A Guard for The Princess

In the story that his mother told him, the hybrid child of Strong Heart and Chrysalis died, when Shining Armor brutally attacked the Queen, while the child was still in her womb. The Doctors said they couldn’t do anything to save her. She should be in the grave, buried alongside her parents. But, here she is, standing in front of Proteus, alive and well. Twilight told him what Chrysalis would call the child if it was a girl, but he assumes that she had adopted a name for herself by now. However, her name is the last thing running around through his mind.

“I thought…you were…”

“Dead?” she finishes his question. She pauses, thinking of what to say next. “I was.”

“Then…how are you alive?”

She sighs. This story is going to take a while.

“I remember…darkness…silence…pain. Then suddenly…nothing. I was taken from this world, before I could even see it. But then, I heard something. The voice of a stallion…talking about me. Saying how perfect I was. It was my…our father, holding me in his foreleg. It was as if…his love for me…brought me back. But, I was weak. I couldn’t move. I could barely even breathe. That love was beginning to heal me, but the process was slow. By rights, I was still very much dead. When I came to, the first thing I saw were the bodies of my parents. I was buried in the same grave as they. I yelled, and I screamed, but nopony could hear me. I wanted to be anywhere but there, but then…poof. I was transported here, where you lay now. Before the Timberwolves could get me…I was saved.”

She looks at her army. She walks towards them, lovingly, with a great deal of affection.

“They took me in. They saw who I was; I was a Changeling, just like them. They raised me, fed me, loved me. Everpony thinks they are heartless creatures, but they are not.” she strokes the chin of one, smiling. The Changeling is happy from her touch. “When I came of age, they made me their Queen. And though they can be a little…disobedient...” she forcefully removes her hoof from the Changeling’s chin, giving him a scratch. “…they are my family.” she kisses the Changeling she scratches on his forehead. “And I love them dearly.”

She looks back at Proteus. She’s confused at the look that he is giving her. She had no idea what she was expecting, after telling that story, but the way he is looking at her is not of sadness or pity, but…nothing. She approaches him, looking closely into his eyes, but she cannot find a single emotion in them.

“Do you pity me?” she asks, trying to provoke a response.

“No…” he says, “I envy you.” The Queen raises an eyebrow. “Even though it was only for seconds, you knew our father longer than I.”

She is surprised by his response. A smirk forms at the corner of her mouth. Proteus winces, the wounds are starting to get to him.

“I...I don’t feel well.” he says. He grunts and grimaces, trying to stand, but he can’t. The battle has left him weary.

The Queen reaches out for him, placing a hoof on his back.

“Lay still…” she says, “We’ll help.”

“Why?” he asks her.

She doesn’t answer the question. She can only smile. Slowly, she leans down to him, wrapping her forelegs around him, forming an embrace. He looks at her, bewildered at the gentleness of her actions. She strokes the back of his mane; it’s an odd feeling, but it’s also unquestionably relaxing.

“It’s okay…” she says softly, “I’ll take care of you.”

This unexpected maternal attitude is confusing for Proteus. His eyes are getting heavy at each stroke of his mane. Her soothing voice and tender touch is too much for his body. Is it a spell? Some kind of magic? He had no time to question such things, as he closes his eyes, and falls to sleep. He becomes limp in a matter of moments. She sets his unconscious body down, looking upon it with a smile. She turns to her army.

“Pick him up.” she commands. They gather around Proteus, picking up his body with care, as they follow the Queen to her destination.

The Changelings carry him to a cave within the Badlands of Equestria. Inside, the place glows with fluorescent green light, seeping with a slimy secretion from the walls. This is where they live. At the far end, is a large shack, built hastily using wood from various establishments all across the land. Most likely, they were stolen, as Changelings can be a clever bunch; disguising themselves to get what they want.

Their Queen leads them inside, where there is a large bed laying against the wall. Gently, at her command, they put Proteus down. Upon hitting the comfortable mattress, Proteus’ pain wakes him up from his sleep.

“Put him on his stomach.” the Queen says. The Changelings do so, laying him on the one area that doesn’t have a cut or bite mark on it. Proteus’ look of pain fades away, but isn’t completely gone. Groggily, he opens his eyes, not all the way, but just enough to see his surroundings.

“Where am I?” he asks the Queen.

“You’re in my home. In a cave, inside the Badlands.”

