The Darkening

“How does one measure a pony’s worth? Is it by the size of one’s horn? Or the girth of one’s wingspan? Perhaps the stoutness of one’s back? Shouldn’t these things all be considered equal? Should these even be considered at all? Should it even matter that you have wings, a horn, or neither of the two? But apparently, if you have all three, then, my oh my, how special you must be.”

The crystal stallion stood atop a small outcropping of rock, the makeshift wall the pegasi had erected around the cave looming behind him. He smiled as he addressed the crowd that had gathered around him, but then his smile fell away. “And if your pelt is shiny…” he poked himself in the chest, his sapphire fur shimmering in the moonlight, “...then you are worth less than dirt.”

He threw his forelegs into the air. “How else can you explain the fact that at no point in history has a crystal pony ruled The Crystal Empire? First it was King Sombra, then Princess Cadance and her lackeys drove him off, but once we were freed, did she offer us a chance to find a new leader amongst ourselves? No! Instead she and her wonted unicorn husband took the throne for themselves. And then, when she was most needed, when the vampony’s had decimated our beloved empire and our homes were left in shambles, she abandoned us for Cloudsdale. For the pegasi!”

Applejack glanced around as several ponies in the crowd–all of which were unicorn and earth ponies–began to express their outrage. Beside her, Spike’s hand was balled into a fist, and she quickly nudged him and shook her head to keep him silent. The atmosphere of the crowd was growing darker, and it was becoming more and more clear that siding with Princess Cadance would be a mistake.

“And now our loving princess hides among the clouds with the rest of the cowardly pegasi while we toil down below with hardly enough food and water to feed our young. And let’s not forget the constant threat of the vamponies, which of late have grown noticeably more aggressive.”

With a wave of his hoof, he indicated the crowd before him. “Now why does Princess Cadance consider all of you literally beneath the pegasi? What have they done to deserve such treatment? Is it merely because they were born with wings?” He paused as a half dozen pegasi rose from behind the wall, each of them carrying a large wooden bucket, and ascended toward the sky. “Just because they have wings, they get to take all this water from our lands, the lands that we are giving our lives to hold, and store it in their precious clouds. Just because they have wings, their foals get to sleep safely at night. Just because they have wings, they think they are better than us!”

As one, the gathered ponies yelled their agreement, and Applejack and Spike began to slowly back away from the crowd.

“But Salvation doesn’t believe any such nonsense. Salvation believes that the pegasi and their princess should be dragged down to the earth and be made to face the ire of the ponies they have wronged. Salvation wants to cast aside the rule of Princess Cadance and give it to the ponies of the land. Salvation wants equality for all! Join us, and find the salvation for ponykind in Salvation!”

Spike grumbled as they started around the wall. “I can’t believe anypony is falling for that crap.”

Applejack observed the crowd uneasily as they began to chant ‘salvation through Salvation’, and replied, “They’re scared and angry, Spike. That’s a dangerous combination.”

“But to turn on Princess Cadance? After all of the sacrifices she's made?” Spike’s thick tail lashed the ground, his spike leaving a gouge in the dry, cracked dirt. “What’s wrong with them?”

They slowed as Gilda, crossbow out and ready, soared over the wall accompanied by a dozen armed pegasi. Among them, Applejack recognized High Winds, Surprise, and Thunderlane. “Woah, the mercs are here in full force,” she said.

“Okay, everypony, show’s over,” Gilda called. “Go back to your homes.”

“You see!” the crystal stallion cried, indicating the pegasi. “Is this not what I predicted? We’ve gathered here to do nothing more than peacefully protest and the pegasi respond with violence.”

“Peaceful protest?” Gilda cocked an eyebrow. “That was sounding awfully close to a hate rally to me.” She looked around at the pegasi and several of them began nodding their heads.

The crystal stallion turned back to the crowd. “A hate rally? You see how they try to turn this back on us? To make us the villains here? This is exactly the kind of arrogance that–” A bolt struck the rock near his hooves, and with a startled cry, he stumbled and fell from his ledge.

Gilda pulled a lever on the side of her crossbow, turning the cylinder and locking the next bolt in place. “That was a warning shot,” she said as she watched the crystal pony climb to his hooves. She raised her voice as the milling crowd began to grumble. “I’m not a pegasus, and I don’t answer to Princess Cadance. The worst that will happen to me after I put this next bolt through your heart is they’ll dock my rations.” She closed an eye and aimed the crossbow at his chest. “Totally worth it.”

The crystal stallion threw his hooves out in front of him. “Okay, okay,” he said hastily, “we’ll leave.”

He turned and headed toward town. The crowd hesitated at first; some looking confused, while others glared up at Gilda and the pegasi, but then they slowly began to disperse, following in the crystal stallion’s wake.

The pegasi lowered back behind their wall, but Gilda did a double take when she noticed the two of them and swooped down to land beside them. She gave them a large grin. “Either I’m seeing a couple of ghosts, or you two wised up and ditched your plan to go into Canterlot.”

Applejack returned her smile as she bumped Gilda’s fist. “Oh, we got into Canterlot, alright, but we sure as hay ain’t ghosts.”

Spike crossed his arms. “We’re still here to fight another day.”

Gilda blinked. “Seriously? No way!” She looked between the two of them eagerly. “Did you get any nice loot?”

“Not that that’s any of your business,” Spike said as he stepped forward. “And did I really just see you fire a bolt at a group of protesters?”

Gilda shrugged. “It got them to leave, didn’t it?”

“Sure, but that’s not going to help ease tensions anytime soon.”

“That’s Braeburn’s job.” Gilda jabbed a thumb into her chest. “My job is to protect the site from any threat. Vampony or otherwise.”

Applejack placed a hoof on Spike’s chest as he opened his mouth to retort and gently pushed him back. “Let it go, Spike. What’s done is done.” She turned to Gilda. “So Braeburn’s here, huh?”

Gilda clicked her beak. “Oh, yes, of course Mr. Helpful himself would be here. Anything to kiss the princess’s royal rump as often as he can.”

Applejack chuckled. “You two ain’t gettin’ along?”

“Not. At. All.”

It came as no surprise to Applejack that Gilda couldn’t stand Braeburn. She never was one with a lot of patience, and Applejack could imagine somepony as enthusiastically helpful as Braeburn would get under her skin quicker than a hog would get into a mud bath.

The two pegasi guards stood aside as the three of them passed through the gate. Inside, Applejack found a flurry of activity: several earth ponies were presently hauling wagons containing dozens of buckets of water out of the mouth of the cave, and waited for a team of pegasi to swap the buckets for empty ones before trudging once more into the cave as the pegasi carried the buckets into the sky and out of sight.

Braeburn was standing near the wall, talking with a group of earth ponies that appeared to be on break, and when he noticed them, he perked up and gave them a hearty wave before galloping toward them.

“Ugh, that’s my cue to get back to my patrol,” Gilda said. She looked at both of them in turn. “Stay safe out there.”

She took to the air as Braeburn approached. “Well, here she is!” he exclaimed with a wide grin at Applejack. “My big bad vampony slayin’ cuz!” He swept her into a tight hug. “How’s ya been doin’?”

“Great,” Applejack managed as she returned the hug.

