The Handmaiden

"Again."

Twilight was exhausted, her chest heaving as she choked down air. Her entire body was bathed in a blistering heat, and the bitter, metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. She desperately needed a break, but that didn't seem to be in the cards. The Empress was watching from her throne, her cold eyes inspecting her servants as they practiced their sorcery. The Chancellor stood across from Twilight, inspecting her anxiously. Twilight shakily stood up, wiping the blood from her nose and mouth before crossing her arms into an X in front of her chest. She took in a deep breath, repeating in her head the incantation she had been taught, creating a barrier of her mana. Twilight exhaled before giving Rarity a nod to continue.

"Fulmena Minora!" Rarity whipped her hand towards Twilight, her hand surrounded in sapphire light. There was a brief crackling sound as Rarity's mana took form. "Fire!"

A crackling, popping, impossibly hot thunderbolt shot from the tips of Rarity's fingers, arcing through the air towards Twilight. She had only a fraction of a second to brace herself, but all the preparation in the world could not have protected her from this. The lightning connected with her already-burned arms, wrapping around her and scorching slightly at her flesh. Her barrier was holding, as well as it had been since they began these trials, but Twilight could feel her mana failing.

"Imperia Tranquillus!" shouted Twilight, letting out a surge of her mana. She could feel her energy blast forward, dispelling much of Rarity's mana with her own. Even still, much of her arms were still scorched by the lightning, her flesh smoking slightly and her skin starting to peel. She was certain she'd be mostly uninjured, but the pain that was crawling up and down her arms would not depart anytime soon.

"Acceptable performance, Sparkle," said Rarity, politely applauding. "Your mana control is getting better, although you still aren't applying it to its full potential. You allow your focus to be disrupted, and that is making you sloppy. Remain calm when you are casting or you will fail."

"Easy for you to say…" panted Twilight. She grabbed at her left forearm, flinching from the pain. "You're not the one being struck by lightning."

"Be thankful I'm allowing Rarity to be your trainer," remarked the Empress dryly. "Were it my sorcery… Even still, you are progressing adequately. That's enough for now. Ms. Rarity, the morning report. While she reads, Twilight Sparkle will create and maintain a small flame in her hands. Do not let the fire go out until after Ms. Rarity is finished."

"Yes, Empress," said Twilight, taking a moment to compose herself. Both she and the chancellor approached the High Queen, standing before her in preparation for their respective tasks. Rarity reached into her coat's pocket and withdrew a plain handkerchief and a scroll of parchment. She handed the former to Twilight, who muttered a thanks and then wiped the blood from her face and her arms.

"Ready, Sparkle?" asked the Chancellor. Twilight nodded, holding her hands forward before her. Rarity nodded, unfurling her parchment and holding it up for easy reading. "Alright, then. Morning report for this day, the 13th of October, the 103rd year of the 4th Era."

"Ignis Minora," murmured Twilight. A timid flame crackled to life in Twilight's palms, floating a few inches from her skin. She stared at the fire, trying to take Rarity's advice and focus on her magick.

"Begin, Rarity," ordered Empress Celestia, not taking her eyes off of her handmaiden.

"Yes, Milady. We have received word from Mother Chrysalis that she has neither met with, given quarter, or otherwise communicated with any member of the Children of the Night," reported Rarity. "She has extended an open invitation to visit the Hive so you may converse with her regarding her continued loyalty, if you so desire."

"Hm. Fortunately for Chrysalis, I do not have time to interrogate her myself," droned the Empress. "Send a hawk informing her that, in one week, she will be making the journey here to meet with you. You will inform Chrysalis that I will be expecting two dozen of her soldiers to patrol the desert in search of Luna until she is found. You will make it very clear that this is not a request. Next."

"Yes, right… Canterlot was due another grain shipment from one of the western colonies, but it seems they were raided. Again." The Empress gripped the arms of her throne tightly, radiating anger. Twilight raised a brow, averting the High Queen's burning gaze in favor of her fire. "Just like the last three shipments, the wagon was found empty, with three Solar guards dead. One arrow in each of their throats."

"Luna… She's trying to disrupt the flow of resources into Canterlot, and spread out my forces." The Empress let out a sigh, watching Twilight and her fire. "Very well, then. Send a hawk to Baltimare, telling them to send double the grain shipments to compensate for the west's failings. They will now take the Foal Mountain path. This will give them the cover of the mountains for protection."

"Isn't that path more dangerous?" asked Twilight. The Empress raised a brow, slowly nodding.

