The Handmaiden

The morning was quiet, gentle, bringing with it a calm and cooling breeze as the Empress' glorious sun broke free of the horizon and began its slow ascent ever-higher into the sky. Beams of heavenly light shone down, through the dense canopy of leaves of the great, elder trees of the wicked Forest Everfree. The forest held a reputation for having a sinister aura, disobeying conventional law of nature, and more terrifyingly, the command of the High Queen herself.

Though the Everfree was often considered undesirable by most, at least one human soul called the corrupt woods home; A small, rickety cottage near the southern edge of the Everfree, thatch-roofed with a small chimney poking through the roof. It was small and oft-overlooked, as few would venture into the Everfree at all, even briefly. The cottage was alive and bustling, the smell of the burning hearth and bubbling porridge wafting out of the home's crooked window.

The owner of the shed, the lowly cellar maid, did not often find herself with free time, even when away from the castle that she typically called home. Fluttershy was always a busy spirit, caring for her garden and the small, kind creatures that strayed forth from the Everfree. Even now, as she prepared a simple breakfast of barley gruel, she also filled a satchel of grain and seed for the squirrels, hares, and large birds that kept her garden safe while she was away.

A knock on the door interrupted the flow of Fluttershy's morning preparations, confusing and confounding the cellar maid. She never had visitors, least of all this early in the morning. Yet, it was even less likely that someone decided to take a leisurely stroll at the break of dawn all the way out the accursed Everfree. Fluttershy pursed her lips as she made for the door, supposing to herself the nature of her visitor. A guard or castle messenger, more than likely, there to summon her for impromptu service at the castle.

When Fluttershy opened the door, she was very much so surprised to see the handmaiden standing before her. The look on Twilight's eyes was a bit frayed and frazzled, as though on edge, but her dress, shoes, and jewelry were as prim and put-together as ever. Twilight appeared to be sporting a new collar, with a platinum buckle that contrasted starkly with the glittering golden insignia of the Empress' glittering sun and wings. She carried nothing with her, yet her posture and intense gaze insinuated that her visit was business in nature.

"M-Madame Twilight!" Fluttershy bowed and kissed the sun for her visitor. "What a pleasant surprise! T-to what do I owe the honour?"

"There is something I need to discuss with you, urgently." Twilight tilted her head when the cellar maid didn't respond immediately. "I was hoping you'd allow me in?"

"Oh! Yes, of course, apologies!" With a nervous, jittery gesture, Fluttershy stepped aside and allowed Twilight entry into her simple home. "I'd offer you breakfast, but I don't imagine my cooking is sufficient for someone of your status…"

"Hm. I had a small meal before leaving the castle, anyhow. Although I wouldn't refuse tea, if you have any."

"Absolutely, Madame, I'll put the pot on right now. Please, have a seat."

For several tense moments, there was silence, nary a sound but for the clinking and clanking of pots to the stove and cups to the table. Twilight quietly mused to herself, inspecting the crude, hastily crafted teacup with a tiny smirk. The quaint little thing was little more than a wooden vessel with a handle crookedly carved along one side. A far cry from the Empress' elegant porcelain mugs and saucers.

"So sorry for the wait, Madame." Fluttershy approached the table with her old rusty teapot, pouring Twilight a cup of tea before pouring one for herself. "Again, I apologize for earlier. Please do not take my surprise for disrespect. It's only that, you see, I never have visitors. Certainly not anyone as important as yourself."

"You're a deceptively difficult person to find, Ms. Fluttershy." The two raised their teacups in a toast and each took a sip, with Twilight struggling to hide her reaction. So bitter, almost muddy and earthy, and Twilight thought she could even taste the metal of the teapot itself. The leaves were obviously of low quality, and the water used to brew the tea likely wasn’t the cleanest or the freshest. She waited for her host to be distracted before giving her fingers a snap and producing a trio of sugar cubes to add to her tea. Summoning such things from nothing could be a taxing bit of sorcery, but these were desperate times. "I was under the impression that castle staff lived in the servants' wing."

