The Legionnaire

Chapters

I - The Magician
II - The High Priestess
III - The Empress
IV - The Emperor
VI - The Lovers
VII - The Chariot
VIII - Strength
IX - The Hermit
X - Wheel of Fortune
XI - Justice
XII - The Hanged Mare
XIII - Death
XIV - Temperance
XV - The Devil
XVI - The Tower
XVII - The Star
XIX - The Sun
XX - Judgement
XXI - The World
0 - The Fool
V - The Hierophant
XVIII - The Moon

I - The Magician

"Okay, let's take a break."

Luster levitated the sheet of parchment up into the air before depositing it neatly atop the stack. She could tell from the smug expression on the filly's face that she was doing a bad job of hiding her exhaustion. "Would you mind telling me where you learnt all that?"

Cozy's grin grew till it all but touched her ears. "Oh, here and there, y'know. I was Twilight's best student, remember?" She tapped a hoof to the side of her head. "I guess we have that in common, huh?"

"I guess." A thought struck her. "Do you remember when you first decided to..." she trailed off, searching for the right words. "... do what you did?"

Cozy frowned. "I guess it must have been when my grandfather died. When he was gone, I didn't really have anypony. And then I was sent to the orphanage..." She shuddered slightly. "They were so mean to me there."

"The other foals?"

Cozy nodded. "Gentle Treatment used to look out for me at first, but they still used to pick on me when he wasn't looking. And when Silver Song took his place, it got much worse. I guess it was because I was such a huge nerd." A sad smile played its way onto her muzzle. "I used to read all of my grandfather's old books about friendship, but none of them helped me make any friends there."

"And was that when you decided you wanted to enrol in the School of Friendship?"

"Well, after a few years. Silver Song never liked me very much, but she helped me write my application. I was so happy when I got the acceptance letter, I thought I was going to burst! And when I was there, everypony was so nice to me. But..." Her face hardened as she trailed off.

"Yes?" Luster leaned in.

"It was all... fake. They were only nice to me because they were taught to be. Because they didn't know any different. They didn't really like me, they were just doing the only thing they knew." She closed her eyes. "Friendship is magic. I remember Headmare Twilight telling me that on my first day. But she was wrong. Friendship is power. If you have enough friends, you can do anything you want."

Luster shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the direction this conversation was taking. "What made you think that?"

Cozy Glow giggled. "I found a better teacher. Somepony who really understood friendship - and magic."

Luster's heart sank. She'd known she'd have to tackle this topic at some point, but her certainty hadn't made the prospect any more inviting. "Tirek."

"Yep!" Cozy replied with an upbeat tone. "I used to write to him every day. He was the only pony - er, Centaur - who understood me. He told me all about how friendship was used to defeat him, how it was the most powerful force in the world."

With every word, the greed in her voice became more pronounced. "All I had to do was follow his instructions, and I had a vortex capable of draining the magic from every unicorn in Equestria. You see? Without magic, the only thing that matters is who has the most friends. Who's the most popular. I knew more about friendship than anyone else in that school. I had them all doing whatever I asked!"

"But you lost." Luster cut across her. "The Tree of Friendship defeated you."

Cozy grinned and stuck out her tongue. "I guess I didn't see that one coming. Who knew that old tree had a mind of it's own?"

The speed with which Cozy could switch from bitter and angry to cute and lovable was unnerving. "Cozy, you can't... you can't seriously think what you did was okay."

"Why not?" Suddenly, there was a terrible, snarling sarcasm to her voice. "Oh, I forgot. Without their precious magic, how else would the princesses lord it over the rest of us? That's right, they'd have to treat us like equals, instead of their lessers."

"You're twisting things, Cozy. Princess Twilight cares about every one of her subjects. I'm her protégé, don't you think I'd know that better than anypony?"

"Oh, of course you think that. I bet you've spent your whole life in Canterlot's lap. Just like Twilight did. Must have been nice." She stamped her hoof on the floor. "Parents, friends, not sharing a room with twelve other fillies who hate you! Well?"

"I..." Luster blushed. "You're right. I suppose I was more fortunate than you in many, many ways. And maybe you have a right to be angry about that. But that's not a reason to... to... to hurt ponies!"

"Whatever." Cozy Glow turned away, suddenly uninterested. "Are we done today?"

For a moment, Luster was tempted to press the issue. If she could just get Cozy to admit that what she'd done was wrong, it would be a huge step in the right direction. But when she saw Cozy shaking slightly and blinking frantically in a poor attempt to force back tears, she backed off. She knew Cozy would just feel humiliated.

"Sure, Cozy. I'll be back tomorrow."

Silently packing up her supplies, she slipped out of the cell, leaving the filly to her privacy.

Dear Princess Twilight.

After a week of observation, I can conclude that, as expected, Cozy Glow is a student like no other. Though I have accelerated the pace of her studies, I fear it won't be long before the limits of my knowledge are tested. As she seems proficient in material well beyond that taught at her age, it is my belief that she progressed her studies independently in exile, making her secure grasp of theory that much more impressive.

While this independent study would normally be reassuring, she has yet to express a convincing belief in the value of friendship to broader Equestrian society. I have attached a copy of a psychiatrist's report that I believe may shed some light on the situation. The problem seems to be deeper than a mere difference of philosophy, and may be part of a seriously disturbed thought pattern.

In order to better understand her worldview, I believe it would be immensely helpful if I were able to read the letters sent between Lord Tirek and Cozy Glow during her studies at the School of Friendship. As such, this report doubles as a request for copies of these letters, which I believe are still in your possession. In the meanwhile, I have made the decision to expand the breadth of her studies, in order to ease her prospective reformation. I will prepare a full study specification for you to approve next week.

Luster sighed in frustration as she scanned the letter for the fifth time, barely able to make out a line at a time in the dim candlelight and soft lunar glow that bathed her bedroom. Plenty to say - but not much to report. Though she'd technically broken the princess' orders by allowing Cozy Glow to speak alone with the prison psychiatrist, considering it contained perhaps the only new information she'd gathered this week, she didn't think the Princess would mind.

Out of sheer boredom, she ran her eyes down the report the psychiatrist had prepared.

CONFIDENTIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

Name: Cozy Glow

Race: Pegasus

Age: 35 (Physiologically 12)

Summary:
Cozy Glow is a pegasus with a uniquely troubled past. Despite her recent recovery from petrification, she demonstrates remarkable intelligence and maturity for her age. As an icebreaker, an IQ test was administered, and both verbal and performance IQ were measured in the 99th percentile.

Upon the suggestion of my colleague [NAME REMOVED], a separate, experimental test designed to examine her internal thought process was administered, in which Cozy was asked to identify patterns in a series of premade inkblots. Initially, Cozy refused, but after some coaxing relented. Most of her observations were mundane, and there was reason to believe she was not being fully honest with her answers, but she was not challenged on this. The only pattern of note was her failure to identify shapes that are normally interpreted as ponies in pain or distress as such, which suggests a diminished sense of empathy.

During conversation, she was generally polite. To probe her reaction to negative stimuli, several negative comments were made about her. Initially, she teared up and adopted a pitiful and weak act, but when this failed to achieve immediate results, she became hostile and arrogant, and responded with plenty of insults in kind. She demonstrated a surprisingly positive outlook when asked about the future, given her current circumstances, and expressed enthusiasm about her lessons with Luster Dawn.

A magical assessment of neurological health was attempted, however the extremely negative emotional reaction this provoked in Cozy resulted in it being called off.

In the limited time I have had to assess her, I can conclude that Cozy Glow is an exceptionally talented pegasus with a promising future, should she respond well to current efforts. Her heavy involvement with several notorious characters will, of course, follow her for the rest of her life, and she may wish to consider assuming another identity at some point. Though this is usually discouraged because of the immense stress maintaining a false past can have upon the individual, her case is one where I would make a recommendation.

I would like to amend several professional complaints to this report. I am concerned her round-the-clock isolation is becoming detrimental to her mental health, and I recommend she be allowed a few hours supervised leave from her cell every day. I also feel the quantity and nutritional value of the food served in maximum security falls below the bare minimum a filly her age should receive, and far short of the ideal standards of the Equestrian Nutrition Association. Though her current circumstances may be unavoidable given the context, settling her into a "normal" life as soon as possible will be crucial to her timely recovery.

REPORT UNCREDITED BY REQUEST

The psychiatrist had insisted on having their name removed from the final copy of the report. In fact, it was becoming more and more obvious that nopony wanted anything to do with the filly. Luster felt a knot tie itself in her stomach as she finished reading the last paragraph. Of course, they were correct. It wasn't right for a filly to be locked in that cell with nothing to do all day and be served nothing but gruel. No wonder Cozy had snapped at her.

As her eyes ran across the penultimate paragraph, a sudden thought struck her. Raising her quill, she began to amend her letter.

Based upon the content of the report, I would like to make an additional, slightly more unorthodox request. I would like Cozy Glow to be given a room of her own at the castle, under a false identity and house arrest, to boost her confidence in the pace of the reformation process, and to improve her overall well-being. Given your completely reasonable security concerns, I will understand fully if this request is denied.

Your faithful student,

Luster Dawn

Madness? Maybe. Still, at least nopony could say she hadn't tried. Collapsing on her bed, her eyes fluttered shut, and she allowed sleep to claim her.

"Tsk, tsk. Twilight's best student, tardy. I can hardly believe it."

Luster would have liked nothing more than to give Discord a piece of her mind - or punch him in the mouth - but instead she bit her tongue and smiled. In part, because Discord was supposed to be doing her a favour. But mostly, it was because of...

"Oh, it's so nice to have you over, Luster. We almost never get to see each other. How's your tea?"

Luster flashed Fluttershy a grateful smile as she took another sip. "It's lovely. And it's good to see you too. How's the sanctuary doing?"

"Oh, very well. With Discord's help, it's practically no work at all these days." She curled herself up in a nearby chair. "Don't you mind me. I know you've got more important things to talk about than my animal shelter. Please."

"Yes, well..." Luster Dawn coughed, turning her attention back to Discord. She wasn't sure why he had insisted the discussion be held in Fluttershy's presence. Was this some kind of trick? "Shall we get started?"

Discord raised his teacup to his mouth, one of the fingers on his paw stuck absurdly outwards. "I suppose. So, tell me what you think about Cozy Glow."

Luster hesitated. Should she answer honestly, or give him the answer he wanted? No, she should be honest. Of course. Despite their differences, Discord was on her side. She had to remember that.

"She's definitely got a long way to go. She doesn't seem to be showing any convincing signs of remorse. But I think she's far from beyond redemption. If she can be convinced to use her considerable talents for good, she could be a model Equestrian citizen."

Discord's face gave nothing away. "Why do you think that?"

"She's only a filly. She has her whole life ahead of her. You can't expect me to write such a young foal off as a hopeless case." She decided to carry it a little bit further. "Actually, she reminds me of you."

If Discord was offended by this, he didn't show it. "I suppose I was expecting that. And you think she can change, the same way I did. But she can't."

"And why not?" Luster hadn't meant to sound so accusatory, but she couldn't help herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Fluttershy raise an eyebrow at the outburst, and cringed.

Discord broke out into a kindly smile, the condescending sort used on very small foals. "It's quite simple. I knew nothing of friendship before Fluttershy showed me it's worth. But that simply isn't the case with Cozy Glow. There's not a thing you could teach that filly about friendship. All you're doing, by getting close to her, is giving her opportunities to get under your coat."

"And isn't that what I have you for?"

Discord nodded. "What else have you discussed with her? Is she still being kept in that cell?"

"She... is..." Luster faltered, and Discord leaned in.

"Well?"

"I've... I've asked Princess Twilight for her to be moved out. Into the castle. Under house arrest. I - I mean..." She bit her tongue in an attempt to stop her stutter. "I-It's not right for a filly like her to be locked up in solitary confinement. For Celestia's sake, even the psychiatrist agreed it was the right thing to do!"

"Or she tricked him into thinking that." Discord's tone had taken an even more unpleasant turn.

Luster snorted in exasperation. "Come on. You really think a filly could fool a trained psychiatrist?"

"This filly? Absolutely." Discord wasn't even trying to hide his displeasure. "And in less than a week, the same filly has talked her way out of a prison cell, and into the heart of Canterlot!"

"No, you're... It was my idea, you're making it sound like I'm just... dancing to her tune! Celestia knows, I - I've had more arguments with that filly the last week than I have civil words!" Luster could feel blood rushing to her face. Why did nopony seem to trust her? All of a sudden, her fluster was replaced with anger. How dare Discord, who hadn't even laid eyes on Cozy Glow in over twenty years, throw around baseless accusations like that?

"I don't believe you." Discord's growling voice now had a definite edge of a sneer to it. And it was the arrogance in his voice, this monster's sheer unrestrained contempt for her achievements and abilities, that finally pushed Luster over the edge.

"You know what?" Luster jumped to her hooves so quickly she sent her cup of tea flying into the air, coming down with a crash that caused Fluttershy to jump out of her chair. "Believe whatever you like, Discord. The last time I checked, this was meant to be a private matter between the Princess and me. So whatever opinions you've got, keep them to yourself!"

Before either of them could respond, her horn ignited, and she disappeared in a flash of light.

There was a letter waiting for her when she returned to her room, a pure white envelope bearing the unmistakable seal of the princess. Instantly, Luster seized it and tore it open, eagerly scanning its contents for the Princess' decision.

Dear Luster.

It is reassuring to hear that Cozy Glow is keeping well and has made a full recovery. I have full confidence in you to make the right call with her future studies.

Unfortunately, I feel the moment is too premature for Cozy Glow to be moved from her current location. In line with the psychiatrist's recommendations, Cozy will be allowed a few hours supervised outdoor recreation from now on, and I will personally see to it she gets the proper sustenance for a filly her age.

However, I am pleased to inform you that Starlight is willing to allow you to read and copy Cozy Glow's old letters. If you have the time, she would even be happy to let you see them this evening. Both her and Sunburst have been informed of the new direction of your studies, so there will be no need for secrecy.

Your mentor,

Princess Twilight.

Luster felt her heart sink as she read the penultimate paragraph once more. She had been so certain Twilight would see it her way, and it was a punch in the gut to have her request so unceremoniously denied. Even the knowledge that Glimmer was willing to help her out didn't cheer her up.

Instead, a creeping sense of shame filled her as she realized how unreasonable her outburst at Fluttershy's house had been. What was wrong with her? How could she have allowed Discord to upset her like that? In the past, even when Discord had tried his hardest to get a rise out of her, she'd just rolled her eyes and brushed it off.

She shook her head, dispelling the troubling thoughts as quickly as they had arrived. She could apologize to Fluttershy - and Discord, she supposed - later. She would need new supplies if she wanted to take copies of Cozy Glow's letters - parchment and ink. Spare quills wouldn't go amiss, either. Maybe she could borrow some from Starlight?

The letter fell to the floor, forgotten, as Luster began to root through her note-taking supplies.

It wasn't until she first set foot inside the School of Friendship that Luster realized how long it had been since she had last stood in the same hallways as a young filly. She'd spent less than a year at the school, but the feel of the place was somehow unforgettable.

Standing in the hallway to greet her was Starlight, a wide, genuine smile on her face.

"Luster! Oh, it's been so long, how have you been?"

Luster forced a smile back, cringing internally at how fake she knew it must have looked. "Uh, yeah. You too. I - I mean - great, Miss Glimmer."

Glimmer let out a short laugh. "Oh, please. I haven't been your teacher for almost a decade now. It's Starlight." She gestured towards the school's library. "Shall we?"

Luster nodded gratefully and the pair set off, Luster following closely behind Glimmer. Ever since she'd dropped out of the School of Friendship to pursue her advanced studies, she'd always felt awkward around Starlight, like she was meeting an old friend she'd abandoned.

The library was just as she remembered it, an endless maze of books stacked up to the ceiling. She took in a deep breath, the dark, musky smell of ink, paper and parchment hitting her brain like a drug and conjuring a thousand memories of late night studying, magic practice and... loneliness.

Glimmer led her to a row of cabinets, seized one of the door's locks in her magical aura and fiddled with it for a few seconds before it fell away and the cabinet swung open. From inside, she pulled a what appeared to be a large wooden box and nodded in the direction of a table.

"Here it is."

Starlight's horn glowed as she lifted the small wooden box onto the table. Luster pushed the top open, raising her eyebrows as she saw its contents.

"That's it?"

Inside was a collection of five letters, two of which had substantial flame damage.

"The School of Friendship sustained considerable damage during the Legion's attack on Equestria. Frankly, we're fortunate even these ones survived." There was a wounded sorrow to Glimmer's voice. "When I think of all the knowledge we lost to those three... ah, well. No use in crying over spilled ink." She paused. "Anyway, I should get back to my office. Take as much time as you need."

"Thank you." Luster lifted the first letter up to eye level, struggling to decipher the tiny, cramped writing. The letters used pseudonyms, but the smiley faces in the corner and the hearts used to dot the i's left little doubt as to the author.

Dear Big Brother...

The lights of Canterlot glittered like a million jewels in the blackness of the night, illuminating the veins and arteries of the Equestrian capitol in a river of fire. From atop her observatory, Princess Twilight watched over her dominion silently, deep in thought.

"How interesting. She used to do that, too."

Twilight closed her eyes. "Hello, Discord."

The draconequus floated into view, landing silently atop the lens of Canterlot Castle's telescope. Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Who did? Celestia or Luna?"

"Oh, both of them. Whenever their troubles weighed heavy on their mind, they'd come here and just..." He gestured in the direction of the city. "...watch. Perhaps they found it cathartic. I wouldn't know."

He took off once more, landing neatly beside her. "I've reached my decision, since you didn't ask."

"I'm not surprised. I spoke to Fluttershy earlier."

"Then you'll understand my position. Stop it. Now."

Twilight sighed. "If I had given up at every stumble as Celestia's student, I would not have come half as far or accomplished half as much. I won't pass judgement on my student because of one outburst."

"And what about her attempt to free Cozy Glow from her imprisonment? That doesn't trouble you?"

"And have her placed under even closer guard in house arrest. She took every precaution I would have. I denied her request, but it didn't trouble me. As I said, I won't intervene until I feel it is necessary."

Discord scoffed under his breath. "So, I am to understand you intend to wait until it is too late?"

"I intend to wait until Cozy Glow proves that she..." Twilight took a deep breath. "Until Cozy Glow proves she can't change. So far, I have no reason to believe that. I think she can. She can be a normal, happy filly like any other foal her age."

"As if you could tell the difference."

"You're right. I couldn't last time. There's a reason I wanted this task entrusted to Luster, you know."

Discord's face cracked into a leering grin. "I'm sure."

In a flash of smoke, he was gone. Twilight sighed, and continued staring over her city from the balcony, mentally organizing her schedule for tomorrow.

II - The High Priestess

Dear Big Brother.

It's been a while since I last spoke to you. I was just re-reading your last letter - you know, the one where you talked about how Twilight Sparkle and her friends defeated you and locked you in Tartarus forever (so sorry about that, by the way) and I realized something super-duper interesting.

So, if I'm counting correctly, you had absorbed the power of four alicorns, thousands of ponies, a god of chaos, and you still lost! So whatever magic Headmare Twilight and her friends had must be powerful enough to rule all of Equestria, right? Except Twilight isn't the ruler of Equestria, Celestia is!

It just doesn't make sense to me. Can you tell me more about how you were defeated? How do the Elements of Harmony work? Do they all have to work together, or would just one do? I wanna know everything.

Hugs and Cuddles,

Princess Friendship.

Luster turned the letter over, but the other side was blank. The contents of the letter were disappointingly mundane, and nowhere near as personal as she had hoped. Her quill danced over the empty sheets of parchment she had brought with her, rapidly transcribing the contents of the letter. The next chronological letter had been badly burned, and was missing the lower third. The thick, spiky handwriting was barely legible, and Luster could feel a sinister aura emanating from it.

Dear Annoying Runt Princess Friendship

You are most astute, aren't you? Why, if I'd had a filly as smart as you by my side, we'd be ruling this land together right now.

It's actually most simple. Their friendship makes them powerful, but it also makes them weak. They are afraid of power, and instead of seizing it for themselves, as somepony with initiative like yourself would, they instead opt to cower beneath the hooves of Celestia. Truly contemptible.

Of course, if they were to lose their magic, how might things be different, I wonder? Without their precious Elements of Harmony, Twilight and the princesses would be hard-pressed to keep their rule running smoothly. It would be mere foal's play for a talented filly such as yourself to overthrow them.

My imprisonment offers me nothing but time to plan and scheme. It so happens that one of my plans is one that could not be more faithfully executed by one in your position. I wonder if you've heard of the artefacts of Kanthaka? Long ago, before Equestria, there existed

The letter ended there. Luster squinted desperately at the scorched edge of the paper, hoping to somehow make out the faint outline of further writing, but there was nothing. Of course, she was well aware of Kanthaka's ritual - after all, it was one of the few magical rituals that could be carried out without the magical abilities of a unicorn - but she had no idea it could be used to absorb magic from all across Equestria, even when boosted by an artefact as powerful as the Tree of Friendship.

The damage to the next letter was even worse. There were only a few scraps of paper remaining, collected in an envelope.

...collected three of them, but the crown has proved more difficult than I expected...

...to Tartarus, since they'll assume it's your doing. Don't you tell on me, now! After that, I'll be able to manipulate the students the same way I did...

...head on a stick outside her pwecious Castle of Friendship. Hah! Then I'll take her brother and cut off...

...set you free, if you promise to behave. You can have Fillydelphia, or maybe Manehattan. I'll need someone to deal with anypony who won't do what I say! Maybe if you do a really good job, I'll...

With a heavy heart, Luster moved on to the fourth letter. This one was fully intact, the spider-like writing printed more neatly. Tirek had clearly put a lot more effort into this letter than the last one.

Dear Princess Friendship

Why, I am most impressed. What did an old monster like me did to deserve an accomplice as devious as yourself? However, I have several suggestions to make. I do hope you'll accept my assistance.

First, timing is everything. You must time it precisely so that Twilight and her friends arrive at Tartarus just before this 'Neighsay' arrives. That should give you enough time to deal with him and consolidate your control over the school.

Second, do not underestimate any of Twilight's friends. I've never heard of this 'Starlight Glimmer', but if she's a close friend of Twilight, you would be unwise to dismiss her abilities so readily. If she cannot be convinced to leave with her friends, I recommend trapping her within the sphere of magical energy the ritual generates. That should keep her... occupied.

If the magical power of the ritual can be amplified through this tree, then it should be able to absorb all the magic from Equestria within three days. The magic within Tartarus should be unaffected, but the door will need to be unlocked from outside. If my memory serves me well, there exists an artefact known as the "Key of Unfettered Entrance" that will unlock it. Ensure Twilight and her Friends bring it with them. It should let them in... but not out.

When the third sun falls, I will drain the magic from the beasts of Tartarus and escape, leaving Twilight and her friends trapped there forever. As the only magical being left, I shall rule Equestria alongside you as a king most terrible for aeons to come.

Kindest regards,

Big Brother.

The flattering, grooming tone in Tirek's words made her want to vomit. Her stomach tightened as she realized she might well by holding five copies of what might originally have been hundreds of letters. Cozy Glow might have been receiving letters like this for years.

A hot, burning rage began to bubble within her, and it took every ounce of strength she had to stay put and open the next letter with care. The final letter was the longest, Cozy Glow's tiny handwriting somehow filling the entire page.

Dear Big Brother

Golly, I would never have thought of using that dusty old key! You sure are smart. It's so nice to have somepony - or should it be somecreature? Some... centaur? Never mind, somepony else who understands the way I think. All my teachers just keep saying the same thing over and over, "Friendship is Magic" and all that nonsense. But I'll show them all what friendship is really for.

It's funny, everypony talks about you like you're the absolute worst meanest monster ever, but you've been so kind and helpful to me, even though I'm just a pony. Nopony at school is this nice to me. They all think I'm weird, even if they don't say it out loud like the foals at the orphanage did. I know they're all laughing at me behind my back. Counsellor Glimmer says that I'm just imagining it, but I know she's lying.

I'm still having those nightmares. I know you said you didn't want to hear about them, but I don't think I can talk to anyone else about them, and I don't know why they keep happening. Last night it was my mommy and daddy. I mean, I've only ever seen photos of them, but I recognized them. They kept telling me it was my fault they were dead. Counsellor Starlight knows I'm having them, and she won't back off. Keeps asking me about these letters. I know she's trying to mess with me head. Why is she even allowed to be a school counsellor after all she did? She should be in Tartarus, not you.

But we'll show them, won't we! When I'm the Empress of Friendship, I'll have more friends than anypony, and they'll all have to do what I say! All the foals who bullied me at the orphanage, and the Princesses, and Starlight and that MULE SILVER SONG, THEY'RE ALL GONNA BE SORRY!

Please write back sooner this time. I really like reading your letters, it's the only thing that calms me down when I'm upset - which is all the time these days.

Hugs and Cuddles

Princess Friendship

"Not a pretty picture, is it?"

Luster jumped slightly at Glimmer's voice. The headmare was hovering in the doorway, levitating a stack of marked assignments in her magical aura. Luster laid the letter down on the table, her throat dry.

"You used to counsel Cozy?"

Glimmer nodded. "It was my first job at this school. I knew she was having problems, but I never suspected she'd been planning anything." She sighed. "I just... do you think I could have done more?"

Luster opened her mouth awkwardly, somewhat thrown by her old teacher asking her such a personal question. "I... I don't think anypony really knew what she was - "

Glimmer held up a hoof. "Please, no diplomatic answers. Tell me what you really think."

Luster glanced back at the letter she had just finished reading. "You knew Cozy was talking to Tirek?"

Glimmer's eyes bulged slightly. "Of course I didn't! I knew she was trading letters with somepony - Celestia knows that was all she used to do in her spare time - but I just assumed it was a pen pal, or maybe a colt she was soft on."

"Still, you didn't think it was... I don't know, unusual?"

"Actually, it was quite a relief. She was..." Starlight paused, as if searching for the right words. "She was friendly enough, but she didn't seem to be making many real friends. Spent most of her time alone, reading, studying, or just staring into space. I was worried if I pried too much, she'd stop talking to whoever it was, and then she'd be more alone than ever."

Luster couldn't agree with what Starlight was saying, but she understood. Glimmer approached the table and laid her hoof on the scattered letters, closing her eyes and furrowing her brow.

"And then I had to go and suggest making her Twilight's friendship assistant. I bet that went to her head, her first taste of power. I was so convinced that she was destined for great things, you know. I honestly thought she'd be where you were one day, a royal protégé, maybe even..." She chuckled. "Maybe even a future princess. Like you."

Luster bristled at Starlight's comment. "You're wrong. Princess Twilight will live for centuries to come. And she would have discussed it with me if she had anything like that in mind."

"Like Celestia discussed it with her?"

Luster paused. "She didn't?"

"Of course she didn't. Celestia never asked to lead, you know. She was chosen. As all leaders should be. Only those who don't seek power are qualified to hold it. You think anypony knows that better than me?" Glimmer waved a hoof in her general direction.

"I was right where she was all those years ago. Twilight taking me under her wing, mentoring me... it was all about preparing her to rule Equestria. The same way Cozy Glow is testing you."

Luster fell silent. In truth, she didn't have an answer. Was Twilight really preparing her to take over the throne? Was Cozy just another one of Twilight's many tests? All of a sudden, she found herself craving her old teacher's advice.

"Let's... let's say you're right. What do you think will happen to Cozy if I am successful?"

Starlight sighed. "I'm sure Twilight's filled your head with stories about her skipping off happily into the sunset with a bunch of newfound friends. But I don't think everypony will be as quick to forgive as you and I are. I mean, what's really waiting for her beyond that cell? Who'd hire her? Who'd rent to her? Who'd even accept her as a friend?"

"Ponies accepted you." Luster countered. "For hay's sake, they even let you teach their foals!"

"You know it's not the same thing. Most ponies had never heard of me before I became Twilight's student. But they all remember Cozy."

Luster could feel herself getting flustered with anger. "So, what? I should just give up on her, let her rot in that cell forever? Maybe petrify her again?" Her voice had risen to a shout, echoing off the ancient walls of the library.

Starlight gave her an odd look. "Woah, calm down! I never said that. I just said you should manage your expectations."

Blood rushed to Luster's cheeks as she realized how ridiculous she must look. Starlight, meanwhile, was giving her a new, more probing look.

"Are you all right, Luster?" She paused. "I mean, I used to be a counsellor, so I can tell you're not. Is there anything you want to talk about? I'm always here if you need any help, or just want to talk."

Luster tried to force a smile onto her lips, but one simply would not form. "Look, all this is just... stressful, you know? And it doesn't help to have Discord breathing down my neck all the time, accusing me of being under Cozy's spell every time I express a little concern for her personal well-being." She hesitated. "Actually, maybe you can help me."

Starlight perked up at that. "Sure! Anything you need."

"You counselled Cozy, right? What kind of things did you discuss? She mentioned she was having nightmares, and that you knew. It would be a huge help."

Starlight paused. "I... I don't know. I'm not supposed to disclose that kind of information without a student's consent. Not even to their parents."

Luster pressed on. "I understand, but, just... look, it could be a huge breakthrough. You're one of the only ponies who had a close relationship with her." She wasn't used to trying to weasel information out of other ponies like this. "I mean, I'm her counsellor now, right? We're just... comparing notes."

Glimmer still looked uncomfortable. "Well..."

Sensing weakness, Luster went in for the kill. "If you have information that could help her, what kind of pony would you be if you kept it from me?"

It worked. Starlight bit her lower lip and visibly relaxed. "All right, fine. Promise you won't tell anypony else I gave you this information?"

Luster smiled and nodded. "Cross my heart and hope to fly - "

" - stick a cupcake in my eye." Glimmer laughed. "Come on, let's get going. I have a school to open tomorrow."

The incessant sound of a harmonica being played - badly - drifted through the maximum security wing, causing a vein in the guard's forehead to twitch. As much as he'd have liked to confiscate it from the filly, as it wasn't technically contraband, his hooves were bound. It must have been a gift from that unicorn that kept visiting. Oh, he would have some choice words for her the next time she came knocking.

As usual, he hadn't been told anything about their latest arrival, only that nopony was meant to talk to her unless it was absolutely necessary. That would normally have suited him just fine - most of the ponies locked up in here weren't exactly the type he wanted to have a meaningful discussion with, anyway - but for some reason, the fact that discussion was forbidden just ignited his curiosity further.

His thoughts were interrupted by the filly hitting a particularly long, loud, shrill and ear-splitting note on the harmonica, causing something inside him to snap. Striding over to the door, he hammered against it with his hoof.

"PIPE DOWN IN THERE!!"

The harmonica stopped. From within, a snide, mocking voice responded. "Make me."

The guard's vision flashed red with rage. It took every ounce of self-control he possessed to stop himself from wrenching the door open and beating the filly to a pulp.

"Who do you think you're talking to?"

The muffled sound of the filly giggling could be heard. "Golly, I don't know. Another high-school dropout with anger issues and an inferiority complex, by the sound of things."

That did it. Nopony talked to him like that, especially not the vermin they kept locked up in here. Little filly or not, this scumbag was going to learn a lesson about respect. Fumbling for the master key he wore around his neck, the guard forced it into the door lock and turned it.

The key didn't budge. He swore and tried again with more force, and still the key stayed stuck. An awful, gloating laugh drifted through the keyhole.

"What's the matter? Can't get it in?"

The guard roared in fury and shifted his weight onto the key in a last ditch effort to get it to turn. The key buckled slightly, then snapped in the lock, causing him to lose his footing and come crashing to the floor. Black splotches grew and burst before his eyes as his body burned in pain, the shrill sound of the filly shrieking in laughter the only thing he could hear.

As he stumbled to his hooves, cheeks burning in humiliation, he examined the door. The thick metal frame was undamaged, but the lock was jammed with the remains of the door key. How was he going to explain this to the sergeant? He wasn't supposed to open the door unless it was an emergency, so he couldn't pretend the key had broken by accident.

And why hadn't it worked in the first place? Had the locks been changed? No, impossible. He would have been told if they had. Had the filly tampered with the lock? Equally impossible - the locks were sealed from the other side. The only way to unlock them was from the outside.

As he peered into the lock, wondering if he could somehow remove the broken fragment, he heard hoofsteps approaching behind him. He spun around and found himself facing a unicorn mare - another guard, and judging by the ornate golden wings affixed to her chestplate, one of much higher rank.

She took one look at his blank expression and sighed. "Care to explain yourself?"

"I... I was just conducting a check on the prisoner. She'd been quiet for a while, and I was worried there could be something wrong."

He'd expect the filly to pipe up with a contradiction, but for whatever reason, she mercifully decided to keep her mouth shut. The guard raised an eyebrow.

"Stand up straight." He immediately adjusted his pose as she continued. "You've been instructed to leave this cell alone. I expect better compliance in the future, soldier."

"Yes, ma'am." He bowed his head. "The, uh, the key broke in the door. I think I might have been issued with the wrong set of keys this morning."

The unicorn closed her eyes in silent frustration. As she opened them, her horn glowed, and the stuck fragment flew out of the lock effortlessly. She let it clatter to the floor, before returning her steely gaze to the stallion.

"This lock is magically sealed. It doesn't open without authorisation from the central prison authority. And if anypony tampers with it, it sets off an alarm." She glanced at the ID badge clipped to his armour. "Oak Fields. There will be a mark on your permanent record, possibly a fine for destroying public property. Don't let anything like this happen ever again."

With that, she strutted off with the air of arrogance universal to all commissioned officers. As he watched her leave, he became vaguely aware of the sound of a harmonica floating from behind the cell door.

Luster glanced over at Glimmer, unrolling a sheet of parchment. "Whenever you're ready."

Glimmer shuffled around in her seat awkwardly, eyes darting back and forth in discomfort. "Heh. It's hard to know where to start."

"Why don't you try telling me about the first time you met Cozy Glow?"

Glimmer's eyes lit up.

"Oh, of course. That was back when... gosh, that was back when I was still guidance counsellor. Now I feel old. I'd seen her around school a few times, but the first time I met her was when she came to me asking for advice. She'd failed one of her tests on purpose and wanted to talk about it."

Luster scribbled frantically, trying to capture everything that was said. Tiny drops of ink flew from the parchment and landed on her muzzle as she wrote. "Failed on purpose? Why?"

"Oh, she was being tutored by some other foals. She thought if she failed badly enough, Princess Twilight would let her friends join the school." She shook her head. "Maybe friends is too strong a word. The closest thing she had to friends would be... projects. Ponies she worked on."

"But you think she genuinely wanted to help these foals?"

Glimmer paused, as if considering the question. "I'm sure she had her own reasons, but yes, I think she did."

"And was that when she started seeing you on a regular basis?"

Glimmer snorted. "She never saw me on a regular basis. She would drop into my office every so often, talk for about half an hour, then just leave. This... this is why I wasn't comfortable talking about this at first. Sometimes she would just talk about how her week had been, or something mundane. Other times..."

Luster leaned in. "Yes?"

"Sometimes she wanted to talk about her past. But it was like she was reliving it, not trying to get over it. Or she wanted to talk about her nightmares, but instead of talking about how they made her feel, she just wanted to walk me through them in detail. You know, she was convinced Princess Luna was behind them. Absolutely convinced. Wouldn't hear a word to the contrary."

Luster nodded along, silently scribbling as she did so. "Would you say she was paranoid?"

"About everything and anything. It was like she couldn't relax unless she knew exactly what was going on around her at all times. I tried to make my office a place where she could feel safe, and I suppose that's why she kept coming back."

"Didn't you share your concerns with Princess Twilight?"

"Of course not. The whole point of a counsellor is that all disclosures are confidential." Luster raised an eyebrow, and she blinked. "Oh. You mean after... what happened." She shuffled further in her seat. "I... I had planned on it. But I was worried Twilight would blame me for not bringing my concerns up sooner. In a way, I felt responsible for a lot of what Cozy did. And with her locked up in Tartarus, I figured it didn't matter."

Luster understood what Starlight meant. Still, this wasn't exactly proving to be the tell-all exposé on Cozy she'd hoped for. "How did Cozy fit in at the school?"

"Like I said, not as well as I'd hoped. A good student, excellent grades, but no real friends. She wasn't bullied - at least, not that I know of - but she didn't trust anypony enough to get close to them."

"Did she ever talk about her plans beyond school?"

"She mentioned wanting to be a teacher a few times, but I doubt she was taking her future all that seriously. Most foals her age would have given a similar answer."

Luster dutifully scribbled this down. She could think of little else to ask, and the candles Starlight had lit were burned down to a nub, slowly swallowing the pair in the pitch darkness of the new moon. Luster rolled her parchment into a scroll and neatly packed it into her saddlebag.

"Thanks for your time, Starlight." The disappointment in her voice must have been obvious, because Starlight's cheerful expression fell slightly at her words.

"It was nothing. I wish I could have been of more help."

The pair headed towards the exit in silence, the sound of hoofsteps against the cold marble floor the only sound punctuating the veil of darkness around them. Starlight rested her hoof against the door for a moment, then spoke up again.

"I meant what I said earlier, you know. About Princesshood."

Luster was too tired to argue the point any further, so she responded with a non-committal grunt.

"Take my advice or don't. You're too old for me to be lecturing you. But Twilight is testing you. And she's using Cozy to do it. And I understand she's not the most sympathetic figure, but I... I just want you to make sure you put her well-being first, ahead of her reformation. No matter what's on the line."

Luster shook her head. "What are you saying, exactly?"

Starlight sighed, and pushed the door open. The soft glow of streetlamps flooded through the doorway, illuminating the ground underneath Luster's hooves.

"Power is intoxicating, Luster. Trust me. I know that better than anypony."

No matter how fast she ran, the wolves ran faster. She could feel them inches behind her, howling madly, snapping at her hooves, so close she could feel the heat of their breath on her heels. The sun burned fiercely above her, its familiar yellow glow corrupted into a menacing crimson that stretched infinitely into every horizon, bathing the vast plains around her in blood red light.

Every muscle in her body ached, her heart was pounding agonizingly in her chest, and her every breath was ragged and painful. Her vision flashed red and black, until she could run no longer. Her legs gave way beneath her, and she crashed painfully into the ground.

The hounds were upon her in an instant. They were merciless, tearing chunks of flesh from every exposed part of her body. The pain was indescribable, but that wasn't the worst part. It was the faces. Each wolf wore a different one - Chrysalis, Tirek, Discord, Celestia, Twilight, Luster, their expressions twisted into those of ravenous beasts. From their mouths poured an endless stream of blood, only some of it hers, and their eyes were black, featureless, unfeeling voids.

They cackled madly in between mouthfuls, but by this point she was only vaguely aware of what was happening. Her vision was dimming, the pain ebbing away, her consciousness slipping away...

Cozy Glow's eyes shot open.

She leapt to her feet, heart pounding so fast and hard she was certain she was going to faint. Her mouth was open in a silent scream, and her coat was matted with sweat. Instinctively, she backed into a nearby corner, eyes rapidly scanning the darkness, waiting for the hounds to lurch forwards and sink their teeth into her flesh.

She stood paralyzed in the corner like that for a few minutes, hardly daring to breathe, chest burning with fear. When nothing appeared, she began to relax slightly as her memories came flooding back. She was in the same cell as usual. She was safe. And she was alone.

Crawling back to her bunk, she wrapped the thin blanket around herself several times. Backing as far as she could into the corner, she curled herself into a ball and wept.

Author's Note

daddy vanity feeding you new content owo

III - The Empress

The swamp was disgusting. The stench of fetid water, animal waste and death floated upwards in a never-ending stream, the foul smell made ten times worse by the humidity and unbearable heat. The few lowly creatures that were able to carve out a living here, mostly insects, buzzed around angrily, looking for new hosts to parasitize.

It would be perfect.

Queen Chrysalis' wings fluttered upwards once, signalling to her retinue to halt. She turned and eyed her guards with the disinterest, pleased to see a glimmer of fear in their otherwise stoic expressions.

"I believe I have found us a location for our new hive."

The commander bowed deferentially. "As you wish, your majesty. Shall we return to the fold and send a team of workers here tomorrow?"

There was no hint of complaint. Changelings were used to harsh, unforgiving environments, and would happily eat food that would have turned a pony's stomach at just it's smell. But even if the Queen had picked the core of an active volcano, the commander wouldn't have raised so much as an eyebrow. Challenging the Queen directly would be akin to committing suicide.

Chrysalis considered this prospect. It was a long fly back to their camp, and they hadn't fed in days. She cared nothing for the well-being of her guards, but she was well aware that, with the destruction of her old hive by the Griffons, her position as Queen was tenuous. The commander would never challenge her openly, but the question itself was challenge enough. If she failed in her duties, she might well find herself facing insurrection. And it was a Queen's duty to provide for her subjects.

"Tonight, we camp and feed. It has been many moons since we've had a good meal. I trust your reflexes are sharp as ever, Tarsus."

The commander bowed even lower. "You are most gracious, your majesty."

Chrysalis stared him down, watching intently for the slightest sign of defiance, ready to tear him to shreds if he should show any. Eventually, she turned away. It was one thing to promise a meal - finding one would be quite another. There were surely no civilized beings out in this wilderness. In fact, the last suitable meals they had come across was a Slingtail herd almost six hours journey from here. By the time they arrived, they would surely be too exhausted to hunt effectively. Besides, Slingtails were never far from dragon nests.

Scanning the horizon intently, she breathed in deeply, hoping to pick up the scent of a wild animal. The love of beasts was not as refined or as filling as the love of a sapient creature, but it would do. The overpowering stench of the swamp was the only scent she could pick up, and her heart sank as she realized that an animal could be less than a hundred metres away and she still wouldn't be able to smell it.

Her wings fluttered. They would be searching for some time yet.

Eventually, they happened upon a manticore den. Chewed bones littered the entrance, and a soft growling from within warned them against getting too close. The pack of changelings landed a safe distance away and waited.

Chrysalis strode confidently forwards, intensely visualizing the body of a female manticore as she did so. The ground at her hooves sparked and cracked angrily, and thick emerald flames shot forth from the earth, engulfing her in seconds. When the fire died down, the Queen was gone, replaced by a chimerical beast with the body of a lioness, and a long, cruel-looking scorpion tail coiling behind her.

She paused just outside the cave entrance, then let out a low mix between a growl and a whine, quiet, but not too quiet. A few seconds passed, but nothing happened.

She tried again, louder this time. The sound of rustling echoed from the cave, and the beast stuck it's head out, eyes widening at the mere sight of a manticoress. Abandoning all trepidation, it lurched forwards from it's den and lumbered forwards, eyes dilating in anticipation.

She waited until the very last moment to strike. Normally, she preferred to have a creature fully under her control before she struck, but she was out to prove herself. A little callous brutality wouldn't be amiss. Plus, she didn't really like the way the manticore was looking at her.

Blinding emerald flames engulfed her once more, causing the manticore to howl and stumble. She had hoped the trick would be enough to send him crashing to the ground, but it merely diverted him to the side, whimpering and covering his eyes in agony. Not one to lose the advantage, she lurched forwards and sank her fangs into base of the beast's neck, shattering through several vertebra and severing the spinal cord. The beast's hulking muscles instantly gave way, and he slumped to the ground.

Chrysalis landed elegantly aside the paralyzed manticore, and spat out a mouthful of blood and flesh. She had never before defeated anything this large, and was quietly pleased with herself. Certainly, any would-be usurpers would be thinking twice after this.

A quiet buzzing sound behind her signified the arrival of her retinue. She glanced at her catch and then back to her cohort, raising an eyebrow, as if daring one of them to attempt to feed before her. When none did, she smirked, and opened her mouth to drain the lion's share of the manticore's love in one go.

Cozy Glow's eyes fluttered open once more.

The featureless cell walls gave no indication as to the time. It could be one in the morning, or in the afternoon. She should have asked Luster for a clock. The harmonica had been fun, but asking for gifts too often would undermine the emotional value Luster believed she placed on them.

She huddled under her bedsheets for a few minutes before giving up. It was no use; she wasn't going to get any more sleep today. Rising to her hooves, she ambled over to the sink and rinsed her face clean.

Her thoughts slowly drifted back to the dream she'd just awoken from. It wasn't a nightmare, but it wasn't exactly a normal dream, either. No, it was far too... vivid. Certain details jumped out at her, while others were clouded, foggy. It was almost like reliving one of her own memories... or one of Chrysalis'.

She wasn't totally stupid. The memory was clearly from Chrysalis's past, somehow transplanted into her subconscious. Cozy knew virtually nothing about petrification - other than she never wanted to go through it again - but the idea that being imprisoned in the same statue with other creatures could allow the sharing of memories wasn't at all implausible. Or had Twilight accidentally chipped off part of Chrysalis' memories along with her when she'd been freed?

In any case, how she had come into possession of the memory was inconsequential. The real question was, should she tell Luster?

As soon as she arrived at the question, she decided on the answer. Admitting that she had shared memories - and possibly more - with one of Equestria's most reviled enemies was definitely not a good idea. If Luster - or Twilight - started thinking she was contaminated by Chrysalis, they might start developing a very different attitude towards her release.

She would do best, she resolved, to put it out of her mind.

She waited patiently in her cell for hours before the guard finally came. True to her word, Luster had managed to win her an hour and a half of recreation, and thankfully, away from the other prisoners. That "recreation time" consisted of being locked in an empty gym and observed through a pathetically obvious one-way mirror did little to dampen the rush she experienced at leaving her despised cell.

She spent most of today running laps around the room, occasionally testing herself on the balance beams. The rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins was intoxicating, all the more so after being locked in the same cell for the past twenty-two hours. It was a powerful incentive to keep in line, too. The prospect of losing this brief respite from solitary confinement was enough to put any rebellious thoughts to bed.

A buzzer sounded, and two mares in guard uniforms burst through the door. Ignoring her protestations, they each seized Cozy by the shoulder and marched her back to her cell. She made numerous attempts to strike up a conversation with the pair, but they simply ignored her and stared ahead, not even glancing in her direction. She was thrown roughly into her cell, and the door was curtly slammed in her face.

Chrysalis reclined back on her new throne, watching her subjects hard at work. Teams of worker drones slaved away at the wall of the throne room, supervised by snarling soldiers. Her mind began to wander as she considered the more imminent problems of her domain.

Food was, of course, the foremost problem. Though the remoteness of the hive would protect them from all but the most determined invaders, it also insulated them from a ready supply of love. The proximity of the last hive to Griffonstone had meant a ready supply of food, but it had also bought the wrath of the Empire down upon them. They would not make the same mistake this time. Travelling afield to feed was a small price to pay for the hive's security.

But where to feed from? They were not far from Yakyakistan, but it seemed wasteful to dispatch an entire team of changelings to capture a single beast. The Crystal Empire no longer existed, and the risk of retribution would too great anyway. There were a few frontier towns on the cusp of the Crystal Mountains, no doubt filled with unsuspecting pony meals. As long as they chose their target carefully, the risk of discovery was small. Celestia had been a weak and distracted leader since her sister's banishment, unlikely to do anything until it was far too late.

She studied the map her scribes had prepared for her intently. A small village seemed to jump out at her. The name of the village, Blackstone, was scribbled down in neat writing - neat for a changeling, anyway - as well as a population estimate.

It was an indescribable feeling. Years later, she would look back and be unable to place exactly what it was that had drawn her so strongly to this quaint little village in the middle of nowhere. All she knew was that it would be a terrible mistake to ignore this village for another second. She stood up on her throne and cleared her throat. In an instant, every changeling turned to face her and prostrated themselves. She glanced around for a few seconds, looking for any who dared defy her. She licked her lips, determined to impress.

"You have done a good job on the new hive. Your Queen is pleased." Her voice echoed throughout the room, and the faintest hint of a smirk crossed her lips. "And when your Queen is pleased, she provides. No more scavenging for wildlife, no more hunting beasts of the wild. Tonight, we feast on the love of ponies. And all will be satiated."

With the final word, she slammed her hoof into the ground, sending tremors rippling through the throne room. Her subjects rose from their bows and howled their appreciation, with a ferocity and eagerness that sent electric shocks through her carapace.

Blackstone was bigger than she had expected. As it first appeared over the horizon, a soft amber jewel glittering in the darkness, she couldn't help but be drawn to a large, ornately decorated temple in the centre of the village, feeling the same powerful urge she had felt from the map.

They emerged from the night-time void and descended in their hundreds, not bothering to disguise themselves, revelling in the terrified screams of the ponies as they scattered. Legends of the changelings were widespread throughout Equestria, though few ponies had come across a changeling themselves. The stories of foal-eating magical bugs of immense power were exaggerations, but the terror the stories inspired in ponyfolk was very much on their side.

As terror gave way to chaos, the feeding began. The lucky few that escaped disappeared into the darkness, but most were seized by at least one changeling, or, if they were unlucky, a group. The screams began to die down as, one by one, the villagers were drained of their love.

The smell of love in the air was overpowering, and under any other circumstances, she would have abandoned her dignity and joined in the carnage. However, she still found herself unable to tear her attention away from the temple in the centre of the village. The air around it was thick with the scent of fear, but there was something else, too. An indescribable aura cloaked the building, exacerbating her curiosity ever further.

Chrysalis readied herself for break down the gaudy doors, but before she could raise a single hoof, the doors swung open of its own accord. She raised an eyebrow in incredulity as an aged, cloaked unicorn stallion stumbled out and collapsed at her hooves.

"Please... don't..."

The sheer desperation in his voice sent shivers down her spine. She ignored his whimpers and stepped over him, crossing through the entrance and squinting into the darkness. She could make out at least a dozen other ponies, huddled together around a large monolith structure. She ignited her horn, bathing the room in an eerie pale green glow. In the new light, she could make out a series of intricate carvings lining the walls. She didn't speak the written language of ponies, but she could tell from the illustrations that the temple was dedicated to the worship of Princess Luna.

The monolithic structure was just that, an enormous black monolith that pulsed with an unearthly magic unlike any she had come across. Every pony in the room was a unicorn, and they all wore the same plain robes. They were gathered around the monolith and pressed against it protectively, affording it a reverence worthy of a religious artefact. One of the younger, bolder mares snarled aggressively at her as she approached.

"Leave!"

Chrysalis cackled in response. "You are brave to challenge me, little filly." Her eyes narrowed. "What is this..." She waved her hoof at the structure. "...thing?"

The mare clamped up and shook her head furiously. Beside her, an older mare spoke up.

"Why do you care? It belongs to our village."

Chrysalis smirked. "Belonged to your village. To the victor, the spoils. And now, you're going to tell me what it does. Or else."

The mare didn't flinch. "Or else what?"

Chrysalis yawned, horn glowing brighter. "Or... I can destroy it. It's of little consequence to me, either way."

"No!" The mare clung tighter than ever to the rock as tears began to stream down her face. "Do whatever you like to us, but don't destroy it! Please!" She took a few deep, raggedy breaths, then relented.

"It is a gift from Nightmare Moon, one that fell from the sky many years ago. We unicorns serve it and feed it our magic, and in return, Nightmare Moon watches over us."

"It saps the magic of unicorns, you mean. Well, how wonderful. It will serve as a fine addition to the defences of my hive. Now, stand aside, and I may yet spare your lives."

One of the stallions spoke up, an ancient stallion who probably couldn't stand to face her if he wanted. "Take us... with you. We will... serve you... as your slaves. But... do not... separate us... from this... gift."

Chrysalis threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, how touching. So much misplaced love... delicious." Striding forwards, she seized the nearest monk in her magical grip and raised him up into the air. "Don't worry. You'll be meeting your precious goddess very soon."

She fed like a wild animal, draining each meal as slowly as possible to wring as much love out of each one as she could, before tossing the husk aside and seizing the next, not bothering to cocoon them. Some struggled, some even fought back. But without their magic, they were no threat at all. The whimpering and begging of her victims-to-be as they watched her feed on their siblings was music to her ears.

The religious fervour within each and every one of them was like three ponies worth of love, and she found herself satiated much faster than she had expected. Eventually, she had had her fill. As she dropped her final meal, she felt her senses slowly begin to return, taking in the havoc she had wrought around her. Less than half of the cult was still alive, clinging to their precious monument tighter than ever. With her feeding frenzy bringing new clarity, she began to piece together her next steps.

"I..." She took a deep breath, panting slightly. "I have... had my fill. You are... lucky. Your Queen is feeling generous. You will be permitted to live. As our slaves."

The unicorns said nothing, the looks of shock and horror on their faces never fading. Chrysalis swept from the temple and was greeted with the sight of the village in ruins. The feeding spree had subsided, and those few ponies who had yet to fall victim to a changeling's hunger had been herded into the centre of town by her soldiers. She could tell from the vacuous, dead expressions the catches wore that these traumatized specimens would make poor meals. She let out a low, guttural snarl, and instantly a troop of soldiers stood in front of her, bowing deeply.

"In that temple there lies a monolith and a group of ponies. I want them both taken to my throne room. Unharmed. If there's so much as a scratch on either one, every one of you will regret the day you hatched for the rest of your short lives. Understood?"

The soldiers nodded in unison. "As you wish, your majesty."

Chrysalis nodded, satisfied. Then, clearing her throat, she addressed her subjects at large. "From this day forward, this village never existed. Once you're finished here, torch this place and reduce it to the ground. Let nothing survive."

"...might need a doctor. Oh! Cozy? Can you hear me?"

Cozy glared through bleary eyes at a pink-and-amber blob that was all too familiar. "Luster..."

"Yes, it's me! You're okay, Cozy. You're safe. You just fainted. I - No, I don't want the guards to handle this! Is that a real question? Here we are, let's just... sit you upright."

As her vision stabilized, Cozy took in her surroundings. Luster and a prison nurse were staring fretfully down at her. She was back in her cell. What had happened? All she remembered was being returned to her cell. Had she over-exerted herself during exercise?

"What..." She felt unbearably weak. "What's going... on?"

Luster hesitated, then leaned in and gave her a hug. Somewhere in the back of Cozy's befuddled mind, she was surprised how nice it felt. "Oh, Sweet Celestia, I was so worried! You were talking like normal, then you just up and collapsed! I thought... I thought you might be..."

She didn't - couldn't - finish. "I'm going to get you out of here, Cozy. Tonight. I don't care if I have to smuggle you out in my saddlebag, you're not spending any more time in this Luna-damned cell!" Her voice trembled with anger as she choked out the words.

Cozy was only half-listening. What was Luster talking about? Cozy didn't remember her arriving today at all, much less having a conversation with her. Had she forgotten everything when she passed out? She remembered Chrysalis' memories perfectly.

Luster stepped back, slightly embarrassed, and gave her a kindly smile. "Well, as long as you're okay, everything's going to be fine. I just... need to step out for a moment. I'll be back soon. Do you want Tender Heart to stay here with you while I'm gone?"

Cozy glanced at the nurse, who looked as if she'd rather swallow a mouthful of rusty nails than be locked in a room with her. "No. I mean, I'll be fine. Don't worry."

Luster nodded. "Like I said, I'll be back as soon as I can."

She kept her kindly expression up until she was well out of the door, at which point it twisted and hardened into a snarl.

"It could be an act."

Luster slammed her hooves onto the warden's desk, causing him to jump. "It wasn't! I was there when it happened, in case you'd forgotten! I can tell the difference between a filly playing sick and a foal having a nervous breakdown!"

Strong Lock sighed. "This is no ordinary filly we're talking about here. In any case, it's not up to me. I'm holding her here at the request of Princess Twilight - your mentor, I believe. Why did you even come to me in the first place?"

"Because - Well, because I..." Luster trailed off, not willing to admit the reason why.

"If I had to guess, it would be because the Princess has already refused your request. Believe it or not, I don't get to release prisoners when I feel like it, Miss Dawn. My advice is that you should take your case back to the Princess. Given the circumstances, she may have a change of heart."

"But you can at least have her moved out of that awful cube, can't you?" Luster pressed on, desperate to win some small victory.

"And put her where? General population?" He rose to his hooves and pointed at the exit. "I'm a busy stallion, Miss Dawn, and I can't make any more time in my schedule for this. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Luster slowly rose to her hooves, shaking with anger. "So, you're just going to ignore it? How can you do this to a little filly? Do you agree with this?"

"I don't play politics, Miss Dawn. I've asked once. Please don't make me ask again."

Luster sneered, then turned tail and strutted out of the warden's office with contempt. In truth, she'd more or less expected that reaction, but it didn't stop her from being furious. How could she face Cozy again, after promising her freedom and failing to deliver it?

Maybe she didn't. She had one last trick hidden in her coat.

The cult had wept when she'd desecrated their holy artefact into the shape of a throne. In response, she had perched atop it and laughed, before ordering every one of them to depart from the throne room, never to be reunited with their precious monolith ever again. From the remaining rock, she had crafted amulets, bracelets and other adornments for her soldiers to wear in battle.

The hive attacked neighbouring villages with impunity, feeding at will and carting off herds of slaves. The stories of bugs with the power to steal the magic of unicorns spread like wildfire and quickly became the stuff of legend. Soon, ponies stopped fighting back altogether, and fled in their thousands from areas known to be frequented by changelings. The hive soon came to dominate the region altogether, and carved a great empire out of their northern hunting grounds,

And at the centre of it all was their Queen, Chrysalis. The unquestioned, unchallenged, revered queen of the changelings, whose word was law.

They truly were the good old days.

Twilight glanced up from her book as the door swung open. To her surprise, it was Luster standing in the doorway, a stony look on her face.

"Luster?" Smiling, she closed the book and rose to her hooves. "How good to see you. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Your highness." Luster bowed. "I have a... request."

"Oh?" Twilight raised an eyebrow. "How may I be of assistance?"

"I want Cozy Glow out of that prison. Now." Taking a deep breath, she began to talk. Twilight sat and listened silently as she explained everything. She said nothing during Luster's diatribe against the prison, masking her emotions with perfect skill. Eventually, Luster trailed off and fell silent, mouth dry and tongue sore from talking at such length.

"I see. Unfortunately, I believe this issue was raised only a few days ago. I said no then, and I must give the same answer now. I understand you are upset. But the risk is simply too great. Cozy stays where she is."

The words fell from Twilight's lips like a death sentence. Luster felt her blood boil. Once again, nopony cared. Luster wanted to scream. She wanted to call Twilight every name under the sun. A small part of her even wanted to physically attack her mentor.

"Then I quit."

Twilight blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. I quit. If you don't... If you won't let Cozy out of that cell, then you're going to have to find yourself a new protégé."

