Into Ashes: Act III

by _TheHumbleBrony_

Rating: teen
Tags: Human, Twinkleshine, Twilight Sparkle, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Other, Fluttershy, Original Character, Tragedy, Adventure
Length: 13542

A spy in Twilight's ranks. But who could it be? The Element of Loyalty is back in the right hooves. But what could come as retaliation by her now shattered enemy? Where are the other Elements? There must be a way to find them before time runs out.

The Element of Loyalty has been saved from the clutches of the evil Prince Mustang! But it was not without trial, and it surely will not go unpunished. With a spy already in Twilight's enclave, what other sorts of dark secrets does her powerful enemy still have up its sleeve?

Loyalty and Magic. Only four more Elements to be found, along with the missing crowns of the perished Royal Sisters. But something dark is coming for Twilight. Jax, her former human enemy now works on her side, but for how long? Can Jax and Twilight find the spy in time to stop the coming dark before it reaches them? The search for the Elements of Harmony continues in this new act of a story set in a cruel, dead world.

Published 2017-11-13 05:50:07 UTC
Last updated 2018-02-25 19:27:53 UTC

ACT III - Hello, Cruel World

Meanwhile, somewhere far to the north...

“I can’t believe they failed. I can’t believe they’ve gotten away!”

“It is.. truly troubling, sir.”

“And you! You could have done more to arrive on time in aid!”

“..Apologies, sir. I had to fly all the way from --"

“It matters not! You were late and you have failed me. But we must continue. There is still much to tend to.”

“.. Yes. Whatever you need, I’ll make sure I get it done this time.”

“Twilight and her minions are only becoming ever more troublesome. But their plight remains shrouded away from my eyes. And with that HUMAN.. That is your target, that is who you must kill if chaos is to spread! I still can’t believe they stole it so easily..”

“I will get it back!”

“Do all you can! If I am to get my powers back, I must draw it from the Elements themselves. No other source is enough. If you want to see your kind walk this world again, I suggest you try harder next time.”

“Of course. But with Loyalty out of our hands, what’s our next move?”

“My sappers are on the verge of uncovering a new disturbance. Near the ruins of Baltimare. Surely it lie beneath, buried in the Hall of Antiquity.”

“Hall of Antiquity? I thought that place was just another one of your pony legends.”

“It is indeed a legend, but a very one real at that. No one has entered it for centuries. No one even knows exactly where it lies. I will go there and personally see its discovery soon.”

“And what would you have me do?”

“Are they aware of Loyalty’s breadcrumbs? Have they discovered we are tracking it?”

“They have no idea. We traced it all the way back, but lost its signal somewhere outside of Ponyville.”

“Then that is where the Human lay. Find him, and destroy him. Though I admire your skill with that weapon, I must warn you to be cautious.”

“I could kill him right now.”

“You underestimate his ferocity. You chase down a threat not even Discord himself was able to stop. You are an important asset to me, Galgot. Do not waste yourself on this man. If he proves too much for you, do not stick around.”

“Hrrmph. Fine.”

“If we cannot kill him, then we will break him. I’ve seen inside his mind, I know where his weaknesses lay.”

“How do you suppose we do it?”

“My informant knows of the details. Meet with her at the citadel in two moons time, she will bring you up to the details.”

“It will be done.”

“With Twilight and the Human out of the way, our path will come free of its obstacles. And you shall see your reward. Do not fail me again, Galgot!”

“I won’t.”

“The candle that shines twice as bright burns half as long. And Twilight has been shining for a very, very long time. Now go. To the wind with you!”

“I’ll be there in no time!”

“One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Send them my regards.”

Chapter One - Sunshine of the Underground

“Soo..” I slide my arm casually up to the counter. The pony in the snack stall stands and stares at me, her face heavy with disgust. “I see you sell food. There a chance I can get some?”

But no words are spent. She only looks on as I think of what to say next.

“It’s a nice setup you got here.”

The stone shelves hold few delectable delights, all fruit or flower in nature. The leftovers of the breakfast rush. I find myself wondering where they get all this from, if I had so much trouble out there on my own.

“So what’s your name?”

“Hazelbloom.” she says at last.

“Alright Hazelbloom.. Listen, I need your help finding somepony. I was told Twinkleshine came this way. Happen to see her?”

Again, silent as the stone around us.

“Look, I’m not here to hassle you. I just need to know which way she went. Twilight sent me. Just help me out and I’ll be out of your hair.”

“She’s to the right!” Two old apples are thrown on the counter, and the stall window swings shut in a hurry.

Well, thank you I suppose.

To the right.. That could take me anywhere. I already had enough trouble making it here.

But I follow a tunnel, barely wide enough for my broad shoulders. Unlike my homeship, these cramped corridors clearly did not have creatures of such bulk in mind. But Hazelbloom’s directions serve me well. I come to a cafeterium. Wide, open, and spacious unlike so many other rooms. Rows and rows of hoof-carved tables offer many seats, but few are taken. Like its size, the space is lit in a much different way, something much more natural. A glimmering light show of water’s waving reflection dances across the ceiling like the northern auroras. A pool of sparkling water, lit from within its depths on the right side, away from the tables. And there, sat right in the middle of it all, not a soul beside her, the lone Twinkleshine. A plate of crumbs before her as she finishes a meal.

In the far corner, I lock eyes with Ivory as she grits her teeth into a sandwich. We hold a gaze rife with grudge, letting our eyes do the talking as we curse each other without word. I join Twinkle at her table.

Her first words, “Oh boy. What does she want now.”

“Twilight wanted me to come check on you.” Check, more like spy. A game of spies to find who the real spies are.

“Well isn’t that kind of her.”

“She seemed worried about you after last night’s skirmish.”

“Why would she care how I’m doing..” She says under her breath.

“Sounds like you have something against her.”

“Sigh, No. I just get frustrated with her sometimes… How’d you sleep?”

What? A kind question for my concern? My thoughts derail. But I shouldn’t push too hard, I must follow along.

“Probably not as soundly as you. They still keep me in my cell. But, at least I had a blanket this time. And no strange dreams.”

“Igneous is probably still carving a room for you. At least you’ll get your own.”

“You don’t?”

“No. I sleep in the same room as half of everyone that lives here. You can imagine how comfortable that is.”

“Seems like after all the work you get put through, you’d be entitled to better things.”

“Sure does seem that way. But, it is what it is.” She sets her hooves on the table, looking to me softly. “Listen, I’ve been wanting to say something since last night. I don’t think we could have pulled it off if you weren’t there. And after so many close calls.. Hard for me to say this, but --”

“You’re welcome. I’ll spare you the trouble of saying it.”

“Right..”

A lull creeps in.

“Where’s Duke? Surprised to see he’s not with you right now.”

“Oh. He’s over keeping an eye on Fluttershy, doing my job for me.”

“You two seem close.”

“And we are. Tends to happen when you survive the apocalypse with someone by you the whole way. But I’ve known him a lot longer than that, that’s for sure. Longer than I’ve been friends with Twilight.”

“What’s your history with Twilight anyway?”

“We went to the same academy for magic together. We shared a lot of the same classes, worked together alot, but she was never really the social type. She always seemed more interested in books than in friends. But Duke? He and I go way back. We’ve been getting in and out of trouble together since we were little. The only time we were apart was while I attended the academy. He’s never really been strong with magic, but he sure is creative with it.”

Twinkles vision escapes to something behind me. I too look, and down near the floor, barely taller than the bench on which I sit, a small young pony stands there looking at me with glitter in his eyes. “Wow I never thought I’d actually see you guys here!” he says cheerfully.

“Uh.. Hello.” I say.

“My name’s Dandy Lion. You don’t know me, but, I’m your biggest fan. I know you did some stuff my parents didn’t like, I’ve been hiding in these caves forever and haven’t seen it, but you’re my hero!”

“Uh, thanks kid. But I am no hero to you.”