Releasing her, Braeburn rounded on Spike and hugged him as well. “And how’s ‘bout you? Ya been keepin’ my cuz safe?”

Spike met Applejack’s gaze and rolled his eyes, his arms hanging limp at his side. “Actually, it’s usually the other way around,” he said once Braeburn released him.

"So, things seem to be runnin' smoothly here," Applejack said.

Braeburn appeared to deflate. "Well, the operation is doin' great. We're gettin' plenty of water up to Cloudsdale, and I reckon that's gonna help prevent that drought that's had everypony so worked up, but that low-down Salvation feller keeps tryin' to get the folks over at Hooferville all riled up." He made a show of adjusting his hat and quickly glanced around, then leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Some round here reckon he's fixin' to start a riot to try and chase us out. Beats me what good that'd do him, though."

"What the hay is Salvation, anyway?" Spike frowned. "I've never heard of them before."

"I don't rightly know," Braeburn said, "but they seem to dislike Princess Cadance somethin’ fierce."

"That's a cryin' shame and all, but we're on a job and don't have a lot of time," Applejack said, giving Spike a hard nudge. "We were just hopin' to refill our water before headin' on."

Braeburn beamed. "Of course! Anythin' for you, cuz." He called a stallion over and handed him their canteens. "We got us a couple of hunters needin' water. Get these filled. Giddy-up now!"

As the stallion galloped off, Braeburn turned back to Applejack. "So, what sort of job has ya'll out this far east?"

Applejack glanced at Spike to avoid Braeburn's eyes. "Nothin' special. Just your typical–somepony heard that their brother had turned and was spotted near Fillydelphia and asked us to put him to rest–hunt." It was an easy enough lie as Spike and herself had taken countless jobs exactly like it over the years.

Spike nodded, his face turning grim, and Applejack couldn't help but wonder if he was playing the part, or unhappy that she was lying to her cousin.

Braeburn removed his hat and shook his head. "I don't envy ya'll one bit. That has to be a mighty difficult thing to do."

The stallion returned with their canteens, and Applejack, grateful that the interruption helped her hide her guilt from Braeburn's sentiments, made a show of taking hers and putting it in her saddlebag.

"Well, we better get goin', Applejack said, still not meeting her cousin's gaze. "Thanks for the water, Braeburn."

As they turned away, Braeburn hastily said, "Actually, Applejack, Spike, I could really use your help with somethin'."

"Braeburn," Applejack began, "I'm sorry, but–"

"I know you're in a hurry, but this won't take long, I promise." Braeburn lowered his gaze and turned his hat in his hooves. "I don't have anypony else to spare."

When Applejack hesitated, Spike promptly stepped forward. "What do you need?"

Braeburn turned his full attention to Spike. “As I’m sure ya'll noticed, our relations with Hooferville are a bit strained at the moment. They’re havin’ somethin’ of a water crisis there, and I reckon us securing a water source so close to home ain’t sittin’ well with ‘em.”

Spike scratched his head. “So…give them some water?”

“That’s what I said!” Braeburn exclaimed, putting his hat back on roughly, leaving it smashed down atop his head. “But Captain Fire Streak, he’s the guy in charge of this here operation, says it ain’t a priority right now.”

Applejack felt a flash of anger as she tried to catch Spike’s eye but he determinedly maintained Braeburn’s gaze. “And now that we’re here, you have someone to deliver some.” Spike nodded. “We’ll do it.”

“Hey, howdy, hey!” Braeburn grinned and did a little hop in place. “I knew that I could rely on you two!” He galloped toward the cave, and called over his shoulder, “I’ll get the shipment ready, lickety-split! Be right back!”

“Spike!” Applejack hissed through clenched teeth. “Them vamponies ain’t gonna wait for us forever, and if we don’t get movin’ soon, we’re gonna miss our chance to get into Manehattan.”

Spike’s brow furrowed. “So, you just want to leave your cousin hanging?”

“No, I’m not sayin’ that…”

“That’s exactly what you’re saying,” Spike snapped. “And if that’s not what you want to say, then shush and help your cousin.” He held her angry gaze. “It won’t take us long, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Applejack bit back her retort. He was right, and she knew it. But that sure as hay didn’t mean she liked it. “And if the vamponies get impatient and leave?”

“Then we’ll find a way. We always do.” Spike put his hands on his hips. “Isn’t that what you always say?”

“Consarnit, Spike, fine! We’ll do it your way.” She shook her head and sighed. “I’m sorry I’m gettin’ so worked up, I’m just a mite worried ‘bout everythin’.”

“I know,” Spike said softly. He placed a hand on her back and began to scratch in a small circle. “I also know that if you don’t help Braeburn now, you’re going to feel bad about it later.”

Applejack smiled despite herself. “Ya know me too well, sugar.” She nuzzled him and was rewarded with a smile of his own.

They turned as Braeburn emerged from the cave, pulling a wagon containing a couple dozen buckets of water. “Thanks for waitin’, y’all.” He came to a halt beside Applejack. “Hooferville is just two miles west. The railroad will take ya right there.”

Applejack tipped her hat as she hitched herself to the wagon, but couldn’t help but smile when Braeburn hugged her once again. “Seriously, cuz, I owe ya one for this. Anythin’ ya need, you just let me know.”

“Ya got it,” Applejack said.

Braeburn turned to hug Spike, but he stopped him with a claw to his chest. He then offered his hand. “Always happy to help.”

With a sheepish grin, Braeburn shook Spike’s hand. “Sorry, partner, I always forget your rule.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Spike removed Braeburn’s hat, and used his fist to reshape it and placed it back onto his head. “Take care.”

Braeburn waved as they headed through the gate. “Be safe!”

They returned his wave, and made their way to the nearby tracks. A moment later, a shadow caused them to look up, and they found Gilda circling overhead. She dropped something wrapped in brown paper, which Spike caught easily, and with a quick salute, she soared away.

Bemused, Applejack watched Spike unwrap the gift, and both of them gasped as he revealed a large sweet roll.

“What…but…why…” Spike turned his wide eyes to her own. “Where did she even get this? And why would she give it to us?”

“Not us, Spike. You.” She chuckled at his expression. “We both know Gilda ain’t one for apologies. This is her way of makin’ amends.”

“For what?”

Applejack shrugged. “Maybe for the botched job near the Crystal Empire Ruins? Somethin’ we said while we were in Carriage Town might have gotten through to her. Or maybe it’s ‘cause she doesn’t like the fact that any time the two of ya are together, all y’all do is bicker.”

Spike stared at the roll for a long moment, then said, “I’ll have to make sure to thank her next time I see her.”

“I wouldn’t,” Applejack replied. “That would just embarrass her. I think the next time ya’ll meet, you should avoid pickin’ a fight with her. I reckon that would say enough.”

Spike nodded. “So, you wanna eat it now?”

Applejack smiled. “Nah, that’s your gift, sugar. You enjoy it.”

“But I’ll get the most enjoyment out of it if you enjoy it with me.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’ll take a piece.” As Spike made to break the roll in half, she said, sternly, “No, Spike, not half. A piece.” He huffed and broke off about a quarter of the roll and handed it over. “Thank ya, kindly.”

The two of them ate the sweet roll in silence as they walked along the tracks. Applejack closed her eyes as she savored the rich sugary dough, and her mind unexpectedly recalled all of those afternoons she had spent with her friends at the Sugarcube Corner.

