

“Sure, let’s just broadcast who we are to all of Equestria, why don’t we?” Uncharted Fortune drawled. Shining Armor approached his bed.

“What happened out there, Fortune?” He asked.

“Crazy shit, Shining Armor.” Fortune replied. “Those ruins… they’re dangerous. I mean, they are one hundred percent, prepare-to-die dangerous.”

“Then I’ll get the Guards and we’ll make to destroy them. If they’re that bad then we need to-” Shining Armor said.

“Don’t, you’ll just get ponies killed.” Daring Do interrupted and Shining Armor looked at her. “Look, I’ve got some old reports back at Fortune’s place. My bag has the journal, but I think it’s still up on that accursed mountain.”

“So what do you think we should do… um?” Shining Armor faltered, realizing he didn’t know Daring Do’s name.

“Compass Rose.” She told him. “And we need to get the reports, go over them, and come up with a specialized plan of attack. Actually, before we do that, we need to find Reliquary. The more witness accounts, the clearer everything should become.”

“I believe she is renting a house in the city.” Cadance said, and then turned to a blue maned pegasus stallion who had just entered the room. “Flash Sentry, can you go to Reliquary’s house and bring her back? We need to speak with her.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” He saluted and quickly departed. Cadance turned back to the others.

“Well, why don’t we go somewhere more comfortable to talk? I need to know what happened on the mountain.” She said.

Reliquary moved quickly around the kitchen, the curtains in the entire house closed to avoid prying eyes. She pulled a few glowing gems out of a pair of beaten up saddlebags hidden in the pantry and passed them to the changeling that was following her around in the form of a unicorn.

“Here’s the energy crystals you left with me.” She said, but then she noticed the changeling’s eyes close and its horn light up and she swatted him. “They’re not for you, you twit! Go and give them to Chrysalis.”

The changeling looked longingly at the crystals, but did as he was told. She pulled the saddlebag out and followed the changeling into the guest bedroom. Chrysalis was in the bed, her eyes shut and her breath ragged. The other changelings were in their natural forms and had begun setting the gems near the changeling queen. She opened her eyes blearily, saw the gems, and then her horn lit up, drawing the love energy contained within them into her like wisps of vapor. After a few minutes of feeding, Chrysalis sat up with slight difficulty.

“Have you fed yet?” Chrysalis asked the drones and they shook their heads. “Take a gem each; I am still weakened and may need the others.”

The drones quickly mobbed Reliquary, much to her chagrin, and each pulled a glowing energy crystal out of the saddlebags. They left the room to feed and Chrysalis turned her gaze toward Reliquary, who shrugged off the bags.

“You know, I wasn’t expecting you to turn up half-dead on my doorstep in the middle of the night.” Reliquary said. “What happened up there?”

“I am unsure. There were machines… evil machines.” Chrysalis said, and then her eyes widened. “Star Swirl, the Bearded! He was being held prisoner in the ruins!”

“Star Swirl?” Reliquary asked incredulously. “He died hundreds of years ago, before Princess Luna was banished!”

“No, he disappeared.” Chrysalis corrected. “Nopony really knew what happened to him… until today.”

Reliquary was silent for a moment.

“So what do you want to do?” She asked and Chrysalis gave a sigh.

“Much to my chagrin… I must speak to Princess Cadance and her husband.” Chrysalis replied.

“Oh, well that’s all bloody well and good!” Reliquary exclaimed, throwing a hoof dramatically into the air. “Except for the part where you’re a wanted criminal because you tried to take over Canterlot!” And then she turned sharply toward Chrysalis, who didn’t so much as blink. “And the best part is you did it by taking Princess Cadance’s form and trying to marry Shining Armor in her place! I’m sure they will be ecstatic to see you again after what you tried to do.”

“First, I would like to make it clear that I won; if not for some fluke, Canterlot would have been mine.” Chrysalis stated. “And you really think I want to see them again?! I would sooner throw myself into Tartarus and be done with it! Unfortunately, I do not have a choice in the matter; this is bigger than any of us and I will not sacrifice the welfare of my hive for the sake of my wounded pride!”

