"Twilight, it's good to see you." The voice was a fragile sugar shell over a bitter center.

Doctor Sparkle forced herself to smile before turning to look at the pony that had spoken, deliberately juggling her glass from one hoof to the other to give herself an extra moment to brace herself.

She bowed a fraction more than she would for Celestia, enough that it was actually polite. The dry grass under her hooves crunched as she moved. There hadn't been enough rain in this part of Equestria for weeks. Ponies able-bodied enough to work the weather were needed on the front lines. Large stretches of what had been Equestria's breadbasket were turning into wasteland.

"Princess Cadance," She said a little more stiffly than she might have before... before. She hadn't seen her old foalsitter in weeks, and even then they hadn't parted on the best of terms.

"You didn't go to the funeral," Cadance said, quietly. She was wearing a black sash.

"I didn't see the point," Doctor Sparkle said. "Funerals are for the living, not the dead. I don't have time to sit around and mourn."

"But you had time to come here?" Cadance asked. Her tone was somewhere between accusing and suspicious. In the end, it was reasonable. Doctor Sparkle rarely attended public events if she could help it. Especially when they were for a rival trying to take her funding.

Today's demonstration of Flim and Flam's Iron Pegasus was very public, out in the sunshine, and attended mostly by ponies who saw Twilight's project as a waste of bits.

"I was given very politely worded orders to attend this little demonstration," Doctor Sparkle said. "Princess Celestia won't sign the budget unless I come here to discuss recent events." She shook her head and snorted at the surroundings, tents in bright colors erected in the mostly-dead field, like a carnival of poorly-designed inventions and promises that would never be kept.

"I felt that you needed to meet others in your field," Princess Celestia said, appearing in the way that a huge, white pony shouldn't be able to, slipping out of the crowd like the sun emerging from behind a bank of clouds.

"There are no others in my field," Doctor Sparkle said, frowning up at her. "I want my budget approved."

“Doctor Sparkle, please," Princess Celestia said. "I don't want to talk business. Besides, I think you should stay here and watch the demonstration. You might be impressed."

"I've seen the reports. I'm not impressed by..." Sparkle gritted her teeth, holding back less kind words before settling on something neutral. "Clockwork dolls."

"If they had you helping them, I think they'd be even more impressive," Princess Celestia said. "Helping Professors Flim and Flam would be a sign to me that you were a team player, at a time when we all need to come together."

"I won't abandon my work," Sparkle said, flatly.

"The damage to your facility, and the casualties--"

"Irrelevant," Sparkle interrupted. "The project is too important. As long as I and my test subjects are alive, it can continue."

"More important than your brother?" Princess Cadance asked.

Doctor Sparkle frowned and glanced between her and Celestia, coming to an abrupt understanding about why Cadance was here when she was clearly still in mourning.

"I see," Doctor Sparkle said. "According to the schedule, the pre-demonstration presentation will be starting soon." She looked towards the open-air pavilion. "I don't have time to argue. We can discuss this later."

"Very well," Princess Celestia said. "But we will have this discussion."

"Oh yes, I look forward to it," Sparkle muttered.

A half dozen tables were staggered around the pavilion, the huge circular tables mostly stuffed full of ponies sharing drinks and samples of the fair fare from the stands surrounding it. The Princesses were, of course, in the best seat in the house. Sparkle was sitting in a corner and trying to ignore the ponies around her while the two hucksters on stage patted each other on the back. They'd spent the better part of an hour describing their project in only the vaguest terms and - to her dismay - singing.

"And now we'll open it up to the audience," Flim declared. "I'm sure there are things you'd like to know, like where to get an order form for yourself!"

"I have some questions," Doctor Sparkle said, standing up.

"Flim, could you help the poor filly with a voice amplification spell? She can't do it for herself and I can barely hear her," Flam said.

"Of course, brother."

"Your Iron Pegasus--" Sparkle winced for a moment, feedback from the spell Flam had cast making her ears ring. "It's totally automated?"

"That's half the point," Flim said. "Deploying them doesn't involve putting ponies at risk."

"We feel that there have been enough losses in the war already," Flam added. "Additionally - Everypony here is cleared for information on the Imperial troops, yes?"