She couldn't help but imagine the reactions each of her old friends would have had to such a treat after going without for so long; from Pinkie Pie's shout of jubilation before scarfing it whole, to Fluttershy's soft-spoken thanks before politely nibbling away. It wasn't until she had taken the last bite that she realized she was smiling, and she made a mental note to keep her eyes peeled for something she could give to Gilda as thanks.

After about ten minutes of following the rails, they passed the skeletal remains of an overturned train that had long ago been stripped of its metal. Surrounding it were numerous piles of rocks that were most likely the graves of the ponies that perished in the wreck.

Ahead, the tracks ran straight into a cluster of shoddy shacks that were constructed from the scrap metal of the train they had just passed. Most looked a strong breeze away from collapsing, and stood in no particular order, as if they had fallen from the sky and had simply remained where they had landed.

A shanty town by every definition, Hooferville was built on the tracks only a couple miles west of Fillydelphia, and was the last bastion of ponykind in the east; beyond were the ruins of Fillydelphia, and further south, Baltimare. Consisting largely of survivors of the two cities, the residents here were famous throughout Equestria for their unwavering stubbornness, and not only refused to completely abandon their fallen homes, but had on several occasions refused help from the other pony settlements.

Several years ago, Lance had told her that he had sent a team of welders here after hearing how poorly their homes were built, but they had been turned away. Why would ponies living in such deplorable conditions refuse help? Even now, despite the wagon full of fresh water that they were hauling, nopony paid them any heed.

The stench of the town was nearly overwhelming, and Applejack was soon forced to breathe through her mouth. Piles of rotting trash and empty bottles were scattered everywhere, smashed and overturned crates littered the tracks, and the few ponies that could be seen lazing about clearly hadn’t bathed in months.

Applejack swallowed the bile in the back of her throat and began to seriously regret the piece of sweet roll she had just eaten. She had heard the horror stories of this town, but never would she have believed that it was this bad.

Spike’s sudden hand to her chest brought her to an abrupt halt. She frowned at him, but then followed his eyes down to the puddle of vomit on the ground just in front of her. “Thanks,” she said as she carefully stepped over the mess.

“Is this water even going to do them any good?” Spike wrinkled his snout. “If it were me, I think I’d rather venture into the Fillydelphia ruins and find a toilet before I drank anything here.”

"I'm right there with ya," Applejack said as her eyes landed on a stallion that was passed out across the tracks, an empty bottle clutched in his hoof. "I would hope the pony in charge of the Canteen here has enough sense to keep the water tank clean, but seein' the state of this place, that hope is fadin' fast."

Every settlement that lacked an easily available water supply had a Canteen. Commander Fairwinds, the head of the Sky Marshals, appointed a pony from each town to run the Canteen, and they were provided with a clean water tank and a storage bin for food. The appointed pony was responsible for the upkeep of the Canteen as well as distributing water and food rations. The Sky Marshals monitored all of this with frequent inspections, and if the appointed pony failed to meet expectations, they were replaced.

Applejack frowned as she gazed at the shameful state of the settlement, and wondered what would happen if there was no suitable replacement.

“Well, this looks a bit better,” Spike said as they caught sight of the Canteen on the far side of the town. “Maybe there’s still some hope for this place.”

The Canteen, which was located about a hundred yards behind the haphazardly placed shacks, stood in stark contrast to the rest of the town. It was a large, sturdy wooden structure with a tin roof and a sign dangling above the door depicting a loaf of bread beside a glass of water. Apart from a few bottles laying beside the front door, some dirt caked between the wooden paneling, and a bunch of profanity carved beneath a dingy window (one of which called Princess Cadance a name that caused Applejack to feel a hot flash of anger), the building was in fairly good condition.

“I’m amazed the ponies here allowed the pegasi to build this,” Spike said as Applejack unhitched herself from the wagon.

“I reckon the pegasi threatenin’ to withhold their water was a powerful motivator,” Applejack replied as she opened the door, and the two of them stepped inside.

The interior was a wide open space devoid of any furniture apart from several makeshift stanchions made of steel rails and rope that denoted where ponies were to stand while awaiting their rations. The stanchions eventually led to a counter at the far end of the room, behind which stood a large water tank and storage bin. In the back corner were two small wooden tables, each with two chairs, and along the walls hung various posters with instructions on how ponies should behave within the Canteen, lists of Equestrian laws, and above the counter, a schedule for food and water rations with a list of the townsfolk names as well the portions of each they would receive.

A young, brown stallion that Applejack recognized from the crowd outside the cave scowled from behind the counter, and an older gray stallion was sitting at one of the tables, sipping from a glass bottle as he eyed them with suspicion.

Applejack smiled amiably despite their cold reception. "Howdy, y'all, I'm here deliverin' a wagon full of fresh water to ya, courtesy of the Sky Marshals."

The young stallion came out from behind the counter. “Look who it is, Hopper, it’s the princess’s lapdog come to save us.”

Applejack’s brow furrowed as the older stallion, Hopper, began to laugh. “Do I know you?”

“Of course not.” The young stallion snorted. “But I know you. The accent, the hat, and your pet dragon…” he paused to grin as Spike emitted a low growl. “...we know all about you. Prophet says you’re going to be a major thorn in the side of Salvation. He says that you cannot be saved, and that we shouldn’t even try.”

Prophet? Applejack had no idea who he could be referring to or how they could know anything about the two of them, but despite her anxiousness to continue their journey to Manehattan, her curiosity was beginning to get the better of her. What was Salvation? And did they pose a threat?

“Has this ‘Prophet’ told you how to say thanks?” Spike asked, crossing his arms. “We didn’t have to bring this water, you know.”

“Tartarus no!” the young stallion snapped. “There’s nopony in Hooferville that would give a single word of thanks to any of Princess Cadance’s hooflickers. None of youse are welcome here, and same goes for those pieces of filth pegasi!”

Applejack gripped Spike’s shoulder as he started forward, and turned to the young stallion. “If ya’ll want to get rid of us, then ya better give us the answers we want. Who is this Prophet, and what is Salvation?”

“I’m not going to tell you anything!”

Clenching her teeth, Applejack advanced on the young stallion, her eyes narrowing. “You’re gonna tell me, or you’re gonna see what this ‘pet’ of mine is capable of.” On cue, tendrils of smoke began to pour from Spike’s partially opened mouth.

Fear began to crack the young stallion’s mask of defiance. “Y-you wouldn’t.”

“They won’t,” Hopper chimed in. “Neither Princess Cadance nor any of her lackeys have the spine to harm anypony here.”

The young stallion grinned and straightened, his confidence restored. “That’s right! She would never risk it.”

Applejack shrugged. “Ordinarily, that’d be true, but this here garbage heap of a town ain’t nothin’ but a liability. The streets, if ya can even call them that, are filthy, most of y’all ain’t even tryin’ to take care of yourselves, and–” she pointed at Hopper as he took another swig of his bottle, “–you’re consumin’ alcohol durin’ a water crisis!” She glared at the older stallion. “Ya know that stuff dehydrates ya, right?” She turned back to the young stallion as Hopper waved a hoof at her dismissively. “I won’t have any trouble convincin’ the princess that the Sky Marshals should stop supportin’ this town. Now tell us what we want to know!”

