Resurgence

The two princesses stand quietly next to each other, watching the guards work on the flagpole before them. Neither of the alicorns have said a word, opting instead to listen to the distant, unintelligible conversations of the many ponies who called Canterlot their home. It was neither an awkward silence, nor one of comforting embrace. To the princesses, the flagpole could have been the only thing in existence.

“...What does this change?”

The tall, ivory alicorn casts her gaze off to the side of the pole in response; but not quite far enough to reach the younger princess. “Our job remains the same.”

One of the guards places a large wooden box on the ground, gently removing its contents with his magic.

“Last night, at the gathering… It all went so well—and yet, there was a stillness in the air…” The older alicorn turns to watch the violet pony as she finishes her sentiment. “...It felt like I was ending a chapter in my life.”

The princesses return to watching the guards, who had begun mounting the new flag.

“You’re hesitant to start a new chapter.”

The violet pony carefully lowers her head, mindful of the crown she wears. “It feels like just yesterday I became a princess, and now…”

The eyes of the ivory alicorn follow the new flag carefully, as it makes its long ascent to where the old flag still blows gently in the wind. “The prospect of change is often more frightening than the change it actually brings; wouldn’t you agree?”

The young princess briefly watches her mentor, considering her words with much thought. She eventually turns, noticing the new flag to finally be positioned beneath the old.

It was a bold display. The red, white and blue were nearly impossible to ignore, when compared to the pale cloth above it.

A Story by Zvn

Powerful, somewhat haunting chords belt out of the pipe organ at the end of the grand hall, their sound reaching even the most distant corners of the gargantuan room, around tall pillars and poised statues. “The Star Spangled Banner”, Twilight was told it’s named.

The room also held many rows of wooden benches, most of which host only a layer of dust; several near the front, however, are claimed by a hoof-full of ponies from both the city, and the quiet town of Ponyville.

Twilight sits motionlessly at the end of one bench, Celestia and her younger sister, Luna, to the violet alicorn’s left. A quick glance away from the passionate stallion playing the organ, and instead toward her mentor Celestia, draws an honest smile from the ivory pony, to which Twilight happily returns. Her attention is only briefly held when it returns to the organ player, replaced by a glance to her other side, at the benches where her six friends sit. Rainbow Dash had evidently just defeated Pinkie Pie in a game of reaction with their outstretched hooves, Pinkie pouting playfully with her forearms held tightly against her chest, and Applejack chastising the two like a parent trying to manage her foals.

Twilight’s stare is held there much longer than her moment with Celestia, only breaking when the booming notes of the organ come to an end. A frail, elderly stallion shuffles up to the podium facing the many benches in the hall, and the ponies perched on them. A shaky field of levitation shuffles through a stack of papers atop the podium, as the room sits in anticipation, and a touch of impatience. After finding the right document, and clearing his sickly throat, the stallion looks up at his audience, and speaks.

“The Council thanks the staff of the Canterlot Theatre for their performance, the archival services of Canterlot for their continuing efforts, and, of course the princesses—” the eyes of the room turn to the three alicorns sitting next to one another “—for their centuries of leadership, and… courage…” The aging unicorn squints his eyes as he looks closer at the text. “...And their presence today is not merely ceremonial, Princess Celestia herself has prepared a speech reflecting on the—revelations unearthed in the past few months, and the… significance, of the days yet to come.”

The audience stands respectfully as the old pony collects his things and shambles away from the podium, Princess Celestia walking to the front of the room to proceed his introduction.

“Thank you, Councilman Bishop. And thank you all for being here today.” Celestia pauses to look around at the bright faces of her pupils. “Many millennia ago, humanity took its first steps among the grasses and valleys of our world. They were a curious, and brilliant people.” Twilight’s eyes go wide with excitement, despite having heard the story many times before. “They would lead incredible lives, saturated with discovery, art, and accomplishment. They’d tell stories of adventure, mystery, of unseen worlds, created entirely with only pen and an unchallenged imagination. And in the end—before their legacy would be swept away in the maelstrom of time and fate, these beings, would create us.”

A chill settles over the young alicorn who watches with awe as her mentor continues.

“...Today, my children, that legacy once again emerges from the mist. Today… humanity reunites with us.”

Twilight exhales a shaky breath as the audience returns to their hooves and fills the room with a thunderous applause.

* * *

A brilliant sun rises over the jagged peaks of Foal Mountain, an expansive forest engulfing the base of the cliffs, and the city of Baltimare just visible on the horizon. The bright rays blanket all of the land in a serene warmth; little of that light, however, reaches the room nestled at the top of a stone tower, where two individuals stand quietly.