"We do, mostly, but that's mostly of necessity, not requirement. Most of us can't afford to live anywhere else, not 'til we've earned our pension," explained Fluttershy. "My father left me this cottage before he passed and the Empress, glory be to her generosity, allowed me to keep it and live here whenever I am not needed in the castle."

"I see. That's very kind of her. So you trek all the way out here on your days off. Explains why I couldn't find you yesterday."

"If I may ask, why is it that you've been searching for me?" inquired the maid. "Is my presence needed in the castle?"

"I search for you because, yesterday… An attempt was made on my life," said Twilight. "Three mercenaries cornered me in an alley and sought to kill me."

"Gods above! But you are okay?"

"Yes, I'm unharmed. But unfortunately, I do not know the person responsible. These three mercenaries were just hired blades. I'm looking for the man who hired them."

"I see, but…" Fluttershy fidgeted in her seat, uneasily sipping her tea. "Forgive me, I still don't understand where I fit into things."

"Those mercenaries. They were Gylda Griffin, Rainbow Dash, and Zephyr Breeze," explained Twilight. Upon hearing the trio of names, Fluttershy visibly paled, setting her teacup down onto the table and clutching her chest. "You know them, yes?"

"Y-yes… Zephyr is my younger brother. I don't know Gylda very well, and Dash…" Surprisingly, Fluttershy's expression slipped into a scowl, her fear spilling forth into fury. "That no-good thug… I bet this is all her doing. I told Zephyr she was bad, that they shouldn't get married, and now… Oh, dear…"

"So you understand the severity of the situation. Someone paid your brother to kill me, using castle funds.” Twilight leaned forward, staring through Fluttershy with an unwavering intensity. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, now would you?”

“M-me? No! Of course not, I would never! Madame Twilight, I've not even heard from my brother in years now, I couldn't have…" The tension rose with each passing moment, a shuddering fear descending onto Fluttershy. She felt as if she was cornered, trapped in a den with a rousing bear. “Madame Twilight, surely you can’t really believe that I would ever do such a thing.”

“I would like to believe that you are innocent, yes. However, my life is at stake, and I cannot afford to take any chances,” said Twilight. “And so I have to investigate anyone who may have a reason to want to see me dead.”

“What? What reason would I have to want you dead? You’ve treated me with nothing but kindness and respect, Madame Twilight. You even remembered my name, and no one remembers my name!” The handmaiden did not respond, which only served to further unsettle the lowly cellar maid. “I swear it upon my life, Madame, I do not have any wish for you to perish. I don’t know why you would think such horrible things but…” Just then, slowly, realization washed over Fluttershy. She covered her mouth with her hand as she put the pieces together. “Madame Twilight… This isn’t about the Calypso visit, is it?”

“Oh? The Calypso visit?” Twilight leaned forward and slowly nodded, not in agreement, but in coercion, gently yet firmly nudging Fluttershy along to the proper response. “And what exactly happened during the Calypso visit that you have knowledge of?”

“I… N-nothing, Madame Twilight. Nothing at all. To tell you the truth, ma’am, I don’t remember much of that visit…” squeaked Fluttershy. “All I remember is that I did exactly what you told me to do. Fetch your wine, that is. Of course, aside from that, I kept to my business, just as you kept to yours. I certainly didn't see anything out of the ordinary."

"That's good. Very good." Twilight gave a little nod and stood up, leaving her bitter, rusty tea on the table. "We seem to have an understanding, then. I've taken up enough of your time, I'm afraid. A thousand apologies for the intrusion, and please, enjoy the rest of your day."

"Madame, wait." Fluttershy could barely squeak out the words, only just catching Twilight before she made it to the door. The fear in her voice was beginning to fade, but comfort did not replace it. Moreso a grim acceptance of her reality. "May I ask you something?"

"What is it, dear?" asked Twilight.

