Shades of Grey

Chapters

2. Troubled Minds
4. It Comes in the Night
5. Basking in the Sun
6. Whispers in the Moonlight
7. Rise to the Challenge
8. Actions, and Reactions
9. Painful Needs
10. Sleeping Beauty
11. Shadows on the Sun
12. Descent into Darkness
13. Soliloquy of a Wounded Heart
14. Out of Time
15. Zenith
17. Moments of Revelation
18. The Fragile Heart
Luna's Epilogue – Phases of the Moon
1. The Best of Intentions
3. Passed into Present
16. Moments of Transition

2. Troubled Minds

2. Troubled Minds

Spike yelped, sending several books into the air as the door burst open. He perched precariously at the top of a wobbling ladder, thrashing his arms about wildly until, finally overbalancing, he kicked the ladder from under him and began his all-too-familiar plummet.

Rarity skidded to a halt, wincing as the dragon fell, but when there was no thud, she pried open an eye to see him sprawled across Fluttershy’s back.

The door glowed with pale blue magic and slammed shut while Spike got to his feet. He looked first at Rarity, who was still panting from her rush, then turned back to the beaming yellow face of the pegasus who had just rescued him.

“Hi, Rarity!”

“Are you okay, Spike?” Fluttershy said before Rarity could reply. She nuzzled him gently and the dragon accepted it with a widening grin. After just a few seconds, his eyes sprung wide open and he stood rigidly upright.

Leaping down from Fluttershy’s back, he cleared his throat behind a clenched paw. “What can I do for ya, Rarity? Are you looking for Twilight?”

Rarity took a moment to let her breathing slow, before blowing a few rogue strands of hair out of her face. “Why yes, I am. Let me guess, she’s upstairs finding just the right book?”

“Huh. Making a mess, more likely,” he said, crossing his arms. “Hey, Twilight! Rarity’s here!”

A purple head poked through the door at the top of the open staircase. “Rarity! Did you forget to mention something?”

“Well, no. I mean, it’s probably nothing, but... after you left, I...”

“Rarity?” Twilight met Fluttershy’s gaze for a brief moment before turning back. “Are you all right?”

Rarity shrank back until her chin was almost pressed against her throat, and still no answer was forthcoming.

“Rarity? What’s the matter?”

Without warning, she burst into a teary dirge. “It was horrible! It was just as you made it sound. Glowing eyes! Like... like, a ghost!”

“Oh, how awful!” Fluttershy rushed in, standing shoulder to shoulder with her friend.

Rarity’s intensity waned, cringing, yet smiling, under Fluttershy’s affectionate attention as Twilight hurried down the stairs with numerous books levitating behind her. “It was right outside my door. I thought I was imagining it at first, and when I checked again there was nothing there, but…”

Spike disappeared into the kitchen and quickly returned, clutching a box of tissues between his claws and presenting them before Rarity.

“Oh, thank you, Spike. Sorry, girls. I think I might be getting a bit too emotional.”

“It’s okay, really!” Twilight said. “You’ve been so wonderful since I came to the spa earlier that I feel like I’m the one who should be apologising.” Moving across to her lectern, she opened one of the books and began to flip through the pages. “But you know I don’t believe in ghosts. I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation for it, right Fluttershy?”

“I… suppose so?”

Twilight continued flicking through her book without looking up. “I even disturbed your day at the spa, and then you spent two hours getting your mane in a mess again looking for Applejack and Pinkie Pie! For you, of all ponies, to do that for us? I’m serious, Rarity, thank you so much.”

Blowing her nose loudly, Rarity offered up a weak smile as she briefly pressed against Fluttershy. If only they knew how much she’d needed that little show of concern.

“Hey Fluttershy,” Spike said. “Would ya mind giving me lift up to a book?”

“Sure, Spike,” she replied, trotting over to him. She dipped her head and Spike climbed on top.

“Up there,” he said.

Rarity watched with one eyebrow raised as Fluttershy gracefully swept her passenger up to the top of the bookcase.

“Clairvoyants, Psychics, and Astral Projection,” Spike said, holding up an archaic leather-bound tome that was promptly enveloped by magic.

He clutched the book tightly as it sped towards Rarity, pulling him from his pegasus perch and delivering him nose-to-nose with his favourite unicorn.

“Spiiiiike.” Rarity frowned as the dragon grinned stupidly instead of letting go.

“Down boy!” Twilight shouted.

The dragon dutifully obeyed, and the released book floated over to the lectern, falling open and beginning to flutter its pages rapidly under Twilight’s magical touch.

“Hmmm. Aha! The book says that at one time, some unicorns discovered the ability to see far away places as if they were there,” Twilight said. She recoiled, wrinkling her nose, as she continued reading, flipping backwards and forward several pages before she continued.

“It says the practice was outlawed long ago, and all references to the spell destroyed. Unicorns were warned to look out for ghostly images, with the eyes being the most visible. But even if this is what Rarity saw, why didn’t I see it when I left the boutique?”

“Twilight,” Spike said. “Sometimes you wouldn’t notice the time of day if it wasn’t on a checklist. Besides, Rarity has an eye for detail unmatched by anypony in Ponyville, perhaps even Equestria! If she says she saw it, then I believe her.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes at her assistant and magically plucked him from standing next to Rarity, smirking as she dumped him on her back.

Fluttershy chuckled, too, but her ears soon folded down and she dropped her head slightly. “It wouldn’t explain seeing them in my dreams, either.”

The room fell silent. Rarity moved over to the pegasus, returning some of her earlier affection and provoking the smallest of smiles.

“So,” Twilight said, snapping the book. “We really have no idea if this anything to do with... anything! We need a new way to come at this, and we can assume that we’re not having similar dreams by chance. But, we’re not having the same dream, so maybe that might tell us something. Fluttershy is certainly... I mean she’s a lot more…”

“Empathetic?” Rarity said, putting a leg around Fluttershy’s withers. Twilight nodded and Fluttershy shrank even further at the gesture, hiding behind her mane even as her smile widened.

“Also, the book doesn’t say anything about glowing eyes. That seems like kind of an important detail to leave out, considering how complete this information is. I mean, I’ve never read anything about that before, and I’ve read quite a bit, but that... uhh, Rarity? Why are you staring at me like that?”

“My stars, Twilight. You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“The, uh, glowing eyes,” Fluttershy said. “They’re like yours, Twilight. You know, when you’re using the Elements of Harmony.”

Spike reached out a claw when Twilight went silent, but hesitated before touching her. Rarity moved up to flank her friend, but she had nothing to say, either.

Twilight suddenly stiffened, continuing to speak as if she’d never paused. “I’ll have to think about that later. Now, what I didn’t have before was any reference to a mountain. Fluttershy, could you describe it for me?”

“I can try. It wasn’t very tall. For a mountain, I mean.”

“Not tall. Check.” Twilight sighed when nothing followed. “Anything else?”

“Umm, well, there were clouds. A lot of clouds.”

Another pause.

“It stands alone, not too close to other mountains. There were low, grassy foothills and a path that ran between them, and whole fields of long grass, maybe grain.”

The books on the lectern glowed and floated away to stack themselves on the table as Twilight glanced around the loaded shelves.

“It was quite steep, much steeper at the top where it vanished into the clouds. I think there was white at the top, like snow. It was near a large river, and a forest, but there wasn’t anypony nearby. That just made it feel even more lonely. Oh, and I think it had two peaks sticking out above the clouds, a big one, and a smaller one.”

Fluttershy cringed. “Wait, no. Maybe it didn’t have two peaks. I can’t remember. I’m sorry.”

“Who would put clouds around a short mountain?” Spike jumped down from Twilight’s back and walked across the library, scratching his chin with a claw. “I know! Fluttershy, would ya mind—”

“Spike! Fluttershy is not a tool for getting books; use the ladder!”

“Oh, I don’t mind,” Fluttershy said, but no-one seemed to listen.

Spike grabbed the ladder that Twilight ‘helpfully’ floated over to him. “No, I guess I’m the tool for getting books,” he said under his breath, setting the ladder against a bookcase. He hopped halfway up and produced a much newer book than the last one.

“Landmarks of Equestria? Good job, Spike.” The book was once again snared by magic and floated over to the lectern.

Fluttershy moved in to see as the pictures flickered rapidly past. “Stop,” she said with unusual urgency. “That’s it. That’s the mountain I see in my dreams. Cloudy Top Mountain.”

“That’s a dumb name,” Spike said.

Rarity angled her head to get a better look. “How peculiar. There really isn’t much to go on here. It’s as if the information hasn’t been updated in a long time. How old is this book, Twilight?”

“Decades old, I think, but this is just a copy. The original could be much older, maybe centuries. It was in the library when I first moved into the tower as the princess’s student, so I have no idea where it came from before I got it.”

Slamming the book shut, Twilight placed it back on the pedestal. “I don’t know what’s going on, and I don’t know what secrets there are to be found there, but the only thing I like about mysteries is solving them. I’m going to Cloudy Top Mountain. Who’s with me?”

( I )

She’d been near-useless in unearthing the possible cause of whatever was going on, and completely superfluous to the fabrication of Twilight’s plan, but Rainbow Dash’s outright demand that Fluttershy stay with her for the night cut the deepest.

She immediately requested the pleasure of Twilight’s company at the boutique, in case any dreams came back, and Twilight was nothing short of ecstatic about accepting. Keeping her friend occupied with tales of her own sleepovers, and a spontaneous pyjama fashion-show, was easy enough. Still, when morning came, she couldn’t help but wonder who had been comforting who. With only a single thread to pull on, Twilight had leapt at her mystery while Rarity’s heart still raced at the thought of being home alone. There hadn’t even been any more bad dreams to let her make herself useful.

“What’s that, dear?” Rarity barely even heard Twilight’s question; she’d been lost in thought time and time again against since their early start. After the cool shade of the forest where they’d stopped for snacks, the evening sun warmed her coat pleasantly enough to relax and distract her from the stark image of the mountain ahead.

She’d gotten a good look before they’d even entered the forest, but now it dominated the scenery in front of them. The peaks were sharp, the sides were steep, and the thick wreath of cloud was far moodier than the picture they’d seen could have portrayed—disturbingly at odds with the warm summer day around her.

“I don’t understand why I couldn’t find any reference to this place in any other books. I found an icon on an old map, but that’s all. How does something so obvious get ignored for this long? It doesn’t make any sense.”

Rarity didn’t answer. Rainbow Dash had already flown ahead to investigate, and Pinkie Pie was somewhere in the long grass to the side of the road, where every landing meant the rustle of flattened grass and the rattle of whatever it was that filled her saddlebags. The grating rhythm made dripping taps sound positively adorable.

“I think,” Pinkie said, appearing briefly at the top of a jump. “I want… another…”

Rarity caught Twilight’s quiet groan. At least she wasn’t the only one getting rapidly bored of it.

“…of those… delicious… candy… apples.”

“Darn it! We just ate!”

“What’s that… Applejack?”

“Ah said—never mind.” Applejack dove into the grass. When Pinkie popped back up, she barely registered the missing pony before disappearing with a squeal. Moments later, Applejack strode out of the grass dragging a trussed up and giggling Pinkie.

“Ah said, we just ate. An’ when Ah say we, Ah mean you, already ate all the candy apples.”

“We did? I did? Huh… I don’t remember that. Are you suuuure?”

Fluttershy and Applejack both giggled, but Rarity’s frown deepened as she used her magic to untie Pinkie. “Can we please keep things moving along?” She coiled the rope and hung it off Applejack’s nose. “I really don’t know what’s up with these ponies lately. It’s as if they can’t concentrate on anything. I mean it’s not like we have anything important to be doing. Oh, wait, we do.”

“It’s all right,” Twilight said. “It’s been a while since we’ve all been together like this. I mean, it’s kinda fun. I guess I’d rather they got it all out now, before anything serious happens.”

Rarity pictured yesterday’s brutal flypast, hours of pointlessly trudging around in the wind, and Pinkie’s kazoo incident. “I suppose so,” she replied in a weary, insincere tone.

The ponies pressed on, but just as Rarity was starting to appreciate what was left of the evening’s sun, she heard Twilight gasp. She looked over just in time to have her head wrapped in a purple-glowing blanket that muffled a rush of wind and the roar of grass whipping around.

One side of the blanket lifted up, Twilight’s cautious smile edging into view.

Rainbow Dash.

“Why, thank you, Twilight,” Rarity said, prompting Twilight to relax. “I’m so very glad that somepony is keeping their wits about them.” She looked over her shoulder as the blanket pulled away to see Rainbow Dash rising into the air, performing one of her ‘tail-stalls’. “While some other ponies only seem interested in horsing around.”

The pegasus made her way back at a more reasonable speed and landed in the middle of the group.

“So, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said. “Do you have anything useful to report?”

“Report? Uh, well, I almost have that trick perfected. Did you like it?”

“Report,” Twilight said. “You know, on the mountain?”

Dash stared vacantly, and Twilight trotted up, roughly grabbed Rainbow Dash’s head between two hooves, and twisted it round to point at the prominent landmark.

“Ooooh, that mountain. I, umm...” Rarity walked up behind her, and Dash bolted at full speed. “Bye!”

“I take it back,” Twilight said. “Somepony has definitely been drinking the special water today.”

“Ah know long flights ’n great heights ain’t yer thing, sugarcube,” Applejack said, approaching Fluttershy, “but would ya mind? Don’t think RD’s head’s quite right.”

“Sure,” Fluttershy said with an enthusiastic nod and a wide smile. “I can do that.” She hopped into the air without hesitation and headed off after Rainbow Dash.

Applejack frowned and looked towards the two unicorns. “Is it just me, or is that downright unsettlin’?”

As Applejack, Twilight and Rarity pushed on, Pinkie Pie dove back into the grass and began bouncing along, gleefully giggling.

( I )

Fluttershy was waiting for them on a raised outcropping that marked the start of a path leading up the mountain. She leapt down as they drew close.

“I’m not sure what happened to Rainbow Dash. She said something about the clouds and then didn’t come back.”

“Well, I suppose I’d better let her know we’re here.” Twilight’s horn glowed, and a bolt of frothing light whizzed up from her like a firework, exploding into a large illusion of an arrow that pointed to where they were waiting.

Rarity gasped. “Oh Twilight, its beautiful! You really must let me borrow you for a show sometime. Can you do it in blue?”

Twilight smiled and fired off another spell. This time it detonated in a shower of blue and purple sparks that vaguely approximated Rarity’s cutie mark; this time, they all saw Rainbow Dash incoming at speed, and landing with a weighty thump.

“Clouds! These clouds aren’t normal! They’re more like the ones that appear over the Everfree Forest. They’re freaky. I’m telling you, we should not be here!”

“Simmer down there, Rainbow. It ain’t like we never been through the Everfree Forest before.” Applejack raised eyebrow at Twilight. “Sure does raise a barnful o’ questions, though.”

“We’ll be fine as long as we stay together. Did you see any cave entrances while you were up there, Rainbow Dash?”

“Cave entrances? What cave entrances?”

“Umm…” Fluttershy said.

“That’s quite enough of your fooling around, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said. “You should be ashamed of yourself! You know very well we are looking for the tunnels Fluttershy said she saw in her dream, and you are supposed the be the pegasus trying to find them. Remember?”

Pinkie clopped her hooves together. “We’re going inside the mountain? That sounds like fun!”

“I think…” Fluttershy said.

Twilight groaned as her half-lidded gaze met Rarity’s. “Make that two ponies who have been at the special water.”

Rainbow Dash leapt into the air again, but Applejack grabbed onto her tail and pulled her down. “Hold on there, RD. Ah think you should stay right here with us, before you get yerself all confused again. Now, Fluttershy, did you see anything on yer way here?”

“I was trying to tell you. I think it’s up there.” Fluttershy pointed at a plateau just under the cloud layer. “Come on girls, I’ll show you how to get up there.”

Applejack frowned again as she watched the pegasus fly up the trail without a hint of hesitation. “Un. Settlin’.”

( I )

Rarity peered into the tunnel entrance from the plateau. Though the light from the setting sun was fading, there was still enough to give the murky blackness the appearance of actually swallowing it.

Fluttershy peeked in from an edge, keeping herself low to the ground. “It’s very… dark.”

“Of course it’s dark, darling. It is a cave, after all.”

“I know, but it’s dark.”

Be strong for her, Rarity. It’s your time to shine.

Rarity stepped in front and lit the tip of her horn. “Allow me.”

Twilight frowned as the extra light failed to penetrate far into the gloom. “I guess we should go in then.”

Her ears folded down, Fluttershy took the first step inside. Applejack followed her closely, attention fixed on the strangely-acting pegasus. Behind them, the two unicorns filed in side-by-side, leaving Pinkie and Dash standing on the plateau.

“Why are we going into this cave?” Pinkie asked.

“Beats me, but we’d better go make sure they don’t scare themselves too much.”

( I )

Rarity studied the cave walls closely as the group made their way in. The whole passageway seemed far too flat and clean to be natural. It showed no sign of being carved by anything other than magic, but in that case, it would likely be smoother. She wondered if it had just been carved badly by magic, or in some great hurry, or just a distressingly long time ago.

Idle speculation soon made way for more pressing concerns. A strange feeling that defied her attempts to describe it distracted and saturated her; she found her light spell dimming and spluttering against her will. She’d never had trouble maintaining focus on a spell before, but even that concern fled as nausea rose in her stomach.

She was never anything less than thrilled that Twilight was vastly more skilled, and powerful, in that department, but this was her chance to provide for her friends, and defeat was unacceptable.

Such refusal, however valiant, was not enough.

“Are you okay?”

Rarity focused. Twilight was looking at her, neck stretched forward, eyes flicking across her face, drinking in the details. Her other friends were staring too, sharing the concern in the unicorn’s voice. Rarity wasn’t even sure how long she’d been standing there.

“Oh, yes. I’ll be fine,” she said. “A lady doesn’t like to complain.”

“Sure, but Ah would like to think my friends could just tell me what’s what. Complanin’ or no.”

“You do look kinda tired,” Dash said. “Why don’t you let Twilight take over? She’s much better at magic than you are.”

Pinkie gave Dash a withering stare.

“What? It’s true!”

Rarity remained silent.

But... I just want to help.

She felt the touch of a hoof on her shoulder, and suddenly refocused to see Twilight standing closer.

“I just want to help. Would let me take over?” Twilight implored. “Just for a little bit? Please?”

The words stung. For all her attempts to support her friends, Rarity had ended up with them rallying around her, instead. They were watching, silently pressing her to take the help Twilight desperately wanted to give. The worst of it was that Twilight unknowingly used exactly the kind of friendly trickery that Rarity used on Fluttershy. They were pandering to her because she was being stubborn, and she knew it.

“Yes. Of course, Twilight. I just... I don’t seem to be feeling very well right now.”

Instead of just lighting up her horn, Twilight summoned up a ball of light that floated above her. There was a moment of total darkness between one spell and the next, but the new light was more potent, creating deeper contrasts and more vivid shadows.

There was a yelp, and Fluttershy dropped to the ground. As one, Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack turned to see the pegasus hiding her face with her hooves. Then, they all looked back towards Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

Dash met their gazes with wide-eyed surprise, but Pinkie Pie stood on her hind legs, doing something odd with her mane. Her shadow looked like the gaping maw of a monster that was trying to eat the shadow of Rainbow Dash’s head.

Pinkie played to the attention of the group, mashing the separated parts of her mane together to animate the shadow-puppet monster. She even added in her own sound effects: “Rawrr!”

“Nice one, Pinkie Pie,” Dash said, her fearless tone even managing to coax Fluttershy’s head back up again.

“Nice one,” Rarity said quietly.

“Nice one?” she said again, louder. She surged towards Pinkie, knocking her down and standing over her. Raising four hooves in the air defensively, Pinkie’s eyes were wide and her head pressed against the stone floor, unable to pull back any further as Rarity began to shout. “Is it fun to scare your friends? Is it a nice one when you can’t be bothered to take your friends’ troubles seriously?”

Rainbow Dash backed away, mirroring Pinkie confusion.

The volume of Rarity’s outburst dropped, but its intensity did not. “Do you have any idea how annoying it is to have some inconsiderate pony like you messing around when my friends need my help?”

Fluttershy covered her ears with her hooves while Twilight just gawped, dumbfounded.

“Rarity,” Applejack said firmly, without raising her voice too much.

“How dare you scare Fluttershy like that! Deep in the middle of this very dark tunnel, in this positively disturbing mountain, how you could be so... so heartless!”

Rainbow Dash finally put her raised hoof down and stepped towards Rarity. “Hey! That’s not—”

“You!” Rarity roared with a new rush of white-hot fury. She moved away from the floored Pinkie and towards Dash, butting heads and pressing down with her horn. “You have no right to complain! You can’t even remember you’re supposed to be helping your friends at all!”

“Rarity!” Applejack yelled.

Whatever retort Rainbow Dash was forming never emerged.

“Ah know you’re angry, an’ Ah understand. Ah jus’ don’t know why yer this angry. Please, Rarity, tell me. I want to understand. RD, would ya back away first?”

Dash’s lip still curled, but she acquiesced after a few moments, hopping back with the aid of her wings and breaking the deadlock of their stares.

Rarity turned her gaze to Applejack, her flush of emotion draining away as she started to tremble.

“Rarity?” Applejack said softly.

“I… I don’t…”

What have I done? Why do I feel this way?

No more words came from her mouth.

Rainbow Dash stepped in to help Pinkie up, who had yet to move from the floor. Applejack, meanwhile, edged towards the faltering Rarity.

“Come on, sugarcube.”

Rarity’s eyes glazed over and her front legs gave out, pitching her towards the floor.

“Woah! Li’l help, Twi!”

Dragged out of her over-analysis, Twilight responded slowly, helping to lower Rarity safely to the floor. “There’s something weird in this place.”

“Ya think?”

“I can feel something in my magic, like it doesn’t want to be here. It’s my specialty, and if I can feel it draining me, I can’t imagine what it must have been like for—” Looking down she said softly, “Are you okay?”

Rarity spoke in a slow, quiet voice. “Yes. I just... I feel tired.”

“Ah know,” Applejack said. “Twi, is this magic thing gonna be a problem?”

“No. Not for me anyway. I can do this all day, but I do feel like we’ve bitten off more hay than we can chew. I have no idea what could be causing this, or what it could be doing to Rarity.”

Dash extended a wing over Pinkie Pie as they stood together, earning a half-hearted smile in return.

“I’ll be alright,” Rarity said. “I need to get up off this floor anyway. It’s so… icky.”

“Now that’s ma miss fussy-boots.”

“We can’t give up now. We’re so close, I can feel it,” Fluttershy said.

All eyes turned on her.

“Ah told y’all that were unsettlin’! Fluttershy’s playin’ hero, magic’s all messed up, an’ Rainbow Dash’s brain’s been turned to mush. Keeps forgettin’ stuff.” Dash opened her mouth, but Applejack pre-empted her. “Where are we goin’?”

Dash’s jaw hung open.

“So where are we going?” Pinkie asked.

Applejack sighed. “Well, Ah didn’t know if Pinkie was jus’ bein’ Pinkie, but Ah guess now we know. We’re…” Her eyes glazed over and she put a hoof to her head as if trying to rattle her own brain. “Ahhh! Ah can’t remember! Ah know Ah know, Ah jus’—Ah can’t remember!”

“Applejack. Calm down. I’m going to try something.” Twilight stepped forwards and touched Applejack’s head with her horn.

“Yeah! Ah remember now! We’re… oh. We’re goin’ to the middle o’ this darn creepy mountain to find some secret that’s been givin’ Twilight an’ Fluttershy nightmares. Well, shoot. Now I know why I might not wanna remember that. You all right castin’ that spell Twi?”

Twilight smiled, puffing her chest out slightly. “Not a problem.”

“So, can we go now?” Fluttershy asked. She paced back and forth across the tunnel.

“Take a minute to rest, Rarity,” Twilight said. “I’m going to see if I can restore Pinkie and Dash’s memories too, then we’ll decide what to do.”

“No! We have to keep going!” For once, Fluttershy was ignored despite everypony hearing her clearly.

Rarity pondered while Twilight cast her spells.

Well, there certainly is something strange going on. I can feel it, but it simply can’t excuse what I’ve done. I have to press on. For Twilight. For Fluttershy. They need me, I... I just need to keep my strength up and avoid using magic.

Dash and Pinkie both gasped as their memories returned. Both found reassuring smiles for Rarity, but they didn’t reassure her at all.

“I’m all for following Fluttershy,” Dash said. “Rainbow Dash never leaves her friends hangin’.”

Rarity stepped forwards. “If there is something here causing those dreams, it would seem rather foolish to turn back now.”

“Thank you, girls,” Fluttershy said. “Shall we go then?”

Twilight and Applejack looked at each other for a second and nodded.

“Okay, we’re going,” Twilight said.

Pinkie’s ears pricked up at the question. “Going where?”

4. It Comes in the Night

4. It Comes in the Night

To my most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle,

Your concerns regarding the wellbeing of your friends make me

proud, but please know that only unicorns entering that place

are in any danger. Therefore, I have enlisted the best pony

available to ensure Rarity’s safety.

I know you will want to stay at her side during this difficult time.

However, I must ask you to come to Canterlot immediately and

deliver a detailed report. I have already dispatched a chariot to

collect you when you are ready.

In the meantime, please tell your friends to leave the matter in

my hooves.

Yours faithfully,

Princess Celestia

( I )

Princess Celestia was usually agreeable when it came to sending missives before a civilised time in the morning, but this morning, a letter woke him up distressingly close to dawn. Twilight snatching it away before it even fell into his claws didn’t serve to lighten Spike’s mood, either.

Despite saying that she wanted to spend some time with him, Twilight’s focus had been on rambling complaints about the ever-mysterious Stormcloud. On any other day, he’d be one hundred percent focused on trying to soothe her stressing, but after seeing Rarity rushed off to the infirmary… Pinkie’s idea for a welcome-home-and-get-well party was a clear winner.

Now, he and Pinkie were decorating the main room of the Carousel Boutique for a party. Being around Pinkie’s boundless optimism and energy was exactly what he needed. Rarity was going to be fine, and she was going to come home to a party: these were immutable facts in Pinkie’s world. She stood on hind legs, tongue lolling out of her mouth as she sized up a colourful banner on the back wall, when the front door swung open.

“Is there any news yet?” Spike clenched his claws together as Twilight trotted into the room.

Her smile appeared and disappeared too quickly to be convincing. “Yes, Spike, but I’m afraid it’s both good and bad. Rarity doesn’t seem to be much better this morning, but Princess Celestia thinks she’ll make a full recovery. You trust the Princess, right?”

Spike’s whole body sagged. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Oh, Spike. I know you’re worried, but the Princess also said she’d personally sent somepony to make sure Rarity was safe. Trust me, she’ll be okay.”

He looked up at Twilight, but immediately looked away again as a smile started to creep onto his face.

“I’m heading to Canterlot as soon as my chariot arrives, but I’m a little worried about leaving you behind again. When you left this morning without telling me, I realised I wasn’t being very good company. So, I was wondering if you’d like to come and see Princess Celestia with me?”

Spike stubbed at the ground with a paw. “Thanks, Twilight. I mean, really, but do you mind if I stay? I’d like to be here when Rarity gets home.”

“Of course not, Spike, but there isn’t going to be a party. Not yet, at least.”

In less than a blink, Pinkie’s head appeared above Spike. “There isn’t?”

“No,” Twilight said firmly. “I’m afraid that it doesn’t look like Rarity is going to be coming home on her own hooves. The doctor wants her to rest at home where she’ll be more comfortable. A party is not resting.

“Spike, I want you to think about this very carefully. We all know how much Rarity means to you, but it’s going to be really hard on you to be around her while she’s like this. I know you want to stay, but I really think that you’d be better off coming to Canterlot with me. I’m sure the Princess would be happy to see you, too. Why don’t we let the professionals take care of Rarity? We should only be away for a day or two.”

Pinkie stood on Spike’s shoulders to lean closer to Twilight. “But we can still have a party later, right? I really, really want her to know how happy we are that she’s going to be okay!”

“Yes, Pinkie, of course we’ll have a party later, and I’m sure she knows we’re thinking of her. And since you have all this stuff ready for a party, how about you throw one for all the ponies who came to help us out last night? Since you’d be including the mayor, I’m sure she would let you use the town hall for it.”

“That’s a great idea! More space means more party! Twilight, you’re such a smarty-pants.”

“Since I’m not going to be here, could you do me a favour, Pinkie? Applejack and Fluttershy were still at the library when I got home last night, but I didn’t talk to either of them. I was a bit preoccupied at the time, and now I’m heading off to Canterlot. Would you mind checking on them for me?”

“Fluttershy?” Pinkie said, putting a hoof to her chin and almost sliding off Spike’s shoulders. “She’s probably just afraid that she caused everything that happened because of her crazy dreams. I mean at first we thought you both had crazy dreams and then it turned out that you were just seeing hers and she was acting all funny and not-Fluttershy-like and hurrying us on so I bet she’s sitting at home thinking we all hate her right about now.”

“Pinkie! How can you say that?”

“It’s what I’d do if I was Fluttershy.”

“I… well… huh. You’ll check on her then?”

Pinkie dove into one of Rarity’s storage chests and resurfaced wearing a deerstalker and holding a pipe in her mouth.

“Umm, what are you doing, Pinkie?”

Feigning a posh Canterlot accent, Pinkie lifted her nose in the air and said, “I have no idea, but do believe I’m going to find out.” She marched out of the Boutique blowing bubbles from the pipe.

Spike’s eyes followed Pinkie out of the door, fixating on her cutie mark and all the positivity that was walking out. He suddenly found himself without an excuse not to look up at Twilight.

“Spike?”

“I’m staying,” he said. “You know I’d love to come with you to see the Princess but… I can’t leave now. You’re right, it’s not going to be easy, but I really want to be here, for Rarity. Not just because, y’know... I mean—”

“Yeah, I know. I’ll send you a letter when I see the Princess. And don’t worry about the library. That can wait until I get back. And I’m sure the Princess won’t mind if you want to send me a letter. And—”

“Twilight!”

“Okay, okay. I’m going.”

Moving to the door, Twilight looked back with a warm smile. “I really am proud of you, Spike. I just know Rarity is going to appreciate it.”

“Will you get going already!” Spike yelled, starting to blush.

Twilight giggled and trotted back. Spike tried to shield himself with flailing arms when she left forward to give him a kiss, but with maternal grace she found a free spot and planted it on the top of his head.

“Bleh! Twi!”

( I )

For the fifth time, Spike walked into the bedroom carrying a tray of freshly squeezed orange juice, a bowl of leek soup, and some buttered bread: no crusts. Each hour since Rarity had been brought home, he’d taken away the previous serving and brought a warm, new one. Each time she slept right through the hour.

This time, the tray had a single candle on it, allowing Spike to navigate his way to the sideboard now that the sun had set. Placing tray next to the pitcher of water, he blew the candle out, yawned, and clambered up onto the corner of the bed.

It was late, and he’d been working hard, trying to keep his wandering mind busy. Part of him just wanted to watch Rarity sleep and pretend that everything was fine, but when he looked at her, he saw only the sickness.

“Rarity... Twilight was right. This is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I’m not sure if I should be here. I’m not sure if you’d want me to be here. I wanted to sleep here so you’d be happy to see me when you woke up. I wanted to be the one who was here for you.”

Spike paused briefly when his voice cracked. “But the truth is, I’m scared. I needed to be here when you woke up so I could stop worrying. I guess I even lied to myself about why I stayed, but lying to Twilight feels much worse.”

He curled up in the corner where he could see the sheets rise and fall with Rarity’s breathing. “Anyway, thanks for not being able to hear me being all sissy and stuff. Goodnight, Rarity.”

( I )

“Time to wake up.”

The voice was cool and even. Her conscious stirred, first at the feeling of the mattress beneath her, then at the plush pillows her head rested on, and lastly at the silk-satin sheets that hung across her warm coat—no, lastly at the fact that there was somepony in the room with her.

Rarity jolted upright, wrenching herself from sleep to stare at the unmistakable figure at the end of her bed. “P-Princess… Luna?”

The princess sat back on her haunches in a pool of moonlight that flooded in through the open window, head tilted down, eyes closed. Her horn and tiara sparkled faintly under the moon’s gaze, and her star-filled mane rippled delicately in a magical breeze. This was not the younger sister she’s saved from Nightmare Moon, this was a majestic princess, full of regal splendour and grim features.

“We have come at our sister’s request.”

“B-but a princess… in my house… I haven’t tidied; I haven’t prepared... I’m still in bed!” She brushed her coat with a hoof—at least she’d been washed while recovering—but touching her mane, she cringed. “My hair is a complete mess! This is an absolute disaster!”

“Would you prefer we came back later?”

“No! I mean, of course not.” Rarity’s voice dropped to a more controlled level. “I mean, I’m just not in any position to welcome you properly. You’re a princess, you deserve a fitting reception.”

There was no reaction from the princess. In the moment of quiet, the events leading up to the mountain cavern flashed through her mind, but anything after that was a blur: the infirmary, Twilight’s voice, being carried home.

She noticed Spike, sleeping on the end of her bed, and that the room smelt faintly of leek soup. Rarity’s stomach growled.

“If we may address your concerns in order?” Luna maintained her formal tone. “It is we who have invaded your home unannounced; your preparations are unnecessary. Besides, we believe the little dragon has cleaned the establishment adequately. Considering your circumstances, you are supposed to be in bed, and we request that you remain there until morning at the least. There is some manner of refreshment beside you; we believe the dragon is responsible for that too. We would be honoured to warm it for you if you wish.”

Princess Luna warming soup for her: the image was both deeply wrong and a joyous fantasy. As desperately as she wanted to focus on the latter, a memory of Pinkie Pie on the floor beneath her hooves, eyes wide in fear and shame, forced itself into her thoughts.

You don’t deserve it.

“Oh, no. No, no, no. You’re quite welcome in my home Princess. That makes you my guest, and I couldn’t possibly allow my guest to do that for me.”

She looked over to the bowl of soup and the spoon next to it, but as her horn flared up, a wave of nausea welled up inside her—just like back in the mountain.

“No. You are forbidden from using your magic until morning. We understand that we are a guest in your house, but, as Princess, we have accepted responsibility for your recovery.”

Rarity shrunk back into her pillows and nodded. “Princess L–Luna? M–might I ask you a question?”

Luna walked slowly around the bed without taking her eyes off Rarity. Her horn shimmered and the dinner-tray’s candle burst into flame, illuminating Luna from chest to muzzle as wisps of heat began to rise from the soup.

“Eat. Then we will hear your question.”

Rarity’s stomach gurgled again. She rearranged her pillows and sat up, but before she could lean over to pick up the soup-bowl with her hooves, it floated towards her in a swirling blue aura.

Rarity sipped at the soup twice before Luna spoke: “Ask.”

“Well, I was just wondering why... why you are here, Princess? There must be other ponies more appropriate for, well, house calls?”

“Is the Princess of the Night not sufficient for your requirements?”

Rarity froze, eyes widening, pupils dilating. Before she even started to form a reply she noticed the corners of Luna’s mouth curl into a wicked smile. Eventually, the princess gave her a knowing wink.

“You... you... That’s not fair!”

All traces of the Princess of the Night facade vanished as Luna suppressed a giggle. “We—I know. I am sorry, it was too tempting. To tell the truth, it was a small joy that you were more concerned with receiving your princess properly than asking why I have come—or just screaming.”

Luna’s voice had some of the foal-like quality that Rarity remembered from when they'd saved her from Nightmare Moon, but it was only a trace. The princess’s voice had changed and grown every bit as much as her outward appearance. Rarity hadn’t seen her since that fateful adventure, but she’d heard her friends’ tales about Luna’s troubles on Nightmare Night. The princess standing before her hadn’t fitted any of their descriptions until now.

In no time, Luna’s mirth vanished, and she stared into the candle’s flame. “In answer to your question, it is as simple: my sister requested it of me, and I was delighted to oblige. It is good to feel useful.”

Good to feel useful?

It seemed impossible that the princess of all Equestria could need such a mundane task to feel such a thing. Having finished her soup in silence, she found her bowl taken from her and replaced with the glass of juice.

“I’m sure you didn’t just come to feed me soup, Princess. May I ask, what are you going to do?”

Luna turned away from the candle and her eyes met Rarity’s with a steely hardness. “It is already done. I made certain that your good health was assured earlier today, and requested that you be returned home. I knew that you would be safe, and it made returning to check on your progress easier. I left you under a spell that would help you sleep, as I have done with Twilight Sparkle’s little dragon.”

If the unicorn’s face was not already white, the colour would have been seen draining from it. A voice from her memory said, I have used very dark magic on you.

“You… put me to sleep?”

“No. I would do no such thing. No, it is simply a spell intended to aid our subjects with difficulty sleeping. If you are concerned, you should wake the dragon and see for yourself.”

Rarity deflated with a sigh. “No, no. That’s quite alright. I’m sorry. Something just spooked me, that’s all.”

“Which brings me to the question I must ask you, before I take my leave. I am not sure I know how to ask this correctly, but... how are you feeling?”

The cumbersome delivery of the question gave Rarity pause. After several seconds, she smiled brightly. “Well. I am being nursed by royalty in my own home,” she said, slipping into her theatrical tones. “I have an adorable baby dragon snoozing on my bed that cleaned my house and made me dinner. After such a ghastly trek into that mountain, I suppose I’m feeling lucky to have such good friends.”

She studied Luna’s reaction carefully, but in her heart she already knew it wasn’t the answer the princess was looking for. Luna stared at her, unflinching.

“Do you know what happens when a unicorn’s horn is damaged?”

Rearranging her sheets to fill time, Rarity pondered the sudden change of topic. “I know that it limits a unicorn’s magic, and I know that they—we, always don’t re-grow horns completely.”

“That is correct, but only half of the truth. The connection to one’s magic also becomes damaged, and that connection must be restored as well. Only unicorns with strength of character, spirit, or force of will achieve this feat. For those that fail, their horns do not grow back.”

This time, the princess was studying her, and Rarity looked down, fiddling idly with her sheets.

“Your experience with the nullification matrix did a great deal of harm. I came to make sure it was not permanent. While it was not, your recovery could have been very long indeed. I repaired much of the damage, yet you are not recovering as quickly as I expected. Thus, we worry that you are not feeling… happy?”

Rarity closed as her eyes as her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Perhaps her silence would say more than the words she was failing to find.

That silence was long and uncomfortable.

Luna filled the empty glass on the sideboard from the pitcher of water and presented it to Rarity before she walked over to the window. With a stretch of her wings, she stiffened, and her mane billowed with energy; she wore the facade that was the Princess of the Night again.

“If you have need to speak of such things, we suggest you do so in haste. My dear sister has high regard for your friend Twilight Sparkle in such matters. She has been… very kind to me.”

A crack appeared in Luna’s masquerade, and her eyes softened. “As have you, Miss Rarity. We are grateful that you do not fear us as so many have, and we appreciate your concern for proper etiquette. We ask that if there is something you would request of us in return, speak it. We shall return on the morrow to assess your condition.”

“We would like to spend the day with you,” Rarity said.

The words fell from her mouth. It took a few seconds to realise they were even hers.

Aside from Luna’s mane, nothing moved as one moment bled into the next, and into the next.

Did I just say that out loud?

Rarity clamped her hooves over her mouth. Between the impudence of the request, the manner in which she made, and the accidental use of the royal ‘we’, Rarity was about ready to dive under the bed to hide.

Luna’s hoof was already half-raised to jump out of the window. It hung in the air, arrested since the unicorn’s outburst. The hoof came back down in slow motion as the silence stretched further still.

“We appreciate your candour,” Luna said softly. She turned to Rarity and spoke again with her full regal splendour. “Perhaps we are mistaken. It would be wise if we were to monitor your condition personally, yet we have much to take care of in Canterlot. Our business cannot be delayed; therefore, you must attend us wherever we go so that we may... observe you.”

Rarity nodded, dumbstruck.

Did she just say yes?

“Very well. We shall send a chariot for you in the morning. For now, your princess commands that you sleep.” With a flick of her head, she made an overt display of releasing the spell she had placed on Spike.

A shadowy film seeped out from beneath her mane, quickly covering her from head to hindquarters and obscuring all detail. Leaping through the open window, the princess distorted bizarrely: her tenebrous form seemed to pour through the space that was smaller than her wingspan.

Tiny pieces of the black film left in her wake scampered off into the shadows of the room.

Am I dreaming? What have you done, Rarity? What do you even know about Princess Luna?

What she knew was almost nothing. What she did know was that she was going to Canterlot to spend a day with the Princess. Not the princess she would have chosen, but royalty nonetheless. She began to tremble, sinking down under the bed sheet as exhaustion reasserted itself with vigour. All she had to do was sleep, and the rising of the sun would take her to Canterlot.

After fidgeting a little, she pushed herself up quickly to look at Spike. “Thank you so much my little guardian,” she said, pulling herself from under her covers to lean over and kiss him on the top of his head. Snuggling back down, she had just one thought running through her mind: Please don’t let this be a dream.

( I )

Three hours previously:

Stormcloud lay on a smooth disc of polished obsidian—the sole remains of his former prison—trying to still his mind, but it was no use. This was the most comfortable position he could manage, hind legs folded against his sides and forelegs tucked in against his chest, yet this was not the comfort he sought. Confined again to a physical form, his mind wandered restlessly and his belly ached to be filled.

Time and time again, his magic filled until it overwhelmed his self-control. The bursts could be a few minutes or as much as an hour apart: the longer the wait, the longer it would rake the walls with tendrils of raw power, leaving only the acrid stench of ozone and a shortness of breath in its wake.

The physical problems were compounded by his inability to ‘see’ outside his mountain home. Whatever capabilities he had possessed in his dream fled at the moment of his awakening, leaving him isolated—so much power, so little control.

There was but a single, saving grace. As his magic flowed through the nullification matrix, he could sense the energies of a pony walking the tunnels as if he were a spider sitting in an enormous web. Again, he fought to quiet his mind against the turmoil of emotions the pony’s presence inspired. There were only two ponies that it could reasonably be, and only one of those did he feel inclined to speak with. When she spoke, it was as much as he could do not to cry.

“I am not sure if it is good to see you, or a dark day for both of us,” Luna said.

“Harsh. It is good to see you, at least,” he replied, rising to his hooves.

“You do not seem to have changed. Are you in good health?”

“Why thank you very much for asking, Princess. I am just fine. It was lovely to be left in my prison for over a millennium. Of course, you would know what that was like, wouldn’t you?”

Luna didn’t flinch. “So you know about that. My sister’s report mentioned you might have abilities far beyond our expectations. Is there anything else we ought to know about?”

“Aside from almost blowing up the Elements of Harmony?” He immediately winced, his voice dropping to barely more than a whisper. “I’m sorry, Luna. I... I don’t mean to be so hateful. Everything is a mess. I had almost forgotten how much anger there was inside of me. Everything is just… worse.”

“There is no need to apologise, Stormcloud. For once your bitterness is well placed. We promised you we would find a solution, and we failed you. My sister is consulting her advisers even now. In my absence, she built quite an administration, so if there is a solution, she will find it. I have provisions outside. I presumed you would require them.”

Dozens of questions formed, all of them looking for excuses to ask Luna to stay, but he knew better than that. “I don’t suppose you can stay? Even for you, this place must be quite a burden.”

“Even if I could, there is much to be done. I admit that there would be some comfort in a familiar face, even one from as long ago as yours. It seems like almost everypony who desires my time only wants something from me. After a thousand years of my sister’s harmonious rule, I feel destined to remain in her shadow.”

Bile rose in Stormcloud’s throat. “You should go, before I say something I’ll regret.”

Still, Luna did not flinch. She summoned up the saddlebags from the tunnel and placed them by the entrance, away from the plethora of scorch marks that already covered the floor. Stormcloud watched her turn, giving him one last, long look before she walked away.

She had been the only pony to truly listen to him, the only pony to make him feel like he was cared for. He’d seen enough to understand her pain, and he couldn’t stand to add to it with his uncontrolled anger. He indulged in his new sense, following the ripples of her passing as she left his domain. When she was gone, he let the walls come down.

Tendrils of silver-white energy sprang forth and clawed at bare rock as he raised his head to what should have been an endless sky. Instead, he bellowed with all his might at the featureless, uncaring ceiling. He screamed again, forcing out as much raw magic and emotion as he could, the tendrils lashing against the walls until he was completely spent.

He collapsed onto the obsidian disc.

For a long moment he sat in silence, staring at the saddlebags that the princess had left behind. When he finally pulled himself up from the floor, his continuously-glowing horn flared brighter and the bags floated over to him and opened. Before he even looked inside, he burst into tears.

End of Act I

5. Basking in the Sun

Act II

Shadows Over Canterlot

5. Basking in the Sun

It was a testament to how comfortable Twilight had grown with royal chariots that she could pace back and forth across the small deck in mid-flight. She halted when the realisation hit her, partly because it didn’t seem the most sensible thing to be doing this far off the ground, but mostly because any thought that wasn’t more brooding was a welcome change. The guards were flying faster than usual, and, watching their wings flapping in a steady rhythm, she disappeared back inside her mind.

Her thoughts had been unsettled since returning from Cloudy Top Mountain. That didn’t seem unreasonable—Rarity’s condition alone was ample cause for consternation—but there was something beneath the surface that had her distracted and a little short tempered. She’d virtually ignored Spike, and may as well have actually ignored Applejack and Fluttershy, and now she was leaving Rarity behind solely because she trusted Princess Celestia. She always wanted to see the princess, but right now, she needed to see her.

Seeing the spires of Canterlot closing in rapidly, she searched in vain for the tower that was her home not so long ago, the tower that had been her world. Living in Ponyville didn’t just mean being near her friends, it meant having Equestria under her hooves, in her ears and nostrils, and dazzling her eyes with all manner of colourful sights. But without those friends, she might as well be back in her ivory tower, watching the world go by outside her window.

Friends. She wanted to be there for them, but there was too much disquiet in her mind. The princess always had the answer; she would say, or do, something to show that everything made sense. Twilight needed that right now, and if she was very lucky, she might even get to return the favour.

( II )

“Princess Celestia requested that you proceed directly to the main audience chamber,” one of the pegasi said as the chariot landed.

She wasted no time and broke into a gallop, only to pull up again a dozen paces later. “Thank you, sirs!” she shouted back, bowing politely. The two pegasi reared up, flourishing their wings and whinnying.

Courtesy attended, Twilight was off again, leaving the plaza behind. Beyond the large, gold-embossed gates, the castle’s courtyard spread out before her. Its grey flagstones carved paths through immaculately kept lawns and flowerbeds and created circular spaces for ornate statues. The palace grounds were busy, as always; from merchants to nobility, and from tradesponies to castle staff, this is where the bulk of business was done. Twilight ignored them all, lifting up her saddlebags with magic as she dodged through the crowd toward the princess that awaited her.

Only once she passed through the main doors did she slow to a trot. Inside, she skipped the twin staircases that led to the balcony above, appearing on the upper landing with a pop and a flash of light.

There were fewer ponies up here, but they tended to be of higher station or prestige. Barley was a golden-brown earth pony representative from a farming commune. Amethyst and Sonata, tutors from the School for Gifted Unicorns, halted their discussion as she galloped past, just long enough to give her a classic disapproving-schoolteacher frown. The eldest professor from the school, Spellsong, walked with a young pupil she vaguely remembered. As she dodged past the colt, they locked eyes for a single heartbeat, but it was enough for him to register mild embarrassment at her glance.

It was also enough for her not to register a bright pink little filly walking across the end of the corridor. If it hadn’t been for the jingle of a dozen tiny bells that hung from a plaited mane of yellow and crimson stripes, she might have ploughed right into her. Instead, she leapt over the filly at the last moment, and the young earth pony erupted in an ear-piercing shriek.

Twilight skidded to a halt and turned back. She opened her mouth, but the small bundle of screaming pink left no space to speak: she maintained a constant, high-pitched barrage of sound.

“That’s enough of that, thank you, Blessing.” The voice came from one of the guards by closed doors to the audience chamber. The massive, white unicorn, resplendent in his golden armour, paced slowly towards Twilight. The screaming stopped with a squeal as he magically hoisted Blessing into the air.

Twilight watched as the guard dropped the pink filly onto his back. She seemed perfectly at ease, ignoring the guard in favour of sticking her tongue out at Twilight.

“You have permission to interrupt the princess’s meeting, Miss Sparkle,” the guard said. He gave a nod to his pegasus partner, who pushed one of the tall, double doors open.

“Umm, sorry?” Twilight said with a weak smile, still fixated on Blessing.

The filly turned away and huffed.

Shuffling quickly away with her head low, Twilight slunk through the door into the audience chamber. As always, the great hall was in pristine condition, the air was fresh and cool, and light flooded in through stained-glass windows, giving it a pleasant, airy atmosphere.

Everything was forgotten the moment she laid eyes on Celestia. She walked slowly down the carpeted aisle between the pews, studying the six ponies arrayed around the princess that looked very officious in their finely tailored jackets. Twilight didn’t recognise any of them. None of them had said a word since she entered the hall, each seeming to judge her silently instead. Twilight’s heart leapt when Celestia’s voice rang out, clear and comforting.

“Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. It is always such a joy to see you.” The princess spread her wings, drawing the attention of the other ponies.

Twilight shivered and hesitated, forcing a smile. “Good morning, Princess.”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “Oh dear, I was afraid of this.” Looking across the faces of the other assembled ponies, she raised her voice. “We shall reconvene in one hour.”

The ponies filed out of the hall, fixing Twilight with a mixture of indignant and condescending glances as they went. She stood frozen to the spot until the hall emptied and the doors closed with a muted boom that echoed off the walls.

She heard the princess folding up her wings, but she couldn’t bring herself to look up. “Afraid of what, Princess?” she asked in a small voice.

“My dear Twilight, do you not think that by now I can recognise when my star pupil is worrying more than she gives away in her letters?”

That one sentence proved that the princess knew her better than any other pony did, even her closest friends. It proved that she was paying attention to her, and knew without asking that Twilight was carrying a pain she wanted solace from. More importantly, it made her feel safe, and loved, in a way that nothing else did.

“Was it that obvious?”

“Oh, yes,” Celestia said bluntly, prompting Twilight to grimace. “However, I think you have come a long way to stop so close to me.”

Twilight rushed forward, pressing herself against her beloved mentor and radiating a huge smile while hiding the wetness in her eyes.

Celestia craned her neck down, briefly returning her student’s embrace. “That’s better,” she said softly. “Now, perhaps we can find somewhere more private to talk?”

( II )

“I see,” Celestia said. “You must be very grateful.”

Time alone with the princess was special enough, but they were in one of Celestia’s most informal and comfortable lounges, so lounge she did. Twilight sprawled on a huge, plush cushion, her back legs stretched lazily to one side and her front legs crossed casually, but her head was up and her eyes bright and focused.

“Yes, but, I haven’t told her yet. Things were so hectic and I was so frustrated and stressed. Then I came here and… I just didn’t find the time. Even when I walked right past her, I just didn’t think...”

Celestia’s expression didn’t flinch. “I’m sure she will understand. You have all been very busy, after all.”

Decorated as sumptuously as any other private room in the castle, their cosy little room was themed with the colours of a romantic sunset: cushions and drapes in vivid reds, gold filigree anywhere it would fit, paintings and adornments in a dozen shades of orange and yellow. Celestia stood in the centre of the room, just far enough from Twilight to mitigate the difference in eye level. While she projected her usual serenity, her refusal to sit or relax maintained a formal veneer.

“You’re right, Princess. Would you mind sending Spike a letter if I write one for Applejack anyway? I feel like I left a lot of things behind.”

“Of course, Twilight. It would be my pleasure. However, you are aware that I asked you here to talk about Stormcloud and his release. I have many other engagements to attend to after this, so please excuse me if I hurry this along.

“I believe it would be best for me to tell you what I know first. A very long time ago, there was an earth pony named Stormcl—”

“Wait! Did you just say an earth pony? The one I met was definitely a unicorn. It was kind of noticeable.”

“That’s correct, but he was born an earth pony. I received a strange report that a colt had inexplicably grown a unicorn’s horn. At first, I admit, I assumed the report was in error. Such a thing had never happened before, and to my knowledge, has never happened again.

“One of my officers confirmed the report, so I went to take a look myself. If I had not known otherwise, he would have been indistinguishable from any other unicorn. He was angry and shy, not least because he was being teased for not having a cutie mark, but many ponies were frightened by his unnatural change, and he quickly learned to use his new abilities to defend himself.

“I knew right then that I would have to take him away from his home. It was the only way to give him a chance at learning to use his magic for good, but I also wanted to keep him near me so that my advisors and I might study the phenomenon. It is to my great disappointment that I failed to connect with him, however. Under the guidance of several teachers, Stormcloud demonstrated incredible power, but a disturbing lack of control. Always he wanted more, pushing himself beyond his limits, but whenever we tried to teach him patience he quickly grew frustrated.”

Twilight had been frowning since the moment Celestia said ‘earth pony’. “Princess? If he was already older than most fillies and colts are when they get their cutie marks, wouldn’t that explain why he lacked control? I’m amazed anypony could suddenly start using magic like that. It took me years to cast even basic spells with any confidence.”

“I thought so, too,” Celestia said. “But the question of why he could do it at all was more pressing. I had my concerns about the amount of power he could wield, and sadly, my concerns proved well founded.”

“Right! Stormcloud said he lost control of his magic and started hurting ponies. Who did he hurt?”

Celestia’s sigh was barely audible, but her pause punctuated the point just as well. “Not who, my student, but how many.”

Twilight couldn’t get the memory of Spike’s terrified eyes out of her mind.

What kind of pony would it take to prize power over control? How much damage could somepony like that really do? Or even… somepony like me...

“Twilight?”

The unicorn looked up, shaken from her thoughts. “How—how many? How many was it?”

“A few accidents here are there are first, but nothing serious. Stormcloud would get angry or frustrated and lash out. I believe that it was never his intention, but it was certainly his nature. He started calling it his ‘curse’, which I thought a little melodramatic, but he never got his cutie mark, so I couldn’t deny that he was obviously different.

“I think he lost a part of himself when he lost control. It is not unusual for a pony that has been mistreated to dream of being strong, but when he could no longer control his magic, I think that part of him simply gave up on being the pony he wanted to be.”

“I saw that. He was ashamed of himself, but... it didn’t stop him doing the things he did. It didn’t stop him…”

“What?”

The tone was unfamiliar to Twilight’s ear. It wasn’t often that she was so reticent with her mentor, so it took a few moments to force herself to continue. “He... He controlled her! Fluttershy, of all ponies! He chose her. Put things in her dreams. I saw them! I saw the fear in her eyes! Why couldn’t he have done it to me? I’m the one he needed anyway. I can take it! Why couldn’t he have done that to me as well?”

She stopped abruptly, pulling her legs in hug herself in the silence. “To Fluttershy… it’s just not fair.”

Celestia padded forwards and knelt next to the huge cushion, coming face to face with Twilight. “I knew you were holding on to something, Twilight. I thought it was because of what Stormcloud had done to you. I have never been more pleased to be wrong. To see you so distraught because of your friend—to want nothing more than to hold that burden in her place…”

Twilight shut her eyes and shied away.

“Twilight Sparkle, look at me.”

She obliged, tears starting to fall as she pried open her eyes.

“I don’t think I have ever been more proud of you.”

For a moment it seemed absurd to be praised after ignoring Fluttershy the night before, but the stray thought alone conjured the mare’s smiling face. No, Fluttershy would be proud of her too. Fluttershy would want this moment for Twilight. She edged forward and nuzzle Celestia’s face gently, feeling her return the gesture.

There was a knock at the door and Twilight felt a rush of cool air against her face as Celestia turned away. The princess paused instead of answering, then turned back and reciprocated her nuzzle with more force. It lasted only a few short moments, each heartbeat bringing increased pressure and a ferocity of emotion that words could never have matched: This is our moment. This is special.

But it had to end.

“Enter,” said Celestia, standing so that her body would shield Twilight from whomever was outside.

The door swung open with military precision, and behind it stood the massive unicorn guard that Twilight had encountered earlier, a pair of saddlebags floating overhead. “Princess, we found Twilight Sparkle’s saddlebags in the lobby.”

With a jingling of bells, Blessing ran into the room under his legs, spotting Twilight from her low vantage point.

“She scared me!” Blessing squeaked in her high-pitched voice, scowling and trying her best to look indignant.

Twilight watched as her mentor stepped to one side without answering the challenge. It was often her way to let Twilight do that for herself. “Hello little... Blessing was it? My name is—”

“Twilight Sparkle!”

Twilight recoiled at the outburst, but as she watched, the hardness of the filly’s face melted away.

“Why are you crying, Twilight Sparkle?”

Twilight began to smile. “Something happened to a friend of mine, something that upset me. I’m really sorry about jumping over you earlier, but I didn’t realise just how much I wanted to talk to Princess Celestia. I was in too much of a hurry.”

“Blessing, I would like to talk to Twilight privately, please.”

The little filly turned towards the door, then back to Twilight, and finally to Celestia, giving her a deep frown.

“What is it, Blessing?”

“Does Twilight Sparkle need a hug?”

Celestia chuckled and gave Twilight a conspiratorial wink. “You know, I believe she does.”

Blessing bounced up onto the cushion with an accompanying jingle, wrapping her little legs around Twilight with the sort of unrestrained intensity she grown accustomed to from a somewhat larger pink pony. As the little muzzle pushed behind her ear, she found herself pulling a leg free to return the embrace. Blessing gave Twilight a foalish kiss on the side of her head and bolted for the door. With even more jingling than ever, she darted back between the legs of the guard that still stood in the hall and vanished from sight.

“Please leave those on the floor, Swordmane.”

With the glow of Swordmane’s magic, the door closed with the same forceful precision with which it had opened. Twilight waited for Celestia to return to the middle of the room before she spoke. “Princess, who was that? I mean, Blessing. Is she with that guard?”

“I am afraid I’m sworn to secrecy on that subject,” she said with a playful smile. “But perhaps if you were to ask her yourself? All I can say is that for now, she has the run of the castle. As long as she wears the bells.”

“All right then,” Twilight said with a slight raise of one eyebrow, as she wiped away the last of her tears. “So, you were saying that Stormcloud had given up.”

“Yes. He retreated from speaking to anypony in case something terrible happened. I’m not sure how she did it, but it was Luna that convinced Stormcloud to open up again, but even she could do nothing to stop his self-destructive spiral. Eventually, when somepony discovered where he was hiding, dozens of fearful ponies went after him. Seventeen ponies were injured, and three of those did not survive.”

Twilight froze. It was as much as she could do to realise her jaw was hanging wide open, and shut it.

“Luna put great effort into trying to help Stormcloud. He demanded she cut off his horn. For a while, it worked, but it always grew back. However, it did give Luna time to create a spell that would strip him of his power as long as he remained within it.”

“Is that what was keeping him in Cloudy Top Mountain?”

“Nothing keeps him there except his own free will. That is why my sister has gone to speak with him and assess his situation.”

Twilight chewed her lip a moment. “What about the other strange things that were going on? Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash started acting weird before we even got there. Even Applejack’s memory was affected once we got inside.”

“All in good time, my dear student. Stormcloud was more miserable than ever. Even Luna grew tired of fighting him, and eventually we agreed to create a seal that would lock him away until we had a real solution to the problem; it seemed only a matter of time before there would be another accident, and neither her nor I could not stand idly by and await the inevitable.

“A few weeks after the spell had been completed, those clouds you saw at the mountain’s peak appeared, so it became necessary to ward the mountain against anypony who might investigate. We had to make Equestria forget about Stormcloud until we were ready, for everypony’s safety. The spell that affected your friends had kept prying eyes away from that place all of this time. Only those with a specific reason to be there, who made it to the centre, were spared its effects.

“From your report, I believe that the spell he cast on Fluttershy allowed her to go there without distraction. As for you and your friends, I suspect that only the power of friendship held you together. You should be proud.”

Twilight beamed. “Yes, Princess, I am—especially of Rarity. I knew something was wrong back in that tunnel, but now that I realise what was going on... she stood by me from the very first moment I told her anything was wrong, even when it started hurting her. I know you said she was going to be okay, but…”

“I understand, Twilight. I am sorry this conversation had to happen right away, but there is something I want you to understand: I still do not hold Stormcloud personally responsible for what he did. He is dangerous, however, and I believe it was the right choice at the time to seal him away. It may yet be necessary again.

“For centuries we never found any indication of what the cause of his condition might be, and then…”

Twilight shivered as Celestia trailed off. There was only one thing that could garner such a reaction. “Nightmare Moon.”

“Yes,” Celestia said, finding her stride again. “I am afraid that without Luna, one pony’s plight became lost in the running of Equestria. He was supposed to be in hibernation this whole time. If his power has continued to grow unchecked then there is very real danger. I take comfort from the fact that he still regrets hurting ponies. Luna is the only one truly capable of understanding him right now.”

She hadn’t had to say it. Nopony could know what Luna had experienced in her thousand years locked away as Nightmare Moon. If Luna had been closest to Stormcloud all that time ago, she was the most qualified by far to gain insight into his mind now.

“How is she? How is Luna, I mean?”

“Stronger than you think,” Celestia said with a wry smile. If Twilight didn’t love how her mentor was always thinking one step ahead, she might have found it annoying. “Now that you understand my concerns about Stormcloud’s release, is there anything you care to add to your report?”

Twilight sat up straight on her pillow. “He did say things were worse. I had no idea what he meant, but now I think he was confirming what you’re worried about. Also, he said something had woken him up from his dream and it became a nightmare. He said he was terrified, but if he hadn’t told me what he’d done, I would never have guessed that he’d made me do it—it felt so serene. When he tricked me into transporting us all back to Ponyville, it was completely different. It was so... harsh. Wild and hard to control, just like you made him sound. It was like I felt two completely different ponies.”

“Twilight. I have several research teams working on this problem, and I would appreciate it if you would speak with them. I am sure your input would prove extremely valuable to their work. In the meantime, I must get back to my postponed meeting.”

The princess waited several seconds, and when Twilight offered nothing more, she magically pulled open the door and walked over to it. She turned back to address Twilight one last time. “Do not rush yourself. After all, I think you have some letters to write don’t you? I do not want to see you in the audience hall until you feel absolutely ready. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Princess!”

With a simple smile, Celestia paced out of the room and closed the door.

Twilight flopped down onto her over-sized cushion, her enthusiasm evaporating rapidly. Just a little nap to refresh myself.

( II )

Spike:

The little dragon woke up to a familiar tingling sensation, then belched loudly. A scroll appeared and dropped onto the bed sheet in front of him—Rarity’s sheet, on Rarity’s bed.

He surveyed the room. It was bright, the mid-morning sun streaming in through the open window. Rarity’s bed was empty, and his tray of food from the night before was gone.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he picked up the scroll and noticed a second, hastily written note that lay on the bed.

Spike,

Gone to Canterlot.

She was gone, and he’d slept through it. He barely even cracked a smile when he noticed the kisses on the end of the note. He’d waited, and she was gone.

Clutching his stomach as it suddenly tensed, he belched up another scroll, and then another. He almost voiced an off-the-cuff complaint about sending scrolls so close together, but then he remembered there was nopony to complain to.

Picking up the first scroll, he opened it, knowing it would be from Twilight.

Spike,

Sorry I didn’t write to you yesterday. Things were a lot more

complicated than I expected when I got here. Fortunately, I

managed to catch up on a lot of sleep and spent some time with

Princess Celestia. Please pass the next two scrolls on to

Applejack and Fluttershy for me.

I owe you one. Count on it.

Yours,

Twilight Sparkle.

Despite the lead weight in his belly, the note made him feel somehow lighter. She could still be annoyingly forgetful when she was focused on something, but there was no doubt that Twilight was growing up and becoming more responsible. He got to watch it first hand, and he loved it almost as much as he loved her. His other favourite unicorn.

6. Whispers in the Moonlight

6. Whispers in the Moonlight

Rarity cowered behind the bodywork of the chariot, holding her beret on with a hoof as the wind tore at her scarf. The two pegasi up front wore identical grey coats, blue manes, and form-fitting lilac armour; beyond that, she could see only the numerous differences between them and any other royal guard.