“It looks nice, for a cave.”

“You’re actually in a shack inside the cave.” she chuckles. She looks at the Changelings still in the room. “Go get the medicine.” They nod, and file out.

Proteus tries to move, but she stops him.

“No, don’t move. You’re hurt pretty bad.”

He doesn’t relent, and does what she says. He feels the bed, impressed with its coziness.

“Where did you get this?”

“We….borrowed it.”

“You mean you stole it.” he lightly smirks, “It’s okay. I won’t hold it against you.”

The Changelings return with a bowl of what appears to be a green, goo-like substance, glowing with magical qualities. The Queen dips her hoof in the goop, until it is fully drenched in the stuff.

“This may sting a bit.” she warns. Soon after, she puts the first batch on one of his wounds. He flinches, gritting his teeth. She goes from wound to wound, putting the stuff onto every cut, every forming bruise. The pain is almost unbearable for Proteus.

“What is that?” he asks between finches.

“It’s a secretion, which comes from the walls of the cave. It can heal a deep cut in a matter of hours. You’re wounds aren’t that bad, so it won’t leave any scars, but the process will be painful.”

With each subsequent application of the ointment, Proteus no longer feels much pain. Either he’s become used to it, or the goop is beginning its healing process already. He starts to return to his relaxed state.

“Thank you.” he says with a weak smile, “I’m sorry…I was so…rude…” His eyes become heavy once again.

“I’m sorry my army attacked you.” she puts a hoof on his cheek, caressing it. “Rest now. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

“I…feel like….I know you….” he says, “Have…we met…bef…?” He doesn’t stay conscious for much longer, as his eyes completely shut, and he is sleeping calmly...peacefully. She smiles, as she watches him rest. After a few minutes, she goes outside.

Her army waits for her to emerge from the shack. Immediately, her look of kindness switches to a look of anger, searching the crowd for one specific Changeling; namely, the one she struck before. She finds him, and he looks at her, afraid of what she might do. She walks towards him in determined rage. He bows to her, in hopes of appealing to her better nature.

“Your Majesty! Forgive me!”

A blue glow surrounds him, as he is picked up by her magic. The glow forms into a ball; a ball that is shrinking slowly, threatening to crush him.

“I should kill you for disobeying my direct order!” she snarls.

“I’m sorry!” he screams, “There was nothing we could have done!”

“Your arrogance brought danger to my army, and you nearly killed him! Look at them!” She looks at her Changelings; some of them are badly beaten from the fight. “Most of them have not been properly trained in combat, yet you sought to look for a fight!”

“He wanted to fight us! He would have attacked, if we did nothing!”

“You don’t know that…”

“My Queen! Please! It won’t happen again! I promise!”

In an instant, she lets him free of her magical grip. He falls to the floor, into a slime puddle. She walks towards him, leaning down to face him up close.

“You disobey me again, that ball will close, and you will be a part of the puddle you’re laying in.” she says quietly. “Understand?” He nods rapidly. “Good. Get back on my good side, by helping the wounded.”

The Minion gets up and gathers the wounded to a secluded area of the cave. Another Changeling walks to the Queen.

“My Queen…” he says.

“What is it?” she turns to him.

“If you don’t mind me asking…why is the stallion so important?”

“I do mind you asking.” she says sternly, “What he is to me is none of your concern. Tell the others that he is not meant to be harmed in anyway, from hence forward.”

“Yes, your majesty. I will let them know.”

“Good. Tell them to all get some rest. I will retire now.”

The Changeling nods, as he goes to the others. The Queen goes back inside the shack, for some much needed rest.

Later that night, in Ponyville, two Royal Guards are at Twilight’s house, telling her and Spike some distressing news.

“Defected?” she says in shock, “Why?”

“I don’t know, Ma’am.” the Guard said, “Princess Luna only gave us minor details. He injured her, and he took off.”

“But, that seems so unlike him. Princess Luna was his…” she hesitates. She doesn’t think the Guards are aware of his affair. “…friend. He would never hurt his friends!”

“I know how hard this must be.” the Guard tries to sound sincere, but his gruff tone of voice clashes with his words. “If either of you see him, let us know. I’ll have a Guard stationed at your house, to make sure you’re safe.”

“That won’t be necessary. Spike will protect me.” she tells them.

