The Ghost: Assorted Adventures

“‘Tis one thing to invade the Royal Reliquary and abscond with so foul a treasure. ‘Tis another, entirely, to deposit the Princess of the Night into the Living Chest of Haakam un Rama.”

“I understand,” Alate stated, eyes closed. “And I will endure whatever punishment you deem necessary. It is the least I can do.”

Princess Luna, decorated in bruises and matted fur from her time in the chest, turned her gaze to Rarity and the Ghost. They stood upon the balcony of the east tower, flanked by royal guards who watched over the captured changelings. The princess’ gaze was firm as it shifted back to Alate.

“Indeed you shall. The punishment for such heinous offenses is a long walk down to the castle dungeon, where you would waste away for the rest of your treacherous days. Though it seems thou art blessed with good fortune.”

Alate’s eyes shot open, puzzled by the princess’ casual statement. She spied the Ghost smiling beside them.

“The victims of your crimes hath demanded mercy be placed upon you, lest they reveal the true nature of our defeat to dear sister.”

“Mercy?”

“‘Tis blackmail. Treachery, but the little devils believe there is a chance you will reform.” Luna’s expression and voice softened. “In truth, we agree. In the millennia-long life we hath lived many a changeling sought to harm our subjects, yet never were we at a loss for proof that good lies within them, however deep. Thou art that proof to us, Alate, and with the faith of your friends perhaps you may help to educate us on the woes of hive folk so we may help them in return.”

“I-I cannot thank you enough, Princess.” Alate bowed her head. “And to you, friends of Darrox, you have shown me a kindness I won’t forget. I promise.”

The Ghost approached Alate and wrapped a hoof around her shoulder, giving her a light squeeze before Princess Luna forced herself between them. With a nod, she bid Alate to follow her, passing the now sneering and spitting changelings before they, too, were carried off into the castle.

When they were alone Silver pulled back on his mask and let it hang behind him. He turned toward the edge of the balcony to find Rarity, staring out across the mountain and the long shadows Canterlot cast in the setting sun. He walked to her side and placed his hooves upon the railing.

“I can’t believe I got to meet Princess Luna.”

“Darling, you’ve never seen her before?”

“Six years on an island, remember? Given the time difference, I think I actually slept through Nightmare Moon’s return.”

He and Rarity giggled at the comment, but soon silence returned to them as they both stared out across the city, illuminated in the rays of the setting sun. Gilded rooftops twinkled in the sunlight as shadowed windows began to cast light from within in preparation for the coming night. Silver averted his gaze and looked to Rarity.

“You saved me,” Silver said, breaking the silence.

“I don’t know if ‘save’ is the proper word, darling.”

“You did. I’m not sure I could’ve escaped the heart without you.”

“Oh, Silver please. You give me too much credit. I had only just escaped my own nightmare, and you were drowning in yours, so I…” Her voice trailed off as she placed a hoof on his. “It looked awful, dear.”

“So did yours.”

“You saw? I didn’t know you could.”

“What did it mean?”

Rarity’s eyes snapped to Silver’s. Her words froze in her throat as the memories of the heart’s terrible spell returned to her. She gave a sigh, scooting closer to Silver.

“I’m an Element, Silver, there’s a lot of responsibility that goes along with that, and it’s impossible to avoid the public eye when everypony tells tales of your adventures. Even were I not, I’m still one of Equestria’s top designers. Everypony popular from Sapphire Shores to Celestia herself has worn something I made for them. It’s lonely, Silver, with so many ponies calling your name and showering you with some form of praise, yet not a single one of them knows me. I don’t want to be ‘Rarity the hero’, or ‘Rarity the celebrity’, but I’m scared one day that’s all I’ll be to them.”

“And your friends? They were there, too.”

“I love my friends, truly,” she said, wistfully. “But I’m scared some days they believe the stories as much as anypony else does. I know they don’t, but it doesn’t change how I feel. To the ponies I love, I just want to be ‘Rarity’.”

“You are to me.” Silver pulled Rarity close. He led his lips upward and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. The sight of rosy cheeks against Rarity’s alabaster fur met Silver’s returning sight as the makings of a smile crept along her mouth.