"All the more reason Luna would not expect it. Furthermore, Ms. Rarity, you will recall all military personnel from every non-essential village and colony. I need every available man in Canterlot."

"Consider it done, your Divinity." Rarity scribbled at her list, swiftly taking notes. "Aside from that, my Empress, you are scheduled to meet with Captain Spearhead regarding his search for the fugitive Flash Sentry."

"When?" droned the Empress.

"That would be just before sunset, Milady."

"Hm. Cancel it. I have no desire to speak to Spearhead at this time." The Empress curled her lip and flared her nostrils, as if she had smelled something rotten. Though Twilight was mostly focused on maintaining her flame, she took notice of the Empress' distaste for the Captain, something she related to greatly. "I'll see him… Three days from now."

"What's in three days, your highness?" asked Twilight. Empress Celestia snickered, grinning sinisterly.

"The next arena game, of course," laughed the Empress. "Fifteen gladiators against my manticores sounds like a fair contest, no?” She glanced to her handmaiden, rolling her eyes at the grim expression she wore. “I did not forget our agreement, Twilight Sparkle. The Pie's name will not be in the drawing."

"Thank you," said Twilight quietly. The Empress gave a tiny nod, then quickly continued on.

"I am many things, Twilight Sparkle, but a liar I am not. Ms. Rarity, please have that arranged at once."

"Yes, my Empress." Rarity nodded in understanding, adjusting her list accordingly. "The morning report is complete, Milady. And Sparkle managed to avoid burning herself to a crisp. Overall, a very successful morning, I'd say."

"May I stop now?" asked Twilight, grimacing slightly from the heat. "It's getting a bit warm…"

"You may," said the Empress with a nod. Twilight let out a sigh of relief, waving away her fire and finally getting the reprieve she had been longing for all morning. "You're improving, Twilight Sparkle. Very good."

"Thank you, my Empress. You and Chancellor Rarity are incredible teachers," said Twilight, shaking her hands gingerly. "My Empress… Now that morning report is over, may I make a request? Privately, if at all possible."

"Ms. Rarity, if you would please leave the room." The Empress gestured to the door. "I'm sure there are things that need doing. I will send Twilight Sparkle to assist you shortly."

"Right away, my Empress!" Rarity bowed and kissed the sun before departing from the throne room. The Empress watched her leave before beckoning for Twilight, who crossed the room and stood by the throne. Beside the Empress was Twilight's leash, which had been temporarily removed to protect it from Rarity's magick. Now that their lessons were done, Twilight accepted the leash from the Empress and reconnected it to her collar, offering the handle to the High Queen.

"So, you wanted something of me?" asked the Empress.

"Well, your highness… It's been a few months since I became your handmaiden," said Twilight. "While I am honoured to be at your service, I… Well, there are bits of my old life that I can't have here in the castle."

"You mean the Pie." Empress Celestia arched a brow at her handmaiden. "No need to be coy, Twilight Sparkle. If you miss the Pie, I urge you to say as much."

"I do, Empress. I miss Pinkie dearly." Twilight spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully to avoid upsetting her Empress. "And I was wondering if you would be so kind and gracious enough to allow me to visit her."

"You certainly may."

"I've been progressing nicely in my literacy, and my spellwork is improving. I can catch up on the work I miss and—" Twilight froze, her brow arched in surprise as she processed what she heard. "Wait… Did you say yes?"

"I did. Your request is reasonable enough, and, as you seem so excited to tell me, you are growing very well in your studies. I have nothing tasked for you today, so if you would like to visit the Pie, I see no reason to deny you that. Go get ready, and inform the Chancellor that I'd like to speak with her. A company of guards will be outside your door within the hour."

"Oh. Oh, thank you, my Empress!" Twilight quickly bowed, kissing the sun before turning for the door. She managed to take about two steps before the Empress yanked on the leash, pulling her back before her.

"The leash stays on, Twilight Sparkle," said the Empress with a grin. Twilight's smile faded slightly, much to the High Queen's amusement. "I understand that your heart belongs to your gypsy. Your body, on the other hand… your body is mine alone. And be sure to give Ms. Pie my warmest regards."

Twilight gently grasped her leash, pulling it slowly from Empress Celestia's grasp. She did not look forward to entering Golden Oak with a collar around her neck, but she knew she had no choice. If this was what it took for her see Pinkie again, even for just a bit, then so be it. Twilight bowed to the Empress, part of her curious as to why she would allow this. Perhaps just a chance to further humiliate her, display her as property for her own amusement. Either way, Twilight was willing to take it in her stride.

"Thank you, my Empress."