Twilight shook her head at the words. "Luster, come now. You are not seeing reason."

"I'm not seeing reason? You threw a little filly in jail! Have you even seen the cell you threw her in? Of course you haven't, have you? You have no right to call yourself a teacher. You failed her twenty-three years ago, so why should I expect any different this time?" She threw her head back and laughed hysterically, quite demented. "Why would I ever, ever want to call somepony like you my teacher!"

She regretted the words the second they left her mouth, but she wasn't one to back down from what she'd said. Twilight flinched slightly at the words, but continued to mask her feelings perfectly.

"Is that how you truly feel, Luster?"

Luster braced herself. "Yes."

The Princess closed her eyes, obviously frustrated. "You are being irrational, Luster. You have a role to play that is bigger than you realize. I cannot allow you to leave my mentorship. Not after all this effort." She opened her eyes, an unpleasant gaze behind them.

"But obviously, you wish to issue orders before your time. As you wish, it shall be. I will leave Cozy Glow's security arrangements to you alone from now on. And you alone will shoulder the burden of blame for what may happen." Twilight seized a parchment and quill and scribbled aggressively at the paper. "Here."

She all but threw the paper at Luster. "A release order. You can stay up tonight and figure out somewhere safe to keep her. Now leave me. I have many other matters to attend to today."

Luster felt a lump form in her throat. She had had myriad arguments with her mentor in the past, but never before had the calm, even-headed Twilight ordered her to depart from her presence. "Princess, I..."

"Leave." The words were cold and hostile, and the eyes behind them were merciless. Dutifully, Luster turned around and walked out, feeling the steely gaze of her mentor burning a hole in her coat the whole time.

IV - The Emperor

The last traces of the unicorn's magic fluttered in the wind before being absorbed by Tirek. The centaur took a deep breath as the stallion collapsed to his knees in front of him, feeling the magical energy circulate through his veins, fortifying his growing strength. The stallion let out a weak groan, before his eyes widened in horror as he realized what had happened to him.

"How - What - What have you done?"

The centaur's horns glowed as a ball of magical energy began to form between them. But before he could scorch the unicorn in front of him, another figure stepped forward and laid a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Easy, brother. We already have his magic and belongings. What purpose would it serve to rob him of his life, too?"

Scorpan turned to the quivering stallion and bared row upon row of glistening fangs. "While my brother is feeling lenient, I suggest you run."

The pony didn't need to be told twice. Without falter, he turned tail and fled for safety, disappearing over the nearby horizon in seconds. Tirek growled in displeasure as the stallion vanished, before glancing over his shoulder at his gargoyle brother.

"You are too soft-hearted, Scorpan. It will be the end of us both."

Scorpan scooped the pony's saddlebags up in one claw, glancing inside to see what goods the pony had had on him. "And you are too bloodthirsty. It is a long journey home. I would prefer not to be weighed down by my conscience along the way." He sighed, and tossed the saddlebag aside. "More books. He must be a student of Star Swirl's Academy."

"No. His magic was far too powerful for an acolyte. I would wager he was a teacher."

"Didn't put up much of a fight, then. We must have made quite the impression." Scorpan looked troubled. "I somewhat wish we had not robbed an innocent stallion of his livelihood."

Tirek snorted. "Now you really are getting soft. You know as well as I do that magical harvesting is an unpleasant business, brother. Or perhaps you wish me to make an omelette without breaking a single egg?"

"I meant nothing by it. But something about this land... it makes me feel like a monster. We were but lesser demons in the Land of the Dead, but here, we are creatures beyond the worst nightmares of the average denizen. It will be difficult to adjust when we return home."

"Speak for yourself, brother. I relish their terror. Besides, have you forgotten why we are here? When I have drained as much magic from Equestria as I can, Astaroth himself will shake before us." Tirek's eyes gleamed at the prospect. "We will be kings."

"Of course. I have not forgotten. It's just..." Scorpan sounded wistful. "It saddens me you can think of no purer ideals than fear and violence."

Tirek locked eyes with Scorpan, as if trying to read the mind behind those large brown eyes. "You're starting to sound like one of them. Look at yourself, brother. You are a monster to these ponies. Do not delude yourself into thinking otherwise."

Scorpan's expression fell, and his eyes hit the floor. "I know. And you're right. It's just..." He sighed. "Never mind. I was being foalish. I - I mean... foolish."

Cozy Glow stirred slightly in her sleep. Hey eyelids slowly opened, taking in her pitch black surroundings of the room Luster had put her in. It was as she remembered it, bland and featureless, with hideous yellow walls and a stiff, itchy mattress that was somehow less comfortable than the one in prison. But it was still a room she could call her own. And was nice to have a window.

From time to time, the Chrysalis dreams were punctuated with memories that could have come from none other than Tirek. Tirek's memories were far and few between, compared to Chrysalis's - whether that was because more of Chrysalis had gotten tangled up with her, or because Tirek simply had fewer memories of note, she had no idea. In either case, it had stopped worrying her. She just hoped Tirek and Chrysalis wouldn't have any of her memories when they returned.

She remembered reading about Princess Luna, before her life had gone so far downhill. The princess of the night had once had the power to influence the dreams of other ponies, usually to teach them a lesson. Was the same thing happening to her? Was Princess Luna even still alive? She was stunned by the realization that she'd never even bothered asking Luster that question. After all, it had only been twenty-three years. It was almost laughable that a being as old as her could have passed in such a brief expanse of time.

She glanced out of the window. The morning sun was glimmering along the horizon, it's early rays spilling across the land and waking Equestria from it's slumber. She would get no further sleep tonight.

It was from this cold, steel window she had gotten her first real view of the new Canterlot, not one from a photograph or drawing. Canterlot had always seemed huge to her, but now it was immense. The buildings were taller than she'd ever imagined a building could be, some stretching as high as five or six stories. Where once there had been factories, there were industrial parks, bellowing smoke stacks that would put the mightiest of dragons to shame. Bizarre poles carried all sorts of wires from one street to another, and the roads were filled with carriages that seemed to pull themselves.

It had, at first, been too much. The world had grown too big, too quickly. She had wanted to withdraw from it, to return to the safety of her isolated cell. It hurt to know how much the world had moved along with her, and how much she had missed out on. The fillies she had known at Twilight's school would be grown mares by now, approaching middle age. Ponies talked in new, indecipherable slang that she struggled to keep up with. Once, Luster had come across Cozy in the middle of singing one of her favourite songs, only to comment how it had been one of Luster's mother's favourite songs when she was a young mare.

She could feel the tears coming again. It made her feel pathetic, worthless even, but sometimes she couldn't help it. Besides, it was better to cry alone in her room, with a pillow stuffed in her mouth, than in front of Luster. Her emotions towards the lilac unicorn fluctuated between boiling anger, to indifference, to other emotions she didn't recognize - or wouldn't.

Climbing beneath the blankets, she shut her eyes and grit her teeth, forcing her mind to clear and her eyes to dry. She could have lived forever beneath those blankets, surrounded by soft white light, devoid of specifics like time and place. Maybe this was what petrification had been like. No danger, no fear, just solitude and her thoughts to keep her occupied. If that was the case, maybe it hadn't been so bad...

The cave was well lit by the bonfire in the centre of it, which roared with fresh intensity as Tirek threw a new load of kindling atop it. The smoke would have been enough to suffocate a pony in seconds, but demons were made of sterner stuff. Scorpan grumbled to himself as the scroll he had been reading was obfuscated by the blanket of soot pouring from the crackling flames.

"Do you mind?"

Tirek let out a bellowing laugh. "You and your books. For once, I'm glad I never learned to read."

"Literacy is a virtue, brother. Besides, I imagine you'll need someone you can trust to word laws when we are kings."

"Demons are not creatures of virtue, Scorpan. And what true king has need of laws? We will enforce our will through our strength, like a king should."

Scorpan rolled his eyes and laid his parchment by his feet. "How curious you should mention that. I was just reading about the Equestrian farmer's revolution."

Tirek squinted in confusion across the fire. "Revolution and farmers? What do the peasantry and celestial bodies have to do with one another?"

"A revolution of a very different kind. An... uprising of the masses. Imagine, if you will, every demon in the Land of the Dead were to unite together to petition Astaroth for better living conditions."

Tirek cackled. "An amusing prospect, but a fantasy. He would slaughter them like sheep."

"But surely, he could not kill all of them?" Scorpan pressed. "Surely if enough rose up, they could force him to change his mind, or risk losing in the long run?"

"I believe he would choose to die, rather than concede. And even if he did, his generals would turn on him at such a sign of weakness. All would descend into bloodshed and score-settling."

"But it wouldn't have to! Don't you see, history proves it! The farmers successfully petitioned their princess to remove her unjust barons and lower the tax on their agricultural products all without - get this - all without spilling a drop of blood!"

Tirek roared with laughter. "Tax! What tithe have you ever paid to Astaroth, brother? Such petty concerns are for lesser creatures. The terms of his kingship have always been clear. We obey, or we die."

"But here, it isn't like that. They have laws to govern them. The system is not perfect, but it is fair."

Tirek let out a soft growl, as if disgusted by the idea. "They are a different breed to us. They are creatures of comfort and indulgence, who find meaning in fine meals, extravagant palaces, and pretty dresses. I admit, their numbers are formidable, though perhaps not too surprising for a population so concerned with pleasure. But they have become... self-domesticated. It is only a matter of time before a greater power comes along and wipes them out." A grin split his face in two. "After I've finished draining their magic, I may well see fit to do it myself."

He lifted a pair of brown leather saddlebags in the air, stained with a dark brown substance that was unmistakably dried blood. "I doubt the owner of these will be making overtures to civilization any time soon. And you may be interested in the contents."

Reaching inside, Tirek pulled out a thin, leather-bound tome with a series of arcane symbols carved on the cover. "An elderly stallion had the misfortune of coming across me as I gathered kindling. Though his magic was not as powerful as I had hoped, he had in his possession some most interesting-looking books. He was most unwilling to divulge information on each of them, but I can be persuasive when I need to be. Tell me, how familiar are you with Ponish?"

"It has come up in my studies."

"Well, I hope you've been keeping up with it. This scholar - between screams - informed me that this book is a study of an ancient ritual established by an Equestrian prince named Kanthaka, one that can drain the magic from an entire kingdom."

He raised the book aloft the crackling flames, face contorted with greed. "Imagine it, brother. Every quantum of magic from an entire empire, imbued in me. We would be beyond unstoppable. Beyond kings. Gods."

Tirek threw the book roughly across the room. Scorpan caught it in one hand and flipped it open. Though his knowledge of the language was not as good as he'd like, the style of the book was far from beyond him. He could translate it - if he wanted.

"Well?" Tirek waited with bated breath. Scorpan slowly turned the pages of the book, musing on what to do.

The spell within was most simple. In fact, it could have been performed by a being without an ounce of magical ability. Gathering some of the described artefacts would be challenging, but far from impossible. For a dedicated operator like Tirek, it would take him maybe a few days to collect them together.

And if he did translate it - what then? Tirek would bring the ponies to ruin. Drain them of their magic, then slaughter Equestia's inhabitants for fun, before returning to the Land of the Dead to slaughter some more.

Scorpan was well-travelled, having seen all four ends of the earth and the uncountable expanses between, but he had never come across a society like this one. Ponies were polite, civilized, caring. Scorpan loved his brother, but he could not - would not - be responsible for destroying such a beautiful land.

"I'm sorry. I can't translate this." He could not hold his brother's gaze as he spoke. Tirek looked visibly disappointed, but quickly perked up.

"I suppose it was always a long shot. Never mind. Tomorrow, I will go and look for a suitable translator. Though maybe I should seek two or three, to make sure their translation is accurate. Ponies will say just about anything to get the pain to stop." He let out a guttural laugh, a warped sound of pure evil. Scorpan almost couldn't believe it had come from his brother.

"Goodnight, Scorpan."

"Goodnight."

The bonfire was, by now, nothing more than a few glowing embers. As Scorpan gazed into their dying light, he made his decision.

A loud knocking sound woke Cozy from her slumber. Grumbling to herself, she wrestled the blanket off and jumped out of the bed. Stretching her legs, she shouted back. "One minute!"

She unbolted the lock and threw the door open. Luster jumped slightly as the door swung open, then relaxed and tried forcing a desperate smile. "Cozy! I hope you slept well. Are you ready to get started?"

The pegasus filly shrugged. Luster's smile dimmed slightly, unable to completely hide her disappointment at Cozy's apathy. "Are you okay? I didn't wake you up, did I?" A lecturing tone crept into her voice. "It is one in the afternoon. You shouldn't really be sleeping this late."

Cozy shook her head. "No, I...." She paused and let out a huge yawn, before clapping as hoof to her mouth.

To her surprise, Luster laughed. "Well, I suppose it's been a difficult week. I was thinking we should do something different today. How would you like to take a walk around Canterlot? Get some fresh air, take some time off your studies. Hey? Sound fun?" Her smile reaching breaking point.

Cozy wanted to tell Luster her feigned enthusiasm was about as pathetic as her idea of 'fun', but recently, for some reason, insulting Luster had felt more like kicking a dog than getting back at an authority figure. Instead, she shook her head to clear the last vestiges of sleep from her mind and put on a sweet, gracious smile.

"Yeah. That sounds fun! Canterlot looks huuge. I'd like it if somepony could show me around."

Luster's eyes lit up, and her fake grimace melted into a genuine, warm smile. "Great! Do you want to go anywhere in particular? One of shopping malls, or a museum, or maybe Canterlot library?"

Of course, Luster's idea of a relaxing day out would have to involve a library and museum. "I just want to wander, I suppose. Is that okay?"

"Sure! I'll let you get your bearings. It'll be fun - just the two of us."

Cozy's eyes narrowed at that. "Just us? You mean, no royal guards? No escort?"

Luster nodded. "I... I've talked it all out with Princess Twilight. From now on, I'll be responsible for deciding how your, uh... your security is handled." She shifted her weight from hoof to hoof, obviously uncomfortable. "I want to put my trust in you, Cozy. I know... I know you won't try anything silly today. But, if you did, then I'd still be there to stop you. Understand?"

Cozy nodded, mind racing. Was this some kind of trick? Was Luster testing her? Either way, it didn't matter. She was still right - Cozy wouldn't stand a chance of escaping under her watchful eye. Still, if she could find some way to distract her...

No. Stupid. She'd be caught immediately, and turned back into a statue, or worse. She knew she was all out of chances as things stood. There would be no leniency for escape attempts. The only option for now was to play along.

Luster coughed politely, happy to have the unpleasantness out of the way. "I, uh, I bought you something to wear. Picked it up this morning." She levitated a small bag with a purple "R" embossed onto the paper in front of her before laying it down at Cozy's hooves. Cozy reached inside and pulled out a plain golden necklace with a small glass pendant hanging from the chain.

"Uh... thanks?"

"Oh, think nothing of it. Why don't you try it on?"

Confused, Cozy slipped the amulet over her head. As she did so, she heard Luster let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank Celestia. I was worried I'd messed the enchantment up. Full-body cloaking spells are harder than most ponies realize."

"Huh?" Cozy glanced down at herself, jumping in surprise at what she saw. Dashing over to the mirror next that hung above her wardrobe, her jaw dropped. Where once there had stood a pink pegasus filly with light blue hair, there now stood a lilac unicorn filly with short, scruffy blonde hair.

Luster laughed at her reaction. "I figured I could pass you off as a younger sister of mine. After all, it's no secret I'm responsible for you at the moment, so ponies would figure it out if I just disguised you as a random filly. This should placate their suspicions."

"It's amazing." Cozy meant it. But that wasn't what concerned her right now. "But... do I really need a disguise?"

"It's just a precaution. I'm sure nopony would try anything while you're with me, but this allows me to avoid the issue in the first place."

Her stomach dropped at Luster's words. "Try anything?"

"I mean... Well, what I mean is... I... Look, some ponies might not understand that you're trying to change. And... well, I'm sorry to say that some might not care."

Cozy hadn't even considered the prospect before. Equestria had been so welcoming to Discord, the Changelings, Tempest, and countless others, that she had simply assumed the same treatment would be afforded to her. As if reading her thoughts, Luster continued.

"It's been a long time since Equestria has been threatened like it once was. Ponies aren't as forgiving today as they used to be. I'm sure when they see how much you've changed, they'll take a different view of things. But for now, this is how it must be."

The view from the window hadn't lied. Canterlot was enormous. She remembered visiting with her grandfather once, when she was a little filly. Even back then, the city had impressed, but today it was easily three times as large. She stuck close to Luster, deathly afraid of getting lost in the throngs of ponies that surrounded them. Every creature imaginable was present - griffons, changelings, yaks, even dragons, to her surprise. She had always thought of dragons as wild, angry beasts, but to her, they all seemed perfectly pleasant.

They visited all manner of different places - monuments, landmarks, shops - before coming to rest in a park. In the centre of the park laid a statue of the Elements of Harmony, clearly made decades ago. The age on the statue was starting to show - moss had begun to creep up the legs of the ponies, and the statue was fractured and chipped in places.

Cozy collapsed onto a park bench, feeling the pleasant warmth of the sun on her coat. It had been so long since she'd been outdoors, she had already forgotten what it was like to be free, truly free, unconstrained by walls and windows. Well, not truly free. Still, it was nice to be outside.

Luster was the first to break the silence. Glancing around to make sure the coast was clear, she lightly coughed and began. "Cozy, I'd like to talk with you about something."

"Yeah?" Cozy was only half paying attention, too preoccupied with trying to enjoy the moment.

"Well, just over a week ago I had an opportunity to speak to Starlight Glimmer. You remember your old school's guidance counsellor?" Cozy gave an affirmative jerk of the head. "And she let me read some of your old letters. To Tirek."

To Luster's surprise, Cozy didn't react. Instead, she yawned and stretched her legs, seemingly unconcerned. Eventually, she responded, a casual tone to her voice. "Am I supposed to be surprised?"

"Well, I thought you ought to know."

"How kind of you." Cozy sounded more amused than irritated. "So what about them?"

"Well, I wanted to let you know that if you wanted to talk to somepony more medically qualified than me about your nightmares, I'd be more than happy to arrange that. Assuming they're still a problem, of course."

Cozy froze internally, though externally she kept up her lazy demeanour. Don't panic, whispered a small voice in her head. She doesn't know. She's talking about the ones you've been having for years. There's no way she could know.

"I don't want to see a doctor. I'm fine. Just drop it."

Luster frowned at the curt turn in Cozy's voice, but nodded respectfully despite it. "Well, if you want. I just want what's best for you, though."

Something about the pity in Luster's voice rubbed Cozy the wrong way. She wanted to snap back, but bit her tongue. Being confrontational wasn't going to get her anywhere. Well, it might make Luster cry, but for some reason, she didn't want that. Instead, she tried a different track.

"How are you?"

"Me?" Luster looked confused. "I mean... thank you for asking, I suppose. And I'm - I'm..." She sighed. "Well, I've been better. A lot better, if I'm being honest. Me and Twilight had a huge argument about... well, about something we both care about. Damn near lost her as a teacher over it." Her eyes darted from side to side as she spoke. "Obviously, I value her input a lot. But sometimes I think Twilight would rather the world was all neat and orderly rather than fair."

For a moment there was silence. Then Cozy spoke up. "You're talking about me."

Luster snorted with laughter. "Oh, sweet Celestia. I really am transparent, aren't I?"

"Nope. I'm just a genius." Cozy pulled herself up and sat on her hind begs, staring up at Luster with an unreadable expression. "Earlier, you said Twilight had made you responsible for making sure I didn't escape."

"Oh, Cozy, I didn't mean it like that - "

"Luster, I'm not stupid. I know what you meant. And I get it. I would have escaped, given the chance. And while we're being honest, I still would, if I could. I mean, I don't want to be a prisoner."

There was another silence. This time, it was Luster who broke it. "And what if you were free, Cozy? What would you do?"

"If I were free?" Cozy considered the prospect. "I don't know."

"You must have an idea. What about a job? What would you like to do when you grow up?"

"I always wanted to work for the royal guard. But I'm guessing that isn't an option any more." There was a soft melancholy in her voice. It was, in fact, the first time she'd seriously considered her future since being freed. "Actually, I'm guessing I'm not exactly the ideal candidate for a lot of jobs."

Luster couldn't argue with that. Still, it wouldn't do for Cozy to go through her teaching programme thinking there was nothing waiting at the end of it for her. "Well, I think you're one of the best students I've ever come across."

Cozy blushed slightly. "You're just saying that."

"I mean it. When I was your age, I don't think I knew half of what you know. And I'm Twilight's' personal protégé. If you were any other student, I'd already be drafting a letter of recommendation for the Canterlot Academy of Sciences. As things stand, I'll make you a promise."

"Yeah?" Cozy's ears pricked up.

"When my current programme of study is finished, I'll be finished with my education. I had planned to study further under Twilight, but under the circumstances, I feel it would be better for me to strike out on my own." She grimaced. "Every fledgling must stretch their wings sometime, as they say."

"As I'm sure you've guessed by now, your treatment is my current programme of study. If you work with me, and if you show me and the princess that you can change, really change, I'd be honoured to take you on as a student. Not as... this, some kind of prisoner. A real student. My personal protégé. What do you say?"

Cozy didn't know what to say. It was certainly quite the offer. "You really want me as your protégé? You're the Princesses' student. Don't you want somepony with... you know... better prospects?"

"I want the best student I can get. And right now, that's you. I'd be astonished if I ever met another filly with your capacity for greatness. All you need is the right opportunity. Twilight gave me that opportunity, once. It only seems right I pass the favour on."

An opportunity. She'd been promised that before. Grogar had looked her right in the eyes and promised her a third of Equestria for her own. At the time, she'd felt the same way. An opportunity she couldn't pass up.

Grogar had promised her power. But behind Luster's wide amber eyes, there was nothing but kindness. It was another chance at happiness, not power, that she was being offered. She might never be the powerful ruler she'd once hoped to be. But she could still be happy, no matter what she had done in Grogar's service. And besides, it hadn't even been Grogar. It had been Discord. Trying to prove a point.

"I - I'd love that. Thank you, Luster."

Luster smiled. "One day, I suspect I'll be thanking you."

Tirek roared, thrashing wildly at the chains that bound him hand and hoof. More royal guards rushed forwards to pin the Centaur down, supervised by the iron glare of Star Swirl the Bearded. Behind him, his Scorpan watched the scene unfold with a great sadness in his eyes.

"Tirek, brother. Do not make this any harder than it must be."

"Traitor!" Tirek snarled, eyes burning with hatred. "You would betray your own bloodkin for them!? I will have your head for this, make no mistake! Get off me!"

With that, he surged forwards with renewed strength, throwing two stallions off his back and surging forwards. Before he could lay a claw on Scorpan, Star Swirl's horn ignited, and Tirek was forced back to the ground.

"Foul beast! As soon as you have returned the magic you stole, I will have you confined to the pits of Tartarus for all eternity, I promise you!"

Tirek let out a foul stream of insults as a diatribe. Star Swirl's horn glowed more ferociously than ever, causing Tirek to howl with pain.

"Enough! I yield!"

Star Swirl didn't stop. His horn continued to glow brighter than ever, ignoring Tirek's cries for mercy, until the centaur had passed out. With a satisfied look on his face, Star Swirl jerked his head towards the cave entrance, and the guards began to drag the hulking unconscious form away.

Scorpan looked away as his brother was taken away. Betraying Tirek had not been easy. But he had made the right decision, he was sure of it. A light cough behind him dragged Scorpan back to his senses. Star Swirl was regarding him with a cool, disinterested expression.

"Thank you. Your actions today have likely saved Equestria and preserved our civilization for the years to come. Ponykind owes you a great debt."

Scorpan nodded. "I am glad to have helped preserve your wonderful culture, though said knowledge does not make my actions today any less bittersweet. Tirek was my much loved brother. I will miss him greatly."

"Yes, of course. Now, as I was saying. I have the permission of the royal sister to absolve you of any crimes you may have committed against ponykind, as a reward for your service. We are inclined to take the view that this business was the work of you two alone, so there will be no attempt to interfere with your journey back to the Land of the Dead, either. You are free to leave."

"Free to... leave?" Scorpan didn't like the forceful way Star Swirl spoke. "I was under the impression I would be allowed to... well, to remain. I am rather taken by your way of life, you see."

"Ah. Well, that would be the problem now, wouldn't it?" A condescending smirk crept onto Star Swirl's muzzle. "It is our way of life. A demon such as yourself could not possibly belong, and the royal sisters are joined in me with this opinion. I'm afraid you will have to leave our lands. And never return."

Scorpan growled with anger. "I see. So, I am to be cast aside once I have fulfilled my usefulness?"

Star Swirl's expression didn't budge an inch. "If you wish to see it like that, you may. Return to your own lands, demon. I will not ask a third time."

Scorpan was seized with a sudden, primal urge to kill the pony before him. It would be so easy, to reach across the cave and tear him to shreds. Then the guards, then any other pony he came across. But to do so would merely make him the monster they believed him to be. He had been played for a fool, but he was not anxious to prove himself one. As he approached the mouth of the cave, he took a moment to glance back.

"Then I will go. I would have paid a higher price to save your kind, even if you despise me for it. I will try to convince my kin of your way of life. Rest assured, if I am successful, I will welcome all visitors with a warmth and kindness you have not afforded me."

The look on the unicorn's face was enough to keep him smiling for days.

A few months later, he wore the same smile as he was impaled alive atop a spike outside Astaroth's palace, the traditional punishment meted out to purveyors of heretical thought. Even as he squirmed in agony, he tried in vain to spread his message to the demons who gathered to jeer at him. Drowned out by their laughter, he soon found himself laughing too.

As he died, his last thoughts were of Equestria. Knowing he had saved the land from devastation and ruin, he died with a smile on his lips and a glint in his eyes that would not fade.

VI - The Lovers

Fluttershy sang a quiet tune to herself as she floated around her garden, watering plants and refilling her many bird feeders. It was an old song; one she'd learned as a little filly. Her soft, angelic voice carried itself throughout the garden, bringing many small critters to poke their heads from the bushes, holes and trees they called home. For her, they made the perfect audience.

Keeping garden wasn't anywhere near as fulfilling as running the animal sanctuary, but it had to be done. Besides, she was certain today would be just fine in Ocellus' hooves. She might be in the prime of her life, but she knew when to kick back and take it easy too.

The cottage she lived in was perfectly situated - not too far from Ponyville to be isolated, but still far away enough that peace and quiet was easily found. It wasn't quite cramped - perhaps squashed would be a better word - but everything had its place. Aged, beat-up furniture lined every wall, walls lined by photographs - some glossy and framed, others faded and scratched, attached to the wall with pins or tape. They all contained the two subjects, the same couple whose likeness was etched into an elegant brass heart that rested precariously above a crooked mantlepiece.

For Fluttershy and Discord.
To another fifteen years.

Fluttershy laid her watering can down to rest and collapsed onto a nearby sofa, still humming quietly to herself. Normally, she would have spent the day with Discord, but he'd been awfully withdrawn recently. Every spare moment he had, he was flying around after Twilight, trying to convince her to change her mind about Cozy Glow.

Of course, she had been as surprised as anypony when Twilight had let Cozy free, but unlike Discord, she barely gave the matter a second thought. Twilight had made few mistakes as princess, and Fluttershy doubted she was about to start now. She just worried it would be too much for Luster to handle. She had been in such a state the last time the two of them had spoken.

A knocking at the door brought her attention back to reality. For a moment, she hesitated - before her hoof hit her forehead in frustration. Of course, she would be here today. Right on time, as always.

Fluttershy softly paced her way over to the door and cracked it open a sliver, throwing it open in full seconds later.

"Sweetie Belle! Oh, I'm so sorry, I completely forgot you were coming today. I haven't prepared any tea or... anything..." Her voice trailed off as she took in the look on Sweetie's face. It was a complex mess of emotions she couldn't quite define. "Sweetie?"

Sweetie Belle tried to speak, but only a croak came out. Grimacing, she coughed, cleared her throat, and tried again.

"Can - can I come in?"

"Of course!" Fluttershy stood back from the doorway and allowed Sweetie to enter. With an almost dazed expression on her face, she wandered into the living room and sank into a sofa, each step so measured and precise it was as if she expected the floor to give way beneath her any second. Fluttershy followed close behind her, concern mounting.

"Are you okay, Sweetie Belle? What's happened?"

Sweetie stopped staring into space and locked gazes with Fluttershy. "I'm sorry, I've just been... a bit unfocused since..." Her jaw snapped shut and she shook her head. Fluttershy sat down opposite her, waiting for her to continue.

"I've just seen... Cozy Glow." She whispered the name, before letting out an involuntary stream of giggles. "Oh, Sweet Celestia, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't be laughing."

"Don't worry about it. And Cozy's been free for a good few months now. You must have known you were going to run into her eventually."

"That's just it. I've been keeping away from Canterlot, just so I knew I wouldn't have to face her. But I didn't see her at Canterlot. I saw her at... The School of Friendship." More whispers. "Apparently Starlight is letting her teach. Her!"

Fluttershy opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Sweetie cut across her. "I mean, it's one thing to give her another chance, but to let her loose in a school, with young foals! And without even consulting any of the parents! I only found out because Sugar Gem was in one of her classes." She spat the final word as if it demeaned her to even be in her mouth.

"You... knew her, didn't you?" Fluttershy inquired. Sweetie's expression darkened.

"Twenty-four years ago. Sometimes, I can't believe I actually considered her my friend. She was a manipulative, controlling little monster back then, and nothing's changed. Well, I'm not just going to sit around and let it all happen. I'm going to have Sugar Gem pulled out of her class as soon as I can, and then I'm going to make sure all the parents know just what kind of ponies they let teach at that school."

Fluttershy coughed lightly. "Sweetie Belle, don't you think you're being just a little..." She waved her hoof descriptively. "Irrational? I mean, don't you think Starlight knows what's best for her students better than... well, better than... you?"

Sweetie Belle grimaced. "I'd like to think that too, but you don't know Cozy Glow like I do. That filly was... is... manipulative. I'm sure she's telling Starlight and Twilight and everypony else whatever it is they want to hear, just to get her freedom as soon as she possibly can. Who know what she'll do when there's nopony around to control her any more?"

"Cozy?"

Luster gently tapped her hoof against the door to Cozy's room. The filly had returned from her first lesson in a thunderous mood and locked herself in her room without speaking to anypony. Though she knew she should respect her student's privacy, she hated the thought of Cozy sitting alone in her room with only her misery to keep her company.

"Cozy, please talk to me."

Silence.

"Cozy, if you don't talk to me, I'm going to have to come in."

For the first few seconds, there was nothing. Then, the door creaked open. Cozy Glow poked her head out, her normally cheerful expression replaced with a sombre one that put Luster in a state of unease she could not easily describe.

"Bad first day?"

"You could say that."

"Want to talk about it?" Luster peered over Cozy's head at the gloomy room. "We can go out and get something to eat. My treat."

Cozy blinked, unsure. "I don't know. I still haven't written the next lesson plan..."

"Then I can give you some pointers. Come on, we should do something to celebrate your first lesson, right?"

"I guess? I mean, I..." Cozy sighed. "I wasn't getting much done anyway." She paused. "Is it okay if I wear the amulet? I don't feel like being... me... today."

"Sure!" Luster gave her an understanding smile. "Trust me, I know how that feels. Were the students really that awful?"

"No, not... not them..." Cozy slipped the amulet around her neck, transfiguring in an instant. "I... I actually saw somepony. Somepony I knew back before... well, all this. Do you know a mare called Sweetie Belle?"

"Rarity's sister?" Luster gave a non-committal shrug. "Not really. I've run into her a few times. She has a colt at the school, doesn't she? About your age."

"Yeah, she does. One of my students. I..." Cozy grimaced. "I kind of... knew her. When she was a filly."

"What?!" The anger in Luster's voice caused Cozy to jump. "I specifically told Starlight to select the students herself! Oh, Cozy, I'm so sorry. I'll write to Starlight and ask for him to be moved to another - "

"Don't worry about it." Cozy hoisted her saddlebags onto her back and motioned towards the door. "It's best his learning isn't disrupted. Besides, I wouldn't want him to feel singled out, just because I knew him mother."

"Are... are you sure?" Luster found herself mixed with equal parts pride and concern. "I mean, that's very mature of you. But you really don't have to do this."

"Like I said, It's fine. Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if Sweetie doesn't pull him out of classes now she knows I'm teaching them."

"I'm sure she wouldn't do anything like that."

"You didn't see the way she was looking at me. I know it. She still hates me."

"Well, that's what I think, anyway."

Sweetie threw her neck back and drained the rest of her glass of wine, before uneasily settling it down on the table between them, next to Fluttershy's untouched glass Sweetie had insisted on pouring. Fluttershy's heart sank as Sweetie reached for the bottle and started filling her third glass, bottle shaking slightly in her magical aura as she did so.

"Um... Sweetie, maybe you should... slow... down..." As Fluttershy whispered her protestation, Sweetie drained half of her fresh glass in one gulp and all but slammed the bottle down on the table. Fluttershy trailed off into a quiet squeak.

"And you know what Sugar Gem is like, won't listen to a word I say. Apparently she's a good teacher. As if that mattered. She could be a professor of alchemy at Canterlot Academy and I wouldn't care."

She threw her head back and groaned. "You're so lucky you never had foals. Scootaloo tried to talk me out of it, you know. But then I had to go and get all doe-eyed over Apple Pip, and now look at me. It doesn't help that Rarity spends her every waking moment filling his head with ideas about being a model. I'd have him shipped off to Guard Academy, but he probably wouldn't survive."

"How is, um, how is Rarity?" Fluttershy ventured, desperate to distract Sweetie's attention from the wine glass she had begun to raise to her lips. Sweetie merely grunted in response.

"Still doing better than me." Sweetie muttered into her glass. Downing the remainder with one swift motion, she laid the glass down with an even shakier grip than last time. "I think she's on tour, marketing her new line. Fur coats for yaks!" She snorted the last line before letting out a fit of involuntary giggles. "What next, winter jackets for dragons?"

"And... Pipsqueak? How's he doing these days?"

"Don't get me started. I swear, he spends more time at work than out of it." She glanced down at her empty glass, suddenly looking embarrassed. "Sweet Celestia, I must sound awfully bitter. He's fine. Just a little overworked. I would have bought Cozy Glow up with him, but he doesn't need anything else to worry about."

"So... what are you going to do about it, then?"

Sweetie shrugged. "I don't know. Sugar Gem would probably kick up a fuss if I tried to meddle, and I don't think I can stomach another argument with that colt."

"Have you... um, have you considered... talking to Cozy?"

"I... I don't think that's a good idea. It's been... gosh, well over two decades. I haven't spoken to her since I was just a little filly myself."

Fluttershy nodded sympathetically. "Well, think on it. I think it might help give you a sense of closure. Maybe you could bring the other girls along."

"Definitely not a good idea." Sweetie grimaced. "Scootaloo wouldn't go within a hundred feet of that filly unless it was to strangle her. Apple Bloom too. I half expected you to feel the same way. Didn't she once try to trap you in Tartarus for all eternity?"

"Well... yes. Yes she did. But ponies can change. I believe that, and so does Twilight. She wouldn't have let Cozy out of that statue if she didn't. The more we try to accept Cozy, and accept that she's trying to change, the easier it will be for her to change."

Sweetie nodded. "I suppose. I never really thought about it that way." Her glazed expression regained some of its focus. "How would I even begin a conversation like that, though?"

"... like I said, most of them got over the novelty of having me as their teacher pretty quickly. Ironically, after that my biggest challenge was trying to keep their attention." Cozy paused to take another sip of her hot chocolate before continuing. "It's weird, being the teacher. Twilight always made it look so easy."

"You'll pick it up quickly enough." Luster gave Cozy a kindly smile. "In all honesty, I didn't expect your first lesson to go this well. I'm so proud of you."

The corner of Cozy's mouth turned upwards at that. "Thanks. I sure hope so." She shuffled uncomfortably in her seat. "Do you... do you think Sweetie Belle...." She trailed off. "I don't know how to say it."

Luster nodded. "I know. Take as much time as you need."

A few moments passed before Cozy spoke. "Do you think she... hates me?"

"I don't know. She might." Luster resisted the urge to mince her words. Cozy's smile vanished, replaced with a grim frown.

"Guess I just have to get used to that, huh?" She sighed. "Everywhere I go, ponies will judge me before they've even met me."

"Some of them, maybe. But to lots of ponies, you're just a distant memory. Of course Sweetie Belle is going to have strong emotions about you. Try and put yourself in her horseshoes. You've just reappeared twenty-four years after you disappeared - without aging a day, I might add - and now you're her colt's teacher. Could you even imagine how that must feel for her?"

Cozy didn't look convinced. "I guess not." Her eyes suddenly widened. "Woah. Sweetie Belle has a foal." She spoke with an awestruck reverence in her voice that made it clear it was the first time the concept had actually hit her, causing Luster to smile despite the gloomy mood.

"She's not the only one. Apple Bloom has a filly too, you know." Luster's grin only widened as Cozy's eyes boggled till they threatened to pop out of her head. "Little Apple Pip... well, not so little anymore. She's older than you."

Cozy shook her head, a somewhat dazed expression on her face. "Older than me?"

Luster chuckled under her breath. "I think it was something of a surprise for Applejack too. Apple Bloom was younger than me when she had her foal."

"That's just... so weird. I mean, Sweetie Belle was always talking about colts. How come Apple Bloom had a foal before her?"

"I don't know. Ponies just change, I guess." Luster tapped her hoof against the table thoughtfully. "You've changed, too. You might not have noticed it, but I have. I know it's not been easy, but the hard part is over. I promise."

"Really?" Cozy didn't bother disguising her disbelief. "What happens next?"

"Well, at some point, you'll have time to speak with Princess Twilight one-on-one. If she thinks the process is complete, then you'll be free to go."

"And if she doesn't?"

"Then you'll have to keep trying."

"What... what if I can't convince her?" The first note of panic had begun to creep into Cozy's voice. "What if I keep trying and trying and she keeps saying no? What if she puts me back in the statue or back in prison or - "

"Cozy!" Luster snapped, causing the filly to fall silent. "I promise you, that isn't going to happen. Princess Twilight will give you as much time as you need. And I'll give you lots of practice beforehand, so you'll know exactly what to do when you're there."

Cozy paused, took a few, short, deep breaths, then relaxed. "Okay. I believe you."

Luster smiled. "I'm telling you, you'll be fine. Come on, let's get something to eat."

"I'm home!"

Sweetie Belle closed the door behind her, finding herself mercifully far more stable on her hooves than she had been when she left Fluttershy's house. After a few seconds of silence, she called out again.

"Sugar Gem?"

More silence. Then, a pattering of hooves heading downstairs. A skinny teenage colt slunk into view, wearing a scowl on his face that made it clear he wasn't happy to see her.

"What do you want?"

"Please don't take that tone with me, Sugar Gem. I've apologized about what happened earlier."

"You mean dragging me away like a little colt in front of the whole school? Thanks, mom. Means a lot."

Sweetie Belle bit her tongue, determined not to spark another argument with her foal. "Well, I've thought it over some more. And, if the princess and the principal think it's a good idea, then... then I suppose I'm willing to trust them. You can continue attending Cozy Glow's classes."

Sugar Gem blinked, completely thrown by this change of events. "Really?"

"Really." Sweetie Belle couldn't quite stop her voice from wavering, but she held firm, trying a weak smile. "So, you'll also be pleased to know you do have to do your alchemy homework."

Sugar Gem still looked unsure. His mother never changed her mind this quickly about... well, about anything. "Right. Whatever."

As Sugar Gem slunk upstairs, Sweetie Belle's brave attempt at a smile vanished in an instant, replaced with a scowl she found herself wearing all too often nowadays. A quick circle of the house confirmed that Pipsqueak was late home - again.

Collapsing onto the sofa, the conversation she'd had at Fluttershy's house burned through her mind.

...This is all my fault. I messed up my test on purpose so we could all go to school together. I'm sorry...

It had been twenty-four years since she'd heard the words, but somehow they seemed clearer than ever to her, as if they had only been spoken yesterday. It was beyond bizarre to see Cozy Glow all these years later, still the young filly Sweetie Belle had known her as.

Fluttershy was right, of course. Cozy Glow was obviously making a real effort to change, and Sweetie Belle had no right to mess that up for her. She wanted nothing more for Cozy to change. And yet...

There was something so uncomfortably familiar about it all. Sugar Gem was almost the exact same age she had been when she'd struck up her friendship with Cozy Glow. Being a naive young filly, she'd suspected nothing of Cozy's intentions, intentions which had almost landed her in such awful trouble with Princess Twilight.

Almost.

Cozy Glow's intentions for clearing the Cutie Mark Crusader's names had always puzzled her. At the time, she'd given it no further thought, too happy about being hired as a tutor to worry about a small detail like that. It had often crossed her mind, but she'd always dismissed it as nothing more than a small part of Cozy's broader plan.

She'd never given any real consideration to the idea that Cozy could have done it purely out of the goodness of her own heart. It seemed like the last thing Cozy would ever have done. It certainly ran contrary to the popular image of Cozy Glow as a deranged, power-hungry madmare.

Of course, one small act of mercy did nothing to atone for everything else Cozy had done. But perhaps, deep down, there was more to the filly than she had been led to believe.

She hoped so.

The sky was rapidly darkening by the time Cozy and Luster returned to Canterlot Castle. Luster led Cozy to her room, bid her goodbye, and left her to her lesson planning.

In her sleepy haze, she would almost certainly have missed the letter slipped under her door, had it not been enchanted to scream at her the moment she put her hoof in the room. Ripping it open in a foul mood, her spirits only darkened further at the unmistakable draconequine handwriting, the round, cartoonish script she loathed so much:

The top of tower five. Ten minutes from when you opened this letter.

Don't make me come to you.

Discord.

It was far from the first time she'd ever received a letter from Discord, but to be summoned like one of his inferiors - no, not even like an inferior, more like a pet - filled her with a sense of rage she couldn't put into words. She wanted nothing more than to shred the letter and toss it in the trash, but she knew she had little choice either way. If Discord wanted to see her, she could do nothing to stop him, and making him chase her down would only make things worse.

As always, he was waiting for her when she arrived, reclined against the railing and checking a gold pocket watch in a manner that would, to the untrained eye, appear to be nothing more than a cartoonish visual gag, but to her, represented nothing more than the usual condescending mockery Discord employed to belittle those around him.

The draconequus' glowing red eyes lit up at her arrival, the pocket watch disappearing in a snap of his fingers. He was alone - or, at least, he appeared to be. As he stood there, Luster found herself wondering more about the trickster in front of her. He was several millennia old - at least - and had seen entire aeons come and go. Did he really care about anything? Fluttershy, Cozy, Equestria - all of them must, to him, be nothing more than mere passing blips in his immense lifespan.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Princesses' favourite student. It's been too long, Luster." His wide smile stiffened. "Really. It has."

"Make it quick." Luster tried to sound forceful, but was only able to come up with a voice that sounded irritable. "I've got a million and one things to do tomorrow, and I want to get some sleep tonight."

"As you like." Discord's wolfish grin returned in full force. "Princess Twilight and I have decided to act upon our mutual concerns. Tomorrow, Cozy Glow will be leaving Canterlot with me. You may consider it a part of her formal education."

"What?" Luster snarled, horn igniting on instinct. "What do you mean, mutual concerns? Where are you taking her?"

"Miss Dawn, I hope you're not attempting to threaten me. That would be a very bad idea." He coughed. "In any case, I don't need to explain myself or my reasoning to you. The only reason I'm even telling you is by Princess Twilight's request. Consider it a test of Cozy Glow's attributes. A month should do it. Rest assured, if she passes, she will be returned to complete her studies."

"And if she doesn't?" Luster's eyes narrowed.

"Then you won't have to worry about her any more." As Luster's horn began to glow brighter and brighter, he scoffed. "You're not fooling anyone, you know-"

The first beam of energy caught him off balance and sent him flying over the balcony. For a few seconds, he was out of view. For a mad, impossible moment, Luster wondered if she had killed him. Then, she felt every muscle in her body seize simultaneously, sending her crashing to the floor. Her scream of agony was cut off less than a second after it began as her voice lost all power. Discord landed in front of her, looking more embarrassed and angry than seriously hurt by a spell that would have vapourized any normal pony.

"Well, how rude. You know, Twilight thought you were better than this. She thought you'd listen and be reasonable. But I always knew you would react like this." He snapped his fingers, causing her agonizing muscle spasms to freeze in an instant. "Cozy leaves tonight. I hope you enjoyed this evening, because I have a funny feeling you won't be seeing her - ever again."

Luster couldn't stand and fight if she wanted. Her throat ached, like every other muscle in her body, but she still found the strength to sneer. "Cozy... would... never... go... anywhere... with... you!"

Discord's grin widened. "Wouldn't she?"

In a second, he was gone. In his place stood - her. A copy so perfect, Luster could almost have believed she was looking into a mirror. Her heart sank.

"Please... NO!"

"Goodbye, Luster."

Discord turned on his hooves and left. Luster desperately tried to climb to her hooves, only to fall flat on her face. Every inch of her body was wracked with pain. Even if she could have stood, she could have done nothing to stop Discord taking Cozy. Tears began to well up in her eyes, and in moments she was bawling, paralyzed on the floor, sobbing like a newborn foal.

VII - The Chariot

It was well past midnight when Cozy was woken and told to pack. In the little time she had, she was able to gather nothing more than some winter clothes, her favourite books, and Luster's amulet, which she stashed in the bottom of her bag. Though she doubted it would come in handy, just having it nearby made her feel a little better.

Luster said nothing on the way down the Castle stairwell, aside from an occasional glance back to ensure Cozy was still following close by, utterly ignoring Cozy's questions. She seemed agitated, uneasy, her eyes scanning every dark hallway, making sure they were alone and unwatched.

A chariot awaited them in the castle courtyard, made of plain wood and iron. Next to the splendour of Canterlot Castle, it looked shabby and unkempt. Unlike any chariot Cozy had ever seen, it had no carriers - when they boarded, it floated into the air of its own accord. Guiding the chariot with a flick of her head, Luster guided the chariot forwards almost effortlessly, sending them into the night with surprising speed. Cozy had never seen Luster cast the simplest of spells without her horn, let alone anything as complex as this.

Canterlot shrank into the distance, and soon disappeared. For the next few minutes, the pair of them sat in silence, with no sound but the roaring of the wind whipping through the air. Cozy wasn't sure what to think. She trusted Luster utterly, of course - but why had she woken her so late, taken her away like a fugitive? Where were they going? What was going on?

"Luster?"

It took Luster a moment to realize Cozy was talking to her. Her mouth stretched into a wide, sly grin that in no way suited her. "Yes, Cozy?"

"What... what's happening? Where are we going?" A dreadful thought struck her. "Are you... are we running away? Is anypony coming after us?"

"No. Nopony is coming after us. Everything has been taken care of. We're going far, far away, to the Griffon Empire. Just you and me. We'll be living amongst them for the foreseeable future, so I hope you've brushed up on your knowledge of Griffon custom." Luster gave a curt nod, causing the chariot to gain altitude. "All part of your training. I'm going to be deciding if you've really changed."

"You... you don't think I have?" Cozy sounded crestfallen. Luster said nothing. She didn't even look at her. "Luster?"

"No. I don't."

Cozy's heart dropped into her stomach. "But why? You said yesterday I was doing so well, that you were sure Princess Twilight would let me... let me..." She blinked furiously, trying to drive back the tears welling in her eyes. "I... Luster, please, look at me!"

Luster didn't budge. "Get some sleep, Cozy. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow."

"I'm not - what's wrong with you!? Why are you acting so differently all of a sudden?" Cozy stamped her hoof onto the floor of the chariot, causing it to wobble precariously. "What about my students? What about everything you promised me?"

"Cozy!" Luster finally lost her temper. "Sit down and be quiet. I have to focus and think and I can't do that with a little brat whining in my ear all the way!"

Luster had never spoken to her like that. Cozy couldn't stop the tears this time, but she turned away, not wanting to show any weakness. The chariot picked up speed as it sped through the sky. The ground beneath them shifted from thick canopies of trees to a brownish-green blur. All that stayed still was the moon, the stars, and the grim look on Luster's face.

The miserable campfire Luster had conjured from thin air did little to cut into the pitch-black darkness of the night, and Cozy found herself jumping at every snapping twig and owl hoot. She had always been afraid of the dark, and being stuck in the middle of a strange forest clearing in a foreign land did nothing to assuage those fears.

Though Luster had assured her they were indeed in the Griffon Empire, she hadn't seen any Griffons yet. In fact, it seemed Luster had deliberately landed them as far away from civilization as possible. As Cozy watched, Luster focused her gaze on the campfire, causing it to spontaneously leap into the air and brighten. Slightly comforted by the extra warmth and light, Cozy tried asking again.

"Luster, how long are we going to be here?"

"As long as it takes. Maybe a month. This won't be easy, Cozy. The hard part of your studies is only just beginning. I expect you to fail."

"Oh." Cozy hated the way Luster had started to speak to her. Was it an act? Or had everything, every kind word of reassurance and warmth up till this point been an act? She couldn't even tell. It was like she was talking to a different pony. "Well, wh-what happens if I do?"

"If you fail, you won't be going home."

The words hit Cozy like a sledgehammer and sent a current of ice running through her blood. She no longer felt upset - now, she felt afraid. She'd long abandoned her plans of running away, but all of a sudden they came surging back, and she seriously considered the prospect of bolting for the treeline and letting the forest swallow her up.

"C-can't I just go back to the prison? I'll be good, I promise! I won't make any trouble and I'll even stop playing my harmonica, I know it annoyed that guard and I'm sorry - "

"You and I both know that's not an option, Cozy. If you want advice, here it is - get some sleep. We start early tomorrow." With that, Luster extinguished the flame with a wave of her hoof and slipped inside her tent, leaving Cozy behind - cold, unsure and scared.

The sun in the griffon lands was so fierce as to be unbearable. Cozy could barely keep pace behind Luster and collapsed several times, pulling herself to her hooves and soldiering on by force of sheer will. Luster didn't seem to be affected in the slightest. In fact, she didn't even break a sweat.

After what felt like - and probably was - several hours of hiking, they arrived at a small village. It was an ugly backwater, inhabited by griffons covered in scars and battle wounds. A pig was being spit-roasted in the centre of the village, filling the air with the sickening smell of cooking flesh. Cozy was only barely able to keep her breakfast down.

The pair of them couldn't stick out more. Every single eye in the village followed them, filled with wonder at the sight of two ponies so far from Equestrian lands. Visitors were almost unheard of. Yet the larger of the two had an air of danger surrounding her that kept even the burliest of the griffons at a distance.

"Luster? What are we doing here?" Cozy's gaze darted around the village, unable to hide the discomfort in her voice. "What kind of test do you have for me?"

"Relax, Cozy. You're not going to be recognized. And don't think you can rest just yet. We're going to get some supplies, then we're back on the road. It's a good few days walk to Griffonstone."

"Days?" Cozy felt like collapsing right there and then. "Luster, please. I can't walk any further in this weather, let alone another few days."

"Don't be petulant. I'm managing just fine. If you keep playing weakling, I'll just leave you behind in the woods." With that, Luster marched into a supply store. Cozy fidgeted nervously as she waited outside, feeling somewhat vulnerable on her own. A few minutes passed before Luster arrived, wearing a pair of crude straw saddlebags.

The pair of them stopped at a few more shops. Each time, Luster left Cozy outside and entered alone, emerging from the store without remarking on any of her purchases. Cozy could only follow behind her silently. Every time she asked Luster what she was buying, she was met with silence.

Eventually, the pair set off on the road again, much to Cozy's relief. This time, she strode forwards with a determination she never knew she had, just managing to keep pace with Luster without collapsing, so out of breath she couldn't have kept up a conversation if she wanted to. As the sky began to darken and the temperature dropped, Luster's pace improved, meaning it was harder than ever to keep up with her.

The full moon was already high in the night sky before Luster came to a stop. Cozy collapsed, panting, onto the ground beside her, vision flashing red as she fought her instinct to vomit. Somewhere in the background, she heard Luster tut with disgust.

"We should have made much better pace today. I don't want you slowing me down tomorrow."

Cozy couldn't have snapped back if she wanted. Luster pulled a small pouch of water out of her bag and set it down next to her.

"Drink up."

Cozy drained the pouch in one swig, still desperately thirsty. "I'm starving. Can we eat?"

"Of course. Here."

Luster levitated an unpleasant, thick, leather-like object from her bag and passed it to Cozy, who wrinkled her nose at it. Taking a hesitant bite, she almost gagged at the dry, salty taste that seemed to immediately drain all moisture from her mouth. "What's this? Some kind of root?"

"Of course not. You're in the Griffon Empire now, you have to eat the things they eat. It's called beef jerky. It's dehydrated cow meat - "

Cozy couldn't keep her stomach. She was barely able to make it to a bush before she retched, tears streaming down her face as she felt the acidic taste fill her mouth. Behind her, she heard Luster let out an audible sigh. "Don't be so dramatic. Griffons eat this all the time. We might not come across another village for days. I needed food that would last."

"I'm not a griffon!" Cozy spat again and again into the bush, desperate to get as much of the taste out of her mouth as possible. "What's wrong with you, Luster!?"

"Well, I'm afraid this is the only source of protein I have. You'll have to eat some." Luster swallowed her mouthful, to Cozy's amazement. "Unless you'd rather scavenge, I suppose."

Cozy's eyes narrowed. "With pleasure." Striding off into the forest, she felt her blood boil at Luster's cackle.

It took her less than half an hour to come up with enough roots and vegetables for dinner. The flora of the Griffon Empire wasn't too different to that of Equestria, and she'd read plenty of books describing common edible plants. Even Luster was unable to hide a look of grudging admiration when Cozy deposited the collection at her hooves and began to eat.

"How did you... Oh, never mind. Goodnight."

The small campfire was extinguished in an instant, and Cozy was left to eat in the dark.

The following day was much the same, but with no stopping. Cozy's whole body ached from overexertion, and she begged Luster several times to slow down, to no avail. At some point, they joined a major road. Occasionally, they passed signposts written in the claw-like script of the Griffons. The occasional travelling merchants then ran across cast them strange glances, occasionally stopping to try and sell them various trinkets they claimed possessed extraordinary value.

On the third day, Cozy collapsed again - but this time, she couldn't stand. Her legs wouldn't respond, and she felt her body slowly begin to shut down. As she passed out, the last thing she saw was Luster bellowing at her to wake up.

It was nighttime when she regained consciousness. There was a dim fire burning before her. She opened her mouth to speak, but was only able to let out a weak groan. Luster trotted over to her, pulling Cozy upright and placing a container of water to her lips. Cozy watched as Luster produced another strip of meat from her bag.

"Here. I don't think you're in any fit state to do any gathering tonight."

Cozy desperately tried to stand, but she knew it was a losing battle. She would either eat what she was given, or die. Biting her tongue to keep her bile down, she raised the beef to her lips and took a bite.

The two-thousand year old door didn't stand a chance. Blown off its hinges in a shower of wooden shards and splinters, it was sent flying several hundred feet across the throne room, before shattering into pieces against the marble floor. Completely taken aback, the few Guards present weren't able to react until it was too late.

Those few near the door were caught up in the blast; the lucky ones were sent sprawling across the floor in agony, while the less lucky found themselves flying into the pillars and being knocked unconscious, with a few flying straight through the stained glass windows.

Luster strode through the wrecked entrance, mane and eyes wild, breath ragged, surrounded by crackling bolts of pure magical energy. Several Guards hesitated when they saw who their assailant was, but pushed on regardless, bellowing at her to surrender.

None of them stood a chance. The four closest guards were seized by Luster and thrown with tremendous force into the air, coming crashing down a few seconds later in a chorus of bones breaking and screams of agony, causing several Guards to hesitate. As Luster advanced, several of them raised their spears and threw them.

Before they could get within a metre of her, the spears halted in mid air, then melted, the white-hot metal reforming itself into spheres, which were launched straight back at the Guards, knocking several of them unconscious. Most of the Guards were backing away now, and a few had even bolted.

Luster raised her head, a look of pure hatred on her face.

"Where is she!?"

None of the Guards responded. Luster snarled, and seized the nearest stallion in her grip. Raising him high into the air, she began to twist his body in every painful fashion she could think of, amplifying his screams to make sure every one of his fellow Guards could hear.

"I'm gonna ask one more time, and them I'm going to start pulling his legs off! WHERE IS - "

"Luster!"

All of a sudden, Luster was hit with a tremendous force that knocked her off her hooves and sent her sprawling across the room. Out of her peripheral vision, she saw the guard's fall broken by an unseen force. Scrambling to her hooves, she spun around to face her assailant. Standing in front of her throne, wearing an expression of pure horror and shock, was Princess Twilight.

"Leave. All of you." Twilight's voice boomed across the room. "Take your wounded to the medical bay. I will deal with this myself."

"Your majesty, you are in danger - " The captain began, but shut up the second Twilight raised her hoof.

"I am in no danger, Moonlight. My student will not hurt me. Please, obey your Princess and leave."

Most didn't need to be told twice. As they fled, Luster was seized with an overpowering desire to strike them down, to inflict as much pain as she could. Supressing this animal urge, she instead advanced on her tutor, horn glowing so hot it hurt.

"Where. Is. Cozy?"

Every word dripped with venom. Ignoring her, Twilight instead glanced around at the destroyed room, eyes filled with sadness.

"Luster, what have you done?"

"Shut up!" Luster sent a pulse of magical energy into the floor at Twilight's hooves, blasting a chunk of marble out of it. "If you don't tell me where she is, I'm not going to hold back. I mean it."

Twilight shook her head. "Talk to me, Luster. Don't do anything you'll regret."

"WHERE IS SHE?!?" Luster screamed. All of a sudden, she was filled with a hatred for her Princess like she'd never felt before. "Tell me, NOW!"

"Luster, you must understand. There are greater things at stake. It is still not too late to come back from all you have done. Surrender, and you have my word you'll be treated fairly."

Twilight was only barely able to raise a magical shield in time. Luster's spell smashed into it with a force she hadn't known her student was even capable of, sending her staggering backwards and almost falling over. It was followed by a barrage of spells, most of them balls of pure magical energy. Twilight patiently waited for a lull in the assault, then responded with a spell of her own.