One is an earth pony of the Liberty Guard, his helmet resting on the wooden table before him, his muzzle moving erratically as he uses it to scribble notes onto a piece of parchment. His coat is a forest green, a curly black mane and tail emerging from the ends of his dirty suit of armor. He briefly pauses his writing to mumble quietly to himself, head tilted back in thought as he chews the end of his pen.

The other figure in the room—a diamond dog with a slim build and fur mottled with spots of dirt—leans casually against the metal bars between him and the pony, watching the bright square of light pouring in from the window above them. One arm rests against the metal for support, his paws meeting together in front of his chest as his thumb gently rubs one side of his index finger. He has tired eyes and droopy ears, an unmoving frown settled on his muzzle. The sound of the guard’s pen sliding against his notes draws the diamond dog’s attention away from the light, and a curious look grows in his eyes.

“Looking Glass.”

The pony stops his scrawling, looking over his shoulder to where the voice came from. “Huh?”

The diamond dog shifts his weight so that he can face the guard directly. “Is that your name; Looking Glass?”

The guard hesitates to respond, eyeing the prisoner conspicuously. “How do you know that?”

“I overheard it; downstairs, when you were talking with the other guard.” The emotionless look the prisoner was wearing suddenly gives way to a genuine smile. “I’m Cave.”

Looking Glass continues to stare, eyes still narrowed in suspicion. “I know that.”

Cave half-laughs through a crooked smile. “Right; you brought me in. I just figured… if we’re going to be here for a while—”

“—You just figured you’ll get all friendly with the guy with the keys, is that it?”

The diamond dog takes a step back from the bars, putting his paws up before him. “Hey, I’d just like to have a little conversation somewhere in these next hundred hours.”

Glass scoffs. “Right.” The pony turns his head back toward the table as he continues his conversation with the prisoner. “I’m not a hatchling, buddy, been with the guard for over six years now.”

Cave tilts his head as he leans back in against the bar. “Now see, that sounds a lot nicer than ‘I’ve been laying railroad for the better half of my life’.”

Looking Glass only acknowledges the diamond dog with a brief look over his shoulder. The scribbling of the pen resumes for a short while, Cave relaxing quietly in his cell. Eventually, the sound of writing freezes again, as the earth pony slowly gives in to the urge to turn his profile once more. “That why you did it?”

Cave opens his eyes from a moment of thought, looking between the bars with a puzzled expression. “How’s that?”

“Boredom? ...You got tired of waking up to the same day for twenty years?”

“...Perhaps...”

The diamond dog’s narrow pupils drift down to the stone floor as he mulls over the question. “...There was a strange feeling I got, that morning. Like I hadn’t yet woken from a dream… like… nothing had ever been real. And when the moment came, I felt… everything; come crashing down over me...”

The guard’s dagger-like eyes relax a bit after the prisoner finishes, and he looks up and down Cave’s figure. “We all have to pay our dues. And for those who truly want it; redemption awaits.”

The two make eye contact again as Cave pulls his stare up off of the ground. He silently nods to the pony, who takes the gesture as an understanding, and returns to his work.

* * *

A cool breeze blows through the streets of Ponyville, embracing Princess Twilight as she stands still atop her balcony, simply enjoying the air. The sound of leaves rustling and birds chirping creates a sweet serenade for the alicorn, who shuts her eyes and retreats within herself, feeling the edge of a nap creeping up on her. It only takes the sound of distant knocking to tear her from her lull.

Twilight steps closer to the edge of her ornate balcony to peer over the wall, quickly spotting a pinkish figure standing amidst the sea of green.

“Starlight?”

The unicorn on the ground takes a step back from Twilight’s door, and looks upward to locate the source of the voice. After finding her friend up on the balcony, Starlight cheerfully waves a hoof to greet her. “I hope I’m not disturbing you!”

Princess Twilight quickly dismisses the pony’s concern with a wave of her hoof. “Not at all! Just hang on, I’ll be down in a minute!”

After letting her friend in, Twilight walks with Starlight Glimmer down the cavernous halls of her crystal palace, flying through short formalities and routine small talk with the mare. Eventually, the two enter the heart of the building, where six thrones surround a dormant Cutie Map, and the roots of Golden Oaks hang far above, the wood imbued with magic. Twilight is the first to find a seat, Starlight quickly finding another next to her friend. A small fan oscillates on the table between them, as Starlight Glimmer continues their chit chat.

“Celestia sure gave one heck of a speech the other day, didn’t she?”