On the ground, they’d chatted idly and paced around. The smaller one had been delightfully enthusiastic in stowing her bag on the chariot and pressing to get them into the air as quickly as possible. The larger one just stared silently, yet it was neither the stoic vigilance she expected from a guard, nor the ogling of the less refined members of his gender. Rarity hadn’t thought to conduct formal introductions, but now that the chariot raced along, something as simple as their names might be helpful.

“I say. Would you gentlestallions mind slowing down a little, please?”

The two pegasi exchanged a brief glance, but neither spoke nor slowed.

Maybe they couldn’t hear her above the howling wind. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me. I said could you possibly slow down a little, please?”

“Order it,” the smaller stallion said, having little trouble making his voice carry.

Rarity opened her mouth to reply, but a sudden lurch in the chariot sent her cowering behind the chassis again. Still holding her hat in place, her other hoof hung over the rail, clamping her tightly to the glorified flying bucket.

“I would very much like you to slow down, please!” Still nothing. With a huff, she pulled herself up. “Very well! I order you to slow down immediately!”

The chariot promptly slowed. In the reduced wind, she stowed her hat safely before the smaller guard introduced himself. “Name’s Splashdown, this ‘un’s Thunderer. Sorry about making you do that, m’lady, but we have our reasons. Was hoping we might have a sit down before going to see Luna. There’s a few thing I want to say, if you don’t mind us hurrying a little?”

Everything else aside, ‘m’lady’ was something she might get used to. “Well, I suppose I don’t mind …as long as you think it’s safe?”

“On my word. I haven’t lost one yet!” With that, the chariot dove, and Rarity concentrated very hard on not screaming.

( II )

Why was it even a surprise that, after the events of the last two days, her arrival in Canterlot should be nothing like what she’d imagined. Rather than a picturesque descent into the brilliant spires of Equestria’s capital, the chariot came in low and landed in a dreary dock area. Rarity’s day with Princess Luna had effectively started by sneaking in the back door.

The guards pulled the chariot towards a small bistro on the corner of the loading area—Rarity’s heart-rate finally settled now they were on solid ground, but she still jumped off the instant it finally stopped. Her legs quivered as they adjusted back to dependable, solid cobblestones, and she noticed Thunderer’s eyes watching her again. She cringed slightly and tried to smile, earning a smirk from the powerful stallion.

“Over here,” Splashdown said, trotting away from the chariot’s harness and towards a table outside the bistro. “Might want to grab anything you need out of your bag.”

She retrieved a brush and mirror before Thunderer towed the chariot away to a more convenient parking spot. Approaching the table, Rarity saw Splashdown smile at somepony inside. “I trust you won’t mind if I take a moment to make myself presentable?” she said, starting to check her face over in the mirror.

“Fine by me, long as you don’t mind me talking while you do it.”

Rarity snuck a quick glance at the guard, who was still looking away. He sounded a little younger now that he wasn’t shouting, and his casual manner carried a disarming quality to it. On her other side, Thunderer was walking back, his eyes sweeping his surroundings like searchlights. He caught her staring at him and returned the same smirk as before.

“I’m sorry,” she said after another false smile. “You fine stallions aren’t anything like I was expecting. I’m afraid I’m not making a very good impression.”

Splashdown glanced across as Thunderer closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Sorry about the reception, Lady Rarity, but—”

“Oh!” The word came out as little more than a squeak, and she blushed, fluttering her eyelashes. “I must say, there’s really no need to call me that. Although, feel free if you really want to.”

The pegasus tilted his head slightly. “Ah. Glad we have this time to chat. You are to be Princess Luna’s lady in waiting for the day.”

“I…”

While Rarity was frozen stiff, a green unicorn in a simple waitress’s uniform walked out to the table with a tray hovering next to her, and she set three drinks on the table. Only when she turned away again did Rarity snap out of her trance.

“I’m… What did you just say?”

“Luna’s lady in waiting,” Splashdown repeated. “Let me start from the beginning. Princess Celestia assigned our Luna two dozen of her elite guards when she returned to Canterlot, but Luna didn’t much like the arrangement. All we did was guard her quarters, because we never knew where she was, until a few of us managed to convince her to make more use of us. Truth is that once we started to trust each other, the whole thing got kinda personal.

“See, Luna didn’t like all the ceremonial stuff, so we had to work everything out from scratch. Years of training don’t disappear overnight, though, so it was taking a lot of effort on both sides, but that’s where you come in.”

Rarity shook herself out of her surprise. “Moi? I don’t understand.”

“Not you personally—you folk from Ponyville. After Luna went there for Nightmare Night, she came back… changed. We made a lot of progress and we have a good working relationship now, which means we’re not thrilled if somepony wants to come in and mess with it. Might seem strange to an outsider, but while we keep a certain distance because we’re her guards, it doesn’t mean that she’s not very special to us. Very special.”

Rarity cast her mind back to Luna’s fumbling over asking her how she was feeling. With the clarity of hindsight, those softer moments did carry a certain endearing vulnerability. As Splashdown continued, she returned to brushing her mane.

“I did my homework, so I know you’re one of the Elements of Harmony, but that doesn’t really tell me anything. Still, my gut says she’s happier to have you here than she’s letting on. If you’re really here for Luna, we’ll help you every way we can. We’ll be your bodyguards, and get you whatever you need. If not...”

Rarity ceased brushing and stared at Splashdown. “I’m really not sure what to say. I’ve never had bodyguards before.”

“Then I suggest you enjoy it while it lasts, Lady Rarity.” The stallion picked up the cup in front of him, raised it high in his hooves and raised his voice to match. “For Luna!”

“For Luna!” Thunderer echoed in a powerful bass-tones.

Both stallions necked their drinks and slammed their cups back down in unison. Rarity inspected her own beverage as Thunderer left the table: it was a hot chocolate with a single marshmallow floating in it. She started to sip at it, giving herself time to think.

“One more thing, if I may,” Splashdown said. “We’re fine talking like this when we’re alone of off-duty, but most of the time we’ll be like the other guards, except in better colours and scowlier. More scowly.” The stallion frowned. “Never mind, you’ll understand quickly enough.”

Again, Rarity could only stare at the pegasus, blinking occasionally.

“Sorry if this is a bit much to take in. For what it’s worth, Thunderer trusts you, and that’s good enough for me.”

“He does? How do you know? He didn’t even say anything.”

“Exactly.”

( II )

Sonata dropped the pile of books onto the desk. She had acquired a special talent for judging exactly the correct height, based on the quantity and weight of books, for maximum effect. Ponies didn’t tend to fall asleep in her classes twice.

Twilight sprang up from her slumber, overbalanced immediately, and crashed to the floor, legs flailing ineffectually.

“You have drooled all over this library book!” she shouted before Twilight could catch a breath. She’d ventured onto the private study area of the royal library in search of some of the rarest books Princess Celestia’s collection had to offer. There, she’d found Twilight slumped sideways and snoring on top of a book.

Twilight was still reeling as a book floated up beside the bespectacled unicorn’s face, with one corner of its visible page damp with saliva.

“Do you see what you have done, Miss Sparkle? You have desecrated a thousand year old book, that’s what! You should be ashamed of yourself, you impudent little foal! I warned Celestia that you would go soft after you were taken out of the school proper. Honestly, there’s no respect in your generation whatsoever.”

“Ohmygosh! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

“Weren’t you supposed to meet with your princess an hour ago in the main hall? You’re late.”

Sonata watched her flustered ex-student cringe, waiting for the exact moment to cut her off again. “Late!” she said, raising a hoof towards the door, “Go, before your mistress thinks you have forgotten her!” Sonata used her most baleful stare to reinforce the rising fear in Twilight’s eyes.

Oh no, she thought to herself in a mockery of Twilight’s voice. My beloved princess is going to think I’m such a bad student and stop giving me completely unreasonable and preferential treatment. I might actually have to do some real studying for once. Woe is me!

She maintained a contemptuous sneer until her ex-student broke from her panicked decision-making and bolted for the door.

“Silly little foal.” The blotted ink on the page vanished as she turned the book around. “Can’t even spot a simple illusion spell. How pathetic.”

She scanned the page briefly, then closed the book and read the title: Wyld Magic. Frowning, she ran a hoof down the pile of books on the table:

Channeling the Ether

Encyclopaedia of Forbidden Magics

Magical Abominations Throughout History

Clairvoyants, Psychics and Astral Projection

Natural Magic in Equestria: From Clouds to Cutie Marks

“Interesting. Perhaps you might actually do me some good after all. I’m sure my research team will be delighted to know what Celestia’s favourite student has been reading.” Adding the book Wyld Magic to the others, Sonata levitated the whole pile and waltzed out of the study room.

( II )

Some things she wished she didn’t understand. Walking through the city streets, Rarity had been mulling over Splashdown’s speech. The more she paid attention to the ponies around them, the more she noticed that many of the looks directed at her and her new bodyguard were rather… unsavoury.

Fillies and colts seemed oblivious to it, their reactions ranging from fearful curiosity to excitement and awe. Many older ponies, however, averted their eyes, whispered conspiratorially to each other, or just stared with a notable lack of civility or decorum. True to his warning, Splashdown scowled back, his head frequently held low to give him a more predatory stature.

Moving from the central plaza into the castle courtyard, the effect became more pronounced. Ponies of every kind and class made way for them as if they carried the banner of Nightmare Moon herself.

She tilted her nose into the air and lifted her knees high. If the guard even noticed, he said nothing, but she was proud to walk alongside Luna’s own as they passed into the castle proper.

Two huge staircases dominated the inside of the entrance hall. Each curved lazily, starting near the centre of the enormous chamber and meeting the walls at either end of a grand balcony above. Two long tapestries hung from that balcony, one in Luna’s colours and one in Celestia’s; for a few seconds she stared at their wondrous intricacy, until she noticed Splashdown was halfway up the left staircase. She hopped on the spot once and pranced up alongside the guard—her guard. Her eyes shone brightly, and her curled mane and tail bobbed along with her exaggerated gait.

“Finally got excited then?” Splashdown said.

Rarity’s reply came with an absurdly wide smile. “Oh, yes, yes, yes! There is so much to be excited about, after all! I’ve just walked into Canterlot Castle, guarded by a very nice royal guard, to spend the day with Prin-cess Luuu-naaa!”

“Good. I was starting to think I might have overdone my introduction. Come on.”

Instead of turning right to move along the balcony, Splashdown went left, passing a typically statuesque castle guard and disappearing through an ornate side-door.

Behind it, the walls and floor were plain stone—probably a staff-only area. She took a last look back at the main hall as the door closed behind them.

“So, where exactly are we going?”

Splashdown took several paces forwards, into the corridor that ran past the entranceway they had come through. “Up,” he said, pointing to an archway.

Inside, Rarity saw the curved wall of one of the castle’s internal spires. Around it, a spiral staircase went up and down from the landing, barely two ponies width between the inner and outer walls. She followed Splashdown to another landing on the opposite side of the spire that opened into a small alcove.

“You are relieved, Seeker,” Splashdown said. “Please inform Luna that Lady Rarity has arrived.”

Another pegasus in Luna’s colours stepped out into the stairwell, similar in physique to Splashdown but obviously more handsome. From the way he eyed her up as he brushed past her on the confined staircase, he probably knew it, too.

“You’re room, m’lady.” Splashdown waved a hoof towards a heavy, wooden door.

“Why thank you, good sir.” Stepping through the alcove, which was exactly the right size to allow two armoured stallions to stand guard, Rarity moved into the sparsely appointed chamber beyond. It lacked in the sumptuous splendour of the guest towers, but the furnishings were not without their own sense of grandeur. A four-poster bed, bespoke floor-to-ceiling wardrobe, and a fully accessorised vanity desk were complemented by a large, free-standing vertical mirror that reflected the sunlight streaming in through the window.

However, none of these things caught her attention like the dress-pony below the window did. On it, hung a dress in Luna’s colours with a choker that carried the same crescent moon that the princess’s own gorget did. The four drapes that made up the dress hung off the shoulders and hips in three curved tiers, with the gaps in between cut for a neck, tail, and a pegasus’s wings. The middle tier was lilac, like the guard’s armour, and ruffled like a ball gown, while the rest was night-blue and studded with tiny diamonds that sparkled like stars.

The door clicked shut behind her. Shaken from her bedazzlement, she moved closer and examine the dress in detail.

Is this… for me? For Luna’s lady in waiting? Why does that bother me?

The stitching was all but invisible, the cuts perfect, and the fabric of unquestionable quality, yet Rarity still found herself looking for some kind of imperfection. She huffed, hummed, and frowned as she circled the outfit—something about it just wasn’t right.

She was studying the lacquered brace that pinched the ensemble together along the spine, when there was a loud knock on the door with a notably military timing to it.

“Come in!”

Splashdown pushed the door open and marched into the room. “Lady Rarity. Princess Luna has arrived.”

The princess walked quietly in behind him, her movements graceful and her smile warm. She was very different from the Princess of the Night that had visited Rarity’s bedroom. With a polite nod, she dismissed Splashdown, who returned her smile before pacing sedately back through the doorway.

“Good morning,” Luna said softly. “I trust my guards have graced you with their usual warnings? I hope they were not too unsettling.”

“Oh no, not at all. Although, I do think they might have enjoyed trying to scare a little too much.”

“Is that so? Perhaps I should have them disciplined.”

“No! That’s not what I meant at all! They’ve been very kind, and they’re really very loyal.” Luna didn’t flinch. “You’re... having a little jest at my expense, aren’t you?”

There was no mischievous grin this time. The silence stretched out uncomfortably, until Luna said loudly, “Did you hear that?”

Splashdown’s muffled voice drifted through the crack in the door. “I did indeed, your majesty.” Now Luna’s mouth curved into the wicked smile Rarity had been looking for.

“That’s… that’s still so unfair!”

Ignoring her protest, Luna stepped toward the dress-pony. “What do you think of it?”

The door clicked shut and Rarity took a deep breath to calm herself. Being teased by a princess didn’t exactly fit with her ideas about proper royal etiquette. “This fabric is of exceptional quality,” she began, resuming her previous examination of the dress. “And this stitching is absolutely sublime.”

“But?”

Rarity took a long look into Luna’s eyes before forming her answer. “Well, the front drop is too long, which means all the lines are out of place. The decoration of the lower skirt doesn’t feel consistent with the overall intention of elegant formalwear, and I’d have to know who it was designed for otherwise I can’t say if the gap between the front and rear hang really works. Overall, it’s just missing… something.” She gave an insincere smile. Was Luna looking for a particular answer as she had the night before?

The princess lifted a jewellery box off the wooden dresser and floated it to her. “Would this be an adequate something?”

Rarity gasped as the box flipped open; inside was a silver tiara and necklace, each centred with a bright blue sapphire surrounded by darkening gems leading to an onyx at each end. Her face lit up with the wash of glittering light that reflected off the highly polished gems and a grin as wide as her muzzle.

In her excitement, she was almost singing as she spoke. “These are gorgeous! The purity of these blues! The perfection of the colour matching. I’ve never seen such variety! May I try them? Oh, pleeeeeeease say I can try them?”

The box snapped shut. “All of it, or none of it.” Luna’s eyes narrowed as she gestured towards the dress.

“You’re... you’re toying with me again, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

Rarity held Luna’s hard stare for several seconds. She narrowed her own eyes at first, but the intense smile crept back onto her face. “All of it then!” she said, breaking into a cheesy grin.

She was already hopping eagerly from one hoof to the other when Luna re-opened the box. Rarity lifted the ensemble from the dress pony and dressed herself with dazzling speed. Luna scrutinised her as she worked, and when the garment was assembled, the necklace and tiara floated into place under the princess’s guidance.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Rarity cried, stepping into the centre of the room to look at herself in the mirror.

Luna slid onto the bed and dangled her hooves off the end of the mattress, watching Rarity admire herself. “Splashdown!” she called out, wrenching the door open. “Your opinion is required!”

Rarity turned to the doorway to see the pegasus’s head poking through. Fluttering her eyelashes, she posed with one hoof raised.

“Permission to decline on the grounds that I may incriminate myself, Princess?” he said.

“Ha! Well said, my loyal subject. Permission granted. You are dismissed.” Luna waved him off with a hoof as she closed the door again.

“That was mean,” said Rarity, smirking.

“’Tis true! Now that we have had our fun, I have a question to ask of you.”

“Oh, of course, Princess.”

When the question didn’t come at once, she turned to face Luna. All trace of excitement had vanished and the princess stared at her, as if seeing into her.

“Why are we here, you and I? You had a very unpleasant experience which I was uniquely suited, and very grateful, to help with. I believe I was able to grant you what you were seeking, for your magic is surely restored this morning. Yet, you were holding something back, and I hoped you might share your reasons, if the question is not too personal?”

It is.

Rarity hadn’t even noticed the lack of nausea when she used her magic. Luna had certainly healed and restored her.

It’s still too personal.

Her mind began to cloud, questions and images flashing through and disappearing too quickly to comprehend until one stuck, and refused to be dismissed.

Instead of helping your friends, you hurt them. You needed them, instead.

“I’m, not sure I know what to say…” Rarity said quietly. “I hadn’t seen you since we banished Nightmare Moon. I suppose I was a little jealous that I didn’t meet you on Nightmare Night with my friends, and there has so much gossip about you since that Summer Sun Festival. It was…”

My chance to feel special again.

Luna’s face regained a little of its warmth as a moment of silence passed between them. “Thank you,” she said when the silence stretched too far. “It is no small thing to speak from the heart, and perhaps I, too, am uncertain as to why I agreed to your request in such haste. May I return your trust with my own?”

My trust? But... but I lied...

“If you recall, Rarity, I said it was good to be useful again.”

No, you said it was good to feel useful. I remember it vividly.

“That must seem strange to you, but as soon as my sister received Twilight Sparkle’s missive about Stormcloud, it brought back many difficult memories.”

She has that distant and distracted look again.

“It is true what you say: there is a great deal of gossip. There are still many who see only Nightmare Moon when they look upon me, and others who see only Celestia’s poor little sister.”

I know. I saw how they looked at Splashdown. They didn’t see the nightmare shattered before their own eyes. They didn’t see how overjoyed you were to be free.

“For one thousand years, Equestria has prospered in harmony under my sister’s rule. And rightly so, for she is wise and graceful beyond even my understanding. Never in all my memory has she hesitated to do what is right, regardless of the cost. Even banishing her own sister to the moon.”

Why are you telling me this?

“Stormcloud reminds me of a time before that. He reminds me of the mistakes I made, and I find myself wondering how I will avoid making them again. Once I was jealous of my sister, and now she is more popular than ever while I have faded from memory.”

I shouldn’t be hearing this!

Luna paused. “I am sorry, you do not look comfortable with this. It is unfair of me to burden you so.”

“Oh, no, not at all,” Rarity replied, her voice a little more lively than before. “I mean, yes, I’m not sure why you feel you can share this with me, but... I like it. You do still love your sis—I mean, Princess Celestia—don’t you?”

“With all my heart, until all the stars in the night sky have burned to naught but dust. Do you believe that love alone is enough?”

“Why yes, of course.” Even as the words left her mouth, her mind filled with images of friends and family, and the strife she had experienced with them. She thought of her quarrels with Applejack and Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and even her sister, Sweetie Bell. She loved them all dearly, and yet while it was always enough to see them through in the end, it didn’t stop the journey being painfully difficult.

Pinkie Pie’s face, eyes wide in fear and shame, refused to fade. That shame should be mine, Rarity thought to herself. Fixating on her reflection, she spoke quietly again. “No, I suppose not.”

Again, Luna studied the unicorn’s reactions in detail, but this time she smiled. “I am not sure, but I believe that is what I needed to hear. I do not know what it is that you hide, nor do I expect you to have answers, but in your face, I see that you understand. Perhaps that is enough.”

Rarity turned back to see Luna’s eyes were closed. She looked peaceful, her head tilted down and her breaths slow and controlled.

Did it feel good to say those things? I want to tell you how I’m feeling, but…

“In every way that I can imagine to judge, my beloved sister is perfect. Wilful, wise, and unconditionally loving. I know that she would forgive me anything and love me no matter what, so I fear it is I who is not ready to accept that forgiveness. I am not sure I know how to find worth in the forgiveness of one whom I cannot conceive is capable of anything less. Does that even make sense?”

“No,” Rarity said, her ears folding down briefly. “I’m so sorry, Princess. I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

Opening her eyes again, Luna beamed a broad smile. “Then I thank you for your candour once again. I feel sure that I will work it out, but for now, it is heartening to share it. I hope it was not unreasonable to share it with you.”

Returning to her regal tones, she said, “I am also sure that is quite enough of that for one day. Do you truly still wish to spend the day at my side?”

Rarity felt a little of her previous excitement return, too. “I do, Princess Luna.”

Stepping off the bed, Luna raised herself to full height. “Then I officially pronounce you Lady Rarity of Ponyville, my lady in waiting until further notice. Let no door except my sister’s bar your passage. My guards are at your disposal and Splashdown shall personally accompany you wherever you go unless you command otherwise.”

Rarity grin returned in force. “I’m still not sure I know what I’ve done to deserve this but, thank you! Really, if there is anything I can do for you—well, I’m sure there’s nothing a simple lady can offer—but if there is—”

“No,” Luna said. “I am content simply to share my day with a pony other than my guards. They are exceptional stallions, one and all, but they’re still just stallions.”

Rarity turned back to her image in the mirror and stared at her outfit. How did she end up here, talking to Princess Luna like she might gossip with Fluttershy at the spa? Was there still some chance this may all turn out to be a dream?

“So, this dress is for me?”

Luna gave the unicorn a playful scowl, followed her wicked smile. “Only for today, Lady Rarity. You will need to be dressed appropriately for our many formal engagements. I wish I had more delightful things in store for you, but I am afraid that Stormcloud’s return is a priority for my sister and I.”

You’ve forgotten about him entirely, haven’t you Rarity. Too busy playing princess to remember what’s going on around you.

Luna moved towards the door. “I am already late for my first meeting, but please do not rush yourself, Lady Rarity.” She opened the door with the glow of her magic and strode out. “Thunderer, with me.”

Rarity’s interest piqued at the near-silent guard’s name, but it’s was Splashdown’s head that poked through the door, delivering the bag that Thunderer had brought up. She realised how much she must still have been smiling when the guard mimicked it for her as he backed out of the room again. In the mirror, her cheeks reddened.

Whatever is wrong with you today, Rarity? Princess Luna seems happy to have you here, how much more attention can you possibly want?

Her smile diminished as Pinkie’s face flashed through her mind. Regardless of what had come before, she was here with a princess and she was determined to make the most of it. Perhaps she might even find a little of Luna’s strength say what she really wanted to say. Pulling the brush from her bag, she began perfecting her mane while she pondered.

I lied to you, and I couldn’t understand what you were trying to say, but you trusted me anyway.

She stopped mid-stroke, thinking of Splashdown’s earlier explanation. He said that both sides had begun to trust each other—the kind of trust that Luna had put in her by opening up as she had. Now she understood why he’d talked of how special Luna was to them. If she bantered with them so freely, it seemed fair to assume that they might feel the same trust that Rarity did now.

I don’t deserve to be here, but I’ll do anything I can for you, Princess. I won’t fail you like… I won’t fail you.

( II )

Fluttershy:

She smiled at passers-by from behind the bag of cakes gripped in her mouth. She’d bought them for Rarity, only to find her friend wasn’t home.

She couldn’t help but worry, and discovering from neighbours that some oddly coloured ponies had whisked her away in a chariot did little to settle her fears. It meant that she was at least awake and on her own hooves, but what else could it mean? The urgency of leaving so quickly did not sit well with her, and she’d already been doing plenty of worrying. She’d worried when her friends found out about her dreams, and worried when Applejack started questioning her own judgement. She worried when Pinkie Pie dropped by and delivered a distressingly accurate appraisal of how she worried that she put everypony in danger, and now she worried that all her friends would be worrying about her, too.

She worried that Spike would also be feeling the weight of Rarity’s disappearance. Fluttershy had a house and garden full of her animal friends to worry with, but Twilight had gone to Canterlot and Spike would be on his own.

None of that even touched on her worries about Stormcloud. She alone had gotten a personal taste for the misery and pain he suffered, and knowing he was alone again nagged at her. She trusted that Princess Celestia would find a way to make things right, but she worried anyway.

Arriving at the library, she knocked three times. Just as she had suspected, the little dragon opening the door was slouched and grumpy, but he brightened the moment he laid eyes on her.

“Good morning, Fluttershy! What can I do for ya?”

She put the bag down on the doorstep. “Hello Spike. I was just wondering, do you know where Rarity went this morning? Pinkie said you were staying with her, and nopony else seems to know.”

Spike slouched again. “No, I don’t know.” He stomped over to a bookshelf and grabbed Rarity’s note before waving it in front of Fluttershy. “That’s it. That’s all I know.” Slapping the note back down, he said, “At least Twilight would have said goodbye.”

Fluttershy could see that Spike was in the process of re-filing all of the books, and that some of the stacks were clearly to high for him. “Spike, would you mind if I cleaned the place up a bit for Twilight? Umm, not that I’m saying it needs it, or that you’re not doing it, or—well, would you mind?”

The dragon perked up immediately. “Sure, I can always use the help. Sorry for being so grouchy, I’m just worried.”

“Sometimes it’s nice to have somepony to worry with.” She picked up the cake bag and stepped inside, closing the door and setting them down on an empty shelf. “Lemon cake?”

“Isn’t that one of Rarity’s favorites? I think she normally has that with one of her exotic teas, right?”

Fluttershy beamed and nodded. Being able to share her treats with someone was wonderful, but being able to worry about Spike without him worrying back was better.

“Great!” said Spike, “I’ll go and put the kettle on.”

7. Rise to the Challenge

7. Rise to the Challenge

“Oh my gosh! What is Princess Celestia going to say?”

Twilight stared at the empty table where the pile of books had been. Arriving in the audience chamber, she’d first discovered that there was no meeting scheduled, and second that the hair around her mouth was devoid of even a drop of saliva. As much as she wanted to share a few choice words with Sonata, the situation heralded a much bigger problem. After her long sleep, she had dozens, if not hundreds, of questions that needed answers, and Princess Celestia had lent her the Encyclopaedia of Forbidden Magics to start her research. It was an ancient tome, filled with exactly the kind of dangerous and controversial material the title implied, and she had been immeasurably proud to be trusted with it. Now, it was missing.

“She’ll be so disappointed. She won’t be able to trust me anymore!”

Her eyes flicked around the shelves of the study. Some of the books that were missing had come from these very walls, but there were still holes where they had once been. She hadn’t seen another pony since she first came down here, and there were no other ponies here now.

“Twilight, you’re being silly,” she said to herself. “Sonata wouldn’t have stolen it. She’s one of Princess Celestia’s tutors at her own school.”

Her eyes flicked around the shelves of the study. For some reason, reality had not altered itself to a more acceptable form, and the holes were still where they were before.

“I mean, sure, she’s mean spirited, and a little stuck-up…” Again, her gaze fell on the empty table where the stack of books had been. “And she can be hard muzzled, and ruthless, and…” Twilight sighed heavily.

“Yep, she totally stole it.”

( II )

Bedecked and bejewelled as Luna’s lady in waiting, Rarity walked with her head held high, accepting the attention that came her way—even when some of it was in questionable taste. With a little time to think, she equated it to the backbiting and gossip that went on at fashion shows across Equestria. She would be just as proud to represent Princess Luna in any one of those as she was now.

“Is it always like this?” she quietly asked the pegasus at her side as they strolled through the lower parts of Canterlot castle.

“Aye.”

Rarity angled her head slightly to look at the pegasus with a raised eyebrow. He was scowling less, but she remembered the warning about his public facade. Down here, the many ponies she had seen in the courtyard were engaging in business, whether it was mercantile, political, or the more serious art of gossiping. It didn’t seem to matter which was which when it came to giving Rarity not-so-discreet glances and talking in hushed tones.

Passing beyond the public hall, which sat below the audience chamber, Splashdown led her along a corridor, down a wide flight of stairs, and into the bowels of the castle. Magically augmented candles lit these corridors, with only one end of the level having windows, but rather than gloomy, Rarity found the lower light and the deep browns of varnished woodwork gave the place a warm, earthy feeling.

Turning a corner, there were two of Luna’s unicorn guards in the same colours and armour as their pegasus counterparts. Each stood before a door, one each side of the corridor, and both looked up as Rarity and Splashdown approached.

“Lady Rarity,” Splashdown said. “May I present my comrades, Silverlight and Vanilla.”

Each of the unicorns responded when named: Silverlight, a larger unicorn of Canterlot stock, gave a reserved smile and a polite nod, whereas Vanilla beamed a cheesy grin and waggled his eyebrows.

“Knock it off. Luna’s expecting us.”

Vanilla rolled his eyes and bucked the door he guarded with one leg, hammering the same ritual knock that Rarity remembered when Luna arrived in her room.

My room. In Canterlot castle. With Pri— stop it! Focus, you need to be here for Luna. This is your chance to get it right.

Without pause for reply, the door swung open by Vanilla’s amber magic and Splashdown strode in, gesturing for her to follow with a flick of his head. Inside, Luna stood in the middle of a series of tables arranged in a ‘U’ formation, behind which were eight unicorn stallions. Thunderer stood behind Luna to the left, and Splashdown stopped just inside the door, directing Rarity with his eyes to the similar spot on her right.

The tables themselves were well crafted yet bland, but the walls captured Rarity’s attention completely. Every wooden panel was a masterpiece of artistry, and the ceiling like a single, giant sculpture, spreading out from the centre. They had no colour, and the detail was hard to make out, but she found the hundreds of tiny carved ponies breathtaking.

Equally so was Thunderer’s voice.

“The Lady Rarity of Ponyville, lady in waiting to Princess Luna!”

The room fell silent and Thunderer smirked as Rarity shot him a quick glance. Luna, too, gave her the thinnest of smiles before her face hardened and she turned back to the unicorns in front of her.

“Please continue, Wind Caller.”

“Umm, yes. As I was saying, Princess, there simply isn’t enough to go on,” said the dark brown unicorn on the left. The one on the right, a light grey stallion, animated a quill and sunk it into an inkpot on the desk, ready to take more notes. “If we are lacking some detail that would help us, then please enlighten me. As it is, I am afraid we have found nothing more than several dozen vague references that have led to unsubstantiated hypotheses that get us nowhere. Princess Celestia assured me that there would be some new information today, but so far I have heard nothing. I apologise for saying this, Princess, but you’re simply asking too much of us.”

“No apology is necessary.”

Rarity immediately recognised the formal tone that the princess hid behind.

“We understand that the task is difficult, and we were expecting assistance from my sister’s protege this very morning. We ask that you send your representative to an assembly to be held this afternoon, after we have consulted with her. Is there any other way we might assist you in the meantime, sir?”

“No Princess. I just don’t think there is anything we can do that we aren’t doing already. Of course, we would be honoured to do more as soon as we can.”

“Err… Princess?” The turquoise unicorn on the end of the row shrunk down, sweating under the glares of the other unicorns. “There was one thing we—I mean, I—wanted to ask.”

“Speak,” Luna said with a burst of volume that made the stallion flinch.

“Well, there was… err, a rumour that—” He cleared his throat. “There was a rumour that the team from Princess Celestia’s school had some new information and weren’t sharing it with anypony. We really didn’t want to, well, gossip, but this seemed too important not to mention.” The stallion grinned, but wilted under Luna’s silent gaze.

The princess glanced at each pony in turn. “You are not to discuss this until this afternoon’s meeting. Is that understood?”

The stallions nodded unanimously.

“Good. Then you are dismissed.” Luna centred her gaze on the wall in front of her, frozen like a regal statue except for her lightly billowing mane; all conversation was officially over.

As they filed out, the unicorns kept their distance from Luna where possible. Their attentions were mostly either fixed on the princess, or obviously fixed everywhere except her, but one by one they all glanced at Rarity on their way past. She noted various kinds of responses: inquisitiveness, surprise, concern, distrust, and one that she translated into ‘who is that gorgeous unicorn in the fabulous outfit’. She smiled back at the last one.

“Clear,” Thunderer said as the door closed after the last pony.

Luna let out a long-held breath, her whole posture sagging. She flapped her wings twice before carefully tucking them back against her sides. “There are five more groups. I’m afraid I was serious when I said there was much to do today. I do not mind if you desire a break, or to leave at any juncture. You may come and go as you wish, but... I am grateful to have you here.”

For a moment, Rarity was sure she witnessed a crack in Luna’s mask—as if she had been allowed to peer inside and see the weight on the princess’s shoulders.

“I do not like these official duties,” Luna continued. “Some of these ponies come with very high expectation of me that I am not sure I can live up to, and others will never trust me no matter what I say. The few that are neither are usually… quiet.”

“Well I’ve certainly never been called quiet, Princess,” Rarity said.

“Just Luna, please.”

“Oh. Yes. Luna. I—I’ve been known to handle the spotlight once or twice, you know. It was I who asked to spend the day with you after all, and I’ve no intention of changing my mind after you were so kind as to agree. You may rest assured that I will be enjoying myself no matter what Canterlot throws at me, as long as I’m at your side.”

“I like this one,” Splashdown said. “Can we keep her?”

Both mares turned and scowled, but the guard either didn’t care or didn’t let it show. “I’ll go and check to see if the next room is ready for you, Luna.” He moved off without awaiting a reply.

“Don’t mind him, Lady Rarity,” Thunderer said as the door closed again. “He has a heart of gold, but his cutie mark should have been his hoof in his mouth.” Even at a normal volume, his voice would have sounded fitting coming from a pony half again his size.

“Oh, I don’t mind, dear, but it wouldn’t do to let him get too comfortable. There are ladies present, after all.” Looking towards Luna, she saw the princess’s wicked grin appearing.

“Prin—Luna, might I ask what these meetings are actually about? Did you mean Twilight when you mentioned Princess Celestia’s protege?”

“Ahh, yes,” Luna’s voice was softer now. “The protege in question is indeed Twilight Sparkle. These meetings are to consult my sister’s research teams in the hope of finding a solution to Stormcloud’s problem. In the thousand years I have been away, we are no closer to understanding why he is different. My sister summoned Twilight Sparkle yesterday, yet she has not offered the results of that meeting. That is what will make today so much more… frustrating.”

Rarity smiled; it was good to hear Luna refer to her imprisonment without a flinch. “I’m afraid I don’t really understand what the problem is. I don’t remember much of him. I was busy—” she grimaced before uttering the last words “—getting dirty.”

Luna giggled. “Come, Lady Rarity. I will explain as much as you wish to know later. For now we have more researchers to address. Onward, Thunderer!”

Even Thunderer raised an eyebrow at Luna’s shift in manner, but didn’t hesitate to open the door. The princess followed behind him and Rarity took one last look around the ornate room as she pondered the strangeness of her place at Luna’s side.

Don’t worry, Prin—Luna. I’m not leaving you, but I hope we run into Twilight.

( II )

Twilight gained an enthusiastic bounce in her step as she approached her target. After prowling the castle for a couple of hours—much of which was wasted fretting over whether or not she should be prowling the castle or what would happen if she were caught—she found the colt she had seen with Spellsong, Autumn Haze. He was sitting outside one of the meeting rooms behind the audience hall.

“Hey! Don’t I remember you from the School for Gifted Unicorns? I’m Twilight Sparkle. Isn’t your name Autumn Haze?”

“You can’t come in!” he blurted out, cowering away from Twilight.

The look in his widening eyes was much the same look she’d given Sonata just hours ago. She forced herself to speak calmly. She didn’t wish that look on anypony. “I didn’t ask if I could go in. Why are you so jumpy?”

Autumn Haze shrunk back and avoided eye contact. When Twilight moved in front of him, he shut his eyes tightly.

“Wait a minute... she’s inside, isn’t she? Sonata’s inside with Spellsong, right? Probably Amethyst too, and anyone else who’s here from the school.” Before her eyes, the colt started trembling. She lay down and softened her voice even more. “Autumn Haze, did somepony tell you not to talk to me?”

“Umm… It’s Red. Autumn Red.”

Twilight grimaced. “Oh, I’m so sorry! What do your friends call you?”

“Just Red.”

“Well then Red, you can just call me Twilight. Now, did anyone tell you not to talk to me?”

Red finally managed to sneak one eye open a fraction to look at Twilight. “Not exactly,” he said, his voice getting even quieter.

“So let me guess... they are inside, and you’re not allowed to let me in?”

The colt nodded silently.

“Would you feel better if I promised not to go in?”

Red opened both eyes fully and look right at her. “You’d do that?”

“Well of course I would, Red! What in Equestria have ponies been telling you? I don’t want to get you in any trouble. Besides, they have to come out eventually. I can wait,” she said with a smirk. “Now, how about we just have a nice friendly chat? I imagine you have all sorts of things you want to ask an older student.”

Red looked back at the door behind him, then to Twilight again. “Was... was Miss Sonata always this mean?”

“Mean?” said Twilight. “Well, yeah, I guess. I can remember this one time, just when were were supposed to be going home for the weekend…”

( II )

By the end of the third meeting, Luna's doubts about Rarity’s desire to see them through were understandable. The drone of book-smart ponies with too many ideas and not enough facts did not mix well with a repetitive format: a few apologies from both sides, a lot of idle speculation, and no noteworthy progress.

Luna had called an unscheduled break, laying out on the floor and closing her eyes. She looked more drained after each meeting, and Rarity lowered herself to the floor in front of Luna, making every effort not to dirty to her courtly attire.

In turn, Luna opened her eyes and smiled. “I know this cannot be what you had in mind, Lady Rarity. I am sorry for that.”

“Oh my stars no, Luna—”

“My stars.” Luna gave her a hard stare.

Rarity’s head rocked back. “I’m sorry Luna! I didn’t mean… wait.” She paused, her mouth hanging open slightly, until Splashdown chuckled. “Ooooh!” She beat a hoof on the floor. “I am never going to get used to that!”

Luna laughed aloud. It was everything Rarity could have hoped for, and her momentary scowl melted in the wake of a broad smile. This is what she wanted—this is what she needed—yet she could not help but remember how utterly she had failed before. Will alone could not stop her smile from melting away.

“Pray tell me, my lady,” Luna said, softening her voice. “What manner of woe doest thou suffer?”

“Nothing Prin—I mean, Luna. We can talk about it later, if that’s alright?”

This time there was no scrutinising, Luna simply smiled and closed her eyes.

“I heard you mention growing horns again,” Rarity said quietly. “Does it have anything to do with the question you asked me last night?”

Luna’s face hardened.

Oh dear. I wish I hadn’t asked.

“It does, Lady Rarity. I did a great deal of research because of Stormcloud. He was a pony of two parts. He begged me to help him remove his magic completely, yet he refused to let it go. The last time I cut off his horn, it regrew from nothing in less than an hour. I could see it reforming before my very eyes.”

Luna’s voice became weaker as she spoke, and Rarity could feel Thunderer’s eyes boring into her. “Luna? Your research, is that why you came to see me last night? Why it was you and not somepony else?”

“Yes. I alone knew understood what had afflicted you, because I alone created the spell that did it to you. I could not have forgiven myself if I had not seen you returned to full health. There must be another way to deal with Stormcloud’s problem, even if it merely grants us more time. I visited him just before I came to your abode last night. He is suffering, but there is nothing more I can do, save to find the answers he desires.”

Luna’s face tightened. “I will find a way this time, Lady Rarity. I swear it.”

“Luna, I—”

“Luna.” Splashdown used his full voice to speak over the hushed conversation. “Might I borrow Lady Rarity from you for a while?”

The princess tilted her head. “If the lady desires your company, then of course you may.”

Looking up at the guard, Rarity could read nothing from his face beyond the missing undercurrent of mirth he had shown thus far. Thunderer, by contrast, had shifted his stare to his comrade, and Luna had already closed her eyes again. She pushed herself up to her hooves, the silent gesture being sufficient to answer his request.

Splashdown led her out of the room and along the corridor. The unicorn guards still stood in the hallway, and Rarity held a suspicion that the pegasus was remaining quiet until they were out of earshot.

“Thank you,” he said as they turned a corner.

Rarity appraised her escort with a raised eyebrow. “Whatever for?”

“You’re officially of station, so… permission to speak freely, m’lady?”

Rarity nodded.

“I mean it. Thank you. You got dumped in at the deep end and I want you to know I appreciate what you’re doing. I had you pegged wrong, but I don’t apologise because it’s my job to doubt. Luna seems to trust you, and Thunderer hasn’t voiced any concerns. As far as I can see you really do seem to have Luna’s best interests at heart, but, it also means I really don’t want to pull my blows when I say this, so…”

With a sharp intake of breath he continued. “What in Celestia’s mane do you think you’re playing at?”

For a moment, Rarity didn’t even react, but when she did, she scowled and raised her voice. “Sir! I have absolutely no idea what you are referring to!”

“Simple. You’re all dressed up and being called Lady Rarity, but you’re perfectly happy just calling her Luna. Don’t you think that’s a bit off? I’m thinking that maybe you’re enjoying this a little too much and forgetting what’s best for Luna.”

“Well of course I’m enjoying it! That would be why I asked to be here, would it not?” Stamping a hoof she added, “To think I was actually starting to think you were a very nice pony!”

“Alright! Alright. I’m sorry. Look, I think you’re starting to see why we’re so defensive of Luna, and it doesn’t have anything to do with needing big, strong stallions to protect her from danger. Luna comes first, always, so you tell me: are you here for Luna? Or just to prance about in a fancy dress and a few baubles?”

Go on. Say it. ‘Yes Splashdown, you’re absolutely right. I’m loving it. I get to be treated like a princess, by a princess, and I love it.’

Rarity shook her head briskly. She frowned and pursed her lips, but in the silence, her indignation waned.

Splashdown raised himself up to his full height. “I’m sorry, Rarity. I really am. For all my bluster I’m not really skilled enough to say it any other way. I guess you’ll probably want a little time to yourself, or at least away from me, but… well, you know the drill. Just give me the order.”

I will not fail Luna.

“No. Escort me around the floor before we go back,” she said, looking him right in the eyes. “Please.”

Splashdown blinked. “Uhh… sure, I mean—Of course, m’lady.”

He took up his usual position and waited for Rarity to pull alongside before he moved off. It took several minutes to walk the outskirts of the conference room corridors, and on the way back, Rarity noticed him glance at her several times.

“And just what are you smiling at?”

“I think I’m starting to get why she likes you.”

( II )

Red was a fine example of when to apply to word gifted to a unicorn. The story of his first mural, a sunset that earned him his paint-splodge cutie mark, captured Twilight's imagination thoroughly, but no so thoroughly as to dismiss the recollection of how frightened he'd been at first.

Only Sonata could have warned him not to talk to her. Clearly, she needed to be exposed for what she had done, and clearly, Twilight was the pony to do it.

Nopony had paid the two any mind until a grey unicorn in Luna’s livery eyed them both as he walked past. He knocked on the door, and Twilight rose to her hooves, pushing herself against the wall to stay out of sight of whoever answered. The hallway filled with the sound of talking ponies as the door creaked open, and quickly, a line of school staff began filing out.

Twilight didn’t recognise either of the first two ponies, but the third was Spellsong, who only looked at Twilight for a moment before turning his attention on Red. The old, orange pony gave a mute gesture of his head, signalling for the colt to follow. Amethyst came out next, his coat and mane the colour of his namesake. He paid Twilight no mind, pausing only to make space for Red to fall in line. After him, Sonata finally appeared.

“Where’s my book?” Twilight pounced forward, almost nose to nose with the tutor.

The procession halted, and she felt every pair of eyes turn on her, the guard’s included. Sonata narrowed her eyes, then looked to Spellsong.

“Miss Sparkle,” Spellsong said. “I do not appreciate my staff being ambushed by an ex-student of my school, let alone one who I expect to know better.”

“But... she tricked me into leaving my books behind and then took them! She stole the Encyclopedia of Forbidden Magics! It’s only—”

“Enough. I am on business with Princess Luna and I do not have time to tarry because of this insolence. If you have evidence for your allegations, please present it accordingly and it will be dealt with. Either way, we are on a schedule and this interruption is over. Is that clear?”

“But… my book.” Twilight turned towards the open doorway as the last ponies shuffled out. “I bet it’s in there!” she said, looking to the guard.

“Guards!” Vanilla bellowed. Two castle guards in the usual golden armour raced around the corners at the end of the corridor, slowing to a brisk trot as they arrived. “It seems that Miss Sparkle has an unhealthy interest in the contents of the room occupied by Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns. These fine mares and stallions are due to meet with Princess Luna. Could you please arrange for their belongings to be guarded until they return?”

The pegasi nodded, and Spellsong started the column of ponies moving again.

Vanilla looked directly at Twilight. “I request that you do not follow us, Miss Sparkle.”

Twilight stood in silence as the column moved off, and one of the guards pulled the door to and sat in front of it. The other marched off, but one was certainly enough to squash any ideas she might have about getting in while the school staff were away.

“Miss Sparkle,” the guard said. “I hope you’re not planning to abuse your brother’s station by asking me to let you in.”

“What? No. Actually, that would have been a good idea...” Twilight sighed. “Sorry. I suppose I should go and explain all this to Princess Celestia. Have you heard anything about Shining Armour since he moved away with Princess Cadence?”

“No Miss,” the guard replied without breaking his stoic on-duty character. “But I can tell you he’s missed.”

“Yeah,” Twilight said, plodding away slowly. “He is.”

( II )

Rarity stood a fraction closer to Luna this time. Splashdown’s challenge didn’t quite makes sense, but the parts that did were still disturbing. She’d pledged herself to do whatever she could for Luna, but she couldn’t pretend that she wasn’t enjoying the perks so much that it was distracting her from that task. Maybe she was missing whatever it was that had Splashdown spooked.

The fourth meeting had proceeded just as the others had, but Luna looked stronger afterwards. When Thunderer sounded the all-clear, the princess turned to Rarity. “Is everything all right, Lady Rarity?”

“Please, Luna, don’t worry about me. I’m just glad to be here. I’m far more worried about you, that’s all.”

Luna didn’t try to hide her scrutiny of Rarity’s reply, leaning forward and staring with a slight tilt of her head and a narrowing of the eyes. Appearing satisfied, she straightened up and smiled. “As you wish. Splashdown, perhaps we can move things along? Lady Rarity and I would appreciate some private time before luncheon, if possible.”

As Splashdown left, Thunderer gave Rarity an encouraging smile and she returned it warmly. All three ponies were silent for a minute until the door popped open and Splashdown walked back in. He gave Luna a nod, but the position he stood in blocked Rarity from easily exiting the room. Waiting patiently, she wondered if he felt the need to apologise again—and wondered again if she ought to do the same.

“Ponies are going to start talking if you keep this up,” Rarity said as the door closed.

“They already are, only it they aren’t talking about us. Vanilla just brought the unicorns from Celestia’s school down. He said your friend Twilight Sparkle caused a bit of a scene when he went to collect them from upstairs. There was shouting.”

“Twilight! Where is she? What happened?”

“Accused one of the tutors of stealing a book, I’m told. Vanilla had to call the castle guards to keep her out. Knowing what this place is like, even the cooks will know about it by now.”

He turned towards the door. “In case you hadn’t worked it out, that’s what we’re here for. We’re the wall that stands between Luna and anypony that doesn’t show the greatest of respect for our princess. And I mean anypony. Your Twilight included if it’s called for.”

“Twilight would not lie about something like that. Is there anything we might do? Where is Twilight now?”

“Don’t know; don’t much care. I just thought you’d want to know.” Gesturing towards the door with a hoof he added, “Shall we?”

“No.” Rarity gave him a severe frown. “You may not care, but I most certainly do. I absolutely insist that you let me speak to Vanilla at once, so that I can ask him exactly what happened.”

Splashdown sighed. “You’re going to cause trouble. I can tell.”

“If you mean I am going to stand by my friends, then yes.”

( II )

Applejack:

“Awww, ain’t that just like Twi.”

The scroll had been waiting for Applejack when she got home from looking for her friends. She’d gone to see Rarity first, but discovering she wasn’t in, made her way to see Fluttershy instead. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been at home either. She already knew Twilight was off in Canterlot, so she tried calling at Sugarcube Corner, only to have Mr. Cake explain that Pinkie was busy organising a party.

Since Applejack figured that Rainbow Dash would simply come to her if she were needed, and because what passed for her home was a little high for a social call, she returned home contented. Most everypony was doing something, somewhere, and busy ponies weren’t worrying ponies—in her experience, at least.

“There I am worryin’ about askin’ too much of her, and she writes me a letter to apologise for not thankin’ me.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac said from across the table.

With a broad grin and bright eyes, Applejack put her hat back on. “Sounds like she has things under control, too. Sure does take a weight off the mind.”

“Does that mean you might actually concentrate this afternoon?” Big Mac asked at his usual, languid pace.

“An’ just what is that supposed to mean Big Macintosh?”

Her big brother shrugged.

Applejack stamped a hoof. “Well fine! Ah guess we’ll jus’ see who gets their work done first then!” She stormed out of the kitchen to resume her chores.

“Guess not,” Big Mac said to the empty room. With another shrug, he poured himself the last of the soup from the stove.

8. Actions, and Reactions

8. Actions, and Reactions

Vanilla gave a thorough recounting of everything he’d heard, and Splashdown led the way to the room in question using areas that other ponies never knew existed: innocuous doors, tight staircases, and service tunnels.

She wrestled with worries about leaving Luna to those detestable meeting, but didn’t realise how much it must have been showing until Splashdown spoke.

“Worried you shouldn’t be interfering or worried about leaving Luna?”

Rarity peeked around the corner at the two pegasi guards standing in front of the heavy wooden door. “Both, I suppose.”

“Well, Luna will be giddy as a schoolfilly when you go back with stories of getting into trouble. Trust me on that.” He strode out into the corridor, in full view of the other guards. “As for the getting into trouble part, that’s where all the fun is.”

Splashdown straightened his posture and looked back at Rarity. She took her place beside him, and they walked up to the white and gold guards.

“Is this the room allocated to Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns?” Splashdown asked with a stern face that matched his clear, military tone.

He’s like an actor. He puts on that mask just as Luna does.

One of the castle guards nodded slowly, but both continued to pierce Splashdown with hard, unblinking stares.

“Then Lady Rarity and myself require entry into the room.”

The three stallions stared each other down for several seconds until a castle guard spoke. “You don’t have the authority to make that request.”

“Correct, but she does.”

Rarity flinched as three pairs of eyes turned on her.

“And she is?”

Suddenly, the stern guardspony voice vanished, and Splashdown announced his winning move with a pompous flourish. “The Lady Rarity of Ponyville, lady in waiting to Princess Luna.”

Yes, an actor. You’re about to do exactly the same though, aren’t you? You’re going to tell him that Princess Luna said no door except Celestia’s would be closed to you. You’re going to wear that mask, but it’s just one of many masks you wear, isn’t it Rarity?

She puffed herself up and projected her best regal voice. “My good gentlestallions. As Princess Luna’s lady in waiting, I have her permission to access any door in the castle except those restricted by Princess Celestia herself. If I am not mistaken, it was one of my guards who requested that you prevent Twilight Sparkle from entering the room, was it not?”

“With all due respect, Lady Rarity, I am not aware of such a position. Splashdown, do you give your word as an officer that this is true?”

“On my word, and in Luna’s name. Consider my colleague’s request officially revoked. You may leave now.”

The castle guards took one last look at Rarity and Splashdown, and then looked at each other, before marching off down the corridor.

“Your room, m’lady,” Splashdown said with a deep bow.

“You know, you really should have warned me you were going to do that.” She lifted her hose into the air as she walked. Behind her, she heard a faint chuckle and the door clicking shut. Splashdown was conspicuously on the other side of it.

Easy to act rashly when you have a personal bodyguard. You’d better hope this doesn’t blow up in your face. Or Luna’s. Or Twilight’s.

The desks were littered with books and writing utensils. The room itself was much larger than the meeting rooms downstairs, and the assortment of more personal items, like half-eaten food, scribbled parchments, and bags, gave testament to the fact that real work was going on in here, not just a quick visit to the castle.

Catching herself procrastinating, Rarity set to work, neatly aligning all the books so that she could read the names on the spines. Vanilla had been very specific about the name of Twilight’s book, but it didn’t appear to be out in the open. She started searching through the bags and quickly located what she was after: The Encyclopaedia of Forbidden Magics. It was incredibly old; it was easy to imagine Twilight getting feisty over it.

You do realise that if you’re wrong, then you’re the one stealing a book?

“Twilight wouldn’t lie about something like this. I trust her.” Puffing herself up again, she took a deep breath and trotted towards the door, taking the satchel the book rested in to keep it safe.

“For Twilight.”

( II )

She was too embarrassed to actually ask where Princess Celestia might be, or have a message relayed. Having wound herself back up until she was shaky and sweating, Twilight hurried back down the rear corridor to the audience chamber, in case the princess had arrived there in the past ten minutes. Passing that door, she stopped suddenly. The guards were gone.

She looked around, but there was not another pony in sight. She shook her head vigorously. No. Definitely no guards. Stalking closer, she put an ear to the door, but heard only her own, rapid breaths. Turning the handle with magic, she grimaced as the old door groaned and creaked in protest. Rushing a last look up and down the corridor, she dove into the room and slammed it shut behind her.

Seeing the books neatly arranged on the tables, it took her mere moments to take in all the names. The encyclopaedia itself wasn’t there, but some of the other stolen books were—books that might be enough to prove that she wasn’t lying about Sonata. She rummaged through all the bags until there were no more.

“It’s not here!”

“What isn’t here?”

“The Encyclopedia of Fo—” Twilight froze. After a few seconds she very slowly turned her head. Princess Celestia stood just inside the open door. Princess Celestia did not look happy.

The slightest of frowns on the Princess’s face kept Twilight’s eyes locked as she turned to face judgement, acutely aware that shaking and sweating had been joined by flushing and nausea.

“I’m sorry, Princess!” she finally said in a rush. “I lost the book I borrowed last night, and…” Lowering her head, she continued in a small voice. “I should have owned up to it, but I didn’t.”

“I received word that there had been some commotion, and that my student was reported to be at the centre of it. Perhaps you would care to explain yourself, Twilight?”

There was no accusation in her tone, but to Twilight, her lack of warmth said as much as a bawling rant by a lesser pony might. “I fell asleep in the study last night. I was woken up by Miss Sonata, from your school. She said I was late for an appointment and I panicked and left the books behind. I left your book behind, Princess. It wasn’t there when I went back, so I assumed Sonata had taken it.”

She animated the missing books she’d found and floated them towards her mentor. “I found the rest of the books here, but the encyclopaedia is still missing. I’m sorry, Princess! I know I should have told you right away, but you said the book was old and rare! I wanted to get it back for you before anypony knew it was missing.”

Celestia said nothing. Twilight squeezed her eyes shut and shied away from the impending disappointment.

“Where are my school staff now?”

Twilight looked up. “In a meeting with Princess Luna, I think. That’s where they were heading when they left, with one of the princess’s guards.”

“Since there is an official request to look into the matter,” Celestia said, returning to her more natural, melodic voice. “I suppose we could settle this once and for all.”

Looking up, Twilight knew that the warm, welcoming smile on the princess’s face hid the terrible truth that she was about to be brought to task for her actions. Experience told her that Celestia wouldn’t stop her from falling foul of her own mess until she’d learned something from it. In this case, that probably meant facing up to her accusations against Sonata… alone.

( II )

Rarity strode ahead of Splashdown this time, entering the rowdy conference room with her newly acquired satchel beside her. Aside from Luna and Thunderer, only an older, orange unicorn was silent, and the rest talked at, past, and over each other at varying degrees of volume. Rarity could see that Luna was tense: hard lines formed around her closed eyes, and her mouth twitched faintly.

She took up her usual position opposite Thunderer. The princess opened her eyes and turned her head, gave her another slight smile, then looked down at the satchel that now lay on the ground at Rarity’s hooves.

“Princess Luna! I must protest!” Spellsong’s outburst silenced the room. Everypony stared at him, and he stared at the satchel. “Who has been into our room? I was promised that it would be under guard until we returned!”

“One moment please,” Luna said, turning to Rarity. “Is there something I ought to know?”

Rarity’s poise cracked—the whole room was staring at her, now. Her throat went dry and her mind spun out of control. “Your-your guard, Vanilla, h-he reported that Twilight accused one of these fine ponies of stealing a book from her. I… I decided to investigate and found the book in their room, in this bag, Luna.”

Horn glowing, Luna loosened the top of the satchel and slipped the book into view. She stared for a long moment, and then looked back to Spellsong, speaking so softly as to almost whisper. “Whose bag is this?”

“I do not know, Princess. I only recognised that it was part of our luggage, and unless there is evidence of Miss Sparkle’s accusations I do not appreciate what your associate is implying.”

Rarity saw Luna’s visage darken immediately, and something tapped her hock. Splashdown’s attention was fixed firmly his princess. Rarity backed up as Splashdown changed to tugging gently on her leg and he took her place beside Luna. Thunderer closed up, too.

“You are not talking to my associate, Spellsong. You are talking to Princess Luna. Do you not appreciate what I am implying?” There was no immediate answer, and the pegasi stepped forward in unison, level with Luna.

What have you done now, Rarity? What’s going on?

“I... I… I honestly don’t know, your Majesty!”

“Very well then. Who has been reading this book?” Luna pulled the encyclopaedia free from the satchel, levitating it in front of her. The room remained silent as the princess stared at each unicorn in turn, eventually turning back to Sonata. “Where did you get the book?” she asked with a slight rise in volume.

Rarity’s mind raced. What had she had missed that the two guards responded to so crisply.

She’s protecting me. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be! I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I just wanted to help Twilight…

“Where did you find this book?” Luna’s voice was the same, but her eyes grew wider, more intense, while Sonata’s darted around the other tutors before settling back on Luna.

“I found it in one of the private study rooms,” she said.

Luna stepped in front of her guards. “Then why would Twilight Sparkle accuse you of stealing the book from her?”

“She must have forgotten it. She’s probably just upset because she was careless enough to leave it behind.”

“Princess,” Spellsong said. “You must believe me, we had no idea tha—”

“Silence!” Luna used her fully augmented voice; it was loud enough that it might have drowned out even Thunderer. Her eyes were wild now, and she sneered at Spellsong for several seconds before she turned her attention sharply back to Sonata.

To Rarity, Luna’s soft voice now felt eerie. “Why did you take the book?”

Sonata’s mask of confidence slipped. “I hadn’t seen it before! We h-have a big task ahead of us, and I was looking for any kind of edge. Anything that might help us!”

Undeterred, Spellsong interrupted again. “Why didn’t you show us the book, Sonata? Why were you hiding it?”

All at once, the tables upturned themselves at Luna’s magical command. She slammed them back against the walls so that their tops and legs fenced off the eight school staff and unfurled her wings, spreading them in an unfettered display of dominance.

Unicorns yelped and whinnied. The tables were too low to stop them from jumping away, but none of them dared to move, Spellsong included.

Rarity was frozen in place until Splashdown walked towards her and spread a wing in front of her face. “You don’t need to see this, m’lady.”

You caused this, Rarity!

The forced calm of Luna soft voice began to break as she trembled with rage and stepped closer again to the penned-in Sonata. “Would you lie to my dear sister to get an edge?”

The cream-coloured mare squirmed at the princess’s proximity and barely managed to stutter an answer at all. “N- n- no, o-of course n-not.”

“Then why is it you would lie to me?”

The table around Sonata glowed and warped, pooling itself like liquid. It smothered the tutor until she was a ball of twisted wood with a head and legs then rose into the air, taking her with it.

“Is it because it is more important to impress her than it is me? Is it because I am only her little sister? Am I simply less important?”

The wooden cage sprouted rods that buried themselves in the walls, ceiling and floor, leaving Sonata stuck once the magic faded. Luna stood still, growling faintly with each ragged out-breath. The room remained silent until the princess stormed out.

The door slammed hard enough that motes of dust fell from the ceiling.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Splashdown whispered. “Do you want to step outside?”

It’s my fault… what have I done?

( II )

The sound of more than a half-dozen arguing unicorns had merged together into a brain-melting cacophony so disorienting that Rarity staggered and stumbled as Splashdown gently guided her out of the room. The heavy wooden door sealed off most of the noise, giving her a few blessed moments of relief before one of Celestia’s guards summoned them all the the audience chamber.

The cooler air and spacious halls of the upper level went a long way to clearing out the fog in her mind. They walked, and walked, and walked, until it felt like they had walked in circles.

“Are we going the right way?” she said.

“Now that you mention it, we do appear to be taking a rather… what’s the word… circuitous route. All the better to give you some air, m’lady.”

Rarity halted and stared at the guard. “Did… did I cause all that?”

“Can’t say. Luna caught something she didn’t fancy. You can usually tell because she gets really quiet.”

“Doesn’t it scare you? Even a little bit?”

“Nope. Our Luna would no more hurt anypony than Princess Celestia would. Believe me, you’ll understand when you talk to her. Better for her to explain than me.”

The sounds of that panicked room as Luna’s rage overtook her still echoed through Rarity’s mind. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but as she pushed the thoughts away, the image of a pink face, stricken with fear, forced its way in, instead.

“Are you all right, m’lady? You don’t look well, if you don’t mind me saying. I could escort you back you your room, if you prefer?”

Rarity opened her eyes, but did not look up. “But… Princess Celestia… we have to—”

“No. You are Luna’s lady in waiting, I am second in command of Luna’s guard, and you are my charge at this moment. Your health comes first, no questions. Princess Celestia is the one who wanted Luna to be equal in all things, and that means that, for today, she really doesn’t have any power over you. Even if she tried, she’d have to get through me, understand? But let’s be serious, we’re talking about the princess who’s been our benevolent whiter-than-white ruler for longer than written records have existed. Just answer her questions truthfully and we’ll all be fine. You might even have that juicy story to tell Luna when we get back. Now which is it: to Celestia, or back to your chambers?”

Rarity gave the guard a weak smile. “You know, I’m still not sure if you’re a very good pony, or just obnoxiously self-important, but… I do trust you. We shall go to the audience hall.”

Splashdown took a deep bow. “I’m honoured, m’lady. If you would follow me, please. You appear to be late.” Turning swiftly, he trotted off in the direction they had just come.

“Late? Oh! Late!”

( II )

Time to put on the mask again.

The huge doors to the audience chamber swung open, pushed by the hooves of the attending pegasi guards. Rarity took the lead, lifting her head and her knees with immaculate poise—the feel of silk lining reminding her with every step how fabulous she looked and whose dress she wore.

Inside, Celestia’s presence held the centre of the raised stage in the way that only she could. Twilight looked small beside her, head hung low, but she brightened as soon as Rarity caught her gaze. Below the stage, castle guards and Luna’s unicorns accompanied three tutors: Spellsong, Sonata and a pale purple pony whom Rarity had yet to hear named.

Continuing down the carpeted aisle, Rarity breathed a sigh of relief when Vanilla and Silverlight fell into position at her flanks. As they did, Splashdown soared overhead and landed before Celestia.

The pegasus slammed down with a heavy thud that reverberated through the stone floor. He reared up, flexed his wings just as Luna had, and released a whinny that echoed around the acoustically-favourable hall. Snorting as he dropped back to all fours, he fixed his eyes on the princess.

“Princess Celestia. May I present Lady Rarity of Ponyville, lady in waiting to your sister, Princess Luna.” Introduction done, he prostrated himself before her.

“You may rise, protector of my sister,” Celestia said warmly. With a wide and welcoming smile, she turned her attention to Rarity. “I heard rumour that my sister had appointed a lady in waiting, but I am not sure if your presence has anything to do with this matter regarding this book. Is there anything you would like to say before Twilight begins?”

This is it. You can do it.

Rarity smiled and focused on projecting her own regal persona. “Princess Celestia. I’m afraid I’m still not quite sure what all of this is about. I heard Twilight had made a complaint about a stolen book, so I investigated while Lu—Princess Luna was otherwise engaged. Twilight? Whatever is going on?”