Entering Golden Oak Prison was as haunting an experience as Twilight ever had. She could still remember being dragged into the tree all those years ago, kicking and screaming up the massive trunk to what she thought would surely be her demise. She hadn't even known her crime then, couldn't even imagine what she could have done that would warrant locking up a child for so long. Twilight could still remember crying, night in and night out, begging for someone to save her. She was alone for years, until a new, strange prisoner was made her cellmate. Even though she was flanked by two Solar Guards, marking her as a visitor rather than a prisoner, she couldn't quite shake that dark, looming air.

But, despite all of her bad memories of the prison, Twilight couldn't help but smile as she approached her old cell. Being with Pinkie was the happiest she had ever been, and joy was a precious commodity in Golden Oak. Twilight stopped before the bars of the cell, grinning at the prone, napping form of her love on the other side. Judging by the time of day, and the way Pinkie clutched her wrists, Twilight wagered that she was likely just getting back from working in the yard. The guard approached and rapped on the bars, drawing the ire of the prisoner that the cell contained.

"I just got back in…" groaned Pinkie, turning over on her cot. She slowly say herself up, shaking her head to free herself of the cobwebs. "The guards out there told me I could rest for a bit before I…" Pinkie let out a yelp of surprise, her eyes welling with tears at what lay before her. Twilight smiled, waving silently while Pinkie approached, grabbing the bars of her cell.

"Hey there," said Twilight, her voice slightly shaky. Pinkie looked so much gaunter than she remembered, thinner, paler, frailer. But moreso than all of that, she seemed tired, as if she hadn’t had a proper night of sleep since Twilight had departed. Twilight grimaced, realizing how likely it was for that to be exactly the case. "I… I missed you."

"Twilight!" Pinkie reached through the bars, grasping Twilight's hands. "Gods above, I missed you so much!"

"Could you let me in?" Twilight looked to one of the guards that had escorted her from Canterlot. "I'd like to hold her for a bit."

"No," grunted the guard.

"Come on, we're not likely to go anywhere. Just for a bit, please." Twilight scowled as the guards responded to her request with a cold, icy silence. "Fine, then! At least give us some privacy. You can wait for me by The Vines, it's the only way out anyway."

The guards glanced to one another, unsure of what to make of this. Not one of them enjoyed being ordered around by the handmaiden, but similarly, they had received instructions to protect her and ensure her visit went smoothly. If Twilight reported any of them to the Empress, that could be terrible for them. So, silently, both guards stepped back, retreating away until Twilight was, for the most part, alone with her love. Pinkie tried to kiss Twilight, but the bars obstructed her path. Instead, Twilight laced their fingers together, pulling Pinkie's arm through and gently kissing the back of her hand, like a knight to a fair maiden.

"Gods… What happened to your arms?" gasped Pinkie, pointing at Twilight's slightly charred flesh. Her eyes flashed up to Twilight's collar, and it was clear that she assumed the worst. "A leash? Is the Empress…?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that. The collar is just to mark me as the handmaiden, and the burns are from learning magick. Earlier today, I was blocking bolts of lightning," explained Twilight. Pinkie's eyes went wide in wonder, looking at Twilight with awe. Twilight smirked, then slowly pulled away from Pinkie, holding her hand out in front of her. "Watch this. Ignis Minora!"

"Whoa!" Pinkie leaped back in surprise as a small flame crackled to life in Twilight's hands. "You make it look so easy! Whenever Ma and Pa talked about magick… He said only the Empress could just make stuff happen like that!"

"Trust me, it's not easy." Twilight waved her fire away, her head going a bit light from the strain. "Your father knows about sorcery?"

"Mh-hm. But not like that. Pa never told us much about it. Said it was against the law." Pinkie sighed, slumping slightly. "Guess he was right…"

"Hey, enough about that. I want to talk about you. How are you holding up?"

"Well… I miss you tons," said Pinkie, pouting slightly. "It's been weird without you. There's less food and water, but they took my name out of the drawing for the games, so I guess I feel less nervous about that."

“That’s good. Empress Celestia promised to keep your name out of the drawing," said Twilight. "She's a woman of her word, at the very least."

"So… how's it there? What's the Empress like?" asked Pinkie. Twilight pursed her lips and sighed, sliding down to sit before the bars. "Is she scary?"

"Terrifying. But, at the same time…" Twilight leaned forward, pressing her head to the bars. "I think she's fond of me. She's been strangely protective of me, in a sense. And she's been teaching me magick, for the fun of it."