"My brother… I understand that he has made a terrible mistake. His crime is unforgivable, and while I would never be so bold as to ask the Empress to show mercy…" Fluttershy sighed, shivering to herself. "But I must know… What is to become of Zephyr?"

"Your brother… Will be dead by midday." The Handmaiden had no joy to her words, nor was there even a hint of remorse in her tone. "If I were you, I would avoid town today. Particularly the arena." To Twilight's bemusement, the cellar maid responded with a dry little chuckle. "I do not wish to jest, dear. I am being deathly serious."

"Yes. Yes, very serious, indeed. It's just… you chose this punishment for Zephyr, did you not? The Empress had nothing to do with this?"

"That is correct. How could you tell?"

"The Empress would have made my attendance mandatory. Perhaps would have invited me to her box, so we could experience my brother's last moments together," said Fluttershy. "Zephyr and I haven't been close for some time, but… thank you, nonetheless. For sparing me that cruelty."

Twilight had no response prepared for such a statement. She hadn't considered how the Empress might have taken the opportunity to torment Fluttershy. It hadn't even occurred to her to do such a thing. As far as the Handmaiden was concerned, she did only what needed to be done, and nothing more. Nothing especially cruel, and nothing worthy of Fluttershy's thanks. With a tiny nod of appreciation for the tea, Twilight departed from her host's cottage, setting off to prepare herself for her battle. Unlike last time she was in the arena, Twilight was supremely confident in her chances.

And unlike last time, she was almost, very nearly, looking forward to it.

"I c-cannot believe you're making me participate in this f-f...fool's errand!"

Unseen behind Sweetie Belle's back, Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. She knew that her friend meant well, but hearing the same sentiment echoed over and over by all of her peers was beginning to wear down on Twilight. Even still, she said nothing of it as Sweetie bustled around the small infirmary that Twilight had requested the Empress add to the Arena along with the armory’s improvement. Sweetie limped about the room, combining ingredients and mixing small phials of brews together.

“No one is making you do anything, Sweetie,” said Twilight flatly. Sweetie scoffed, shaking her head before turning to face Twilight with four small phials of cerulean liquid in her arms. “You volunteered. Without my asking, no less.

“You’re my b-best mate, even if you make some b...boneheaded decisions at times! And I’m not about to let my best mate enter a d-d-deathmatch without every advantage,” said Sweetie. She offered the phials to Twilight, who reluctantly accepted. “Drink t-two now and t... t-two when you cast your first bit of magick. Mana reinforcement draught, with some additives to boost your physical strength.”

“I do not expect to need this, but thank you, Sweetie.” Twilight popped the corks on two bottles and sent them down the hatch, recoiling at the salty, bitter, metallic flavor. “Do I even want to know what’s in this?”

“S...s-simple blend of chamomile, c-crushed pomegranate seed, p-pig lard, a pinch of desert sand, salmon kidney, and b-b-boiled urine.”

“That’s not funny,” remarked Twilight. She frowned when Sweetie did not take that moment to reveal that she was, in fact, speaking in jest. “Ugh… What sort of urine?”

“Mine. I only brew with ingredients I c-can control. I know p-precisely what goes in my body, so I know p-p-precisely what comes out of it,” explained Sweetie. Twilight’s frown did not abate, much to Sweetie Belle’s chagrin. “Hey, at l-least I b-boiled it. For safety. Not every potionmaster would go through the t-trouble.”

“Truly, Sweetie Belle, you are an angel…” Twilight's mild annoyance turned to great concern when she saw Sweetie grimace in pain, the alchemist nearly tipping over if not for the nearby table that she leaned on. "Sweetie… Are you okay?"

"I'm f-f-fine… Just the p...p-potion, to mend my injuries," panted Sweetie Belle. "I took it yesterday. This is good…"

"I think I may have missed part of your plan if you find excruciating pain to be a good thing…"

"It means that it's working p-properly. My accident didn't just burn me, it was t-t-toxic. Made my flesh rot, boiled my eye a bit. Even c-cooked my brain from the inside out." Sweetie straightened herself out, and gave herself a little shake, as if to escape her pain. "The p-p-potion needs to sort of scorch away all that rubbish b-before it can mend me."