“Of course you are! I heard how you two stole back the Element of Loyalty! And how you kicked the butts of all those evil bad guys over there! Here, I want to give you something.”

I reach down. He passes me a small, smooth stone, flat like a disk. “I want you to have this. My dad and I used to go to the pond and skip rocks every day after school. I’d pick up a whole bunch of them during the day so I could have plenty. But, I haven’t seen my dad.. And there aren’t anymore ponds.. So I thought I’d give it away since I can’t skip it anymore, and who better to give it to than my hero!”

Such a small token, yet heavy with the value given by someone so young and innocent. But his ignorance is bliss I suppose.

“Dandy Lion!” echos a voice from the other side of the room. “Get over here this instant!” I look up to see Hazelbloom standing impatiently.

“I gotta go. Keep it! It might be a lucky one. - Coming mother!” He runs off, and Hazelbloom hurries him away.

“Well isn’t that cute.” Twinkle says.

“Didn’t think I’d ever be the reason for a fanclub.”

“You know you probably killed his dad, right?”

“Don’t remind me.” Though I’m not sure where that came from. Our chat was so.. pleasant. “Those days are over with. I’m sure you’re just as guilty for fathers not coming home as I am. Let’s not get into it.”

“Whatever you say.”

“So you were in the infirmary. How’s Thunderhoof holding up?”

“He’s.. getting there. The others you attacked.. You really did a number on them.”

“You know, it still surprises me.”

“What?”

“All of.. this. I always suspected there might be survivors, but I never thought it would be like this.”

“We’re a lot tougher than you think.”

“I can see that.”

All of the sudden, Ivory pokes her pointy nose between our words. “Don’t get too comfortable.” she growls. “You may live here with us.. but you will never be one of us.”

“Wasn’t counting on it.” I reply, still playing to my plan of leaving once I’ve fulfilled my bargain.

Ivory growls once more. “Just you wait. We still have unfinished business.”

“With what? Still upset over the time I spat in your face?”

She leaves in a huff, dropping her used plate off at Hazelbloom’s stall. “The hell’s her problem?”

“She can be a bit of a hardass. And don’t worry, you’re not the only one she hates.”

“Who is she anyway?”

“Basically second-seat to Twilight. Even though Twilight’s in charge, she goes around the place like she owns it. Very strict, very abrasive. Somehow we get along. Hard to believe but she wasn’t always so sadistic.”

“Funny. I could never imagine her as anything but.”

“Like I said, a lot of us went to the same academy. Ivory was never anyone special. You couldn’t pick her out of a crowd. But she was sweet. She’s changed alot since, well, that’s a secret between her, Duke and I. She got even worse after you showed up.”

“You equins and your secrets.”

“What? What’s wrong with keeping secrets?”

“It just seems like you all are so ready to hide important information from me.”

“That’s because we’ve been through a lot, Jax! Some things are just too personal to share.”

“Hmpf. Personal. Where I come from, there’s no such thing.”

“Well where we come from, we’re entitled to hide our past! There’re some things that happened to us we’re still trying to forget. This isn’t Human Land anymore Jax. You’ll just have to deal with it.”

She shakes her head with a grave disbelief. Looking right into my eyes, she mutters “... Why?” She leaves me at the table with the lonely word.

Why.. Why what? Why did we come here? Why did our first contact turn to genocide? It’s a good question. One with an answer just as vague as Why itself. Why? I don’t know. I just did what I was created to do. But I suppose she’s right about hidden history. I know from my own past, there are three types of secrets we all hold. Those we want to keep for ourselves, those we dare not give to others, and those we hide so we can forget.

Well, my chance to probe into Twinkle has gone with the wind. Not as smooth as I would have liked, but I have been left with some curious clues. She certainly does know many backstories of those who live alongside her. Not to mention all the time she spends with Fluttershy as her guard. Surely my history was shared between them, and perhaps that’s how Mustang knew me as his own. But I hesitate to pin her yet. As of Twilight’s last count, there are 74 ponies. Which can only mean 74 potential informants. Only time will tell.

Time.. The one resource with which there is no refilling. The longer we go with our secrets exposed to Mustang’s remnants, the more danger we all stand beneath. The prince is dead, and those slave to his psionics have been freed. But no doubt there are those that would stay loyal. With his death at my hands, surely they will be out for my blood more than ever. The longer I myself stay in this faction, the more danger lurks for all I come to. The stakes are only raised by the presence of one or more moles to give me away. It troubles me to know that no one is safe so long as I stay by Twilight’s side.

With no one around, I tend to my meal. By my first bite, I can tell these apples had been sitting for a while. All brown and mush on the inside.. Clearly refuse Hazelbloom meant to do away with but decided to give to me. But I eat them, core and all, not letting an ounce be saved. My starved diet still pervades me, even while surrounded by so many full bellies. But who am I to ask for more? Afterall, I am the tearer of families, the destroyer of so many lives - young, old, innocent or full of sin. I was and am the incarnation of their hell. I can only be so lucky that Twilight is my warden. Somehow now.. I find myself grateful for being shown so much mercy.

I sit and watch the light show above, my mind worried by what could come in the near future. I sit long enough that Fluttershy enters the room with an empty basket, and no guards at her sides. Along with myself, she has now been freed from her cage. She does not see me at first. She briefly chats with Hazelbloom, and carries a smile, so soft and genuine. A grin like all in the world is at peace, and not a single cloud blocks her sunny sky. I hear her voice, just on the cusp of my ears. She sings of the finest woven silk. So kind and so compassioned, like not a single ill phrase has ever passed through those sinless lips. Hard to believe she is held behind the same wall as me. Behind the same word, monster.

But now, as she draws her food, she seems daunted. Perhaps Hazelbloom echoes the same unsure offence that rings through these stone walls for me. But the moment she sees me, her daunt flips to joy and she swiftly finds a seat next to mine.

“Oh Jax I’m so glad you're safe! I hadn't seen you since you left. But I’m so proud of you for what you did!” She talks while she eats, taking small, polite bites and always careful to never speak with her mouth full.

“Yeah.. Proud.. I wish I could say the same.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No. I just don’t know how to feel about things.”

“Well if it makes you feel any better, ponies are already starting to warm up to you.”

“It has nothing to do with what they think of me. I couldn’t care less. I’m not even sure what I’m worried about.” But I know this is a lie. I should be careful with what I say aloud, for the walls have ears.

“Well, something has to be bothering you. And my job as your friend is to do everything I can to help you!”

“As my.. friend.”

“Yes!”

“Well, maybe later. In a place without so many prying ears.”

“I know the perfect place. If you don’t mind.”

“Sure. Why not.”

Finished with her food, she flutters away from the table. I follow. But she stops right by the pool, squatting down to peer deep into its shimmery surface. I squat beside her.

Far below in the depths of the well, a forest of fungi cling to the rock. They glow bright against the dullness of the subterrain, beacons of hope against a world so dark. Truly the sunshine of this underground refuge.

Fluttershy picks what few have grown within her reach, placing them in her basket. They cease to glow as they leave the water. “What are those?” I ask.

“Sunshrooms. They keep the water clean and fresh, but they also make good snacks. Try one!”

She passes one my way. It feels slimy, its skin easy to squish yet slightly crunchy underneath. Gooed water drips from it with a faint yellow glow. Hardly appetizing. “No thanks. I’ll pass.”

But this must be the exact spot from where she refilled my water so many days ago. If she is so hated amongst so many, I wonder then how she was able to retrieve it. She must have done a lot of planning, risking herself to make it this deep inside these caves without getting caught. And to go through so much just to help me on my way.. What a powerful gesture of kindness it was.

With her basket full, she flutters away, and I follow. She leads through winding hall after weaving pass, and we go by not a single room nor pony on our way. Eventually, so far away from the rest of the cave, the flickering lights they had strung up along the ceiling end. And now, just that tiny glow dripping from the sunshrooms remains. All is black and quiet, until we make a turn with white sunlight at the tunnel’s end.