When the young stallion hesitated, Applejack turned away. “Fine.” She started for the door and called over her shoulder. “Spike, burn this place to the ground.”

She was halfway out the door when she heard Hopper shout, “Okay, okay, we’ll tell youse what you want to know!” Applejack allowed herself a moment to grin, then forced a grim expression as she turned around.

Hopper indicated the chair opposite him. “Come and have a seat.” He looked at the young stallion. “Skip, go fetch that water before something out there befouls it.” Applejack sat, and Spike dragged another chair over to the table as Skip headed outside. Hopper shook his head. “Sheesh, you two are persistent.”

“So…Hopper, huh?” Spike said as he sat.

Hopper gave them a toothless grin. “What can I say? I used to go bar hopping over the weekends and the name stuck.”

Applejack adjusted her hat and leaned forward. “Who is this Prophet he kept mentionin’ and what’s their qualm with us?”

“He’s the mouthpiece of Salvation,” Hopper said. “He showed up here just a couple of days ago and told us that Salvation understands our plights. Our frustrations with the princess. I’m sure you saw him. He sure as hay saw you.”

“You’re talkin’ ‘bout that crystal pony?” Applejack shared a look with Spike. “He didn’t seem all that special to me. And his name’s Prophet? Can we talk to him?”

“No, he stays in a camp a bit south of here with a bunch of his Salvation friends, and yeah, he goes by Prophet, but I doubt it’s his real name. It suits him though! Every prediction he makes comes true.” Hopper took a long draft from his bottle. “Every. Single. One.” He punctuated each word with the bang of his bottle against the table.

“Yeah,” Skip added, placing the two buckets he was carrying on the counter, “he even predicted the two of youse would show up here, bringing water to try to sweeten us up before youse started with your questions.”

“Prophet said we could try to refuse, but he warned us that youse would be persuasive.” Hopper indicated them sitting across from him and gave a wheezing laugh. “But he gave us permission to talk about him and Salvation. Before we begin, though…” he reached under the table and set two bottles in front of them. “Why don’t youse have a drink?”

Applejack frowned at the bottle before her. “I could write ya a whole book on why vampony hunters shouldn’t drink.”

“I’ve seen these bottles all over town.” Spike picked his up and examined it. “How do you have so much liquor here?”

“Hopper sneaks into the Fillydelphia ruins every few days,” Skip said as he carried in another couple of buckets. “He knows every bar in the city and how to get into their cellars.”

Hopper winked at them. “Gotta wet all these dry throats somehow. Drinks are all that’s keeping this town going.”

“Drinks are what’s keepin’ this town a pigsty,” Applejack retorted.

With a scowl, Hopper leaned back in his chair and raised his bottle. “Are youse gonna drink or not?”

“Not,” Applejack said as she pushed her bottle away.

Spike gazed at his bottle for a moment, then pushed it away as well. “Nah, we still have a job after this. We can’t risk not being at a hundred percent out there.”

Hopper studied the two of them, then shrugged. “Well, whatever. Cheers.” He tilted his head back and took a long pull, then tossed the bottle aside and grabbed the one sitting in front of Spike.

“Now, what is Salvation, and what are they tryin' to accomplish?” Applejack asked.

“What are they trying to accomplish?!” Hopper let out another wheezing laugh. “They’re trying to save us all! They want to bring all ponies together as equals. No one pony should be any more or less than any other pony. And that includes your princess.” He gave them an even look. “But Princess Cadance and the pegasi are going to make that nigh impossible, and youse pegasi sympathizers aren’t helping.”

“Sympathizers?” Applejack blinked. “We’re supportin’ Princess Cadance, the rightful ruler of Equestria!”

“The current ruler of Equestria is Mistress.” Hopper took another swig from his bottle. “Hate to break it to youse, but Princess Cadance failed. Just like all the other princesses failed.”

Spike slammed a fist on the table. “They did not fail! Princess Cadance is doing everything she can to keep Equestria from falling apart, and Princess Celestia is still out there. I know it!”

“Celestia?!” Skip exclaimed as he came back in the door. “You still believe in that old fraud? Why, she abandoned us even quicker than Cadance did!” He laughed so hard that he began to cough, and stumbling, he spilled a bit of the water onto the wooden floor.

“Dangit, Skip, be careful with that!” Hopper shouted, then turned a smug look on Spike. “I’d bet every last bottle of whiskey I've got that your Celestia died in whatever hole she was trying to hide herself in.” He guffawed as Applejack gripped Spike’s shoulder to prevent him from leaping to his feet. Hopper took another drink. “She failed.”

“Youse need proof she failed?” Skip asked. “Just look here.” He turned and showed them his blank flank. “I hear it’s becoming pretty common to see ponies my age without cutie marks.”

“Now wait just a minute,” Applejack said, feeling the heat rising to her face. “Nopony knows why that’s been happenin’.”

“Prophet does,” Hopper replied, matter-of-factly. “It’s a clear sign that the royal family is crumbling. Their days of ruling are over, and Princess Cadance needs to face the facts and step down. Let the ponies of the land decide their own fate.”

Spike began to tap his claw against the table. “And let me guess, once the princess steps down, Prophet thinks he should take her place.” Applejack noted that his tail was beginning to sway, a clear sign he was becoming agitated. “You’re a bunch of idiots. He’s clearly using Salvation as a way to gain power.”

“No, not him.” Hopper shook his head. “Admiral Proudmare intends to take the throne.”

Applejack sat bolt upright. “What?! Admiral Proudmare?! You want that deserter to rule Equestria?”

Hopper banged his hoof on the table. “She’s no deserter! Princess Cadance abandoned her for Cloudsdale! She did the best she could!”

Applejack stood, resisting the urge to pull her halberd free. “She was not abandoned! Prince Shining Armor stayed behind, and she was ordered to link her forces with his. If she hadn’t run away from the fight, they could very well have taken back the Crystal Empire!”

“Admiral Proudmare will make a great ruler,” Hopper said irritably, his eyes lagging as he looked between the two of them. “Once Princess Cadance has been removed, she’ll usher in a new age for Equestria. One where all ponies will unite as equals and together drive the vampony threat from our lands!”

“Hear, hear!” cried Skip.

“‘Once Princess Cadance has been removed’?” Spike stood, placing his hands on his hips. “That sounds pretty aggressive. How exactly does Proudmare intend to do that?”

“By force if necessary!” Hopper exclaimed. He took another drink, then began waving it around in the air. “Folks like Prophet have been visiting settlements all over Equestria, and they’ve been gathering support. Prophet predicts that soon they’ll have a large enough force of land ponies to stand against the pegasi, and then the princess will have no choice but to surrender or start a war. And he’s sure that she’ll surrender.”

Applejack was suddenly reminded of Rocksteady and the other ponies of Carrige Town. They had been calling for equality too. Had a member of Salvation been present while they were there?

“So, it’s land ponies versus pegasi now, is it?” Spike said, a shadow seeming to pass over his face.

“It always has been!” Hopper shouted, nearly falling out of his chair as he flailed his bottle around, splashing the table and himself with its contents. “Youse just been too foolish to notice before now!”