Reliquary was silent, and then she sighed in resignation.

“Fine, but you can’t go outside looking like that and ponies would get suspicious if they saw two of me strolling down the street.” Reliquary said.

“Do not worry; I have many disguises at my disposal.” Chrysalis told her. “Getting to the Crystal Palace will be the-” She paused, her eyes widening in alarm as the changeling drones hurried into the room, panicking.

“What, what’s going on?!” Reliquary asked, trying to stop one of the drones.

“Somepony approaches; he wears the armor of the royal guard!” Chrysalis replied, and then they heard knocking at the door. “Did they find us?!”

“I don’t think so. I’ll go see what he wants; you just keep the door closed and stay hidden.” Reliquary told Chrysalis and then she left the room, shutting the door behind her. She trotted to the front door of the cottage as the guard knocked on the door again.

“Hello? Is anypony home?” His muffled voice called out. “I need to speak with Miss Reliquary!”

Reliquary opened the front door and saw Flash Sentry on the other side.

“How can I help you today?” She asked.

“Are you Reliquary?” Flash inquired.

“Yes I am.”

“Miss Reliquary, Princess Cadance has requested your presence in the Crystal Castle immediately.” He told her.

“I assume this has something to do with the ruins on the mountain?” Reliquary asked and Flash nodded.

“Yes ma’am.” He replied.

“That’s convenient; I was going to take a friend of mine on a tour of the Crystal Empire today.” Reliquary told him. “Would you mind if I brought her with me?”

“I don’t know…” Flash replied uncertainly. “I think Her Majesty wants to keep outside information to a minimum right now.”

“Oh, that won’t be a problem.” Reliquary told him. “My friend is good at keeping secrets, plus she’s a fellow researcher so she might be able to help us!”

“Well…” Flash hesitated and Reliquary narrowed her eyes.

“I’m not going without her.”

Flash looked around uncertainly and then finally caved.

“Okay, your friend can come, but we have to be quick.” He said and Reliquary smiled.

“Thanks, give us a moment to pack and then we’ll be right out.” She told Flash and then she shut the door and rushed into Chrysalis’ room.

“Well? What does he want?” Chrysalis asked.

“Princess Cadance wants me – she really means you but doesn’t know it – to go to the Crystal Castle.” Reliquary replied, moving the gems into one of her own saddlebags. “I assume she’s gathering everypony who went up the mountain.”

“I must go with you, then.” Chrysalis said, getting out of the bed. “You will need to-”

“Don’t worry, I already convinced the guard to let me have a plus one.” Reliquary informed her. “He’ll get us past the checkpoints, but you’ll need to stay in disguise.”

“This is not my first time, Reliquary; I know what to do.” Chrysalis stated, and then in a burst of green fire, a tall, dark-coated mare with a silky teal mane took her place. “Let us go.”

Two Guards stood at a checkpoint, bantering with each other. After the initial morning rush of ponies heading to work, things had slowed down.

“You really think there are changelings this far north?” One guard asked and the other shook his head.

“Nah, I think it’s a false alarm.” He replied.

“But what about that stuff on the pegasus mare’s leg?” The first guard asked and the second laughed.

“It was just some sludge or something.” He said. “I don’t blame the Prince for being paranoid, though, not after what happened in Canterlot.”

“Yeah, you’re right; once his majesty’s calmed down he should-” The first guard said, but then he heard a sound come from a nearby alley and he stood, alarmed. “What was that?”

“Probably just somepony’s cat got loose or somethin’.” The second said, giving the alley a lazy glance. “Nothing you need to worry about, I’m sure.”

“I’m gonna go check it out anyway; don’t want Prince Armor jumping down my throat because a changeling slipped through.” The first said as he approached the alleyway.

“Suit yourself; I’ll stick to the checkpoint.” The second said.

“You do that, lazy flank.” The first muttered, and then he called down the alley. “Hello, is somepony there?” He heard rustling, but no one responded. “I’m with the city watch. We’re under green – watch protocol right now, so I’m gonna have to ask you to come out and get verified.” There was an odd rushing sound, almost like water, and he advanced slowly toward the corner of the building halfway down the alley. “I’m not going to ask you again; come out and get verified or I will have to bring you in to the station, you have three seconds.” He stopped and began to count.