"Strange…"

"She's got a bit of a twisted sense of humor, as well. Very… grisly. But I think she really does care for me. Of course, she's been in an awful mood lately, on account of…" Twilight paused, biting her lip gently. "Perhaps I shouldn't say…"

"Hm? What's going on?" Pinkie shimmied forward until she was nearly touching Twilight, kept apart only by the steel bars of her cell. "Is everything okay?"

"Well… Something happened a few months back. I don't know what you may have heard from the guards but…" Twilight dipped her voice down to a hushed whisper. "The Empress' sister popped out of the blue, was meant to be executed. Then, she broke out and is starting a rebellion."

"Gods above… is that what this Children of the Night nonsense is all about?" asked Pinkie. Twilight gave a slow, taciturn nod, bringing a small frown to Pinkie's face. "Madmen, the lot of them. They're gonna get people hurt…"

"They say they want to free Equestria, and that means killing the Empress."

"Impossible. You can't kill the Empress! Pa told me she's not even human!"

"Well, their leader seems to think differently." Twilight glanced over her shoulder, eyes peeled for guards. When she was certain that she wasn't to be overheard, she leaned in closer. "And I happen to believe her. I can’t say much more than that, but I believe in Luna and the Children of the Night.”

“Twilight, are you—”

“I can’t talk much about it, but… Hopefully, we’ll be together soon,” said Twilight. Pinkie’s eyes lit up, bringing a smile to Twilight’s face. “So, you said there’s less food? I’ll see if I can talk to Chancellor Rarity about helping out. Are you rationing out food like I told you?”

“Well, I was, but…” Pinkie retreated slightly, her face flashing into a grimace. "That woman—"

"Harpy!"

Twilight felt her blood chill in her veins, the harsh, familiar voice petrifying her with fear, and regret. She slowly turned to the source, a cell a few down from Pinkie's that wrapped along the curvature of Golden Oak's round trunk. Somehow, Twilight hadn't noticed her as she entered. Perhaps she was asleep in her cell until just then, or perhaps Twilight was so focused on seeing Pinkie that she hadn't given any thought to where she was. Either way, Cheerilee made her presence known, clutching the bars of her cell while she shouted across the room.

"Yeah. Her," said Pinkie. "She said you told her to find me, and then we had a… falling out."

"Come then, harpy." Cheerilee shook the bars, as if to yank them down. "Come face me!"

"I'm… I'll be back," murmured Twilight, stepping away from Pinkie and making her way to Cheerilee. With every step towards the prisoner, Twilight felt the pit in her stomach grow. Cheerilee was certainly unwell upon their meeting, but now Twilight could say that she was decidedly ill. Her pockmarks had grown into full-on blisters, some dropping a foul pus down her face. Her bones were more spindly than before, her skin was thinner, more gaunt, and marked with scars. Most hauntingly, the front of her tunic was stained with dried, crusty blood, right at her belly. She was so thin, leaving Twilight with a dark, twisting feeling in her gut.

"Cheerilee…" Twilight stopped a few feet from the cell, watching as the woman huffed just across from her. She didn't dare take a step closer, not from fear, but from a weighty, crushing guilt. "Hello. How—"

"You're sick," said Cheerilee, her voice scarcely more than a gasping croak. "You're a sick, cruel blackheart for what you've done to me…"

"I didn't want for this to happen. You must understand that," pleaded Twilight. "I didn't want to see you here. I take no joy in seeing you suffer."

"Then you're a coward. That's the only other possibility, that you're a coward!" Twilight took a half-step backward, a bit unsettled by Cheerilee's shouting. "You could have spared me this…"

"I tried, I swear to you, I did. There was nothing I could do. The Empress, she… she forced my choice. I really, truly am sorry."

"You're sorry? Is that what you said? You're sorry?" Cheerilee pulled herself as close to the bars as she could, her weakened body trembling with fury. "I want you to say that again. Why don't you tell my son that you're sorry!"

Twilight said nothing, for she could think of nothing to say. The silence grew as the moments ticked along, festering along with that sick, sinking feeling deep in her. Horror was the primary feeling in her heart, followed by remorse and, beneath that, pity. There was nothing Twilight could say to make this better, nothing that could undo the pain that Cheerilee suffered.

"What happened?" Twilight regretted asking as soon as the words left her lips, but she just couldn't help herself. There was a morbid curiosity that gripped her, refusing to let her leave any questions unanswered.

"Just a month in, some greedy bastard… he attacked me over food," said Cheerilee, slumping against the bars. "Kicked me in the middle. Broke my water and started my labor early. The guards wouldn't take me to a doctor, didn't help me deliver. Just gave me some rags to clean the blood with. He never cried a tear, my boy… He was gone before sunrise."