Princess Celestia nodded.

"Thank you, Princess. As I was about to say, reports on the Imperial forces indicate that the EUP is mostly fighting themselves. Whenever they take losses, the enemy recovers them, patches them up, and enslaves them."

"There's likely some small corps of loyal lieutenants who aren't brainwashed, but they're surrounded by waves of our own mind-controlled ponies," Flim said.

"It's turned the war into a slow grind. By removing our own ponies from the front lines, we can ensure the Empire can't replace the losses they take and we can take advantage of their smaller population."

Doctor Sparkle adjusted her glasses "I thought the EUP was maintaining a non-lethal engagement policy with them for exactly the reasons you've outlined. Your weapon is armed with a repeating crossbow and sword. Hardly less than lethal."

"That's the default configuration," Flam said, shrugging.

Flim held up some papers. "We can also outfit them with nets, launchers for alchemical concoctions--"

"--Such as our own Flim Flam Patented Triple-Z Gas Grenades!"

"And of course, even the base model can simply use its hooves to grapple and restrain ponies, if needed."

"Then there's the supply line issue," Sparkle continued. "Your creation runs on black oil, an expensive import from Saddle Arabia. After the damage to the merchant fleet at Manehattan, the reserve in Equestria is very low."

"We're working on solutions to that," Flam said.

Flim nodded and cut in. "We already have prototypes that can run on any flammable liquid. Black oil, ethanol, coal oil, even some types of cooking grease!"

"If you use the grease it tends to smell like a Hayburger Princess," Flam joked.

Flim grinned. "You know, Doctor Sparkle, you do have some very valid points. Princess Celestia has told us you'll be joining our team to solve some of these issues for us."

"She's mistaken," Sparkle growled, shooting Celestia a look. "I've seen what you made, and I'm not impressed."

"Let's see if you change your mind after the live demonstration. Would everypony like to move to the stands? We're sure you'll be singing a different tune soon."

Sparkle spat and walked away from the pavilion, turning to step behind one of the tents. The salespony in the booth immediately started on a scripted demonstration of the way the 'Amazing Flim Flam Brand Jingo Knife' could cut through cans, branches, and still remain sharp enough to thinly dice a tomato without crushing it. Twilight tuned her out and touched her ear.

"It's settled. Operation Cold Turkey is go." She smiled grimly and started towards the stands. The show was going to be very interesting.

"Begin pre-flight check, Flim!" Flam yelled, over the drone of the engine.

"Boiler pressure is good," Flim reported, tapping a gauge a few times before closing an armored panel.

"Wing surfaces are in good repair," Flam said, running a hoof along the huge, bat-like wings.

"Central animation matrix checks out," Flim shouted, after a quick diagnostic spell.

"The Iron Pegasus seems ready to fly, Flim!"

"That it does, Flam!"

The two stepped back to look at their creation. One of a half-dozen prototypes, most of the temperamental machines shipped to the battlefield before they were properly tested, the Iron Pegasus was like a pony the size of Princess Celestia, constructed of brass and iron over a skeleton of enchanted wood spars, with a magical boiler for a heart and a matrix of come-to-life spells for a brain.

This one was special, the most refined and updated version the two had yet produced. They'd even managed to figure out why some of them got stuck marching in place for hours at a time.

"After this demonstration, we'll be sure to get that funding increase," Flim said, grinning at his brother.

"That we will, brother." Flaim nodded. "Iron Pegasus, launch!"

An intern (paid entirely in Jingo Knives) waved a flag, and the come-to-life spells triggered at the signal, the Iron Pegasus lurching into motion and trailing black smoke from the smokestacks along its back as it surged into the air.

"Mares and gentlestallions, if you'll look to the east, you can see the majestic sight of the Iron Pegasus taking to the air!" The announcer made it sound like this was the greatest sight in the world.

Sparkle watched impassively as it caromed through an obstacle course, making turns and spins that were admittedly impressive for a machine. A small mock town had been constructed out of scrap wood and tarps, and the Iron Pegasus expertly maneuvered in the tight quarters.

