“Hello,” I asked, confused over where I was, and why I felt as though I were in two different locations simultaneously. “Is anyone there?”

“Who said that? Who's dares to try my patience?” Asked a female voice from somewhere close by.

“I did. I think…” I trailed off.

My brain had finally put together the fact that my body had been separated from my head and I was literally and figuratively beside myself in confusion. I recalled my past life, I remembered the meeting with Celestia and Sol, I knew how that had ended but why was I here? A better question was where was here and who had spoken just now.

“Tia, are you alive? How is this possible?” A voice I identified as Luna asked.

“I don't… I don't know what's going on,” I hesitantly replied.

A second later my view of the ceiling was obscured by the tear-strewn face of what looked like an anthropomorphized Luna. She looked grief-stricken and confused but there was also anger in her tense features and furrowed brow. It was obvious even at a glance that my sudden appearance was not a wholly welcome one.

“I will not have my sister’s corpse puppeted by one of Grogar’s dread spirits. Prepare to taste oblivion, shade,” Luna spat, her horn already glowing.

“Wait. I’m not-” I tried to explain only for a blast of magic to strike me in the face.

When nothing happened I was every bit as confused as Luna appeared to be. The spell washed over me, and though I felt a tug at my very soul, I remained bound to the body of Celestia. This unpleasant feeling soon faded, leaving behind only more questions, as well as a suddenly quite relieved Luna.

“You are not the spirit I had feared you to be but I have a feeling you are not the person I had hoped you were,” Luna offered, plucking my head from the small wooden box and holding it at arm’s length. “Speak, and speak truthfully lest I consign your soul to non existance.”

“I…” For a moment I considered lying, of asserting that I was indeed Celestia, but that was such an obviously foolish endeavor that I abandoned it immediately and instead chose the truth. “I am or at least was, a human. I had died in a freak accident which left my soul wandering what I can only imagine was the void.”

“I see… go on,” Luna murmured, her face unreadable.

“I was trapped there for I don't know how long but that changed when something fiery plucked me from this state of semi nonexistence,” I continued, my words slowing as I grew more and more confident that Luna wasn't about to shred my essence to its base components and scatter me through the aether. “Celestia called this… thing. Sol.”

“You spoke to her,” Luna exclaimed, raising my head level with her own and looking me in the eye. “So she lives.”

“I don't know,” I admitted. “There was a struggle of some kind. Sol was using me like iron, melting me down so that my being could be used to save Celestia.”

“That is beyond the power of such an entity, unless…” Luna seemed ready to say something but dropped it and shook her head. “No matter. Continue your tale, spirit.”

“Celestia resisted. She tried to tell Sol that her time was up and that unmaking me was a crime she could not allow but it wouldn't listen,” I professed, hoping against hope that she could detect the truth and honesty in my voice.

Luna seemed at least somewhat convinced, but her gaze was distant, and her jaw set, the alicorn’s mind wandered elsewhere even while she continued to listen.

“It tried to sacrifice me but instead Celestia sacrificed herself. This was all despite my protests. She is or I suppose was an alicorn, her life was worth more than mine ever did,” I stated.

“That does indeed sound like Celestia,” Luna muttered with a sigh.

“And yeah… After that something happened, I don't know what but then I was here,” I concluded. “Though I’m not wholly certain where here is.”

“You are in Canterlot,” Luna replied after a short pause. “Contained within the hazardous materials wing of the storage area beneath Canterlot castle, to be more precise.”

“Ahh, so it just happened then,” I half asked, half stated.

“Yesterday,” Luna answered.

She stepped over to my body, seemingly intent on dropping my head back into my lap but was surprised when I sat up. I hadn't even thought of it, I just moved on instinct, extending my arms and reaching out towards my head.

“I suppose this is yours,” Luna remarked mirthlessly.

“Thank you… Luna,” I murmured, accepting my head back and holding it at stomach height in both hands. “I was starting to get the strangest sense of vertigo.”

