The Princess, The Visitor, and The Marionette

"Very good... I'm happy that most of you were able to fulfill your monthly payments once again, it's really in everyone's best interest that these things go smoothly," Willow said as she finished her wine.

"However... most of you isn't all of you, and I'd like an explanation as to why, Princess Twilight."

"I'm sorry Lady Willow it's just... business is hard! P-Ponyville is only a distributor! We don't have many restaurants or attractions that bring in new ponies so it's—"

"Celestia, Luna, Cadence, you're dismissed. I have some things to discuss with Princess Twilight here."

The other Princesses sadly nod their head in agreement and begin to leave the room.

"Celestia!" Twilight cried softly as she touched her hoof.

Celestia turns and brings her head down towards Twilight and touches her forehead.

"Be strong Twilight, as forgiving as Willow can be, you mustn't make her angry... for your own sake and everyone elses."

Celestia brings her head back up and leaves the room with Luna and Cadence. Twilight turns around to see Willow gesturing her to come closer to her. She nervously walks towards Willow and stops when gestured to.

"Twilight... I know how hard it must be for you. Your old town has become a city engulfed in smog and crime... I don't blame you for having a tough time trying to make something work there," Willow said softly as she brushed her red hoof through Twilight's mane.

As Willow continues to speak, Peri lights a single candle and places it in the middle of the table. The room begins to get more dim until the only illumination left in the room is the ominous light of the candle.

"I've already lowered your payments 3 times... any more and it won't be profitable to me anymore... and I'm sure you know what happens to things I have no need of anymore right?"

Everyone's shadow dances in the background as the candle flickers in the dark. Twilight looks behind Willow and begins hyperventilating as she sees Willow's shadow grow in size and expand off the couch onto the wall of the room. With a wide grin and unnaturally happy holes for eyes, her sentient shadow walks along the wall towards Twilight's shadow and grabs it by its neck. Twilight herself grabs her own neck, desperately trying to breathe as her shadow is being choked out.

"Please... I'll pay... I promise... I will!" Twilight cried as best she could as she began to lose consciousness.

Willow gestures at her shadow, in which it releases it's grip on Twilight and returns to normal under Willow herself. Twilight breathes heavily and frantically with tearing running down her face.

"This is the last time I'll let this slide Twilight. Next month, if you come to me again with the same result..." Willow warned as her shadow began to grow again.

"Ponyville will have to make due without a Princess."

"Y-You have my word I promise! I'll bring you the money! I won't fail again, Lady Willow!" Twilight cried.

"Good, you're dismissed, Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight bows her head down and turns to leave the room as she rubbed her neck in pain.

[ Luci's Perspective ]

Luci sleeps soundly throughout the night despite the bed being as comfortable as a concrete floor, but it didn't matter this night since her exhaustion from walking so far overpowered her. Hours pass and Luci's alarm clock starts to go off. Luci opens her eyes slightly and let's out an annoyed groan as she turns on her side to face the alarm clock. She lifts her hoof and hits the alarm clock multiple times, trying to turn it off. After the 8th hit she finally succeeds as her hoof falls and hangs off the bed as she falls back to sleep. About 20 minutes pass and Luci is still out like a light but someone starts knocking on her door.

"Luci? Are you awake?" Starlight asked while knocking on her door. "It's Starlight! Are you still asleep? I told you to set your alarm for 7 a.m!"

Starlight stops knocking and waits for a reply from Luci, but to no avail. She lets out an annoyed sigh and takes out a gold key from inside her uniform and unlocks Luci's door. She enters the room and closes the door behind her as she looks around and makes her way towards the bedroom. Starlight finds Luci hanging off the edge of her bed and snoring vehemently.

"Luci wake up!" Starlight said while shaking her. "LUCI!"

"I didn't take the last piece I swear!" Luci yelled as she sat up quickly and surprised. "W-Wait... Starilight? How did you get in my room?"

"I have a master key for most places in the city, now come on Luci! You were supposed to be up 25 minutes ago, we have a lot to do today."

"Right right sorry, I was just so tired after yesterday that I guess I really just wanted to sleep in."