Applejack looked at Spike. “I think it’s time to go.”

“Yeah,” Spike said through gritted teeth, “I think so too.”

“Just youse wait!” Hopper continued to yell as they headed toward the door. “Salvation will rise up and smite the pegasi to the earth! They will end the vampony threat, and youse and your princess will rot in prison for the rest of your lives! And the true believers, like us in this forgotten, neglected town will be the ones living in your fancy walled cities!”

Applejack couldn’t help but laugh as she opened the door, and she turned back to face them. “I wonder if ya ever, in all of your drunken wisdom, realized that ya could take all that swill that you’re wastin’ on yourself to other settlements and trade for everythin’ that this ‘forgotten, neglected town’ would need? Y’all could turn this place around faster than green grass through a goose, but I reckon you’d rather sit on your rumps and drown away your sorrows.” She tipped her hat to them. “Enjoy doin’ nothin’ and waitin’ for somepony else to fix your problems.”

Applejack slammed the door shut behind her and turned to find Spike grinning at her broadly. “Dang, A.J., you really stuck it to them.” She chuckled and bumped his fist.

“So…north, find a pass through the mountains, and meet the vamponies east of Manehattan, right?” Spike summarized as they started back through the town.

Applejack nodded. “And the faster the better.”

They remained silent until they had left Hooferville far behind, then Spike asked, “What are your thoughts on Salvation?”

Applejack frowned for a long moment. “I'm not sure,” she said. "We know they've been to Carriage Town and seemed to have gotten some support there, but I reckon Gilda is right. As long as the Mercenary Guild is standin' against Proudmare, Salvation ain't gonna be makin' any moves, no matter how much support they have." She gave Spike a small smile. "One thing I am sure of though, all their talk of equality is a big pile of manure.”

Spike chuckled, but then went quiet. “Speaking of equality…did you notice Prophet?”

Applejack’s head snapped toward Spike. “What? In town? Was he there?”

“No, he wasn’t in town,” Spike said. “I meant his cutie mark, did you see it?”

Applejack shook her head. “Why? What was his cutie mark?”

“It was an equal sign.” Spike scratched his head. “But seriously, what kind of cutie mark is that? Does that mean he is destined to be equal to everypony else? Wouldn’t that mean he can never be more than just average? What a loser.”

Applejack laughed. “Yeah, it’s weird, alright. But we can worry ‘bout Prophet and Salvation later. Right now, we need to focus on Manehatten and gettin’ that Element.”

“That’s right!” Spike punched his opened hand. “First we kick Manehatten’s rump, and then we’ll kick Salvation’s.”

***

Life as an Ascended had been very lonely. Twilight had spent most of her time patrolling the White Tail Woods surrounding Sanctuary, enforcing Mistress's decree that the large, walled town be left unharassed, and chasing away underlings that lingered in the area for too long. The rest was spent alone in her cave where she either slept, or sulked amongst the stalactites, brooding over the latest actions of the other Ascended.

Twilight watched as Neeka and Cragg used two large cranks that were set into the wall on either side. Slowly, the twin chains, each nearly as thick as tree trunks, began to move the massive stone doors. As they closed, her sensitive ears folding down to protect themselves from the painful scrapping of stone on stone, Twilight felt as though the doors were shutting away that lonely life as well.

Thorax and Ventral started off across the cavern, waving to the two diamond dogs, who were staying behind to continue guarding the doors. Twilight, unsure if she was expected to wave or not, settled with a curt nod before following her new friends.

“So…do you know how you’re going to trick Queen Chrysalis?” Thorax asked as the cavern narrowed into another tunnel not unlike the countless others she had already traversed.

Ventral gulped, his wide eyes reflecting the light of the torches affixed to the walls. “She’s going to try to trick the Queen?!”

“Yeah,” Thorax replied, “but don’t worry. I think this is going to work!” He then began to summarize their earlier discussion.

Twilight tuned them out as they talked, her mind focused on what was coming next. She wasn’t concerned with Chrysalis. She had intimidated far more dangerous ponies than her in the past. What she was brooding over was what she was going to do after acquiring the Element.

Although she had only just met these two, walking down the tunnel with them as they talked made her feel as though she were part of something special. Every time one of them glanced her way, a wonderful warming sensation spread within her, and she already couldn’t imagine leaving their side to continue her quest alone.

But once she had the Element in hoof, she would have no reason to stay; Discord would be anticipating her return, and she couldn’t risk angering him. She wondered if they would be willing to come with her, but how was she to go about asking? Was she even supposed to ask, or would they offer? Was she allowed to ask a friend to leave their home?

Twilight scowled. There was too much about friends that she didn’t know, and she wasn’t sure that she would have the patience to learn it all. Why couldn’t they just be like underlings and do as she said?

“What’s wrong?” Thorax asked with a frown, startling her from her thoughts.

Twilight simply shook her head.

Thorax and Ventral shared a look for a moment, then Ventral said, “Well, it does sound like your plan could work, but you need to be careful. Queen Chrysalis isn't stupid.”

“Yeah, and lying to her is especially dangerous,” Thorax said with an air of unease. “She usually sees through it pretty quickly, and her punishments are horrible." He shuddered. “She’s scary.”

A mirthless laugh escaped Twilight. "Scary? Chrysalis? She's only still alive because Mistress didn't want to waste time hunting her. Once the hive had been destroyed, we knew she and her subjects were no longer a threat and left them to their piteous fates." She paused as the two changelings hung their heads, and something unpleasant began to squirm in the pit of her stomach. She closed her eyes and groaned. “And you two would be those ‘subjects’...”

Twilight had never spared a moment’s thought for the suffering of mortals, but now, seeing these two so forlorn, she was beset with a deep shame. She remembered the assault on the hive, and although she hadn’t killed any changelings herself, she had stood by and allowed the underlings to slaughter indiscriminately. The pain her new friends were experiencing was a direct consequence of her actions.

She came to an abrupt halt and sat back on her haunches, once again overcome by her own cruelty.

I can’t do this! I’m too horrible. How could I have ever thought that I could make friends? I’ve lost count of how many mortals I’ve killed. I used to feed on them for Mistress’s sake!

It took a minute for Thorax and Ventral to realize that she was no longer following them, and when they turned, Twilight laid flat on her stomach and covered her face with her hooves. She ignored them when they called to her, and when she felt a hoof on her foreleg, she shook it loose and moaned, “Just get away from me.”

“Twilight…”

“This was stupid,” she growled. “Just leave me.” Her mind replayed Thorax’s hug and how she had come close to biting him, and she buried her face deeper into her hooves, unable to endure the mere thought of meeting their gazes. “If you stay with me, you’ll only get hurt. Like earlier when I–”

“No, it’s okay, really!” Thorax interrupted hastily. “I mean, yeah, what you said was hurtful, but we know you didn’t mean it.”

“But I still did it.” She recalled the way Thorax had tumbled across the cave floor. “I can’t be your friend, I’m terrible at this!”

“Yeah, you kinda are,” Ventral said.

Shocked, Twilight looked up at Ventral, his words stabbing at her heart, but when she found him smiling at her, the pain was lost to confusion.

“But we can see that you’re trying,” Ventral continued, “and that’s all that really matters.”

Thorax nodded enthusiastically. “And as long as you keep trying, we’ll forgive any mistakes you make.”