"Gods above…" said Twilight, her heart torn in two at the mere thought of Cheerilee suffering the way she had. She didn't deserve what she got. Twilight wasn't certain that anyone did. "I am so sorry…"

"The worst of it… They didn't even let me bury my son." Cheerilee trembled, finally breaking down into shaky tears. "Th-they… they took me to The Yard and… they made me t-toss my son from the branches to the ground." Cheerilee wiped the tears from her face, turning away from the handmaiden. "That bastard Spearhead laughed at me when I came back. Said I should be glad the boy wasn't a waste, because at least the wolves wouldn't go hungry."

"Gods above…"

"You could have spared me this, handmaiden. Had you the guts to give the order…" Cheerilee sighed, her previous fire having fizzled out. "That leash suits you. You're just a lapdog, aren't you? You do whatever you can to keep in your mistress' graces, no matter how cruel. I'm not certain who's more despicable, you or your owner."

"I understand your pain, and you have my pity. But please understand…" Twilight took a step forward, grimacing at how limp and lifeless the woman looked. "I did not do this to you. This is not my doing. I tried to convince her to spare you your sentence, but failing that… I refused to order your child's execution."

"Your cowardice did that anyway. All you've done is prolong my suffering." Cheerilee twisted over, staring down Twilight with a cold, vacant, hate in her eyes. "The guards are watching me closely these days, because they know what will happen if they don't. And I want you to know, the moment that they let me out of their sight… then that will be two deaths you're responsible for."

"I'm… I'm so sorry," said Twilight again. She meant it just as much as she did the first time, and it tore her apart that she could do precious little more for the woman. "I wish there was something more I could do for you—"

"There is. There's one thing you can do." Cheerilee looked away from Twilight, scanning around for any onlookers or eavesdroppers. "If you truly want to help me… then end this pain." Twilight paled slightly, and so Cheerilee spoke more quickly, before she could squander her chance. "It would be simple for you, all you'd need to do is scream for help. Tell the guards I attacked you, that I tried to kill you. Tell them I'm with the Empress' sister, whatever it takes for them to kill me."

"If I say those things… They might not even kill you. They might just extend your sentence."

"Not if they think I'm part of the force against the Empress. They wouldn't hesitate to kill me." Cheerilee watched Twilight mull things over, her frustration growing as the seconds ticked on. "Do you want me to beg? So be it. Please. Just stop this pain. I beg of you."

"I can't. You won't just be beheaded," explained Twilight, hoping to make the woman see sense. "You'll be drawn and quartered. It's not a happy or dignified end."

"Better than another 8 years of this. Please." She watched with bated breath as Twilight stood before her. The seconds flowed into minutes before, with a slow, heavy shake of the head, the handmaiden began to walk away. "No. No, no, no, you can't do this to me again! Please!"

"I'm sorry. I'll do what I can for you, but I won't kill you," said Twilight. She grimaced as Cheerilee's pleas devolved into swears and damnations, and finally deteriorating into wild, untamed, unabashedly pained sobs. Twilight felt her stomach knot up on itself, but she just kept walking. There was nothing she could do for Cheerilee, not until Luna took the throne, and her time away from the castle was very limited.

Twilight made a promise to herself at add Cheerilee to the list of prisoners she would have freed, before quietly endeavoring to return to spend the last of her time with her beloved.

It was just a bit past midday when Twilight finally bid her love a farewell, and she did so with little excitement. She promised Pinkie that she would return to visit again soon, but that did little to soften the blow of their separation. Still, the Empress would be expecting her back soon, and Twilight would be incredibly foolish to keep the Empress waiting. And so, Twilight tore herself away and trudged over to the center of the tree, where her guards were awaiting her at The Vines; A series of thick, sturdy wooden platforms hanging from the top of the trunk from twisting, braided vines. The guards said nothing to Twilight as they shepherded her into the platform, one of which tugging on the central vine, sending the platform slowly drifting down to the ground by way of the tree's intrinsic, mysterious magick.

When the platform reached The Roots of the tree, Twilight and her guards exited from the prison. Though she would miss Pinkie dearly, Twilight was happy to be out of Golden Oak again. Awaiting Twilight and her two Solar guards were a pair of Daybreakers, silently and stoically standing guard by the horses. Four in total, the steeds hoofed the ground restlessly as the Daybreakers climbed atop their mounts. The Solar guards followed, one of which roughly yanking Twilight up behind him. While she was in no way happy to be manhandled in that way, Twilight greatly preferred this to riding with the Daybreakers.

