A.K. Yearling's Heedless Almanac

by Vis-a-Viscera

Rating: teen
Tags: Daring Do, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death, Alternate Universe, Changelings, Original Character, Mystery, Second Person, Crystal Ponies, Profanity, Adventure
Length: 35257

As the ultimate adventurer, Daring Do is used to penning paeans about how chaotic situations get. But with the newly depraved Queen at the helm of all Equestia, her latest work requires she report directly from the abyss.

With the newly self-appointed Queen wreaking her twisted will on ponykind, her flock of allies and servants stripping the innocence and lives from its residents en masse, and the apparent new spanner in the works that the Equilixirs and their holders are exerting, A.K. Yearling's got a lot to list in this breakdown of the new order of Equestria. But holding these monsters to account requires and account. And its penner still dares to dream of an end to the entropy.

This is a side fic to Carnation adjusted even further to keep it T-rated and give you the 4-1-1 on the events transpiring between it and Condemned.

Regardless, cursory crossed-out and sometimes redacted hint at some pretty nasty atrocities can be seen between the lines. Enter this latest authoring of A.K. at your own risk.

P.S. Cover art's cred goes to Luminara on DeviArt!

Published 2020-05-19 15:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-08-01 00:16:11 UTC

Preface/Entry 1: Prince Toxic Haze

Preface:

Where.

Do I.

Begin.

Well, perhaps with a name and reason for writing. I am A.K. Yearling. And apparently, I (and you) are in a newer, nastier ~~hel~~ Equestria.

I shudder to think of what happens if this book (or I) fall into our new ruler's hooves.

Regardless, this almanac must start somewhere, and getting you a bead on Equestria’s new ~~mal~~ ~~mis~~management is necessary. If only to honor the true ruler of Equestria. And her memory, wherever the rest of her may lay.

Something must survive to showcase what nightmares have transpired. And unlike many other stories I have had written before of daring escapades, these events can never repeat. Equestria will not survive such a tragedy again, not while remaining Equestria.

~~And especially not its next generation, after~~ I’m getting distracted already. This must be kept neutral, to help with acceptance. You may continue reading.

(Some names have been redacted to protect the innocent.)

To… (Prince) Toxic Haze, then.

Relevant History: Changelings are not an unknown presence to me, even before Canterlot’s incident (well, the one involving Princess Cadance.) Their ability to blend in within the pony populace near-seamlessly is so game-changing, many of the Royal Guard was specially trained to identify their tells. I believe that training has spread to the staff and stewards of the Crystal Empire* as well.

That so many of their powers draw from the affection and desire of the very ponies they infiltrate could make all of Equestria their oyster, if they so choose. I fear (and these two words do not come from me often; let their presence underline the gravity of the ~~situati~~ coup) the changelings may have gotten their wish.

The irony of this current situation is... much of the initial insight into the current status of the changelings comes from a drone herself – an intruder into Ponyville named Gympis. She is… green, and not just on the carapace. But from firsthoof ~~chatterin~~ confessions from her, I have learned three facts about (Prince) Haze:

1) That (Prince) Toxic Haze (uncorroborated, will amend later if needed) was possibly an outcast before recruitment into the (Equestrian) Queen’s confidence,
2) That the changeling is not directly affiliated with, and may well be opposed to, Chrysalis' hive, and
3) That I am not the only investigator into (Prince) Toxic Haze’s intentions and movements; apparently those within the hive - or at least Chrysalis’ are not in consensus over his role in recent developments.

More will be written on this development as it progresses.

Regardless, his positioning as head of the Royal Guard is the focus of the profile here, as it is his largest sphere of influence besides the Queen herself.

The Royal Guard, in ~~laymare’s ter~~ to summarize for you, is a multi-tiered brigade of armored ponies sworn to protect the throne and fulfill royal duties if the rulers of an Equestrian region aren't available. In particular, Canterlot has three sectors of the guard – a general wing, that attends to the regular ceremonies and conflicts within Canterlot, and personal honor guards for the ex-Princesses Luna and the deceased Celestia. Each section has a commander that leads them, who then report to the ruler/head of their province.

Currently, the general wing of Canterlot's Royal Guard is headed by Iron Standard, a veteran of the division appointed by Prince Shining Armor before his move to the Crystal Empire. Flash Sentry was the (former) head of Celestia’s honor guard, and Luna’s has had no former leader – allegedly due to her guilt over still commanding ponies after her conduct ~~as her alias~~ when possessed by Nightmare Moon.

It seems, however, that (Prince) Toxic Haze has been assigned as the head of all three wings, despite their continued separation. The Queen has foregone her own guard; apparently the (Princes) Haze and Shroud’s presence suffice for her protection, as well as ~~Princess Da~~ (I apologize; I am not in the right headspace to speak of that one objectively as of current. More will be written on her later.)

This means that, despite the takeover the Queen has ~~inflic~~ initiated upon Equestria, some of the underlying chains of command remain intact. It is mostly the heads and rank-and-file being replaced; several of the most prominent middlemares (and stallions) are untouched (though that is becoming an increasingly subjective term recently.)

My departure from Ponyville has offered one final insight; the (Prince) Toxic Haze does bring backup when the Queen is not immediately available. Apparently, Flash Sentry has been tasked with pulling his royal chariot. Not normally a feat done by a single Guard, but it seems this has been changed as well. I have kept out of sight from both.

Personal Notes: (Prince) Toxic Haze, from current accounts, is the most aggressive and abrasive of the Queen’s personal consorts.

Expletives flow from him like spectra from Rainbow Falls. He is enough of an egotist to proclaim his malicious intent for ponies and ~~far-too-often obliged~~ insistences for his associates to share in his depravities. And his apparent shared heritage with unicorns has not tempered his interactions with ponykind; if anything, it seems to afford him more avenues of cruelty in his attempts to make playthings out of them.

A full appraisal of his atrocities is not currently available**, but from what Mayor Mare has received from Celestia before her ~~horrif~~ untimely demise, he is at least personally responsible for the brutal incapacitation and/or demise of several members of the Royal Guard, as well as Surprise of the Wonderbolts. What is known is that invocation of the Donneigh Party Doctrine*** has been enforced in regards to the latest Ponyville tragedy he participated in, a testament to the depths of the loss and cruelty witnessed there.

The conduct of (Prince) Toxic Haze has also extended towards the selection of who was released from Canterlot’s cells following the establishment of the first doctrine by the Queen, effectively setting free more than 55% of Canterlot’s penal population and redirecting most punishments of minor and major crimes to be personally handled by herself, any she appoints, and/or the Royal Guard in Canterlot, in order of priority.

For beyond the emancipation of the two Royal Guards conspiring with the new Princess, the first parolee approved by (Prince) Toxic Haze himself was a member (now Commnader) of what was once Luna’s honor guard, particularly known for her aggression and predation upon all but foals and fillies. An entry will be devoted to this new Commander, ‘Hel Gaulle’, once enough time has transpired to gauge whether those tendencies have been tempered by her incarceration.

Abilities: As a half-unicorn, half-changeling, (Prince) Toxic Haze has both species’ talents at his disposal. He can transform into anypony he can see at will. This allows for infiltration into any ranks he pleases, if not the natural abilities of those he shapeshifts into. However, he apparently prefer the powers his original form grants him, as well as the magic from his horn.

From reports on the C.O.D. for Braeburn and Apple Fritter, he also possesses a toxic mist ability. The Queen and (Prince) Shroud have enough power to fight comfortably at long range, so it is likely the changeling who employs it. Reports hypothesize it to be a green-tinted, paralyzing liquid-gaseous agent, of which initial studies**** believe is an exhalation weapon, due to unique particle spread. It can incapacitate normal-sized ponies within seconds. Acidity of the mist has caused second-degree burns on fur and tissue within the first seconds of exposure.

He also has more stable buoyancy when flying, due to his unique wing-structure; it follows a bat-like spread instead of the insectoid latticing typical to normal changelings. This allows for more stable aerial movement, and more protection of his midsection when enclosed.

Most recently, he has a magical artifact on his neck at all times, apparently gifted to him by the Queen herself. It is tailored towards aligning other life-forms’ neuro-chemical impulses with his own transformative flames, allowing his shapeshifting to subvert detection even further should he get in contact with the being he transforms into beforehoof. Credit goes to Ponyville-appointed Royal Guard Spearhead for noticing this medallion's magical configuration during his encounter with (Prince) Toxic Haze in the wake of the ~~mass r~~ Ponyville Massacre.

This should be enough to cover (Prince) Toxic Haze. To you, I close with this; keep a constant – and hopefully distant – eye on him at all times. He relishes in his insanity, and in driving other ponies to that brink before destroying them. Despite her likely role in Prince Blueblood’s demise, I firmly believe even Chrysalis has nothing on this (and I use this next term sparingly as well) monster among mares.

Field Notes:

1.1. After several weeks off the radar, the griffin-impersonating thief known as Viscera has been spotted in Equestria. She is as belligerent and insensitive as ever – however, her exposure to the events of the last two days have sparked some new… apprec sympathetic edges to her. It is also not her M.O. to needlessly flay others when she is detected. In terms of threats to Equestria, Viscera seems to be in remission, if still maddeningly avaricious.
1.2. Despite my suspicions around leaving Viscera unattended in Ponyville, I must do so temporarily to find out the full capacity and origin of the Equilixir artifacts embedded within her, inaugural Cloudsdale Mayor Rappid Fires, and changeling investigator Gympis. At a minimum, Rappid's inclination towards justice will be a counterbalance to Viscera, should her more... unsavory habits resurface.
1.3. Updates on Canterlot and Ponyville’s deterio status are needed. Normal lines of communication are compromised. Getting on the Queen’s radar is a fast track to death and defilement – in that order, if lucky. Have conferred with Dr. Hooves and Sapphire Shores to that end. The process is impending.
1.4. Must find alternate means of travel. My stopover in Canterlot before the move home relayed any further solo fliers from Ponyville can be used as target practice by the Royal Guards to alleviate boredom.
1.4.1. Gained confirmation of 1.4s insight from overheard reports from the Royal Guards in Cinnamon Chai’s Tea Shop. The original clue-in to this new practice, however, came from Commander Hel, while she was steering (Prince) Shroud to Ponyville (was not detected by either.) This does not bode well in terms of her rehabilitation.
1.5. Update on the uncorrupted Elements of Harmony: Pinkie Pie and her parents Mr. Carrot Cake and Mrs. Cup Cake have paid for counseling for Fluttershy by motivational speaker Iron Will; Fluttershy has apparently not left her house since the reports on the theft of the Alicorn Amulet; Applejack is reportedly inconsolable but can still be seen around Ponyville; and Rarity has closed Carousel Boutique for three days in memory of her lost sister. Regardless, Rarity must be interviewed upon my next visit; she was reportedly the last Element to speak to Spa the Queen before her slaying spree began, and may have valuable insights into the Queen’s current mindset.

* Confirmation of this has been proven though the accounts of Mayor Mare and Junior Ambassador Cori. Must devote topic page to the Ambassador later, should she remain within reach – her quick-thinking, sway with Princess Cadance, and eyes on the ground in Ponyville may prove useful in coming weeks.)

** Full details of the Ponyville casualty count that (Prince) Toxic Haze has contributed to pre-coup is not available, due to the special procedures following disclosure of information around that incident. Will update on these procedures in new entries, if changes do occur.

*** The Donneigh Party Doctrine (D.P.D.) is an edict from ancient times, crafted after one of the first traveling ponies were faced with the most severe winter of Equestria’s lifetime in a trip to the equine colony that would soon become Trottingham, and forced to resort to extreme measures to survive their trip through the Frozen North. Full details of that tragedy will be spared in this almanac, but the relevant part of the D.P.D. is the divulging of the loss of pony life to only direct related family members – not even adopted parents are allowed notification under this doctrine if said parent is a part of official government, to prevent distress from affecting their crucially needed duties. Tellingly, the 3rd Addendum was specifically invoked, involving cases specifically related to the loss of relatives when only older relatives are available to be notified.

**** These studies were conducted at the former Canterlot Library of Magic, renamed the Arcane University by the Queen. Must thank (former) Headmistress of the Pegasi History Wing, Constable Cinch for getting these to me on short notice.

Entry 2: 1st Visit Home/Equilixir Research, Day 1

Back into the breach then, reader.

After the first of likely many scout reports on just who is at the top echelons of Equestrian society – and the fruits of my first visits to the scene of their biggest impacts, literally and figuratively - I shall now document my efforts to make sense of the chaos both you and I currently find ourselves in. To that end, I show you the Equine Elixir (Equilixir) research and notes from my first visit to my abode near the Tenochtitlan Basin. For security reasons, I shall not list precisely where in the area it is.

First off, reader, an update on one previous matter in the last entry - one the ponies mentioned in those Field Notes is named Dr. Hooves. He has waived all needed censors of his name, and those of his associates, bar four - the graciousness will be reflected from this point forward.

First Visit to The Basin/Time Log

3:30 AM – Arrived at house. Scouted for intruders and traps.

3:33 AM – Wrote and sent notice to publishing house, requesting advance/expansion in research budget for Daring Do and the Ring of Destiny.

-Addendum I: While the location of the Rings is known, further inquiry into the traps around that temple and Ahuizotl is needed, and with the new situation in Equestria, possible interference by wayward guards and/or overzealous Queens will need to be factored into the research budget.

3:40 AM – Went to sleep.

8:22 AM – Awoke. Ate breakfast.

8: 24: Started scouting home for intruders.

8: 27: Went to post office in neighboring city for morning pickup. Mail received is as follows:

One (1) piece of mail for one (1) parcel with further notes on the book Sightings Strange & Small: A Tale of Awe-Inspiring Artifacts by Trenderhoof.

One (1) notice from the Canterlot Times with an offer to renew subscription; trashed.

One (1) paper from the Canterlot Times; trashed, already received this version yesterday ~~and am still trying to forget the front page’s spread.~~

One (1) letter from Dr. Hooves, on my collaboration proposal, atop a large parcel mailed with it; and

One (1) letter from my patron.

(A.K.'s Note (A.N.): The last two letters are transcribed below, in the same order as logged.)

Doctor’s Letter

A.K.,

My schedule’s a bit crammed from trying to help the Ponyville admin’s emergency services with the fallout and helping Derpy cope with her loss, but I’m all in arms with helping you. Didn’t think I’d dust off the explorer’s cap of mine once again, but I hold no regrets on helping other ponies who ask, no matter where.

It seems I’m becoming a magnet for all different types of people as of late; apparently the three golden ponies seen from the riots last night are holding out in my abode as well. Apologies, but I must withhold their identities in this letter – Mayor Mare has forwarded me enough on them that I fear for the impact on pony society if their true names are discovered.

On that subject, if you’re going to be in communication with me, you’ll need a way to do so without shuttling back-and-forth to Ponyville. This is a prototype of my newest invention, the ‘handcrank harphone.’ Hook it to your nearest power outlet; any crystal will do, this is quite hardy. The long collapsible metal pole next to it is called a ‘handcrank harpole’ – Miss Heartstrings helped with the names, if you can tell.

You’ve a high incline if the post office number you’ve given me is any indication, but place this on whatever ceiling your home has before you use it. The higher and safer from the elements (including those of Magic and Loyalty), the better. Above all else, be careful; not just on whom you let know of this device, but where you place it. I only have five of them, and one connects right to Mayor Mare. Right now, lack of instant communication is one of vanishingly few advantages we’ve got against this Queen, and it cannot be compromised. The Mayor is a resourceful enough figure to keep hers from prying eyes, and you’re isolated enough that I don’t have to risk ponies reaching you before they do me.

When you’re done, send me a message – just hold one of the horns to your mouth, hollow end first, dial in the number on the pressure plate on the device, and leave a short message, then replace the horn on the stand. Even if I am not on it, the device’s recording power is enough to handle long transmissions. Further instructions are in the box, including the numbers to my and Mayor Mare’s devices. Burn it after reading, we can’t risk records of this getting to the Queen.

Finally, I’ve sent the excerpts of the book you requested. Thank Celestia that Rose had it checked out from the Ponyville Preservation Society Archives weeks before. Apparently, Shroud and that new Royal Guard Knight-Commander Hel were reportedly there last night. If that stone you referenced is connected to the very ponies I’m housing… I don’t dare call it hope, but it tempts my dreams all the same.

Half of me wishes these dreams could sake the former Princess Luna’s torment in Canterlot. The other half is glad that she can no longer see them... knowing who currently holds her leash now.

Good luck,

The Doctor

P.S. One of my new guests brought another pony here through Iron Will. From the same Preservation Society HQ. I will send more details when I know you’re set up, but… I think there may be a family or romantic link. ~~Or perhaps~~ No, both would be patently ridiculous - apologies for the idle speculation, I know how much you hate that.

Patron Letter

To A.K. Yearling,

My personal apologies for the oversight, but I’d thought you’d gotten the notice earlier, though I hardly blame the mail-ponies for being wary after hearing Ponyville’s sky situation: I’m sorry, but we’ve cancelling production on Daring Do and the Ring of Destiny.

I understand your concern, and everyone here at V.V. Clearinghouse will compensate you with an advance equal to half of the original projected sales for that book. It is included in the next drop to this same Post Office box at 12 noon tomorrow. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience.

However, we are approving your proposal for a book on the findings you’ve had on the new Canterlot regime, The Heedless Almanac. The editor-at-large Firelight wishes for this book to be ghostwritten before publishing, which we will need your approval on to continue with this work. Due to the contents from your first entry, anonymity will need to be preserved, especially in concern of retaliation over your work.

Arrangements over distribution of The Heedless Almanac are still being discussed with Development Committee head Stellar Flare; expect a response by the end of next workweek.

Your consideration in these troubling times,

The Vignette Valencia Clearinghouse

9:25 AM - Finished reading Dr. Hooves’ and my patron’s letter. Returned home.

9:26 AM – Started re-scouting home for any possible intruders.

9:28 AM – Started scouting home for any possible traps.

9:29 - 10:14 AM – Finally looked through logs or any mention of ‘Equilixirs’, or ‘Equilixir Stones’. Narrowed search to phenomena located in Forbidden Jungle. Found no matches in my notes, nor in previous journeys over last five years.

Addendum II: This is strange. I remember the name, but not where it originated? Must be stress. Yes, me and everypony sane in Equestria, this is no excuse. Continuing.

Addendum III: While possibly unrelated, there is a mention of golden ponies, plural, in chapter excerpts taken from Sightings Strange & Small – apparently, there is a monument of one in Appleloosa, recovered from a Badlands expedition by Braeburn. Current location is unknown; apparently it was donated to a collector during the recent migration of a significant portion of Appeloosa’s population following the discovery of Braeburn and Apple Fritter.

10:30 AM: Made note to visit Appleloosa after revisit of-/Rarity interview in Ponyville.

10:31 AM: Found first (1st) mention to the Equilixirs, in one of Caballeron’s journals (donated by Daring): apparently acquiring it is one of his 'bucket list' objectives, though the writing is dated. It seemed progress on the ‘Equilixir Extraction’ was stalled due to, quote unquote, ‘lack of skilled enough lock pickers and skilled navigators to evade initial traps.’ Mentions the Unnamed Temple in the Forbidden Jungle. Also mentions ‘fantastic power’; I do know of this from initial notes on Equilixir folklore (see below.)

Addendum IV: Was Viscera a part of the Caball? She did mention a betrayal by Cabelleron; I had thought it was her taking advantage of Cabelleron’s pull and trying to pretend otherwise. This cross-reference may lend more credibility to her description of events.

10:35-10:49 PM: Referred to initial notes of Equilixir folklore, to refresh memory. The following is from hieroglyphs transcribed by Prince Hisan, relevant translations below:

- … the Equilixirs show the first of many attempts by the Old Goddesses to further Life Eternal…”

- “…they (the Equilixirs) offer resistance against the elements, natural and magical…”

- “… but are cursed to never lay, or bequeath their gifts upon, purely magical beings…”

- “…their new home in ThestrEl (mis-capitalization not mine) Dorado, until apocalypse visited it…”

10:50-11:07 AM: Second (2nd) mention of Equilixirs: there is mention of ‘Equilixir Thestrels’, in the transcribed index of a ledger, titled On Old Equestria: Pre-Moon Exile Creatures. The original book’s last location is in the ‘Princesses’ Regal Ruins’ (currently known as the Palace of the Royal Sisters), the vault it was in too damaged by time and decay to risk retrieving currently.

Addendum V: The transcribed index is gone, as; following very recent emptying of several crucial parts of the former Canterlot Library of Magic (now the Arcane University) the night following the Ponyville Massacre. Authorizer of this order is unknown, but it coincides with four other such redistribution orders from Canterlot.

11:08 AM: Made note – apparently, former Headmistress Cinch may need to be re-found for further inquiry into a possible location of this index. From my cross-reference of University time logs and the reports on the University books’ vanishings, her disappearance dovetailed almost perfectly with the last known disappearance of artifacts/books from the University.)

11:09 – 11:50 AM: Further leads turned up went cold. Will need more information to continue.

11:51 PM – 1:35 PM: Went for lunch break. Decided to try Rainbow Falls’ Cinnamon Chai tea shop branch. Most of town is still distressed over the dethroning of the Princesses, but is still at work with their stadium for possible Equestria Games locale. Event is ~~somehow!~~ not cancelled. Regardless, got flower tea for enjoying indoors, and a bag of black tea for at-home consumption. Ate shrimp salad and spaghetti. It really was worth the trip! I did get another box of it for returning home as well.