Twilight looked to her mentor and received a polite nod as the princess sat back and closed her eyes. Stepping forward, she blew out a breath and levelled a stare at Sonata. “Late last night, I borrowed a very rare and precious book from Princess Celestia to help me do some research. After reading for hours, I fell asleep, only to be woken up this morning by Miss Sonata. She startled me and accused me of drooling all over a book in my sleep.”

Horn glowing, Twilight lifted a pile of books from behind her and separated out one to hold up. “Exhibit A. This book is in almost perfect condition. There is no drool, which means you lied!”

A quick glance at the school’s unicorns revealed that both Sonata and Spellsong were unperturbed, but the purple pony was already cringing.

“It’s true,” the tutor replied in a calm, clear voice. “I found your lack of regard for books disgraceful, so I perpetrated a prank to teach you a lesson. If the books were so important, then you were negligent in leaving them behind. Wouldn’t that be correct, Miss Sparkle?”

Rarity frowned. The confident rebuttal heralded a high chance of escalation, and even Splashdown slipped away from the crossfire. He flashed her a quick smile, but Twilight’s shouting claimed her attention.

“You lied to me about being late for a meeting!”

“I did no such thing. I was aware that Princess Celestia would be relaying additional information her protege to assist in our work. I was simply mistaken about there being a meeting that morning. After all, we have been extremely busy doing our research instead of dozing off in libraries well after sunrise.”

Rarity watched Twilight pass straight through frustration into disbelief as she stacked all the books together and levitated them in front of her.

“On to exhibit B then. I found all of these books in your room. These are the very books I had with me when I was studying! Do you deny that you stole them?”

“I stole nothing. You left the books behind and I deemed them useful to the work Princess Celestia asked us to do. I took them for the good of the project, and they have helped us produce a great many ideas—ideas that we were discussing with Princess Luna until we were interrupted.”

Rarity ran through the confrontation in the meeting room, trying to pick out anything that might help her embattled friend; meanwhile, Sonata went on the offensive.

“Miss Sparkle. If I may ask, would you have preferred that I abandon the chance to further our research in order to spare you your blushes?”

Rarity’s lip curled and she suppressed a growl, but suddenly her eyes widened and she spoke loudly. “Miss Sonata, you already know that I found the book Twilight was looking for in your room, but if I might ask, why was it one of only a few books that were not on the desks?”

Again, the tutor replied quickly and calmly. “It is a very old book, much older than the cover looks. I wanted to keep it protected. It is, as Miss Sparkle has already told us, an extremely rare and valuable tome.”

“Oh, of course it is. Actually, that’s exactly why I kept it in that rather drab satchel. So if I may ask a question of you, sir.” She pointed a hoof at the purple tutor, causing him to recoil. “I’m sorry, we weren’t introduced. You may call me Lady Rarity.”

“Ahh, err, it’s Amethyst, Lady Rarity.”

“Now, Amethyst, whose bag was it that Princess Luna asked you all to identify?”

The tutor flashed a look at Sonata. He paused, then looked to Princess Celestia. “It’s Sonata’s bag, Lady Rarity.”

On the stage, Twilight grinned.

“So," Rarity continued, “Sonata, if this is your bag, then why did you not answer Princess Luna when she asked who owned it?”

“I was simply taken aback by the fact that you had been through our room to find it. I just wasn’t thinking straight, that’s all.”

“You don’t seem like the kind of pony so easily flustered, but then Princess Luna can be rather intimidating, can she not? Still, I do believe I heard Spellsong imply that you had been hiding the book. Princess Celestia’s book. Didn’t you say that, Spellsong?”

“Whose book?” Celestia said, receiving a raised eyebrow from Twilight.

“Your book, Princess,” Twilight said.

Celestia opened her eyes and looked at her student. “Whose book?”

Twilight shifted her weight backwards and stared at her mentor. After a few moments, she straightened up and repeated, “Your book, Princess.”

All of the assembled ponies watched closely. Whatever the purpose of the question was, the meaning seemed to escape them all, except Spellsong. The aging orange unicorn bowed his head and groaned.

Celestia lifted the Encyclopaedia of Forbidden Magics carefully from the stack of books it rested on and drew it over to herself. She ran a hoof tenderly across its cover. “I have had this book recovered dozens of times over many centuries. The first few pages are always fresh and blank to protect the original inscription. It is very easy to miss it, but perhaps you would like to answer the question for us, Lady Rarity.”

The book floated over and opened in front of Rarity at the first of its aged pages. “To my beloved Luna…” she read out, before recoiling with a loud gasp.

No! Luna… what have I done? Luna’s book… she must have known right away that Sonata was lying to her face. She’s not just angry, she’s hurt!

Stepping back again, she watched Splashdown move in to read the inscription. “Go,” he whispered. “Go and do for Luna what the rest of us can’t. I’ll cover for you here.”

He unfurled his wings again to draw the attention of the room. “Vanilla, Silverlight, please escort Lady Rarity to Luna immediately. You know where she’ll be.”

The stallions jumped into action, spinning around and heading towards the main doors at a swift canter.

Splashdown bowed briefly before the princess. “Princess Celestia. It seems that Princess Luna may be in need of her lady in waiting.”

Frozen to the spot, tears rolled down Rarity’s cheeks.

“She needs you,” Splashdown whispered in her ear.

She backed away, forcing a modicum of grace. “I’m sorry Princess, I… I have to go.” She turned and fled after the two unicorns.

“My sincerest apologies, Princess,” said Splashdown. “There was an altercation before we were summoned. Luna was angered by something but we had no idea what. We had no idea about the book.”

“I don’t understand!” Twilight shouted from the stage. “What else was in that inscription? What’s going on?”

Splashdown stepped in to finish reading:

To my beloved Luna,

This was the book you borrowed most often. I always told you I would

make you a copy that included all the extra work you have put in since

the original. Now that it is finished, you are not here for me to give it to

you. You are not here for me to tell you how much I love you.

I write this so that one day, when I see you again, you will know that I

have always been thinking of you, and waiting.

Your eternally loving sister,

Celestia.

Twilight stared at her mentor. “Princess…” Her voice was quiet and trembling, but Celestia’s composure had not cracked. Instead, it was Spellsong’s head that hung low.

“I’m sorry, Princess. I should have seen it because I know where your copy of this book is. It’s in our vault at the school for safekeeping. It just didn’t occur to me…”

“There is no need to apologise, Spellsong. What is past cannot be undone, but I am grateful to hear that something may have come of it. Is it true that you were making progress in your meeting with my sister?”

Spellsong raised his head to meet the Celetia’s welcoming gaze. “It is, your Majesty. Though I had no idea how Sonata had acquired the knowledge, we did manage to narrow our searches considerably. We still only have a loose collection of ideas that need verifying, of course, which is what we were discussing with Princess Luna. If it was indeed Twilight Sparkle that had picked out these books and led us to these conclusions, might I humbly request some of your student’s time?”

Sonata barely suppressed a hiss.

“If I might make a suggestion, your Majesty?” Splashdown said. “Princess Luna was organising another meeting for this afternoon in the hope that she would have Twilight Sparkle’s report. Everypony in the research teams already knows, except for the school staff here and the Council of Academics from Trottingham. Perhaps a report could be compiled of the new information, to be presented then?”

“An excellent suggestion. Spellsong, my old friend, I apologise for the lateness of my student’s report, but it was I who told her to rest until she was ready. She and her friends have been through quite an ordeal…” She glanced sideways as Twilight and gave her a conspiratorial wink. “But I believe she is quite strong enough to assist with your efforts now. I would be very grateful if you could have a report ready by sundown that my sister can use.”

Spellsong bowed deeply. “Of course, your Majesty, I would be honoured.”

“Good, then I will leave the details up to the two of you. As for you, Sonata, thank you for taking the initiative. If we are lucky, this may be the first breakthrough in a very long time. I am certain my sister will forgive you for whatever you have done if you can deliver the results both of us desire.”

Twilight’s jaw dropped. “But… but…”

Ignoring the protest, Celestia walked away from centre stage, pausing only to turn to Splashdown. “Loyal protector of my sister, would you indulge me and answer some questions about Luna?”

“It would be my pleasure, your Majesty.”

Together, the princess and the pegasus walked out of the rear exit of the hall, leaving the school staff, and Twilight, silent.

“Saving face, Miss Sparkle,” Spellsong said. “Nothing more.”

“And just what is that supposed to mean?” Sonata said.

“It means we have a great deal of work to do and recriminations can wait until later. It also means that this would be a really good time to learn to shut up. Otherwise I might decide that you and Autumn Red should switch places for the rest of the week. I’m sure Twilight would appreciate a personal scribe.”

( II )

Pinkie’s To-Do List

Write a to-do list of things to do

Bake 2 dozen cupcakes for Lilly

Bake birthday cake and party food for Sweetgrass’s party

Clean cake batter off the ceiling

Buy a new chew-toy for Gummy

Take cupcakes to Lilly in exchange for fresh flowers

Bury the confetti experiment so that nopony will ever know

Interrogate Prancer and Pom-Pom about where Rarity went

Bake more cakes to replace the ones I ate.

Walk on the ceiling with plungers to clean up cake batter

Pick up more streamers and balloons from the store

Take fresh flowers to Sour Grapes to cheer her up and collect a fresh bottle of

extra-extra-special grape juice

Give out balloons to everyone at the hospital

Give out cakes to all of the doctors and nurses

Throw a party for Sweetgrass’s eldest filly and friends (don’t mention confetti!)

Trade the extra-extra-special bottle of grape juice for fence posts

Take Digby on a balloon ride in exchange for fitting fence posts for Windlee

Collect on the favour from Windlee to swap weather shifts with Dashie

Ask Zecora if she has a potion for getting cake batter off the ceiling

Get Dashie to help decorate the town hall

Pick up some sprite-weed for Zecora

Ask Applejack why she was looking for me. If she was looking for me. Because I

don’t actually know if she was looking for me or not I only know that Carrot

Cake told me she asked about me and the I was all OOOOOHH and thought

I should ask if Applejack was looking for me or not.

Remind Fluttershy to stop worrying (again)

Decorate the town hall for tonight’s party!

Design a super-duper machine for removing cake batter from ceilings

Plan the biggest party EVER for Rarity

Check with the mayor that it’s okay to have tonight’s party.

( II )

“I can’t believe we never talked.” Twilight walked side by side with Amethyst, each of them levitating a stack of books.

“It’s no surprise, really. You are on the wrong end of the spectrum for us to have any reason to converse.” Away from the other staff, or any other pony at all for that matter, he was far more confident than he had been in the audience chamber.

“You see, I work with unicorns at risk of dropping out of the school. Sometimes I find new things they can try, but usually I just teach them to make the best of what they can already do before they head off to whatever comes after Celestia’s school. It’s a truly wonderful job, really.

“Of course, that’s why Spellsong wanted me to come along. I’m not really the bookish type, Miss Sparkle. I tend to have more of an instinct for what makes young unicorns tick. You know, reading between the lines and whatnot. It seems to be paying off, but we’ll get to that in time. Once we have everypony together, we’ll start on the worst-case scenario.”

Twilight frowned. “How bad is the worst-case scenario?”

“Oh… err, well. Worst case, I think this Stormcloud fellow is going to explode.”

“What?”

“Well, it’s rather a long explanation but… yes. He might explode.”

Twilight rushed down the corridor with her books, yelling, “Ohmygosh! We need to hurry!”

Amethyst belatedly raised a hoof to stop her. “It’s just a hypothesis!” he shouted, but she was already turning a corner at a gallop. “Oh dear. Still an excitable young filly at heart, I see.”

9. Painful Needs

9. Painful Needs

At the archway below Rarity’s chambers, they went down—down the stairs, down the levels, all the way into the basement. At the bottom, Thunderer stood guard in the alcove. His left eye twitched as Silverlight halted the group.

“Where is Splashdown?”

“Making our excuses to Princess Celestia,” Silverlight replied.

Thunderer snorted and hammered on the door behind him three times, much harder than usual, while his eyes lingered on Rarity.

Go ahead, you should blame me. He tried to warn me, but then I just went and did what was best for me again. I got carried away, showing off in front of Twilight and the princess.

“Vanilla, dear,” Rarity said quietly. “Would you mind bringing down the dress-pony from my room upstairs?” Vanilla nodded and raced upwards, hoof-falls echoing loudly on the confined stone stairwell.

The door opened. Rarity edged slowly inside, peering into the gloom and seeing only a vague outline of Luna. There was no window, the only light coming from a single candle burning in the corner opposite the princess, but there was something wrong with the scene—something revealed only when the door clicked shut and several more candles sprung to life. Luna’s star-field mane was gone, returned to the pale blue curls of the scared little princess left in Nightmare Moon’s wake. Luna sat on a raised futon, her stature listless and slumped. Her wings drooped at her sides and her head hung low. The tips of her hair clung to her face, damp from tears that still stained her coat.

“We were selfish, and we are sorry,” she said in a voice broken from sobbing.

“I don’t think I understand. Princess Celestia… she showed me the inscription. No good pony could possibly blame you for being angry at what happened.”

“That is not what we… not what I, meant. It was selfish to bring you here at all.”

“But, Luna. I’m the one who asked to spend the day with you. I don’t understand how you can think you were selfish.”

The princess’s red-rimmed eyes looked into Rarity’s. “Do you have no idea how many ponies have made that request of me? I admit that none were like yours, but even so, my reasons for saying yes to you were selfish ones. I thought I saw something in you. I wanted somepony else to understand how I felt. I thought that pony might be you, and I regret not being honest about it.”

Please don’t! I wish... I wish I had been even half as honest as you have. I wish I could just tell you. I wish...

“That,” Luna said as Rarity looked away. “That is what I saw last night. I do not know what it is that you carry, but I sincerely hope I did not make you feel pressured into sharing it. I wanted you to, and that was unfair.”

Rarity studied the spartan room. There was a second futon, but little else—as if the room was meant never to be used, or lit.

Well you did say you wanted to ‘talk about it later’, Rarity. Isn’t this later? Or was that a lie too?

“I really do want to talk about it, Princess, it’s just…”

Painful.

Another knock on the door, and the candles extinguished themselves as it swung open. The dress-pony floated in, casting a wan light in the grip of Silverlight’s magic.

“Will there be anything else, Lady Rarity?”

“No thank you, dear.” If she was lucky, the poor light hid her fake smile. When the door clicked shut, the candles reignited and she deftly removed her jewellery and dress. “I don’t feel like I should be wearing this anymore. I want to, I mean, I love it. I’m just not sure I deserve it. Especially after running off and causing trouble for everypony. I do hope Splashdown isn’t in any trouble with Princess Celestia.”

“Oh?” Luna moved to sit on the end of her futon, her hooves dangling off the end in the same way they had in Rarity’s room. Her previously dull eyes now shone. “What did I miss?”

Rarity perched on the edge of the other futon. The bedding might have looked plain, but the plush mattress and smooth, cool sheets were both inviting and relaxing. “Well, I was feeling a little overwhelmed after you… left. Being told to attend your sister didn’t help. I still feel like it was all my fault for bringing the book, but he—Splashdown—he had a few things to say about that.

“He knew I was still nervous and made quite a show of putting himself between your sister and I. When she showed me the inscription in your book, he stayed behind and sent your other guards to escort me here in his place.”

Luna giggled. “That sounds brash, even for him. Celestia will make him pay for that.”

The two ponies smiled at each other, and for the first time since entering Canterlot, the silence felt comfortable. “Luna, whatever happened to your mane? Are you all right?”

The princess frowned slightly. “Oh! Yes. I needed to go back to just being me for a while. The pressure of what is expected of me is more than I care to bear sometimes.”

“Is it because of Stormcloud? You said he brought back memories, and you go quiet when you mention him, or anything from the past.”

Luna closed her eyes and shrunk down, settling herself. “The matter with Stormcloud bridges my past and present, and it is difficult to manage them both. I told you of my feelings towards my sister, but it goes back beyond the story of Nightmare Moon that you know.

“Celestia was first to befriend Stormcloud, although calling them friends would be a misnomer. My sister and I do not get involved in each other’s affairs unless asked. It complicates things, so it was a surprise when Celestia requested my assistance. I knew of his uncontrollable magic and I love a good mystery, so I was thrilled to take the matter off her hooves.

“Where she had kept her distance, the stallion I found was scared and alone, and I wanted to help in every way I could. I never expected to feel like I shared some of his pain. That, Rarity, is where it all went wrong. My desire to help blinded me to the feelings I had never acknowledged: resentment of my perfect sister. He was lonely, and I was focusing all my energy on finding a way to help him. I was too wrapped up in the challenge that his affliction presented to notice that he was changing as we grew closer.”

Rarity leaned in as Luna gave rapt attention to her own hooves.

“I tried to visit him every day,” Luna continued quietly. “He began mimicking my manner, my words, and my feelings towards my own sister. He was becoming dependent on me, and the sad truth is that I liked it. United by bitterness, we were great comfort to each other, but when I realised that, I was horrified. But I could not bring myself to walk away. That would have broken him, and we still sought an answer to his problem. I tried to undo what I had unwittingly allowed to happen, but I could not. If I saw him less, he grew more resentful; if I tried to talk him out of his misery, we only argued. If I had only consulted my sister…”

Luna’s face tightened, and she looked up to meet Rarity’s eyes again. “No, there is no sense in wishes. I did not, and then the unthinkable happened.”

How long have you carried this, Luna? You said you hoped I would understand, but can that really mean you haven’t shared this with any other pony? Maybe not even your sister? What if I can’t understand?

“I arrived one night to find ponies fleeing from the cave where Stormcloud was camped,” Luna continued. “He’d accidentally destroyed an abandoned barn, and somepony must have followed his tracks. They descended on him in a frightful herd, trying to drive the ‘demon’ away from their farmsteads.

“Stormcloud said he tried not to harm anypony, but their taunts and jeers enraged him. By the time I arrived, he was beyond reason; it took all of my power to battle him. Perhaps there was more that I could have done, or should have done, but it doesn’t matter anymore. Ponies died that day, and a great many were injured.

“He was broken. He would have killed me, so terrible was his fury, and we both knew it. He started to tear himself apart with grief over what he had become, and I simply could not stand by and watch. I consoled him as best I could, knowing that in the end it would break his heart. In hindsight, I don’t think it was his rage that I was afraid of, but the possibility that it reflected my own. We understood each other, and it doomed us both to repeat our mistakes.”

Rarity’s tears began to roll down her cheeks and she wiped them away with a hoof.

“Dearest Rarity, are you all right?”

The unicorn nodded silently.

I wish I could explain how much it means to be here for you. You sound so very happy to be talking about it.

For a moment, she thought Luna was going to scrutinise her again, but instead, the princess smiled and continued. “That is when Stormcloud asked me to cut off his horn, and I was worried that he might take matters into his own hooves. He was resolved that no pony should ever be harmed because of him again. So, I did as he asked before he tried to do it, or worse, to himself. It stopped his magic, but as I have already told you, it was only temporary.

“The first time was a whole week, but by the second day we knew it was re-growing. That was the first time I saw him cry. I couldn’t help myself; I had to console him, and I knew that as I held him, a piece of him died. He knew that even if I purged the curse, as he called it, I would never be the pony he wanted me to be. He knew that I could not save him from himself, and he was ashamed. Celestia says he gave up, but I still refuse to believe it.

“He never faltered from his self-imposed exile. We eventually had little choice but to seal him away, so I created a weave of nullification spells in the mountain. My sister said it was as much art as magic, but I could feel no satisfaction in something steeped in such woe.

“The night after we... I cried into my sister’s mane for hours. I don’t think she ever understood why, but I felt terrible for it. I harboured resentment towards her that I did not dare admit to, and yet she was there for me when I needed her. We… didn’t talk about that night again for a very long time.”

Watching Luna stare past her vacantly, Rarity wondered if that is what she had looked like when the princess dragged her out of her own thoughts. “Luna? When you mentioned things being difficult between the two of you, I thought about what Splashdown said about his relationship with you. His reaction earlier was rather… personal? A little too defensive, if you take my meaning. Aren’t you worried that there is a little bit of the same going on?”

She hadn’t expected Luna to laugh loudly.

“I understand what you mean, Lady Rarity—”

“Oh, no. Please, just Rarity. That title suddenly feels very uncomfortable.”

“Of course, but perhaps I should tell you his wife is expecting her third foal.” In the wake of her laughter, Luna’s eyes were bright, her smile wide, and her posture tall and proud. Rarity returned the smile, but it felt wooden on her face—just another mask to hide the things she’d done.

“But you are right in one sense. It is something that has weighed on me since that night with your friends in Ponyville. I soon realised that always being open and friendly had its limitations. Canterlot is nothing like Ponyville, and there were too many who sought only to abuse my time for their own ends. Even those who only wanted to show their appreciation could prove troublesome. At first Thunderer organised my guards to take care of it, but I was uncomfortable with that. So instead, I keep ponies at bay as the Princess of the Night.” Luna wildly dramatised the title for effect. “My guards make sure the unwelcome feel no inclination to incite my wrath.”

Rarity tapped her chin with a hoof. “I suppose that would be why I received such an interesting introduction this morning. I really am very glad I passed their tests, but I’m still not sure how I got to be here at all.”

Luna leaned closer, narrowed her eyes, and spoke softly. “Have you ever wondered which of the Elements of Harmony my sister and I held?”

“You… you held…” There was only one answer that begged such a question. “You held the Element of Generosity?”

“Correct. It was a thing of pride, to wield the Elements with Celestia, but in the end it seems I wasn’t even needed. She used them all to imprison me.”

“You mean Nightmare Moon?”

“No.” Luna shook her head emphatically. “Nightmare Moon is not another pony, she is me. She is what happened when I no longer thought my feelings were unfair, or unreasonable, and stopped resisting them. You did not destroy Nightmare Moon. You and your friends saved me from myself. You gave me a chance to try and avoid making the same mistakes all over again.

“You must understand, Rarity, that I became jealous of my sister because I still loved her. I was too scared of losing her love to say what needed to be said. I know now how foolish that was, but that does not mean that I suddenly have the courage to say it.”

I was frustrated. I only wanted to help, but I felt useless. I knew you were searching for something when you asked me how I felt. You saw I was holding it in. Did I want you to find out what I was hiding? Is that why I asked to spend time with you? Could it be that we are both looking for the same thing? But... if you are still trying to cope with it, what chance do I have?

In the distance, she heard Luna speaking. “Are you all right?”

Dragged from her inner monologue, she met the princess’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Luna. I said that I really wanted to talk about what I was feeling, but now that we are here, I’m not sure that I can.”

“Dearest Rarity, that is quite all right. Perhaps it is enough that you have said as much. I owe you a debt for your time. Should you need it to be repaid, you have only to ask... unless you decide to run amok and try to bring eternal night.”

Luna leapt up from her futon, clearing the distance between the ponies with one beat of her powerful wings. She scooped the unicorn into her hooves, holding her tight, stroking her silky-smooth mane, and cooing softly into her ear. “Shhh. It’s all right, dearest Rarity. You’re safe now, you can let it all out. I can feel your pain, I know how much it hurts. You’ve been so generous, and I lov—

Rarity’s cheeks burned, and she turned away, feeling Luna’s eyes upon her.

“I wish I had the words to help you, Rarity, but I am not my—”

“No! Don’t say that. Please, Luna. You are so much like your sister, and I am so very glad to have had the chance to see that for myself. I... oh dear, I’m going to sound awfully cliché again, but…” She cringed, certain that she couldn’t blush more than she was right now. “I really wouldn’t want you to be any other way.”

“Shades of grey,” Luna said, returning to a small, distant voice. “It’s something that Celestia used to say. She would tell me that I always focused on how we were as night and day, contrasting as black and white. She said that underneath, we shared all the same shades of grey. I didn’t understand it back then, but I see it now. It is simply not always so easy to—”

Luna’s head jerked towards the door. “I hear bells,” she said with a smile. “One moment please.” Luna’s horn glowed, and her mane and tail began to float up weightlessly. They thrashed in a magical storm for a split second before turning back into the billowing star-field that Rarity had grown accustomed to.

The guard outside rapped on the door three times and it opened with the usual military timing. Accompanied by a jangling of bells, a small pink filly rushed across the floor toward Luna’s futon. She slowed a little as she looked at Rarity, seemingly hesitant of the stranger, then looked back at the princess and jumped up alongside her. “Luna!” she squeaked, throwing her hooves around the princess’s neck. “Vanilla said you were sad!”

Rarity watched, wide-eyed, as Luna embraced the filly without resistance or hesitation.

“Thank you, Blessing. It is true that I was feeling sad, but I am feeling much better now, thanks to Lady Rarity. Perhaps you might say hello to my guest?”

The filly turned her head with a jingle of the bells and pressed the other side of her muzzle into the princess’s neck. “Hello Luna’s friend. I’m Blessing. How are you?”

Rarity worked her jaw a moment before words finally came out. “Hello Blessing,” she said in her best lady’s voice. “What a pleasure it is to meet you! Might I ask how you know Luna?”

“I’m Luna’s spy!”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “A spy? That sounds rather dangerous for such a pretty little filly. Are you quite sure you’re a spy?”

“Tell her, Luna!”

“Only if you lie down and make yourself comfortable, little one.”

Blessing obliged, snuggling against Luna’s shoulder.

“’Tis true,” Luna said with theatrical flair, before lowering to a serious tone. “There was a tragedy among the kitchen staff, and one of the chefs was left to look after Blessing without warning. I am not certain whether he was more mortified that I had been lurking near the kitchen and overheard him, or that I offered to keep this little one entertained for the day. I found her to be loving, adorable, intelligent, and capable of asking the most awkward questions imaginable. You’ll understand, I believe, when I say that I needed to feel useful at the time, and it became quite a regular occurrence.

“It was a terrible idea of course. The castle is not a place for a young filly, and my reasons were not honourable ones. Her presence caused no end of trouble, so Celestia requested the bells. She meant it as a fun way to stop her from sneaking up on private conversations, but you learned to do that anyway, didn’t you Blessing?”

The little filly nodded excitedly.

“I do not spend much of my time in the castle, but when I am here, I allow her to be here too. She keeps an eye on events and reports back to me, and I get to enjoy her company. She gives me something that I need and has a wonderful way of helping me feel better. She has no expectations of me, save that I care for her, and that part is easy enough.”

Luna drew Blessing in with a leg to hold her, but the filly rolled onto her back and fended off the hug with all four hooves. She giggled as the princess drove her muzzle in to nip at her exposed belly.

Rarity smiled—a real smile. The two ponies were so utterly at ease with each other, playing and giggling, that Luna’s earlier sorrows seemed a lifetime away.

When the princess glanced up, she held Rarity’s gaze again. “I think that is what Splashdown was trying to impart. They are guards, not friends, yet we are very close. They desire only to allow me to be whatever I wish to be, and are fiercely protective in that sense. That job is not as easy as I would wish it to be for them, but I have the deepest of respect for their efforts. It is the least I can do to return their loyalty and protect them when they act in my interests.”

“Yes, Luna,” Rarity replied, speaking slowly as she thought it through. “Now that you put it that way, it does sound like what he was telling me. I think he wanted to show me that I had his support. And yours too.”

“Rarity is sad too!” Blessing cried, leaping between the futons and wrapping her little legs around the unicorn’s neck. She hugged tightly, pressing her face into Rarity’s immaculate coat.

“Oh, yes!” Rarity wailed as tears began to flow. “It hurts so much! I just want—

The smile, and her flicker of joy, drained away. Such bliss was not meant for her; Blessing was far more suited to raising Luna’s spirits, and was a great deal more honest, too.

Squirming, Blessing freed herself from Luna’s grasp and curled up impossibly small between the princess’s forelegs. Her head pointed towards Rarity, reminding her that she, not the filly, was the stranger in the room.

“Princess, maybe I should give you two some time together?”

“That is not necessary,” Luna replied softly, “but I suspect you have already made up your mind.”

With a half-hearted smile and a nod, Rarity rose from the bed. She watched as Luna gently nuzzled Blessing behind an ear, eliciting squeals and giggles from the filly. Turning towards the door, she walked straight past Luna’s dress.

“Please, Rarity, I would feel better if you would take Thunderer with you. I have seen what slighted ponies are capable of, and I fear that you have gotten yourself noticed. And remember that you are still recovering from your ordeal. I would not want you to push yourself unnecessarily.

“Thunderer can arrange anything you need. A royal luncheon, a visit to anywhere in Canterlot—or with Twilight Sparkle, if I might be so bold?”

Blessing’s head popped up. “Twilight Sparkle was sad yesterday! Princess Celestia said she needed a hug so I gave her one.”

Twilight was sad yesterday?

Rarity smiled. “Thank you so much, Blessing. You really are a good spy after all.”

Rarity, you realise you’re happy because Twilight was sad? That’s disgusting.

“I will need to resume my duties soon, Rarity. Whenever you wish to find me, I will still be glad of your company.”

Rarity nodded, still smiling. Even Luna kept one small part of herself hidden in darkness from her guards and her little friend. I can have my one little pleasure, can’t I?

( II )

At Luna’s suggestion, they made their way back to the School for Gifted Unicorns’ study room in the hope of meeting Twilight. She missed Splashdown’s confident and outspoken demeanour, but Thunderer’s stoic silence was a different kind of comfortable. After he went to great lengths to claify that Sonata, not her, was the source of his ire, she couldn’t believe that he would remain silent if he had something else worth saying, and that made the silence a statement in itself: a reassuring affirmation that everything was fine exactly as it was.

As the door swung open, the noise that spilled out reminded Rarity of the school’s meeting with Luna. There were fewer voices, but they were buzzing with the heady excitement of arcane discussions. She remembered Luna’s warning and let Thunderer go ahead of her, but none of the ponies inside even noticed their arrival. Twilight was busy conversing with Spellsong, and each of them held several books in air, reading passages and appearing to compare notes. Other groups were doing likewise, or simply reading in silence.

“Oh, Twilight dear?” she said in her sweetest voice.

Twilight’s face lit up immediately. “Rarity! I’m so sorry we didn’t get to talk before! I didn’t even know you were in Canterlot until I saw you. What happened to that amazing dress you were wearing? What happened to Luna? Is she okay? What was that lady-in-waiting stuff all about?”

Having barely taken a breath, Twilight paused only to glance at her floating books. “I’m really busy right now, but promise me you’ll tell me all about it later?” Twilight buzzed with excitement. Of course talking about magic with a room full of experts and a host of new books was bliss for her.

“Oh… yes, of course darling. I just... I had the strangest meeting with a little filly who said you were sad yesterday. I wanted to make sure that you didn’t need to talk about anything. Or need a hug. Or… I don’t know… anything?” But she already knew that Twilight didn’t need anypony’s help, or support, or attention.

“You met Blessing too! Isn’t she wonderful? Wait, no, I really do need to get back to work, but thank you so much for coming to see if I was all right. We’ll talk later, Rarity. I promise!”

Twilight stepped forward and put a hoof around her friend. Before Rarity could return the embrace, Twilight broke away and returned to her conversation with Spellsong.

The words in the room dulled to an indistinct drone. As Rarity stood with a hoof still half raised, the corners of her mouth drooped and the shine in her eyes died. All of these ponies, Twilight included, were too busy with real work to have time for her. They were too busy being useful.

She slunk out of the room with her ears folded down. She didn’t notice Sonata’s eyes follow her; she didn’t even notice Thunderer fall in behind until they were back out in the corridor.

“I think I’d like to go back to my room now, please. I think Luna was right: I may need some rest.”

“You don’t need to ask, Lady Rarity.” Thunderer started marching in the direction of her temporary quarters, but soon slowed to match Rarity’s torpid plod. “If I might make a suggestion and a request? I can have the royal physician make something up to help you rest. As for the request, you haven’t eaten properly since you left Ponyville. May I ask the kitchens to make us both something to eat? Even officer’s meals get boring sometimes. I don’t mind abusing my station every once in a while, if you don’t mind the company?”

Seeing his trademark smirk, Rarity couldn’t help but return a weak smile.

“Good,” he said with a deep bow of his head. “I will escort you to your room first, my lady.”

( II )

Rainbow Dash:

In the rafters of Ponyville’s town hall, Rainbow Dash grumbled quietly to herself as she tried to hang a colourful length of cloth between two joists. “This is soooo boring. This would be a lot easier if you let me ask Fluttershy for help,” she shouted down as the far end of the cloth slipped off again.

The inside of the roof was only half-painted, an eyesore compared to the rest of the interior. To Dash, Pinkie Pie was reaching Rarity-like levels of fussing regarding the preparations for her big party. There were dozens of banners, cloths, balloons, and streamers she wanted hung to draw attention away from the unfinished repairs.

“I told you already!” Pinkie shouted back, “Nopony is going to disturb Fluttershy now that she’s smiling again! Besides, she’s helping Spike clean up the library, and Spike needs the company too.”

“Huh?” Giving up on the cloth, Dash flew to the ground. “How do you know where Fluttershy is? You said you didn’t know earlier, and we’ve both been here for like hours.”

“Oh, I asked some ponies to follow her, just to be sure.”

“What? You had Fluttershy followed?”

“Sure. Nothing’s too much when it comes to making sure my friends are happy. It took me hours of sleuthing to work out what happened to Rarity.”

Rainbow Dash advanced with a frown on her face. “Well don’t stop there! What happened to Rarity?”

“Princess Luna came by yesterday to see Rarity while she was asleep, and Prancer saw her leaving for Canterlot with Princess Luna’s guards early this morning. So, since Twilight and Rarity are both in Canterlot, and Fluttershy is keeping Spike company, and Applejack can’t fly…” Pinkie hooked a foreleg around Dash’s neck and dragged her in, rearing up and waving her other foreleg through the air. “It’s up to us to make this the best party ever!”

“How did you find out all this stuff?” Dash said, failing to wriggle out of Pinkie’s unrelenting grip.

“Smiles, cupcakes, favours, a little intimidation. The usual.” Pinkie released her hold and trotted back to her table of decorations.

With a nervous chuckle, Dash took off and hovered. “I’ll be… up. You know, away from the crazy pony.”

Several minutes of silence and a few decorative successes later, Rainbow Dash heard a new set of hoof-falls. Applejack stood below, with Spike perched on her hips.

Pinkie spat out a bundle of balloons. “Hi, Applejack! Hi Spike! Have you come to help with the party?”

“Sorry Pinkie,” Spike said, jumping down to the ground and brandishing a scroll. “It looks like we might have to cancel your party again.”

“But why! Doesn’t anypony want parties anymore?”

“Calm down, Sugarcube. Ah don’t know what’s goin’ on, but the letter’s from Princess Luna, askin’ us to go to Canterlot. It doesn’t say much, but Fluttershy got it into her head that Rarity was in trouble and took off on her own, so Spike came to find me instead.”

“Well, duh! Luna came to see her yesterday and she went with Luna’s guards this morning! Doesn’t anypony pay attention?”

Applejack flinched as Dash landed heavily behind her.

“Don’t ask, AJ. Pinkie’s being a little scarier than usual today.”

“Well then, how about Ah ask why every pony seems to know more about what’s goin’ on that Ah do?”

Spike folded his arms and huffed. “I don’t know what’s going on, but that’s hardly new.”

“AJ, I have no idea what’s going on either,” Dash said, walking towards the door, “but I’m gonna catch up with Fluttershy. I’m not sure she’ll make it in one go, but you know what she’s like when she panics. See you in Canterlot?”

“Much obliged, RD. Make sure y’all get there safely, and I’ll see ya when I see ya.”

Taking off before she even reached the door, Rainbow Dash arced upwards towards the clouds, away from the town hall and Ponyville. The last thing she heard was Pinkie Pie shrieking, ‘What about my party?’

Perching on a low cloud, Dash could see no sign of Fluttershy in the direction of Canterlot. “All right, Fluttershy, you got a good head start. Just this once, I’ll race you.”

10. Sleeping Beauty

10. Sleeping Beauty

Being asked to observe and assist with the research team from Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns was a rare and precious opportunity: Silverlight’s usual comrades were five pegasi—mostly on the meat-headed side—a unicorn with as much affinity for magic as a toaster, and a millennium-out-of-touch princess that made him feel like he was back in magic kindergarten.

“Master Spellsong, Miss Sparkle,” he said, approaching the pair.

“Master Spellsong?” The tutor’s eyes brightened suddenly. “Silverlight? Is that you, boy? I’m sorry I didn’t recognise you! Was that you in the main hall with Twilight’s friend?”

The guard nodded formally. “Yes, sir, but I’m not surprised you didn’t recognise me. Guard training and this armour will do that to a pony.” Clearing his throat, he adopted a louder, flat tone. “Princess Luna requests that I be allowed to observe your deliberations. Also, she would like to extend an invitation to Twilight Sparkle for a late luncheon in her tower.”

“Really?” Twilight said. “I mean, of course! We’re very busy here, but I suppose a pony has to eat sometime, and I couldn’t possibly turn down Princess Luna.”

“Good. I’ll escort you up in a little under two hours if that is agreeable?” Silverlight relaxed and stepped closer, leaning between the other ponies and whispering, “On a personal note, can either of you tell me what happened after I left the audience chamber?”

“You know, I can still hear you, Silverlight,” Sonata said from behind the Encyclopaedia of Forbidden Magics. “If you must know: Spellsong asked Miss Sparkle to tell us ten times over what I already knew. Your pegasus colleague asked us to prepare a report for the less successful teams. Princess Celestia thanked me for using my initiative. The end.”

Silverlight growled, his ears flattening against his head, but Spellsong spoke out before he could reply. “Perhaps we should focus on filling you in on where we are? Twilight, why don’t you start us off?”

“Sure! When I was talking to Princess Celestia yesterday, it struck me that I felt two very different presences when I had contact with Stormcloud. Once I started looking it up, I found references to naturally occurring magic that matched my experience very closely. It’s nothing anypony would know much about today because they haven’t been found in Equestria in over a thousand years. As far as I can tell, it’s been more like one and a half thousand years, but the details are a little sketchy.”

“Luna’s briefing didn’t imply Stormcloud was from quite that long ago.” Silverlight’s eyes rolled upward. “But then, she does seem to be vague when it comes to dates.”

“I’ve noticed that Princess Celestia does that too. I suppose it can’t be easy remembering things from that long ago. Sometimes I have to make checklists just to get through the day without forgetting something.”

Spellsong coughed loudly. “If we could focus, please? These pools of magic were considered very dangerous at the time. Depending on whose accounts one reads, they have been called things like wild magic, mana fountains, and wyld-bombs. The last is the most troubling because the name came about due to explosions or ambitious unicorns trying unsuccessfully, and usually fatally, to tap them for power.

“That’s our worst-case scenario. The idea matches the descriptions we have, and Twilight’s first-hoof account, but we can’t pin down the source of the pools or how it could affect a pony. It would seem from Sonata’s study of Princess Luna’s encyclopaedia, however, that the princess knows a thing or two about such magic already.”

“Of course,” Silverlight replied. “I can relay questions to Luna for you if you want. She won’t mind, I promise.”

“I suspect Princess Luna has plenty to think about already,” Spellsong tilted his head down as if angling his gaze over spectacles that weren’t there. “I wouldn’t want to go chasing our tails until we’ve done the proper homework first.”

“Yes, Master Spellsong. I understand.”

Twilight raised a hoof. “Silverlight? I hope you don’t mind if I ask but, how do you know Spellsong, and why do you call him master?”

“He was my tutor in the year I left the school. Of all the ponies we could have had, we thought we were lucky to have him. I seem to recall we gave him the honourific of master half-jokingly, but I’d say it turned out pretty well in the end. I mean, we could have been lumbered with some self-obsessed mare stuck up her own—”

“Silverlight!” Spellsong clipped the back of Silverlight’s head with a well-aimed book.

Sonata lowered her book to peek over the top at the guard.

“Nothing to see here,” Spellsong said. “You can get back to your reading.”

“Oh come now. I was just thinking that I actually admire this one. He graduated from our school, joined the guard, and now he’s the elite of the elite working directly for Luna. That takes strength, courage, and ambition. He’s also the only pony with the nerve to say what he really thinks. Honestly, I think I like him.

“By the way, Silverlight, you’ll find Amethyst’s bag over there in the corner if you have the sudden desire to vomit. I won’t be offended.” She disappeared behind the encyclopaedia again, turning one of its ancient pages slowly.

Twilight cringed. “Umm, Silverlight, maybe you should go talk to the other groups about what they’re researching? We’ve allocated focused fields of inquiry to three pairs of researchers.” She pointed towards the furthest pair. “Amethyst and Winter Fire over there are investigating known sources of naturally occurring magic. Why don’t you start with them?”

“From Clouds To Cutie Marks,” Silverlight said, examining the book Winter Fire was holding. “I remember studying that at school. Hopefully I’ll even make myself useful.”

( II )

Sunlight no longer flooded through the window, but the room still bathed in a shimmering, afternoon glow. A cool midsummer breeze stirred the air, along with the distant sounds of Canterlot’s daytime hubbub.

In her royal-sized bed, Rarity lazed on plush pillows that were soft against her muzzle and under sheets that were silky-smooth against her coat. Even with the added effects of the brew Thunderer had summoned, the luxurious sensuality was not enough to ease the knot in her stomach. She imagined going back to see Twilight and telling her how she felt, begging her attention and the solace that came with it, but the very idea disgusted her. Twilight wasn’t simply busy: she was doing important work that would not only help Stormcloud, but go a long way towards helping to ease Luna’s troubles. How could she possibly put herself above such things? How could she live with herself for being so weak and foalish? To make matters worse, she couldn’t get Blessing out of her mind: the filly had captured Luna’s attention completely—giggling, playing, and bringing her a joy that Rarity could neither rival, nor find justification for interfering with. Perhaps one day she could be happy that she had grown enough to recognise these feelings, that this wasn’t that day. Today she had to be strong, for everypony’s sake.

Somewhere in the haze of dissonant thoughts, there was a knock at the door.

“One moment, please!” she called out, pulling herself from the bed and hastily remaking it, careful to hide the tears soaked into the top pillow. “Come in!”

When the door opened, it wasn’t Thunderer who stood behind it, but Twilight Sparkle. “Rarity! Are you having lunch with Princess Luna too?”

“Twilight? I was expecting—oh.” She caught a glimpse of Thunderer’s smirk just before the door clicked shut. “Twilight dear, I do believe we have been set up.”

Thunderer, you... you did this... for me?

“Set up?” Twilight followed Rarity’s gaze to the door. “What do you mean? By who? I was told that Princess Luna wanted to—”

When she turned back, Rarity’s eyes were already watering as her lip trembled.

“Rarity! Oh my gosh! Rarity, what’s wrong?”

Rarity lunged forwards and threw her forelegs around Twilight’s neck, hugging her friend fiercely. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice already breaking as tears streamed down her face. She felt Twilight inch forward, allowing her to settle back onto her haunches before two legs wrapped tightly around her middle.

“It’s okay,” Twilight whispered. “Everything will be okay.”

Rarity screwed up her face and choked out a solitary sob. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice little more than a whimper. “I d–didn’t want to take you away f–from your work. You were enjoying it so much… I-I—”

“No, Rarity! I’m sorry.”

Rarity felt the intensity her friend’s concern through the hooves that repositioned themselves to hold tighter.

“I wasn’t paying attention in the first place, so I didn’t notice there was anything wrong. Being busy is no excuse for ignoring your friends, and I should know better! You’ve been through something horrible and I was too wrapped up with the princess to make sure you were okay.”

For a long moment, neither said anything. Eventually Rarity loosened her grip and put one hoof back on the floor. Gently, she pulled her head back slightly to nuzzle the side of Twilight’s face and whispered, “Thank you.”

“It’s okay,” Twilight said again, nuzzling her friend back and putting her own hooves down. “It’s all right. I’m sorry, Rarity. I’m so sor—”

Three knocks on the door, in military timing, interrupted the moment.

Rarity backpedalled. “Lunch!” Horn glowing, she hastily grabbed items from the vanity desk and started making herself presentable.

“Don’t worry, Rarity. I got this.” The sheet on the bed rose up in a purple aura and spread itself to hide the flustered Rarity. “Take your time,” Twilight said, and then turned to the door. “Come in!”

From the other side of the makeshift curtain, Rarity heard several sets of hoof-falls, the sound of something heavy being set down on the floor, and Twilight gasping.

“Wow. And I really do mean, wow.”

Rarity recognised the unfurling of cloth, and the ring of plates and bowls being set out was unmistakable. Lastly, there were some thuds and lids being removed. Given Twilight’s reaction, she could barely imagine what might be awaiting her. Pulse racing, she hurried her preparations, only for Twilight to whip the sheet away as the hoof-falls stopped.

An unexpectedly long, sumptuously laid out table for two, filled the middle of the room. Matching vases sported roses colour coordinated to the princesses: white in one, with a taller yellow bloom in the centre, and deep blue in the other with a single, pale purple rose. The silverware was of the highest quality, the tablecloth a masterpiece of design, and even the chairs were ornate to the very limits of being functional.

Two extravagant starters sat waiting before the chairs, and finest crystal glasses accompanied decanters of orange and cranberry juices. A whole pitcher of iced lemon-water sat to one side with large, crystal tumblers.

Rarity closed her drooping jaw. The smells of roasted pears, lemon drizzle and hot olive bread filled the air. “This spread, it’s…”

“The princesses’,” Twilight said. “This set was a gift after Princess Luna returned. She’s really going all out for you.”

Not Luna.

As Rarity stepped toward the table, Twilight’s leg shot out to hold her back. “Don’t take no for an answer next time.” Twilight rested her muzzle on Rarity’s crest, holding her tightly with a hoof again. “Promise me.”

“I promise.” Rarity raised her own hoof, clinging tightly even as smell of hazelnut oil and roasted cobnuts tickled her senses. “You really are the best friend a girl could ask for, you know, but we should probably eat while the bread is still hot.”

( II )

“Please take over guarding Lady Rarity,” Thunderer said as Vanilla entered the antechamber. “I need to go and explain to Luna why she’s late for a lunch she didn’t know about.”

“Boss? You’re not making much sense. Isn’t Luna inside?”

Thunderer ignored the question and hammered on the door. When the reply came from inside, he was already striding down the stairwell. Shaking his head, Vanilla focused on the door, pushed it open, and walked into the room.

“Miss Sparkle, I really didn’t expect to find you here.” He nodded curtly, then again to Rarity. “I do hope we didn’t get off on the wrong hoof earlier?”

“The wrong—Oh.” Twilight shrank down in her seat. “Sorry about that.”

“Not at all, Miss Sparkle. Let’s just say you made more friends than you lost today, and leave it at that. Lady Rarity, I trust the starter was to your satisfaction?”

“Vanilla dear, it was simply divine.”

“Why thank you for saying so. I always approve of a receptive audience,” he replied, putting a hoof to his chest.

Twilight looked at Rarity, and Rarity just blinked.

“Oh please!” Vanilla briefly raised the hoof to hide his face. “You wound me if you are so surprised that a mere guardpony would be capable of such culinary feats.”

Twilight giggled. “I see what you mean Rarity, they’re definitely not what I would expect either.”

“Ahh. Am I to assume that her majesty’s finest have made the list of topics for lunchtime gossip? Clearly, if you have so much time to talk, you must be ready for the main course, yes?”

Twilight nodded vigorously. With a double-tap on the floor from Vanilla, two unicorn waiters strode in with a serving cart, replaced the starters with large, dome-covered platters, and refilled the decanters of juice.

“’Tis with heavy heart I must confess,” Vanilla said, raising his acting to a mockery of Shakesponian oration. “My life’s passion pales before he who brings forth the princesses’ finest fare. Behold!” Horn aglow, he lifted the silver covers.

“Giant portobello mushrooms, stuffed with artichokes, red onion and thyme, set on a pearl barley and butternut squash risotto with gremolata oil. There are plenty of vegetables in the side dishes, so please help yourselves!” Silently, the serving unicorns retreated. “I’ll be just outside if there’s anything you beautiful mares desire. Please, enjoy your meal.” With a deep, theatrical bow, Vanilla took his leave.

“Amazing,” Twilight said as the door clicked shut. “It’s really nice to know Princess Luna’s in such good care. Although, I suppose it’s a bit odd to think of a princess being under anypony’s care at all.”

Rarity was already busy chewing. She relaxed back in her chair as the exquisite flavours danced across tongue, releasing a satisfied moan.

“I know what you mean,” she said, after dabbing her lips with a napkin. “And I must admit that Princess Luna didn’t turn out to be anything like I imagined. One minute she seems like the exact opposite of her sister, and then she says or does something and you can barely tell the difference.”

Twilight swallow her own mouthful. “It sounds like the two of you had an interesting morning. I know it’s stupid but, I almost feel jealous. I mean, I saw Princess Celestia so much when I was growing up, but these days I rarely get to spend that kind of time with her. There’s always something going wrong or getting in the way, or she’s just busy being a princess.”

“Oh, Twilight,” Rarity said, adding carrots and roasted parsnips to her already heaped platter. “If you’re trying to apologise for being preoccupied again, you needn’t worry. If anything, I think I understand you more than ever now, and I feel ashamed that I never truly appreciated how much the princess meant to you. I mean, of course we all love Princess Celestia dearly, but I never really imagined Luna would be so inspiring. Honestly, I’ve had my share of being star-struck, but Luna’s just… different.”

Both ponies set their conversation aside for a minute to appreciate the meal set out before them. Twilight refilled the glasses with cranberry juice, and eventually spoke as she passed one across the table. “Do do you ever feel like we don’t make enough time for each other? I mean, you’re always so busy with the boutique and I know I spend just as much time studying, but I really enjoyed spending the other night together. We don’t do it often, and, well, I worry that I’m not doing enough. Especially after seeing you earlier…”

For a split second, Rarity’s face fell.

I don’t make enough time for you?

“You know, Twilight, I’m not really to type to talk magic that much, but I did enjoy our little get-together too. I’m sorry if it seems like I’m so busy all the time. I...”

“Oh it’s fine,” Twilight replied with a smile. “I mean, it’s not like I take that much interest in the finer points of your dressmaking. It’s just your thing, you know? I feel like it would be insulting to ask about stuff that would be trivial to you, but it never really occurred to me that you might feel the same way about magic.”

She doesn’t have any interest in your passion? Why would she?

“Well, I suppose that is true. You’re just so talented after all, but why don’t you tell me about what you’ve been up to in Canterlot instead?”

Oblivious to the deflection, Twilight’s speech quickened as she began to recount her tale. “Well, Princess Celestia wanted me to come and tell her about our encounter with Stormcloud. I think I might have fooled myself into thinking everything was fine, but I was really stressed. Worrying about you and Fluttershy wasn’t exactly helping.”

I didn’t listen to Fluttershy when she hinted at a problem. I didn’t make time for her, either.

“I felt so much better after spending time with Princess Celestia that I slept all afternoon. She must have known that I needed it, but it sounds like it messed up Luna’s plans for today. Then I ran into Sonata and—you know most of that already, I guess.”

“Well, I wouldn’t worry about Luna. I am absolutely certain she is just happy that you’re all right after being in that dreadful place.”

“I suppose, but I’m glad she has you to look after her, too,” Twilight said. Rarity cringed. “I do feel like I’ve held things up, though. There’s so much work to do, and I had no idea that Princess Celestia wasn’t heading the research herself until I started talking to Spellsong. Stormcloud sounds even more dangerous than Rainbow Dash thought he was, and she was pretty adamant that he was bad news.”

“Twilight? I’m not sure I follow. I know he can’t control his magic, but he’ll be fine if he stays where he is, won’t he?”

“Probably, but we can’t be sure. Princess Celestia said he was pretty angry when she first met him, but she said there were good reasons for that. She doesn’t blame him for what he did, but that doesn’t make him any less dangerous, either. She said he kept trying to get respect by becoming more and more powerful, until he couldn’t control it anymore, and that he hurt ponies when he got upset. Considering what he did to Fluttershy and me, he seems pretty dangerous even if he doesn’t leave the mountain.”

Rarity stared at the black vase decorated with a crescent moon.

‘Celestia said he gave up, but I refuse to believe it.’ That’s what Luna said. Am I supposed to believe that Princess Celestia is wrong?

She looked up to see Twilight waiting for her reply. “Luna says he never gave up, and never swayed from his isolation. She said he was more terrified of hurting any other pony than himself. He’s just scared and alone, Twilight. He doesn’t have any friends except Luna, and it sounded like that was strained at best. I don’t think he meant to hurt any of us.”

“Did Princess Luna know him that well?”

Rarity nodded, solemnly.

Twilight’s frown deepened and she started picking idly at her food. “I’m not sure what to make of it. I’d like to talk to him, but that would be extremely dangerous and I’m not really sure I want to risk going into that mountain.”

“Luna could tell you if it would be safe,” Rarity said, slicing a mushroom in half. “But I’m also sure it would be folly for me to go near it again.”

“No, it’s not the mountain itself I was worried about, although you’re right, I need to ask about that. If our research is even remotely accurate, we really have no idea what could happen with Stormcloud. All that magic he was giving off might only be the start of something much bigger, and that’s why this research is so important. We need to understand what’s going on before something terrible happens.”

Rarity gulped her mouthful down and lent over the table. “Something terrible? Don’t spare me the details, Twilight. How terrible?”

“Well, I may have overreacted when I heard the first time, so please try and stay calm. It could be anywhere from not very much at all… to exploding.”

Forcing the chair out from under her, Rarity rushed around the table. “You can’t let anything like that happen! You have absolutely no idea what it will do to Luna!”

“Rarity, we’re doing everything we can,” Twilight replied, her voice rising in pitch. “There’s a meeting this evening with both princesses and all the staff. If there’s a way of stopping whatever is happening to him, then we’ll find it. But we’re not even sure what’s happening to him yet, so it’s going to take time.”

Rarity started trembling, her face flushed. “That’s not good enough, Twilight! You can’t let anything happen to him!”

“Rarity! Please try to calm down! You look like you’re going to—”

“No! You don’t understand! You have t-to… y-you can’t… you...” Rarity’s voice weakened. Her eyes glazed over and she began to sway. Twilight pushed her own chair away and put a hoof around her friend, holding her up.

“Twilighht,” Rarity said, her words starting to slur. “Promish me you’ll… you’ll…”

She passed out.

“Help!” Twilight shouted, unable to do much more than hold her friend’s head up as her body slumped. “Geez, Applejack, just how strong are you…”

The door flew open and Vanilla charged in, quickly getting a hoof under Rarity’s shoulder to lower her carefully. With well-drilled expertise, he checked her temperature, pulse, breathing, and pupil reaction.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know! She suddenly got all emotional and collapsed again!”

With an amber glow, the bedsheet flew up and stretched itself over Rarity. “She’s out cold, but seems stable. I don’t want to try dragging her up on the bed though, so I’ll go find Luna first.”

“It’s okay,” Twilight replied, finding a little more composure. “I was just taken by surprise. I can manage it.”

She levitated both Rarity and sheet gently onto the bed, leaving Vanilla wide-eyed and gaping mouthed. “A whole pony… with almost no effort. I’ve never seen anyone but Luna do... Luna! Right, I’ll go fetch her immediately. You stay here.”

As the guard rushed out the door, Twilight fixed the sheets over her friend. She crouched with her forelegs up on the bed and watched Rarity breathing. She seemed almost at peace, her chest ring and falling gently in a languorous rhythm. She looked nothing like the mare stricken by Stormclouds mountain, and yet, Twilight was still just as powerless to do anything about it.

( II )

I take full responsibility, of course.

Sister, it’s not a matter of responsibility.

It is to Twilight.

I’m sure she doesn’t think that.

Perhaps, but I do.

I really hope it wasn’t my salad.

It wasn’t.

Then what was it?

It’s not magical, and your physician says she’s just exhausted.

Twilight said she’d seen it before.

Where is Twilight now?

With Silverlight and the research team.

Not so loud please. You’ll wake her up.

Too late, she’s stirring.

Always cooking references with you.

Shh. I said be quiet.

I’ll leave this, and him, with you then.

Him, you can keep.

When I think of mares arguing over me,

this isn’t what I imagine.

Quiet. Quiet. Quiet.

The conversation seemed so far away. She recognised the four voices—knew them from somewhere—but couldn’t put faces to them. She dragged herself upwards, away from the abyss and toward the light.

“Rarity?”

The clarity of the nearby sound focused her, but she could not will herself to move. When a hoof touched her foreleg, her eyes flicked open instantly and her whole body convulsed for a fraction of a moment. In front of her was Luna, arched over the edge of the bed and smiling warmly. Vanilla and Splashdown stood either side of the princess, relief etched on their faces, and behind them all, Celestia stood passively by the door.

Relaxing back into her pillows, Rarity let out a long sigh. “This wasn’t the kind of attention I was thinking of, either.”

Vanilla groaned. “You are such a loudmouth, Splashdown.”

“Both of you, out,” Luna said.

Without comment, the two guards marched briskly out of the room, and Celestia followed them after a small nod to her sister.

“Now, how are you feeling, Rarity?”

“Exhausted. How long was I asleep?”

Luna frowned. “I am not sure I would call it sleep. You fell unconscious less than an hour ago, and even the doctor’s examination didn’t wake you up. Speaking of which, I’m under orders to get you to eat more before I encourage you to rest.”

The room was empty of other ponies and the dining table, but her lunch-plate and a glass of juice floated up to the bed, wrapped in Luna’s magic.

“I seem to recall we have been here before, you and I. I don’t know if I’m distressed that I may have made things worse for you, or very glad you asked me to keep you close. At least this time you can feed yourself, I think?”

Tell her.

Rarity lifted over the glass of orange juice and drained it, easing her parched throat. “I’m so sorry to be taking up your time, Luna. You’re so busy today already, and now that I know why, I really don’t want to be getting in your way.”

The princess smiled, and her eyes softened as she relaxed. “I know, and there are many things I must attend to. However, I would like to make you a deal. I am not sure you’re going to like it, but please listen. Twilight tells me that you would both like to speak to Stormcloud again. I believe I can arrange this safely, but in return I want you to allow me to put a spell on you that will make you sleep and help you to recover faster.”

Rarity’s eyes widened. “Might I ask why, Luna?”

“Of course. If you want to come with me to see Stormcloud, I need to know that you will be strong enough for it. It is possible to shield you from the nullification spell, but you are still badly exhausted. If I did not think that you would benefit from it, I would simply refuse to allow you to come. The choice is yours of course, but those are my terms.”

Tell her!

“That’s quite all right, Luna. I understand,” Rarity said with a smile of her own. Buying herself time to think, she sat up on her pillows and fed herself a mouthful of risotto. It was still warm and fresh, and the surprise must have shown on her face.

“One of Vanilla’s tricks: food preservation. It’s always nice to be surprised by a spell that I have never encountered before.”

Luna paused and Rarity let her enjoyment of the platter show with a quiet purr.

“I understand your concerns, Rarity. I would have Silverlight stationed in the room at all times. He is perfectly capable of rousing you should anything happen, and he knows the spell intricately. You will be quite safe. I don’t mean to push, but I believe this is what you truly want, and I sincerely hope that speaking to Stormcloud will help with whatever it is you are holding in.”

And she’d know what that was if you just told her!

Rarity turned sharply away. “I’m sorry I haven’t been more open with you, Luna. It just feels so silly. I… I can’t…”

Luna waved her off with a hoof. “Anything that you feel this strongly about cannot possibly be silly. Do not rush yourself on my account.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Are you quite sure?”

No!

“Yes, Luna. Quite sure.”

Turning to the door, Luna pulled it open with a glow of her horn and shouted. “Splashdown. Fetch Silverlight immediately. Tell him his assignment has changed.”

Rushing a few extra mouthfuls of risotto, Rarity set the platter down on the floor and settled herself comfortably. “Please. Do it now before I start worrying.”

“As you wish.”

Watching Luna straighten herself and close her eyes, dozens of images flashed through Rarity’s mind: Pinke, Twilight, Stormcloud, Blessing, Splashdown, and as always, Pinkie’s face refused to disappear easily.

“Luna?” She tried to keep the fear out of it, but her voice was small and wavering. “I… trust you,” she said, reaching out a hoof.

For a moment, Luna just stared at it. Then, she took Rarity’s hoof in her own and smiled. “Thank you, Lady Rarity. Now please try to relax.” Her voice turned soft, and Rarity stared into the warm, benevolent face of Luna that shone down on her. It was the face she wore for Blessing: the face she could only wear when she was comfortable, and the Princess of the Night was unnecessary.

And you still don’t deserve it.

Luna’s horn glowed and Rarity let the abyss claim her. Her eyes watered, but the last thing she saw was Luna gazing down at her, still beaming warmly.

You couldn’t say it. You’re a liar. A liar and a coward.

Rarity’s hoof fell to the sheet, and Luna wiped tears from her eyes.

“Sweet dreams, Lady Rarity.”

( II )

Spike:

After hours of putting up more balloons, streamers and banners, Spike’s focus drifted. The arrival of Carrot Cake and the first round of party food had been a pleasant distraction, but the little dragon couldn’t help but imagine what might be going on in Canterlot. Still, Twilight’s suggestion about holding the party for all the ponies that helped at the library was a really good one, and he felt it was his duty to see it through.

When the mayor suddenly spoke, Spike’s cry of shock immediately silenced her again. The mayor tried speaking a little quieter. “Just what do you think you’re doing, Spike? There are no engagements scheduled for today.”

Spike blinked a few times, recovering his wits. “There aren’t? But Pinkie Pie already invited most of Ponyville!”

“Well there isn’t anything booked. Except for band practice this evening.”

“But Pinkie took care of that, too! She said they were happy to play at the party instead. It’s good practice and they didn’t want to miss out on one of Pinkie’s parties.”

While the mayor paused to think, two unicorns wandered in from outside.

“Yo!” Sandy called out, a yellow stallion who was to be a guest of honour. “Wassup, little guy? Mr and Mrs Cake said Pinkie Pie was called away and you might need some help.”

“I sure do!” Spike momentarily beamed before his face fell. “Well, I think I do, but apparently Pinkie Pie didn’t actually book the town hall.”

The other unicorn, Marble, approached the mayor. “That simply can’t be right. Aren’t you the first pony on the guest list, Madame Mayor? I mean, you were the one doing the organising, and that’s who this party is for, isn’t it?”

“I am? It is?”

“Well sure!” Spike said, his voice lively again. “The party is for all the ponies who helped us out at the library, and that includes you!”

“Oh, well, I suppose... that’s not so bad then. But, just how many ponies are supposed to be coming to this party?”

“I think, like, most of Ponyville,” Sandy replied.

“Well I suppose there’s not much I can do about it then.”

Behind them all, a pale blue pegasus, Windlee, flew into the hall. “Hiya boys,” she said, winking to the two unicorns. “I saw Rainbow Dash take off earlier, so I just dropped in to see what’s shakin'. She was supposed to be helping Pinkie Pie with her party.” Looking up at the sorry state of the attempts at decorating the ceiling, she added, “Looks like it didn’t go so well.”

“They all got called away to Canterlot in a hurry,” Spike said.

Marble stiffened as he spoke. “Since Pinkie organised this party for us, I do feel rather indebted to help finish setting up if she’s been rendered indisposed.”

Sandy looked up at Windlee. “I’m sure somepony could make it worth hanging around for,” he said with a wink.

“Sure. It’s all clear skies and gentle breezes above, I can spare you an hour.”

“Aww,” said Spike, crossing his arms and hugging himself tightly. “You guys are the best.”

Her attention still stuck on the haphazard cloths that hung from the ceiling, the mayor asked, “Is there any kind of plan for that mess?”

“Is there much of a plan to anything Pinkie Pie does?” Marble replied.

Spike chortled. “You have no idea…”

11. Shadows on the Sun

11. Shadows on the Sun

Twilight yawned. After the day’s activities, she rehearsed theories, formulas, and key fragments of text in her mind, yet her eyes fell shut and her thoughts drifted to a warm bed and a rigorously recalculated sleep schedule.

“Are you tired, my student?” Celestia whispered.

Twilight smiled and forced her eyes open again. “Yes, Princess. I admit I’m looking forward to sleeping properly in a bed tonight, but I think you’ll be pleased with what we’ve accomplished.”

“I’m sure I will. Are you still worried about Rarity?”