Luster jumped out of the way just in time, raising a magical barrier to protect herself. The two mares locked eyes across the room, each waiting for the other to make a move.

"Fool." There was a quiet fury in Twilight's voice now. "You don't know, you have no idea what you're throwing away."

"The throne?" Luster's eyes burned with hatred as she sized up her former teacher. "Keep it. I'd rather be dead then end up like you. Did you sleep well last night, after you had a little filly taken away?"

"You know I would never do anything to hurt her."

"No. You had Discord do it instead!"

Luster sent a surge of magical energy into the ground underneath Twilight, melting the rock into magma in seconds, forcing the Princess to take flight and abandon her magical protection. Twilight was barely able to dodge Luster's first two spells before the third caught her in the right wing, sending her crashing to the ground. Before Luster could move, Twilight seized her and threw her across the room, sending her crashing into a pillar and knocking all the wind out of her.

"So, you're a traitor to Equestria now, too? Cozy Glow is worth betraying everypony and everything you've ever loved and valued?"

"She's just a foal!" Luster snarled, seizing several chunks of rock from the ground and launching them at Twilight. "You never cared about her, and you never cared about me! Starlight was right, we were just your tools!"

"That isn't true. I cared about both of you. That's why I did everything I ever did, Luster! I did it for you!"

"Liar!"

Luster focused on the window behind Twilight, a stained glass depicting the six Elements of Harmony. With a single pulse of energy, she shattered the window into hundreds of fragments and sent them flying towards Twilight, who raised a magical shield - but not quickly enough. Dozens of shards struck the Princess, causing lines of blood to run down her legs and pool onto the floor.

Roaring with pain, Twilight seized Luster in her aura once more and slammed her into the floor. Luster thrashed against the ground, struggling pitifully against her grip, her hearing and vision slowly numbing as the incredible pressure of Twilight's spell began to set in. Desperately, she fired off several spells blindly. By sheer luck, one struck Twilight in the leg, knocking her off-balance. Almost reflexively, Luster grabbed a support pillar next to Twilight and tore it down, sending it collapsing atop the Princess.

Clouds of dust rose high into the air, blocking all vision. As it slowly settled, Luster saw the crippled form of Princess Twilight pinned to the floor. Horn glowing, she advanced. Twilight glanced upwards, eyes filling with genuine fear as she approached.

"Please..." She sounded pathetic, whimpering like a foal. Luster lifted a few of the heavier rocks off her, throwing them aside effortlessly.

"Tell me."

"I... I don't... I don't know..."

"Don't lie!" Luster blasted a hole in the floor, inches from Twilight's head. "I promise you, if you don't, Equestria will be looking for a new heir for a long time."

"I am not... lying!" Twilight coughed, eyes still filled with that awful fear. "Discord took her... away. Didn't say where. Only that it was in... the Griffon Empire." Tears began to stream from her eyes. "Please... don't... kill me."

Luster wanted to do it. To make Twilight - no, all of Equestria, feel the pain she felt in this moment. She wanted them to suffer, to make it slow. But she just... couldn't.

Her horn dimmed.

"I'm leaving Equestria. Forever. If you ever send anypony after me, let them know they're committing suicide first." She spat out a mouthful of blood. "I'm going to find Cozy. I'm going to be a better teacher, a better mentor than you ever were. And if you ever cross me again, I won't show any mercy."

She turned tail and strode away. She had barely made it ten feet before she heard Twilight struggling to free herself. Spinning around, she instinctively raised a reflective shield just in time. Twilight's spell, a blindingly-white bolt of pure magical energy, bounced off it with a bell chime that echoed throughout the throne room, shattering every remaining window into a million rainbow shards that rained down on them.

The spell shot across the room and struck its caster square in the chest. For a moment, Twilight staggered backwards, seemingly unharmed. Then she leaned forwards, falling to her knees. Her mouth dropped open as the light faded from her eyes.

And died.

It was so sudden, so unceremonious, that Luster didn't believe it. Couldn't believe it. The Princess of Equestria, who had reigned since before she had been born, was gone. There was no heir. The royal line was severed, forever. Equestria had, in an instant, been all but thrown into anarchy.

The enormity of her actions struck her like a train. She had killed the Princess. There would be no safe refuge for her, ever again. She would be hunted to the ends of the earth for her crimes. She would never, ever, know peace. All of a sudden, Luster felt every fear and anxiety she had ever experienced rise up and crush her like a vice. Of course, it had been self defence. But she knew that wasn't going to mean a thing.

The sound of hoofsteps caused her to spin around. A squadron of Royal Guards had arrived. As they scanned the room, most of their jaws dropped open at the sight.

Luster's horn lit up once more, but to her relief, she didn't have to spill another drop of blood. Every single guard immediately dropped their weapon and fled, screaming like little fillies. Evidently, none of them wanted to take their chance with the murderer of Princess Twilight. She didn't blame them.

What would become of Equestria? Of the Crystal Empire? As soon as the thoughts arose, Luster dismissed them. She didn't have any time to waste. In a few hours, she would be the most wanted pony in Equestria. Fortunately, she didn't plan on spending a second more in Equestria than she had to. The Griffon Empire was fairly remote, but as long as Cozy was there, she would be there, looking for her. Knowing Cozy, she would have slipped free from Discord's clutches long ago.

Griffonstone was every bit as architecturally hideous as she'd been told. Whereas Canterlot was ordered and neat, Griffonstone was random and chaotic, with every buildings composed of a variety of brick, concrete and metal. The air was thick with smog, and the roads were spiralling and disordered, with many seeming to end nowhere.

Guards were a far more common presence than in Canterlot, and far more brutal. Cozy frequently saw them aim kicks at beggars and homeless wanderers, or anyone who got too close for their comfort. Clad in full-face helmets and shining black armour bearing the insignia of the Emperor, they looked like something out of one of her nightmares.

For the first time in days, she saw other ponies, though they were nowhere near as common a sight as griffons in Canterlot. By contrast, the ponies here seemed to occupy a position of some social esteem, clad in fine clothes and being spared any brutality from the guards - but then again, that made sense. Why else would they have left Equestria for this?

And, of course, there were the slaves. Almost all of them were Hippogriffs, presumably the spoils of some recent war she'd not heard of. They didn't interact with the world around them, nor did they try to escape. They simply stood, frozen to the spot, staring at the ground as if they didn't quite believe where they had found themselves. It turned her stomach to see living, sentient creatures hawked like livestock. Luster, on the other hand, seemed unaffected by the idea.

More and more, she was aware of the looks being cast their way. No, not their way - her way. She had been an unknown quantity in the countryside, but not any more. Plenty of griffons recognized the filly who had almost taken over their world, and it looked as if they were in an even less forgiving mood than Equestria. She wanted nothing more than to go somewhere private and put her necklace on, but she knew she was in no position to make any more demands.

As the sun set - or so Cozy assumed, the sun no longer being visible under the thick smog - Luster directed them towards a tavern. Once inside, she strode up to the bar and exchanged a few words in Griffonian. Passing a sack of bits to the owner, she turned to Cozy and jerked her head in the direction of a set of stairs.

The room was cramped, damp and smelled foul. A single candle illuminated the room, which mercifully had two beds. Cozy collapsed in the nearest one, unbelievably grateful to have even this smallest luxury for the first time in days.

"Don't get too comfortable. I can't afford a place like this every night. We'll be sleeping rougher than this, I promise you." Luster set her saddlebags down by the empty bed and began to rifle through them. "We'll be staying here for a few weeks. You'll be learning about fitting in with the Griffons, who aren't as nice as ponies. We start tomorrow."

"Sure." Cozy was too tired to argue. "I think some of them recognized me. Can I wear my amulet while I'm here?"

"What?" Luster snorted. "I wouldn't wear anything valuable while you're out there. It makes you look like an easy target."

"No, I mean my amulet. The one you gave me. Don't you remember?" Cozy cast a curious glance at Luster. "You... you must remember."

"What? I mean, yes, I remember. But it's still a bad idea. As for being recognized, we'll get your mane cut tomorrow, find something to cover your cutie mark."

A ball of ice began to form in Cozy's stomach as a horrible, awful realization began to dawn.

"Luster, my amulet... it still... We don't need a disguise."

"Well, that's your choice. Get some sleep. It's another long day tomorrow." Luster extinguished the candle and climbed into bed.

It wasn't the first time Cozy had ever seen Luster perform any magic without her horn. But she'd never seen Luster so much as lift a rock without her horn glowing - nor any other unicorn, for that matter. And yet, as she recalled, Luster had been able to conjure entire bonfires and even fly a chariot, all by moving parts of her body at will. There was only one creature Cozy had ever known to be capable of things like that.

"Luster?"

A groan. "Yes?"

"I was thinking about something. From a long time ago. Do you remember what happened to Grogar's Bell?"

"Of course. Discord took it. He returned it to Mount Everhoof."

"Oh."

Discord sighed, and rolled over in his bed. "Go to bed."

Because it could only be him. There were only three other creatures alive who had known Gusty the Great had hidden the Bewitching Bell in Mount Everhoof - Tirek, Chrysalis and Discord. Two of them were still petrified. Which narrowed it down to one shapeshifter.

One who wouldn't need a horn to cast spells. One with limitless endurance, who could walk all day. Who wouldn't turn his nose up at eating meat, or slavery. One who had never trusted her, who despised her, who wouldn't have afforded her any mercy when she was weak and suffering.

Cozy felt sick. She had been tricked, manipulated and controlled using the visage of the pony she trusted more than anything. But all wasn't lost. She had a single trick card left to play.

Discord wasn't surprised to find Cozy had fled when he woke up. He had expected her to try and flee when they were inside the confines of the city, and had made sure he was well prepared. Vanishing in a second, he reappeared outside the city's main guardhouse and gave three curt knocks on the door. An enormous guard answered, easily three times the size of the average Royal Guard, but treated the pony before him with surprising deference.

"Oh. It's you. Yeah, we caught her sneaking around last night and bought her in. She's fine, just a little shaken up."

Discord's smug smile was quickly replaced with fury when he laid eyes on the strange filly the imbeciles had managed to imprison. Through floods of tears, the filly begged Discord not to hurt her and insisted she was just the daughter of one of Griffonstone's foreign workers.

As soon as the filly was released, he rounded on the guards and began to grill them for information, heart sinking as he realized Cozy Glow had slipped clean through his claws and could be anywhere. Princess Twilight would be furious. Luster would look like a hero. Unless he could find her - now.

With every passing hour, his mood grew bleaker as he realized the filly could be anywhere. Of course, the Griffon Empire was a hard place. It was entirely possible she would succumb to the elements - or something else - and his job would be done for him. The more he considered it, the more he warmed to the idea. A horrific accident, a tragedy - but not his fault.

The train was ancient, and the carriage Luster was in jostled so violently she was worried it was going to derail any second. Glancing at her reflection in the night window, she was relieved to see she was no longer recognizable. She knew very little about practical disguise, but she knew enough to know you never half-flank it.

Her entire mane had been shaved, leaving only a faint outline of hair clinging close to her scalp. The clothes she'd selected - simple overalls, the kind that could apply to any number of jobs or trades - covered up not just her cutie mark, but also her tail. A pair of thick glasses both further distorted her appearance. Even her own mother wouldn't have recognized her.

Trains to the Griffon Empire were almost non-existent these days, and the guards at the border would no doubt be the first informed of her potential arrival. Instead, she would travel through Yakyakistan to Luna's Ocean, then set sail from a port chosen at random. Even if they thought to monitor ports on the other side of Equestria, they couldn't possibly cover every single one. It would mean a significant trek through Griffon lands to make it to Griffonstone, but so be it.

With every stop, her breath caught in her throat, always expecting Royal Guards to board the train, arrest her and drag her away. She was approaching the furthest-flung regions of Equestria's domain, where radio was uncommon and news from the capital could take weeks to arrive, but something of this magnitude would no doubt travel faster. The Yaks and Ponies were close allies. She wouldn't truly feel safe until she was in the Griffon Empire.

Cozy was out there. She knew it. All the beasts of Tartarus wouldn't stop Luster from finding her. And anypony... anything that got in the way would wish dearly that they hadn't.

End of Part One

Author's Note

This story will be split into three parts, each seven chapters (not including the Fool) and should be ~100,000 words when finished. Guess the theme of each part and win a cookie. Protip: the boring stuff is out of the way.

VIII - Strength

"Admiral Gallus."

"Captain Moonlight."

The Captain of the Royal Guard and the Admiral of the Western Fleet were on poor terms on a good day, and right about now they couldn't loathe each other any more.

Moonlight had assumed the post from Gallus after the latter's promotion, and it was no secret she was widely regarded as a poor replacement. After she'd allowed Princess Twilight to be assassinated, she knew it was only a matter of time before public opinion crushed her like a tonne of bricks. The only reason she hadn't been forced out was that there was nopony else stupid enough to take the job. She'd always despised the idea of a Griffon being allowed to take command of Equestria's largest naval division, and having that same Griffon look down on her for her own shortcomings was almost more than she could handle.

"Today is a day I'd hoped would not come for many years... and certainly not under these circumstances." There was a genuine sadness in Gallus' voice. "Equestria is without any legitimate heir. This is a critical time. We must make all the right decisions if we wish to preserve our nation."

"I would have thought Princess Cadence..." Moonlight didn't like being spoken to like that one bit, especially not by a Griffon decades younger than her - but he was right. "She was Princess Twilight's sister, wasn't she? I understand blood inheritance is somewhat out of date, but surely - "

"Sister-in-law. Princess Cadence has no legitimate claim to the throne, unless she was appointed by the previous Princess. Besides, she's already the ruling Princess of the Crystal Empire. That complicates matters further. Both countries would see it as outright annexation."

"I... see. You have an alternate proposition, then?"

"We should convene a ruling council at once. If we don't establish a centralized power base in Canterlot soon, every city, town and village in Equestria is going to start pulling away." He glanced out of the window at the shining moon. "I see you've sorted that out, at least."

Moonlight grimaced. "Princess Twilight had a team of unicorns capable of raising the sun and moon in the event she isn't available. Of course, we'll have to pay them a lot more now. But let's not get distracted. Who do you want on this council?"

"You and I are obvious choices. Gold Counter, from the Equestrian Revenue Service. Bearing Justice has already agreed to join. General Sprint will have to join us - just between you and me, I don't trust her. I'm sure there's more. Equestria is a complex web of different interests, and we must make sure they all have a place at the table."

"What about the Elements of Harmony?"

"With the death of the Element of Magic, the other elements are a broken chain. Besides, they all settled into civilian lives years ago. They won't want to be dragged into a mess like this."

"And what about beyond that? How will we select another heir?"

Gallus sighed. "I don't know. I keep hoping a miracle will happen, that we'll find an heir everycreature can accept as the new ruler of Equestria. But I suppose we'll have to devise our own solution."

Moonlight nodded. "And what about Luster Dawn? I've dispatched every guard I can spare after her, of course, but we both know we're talking about Twilight's personal protégé here. She's unlikely to prove easy to find. And what do we do with her student, Cozy Glow?"

Gallus frowned. "Good question. Where is Cozy Glow?"

"Discord took her away. That seems to have been the cause of all this."

"Took her away as in..." Gallus let the sentence hang in the air.

"As in took her away. The Princess intended her to be returned."

Gallus grit his teeth. Cozy Glow. He should have known she'd fit into this somehow. "Discord will return soon, when he learns of what happens. He'll bring her with him."

"And then what?"

Gallus paused. "Kill her. She's dangerous. As far as I'm concerned, she's just another part of the conspiracy to murder the Princess. And while you're at it, destroy that damn statue, grind it to dust. Equestria is fragile enough as it is. The last thing we need is for Chrysalis or Tirek to return."

"With pleasure, Admiral."

*crrkkkk* ...is a new report from Canterlot. Princess Twilight, reigning monarch of Equestria, has been assassinated by her former protégé, Luster Dawn. Luster Dawn is yet to be apprehended and should be considered extremely dangerous. Do not approach. Instead, report any sightings of suspicions individuals to a member of the guard. Luster Dawn is described as being a unicorn mare with a lilac coat and amber eyes. Her cutie mark depicts a sun rising over still water. Her whereabouts and probable destination are currently unknown. She is believed to be travelling alone -

The radio was suddenly cut off as Luster "accidentally" knocked it off its table, smashing it to pieces on the floor. Though nocreature around appeared to have been paying any attention, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Halcyon was one of innumerable faceless border villages that connected to Yakyakistan, one that didn't even exist on most maps. The town didn't seem to be much fixed in place, either. The majority of its buildings were yurts, designed to be packed up and moved at a moment's notice. Most ponies - and Yaks - that lived there worked in logging. Though there was nothing preventing Equestria from establishing border checks, the cost, unreliability and pointlessness of establishing a post so north meant that in practice, the border might as well not exist for another few miles, where the southernmost Yak checkpoints were operated.

It had been a good few hours hike north from the nameless station she had departed from, and she desperately wanted nothing more than a warm bed to sleep in, but the idea of her name and description being on the radio warned her off. If there was even the slightest risk of being recognized, it wasn't worth it. Better to endure one night in the cold than lose everything.

Ducking underneath an abandoned store cover, she unfolded the map she'd bought with her, tracing her path north with a hoof. Tomorrow, she left Equestria for good. Yakyakistan's climate was unforgiving, but there wasn't much more travel left before she found herself at Luna's Bay. She was tempted to forgo a night's sleep, and instead attempt to get a headstart on any ponies who might be in pursuit, but the thought of trekking through the mountains in the pitch black night put her off. Besides, she needed to change into warmer clothes.

After some searching, she settled on a small patch of hay sequestered behind a pile of freshly-cut trees as a resting spot. Tossing her heavy saddlebags to the ground, she collapsed onto the bedding, finding it unbearably itchy and barely better than the dry ground. Was this safe? She hadn't the thick fur coat of a Yak to protect her against the sub-zero temperatures already biting into her ears and fetlocks.

As if to answer her question, along came a snowstorm. But it was unlike any she had ever experienced in Equestria. Instead of a few warning flakes signalling what was to come, the snow was suddenly everywhere, dropping the temperature instantly and blinding her. The sudden chill caused her to gasp involuntarily, then choke as she inhaled a mouthful of snow. Fumbling blindly in the snow, she mercifully found cover under an abandoned market stall. Her breathing was shallow, sharp and rapid, and her heart was beating so fiercely in her chest it was agonizing. It was like drowning, but somehow made all the worse by the freezing cold that had begun to numb her whole body. She couldn't have cast a warming spell if she wanted to.

The snow was so thick, she somehow didn't see the enormous Yak approaching until it was within less than a foot of her. He was enormous, easily twice the size of Princess Twilight. As Luster stared, wide eyed, it grunted something in a language she didn't understand. Slowly, deliberately, she shook her head, causing the Yak to roll it's eyes.

"Yasha no talk Ponish." He waved his hoof at the thick blanket of snow piling up around them. "Khuit. Cold. Pony ukhek." He shook his head, then drew a line across his neck to get the point across. "Pony need be dotur." He gestured towards one of the yurts. "Khuit. Dotur nu yaridah." He raised and eyebrow, then scoffed and seized Luster in one powerful arm, before physically dragging her towards one of the yurts, ignoring her protests and pummelling hooves.

With a single swing, he threw her inside. Luster immediately backed away from the door, desperately attempting to ignite her horn and vaporize the Yak the moment he set hoof inside the yurt, trying not to think about what he might be planning. Suddenly she hit against something hairy, warm, and... breathing.

The yak she'd just run into looked displeased at having been woken. As it struggled to get to it's hooves, Luster found her senses returning. Spinning around on the spot, she fired the first spell that came to her mind at the yak called Yasha, a spell designed to stun any attacker. The spell struck the yak straight in the forehead, causing him to bellow with pain, but not fall over. Cursing, Luster prepared to try again, this time with an even stronger spell - but before she could do anything, the other yak swept her hooves out from underneath her with one hoof. She might as well have been made of wet paper.

Yasha stormed back into the tent, bellowing at her in his native tongue. The other yak - a female with ornately braided hair and indecipherable symbols shaved into her coat - began to bellow back, pinning Luster underhoof effortlessly as she did so. The pair shouted back and forth a few times before the dri turned to her once more.

"Impolite to stun your hosts, pony should know. Yasha only doing what's best for pony. He want apology."

Luster could barely believe what she was hearing. "He just grabbed me and threw me in here, and he wants an apology?"

"Novshk. Yasha saved pony's life. Would have frozen to death otherhow. Should be thanking him." She released Luster, who quickly scrambled to her hooves. The dri raised an eyebrow. With a huff, Luster turned to face Yasha and bowed.

"My apologies, Yasha."

Yasha clearly hadn't understood what she'd said, but he recognized the bow and seemed happy. Luster turned around once again to face the dri translator and similarly bowed. She remembered reading somewhere that deference to your hosts was incredibly important to the nomadic yaks. In fact, she was fortunate to have hosts this understanding of her mistake.

"Thank you for... inviting me inside. You're right. I probably wouldn't have lasted much longer out in the elements. My name is Golden Sun." She had practiced her backstory several times. "I'm travelling to the Griffon Empire, and I intend to pass through Yakyakistan to reach Luna's Ocean."

"Strange way to travel. Most pony would go through border trains." She tapped a hoof to her chin. "In fact, most pony would avoid Griffon Empire altogether. What you go there for?"

"I have a job offer there. I'm going to be a mage in the Imperial Court."

That seemed to satisfy the dri's curiosity. "Yula understand. She hears many pony make it rich working for Griffon Emperor. Griffons like ponies good at magic, given they have none of their own. But maybe not tell them about this!" Yula let out a bellowing laugh. "Yula think the Griffon Emperor not want a pony who can't beat two sleepy Yaks!"

Luster echoed her laughter, relaxing slightly. Yasha joined them, and muttered a few words to Yula.

"Yasha want to know why you dressed so light. He right. It only get colder from here, little pony."

"Oh, I..." Luster faltered. "I hadn't planned on it being this cold. Is there anywhere I can get some warmer clothes?"

Yula nodded. "Big shop. Sell everything. Including pony clothes. Lots of ponies work here, see. All stallions, but maybe you buy a small size." Yasha muttered something under his breath, before yelping as Yula struck him in between the ribs. "You buy small yurt, too. Lot of money, but good..." She frowned. "Khorlalt. Not know Ponish word."

"Investment?" Luster ventured. Yula beamed and clapped her hooves together.

"Investment! Yes! Pony smart. Maybe that why Griffon Emperor want pony work for him." Yula sighed, looking wistful. "Yula always wanted to visit far away lands, see world. Yasha too, but won't admit it."

"Well... why don't you?" Luster sat down on the floor, feeling more at ease after seeing the Yak's kindness. Yula sighed and waved her hoof in the air.

"Yula lose job if not turn up at work. Yasha too. Lot of yaks want to work here. Good pay, even if not as much as pony. Yasha and Yula lucky to be here."

"Not as much as ponies?" Luster repeated the phrase, incredulous. "They can't pay you less just because you're a Yak! That's awful, and it's illegal!"

Yula and Yasha simultaneously burst into roaring laughter, Yasha so much he had to physically grip his sides in pain. Luster couldn't help but blush with embarrassment as the Yaks fell over onto the floor laughing. Yula was the first to recover, and still chuckled slightly as she spoke.

"Pony too innocent. No pony want to work up north, but every Yak want to work down south. If yak ask for more, they fire yak and replace her in day. Even translator not safe." She scuffed her hoof into the dirt. "Maybe different back in Canterlot."

"Canterlot?" Luster couldn't keep the surprise out of her voice. "How did you know I was from Canterlot?"

"Accent. Same as Yula manager." Yasha muttered something, and Yula nodded. "Same as on voice on radio too. Yula like listening to radio. How Yula learned Ponish." She swelled with pride as she said it. "All on her own. No teacher or books, just Yula."

"Really?" That was surprising. "That's really impressive, Yula. I couldn't do that." The yak grinned and blushed, embarrassed.

"Well, it took Yula long time. It was fun. She like hearing what's happening all around the world." Her face darkened. "She hear what happened last night, too. Princess Twilight gone. Equestria not looking as safe as used to be. Maybe that why you want to leave."

Luster said nothing, unable to think of an appropriate response. Had Yula heard her description on the radio? She was still cloaked, her head still shaved. She'd lost her glasses, but they were only meant to be for the train anyway. Yasha barked harshly, earning him a burning glare from Yula.

"Not say that. Princess Twilight a good Princess. She treat all creatures equal. Yula wonder why anypony want to hurt her." She sighed. "She wonder what happen next."

"Mares and Gentlecolts, Citizens of Equestria. I wish I could say it was a pleasure to introduce myself. I am Admiral Gallus of the Western Fleet." Gallus squinted his eyes, barely able to see a thing from the combined glare of the spotlights and camera flashes. Combined with the unusually fierce sun today, the heat was unbearable, and found himself regretting the decision to wear his dress armour. "As I'm sure many of you are already aware, last night, Princess Twilight was taken from us by a mare close to her heart. I don't intend to give her the benefit of repeating her name, but rest assured it is only a matter of time before she is bought before us, bought before justice."

A smattering of applause and stomping of hooves. Gallus waited patiently for the noise to subside, then continued.

"It is too early to name a successor to Princess Twilight, for in truth no worthy successor seems apparent. But we must turn our minds towards more mundane matters. The day-to-day running of Equestria must continue, Princess or no Princess. In pursuit of this, I am announcing the formation of a new cabinet, without royal authority. I understand this decision may provoke controversy, but in my heart, I am convinced it is the right thing to do."

No applause this time. Onlookers exchanged glances. A few angry stares. Gallus ignored them, and pushed on.

"At the head of this new council is the pony who was closest to Princess Twilight, and therefore the most worthy to stand at the head of the Equestrian nation. Head of the Royal Guard and a lifelong patriot, Captain Moonlight."

The Captain stood forward, unable to completely disguise the look of discomfort on her face. She had thought it mad when the council had unanimously elected her their leader, though it would have been unthinkable to refuse. To her surprise, however, the crowd reacted fairly positively, applauding politely. It seemed her failure to protect the Princess hadn't hurt her reputation as much as she'd feared. Maybe the uniform helped.

"With the esteemed Captain at our helm, we will bring unity to Equestria. Together, we will navigate this ship through the new, unfamiliar waters of the future. This council will draw it's ranks from the best of Equestria, and will dedicate itself to finding a new monarch to unify the nation. To those assembled here today, I would like to extend you my personal thanks to you for attending. If there are any questions, I would be more than happy to take them now."

"What are you going to do about Luster Dawn?!" A reporter was the first to speak up.

"As I said earlier, I would appreciate if the Princess' assassin was not given any of the infamy she clearly desires. Rest assured, our agents are already hot on her hooves. It is merely a matter of time."

"How could this be allowed to happen?"

"Yeah, why is the Captain still here?"

"She's just as guilty as Luster is!"

"The Captain risked her life for the Princess!" Gallus bellowed the lie with remarkable ease - and hate. "Do not ask me why this madmare saw fit to spare her life, and never question her bravery in front of me again! You are in the presence of a hero, so show some respect!"

The hecklers flinched, then backed down. Gallus' eyes burned into the crowd, his already imposing build suddenly amplified further by the ornate golden armour he wore.

"Any other questions?"

Silence. There wasn't an onlooker brave enough to raise their voice. Gallus gave a curt nod, satisfied.

"Long live Equestria."

Turning heel, he abandoned the makeshift podium and headed back inside the palace. Caught off guard, Moonlight stumbled as she caught up with him.

"I don't imagine you'd mind explaining any of this?"

"I don't imagine it takes much explanation." Gallus barely glanced up from the batch of papers in his claw. "Do you really think Equestria would accept a Griffon as their new leader? I don't think so. Nor would they accept a financer, or a judge. Too close to a politician. What Equestria needs is a soldier, an apolitical figurehead to rally the citizens around."

"A figurehead." The word fell from her lips with some weight.

"An idol they can look up to. It doesn't matter if they're really in charge or not. You could do worse, Captain. Like end up in front of a court for your failure to protect the Princess." Gallus glanced upwards from his notes, his arctic-blue eyes fixing Moonlight to the spot. "I would hate for that to happen. Wouldn't you?"

The Captain fought to keep a snarl off her face. "Of course, Admiral."

Gallus nodded approvingly. "Good. Let's get to work." He shook the itinerary in his claw. "The Royal Guard is being reorganized into the Equestrian Guard. I'm placing you in charge of its day-to-day management. For now, they'll be fulfilling the same role they did as the Royal Guard, providing security for the council and Canterlot. Also, I want that statue taken care of by the end of today."

"I'll see to it personally... sir."

The morning sun was blinding, and the light reflecting off the snow-matted steppe only made the brightness less bearable. As Luster emerged from the yurt, cautiously scanning her environment, she took a deep breath, relieved to finally take in air that didn't smell of wet yak fur. Dropping her saddlebags to the floor, she tipped out a bag of bits and counted them through. Just under 500 bits. Not a great wealth by any stretch of the imagination, but enough to get by on. For now, at least.

A rustling behind her caught her attention, and she turned to see Yasha emerging from the yurt. He nodded curtly in her direction, before ambling off in the same general direction as every yak emerging from their yurts - hundreds of them. Yula followed close behind, giving her a warm smile.

"Yula has to give orders for today. Maybe she see you later?"

"Give orders?"

Yula nodded. "Can watch if pony likes."

Curious, Luster followed Yula, shortly arriving at a paid of wooden podiums which every yak had coalesced around. A tall, thin unicorn stood atop the taller of the two, levitating a clipboard in front of him. Yula headed up the steps to the shorter podium. As soon as she was at the top, the unicorn began to shout, to no yak in particular.

"Today, teams A and B will be recovering the trees cut down yesterday in sections 4, 6 and 7!"

Yula barked at the yak assembly in their native language. The second she was finished, the unicorn continued.

"Team C is going to be logging in sections 2 and 3. No slacking! If I find anycreature taking it easy outside of a designated break, you'll be on a train back to Yakyakistan before you know what's happening!"

Yula bellowed the translation. The unicorn flipped a page over, ignoring the glowering looks the yak crowd was giving him.

"We've had some reports of bugbears in the area. Probably just tall tales, but if you see anything suspicious, report it to one of your supervisors." He jerked his hoof in the direction of the small crowd of ponies. "Do NOT try anything stupid. Busy season is coming up, and I need all of you in good working condition."

Yula shuffled uncomfortably on her hooves, but duly translated. The unicorn flipped over to the final page of his notes.

"As some of you may have heard, the Princess was assassinated last night. It's unlikely her murderer would have fled this direction, but you are all to be on high alert. Any information leading to the apprehension of one... Luster Dawn will be rewarded handsomely. In fact, you should report any suspicious unicorn mares to me immediately. Dismissed!"

The manager didn't even wait for Yula to finish talking before he left the platform and headed back towards the few free-standing buildings Halcyon boasted. The crowd of Yaks began to dissipate, and Luster hurriedly left along them, pulling her hood over her head to hide her horn. Far from feeling safe, she felt more exposed than ever. She should just buy any supplies she needed and get moving.

The general store was staffed by a bored-looking pegasus playing solitaire, who barely glanced up when Luster entered. When questioned about the availability of winter clothing, yurts and non-perishable food, she jerked her wing in various directions, not bothering to look up from her game - which suited Luster just fine.

A thick woollen cloak and a month's supply of desiccated oats cost her just under two hundred bits. She wouldn't be at any risk of starvation soon, though scurvy was still a threat. The store, unfortunately, did not sell nutritional supplements. Still, she shouldn't be in Yakyakistan for longer than a week. The cheapest yurt she could find - a tiny, thin thing made of what she hoped as synthetic animal skin, cost her just under 300 bits.

Emerging from the store almost bitless, but feeling much better prepared, she headed straight for the road. Luster felt somewhat guilty that wouldn't be able to repay Yasha or Yula for their kindness, but she had problems aplenty of her own. Getting caught now, so close to the border, would be maddening.

As she approached the town's exit, she noticed it was, unlike last night, blocked by two burly yaks and a shivering mare wrapped in a thin coat. Not good. Evidently somepony was taking the possibility of her passing through this town more seriously than the manager. Clearing her throat, she strutted up to the checkpoint with an aura of complete confidence. The mare looked unimpressed.

"Who are you? I haven't seen you around before." Her eyes narrowed as she took in the thick, concealing cloak Luster wore. "Pull your hood back. I'm under orders to detain any suspicious unicorn mares."

"I'm Golden Sun." Luster pushed her hood back, not wanting to appear suspicious. "I'm travelling to the Griffon Empire for work. I'm on a tight schedule, I really don't have any time for holdups." She levitated a pouch out of her saddlebags and gave it a shake, letting the bits within clink together alluringly. "How about I just cough up for the toll and we make this nice and easy for everypony?"

The mare eyed the pouch greedily, sizing Luster up. It was a tempting offer, but the prospect of catching the Princess' assassin was even more tempting. Luster met enough of the description to make it worth a gamble.

"I don't take bribes. Show me your cutie mark. If it doesn't resemble hers, you can go through."

Luster cursed under her breath. Should she try and fight her way through? No, that would just be announcing her presence to the rest of the camp. She'd never make it through Yakyakistan safely.

"Come on, it's freezing out here. Just give me a break, will you?"

The mare's insistence only grew. "Something to hide? You two, grab her."

The yaks surged forwards with surprising speed and held her in place. Luster struggled aggressively and received a hoof to the side of the head for her efforts. The mare grabbed the hem of her cloak and began to pull it up.

"Wait!" The anger in Luster's voice was enough to make the mare pause. "Just... I don't have one, all right?"

"What?" The mare looked incredulous. "You're a blank flank? Still?"

Luster tore herself from the two yak's grip and backed away. "It's... it's just embarrassing, all right? Can't we go somewhere private?"

The mare rolled her eyes, then spat into the snow. "As you wish, your highness. You two, take her to the main office. Try not to stink the place up while you're in there. I'll be over in a minute, I just need to find two more of you to keep watch." Her expression soured as the yaks stared at her. "What are you waiting for? Get to it!"

The yaks grumbled, but dutifully seized Luster in their grip and began to frog-march her over to the office. Luster tried in vain to argue her way out, but to no avail. She doubted either of them even understood a word she way saying. Though their ears pricked up when she shook the pouch of bits in their direction, their fear of their boss clearly superseded their greed.

In the main lobby of the mining office, Luster was surprised - and somewhat relieved - to see Yula at the main desk, apparently acting as translator between a trio of yaks and the manager. From what Luster could overhear, it seemed to be an argument about pay. As soon as they were finished bellowing at each other, the yak holding Luster in her vice-like grip bellowed at Yula, whose eyes widened at the sight of Luster being dragged in front of her like a prisoner.

"What you doing to pony?" One of the yaks shook Luster in response, muttering an explanation that caused Yula's eyes to widen till they threatened to pop out of her head.

"Luster Dawn? Pony who kill Twilight?" She shook her head in disbelief. "No way. Big mistake. Leave with me, Yula sort it all out."

The yaks flanking Luster exchanged glances, before shrugging and dropping her to the floor. As they ambled off, Yula extended a hoof and pulled Luster to her feet.

"All big mistake." She gave Luster a warm smile. "Don't pony worry. Pony wait with Luster till Ice Blizzard come and sort it all out."

"Th... thanks." Luster wracked her brains, trying to come up with a good lie. She could always immobilize Yula and run for it, but every fibre of her being repelled at the idea of attacking the soft-hearted yak who had shown her nothing but kindness. "Yula, I'm on a really tight schedule. Can't you make an exception, and just let me go?"

Yula's bright smile faded. "Not able. Bad news today. Company losing money. Thinking about firing some yaks. Maybe all yaks. Yasha. Maybe even Yula. Must be on good behaviour." Her smile returned. "All big misunderstanding. You'll see."

"I'm... I'm sorry to hear that. What will he do?"

"Yula... Yula not know." The normally booming yak's voice went quiet. "Yula love him very much. She not like this place very much. Maybe she leave with him. Yula... Yula not know what to do." She let out a deep breath. "What would pony do?"

"I'd... I'd go." Luster took a deep breath. She had no other choice. The mare - Ice Blizzard - would be back any second. It was either risk everything and maybe get caught, or be caught for certain. "Yula, I don't have any time left. Listen to me."

Yula leaned in. Luster swallowed the rising lump in her throat and continued. "It's me. I'm Luster Dawn."

The dri's eyes widened, then she let out an uneasy laugh. "Yak not understand pony joke."

"There is no joke. I'm running away, and I can't get caught. You understand?"

"But..." Yula frowned. "Why... why would pony hurt Princess Twilight?"

"It... it was an accident. I didn't want this. Any of this! But I'm trying to make everything right. Some... somecreature stole a little filly from me. I'm going to the Griffon Empire to get her back. And if I'm found now, she'll be lost forever. I have to get out of this town. You can come with me. Yasha too. You've always wanted to see the world. This is your chance!"

Conflicted emotions ran across Yula's face. Betrayal, curiosity... anger. Finally, a pensive, solemn look. "They take your daughter?"

"My... not... not my..." Luster choked, unable to stop the tears forming. "Yes. They took my little filly. And I'd do anything to get her back. Do you understand that?"

Yula patted Luster on the back - knocking the wind out of her as she did so - and nodded. "Yula understand. She help you. But you make Yula promise first."

"Anything."

"When this all over, pony go back to Equestria and turn herself in. Face justice. Make things right."

Luster had no intention of going back to Equestria and putting her neck on the chopping block, but she didn't have the luxury of integrity right now. "Of course. I was always going to do that."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

Yula nodded, looking happy. "Go to border of town. Yasha and Yula meet you there in an hour. Have to pack food and yurt." Suddenly, she pulled Luster into a crushing embrace. "Yula know Luster good pony. Make things right."

It was under the cover of darkness that the trio escaped Halcyon. By sunset, the disgruntled yak workforce had called the search off and returned to their yurts, followed shortly by most of the pony supervisors. A handful kept up the search, but their numbers were so few as to make it a fruitless endeavour.

For the first thirty minutes, Luster strode alongside the pair in silence as Yula and Yasha muttered amongst themselves. Yasha looked far more relaxed than Yula over the whole affair, and when informed of Luster's crimes, he broke out not into gasps of horror, but a vicious grin.

Silence fell over the group. After a few minutes, elated by the sensation of wandering the snowpeaks like a free bull once more, Yasha broke out into song, a ghostly, ethereal lullaby that somehow filled Luster with a sense of elation. After all the solitary hiking, travelling with others was... nice.

Maybe things were going to be all right, after all.

The crane juddered slightly as it seized the statue in its claw, lifting it high into the air and moving it above a giant metal machine that groaned and screamed with an almost intolerable noise. Within it's stomach laid a thousand cruel rotating blades slicing into the air. The few pebbles that were shaken free from the statue's base were instantaneously smashed to pieces within it.

Captain Moonlight - or rather, Chancellor Moonlight - watched from a balcony above with a stony expression. Her agents had yet to find either Cozy Glow or Luster Dawn, but this was one operation she would be personally overseeing. The crane operator glanced upwards at her, waiting for the order.

"Do it."

The crane released the statue. For a brief moment, as it flew through the air, it was an absurd, almost comical sight. Then it hit the shredder.

The noise instantly went from intolerable to unbearable. Both the machine and the statue shook violently, and for a moment Moonlight was worried it would topple over, causing her to tense her wings in anticipation. Slowly, every single inch of the statue was consumed by the metal stomach, sending a cloud of dust into the surrounding air. Broken chunks of rock were spat out of the side as more and more of the statue was destroyed.

It didn't take long for the rest of the statue to be consumed. Within less than a minute, the final chunks were consumed, causing the onlookers to let out a cheer. The final remains of the statue were flung from the machine. The dust settled.

Moonlight barked an order. Two dragons stepped forwards, each wearing a sash around their necks in the colour of the new Equestrian Guard. They opened their mouths and suddenly the room was consumed by fire. As the flames evaporated, Moonlight's mouth twisted upwards into a smile as she saw the puddle of rapidly cooling magma bubble on the floor.

Five time zones and a thousand miles away, Cozy Glow awoke with a scream.

Author's Note

A dri is a female yak. Kind of. The whole story read stupidly calling Yula a cow so here we are.

Also DWK isn't dead, go figure.

IX - The Hermit

One Month Later

Most griffons were ambivalent towards ponies. They found them to be curiosities at best, squishy weaklings at worst. Some despised them. A few found them amusing in other ways.

Galdur was one such griffon. To the untrained eye, it might look as if every pony in Griffonstone was a part of some wealthy elite, but watch closely enough, and you'd begin to see those amongst them with frayed clothing, unwashed coats and untreated ailments that screamed desperation. The kind of desperation that could make a pony do just about anything for a handful of coins. Most other griffons thought of Galdur as a degenerate, and he was often inclined to agree. He couldn't remember the last time he'd earned honest coin, and didn't care to. He made his living however he saw fit, and didn't much care for the opinions of others.

Stallions, Mares, it didn't matter. To him, all ponies were the same, and he rarely had the opportunity to be choosy. Foals, on the other hand, were much easier to convince. Usually more desperate, and usually willing to do more for less. Occasionally, he'd just snatch one, knowing full well that even if they had parents, they were unlikely to do anything about it.

His eyes remained transfixed on one particular filly he'd seen wandering the streets of Griffonstone over the past few days. Unlike most, she made little to no effort to disguise her dire circumstances, even going so far as to beg for coins from strangers, usually earning nothing but harsh words from the guards and total disregard from every other creature.

But today was his day to strike. He grew tired of listening to her pathetic begging. Rehearsing his pitch in his mind, he casually sauntered over to the filly and dropped a few coins into the bag she'd laid out in front of her.

The filly stared up at him with a smile, innocent amber eyes brimming with gratitude. "Golly - I mean, thank you so much, sir."

Galdur's smile spread, showing off row after row of cracked, yellow teeth. "Oh, think nothing of it. It just breaks my heart to see a young filly like yourself in such an awful position." His Ponish was perfect. "How long has it been since you've had a warm meal, little filly?"

"A warm... meal..." The filly scrunched up her eyes, as if trying to remember. "I... I don't know..."

"Would you like one?" It was always so easy. He ran his eye down the filly's skin-and-bones frame. "That's a lovely amulet you've got there." If it was genuine unicorn craft, it would fetch a nice price, no doubt. "You can have a shower too. Maybe even some more coin, if you come with me."

The filly didn't look sure, and it showed. "Uhmm... I don't think I should go away with strangers."

"Of course, where are my manners?" He extended a claw. "Galdur. I'm a, uh, community manager. What's your name, little filly?"

The filly hesitated, before reaching out and placing her hoof between his claw. "Sugar Blaze."

"Well, not strangers anymore, are we?" Galdur raised an eyebrow, causing the filly to giggle at his exaggerated expression.

"I.. I guess not." She smiled happily. "I'm really hungry, too. Is it far?"

"Not at all. Come here..." Reaching out, he grabbed the filly in his claws and pulled her to her hooves, taking care not to scratch her as he did so. "That's better. Just a five minute walk. Don't forget your coins!"

The filly knelt and picked the meagre coin pouch up in her mouth, following silently behind Galdur while he continued to wax lyrical about all the things he had in store for her. Privately, the cogs in his head were already beginning to turn, as he wondered how much amusement he might get out of this one. The last filly hadn't been much fun, but he had a good feeling about this one.

It took them less than three minutes to arrive at Galdur's apartment. Pushing the door wide open, he cheerfully gestured for the filly to enter, before silently following her. He turned and slid a bolt across the door, before turning the lock with a key he wore on a tight chain around his neck.

"Now, let's talk about what you can do for me, little filly." He turned around, but the filly was no longer there. Had she gone into the kitchen? "Little filly?" He took a step forward.

The second he did so, he heard something spring out at him from the darkness, realizing far too late that he had been tricked. The filly, who had slunk behind the doorframe the second she'd entered the house, had seized the chain around his neck and was pulling against it with a strength he'd never imagined the scrawny little rat had possessed. As he felt the cold metal cut into his skin and crush against his windpipe, he began to panic and flail wildly, unable to scream for help. Crashing to the ground, he attempted to force her off by fluttering his wings aggressively, only for the filly to snap the bones within them with a well-aimed kick. The world began to slowly ebb red, then black, as his air was slowly cut off and he lost consciousness. Slumping forwards, he went limp.

Cozy collapsed, panting, before quickly pulling herself to her hooves. She didn't know how long she had before Galdur regained consciousness, and she didn't intend to be here when that happened. She wasted no time, rummaging through every shelf, every drawer, every hiding place that could have contained something of value. Slowly, her pouch began to fill with coins and other precious trinkets. As soon as she'd finished, she went into the kitchen and grabbed everything non-perishable, while eating as much of the fresh food as she could.

She didn't feel anything as she worked. Galdur was filth, and deserved everything he was getting, and doubtless worse. As soon as she'd cleared the kitchen, she swept the house once more. Galdur's bedroom contained a small metal box with a combination lock. When brute force failed, she rummaged through his bedside for the key, finding a few loose coins - but no key. Dragging the box to the stairs, she threw it down with as much force as she could muster, smiling with grim satisfaction as the brittle metal shattered open upon impact.

From within the box, she retrieved a handful of coins and a golden pocket watch which looked like it might be worth as much as everything else she'd grabbed together. She was unlikely to get a good price for it, but it was certainly a nice surprise.

Underneath it laid what looked like an oversized leather wallet. It looked worthless, but Cozy Glow's curiosity got the better of her. She turned it over, then flipped it open to find it was a booklet.

More precisely, a photo album.

The coin purse dropped to the floor. Almost on autopilot, she approached Galdur, whose ragged breathing was intercut with painful whimpers, and pulled the chain until his breathing stopped.

Cozy couldn't remember the last time she'd had a meal without meat. Griffons loved the stuff so much, they put it in almost everything. It was a sorry state of affairs when a can of beans or peas was a special treat to her - not to mention the ordeal she'd gone through to get them - but for now, she was content, happy, and had a full stomach, for the first time in over a week.

Despite her hunger and dire condition, she had kept herself alert and well aware of her surroundings, or she probably wouldn't be alive right now. She had known all along Galdur's intentions were anything but innocent - but she'd never guessed he'd been anywhere as bad as he was. It had taken a week of planning before she had been confident enough to strike. She'd had plenty of help, of course.

Shovelling peas into her mouth in an attempt to forget, she began to wonder who she could offload all these trinkets on. Groath would usually give her a good deal, but it might be worth making the trip up to the Equestrian district for some of the more expensive ones. Then again, carrying all that coin at one time might not be a good idea. Maybe she should stash a few of the more expensive items around the city. If Griffonstone had one thing in excess, it was hiding spots for ill-gotten gains.

More than anything, she felt tired. A full stomach weighed her down, and she found herself not wanting to move from the small den she'd taken to in the alley aside a butcher's shop. Catching sight of her reflection in the broken fragment of a mirror she had propped next to her makeshift bed, she couldn't help but grimace. She looked like death.

Her eyes were dark, sunken circles, and her cheeks were hollow and sunken. Her amber mane was ragged and matted, sticking close to her scalp. Luster's charm clearly wasn't designed to hide the effects of exposure and malnutrition. She was almost unrecognizable from a month ago. She could remember, clear as day, the first time she'd slept rough in the Griffon Empire...

The earliest rays of light shone through the myriad cracks lining the thin wooden walls of the barn, causing the filly within to grumble sleepily and roll over, screwing her eyes shut to try and block them out. Around her, chickens began to rise from their slumber and swan around their house, occasionally stopping to inspect the new arrival.

Eventually, the pecking and clucking got to her. Angrily stumbling to her hooves, she lazily swung a hoof around, sending the birds scattering in a flurry of squawks and angry hissing. Blinking rapidly to try and wipe some of the dust from her eyes, she stumbled over to a nearby water trough and briefly shook her head inside to clear the last remnants of sleep away.

She didn't want to think about last night, but it invaded her mind, weighing down her every thought and suffocating her entire mental process. Last night wasn't just a nightmare. It couldn't have been. She'd really died. No nightmare could ever have come close to matching the sheer terror and rage of having her life snuffed out so callously, with such cold, calculating indifference.

What had happened? She waved a hoof in front of her face, then tapped it against the ground. Both seemed perfectly solid. The way the birds had scattered from her suggested she was very much alive and kicking. It made no sense. The last time she'd ever felt anything like this was... was... was when she was petrified. But she didn't want to think about that.

Loading a few loose eggs into her saddlebags, Cozy slipped out of the barn door and hit the road before the griffon owner could discover her trespassing. She didn't know what happened to runaway fillies who stole in the Griffon Empire, and she didn't want to find out.

She had no particular direction, no particular goal, no particular plan. She wanted to put as much distance between her and Discord as possible, of course. Beyond that... she had no idea. She already missed Equestria, but she had a nasty feeling she wouldn't be welcome home anytime soon. If Discord really had been acting on Twilight's orders, she would be in big trouble for running away.

And what about Luster? Surely she wouldn't have agreed to anything like this. The Luster she knew would never, ever have let Discord do that to her.

Stamping the ground and shouting aloud in frustration, Cozy desperately wracked her brains for what to do next. The whole world, in an instant, turned on it's head. Something awful must have happened, she was sure of it. But she wasn't going to find out anything new eating dust. If she wanted any new information, she'd have to go back to Griffonstone. Discord would be long gone by now, and she didn't know anywhere else in the Griffon Empire. As much as the place had disgusted her, travelling alone was ten times worse. She would be safer in a city.

Her stomach groaned in furious hunger. Retrieving an egg from her saddlebag, she grimaced, cracked it open against a rock, and swallowed its innards whole.

Griffonstone loomed over the horizon like a bad memory - which it was. Cozy couldn't help but shudder as the first sight of the chaotic architecture brought back floods of bad memories. The pendant on her neck made her suddenly feel very self-conscious. Swallowing her fears, she pressed on. All too soon, she found herself crossing the city limits.

The stench of meat, smoke and industry was suffocating. Every injustice and cruelty she remembered had remained, only made starker by the shameless way they were conducted in broad daylight. To her relief, the guards not only let her be, they gave her a wide berth, perhaps assuming she was the filly of one of Griffonstone's wealthy elite.

Many griffons were illiterate, so newspapers were hard to come by. There were the occasional street criers, squawking in a language she couldn't name, let alone translate. After twenty minutes of getting nowhere, she changed tactics. Picking the first pony she saw, she trailed behind them, far enough so as not to be noticed, but close enough that she wouldn't lose them.

The pony seemed in a hurry to find themselves somewhere else. After dropping by a few shops and making some expensive-looking purchases, they set off in a fixed direction. Within a few minutes, Cozy Glow began to notice her surroundings change. There were fewer and fewer griffons, and more and more ponies. With few exceptions, they were all unicorns, and their cutie marks indicated they were particularly skilled in magic. The houses, shops, even the roads were markedly more attractive. A few cast inquiring glances her way - a night of sleeping rough had left her feeling, and no doubt looking, rough and dishevelled - but none stopped to quiz her. The few guards she encountered were polite and courteous, and there wasn't a single slaver in sight. It reminded her of Equestria - which was no doubt exactly how it's inhabitants wanted it.

It took her a few more minutes to find a shop selling the Equestrian Times, no doubt imported at significant cost, based on the price tag. Unfolding a copy, she ran her eyes down the main story line.

CLLR. MOONLIGHT ESTABLISHED RULING COUNCIL - AMDR. GALLUS SECOND IN COMMAND

Today, the first signs of unity were seen in the seat of Equestrian power after the shocking murder of Princess Twilight by her former protégé shook the nation. The Captain of the Royal Guard, henceforth renamed the Equestrian Guard in honour of the fallen Princess, today proclaimed the formation of a new council alongside the Admiral Gallus of the Western Fleet. Other members of this ruling council are understood to include General Sprint of the E.U.P. and Bearing Justice, Chief Justiciar of the First Court.

The decision to convene a ruling council without the consent of a ruling monarch has stirred dissent within the nation, but it seems the decision has been met with decidedly more popularity than cynicism. The council claims it will commit itself to the selection of a new Equestrian heir, but critics have already decried many decisions of the council that are seen as being contrary to the wishes of the last ruling Equestrian sovereign, amongst which are the declaration of a state of emergency, the reintroduction of capital punishment, and the destruction of the petrified remains of Queen Chrysalis and Tirek. The Changeling Kingdom, in particular, has decried the act as one of cold-blooded murder.

Continued on page 3...

Cozy turned the page so quickly she almost ripped the paper in two.

Princess Twilight, who was assassinated for reasons unknown by her former pupil Luster Dawn, had no known heir when she passed, though the gifted unicorn Luster Dawn had been touted amongst some members of Canterlot as a potential future successor to the Princess. Luster Dawn should be considered extremely dangerous, and should not be approached under any circumstances. She is known to be adept at a diverse array of magical disciplines. Her motives remain unknown. The reward for information or action leading to her successful capture or death was today raised to five million bits, as well as total amnesty for any prior crimes committed under Equestrian jurisdiction. The infamous filly Cozy Glow is also considered a pony of interest to the Equestrian authorities.

Princess Twilight's twenty-five year reign was marked by an era of peace and prosperity for Equestria unlike any known. Rising from humble origins, she quickly defined herself as a magical prodigy under the close mentorship of Princess Celestia, and before attaining Princesshood was instrumental in numerous events that defined Equestrian history as we know it. In addition, Princess Twilight was one of the revered Elements of Harmony and the founder of the distinguished School of Friendship. All of Equestria joins the Times in mourning the passing of our Princess.

The newspaper fell to the floor, landing gracefully in a puddle of mud. Cozy couldn't think. She didn't know what to think. Her whole world hadn't just turned upside down, it had flipped a cartwheel and blinked out of existence.

Twilight was gone. Dead. Murdered. By Luster. Luster had killed Twilight. The words were right there, in black and white, but they didn't register with her. It was as absurd as reading an article proclaiming the sky to be green. Luster was wanted for murder - no, she was wanted for murder. She would never be free to return home, ever again.

Heart pounding and breath laboured, Cozy grasped the doorway of the shop for support. Her head was swimming, and for a moment she thought she was going to faint. She had never been so glad to be wearing her pendant in all her life. It was perhaps the one reason she wasn't back in a jail cell - or on a chopping block.

As she staggered away, walking around in no particular direction, all of the puzzle pieces began to fall into place. Luster hadn't agreed to any of this. Had Discord been planning to murder her? Was that why Luster had... had...

Was she coming for her? For the first time in days, a bubble of happiness began to swell up in Cozy's chest as the prospect of being reunited with Luster danced before her, pushing all the terror and uncertainty within her aside. Of course she would! Luster would know exactly where she was headed, and it was only a matter of time before she arrived in Griffonstone.

Swallowing the rising lump of apprehension in her throat, Cozy glanced around. It had been a long time since she'd slept rough. In fact, it had been almost five years since she'd run away from the orphanage and slept rough in Ponyville for a week. She knew, deep down, that this didn't remotely compare - but she had no other choice. If she left the city, the Griffon Empire would simply swallow her up. If she returned to Equestria, she'd no doubt be put down just like the statue of Tirek and Chrysalis had been -

The statue! The realization hit her like a tonne of bricks. All those nightmares, those visions of Tirek and Chrysalis - what she'd felt last night - felt so real because it was real. Chrysalis and Tirek's bodies had been destroyed, and whatever fragment or shard or pieces of them that lived in her had reacted just as expected. Did that mean they were gone?

She hoped so.

A month, and no sign of Luster. Was she really coming for her, or was it just a hopeless dream? Would Luster even recognize her like this? A snivelling little street rat living out of a box. She shook her head, dispelling the thoughts as soon as they arose. She couldn't afford to lose hope. Not when hope was all she had left.

Well, except...

"Good job, Cozy Glow."

"I agree. Excellent work. I'm almost proud."

The voices were ethereal, somehow simultaneously less and more than a whisper. She didn't know if they were real, or a figment of her imagination. At some point, she'd stopped caring. Before, she'd tried to ignore them, but then they started to scream, and she hated that.

"Thanks." She dropped her voice to a whisper, not wanting to be overheard talking to herself. "Couldn't have done it without your help."

"Think nothing of it." Tirek's smile grew wider, more pronounced. "All I did was point him out to you."

"Let's not forget my contribution, shall we?" Chrysalis snapped. "I was the one who suggested using the key on his neck against him. Really, how else could a little filly have overpowered a fully grown Griffon?"

"You've both been a huge help." Cozy cut across the pair before they could resume arguing. "Sorry, you two are just a lot to get used to. I'm still not quite sure if you're real or not."

"Of course we are!" Chrysalis sound more scandalized than upset. "We're all that's left. Believe me, this isn't my dream lifestyle either."

"Indeed." Tirek grumbled. "I was once a proud and mighty demon, now look at me! Reduced to a shadow, trapped inside a little filly. I mean, I'm not... It's not like... I'm not inside... GAH! I'm a joke!"

"You can say that again..." Chrysalis did nothing to mask the mocking tone in her voice, causing Tirek's already crimson skin to flush a deeper shade of red.

"You're not in much of a better position yourself, bug."

"How dare you! I am the Queen of the Changeling hive, and I will be respected!"

Cozy closed her eyes and allowed the background argument to slowly burn out into a buzz. Her eyelids drooped. She was tired. So very tired...

"I have to say, I just love what you've done with the place. Excellent taste, your highness."

Discord leaned over in a mock bow, waving his hand in the air in an exaggerated display of obeisance. Moonlight glanced upwards at Gallus, looking for some kind of reaction, but the stone-faced griffon gave nothing away. As Discord rose to full, height, Gallus merely raised an eyebrow.

"Are you here to entertain, or do we have business to discuss?"

"Oh, so serious. I can see my days of running riot through this castle are at an end. Alas!" He swooned, draping a claw over his face. "I'll have to find my new home in a kingdom with as sense of humour. Though there doesn't seem to be many of those, these days."

Gallus's face tightened, and his eyes seemed to bulge with barely supressed rage. He was normally a cool, collected leader, but the unadmitted knowledge that Discord could do whatever he pleased with little to no risk of retaliation was infuriating in a way that escaped definition. The fact that this beast had waited so long to return was just the icing on the cake.

"Where is Cozy Glow?"

Discord's eyes barely flickered. "Dead."

"You have proof?"

"Why, of course. I have her head in my pocket."

Moonlight snarled, losing what little was left of her patience. "Don't play games with us, Discord! You had the filly with you when you left Equestria; what happened to her?"