“Will you keep trying?” Ventral offered her his hoof. “For us?”

Twilight could only stare at him, her mouth trying to form words, but her mind was reeling. They would really forgive her for hurting them? Just like that? Then how would they be any different than she had been when serving Mistress? How was friendship not just another form of servitude?

Because I’ll be trying too. Mistress did nothing and expected our loyalty, but I’ll be working to earn it. And they’ll be earning it from me too. Maybe…maybe this is how love forms. Is this how I came to love Spike?

Twilight wasn’t sure where these thoughts came from, but somehow knew them to be true. With a small smile, she gripped Ventral’s hoof and allowed him to help her to her hooves. “Yes,” she said, “I’ll keep trying.”

Her smile widened as the two beamed at her, and a powerful emotion that she could only assume was love swept over her. Clearly, they felt it as well; their sparkling wings began to flutter and glow brighter, splashing the cavern walls with a flickering white light before they dimmed once again.

“What was that?” Twilight asked, blinking away the sting of the light.

“We don’t know,” Thorax said. “It just happens sometimes. None of us are sure why.”

“Anyway, we really should be thinking about what we’re doing next,” Ventral said. “We’re going to reach the city soon, and we can’t have a vampony just walking around unannounced. Even if we let every single changeling introduce themselves to Twilight to feel her love, the diamond dogs would still be afraid of her.”

“Neeka’s cave isn’t far from the entrance, we could try to sneak her in there.” Thorax turned to her. “You don’t mind if we hide you at first, do you? Just long enough for me to gather everyone and tell them that you’re here and you're not a threat?”

“I’ll stay and keep you company,” Ventral quickly added.

Twilight shrugged. “I don’t care what you do, as long as no one gets in my way when I’m ready for Chrysalis.”

“Well, giving me time to keep everyone from panicking will definitely fit that criteria,” Thorax said.

Twilight nodded. “Then I will wait in Neeka’s home.”

“Uh, Thorax, you don’t think Neeka will get angry that we let a vampony stay there without asking, do you?” Ventral asked

“I think she’ll understand,” Thorax said. “I’ll explain our choice next time I see her.”

“Oh, good.” Ventral grinned. “I’d much rather her be mad at you than me!” When Thorax gave him a dirty look, he laughed.

Slightly amused by the two of them, Twilight allowed them to once again take the lead, and began to contemplate just what she was going to say to Chrysalis.

She was certain that Chrysalis had no way of knowing about her recent falling out with Mistress, and would have no reason to not quake in her carapace when the first born of the Ascended confronted her. But Ventral was right, Chrysalis was not stupid–Mistress had said as much herself–so Twilight would need to take every precaution against underestimating her.

It wasn’t unheard of for Mistress to send the Ascended as inquisitors to enforce her rule less violently. Twilight knew that she had sent Rarity and Pinkie to the dragons twice to keep them in check, and once Rainbow and Rarity had paid Luna an unexpected visit when Mistress had discovered the shocking number of followers she had gathered. There was no reason that Chrysalis would see this as anything different, she just needed to make her sojourn here as authentic as possible.

Twilight frowned as she discovered a flaw in her plan. In every instance of Mistress’s inquisitions, she had always sent two Ascended. When Rainbow had protested that she was more than enough to handle Luna, Mistress had stated that she was too valuable to risk and insisted that Rarity join her in case there was any backlash from Luna’s followers. But Twilight was the only Ascended present. Would Chrysalis know something was off if she stood before her under the pretense of Mistress’s envoy alone? Intimidation on its own may not work on somepony like Chrysalis, she was vain and arrogant enough to fool herself into believing she could match a single Ascended’s power.

“Twilight?” Thorax called.

Twilight blinked. She hadn’t realized that she had slowed to a halt while pondering this problem, and now Thorax and Ventral were exchanging worried looks. She couldn’t help but smile as she realized that they were concerned for her (it really was a wonderful feeling), but then it hit her. She wasn’t alone! Not anymore.

She trotted toward Thorax. "You mentioned earlier that changelings can shapeshift. How does it work? Can you change into anypony?"

"No, we need to see the pony we want to shift into,” Thorax said, “but once we do–" A sudden flash of light enveloped him, and Twilight’s jaw dropped as she gazed at the mirror image of herself that had taken Thorax’s place–"we can create a perfect copy of the pony. Down to the smallest details," he finished, in a perfect replica of her own voice.

Twilight could say nothing as she gaped at the doppelganger before her. Somehow, she was sure that this wasn't the first time she'd met herself like this, but how could that be possible? She had never met a changeling until now, so how could this have happened before?

Thorax grinned at her perplexed stare, then changed back in another flash of light. "Pretty neat, huh?"

Shaking her head to clear the bizarre sensation, Twilight said, "Yeah...neat…"

Ventral laughed. "It always blows a pony's mind when they come face to face with themselves! It never gets old."

Twilight smiled despite herself, and attributing the strange sensation to be nothing more than her imagination, she focused her thoughts back on her newly forming plan. "Right. So, have either of you ever seen the other Ascended?"

"No," Thorax said, "sorry."

"I have," said Ventral quietly. "I saw the rainbow colored one at a distance. She and a few vamponies caught a group of us that were trying to sneak out of the back entrance of the hive. It was..." He swallowed hard. "I wish I hadn't seen it."

"That was Rainbow Dash." Twilight turned to Ventral eagerly. "Can you change into her?"

Ventral turned his gaze to his hooves. "I don't think I want to."

Twilight’s brow furrowed. “Why not?”

When Ventral hesitated, Thorax placed a hoof on his shoulder. “It’s because of what he saw her do. Taking the form of somepony that’s done something that horrific can feel a bit…unclean.”

Ventral shuddered.

Now what was she supposed to do? Twilight growled and pulled at her mane. “Why does this have to be so hard?!”

“I’m not trying to–” Ventral began.

“Shh.” Twilight raised a hoof to his face and turned to Thorax. “So what does a friend do in a situation like this? His help could be invaluable to my plan. Do I abandon it, or try to force him to do it?”

“Well, to start with, you don’t shush a friend when they’re talking,” Thorax said, giving her a stern look. “No one deserves to be treated like that.”

Twilight glanced over to Ventral, and seeing the obvious indignation on his face, lowered her hoof. She turned back to Thorax. “But my question was for you. His response was irrelevant.”

“I’m still standing here, you know,” Ventral said as Thorax let out a loud sigh.

Twilight cocked an eyebrow at Ventral. “Of course you are. I’m looking right at you. I had my hoof in your face a moment ago.”

Ventral threw his hooves into the air and turned away. Thorax stepped between them. “It doesn’t matter if you think what he has to say is irrelevant or not, you should still let him speak his mind. If you are our friend, then you should take our feelings into account when making your decisions.”

Twilight huffed. “So, I shouldn’t try to force him to do it.”

“No,” Thorax said, “but you can try to convince him to do it.”

“For me, those are usually the same thing.” Twilight rubbed the back of her neck. “The last time I ‘convinced’ an underling to do something, I broke his leg and threatened to break his neck.”

Thorax blanched and stumbled back, and she heard an audible gasp from Ventral.