Targets popped up on springs, and the Iron Pegasus' front hooves unfolded into repeating crossbows, firing steel bolts through the garishly-colored wooden dummies.

Doctor Sparkle leaned back in her seat in the stands, glancing up to the royal box where Celestia and Cadance were seated. Celestia's eye caught hers, and the two watched each other for a long few moments.

"The Iron Pegasus, everypony!" The announcer announced, as it landed in front of the crowd and snapped a salute.

"This is Sunset Shimmer," hissed from Doctor Sparkle's radio earpiece. "Beginning the operation."

It was Cadance that spotted it first. A gleam of green in the sky. She nudged Celestia and pointed. The larger Princess looked away from Doctor Sparkle and frowned as she focused on the rapidly approaching shape.

Doctor Sparkle caught a few snippets of conversation as the Royal Guards formed a defensive perimeter around the Royal Box.

"--at what speed?"

"--can't track it--"

"--not responding to orders to halt--"

Celestia looked down at Doctor Sparkle in alarm. Sparkle tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. Celestia's expression twisted into a frown.

A cone of teal magic trailing green energy struck down like a meteor, flaring into an explosion of light just above the ground, revealing the white and copper armor of Sunset Shimmer's suit, wings crackling and flared to full extension as she used the magic to hover in place. A full-head helmet covered her distinctive mane, a smoked glass visor only allowing a dim glow from her eyes within.

The crowd froze for a moment, then started all talking at once, confused. They could see the horn and wings, but little else. The armored pony floated in the air, balanced on updrafts of air, waiting for something.

"What is that?" Flam asked, watching through binoculars.

"Somepony trying to use our fame and ruin our chance at more investors!" Flim yelled. "Set the Iron Pegasus to attack mode!"

"That's a pony, Flim. We can't just attack a pony."

"They're not part of the Royal Guard, and they're not one of ours. If there's trouble later, we can say we were protecting the Princess."

The Iron Pegasus' eyes flashed and the boiler kicked into gear, a blade snapping out of its hoof as it lunged for Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset Shimmer turned, wings tucking in as she flashed past the clumsy construct. The bladed metal hoof went flying through the air, severed in a single blow from Sunset's magical blade. The hissing energy construct shimmered in the air for a moment before Sunset dismissed it.

"Finish it," Doctor Sparkle ordered.

"This is about sending a message, Sparkle," Sunset said. "Let me make sure they get the point." The Iron Pegasus took to the air, the remaining forehoof unfolding into a crossbow. It took aim and fired a barrage of bolts.

Sunset's wings swept forward, and the air shifted, the bolts deflecting around her as powerful gusts caught them and threw them off-course. There was a pause as the Iron Pegasus reloaded, and a glowing energy construct grabbed the weapon, the shape like a dragon's claw, squeezing around the Iron Pegasus' hoof and deforming the armor in a wail of shearing bolts and tortured metal.

With a flick of her hoof, the Iron Pegasus was tossed aside, smashing into the fake town. The plywood buildings collapsed in a cloud of dust as the broken construct rolled to a halt. It started to move, struggling to rise, and a bolt of flame slammed down like the hammer of an angry goddess, rupturing the boiler.

The Iron Pegasus exploded in a cloud of flame, steam, and shrapnel.

"Operation complete," Doctor Sparkle said. "Get back to the lab."

"What, not going to tell me I did a good job?"

"I didn't know you cared that much about my praise." Doctor Sparkle paused. "Good work, though."

"Good luck with your part."

Sunset saluted the crowd and took off. Royal Guards surged into the air after her, the unicorn quickly outpacing them.

"Doctor Sparkle," Princess Celestia said, very close now. The crystal radio was tugged out of Sparkle's ear. "I believe we were going to have a chat. Now."

"Explain," Celestia said, her voice chilly. She'd taken over one of the few solid buildings, the garage for the Iron Pegasus. Replacement parts lined the walls along with the tools needed to install them. Royal guards lurked at every door, securing the building.

"Project A has come along quite well," Doctor Sparkle said. "It's foal steps, of course, but significant progress."

"You destroyed an extremely expensive piece of equipment," Princess Celestia said. "One which was funded by the crown."