“One.”

Something in the darkness behind the building stirred.

“Two”
The rustling grew in intensity, as if whatever was causing was panicking.

“Three.”

Immediately a cat jumped out from behind a garbage canister, knocking it over and sending the contents everwhere. The guard jumped, but relaxed when he saw the cat hiss and dart past him. He turned and called back to the second guard.

“You’re right, it was just a cat!” He shouted.

“Told you so!” The second guard replied and the first sneered.

“And now I’m never gonna hear the damn end of it.” He muttered and turned back the way he came.

However, he hadn’t even rounded the corner before he heard a click a chill ran across his spine; there was something behind him. He turned his head slowly, saw a red light wink into existence and opened his mouth to call out an alarm, but no sound came forth. His eyes widened and he blinked in surprise as he his head detached itself from his body and bounced off the ground. After a moment, the guard’s headless body collapsed, blood spewing from the stump and pooling on the ground.

Eventually, the second guard got impatient and walked over to the alley.

“Hey, you taking a leak in there?!” He called. When he got no response he went in. “Come on, we’re the city watch! How’s anyone supposed to take us seriously if you-” He stopped short when he felt pressure in his chest and found he couldn’t breath. He looked down and saw a gaping hole in his breast. To his horror, he saw his blood pooling around the hole and over something invisible. He gave a grunt as the object was pulled from his breast and he collapsed, dead.

After a moment, there was a sigh as a cloaked figure with a red light under its hood appeared, a bloody, bladed appendage slipping underneath the folds. It examined the fallen guardspony, gave a buzz, and then turned its attention to the castle, its directive simple. As it stood there, it received varying other signals from other units. They would make way for the rest of the mind while it would terminate the organics in the castle and retrieve the elder one. Unbeknownst to the machine, it was being observed by another who was better trained in stealth.

Shining Armor sat at a table, having spent the last half hour compiling the reports as well as transcribed accounts from Daring Do, Uncharted Fortune, and Star Swirl. He had set Star Swirl’s aside as, while it did correlate with the machines, it was not relative to Rose and Fortune’s accounts. Unfortunately, the archmage was unable to explain where and how he had been captured. Shining Armor presumed that it had something to do with his imprisonment; according to Star Swirl, he had been “removed” from the time-space continuum. He appeared impressed with this fact, but Shining Armor was worried.

What kind of enemy were these machines? Exactly what had these ponies barely escaped with their sanity and their lives intact? How were they supposed to fight them? Was it even possible to fight them? Shining Armor had to know, it was his duty, but… he wasn’t sure he would like the answers. At that moment, the door to the conference room opened and Flash Sentry entered, followed by an earth pony mare that Shining Armor recognized as Reliquary, and a tall, sultry unicorn mare that Shining Armor was certain he’d seen before.

“Your majesties, I found Reliquary.” Flash Sentry reported, saluting. “She… insisted on bringing her friend with her.”

Cadance cocked an eyebrow suspiciously.

“I’m afraid I can’t entertain guests right now, Reliquary.” She said. “Your friend will have to wait in the main hall.”

“She’ll be more help here than I ever could, Princess.” Reliquary replied and Compass Rose leaned forward.

“How? She wasn’t on the mountain with us. I only remember six-” Daring Do paused, confusion crossing her muzzle, but she shook her head and continued. “I only remember three ponies up there and she wasn’t one of them.”

The mystery mare gave Reliquary a look and the earth pony sighed.

“I’ll tell you how, but you will have to send the guards away.” Reliquary said. Shining Armor sat up in alarm and the royal guards around them began to eye the two mares dangerously.

“Send the guard away?! Are you crazy or something?” He asked.

“Please, you have to trust me, it’s the only way.” Reliquary said. The others at the table looked at the Prince and Princess.

“I do not see why we cannot trust them.” Star Swirl said sagely. “They appear to have put themselves in quite the vulnerable position to be here.”