"Hold tight," ordered the rider. "We've wasted enough time on this little visit of yours."

"Hm. Let's go, then," murmured Twilight. Uncomfortably, she wrapped her arms around her rider. He whipped the reins and sent his steed down the dirt road at a brisk trot, followed swiftly by the rest of his team. It was a bit of a trip from Golden Oak to the Canterlot gate, nearly an hour, and Twilight was in quite a hurry to get out of this forest. The guards at Golden Oak called it the Everfree, and it was rumored to possess a magick older and more powerful than even the Empress herself.

"Hey, handmaiden," said the guard that Twilight was riding with, breaking the silence that had persisted the last few minutes. "My buddy Falchion and I have a wager going, we want you to settle it for us."

"Er… I suppose?" Twilight was, understandably, a bit uneasy. "What sort of wager?"

"I don't think this is smart, Delvin," said the other guard, Falchion. He cocked his head to the Daybreakers, silently riding alongside them. "Don't know if they might not take kindly to our little gamble."

"Don't be such a pansy. Those freaks can't even hear us right now. Isn't that right, ya abominations?" True to Delvin's claim, the Daybreakers gave no response. "See? Whatever the Empress does to make them so obedient, it fucks with their heads. They won't listen to us cause she didn't tell them to."

"If you say so…"

"You still haven't said what this wager is about," noted Twilight. Delvin turned back to grin at Twilight, which did little more than make her exceedingly uncomfortable.

"Simple, really. Everyone knows that the handmaiden is the Empress' little jester. You prance around to amuse her throughout the day." Though Twilight wasn't thrilled to be referred to as a jester, she nodded anyway. "Right. And we know you often find yourself in the Empress' chambers after dark."

"I wouldn't say 'often', no. Just on occasion, when she wants me to fetch her some tea." Twilight narrowed her eyes at the guard, her discomfort only growing as the conversation went on. "Whatever your implications may be, I'm certain you are mistaken."

"See? Told you she wouldn't know," said Falchion.

"What, and you're just gonna take her word for it? Of course she's gonna be secretive, these are private matters we're asking about!" The guard laughed, nudging Twilight with his elbow. "Don't worry, girl, your secret is safe with us. We won't tell your master, so speak freely. How does the Empress' cunt taste?"

"I beg your pardon?" Twilight arched a brow, very clearly taken aback. Of course, she reasoned that whatever wager the two guards had among themselves, it was bound to be foul or perverted in nature. But to hear him speak so openly, about the Empress, no less, was shocking. "You are mistaken. Even if I knew, which I don't, I certainly wouldn't tell you!"

"Don't act all posh and pure on me, lapdog. Captain Spearhead told us the sort of whore you are, sucking cock for bread." Again, the guard laughed at Twilight's expense, and, once again, it did nothing but upset the handmaiden. "So spill it, slut. What does she taste like? I think she must taste like honeysuckle, but Falchion says goldenroot. Whose right? I—"

There was a sharp sound of something through the air, followed by a way squelsh, and the thud of Delvin's body hitting the dirt. His horse reared back and neighed, knocking Twilight to the dirt as the remaining guards scrambled to position. The Daybreakers jumped from their horses, drawing their blades and preparing for the oncoming battle, while Falchion scrambled forward to aid his friend. He pulled the arrow from Delvin's throat and, when it was clear that he was dead, stood up with his blade drawn.

"Stay down, handmaiden!" ordered Falchion as he scanned the sense woods for threats. There was a rustling in the bushes, drawing the attention of the lone Solar Guard. "Show yourself!"

The rustling stopped and, rather than a man, a beast burst from its depths; a sleek grey ferret leapt onto Falchion, earning a shriek of surprise from the guard. As he batted the vermin away, another creature swooped in from above, a deep red falcon who yanked Falchion's helmet off with its talons to allow the ferret undeterred access to his face and neck.

Three more arrows flew from the brush, the first two breaking against the first Daybreaker's armor while the third slipped into a crack by its hip. The soldier gave no grunt of pain, it and its second deftly making their way in the direction of the arrows. Another caught the second in the back of the knee, and another still flew through the eyehole of the first's mask. Despite the onslaught, the Daybreaker's continued their search.

"Noctis Daemoni Tranquillus!"