There ahead of us, is a room not too far in design to the prison chamber. Round, vacant, a gaping hole above lit by the morning sun.. But this room is no prison. There are no barred cells carved into the walls. It is a sanctuary. The floor is covered with a thick patch of the greenest grass. A handful of scattered flowers bathe in the sun’s healing rays. There’s even a bee or two buzzing around and tending to their petaled joys. I stand marvelled in the presence of such a pleasant place of peace. The room lives as if fully untouched by the cataclysm that came meer weeks ago. I look to the sky. And for that moment, I pretend to be looking up at the tender blue yonder, standing out from the house I had built with my two hands. This sanctuary is but a whisper of the former world. Anything less than a whisper, and it would vanish.

Fluttershy sets the basket in the middle of the room as I stand back at the grasses edge, not wanting to trample over its fragility. “Come on out little ones!” she calls in her silk-woven voice. “Don’t be shy, it’s me! I’ve brought you all something!”

From the many warrens and dens cut around the walls, out come several shy, chittering creatures. Rodents, reptiles, avians, and even a large brown bear all flock to Fluttershy. She greets them all, one at a time, telling them how much she missed them. She picks up a small white rodent, its face bright as it smiles and returns her embrace. Even the bear, who stands twice my size, is as docile and friendly to her as all the others. “Oh I missed you all so much!” They all reply in an uproar of chitters, chirps, and growly murmurs. Fluttershy breaks off pieces of the sunshrooms and gives them away to her woodland friends.

Again, so used to the idea that we had destroyed it all, I stand surprised to be so blatantly wrong. Perhaps there might be hope for this world afterall. Fluttershy's tender nature certainly seems to believe so.

“Now, I brought a very special guest here with me. Be nice to him, he’s a friend.”

All the critters look right to me in an instant. Their happy faces shoot down right to hateful frowns. The small white rodent leaps from Fluttershy's hold, hopping towards me with its tiny battlecry, and jumps to my face. It flies through the air, leading foot first for its best try at a powerful kick. I let it strike. It bounces off me and I catch it as if falls. It bites, kicks, and squirms in my hand as it tries to break free for a second strike.

“Angel!” Fluttershy calls. She flutters forward and takes him tightly from my hands. “That was very rude of you! You shouldn’t get so excited around new friends, you know better. This is Jax. And Jax, this is my best bunny friend, Angel.”

Angel’s beady black eyes glare with disdain. “I’m sorry he jumped at you, he’s always very happy to greet new friends.”

“Funny little thing.” I say to Angel. “Angel, eh? Fluttershy told me about you once.” I feel relieved for Fluttershy. She had mentioned all these creatures before, but I never figured they were still around.

“Now Angel, I know you’re excited for playtime with Jax, but it's time to eat first.”

She has them all finish their sunshroom snacks. “Come on, Jax!” She politely tugs on my arm. But still reserved for this last sacred patch, I decline.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to join us for playtime?”

Many of them growl to me. “No thanks. I don’t think “Play” is what they have in mind for me.” Despite her oblivity, it is sweet that she trusts me enough to be around her closest possessions.

Still heavy on my mind are the events of recent. “So..” I continue. “This place.. This is your new home?”

“Mhmm.”

“And you brought me here.. How did you find me? I thought for sure I was left out to dry.”

“Oh I felt so awful after we fought! I was so alone. But I couldn’t stay outside. I came back home the next morning, but you already left. After I realized you were on your way to Canterlot, I flew there as fast as I could, and that’s when I found you.”

“Sorry you had to see me.. Like that.”

“Oh don’t worry, it wasn’t my first time. But after, I knew I couldn’t just leave you there. So I hurried here so fast, and got Primrose and Nurse Redheart to you right away.”

“So you brought me here.. to save my life? Even though you yourself would be a prisoner?”

“It was the least I could do after you saved -- Oh.. You heard..”

“I did. And before you apologise, don’t worry. You weren’t exactly.. you. You became corrupt under the guise of your own fading element.”

“Oh I’m so glad you understand!”

“Well, sort of. But uh.. Thanks. It was a bit of a rough start here, and going to be until I leave..”

“I know, I didn’t want them to hurt you --”

“It’s fine. It’s only half of what I deserve.”

“But you said you were leaving?”

“I thought I was. I was going you bring you with me.”

“You can’t leave! We need you!”

“I realize that. Trouble is, after what I went through just for Loyalty, I’m not so sure I could survive getting the other four plus the two crowns.”

“But we have to get them back!”

“I know. But your enemy knows I’m out looking for them like they are. That makes me a target. I’m only here long enough to give you a lead on Prince Mustang..” The secret I had been keeping, now right at the surface. In light of recent things, am I sure I can trust Fluttershy? Who knows what she could have been doing with my back turned, especially the day she ran away. Where did she really go? And yet I know I can. I unknowingly put my life in her hands and she did not fail me. For the first time in years, I can be certain in who I’d give my secrets to. “..I have a secret. One I probably should have already told.”

“Well, I’m always here to listen.”

“You don’t have to worry about Prince Mustang anymore. Things should be easier now.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“Last night I had an opportunity, and I took it. He’s gone, Fluttershy. I killed him.”

“Oh - Well - That’s great! But, I really think you should share that with Twilight.”

“I probably should have already. But I’m sharing this with you because, well, after I find the next Element.. I’ll be leaving.”

“Jax --”

“I’m sorry Fluttershy. It’s what Twilight and I agreed on.”

“But you’re so important to us! So important to me! We can’t do it without you!”

“I am just as important to you as I am a danger. Twilight is smart. I’m sure she can find a way.”

She stops. I can tell by the look on her face, something is brewing inside her. An anger, hidden deep that she keeps repressed. “Now you just wait a minute, Buster!”

Finally, after all the timid weakness she cowers behind, she fully unleashes her fearsome spirit. I’m surprised as I am glad she’s finally standing up.

“When we were out there in the ash, you said something to me that I will never forget! You said that if there was a way for you to stop everything bad from happening, you would do it! Well now’s your chance. And I know you have too much guilt in your heart to let that go! Now I want you to march right down to Twilight, and tell her you’re staying!”

“I would love to stay and fight, don't get me wrong. But I think you’re missing --”

She gives me a look that stops me in my words. Her eyes burrow fiercely to my soul. My heart pierced, my mind let loose too every overbearing figure in my time all cursing me in the same instant. Those eyes, something in that dreadful stare is so powerful, I feel that even the devil himself would shudder. I leave, in search of Twilight.

Right.. back to the crystal sanctum. Though that look still burns against my brain, I know I must keep to my inhibitions. I never expected Fluttershy to want me to stay so badly. But my concern for her safety, for everyone’s safety, unfortunately outweighs all emotion. It is for the greater good.

And now, I go all the way back through the burrows. It would be nice to have a map, though some places are beginning to look familiar. I could never forget the layout around the prison chamber, I know it better than any other place on this planet.

On my way, many step aside to let me pass. But I see ahead of me, a young colt brimming with teen angst. I can tell by that bored, uncaring look in his eyes that he means to do something foolish. Perhaps he will let me be. I’d hate to have to put him in his place.

But as he passes, a sly and cunning grin. He kicks my ankle. “Oops.”

Hmpf. Such a light tap. But it’s not the force that matters, it was the gesture that says it all. This young boy lacks manners.

I return with a casual kick. You wouldn't even see it unless you were paying attention. He slams to the wall. He returns to his hooves, a lessoned learned, and I carry on as if nothing happened. “Oops.” my only response.

I finally find my way to the sanctum. The doors lay closed. I hesitate to open as Twilight could be busy in her meditations. But, I was right when I said I have should have told her of my meeting with Mustang.

I enter the sanctum, in the middle of a discussion between Twilight and Ivory.

Not even so much as a Hello.

“What the hell are you doing down here!” Ivory barks.

“It’s okay Ivory. I can handle this.” says Twilight. “What is it, Jax?”