“I’m sorry. Princess’ orders.”

Twilight couldn’t argue much more. It’s late, she’s tired, and now…she is scared of what has become of her son. She closes the door. The moment it is shut, she nearly collapses from her shaking legs.

“Twilight!” Spike says, as he catches her fall. He picks her up, cradling her in his scaly arms. “Are you all right?”

“No, Spike, I’m not. He wouldn’t just do that without good reason…” she says, “She must have done something to make him act like that.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to go to Luna, and demand an explanation.” she says, “Come on, we’re leaving now.”

“Oh no, Twilight.” he says, stroking her mane. “You’re in no condition to find out, tonight. We’ll go tomorrow evening, when it’s not so late. I’ll help you to your bed.”

He carries her upstairs, and places her down onto her bed, pulling the covers up to her shoulders.

“Thank you, Spike.” A tear goes down her cheek, as she turns over to the window. Spike watches her fall to sleep.

“Proteus…” she says quietly, “What have you done?”

It’s morning now. The sun is rising, the dragons nearby the cave roar as they awaken. They take off to the skies for their morning breakfast of whatever wildlife is out there.

Proteus slowly wakes up. He is still lying on his stomach. Something is different, though; he doesn’t feel like he’s in pain. Not even a little bit. He looks at places where wounds would be, but all that remains is dried slime on his fur. Nothing a good shower wouldn't clean off. His pleased as punch attitude is short lived, when he freezes in place to see the Queen, back turned, sleeping right next to him. He tries to be as quiet as possible, attempting to avoid waking her up.

Looking at her, he can finally get a good look at her appearance, as his vision was a bit blurry when he first saw her. She didn’t look much like a common Changeling, save for the wings, and the hooves. Apart from that, she looked almost normal. Her horn isn’t contorted in any way, her physique isn’t unnaturally slender, and she couldn’t have been much taller than he is. With a quick look, she just might be exactly as tall as he is.

His eyes drift back to her wings. Even folded, they look quite lovely, if perhaps frail, compared to his strong, feathered wings. He didn’t know why, but he felt compelled to touch them, if even for a moment. Carefully, he reaches out a hoof, and he gets to his destination. He was right; the wings did feel frail, so he was as gentle as possible, when it came to the wings of the Changeling Queen.

“You like my wings?” she said. He nearly falls out of the bed in surprise. She was awake the entire time. “If you wanted to touch them, you could have asked.”

“Apologies, your Majesty!” he quickly utters.

“There’s no need for apologies. You were curious.” She turns around, facing towards him. “Is this the first time you’ve seen a Changeling?”

“Yes, it is. I’ve only read about them in school.”

“Do I meet your expectations?”

“You’re not what I expected.”

“And what did you expect?”

“I expected something a little…scarier. Not that you’re not scary, it’s just that you’re also very…”

His eyes scan her body. However, whatever thoughts he has, are quickly shaken away by two things; one being Luna, and the other being that the Queen is technically his sister. She knows this too; so why the sly tone in her voice?

“Excuse me.” he says, clearing his throat.

He tries to get up, but she puts a hoof on his chest, bringing him back down. The situation is now making him uncomfortable.

“You still need to rest.” she says, getting up from the bed. “If you need anything, just ask.” She trots along the wooden floor, circling to his side of the bed.

“You didn’t answer my question, last night.” he says, “Why do this? Why are you helping me?”

She pauses, and then turns to him with a smile. “Why not?” she asks. He shakes his head at the cop-out of an answer.

“What if you’re just keeping me alive for some feast?” he asks in a half joking, half serious manner. Suddenly, she rushes to him, kneels down, and puts a hoof on his cheek.

“I would never hurt you!” she says, taking his words one hundred percent seriously. “Never!”

His eyes go wide at her words. She meant every single one of them. Perfectly genuine. What is it about him that’s so special? Sure, they’re practically siblings, but she is treating him like he’s a Prince of some kind. In an instant, as if she caught her odd moment of tenderness, she steps away from him, and goes back to her normal self.

“Enough of this question.” she says, in a tense tone, “I have a question of my own.”

“Go ahead.”

“What are you doing out here?”

His eyes become serious, as he looks down at the floor, breaking eye contact from her. She looks at him confused, but also concerned.

“I know that look.” she says, “I’ve seen it on many stallions before. Is it a mare?” She’s right on the bits. He nods, confirming her suspicions. “Who, if I may ask?”