1:36-4:00 PM: Set up the phone given to me by Dr. Hooves. Main hurdle was getting up the antenna on the roof in a way that 1) didn’t immediately attract more attention to my house, and 2) doing so in a way that it wouldn’t fall off. Regardless, the crystal was easy to find. If only all messages were so easy to transmit to other ponies.

4:00-4:03 PM: I have sent a message along to Dr. Hooves informing him of my research – and to expect me in Ponyville in two days, for a minimum of two days each in between my trip to Appleloosa.

4:03-7:30 PM: Personal time. (Apologies, reader, but I assure you it is important to my bookwork as well.)

7:30-8:29 PM: Ate remainder of shrimp pasta for dinner; ~~patched up any injuries~~; reorganized notes for further work tomorrow.

8:30 PM: Returned to the northern post office for the evening mail drop. There was one (1) letter from “The Ponyville Town Guard”. The other notes were all in one bundle, the contents listed as follows.

One (1) note from Sapphire Shores

Two (2) missives from the Night Guard Knight-Commander’s desk were included as a bound-back

One (1) rolled-up poster for Sapphire Shores’ Shore-Leave relief concert.

(A.N. These notes/missives will be transcribed below in the order listed above. Expletives will be censored as needed, omitted when necessary.) ~~You’ll see why by the time you read Hel’s let~~

Ponyville Town Guard Letter

A.K. Yearling,

Thanks for stopping by Ponyville Hospital before you visited the School. You were right to see the Guard beforehand; It’d be a nightmare to know that anypony had walked into that graveyard unprepared, especially you. My sister loves your books.

But the ask you made of me before you left? The only reason I’m complying with it is because I haven’t been specifically recalled by the Canterlot Royal Guard yet; this was a supposed to be a temporary exchange. And Royal Guards recording Royal Guards is usually a controversial thing in normal times.

You were right, though: this isn’t normal. The two still in this hospital is testament to that fact, Doctor Horse’s disappearance even more so. Nurse Redheart’s almost at her limit, though she’s good enough to not let it show in front of a patient. Snowheart, however…. Well there’s a reason Redheart has to do house calls singlehanded now.

So yeah, this once, I have the minutes you asked for, as much as you’ll get. Anything else, you’ll need the Mayor's approval. I swear, if this is because I told you about that medallion the Prince had when…

(AN: The part above beyond the ellipses was hastily scribbled out.)

The transcript is below.

Town Guard Commander Spearhead

(AN: The following conversation took place within the Silent Chapel. It takes up both sides of the page.)

KNIGHT-COMM. FLASH SENTRY (CFS)

Look, I can understand, Prince Haze is a bit too intense even for me, but-

KNIGHT-COMM. IRON STANDARD (CIS)

If Mayor Mare refuses to attend, and she has every right not to after what happened in her town, exactly what is it do you think you’ll be containing today?

CFS:

I was told it’d be a public address; Prince Shroud’s apparently well known for being to-the-point. Besides, I can’t slip-up now, I have to prove I can handle this event to get an audience with the Queen.

CIS:

This is my second point of concern. You just got transferred over from the Crystal Empire as a peace envoy, the Prince Haze make you Knight-Commander of the Ceremonial Royal Guard – and your one objective is to get closer to the Queen?

CFS (shaking head):

I… I can’t say directly why. But I think we might be able to eke out a better pony from Twilight if we-

CIS (slams hoof on table):

The Queen arrived with the last ruler’s head on a pole, and her sister carrying her chariot with a broken back! I will spare you the detail of what words were on Luna’s plaque, but you cannot think that this will be all fixed with some song and dance!

CFS:

I’m not suggesting song and dance! But… well, sir. After Blueblood’s death, I was… screwed up. Locked myself in the Crystal Empire’s chambers for a week. When Princess Celestia came to Princess Cadance with talk of clemency, it was all I could do to not throw down my crest and quit! But…

(CFS pauses for a second, and then removes his helmet.)

I remembered when Twilight came from that mirror after Sunset stole her Element. She was blushing when she saw me, in a way she hadn’t before. I don’t know what she saw, or did, for that matter, but apparently it changed something for her. I was a fool not to see it, or even suggest using that to Equestria’s advantage. And now… the Princesses are lost because of it. So much is lost now, sir.

(CFS paces the room.)

Even I know you’re not here to listen to me; you’re here to get away from the Queen! I saw how fast you galloped out of that courtroom today! But if there’s an inkling of a chance I can make her see reason…! I know it’s impossible but… we’ve seen what happened when we tried to sweep this under the rug. We threw out an innocent princess… and got back a guilty monster. I want to believe its something Sunset did – or Trixie, considering that accursed amulet…

CIS:

But…

CFS:

But I owe it to the Sparkle that saved the Crystal Empire to try and bring her back! And whatever happens… I can’t do anything here. So I'll bear it until the storm breaks. Like my ancestor Flash Magnus did. Like… like you did.

CIS:

(Silence pans for a moment.)

You remembered.

CFS:

Shining wrote about it in his upcoming book, I was lucky enough to catch him scribbling a chapter.

CIS:

… Well then. Let us hope you don’t suffer too bad a meet up with reality. I… wish you luck.

(Turns to leave the room.)

Now, if Town Guard Commander Spearhead hasn’t reached this Chapel, he will. I must make sure he is briefed of his duty to enter Everfree, to recover the bodies of Miss Apple Bloom and Miss Zecora.

CFS:

Oh yeah –what’s the situation on that? Just in case.

CIS:

I should hope you are not requested but…

CFS:

I’m here anyway. Might as well show I can multitask if needed.

CIS:

Agreed. Should you find the bodies, you are to have them shipped to me for autopsy by the newly appointed – Coroner Kibitz. Any scavengers… are to be delivered to Knight-Commander Hel.

CFS:

Hel?! Permission to speak freely, sir.

CIS:

Granted, but you likely don’t need to stand on ceremony-

CFS:

I’ll need it for this sir. To Tartarus with that insubordinate hoof-dragger, she’s an embarrassment to the uniform even before what happened with Celaeno last Nightmare Night’s Eve. Nearly sent Prin-uh, Ex-Princess Luna into a relapse on the spot.

(Gulps heavily)

Alright, that should be it sir.

CIS:

I see… Your sentiment, while quite inflammatory, is not…entirely unshared.

CFS:

Thank you, sir.

(Realizes something)

Wait, wasn’t Kibitz a-

CIS (shudders heavily):

An advisor to Luna, yes. As Miss Inkwell was to Celestia. I assure you, Kibitz got the better deal. We shall speak of this no further, Sentry – to your position. I must return to Canterlot soon.

CFS:

Y… yes, sir.

(Leaves through the stage entrance)

My god, is that supposed to be a podium or a torture device?!

CIS:

(Shudders again, then turns to Silent Chapel doorway)

Come in, Commander Spearhead. While Shroud and Haze are preoccupied elsewhere in Ponyville.

(A.N. The conversation script ends here.)

Sapphire Shores Letter

To Dearest Yearling,

Apologies, but while your offer is certainly a marvelous opportunity – especially for figuring out just what’s kept those brutes Twilight and Dash from trying to have her way with me as she has Luna – I must decline. Several reasons abound, but since most are personal, I’ll sum up the two most prudent:

1) I’m only in Canterlot for two more days. The Shore-Leave concert waits for no one, and it’ll likely help more ponies than your research (no offense.) Besides, darling, if this doesn’t qualify as reason enough for a relief drive, nothin’ will. That poor dear Rarity can explain further, if you meet her on your next trip to Ponyville.
2) The two of my backup dancers that died to bring you the package attached to this letter. Can’t exactly show them to the Guard for… obvious reasons. Do be a doll and keep them from falling into the Queen’s hooves, not in the least since we BOTHknow where they’ve been. It’s got info on what’ll be going down here and in Ponyville over the next week.

Also, thank you for the words of encouragement over my concert; it’s quite heartwarming to hear such a high-up fan of my voice. I’ve been… a bit off since the Queen’s return to Canterlot. Hoof to heart, I saw Upper Crust clopping to that… debauchery with the ex-Princess Luna from my studio. And she’s the nerve to bitch about MY flank; hers should have been peepholes instead of dollar signs!

Excuse me, seems I’ve… well, this situation has been hectic for all of us in Canterlot. Only mare here I’d feel sorrier for than Sassy (goodness, even Perfect Pose doesn’t think her coat will ever look the same again!) is Photo Finish. The sheer amount of thefts she’s suffered for catching photo evidence of Twilight’s proclivities for the Canterlot Times, it’s ghastly! I don't blame Knight-Commander Iron Standard one bit for chauffeuring her next visit to Ponyville.

Do stay safe (as much as anypony in this new Equestria can) and come by a venue if you’re in the neigh-borhood! Tata!

My best,

Sapphire Shores

P.S. Do watch the skies if you plan to visit Ponyville, Yearling my darling. Cinnamon Chai nearly burst a vessel realizing the Guard could shoot down her shipments for sport. I don’t think I’ve seen Cloud Kicker fly that fast.

Night Guard Commander Missive #1 (Personal)

Well maybe, partner, if you didn’t spend so much time failing to find Prince Shroud’s stolen carriage, or where that bitch Celestia hid HALF THE ROYAL ARCHIVES, you’d have a better fucking position than ‘Loss Prevention Officer’ today, shit-for-brains. Until you graduate from ‘need both hooves and a compass to find my own gaping plot’, take your damn title and love it like I used to love your (DESCRIPTION OMITTED).

It’s damn clear why our wonderful Queen let me free – besides ‘violating a prisoner’ being an utterly bull charge after what she life-sentenced our NEW Princess for, the fucking hypocritical trash-bag slut – and that’s to make sure Equestria knows its role. First part of that is finding where the other half of this city’s MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE fucked off to. Don’t bother me until you do, I already have to heal a wing from fighting those traitorous piss-stain ponies in Ponyville that put me and the Princes Shroud and Haze through buildings.

You’re so hungry for extra credit though, limpdick? Find me where Minuette's hiding: the big Ponyville event is in three days and the blue cunt’s supposed to be a judge. Really wish Queen Twilight would let me pump some sense into the dentist’s eye socket, but she’s apparently a ‘ex-bestie from way back’, so apparently she’s off limits ‘til after the competition. Fine, I’ll always have Cotton.

So to conclude: fuck off 'til you find me some books or lawbreakers, Prince Shroud loves them both when he and Prince Toxic take me and (DESCRIPTION OMITTED). And you don’t have the inches to compare to them. Next time you waste mine, I’m taking my pound of keratin the messy way, you pathetic preener.

Knight-Commander Hel Gaulle

Night Guard Commander Missive #2 (General Notice)

Sooo, mares and gentlecolts of the unit I RUN that signs your checks, since we can’t stop spreading rumors further than Luna’s legs that involve wells and the commanders allegedly knocked into them, check the break room for your two latest chased skirts. Wanna see where the other 90% of them went; crack up at that fucking slander within earshot of me again.

Also: really? Sapphire fucking Shores, that blank-flanked bitch? I’m happy she’s leaving on tour; one more single from her and Canterlot’ll be tonsil-deep in a bullfrog infestation. Buy better standards.

On that note, second on the agenda: Jet Set’s generous donation to the Guard is well appreciated, and well reflected in your bonuses. So is adhering to the new rules about flight travel in and out of Ponyville. But for right now, however, Princess Dash got up my ass about an incident that involved Misty Sky, which despite her liking at the end (shit, I could hear the begging from the train station), apparently risks ‘splitting loyalties between the Night Guard and the Wonderbolts.

So, from now on; anyone in a Wonderbolt costume is now added to the ‘do not approach’ list. Liaisons are still okay, but run ‘em by Princess Dash first.

Also, pains me to do this – especially to promising upstarts so young - but the following are temporarily demoted to ‘[pst- (DESCRIPTION OMITTED) cleanup duty' in the Canterlot Center till further notice: Knight-Private Catchfly, Knight-Private Jessamine, an Knight-Corporal Phlox.

Make sure everypony evacuates that area before sending them in. No fucking insulting these recruits, either, rank and file: they’re green. Don’t give a shit what impression the Queen’s… tactical stunt at the school gave you all – my rule for any Guard initiate willing to try to impress me still stands, so do they.

Finally: Commanders Flash and Spearhead found three bandits in Everfree after those piss-ponies returned and fillynapped the town drunk and that other filly this morning. Any full-ranked mare in here up for a promotion, proceed to the interrogation wing in an hour. Bring nails. Anypony else, bring a healthy libido; the Princes are with our lovely Queen tonight, so it’s ‘make-do’ time for you strapping stallions.

Knight-Commander Hel Gaulle

9:28 – Finished reading assorted notes.

9:29 – Made reminder: make donation to Rhythmus Charity for Homeless Horses out of cancelled book’s proceeds.

9:30 – Turned in early for tonight.

This concludes today’s daily schedule. I will try to learn more of the event and await Dr. Hooves’ inquiry onto this ‘mystery pony’ saved by the ~~golden pon-~~ No. I acquired the possible origin of these Equilixir Stones, they shall be named in accordance with that location.

For the remainder of this almanac’s duration, the golden ponies shall be known as Thestrels, or Thestral-hybrids in the current case Known Thestral-hybrids, as of current, include.

1) Viscera (Earth pony)
2) Rappid Fires (Pegasus)
3) Gympis (Changeling)

Next entry will cover Prince Shroud (may be short enough to need amending later), and further developments in Ponyville and Canterlot.

Entry 3: Prince Shroud/Iron Pony Leadup Log

The last couple days for me since the previous entry have been… illuminating, to say the least.

Though little of it is reflected in the profile of (Prince) Shroud, the Elements themselves have been a wealth of information for me at this point.

However, both you and I must have priorities, reader. New ones to fit this world we are in.

The world that affords Knight-Commander Hel Gaulle such unlimited access to practice and refine the tortures and atrocities of old, with the bits of Jet Set rising by the act.

Where the newest reign of the Queen is being with… the utter indignity they revisited upon an entity so sparsely removed from her darkest moment and the millennia spent on the lunar service to lament over it.

To those who now ~~seem the most suited to combat this regi~~ No. Even though they may be eager to pursue vanguard status, they’ve no realization of the depths a pony will have to go to unseat these usurpers.

And to that concept of depth, I speak now of (Prince) Shroud.

Relevant History: It seems that this will be the most sparsely described area of the scout report, but regardless, enough has been gained by the ex-Headmistress Cinch to gain some insight.

(Prince) Shroud is likely the accomplice/lover of (Prince) Toxic Haze, and as such it is probable that they have met the Queen together. As a Shadow Pony, there are like three sources that could have brought (Prince) Shroud into the world:

The reign of King Sombra over the currently named Crystal Empire before its liberation by ~~Twi~~ Princess Cadance and the dragon Spike. Several such wraiths were the byproduct of his overpowering aura, though rumors abound that there may been some of the hidden foals that he sired.

The rise of the Pony of Shadows, nemesis to the Six Pillars of Equestria before being sealed at Ponhenge. Though it is very unlikely it is the original, as the ritual required for it has not bee broken and the talismans needed to replicate the event have been lost to time.

A manifested Tantabus. Several centuries following the demise of the entity known as Nightmare Moon, several ponies complained of recurring nightmares involving a shade of the eponymous mare. Following these stories, several of those ponies in those dreams have consumed enough of them to come into tangible form in the waking world.* Perhaps it is the same scenario as this option with the original Pony of Shadows? Something brought from its host’s nightmares?

Regardless, that entity is among us, and in the highest annals of Equestria's government. A lot of the evidence following his origins is hypothetical, and so follow-up will have to be done to distinguish which type he is – and what implications, if any, it plays towards his motives and motions.

Personal Notes: (Prince) Shroud, in his capacity as the head of the Arcane University, is the most stoic of the Queen’s consorts. ~~As much any who choose to operate with the Queen on that level can~~

He is as short-dispensing with pleasantries as the other prince, but his profanities seem more pointed and direct. This does not lessen the effects of his actions but it shows a precision to the task at hand that may imply he is as close to a calculating mine as any of the Queen’s consorts can be (barring the Queen herself.)

To this end, reader, the sparse information may be a purposeful action on his part. (Prince) Shroud, for all the power at his disposal reveals scarcely little that is not told in the tales of the victims. And again, the studies at the Arcane University have proven pivotal to the understand of modus operandi of Shroud. At this point, another encounter with the ex-Headmistress Cinch is inevitable, and thankfully, Dr. Hooves’ latest interaction with Cloudsdale’s Thunderlane has finally borne fruit on that front. More on this later.

His actions as of current in Canterlot government and Ponyville have also closely tracked with his ally (Prince) Toxic Haze. While (Prince) Haze has provided the means for Knight-Commander Hel Gaulle’s escape from imprisonment and reinstatement into the Royal Guard, for example, it is (Prince) Shroud that has fed most of the combat magics and maneuvers learned from the Arcane University’s archives (those that remain, anyway), into those very Guards’ training regimens.

And I hypothesize that he is also the reason for Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine and Minuette’s inclusion into the new Iron Pony competition as officials. (Prince) Toxic Haze has shown no direct interest in particular designation of ponies within Equestria to his cruelties, only that they be as young and innocent of possible. The irony of them being forced to interact with the Queen for the sake of the Iron Pony competition – to judge Ponyville residents as they themselves are judged – combined with the knowledge that these three unicorns were the Queen’s friends during her first time in Canterlot is either a machination by the Queen’s prerogative or (Prince) Shroud’s.

And with the Queen’s unusual absence from normal life in Canterlot over the last few days, barring the Luna ‘interactions’, it is likely (Prince) Shroud that is arranging events as the Queen’s most direct and imposing intermediary.

Abilities: One particular ability of (Prince) Shroud stands out – the ability to summon strands of energy from the areas around his hooves – with reports differing radically on the amount and velocity of these tendrils. The ability is likely augmented by the medallion around his neck as it was in (Prince) Toxic Haze’s case.

This, beyond his hooves, is his primary form of attack, and allows him unparalleled potential at any range, despite his inability to fly like the Queen, (Prince) Toxic Haze, and (Princess) Dash. (Goodness, even stating this name now shows just how far the most promising of the Elements of Harmony have fallen. ~~And I as well, for enabling their imaginations iwthy personal copies of my work.~~)

My correspondence with Dr. Hooves has found that the study of events in the Badlands and the Appleloosa outskirts has proven that despite his abilities, (Prince) Shroud favors the usage of brute force. This, fair reader, may be the prime advantage. With the Queen’s forces spread as they are following the Canterlot coup, and Shroud holding no direct magical prowess of his own, the tentacles are his main form of long-range combat. Evade this, and you can evade him.

But beware. Though the Queen’s forces are distributed, they are never alone –and (Prince) Shroud, more than any of them, is the most calculated in his actions. He will likely have hostages, shields, or advantageous ground when being encountered, and this is not counting the likelihood of (Prince) Toxic Haze to take the form of any innocuous pony nearby him to draw in others like a fly trap. And with his abilities over shadow-extension growing closer and closer to that of the infamous Pony of Shadows by the day, it is only a matter of time before height and distance prove irrelevant to escaping him.

Beyond the information runs needed to gather this mini-profile on (Prince) Shroud, my journey over the last three days took me longer than expected.

Mainly, due to my increasing alliance with the resistance in Ponyville.

Originally, my trip was to take two days before my sojourn to Appleloosa to find out more about that likely Thestrel-related statue.

However, it has taken three days for me to make that journey now and complete my duties in Ponyville.

To that end, I offer my accounts of those three days.

Day I: I have taken a three-point journey to Ponyville from my position in the Basin. From my position to Rainbow Falls, then a sky card from there to Manehattan, and then caught the Friendship Express right ahead to the city.

Addendum I: The Express lines, most notably, have checkpoints now. Most are manned by the standard Royal Guards, thankfully, but it will be hard to any who are not magically gifted to keep records of their travels from reaching either Knight-Commander Iron Standard – or through him, (Prince) Toxic Haze. My journey through them passed without incident – though I am no longer officially working on Daring Do and the Ring of Destiny, my offers of continuing research on that book was enough to send me through the lanes without trouble.

The harphone is already paying dividends, however. Especially in my conversation with Mayor Mare. Thanks to her talks with Sassy Saddles, currently staying in Ponyville to assist Rarity until the conclusion of (Princess) Dash’s visit to Ponyville, valuable counsel has been reached in terms of transit. With the air blockade in Ponyville still in effect, you, fair reader, may be reliant on the trains to get into and out of the city safely. However, by taking the East Friendship Express, the fastest route to the north and south limits of Equestria, danger untold may await you.

While not at critical mass, the pro-Queen sentiment from the elite and repressed populace of Trottingham has turned pony against pony in the town – and made transit through that town, as is required to make the full trip there to Ponyville, too risky. Martial law has already been enforced in the town by Queen Trottingham.

And with the western route through the Crystal Empire being heavily vetted by Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor, timing was of the essence if I wanted to make it to Ponyville within the window of time I had scheduled to interview Rarity.

I will share this route with as many as I can, though time is of the essence in endeavors like this.

Regardless, it got me into Ponyville at 6:00 last night, and just in time to finally take full grasp of the scene that erupted during yesterday morning.