Polite. Cheerful. The exact negative of the manic Ivory. As opposite as the North and South poles. But, I suppose with such a wide spectrum between them, they work well together at the helm.

“I.. have some important news from last night.”

“Oh this better be good. You’re dealing with Twilight Sparkle now, Jax. You better not waste her time like you wasted mine.”

“Ivory, please. Go on, Jax.”

But how do I tell her? What way can I say this without raising too much alarm?

I tell them it all, my entire encounter with the evil Prince. I replay it from start to finish, and every last word in between. How he infiltrated my mind, how I almost abandoned Twilight. I end my retale where the knife met the flesh, how I brought the Prince his death.

“YOU. DID. WHAT!” Ivory exclaims.

“Jax.. This is really bad.”

“As I said before. I did what I had to.” I say.

“How could you be so irresponsible! Now an entire chunk of magic is gone! I knew we should never have sent you.”

“Ivory’s right, Jax. Prince Mustang may have been on the wrong side, but without his magic in the world.. Sigh, who knows how little there is left.”

“A price had to be paid to get your precious Element back.” I say. “Without me to make that payment, how much closer would you be now?”

“Twilight, can I speak to you for a moment? Privately?”

They huddle together far across the room, speaking so close that only whispers fit between them. But little do they know, my attuned ears still pick them up.

“Twilight, is this guy for real! Even when he’s helping us, he’s still ruining it all!”

“He didn’t have a choice. I know you’re worried, but give him some slack. And he’s right, what would we have done to get it ourselves?”

“I know. Uch, I hate to agree with something so vile. But I can’t even think about how much we would have lost to get it ourselves. Wait, Twilight, check your magic!”

Both their horns glow for a brief moment.

“I feel the same.” says Ivory.

“I feel the same, too.”

“It must still be leaking. We need to try and find the next one again while there’s still enough left.”

“Alright. It’s worth a shot.”

They break. A slit in the crystal wall slides open, and they retrieve the two Elements. Ivory sets Loyalty at one point of the six point table. Twilight places a tiara on the opposite point. This one I had not seen before. Its encrusted gem matches Twilight’s icon, and the shape the table itself. So this is Magic.

With the two Elements in place, a mystical spellbound ritual begins. The unladen points retreat inwards, while the other two grow outwards. Twilight and Ivory stand still, their heads bowed and their horns shining as bright as the sun. Two beams, red from Loyalty and purple from Magic streak out like lasers to touch each other. I stand back, completely at awe with no understanding of what it all means.

But Twilight and Ivory hold for several minutes. They focus hard, their teeth clenched and sweat slowly rolling down their cheeks. I can feel the immense power shared between them. My skin tickles with a tingle, but it fades the longer the ritual continues. Eventually all the glitters, everything that glew so brightly flashes cold. The ritual ends in as the power between them shatters. The table returns to its six points.

Twilight and Ivory collapse, their bodies strained to all they could withstand. “It wasn’t - enough.” Ivory pants. “It wasn’t enough. Dammit JAX! Why didn’t you tell us sooner!”

“It wouldn’t have - made a difference. We weren’t - any closer - than when we tried last night. If Loyalty hadn’t faded so much, it might have worked.”

“Well now they’ve faded even more! Thanks to Idiot over there!”

Again, she continues to blame me for things that are out of my control. It seems to be all she resorts to with so much hate in her heart. Hate, for me. My kind. My life. She may blame me, however, who am I to blame her?

“There has to be a way to restore its power, without Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yells.

Rainbow Dash.. Something about not needing them puts Twilight on the edge of tears. A close friend perhaps. Maybe even another Element since their name is tied so close.

“So.. what’s the plan now?” I ask.

Both are unsure how to proceed.

“We stick to the mission.” Twilight says after some time of stressful strategizing. “I still need to find one more Element before I can start reshaping Magic. But.. I must keep meditating to find it. I also still need to figure out a way to fix them.. There’s got to be a way, I’ll find it somehow!”

“Jax, you can leave now. Keep looking for that damned spy, and next time.. come here AS SOON as you have something important to say! Don’t fuck us like you almost just did.”

I leave, my purpose fulfilled and my secret spilled.

Still I come no closer to finding the one who hides in plain sight. It could be Twinkle, it could be Ivory, and, dare I say.. it could be my dear friend, Fluttershy. Yet each have reasons for me to deny just as strong as they do to be blamed. Perhaps it's not any of them, perhaps it is someone I have yet to meet.

“One more Element before I can start reshaping Magic.” And also one more Element before I must leave. I still find myself torn at three ends. I could leave now, it would certainly draw heat away from Twilight with the spy no longer on my trail. But I must also stay. I have a deal to remain faithful to, one that could certainly put Twilight on the road to success. But it’s not just the deal. I find myself becoming more and more concerned for the fate of my new world. I have too many options to make sense of. Each one puts me in a bind. Each one could very well end in disaster for all. But I suppose there is no way out of it, I must do my part in some way. Only time can tell me what that is.

After seeing how much it takes just to recover one Element.. I almost shudder at what I used to be a part of. The Elements of Harmony, the single most powerful collection of magical artifacts this world has ever known. Yet these great spirits, clothed with unimaginable might.. are so weak that they have almost no use without so much sacrifice. I have but one question to ask myself - What have we done? The war for Home has ended in loss for both sides. But the war to restore balance has only just started. After all I’ve been through; after all the days waking up covered in ash, to my recent hard earned victory over Mustang, I have only tasted the beginning. And after seeing what it takes to find one more.. I can’t imagine what sort of dark things come my way. But they are sure to come.. and the will be here soon.

REBOOT IN PROGRESS

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Chapter Two - More Than What The Mirror Tells

Author's Note

Boy has it been a while. My job's making it really hard to commit, what with getting ready to deploy overseas and all. But for those of you enjoying this, it's not dead, I promise.

Chapter Two - More Than What The Mirror Tells

Evening time. The lively caves are winding down. I sit side by side with the famed Buddy Duke enjoying dinner and a chat.

My search for sedition has led me to many interesting pages of a shredded book. Lemon Heart, Little Tumbler, Sky Scraper, Sundrop Swirl, Dance’a Prance, and many other characters just as colorful as their names. All of them with their own unique tales to tell. But few have been welcoming. None have been as grateful to greet than the Blue Beauty himself.

Buddy Duke, the last beat of heart and soul these dreary walls have to offer. Always bebopin’ around with a pep in his step and a smile on his face. Happy to help, and sure to share. “It’s a beautiful day” is his motto. No matter the mood, he always seems to find a way to bring sunshine to the cloudiest skies.

“And that’s how Twinkle and I got away with murder.” he says after another lengthy story of his youth.

I nearly spit out my drink. “Woah wait what? Did I miss something?”

“Nah, I’m just kidding. After we convinced him to tell us where the jewelry was, we gave it all back to the museum.”

“So you two were almost like crime fighters.”

He chuckles. “Hmhm, not really. We got into more trouble than we stopped. But I always had something up my sleeve to get us out. Heh, you didn’t think Twink was a rabble rouser, did ya? That crazy diamond..”

"How'd you two end up meeting anyway?"

“Twink was a rich kid. Her parents were members of the Canterlot Elite but that wasn’t her style. Always called her a diamond cause her family was so posh. Me? I’m from a place called Baltimare, but I grew up on the mean streets of Canterlot.” He jabs at the air. “Well, I say mean streets but they were actually really nice. Never had a home to call my own though.”

“So you didn’t grow up with much of anything either. That makes two of us.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nevermind. I’ll save that for later, go on.”

“Hm, so we met when she cut class one day. One of those rich private schools with all the rules, ya know? I got her out of the fast lane, slowed her down, taught her how to smell the roses. We’ve been friends ever since. Good times..”

“You didn’t go to the same school together?”