Her gaze lowered to the ground, and she picked at a rock with her hoof. “I didn’t though…and his leg healed fast enough.” The feeling of shame washed over her once again. How had she never realized in the past how vicious she was?

After waiting several moments for them to respond, Twilight looked up, and her breath caught in her throat as she registered the fear on their faces. “No, don’t be afraid of me. I would never break your leg. Neither of you.”

Ventral cleared his throat. “Well that’s…good. I suppose?”

Twilight nodded vigorously. “Yes, it is! I like you two, and Neeka and Cragg. I don’t want to hurt any of you. I don’t want to hurt anyone in this city. That’s why I’m going to confront Chrysalis your way instead of my way, because I want to be your friend. But to do it your way, I need your help.”

“Okay.” Ventral took a deep breath. “How does my turning into Rainbow help you not hurt our queen?”

"As powerful as the Ascended are, Mistress would never send just one of us to confront someone like Chrysalis. We are too valuable to her."

At least, I thought I had been valuable to her.

She paused as Mistress’s leering face loomed in her mind, telling her how easy it had been to cast her out as bait, and Twilight swallowed hard before continuing. “I agree with you two, Chrysalis is no fool. She will know something is off if only a single Ascended confronts her. I need you to take Rainbow’s form and come with me.”

Ventral turned to Thorax, but he could only shake his head sadly. “Sorry, but I don’t know. This has to be your choice.”

“You won’t need to say anything,” Twilight pressed. “As the first born, I will do all of the talking. Rainbow would just be there as an additional threat. A show of force. All you have to do is stand slightly behind me and look mean.”

Ventral shifted his hooves. “And you really think this will work?” When Twilight affirmed that it would, he turned and started down the tunnel. “I’ll have to think about it. Taking her form is bad enough, but standing before the queen in that form and trying to intimidate her? I don’t know.”

“That’s fine,” Thorax said, “take all the time you need.” He gave Twilight a meaningful look. “Right?”

“Yes,” she replied, perhaps a bit too quickly. Ventral nodded but said nothing else.

The tunnel ran for several more yards, made a final bend, and opened into a cavern well lit by multicolored lights.

Taken aback by the sudden onslaught of color, Twilight raised her gaze to the cave ceiling high above and found several large metal chandeliers. Every chandelier held three torches, each affixed with a large bracket holding a gemstone and a pane of glass. The torchlight shined through the various gems, splashing the cave below in prismatic lights.

The cavern ran for a couple hundred yards before splitting off into tunnels leading different directions, and was wide enough that the three of them were able to walk side by side easily. On either wall, from the floor all the way up to the ceiling were numerous cave entrances that looked to have been burrowed into the rock, and staircases that had been expertly carved from the wall. Above hung several levels of rope bridges that spanned across the cavern, and as Twilight watched, a diamond dog crossed at the highest level to change the torches of one of the chandeliers.

The streets (that was all Twilight could think to call it, although the cave floor was so botryoidal that no wooden wheel would ever survive) were bustling with activity. A group of diamond dog children were tossing a large red gem to one another, barking and laughing as they skirted a small crowd that was gathered around several stalls lining the right side of the cavern. The stalls looked to have been carved from stone, with large slabs working as countertops displaying various pots and pans, tin cups and mugs, and small trinkets crafted from gemstones. At the far end of the cavern, two diamond dogs were playing flutes and performing a little dance, the musical notes faintly audible over the noise of the crowd.

Thorax pointed at a cave three levels up nearly fifty yards away. "That's Neeka's cave. Think you can get there unnoticed?"

Twilight gave him a look, then launched straight up into the air. Her wings made only a soft flutter as she ascended, and she remained close to the cave wall to keep to what little shadow could be found.

As she reached the ceiling, she flipped, her hooves finding a perch among the stalactites easily, and surveyed the bridges beneath her. Satisfied that no one was crossing, she moved along the ceiling until she was over Neeka's cave, then allowed herself to fall to the third level, and swiftly extending her wings, she swooped into the opening.

The cave was large and spacious, with a row of long stone benches facing the front where a stone podium stood. The flickering light from the single torch reflected off of the numerous gemstones that sat in a row of metal bins along the left wall, each bin was numbered and held the correct number of jewels. In a heap near the podium were several stone blocks with letters of the alphabet carved into their sides.

Twilight's gaze fell to a primitive book that was lying open on the end of the nearest bench. It was little more than small stone slates held together by a metal ring in the top corner, but the top slate depicted the letter 'S' and beneath it was a crude drawing of the sun.

As a symbol of their greatest weakness, Twilight ordinarily would have smashed the offending book, but instead she stood transfixed. She remembered vividly the moment the sun had failed to rise. She and the other Ascended had been troubled by the full moon remaining in place high overhead, but they had retired to their lairs, knowing that dawn should be mere moments away. She had been hanging from her favorite spot on the ceiling, eyes closed and body relaxing, when an uncanny sensation that something was awry came over her. It had taken her a full minute of closely scanning her cave for anything out of place before it occurred to her that it was still dark.

Hesitantly, she had crept out of her cave, her eyes to the sky, but no sign of sunlight was to be found. Only minutes later, the other Ascended had joined her, looking as confused as she felt. Then, Mistress appeared from above, her enormous wingspan blocking out the light of the moon, and told them that the sun would never again threaten them.

They had rejoiced, and the underlings were quick to spread the word across all of Equestria. Soon, all vampony kind were celebrating Mistress’s triumph over the sun and her conquest of the mortals.

Twilight sat on the bench and placed the book in her lap. As she stroked the drawing of the sun, Discord’s words rang in her mind.

You vamponies are an unnatural blight upon this world. An infectious pestilence that was never meant to exist, sucking the life and magic out of the land. You’ve caused the destiny of all ponies to come to a screeching halt, and have brought the very world to the brink of death.

A lump formed in her throat as her thoughts turned to her dream. That beautiful sunlit forest was what Equestria used to look like, but now the mortals, like Ventral and Thorax, lived in misery. They eked out their lives in constant darkness, mourning for the homes they could never return to. Mistress had taken everything from them.

And I helped. I am first born. I was there from the beginning.

Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She would fix this. She would collect the Elements and bring back the sun. She would kill Mistress and the Ascended, and the mortals would all hail her as their hero. She would rule Equestria and have all the friends she wanted.

Approaching hoofsteps interrupted her thoughts, and closing the book, she placed it on the bench and leaped up onto the ceiling. She pressed herself against the rock and watched the entrance, her body tense and ready to pounce.

“Twilight?” Ventral said as he entered the cave, “where are you?”

Twilight silently moved across the ceiling as Ventral stepped further into the room, and noiselessly dropped to the floor behind him. She stalked him to another doorway at the far end of the cave, and waited as he stuck his head into the room and called her name. When she didn’t answer, he turned, and finally noticing her, he yelped and fell to the floor.

“You are far too easy to sneak up on,” Twilight said as she stood over him. She offered him her hoof. “You should be more aware of your surroundings.”

Ventral took her hoof and she pulled him to his hooves. “We don’t usually need to worry about anypony sneaking up on us around here,” he said, his cheeks turning red.

Twilight scowled. “You should always worry somepony is stalking you. Always be vigilant. It will save your life.”

“Oh…okay,” Ventral rubbed his foreleg as his cheeks turned a darker crimson. “I’ll try.”