As Flash Sentry’s reports on the fiasco relayed, the golden ponies (The Thestrels! They’d acted again in such a public locale?!) had interrupted the Princes’ 1st Public Address in Ponyville, of which three of the four (sane) Elements had attended.

Of particular note among the gathered audience was the presence of Mayor Rappid Fires and Ambassador Cori in the audience, who had apparently evacuated shortly before (Though I know why, in this case). Applejack took prominence in assisting Comms. Flash Sentry and Spearhead in maintaining the safety of the ponies watching.

Of particular notice of who was not present was the actual Mayor of Ponyville, Mayor Mare. Her words on the matter amounted to “I had hoped that my refusal to attend the conference in protest would be reciprocated by the populace of the village. However, the fear still rampant through this troubling time may have invited the crowd the Princes gained.” No comment was provided on the potential of her marshaling the Town Guard to find Berryshine and Powder Puff. I will follow up tomorrow.

The central focus of the impromptu meeting was to show the true fate of those who’d as Miss Berryshine and Miss Powder Puff (a filly?!), the younger sister of the deceased Cotton Sky had been detained by the Sentry’s Royal Guard** for unruly conduct and public intoxication unbecoming of a business owner.

What would become of them is unknown, as are their current whereabouts, for the golden ponies had apparently abducted them, and again given the Princes the slip in the pursuit. Needless to say, this was considered a kidnapping (literally in one case), and harboring them is now grounds for exile to Canterlot.

~~Yes, like THEY'RE the ones in the wro~~ Until tomorrow, I cannot make that assumption.

Addendum II: Totaled buildings in the Princes’ pursuit of the Equilixir-empowered were counted as follows:

One (1) medicine shop, nearby the Ponyville Hospital
The Leaf and Let Live Tea Shop, run by Jasmine Leaf (earth pony)
The Ta-Ta Tavern, upper floor, run by Berryshine (earth pony)

Buildings damaged in the pursuit of the Equilixir-empowered are as follows.

The Silent Chapel, leftmost wall, south wall, and ceiling
One (1) house belonging to Bulk Biceps, northeast walls

My report to Dr. Hooves took place an hour later, at 8:30. I admit, reader, I still marvel over the inventions in that room. Besides the Harphone, there are several inroads he has made into energy production, which could revolutionize the lighting crisis present in towns like Manehattan and Dodge City. He is also re-attempting strides in teleportation technology, the possibility for site-to-site travel without using magic (and this, alerting the new leaders of Canterlot government) becoming prudent in this new age.

It is not like I needed a plasma globe for my hair to stand on end in this palace of wonders, but I managed to keep a level face in that area.

However, some sudden news may make identifying the location of the golden ponies more complex –to make room for my accommodations at his house, Dr. Hooves has relocated them to the basement within Roseluck’s Botanicals.

Regardless, reader, he has confirmed my theory: Berryshine and Powder Puff are being hidden at the shop as well. Doc Top was also present at the store and has put together a report on the condition of the Equilixir-empowered known as Viscera, and much as I would rather avoid getting into a prolonged pinch-fight with her, I must know what effects such an Equilixir Stone has on pony anatomy***.

We’d also introduced another member of the anti-Queen sentiment building within this town: that of Amethyst Star. Small wonder; she’s the common-law wife of Derpy; her incident as a weather-mare demanded this partnership to gain lodgings in this town for Dinky Doo to continue attending school, and now…

… No. I can’t dwell on this, heinous as depriving a pegasus like Derpy of parenthood like this is. I will consider it a particularly chilling example of why the Queen and her cohorts must be stopped. ~~Before it is too late~~ for far too many, in both ponies and customs, it already is.

Dr. Hooves also provided counsel on one final important development – the establishment of one of his harpphones with Princess Cadence. With this and the knowledge of the location of Ambassador Cori, the line between ambassador and ruler of the Crystal Empire has now been firmly restored. I expect to hear about, and because of, this development during my time here.

With that, I retired in Dr. Hooves' house, the travel and moving around the town to gather the information of the Equilixir-empower taking its toll on me.

Day 2: When I was up Dr. Hooves had a missive from Cadance, transcribed as below.

Yes, I have indeed known of the origin of the Equilixirs A.K. speaks of. While I cannot personally commend their efforts to fight the efforts by the… Queen of Equestria to bend this world to her will, I no longer think that their efforts will be endured alone. Get into contact with Applejack before she leaves for Appleloosa; I think they may be vital elements… needed to pursue her interests in the upcoming Iron Pony competition. And if this can be successfully disrupted – let it be so, I have seen the event planner for myself and it scares me that anyone could be that callous to that young a pony - we may have found the very piece needed to establish a true resistance of the Queen around. Let me know of their response to the proposal you told me of. Sincerely, Princess Cadance.

I felt the waver in the Princess’s voice when she spoke of ‘elements’. I had only known the pain of betrayal in terms of devoting effort toward one of Canterlot’s new managers: Princess Cadence is related to one, foalsat her, called her up for her wedding… and now it ends like this.

May this pain of the personally related being set upon by those they shared houses with never repeat.

To the further inspection of the day, noon allowed me a vantage point with Rainbow Star atop her open-ended house looking over the Iron Pony grounds. Set up in the clearing in the White Tail Woods bordering Bucephalus Brook, the event looked meticulously constructed, a far cry from its first incarnation.

One clearing spot was made to fashion out a hollow wrestling ring like the ones in Manehattan.

Another was unaltered but had several divisions between the stands and staging area cut in the soil. Was I more inquisitive on that spot, it was almost like it was meant to frustrate the efforts of any movement between those areas.

The final area was cordoned off with thick iron fencing, except where it emptied into the Brook.

And above it all was Knight-Commander Flash Sentry, overseeing the first orbits of the balloon overseeing this event. It was purple with white curls and swirls ringing its bugling surface. And below the balloon, anchored to its thatched basket by chains at each corner, was a metallic platform fashioned in the same way as that basket.

Below it was the words IRON PONY, the “O” in “PONY” replaced with this insignia****.

Further study showed an all-purple version of that same logo was stamped on the balloon’s basket.

“Apparently, our Queen has decided something besides the sun must mark her approved events,” came all the explanation that I would get from Dr. Hooves.

“Isn’t enough she’s gotten power over that sun, now she’s gotta own every bit of sky between it and here?” That was Amethyst Star, and the acid in her voice could have melted the house we were on.

Nevertheless, with time to spare, I needed to get in contact with Mayor Mare. I was before the Town Hall’s doors within the hour, the clock showing 11:27 when the mayor finally answered.

“I see you’ve kept your word!” How long had it been since Mayor Mare had smiled last? Even now, the effort it took betrayed a level of stress that would snap Mount Everhoof in two.

“I’d love to help you in any way I can.”

“I’d say communication, but Dr. Hooves has just told me you’ve gotten acquainted with your new lifeline!”

The Mayor turned to her office.

“But now, I’d appreciate you getting in touch with Berryshine and Powder Puff. Dr. Hooves says he knows there’s safe, and Doc Top has conferred. But I’d need to hear it from the…” She stopped at this point.

“Horse’s mouth?” I offered for her.

“Rather uncouth phrase, but yes.”

A tidbit before we get further into the Town Hall. See, the Hall has the large and spacious main room in the center, but most business from Ponyville’s most powerful politician comes from the little cubby just above it - something between an office and a living room.

So when I entered it – for the first time, mind – I was taken in but how spacious it was, crammed into a space above the main Hall as it was. Couches that looked squashier than I’d expected lined the ends of the circular walls closest to the entrance. Bright arches of golden timber rang the walls like giant outlined hooves, enclosing it like a blanket. File cabinets and bookcases closed around her pink-starched desk. I could not help but notice the notice on that desk as I took in the room’s highlights. One corner of it, open from beneath a pile of books, betrayed its secrets to me.

-nd the announcer we send to you think time should given all the berth he requires. He is part of the security measures, both in resiliency and in ability. Pray you are nowhere near him should his nose be as potent as hypothesized.

-ir warning, however: Queen Twilight will not be listening.

-rince Shroud

Drawing closer into this room, though, the rotting peach-like sunlight flooding through the arched windows only looked more wrong. Like the sky itself threatened to wipe away and reveal the brimstone-bleached caverns of Tartarus should the Mayor not hold her tongue and her conscience both. Suddenly I could see what ripped away that smile from her. Fourteen hours a day in a room this important surround by lighting this foreboding?

For now, I was her lifeline. In a way the harphone perched on a corner of her desk couldn’t compare.

“I need to keep this contained. Spearhead is honorable, but he’s walking a fine line. The second he gets reassigned to Canterlot, Ponyville loses its one reasonable player in its interactions with the Guard.”

I bit back the urge to show her Flash Sentry’s conversations with Spearhead. Might just sour her against the Town Guard instead. I accept the notice to take to Berryshine in Roseluck’s Botanicals (hopefully) and take my leave.

Happening upon the flower store did indeed bring me into contact with Berryshine and Powder Puff, to my relief. It seems the rescue has allowed them to set up refuge with Rose. My suspicions over ~~Viscer~~ the Equilixirs' motives have proven unfounded.

As I took my leave, I noticed that Cori and Viscera were talking in the backyard. Deciding not to disturb them, I instead reported back to Mayor Mare, then made my way to Carousel Boutique.

Details on my interview with Miss Rarity will be provided in the next entry, as soon as I can make sure all pertinent details are highlighted.

However, this focus was on the events of this day and the next, as my leave from the Boutique nearly cut in with another of the Element’s storming into the Boutique, despite Sassy’s attempts to wave her off.

It was Applejack.

“… an’ of course Ah’m not allowed near the event with a ten-foot pole, Luna forbid Ah remind Ponyville of how the Iron Phony who this is all being flossed out to meet tied for dead last with me!” A copy of the Iron Pony poster was with her – well, more like being rent in her left hoof’s steel grasp.

I introduced myself and was about to take my leave for what was likely to be a heated exchange over the competition.

Applejack, however, noticed me. She askeed if I had been part of Dr. Hooves' efforts to regain order in the wake of the PRincess' abductions.

I answered in the affirmative. Perhaps Applejack, despite her despondency, was more perceptive than she looked.

Second later, she had whisked me away to the Sweet Apple Acres barn with Rarity, and unrolled a map of the proceedings for the Iron Pony competition, along with a wil proposal: to call upon the Equilixir-empowered to disrupt it.

Apparently, Pinkie Pie had told them both of the Equilixir-empowered's efforts - both what Prince Shroud had let slip to them in the wake of the Ponyville Riots and their rescue of Berryshine and Powder Puff.

They, scrabbling for options in the wake of the Queen's coup, finally had notice of a unit (could they even be called that this early) that could stand up to, or at least successfully and consistently elude, the Princes.

And they - Applejack, especially, though both she and Rarity are trying to include Fluttershy in on their planning and aspirations - wished to see if their noble ways could extend towards larger tasks.

Larger rescues.

Larger objectives.

To even possibly... dare I let this specter of hope haunt me... help stop or immobilize the Queen?

I immediately shot it down as absurd. But that specter had apparently found hosts. And Applejack was adamant.

So I offered to be the first intermediary. For this task Applejack had made. The Queen had made it particularly, gruesomely clear what would happen if their hooves were directly connected to these Equilixir-empowered equines' efforts. There needed to be someone in the middle.

They accepted. Rarity left soon after. She had her own task to set up for them should this succeed.

Daring to dream so soon, o Elements? ~~Pun intended.~~

Applejack and I remained in that barn. I put down my ask for the event. It was one of the prizes for that event. Our talk then turned to the reason Iron Pony 2.0 would have such a captive audience.

“So you heard o'all the semi-finalists for this event bein’ detained in an undisclosed location, an’ that they’ll be killed if the final event’s crashed?”

I had. Besides this stunt being utterly deranged, it had one glaring problem, which Applejack had seen as well.

“Now since when in blazes has the Queen ever telegraphed a power grab like this? Ah smell trouble, an’ oranges!”

Indeed, this could only extend toward the last event, and our plan involved keeping it from getting to that point. Why leave so open a window in so risky a plan for so long-spanning and long-awaited an event?

But when the call rang out from Dr. Hooves several hours later about the Ponyville School Board and Miss Rainbow Starts being abducted by the Guard’s, it took but a moment for me to realize just how the other horseshoe had dropped.

I was shock-still in the main office of Town Hall with Mayor Mare. And to be frank, I didn't want to leave at that point. Not out of duty, out of fear.

They - the Board, these other sweep-ups by the Night Guard - were obviously the hostages to keep the first half of the event Thestrel-free as much as the last half.

Applejack’s task was looking more and more impossible by the hour.

She and I talked of this in the Sweet Apple Acres barn seconds later.

“Ah have to let the treehouse be a drop-off point, there’s no way they’ll be able to operate otherwise, and Ah’m not riskin’ another pony over my oversights!”

I could not deter her. Would Tomorrow, I was set to leave for Appleloosa. That trip would now have to wait – lives were at stake in front of me, and I ~~had to~~ will do my part to keep them safe.

Day 3: While the Iron Pony event was commencing, I made my way to Town Hall. The Mayor was not there. I knew she would not be at Iron Pony, not with this calamitous a situation over her head.

So I made my way to her house, intending to have my scheduled trip to Appleloosa pushed forward a day, as well as allowing her full access to my accounts to assist her search for/liberation of the hostages.

I was certain she was negotiating for a location or coordinating with somepony to resolve this matter.

I could not have prepared, in a million years, for who that pony would be.

“The detention will remain. Final word on this matter.”

Prince motherf Shroud was in this meeting?

I could have screamed, but I’m pretty sure that would have been like a red flag to Iron Will. This was Prince Shroud. This was Prince Shroud and he knew I was in Ponyville.

If he did know of this almanac, it did not show.

My mouth still felt like cloying cotton nonetheless.

Jet Set was in the room too, however, which was a bit of a shock considering he was supposed to be one of the participants for the final event, and yet he looked nothing like he was preparing for a possibly run through White Tail Woods and oh dear Celestia, Prince Toxic Haze is either in this room or at the track and the Equilixir-empowered don’t even know it.

They talked for several minutes. I could have sworn I detected movement in the Town Hall out of the corner of my eye during this time. However, I was slightly distracted by the continuing lack of clouds in the sky; the work Mare’s voice was doing to forward early-onset deafness; that murderous Shadow Pony prince three strides to the right of me.

However, his attention was broken once. Though, it was by the shattering of a window just outside the hall leading to the Mayor’s office.

“Wait here. Do not make me look for either of you.” Nevermind. He had noticed me. Maybe not the existence of this book yet, but A.K. Yearling was now a known commodity in Ponyville.

Prince Shroud swept through the doorway, along with Jet Set.

Jet Set returned minutes later, reported that Garble, the previous announcer (a DRAGON?!) had flown the coop, that it might be in pursuit of one of the wayward ‘gold ponies’. I sincerely hoped otherwise.

I had also noticed the proof of presence for the imprisoned ponies, Rainberry, had not been shown yet. My worst fears were confirmed when a Night Guard came to Jet Set and asked him into the hall to deliver an urgent update on the Iron Pony competition.

Mayor Mare could not hear it, no matter how hard she tried. My ears were slightly more potent in this regard.

The report was on how Minuette, Lemon Hears, and Twinkleshine had disappeared, so had the platform they were on, and that the semifinalists supposed to be sequestered into the basement of this house were gone as well. Jet Set excused himself and left the house before I got to the last part.

Just as well, Mayor Mare’s aim at the door leading to her office nearly knocked it off its hinges. That it was with two of the chairs and an entire bookcase was no shock to me.

Prince Shroud did not return. Later reports found out that He had entered White Tail Woods, found Prince Toxic haze and Hel in the woods, and after delegating damage control over the aborted Iron Pony finals, returned straight to Canterlot with Prince Haze.

Mayor Mare was out the second she heard this news. “Let the Princes gut me for this, I will take charge of this madness in my city!”

I watched from a safe distance. Too many ponies already knew I was in this town, extending that list is not wise.

Eventually, Jet Set, Upper Crust, Beauty Brass, and Caramel were arrested for conspiracy, kidnapping (and in Jet Set and Upper Crust’s case, obstruction of justice.) How long these detainments will hold is tentative.

For now, fair reader, I do think that showing justice could be done, even if it treads upon the Queen’s horseshoes, is worth the price.

Returning to Town Hall, I only barely escaped notice by another changeling – its appearance lent me to believe it was Gympis, however.

All three of the judges and the announcer Moon Dancer were present in that hall liberated by Goldilock of the Equilixir-empowered. (Mayor Mare had enlightened me on the aliases they have taken: they will be reflected in this almanac from this entry forward.)

From there, it was a simple task to debrief them, gain news on the safe rescue of the Ponyville School Board, and other detained ponies by Wild ~~Fire~~ Clover, (Have to remember, she's married to Lucky Clover now) and Comm. Spearhead, and make my way to Sweet Apple Acres to debrief the Thestrels themselves.

Hopefully, they have the other ‘prize’ from this competition.

It is long time I burned this particular bridge between me and the new Princess.

Next entry will display and decipher the Rarity interview, and my trip to Appleloosa. (It shouldn’t take long, the Mayor has ensured my travel to and from that city will be expedited with all due speed. ‘Official business’ doth still have its perks, after all.)

* Though incorrectly dubbed ‘Shadow Ponies’, their abilities track close with that of regular Shadow Ponies from the sources mentioned in the first two categories.

** Apparently, Flash Sentry approved this maneuver, but filed a protest as well over (Prince) Shroud’s ‘unnecessary reeducation methods short before the address was crashed by the Equilixir-empowered much as I doubt the protest will be lodged with anyone who will seriously consider it)

***As you know before, reader, the three affected by the Equilixirs have assisted in the suppression of the Ponyville Riots during the day previous. The power of these Equilixirs but do not seem to be restricted to, resistance to fire and physical trauma. However, more intel is needed on the Equilixir Stone’s effects (in no small part since I still hold one left that is not affixed to another pony), and with no way to know the basis behind the triggering event for Equilixir assimilation, this report is my best hope on seeing what circumstance could have incurred that change. I shall attain it before I leave for Appleloosa and make note of it when I arrive in that town.

**** I hypothesize the colors in this logo are made to represent the hues shown by the new Princes and Princess. Green and black represent (Prince) Toxic Haze, dark red and blue represents (Prince) Shroud’s mane and tail, and the purple – upon rainbowed motif represents Princess Dash.

Entry 4: Rarity Interview/Appleloosa Visit

As promised, I shall start this entry with the Rarity interview. Not only does it show the true reason behind the Queen's constriction to Canterlot these past few days, but that reason is likely what I owe my continued operation under the radar to, given my encounter with Prince Shroud the day prior.

Besides, reader: you’ve likely wanted to know the mentality of an Element of Harmony for some time.

Well, know this first and foremost: despite their lack of presence, they are not cowards. Their experience from facing the biggest threats in Equestria to date gives them an almost-encyclopedic knowledge of what can deal the most damage – and often, where it currently rests.

This is why it distresses me that ~~they show so li~~ Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy are so certain their current countermeasures are effective. The Queen has fooled them before, with terrifying results.

Now, I fear… she does not have to fool them in order to gain those same results.

And part of that fear is confirmed through this talk I have with the Element of Generosity.

(Interview begins)

A.K. YEARLING (AK)

Good afternoon, Miss Rarity. May I call you this for the remainder of this interview?

RARITY (RA)

You may Miss Yearling. Apologies for this… dreadful mess. It seems I am not… entirely forgotten since my reopening.

(AN: Rarity was speaking of the various lengths of cloth and thick fabric draped around her showroom in the Boutique. Most of this was purple, and filled with white swirls. I would later find out this was the material for the very balloon holding the announcer (Moon Dancer) and the three judges (Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine) in the new Iron Pony competition aloft.)

AK:

Not a problem. Perhaps we may be better served going upstairs, as the-

RA (rears up, yells):

NO!

AK:

My apologies, Miss Rarity. I mean no offense.

RA (calms down):

No, that suggestion was sound. But… (sighs again) I am afraid that part of this Boutique is indefinitely closed off. To everypony.

AK:

Well, my first question was different but now I must know: does this have to do with... the Massacre, or an earlier such event.

RA (after a long span of silence):

... It is. In fact, I have been… rather busy with attending to the rest of my friends’ pain. I shall be visiting Applejack myself, to ensure there enough hands available to tend to her farm while she is traveling to Bal-(stops as if having accidentally revealed sensitive information) Pardon me.

AK:

Again, my apologies, but: Surely you’ve taken time to mourn yourself?

RA:

I… cannot afford to. Even with all the bits I still possess. Because… Dash and the Queen have disgraced their Elements’ calling not mean I will follow suit. They deserve it more than I do. (Wipes at her cheek) Especially my poor friend, Fluttershy. It is all I can do to keep Pinkie from impoverishing herself, but… she is determined. To the extent I have had to forward my bits to Mr. and Mrs. Cake instead – she will take nothing from me.

AK:

You’re a good mare for doing this.

RA:

I would rather not go into why your praise may be regretted. But I thank you for giving it. Generosity is always a welcome gift, and a lady never rejects a heartfelt gift.

AK:

Yes, well. (I adjusted my cloak.) The first true question I have for you, though, has to do with something a bit different. There are rumor that Twligh-

(Rarity noticeably winces at this. I adjust.)

-the Queen, has met with you before her flight from Ponyville. How accurate is this rumor? And is there insight you may have that would illuminate what may have caused her to become what she is now?