“School? Pfft, no. Never had the money for that. All my knowhow comes from the ponies I’ve met. Meet a loooot of interesting magicians in a city made of magic. A lot of amazing stories, too. Even if I could go to school, I wouldn’t because of all the adventures I’d miss out on. Twink? Eh, she thought her magic was more important than I did. But we were pretty much Ride Or Die all the way up until she got accepted to the School for Gifted Unicorns.”

“You weren’t at all interested in learning magic?”

“Not in school. There they just teach you how to be prim and proper and use your magic for good -”

Use your magic for good.. Hmm..

“- and all that nonsense. I’m a free bird, prim and proper ain’t my thang. Half the magic I know is just stuff I made up. Really helps when you’re always sticking your hoof in and out of the oven.”

“Hmm. Shame you don’t get to use any of it down here.”

“Ha! So you think.”

“What? I thought none of you could use your magic because of the dangers it poses.”

“We can’t, but, let’s just say I’m good at not leaving a trace.”

Not leaving a trace..

Prim, proper, use it for good.. not his style..
And he knows how not to leave a trace… I may have just found my first lead. Loose, shaky at best, but it's the most I've uncovered so far.

“That’s very interesting.” I say, carrying on. “I’m sorry for the rest of your kind then. They’d be a lot better off if it if weren’t for mine.”

“Pfft, Equestria’s been under attack for centuries. You’re not the first, and probably won’t be the last. You are the first that won though.. But it’s fine.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean at the end of the day, everything is always fine. Plus, those things you did? Eh it wasn’t your fault.”

It wasn’t my fault.

“Well Duke, been nice talking to you, but I’ve got other things to take care of.”

“Oh. Bummer. Alright, I’ll see ya ‘round dude. Take care.”

I leave the cafeterium, thinking of those last words Duke spoke to me.

A world in ruins. Millions, no, billions have perished. Only one word was on the mind of everyone at the end of their lives - Humans. And I played my part. I can’t count how many souls were given up at my hands. I can’t even think, knowing my role on the attack on Canterlot, how many of those souls Duke knew.

And yet he says it’s not my fault. It was the first time I had ever heard this. It was the last thing I expected my former enemy to say.

But I’ve found the first piece of the puzzle. Trouble now is, how many more, and where does it fit?

Who else have I not talked to.. I suppose I could give Grease a shot. Someone of her talents must be an important asset. I wonder what all she could know.

I cross the complex towards the sanctum. Just outside the door to Grease’s workshop, the chuttering of her arc welder. She must be working on something.

I knock, but receive no reply. The chuttering goes on as she continues her work.

I push on the door.

Not even a moment after it opens to a slit, a wrench is thrown. Crack! It impales itself in the wood.

RIGHT.. That’s her way of saying she’s busy. Damn, I was lucky the door was in my way. Perhaps I should leave her be and come back later. I don’t want my head being loosened by one of those.

Gah! What was I even thinking. Grease can’t even talk. What use would it be trying to see what she knows if she can’t tell me anything? But.. She has built a number of communication devices. Is one of those strong enough to relay messages to the enemy? No.. Another preposterous idea. She’d need a large dish or antenna somewhere outside to transmit any kind of signal. I doubt even with her talents that she could build one, let alone keep it hidden

So they can’t use magic to communicate.. Nor do they have the tech for long range radio.. But what could it be! There must be something I’m missing. Maybe they’re going out at night to carry the message? No, that would take too long. Mustang seemed to know everything almost the moment it happened. I can only make sense that Duke or Twinkle must somehow be in on it. But even that idea has just as many holes as all the others..

Errg What is it! How can they be doing this! I must be missing something, but what could it be! Ugh this is putting me at my wit’s end. I’ve been at it all day and I stand not one step closer than this morning. Maybe I just need to give it a rest for now. It’s getting late. Sigh.. Hopefully Igneous is finally done carving out my room. It’d be nice to sleep somewhere not exposed to the outside for once.

I walk down the hall, and luckily find Igneous in his usual room, toiling away with his pickaxe. The.. Whatever sort of room he’s in doesn’t look any different than last night. Come to think of it, he does spend an awful lot of time down here, away from everyone else. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to interview him. As the old adage goes, leave no Igneous Rock unturned!

Sigh..

I open the door, immediately finding his attention. “Ah, surely thy be the Human Hero. To what doth this honor be owed?”

What a strange way of speaking. “Igneous, I heard you’d been working on something for me. Mind showing me?”

“Why, I’d be obliged! Please, to yonder staircase follow.”

We go down the stairs towards to the sanctum. Halfway down, there’s a vault-like door I had not noticed before. Through its way, a lavish limestone living space with three hollow cutouts turned to houses. Two fit for Equine, and one sized and customized just for me. Complete with tablet tables, chatham chairs, and belovite beds. These other two spaces must be for Twilight and Ivory. In Twilight’s, I notice something that brings back a vague yet meaningful memory. Many days ago, in the rubble of the Ponyville library, I had found a photographic fragment of a purple and green lizard. I had taped it to the side of my rifle. Here I find that exact fragment, stuck back to its whole - A picture of Twilight and Fluttershy, and a few others unknown to me. There are several pictures in fact of Twilight and the Lizard together. A pet? A friend? Surely their bond was closer than any others for her to have kept so much of their past. But on Ivory’s side, nothing. Only a blank template mirroring Twilight’s own space. Her ruffled bedding is the only indication one was ever here. Mine is exactly like the other two, only matched to meet my much larger size. I was even provided with bedding, something I have never been afforded. In my days aboard my mothership, our beds adjusted to match a comfortable body temperature, no blankets were needed. But something about having them has always made me feel more secure, more at home with myself.

“As promised, your accommodation be of the highest hoofmade regard.” Igneous says proudly.

I sit on the bed. At the very moment I give it my weight, it returns with a pliable comfort I have never known. Just by the bend of the mattress, the finesse in the handmade fabric, I can tell it was made with care and comfort in mind. The opposite of my kind, where there are needs which are met, and only just. Every piece of luxury built for purpose and function, rather than pleasure. In space, resources are scarce. Manufacturing matter is a slow process, all things are made to check a block, nothing more - Tools, weapons, and even lives.

I give Igneous a quick rundown, telling him how I’m getting to know everyone. Leaving out of course that I’m on a hunt. I ask him to share his tale.

“I’d be delighted!” he says. “As thou art none but aware, I am called Igneous Rock Pie, son of Feldspar and Granite Pie. --”

Oh boy, I’m in for a hell of a wait.

He goes on.. and on.. and on in that same lifeless, yawn drawing voice about all the rivet and excitement.. of running a rock farm. He spars no expense to fill me in on every last detail of his life, equalling most of it to The Great Rock Cycle. It's a gneiss story, and despite his mono tone, he does dig up some things of note. Such as his four daughters, Maud, Limestone, Marble and Pinkie. Though these names are not of importance, it's a nice break from the basalt on my patience.

The moment is only saved, ironically, by the sudden entrance of Ivory. The door blasts open, but she stops as she notices me. “Oh no.” she says, staring blankly. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“I must beg your pardon, Miss Ivory.” says Igneous. “What be the trouble at this moment?”

“GET. OUT.”

But she insists that only Igneous leave. She stops me with a hoof, and waits for the door to shut. “Are you KIDDING me!” she exclaims. “This isn’t where I wanted him to put you! That deaf fool!”

I smirk. “Well then, looks like you and I are going to be getting closer than ever before.”

“Shut up! I refuse to sleep near you! I’ve already been up for three days straight, I can go longer! Dammit! Ugggh what am I going to do with these ponies..”

She trots to her bed, placing an old fashioned timer on her nightstand. “Well. You and I are finally alone. Consider this your interrogation.”

She winds up the timer.

“Oh, another one.” I say, rolling my eyes. I’d be more intimidated if she had a weapon, or if I was chained down. “Well, it’s just you and me, alone, behind a locked door, and you don’t even have a bargaining chip. I wonder how this will go.”

I warm my muscles tensely, my heart rate climbing to meet the speedy ticking timer.