“Dear, I’m afraid I’m with Star Swirl on this one.” Cadance said, resting a hoof on Shining Armor. “Right now there’s something dangerous about the ruins in the mountains and we need Reliquary.”

Shining Armor was silent for a moment before he relented and waved his hoof, dismissing the guards in the room. Flash Sentry, however, faltered.

“Your Grace…?” He asked.

“You too, Flash.” Shining Armor said. “Don’t worry, I hooftrained every guard here, including you; I can take care of everypony.”

“Yessir.” Flash said, saluting and leaving the room. Once the door shut, Shining Armor looked at the two mares.

“Are you happy now?” He asked and the unicorn stepped forward.

“Almost.” She purred and a chill went across Shining Armor’s spine, he recognized her voice. The unicorn mare’s horn glowed green and burst with magic, coating the walls of the room in a green glow. “There, now no unwanted listeners can eavesdrop on us.” She turned a predatory gaze toward Shining Armor and smiled sweetly. “It has been a long time, Shining Armor; almost a year now I would say.”

Shining Armor felt like his insides froze, a mixture of terror and rage coming together and preventing him from acting. He knew her voice, her eyes… how could he ever forget her?

Cadance turned a questioning gaze toward Shining Armor, saw his face, and then looked back at the mare. It took her a little longer, but recognition dawned on her face just as it had his. However, instead of terror, her face twisted into anger.

“What… are you doing here, Queen Chrysalis?!” Cadance spat. “Are you here to try and steal my husband away from me again?!”

Daring Do and Uncharted Fortune both leapt from their seats, ready to fight. Star Swirl merely cocked an eyebrow, while Reliquary edged away from Chrysalis, not wanting to get caught up in a fight. Chrysalis, for her part, rolled her eyes.

“Please, if I wanted to do that, I would have been more subtle.” Chrysalis drawled, and then she winked at Shining Armor as she took a seat at the table. “Not that he isn’t quite handsome; I am actually a little jealous I did not get to keep him.”

“Th-Then why…?” Shining Armor asked.

“Because of mutual necessity.” Chrysalis replied, sneering. “Those machines threaten everything, and I will not stand idly by while my brood faces eradication.”

Daring Do and Uncharted Fortune looked at each other, and then sat back down.

“So, you are a changeling queen?” Star Swirl inquired and Chrysalis nodded. “Ah, tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace; I am Star Swirl.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Archmage.” Chrysalis replied, smiling. “It is nice to be acknowledged for my station. So many tend to forget that I am a queen and ruler of my brood.”

“Why are you being so polite to her?” Shining Armor asked. “She’s a changeling! In fact, she’s the changeling who almost took over Canterlot by taking my wife’s identity!”

“I understand, young prince, but even amongst our enemies one should always acknowledge titles and pay proper respect.” Star Swirl replied with the tone of a teacher calmly reprimanding a student. “Besides, changelings almost never move openly and Her Majesty risks much by meeting with us. Perhaps it would be best to hear what she has to say.”

“But that doesn’t explain her importance. Miss Rose, what do you think?” Cadance asked, but Daring Do had fallen quiet. She was rubbing her hoof under her chin, deep in thought. “Miss Rose?”

“Shining Armor; how did you find us, anyway?” Daring Do asked finally.

“There was a flarespell cast off the north gate.” He replied. “The Night Watch responded and found you, Fortune, and Star Swirl unconscious. Why does that matter?”

“Because that means that Reliquary wasn’t actually up there.” Daring Do stated, and then she looked at Chrysalis. “It was you, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, I went up the mountain with you in place of Reliquary.” Chrysalis said. “But she did not turn to me; I turned to her. My brood was searching the mountains for a suitable place to create a hive outpost when they found the ruins. Something I now know to be those machines attacked them and the survivors called for me. I recalled all but a few of them and I came down here seeking revenge for my brood. Reliquary is an old contact of mine; we have had several encounters over the years. I heard she was in the Crystal Empire and I sought her out. It was her plan to call upon fo- pardon, two, of the greatest adventurers in Equestria.”