Slowly, the Daybreakers came to a stop, their limbs locking up where they stood. A deep cerulean light bathed them, leaving them motionless, transfixed by its power. Twilight watched in awe as the fearsome warriors stood in place while a cloaked figure manifested itself behind them. The cloaked figure drew a shortsword and swiped it through the air once, twice, cleaving each Daybreaker's head from its body. The figure removed their hood, revealing a head of deep, dark blue hair, like a slice of the night's sky.

"Salutations," said Luna, wiping a bit of blood from her nose with a grin. She glanced to Falchion, who was still futilely fighting to remove the ferret from his bloodied face. Luna whistled a short tune, 3 simple notes, and an arrow flew from the brush and buried itself in the Solar Guard's eye. "Excellent shot, Flash! Glad to know you've stood in practice."

"Thank you." Through the brush emerged Flash Sentry himself, clutching a bow of ebony in his hands and a quiver of arrows on his back. Over his shoulder was another bow, this one black as night and accented around the edges with silver. Flash offered the bow to Luna. "It's an honour to finally hunt with you, Lady Luna."

"If you thought that to be a satisfying hunt, my Children are in a worse state than I realized." Luna reached for the bow, just for Flash to snatch it away.

"Far from satisfying. I just wanted to see if your age would slow you any before we did anything truly engaging." The two shared a grin before, finally, he handed over the bow, which Luna slung over her shoulder similarly to how Flash held it. He turned to face Twilight, bowing in her direction. "Good to see you, Ms. Twilight."

"I wish I could say the same." Twilight shakily stood up, brushing the dirt from her dress. "Is there any particular reason you saw fit to murder my escorts and scare me to three hells and back?"

"We needed to discuss things, and I cannot continue visiting your dreams," said Luna. "Besides it requiring a great deal of mana, there are times in which physical interaction is required, such as now."

"Still, you could have warned me."

"I did. I shot your rider first. But enough of that, we need to talk." Luna looked over to the animals, the bloody ferret on the ground and the falcon resting on the tree branch. "Come here, you two. It's time you've met Twilight."

"You needed to see me…" said Twilight, her frustration growing. "So you could introduce me to your pets?" The ferret hissed angrily and the falcon screeched as they crossed the path to stand by their mistress; the falcon gently landed on Luna's outstretched arm while the ferret clambered up her body to rest upon her shoulder. With her free hand, Luna reached into her cloak and withdrew two pieces of dried, salted herring

"They don't like being called pets. They prefer the term 'familiars'. My falcon is Philomena, and my ferret is Tiberius," explained Luna, feeding each familiar a treat. "And it's less about you meeting them and more about them bringing you something important. Tiberius, now."

The ferret let out a foul hacking sound before coughing up a single golden coin, which Luna easily caught. She wiped the coin clean and tossed it to Twilight, who inspected the strange money carefully. It lacked the Empress' sun on one side, and the Equestrian seal on the other side seemed unfinished, missing the spiraling horn between the two feathery wings.

"What's this?" asked Twilight.

"Look at the edge," said Luna. Twilight tilted the coin over, giving the edge a closer look; around the circumference of the coin was a multitude of strange runes and symbols, each magickal in nature. "What do you make of this?"

"It's an arcana. Like the one you used to escape." Twilight peered at the coin, tracing the tiny runes with her thumb. "Fascinating… So you can make an arcana out of anything?"

"Not everything. It needs to already have some sort of arcane nature. Ideally, gold or platinum. Those metals tend to hold onto magick more easily. Flash helped to develop a very clever method of imbuing ink with platinum in order to make the runes themselves the arcana."

"Not really practical, unfortunately," remarked Flash. "But it got us out of Canterlot, so I suppose it worked well enough."

"What's this one for, then?" asked Twilight.

"An invasion." Luna grinned, crossing her arms over her chest. "The first direct attack of many against my sister."

"You're mad…" Twilight shook her head in disbelief. "Absolutely mad. How do you expect to invade Canterlot? You'll be turned away at the gates."

"Which is precisely why we'll be foregoing the gate." Luna pointed to the coin in Twilight's hands, watching in amusement as the realization washed over the handmaiden. "That coin is our way in. It's enchanted with the same type of magick that my sister used to bring me back, on a much smaller scale."

"The spell that she used to fold reality?" asked Twilight. Luna nodded, her grin widening. "So you'll be able to essentially step into Canterlot undetected."

"Clever, no?" said Flash with a grin.

"Try 'brilliant'. But there's one problem." Twilight flipped the coin back at Luna, who easily snatched it out of the sky. "I'm poor. Always have been. If the Empress finds me to suddenly have a coin, an old coin that isn't even the same as is used now, she'll be on to us."