But she chuckles. “I thought you’d be as uncooperative as usual. But there’s a reason I’m here. I do have a bargaining chip.”

“And what’s that?”

She grins at me with her twisted smirk. “I have Fluttershy chained up in the interrogation chamber. When this timer goes off, if I don’t get what I want from you, my guards will put her through the paces.”

“You WHAT!”

I shoot off the bed, ready to smash through Ivory and break down the door.

But a gleaming red bolt slams me in the chest. Like being struck by a vehicle, I fly back and plow onto my bed.

“SIT DOWN!” she screams. “Think very carefully about your next move, Jax! You’re wasting your own time.”

Struck again, this time by the irony of having said those same words to her. “I thought - you couldn't - use magic.” I pull myself back up.

“Time is ticking!” she sings. “But I have no problem letting it pass. I’ll win either way. The rock here is thick enough to keep my magic hidden. Once again, you find yourself helpless at my mercy.”

This crazed, manipulative sadist has yet again exploited and backed me into a corner. I am no stranger to the power of a unicorn. As much as I hate it, I’m trapped. But most important to me right now is pulling Fluttershy out of harm's way. “How long - does she have. How long did you set the timer for?”

“That’s a good question. One that even I don’t know the answer to. It's a beautiful metaphor, isn’t it? Only now do you realize what we all have hanging over our heads!”

As much as I want to beat her to a bloody pulp, I know not what else she could have planned, let alone what questions she brings with her this time.

She goes on. “Let’s get down to business. I know behind your mindless thirst for blood, there's a brain rattling around in there somewhere. So, who is it?”

“Who’s who?”

“Put that shit away. Time’s not on our side. You’re not on my side and I sure as hell am not on yours.. Unfortunately all three of us have to come together to find out who our little turncoat is. You and I both know something's coming, but no idea when. Someone knows. Along with When, we’re missing Who, What, and Why. And you’re going to help me figure them out.”

Who. What. Why. Against Time, Ivory and I. All of us in a race to When.

“So. Who is it.” she says again impatiently. I listen to the timer, quell my quiet rage and question my encounters. I quickly narrow down all the choices. Of all the faces I’ve met and stories I’ve heard, the tiny clues lead to but a handful. Twinkle and Duke amongst them, but of that small group an answer has yet to be found.

“I have no idea.” I finally admit in frustration. “I haven’t found them yet.”

“And why not?” I know this question is just to drag out my time. She has a very clear goal but doesn’t seem to care how she gets it. So I tell her what I know. I tell her the stories, give up my two comrades, confess it all in a way to somehow convince her they’re more hidden than a tear in the rain. As I explain, I see in her ugly mug that even she understands my logic. I know she is very cruel, cold as ice but she's sharp as a blade. A blade which digs into me for every last drop to finish her puzzle of blood. I hope that my answer is enough, for now. “Satisfied?”

She eyes me up, dragging on the time as she thinks. Then she smirks. “Well.. We still have a little bit of time.”

Even I have to chain myself down from letting loose.

"Let's work backwards from Why. Shall we? While you were out, not only did you steal what they were after but you also killed their leader. And yet it feels like nothing has changed. Why?"

I think, but can'tfind a sensible answer before she speaks again.

"Nopony has left the caves, no fluxes in magic have been detected. Surely the spy must still be here. Even more difficult is the Why of why somepony would want to help keep Equestria in ruins."

"It has to be his mind control spell! That's all I can think of."

"But you killed him. His spell should have worn off!"

"I had first hand experience with his psionics! It almost warped my own mind --"

"As if it wasn't already warped enough."

"-- And maybe he did warp the minds of so many to stay loyal even after his death. It's all that makes sense to me. I've been collecting the pieces, all I could find since last night and this is where they point."

"Hmm.." She thinks, but still with that look of dissatisfaction. Inside myself I pray for it to be enough, for Fluttershy's sake. She does not deserve to be caught between my failures and the wrath of others.

".. No." she says.

I sink into pouring dread. Ivory's aim to find the answer is just as strong as her want for me to suffer.

"It's still not enough." she continues.

"What do you mean not enough! That's the only way the answers point!"

"Oh there's much more to it than that. But I'll give you some credit. Because you're so ignorant of magic, you don't see what the rest of us can. But you did give me something. Let's move on."

A sigh of relief. But I still strain just the same.

"What is to come of your actions? Like I said, you and I both know something is coming. But what?"

"Revenge? An attack?! I don't know what they would have planned!"

"An attack! Don’t be so daft! Even Mustang, or whoever the fuck's in charge now would know what a bad idea that is. He can only win if there’s enough magic left. There's 70 of us. Do you know how many lives would be lost? How much magic we'd lose as a result? Surely you're smarter than this."

"Well then, if you're so smart, why can't you figure out what's coming?"

She grabs the timer and forces it closer to ringing. "No!" I shout, muscles nearly jumping from my body. But her cruel grin beneath her threatening blood-red glow keeps me caged.

"Keep fucking with me Jax! And you'll see your precious friend's corpse hanging from the ceiling!"

"You wouldn't dare!"

"TRYY MEEE!"

This evil bitch! This cruel, manipulative, psychotic bitch! Where are the answers, where is Twilight!

"You better figure it out, Jax. We're almost out of time."

Such a harsh way to force me to share their closing despair. "Well if it's not an attack then!.. It must be something, they must be sending someone! To do what or when, I don't know!"

"Think dammit! What are they coming for!" She grabs the timer again.

"The Elements!" I shout, barely a thought for it. "..Twilight said she needed three Elements before she could reshape magic! Maybe that's what they're after. We have two and they have one. That's why they're still spying on us! They have someone hiding to take the Elements when the time is right!"

"Finally! Praise Celestia, he has a brain! You're finally starting to put it all together!"

"So that's all this is about! Just some trap to get me to see!"

“Oh it’s so much more, don’t be so obtuse! I almost thought you were on a spark of genius for a moment! You just had to ruin it. You have a habit of ruining things.”

“Then what is this! Why put Fluttershy in the crossfire!”

“Equestria was my home. And you destroyed it! Everything I ever had and ever wanted was all around me! And now there’s just ash. You’ve left me scarred, and Fluttershy is the only thing that you hold dear. I have no sympathy for either of you. And once all is said and done, once we’ve found the spy, I will have my revenge, one way or another!”

“We’ve all lost everything! What makes your loss --”

“Loss? What do you know about loss!”

I keep silent, holding back. It would only waste Fluttershy’s time to answer, and Ivory would be no less blind to my light.

“Now then.” she continues, the rage in her eyes slowly dwindling to the matters at hand. “We have a Why, and we have a What. All that’s left is Who. So tell me Jax, who is it?”

I still draw a blank. But with borrowed time like a knife to my throat, rather than think, I talk. I tell her all of who I’ve come to meet, about Duke and Twinkle, and all the signs I’ve found in each. And all Ivory does is listen, the gears in her head turning. She lets me say my piece. But before I can finish, the timer breaks into song and dance.

She looks to it, then back to me. Always with the same sinister glint behind her corrosive stare. But with the timer’s song, her mood strangely becomes docile. She gives me a smug grin, and says “Well, thank you for your time. For once you’ve finally helped me.”

“What’s your trick now! Let go of Fluttershy!”

“Oh pffft, Fluttershy was never in any real danger!”

“Wha -- You mean, you mean it was a lie? It was all a lie the whole time?”

"Well I had to get you to cooperate somehow! Beating you senseless wasn’t cutting it. Plus, you work better under stress.”

She heads for the door. As I watch her trot away, I become numb. Just as much of me wants to leap up and tear her to ribbons right now.. As it wants to relax knowing Fluttershy is safe.

After the door seals, I calm down. I breathe like ocean waves - slow, relaxed, wave after wave, breath after breath. Soon I’m settled in, all wrapped up in silky comfort as I prepare for sleep. But like those waves, crashing in one after the other, heavier as time passes, I slip in and out of bouts of panic. Each time, I feel the jolting urge to jump up and run to check on Fluttershy. But it’s all kept at bay. What reason would Ivory have to lie about her again? It serves her no purpose. Fluttershy must be safe.