“Hmm yes this is all rather strange,” Luna agreed.

A sudden knock on the door broke the pregnant silence that hung in the air between us.

“Are you alright princess? I heard voices,” called the voice of a guard.

I realized at that moment that I had gotten lucky. Obscured from sight behind several crates, I could not be seen by the guards, at least for the moment anyway.

“Leave me!” Luna shouted. “And take the other guards with you. I require a moment alone.”

“But-”

“I gave you an order!” Luna bellowed, her voice shaking the walls.

The guard didn't respond, at least not with words anyway, as his hooved feet could be heard sprinting down the hall at full speed.

“They don't seem the most competent,” I remarked.

Luna snorted.

“They let someone chop the horn off my sister, and pluck an eyeball from her skull,” Luna pointed out. “Calling them incompetent is a damn compliment.”

I crossed my eyes and looked up to where I assumed Celestia would have a horn but found only empty space. My curious hand confirmed that it was flat and that the organ had indeed been fully removed post-death.

“How morbid,” I muttered, mostly to myself.

“I shudder to imagine what foul deeds will be accomplished with such potent alchemical ingredients,” Luna remarked, lip curled in disgust. “Whatever comes of this defilement, it shall not be good.”

“Perhaps you should confine me to someplace more secure while you go about seeking your sister’s missing um, parts,” I offered.

“Strange, I did not think you would be quite so amenable to the idea of incarceration,” Luna offered, her tone carrying with it a hint of accusation.

“Let us face facts here. That was always going to happen. It is best for me to simply submit,” I retorted. “Unless you wish to fight someone in such a sorry state as I.”

“That would be unsporting, and at best a desecration of my sister’s memory,” Luna dismissed.

“So, is there some manner of secret passage around here?” I asked, glancing about the place. “Because I do not think it wise to have me moving about the halls of the castle under my own power.”

“Ha! No,” Luna exclaimed with a chuckle. “My sister designed this place, so it is frighteningly lacking in the secret passage department.”

Which means the other castle was likely your design. I thought to myself. Interesting.

“Now then,” Luna continued, raising her hands and lighting her horn. “Merely remain still so that I may send you to my inner sanctum. At least there I can trust you to not lose any more parts”

I said nothing, and remained motionless, merely observing as Luna went through the motions of casting her spell. First, she gathered power, then she suffused me with it, causing my body to glow faintly, and grow slightly warm. Then, just as I began to wonder how long it would take, I felt the ground disappear from beneath me, and in a flash, I was somewhere else.

Unfortunately for me, the transition was a jarring one, and I accidentally dropped my head the moment I landed. The ensuing tumble was uncomfortable, to say the least, and I felt my body tumble as I lost my balance. Once the world stopped spinning, I looked around, seeking out the rest of me but quickly getting distracted.

I was lying in the middle of a magical circle of some kind, a six-pointed star emblazoned on the floor, with tall braziers burning with soft blue light at the tip of each point. Around me, just beyond a rather complex web of interconnected wards and runes was an enormous library. No, there may be books present, a lot of them, but this was no library, this was a wizard’s hidden sanctum.

Tomes lay open on nearly every workspace, and a long marble table sat empty only a dozen or so feet away from me. There were three, no, wait, four different levels to the room, with each containing doors that led off to what were likely smaller adjoining rooms. Faintly burning blueish-purple candles floated in small clusters above the ground, adding an eerie illumination to the entire area. There were also paintings, desks, experiments, and a fair number of in-process art projects but I couldn't see any of those things in detail from my current position.

“Wow,” I murmured.

Rising from the ground, I for the first time, got a good look at my body, though it was perhaps more accurate to call it Celestia’s body. That didn't feel right. It was mine, at least for now, and I would treat it as such.

Regardless, I was wearing a thin white dress that covered me completely, and even draped onto the ground. Its edges were embroidered with gold, while around my stump of a neck was an intricate web of bright yellow designs that resembled a stylistic rising sun. It was minimal, and polite, exactly the type of garb you may expect to adorn a royal corpse destined for some tomb somewhere.