"She's gone. Swallowed up by the Griffon Empire. Need I say more?" He shrugged. "I had intended to bring her back with me, but it's a moot point now. There's simply no way a teenage filly could survive on her own in that forsaken place. Besides, it looks to me like you have a lot more on your plate than a runaway foal." His eyes gleamed with attentiveness. "The throne suits you, but you appear to be missing your crown."

Gallus stiffened. "You're not the first to make that accusation, Discord. I assure you, I am doing my best to find another Alicorn suitable for the throne. Given we are aware of only two in existence - and given that those two happen to be the Princess and Crown Princess of the Crystal Empire - there may be a considerable search ahead of us." He pointed his claw in the draconequus's direction. "As for you, whatever services you provided to Princess Twilight will not be required under my administration. I don't ever want to see you in this palace again."

"Oh, really?" Discord inquired, voice as sweet as honey. "And pray tell me, good Admiral, how do you intend to enforce that little decision? Going to sic your toy soldiers on little old Discord?"

Gallus's gaze hardened. "Not on you. Your wife will serve just the purpose. You can torture me all you like, but you can't ever bring dear old Fluttershy back."

The grin was gone from Discord's face, replaced by a mild, dispassionate stare. Gallus gripped the corner's of Twilight's throne with such intensity he was certain the tips of the armrests were about to snap off. Every heartbeat pounding in his chest could be his last, if he had miscalculated. Beside him, Moonlight began to slowly back away.

Then, to his utmost relief, Discord visibly relaxed. A hateful expression began to creep it's way onto his face, but he stayed his claw.

"I understand, Admiral. I'll leave you to your fate. I'm sure it'll come to you, soon enough."

"Don't try to bluster with your soothsaying, Discord. Get out of my sight."

With an uncharacteristic plume of smoke, Discord vanished. The throne room slowly fell silent, but for the soft crackling noises of the burning torches that illuminated the columns lining the chamber, and the wind rushing through the shattered panes of glass. Gallus let out a deep sigh of relief.

"I can't believe that worked." His grip on the armrests tightened as he let out a low chuckle, that rose in pitch slowly until it sounded more like the mad giggling of a lunatic. "I... I just... he just..." The giggling continued.

"Admiral?" Moonlight cleared her throat as loudly as she could. "Were you not listening? Cozy is still missing." Gallus stared back at her with wide eyes, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. "Should I arrange a team of the Equestrian Guard to handle the situation? If we use an all-griffon force, they could avoid attracting attention - "

"Who cares?" Gallus slumped back into the throne, waving a dismissive claw in the air. "Discord was right. Cozy won't have lasted a week in that cesspit of a country. I grew up there, I should know." He dug his claws into the armrests. "Finding Luster is more important. Every member of the guard we send after Cozy is one whose efforts could be better spent on finding the Princesses' murderer. Given the circumstances, it seems likelier than ever that she had fled to the Griffon Empire. But we can't act until we are sure." Glancing out the window at the shining moon, he sighed once more, rose to his claws, and stretched.

"You're due to give the council's daily report in less than an hour. I can't be there tonight; the Western Fleet is due to depart for another month and it just wouldn't do for me not to be there. I want you to talk about the unreliability of chaos tricksters and how Equestria is stronger without renegades like Discord running the show. Understand?"

"Of course, Admiral. Will you be gone overnight?"

"Possibly longer. With Discord out of the way, there's less to worry about, even with the Changelings beating their war drums. Have Fluttershy placed under house arrest. Tell her she's being assigned a permanent bodyguard, and don't take no for an answer. Do the same for the remaining Elements of Harmony, so it doesn't look suspicious. Chuck whatever rejects you can spare at the others, but I want your best soldiers attached to Fluttershy. Utmost loyalty is paramount. If anything happens to me - or them - then she dies, no matter what. I'm sure we can devise a more permanent solution in time." His eyes gleamed.

"Speaking of sensitive circumstances, a delegation from the Crystal Empire is due to arrive in a day, in advance of Twilight's funeral. It's been delayed far too long already. Her brother and sister-in-law will be arriving with them." He tapped a claw to his chin. "It's already taken this long to ensure Equestria is stable enough to hold such an event. It's a... delicate situation. When I spoke to the ambassador, I got the feeling he expected Cadence to sized up for the throne. Evidently, with Flurry Heart now old enough to take the reigns back home, he expects us to stand aside and let the first Alicorn who saunters up to the palace take the crown. Make sure they understand that isn't happening."

"Yes, Admiral."

At least the pair of them agreed to that.

Chancellor Moonlight stepped up to the podium.

Unlike before, there were no more camera flashes. There was no more squabbling from the reporters - any who tried were promptly ejected and stripped of their press credentials. Gallus had deemed both demeaning to the new administration's public image. Nor was she alone on the platform, flanked on each side by five ponies clad in the uniform of the Equestrian Guard. A few of them were actors, selected for their appearance.

Moonlight coughed lightly into the microphone.

"This is the Equestrian Grand Council's statement for the fifth of Solaris, on the first year of the Age of Vacancy." She coughed again, then took a deep sip of water from a glass that had been waiting for her.

"Today, the council is pleased to announce it has dealt for the final time with the trickster 'god' known as Discord. The draconequus' feeble attempt at threatening the nation of Equestria were met with nothing but fierce resilience and a steel will from the council, and he was quickly sent fleeing from Canterlot with his tail between his legs. Equestria's citizens may rest easy, knowing another existential threat to Equestria has been eliminated."

The more she lied, the easier it became. She had always had a knack for public speaking, and she knew she was quickly becoming the public face of Gallus's administration. Soon, she would be irreplaceable.

"Preparations continue for the funeral of our beloved Princess Twilight, Mother of Equestria. A delegation from the Crystal Empire arrives tomorrow, amongst whom are members of the Crystal Royal Household to whom our Princess was closely related. We will welcome these foreign visitors with open hooves, and strive to continue to build the strong bonds between our two separate nations that have defined our relationship since they were returned to us by none other than Princess Twilight herself."

"As I speak, Admiral Gallus is overseeing the launch of the Western Fleet on a month-long operation designed to project Equestria's naval power across the land, and showcase not just our commitment to world peace, but our preparedness for war should our national sovereignty be threatened - from without or within."

A few coughs. Around the room, various eyes swivelled in the direction of the foreign correspondents from the Changeling Kingdom. Nocreature said anything. They didn't have to.

"The Western Fleet remains the core of the Equestrian Navy, and the most powerful seaborne force on the planet. I, along with all of Equestria, wish them luck and safety on their tour of duty."

"Finally, the search for Luster Dawn has an update." All of a sudden, there was a rustling across the room as journalists scrabbled to grab quills and parchment, eagerly hanging on to her every word. "Before being expelled from our nation, Discord was interrogated by the Equestrian Guard, under the supervision of Admiral Gallus. Cozy Glow is dead."

The words rung across the room like thunder, shattering the mood like glass. None of the faces appeared sympathetic, but they weren't exactly jubilant either. Cozy Glow was an evil piece of work, but she had still been a filly. Those in attendance found it difficult to take any real pleasure in her demise. Moonlight sensed the dour mood and quickly changed track.

"The search for Luster Dawn continues. The net continues to close around the traitor, and the hour of justice draws nearer every day." Possibly the only complete lie she'd told all evening. Luster could be anywhere, and it was becoming increasingly clear to her own lieutenants that catching a pony with the remarkable skills of Luster Dawn would be an arduous and likely fruitless task, and a waste of valuable resources - but the public couldn't be allowed to know.

"This concludes our daily brief. Long live Equestria."

In unison, every Equestrian journalist in the crowd rose and began to clap and stomp their hooves. A small smile formed on Moonlight's face at the bewilderment in the foreign journalist's expressions.

Long live Equestria, indeed.

Author's Note

Another chapter for ya filthy animals UwU

X - Wheel of Fortune

"E. Q. E. S. T. R. I. A."

Luster repeated each letter of the word as slowly as she could. Yasha paused, before repeating it back to her, his pronunciation shaky but clear.

"Eee... quest... ria. Equest... ria. Equestria." A smile crossed his face. "Big word. Not easy. Luster good teacher."

Luster chuckled, but she was secretly flattered. "Thanks. I've never taught Ponish before. Or any language, actually." In fact, she'd always been a poor learner of other languages. Fortunately, Yula wasn't a forgiving teacher, and she'd made quick progress in her Yakonian.

The past month had been hell. Yula hadn't exaggerated Yakyakistan's climate by any measure. The trio had struck to travelling during the day, taking advantage of the sun's warmth - although Yula and Yasha could travel by night, it would have been suicide for Luster to try the same, no matter how tightly she wrapped her fur coat around herself. Her shaved mane had started to fade back in, making her look all the rougher and less civilized, but for the most part she remained unchanged. Her fear of being followed had disappeared a few days into their journey, as both they and any trail they might have left was swallowed up in the perpetual snowfall.

Yula and Yasha's spirits hadn't ever been higher. Back in their home country, both of their moods had improved markedly. They even seemed to relish the biting cold and constant snowfall, as well as sleeping rough in a yurt every night. Luster, on the other hand, had been counting every inch of their journey to Luna's Bay. The small strip of land was the only coastline Yakyakistan owned, but Yaks weren't known as seafaring creatures. The network of ports that dotted the bay should, hopefully, be fairly inactive.

The first few nights, the three of them had passed the time by listening to Luster's story. Unlike Yula, Yasha hadn't been so immediately trusting, especially when he discovered Luster was trying to track down Cozy Glow. He had only been a small calf during the Grogar's Legion's rise to power, but like many, he still remembered the events of those days clear in his mind. Comparatively, he seemed unfazed by the revelation that Luster had killed Princess Twilight.

"Yasha yak. Twilight, Luna, Celestia. Yasha no care what pony princess boss."

In exchange, Yula had recounted various tales of her and Yasha's past. The two of them came from a lesser tribe of nomadic yaks, which had sworn loyalty to the King in exchange for their freedom. Disillusioned by tribal life, the two of them had parted from their homeland and left for Equestria, seeking opportunity - only to find themselves trapped in Halcyon, never earning enough to set off on the road, or return home.

Some days, it seemed like the snow and mountains would never end. Until, one day, they did.

It had been so long since Luster had seen an ocean, she'd almost forgotten how truly immense and vast they were. One moment, they were battling their way through sleet and hail, then with a simple turn around a corner, they found themselves struck by the vision of a vast, glittering, sapphire blue plain. She could still see it now, framing the rising sun that jumped at her whenever the wind blew the yurt's entrance open.

"Okay. I think we've done enough for today." Luster levitated her quills and parchment back into her saddlebags. "I'm impressed. As always. Are you sure Yula hasn't been giving you lessons behind my back?"

Yasha grinned. "No. Yasha no want learn talk like yak. Want learn talk like pony." Luster raised an eyebrow. "Yasha mean... I mean..." He scratched his head, as if the concept of a personal pronoun was somehow beyond his grasp. "I want to learn to talk like a pony."

Luster snorted. "Amazing. We'll make a Canterlot socialite of you yet. Come on, let's get some breakfast."

"Welcome, your highness. My deepest condolences for your loss. All of Equestria joins you in mourning for your sister-in-law."

Moonlight bowed as deeply as she could before Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armour, eyes fixed on the ground out of respect. Both Cadence and Shining Armour looked as if they had cried their tears for Twilight long ago, but the prince consort's lower jaw trembled slightly nonetheless. He had foregone his usual armour in place of a single black band tied loosely around his neck, matching with his wife. Cadence still wore her crown, though her trademark golden adornments were absent. Middle age had taken it's toll on the pair, no matter how much they tried to hide it.

"Thank you, Chancellor Moonlight. I understand we have you to thank for unifying Equestria in her hour of need. The world owes you a great debt." Cadence's voice was weak, but polite. She sounded pathetic, as if she could collapse any moment.

Moonlight was only just able to catch herself from agreeing with the Princess. Instead, she gave her a well-rehearsed sad smile. "I live to serve my country, Princess. Just as you live to serve yours. It was the least I could do."

Shining Armour looked less impressed. He blamed Moonlight for his sister's death, she could see it in his eyes. When he spoke, there was a quiet undercurrent of anger in his voice. "It's good to be back in my home country. We look forward to helping out in any way we can." He tilted his head to one side, and a thin, pale-white crystal pony with slicked-back hair and dressed in a formal uniform stepped forward. He looked almost bored, and when he spoke, his voice dripped with self-assurance.

"Miss Moonlight, my name is Ivory Brilliant. The ambassador to Equestria for the Crystal Empire, but I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting. Though, strangely enough, I was able to speak with Admiral Gallus, your Vice-Chancellor. I suppose you were occupied with more important matters."

Moonlight's hackles raised. "Chancellor."

"Hm?"

"It's Chancellor Moonlight, ambassador. And you're right, I have many pressing issues on my hooves, I'm afraid. Sometimes, I rely on less senior members of my cabinet to deal with minor issues." Pleased to see his smile slip from his face, she extended a hoof, which he didn't take. "How may I help you?"

"I... understand. Well, as I'm sure you're aware, the Crystal Empire and Equestria share a unified royal lineage, of which ours is alive and well. With the passing of Princess Twilight, the Crystal Empire stands ready and waiting to offer whatever assistance it can to the rest of ponykind."

"I'm pleased to hear that, ambassador." Moonlight knew exactly what he meant by that, and didn't intend to hide it. "But I'm afraid Equestria is already safe in the hooves of it's ruling council. Princess Cadence's considerable abilities are no doubt already stretched as it is, managing your kingdom. I wouldn't want to demand any more of her."

Ivory smiled graciously. "Oh, I wasn't thinking about our ruling Princess. With all due respect, a powerful and illustrious nation such as Equestria needs a younger leader. Somepony who can re-energize the nation and capture the love of it's citizens. Wouldn't you agree?" He stepped to the side. "I would like to present Her Royal Highness, Flurry Heart."

Despite her long service in the Royal Guard, Moonlight had only seen the Crystal Empire's heir a few times in her life - the last almost seven years ago. But the Alicorn that stepped forward now could barely register as the same awkward teenager she'd once known, possessing a commanding sense of authority Moonlight hadn't thought possible from a mare of her age. Unlike her parents, she wore the full ceremonial shoes and necklace of the Crown Princess, and when she spoke, her voice could cut glass.

"Chancellor Moonlight. It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you're doing well."

Moonlight jerked her head upwards slightly in acknowledgement. "Likewise, Princess." She turned her attention back to the ambassador. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"Princess Flurry Heart is visiting Equestria to conduct a... public relations campaign. To raise the Equestrian spirit. But beyond that, to prepare her for assuming control over Equestria, and in time, the Crystal Empire. Our two nations will finally be unified once more." He smiled, showing rows upon rows of pearly-white teeth. "Rejoice, Chancellor! Your search for a successor is at an end."

Moonlight glanced back at the mare - how old was she again, twenty-five? - in front of her. Did they think she was completely stupid? "Ambassador, I am... I am afraid I cannot allow this to happen. Princess Flurry Heart is far too young and inexperienced to rule a nation like Equestria."

"I'm sorry, but I beg to differ." Flurry Heart's steel voice cut across her, and Moonlight found her voice dying in her throat. "Dispensing with modesty, I've been prepared for the throne all my life, and I've aided my mother in her duties since I was sixteen. I can think of nopony more qualified than me to assume control of Equestria." There was no arrogance in her voice. It wasn't a brag. It was a statement of fact.

"In any case, I don't intend to ask you to take it on faith." Flurry Heart continued, her tranquil-blue gaze overpowering Moonlight's protestations. "As my ambassador said, during this visit I'll have plenty of opportunities to engage with the Equestrian public. After the funeral, I intend to remain here and join your ruling council until I am ready to be coronated." She smiled. "Equestria needs an Alicorn to govern. Your own council recognized this fact. Is this not a perfect marriage of circumstances?"

"Princess Twilight was less than ten years older when she assumed control under far less clement circumstances." Ivory sounded pleased with himself. "I have to say, Chancellor, I had expected you to be happier at this development. Surely you haven't become accustomed to power in these few weeks?"

Moonlight glared at him. "Such accusations demean you, ambassador. This is a time of national mourning, and I refuse to be drawn into such a petty dispute." Inwardly, she cursed herself for allowing herself to be caught off guard. Her hooves were more or less tied - as an Alicorn blood relation of Princess Twilight, Flurry Heart had a perfectly legitimate claim to the throne. Still, did they really expect her to be able to govern a kingdom like Equestria all by herself? Or... did they?

"Enough of this." Cadence stepped forward and laid a hoof on Flurry Heart's back. "I am here to pay my respects to my sister-in-law. I'm sure this affair can wait a few days." She glanced at Moonlight, and immediately the Chancellor could see the terrible sadness behind her eyes. "Can you... take us to her?"

The royal mausoleum was a cold and eerie place. The body of Twilight laid in state alongside the Tomb of the Royal Sisters, an enormous statue of two intertwined skeletal Alicorns that loomed over the party as they surrounded the motionless body of the deceased princess. Cadence pulled Shining Armour into a close embrace as they approached, both apparently unsteady on their hooves. The ambassador attempted to look disinterested, but could not hide his discomfort at the sight of the princesses' lifeless body. Only Flurry Heart appeared genuinely unaffected by the scene, taking in the sight of her dead aunt without a flicker of shock or hurt in her eyes.

"The body has been enchanted to preserve it for the ceremony. The princesses' will requested an open coffin burial." Moonlight allowed a moment to pass. "We will bring the guilty party to justice, your highnesses. I promise you."

Through a thick throat and wet eyes, Cadence sighed with exasperation. "Justice won't bring my sister-in-law back. But thank you. I only wish... that..." Her voice caught in her throat. "That is had not come to this."

Moonlight gave a deep bow. "Ambassador, I think we should give the Royal Family a moment of privacy."

"Hmm? Oh, of course." The sound of his name dragged Ivory out of his stupor. "Once again, my deepest condolences, your majesty."

The two ponies swept from the room. They had barely cleared the exit before they began to snap at each other.

"You must be deluded."

"So, my suspicions were correct. You have no intention of restoring anypony to the throne - Flurry Heart or otherwise."

"And what if I didn't?" Moonlight bit right back. "The E.U.P., the Western and Eastern fleets, even the Wonderbolts all recognize the Equestrian Grand Council as the legitimate governing authority of their country. Where was the Crystal Empire when Twilight was murdered? Where were you three weeks ago, when riots consumed Manehatten and had to be pacified? Where were you a week ago, when griffon bandits raiding throughout the Badlands had to exterminated? Where were you two days ago, when Discord threatened us in the heart of Canterlot, and we drove him off?"

She didn't wait for an answer. "Nowhere. Hiding in your castle, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and claim Equestria for your own. Well, you're too late. Equestria will forge it's own future, without the Crystal Empire or Flurry Heart - who will be returning to the Crystal Empire with her parents as soon as this funeral is over."

Ivory's smile never wavered. "Bold words. But empty. Flurry Heart is scheduled to break the news in a few days - just after the funeral. What do you intend to do, throw her in prison, perhaps?" Something deadly flashed in his eyes. "Such a decision would be an incorrigible act of war."

"That won't be necessary." Moonlight was bluffing, but she didn't think Ivory had seen through her yet. "The Royal Family will be returning home after the funeral. I'll have the Equestrian Guard escort them personally." She came to a halt outside Canterlot Castle's throne room. "You, on the other hand, will be leaving tonight. If you wish to preserve a shred of your dignity, you'll be gone by sunset. If not, I can have you extradited." She wrenched the throne room door open with an extended wing. "Good evening, ambassador."

The glower in Ivory's stare as the door slammed in his face could have melted lead.

With every dreary, monotonous step, the ocean seemed to get... no closer. Luster knew, logically, that they must be getting closer, but she could have sworn on Celestia the bay hadn't moved in the last two hours. She was so preoccupied with her aching hooves and pessimism, she didn't notice Yula sticking a hoof out in front of her until she tripped right over it and went faceplanting into the snow.

"Sorry!" Yula muttered under her breath, pulling Luster to her hooves and shaking her vigorously to remove the snow stuck to her head. "Look ahead. Ponies."

Luster felt the cold expelled from her body in seconds as her heart began to pound. Peering ahead, she could just about make out a few colourful flashes through the snow. As her vision adjusted, the outline of stallions became unmistakable. But what were they doing out here?

"Could we go around another way?"

Yula shrugged. "Maybe. Not know this part of the mountain too well. Risky, might get lost."

Luster had expected the answer. She couldn't afford to alert Equestria to her whereabouts. If that meant getting rid of a small patrol of guards, so be it. Assuming they were guards.

Creeping as close as she dared, her horn flashed three times, and the stallions crumpled to the ground, unconscious. As she approached, she was relieved to see that they were indeed guards - but unlike any she'd ever seen. Each was dressed in a thick orange thermal jacket with matching cloth face masks - but despite the masks, she recognized all three of them. They were all Royal Guards - but what were Royal Guards doing this far from Canterlot?

"Something wrong?" Yula inquired. Luster swallowed, then shook her head.

"I recognize them. I think these stallions were sent here from Canterlot to intercept us." How had they figured out where she was going? From the incident at Halcyon? Or was Equestria simply scattering Royal Guards across the world, in vain hopes they would happen upon Luster by chance? They were still in Yakyakistan, for Celestia's sake! Were they really willing to risk war, just for her? "We should keep moving. I want to be in the Griffon Empire as soon as possible."

Yula nodded gruffly. "What do with them?"

Luster glanced down at the unconscious stallions. They would wake up in ten minutes. But the cold might get there first. Her horn glowed once more, and a small flame leapt into the air. Tearing a few branches from a nearby dead tree, Luster set the burning bundle down in between the motionless guards.

"Let's go."

The sun slowly set and the moon rose, but Luster insisted on walking through the night, desperate to put as much distance between them and the guards as possible. With new, renewed vigour in her step, the trio arrived at Luna's Bay just as the sun had begun to rise once more.

The port town of Capstone was the definition of a ghost town. A few bored-looking yaks drifted around, barely even looking up to acknowledge the visitors - which suited Luster just fine. All she wanted was to find a ship travelling to the Griffon Empire and be on her way.

It took her less than an hour to size up a such a suitable vessel. A griffon fishing trawler was stopping in Capstone to pick up some supplies before returning to port in the Griffon Empire. Though they had turned their nose up at Yula and Yasha, the captain, a keen-eyed, grizzled old hen whittled with scars, took great interest in Luster when she realized she was a unicorn.

"Always good to have a magician on board. Show me what you can do, filly."

As much as Luster resented being treated like a foal - and as much as the prospect of spending the next few days trapped aboard a ship that stank of dead fish repulsed her - she complied, and promptly raised the entire ship, crew and all, out of the water, much to the captain's delight.

"Now that's what I'm talking about! All right, you're on. A few extra claws on deck seems a small price to pay for an unsinkable ship!" She extended a withered claw, then forced it into Luster's hoof. "Name's Gilda. Been running ships back and forth across this ocean for fifteen-odd years now. Can't say I've seen too many ponies on the route, though."

Luster gave her what she hoped was a confident smile. "Golden Sun. I'm travelling to the Griffon Empire for work."

"Riiight." Gilda's eyes slid sideways to the pair of Yaks behind Luster. "And stopped to pick up hitchhikers on the way?"

"Ah... ha ha, uh.... well, you see... uh..." Luster's voice faded away as she realized the lie was going nowhere.

"Forget it. It's none of my business. Shouldn't even have asked." She leaned in slightly, her voice suddenly lowering to a cruel whisper. "But don't ever lie to me again, or you and your furry friends are going overboard. Got it?"

Luster nodded, staring at her hooves in humiliation. Gilda slapped her on the back and bellowed at her crew to prepare for departure. Slinging her saddlebags over her shoulders with a sigh, Luster, Yula and Yasha boarded the ship. Emblazoned on the right-hand-side in stark white letters was the name - Rainbow's Gift. Surprisingly, she found herself supressing a chuckle. There was nothing about this drab, grey hunk of smoke, glass and steel that even remotely suggested a rainbow. What had the builder been thinking?

They were shown to their quarters by a gruff and silent griffon who treated them as little more than a nuisance. The accommodation was somewhat spartan, being little more than a cramped room with a few bags of oats on which they could sleep, but Luster was so tired she would have happily collapsed on a bed of nails. Muttering her thanks to the griffon, she dragged two bags together and was asleep before she had even finished lying down. As she slept, the ship weighed anchor and set off.

Hours passed, and the sun slowly slipped below the water line as dry land slowly began to slip into the distance, before vanishing altogether from the horizon. It was a quiet night, and the sea was still enough that the vast tapestry of stars could be clearly seen as a reflection in the ink-black water. Though this stretch of ocean had once brimmed with activity - trade vessels, pirates, and fishing trawlers like this one - the frosty relationship between the ponies and the griffons had meant a slow but steady decline in commercial travel. The frequent incursion by military vessels hadn't helped either.

They surged forth from the darkness so effortlessly, they might as well have been sailing on air. Gilda couldn't remember the last time she'd ever seen single ship as large cut through the water so swiftly, let alone dozens. The Seal of Equestria, emblazoned on their hulls, shone like a beacon in the light of the full moon. The Western Fleet was truly a sight to behold.

The Rainbow's Gift was brought to a swift halt. Gilda had no doubt that if she attempted to cut across their path, they would be smashed to pieces against one of their hulls. They probably wouldn't even notice it. As the crew watched in astonishment, the silent leviathans steamed past. A few spotlights were shone on them, but none showed any real interest.

From the bridge of ESS Harmony, Admiral Gallus received a short report, before scoffing and tossing it into a waste basket. The crew must be getting paranoid. Just another griffon vessel reeling in fish. The worst thing they could have stashed aboard would be some fish illegally caught in Equestrian water. Certainly far below the notice of the grand Western Fleet.

Moonlight was pleased to discover that Ivory had indeed fled by the time she rose, scampering back to the Crystal Empire with his tail between his hooves. Of course, he had undoubtedly already begun plotting his revenge even as he licked his wounds, but she no longer cared.

Routine summoned her. Bills needed to be approved and signed. There were events to attend to and officiate, photo ops, press briefings, and a million other mundane tasks that consumed her in time and mind. Maybe Twilight had enjoyed this, but she found it exhausting, not to mention demeaning. She sorely missed the regimentation of military life. The fact that she was still receiving telegrams from Gallus instructing her on how exactly to behave and act was just the final twist of the knife.

As she finally sat down to force down a small lunch in between two equally pointless and dull appointments, her blood boiled at the sound of a soft knocking on the door. Closing her eyes, she counted to ten, then replied in as calm and collected a voice as she can muster.

"Is it important?"

The door creaked open, and in stepped the last mare she wanted to see. Fighting to keep her temper, Moonlight forced a smile onto her face, bitterly swallowing the pain it caused her. "Flurry Heart. I'm sorry, I'm very busy at the moment. Could it wait until this evening?"

"Relax, Chancellor." Flurry Heart closed the door silently behind her. "I've arranged for somepony else to take your place at the opening of the Museum of Royal Heritage. We should have more than enough time together." She raised a hoof before Moonlight could say anything. "Being a member of the Royal Family does come with some authority."

Inwardly, Moonlight was relieved she didn't have to attend yet another grand opening - but it sounded like Flurry Heart had plans to eat up her time anyway. "And what do we have to discuss?" She knew what the answer was going to be before the words had even left her lips.

Flurry Heart cocked her head to one side, studying Moonlight intensely as if trying to read her mind. "You sent my ambassador home. I felt the need to ask why." She shook her head, her tone suddenly brisk. "I know why, of course. You and him were at each other's throats every second you spent together yesterday. Presumably, you don't want him meddling in your affairs. We have that in common."

"We do?" Moonlight hadn't expected that. Flurry Heart nodded.

"I make no secret of my desire to accede to the Equestrian throne, of course. But Ivory is brash and confrontational. He treats this affair like a conquest. I see it differently." She nodded in the direction of a chair. "May I?"

"Of course."

"Thank you." Taking a seat, she continued. "I've been watching the situation here closely. Asking the right questions to the right ponies. I hope you won't mind if I'm frank with my assertion that you are little more than a figurehead to Admiral Gallus."

Moonlight paused, then nodded. She was too tired to argue the case. "That's... one way of looking at it. I wouldn't call myself a figurehead, though. More of a public relations figure."

"I understand. I assume you were chosen for your close relationship with Princess Twilight."

"Of course. Anypony or anything even loosely associated with the monarchy was seized upon. The more we could present ourselves as the successors of Princess Twilight, the more legitimate we would seem." There was a twisting in her stomach as the words came out of her mouth. She could almost have been arguing Flurry's case for her.

"Except for the niece of the Princess Herself." A smile played its way onto Flurry's lips. "I hope I'm not laying it on too heavily, but you must see this from my point of view. Gallus has done well by Equestria, but do you really intend to prop him up as dictator indefinitely?"

"I..." Moonlight felt that same sense of anger stirring in her chest. "Gallus and I have seen down the forces of Tartarus to settle Equestria. After everything we've been through, you expect us to just roll over and - "

"Chancellor, please." Flurry Heart's tone immediately overpowered Moonlight's stuttering. "I can assure you that your gallant efforts will be rewarded with the honour and prestige they are due. Gallus, too. I know you well. You've served in the Royal Guard for coming up to forty years. In all that time, you've never once tried to leverage your position to grasp onto power. You've been the perfect soldier, loyal and disciplined." The corners of her mouth softened. "Is this really what you want? Playing second fiddle to this, this... what is this, some kind of military dictatorship?"

Moonlight should have snapped at her, but she didn't. Instead, she nodded. After all, Flurry was right.

"It might interest you to know that my parents are utterly against this whole affair. They still treat me like a foal. But I'm not here to prove my name. We didn't choose to be here; fate chose us. Who are you to fight against the course of destiny?" From outside the window, the sun slowly floated behind Flurry Heart's head, illuminating her features in a soft halo. "Won't you join me, and help me bring unity to this broken country? Your country?"

Moonlight swallowed the lump slowly rising in her throat. Certainly, it was a good pitch. But there was something so innocent, so pure, so utterly selfless about Flurry Heart's demeanour that made her believe, truly believe, that it wasn't a pitch. It was the truth. It had been too long since she'd heard the truth without it being painfully twisted or shredded to fit a carefully crafted agenda.

"If... If I were to agree to this, you understand Gallus is unlikely to take it... well." That was an understatement. "What are we to do? The wrong move could tear this country in two." Already, the gears in her head were turning. She'd studied military strategy her whole life, and right now she was in the zone. "We cannot lose the Western Fleet. If we do, we lose the western coast of Equestria, and set ourselves up for decades of internal conflict. The financial cost alone would cripple us, and leave us vulnerable to external forces. If the griffons come bearing demand for tribute, we will be in no position to refuse. The hit alone to morale would - "

"Chancellor." Flurry Heart cut in. "I understand your concern. I share them. But there will be no need for a grand strategy this time. I believe, firmly, that Admiral Gallus will see the light and re-join his country peacefully to be recognized as a hero. If, by some unhappy circumstance, he decides not to..." She sighed, eyes downcast. "Then I will have to arrange for the matter to be resolved more delicately. But there will be no war. I am here to bring unity, not strife. Cast such thoughts from your mind. They do not befit the Captain of the Royal Guard."

Under any other circumstances, those words would have been a demotion. But to Moonlight, they were a return to normalcy.

"As you wish... Princess. When do you intend to make the announcement?"

"After my aunt's funeral. The day will be a sombre and unpleasant affair. It will do the nation good for there to be some good news at the end of it. You may inform the Equestrian Guard - my apologies, the Royal Guard - in advance. My security is, I'm afraid, about to become a far more serious affair. I'll speak with my parents tonight and explain the situation to them. I hope they'll see if my way - but if they don't, then that's too bad. Equestria needs me more than they do."

"I'll get my lieutenants to spread the word though the ranks tonight. The majority of the force is presently on deployment, but they've had no success. In any case, there's more than enough guards under my command here to provide you with round-the-clock protection."

"Still searching for my aunt's killer." Flurry Heart sighed. "Between you and me? You'll never find her. My aunt would never stop talking about how gifted her protégé was. She's probably overseas, with a new name and identity, living as anonymously as she can."

"Surely..." Moonlight wasn't sure how to respond. "Surely you must want vengeance. Your aunt..."

"...was a wonderful mare. I miss her very much. But my mother is right, for once." Flurry Heart sighed. "Mindless revenge does not satiate bloodlust, merely tempts further bloodshed. Were Luster Dawn to stand before me, I would happily pass judgement. But I will not allow revenge to define my reign. If I do, it will never be enough." She glanced upwards, and Moonlight was surprised to see she looked hurt. "I would have thought you'd understand."

A macerator. A statue. Grinding. Tearing. Ripping. Roaring. Clouds of dust and chunks of rock flying everywhere. Vicious, angry roars of retribution.

All of a sudden, she felt sick.

"I do, your highness. Forgive me."

XI - Justice

The dawn broke over the horizon all too soon, heralding with it the dawn of a new day. A day seemingly like any other - but all knew this was no ordinary morning. Instead of the usual bustling of Canterlot's city streets, the cries of street merchants, rumbling of chariots and ringing of bells, all was silent, save for the slow, steady chime of Canterlot Castle's bell. Every second, it rung out a slow, solemn note, echoing through the streets as though it were the beating heart of the dead city. Those who chose to enter the city streets were uniformly clad in black, their heads downcast in mourning, out of respect - or fear.

The hour of Princess Twilight's final ceremony had arrived.

In the highest tower of the Castle, Moonlight raised her head, basking in the warmth of the sun's rays streaming through her open window. She hadn't slept for even a single second, but there was no tiredness in her eyes. Nor was there any fear. She was, once again, at peace. No matter what happened today, Equestria would be forever changed. Such certainty about the future bought with it a serene sense of clarity.

Draping a thin black sash over her usual ceremonial uniform, Moonlight descended down the staircase and was greeted by her bodyguard, each of them sporting black legbands in addition to their uniform. These were her soldiers. Loyal to her, and nopony else. She would have placed her life in the hooves of no other.

"Good morning, Ma'am." The stallion looked tired, and uneasy. They all did. "Admiral Gallus has requested an audience with you as soon as possible in the throne room. The ceremony doesn't begin for another three hours, but he was quite insistent."

Moonlight nodded, unfazed. Gallus almost certainly wanted to interrogate her on the Royal visit. He couldn't possibly know what was going on, and a small part of her had hoped he wouldn't have been able to attend in the first place. Flurry Heart might innocently believe Gallus could be convinced to accept her as the new ruler of Equestria, but she wasn't so naïve. Perhaps she should simply have him arrested now, get it all over with.

"Thank you, Astral. I'll deal with it right away."

She set off at a brisk trot, her retinue in close pursuit. The courtyard was deserted, spare for a few guards posted on duty. More of her soldiers. Gallus had made a severe mistake by placing the Equestrian Guard under her command. From the blossoming trees hung thick black streamers, fluttering in the wind like ghostly reminders of the gruesome spectacle that had played out in this hallowed fortification a month prior. Had all of this really begun over a little filly?

Gallus was there, as he promised. He had been at sea for less than a week, but he had already adopted the mad, wide-eyed stare of those who had gazed upon empty unending oceans for too long. His armour was replaced by a luxurious purple robe, embedded with gems and golden thread, which clashed horrifically with his bedraggled feathers and stench of sea salt. He was grotesque.

As Moonlight approached, he gave her a lazy smile, one that reminded her of many of the stallions she'd played poker with. The grin of a bluffer. Playing for everything, but nothing to play with.

"Chancellor Moonlight. How are our little guests?"

Moonlight fought to keep her emotions under tight control. One slip now, one tiny mistake, would ruin everything. "They are as well as they could be, under the circumstances. They grieve for the loss of their family member."

"As we all do. I've never seen Cadence so catatonic. It's doubtful she'll be able to resume her position as Princess of the Crystal Empire anytime soon. Her prince consort isn't looking much better." Sauntering over to the throne, he collapsed into it. "I must say, their daughter is something else, isn't she?"

Moonlight's eyelids flickered, but her expression gave away nothing. "Princess Flurry Heart is merely accompanying her parents to pay her respects to her aunt. I haven't had the time to speak with her properly."

"Really? I was told you spoke to her at great length."

There it was, the bluff. Not even a good one. "I'm afraid you're mistaken, Admiral. I've been far too preoccupied over the past few days to exchange idle chatter. Apart from a brief discussion with her during their arrival, I've heard nothing. You know how rumours spread." She watched his face closely, searching for the slightest suspicion - but there was nothing.

"Forget it, then. I heard you sent that meddling gelding Ivory Brilliant packing. Good work. Without their pet hound, the Royal family is nothing but a cluster of impotent has-beens." He sighed, sinking deeper into the throne. "Our Princess is due to be buried in a few hours. I should change. This is hardly appropriate wear for the funeral of our beloved monarch." He rose to his claws, then theatrically paused.

"Chancellor?"

"Yes?"

"The Crystal Empire is of concern to me. First, this meddling in our internal affairs is no fluke. Second, Flurry Heart has, as I'm sure you're aware, a very good claim to the Equestrian throne. I'm sure they intend to stake a claim to our country, some day or the other. When that happens, can I count on you to stand by me?"

Now, it was Moonlight's turn to mask her emotions. "Beyond a doubt."

Gallus' eyes, wide and bloodshot, burned into her. Moonlight didn't even flinch, but internally she was desperately uncomfortable. Something was wrong. Gallus had always been paranoid, but this wasn't paranoia. It was insanity. For the first time in years, she felt the claws of her own terror seize her in their icy grip. Gallus turned away, his expression static and unchanging.

"Good. That's all I needed to know." He made for the door, and in moments, was gone. Moonlight could hear her heart pounding in her chest, feel the thin snakes of sweat run down her forehead, her legs threatening to buckle underneath her. It must have shown, because one of her guards approached her with a look of concern.

"Ma'am, are you feeling all right?"

Moonlight swallowed and fought to control herself. All of the morning's tranquillity had gone, and all of a sudden she was nervous. She turned to her soldiers, eying them closely. Not a flicker of disloyalty amongst them.

"All of you are privy to the events of this evening. You are aware of Princess Flurry Heart's intentions. Is that correct?"

In unison, they nodded. Their leader, Astal Spark, spoke for them all.

"Of course. It's our humble pleasure to welcome Equestria's new unifier."

The determination in his voice was reassuring. "As you just saw, not all of us are so eager to welcome this change. Admiral Gallus may well attempt to resist this new development. If he should do so, arrest him. He is alone and unaided. If he fights back, show no mercy."

Unease amongst the ranks. A few stallions exchanged glances. They weren't unfounded concerns. Rival commanders placing each other under arrest was how civil wars started. Eventually, Astral Spark nodded, bringing his soldiers to a consensus.

"Of course, Chancellor. We trust you."

Cozy sighed, and battered the radio against the floor once more. The soft buzzing and crackling faded in and out of coherence, but not a word of Ponish could be heard.

"Stupid piece of cheap... WORK!!"

"That's now how radios work. Actually, that's not how anything works." Chrysalis sounded bored - which she was. "You know, this got old the third time."

Cozy's blood hit boiling point, and she spun around with a look of fury on her face that could shatter glass.

"SHUT UP, YOU STUPID BUG! I'M TRYING - *bash* - TO FIX - *bash* - THIS STUPID - *bash* - STUPID - *bash* - STUPID RADIO!"

As Chrysalis' jaw dropped, Tirek burst into laughter at the scene.

"Oh, how perfect!" He doubled over, clutching his chest in apparent stitches. "I could watch this for hours! Really, I could."

"Insolent brat! Why, if you were one of my changelings, and I were... well... corporeal... well, then I'd rip you to pieces for even THINKING about talking to me like that!"

Cozy slammed the radio against the floor one final time, and was rewarded by a sudden burst of chatter. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she leaned in intently, praying she had tuned the radio correctly.

"... the process has only just begun, but already the turnout is impressive. It would not be an understatement to say that all of Canterlot and many from beyond have arrived to pay their final respects to the Princess who so dearly loved them all."

Triumphant, Cozy laid down and listened intently. The broadcaster sounded bored, as if he had rehearsed his lines once too often.

"In addition to the vaunted elite of Equestria, the Royal Family of the Crystal Empire is also in attendance, paying their respects to their fallen family member - Princess Cadence, Princess Flurry Heart and Prince Consort Shining Armour are seated astride Chancellor Moonlight."

Moonlight watched the procession pass her by, her expression unchanging as she took in the many sombre displays and banners. All in all, she found it far too garish for her taste. This was meant to be a funeral, but a passer-by could have easily mistaken it for a festival.

Seated aside her, Flurry Heart tapped her hoof slowly, a stoic look fixed to her face. She hadn't spoken a word to Moonlight since the two of them had sat down together. Was she reconsidering? Overthinking? Maybe just rehearsing her speech. Somehow, the Alicorn's expression was always unreadable. Beside her, Cadence and Shining Armour barely reacted to their surroundings, stealing occasional worried glances at their daughter.

It took almost an hour for the procession to arrive at a close. When it did, the rows of seated VIPs duly filed out and were directed towards Canterlot Castle. Seizing the opportunity, Moonlight approached Flurry Heart and coughed as loudly as she dared. The princess barely glanced behind her at the sound, not breaking step for even a second.

"Quite the display. I'm sure my aunt would have been very pleased." Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke, surprising Moonlight. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't get distracted. We have a lot of work ahead of us."

"Don't worry about it." Moonlight muttered, shooting glances at random passers-by, searching for eavesdroppers. "Gallus is back in Canterlot. He must have arrived last night. I saw him this morning - he looks awful. He's not going to take today well."

Flurry Heart nodded in the direction of an apple tree, and the pair split from the main group as surreptitiously as they could. Once underneath the tree and away from the crowd, they could talk more freely. Flurry Heart glanced over her shoulder before the spoke.

"Does this change our plans?"

Moonlight took a moment to think before she answered. "I know you've got your ideals, but take it from me; there's no way he's going to accept you as the new Princess. Or anypony. As far as he's concerned, this is his country."

"And you propose... what?" When Moonlight didn't answer, Flurry Heart continued. "I refuse to start my reign by arresting scores of dissidents. Gallus may object as much as he like, but I believe the Equestrian people will stand with me and my message of hope and peace."

Moonlight felt an uncomfortable jolt shoot down her spine. What was it with Flurry Heart? Her logic was flawless, as always, but the conclusions she reached always felt so... wrong.

"I understand, your highness. I'm sure you're right. Perhaps I'm being too belligerent."

They re-joined the procession, soon finding themselves filing into the royal mausoleum. Despite their lateness, they were quickly ushered to the front by the sympathetic crowd. Though she accepted graciously, in truth Moonlight disliked being so close to Twilight's corpse. Conversely, if Flurry Heart was perturbed by the proximity to the body of her aunt, she again showed no indication.

The entire chamber was overcrowded and overheated from the burning torches that lined the walls. The overpowering scent of incense and smoke suffocated her. Without warning, a series of bell chimes rung through the room, and every attendant rose in acknowledgement.

The priest was getting too old for grand formal ceremonies, and required the assistance of three young acolytes to get through the ceremony. Moonlight had never believed in such superstition, but Princess Twilight's belief had been a well-attested, if private, part of her life. It was what she would have wanted.

Gallus sat only a few seats ahead of her, dressed in a simple black robe, looking more like a monk than a leader. He said nothing during the service, staring straight ahead the entire time. Moonlight found herself wondering what kind of griffon he was. She'd never once discussed personal affairs with Gallus. Was he married? Was he religious? What did he do in his spare time? What had made him like this, so callous and power-hungry?

It didn't matter, she decided. Gallus had made his choices, and they had led him here. Perhaps, in another world, the two of them could have been allies. Friends, even. But it wasn't to be.

The funeral dragged on. Princess Twilight was laid to her final rest between the tombs of Princess Celestia and Luna, as she had requested. Moonlight felt a chill run down her spine as the lid to her tomb was drawn shut forever, turning the final page on a chapter of history.

"My dear Equestrians. May I extend my deepest condolences to every one of you for your most terrible loss..."

The Changeling ambassador looked disinterested; his voice was flat, betraying his apathy. Privately, Moonlight suspected he hadn't even reviewed his speech before this point. Dear Equestrians? The phrase sounded old-fashioned, not to mention condescending. Whatever Flurry had planned for tonight, it couldn't possibly be worse than this.

The Princess had insisted they sit separately, to avoid looking like co-conspirators. Instead, she found herself shuttled between a thin, haughty-looking stallion she didn't recognize, and a grumpy-looking griffon whom she'd also never seen before, but whose demeanour screamed soldier. Flurry Heart had seated herself, predictably, between her parents, who looked like they were going to throw up.

More speakers. More droning. Empty words, meaning platitudes, baseless rhetoric. Moonlight was getting too old for this. In a few years, she had decided, she would retire and let Flurry Heart find some other poor shmuck to take her place. Perhaps Astral Spark. He was young and ambitious, not to mention bright. He'd be an excellent captain. Better than her.

So caught up as she was in her mind wandering, Moonlight didn't notice Flurry Heart taking the stand until she had already begun to speak, startling her out of her stupor. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gallus shift slightly in his seat, suddenly alert.

"Friends. Family. Brothers and sisters from every corner of Equestria. What a privilege it is to speak to you on this solemn day. The loss of my aunt has been as difficult for many of you as it has been for me. Princess Twilight Sparkle was a mare of simultaneous great kindness and iron resolve, and her legacy lies before us as not just yesterday's gift, but also a blueprint for tomorrow." Her voice, clear and precise, carried itself across the room like a lullaby, and virtually every member of the audience seemed hypnotised. "The years to come are uncertain and the waters of our new regency untested. I know many of you fear the future. Let me assure you, you need not."

She paused for a few seconds, closing her eyes as if collecting her thoughts. Had she not been numbed already by dozens of speeches, Moonlight would have felt somewhat stirred. As it was, she could only feel the pit of anxiety in her stomach deepening.

"It was a wiser mare than I who once said that we had nothing to fear from the future but the pitfalls dug of our own fear. Though she is sadly no longer with us, her words are alive today in a way they could have never been during her life. From the lowest to the highest, there is much fear in the officials of our new regency. This precarious tower must find new foundations - or inevitably collapse. Though Princess Twilight passed without selecting an heir, by the right of blood, the Equestrian crown may pass to her closest female Alicorn relative." She let a moment pass, allowing the words to set in. "Me."

Gallus dug his claws into the wood of his chair. His head turned slightly, eyes narrowing as he took in Moonlight's nonchalant expression. The Captain of the Royal Guard stared fixedly ahead, not giving Gallus a single glance. Murmurs, whispers, but not a single shout of anger.

"Quiet, please." The room was instantly silent. "Equestrian citizens, I pledge from this day forward to bring new unity to this broken land; to meet adversity with a conviction that would have made my aunt proud. The brave and noble souls who have laboured to represent Equestria will, of course, be honoured as the heroes they are, and will find their stations restored to the same standing they always possessed. Where change has occurred, it must sometimes be embraced. But change must not be championed as an end in and of itself. Where we encounter violence, where we find brutality, where we face cruelty, we must drive it out in favour of peace, justice, and compassion."

"Our message of hope is not for Equestrians alone. The Crystal Empire is to be finally reunited with the Equestrian motherland, and a new era will dawn over not just our country, but also the world. Equestria will once again become a shining light atop a valley for everycreature the world across. I will withdraw our soldiers from their provocative adventures abroad. The Western Fleet will no longer be given free reign to terrorize Yak fishing vessels. Only through mutual respect can this new world be achieved."

"I have been involved in intensive discussions with Chancellor Moonlight over the past few days to finalize this process." Every eye in the room swivelled her way, including the bloodshot, furious eyes of Gallus. "Her resolve is as strong as mine in this decision, and she has agreed to step down and resume her position as Captain of the Royal Guard with full honours. I invite her to step forward now, and pledge her loyalty to me."

Feeling more embarrassed than apprehensive, Moonlight rose from her seat and awkwardly strode up to the stage, trying as hard as possible to project an image of confidence. She could feel every gaze in the room on her. When she reached the stage, she stooped into a deep bow.

"I honour you, Princess Flurry Heart, as sovereign of our nation. May harmony guide you."

Rising to her hooves, she was relieved to see a small, satisfied smile on Flurry's lips. Turning back to the crowd, she awkwardly waited beside Flurry Heart as she continued.

"I now invite the remainder of the new Royal Guard to do the same."

There was an awful hollowness to the words, and it only took a few seconds for it to become apparent why. Astral Spark and his troop were right there. They couldn't possibly have misheard. But they didn't budge.

Flurry Heart cleared her throat, and repeated herself. She showed no hint of panic. But still, nothing. Then Gallus rose to his claws.

There was something so utterly black in his eyes that he no longer seemed alive, more like a corpse puppeteered by some invisible string. The insanity that had been so clearly present earlier consumed him as his fears, his delusions and his every paranoid thought materialized in front of him. But what would have broken any other creature had only given him more strength, and as his beak twisted up in a thin sneer, Moonlight knew she had made a terrible mistake.

"My, my. Treachery afoot, it seems. My den is filled with vipers, just as I suspected. But what a pitiful display they make. I knew I should never have trusted you, Moonlight." As he stepped forward, he allowed the black robe he wore to slide off his shoulders. "How fortuitous that I never did."

With a snap of his fingers, he barked a harsh instruction. Slowly, almost shamefully, Astral Spark stepped forward and bowed. But not to Flurry Heart.

"I am here, my lord."

Gallus' smile extended until it threatened to split the corners of his beak open. Moonlight could only watch in disgust and terror as her soldiers, one by one, stepped forward to kneel to their true leader, each one seemingly afraid of what would happen if they didn't.

"Please place the traitor Moonlight and her foreign co-conspirators under arrest for treason."

Moonlight knew resistance would mean death, and she didn't have it in her to strike down her former comrades if she wanted. Flurry Heart, likewise, did not resist. But her father did.

"Leave my daughter alone!"

With speed Moonlight didn't know the aging stallion still possessed, Shining Armour quickly closed the gap between himself and Gallus until the two were an inch apart. Before anypony could react, Gallus was sent flying across the room by a single beam from Shining Armour's horn, before crumpling into a heap alongside the wall. He rose slowly, blinking stupidly as if astonished anypony had dare strike him.

Shining Armour was immediately pinned to the floor by three guards. For good measure, Cadence was dragged from the crowd and thrown beside him, stirring minor panic in the audience. Amidst the bubbling chaos, Gallus' voice rang out clearest.

"SILENCE!!!"

The room fell quiet once more. Gallus glared at the crowd at large, then turned back to Shining Armour. Seizing him by the horn, he began to twist, causing the stallion to cry out in pain.

"STOP!" Flurry Heart began to struggle with the two guards holding her in place. "Don't hurt him! Dad!"

A cruel grin crossed Gallus' demeanour, then he seemed to realize he was right in front of a public event. With obvious reluctance, he released Shining Armour and growled with displeasure.

"A family of conspirators aided by my own trusted aides. Take them away. I will deal with them later. They have bought shame upon our nation and besmirched the funeral of our beloved Princess Twilight. I don't want to see them again today."

Dutifully, Cadence and Shining Armour were hauled away. Flurry Heart followed behind them, determined not to be dragged out, but paused for one final parting shot.

"Your aide?"

Gallus grimaced as he realized his mistake. The crowd behind him no longer looked upon him with the reverence he was used to as a respected soldier. Instead, he recognized their stares as the fearful visages they were. But fear was enough.

The last thing Moonlight saw before the doors slammed shut was Gallus approaching the podium, tossing his pre-prepared speech to the side.

Moonlight was thrown into a tiny cell she didn't recognize, lacking windows or... anything. As the door was slammed, she was immersed in pitch blackness, and all her senses were cut off. She heard nothing, saw nothing, smelt nothing. The only sensation was of unpleasant, coarse rock walls as she fumbled around in the darkness.

Hours passed. A day. Two days. She lost any sense of time - she could only guess how many days it had been by the times when a slot would open and a tray of food would be thrown through.

She would have guessed it had been ten days when Gallus came to visit her.

There was no light. She couldn't make out a single one of his features. She could only lie there, too lethargic to move, too numb to fully understand or even respond to the words spoken at her. Gallus, on the other hand, sounded just as unbalanced as ever, though with a slight air of refinement.

"I want you to know you failed. Flurry Heart and her parents have been put to death. There's still to be a trial, of course, but somehow I think the outcome is unlikely to shock anypony. You threw your life away for nothing. And now, you're going to die here. I had planned to put you on trial, but I thought it would be cleaner to simply announce you committed suicide by starving yourself." He cackled. "I hope you liked that plate of lentils and rice, because it's the last thing you'll ever eat. Assuming you don't get hungry enough to chew off your own leg."

The door slammed. The bolt locked. And Moonlight never saw anything ever again.

"...dramatic scenes here at Canterlot! I have confirmation that the remaining members of the Royal family have been arrested by the Equestrian Guard, alongside Chancellor Moonlight. There's still no official announcement as to what occurred at the ceremony, but multiple eyewitnesses describe scenes of chaos and fighting between Chancellor Moonlight and Admiral Gallus, leading to speculation of a power struggle that - "

The signal abruptly switched. A new voice began to speak.

"This is an emergency report. All Equestrian citizens are instructed to return to their homes. A curfew is in effect. Guards will arrest anypony caught outside. Do not attempt to organize. Do not attempt to contact family or friends. The traitors have been stopped. There is nothing to fear. Long live Equestria. Message repeats. This is an emergency report. All Equestrian citizens are instructed to - "

Cozy Glow turned off her radio set.

Author's Note

Well, that only took a month.

XII - The Hanged Mare

The valley was wide and narrow, sheer cliffs hemming it in and giving the vast expanse an impossible sense of claustrophobia. Somewhere far in the distance came the lonely cry of an eagle, amplified by echoing across the cliff faces Luster wiped the thin layer of sweat from her brow and soldiered on. Yula and Yasha followed close behind.

It had been over a week since they had docked at a small, unnamed port in the eastern Griffon Empire and scattered into the countryside. Unlike Equestria, they enjoyed relative anonymity amongst the Griffons, who by and large treated the trio with a mixture of distrust and disinterest. Luster - or Golden Sun, as she had begun to call herself - had quickly settled on Griffonstone as their first destination. Being the only sizeable city in the entire empire, it was the perfect place to pick up on rumours, whispers and anything else that might help nail down Cozy's location. She could only hope for the best.

In the meanwhile, they were reduced to hiking once more. Now that they had left Yakyakistan, Yula's mood has markedly improved, and she delighted herself by immersing herself in the new world around her. Even the normally cynical Yasha devoured his surroundings with wide eyes, raptured by the new flora and fauna that surrounded him. Luster had visited the Griffon Empire before, but even she had never before had the chance to delve this deep into its unexplored depths.

Retrieving a water pouch from her saddlebags, Luster took a deep swig and squinted at the road ahead which seemed to go on and on. According to her map, they were less than a day's trek from Griffonstone, but they had yet to get so much of a glimpse of the city. Her stomach turned over unpleasantly as she wondered what would become of them if they had gotten lost.

She'd have failed herself... failed Yula... failed Cozy.

Yula glanced down at Luster, her cheerful expression creasing slightly as she took in the mare's expression.

"Pony okay?"

Luster glanced upwards, quickly hiding her look of concern. "Yeah. Just taking a break."

"Pony should try hiking in all this fur!" Yula chortled, wiping her brow. "Griffon lands amazing. Yula never see so many different creatures." She lifted a hoof, showing Luster a small scorpion she'd dug out of the dirt, snapping it's claws angrily. "Look! Yula never see anything like it in Halcyon."

With a weak smile, Luster gently levitated the scorpion off Yula's hoof and set it down on the ground, where it scurried off into the undergrowth. The pair set off again, Yasha trailing shortly behind. "This as exciting as you dreamed, huh?"

"Well... Yula want to spend more time with Griffons. Even if they not like Yula and pony. Yasha can't wait to see Griffonstone. Yula too. She hear it ten times size of Yak City." Her eyes gleamed at the prospect. "Pony know how much further?"

"Another day or two." Luster's stomach turned unpleasantly. "Yula, I think we should - "

Her voice was cut across by an excited bleat from Yula. "Look!"

Luster glanced in the direction of Yula's hoof, confused. "What?"

Yula sighed, then picked Luster up in one powerful hoof and slung her onto her back. From her new - and precarious - position, Luster could clearly make out the unmistakable, pointed spires of -

"Griffonstone!"

Luster felt her chest swell as the enormous anxiety that had burdened her for the past few hours was instantly lifted. Beside her, Yasha galloped forwards for a better view, whooping like a calf with excitement. The capital couldn't be more than a few hours walk. Dismounting from Yula - almost breaking her forelock in the process - Luster charged after him with a roar of enthusiasm she hadn't felt in weeks.

Flurry Heart couldn't help but feel her stomach turn as she took in the haggard, gaunt features of the stallion opposite her, who was bleakly shuffling through a stack of papers, his expression pale and sickly. Despite her protests, she had been assigned a public defender and denied an opportunity to select a lawyer to represent herself. Presumably, Gallus wanted to control every facet of her trial from start to finish. Clearing her throat, she tried to break the stony silence with what she hoped was a cordial, commanding, measured tone.

"So... how do things stand?"

The stallion's eyes flickered upwards from the tome of loose papers he was shuffling through, looking incredulous. When Flurry Heart cocked her head inquisitively, he sighed and pushed the stack away, setting his thick glasses down on the table.

"Princess, I... this is not good." The right side of his face twitched irritably. "You attempted to commit treason in front of hundreds of eyewitnesses. Even under ordinary circumstances... my advice is to plead guilty. Maybe there will be some leniency."

"Admiral Gallus can call it whatever he likes." Flurry Heart found herself snapping at the floundering stallion. "I am the rightful heir to the Equestrian throne. Any legal scholar would agree with me. Are you saying you don't want to present a case in my defence?"

Her lawyer said nothing, merely ran his tongue along his lips in apprehension before muttering to himself and resuming his paper-shuffling, infuriating Flurry Heart. Finally, he looked up and caught her gaze, causing him to quail slightly.

"I'm saying you have no chance if you decide to plead not guilty. You'll be signing your own death warrant. But if you choose to show some humility and deference... and if you're willing to return home, to the Crystal Empire... then maybe, maybe, you'll be spared the death penalty."

Those final words sent a chill running through her bloodstream, but she refused to allow it to take a hold on her. "You think Gallus would go that far?"