“Prr…” he hesitates, “Princess Luna.”

“Ah.” she exhales, as if understanding, “The ruler of the night. She must have done something bad to get you into this state.”

“I…I was in love with her. For a few months, I thought she felt the same way. But…I found out that…she wasn’t.”

“Why is that?”

“Because, every time she looked at me, every moment we spent together, every time we…made love…all she could see was…our father.”

The Queen is genuinely surprised by this revelation.

“She used you?” she asked.

“Yeah. I should have seen it coming. I was just too stupid not to see the signs.” He fights any tears looking to break through the ducts in his eyes. “That’s why I was out here. I wanted to get away from her, before I did something I would have regretted.”

“That’s when you found my army.” she says, “They told me you wanted to fight them.”

“I did. I was just so angry, that I wanted to take it out on something. Even so, in some way…I wanted to lose.”

“Lose?” she was shocked, “You…wanted to die?”

He doesn’t answer, choosing instead to be silent. She calmly goes back to him, getting close to him, holding the sides of his head. He looks into her blue eyes, and sees a look of compassion, but also…something else; something that shouldn’t be there to begin with.

“I cannot imagine what you’re going through, right now.” she says softly, “The look in your eyes breaks my heart. I see pain, I see sadness, I see anger.”

As he stares longer into her, his heart rate begins to quicken. He shouldn’t be this nervous, but he is. She gets even closer to his face, to the point where her muzzle grazes his.

“Your lover has betrayed your trust. And now, here you are, with me.” she practically whispers into his ear at this point. “I can make it go away.”

She moves away from his ear, and goes back to staring at him. His mouth opens slightly, as if to invite her in. But, she doesn’t go for it…yet. Instead, she kisses parts of his face. His forehead, his cheeks, even his muzzle. All the while, talking to him in a seductive voice.

“All the pain…all the suffering…everything. I will make you forget, and replace it all…with love. All I ask…is that you’ll have me.”

She goes for it. She drives her mouth into his for a passionate kiss. For him, this is wrong on so many levels, but he cannot stop himself. He cannot decide if she’s using some kind of power to control him, or if there’s some deep seeded darkness inside of him that was begging for this. Her forked, lizard-like tongue slithers into his mouth, dancing around his palate, and wrapping itself around his tongue.

Her kiss wasn’t as forceful as his first kiss with Luna. She practically ripped his head off with that kiss. With the Queen, it was unusually tender. The moment goes on for so long, that Proteus cannot help…but enjoy it.

The kiss completes, neither of them pull themselves away from each other forcefully. They look back at each other, realizing what both of them have just done. The Queen leans in for another round, but the last sane part of Proteus’ mind finally gets him to push himself away from her. He looks away from her, ashamed at what he allowed to happen, while she looks upon him with a great deal of confusion.

“I...appreciate your…affections. But, I’m not looking for that, right now.” he says, after a long pause. “The last thing I want right now is another mare.”

“I don’t believe you, Proteus. I could tell you enjoyed it.”

“I shouldn’t have done it in the first place.” he said, “I shouldn’t have let you do that to me.”

“You think I used my power on you?” she chuckles at his accusation, “If I did, you would have felt it. I did nothing, Proteus.” she quietly says, “I saw your mouth invite me in. Just admit it, you wanted this as much as I.”

He shoots a look at her, and opens his mouth to speak, wanting desperately to prove her wrong. But, no words are coming out. The longer he pauses, the more he admits to her statement. She smiles coyly. Finally, he gets up from the bed, distancing himself from her.

“You shouldn’t have wanted it at all. You’re my sister for Celestia’s sake!”

“Half-sister.” she quickly states.

“It doesn’t matter!” he fires back, “It’s still wrong! What we just did was wrong!”

“We may have the same father, but we do not bleed the same blood.” She suddenly bites into her hoof, causing it to bleed green blood. “See? We are different!”

“Are you insane?!” his eyes widen, “Where’s that stuff?” He looks around the room, until he finds what he is looking for; that bowl of cave slime. He quickly drenches his fore hooves and massages her wound. He looks up at her, and sees her smiling at him.

“I didn’t think you’d care.” she says.

“I just…I don’t like seeing mares hurt; even one as crazy as you.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment.” She notices that he’s massaging her wound for an awfully long time. “You can stop now.”