"It attacked first," Doctor Sparkle said, calmly, watching the Princess pace. "My test subject was merely defending herself."

"Yes, your test subject." Celestia frowned more. Usually she was relatively expressionless. She'd gone right through angry and into livid, glaring at Doctor Sparkle. "I'm not a foal, Twilight Sparkle. I know who that was."

"Oh?" Sparkle waited as Celestia stomped around the garage, wings twitching.

"The spell she used. The Star Sabre." Celestia stopped and raised a hoof, a magical blade of golden light springing forth. Unlike Sunset's, it was hard golden light, with sharp edges instead of the sputtering chainsaw Sunset produced. "I taught it to her."

"Ah, I see." Doctor Sparkle smiled. "It's a very distinctive spell."

"Why are you working with Sunset Shimmer?"

"She was eminently suited to be a part of Project A," Sparkle said, her smile dropping. "She has strong willpower and a naturally high magical ability."

"Sunset Shimmer is an ambitious and dangerous mare."

"I hope so," Doctor Sparkle said. "She would be useless if she wasn't dangerous."

"What are you planning, Twilight Sparkle?" Celestia shot her with a gaze that could pierce stone.

"I'm going to save Equestria." Sparkle met her gaze, impassive as a tower of iron.

"I want Sunset Shimmer."

"Do you?" Doctor Sparkle asked, sharply. "Perhaps if you ask her nicely she'll agree to meet with you."

"She can't be allowed to run around with that kind of power."

"She hasn't been formally accused of any crime," Doctor Sparkle said. "I wasn't aware that you were in the habit of arresting ponies for your own personal pleasure."

"I would do anything for the good of Equestria."

"The good of Equestria, yes. You can justify quite a few things like that." Sparkle said.

"Do you know what she'll do?" Celestia asked. "She lusts after power for power's own sake."

"And I've given it to her," Doctor Sparkle said. "Half the power of a goddess, or a demon, perhaps. I wonder which she'll choose..." She laughed.

"I intend to find out."

"This is stupid," Sunset Shimmer said, poking the restraining ring on her horn. Among the many conditions to avoid being arrested on sight was that Sunset Shimmer would have her magic restrained for the entire time they were in Canterlot.

"Mm. The situation, the conditions, or the circumstances?" Sparkle asked. She had a restraining ring on her own horn, which amused her to no end. The dozen guards surrounding them as they were marched to the meeting room amused her significantly less.

"The stupidest thing is that you dragged me along," Lightning Dust said. "Why am I even involved in this?"

"I have my reasons," Doctor Sparkle said.

"She means you're a distraction," Sunset explained. "Sunbutt likes to plan everything out in advance. The more Sparkle can throw her off her game, the easier things will be for us."

"Oh yeah, because I'm really looking forward to meeting her again. You know I was dishonorably discharged, right? In a time of war? The Princess told me herself that I was lucky the death penalty had been abolished."

"Yes. She does make a lot of threats," Doctor Sparkle said. "It's all stick and carrot with her."

"No, it's all carrots with her. She'll beat you with them until you flinch when she smiles," Sunset cautioned. "Don't believe a word she says."

"Excellent advice," Sparkle mumbled. Their guard escort pushed open the doors ahead of them, marching them into a large, open room. It didn't look like a meeting room. The bare stone had cracks and fading scorch marks layered across it, hinting at long abuse from spellcraft.

A low, circular table had been placed in the center of the space, surrounded by cushions and with a tea set resting in the middle. Princess Celestia didn't look up at them when they walked in, remaining silent. She gestured with a hoof, and the guards left, closing the doors behind them.

"I remember this," Sunset said. "This was where you used to take me to have me blow off steam." She stepped over to a particularly long scratch on the floor, running her hoof along it.

"It's been twelve years," Celestia said, her voice so carefully controlled that a carpenter could use a recording of it to level boards.

"Significantly less for me," Sunset replied. "I have to admit, Equestria was in much better shape before I left. By the time I found out how bad it was, it was too late for me to go back."

Doctor Sparkle trotted over to the cushions and sat down heavily, with exactly as much grace as an anvil. Lightning Dust sniffed at the biscuits and small sandwiches before sitting politely, with military precision mostly forced out of her by habit and a tiny insignificant amount of overwhelming dread.