Daring Do’s ears perked up. She had caught Chrysalis stumble on the number of their group, too. She made a mental note to ask about it later.

“Why were you interested in making an outpost here?” Cadance asked coolly.

“To keep an eye on the Crystal Heart, of course.” Chrysalis replied, staring straight into Cadance’s eyes.

“To steal it?” Cadance inquired.

“To protect it.” Chrysalis said. “The changelings benefit from the Crystal Heart simply by having it active. Naturally, I have a vested interest in keeping it that way.”

“So if we got attacked, you’d help us?” Cadance pressed further.

“Of course, a small portion of my troops have already infiltrated the city guard. If something were to happen to the Heart, I would be informed immediately.” Chrysalis stated with a wry smile, and she gave Shining Armor a coy glance. “By the way, ‘Green-Watch Protocol’? That one put the entire hive in an uproar.”

“Nice to know I-” Shining Armor began, but Chrysalis cut him off.

“Me and mine have honestly never laughed so hard in our lives.” She said. “Perhaps you should consider becoming a comedian.”

Shining Armor sat back, his face hot with embarrassment.

“I’ll be putting it under revision once we’re through here.” He murmured sulkily.

“Later, Your Grace.” Daring Do said. “Right now, we need to start reviewing the information we have on these machines.” She slid a sketch of one of the machines onto the table. “This thing right here is one of the things that attacked us in the ruins on the mountain. It’s bipedal and has some kind of projectile weapon on its right arm.”

“Projectile… you mean arrows?” Shining Armor asked.

“No… they seemed similar to spell blasts.” Daring Do replied. “I don’t think they were using magic, though. There was no build up to the projectiles and the machines were firing them rapidly.”

“And how did they render the three of you unconscious, Miss Rose?” Cadance asked and Daring shifted uncomfortably.

“I… don’t know.” Daring replied. “I can’t remember much of the escape… all I get are some scattered memories and the feeling that I… I was…”

“…being sucked away.” Fortune finished. “Like someone was trying to take you apart like a puzzle and put you together somewhere else.”

Star Swirl gave low growl at this and everyone in the room looked at him.

“Something on your mind, Archmage?” Chrysalis asked.

“Yes.” He replied. “I believe these automata attempted to displace you and your friends in time. If your damaged memories are any suggestion, they may have succeeded to a degree.”

“Meaning?” Shining Armor inquired.

“Meaning that…” Daring’s breath caught and she covered her mouth in horror. “That we lost people in there… and we don’t remember them!”

“If only half of my apprentices had been a sharp as you, Lady Rose.” Star Swirl remarked approvingly.

“But… but that’s not possible!” Reliquary exclaimed. “How can they just… remove somepony from existence?!”

“Temporal displacement is not something I am familiar with.” Star Swirl said. “I spent years studying time magic and yet these machines show me that I have barely scratched the surface. It is… disconcerting.”

The table fell silent, the ramifications of what Star Swirl had said sank in.

“This may take awhile…” Shining Armor sighed wistfully and then he pulled the sketch over to himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cadance ignite a roll of parchment in flame and the ashes flew out the window. He smiled, knowing she had probably just sent a message to Twilight.

Rose Quartz and one of her subordinates, Pearl Essence, trotted around a street corner as they made the rounds between the checkpoints. They approached the next checkpoint on their path and Pearl gave a huff in dissatisfaction at the vacant post.

“Ugh, I thought we told everypony to leave at least one guard in position at all times!” She exclaimed irritably. “For all we know, changelings could have gotten past this checkpoint and into the castle!”

Rose looked around and saw a black pegasus stallion with a dirty teal mane trot slowly and cautiously out from behind a building. It looked around shiftily and when it laid eyes on Rose, it started but didn’t run away. Rose approached the stallion calmly and smiled.

“Hi there.” She greeted. “My name is Rose Quartz, of the city watch. Do you know where my subordinates went? They’re supposed to be watching this street.”

