Dark Alleys, Bright Hearts

I give a nod to the guard as he pauses outside of the same meeting room as before. He nods back, “She’s in there, Miss. Go on in.”

I push open the door, trotting in.

Sitting there, radiating happiness from her form, is Celestia. Though she seems to be putting on quite the facade of being sad and anguished, with a frown on her features.

I sit in front of her, nodding, “Good morning, Princess.”

She pauses, “Princess? It’s not like you to use my title, my little pony.”

I nod again, “Well, Princess, I only met you previously with Mark. In order to maintain to him that I was a snarky mare who believed the same as him, I had to disrespect you a little. I do hope you weren’t offended by it, Princess.”

She pauses again, and smiles softly, “So you were acting?”

I smile back, “Yes, Princess. Your letter, or Princess Luna’s letter to be more exact, asked for me to befriend him at any cost. So I have been doing that. It has required me to insult your name, which was a hard thing to do, but I hope you can forgive me.”

She nods, “Of course I forgive you, my little pony. You must be a great actor.”

I grin, “Well, Princess, I’ve always wanted to be one.”

She smiles softly, “Well, my little pony, I can help you become one for your service to me. Though I must wonder what has brought you to revealing this.”

I shrug, “Well, Princess, this is the first time we’ve been together without Mark. I share your curiosity, as I wonder why you called me here without him.”

She nods, “Well, that is a rather troubling manner. And if we’re clearing the air, so to speak, then I must ask what is bothering you. You look anxious and slightly scared.”

I pause, “Must I reveal that, Princess?”

She nods again, “I would prefer if you did, my little pony. What I have to say is troubling, and I wish for you to approach it with a clear mind.”

I sigh, “Well, Princess, I stumbled across something in the gardens.”

She pauses, and smiles, “Ah, you found the Fighters.”

I nod, “Is that what they are called?”

She nods back, “Yes, as a collective. All of them have tried to fight me, or Equestria, and have lost. Though their presence shouldn’t alarm you. Trust me, my little pony, they are sealed away safely.”

I pause, “Well, Princess, I just noticed they all had gems on their weapons.”

She nods again, “Yes, they are weapons with the ability to kill me. But why does that worry you?”

I look down, “Well, Princess, it just reminds me of something I saw the other day. A dagger.”

Emotions flood off Celestia. A mix of anxiety and worry with slight fear. However, overwhelming all other emotions is pure joy.

She tries her best to look worried, “Miss Love, please, tell me more.”

I nod, looking back up, “Well, I saw what I think was a goat. He looked... he looked like Grogar, from the story books.”

She nods, and smiles, “Thank you for telling me, my little pony. Your information might be invaluable.”

I smile, “If I may know, Princess, what exactly does this all mean?”

She pauses, “That is very classified information... but you have done me a great service and proved your loyalty twice over. I suppose you do deserve to know.”

I nod, “I am very happy to know I’m trusted enough for you to tell me, Princess. Though, if you deem it too dangerous, you have no need to.”

She shakes her head, “No, I believe I can tell you. You see, the gems in their weapons are special. Not only do they allow their weapons to kill me, but they also carry the greatest minds of their respective races. Discord is the exception, as he has no other in the world. So, when these gems, representing the other races, are put into a specific place, they can be used. If one stands between all the gems, they get enough magic in them in order to become what equates to a god, one far surpassing Discord. I plan to become that goddess, so I may make sure the entire world lives in Harmony. Even now, I am not mighty enough to face down entire armies, despite what the legends say. But with that power, I could change the very fabric of existence to perfect Harmony. Then, I would be the true protector this world needs.”

I pause, “So you’ll become omnipotent and omniscient?”

She nods, “In a sense, yes. Within this world, I would hold power beyond anything.”

I raise an eyebrow, “This world?”

She pauses, “I fear that is information I cannot share, my little pony. But, allow me to clarify. I don’t mean other worlds like Mark’s home. No, my little pony, there is a lot more out there than you could ever imagine.”

I pause, and nod, “And you need to protect us from what is out there?”

She nods, “Yes, I do. This is something nopony else knows other than Luna and Discord, so know I trust you when I tell you this. There is something coming, Miss Love, who wishes to destroy everything. There is no escape, and no hiding. It won’t just destroy Equestria, it won’t just destroy this galaxy, nor this universe. It will destroy existence itself, and there will be nothing left. That is why I am so excited, Miss Love. With that power the gems grant, I can stand a chance against it. Even if friendship and Harmony failed us, and I fought alone, I would still stand a chance. That is why your information is invaluable, Miss Love.”

My eyes widen, “You aren’t kidding?”

She looks me in the eyes, “My little pony, trust me. I once held Honesty for a reason.”

I lean back, “Well... I’m going to have to think over all this.”

She sighs, “Oh dear, I’m afraid I’ve made your mind more clouded than when we began.”

I shake my head, “No, no, Princess. I can put all that aside for what you wish to tell me.”

She nods, “Very well, then. Miss Love, last night Mark broke into the Royal Vault and killed one of my Royal Guard while doing such.”

I gasp, “He what?!”

She looks down, feigning sadness, “I know, my little pony. We never could see it coming.” She sighs, looking back at me, “He was captured by Luna, and tried to assault her before being put in the dungeon. Now, he awaits us.”

I pause, “Is he going to be executed? Or kept for life?”

She shakes her head, “No, my little pony. Don’t worry, Mark shall return to you soon.”

I raise an eyebrow, “He will?”

She nods, “Yes, he will. The punishment for his crime shall not be that of a pony, as he is not one. For all we know, murder may be a part of his culture, and we can’t rightly execute him for that. So, instead, we are going to cast a reformation spell on him.”

I pause, “A reformation spell? Forgive me, Princess, but I’m afraid I’ve never heard of that.”

She nods, “It is a simple spell, actually. The spell, in a sense, reforms him. After casting, he will listen to and do all requests given to him, and will be happy for doing such. The spell gives a burst of joy to his mind every time he listens, and a burst of pain if he doesn’t. So, trust me, he will be a lot happier after than he ever was before.”

I sigh, “Well... might I see him before then? If it is truly a part of his culture, then he deserves a friend near him as it’s cast on him. That way he’ll be calm.”

She smiles, “Of course you can see him. My guard shall escort you down there.”

I nod, “Thank you, Princess.”