"Well at least you slept well so that's good, oh by the way before we get started with anything I have to take down some personal information about you," Starlight said as a clipboard appeared in front of her. "Don't worry, it's just so we have you on file as a resident of Ponyville."

"Oh okay, that's understandable I suppose."

"It'll just be a few questions, just let me take down your basic appearance first..." Starlight said as she wrote. "White coat... blonde mane... blue eyes... is your ponytail with side bangs how you more or less always keep your mane?"

"Yea pretty much, it's my favorite manestyle after all."

"Alright then, now onto the questions. I'm not the biggest fan of these questions since they seem so... linear but I didn't make them, so please try to answer them as best as you can okay?"

"Mhm!"

"First question, why did you decide to come to Ponyville?"

"I want to make a name for myself and to also see the world since I lived on a rock farm my entire life, so I figured Ponyville would be the best place to start."

"Next question, do you plan on leaving Ponyville anytime in the future?"

"Well I do want to be a part of Princess Celestia's Royal Guard, so eventually when I make enough money I want to move Canterlot, so yes I do plan on leaving in the future, but it probably won't be anytime soon."

"Last question, what's your special talent?"

"My special talent? Oh... well, I honestly don't really know."

"You don't know? You've never gotten your cutie mark?"

"No no I've gotten my cutie mark, I just... have no idea what it means."

Starlight walks over to Luci's side and looks at her cutie mark. It looks similar to Twilight's, but it's white and gold. Luci is an earth pony too so it couldn't possibly have anything to do with magic.

"Huh... I don't have any ideas either. How did you get it?"

"It just showed up one day when I was working on the farm! If you want specifics, I think it showed up around the same time I started seeing those plumes of smoke pop up all around the place, but I didn't know what they meant at the time."

"That's so odd... we should ask Princess Twilight when she gets back from her meeting in Canterlot with Princess Celestia," Starlight suggested as her clipboard vanished.

"She's meeting with Princess Celestia?"

"Along with the other Princesses, they have a meeting in Canterlot about once a month but I don't know what it's about. I can only hope they're trying to find a way to fix things around here..."

Starlight sighs as she remains silent for a few seconds.

Luci walks up and touches Starlight's shoulder and smiles softly.

"Ah anyway here, I have something for you," Starlight said as a small box appeared in front of Luci.

"A present!? For me?"

"Something like that."

Luci quickly opens the box and takes out a brand new gray uniform, much like the ones every other pony was wearing.

"It's uh... cute?" Luci said sparingly.

"Here in Ponyville we go by a dress code, it's easier since most ponies here work in one of the factories."

"Does this mean you'll be putting me to work in one of those factories too?"

"Well for now it's just so you have something to wear so ponies know you're apart of the city, you are a new face after all and other ponies might try to take advantage of that as I'm sure you know firsthoof..."

"You got that right... alright, thanks Starlight!" Luci thanked as she put the gray work uniform on.

"Now I have some ideas about what you could do for work but it really depends on you, working in the factories is a last resort type thing if you don't like your choices."

"Alright! but before we get started Starlight, could I ask for just one more favor from you?"

"What is it?"

"Can we get breakfast? I haven't eaten any solid in days..." Luci pleaded as her stomach growled.

"Sure follow me, there's a place nearby that isn't terribly expensive," Starlight laughed as the two of them left Luci's room.

Starlight and Luci trot through the main road of Ponyville, which also leads to Princess Twilight's castle. Luci notices the castle in the distance but she felt more conflicted than anything. The castle is completely dark in color, most likely because of all the ash and smog it covered whatever the castle's previous color was.

"Alright Luci, this is the place," Starlight said as she pointed at the building.

"The Ironworks? This is a restaurant?"

"We don't have any restaurants exactly in Ponyville anymore, just bars; but it's better than nothing right?"

"As long as I get to eat something I'm fine no matter where we go!" Luci laughed.

"What are you going to do about it huh? It's not like you can do anything about it!" A stallion yelled from nearby.

"What was that?" Luci questioned as she looks around the streets until she sees a pony on the ground being harassed and beaten by 3 other stallions near a building.

