Dark Alleys, Bright Hearts

I move up to Mid Knight, and sit down near her, “So, you’ve been acting awfully defeatist.”

She looks over at me, and shakes her head, “I’m being realistic. We don’t stand much of a chance.”

I smile, “You’re wrong.”

She raises an eyebrow, “Are you saying we actually stand a chance?”

I nod, “I believe we do. Think of it this way, Mid Knight. All of us have faced Celestia and survived.”

She snorts, “Barely.”

I nod, “Yes, barely, but still survived. I actually managed to defeat her before, as I was overcharged off love. Her and I had a magical duel and it ended with her on the floor, and me victorious.”

She shakes her head, “But you still lost.”

I grin, “Well, yes, I still lost, but it wasn’t because of her. It was because of those helping her. So if I were to have had friends to help me against those friends of hers, I would have won perfectly fine.”

“But she learned from her defeat, and will make sure you can’t do it again.”

I nod, “I don’t plan to do the same thing again, though. Not with you and all the others at my side. You are one of the greatest warriors in the past millennia, certainly greater than any warrior working with Celestia today. Even with just you and me alone, we’d have a good shot at killing Celestia.”

She shakes her head, “Then why do you need all of us?”

I smile, “Because I believe all of you perfectly represent one of the Elements. If we defeated Celestia and executed her regularly, the ponies would pitch a fit and there’d be a revolution before we can even catch our breaths. If we defeat her using the Elements of Harmony, though, the ponies would be more accepting of us.”

She snorts, “And what, I’m supposed to be Loyalty?” She throws the Element onto the ground, “This is a suicidal farce. If I agree with you, then I’d go against Luna. My life belongs to her, bug, not to you!”

I shake my head, “I’m not asking you to go against her at all. I believe Luna would be glad to join us once we talk to her, actually. Or... well, there was a theory I had.”

She raises an eyebrow, “A theory?”

I nod, “Yes, a theory. Luna was hit by the Elements of Harmony when she returned. It’s possible that the Elements corrupted her in some manner, making her different than she was back then. If I’m right, then you would still be loyal to the old Luna by fighting to free her from the new Luna.”

She shakes her head, “But there’s no way to be certain about this.”

I pause, “Well, there is a way. Luna is currently in the hospital because I injured her.”

She pauses, “You did what?”

I smile, “She was coming after me, I had to defend myself.”

She glares at me, “If I discover that she is the same Luna as before, bug, then I shall not hesitate to skewer you.”

I nod, “That’s fair, and just proves why you should be Loyalty. Anyway, she’s in the hospital. Mark and I could probably break into it, and allow you two to talk for a bit. Then, you can make your decision.”

She nods slightly, “Alright, that’s acceptable. But I will not help you until I talk to her.”

I smile, and stand up, “I’m glad you are so understanding, Mid Knight. I hope your skills are as sharp as they were a thousand years ago.”

“They will be, whether it be against you or Celestia.”

I nod, “Good to know. Now, I’ll be going now.”

She nods, and I trot away. Mark walks up beside me, “Seems like you came to an understanding.”

I grin, “Yeah, I now understand she’s a bitch. But a useful bitch, so I’m not going to be rude to her in front of her face.”

He smiles, “Sounds like you’re learning how to be nicer.”

I chuckle, “Me, nicer? I’ll have you know that I am a master of niceness, like you. I’m just also a master of rudeness.”

He grins, “Yep, sounds like you. Still, at least you aren’t around her to get free cider and because she’s exotic.”

I shake my head, “Mark, if I ever sound like that again, I want you to hit me. I was a major bitch then. Besides, your company is worth more than any bottle of cider could ever be.”

He smiles, “I’ll hold you to that, Love, and I wouldn’t be too sure about that second thing. The cider in this world is fucking delicious.”

I smile, “Still, I’d prefer your company. Although your company and a bottle of cider are a great combo.”

He nods, “Well, when Celestia is dead, we’ll have plenty of down time to drink and hang out.”

I nod back, “Speaking of that bitch, we need to find a way to break into wherever Luna is. Mid Knight is being bitchy and won’t help us until she talks to Luna.”

He smiles, “Breaking into something? Now we’re talking my language. Come on, Love, let’s draft some plans for how to break in.”