The pegasus said nothing, but pointed a hoof fearfully down an alleyway. Rose turned and saw a figure lying prone in the shadows. She quickly rushed over to it and discovered that the figure was one of the guards she had assigned to the checkpoint…

And he was dead, a clean wound in his breast and blood having spread in a large pool around him.

“By Faust…” She murmured and she looked further down alley. There was another dark pool behind the building that she could only assume was blood, too. She trotted over to it and saw the decapitated corpse of the other guard, a look of surprise plain on his frozen muzzle. Rose Quartz gagged, but kept herself together.

“Rose? Whatever are you doing in this… filthy alley? Don’t tell me those lazybones are down here-” Pearl Flair approached the entrance to the alley, saw the corpse of one of the guards, and gave a terrified scream. “OH SWEET CELESTIA, IS HE DEAD?!”

“Pearl, sweetie, please lower your voice or you’ll cause a panic.” Rose said calmly as she approached the hysterical crystal guardspony. “And yes; they both are.”

“B-But… but how, did changelings do this?!” Pearl exclaimed.

“I don’t think so…” Rose replied, and then she looked at the pegasus, who returned her gaze fearfully and she could clearly see he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. She trotted up to him again. “Did you see who did this?”

The stallion looked from her to the alley, and then back to her.

“Y-Yes, I saw…” He said slowly.

“Tell me who; I have to know who did this.” Rose pressed and the stallion quivered slightly.

“I… not know but…” He paused and then looked Rose in the eye. “Was big… big and evil. Stood on two legs.” He waved his right forehoof. “Weapon, used it to kill. Killed fast, quietly.”

“Two legs… was it a minotaur?” Rose asked calmly and the pegasus shook his head.

“No, not minotaur.” He told her. “Not normal. Was dark, evil… had red eye on head. Evil, evil red eye.” He suddenly grasped Rose Quartz and shook her. “Stared at castle! Evil plans for castle! Must go, must warn! She is in danger!” He released Rose Quartz and suddenly flew away toward the castle. Rose stood silently before she rounded on Pearl.

“Sound the alarm, the Princess and Prince are in danger!” Rose commanded, but Pearl was frozen with fear so Rose shouted. “PEARL ESSENCE! Go and alert the watch, now!”

The crystal pony stammered and then dashed away. Rose watched her depart and then gave an exhausted sigh. She would not be resting this day.

Author's Note

Grimoire Card acquired: Ghost Fragment: Ian "Gospel" McKenzie, Aveline Vanguard Profile

Ghost Fragment: Ian "Gospel" McKenzie

Recording made by Scripture of a meeting between Warlock “Gospel” and Executor Hideo of New Monarchy.

Executor Hideo: “Good evening, Warlock. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

Gospel: “No problem. I’m curious as to why, though.”

Hideo: “Simple, really. New Monarchy could really use you in our ranks. You were alive well before the Golden Age occurred, a period in which little to no recorded history can be found; your insight into how the world once was would be invaluable to our cause.”

Gospel: “You sure about that, Executor?”

Hideo: “Hideo, please; I’m only Executor when I’m at the Tower.”

Gospel: “Fair enough. I’m going to be very honest with you, Hideo; I’m not interested in joining your organization. I don’t agree with what you all want, and I sure as hell don’t agree with your methods so far.”

Hideo: “We have the best intentions, Gospel. We only want what’s best for the City.”

Gospel: “And I respect that you want to protect the people, really I do, but I’ve heard too many politicians in my day say those exact words and a lot of those guys ended up being not-so-great people, with not-so-great plans for the places they lived.”

Hideo: “I’m sure that was true then. But this is now, and New Monarchy isn’t like that.”

Gospel: *laughs* “Aren’t they? Hideo, you’re a good man, but you’re either horribly naïve or really that ignorant. Having one guy make all the rules always ends up with a tyrant somewhere down the line or worse, a puppet on a string for a group of tyrants.”

Hideo: “I’ll take that as a sign you won’t talk to me, then?”

Gospel: “The Archive has a record of everything I could remember from that time. I held nothing back, but I don’t think it’ll help your cause; if anything, New Monarchy won’t like the idea of how my home was run when I left it.”