Before my mind, or my head, could get away from me again, I plucked my skull from the ground and held it low against my stomach. I would not drop it again I assured myself.

With my parts more or less where they should be, I let my curiosity take over and I began to wander around. I did not make it far, however, as I soon hit an invisible wall of force as hard and unwavering as steel. A slam of my fist did nothing, and neither did a punch, a kick, or my bitter, indignant growling done under my breath.

I expected to be imprisoned, don't get me wrong, but that didn't mean I was happy about this turn of events.

To sate my curiosity, I tested the edges of the barrier and found that yes, sure enough, it was a complete circle. There were no gaps to tug at or weaknesses that I could spot. I was trapped. With little else to do, I stood in the center of the circle and turned towards a distant set of important-looking double doors, waiting for Luna to return.

The thought that this imprisonment may be permanent was disconcerting, to say the least, but it wasn't the worst possible outcome. That was getting annihilated, and it seemed as though I had dodged that bullet for the moment though only time could tell how long my luck would hold. Getting slightly bored, I studied myself as best as I could, testing my senses and body.

I felt strong, very strong and there was some force, or energy that flowed within my bones that seemed to feed this strength. That was likely my earth pony strength, or whatever they called it in this more mature, anthro universe of theirs. Regardless of its name, there was a lot of it there, just beneath the surface, waiting to be called upon should I need it.

I chose not to do that, as working with Luna was likely the better option, even if I was speaking objectively. Sure there was still the chance that she did something cruel, but what would be the benefit to her? She seemed to believe my story, and though she likely didn't enjoy the fact I was possessing her sister’s corpse, I had made it clear this wasn't voluntary.

I brushed aside those concerns for the moment and chose to focus on my senses once more.

Other than being exceptionally strong, I could also see perfectly despite the fact that I didn't even have eyeballs. I found that out when I had been busy flexing and nearly dropped my head only to end up grabbing my skull like a bowling ball in order to arrest its fall. Though uncomfortable, it thankfully wasn't painful, and I at least found out that I lacked traditional eyes.

That didn't explain how I was able to see, especially so well, but being a corpse, not a lot of things made traditional biological sense. I shouldn't have been able to smell, but I was able to detect the scent of dusty tomes, dripping wax, and burning candles. I could also hear the subtle flickering of those same candles, though that was the only sound I was able to pick up.

I nearly gave up my sensory exploration when I felt a distant presence. It felt like a powerful energy source that was rapidly approaching, causing my ears to prick. I didn't know why, but it was almost like I could sense what I assumed to be a soul, and a large one at that.

Sure enough, Luna appeared a moment later, though she wasn't alone, a second smaller creature walked alongside her. Resembling a bipedal female Shining Armor, her glow was so faint in comparison to Luna’s that it was hidden by the alicorn’s presence. I pushed away this strange sort of sight and mustered as best a smile I was capable of despite my circumstances.

“Good evening Luna, and Gleaming Shield I presume?” I began, glancing expectantly at the other new arrival.

“You are correct,” Luna stated, her underling remaining silent as they strode up to the edge of the circle. “I assume you have some sort of access to my sister’s memories?”

“Sort of. I have a feeling Celestia was the type to memorize the face and name of all who worked with her,” I replied.

“That much is true,” Luna murmured. “Regardless, Gleaming here is the head of my night guard, and currently my right hand in military matters.”

“Ahh so you are at least partially to blame for my current state,” I remarked, waving a hand over my neck.

“Unfortunately,” Gleaming muttered, her voice deeper than anticipated.

“I would not agree with such a statement,” Luna interrupted, placing her hands behind her back. “She is one of the few pushing for modernization within the military. My night guard accepted these reforms eagerly, seeing this as the perfect time to modernize, but the other branches of the military are less eager to embrace change.”

“I’m going to assume that you are attempting to adopt a more meritocratic overall structure,” I offered, glancing at Gleaming expectantly.