“She looks so peaceful, and I trust Luna completely. Now that I’ve stopped panicking, I think it will all be fine, but I’m looking forward to seeing her awake again.”

“Of course.” Celestia stooped to lay down on the thick carpet of the stage’s wing.

Before them, Amethyst, Spellsong, and Sonata waited behind a table next to a lectern.

Twilight wasted no time in laying close to Celestia. “You’re not going out there?”

“What peace there is will be lost as soon as I walk out, so I prefer to wait in the quiet and collect my thoughts until Luna arrives.”

A wide, natural smile crept across Twilight’s face as she closed her eyes and breathed deeply in the presence of her mentor. Quieting her mind, she tried to shut out the sound of Luna’s pegasi pacing endlessly upon the balconies at the back of the hall, only to flinch at the distantly familiar touch of Celestia’s wing against her back. Looking up to see her smiling warmly, she shuffled sideways to press against her mentor’s side.

“Are you all right, Princess?” she asked softly, snuggling against Celestia’s neck. The last time she could recall such intimacy was years ago, after she’d broken a rare vase practicing levitation. Back then, it had taken a half-hour to console her fears of retribution, but Twilight suspected that this moment would be fleeting.

“I just wanted to thank you for your help. As much as it means to me, it means much more to my sister, and for that I am deeply grateful.” Celestia rested her own muzzle atop her student’s head. “Please don’t be too surprised if this meeting gets much louder than you are used to. Many of these ponies are highly competitive, which always leads to arguments. Believe me when I say this is a very efficient way of getting to the heart of matters.”

Twilight’s eyelids began to droop, and she let out a deep, relaxing breath. “The school staff doesn’t seem that competitive, except maybe Sonata. Are they really that bad?”

“Not bad, Twilight: passionate. I make a point of knowing all the ponies who work for my school, and I know each of their passions; they all care deeply about what they do. In his youth, Spellsong would have chased the truth beyond the borders of Equestria if it had been required of him. That drive has served him well as my proxy at the school.”

Twilight gave up on keeping her eyes open. “And Amethyst wants every pony to understand what makes them special, and to make the most of themselves. Right?”

“That’s right. Sonata, for all her interesting mannerisms, is more like you than you know. She drives herself to learn all that there is to know about magic, to be prepared for whatever challenges she faces. She may not match your magical gifts, but she may be the only pony here who studies more than you do.” She shifted her head to whisper into Twilight’s ear. “Between you and me, I wouldn’t mind if she was a little less rough around the edges.”

Twilight didn’t reply.

“Twilight Sparkle, are you falling asleep on me?”

“No,” Twilight whispered, burying herself deepr into Celestia’s coat.

“Then come. My sister approaches. It is time.”

( II )

Rarity was aware of two sensations in the calm void. One was warmth coming from very close to her, and the other a familiar scent of another pony, mixed with something less pleasant. Any urge to ponder these details, however, was washed away by the bliss of much-needed rest and relaxation—until something moved.

Another pony on the bed.

She focused a little more on the scent.

Fluttershy? How did she get here? And… sweat? Did she fly here?

Shifting her attention, she listened to the soft sound of perfectly rhythmic breathing.

Asleep. Poor thing must have tired herself out.

Rushing to your side, Rarity, while you continue to pretend to be there for everypony else.

Shut up! I don’t want to listen to you anymore!

You don’t have to. You already know it’s true.

( II )

Luna drew the attention of the entire room as she strode through the main doors, flanked by two more pegasi. “Vindicator! Glory! To me!”

Twilight looked up at Celestia. “Vindicator? Is that some special guard name?” She watched her mentor nod silently without shifting her attention from Luna; there was an intensity to the princess’s stare, but Twilight knew from experience that she would never be able to penetrate the mask that was Celestia’s practiced grace and composure.

The two pegasi leapt from their balconies, but followed only as far as the back of the pews. The audience fell silent as the burly guards snorted and whinnied while Luna and her other guards took positions on the stage.

Behind the lectern, Spellsong cleared his throat. “Esteemed colleagues, as you likely know, this meeting is to disseminate information provided by Twilight Sparkle to help us all in the project set by Princesses Celestia and Luna.

“The information gathered today represents a significant shift in focus; therefore, if any ponies haven’t brought proper materials for extensive notes, I suggest you make arrangements now for resupply, or ask us to arrange some for you. We are going to be here for a while.”

Twilight heard murmurs from the crowd, and a moment later a few ponies broke off and hurried out of the hall.

“If everypony else ready to get started?”

Sonata raised a hoof. “There is one thing I don’t have, Master Spellsong.”

“Well that didn’t take long,” Twilight whispered, looking first at Princess Celestia, then at Luna. Neither reacted to the interruption.

“Pay attention, my little pony,” Celestia said quietly.

Spellsong turned and frowned. “I think all of us have had enough of your antics today, Sonata. What it is you could possibly need at this precise moment?”

Sonata ignored the question, waltzing casually to the front of the stage. The audience murmured again as she faced the lectern. She turned to Celestia first. “I believe we are all missing one vital piece of information that may render much of what we have been working on obsolete. I believe I can sum the error up in one simple question, if you would indulge me, Princess?”

Celestia nodded.

“Your initial report clearly states that our stallion in question, Stormcloud, was born an earth pony. So I ask you, Princess, how did you know he was an earth pony?”

“There was an entire village that watched him grow up, Sonata. Everypony questioned said that he had always been an earth pony and showed no indications of anything abnormal.”

“Of course.” Sonata lifted the Encyclopaedia of Forbidden Magics from the table in front of her and shifted her attention. “Princess Luna. I have been studying this book all day. There are a number of passages and annotations attributed to you. It only recently occurred to me that much of this tome is your writing, but under pen names. Would that be correct?”

“Not quite,” Luna said in her formal voice. “When my sister compiled that book, she changed both our names, but much of it is, as you say, my work.”

“I see. Then I must sincerely apologise to you, Princess Luna. As many have, I made some assumptions about Princess Celestia’s long-lost sister that were unwarranted and unfair. If I may be so bold as to say, Princess, you are a genius, and I am deeply ashamed not to have seen it earlier.”

While Luna wilted under the praise, Twilight saw her mentor crack a proud smile. “I agree wholeheartedly,” Celestia said.

“Now I am feeling besieged.” Luna narrowed her eyes. “Tell us why this is so important to the proceedings.”

“As you wish, Princess. You wrote a study of physical and magical trauma on unicorn physiology. It was immensely helpful, but raises another question: if a unicorn was to lose their connection to magic completely after removal of said unicorn’s horn, how would you know the subject was a unicorn at all?”

Luna hummed, tapping a hoof to her chin. “Even if a deep wound healed perfectly, which would be unheard of, there would be detectable bone structure on the forehead, and probably some latent magic. Assuming the unicorn’s memory is not sufficient proof, naturally.”

“And so,” Sonata continued. “If a unicorn were to lose their connection before they were even born, and never grew a horn to begin with, could you know then?”

“I do not believe so. However, there would also be no way to know such a thing had ever occurred, and thus the implication is moot.”

“Perhaps, Princess Luna.” Sonata turned back to Celestia. “So I ask you again Princess, how do you know, supposition aside, that Stormcloud was born an earth pony?”

“I do not imagine I could, Sonata. Though I wonder if this is the most appropriate time to bring this up?”

“I appreciate your concern, Princess, but do you have any idea how difficult it would be to get the two of you in a room together to discuss it? Besides, as I said, it has taken some time to verify my observations, and you have made it clear that time is precious to us.”

“Point conceded,” Luna said. “I am interested in where you are going with this. Please proceed with haste, if possible.”

“The point, Princess Luna, is that you trust your sister too much.”

The words sparked a wave of dissent from the audience behind her. Spellsong, still leaning on the lectern, raised the loudest objection. “You will mind your tongue, Sonata. I will not abide anypony—”

“Spellsong.” Celestia’s voice rang out clearly, silencing the hall. “I think I understand what she means. If you are content to let her continue, Sister?”

Bright-eyed and attentive, Luna nodded emphatically.

“I do appreciate your indulgence, Princesses.” Sonata lifted all of the books from the school’s desk and set them aside. After floating the desk itself into the space between stage an audience, she continued. “Princess Luna, your work has evidenced to me that you are fully versed in the methods of research and examination, yet this one thing you did not think to question. Your instincts and love for your sister may have blinded you to the inaccuracy of the very problem itself; one will not uncover the truth after assuming a faulty premise.”

“You have yet to prove that premise to be false, Sonata. But the question is an interesting one, no doubt.”

“Then, no doubt, you would be willing to assist me in making my case?”

Luna whole body sagged. “What is that you require?” she asked, eyes half lidded.

“The nullification spell, if you please.” Again, a wave of discussion rippled through the audience, and even Celestia frowned. “Just a small one, and only for a few minutes at most.”

“You are aware that spell is discussed in the book of forbidden magic, yes?”

Sonata didn’t flinch. “I am, but it is necessary to conduct my experiment, and no ponies need be near it.”

“You have my blessing if you wish to proceed, Luna,” Celestia said.

Luna sat in silence as the widespread murmurs continued. Eventually she straightened herself up. “Vindicator, Glory, establish a perimeter from the desk to where you are now. Spellsong, Amethyst, please get behind Celestia.”

No-pony needed telling twice. When the pegasus guards moved to usher ponies away from the centre, they were already moving away rapidly of their own volition. Most moved much further away than had been implied was necessary.

“This may take a few moments,” Luna said, narrowing her eyes. “It has been a long time since I have performed this spell.” She pursed her lips as her horn lit, and a small sphere of pale blue light appeared just above the top of the table.

The globe began to undulate like water being forced into an unnatural shape, and Twilight looked to Luna. Knowing a little about the energies involved, she expected the princess to be straining; instead, Luna took a deep breath and the lines of her face relaxed as the magic obeyed her will. Once stabilised, the globe sank into the table and the blue glow expanded in all directions, the light thinning until it was no longer visible.

“It is done. Be quick.”

Standing inside the perimeter, Sonata looked up at Twilight. “Miss Sparkle. I assume you are still versed in a number of light-producing spells? I would like you to try and create one above the table.”

Twilight frowned at her ex-tutor, but brought her light orb spell to mind. After a glance at at Celestia for confirmation, she began casting, her brow furrowing as the orb failed to manifest. Twilight gritted her teeth and began again. Her horn fizzed and spat as she forced more magic through it.

“This is… really… hard…” she said, grimacing. Suddenly, a blinding flash flooded the hall. Ponies cried out in fright and panic as they shied away from the blinding glare.

Startled by her own spell, Twilight stopped channelling, and the spell vanished just as quickly as it had manifested.

Sonata looked unaffected. “Very good, Miss Sparkle. Princess Luna, you may unravel the spell now.”

Luna blinked and shook her head, caught as unprepared as anypony else. Nevertheless, the table glowed again, and the pale blue light dispersed. With the spell ended, the braver ponies started creeping back towards their benches, and more trickled after them.

“What exactly have we learned with this experiment, Sonata?” Celestia asked, appearing unfazed.

Luna forestalled the tutor’s reply. “If you will permit me some speculation, Sister? If Stormcloud were subject to a similar magic draining effect before he were even born, he would have no connection to his own magic, and never grown a horn.”

Sonata nodded, prompting Luna to continue.

“The nullification field has a high rate of absorption, until it becomes full. At that point, the absorption rate drops to only what stored magic it can dissipate, meaning that it can be overloaded. If something similar happened inside Stormcloud, he could suddenly awaken to be a full-blown unicorn with the tremendous power my sister and I have witnessed.”

“And so,” Sonata said, “the question would not be how an earth pony managed to turn into a unicorn, but why he wasn’t a unicorn to begin with. All your investigations were distorted by the very fact that your sister was, with good justification I should add, simply wrong. Unfortunately, this avenue of investigation raises one additional problem that you aren’t going to like.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “You believe that if your ideas are correct, then Stormcloud poses a threat. Your worst-case scenario.”

“A high probability, at least. Given Miss Sparkle’s interpretation of your stallion’s account, the same reasoning I have demonstrated would apply to the cause of his awakening. Princess Luna’s nullification nexus needed to be strong enough vent a continuous flow. If it can no longer vent enough, the overflow might have interrupted his stasis. An appropriate analogy would be a pot of water brought to the boil. I’m afraid the pieces simply fit together too well to be dismissed, and we must consider the likelihood that the water is still boiling.”

Twilight felt her chest tighten; You have no idea what it will do to Luna, Rarity had said before collapsing. She studied Luna’s face, and while it was not as futile as studying Celestia’s, it only revealed a vacant stare that confirmed that something was going on in her mind, not what.

After a long pause, Luna whispered to one of her guards, who then moved centre stage. “Princess Celestia. Your sister would like to extend her apologies, but she wishes to take care of matters elsewhere. She has also asked if she might avail herself of your pupil’s attention for a while?”

Subtlety wasn’t a skill Twilight had ever mastered. She looked to her mentor for some hint of what had gone unsaid, but right before her eyes, one set of muscles relaxed and another tightened, turning a warm, natural smile into a fake one. If she didn’t know that face as well as she did, she could never have seen the crack in the princess’s facade: Celestia was sad.

When the princess looked down, the slip was already gone. “I think Twilight can answer for herself.”

“Oh. Well, yes, of course.” Twilight stared up into her mentor’s eyes, finding only the serenity she would normally expect. “Princess? Might… would it be okay to talk to you in private first?”

Looking to Spellsong, Celestia spoke clearly enough to carry across the entire hall. “It seems that you have much to discuss, old friend. I will be retreating to my private chambers, but please let me know when you have compiled a new report. Sonata, your studiousness is appreciated, as always. Perhaps next time a little less grandstanding would be in order?”

Then came the din that Twilight had been warned about: well-intentioned researchers all tried to discuss their ideas at once. She walked out alongside Celestia, pausing only to glance back at Luna. The princess’s face was tight, and she avoided looking at the ponies that scampered out of the way of her rather large and intimidating guard.

Sonata was lost amongst the commotion of noise and movement as the princesses left the hall in opposite directions. She put her legs up on the desk, rested her head on a hoof, and sighed a long, irritated sigh.

( II )

“Awww. Ain’t that the cutest thing.”

Even with her eyes closed, Rarity could sense the light in the room had faded and that Fluttershy was still lying next to her.

“Can we wake them up now?”

She didn’t immediately recognise Pinkie’s voice, sluggish as her mind was. Her desire to rise and greet her friends grew, but her body didn’t seem to be getting the same message.

Don’t panic Rarity, it’s just a spell. Silverlight? Luna? Are you there? Applejack, help me!

“I’m under orders to let her sleep until Princess Luna returns.”

Not good enough. I’m going to have to do this myself, aren’t I. Focusing every ounce of her will, Rarity managed to lift her head from the pillow.

“Ah think Rarity might have somthin’ to say about that.”

“What? Woah! That isn’t supposed to happen! Stay back while I unlock the spell.”

It had been warm under the bedsheet the whole time, but it was as if she just hadn’t noticed it until now, just as she hadn’t noticed the feel of plush pillows, cool evening air, or the tilt of the mattress caused by the pegasus sleeping next to her. Above that yellow coat, the heads of Silverlight, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie peered down as she forced her eyes open. She fell back into the pillow and blew out a deep breath, stretching out a hoof to stroke Fluttershy’s thick, pink mane.

Thank you for being with me.

“Are you all right?” Silverlight asked, his calm voice betrayed by his wide eyes.

Fluttershy stirred at the touch, and Rarity reached out to gently embrace her. A small squeak and a flinch were no surprise, but as soon as the pegasus raised her head and their eyes met, she gasped and returned the hug tightly.

“Thank goodness,” she said, pressing her muzzle against Rarity’s crest. “I was so worried!”

I love you. I love you so much...

Rarity closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she was drawn to Silverlight’s face staring back at her. His eyes were still wide and his breaths short, and she was sure that he was trembling slightly.

“Yes, Silverlight,” she said as Fluttershy pulled away. “I feel fine now. No need to worry.”

Applejack glanced at Pinkie’s broad grin. “Like Ah said, cutest thing ever. Princess Luna asked us to come on over—sent us a chariot and everything. Spike said Fluttershy went flyin’ off in a panic, an’ we found her here just as plum tuckered as you were.”

Spike. I left him behind without a word. I didn’t tell any of them what was going on. That was selfish.

Rarity squeezed Fluttershy again. It was unusual for her to accept it so shamelessly.

She must have been terrified.

“Luna said somethin’ about you bein’ ill and needin’ your friends, so here we are.” Applejack walked around to where there was more space and put her forelegs up on the bed. “Whatever you need, you just let us know. Okay, Sugarcube?”

AJ’s erstwhile support triggered a flash of memory from the tunnel two days before.

I was simply horrid to Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

“Is Rainbow Dash here?”

“Ahh,” Silverlight said. “I believe Seeker and your rainbow friend may have exchanged several boasts after they arrived. They’re probably chasing each other’s tails somewhere.”

“Well that certainly sounds like Rainbow Dash. Pinkie, dear, you’re being very quiet. Are you all right?”

“Oh sure!” Pinkie said. “I was just thinking that this would be even better if AJ was all cuddled up like Fluttershy.”

Rarity and Applejack looked at each other, then frowned at Pinkie.

Pinkie wore her most sorrowful pout. “Pleeeeeeeeease?”

“Alright, fine, but if anypony pulls out a camera, Ah’ll do something they’ll regret.”

Silverlight edged away from the bed. “I, umm, think I should probably be leaving now.”

“Oh no,” Pinkie said, returning to broad grin. “You should definitely watch… this!” She leapt into the air towards the bed, stretching her legs wide.

“Wooo!” screamed Pinkie Pie, flying through the air.

“Noooo!” screamed Rarity, clinging to Fluttershy.

“Crack!” screamed the bed as Pinkie landed.

The supports gave way, collapsing the mattress and four mares to the floor and it took only a few seconds before all four mares joined together in raucous laughter.

Silverlight backed out of the door without making a sound.

Amid the scrum, nopony noticed Rarity switch to hugging Pinkie Pie.

Oh, Pinkie. You couldn’t hold it against me if you tried, could you? Your troubles are only ever one laugh away from being forgotten.

That’s not the point, Rarity. You’re still failing them: Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, Twilight, Fluttershy, now Spike too. How long until you fail Applejack? Luna may be happy to have you here, but how long before she notices you’re just a needy old nag with a jealous streak?

( II )

Twilight stood in the private lounge, looking at Celestia..

“You look troubled, Twilight.”

Twilight closed her eyes and summoned the will to speak. “Princess, things aren’t right between you and Luna, are they?”

“Is that what has you so worried? I do not think it is as bad as you seem to suspect. My sister needs time to find herself again. Until she does, I will remain strong and be there for her, whenever she needs me. I do not want her to have to bear the weight my desires, so I have made it quite clear that I want her to take as much time as she needs. I can wait. Perhaps it is all I can do.”

Twilight tried to imagine what she might say to lighten her mentor’s burdens—she tried to remember things Celestia had said when the roles were reversed. All she could think of was a broken vase, being comforted and nuzzled by the princess, and Rarity’s sudden breakdown only hours ago. “Princess...” she said, but nothing followed it. Instead, she stepped forwards and pressed her neck against Celestia’s until the quiet words came. “Please tell me there is something I can do.”

“Thank you for your concern, Twilight,” Celestia replied softly, “but I assure you that you do not need to worry about me. Just as it brings me great joy to read your letters when you are far away, having Luna back brings me a happiness I can barely contain. Opening our hearts can leave us vulnerable, but I have never been more content to be as vulnerable as I am where my sister is concerned. I think it is Luna, however, that will need your strength before the night is through.”

Twilight took a step back to look at the princess’s face. “She will? Is that why she wants to see me?”

“If I know my sister at all, then yes. I believe she will act tonight, and I think she will need your help. I have my suspicions, but all you need to know is this: I trust my sister’s judgement... and yours. Follow your heart, Twilight Sparkle. Have faith in yourself.”

Again, Twilight could see only tranquillity in the princess’s eyes and a warm smile across her face. “You can count on me, Princess,” she said, but instead of the upbeat sound she had imagined, her voice was small and weak.

Celestia didn’t reply, but as Twilight stared into her eyes she could feel the infection nature of that smile—the radiance of love and trust that warmed her deep inside. Her smile widened without effort, until she eventually said in a firm voice, “You can count on me, Princess.”

She allowed herself one last moment of contact, and Celestia draped her longer neck over her student in return. For a whole minute, neither of them spoke.

( II )

“Hello again, Twilight. Please go right in.”

Silverlight’s cheery disposition arrested Twilight’s concerns about what she would find inside. The door glowed with the guard’s magic and opened to reveal Rarity, stood by a collapsed bed that had Luna perched across one end, hooves dangling off the mattress. Fuelled by the rising worry of several hours waiting, Twilight ran in to give her friend another hug.

Pinkie was bouncing up and down gleefully on the other end of the bed, while Applejack and Fluttershy stood off to one side and Rainbow Dash sat just inside the doorway. All eyes were on Twilight, and all conversation had ceased.

“Are you all right, Rarity?”

“Oh, yes, darling. Aside from a rather rude awakening from Pinkie Pie, I am feeling much better now.”

“Twilight,” Applejack said, “I think Rarity’s gonna get all embarrassed if y’all keep huggin’ her. That or you’ll make RD cry again.”

“Hey! I did not cry!”

A ripple of giggles passed around the room—even Luna joined in with a mute snicker. Stepping back, Twilight looked around to acknowledge the presence of her friends. “What are you all doing here?”

“Princess Luna invited us.” Fluttershy cringed, her ears folding down. “I may have panicked just a little bit.”

“Well I, for one, am very glad you did, Fluttershy,” Rarity said, her voice rising and falling with vitality. “It was very reassuring to have somepony other than Luna’s guards to watch over me.”

“Are my guards not sufficient for your needs, Lady Rarity?”

“Excellent stallions one and all, Princess Luna, but they are just stallions.”

“Ha! Well said, Lady Rarity.” The princess’s voice dropped low, and she regarded each pony in turn. “I must admit it has been heartwarming for me to see you all as well. I appreciate your coming on such short notice, but I have a request to make of you all before you leave again.”

Twilight sat herself opposite Applejack as the friends waited, and even Pinkie stood still on the bed, leaning forward as she focused intensely on the princess.

“Please believe me, I did not mean to invite you all here under false pretences, but I did have an ulterior motive in mind when I had my sister send the letter to your little dragon. I believe Stormcloud himself suggested that using the Elements of Harmony to replace his seal was a possibility. Given the dangers highlighted by the research so far, I would like to ask you all to consider that option seriously. Twilight Sparkle and Rarity both desire to speak with Stormcloud again, and I believe this can be achieved safely using the Elements of Harmony. They are the tools that created the Nullification Nexus, and they will protect you from its effects.

“I do not know if it will be necessary, but Stormcloud said things were bad for him, and I believe he will want this too, for everypony’s safety. We need more time for our research.”

Dash fluffed her wings as she stood up. “I said he was bad news! Of course we’ll use the Elements of Harmony to lock him up again.”

Rarity pursed her lips and said nothing, but Twilight spoke up. “Rainbow Dash, it’s not like that at all. I think he’s just a pony who needs our help. None of what happened is his fault. Fluttershy already forgave him, and I do too.”

“Ah understand, Twilight, but RD’s right,” Applejack said. “Ah’m not doubting he had his reasons, but he made it pretty clear he was dangerous, and ain’t no-pony said nothin’ yet that changes that. Just as long as he agrees to it, you can count me in. Ah think that’s what everypony wants.”

Fluttershy nodded her agreement.

“Pinkie? You ain’t said anythin’ yet. What do ya think?”

Pinkie rubbed a hoof against her muzzle and planted her rump down firmly on the bed. “I just don’t know. I don’t want him to be all sad and lonely, but what if he gets nightmares again?”

“A wise question,” Luna replied.

“Ah’d forgotten about that.”

Rarity finally decided to speak: “Girls, we don’t have to decide what we’re going to do. Luna’s only asking us to consider it, and use the Elements if necessary. We can talk to him first, and ask him what he wants. Don’t you think that would be best, Pinkie Pie?”

Pinkie raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. I guess.”

“That is all I am asking,” said Luna. “If you would accompany me to the mountain, we can discuss the matter further after we talk with Stormcloud. If you are ready, we would do well to act promptly.”

With a series of sombre nods, the assembled ponies agreed and Luna left the room in silence. Following Applejack out, Rarity caught Dash looking quizzically at Pinkie, who was staring at the mattress in deep thought.

“Are you alright, Pinkie Pie?”

“Oh sure.” Her tone seemed oddly cheery considering the expression on her face and the conversation that had just finished. When she bounced twice on the mattress again, she looked up at the ceiling. “Hmm. Trampoline.”

“Say, what?” Dash said.

“Nothing. Just thinking about cake batter.”

Rarity scowled and huffed. “Well, really. I’d have thought you’d be taking this a bit more seriously.”

“Oh, Rarity, I take everything seriously.”

( II )

Celestia & Luna:

Behind Celestia’s throne room, in the most secure part of the castle, Luna unlocked the vault that held the Elements of Harmony. “Our Elements,” she told herself quietly. “We shared them.” She narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath as she dissected the last of her sister’s magical seals. Finally, the panels slid open.

“They’re not here!” she cried out, stamping a hoof.

From behind the princess, a golden light saturated the room, and Luna turned to witness the sun-like ball of light vanish. Celestia stood in its wake, the jewel-encrusted box that held the Elements of Harmony at her hooves.

“Did you not trust me, sister? Do you mean to keep the Elements of Harmony from me?”

Celestia let the tension cool before answering calmly. “Of course I trust you, Luna. I just didn’t want to risk you leaving before I could talk to you.”

“Then you already knew what I was going to do?”

“I had my suspicions. I knew you had to do something, and this seemed the wisest choice.” Celestia pushed the box over to her sister and let it float gently to the ground. Still engulfed in a golden glow, the box flipped open, revealing the Elements of Harmony.

Luna stared at them and winced as she looked up at her sister. “I... I’m sorry I doubted your intentions, Celestia. Please forgive me.”

“There is nothing to forgive. In fact, all I wanted was to be able to say that I trust you, and whatever you choose to do, you have my support.”

Luna shied away from her sister's gaze, noting that the last rays of the sun had finally vanished as she stared through a window.

“I love you,” Celestia said, punctuating the silence.

“I know,” Luna answered quietly, before walking slowly over to her sister and nuzzling her face. “I love you, too.”

Celestia pulled back and kissed her sister on the top of her head. “Go. Do what you must and return to me safely. We will talk later.”

“Please don’t think I’ve been avoiding you, Celestia. It’s... just been a difficult day.”

Celestia wore her warmest smile as she looked down at her sibling. “I am just glad you had somepony to keep you company, Luna. I won’t pretend I don’t wish that pony was me, but as long as you know I am here for you, I can wait until you are ready.”

Luna shied away, hiding her eyes. “I will keep them safe, Sister. I promise you.” She lifted up the case containing the Elements of Harmony and slunk out of the corridor.

Standing still until she was alone once more, Celestia finally allowed her mask of sisterly warmth to fall. “I can wait,” she said to herself. “As long as it takes.”

12. Descent into Darkness

12. Descent into Darkness

“Since you asked so nicely,” Seeker said, mimicking Luna’s oft-used theatrical style. “I would suggest you order both of these lowly rapscallions to pull your chariot, my lady.”

Splashdown stood before Rarity with one hoof wrapped around a dour-faced Thunderer. She'd been contemplating a hundred reasons to chastise herself for lying to Luna when the question came; imploring Seeker’s advice bought her time to think something that wasn’t obviously self-depreciating.

“But what if that’s what they want?” Rarity replied. “It wouldn’t be right to let them both think they’ve won their little game.”

“Good point, good point.” He chewed his lip then drew close enough to brush against her cheek.

Rarity’s ear twitched and her eyes shone. “I must say, Seeker, you make such marvellous suggestions. Vindicator, Glory, I couldn’t possibly entrust my friends to either of these incorrigible reprobates. Might I request that you fine gentlestallions keep them safe for me?”

Side by side, the two stallions exchanged a smirk and bowed.

“Seeker, if you would be so good as to fly lead for us, I will keep these two where I can keep an eye on them. And Seeker...” She gave the pegasus a long kiss on the cheek. “Thank you very much for your advice.”

Grinning, Seeker flexed his wings, giving Splashdown a face full of feathers as he strutted away.

“Yes, yes. Thank you, Seeker.” Splashdown rubbed his nose with a hoof. “Buckle up, ponies! Let’s be ready to go when Luna arrives.”

Four stallions took their places as glowing chariot harnesses slid around them. Where Pinkie pounced onto the small deck, Rarity tested it with a single hoof before Fluttershy crept alongside her. The pegasus sported a feeble smile and cowed stature, but quickly hopped aboard when prompted, as if awaiting permission. Rarity squeezed between her two friends and gave Fluttershy a soft nuzzle, receiving a barely audible ‘thank you’ in reply.

I’m not even sure what for, Fluttershy, but this is for me, I’m afraid.

She let her head rest against that soft, yellow coat, feeling lighter with each outbreath. She only noticed the tension in her chest when it began to melt away, but it returned when she heard hoofsteps from behind; Princess Luna approached wearing plain saddlebags and levitating a gem-encrusted box.

Such bland colours look dreadful on a princess, but it means so much to her. She looks distracted again, but I can’t ask about it here.

The box flipped open and the Elements of Harmony floated towards their respective owners. Luna’s gaze, however, never left the box. The assembled ponies watched in silence as Silverlight stood nose to nose with his princess, and Rarity’s heart pounded as Luna’s eyes locked with his.

They care so much about her.

“Wings at the ready!” Silverlight yelled with a sudden about-face. Five pegasi and a princess flourished their wings. Beside Seeker, Rainbow Dash slowly fanned her own wings, looking to each guard in turn with a huge grin. “Move out!”

( II )

Luna trailed far behind and below the chariots. An hour into their flight, Rarity watched Seeker fall back to circle her as he had done a dozen times already. Meanwhile, Pinkie and Splashdown launched into another game of pretend. First it had been some sort of treasure hunt, then it was fleeing from dragons, and now Pinkie Pirate planted her hooves on the railing of the Party Crasher, wearing an eyepatch and yelling, “Flank speed ahead, ya dogs, or I’ll hoist ya from the yardarm!”

Rarity ducked as a pretend peg-leg waved through the air above her. Exhaling the latest in a long chain of sighs, she lent against Fluttershy once more. Fluttershy reciprocated, but this time she sighed and muttered.

“Do speak up. I can’t hear you over this wind.”

Fluttershy lifted her head. “I’m sorry, Rarity. I don’t mean to be a bother.”

“Oh, Fluttershy. Whatever are you apologising for? Didn’t I tell you I was thrilled that you flew all this way to check on me?”

“Well, yes, but...” Fluttershy’s ears folded down. “I was so tired that I fell asleep before you woke up, and then I wanted to ride with you instead of flying, and now you’re being so nice to me, and—” She squeaked as Rarity’s leg squeezed her.

“Don’t be silly. It’s an honour and a privilege to show you just how much I appreciate you.”

Bra-vo! That was quite the ruse, Rarity. Almost true, yet so diabolically deceitful.

Why... why do you sound like Fancypants, now?

Because, my dear, you’re doing rather too well at ignoring me.

“Look to the skies, shipmates!” Pinkie yelled. “They be tryin’ ta board us!”

“Aye Cap’n! They’ll not get a hoof past me!” Splashdown shouted back.

Fluttershy giggled and nestled against Rarity’s neck. “Thank you, Rarity.”

“Shush. I’ll hear no more of this nonsense.”

Rarity measured the passing time by Seeker’s regular reconnaissance of Luna, and spent it revelling in Fluttershy’s company. As unimpressive as Cloudy Top Mountain was from the air, it was still visible long before the chariots set down on the grassland at its base.

Luna, Seeker, and Rainbow Dash flew ahead to the plateau, leaving the other guards to airlift the grounded mares.

Applejack was the last to set down. “Ah’m just sayin’ there’s nothing wrong with doin’ it on hoof!” she said, adjusting her hat with a huff.

“Twilight Sparkle, Rarity,” Luna said as Thunderer landed. “I believe it would be best if you two were to enter alone. My presence would distract Stormcloud from the nature of your enquiries, as would the presence of all six of you.”

Dash leapt to her hooves from resting. “No way! How can you ask them to—”

“We get it, Rainbow,” Applejack shoved a hoof in Dash’s face. “Ah don’t like it neither, but we ain’t gonna talk Twi out of helping a pony in need. We gotta trust Princess Luna that Stormcloud ain’t the rotten apple we saw.”

“But… what if… you saw what happened to Rarity!”

“Your concerns are well intentioned, if unnecessary,” Luna replied. “Perhaps you should escort your friends halfway to see the Elements of Harmony protecting them?”

Dash’s nose wrinkled. “Yeah, sure. And just how am I supposed to see more than a hoof in front of my own face?”

The Element around her neck sparkled and glowed with Luna’s magic.

“Wow! Dashie!” Pinkie Pie cried. “That’s awesome!”

“Heh. It is pretty awesome.” Dash straightened herself up. “All right. I guess somepony has to keep you girls safe, and I am clearly the pegasus for the job.”

Applejack groaned. “Well, bein’ the fastest pegasus in all Equestria, maybe you ought to be gettin’ on with it.”

“I’m goin’!” Dash took two strides towards the tunnel before balking as she turned to face it’s gaping maw. “I, uh… just waiting on you two. Come on.”

Grinning to each other, Twilight and Rarity flanked Rainbow Dash and pushed into the darkness. As they disappeared from view, Fluttershy’s ears folded down and she sunk to the ground to wait.

( II )

In the tunnel, there was no compliant pegasus to help chase away the memories of Rarity’s last visit.

You could always talk to Twilight, my little pony.

Stop it! I am not going insane, and you are not Princess Celestia.

‘Tis true! I, Luna, Princess of the Night, am far better suited to chastising you for your behaviour!

But it wasn’t my fault! It was the—

Silence! You are always getting angry, Rarity. You never admit it when you’re wrong. You let poor Fluttershy think you were comforting her and you are too cowardly to apologise to Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie—or send a message to dear little Spike. What of all the other things you are hiding? Twilight’s birthday dress, perhaps? Writing a letter to Celestia does not exonerate you from hiding how you let her down.

That’s not fair!

Fair? Was it fair to leave Spike asleep because you don’t know how to deal with his feelings? Was it fair to trample on Pinkie Pie simply because she was not afraid? Was it fair that I shared my deepest fears with you and you said nothing in return?

But…

Nothing! You are unworthy of the Element of Generosity. At least I admitted when I was being selfish.

“Rarity?” Twilight stared at her.“I can’t feel anything, but you don’t look so good. Are you okay?”

“Oh. It’s nothing, dear. I feel... fine.”

Twilight’s attention lingered a while before she smiled. “Rainbow Dash, we’ll be okay from here. Please tell Luna that the Elements are protecting us just she said.”

“Maybe I should go a little further,” Dash replied, coming to a halt. “Y’know, just in case.”

“Oh, Rainbow Dash. I know you want to look out for us, but we’ll be fine, honestly. Luna’s right: it should be just the two of us. I’m sorry.”

“It’s quite endearing, you know,” Rarity said. “Being so worried about us.”

Dash stubbed the ground with a hoof. “Yeah, yeah. Fine, and… thanks. I just…”

Rarity laid a hoof on her friend’s shoulder, but Rainbow Dash jerked away and stomped on the ground, hard.

"Rainbow Dash?”

The pegasus wheeled suddenly, wings spreading as she erupted into a geyser of words. “You don’t get it, do you? I was really worried about you, Rarity! First there was this whole thing with Fluttershy’s dreams, and then you get rushed to hospital where even the doctors didn’t know what to do!” Dash growled and bucked the wall.

“There wasn’t anything I could do either! I was totally freaking out, not knowing what was happening to you. I… I was scared, Rarity. Me! Rainbow Dash! Scared because I didn’t know what was wrong and if you were going to recover, and…”

Her head dropped, and her wings folded up at her sides. “You just disappeared. Twilight was already gone, and Pinkie knew everything about you before I did and—I guess... I mean I... I’m sorry.”

Hmmm... Do you see, Rarity?

Nightmare Moon’s voice stretched the words into a guttural purr.

Even Rainbow Dash can admit she was afraid. Truly, you are a more pathetic worm than even I believed. That her discomfort is your fault makes it all the more delectable.

The cool air in the tunnel sharpened the feel of sweat building under her coat, yet her face felt warm as her heart pounded. She let out a held breath when Twilight spoke.

“Rainbow, I was just as scared when we came back from the infirmary. I tried to ignore it: writing to Princess Celestia, studying, even arguing with you was better than thinking about it. But when I saw the Princess yesterday, I... sort of cried. A bit. I was so frustrated about what happened to Fluttershy that I didn’t even notice you were worried, Dash! Will you let me make it up to you?”

Dash stubbed the ground again. “Nah. You don’t have to do that, Twilight. But… you could ask Princess Celestia about tickets to the next Wonderbolts show. Y’know, if you wanted?”

“I don’t know about that,” Twilight replied with a giggle. “But Princess Luna is going to be the one getting worried if you don’t go back and tell her that we’re okay. This is very important to her and I’m sure she’d be happy to help if you just ask.”

“Yeah, I know, I know. I’m going. Just… don’t trust this jerk. Okay?”

“Rarity and I will be extra careful. I promise.” Twilight leaned forwards, but Dash recoiled sharply.

“All right, I’m going! Just no more of the mushy stuff!” She leapt as far past the unicorns as the confined tunnel allowed. “Applejack would never let it go if I cried twice in one day.”

“But Rainbow Dash, I thought you said you didn’t cry earlier?”

“Did I say twice? I meant—never mind, gotta go see Luna!” She galloped up the tunnel, vanishing from sight.

In the deepening gloom, Rarity lit her horn, and her breathing slowed when the light stretched far into the darkness. Beside her, Twilight smiled broadly. “Wow. I honestly never thought I’d hear Rainbow Dash admit something like that. I hope she feels better.”

Hmmm... yes. Wouldn’t it feel good to admit something like that? You like things that feel good, don’t you Rarity? You like to feel special.

Shut up!

( II )

“Wait.” The booming voice came from every direction at once, but the crackle and hum of Stormcloud’s uncontrolled magic echoed around the corner ahead. When the sound died away, the stallion’s voice was weaker. “Continue.”

Rarity hurried into the cavern to find Stormcloud lying on the central obsidian disc, panting heavily and horn glowing with its constant, silvery aura. When she hesitated, Twilight rushed past her.

“Oh my gosh, Stormcloud! Are you okay? Wait, that’s a really dumb question. Is there anything I can do?”

Stormcloud rolled onto his side and let his head flop to the ground where he could see his visitors. “My sincerest apologies, but unless you have some extremely good news, then no, there is probably nothing you can do to help. Now if you don’t mind me asking, why did Luna turn back?”

“Luna? I’m afraid that was Rainbow Dash,” Rarity replied.

“Strange, but no matter. You do not have the look of ponies intent on rebuking me for the way our last meeting ended, so what might I do for you?” His heavy breathing abating, he lurched back to his stomach raised his head up straight.

“Well,” Twilight said. “I’ve been working with Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, under the guidance of Princess Luna. We definitely know more about what’s going on than either princess did before, but it’s still a lot of guesswork. I was hoping you could tell me what it was like when you were dreaming? What you could do, how much you could see, and what changed when you said it became a nightmare? It’d be a big help.”

Stormcloud ran a hoof over his unkempt mane, but the tufts of hair sprang straight back up. “It is hard to describe. It was like absorbing an abstract experience: not actually seeing, or hearing, or smelling, yet knowing those sensations. Like a dream, however, those memories are fading quickly, so I cannot be sure.”

“I thought waking up would be a momentous occasion. I learned so much—wisdom enough to rival the sisters themselves, I thought. But now, it vanishes like so much smoke. In the end, it is nothing but a waste.”

Twilight’s eyes widened as she leant forward. “Can you still do the things you could do before?”

He seems happy just to talk, but every breath is like watching him carry the weight of the word on his shoulders. Twilight doesn’t see it. Why can’t you see it, Twilight? Luna sees me, why can’t you?

“Nothing. There is nothing of it left. The nightmare was constant terror—as if my heart was galloping and my lungs were burning, yet I had neither. All this magic was just waiting to explode out. Now that it suffuses this place, I can feel the mountain as easily as the hair of my mane; yet, I could not repeat what I did when you last came here. I remember that I did it, but it’s just a dream—it isn’t real. I hope you can appreciate that I really did mean to protect you and your friends, even if I had to trick you to do so.”

“We do,” Rarity said, stepping ahead of Twilight. “We spoke with the princesses and they told us what happened all that time ago. I’m very sorry it happened, Stormcloud. Truly, I am.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes at Rarity, and in the lull, Stormcloud rose and stretched his legs. “It makes my skin crawl just thinking about it,” she said, shuddering. “But I understand, I guess. Listen, we’re still evaluating information, but we think the reason you can feel the nullification matrix is the same reason you had the nightmare. We’re worried that the mountain is just full. You could be in real danger, so we were hoping you’d let us seal you back up to keep you safe.”

Stormcloud bristled. “No!” His wild eyes fixated on Twilight for several seconds before he relaxed again. “I admit the idea of risking the nightmare again terrifies me, but that is not the only reason. I can handle this—” he gestured towards the scorch marks around the cavern “—but I cannot live with the uncertainty of going back in that cage, however well-intentioned it is. I do not expect you to understand, or agree.”

“You can’t be serious!” Rarity cried. “You have no idea what could happen if we don’t! It might be even more horrible than your nightmares, you might even… you might…”

“Die? That is possible, but I am not suicidal, if that is what you think. You have no more an idea of what will happen than I. You don’t even know if there is an answer to my curse at all.”

Twilight sagged. “You’re right. We don’t really have any idea what will happen. We’re just guessing that it’s the least dangerous option.”

“Least dangerous? Or least responsibility for you? I will not do it, Twilight Sparkle. I do not want to die; I want to live, and I will accept whatever risks are required of me to have that. Since the day Celestia took me away from what little family and friends I had, I have been promised a solution. Now I demand satisfaction, even if that is gratuitously unfair. I am willing to bet my life on getting what I want, not what is convenient for everypony else.”

The trio fell into silence, and Twilight started shifting her weight from hoof to hoof as it dragged on.

“Twilight?” Rarity’s voice was low, and she waited for the unicorn to look up. “Perhaps you ought to go and ask Luna to come down. I’d like to talk in private before I go, if you don’t mind?” The other ponies tilted their heads symmetrically.

“She’ll be safe.” Stormcloud said without taking his narrowed eyes off Rarity. “No less safe than you are now, at least.”

Twilight’s mouth moved, but no sound came out.

“Don’t worry about me, Twilight. I’m sure I’ll be fine, and I’ll only be a minute behind you. I promise.”

Scowling at Stormcloud, Twilight headed for the exit. Her expression lightened just long enough to give Rarity a nod before she disappeared.

“You have my full attention, Miss,” Stormcloud said. “And my interest. What do you wish to know?”

Rarity waited until Twilight’s hoofsteps faded. “I really am sorry about everything that happened to you, but I wanted to ask… Luna said you held a great deal of bitterness towards Princess Celestia. Could you tell me more about it?”

Stormcloud lent forward, scanning Rarity’s face as Luna had before him, and like her, his face suddenly brightened when he was done. “My mother died before I really knew her, and I would be better off having never known my father. My circle of friends was pitiful. I constantly got in fights, even before the teasing and bullying began, so I had little by way of support when my horn grew and the insults started flying. Little, but something nonetheless.

“When even adults give you a wide berth for being a freak, it is impossible not to take it to heart, so you will understand how it felt for Princess Celestia to investigate in person, talking to me, of all ponies. She promised to find out what had happened—promised it would be better if she took me away—but it was not to be. The confused, angry colt I was then felt betrayed when I was given to other ponies to study and raise me. She kept an eye on me, of course, and I tried to believe that she would make good on her word, but...”

Stormcloud’s face went blank as he trailed off. Then, suddenly, he smiled and resumed speaking with new vitality. “When Luna came along… now that was magical. She was intense, engaging, and I could sense how much she cared. I had already alienated most everypony around me, either through my charming personality or one of my little accidents, but Luna weathered it all with a smile and more questions or experiments. She was everything that her sister was not, and when she admitted her own resentment of Celestia, you can appreciate that we… bonded. I know it was not literally true, but it felt like she was my last hope for any kind of life, and any kind of happiness. I—”

Stormcloud blinked. “Sorry, I appear to be veering off the subject. You asked me why I felt bitter towards Celestia, and I hope that explains it. When Luna was giving me her attention, it simply reinforced my feelings that Celestia had failed to deliver on her promises.”

Rarity blinked, too. She sniffed once, wiping her eyes as she exhaled. “Luna said that things didn’t really work out between the two of you after your accident. She’s been so good to me today and it pains me to see her hurting, so I wondered if you would tell me what she was like when you knew her? There really aren’t many ponies I can ask.”

“I suppose the words strong, confident, and regal do not mean much when speaking of a princess.” Stormcloud said. Again, Rarity saw the perfect mimicry of Luna as his eyes defocused and stared past her, his voice growing low and quiet. “Luna was intense, passionate, and occasionally a little needy, if I am to be honest. Not that I would have any right to complain about that, even if I wanted to.” He chuckled quietly, another smile spreading across his face.

He remembers what it is like to have her attention.

"That was the problem,” he continued. “Luna needs to feel like she is making a difference. It was so easy to make her happy just by appreciating the effort she put in, but after the accident, I changed. I could not look into her eyes anymore. I could not make her feel appreciated because I hated myself.” His face tightened and his brow furrowed, but Rarity could still see the smile that he clung to like a life raft.

“I want you to appreciate that it is also her greatest strength. Once she is impassioned with a cause, nothing could ever hope to stop her. Not even Celestia, I imagine. I am probably biased, but I find that to be magic in a way that nothing else in Equestria can even begin to compare to.”

Rarity watched the tension build around Stormcloud’s eyes until he turned away from her. Somepony to make us feel special. Isn’t that what all of us want? It doesn’t take a stallion to fall in love with a princess, but I can’t imagine how much harder it might be for one.

Stormcloud didn’t move. Unsure how long she could maintain her own composure, Rarity began plodding quietly towards the tunnel.

"Thank you,” he said in a nasal tone. “Thank you for asking. It gives me hope to know that another pony cares about her as I do.”

It should have been a beautiful thing to hear, but Rarity could only think of all the things she had failed to say to the princess and all the ways that she failed to understand her troubles. “Luna and Twilight both told me that Princess Celestia thought you’d given up,” she said. “Luna said she didn’t believe it. I don’t believe it either.”

She couldn’t see his face, but caught a flicker of movement and saw a patch of obsidian darken beneath him. Another splash joined it. She wanted to say something—she wanted to offer the words she’d longed to hear when crying into her pillow. She wanted to believe that such words existed.

( II )

Turning the last corner, Rarity looked up towards the tunnel entrance and the plateau beyond. There, framed in moonlight and shadow, Twilight sparkle stared back, her huge irises shrinking under the flood of new light.

Rather than hurrying, Rarity slowed to a dignified saunter.

“Is everything okay?” Twilight asked, lunging forwards and hugging Rarity tightly.

“Yes, Twilight.” Rarity pressed her face into the purple coat. “Everything is fine. It’s just… I needed to get some things get off my chest.” When Twilight released her, she raised her own hoof to continue the embrace. This time there was no resistance, and the soft nuzzle against her own crest told her what she needed to know: I’m here for you.

Pulling away, she saw three guards and Rainbow Dash were asleep on a pair of clouds. On a third, Luna lay with her hooves dangling over the edge. Glory sat to one side of her, and Fluttershy stretched out on the other, watching Luna from the corner of her eyes.

Poor thing still isn’t comfortable around Luna. Isn’t that why you like her, though? She needs you and you like that—need that, as Stormcloud said.

Applejack stalked over from beside Pinkie. “Did you know some o’ these ponies have been up for almost two whole days? Ah gotta say, Ah feel like these fellas put a farm girl to shame.”

“Do not shower them with such praise,” Luna said with her wicked smile as she spread a wing across Glory. “They’ll go soft on me.” The pegasus laid his head on his forelegs and closed his eyes. “It is time I went to see Stormcloud then. Twilight Sparkle says he seemed calmer. Would you agree with that assessment, Lady Rarity?”

“I would. But I don’t think it’s him that changed. I think it was us.”

“Wise words.” Luna swooped down from her cloud and hoisted her saddlebags onto her back.

Yes, they are, but they’re not mine. Not really.

“I didn’t know,” Rarity said to Applejack as Luna disappeared down the tunnel. “But I do know how much Luna appreciates them.”

Applejack’s been talking to them. Did I even stop to just talk? Sorry, Splashdown, you were right. I really did just want the bells and the baubles and the spotlight of being with Luna, but you still closed ranks and made me feel special. I don’t deserve it, but thank you.

Splashdown landed softly on the plateau, releasing a small tuft of grey cloud from his mouth. “Your pegasus was right, this stuff is freaky. Pinkie Pie, listen to this.”

Pinkie put an ear to the ball of fluff. “It’s fizzing!” She started giggling and pulled away sharply, rubbing her ear. “It tickles, too.”

Splashdown shoved the cloud into Pinkie’s face and she giggled harder, clutching her sides as she rolled onto her back. “Squeal for me, piggy!” he shouted when she snorted between guffaws.

Rarity watched with a smile; he seemed a completely different pony than the one that reared up in front of Celestia. “You must be wonderful with your foals.”

“Heh. Yeah. Didn’t used to be, though. Guess I have Luna to thank for that, too. You’ve seen Luna with Blessing, right? She’s great with that kid. Taught me a lot.”

Could that be what Stormcloud wanted? A mother to love him?

Applejack hummed quietly to herself. “When ya say it like that, it makes me feel like Ah don’t know Luna at all.”

“Nothing personal, Applejack,” Splashdown replied, raising himself to his full height. “But you don’t know her at all. We all appreciate what you folks did, but it burns my tail up when ponies assume they know Luna.”

Applejack bristled as Pinkie jabbed the guard from below. “Hey! What’s made you such a grumpy-guts?”

The guard backed up, but his stare remained hard. “If you had any idea how many ponies I’ve had to ward off because they thought they knew what was best for Luna, or thought they were the ones to—”

“Twitchy tail!” Pinkie shouted, and moments later the mountain shuddered. A few loose rocks began bouncing down the mountain’s sides, but any dangerous ones were deflected by Twilight’s magic.

Rarity levelled her own stare at Splashdown. “Luna?”

“Up!” Splashdown yelled, and Fluttershy shot into the air with a squeak. “Now!” Glory and Rainbow Dash remained motionless, but the other three heads jerked upright.

Pinkie, still lying on her back, waved a hoof upwards. “Listen! The clouds are fizzing!”

“That can’t be good,” Twilight said, darting for the tunnel. “Come on, we have to go and check on Luna!”

“Wait!” Rarity shouted at the vanishing Twilight. I need help. If anything’s gone wrong, what could I do on my own? She turned to Splashdown. “You’re going to need light if you’re coming.”

Splashdown nodded. “Vindicator, take Glory and stick with Twilight. Seeker, aerial recon and report back to Thunderer. Move!”

Twilight barely slowed enough for Vindicator to drag Glory after her, and Pinkie followed them all with a spring in her step and a tuneful hum on her lips.

Rarity’s breathing quickened. She felt woozy. The sounds around her became muffled. She heard Applejack shouting at Rainbow Dash, and Splashdown explaining something to Thunderer. She felt Fluttershy land close enough to press against her flank. All of these things seemed distant, subdued, unreal. She expected to faint, but instead, she snapped into focus when Splashdown’s hoof touched her shoulder.

“We’re ready,” he said.

Lighting her horn, she led her new entourage into the tunnel. She felt numb: mindlessly going through the motions of what she knew had to be done.

It’s not as if we even know anything bad has happened… right?

13. Soliloquy of a Wounded Heart

13. Soliloquy of a Wounded Heart

The last corner. The final corner. End of the line. End of blessed ignorance.

A cold shiver passed through an already-trembling Rarity. The light splashing against the walls ahead was a drab echo of what it had been just a half-hour before.

“Report!” Splashdown yelled, and Vindicator’s voice echoed back towards them.

“Subject is down. No sign of Luna.”

Rounding the corner, Rarity’s nose wrinkled as she shut her eyes and shied away from the scene.

“He’s really, really sick.” Pinkie huddled over a prostrate Stormcloud, her voice little more than a whimper. “And Twilight says she can’t cast any spells on him.”

The once luminous walls were dark, and the long shadows cast by Twilight’s horn skittered and fled as Rarity stepped through her entourage, eyes flicking across every pony except the one on the floor.

“Rarity,” Applejack said from behind. “His breathin’s bad. Just like yours was.”

Rarity’s looked down and her chest tightened—Stormcloud’s horn was as dark and inert as the rest of him. She inhaled deeply, letting her lungs and barrel expand a little more than her usual poise allowed. “Twilight, can you add anything? It looks like Stormcloud is no longer ‘filling up the mountain’, as you put it.” Twilight stared back at her, eyes wide, mouth open. “Twilight, I don’t think it’s as bad as… I mean…”

Her legs felt weak and her mind started spinning. Even Splashdown was staring at her now. She stiffened, taking a firm stance and producing an equally firm voice. “There may be a lot of burn marks on the walls, but there are shreds of saddlebags in two different fabrics. That means Luna made it here, but that whatever happened left those shreds. I don’t see shreds of… anything else, do you?”

“No.” Twilight replied. “But I can’t do any magic at all; how could the princess have gotten away without us seeing her?”

Glory massaged his temple with a hoof. “Maybe I’m just a meat-headed pegasus, but Luna didn’t have protection. Seemed to me she just didn’t need it.”

Twilight’s head popped up. “Of course! Why didn’t I think of that? Luna could easily build in a resonance filter as a fail-safe. All she would have to do is—”

“Twilight!” Rarity said sharply. The whole chamber fell into a silence punctuated only by Stormcloud’s rasping breath. “Sorry, dear, but we need to get Stormcould outside immediately. I can’t leave him here. I just... I can’t.”

“Woah! No way!” Splashdown leapt towards Rarity. “You sympathise with his situation, sure, but you can’t just drag him out. Not exploding now is no guarantee of not exploding later.”

“Ah hate to say it, Sugarcube,” Applejack said, moving alongside Rarity, “but he’s right. We don’t know a darn thing about what’s goin’ on.”

Stormcloud spasmed and gagged, sucking down a rattling breath. Rarity shivered again. “Vindicator, Glory,” she said. “Would you please be so kind as to bring Stormcloud to the surf—”

“No!” Splashdown bellowed.

Rarity bristled, staring him down and growling faintly. “You, Splashdown, are one of Luna’s personal guard, sworn to protect her and follow her orders, are you not?”

“Yes, and Luna wouldn’t want to endanger any ponies.”

“We’re endangering him if we leave him here.” Rarity’s voice was low but hard, and Splashdown inched forwards, giving no ground to her intensity.

“That’s different and you know it.”

“Princess Luna put her guards at my disposal. Did. She. Not?”

Splashdown snorted and stomped over to stand with his comrades. “That’s not what she meant.”

Silence fell between them, Rarity’s heart pounding as she tensed her legs to ward off the trembling. The pressure in her head rose steadily. She gritted her teeth and pursed her lips. Still neither pony said a word.

Suddenly, Glory spread his wings. “For the greater glory, we serve in her majesty’s name!”

Vindicator nodded and stepped over Stormcloud. “Lodge a complaint if you must, Captain, but my brother and I will follow Luna’s orders until our dying breaths, even if you won’t.”

Glory threw his head back and bellowed. “For Luna!”

“For Luna!” Vindicator replied.

Splashdown sagged. “For Luna. Curse you.”

( II )

“How can you be so calm!” Twilight yelled.

Thunderer gave not so much as a twitch in response. He lay near the edge of the plateau, facing the tunnel: legs tucked in, eyes closed, breathing steadily. Twilight, however, hadn’t stopped pacing since Splashdown escorted her friends down to the chariots—except for a few seconds here and there to complain.

Eventually, Thunderer broke his silence, but not his placid exterior. “You’re the one who said they were unlikely to be in danger. Besides, they’re here.”

Rarity walked around the corner first, slowly followed by Vindicator and Glory—their wings locked across each other’s backs, holding Stormcloud aloft.

“Halt,” Thunderer said. “Report.”

Rarity gulped. “He’s breathing better, and we didn’t see so much as a flicker of magic on the way up.”

And I didn’t get your companions burned to ashes.

“But that doesn’t make any sense!” Twilight prodded Stormcloud in the chest. “It’s absolutely consistent with a normal unicorn’s exposure. If Princess Luna had a way of curing him we wouldn’t have spent all day researching!”

Thunderer’s expression remained unmoved. “Then he remains here. He is too dangerous to remove from the tunnel. Should the worst happen, it may still provide some protection.”

“I…” Rarity took a deep breath as the guards lowered Stormcloud to the ground. “If he… If it’s the same thing I experienced, then there’s nothing more we can do for him. We have to find Luna.”

Thunderer’s brow twitched.

“Oh! I didn’t mean… I mean I wasn’t trying to say…” Rarity grimaced, backing away slightly. “At least you have two more pegasi to help with the search.”

Glory and Vindicator trotted up, standing stiffly to attention on either side of her.

“At ease, ponies. Vindicator, relieve Splashdown and guard our guests below. Tell him to join the search pattern. Glory, find Seeker and tell him to take a message to Canterlot. If you can’t find him quickly, go yourself. We need an emergency medical team plus the tutor, Sonata, and whatever she requires. Tell them Luna’s missing and to approach with extreme caution. Dismissed.” The two guards dove off the plateau’s edge together, leaving Rarity standing alone once more. “If she’s here, we’ll find her. In the meantime, we can hope that your boy wakes up and tells us what happened.”

Rarity nodded. She dropped to the ground with somewhat less than her usual grace and Twilight settled alongside her.

“Rarity? Are you okay?”

Rarity nodded again, but her mouth had a nervous twitch and her eyes roamed sky and landscape without settling.

“It’ll be okay,” Twilight said. “Luna got away. We’ll find her.”

Rarity swallowed conspicuously and flinched when a hoof rested atop hers.

“Oh my gosh, you’re trembling!” Twilight wrapped her leg around Rarity’s neck instead, pulling them together. “Please try and stay calm, Rarity. I haven’t forgotten. I’m not going anywhere this time.”

As Twilight cuddled and nuzzled and hugged, Rarity remained silent. She blinked away a few tears, her breaths becoming increasingly jagged until Twilight sat up and gathered her into full embrace. They gently rocked together, Twilight cooing quietly in her ear. Breath caught in her throat, and her face tightened into a grimace.

A hoof began stroking her mane gently. “Please, Rarity,” Twilight whispered, her caressing becoming more frantic. “Please tell me what I can do.”

As if prompted, Rarity released a single, piercing wail, followed by sobbing that was more like silent convulsing. After a few intense and ragged gulps, her breath caught again.

“I’ll do anything,” Twilight said, her voice now cracking as tears streamed down her face. “I just want to help. I’ll do anything to help. Please…” She cuddled, and nuzzled, and hugged, but Rarity said nothing.

( II )

Luna,

I don’t know what happened to you, but I need you. I shouldn’t, but I do. I wanted to tell you everything, truly I did, but I didn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to trust you. What kind of mare does that make me?

You gave me everything I wanted and I gave you nothing. Now I’ve risked myself and others because I couldn’t bear to think of Stormcloud being left down there. I just wanted to help. That’s all I ever wanted, but nothing seems to work. The harder I tried the more I realised that I’m just vain, arrogant, and selfish. You treated me like a princess and I acted like a spoiled brat. Now all I’m doing is leeching my friends’ time and patience… and yours.

Generosity? Hardly. I have amazing friends, and it feels like no matter what I do, they are always supporting me. Yet, I’m never giving enough back. Twilight was glad I was there to look after you, but it’s only a dream. You don’t need me; I couldn’t even understand what you were trying to tell me. You wanted me to support you, and I failed. You wanted me to be honest, and I failed. I keep letting everypony down. I want to help, to be there for my friends; I’d give anything, but I don’t know what to do anymore.

I swear I spend more time angry at Pinkie Pie than laughing with her. I know that I’ve been ill, but it’s hardly the first time I’ve yelled at either her or Rainbow Dash. I feel like Applejack and I have quietly agreed that we just don’t really ‘get’ each other, and Twilight all but said I don’t spend enough time with her. And Fluttershy, beautiful, sweet, Fluttershy… I really do love her so much, but I can’t pretend I don’t love how much she needs me sometimes. How low of me to think so badly of my friends?

I can’t even think about Spike right now. He deserves better from me; he—

I need you because you understand, Luna. You look into me and you see—you asked, but you already knew. I know that my friends will forgive me for whatever I have done, but when they do, it will feel hollow, because I don’t deserve it. I know I should talk to them about these feelings, but I’m too afraid of losing their love, just like you were afraid of losing Celestia’s. How can I tell them the truth after I’ve hidden so much from them? You say you are not your sister, but I am not you, either. You laugh about Nightmare Moon. You are strong. You bear your burdens with grace, for the sake of those around you.

I don’t have that strength, Luna, and I don’t know what to do. I need to see you; I need to talk to you. I’m scared, but it feels safe to be scared in front of you. For the first time in a long while, I feel lost and alone.

So alone that I’m pretending you can hear me, Luna.

( II )

“Leaving your post, Vindicator?” Thunderer asked as the guard landed next to him.

“They’re spooked—and with good reason. What happened?”

Rarity was slumped against Twilight, having her main caressed in slow, deliberate strokes. Both ponies looked wearier than the midnight hour alone might explain.

“Just suffering the strain of a tough call. She’s strong, that one. She doesn’t deserve the day she’s having and she doesn’t have the training, but she’ll make it through.”

“Sir, about that call…”

“Splashdown explained,” Thunderer said flatly. “All ponies acted in good conscience, including you and your brother. Put it out of your mind and focus on the situation at hoof.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Also, I’ve had no report from Glory or Seeker. Whoever stayed behind is overdue.”

Thunderer’s hum rumbled like a predatory growl. “Our guests are our primary concern. Keep them calm, if you can, and alert Splashdown when you see him.” Without reply, Vindicator took off, and Thunderer turned his eyes back on the mares under his guard. “I haven’t been at my best, today,” he whispered to himself, letting his eyes fall closed. “It seems none of us have. Your sister is missing and I could use some of your wisdom, my princess. We all could.”

The night was silent and still. There was no wind to chill the bones, and the moon overhead was full and strong. Only the occasional sound of Rarity’s sighs tested the tranquillity around them.

Thunderer’s ear twitched. He was up on his hooves at lightning speed, but crept towards Stormcloud in a slow, stealthy gait, drawing Twilight’s attention. “There,” he said as the stricken stallion moaned quietly. “He’s conscious. Perhaps you might try to address him; he’s seen the two of you before.”

“Sure,” Twilight replied, pulling away from Rarity. “How are you feeling? I imagine you’ll want to talk to him, but just tell me if you’re not ready.”

After a few steady breaths, Rarity rose and paced slowly towards the stallion that, Thunderer’s warning aside, might have been mistaken for sleeping. She passed into the tunnel and lay on the floor only a few inches from his face. “Stormcloud? Can you hear me, darling?” The words flowed like honey on silk, and Rarity produced a bright, welcoming smile when his eye cracked open.

His first attempt to speak produced only a breathy groan, and his second barely managed a single, slurred word: “Uht… acked…”

“What?” Twilight cried. “Who? How?”

“Twilight, please.” Rarity frowned for a moment before turning her attention back to Stormcloud. “It’s all right. Take your time and tell us what happened. Who attacked you?”

Stormcloud rocked his head back and forth on the ground. “No… attacked… Luna…”

“What?” Twilight cried again, but Rarity’s scowl silenced her.

“Did you attack Luna? Did your magic get out of control again?”

“No… yes… came out—” Stomcloud burst into a fit of coughing. Wincing as he recovered his breath, he reached out a hoof to touch Rarity. She took his hoof in hers. “Curse,” he continued, “Alive… angry… attacked…”

“Does it mean anything to you, Twilight Sparkle?” Thunderer asked.