"Gods above, that sounds positively miserable."

"I shall manage. In f-fact, I'm more worried about you." Sweetie gripped her walking stick and hobbled over to Twilight, peering into her eyes with caution and concern. "You're beginning to f-f-frighten me, Twilight."

"Honestly, Sweetie, my sorcery is more than powerful enough to—"

"Y-you're not understanding me. It isn't just about your s-s...safety. It's about you," said Sweetie. When it was clear that Twilight still did not understand, she sighed and elaborated. "You once asked me if I agreed with every d-decision the Empress made, and I chose not to answer you then. P-perhaps you knew my answer, even at the time, but to be f-fully open, the answer is no. There is m-much that the Empress stands for, which I do not. Perhaps m-most of all is this. Her wicked obsession with m-making men and women fight to the d-death. I f-f-find it needlessly cruel, and a p-poor waste of valuable human life.”

“And you think that of me? That I’m some cruel monster?” asked Twilight. “All I do is what is necessary, Sweetie. Whoever it is that hired these three men is not guaranteed to stop just because they failed. My life is at stake, and I am going to do everything in my power to preserve it. Would you not do the same?”

“Preserving life is m-m-much of what I do, Twilight. But this… It’s needless. K-killing these men does n-nothing!”

Twilight paused for a moment. She carefully measured her words, mulling over how best to explain, how best to make someone understand. How could she make a layman like Sweetie understand her uniquely precarious situation? No one had ever been in shoes such as the handmaiden’s, and such, no one could possibly understand what Twilight was grappling with. Of course, Twilight noted, that wasn’t entirely true. There was one person who understood. One person who had been a target like she was, and who had done what was necessary to survive, and more than just survive. Thrive. Prosper. Rule.

“No matter what I do, I’m still nothing to these people,” said Twilight, a dull, bitter edge to her words. “That Dash woman, she sees me approach her and her companions fearlessly, with no weapon but my bare hands, and what does she call me? Not my name, not even handmaiden. She calls me The Empress’ bitch. That’s all I am to these people, Celestia’s dog. I could learn every spell ever written and attend every ball and cotillion the Empress throws and it would be for naught, because no one respects me as they respect Celestia, or even your sister. With this, they will come to respect me, as well.”

"I respect you, Twilight. I respect you b-because you're not like them. Do you think I like you b-b-because you’re some powerful mage who’ll c-cut down anyone in their way?” asked Sweetie. “No. I like you because you have a k...k-kindness and light in your heart that my s-sister and the Empress could n-never dream of possessing. You f-fancy yourself a noblewoman, Twilight, but I would never disrespect you by bringing you down to that level, b-because you are so much more than that! Wear all the f-fancy dresses you like, but bloody crimson is not your color, and you are b-b-better than this. Better than them. I s-suppose that means I am no one to you? B-b-b-because I’m just some frail old w-witch, not a smug royal the likes that even the Empress grew tired of ages ago?”

Twilight had no response at the ready, all of her clever remarks and intellectual platitudes crumbling to dust upon Sweetie’s simple, curt honesty. A year ago, Sweetie claimed that even privately questioning the Empress’ ideals was tantamount to treason, but here, she sang a much different tune. It was then that Twilight realized that it was not hypocrisy that resulted in such differing opinions, but a growing sense of trust and companionship between the two. Sweetie’s disdain for Twilight’s actions clearly was not meant to be taken as disdain for Twilight herself, rather, they were manifestations of her love and care for the handmaiden.