He stops, breaking away from her. The silence is uncomfortable. He has to do or say something quick to break it.

“I should get going. Thanks for the help.”

As he turns to walk away, he feels a hoof on his shoulder.

“Is that any way to say goodbye to me? Besides, where do you plan on going?” she asks.

“I don’t know yet.” he responds.

“They’ll be looking for you. You ran away from your duties. I don’t know much about Royal Guards, but I assume that will not be taken lightly by your superiors.” She’s right. “They will look everywhere for you. Your home is probably being watched as we speak. Nowhere is safe…nowhere but here.”

“Here?”

“Nopony would dare search the Badlands of Equestria. The dragons and I have an agreement. They live outside the hive, preventing any intruders for discovering us. Nopony is even aware we still exist. You would be safe here, and no harm would come to you.”

He looks back at her, unsure of her intentions.

“Where would I sleep?”

“With me, of course.” He almost walks out the door then and there, when she quickly states “You don’t prefer the slimy floor, do you?” He sees her point, but he is still noticeably suspicious. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll make you a deal. You follow my orders, and I won’t try anything with you. Your side of the bed will be all yours, and I won’t cross it.”

He considers her offer. “Whatever rules she has, can’t be that bad.” he thinks to himself. “Alright.” he tells her, “But, any funny stuff, and I’m gone. Okay?”

“Deal.” she says, getting closer to him. “I don’t want things to be awkward between us, Proteus. I know you’re still wary, but believe me when I say that I shall respect your wishes. However, since you’re not looking for a lover, can I still be your friend?”

“I never had a Queen as a friend before.” Proteus smirks.

“There’s a first time for everything.” she brushes past him to the door. “Well, I guess if you’re going to stick around, I figure I should give you the tour.”

She leads him outside the shack. He sees the cave in all its glory. The green glow and slime that adorn the walls would be creepy and unnatural to some, but to him, the way it reflects, it’s sort of twistedly beautiful. The Queen brings him down a small flight of rocky steps, to where her hive roams. The cave is vast, and could probably hold all of Canterlot inside of it. The Changeling Swarm gathers the secretions from the wall, making mounds of them, hardening them, so the Queen can use her magic to transform it into a cocoon, which will eventually develop into another member of her army.

Proteus can see many cocoons already hanging from the ceiling, or propped up on the stony ground.

“So, your army multiplies the same way?”

“Of course. Did you think it would be different?”

“Considering you’re half pony, I thought…”

“Oh, goodness no!” she is repulsed by the thought. “All these Changelings coming from here?” she points at her stomach, “I would quit being a queen after the first one!”

Proteus laughs at her comment.

“You know…” he says, “I never got your name.”

The Queen pauses. “My name?” she asks. “It’s Queen.”

“No. I mean your real name.”

“That is my real name. That’s what my army has been calling me all my life. That, or Majesty.”

“But, that’s a title. Not a name.”

“If you have a better one, I’ll be glad to hear it.” she continues walking. He follows her.

“I’ll let you know.”

Evening has fallen at Canterlot castle. Princess Luna sits in her chambers; sad and alone with her thoughts. She regrets that the truth had to come out the way that it did, but she wasn’t going to deny that she was never truly in love with Proteus. Sure, he was kind, strong, and gentle, but he wasn’t…HIM. She could and would never love him the same way she was in love with the Stallion that stole her heart all those years ago.

However, when he left, she had to get him back somehow. The Royal Guards, or more importantly, Princess Celestia, wouldn’t have given in to her order if she told them the truth. How she led him on into believing that she was in love with him, and when he found out about her deception, he left in rage. She had to lie to them; and fabricating the truth is something she is good at. She concocted a story about how Proteus attacked her; attempting to force himself upon her, and hit her when she refused. That only in her desperate moment, that she kicked him away, causing him to flee into the night. To make the story seem genuine, she inflicted injury on herself, bruising her body, and blackening her eye.

A Royal Guard knocks on her door.

“What is it?” she asks.

“Twilight Sparkle is here to see you.”

“Let her meet me in the throne room.”

Minutes later, Twilight and Spike, are led into the throne room by two Guards. Where Luna, decked in her royal garb, sits on the throne, awaiting their arrival. Twilight gasps to see the injuries Princess Luna has sustained. Nevertheless, she still bows to her when she arrives at the foot of the throne.