Twilight’s eyes light up as she leans in to reply. “Oh, wasn’t it just incredible? I almost teared up in front of The High Council!”

The pink unicorn smiles playfully. “It was pretty good, but to be fair; I once saw you cry over a book you spilled a drink on.”

“Well, that wasn’t really—” Princess Twilight pauses as she gets a better look at her friend’s teasing smirk and relaxed brow. The alicorn’s wing instinctually flares out just enough for her to hide her muzzle in embarrassment if need be. “Oh.”

Laughter begins to echo around the room as the two ponies enjoy the jest. Twilight’s sheepish laugh trails out just a little bit further than Starlight’s, who stares for a curiously long time at her dear friend’s smile.

“I suppose I can get a tad emotional about things…”

Starlight Glimmer straightens her back as the cool air from the fan reaches the pony, and tears her from her daydream. “So, what’d you see in the vault?” The violet alicorn pauses at the question, pursing her lips but failing to speak. This elicits an eye roll from Starlight, who leans against the table as she prods further. “Oh, come on! Everypony knows Celestia showed it to you!”

The princess’s lips expand out into a smile before she responds. “I can’t confirm or deny anything right now, but—I suspect it’s pretty exciting.”

“Right.” Starlight looks off to the side, toward the engravings of a tall stained glass mural. “I’ll get you to crack, Sparkle.”

Feeling somewhat bad for having to withhold such interesting stories, Twilight places both forehooves on the Cutie Map as she excitedly approaches the topic of humanity. “Even with what’s public, it’s pretty interesting though. I mean, they built structures and cities that dwarf our own—and all without the use of magic!”

Head already turned back to face the violet mare, Starlight cocks a brow at the uncharacteristic quote. “I’m kind of surprised to hear the Element of Magic say that…”

“Well—” Twilight begins, leaning back into her chair. “—that’s just from the point of view of a historian, of course. And if you think about it, they virtually were masters of magic; it just manifested differently for them.”

“You’re talking about electricity?”

Twilight nods to her friend, before interjecting with a small correction. “As well as other forms of energy conduction, like microwaves and infrared.”

The young unicorn chuckles softly at Twilight’s fascination. “You’re never going to leave the archives…”

Twilight moves a forehoof up to her muzzle to hopelessly suppress a giggle, then leans in on the table to defend herself. “No, I—” The pony’s violet eyes suddenly shift up to the tall window located behind Starlight, where sunlight is leaking in. “Shoot, what time is it?”

Confused, Starlight Glimmer makes a meager attempt to look around for a clock. “I don’t know, like one or something?”

Twilight is already standing up before the unicorn can finish her sentence. “I’m sorry, but I have to meet with the princesses to rehearse The Summer Sun Celebration!”

Starlight’s eyes follow the pacing alicorn with a mix of surprise and concern. “Okay, I’m sure it’ll be fine… No need to panic.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve really got to go, we’ll catch up later, okay?”

A soft ‘okay’ stumbles out of Starlight’s mouth as the princess canters away, toward the exit. The alicorn looks over her shoulder one last time before leaving, and refers to the mare sitting alone at the table. “Please stay as long as you’d like! I should be back tonight!”

Starlight has little time to do much more than smile and wave as her friend disappears behind the doors. After turning back around, and taking a short moment to enjoy just a few more oscillations of the fan, Starlight too begins to stand up, and make her way to the hall.

The sounds of the mare’s own hoofsteps as she slowly journeys through the castle make a haunting echo. For its grandiose size, Twilight’s castle spent an unusually large amount of time completely empty; the princess had having to practically beg Celestia to keep the royal guard out.

Starlight’s trot only comes to a stop when she reaches a particular, smaller hallway that branches off of the main one. At the end, where darkness encroaches most of passage, the mare focuses on a pair of ornate wooden doors. A strange, vibrant green light draws a shaft of color over the carpet, its source creeping out from underneath the doors. Starlight Glimmer watches the subtle fluctuations of the green light as if transfixed, until she breaks her stare with a sigh and a hung head.

The pony continues her trek down the long hall of Twilight’s castle, refusing to look anywhere but ahead.

* * *

With the sun just settled behind the distant mountains, the prison tower is kept alight only by the glow of a lantern placed between Looking Glass and his prisoner, Cave. The guard pony stares intensely at the line of cards lying before him, then back to the cards he holds against the crate with his hoof. Cave’s arms are separated by metal bars on either side, his wrists resting against the makeshift table and his paws holding his cards tightly. Neither of the creatures say a word, Glass opting to quietly consider his options.