“I am,” Gleaming murmured, an eyebrow raised in slight surprise.

“And that the current system allows for nobles, and other unelected individuals a hand in the advancement of officers,” I pressed, recalling some research I did into eighteenth-century warfare and rank structure.
“Correct again,” Gleaming muttered.

“With introductions out of the way,” Luna interrupted pointedly, stepping forward. “Let us get to the true heart of why we are here.”

“By all means,” I offered.

“To start with, I will be imprisoning you for the foreseeable future,” Luna stated. “You pose too much of a risk to the public and I am not wholly convinced that you are not some manner of shade, or specter that has managed to steal the corpse of my sister.”

“Understandable,” I replied. “I would merely request a few books to help pass the time, and the occasional conversation in order to stave off madness.”

“I find your terms acceptable,” Luna remarked, her shoulders falling slack, a burden lifting from her. “And though it pains me, I must thank you for your cooperation in all of this. I cannot imagine how much worse this entire debacle would be if someone wearing my sister’s face was out there, adding to my long list of troubles.”

“If you’d like I wouldn't mind wearing a veil, or mask and submitting to a voice change spell,” I offered, stepping forward to the very edge of the barrier. “This must be painful enough for you without me looking and speaking like her.”

“I…” Luna muttered, the so far impassive alicorn blinking in surprise. She adapted quickly, however, stowing her shock and giving me a small, pained smile. “Gleaming and I will provide something to that effect shortly. For now, I wish to know more about you. Where you came from, who you were before you came here.”

“I was a simple guy,” I began, pausing to see how best to phrase things. “I worked a middling job as a manager at a local pizza place. I had a normal family, a few brothers, and two parents though they passed away a few years ago,” I paused, my brow furrowing. “Would you like for me to say all this under some manner of oath or under the effects of a truth spell?”

“The circle has one inlaid,” Gleaming stated.

I glanced down at the array of runes and magical symbols with newfound appreciation.

“Ahh, right. Where was I?” I cleared my non-existent throat before continuing. “I was average for lack of a better word. I wasn't the most sociable person ever but I was rarely lonely and had a few friends.”

“Why weren't you the most sociable?” Luna pressed.

“I can be a bit cold at times,” I reluctantly admitted. “Overly analytical, and divorced of emotion, a lot of people find my presence uncomfortable.”

“You seemed more emotional earlier,” Luna pointed out.

“I had lost my usual cool due to the strangeness of everything,” I replied with a shrug.

“Would it be fair to say you are a dispassionate person?” Luna asked.

“That is not an unfair characterization,” I murmured.

“You have adapted to your situation rather quickly,” Luna pointed out. “Most would cry foul for the hand fate has given them, or rage at the injustice of imprisonment.”

“I’m alive, in a sense,” I hastily added, my lips moving on their own. “So for the moment, I am content to simply continue existing.”

“Do you see those desires changing with time?” Luna prodded.

“Yes,” I answered. “I have little doubt that I will crave freedom with a greater intensity over the coming weeks and months. However, I feel that is only natural given that I am a sort of living thing.”

“Hmmm,” Luna muttered.

“May I?” Gleaming offered, glancing at Luna.

“Of course,” Luna replied, gesturing toward me.

“Good. I have a few questions of my own,” Gleaming Shield stated.

The woman then stepped forward until she was only a few short feet away from me, the invisible wall being the only thing dividing us. At this distance, I realized that my initial assumption of her appearance had not been wholly true. Yes, her color scheme was identical to Shining Armor’s, but she was not an overly feminine woman.

She was well-muscled, and her armor covered so much of her that I could barely see an ounce of skin. Only her head was unadorned, revealing a heavily scarred face so covered in marks that it looked like someone had stuffed her head in a blender at some point. She had next to no hair atop her scalp, with what little was present having been cut down to the point that it was mere millimeters long. She was also an inch or two taller than Luna, though they both were shorter than me, even without my head being on my shoulders.