"Gallus? No, the courts. Bearing Justice will be presiding over your trial and administering the final sentence if... when... you're found guilty. Who just so happens to sit on the ruling council headed by..." He gestured pointedly. "But I don't think there'll be much public appetite for an execution if you plead guilty. It would seem too vengeful."

A few minutes passed before Flurry spoke again.

"A Princess should never back down from that which is right." She spoke slowly, the distaste in her voice clear. "I'm not going to run away from my destiny, and I'm not going to cower and snivel in some public stunt just to save my own flank. Gallus wouldn't dare execute the crown Princess of the Crystal Empire. It's all a bluff. If you don't want to represent me, then I'll represent myself."

"I - I never said I didn't want to represent you. But I must strongly advise against - "

He faltered, then stopped. The determination in the Princesses' eyes made it clear arguing would be a fruitless endeavour.

"As you wish." He slid a sheet of paper across the table. "I've made a summary of the evidence the prosecution is likely to level against you. It's fairly concise; there are hundreds of witnesses of you making a full confession of your guilt. But I'm repeating myself."

There was a pause before he continued. "You'll be examined during the trial by the prosecution. I would advise you to refuse to testify, but I'm sure you have other plans."

"Of course."

"Normally, this would be a jury trial, but owing to the ongoing state of emergency it's likely the judge will be passing judgement. A guilty verdict is incredibly likely."

"I know."

The lawyer felt his frustration rising in the face of Flurry Heart's dispassion. Before he could continue, he was interrupted.

"Do you think I'm right?"

He had dreaded the question. "That... isn't relevant. I'm not here to pass moral judgement, I'm here to represent my client."

"Please. I want to know."

Internally, the stallion sighed. What did he have to lose? "I... Gallus is right about a lot of things. He's done a lot for Equestria. You're young, inexperienced, and a foreigner to hoof. Maybe, if you'd tried a more diplomatic approach, things could have been different." He shrugged. "But you didn't, and here we are."

"Even though I am, by law, entitled to - "

"Entitlement is not a trapping that befits a princess, Flurry Heart." The stallion's voice was terse, and his omittance of her title was new. "Even as my client, you have been stubborn, refusive of advice and self-assured that your position will immunize you from the consequences of your actions."

He fell silent, looking slightly dazed. Taking a few seconds to compose himself, he spoke again.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to a client like that. Perhaps we should take a break."

"Perhaps we should."

As the door shut behind him, Flurry Heart felt that same cold chill run down her spine once more.

Ivory Brilliant was not the most nervous of stallions, but right now the sweat was pouring off his muzzle in a stream, matting his fur and running down his forelocks. The troop of guards that had escorted him everywhere looked as if they'd like nothing more than an excuse to run him through with their spears. Before him, Gallus reclined on the former Princesses' throne, but nothing about his posture indicated relaxation. His feathers were ruffled, his eyes bagged and bloodshot, and there was a constant tremor in his claw. Mustering all his courage, it was Ivory who first spoke.

"Admiral G-Gallus. I'm here on behalf... on..." He swallowed. "On behalf of the Crystal Empire to demand the immediate release of the Roy-royal f-f-family from your c-custody."

Gallus smiled thinly, cocking his head to the side, as if considering the request. "I see. And if I refuse?"

"Then we will have... have to seek..." His voice cracked, as if physically refusing to complete the sentence. Gallus beckoned him closer, and when he refused to move, he found himself pushed forwards by the point of a spear. Gallus' claw wrapped around his neck, and he found himself drawn yet closer.

"Are you threatening Equestria, Ambassador?"

Ivory shook his head frantically, eyes bulging as the Griffon's grip tightened.

"I think you would do well to leave. Tonight. Crimes against Equestria will be punished in Equestrian courts, and outside interference will not be tolerated." He relaxed his claw, and Ivory collapsed, spluttering. Gallus spoke once more, to the room at large. "Escort him back to his ship."

Ivory allowed himself to be ushered from the throne room without resistance. Gallus leaned to his side, directing his words at an Earth mare who had watched the whole affair with an unreadable expression.

"General Sprint, send ten thousand soldiers to the Crystal Empire's border. We should be ready to respond to any further provocation with a real show of force." His voice dripped with disgust. "We'll show them Equestria won't be threatened or coerced."

"Admiral, our forces are spread thin enough as it is. To say nothing of the undue provocation - "

"Then conscript more." Gallus snapped the response, his voice hoarse. "On my authority. Equestria's children should leap at the opportunity to defend their country."

"I... as you wish, Admiral." General Sprint bowed. "I'll get the order out tonight."

Gallus nodded, barely listening. "Traitors and collaborators everywhere I turn." Even with her head bowed, Sprint could feel his eyes on the back of her neck. "The time will come for all to prove their loyalty to Equestria. I hope, when that time comes, you'll make the right choice."

The sun had finally set by the time Luster, Yasha and Yula treaded into the city limits of Griffonstone. The city impressed just as much up close as it had from a distance, a sprawling of metropolis that seemed to stretch as high as it did wide. Luster's heart sank in her chest as she realized how herculean a task it would be to find anypony here, let alone one actively trying to remain hidden. Even the normally bold Yasha seemed somewhat subdued by the city's scope, casing his gaze down at each passing guard.

After booking a pair of rooms in the cheapest inn she could find, Luster gave her companions to some time alone and spent the next hour wandering around aimlessly. She had no real hopes of stumbling across Cozy by sheer coincidence, but she needed time to clear her head.

The hunt for Cozy had mercifully occupied her mind up until this point, but now that she had arrived at something loosely resembling a destination, she found herself confronted with the unpleasant void that was likely to be her future. She couldn't imagine anything less palatable than living the rest of her life as a fugitive in the Griffon Empire, with the possible exception of being dragged before a court and executed. Even if she were to return, what awaited her? She'd heard little of developments in Equestria during her exile, only that Captain Moonlight had managed to string together some kind of ad-hoc ruling council. In all honesty, she no longer cared.

More monotonous streets. She stopped a few times, asking probing questions about the goings-on in the city in her rudimentary Griffionian, earning a few raised eyes from griffons who were clearly unused to outsiders understanding their language. Though friendly, they were uneasy and unwilling to divulge much. Then, on her fourth attempt, she struck gold. A burly, scarred griffon who had been sharpening axes hadn't seen anypony matching of Cozy's description, but...

"There's a lot of street foals - fledglings too. Happens sometimes, parents have one too many mouths to feed and..." He sighed. "They mostly keep to themselves, don't come out in the open a lot - risky, you know. So most don't even know they're here." A sad look crossed his face as he held another axe to the grindstone.

"If you're looking for a filly, I'm afraid you might be too late. Even after Galdur went missing, they don't usually last long. If it's not somegriffon who gets them, it's hunger, thirst, disease..." His beak snapped shut.

"Where would I look for her?"

The griffon looked uncomfortable, shuffling his weight from one claw to another. "There's an abandoned warehouse in the railway yard where a whole group of them live. They don't take too kindly to strangers, mind. You'd be better off leaving them be, but..." He caught a glimpse of the burning fire behind Luster's eyes. "Something tells me you're not the type to leave well enough alone."

Luster had bowed her thanks and left with a hopeful jitter to her step. Even if Cozy wasn't holed up in the railyard, there was a good chance one of the foals there would have seen her. She tried to push the Griffon's warning out of her mind, refusing to accept such a grim possibility. Cozy was no ordinary filly.

She would have gone immediately, but she was too tired to trek all the way there, and didn't feel like risking teleportation to a place she'd never visited before. Besides, she would be well-minded to bring Yula and Yasha along with her. She figured the presence of two burly yaks would mute any hostility her unannounced arrival might engender.

The two yaks had already returned by the time she arrived at their inn. Luster could hear them laughing and talking enthusiastically through the thin walls of the inn, and hadn't the heart to break up their fun with anything serious. She collapsed onto the thin, straw-stuffed bed and tossed and turned over and over, desperately trying to fall asleep. As her mind slowly numbed and sleep claimed her, she could feel the beginnings of an intrusive and unpleasant nightmare pulling her in.

The following day, Luster bought Yula and Yasha up to speed.

Yasha said nothing as she explained their plan. Yula, on the other hoof, had complaints enough for the pair of them.

"What if pony recognized? What if pony attacked? Sound very risky. Even if they meet Cozy, they not know it her if she wearing amulet."

"I know what Cozy looks like when she's wearing that amulet. I enchanted it myself. All I need to do is ask if any of them have seen a filly matching that description."

Yula still didn't look happy. "Even if they have, they no reason to tell you. No money to offer them either. They not sound like they trust others very much." She tapped her chin. "Yula go along. But she hope it not end badly."

Yasha gave a grunt of agreement. "Yasha join too. Help pony."

Luster smiled. "Thank you. Both of you. I really appreciate it."

"Yula appreciate pony taking her so far. Griffonstone amazing. We never see anything like it. Yasha think we only Yaks in city."

Luster could believe it easily - Yaks weren't well known for their wanderlust - but humoured Yula with a wide-eyed gasp of astonishment. Finally, after twenty minutes of listening politely to Yula detailing everything the pair had seen and done within the city walls, she rapped her hooves on the tabletop and nodded towards the door.

"It's already midday. We should head off if we want to be back by dark."

Griffonstone's railyard was located well beyond the city limits, yet beyond the walls it seemed to loom over them no matter how far they were from it. Its architecture was truly ancient, probably as old as the invention of the railway itself - in fact, it was hard to believe the first trains had been invented in Griffonstone, given how untamed and wild the country's landscape was. The trek there was filled with an unpleasant apprehensive silence, punctured only by a few lame attempts at lightening the mood by Yula.

There were plenty of warehouses scattered across the railyard grounds, but the only occupied one would have been immediately obvious even if it hadn't had a small cluster of foals and fledglings clustered around its doors. The walls were coated with graffiti and drawings, and a few crude makeshift tents had been pitched outside.

The youngster's mouths dropped as they took in the sight of a lone mare approaching flanked by two enormous yaks. Seconds later, survival instinct kicked in, and those lucky enough to have wings shot off into the air, leaving the unlucky few flightless scrabbling their way through the door, which was promptly slammed behind them. Luster groaned internally.

"Maybe pony not as welcome as pony think - " Yula began in a light-hearted, joking tone, but stopped when she caught a glimpse of Luster's expression.

Striding forward, Luster seized the door in her magical aura and wrenched it open, causing the unfortunate foal behind it to collapse forwards with a yelp. Seeing Luster towering in front of him with her horn lit, he scrabbled to his hooves and bared his teeth in a gesture which would have been intimidating, had it not come from a colt half her size.

"Easy." Luster was pleased to find her voice was neither uncertain or shaky, but cold and commanding, causing the colt to wince and lower his head. "I'm not here to start any fights or take anything. I want to ask about a filly."

The colt - long-maned with a black-and-white patched coat - eyed her nervously. "Who?"

"I don't know what she's calling herself, but she's a unicorn filly with a lilac coat and an amber mane, like mine. About fourteen. She'll be wearing a plain glass amulet."

"I don't know anypony like that." He looked like he might bolt any second. Luster nodded slowly.

"If anyone can tell me where I can find her, or anything... anything that will help me track her down, then I'm willing to pay them." The colt's eyes narrowed at that, and he nodded slowly.

"Give me a minute."

The door was slammed in her face once more. Luster sighed and glanced upwards towards the roof, where she could make out the outline of two teenage griffons glaring down at her.

Flurry Heart exhaled slowly, not budging an inch. Meditation had the distinct advantage of being easily practiced anywhere, and right about now it was the only thing keeping her sane. The solitude of her tiny cell would have been a prison to most, but to her it was an inspiration. It was easy to empty the mind when the surroundings were devoid of stimuli. She took a slow breath in, holding perfect posture. Slowly, unbearably, the image of an executioner's noose floated into her mind.

Keeping the mind empty was quite another task.

Death was not something she had expected to come for many years - if, as she suspected, she was to live as long as her great-aunt, it was not even something she would taste for millennia to come - yet the death of Twilight seemed to have changed everything. The death of an alicorn at the hooves of a mundane unicorn meant that their race were no longer inviolable in the eyes of Equestria. Perhaps Gallus intended to wipe them from the face of the earth, to ensure no further challenge could ever come to his power. Would her mother suffer the same fate?

Desperately, she grappled against the rising tide of guilt and shame that welled up inside her, stifling her serenity and clarity in a wave of emotion and regret. Pushing it down, she forced her mind to contemplate more mundane matters - such as her upcoming trial.

Her earlier assurance of safety had been shattered. It seemed there was no line Gallus would not cross in pursuit of total power, even putting down the leader of another country. In fact, Gallus was probably drawing up invasion plans for the Crystal Empire as she waited.

She wasn't afraid of death, though she had rather hoped it would not come this soon. Was it selfish to die so meaninglessly? Then again, if she was to plead guilty, to scamper back to the Crystal Empire with her tail between her legs like a coward, she would have lost all legitimacy. Forcing Gallus to martyr her was the right decision. She was certain of it. Not that certainty made the decision any easier -

Suddenly she winced and drew her eyes tightly closed as her serenity was interrupted by the grinding sound of metal against stone, and a flash of unbearably bright light as the door was forced open. Before she could react, a small bag was forced over her head, muffling her cries of protest, and she was forced to her hooves. Still dazed from the sudden interruption, she found herself half-marched, half-dragged down an unfamiliar network of corridors. Lights flashed and faded from behind the bag, and unfamiliar sounds were drowned out by the unbearably loud sound of her own breath, gasping for what little air she had under the thick hood.

Eventually, her captors came to a stop. There was a muffled sound of talking, then a pause. Flurry Heart took the opportunity to speak up.

"Where am I - "

She had barely managed three syllables before she was cut off by a blow to the ribs that knocked the air completely out of her and left her unable to do anything but wheeze. She'd never been struck with such force in her life. The voices sounded angrier now. She could make out the words "orders", "Gallus" and "Princess", but -

Then words quickly gave way to roars, and flashes of light as her captors and the others began to exchange spells. The sound of bodies crumpling to the floor. Wasting no time, she was seized once more and this time bodily dragged along with considerable force.

They flew down flight after flight of stairs, not stopping until she could clearly hear the laboured breaths of her abductors even through the thick material of the bag. As they reached the final floor of her prison, there were more shouts, and a roar of pain to her right as one of her abductors collapsed, struck by some unseen force. Another of them swore and fled, before coming to an abrupt halt. The sound of hooves clattering against the floor was growing louder... louder...

Then there was a sensation of weightlessness as she was lifted into the air and the roar of shattering glass. The familiar sense of falling filled her every sense, and she instinctively thrust outwards her wings, catching the breeze and taking full flight. The remaining shreds of the bag that had not been torn apart by her exit through the window slipped from her face, and she could once more see the full moon set against the star-studded night sky, feel the wind rustling through her mane and her wings beat against the breeze.

Swooping around in mid-air, she glanced back at the window she had left from, just in time to see another shape slip out of it. A pegasus - but not just any pegasus. As he drew closer and closer, there was no mistaking the iridescent coat nor shimmering mane of her kin.

The crystal pegasus fluttered up to greet her, before rapidly jerking his head pointedly towards the dense forest beneath them. Gracefully, the pair glided downwards before landing in a small clearing and vanishing into the woods. As soon as they were back under the cover of the trees, they collapsed onto the ground, panting from exertion. Flurry Heart was the first to rise, and quickly knelt over the pegasus to examine his injuries. Sensing what she was trying to do, he waved her away.

"Your highness... worry... about yourself. You're bleeding." He struggled to his hooves with considerable effort, leaning against a tree for support. Flurry Heart cast her eyes downwards, feeling her stomach turn slightly as she saw the blood from dozens of tiny cuts trailing down her coat.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do. Our disguises were meant to last the whole hour, but they wore off as we were trying to talk out way past that checkpoint. Red Quartz was supposed to tend to your wounds, but she's..." He trailed off. "We have a camp a few minutes flight from here. We can get you treatment there before we head home."

Home. What a wonderful word. "What about my parents?"

"Can't..." He winced, and doubled over. "Couldn't... get to them. Too risky. Our orders were... to rescue you. Get you back to the Crystal Empire."

"Orders? Whose orders?"

"Ivory Brilliant, ma'am."

Flurry Heart felt her misgivings about the meddling bureaucrat soften slightly. "I won't leave Equestria without my parents. Not while Gallus is in charge. Where are they being held?"

"Canterlot Castle's dungeon. It would be suicide to try and get them out."

Flurry Heart was inclined to agree, but the thought of leaving her parents trapped in the clutches of Gallus repulsed her. The pegasus clearly understood, for when he next spoke, his voice was warm and understanding.

"Your parents are tough, Princess. I've no doubt they'll be okay. But we have to go now. If they catch up to us, everything we risked tonight - everypony we lost tonight - it'll all have been for nothing."

Blinking back the first pinpricks of liquid shame, Flurry nodded.

"All right. Let's get out of here."

The colt re-emerged ten minutes later, ushering a tiny filly forwards who looked as if she couldn't be more than ten. Luster raised an eyebrow.

"This one says she met a filly like what you described." He pushed her gently forwards. "Go on, tell her."

The filly looked as if she'd rather be anywhere else, but squeaked her answer dutifully. "I saw her when I was in Griffonstone a week ago. She was... she was arguing with a griffon. About money. Then I ran off."

Luster's heart swelled with elation at the news. Cozy was in Griffonstone - and had been since last week! The colt nudged the filly once more.

"I saw her again. Three days ago. She looked... worse."

"Worse?" The words fell heavily from Luster's lips. "Worse how?"

"Just... worse. She had a lot of bruises. And cuts. And sometimes she'd... she'd talk. But not to anypony. Just to... the air. Like there was someone else there."

Luster felt her elation melt away at this new revelation. "Where in the city did you see her?"

"In the Diamond Quarter. Both times. I think she lives there."

"I... I see. Thank you." Luster's emotions churned within her, no particular feeling rising to the top. "I'll go and look for her now. If I find her, I'll bring you something. I promise."

The filly nodded, then turned around and fled back into the warehouse. The patched colt eyed them suspiciously, before disappearing and slamming the door shut behind him.

XIII - Death

The guard had never been so terrified in his life as he knocked on the door of the throne room. As he entered and laid eyes on Gallus, his hooves almost gave way beneath him. His mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. Every fibre of his being urged him to turn tail and flee, but it was his unyielding sense of duty that compelled him forward. As he approached the griffon, he bowed lower than he had ever bowed in his life.

"S-s-sir, th-the... the P-p-princess has... has..."

Bullets of sweat formed and began to trickle down his forehead as he struggled to spit the bad news out. Gallus leaned forwards, brow furrowing in confusion.

"Pl-please... I didn't... I wasn't..."

"Spit it out."

"T-t-t-the p-princess has... escap-"

Before he could finish, Gallus flew to his claws with a roar and surged forwards, barrelling the guard aside as if he were made of paper. Not even waiting for an escort, the griffon tore through the doors and charged through the castle's corridors, a scream of fury tearing his beak open.

The shattered window had already been fenced off, of course. A legion of pegasi had been dispatched moments after the bungled escape, and were hot on the tail of the fugitive princess and heir abettors. There was nothing to be worried about, nothing at all. The Captain of the Equestrian Guard had assured the furious Gallus of these facts over and over till he was blue in the face, trying to keep unpleasant images of the dark, cramped cell that might well be his by the end of the day out of his mind.

He deigned to keep the truth - that the Princess had fled hours ago and would almost certainly be back in the Crystal Empire by now - to himself. Gallus was losing it, anypony could see that. He could easily decide to make an example of the Captain of his Equestrian Guard. Better to cover his flank.

To his relief, Gallus contented himself with bellowing himself hoarse and storming off. Then, when he was halfway out the door and the Captain could breathe a little easier, he paused.

"What about the others?"

The Captain was relieved to have some good news to report on, for once. "Still imprisoned in Canterlot Dungeon. I'll make sure their security is increased."

Gallus let out a low snarl.

"That won't be necessary."

Cozy despised rain. Unlike Equestria, where the weather was closely guided and organized by teams of pegasai, the Griffons had no such organization, and simply allowed the weather to roll over them, taking each day as it came. The rain was always thick and inescapable, seeping into the narrowest of cracks and soaking her makeshift encampments. She usually preferred to take a walk during such downpours, in the fruitless hope it would make her look less dishevelled - or at least clean off some of the filth she found herself universally caked in.

"Rain walking again? You'll get pneumonia, you know."

"Why, Chrysalis. I didn't know you cared."

"Actually, I think if she goes, we go with her."

As always, her former legionnaires were her constant companions.

"I'm just getting some air." Masked by the sound of the rain, she felt free to talk openly. "I'll be fine."

"It's your own lookout, kid." Tirek sounded glum. "But if this is all I have to look forward to, I wouldn't say no to an early exit."

"Speak for yourself, demon. As soon as I am returned to my glorious full form, I will return to my hive and conquer Equestria once and for all!"

"Your 'full form' is most likely mixed into cement by now. Mine too." Tirek chided her. "What body? What hive? Your changelings haven't known you for twenty-five years. Nothing remains for us, here or there. All we have is this, this half-life."

"I refuse to - I am the changeling queen! I have lived millennia and seen countless foes fall before my hooves! How dare you suggest I am culpable to the fate of a lesser mortal! I'm going to - "

"SHUT UP!!" Cozy roared, surging forwards and slamming her head against a nearby stall repeatedly, ignoring the pain as stars blossomed and burst before her eyes, only wanting the voices to be silenced, for the noise to end, for all to be peaceful once again -

Reeling backwards, she shook her head violently, trying to focus. To her relief, the voices had vanished once more. That didn't always work, but it was worth a few moments peace and quiet when it did. Steadying herself, she blinked slowly and tried to focus through the pain on her surroundings. The streets were deserted; nocreature had seen her.

That outburst might have placated the two of them for a while, but they'd be back, she had no doubt of it. It wasn't enough that she be endlessly haunted by fragmented remnants of her past. They had to be insufferable too. Bickering with each other, whining, complaining, sniping - it never ended. Even when she slept, they filled her dreams.

She'd had enough. She just wanted it all to end.

In an instant, her legs would carry her no further. She had just enough strength to limp towards the nearest wall before she collapsed under her own weight. The rain pounded down onto her, flooding her eyes and blurring her vision. She felt unbearably tired. It would be better to sleep now, during this small sweet moment of peace.

"Kalc muk. Kalc didum!"

Cozy struggled feebly as she was raised into the air by a rough pair of talons and shaken aggressively. Her eyes fluttered open and landed on the faceless helm of a city guard.

"Distay! Filly! You understand?" To punctuate his point, the guard shook her once again. "No sleep here! You go!"

He dropped Cozy, who landed in a static lump at his claws. When she remained motionless, the guard snarled and hefted a kick at her.

"Oruspru! You go or I kill you!"

Just do it, Cozy thought. Just do it or leave me be.

In the end, the guard merely scowled with disgust and spat at her before striding off. Cozy laid there for maybe five more minutes before slowly rising to her hooves. Blinking slowly, she caught a flash of her reflection in a nearby puddle. She looked awful, but that wasn't what caught her attention. It took her a few moments to realize what was wrong.

The amulet still hung around her neck, but the glass pendant had shattered into a thousand pieces. The enchantment had finally failed for good, and the filly staring back at her was no longer her alter ego, but a face she had almost forgotten. Her curls were gone, replaced by a limp crop of thinning, mud-stained turquoise hair, and her patchy pink mane couldn't be more matted if it tried, to say nothing of the patchwork of cuts and bruises woven into her mane. No wonder the guard hadn't recognized her.

It was only a matter of time before someone clocked her now. She just had to keep walking, and it would all be over soon.

In the end, it wasn't an overly-inquisitive bystander that stopped her in her tracks, nor was it her own sense of hopelessness and fatigue. It was a small rock, jutting out of the ground at just such an awkward angle to send her sprawling onto the ground. She made one final attempt to push herself to her hooves, before collapsing back onto her stomach and rolling onto her side. Her breath grew thinner and thinner as she felt the last ounces of strength she possessed drain from her.

The icy ground and freezing rain burned her skin like flames, yet this time her brain did not even react to the pain, did not scream at her to rise to her hooves and tread on once more. Though she felt acutely aware of the miserable stinging, it did not motivate her to save herself further torment, merely weighed her down.

As her eyelids fluttered and threatened unconsciousness, the two faces she last wanted to see faded into view. This time, there were no wise-cracks, no chest-beating. They looked... sad. Tirek knelt over her, a grim look adorning his features.

"I think this is goodbye, little filly."

"I... I don't..." Cozy's breath was raspy, and each word was forced out with considerable effort. "Am I going... going to..."

Chrysalis looked away, as if unwilling to face her. Tirek nodded.

"Yes." Unexpectedly, he let out a small chuckle. "Don't worry. It's not as bad as it sounds. Peaceful, even. At least, that's what I have been led to believe. I have never truly died."

"Me neither." Chrysalis couldn't keep the upset out of her voice. "It's been so long since I contemplated my own death. I did not imagine such a thing possible. Now it's here... I'm afraid."

"Do not be." Tirek rose to his full height once more, closing his eyes as if in contemplation. "Death does not stay it's hoof, without exception. The world hereafter brings me more concern. We did not live the best of lives, did we?"

"Worried for your eternal soul, demon?" Chrysalis broke from her stupor to jeer. "I have done nothing but provide for my hive. My conscience is clear."

"I confess I have much to atone for, and not enough time to do it." Tirek ignored the jibe. "Perhaps my brother will enjoy the fruits of his conviction after all. But such universal order is perhaps too much to hope for. Eternal oblivion would be more fitting, I feel, for all of us."

A silence fell amongst the legionnaires at Tirek's words, punctuated by shouting somewhere in the distance. Perhaps that guard had returned to harass her one final time, to make sure she would know no peace, even in death. Cozy's vision was slowly blacking out, her legs growing numb as the cold bit into them. All it would take was for her to close her eyes one last time, allow that cold hoof of death to close itself around her throat.

As her eyes closed for the final time, she felt those hooves wrap themselves around her form and lift her into the sky.

The door to the dungeon opened slowly with a finality that alerted Cadence to her fate before she'd even had time to open her eyes. Two Equestrian Guards entered, followed shortly behind by a tall, slender unicorn with handsome features and a perfectly styled mane gazed down at her with disinterest.

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. By the power invested in me by the Equestrian Grand Council's state of emergency, I summarily sentence you to death for the crime of conspiracy against the Equestrian nation. Your husband will share the same fate."

"Gallus too much of a coward to face me?" Cadence sneered. The unicorn ignored her.

"Your execution is scheduled for tomorrow. You will be taken from here to a lawful place of execution and hung by the neck until dead. May Providence have mercy upon your soul."

Cadence said nothing, merely stared downwards at her hooves. The unicorn turned to leave.

"Wait." A sudden thought struck her. "My daughter. What's going to happen to my daughter!?"

"Princess Flurry Heart has escaped captivity and is currently a fugitive from justice. When she is recaptured, she too will face the consequences of her actions."

Cadence's heart leaped in her chest even as the cell door slammed in front of her, and it took some self-control not to let out a cheer. Her daughter, her precious daughter, was free. She could die with a smile on her lips after all.

Cozy's eyes shot open.

Total blackness consumed her. Terror ripped through her as she felt her heart begin to race. Had Tirek been right? Was this death? An eternity imprisoned in a black void? Worse than Tartarus, worse than the meanest prison cell? She began to thrash around randomly, unwilling to believe or accept that she should have struggled so much and come so far just to be imprisoned like a -

Yet as her hooves swung around, they connected and struck solid matter, sending shocks of pain through her as she became suddenly aware that she was lying on... something. Something soft. A bed? It had been so long since she'd used one, she'd forgotten how luxurious even a simple straw mattress was compared to the hard ground.

Scrambling upright, she blinked rapidly as her vision adjusted to the pitch blackness of the area around her. Slowly, objects and shapes floated into view. A bed. A side table. A small cupboard. All the trappings of the mundane world slowly flooded her vision with wonderous clarity. Against every odd, she was alive.

But how? Where was she? Had she been abducted? A cold chill ran through her at the thought. She was in no shape to fight back against even the weakest adversary. Focusing her sights on a thin square of light that could only be a doorway, she tiptoed up to it as slowly as she could and cracked it open as slowly as she dared.

Nothing. An empty hallway.

Emboldened, she poked her head out through the door, then slipped through, closing the door behind her as quietly as she could. It was in the bright light of the hallway that she first caught a glimpse of her hooves, causing her to jump backwards and crash into the door to the room adjacent to her own. Her usual pink fur had been replaced with a dark blue coat, and from her neck hung another amulet, a golden medallion with a thick gold chain.

She'd only known one unicorn capable of that kind of magic. A wonderful, beautiful thought flowered in her chest. Could it be -

As if to answer her question, the door she'd just knocked into swung open, revealing a rose-coated unicorn with short but unmistakable fire-yellow hair. Her amber eyes, though sunken into their tired sockets, glittered with new life as she stared down at Cozy.

"Luster!"

Abandoning all pretence, Cozy threw herself at the unicorn and crushed her nearest leg in a bear hug that nearly sent the pair of them crashing to the ground. Luster didn't say anything, merely leaned inwards and wrapped her free leg around Cozy.

When they finally broke apart, both of their eyes were glistening with tears. A million questions flew through Cozy's mind, and it seemed impossible to pick even one. In the end, Cozy opted to just gawp at her lost mentor.

Luster broke into a wide grin at the filly's reaction. "Been a long time, Cozy."

"I... how.. how did you..."

"Well, it wasn't easy. But it was worth it." Her eyes flickered downwards to the filly's emaciated form. "Come on, let's get some breakfast."

Ten minutes later, Luster sat opposite Cozy, wearing an amused expression as she continued to shovel a fourth bowl of oatmeal down her throat, pausing only to take the occasional deep breath or gulp down some more orange juice. Occasionally, she had to blink rapidly or punch herself softly in the thigh, unable to believe the evidence her own eyes provided, fearing she might wake up any moment from a blissful dream only to return to the harsh reality she'd just escaped.

Eventually, her spoon came back down with a final clatter. The pair of them stared at each other wordlessly for a few seconds before Luster burst into a fit of giggles.

"You looked like you needed that."

Cozy nodded slowly. "Luster... did... is Twilight... really... I mean, did you really... kill her?"

Luster's expression soured immediately. "Yes. I didn't mean to. It was a mistake. It was self-defence. But yes, I killed her."

"But... how could you?"

"It was after you'd been taken away. I confronted Twilight about your disappearance, and when she refused to tell me where you'd been taken, things just..." She sighed. "Things got out of control. I'd give anything to change what happened, but I can't."

Cozy had hoped for a more satisfying answer, but she trusted Luster. Luster, who had always shown her infinitely more care and empathy than Twilight. Cozy was certain she would never lie to her.

"What about you, Cozy? How did you escape from Discord?"

Cozy quickly launched into a brief account of her time since leaving Canterlot, how she had slipped through Discord's clutches and found herself living on the streets of Griffonstone, omitting the gorier details. The last thing she wanted to do was upset Luster.

And yet, through it all she concealed her biggest secret. She had to, of course. Telling Luster about Tirek and Chrysalis would only worry her. Besides, she hadn't seen either of them since she'd passed out hours ago. Maybe they'd go away on their own.

Luster listened to her story with a kindly expression on her face, punctuated occasionally by brief flickers of shock or sadness. At the end, she placed her hoof on Cozy's head and ruffled her mane.

"It's all behind us now, Cozy. I promise, you don't ever have to be alone again."

The words alone sent a wonderful, warm sensation shooting down her spine. "What now? I mean, we can't exactly go back to Canterlot."

"I agree. I was thinking about applying for work with the Imperial Court. Obviously, I'd understand if you wanted to leave this city and never look back, but unicorns, especially magically gifted ones, can make a good bit of money working for the Emperor. Right about now, it's the only choice I have left."

The idea of spending the rest of her life in Griffonstone filled Cozy with disgust. "What about what I want?"

"Well, when you're old enough to decide for yourself, you can go wherever you want. But you're just a filly, Cozy. I'm sorry, but I can't just let you wander off on your own. Besides, what else could I do?"

Cozy considered the question. "What about the Crystal Empire?"

"We're supposed to be incognito, Cozy. I can't spend the rest of my life in disguise, and neither can you. It would only be a matter of time before someone realized who we really were, and what then? We'd never know a peaceful moment again." She laid her hoof atop Cozy's in what she hoped was a reassuring move. "Ponies won't just forget my name. Here, we have the best shot at a new life."

Cozy still didn't look happy. Luster sighed and withdrew her hoof. "What do you want, Cozy?"

"I want to go home."

In that moment, she was once more that tired, scared little filly Luster had once known.

"I know. I do too. But we can't."

"Why? What have I done wrong? I did everything you and Twilight told me, I didn't get in trouble, I didn't even try to run away!" Her voice rose slowly in volume until she was practically shouting, causing Luster to whip her head around in alarm. "It's not fair!"

"Cozy, calm down." Luster hissed under her breath. "Look, if you go back to Equestria right now, you'll wish you hadn't. Do you know what they did to Tirek and Chrysalis?"

Cozy nodded, the furious expression on her face never waving.

"Then you understand how things work over there now. I don't know if you've been keeping up with the news, but things are set to turn very nasty between Equestria and the Crystal Empire, and I want you to be as far away from that as I can manage. If I thought there was even a sliver of a chance that I'd get a fair hearing, we'd both be on the train back tonight. But right now I need you to be strong. Okay?"

Cozy nodded, bitter tears streaming down her cheeks. Luster paused, then ruffled her hair once more.

"Look on the bright side. No more nights on the street. When I'm on a court mage's salary, we should be able to afford whatever we like."

Luster left Cozy in the enormous but assuredly-gentle hooves of Yasha and Yula before she set out for the Imperial Palace. Cozy looked taken-aback and not a little bit intimidated by the presence of the two enormous Yaks, but agreed to stay with them after Luster assured her they were gentle souls under the mass of fur and muscle.

It took her no time at all to find the Imperial Palace, which towered over every other structure in the city and vyed with the ugliest amongst them for sheer architectural monstrosity. Though it was not literally made of the skeletons of vanquished foes of the Griffons as the legends said, it would most likely have been an aesthetic improvement if it had been. As it stood, the obsidian, steel and crystal obelisk seemed to gaze down at her with distain, as if disgusted by her audacity in gracing it's very presence.

As she approached, two burly griffon guards blocked her path. One barked a harsh insult in Griffionian.

"Do you kiss your mother with that beak?"

The guard who had flung the insult glared at her, taken aback at being understood by a pony. The other one let out a bellowing laugh.

"She's got your number, Grythe. You'll have to keep an eye on this one." He turned back to face Luster, a friendlier expression on his face. "Well, there's only one reason unicorn ponies have to visit the palace. Follow me, I'll take you to meet the arch-mage. If you impress him, and the Yubazi of the Guard likes you, you're in."

The Yubazi turned out to be a grizzled old griffon with fewer feathers than teeth - which wasn't saying much. He pecked around her as if she was an academic curiosity, eyes occasionally boggling in what looked like shock. For the briefest of moments, Luster was worried she would be recognized, but if the Yubazi had figured anything out, he kept it to himself.

The arch-mage, a middle-aged unicorn with a shaved mane and cobalt coat, arrived less than ten minutes later, and wasted no time in putting her through her paces. First, a series of transformations, each successively more difficult, which took more out of her than she had expected. Then a string of complex teleportations, curse-breaks, and finally a pop quiz on theoretical knowledge. At the end, he gave a curt nod of the head.

"Not the best, but better than most. I'm willing to offer you a probational three-month contract. If you don't manage to screw it up, we'll look into placing you permanently into whatever department fits you best." When Luster said nothing, he raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

"I... I mean... I accept!" She flustered, taken aback at the speed of the offer. "When... uh, when do I start?"

"Tomorrow. Nine in the morning, and don't be late. See the court Haznadar about your salary. Six thousand coins a month is the usual starting salary plus a 500 coin advance paid today. Is that acceptable?"

Luster's voice caught in her throat. "Wow. I mean, yeah. It's acceptable."

"Good. Yubazi, do you agree?"

The Yubazi nodded slowly. "I agree."

"Then we're done here. What was your name, again?"

Luster was so nonplussed that she almost gave her real name. "Golden Sun. I studied at Canterlot - "

"I don't care where you studied. Academic snobbery doesn't count for much here in the real world, I'm afraid." There was a slight edge to the arch-mage's voice. "That will be all. I'll see you tomorrow morning. You can escort her to the Haznadar now."

Within ten minutes, Luster found herself outside the palace once more, this time with a back-breaking bag of gold coins tied to her back. A wide grin split her face in two as she felt the gold clink together with every step she took. Though the sun was setting as the day died, somehow the world seemed just a little brighter than it had this morning.

Her husband had already fallen by the time Cadence was ushered into the execution hall. A thick, taut rope dangled through an ominous trapdoor. She forced her attention away from the grotesque scene, and thought of her daughter. In attendance was Gallus, a mare she didn't recognize, and the unicorn stallion who had read her sentence.

As the noose was laced around her neck, she fought to keep her legs steady underneath her. Gallus jerked his head towards the stallion, who stepped forward.

"Do you have any final words?"

Cadence looked past the stallion and gazed straight at Gallus.

"Justice will prevail."

The sound of a shutter gave way to weightlessness and the roaring of air in her ears as her entire world was entombed in shadow, then went black.

XIV - Temperance

To whomever it may concern.

My name is Ruby Sprint. For the past eight years, I have been the Commander-in-Chief of the Earth, Unicorn and Pegaus Forces.

I have always taken pride in my position, and in my soldiers. I have always strived for excellence both within and under my command. Equestria has always been a beacon of hope and light for the rest of the world, and in every stallion, mare, griffon and dragon I welcomed into my ranks, I sought to instil an understanding of their duty to protect that flame of hope from the world outside that would seek to snuff it out, so that they may better enjoy the darkness.

I was a good soldier. A good leader. I was vigilant. But alas, so concerned with those seemingly omnipresent outside threats as I was, I failed to notice the rot taking place within. Within Equestria, and within my ranks.

The loss of Princess Twilight shook us all, to some extent, but I don't think any of us truly comprehended how devout Admiral Gallus - or the Regent, as I understand he's taken to calling himself - truly was. Perhaps he is as insane as they say. Perhaps it is all simply an act. Sequestered in his palace, shut off from the world, it is impossible to know.

I can remember well the first time I oversaw a wave of arrests for these so-called "collaborators". We took as many as fifty prisoner that night, mostly nobodies, whose only crime was that they had been overheard speaking favourably of Flurry Heart to one of their neighbours. I was troubled, of course, who would not be? But I believed the official line, that these were dangerous traitors to our country. I oversaw their trials. Looking back now, I can see them for the sham that they were, but at the time, the pretence, the trappings of legitimacy, were enough to quell my moral troubles.

Whispers became slogans. Slogans beget protests. Protests which could not be ignored. I was given my orders. Some of my soldiers refused to comply, and walked away. They have my undying admiration. But every time some walked away, those who remained were concentrated into a crueller, more brutal spirit. The list of atrocities they would commit... that I would commit... grew longer. Some revelled in it.

Soon, there were no more trials. When my soldiers dragged a prisoner into the back of a chariot, I knew with a sinking certainty it was the last time he would be seen again. I know many are skeptical of the stories of work camps in the north. Do not be. I have visited them many times. I helped build them.

Last week, I was ordered to pacify a village occupied by protesters. I'm sure you know what I mean by that. Every night, when I go to sleep, I hear their screams. I can smell the burning buildings. And my hooves... there is so much blood on them. I can see it, every time I look down. It won't come off.

Tomorrow, I am scheduled to pacify a town almost three times its size. I have overheard some of my soldiers rave about the brutality they will have the opportunity to engage in with genuine enthusiasm.

With every day, every passing sun, I have seen the shadows of this nation grow longer. I have seen the darkest of impulses inflicted upon the most helpless of victims, and done nothing to stop it. Out of cowardice. Out of fear. At one point, out of patriotism. Every time I transgressed a boundary, I promised myself, the next one would be the last. Every time, I lied to myself.

I would bid you good luck, dear reader, but I fear it would be a fruitless exercise. If even a shred of harmony is left within you, then you, like me, will have lost all hope. Indeed, hope seems a strange and foreign word in this world that I have helped create.

May Providence have mercy on Equestria. She will have no mercy upon me.

Ruby Sprint.

"This was found next to her body, your Regency."

Gallus scanned the letter briefly. His right eye twitched intermittently as he read. General Sprint's lifeless corpse, foaming at the mouth slightly, laid at the base of his claws.

"Who was her second-in-command?"

"I am, your Regency."

Gallus glanced up at Morning Star. The unicorn's features were handsome, his mane and tail groomed to perfection, yet his deep purple eyes were utterly empty. The stallion's reputation for brutality and sadism exceeded legend, causing some to dismiss him as little more than a sick myth. Many whispered behind their backs that he did not possess a conscience. Amongst the few who wished to be counted as his peers, it was an open fact.

"Congratulations on your promotion, General Star. You may resume your predecessor's work. Use whatever methods you see suitable."

"As you wish, your Regency. I am your most humble servant."

End of Part Two

XV - The Devil

- Nine Months Later -

"Our scouts have returned, your highness."

The crystal stallion bowed as low as he could, much to Flurry Heart's irritation. She had always hated the way certain ponies felt the need to worship her.

However, since returning to the Crystal Empire, she had experienced little else. With the loss of both of her parents, the crown had quickly and unceremoniously landed on her head, and the burdens of rule had quickly landed on her shoulders alongside it. Despite the hole their loss had torn in her heart, she had opted to complete her mourning in private. The last thing she wanted anypony to think of her as was weak.

In truth, she felt ridiculous, posed atop an elaborate throne crafted of so much gold and gemstones it made her dizzy just looking at it, commanding a nation barely older than she was, but she had no option but to persevere. Though she'd not anticipated taking the throne for another decade or so, she'd have time enough to learn the trappings of her position. In the meantime, she surrounded herself with advisors who filled her head with volumes of (often conflicting) advice.

"Rise, please."

The stallion rose to full height, eyes sunken and hollow with fear. Flurry Heart's stomach clenched as she realized the news she was about to receive would not be good. "What do you have to report?"

"Several thousand soldiers have gathered in a staging area four miles from the Equestrian border. We estimate anywhere between six to seven thousand, with more arriving every day. It cannot be anything but a precursor to invasion."

"They've rallied at our border before." Flurry noted cautiously. "In greater numbers too. What makes this time so different?"

"When we moved to get a closer look, we saw they were armed with trebuchets, catapults and siege engines. It's inconceivable they would have moved such a large volume of heavy equipment for a mere training exercise. In addition, their breach of the ten-mile exclusion zone constitutes an act of war in and of itself. Any junior commander would be aware of this."

"Were you spotted?" A note of alarm jumped into Flurry Heart's voice - if Gallus felt his claw had been forced, he might well accelerate his plans.

"No, your highness. However, we cannot ignore this provocation. It would be best to launch a surprise attack on their forces before they march on us."

"Exactly what I was thinking!" Lunar Diamond barked, stamping her hoof against the floor. Flurry glanced sideways at the Crystal Legion's commander. "We have the element of surprise to our advantage. Waste it now, and we'll never get another chance."

"I have to disagree." Ivory Brilliant murmured, more to himself than anypony in the room. "If we attack now, we make war inevitable. It's possible Gallus is merely blustering. Attempting to intimidate us, to force some concession. A war right now would leave Equestria vulnerable to an attack by the Griffon Empire. In fact, the discussion I had last month with the griffon ambassador to Equestria leads me to think it inconceivable they would pass on the opportunity."

"Gallus is unhinged. He thinks himself invincible and make his moves on impulse." Lunar Diamond spat. "If we wish to compound our advantage, we should reach out to the Griffons and offer an alliance. They'd like nothing more than an opportunity to seize the Equestrian coastline and set up some fresh colonies."

"I will not allow my nation to forge alliances with slavers." Flurry Heart cut across her military advisor, a harsh edge to her voice. "Defeat would be better than victory at any cost."

"Your highness, this is a most dire predicament we find ourselves in. We cannot be picky about our allies. The Griffon Empire's size could easily tip the balance of a potential war in our favour."

"I am inclined to agree." Ivory Brilliant chipped in. "The Equestrian Army has grown more brutal since the death of General Sprint. They are unlikely to show much mercy to any of us. Better that - "

"Better that the Griffons turn Manehatten into a slave market?" Flurry snapped, losing her temper. "I would sooner die than count the Griffons among my allies. If you feel any differently, you should be ashamed of yourself."

Ivory fell silent. Flurry Heart turned her attention back to Lunar Diamond.

"How many soldiers do you have under your command?"

"Just under three thousand. More can be conscripted, if necessary, but as it stands we face a numerical disadvantage against just their expeditionary force. Of course, we will inflict much heavier casualties from a defensive position, but not enough to overcome their current numbers." Seeing Flurry Heart's face pale slightly, she pressed on. "Equestria could likely raise an army of one hundred thousand in less than a year. As things stand, it's only a matter of time."

Ivory Brilliant nodded sycophantically. "Not to mention the risk posed to the Crystal Heart. We might well face annihilation upon defeat."

"He wouldn't." The words left Flurry Heart's lips as a whisper, fooling nopony.

"There seems little Gallus would not do at this point, your highness."

Flurry shook her head slowly, trying to focus her thoughts. As much as the idea of an alliance with the Griffons repulsed her, she knew there were worse fates. "We should attempt to communicate with Equestria first. Find out what it is they want, before we make any rash decisions."

"Of course, your highness. I'll send a letter to Canterlot at once."

Flurry's heart seemed to twist in her chest as she watched the ambassador leave, a stricken expression on her face.

A plume of light blue smoke rose steadily from the table, twisting itself into a series of thin tendrils before dissipating into the air. Luster's horn glowed as she focused on the source of the smoke, a small vial filled with a sapphire liquid that seemed to sparkle like liquid gemstone. Slowly, the liquid began to turn clearer, until it was virtually colourless, with merely the faintest hint of blue left.

The arch-mage had wasted little time in deciding her skills were best served in an alchemy lab. To her disappointment, her position at the laboratory had allowed her little time to pursue her own research, with her time mostly devoted to concocting potent psychotropics at the request of various members of the Imperial Family. Even more depressing was her obvious talent for synthesising said drugs. She'd resorted, in her shame, to telling Cozy she worked as a cursebreaker.

Setting the vial down atop a gentle flame, she removed her protective goggles and wiped away the thin layer of sweat that had formed on her brow. In less than an hour, it would have solidified into a solid - and snortable - batch of crystals.

Of course, the money was excellent, and as long as she obeyed every order without question and kept her mouth shut, it would continue to be excellent. Imperial mages were also immune to most forms of abuse and harassment other palace staff were forced to put up with on a daily basis. Even with the entire nation beating its war drums against Equestria, she had no desire to leave.

If only Cozy saw it the same way. Despite the plush accommodation and quality food her position afforded the pair of them, her mood had improved little. Perhaps part of it was the isolation. Aside from Luster, the only regular living interaction she had was with Yasha and Yula, who had opted to stay in Griffonstone for what had started as a week, then been extended by several weeks at a time to a period of several months. Luster would guiltily admit it wasn't healthy for a filly, but she had allowed her fear of losing Cozy once more to rule her.

She had expected, on top of everything else, Yula to start agitating her to go back to Equestria and face up to her crimes, as the Yak had made her promise when the pair of them had first met, but so far she'd said nothing on the topic. Maybe it was because she'd seen Cozy had nopony else. Or maybe it was because Luster had started going out of her way to avoid her.

Why couldn't Cozy understand what was good for her? It was infuriating, to have sacrificed so much and chased her to the ends of the earth only to be treated as a contemptuous jailor. A small part of her even blamed Cozy for everything. If it hadn't been for her, none of this would have happened. She'd be finishing her studies under Twilight, groomed as a candidate for the future princess of Equestria... All gone, forever. She was going to die in a foreign country, working for a despicable tyrant -

Luster jumped almost a foot in the air as the glass vial shattered, sending tiny shards of glass flying everywhere. She'd been so preoccupied with her own thoughts, she hadn't realized she'd still been heating the vial. With a furious flash of her horn, the glass and liquid spillage vanished. Three hours worth of work wasted. It looked like she would be working late tonight. Snarling, she dragged the necessary precursors from the store cupboard and started again.

It took less than an hour for Equestria to respond.

Flurry Heart had been in the middle of a conference with her advisors when one of her sentries had burst into the room, panting and completely out of breath. As soon as he had recovered, he gasped his news in between deep breaths.

"Pegasi... heading for... the city... dozens... have to... see..."

Flurry and her guard barely made it into the castle courtyard in time. A fleet of pegasai were clearly visible in the near distance, each wrapped in the distinctive armour of the E.U.P.. As she watched, her jaw tight, the first dozen came to a graceful landing in the courtyard, followed by another dozen in a tight formation. At the centre was a unicorn, supported by a pair of spectral wings that shimmered in the daylight. As his hooves hit the floor and he steadied himself, his horn extinguished and his wings seemed to dissolve into the air around him. As much as she hated to admit it, it was an impressive trick.

The remainder of the pegasai began to land, easily over a hundred in total, save for a dozen that continued to circle the skies, hovering above them in a manner than reminded Flurry bleakly of vultures. The unicorn stepped forward, a passionless expression etched into his handsome features, deep purple eyes boring into her as though looking within her, seeking her soul.

"Flurry Heart. My name is General Morning Star. I am the commander of the E.U.P.... but I'm sure you've heard of me." He glanced upwards at the spires of the Crystal Palace. "Let us dispense with formality. I'm here to offer you one final chance to surrender and return to Equestria, to face justice for your crimes. If you do not, your actions will amount to an intolerable violation of Equestria's sovereignty, and war will be inevitable."

For a moment, Flurry was tempted to order her guards to seize Morning Star and the remainder of his escort. They were outnumbered here, in the heart of the empire, and no matter how much of a fight they put up, they were bound to lose. Capturing the commander of the E.U.P. would be a major tactical boon this early in the war, too.

However, there was something about the General that threw her off balance. He didn't seem the type to be taken alive. Nor did he seem the type to place himself in danger's way without a backup plan. As the thoughts passed through her mind, the stallion smiled, as if reading her mind.

"Should any harm befall me while I am here, I have instructed my men to ensure the Crystal Heart is destroyed when your nation is seized. And believe me, princess, it is only a matter of time. If you are truly a mare of conviction, as you have boasted, then this choice should be an easy one. Unless, of course... that talk was all for show."

All of Flurry Heart's trepidation was replaced with disgust in an instant.

"How dare you threaten my nation like that." Pulling herself up to full height, she glared at the General with as much contempt as she could muster. "I won't cave to threat or blackmail. I advise you and your soldiers to return to Equestria. If you wish to wage war, your soldiers will find themselves meeting a quick end in our lands."

"On the contrary, princess. I think you will find it is your empire that will be meeting it's untimely demise soon." Morning Star's voice was utterly devoid of any emotion, but there was a hint of annoyance in his expression. "You are surrounded on all sides and outnumbered. But if you wish to sacrifice your nation, then so be it."

With a flash of his horn, Morning Star's ethereal wings flickered back into view. Pushing off from the ground, he glanced back down at the crowd around him.

"Make haste, princess! My soldiers march at dawn. There will be no peace until justice is served, nor till Equestria is once again whole! Fall back!"

With a great beating of his iridescent wings, Morning Star rose into the sky, followed quickly behind by the dozens of pegasai who had accompanied him. Flurry watched them rise into the sky with dread.

Morning star rose higher and higher till he could seemingly go no higher. Suddenly, he stopped, and his horn began to glow even brighter. When he next spoke, his voice shook the very floor in volume, yet every word he spoke was crystal clear in its audibility.

"This is General Morning Star, speaking to the citizens of the Crystal Empire.

Your princess has abandoned you to the dogs. She prefers to hide in her castle while you fight and die to uphold her unjust rule, would rather you were slaughtered to save her own skin than face justice for her collaborationism.

To those who would stand with her and support this intolerable, imperialistic meddling in Equestrian sovereignty, let there be no ambiguity. Those who raise arms against my soldiers will be shown no quarter. All will be put to the spear; stallion, mare, and foal.

I am not a monster. Should you choose to surrender, you will be spared, your liberty, property and life guarded from harm and your families unharmed. We seek only the restitution of justice and the reunion of our two nations as one kingdom, that we may all share in the prosperity and peace of our kind. Your princess has refused to die for you, why should you die for her?

My soldiers march at the break of dawn. You have until then to choose; death or salvation. Long Live Equestria.

The ground stopped shaking, the air stood still. The circling pegasai began to fly south, and all that was left behind was the deathly silence of the courtyard. Flurry's gaze lowered slowly. only to meet the grim stare of Lunar Diamond.

The trio had barely made it behind closed doors before Lunar Diamond exploded.

"It's an outrage! Invading our lands, throwing demands around, threatening to murder innocent foals - I'd be ashamed to serve under his command. I knew I should have gone for the kill the second he landed."

"Then you must have missed the small army he was being trouped with. You wouldn't have made five yards." There was a new, higher pitch to Ivory's voice. "This isn't good. Like it or not, they outnumber us and it's inevitable they'll win in the end. Our citizens can put two and two together. Very few of them will want to fight back after a threat like that, and I can't much blame them."

"Then it's settled." Lunar Diamond rounded on Flurry Heart, who had been watching the pair of them cross words with a dazed expression on her face. "Your highness, we have no choice. We have to petition the Griffons for their aid."

Flurry's mouth opened, but no sound came out. Eventually, she was able to force out a hoarse whisper.

"I... I can't."

"Your highness, we have no choice! Gallus and Morning Star are counting on us being isolated and defenceless, and without allies, we'll be both! I don't think you need a reminder of what the Equestrian army is likely to do when they get here. I understand you have ties to Equestria, but you seem more concerned with the well-being of their own citizens than your own!"

"Agreed." Ivory hissed the word, rounding on Flurry with a contemptuous look in his face. "Perhaps the General is right. You would rather offer your own citizens up to his tender mercies than bloody your hooves with the dirty business of war."

"I - I cannot - How dare you talk like that to your princess!" Flurry flew to her hooves, glaring down at Ivory Brilliant, a hint of grim pleasure flaring in her as she saw the stallion take a step back. "I have explained too many times that it is better... it is better to lose... that is, I mean..." She faltered, unsure of how to continue. She had never once before wavered from her strong convictions, but now they seemed indefensible, almost foalish preconceptions. "I will not go down in history as a collaborator to imperialist, slaving conquerors to save my own skin."

A beat of silence passed. Then, Ivory spoke once more, his voice flat.

"Then give yourself up."

"What?" Flurry's eyes widened.

"You wish to spare this bloodshed? Then surrender yourself to the Equestrians. You heard what the General said. The only thing he wants is you, and if you're turned over, the Crystal Empire will be left in peace."

"He said - That's insane! Do you really believe he'll willingly stay his hoof after all this effort just because I allow myself to fall into his clutches?"

"Why would he? Why waste so much life when he already has what he needs?" A triumphant expression floated onto Ivory's features. "He can hand you over to Gallus and return home a hero. He has no need to press forward with his invasion."

"Weren't you listening? He seeks the reunion of our two nations as one kingdom. He plans to invade whether I offer myself up or not. He's just trying to weaken us first."

"Hyperbole." Lunar Diamond was now staring a Flurry with an odd expression on her face. "He's trying to create a pretext for annexation if he's forced to go through with the invasion, to have something extra to show for his efforts. But given the option, I'd wager he'd rather not bother. He knows a war could leave Equestria open to an invasion by the Griffons, just as we do, and he knows that's not a war he could win."

Flurry could feel her face flush with anger at the way her two advisors were turning on her, as if they were accusing her of putting herself before her citizens. Yet somewhere in the back of her head, a small voice whispered to her, aren't you?

"So you propose I leave my country rudderless? No leader to unite behind, allow it to fall into disunity and disharmony like Equestria?"

"What we want, your highness, is for you to act."

Ivory nodded with agreement. "You cannot expect us to allow you to lead us in war, if you won't take decisive action. Give us cause to rally behind you, and we will be behind you. If you won't... you are not fit to call yourself our Princess."

Flurry's expression switched between the pair, a look of horror dawning on her face.

"You... you can't. The Crystal Empire needs us to be - "

"It needs us to do whatever we must to defend it." Lunar Diamond snarled. "I won't lead my soldiers into a meat grinder with no prospect of victory."

"I, too, feel that I cannot represent my nation under such dire circumstances." Ivory agreed. "I shall begin drafting an instrument of surrender, and with the blessing of providence, I might secure some form of mercy from these brutes."

"Wait!" Flurry had tried to bark the word as an order, but it came out as little more than a strangled plea. "I... I..." She choked, disgusted by herself. "I'll do it. I'll make a treaty with the Griffons."

Both crystal ponies broke into smiles.

"We'll need to move quickly." With a flash of light, Ivory materialized a short stack of paper in front of her. "If these are dispatched with your fastest fliers, they should easily reach the Griffon Emperor before daybreak. The finer points of the alliance may be hashed out later, but these should give him time to rally his bashaws to prepare their troops. With luck, they should be poised to invade the second the first Equestrian troop puts his hoof over our border."

"Very well." With a flick of Flurry's head, the door to the great chamber opened, and by instinct, the two guards stationed outside entered. Flurry seized the shaft of paper in her magic and levitated it towards the waiting guards.

"Dispatch this with the fastest flier amongst our sentries. It must be on the desk of the Griffon Emperor by daybreak tomorrow." She struggled to keep her voice under control as she spoke, as found herself strangely unable to face the guard as she spoke.

"At once, your majesty."

The sound of hooves clattering on the floor was followed shortly by the door slamming. Flurry exhaled deeply.

"May providence grant me mercy." Raising her head, she eyes Lunar Diamond. "Ready your troops. Make sure they hold out as long as they can."

"Already done, your highness. My soldiers are fortifying themselves in our outlying villages and outposts as we speak. I've retained a core here in the city - we'll need to prepare emergency food and shelter for the refugees headed our way. I'll place them under your command, if you'll accept them."

"Of course. I'll instruct the Captain of the Guard to prepare for new soldiers." A troubled look slipped onto her face. "How long do you think we'll have?"

"It depends. My soldiers know to focus on sabotage, and if we can disable a few trebuchets, that ought to slow them down considerably. Still, with our forces spread so thinly... we can only expect heavy casualties. Once the Griffons launch their invasion, that ought to sap them of reinforcements, maybe even cause them to be recalled. Once they're on the retreat, we can focus on recruitment and fortifying our defences."