"That pony! She's being beaten! We have to help her!" Luci declared but is stopped by Starlight's hoof.

"Don't do it Luci! You'll only be making more trouble for yourself if you get involved!"

"But no one else is doing anything! I can't just leave her there! Can't do you anything to help her!?"

"This kind of stuff happens all the time here in Ponyville, it's just how things have become..."

"How things have become? Do you hear yourself!? The only reason things like this are happening is because no one is bothering to stand up and do the right thing! All anyone cares about anymore is money money money! I for one, can't just sit back and watch this happen!"

"But Luci! Helping her won't change things around here! You'll save one pony but nothing will—"

"Didn't you say yesterday that it was your fault that I got robbed? That if you'd done something serious about it earlier it may have never happened and that you'd try to change things now? Why are you suddenly going back on your word now Starlight?" Luci interrogated.

"Well that's... it's because..."

"Stop making excuses Starlight! I know you're a good pony, but you're too afraid to try and make things happen around here! Well not me! I'm going to go save that pony! With or without your help!" Luci declared as she ran towards the pony in distress.

Starlight lifts her hoof and prepares to call out to Luci, but stops herself before she does and looks down at the ground in sadness.

"HEY!" Luci yelled as she stomped her hoof down. "Leave her alone now!"

"Whoaa what's this? We got a little hero on our hooves here boys! You don't see that around here anymore!" The stallion laughed.

"H-Huh?" The injured pony cried softly as she tried to look at Luci.

"You heard me! I said let her go!"

"Oh? and if we don't? What are you gonna do about it?" The stallion mocked as he walks up closer to Luci.

Luci lifts her hoof and delivers a swift punch across the stallion's face. Surprised, the other 2 stallions walk up next to the one that was punched. He rubs his face and smiles, and punches Luci across the face twice as hard, dropping her to the ground. A crowd began to form around them.

"Agh!" Luci cried as she held her now bleeding nose.

"See what happens when you try to be a hero girl? That's why there's a lack of em around here!" The stallion said as he began kicking her.

"Ugh! Q-Quick! Run!" Luci yelled to the pony who was previously being beaten. "While they're focused on me! Get away! Agh!"

"W-Why? Why are you helping me?" The pony questioned as she tried to get up. "I have to..."

"STOP!" Starlight yelled, coming out from behind the crowd. "I won't have you 3 hurt these ponies anymore!"

"Starlight?" Luci said softly. "You came..."

"Well well well if it isn't the Princess's little lapdog? Just what do you think you're going to do huh?"

"Unless you want the Princess here about this, it'd be in your best interest to stop this. Immediately," Starlight warned.

"Pfft, as if the Princess would do anything, this kind of stuff happens everywhere! You can't stop it!"

"Maybe you're right, but what you're doing is keeping these ponies from working, which in turn is slowing down productivity."

"Yea? So what?"

"So unless you want to risk answering to Willow for slowing things down, it's probably for the best if you stop..." Starlight threatened.

Willow? Did she just say Willow? She's not real right? I'd rather not find out... You've heard the rumors about her! The crowded murmured in fear.

The 3 stallions back up a bit from Starlight and Luci, eyes wavering back and fourth.

"Oh... W-Willow huh? You think I'll fall for that? S-She's just a rumor after all! She isn't real!" The stallion said nervously.

"Do you really want to take that chance?"

The 3 stallions looked at each other and backed away from everyone.

"Come on guys! T-These ponies ain't worth our time!" The stallion said as they all left the area in a hurry.

Starlight breathes a sigh of relief and bends down to help Luci up. The crowd of ponies began to dissipate.

"Are you alright Luci? They didn't hurt you too bad did they?"

"I'm alright, thanks to you!" Luci said as she wiped the blood from her muzzle.

"You were right, about everything Luci... I have to stop standing on the sidelines! If things are ever gonna change around here... I have to do something about it!"

"We have to do something about it!" Luci smiled as the two of them hug.

Luci looks over and realizes the pony she tried to save is walking towards her.

"Umm... Luci was it? Did I hear your name right?" The pony asked nervously.