“Twilight Sparkle. It is good to see you again. I only wish it was under better circumstances.”

“As do I, Princess. Where has my son gone off too?”

“Our best guards are spread across Equestria to find him, and take him alive.”

“What will happen when they bring him back?”

“He will be properly punished for his crimes.”

“You’re not going to…execute him, are you?” Twilight can’t bear that thought of that happening. Her heart practically stops, waiting for the answer.

“I can assure you, that will not be the case.”

Twilight breathes a sigh of relief, but something seems off.

“Princess, may I ask what happened?”

Luna pauses. She looks at the Guards behind Twilight and Spike, nodding to them to go. They do as commanded. She waits until they are completely out of the room. Luna steps off her throne, and approaches the two.

“Twilight, I know you doubt my story. And I’m sure they Guards told it to you on the train.”

“They did. And I don’t believe a word of it.”

“You don’t?” Spike turns to Twilight. She looks at him, in disbelief that he would even consider what was told to them the truth.

“I’m sorry, Spike. But there’s something Princess Luna has been withholding from everypony in the castle.” she looks at Luna. “Tell him the truth.”

“Proteus and I…” Luna sighs, “…have been in a…’relationship’ for quite some time.”

“What? And you knew about this, Twilight?”

“I didn’t find out until his birthday, when Luna gave him Strong Heart’s armor.” she sees Spike’s eyes go wide at the admission. “I take it Proteus found out about the origins of his armor, didn’t he?”

“He did.” Luna says, “But, that was after I told him…” She is silent.

“Told him what?”

“That I…didn’t love him.”

Twilight gives Luna a much deserved grimace. Spike on the other hoof, is completely shocked.

“I knew it.” Twilight said, “And your injuries. Are they fake too?”

“No. They’re not. But they weren’t obtained in the way you were told.”

“You did that to yourself?” Spike asks. Luna nods. “Why?”

“Nopony can know the truth. They can never know.”

“Know what? That you used my son? Made him think that you loved him, cared for him?”

“I do care for your son!”

“But you still lied to him! He trusted you, Princess. He was in love with you the day he met you! He would always tell me that he wanted to be a Night Guard because of you! You were everything to him!”

“Be quiet…” Luna is getting angry at Twilight’s words. They are hurting her.

“You manipulated him, used his love for you against him, and made him think that everything he was experiencing with you was real!”

“Silence…” she growls.

“I don’t blame him for leaving; I wouldn’t even blame him if he really did strike you!”

“Twilight!” Spike yells, “That’s enough!”

“I’m not finished, Spike!” she looks back at Luna, “You ruined my son’s life, and now I’m going to tell Princess Celestia about everything you’ve done!”

“SHUT UP!” Luna swiftly strikes Twilight across the face with her hoof, sending her to the floor! Luna goes frozen, in shock at what she just did.

“Twilight!” Spike rushes to Twilight’s side.

Twilight’s eyes slowly open. She groans in pain. “Ah-wha? What just happened? Did I…did I fall?” She gets back up, struggling to stand straight. “I…I think I need to rest.”

“Are you okay, Twilight?”

“Yeah, Spike…I’m just…” she stops, something is pouring out of her nostrils. She touches the leaky substance, and takes a look at it. She’s bleeding, profusely. “That’s funny…it’s never done that…before…”

She falls back down hard on the floor. Suddenly, she goes into convulsions, frothing at the mouth. She wasn’t bleeding from the strike; she was bleeding from her illness.

“TWILIGHT!” Spike puts her on her back, holding on to her, trying desperately to stop her shakes. “Luna! Get the guards!” Luna is still frozen in place. She can’t move. “GUARDS! SOMEPONY HELP!”

Two Guards burst into the throne room, magic at the ready. They see Spike holding on to the convulsing Twilight.

“What happened?” one Guard said.

“I don’t know, she…just started bleeding, and went into shock!”

“We’ll take her to the infirmary! Quickly!” the Guard looks at Luna. “Are you coming Princess?” Luna doesn’t answer. “Princess?!”

“She has no time!” Spike yells. The Guard nods, knowing that he’s right.

The Guards and Spike carry Twilight out of the room, leaving Luna alone. She can’t believe what has transpired.

“What have I done?” she whispers to herself.