“What did yours mean?” She murmured, sinking into his hold.

“It was the ocean. I don’t know how long I drifted in that water, but I’ll never forget how trapped I felt. Everything I’ve done since happened because Darrox pulled me from the water. I owed him everything, so I followed him. I became him, in a way. But, lately, I've been thinking about what that means.”

“Are you scared you’ll fail him?”

“Quite the opposite. Darrox was so committed to his fight, so determined to see it through without any consideration for the personal price he would pay, but he never really had anything to lose. His family was safe in the hive and he drifted from town to town, content to simply serve like he always had, just to a different folk.” Silver sighed, and unknowingly pulled Rarity closer for comfort. “I’m not like him. Everyone thinks I am, but I’m not. I’ve lost a lot getting to where I am, and while I want to honor him and be that hero he thought I could be, I can’t do it all alone. I can’t ignore the ones I love because there are ones I love. Mom and Rusty and Gilda and-”

“Me?” The errant word shook Silver, drawing the familiar line of red across his muzzle once more.

“Yes.”

“Then we have something in common,” Rarity whispered. “We both need somepony who understands.”

The precious little space between them was snuffed out as their lips connected with one another’s. A relief washed over them both as they fell deeper into the kiss, soundlessly, with only gentle movements to guide their desire. Finally, the sun set over Canterlot, and the moon rose into the sky as their kiss broke. Silver released a ragged breath, earning a giggle from Rarity.

“Do you suspect what I suspect,” she teased. Silver smiled.

“I do.”

“Doth our heroes require privacy?”

The duo slowly turned to the sight of Princess Luna, Alate in tow, smirking at them and carrying a small indigo cage with her. Silver fumbled to bring the mask over his face once more, but was halted by Luna’s firm hoof in the air.

“Halt, Silver Spade, thy secret may be that to others, but for we who hath seen thy dreams, ‘tis no surprise.”

“Right,” he said, sheepishly, before clearing his throat. “I trust everything has been taken care of?”

“Indeed.” Princess Luna motioned a hoof to Alate. “Our new changeling friend will serve out her sentence as a personal informant to we sisters. The matter of the heart, however, will be left to you, noble rogue.”

“Me?”

“Indeed. Clearly our measures to contain its evil have failed, and given your proclivity toward secrecy we trust the Ghost is more than capable of ensuring ne'er do wells steer clear of it. And on the topic…”

Alate stepped forward, taking the cage from Luna’s magical grip, and walked toward Silver and Rarity. He took the cage, a soft thumping heard within.

“I wasn’t alone in organizing the attack. We didn’t even know the heart existed until we made contact with her.”

“‘Her’?” Rarity piped up.

“We met with a mare who told us about the heart. She knows much, friends, far more than anyone could be trusted with. We told her it was impossible to break into the reliquary, that the princesses’ wards were too strong, but she gave us the counter-spell.”

“That explains how they were suppressed,” Rarity said to Silver.

“But how could she know? Who is she?”

“All she asked for was the heart as payment. I remember she described it as one of the objects she was searching for.” Alate’s words forced Silver and Rarity to share a glance before she continued. “We never saw her full face, only piercing eyes behind the mirrored mask she wore. She addressed herself only as the Maestro.”

“What else can you tell me?” Silver asked, unphased.

“I’m sorry, I know nothing more. The princess has offered to protect me from her retribution, but I fear for you both.”

“We’ll be alright,” Rarity said before gripping Silver’s hoof with her own.

“Such valor,” Princess Luna chuckled. “Allow us to depart, we shall leave thee to thine... strategizing. Goodnight.”

The two exited the balcony, once again leaving Silver and Rarity alone. Her stomach twisted into a knot at the news and she turned to Silver, hoping he felt the same. Instead, she was met with a face of pure stoicism.

“I take it you’ll be leaving then? Save Equestria from another mad pony?”

“Not yet.” Silver raised her hoof and placed a gentle kiss upon it. “Unless you want me to.”

“N-No!” Rarity blurted out, louder than intended. “I’d love for you to stay, if you can.”

“I can,” Silver cooed, once more crossing the void between their lips.