I silently cursed for barely giving her a second glance earlier and made a mental note to be a bit more observant in the future.

“Before we begin,” I interrupted. “Would you be opposed to a trade?”

“Such as?” Gleaming replied, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“A question for a question,” I stated.

“Fair. I start,” Gleaming declared. “What, if any are your future goals?”

“I… haven't given that much thought,” I murmured, taken aback by the question. “I would like to help people if at all possible. Though I never finished my degree, I am a fairly learned person and believe that the knowledge gathered in my past life would be of great benefit to the individuals of this world.”

“When these troubles end I would be more than happy to help facilitate this passing down of ideas,” Luna offered. “Provided they have value.”

“I am glad to hear it,” I declared, smiling softly.

“Alright, your turn,” Gleaming added.

“Right. Who are your immediate family members?” I asked.

“You don't have to answer that,” Luna interrupted.

“It’s fine,” Gleaming retorted bruskly. “Twilight Sparkle is my sister, and Shining Armor is my twin brother. My biological parents are Night Light and Twilight Velvet though the individuals who raised me are Comet Tail and Bolted Buckler.”

“Interesting,” I murmured.

“Are you particularly knowledgeable on the topic of military strategy, or adjacent topics?” Gleaming Shield inquired.

“I served in the military briefly in a non-combat role in order to pay for college,” I answered. “Beyond that rather minimal real-life experience, I am also an avid student of military history, strategy, and technology.”

“What kind of non-combat role?” Gleaming Shield pressed.

“That's two, but I’ll give that one to you for free. I was a cook,” I answered with a shrug. “It's not exactly the most thrilling of positions but I had to go through the same training as everyone else, and I did serve as the temporary logistics officer for the base after a number of my superiors fell ill suddenly. Food poisoning, though they got it when they were off base.”

“Hmm,” Gleaming Shield hummed to herself.

“Why do you differentiate between your birth parents and those who raised you?” I inquired.

“I was born with Twinkleshine’s disease, a common condition in twin unicorns that made me exceptionally susceptible to mana poisoning,” Gleaming Shield offered. “It wasn't especially debilitating until Twilight was born. After that, it became clear that one of us had to leave the house, and with my parents having finally gotten the prodigy they had always hoped for, I was quickly brushed aside.”

“So you were sent to live with these two individuals, I presume?” I asked.

“A second question, though I will grant you that much,” Gleaming retorted with a smirk. “Comet Trail is my father’s cousin. Bolted Buckler, his husband. They raised me in a small village south of Vanhoover where there were few other unicorns.”

“A small-town girl at heart I see,” I remarked.

“Green Hill will always be my home, but Canterlot is where I am needed,” Gleaming proclaimed, her voice containing a hint of pride.

“It is a good thing you grew out of your illness then,” I half asked half stated.

“Indeed, though I believe it is my turn,” Gleaming declared.

“Apologies, go ahead,” I offered.

“Which do you value more, order, or freedom?” Gleaming asked.

“That is an interesting question,” I muttered, pausing to think for a moment. “I would say order. For although freedom is good, without order it is meaningless.”

“But order without freedom is a cage,” Luna pointed out.

“True, though I think I’d choose a prison cell over complete lawless anarchy,” I replied. “At least then I would be guaranteed a place to sleep and enough to eat.”

“Hardly seems like a worthwhile life to me, but I believe this philosophical discussion has gone on long enough,” Luna dismissed.

“That was mostly out of curiosity. I suppose we can end things here,” Gleaming Shield stated.

“Wait. I have one final question of my own,” I intruded.

“Make it quick,” Gleaming shield snapped.

“How did you get those scars?” I asked, my curiosity having gotten the better of me.

“It's not as grandiose or dark a story as you may think,” Gleaming began, her fingers tracing a particularly unpleasant-looking scar on her cheek. “I got in a fistfight with an angry cougar.”

“I assume you won,” I prodded.

“I’m still here, aren't I?” Gleaming replied.