I keep repeating that to myself, though the back of my mind never lets it go. The minutes pass as I try to sleep. A constant battle to loosen up or loosen someone’s head. But eventually, nuzzled away under layers of soft, my mind slips away as I’m transported to the next day.

- - -

I wake up. Eyes closed, feeling warm, mind clear as if reset. Ears full of empty silence, cradled by a voided hum of metal and pipes. Not a thought in my head, not a stress on my heart, only the autopilot of routine and schedule. So another day of training begins. My life goes on as it should. Until I open my eyes of course, and realise where I am. Deep inside some rundown cave, surrounded by hate, doomed to my own death. I curl up, body clinched in a closing fist of anxiety. Tighter does it squeeze all around as my mind becomes a swirl. Careening through my thoughts, bouts of anguish. Fear. Doubt. Regret. What have I gotten myself into?

As I drown in dread for the days of now, everything settles as I put fear to the curb. But I ask myself, is fear now any different than in the life I used to face? Rather than it being of the life, the knowing that my plug would be pulled the second I was no longer needed? At least here, I have purpose beyond being a one-time use. It’s ironic that now, I mean more in the eyes of the enemy than I ever did to a human.

I sit up, daze of wake fading as I take in what's around me. Sat in a dark room, alone; the two bunks with mine are empty. Is it day? Is it night? Who could tell without a look at the open sky? Twilight and Ivory must be up already. Busy in their chasm of conjury I assume. Working out what to do next, and when to send me out to find the next Element. I get up, already as dressed as I need to be, and head out the door.

I look both ways. Not a soul in sight. An aural shroud is all around, as the only thing to make noise are my thoughts bouncing off the walls. At the top of the stairs, back into the main caves, I still hear nor see a thing. No chuttering of welders, no clicking of pickaxing - it all seems far to still from what it was before. I come to the end of the hall, and stop at the first distant noise my attuned ears receive. The clotting of hooves against stone, down some far-off hall. Coming towards me, in a hurry. There’s two sets, both galloping. But who’s could they be? Where are they headed? Why are they running?

They grow loud as they are upon me. Dandy Lion tears around a corner, running crossways down the hall in front of me. “Help!” He screams as he passes. “Somepony help me!” Hot on his heels, the same teen runt I bumped with in the hall yesterday. “Get back here!” he shouts in pursuit.

As the runt passes, I catch him by the scruff of his neck and raise him up to my eyes. “Hey! What are you doing! Let me go!” He flails and kicks at my face, but I just hold him there, high off the ground.

“Just where do you think you’re running to?” I ask with menace. “Didn’t you learn anything after our little run in yesterday?”

“H-Hey! Not cool! L-Let me go!”

I drop him hard to the ground. He falls flat, and I get him on his hooves with a boot back the way he came. “Get back to your parents, kid.” I say, knowing full well of their fate. He glares to me with spite like a spotlight in his eyes, until he disappears around a corner.

Dandy Lion trots to me. “Wow, you really saved me! I guess I owe you twice now, huh?”

“Uhh..?” I groan. Never had much experience dealing with kids. He follows me as I wander through the halls. “Sure, kid.”

“Come on! There’s gotta be something I can do for you!”

“..Thanks. But you don’t owe me anything.”

“That rock was the last thing I had. Do you still have it?”

“Yep.” I pull it from my pocket. His eyes beam to see his so called hero still toting around his precious gift.

And so we go on, my mind half on Dandy’s words and half on finding where the hell everyone is at.

“-- And I’m pretty sure that Cinnamon Swirl is hiding an entire stash of gems somewhere!” Dandy finishes. “My friend Button Mash and I have been trying to find it for days, but she suuure is smart about where she hides it.”

“Right, right.. Say, Dandy, where’s everybody at?”

“They’re all in line for breakfast.”

Ah, breakfast. Of course. So it is morning. Having a decent night of sleep has me all turned around. I head for the cafeterium, and Dandy goes on with his child-rambling.

“My mom’s the one in charge of handing out all the food. She mostly does it by herself.”

“Why aren’t you over there with everyone else then?”

“I usually eat whenever I want. I guess I’m lucky that way. But I’m not the only, I give out snacks at least twice a day. That’s why Stryder was chasing me, he tried to beat me up over getting more to eat.”

Strange. They have so much food that seems to appear from nowhere. I may not grasp farming, but it sure feels like they have more food than conditions would allow. “Where does all of your food come from?”

“It’s a family secret. I’m not supposed to tell anypony.”

“Anypony eh? Well I’m no pony, and you trust me, right?”

“Yeah! Of course! But I can’t tell you, I can’t even tell my best friend.”

Guess I’ll just have to find out on my own. If I could uncover yet another one of their secrets, it sure would beat the hell out of living on scraps thrown my way.

We come to Hazelbloom’s stall. A line stretches far from the counter. It looks like every pony is here waiting for their morning meal. I coax Dandy away, and he goes off to find Button Mash. As I reach the end of the queue, the stall doors swing open and meals are served one by one. I watch Hazelbloom. Every time she serves a meal, she goes back into some hidden room to fetch the next. It’s always something that looks fresh off the vine. Carrots, lettuce, daisies - The more I watch, the more the mystery grows. And the hungrier I become. When it’s my turn, I get what I usually do - some old rotten thing that would be better left in the garbage. But that’s okay, I’ll find out her secret soon enough.

I sit down with the usual crowd. I chat with Duke and Twinkle, share a smile with Fluttershy, but my mind is always on what’s behind that stall. I know I’m out to find a spy, but for now I can put that on the back burner. I wait for everyone to clear out, until I find myself alone. Not long after, Hazelbloom and Dandy Lion leave the stall and go off to do.. whatever. My chance is now, might as well take it. What could they punish me with that I haven’t gotten already?

I come to the door. Look left, look right, I give it a tug. Locked. But I play the devil of curiosity’s advocate, and this won’t stop me. I give it another tug, slowly pulling harder and harder until it cracks free from the frame. The crack is loud, it echoes throughout and stuns me in place. “Ssshit.” But as I stand, looking foolish as I stair at the broken handle, no one comes. At least this time, both of my feet are firm, and one is not stuck through some hole I was dumb enough to make. I slip inside.

And, inside.. Just another empty cavern. No other doors, no other halls, just an open space full of nothing. My mouth drops, and my head fills with fog.

There has to be something! You mean to tell me all this food comes from thin air!? I mean, I get they’re magic and all and that’s not unrealistic, but they can’t even use it!

My thoughts cut short as something flashy in the room captures my mind. A smoothness along the floor, a perfect plane of gray as wide as it is long. Flat like a polished sheet of steel. It almost takes a careful eye to see it is the ceiling staring back at itself. But as I peer over its surface, my own self eclipsing its mirrored gaze, I find no reflection of my own. Only a perfect picture of the rock above, no matter how I dance around. I reach down to touch the mystery material.

“What are you doing?” asks a voice like ice. I freeze, my lonesome finger an inch from the surface. There, in the doorway I had intruded, Hazelbloom. She stands staring, looking curious without concern. She asks again, sternly.

“Welp.. you caught me.” I say. But she’s quite. I’d expect her to be furious, she hasn't shown to be very fond of me. “...You’re not mad?” I ask.

“Pfft, no. I don’t blame you. I haven’t exactly been kind to you.. and that’s my fault.” She bravely joins me at my side, and stares into the polish at herself.

“You came here looking for food.. didn’t you?” But her words carry off on a breeze as I puzzle myself. She sees her own reflection, and I see it too. But still nothing of my own.

“What is this?” I ask.

“It’s a mirror pool.”

“A.. Mirror pool?”

“Yeah, it's almost like a portal to another world. Only it's more like a reflection of what you want versus what you have. They’re very rare, there’s only five of them in the whole world.