“Sweetie Belle… If I have said or done anything at all that would lead you to believe that you do not matter to me, or that I do not value you, then I apologize profusely, because that was never my intention,” said Twilight. She reached for Sweetie and gently, carefully, grasped her frail, damaged hand. The two locked eyes, and Twilight was able to see, for the first time clearly, just how much her actions were weighing on her dear friend, the girl who mentored her, protected her, taught her how to survive in the cruel, uncaring city of Canterlot. “You are not ‘nothing’. To me, you are everything. Had I known my actions would cause you such turmoil… I would have reconsidered.”

“That’s just it, T-Twilight. You worry about everyone’s thoughts and opinions, whether they respect you or not, b-but they won’t j-just respect you after this. They will fear you. They may even begin to hate you. This k-kingdom can barely handle one Empress Celestia. If they see you as another, then who c-can say what they’ll do?” Sweetie let out a tired sigh, pulling her hand away from Twilight’s in order to prop herself up on her walking stick. “It does not matter now. The arena is f-filling as we speak, and we c-cannot back out now. Just promise me, Twilight. N-No more of this. Instead of trying to be more l-like Celestia, t-try to make her more like you.”

For a moment, Twilight was left to consider what Sweetie had said. Not for the first time, the alchemist displayed to Twilight wisdom beyond her years, and advice that was very difficult to fairly dispute. Every word from Sweetie’s mouth was honest, and made a large amount of sense. Earnest, genuine, kind, and caring, much like Sweetie Belle, herself.

“Yes, Sweetie. I give you my word,” promised Twilight. Though she attempted to maintain a stern demeanor, Sweetie’s expression softened noticeably. “No more of this. If I have your respect, then I don’t have a need for anyone else’s.”

In spite of the grim circumstances, Sweetie couldn't help but smile. A smile so tender and loving that Twilight could do nothing less than return it in full force.

"Finally, you've said something sensible today," said Sweetie. Twilight snickered, shaking her head at the well-deserved barb from her friend. "W-Well. I suppose you’re prepared enough. Shall we?”

Sweetie offered her good arm to Twilight, smiling warmly when the handmaiden accepted the gesture and wrapped their arms together. The two stood up proudly, and boldly strode forward to leave the infirmary. Just moments away, Twilight would be fighting for her life yet again. Even knowing that she possessed the advantage, Twilight knew better than to lower her guard, and she kept her wits sharp for the conflict before.

Though the circumstances were somewhat regrettable, Twilight was still eager to enter the arena, if for no other reason than to put this whole messy affair in the past.

A cool wind blew through the arena, giving the place a much different atmosphere than that which Twilight recalled from her fight. Worse than the chill was the sand, still wet from the previous day’s rain. Just a few steps forward into the arena, several yards away from where Dash, Zephyr, and Gylda stood, the heels Twilight wore sunk deeply into the damp muck, and so she had no choice but to discard them entirely. With a shudder of disgust, the handmaiden brought the hem of her dress up and trudged through the mud barefoot to her position, waiting impatiently for the carnage and bloodshed to begin.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Hail before the brilliance, the excellence, the power, beauty, and grace that is your High Queen, the Goddess of the Sun; Her Majesty, Empress Celestia!"

Twilight turned to face the Empress’ Box, high up in the stands, and smirked as the herald’s horns signaled the arrival of the High Queen. Twilight lowered herself to one knee and kissed the sun in salute to her glorious Empress. The Empress looked down at all of her subjects and, unless Twilight was mistaken, she took an especially long look at her handmaiden before taking a seat and allowing the game to begin. As Twilight stood up and turned to face Dash and her mercenaries, she saw that they did not bow during the Empress’ entrance, which brought a scowl to her features.

“It would do you well to show a bit of respect, even if these are to be your final moments,” Twilight called out. Dash raised her sword and spit in the handmaiden’s direction. “Are you well and truly serious?”

“Just shut up and fight me, ya daft cunt,” snarled Dash. "I'm about ready to send you to meet your whore mum's ghost."

"You truly are the most unpleasant person I have ever had the misfortune of knowing…" Twilight sighed as she stood up, readying herself for combat. "Mr. Zephyr, I am incredibly sorry that this woman is your wife."