RA:

There is no need to try and couch this story to protect me. It is, quite clearly, the worst-kept secret in this town. And the Queen’s current mindset centers more around what she makes of her… fellow scoundrels, rather than what Equestria makes of her. Of that (she rubs furiously at her forehooves) I no longer have no doubt.

(Takes a deep breath.)

But I shall tell you how that visit went. Shortly after her arrest for the alleged role in the deaths of Miss de Lis and Mr. Blueblood, she and I… did meet. I let her know of me and my friends’ fears of what she had done, and my regret over not being able to solve her case myself. She would leave soon after, leaving a notice in her library that she had headed overseas. (Her tone turned darker) Needless to say, you can see how accurate that missive was.

AK:

Yes – clearly her pattern of violence shows that her migration was to the Badlands instead, with the first happening matters. Was there any indication that she was inclined towards this, even from the beginning?

RA:

But it is… terrifying that she has shifted from even that modicum of decency.

AK:

How so?

RA:

Just before leaving… she asked me to take care of her assistant. I have*… seen to that quite adequately. And in her notice, she… Rather, I would show you that myself.

(AN: Rarity presents me with her final letter at this point. I will make note of it later in this entry, during the exact time I read it- on the Express to Appleloosa.)

AK:

This is… remarkably different from how she is now. Even with the specter of being a fugitive for life over her head.

RA:

Do keep it, darling. I… would rather not have this reminder here, after what I’ve… my current commitment.

AK:

Is your assistant anywhere here?

RA:

Not presently. He is with Fluttershy, helping to attend to her pets. But he will return… tomorrow*. Regardless, her letter at least described intent to clear her name, which is why I did not press the matter when Fluttershy and Applejack were scouring eastern Equestria with Luna. She… no longer wishes to shy away from depravity.

AK:

I see.

RA:

I apologize for these next few words, Miss Yearling, but you do not. The Queen… when she was a Princess… was always curious to know of her situation and how to improve it. And the key to that was her obsession with the utmost accuracy in her writings. That was the first time she had… put quill to a blatant lie. And I fear it is also the last.

AK:

You… are uncertain that the Queen will continue her deceptive nature?

RA:

It is no nature – and it is the state she is currently in that drives my fear. The Queen has… violated, slain, and somehow assimilated our dear Princess Celestia into herself. (Her tone turns hysteric for the next sentence) She commands the very sun over our heads, Yearling! (Calms down) The way she spoke to us after showing that stolen talent, besides being utterly offensive... was that of a pony so uncaring of her subjects that she saw a lie as unworthy of them. And she now… sits on Her throne.

AK (I did shudder at that point.):

I think that will be all on that question. To news closer at hoof then. You mention that Miss Applejack is taking a trip to Appleloosa soon, and that you have made accommodations for her duties here while she is gone. Do you care to specify on this, and does this have anything to do with the upcoming Iron Pony competition?

A.K.! I am surprised at you! That Applejack is willing to move as it is, with the loss of Fritter and Bloom, is a miracle in and of itself!

AK:

I did think it was impressive, considering her fledgling presence in Ponyville. That… does make my question all the more pertinent, though.

RA:

It does. I apologize for the outburst. Temper like this is unbecoming of a lady. And… yes, it does have a bit to do with her role in Iron Pony - or rather her lack thereof. Princess Dash has seen fit to ban her entire family from the event. And the reasoning seems to be tied to… how this event commenced last time. Now… I fear for everypony in attendance – on sidelines or in competition against those Canterlot ruffians.

AK:

You were told of the reason for this? I’ll come to this later, but that does tie into my next question.

RA:

I had a feeling it would. However, the details are… not specifically privy to myself. And to your first question… Junebug, Strawberry Sunrise, and Carrot Top will be more than enough to see to her farm. (A small smile grows on her face.) As long as Applejacks’s… proclivities toward Strawberry and Carrot hold.[

AK:

What proclivities, if I may ask?

RA:

I shouldn’t say, really… (Her quiet tone tapers off.) No. It is of no consequence now, and such a quibble reminds me of... fonder, gentler times. (Smiles) From before, neither Carrot nor Strawberry were… big apple fans.

AK (Even I chuckled at this):

Goodness, that was Applejack’s objection?

RA:

The operative term is ‘was’. That they’re willing to be this forthcoming with their time is amazing, especially with Carrot’s attendance at that School Board meeting tonight. Poor dear, I think she may be risking inclusion into Iron Pony. I would not even wish that on anypony.

AK:

Understood. The third question is at hoof, then. It is about the Headmistress of the Arcane University.

RA (voice low):

How would you know of this?

AK:

Would I take this to mean you’ve no idea of her whereabouts?

RA:

No, actually. It is just that… any concern for her disappearance is very limited, despite her presence. What I do know is that one of her intermediaries is in Appleloosa as well - the patron who had originally bought the statue in the first place, and she is… likely either in the Crystal Empire or Cloudsdale. She was… far from the only one to depart Canterlot lately.

AK:

I do know of Sassy Saddles and Sapphire Shores, yes. Does this mean you have been notified of such developments?

RA (indignantly):

Very much so. By… our newly instated Queen and Princess.

AK:

They still regularly communicate with you?

RA:

They inflict themselves upon me. That is yet another thing I would normally refrain from mentioning to you. Mainly because it would likely take up your entire week. As the nightmares from it do to me every night. (Wipes at eyes again.) I should not be so elated that Luna lost her ability to witness my slumbering moments with her horn.

AK:

The alternative, however…

RA:

… came about because she refused to leave her sister’s side. I witnessed it, there was time enough between their driving into the Ponyville Center for me to find my way there. (A quiet sob escapes her.) What I saw will follow me into grave next to my wonderful sister.

AK:

Again, I am sorry for your loss.**

RA:

Loss is the exact reason the Queen and Princess torture me so. I… am disinclined to destroy such reminders of her recent actions in Canterlot and beyond. Not only because the state of what is left of those ponies is still in question, but… because of how they direct my anger. Toward my… obligation to stopping them. One they will not know of so long as I breathe. Applejack, however, has the strength of mind to destroy the mementos they send her of their killings in that capital.

AK (shocked):

Deaths?! I'd known of some, but... beyond the Caball henchponies?

RA:

And more besides. It is a grisly catalog, but I have kept the Canterlot tallies present. The Mayor will know of this after my return from Manehattan.

(Motions to a folded piece paper on the dresser, next to a silk knitting case, each carefully labeled, and clearly filled with things that have nothing to do with knitting)

The tally is in that case. I have prepared a copy with the original artifacts downstairs, but I dare not reveal it till after Iron Pony has commenced. There are too many eyes and ears in the city.

AK:

(AN: I obtain this memento collection here. The contents of it, again, will be presented during the end of this entry, as a tribute to those lost in the Queen’s consolidation period. ~~As Rarity would have wanted, had she the time.~~)

Then my final question will be brief. What are you and your friends’ goals as of current, whether resisting or enduring the Queen’s reign? And will these renegade ‘gold ponies’ in Ponyville play a part?

RA:

Why do you ask, darling? Surely you know of my apprehension toward the queen already. My decision is pending… the possible developments in light of the Iron Pony competition. Should they bear fruit, I will be enthused to increase my clientele… and my efforts to resist the Queen’s regime.

AK:

Well… (I hesitate to ask. But I must know if they are already working with them and are not telling me because of some unseen risk I represent) I ask because of knowledge, from inside sources from one of those who have witnessed their recent exploits talk of how their escape came through their retreat to a base in the Sugarcube Corner confectionery.

RA:

Sugarcube?! Miss Yearling, I must assure you, if I would have known of this earlier-

AK (interrupting):

Based on instructions you somehow provided.

RA (nearly shouting):

Now that is impossible! I have only mentioned any such route before, and the only pony to hear me was… Pinkie…. Excuse me, I must confer wi-

(The door slams open. APPLEJACK (AJ) bursts into the Boutique, holding a copy of the Iron Pony poster.)

AJ:

-an’ of course Ah’m not allowed near the event with a ten-foot pole, Luna forbid ah remind Ponyville of how the Iron Phony who this is all bein’ flossed out to meet tied for dead last with me!

AK:

I-I’m sorry, Applejack, I didn’t know you were-

RA (interrupting, shaken):

You and I both. Apologies, but as I said before, my friends take precedence. I do regret the interview ending this abruptly.

(I get up and start to leave.)

AJ (to Rarity):

This is horseapples, and you know it Rarity! You keep talkin’ of Twilight (Rarity twitches) and her crew like they’re some incomin' storm rather than sompony with a plan, and Ah’m tellin’ ya, (voice raises) NO storm thinks out this much!

RA:

And I have told you, darling, I will redouble my efforts regardless! But if you think somepony who did what she did to Cel-

AJ (as the door closes behind me):

She did it to BOTH her an’ Luna! The same trick, because it worked! An’ it’s happenin’ again! They don’t do this if they didn’t have backup plans! We’re not leavin’ till we find out what it is!

(Interview ends)

This interview taught me two things, reader.

The first was that the Elements of Harmony, even separate and schismatic, still live and die on information. ~~Rarity more than mo~~ Applejack certainly seems the most invested in acting on the information after a short spell of despondency, as opposed to Rarity, who to this day resigns herself to it, or Pinkie Pie, who likely ignores it entirely. I suspect Fluttershy’s reception of the Queen’s totems to her tyranny may be a large part of the reasons behind her seclusion.

The second of these, as it currently stands, was that the sane Elements of Harmony were being picked apart from afar – with an effort that almost defied logic. The Element of Kindness, Fluttershy, is all but shuttered inside her cottage. Pinkie Pie (Laughter) is so stuck between her attempts to either rehabilitate or inspire her fellow Elements she is fighting a losing battle to keep her own smile. Rarity (Generosity) is clearly devoting time to others to avoid coping with her own trauma. And Applejack (Honesty), the most steadfast and forthcoming of them all, is slipping further and further into clandestine duties to protect her family against her former friend. I cannot imagine the strain it places on her.

The Queen, once favoring toward quick blitz attacks and surprise invasions, may overcome her friends by sheer pressure.

And is for this additional reason – to deny so destabilizing force to Equestria’s peace – that I now go forth with one into Appleloosa. Not just the study of the Equilixirs, or to discover this intermediary's identity, but to ensure the best hope to see daylight – true daylight – in this little slice of Tartarus the Queen now delivers to all ponykind daily.

To that end, my research at this time will represent this same personal angle I have shown in my previous entry – the time log for my return visit to my home in the Tenochtitlan Basin will return to the normal format.

Day 1: The ride to Appleloosa with Applejack was quite… quiet.

For once, the outspoken cowpony was not in the mood to talk. I admit, I did spend the first few minutes of the train ride here loving over the note that Rarity had given me – allegedly, the Queen’s last one to the group as a fugitive.

Friends,

I know you must hate me for what you think I've done, but I am innocent. I hope one day you will come to know that and that I can return when that day comes. While I don't completely blame you for not believing me, you all know that if I wanted to kill some pony, I would not go about it in that way. If anything, the sheer amount of evidence left behind should make it obvious I didn't do it, since I would never leave that much.

By the time you read this, I'll be long on my way. I have passage across the sea and a friend that owes me a favor, so I will not be in your manes any longer. Please just let exile be enough of a punishment and leave me in peace.

Always with love,

Twilight Sparkle

How could ~~a monster like her know lo~~ it all go so wrong for the Queen? I must find this out later. However, the goal at hand took precedence.

Applejack, barely two seas to the left of me, was mostly silent. However, when I brought across my opinions of the Iron Pony competition (that it was a thoroughly corrupted symbol of the Mane 6 made to try and break Applejack as it was to victimize Ponyville) and of her interpretation of the Queen’s actions that writing her off as a simple evil-chasing sadist missed a lot of the method underlying her madness), she did brighten up some.

It was limited, however. “Don’t let Rarity hear ya say that – that dame’s been through enough as is,” she replied.

Addendum I: Again, the attempts by the current Mane 4 to keep each other upright may keep them from rising above methods similar to their enemy. Another of my faint fears, reader. imagine what would happen if one of them started sinking to the lows the Queen does daily, even if to resist her.

After arriving at Appleloosa, I took in the tone of the town. It was… quite emptier than I had last heard, even in the light of the exodus following Braeburn and Fritter’s deaths.

However, the location of the statue itself, as stated before in my 2nd Entry, was not known – the collector had taken it. Finding the intermediary and the identity of this collector was my objective, so much as it pained me to let such a groundswell of information go, I had to part ways with Applejack at the main junction.

Notably, she left with Cherry Jubilee – normally a Dodge Junction resident - talking of a ‘refugee spot’ before they got out of earshot. I will have to do more independent research on this later.

For now reader, my target was Sheriff Silverstar. “By my stars, it’s the icon A.K. herself! How’re ya doin’ this day?”

Naturally, I was fine.

“Hm. Sure y’know already, but that’s a rarity an’ a relief.” He shook his head, mustache twitching as he spoke. “Don’t blame much of ‘my fellow ponies for the move – heck, it’s the first time somepony’s made a habit of getting’ the hell into Dodge – but its doin’ a number on us both! Jubilee’s Hill Ranch is almost fit to burst, and we’ve had to resort to hirin’ showmares t’retain enough ponies to keep the water flowin’!”

I had wondered where the Alicorn’s Amulet’s other bearer was. But, unfortunately, she was not my first priority. “Do you happen to know the benefactor who took possession of the Thestrel statue?”

“Y’mean the gold one? Sure, inspector of it's still in town if you can catch ‘em.” And his hoof pointed out toward the clock tower. “Just missed the original collector, however. Think I saw her in some of the old Wonderbolt gathering photos that Spitfire had, before..." His voice trailed off. "Best not to think o'how that turned out for her. Poor Stormy."

My mouth had turned to cotton in its attempt to utter wishes of solidarity to her.

"But I do know that patron. Think her name's Lightning Dust. Said it was a favor to her new guardian. Got real ornery when the inspector came some hours later, though."

Lightning Dust? I would have to do research on that later - a Cloudsdale pegasus and Wonderbolt (or aspiring one), not only out of the city but ferrying for ex-Headmistress Cinch?

But for now, I needed to know where that inspector was.

Again, I owed my previous works towards the answer I got. "Only tellin’ you this because of how much I liked Daring Do and the Eternal Flower, but she’s clammed up in there. Said she’d be leaving when onna the same ponies she came with did.”

“Do you know who it is? This showpony, perhaps?”

“Oh, no. Showmare am-scrayed out of the town almost five hours after y’all showed up. And the pony she was with was all swaddled up too. Tell you what, though… I’d thought the showmare Fetter Keys rustled up before helping up efforts at Cherry Hill Ranch had shown up already when that pony did.” A chuckle shook his frame. “Reckon she’s safe and sound.”

I asked what had propelled such a self-assured sentence.

“Jus’ sayin’ I recognize how she looks – and if that’s true, who’s likely watchin’ over her. You’ll know when you see her.”

And one service lift later, I did.

“Sapphire Joy?” A Crystal Empire emissary! And to my surprise, not the first I’d seen!

Indeed, the bright blue Crystal Pony ambassador was right before me. “I assume the bits I gave to Silverstar were wasted, then?”

“He offered it, free of charge, as a Daring Do fan.” My left eyebrow raised. “And bribery? Honestly?”

“No – but a little deception was necessary. Had to know you weren’t here on behalf of someone else.” “There are too many who have laid eyes on what I guard as is.”

“Like the Queen?”

“Thankfully, no.” Sapphire’s smile faded. “But I will need to have it destroyed.”

Now I really was surprised. “But why?”

“You will have to believe me when I say that what it represents cannot be replicated – by any unaffiliated by the Crystal Empire.” Strange. What link would a statue of the Thestrels have with the Crystal Empire?

Nevertheless, I needed to know, and it would be thanks to what I had heard of Princess Cadance before that would help me. “I am with Dr. Hooves, on the request of Cadance from her missive to him two days ago. It involved the Equilixirs.”

Sapphire’s eyes widened. “I… had hoped it would reach Cori, actually. But I do suppose it is for the best we do not include her in any more danger than she is rumored to have found.” Sapphire Joy then turned to face away from me.

“I entrust you with what remains of this artifact, then, before we decide its fate. Do you happen to know any way of moving it out of mainland Equestria without using the Express or air travel? For purposes you will soon see later, using magic is out of the question and so is leaving it here.”

I thought back to my knowledge from before. Magic past the Crystal Empire’s front stoop would likely be A) impossible due to the magic barriers, and B) traceable by the Queen, likely compromising the cargo. And if this held crucial information on a branch of magic-immune beings, it would likely prove pivotal to the resistance effort – for better or for worse (should the Queen know of it first.)

In addition, the Guard was spreading over every stop of the Express. And between the sky blockade of Cloudsdale and what I would soon learn of, the second Edict of Twilight***, the Empire could likely not trust a critical establishment in too many cities to do it town-by-town.

I was interrupted by Sapphire Joy pointing to the antechamber in the center of the tower. “This is what they use to lower the bell when it needs to be since the freight lift would not bear its size. The statue has been moved to the basement next to its knoll. Shall we?”

Thank goodness for the lift. Four flights of stairs up, then down, then up again to leave would likely not bear will for either of us.

However, the statue… did actually amaze me. In terms of what it was not. First of all, it was not of a Thestrel.

However, the sweeping mane and horn/wing combo implied it was indicative of something else entirely. “The Thestrels have a link to alicorns?” I asked.

Sapphire Joy didn’t match my raised tone. “Not just anypony. Look down.”

I did. The plaque below it was faded, worn down with age. But I could understand most of what remained. The spaces below imply letters that were erased with time.

_ _ _ _ _ ess Amore, may this stand for o_r Tribute

as Eternal as thy Emissary, Somn_ _ _ _ _ _ _.

To Thos_ _ _ _ s Thestrels here no_, and many mo_ _ to come.

May _ _r Ci_y of Thestr_ _ Dorad_ pros_ _r for all Time

Hatstir_up, Kinthanid, Sekhm_re, Horsthor

Addendum II: The four names would prove invaluable in finding out which Equilixir went to which pony (or changeling) from the new Thestrel hybrids that had been born in Ponyville. For now, however...

A rumble came from my shirt pocket, and the gem inside it – the lone Equilixir that had not found a host. I had to clasp my hooves over it, to keep it from being one with that statue.

Sapphire Joy seized me around the barrel, and together we fall back to the stairwell. The Equilixir still vibrated knowingly. Were I ever in doubt about the influence of this statue, it would be now.

“Curse it, that stung!” I panted. “Wait - that statue! That was of Princess Amore, wasn’t it? That was-”

“Our Princess Cadance’s great-great-great ancestor,” Sapphire Joy huffed. She had almost lost her traveling cloak in the rush away from Amore's effigy. “While likely shows that the Thestrels have seen her as an object of reverence. It may yet be another Crystal Empire-affiliated alicorn that may seize the opportunity to use these Equilixirs.”

“And you possess one right now.”

“Right. I’ll see if I can find out more about this stone, then possibly hand it over to you. Without the Arcane University, your facilities may be the best to get a productive answer to the mystery of the Thestrels, should I not find it in due time.” My eyes swept back to the stature. “However, it looks like it has some powerful properties.”

“You may not know the full extent.” Sapphire Joy pointed out. “Though my magic is somehow ineffective on this statue, I have kept a detector of my own around me, to possibly alert to other unicorns. The statue is not only trying to attract your… strange stone.”

“An Equilixir. The other three of which are in those ‘golden ponies’ Ponyville has seen so often.”

“I see… Still, it is not only drawing in your Equilixir, it is denaturing it to almost all magical and physical tethers. The process is slow, likely due to age, but still potent. Were we not at a safe distance, I doubt any coverings could restrain it.”

“The information on this lays hint toward another town in Equestria – the desert city of Somnambula.” Sapphire looked warily back to that statue again. “Were the Queen to know of this…”

Even I could see the dire implications. Direct links to the Equilixirs, the Empire, and Cadance? The Queen would be invading that Empire within the nanosecond.

“Which is why we must destroy that statue.” declared the Crystal Pony Ambassador. “I will call this city’s demolition ponies for the job. The explosive may have been used for canal-openings and mine-tunnelings, but now it may be the only thing we-”

“NO!” I almost bowled over the Crystal Pony with this. “This…development wasn’t in your normal attempts to find out about this statue, was it?”

“It was not, no.”

“There there might be magic within that might react negatively to such a disruption. “Surely a report back to it would be in order – especially of how it can draw an Equilixir Stone out of anywhere. We just have to make sure this town thinks it has been moved.”

“But where shall it go in lieu of toward the Empire? I find myself short on trustworthy establishments to hold it in.”

I remembered what Silverstar said before - and Applejack's new traveling partner. “There may be one.”

Day 2: By the day's first light, two crates were leaving Appleloosa. One would go to Cherry Hill Ranch, in the most secure part of its basement as possible d guarded by the Sheriff Fetter Keys.

The other crate would be delivered through Ponyville to Sire’s Hollow, and then to my home from there. Any Guard that opened it would find but an ~~absurdly gaudy~~ golden bed, part of that aforementioned passing-though showmare’s collection. The interaction Sapphire Joy initiated to attain that bed both shocked and disturbed me. Shocked since I’d never seen such a vivid contrast in voices; Sapphire’s low and collected, the other’s boisterous and belligerent. Disturbed because… Sherriff Silverstar was indeed right on the looks department.

