Author's Note

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Clarification

“It sure was nice of magic as- Twilight, to give us some beds.”

“Yeah! She even tried her best to make it comfortable for me. I’m telling ya Matt, everything is gonna go up from here!”

He sighed and shook his head. “You don’t get it, do you?”

“What are you on about now? Can’t you just be happy we’re moving forward?”

“Forward towards what Ivy? We’re not here just to play,” he crossed his arms as he sat on his bed. “The Tree still has use for us, hence this second chance. Of course it chose to be cryptic instead of straight forward like last time but I still have a feeling something bad is going to be coming our way,” he got up and leaned against the bars of his cell.

“So, you still think we’re going to have to fight?” the lamia slumped a bit on her bed, the thought not all that appealing to her.

“Why else did the Tree say ‘learn from him’? He apparently knows some technique or move that allowed him to overcome the darkness.”

“You don’t think-” her thought was interrupted by the door opening, followed by blinding a light. The sound of hoofsteps filled the room almost like a small army.

Once both of their eyes adjusted, they immediately recognized the larger figures accompanying Twilight. Both of them, even Matt despite his rebellious attitude, bowed in respect of the presence they were now in. If they were going to get out of here, manners wouldn’t hurt.

Good to see that at least they are well mannered Celestia mused, looking at both of them, mostly Ivy with how much the woman stood out. Definitely she was a unique creature, although there was some familiarity for the alicorn.

Even Luna, who had chosen to remain silent couldn’t restrain the gasp she let out upon looking at her. Ivy felt a bit self conscious about herself being inspected, but knew that was part of her now. She settled for appearing as friendly as she could, smiling to them and sitting back down to not appear as imposing.

Matt on the other hand remained emotionless, staring back at the group. He knew at least one thing about these ponies, show you weren’t weak and they’d keep their distance.

Celestia smiled at his gusto, finding it rather adorable how tough he was trying to act.

“So, shall we start or would one of you want to?” she broke the silence, her voice echoing off the walls.

“I-I’ll start, Princess Celestia,” Ivy spoke up, everyone’s attention, including Matt’s. He didn’t really have any issues with her decision to start, after all she was free to speak for herself, and maybe could appeal their case more successfully.

“My name is Ivy, I am what we humans call a lamia. Half human, half snake as you can see,” she wiggled the end of her tail for emphasis. “Upon coming to Equestria I was given the title of the Element of Motivation, represented by the color of my gem, purple. Other than that, I’m really sorry about the trouble we caused in Canterlot, princesses. I hope you can forgive us,” she bowed at the end of her intro.

Her words resonated with Celestia, truly feeling her remorse. Smiling softly, she nodded her head in acceptance. “Well, considering no harm was done, I am sure I can in good conscious pardon you and your friend.” Her gaze turned towards Matt. He was leaning against the bars, thinking of what he wanted to say. “Matt, was it?”

“Yeah, that’s my name, Celestia- er Princess,” he wasn’t used to talking in a more formal manner to the princesses. In his universe, they were used to his informality and rather laid back. “I’m Matt, and as you can see I remained human… for what I can tell. I have a red gem that was gifted to me, making me the Element of Vitality, although some often referred to me as the Element of Courage. Sorry about scaring your ponies, I guess we assumed they’d be used to strange creatures walking around by now. Guess they’re not as – well, weren’t ready for us.”

With the introductions done, and the apparent knowledge that these two knew more about them than vice versa, Celestia considered this sufficient to start. She knew Luna wasn’t really feeling up to doing the negotiations so she would speak on both their behalves.

“Well met, Ivy and Matt,” she smiled, looking between them both. “And I would agree with you Matt, regarding recent events, I’d say my little ponies have become rather… timid to new things happening. Slowly but surely we’re trying to integrate other species among us but that will still take time. On either hoof, the information Twilight has told me you both have is definitely most welcome but at the same time concerning.”

At the mention of this, the rest of the group all looked to her with confusion and worry. What other meaning could the arrival of these two mean? Surely since Nick defeated the god of nightmares, Phobetor, there was nothing more serious, right?

Seeing as she had raised the concern of everyone in the room, the sun princess continued. “Not that I myself am not happy to hear that Nick could very well be brought back to us, but there is the underlying reason of why. I see that from your expressions you both have your suspicions too about this. Has the Tree said anything about this?”

Ivy looked to Matt since he was the one that mentioned the implications to her and he sighed. “Unfortunately no. Unlike our first time around, the Tree decided to be as vague as possible. All I know is that we were supposed to meet up with Nick in this world and ‘learn from him’. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine as to why we’re here.”

There was no deception in his voice, at least according to her experience. She learned from Nick that some humans were better at hiding the truth than ponies. Seeing as Ivy agreed with everything he said too meant they either rehearsed that story or were genuinely not sure why they were given a second chance. And as much as she didn’t like the idea of imprisoning two innocents, they didn’t know enough to let these two wander off on their own. She would need some time to come to a decision on their freedom.

“Thank you for all of the information you’ve given us,” she spoke, having come to a decision. “I believe you both are safe enough to not require these cells anymore but,” she floated two gold bracelets to the two of them. “In show of your good will until further notice, please put these on.”

“I’m guessing this is to track us or keep us in check for exchange of some freedom?” Matt picked up his shining new accessory, inspecting it further to see if there was anything nefarious about this “gift”.

“More or less. Not to offend but-“

“Nah, completely understand,” Matt was back to his usual self, slipping the bracelet on. It felt similar to when that guard cast a spell on Ivy and himself, but it soon passed. “Better than being stuck in a moldy dungeon all day.” Ivy had actually beat him to the punch, more than happy to comply. She found this wrist monitor was pretty stylish.

Celestia chuckled at their odd eagerness but couldn’t blame them. Nodding to Twilight, the smaller princess unlocked the doors, which the two former prisoners stepped out.

“Now that we have most of that excess bureaucratic formality taken care of, shall we go back to the library to find out how to bring back Nick?” she suggested.

Everyone nodded in agreement and proceeded to file out, save for Luna. She stayed behind and as Twilight passed her looked like she was about to speak. The smaller mare waited for her to do so, but after the silence became awkward, simply frowned a bit and left.

“…Twilight…”