"You get used to it…" Zephyr turned to his wife and bent forward to kiss her one final time. "For what it's worth, Madame, I'm sorry it came down to this."

"As am I. And do not worry, I spoke to your sister. She has assured me of her innocence, and she will not be punished for your actions."

"Thank you. That means a lot, that you would—"

"For fuck's sake, Zephyr, kiss her ass a bit more, why not!" Dash shoved her husband away, slowly stalking forward. "We're meant to kill the bitch, not make nice with her."

"You know what? To three hells with you, Dash!" To the surprise of all other parties, it was Gylda who spoke up. She clutched her bow tightly and strode forward, shouldering past her leader to approach Twilight. "Dash and Zep won't tell you, so I will. Whatever bloke you're after, you won't find 'em, cause the person who hired us was a lass."

“A woman?” said Twilight, curious and confused in equal measure. She could hear the crowd around her rumbling, impatient for the bloodshed, but she needed more information before she could give the people what they wanted. “You said before it was a man.”

“They said it was a bloke, but I swear it, it was a lass that gave us our instructions.”

“Horseshite, Gylda!” snapped Dash. “It was a man, you liar! You didn’t even see him!”

“She dropped off another note when you and Zep were out shagging in the woods, remember?” returned Gylda. “I was ogling her chest the whole blasted meeting, Dash, it was a lass!”

“I heard him talk, moron, he sounded like my Pa.”

“Your Pa must have had exquisite breasts, then, because—”

“Enough! I do not know what your intent is, whether it be to confuse me or just get on my nerves,” said Twilight, her patience wearing thin. “But one of you is clearly lying! And if Gylda says she is certain your employer was a woman, then unless she could change her voice, I—”

Twilight stopped in her tracks, the answers slamming down onto her like a cart of bricks. She covered her mouth with a palm, tears welling in her eyes and her heart thumping in her chest. Of course. It had to be, who else could it be? A sick pit formed in Twilight’s stomach, and she felt as if she might be sick on the floor. The only thing that stole her attention away from her bleak spiraling was the sound of Dash’s approaching steps, and Twilight looked up just in time to see a blade coming down onto her. With a powerful flourish of magick, the handmaiden stilled the blade just a few inches from her flesh, and forced it back with another wave of sorcery. With a jerk of her wrist, she sent Dash to the floor, and she quickly descended upon the mercenary, gripping her throat with both hands.

“I have one question for you, Dash,” growled Twilight. Without even looking away, she conjured a dome of semi-transparent purple light around her and Dash, completely deflecting the arrow that Gylda had loosed from her bow. Now, with no assistance from her companions, Dash was entirely at Twilight’s mercy, even as arrows and blades plinked off of Twilight’s barrier. “The person who hired you. Did they carry a pocket watch?”

“You’d do better to choke me out, you cunt!” wheezed Dash, as Twilight did exactly that. “You’ll get my final breath… Before you get a word outta me! You sniveling, dirty, worthless—”

“DOLORIA!”

Purple light coalesced around Twilight’s hands, tightening around Dash’s neck more securely even than the handmaiden’s own fingers. The magick bloomed brighter as it took effect, and that effect was immediately made apparent when Dash screamed in pain. She screamed her throat raw, and tears streamed down her greasy face while her body twitched and jerked beneath Twilight, who did not relent for quite some time.

“Answer the bloody question.” Twilight throttled Dash harder, forcing more of her mana through the sellsword’s body. “Answer me, you dalcop!”

“Y-yes… She had… A pocketwatch…”

Just like that, Twilight felt her blood go cold, and she released the curse, her hands smoking from the strain of her sorcery. She shook her head in disbelief, and it took the pain in her wrists from such a powerful bit of sorcery to keep her grounded to reality. Twilight clutched her stomach, unsure of where to go from there. What could she do about this? How could she tell Celestia? How would the High Queen react?

