AYRA POV

When Cadance said we were going on a trip to Ponyville for the weekend, I can't lie, I was a bit surprised. At both the sudden trip itself and how moments before, I could swear on my life, I heard a curse and cracking sound. However, as I sit with my princess\boss across from two of the most important ponies in Equestria, Twilight and Applejack, I didn't dare ask what happened. Back to my situation at the time, I was a spectator to a silent war between former sisters. Twilight had on her face a critiquing gaze like she was a boss, a parent trying to intimidate their child. A look that confirmed that she had not forgotten the past. Opposite her was Cadance, holding strong with a cold glare but more out of defiance, the need to stand her ground, than any justification of innocence on her part. Both mares looked as if they could destroy the whole library if they wanted. That didn't scare any of us though. What scared us was who was going to speak first. Cadance spoke.

"Don't worry about residence. Rarity has already offered me her guest room."

"Why are you here, Cadance?"

"To get away from things," she quickly responded. I didn't dare breath as this quick exchange of snide remarks continued.

"To get away from what, might I ask. Paperwork? because I don't think you should be wasting your time relaxing when there is so much at stake. Especially when you don't even consider letting us elements help,"

"Noire can handle a little extra work,"

"On top of managing the guard?"

"It seems as if he enjoys his work."

"You make him sound like Shiny." That froze her. It felt like the world froze at that moment. We watched Cadance in anticipation of her next move. The move never came. She merely stood up and left the room. Check and mate.

I tried to follow suit but I was stopped by Twilight "Stop. I want to ask you some questions." she asked. No, ordered. There was no escaping this one. My exit was frozen shut. I sat back down as she cleared her throat. For an advocate for the magic of friendship, she didn't come across as too friendly to me "How long have you been working for Cadance?"

"Almost two months," I said, trying to keep my answers as brief as possible to avoid suspicion. Behind Twilight, I could see the element of honesty stare at me intensely. She was the lie detector in this interrogation. Questions came rushing at me like a powerful gale. I couldn't waver.

"Not that long after the changeling kidnapping. Very interesting. Why would you want to be Cadance's assistant in the first place? You could have applied to be a maid or at least a position with less stress and over-emotional princesses,"

"I wasn't in a good place when Princess Cadance found me. Her and Noire offered me safety in the Crystal Empire. As for the stress, she just has me run a few small errands here and there. I am grateful to both of them for the kindness they have shown me. Now, I think you should stop to act like a child badly hiding a secret and get to the part where you tell me you knew I was a changeling from the moment I walked in," The chilling silence returned but unlike last time, it was more bearable. Like a cold gust, the silence was only brief as I stood up to leave. I was only introduced to this squabble for five minutes and I was already sick of it. 2 months of this was way too much for me and everypony here "Please consider forgiving Cadance before it is too late."

I looked everywhere for Cadance. My initial thought was that she went to Rarity's place but when I arrived, I was met with a chilling truth.

"Cadance never asked to stay with me, darling. Nor did I offer, even though I would if I knew she was coming. I'm sorry. I hope you find her," She had been lying this whole time. That was the first time I was thinking of punching my boss.

It took an hour of searching. Looking around both Ponyville and the Everfree before a kind zebra guided me to the Castle of Two Sisters, where she saw the princess storm in the direction of. When I found her, she was sat on a rock, on her haunches, looking at the ruined walls. The princess of love in my sight was a shell, the appearance deity betrayed the child in front of me. "Isn't she a princess?" I thought to myself. I had enough of babysitting and made my way to Cadance, making each step louder than a drum so she knew I was coming. She turned to face by the seventh step and barely flinched when she saw my angry expression. She knew Twilight was the least of her problems.

"I'm sorry for-"

"I don't want to hear it." She shut up. The calm was over "It has been months since Shining left. Left. I know that Chrysalis was responsible. I know that I was one that gave him that stupid aphrodisiac but for Faust's sake! Both of you are acting like children! One of the changelings responsible is an evil tyrant and the other was in the same room! But NO! Both of you decide it is okay to direct your anger at each other instead!"

"But-"

"NO! I've been trying to atone for my sins all this time. Killing Mindful, drugging Shining, hurting so many people just to survive but it feels as if I've gotten nowhere and you've only grown more bitter ever since this month started. I've sorted your paperwork, cleaned your office, even endured the looks of some of the guards," I managed to gasp the last words out as I threw the last of my oxygen at her "Have I not tried hard enough for you?" I nearly collapsed but Cadance wrapped her arms around me, keeping me on my feet. I hesitated for a moment before returning the gesture.

"I'm so sorry. I swear I'm not bitter because of you. I've just been feeling... lonely," I spared her that time. By the wet sensation on my shoulder, I could tell she needed some leeway "I'm such a bad ruler, aren't I?"

I laughed weakly. My lungs were still in agony "Sure, even Chrysalis, before she was corrupted, had some control over her emotions and cared for me and all my kind. However, you've seen how she is when she gets desperate. We can't all be perfect." We both laughed and sat on the cold stone of the castle. We were tired, cold but at least the worst of today was behind us "Hey, do you want to go stay with Rarity for the weekend?"

"Hell yeah. It just means free dresses for both of us." I smiled. For the first time since I lost my entire race, I felt like I had a best friend again.

TWILIGHT POV

"What was that, Twilight?" Applejack asked. I didn't respond. Couldn't respond. I could've told her how I had already begun to forgive. Not forgiven, but trying to. I could've told her how nightmares of Noire and Cadance killing Shining in cold blood persisted for weeks and how I had to put up a mental barrier around my house to prevent Princess Luna from finding out. I could have told her, one of my best friends, the truth. But instead, I fell to the floor and cried. Applejack held me close, saying something I couldn't hear over my wails. I cried myself to sleep that night.

Author's Note

The final interlude is done!

Due to technical difficulties, this and the second one came out later than I wanted them to but at least there out with a little over two weeks to get out the new chapter of Just a Dream before I have to go heavy on school for a few months. I apologise in advance if it comes out late. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and I'll you soon!

Stay dizzy. Wuzzy out.