"That's right! Are you alright? You're not hurt too badly are you?"

"N-No I'm fine... thanks to you. It's just a few bruises, nothing time won't fix... but they did still make off with what little money I had..."

"Oh no! Really!? I'm so sorry! If only I was stronger I could've done something more!" Luci said angrily.

"Please don't be mad at yourself! I'm already very thankful for what you did! If you hadn't stepped in I don't know what would've happened..."

Luci looks down at the ground with anger in her eyes. She then takes out her small money pouch from her uniform and takes out 50 bits.

"Here, take it," Luci demands.

"That's very nice of you... but I wouldn't be able to pay you back anytime soon with my position at the factory and—"

"I'm not asking you to pay me back."

"W-What? You don't... want me to pay you back?" The pony said completely stunned. "But... money is everything to everyone here... I don't understand..."

"Money is everything to everyone here because we make it that way! That's why I'm going to do everything in my power to change that!" Luci delcared. "So here, take the money! Please!"

The pony hesitates at first, but eventually takes the money offered.

"Thank you... thank you so much! You have no idea how much this will help me!" The pony cried as she and Luci hug. "Will I see you again?"

"Of course, I'm new here so I have to get used to this place first, but you'll definitely see me around! I hope I see you around too uh..."

"Oh sorry! I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Lyra, Lyra Heartstrings! I work at the factory in the 6th district so if please pop by if you're around!"

"Uhh yea totally! It was great meeting you Lyra!" Luci said happily as she waved goodbye to Lyra.

"You want to go finally eat?" Starlight asked.

"Please."

Starlight and Luci trot into The Ironworks. Luci looks around and notices a small table in the corner of the room away from the populace.

"Let's sit there!"

Starlight nods in agreement and the two of them trot to the table in the back and sit down.

"Order whatever you want, it's on me," Starlight offered.

"I am eternally grateful..." Luci laughed.

The waiter walks up to the table shortly and takes out a pen and pad.

"What are you having?"

"I'll have a bagel with cream cheese and a glass of water," Starlight said.

"I'll have 5 of whatever she's having and water!" Luci asked excitedly. "I'm sorry I'm really hungry..."

The waiter nods and goes to give the order in the back room. Luci sits back in her chair and looks at Starlight, whose fixing the collar on her uniform.

"So Starlight... do you think you could tell me now... about you know who?"

"Hm? Who?"

"You know... Willow?" Luci whispered.

"Luci! Didn't I tell you not to say her name in public!?" Starlight said seriously.

"But you just mentioned her again today! I'm dying to know Starlight! Who is she!?"

The waiter returns with 2 glasses of water and sets them down on the table for the both of them. Starlight lifts her water and drinks nearly half the glass in one go. She sighs after she finishes and looks at Luci.

"I don't know much about Willow... nobody really knows much about her honestly. A lot of ponies don't even think she's real, that she's just a rumor created to explain why the world is the way it is... the rumor though is that she's a powerful pony who conducts business in the shadows... that she somehow has connections to every establishment in Equestria, but nopony has ever seen her..."

"Connections to every establishment in Equestria? So she... owns everything?" Luci questioned. "That can't possibly be true, right? Especially if nopony's every seen her!"

"Who knows... another rumor is that she apparently has eyes and ears everywhere, no matter where you are, and that she'll offer deals to those who are in a financial crisis... but if you don't pay off your debt..."

"What Starlight?"

"Some ponies say she comes for you... and that she either kills you or takes you away... missing pony reports do show up regularly and we have found incidents in which ponies are found... deceased, but there's never any proof that connects them to the possibility of it even being Willow... that's why I don't want you to say her name sparingly! I honestly don't know if she's real or not but I don't want you take any chances! Heck I've already used her name twice to protect myself and I'm nervous..."

"I never thought someone like that would have such a hold on Equestria... it's... it's mind blowing honestly!"

The waiter returns with the bagels and sets them on the table.

"Listen, just forget about her for now. We can talk more about it later if you want, but for now let's just enjoy our breakfast, okay?"

"Yea... sure Starlight," Luci said as she bites into her bagel and chews slowly.

Willow... who are you?