“Is that…” huffed Dash. “Is that… all you’ve got…? I felt more than that when I ploughed your mum, ya—"

Dash never got to finish her crude insult, not that Twilight was likely to hear her even if she did. All that anyone could hear was the handmaiden's enraged screech, followed by the wet pop of the mercenary's head erupting like an overripe melon. Blood and bits of brain sprayed upward, splattering against the inside of Twilight’s magickal barrier and painting it crimson. A stinging pain caught Twilight’s attention, and she gingerly touched her cheek to feel the lateral wound that had split her cheek, just barely stopping before her right cheek; A fragmented shard of Dash’s skull had flung with great force, slicing Twilight across the face.

“Ow…” hissed Twilight. She stood up and wiped her face with her forearm, and it was only then did she hear the screams. From outside of her bubble of mana, Zephyr and Gylda still battered at Twilight’s defenses, shouting and roaring for their fallen leader. Zephyr, in particular, was barely containing himself, his body heaving and tears racing down his face. In a strange way, Twilight almost pitied her assailant. From what she could tell, he didn’t ask for this. His choice had been made for him by his brash wife, and Twilight knew better than any just how unenviable it was to have your choices made for you. Now, the poor man was to die for something he had no truly willing part in.

The least she could do, Twilight mused, was end his life swiftly.

Twilight Sparkle raised her arms, whispering a slithering incantation as she did so. Her magick surged throughout the arena, wrapping around her foes with its glittering, glowing lavender light. Regardless of how hard the mercenaries fought, they could not break through Twilight’s blood-stained shield of sorcery, and thus, they could not stop what came next; With a jerking gesture of her arms, Twilight sent forward a razor-thin plane of pure Destructive magick, and her magick cut through the air in a flash. As Zephyr brought his blade down for what would be his last time, the arcane blade made contact, and it split his flesh, slashing through his throat, his spine, and coming through the other side. Gylda suffered a similar fate, and the heads of both sellswords hit the muddy sand a moment before the rest of their body slumped to join them.

A chorus of cheers and applause drew Twilight’s attention away from the bloodshed and up to the crowd. The nobility rained down their approval, some even throwing down tributes of roses, jewelry, and gold coins to display their respect and adoration for the powerful handmaiden. Twilight paid little attention to any of this, her focus devoted entirely to her Empress. The High Queen had stood up in her box, and she covered her mouth with one hand. With the other, Celestia rubbed herself under her dress, her eyes heavy with bloody, gory lust. Twilight did not give any signal to the Empress suggesting that she noticed, nor did she wait to hear her victory announced. The handmaiden simply dispelled her magickal barrier and trudged her way through the mud and the muck, her sights set on Castle Canterlot.

She now knew who sought to end her life. Now, Twilight needed to decide what to do about it.

Twilight paced before the Empress’ bedchambers, mulling over what she had learned. She had managed to arrive at the castle before Celestia herself, who would no doubt be on her way soon. Knowing the severity of the accusation she was about to make, Twilight wanted to make absolutely certain that she was doing the right thing before she let anything slip. What she would say, how she would justify such an allegation, Twilight knew not. She hardly wanted to believe it, herself, but it would explain everything that had occurred. Twilight even suspected she had a motive uncovered, but there was one last test to confirm her theory.

“Twilight Sparkle!” The handmaiden looked up and, down the hall from where she stood, was the Empress. She stalked forward like a beast hunting prey, but, unlike before, Twilight did not shrink down in the slightest. “You truly are full of surprises. Such a display… I scarcely thought you had it in you. I’m—”

As Celestia neared, Twilight grabbed the High Queen by the front of her dress and dragged her forward, locking their lips together in what was surely another surprising display from the traditionally timid handmaiden. Twilight took control, forcing the Empress to feel her might, even going so far as to grope the High Queen’s breast as she kissed her deeply.