Sunset didn't bother sitting, just circling around the room. Celestia finally looked up, watching her walk, as if searching for some kind of sign.

"I see." Celestia studied Sunset for a long moment, and her horn lit up with golden light. "What was your plan?"

"I was going to--" Sunset's mouth twisted as she tried to form the words of a sarcastic response and wasn't able to.

"No lies," Celestia said. "I don't have the time for them now."

"I was going to study magic!" Sunset spat. "Even the kinds you restrict!"

"And after that?"

"Prove you wrong!" Sunset said. A thin stream of blood dripped from her nose as she tried to resist, the words being pulled out of her. "I'll-- save Equestria and make you get down on your knees and beg me for forgiveness!"

"Stop this," Doctor Sparkle snapped. "You have no right to interrogate her!"

"I have every right!" Princess Celestia shouted.

Sunset Shimmers eyes flared with green light, and a wind kicked up, a gust as strong as a hurricane that flung the table between them into Celestia, the tea service shattering as it scattered across the room.

Celestia's concentration faltered, and the truth spell ended.

"Nice!" Lightning Dust said. "Kinda sloppy, but you got one heck of a wind shear for such an enclosed area." She clapped politely in approval.

"How did you do that?" Celestia asked, frowning. "The restraining ring--"

"Is irrelevant. If you'd ever taken my research seriously, you would understand." Doctor Sparkle said. "The ring blocks unicorn magic, and she has an entire secondary leyline system."

Ghostly flickers of light waved from Sunset's sides, green lines only barely visible as they shifted, like a spider web occasionally catching the sunshine.

The doors burst open, and guards stormed into the room, weapons at the ready. Sparkle didn't even bother looking at them, her gaze fixed on Celestia.

One of the royal guards lunged before any order was given. Lightning Dust deflected the spear with her bare hooves, kicking him so hard his armor crumpled and he was sent sideways into the mass of guards, knocking a half-dozen of the packed ranks to the floor.

"Stop!" Celestia ordered. The other guards halted in place. "Return to your posts."

"Princess, Lance Commander Shoe--" The most senior member of the guard started, before a look from Celestia silenced him.

"Take him to the infirmary," she said, more quietly.

"I'm formally requesting an increase to my budget," Doctor Sparkle said. "You wanted proof that Project A worked. Here is that proof. They're the only ones who can handle the new threat Sombra is posing."

"I'm curious, Doctor Sparkle. What would you do if I said no?"

Doctor Sparkle paused, as if she'd never seriously considered that. "I'd continue anyway."

"With no funding?"

"I would do what is necessary." Doctor Sparkle tapped a hoof on the ground, thinking. "It's an investment for the future. The Iron Pegasus is just a doll. A distraction. Maybe a hundred or a thousand of them would win the war. It's not important."

Sparkle looked to the side, frowning. She paused for a long moment.

"My father once told me, you could be penny smart and still be bit foolish. If you spend ten bits on a jacket, and you have to replace it every year, in a few years you'll have spent more than the pony who invested fifty bits on a better one that would last a decade."

Twilight Sparkle looked at Lightning Dust and Sunset Shimmer.

"My project costs bits. A lot of them. It's expensive. Dangerous. Ponies have died for it. Ten years from now, the Iron Pegasus will only give you better dolls. Project A will give you better ponies." She stopped to pick up a broken teacup. "Dolls can't make a decision between right and wrong. They can only follow orders. They can't build a future."

"And what kind of future do you intend to build?" Celestia asked.

"I can only forge the tools to enable others to impose their will on the world." Doctor Sparkle's tapping stopped. "Project A is that tool."

"Have your budget proposal sent along the normal lines," Princess Celestia said, eventually. "There will be conditions."

"Mm," Doctor Sparkle nodded.

"If either of your test subjects causes an issue, it will be very bad for you."

"I understand."

"I don't think you do," Celestia sighed. "Go. I don't think I can stop you, so I'll settle for keeping an eye on you. And I want you to know that I will be keeping that eye on you. It's clear that you're very resourceful and dangerous if left to your own devices."

