I materialized in front of the castle grounds. Looking at the familiar sight of the castle, I relaxed. Hoping it wasn’t considered rude to abruptly teleport out of the home f a host without a proper farewell, I trotted my way into the castle. Making my way to the throne room, I stopped as their doors came into view.

“Tia, how are you?” I asked Celestia, who was in the way.

“Spirit! I was wondering when you would arrive when I received word of your appearance at the train station,” she said excitedly.

“When she received word? Does she have eyes and ears everywhere?” I thought.

“Well, how about we go somewhere private so we can catch up?” she proposed.

“Where did you have in mind?” I asked.

“I was just about to go to my study, how about there?” she asked.

“Lead the way,” I said.

Then she turned and started down the hall. I followed behind. She led me through the maze of corridors, going left and right. Every now and then we would pass a guard that would stand off to the side and salute us. Now, I know that I helped them with Discord, but I still felt like I didn’t deserve being saluted anyway. Whether or not Celestia said otherwise. As we reached the stairs, we ran into an old friend.

“Hey there, Spirit. Long time no see.” greeted Shining Armor. “Where have you been?” he asked. Celestia nudge me with a wing.

“I was in Ponyville building a house to move into,” I answered, keeping it short and simple as to avoid giving him any ideas. The look on Shining’s face though told me that I might have failed. Luckily, Celestia noticed too.

“Shining,” Celestia began. “How about you join us? We can talk in my study,” she proposed, maintaining her usual motherly smile.

“Eh, sure thing. I don’t really have anything to do anyway. Just got done checking in with the stationed guards.” he explained.

“Perfect. Let’s go then.” Celestia said, walking past Shining onto the stairs. Shining and I followed behind her.

The corridors were less maze-like on the third floor of the castle, where it only took a few minutes to navigate our way to Celestia's study. Said study had a guard both left and right of its doors. It was barely noticeable, but I saw them stiffen up as they saluted the three of us upon approach. Their salute, even though I knew it was to show respect, but it made me feel out of place. I lowered my head a little as I passed them, entering the room. Being the last to enter, I used my magic to close the door behind us. Celestia took a seat behind her desk while Shining took a seat on a nearby stool.

“What’s got you shaken u, Spirit?” Celestia asked, making me feel slightly guilty for letting her notice. “Come over, take a seat. I would really like to know what’s bothering you.” she insisted. Obeying her, I took a seat at the desk. I must have captured Shining’s curiosity because he moved his stool next to the desk as well.

“I’m sure it’s nothing and I’m just over thinking it, but I’m still not used to being saluted.” I informed her.” I mean, it’s not like I deserve it.” I added. Shining acted like he was having a heart attack when he heard me said that.

“What?! What do you mean you don’t deserve it? You’ve more than earned not only that but being an Alicorn as well.” Shining sputtered. After he mentioned me being an alicorn, I felt just how stiff my wings where. I dispelled the illusion of hiding them to take the chance to stretch them.

“I think it would help us understand why a little better if you explained to us why,” Celestia commented.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. What I’m trying to say is…..I’m not exactly the hero you make me out to be.” I was going to continue, but I was interrupted by Shining again.

“Dude, what do you mean?” Shining asked. “You risked everything going against Discord, so you shouldn’t doubt yourself,” he insisted. I shook my head, causing him to look puzzled.

“It’s not my actions that I’m doubting, but my motives. Like I told you already, it’s not much. So Don’t worry about it.” I insisted. Celestia let out a curious hum, bringing the tip of her hoof to the tip of her chin.

“I should have guessed it. You don’t feel like you should be saluted because you don’t feel like you stopped Discord for them, right?” she asked and lowered her hoof back down onto the desk. I nodded. “Knowing you, that makes sense,” she added.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, hearing Shining burst into laughter.

“Nothing bad I assure you. I mean it in a good way,” she responded, but I gave her a suspicious look. “Looking at you, I can see several things. Things that I wish was more common than not. I can see true bravery, a hint of kindness, good judgment, a sense of justice, all good qualities,” Celestia explained. I felt myself blush a little.

“T-thank you,” I stuttered.

“You used to have a light about you,” she continued. “But now it’s gone. You are missing something, Spirit. Any idea what it is?” she asked. I saw Shining lean in.

“Shit, what now?” I thought.

“Oh, I know. He’s missing the guts to go out with Keria.” Shining said in a joking manner, but I was going to make sure he would start thinking twice from now on. I cleared my throat.

“Shining, I will break your horn, levitate you with me as I run throughout the castle while slamming you onto ever fucking hall I pass until you die. After you die, I will revive with dark magic just to torture with anything you could think of. Swords, knives, lemons, salt, pepper, ice, water, everything, you hear? I will make you regret being alive.” I threatened. Looking into his eyes, I saw true fear in them. “Shit, I was just exaggerating, just think twice before speaking is all.” I clarified, and his expression went back to his usual self.

“Damn, that was a bit much for you. It’s hard to tell with you sometimes, you know?” he asked.

“And with your ability to use forbidden spells, I don’t doubt that you can. Though I would advise you not,” Celestia pointed out. “Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you-”

“I know, I know,” I interrupted. “I’m well aware that I’m still vulnerable to the risks of doing so. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Please, tell me what I am missing.” I insisted, but Celestia just closed her eyes and shook her head before reopening them.