The guard’s hoof slides a card labeled ‘7’ to the end of the line, bringing the total to twenty-nine. It’s a move that elicits a small chuckle out of Cave.

“Well that was forward.”

Looking Glass smiles at his acquaintance's comment, but holds his commentary until after Cave’s move. The diamond dog studies his hand for a short moment, then reaches to the top of the deck with a sigh and an eyeroll. “Here goes nothing…”

Cave pulls the top card from the deck, and places it face up at the end of the line. A four; pushing the total over the thirty point summit, and eliminating Cave from the round. The guard’s smirk grows into a wide smile.

“What’s that; three, zero now?”

“I thought we weren’t keeping score…” The prisoner says with an amused smile of his own.

Looking Glass slides the remainder of his hand into the center of the crate while continuing to poke fun. “You sure you don’t wanna just call it? I mean, can you take much more of this?”

Cave brushes off the jest with a muffled ‘yeah, whatever’, using the biological advantage of his fingers to swipe the cards off of the table. The prisoner takes one last glance at the cards in his hand before tossing them into the pile: a six, three, eight, ten; and an ace.

“I haven’t had a decent meal in days, I don’t know how you—” Looking Glass briefly complains over the prisoner’s excuses “—expect me to strategize on stale bread and soup peppered with, mildew…”

“Oh, come on.” The guard begins. “That’s a staple of the Liberty Guard’s cuisine, right there!” The stallion’s forehoof points toward an empty bowl in the cell, and his words come out with a smile. Cave joins the pony with a half laugh, shaking his head as he begins to shuffle the deck.

“So where the hell is Canterlot?” Cave asks over the flapping of the cards. Looking Glass first answers silently, with his best ‘are you serious?’ look.

“Did you forget about the whole ‘ancient, intelligent alien race’ thing that’s been going on? It could be a month before you’re transferred…”

Cave begins to dispense the freshly shuffled cards, alternating between each side of the table. “Yeah, maybe I could actually learn how to play in that time…”

Glass makes a soft chuckle, then responds to the prisoner with a smirk. “I’m certainly not complaining.”

Hooves dealt, Cave slaps the remaining stack face down onto the table, then hesitates for a moment. “...Surely there’s protocol, or something like it.”

“Yep; and we’ll never hear about it. Trust me, one thing I learned about Canterlot with my time on the job was that they don’t communicate, they just do.”

Cave remains quiet, studying his hand as Looking Glass attempts to view his by precariously holding the cards between his hoof and the edge of the table. Inevitably, gravity takes advantage, and brings three of the left most cards in front of Glass tumbling down.

“Shit—”

The guard begins to frantically collect the fallen cards, wincing as he uses his mouth to remove them from the stone floor. Two of them quickly make their way back on top of the makeshift desk; the third, unknown to the searching pony, lies just outside the prison bars, near the feet of Cave. The diamond dog studies the card for a moment, then crouches down, and with his paw outstretched between the bars, peels the card off of the floor with his fingers.

Looking Glass’s searching eyes come across the prisoner’s extended arm, and the dusty old card sandwiched between his fingers. The dancing light in the lantern highlights the claws protruding from the ends of Cave’s fingers, dark grime surrounding them. Hesitation holds the guard, who looks from the prisoner’s paw to his face, pressed against the metal bars and half hidden in shadow.

“...Thanks.” The earth pony steps forward, craning his neck forward to retrieve the card from Cave’s grasp. With his mouth on the side facing him, Looking Glass pulls the card from the prisoner’s paw with ease.

“Don’t mention it.”

The two men return to their game of strategy, this time in silence. The cards on the ‘field’ expand as each player adds to the sum in small increments. After the first few plays, turns begin to slow down, each participant taking more time to study their hoof and the consequences their cards might bring them down the line.

With his turn over, Cave takes a moment to study the guard's expression opposite the table, and attempts to break the silence. “You got a family?”

Looking Glass pauses, drawing his eyes up from the cards despite his muzzle remaining down. “Wife. Kid on the way.”

“Ah.” Cave begins. “I hear it’s like a magic the greatest alicorns could never conjure… and havoc the greatest armies could never wreak.”

Glass scoffs, using his mouth to pull a new card before using it to respond. “Well she’s really into the idea anyway.”

“And you...?”

“I’d love to have a kid.” Looking Glass shoots out, somewhat defensively. “To be able to watch my son—my own flesh and blood—say his first words, or, or take off for his first day of school; I mean who wouldn’t want that?” The prisoner silently plays his next card, listening intently to the stallion’s story. “...But the timing of all this… I’m barely home as is, and with everything that’s going on, I’m sure Baltimare’ll need more of us active than ever—” Glass’s upper lip raises in distress, stopping his lengthy reply. “I don’t know…”

The prisoner nods his head in quiet understanding, keeping his eyes locked onto his cards.