"Thank you," Doctor Sparkle said. She nodded to the others, and the doors opened at their approach, Celestia not watching them go as the three were marched away.

“A break?” Cadance asked, confused.

“Ma’am, if I might be so bold, you haven’t seemed like yourself since... for a while now,” Ensign Alias said. Cadance flinched even though the Ensign had danced around using Shining Armor's name.

Cadance shook her head. “There's all these papers to sign and things to approve.” She swallowed. "I never knew he did all this. He always seemed to have time to spend with me..."

“You have a duty to others, but you have a duty to yourself first.”

“So what you’re saying is, I should assign you to do all my paperwork?” Cadance asked, smiling just a little.

Ensign Alias saluted and pretended Cadance's eyes weren't watering with military efficiency. “If you wish, Ma’am. I’ll need your signature for some of it, but--”

“I was only kidding, Ensign.” Cadance looked at the pile on her desk and threw it into the trash can.

“Ma’am--”

“If any of it is actually important, they’ll send me another copy,” Cadance said, firmly. “I think most of it is just busywork that nopony actually looks at. Princess Celestia likes to work to keep her mind off things, but I don’t.”

“Of course, Ma’am. I’ll let ponies know you’ve cleared your schedule and are unavailable.”

Cadance rubbed her chin, looking at Alias. “I’ve got a better idea. You’re going to come with me!”

“...I'm sorry?”

“This isn’t a good idea,” Ensign Alias muttered, as she walked alongside Cadance down Canterlot’s main street. Ponies were staring at them. Alias didn’t like being stared at. Not like this, anyway.

“Sure it is! You work even more than I do,” Cadance assured her. “If I deserve a break, you deserve one too.”

“I’m on active duty.”

“And I’m your commanding officer!”

“That makes things more inappropriate, not less.”

"I just need to get out of the palace for a while," Cadance said, quietly. "I spend all my time there and now it just reminds me too much of-- of everything that's happened."

Ensign Alias' expression tightened. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize." Cadance forced herself to smile. "I'm the one who should apologize. I don't have a lot of friends here in Canterlot, so I ended up dragging you along instead."

Alias shook her head. "Your highness--"

“Just Cadance, please. I'm trying to get my mind off of things. I’d prefer to avoid formality.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Ma’am. For now, I’ll consider myself your official escort.”

Cadance snorted.

“Military escort,” Alias specified. “Not the other kind.”

“The kind that teleports ponies where they need to go?”

“I can’t teleport so… the other, other kind.” Alias sighed. “Though I think they've all gone to the front for quote-unquote 'morale boosting operations' and taking a significant part of our military budget home as tips."

"That's too bad."

A blush spread across Alias' cheeks.

"I don't mean-- I knew them professionally!" Cadance protested.

"I wasn't aware you were a member of the Guild of Entertainers."

"No, I mean-- I'm the Princess of Love! They kept coming to me asking for blessings or advice!" Cadance puffed out her cheeks. "Are you teasing me?"

Alias tittered. "Just a little. So what did you want to shop for?"

"I'm surprised the EIS doesn't have a list of of likes and dislikes."

"I'm not a member of the Service."

Cadance smiled. "That's what all the secret agents say. But the truth is, usually I end up doing what other ponies like. When I was foalsitting I spent all day at the library. With Shiny I went to some music shows and dances - he did it because he wanted a very proper, formal sort of relationship, like a fairy tale or one of his roleplaying games. I can barely remember the last thing I actually did on my own.”

“I know what that’s like,” Alias said, quietly.

“Really?”

Alias nodded slowly. “When you have an important job, you end up… well, I suppose it’s like playing a part in a play. I try to do what an ideal officer would do, instead of what’s natural or what I would want to do. I imagine it’s the same for you.”

“It’s even harder when ponies have different ideas about the way a princess should act. Some of them expect me to be a miniature Celestia, others just treat me like a kid.”

“If it helps, you’re my favorite princess.”

Cadance giggled. “Not a wide field but very strong competition, so I’m flattered.”

“What do you think?” Cadance asked, pulling the wide brim of the hat down on one side.

“I’m worried if I tell you the truth it’ll affect my chances at a promotion,” Alias muttered.