Would that I never hear the words ‘great’ or ‘powerful’ that closely together for the rest of the year.

Neither mare would return with me for that trip, however – nor would Applejack, still tied up enough with business just outside Appleloosa that she would need to catch the evening train home.

The showmare had been called to Dodge City for an encore performance – on such emergency notice that she had to depart without the bed she had carried here. Hence the trade.

Sapphire Joy, however, was heading to the Crystal Empire to report her findings. Then she would be off to Somnambula, with a promise to deliver the choicest of information from there to both me and Hooves, the second I elaborated on our partnership.

Her last words, however, chilled me to the core.

“There is but one more significant detail about that Amore statue. The metal within it, before my detector spell was disabled, implied that it was likely made from metal specifically summoned by an alicorn, then made into the state it was by the spell of another. I do not like to consider what would happen should either those new Thestrels find themselves near it.”

With Sapphire Joy being found out as the intermediary, however, I now likely know where the ex-Headmistress is stationed. My only hope is that I can get to the Crystal Empire without being dragged into further complications.

While there, however, I went through the collection of mementos. They are as follows in chronological order, each with a tag from Rarity that usually states A) how they died and B) why they died.

One (1) jeweled locket belonging to earth pony Royal Pin, bloodied. Rarity’s note alleges he was the first in Canterlot to die, executed for apparently attempting to seek the death penalty for The Queen in her trial for the murders of Blueblood and Fleur.

One (1) wing feather from pegasus Helia’s wings, bloodied. Rarity’s note says she was captured, extradited to Canterlot, and executed as the first violator of Ponyville’s new air curfew.

Two (2) pieces of Sapphire Shores’ faux dress diamonds, tied together to two scraps of uniforms belonging to earth ponies Blue Cutie and Tarantella, backup dancers of Sapphire Shores. Rarity’s note, while it did not mention what crime they had committed, but said it was likely done out of spite due to her kinship with Sapphire Shores, since none of the other Mane 4 gained a copy of this memento.****

One (1) camera lens likely belonging to earth pony Long Shot, cracked. Rarity’s note implied he died shortly after refusing to photograph one of the Queen’s upcoming events (unspecified by the note.) Specifically, for remarking that he’d never take another photo unless it was of the Queen and her parents’ graves.

One (1) orange lock of hair, belonging to earth pony Shimmy Shake: Rarity’s note said that she had tried to free Luna from her captivity, but the point that explains how she died is too tear-stricken for me to properly decipher.

One (1) pane from a pair of reading glasses, belonging to earth pony Leadwing. Rarity’s note alleges it was in response to his wife Bittersweet’s attempt to quit from her job as a delegate of Canterlot in protest of the Queen’s rise to power. The note does not mention how he died, only that Bittersweet committed suicide two days later.

Three (3) bandannas, each with blood and/or several crudely extracted teeth in them, belonging to three of Dr. Caballeron’s henchponies.****

Ten (10) golden shards and gem shards from different tiaras: Rarity's note calls them the ‘Sailor Stable’, a resistance group that had tried to assassinate the Queen shortly after she met the Mane 4 for the first time as a queen. (They belong to, in order, the unicorns Aqua Mist, Burning Heart, Juno, Love Melody, Saturnalia, Natural Satellite, and Larissa and the pegasi Charon and Umbriel.) *****

Addendum III: I will try to find out more about this incident, as it is both the widest-spanning atrocity the Queen has committed and B) may link to several collaborators in the cities closest to Canterlot. Already, Queen Trottingham is responsible for Juno and Aqua Mist’s capture and delivery to the Queen, who were apparently stripped of life an hour bef******

set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free

Addendum IV: I do not remember writing the above mantra. I had drifted off after trying to read through the list above it, due to exhaustion from not resting throughout the entire flight. I… am not sure what caused it. The stone, perhaps? No, I have accepted plenty of absurdities from these stones –from their seamless assimilation into other beings to their roots in both Somnambula and the Crystal Ponies, but artifacts do not have a mind of their own.

Tomorrow, I hope to get back to my house and prove that further. As well as... start my biopic on one of the more personally disturbing members of the Queen's inner circle.

*Rarity's noticeable facial flush during each of these instances leads me to believe she has been much more than just a confidant with Spike. Perhaps they are romantically involved?

** This most likely referred to Sweetie Belle's death during the Ponyville Massacre, but I was not willing to distress Rarity further to double-check.

*** The second Edict of Twilight makes criminals out of any crucial establishment that harbors a criminal, subject to the same universal penalty of exile to Canterlot. Such crucial establishments includes: hospitals, restaurants, saloons, and supermarkets.

**** Rarity’s note confirms what I discovered on these subjects from the 2nd Entry; that they belonged to Sapphire Shores' two associates and Dr. Caballeron's three henchponies discovered by Spearhead and Flash Sentry during their parlays into Everfree recently. Apparently, Commander Hel and the Night Guards tortured and executed them; the former group as an attempt to silence the rumors of her ignoble first performance in Ponyville during the Riots, the latter group for attacking Canterlot Royal Guards.

***** The leader of the Sailor Stable, Celena is still on the loose, but their captures were throughout Canterlot, Mustangia, Stratusberg, and Trottingham, as I discovered from the copy of the Canterlot TImes on Sheriff Silverstar's desk.

***** This was the exhaustion's cut-off point. I have left it as is to illustrate the mantra's apparent location in my notes.

Entry 5: Princess Rainbow Dash/The Canterlot Detour

I now find myself with another specter of my past.

Spike the dragon is with me currently. He is the former friend and assistant of the queen, and I have offered him his room in this book to give insight into… the newly made Princess Rainbow Dash. Needless to say, my original plans of returning to the Crystal Empire to find out more about the Therstels has been… delayed.

Spike, this dragon, is too traumatized to talk of Twi-of the Queen. I am… still in reservation over whether or not I can continue to speak of Princess Dash. So we will talk of each other’s blind spots – he of Dash’s profile, and I of the events that led him to Ponyville again after our… fiasco in Canterlot.

We must be quick with this passage. You are only hearing of this now, reader, but the apparently minted Princess Gympis has relayed –and Fluttershy confirmed – the imminent arrival of the Queen’s marriage to Princess Dash. Such an event requires the Element’s forced participation in preparing the events. And should they refrain from doing so, the lives of the Cake family, foals included, will be in mortal danger.

I take no pride in being right about the Queen and her cohorts. Only a deep, welling sense of shame. I have read of these ponies, replied to their mail, sent one of them copies of my books! And that they would so flagrantly exploit that trust to… force me into revealing information on the Thestrel hybrids frustrating them. What Princess Gympis related to me of what the Queen and Dash were planning to do to me after that turnover of notes…

I am sorry, reader. I leave the next part of this passage to Spike. I need a moment.

Spike: Soo… Princess Dash, right? What’s the first part of this?

Relevant History: Whoa, thanks. Well, that’s just it, A.K. – Princess Rainbow Dash ~~is~~ was supposed to be the best. Her Sonic Rainbooom…. Like, I still can properly call I into words. It’s a thing that… well, turns the theory of a pegasus on its head. Like, this was a pegasus that didn’t need a machine to change the weather, her speed did it for her. She’s.. a living force of nature.

Guess that’s why it was so quick to turn its gales on us.

She’s the one who inspired the rest of the Elements. With a thing she could do since childhood. It got her buried in trophies and enough bits to get a big home in the clouds! It showed why she’s an Element… and now it’s showing just how shallow loyalty can be when you have to choose between a friend and the law.

From that point on, a lot of the rest can be told by Applejack and the others – she saved us on multiple occasions, at least twice by replicating the same Rainboom that made her famous. She was with us against Discord, and Chrysalis, and so many others besides. And she was… always the most chipper among us. Like, she wasn’t just here for us, she was happy to be here in general.

Then Blueblood and Fleur ~~died~~ got murdered, she got arrested, sentenced to life, and… sprung from it by the other imprisoned, the Queen. And the second we found out they were framed, the Wonderbolts tried to offer them, including amnesty. Ex-Princess Luna actually called us to show us their heads. I used to spend my nights yelling at her into the covers for this. But after all that happened after….

I mean, she was Nightmare Moon. She could see where this slope was leading to. I just don’t think even she knew the speed they’d all go down it.

I… sometimes wanna believe Dash wasn’t a part of what happened to Spitfire and the others. Know enough of that changeling and Shadow Pony prince the Queen’s been all but welded to as of late to see how they could do all the dirty work. But I saw Rarity’s notice on Sweetie Belle, and… There’s no way she wasn’t a part of that. Turns my stomach thinking about it. And that’s something, since Rarity’s been showing me with gems as of late. Among… other things.

It’s also what makes one of the Thestrel–hybrid’s (I got it right? Sorry, hand’s shaking.) asides to try and ‘clear her name’, sadly impossible. I… don’t even think she knows. And I don’t wanna be around when she does. She survived a Rainboom, and I’m worried about what havoc she might evoke. Gotta find out somehow but… there’s gotta be a better way.

Seem to be saying that a lot, don’t I.

Right now, Dash is the head of the Wonderbolts, closest to the Queen, and… lost to us. To all of us sick of the Queen’s depravity. I don’t want to try and say this – heck, they were the ones who got me hooked on the idea of redemption and getting around any obstacle – but the best parts of the Queen and that Princess died in those cells.

Next up is the… Personal Notes?

Personal Notes: Right, got it. Look, I’m not sure exactly what caused it, but I do know this. Rainbow was the first taken down, even before the Queen. They were... close. Not just like… y’know, friends. And I think that tracks with why she’s sticking with her through all this evil.

I… I actually thought that Scootaloo would be enough to turn her back from all this. Used to think that she’d die looking up to this cyan pegasus. ~~Sadly enough, I think she actually did.~~

Because even as Fluttershy and Rarity… and I were busy doubting the Queen, Rainbow Dash never did.

Dragon part o’me is actually a bit .. I dunno, surprised? That Dash could find somepony that means that much to her. Ex-assistant part of me knows she’s used it to… Celestia’s mane, I don’t even want to describe! A.K. haven’t you written enough on that stuff that went down at the Ponyville Schoolhouse?! What the Queen did to those Sailor Scouts! What she…made me…

I’m sorry. You’re right, A.K. More ponies gotta know how Princess Dash came to this and what she is now.

Next up is… did I get that right?

Abilities: So, Princess Dash is fast . Like, she was crazy fast before, but she’s got a trinket from the Queen that can put her Sonic Rainboooms out at half the distance it normally took. Reports are right, she doo down Princess Celestia with that move. There’s only one pony who faced down a Rainboom head-on and survived without seriously getting hurt, and… Well, A.K. doesn’t want me throwin’ about names in case it gets back to ‘em.

Says it all though, doesn’t it? Here we are, arm-deep in a book that’s supposed to be telling you about why you should be running away from the really fast and this might be the first of Twilight's inner circle no amount of distance will do you good against.

The main thing that does hold Princess Dash back is her own obsessions. She wanted to be captain of the Wonderbolts, so keeping your distance from them – whichever’s left, anyways – is important. And despite herself, she’s actually still given over to competition. Something that can get you the slip on her – assuming you can escape her during or afterward – is key.

Final word is this, but my above statement made it obvious. Don’t bother looking for ways out if she’s got you on her radar – because more often than not, the Queen’s likely following just behind her. Run and you’ll die tired. Hide and you’ll die cramped. The best solution for her is avoidance, and considering she’s still mostly limited to Ponyville, Cloudsdale, and Canterlot, I’d suggest keeping a wide berth round here. Like, big enough to reach Mt. Everhoof.

And sweet Celestia, don’t get involved in anything she sets up. After what happened to Lemon Hearts, Lemon Honey and Twinkleshine, I’m not even sure getting cold hooves after the fact might help you then. Princess Rainbow Dash… whatever she was before, she’s got it bad for the Queen now. And because of that, Equestria’s gonna get it worse.

[AN]: Now we turn to my own actions that day. Technically, this took place over two days, but my arrival in Ponyville was in the late evening, so that part of my notes will be brief.

Day 1: I’d returned from my travels to find a Ponyville mired in chaos. Apparently, Princess Dash and Luna's visit to this city had run afoul of both the Thestrel hybrids and the Caball at the same time. That fatal interrogation session of the three stray mercenaries due to Hel demanded blood, by their code. But I do not think they appreciated whose blood would likely be spilled.

Of the nine Caball henchponies that were part of this stick-up, only two survived by the time the fires – and the Rainboom phenomena – were suppressed. And only one henchpony was present on the scene, the other (Withers) apparently on the run*. Apparently, Dr. Cabelleron’s info about the ever-growing situation with Equestria was catastrophicallyout of date, especially in light of how to handle Princess Dash. Thankfully, Knight-Commanders Flash Sentry and Spearhead’s efforts prevented more ponies from being in the middle of this… bloodbath.

In addition, two Dragon envoys were present at Dash's tour of Ponyville as well, Cinders and Garble. And the latter is dead. Wonderbolt Misty Fly has taken it the hardest, but the reports of it being one of the Thestrel’s actions that did this…. ~~chilled~~ resonated with me. Until this point, the Thestrel hybrids were a nuisance. Now they’d taken out someone in their capacity. I… fear what this means, both for the Thestrels and the Queen’s future actions.

I embraced Misty Fly for a brief second. To console someone over the corpse of someone they clearly cared about of course. ~~I am no monster.~~ Had to break when Rainbow Dash was finishing her conversation with High Winds about prompt response time. Mainly because her next words were to Cinder about payment, and they were ones I should have seen as prophetic then.

“…. Any you’re lucky you’re getting anything at all, Cinder!“

“Half the gems you promised me and the Dragon clan?” Cinders yelled back. “This is an outrage!”

“Dragon clan, bullshit – I know most of these are going down your gullet,” The chuckle Dash emitted should not have sounded as ominous as it did. “Just decided to take that part of the cut out before you did.”

Clearly, Cinders was addicted to these gems. It is a rare phenomenon on this side of the Equestrian shore, but I often wondered if this was the reason for the dragons’ discontent on their own isle. She would not be denied. “Does hazard pay doesn’t matter to Equestria’s new royalty, either? I would have had one of those murdered of Garble down in flames if your prince wasn’t sent taint-first into my face!”

I snorted once at her phrasing. Goodness, what was wrong with me?

“Considering none of those piss-ponies were supposed to get that close, it’s your own fault for letting them slip away!” Princess Dash’s arms folded, her hovering position allowed her to just be able to look down into Cinder’s eyes. I was surprised her grin didn’t stretch to my position as well. “And speaking of Garble, the light load of your gems should give ya more than enough room to carry him back!”

Cinders snorted, black smoke thankfully jetting to Princess Dash’ right. I suspected that was not the direction she originally had in mind, but that way laid suicide. “Since when do you care about what happens to this city?”

“Since my Queen took over Equestria, Nobody’s allowed to cull anything in this city…” And Dash’s next four words hilted into my core like cutlasses. “… But me and mine.”

“Not until we’ve got every bit of gems you’ve taken from us as down payment. Here as in my Iron Pony.”

“How, you craven concubine?!” Cinders was at the end of her rope. Princess Dash couldn’t have looked less interested, and that relief came the second a far more shadowy regent arrived.

“Quarter of this town’s treasury’s in his gut. You’ve got claws. Use your imagination.” Cinder’s rage wilted in the face of Prince Shroud. Like bottled thunder, she took up the red-scaled corpse that was once Garble and sped off. I was almost thrown off my hooves by her speed.

Needless to say, I needed to get away from there. Twilight’s regent Prince and Princess were here, and I was not sticking around to see what form Prince Toxic Haze was likely in. As I stole away from Misty Fly, I could hear High Winds' response to Princess Dash, tinkling just past the charred Town Hall. “How’re we gonna get a bead on those Thestrels without Cinders?”

“Heh. We always gotta plan B, Winds. Find me the Princes – time we took a ride on the town Carousel.”

There. That should have been where I put two and two together. But I was too busy trying to find those Thestrels. I had so much to reveal to them. So much that I hoped that they could reveal to

set me free set me free set me free set me

Again! It’s here in my notes again!** I was about to nod off and… and the Equilixir within my breast pocket is buzzing again. I want to be rid of it, but it’s the only chance I have to study something. Perhaps I may need to finish my research elsewhere.

I’m not sure I can handle more of this phenomena - the Queen was enough of a chaotic factor, her and this might destroy my chance of staying under the radar.

I retreated back to Dr. Hooves’ house. Derpy Hooves was there, thankfully, and the air blockade had cut her shift early. Thankfully, a little shop I passed on the way there gave me something to help get through to her. A pick-me-up (and-chew.)

“M-muffins?” Taking one of the strawberry concoctions (“Heehee! They’re our best-selling one! But don’t tell Applejack!“ said its seller.) As Dr. Hooves had let me know, they’re not Derpy’s favorite. I… had originally taken this one out to eat myself. But her eyes… By Celestia’s mane, I’ve never seen any cave that hollow. The muffin was hers. I would have gotten her a truckload if I could. As it was, I simply turned to the Harphone of Dr. Hooves while she ate, softly nibbling at my own.

There were two messages. Another from Princess Cadance. I expected this first one; Sapphire Joy had made it clear that she would contact her before setting out for Somnambula.

Dr. Hooves: if you get this before A.K. does, make sure this first part of the message goes to her. A.K., if you’re listening, I would like to say: thank you. For all that you’ve done and are doing. It is well appreciated, and I have made sure you will have an easier time for your future experiments. In your mailbox will be a way to get you to a better-suited locale – and with the speed that may have delayed you before. Tell the guard there “Sunset, Sunset, believe in the fight / Resist the Sparkle and bring us back the light”. He’ll know the rest. I wish you safe travel.

As for Flash’s case, Dr. Hooves: I’ve made accommodations to get him back to the Crystal Empire. You’re right: he’s too obsessed with trying to rehabilitate Queen Twilight, and he has negative leverage to make her, especially with the Alicorn Amulet around her neck, those Princes in her ears, and everypony else… I’d rather not say. I’ll speak more about why, but… let’s just say Casa Del Cadance does indeed have one more passenger.

This is why we must be quick. If the statue cannot be moved, we will have to fashion another. And I am too occupied with Shining to do so myself. That means… we will have to trick the Queen into doing so. Keep an eye out for any methods – this may be the way we get the current Thestrel hybrids on point. They’re good, but they’re a wild card. And the only pony more obsessed about their fate than me… is Twilight. For far different reasons.

Sincerely, Princess Cadance.

The other… well, it would prove to be prophetic in its own way.

Doc, we’ve got a problem.

Finally managed to set up that trial lab in Trottingham, and wouldn’t you know Queen Troglodyte decided to snap up a raid for the OTHER Queen! Don’t know whether it's a good or bad thing that her target was the two Sailor Squad ponies holed up in here, but most of the material is out!

Y’gotta call back Sassy, dude. City’s turning into a mess more often, the communication lines are shot to Tartarus, I SWEAR I saw that renegade Cabelleron at one of Queen Trottingham’s galas! And worse yet, the Zebra contingent here is eyein’ the exits, and I don’t know what caused it! If not for Shining’s guarantee of this being a safe haven in case Code Black goes through…

…Sorry, Doc. Ain’t right to gripe about this to you. But if you can get one of the Ponyville School Board to help…

Anyways, I’ll talk to you again once all the materials are set up. 1400 Knickerbovine Lane, in case the-

The rest of the message fell by the wayside. Jasmine Leaf – I recognized her from the tally during the Princes’ First Address -burst into the room. “Damn it Dr. Hooves isn’t back yet?!”

“What for?” Behind me, Hooves had finished her strawberry muffin, crumbs dusting her cheeks as her ears perked.

“It’s Cloudkicker – she ran into Haze while he, Shroud, and Dash were busting into the Boutique! We have to help her!”

I swear I heard a THUMP in the lab behind me. It almost sounded too synchronic to be some backfiring gear. But I had no time to investigate. The teashop mare was told to run to Roseluck’s Botanicals, as she might be talking to him. Then Derpy and I were off to the scene of Cloudkicker's last known location. I admit, using wings with my traveling cloak on was not a normal move on my part.

Normality had fled this village long ago, though.

We arrived to nothing but gouges in the dirt. And the unmistakable smell of… well, what I remembered from the Ponyville Schoolhouse.

My stomach sank into my hooves. Derpy was frantically looking around. “Ria! Ria!” It took me two minutes of careful embrace before she could tell me the second horrifying thing about her disappearance.

Erroria had been with her.

She had been transferring Jasmine Leaf’s stuff to another abode.

And her little sister was with her.

The door to Carousel Boutique listed open in the distance. Sassy Saddles was busy inside, trying to at least set the chaos within right again. Strewn banners, crushed mirrors, crack-ridden mannequins. And above them all, moonlight flooding the room from a viciously gouged hole in the roof.

Miss Hooves tensed up, sniffing the air. I’d barely gotten my second word out of ‘You recognized something from that store?” before she affirmed that unspoken question. “Heat. Ozone. Like in Ponyville’s Town Square when Celestia fell.” Her eyes shimmered and diluted. In fear or rage, I did not know. “Princess Dash was here.”

I was in that place within seconds. My negligence! My cowardice! And now Dash had attacked an Element’s home! I’d comforted one of her Wonderbolts, what was I thinking! They had to know who she was, so did I! And I just forgot?! There was no excuse. For any of us. Not after this. Everything before this.