Twilight started pacing across the plateau. “I don’t know! Emotions are an integral part of unicorn magic, and it’s not uncommon for a pony’s instincts to do magic under stress, but… it doesn’t make any sense! Those parts of a pony can’t just disappear!” Changing direction, she came face to face with Thunderer.

“Focus, Twilight. Does it change anything we know about the situation?”

She chewed her lip and frowned. “No, I don’t think so. If something came out of him, it doesn’t look like it went back in. Even if it did, it would obviously be dormant now. I have to agree with Rarity; he clearly doesn’t mean us harm, and he’s not likely to explode anytime soon.”

“We don’t know for certain that he didn’t attack Luna, and if there is something out there, then either Luna can handle it—” he pointed a hoof at Twilight’s tiara “—or we’re going to need those shiny trinkets of yours.”

Rarity gently kissed the hoof she held then laid it on the ground. “He’s unconscious again.” She touched the Element around her neck and gulped. “We should go.”

( II )

Picking their way down the path was simple enough work, but before the three ponies reached flat grassland, they heard shouting as Rainbow Dash sped off into the nearby forest. The rest of the ponies came running to meet them.

“Sir!” Vindicator shouted. “Heard something in the distance!”

“Go!” Thunderer replied, and the guard promptly took the air. He skipped the last thirty feet of uneven ground in one glide, but Applejack and Pinkie Pie had already veered off to follow Vindicator and Fluttershy ran straight past him.

“Come on girls!” Twilight shouted, running straight past Thunderer the other way. “Let’s stick together in case there’s something out here!”

In her wake, Rarity and Fluttershy reached the grassland side by side, exchanging nuzzles as they stopped.

Kindness. I truly do not deserve a friend like you, Fluttershy.

Thunderer fell in on Rarity’s other side, and for a moment she smiled and blushed—but only for a moment.

I’ve always had a guard; I just didn’t take the time to see her. I haven’t always been so kind in return.

The three ponies kept to a brisk trot, and Rarity was acutely aware of Fluttershy’s attention. Each time their eyes met, the pegasus would refresh her smile as if all else that had gone awry was worth nought—as if only that moment truly mattered. Rarity smiled back, but it might as well have been a filly’s crayon drawing on a threadbare puppet. She felt numb. She was that puppet. There was nothing but cheap twine between keeping her legs moving and crumpling into a tangled heap on the floor—one moment of inattention from every pony around her seeing her for who she truly was. But the smile… how could anypony fall for it?

Following shouts from in front, they quickly found the other ponies in a loose group. Applejack and Pinkie Pie stood between the approaching ponies and Twilight, whose horn glowed while undergrowth floated away. Vindicator stood next to the unicorn, staring at the ground where she worked, and Thunderer walked up in a plod so weighted and grave that it could have been a funeral march.

Please, no. If there’s something out here… if Luna couldn’t stop it—couldn’t even return to us… Anything but that.

To one side, Rainbow Dash lent against a tree, her head hung low and cheeks pale. “Splashie,” Pinkie said quietly, stepping aside and looking back over her shoulder. Beyond her, Splashdown’s blackened and charred body lay in a battered heap. One leg bent midway up the canon and a wing folded against itself along the wrong way.

I should be feeling more than this. I should be feeling something.

Fluttershy leapt forward. “No! No, no, no…” she kept repeating the word, her breaths coming shallow and hurried. Despite the damage, there was no blood, and the stallions chest still rose and fell slowly. “We need to splint his leg before he wakes up,” she said, suddenly divested of her panic.

Of course. Show Fluttershy suffering and she comes right out of her shell. How could I possibly think such a magnificent pony could need the likes of me?

Fluttershy listed off the things she would need, but the words slipped past Rarity without finding purchase in her mind. She watched Applejack and Twilight dart into the forest, while Vindicator took off toward the mountain.

“Rarity?”

She had no idea where the voice came from. She wasn’t even sure whose voice it was.

“Rarity?” the voice said again, a bleak, soulless whimper.

Pinkie’s hoof tapped her on the leg. The mare stood beside her, deflated and drawn, large eyes begging for release. Rarity pulled the string that controlled her leg and drew Pinkie against her, but her porcelain face held no smile. Even the fake, crayon smile was a lifetime away now.

That’s it then. I couldn’t tell them, but they’ll know soon enough. There’s nothing I can do about it now.

( II )

For almost two hours, Glory had pushed himself onwards, but when the gleaming white towers of Canterlot came into view his body rebelled against the need to stay aloft. His ankle screamed in throbs of white-hot agony and his lungs burned. His mind swam as the courtyard below defocused and swayed before his tired eyes. A few more flaps and his two back hooves found familiar grey flagstones to support them.

“Guards!” he screamed. He closed his eyes as bile rose in his throat. With his weight shifted back to stay off his smashed ankle, he stumbled briefly as his balance rolled like high seas.

“Get a medic, now!” somepony yelled.

“Must… see… Celestia,” he said in wheezing breaths. Finally, the rebellion won and his guts clenched, sending vomit and bile flying from his throat. On instinct, his left hoof reached for the floor to steady himself, sending a fresh spike of pain straight into his brain. An entire sun tried to eat him from the inside out. Somepony screamed.

Darkness...

( II )

Vindicator dropped a golden box in front of Twilight. She popped it open with magic and spread the emergency supplies across the ground while Fluttershy fussed over the collected sticks and leaves.

Rarity watched the three ponies set about making splints, their mouths moving but without making any intelligible sound. It didn’t matter anyway; there was no changing fate. Nothing hurt anymore: a wooden heart in a wooden doll. Pinkie nuzzled her slightly, eyes watering and lip quivering, and Rarity resumed stroking the thick, candyfloss mane.

I owe you so much more than this. You deserve to laugh, not cry.

( II )

The sparse forest made for good visibility, but it made stealth challenging. Thunderer slid from shadow to shadow on silent wings, stopping each time to look around and listen for any disturbance. The forest was too quiet: something more than Splashdown’s crash was at work.

Something glinted. He sank to the earth around the tree’s thick roots, hugging the shadows tighter than before. Although he found the assumptions about Luna’s obsession with the night amusing, his current colour scheme was undoubtedly well suited to the task. Nevertheless, patience was crucial. When the night surrendered no warnings, he sloped forwards on hoof until a distant shape resolved itself into his Princess, tiara glimmering in the moonlight.

It was bent in the centre, and her coat was ruffled and marred all over. More strikingly, her mane and tail of stars had been replaced by an unkempt mass of electric blue hair. She crouched in the centre of a clearing, sleek, predatory, staring at something off in the forest. At the faintest of growls from Thunderer, her head twisted slightly. She kept her gaze far off into the forest, slowly turning until she could flick her eyes once, briefly, to where Thunderer hid. She raised a hoof and signalled: stay low, come to me.

Like a panther on the hunt, he prowled into the clearing.

“Who else is with you?” she whispered without shifting her attention.

“Vindicator and the six mares. Splashdown is incapacitated; the others are with him now.” Thunderer raised his snout towards his princess, detecting the faint waft of ozone in the still air. Whatever was out there had probably taken out Splashdown.

“Good,” Luna replied. “Bring them all up, but have the mares stay in the treeline. I will require both you and Vindicator for this.” Her head bobbed, tracking whatever it was that Thunderer couldn’t see. “Where is Glory?”

“Missing, as is Seeker, but one of them should be en route to Canterlot.”

Luna nodded. “Now hurry.”

Thunderer skulked as far as the treeline and started gliding from shadow to shadow, picking up speed as he left the clearing behind.

( II )

Fluttershy pulled the last knot tight with her teeth and stepped back.

“Thank you,” Vindicator said, giving her a formal bow that elicited a mute squeak.

“Oh! It’s nothing… really.”

“Nonsense.” The burly guard stood to her side, inspecting his strapped up comrade. “For all we know you may have just saved a life, tonight. It will not be forgotten.”

A short distance away, Rarity’s porcelain mask cracked, and the thinnest of smiles shone through. Giving Pinkie a squeeze, she saw the darting shadow approaching moments before Thunderer hit the ground, hoofs digging deep into the earth to slow him.

“I found Luna,” he said, his even tone a sharp contrast to the gasps and brightening faces around him. None brightened more than Pinkie’s, and she slipped from Rarity’s hold to bounce energetically in front of the guard.

Could it be? Will it be all right after all?

“Vindicator, you’re with me,” he continued. “The rest of you, Luna wants you nearby, but out of sight.”

Vindicator trotted forward and stretched his wings. “Uh, boss? How do you want to do this? These mares aren’t exactly stealth ops material. No offence, ladies.”

“None taken.” Applejack stuck her nose in the air. “But we girls have crept through the Everfree plenty enough to keep out o’ sight. Wouldn’t wanna rain on your big, clumsy stallion parade anywho.”

“They’ll be fine,” Thunderer said with an about-face. “Rainbow Dash, you follow us at a safe distance and the rest can follow you to keep them further from sight. You’re up to that, aren’t you?”

Rainbow Dash gave him a stiff salute. “Yes, sir, Thunderer, sir!”

“Umm…” Fluttershy said. “We can’t just leave Splashdown alone out here.”

Thunderer cast his eyes over his comrade. “The best thing we can do is get this over with and get him home.”

“Oh… sure. I... I guess so.”

As the guards disappeared into the forest shadows, the rest kept to a quiet hustle. Even when Rarity fell to the back of the group, Fluttershy kept pace with her, never once falling more than a hoof’s reach from her side.

( II )

Celestia soared through the open castle doors and landed before the scrum of guards and medics. A blue unicorn mare broke away and faced her. “He’s in bad shape, your majesty: shock, exhaustion, some blood loss, impacted second and third phalange—plus suspected fractures.”

“Has he been able to relay a message?”

The unicorn shook her head. “No, Your Majesty. He hasn’t regained consciousness, and I wouldn’t suggest trying to wake him, either.”

Celestia’s wings stretched out—not fully spread, but arcing from her sides like sails at half-mast. “I know my guards, Night Blossom. He called for me and I will hear his report as soon as it is possible.”

“Of course, Your Majesty, but might I suggest moving him to our infirmary first?” The medic’s hard tone left no room to believe it was a suggestion.

“He’s ready for transport now,” the palace guard said, hovering above the scene.

The scrum dispersed suddenly as Glory’s stretcher floated into the air on a golden aura of magic. “Lieutenant.” Celestia’s voice carried a crisp snap with it. “Find Swordmane immediately and have him summon every elite in Canterlot. Now.”

She folded her wings and smiled at Night Blossom. “Well then, my little pony. Where to?”

( II )

“What happened to Luna’s mane?” Twilight whispered.

“Ah don’t rightly know, Twilight!” Applejack already had one hoof stuffed into Pinkie’s mouth to stop her from cheering. “But Ah’m thinking we wait until she’s dealt with Celestia-know-what before we ask!”

Ahead of them, Thunderer and Vindicator slid through the shadows into the clearing. They crept alongside Luna and sunk to their bellies in the long grass. “Everypony is in position,” Thunderer whispered. The princess didn’t appear to have moved a muscle since he left. “What did you find?”

Luna didn’t move, but her mouth twisted into a smile. A particularly devilish smile. Perhaps even an evil smile. Her eye rolled around to regard Thunderer and she leaned towards him and whispered.

“You.”

Two arcs of purple lighting sprang from her horn, striking the guards on the flanks and throwing them into the forest. Thunderer caught a thick tree-trunk and spun through the air, his lifeless body bouncing like a rag doll as he hit the ground.

( II )

“Your Majesty?” Swordmane dropped his quill back in the inkpot and turned towards Celestia. “I have a full wing assembling plus ten chariots drawn by reserves and a dozen front-line unicorns ready to deploy with the medical field unit. Now, please tell me this is a drill.”

“I’m afraid not. Glory narrowly escaped after Seeker shielded him from some kind of magical assault. He tells me that Luna went missing shortly before she attacked them.”

“She?” Swordmane stared at the placid, unreadable face before him. “Surely you can’t mean—”

“That is your report, Shift-Captain. One pony is already down. If Luna has turned there will be more, and the Element-Bearers are still out there. One way or another you will bring them home.”

“Yes…” Swordmane fell quiet. “Of course, Your Majesty. Shall I prepare your personal chariot?”

Celestia trotted towards the doorway. “Yes, but it will be for Sonata and Winter Fire. I have other plans and will join you as soon as I can.”

( II )

“Hey! How dare you hurt my friends, Princess Meanie!”

Pinkie Pie stood firm, four hooves planted wide and defiance in her eyes, but Luna simply lifted her face to the sky and burst into waves of cackling laughter. In a flash, Rainbow Dash appeared, hovering next to her.

“There’s no way you’re Princess Luna! She would never do something like that, so why don’t you just tell us who you really are before we have to get rough with ya?”

Her face turned side on to them. They could see only one insanely-wide eye and half an equally wide grin. When she spoke, her voice was an acidic hiss that sounded little like Princess Luna. “Foolish. Little. Ponies. Yessss, I am Luna, and Stormloud and so. Much. More.”

“All right,” Applejack said, striding forth from her cover. “Y’ain’t Luna, so why don’t ya just save everypony a whole heap o’ trouble an’ tell us what’s going on!”

Twilight broke cover, too, quickly followed by Fluttershy. When Rarity moved, her head was down and her hooves kicked up dirt as they listlessly struggled to step one in front of the other.

I know how this ends. Why even pretend?

Luna whirled suddenly, facing the mares down with wings opened wide. “It doesn’t matter! I don’t care about you anyway; I just need to hurt you to bring her.”

“That’s it!” Dash shouted at Twilight. “Are we going to zap this thing with the Elements of Harmony or what? Isn’t that how this is supposed to work?”

“Ha!” Luna roared. “Go ahead and try it! You’re too weak.”

“I’m still not sure what’s going on here,” Twilight said. “But the real Luna would know that Rainbow Dash is not weak. Are you ready, girls?”

Amid a chorus of agreement, Luna’s wings folded up and she relaxed. “You misunderstand me, Twilight Sparkle. I wasn’t talking about your pegasus. I was talking about her.”

She knows. Of course she knows. She’s Luna. It doesn’t matter any—

Fluttershy dashed in front of Rarity, wings spread and a deep scowl on her face. “That’s enough! Twilight, I don’t want to hear any more mean things about my friends!”

I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I’m so sorry.

“Sure thing, Fluttershy!” Twilight floated into the air in a radiant white halo as she triggered the Elements of Harmony. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash followed suit, the Elements themselves glowing brilliantly.

I’m sorry, everypony. I just… I can’t do it. I’m sorry, Luna, I’ve failed you again.

Pinkie lay on her back pressed into the corner between the tunnel’s wall and floor. Instead of seeing eyes full of shame hiding behind pink hooves, Rarity saw only vitriol—and judgement.

“Why did you do it?” Pinkie shouted.

“I didn’t mean to. I’m sorr—”

“Not good enough!” Pinkie reached out and grabbed Rarity’s head in her hooves, shouting right into her face. “Why did you do it?”

“I… I don’t know. I…”

“You don’t deserve friends like us! You’re a failure!”

Fluttershy’s eyes drifted shut as she, too, floated into the air. Her butterfly emblem lit up, Element and personality in perfect harmony… and then five mares dropped back to the ground with a bump.

“Rarity?” Fluttershy’s voice was sweet and soft.

Rarity’s porcelain mask was no more, and tears streamed down her face from squinted eyes. The heart pounding in her chest was not a wooden one—dolls didn’t feel pain like this. The pressure in her head rose and her face burned with tension. She expected to pass out, and when she didn’t, she wished she could. Expectation, failure, regret: this was all she had left. She felt the Element around her neck slip free and heard it hit the ground with an ignominious thud.

“Rarity?”

Opening her eyes, the thick glaze of moisture distorted the image of the angelic yellow mare in front of her. Breath caught in her throat as every muscle in her body tightened. She squeezed her eyes tight shut again, but the pressure still rose. She could reach out and grab Fluttershy; her friend wouldn’t have minded. But that consolation wasn’t for her. She didn’t deserve that. She hadn’t earned it.

A long, tortuous wail burst from her throat. She slumped to the ground, sucking in another breath before piercing the night with another bawling cry, and then another. She curled into a ball, hiding her head behind her hooves as she wept.

Five mares stared on, eyes wide and uncomprehending, jaws slack.

“If we’re quite done,” the voice from behind them said. “I believe this is the point where I start hurting you.”

End of Act II

14. Out of Time

Act III

Sunbeams on a Moonlit Night

14. Out of Time

“I’m not picky, so don’t be too upset if I start with the most helpless among you.”

A purple aura built around Luna’s horn, accompanied by a rising hum, and a torrent of energy spewed forth—not the focused arc that struck down her guards, but a writhing, surging mass of lighting that sundered the earth.

A hail of dirt pinged off the leg shielding Rainbow Dash’s face. “Rarity!” she cried, landing by the steaming gouge where her friend had been moments before.

Luna lifted her muzzle to the sky and laughed—a full-bellied, maniacal cackle that made Nightmare Moon sound positively sane—but fell silent when a pink pony growled right under her nose.

“Okay! No more Miss Nice-Pinkie. Nopony, and I mean no-pony, gets to hurt my friends!”

Luna held Pinkie’s stare without blinking.

“I admit I was expecting more… distress. No matter. I have time to kill and you do not.”

Rainbow Dash twisted back and forth, scanning her surroundings. Fluttershy quivered, curled into a ball and peeking from behind her hooves, but Applejack shared Pinkie’s defiant stature, a grin spreading across her face. Dash looked around one more time. “Oooh, I get it.” She leapt into the air, puffing out her chest and striking a heroic pose. “You’re nothing but a big old bully. I bet you can’t hit me.”

“Ah reckon so, Rainbow Dash. I guess we do this the old fashioned way,” said Applejack, straightening her hat.

Luna snarled, and another purple aura formed around her horn. A quicker, leaner arc of lighting lanced through the air, but Rainbow Dash was already speeding away, poking her tongue out at the princess.

( III )

Twilight stared at the whimpering pony curled up at her feet. “Rarity, I…” She brushed stray hairs from around her friend’s closed eyes. “I’m sorry. Princess Luna said you were going to be okay, and… I just assumed…”

Rarity shook with each slow sob, hugging her tail against her face. With barely a chance to breathe, those sobs were the convulsions of an empty pony.

“Rarity…” Twilight lowered herself and nuzzled the back of Rarity’s head, but jerked away when the scene flashed purple, followed by the fizzing of more lightning. In the distance, Rainbow Dash arced and twisted through the air, a continuous aerobatic routine that stayed one manoeuvre ahead of her attacker.

“I have to go,” Twilight said firmly. “Whatever happens, somepony is going to have to stop her first.” She stood, her expression turning dark as lips pulled back to show gritted teeth. “I won’t let her hurt anypony, and I’ll be back for you as soon as I can. I promise.”

More lightning fled into the night sky followed by Rainbow Dash whooping and cheering.

“No, I swear. I swear by Celestia. I’ll be back.” She vanished in a purple backwash of magic.

( III )

“Is that all you got?” Rainbow Dash waved her rump in mid-air like a rainbow-coloured rag to the wrath-filled bull in the clearing below. Another flash speared nothing but empty sky as Rainbow Dash dove. “Are you trying to make this easy?”

Applejack peeked from behind a tree. Each time she tried to clear the distance between them, Luna spotted her instantly, and the two second delay before each attack didn’t even get her halfway into the glade. Only shattered and blackened stumps remained of her last two hiding places.

Fluttershy stood within a hoof’s reach of the princess.

“Umm… excuse me?”

Luna lashed out with more lighting, her eyes following Rainbow Dash.

“Ex… excuse me? Could you please stop shooting at my friends?”

Still the princess ignored her, launching more attacks into the sky.

Fluttershy’s brow furrowed and her lips pursed. “Hey!” she screamed. “Stop attacking my—” Luna’s wild eyes turned on her and Fluttershy shrank down. “Please?” she finished in a tiny squeak.

Luna’s horn glowed.

“Oh no ya don’t!” Applejack thundered across the hard earth. “You leave her alone!” There was no lightning. Instead, as Applejack spun and bucked, a blazing white sphere of energy exploded from Luna’s horn. The blast flung her away as if she were no more than a paperweight, straight at the trunk of a large tree.

“Gotcha.”

Applejack’s hooves flailed for a moment. She hung in the air, wrapped in a blanket of lavender magic as Twilight stomped past her. “Whoo-ee!” she cried, falling in beside Twilight once she was on the ground. “Much obliged, Twi. How’s Rarity?”

“I don’t know,” Twilight said curtly. “She’s safe, but I want to know what’s going on.”

“Well, ya sure saved my keister, sugarcube. But whoever that Luna-like is, she couldn’t hit Rainbow Dash for all the apples on my farm—keen pair o’ eyes, but she ain’t got a full set of wheel on her wagon. Figure that’s the only thing we got goin’ for us.”

The once-small glade was now hundreds of yards wide. Ripped and shredded earth surrounded Luna: only tree roots and a few stumps remained in place, the rest brushed aside as easily as cobwebs. The dishevelled princess clenched her jaw, eyes wild and twitching. She continued firing at Rainbow Dash, and Applejack smiled as Fluttershy swooped past with no signs of injury.

“Thank Celestia she’s all right,” Applejack whispered. Luna’s attention snapped towards her, horn glowing. “Look out, Twi!”

The lightning tore through empty space.

“I don’t know who you are,” Twilight said, appearing right in front of Luna. “And I’m not sure where you came from, but could you at least tell me why you’re trying to hurt us?”

Luna’s face softened. “So you were paying attention after all.”

“Yes. Yes, I was. You said you wanted to hurt us enough to bring ‘her’, and I didn’t know who until now.”

Applejack cocked her head.

“You said ‘thank Celestia’, and this fake-princess went straight for you. That’s who you want, and you want her to come and rescue us, right?”

Luna’s lips curled into a wicked smile. “Oh, very good, Twilight Sparkle.” She chuckled, then drew it into a self-satisfied purr. “But you made one important mistake, little Twilight. I’m. Not. Fake.”

“Ah don’t believe you!” Applejack cried.

“Irrelevant.” Luna moved nose to nose with Twilight. “Miss Sparkle believes me. Don’t you?”

Twilight backed up a step. “No! I don’t... I…”

“Yessss…” Luna pressed forwards, keeping in Twilight’s face. “It makes sense, doesn’t it? What better tool to torture her than her sister? And all the sweeter because she let me in! Somewhere inside she wanted me to take revenge for her. How lucky she is that I was here to give her such a gift.”

“No!” Twilight stamped of her hoof, holding her ground against Luna’s advance. “I won’t believe it. Luna would never do that! She’s changed!”

Luna burst into crazed cackling. “As you wish, fools!” Her voice boomed as she pulled up to her full height. “You have but one chance to save yourselves from suffering. Call her—bring Celestia here—and I will spare you your torments.”

“Not a chance!” Rainbow Dash yelled from above. “You can’t even hit me! We’ll never back down from the likes of you.”

“Eeeyup,” Applejack said.

Luna grinned. “You realise, of course, I don’t want you to back down. You can’t hurt me. You won’t risk hurting dear Luna. All you can do is scamper and run until I catch you. So run, wretched little ponies. Run while you still have breath left. I can keep this up forever!”

Luna’s horn glowed, and Twilight vanished. She appeared with Applejack at the edge of the clearing, but there was no stroke of lightning passing through where she had been. Above, Fluttershy yelped as the bolt rose into the sky instead.

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash cried.

A second lightning bolt grazed Fluttershy’s shoulder and the pegasus tumbled through the air, out of control and a blackened scar across her coat.

Twilight stared. Everything happened so fast, yet time seemed to slow as an icy grip squeezed at her heart. She watched Rainbow Dash arc downwards and collect Fluttershy in her hooves—watched her roll to place herself in the way of the inevitable third attack.

Her stomach filled with lead as Rainbow Dash’s eyes squeezed tightly shut, bracing herself for—

Wait a minute…

Lighting crept from Luna’s horn, tiny offshoots visible as it inched towards the pegasi.

Time isslowing down.

There was silence—total silence. Everything had stopped.

Applejack’s blond mane was frozen in mid-gallop. Luna’s face was a portrait of malevolent glee, eyes and wicked grin both insanely wide. Twilight reached out with magic to snatch the pegasi from their dive, but for the first time since she was the smallest of fillies, it would not obey her will.

“Is anypony here?” she called out. “Can anypony hear me?”

“Yes.”

Twilight spun towards the voice, her eyes bulging. “Stormcloud? Wha… what are you doing here?”

“We need to have a little chat...”

( III )

Rarity stared at her other self—the one curled into a ball at her feet and frozen in time. Something stabbed at her heart, but the claws that had once bitten deep were blunt, nothing more than an echo. In the silence she breathed slowly, raising a hoof to examine the ghostly outline of her current form.

What did that book call it? Astral projection? I look just like the ghost I saw in Stormcloud’s cave.

Under cover of a nearby tree, Splashdown’s splinted and bound body lay equally frozen. Beside him, the ghostly outline of Luna coalesced, but the colours brightened and thickened until the princess stood full-bodied and tall.

“Luna! Luna, what’s going on?”

The princess walked forward, her star-field mane larger and more animate than usual, but while she mouthed words, no sound came out.

“I... I can’t hear you, Luna.”

Luna frowned as she mouthed more carefully: Can you hear me now?

“No, I’m sorry Princess. I can’t hear anything.” Rarity’s words quickened as Luna closed. Those eyes… something in those eyes reached out to her, spoke to her, saw into her as they had before—saw the foolish, selfish little filly that still needed another pony to hold her hoof.

She shied away, but a gentle touch under her muzzle drew her back, right into a warm smile and that welcoming gaze. Her body twitched and shuddered—if she were not so undeserving she could just throw herself into the safety of this delicate, but wilful, princess.

Tears filled her eyes and her head jerked to one side: Luna had watched her fail. Another touch stroked the side of her face before gently pulling her back once more. “Luna, I… I don’t… I don’t know what to do. I—” The hoof pressed against her mouth, hushing her as tears rolled down her face like a parade of secret shames laid bare.

Breaths came faster and deeper as the pressure rose; all she had to do was speak, to trust the one she thought could bring her salvation. If she trusted Luna so, then why could she not find the words?

Something touched the back of her leg, drawing it upwards until her hoof was planted firmly against Luna’s chest. The night-blue coat was smoother than silk at her touch and the soft flesh beneath it expanded as Luna inhaled deeply. Another breath and Luna slid her hoof down, prodding Rarity in the chest before holding there in symmetry.

“You… want me t-to…”

Luna prodded again, wearing a slight frown.

“Sorry, I…” She paused, then took a deep breath.

Luna’s smile widened. Together, they shared two more long breaths before Rarity tensed and grimaced, squeezing her eyes tight shut. She felt the rise and fall of Luna’s chest and imagined that kindly smile beaming down at her. She felt Luna’s hoof pressing against her—firm, resolute, connected. Sensation blotted out all else until their synchronised breaths became a single, shared experience—just breathing, just being… being with her princess.

Rarity opened her eyes slowly. “It’s… really you… isn’t it, Luna?”

The princess nodded slowly.

“Are… you doing this? Whatever this is?”

Luna shook her head.

“Stormcloud then? I saw something like this before.”

Another nod.

Just tell her, Rarity.

Luna’s gaze roamed across her features as she felt the sting of her strained eyes moistening again. The hoof on her chest moved slightly, massaging the spot, and Luna’s smile twitched. She knew that look—the same look Twilight had given her twice. Let me in, it said, I want to help you.

“I… Luna, I’m-I’m sorry!” The words burst from her mouth and Luna’s eyes widened. “I couldn’t do it! I just couldn’t be what you needed me to be, I—”

The princess’s hoof shushed her again, before reaching down and lifting the leg that had fallen away. Rarity flinched as Luna lent slowly towards her and, after a moment’s pause, gently bopped her, snout to snout.

Rarity tensed, trembling until she felt, as much as saw, Luna chuckling softly.

She sniggered, the sound spluttering past her defences—indifferent to the conflict that whirled inside her. She giggled, and Luna giggled with her.

Luna was still here. Despite the words, Luna was still here! For a moment, it all seemed utterly absurd. Yes, Luna was here. Luna was safe. Luna saw the pain inside her. Luna saw… everything.

The dam cracked, pierced by those Azure eyes, and a maelstrom of feelings surged through her. Rarity cried, and bawled, and wailed, like a terrified little filly that still needed to have her hoof held.

( III )

The pony looked like Stormcloud, but his demeanour was utterly relaxed, almost jovial, his voice soft and flowing rather than stiff and precise. The silver flecks in his hair and horn were missing. Also, he may have just stopped time. It was a stretch to believe it.

“Please, Twilight, try to remain calm.”

“I am calm!” she shouted.

Stormcloud sighed. “You probably have a head full of questions, so perhaps we should start on those first?”

“Yes!” Twilight began pacing. “You could start with telling me what’s going on!”

“All right then. You may have already guessed that I am not Stormcloud as you know hi—”

“Duh!” Twilight stopped pacing and scowled.

Stormcloud pushed on through the interruption, slowing his words and delivering with more force. “It’s complicated. I’m not a pony, you see; I’m part of that.” He waved a hoof at the time-locked Luna. “Until a few days ago, we were the same being; all those things I said I was forgetting, are still up here.” He tapped a hoof against his head. “This is how the dream felt, and I think it was this part of me that was awake for it, while the real pony slept. That would explain why I—that is, he—started forgetting it after being released. I… sorry, this is difficult to explain. He thought he would have boundless wisdom when he awoke, but that which is me started to separate from that which is him. In a way, I’m glad for it too—otherwise I would not have the will to ask you to do what must be done.”

Twilight closed her eyes for a moment, the serenity of the ‘dream’ beginning to seep into her mind and her muscles—except she wasn’t asleep, and her muscles weren’t really there. “I don’t understand,” she said, eyes slightly narrowed. “You still haven’t told me what’s going on.”

Stormcloud trotted up and sat next to Twilight, pointing a hoof towards Luna. “Look there, look at the lighting. Look very, very closely, Twilight.”

“What am I looking for? I don’t see anyth—wait… It’s moving! It’s moving… incredibly slowly?”

“That’s correct. I can’t actually stop time. I’ve just slowed your perception of it so that we can have this conversation privately. Now relax, and let the power of this place wash away for fears, if only for a little while.”

“I am,” Twilight replied, letting her head droop as she closed her eyes again. “But it feels so wrong to be calm considering what’s about to happen.”

“I understand. You are rightly worried about your friends, and Luna.”

“Is that really Luna?”

“Yes, but she’s not in control of herself. I’m like a ripple in a pool of pure magic, the echo of the real pony. But those ripples aren’t fading; the smaller nuances—those parts speaking to you now—are lost under a torrent of rage and hatred. That is what controls Luna, but we’re fighting, doing everything we can to resist. That’s why the other part of me has been so unsuccessful in trying to hurt you.”

Twilight frowned, reached out, and poked the stallion in the cheek. “You know, you really don’t sound like Stormcloud.”

“I suppose I don’t.” His voice softened as he cocked his head. “I don’t have a princess to impress anymore, but your friend seems to know that story, and I think you can come up with better questions than that.”

“Okay then. She… or he, well, you, I guess, said Luna let you in to get revenge on Princess Celestia. Is that… true?”

“A little. Imagine having a friend who knows your worst fears even better than you do—one who uses them to get a reaction.” Stormcloud sighed and his shoulders sank. “It used her weaknesses to get in. She didn’t exactly let us in, but the feelings are real enough. Still, Luna’s changed. She resisted more than it expected, and now she bides her time, waiting for you to do what we ask of you.”

Twilight’s eyes shone. “I can help Luna get control back?”

“Better. I believe you can purge us from her entirely.”

“So what do I need to do?” Twilight replied, starting to smile.

“Get us angry. Being made of hate is one thing, but the more we show it, the less control it has over Luna. I have a few years of experience at beating myself up, so I’ll be helping from the inside. Your rainbow pegasus had the right idea: we were getting deeply aggravated until someone mentioned Celestia.”

Twilight gasped. “Of course! She… I mean, you, were suddenly so focused, you had time to think… you…” She winced, then looked up at Rainbow Dash clutching Fluttershy. “Did we cause that to happen?”

“You couldn’t have known,” Stormcloud said softly. “If it makes you feel any better, my other half genuinely isn’t intent on killing any of you; drawing Celestia out is no longer relevant.”

“What?” Twilight’s attention snapped back to Stormcloud. “Why?”

The stallion raised a hoof right next to her face, pointing at the sky. “Look there.”

A flicker of light hung in the air between Luna and Rainbow Dash. “I see it! I… umm. What is it?”

“In about a half-second of real time, that will be Princess Celestia.”

“But—”

“That’s right, it’ll ruin everything. I need you to make her to go away.”

“But—”

“You’re the only one that can do it, Twilight. I don’t know how much she trusts you, but I’m counting on how much you think she trusts you.”

Twilight fell back onto her rump. Celestia? Here? She would appear right in the path of the lightning bolt. That couldn’t be a coincidence; she was here to save them, just as the thing inside Luna wanted. One slip and everything was crashing down around her. “So,” she said with a heavy frown. “All I need to do tell the Princess of Equestria to leave and irritate your alter-ego controlling the other Princess of Equestria until she goes on a furious rampage and tries to kill everypony?” Twilight huffed. “Are you sure there isn’t something else I can do for you in my spare time?”

“Actually…”

“Of course!” Twilight yelled, throwing her hooves in the air. “You wouldn’t want this to be easy, would you?”

“Now, now.” Stormcloud’s voice rang with his former, jovial cadence. “That kind of sarcasm isn’t befitting of you, Twilight Sparkle. You’ve already figured out how to do it, you’re just afraid that you’re not strong enough to do it.”

Twilight gave another petulant huff. “Yes. The Princess is saving Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, so I just have to save her. Are you reading my mind again?”

“No, that much is written on your face. You’ll manage it, because it’s for her. Have a little faith in yourself, Twilight.” Stormcloud flopped to the ground beside her. “This is the gift I give to you: knowledge. The thing you treasure most. Luna and your friend are experiencing my gift to them as we speak, and unfortunately, it’s going to get me noticed very soon. That means I won’t be able to do this again. That leaves only one thing remaining.”

Twilight sighed, letting her head droop. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”

“I’m afraid not, but Luna and I are in agreement. Whatever happens, I must be destroyed utterly.”

Twilight fixed him with a wide-eyed stare. “How can you possibly say that so calmly?”

“I don’t think I need to answer that: you would give your life for your princess, and I, for mine. It won’t stop, Twilight. Not ever. Not even if it kills Celestia. And this isn’t going to get any easier, either. Once my other half is no longer limited by Luna’s will, I have no idea how strong it will be. Twilight?” He waited for her eyes to refocus on him and gave her a wide smile. “Don’t try to overpower it, okay? Forget what I said before about power and control. You’re smart, Twilight. Let the rest come naturally.”

Twilight gave no answer. Instead, she lay down, closed her eyes, and let tranquillity wash over her. Complex spells and calculations flashed through her mind in sequence, each formula influencing the next. There would be no second chances here, but Celestia’s soothing voice echoed through her mind: Follow your heart, Twilight Sparkle, and have faith in yourself.

( III )

She felt empty. Where a weighty numbness had one saturated her very bones, she now felt nothing. Nothing, in this case, was a profound experience.

The two mares still stood with hooves pressed to each other’s chests. Neither had even blinked in the last few minutes, and Rarity felt no inclination to turn away from the beaming princess in front of her. The only sound was their slow, even breathing.

“Wait,” Rarity said with a raised brow. “I can hear you breathing.”

“Ahh,” Luna replied. “I believe our time runs short, then. Stormcloud told me about this little ritual—something from griffon culture, he said—while trying to convince me that words were overrated. It seems he decided to make that point loud and clear, so to speak. I’m sorry it came to this, Lady Rarity. How are you feeling now?”

Luna’s hoof dropped to the ground, and Rarity followed suit. “Better. But I’m afraid to ask what’s going on. I know it must sound terribly selfish… I don’t think I’m ready to leave just yet.”

“Then be selfish. I wish I could give you more time.” Luna sank onto her haunches, the brightness in her eyes dimming. “But I am here at Stormcloud’s sufferance and there is a price to be paid for it. I’m afraid I must ask something of you.”

Rarity gasped, her trembling returning in an instant. “No, I can’t. Please don’t ask anything of me.” Her eyes were wide and framed with tension as Luna gave her a quizzical stare.

“I don’t understand.” Luna placed a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. “You have had a difficult time, I know, but I hoped you might feel some joy in being able to help. Perhaps I have made a grave—”

“No!” Rarity cried out, then shied away, continuing in a small voice. “It would be wonderful to help you, but… I only seem to make things worse. Please don’t ask, Luna. I just couldn’t stand it right now.”

Rarity’s head hung low as silence fell between them. Her head raised slowly up when Luna spoke softly. “It would seem that I have made a grave error.” Once again, the princess’s hoof guided her chin upwards towards that warm smile. “But now I believe I understand. Would you listen to one last admission of mine, dearest Rarity?”

The unicorn gave a somber nod.

“I hate being put on a pedestal. Ponies look at me as if I can wave away their troubles and I can’t stand it. Even Celestia acts as if I’m the one that supposed to do something to make things right. You looked at me that way last night in your bedroom, but for some reason it felt different and I did not know why. Now, perhaps, I do.”

Rarity flinched as Luna’s hoof rose up, but as it touched the side of her face, she closed her eyes and nuzzled against it.

“You were struggling to hold yourself together after the nexus had taken so much out of you. You could not answer me when I asked how you were feeling, but you made it clear that there was something you wanted me to know. It was clear because I wanted it too. I recognised my own desires and I failed you terribly because let it cloud my judgement.”

At that, Rarity opened her eyes and met the princess’s stare silently.

“Yes, Rarity, I failed you. We have all failed you. Twilight, Splashdown, Thunderer, Silverlight, even Celestia, all heaped praise upon your strength of character, but none of them told you, did they?”

Luna’s hoof gently brushed away a tear as it rolled down Rarity’s face, but more soon came to replace it.

“It was you who insisted on investigating Twilight’s dream, and you who struggled on to help your friends when you became ill. You insisted on investigating Twilight’s missing book and almost bested Sonata face-to-face—which few ponies can boast. Splashdown told me what he said to you this morning. He was wrong. It was my pleasure to use your title, just as you seemed thrilled to stand beside me, even through those dreary meetings. It didn’t matter whether you understood me: it was enough that you listened. In return, I wanted you to feel heard and appreciated, but I should never have pressured you. You see, there are some places that even my sister’s grace cannot reach, so I look for the places where she casts only shadows—places I might feel useful.” Luna’s hoof slid down and tapped Rarity’s chest. “Today, that was here.”

Her cheeks a little flushed, Rarity examined the ground at her hooves closely. “I’m not sure what to say,” she said quietly. “It’s too much to take in. I just feel… tired.”

“Then say nothing. There is still something I must ask of you, but, might you permit me one more indulgence first?”

Rarity looked up to find Luna’s leg outstretched, openly inviting her into an embrace. She accepted without hesitation, pressing herself against the princess’s smooth coat. “Thank you,” she whispered, squeezing tightly.

“I have no idea what you mean,” Luna replied with a wry grin, rocking gently as she spoke into Rarity’s ear. “We were watching you on the mountain. Twilight was right: Stormcloud is not cured. His magic is being channelled into the thing controlling me and I need you to go to him and see if anything can be done.”

There was no answer, save for another squeeze and Rarity’s muzzle sinking deeper into Luna’s mane.

“I know you’re worried. I wish I there was another way, but it is how it is. At the very least, cutting off his horn again should buy us some time. I am sure he will agree if you ask it of him, and… I will feel better knowing you are out of harm’s way.”

“I want to help,” Rarity whispered. “I do. It’s just…”

“I know.” Luna pulled back far enough to plant a long, soft kiss on the top of Rarity’s head. “Celestia does this for me when she knows I feel low. I hope it imparts my admiration for you.” She smiled and giggled as Rarity tried to hide her blush with a hoof. “If I might offer some wisdom? When you stumble, dearest Rarity, know that it is not because you are weak, but because the load is too heavy. Let your friends carry some of it for you as you have for them... and me.”

Stormcloud cleared his throat and the mares parted sharply, sitting side by side but staring in opposite directions. Both of them blushed. “Well, I’m glad to see you two are getting along nicely, but I’m afraid we’re almost out of time.”

Sitting beside Rarity’s real body, he gestured for her to join him. She took a long look a Luna before she did so, trotting over with a sheepish smile spreading across her face.

“I mean it. I’m glad you two finally managed to connect, but away from here things won’t be so easy. You’ll have to do all this again, and it’ll be harder. The me you’ll find up on the mountain will still be a crotchety old goat, and…” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Luna will be afraid to open up to you again. Being here is a bit like cheating.”

Rarity darted in to give him a quick peck on the cheek. “Then thank you… for letting me cheat. I think I’m ready now.”

“No,” Stormcloud replied with a sigh. “You’re not. But we believe in you.” The moment he finished speaking, the ghost of Rarity vanished.

( III )

“Are you ready?” Stormcloud asked, flopping back to the ground exactly where’s been before.

“Yes,” Twilight replied firmly.

“Good. I have nothing left to say, except that your friend is safe for now. You need not concern yourself with anything other than what is in front of you. Just say the word and I will release you from the dream.”

Twilight turned her attention from the speck of light in the sky and towards the stallion. “I was hoping to see Luna before then,” she said quietly.

“I’m sorry, Twilight. It was a risk to let her see your friend at all; if this conversation is discovered then we may lose the only chance we have at freeing Luna. I know you wouldn’t want to jeopardise that. You’ll see her when you succeed, as I know you will.”

Pushing herself up from her rump, Twilight stood up straight. “All right, do it.”

( III )

A brilliant flash of golden light doused the clearing as Princess Celestia appeared… inside a purple bubble.

Twilight dug her hooves into the earth, grimacing as her horn crackled and spat magic; Rainbow Dash, still clutching the unconscious Fluttershy, was snared in a golden aura as she plunged towards the ground; a streak of purple lightning slammed into Twilight’s shield, which cracked under the onslaught.

The shield flashed golden-yellow before a second arc stuck. This time, the flow was continuous, crashing against the bubble and cracking it again, but it held long enough for Twilight to finish what Celestia had started. Now snared in purple and gold, Rainbow Dash pulled out of her dive with several meters to spare as Celestia’s reinforced shield shattered.

Celestia, jaw clenched and eyes tight shut, appeared on the ground with a magical pop.

“Get Fluttershy back to Ponyville!” Twilight yelled over the fading hiss of lightning as Rainbow Dash swooped around in an erratic arc.

“I can’t just leave you all behind, Twilight!”

“Sure ya can, Rainbow!” Applejack shouted. “Keep ‘er safe!”

There was no more lightning. The yellow and blue blur wheeled across the sky one more time before diving below the treeline, but all eyes were already on the two princesses staring each other down.

“What have you done with my sister!”

While Luna cackled madly, Twilight rushed to her mentor’s side. “Princess! You need to leave!”

The laughter stopped abruptly. “No. You will remain here or I will torture these pathetic creatures until you come back.”

“Princess, please!” Celestia’s tight jawline relaxed as Twilight continued to shout. “I can do this! Please trust me!”

“Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student.” Her voice was measured, but with a bitter edge. “I cannot stand by and watch as this monster tries to hurt you to get to me.”

“Yesss.” Luna stretched out the hiss softly. “She will stay here with me, and the rest of you have one last chance to leave unharmed. You no longer matter!”

“Ah ain’t leavin’ the princess, an’ you gotta have hay-bales for brains if ya thought any of us ever would.”

“Fine,” Luna said nonchalantly. With a glow and hum, she released another barrage of magic, but Celestia shielded herself before it struck. The golden shield was smaller than Twilight’s, a focused disc that held despite the continual torrent of power crashing against it. Luna snarled and the lightning storm thickened, offshoots beginning to lick around the edge of the shield like living tendrils as more magic poured into the attack.

Twilight stared. Don’t try to overpower it, Stormcloud had said. Her shield wouldn’t hold for two seconds against such a spell. Unless…

“Applejack, back off,” she said, jumping towards Celestia. She didn’t look back. Side by side with her mentor, Twilight squeezed her eyes shut as her horn lit. An extra second of concentration was all it took to layer her shield behind Celestia’s. Against only that magic that spilled around the edges, her shield held, but it was already cracking.

“Twilight!” The din of lightning muffled Celestia’s cry, but there was something unfamiliar about it. Twilight lifted her head to see her mentor staring back, jaw clenched and a pained look in her eyes. There was no crack in her mask this time: there was no mask at all.

Fear. You can’t lose Luna.

She reared up and threw her hooves around Celestia’s neck, an image of a broken and bloodied Celestia flashing through her mind.

Well I can’t lose you, either.

Her insides twisted and her eyes opened wide, burning white-hot as magic poured through her horn.

Unacceptable!

Her shield expanded by a few inches and the cracks started to reform. “Princess, there’s a plan! She’s only going to get stronger if you stay here,” she shouted. “I need you to trust me. I’ll get your sister back, I promise!”

“Twilight, I—”

“Go! Please!” Squeezing tightly, she felt the princess go limp.

“I’m sorry, Twilight,” Celestia said, the life draining from her voice. “Of course I trust you.” With a bright flare of golden light, the princess vanished.

The light in Twilight’s eyes went out and the shield cracked immediately. She leapt clear as the purple globe shattered around her, accompanied by a wrathful howl from Luna.

“I did it,” Twilight said weakly. “It was one of those days after…” She staggered sideways but quickly regained her balance. “Oooh, woozy…”

Then, she collapsed.

15. Zenith

15. Zenith

Cheating. Yes, it was a lot like cheating, because back here in the real world, everything hurt.

Her eyes stung, already too sore to risk rubbing with her hooves, and even the instinctive twitch to do so left her strained muscles screaming in protest. Her abdomen burned with the aftermath of her airless convulsions while every other part felt weak as a kitten. Rarity burst into an anguished, mournful wail, but when she hugged herself tightly, the outburst abated.

The sensation of pressure on her chest… Luna’s hoof had been there. Luna’s hoof had stayed there. The memory reformed, one layer conjuring the next: a hoof, Luna’s smooth coat, brilliant azure eyes, a heartfelt embrace…

Lighting fizzed and crackled in the distance and the light forest flickered purple.

Luna. You didn’t fail. I just… I wasn’t listening…

She breathed in long, slow cycles, just as they had breathed together. Placing a hoof over her heart, her eyes sprang wide open.

…and you need me!

The light in the distance stopped and a howl of frustration filled the cool night air. Somehow she still had tears left in her to roll down her cheeks, but the muzzle between them hosted a widening smile.

Get up.

She rolled upright and tossed her mane, letting it settle in its usual place. Again, she touched her chest and conjured her memory of Luna.

Get up!

Her muscles still ached and she remained on the ground. In the distance, there were more flashes, followed by an unmistakable squeal.

Pinkie Pie?

( III )

“Twilight!”

Applejack hesitated; the only ponies left standing were herself and Luna. The princess focused on the downed unicorn and prepared another strike. One moment of doubt had been too long already. She sprinted forward, but Twilight was too far away and her reaction had been too slow.

A blue-grey blur shot past and Twilight Sparkle vanished as lightning tore up the empty earth. Seeker rose into the sky, carrying the purple unicorn away as Pinkie Pie bounced into the once-beautiful glade. Springing effortlessly through the debris, she beamed the kind of enormous grin that only Pinkie was even capable of. “I found them!”

Luna growled and stomped her hooves. “Would you accursed ponies stop doing that!” She threw more lightning, but to Applejack’s eyes, Pinkie simply refused to take the whole thing seriously.

“Wheee!” Pinkie leapt into the air to dodge one bolt. “Woooo!” she squealed, cartwheeling to avoid a second.

Strike after strike had no effect as Pinkie pranced, pirouetted, and pin-wheeled. “Will you stand sti—” The clearing fell silent. Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be seen.

Applejack flinched as Luna’s furious gaze fell on her, instead. “Awww, hayseeds. This just ain’t my day.”

( III )

A faint, high pitched giggle cut through the night air, and Rarity finally sprang to her feet. She took a single step forward and balked, looking toward the mountain instead. The forest seemed to cry out in one voice, a cacophony of rustling, creaking, and snapping, as the sky flashed white for a moment before a thunderous boom reached her.

Pinkie Pie! I should…

She eyed the mountain again.

I should be helping my friends, but… I have to trust Luna, too.

Casting her gaze around the scene, she paused momentarily on Splashdown. Thunderer was right: the best thing she could do was to get this over with. She snared the hacksaw protruding from the golden emergency kit and faced Cloudy Top Mountain.

She started forwards, only to halt immediately and choke out a single sob as her eyes screwed shut. “I can’t do it,” she said in a quiet, mewling voice. Her breathing came in rapid pants now, and every instinct screamed to just collapse on the spot and surrender to the lethargy and despair that weighed her down a dozen times stronger than gravity.

In her mind, Luna bopped her nose—a simple thing, yet so intimate. Rarity placed a hoof on her chest and remembered. Her breathing slowed.

“Stupid mare. Luna needs you, now get on with it.”

( III )

Applejack tensed, but before the expected magic materialised, she saw Luna’s eyes spring wide open. Pinkie popped up from behind and tousled the princess’s mane. “Tag! You’re it!”

Luna’s wings flared wide open as surprise became fury and she unleashed another concussive blast.

“Wheeeeeee!” Pinkie screamed as she flew high into the air and deep into the forest.

“Aww, nuts!” Applejack cried as she, too, was thrown backwards. “Not again!”

“Still gotcha,” Twilight said, lowering the earth pony safely to the ground. “I have a plan. Are you ready?”

“Now hold yer horses, Twi! Ah’m mighty glad you’re okay, but what happened to Princess Celestia?”

“I told her to leave, there’s a pl—”

“You what?” Applejack’s jaw hung so wide that it might have fallen off if she hadn’t spoken again. “What in tarnation would you do that for?”

Twilight raised to hoof to forestall the protest. “There’s a plan,” she repeated forcefully. “Luna’s being controlled, and we need to make her really angry. That wasn’t going to happen while the Princess Celestia was here.”

“I—” Applejack began, before Luna’s voice boomed out across the forest.

The two mares followed the sound upwards to the hovering princess. “Come out, you little wretches, before I burn you out!”

Twilight galloped off. “We can’t let her leave yet!”

“Okay! Okay.” Applejack growled, picked up her ranch-pony’s hat, and forced it back on her head. “Ah hate not knowin’ what the plan is…”

Moments later, the two mares ran into the clearing. “Fools!” Luna cried from above. “You cannot hope to best me!”

Before either pony could reply, Seeker exploded from the tree line in a flash of blue-grey and pink, dropping off his passenger without slowing. He veered sharply, though no attacks came his way, and gave Twilight a salute as he passed overhead. Getting a better look at the pegasus, Applejack gasped. His neck, shoulder, and half his face were blackened, and one eye was forced shut from swelling. He vanished, and a wave of momentary nausea passed through her: Twilight had shifted them again, saving her from distraction as lightning tore up the ground behind them.

“Me next! Me next!” Pinkie cried.

Luna obliged, and the energetic pink blur zipped back and forth, completely unharmed.

“So Ah guess Pinkie already knows yer plan, Twi?”

“Well… not that I know of.”

( III )

Rarity stumbled again.

Concentrate! Left, right, left, right… it’s just trotting you stupid mare!

Fragments of memory surfaced again and again but would not resolve themselves into a whole. She remembered standing there with Luna, and she had a sense of what she’d been asked to do, but the rest haunted her like an itch in her mind she had no way to scratch.

It was you who…

Left. Right.

…it was enough that you listened.

Left. Right.

Don’t you dare mess this up!

Rarity winced.

( III )

“Curse you! How are you doing that?”

Pinkie giggled and poked her head out from behind another tree. “Over here!” she yelled, repeating the pattern for the umpteenth time. Two seconds later, the tree was obliterated and there was no pink pony behind it.

With the princess high in the air and distracted, Applejack and Twilight stood out in the open. “Pinkie’s gonna run outta trees soon, maybe we oughta do somethin’?”

“You’re right. It’s time to make my play.”

The two mares trotted closer until they were almost underneath Luna. “Hey, you,” Twilight shouted. “Demon.”

The princess froze. After a pause, she flew down and landed face-to-face with Twilight, growling with each breath and simmering with fury. “What did you call me?”

Rarity had mentioned the name at lunch, but she hadn’t expected such an effect. With a huge gulp, she continued. “Do you know what it’s like to be loved by Princess Celestia?”

“Silence!” Luna whinnied and reared up.

Pop!

Applejack and Twilight appeared behind the princess as her midnight-blue hooves bore down into dirt.

“It’s like your mother, your sister, your best friend—”

Pop! Luna’s wild buck found nothing but air.

“…your best friend and your favourite school teacher all rolled into one—”

Pop! This time, a long, faintly sparkling horn pierced nothing.

“She never doubts me, and I feel like I can do anything just by thinking of her!”

Pop!

Luna collapsed, hooves clutching at the sides of her head. “Stop it! Leave me alone!”

Applejack tugged on Twilight’s tail as the princess started thrashing wildly on the ground. Slowly, the unicorn backed up and Pinkie Pie appeared beside them both.

“Wow, that pony is really crazy,” she said, whirling a hoof around her ear.

Raising an eyebrow, Applejack tugged on Twilight’s tail again.

“AJ, let go please. I have to finish this; I made a promise.” Her eyes filled with determination, she took a few steps forward and resumed her monologue. “I love Princess Celestia, and Princess Celestia loves me.” Luna flinched and screamed each time the princess’s name was used.

“How does it feel not to be important enough for her to love you, a demon?”

Luna leapt from the ground and soared upwards. Wings raised in frightful majesty, she bellowed, “I will kill you all!”

Her whole body glowed with a pulsing silver aura which exploded into dozens of lightning strikes that rained down across the clearing. Twilight raised her bubble shield but found herself panting immediately; protecting Celestia had taxed her badly. Overhead, Luna screamed howled with rage as the barrage continued, tearing up what was left of the already-devastated glade.

A single hit shattered the shield. Amid the cacophony of magic and destruction, Applejack shouted something indiscernible, but still, all three ponies burst into a gallop. Again, Twilight managed to raise her shield, only to stumble and collapse. The shield shattered again while Pinkie dragged the unicorn back to her hooves and the ponies were showered with dirt, stones, and other debris.

From above, a thunderous boom followed a flash of light. For just a second, there was quiet, and Twilight saw two ponies, Luna and Stormcloud, falling away from each other and plummeting to the ground. Both looked unconscious, and were surrounded by the shards of their shattered horns. Twilight bolted towards Luna, already summoning her magic, but the feeble glow did nothing to slow the princess’s fall. Her lungs burned and her mind swam, and a moment later, her legs buckled and she twisted awkwardly, rolling across the ground.

With seconds to spare, Seeker sprang from hiding and caught Luna in a blur of speed. Without enough time to pull up, he spread his wing to slow them both as best he could, before rolling over and placing himself between his princess and the ground.

( III )

Exiting the forest near the unattended chariots, Rarity stared at the mountain. It seemed to loom at her, and her hooves didn’t respond to her will. She tried staring at them, instead, but they still didn’t move.

She hadn’t noticed the sounds coming from behind her any more than she noticed when they stopped, but now the land pulsed with a silver glow from up high. Should she look? Would something terrible be befalling Luna? Or Twilight?

The glowing hacksaw caught her attention, so she gave that a long stare too.

Silence.

You have one task. Don’t fail it.

She tried to recall one of the many images of Luna, or the sensation that had comforted her, but it was all too far away, now. Those were memories of a different life.

Stupid mare! Choose!

Tears rolled down her face, but her hooves still didn’t move. She smiled. There seemed no rhyme or reason, but there was Rainbow Dash, clear as a sunny day in her mind. She’d been more annoying and single-minded than usual, but there was a reason. Oh, how there was such an obvious reason!

You were scared—scared that something was wrong with Fluttershy, scared because you didn’t know what, scared because there wasn’t anything you could do. So you did the only thing you knew how to…

Rarity bolted. Her heart soon pounded as hard as her hooves as she galloped onwards. The exhilaration of simply running filled her from nose to tail. For the first time in days she felt free.

Well there’s one thing I know I can do!

( III )

Twilight skidded to a halt. “Luna!”

Seeker wheezed as he rolled the princess off him then sucked down a deep breath. He wrapped his legs across his ribs, growling through gritted teeth, and rolled himself back to his hooves. “So much for getting some time off,” he said, wheezing again.

Twilight looked up to see him staring off across the scene of devastation. She followed his gaze to see Stormcloud standing strong, and apparently unhurt. “That can’t be,” she said breathily. “I saw his horn was broken. It’s not fair!”

“Luna!” Seeker bellowed. The princess’s eyes snapped open briefly, before her whole body tensed with pain and she reached a hoof up to feel for her horn.

Applejack and Pinkie Pie moved up to flank Twilight, and they all stared at the new incarnation of Stormcloud. His mane, tail, and horn were pure silver, and he walked towards them at a mockingly slow pace, every bit the predator that Luna had looked while she was under his control.

Luna pulled herself slowly to her hooves, groaning with each unsteady adjustment. The ponies around her dashed forwards when she almost toppled while straightening her back legs. Standing firm regardless, Luna shrank back from them. “Leave me,” she said.

Twilight raised a hoof. “But—”

“Now!” Luna screamed. Rage burned in her eyes, and Twilight backpedalled into Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Together, the mares slunk away as Luna’s gaze turned to Stormcloud.

“This way,” Seeker said in a hushed, uncertain tone. He led the mares away with a slight limp, and Vindicator awaited them in the distance, propped up against a tree. They didn’t look back until they heard Stormcloud’s voice ring out loud and clear.

“Still trying to play at heroine, Luna? Still trying to fill your sister’s beneficent crown, eager to prove yourself worthy? That was a good trick, to be fair. I knew you’d been up to something, but I didn’t expect that. A little cruel, if I may say so, but then I always admired that about you. Of course, I’ve taken away the only thing that made you special, so what have you got left? Harsh language and fighting spirit? Laughable.”

Stormcloud’s tone was acidic and controlled, but Luna let rip a torrent of bile and anger. “You know nothing! You know nothing, you vile creature. You underestimated me when you took control of me, and you underestimate me now. You will come to regret your arrogance!”

“You’re right, of course,” he answered dismissively. “It’s not like me to give you any advantages.” In a flash of light, two large wings appeared at his sides. “Wonderful things, these. I really did enjoy them, and if I’m going to imitate a pony, I might as well make use of all of the available conveniences.”

Luna cackled madly, her previous pain and dizziness seemingly forgotten. “Still you misunderstand! Let me make it very clear… creature. You have made a grave mistake, and I promise you…” Her head drooped and her eyes closed in the brief pause. “...you will never…” Her eyes shot open, glowing brilliant white with magical fury. “…get near… my sister… again!”

A magical pulse rippled out from the princess and the silver-maned Stormcloud leapt backwards on a beat of his new wings. Luna roared, and her whole body shone bright as the sun and white as the moon. The ponies at the edge of the clearing watched in dumbstruck silence as the incandescent shape shifted and grew, and the air itself resonated with the vengeful howl of a wounded animal’s primal fury.

When the light faded, Luna stood imperious and tall, with a full, unblemished horn and a star-filled mane that whipped around ferociously in the storm of magic. Wings spread majestically, she rose into the air, eyes still shining white. She bellowed into the sky with all the might she could muster, both mundane a magical. She howled in pain and sorrow, tears streaming down her face as she raised her hooves up, and thick waves of dark clouds rolled in as if they had been secretly awaiting their mistress’s command. Torrential rain spilled forth, falling so hard it stung the ponies’ flesh as Luna’s cry finally dwindled, lost amongst the secondary roar of the storm.

There was a pause, as if the world itself held its breath. Luna hovered in place, panting for a moment before her face turned harsh and angular. Her nose wrinkled as she sneered and her eyes narrowed, then she raised her muzzle to the sky and screamed. The storm sang her dirge of wrath and fury in tones of thunder and lightning, pounding the ground mercilessly and annihilating trees and rocks with equal impunity.

Three mares and two stallion guards snapped out of their astonishment when the ground itself began to rumble and quake. A mighty crack split the earth between Luna and Stormcloud and a massive chunk of rock rent the ground asunder as it rose into the air under the command of Stormcloud’s silvery magical aura. With a flick of his head, it hurtled down towards Luna. Still at one with the raging storm, Luna didn’t even acknowledge its existence before it collected her on its way down and smashed into the ground, burying her, and itself, in the cracked earth.

( III )

The anguished cry in the distance brought Rarity to a halt.

Are you free, Luna?

Even as the thought flickered through her mind, she saw the clouds gather above. Luna howled a second time and the roiling sea of grey released its deluge.

I... understand. I hear you.

In mere seconds, Rarity’s mane and coat were soaked, but she didn’t flinch. Nor did she react when the third scream brought the last embodiment of Luna’s wrath.

If you know only one thing, know how much I care. I don’t need to hear the words, I can feel your pain. All I can do is to hear you, and hope that it’s enough.

Rivulets of water were already running down the mountainside ahead of her, making the climb look more treacherous than either the darkness or loose rocks alone could have made it. With a quick glance at the hacksaw that still hovered beside her, she lit her horn once more and trotted toward the base of the trail.

( III )

A thin ring of water flew out around the massive rock’s impact, most of the rain having had precious little time to soak into the dry, summer soil. The faint hiss of steam rising from the crater was lost amongst the roar of the torrential downpour.

Twilight sprang forwards, only to be tackled to the ground by Seeker. In one, swift move he was on top of her with a hoof over her mouth.

“Quiet!” he whispered in her ear, pulling back to meet her panicked eyes with his single good one. Without loosening his hold, he looked up at the scowling face of Applejack. “Wait. Watch.”

“Worthless!” Stormcloud bellowed. “Do you see this, Celestia? Come out, or I will do the same to your precious Elements of Harmony!”

“There!” Seeker whispered, pointing at the rock with a hoof. A fine, purple mist thickened and gathered at the top, reforming into a familiar and pristine princess.

“Worthless indeed,” Luna replied. Her features were hard and unmoving as the rain splashed off her. “Perhaps you would care to try again?”

Five ponies felt the harshness of the rain ease as they collectively sighed. Twilight went limp, and Seeker released her from his hold. She watched Luna carefully, taking in the small details: confident and assertive posture, breathing steady, eyes and face stoic and cold. It was as if she had burned away her emotions in preparation.

Growling, Stormcloud unleashed another lightning strike. Between the rain and the thick clouds, the princess’s form was dark until the brilliant silver bolt illuminated her. Luna didn’t even twitch. Twilight pressed her jaws together tightly and a second, then a third, bolt flew out. Each, she realised, bent harmlessly around the princess.

Stormcloud snarled. “Cunning, but it will not be enough!” He fired off a continuous stream of writhing energy. At first it veered away as the previous attacks had, but as Stormcloud guided it, twisted it, and empowered it, it grew steadily closer to finding its mark.

At the last moment, Luna dove behind the lump of rock, and it exploded into shards as the thickening lightning slammed into it. The attack halted as the stallion covered his face against flying debris. Four Lunas stared back at him out of the gloom.

“All power and no skill,” one said dryly, followed by another, “The very definition of a one-trick pony. Must try harder.” A third sighed and tutted loudly before the last added, “No imagination. No talent.”

“Shut up!” Stormcloud bellowed, reaching out with four lances of energy to strike them all simultaneously. “You cannot hide from me with simple tricks!”

The four Lunas soared skyward, drawing the enraged stallion’s attention utterly.

“In truth, it is rather sad,” Luna said from behind the five watching ponies. “His blind rage is that of a feral creature.”

Applejack was the first to turn, her slack-jawed disbelief at the events inside the clearing changing to slack-jawed disbelief at the princess standing nonchalantly behind them. Pushing aside the wing Seeker had spread protectively over her head, Twilight threw herself at the princess, wrapping her hooves tightly around Luna’s rain-soaked neck. “I’m so glad you’re not hurt!”