"And what beyond that? What can we do to bring this war to a conclusive end?"

"I believe Equestria will be sufficiently weakened by the Griffon assault to render them unable to launch an invasion for some time - "

"NO!" Flurry bellowed, surprising even herself. "I won't sit by the sidelines while the Griffons plunder and torch Equestria. We will take the fight to them and bring this war to an end - along with the cabal of murderers who sit atop it."

"You wish me to... what, besiege Canterlot? Such as thing has never been done successfully, let alone by a nation as small as ours. I doubt the Griffons will set history on that scale, either - not that I'd expect you to accept such a solution."

"We don't need to. It would be good enough to simply put Gallus and his sycophants in the ground." Flurry spat the words with a venom she didn't know she'd had. "In case you had forgotten, I am the rightful heir of Equestria. I was robbed of my birthright, and I intend to correct that injustice as soon as I can. When these... tyrants are toppled, I will be there to restore order, bring unity, and repel the Griffons."

Lunar Diamond looked troubled, but Ivory seemed to approve.

"Our soldiers have always prided themselves on sabotage and assassination. If there's anypony alive capable of the job, they most likely call this nation their home."

"Oh... very well. I'll put together a... team. But we have more pressing matters at hoof. My attention is required elsewhere." She bowed deeply to Flurry Heart. "Good fortunes, your Highness. I must summon my lieutenants to the war room."

"I, too, must take my leave." Ivory bowed deeply as Lunar set off. "The Griffon Ambassador will be keeping me up all night, trying to force my hoof over a thousand things. I'll make sure the Griffon Emperor's response is handed to you as soon as it arrives."

"Thank you, Ivory." Flurry Heart bowed in response. Returning to her throne, she sighed deeply, feeling her stomach twist as she pondered her decisions.

"I did what I could."

She kept repeating the five words over and over, like a small foal seeking to reassure themselves. I did what I could. Time would only tell if it had been enough.

Cozy jumped almost a foot in the air when Luster wrenched the door to their flat open and all but collapsed on the front doorstep. Staggering inside with a clumsy hoofing, she waved at Cozy, not bothering to stifle her yawn.

"Evenin', Cozy. I'm exhausted, I can't even keep my eyes open. Is it okay if I just go to bed?"

Cozy nodded quickly. "Yeah. You look like you could do with some sleep."

Luster chuckled and ambled off, collapsed into bed and was out in seconds.

Down the hallway, Cozy waited silently for any sound. Hearing none, she relaxed and returned her attention to her book. Within a few seconds, she could feel two sets of eyes on her back, and sighed.

"I can't talk when Luster's in the house. You know that."

The words were a barely audible whisper, but they were enough for both Chrysalis and Tirek to hear her loud and clear.

"But we're so bored! Is this all you do in your spare time, read boring books and talk to those ugly Yaks? Don't you let loose from time to time? Lift weights, or crush a village?"

"Don't call Yula and Yasha ugly! And it's not like I want to be cooped up in here all day and night, okay? Luster says it's not safe for me to be wandering around Griffonstone any more."

"Oh, Little Mare Perfect always does everything her mommy says, of course. I forgot." Chrysalis jeered, teeth bared. Cozy sighed.

"Luster's not my mom. She's just looking after me. Why are you two being so mean? You were so nice when you thought I was going to die - "

"SHUT UP!!" Both of them roared in unison, blushing deeply.

"I told you never to bring that up again!" Chrysalis snapped. Tirek shushed her, glaring at Cozy with intense dislike.

"Don't let her get to you. She's just a big momma's girl, aren't you?"

"That might work on a three-year-old, Tirek, but it's not going to work on me." She flipped a page in her book. "If Luster doesn't want me to leave, then I won't. I want to, but she's right. - it's not safe."

"Oh, very mature." Chrysalis droned, malice in her voice. "I can't stand that sow. She reminds me so much of that Starlight Glimmer. What I wouldn't give to see her knocked down a few pegs."

"At least do something more interesting than reading a book on..." Tirek leaned in, studying the content of the text in front of Cozy. "...runes? You're a teenager! What kind of teenager spends their evenings cooped up inside, reading books about dead languages?"

"One who doesn't want to get arrested, or foalnapped?" Cozy shot back.

"Or one who wants to live her life as if she never lived a day of it."

Cozy's ear twitched. Sensing he'd struck a nerve, Tirek piled in, backed up by Chrysalis.

"Never has any fun -"

"Never goes out -"

"Never goes to parties -"

Cozy jumped to her hooves, glaring at both of them.

"I'm not going out, so shut up, both of you! I'm going to read my book and go to bed!"

"You're not even allowed to go to the shop down the road?" Tirek challenged. Cozy faltered slightly.

"I... I guess, if it was just down the street..."

"You've spent all day studying. Why not get some fresh air, maybe an oatbar?"

Cozy glanced out the window. The air out there did look awfully tempting. She hadn't been outside for weeks now... the last time had been after days of begging, just to visit the market, then straight back inside...

"If... if I wore my amulet... then it would be okay, right?" She turned back to the pair, now seeking their approval when once she had rebuffed them.

"It sounds like you've already made your decision."

Cozy trotted over to her knapsack and retrieved the golden amulet Luster had used to disguise her when she'd rescued her from Griffonstone's streets. Slipping it over her neck, she was instantly transformed into a cobalt-blue pegasus filly with short golden hair and a shield as a cutie mark. The design was perfect. Nocreature that passed by her would ever in a million years suspect her of being a wanted fugitive.

Gazing at herself in the mirror, she made up her mind.

"I'm going to the shops. Just the shops. Luster won't mind." Retrieving a black cloak from the dresser, she pulled it around her form and tied it loosely around her neck, pulling the hood up so that her face was hidden. It might not be necessary, but it somehow made her feel more secure. Glancing carefully down the hallway for any sight of movement. When she saw none, she swallowed her apprehension and slipped through the doorway, closing the door as gently as she could behind her.

Chrysalis glanced uneasily at the closed door. "Was that wise?"

Tirek snorted. "Please. She's going out for a bit, it'll be good for her. I just couldn't spend another second in this miserable flat.

The pair of them passed through the wall and hovered above the cloaked form, muttering to each other so she couldn't hear.

"Still, what if she gets in trouble? What if she gets hurt?"

"You sound like Luster. She's unlikely to encounter mortal danger on the way to the shops."

"You're that desperate for entertainment that wandering around a shop is amusement to you?"

"Of course not." Tirek scoffed. "Well, maybe. But there's some small part of me that enjoyed watching that filly get her way out of scrapes. That's what I'm hoping for."

"That's just sadistic." Chrysalis growled. "I love it. Let's see what happens."

"To opportunity!" Tirek raised his hand in a mock toast. Silently, the pair swooped downwards and began to bicker amongst themselves once more.

XVI - The Tower

A soft bell chimed as the hooded figure left the shop, glancing left and right furtively as if unsure where next to go.

It had taken Cozy less than three minutes to arrive at the shop, select an item for purchase, realize she had no money, get berated by the owner, and leave. Taking a deep breath, she sighed and began to head back to Luster's apartment, kicking a loose rock along the road as she did so, muttering under her breath.

The small taste of freedom she'd enjoyed had made her confinement all the more maddening. Some small part of her missed the freedom she'd enjoyed when she'd been homeless - sure, she'd been hungry, filthy and deprived, but she'd been her own. Nowadays, she felt like little more than Luster's pet.

Seeing two guards approach in the distance, she pulled her hood up and cast her gaze down. She knew from experience it was best to avoid the gaze of city guards whenever possible. As she approached, she could feel their steely gazes on her neck, and her stomach tightened.

"Stop right there, Pony."

A thick claw wrapped itself around the base of her neck, and she came to a sudden halt.

"We looking for a thief. Pony. Like you." A second claw stripped her hood from her face, and she found herself glaring at the pair with a hatred she couldn't explain.

The other guard muttered something in Griffonian, and the claw around her neck relaxed. The guards looked disappointed, but parted to allow her through. But this time, instead of scuttling by as she would once have, she snapped.

"You could at least apologize."

The face of the guard who had stopped her darkened, and he muttered something unpleasant in Griffonian to his partner. "What you say?"

"I said you could have at least apologiz-"

The blow came out of nowhere, sending her hurtling into a nearby wall. In seconds, Cozy was back on her hooves, fury in her eyes blazing with equal intensity to those of the guard who had struck her, who was now being restrained by his partner as he roared foul insults in Griffonian.

"Do you know who I am? My mo... my guardian works for the Imperial Court! I'm going to make sure they hang you up by your - "

"Worthless little runt! I'll kill you!" With a guttural roar, the guard headbutted his partner, causing him to fall away. In seconds, he was on her, scratching, punching and pecking every inch of her he could reach, utterly ignoring her feeble blows in response - until a lucky right hook caught him on the beak, sending him reeling back with a yell of pain. His partner took the opportunity to seize him and pull him away, both of them bickering like foals. Almost as suddenly as it had happened, the pair were gone. Cozy spat out a mouthful of blood, then broke out into a broad, crimson grin. It had been so long since she'd had the tar beaten out of her, she'd forgotten how alive it made her feel.

A slow, sarcastic clapping from behind caused her to spin around, poised on her haunches, eager for another fight. However, when she turned, she was met by a relaxed, casual-looking pony only a few years older than her.

"Thanks for taking that beating for me. I thought those guys were never going to leave." He ran his eyes up and down her, letting out a low whistle. "I wouldn't have thought a little filly like you would know how to take a thrashing like that."

"Guess you thought wrong." Cozy bristled at the underhoofed jibe. The colt's grin merely widened.

"Come on. Your mommy works for my mommy! What's up with that? Does your guardian clean the All-High Imperial toilet bowls?"

Cozy ignored him, eyeing the colt's saddlebags with suspicion. "You're the thief they were looking for."

"Yeah." The colt's eyes narrowed. "Gonna run and tell on me?"

"I wasn't - but that's a good idea."

The colt threw his head back and laughed. "What's your name?"

"Cozy Glow."

It was such a stupid, careless mistake to make that Cozy physically cringed, wishing the whole ground would rise up and swallow her whole. Fortunately, the colt merely scoffed.

"The filly that tried to enslave Equestria? Pull the other one. She's dead, everypony knows that. And she don't look anything like you."

"Not as stupid as you look, then." Cozy breathed. "I'm... uh... Rose Petal."

"Wind Sprint. I mean, that's what I've always called myself. I can't remember what my parents called me."

An awkward silence fell over the pair. Cozy felt unusually flustered, and desperately searched for something to break the tension.

"So... what did you steal?"

The colt let out another short burst of scornful laughter. "Why should I show you?"

"I mean, I did just take that beatdown for you."

"Huh. Good point." Beckoning her closer with a wing, he lifted the top off his saddlebags and turned to let her see inside. A small clutter of gemstones, amulets and other jewels nested within.

"Where did you get all of these?"

"Oh, usually suckers who don't know when to keep their eyes peeled. Like you!"

Cozy's head was jerked forwards as the colt grasped the amulet dangling above her chest and gave it an almighty tug. The thin golden chain breaking against the back of her neck caused her to trip forwards into the dirt, wings thrashing into the air as she fought to right herself. Rising to her hooves in fury, she began to give chase - only to find herself unexpectedly skidding to a halt to avoid crashing into Wind Sprint, who had come to a dead stop, jaw hanging open in awe. Now it was Cozy's turn to freeze. Without the amulet, the disillusionment charm had vanished, and she was now standing in the middle of the street, looking far less like a faceless nopony and far more like the most wanted filly in Equestria.

"I... it's... you're..."

Cozy took a step back, mind going haywire, unsure what to do or how to react. Should she hit him, grab the amulet and run? He was a lot bigger than her...

"Cozy Glow? But... but you're... dead. It was in the newspaper..."

No. Even if she was able to overpower him, he'd still tell everypony he knew. There was only one way to get out of this.

"Please don't tell anypony. I... I'll do whatever you want."

Slowly, cautiously, she took a step closer. Wind Sprint didn't budge. Good.

"What? How... what are you doing here?"

"It's a long story. Don't you want to hear it?"

With every word, she stepped closer, slowly closing the distance between the pair of them. Her eyes fell on a small rock lying conveniently close nearby.

"Yeah. Maybe we can work out a deal."

Cozy took her final step, smiling gently at Wind Sprint.

"You're really pretty, you know - "

With a single swing of her forehoof, Cozy swept Wind Sprint's front legs out from under him. As he collapsed to the ground, she pounced upon the rock and swung it into the base of his skull, recoiling in disgust as dark red blood flew from his split skin and flecked her muzzle.

He went down soundlessly, collapsing into a lump on the ground and didn't stir. For a horrifying moment, Cozy thought she had killed him - until his wings flickered slightly and the soft, wheezing raspy breath returned. Stooping over the colt, Cozy quickly seized her amulet in her jaw and laced it around her forelock as tightly as she could, pounding heart slowing slightly as she saw her blue coat rematerialize.

As her rapid breathing slowly returned to normal, she glanced down at the comatose form of Wind Sprint. Her hoof trembled slightly as she raised the rock once more.

Then dropped it.

Pulling her cloak over her head once more, she set off at a gallop, making a beeline for home, not wanting to spend a second more on these miserable streets than she had to. Every step of the way, two spectres hovered above her, one gleeful, one concerned.

In the farthest reaches of the Crystal Empire, there were yet lands where the power of the Crystal Heart could not fully reach. Though Sombra was long gone, the storms still loomed over the horizon, possessed with a hateful mind either of their own, or bearing a whisper of their vanquished master's soul.

It was in these borderlands, as the pale dawn broke over a small village known as Vinstaad, that the Equestrian Army first marched.

The village had been deserted. There was not a sound to be heard, save for the bleating of abandoned livestock and the sound of the fierce wind rattling every window pane and open door. Fresh snow continued to fall from the skies, adding to the thick blanket that already covered the ground, wiping away the tracks left by Morning Star's soldiers even as they crunched them underhoof.

He had expected the Crystal Empire to organize an evacuation, but even so, he had expected holdouts. Resistance. Perhaps the Legion intended to consolidate their forces in the capital and hold out from there. Cut off from the rest of the world and with a quickly diminishing supply of food and fresh water, capitulation would only be a matter of time. A grim smile crossed his face. He took great satisfaction in an easy victory - as would his superiors.

A few soldiers broke from the procession to inspect the abandoned buildings around them, some smashing in the windows of shops and emerging moments later with valuables tucked into their saddlebags or clutched in their mouths. Although Morning Star had promised to safeguard the possessions of ponies who willingly surrendered, those who chose to flee had been given no such assurance, and he barely even turned his head. Though the temptation to relax was strong, he wouldn't truly be at ease until the capital had fallen and his army was in complete command. As it stood, he continued to scan the horizon for any sign of trouble, occasionally casting his eyes skyward, fully expecting to see a troop of pegasai bearing down on them every time.

What was it? An unpleasant sensation kept crawling down his back, as if screaming at him to take action, an instinct he knew well and had learned through much pain and suffering to never ignore - but take action against what?

"Halt!"

The march stopped instantly. Every soldier in formation knew better than to question their General.

"Proceed with caution and keep an eye out. We could be walking into an ambush, or a trap. If you suspect anything to be out of order, report it to your commanding officer immediately. That's all."

The march continued, but slower this time, and with a distinct sense of unease looming over them. Morning Star couldn't bear it. It was like there were hot needles burying themselves into his eyes, screaming at him to do something, to take action -

The explosion was unlike anything he had ever experienced, so brutal and sudden that it knocked him from his hooves and sent him flying into a nearby shop door, which he smashed into so violently it almost splintered in two. Astride him, two ponies who were less fortunate were sent straight through the shop window, roaring in pain as the shards of glass sliced deep into their legs, adding to the raucous cacophony of agonized screams now filling the air.

Stumbling to his hooves, Morning Star shook his head, trying to focus his vision for long enough to take in the scene before him. Spectral wings sprouted from his sides as he took flight, surveying the ground in shock.

At least thirty of his soldiers were dead, some at the epicentre of the explosion reduced to a mangled mess of body parts that were barely discernible as ponies at all. Dozens more wounded, many missing limbs, the blood from their wounds soaking the white snow around them with red. Those fortunate enough to be unharmed were either running around in a state of panic or desperately attempting to administer futile first aid on their mortally wounded comrades. Chaos reigned.

A twinge of annoyance struck Morning Star as he watched his soldiers collapse into anarchy. Clearing his throat, he fired a bolt of thunderous lighting into the sky and amplified his voice so that he might be heard by every one of his troops.

"Silence!"

All but the most distraught froze on the spot, eyes fixed on their commander with fear.

"Move aside for the medical teams!" When a few hesitated, he fired another bolt of lightning, this time into the ground. Those who had paused now scattered, allowing the medical teams to move forwards and begin attending to the injured, focusing on the lucky few most likely to survive.

Morning Star had been on the receiving end of enough magic to know what an arcane explosion felt like, and the blast he'd just felt was nothing like one. It was far more brutal, unrestrained detonation, more consummate with a chemical explosion. But how had it been activated?

"If you can still walk, fan out. We might be about to be ambushed."

Slowly, dutifully, his troops began to spread out, each one now on alert, scanning every corner with wide, anxious eyes. Morning Star floated slowly towards the crux of the detonation, landing amongst the carnage it had wreaked. The remains of his fallen subordinates squelched under his hooves as he approached the centre. The shattered remains of a barrel laid at his hooves, and leading away, a long, thin piece of cable. The tripwire had been completely invisible under the blanket of snow that had concealed it. Cursing, he turned away. There could be dozens of them scattered throughout this town. It was a miracle they hadn't triggered one already. Suddenly, his eyes flew wide open.

"FREEZE! NOPONY MOVE!"

Launching himself into the air once more, he began screaming orders at the top of his lungs.

"This village has been booby-trapped! Form an orderly line and leave the way we entered! Leave the wounded, just GET OUT!"

His soldiers didn't need to be told twice. Forming a procession that could be described as anything but orderly, they all but stampeded out of the village, leaving their dying compatriots behind them to expire in the cold snow. Morning Star floated after them, before landing with a thud before his assembled troops.

"From now on, we avoid all villages, all towns. All settlements! In ten minutes, we march back to camp and return with enough supplies to make the trek."

Avoiding towns would make it impossible to resupply along the way, but a slower pace was worth avoiding any more incidents like that again. As he glanced over his troops, he felt a twinge of fury. Morale couldn't possibly be lower.

"Get some rest."

Turning his back on them, he fixed his eyes on the glistening red mass of shattered ponies in the distance, and grit his jaw. Things surely couldn't get any worse.

"Princess! I have wonderful... I mean, I have news!"

Ivory Brilliant charged into the throne room with a letter clutched in his magical aura. Flurry Heart stood up, raising an eyebrow expectantly.

"It's a letter from the Imperial Court! They've accepted our offer of an alliance, and their bashaws are already making haste to launch an invasion - well, by now their troops must already be landing on the Equestrian coastline! I'll bet Gallus didn't see that one coming."

Flurry lowered her head. Ivory glanced away, a blush rising on his muzzle, unable to face his Princess.

"Perhaps it is not wonderful news. But it is the best we could have hoped for, no?"

"It... is. I am glad to know that, even in our darkest hour, we have not been completely abandoned." Flurry Heart couldn't keep the sorrow out of her voice, but she forced a brave smile. "Do you have any more news from Lunar Diamond?"

"No word, but streams of refugees keep arriving. We're doing our best to keep them fed and watered, but it's not been easy. From what they're telling us, every outlying village has either been filled with traps or burned to the ground. That should buy us a lot of time; time enough to reinforce the city's defences and train new troops."

"I am pleased to hear it. Have they dispatched a team of negotiators? I'm sure they'll be anxious to hash out the precise terms of this alliance."

"A chariot is on its way as we speak. Princess Gideon - the emperor's sister - will lead the negotiations." The name clearly didn't register with Flurry, leading Ivory to clear his throat. "The Grey Butcher."

"Ah." A furious chill whistled through the room. "What are they likely to ask for?"

"Recognition. They know they're sitting on a golden opportunity here. If we offer our acknowledgement of whatever territorial gains they make, it will strengthen the legitimacy of their occupation. It will almost certainly irrevocably damage our relationship with Equestria, but I'd say that ship has long sailed at this point."

"I would like to be present during the negotiations."

Ivory bowed. "Of course, your highness."

"Thank you, Ivory. You may leave me."

She waited until Ivory was long gone before rising from her throne. With a flash of light, she vanished and reappeared instantly in her personal chambers, and was barely able to make it to the restroom before she vomited.

"General, a magigram has arrived."

Morning Star tore the sheet of paper from the whelp of a recruit so absent-mindedly that he didn't even notice the tremble in his gait, nor did he pay any heed to the recruit vanishing through the tent flap as he flipped the sheet open.

EQUESTRIAN MINISTRY OF WAR - TOP SECRET

GENERAL MORNING STAR STOP

EMERGENCY STOP GRIFFON FORCES HAVE LANDED ON EAST COAST STOP MANEHATTEN HAS FALLEN STOP INVASION OF CRYSTAL EMPIRE NOW IRRELEVANT STOP DIVERT ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES SOUTH IMMEDIATELY STOP

There was a pulse of rage that echoed through his body, a single, roaring instance of anger so foreign and alien to him that it took him a second to figure out what it was. Then, as soon as it had arrived, it vanished, replaced by his familiar, cold, calculating demeanour. So, the Griffons had decided to seize their opportunity. He had expected nothing less. It looked like his campaign was to be cut short.

But once more, there was something... wrong. They were too on the ball. How could they have known to invade now, at the perfect moment, when so much of the Equestrian army had been diverted north? Was there a spy in the camp? Or perhaps the Crystal Empire had done the unthinkable, and sided with a foreign nation against Equestria.

No... not a spy. This mission had been planned in total secrecy, and none of his soldiers had been permitted communication with the outside world. That left only one option. Glancing down at the paper in his hand, he smiled, then lit it on fire and let it fall to the ground.

Two fronts. Two sides of the same war - but no longer a war for justice. A war for the very preservation of the Equestrian nation, one that demanded action. He would deal with the northern traitors as he saw fit, and return to Equestria with the head of Flurry Heart in one hoof and the Crystal Heart's shattered remains in the other, then lay waste to the Griffon armies personally.

*Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...*

Luster groaned and fumbled around, slamming her hoof against the bedside cabinet in an attempt to shut off the alarm. No matter how much sleep she got, it never seemed enough.

*zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt*

Eventually, she was able to shut the clock up and slowly pull herself upright in her bed, blinking slowly. Her horn glowed softly as she tuned her radio to Griffonstone's news broadcast.

"...is a special report. The courageous soldiers of the Griffon Empire have taken the fight to the enemy at last. Last night, in a daring unprecedented operation, troops landed on the east coast of Equestria and seized several key locations with minimal resistance."

Luster stiffened - then let out a loud yawn and pulled herself out of bed, muttering under her breath, searching for her toothbrush. So, war at last. Anypony who wasn't blind could have seen which way the winds were blowing, and shouldn't be surprised. As far as she was concerned, she'd washed her hooves of Equestria forever.

"The Crystal Empire, disgusted by the raw, brutal ambitions of the Equestrian nation, has joined our fearless soldiers in the push to defend our homeland and defend the freedom of every Griffon. We now turn to a brief statement issued by our Emperor on this topic."

So, Flurry Heart was willing to side with the Griffons against Gallus. Luster snorted with disgust as she prepared her toothbrush. She'd expected more from the idealistic young princess. Then again, power could change ponies. As she knew all too well.

"Equestria is now to discover first-claw the might of our empire." The deep, growling, animalistic voice of the Emperor was unmistakable. "Today, we welcome the birth of a new era. From the fires of this war will be born a new order, from which our race will grow to dominate the planet."

Luster swilled a small glass of water around in her mouth and spat it out, grimacing. Of course, the personal beliefs of the Emperor were hardly a state secret, but even she was disarmed by how brazenly he would talk about them like that. It looked like change really was on the horizon.

Strolling over to the radio, she turned the volume dial up slightly, now listening intently.

"Once again, our Empire is now at righteous war with Equestria. We will bring you more updates throughout the day. Now, the weather forecast..."

Luster shook her head dismissively. She was being paranoid. Nothing would change - and even if it did, not for her. She was a valued mage in service of the Emperor. She was untouchable.

And Cozy? An unpleasant voice in the back of her head chided.

Cozy's with me.

The sun had set by the time the chariot landed gracefully in the Crystal Castle's courtyard. Flurry Heart had assembled her counsel to greet them personally, but almost immediately she wished she hadn't.

The chariot was a beast, carved of ornate blackened steel accented with golden trimmings, easily five times the size of Flurry's personal carriage. At its helm were eight hippogriffs, each one wearing thick, evil-looking chains that were tied uncomfortably tight around their throat. None of them looked up as they landed, each opting instead to stare fixedly at the floor. Across their flanks and forelocks, each wore deep, ugly welts that had clearly been inflicted on them by their master.

The door to the carriage swung open, and two griffon Janissaries stepped out, clad in fine, deep velvet armour, clutching spears with ugly, barbed tips. Princess Gideon followed closely behind, the hem of her cape supported above the ground by two more hippogriffs; this time, young foals.

"Princess Flurry Heart. It is my pleasure."

Flurry Heart smiled back, hoping her expression wouldn't betray her disgust. "The pleasure is all mine, Princess Gideon. I hope you had a pleasant trip."

"Passable. These useless tributes aren't up to much... but after our victories against the Equestrians, we won't need to rely on their kind so much." Something insidious glinted in her eyes. "Oh, I forget myself. Your kind doesn't have the stomach for such affairs."

Flurry ignored the jibe, instead inclining her head to the side, inclining her attention to the palace entrance. "I would love to have a full welcoming ceremony, Princess, but we are somewhat pressed for time. Shall we proceed to my cabinet? I am rather anxious to make a start."

"Oh, very well." With a flick of her claw, Gideon detached her ornate cloak and thrust it into the arms of the two hippogriff foals waiting on her. "My brother, too, is looking forward to hearing the fruits of our discussions. Lead the way."

As she turned around, the last thing Flurry saw out of her peripheral vision was one of the Janissaries stooping down to help the struggling hippogriff foal fold up Gideon's cloak.

"So, how shall we begin?"

Gideon sat upright in her chair, eyes scanning the room around her, probing gaze seeking something apparently hidden to all but her. "I have a list of requests from his Imperial Majesty. Nothing unreasonable. Shall I read them out?"

"By all means."

"Let me see... First, that any and all territorial acquisitions made by the Imperial Army will be recognized unreservedly and in full by the Crystal Empire in perpetuity. These lands will become part of the Griffon Empire's sovereign territory, and we reserve the right to divide and administer them as we see fit."

"I cannot agree to such broad terms. A reasonable line of demarcation must be drawn, any acquisitions beyond which we will not acknowledge."

Ivory, who had taken the seat aside her, nodded in agreement. "We believe any territory east of Dodge City is more than fair."

"We hope to move far beyond that. My brother's bashaws assure me we have good prospects of seizing Canterlot. You cannot seriously expect us to limit our armies to such an arbitrary line."

"You could take Canterlot, certainly. But you would not hold it for long." Flurry tapped her hoof to several points on the map laid out before them. "Every railroad in the land leads to Canterlot. You would be besieged from every direction with the strength of every corner of Equestria."

"She is right." A scarred, hideous griffon to Gideon's left muttered. "It would not be in our interest to ask for prizes we cannot win."

"Then we shall expect concessions elsewhere." Gideon rustled her parchment, an annoyed expression on her face. "Second, we demand war forfeit from Equestria - thirty million bits, or equivalent."

"How does this matter concern us?" Flurry shook her head. "You should take the issue up with Gallus."

"Ah, but it does. Our third demand - that Princess Flurry Heart accede to the throne of Equestria."

"What?" Flurry Heart did a double take, genuinely caught off guard. Glancing up and down the table, she could see every one of her advisors was similarly stunned. "Why?"

"Gallus is an unfit ruler. We believe our prospects of a lasting peace are much greater with you at the helm of the Equestrian nation." Gideon laid down the sheet of paper, eyebrow raised. "Under the current circumstances, peace is an impossible dream. Longer term, we seek a rebalancing of the global power equilibrium. We can't do that in a state of perpetual warfare. Given the events of the past year, I wouldn't have expected you to resist this much."

"I... I am not resisting. I accept your request."

"Then we move on to our fourth request. The E.U.P. will be reduced to a standing force of five thousand."

Flurry Heart shook her head, desperately trying to refocus her attention. "That is far too small for a nation of Equestria's size - "

"We don't want Equestria retaining its capacity for warfare in even the slightest degree. Finally, we demand that all institutions of magical education be placed under the administration of the Imperial Court, so that we may select the best unicorn talent for the personal employ of the Crown."

Flurry Heart wanted to argue, but she knew she was in no position to start making demands. "I will accept these conditions, provided I am allowed to add my own."

"Go ahead."

"I want a blanket ban on the transfer of slaves from your new territory to the Griffon homelands."

"Not possible. However, we are willing to place an upper limit of five hundred per year, and to limit tributary to six thousand total. Furthermore, any children born of tributes will be considered freeborn Equestrian citizens."

Flurry nodded. In truth, it was more than she had expected. "Furthermore, I want Equestrian... tributes... to be taken from those convicted in a fair court of heinous crimes exclusively."

Gideon's eyes didn't even flicker. "As you wish. The recent conflict should leave us with plenty of options. However, we will be the arbiters of what is considered a 'heinous' crime. Is there anything else?"

"I had intended to ask you try the Equestrian leadership for their crimes, but it sounds like you already intend to do so."

"Indeed."

"Then I have one final request." Flurry took a deep breath. "I wish to forge a new world from the ashes of this conflict. A world without war, without conquest. To further this aim, I insist the nations of the world form an international forum to force dialogue before destruction, to ensure that every possible avenue be explored before war is declared."

There was a rumbling of mutters from the Griffon side of the table, which silenced instantly when Gideon raised her wing.

"We will do as you ask. However, we make no promises other than that we will engage with your wishes in good faith. Should this... 'forum' transpire to be little more than an attempt to weaken our empire, we will have no further part in it."

"Thank you. That's all I ask." Flurry Heart rose to her hooves, which felt somewhat heavier than when she had sat down. "I believe we've made good progress today. Come, let me show you to your sleeping quarters."

"Golden Sun!"

The Yubazi had been waiting for her in the laboratory when she arrived. As she laid down her saddlebags, he stuck out a gnarled claw and beckoned her over.

"Come here!"

Stomach dropping, she obeyed slowly, stooping into a deep bow as she approached.

"How may I be of service, sir?"

"Don't give me that. Go home and pack. You are to report to the war room next morning. Your services are needed on the front."

"My - my services?" Luster's eyes widened. "No - no, there must be some mistake, sir. I'm not a soldier - "

"For the love of the Emperor! Do you really think we'd need a scrawny weakling like you to fight out battles for us? We need every magical expert we have. This is not a request. It's an order. You know what the penalty is for disobeying an order?"

Luster swallowed, nodding. "I... of course. But, sir... I have a little filly who needs me. Surely there must be somecreature else?"

"No. There isn't. Your filly can join you, or be cared for by an orphanage. Personally, I recommend you bring her along. Too many youngsters these days have no idea what the flames of war are like. Makes em' tougher. Now, do you have any more inane questions to waste my time with?"

"I - no, sir."

"Good." The Yubazi turned claw and strode off, muttering under his breath. Luster stumbled over to a table and leaned heavily against it, heart pounding.

She was going back to Equestria. She had no choice - did she? She could run, of course. But where? She'd burned every bridge she'd built to get this far. She had nowhere left to go. If she didn't obey...

Luster could already feel herself talking herself into it. It wouldn't be so bad. The Empire wouldn't risk her life. She was too valuable to them. She'd be serving behind the lines, offering advice... something nice and safe like that. She was sure of it.

And Cozy... Cozy could stay with Yasha and Yula. Yet even as the idea formed in her head, she repelled from it. To be separated from Cozy again, even for a few weeks, was repulsive to her. What if she arrived back at Griffonstone to find out Cozy had vanished? How would she ever explain it to her?

"It's always hard making tough calls, isn't it?"

"Sir!" Luster spun around - only to turn on her hoof once more when the Yubazi was nowhere to be found. "I - Hello?"

"Oh, look up, won't you? Tch. Unicorns, no spatial awareness. It'll be the end of you, you know."

Luster's blood boiled and her hackled raised as a hideous snarl drew itself onto her face. Her eyes, burning with fury, flew upwards to find the object of her hate swinging cheerfully from a chandelier.

"Discord."

XVII - The Star

Luster's lower lip curled in disgust as the draconequus slipped from the chandelier and floated to the floor, landing on all fours like a grotesque mockery of a cat. Righting himself, he gazed down at Luster with an unreadable expression, before finally breaking out into his trademark grin.

Luster snarled and lit her horn. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't blast you into pieces right here."

"Oh, such a temper. I see your little sabbatical in the Griffon lands hasn't mellowed you in the slightest. Don't you recall what happened the last time you and I went toe-to-toe?"

"I've been practicing." Luster spat. "Everything that's happened - it's all your fault. Where have you been? Hiding in a mountain, twiddling your thumbs?"

"Please. Thumbs? We both know I only have the one thumb to twiddle." Discord sighed, looking unusually despondent. "You and I both know you wouldn't last three seconds against me. If I were here to finish you off, I could have stopped your heart whenever I pleased. Believe me, I have no interest in petty score-settling."

"Then what do you want?" Luster didn't take her eyes off the draconequus for a second, but her horn slowly went out. "Come to trash both of our lives some more? In case you hadn't realized, the world is going to Tartarus - and not because of Cozy. Because of you."

"Well, I'm not so sure about that. After all, I didn't exactly send you after Princess Twilight..."

"You - you knew I would have done anything to rescue Cozy!" Luster yelled, horn blazing once more, feeling more outraged than insulted. "I... I don't... how can you accuse me of... are you saying I wanted any of this?"

"Not at all. And yet... here we are, the path paved with your good intentions." Discord waved his claw dismissively. "It doesn't matter anymore. I'm not here to catch up or swap fond memories. I'm here because Equestria needs us. The world needs us."

"What do you mean, needs us?" Luster muttered, eying Discord with suspicion. "You're... you. You can do whatever you want."

"A popular belief, one that many are taken to believing - including Princesses and Emperors alike. But unfortunately, nothing more than a myth. Oh, don't look at me like that. I have power beyond measure, of course - but when it comes to the fine print, I cannot pull the strings of fate so precisely. A creature of chaos must work with his element."

That was one of the first things Luster could recall hearing from Discord that made a modicum of sense. "So why me?"

"Believe me, you weren't my first choice. But my options are somewhat limited. Princess Twilight is gone. Gallus despises me... and is holding my most prized treasure hostage. The Griffon Emperor has always refused to talk with me, and Princess Flurry Heart is too preoccupied to be of any assistance."

"And... what is it you want?"

Discord sighed again, as if explaining himself to a simpleton. "I want to bring this war to an end, before it can irreversibly tear this world to shreds. You don't need a crystal ball to see which way the wind is blowing. Both sides have everything to lose, and everything to gain. If nothing is done, before long, peace will become little more than a hopeful memory. Even if Gallus were to be vanquished, the circumstances that made him will soon sweep an identical successor into power."

"Stop stalling!" Luster snapped, glancing over her shoulder. "Get to the point and then leave me alone!"

"With pleasure." Discord snarled. "There remains one last hope for peace. An... enforced peace, but peace nonetheless." He paused, clearly hoping to give the room an air of suspense. "The Bewitching Bell. I hid it in the summit of Mount Everhoof, in case I should ever need it's magic again. Imbued within it is an ancient magic that belonged to Grogar."

"So go take it."

"Did you listen to a word I just said? I cannot use the magic with the required precision. I need a pony of unquestionable character and unyielding loyalty, one whom I can trust with this magic. As much as it pains me to admit this... I need you."

Luster paused, unnerved. This must be some kind of trick. "I thought you didn't trust me?"

"I have my reservations about your judgement. But I do believe you have the countenance to do what's right."

"But... but there has to be somepony else. Somecreature else..."

"No. I need somecreature with both the ability to control the magic, and the character to not abuse it. Once the magic is within your grasp, you can use it to end this conflict. And, hopefully, not tear me to shreds." Discord flashed her a wry grin. "Well?"

Luster slowly shook her head, not sure how to respond. "Prove it. Bring me the bell."

"It will take me some time to recover the bell. There are powerful enchantments upon it that were never meant to be broken, and will be... unpleasant to decipher. I learned my lesson last time. You, too, will need training. It could be several weeks before you are ready."

"I won't have time. I don't know if you heard, but I'm being shipped overseas tomorrow." Assuming I can't find a way out of it.

"Oh, I know. The training I talk of is nothing like what you imagine, I assure you. We can talk about it later; in the meanwhile, I have a bell to recover. But I need your word."

Luster sighed. "Fine. I'll help you."

"And I need you to promise you'll return the magic when you're done."

"Of course I will."

"Will what?"

Luster groaned. "I promise I'll return it. The magic. When I'm done."

"Hmmph. I wouldn't believe it if I heard it from anypony else. But I believe you. Please understand, this is not a decision I take lightly."

"I don't doubt it." Luster sneered. "What should I do when I have the magic? Just murder anypony who doesn't lay down their arms?"

"If that's the price of peace. There is no right way of going about it. You will be free to reshape Equestria as you see fit. The magic will not render you invulnerable, but they should amplify your abilities to those beyond anycreature I have ever known. There will be little change you cannot effect."

Luster took a moment to digest this. "Princess Flurry Heart was Princess Twilight's niece. She should sit on the throne."

"If that's your decision." Discord tried to sound flat, but Luster heard the approval in his voice. It sickened her.

"I'll make my decisions later." Luster sighed. "I need to get home and pack. I don't want to think about how Cozy's going to take it."

Cozy had been pacing up and down furiously when Luster, which caused her to jump a foot in the air, causing Luster herself to stumble and almost fall face-first.

"Cozy! Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah! You - you're home early, that's all. I - how come?"

Luster groaned, slamming the door behind her. "I have bad news." Dropping her saddlebags, she collapsed onto the nearest sofa and gestured for Cozy to sit opposite her. She took a moment to consider the filly in front of her, and how best to break the news.

"Listen. I don't want to, but I'm going to have to leave. Maybe for a few weeks, maybe longer."

"What?" The dismay in the filly's voice was awful, and Luster could feel her stomach flip as Cozy began to whimper. "Where? Why?"

"To... to Equestria. I don't know if you've been listening to the radio, but there's a war. They want me over there, just for a little bit. Then I can come back."

"You said weeks! That's not a little bit!"

Luster crossed her hooves over her eyes. "Cozy, I promise you I'll be back the first chance I get. You can look after yourself, or you can stay with Yasha and Yula for a bit - "

"I'm not staying here! I'm going with you!"

The corner of Luster's mouth twitched upwards despite her. She'd always fought herself not to admire Cozy's stubbornness.

"Not happening. It's not safe for a little filly over there."

"Oh, please. Like it was safe for me to live on the streets of Griffonstone for a month, like it was safe for me to wander around Canterlot by myself - if you're so worried about me being safe, why don't you just turn me back into a statue and put me in the attic while you're gone?!"

Luster opened her mouth, but before she could respond, Cozy leaped to her hooves and continued shouting.

"You and me both gave up everything so we could be together again, and now you've got me back, it's like you don't want me to do anything but stay locked up in this apartment! I'm not going to live forever, Luster - for Tartarus's sake, I almost died making it this far!"

"Which is exactly why you need to stay somewhere safe!"

"No! Either I'm going with you, or I'm not here when you get back."

Luster raised an eyebrow. "There's just no talking you down, is there?"

"Not a chance." Cozy's furious gaze broke into a grin.

"You know, that statue idea is seriously tempting me. If I wasn't such a good mom, I might have just tried it."

The word slipped out before she even knew what she'd said, and Luster found herself supressing a sudden urge to clap a hoof to her mouth, as though it might take back some of what she'd said. Cozy merely blinked, looking more surprised than shocked.

"I... I didn't mean to - "

"It's fine." Cozy looked down at the floor, voice low and quiet. "I... I meant it. I'm going with you. No matter what."

"I know. I'm not going to argue with you." For the first time, Luster caught sight of the dark patches encircling Cozy's eyes. "Sheesh, you look tired. Did you get any sleep last night?"

"Huh? Uh, not a lot." Cozy rubbed her eyes. "I might... y'know... get an early night."

"Sure. Good night, Cozy."

Luster watched the filly disappear into her room, unable to hear the two cackling voices whispering in her ear.

The final legionnaire screamed as he was forced from the fortress tower, his final roar cut short by his impact with the ground. Morning Star strode into the courtyard of the capture defence, a satisfied smile on his face. The air was thick with the sick smell of blood, none of it their own. True to his word, no quarter had been shown to those they found - even those who had begged.

The fort hadn't been marked on his map, but once again, his intuition had proved right. The pitiful defence signalled to him that the bulk of the Empire's defences were now concentrated in the capital.

Less than two miles march to victory. The only question was, how long could the capital hold out under siege? Gallus would be furious at his delay already, and a six-month blockade of the Crystal Empire wouldn't do his mood any favours. Fields could be burned and water supplies poisoned, of course, but a city like that would doubtless have reserves to last for months.

"General!"

One of his lieutenants, whose name he'd never bothered to memorize, landed in front of him and saluted. Morning Star nodded briefly, and the pegasus relaxed.

"We've captured - "

"Kill them."

"No, sir. We've captured the Legate."

"What?" Morning Star's eyes flared with uncharacteristic surprise. "You're sure?"

The lieutenant stood aside, and two soldiers dragged a bound form in front of him. Morning Star seized her head in his magic and wrenched it upwards, giving him a better look. As he did, a smile flickered across his face.

"Well, well. Lunar Diamond. What are you doing all the way out here?"

Lunar Diamond said nothing, staring at everypony around her with a look of abject hatred. Morning Star's smile vanished as he released the mare.

"Not talking, I take it. Then she's useless to us. Take her into my tent and get whatever information you can out of her. Use whatever methods you like."

"On your orders, General."

The Legate's eyes flared with rage. As she was dragged away, she exploded.

"You're all a gang of murderers! By Cadenza, I'm ashamed to have called your kind my kin! Every one of you will hang, I'll make sure of - " Her voice was cut off by a hoof smashing into the side of her skull, sending her eyes rolling up into her head and her jaw hanging slack as she was dragged away. Morning Star watched with mild interest, spirits soaring.

"Your Highness."

Flurry Heart looked up from the negotiation table, internally groaning as another Royal Guard entered and bowed before her. With some difficulty, she forced out a gracious smile.

"Rise, soldier. What news do you have?"

"Your Highness, the Equestrians have been spotted in the distance. They are maybe two hour's march from our walls."

"I understand. Send envoys to all remaining fortresses and tell them to route their troops to the capital." The guard rose, bowed once more, then left.

Across the table, Princess Gideon clucked anxiously. "You have great faith in your walls, Princess."

"I have faith in my Legion. I assure you, you are as safe as can be. Shall we resume?"

"Yes... yes, of course. I believe we are reaching an agreement. If you agree to the terms, as we've drawn them up, I'd be happy to sign right now."

"I agree. But let's not make haste. We can organize a formal signing ceremony this afternoon."

"Under the circumstances, I would rather sign now."

"Well, I'm afraid I must keep you waiting a few more hours." Flurry Heart rose to her hooved and nodded appreciatively to the assembled Griffons. "I must await the arrival of my Legate to advise me as to the military situation."

Without warning, the great stained glass window above them shook with a roar as something fell from the skies and shattered a hole through it. Through the jagged perforation, Flurry was just able to make out the outline of a pegasus flying away, before her attention was dragged to the object it had deposited, which flew through the air and hit the ground with a gruesome splat, lying motionless on the floor.

Tossing her chair aside in shock, Flurry Heart was the first over, and immediately wished she hadn't been. Though she had been badly beaten and burned, with chunks of skin and flesh torn off across her body, there was no mistaking the body of her Legate Lunar Diamond.

Reeling away with a shriek of disgust, Flurry doubled over and vomited, eyes squeezed shut as if hoping she could block out the image before it could burn itself into her memory. Behind her, she could hear the mixed cries of her cabinet at the sight in front of them, and raucous laughter of the Griffons at her reaction. Above them all, she could clearly hear the hoarse chuckle of Gideon.

"What's the matter, filly? Reaction like that, I'd think you'd never seen a mutilated corpse dropped through a ceiling before!"

Flurry shook her head violently, forcing her stomach down and her vision to focus. Swaying slightly on the spot, she forced herself to return to her full height and return to the scene. Her eyes caught sight of a sheet of parchment attached to one of the Legate's limbs with blue ribbon. Forcing herself to focus on the parchment, and not the corpse it was attached to, she slipped it free of its grisly binding and unravelled it. There were 3 words printed on it in a dark red liquid she had a sick feeling could only be blood.

Gideon's eyes ran over the note, looking utterly bemused.

"Well, looks like somepony's in a bad mood. I guess your traps really were as good as you said." She strutted around the cadaver, examining it with a clinical interest. "My condolences for your loss; but then again, she should have known not to put herself at risk like that."

The parchment slipped from Flurry's grip and fluttered to the ground. Leaning slightly as she fought the boiling acid reflux building in her stomach, she took a deep breath and raised her head, doing her best to control her shaking. Losing her cool, rushing herself into a panic and making all the wrong decisions was exactly what Morning Star wanted. Raising her voice, she let out the loudest booming voice she could muster, addressing the room at large, avoiding every gaze that attempted to catch her attention.

"I'm sorry you all had to see this. Princess Gideon, I must ask you and your entourage to leave. I need to call an emergency meeting of my cabinet. My guards will accompany you back to your - "

"Spare me." Gideon's tone was high, cold and mocking. "I know a sinking ship when I see one. I have no intention of spending another night here. Let us conclude our business within the hour and we'll be on our way. Otherwise, you can forget our promises and fend for yourselves."

Flurry let out a curse under her breath. "Fine. Let us at least move to another room. My Legate deserves that dignity."

"But of course." Gideon clicked her claw and one of her Janissaries stepped forward, taking the thick scroll in her beak. "Lead the way, Princess."

"You're going to die there, you know."

"Oh, absolutely. You think these Griffons are bad? Those soldiers will eat you whole."

"Shut up."

"You hear that, Tirek? She's going to show us."

"If you don't shut up, I'm going to shut you up."

Cozy stuffed the last of her few belongings in the saddlebags that laid at the end of her bed and fastened the zip with a fierce motion. "And as soon as I find a way to get rid of both of you, you're gone. I don't care what happens to you after that. In fact, I'm glad that statue was destroyed!"

Both apparitions burst into laughter at that, causing Cozy to grimace.

"What's with you two? You change your minds about how you're going to treat me every single day and you aren't even enjoying it."

"Enjoying it? How could we enjoy this?" Chrysalis shrieked, glaring at the filly with genuine contempt. "We're stuck in your boring little world until you die. Which, on your current trajectory, should be a few months. I'll be glad when it's all over."

"She has a point." Tirek grumbled. "Without villages to crush or magic to steal, there doesn't seem much point to life any more. On the other hand, things look like they're getting more exciting. Don't be so pessimistic."

Cozy heaved her saddlebags onto her bed and climbed under the covers, muttering angrily to herself.

"Well, figure it out. It's not my problem."

The camp was little more than a cluster of disparate tents constructed around a series of campfires which glittered like flaming gemstones in the pitch blackness of the polar night. The walls of the capital were close - any closer, indeed, and they would be vulnerable to ambush. From the flap of his tent, Morning Star gaze upwards at the spires of the Crystal Palace, a stirring in his blood unlike any he had ever known. He'd enjoyed many victories in his past, but nothing compared to this. The glory, the respect, the fame - it was all he had ever wanted.

A second magigram laid on the flood, trodden into the blistering snow.

EQUESTRIAN MINISTRY OF WAR - TOP SECRET

GENERAL MORNING STAR STOP

RESPOND STOP GRIFFON FORCES WITHIN MARCHING DISTANCE OF CANTERLOT STOP ABANDON SIEGE REPEAT ABANDON SIEGE OF CRYSTAL EMPIRE STOP

FAILURE TO RESPOND WILL BE TREATED AS TREASON - CAPITAL PUNISHMENT APPLIES STOP

MESSAGE CONVEYS PERSONAL ORDERS OF REGENT GALLUS STOP

RESPOND IMMEDIATELY REPEAT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY STOP

It would be a lie to say the contents did not trouble him - they would trouble anypony of sound mind. But to stop now, pack up and return to Equestria? After losing so many troops to traps and holdouts, after encamping the walls of the Crystal Empire? Unthinkable. He was at the throat of the enemy, and he intended to deal a killing blow. The decision to drop the corpse of the Legate right on top of the enemy as they entertained foreign delegates had been a brilliant suggestion from one of his lieutenants, though he sorely lamented that the fleeing carriage had escaped their clutches.

No, to stop now and return home wasn't an option. His own soldiers would lynch him. And who could blame them?

He was tired. In total, he'd been awake nearly thirty hours without rest - and not by choice. Something about this country unnerved him. It wasn't something he'd ever admit, but for the first time in his long and brutal career, he could feel the eyes of conscience watching his back. Not his own, but those of another. He wasn't so superstitious as to entertain fantastic fantasies about eternal judgement, of course, but they did just as good a job at keeping him awake at night.

Growling, he kicked a drift of snow over the small fire in front of his tent, extinguishing it before he headed back inside. He needed to be rested for the battle tomorrow.

Flurry Heart laid down in her bed with a heart so heavy she feared it might drag her beneath her covers and suffocate her. In the last three hours, she had signed a treaty that redefined her nation's relationship with the world, buried not just one of the finest soldiers she had ever had the fortune of knowing, but also one of her dear friends, and appointed a new Legate from the small group of officers within her grasp - a young, honest and competent but clearly overwhelmed stallion called Amethyst Shard.

From outside her own window, she could see the glittering flames and fluttering black tents of the Equestrian army. They were bound to attack tomorrow, and while she was certain they would not seize the castle that soon, she was running on borrowed time.

In her ear, a small, vicious voice whispered awful things.

You're a coward. You didn't surrender, and now, your entire kingdom is going to die.

No, I didn't... I was standing up for... for...

For yourself. You sided with slavers to save you filthy coat. You should be ashamed to call yourself a Princess.

I'd take it back if I could!

Then do it. Go, offer yourself up.

They're not going to turn back now.

You don't know that.

I... I... I...

"Shut up!!!"

Flurry Heart lurched up in her bed and swung at the air before collapsing into a heap and bursting into tears, weeping silently as she felt every doubt and fear she'd ever had wrap themselves around her like tendrils and dig in viciously.

The mountain was just as he remembered it. The cave had barely changed in the decades past, a deep, ugly wound on the side of the otherwise beautiful ridges and peaks of the mountain ranges that blanketed much of the north. As he approached, an evil presence rustled his scales and chilled his bones. A fear gripped him, forcing its way into his brain and firing every neuron of his into a scream to run. Pushing through the biting terror, he landed silently in front of the cavern and slithered closer.

The powerful enchantments on the cave had never meant to be broken, not even by him, but every incantation had its weak points. As he approached and laid his hand on the first of several magical barriers, a warm buzz ran through the tips of his claw and through his body. The power within would have incapacitated any mortal being - but he merely smiled.

As the first barrier fell to pieces beneath his grip, the second dug itself in, and fear morphed into doubt, doubt he couldn't shake as easily. He knew why he felt this way - but was it the spell, or was he truly making a mistake? Trusting the mare who had laid the body of her life-long mentor at her hooves without so much as a flicker of remorse?

No. That was it talking. Focus. Push through. You trust Luster...

The second barrier hummed and pulsed angrily, spurring him on. I trust Luster Dawn.

With a flash, the second barrier shattered like glass, tiny shards firing forwards and bouncing off the draconequus' thickened skin. As he stepped forwards and felt his blood boil with rage at the mere sight of the third barrier, a small voice in his head let out a small sigh.

It was going to be a long night.

Seven hours later, as the last hints of the sun broke over the mountainside and lit the cavern with its warm scarlet glow, the final enchanted barrier dissipated into ash that glittered like tiny stars and landed at the cloven hooves of their master. Dusting himself off dramatically, then pausing sheepishly when he realized there wasn't a soul around to be amused by his antics, Discord treaded slowly into the cavern.

There it laid, as eerily spotless as the day it had been forged. Not a blemish, a dent, a spot of rust, save for the deep cracks running along its side that had been on it as long as he had known. A rush of longing entered him, and it took every ounce of what self-control he had left to stop himself from pouncing upon the bell and draining it of its power. Instead, he coughed politely and bowed to the empty room.

"A moment of your time, if you'd please."

"And if I refuse?"

The voice was bodiless and ashen, and caused the cave to shake with every syllable, sending dust flying, thick and heavy, into the air. Discord smiled, and slowly rose from his bow.

"I'd have to come back some other time."

"What have you come to seek?"

"Peace."

The briefest of pauses was followed by a rumbling of approval that shook the cave with such force, it dislodged three stalactites from the ceiling.

"Enter, friend."

The humming noise he had become so accustomed to faded. The magic drained from the cave and faded away, and in seconds, the last of the enchantments had left the place, leaving behind nothing more than an empty cavern and a dirty bell.

Discord seized the bell in his paw and held it up to his eyeline. Every one of his enchantments had been in place, but a reasonably skilled mage could have restored them with little difficulty. But the final enchantment couldn't have been replaced by anycreature other than him. This was the Bewitching Bell; he was sure of it.

It was an ugly thing, hewn of thick pewter and of poor craftsmanship. Even within his grasp, he could feel the magic stolen from ten thousand unicorns screaming to escape. A burning sense of shame filled him as he recalled the days of Grogar's reign, and how he had laughed from the skies as darkness had consumed the land. For a moment, he was tempted to smash the bell to pieces against the wall of the cave, to set free the magic so wrongly stolen from those so long ago.

But he resisted, instead producing a small purse with a click of his fingers and somehow fitting the entire bell inside. The world needed his help to defeat a new tyrant There would be time for self-reflection later.

Slipping out of the cave's mouth, he beat his wings and took flight once more, headed due west to the Griffon lands.

XIX - The Sun

Luster slammed her hoof into the floor and swore violently as the spell she'd been preparing - a simple immobilization charm - rapidly grew out of control and turned into a blast of raw magical light four times her size that scorched the ground before it and obliterated the dummy target Discord had conjured for her to practice on. Floating effortlessly from above, Discord tutted and began to inspect his claw, barely disguising his contempt.

"Well, that's your adversary disintegrated. Hope it wasn't anypony important."

"Shut up!"

"No, no. You're right, what would you need my input for? Try again. Thirty-seventh time lucky, perhaps?"

Luster tried once more, this time getting slightly further before her concentration slipped and the exact same thing happened. She'd practiced this spell a thousand times over, but she'd never once tapped into this level of power. It was like an unending tide she had to strain to hold back - or risk losing complete control of her magic entirely.

Once more, she closed her eyes and began to focus like Discord had shown her. To get a grasp of her magic, she first had to visualize the amount of power she needed. Once she'd done that, she had to channel it into a spell, and carefully -

Luster's eyes flared as another surge of magical force escaped from her, this time exploding outwards in a spherical shield that knocked Discord out of the sky and sent him plummeting to the ground in a heap. Climbing to his hooves and dusting himself off, the draconequus sighed and clicked his fingers. In an instant, Luster felt the power evaporate from her veins, leaving her exhausted.

"Not the best performance. Though I suppose it was no worse than the others." Luster merely groaned in response, barely able to stand after having her powers stripped away.

"How can you say that? Is this all just a joke to you?"

"I might well ask you the same. It really isn't that complicated, you know. Grogar's Legion managed it with very few teething issues. Your present charge being one of them." He leaned down with a sadistic grin on his face. "Tell me, what's it like to be outdone by your own student?"

"What's it like to be the worst teacher in the world?" Luster shot back, falling backwards onto her hind legs. "I can't, Discord. I can't figure it out. It's like there's this... this wave of power within me that I just have to let out, or I'm gonna explode."

"You have to focus. There can be no uncertainty or doubt in your mind, nor can there be any distraction. Until then, you'd be a danger yourself and everypony around you."

Uncertainty. Doubt. Distraction. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had a thought that had been anything but. How was she supposed to focus on anything clearly in the chaos she was surrounded by? It had been over a week since her training had begun, and still she'd made no progress.

"Let's try again." Rising to her hooves with some effort, she closed her eyes and felt the power flow back into her, heightening her sense and causing her to twitch slightly. Electrical arcs of pure magical energy crackled around her horn as she tried to focus once more. Scratching her brain for anything simple she could focus on. Slowly, a small pink filly materialized in her mind.

A vision of Cozy flickered into view before her eyes, surrounded by a lake of darkness that nipped at her legs, constantly threatening to seize her and drag her into its stomach, never to be seen again. A surge of terror and rage filled her, and before she knew it, her horn was already firing on instinct.

Opening her eyes, her rage faded into shock as she saw a vast beam of magical energy firing from her horn, an iridescent beam of countless colours that danced upon its surface before fading from view. Feeling her concentration wavering, she forced herself to focus. With the gentlest of touches, she narrowed the beam into a concentrated stream of unbearably bright energy, before slowly bringing it to a close. Panting slightly, she glanced around.

"Discord?"

A slow clapping sound over her head caught her attention. Craning her neck upwards, she watched as Discord slowly descended to the ground, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Well, now that was an improvement. Crude, but an improvement. Though it's one thing to control the power, quite another to direct it into an actual spell."

Luster grunted and cracked her neck. "Let's go, then. Give me another target to curse."

Discord's mouth broke into his trademark grin. "Of course."

Morning Star squinted into the distance at the army summiting the hill from through the rising sun, feeling a bolt of apprehension shoot down his spine as he realized just how vast it was. His scouts had easily been underestimating by a factor of two, maybe three. Forcing down a rising tide of panic, his gaze flickered towards his sides. His lieutenants wore looks of horror that told him all he needed to know.

"How could they have gotten it so wrong?" One of them - a young stallion with a teal coat and shaved mane - muttered the words to himself, as if refusing to believe the evidence before his own eyes.

