A Silver Thread of Fate

H.R.H. Princess Luna,

Per your instructions regarding the shared vision, I have interviewed observational target, Codename ‘Progeny’, and accompanied exorcist Ardent Soul to Tartarus. The following report contains my complete findings on both matters.

Target ‘Progeny’, regardless of being extremely frightened and actively hiding upon my arrival, was nothing if not observant. Despite how visibly shaken she was, she was able to see through my disguise and positively identify my civilian identity.

‘Progeny’ reacted with extreme fear following exposure to the charcoal sketch of Tirek. Her first reaction upon seeing the sketch was to immolate it. Upon finding out that Tirek is real, her next reaction was to retreat under the hospital bed.

Based on this short interaction, I can confirm that her highness did indeed observe a premonition or vision. I was, however, unable to confirm whether or not ‘Progeny’ or Her Royal Highness was the true target of the vision. I am therefore unable to confirm if the vision means that the observational target will encounter Tirek, or if she will encounter a being like him.

Regardless, following the interview, I accompanied Ardent Soul to Tartarus. While the exorcist was depositing a soul gem, I took an inventory of all contained creatures. At this time it is confirmed that Lord Tirek has indeed escaped. Further investigation is required in order to determine how he escaped.

A copy of this correspondence has been forwarded to S.M.I.L.E. and Royal Guard Headquarters. Hopefully, some sort of strategy can be prepared before he makes his move.

Agent Sweetie Drops

~ Interlude 2 ~

“Sergeant Script,” Ardent Soul asked, adjusting his cloak to shield himself from the chill winds. “Are you sure you wish to be here for the chronomagical scan? As her friend, it won’t be an easy thing for you to watch.”

The disheveled bat pony to his left growled and looked away. “I gotta know,” she slurred. “I gotta know she didn’t die for nothin’. That she had no other choice but to become that...”

With a shiver, the bat pony shoved past him to stand by the bench where Penny’s bags had been left. Her eyes were red, and it was clear to the stallion that she’d not slept for days—not that he could blame her, given her relationship with Silver Penny. He didn’t know what she was thinking, but somehow he knew she wouldn’t fare well if the outcome of the chronomagical scan was unfavorable.

Exhaling a thick cloud of vapour, Ardent began his spell. All color drained from space around them, taking on an odd sepia tone. Echoes of the past began to materialize in the form of shadows. They’d come and go, flickering in and out of existence as he filtered out the irrelevant echoes.

Eventually, only the silhouette of a small unicorn lying on the bench remained. It resolved into a transparent image of Silver Penny resolved. She looked so lost, like a toy without purpose.

“I feel bad for the little one,” he says, watching Penny’s afterimage. “To end up in the same place as a trauma that once broke her, in search of solace and quiet. Fate is truly a twisted mistress.”

Eve could only nod in response. She’d read the report on the Pound Cake incident, how Penny had been the only pony to see the foal go off into the Everfree, and how Penny had been ignored due to her fracturing psyche. It did little to make her feel better.

They watched as Penny followed the phantom call, making her way into the woods in a trance. The lamia at the treeline was massive. At a minimum, it was a Class 1 Aberration, for lamias seldom grew much larger than a stallion.

Following in her hoofsteps, they made their way into the Everfree Forest, keeping an eye on both specters of the past. To see Penny following like a puppet unnerved Evening Script. The filly was no simpleton, yet the glazed look in her eyes spoke volumes about the unusual powers of the creature.

Once the small pony broke the hypnotic spell she was under, all hell broke loose. Although the lamia was clearly sapient, the thing was clearly mad. It looked upon Penny’s weapons as though they were food...

The exorcist’s jaw droped after the creature rose following the three magical knives pushed down its throat. “I don’t believe it,” he muttered. The playback looped around and replayed, his eyes darting from the lamia to Penny. “She ate the magic in those knives like Lord Tirek was said to do to ponies.”

“How can you tell?” Eve asked, keeping close to Penny’s specter. “Do you actually feel the magic?”

Ardent shook his head as the playback looped again. “Watch Silver Penny’s horn,” he said quietly. “She likely tried to retrieve those three knives with a summoning spell, only for the spell to backfire. I had time to examine the knives before the exorcism, and they’re magical constructs imbued with an indestructibility enchantment.”

The two watched in horror as the battle progressed. Hearing the lamia claim to be a disciple of Tirek put the pair in negative spirits. By now it was clear that nothing short of dark or incredibly destructive magic could overpower the creature.

Once Penny began creating a clear path with flames or debris to either side, Eve frowned. “What is she doing?” Eve asked aloud as Penny stood there, preparing an unknown spell. “Why isn’t she trying to escape?”

“She knew that no matter what she does, it would hunt her,” he answered softly. “It had her scent, and she didn’t want to endanger others by leading it to them, so she made her final stand.”

They watched in horror as she launched her hammer into the spell, only for it to backfire violently. Seeing Penny’s horn shatter broke Eve’s heart, but her eyes were on the hammer. Even after Penny’s horn detonated, the hammer stayed suspended in the air for a moment, trembling and growing white-hot before falling to the ground and bouncing into the debris nearby.

Evening Script broke away from Argent to follow the path of the hammer. It hadn’t gone far, but what once remained of Penny’s trusty hammer was pitiful. The leather strap that wrapped the handle of the weapon had burned away to nothing, while one of the striking faces had melted.

Looking at the weapon of her fallen friend, she knew what she would have to do. It was an old tradition, but a fitting one. Unable to bury a body, bringing the family of a fallen warrior their weapon was the next best thing.

“You finish your scan, Ardent,” she said, walking from the bushes with the handle of the hammer in her mouth. “I seen enough to know what I gotta do.”

The stallion gave her a sad smile and nodded. “A fitting tribute,” he replied. Looking back to the fallen unicorn, watching the lamia scoop her up, he sighed. “Sleep well, little warrior. May you find peace in the next world.”

~ Interlude 2 ~

Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor,

We regret to inform you that your daughter, Silver Penny, has died from complications following combat with a Class 3 Aberration. The specifics of this incident can be requisitioned in Exorcist Corps chronomagical report 2002-2-2-17A. Following a Category 7 Awakening, Silver Penny requested that she be purified with the Elements of Harmony, but upon being sealed in a statue, the statue collapsed in on itself. Her spirit has not appeared in the afterlife at this time, but no amount of scrying has been able to provide evidence that she is anything but deceased.

Cadance, Shining, we are so terribly sorry that this happened. We were with her during her last moments, and up until the end, she put others before herself. You would truly be proud of her. In her final moments, she revealed a means to cure ponies petrified by cockatrices. Finally, she asked that we tell you both that she was sorry that she couldn’t spend any time with you.

Know that for her deeds, Silver Penny will be honored posthumously with the Medal of Harmony and canonized as a hero of Equestria. As such, she will be granted a state funeral.

If either of you need anything, you need only ask. We are here for you both, always.

Princesses Celestia and Luna