“What about you?”

Cave blinks his gaze away from the cards, as if surprised by the question. “Uh, no kids.”

“Yeah, but you’ve got someone on the outside?”

The diamond dog inhales a large breath of air before answering. “Well; I didn’t really get to spend a lot of time with my folks, and the rest of my family connections are uh—complicated…”

Looking Glass stares helplessly for a minute as his prisoner awkwardly trails off. Silence crawls back into the room, giving the guard a moment to compare the cards laid out before him, and the ones pressed against his hoof. “...I’ve gotta draw.”

Cave watches closely as the pony places his hoof face down, and plays the card from the top of the deck straight onto the field.

A seven, pushing the total over and giving Cave the round. “Hey!” He begins, outstretching his paws and raising his brow. “Might not be a lost cause after all!”

Looking Glass exhales through his nostrils with a smirk and a wave of his hoof, dumping his cards into a pile on the table.

* * *

The room is filled with hustling ponies and various stage directions, Princess Twilight in the center of it all; her long, violet mane being exhaustively brushed by a young mare with glasses. The alicorn glances away from the mirror in front of her, and toward the Princess of the Night standing to her side. For Twilight, events like this were always enough to unsettle her nerves. As she watches Princess Luna dryly discuss the contents on a clipboard with a bearded stallion holding the board in his telekinesis, she can’t help but take a long, envious stare at the kind of confidence and pride evident in Luna’s presentation.

“I’m sorry princess, I need you to look forward.” The comment from the young glasses-wearing mare quickly tears Twilight from her distraction, and she returns her gaze to the large mirror in front of her.

“Right, sorry.”

Princess Luna looks up from the clipboard, unable to ignore the younger alicorn’s body language. “Are you alright, Twilight Sparkle?”

The violet mare’s eyes shoot up and focus on the reflection of Princess Luna. “I’m fine—” An awkward smile quickly replaces Twilight’s blank expression before she amends her verbiage. “—I’m good.”

Luna can’t help but smirk, sending the stallion she was speaking with away with a simple motion of her hoof. “Just clear your head. You’re better at handling these sorts of things than you give yourself credit for.”

Twilight smiles sheepishly at the comment. “Thanks, Princess.” As Luna draws nearer over Twilight’s shoulder, the young alicorn can’t help but try to lighten the mood. “...Although, I also wouldn’t be opposed to letting you and your sister handle the speech…”

“Ah—” Twilight’s awkward grin almost immediately fades at the sight of Luna’s hesitation. “Actually, it’ll be just the two of us today. Princess Celestia is away, attending to an international matter.”

“What?” The quick jerk of Twilight’s head leaves the assistant pony waiting impatiently with the brush in her telekinesis.

“She told me to send her apologies, and to inform you of her intended return just a week from now.”

“Today, of all days?”

Princess Luna nods confidently. “Dragons aren’t often keen on waiting.”

Twilight begins to panic quietly, muttering to herself as her narrowed eyes move about erratically. The Princess of the Night places a hoof on the mare’s shoulder for comfort before trying to calm her with words. “Twilight Sparkle, I’d be delusional to assume you’ve practiced your speech any less than a dozen times. I’ll handle my sister’s end. Your role remains the same.”

The door suddenly bursts open with a thin earth pony coming through. “Five minutes, princesses.”

Luna’s attention is only briefly held by the announcement, turning back to the younger princess with a relaxed smile. “Shall we?”

With one last look at her reflection, Twilight Sparkle steels herself for the event, then gives a solid nod to her friend.

As the two ponies stride past the guards and onto the balcony, the crowd below erupts into thunderous applause. Twilight’s hoof instinctively raises to wave to the audience, as her eyes almost immediately begin scanning the faces below. The mare’s eyes twitch at the scene before her; seemingly as many cameras facing her as muzzles.

“Thank you all so much for coming!” Luna’s voice echoes throughout the massive room as the applause dies out. “I’m looking forward to sharing this lovely evening with all of you, as I am every year. But first, it’s with great sadness that I must announce: Princess Celestia is away on international business, and will not be here with us today.” Petrified, Twilight watches as dozens of shutters click and an army of pens begin to scrawl against little notepads. “Even so, our newest leader, Princess Twilight—” One of Luna’s forelegs outstretches to present the young alicorn. “—and I both will be available to listen to any of your comments and concerns.”