Sassy Saddles was busy nudging fallen support beams away from the center floor by the time I passed the door thresh. “Is she still here?”

“Rarity – no, she's not! And it’s because of what Dash took! Her dragon buddy’s gone!”

Dragon! It was… Spike. This dovetailed with the day they were to meet again. And this is what their reunion amounted to. I felt ill again.

For some reason, that smell from outside still lingered here, despite the chaos. I tried hard to not let that occupy my mind.”Derpy, help her! I’ll be back with the Doctor!”

Didn’t have to go far to find the Doctor – he found us, in fact. “Did you bring anyone?”

“I’ll go find Redheart!” Impossible I knew where she was, and who couldn’t be spared. But Dr. Hooves would accept my departure for nopony less. Dr. Hooves was in that fashion shop before I could go.

As I passed by the Town Center, I saw Rarity and Junior Ambassador*** Cori talking to Mayor Rappid Fires. I only hoped they’d move away, not toward, the tenement of Tartarus that Ponyville was becoming southwards.

Then I raced to Ponyville Hospital. Nurse Snowheart was the first pony I talked to. I’d actually tried to talk to Dr. Horse, actually, but the sudden bouts of deafness told me the only pony who’d like the answer less than me was the rest of Ponyville.****

I told her of the situation I noticed the waver in her step as she agreed to have someone check it out. I knew the only reason it wasn’t her was that she was close to dropping herself. And she was the deputy Matron! For Redheart, it must be…

Never mind. I decided I could not spend much more time there. The stories of overcrowding were present in the near bone-dry lobs contrasting with the crowded halls, the guards at the door, the throngs of ponies at the center I now knew Redheart was at.

I had to see if the Princess and Princes attacked any other abodes. My first step was Sugarcube. Rappid, Cori, and Rarity were not present. Pinkie Pie was, and the look she shot me could have stunned a cragadile.

“What is it, Miss Pie?”

“You’re… you’re A.K., right?” She knew this! I had been at the store previously, she’d almost burst out of her coat when I ordered the muffins. Why this sudden recoil at my presence now? “Then… I’m so sorry!”

I tensed myself.

But this apparent threat to my life could be delivered in a 4’ 10’’ strip of folded paper hidden in her mane. Of course it was a letter. Pinkie must have gotten plenty of them in the past few days. ~~And possibly some when her friends suffered their own losses.~~

Turned out, it was what was inside that would soon validate her newfound neurosis.

Tomorrow evening. Come with Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Make sure A.K. Yearling is here too – I know she’s in this town. Don’t give me a reason to find you all myself. Or think that I CAN’T.

Or we’ll get to see together – in the Town Square - how the Pinkie Sense compensates for a p _ _ _ _ d c _ _ _ _ y .*****

Queen Twilight Sparkle

She knew. She knew of me. And now she expected me by tomorrow.

I’d both started wishing that I’d never come and that I’d come earlier. To find a way out of this. To find a way to keep you away, reader. Away from... her.

I almost tore a rotator cuff racing to Fluttershy’s cottage. I had to cross-reference this. This had to be some sick prank. But the second I got the door open (and realized that it was Pinkie Pie who’d given me this, the pony least likely to trade in suck black comedy), I knew that was not the case immediately. Everypony – every Thestrel-hybrid – was present. And Fluttershy had a letter of her own with her. One that also requested me. One that also threatened her.

I… had my words with the assembled group. Made clear that I would not occupy the same room as them, many of which you know personally, dear reader. And Cori said she’d work out a way to avoid this situation. I’d… forgotten what it was like to put my life in the hooves of another. But as I saw Cori, this new Cori, with certainty in her voice her trepidation once lied, with the pony by her side that had proven worthy of going all the way to win, to the changeling who for her fledgling presence was just as taken in by mystery as I was…

…to Viscera. Yes, Viscera, the thief with a fractured leg and haughty tongue, but that still wished to know how to break into the Queen’s very palace. It was either bred of suicidal urge or altruistic yearning. I would soon learn more of this later.

I had to know more about her position in this later. But that they were so accepted by the Elements, despite the danger… well, it left me with little option but to add my own hat. I knew too much of the inner circle of Queen Twilight to trust that I would escape detection long –or capture either.

I had to leave myself. Too many ponies in this location – especially with the Queen’s missive present and her encounter imminent – would be mass suicide. I returned to the hospital, greeted the weary Redheart, and slumped into a chair. I think it was next to one of the instigators Iron Pony II – Caramel, was it? They would not tell me what had befallen him since my last visit here.

Again, I found myself grateful over something I didn’t know. I do not like this feeling.

I tried to figure out my next move. Now the Queen herself was upon me and I had to survive. Whatever follows this reader… I will not let such a fate befall you. Knowing the true nature of your rulers is not a crime. Neither is resisting them when they prove unfit to rule.

Goodness, I’m an explorer. I should never have had to deal with this my lifetime!

But I do.

And If I am not immune, reader… neither are you. Choose your actions accordingly.

For now, I will ponder my next move. And then return to Fluttershy’s house with the verdict.

Day 2: Apparently, I would not be able to return that day. Snowheart’s said I… ended up dropping asleep in the hallway. How long had it been without sleep? She also notified me of the condition of Cloudkicker and Erorria, the former retrieved last night, the last this morn. I… will need time to process this. Later, I shall let you know of this. Later.

Seriously. I hate. This feeling.

The rest of the morning – afternoon, really – passed by like quicksilver.

I made my way to Fluttershy’s cottage again, narrowly avoiding Iron Standard. Fluttershy was almost inconsolable (Thankfully not due to the Knight-Commander) but managed to point out Dr. Hooves’ location.

I located the group within seconds, only managing to intercept Rappid during her return trip to the Ponyville Center.

“Thank you for offering to help us. We may have a good plan coming together, and Gympis has returned – so we’re all set.

I asked why. Considering she had left late last night, whenever kept her till the next morning must have been important. Rappid got very red and would not answer. She simply said to report to the Ponyville Station within 20 minutes and wait for Standard to bring the rest of the Mane 4 there too. Also said I’d be busy with a task that should keep me out of sight of the queen and her inner circle. Arguably, it’d be the most important one, assigned by Rarity herself to me. She said I could name my price if I succeeded.

I have a feeling it may have something to do with how red-faced she was when last I saw her. I hope it is not something she regrets later. She has gone through too much already.

It is at this point, reader… that I must find myself admitting to a certain role I play, one that is the only way you will ever believe the chain of events that led me to rescue Spike.

My name is A.K. Yearling. But I am also known… as Daring Do.

And I am a world-level treasure hunter.

I have hunted down gold, goons, great troves of information. And throughout my myriad trials, I have penned countless amount s of tales relaying my greatest triumphs. They were… the most exhilarating moments of my life.

I… apologize for keeping this from you, reader. It is a breach of the trust I have so repeatedly implored from you. But now you know exactly what is at stake if the Queen should know about this. I fear… she already has a sampling of such prowess.

This is why she calls for me. And why I can never answer it. Not for anything.

Now, however, my prize would be something far different than my normal acquisitions. I have been called to retrieve Spike. Which I set up for along with the rest of the sane Elements aboard the Express.

Rappid was with us, under the excuse of securing the Express after the Caball party-crash last night. Standard… actually agreed without fuss. Perhaps I was wrong about his complicity.

When last I saw Rappid before moving to the next carriage card, she was securing the throne-bed she had seized from Mayor Mare reduced to marble-size within her saddlebags. Apparently, that showmare’s throne-bed would be good for something after all. We had reinforced it with metal siding, enough to help secure anything – or anypony – inside. It would make for a good getaway vehicle. Hopefully, an intact one as well.

Its re-sizing would also hold until Cori got close to her again – which would likely be when she returned from Canterlot Castle with Viscera, Gympis, and the rest of the haul that Fluttershy had requested for their… task.

I would be within visible sight for the trip, and then move to hide in luggage while the re-formed Gympis took my place. I… admit reader, I did give her my glasses to complete the masquerade. Figured some of me must look realistic to ensure a more fluid disguise. I pulled off the glass too quickly, though, and a lock of hair was stuck in the crook. Gympis took it anyway.******

And in a different pattern than I would normally pursue in writings such as this, I will be succinct with when the journey progressed, where I explored, how it concluded.

It is not to it is that… this trip to Canterlot beheld me to such repeated horrors that to pen them, the Queen’s atrocities in her own capital, would be to enable her. I… may break this vow later. When I am sure we can even survive an encounter from the Queen.

But if it is this that is the last venture of Daring Do, I will have these pages tell only of what the Queen failed to suppress in the pony population – the hope for friendship. And what she failed to attain from me – surrender. Let the rest fall as they may. But I am through with hiding from the disaster this nation is becoming, or the alicorn who is making it so.

No matter how many of the Sailor Squad’s heads I remembered as I saw them, mounted, on Canterlot’s golden gates.

So know this Queen Twilight, reader, all who shall witness these next few pages. Equestria has not fallen – not to Chrysalis, to Discord, to Nightmare Moon, or to you, Twilight.

UPDATE: And I have taken Spike from the Queen’s clutches.

As I mentioned before, I was appointed to rescue Spike. The changeling Gympis was to take my guise as A.K., to ensure Queen Twilight would not be looking for me. From her notice, she does not seem to know that I and Daring Do, are one and the same pony. I seek to maintain that scrap of intangibility.

However, how I got back was a mystery – both to myself and its apparent instigator. The chase that Viscera, Cori, Lyra, and Bon-Bon gave ended in the front of Sapphire Shores’ abandoned studio. We – Goldilock and I - had attempted to approach from two different angles Rappid from the west with the transport throne-bed, I from the east to draw any threats.

I drew one. Prince Shroud. It took all my acrobatic acumen to avoid his tentacles, but it was too late for the rest of the crew. I could see Viscera in a bed of glass and bowed timber, within the ruined façade of the studio. Philomena was under C

And the Queen, that dreaded Queen Twilight herself, was closing in on Viscera like a dog to a bone. Complete with salivating jowls and diluted eyes. It turned my stomach more than my mid-air rotations ever could.

And just as Prince Shroud’s tendrils launched at me mid-pirouette, right when my life was flashing before my eyes, reader. I was embraced by the abyss. For but a scant second I thought he had slain me. But just as soon as that cold, unending black seeped into my bones, it was gone.

And we were before the Everfree Hut. I believe reports from the Canterlot Times implied it was Zecora’s, the zebra shaman and former holder of the Alicorn Amulet. We were all sprawled around the clearing leading to it. I… will not recollect our time getting up, only that Viscera emerged from the hut herself to join us. And she had quite a story to tell, one I will fully establish the second I pry it from her. She has had too many phenomena occurring around – and within – her to not gain a full appraisal before I set forth for the Tenochtitlan Basin again. There is much more to do there now that I had anticipated when I left Appleloosa.

Hold on. While I was writing this, on this very second, Viscera moved upstairs. We were redirected to Fluttershy’s cottage for the debrief and trade-off. It was right in the middle of their realization of the wedding of the Queen and Princess Dash upcoming tomorrow. Spike, you have Rappid and Cori with you, finish this segment while I check what is going on. I shall return with news of our engagement for the next chapter –both of them – and of what we shall

Spike: So yeah – Rappid has it in her mind that we need to rescue Rainbow Dash, and not even I have the heart to tell her of how impossible this is. We’re… gonna need to break it to her sooner or later. But who even would? Who’s equipped for this? Coir has something planned as well, but for it, we’re gonna need the threads of somepony attending – and if the Queen’s word is anything worthwhile (And it both is and isn’t) then she’s gonna have that register locked down tight. Possibly even tighter, not that I’m not around.

Fluttershy’s got a new location for me to hide at. Y’know, so the Queen can’t just roll on up and find me. It’s with Roseluck’s Botanicals. I think I was there at one time before, but it’s fuzzy.

I’ll wrap it up with this – this now marks three different jobs theses… Thestrels got down pat for the Elements. If there’s anyone who can foil what the Queens’ got planned for this wedding. Or why Fluttershy won’t even tell me about it – the better.

Gotta say though, Rarity and Applejack’s rumors that one or all of the Thestrels may have a tap into their meetings… it unnerves me some. I don’t think that it's possible, but then again, until a half-hour ago, I didn’t think untraceable (and apparently magic-less?!) mass teleportation. Yet we’re here, and the Queen isn’t, from one jump back to Ponyville.

We’re gonna need some answers soon. And I have a feeling we’ll get them, because these mares and the Queen are on a collision course.

Spike, signing out.

* This finding was incorrect, apparently. Withers was in Ponyville Hospital, moved there from the Clovers’ house while I was in transit. That he is a member of the Caball may… necessitate my talking to him before I leave Ponyville. But it will have to be fast.

** I am curious about the correlations between the Equilixir’s pulses and my lapses into the writings for freedom. Most pressingly, that it is not a phenomenon present among the other Equilixirs. Is it something that comes from it being outside of a pony’s body? No, then Viscera would surely have mentioned it before. Maybe just this one Equilixir? But what could it have come into contact with that would have it react like this?

*** Correction: Cori, since her debriefing in the Crystal Empire during my time in Appleloosa, has been promoted to full Ambassador status, with all the autonomy and power it provides. I may be able to use this to advantage for accessibility to other venues, should it prove necessary.

**** Redheart, when I greeted her, claimed he was on sabbatical. Reports around the hospital staff confirmed this, but I find it chillingly curious that the sabbatical started just three hours after the first casualties from the Ponyville Massacre were cleared for transfer to Ponyville Hospital from the crime scene. I am… not optimistic about what Dr. Horse is really doing in any case.

***** I will not repeat this part of Twilight’s threat, even under magical redaction. Know only the first and last letters, and that involves her violation.

****** Spike here, one last thing: I think Daring was going to point out something about the changeling, but she was all too quick to tell me of it. Apparently, Queen Chrysalis… she mastered this new form of transformation that couldn’t be detected by magical barriers. It involved using a piece of the original transformation target when transforming, I think it how she got close enough to kill Blueblood and Fleur. Apparently… this Gympis know it too. She thought telling me might either help find a reason for her learning of this technique despite her re-hatching occurring several weeks after the only other user’s death, or… that might help her come to grips with what she saw in Canterlot. She… apologized for her part in the Canterlot invasion, vague as it was to her. I… I mean, I couldn’t not accept, right? I’ll… try to keep an ear to the ground. For her. But we’ll need this wedding to stop first.

Entry 6: Escape from Ponyville/2nd Visit Home

Hello again, reader - you’re about to come upon the newest development that nearly compromised my home.

I’ll try to keep it short, but suffice it to say: my ‘escape’ from Canterlot the day before did not go as well as I had hoped. Before I’d heard of that horrifying missive from the Queen, I’d been taken away from my writing by a noise: as it turned out, it was Viscera, apparently attempting to leave with Berrytwist.

I… must admit, I did dig a bit deeper within myself to force Viscera’ s compliance. She’s too much of a loose variable to be allowed to bolt out from this, at least, not until the Princess’ method of removing Equilixirs is tried out. More on that later though.

We argued. I laid down what was at stake here, and the number of times that Viscera had already flaunted the Queen’s authority. It’d make any attempt to bolt from a city thick with her sympathetic Guards a near-death sentence. Little did I know how many ponies that’d apply to in that very room.

Viscera, in reply to my asking her of all the danger she’d willingly and repeatedlyvaulted into, surprised even me., Even after attacking her inner circle and rescuing that mare from the Preservation Society building, Viscera still does not consider herself a hero. Yet the town disagrees, and I… find myself moving toward their consensus. Regardless, I let her know that her path either led to salvation or perdition. She simply said that… it was worth it.

Viscera, going into the red on deals, sticking out her neck for other ponies… I want to believe it.

And what she offered next would prove to be more proof behind that belief.* “And you’re wrong. History doesn’t repeat. But it rhymes.”

I… admit, I thought back to friends lost. Back when I had the world against me, for circumstances out of my control. One such tale was about that very Terrifying Tower I’d penned a tale about - the one that I thought Viscera fled from like a coward, only to be proven wrong. Queen Cipactli had hired her yes - but that flight from the island had saved her life, seconds after seeing Cipactli take it from another pony in front of her.

And I’d never known, because the group fell apart as it was supposed to fall upon me.

But for Viscera, this crimson pony that dressed like a griffon and could now alter into a space-bending golden Thestrel at will, I might not have ~~survived that venture~~ escaped with as few scars as I collected. The knowledge, while possibly exaggerated, humbled me.

I did not have much time to comprehend this, as exhaustion finally took over. “Wait, Daring! Are you ok?” It’d barely buzzed into my ears, with the sound of my knees hitting the ground ringing in my brain. I felt two sets of hooves tuck under me, pulling me to the bed. One pair was black, and had enough holes in them that my amber fur tickled against the ridges. The other… well it was Berrytwist’s. It was much softer. No claws, no holes, no rough edges.

I suppose she’d always been like that. If anyone represented the Equestria that was, at this moment, it was her.

Viscera chuckled as my head hit the squashy pillows. “Don’t you worry, Daring Do-Right. Lil’ Viscera won’t be goin’ out tonight.” I swear, that annoying thief will be the death of me, if not the purple pony hanging off her every word and shoulder.

I tried to argue against her. Gympis would later confirm I got no further than “better not,” before my eyelids slid shut.

The next day, I awoke to see Viscera and Gympis moving me again. I was in a cocoon of blankets at that point, which explained how I was also staying atop Gympis’s back. Apparently, Viscera thought it’d be a good idea to tie me to the changeling's barrel. I thought it’d be a good I to slip out of the blankets and thump the thief upside the head. Everything worked out.

I still don’t know what compelled me to do that. But as we moved into Ponyville, I realized just what had changed. No, not just in the town. I meant between me and the pony I’d been coming to blow over a week ago.

I’d been in… relative comfort compared to Viscera, by her accounting. And with neither Ambassador Cori nor Princess Gympis refuting this, I’d had no choice but to dwell on that.

Gympis was off at the first split past Bucephalus Brook bridge to Dr. Hooves’ house. She had said she wanted to confer with him on any possible changeling sightings within central and Northern. Now that she was a Princess, and tasked with ensuring the safety of her kind, finding those still out of the loop about the current coup in Equestria would be beneficial to the resistance.

I, myself, talked further with Viscera. “So, that job you say you escaped - does this have to do with that rash of deaths that followed my departure from the Terrifying Tower?”

“... yeah.” she said. “I know it was Queen Cipactli. And she’s in the wind now*.” She slowly readjusted the black mask that had originally fallen over her snout from my backhit.

I shuddered. As if Equestria wasn’t up to its tail in rogue elements. I changed tacks. After all, I was planning on heading home today. “And apparently, you’re trying to stop a wedding now?”

“Yeah - the Rich family came in while you were asleep.” Viscera’s airy tone cut through the sparingly pony-populated streets of Market Row. “Filthy heard that the Queen hauled in a statue for the job; said he’ll set us up for insertion into wherever the Queen’s hiding if we return with that. Drop-off location is the tavern in Ponyville.”

“Ah yes, the one Berry runs.” I noticed her crimson fur prickle at the last word. Was she the pony that Viscera had rescued during the Ponyville Riot? That it happened twice might explain her affinity for her.**

“And Spoiled… she wants the wedding bands Princess Dash and the Queen's using to seal the deal.” Viscera snorted again. “Seriously, what is it with tyrants and swaddling up in gold? Like a big neon sign, singing ‘please rob me, I’m used to not being missed whenever I go, why should my possessions be any different’!”

I chuckled at that. Really, had Viscera always been this cordial? Had I not noticed because her barbs were directed at me? ~~Unfortun~~ Regardless, that happy moment didn’t last; another pattern I’d seemed to notice in this new Equestria.

“Damn it, Flitter…! I thought we were over all this!” The approaching hoofstomps caught my attention first. Viscera filled in the rest.

“Wait- Stormwalker, is it? You okay, lu-”

“Yes, I’m fine!” That was Stormwalker; I’d heard of her before. Without Flitter by her side though, she looked as incomplete as the splotches of her dusting her face, She shoved past me, turned a corner, and was lost in the crowds. When I turned to Viscera she had already scaled to another building.

“That look she had, it wasn’t just words - I’m checking further up Ponyville. See ya, Yearling.” And just like that, the all-business was back in her tone as she flipped over into the rooftops. Her home. Her escape.

I suppose I should have seen it coming. I had my own tasks to complete, anyhow, so I turned to head off to the Quills and Sofas store. Davenport was having a clearance sale, obviously because of the dwindling lack of customers. It brought my mind sharply to its task again, seeing him stiffen as he saw me.

“A.K.” he calmly said.

“Davenport. I’ve heard of your troubles.” I hadn’t really; but how else would his tense pose soften? An on-edge seller is a stingy seller. I should know.

“Who here hasn’t?” His shoulders sagged from his position on the counter. First, the air blockade knocks out most of the people buying my quills, then that fiasco at Princess Dash’s visit takes out my sign and half my sofa shipment!”

My heart sank a bit. “I… understand.” Another tragedy compounded by my most faithful reader. Equestria’s formerly most loyal pony.

I left the entire bag of bits for him despite my meager purchases. I had enough to spare. It was worth it. Especially to see the light twinkle back into Davenport’s eyes, the life returning to his chestnut mane.

Among the items I bought from him were:

One (1) set of Never-Break Quills
Two (2) sofa seat cushions, purple.
One (1) copy of the Canterlot Times, just outside the back of his shop in a locked booth.

