The Abyssal Requiem

Inside a therapeutic room, Starlight was being shown rorschach cards of what she witnessed in her psychotic episodes. The psychologist that was assigned to her spoke all about the summations he came up with and that all she could do was get herself buried in the sea of thought. So many moons have passed and she could do nothing but groan and tune out the voice of the doctor.

“Okay! Our session is up! Tempest should be waiting outside for you.” the doctor said as she gathered his things.

Without saying a word, Starlight went outside and saw Tempest sitting outside. But before she could leave, the psychologist said,

“Oh! I forgot to give you these.”

Heading back into his office, he opened one of his desk drawers and pulled out what appeared to be a card deck.

“What are these cards?” Starlight asked, feeling suspicious of the deck.

“These are cards that I sometimes give to my patients if they have been feeling… lost. Anyway, these are Major Arcana Tarot Cards. They are used by fortune tellers to predict what will come in the future. But only after certains that have already occurred in your life or what will happen next. Go on, give them a go! You might even pick up fortune telling as a hobby. Anyway, I’ll see you next Tuesday. Take care, Starlight!” the doctor said as he went back into his office.

After leaving the office, she noticed Tempest in her seat, waiting for her to leave the psychiatrist’s office. Upon seeing her, Tempest got off her seat and asked Starlight,

“Are you okay? You sure spent a lot of time in that office.”

“I’m fine. That shrink was just spouting his usual nonsense about my psychosis and whatever else you call a diagnosis. Although he did give me this interesting deck of Tarot Cards…”

“You mean the cards that are used for fortune telling?” Tempest asked, taking a look at the deck in Starlight’s hooves.

“You could say that. Although they are only used when certain events have already occurred or will occur…” Starlight said in a depressed tone.

“Well, I hope it’s a good future. The last thing we need is another disaster.” Tempest nervously chuckled before starting to feel depressed as well.

Wanting to try and raise her spirits after seeing Starlight suffer a mental breakdown, Tempest said,

“You know, Flurry Heart made a friend outside the castle while you were busy.”

“Really? What’s her name?” Starlight asked with her interest piqued.

“Her name is Cozy Glow. I don’t know much about her, but she sells cookies for her family and she often gives them to Flurry Heart for free. Although I’m starting to hear from the guards that she’s actually a thief…” Tempest said in a sad tone.

“Well, she can’t be all bad. I mean, she’s trying to support her family in any way she can. Right?” Starlight asked, trying to be a little hopeful.

“Maybe. Although it will be heartbreaking to know that Flurry Heart won’t be allowed to see her anymore…” Tempest said while they passed the stained glass windows.

Walking past the mirror hall while Tempest continued speaking, Starlight started to see the images of her nightmares as she noticed them. It all just added more to the emotional guilt while walking through the hallway. Then she started to hear voices. They were filled with anger, guilt, sorrow, and whatever negative emotion that Starlight could feel as she walked.

“...Starlight?!” Tempest shouted, scaring the unicorn out of her wits.

Starlight looked around and saw that there was nopony left to scare her. She was still sweaty, but she regained her composure a bit and said,

“Y-Yeah. I’m fine. Just feeling a little hot. Makes me want an iced tea right about now.”

“We’ll go make some then.” Tempest said as she began escorting Starlight.

But before they could go to the tea room, they were stopped by a couple guards. One of them announced, “Princess Cadance requires your presence. She wants you in the meeting room immediately.” before returning to his post.

Starlight and Tempest were quite baffled by the announcement, but it wouldn’t have been important if any of the guards were tasked for this assignment.

“Will you be okay?” Tempest asked, touching Starlight’s head to feel her temperature.

“I’m fine. Nothing an iced tea wouldn’t do. But let’s just get this meeting over with. I’m thirsty.” Starlight assured her friend as she turned the other direction.

“Just don’t hesitate to tell me anything if you’re feeling unwell…” Tempest said, joining after her fellow hornless unicorn.

The pair immediately went towards the meeting room where Cadance was sitting at the very end with Shining Armor standing on her left side while Sunset was seated near them on the right side of the room. Upon entering, the windows were blocked off by the blinds, the lights were completely turned off, and every guard was stationed in each corner of the room.

“I am glad you two have made it. We have something to discuss.” Sunset said as she had them take a seat at the table.

Nervous but knowing that there must be a good reason behind this meeting, Starlight and Tempest took on the left side of the table. After watching them sat down, Cadance said,

“Now that everypony has arrived here, I have something important to discuss with all of you.”

Everypony kept quiet and paid attention to what Cadance needed to say.

“As all of you are aware, my daughter has been frequently meeting this cookie-girl named Cozy Glow everyday now. While I’m aware that you are beginning to question my request on calling you all here, listen to what I have to say first before passing judgement on my reasoning. I have recently heard reports that she has been heading in and out of Canterlot and multiple ponies from the market are telling me that half their supply has turned up missing. We currently have no idea why, but Cozy Glow may have reason that she is plotting against us and is using her occupation as a cover to infiltrate our home. And that she is using Flurry Heart to gain access. Do any of you have questions?”

“I do. Why would she be heading in and out of Canterlot? And why would she plot against us?” Tempest asked.

“Of that, we are uncertain. But she was last seen heading to and from the mountains. Nopony has headed towards the mountains ever since the Abyssal Invasion and we are inclined to believe that something is inside those mountains if Cozy Glow is using them as her hideout.” Shining Armor answered.

“But wouldn’t that mean having to scavenge for supplies in Everfree Forest and committing theft against our kingdom? It just wouldn’t make sense for a pony, let alone a filly, to rummage off into the wilderness.” Starlight said.

“Whatever the case may be, Cozy knows something. We are currently having her trailed and Zecora is currently figuring out what it is inside the mountains. If Cozy Glow has plans to commit treason against New Equestria, she will be arrested on sight.” Cadance said.

“Does Flurry Heart know about this…?” Tempest asked.

“No. And it’s better that it stays that way. If she were to know the truth, it would not end well. But when the time is right, she will come to understand why we did it. However, that is a subject for another time. All of you are dismissed.” Cadance said as she adjourned the meeting.

After they all left, Starlight and Tempest left the room and saw Apple Bloom with Flurry Heart right beside her. Upon seeing them, Flurry Heart asked,

“Hi, Aunty Starlight! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Although I would appreciate it if you didn’t yell so loud…” Starlight chuckled as she rubbed her head.

“Oh. I’m sorry…” Flurry Heart said as she rubbed her head.

“Don’t be. It’s great to see you, Your Highness. Do you want to get iced tea?” Starlight asked.

“Is it okay if I get ice cream…?” Flurry Heart asked, trying to get tricky.

“Okay. But only one scoop. You’ll get a sugar rush.” Tempest said while raising a playful eyebrow.

“Thank you!” Flurry Heart said as she rode on Tempest’s back.

“But we will be only outside for just a few hours. So no complaining, okay?” Tempest said.

“Fine…” Flurry Heart said in a glum tone.

They immediately left the castle to explore Canterlot for a bit with time to spare. But while they were getting ready to buy iced tea and ice-cream, they were unknowingly being watched by Cozy Glow from afar and she had a very sinister grin on her face.