I reach again to touch it.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea!” she says. Again, I'm stopped.

“Why is that a bad idea?”

“Umm..” With a soft smile, she points to her horn.

“Right..” I sigh. “Another one of your magic only things.”

“Well it’s just to be safe. I don’t think anypony knows what would happen if someone with no magic touched it. These things can cause a lot of trouble, you know.”

“Trouble? What is it? How does it work?”

“Like I said, it's kind of a portal that bridges what you have with what you want. Here, let me show you.” She reaches in. The surface ripples like water, and almost as if her reflection handed it to her, she pulls out a whole head of lettuce. That’s actually exactly what happened. Another version of herself, on the other side, traded what she wanted, food, with what she had, nothing. I’m stunned.

But she hands me the lettuce. “Here. Sorry for.. not being as fair to you as I could have been. I was just afraid that if anypony saw me treating you well, they’d look at me weird.”

I snatch the lettuce, and scarf it down like I hadn't eaten in days. Each bite a crunch with flooding flavor. It’s gone in seconds. “How could this ever be trouble!” I shout. “This is anything you want, whenever, for free!”

“Well, not everypony uses these correctly. And it has its limits. Not long ago, a mare named Pinkie Pie used it to clone herself like a thousand times. All of them shouting “Fun! Fun! Fun!” ugh it was a disaster! The town could barely handle just one of her. But that’s why it’s a secret. Twilight would only trust a humble food grower to use it, so, that’s where I come in.”

I gaze back into the pool. Something about not being able to see myself is almost.. existential. A mirror is something unmisted by cruelty or justice. It is honest and above all, exact. I know where I stand in this world, I’ve done more than left my mark. But here I am, staring at silver, looking back at nothing. It makes me wonder, what is my purpose? What am I?

Come to think of it, I haven’t seen my own reflection in over a decade. Mirrors, like names, were something we never had, to rid us of Self. But I remember one day, when I was 12. The first time I had ever seen myself. I can’t imagine what I look like now, or how I’ve aged. All I know is, I have blue eyes. I see them every time I peer down my rifle scope. It makes me feel.. well.. I’m not sure how I feel about knowing the only face I’ve never seen is my own.

“Want some more?” Hazelbloom chimes. It brings be back to the moment.

“No.” I say. “Thanks, but I’ve spent enough time here. I’ve got someone to find.”

“Well, if you’re ever hungry, just find myself or my son, Dandy. I’m sure you know each other, he talks about you nonstop.”

We head out together, but I stop to look back. Hazelbloom carries on while temptation taps my shoulder. It calls me to the pool. Just one touch, one try. What could go wrong?

I kneel at the mirror’s edge, thinking of what I want. But with so much in my head at once, its hard to hear the voice that cries the loudest. I’ll start with something simple. An apple.

I reach out. Not even my shadow exists over the plain. And like metal, my hand stops, pressed flat against the surface.

Shame. But nonetheless, very intriguing.

I step out back into the hall. Without even an inch covered, I’m greeted by a voice. “Hey Jax!”

A familiar voice, it’s none other than Duke again. His friendly smile greets me as I turn to face him, feeling caught in the headlights. “Oh, hello. I didn’t see you there.” It was as if he was waiting for me.

“It’s all fine man. What were you doing in there?”

In there’s a closely guarded secret, apparently. Best not to tell him. “Just talking. Finally had a chance to get to know Hazelbloom.”

“She say anything?”

He seems laser focused on something. “..No, it was just a friendly chat. Say, how did you find me here anyway?”

“Oh pfft, you’re not hard to find. Keeping track of things is kind of my specialty. In a way, at least. It’s not what I’m reaallyy good at but it’s a neat skill to have.”

Hmm.

“Anyway,” he goes on. “Twilight wanted me to find you. She wants to talk to you about something down in the Sanctum.”

“Does she now?” Boy does she like to keep me busy. “She say what for?”

“Nah. S’probably not important. But go ahead and swing by when you get a chance.”

“Well I’ve got nothing better to do. I’m at a dead end anyway. I’ll head there now.”

“Alright man! See ya around. Best not to keep Twilight waaaiitiing. If you need me, I’ll be over in the nursery.”

Always such a chipper fellow. But something seems a little off about him. Like his kindness is a cover for something. I should keep my eye on him a little more, he might be the spy I’m looking for.

I wander through the halls, as half lost and half certain as usual. All the twists and all the tunnels, it’s a wonder these ponies don’t get lost themselves. Or maybe they do, and there’s just nothing better to do but be lost. I have to stop and ask for directions. I ask Lemon Hearts. Though timid in my presence, she’s kind enough to point out the right way, or at least what I hope to be it. I never know with these Equine. Never know what’s really at the back of their minds about me. Some are resentful at a glance, but kinder hearted one on one. Like Hazelbloom. Or they’re just the opposite, and there’s everything in between. But still, no reason to blame them. If anything it perplexes me more to see them approach me with open arms than when they naturally close themselves to my world. It speaks a lot about our differences. Their kind is much more tolerant than mine. Everybody seems to be everybody’s friend, and not, just another person to brush shoulders with.

Eventually I find myself on the right path. But it’s not long before I run into another roadblock. This time I find Stryder yet again. He leans, his back to the wall, indifference in his eyes. He acts uncaring as I approach, so I stop. What could he be up to now.

He breathes in slowly, and his head slumps over my way. “You know, it’s not very kind what you did earlier.” He says.

“I don’t suppose chasing down the young and helpless is much different.” I reply.

“Kid had it coming. He’s got stuff I want. That’s just the kind of world we live in now, because of you. Ponies fighting ponies for whatever they can get their hooves on.”

“..What’s this all about, runt?”

“I really don’t like that word. Be nice if you addressed me properly, we might let you go passed if you did.”

Suddenly three others, all his age, join him at his side. They stare me down as they form a wall to block me. I meet their gazes one by one, all their faces fixed with frothing fury. “Me and my friends? None of us take too kindly to you being here.”

“What is this? Some sort of gang?”

They all squat down, ready for a fight.

“You kids have no idea what you’re about to get into.” I say. “.. Where are your parents?”

“We don’t know. Why don’t you tell us what you did with them!” one shouts.

“We’re gunna teach you a lesson!” shouts another.

I’m reluctant to get into this brawl. They’re all so young, so misguided. They barely have a chance as it is. But I stand my ground. “Look.. If you try what you’re thinking of doing, it won’t end well for anyone. You attack me and you won’t believe what happens next, even while it’s happening. Turn around. Go home. Save yourselves, and stay out of my way.”

They too hold their home ground against me. We all keep ourselves planted, squared up. I look them over, my gaze hunting for that first flinch, that first contraction in their tiny muscles for the first attack. The hairs on my neck stand up. I’m just as afraid to hurt them as I am ready to. I raise my fists.

They only hunker down more. They’re waiting for me.

“I’d hate to do this to you.” I say.

“It’s been a long time coming, Human.” says Stryder. “We’ve been waiting to get back at you since this whole thing started. And now we can. One of you against four of us. We’re not about to waste this..”

“So you won’t let me pass?”

No response. Only faces of hate.

A bead of sweat rolls off Stryder's cheek. His breaths become fast.

I take one step, one inch. But they hold.

I take one more. A full foot forward.

Stryder raises a hoof.. And sets it behind him.

Now they all look shaken. In the same instant, they share the same mood. They see I’m bigger and badder than they thought. Each of them slowly, carefully, take a step back.

“Good choice.” I whisper. I tread forward, locked on. They hold, but I sense their fear. They’ve paralyzed themselves. Soon I’m passing right between them, and get by without issue. My senses still hunt for what they do next.

A stone scrapes across the floor. I hear the woosh of it being thrown, and time slows to a crawl.

Listen. Wait. Anticipate.

I pluck the stone out of the air just behind my head. I crush it between my fingers, letting the dust fall as a warning. And that’s the end. I carry on towards the sanctum without a word.