Twilight turned away to hide her smile. She wasn’t sure why, but seeing him all flustered like this made her like him even more. But that didn’t make sense. Why would his vulnerability appeal to her? Her own face seemed to be growing warmer as she thought about it, and desperately, she cast around for something else to talk about.

“So, uh, what is this place?” she asked, still being careful not to face him.

"It's a school," Ventral answered. "Or it was. Most of the students have been cut off because of the quarantine, and Neeka mainly just lives here now."

"So, this isn't Neeka's home?"

Ventral shook his head. "No, this part of the city was the business district. Most of those caves you saw are shops, and taverns, and such. There aren't any homes here. Everyone here has been cut off from their homes, from their families."

"All because you wanted friends," Twilight said softly.

"Yeah…"

Twilight rounded on him. "That's why you need to help me. Change into Rainbow. Together we can fix this."

Ventral lowered his gaze to his hooves. "I-I don't…"

"I know you don't like the idea," Twilight said. She placed a hoof on his shoulder the way she saw Thorax do earlier. "But think of Neeka and Cragg, trapped here and unable to go home. And all the other changelings that are always hungry. You can fix that! Help me make Chrysalis listen to you and Thorax. You can solve the hunger problem!"

Ventral raised his head and met her gaze. The fear and hurt were clear in his eyes, but to her pleasant surprise, his weakness evoked nothing but a warmth within her. A determination to do anything in her power to make the pain leave those light green eyes took a firm hold of her.

“You’re going to do great.” Twilight removed her hoof from his shoulder and stood tall, thrusting her chest out and holding her head high, and hoped that her display of confidence would affect him. “And when you return, all of your friends are going to call you a hero.”

A slight smile cracked through his mask of ambivalence. “Well, I wouldn’t want everyone calling me ‘hero’, but I get what you’re saying.” He nodded as the last of his uncertainty fell away. “You’re right, this is about more than just me. This is for Ceerack. I’ll do it.”

Twilight frowned. She had thought that convincing Ventral to agree with her plan would please her, but instead it filled her with dread. Would this make him resent her?

She recalled facing Mistress after leading the first failed assault on The Crystal Empire. The fall of Canterlot had provided Shining Armor and Cadance with ample warning, and when Twilight had led the underlings into the city under the cover of night, the crystal ponies had been ready. Forced to retreat, Twilight had returned with nothing to show for her efforts except dozens of slain underlings. Mistress had been so angry that she hadn't even yelled; she had simply turned her back and walked away.

That silent resentment had cut her deeply. So deeply that she had spent the following decade catering to Mistress’s every whim, desperate to never have to face such animosity again. But now she was forcing Ventral to do something he was loath to. Would he bring the same anger as Mistress upon her?

“I know I just met you and all,” Ventral said, sitting back on his haunches and eyeing her with trepidation, “but I really can’t figure out what’s going on inside your head. You keep looking angry or sad at strange times, and I’m never sure if I’m the one causing it or not.”

Twilight turned away and sat down on the nearest bench. She stared at the blank back cover of the stone book she had been holding earlier as she tried to sort through her feelings.

She wanted to tell Ventral that it wasn’t his fault, but she didn’t know how to say it. She felt very strongly that she should tell him she was sorry, but she just hated apologies so much–they always made her feel stupid and ineffective–and if there was one thing that she needed to avoid before attempting to intimidate somepony as dangerous as Chrysalis; it would have to be feeling stupid and ineffective.

Ventral approached, and she glowered at the book, refusing to look at him. “Do you mind if I sit?” he asked.

Wordlessly, she scooted over for him. He sat but said nothing, and when Twilight stole a quick glance at him, she found him leaning back on the bench and staring at the ceiling.

Finally, he said, “Twilight, I don’t know why exactly you’re here, or what brought you to us, but I can tell that it was something traumatic. At first, I just figured you were being awkward because you didn’t know how to be a friend, and I’m sure that’s part of it, but there’s something more. It’s etched all over your face. You’re hurting. And you’re trying to hide it.”

Tentatively, Ventral lowered his hoof and placed it over her own. “But you can’t hide it, and you shouldn’t try. Something like this…it will eat you alive from the inside. Believe me, I’ve dealt with it before.”

Twilight’s head snapped toward him. “R-really? You know what I’m feeling?”

Ventral smiled as his face once again began to glow. “Well, yeah. I mean, I think I do.” He cleared his throat, and lifting her hoof, held it in both of his. “I told you that I saw Rainbow and those vamponies kill that group of changelings. Well, I knew them all. Especially two of them, and while none of us were exactly friends back then, I did feel close to them. And I had to just sit there and watch them die. I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. The vamponies didn’t even feed on them, they just killed them for the sport of it.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and when they opened, Twilight could see the tears forming. “That image stayed with me for a long time, and it still pops up every now and then, usually when I least expect it. But I’m better now, I got through it. That’s one of the benefits of having friends. I went years holding it in, and the pain inside was unimaginable. It just kept getting worse and worse, but then Thorax introduced me to some diamond dogs, and before I knew it, I had friends. And soon, they convinced me to talk about it, like I’m trying to do with you now, and I did, and it was like a heavy load was lifted off of my chest.”

He squeezed her hoof as tears began to run freely down his face. “So, Twilight, please, stop making me guess. Let me in. I’m your friend now, and you can tell me anything. I’m going to take the form of the one pony I hate more than anything, the one that caused me pain for years, for you. All I ask in return is for you to trust me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Twilight simply stared at him. She didn’t know what to think; she didn’t know what to say, but then the tears came before she could even think to stop them. He pulled her close, and she buried her face in his chest and cried.

But the tears didn’t feel like a weakness this time. They felt liberating, as if all of her pain and sorrow were somehow liquidizing and escaping through her eyes. She realized then that crying wasn’t always a weakness, and that maybe, it could even be a strength.

She lost track of how long she sat there, clinging to Ventral and crying, but when she straightened, she felt renewed, and to her astonishment, not at all ashamed.

“Feel better?” Ventral asked with a sniffle.

Twilight wiped her nose with the back of her hoof, and for the first time in her life, she smiled brightly. “Ventral…you’re the best.”

“I…I…well, uh,” he stammered as his face turned a bright shade of red, “t-thanks.”

At that moment, Thorax entered the cave. “Well, that could have gone better, but…” He froze as he looked at both of their wet faces, and Ventral, who’s cheeks were now as red as a rose, and slowly began backing out of the room. “Ah…I just remembered that I forgot–”

“No!” Twilight stood and rushed toward him. “You should hear this too.” She grabbed him by the foreleg and dragged him into the room. “Sit down.”

“What happened?” Thorax asked as he sat beside Ventral.

“Ventral taught me what friendship is,” Twilight answered.

She laughed at the look of confusion on Thorax’s face, and then she told them everything. Her relief was immense as she told her tale, and she felt a form of satisfaction as they reacted to the more tragic moments (especially when Mistress had told her that the dream had made her expendable), and when she was done, both of them jumped to their hooves and hugged her.

Twilight hugged them back without even the slightest urge to bite as a warm glow seemed to fill her chest. She closed her eyes as their wings began to flutter and flicker brightly and took comfort in their embrace.

She knew now that she would never be lonely again.