I smiled.

“We must be moving,” Luna prompted. “If there are any more delays Canterlot is liable to fall from the mountain, toppled by the mountain of complaints likely piling up as we speak.”

Gleaming Shield snorted irritably, but said nothing, merely walking alongside Luna to the exit. I watched them go, wondering about the strange questions I had been asked and what implications they may have for my future.

“What a strange person,” I muttered to myself. “Admirable, and interesting but strange.”

“That went better than anticipated,” Luna remarked, stepping through the door.

Gleaming Shield followed close behind, allowing the bookcase to slide back into place, hiding the door from sight.

“Indeed,” Gleaming agreed.

A pulse of magic sealed the hidden door and returned Luna’s private room to as close to normal as the dark domicile could hope for.

“Perhaps I should reinforce the runes,” Luna thought aloud. “No, that shouldn't be necessary. It can only summon the power of the earth due to its lack of horn, and status as an undead.”

“It could be capable of necromancy if it had the knowledge to do so,” Gleaming Shield offered.

“Hmm true,” Luna agreed. “It may also be capable of blessing someone like all alicorns, though I doubt it even knows that such a thing is even possible.”

“We should make a note not to reveal this information accidentally,” Gleaming stated.

“I’d also appreciate it if you overlooked our guest’s imprisonment personally. You may select a few more trustworthy guards, but make sure they are strong of will and not loose-lipped. I do not want word of this development escaping this room,” Luna stressed.

“It will be done,” Gleaming proclaimed.

“Good. It will be nice knowing that someone of competence is watching my back. I wish to avoid getting trapped in the dream realm and forced to fight hundreds of changelings a second time,” Luna growled, her fists clenching.

“I will see to it that those who failed in their duty are dealt with,” Gleaming added.

“Don't bother,” Luna dismissed. “They have already been demoted to maids.”

Gleaming snorted in an approximation of a laugh.

“One last thing, soldier,” Luna began, fixing Gleaming with a firm look. “I have heard several unfortunate rumors about your adopted family’s connections to the Scarlet Order. I presume that such whispers are baseless and born from jealousy?”

“It's not altogether untrue,” Gleaming reluctantly admitted. “Both of my fathers held fast to the old faith, though I believe their worship was harmless.”

“Harmless? You are aware of the order’s history of violence, are you not?” Luna pressed.

“I am, but it is my opinion that they held to the core tenets of the belief and were not influenced by the more radical sects. Such as those who believe you to be a demon, and the moon a gateway to some hellish otherworldly realm,” Gleaming explained, waving a dismissive hand in the air.

“Even without such ridiculous and nonsensical opinions, the order is not to be underestimated. They only exist in the first place due to my sister’s weakness, but they have persisted through the centuries due to some twisted belief in an end time they must prepare for,” Luna warned.

“I am aware of the prophecy,” Gleaming stated, her voice monotone and emotionless.

“And you are aware of how it may seem as though said prophecy is playing out right now?” Luna insisted, her gaze narrowing.

“This may be a once-in-a-lifetime tragedy, but I hardly believe that this is the beginning of the end,” Gleaming dismissed.

“Good. I have enough problems already, I would not wish to add a cult of sun-worshipping zealots to that already lengthy list,” Luna muttered.

“I would not worry for my loyalty. If I were part of such an organization they would have likely excommunicated me due to my close affiliation with you,” Gleaming added.

“Enough of this talk,” Luna growled. “Just discussing that damnable cult makes my blood boil. See to it that my orders are carried out. I must put an end to the panic no doubt running roughshod through the barracks.”

Without another word, Luna departed, leaving Gleaming Shield alone in the sovereign’s room. The woman glanced back over her shoulder, gaze lingering on the bookcase, her mind recalling the surprisingly vast hidden sanctum that lay just beyond. Thinking back to the conversation that had occurred within those strange halls drew a smile to the guard’s lips.

“We live in strange times,” she muttered to herself. “Strange times indeed.”

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