“Twilight…” The Empress pulled away and took in a breath, smiling almost drunkenly. “Are you not embarrassed? We’re out in the open, someone might see us.”

“Let us not pretend as if you suddenly give a damn about embarrassing me.” Twilight pulled the Empress back in and kissed her even more forcefully, letting her hands wander around the Empress’ perfectly supple curves. She brought her hand between the Empress’ legs and, after a bit of assistance from Celestia herself, Twilight maneuvered her fingers beneath the Empress’ silk dress to rub and tease her burning cunt, nearly dripping with her arousal.

And, just before Celestia would accept no further teasing, Twilight pulled away, using her magick to open the bedchamber doors. She stepped aside and gestured for Celestia to enter, all but ignoring the visible confusion on the High Queen’s features.

“I admit myself a bit confused, Twilight Sparkle,” said Empress Celestia, a bit shakily. “I—”

“Someone is coming. Retire to your bed, and I will explain all shortly,” promised Twilight. Celestia frowned slightly, her expression softening when Twilight gently grabbed her hand and gave it a soft, tender kiss. “You said that you trusted me. I ask only that you extend that trust for a bit longer.”

Celestia looked Twilight up and down and, slowly, she nodded. The Empress said nothing more, simply stepping into her bedchambers and closing the door behind her. Twilight brought her fingers to her face and wiped them across her lips, blending the sticky nectar from Celestia's flower with the faded, smudged, smeared stains of the High Queen's royal purple lipstick. She turned away just in time, for high-heeled footsteps turned around the corner and into the corridor, just as Twilight had expected.

"Sparkle, what are you doing out here?" Chancellor Rarity wore a barely-contained scowl, and she leered at the handmaiden suspiciously. "And where is the Empress? Her escorts said she disappeared as soon as her carriage arrived?"

"Ah, Rarity, perfect! The Empress is fine, no need to worry yourself with her for a bit. The next hour or two, at the very least." Twilight turned to face the chancellor, wearing her best smug, self-satisfied grin. She let the moment hang, just long enough for Rarity to see the mess on her face. "Would you be a dear and fetch some wine? The Empress says you know the best vintages."

"Fetch some wine? Sparkle, I am a very busy woman, not your errand girl. If you need some wine, then I suggest you fetch it yourself, or—"

"You know, I told the Empress you'd say that, but she insisted I ask anyway. Very well, then, I suppose I'll get it." Twilight let out an exaggerated sigh. "Although, the Empress is a bit tense at the moment. It feels irresponsible to leave her here, unattended. But, if you're too busy to aid her Greatness…"

Twilight watched, waiting for anything to prove her wrong. And yet, with each word she spoke, there was a flash in Rarity's eyes, each flash stronger than the last. It wasn't impatience. It wasn't annoyance. It wasn't even anger that Twilight saw in Rarity's eyes. It was hate. Unrepentant, unadulterated, unwavering hate. Just as quickly as it had arrived, it had vanished, but that was more than enough for Twilight.

"I'll get your damned wine. I hope you choke on it…" snarled Rarity.

"Thank you so very much. I'll be sure to tell the Empress how agreeable and helpful you are," promised Twilight. Rarity said nothing more, but merely turned and walked away to complete her errand. Twilight watched her leave and, once she was sure that she was gone, turned away herself. She opened the door to the Empress' bedchambers, crossed into the room, and quickly locked it shut behind her. With quaking fury, she approached the Empress, who had laid herself seductively on her luxurious bed, and Twilight looked Celestia in the eye before finally declaring what she had learned.

"I know who sent Dash after me," said Twilight, a grim sense of finality and certainty to her words.

"Are you absolutely sure?" asked the Empress. She had lost all of the seduction and mischief in her voice. In that moment, Empress Celestia was deathly serious. When Twilight nodded, a flame sparked in the eyes of the High Queen, and it became clear that it would take divine intervention to protect the guilty party from Her wrath. "Who was it?"

"It's the Chancellor, Empress. Rarity is trying to kill me."