Luna flinched. “Oh… we… err… Thank you, Twilight Sparkle,” she said softly, producing a hesitant smile while recoiling from the unicorn attached to her.

Composing herself as Twilight let go, she turned her attention to Vindicator.

“You don’t have anything to apologise for,” the guard said, still leaning against a tree. “Miss Pie sought us out. Thunderer’s down, but looks to be in no danger. Seeker says Glory got away with a message for your sister, and Splashdown’s…”

“Badly wounded,” Luna finished. “We saw. We…”

“You don’t have anything to apologise for,” the guard repeated sternly, accompanied by flashes and thunderous crackles from above the clearing.

The princess nodded gravely. “He will not remain distracted much longer, but we are certain we can hold him at bay. We did not want to believe it, Twilight, but that thing really is just an echo, as Stormcloud said. We are not exactly sure what it is, but it is not a pony, not anymore. We may require your assistance later, but for now, we have dampened the sound here so that you will not be heard. Vindicator, Seeker, guard them with your lives. Keep them safe for us.”

The guards nodded crisply.

“Princess?” Twilight said. “Is it safe for us to go and check on Rarity? She wasn’t hurt, but… I’m just worried.”

“We are afraid not, but know that she is safe and away from here… for now, at least. We will keep that thing away, but we must know where you all are to do that.”

“How are you doing that? I mean, I’ve seen totally realistic illusions, but… four?”

Luna smirked. “What illusions?” She dispersed into purple mist and speed off through what was left of the nearby forest.

“Is it just me, or is that a mite unsettlin’ for anypony else? Looks like, y’know, Nightmare Moon.” Applejack fidgeted as she spoke the name.

Seeker gave her a mischievous grin. “Anything that two-bit showmare could do, Luna can do better.”

( III )

Rarity could do little but watch the ground beneath her. Keeping her head down helped to illuminate the path, but in the heavy rain she needed her full concentration to keep her balance. That concentration broke when she heard the clatter of metal against rock.

Still not completely healed.

She looked back and plucked the hacksaw from the ground with her magic; maintaining simple levitation was usually trivial. To make matters worse, the sounds of the distant magical battle called her attention.

With a growl inaudible in the rain, she set off again. Time after time she slipped, either on the wet rock, or on uneven rubble that shifted under her weight, and each time her heart raced, and her blood pounded in her ears.

I have a purpose! I will not be deterred!

While the rain lessened, it was too late to make any significant difference; neither she, nor the path could get any wetter. The hacksaw slipped from her concentration twice more, but eventually, she crested the trail and looked out onto the plateau.

The hacksaw clattered to the ground. Stormcloud was gone.

( III )

“So, how did ya know about Twi’s plan, Pinkie?” Applejack asked as the rainfall softened enough for easy conversation. The three mares had been watching Luna run and fly circles around Stormcloud, using a series of illusions, tricks, and high-speed manoeuvres.

“Oh, I didn’t know until Seeker caught me. He knew because Twilight told him when he rescued her. My new friends are super rescuey.” Pinkie beamed. “Not that my old friends aren’t totally awesome rescuers too!”

“Soooo, when ya jumped outta the trees you were just… havin’ fun?”

Pinkie’s smile widened further, teeth shining brightly in the dead of night.

“Speaking of having fun,” Twilight said. “Does anypony else think Luna’s having a little too much fun up there?”

Luna re-entered the fight by sneaking up and calling her own lightning down on Stormcloud’s rump, driving him into a frothing frenzy.

“Fun?” Vindicator answered lethargically. Neither guard offered any false bravado about the condition they were in; both rested on their good sides, conserving what strength they had left. “Sure, why not. Everypony needs to test themselves once in a while. And it’s not as if challenges like this are a common occurrence.”

“Ah don’t know who’s more insane: Luna for enjoyin’ herself, of you for bein’ so darn relaxed about it!”

“What’s wrong with having a little fun?” Pinkie asked, then stuck her tongue back out to catch raindrops.

“Ah rest mah case.”

“Never mind that, AJ.” Twilight stared straight up. “I’m more worried about our visibility if the rain keeps getting lighter. Luna said she’d dampened the sound, but if we get spotted we’re in big trouble.”

Vindicator rolled slowly onto his belly. “I don’t think there’s too much to worry about Miss Sparkle, but I admit that Miss Pie probably stands out a little more than the rest of us. I think we can do something about that though. Miss Applejack, would you mind if I borrowed your hat?”

“Uh… well, sure. Ah guess that’d be fine. What’s yer plan?”

“Simple camouflage. Miss Pie, would you be so kind as to lie here?” Vindicator tapped the floor next to him. “I trust you can stay still for a while?”

Pinkie dumped herself down, brimming with vim. “Of course! Hiding can be fun too, and hiding with friends is ever better!”

Taking Applejack’s hat in mouth, Vindicator squashed it firmly on Pinkie’s head while spreading his one good, mud-covered wing across her back. Seeker sprang to his hooves and picked up a large branch, dragging it over to lie across Pinkie’s hindquarters. “That should do it, Vindi. Don’t worry Applejack, you don’t stand out as much as you might think. I’ve got two perfectly good, grey wings that would help if either of you ladies want one, though.”

“Neeh, pass.” Applejack shifted uncomfortably. “Besides, I got a better idea.” She dropped, rolled and sprang back to her hooves, covered in thick splotches of mud. “This’ll do just fine.”

Seeker chuckled and lay back down carefully, groaning and wincing as he got comfortable. With a heavy sigh he finally relaxed and caught Twilight sneaking glances at him. “Are you worried, Twilight? I don’t imagine… wait, are you shivering?”

The unicorn nodded sheepishly.

“Daft mare. Come here. Luna says she might need you, so I need to keep your warm and safe, but I’m not getting up again now that I’m comfortable.”

Blushing slightly, Twilight moved over and dropped down with a splosh. His wing spread over her, and soon she abandoned her timidity and snuggled against him while Applejack plonked herself down on the unicorn’s other side. “That better, Sugarcube?”

Twilight switched to pressing against her friend and gasped. “How do you stay so warm?” she said, snuggling tightly against the earth pony.

“Uh, well, I don’t know ’bout that, but it looks like we might be here a while, so make the most of it, Twi.”

Five ponies, laid out in a rough line, looked up at the fight that raged overhead as another fake Luna disappeared, this time with a powerful buck from Stormcloud. Neither of the pair seemed to be tiring in the slightest, and Luna cackled again with imperious glee.

( III )

Rarity stepped carefully up onto the plateau to look into the cave. “Stormcloud? Are you here?”

“Inside,” came the muffled reply.

She edged forwards slowly and peeked around the bend near the entrance. Although the tunnel provided shelter, the humid, stagnant air was oppressive and her skin rapidly grew warm—moreso where her sodden mane clung to her neck and shoulders.

“Hello, dear. I’m sorry we left you like that, but I know you’re just as worried about anypony getting hurt as we are.”

Stormcloud lay on one flank, tucked tightly around corner and propped against the wall with his head rested against the rough stone. He ignored Rarity, staring instead at the levitating hacksaw. “Dare I ask why you have that?” he asked with meticulous pronunciation. “I do not appear to be a threat to you anymore.”

“Luna thinks you are, but I’m afraid can’t give you any details. It’s all a bit hazy and strange, but she just said something about the magic going elsewhere and asked me to try cutting your horn off again. I wish… I wish I could tell you more, but this just isn’t my area of expertise.”

The stallion gave Rarity a long, hard stare. “You spoke to her then. Did she tell you what happened?”

Rarity’s lip curled and she looked away. “Well, no, not really. There was this... I’m not even sure what to call it. I suppose it was like you described your dreams to be, and just as you said, I’m having some difficulty remembering it all. It was very tranquil though, and Luna was there. So were you, but a different you. She only told me that she was being controlled by something and that she needed me to stop the magic coming from you. She… didn’t give me much to go on, except to try cutting your horn off again. I admit I didn’t stop to think how you might feel about that.”

Stormcloud continued his penetrating stare and his voice held a dispassionate, clinical tone. “I suppose it fits. I can feel that something in me is missing, and I tried using magic without success. I was already hoping I’d just lost my connection to magic entirely, so losing my horn again does not seem unreasonable. You have my permission to proceed, on one condition.”

Rarity met the stallion’s stare with a tilt of her head.

“Would you mind just… talking with me while you do it? Maybe you could tell me how you met Luna?”

Rarity nodded, but didn’t smile until several seconds afterwards. When she did, it was wide, warm, and grateful. “I think I’d like that. I’m already in such a horrid state you probably won’t even notice if I start crying again anyway. It’s just been that sort of day.”

“Then I hope you won’t think poorly of me if I relish the chance to hear about it. First, though, I must apologise for not asking your name earlier. That was rather rude of me.”

He’s already picking up on the way I talk and act. Is that comforting, or just peculiar?

“Rarity,” she replied in her best lady-like elocution. “And for today I am Lady Rarity, Lady in Waiting to Princess Luna.”

Sliding carefully down the wall, Stormcloud laid out flat and rested his head on his forelegs. “Well then, Lady Rarity, that sounds like quite the story. You may begin cutting now. And don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt... much.”

( III )

The rain had thinned to a drizzle, and Twilight began to wonder how long they’d been waiting. Huddled between Seeker and Applejack, her head drooped occasionally, but Pinkie Pie’s snoring barred any chance of actually falling asleep. Vindicator had followed his charge into slumber, too, but not until after Seeker had taken a few cheap shots at his colleague’s way with mares.

With a wide yawn, Twilight watched the scene overhead: where Celestia was grace and beauty incarnate, Luna was proving to be as fiery and physical as any pony she’d ever known.

Mistaken for another illusion, the princess got in close and jerked her head up sharply, striking the stallion under the chin with her horn and snapping his head back. Without hooves on the ground, he tumbled out of control just long enough for Luna to fly a tight arc above him and slam her hooves into his belly, propelling him towards the ground.

The princess’s eyes flashed white again; the very earth itself swallowed him up, soil washing over him and dragging him down. Roots sprang forth and lashed what little of him remained above ground firmly into place. Lightning strikes leapt from the clouds and converged on the immobilised stallion. The thunder was deafening as strike after strike pounded the ground, making a crater deep enough to hide whatever was left of Stormcloud from sight.

With a loud sucking of mud, the remains of the boulder Stormcloud had pulled from underground floated into the air before slamming down into the crater. Then, all the detritus in sight flew towards the centre of the glade. Every pebble, branch and uprooted plant gathered together, creating a huge pile that entombed the stallion.

It’s not a real pony. It’s not a real pony. It’s not a real pony…

Twilight buried her head between her legs, listening as hooves splashed through the sloppy mud towards her. They stopped just meters away and her head shot up, staring right into the eyes of Princess Luna.

“We believe that is the best we can manage—” A loud snore interrupted her. After a wry grin at a freshly-woken and bleary-eyed Vindicator, Luna continued, “Yet we do not think it will prove sufficient. That thing appears to be impervious to almost all of my magics.”

“Orders, Luna?” Vindicator asked.

“Fall back to Splashdown. Move Thunderer there if you can. We will remain here and—”

The earth beneath them rumbled.

“Go!” Luna shouted.

Applejack raced over to rouse Pinkie while Vindicator winced and struggled to lift himself back to his hooves.

“Luna!” Twilight shouted above the growing quake. “What about Rarity? Where is she?”

Before the princess could answer, the pile of rubble and brush exploded from the crater. Chunks of debris halted in mid-air at Luna’s command, leaving only the smaller pieces to rain down as four ponies hurried away and Vindicator hobbled along behind.

Twilight looked back towards him, but her eyes were drawn to a huge griffon, with gold and silver plumage so shiny that it looked metallic, rising from the crater on its mighty wings. Tiny sparks played across its feathers as the creature flexed its sharp claws.

“Well, well. Two-trick… griffon?” Luna said to herself before raising her voice. “Do you hate yourself so much that you cannot stand the hooves you were born with?”

Furrowing her brow, Twilight hoisted Vindicator off the ground, dashing into the forest with him and passing a semi-conscious, mumbling Pinkie. “Oooooh, shiny,” she said as Applejack dragged her along.

The griffon landed on its hind legs and spread its wings for show. It rivalled Celestia in size and span, and except for a slight change in pitch its voice remained the same. “A more noble creature than any pony, I think. Even a pony princess. Such majesty, and luckily, my form does not limit my power. I can do this forever, Luna, how long can you keep up?”

Princess Luna said nothing and charged.

( III )

Rarity recounted the last two days of her life in graphic detail, leaving no aside undisclosed or complaint unexpressed. She held nothing back, the bitterness in her voice rising as the effort of sawing Stormloud’s horn brought a bright flush to her whole face. The air was stagnant and her magic was still weak—perhaps moreso this close to the very thing that had made her ill to begin with.

She was, however, not bereft of a little do-it-yourself know-how. She kept the saw even and took breaks to let the blade cool. At first, she’d let the rain outside cool her, too, but the sheen of sweat no longer evaporated in the windless drizzle.

“That was quite the story, Lady Rarity,” Stormcloud said once she reached the present. “I understand why you asked the questions you did earlier, but as much as I hope the answer was of some use to you, she sounds different to the Luna I knew. I suppose every pony changes with time, though, so I should not be surprised.”

Rarity kept her laboured breathing under control as best she could; a little fatigue was no excuse for a lack of decorum, and not speaking certainly helped. Gritting her teeth, she floated up the hacksaw once more and started biting into the bone of Stormcloud’s half-cut horn.

“Are you certain you are adequately recovered?” he asked. “You still look a little flushed, if you don’t mind me saying.”

“A lady doesn’t like to complain,” Rarity answered, applying a thick coat of well-rehearsed and ladylike pomp.

“Then a lady sounds like a fool.”

Rarity scowled, but continued sawing.

You’re doing this for Luna. Stay focused. You were warned that he might be… difficult.

“Seriously though, is a lady supposed to be so thoroughly dishonest with her friends, too?”

The sawing stopped abruptly, and Rarity backed up a few paces. “How… why… why would you say such a thing?”

Because it’s true?

“It just seems to me that you’re blaming everypony else for not knowing things that you aren’t telling them.”

Rarity let out an exaggerated huff. She scowled as she resumed sawing, pressing down with all the magic as she could muster in her aching horn.

“Ow!” Stormcloud’s cry was muffled by his jaw being pressed into stone. “What are you angry at me for? Ouch! Hot! Careful, you’re going to break it!”

The sawing stopped. “What am I angry at you for?” Rarity screamed. “How dare you be so rude as to say I am blaming my friends? It pained me not to interrupt Twilight’s work, but it was the right thing to do!”

But you didn’t tell her how you felt.

“I may not have told Spike why I avoided him, but it is only because I couldn’t possibly risk hurting him!”

Yet, you probably have already.

That’s not my fault! I’m just trying not to get in anypony’s way!

Stormcloud offered no resistance when the furious sawing resumed. “Well, that temper of yours seems to have done wonders for your magic,” he said, his jaw now rocking back-and-forth against the floor. “Ouch! Careful, even Luna didn’t used to get quite this feisty when—”

A shrill twang echoed through the confined space, followed by a high-pitched metallic ring as half a tiny saw-blade bounced across the floor. For a moment, Rarity stared at the remains of the hacksaw, still enveloped in her magic’s purple aura.

Turning her gaze on Stormcloud, Rarity’s eyes and mouth started to quiver. “I’m not Luna!” She fled the tunnel, the sounds of her hooves on the wet rock announced her difficulty in turning on the plateau.

Stormcloud slumped to his side with a heavy sigh. “Bravo, Stormcloud. She’s not Luna, but you, sir, are still a cretin.”

17. Moments of Revelation

17. Moments of Revelation

Rarity’s crest tingled: Luna’s blazing-white eyes were blank, but she felt the weight of their stare no less for it. She approached slowly, her mind whirling with potential conversations and ice-breakers, but those thoughts vanished when Luna lifted herself from her haunches.

“Luna, you’re hurt!” She pounced forwards, fixated on three claw marks in her neck and the dried blood around them. Luna shuffled back as Rarity inspected the wound.

“’Tis but a scratch; pay it no mind. I understand you severed Stormcloud’s horn as I asked. You have my gratitude, but I’m afraid I may fail to uphold my end of the bargain. I may not be strong enough to—”

“You are.” Rarity’s eyes shone with the same intensity in her voice. “You showed me how strong you are. You made it seem so easy, but I couldn’t do it. I got so distracted by trying that I didn’t hear what you were saying.”

Rarity stepped closer again, nestling against Luna’s smooth coat. The princess beneath trembled, and Rarity raised a hoof to hold her gently.

“I heard you,” she continued quietly. “When you cried out before… I heard you. I mean, I really heard you. Everything suddenly made sense: you talked about seeing something in me when you came to my bedroom—you hoped I would be able to understand you—and I wanted somepony to see how I was feeling. It seems so obvious, now. Well, I heard you—I felt you—and I understand. I’ve thought such horrible things lately, and I know it was dreadful not to think my friends would want to help, but that just made it harder to admit. I wanted you to see because it was too painful to say the words, but you… I know how strong you are because you said all the things I couldn’t. I needed that strength to keep going when… when…”

“I know,” Luna said softly. “I wish I had not mentioned the Elements of Harmony earlier. I am sorry if I made things more difficult.”

Rarity squeezed, pressing her muzzle against Luna’s neck. “Please don’t say that. You gave me the strength to keep going until…” She squeezed again, blowing out a ragged sigh. “Now that you’re back, I need that strength just a little longer.”

“No.” The word was firm and loud, and Rarity pulled back, staring into Luna’s glowing eyes. “Your strength is your own; it always has been. I understand what it means not to have the words to express your feelings, but you found other ways to let me know. I know the courage that took because I have those feelings; that is why I thought you might understand. But know this: I have no more answers for you. I have yet to solve this puzzle for myself. I see you, and I see you are stronger than I because you are still standing against the darkness within.”

Rarity fell silent for a moment. “The darkness within,” she repeated at a whisper. “No. No, it can’t be. I’m not as strong as you—I can’t bring myself to talk like you do...” Her voice petered out as Luna’s horn shimmered.

The Element of Generosity appeared in a flash of light, floating in Luna’s magical aura. “I merely have the advantage of having failed once before,” she said. “You have a bond that I allowed to wither; you need not repeat my mistakes. There is still hope.”

“Hope… but what can I do? Stormcloud needs help and even Twilight has no idea what’s going on.”

The Element of Generosity rotated in the air and slid around Rarity’s neck.

“I believe this is yours,” Luna said with a smile. “Do you feel ready to use it again?”

“I… don’t know. I’ve never had to think about it. Even if we could…” The pitch of her voice spiked as words came spilling out. “We don’t have them all here! We can’t—”

“Shhhh.” Luna lent in and rested her nose beside Rarity’s ear, rippling the unicorn’s fur with her ragged breaths. “Calm yourself, please. I am not weak, but I feared the judgement of others and you helped me feel safe. You are not weak, but let me to offer you the same in return. Let me carry the burdens of responsibility this night so that you might think only about the question at hoof: do you feel ready to use the Elements of Harmony to save Stormcloud?”

“I don’t know.” Rarity pressed back against Luna’s muzzle and took a deep breath. “But I want to. I want to try. I mean... I wish we could.”

“Then turn around.”

Rarity backed up. Luna looked down at her with the slightest of grins.

“Go on,” Luna said.

Twilight and Applejack stood a respectful distance away. When Rarity turned and smiled at them, she saw that smile creep onto their faces, too.

“I still don’t see what we can do, Luna. We’re still missing Fluttershy and…” Rarity gasped. “Rainbow Dash!”

A flight of pegasi skimmed over forest, Rainbow Dash at the fore and one of Luna’s guardsponies trailing behind. The almost-dozen ponies scattered when a piercing screech sundered the tranquility.

“Silence!” Luna’s horn shimmered. Stormcloud’s likeness was gone, replaced with a grey, screeching griffon who squawked as magic yanked his beak down into the mud.

Rainbow Dash touched down in front of Rarity, while the others, all residents of Ponyville, bunched up behind Twilight and Applejack, exchanging whispers and staring at one part of the scene or another.

“Princess Celestia…” Dash said between pants, “went to Ponyville… sent the emergency cart… met us halfway…”

“WhataboutFluttershy?” Rarity lunged forward, grabbing Dash’s head between her hooves.

“Alive and well, My Lady.” Thunderer swooped in beside Dash, wincing upon landing and favouring one hind leg.

“Oh, thank goodness.” Rarity sank back to her haunches, releasing Dash’s head.

“She is following in the cart while your medic sees to Vindicator, Splashdown, and Seeker—who has been sedated due to his wounds. Pinkie Pie is awake, as, obviously, am I.” Thunderer’s face fell as his tone lowered. “The last two points are not unrelated—something about party guests.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Yeah, that’s our Pinkie Pie.”

“Party guests?” Rarity raised an eyebrow.

Applejack’s face lit up. “You mean Pinkie’s party!”

“Uh huh.” Sunburst stepped alongside Applejack. “When you crazy kids got called away, Spike and Marble Arch made sure the party went ahead.”

“I went outside for some fresh air,” Flitter added from behind, “and Princess Celestia just appeared! Right in the middle of Ponyville!”

Cloudchaser pushed in front. “And when we heard Fluttershy had been hurt, I realised that Snowdrift was still at the party, so we gathered all the pegasi that were still awake and headed off to help.”

Beaming a wide grin, Thunderlane puffed his chest out, only for Raindance to roll her eyes.

“Knock it off,” Twister said, hoofing the stallion in the ribs. “Anyway, Blossomforth and Rainbowshine stayed with Snowdrift. Is there anything we can do to help here?”

“As a matter of fact, there is.” Rarity adopted a stiff, regal pose to match her tone. “You all know Princess Luna. She’s had the most frightful day and is putting an awful lot of effort into keeping that thing over there restrained. I have to go, and while I’m away I need you all to show Luna how much we love her, and how much we appreciate everything she is doing for us.”

Thunderlane’s cheeks flushed, and he was quickly cuffed across the ear by Cloudchaser. “Idiot!”

Amid the murmur of shuffling pegasi, Rarity smiled at Luna. “Don’t worry. These aren’t Canterlot ponies; they’re Ponyville ponies.” She placed a hoof gently on the princess’s shoulder and waved the pegasi over.

One by one, they stepped up and hesitantly reached out. Rarity kept her eyes soft and smile warm as Luna flinched from their touch, and a few moments later, the princess took a deep breath and relaxed with a sigh.

“Will the Elements of Harmony work, Princess?” Twilight asked as Rarity moved alongside her. “I mean, you would have used them before if you thought they would, right? Wouldn’t it be easier to just blast the demon while you have it trapped?”

“I do not know,” Luna said. She straightened herself again, rising to her full height and projecting a stronger, deeper voice. “But, if Stormcloud is in pain now, I fear for his life should we choose direct action. And by we, I mean you and your friends, Twilight Sparkle. He may be my responsibility, but the Elements are yours now, and thus so is this choice. Destroy the demon here, or attempt to sever its power source.”

“Don’t worry,” Twilight said, returning a focused stare from Rarity. “We’ll try and cut the magic off before it can hurt him any more.”

Luna spread her wings and narrowed her eyes, startling the small flock of pegasi around her. “I will give you as much time as I can. Now go.”

Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack exchanged grim-faced nods and started towards the injured guard’s encampment at a hasty clip. As they passed the griffon’s cage, he unleashed a piercing shriek that cut off midway, his beak slammed back down into the mud.

( III )

“Pinkie Pie at two o’clock!” Rainbow Dash yelled from above.

The ponies followed a vibrant, if shrill, voice to find Fluttershy crouching in the back of Snowdrift’s cart, being tossed around by the whims of a singing and springing Pinkie Pie. Before Rainbow Dash’s hooves even touched the ground, Pinkie tackled her to the ground with a hug.

“Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash squirmed in the vice-like grip. “We did this already!”

“Celestia says touch your nose,” Applejack said, backing into the abandoned cart’s harness while Rarity fawned over Fluttershy in the back.

“Ooooh! I love this game!” Pinkie jumped up, touching a hoof to her nose as Dash scrambled away.

“You okay back there, Sugarcube? We got ourselves work to do.”

Fluttershy gave Rarity one last nuzzle and flashed Twilight a nervous smile. “Sure. I’ll be fine. Where are we going?”

“Back to the mountain,” Twilight said, voice filled with pep. “We’re going to save Equestria.”

“Let’s get this wagon train rollin’!” Applejack shouted.

“Oh. Well that’s good. Ummm...” Fluttershy looked back as the cart started moving. “Applejack? Pinkie’s still just… standing there.”

“What in tarna—urgh. Celestia says let’s get this wagon train rollin’.”

Pinkie bounded over, grinning from ear to ear as they set off together. Applejack, Twilight, and Rarity explained their parts of passing events to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. When Twilight cringed at Applejack’s description of her ‘snuggle’ with Seeker, Rarity called Rainbow Dash down and whispered in her ear.

“I’ll be back in a jiffy!” Dash said, launching skywards and veering off towards the camp. Applejack increased her pace as the terrain flattened at the edge of the forest, and when Rainbow Dash returned, she clutched a grey-brown blanket between her hooves.

Rarity’s horn flared into life, unfurling the blanket and wrapping it around Twilight’s neck like a shawl. “It’s hardly your colour, darling, but it should keep you warm.”

The colour rose in Twilight’s cheeks again. “Oh! Rarity, I’m okay, really.”

“Nonsense. I absolutely insist.”

The six ponies pressed on to the foot of the mountain trail. When the cart could go no further, Fluttershy continued slowly upward on hoof—closely attended by Rarity at all times—until she suddenly yelped and fell back on her rump a little less than halfway up.

“I’m sorry, everypony,” she said in a strained squeak, rubbing the blackened scar across her shoulder.

Rarity placed a hoof on her friend’s back. “That’s quite all right, Fluttershy. I’m sure Rainbow Dash isn’t so tired that she can’t give you a little lift.”

“You got that right. No such thing as a Rainbow ‘Danger’ Dash that’s too tired to fly. Never gonna happ—”

“That’s all right, Dash.” Twilight pushed between Rarity and Fluttershy. “I think I can take it from here. Gather round everypony.”

The mares huddled together, with Rainbow Dash hovering just above Twilight. “Hey, Twi. Didn’t you say that you could only move one other pony at a—”

The group vanished in a purple backwash of magic, appearing on the plateau with a loud pop. Rainbow Dash flopped out of the air onto Twilight’s back.

“Urrrgh… time,” Dash finished, sliding off and collapsing to the floor.

Pinkie hopped up and down on the spot. “Wow! Isn’t that a new record for you, Twilight? That’s super awesome!”

With a sheepish grin, Twilight straightened her tiara and walked towards the tunnel entrance, summoning her light ball. “Hello? Stormcloud?” After a brief pause and no answer, she moved into the tunnel. Seconds later she reappeared, levitating Stormcloud at her side and setting him down just inside the tunnel’s mouth.

The stallion’s whimpering filled the silence as each pony looked on. Pinkie’s enthusiasm drained instantly. Rainbow Dash still lay grumbling on the floor, and Fluttershy stared with wide eyes and a long, drawn face. Rarity stared, too, but her eyes were vacant, focused deep within the mountain.

“Sugarcube?”

Rarity blinked.

“Ain’t nopony gonna hold it against you if you’re not up to this.”

A grimace flashed across the unicorn’s face. “I…”

Is a lady supposed to be so thoroughly dishonest with her friends?

Her eyes screwed tight shut and she grimaced again. “Applejack, I…” She took a deep breath, tears streaming down her face. “You said… you said that I could… lean on you, and…”

“You could hardly stand on your own hooves at the time, but sure, y’only need to ask.”

“I can’t…” Rarity’s voice wobbled and broke, twisting her words into a mewling whine. “I don’t…”

On her left, Fluttershy gently cuddled against her neck, and on her right, Applejack stood shoulder to shoulder. “All right. Ah get it. You’re askin’. Sorry, Rarity. Reckon Ah must be slower than Granny Smith on a winter mornin’.”

Rarity’s weight fell against Applejack’s powerful frame.

“Those were some darn pretty words you said for Luna, but maybe there’s some other pony that’s had a rough couple o’ days and needs to how much she’s loved and appreciated for the things she does.”

“And I think,” Fluttershy said softly, “it’s very generous to let us take care of you.”

Rarity’s breathing quickened. She let out a long, bawling wail followed by ferocious sobbing. Twilight jumped forwards and embraced the already-huddled trio, cooing gently into Rarity’s ear. To the side, Rainbow Dash tensed as Pinkie, already hanging from Dash’s neck with quivering lips and watery eyes, burst out in a second, overwrought wail.

But, in a few moments, the storm passed. The wailing stopped. Rainbow Dash extended a wing across Pinkie, who huddled close, and Rarity gulped down long, ragged breaths before pushing Twilight away.

“I think—” Her voice strained, she interrupted herself with a sniff. “We have work to-to do, thank you, girls.”

“You sure you’re ready?” Twilight asked, a big smile plastered across her face. Rarity nodded slowly. “Right! Is everypony else ready?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Pinkie cried, taking a wide stance growling faintly. Rainbow Dash puffed her chest out, and Rarity reared up, scooping Applejack and Fluttershy into a hug.

Twilight closed her eyes for a moment, and when they opened, they shone with white-hot magic. The star on her tiara glowed brilliantly and the other elements came alive, each projecting their colours towards Twilight and mixing together until a huge rainbow leapt skyward and came crashing down on the body of Stormcloud. He thrashed and screamed as the magic funnelled into him.

The light faded, and the piercing cry of a griffon rang out in the distance. Stormcloud continued to whimper and wail. The clouds, previously paled from their heavy rainfall, turned dark and foreboding, fresh peals of thunder singing Luna’s dirge of wrath once more.

Rarity sprang forward. “Twilight! Twilight, I think we’ve made things worse!”

“That’s impossible. The Elements of Harmony, they can’t make things worse. Unless…” Twilight paced back and forth across the plateau. “It was like he absorbed the magic, so if it was redirected…” She dropped to the ground, eyes narrowed and legs wrapped tightly against herself.

Flashes of colour erupted from the forest. Rarity sank to her haunches next to Stormcloud and lifted his head delicately against her chest. “You were right,” she whispered in his ear, rocking gently. “You were right about everything. Luna never gave up on you—not for a second—and I know you never gave up on her. You were so brave to keep waiting when things were bad, and braver still to wait here until she could help you, especially when you knew things weren’t right after your accident. I think… I think you made her stronger, and I’m glad she had you to talk to all those years ago.”

“Wait, that’s it!” Twilight sprang up on her hooves. “No, that can’t be right…” Pounding her head with a hoof, she began muttering.

Rarity continued, her eyes tight shut. “I think you made me stronger too. When you told me I was being dishonest with my friends, I got angry because it was true. You tried to help me see what I was doing to myself, and I’m sure that’s what you did for Luna all those years ago. You were right… about everything, and I hope you know that none of this is your fault. I couldn’t have said what I needed to say without your help—and Luna’s. I wish…”

Stormcloud went limp. Rarity buried her face in the stallion’s coat, jaw clenched and fresh tears forming under her eyelids.

We failed. You deserved better. You deserved everything. I’m so sorry...

The other ponies gathered silently, thunder and lighting punctuating the moment. Twilight’s head sprang up again.

“Sonata speculated that something triggered a saturation of whatever was stopping him from being a unicorn. Since we know that Luna’s dissipation spell worked, it must be a similar kind of magic. Considering when things started for Stormcloud, the only thing I can think of that might cause a burst of natural magic would be—”

“Cutie mark!” Pinkie screamed.

“That’s what I was about to say,” Twilight replied, wincing. “How did you know?”

“He’s got his cutie mark!” Pinkie screamed again, bouncing around the plateau like a wild pogo stick.

“Can’t... breathe,” Stormcloud said, wheezing.

Rarity gasped, releasing her tight embrace and scrabbling backwards until she bumped into the wall behind her. Stormcloud slumped to the ground, chest heaving but otherwise silent and still.

Fluttershy leaned over him. “Oh wow. It’s a little storm cloud. Isn’t that cute?”

“Ehh. Not bad, but it needs a rainbow to make it as awesome as mine.”

“It’s gone quiet,” Twilight said, looking out towards the forest. Even Pinkie stopped bouncing and raised an ear to the silence.

“All that over a cutie mark? Ah don’t know what ya said to him, Rarity, but I reckon ya just about made his millennium with it. Umm… Rarity?”

The unicorn pushed herself against the wall, her face locked in a wide-eyed rictus as her hooves scraped ineffectually against rock.

“Rarity!”

“I thought… I thought he was dead!”

“Woah, Nellie!” Applejack rushed to Rarity’s side, pulling her into a hug.

“He-he… he just went limp…”

Twilight sat beside them, extending a hoof and stroking Rarity’s mangled and sodden hair.

“He’s okay,” Fluttershy said softly. “Everything’s fine.”

“Hey look, eveypony!” Rainbow Dash stood on the edge of the plateau, pointing toward the sky. Several pegasi darted in and out of the clouds, making holes as they went. Thin beams of strong moonlight broke through, quickly overtaken by thick lances of golden-yellow light. At the centre, the cloud whirled and receded, the light pouring through for a few seconds before it faded. Pegasi dove through the hole, closely followed by Princess Celestia, gliding serenely in the moonlight and leaving a glittering trail behind her.

“Wow! That’s so pretty!” Pinkie’s eyes sparkled at the sight. “I haven’t seen Princess Celestia do anything like that except for the Summer Sun celebration.”

Twilight watched with a big, cheesy grin. “I think she’s just very, very, happy.”

“Well, go on, Twi. Ya must be itchin’ to get over there. Fluttershy ain’t going anywhere in a hurry, and it looks like Stormcloud’s restin’ just fine. Y’all can send Snowdrift over on your way through.”

Twilight opened her mouth, but Applejack turned her head sharply away, forestalling her response. “Thanks, AJ. We’ll get Stormcloud to a hospital just as soon as we can. I can’t wait to discuss the implications of all this with the princess!”

“Stormcloud?” Rarity said softly, her heart still pounding in her chest.

The stallion’s reply was listless, yet certain. “Go. Tell Luna… tell her I’m sorry for the things I said. Tell her I’ll be waiting. I’m just going to… rest… right here…”

Rarity leaned in and give Stormcloud a peck on the cheek. “I’ll tell her. I meant everything I said, you know. Is that what your cutie mark means, do you think?”

“That I make ponies around me so miserable that they get stronger or fall apart? That would be depressing. Aren’t I supposed to know?” Stormcloud let out a long, grumbling sigh. “I just want to sleep. Just let me sleep.”

“Go on,” Fluttershy said quietly. “I’ll keep an eye on him. If it’s really over, we all need to be thinking about getting tucked up warm and toasty in bed.”

“She’s right, Rarity.” Twilight untied her makeshift shawl and spread it out over the resting stallion. “Thanks for getting this, Rainbow Dash, but I think he needs it more than I do right now. Stormcloud?” There was a weak grunt from the stallion. “You’re welcome to come and see us in Ponyville once the princess gives us the all clear.”

“Stop talking. Go away.”

Twilight chuckled and walked over to Pinkie on the edge of the plateau. “Come on then, girls. Gather round and I’ll take us to the bottom of the trail.”

“Pass!” Dash took to the air in a hurry.

“Climbing is fun!” Pinkie shouted, bouncing down the trail as if it were a simple countryside walk.

“Oh.” Twilight’s ears folded down.

“You don’t have anything to prove to us, Twilight.” Rarity brushed against Twilight’s shoulder.

“So are you going to walk down, too?”

“Oh, heavens no. I’m going to be having my hooves polished for a week as it is. I’ll take one ticket for the Twilight Express, please.”

Twilight gave Rarity a long stare before she finally smiled. “Thanks, Rarity.”

“Hey! Look!” Pinkie’s voice rose up from below. In the distance, an entire wing of pegasi guards—over fifty ponies, half of which drew chariots filled with unicorns and equipment—descended from far above and headed straight for the clearing.

“Express it is.” Twilight grinned, and both unicorns vanished in a backwash of purple magic.

( III )

The medical tent was already erected by the time they reached the clearing. Dozens of guards busied themselves with everything from precisely parking chariots to clearing the ground and transporting in the wounded. Roughly in the middle, Princess Celestia lay in the mud, forelegs outstretched and Luna curled around her.

Two pairs of unicorns stood vigil over their princesses—Celestia’s guards were statuesque as always, while Vanilla and Silverlight spotted the approaching mares and waved them over. Further to one side, the Ponyville pegasi clustered together and Rainbow Dash dragged Pinkie towards them, shooting Twilight a sly wink.

“I’m afraid she’s fallen asleep, my little ponies,” Celestia said quietly as Rarity and Twilight approached. “It sounds as if the creature she was fighting simply disintegrated after you and your friends used the Elements of Harmony. Now she is exhausted, but it seems we all owe you our thanks once again.”

“Not really, Princess.” Twilight glance at Rarity. “We did use the Elements of Harmony, but they didn’t work. I think it’s Rarity we should all be thanking.”

Rarity’s cheeks blazed under her white coat as she tried to look anywhere that wasn’t at a pony. Celestia chuckled and nuzzled the base of her sister’s neck lovingly. “I will look forward to hearing all the details later, Twilight. For now, I hope you won’t mind if I ask you to give us some time. I’m sure it is no secret that I have missed this. I plan to make the most of it since I’m sure she’ll be as grumpy as ever when morning comes.”

Luna shifted just enough to hoof her sister in the chest.

“Oh, so you’re not asleep.” Celestia giggled. “Who would have guessed?”

Luna’s head rose slowly from under Celestia’s mane and rested against her sister’s neck. “How was Stormcloud when you left him, Lady Rarity?”

“Tired. He just wanted to sleep. Fluttershy and Applejack stayed to keep an eye on him, but he asked me to tell you that he was sorry for the things that he said, and that he would be waiting for you.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “He’s a bad liar. He’s not sorry for anything and neither should he be. He, too, can wait until morning, when I’m… grumpy.” She bashed her sister’s face with her nose, then lay back down and sighed.

Celestia tried to frown, but glow of warmth on her face diffused wrinkles. “My guards will see you and your friends safely home. There are enough chariots that nopony need fly if they are tired, and I think it is long past your bed-time, Twilight Sparkle. I will let you know how Stormcloud is once the doctors have examined him properly.”

“Thank you, Princess. I’m really looking forward to—”

Rarity nudged her. “Twilight, you really should learn how to take a hint.”

Silverlight trotted forward and bowed in front of the mares. “Please allow me to arrange your transportation, Miss Sparkle.”

Twilight nodded as Vanilla leaned an ear close to the princesses, then trotted up beside his companion. “Twilight? Princess Luna would like to speak to you alone, please.”

Twilight gave the guards a shallow bow and walked towards the intertwined princesses.

“Are you all right?” Vanilla asked quietly once Twilight had moved away. “After everything that’s happened, you could be excused for being a little jealous.”

“A few hours ago I would have been,” she replied, watching Luna lean out and whisper into Twilight’s ear. “But not now. We’re both where we should have been all along. What about the others?”

“Glory was a complete wreck when he reached Canterlot; he’s going to be in a cast for weeks. Splashdown’s stable, but we won’t know how long he’ll be out until we get him to hospital. Thunderer should have kept his idiot hooves on the ground—he’s torn up something in his leg—and Seeker is going to need long-term curative magic for his ego. Vindicator seems fine, though.” He beamed a fake smile. “Doc might have to break something so he doesn’t get branded a slacker. How about you?”

“Oh, nothing that bed rest and long baths won’t cure.” Rarity raised a hoof to hide a long yawn. “That ride home certainly sounds marvellous right now.” She peeked past the guards again: Twilight was staring straight back at her, nodding as Luna continued to whisper.

“Princess Celestia?” Silverlight shouted over his shoulder. “Rarity’s feeling a bit faint. Might we use your chariot so she can lie down on the way home?”

Celestia smiled and nodded, the golden-clad guard beside her barking orders without prompting. Rarity raised an eyebrow at Silverlight.

“How utterly subversive of you, Silver,” Vanilla said with a grin. “I’m positively giddy with pride.”

Twilight trotted briskly back to the group. “Rarity? Are you okay?”

“Oh, yes.” Rarity beamed and nodded. A moment later, Twilight wrapped her in tight, double-legged hug. “Luna?” she said when Twilight seemed of no mind to let go.

“Luna,” Twilight replied, still squeezing. “Time to go home. I can’t wait to tell Spike just how much he helped out today.”

“Oh, yes…” Rarity gulped. “Spike.”

Ten minutes later, six mares boarded for their flight home; an hour after that, they were tucked up in bed, fast asleep. But, in one very tall tower in Canterlot, two sisters had no such plans. They talked, and talked, and talked, until the new day’s sun bathed Equestria in its welcoming glow.

18. The Fragile Heart

18. The Fragile Heart

The Morning After:

A thought stirred. A sensation—a smell—came to her. A smell she knew. The smell was important.

Her stomach growled.

Leek soup!

Sheets flew into the air, landing in a heap on the floor as Rarity leapt of bed and raced out of the room.

In the kitchen, Spike’s eyes bulged; the unicorn careened through the doorway, skidding on the polished floor and diving at the little dragon with legs outstretched. Scooping him up, she rolled and slid to a halt.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, curling into a foetal position and holding him tightly with all four legs.

“Rarity?” Spike’s cheeks burned, his body frozen in place. After a few seconds he rested his head against the white coat that enveloped him. “What’s wrong?”

As suddenly as she’d swept him up, she released him and scrabbled to her hooves. “I… I…” An empty bowl sat next to a large pot of bubbling soup, and two more rested in the sink. “How many times, Spike? How many times did you make me soup?”

“Four,” Spike replied, getting to his feet. He clasped his claws together and stared at the floor. “I didn’t want to wake you. I wanted it to be perfect.”

“It was perfect, Spike. It was perfect because you cared, and… and I’m sorry I ran out on you yesterday.”

Spike’s face brightened, but he didn’t look up. “That’s all right. You know I like helping out.”

“But you deserved better. I wish I had the words to explain, but I want you to know how much I appreciate it—how much I appreciate everything you do for me.” She sank to her haunches and lifted his chin with a hoof. “There’s just… there’s something important I need to ask you to do.”

“Uh-oh. Now you sound all serious.”

“I need some time to think—some time alone. I really am grateful, Spike, but I need you to go home and not come back until I say so.” The little dragon’s head drooped again, and Rarity lifted it back up. “Spike, listen to me carefully. I know you’ll worry, but believe me when I say that it isn’t anything you’ve done. You’ve been nothing but wonderful, but… I mean I… it’s just that—”

“You need time to think.” Spike frowned. “I get it, but you’re acting all weird. Should I be worried?”

Rarity slumped against the cupboards behind her. “No… I don’t know,” she said quietly. “Goodness, I don’t even know what I’m saying.” She closed her eyes and breathed deep, a grimace flickering across her face until two clawed hands grasped around her neck and a scaly little dragon pushed his head up under her chin.

Wrapping a leg around his shoulders, she returned his embrace. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“It’s okay. Should I go now?”

“Please tell Twilight exactly what I’ve said. I don’t want you to be alone with this.” Rarity wrapped her other foreleg around him. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you how special you are to me. No, I’m certain I haven’t. Spike, you’re very, very special to me. I want you to know that.” Tears formed under her eyelids and she kissed the top of Spike’s head before she released him. A beaming smile spread across her face as Spike looked up at her. “I’ll be fine. I promise. Now, go and tell Twilight what I said, please.”

With a sheepish grin and a rosy complexion, Spike backed away before running from the kitchen. The faint slam of the front door echoed through the boutique, and Rarity slumped sideways to the floor.

“What are you doing, Rarity.” She brushed away a knotted curl of her mane that flopped over one eye.

You’re only going to hurt him in the long run, you know.

The curl flopped back into her face. Rarity huffed. “Focus, Rarity. Twilight will be coming soon. Time to work your magic.”

( III )

“Come on up, Twilight!”

Rarity wrapped a towel around her soggy mane, and when Twilight’s hoofsteps echoed up the stairwell, she adjusted her bathrobe before lying out on the bed.

“Wow,” Twilight said, appearing in the doorway. “You certainly look better. Did you have a good bath?”

“Urgh, darling, you have absolutely no id—Fluttershy!”

Twilight stepped inside the room, revealing the bandaged pegasus that hid behind her. She giggled as Fluttershy’s ears folded down. “I found her outside with a bag of lemon cakes. She couldn’t decide whether to risk waking you up or not, but she looked pretty desperate to come in if you ask me.”

Rarity patted the bed beside her. “You absolutely must come and put your hooves up immediately. There’s a nurse somewhere having an absolute fit at you being up and around.”

Slinking across the room like a scalded animal, Fluttershy crept up onto the bed without saying a word, keeping her wide eyes fixed on Rarity. Only when Rarity looked her bandages over and nuzzled against her cheek did she relax. “I’m okay, Rarity. Really I am.”

Twilight looked on silently, beaming her own, soppy grin.

“Twilight, dear, may I presume that Spike had a word with you this morning?”

The unicorn’s face darkened. “Yes. He seemed really confused—conflicted, even. What’s going on? Is his crush becoming a problem?”

“Oh, heavens no!” Rarity sat up sharply. “Well, yes, but… No, he’s been nothing but an absolute gentledragon. I’m afraid it’s me. I may have let things get on top of me a little. There’s so much I should have said and so many things I didn’t want to admit to and… I…”

Fluttershy’s weight fell against her, the pegasus’s head coming to rest above the bathrobe’s fuzzy collar.

“I…” Rarity repeated. Fluttershy breathed long and slow, eyes closed and indistinguishable from sleeping. “I suppose…” her attention flicked back to Twilight. “I suppose I was—I mean I am—jealous of the way you two are together.”

Twilight blinked. “Huh?”

“Well, whatever happens you always end up being so comfortable with each other, but I always feel like I’m walking on eggshells around him. He’s such a dear, but I’m terrified that I’ll confuse and hurt him if I tell him how I really feel…” Rarity’s head dipped. “But I suppose I’ve managed that already. I didn’t realise how much it was hurting me to keep it hidden until… well, you know.”

Twilight smiled; Rarity frowned.

“Twilight? What are you looking at me like that for?”

“Oh, just something Luna said.” Twilight smirked. “I should probably leave you two to talk for a while. And don’t worry. I’ll take care of Spike until you’re ready to talk about it.”

“Ready to… What did Luna say?”

“I’m still not sure I understand it all,” Twilight said, chewing her lip. “But she said she didn’t know where all this had come from, just that you’d need to talk to somepony about it sooner or later. To be honest, it feels a little scary, but you know you can always come and talk to me if you need to, right?”

“We could all go to the spa together,” Fluttershy said without otherwise moving. “You love talking about what’s bothering you while you get a treatment.”

Rarity grimaced, sucking in a breath through clenched teeth. “Oh. Oh dear. Twilight, would you mind if it was just Fluttershy and I at the spa?” Despite her even tone, she cringed even before finishing the question.

Twilight’s face fell, her joy snuffed out like a wetted candle. “Of course,” she said with a nervous giggle. “Who wouldn’t want to confide in Fluttershy at a time like this? I guess I’ll go back and check on Spike. I mean… it’s not like I even noticed that anything was wrong in the—”

“Twilight.” The purple unicorn flinched. “Twilight, that’s not what I meant at all. I’m sorry, I just want to spend some time with Fluttershy and then I want to spend some time with you. Would you like to come over and spend the night tomorrow, just the two of us?”

The joy in Twilight’s eyes reignited—and was snuffed out again.

“I’d really love to, Rarity, but I don’t think it’s fair to sleep here while Spike stays at home. The timing’s just wrong.” She let out a deep sigh. “It wouldn’t be fair on him right now.”

“I could take him,” Fluttershy said, lifting her head from Rarity’s neck. “I just know he’d enjoy staying with me. And Twilight? Why don’t you take those lemon cakes with you, he seems to really like those.”

“That sounds simply marvellous, Fluttershy. Would that be all right, Twilight?”

“Yeah.” A little smile crept onto Twilight’s face. “I guess you’re not the only one letting things get on top of them. Thanks, Rarity. Thanks Fluttershy.”

“Oh! If you’re going to take Fluttershy’s lemon cakes, please take some of my jasmine tea to go with it. They’re simply divine together.”

“I’ll use it for a picnic,” Twilight said, angling towards the door. “Spike will like that.”

“Twilight?”

“Yes, Rarity?”

“Take good care of him, won’t you? He’s very special to me.”

“He’s a special little guy.” Twilight’s smile grew. “I’ll take good care of him. I promise.”

Before the bedroom had even closed behind Twilight, Fluttershy fell back against Rarity’s side with another long sigh.

Sometimes words are unnecessary, hmm? Still…

“Fluttershy? Is everything all right? You seem... my word this sounds awful, but you seem unusually affectionate, darling.”

The pegasus giggled. “You let me in,” she said softly. “You hid it from everypony else, but you let me in. You trusted me.”

“I did…” Rarity’s voice was quiet and breathy like a gentle breeze. “I mean, I do. I missed you; I just don’t think I wanted to admit how much I missed you. I want to you all to myself for a little while, even if that makes me a horrible pony.”

“Oh!” Fluttershy pulled herself upright and launched herself at Rarity, throwing to legs around the unicorn’s neck and hugging her fiercely. “Rarity, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me. You’re a lovely pony and of course I want to spend time with you, but that’s not what I was talking about.” Relaxing the hug, she pulled back far enough to look straight into Rarity’s eyes. “Yesterday, when we were on the chariot, you were afraid and upset. You told everypony that you were fine, but you let me be there for you.”

Rarity’s eyes flew wide open.

“You-you mean… you knew? I felt like I’d used you—lied to you… I always felt like you needed me and-and… I liked it. I hate myself for it, but I liked it. It made me feel special.” She shrunk down, hugging herself tightly. “I am a horrible pony. I’m the one who needs you.”

Fluttershy gave her a peck on the cheek. “But you used me—trusted me. You could have trusted in Twilight, or Applejack, or Rainbow Dash—okay, maybe not Rainbow Dash—but you trusted me, and it was wonderful. I do need you, Rarity, but I love that you need me too. Now, fetch me a brush so I can see to your mane while you tell me all about Spike.”

Hours of talk later, Fluttershy lay fast asleep on the bed. Rarity watched the pegasus’s gentle breathing for a while, a smile flickering on and off her face.

“I love you,” she said quietly. “I know I should be saying this while you’re awake, and I’m sorry, but I love you. I really do have the best friends a pony could ask for.”

( III )

Two Days After:

“Let me get this straight. You want me to ask Princess Celestia to throw a huge party in Canterlot Castle for Princess Luna?” Twilight asked. “I’m pretty sure she’s been trying that for over a year now and Luna has always refused. What makes you think I can do anything?”

Rarity rolled another clutch of Twilight’s hair into a curl, and huffed when the unicorn turned to frown at her. “Really, darling, you must hold still. I only asked that you convince Princess Celestia to agree in principle. You’ll just have to trust me that I think I can convince Luna to go through with it.”

“Fine,” Twilight replied, taking her proper position again. “I’ll write a letter first thing. I don’t like asking the Princess for favours, that’s all.”

Before Rarity had lifted another strand of hair, Twilight turned back to her, bright-eyed and energetic. “I got a letter from Celestia today.”

Rarity pouted and placed her styling accoutrements back on her dresser. “Oh, very well then. I’m interested. Do tell.”

“Stormcloud vanished—apparently he didn’t take too well to Canterlot. They found him quickly enough, but he’s refusing to speak to anypony except Luna, and she’s not ready to visit him yet. It sounds… complicated.”

With a contemplative hum, Rarity stared out the window. “I can understand that. He’s been alone for a long time and Canterlot’s a busy place. He wants to feel special, so he’s making Luna come to him.”

“Wow.” Twilight cocked her head slightly. “How do you know that?”

For several seconds, Rarity was silent. “Twilight, I owe you an apology.” She still stared out of the window, her eyes growing vacant and haunted. “I know because it’s what I wanted from Luna, and I only wanted that because I was too scared to talk to you or the girls. I was…” Her eyes glistened, the moisture building in her long pause. “I didn’t want to trouble you. I’m proud when ponies see me as strong and independent, and I was afraid you’d think I was foolish and weak. I thought you might think less of me.”

“Rarity!” Twilight’s jaw hung wide open. “I wouldn’t! None of us would. I’m not even—” Rarity’s hoof shushed her.

“Please, Twilight. If I don’t say this now I’m not sure if I ever will.” She let the hoof fall away and faced Twilight head on. “We’ve all grown up and gotten a little busier and I just started getting this feeling of, I don’t know, drifting apart. When you came to me for help I wanted so desperately to do everything I could for you—and for Fluttershy—but… you’re the one who found out about the mountain, and then I got angry at Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie and made everything worse. I got ill and Princess Luna came along and…”

Tears rolled down her cheeks and her voice started to waver. “I just wanted to help, but I couldn’t. Then you-you said you just wanted to help me—that you wanted me to let you help me. I felt so-so-so…” Her eyes squeezed tight shut and she inhaled a stuttering breath before starting to sob.

“Shhhh.” Twilight wrapped her legs gently around her friend, stroking her withers and crest while cooing softly. “Rarity, Luna asked me to do one thing that I just couldn’t do. She asked me to write down exactly how I felt about you and then read it to you. I sat for hours last night after Spike went to bed, but I couldn’t do it. Now I think Luna obviously saw this coming.”

She pulled away and touched her nose to Rarity’s. “I couldn’t find the words, Rarity. I couldn’t explain it, and it makes me realise that I haven’t said it. Applejack was right: there’s a certain unicorn that needs to know just how important she is to her friends and we haven’t said it. I love you. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I’m not going to stop until I can find the words that tell you how important you are to me, because that’s the only way I’m ever going to know that I’m a good enough friend to deserve you in my life.”

Leaning forwards again, she slipped her hooves back around Rarity’s neck and nuzzled against the unicorn’s tear-sodden face. “I will always be here for you. I promise,” she whispered, rocking gently from side to side as Rarity descended into more sobbing. “I promise,” she repeated, nuzzling, stroking, and fussing as the crying continued.

“I promise.”

( III )

One Week After:

“Howdy, Rarity.” Applejack eyed the banners, drapes, and other decorations that festooned the walls as she strode into the boutique. “Sweetie Belle said you wanted to see me?”

“One moment, please.” Rarity sat at her workstation, red-rimmed sewing glasses balanced on her muzzle and lips pursed as she stitched gold ribbon onto a white pennant.

Applejack swept her eyes around the room again. “Golly, I haven’t seen this much finery since—Wait a gosh-darned minute! Are you gonna try an’ get me all gussied up again?”

Rarity winced, sucking in a sharp breath.

“Ah knew it! What is it this time, Rarity? Come on girl, spit it out!”

The unicorn’s needle and thread floated down onto the cloth. “Oh, Applejack,” she said, putting on her ‘refined whining’ voice and pouting. “Don’t be like that.”

“Ah know everypony’s been dancin’ around you real careful since last week, an’ Ah don’t wanna go upsettin’ no apple-carts, but Ah wanna know what you’re plannin’.”

Rarity huffed. “Fine. I’m working on the celebratory decorations for Luna. Princess Celestia accepted that a celebration was long overdue and I’d like you to be there with me—you and Rainbow Dash.”

“Huh. So how come you’re only tellin’ me about this now?”

“Well, I didn’t want to disturb you until I had something ready. I know how busy you are with your work, especially after last week, so I was trying to be helpful.”

Chewing her lip, Applejack blew out a sigh. “That sounds mighty reasonable, Rarity. Ah’m sorry Ah got all worked up, but you know how I feel about gettin’ dressed up all fancy.”

“Yes, dear,” Rarity replied with a wry smile. “You always complain and then end up enjoying it.”

“Heh. Yeah. Guess you’re right. So, uh, why me?”

“Not just you: three of us in each princess’s colours along with the Elements of Harmony. I just… I want you next to me, Applejack. We’re both so busy all the time that I thought it would be nice if we were next to each other in the ceremony. I just don’t seem to see much of you unless some sort of catastrophe is happening. That’s all.”

Applejack gave her a vacant stare.

“I mean, I-I’d just like us to spend some time together, just… you know, because…”

“Ah’m not rightly sure Ah follow, Rarity.”

Growling, Rarity flopped her head onto the bench and momentarily covered it with her hooves. Then, she sprang back up, eyes and lip twitching. “For example, when I went to the spa with Fluttershy, I didn’t go to the spa and Fluttershy came with me, I spend some time with Fluttershy and we went to the spa. You see?”

“Oh! Y’all wanna girl-date then. Gotcha. You’re right, we haven’t just hung out in forever. Come on over to Sweet Apple Acres for lunch tomorrow. We’ll camp out on the east hill with one o’ Granny Smith’s famous apple crumbles.”

Rarity slumped onto the desk, wide eyed and a jaw gaping.

So easy…

“All right, Sugarcube, where you hidin’ this dress you wanna get me into?”

Still sprawled on the bench, Rarity lit her horn and the curtain to her indoor stage drew aside, revealing six dresses in two sets: three of white and gold, and three in night-blue and lilac, and all with the respective princess’s cutie marks.

“Woah,” Applejack said breathlessly. “Shoot, Rarity. Ah reckon I like these a lot.”

“Alright, that’s it!” Rarity snapped upright. “Who are you and what have you done with Applejack?”

Applejack chuckled. “I mean it. They’re simple. You know, uncomplicated. They’re… well, they’re elegant.”

Rarity blinked.

“Uhh, that’s the right word, right? Elegant?”

“Oh, yes.” Rarity nodded enthusiastically. “That’s exactly the right word. It wouldn’t do to try and draw eyes away from our princesses, now, would it? So I made them to be stylish, yet demure. You really like them?”

“Sure! I’m kinda lookin’ forward to wearin’ ’em now. So, what’s the occasion again?”

Ten minutes later, Applejack breezed out of the Carousel Boutique, glowing with vim. As Rarity plodded back to her workstation, a smaller, white bundle of energy ran in from the kitchen. “See? Told you!”

Rarity smiled warmly. “Yes, Sweetie Belle, you were right, and what does that make you?”

“Best sister ever!”

“Indeed you are.” Rarity scooped her sister into a hug. “Best sister ever. And what do best sisters get?”

“Ice cream!”

After another twenty minutes of choosing exactly which headscarf went with her favourite sunglasses, Rarity arrived at Sugarcube Corner with Sweetie Belle in tow. Before the door could even swing shut, Pinkie leapt over the counter and tackled her to the ground.

“Whoohoo! You came!” Pinkie squeezed the unicorn tightly.

Rarity wheezed, forcing air into her constricted lungs. “I suppose… I deserved… that.”

“Well sure!” Pinkie continued, her voice overflowing with energy. “You’re the most deservingest best friend in the whole world! At first I was worried when I heard that you’d been all snuggly with Fluttershy and Twilight but you hadn’t come to see me but then I thought about all the horrible stuff that happened and Twilight said you needed some time to get over it so I shouldn’t disturb you and I waited and waited and waited and started to worry that you might still be mad at me for whatever it was that you were mad at me about before because you still hadn’t come to see me and Applejack said I should just be patient but I wanted to give you a big hug and now you’re here which means you’re not mad at me and everything going to be terrific and—”

Pinkie opened her mouth wide, sucking down an impossibly large volume of air until it was stuffed full of Rarity’s headscarf.

“Two hot fudge vanilla sundaes please,” Rarity said breathily.

Pinkie spat out the scarf and leapt to her hooves. “Coming right up!” she yelled, racing behind the counter.

After setting her mane straight, Rarity stood up, brushed herself off, and took a seat next to Sweetie Belle, who waited with a severe frown and a little pout.

“Whatever is the matter, Sweetie?”

“How come I knock you over in one little accident that totally wasn’t my fault and I get an hour lecture but Pinkie does it on purpose and you’re not even angry?”

Rarity chuckled. “How many times must I tell you that your adorable little pout isn’t going to work on me?”

Before Sweetie could reply, her face lit up as three super-sized sundaes slid onto the table. Pinkie plopped herself down on the spare seat, immediately sucking a third of her dessert through a thick straw.

“Hmmm, this is goooood,” she said, flopping back in her chair with her tongue lolling out of her mouth.

“Pinkie?” Rarity said, but there was no reaction from the blissed-out mare. “I was rather worried that you might still be angry with me, you know. I said some awful things and I wouldn’t blame you.”

“Nope!” Pinkie sat up and tipped the rest of the sundae straight down her throat. She licked her fudge-covered lips with a loud slurp and beamed a huge grin back at Rarity. “All forgotten.”

The unicorn, in turn, let out a long sigh. “Oh, thank goodness. You see, I was hoping you might help me. I have little… soirée planned, and I could use a few ideas on how to start it off with, well, a bang, as it were.”

Pinkie gasped. “A party?”

“Soirée.”

“Aaaaah!” Sweetie Belle’s eyes bulged as her spoon bounced across the table. “It lies! It’s cold at the bottom!”

“Of course, dear, it’s ice cream. Only the fudge sauce is hot.”

Sweetie Bell pounded on the table and scrunched up her face. “Brain freeze!”

Rarity smiled and let out a happy little sigh. “Back to normality, one minor emergency at a time.”

( III )

Two Weeks After:

“Bring on the dancing mares!” Glory yelled from the balcony, punctuating it with raucous laughter. He and Luna’s other pegasi looked down on several hundred ponies crammed into the audience chamber’s benches.

Rarity’s décor split the room in half, each side proudly professing the colours and grandeur of one royal sister. The golden stitches of Celestia’s banners shimmered in the mid-afternoon sun while the silver threads of Luna’s sparkled faintly on the shaded side of the hall. Even the end of each pew had little pennant depicting their respective princess’s cutie marks. As Rarity marched into the hall behind Luna—trailed in turn by Applejack and Rainbow Dash—she took one last look at the marvel her desires had wrought.

I hope you understand.

Celestia entered from the other side of the stage, the two princesses and six friends blending seamlessly with the decorations around them as the hall erupted into cheering and stamping hooves.

“Ponies of Equestria,” Celestia began, the power of her effortless voice subduing the crowd. “Ever since the recovery of the Elements of Harmony, I have wanted to celebrate my beautiful sister’s return to us. Until now, she has resisted my wishes, but I am pleased to announce that she had agreed to accept the recognition she rightly deserves. Before we get the celebration underway, however, Luna has a few words she would like to share. Sister?”

A murmur passed through the audience and Luna silenced it with a raised hoof.

“Citizens of Equestria! We stand before you today to accept our sister’s official—and we admit long overdue—welcome back from our exile. It pleases me that so many have turned out to welcome us into your hearts, and I pledge to carry on the good works of my sister, Celestia, that you are accustomed to.

“We would take this opportunity to thank these six who saved us from the tyrant, Nightmare Moon. However, we are also aware that many more of Equestria’s citizens do not always receive their just recognition. It pleases us to declare that we will be correcting this oversight. As wise and beneficent as my sister is, Equestria is large, and there are places that even her light does not reach.”

Rarity watched the crowd intently, the near-seditious implication spreading from one pony to the next in waves of hushed tones.

“We are fortunate that we already have one such citizen in mind. Citizen Spike, please attend me at once.”

Whispers rose to a clamour as ponies looked all around, but Rarity focused on the small dragon that sat in Thunderer’s saddle up on the balcony. At first, his eyes grew wide and he clutched onto the harness as Thunderer leapt from the balcony and slammed down onto the end of the carpet, but by the time the two moved down the aisle, he waved at the crowd, and the crowd cheered and waved back. Rarity grinned: it was no coincidence that the crowd had a disproportionate number of Ponyville residents.

“Uh. Hi princess… es,” Spike said when Thunderer reached the stage.

“Are you, or are you not, Spike, special assistant to my sister’s protégé, Twilight Sparkle?”

“Yep! That’s me!”

“Then it is my duty to inform you that you stand accused of: Unwavering loyalty in the face of many dangers. Honesty, in your dealing with friends. Generosity, by helping anypony in times of need. Kindness, because frankly, anyone who puts up with Twilight all day must have it in spades.”

The crowd tittered.

“Hey!”

Luna shot the unicorn a grin. “If we might continue, Miss Sparkle?” Straightening herself, she addressed Spike again. “You are also accused of sharing much laughter with the residents of Ponyville and understanding, beyond all doubt, the magic of friendship. How do you plead, Citizen Spike?”