As I opened that lockbox to get the paper, a booming voice rang out from the sky above this village. It was the Queen. Her exact words will not be repeated here, for the sake of decency. The basic thrust of her statement, however, were as follows:

That the location of the wedding would indeed, remain secret.

That the Queen had an entire group of ponies selected for her ‘honeymooner's herm, to be delivered to Canterlot by sundown. The threat was buoyed by grievous harm befalling their parents

That the Night Guard would be doubled at all entrances out of the city, especially at the Everfree Forest and Ponyville Trainstation, and.

That the remaining Royal Guard under Commander Iron Standard’s call was to set off a fireworks display in the Tenochtitlan Basin - one that could be seen from Ponyville.

I’d nearly had a panic attack at this. Queen Twilight had remembered me - or at least, the me she’d seen attend her banquet in Canterlot with the Elements. And she would fireblast every part of that Basin until she hit my home.***

Quickly, I raced to Town Hall to try and re-gather the Thestrel hybrids. They had to know about this, before I left. I only met Mayor Mare there, scrambling the Town Guiard for everywhere she could belt out to them. Everywhere, except for the pile of goods and trinkets in the town square that we knew was going to the perpetrator of this travesty.”

“Where’s Cori?!” I asked of her the second I was within earshot of her.

“She left for the flowershop the second she heard! I’ve no idea why, the pony she-" I was out of the front door before the Mayor finished. I heard her words end on exasperated growl. My heart shot into my hooves from that; we were such close allies on my first visit.

And back to Roseluck’s Botanicals my plodding feet went, only to be told by the incoming Filthy Rich that Viscera had taken Withers from the hospital and disappeared. Apparently, he’d gotten back from carrying the soaked Flitter from Bucephalus Brook when Redheart had let the news slip. At max volume. In the main hall.

I was enraged. Incensed! Viscera, after all, she’d ~~claimed to have~~ learned from the ponies who'd bled and battled with her! And she’d just up and bolted anyway!

It would take several minutes from Ambassador Cori for me to find you that sly devil of a mare had done this on purpose. Apparently, her maneuver was to draw the Night Guard’s attention. Then she would incapacitate them with several other key ponies and Trojan Horse her way into the ceremony; now it was up to the others to follow her.

I pulled aside Cori as she was about to explain how she knew this.**** “Forget about this, Queen Twilight's trying to target my home. I need a way back and a way to keep those Guards away. Do you have anything for that?” My voice was a frantic blur, my forehooves even more so, sending my cloak flashing around me like a hailstorm was pounding it.

It was an imposition, I know. But Cori was apparently confident enough to oblige it. “Follow this path to the Friendship Express. I’m betting they’re waiting for the Night Guard to bolster their flight crew before they go for your home, especially with the Queen announcing it so loudly.” She then gave me some of the same clawed bandings Viscera wore on her forehooves. “Hitch these onto one of their chariots; I’ll handle the rest.”

I found myself feeling a little bit more steadfast as I put on those talon facsimiles. With but a curt nod to Rappid Fires and Cori as they left to do their duties, I was galloping out fro the station.

I would not see firsthand how they planned to disrupt the wedding and make off with those golden fixtures. I almost regretted it.

By the time I had gotten to the station, the train was almost full with Queen Twilight’s demanded ‘harem’. The only reason I hadn’t put hooves to heads with the contingent of Royal Guards there was because Cori had assured me two mares were on that train too.

Apparently, she’d scouted out this area earlier, and planned to use this sudden caravan of mares to her advantage to stop the procession before it was let out at Canterlot. It was seen to be an easy job: the main leader overseeing their shuttling into the Canterlot Castle was Flash Sentry. As I’d heard last, he’d lost an eye to the phoenix during the escape last night.

Again, I almost regretted the loss we’d inadvertently inflicted on him. If he was playing party to this he’d better be either tending his resignation or finding a new hole to hide in. The time to coddle the Queen, even if in hopes of breathing through to her, was over.

And I was soon going under-the wheels of one of the pegasi’s chariots as the rose to overshadow the Express. The whipping wind threw me here, my hat safely tucked away underneath my cloud. The taste of dirt and the cloying scent of polish assaulted my nose and mouth both. And above me was the jagged hills and green plains of Ponyville's outskirts loomed above me, my upside-down positioning treated my eyes to a vertigo-inducing visage.

I waited. I didn’t know how long, considering the times I had to turn my head to keep the blood from collecting there. Several times, I feared the claws would slip from the mooring and I’d go tumbling down, a clutch of amber feathers and magenta fabric.

Also, I know not how Coir managed to, by at the cup of them reaching the mountain range I heard Iron Standard's voice, only feet above me but rattling all the same. “Guards! Return to Canterlot immediately! There is a group there about to free the mares the Queen has requested to our city! I repeat; retreat to Canterlot at once!”

Grumbling was heard, but the firework-laden carts were soon dipping before me, turning back toward the capital. I was lucky enough to have been clutching the last of them in formation, for it was a simple task to unlatch my claw wrappings from the undercarriage and make for the ground. At about several hundred feet, I kicked up my wings to control my descent. The cloak I had functioned as an additional parachute to slow my fall.

I was a very fortunate pony. It only took me a half-hour to make my way to my thankfully untouched house. Well, by the Queen’s troops, anyways. Several Caball members were running through the same woods I was. But I was ready, if a bit woozy from my trip.

The first lashed out at my side. I looped my rearleg around his pumping forearm and brought him to the ground.

Whipping my hat from my back and using it to blind the next charging pony, I rolled out of their imminent collision. His forehooves and barrel collapsed upon the prone henchpony. I heard a slight snap of keratin as they tumbled in the loose dirt; I knew then that the unicorn had a fractured horn.

I nearly suffered a fracture of my own when the third Caball equine scored a lucky hit on my foreleg as I got to all fours. Thankfully, my revealed grayscale mane bought me time - specifically the two seconds it took for her to shout “What the world, it’s D-” and my satchel of quills and cushions colliding into his head.

It didn’t floor him. It did knock him to the ground for my curb-stomping rearhoof to, though.

The third henchpony got out from under the unicorn Caball member, still moaning as he clutched at his injured horntip. He was a pegasus, like the mare I’d knocked out. They’d likely come for a score of their own and were spooked by the arriving Guards. I decided to remind him of another score. “Her skull. His horn. Give me a third thing to break.”

He turned on his flank and leaped away within seconds. The satchels the others had were brought along with me. Thankfully those ponies had stayed down and away, too, I found myself limping the last few miles to my house. Pain swelled from my left forelimb like venom, a light sweat accompanying me past the front door.

Good thing was, they didn’t manage to get in.

The issue was, I would have to leave pretty soon. Between the Queen and the Caball, this was too hot a spot for me to continue my research. I moved for the essentials.

The treasures I’d collected - yes, as Darin Do - were the first to go into the large carry-on I had. So was every book I’d collected that even spoke of Thestrels, Trenderhoof’s thrown on top of the pile.

Next up was the bookshelves - a short push at the edge and they swung into the walls. I’d originally used the spaces behind them as on-the-spot triage or treasure centers. The last one, I paused at. Every roll of gauze, antiseptic bottle and bandage went into my satchel.

I looked at the last Equilixir stone on a drawer, still inside the spare explorer’s shirt I’d placed it in.***** I closed Trenderhoof’s book over that shirt, then drew it into my back. At least let covers both thin and thick be between me and that artifact.

I wouldn’t burn the house. That’d just guarantee it’d attract the Queen right to the spot and the Caball to me, looking for the reason why I’d torch my home. They hadn’t gotten in yet and the Queen had no clue. Let them both wallow in failure for as long as they could.

The harphone antenna and harphone would be brought with me too, but not before I made one last call upon it. It was to Dr. Hooves.

Doc.

This place has been compromised. I’m taking the essentials and the stone to the Crystal Empire for safekeeping. Make sure somepony you trust is there soon too.

Thank you for everything.

A.K. Yearling.

It then disconnected the harphone and connector rod. The first was strapped to my bulging bag. The latter was clenched between my teeth.

After giving my home one last forlorn look. I closed the door, locked it, and left.

Soon i was at the post office, the last of the letters I’d gotten over the week I was gone in my bag’s side pockets. Just in time too, because Stellar Eclipse had finally trotted to my location. “Y’said you needed a favor?” He asked.

“In return…” I quickly produced a photo of him, eating though a rather crushed hay burger. It would have looked rather innocuous… if not for the trash can that served as a makeshift table, inches from his emaciated hooves.

“That’s not my fault, dude. If Mayor Festiv Fires hadn’t cut the store’s to make room for the Equestria Games stadium…” His voice dropped. I didn’t push further.

“Hence why I tackled the pony that did it.” Within seconds, I’d stuck a match and burned the incriminating photo before him. “And I thank you for doing this for me.”

His grin slowly grew. “Didn’t think you’d do it before I bothered taking you anywhere.” He motioned to the door. “C’mon. Your chariot awaits, milady.”

Within seconds, I was in the air again. The air was still harsh against my fur, but with the covering veil and overhanging roof of the cage car, I was safer against it. The taste of dirt - or of anything that’d take away from the immaculate look of Stellar’s ride - was gone. The smell of polish still lingered, but it was a week-old smell, scented lime playing nicely against my snout. And the sight before me… finally looked right, as we closed in on the Crystal Empire.

Next entry, my fellow reader, I shall tackle three subjects at once: the research I’d formerly halted, the letters I’d taken from my P.O. office… and Queen Twilight Sparkle.

Until then.

* The power of Queen Cipactli is fearsome, but it is not myself that I find myself fearing. I knew of the trajectory of the death spree across Ponyville, despite the Princesses' attempt to contain the information. The trajectory was last seen heading… toward Somnambula.

** I have found out that it is not the case, at least during the riots; her little sister Pina Colada disputed it while I was at Roseluck’s Botanicals, and several people at the Town Hall confessed to Berrytwist harboring some of the more vulnerable ponies at her tavern during the Ponyville Riot.

*** Were she knowledgeable of my home, the fireworks would likely not have been necessary. This brings me to a terrifying possibility that someone on the inside had told her where my home is likely to be. This will require further inquiry.

**** As I soon found out, it was because she had coordinated her efforts with Mayor Mare and Dr. Hooves. This was why Amethyst Star was part of the ambush force Viscera led the Night Guard toward. It is also why Minuette and Derpy Hooves were disguised and inserted into the ‘harem’ as it was processed to Canterlot. Further information on this will be noted in later entries.

***** I did not remember placing the Equilixir in this shirt. I shall have to confront Princess Cadance immediately after her plan to potentially contain the Equilixirs is done. First compelled mantras, now memory loss?

Entry 7: Queen Twilight Sparkle/Equilixir Research, Final Day

To the biggest of the dangers in this new Equestria, then, fair reader.

I promised you this quite some time ago, but the current developments I’ve faced since the last entry means that the next entry may be quite shorter than you think. The Crystal Empire has fallen, and my safe home is compromised. This calls for far more than an Almanac, but that will be for future concerns. I’ve got a list to try to get to - but the inner circle of Queen Twilight takes precedence. It was only by luck that Stellar Eclipse and I escaped them, and their sinister plan.

My goodness, what the very center of this entry has likely done to her own brother-

Well. This is why this almanac has been created. Let us begin with the Empress of Magic.

Relevant History: A topic that can be relatively short; that’s a first. Though, why it is short may have more to do with how much of her legacy has been burned into everypony’s mind. And with how far she’s fallen from that lofty ideal now.

This is the being that touched down to Ponyville, and within a week, beat the fearsome Nightmare Moon (a task she’d repeat to frightening effect more recently). This is the pony that took down Discord and Queen Chrysalis (though the latter has more than taken back her pound of flesh from her defeat.) Most recently, she’s usurped the throne of Equestria after a reign of terror followed by the Queen’s self-exile from the kingdom.

That this follows from her being framed and arrested for Prince Blueblood and Fleur de Lis’ demise may underlie several of her dictates, including the diminishment of Canterlot’s prison populace. It may also have a lot to do with her animosity toward the late Princess Celestia. Likely, her every move has been to redact her even moment of goodness from when she was Celestia’s student; the biggest being snatching back the Alicorn Amulet from Zecora’s possession.

The bodies she’s left in her wake (the actual ones) seem to stem from her meeting with Princes Shroud and Toxic Haze, who seemed to have ingrained this grisly aspect to her character. It is from that which stems her most damning slice of life, her grisliest chapter of her history, the various ponies she has slain to become Queen of Equestria.

A number that may have grown exponentially with what she has recently done to the compromised Crystal Empire.

Personal Notes: Is it not obvious from my previous entries? Queen Twilight is, demented.

From a combination of her false imprisonment, her fixation on the alicorns that did it, and her libidinous love affair with Shroud, Haze, and Rainbow Dash, Twilight’s great mind has broken. Spite is her primary motivator now; of the alicorns, of the other Elements, of the nation that tossed her and Dash in jail and turned their back on her. Equestria is now an outlet for her increasingly sick revenge fantasy, as well as other more craven and carnal ones as well.

And it is this which is what makes the Queen so dangerous. Her morals and restraint may have dwindled to the point of non-existence, but her calculating mind has not. Despite all that has happened to her, and that she has revisited upon so many innocents, Twilight is not dumb. She can attack you from multiple angles, she has little to no compulsion in lying to your face, and she will have no mercy on your body if she catches you.

Abilities: Queen Twilight Sparkle’s powers might literally be astronomical by now. With her role in whatever foul fate awaited Princess Celestia, her mastery over the rise and fall of the sun takes precedence. Naturally, it takes great magical power, which Twilight has forcibly tethered to her own from Celestia. I will make my next and final entry in the heart of Canterlot itself to find out precisely what spell it was. It will be crucial going forward.*

Next up is the magical power she already has. This includes the normal abilities that unicorns/alicorns can do, which work in three areas:

Teleportation - often limited to areas where the caster has gone before,

Translocation - summon small items/magical forces, like lightning and force fields, and

Transmutation - altering or immobilizing certain objects

With the Alicorn Amulet around her neck, however,** her repertoire of techniques, and thus methods of mayhem, have increased. Queen Twilight can now hypnotize certain Earth ponies if they’re taken away from distracting noises or sounds, or even summon artifacts to amplify her ~~friends’~~ cohorts’ powers.

Then there is the other gift her alicorn nature has given her, the power of flight. Due to her long-range military tactics and tricks, she is an expert attacker, often using clouds and other ponies’ blind angles to strike at an opponent. It has also made her utilize forcefields more often, enough to keep her secure when she’s meeting or encountering new targets.

However, she’s at her most dangerous when her target is in front of her. Should any opportunity to strike come, it’ll have to be from the back or above. Getting there in battle ~~and only battle,~~ however, is a mission that may prove impossible, given how many ways she has to hurt you if your first strike fails.

Finally, there is the new technology that she’d had her and her friends utilize -- it’s called an oumphe in the older texts I’ve read through on suppressive magical artifacts. Snap that iron ring onto a horn, that horn’s power fizzles out as long as it stays on. It should be enough that Twilight is such a terrifyingly fearsome magic user, but with this, she’s a terror to all other magical users as well.

I should have placed this in the personal notes, but this statement requires full-on illumination. Whether to fight or to talk (though I hesitate to know why you would do either): do not face Queen Twilight alone. She is psychotic, she is predatory, and she is protected by magic and monsters alike. Take it from a mare that barely escaped her clutches, nopony that isn’t serving or servicing her stays alive, or sane, long. I repeat again: Do Not Face. Queen Twilight. Alone.

Now to the log of my time in the Empire. Again, my journeys through the log took place after Stellar Eclipse spirited me to the area. To this end, my time will be restricted to the specific instances I landed, conducted the experiment, and the highlights of the sacking that came afterward. Any further notices on my time in the Empire will be revealed in the next entry when Princess Cadance gives consent for their publication.

First Visit to The Crystal Prep Academy/Time Log

7:30 AM - Landed in the Crystal Empire. Hugged Stelar as he left, allowing me my stuff to be taken within the interior of the Crystal Prep Academy.

7:45 AM: World my way into the Crystal Academy. Finally, finally met with Ex-Headmistress Cinch. She was a unicorn, tall and lanky, with a sea like green-blue coat and purple goat. She also had spectacles atop her head. “Ah, Miss Yearling,” she said. “I welcome you to my new Academy. I’ve… have a bit to get used to here myself.”

“Yes,” I replied. “That’s not too many ways left to evade the Queen, an-”

Miss Cinch sadly shook her head. “I meant more... My station.“ Her horn sparked feebly. “I am from a different dimension; one your former ruler’s feared the new Queen would invade.”

I didn’t know this. “I might have guessed, yes,” I actually said.

“Sorry, Miss Yearling. Celestia, both of them, spoke so often of you, and I’ve my own charge to oversee. I… must brief you really quickly, my… new greatest student will be coming soon.”

It was 8:15 when she finished the briefing. Apparently, I’d lost quite a bit of time since my last visit. The situation in Trottingham has gotten worse, with their Queen’s tyranny. Apparently, turning over the rest of the Sailor ponies to her fellow Queen Twilight gave her great joy. Cinch apparently called it a ‘chubby’, for some reason. I could not see it; Queen Trottingham was quite slim.

The statement also came with good news: the Ponyville Wedding was disrupted successfully by Viscera and her coalition. The process was so well-coordinated in the face of the Queen’s threats, in fact, that Cloudsdale was reconsidering its air blockade of the village. You might not know the significance yet, reader, but such a release would be what allowed the very heart of the anti-Twilight resistance to escape tonight.

Cinch was happy to set up the instruments next to the Amore statue as we went on talking.

8:20 PM: The experiment began: The Equilixir of Amber Ambition was applied to the Princess Amore statue I retrieved from Appleloosa. Attending the ceremony was Prince Shining Armor and, to my surprise, Chief Crystal Empire Ambassador Radiant Dawn. Even here, her smile felt enough to disarm the entire room -- no need for a spell.

8:58 PM: We finally completed the experiment with a successful draw-out and return of the Equilixir. Studies may still need to be confirmed on whether it would attract an Equilixir inside the body of another pony, but we now have our way of extracting one safely!

Applied Equilixir to statue’s base (this caused energy strands to break free from its horn), cleared off the inscription, used the ancient Crystal Empire cipher to translate rest of words on the plaque*** (no effect).

Applied Equilixir to the statue's base, tried to use magic to unite Quixilir with stated, no effect with the magic. (no effect, almost lost Lab 1.)

Applied Equilixir to the statue's base, used different types of sonar to resonate with the pulse the statue was giving off, stopped when cracks started appearing in the statue’s platform.

Applied Equilixir to the statue’s base, introduced Princess Cadance to the statue, (INFO REDACTED)

Applied Equilixir to the base of Statue, recited incitation of the statued in Royal Canterlot Voice provided by Princess Cadance; the statue’s energy tendrils finally accepted the Equilixir into the horn of the statue, which glowed a deep amber. Recitation of the change then replaced it lower on the statue. (Success)

9:00: We were greeted with Ambassador Cori and Princess Gympis within the Crystal Prep Academy. Even with our only first battery of tests done, Shining Armor was quick to suggest doing this technique be applied with a live subject. Princess Cadance, while she was a bit wary at the speed of this, said that the secondary statue was coming soon. In fact, it would be right behind the two quadrupeds, fresh from the disturbed Ponyville Wedding.

Derpy Hooves confirmed the package; the statue of Queen Twilight. Again, my inner trepidations had me consider voicing my concerns. At a minimum, I needed to make sure my notes and this lab’s findings were in order before their next stage.

9:16: FInished gaining the heavy materials: Lightning Dust arrived. CInch introduced her as ner new chief student, and, apparently, the Wonderbolt prospect’s aunt. As she told me later, Celstai had provided this as a cover for two reasons.

To prove a solid foundation for her presence in Equestria, due to her being from a different world, and

To be a solid base to Lightning Dust herself, tapped by Princess Luna before her subjugation by Queen Twilight and her inner circle to be Dash’s potential rival. It seems that Clousdale, for all its isolation, is more split on Dash’s actions than before.****

9:18: Cinch helpfully came back, and told me about the Canterlot Times headline. I got out the paper and read it, while she looked upon the threshold that Derpy was in. It took me until the opening of the thick paper to see why.

DERPY HOOVES’S FLASH OF MADNESS: CANTERLOT TIMES

That headline smacked me in the face. Derpy, a slayer?! But yet, the picture accompanying it was too detailed to be magically made.

By Hoity Toity

With this being my last report before my move to Las Pegasus, I had thought that this would be the first time I would get to see how the Queen's now habits post-marriage worked out. But in this case, it is Miss Hooves that ended the proceedings of Flash Sentry and his faithful squires in sanguine-streaked horror.

Derpy, after infiltrating the harem as it pulled up to Canterlot Station, was seen by myself, Photo Finish, and Iron Standard. I can only assume that Standard was rushing to stop the madness with how disheveled he and Photo were. Soon afterwards, Derpy was murmuring some strange ramblings, allergy reported by Flash Sentry as “Set us free, set us free,” over and over, before striking. With Flash Sentry losing a wing to the initial attack, five of his Royal Guards were attacked with the same grisly…

I could read no further at this point. There was no way Derpy was capable of this much madness. There had to be rumors, some complications, anything to explain this. As it was, the-

Wait.

What was it that Derpy said?