"You won't bring it to the castle. There's one place in Canterlot where a coin won't be inspected too closely, nor would it be moved or disturbed," said Luna. "The well. That's our way in. Now, we just need the right time to strike."

"How soon can you be ready?" asked Twilight. Luna raised a brow, her grin only growing wider.

"As soon as we need to be. What do you have in mind?"

"Three days from now, the Empress is holding a bout at the arena." Twilight held out her hand and accepted the coin as Luna returned it to her. "If you want to strike a blow against her and her army, this might be the way to do it."

"Hm… Some of Celestia's top men will be there. An ambush to take them out would be a very good move for us. Plus, we'd be able to recruit some fresh blood if we rescue the gladiators while we're at it," said Flash, mulling over their new plan. "And a public display that we're capable of defying her rule… It'll chip at her armor, so to speak. What more could we want?"

"Good plan, no?" asked Twilight. Flash cracked a grin in her direction, and, almost in spite of herself, Twilight returned the gesture.

"Try 'brilliant'. I'll put together a team as soon as we're back at camp. I can have an attack team ready—"

"Respectfully, Flash, if anyone is going to lead a team specifically to spite my sister, it is going to be me," Luna cut in. "We will be ready, Twilight. For now, you must go. My sister will be suspicious if you do not arrive at the castle soon, and you're going to have to return by foot. Fortunately, you're not too far from the gates. Hurry back to the castle, and be prepared for the next step."

"Wait." Flash grabbed Twilight by the wrist, stopping her from leaving. "We can't just let her walk back to Canterlot. She shows up without her guards, what will Celestia think?"

"That I was attacked by the Children of the Night," said Twilight. Flash nodded slowly and, with a bit of a grimace, drew a dagger from his waist.

"And why would the Children kill four guards—two of which were Daybreakers—just to get at the handmaiden, and then let her go?" asked Flash. Understanding slowly washed over Twilight, and she too grimaced slightly. "Celestia will begin to suspect you may be involved. The only believable cover story…"

"Is that you attempted to kill me, but I managed to escape," sighed Twilight. "And the only way to make that believable… Is if I get back to the castle with some bumps and bruises."

"Sorry, Ms. Twilight. I'll try to be quick about it."

Twilight nodded, squeezing her eyes shut in anticipation as Flash approached her with his blade in hand. A gasp escaped her as the angry edge of a blade slashed at her shoulder, then her hip, across her chest, and finally her thigh. The cuts certainly weren't pleasant, although Twilight found them preferable to her lessons earlier in the day. She opened her eyes, grabbing the cut, blood-stained fabric of her dress in order to keep it from blowing in the wind.

"Come on, Flash. Give me one more." said Twilight with gritted teeth. Flash hesitated, before stowing his dagger away and approaching Twilight with empty hands. He grimaced, looking away from Twilight as he clenched his hand into a fist. He cocked his arm back and, with a careful, deliberate aim, he punched Twilight in the eye. Not hard enough to cause any real damage, or even to knock her out. Just enough to bring her to the ground, and to form a noticeable bruise by the time she returned to the castle.

"Sorry," said Flash. He offered the fallen Twilight his hand. Cautiously, she accepted it, rubbing her face with her other hand. "I promise, when we've won, you can have the receipt for that."

"I plan on collecting," grumbled Twilight, only half-serious. "Alright, just one more thing. If I had just been attacked by the enemy, and I thought they intended to kill me…"

"You would have fought back," said Luna. "There would be evidence of you using your magick."

"Right. So let's make some evidence. Ignis!" A flame, considerably larger than she was normally accustomed to creating, sparked to life in Twilight's hands, sending sharp, needling pain up her arms and to her chest. This pain was accompanied by a fair bit of blood from her nose, the consequences of depleting so much mana at once. "Get out of here. Once the fire catches, I won't be able to control it anymore."

"Stay safe, Ms. Twilight," said Flash. He crossed the clearing and joined with his leader. "We'll see you soon with the next phase of the plan."

"You are doing a very good thing, Twilight," promised Luna. "Soon enough, you shall be rewarded. But, for now… we vanish into the shadows."

Twilight averted her gaze as a flash of blue light consumed her allies, making them vanish from view. With nothing more than the sounds of the forest to keep her company, Twilight approached the fallen bodies of her guards. A morbid curiosity gripped her, and she couldn't help but inspect the fallen Daybreakers. Even dead, they managed to convey a sense of dread and unrest, their spilled blood thicker than honey. So dark red that it appeared black.

A shudder ran down Twilight's spine, and so she endeavored to set her fire and get as far away from all of this as possible.