“And speaking of the bright young alicorn; please give a warm welcome to her as shares just why this is such a magnificent day for Equestria!” Hundreds of hooves clop against the floor as Twilight puts on an awkward smile and replaces Luna’s position at the end of the balcony. Try as she might to distract herself, the princess can’t keep her eyes from zoning in on the flashing cameras.

“Thank you, Princess Luna. And thank you all, for your attendance.” The applause dies down and leaves every ear and notepad eagerly waiting for the alicorn’s words. A bead of sweat trickles down Twilight’s forehead as she does little more than make soft noises with her mouth frozen agape. “Today… is a special day for our nation. It marks the anniversary of Princess Luna’s return to her home, and—” Twilight’s searching amidst the sea of flashes finally comes to end as she locates a familiar face. Applejack looks up from the crowd with a crooked smile and brow arched inward with concern.

“...and her rightful place, alongside Princess Celestia.” Twilight breathes a sigh of relief as the crowd slowly builds up an applause, even if the note taking and camera flashes continue. “Now, if you’ll all just follow Princess Luna and me—” The mare’s directions are interrupted by a camera wielding colt below shouting out.

“Where’s Princess Celestia?”

Luna almost immediately eye rolls at the outburst, as her younger co-host nervously approaches the question. “As Princess Luna has said, Princess Celestia will not be with us this morning due to a prior engagement, but the effect of her magic can still be seen from—”

“Does her disappearance have anything to do with The Vault?”

The question blurted out by a young, black-maned mare catches Twilight off guard, who freezes with her mouth open. “...We—We will not be addressing any recent rumors regarding The Vault today, but I assure you, you will all be given the opportunity to discuss the matter with us on a later date. Today is just about The Summer Sun Celebration.”

“Why has Canterlot kept this hidden?” The colt readies his pen after hurdling the question at the princess.

“I’m sorry—” The clicks and flashes down below join a growing murmur as Twilight stands petrified under its effect. The six of her friends begin to looks around nervously at the quiet unrest.

“Previous reports indicate that the entire story is just misdirection; that Canterlot has plans to use the humans as a scapegoat for a catastrophe they can’t stop?”

“That is blatant fantasy. Canterlot has been wholly honest with everyone.” The response draws Luna’s gaze to lock onto Twilight as the outbursts continue.

“Except for when it comes to The Vault itself, right?”

“That’s not—”

“Why is Canterlot delaying?”

The rapid fire exchange in tandem with the movement of the crowd begin to shake the princess, who starts to respond and even speak at a more hurried pace. “Decrypting and distributing this information is no simple task, there are many moving parts.”

“Should ponies be concerned for their safety, in regards to the contents of The Vault?”

“What? No, they’re not—this isn’t about safety, this is about research and translation; and the mare-hours both of those tasks demand.” At this, Princess Luna silently begins to approach the end of the balcony, where Twilight continues to speak. “The humans were an incredibly complex species, and there are many areas of study that it is apparent they have a better grasp on than we do—this is a learning opportunity.”

The unrest in the crowd quickly develops at the comment, as Luna extends her wings and blocks Twilight’s line of sight with the ponies below. One of the reporters clambers to the front, pen at the ready.

“Princess Twilight, are you saying the humans were more intelligent than us?”

“We will not be taking anymore questions, we’ve already been delayed quite a bit.” Luna’s commanding voice fills the chamber, yet falls deftly on the ears of the shocked princess beside her. “If you would all please make your way outside, we can begin the ceremony.”

The tail end of Luna’s request is drowned away in a sea of shouting and camera flashes.

For Twilight, the rest of the event drags on for a painfully long time, only relenting after the princess has made her way through the doorway to the guarded prep room, and out of the light of the cameras. Luna is already present, shaking her head and commenting before Twilight can say anything.

“Vultures. They’ve no restraint; and I fear they’ll only continue to swarm future events…” Princess Twilight is unresponsive, staring at the floor with her words caught in her throat. “You’re not to blame for this, Twilight Sparkle. I mistakenly assumed the press would have an ounce of decency today.”

Twilight tilts her head up toward the larger alicorn, bearing an expression not unlike that of a child who’s just lost their favorite toy. “...When Celestia hears…”

“Surely you know my sister better than that.” The young princess continues to stare, eyes still wide with disbelief. “Celestia won’t be mad with you. Just—” The short gap between the two disappears as Princess Luna moves in to shelter the younger mare with her wing. “They’re merely worked up. Ponies haven’t seen—nor will they see—change like this in their entire lives. A week from now, it’ll be drowned out by some other ridiculous rumor or conjecture.”