“Uhh…”

“Guilty as charged,” Thunderer whispered. “It’s an old joke, just run with it.”

“Oh! Guilty as charged, Princess!”

“Good. Sister, would you pass judgement for us?”

Celestia rolled her eyes but soon smiled sweetly at the dragon. “Spike, my dear friend. For your service to Equestria, and in recognition of the strength of your connection to these six ponies, and so many others besides, it is my pleasure to name you the honorary bearer of the Element of Friendship.”

Again, the hall erupted into a cacophony of whoops, cheers, and stamping hooves. Beside Luna, Rarity produced a small, Spike-sized tabard split into black and white halves, emblazoned with the six cutie marks now synonymous with the Elements of Harmony. She stepped down from the stage and carefully slipped the tabard over Spike’s head, grinning all the while. As she stepped back into formation, Luna nodded to Rarity, and Rarity nodded to Pinkie.

“It’s time for a party!” Pinkie screamed, leaping into the air. As the princesses spread their wings wide, filling the stage with their presence, the balls on the end of every banner-pole exploded into a confetti shower of silver moons and golden stars.

Luna strode out onto the balcony, Thunderer in perfect lockstep beside her. Leaning on the railing, Rarity watched the swarm of ponies chatting and laughing below.

“You convinced my sister to hold this celebration,” Luna said, “and me to honour your little dragon friend, so it puzzles me that you should now be hiding yourself from the fruition of your plans.”

Rarity remained silent, staring out over the party.

“Since I am to be subjected to this torture,” Luna continued, “I do not take kindly to you avoiding your responsibilities.”

“I’m sorry,” Rarity said quietly. “I wanted him to know how special he is, but it’s still complicated.”

“What is it that ails you? I may consider my debt repaid, but it pains me to see you like this. You have for feelings for the little dragon, yet you are not celebrating with him. Explain.”

Rarity’s head sank. “I do have feelings for him—very strong feelings—but they aren’t the feelings he wants me to have. I don’t want to hurt him. I just... I couldn’t stand that.”

“Do you believe the truth would hurt so much?”

“Hypocrite,” Thunderer said.

“What?”

“You heard me, your majesty.”

Luna glowered at her guard, but his placid exterior remained unbroken. “Very well,” she said. “Speak plainly then.”

The guard cleared his throat. “Luna wants to suggest that if you truly care about each other, you will work it out.”

The princess’s stern visage melted.

“My brethren and I know that Luna is avoiding exactly this conversation with Princess Celestia. Do not think that we judge her, however, for no other pony has been through what Luna has been through. I would ask that you prove that she is wrong to fear such honesty.”

Looking out across the hall, Rarity quickly located Spike, who was chatting boisterously with Vindicator and several other ponies she didn’t recognise. She turned to Luna again and saw the princess looking back at her with the same pained expression she’d worn the last time they talked about Celestia.

Rarity pressed a hoof to Luna’s chest. Luna flinched, looked down at it briefly, then slowly returned the gesture. Luna’s eyes drifted shut as they shared one deep breath after another.

“I apologise,” Luna said quietly. “My actions betray my feelings. Perhaps it is better you listen to Thunderer in this. I will take my leave of you.”

The princess lowered her hoof and walked away, stopping as she passed through the archway. “You are dismissed, Thunderer. Please announce my retirement.”

When Luna passed out of earshot, Thunderer spoke. “You have my apologies, Lady Rarity, but I couldn’t let it pass without saying something. Please don’t feel the need to do anything you’re not ready for. I simply felt it my duty to make a point.”

“It’s all right. I do want to say something.” Rarity’s head hung low again, her eyes vacant.

“There is an old saying my father used to use: ‘wisdom starts with calling things by their proper name’.” The large stallion waited until Rarity’s head lifted from the rail and turned to him. “You love him, and it is only complicated because you fear what the word means.”

Rarity’s eyes narrowed.

“I’ve read Twilight’s letters—and yours,” he said. “Celestia has been my friend and confidant for many years. Who do you think Shining Armour replaced to become Captain of the Guard?” Thunderer paused until Rarity’s eyes shone with understanding.

“Nopony chose to put Spike and Twilight together; they chose each other, and I always suspected that is why Celestia started those friendship lessons. What Twilight learns, Spike learns. Children see themselves reflected in us. They look to us to know who they are and what they’re worth. You and your sister have had some similar experiences, I understand.”

With a little gasp, Rarity lent over the balcony and studied the group around Spike.

Thunderer stepped beside her. “Do know why Spike is hanging around Vindicator so much?”

“No. I have no idea. Do they know each other?”

“Do they…” Thunderer stared at her, blinking. “What is clear is that you don’t know Spike.”

“I…” Rarity scanned Thunderer’s face, but it gave nothing away. “I don’t know Spike? I don’t understand.”

The guard began walking away. “I have said enough. If you desire the truth, ask Vindicator what his real name is.” He stopped in the archway and looked back over his shoulder. “Perhaps something to boost your confidence would help?”

“Oh, my. No, no, I couldn’t possibly.”

“My last orders were that it was yours to use as long as you were Luna’s lady in waiting. As I recall, you still are.”

“I am? But that was weeks ago!”

“Luna said ‘until I say otherwise’, and she forgot to say otherwise. Call it a convenient technicality.”

Flanked by Vanilla and Silverlight, Rarity entered the audience hall wearing Luna’s ensemble. From the balcony, Thunderer’s voice boomed. “Princess Luna apologises for her early retirement. In her majesty’s place, may I present her lady in waiting, the Lady Rarity of Ponyville!”

The guards’ horns lit up, unfurling banners of Luna’s heraldry above them. A murmur passed through the crowd before the banners rolled up again and the unicorns bowed deeply and took their leave.

Rarity strode through the throng of ponies. She smiled and nodded at the attention bestowed upon her, but she did not deviate from her destination.

“Spike?” she called, finding the little dragon still talking to Vindicator. His face lit up, eyes sparkling.

“Woooaaah. Rarity… you’re—” Spike’s overt display vanished, his head and shoulders drooping as if his heartstrings had been slashed. “I’m sorry,” he said, shuffling his feet and clasping his claws together. “You just… you look... beautiful.”

Youdid that to him. Undo it. Now.

“Well that was weird.” Vindicator stepped forward, towering over the little dragon from behind and lowering his voice. “Spike? You okay buddy? You look like you just got hoofed in the gut.” He reached out, but Spike flinched away at his touch.

If you break his heart, he’ll hate you forever.

Rarity watched the exchange, studying the stallion’s shift in demeanour. Gone was the burly, hard-muzzled guardspony that refused Splashdown’s command, replaced with a softer, warmer pony that happened to be dressed in Luna’s colours.

“Vindicator?” Rarity’s voice wavered slightly. “Might… may I ask you something?”

The guard gave her a cursory glance before hoisting Spike off the ground with one leg, pulling him into a hug. For a second, Spike resisted, arms splayed outwards and trying to escape, but he soon relaxed, melting into the embrace and wrapping his arms around the stallion’s other leg. “I know, buddy. It sucks,” Vindicator said softly, rubbing the dragon’s back gently. “Go on, Rarity. Ask away.”

“Spike…” Rarity said under her breath, then looked upwards. “I was wondering—I mean, I was told that Vindicator isn’t your real name. I was wondering if you might tell me what your real name is?”

“Honour,” Spike replied, muffled from pressing his face against Vindicator. “His real name is Honour.”

“I’m surprised you even remember that, Spike.” He smiled, cuddling the little dragon tightly. “It’s a bit of a long story, that one.”

“Glory was teasing me.” Spike adjusted his head to speak clearly. “You broke his jaw and said you didn’t want to be his brother anymore.”

Rarity backed up a step.

“Oh.” Vindicator smiled. “Not such a long story after all.”

Relaxing her posture, Rarity looked the guard up and down. The idea of a fully grown, muscular stallion defending her when she’d been a filly had undeniable appeal.

“And the long version?” she asked.

Vindicator shuffled his back legs up and settled onto his haunches. “My brother and I aren’t smart by anypony’s reckoning, but we both wanted to be elite guards so badly that we pushed each other hard to graduate training. Funny thing is… I never asked why he wanted it so much. I thought that being Celestia’s chosen would make me somepony others could look up to. I thought that if Celestia thought I was somepony worthy—if she noticed me—then I could be proud to be me. Glory… Glory just wanted to be top dog.”

The guard’s face twisted into a snarl, but it passed quickly. “I hated it, but he was my brother and I loved him. I was pretty fond of Spike, too. He was around a lot back then, barely more than a whelpling, and Celestia would turn a blind eye to any on-duty antics that happened to keep him entertained and happy. We figured that anypony that wanted to spend time with him was probably the kind of pony that would do him good. We were wrong. I’d always looked up to Celestia—put her on a pedestal, as Luna says—so it never occurred to me that Spike didn’t see her in the same way. To him, she’d always been there—just another pony, albeit a beautiful one. So he looked everywhere else for comfort and got upset if anypony didn’t immediately take a liking to him.”

Rarity only noticed Spike had been staring at her when his attention shifted back to Vindicator. “Did not,” he said, mock punching the guard’s leg.

Chuckling, Vindicator rubbed Spike’s back. “Yeah, ya did. No-one could possibly blame a little orphan dragon for wanting to be loved. Anyway, the point is that he wanted everypony’s friendship; he wasn’t old enough to be discerning. I found Glory… taking advantage of him one day and absolutely lost it. I’m not proud of beating the tar out of my brother, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I changed my name and wanted nothing more to do with him. Of course, I thought my career was over, but Thunderer convinced me to accept some heavy punishments and stay. I didn’t get the promotion I’d always wanted, but when this assignment came along, he hoof picked me for the job. It took me a while to realise he wanted a pony that could see beyond the tiara.”

Beyond the tiara…

Rarity’s gaze swept across the hundreds of confetti stars and moons strewn across the floor. Each had come from their respective sides of the room, but here in the middle they were mixed together.

“Shades of grey,” she said to herself quietly. Her friends assembled around Celestia, but only Twilight, huddled under the princess’s wing, looked toward her, thick worry lines across her face.

Despite our differences, everyone wants to love and be loved. Twilight couldn’t find the words, but you have to. You have to make amends.

“Spike? I’m very sorry I asked you to leave the boutique. That was wrong of me and I hope you can forgive me.”

The little dragon let go of the stallion’s leg and half turned towards her. “That’s okay,” he said quietly, his gaze not rising from the floor. “You needed time to think. I get it.”

“No.” Rarity’s voice rose in volume and strength. “It was inexcusable to make you suffer on my account, and there’s something I need you to know.” She held out a hoof and waited. Spike slowly pushed the leg that held him to one side and walked towards her. After a few hesitant steps, he threw himself into her embrace.

“I’m sorry, Spike,” she whispered. “I’m very, very sorry.” A few quiet moments passed, and her eyes met Vindicator’s as she continued. “I used to want to make a dress that Princess Celestia would wear. I wanted it so badly, because it meant that my dresses were special—that… that I was special. I was a foolish mare. I have so many reasons to feel special, not least of which are the friends who love me. That includes a certain little dragon—a little dragon I love very dearly in return.”

Spike’s claws played across the edges of Rarity’s choker. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” he said in a small voice. “But thanks.”

Rarity lent back and raised her other foreleg, wrapping it around him and hugging him tightly. “That’s my fault. I’m terrified that I’m going to hurt you because I don’t love you in the way I think you want me to. But I hurt you anyway and… I suppose I’d rather I hurt you because of the truth, Spike. And the truth is that you are an absolute gem—so gentle and kind. Loving, thoughtful, and sometimes wiser than a little thing of your age ought to be. The truth is…” Her eyes glistened and her voice wavered once more. “The truth is that being adored by such a wonderful friend is more than a pony like me has any right to expect. I did all this for you, Spike: the ceremony, the title, the party. Everything, all for you, because I love you, and I need you to know that, even if it hurts.”

Her friends watched from across the room. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie lent against each other, lips trembling, while Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out, mock-retching. Twilight still huddled under Celestia’s wing, but a small smile now adorned her face, and Applejack’s eyes were bright and wide. Rarity smiled at them until Spike fidgeted and mumbled.

“What was that?” she said.

“I’m just a kid.” The words were barely audible. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.”

“It’s not on you to say anything, buddy. You have all the time in the world.” Vindicator stood up and flexed his wings. “There’s plenty of eyes on you already so I’ll leave you to it. Spike, promise me you’ll say goodbye to all the lads before you go? I know Vanilla’s going to be stoked to see you again.”

Rarity felt Spike nod, then nestle back against her coat. His claws gripped her firmly, but the rest of his body relaxed as a deep sigh emanated from him. Vindicator took off, and as Rarity’s eyes followed him, she registered the attention of at least half the room. Over a hundred ponies stared at them, including Luna and Thunderer up on the balcony.

She smiled.

To Tartaurus with them.

“I can’t take any of it back. I know that. I hurt you, but I promise I’ll make it up to you somehow.” She gave him a long, gentle kiss atop his head, then draped her neck over his shoulder and squeezed him again. “I love you, my special little guardian.”

The two stood in silence for several minutes, occasionally squeezing or making themselves comfortable. Eventually, Spike’s claws gripped her coat tightly again. She felt the heat rise in his face as pressed harder into her.

“What is it, Spike?” She rubbed his back gently and smoothed his spines. “Please tell me.”

“It hurt,” he replied, his voice stretched thin and followed by a sniff. His jaw clenched together and arms squeezed her with all the strength they had. “Don’t leave me… please…” His tears soaked into her coat, and hers splashed onto his back as they rocked back and forth.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered. “I promise.”

( III )

Dear Princess Luna,

You told Twilight to write down how she really felt about me. She still hasn’t figured out what to say, but her efforts say more than words ever could. I hope these words can do as much for you.

You have a strength I’ve never known before. When you love, you are kind and gentle and affectionate so that others might know that they are loved. When you are happy, you laugh and tease and joke so that others might share your joy. When you are sad, you weep and hug and share your sorrow so that those worthy of you might know the joy of supporting you. When you have been wronged, you shout and stomp and rage so that others might see that they have wronged you. And when there is nothing left but to fight, you are power and wrath incarnate so that ponies might see what it means to be all these things at once.

You live each moment with an intensity I find intoxicating, but it hurts you not to be accepted as the pony I have come to admire.

I made the mistake of thinking that you were lucky to have such wonderful guards around you. Now I realise that they are lucky for having someone that allows them to fulfil their potential. They guide you, limit you, correct you, even challenge you, but they always understand and support you, too. They always know that their support is appreciated and valued. It takes a special kind of pony live that life and you are worthy of them, as they are worthy of you.

Thunderer said that children see themselves reflected in us, but I wonder. I saw myself reflected in Spike, too, and that reflection was ugly. I hurt a small, defenceless boy because I was afraid. Like you, I will be atoning for that mistake for a long time. But it also makes me wonder what you were reflecting when you became Nightmare Moon, because the Luna I saw in Stormcloud is the same one I am proud to know today.

I know that you have one challenge left to face. Please speak to Celestia. Tell her how you feel. Tell her how it hurts. Tell her how she can make it right. I say this because you deserve to be loved, and there is nopony in a better position to truly love and understand you than she.

You inspire me, Luna. I will always love you for that.

P.S. I have sent along the cutest little boots for Blessing. I just couldn’t help myself!

( III )

Three Weeks After:

“Rarity! You’re not even watching!”

Rainbow Dash landed roughly on the hilltop. She walked towards the unicorn, but Rarity’s attention was firmly in her navel, or another dimension, or wherever else a unicorn’s attention goes when they’re spaced out.

Oh no. There she goes again.

“Rarity?” she said, her voice dropping to a concerned whisper.

It was like flicking a switch.

“Oh! Rainbow Dash! I was supposed to be watching you practice. I’m so sorry—”

“It’s okay,” Dash replied, noting the shimmer of Rarity’s eyes. “I’m just worried. It’s been three weeks and you still zone out now and then.”

Play it cool, Rainbow Dash. Who knows what might set her off.

She fell back on her haunches, flexing her weary wings as the unicorn sat in silence. After a few moments, Rarity walked up and sat next to her, nestling against her neck.

“Uhh… Rarity?” She held her wing high, just in case it did something weird like wrap around her friend.

“Rainbow Dash, I didn’t tell you how much I admired what you said back in that mountain,” Rarity said softly. “I wanted to tell you how brave you were. I know that wasn’t easy for you, and I’m sorry it took this long for me to say something. I feel a bit silly for not being as courageous as you but…”

Courageous? As me?

“I want you to know much I love you, Rainbow Dash…”

Dash’s wings stiffened. “Wait, what? I mean, err… sure, of course, who doesn’t—”

“Need a little Rainbow ‘Danger’ Dash in their lives?” Rarity giggled softly.

“Uhh… yeah.” Dash leaned away from the unicorn that seemed to be attached to her side.

“Doesn’t it feel so much nicer to have somepony else say it for a change?”

“Heh. Yeah.” Dash’s eyes lit up and she leaned back in. “Yeah! It does. Thanks Rarity, you’re…”

Hold on now. Say too much and you’ll look like some kind of sap.

“You’re… you’re pretty awesome too, y’know?”

A tell-tale sniff signalled that the unicorn was either already crying again, or close to it.

Now look what you’ve done.

“Rarity, I… I…”

“It’s all right, Rainbow Dash. I know you don’t like all this mushy stuff. It’s just... I need it, sometimes. I need all of my friends, and that includes you. So, I do need a little Rainbow Dash in my life, and I don’t want it to go unsaid anymore. I want you to know how much you mean to me. I love all of you, so very, very much.”

Oh my gosh! Rarity needs me? That’s so awesome! But what am I supposed to do? I have no idea what to say! Come on, hold it together—Rainbow Dash does notcry. Big brave pegasus. Big brave pegasus…

She rested her chin atop Rarity’s head. “Gosh, Rarity. I… I mean… thanks, I guess. That means a lot. Really it does. Just… thanks.”

“Well, maybe you might want to consider thanking Twilight, too. After all, she did remember to ask Princess Celestia to recognise how brave you were when you saved Fluttershy.”

“What?” Dash pulled away, looking Rarity in the face until a tear vaguely considered the traitorous act of fleeing her eye. “Ow!” she said, squeezing an eyelid shut. “S-something in my eye... s. Eyes. My other eye, too.” She closed the other eye, now blind to the world save for a faint glow in front of her.

Cracking one lid open again, she saw a large, golden medal on a rainbow strap floating in the air in front of her. It read ‘For unparalleled bravery in the face of terrifying danger, Rainbow ‘Danger’ Dash is hereby recognised as a Real Equestrian Hero’.

Oh my gosh! Hold it together. Hold it together!

The traitorous tear found reinforcements. Dash turned about-face.

“Rainbow Dash? Are you all right? I was expecting a little more… excitement.”

There was nothing for it: it was either sniff, or let a line of snot run down her nose. She sniffed. Rainbow Dash is not some snot-nosed punk. “Rarity, I… y’know, I couldn’t say this if... y’know. You don’t know how much that means to me. You really don’t.”

Rarity pulled alongside her, and Dash looked away for a moment. The medal rose up, slid over her head, and came to rest around her neck.

Look at her when she’s giving you an honest-to-Celestia medal!

“S-sometimes… now and then,” she began, her head drooping, “I feel like I don’t deserve you girls.”

Two white hooves scooped her up and pressed her against a pristine, sweet-smelling coat, and Rarity’s muzzle came to rest atop her head.

“Don’t say that Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said, hugging the pegasus fiercely. “Don’t you ever say that. Everypony deserves to be loved and needed. Everypony. We all love you dearly, Rainbow Dash, please believe me on that.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I know. Just… sometimes, y’know?” Dash sniffed quietly, relaxing into her friend’s embrace.

“I know,” Rarity answered, giving an extra squeeze.

“I… I love you too, Rarity.”

“I won’t tell a soul. I promise.”

THE ENDThank you for reading!

Luna's Epilogue – Phases of the Moon

Luna’s Epilogue

Phases of the Moon

New Moon – Discord

“Are you still worried, my student?”

Celestia’s dulcet tones sailed above the noise of ponies chatting and reached the balcony; the afternoon’s events had quieted some while invigorating others. Luna’s ear twitched, then angled toward the conversation.

“Yeah, I’m just worried about Spike. I know Rarity doesn’t want to hurt him, but he’s just a little dragon. He doesn’t really know what he feels yet.”

Luna’s gaze lingered over the immaculately groomed unicorn in her courtly attire, the dress’s hind drapes splayed haphazardly across the floor. The dress didn’t matter. It was nothing—less than nothing; only the pony and the little whelpling in her tender embrace mattered.

Drink deep the healing waters, little ones, for thou art most deserving.

“Twilight, did you know any better when you asked me if we could slip away to a deserted island where we could spend more—”

“No! I mean, yes—I mean…” Luna didn’t have to look down to know Twilight’s face would be red as a beetroot.

“Beg pardon?”

Red as an apple? Far more fitting.

Celestia giggled—a melody of rainbows reflected off shimmering waters. “You were no different, my faithful student, but I certainly hope that little filly’s heart was safe in my care.”

“Oh! Of course it was.” Twilight’s voice developed a nervous tremble. “It’s just that… I mean…”

A faint growl emanated from deep in Luna’s throat.

“And there it is,” Thunderer said.

“There what is?” Luna’s reply was curt, her eyes still locked on Rarity.

“The unspoken double standard. The rule that she is above reproach. ‘But she’s not you,’ is what Twilight can’t bring herself to say. ‘She’s not perfect.’”

Luna shuddered, a chill running down her spine. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.

“You’re stuck, Luna.” Thunderer’s voice carried the weight of a doctor delivering bad news. “It’s too easy for you to keep waiting. My duty as a guard is done, and my duty as your friend is to push you further. Therefore, I quit.”

Luna’s mouth twitched, but otherwise her face remained frozen. The noise from below flowed into her brain, echoing around the hole she felt inside until dulled by the ice in her veins.

“It’s all right to say it,” Thunderer said.

A few moments more, and Luna opened her eyes. “I still need you,” she said quietly.

“Well, that’s better than hating me, at least.”

Luna chuckled. “Can you not see I am trying to be traumatised? Anyway, I thought you always knew what I was going to say.” What little life seeped into her voice did nothing to warm her thin smile.

“No. It takes a little wordplay to wear that mask. We’ve been past that point for months now. I’m just making it official. You don’t need guards—you don’t need me… you just want me. I am ruggedly handsome, after all.”

The princess spluttered and snorted. “Stop it!” The grin spreading across her face warmed her, inside and out. “Whence did thou become such a rogue? I thought that was Seeker’s forte.”

“Right after I quit. But I mean it. You tried to spread your wings and got burned. We were your safe harbour and we were glad of it; now it’s time to try again and you’re hiding where the seas are calm. I can’t let that happen. Besides, my friendship with Celestia has only gotten stronger since I stopped working for her. Perhaps the same will be true here.”

The smile on Luna’s face flickered, the endless wellspring of ice in her chest spiralling into the bottomless void in her stomach. “You speak the truth. I know what I would do, but not how,” she said, falling back into a heavy frown. “Equestria is never as vast as when I think of the morrow. I would seek your counsel before you discharge yourself.”

“My pleasure. You can buy me a hot chocolate.” Thunderer smiled and raised a hoof onto Luna’s withers. “I know just the place.”

The sun hung low in the sky, bathing Canterlot’s dockyard in orange hues. A few ponies moved air-freight on and off the parked wagons, and the smell of honest work wafted under Luna’s nose. She fanned her wings, enjoying the gentle flow of the cool, evening air while she and Thunderer, his coat a deep terracotta-red now that he was out of uniform, approached the rowdy collection of ponies sat outside a small bistro on the edge of the dockyard square.

Splashdown stood behind a pale-green earth pony with a yellow mane and a pronounced bump in her belly. She barely fit the small table’s bench and lent back into her husband’s embrace. Seeker sat beside her, leaning forwards with a holly-green unicorn snuggled against his back, and Vanilla sat opposite with Silverlight, the taller and heavier breed of Canterlot unicorn, stood over the last seat. Vindicator and Glory completed the group, standing at the far side as Luna approached. All six guards still wore Luna’s armour.

“Hello, Luna,” the mare in front of Splashdown said, her voice as soft as silk. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“And you, Bright Meadow.” Luna took her place at the fourth side of the table while Thunderer walked inside the Bistro. “I trust he isn’t giving you too much trouble?”

“Not at all.” Bright Meadow’s hoof reached up and haphazardly patted her husband’s head. “He’s a bit of a baby, but I have experience with those, now.”

Splashdown winced and shied from the onslaught. “Help! Help! I’m being trampled by the elephant mare!”

“Watch it, Splashie,” Vanialla said, “or you’ll be roughing it on the couch again.”

“Let him have his bed, she can share mine!”

“Screw, you, Vindicator,” Splashdown replied.

“Language!” Bright Meadow swatted her husband on the nose. “There are ladies present.”

“Right. Sorry Silverlight.”

The unicorn rolled his eyes and Luna raised her voice. “And you. I presume that you would be Thunderer’s young sister, Holly?”

“Yes, Princess.” Holly’s voice bubbled with energy. She pulled away from Seeker and bowed, but Luna waved her off with a hoof.

“Please, no. We are all…” The word caught in Luna’s throat. Her eyes swept across the ponies before her, every one of them smiling with an infectious warmth that tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Yes, we are all friends, here.”

From inside the Bistro, Thunderer called his sister, but she hesitated as she turned towards the door. Smiling, she trotted up to Luna and gave her a peck on the cheek so fleeting as to barely touch. Luna’s eyes followed the mare as she trotted inside with a spring in her step and her bright-red tail swishing behind her. Only when somepony sniggered did the princess realise her wings jutted out at half-mast, and a flush entered her cheeks.

Glory was the first to break into bellicose laughter, slamming a hoof on the small table repeatedly as the others joined in one by one until they all rocked with merriment.

“Stop it,” Luna said, folding her wings tight against her flanks. Even the softly-spoken Bright Meadow’s shoulders bounced with her giggling. “Why is this amusing?” Luna shouted, and Silverlight, who had tried to contain his laughter, spluttered and burst into a mighty guffaw, his eyes starting to water.

“Silence!”

The effect was instant. Nopony made a sound. Nopony moved. Behind the table, Holly’s snout and hoof pressed against glass as she looked out at a panting, trembling princess.

“Why?” The quiver in Luna’s voice match the tremble in her eyes. “Why do you laugh at me so?”

A half-dozen sheepish faces turned downward in silence.

“Luna?” Silverlight looked straight at her. “She was just being respectful. That’s all. She’s pretty much fearless—being Thunderer’s sister, after all. She’s usually a hugger, but we talk about you so she knows better. Please don’t take it personally. She’s just trying to be friendly and… it was kind of funny.”

Luna held the unicorn’s gaze a few moments before glancing sideways at the empty air where Thunderer wasn’t.

We were your safe harbour. Were…

Luna pawed at the ground. “We were foolish. Please accept our apologies.”

Silverlight stepped towards the princess. “You’ve never come down here before. Is there something you need?”

After a long breath, Luna’s face hardened, a touch of steel glinting in her eyes. “Something I need,” she repeated. “It was easy to forget that wanting your protection is not a sign of weakness—easy to forget that it is not the sum of who I am. It seems that I have repeated the mistake of being unwilling to risk what I have to get what I want. I need to make sure that does not happen again.”

Luna’s horn shimmered. Each of the stallions glowed, their armour unfastening itself by magic, floating off them, and falling to the ground while their natural colours returned to the coats and manes. Glory reared up and put his hooves on the table, looking every bit the image of the heraldic lion on his flanks as he shook out his golden-brown wings and mane.

“Put it away, butch.” Vanilla shoved the pegasus’s hooves off the table as all eyes turned back to Luna.

“No.” Luna’s voice came alive with her theatrical oration. “No longer should you be diminished because of us. Stand proud, Glory—and thou, Vindicator—brothers of spirit as much as blood. Thou extend to all who struggle a unity with which thee keep each other honest. Thou art warriors in the truest sense: beacons of hope for all shrouded by the shadow of despair, no matter its form. We are in need such ponies for what is to come.”

Vindicator’s soot-black hoof hammered on the table. “Yours to command, my princess, for this day and all days in fair weather or foul.”

“What he said,” Glory added, raising himself up with one hoof on his brother’s back and shaking the bandaged one at the sky. “But louder!” He burst into more belly laughs, dropping back to the ground and hoof-bumping Vindicator.

Bright Meadow leaned back and pressed her cheek against her husband’s. “Between Vindi’s prose and the overabundance of testosterone, I’m not sure if I’m going to cry or have my voice drop.”

Soft laughter rippled through the ponies, but Luna didn’t join in, and neither did the stallion still staring at her, almost frozen to a statue. “Silverlight,” Luna said. The stallion gulped. “I must apologise to you, more than your peers.”

“Apologise?” Silverlight’s paralysis broke, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Luna, you don’t have to apologise for anything, I—”

“Yes I do.” She lifted a silver-shod hoof and placed it on his chest. “This exterior, powerful, tall, and purest white—the epitome of Canterlot nobility—belies thy gentle heart. We see thee do more than understand us; we see thee share our every pain and every joy. We believed thy keen intellect and open heart was wasted on a guard’s life, yet we said nothing because thy company is desired.”

Silverlight flinched when Vanilla tousled his mane. “Take a breath, Silver; it’s all good. Luna, this isn’t your most inspiring speech. You might wanna cut to the chase before Silver things you’re sacking him.” The smaller, brown unicorn waved a hoof towards Vindicator and Glory. “They have a point, though. My guess is that this is about your earlier announcement, and you can count me in.”

“Good.” Luna smiled, dropping her theatrical facade. “Silverlight, you have earned a place at my side for as long as you want it. You have nothing to fear, but I have an offer that may be more appropriate to your considerable talents. I need an ambassador to magical fraternities across Equestria. I believe you are the perfect pony, hungry to apply your extensive knowledge wherever it can help.”

“I think I need to sit down,” Silverlight replied in a hollow voice.

Luna settled to her haunches as the large unicorn squeezed onto the bench. “You would have help, of course. I am certain Vanilla would return the favour, as he will require your knowledge, also.” Vanilla sprang a huge grin. “I am going to require a hearth master.”

Vanilla’s smile turned wooden. “Silver,” he whispered loudly, leaning in to his comrade. “What’s a hearth master?”

“Hearth Master. Archaic. Senior staff of a lodge or estate subordinate to a seneschal. A hearth master oversees the well-being of residents and guests of said lodge or estate including travel both to and from accommodations, diplomatic missions, and formal provision of services.”

“Oh, yeah.” Vanilla patted Silverlight on the back. “Gonna need your help plenty, pal.”

“But,” Silverlight said. “If you’re appointing a hearth master then you’ll want a seneschal which means… Wow. The last lodge was dismantled by the aristocracy centuries ago.”

“And unchallenged, the so-called nobility have fallen to corruption.” A bitter edge crept into Luna’s voice. “A fact I mean to challenge, but one pony, even a princess, can do little. I need ponies of character and will to lead by example in support of those who need it most. And yes, I will need a seneschal… Splashdown.”

The pegasus stiffened. “Huh? What about Thunderer?”

“He has expressed a preference for training recruits. He believes you are more than ready.”

Splashdown pursed his lips, slowly swinging his jaw from side to side and Bright Meadow twisted her head to look up at her husband. “You know I’ll support you, whatever you choose.” He leaned in and gave her a slow kiss.

“I know, but it’s my job to support you, too. We all knew something was coming, but this is a risk, and since that long chat with Thunderer’s dad, I don’t play dice with my children’s future.” He reached a hoof down and patted her belly, and she, in turn, stroked his azure coat gently.

“We’ve talked about this; I know you don’t want to go backwards. If it was your son…” Bright Meadow pressed his hoof into her. “If he had the chance to follow his dreams, what would you tell him?”

The door to the bistro swung open with the ringing of its tiny bell and Holly strode out into the silence that fell across the ponies. She sat beside Seeker and leaned against him while Splashdown ran his other hoof through his wife’s blonde curls.

“You’re going to make enemies and we all know it,” Splashdown said. “I can live with that. I guess I even like it, but I can’t say yes without security. Two years redundancy at my current pay, but I’ll work it off at half of whatever wages we can agree, and I have to be based in Canterlot to be near my family. I’m no Boomer, but what I want can never come at the expense of my children’s security. It’s a deal-breaker, so take it or leave it.”

“You’re going to force me to speak with those detestable little accounting weasels?” Luna grumbled and sighed. “Very well. I can only agree in principle until then. Now, Seeker, what say you? I mean to find ponies both literally and metaphorically lost: those without a voice, or who know not where to turn in times of strife. Is the pony with a compass on his flank interested in such a task?”

Seeker, his coat barely a shade lighter than Luna’s guard colours, frowned deeply and huddled over the table, offering no reply.

“Sweetheart?” Holly leaned in and rested a hoof on his hip. “You can tell her.”

Stretching her wings briefly, Luna dipped her head to try and catch the stallion’s eye. “Tell me what, Seeker? What burdens you?”

Still he said nothing, his silence echoed by his onlooking companions. Holly whispered into his ear and received a mute nod in return. “Princess Luna, could Seeker and I to speak to you in private? As in, now?”

“Of course. I have a spell, if you would both step away from the table.” Luna hopped backwards with a beat of her wings, taking in the mixture of shocked and confused expressions before turning her eyes back to Seeker. The stallion dragged himself free from the stable and plodded towards her until Canterlot’s dockland vanished, replaced by an endless starfield in every direction. “There. A mere illusion, but none will see or hear us in here.” She stared at the stallion, his head drooping as if made of lead. “Seeker… I’ve never seen you like this. I am concerned. Please speak of what troubles you.”

Seeker tested the ground beneath him with a hoof while Holly did a full turn, gazing out at the wealth of galaxies and nebulae that filled the backdrop. Coming to a stop, she rested a hoof gently on his shoulder before sliding her forelegs around his neck.

“You haven’t seen me like this,” he said, his voice starting small and growing. “But that’s kind of the point isn’t it?” Holly released him and backed away. “Maybe that’s because you only ever pay attention to what you want and not how it affects everypony else.”

Luna watched the stallion’s wings flare slightly with each stressed word, but despite the rising venom in his voice, his eyes did not rise to meet hers. A shiver ran up her spine. Even if she had something to say—which she didn’t—surely she owed him this chance to speak his mind? Isn’t that what she’d wanted all along?

“Oh sure, you talk about being honest with each other, but it’s so much easier being honest about doing whatever it is you were going to do anyway than lower yourself to asking what we lowly guards think of it. No… what I think of it.” Finally, he stamped a hoof and burst into shouting. “You make this big deal out of ponies putting you up on a pedestal, but you act like the very thing you despise! Did it even occur to you to wonder how we would react? Did you even care? Can you even understand that you talk of being friends as you treat us like toys? Toys! Doesn’t matter what we want; it only matters what Luna wants and we get to play along as if having our lives turned upside down is supposed to be a privilege. I like being a guard! I liked whatever it is we had! Would it hurt so much to ask whether we actually wanted it before you changed everything? Heavens above, we might even have had some ideas!”

He still wouldn’t meet her eyes, but Luna’s mind swam in the void where Seeker’s rant ended. She’d stared down Discord and fought every manner of creature Equestria had to offer, but as the stallion’s seemingly small frame slouched, she was utterly powerless.

“Pray continue. Do not be afraid of your anger; it seems I have earned it.”

Seeker puffed out his cheeks, then raised his head to finally meet her gaze. Whatever anger had burned there was gone.

“Few ponies ever believe me when I say my life hasn’t been easy.” He looked to one side and extended a wing to touch the silent unicorn sitting near him. “Most just think that being a good looking guy gives you everything on a silver platter. Do you have any idea how petty and vapid most of the mares that hit on me are? Can you even imagine how infuriating it is that the ones who don’t treat me like I’m arrogant for wanting more are usually the ones so arrogant that I can’t stand them? Luna… believe me when I say that I understand the things you’ve been talking about this last year, but I need you to understand that I want it for me, not… not for you.” His head bowed again, and Holly slid in next to him.

“It’s all right, Sweetheart. I’m sure Luna understands how it feels for ponies only to see what’s on the outside.”

Luna tensed as the mare gave her a withering stare. She could have hidden how much she’d needed that hint. She could have.

“I cannot lie: too many silences have pained me as much as ill-tempered words. I did not know—I did not see—the pain hiding in plain sight. Nor can I pretend I understand, Seeker.” Luna frowned and pursed her lips; her next words lurked just beyond the veil of her consciousness, but just as her own burden had lessened with Rarity’s attention, so did the weight on her faithful guard’s shoulders seem to lighten through hers.

“So… umm. What do we do now?” he said, finally letting his gaze wander to the endless drifts of space around them. Luna let her own gaze linger on him, his outward show of relaxation loosening the icy grip on her heart.

“I do not know,” she replied softly. “I don’t know how to fix this, and I confess that it frightens me.”

“You don’t fix it.” Holly’s voice carried the hard edge of her stare. “I don’t know what my brother has been filling your head with, but it isn’t your problem to fix. It’s a relationship; you both have to talk about it, if that’s that you want. You’ll find he’s good at that if you just… What is it?”

Luna squeezed her eyes shut, suppressing the shiver that ran down her spine.

“There’s another pony she needs to have that talk with,” Seeker said. Luna breathed rapidly as the sound of his hooves closed. Only when she felt him press gently against her neck did her eyes spring open. “Friends,” he said. “That’s what you wanted isn’t it?”

Her breathing slowed, but one thought—one pony—pushed any attempt at forming a reply aside.

“This is what friends do, when it’s needed,” he continued. “I won’t follow you, Luna—I can do that in Celestia’s guard—but I’ll go with you, into the dark places where other ponies fear to tread. You’re at your best when there is one thing you can focus on, whether it’s holding Blessing tightly or fighting a life-or-death struggle against an unstoppable abomination, so, you want to find the most downtrodden, victimised, and abused pony you can and bring ten kinds of fire and thunder along for the ride. And when the dust settles you want ponies to look up and say, ‘That’s how a real pony acts.’ You want to inspire, and not because you want to be a hero, Luna, but because you are. You have a vision of another kind of Equestria; I see that. I see you, and I’m in, if you’ll have me on my terms.”

“Now.” Seeker took a step back back. “Go up to that spot on the mountaintop you love and scream until the feelings go away. I’ll tell the others that we’ll take things nice and slow, shall I?”

Luna’s head felt like ten clouds had spontaneously appeared inside it, filling up every space where meaningful thinking might take place. Her eyes shimmered, but no tears fell. Her legs trembled, but held firm. When Seeker stepped back she looked into his face and saw something new: pride. Something had changed for him—something that would never be undone. She nodded, but for now, the top of Canterlot Mountain called, and she dissolved into a cloud of magic, racing toward its peak.

Crescent Moon – Dissonance

Luna tapped Rarity’s leg again, her gentler attempts at waking the unicorn thwarted by earplugs and an eyemask. Such mundane contrivances were aggravating.

Rolling onto her other side, Rarity clutched her bedsheets tightly for a few moments before jerking awake. “Luna?” She sat bolt upright, hurriedly pulling her mask off.

“You’ve been expecting me.”

“Hmm? You’ve very quiet, Luna. Is everything all—oh my.” Rarity pulled the plugs out of her ears. “I’m sorry.”

“You’ve been expecting me,” Luna repeated, resting on her haunches by the bed. She wore a smile, but it held little warmth. “After that letter, perhaps it would be truer to say you have been hoping that I would come.”

Rarity winced and slid down under her sheets slightly. “Oh dear. It’s the expectation, isn’t it? I’m sorry, Luna. I can’t help it.”

Luna’s smile warmed slightly. “In truth, your letter was well timed. It seems I found some whole new mistakes to make and your words were a welcome surprise. Yet… I can’t do this. Even now you look at me with those same eyes, as if we’re suddenly the best of friends. I wish it were that simple but—”

A white hoof pressed against her mouth.

“You’re right.” Rarity withdrew her leg and climbed out from beneath the covers to lie on top of her sheets. “It’s just a silly fantasy, and I’m sorry.”

Luna shook her head emphatically. “It’s not silly and neither is it your fault.” Climbing on the bed, she dangled her hooves off the edge and gestured to the spot next to her. Rarity complied, pressing firmly against Luna’s side and beaming a wide smile. “I need to tell you something because I don’t know how else to explain this. I have said nothing before in case you think me ungrateful, but the truth is that bringing me back cost me more than I have admitted to.”

She paused and searched the unicorn’s face for reaction, but there was no hint of disappointment or shock, only concern and patience. Luna took a deep breath.

“Return rainwater to a cloud and it will fall again soon enough, so the Elements took much from me: memories locked away to be overcome one at a time, reclaiming some parts of my old life and discarding others. To you, I look fully restored, but I am far from complete. That is what your friends saw on Nightmare Night, and the more I comprehend what it means, the more I see that this path is a long one. The pony you wrote about in your letter is not me. It’s you—or at least, what you desire to be. Perhaps I desire that too, and perhaps that is what brought us together, but I do not feel free to truly find myself in the presence of such company. I wish it were not so, but I must distance myself from you.”

The unicorn leaned in, and Luna extended a wing over her. “You have every right to be disappointed. After that day, you have every right to be angry, but it is my hope that you understand. That is why I had to speak to you face to face.”

“I do understand,” Rarity replied quietly. “I’m not saying it won’t hurt, but you took a horrible nightmare and turned it into something I will treasure forever. It was worth it.”

Luna rested her muzzle gently atop Rarity’s head. “Know that I am not abandoning you. Though I ask you to respect my wishes, I leave you this as a reminder that, should you have need of me, I will welcome you warmly.” With a shimmer of her horn, a shadow crept from one corner of the room and took form as a dress-pony garbed in her lady-in-waiting attire, its countless tiny diamonds twinkling in the moonlight.

Rarity gasped and sat up sharply. “You’re… you’re giving this to me?”

“No. It is mine, and I will return for it someday. Do you understand?” Glancing to one side, she saw the unicorn’s eyes and grin widening. Luna withdrew her wing and straightened herself up. “You may,” she said haughtily, and Rarity lunged, wrapping her legs around Luna’s neck.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Rarity kissed the princess’s crest before hugging tightly.

“You seem more comfortable around me, at least,” Luna said with a wry grin. “I have one more thing for you.” Another shadow appeared in the air and transformed into a golden disc with ‘Real Equestrian Hero’ emblazoned across the centre. “My sister told me Twilight asked about acknowledging Rainbow Dash’s valour. We decided on this, and under the circumstances, I thought you might appreciate the chance to present it to her yourself. I’m sure I can rely on you to find an appropriate ribbon, yes?”

The medal glowed, snared in Rarity’s magic as she set it down on the bed between her forelegs. “Luna… It’s—”

“Yes. I thought so.”

“I don’t—”

“Nothing need be said.” Luna relaxed, letting her eyes drift shut.

Rarity snuggled into her shoulder again. “I don’t suppose—”

“Just for a little bit.” Luna’s wing spread over the unicorn.

Ten minutes of cosy silence later, Luna tucked the sleeping unicorn into bed, kissed her gently on the forehead, and leapt out of the bedroom window.

Half Moon – Commitment

“Twilight. Wake up, Twilight.”

Spike dodged the hoof that tried to swat him. “Wake up!”

“Aaaah!” Twilight cried, sending the dragon barrelling to the floor. “What is it? What’s going on?”

Spike sat up, rubbing the back of his head. “It’s Princess Luna.”

Twilight yawned and stretched as she sat up. “What in Equestria would Princess Luna being doing here at this hour?”

“Well, I am the Princess of the Night.”

“Ahhhh!” Twilight cried again, falling out of bed and meeting the floor chin first. “Princess!” She picked herself up, rubbing her jaw. “I had no idea you were coming!”

“Perhaps that would be because you were not told.”

“I… err… ummm…”

Spike stomped towards the door. “I’ll go make a pot of coffee. She won’t make much sense otherwise. Would you like some, Princess?”

Luna shuddered. “Keep that foul ichor away from me, please.” She watched him leave and turned back to catch Twilight straighten stiffly, as if she hadn’t just been trying to make her bangs presentable. The unicorn laughed nervously.

“So, Luna, what brings you here at such a late hour?”

“Have you not been requesting my attention?”

Twilight’s bleary eyes sprang wide open. “Oh, yes! I was starting to worry that you might be avoiding me.”

“I was.”

“Oh.” Twilight replied a little too slowly to sound comfortable.

Too easy.

Luna grinned. “Please allow me to explain. My sister and I avoid crossing paths if we can avoid it. She is your mentor and I have no desire to trespass upon her domain; it is for Celestia to discuss the matter of your talents when, and if, she sees fit.

“Secondly, I have just informed Rarity that I will be avoiding further contact for the time being. Personally helping you with your research project with you would doubtless be painful for her.”

Twilight stared blankly for several seconds. “Wow. Okay. I had no idea… Is something wrong between you and Rarity?”

Luna sighed and fell back onto her haunches. “Not as such. Where Rarity sees Canterlot as a place of high society and refinement, I can only see decadence and monumental failure. I alone understand Celestia’s intent for Canterlot, and when I left Equestria it was nothing more than an ideal. To return and find such a hollow shell of that ideal tells me that my sister has sacrificed too much to keep Canterlot, perhaps even Equestria, functioning. Canterlot is rotting, and the Equestria I remember is gone. I mean no disrespect, but it can be better. It must. My sister is, and always will be, the public face that our subjects look up to. So I must become that which strikes fear into the hearts of the impure.”

Twilight blinked and shifted uncomfortably. “Umm… Princess Luna? I’m not sure what that has to do with Rarity…”

At first, Luna scowled, but the look quickly melted. “Oh. Our thoughts may be a little preoccupied.” She sighed heavily. “It is me. She looks at me and sees something I am not comfortable with. I could not live with myself if I came to resent her because of it, so I must decline your request for assistance.”

“However,” she continued, “I will assign Silverlight and Sonata to assist you. He has no other duties for several weeks, and she is already well versed in the necessary magics.”

Twilight grimaced. “Sonata? Really? Do you think that’s such a good idea?”

“I inquired as to the nature of her fixation with you. It seems she has concerns about your potential—that you are the next Nightmare Moon waiting to happen. That, of course, is ridiculous.”

“Oh.” Twilight chuckled nervously. “Of course.”

“Rest assured that could never happen.” Luna turned away from the books and levelled a hard stare at Twilight. “After all, if you were to run amok, you would have to face me, not Celestia.”

Twilight shrunk under the glare, and Luna broke into a wicked smile. “My sister warned me that you were adorably cute when you were nervous.” The unicorn’s cheeks instantly turned red.

“She did?” Twilight quickly covered her face with a pillow.

Luna rolled her eyes. “Too easy. I will send Silverlight after sunrise. Be gentle with him; he’ll probably be as nervous as you are.” Without waiting for a reply, she dissipated into a fine mist and poured out of the window.

The bedroom door flew open and Spike strolled in with a pot of steaming coffee. “Hey. Where’d Princess Luna go?”

Twilight silently peered back at him over the pillow.

Spike stared at her for a moment, checked behind him, then stared at her again. “What?”

Gibbous Moon – Focus

To say that White-Mane Falls was secluded was an exercise in understatement. The waterfall itself was tremendously high, resulting in a spray that could be seen for miles around, and the surrounding terrain made access dangerous for anypony not in possession of wings.

“It’s perfect for him.” Luna stood on an outcropping below the upper lip of the cliff—a sheltered spot below a secluded town.

Seeker lay beside her, eying the vertical climb to the top and the wooden winch-and-basket contraption that serviced it. “How’d you figure? Looks like a deathtrap to me.”

“It’s isolated—a small bubble largely undisturbed by newcomers. He can build relationships here without being crowded. But even this will be a challenge for him.”

“Huh.” Seeker, nodded slowly. “I can dig that. I imagine you’re a little jealous.”

Grinning, Luna shot him a quick glance. “Perhaps, and I think it’s time for you to go. They will arrive shortly, I’m sure.”

“I still don’t see why you feel to have to do this alone, especially when he’s bringing friends.” He eyed the winch one more time and stepped towards the edge of the outcropping. “See you at the bottom, Luna.”

She didn’t hear him jump. Only after she laid in the thick grass did she hear his wings snap out about halfway down. It did seem like fun, but she couldn’t risk the distraction; this conversation could make or break her will. Stormcloud needed somepony he could depend on and that wasn’t her—nor was it likely to be for some time.

Minutes tricked by, each filled with unease as little shocks of adrenaline sent icewater flowing through her veins, and all of them dwarfed by the deluge that momentarily halted her breathing when two little faces peered over the lip above her. One was the familiar face of Stormcloud, his horn filed down to a flat patch of bone on his forehead, and the other a cream coloured mare with dark blue frizz and a big, dopey grin. Starkicker, his letter had said, along with a warning about an unhealthy dose of hero worship.

As she stood, the other pony she had been told to expect launched off the precipice. This one, also a pegasus, was white and closely resembled his name.

“Firemane, I presume?” Luna said as the stallion landed.

“Yes, your majesty.” He gave an extremely formal and precise bow, holding himself low.

Luna narrowed her eyes. “Luna.”

“Of course, Princess Luna.”

She sighed. “Guard training, if I am not mistaken.” Firemane raised himself up, eyes fixed straight ahead.

“Failed basic. ‘Too fiery’, they said. Think it was humour, Princess.”

“At ease, Firemane. You will look me in the eye and refer to me only as Luna. Is that clear?” The stallion’s stance loosened and his eyes found her without hesitation.

“Yes, Luna. Permission to speak freely, Luna?”

“Always.” The princess narrowed her eyes again. “You wish to speak about Stormcloud?”

“Yes, Luna. Stormcloud says he made it here a week after fleeing Canterlot, so, almost a month ago. Princess Celestia has sent three envoys: a doctor, a social worker, and what I can only guess was a shrink. He talks about you endlessly—you were his entire world—yet a month later and the first we hear of you is that you have just decided to turn up. A month. He’s a mess. He cries in his sleep without even waking up. He changes from wallowing in self-pity to fits of rage in a heartbeat. I’d have had nothing to do with him, but my sister insisted we take him in. She says he needs stability, so I want to know what you plan to do because turning up when you feel like it is unacceptable.”

‘Too fiery’ ran through Luna’s mind. The stallion’s eyes burned, and while he controlled his voice, it still carried a forced stiffness to it. Passion, conviction, strength. She smiled. “It was a long time ago, but I still feel responsible for him. Yet, I am not fit to care for him as I would like and it pleases me that speak for him with such vigour. I believe he needs to know that I have not abandoned him. Beyond that…”

“A month, Luna.” The words hung there for what seemed like minutes. Tears welled up in Luna’s eyes and Firemane’s voice softened. “I assume you have your reasons, but it’s abandonment to him—though, he loves you too much to say.”

Luna sank back to her haunches. “What would you suggest?” she asked quietly. “I cannot offer him stability; I am not the pony he wishes me to be. My… friends,”—the word still didn’t come easily—“think I should distance myself entirely, but presented with two choices that will both bring him pain, I know not what to do.”

“I’m sorry. Starkicker does the touchy-feely thinking; I believe hard truths are preferable. So, uh…” Firemane rubbed his ear—a first sign of nervousness, perhaps? “You obviously care and he’s a lot more perceptive than me… maybe we should ask Star?”

Luna nodded.

“Star!”

Starkicker fell off the clifftop, so startled did she seem to hear her name yelled. A thrashing of legs preceded the use of her wings, and she landed heavily on the outcropping, but her initial embarrassment quickly gave way to a dreamy, wide-eyed stare—the kind of sycophantic, star-struck idolatry that threatened to draw Luna in and steal her strength like some kind of vampire.

The hairs on Luna’s crest bristled and she rose sharply to her hooves again.

“Star,” Firemane said, though Luna couldn’t tell if he were responding to her reaction or his sisters because she couldn’t take her eyes off the mare. “Luna’s isn’t in a place to help with Stormcloud right now. I think she’d appreciate… Star!”

Both mares turned to him, their focus broken, then back to each other.

“Princess?” Starkicker asked. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.” The word burst out as Luna fanned her wings. Why should she have to risk opening herself up to satisfy this mare's petty need to validate herself? “Your advice regarding Stormloud is required. That is all.” At least Firemane didn’t seem fazed by her outburst. He’d spoken his mind—had a firm opinion. He was safe.

“I think Luna has agreed to leave him to us.” Firemane added quickly. “She just isn’t sure how to avoid hurting him now.”

Starkicker shrank away under Luna’s glare.

Good. Do us both a service.

“I-I… I mean y-you can’t. N-not really.” The pegaus backed onto the rockface, leaping into the air and spinning in place to see what she’d hit before turning back just as quickly.

Pathetic. Just another selfish cur looking to prey on me for her own—

“Luna!” Firemane’s voice barely penetrated her thoughts. “What in Celestia’s name are you—”

“Silence!” She turned her eyes on the stallion with a sneer and her wings fully spread. He didn’t buckle. On another day she might have liked this one. “You dare mention her name in my presence? She—”

The world stopped.

Luna looked back at the cowering mare, huddled and pressed into the corner where rock and grass met. Small, afraid… not a vampire, nor any other predator.

She turned back to Firemane, distantly aware of her jaw hanging open and ears folded down, but he didn’t look angry. He should have been angry. Sinking to the ground, she muttered ‘I’m sorry’ over and over as the stallion took off, and at first, the need to look up glanced ineffectually off a wall of forced indifference—or perhaps numbness.

That look. That look of pity. That look that said she needed to help. Startkicker had that look, and that need outweighed any fear.

“Come forward,” she said in her cracked voice. The mare walked slowly toward her, the war between conflicting emotions present in her every, tentative step. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…”

“I know …I-I think.” Starkicker glanced up at the cliff top, her movements sharp—her breathing ragged. “Stomcloud already told me a lot. I-I’ll take care of him; I promise. He just n-needs to know that he didn’t do anything wrong. He needs to know it’ll be okay. He needs to know… He needs to know that you’ll be okay. He needs to believe that.”

With a heavy thud and the sound of flapping up above, Stormcloud landed in front of Luna. She stared at him, his face the familiar expression of an unspoken question: ‘Again, Luna?’ She’d missed that look, and for once, maybe, she even missed the undertone of ‘Just hold me and tell me it’ll be all right’.

He didn’t say anything, but then, in all their time she’d never looked this much of a mess. “Come,” she said, patting the ground in front of her. Her tears adhered to no sense of discretion and ran freely before he’d even lowered himself to the ground. By the time he did, she threw her legs around his neck. She was Luna, Princess of the Night, and she didn’t do bawling and wailing, but he was no longer her charge—no longer her responsibility—so perhaps, for once, she could let him see beneath the mask.

She’d come to tell him that she wasn’t coming back, but she’d leave an unwanted trespasser—she was the one who would miss him. How long could she keep making the same mistakes over and over again?

Full Moon – Harmony

Normally, Celestia would barely react to her entrance. Luna alone had the habit of simply wandering in unannounced—there was a certain mystique to the practice that gave her a sense of ease, like wrapping herself in a protective enigma.

Today wasn’t normal.

“Luna,” the princess said with a familiar spike of concern in her voice—and not the pleasant kind of familiar. She lay on the thick rug of her quiet room before a roaring fireplace, a selection of books, papers, and scrolls strewn about her. “You’ve been gone a whole week. Is everything all right?”

She may as well have said ‘tell your big sister how she can fix everything’, but at least the reason why it rattled Luna’s cage was no longer obfuscated.

For a moment, Luna paused, scanning the wide eyes that glittered with firelight as they regarded her. All else aside, there was no doubt that her sister was at least being authentic.

Forgoing a reply, she stepped forwards, an easily-recognisable book floating at her side, and settled onto the rug with a very precise and intimate closeness. She set the book down before them, closed her eyes, and released a long, pent-up sigh.

“Luna, you’re scaring me. I feel like you’re growing distant again. I know you’ve been busy lately, but I wish you would tell me what’s wrong.”

Be careful what you ask for, sister; it may come back to bite you, and I’ve been known to bear fangs.

Luna still didn’t respond. She was a statue, save for her slow breaths and the light wafting of her starry mane.

Celestia leaned in, craning her neck to draw Luna into a soft embrace. “I love you.”

“I know,” Luna said softly. “But I need to ask you something. I need to know why.”

“Why?” Even with her eyes closed, Luna felt the scrutiny of Celestia’s gaze. “Why what? Why do I love you? Luna, you’re my sister… my only remaining family.”

“Not good enough,” Luna replied, her voice rising with a hard edge.

Before them, the Encyclopaedia of Forbidden Magics opened and rested at the inscription: To my beloved Luna…

“Why did you change the names, sister? At first, I was so happy to be back alongside you that I barely thought about it. Now I can do nought but wonder what it means that I was removed from history entirely.”

“We talked about this,” Celestia replied without a hint of hesitation. “I couldn’t bear to be reminded of you. You said you liked that idea. You said it brought you comfort to know how much I missed you.”

“It did. It still does, but I can’t understand why you’re hiding it now.”

Celestia untangled herself and stared into Luna’s eyes. “What is it you think I’m hiding?”

Luna let her eyes drift shut again, pushing the world away for a moment as her heart-rate rose. “I’m hurting them again, Celestia. I am weak, and they pay the price for that weakness.”

“Luna, you’re not—”

“I am.” Luna took a long, slow breath before continuing. “You are amazing, Celestia. The strength it took to build this world around you today is unfathomable. This”—she opened her eyes to stare at the inscription in the book—“was your moment of weakness, wasn’t it? The one time could not face doing what you thought was right.”

Celestia’s voice dropped to barely more than a whisper. “Sister… Luna, it was too painful. I threw myself into rewriting the book, but I dreaded the emptiness that came after. Somehow I dragged it out by almost a century. I can’t even imagine how I did that.”

“I was wrong to be jealous of your strength,” Luna replied. Her heart beat faster with each passing moment. “I tried to be strong. I tried not to be weak. I tried to be what other ponies wanted me to be. I tried to remember what I wanted to be. Always, I failed. Only in seeing that I was weak have I seen the truth.”

Luna opened her eyes again.

“Show me.”

This time she returned Celestia’s stare with fire her heart could muster. There. A flicker. A moment of doubt. She knew. By all the stars in the night sky, sheknew.

“Show me,” Luna repeated firmly. Her magical mane evaporated, leaving only natural, light-blue curls.

Panic shone in Celestia’s eyes, her chest heaving noticeably with deeper breaths. “I-I don’t understand, Luna.” Her voice betrayed little of the emotion borne by the rest of her.

“Liar.” Luna’s voice, too, held steady in spite of her words. “When I was subjugated, you appeared to save Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. You used spells that we forbade many centuries ago. You were afraid, Celestia, and I knew it. Just like I knew I would give anything to protect you. I would have destroyed myself, if I could, to keep you safe—”

“Luna!” Celestia’s voice finally cracked, fear twisting her melodic tones into an uncharacteristic squeal. “Please don’t say such things! I can’t lose you, never again.”

Luna didn’t flinch. “I wanted to save you, but Twilight Sparkle did so instead. I hated her, and for a moment I remembered where Nightmare Moon came from. I hated her because she stood in my way. When she spoke, the words wounded us both, deeply. It is to my shame that they worked because my rage ran deeper than my tormentor’s. In that moment, I hated you, too.”

“Why? Why, Luna? I would give anything to know. Whatever it is, it will be all right. I don’t understand. I want to understand.”

“Liar.” Again, Luna’s voice held only cool, even tones. “You refuse to see what is before you, as did I, until the ponies who believe in me left me no alternative. Now you must see, too. You do not trust me, Celestia.”

Staring, wide-eyed, Celestia’s jaw worked soundlessly a few times before words spilled out. “Luna, how can you say that? I have tried to share everything with you. I have tried to push you to do more, given you space to do less. I have allowed you and your guards to do as you please because I trust—”

“No!” The word hung in the air like a psychic aftershock, but it wasn’t Luna’s magical augmentation that left silence in its wake: it was fury. “You shared everything—trusted me with everything—except the part that mattered!”

“Luna…”

Forcing a deep breath, Luna began again in her quiet voice. “You are strong beyond all measure, my beautiful sister. You are always trying to be strong for me, but every time it means hiding from the part I most desire to see. You changed the names because it hurt you, yet you hide that pain from me. You think that you are doing me a service, just as you did before.”

“Luna…”

“Show me!”

This time, Celestia winced as is hoofed in the gut. This time, Celestia looked away.

“Show me,” Luna repeated, softly as falling snow. Inch by inch, Celestia turned back, a tremble in her eyes and tears rolling down her cheeks. “Now take off the mask, and show me the sister I remember.”

Celestia’s coruscating, multi-coloured mane shrunk back to a regular pink that hadn’t been seen by anypony in centuries. “It hurt, Luna,” she said, her voice quivering. “It hurt so much I thought it might kill me. The Elements, they showed me the prophecy, but a thousand years… it was too long to wait! I had to forget...”

“The wait is over, my beloved sister,” Luna whispered, rising to her haunches and pulling her sister’s head into a tender embrace. Celestia began sobbing gently and pressed herself into her sister’s night-blue coat.

“Everypony, myself included, must look up to the sun and give thanks for it. You hold Equestria together with your virtue, strength, and charisma. You seem to do it so effortlessly, and once I was jealous, but it was never because I wanted our subjects to look at me that way. It was only ever that I wanted you to look at me that way. Be the one to hold up all the ponies of Equestria with your strength, my sister, but let me be the one to hold you up when the sun sets. Trust in me, Celestia. Trust me with that which matters most. Trust me with your pain and sorrow, dear sister, and I will show you that I will love you with all my heart, until all the stars in the night sky have burned to nought but dust.”

1. The Best of Intentions

Act IStorm Clouds Gathering
1. The Best of Intentions

Blindfolded, Rarity pondered the awkward hoof-falls that echoed through the otherwise-quiet spa. Even if her mane were not crimped tightly, her face not smothered with balm, and her forehooves not wrapped in seaweed, the warmth of the water and the cloying steam left her in a sensuous haze that subdued all further inquiry.

She’s dared to hope it might be Fluttershy, who was inexplicably absent from their regular appointment, but that was impossible. The graceful yellow pegasus was far too light on her feet to make so much noise, as were the beauticians, Aloe and Lotus. She let her weight fall against the side of the bathtub, the scent of jasmine and mint bath oils easily carrying her back into blissful ignorance.

“Hello, Rarity,” Twilight said, stifling a yawn.

Rarity stiffened, causing the water to slosh loudly as she jerked upright. “Well hello there, Twilight. I must say, we don’t see you in here very often—not that I can see you right now, of course. You don’t sound at all yourself, my dear. Whatever is the matter? Did you come here looking for, Rarity?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you, but, ahh…”

Rarity leaned closer. “Twilight?”

Two hooves thudded against the side of the huge bath. “I haven’t had much sleep lately, but last night… Well, I wanted to ask another unicorn something. It’s just—it’s a little embarrassing.”

Rarity yanked off her blindfold and looked down, her every intention to shower her friend with all the fussing would usually be directing at Fluttershy by now. Instead, she shrieked. Two bleary, bloodshot eyes stared at her from under a wildly unkempt mane.

“Haven’t slept much? You look like you haven’t slept in a week!”

Twilight grinned feebly.

“I mean, you look—never mind. Why don’t you hop in and take Fluttershy’s place? It’s so unusual for her to be late, so I just know that something must have come up. I’m sure she’d be happy to let you join us if she were here.”

“Oh, no. I couldn’t. I just wanted to—”

“Not at all, Twilight. You simply must take some time to relax and rejuvenate yourself. I absolutely insist.”

“Well… sure.” Springing up the steps with a sudden surge of energy, Twilight flashed Rarity another weak grin and test-dipped a hoof in the water. “Thank you so much for this. I guess I really could use some relaxation.”

“Of course, darling. Come on in, the water is simply divine.”

Despite her facial, Rarity smiled broadly as her friend sank into the foamy water. “Aloe? Lotus? We appear to have another guest.”

The pastel blue and pink ponies promptly walked out from behind a large, silk screen and began to assemble their supplies. They beamed pleasantly and climbed the steps with practiced precision, setting to work at once.