"I... I don't know." Another replied, voice wavering in thinly disguised fear. "Reinforcements? General, we should retreat."

Morning Star said nothing, and in the brief silence, yet another lieutenant jumped in.

"We are the only thing between this army and Canterlot. You would have us flee before even engaging, to allow our capital city to be trampled underhoof by these invaders?"

Morning Star grit his teeth as he watched a seemingly endless tide of Griffons pour over the hill. The lieutenant was right, of course. Retreat was not an option, not this time. Though they were outnumbered several times over, the odds were not overwhelming. He made his decision.

"Fire!"

His magically amplified voice was all it took. A line of twenty catapults let loose with a great cacophony of splintering wood and rope. Their projectiles soared into the air for what seemed to be several minutes before they came crashing down on the assembled Griffons and shattered into a million deadly stone splinters, forcing those lucky enough not to be torn to shreds to scatter in shock at the assault. Within seconds, however, they began to reform, and, marshalled by their commanders, those at the front began to mount a charge.

The catapults were reloaded with agonizingly slowness then let loose once again. Each had been enchanted to enhance their range and accuracy, giving them the considerable advantage of being able to strike the Griffons from a distance that immunized them against the Griffon's own ballistics. This time, the charging troops anticipated the assault and scattered before the projectiles could strike the ground, greatly reducing their casualties. Even from this distance, Morning Star was forced to admire their discipline. Not a single soldier faltered or fled despite the onslaught, even though many wore injuries visible from even this distance.

Not good. He had relied on a significant fraction of the Griffon force fleeing, allowing his smaller sized army to mop up the rest. The small nagging feeling that had eaten away at him now began to morph into full-scale panic as he realized just how many more soldiers than he had expected there to be were converging on them. Turning to his troops, he began to bark more instructions.

"Unicorns!"

Bolts of light began to erupt from the assembled soldiers as the Griffons continued to approach, sending many of them crumpling to the ground. Many - but not enough. The catapults began to reload for one finally volley, this time with flaming projectiles. Beads of sweat began to run down his muzzle as he watched his adversary close in. How much longer? A minute?

The catapults fired, this time inflicting virtually no casualties. The flaming rocks were easily visible in the darkening sky, and the Griffons parted before them well in advance, not even slowing their pace. In twenty seconds... fifteen... ten... five...

"NOW!!"

Seconds before the first of the screaming Griffons approached, the front line of defence forced their spears forwards, impaling the front line of the assault in an eruption of crimson blood and awful screams. At the same time, the Griffons split into three horns, two of which smashed into the side of his army, breaking the solid block of troops into three pieces and dividing them. At such close quarters, the Griffons possessed the clear advantage, tearing into their enemy and inflicting severe casualties.

Morning Star let out a strangled cry as he watched his army be butchered before his eyes. He attempted to bellow more orders, but this time not a soul paid him any heed. Already, those with any sense were throwing their weapons aside and fleeing from the battle - yet even those were not spared, as a group of Griffons detached themselves from the carnage to chase them down and slay them before they could clear ten feet from the battleground.

Behind him, he could hear his lieutenants beginning to back away. The Griffons were at a safe distance - but within a few minutes, they wouldn't be.

"I... I can't believe... oh, Celestia..."

"General? We have to go. Now!"

Go? It took Morning Star a few seconds to process the suggestion. Why? He was dead either way. The Regent would have his head for this failure. Would it be less painful to allow himself to die fighting here?

As he watched, one of the Griffons - a hulking beast of pure muscle clad head-to-claw in black and silver armour - noticed the small entourage watching the scene from atop their hill and seized two of his troops by the scruff of their neck, pointing and barking orders. Somewhere in the back of his confused mind, the realization that he had just been spotted shocked Morning Star into action. No matter what fate awaited him back in Canterlot, he had no desire to die here on this cold, miserable hill.

"Let's go." Morning Star's horn began to glow. "Return to Canterlot and join the defence. I have to let the Regent know what happened here."

"Yes sir - "

Before the lieutenant could even respond, the General vanished in a flash of light.

The encampment was invisible in the forest that surrounded it, the only tell-tale sign of presence being the hoofful of thin tendrils of smoke that rose from the scattered cooking-pots into the air and twisted into the cloudy sky. From the mouth of her tent, Luster watched the camp bustle with activity. Most were soldiers being routed from one location to another, but there was also substantial presence of ponies, almost all of them mages from Griffonstone who had been drafted like her into a war which - judging by the looks on most of their faces - they had no desire to be a part of. She didn't blame them.

True to her expectations, they were indeed several miles from the frontline - or any other semblance of civilization. The Griffons clearly didn't wish to risk the lives of the precious clawful of mages they harboured, and so every precaution had been taken to shelter them from harm. Isolated and shielded, Luster had quickly fallen prey to an unexpected pitfall - boredom. She had little real work that needed completing, and little to fill the empty hours with.

"Who - Oh. Hi, Luster."

Startled, Luster's gaze dropped to see Cozy standing before her, clutching a jug of water in her mouth. Indicating towards the entrance of the tent, she raised an eyebrow.

"You mind?"

Luster took a step back and allowed Cozy to enter, taking one last glance at the bustling clearing before turning around and allowing the flap of the tent to fall shut once more. Cozy set the jug down carefully before tilting it backwards and taking a deep drink. Carefully resting the jug back upright, she fell back onto her hind legs and sighed.

"You know, if I'd known this place wasn't going to have running water, I probably wouldn't have been so willing to come along."

Luster let out a small chuckle. "Guess I thought a war camp would have better provisions. Look on the bright side, at least they have vegetarian options here."

Cozy pulled a face. "Don't even joke about that. I thought I was going to be sick last night when they started roasting that pig."

Luster sat down opposite the filly and took a drink from the jug, grimacing at the gritty taste of the poorly filtered water. "Ugh. Let me get it next time. I could probably do a better job of cleaning this mud than whatever they're using."

"I'm not so sure there'll be a next time. I overheard a few of the soldiers talking when I was at the well, and it sounds like they're planning to march on Canterlot in a few days. Said the army had been doing better that they'd ever expected." Cozy did her best to sound happy at the prospect of leaving, but there was an unmistakably glum tone to her voice. Luster couldn't help but sympathise.

"Look on the bright side. We won't be wanted criminals anymore. We'll be free to go wherever we want. You'll be free. You can be whoever you want, and nopony - nocreature - can stop you."

"I... I guess." Cozy didn't sound remotely comforted by the idea. "I just wish there was... I don't know. Ever since Princess Twilight died - no, before that. Ever since I was first sent to Tartarus, whenever I think of the future, all I've ever been able to see was... chaos. Something uncertain. Now, for the first time in years, I can see the future, and it just looks... bleak."

"Don't be so pessimistic. You've got a great future ahead of you, if you want it."

"It's not just about me, Luster!" Cozy snapped, causing Luster to pull back in surprise at the sudden shift in temper. "Everything you ever taught me about friendship, everything Princess Twilight tried to teach me, it's all been for nothing! The Griffons are going to take over Equestria and rule it like some... like some kind of slave colony, and I'm just supposed to go along with it? I don't want to live in a world like that!"

"Me neither, Cozy. But we don't have any choice - "

The words died on her lips. How could she say that, when she knew it was a lie?

"...well, tell me what you want, then."

"I... I... I want..." Cozy sounded genuinely upset now. "I want to be back in that prison cell. I want none of this to have happened. I want to be leaning about friendship and... and preparing for exams and writing lessons. I want to be a normal filly with normal problems, okay?! I didn't want any of this!"

"Cozy..." Luster laid a comforting hoof on the filly's shoulder, trying to sound as soothing as possible. Cozy lowered her head and took several deep sniffs before continuing.

"I know, I can't change what happened. But I wish I could, Luster... I just wish I could."

"Cozy, listen to me. We can't change the past. But I can change the future."

Cozy raised her head and squinted at her, confused. "Is this some kind of lesson about personal responsibility?"

"Even better." Luster took a deep breath before she began. "You remember the Bewitching Bell?"

Cozy's expression darkened. "Every waking second of my day."

"I didn't want to alarm you, or upset you, but... A few days ago, Discord contacted me." Seeing a thunderous expression dawn on Cozy's face, she quickly continued. "Trust me, I wasn't any happier to see him than you would have been. But this is good news. Discord wants to bring all this conflict, all this war to an end. And he wants my help."

"It's a trick." The response was so instantaneous, so automatic that it almost made Luster laugh.

"Yeah. That's what I thought too. But it's not. Listen, that bell is filled with magical energy from thousands of years ago. In the wrong hooves, it could be used to conquer the world. But in the right hooves, it could be used to bring all this fighting to an end. To put things right, make things like they were. Not exactly. But good enough."

A troupe of emotions fluttered across Cozy's face, anger, disbelief, joy and suspicion. The filly slowly pulled away from Luster and rose to her hooves, shaking slightly.

"Discord's given you the bell?"

"Not yet. It's... complicated. Let's just say there's a few details to be ironed out. But soon, I'll have the power to do whatever I like. To reshape the world."

"You..." Cozy swallowed a lump rising in her throat. "You're going to replace Princess Twilight?"

"What? No!" Luster feigned shock, as if the idea had never occurred to her. In truth, she hadn't decided what she was going to do with all that power, but she never knew when Discord could be listening. "I'm going to use it to stop this war, then it's going back in the bell."

"So... why are you just telling me this now?"

"I..." A good question. "I just didn't want to add to your worries."

"Are you joking?! This is great!" Cozy all but jumped into the air at her words, a wide, enthusiastic, genuine smile splitting her face in two for the first time in weeks. "What are you going to do?"

Luster laughed in response, feeling a warm glow rushing through her that took her a few moments to identify as elation. "I don't know. What do you think I should do?"

"I... I guess you should send the Griffons back. And get rid of Gallus. And... I don't know? Become a Princess?"

"I'm... I'm not sure that's for me, Cozy. I was thinking Flurry Heart should have that honour." Cozy Glow's ears fell at that, and her eyes hit the floor. "What?"

"You... you didn't hear?"

A cold chill ran though Luster, immediately extinguishing that warm rush from less than a minute ago. "What?"

"Luster, the Crystal Empire, it's... it's gone. Equestria took it over days ago, and nopony's heard from Flurry Heart since then. She's... she's not going to be here after a few weeks. There won't be any Alicorns left. When you take that magic, there'll just be... you."

The words were like a sledgehammer to Luster's chest, and for the first time, she found herself completely out of things to say. After a few moments of wordless searching, she finally managed to choke out a single, desperate question.

"Are you... sure?"

"I heard those soldiers talking about it. It's all any of them talk about these days. They're convinced Equestria is finished without a Princess to take over the reins. And they're right." A new, hopeful note forced its way into her voice. "But not any more! You can - "

"Cozy, please, just... don't." Luster cut across the filly, unable to hear any more. "I'm not an Alicorn, and I won't ever be."

"I was." Cozy shot back icily. "You know, when I absorbed the magic from the same bell you're talking about? I only absorbed a tiny fraction, and it was enough to turn me into an Alicorn."

"That's... a... a good point." Luster sighed. "Fine, maybe I'll grow a pair of wings. But that doesn't mean I have to become a Princess. There are better ponies out there. And besides, I'm not keeping the magic. I'm going to return it."

"Are you joking?" Cozy shouted, raising her voice for the first time. "You're crazy! If you give that magic back, things will just go right back to how they were!"

"Cozy, you know that's not right - "

"It is! All of this, everything, it all happened because you killed Twilight! Without a Princess, everything is just going to fall apart the moment you give that magic back!" Stamping her hoof on the ground, she let out a roar of frustration. "How can you be so blind?!"

Luster rose to her hooves, furious. "Don't talk to me like that! I'm not a Princess, and I'm not going to threaten or frighten ponies into getting along! If Princess Twilight had made... reasonable plans for her passing, then all of this could have been avoided!" She deigned not to mention that she had been the 'reasonable plan'. She was certain there was a lesson there, but it was one to be reflected on later.

"If... If you don't keep that magic, Luster, you're killing us all. You understand!? You'll be throwing all of our futures in the trash! The Griffons will just reinvade and that'll be it! Right back where we started, only this time there's no one to blame but you!"

With those words, she gave the jug of water a kick and sent the liquid within spilling all over the tent. Luster jumped backwards and was only narrowly able to avoid being splashed by the dark brown liquid that flew out. Blood boiling, she spun around and began to roar.

"COZY - "

But she was already gone, the only sign of her presence being the fluttering of the tent flap and the faint sound of galloping hooves striking earth.

The guard was only just able to dodge the flying wine jug in time, yelping in shock as the dark red liquid within sprayed out and splattered all over him. Before a second missile could be launched, he dropped his spear and bolted out of the throne room entrance, followed closely behind by his comrades. In seconds, the room was empty, save for the furious Griffon and the unicorn stooped into a deep bow before him.

As Gallus gazed down at his General through the red mist that seemed so often these days to cloud his vision, he was seized with an urge like never before to murder him and break his body to pieces on the cold marble floor. Only the tiniest shreds of reason within his rotting mind restrained him and forced him down into his throne, gibbering uncontrollably.

"Ri.... gahhhh... RISE!"

Morning Star rose from his deep bow, sunken purple eyes now filled with nothing but contempt. All the fear he had felt upon entering the throne room left his body as he stared down the pitiful remnant of the Griffon he had once called Regent. What little had remained of the once reasonable old soldier had clearly been broken by the news of an invading army at the borders of his city.

"I... I won't... I won't lose to these barbarians! You understand me!? Equestria will not fall as long as I sit on this throne, and I am Equestria!" Flecks of spittle flew from his mouth with every word, splattering onto the long velvet robe that he had once worn so proudly, now a filthy tattered remnant of what it had once been. "You have one final chance, General. You will break the enemy, or I will ensure that your punishment exceeds that they would mete out upon you tenfold, if it is the last act of my nation! DO YOU UNDERSAND?!"

"Yes, your Regency." The title rolled off Morning Star's tongue like acid, a filthy term of address utterly unbefitting of the creature before him. "As it happens, I have drawn up a contingency for this sort of emergency. But it will require your approval."

"Whatever it takes."

"Anything?"

"Anything! Turn the tide of this war, General. No matter the cost. Now... get out of my sight."

"As you wish, your Regency."

He resisted the temptation to order the quaking guards outside the throne room doors to enter and arrest the Regent as soon as he had left, though there was little doubt in his mind that they would have been more than willing to oblige. A coup in times of crisis such as these would be the undoing of everything. Patience in all things was the making of a great leader, as he had learned well.

There was little time to lose. The remaining soldiers would need to be reorganized. It would take some time to organize a round-up of every able-bodied creature in Canterlot and force a spear into their hoof, claw or hand. Those who refused to fight would, of course, be put down. There could be no room for mercy. Had he learned nothing from the Crystal Empire?

And that was just the start. Envoys would be sent out to every prison camp he had so foalishly constructed, ordering them to butcher their prisoners and send what troops they could spare to the capital. No more mercy would be shown to surrendering enemies of the state. Finally, the few soldiers he could spare would be sent out to teach a lesson to those towns who had surrendered so meekly to the invaders. There would be no more meek surrenders after tonight.

And when all was said and done, when Equestria had been purged of invaders, he would oust the rotting carcass of a leader that currently stained that ancient throne, and take his armies to the Griffon Empire to visit upon them a lesson that would consign them to history, once and for all.

Luster roared as the magic erupted from her, this time not in a surge of uncontrolled power but as a complex set of spells that reached out and ensnared the dozens of targets before her. Not pausing for breath, she followed it up with a series of precisely targeted bolts of magic that tore each of their targets into two. Hovering above her, Discord nodded his approval at the display.

"My, my, my. Quite the improvement. What's gotten into you, Luster?"

Luster panted as she shook her head at the question. "Doesn't matter. What else do you want me to do?"

"I'm not so sure you haven't already proven yourself capable of controlling the magic already."

"What?" Luster glanced upwards in shock, still wheezing slightly. "Are - are you sure?"

"I'm as surprised as you. You seem so much less... conflicted. I'm not one to pry, of course, but you haven't been overcoming an emotional crisis recently, by any chance?"

Luster paused. "You're right."

"I am?"

"Yeah. It's not your place to pry." Straightening herself, she stared the draconequus down. "Well? Am I ready or not?"

"I would prefer to give it a week, to make sure this unusual control isn't a mere fluke. But... it would seem so, yes." He landed beside her and clicked his fingers, collapsing into a soft red sofa that materialized out of thin air. "Tell me, have you given the future any further consideration?"

"I'm not interested in a social call, Discord. I'd like to get back to sleep, if you wouldn't mind."

"Oh, but I am. Take a seat." With another snap of his fingers, a soft velvet couch appeared behind her. "I want to know just what you'd do with that magic, if I handed it over right now."

Luster sighed and sat down, sinking into the surprisingly comforting chair with ease. "I'm going to bring this war to an end. I'm going to force the Griffons to give back their land and put Flurry Heart back on the throne. She'll be a better leader than anypony else."

"You believe Flurry Heart is the best choice for Equestrian Princess?"

"She's the only choice."

"Not you?"

"Absolutely not." Luster could see right through this line of questioning. "You were listening in on me and Cozy, then."

Discord chuckled. "Of course. That filly has quite the temper. But how am I to know that she hadn't swayed your decision?"

"I guess you'll just have to take that risk."

"Don't be so sure. I could just leave you to your fate, you know. This war is but a fleeting moment in history to me."

Luster laughed contemptuously. "How stupid do you think I am? You've got a stake in this, same as me. You're just afraid you're not going to be able to put the genie back in the bottle when you're done. But guess what? You're going to have to live with that if you want my help. That's how this works."

Discord growled with displeasure, but nodded. "I suppose you're right." He suddenly looked tired. "The bell is yours. It will be waiting by your bed when you wake up."

"Really?" Luster sounded, stunned. "Just like that?"

"Just like that." Discord rose into the air, no longer looking at her. "Just know this, Luster. Power is not something to be sought. It is something to be feared. I have never met a being of power who did not lament their gift as a curse -"

"Oh, shut up. I've heard it all before. I just want to go back to sleep."

For a moment, Discord said nothing. Then, he smiled, the first genuine, warm smile she'd ever seen him give.

"...good luck, Luster. I know you'll do what's right."

Mosswood was, any other day of the year, a damp but pleasant hamlet only a few miles from Canterlot. Traditionally inhabited by Earth ponies, it had become a favourite of travellers to and from Canterlot, famed for its friendly locals, charming woodlands and hospitable taverns that catered to all.

Tonight, it burned.

The soldiers butchered without mercy, slaying anything that moved and didn't bear the banner of Equestria. As one of the first towns to surrender to the occupying Griffons, it would serve as the perfect example of what became of traitors under the new regime. A few Griffon troops attempted to fight back, but most simply fled, leaving the townsfolk to the tender mercies of their new overlords. Every home, tavern and shop was looted and torched, many with their inhabitants still barricaded within.

Those who attempted to flee were not spared, save for a select few who were allowed to escape that they may spread the tale of what now became of towns that did not resist the occupiers to their last drop of blood. Panic would spread through the nation like wildfire as scores of towns and villages came to fear their own would be next. The Griffon presence, once a source of mere annoyance, became an active smear of collaborationism. The entire Griffon war machine ground to a halt as dozens, then hundreds of soldiers had to be routed east to quell uprisings in once peaceful towns.

Mosswood would not be the last. More would suffer the same fate in the days to come, villages and towns culled to their last and burned to the ground in a new, perverse form of war. In the hours to come, a new sun would dawn over Equestria, this time dark and devoid of warmth, spreading only a light of terror and fear upon a populace that no longer knew peace or cared to do so. The world became paralyzed beneath the new black horizon, and hope breathed its last.

XX - Judgement

Luster's eyes slowly flickered open as the morning sun's rays hit her in the eyes, and she groaned instinctively, forcing her head beneath her thin blankets in a feeble attempt to shut out the world and return to her dreams. Thrashing around as she wrestled with the covers, she came to an abrupt stop and let out a yelp of pain as her head connected to a hard, metallic object lying next to her cot.

With a jolt of sudden realization, she scrambled to her hooves and choked as she laid eyes on one of the most powerful magical artefacts in Equestria lying nonchalantly by the side of her bed. Without thinking, she seized her blankets and threw them over the Bewitching Bell before somecreature decided to investigate the thrashing coming from her tent, wrapping the relic up tightly before stuffing it into her saddlebags and fastening the latch. Collapsing back on her bed, her chest rose and fell rapidly as she gasped for air, head spinning.

It had been one thing to entertain the prospect of owning the bell, quite another to have it physically within her grasp. All of her bravado and bluster faded away into a screaming static of background noise as the enormity of what she had come into possession of hit her. Even safely wrapped up and stowed away, the bell emanated an aura of pure evil that left her in no doubt of its true nature. The idea of using the magic imbued within, even benevolently, repulsed her. How had Cozy even been able to look at the thing, let alone use it?

As the thought struck her, she glanced around at the tent, heartrate pounding as she realized Cozy hadn't returned after their argument last night. The bell was forgotten in an instant; leaping to her hooves once more, Luster tore through the entrance to their tent and burst into the waking camp, eyes scanning every corner in search of her foal.

"Cozy? Cozy?!"

A few eyes turned to meet her, but none of them were those she sought. Her mouth ran dry as a thousand awful possibilities ran through her mind.

"COZY!?!"

She began to trample through the camp, peering into every communal tent she could find, earning nothing but the curses of awoken soldiers and the odd stares of her colleagues. She ignored them all until she had exhausted the entire camp with nothing to show for it. By the time she had finished, she had broken out into a cold sweat, barely able to speak for the lump in her throat and the tremor in her stomach.

"Golden Sun! What in the Emperor do you think you're doing?"

In her state, it took Luster a few seconds to realize the words were directed towards her. Spinning around on the spot, her eyes boggled as she stared at the wild-eyed at the Griffon commander before her.

"I... I'm looking for my filly. Have you seen her?"

The commander looked thoroughly displeased at being asked, as if the question was somehow beneath him. "Is that what all this ruckus is after? You know, I'm not running a nursery here." A disgruntled look crossed his face. "But... yes. I saw her only a few minutes ago."

Luster let out a relieved sigh at the words, and it was all she could do to prevent herself from collapsing on the spot. "Oh, thank Celestia - I... I mean, thank the Emperor. Do you... where... when... where did you see her?"

"She was gathering some water - and bothering my soldiers while she was at it. Tell her to keep her snout out of official army business if she wants to keep it." The commander barked gruffly, his thunderous look letting Luster know there was no higher nuisance in his opinion than an overly inquisitive filly. "I hope those rune translations are finished. I've had a bad night, and the last thing I need is for my work to be held up by a stuck-up magician who can't keep her foal on a tight leash!"

"Yes sir. I'll deliver them to your tent by midday." Luster bowed deeply, earning an approving cluck.

"Good. Dismissed."

As soon as the commander was back out of eyesight, Luster set off at a gallop towards the camp's well, heart almost stopping as she arrived and saw it deserted - until a trio of voices caught her attention, carried by the gentle morning wind.

"You mean you were there?" Cozy's voice was unmistakable.

"Yeah. I... I didn't see much, but I saw enough." An unfamiliar, somewhat shaky masculine voice. A third male voice chipped in.

"And you're sure they were Equestrian soldiers?"

"A hundred percent. They must be settling the score on towns that surrendered without a fight. General Morning Star's personal orders."

"It just... it's hard to believe."

"I saw it. They just... they didn't show any mercy. Even foals... even mares with foal - "

"All right, knock it off. You'll traumatize the poor kid."

"No he won't!"

"Well, I say he will. Go back to your mom, foal. You shouldn't be alone like this."

"No, she shouldn't." Luster pushed past the tree branches that encircled the clearing, glaring daggers at the three figures in front of her - Cozy and two armoured Griffons, unmistakably soldiers. "What's going on here?"

"Luster?" Cozy immediately clapped a hoof to her mouth as she accidentally let Luster's real name slip, but if the other Griffons recognized the name, they showed no recognition of it. Indeed, the questioner seemed more outraged at the way he was being spoken to.

"Nothing, pony. I was just talking to my friend, and your foal insisted on butting in."

"Leave it, Garth." The other Griffon bristled at his friend's tone. "Sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to upset your filly."

"Upset her how?" Luster repeated indignantly as she approached. "What are you talking about?"

The pair of Griffons glanced at each other before the one who had been talking continued. "The Equestrians have started attacking settlements that surrendered. Not so much attacking as... butchering. I was... there."

Garth nodded in agreement. "They've been getting desperate ever since they were defeated outside Canterlot, but I don't think anycreature expected them to use tactics like this. This whole damned country is in uproar. I wish I'd never been sent here in the first place."

Luster's stomach flipped at the words, but she fought to keep her composition and not let her feeling show. "Cozy, come with me. We can get some breakfast before I get to work."

"But - "

"Don't argue! I'm sure we'll find out more later." Stomping her hoof on the ground, she snorted in anger. "Come on!"

Cozy hesitated, then dutifully slunk over to her side. Luster cast one last glare at the soldiers before turning tail and escorting Cozy back to the camp.

Morning Star gave the spear an extra twist as he wrenched it free from the ribs of the dying Griffon, a satisfied grin twisting his handsome features as a flicker of something close to pleasure coursed through him.

Plumes of smoke rose from the scarred battlefield that had seen his army decisively crush the main encampment of Griffons outside Canterlot, whose force had been slowly but surely sapped of strength by the overwhelming demand for reinforcements well behind the front. Incrementally, by attrition, their numbers had worn down until they were ripe for destruction. None had been spared.

Though he was certain this would be a fatal blow to the Emperor's ambitions in Equestria, he was keenly aware that he had much more land to recover. The fatalities of the last battle had been horrendous - which was to be expected, given that the bulk of his force was now composed of fresh recruits with only a few days of training at best. Now that the imminent threat had been dealt with, he would have time to consolidate the fresh meat, honing it into a sharp scythe with which he would fell the last of the Griffons who had dared come to his country to die.

All that remained was for Equestria to see the fall of the last Alicorn, and for Gallus to be... disposed of. He had never aspired to the throne, but fate left little choice in the matter. To even entertain the prospect of serving under the Regent for a second longer than necessary was intolerable. If Providence demanded he be the one to bring unity to Equestria, so be it.

The struggling Griffon gasped one final time, then expired beneath him. Driving the tip of the spear back into its head, Morning Star continued his march across the battlefield.

Cozy was the first back inside the tent, and it only took a few seconds before she exploded.

"Were you following me?!"

"No! I mean, I was looking for you! You just vanished without telling me where you'd gone, what was I supposed to think?!"

Cozy scoffed and turned her back on Luster, staring at the empty walls of the tent. "I can look after myself, Luster." In seconds, her eyes landed on the wrapped bundle sitting conspicuously beside Luster's bed. "What's that?"

"Nothing." Luster said the word far too quickly, and she knew it. "It's... uh...."

"It's not... it?"

Luster sighed, irritated. "You're too quick for me, Cozy. Yes, it's.... it's what you think it is."

Cozy flinched involuntarily, as if she had been confronted with some hideous beast, or a repulsive insect. "When... when are you gonna... y'know... do it?"

"I... I don't know. When I'm ready. When the time's right."

"When the time's right?!" Cozy flared up again, spinning around to face Luster. "Didn't you hear what that Griffon soldier said? They're killing ponies right now! Innocent ponies, little foals!" Luster looked away. "If you don't... If you don't use that bell right now, you're just as guilty as they are!"

"Cozy, I can't just rush into this."

"Yes you can! Why are you such as coward!" Cozy stamped her forehooves, furious. "You're okay with letting innocent ponies die, just because you don't feel ready to use that bell?"

Luster opened her mouth, but no words came out. She couldn't find anything to say. In the midst of her silence, Cozy continued her rant.

"Luster!? Are you even listening to me?!" Quick as a flash, Cozy ran over to the saddlebag and began to pull at it. The latch to the bag fell apart with little effort, and in seconds Cozy had dragged out the bundled package, which she threw aside with great force. The blanket wrapping unravelled and the bell tumbled out, striking the floor with a dull thud.

As soon as the bell left its protective covering, Cozy froze, staring at the bell with widening eyes, seemingly frozen in shock at the sight of the artefact. Her mouth opened and slowly closed as a slight tremor filled her legs.

"Cozy?" Luster took a tentative step forwards. Cozy's head quickly whipped around.

"It's... it's..." She let out a slow, deep exhale. "It's nothing."

"It's okay if you're not used to - "

"I said it's fine!" Cozy took a step back, almost tripping over a rock that jutted out of the ground and into the floor of the tent. "It's fine. I'm fine, I just... I've not seen that thing for a while." Coughing loudly to clear her throat, she turned her head away. "You're using it. Today. If you don't, I'll... I'll... I will."

Luster's gaze hardened. "Cozy..."

"I mean it. You'll have to kill me if you want to stop me."

"Don't tempt me." Luster tried to force a laugh, but faltered at the stony look on Cozy's face. "Listen, I'll think about it. But I'm not going to take any risks, understand?"

Cozy nodded slowly. "I mean it. One day."

"Your Regency."

Once more, Morning Star found himself forced to bow before the foul beast who sat atop the Equestrian throne and dared pretend to its authority. In response, Gallus merely stared back at him, dishevelled, wild-eyed and feathers ruffled.

"The Griffons have been routed and destroyed outside Canterlot. In a few weeks, my soldiers will march upon the nearest occupied settlement, and we can begin to retake back our country. It is a joyous occasion."

Silence hung across the room. There couldn't have been less enthusiasm between the pair of them.

"Regent Gallus, I have had the opportunity to speak to the Canterlot's chief interrogator before I was granted an audience with you. His efforts with Flurry Heart have proved fruitless, and we are in mutual agreement that it would be prudent to proceed with her execution as soon as possible."

Gallus's neck twitched slightly. "A good idea."

"I will arrange for her execution to be scheduled tomorrow afternoon." He rose slowly, allowing himself a fleeting second of a sneer before his face settled back into its usual dispassionate stare.

The night dawned slowly on the Griffon war camp, the burning glory of the sun slowly replaced with the sombre glistening light of the moon, hovering like a silent leviathan amidst the star-studded sky that blanketed the earth from horizon to horizon.

The first signs of their approach came from the gentle tremors of their hooves upon the ground, shaking the very earth as they crushed it beneath their step.

As the approached the threshold of the camp, they charged, the more eager amongst them letting out roars of terror as those unlucky enough to lie directly in their path of destruction were caught up in the initial rush of carnage and torn limb from limb by an enemy they never had time to lay eyes on, let alone defend themselves against. Across the camp, a peaceful slumber gave way to confusion; confusion that gave way to panic, terror and screams.

Luster was shocked awake by the noise and scrambled out of her bed immediately, horn igniting as she stared through bleary eyes as the tent's entrance, waiting for the first assailant to stumble through. When none materialized, she turned to Cozy and shook her frantically.

"Cozy! Cozy!"

The filly slowly shook her off before climbing out of her bed, shaking her head in confusion.

"What? What's going on?"

"I don't know. There's trouble outside. Grab whatever you need and let's go!"

Luster turned and grabbed her saddlebags, packing into them the last possession of any real value she had left - the Bewitching Bell. Fastening the latch as quickly as she could, she pushed her head as far out of the tent flap as she dared to catch a glimpse of a world on fire.

All as far as they eye could see was consumed with flaming tents and soldiers locked in brutal combat amidst the dead and dying bodies of friend and foe alike. Those who were foolish enough to attempt to surrender met an even swifter end at the hooves of the merciless invaders. Her mouth ran dry as she took in the slaughter around her. How had it come to this?

"Luster?"

Luster turned around and sealed the tent flap closed, hoisting her saddlebags onto her back. "Be quiet. I'm going to teleport us out of here. Grab my hoof - "

Before Cozy could respond, or even take another step, the tent around them was torn open and down, the thin fabric walls collapsing around them as a triumphant cry went up.

"There's two over here! A unicorn and - "

That was as far as he got; before he could finish, his throat was crushed in Luster's magical grip and he dropped to the ground, but the damage had been done. A dozen figures converged on them, spears in grip, cursing and shouting.

Two of them crumpled immediately as Luster drew a magical whip across their chests, sending them skidding to the ground where they laid immobile. Another fell to a bolt of magical energy before Luster was forced to leap forwards, barely avoiding the thrust of a spear which she melted in the mouth of its user, causing her to reel backwards and let out an unearthly scream as the liquid metal burned into her mouth. The damage had been done, and her heart began to race in her chest as she realized Cozy had been separated from her by the movement.

"COZY! Run!"

Her horn glowed once again as every figure within reach fell before her, those fortunate enough to avoid her wrath backing away as they realized the calibre of the unicorn they were facing. As the last of her assailants fell, she spun around, scanning the area around her for the faintest flash of pink and blue. Finally, she spotted Cozy's trembling form cowering before an armour-clad soldier, just in time to see him strike the fatal blow.

The world flared red and all seemed to scream in agony as Luster saw a twisted steel spear pierce Cozy's chest in a grotesque eruption of crimson, causing her eyes to flare wide open and her whole body to spasm uncontrollably. Staggering backwards, she violently coughed up splatters of blood and fell to her kneels, shivering like a drowned rat.

The stallion was thrown into the air and smashed to pieces against the ground before he even had time to retrieve his weapon. Luster threw foe and friend alike aside as she charged over to her foal's side, gripping her in blood-soaked hooves as she felt her heart race like it had never done so before.

"Cozy! No, no no no no NO! Can you hear me? Cozy? COZY!!"

The battle around them seemed to fade into little more than background noise as Cozy locked eyes with Luster, eyes filled with nothing but terror and fear. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but was only able to let out a weak mew before her gaze became glassy and unfocused.

Luster began to let out a cry - before a sudden, wild, impossible hope struck her. Physically tearing her saddlebags off her back and ripping them open, she pulled out the Bewitching Bell, feeling a chill run down her spine as she felt the cold metal bite into her hooves. After a second's hesitation, she swung the bell through the air and felt a chill run down her spine as the chime echoed across the camp and through her body, forcing every hair on her body to stand on end.

A power surged through her, a power unlike any she had ever known. It took every ounce of her self-control to focus and channel it properly, to prevent it from physically tearing her to pieces. Her eyes glowed until they were nothing but furious molten orbs of the purest white light, and from her lips escaped a guttural roar that threatened to split the corner of her mouth. Rising to her hooves, she felt a new strength within her - not just power, but the power. She had never once felt anything like it; the rules and paradigms of magic as she knew them melted away before her, and at once she knew she could twist them however she liked.

Her muscles surged with newfound strength, yet she felt lighter than a feather. From her sides, she felt two new wings erupt painlessly and flourish, wings that responded perfectly to her command. Beating her newfound appendages with great force, she rose several feet into the air, before allowing her horn to burn with bright white light. Every combatant cried out in pain and dropped their weapons before curling into a ball, struck simultaneously blind and deaf.

Landing silently beside Cozy, Luster knelt over the dying filly and effortlessly withdrew the spear from her chest, healing her wounds with the slightest flick of her horn. Yet still, Cozy did not stir. A boiling, furious rage filled her as she realized why.

She was too late.

Another roar escaped her lips, this one of anger and loss, of hatred and fury. She was going to kill every one of those who had dared take her foal from her - every fool who had dared raise arms in this foul, endless war that had taken from her everything she'd ever loved. There could be no punishment foul enough, no lake of blood deep enough that could ever satisfy her rage.

Seizing the closest body she could find, she dragged them into the air and began to boil their brain, restoring their senses and amplifying them so that they might feel even a fraction of the loss and pain she felt, that they might join her in her suffering -

"...luster..."

Sensing movement, Luster immediately dropped her victim and returned to Cozy's side, her mask of bitter rage replaced by a look of deepest concern. Grasping Cozy's hoof in hers, she glanced down at the fading soul beneath her. Cozy was alive - but only just. As weak as she was, it was only a matter of time.

"...luster... I..." Cozy coughed pathetically, using the last of her strength to wipe dried blood from her lips. "...love..." She gasped. "I love you."

Luster's heart burned in her chest as she saw the filly grow weaker by the second. In the back of her mind, she realized she had only one option. It might cost everything she and Discord had sacrificed. It might kill Cozy immediately. It might even kill her. But she didn't care.

Grasping the husk of the Bewitching Bell in her magic, she placed it into Cozy's feeble grip, focused her magic on it, and struck a chime.

Her new power was sucked from her as quickly as it had arrived, draining her of her newfound strength in seconds and leaving her weak and exhausted. Before she even realized what had happened, she had collapsed onto the ground, blood rushing to her head and threatening to make her faint. Her wings vanished and her stature reduced until she was back in her own body. Desperately scrambling to her hooves, she turned her attention to Cozy.

Before her stood a slender Alicorn who had grown at least a foot, shaking violently and spasming uncontrollably as she desperately tried to focus the new raw energy that threatened to tear her apart. Her horn, which had sprouted from her forehead, crackled with electrical magic, and her eyes glowed with the same white-hot light Luster's had worn a few minutes ago. A deep, hollow pit filled her stomach as she took a step back, eyes wide.

Slowly but surely, the struggle slowed, then stopped. Cozy laid her hooves on the ground, and slowly opened her eyes, taking in the scene around her. When she spoke, her voice shook with fear.

"Luster?"

"Cozy!" Luster charged forwards and threw her arms around the Alicorn, who was already considerably taller than her. "Oh, Celestia. You're okay." She clung tighter to the Alicorn, repeating the two words to herself like a mantra. Cozy returned the fierce hug, her new strength crushing Luster in a vice-like grip.

"I... I thought... I thought I was gonna..." Cozy couldn't finish. Luster let go of her and laughed shakily, tears still rolling down her eyes.

"You did. I... I can't believe that worked."

"You mean you didn't know it would?" Cozy voice sounded hollow, scandalized. "What if I'd... I'd blown up, or something?" She glanced down at her new height and wobbled slightly, unused to the vertigo. "Woah! Looks like I did anyway. Do I have a horn again?" She raised a hoof gingerly to her forehead, pulling it back slightly when she felt her horn as if burnt. "Oh, wow. It's been a long time since I last had this." She let out a shaky, hoarse laugh.

Luster laughed again, wiping her eyes clean and beaming at Cozy as she turned around in a circle, trying to examine every inch of her new body.

"Ohhhh boy. This is gonna take some getting used to."

"There'll be time for that later." Luster gestured at the scene around them. "Come on. You got your wish. We've got a war to end."

The pair of them appeared in the throne room in a blinding flash of light - literally. The small platoon of guards surrounding the Regent immediately fell screeching to their knees, all vision gone in an instant. Cozy Glow swept them effortlessly aside in one single motion, a swift master of her new powers.

Gallus' beak dropped at the scene before him. Before he could recover and flee, or even cry for help, his beak was sealed and his body immobilized, dragged into the air before Cozy. Luster stepped forwards with a grim look on her face, but it was Cozy who spoke first, her voice deep and booming, full of force.

"It's over, Gallus. You've ruined enough lives. We're putting an end to this war, and an end to your Equestria."

Gallus forced his beak open only to gawk at Cozy's appearance. "What - what is this?! How - I - this is impossible!"

"Tell me about it." Luster turned to Cozy. "Here we are. They're your powers - but I think we should lock him up in the dungeon. Put him on trial,"

"Are you sure?" Cozy eyed Gallus with intense hatred. "It would be easier to just wring his neck now."

"You're not that kind of pony, Cozy. I know that."

Cozy sighed. "I wasn't. But I've seen enough to know not every problem has a nice, peaceful solution. If we don't kill him now, we don't finish this properly."

"Cozy..." Luster spoke softly. "I know you. You're not a killer."

"Guess you don't know me as well as you thought, then."

With a twist of the Alicorn's neck and a sickening snap, the Regent's reign finally ended - permanently. Letting the corpse drop to the floor with a thud, Cozy threw it one last look of disgust and turned to Luster, a dazed look accompanying a small smile on her face.

"I... I can't believe I just did that." She blinked slowly, looking confused, before letting out a shaky laugh, giving Gallus' body a kick. "Rot in Tartarus. Come on, Luster. We've got a royal family tree to prune."

"You - you..." Luster glanced down at Gallus' body, a lump in her throat. Granted, it was nothing less than he deserved - but like that? "You can't just - "

"Spare me the lecture, Luster. I can do whatever I want. He would have been put to death anyway. We're just cutting out the middlemare. Are you coming or not?"

"I... Cozy, if you just use violence to solve your problems, you're no better than - "

"Don't tell me I'm no better than Gallus!" Cozy roared, causing Luster to take a step back. "You told me you wanted to build a better world. Well, now the world's a whole lot better, I'd say. The same way it'll be better without Morning Star, the Griffon Royal family - and plenty more."

Luster swallowed the lump in her throat. Having her own words used against her cut deeper than she'd thought.

"Cozy..."

"Last chance, Luster. Are you in, or out?!"

Luster's breath left her as she stared up at the scared, lost little filly she'd once known, whose life she'd saved.

"Don't do this, Cozy."

Cozy snarled, then stamped her hoof on the ground and vanished in a flash of light.

The dungeon was only lightly defended, and the few guards posted outside made the fatal mistake of dropping their spears in shock as one of the most wanted ponies in Equestria wandered in. Within seconds, they were sent flying through their air and struck the bars of the nearest cell, collapsing into an unconscious heap on the ground.

Flurry Heart blinked lazily through bloodied eyelids as she watched her saviour approach, a dazed look on her face. She looked terrible, covered in burns, bruises and cuts, her head shaved and her horn wrapped in a tight metal coil that extended around her neck, threatening to burn her if she should attempt to cast a spell.

"What..." She shook her head. "Is it... over?"

Luster sighed, using her magic to melt the steel lock effortlessly. "Yeah. It's over."

"You're... you're going to kill me." The words were a hoarse whisper, filled with genuine fear. In response, Luster shook her head.

"No. I'm here to rescue you."

"You're..." Flurry Heart squinted at Luster. "You're not... one of my subjects?"

"You know, it's nice not be recognized for once. I'm Luster Dawn." For some reason, her own voice felt hollow and defeated. "I'm the pony who killed Twilight Sparkle."

Flurry Heart looked more confused than ever, but in the end, her exhaustion got the better of her and she just nodded.

"I... I don't think I can stand up. Can you help me?"

"I can teleport us. Where can we go that's safe?"

"Safe?" The Alicorn muttered the word as if it was something strange or alien. "I don't know. I... I just don't know."

Luster knelt down and slowly shifted the Princesses' weight onto her shoulders, surprised at how light she was. "Come on. I know a place."

Morning Star was awoken in his chambers by an unbearable force that crushed him against his bed like a vice. His eyes shot wide open as he took in the features of his assailant, pupils narrowing in shock at the impossible sight before him. Struggling helplessly like a fish on dry land, his lashing hooves were just able to connect with the Alicorn's front hooves, but she persevered without flinching. As the futility of the situation became apparent and terror gripped him, he fixed gazes with his murderer-to-be and did his best to beg with his eyes.

Whether by curiosity or by mercy, the ploy worked, and the relentless crushing force relaxed. Morning Star allowed himself a moment's wait before he said a word, wheezing desperately as his blood pressure slowly returned to normal.

"You're..." He coughed, throat burning. "You can't be who I think you are."

"I am." The words burned her lips as she spat them. "Any last words before I send you back where you came from?"

"I..." He paused. "Gallus?"

"Dead."

"Then surely, you will need help rebuilding Equestria." A self-satisfied smirk slipped onto his face. "You must understand, I had no loyalty to that despot. I merely did as I was told, biding my time until - "

The crushing force returned once more, this time doubled in intensity as Cozy's featured twisted into a snarl.

"I don't care why you did it! You will pay for your crimes along with the rest, murderer!" With a final glow of her horn, Morning Star's vision finally faded to black - permanently.

Luster Dawn slowly helped Flurry Heart into the bed and drew the covers over her. Her knowledge of medical magic was limited in contrast to the rest of her studies, but most of the Princesses' wounds were superficial rather than life-threatening. She would almost certainly live.

The home was in the middle of nowhere, and had been predictably abandoned and, save for the windows being smashed in, untouched. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she recalled how ecstatic she had been when her parents had told her as a young foal they would be buying a holiday retreat. She hadn't returned since she'd been accepted as Twilight's personal protégé, but she had often recalled fond memories of her foalhood here. To return under such circumstances was... surreal.

She was at a loss for what to do next. She could only wait for the Princess to recover, and return to the world - or whatever Cozy saw fit to leave of it.

The Griffon Emperor snarled as he was forced to his knees before the Alicorn, dozens of dead and dying guards being crushed beneath him.

"Alicorn filth! I'll have your head to decorate my personal chambers after I throw your body to my wolves!"

Cozy Glow stared down at him with disgust, as if contemplating a rabid dog.

"Die."

With a swift swing of her horn, Cozy severed the head of the Emperor and threw his body aside, watching with a dispassionate expression as his blood spurted from his neck and began to pour down the marble steps to the throne.

"Brother! There is - "

Princess Gideon came to a sudden halt as she burst into the throne hall and saw the carnage before her. Roaring with fury, she surged forwards, only to the thrown effortlessly aside and crash head-first against the black marble wall in an explosion of blood and feathers.

Cozy sighed and stepped forwards. The sins of the Griffons rested heavy in these halls. There were plenty of others to be disposed of.

The sunrise slowly climbed over the treeline, the morning sun painting the house in a new light. It's appearance startled Luster with the realization she had been awake the entire night.

The realization hit her like a truck, and her eyelids suddenly felt unbearably heavy. Stumbling indoors, she collapsed on a nearby couch and felt every muscle in her body give up. Just before she drifted off to sleep, she heard the furious buzzing of her family's old radio in the background.

"... have been murdered by an unidentified assailant of varying description, but all reports agree appears to be an Alicorn..."

The oblivion of sleep had never seemed so sweet.

XXI - The World

A battered, bald and prematurely aged Alicorn stepped up to the podium. Despite her withered appearance, she conducted herself with a poise that projected her authority with effortless grace.

"Visiting dignitaries, my name is Princess Flurry Heart, and it is my sincere pleasure to welcome all of you to the first chairing of the Global Congress. Our world has seen much turmoil over the past year, yet we must have hope for the future. Our young, and the young of our young, must see and know they have a world to look forward to, rather than a black hole to be dreaded.

The ceasefire between the Griffon Empire and Equestria is but the first step in this process." Flurry nodded towards the assembled Griffon delegates, a cluster of grim-looking bashaws. "The loss of your Royal Household is undoubtedly a... shock, but I am sure you will take this opportunity to lead your nation into a new light."

The bashaws merely snarled in response. Across the hall, the Hippogriff Chieftain shot them a murderous look.

"I do not see why we should attend a forum populated by these brutish oppressors. I am here merely to have the needs of my people given a voice."

"And I fail to see why we should consort with the murderers of our Emperor and these lesser beings." The leader of the bashaws, a giant with pitch-black feathers and glittering amber eyes shot back. "No doubt Equestria would have us all become like them, abandoning our ancient traditions in favour of their own. I think not."

"That's enough, thank you." Flurry Heart raised her voice before an argument could erupt. "You will not denigrate each other in this forum. My aim is to mediate a peaceful solution to this conflict and secure justice for all."

"Oh, is it?" The bashaw shot back, voice dripping with malice. "This war is not over. Not until we have secured retribution for the severing of our royal bloodline, and consolidated our new territory."

"I don't think so." Now it was Flurry Heart's turn to raise her hackles. "You and your soldiers will leave Equestria within the next month, or there will be consequences."

The bashaws roared in indignation as their leader raised a claw in triumph. "You see? As then, as ever, Equestrian! Your pacifism is little more than a self-righteous front for your own ambition!"

"We are creatures of peace, but do not mistake that for weakness." Flurry Heart shot back. "Your nation is in no position to further wage this war. We are offering you a chance to leave without further bloodshed. You would be well advised to take it."

"Too generous by far." The Chieftain butted in, a harsh quality to his voice. "These tyrants have enslaved my people for years. I will not return to them without our freedom and recompense."

"Your people may soon find their labours greater than ever should you continue to speak to me like that, you filthy - "

"Enough!" Dragon Lord Ember and Flurry Heart both bellowed in unison; both exchanging looks of surprise before Flurry Heart continued. "I must confess, I find the Griffon's treatment of your kind intolerable. But I cannot allow it to stand in the way of a peace agreement. I'm sorry."

The Chieftain scowled and threw his hooves into the air. "I should have expected nothing less."

"Before we continue, it is my intention to claim, as I am entitled to by right of blood, the throne of Equestria." Two well-groomed mares stepped up behind Flurry Heart, one of them clutching a satin pillow on which rested a golden tiara inlaid with a large diamond heart. "Ordinarily, I would have sought a formal coronation ceremony - but I thought it better to do it here, so that any who wish to challenge my divine right to rule have the chance."

Not a soul spoke up. One of the Griffon bashaws opened his beak as if to sneer, but quailed beneath Flurry Heart's burning glare.

"Very well." She raised a hoof, and one of the attendants stepped forwards, lifting the crown from the pillow and resting it gently between her horn. Her wings flew outwards as the pair stepped back and stooped into a deep bow, murmuring the same thing.

"Behold, Princess Flurry Heart."

Luster had almost forgotten the familiar marble spires and staircases of Canterlot, the beautiful way they came together to form the lines and halls of the palace she had called home for so many years. Returning now, in this moment of silence, offered an uncomfortable space for reflection.

Her past mentor seemed etched into the very halls as she passed through them, and there were few spots where she found herself able to stand and not recall a vivid memory of Princess Twilight, either discussing a finer point of her magical studies or giving a lecture on the importance of friendship.

And what had it been all for, really? To train her, rear her for the throne like a crown princess. The same way Princess Celestia had done for her. Luster had never given the prospect serious consideration before it had been too late, yet even now, as she stood in the shadow of her departed teacher, she couldn't imagine anything less appealing. Of course, had things turned out differently, it would almost certainly have come to pass; who could turn down such an offer?

What would have become of her? As she studied the shattered remains of the stained-glass window of Princess Twilight and her friends wielding the Elements of Harmony, various possibilities fluttered through her mind, but none of them attracted her. In each, she was no longer her own mare, but an institution; something everypony depended upon, and could never be anything but.

Absent-mindedly, as she found herself trailing through the empty palace halls, she wondered what kind of Princess Flurry Heart would be. She had been raised to rule by her parents since birth, of course. She would make an excellent Princess, at least for now. But after siding with the Griffons during the war... even Luster had her doubts. A troubling but reliable feeling told her that these troubling times were far from over.

Eventually, inevitably, she found herself back in her old bedroom. To her surprise, it had been left abandoned since she had fled, though every drawer and contained had been busted open, their contents strewn out across the floor by somepony clearly desperate to track her down. As she sifted through the waste, her breath caught in her throat as she noticed an unmistakable sheet of paper she had once thought lost.

Raising it to eye level, her heart clenched as she read the words she'd long since forgotten.

Dear Diary

I did it!

My mommy just finished talking to Chance seller Chancellor Quill, and he says Princess Twilight is going to accept me into her school for Gifted Unicorns!

I'm soooo happy I could just burst oh my goodness aaaaaaaaa but daddy says I shouldn't be too excited because it's a lot of hard work and I'll have to put a lot of effort in but I don't care! I'll do whatever I have to because it means I get to become a super powerful unicorn and learn lots of magic spells, just like Princess Twilight and Gusty the Great and Starswirl the Bearded!

I can't wait to tell all the other foals at school! My mommy asked me if I'll miss my friends, and I said yes, but I want to go to Princess Twilight's school more than anything. I'm sure I'll make lots of new friends there, and maybe even one day I can become a big important pony like Princess Twilight!

I'll write more soon, but I have to pack. I'm so excited!

Yours Truly,

Luster Dawn, 7 years old.

At the bottom of the page was a crude drawing of her as a young filly, jumping in delight before a even cruder picture of Princess Twilight, the kind a filly who had seen her only a few times on TV or a newspaper might have drawn.

And yet, less than two years from that day, she had been pulled from her classes and entered into a program under the personal eye of the Princess. There had been others, but from even that elite crop she had quickly outshined the competition and been made the royal protégé. She had been so happy that day, she had fainted - but by then, she had been well past diary-writing age.

Back then, it had all been so simple. Even without a clear vision for what laid beyond her studies, the personal protégé of the Princess was virtually guaranteed a position of power and prestige in Canterlot for the rest of her days. Now, what laid ahead was uncertain. A small part of her wished nothing more than to return to anonymity of her days in the Griffon Empire - but with no Royal Household to synthesize drugs for, she doubted her services would be as welcome.

Perhaps a librarian, maybe a researcher. Something quiet and low-profile like that. Notoriety would hound her, of course, but as long as she kept her head down and didn't engage with the media, the public would forget quickly. She hoped. If they didn't... who knows? Maybe a life in the woods. Living in a log cabin, tending her own farm... well, there were worse fates.

She hadn't attempted to contact her parents, or anypony else she knew. She had mulled over visiting Starlight Glimmer, but the prospect of attempting to explain her actions to her former teacher filled her with a deep sense of shame. There was also the risk of discovering that somepony she knew hadn't survived the events of the past year. If she discovered that she was responsible for one more innocent death, she feared the guilt might just rip her apart.

Letting the letter slip from her magical aura and float to the floor, she silently left her old room and closed the door silently behind her. There was nothing in there she wanted.

Every eye in the hall was filled with fear as they fixed upon the tall, domineering figure that took the stand, her glittering blood-red eyes defying any and all challengers to her authority. Even Flurry Heart felt the need to stoop slightly in deference to this being that radiated total power.

"I am Cozy Glow. I am the mare who killed Gallus, Morning Star, and the warmongering Royal Family of the Griffon Empire." The hall was silent as she continued, not even the boldest of the Griffons daring to respond. "You are, I take it, accustomed to seeing Alicorns as the ruling elite of this land. Rest assured, I have no such designs on power."

Behind her, Flurry Heart let out a tiny sigh of relief. Cozy continued as if she hadn't heard.

"Despite this, I do not intend to withdraw from this world and allow the strong to once again brutalize the weak. Those who defy this new order will face the same fate as those before them who believed the world to be their playground. There will be no more wars of conquest. There will be no more murder of innocent civilians. There will be no more slavery. These are not requests. They are demands. They are not demands on behalf of Equestria. They are demands on my behalf."

"What is this?" One of the Griffons spoke up at last, not quite meeting her gaze. "You slaughtered our national household to the last soul, and now you intend to order us around? You are so bold as to believe you can test the might of the Griffon Empire?"

"I have tested your might, and found you lacking!" Cozy barked the response, her voice seeming to shake the walls around them. "I cut the throat of the Equestrian and Griffonian war machines in their sleep, and will do so as many times as it takes!"

"Then tell us, Cozy Glow. What demands do you intend to make of us?"

"You will release the Hippogriffs from bondage and withdraw your troops from Equestria. By the rising of the next new moon, any occupier who remains on your order or who holds the slave-leash of a Hippogriff will not see the birth of the next sun. Go, tell your troops they are to lay their lives upon your nation's altar. See how they respond."

The bashaw glanced sideways at his comrades, his uneasy expression matching theirs. Across the room, the Hippogriff Chieftain smirked and mouthed an obscenity towards them, causing him to flush red. "This is an outrage! You are favouring your own nation over ours, and siding with your kind against us!"

"I'm sure it seems that way to you. But rest assured, the same fate will befall every Equestrian soldier who does not leave your land by the same time." Flurry Heart raised her head in surprise at that, but dared not speak. "I also understand Equestria intends to annex the Crystal Empire. This, too, cannot be."

"What?" Flurry Heart rose to her hooves, a mix of confusion and anger on her face. "Who - what do you mean?"

"The Crystal Ponies have the right to exist as a separate nation, free of Equestrian influence." Cozy responded curtly. "They do not desire this annexation. You will leave them to reorganize themselves, free from foreign influence."

"But... but I am the Princess of the Crystal Empire!" Flurry Heart retorted, cheeks glowing red. "They wish to be ruled by their Princess! You can't do this!"

"Then return to the north, and rule your kingdom, Princess!" Cozy Glow shot back, an edge to her voice. "But know this, I will not tolerate either Equestria or the Crystal Empire being ruled by the same ruler. You will choose, one or the other."

Flurry Heart looked as if she had been forced to swallow a bag of rusty nails, but there was no doubt as to which kingdom she would rather rule.

"And you will not move on this?"

"For too long, the Crystal Ponies have been ruled by Equestrian royalty. It has caused much of the division that led up to this conflict. Forgive me, Princess, but it sounds like your ascension to the throne of Equestria was because you believed this land would not tolerate being ruled by the Princess of the Crystal Empire."

"The throne is my birthright - "

"As is the throne of the Crystal Empire. So choose, Princess. Choose one, and one only."

The smirks of the Griffons were now unbearable as Flurry Heart hung her head. "I... I will need to speak to my advisors before I decide."

"I don't doubt it." Cozy Glow returned her gaze to the hall at large and took a deep breath. "Know my name, everycreature, and know that the tyrants and slavemasters amongst you will lie easy in their beds no longer." She glanced down at she thick stack of paper before her. "That is all."

As she stepped down from the podium, Flurry Heart retook the stand, a thunderous look on her face.

Luster was exploring the Canterlot tower when she heard the fluttering of wings in the background. She had been expecting it, yet even still it sent a chill down her spine.

"Took your time, Discord."

Discord didn't smile, merely stared down at her with an unforgiving expression that defied description.

"You betrayed my trust. I should have known your feelings would get the better of you." His voice trembled with barely suppressed rage. "I did not imagine for one moment, when Princess Twilight approached me with her idea, that this could ever come to pass. I would have killed the foal if I had. You have empowered a monster who once sought to destroy this land with the powers of a thousand Princesses. You have killed us."

Luster tilted her head to one side, as if considering the words. "If you say so."

"And yet, you joke about it." Discord sounded incredulous. "I can't believe Princess Twilight ever saw anything in you."

"Anything important to say, or did you just want to insult me?"

"Not to say." Discord landed in front of her, paw and claw clenched. "Your actions are unforgiveable. There is only one recourse."

Luster nodded. She knew she had no chance against Discord, but she wasn't going down without a fight.

"Fine. You want to settle this so badly?"

Luster dug her hooves into the ground and lowered her centre of mass slightly, horn burning bright.

"Let's dance."

The first strike came from Discord and almost finished her in one, a gust of purple flame that flew from his palm and scorched her mane before she could redirect it back at its caster. Discord swung his arms to the side, dispelling the flames before crouching slightly and leaping forwards.