“Sorry, but this time I can’t tell you. However, I can give you a hint. It’s because of this that you have also lost your will to live. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.” she pointed out, and I couldn’t exactly deny it either. Before I could think of what to say next, Celestia continued. “Luna has also caught on too. At this rate, I won’t be surprised if Keria notices as well.”

“Damn, that obvious, huh?” I muttered.

“I have an idea. How about you go see Luna? She’s been looking forward to seeing you today.” Celestia proposed. I got up and walked over to the window to check the sun.

“Fuck, sunset already.” I thought. “Mmm….sure. Why not?” I asked, quelling my stress. “I already missed the return train for Ponyville already.” I pointed out. Celestia giggled.

“Oops, sorry about that,” she said. I turned to see her cover her mouth with a hoof. “Though I bet you did that on purpose,” I thought.

“You best be going, Lina will be up any minute now.” she reminded me.

“Last time one of the lunar guards disappointed Luna, things didn’t end so well,” Shining added.

“Yeah, yeah. I know how to handle Luna.” I said, letting out a sigh. The look in Celestia’s eyes let me know she was about to tease me.

“Oh, and what would that entail?” she asked. I made my response as I made my way out.

“I’m engaged already,” I growled. “Or are you careless enough to forget about something you caused?” I finished as I closed the door behind me.

By the time I reached Luna’s door on top of her tower, I felt like hell. I could even feel a faint spill coming. Not caring anymore if anypony saw, my horn coated itself in the purple aura of dark magic as I conjured a cup of water. After drinking the beverage, the cup itself evaporated. The Lunar guards in front of the door looked like their fur standing on end. I let out a deep yawn. I somewhat wobbled to Luna’s door and knock. I heard Luna call “Who dares disturb me at this time? In a somewhat aggressive tone. I decided to get aggressive in return.

“Well sorry if I decided to drag my tired ass up those stairs just to accommodate your sisters request to come and see you,” I shouted. “If she turned out to be wrong and you didn’t want to see me, then I would mind going to find someplace to sleep.” I finished. The door in front of me opened and I saw Luna looking at me from where she was lying on her bed. “For fuck's sake,” I grumbled. “So, you still want to see me?” I asked. Her face told me that she was in shock. After a few seconds, she snapped out of it.

“O-of course. S-sorry about my rudeness.” Luna apologize. I entered the room, closing the door behind me. I stopped a few yards in front of the door and let out a sigh.

“No, no. I should be the one apologizing. It’s not like me to get snippy like that.” I admitted, letting out another deep yawn.

“Tired?” Luna asked.

“Yeah. I haven’t had any time to myself since I got off the train really.” I explained. The expression on Luna’s face changed, but I was too tired to read it.

“Then come here and join me,” she said, her voice sounding sweet. She suddenly levitated me off the floor and next to her on the bed.

“Luna, what are you up to?” I thought. Upon landing on the bed, she dropped a wing over me. Though my mind was trying to fight sleep, my body already gave in and I lost all feeling. “Shit.” I thought as my mind fell dead asleep.

What was that expression again? Oh, right. Same song and dance. Such is the expression that fits the current situation, finding myself floating in the dreamscape that I have yet to sculpt into image. I then realized what was going to happen.

“She’ll be here soon,” I muttered. “Might as well prepare.”

I clapped my hooves together to release a blinding flash of light that only lasted for an instant. When I was able to see again, my eyes were met with simplified beauty. Blue sky, fresh air in the light breeze, a seemingly endless field of grass, and the decent sized patch of gold flower under me. It was enough to put my mind at rest for a little bit. So I took a seat and waited. I only had to wait for a few minutes before Luna arrived. She came from behind me and took a seat next to me.

“Good evening, Spirit.” she greeted.

“Good evening, Lulu.” I greeted back, wondering where this was going to go. Luna giggled at the use of her nickname.

“Spirit, I’ve heard that you haven’t been yourself lately. I hope everything’s going well,” she said, failing at hiding her attempt to use the same maternal tone Celestia uses.

“You have nothing to worry about,” I informed her.

“I sure hope not,” she said. “Anyway, I have something I ought to ask of you.”

I sighed. “Well, let’s hear it,” I said.

“Please remember that you have no obligation to agree, especially after-”

“Damn it, Lulu, just say it!” I demanded. She cleared her windpipe.

“Very well. There have been several disappearances as of late. Usually, when this kind of thing happens, we send the guard to go investigate. They would go search for clues, hunt down the perpetrator, and the arrest would be made. However, this time the guards can’t find any trace of the victims, let alone any clues.” she explained. I shook my head, knowing where this was heading.

“So, you want me to investigate,” I concluded. She nodded. “What made you come to me?” I asked.

“I thought you could try your hoof at it, seeing that the most recent disappearance took place in Ponyville,” she answered. I thought about it for several minutes.

“Alright, fine, I’ll check it out. However, I must ask what you know about the one behind it,” I stated. I notice Luna flinch.

“All that’s been confirmed is that it’s not from Equestrian borders,” she informed me.

“Great, out of the frying pan and into the fire. Well, I’m not from around here either.” I thought.

“I have to leave now,” Luna stated. “I still have dreams to check.”

“Alright, good night,” I said as she dissipated from the dream.

I laid down in the patch of gold flowers in an attempt to put my mind to rest. As my chin hit the ground however, the flowers quickly withered into dust. I scrambled up to my hooves just in time to witness every blade of grass in the surrounding area follow suit.

Author's Note

Writing a squeal is a little harder than I thought, especially since I have to keep up with 2 stories now.

Drop a like, leave a comment, and I hope you enjoyed.