Cadance gasped, hoof to her chest. “Is it because my charms are driving you to do things unbecoming of a military officer?”

“If I say yes, will you try a hat that doesn’t look like you’re wearing an umbrella?”

“Spoilsport!” Cadance stuck out her tongue. “Half the fun of trying on hats is finding the silliest ones to wear!”

“Your silly hats are an inspiration to us all,” Alias said. “I thought you came in here to look at the dresses?”

“We’re here to have a good time! You have to admit it’s more fun than shuffling papers around.”

Alias nodded. “It is. I just enjoy throwing myself into the role. There’s a visceral joy in being a fly on the wall in all the important meetings.”

Cadance giggled. “If you’re a fly on the wall, I must be one caught in the spider’s web! Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck there while they drain the life out of me.”

“You are a sweet treat,” Alias agreed. Cadance’s cheeks turned pink. “Maybe we should find you a nice wrapper? I’m sure there are a few good dresses if we go through the racks.”

“The racks?!” A voice squeaked in alarm.

Alias reared back in surprise as a white unicorn pushed her way between them and the hanging dresses with the same self-sacrificing gravitas as a soldier throwing themselves on a live grenade.

“You can’t!” she gasped. “A Princess, buying a dress off the rack?!”

"Is there something wrong with the clothing here?" Cadance asked, confused. "Who are you?"

"To answer your first question, yes, to answer your second question, I am merely a poor seamstress cursed with a devastatingly powerful sense of style!" The unicorn swooned. "A beauty such as yourself should never wear common clothing like this!"

"I don't know if I could. My measurements are a little..."

"Are to be envied! To try on something as ill-fitting as this?" She pulled a dress free from the rack. "It would lower you. No, no, no. You need something custom-tailored. Something graceful. Something... blue."

"Blue?"

"It would fit your color scheme," the white unicorn explained. "I'd recommend navy and something lighter and with good contrast, perhaps an ivory. Yes. Navy and ivory. It would go well with your pastels..."

"She sounds like an expert," Alias said. "I'll just try a few things on while you chat."

Alias grabbed a dress off the rack, a second-hand dress that had been in style a few seasons ago.

"That isn't your size," the unicorn said. She'd produced a sketchpad from somewhere and was showing Cadance some designs. "It's too long and slim."

Alias paused halfway to the dressing room.

"You'd be surprised what I can slip into," Alias retorted.

"Things are proceeding as planned," the voice said, from the black mirror. "Sombra will move against you soon."

"Mm. No doubt," Doctor Sparkle muttered.

"We're pleased with your recent successes. How goes the last part of the puzzle?"

"The last component of Project A is still being refined. I haven't found a prospect for it, and the requirements are more severe than the others." Sparkle sat back, looking at the mirror. She could just barely see her own reflection in the gloom, though something about the ebon glass made it seem like it wasn't quite following her movements exactly.

"You will succeed. We have faith in you."

"I'll require additional materials for the next stage," Doctor Sparkle said.

"They'll be delivered through the usual means."

"The usual means may not be secure enough. Princess Celestia has a personal interest in this."

"The eye of the Sun has always searched for the Court and only rarely has it seen even our shadow. We will ensure that it does not draw attention."

Something in the mirror changed, and Sparkle knew that she was alone again, the conversation abruptly concluded.

"Not until it's too late for her to stop," Doctor Sparkle said, to herself.

Author's Note

Why aren't there more alicorns?

If Celestia was the only alicorn, if one hadn't been born in living memory, I might think that it was simply a fact of a world. Something lost to time that we couldn't replicate.

What are the chances, though, that I'd be born so close to one alicorn's birth, and that there haven't been any in a thousand years or more? Some old books suggest there were others, but where have they gone? Old age can't have claimed them. Even if it's only once a generation there should be dozens. Hundreds.

There are two facts that I can point to that suggest an answer.

First, the alicorn I read about in those books from some forgotten era was Celestia's enemy, and she banished her forever.

Second, the newest alicorn, the only one save Celestia to be known to exist, was born and raised and ascended all outside of Equestria.

Outside of where Celestia's watching eye could find her.