Calmer now, Twilight looks up at her friend with a glint of hope in her eyes. “You really think so?”

Princess Luna folds her wings back against her sides before responding. “Go home, see your friends, and then get some rest. In short time, everyone but the most deranged conspiracists will have forgotten; I promise.”

The concern in Twilight’s expression slowly fades, eventually to be replaced by a genuine smile. “You’re right.” Twilight says with a simple nod. The mare then exhales, an apparent attempt to expunge the rest of her concern. “Of course, you’re right.”

On her way out of the room, Princess Twilight stops and hesitates at the doorway, eyeing either direction of the long hall beyond it.

“Perhaps you should take the exit in the back.”

The comment elicits a sheepish smile and turn of head from Twilight. “Right.” She then takes several steps in the direction of the exit before pausing, and turning to look at her friend. “Thanks, Luna.”

Luna stands in the doorway and smiles at her fellow princess, watching as she makes her way to the end of the hall. After the young mare turns a corner and vanishes, so too does the smile on Luna’s muzzle fade away. Her iridescent eyes roll downward, so that only the details of the carpet beneath her hooves can be watched.

“Isn’t it interesting how the original building plans for this place didn’t actually include a staircase to the second floor?” The relaxed male voice draws Luna’s attention behind her, where a tall dragon with amber scales stands leaning against the wall. “Despite being built by earth ponies, only creatures like you and me could actually reach the balcony.”

Princess Luna smirks at the elder dragon, who seemed to have an affinity for riddles. “Dominus Temporis. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Dominus pushes off of the wall, looking all around the hallway as he takes several steps in Luna’s direction. “I may have had… a hunch about something interesting occurring here today.”

“Ah, yes.” Luna begins. “The only mortal capable of literally peering into the future, and he uses it to find the best seats in town.” The amber dragon’s eyes are narrowed by the corners of his smile, as he laughs heartily at the princess’s comment.

“You and Councilwoman Velvet must get along well.”

Mentioning of the High Council reminds Luna of the circumstances. “How are they? Has news reached them yet?” Dominus raises a claw and shakes his head before the mare can even finish.

“Don’t worry about the council; I won’t allow them to make any moves against Princess Twilight.” Luna nods silently while continuing to listen. “There’s little I can do about the public’s opinion, though.”

“I know—” Luna almost immediately responds. “She’s doing fine, all things considered. I think she just needs her head in a project; something to keep her busy.”

Luna’s eyes follow Dominus as he seems only half present, the dragon inspecting details of a painting on the wall. “...That does sound like a ‘Twilight’ solution.”

The princess looks up and down the councilman’s figure, noticing the relaxed posture and lack of concern in his eyes. “You know you could have prevented this. It sure would have helped me out.”

Dominus finally turns his head away from the painting to instead watch Luna. “I suppose I could have.” The alicorn lowers her brow at the less than helpful response.

“Have you ever intervened?”

“A young, careless boy discovering he could see the future? Of course I’ve used it.”

“But you don’t anymore?”

Dominus Temporis pauses at the question, eyes locked onto the long brush strokes of a river running through the painted valley. “We’re… unique, you and I. We possess incredible power. But we must also possess incredible restraint; lest the power controls us.” Princess Luna nods understandingly as she waits for the dragon to continue. “It’s the division between kings and tyrants.”

The hall grows quiet as Dominus loses himself in the painting; brilliant rays of light piercing the delicate clouds above, and bathing the rolling hills below in a warmth so vivid you could almost feel it.

* * *

Nightfall comes over the forest at the base of Foal Mountain as swiftly as the day had come before it; the city lights of Baltimare lighting the horizon, and silvery rays from the moon lighting the rest of the fields. A fraction of this splendor is visible through the small window atop the tall stone tower, the occupants of the room instead lit only by the glow of several flickering lanterns.

Looking Glass leans carelessly back on his chair as his suit of armor gathers dust next to the table. He had been silent, save a few ‘hmm’s as he scanned over each line of the newspaper in his hooves. All the while, his prisoner lies completely still on the only piece of furniture within the cell, a dirty old cot situated in the corner of the small room.

Cave stares absentmindedly at the stone ceiling above him, only the motion of his thumb rubbing against his index finger signaling any life in the diamond dog. It’s the sound of a pony-made whistle that brings Cave’s attention back into the room.