9:30 PM: This time, I managed to pack up the notes. I know that the phrase by Derpy was the same as the Equilixir of Amber Ambition had pumped into my brain so often since Appleloosa. But she’d never taken possession of it. Still, Cadance had to be warned of the potential danger of Derpy and that Equilixir being drawn to each other. I just had to find the Equi-

9:32 PM: I raced to Chief Crystal Ambassador Radiant Dawn’s side to let her know of the disappearance of the Equilixir of Amber Ambition. She said that Derpy had headed back to Ponyville early, and that the air curfew was about to be back in effect in the Empire soon. The setting off of the perimeter alarm brought our talk to an end. So did the alerts that the Queen was in this tower.

9:37 PM: We made our way back to Crystal Academy, but the upper levels of it were closed off. Immediately, we got Stellar and left with the Amore statue; protocol dedicated that the princess and prince would respectively oversee the evacuation and protection of the city. We had to head to the rendezvous, and oversee the escapees.

10:00 PM: The first and second waves of the Crystal Empire’s populace was ferried to the teleporting circles. It would take them to Vanhoover and Trottingham. Even with the Queen Trotinhnal m in the latter, the spots we ported them too would see then.

Chief Ambassador Radiant Dawn would return to Cadance’s side after she left Ponyville; she had a tracker on him. Shining Armor, however, had a weird fixture with his own tracker. He was not in the Crystal Empire, but he was still alive. And neither Twilight, nor her inner circle, were in the Crystal Empire, either. The central tower, however: well, I‘ll need time to contemplate what the Queen turned the Crystal Palace into. Know that it now resembles Shining in a thoroughly obscene position.

10:39 PM: I was transported to Ponyville Preservation Society’s HQ. Only the Amore statue was not taken with me, teleported by the Chief Ambassador to Cadance’s new spot instead. Apparently she (Cadance, I mean) had suffered massive injuries from her escape from the Crystal Empire. I could only let out a silent prayer to Celestia, where she may rest, for guidance on my part and speedy recovery on Cadance’s.

So much had changed, so fast, in every development I had made in this Almanac. I’d list my home and nearly my life in the last day, the biggest city against Twilight's depravity and possibly our chance of getting the Equilixirs into proper hands And worse yet, Derpy Hooves likely had one, off to do Faust-knows-what with her piece, and likely a dawn’s breadth away from becoming an Equestrian pariah.

Next issue, all of you… I shall face the beasts myself in Canterlot; including the one I eluded during my first departure from Ponyville post-coup. I shall also affirm myself of Princess Cadance’s origins, and make plans for my future.

* The more powerful of these spells have their roots in the Palace of the Two Sisters and the annals of the Arcane University. This, again, makes penetration into Canterlot myself crucial before I make my sojourn toward Trottingham. That city’s Queen has proved too much a danger to too crucial a resource hub of the anti-Twilight resistance for too long.

** This was likely taken from Zecora’s hut. The three similar amulets around the neck of Prince Shroud, Prince Toxic Haze, and Princess Rainbow Dash require further confirmation. I think Queen Twilight has used her magic to give them replicas of the Amulet. In which case, I may need to provide Viscera’s group with a way to possibly work around those Amulets.

*** The translated phrase went as follows, thanks to the ciphers provided by Chief Ambassador Radiant Dawn:

Princess Amore, may this stand for our Tribute

as Eternal as thy Emissary, Somnambula.

To Those Four’ Thestrels here now, and many more to come.

May Our City of Thestrel Dorado prosper for all Time

Hatstirrup, Kinthanid, Sekhmare, Horsthor

This time, it leads to more answers, one I think can be answered by our Chief Ambassador. I shall leave them to Ambassador Cori, assuming she has the authority to do so with the compromising of the Crystal Empire.

**** Goodness, how many deaths have to be tallied under Dash’s belt for them to decide?

Entry 8: Into the Royal Canterlot Library/Closing Remarks

My final encounter finished in a shorter fashion than I'd thought upon starting it, reader.

I’d been called myself, in the heat of the moment, I set out to find this Derpy Hooves, only to find that I was not the only one. Flash Sentry and Night Guard Commander Hel Gaulle, steaming over what Derpy had done to Flash and his Guard under this mystery beast’s influence, tracked her. Right to Roseluck’s Botanicals. In fact, they’d then savagely attacked Derpy, set the place alight, and left.*

Berryshine had been the building. The smoke inhalation apparently got her, by Redheart’s report. I wept myself, especially after learning of Viscera’s affinity toward her. So much stuff that she and I had doubted for so long seemed to be slipping through our hooves.

We needed our own time alone to find our own ways to mourn, to recover, to avenge. Viscera, upon the next day’s dawning, told me of her plan, both of us clammed up in Dr. Hooves’ house after distancing from the crime scene. Amethyst Star had been told by me of Derpy’s actions - and what likely might have caused it. I tried to get the location of the Equilixir of Amber Ambition from her and was not prepared for what I heard.

Two further developments had apparently happened in Ponyville:

A mysterious pegasus, one with a look resembling my records of the Pillar of Old Equestria Somnambula, had arrived to rescue Derpy Hooves from the burning flower shop and deliver her to Rarity’s Carousel Boutique, and

Derpy’s own survival from the shop fire was by virtue of a transformation that made patches of her grey coat appear gold with black spots dotting her legs, as Rarity’s referral of the pony had been when she was taken to Ponyville General.

I can only assume one solution from this development. Derpy is now the fourth Thestrel pony, having assimilated the very Equilixir of Amber Ambition she took from me in the Crystal Empire.**

I didn’t know whether to kiss Derpy or wallop her. Her theft had saved her life, breathed new life potentially into the face of the resistance movement against Twilight. But there was likely no way she was in the right headspace to handle the Queen: Doc Top had even told me of how comatose she’d looked, despite no lasting brain damage from Flash Sentry’s assault on her.

Curse it all, I hated this! Not being able to seek retribution for Derpy’s injuries, her loss of Dinky, her pain from fire!

“I… didn’t think you’d be going this far for a single pony.”

Viscera grimly grinned. “I’ve found I do that for more ponies than I thought. For Berryshine... And Cheerilee.“ Her eyes went downward. It took me a scant second to understand what Vis was revealing to me.

“Wait - that pony in the back of this house, the one I swore I heard earlier…” I spluttered out. “That’s Miss Cheerilee?!”

“Yes, It is. And I’ll thank you to not let half the town know!” Whether from fear of it looking like kidnapping or further traumatizing the already traumatized teacher escaped me. “I need to get Cheerilee out of this town. She’ll only be reminded of the fourteen she lost. And I’ll only be reminded of the one that I...”

It seemed to be a pattern, Viscera losing her voice. This time, I had to see this unraveling fall out from under me though, the others either sleeping or off in the Town Hall overseeing the break of the Cloudsdale air blockade. But I had to escape this, reader, as intact as you’ll need to be in this new Equestria.

What’s more, Viscera needed to be strong too. I didn’t think that it was possible for me to be the solid foundation with her, or so many other ponies besides, but crises make strange companions. And Ambassador Cori was right, then and now; everypony was worth it.

“Viscera!” I bellowed. “Berry’s first encounter with the Princes Haze and Shroud left her in a stockade, with the worst about to be visited upon her. You saved her from it. gave her enough life to appreciate more than just attending to everypony else but herself and Colada.” My words felt thick in my throat, but I plodded on. “The point is this: Berry didn’t cower and let the Queen run down the hopes and plots of everypony, and you shouldn’t either!”

After a while, Viscera stared at me. For the first time, it wasn’t an extreme of emotion my eyes met. There was no mockery, no surprise, no anger, or gleeful air. It was like we’d been friends for two years instead of two months. And it looked like Viscera had been awake for two decades.

But I knew what would break through those weary eyes staring back at me.

“If you want to honor Berry, then don’t let those wretches scare you into submission!” This time, I was also reassuring myself. I was likely heading further into the belly of the beast than Viscera. But for once, my words, written or otherwise, actually did spur a pony to better things.

It even worked with the crimson pony in front of me, her face brightening to a near pink as she readjusted herself. “You’re right, A.K. D-don’t you fret. I’m gonna see to it I have a way to take something precious from Queen Twilight.” Viscera said. She turned to face the cot in front of Dr. Hooves’ lab again.

I had to sleep, myself. My evacuation, the realizations, the constant racing efforts to and from my house; it wore too much on me. I took next to the table, tucking my body in near the thrumming machinery and plasma spheres. For that short time, I let myself get lost in my own head for once.

Day 2: I dreamed, my mind soaking in memories. Not to set me frees or evil Queens or thieves turned companions. No, it was of previous swingings through Forbidden Jungles and tussles with Ahuizotl. Of simpler times and tales and treasures and temples.

So this is it, reader. The last day in this Alamanc’s life. I’ve talked of the various upper echelons in Equestria. I’d shown you most of the various elements*** that may help topple them. Now I can only talk out of my personal encounter with these various scenarios. The mission before me would likely be my last as the Daring Do; The treasure hunter turned tradition-keeper.

I packed up quickly and left Viscera to do her work. With a copy of this very Almanac in her saddlebags. She’d need all I’d learned, all she’d learned from those still close to her, to make it in this new Equestria. But I think she'll succeed with a little help from her friends.

In fact, my own tribute to that effort would begin in Canterlot. Just before I rolled out to Trottingham to start my new role as A.K. Yearling.

This time, I took the Express to Canterlot again. The entirely of the trip, I’d been putting together a plan of my own; one that would likely ensure that I could get toward the Arcane University. It was the first location I'd mentioned in my notes, and I was invading it now.

As I stepped out, I vaulted to the top of the Express, knowing the Royal Guard had so many eyes on this train it wasn’t funny. Needless to say, the five spears and two unicorn lasers that tore through my cabin were less funny. Thankfully, was this was where I found out they’d been expecting me

Standing at the train station were Commanders Iron Standard and Flash Sentry. There was a scar over Flash’ left eye, a stump where his left wing would be, and yet he still stood strong.

Iron Standard, however, was the first to speak. “You’ve some nerve showing up in this place after the trouble you’ve caused here the last few weeks!”

“Funny. Could say the same about your Queen.” I was going to be quick this time. There would be no time for a brush-up with the inner circle. I pointed behind both guardsponies. “And here’s the thing; those two behind you could say it too.”

Thankfully, Iron Standard was knocked down by Bulk Biceps fast enough for him to not make magic an issue. This left Flash Sentry attacking Amethyst Star, and just enough time for me to get into the front entrance of the Arcane University. Two columns sprawling metal bands almost parted before my hooves, just as an updraft caught my amber wings and took me past the gates.

The elegant building spanning across the short garden path that led up to it almost invited me in. Two long columns of windows and silver brick stretched to either side of my body. The center part of it had several pillars, framing the entrance of it like a pair of tusks. And as I finally crested the top of the gates, I took one last look behind me. As anticipated, Amethyst had the edge magically, but not tactically; Flash was dodging the bolts thrown by the fuchsia unicorn with ease.

Quickly, I unlatched one of the spikes from the top of the gates and threw it right at Flash Sentry. The metal barb knocked him off and away from Amethyst, allowing Bulk to sweep up Amethyst and break for home again on the departing Friendship Express’s roof. My way back would be up to me. And as I soared past the guards into the Arcane University, it wouldn’t be an easy feat.

Even with the knowledge of who’s commanded this facility, seeing Shroud’s influence struck me from the jump. Pitch black tapestries, thorn columns, and spires stretched from ground to ceiling, actually jagged teeth passing me with every wingflap. I had to attach myself to several of these pillars to avoid the spears. Thankfully, Cinch had been nice enough to give me enough of the floor plans for this facility in our short visit to the Crystal Empire.

Down two halls of lacquered silver doors, three-fourths of the way past an arching banister over the arboretum, and past the yawning hole in the railing to shortcut my way down, I was set. Seconds later, I took a measured flip through the third ring into a dome-shaped pane of windows in front of me and soon found myself in the Royal Canterlot Library. This time, the glass and thresholds were boarded by great oak. Books actually lined square grooves etched in the wall of this place - including those wholly circling the antechamber I was in.

Thankfully, Cinch told me about the upper window of this room that was being repaired, or I would not have known which part of the wireframe to slip through. After all, the shine from each magically enchanted plane of glass would have made it near impossible for anypony to tell the difference, a sparkling web of shimmers and teasing light painted the rich golden-brown floors.

Quickly, I moved to the spot behind the lobby of this great library. Even the ex-Headmistress Cinch’s words about this place didn't do it justice. Especially considering how void of justice the lone figure in the center of it was. Commander Hel Gaulle was sitting squat on the lone table leading to the vault, a book in her hands with black covers and silver trim. The images of various alicorns and sphinxes lined the sides of it, my trained eye taking everything in, including the slight wince she gave as she got to all fours. Setting the book down between her four hooves.

“Daring Do.” Two words fell from her fanged lips and yet they hit with all the force of an incoming brick. “Good. Think somepony here guesses what a thief like you would be after next.”

I didn’t answer at first. “So, care to tell a batpony why you’re here?”

“You’re holding it, Hel.” Well, half of it, anyway. I held the key to the vault in my shirt pocket, but Queens of Kings: A History of Old Equestria was underneath Hel. I supposed I should be lucky she didn’t relieve herself on it, spite seemed to seep from her every pore anyway. “So soak in the rich leathery feel of the lounge chairs. Some reason, no one frequents the BDSM clubs anymore, saying they're too busy checking for you under the beds.”

“Cool -- they’re getting a head start on what all of Equestria was doing before Moonbrat Luna was sent to waste away on the moon. Biggest mistake than her sister denying us challenging prey was hunting each other down when it ran out.”

“Other ponies aren’t prey, Gaulle.” I replied.

“They’re not predators - then we wouldn’t have been so taken in by friendship that some ratty changeling Queen.” Hel took several steps closer. “Then we would not have to beg for scraps pulling chariots and pole-spinning in Doge Junction saloons!”

Another step, and she was closer to the chandelier hanging over her head. “Then, we all wouldn’t have to-”

My left wing flared out, bringing my trusty whip to my left forehoof. I aimed at the chain, looped my whip around the second-lowest chain in the link around it, and yanked. The chain ripped free with a grinding of iron, and the entire construct under it came crashing down!

Only for Commander Hel to brace her power wingtips against her end of the structure, bringing it to a shattered slant in front of her. “-need Guard training to tell when you’re trying to trap us.” Her armor protected her, though several cuts still broke out as angry red lines on her purple fur.

It also meant her two strongest limbs were occupied with knocking on wood and glass, and not keeping me from charging up and dropkicking her helmet into her head. The resounding ring of that crest denting under my rear hooves’ assault was music to my ears.

Then the drumbeat of battle pounded into those ears, ricocheting under my hat. But it became clear I was in a different fight than the one in the Tenochtitlan Basin. Every time I world in my front hooves for a punch or spinning back hoof, Hel would weave back, and then force me to miss my follow-up by blocking her hooves. Then she’d go for my limbs - and I’d have to cede ground to Hel as well dancing back. She fought with experience, almost too much for me to handle.

“Seriously, Daring, I’m almost going to regret creaming over your broken corpse so soon.” she’d taunt. “But I’m sure Shroud can pound that weakness out of me too.”

All I’d get out in response were grunts before striking again, dodging again, surviving again. Bruised bounded up on my coat, one of the compasses stamped on my thigh nearly lost under red splotches from a particular heated flank-kicking session near a bookcase.

However, I had understudies in my line of work too. One such pony spoke to me on a breather I earned, due to a kick to Hel’s unprotected withers. For a minute, it was almost like Quibble Pants himself was next to me, locking my eyes to the hoof Hel held to her neck as her body wobbled. “Daring, the secret is to keep your eyes on the nail. Do you get the hang of it? Two good swings and you’re in.”

It was about boats before, when I’d asked him about it as A.K., and was planning to possibly use it for a dangerous whitewater trip to Luna Bay.

But I followed it anyway.

I struck, again and again, at the crook of the Night Guard Commander’s neck. She wasn’t driven back, but her left limb’s movements became more and more sluggish, forcing her to use her wings. The tips dropped into wooden shingles, pulped books, scored rips in the fabric of my shirt. But they were unbalancing and indirect hits, as long as they didn’t fully hit me.. And my stomping on the webbing of Hel’s bat wings let me knock off chunks of her armor.

I saw the knot of Hel’s previous injury strain out from her collarbone on her latest hoof strike. Lavender horseshoes clambered into the wall, the vibration making Hel pause for three seconds. I only needed two.

Eyes on the nail.

The first strike of my left forehoof plugged into that tendon- even my hoof tip felt the tight muscle give as Hel slumped to her knees, a short cry of pain tearing from her maw.

I reared back again.

For the Equestria you helped haze, Hel. I could have said. But it would have taken time -- time I was done wasting on her.

The second strike hit her head. Commander Hel Gaule was out like a light, and I was gone by the wavering of the Changelier’s last dying light. The safe had been breached, the book Hel was guardian my own.

And through these two treasures -- my first taken instead of given to Canterlot -- I learned a few things.

The first, thanks to Queens of Kings, is that the spell Twilight used to extract Celestia’s powers was a variant of an evil centaur god’s. I believe his name was ‘Lord Tirek’, though it also seems to be through a method he’d kept hidden within the Castle of the Two Sisters.**** I think I may now know just how world-changing Twilight's visit to that castle before her imprisonment was. It also shows the possible ways such a spell could be counteracted in the future. Princess Cadance gave a clap of her hooves when she saw the book after we met in the Everfree hut.

“Then to Trottingham we go. We have to be fast. I will be meeting with Viscera in Cloudsdale in a week, and the real purpose of the Rhythmus Charity will finally rise out to face the Queen.” Even with Cinch bandaging her neck wound, even with Shining likely injured and in parts unknown, Cadance still commanded a room.

The second was what came from the Vault: Inside were old maps of the surrounding towns and cities, including one leading to the pipe and sewer systems of Trottingham. My next goal - and chapter of my life - will continue there, when I make sure to topple Queen Trottingham’s empire. In it, I’ll seek to help build a new foundation for the carnation that Cadance is growing against the Queen’s miasma.

Heh. Look at me, mixing metaphors now. Brings me back to when I started my own adventures, and couldn't help but to lather it in prose. I suppose I have to get the joy out of it now when I can.

The third, and the one I close out this long Almanac with you on, fair reader, is this. Even in the darkest recesses of a lost utopia shines hope. Even in those most engulfing abysses, daybreak can spring to life.

And it is what you do when that spark comes to you that makes you the pony the world sees you as.

I often asked myself - even at the beginning of this story: where do I begin?

And now, I finally have my answer. It is here, in places like this. Here is where I begin; by facing the dangers around me, for more than just writing about it later or scurrying it away where some unscrupulous pony can exploit it. And now I find that I’ll have to do so a lot more often.

Which means that this almanac has to come to a close. All else will come from personal journals, ones I will make sure get to the proper hooves and tug at the proper heartstrings. (again, thank you Lyra for your contribution to Equestrian communications.)

So to close out: I thank you, Vignette Valencia Clearinghouse, for allowing me the space to talk of Equestria’s new management. Thank you to Dr. Hooves for allowing my research to span far and wide.

And thank you especially, Viscera, for showing that the end of a job doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your obligations to the ponies around you. I hope that Cheerilee finds the relief she seeks from being in the center (and sole survivor) of the Ponyville Massacre.

Mark my words. Equestria in general, and Viscera in particular, have not seen the last of A.K. Yearling.

And with that, reader, I bid you farewell. For now.

* Apparently, between Philomena and Derpy’s attacks on him, Flash Sentry is as lost to the darkness plaguing Equestria as Hel Gaulle is. I pity what has become of him. I mourn who that darkness has taken away from Ponyville’s doorsteps more.

** Derpy Hooves is now called ‘Dis’, to both keep the Queen off the identity of the mail pony they invaded a town to try and smite. To the word, as long as her Thestrel form holds, Derpy Hooves is no more. Thankfully, her best friend Dr. Hooves, and her wife Amethyst Star, have been told of this development - the latter taking it as the sole reason she accompanied me back to Canterlot.

*** In more ways than one: it seems there is another spell within one of the Crystal Empire books, confirmed by Queens of Kings, that can use one Element of Harmony to remove another from a bearer’s control. The late Princess Celestia used it to great effect against Luna, but restricted the sp[ell for future users to only take them one Element at a time. Likely, it was to prevent any one pony from so quickly consolidating that much power again I laid out the foundation of how to do this in the notes of my Almanac copy I left to both Viscera and Cadance; it is called the Element Negation Aggregation. I have more commonly referred to it as an ‘Engage’ event. Whether Viscera is successful with it is up to the plan they and Cori have for it.

**** The artifact Tirek used is called the Rainbow of Darkness. Though Twilight has utilized a modern version of it, the actions are the same; it removes a pony’s power through the channeling of their cutie mark, and then - the reason it was forbidden, I reckon - imprisons a shard of their soul within the mark itself. Anyone who takes it will be met with unimaginable pain unless the spell is undone, lattice by lattice. It’s last use, by Cadance’s magical tracker, was near an encampment in the Badlands. We have confirmed Twilight, Dash, Toxic Haze and Shroud were in the vicinity when it was used on Celestia, and that it took longer than its written time to work due to the target having lost upwards of 60% of their body weight when it was used. Again, our thoughts go to the Princess.

May she rest peacefully in Faust’s garden.

-A.K. Yearling