Hideo: “Really? Why is that?”

Gospel: “Because a government run by the people is the exact opposite of what your organization wants.”

Hideo: “I see… thank you for your time, Ian-”

Gospel: “Gospel. Only my friends can call me by my name.”

Hideo: “We’re not friends?”

Gospel: “No, I said I liked you. A man can like a snake, but he would be stupid to believe it won’t bite him. Take care, Executor; keep what I’ve said in mind.”

Hideo: “I suppose I shall. Farewell, Warlock.”

Aveline Vanguard Profile:

Name: Aveline Mara L'Freille
Race: Awoken, Reefborn
Vanguard affiliation: Hunter
Previous affiliation: 1st Royal Scouting Regiment
Weight: [redacted]
Skin: Indigo
Hair: Verdant with yellow highlights
Eyes: green
Height: 5’ 2”

Skillset:
Advanced training with all known armaments, including experimental, directed energy-based platforms.
Experience in scouting, tracking, and observation.
High marksmanship scores with long–range rifles; recommended for covert target elimination at extreme ranges.
Trained in unknown advanced martial skillset, with a particular focus on CQC weaponry such as knives, swords, etc.

Personnel bio:
Aveline Mara L’ Freille hailed as a highly trained asset in the 1st Royal Scouting Regiment of the Reef, with presumed ties to an as-of-yet unknown Reef intelligence network. According to her, the current Queen of the Reef had not yet assumed power and the Reef was engaged in combat operations against the Fallen House of Wolves. Due to infrequent contact with the Reef – and their complete unwillingness to share intel – it is unknown when Aveline was originally KIA. Aveline, herself, has been forthcoming with only vague information regarding the Reef and refuses to part with any kind of actionable intelligence. Despite this withholding, she has been willing to take to the field for the Vanguard and assist in the reclamation of lost assets.

With her assistance, the Vanguard has been able to eliminate key targets and acquire locations all across the inner system. This includes, but is not limited to: acquisition of a lost installation on the Moon (currently under Crucible jurisdiction), elimination of several high–priority Cabal targets in Freehold on Mars, uncovering information regarding the Vault of Glass and tracking down a Fallen Servitor hiding in the European Dead Zone. Her most noteworthy accomplishment is, alongside her fireteam and several other Guardians, staging a raid upon the inner depths of the Hellmouth on the Moon and eliminating the Hive Commander (demigod?), Crota, and severely reducing the Hive’s presence on the Moon.

*Addendum: Currently deployed on a long distance recon mission to an unknown planet.

Mentor notes: Just so we’re clear, I hate having to do these things. Every day I sit at that damn table is -
Right, Aveline L’Freille is probably one of my favorite people in the Tower. She’s nice, always shows up cheerful and ready to work, and she puts up with that mouthy Warlock with the fucked attitude that Ikora dotes on. Oh yeah, she’s pretty handy with a blade too! Let me tell you how I found out.

Invited her to a night on the town with me and a couple of my buddies one day. This dive we drink at – yes, by “we” I mean “everybody but me” – has this wall where you can do pretty much anything you want to it; paint it, break it, piss on it, anything. Decided we’d have a little competition, see who could throw knives the best. Okay, okay I’ll admit, the guy who’d brought it up had kicked a few too many back, I remember because his Ghost wouldn’t shut up about it.

Anyway, we’re throwing knives at the wall. My buddies were shitfaced of course, so I was kicking their asses. Aveline, however, was just sitting there, watching us and occasionally shaking her head disapprovingly. I finally got a little pissed off – just a little – and I challenged her to do better. She just gives me this sweet smile, gets out of her seat, and grabs some knives.

I move to pull the others out of the wall but she tells me to leave them. Then, almost faster than I can see, she puts every single one of her knives in the same places as the others. I mean, they were touching and she made it look damn easy; made us look like fools too. Scary thing was, she had been drinking some pretty strong stuff; she had been sauced and she still managed to show us up. I’d hate to see what she could do when she’s sober… and actually trying.

Author's note: if you saw that weird text at the end of the chapter, I'm sorry. I don't know how that happened.