Rarity's smile widened a little; plying Twilight for gossip didn’t have quite the same allure as it did with Fluttershy, but, since the pegasus wasn’t here, it would just have to do.

“Well go on, you wanted to ask me a question,” she said, watching Twilight sink deeper into the water under the attendant’s ministrations.

Twilight blushed slightly as her eyes followed the beautician tugging and working her mane. “Have you ever used your magic while, umm, asleep?”

“Asleep? No, I can’t say I have.” Rarity raised an eyebrow, then giggled. “I can think of a few times it’s been... out of control, shall we say? That was back when I was a filly mind you, but no, not while I was asleep. Well, not as far as I can remember, of course. Now, you simply must tell me what happened.”

“It’s just—I’ve been having these dreams. Not like nightmares, not really, but... This morning I was woken up by Spike and he looked terrified—”

“Terrified? Whatever was the matter with the poor dear?”

Twilight flashed a glance at Lotus and shrank further into the water. “I was surrounded by books from the library and he, uhh, he said I’d been lifting them all off the shelves in my sleep.”

Twilight stared into the water in silence. She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh, leaning back against the side of the tub.

Chuckling, Rarity did likewise. There was a certain rush—an altogether too infrequent glow inside—that came with being needed by one of her friends, but despite the immediate presence of such a friend, Rarity’s mind drifted off to the more conspicuously absent pegasus.

“I don’t know about using magic while asleep, but I remember Fluttershy saying something about some odd dreams. You know Fluttershy though; she just couldn’t bring herself to say what the problem actually was. Perhaps you should go ask her—”

“Pssst! Miss Rarity.”

She lifted her blindfold to see Lotus gesturing with a tilt of her head towards Twilight. The weary unicorn had fallen asleep and was already starting to snore. Aloe watched from above with a mouthful of extra towels, and Rarity snared one with her magic as she slowly pulled herself out of the water, making as little noise as she could.

Twilight obviously needed rest, so it was up to her to go and charm, cajole, or otherwise convince Fluttershy to say more about her dreams. After all, Twilight was the one who didn’t like coincidences, and this certainly qualified as such. With a little assistance from Aloe, she made herself presentable and began her journey to Fluttershy’s cottage with a welcome spring in her step.

“Oh, Rarity,” she said to herself. “You are such a good friend.”

( I )

How could she be such an awful friend? The more she thought about it, the more heinous the oversight seemed. Of course Fluttershy had mentioned something in passing and then deflected away from it. That was Fluttershy through and through, and a good friend would have pressed her on something that was clearly important to her.

She was an awful, awful fr—

FOOOOOM!

The enormous rush of wind threatened to knock Rarity clean off her hooves, whipping her mane and tail around like a storm-force hurricane. A few seconds later, it was gone, leaving the unicorn’s freshly crafted curls plastered across her face.

She blinked. Somewhere in the midst of the disturbance, she was sure that a familiar voice had said ‘Hi Rarity,’ but it took her a few moments for the information to arrange itself into a coherent thought.

She blinked again.

“Raaainbooow Daaash!”

Dash swooped down with a small cloud in tow. She placed it a pony’s height from the ground and vaulted up to stand on it with a wild grin.

“I know,” she said, striking a victory pose. “I know. It was awesome. But thanks for cheering all the same.”

“You!”

Dash’s eyes sprang wide open.

“You are the most… thoughtless, insensitive, dis-respectful—”

The pegasus shrank back on her cloud, but the tirade ended with Rarity adding a particularly venomous ‘inconsiderate’ before stamping a hoof and turning sharply around, huffing.

“Oh, come on, Rarity.” Dash pushed her cloud alongside. “That’s not fair. I am doing something considerate. Why else would I be taking my best cloud over to Fluttershy’s place?”

Rarity huffed again, lifted her nose into the air, and walked on. “And why would an inconsiderate pony like you be taking your ‘best cloud’ to Fluttershy?”

Dash pushed the cloud ahead so that she could stand on it and address the oncoming unicorn. “Actually, I’m not sure. I went to see her earlier and she wasn’t even awake, which is so not like Fluttershy. She said something about not sleeping well and bad dreams, but she didn’t wanna talk about it, so I split.”

Oh, Rarity, the unicorn thought to herself as her frown deepened further. See? You should have paid more attention when Fluttershy mentioned it to you.

“Then, I thought I would bring her my bestest, favouritest, most comfortable cloud. Nopony could fail to sleep on this baby. Uhh, except ponies that can’t sleep on clouds, heh.” She put on a false grin as Rarity passed her by, but it fell away when she didn’t receive so much as a glance from the unicorn.

Fluttershy is obviously so distraught that even Rainbow Dash is acting oddly.

“Fine.” Rarity came to a halt with a deflating sigh. “I admit that is a noble sentiment Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy is lucky to have a friend as good as you.”

“Nah. If there’s one thing I’m good at besides speed, aerobatics, awesomeness, coolness, and some other stuff, it’s napping. I love my naps and I’d hate to think Fluttershy was missing out on hers. That’s waaaay too harsh.”

Still...

Rarity broke into a brisk trot and tilted her nose up again, beaming a wide smile. “Twilight is lucky to have a friend like me, too.”

Rainbow Dash frowned as she watched the unicorn walk away. She grabbed her cloud and raced ahead again, but this time she stood on solid ground.

“So, uhh, sure. We’re all lucky to have a friend like you, Rarity, but why exactly? I mean, what’s goin’ on with Twilight?”

“Well. A lady wouldn’t tell her friend’s secrets, but it seems our Twilight has been having some trouble sleeping, too. I was on my way to see Fluttershy because she said something about having bad dreams just the other day.”

“Cool!” Dash said. “Wait, not cool, I mean—ahh, never mind, I’ll just tag along with you.” The pegasus recoiled as soon as she’d said the words. “If that’s cool?”

“Of course you may,” Rarity said, letting out a dainty sigh and trotting on with a spring in her step.

The two ponies made their way silently along the dusty road to Fluttershy’s cottage until Dash suddenly leapt aboard her cloud. “Aha!”

Rarity halted, finally dignifying the pegasus with her attention.

“Rarity! You think the same thing might be stopping Fluttershy and Twilight from sleeping?”

Rarity blinked, but said nothing.

“What?”

“Have you been spending time with Pinkie Pie lately?”

“No!” Dash said abruptly. “Well, yes, but—”

Rarity trotted on, leaving a confused Rainbow Dash in her wake.

“What?”

This time the silence lasted as far as Fluttershy’s cottage, and Rainbow Dash rushed ahead as the demure yellow pegasus came into view. She was watering her garden, and Dash positioned her cloud near the garden gate, yelling out her friend’s name.

Rarity couldn’t hear the reply, but Fluttershy’s cowed stature and crestfallen face told the unicorn all she needed to know. Dash’s exuberant voice, however, carried clearly.

“I couldn’t leave my best gal-pal hangin’, so I brought by best cloud for you to snooze on!”

Rarity shot Dash a deep scowl as she approached, but by the time she stepped into both ponies’ view, she beamed a broad, if not entirely honest, smile.

Time to do your thing, Rarity.

“Hellooo-ooh!” she said, putting on her most charming airs. “Fluttershy dear, you missed our appointment at the spa today. Why, I was so worried I came right over.”

That wasn’t strictly honest either, but Fluttershy would try to apologise anyway, and then Rarity could just move on without wasting anymore time on it.

“Oh dear! I overslept and I didn’t realise that was—”

“Not at all. In fact, I would never have known that both you and Twilight were having the same problem if I hadn’t come over right away.”

Fluttershy perked up on cue. “She is? Is Twilight okay?”

A long ‘oooh’ escaped Rainbow Dash. “You mean Twilight’s having bad dreams too?”

Rarity sighed.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Fluttershy said. “Just a coincidence. I just had a few bad dreams, I’ll be fine.”

“Of course!” Rainbow Dash hopped down from the cloud and behind Fluttershy, shoving her towards it. “If you just take a nap on my cloud, you’ll be back to normal in a jiffy. You just need to stop worrying about everything. Again.”

“No, wait! I have to—I mean my garden—and what about Twilight—”

“Come on, Fluttershy. You need sleep, and I have the best cloud ever, so would you please stop—”

“Rain. Bow. Dash! Must you be so brutish?”

Slouching onto her rump, Dash crossed her forelegs and pouted.

Fluttershy cringed as her friends’ tempers flared. “Oh Rarity, please don’t be mad, she’s only trying to—” Interrupted by a yawn, she tried to hide both it and her reddening cheeks behind her hooves.

“Fluttershy, darling.” Rarity moved alongside and adopted the sweetest voice she could manage. “Perhaps Rainbow Dash does have a point. If you’re even half as tired as Twilight was, you should probably get some sleep.”

“But I don’t think I could possibly sleep now, I’d be far too worried about Twilight. Shouldn’t we go help her right away?”

“I left her fast asleep at the spa, and you’ll be no good to anypony if you’re this tired when she wakes up.” Amid her attempts to encourage the pegasus, Rarity once again felt the familiar rush doing right by her friends. Late was certainly better than never.

“How about we make a deal,” Dash said. “You take a nap on my cloud, and I’ll round up the other girls for a get-together with Twilight.”

“Well, I suppose—I mean it sounds—”

Dash stepped forward and gave Fluttershy a muzzle-to-muzzle stare.

“It sounds... wonderful.”

“Well about time!” Dash hoisted her friend off the ground in one motion and dumped her on the cloud.

Fluttershy hunkered down in the cloud fluff to hide her face again, but she yawned and stretched almost immediately, drifting into blissful slumber even more easily than Twilight had.

“Awww. Guess I’d better go find Applejack, Pinkie Pie and...” Dash twitched and shuddered. “Maybe you’d better go to the spa to pick up Twilight, Rarity?”

“Not so fast, Rainbow Dash. Why don’t you push this lovely cloud of yours to my boutique, and I’ll collect Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Twilight and meet you there.”

“But that’s so boring! How come you get to run all over Ponyville instead of the fastest pegasus there is?”

Rarity flashed a smug grin. “Because the fastest pegasus there is, is the only one of us that can move clouds?”

“Oh. Yeah. That. Urgh. All right then, pal. I’ll have you at Rarity’s place in two strikes of a Wonderbolt’s—”

Rarity appeared before her in a flash. “How about peaceful and slow?” she said, pressing lightly on Dash’s forehead with her horn.

Rainbow Dash slouched and sighed again, creeping around the unicorn. “Only for you, Fluttershy. This is going to be soooo boring.”

( I )

Two hours later, the wind whipped fiercely through Ponyville. Having left Twilight until last to allow her what sleep she could, Rarity had visited Sweet Apple Acres and Sugarcube Corner, but neither the Apples nor the Cakes had any clue where her friends were.

The weather had come about while she scoured Ponyville. It should have come and gone during the course of her spa session, but she reminded herself repeatedly that helping her friends was of the utmost importance. Such reminders only went so far, however, and finally she gave up, returning to the spa to pick up Twilight and perhaps a brush or two for her mane.

Apparently, Rainbow Dash had collected Twilight hours ago.

Opening the door to her boutique, she was greeted by a scene that included all five of her best friends. Fluttershy slept on the cloud and Pinkie lay underneath it, running her hooves through the fluff while Applejack gave her a skeptical glare. Rainbow Dash snoozed against a wall, and Twilight, stretched out on her chaise lounge with a book, looked up to greet her, only to recoil as their eyes met.

Fabulous. Now I’m the one who looks like some kind of monster.

“Umm. Welcome home?” Twilight said.

“You’re… you’re all, here?”

Dash opened her eyes. “Sure! I got bored pushing Fluttershy, so I rounded up the others as fast as I could. Two minutes and fif–teen–seconds, yeah!”

Rarity blinked, then scowled.

“Ooh! Are we making our faces go red?” Pinkie said, staring at Rarity’s cheeks. She took a deep breath and puffed out her own cheeks.

Applejack frowned. “Ya do realise you’re already bright pink, right Pinkie?”

Pinkie seemed far too busy to reply.

Leaping up, Twilight pushed the couch towards Rarity with a glow from her horn and rearranged the cushions while assembling a small collection of vanity essentials. “I think a certain pegasus pony might have forgotten to tell us you were still out looking for us. Didn’t you, Rainbow Dash?”

Before Rarity could reward Dash with a baleful glare, Fluttershy twitched fiercely in her sleep. Rarity sighed heavily, and Pinkie expunged the air in her chest with a wheeze.

“I’m the reddest!”

“Pinkest,” Applejack said.

“Thank you so much for this, Rarity,” Twilight said when the white unicorn’s gaze fell on her, accompanied by a smile. “When I heard that you’d gone looking for Fluttershy to try and help, I was so happy that I wanted to thank you, but nopony knew where you were. Or at least, nopony told me where you were.”

Rarity gave Dash one last, dramatic scowl, before sprawling on the chaise lounge and lifting a brush to untangle her mane. “Oh, Twilight, you’re quite welcome. It’s always nice to know that somepony appreciates the effort.”

“It was mighty decent of you to let Twi have your spa time like that,” Applejack said. “We all know how much it means to ya.”

Rarity smiled appreciatively, but it grew forced as she began fidgeting on the pile of cushions. She stood, rearranged the seat, then laid down again with an altogether cheesier grin.

Applejack and Twilight started giggling at the display, and Rarity quickly joined them.

“So Twilight,” Dash said. “You gonna tell us about these dreams or what?”

Twilight looked over to the cloud. “It seems such a shame to wake Fluttershy, but if there’s something weird going on we’d better get to the bottom of it. She may look cute like this, but I don’t think she’s sleeping very well.”

“I can wake her up!” Pinkie said, suddenly holding a kazoo. She took a deep breath and clamped her lips down, but, instead of buzzing, there was only the sound of her lips flapping. “Huh?”

Pulling her head back, she looked at her hooves to find them empty, then looked up to see the kazoo floating towards Rarity, wrapped in an aura of magic.

Rarity imposed herself between Pinkie and the sleeping pegasus. “Is it really so much to ask for just a little decorum? You can’t surprise Fluttershy with your silly instruments like that; she’ll be terrified.”

“Instruments aren’t silly, you silly. I’m silly.” Rarity didn’t flinch, and a moment later, Pinkie shrank down. “Ooopsie. I might be just a teensy bit light headed from the going-red game.”

Applejack sighed.

Turning back to Fluttershy, Rarity found Rainbow Dash hovering in the air above the cloud. She growled faintly, but it died as she watched the pegasus nudge her friend as gently as could be.

“Hey, come on sleepyhead. You don’t want to keep everypony waiting, right?” Dash said with uncharacteristic softness.

Applejack and Twilight moved in to flank Rarity, and the three ponies smiled as they exchanged glances. In front of them, Fluttershy stirred and stretched, but when her eyes opened, she suddenly dove behind the cloud.

“Urgh, Fluttershy!” Dash hoisted the cowering pegasus back up. “It’s your friends!”

Settling back onto the cloud, Fluttershy’s head dipped and her ears folded down. “I’m sorry.”

Rainbow Dash gave her a little push and hunkered down next to her, spreading a wing across her back while conspicuously looking elsewhere.

“You feelin’ okay there, sugarcube?” Applejack said, getting a nervous nod in reply as Fluttershy rested her head on her hooves. “Well all right. Twi, how about you spill the seeds then? What’s goin’ on?”

“I think it’s a bit of an anti-climax after all this, but here goes. I didn’t really give it much thought at first. I mean, I’ve had bad dreams before. The day before yesterday I just had this recollection of something, but you know how dreams are; I just shook it off. It was only yesterday that I woke up feeling really tired, so I tried to remember the dreams I’d had. I’m not sure ‘dream’ is the right word for it though. It was just this huge feeling of emptiness. I’m not sure how else to describe it.

“Last night was more vivid. It was as if this nothingness was trying to suck me in, and the only thing I could see was this brightly glowing pair of eyes. Then Spike woke me up and... well, I suppose that’s it.”

“Fluttershy?” Pinkie’s voice had lost all of its exuberance and she padded up to be face to face with the pegasus. “Fluttershy?” she asked again. “Are you okay?”

Fluttershy had retreated behind her thick, pink mane, but where one eye was still visible, tears rolled down her cheek.

“It’s… just…”

“Oh, come on, Fluttershy!” Dash said. “We’re your friends, you can tell us!”

Watching in silence, Rarity frowned. As much as she wanted to berate Dash for pressing Fluttershy so harshly, she in turn wanted to press Twilight to mention the sleep-magic incident she had so obviously skipped.

Fluttershy’s ears folded down again as she spoke. “It... it wasn’t like how Twilight said. It was like feeling lost, and so very lonely. Like a terrified little baby calling for its parents. And it was so clear...” She sniffed as more tears began to flow and her voice broke as she tried to continue. “I saw this m-mountain, and-and, and those glowing white eyes. They were s-so—”

Dash sprang into the air as Pinkie exploded into blubbing and wailing and lunged in to wrap Fluttershy in a bear-hug. “Fluttershy!” Dash yelled. “Why didn’t you tell us about this before! Twilight, how can you be having the same dream?”

Twilight frowned. “Clearly it’s not the same dream, Rainbow, but I’ve never heard of anything remotely like this before. I have no idea what to say!”

“Sugarcube, this is what ya do best. Why don’t you go on home and read those books of yours? Y’know, take it one step at a time like y’always do.”

For a moment, Twilight just stared back at Applejack. Then, with a sudden stamp of a hoof, she said, “Yes. Yes I will. Fluttershy would you... err, Pinkie? I’d like to take Fluttershy with me now, if that’s okay?”

The mare released Fluttershy and bounded across to Twilight in a single motion. “Do you promise to look after her? She’s very emotional right now!” she said, very emotionally.

“Of course I will Pinkie. She’s my friend, too.”

“Okie–doki–loki!” Pinkie bounced across the room and out of the door, nonchalantly. Outside, the wind was still howling, blowing the door shut with enough force to shake the walls.

In less than two minutes, Rainbow Dash left with Twilight and Fluttershy to escort them to the library, and Applejack said she needed to get back to Sweet Apple Acres. The wind blew the ranch mare’s hat off as she walked out, causing her to chase after it and leaving the door banged loudly against the latch.

Rarity surveyed the empty room. Pride, resentment, relief, fear, anger, frustration, compassion, envy: so many emotions in such a short time. A cacophony one moment and then... For some reason, the words ‘emptiness’ and ‘lonely’ ran through her mind over and over. To top it off, she had committed herself to helping first Twilight, then Fluttershy, but now they were off helping each other and she was left here, like the last offcut of finest silk: beautiful, but useless.

Applejack is right. This sort of thing is Twilight’s speciality.

She sighed and grasped the door with her magic, but the wind sucked it open before slamming it shut again, and in between… No. Couldn’t have been. Just her imagination. Just the memory of Fluttershy’s dream conjuring up spooky images. There definitely wasn’t a pair of ghostly white eyes staring at her from beyond the doorway.

She remained rooted to the spot until eventually she lit her horn and opened the door again, just to be sure.

Nothing but the wind.

Releasing a sigh, she turned and started to walk back to the middle of the room. Still, it seemed to loom over her.

Nothing but the wind. Nothing but the wind.

“Twilight! Rainbow Dash! Wait for me!” she yelled, rushing back out the door.

When the door slammed shut for the last time, the Carousel Boutique finally fell into a deathly silence.

3. Passed into Present

3. Passed into Present

Rarity plodded along, acutely aware of the concentration it took just to keep pace with her friends, but if she dared mention it, they’d only worry about her further.

It hadn’t taken long to realise that Rainbow Dash’s memories were vanishing almost as fast as Pinkie’s had, but luckily, Dash seemed content to follow in a quiet stupor. Pinkie, on the other hoof, had tried to ‘play’ with Twilight’s light ball a dozen times already. Each time, she earned a reprimand from Applejack and was now endlessly asking why she was tethered to her with a rope.

Twilight muttered to herself constantly, probably trying to wrench some answers out of only half a question. It was hardly fair to bear her ill will for it, but Rarity found the incessant drone a drain on her already-taxed focus. Whatever she had felt before was pressing down on her mind, constraining it like dried mud in a pony’s coat—except that this feeling could not be scratched off.

She didn’t even notice when the tunnel widened into a cavern until Fluttershy cried out ‘It’s him!’ and leapt forwards.

The feeling in here was worse than ever. She halted, panting slightly; she could hear Fluttershy pacing hurriedly around on the smooth stone floor, but looking up was too much effort to bear. Avoiding magic had kept the nausea at bay, but now it returned in overwhelming force.

The sounds around her became muffled, and thinking clearly, almost impossible.

( I )

“Him?” Applejack said as Fluttershy continued pacing around a thick, obsidian column in the centre of the cavern. “How in Equestria do ya know it’s a him? And how can a ‘him’ be inside a big rock?”

“I don’t know! I just... know! Twilight, you have to help him!”

“Fluttershy,” Twilight replied, “I don’t know what you expect me to do. I don’t know any spells for rescuing ponies from pillars. I don’t know if I should be rescuing him, or if he’s even a pony at all!”

“He is a pony. And he’s frightened, and sad, and in pain.”

Eyeing Fluttershy with a severe frown, Applejack flinched when Pinkie tapped her on the shoulder.

“You can untie me now,” Pinkie said. “I can remember everything. Also, I think Rarity might be feeling just a teeny-tiny bit worse.”

Rarity wheezed, struggling for breath, and her head hung low, eyes tight-shut in a pained grimace. “Hold on Rarity!” Applejack shouted, tugging on the knot that would release the rope tying her to Pinkie.

She dashed towards the entrance as the rope came free; Rarity was swaying as if she might fall again at any moment. “Come on, girl, lean on me. Ya know I’m good for it.” She threw off her saddlebags and stood shoulder-to-shoulder.

“Hey Twi—” she shouted, but the unicorn’s attention was elsewhere. “Twi! Ah know you’re busy thinkin’, but we need to, y’ know, do something.”

Still there was no light of recognition. “Darn it, Twi, Ah need you!” Applejack looked across at the other ponies to see Fluttershy scraping at the pillar with her hooves, and Rainbow Dash backed up against a wall, having traded a quiet stupor for wide-eyed shock.

“Why is this pillar staring at me?” Pinkie asked, her head cocked quizzically to one side.

Applejack stared at the pillar. White glowing eyes stared back—eyes that had no right to be visible from inside the obsidian pillar.

Rarity screamed.

“The ghost!” she cried when the ear-piercing screech stopped.

Applejack looked at Rarity, but Rarity stared at Twilight, not the pillar. “Ah don’t see nothin’!” she said, following the unicorn’s gaze to see Twilight standing still, just as dazed and unresponsive as before.

Twilight’s horn suddenly burst into multi-coloured light and bathed the walls in chaotic, rippling patterns. It didn’t look like any spell Applejack had ever seen; it looked more like a rainbow after a day in the fruit-crusher. She saw Twilight mutter something too quiet to hear as her eyes drifted shut. When they opened again, they glowed, just as the ghostly eyes in the pillar did, and the obsidian column promptly burst into the same flurry of colour that was splashing against the walls.

In just a second, its intensity grew into a saturating brilliance that washed out all colour except a white that burned even closed eyes.

Again, Rarity shrieked as the deluge of light shattered into a million tiny shards. The frantic dance of rainbow colours was eerily silent; each fragment burned itself out like the last flicker of a flame. In no more than a single breath, all light vanished, and darkness reigned uncontested.

Rarity collapsed to the ground. Her dwindling wail became nothing but a whimper.

“Rarity!” Applejack screamed into the darkness. On her other side, Twilight gave a similarly weak groan. “Ah think Twilight’s down too! Can somepony get to her?”

“I can!” Dash said, followed by a crash and a scream from Fluttershy.

“I saw a unicorn!” Pinkie cried in shrill excitement, but no other pony seemed to be in a fit state to pay her any mind.

“Icky,” Rarity whined between sobbing and mewling as Applejack knelt close.

“Ah know, hun. Ah’m right here, and Ah ain’t goin’ nowhere.” Even as she said it, she looked across to where Twilight ought to be, the darkness concealing the fear and doubt on her face.

( I )

Twilight’s head felt like a herd of buffalo were running through it. She groaned at the strain of opening an eye, only to find there was nothing to see. Somewhere on her right she could hear Rarity’s quiet whimpering, and further away, Fluttershy’s rapid and shallow breathing. Applejack said something she understood to be theoretically intelligible, but her brain wasn’t quite up to putting the words together yet.

In the darkness, something began to glow. Twilight struggled to roll upright as some semblance of rational thought asserted itself. The light was from a unicorn’s horn, notably a stallion’s and silvery-white in hue. It grew slowly brighter, first illuminating the rest of the stallion’s head as he lay on the ground and then the vague outline of Pinkie as she stood over him.

A pink hoof stretched towards him, but recoiled when he spasmed with a throaty cough.

“I would not do that if I were you,” the grey stallion said. The glow continued to brighten until the whites of Pinkie’s inquisitive eyes were fully visible, staring down at him.

“Why?”

Twilight watched carefully, noting also that the horn was the same black as his mane, rather than the grey of his coat. His eye flicked open and stared straight at Pinkie.

When he spoke, his voice was dry and cracked, yet even and controlled. “I would not want you to get hurt. That tends to happen a lot.”

His head still lay to one side, unmoving, and she was certain that, as the one visible eye looked around, it fixed on her for a moment in spite of the darkness. “Now, if I might be so bold as to ask a question, how long have I been imprisoned?”

“Ah think,” Applejack said from somewhere near Rarity, “we deserve to ask a few of our own questions first. Like, what in tarnation is this place, and why were you imprisoned at all?”

By now, Twilight could make out her own hooves in front of her and the locations of her friends. The stallion blew out a heavy breath and cleared his throat.

“Point conceded. Firstly, I must warn you that, while the unsealing process was less disorienting than I expected, there are other... mitigating factors that make this difficult. I apologise in advance if I lose my train of thought, but there are things I need to explain and things you need to do. Unfortunately there is little time for either.”

Pushing himself slowly to his hooves, his horn flared brightly and the walls themselves lit up, illuminating the whole, circular room far better than Twilight’s orb had.

Twilight looked around to confirm her suspicions about where her other friends were: Applejack lay upright next to an incapacitated Rarity. Fluttershy cowered against a wall, still breathing quickly. Rainbow Dash lay upside-down on the floor, staring at the stallion while Pinkie leaned in close to him with her casual disregard for personal space.

The new pony backed away from Pinkie. His black mane and tail were both short and shot through with flecks of silver, and fully upright he was a little taller than any of the mares.

“That’s better. I... am Stormcloud, and the answer to both of your questions is the same. However, I have an apology to make to—”

“Yes!” Twilight immediately regretted raising her voice, a spasm of pain shooting through her head. “You could start by explaining just what you did to me.” Refocusing on the stallion’s face, she saw the first sign of emotion in him as his eyes looked downward.

“Yes, of course. I do not want to waste too much time on my reasons, but I am afraid I have wronged both you and this pegasus. I assume, given her actions upon entering this place, that she is the Element of Kindness?”

Fluttershy froze for a moment, then ran around the walls to vanish behind Twilight. “Umm, yes,” she said quietly, peeking out over Twilight’s mane.

“I have used very dark magic on you. A compulsion spell, intended to bring the bearer of the Element of Kindness here. Something went badly wrong with my incarceration and I was… frankly, I was terrified. This prison was never meant to cause harm, but it turned from a pleasant dream to a harrowing nightmare. When I sensed the Elements of Harmony in use, I reached out to the Element of Kindness; I did not, I admit, expect you.”

“The Elements of Harmony?” Twilight said. “But that was ages ago!”

“Time became very distorted in my long sleep, so I have no answer for you. I am not even sure I expected it to work. I was desperate.” Stormcloud bowed low before Fluttershy as he finished, “...and I apologise.”

Twilight felt Fluttershy raise herself up to reply, but instead, Pinkie gasped and cried out.

“He’s got no cutie mark!”

Stormcloud widened his stance and bared his teeth. “And just what does that have to you with you?”

Pinkie backed up in the face of the stallion’s outburst, and Dash flipped herself onto her hooves. She stood next to Pinkie, spreading her wings assertively and fixing Stormcloud with a steely glare.

Twilight watched the same flash of emotion cross Stormcloud’s face as before, his posture wilting as the anger vanished.

“I am sorry,” he said. “That is still something of a sore issue.”

Again, Twilight felt Fluttershy raise herself.

“Were you really feeling all those things I dreamt?”

Stormcloud looked the pegasus in the eye, but his demeanour remained deferential. “Yes. It was real.”

“Then... then I forgive you.”

“Well I don’t!” Twilight said. “You said you cast the spell on the Element of Kindness, so how come I got the dreams as well? And just how do you know so much about the Elements of Harmony anyway?”

Stormcloud’s head rose, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “You felt the effects too? I do not—wait, perhaps, yes. My magic is barely controlled, at best. That is why I was imprisoned here. Even when I could control it, I had little skill. Considering your obvious magical capabilities, it is possible that you just felt the ripples of the spell. It should not be possible at that range, but that is my guess.

“Let me elaborate. My ‘imprisonment’ was a form of stasis, meant to hide me until I could be dealt with safely. I was told I would not be aware of time passing, but I was. It was like a dream, pleasant and tranquil. While in the dream, I had far more control over my power than I had before—or I have now. I learned to perceive events outside my mountain home, and eventually much of Equestria, though I cannot tell you how long that took to learn. It could have been months, or centuries.

“I cannot tell you what happened. I only know that my dream turned into a nightmare. I felt the weight of time and loneliness, and the chill of being disconnected from my body. The resulting panic overwhelmed me.”

He looked at Twilight, but couldn’t hold eye contact. “Which brings me to what I did do to you, Twilight Sparkle. I did not have a plan. I was acting on instinct, desiring only to escape my entombment. When you arrived with her—”

“You what?” Rainbow Dash edged forwards, wings still fully spread, and Stormcloud backed away.

“Wait! Do not come near me!”

Grinning, Dash pressed her perceived advantage. “Come on! What did you do, huh? What did—”

She had barely gotten to within a hoof’s reach of Stormcloud. The sound of fizzing magic was almost deafening in the confines of the chamber, accompanied by a flash of silver light that leapt from the unicorn’s horn. It slammed into Dash, catapulting her backwards into the wall—the heavy thud of the collision mixing with the rush of air being forcibly expelled from her chest.

Pinkie rushed over to her in a panic. “Dashie!”

“No! Why do you not listen? I cannot control this curse, so please! You must keep your distance. I do not wish to hurt anypony.”

Twilight watched the flashes of emotion come and go on Stormcloud’s face, each one covered up in the blink of an eye. Whatever was going on, he was certainly fighting to keep it from boiling over. She looked across to see Rainbow Dash shaking her head and wheezing heavily, but otherwise unhurt.

“Alright!” Twilight raised herself to her haunches. “So what did you do? And how so you know my name?”

“I touched your mind. I used you to cast the spell that freed me—used you to channel my power and break the seal on my prison. I used you without your permission. But while I could wallow in the selfishness of what I have done, I believe there are other things you—”

He stopped abruptly, gritting his teeth as the glow around his horn grew brighter again. “...Things you need to know, and do. This... is much worse than it was before. Our time is short. You are in danger here.”

Twilight pursed her lips. “I think, maybe I understand, but why are we in danger? What’s wrong?”

“I told you my magic is out of control, but you do not understand the extent. I accidentally started to hurt ponies, and the only way I could avoid that was to hide. Eventually I was sealed in this prison as an act of mercy. I am not sure how long ago that was, but...” Stormcloud’s tone lowered as he finished the sentence slowly, “if what I have seen in your mind is correct, it has been well over one thousand years.”

“Twilight.” Applejack’s voice was soft, but firm. “Rarity’s gettin’ worse. We have to get her outta here.”

“Alright, Stormcloud,” Twilight said, her focus renewed as Fluttershy darted over to Rarity. “So not only are you saying that you used me, but you read my mind too? Fine. I guess I can’t change that. But, if that’s true, and I’m not even convinced that it is, then you owe me an explanation: what’s happening to Rarity? And come to think of it, my friends’ memories, too.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash cheered from a safe distance.

Stormcloud’s breathing was deep and laboured. “Yes I did. And yes, I think I do. Well, to one question at least, I am afraid I do not know anything about your friends’ memories. That was never a part of the design as far as I know, but I can tell you what is affecting your unicorn.

“This place is a powerful magic suppressor. That is why I was surprised you are not as severely affected as she is, and that’s why I thought you might be strong enough to free me. I was able to connect with your mind, and then release much of my magic to flood the suppression field and break the seal.

“I cannot take the pressure off your friend without catastrophic results. Believe me when I say I have no desire to harm anypony, but soon it will no longer be my choice. Things appear to be worse than before: perhaps I am simply weak, but I cannot stop the magic from trying to escape on its own, just like—”

Closing his eyes as he paused, Stormcloud let out a deep breath before he continued. “Know this: the sisters themselves created this place to contain me. If its spells fail completely, annihilating this mountain might only be the start.

“Thus, you must inform Celestia of what has happened; only she and Luna will remember the spells, and only the Elements of Harmony can reseal me if it is required—assuming that is still possible.”

Twilight shot a quick glance over to Applejack. The imploring in her friends eyes answered her question before it was asked. “Of course. Over a thousand years you said, before Princess—before Nightmare Moon. The princesses both used the Elements of Harmony back then. Now they’re ours, which means... Oh gosh, I’m not sure if—”

“You must hurry! I need help, your friend needs help, and time is running out. This place was designed to constrain me. I cannot even begin to guess how much damage it is doing to her. You, however, have the capacity to transport all of you away instantly. A formidable gift, no doubt imparted by Celestia herself.”

“That’s Princess Celestia! And no, I can barely move more than one other pony at best. I’ve never even dreamt of going that far. It’s just not possible!”

Stormcloud grimaced, his horn beginning to crackle with magic. “I have no time to argue. You are wrong. You have power and skill, but you are not experienced at using both. I, however, have an abundance of raw power. Think of me what you will, but I would force you to do it before I allowed another pony to suffer on my account. I would prefer we do it together.”

“Twilight,” Applejack said, her quiet. “Ah got no reason to trust him, but Ah do believe him. If he can help ya get Rarity to Ponyville, Ah think it’s worth a shot. Leave the rest of us behind an’ we’ll make it back on our own. Ah know Ah don’t know anythin’ about magic, an’ Ah got no right to ask this of you, but I’m askin’. For Rarity.”

“No way!” Dash leapt forwards. “Didn’t you hear how he ‘accidentally’ hurts ponies? Didn’t you see what he did to me?”

“But Dash, he didn’t do anything—” Fluttershy replied before being drowned out by the loud fizz of another arc of energy scoring its way briefly across the ceiling.

“Out of time, Twilight Sparkle,” Stormcloud said, clenching his jaw. “Take my offer, or run.”

Twilight didn’t even need to look at Applejack to feel those pleading eyes burning into her. “Alright. I accept, but I’m only taking Rarity. What do you need me to do?”

“Cast your spell, and do not let such concerns as range or focus distract you. Concentrate only on your target and do not resist when I push you. Do not worry about the effects you feel now. I will flood the suppression field for you.”

Twilight lifted Rarity to her side with her magic and started the spell, her friend’s gasping breaths were all the encouragement she needed to follow through. As promised, her mind cleared and she felt her full focus returning as the pain in her head receded.

Arcs of energy lashed at the walls around Stormcloud as he backed away, releasing his pent-up magic. A few strikes reached more than halfway across the cave as if reaching toward the mares with a life of their own.

Twilight felt the surge of wild and barely-controlled magic course through her, poking into places it didn’t belong. She resisted it reflexively, but casting a look at Rarity kept that instinct in check.

“I warned you, Twilight Sparkle,” Stormcloud said, now standing tall and confident, unburdened from restraining his power. “I would force you if I had to. You know, I really am sorry.”

With that, all six mares vanished in a chaotic flash of colour.

( I )

The peace and quiet of a day without Twilight ended abruptly as a small explosion rocked the library. Assorted kitchenware leapt from hooks and racks as Spike held up a soup-pot to protect himself.

“Twilight! What in Equestria have you done now?” He immediately regretted kicking a frying pan in frustration, hopping his way to the door with his lips pressed together to avoid screaming. When he pushed the door open, his jaw dropped.

“Books,” he said quietly, looking at the distinct lack of books that remained on the shelves. “I just finished putting them all back…”

He could see four of his friends. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were on their hooves, while Fluttershy and Pinkie were slouched on their haunches, rocking unsteadily.

“What happened? Where’s Twilight?”

“Ooovuuur thhhhhere.” Pinkie waved a hoof to wave in the direction of the largest pile of books and immediately lost balance, crashing to the floor.

Spike ran across the sea of books and started digging, pausing only to discard the soup-pot he was still holding. “I’m coming, Twilight!” he cried, books flying everywhere as a copy of Sorcery’s Greatest Mistakes struck Applejack on the head.

“What the hay is goin’ on?” she complained. “Mah head already feels like it’s been bucked by Big Macintosh. Rainbow, you okay?”

“Yeah. It takes more than a dizzy spell to slow this pegasus down. I should get help, right?”

“Reckon so. Ah don’t know about Twilight, but Ah don’t think Rarity’s just gonna get up on her own.”

“I’m on it, AJ!” Dash shook herself off and pulled hard on the door to sweep the impeding books out of the way. She’d barely gotten her head past the doorway before she froze.

It seemed like half of Ponyville had gathered outside. A ripple of gasps and murmurs passed through the crowd, and from somewhere towards the back, the clear voice of the Mayor rose above the noise.

“Make way please! Everypony stay calm!” she said, threading her way to the front. “Rainbow Dash, whatever is going on in there? It sounded like there was an explosion!”

“Uhh, it kinda looks like there was one, too. I need to go and get one of the Doc’s from the hospital. Something happened to Rarity and it’s kind of an emergency.”

“You will do no such thing young lady! Look at you. I dare say that Rarity is not the only pony who needs attention.”

Rainbow Dash’s head jutted forward, levelling a hard stare at the mayor; then, she took a good look at herself. On her chest was a large blackened mark from where she’d approached Stormcloud, and there were tufts of singed coat and mane all over her.

While she examined herself, the mayor gestured to a golden-yellow pegasus.

“Sunburst, please head over to the infirmary at once and have them bring the emergency cart.”

“Yes, Ma’m!”

Then she pointed at a unicorn mare at the front of the crowd.

“Midnight Blue, please take Lilly and Spring Break. Find me blankets, towels and fresh water.”

As the three ponies assented, Spike’s agonised wail could be heard from inside. “Twilight! Wake up Twilight!”

Rainbow Dash spun around, but the doorway was already filled by the mayor. Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen, but the four other mares looked as singed as Rainbow Dash. Twilight had her forelegs wrapped around Spike as he clung tightly to her neck. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were clearing the last of the pile around Rarity, and were trying to make her comfortable.

Turning back to the assembled crowd, the mayor continued her orders. “Springer, see if you can find nurse Tenderheart. She’s on leave, but I think we may need her. Now, I need some volunteers please.”

A smattering of hooves rose into the air.

16. Moments of Transition

16. Moments of Transition

The brilliant glow of Luna’s battered body faded, and her lacerations, burns, and bruises were replaced by an unblemished, silky blue coat.

“You can’t keep that up forever, Luna. You’re already growing weaker, and I’m only just getting used to the speed of this remarkable form.” The silver and gold feathered griffon circled his prey, his voice as confident and menacing as his prowling stride. “What are you waiting for? Did you think I wasn’t aware that your little friend has gone to see that wretch, Stormcloud?”

Luna’s cheek twitched.

“Ahh, so you did think there was something she could do. Foolish princess, you are only delaying the inevitable.”

“Perhaps that is true, demon, but you are as loathe to kill me as you were my guards and my friends. Are you having trouble with what little conscience you have left?”

The griffon reared up, a lightning bolt striking him from the heavens and sending smaller arcs scurrying along his wing-feathers. “I can change that, if you prefer,” he said with a sneer, before leaping at her with a swipe of his huge, glinting claws.

( III )

Rarity stumbled and skidded from one near-accident to the next. Finally, she made a last, lengthy jump to solid ground at the base of the trail. Her hooves slipped on the wet rock and her momentum carried her onwards until she tumbled—she would have rolled head-under-haunches if her jaw hadn’t the good grace to take the brunt of the fall.

Her hindquarters stuck up for a few seconds before a brief flail of her hooves brought her crashing down. The pounding of blood in her ears faded as she lay there, motionless.

Is a lady supposed to be so thoroughly dishonest with her friends?

Shaking her head sharply, she raised a hoof to her jaw and prodded it gently.

Dishonest, and now running away like a cowardly filly.

Hooves found purchase on the flat rock and Rarity stood slowly, her eyes falling on the golden chariots in the distance.

“I’m not done yet.” She scowled as she muttered to herself, then stepped forward onto the muddied grassland. Breaking into a canter, she headed for the chariots.

It wasn’t hard to find: one of the carriages had an obvious void on the inside, revealing where the emergency kit had once been and how it was fitted. Designed for pegasus hooves, the second box came free easily, and Rarity only needed her weak magic to withdraw the small hacksaw from within.

( III )

Thunderer came gently to rest beside Splashdown, and Twilight turned away to find Applejack still eyeing her with a wrinkled brow. “Really, AJ, I’m fine. There’s no need to worry. I’m just tired, that’s all.”

“Miss Applejack,” Vindicator said. “We pegasi are trained to watch for the signs of strain in our unicorn counterparts. Please believe me when I say that Miss Sparkle’s condition appears to be simple exertion. She’ll sleep well and eat for two come the morning, but she’s in no danger. Even the reduced body temperature is relatively normal; she’s just trying to conserve energy.”

Applejack grumbled, frowning first at Vindicator, then back at Twilight. “All right, all right. When everything starts bein’ about magic, there ain’t much left for me to do except worry… and Ah like to keep busy.”

“In that case,” Twilight replied, “would you mind if I gave you something else to worry about?”

“Rarity?”

“Yeah. You didn’t see her when we were waiting on Stormcloud. Luna said she’ll be okay, but... something’s really, really wrong, Applejack. I just can’t stop thinking about her.”

“You’d feel better if somepony was with her, and you can’t go ‘cos Luna said she might need ya. Right?”

“Right. I have to focus on one or the other, and I don’t think you can help Luna. No offence.”

“None taken.” Applejack retrieved her hat from a slumbering Pinkie Pie and puffed her chest out. “Don’t you worry none, Twi. You know we’re all proud as peacocks about what ya can do, an’ Ah’m happy to help. Ah got a whole bushel of apples says she’s been up to see Stormcloud an’ Ah reckon there’s plenty o’ tracks in all this mud if she’s moved on.”

“Thanks, AJ. On both counts”

Applejack gave an overblown wink and reared up, reversing direction and taking off at a gallop.

“Splashdown’s cold too,” Vindicator said, setting himself down next to his comrade and extending his wing across him. “I hope those medics get here soon. How’s Thunderer holding up?”

Seeker pressed his nose to the chief-guard’s neck. “Same.” Looking at Pinkie, he added, “Twilight, would you mind moving Thunderer next to Pinkie Pie? She doesn’t much seem to care, and the boss could use the heat since we don’t have any blankets.”

Twilight blushed. “Oh… I don’t think, I mean I couldn’t… without asking…”

“They’re your hangups, Twilight, not hers. Besides, you’re about to embark on some insane plan to help Luna, whereas my plan is perfectly safe and puts my wounded first. Don’t you even dare try and talk your way out of it just to save your own embarrassment.”

“How…?”

Vindicator’s head popped up. “You make the same face Luna does when she’s concocting something insane, Miss Sparkle. You’re not hard to read, but please try to take that as a compliment.”

“So,” Seeker said. “What is it?”

Twilight chewed her lip. “After Stormcloud changed, I realised it was true: it isn’t a pony. It’s pure magic, like the mana pools described in Luna’s writings, so I think her mana-diffusion spell will work on it. At least enough to give Luna the upper hoof, I think.”

“Yup.” Vindicator rolled his eyes. “That’s crazy talk. Silverlight said that even Princess Celestia can’t do that spell. Why does every unicorn suddenly think it’s a great idea to cast spells from a book of forbidden magics?”

Seeker raised an eyebrow. “It sounds exactly like Luna’s brand of crazy; good offence being the best form of defence is something I thought you’d get behind, Vindi.”

The other guard grumbled and returned to resting his head against Thunderer.

“The Princess… c-c-can’t cast it?” Twilight’s body trembled as much as her voice.

“Correct,” Seeker replied flatly. “But last I saw, you were the one saving her. Magic is as natural to Luna as breathing is to the rest of us, and to hear Celestia tell it—and believe me, she does—you’re the same. Now, are we going to go for your hat-trick on saving princesses, or not?”

( III )

“Not a word,” Rarity said.

Stormcloud’s mouth snapped shut. He stared at her, wide-eyed and head pulled back, pushed up against the inner wall of the tunnel where he had been left. His eyes flicked briefly to the new hacksaw before he closed them firmly and silently assumed his prostrate position.

( III )

The griffon ignored three illusions and dove at the real Luna, wrapping a claw around her throat and hoisting her into the air before slamming her into the mud. Its other claw swept down from above, but before it found it found flesh, the princess dispersed into purple mist. Piercing the air with an eagle’s cry, the griffon spread its wings wide, unleashing a storm of lightning in every direction.

Caught in the chaotic spread of power, Luna reformed at its edge, wheezing and blackened. She staggered once, and her eyes flashed white, followed by the rest of her. She’d lost count of how many times this had happened, and even after rejuvenation, her chest heaved with ragged breaths.

“I really thought it was your magic that would give in first, but now I see it is your flesh that will fail. Give up, Luna, or be destroyed. It’s not you that I want.”

“Never.”

The griffon’s eyes narrowed as he gave Luna a wide, predatory smile. Dropping to all fours, he lifted a claw to step forward, but balked as a green glow lit his metallic feathers from below. The light pooled on the ground beneath him in a rough circle, but when his eyes rose to meet Luna’s, her horn was not glowing.

“Ahh. It seems your little friend has come to keep me entertained.”

As the griffon launched himself into the air, Luna followed his gaze to a purple glow obscured by a nearby tree. She looked at the spell; she looked at the tree.

“Twilight! No!”

A coil of sickly-green energy sprang from the centre of the circle and latched onto the griffon like a tether, his plumage dulling to bronze and steel-grey in seconds. He fell to the ground in a heap, before dragging himself shakily back to his legs.

“Don’t do it!” Luna shouted as a second ray leapt from the circle, drawn straight towards the obfuscated Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight screamed. Magic flowed out of the griffon and straight into Twilight’s horn, saturating her whole body with its light. She collapsed to the floor, convulsing, spasming harder as the conduit began to pulse.

The griffon was up on his hind legs. His body quaked and claws balled into fists as more and more magic surged into the conduit. He growled a kind of chuckle, a grin spreading across his face. “Want some more little girl?” he said, spreading his wings and grimacing as the pulse quickened. “I have plenty to spare!”

“No!” Luna leapt into the air, throwing herself towards the conduit. She squeezed her eyes tight shut, but a moment later, nothing had happened. As she landed, the blackened, smouldering body of Seeker crashed into the ground and rolled towards her. Steam rose from his coat as he came to a halt, lifeless.

“Bawhahahaha!” the griffon bawled, shining like polished gold and silver again. “Exquisite! How many more will throw themselves at me to protect your sister? I must say, you do seem to inspire as much loyalty as her, but it will do you no good! She will come back before she allows you to… to…” The metallic sheen of his feathers dulled. Slumping back onto his rump, he cradled his head in his claws, growling. “What is it now?”

( III )

The hacksaw clattered to the floor and Rarity let out a long breath.

“Uuuurgh.” Stormcloud nudged the sawn-off horn as it rolled across the floor. “That doesn’t feel right. I feel…” He swallowed hard and rolled onto his side, clutching at his belly with a forehoof. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“I’m sorry.” Rarity’s voice was subdued. “But at least we know it did something.”

A long groan escaped Stormclouds throat. “Feels like my insides are swelling,” he said weakly, curling himself into a ball.

“Stormcloud?”

Stormcloud slammed a hoof into the ground and Rarity hopped back, grimacing. “Gah! Feels like I’m going to explode… Aaaaaaah! Make it stop!”

“What’s wrong?” Rarity’s voice rose as the stallion began to thrash. “Wh-what do I do?”

“Get Luna! Get Twilight! Get anypony!”

( III )

Luna stood between the griffon and the two motionless ponies, spreading her wings like shields. “No more,” she said calmly.

The griffon turned one eye to meet her hard stare. “What have you done?”

“You will hurt no more.” Luna’s horn sparkled and the ground beneath the griffon glowed green, fully twice the diameter of Twilight’s spell.

The griffon sprang backwards, his speed unaffected by his affliction. “Ha! Did you think me so weakened that I would fall for such a mundane attempt?” With a wry grin, he turned his attention to Cloudy Top Mountain. “I guess your little friend really did manage to do something. Perhaps I should go and visit her instead. Maybe she’ll attempt to destroy herself as well.” He leapt into the air with a beat his mighty wings and headed towards the mountain, only for Luna’s hooves to slam into his back a moment later.

She drove her prey unto the ground, leaving a long gouge in the mud as they slid to a halt. “You dare you turn your back on me?” she bellowed. “You will fight only me until I am done with y—”

A claw shot up and clamped around her throat.

“Foolish princess! I am still stronger than you!” The griffon’s other claw gripped further down her neck and began to squeeze, wringing out a pathetic squeak.

“Princess!” Twilight’s croaking voice came weakly from out of view. “Get away!”

The griffon pulled Luna in close. “If you escape my claws, I will kill her before you can do anything about it. Can your conscience handle that, Luna?”

Luna gargled and rasped, but none of the noises resembled words. She shook her head, and the claws gripping her twisted, producing several pops and cracks from her neck.

“Princess, please!”

Luna’s head twisted just enough for her to meet Twilight’s gaze. Her mouth opened, but no sound issued forth.

“I know you can free yourself, Princess,” Twilight said, her anxious tone calming as her voice grew stronger. She sat up, her coat a frazzled mess and body leaning at an awkward angle. “You said ‘no more’. Well that includes you too.”

Luna continued to stare, the tightness draining from her face along with her life.

“I know you want to protect us, but I told Celestia I would bring you back, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

The griffon chuckled. “I dared to turn my back on you, Luna; do you dare to turn you back on me while I kill her?” He wrenched her neck again, producing another pop.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I know that now.” Twilight’s voice wavered. “I should have been a better friend for Rarity; I was so wrapped up on my own world that I put her in danger. I need to put this right, but I can’t do it alone. Please, Luna. Please trust me like Celestia does.”

Princess Luna’s eyes drifted shut, and she dissolved into mist.

The griffon didn’t bother beating his wings, nor did he need push off from the ground; one moment his claws were around Luna’s throat, and the next, he rushed towards Twilight, a blur of steel and bronze.

With a little magical pop, Twilight vanished, but the griffon changed direction instantly, heading straight for her again. This time, he flew beak-first into a purple wall of energy. Reeling backwards, he bounced off another wall behind him and collapsed in a heap inside Twilight’s bubble. Shaking his head, he rose quickly to his paws and began to pound on the magical barrier. It cracked on the first strike and Twilight staggered, her horn spitting magic from its aura, but the ground beneath the shield began to glow bright green.

With its victim encased at its epicentre, Luna’s spell instantly tethered to the griffon and sent its second conduit arcing towards the princess. It struck her horn and her eyes glowed white as magic flooded in. Four hooves dug into wet earth as a low growl escaped Luna’s throat.

Twilight’s bubble shattered, but the griffon slumped to the ground, his wings drooping as if heavier than the metals they resembled. A claw furrowed the ground, failing to pull the griffon away from the spell.

A white beam shot from Luna’s horn, splitting just in front of the griffon and tracing a circle around him in the air. The ring extended into a vertical, translucent tube that fizzed and sparked where a claw raked at it on the inside, and the energy flowing through the conduit reversed, sucked into Luna’s barrier and tainting it green.

Luna panted for a few moments, her eyes still glowing. “Synchronous, polarised, feedback cascade, modulated into a self-sustaining exclusion zone.”

Twilight’s jaw fell open. “Is that even possible?”

“It is now,” Luna replied, her breaths slowing.

“But, Luna, your eyes… you’re—”

“Still having to do the modulation manually, yes. Twilight Sparkle, I… thank you. You must have known how dangerous that spell was.”

“Yeah, I knew.” Twilight cast an eye over the pegasus behind her, and a barely opened eye looked back. “But I wasn’t going to be the first pony not to do everything they could.”

“I see why my sister is so proud of you, but that appears to be a conversation for another day.”

Twilight cocked her head.

“Degradation of the magical flow-rate has ceased.”

“Indicating that the field-strength isn’t diminishing.” Twilight frowned. “Which means there is just as much magic going in, as is coming out?”

“From Stormcloud, I suspect. I fear this is not over yet. I sent Rarity to remove his horn in the hope that it would sever the connection, but now I am unsure if that is what has happened. I will hold this creature for as long as I can, Twilight; the rest I must leave to you. Find a way to end this once and for all, but before you go, how is Seeker?”

“Alive. I can get him back to the others; it’s only my legs that feel a bit wobbly.” Twilight studied Luna’s face as the princess twitched and tensed. “Princess… I mean, Luna, are you all right?”

“I am if I must be,” Luna replied through gritted teeth. “I am uncertain how long I can keep so much magic under control. Please hurry.”

Twilight turned sharply and hefted Seeker into the air. Sweat quickly formed on her brow as she trotted towards the makeshift base camp.

“Twilight?”

She stopped. “Yes, Princess?”

“I would not have considered that spell. No doubt you have saved my life again. You have my thanks.”

Twilight stared at Seeker and grinned weakly. “We’ll call it a team effort.”

She stared at the immobilised griffon as she passed, its colours almost faded to grey, until muttering drew her attention. “Seeker? Are you awake?” After another mumble, Twilight drew him closer.

“Forget hat-trick,” he rasped. “I make that four.”

( III )

“Rarity!”

After navigating the last of the mountain trail, the unicorn’s head snapped up at her name—she hadn’t noticed the gallop of hooves approaching. “Oh, Applejack! Something simply awful has happened. I cut off Stormcloud’s horn and now he is in terrible pain!”

“You did what now? Why would you go and do a thing like that?”

Rarity’s eyes went wide and it was a few seconds before her answer formed. “Well, Luna asked me to do it. She told me—”

“Luna asked you to do it? Gosh darn it!” Applejack stamped a hoof. “Why, in Celestia name, would she ask you to do that? You come home barely conscious two nights ago, giving everypony the scare of their lives, an’ then she has you up in Canterlot an’ calls on us ‘cos you’re still ill, and now she asks you to go an’ do what any of us coulda done. It ain’t right, Rarity! She may be a princess, but I oughta give her a piece o’ my mind!”

Rarity blinked, her eyes developing a glistening sheen. “Applejack, I… I mean…”

After a big sigh, Applejack’s voice softened. “Sorry, Sugarcube. Ah’m just a little frustrated ‘cos everything’s all flyin’ an’ magic right now. Ah can’t help nopony if they don’t tell me what goin’ on. How are you holdin’ up?”

Rarity just stared.

“Rarity?”

“Oh, I’m… fine. Thank you, Applejack. Thank you so much, but I really need to find Luna or Twilight. You know…” Rarity gave a fake grin. “All that magic talk.”

Applejack frowned, studying her friend’s face closely for moment before stepping forward and giving her a gentle nuzzle. “You sure you’re okay, hun?”

Now would be a really good time to try some of that honesty.

“Yes, dear,” Rarity whispered. “I’ll be fine, but... thank you.”

Oh well. Never mind.

“Well, all right then. Luna’s a mite busy fightin’, but Twilight’s plenty worried about you already, so what do ya say we go show her you’re still in one piece? I’ll explain what’s what on the way.”

( III )

Rarity gasped, shrieked, and shuddered at Applejack’s rendition of events. When the two ponies reached the makeshift encampment where the injured guards rested, a frazzled Twilight was setting Seeker amongst their number.

Rarity dashed to the middle of the group of wounded. “Oh my! Twilight, what happened?”

“My plan sort of backfired and Seeker had to save me. It was horrible.”

“Darling,” Rarity replied, putting a muddy hoof to Twilight’s already muddy shoulder. “After spending the day with these fine ponies, I just know he is proud to have done his job.” Lowering her hoof, she asked, “Are they cold, Twilight? And how is Pinkie Pie managing to sleep at a time like this?”

“Rarity, she’s been up since before dawn getting a big party ready. And she was up early yesterday because she wanted to throw you a get well party, but I said she couldn’t because you were coming home to rest. So now she’s keeping Thunderer warm because these two got cold in the rain, and... Oh gosh, I’m just so happy to see you’re okay.”

With a broad smile, Rarity gave Twilight another hug.

I’m not even going to waste my time by saying it.

Pulling away, Rarity looked over the wounded. “Applejack, darling, would you mind bringing me as many of those large leaves as you can find?”

“Uh… sure, but ain’t you got some important questions first?”

“I am quite capable of talking and working, Applejack,” Rarity replied, giving her friend a deep scowl. “And these ponies need something to keep them warm right away.”

With a glow from her horn, a few soggy leaves lifted off the ground and transformed into perfectly flat, dry ones. “Now, Twilight, Luna told me that the magic for this... thing controlling her was coming from Stormcloud and suggested I try cutting his horn off.”

As she spoke, she drew some needles and a reel of thread from the emergency kit beside Splashdown and began transforming the first batch of leaves that Applejack dropped at her hooves. “It took a little longer than I expected; I’m afraid my magic is still rather weak, and there were other… problems that got in the way.” Threading two needles simultaneously, she got to work sewing the leaves together.

“When it finally came off,”—she winced as she spoke, but continued weaving two makeshift blankets—“he was suddenly in rather a lot of pain and I had no idea what to do. He said it felt like he was going to explode, but I don’t think he meant it literally. Do you have any ideas? Anything at all?”

Twilight’s attention flicked between Rarity and her work. “Well, I don’t know how much you know about what happened with us—”

Applajack spat out another mouthful of leaves. “Ah told her everything Ah know.”

“Okay, so, I saw Luna was starting to lose, when suddenly it, the demon… griffon… thing, just turned pale and became… I don’t know, dizzy? Weak? Then Luna managed to trap it with the spell that backfired on me, but it’s still drawing more magic from somewhere, and Luna thought it must be Stormcloud.”

“There.” Rarity shook out two leaf blankets and laid them over Splashdown and Thunderer. “Now, does that mean you have any idea why Stormcloud might be in pain?”

“Right now, I have no idea, and we don’t have much time. I’m not sure how long Luna can keep that monster contained. It’s taking a lot of effort.”

“Well, Ah got some words for Princess Luna already.” Applejack’s voice turned hard again. “So let’s get a move on and see what she has to say for herself.” Before anypony could offer a reply, she galloped off towards the ruined clearing.

Twilight frowned and blinked. “Wait, you have what?”

“Oh!” Rarity took off into the forest, shouting, “No! Applejack, don’t!”

“Rarity!” Twilight took half a step forward then looked back at Vindicator. “What in Equestria…”

“Go on then,” the guard said. As Twilight galloped after her friends, he added, “You mares are doing a much better job of not getting hurt anyway…”

( III )

The glade looked more like a battlefield for a hundred ponies than just the two figures standing in it. The dull metallic griffon tested its cage with claws to little avail, while Luna slouched on her haunches, eyes still glowing white and each ragged breath a struggle.

Applejack pulled up short of the griffon’s cage. “Well, shucks. Ah never expected the princess to looks so bad. Ah can’t be angry with her lookin’ like that. Sorry, Rarity.”

Rarity smiled, but before she could answer, a flash of light drew their attention to the serene form of Stormcloud standing where the griffon had been, this time with a black mane and horn.

“Stormcloud?” Twilight trotted up to the translucent green barrier. Behind her, Applejack moved to follow, but stopped when she looked back at Rarity, who stood transfixed by Luna.

“Yes,” Stormcloud said. “It’s that bad, Rarity. However, I should warn you that I think my alter-ego is only letting me surface to distract you. If Luna falls, you’re all in severe trouble. I suspect that you have some encouraging words for her after your dream-time.”

Rarity turned her head slowly, regarding the stallion briefly before fixing back on Luna. “Oh, well, I... don’t remember much of it,” she said in a distant voice. “I remembered what I was supposed to do, but…”

“Really?” Twilight said. “That’s weird. I can remember all of it.”

“Indeed,” Stormcloud added, his voice buoyant and energised. “Twilight can fix that with her memory spell.”

“Hey! How do you know about my—Oh.” Twilight scowled. “That.”

“I’m really sorry about that Twilight, but can we not dwell on what’s done? I’d do it myself by you know full well that nothing I do can pass beyond this barrier.”

The hard lines of Twilight’s face melted as Rarity nodded and gave her a weak smile. “I can’t pick out one memory,” Twilight said, leaning in and whispering. “So you’re going to remember everything that happened in the last few hours. Some of it was… Are you absolutely sure?”

Rarity replied. She shifted her gaze towards Luna. “I have to.”

When Twilight’s glowing horn touched her head, Rarity’s eyes glazed over. Her pupils widened. A few twitches later and tears started rolling down her cheeks before she gasped and recoiled.

“Are you okay? Twilight asked quietly once Rarity refocused on her.

“I have to talk to Luna,” Rarity replied, covering her mouth with a hoof as she blinked the water from her eyes. “I’m sorry Twilight. I wish I could explain, but…”

“It’s okay.” Twilight smiled. “Just so long as you know we’re here for you if you need us.”

Rarity sagged, her lips drawing thin as she looked away. “I know. It’s just…”

“Go on,” Stormcloud said loudly. “Luna’s waiting for you.”

The ponies fell silent as the two unicorns exchanged another quick hug. Once Rarity was walking away, Applejack spoke up. “As the not-a-unicorn here, can Ah ask what hay is goin’ on?”

“My apologies,” Stormcloud replied. “But Rarity is a very different calibre of unicorn to Twilight or Luna, which brings me to something important: how much do you trust Princess Celestia, Twilight?”

“What?” Twilight levelled her full attention at him. “I trust her completely, of course.”

“Oh, really? Are you so sure? What if she has been lying to you about the nature of your gifts? I mean, you have to admit there aren’t many ponies quite like you when it comes to… oh! But wait, what’s this? Doesn’t Luna look remarkably similar now, to how you looked when you were protecting Celestia? I mean, she of all ponies would know her own sister’s capabilities, so don’t you think she would recognise yours?”

Twilight froze, not even breathing.

“I’m speaking rhetorically of course. I know you think about it all the time, but you’ve never seen another pony do what your own friends said that you do. Are you still sure that you trust her completely?”

“Yes,” Twilight replied sharply. “Yes I do.”

Stormcloud grinned. “Good. She probably isn’t lying to you, but the likeness between you and Luna is clear and my alter-ego was thinking of trying to get under your skin with it. Now you’re prepared for that.”

“None of which answers mah question!” Applejack shouted. “You ain’t Stormcloud ‘cos Rarity left Stormcloud up on the mountain, so Ah’m guessing this alter-ego thing means you’re some kinda split personality or the like?”

“Oh, Twilight, you haven’t even explained that much? Tut, tut. Yes, Applejack, I am but one fragment of a copy. The only thing I am sure of is that our relationship with Stormcloud is mere coincidence; no blame should befall him for what has happened. Now, I’m sure Twilight was just about to ask me if Stormcloud’s horn being cut off had an effect on me, correct?”

“Oh!” Twilight chuckled nervously. “Of course.”

“Yes, we presumed that Stormcloud’s horn had been cut as our power was drastically curtailed. It has not been removed entirely, however, but there isn’t much more I can say.”

“That’s not good enough.” Twilight edged closer to the barrier. “Rarity said Stormcloud was in a lot of pain after she cut off his horn, which probably means that it’s related to the change is magical flow. But if I don’t know what changed, how am I supposed to do anything about it?”

Stormcloud glared at Twilight. “You cannot afford to assume that an answer to your question exists. We are linked, he and I; his death may be the only thing that can truly stop me.”

“No!” Twilight and Applejack cried in unison.