“‘Windigo's celebrate a six to three victory against Cloudsdale Storm Chasers as Windigo cheerleading squad shows off’...” A smile grows on Looking Glass’s face as he briefly shows his profile back toward the prisoner. “You want me to leave this page with you, maybe get you some tissue and privacy?”

Cave doesn’t immediately respond, instead leaving Looking Glass to chuckle quietly at his own wit. When Cave does respond, it’s in a dry, monotone voice.

“I fucked one.”

Glass turns quickly, face twisted in confusion. “What?”

“Met in a Canterlot bar. I didn’t find out who she was until later, when a friend mentioned the team.”

The wooden chair Looking Glass is sitting in comes down with a thud, as he retracts his leg that was propping it up. The guard then turns fully around, and stares at his prisoner in disbelief. “Bullshit you fucked a Windigo cheerleader.”

The cot creaks as Cave turns over and looks at the guard. “...Her flexibility said otherwise.” Looking Glass makes a frustrated groan that turns into laugh by the end.

“You did not fuck a Wind—which one was it?” A smirk forms on Cave’s muzzle as he leans onto his back and continues to stare at the ceiling with his hands behind his head.

“Orange coat, white mane.”

Looking Glass scoffs at the details, prodding his hoof against the paper while turning back toward Cave. “You ever seen a newspaper before? Color doesn’t help me a whole lot…”

The diamond dog groans sarcastically, rolling off of his bed and approaching the bars. “Bring it here.”

The earth pony chuckles once more, shaking his head before grabbing the paper with his mouth and approaching the cell. Cave beckons the guard with one paw extended out of the cell, and the other loosely wrapped around one of the bars.

Upon reaching his prisoner, Looking Glass holds the news up for Cave to point to, identifying the cheerleader. “Right there—” Cave’s finger presses against the thick paper, drawing the guard’s eyes downward.

“Mwhere?” Looking Glass attempts to ask around the paper in his mouth.

“Right—” Cave’s other paw lifts off of the metal and dives with ludicrous speed into the fur on the back of the guard’s neck. Looking Glass panics as Cave’s remaining claw grabs on the opposite side of the pony’s neck, the newspapers dropping to the ground and spreading out. The guard’s panicked grunts turn to cries of pain as Cave’s claws sink deeper into his flesh. Glass shakes his head frantically, trying in vain to repel himself away from the cell as he’s dragged closer.

Once close enough, Cave wraps his left arm all the way around Looking Glass’s head, using his paw to hold his chin up and expose the stallion’s throat. The diamond dog releases his right paw from his victim, and then without hesitation, slashes the skin vertically from the chin to the chest. Glass cries out in aggravation as the prisoner holds him in place and continues to mark the stallion’s neck with thickening claw marks, the red lines pouring blood over the guard’s fur, and showering the stone floor beneath them.

Eventually, Looking Glass’s protests grow weaker, and his already strained shrieks of pain devolve into a loud gurgling noise, the exposed throat muscles expanding and contracting with each of his last breaths. Cave attacks until the pony’s chest is painted red, and the sick noises coming from his blood-stained mouth die off.

After his rampage, Cave is left standing alone in the room, deep heavy breaths shaking his entire body as Looking Glass slumps lifelessly before him. His first glance is at the wooden door at the other end of the room; then, to the key ring hanging loosely from the corpse’s hip.

Once Cave had freed himself from the cell, and avoided the still expanding pool of blood to reach the door, he opens it with the utmost caution. The hall beyond is empty, only a long winding staircase and another door visible to the prisoner. Cave quietly moves to the second door, opening it to discover a dimly-lit bathroom.

The diamond dog wastes no time moving to the sink, and turning the water on full blast. Chills settle through his paws as he runs the water deeply through his fur, bloody bubbles forming in the basin as he aggressively rubs in the soap. Once his paws are relatively clean, he splashes some of the cold water onto his face; frozen as the sensation calms his nerves.

Cave returns to his room shortly, being mindful of the creek of blood formed in the crevices of the stone floor. He slowly approaches the corpse before leaning down and reaching out, grabbing as much of the newspaper as he can. The diamond dog holds the cover up by its dry end, blood soaked through most of the lower half and dripping onto the floor below.

‘AN INCREDIBLY COMPLEX SPECIES’
PRINCESS TWILIGHT’S ACCIDENTAL REVEALING OF HUMANITY’S INTELLECT, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR US

Below the bold headline is a photo of the princess herself, looking worryingly at the mob of ponies beneath the balcony she stands on.

Cave spends an unusually long amount of time studying the image. The prisoner brings up a finger to gently stroke the printed visage of Princess Twilight, forest green fur still embedded under his claws.