Luster had anticipated the move and leaped to the side, firing a series of spells into Discord's side, causing him to yelp and collapse, more out of surprise than pain. In an instant, she felt a familiar sensation grip her, one she had experienced over a year ago when Discord had forced every muscle in her body to seize up - but this time she was prepared, and threw off the curse before it could bite into her.

"No new tricks, Discord?"

The draconequus laughed in response. "My, my, my. Princess Twilight's star pupil doesn't disappoint. Fool you twice, shame on you, I suppose."

Without warning, a chunk of rock was torn from the floor and sent hurtling towards her. Luster blew it to pieces before it could strike her, then focused her magic on the remaining shards and sent them flying back towards Discord, who melted them into fragments of magma before they could reach him.

Seizing the advantage, Luster followed up with a series of magical blasts, each one powerful enough to kill a grown Yak. Two of them struck Discord in the chest, and as he doubled over, another struck him in the head. As he collapsed in a roar of agony, with a wave of his hand he produced a great breeze that would have blown Luster off the tower and sent her plummeting to her death far below, had she not quickly welded her hooves to the ground.

For the next few moments, the pair of them remained locked in place, each trying not to succumb to the wounds inflicted by each other. As the temporal hurricane slowly faded, Luster was the first to recover by a hair's breadth, and quickly capitalized on her opportunity by tearing two chunks of stone from the walls and tossing them at Discord, who shattered them to pieces just in time.

"You really think you can beat me?! The Lord of Chaos, who has lived in this land since before your ancestors were but a glimmer in the stars? You - I don't think so!"

Discord shot out a palm as Luster's horn began to glow and sent her spinning to the floor, slamming painfully into the stone railing. Before she could scramble to her hooves, he was on her once again, his claw wrapped tightly around her throat.

"You have no idea the imbalance your actions have bought upon this land. For that, you must pay."

Luster couldn't have fought him off if she'd had the strength of ten stallions. As her vision slowly faded, she forced herself to look upwards, taking in the beauty of the night sky one last time...

Then let out a gasp of terror as the force from her throat was torn away, sucking in a lungful of air that threatened to split her windpipe in two. Gasping and wheezing, she clambered to her hooves to see Discord pinned beneath her saviour, a lilac Alicorn with curly turquoise hair and hellfire in her eyes.

"Luster!" Cozy allowed herself a moment's glance over her shoulder before she returned her attention to Discord. "Are you okay?"

Luster coughed several times before replying, throat still tight and painfully constricted. "Yes... Yes, I'm fine." Her vision swam and spots flared and burst before her eyes as she swayed on the spot. Cozy snarled and turned back to Discord.

"What were you doing to her?!"

Discord growled in response. "I was paying her back for her treachery. Now I see I should have started with you."

"Seeking easier prey?" Disgust dripped from every word that left Cozy's mouth. "I should have expected nothing less from the likes of you."

"Well, well, well. Look who's talking." Discord glanced up at Luster. "You see? As soon as she has this kind of power, she makes haste to remove any challenge to her authority!"

"Please." Luster slowly paced over to Cozy, careful not to trip as her vision continued to wobble. Laying a hoof on Cozy's shoulder, she gave her a light tug. "He's beaten. Let's go."

Cozy didn't move. Luster frowned, then gave her another tug. "Cozy?"

"None..." Cozy whispered the word, then her face hardened. "You're right. Without you... there is no power that can challenge me."

Cozy closed her eyes and opened them to reveal two balls of glowing white light. Her horn began to glitter as thin tendrils of rainbow light began to grow from the tip and wrap themselves around it, burning with a multicolour intensity that seemed to awaken genuine fear in the defeated draconequus.

"No... no, wait! Not again!"

A victorious smile split Cozy's face in two.

"Goodbye, Discord."

With his last motion, Discord leapt to his feet and threw himself snarling at the Alicorn, but he was too late. Luster was forced to avert her gaze at the brightness of the rainbow lightshow that seemed to consume the entire tower before fading away. When it had gone, all that was left was a pearl-white marble statue of the Icon of Chaos, frozen forever in a snarl of pure hatred and fear.

Cozy sighed and lowered her horn. Glancing back at Luster, a look of concern filled her features. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"No... I mean, I'm a little shaken. But I'll be fine." Luster was unable to meet her gaze, instead staring transfixed at the frozen statue in front of her, filled with a strangely hollow sense of melancholy. "I... I lied to him. I said I'd return the magic, but instead, it ended up dooming him."

"Equestria will be better off without unpredictable tricksters like this. His meddling was what broke us apart - what caused all of this." There was a note of grim satisfaction in Cozy's voice that Luster just didn't like. "Celestia knew this better than Princess Twilight. Doubtless, he wished that magic to be returned so he would have free reign to rampage across Equestria as he pleased. But in the end, his arrogance was his undoing."

"Or maybe he thought that magic shouldn't be in the hooves of a single pony."

If Cozy recognized the jab, she did not acknowledge it. "It doesn't matter what his reasons were. I am the custodian of the bell's magic now, and I will use it for the betterment of Equestria - whatever it may take."

Luster nodded, unsurprised. "And I suppose Equestria won't have much of a say in the matter?"

"I am no tyrant. I won't interfere with the right of those to do as they please - as long as they do not seek to undermine the harmony we all share." Cozy ruffled her wings, staring down at Luster accusingly. "Look around you. You live in a world at peace. Your future, and the future of your descendants and their descendants to come is secure. All from the order on the earth below you to the celestial motions above is assured. Without a Princess, Equestria would fall to ruin once more. I will not let that happen. No matter what."

Luster took a single step back, feeling the stinging of tears begin to form in her eyes. She took one last look, searching for that scared filly she had once known amidst the stony features of the Alicorn before her, but there was nothing to be found. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, anything, but words failed her for the final time.

Cozy Glow was gone.

The mountaintop calls out for you,

Those who have courage to seek,

Should peril nor darkness disturb you,

You may find destiny atop its peak.

And for those who turn their backs to destiny,

Scorn flighty dreams of power and fame,

Know that the world will one day pass beneath you,

Yet the mountain will remember your name.

Cozy didn't remember where she had first heard the poem, but it had always been a favourite of her grandfather's, the last pony before Luster to have ever shown her unqualified compassion and kindness. Reciting the words now, at the top of a perilous mountain, was, in some small part, her way of paying homage to his legacy. A bitter tear formed in her eye, rolling down her cheek before freezing against her coat.

"If only you could see me now, Gramps. Top of the world."

Beneath her laid her dominion, Equestria. A land now at harmony, once and forever. Yet despite her striving, the final, inner peace was yet to be won.

"You two have been quiet, haven't you?"

No response. Cozy sighed, then probed deeper. It took her only a few minutes to locate the last, feeble traces of the proud Changeling Queen.

Chrysalis roared and spat obscenities at her as Cozy calmly tore the last dregs of her spirit free from her, allowing her to dissolve into the harsh winds that buffeted the mountain peak. It took only a little longer to find the demon.

Tirek cried for mercy, but was similarly ignored, and Cozy watched with fascination as the demon unravelled before her into nothingness, then vanished. It was less than a death; there was so little of them left, they could not be said to die in the first place.

At last, she was alone. She took a deep breath as she watched the burning sun fall over the crimson horizon, heralding the dawn of the first quiet night in living memory.

The End

Author's Note

Well, that only took a year.

It's been a hell of a (disjointed) journey finishing this story! Now that it's all over and done with, thank you to all of you who've taken the time to read this story and give advice. This is the first time I've written anything as large-scale as this, and it's definitely been a learning experience.

Though I could always have told a better tale, ultimately I'm happy with how this turned out. I had planned a sequel, but I think I'd rather turn my attention towards other projects in the meanwhile, maybe write something shorter and more relaxed (and light-hearted!). I've got a few ideas, one in particular that I'm sure has been done before and would probably need to be fairly long to do the idea justice, but I feel would still be fun to write.

Vanity

0 - The Fool

"Are you sure?"

"I'm certain." Twilight's voice was curt but firm. Astride her, struggling somewhat to keep up with the much taller alicorn's brisk pace, Starlight Glimmer's expression made it explicitly clear she shared neither the Princess's conviction nor her confidence.

"I... If you're absolutely sure then... then I guess I can arrange it." Twilight came to a sudden halt, forcing Glimmer to dig her hooves into the ground to stop in time. "Woah!"

"Sorry!" Twilight's wing flew outwards instinctively, catching Glimmer before she could tumble over. "I mean - thank you. As I said, she'll doubtless require a considerable amount of time to adjust before she'll be ready to attend regular lessons. Please, take your time with the preparations."

Starlight bowed deferentially. "As you wish. When are you going to... do it?"

Twilight glanced upwards, gazing pointedly at the spires of Canterlot. "Soon. Tonight, most likely. As soon as I've spoken to Luster Dawn, of course."

Glimmer let out a low whistle. "You mean you haven't even told Luster she'll be mentoring her yet?"

"I seem to recall I had even less notice when it came to taking a certain mentee under my wing." Twilight murmured, causing Glimmer to blush and look away. "This is not something I wish Luster to ruminate upon. Either she accepts the assignment, or she doesn't."

"And if she doesn't?" Glimmer probed.

A few seconds of silence passed before Twilight responded. "Then I will undertake the task myself." There was a finality to her words that deterred Glimmer from asking any further questions. "I apologize for disturbing you this late, Starlight. And, as I said, your assistance is greatly appreciated."

Starlight waved a hoof in the air dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I'll make sure to bring Sunburst up to speed tomorrow. I..." She faltered slightly. "I'm sure you know what you're doing."

"Princess Twilight?"

The door to the throne room slowly swung open, revealing a lilac-pink unicorn with messy blonde hair, lazily tied up in a bun. Her amber eyes were wracked with concern, and there was a noticeable jump in her movements as she hurried over to her mentor's throne and bowed deeply.

"Luster Dawn. How are you?"

"How am - Fine. Fine! What's going on? Is Equestria in danger? Do we have -"

Twilight raised her hoof, causing Luster to fall silent immediately. "Peace. Rest assured Equestria is quite safe, for the time being. I have summoned you here so that we may discuss the future of your studies."

Luster's eyes boggled. "Princess - "

"And before that overactive imagination of yours can go into overdrive, relax. I am not dismissing you. On the contrary, it's not often I've had the pleasure of teaching a student as gifted as you before. Your understanding of magic, friendship theory, alchemy, astronomy... in all these things and more, you outclass your fellow students by leagues."

Luster's anxiety melted away at her words, replaced with a look of relief and pride. Twilight allowed her a few moments to bask in her mentor's praise before continuing.

"For this reason, I have made the decision to accelerate your studies. Your programme of directed study is over. From now on, you will be taking part in an independent study programme."

"I... Really?" Luster looked unsure. "What kind of independent study?"

A sharp knock at the door interrupted Twilight before she could answer. "Come in."

The door swung open once more. A griffon guard strode in, followed closely by two other guards pushing a structure on wheels into the centre of the room. The griffon glanced sideways at Luster Dawn before stooping to a deep bow. "As you requested, your Highness."

"Thank you, Gallus." Twilight nodded at the guards pushing the statue, who bowed deeply before leaving. Gallus paused for a moment, opened his beak, then promptly shut it again. Though he was bursting with questions, he knew better than to ask. Instead, he rose, turned on his heel, and left.

As soon as they were alone, Twilight's horn ignited once more. A chime rang out across the room as the doors were magically sealed. There would be no more disturbances tonight.

As soon as she was satisfied the spell had taken effect, Twilight turned her attention to the cloth-covered structure. With the slightest of efforts, she pulled the cloth free, allowing it to tumble to the floor and reveal the statue underneath.

"What in..." Luster Dawn blinked in disbelief. "Isn't that - "

"Grogar's Legion, yes." Twilight grimaced. It had been almost ten years since she'd last laid eyes upon the structure, yet the sight of the statue still filled her with a terrible sense of regret.

"What are they doing here?" Without warning, Luster's horn ignited. "Do you want me to destroy them?"

"No!" Twilight bellowed with uncharacteristic anger. Luster jumped almost a foot in the air and extinguished her horn immediately. "Calm down. I don't want any harm to come to them, accidentally or otherwise."

Luster cocked her head in confusion. "Why are they here, then?"

"This will be your task." Twilight's horn lit up, illuminating the frozen image of Cozy Glow in a soft orange glow. "I would like you to take this filly on as a student - your own protégé. You will be responsible for teaching her, guiding her, and monitoring her study. I expect weekly reports on her progress. Other than that, I will leave the course of her education up to you."

Luster Dawn's jaw slowly dropped. "You want me to... to... reform... Cozy Glow?"

"I believe that sums it up nicely, yes."

"I... I don't... I can't..." Luster's gaze bored into her mentor, searching for the slightest sign of insincerity, half-hoping this was all some elaborate practical joke. "The filly who almost destroyed Equestria? All by myself?"

"Not at all. You'll have the help of Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst. The School of Friendship can provide you with any resources you may need, and Starlight would be more than happy to give you an introduction to basic theory of teaching, should you - "

"Theory of - Theory of teaching!?" Luster Dawn let out a noise somewhere between a shriek and a giggle. "You're joking, right? That filly is insane! How am I supposed to teach her anything when I can't turn my back on her for even a second?"

"If you're worried for your physical safety, I imagine you should be more than a match for a pegasus filly. But, given the choice between petrification and friendship lessons, I doubt Cozy Glow will raise much fuss."

Luster Dawn didn't look convinced. "I know. She's not Tirek. But she's... manipulative. Do you really think it's a good idea?"

"I do." Twilight responded, her voice softer. "This is not a matter of simple education. Cozy Glow was one of the best friendship students I ever had. But it seems that, while she memorized her lessons by rote, she failed to properly understand their purpose. I want you to teach her the importance of friendship. Why it is important. Should she fail to grasp this concept, I hold little hope for her progress."

Twilight drew herself up to full height. "And one more thing. I am not asking you to befriend Cozy Glow. That was my mistake - and the mistake of countless others. This filly possesses an aptitude for control and manipulation that, if ignored, can bring even the strongest creatures under her control."

"She may beg. She may cry. She may bargain. But do not ever forget - her words are empty, and her misery is feigned. Remember that, and she will have no power over you."

Catching sight of the building apprehension in Luster's eyes, Twilight continued, in a softer, more understanding tone. "If you do not wish to accept this task, you do not have to. You may resume your full-time studies, with no permanent mark on your academic record. Should you shoulder this burden, you may, of course, cease at any time. It is your decision. But I must ask for that decision - now."

"Right - Right now?" Luster Dawn closed her eyes, wracked with uncertainty. It was a foreboding challenge. It was more than she'd ever expected Twilight to ask from her. But she had never backed down from a challenge before, and she wasn't about to start now. "I... I'll do it."

"Good."

Without further warning, Twilight's horn ignited, at first with a multidirectional light show of six different colours, all of which quickly coalesced into one beam of pure, unbearably bright white light. The streak of light shot across the room and struck the statue of Cozy Glow square in the chest.

At first, there was nothing. Then, the stone around the impact sight burst open with a horrifying ferocity. From underneath the stone, rays of light shone through the fresh cracks, spreading and brightening with such intensity Luster was forced to avert her gaze. She braced herself for the screams of agony that must surely follow - but none came.

Suddenly, there was an ear-splitting crack, and the statue of Cozy Glow exploded. Chunks of stone were thrown high into the air, shattering into thousands of pieces as they stuck the walls of the castle, or came crashing down onto the floor. The air filled with a smell that she could only describe as charred rock, and a thick fog of dust rose slowly into the air.

As the dust began to settle, Luster Dawn squinted through the haze for any sign of Cozy Glow. For a single, maddening second, she worried it had all gone wrong, and Cozy Glow had been destroyed by the spell - a thought that filled some small part of her with a shameful sense of relief. But then she saw her.

She was smaller than she looked on the statue. That was the first thought that struck Luster as she stared down at the filly, who laid unconscious, pinned down by a chunk of rock almost as big as she was. In that moment, the absurdity of the whole affair seemed to strike her in a way she had never thought of before. That all of Equestria had been brought to it's knees by one so small, so fragile, almost seemed laughable. Looming above Cozy, the stone effigies of Tirek and Queen Chrysalis remained untouched.

Before Luster could take one step forward, Twilight rose from her throne and all but galloped over to the comatose filly. With an almost motherly tenderness, she knelt over Cozy and lifted her from the rubble, anxiously inspecting her for any signs of damage. When she found none, she gave a single, satisfactory nod, then laid the filly down and took a step back, blushing slightly, as if embarrassed by some irrational outburst.

"You may begin tomorrow." Her breathing was slightly ragged, and Luster suspected the spell had taken more out of her than she wanted to admit. "I will have her escorted to a cell by the guard. You are to have no further contact with her tonight. Is that clear?"

Luster bowed deferentially. "As you wish, your majesty."

Twilight gave a stiff nod, her neck and jaw held unusually rigidly. When she spoke, there was an unmistakable choke in her voice. "Dismissed."

Luster Dawn groaned, before pulling herself upright in bed. Blinking slowly to try and clear some of the debris from her eyes, a gloom fell over her as she remembered the events of last night. Though she could recall each moment in vivid detail, somehow it still didn't quite feel real. Slowly, she pulled herself away from the comfort of her bed, squinting as the morning sun dazzled her through the open window. She could tell from its position in the sky that she had overslept, but then again, her schedule had been cleared.

As she began to pack her saddlebags, she mused over how best to approach her new task. In truth, she had no earthly idea what to expect. She had virtually no experience teaching, and even the limited practice she had was limited to full-grown ponies. Maybe she should ask Headmare Glimmer for some advice. In the end, she opted to bring the simplest books she owned, along with an excess of parchment and ink. Today, she decided, would be about introductions.

Was she nervous? As she departed from her room, the question continued to rattle around in her head. In truth, she couldn't say. Sure, Cozy Glow was, for lack of a better word, bad. Just over twenty years ago, she had come closer than anyone before her to destroying Equestria.

"But then, she hadn't been alone."

Luster jumped almost a foot in the air and spun around manically, trying to determine the source of the voice that had just spoken. A low chuckle echoed around her that seemed, impossibly, to come from every direction at once. Her horn ignited on instinct, and she braced herself for a fight.

"Show yourself!"

"As you wish."

And then he appeared.

No flash of light, no spell, no portal, just... appeared. Luster had long ago given up trying to understand the magic used by the Icon of Chaos, but that didn't mean she'd gotten used to it.

"Discord!"

The draconequus flashed her a wide, toothy grin that instantly sent shivers running down her spine. Discord might be widely celebrated throughout Equestria as a hero, but Luster knew firsthoof how close he had also come to destroying it. Twilight might trust Discord with her life, but s he had her own reservations.

The draconequus extended a claw, his normally playful eyes boring into her with an unusual ferocity. "We meet again, Luster Dawn. I have to say, it's been quite some time, hasn't it?" When Luster gave no response, save for raising an eyebrow, his eyes narrowed, and he lowered his arm.

"What do you want, Discord?" Luster sighed, rubbing a hoof against the bridge of her muzzle. "I don't have time for any of your jokes. Why don't you go and bother Fluttershy? I've got to -"

"Get back to foalsitting?" Discord cut across her, his voice as sweet as honey. Luster froze.

"How - how did you know - "

"Oh, I have my ways." Discord sounded amused. "I must say, I'm rather surprised the Princess of Friendship would have thought it more appropriate to pass off such a task onto her student than undertake it herself."

"Well - well, it's..." Luster shook her head frantically. "It's none of your business. This is between me, Cozy Glow, and the Princess. I don't want you getting involved."

"Oh, but it is my business." Discord leaned in. "I assume you know of our history?"

Luster swallowed the lump in her throat, then nodded. Discord's role in the rise of Grogar's Legion was an oft-omitted part of history, but Luster had heard the whole tale from the Princess herself. "Yes. But that was then, and this is now. Things have changed."

"For Princess Twilight, absolutely. But not for that filly." Something unpleasant flickered in Discord's eyes. "I know what it's like to be imprisoned in a statue, you know. It's been twenty years for Twilight, but for Cozy Glow? It's as if no time has passed at all."

So, Cozy wouldn't remember a thing. Luster wasn't sure if she should be relieved or horrified. "What are you trying to say, exactly?"

"I disapprove."

Luster hadn't been expecting that. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, it's not that I doubt your abilities." Discord vanished in a puff of smoke, reappearing a few feet away in a gaudy academic gown complete with mortarboard. "I understand you are quite the prodigy in... well, in everything."

He vanished once more, reappearing right in front of her. "It's not my place to tell Princess Twilight how to manage her students, nor is it my place to tell you what to do. Nor further do I imagine you'd be inclined to give up before even getting started. But I would like you to do me a favour."

Luster eyed him warily. "What?"

"I'd like to have a little chat with you, from now and then. Twice a week should do it." Discord waved a claw dismissively as Luster opened her mouth. "If I think you're coming under her influence, or being used to influence others, I want to know - immediately" He no longer sounded aloof. Instead, there was a soft, pleading tone to his voice. "I can't force you, of course. But if Cozy Glow can trick your mentor, if she can trick me, would you really be as arrogant as to dismiss the possibility it could happen to you?"

Luster tapped her hoof against the floor, turning it over in her head. On the one hoof, she'd sooner go face-to-face with an Ursa Major than attend biweekly meetings with Discord. On the other hoof... his proposition made complete sense. And as much as it pained her to admit it, Discord had a good point. If he could fall under the filly's control, she was just as vulnerable, if not more so.

"Fine." Luster gave a slow nod. "As soon as I've cleared it with Twilight, I'll see you every... Wednesday and Saturday. Deal?"

Discord breathed out in relief. "Wonderful. I'll bring tea. Dandelion or Barley?" As he spoke, two steaming mugs with legs appeared and floated in mid-air, their limbs dangling comically.

With some effort, Luster just about managed to suppress a smirk. "Barley. And plenty of sugar."

Discord flashed her another one of his trademark grins before vanishing, again without a single sound or warning. Unnerved, Luster gathered up her saddlebags and pressed on.

"Name?"

"Luster Dawn."

"Age?"

"Twenty-one."

"Please hold."

A unicorn guard stepped forward, his horn igniting. After a few seconds, he stepped back and grunted in satisfaction. "She's not a changeling."

The sergeant, a stocky earth pony with a bright red coat, still didn't look happy. "Is she cleared for visitation?"

"Visitation orders signed by the Princess herself." The tone in the guard's voice made it clear he barely believed it himself. "Everything checks out, sir. We have to let her in."

The magical barrier covering the entrance faded away, and Luster Dawn stepped through. The second she was clear, it reappeared, humming with magical energy. The unicorn guard stepped forwards and gestured towards the bowels of the prison. "I'll take you to her cell."

He set off at a brisk pace, Luster following close behind through the courtyard. Canterlot Penitentiary was a relatively new construction, but the harsh brick and totalitarian architecture somehow made it feel ancient. Rows of prisoners, clad in orange vests, moped around the court under the eye of the Royal Guard. Some were reading books, others were rolling dice, but most were simply sitting around, watching the world pass by.

"Through here."

The pair came to a stop in front of a thick metal door. Luster's heart sank as she read the sign above it.

MAXIMUM SECURITY
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

"Is all this really necessary?"

The guard caught her eye and shrugged. "The Princess said she wanted her in the most secure part of the facility. Don't worry, we found her somewhere away from the others."

As Luster passed through the hallways of maximum security, her heart sank. Each cell was surrounded by blank walls, and the doors were windowless. She shuddered to image what it would be like to be locked in one for over twenty hours a day. Unlike the rest of the prison, the hallways were eerily silent.

Eventually, they came to a stop outside a cell no more remarkable than any other. The door had a name printed on the front - Blue Berry.

The guard held up a set of keys, scanning through them to find the right one. "We decided to use a fake name. Didn't want to risk her attracting any attention." He slid the key into the lock. "We haven't been allowed to check on her, so I don't know what you're walking into here. I've been instructed to wait outside." He pulled the door open a fraction. "Good luck."

The cell was unbearably monochrome. Every single surface was covered in matte white paint, so much so that it was almost impossible to tell how big - or small - the room might be. The sole adornments were a grubby-looking grey mattress in one corner, and a metal sink in the other. Standing on that mattress, wide-eyed and trembling slightly, was Cozy Glow.

The door slammed behind Luster, causing both of them to jump. A few seconds of silence passed, before Cozy Glow spoke.

"W-who a-a-are y-y-y-you?"

Her eyes widened further as she spat the words out, her voice stuttering and wavering as if on the brink of tears. All of Luster's apprehension melted away at the sight of the trembling filly, and she had to fight an urge to kneel down and start comforting the foal.

"My name's... uh... I mean, my name is Luster Dawn." Cozy Glow didn't move a muscle. "I'm Princess Twilight's personal protégé. I'm just going to be asking you a few questions today, so we can get to know each other better."

"What kind of questions? Where am I?" Cozy screwed up her eyes, as if deep in thought. "The last thing I remember... I was..." Her eyes flew open. "Oh no. Oh nonononononono..."

Tears began to sprout from the corners of her eyes as she turned her attention back to Luster. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I... I didn't mean to! It was Tirek and Chrysalis, they made me do it, they forced me, you've gotta believe me, I didn't - "

"Okay, okay!" Luster held up a hoof, and Cozy fell silent instantly. "First things first. Don't try to lie to me. I know all about you, and what you've done. Lying to me isn't going to help you out of this cell. The only thing that will is working with me."

For the most fleeting of moments, a mask of furious hatred crossed Cozy Glow's features, quickly replaced by one of snivelling, pathetic obedience. "Ye... yes ma'am."

Luster sighed, but decided not to press the issue any further. Retrieving a quill and parchment from her saddlebags, she gestured for Cozy Glow to take a seat. "First of all, I want to know what you remember from the moment Grogar's Bell was destroyed to now."

Cozy Glow nodded slightly. "Uhmm... Okay. I remember..." She frowned, as if unsure of something. "Being hit by... a... giant... cake?" She shook her head. "Anyway, then there was... Princess Celestia and Princess Luna casting some kind of spell. And then..."

"Yes?" Luster inquired, scribbling frantically.

"I... don't remember anything. I'm telling the truth!" She interjected defensively. "I must have been knocked out, because when I woke up, I was in this room. Two guard ponies came to visit me, but they didn't say anything." She glanced back at Luster, batting her eyelids in badly feigned ignorance. "Is that okay?"

There was an unpleasant silence as Luster tried to figure out the best way to break the news to the filly.

"Cozy..."

"Yeah?" Cozy Glow looked up at her with a small smile.

"I'm afraid it's - it's been quite some time since then." She took a deep breath. "Grogar's Legion was defeated twenty-three years ago. You were petrified along with your... uh... allies, and woken up last night."

Cozy Glow's giggled. "You're funny." Then she caught a glimpse of Luster's expression, and all the strength seemed to drain out of her body, a look of horror replacing her cherubic smile. "You... you are joking, right?"

"I'm sorry."

"What?"

Luster cringed as Cozy Glow did the one thing she'd hoped she wouldn't do; start crying. Not just a sniffle, but a full, running-nose, wailing bawl.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

She wouldn't stop repeating it, chanting the mantra over and over as if it could somehow change the past. Then she lunged at Luster Dawn.

Luster hadn't expected it, and was caught completely off-guard. She braced herself, terrified she was about the feel a blade puncture her stomach - only to be utterly thrown when Cozy wrapped her hooves around her chest and began to sob into her coat.

Cozy Glow, the most dangerous filly Equestria had ever seen, third triumvirate of Grogar's Legion and evil mastermind, was clinging to her and sobbing uncontrollably like a yearling that had lost her mother.

Luster knew she should push her off. Possibly even reprimand her for not staying put. She knew there was every single chance she was being played for a fool, like so many others before her. But instead, she shakily held out her hooves and hugged the filly back, soothingly patting her on the back as she howled in a misery which, if feigned, was horrifyingly real.

It took Cozy Glow almost an hour to completely calm down. When she'd finished sniffling, she sat quietly, as if in a daze, listening to Luster without looking directly at her.

"As I said, I'm just going to collect a little bit of information about you, to make sure you've not suffered any memory loss or alteration while petrified. Is that okay?"

Cozy Glow nodded once, still not looking directly at her.

"Okay. Let's start with the easy ones. Can you tell me your full name?"

"Cozy Glow." The filly muttered.

"And your age?"

"Twelve. Thirty-five, I suppose." She cracked a bitter smile at that.

"We'll stick with twelve, I think. Without looking down, what is your cutie mark of?"

"A red tower."

"Okay." Luster made an approving tick on her form. On the bright side, it didn't look like Cozy was suffering from any major symptoms of petrification amnesia. "Let's try something else. Do you remember your parent's names?"

"No. I mean, I didn't know them. They died when I was a little filly."

"Oh. I'm sorry." Luster made a mental note to never bring the topic of parentage up again. "Can you tell me the names of the ponies who raised you, then?"

"My grandfather raised me for a while. His name was Feather Glow. When he died, I moved into Ponyville orphanage. Then I got a scholarship to the School of Friendship, and lived there."

"And do you remember the name of the head of Ponyville orphanage while you stayed there?"

"It was Gentle Treatment at first, but he was replaced by Silver Song when I was eight."

Luster scribbled this down. "Okay. Good. That's very good." She laid her quill down. "Well, I've got some good news. You don't appear to have any memory loss at all." In fact, Luster was somewhat taken aback by the filly's ability to recall events in such detail. "How are you feeling physically? Any soreness, stiffness, or pain of any kind?"

Cozy Glow shook her head. "I was a little sore this morning, but it's gone now."

"I'm glad to hear it." Luster laid the parchment down. "Well, I suppose you'll want to know more about me. Why don't you ask me a few questions?"

Cozy Glow hesitated, cautious. "Okay. Why are you here?"

Luster found herself suppressing a laugh at the forwardness of the question. "Princess Twilight wants me to resume your friendship studies from where they took off." A look of unmistakable surprise crossed Cozy's face. "Your progress will be monitored. If we think you're doing well, we'll get you out of here and put you up somewhere less..." She gestured at the cell around them. "...austere. If we see strong progress over a long period of time, we can talk about re-integrating you into society."

Cozy Glow nodded along, looking somewhat happier. "How often will I see you?"

"Every day. Your reforma... your education is the sole focus of my studies at this point."

Cozy Glow's mood seemed to immediately improve at that. "When can we start?" There was a newfound determination in her voice. "I want to start as soon as we can. What about today? Can we start today?"

"Well, I don't..." Luster hesitated. "I don't have any material with me. But I suppose, if it's just the basics, I could teach off the top of my head."

Cozy Glow nodded in agreement. "Sure. No problem. Can we start now?"

"Sure..." Luster coughed. "I mean, I guess we can at least test how well you remember your previous studies. Do you remember the six elements of harmony?"

The sun had dipped below the horizon when she finally left, replaced by the eerie glow of the rising full moon. Cozy Glow was an exhausting student, not willing to close even one topic without a barrage of highly specific questions, and Luster knew it was only going to get worse as they covered more advanced topics.

Besides that, she was... extraordinary. Gifted didn't begin to scratch the surface. Of course, she'd known that Cozy had been considered a prodigy back in her day, but the scope and depth of her knowledge was more consistent with that of a pony five years her senior. And this was after over two decades of petrification!

And yet there was a depressingly clinical tone to her recitals. Her voice was utterly devoid of enthusiasm, and it was clear to the most passive observer that Cozy Glow felt her studies were nothing more than a fast-track out of her cell and into a better life. Luster couldn't help but be unnerved by the filly's dispassionate tone. A small part of her was even disgusted by it.

As soon as she was alone in her room, she tossed her sandbags to the floor and collapsed into her bed. As she closed her eyes and allowed exhaustion to claim her, her last waking thought was a grim one:

I have to do this every day?

V - The Hierophant

Dear Princess Twilight.

Please find attached the first biannual report on Cozy Glow's progress over the past six months. For brevity, I have abridged the main details of the report here.

Cozy Glow continues to excel in her studies, much to my delight. While a full breakdown of her present knowledge and standing is laboriously compiled in the main report, it is suffice to say that if she continues to maintain this level of progression, I may have to move her predicted date of graduation forwards once again. I have already begun to arrange for her to sit the exams required to receive a diploma in higher foal education, which she will likely be able to take a few months before her fourteenth birthday - over four years earlier than most.

She remains healthy, eats regularly and maintains herself well. Her demeanour is, overall, usually cheerful. Though she can be stubborn at times, and occasionally lashes out at her tutors and guards, she is also quick to express remorse and make amends. After considerable effort, I was able to arrange for her to spend some time socializing with fillies her own age, namely the daughters of some of the royal guard. Cozy engaged well with her peers, though expressed a suspicion that the fillies had been ordered to show her insincere amiability.

Given her stellar academic performance, positive outlook on the future, and generally pleasant disposition, after much careful consideration, I decided to relax the restrictions on her security once again, pending your personal approval. The new arrangements are, as always, detailed in full in the report, but I will summarize them here for your benefit.

From the times of nine in the morning to six in the afternoon, Cozy will have the freedom to travel around Canterlot unescorted. She will not be allowed to leave the castle outside of these hours, except where she is accompanied. The purpose of this is to further foster her independence from my authority, and to show her the benefits of living life as a law-abiding citizen.

Encouraging further responsibility is a major part of my strategy moving forward. After much persuading, Starlight Glimmer has agreed to allow Cozy to tutor a select group of students from the School of Friendship in hopes the workload will further ease her transition towards independence. In return, she will receive a small monthly allowance, and will be allowed to spend it as she sees fit. I will provide the allowance out of my own finances. I await your assessment of these recommendations.

I recognize your schedule will likely be full at the moment - especially with the recent events in Yakyakistan - but if possible, I would like to schedule a meeting in the coming weeks to discuss a personal matter. Please advise me of your availability.

Your faithful student,

Luster Dawn.

Luster watched the scroll vapourize in a puff of magical energy, letting out a breath she felt like she had been holding for the past twenty minutes, and closed her eyes.

Cozy Glow groaned and slammed her head into the table, causing the pot of ink she'd been writing from to shake violently and teeter precariously back and forth, before settling down again. Squinting through bleary eyes at the parchment in front of her, her stomach clenched as she realized she had to present the half-baked lesson to her pupils tomorrow afternoon. Who knew teaching basic alchemy could be so hard?

Though she was apprehensive about the new responsibilities resting upon her shoulders, the newfound freedom they came with more than made up for it. Being free to walk the streets of Canterlot wherever and whenever she pleased was something she'd wanted ever since Luster had first taken her outside the castle.

The enchanted glass pendant Luster had given her still hung beneath a notch nailed into the wall. She hadn't yet found the courage to leave the castle without it - and didn't plan to anytime soon. Not that she was scared, of course. She just preferred a quiet life.

Above the pendant was a motivational poster she'd purchased at a gift shop, a small cat clinging desperately to a tree branch. Beneath it, written in a bold, freeform font: Hang in there.

"Base metal is to noble metal as light is to..." Cozy ground her teeth together, searching for the right word. "Dark? No, that's not right..."

What would teaching be like? What would the students think of her? A chill ran down her spine as she realized none of them would have even been born before she'd been... stopped. What if one of them was the offspring of a pony she'd known? Her blood froze at the very thought. She'd known a lot of beings at the School of Friendship, many of whom no doubt had young of their own - school age, even. The prospect seemed more likely than not.

She fought hard to clamp down on the panic rising within her. Starlight would have carefully selected her students in advance. There was no way she'd have sent anypony - anycreature - she had any kind of connection to. Quashing the rising tide of fear and doubt that threatened to overcome her, she poured over the lesson plan, quill flying back and forth between her teeth, sending tiny iridescent flecks of ink flying, peppering her snout with black specks.

After nearly an hour had passed, she collapsed back in her chair and spat the quill out. The lesson was a little rough around the edges, but it would do for a first attempt. Of course, writing a lesson was one thing. Presenting it was a whole other challenge. Public speaking might be one of her fortes, but she wasn't used to playing an authority figure. Where to even begin?

Ambling over to the full-body mirror that lined her wardrobe, she tried a smile. It was good, sure, but it was more cute than friendly. When she stopped widening her eyes, it looked far better. In fact, she shouldn't bare her teeth so much. A closed smile gave her expression an edge of authority.

"Hello, everycreature! My name's Cozy Glow, and I'll - " She stopped, frowning. Why introduce herself? All of Equestria already knew who she was. "I'll be tutoring you all for the next couple of months. Now, I know you already know who I am, but I'm afraid I don't know any of your names! Why don't we go around the classroom, and everypony - I mean, everycreature - can say their name and something interesting about themselves?"

A grin spread across her face as the mask dropped. Not bad. Not bad at all, especially for an ad lib. Admittedly, her material was mostly ripped straight from the teachers she'd had at school, but everypony had to draw inspiration from somewhere. Next, she tried a stern expression. By shifting her face around just a little, she was able to transform her go-to evil leer into a disapproving grimace.

"I'd like you to at least try to take this lesson seriously. This is your last chance. I'm not going to be putting up with anymore behaviour like this - misbehave one for time and you'll be out of my class."

She couldn't stop herself from letting out a snort of laughter at how serious her voice sounded. After that, she tried a caring expression. Then an excited one. Then a motivational one. It was an old game, one she'd played countless times in the mirror as a young filly, trying to see how convincing she could make her responses.

She'd gotten pretty good, all things considered.

"Your highness?"

The guard bowed as low as he could, his snout all but resting on the floor. Twilight glanced behind him, her gentle smile tightening slightly as she realized who her audience was.

"Luster."

The mare could feel her heart pounding in her chest as droplets of sweat began to perspire on her forehead, but she fought to keep her voice under control. She could not, however, stop the waver of fear in her tone as her princess stared down at her with those kind, gentle eyes that barely masked the iron gaze behind them. In the past few months, she and Twilight had only grown further and further apart. It was becoming painfully obvious that neither of them really wanted anything to do with one another.

"Princess."

The two mares stared silently at each other across the throne room. It was Twilight's voice that first cut across the deafening silence.

"How goes your studies? I've heard nothing since your last letter... two weeks ago? Your little list of suggestions. I thought I'd already made it clear; Cozy Glow's security is your responsibility. You don't need me to approve anything."

The words were cutting, but Luster pushed them aside, determined not to rise to the challenge. "I understand. I merely wished to keep you abreast of Cozy Glow's circumstances. I also wanted to get your personal opinion on her progress."

Twilight looked away, sifting through a stack of parchment in a feeble attempt to appear disinterested. "I have more pressing matters on my mind than any single filly. If you have nothing of any real importance to discuss with me, then please leave."

Luster's eyelid twitched slightly. "Her progress is the basis of my independent programme of study. Your protégé. I would think that would be of interest to you."

"All of which is summed up quite nicely in the door-stopping report you've provided. There is no need for a viva. You are making good progress. I'm certain you'll be progressing onto the next level of study without a hitch."

Luster took a deep breath.

"That was the other thing I wanted to talk about."

"What about it?" Twilight looked back at her, interest re-captured. "You think you need more time?"

"No. Actually, I wanted to talk about my future. About... our future. I don't think it was any secret I had planned to study further under you, once my work with Cozy was concluded."

"You... had." Twilight left a pause between the two words.

"But I've spent a lot of time with Cozy. And I've had a lot of time to think over the past few months. I don't need to tell you how bright she is, her capacity for greatness. But you and I both know she'd be unlikely to find any institution willing to take her on. No teacher willing to educate her. Except me."

Twilight was silent as Luster continued. "I can't juggle a full-time study programme and a personal student at the same time. So... there's no easy way to say this. But I'm not going to be able to remain your protégé. I'm going to take on the task of Cozy's full time education."

Another blanket of silence descended upon the room. Twilight's expression could have been carved from stone. Her face was totally unreadable. After nearly a minute of quiet, Luster took a tentative step forward.

"Princess?"

Twilight opened her mouth, before glancing at the Guards standing at attention by the doorway.

"A moment of privacy between me and my student."

The Guards dutifully filed out of the room. Twilight's horn lit up, sending out a lyrical bell chime that echoed across the room, forging a magical seal around the doors. No noise could come in or out. It was the same enchantment she had used when she had freed Cozy Glow from her stone tomb, a thousand years ago.

The alicorn rose to her hooves and stared down emotionlessly at Luster, who couldn't help but squirm under her piercing gaze. Twilight studied her for a few seconds more before speaking.

"Do you care for this filly, Luster?"

Luster paused. Every nerve in her body was screaming at her to think very carefully before she spoke a single word.

"Of course. I want to see her talents recognized. Don't you?"

"I have seen her talents recognized, some twenty-four years ago, when she bought this land to submission with the aid of a demon and a changeling queen. But I will confess, at the time, I thought my mentor's punishment too severe. I believed punishment should be rehabilitative, not punitive." Her voice was dull, listless, almost bored.

"I intended to right this wrong. And in doing so, I intended to aid in your studies. For the most part, you exceeded my expectations, as always. But you have also grown more stubborn. More insistent. Your concern for her well-being has clouded your judgement." She sighed.

"You will change your mind in due time. I am sure of it. When Cozy has graduated." She nodded slowly, trying to convince herself. "In due course, you'll see your error."

"I won't." Luster bristled at the callous way Twilight brushed everything she'd just said aside. "No matter what. Cozy will need a teacher. I promised her I'd be there for her - "

"Enough." There was an unmistakable edge to Twilight's voice. "I have enough to worry about as things stand, and I have no time for this argument. Do not bring this matter up ever again." Her horn ignited, letting out another bell chime. Royal Guards filed back into the room, snapping to attention as they entered.

"Kindly escort my student back to her chambers." Twilight turned away, hiding her face. Luster's blood boiled as she felt a guard's hoof land on her shoulders. For a moment, she considered fighting back, but decided against it. Cozy needed her - and she wouldn't be any use locked up in a jail cell. Holding her head high, she turned tail and left.

He was waiting for her before she even arrived. Twilight did a good job of disguising her surprise, but she could still see his grin broaden at the flash of alarm in her eyes.

"Good evening, Princess. Something on your mind?"

"If you're going to say 'I told you so', then you'd better do it now."

Discord yawned, stretching his arms wide, exuding an air of relaxation she sorely envied. "I'm not one for such petty point-scoring. My condolences on the loss of your student. I understand you and Luster were very close."

"Dare I ask how you were able to eavesdrop? I was under the impression my cloaking incantation was inviolable."

"Oh, it is. I spend a great deal of time in your throne room. I just prefer to be... less visible. Wouldn't want my presence to put anycreature off."

Twilight rested her forelegs on the railing, eyes scanning the glittering outline of Canterlot. "I'm in no mood for games tonight, Discord."

"As ever. And I am to take it you won't be entertaining any advice, either?"

"If this is about Cozy, then I'll remind you she's made excellent progress. Every fear you've had about her has been unfounded."

"So far." The draconequus muttered to himself. "Even after Cozy drives a wedge between you and your student, you'll defend her?"

"Luster is able to make her own decisions. I'm sure she'll change her mind." Twilight's voice wavered slightly.

"And if she doesn't?"

"Then... then..." Twilight swallowed the lump rising in her throat. "Then I was wrong. She would not be suited for the throne at all."

Silence. The only sound left was that of the wind whistling in the distance, it's muffled roar echoed in the shaking of thousands of window panes, trees and wind-chimes. Those glowing yellow eyes never flickered, eying Twilight keenly in the darkness, watching intently for her next move. Twilight sighed and leaned back.

"Do you think... Am I doing a good job?"

Discord chuckled, a dry, mirthless rasp that gave nothing away. "It wouldn't be any fun if I were to take sides, would it?"

"Strange. I could almost recall a time when you stood beside me to save Equestria."

"And I may once again. But I'm not one of your advisors, Princess. If I wanted to guide Equestrian policy, I wouldn't need your permission."

"All of my reign, my greatest fear is that I would leave my country with no heir. I'm..." She faltered. "I'm getting older. I know it. I'm not like Celestia or Luna, am I?" She glanced upwards at Discord. "You know, don't you? You must."

For a few seconds, Discord didn't move. Then, an almost imperceptible nod.

"Much of history is lost, except to those who remember it. Hard times offered many the opportunity to prove their worth. I knew many alicorns before the royal sisters, and none lived as long as they did. Few even outlived their friends."

Twilight could feel her legs shaking underneath her, and leaned further onto the railing in an attempt to steady herself. "How long?"

"I'm not a fortune-teller. I have no idea. A healthy mare your age could expect to live three, maybe four more decades. Enough time to select a new heir, I'm sure."

Twilight ground her teeth together, an iron determination supressing the fear and doubt bubbling within her. "Luster will come around." She had to. To have wasted a precious decade preparing her for the throne... it was unthinkable.

"I doubt it." Twilight could have sworn she heard a soft mocking tone in Discord's voice. "She seemed determined to give that filly a good education. You know, when I cautioned you against this little pet project, even I didn't foresee this turn of events."

He leaned in, amber eyes brimming with zeal. "You didn't listen then. Listen now. If you don't act, Equestria will be left heirless, broken, adrift. It will be the perfect environment for somepony like her to seize control. Celestia anticipated threats before they even arose. If you wish to be a princess of her stature, you must do the same."

Twilight stiffened. "I will not punish a foal because of what she might do. Especially not one that has made such stellar progress."

"Then what are you going to do?"

Twilight grimaced. "I have an idea."

"Hello, everyp... I mean, everycreature!"

The class stared in rapture at their teacher, who teetered back and forth on the stool she was perched atop in order to see over the wooden desk. Starlight had told her to expect five students, but only four creatures were seated in front of her - two ponies, a griffin and a yak. As she watched, the mouth of the yak literally dropped.

Trying to disguise how much the situation unnerved her, Cozy flew into the air and began to write on the chalkboard, tongue curling at the taste of chalk in her mouth.

"My wame is Cozy Gow, an twoday we'll be wooking at - ptuh! - Alchemy!" The sound of the chalk splintering against the ground was fully audible in the silent classroom. "Oh, for the love of - fine. Let's get it over with."

Cozy Glow landed on her desk and glared at the class, doing her best to look stern but not threatening. "Yes, I'm Cozy Glow. Yes, your parents probably remember when I was all evil and tried to take over Equestria. But that was a long time ago, and I've changed. Are there any other questions?"

Two hooves and a claw shot into the air. The yak said nothing, apparently still too stunned to react.

"Any questions actually relevant to this class?"

Two hooves fell. The griffin kept her claw in the air. Cozy glanced down at the register she'd been given. "Yes... Gloria?"

"Did you really know Tirek?"

"I asked for questions relevant to this class." The icy tone in Cozy's voice caused the teenage griffin to shrink back into her seat.

"It - it is relevant! Everycreature knows Tirek had a Philosopher's Stone he used to soak up magic!"

"A... what?" Cozy groaned. "No. Everything about that is wrong."

The griffin blinked, before lowering her gaze, clearly embarrassed. "Oh. Sorry."

"The Philosopher's Stone is an artefact that may be used to turn - or transmute - base metals into refined metals, like gold, silver and platinum. You should all be writing this down."

There was a flurry of motion as the class scrabbled for quills, inkpots and parchment. When the fuss had settled, Cozy continued.

"I see we're missing somecreature. One... Sugar Gem. Is she absent today?"

The yak spoke for the first time, his voice disarmingly cordial and totally unsuited to his behemoth frame. "He's always late. Give him five minutes."

Cozy cringed at her mistake, but that didn't stop her from tutting disapprovingly. She could hardly believe the creatures in this class were supposed to be her age. "We'll see about that. Let me see... Elijah, I assume? And that would make you two..." She ran her eyes over the two colts she had yet to attach a name to. "Sky Buster and Steel Haze." As she said each name, a colt raised a hoof to identify himself. "Good. Well, while we wait, why don't we go around in a circle and everycreature - "

The door creaked open, and a tall, thin, snow-white unicorn colt with neatly combed indigo blue hair slunk in. As he stared around the classroom, Cozy fixed him with her best disapproving look. "Sugar Gem, I presume. Late to your first lesson?"

He looked just as thrown as the other students to see her, but mercifully he simply lowered his head, muttered an apology, and settled down in the nearest seat. Even when he was seated, he studied her intently from behind his light purple eyes, as if unable to believe what they were seeing.

Cozy returned to the front of the class and cleared her throat. "Well, let's not waste any more time. Please turn to page 10 of the books provided. Today's lecture will be all about prima materia, the base material for the construction of the Philosopher's Stone. It was over three thousand years ago that..."

"... who became the first pony to define the key characteristics of base metals, which are, of course - "

The sound of a bell ringing cut her rambling short. In fact, she was only halfway through the lesson she'd prepared. "Oh. Uh, dismissed. I guess."

There was another rush of activity as her students fought to collect their bags and notes, and escape before Cozy could start handing out homework. One by one, they muttered their goodbyes and slipped out the door. Within seconds, the classroom was empty, and Cozy was alone.

All things considered, her first lesson had gone quite well. She'd had to slow down a few times, and Elijah hadn't stopped asking questions once - but she'd enjoyed herself, nonetheless.

Gathering her belongings into the leather saddle-bags she'd spent most of her first allowance upon, she left the classroom and made for the exit. The sun had begun to set, sending amber rays of light through the school windows and illuminating the hallways in their soft orange glow. She still had a few hours before she had to be back at the castle. Maybe she should go and get something to eat...

"Oof!"

Cozy stumbled backwards, hastily steadying herself with a few flaps of her wings. The pony she'd walked into wasn't so fortunate, and collapsed in a heap in front of her. Cozy's stomach dropped as she realized who it was.

"Starlight! Oh, I'm so sorry! Here..." She extended a wing and helped pull Starlight to her hooves. The principal eyed her with poorly disguised suspicion, but nodded her thanks nonetheless.

"That's all right, just an accident. It's good to see you, Cozy. How was your first lesson?"

"Huh? Oh, great! Great students. Very... attentive."

Starlight brushed herself down, simultaneously fixing her mane with her horn. "I'm glad to hear that. I didn't have time to approve the students myself, but Quill Stroke - my secretary - always comes through." She grimaced. "I promised Twilight I would, but I have a lot on my plate right now. I hope you understand."

Cozy Glow waved a hoof as if it was the most casual thing in the world. "Oh, don't even worry about it. They were all great."

Starlight gave her a tight smile. "Well, I should probably get back to..." She nodded pointedly at the hallway.

"Oh, of course! Sorry for keeping you - uh, I mean... goodbye!" Cozy finished pathetically. Starlight nodded kindly and walked past her. Cozy watched her leave, quietly wishing the ground would rise up and swallow her whole. Somewhere in the back on her mind, she realized that must have been the first time Starlight had seen her in two decades - and she hadn't aged at all. All of this was probably just as surreal to her as it was to Cozy.

Pacing silently through the school corridor, Cozy found herself following a familiar route, one she'd walked a thousand times before. Blinking as she stepped out of the main entrance into the intense sun, she saw a familiar face by the school gates. Sugar Gem was talking to a mare who somehow felt... familiar.

As she approached, she recognized her. The similarities were unmistakable. She'd only ever known a few mares with that alabaster coat - how could she not have made the connection sooner?

She must be his mother. It had, after all, been twenty-four years. Ponies had moved on. Grown older. Had foals of their own. Fate, once again, was laughing at her.

The mare was listening intently to her colt talk, brow furrowed in confusion and shock. As she watched, Cozy caught the eye of Sugar Gem, feeling her heart leap as he turned and pointed in her direction. His mother's gaze followed and landed squarely on her.

Sweetie Belle's eyes widened till they all but bulged in their sockets. Cozy considered approaching her, introducing herself - but before she could even figure out how to open that conversation, Sweetie grabbed her colt and strode away, not looking back once.

It was a reaction Cozy had half-expected, but it didn't make her feel any better. All of a sudden, she didn't want to eat. She just wanted to go home. With her heart in her hooves, she let out a deep sigh and took off, bound for Canterlot Castle.

XVIII - The Moon

Rain whipped the deck as the ship lurched forwards, sending all but its hardiest sailors tumbling, scrabbling to find their claws - or hooves - against the slick deck, soaked with brine, seaweed and a few unfortunate sea creatures that struggled in vain and gasped for their final breaths. Luster delicately stepped over a bubbling clump of red seaweed and gently kicked a flopping salmon across the deck and back into the ocean, a small smile turning the corner of her mouth upwards as she saw it disappear over the side.

After three days, she had finally found enough of her sea hooves that would permit her to walk on the deck during the day without constantly vomiting over the side. Characteristically, Cozy had acclimatised to the sea almost immediately, and had been her saving grace in those worst hours when she had been capable of little else than curling into a ball in her quarters and whimpering, bringing her lunch and patting her awkwardly on the back. Luster wasn't sure she'd have made it without her.

Aircraft - balloons, airships, flying chariots - were a rare sight in the Griffon Empire, as the Yubazi had gruffly informed her when she'd expressed surprise at the prospect of sailing to Equestria. Apparently being raised as a spoilt little Canterlite had warped her expectations - in truth, she'd been lucky enough to be afforded her own bunk, a luxury only extended to her because of Cozy's presence. All the other mages were sharing communal halls with the Griffon sailors, an unpleasant prospect to say the least.

To keep her occupied, she'd begun to devour every tome on magical warfare she'd been able to lay her hooves on before she departed, hoping she'd never have to use any of it. She'd heard nothing more from Discord since his last appearance, and had firmly resolved to put him out of her mind. Maybe it had all been a part of some cruel prank, one last dig in the ribs before the world descended into anarchy. It would perfectly fit his sense of humour.

The sound of thudding limbs against the wooden deck caught her ears, and she turned around with a small grin on her face. Books weren't the only thing she'd bought along.

"Doing alright, Yula?"

Yula shook herself vigorously, sending water spraying across the deck as she burst into a wide smile of her own.

"Amazing! Yasha still downstairs being sick, but he feel better soon. Yula miss being on a boat. So exciting!"

With almost every word, she jumped up and down in excitement, shaking the ship violently and earning her several glares from the sailors on deck, though none dared challenge her. Ambling forwards, Yula rested her weight against the railing, which creaked in protest. "How much longer you think before we in pony lands?"

"Another day, probably. If even that. Everything, the air, the climate, the... the feel. It's all feeling more like home."

"Pony must be..." Yula stopped, as if unsure what to say. "Not excited. But... pony must be feeling... strong... feelings?"

Luster laughed, unable to help herself. "That's one way of putting it. When I last left Equestria, I had nothing to lose. I never thought I'd be returning - and certainly not like this. But... here I am. Life's funny like that."

Yula nodded, smile fading slightly. "Pony didn't lie when she say she take Yula around world. Yula want to say thank you. She knows pony make mistakes, but that not matter anymore. Pony only doing what she thinks best of Cozy. That all that matters."

"Thanks." The words came out a little tighter, a little colder than she had wanted. Yula seemed to notice, and quickly changed the subject.

"Maybe Yasha and me settle down in somewhere in Equestria. Not like Halcyon. Somewhere quiet, somewhere far away from Yakyakistan."

"That sounds nice. You deserve some peace after everything you've been through." Peace. Her stomach flipped as she recalled Discord's words. "Yula - what do you think about this war?"

Yula looked at her as if she was simple. "What I think? War bad. War kill creatures, burn homes, starve young... she not understand why so many Yaks like it. She not understand why Yasha like it. She hope this all over soon."

"I... see." Luster wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but she couldn't turn back now. "But how... how would you prevent it? War, I mean? How can you stop different countries fighting, especially these days?"

Yula paused, then took a deep breath of salt air before replying.

"In Yakyakistan, there many tribes. Long ago, these tribes fight. They fight all the time. All the time, old tribes being wiped out, new tribes being created. Lot of wars between tribes who were one only a few decades ago. But slowly, Yaks see world getting smaller. More ponies, more Griffons, more Hippogriffs. Yaks worried they have to fight outsiders. So all tribes join together. Elect a king."

"A king? Just like that?"

"Well, not like pony princess. King let tribes be, not tell them what to do or how to act. But no more fighting other tribes. Two tribes have problem, they go see king. Sort it out - peacefully."

Luster had a feeling she knew where this was going.

"What if a tribe did start a war?"

"Other tribes attack them too. Wipe them out, bull, dri and calf. After first tribe break rules... no more war." Catching sight of Luster's queasy expression, Yula grunted noncommittally. "Not pleasant. But it how things were back then. Today, there no wars between Yak tribes. Yakyakistan peaceful place. Still cold and boring, though."

"But... why not just put the tribe leaders on trial?"

Yula sighed. "It not work like that. Their calves just take over and keep fighting harder than ever. Some Yaks rather die than submit. Yula not like admit it, but sometimes there tribes the world better without."

Luster couldn't pretend she wasn't outraged - but she had very little room for judgement. Were there those the world was better without? She'd seen enough of the Griffons to know they were a brutal lot - but some of them were kind enough. How could she pass judgement on an entire race without discrimination?

But when she'd heard the guttural, growling voice of the Emperor on the radio, she'd known it could only belong to a twisted being of pure evil. Every one of the Griffons worshipped their Emperor like a god - the same way ponies had worshipped Twilight. The same way many of them probably worshipped Gallus. How could she possibly hope to win their trust after striking down their heroes?

Yula must have caught sight of the grim look on her face, because the next think Luster knew, she was being walloped on the back by what Yula must have thought was a comforting pat.

"Want to tell Yula what bothering you?"

"Nothing. Yula. I was just... thinking."

Morning Star surveyed the carnage around him with a dulled sense of satisfaction.

The skies burned black above the scorched battlefield where the Crystal Legion had been forced back into the inner sanctum of the Palace, whose thick crystal walls would offer little protection when the next siege began. He took in a deep breath, taking in the smell of ash and flame mixed with the stench of blood, thick and metallic, that he knew so well. It would have been a challenge to find even a square metre of the ground that wasn't contaminated with the substance, such had been the ferocity of the fighting and the steely resolve of those they faced. All in all, he had barely more than half of the force he had arrived with, but he suspected the opposing side had fared far worse. At least two thousand must have fallen in the past six hours, any many more had doubtless succumbed to their mortal wounds behind the walls of the sanctum. The hundred or so who had attempted to surrender had, true to his word, been shown no mercy.

Tens of thousands of citizens had also fallen into their hooves. Despite his earlier threats, Morning Star had been quick to assure that they had been well cared for, offered food, water, medicine and fair treatment. The sooner they accepted their position as new citizens of Equestria, the better. He had no idea how many more laid within the bounds of the Palace, but already several hundred had fled to throw themselves at the hooves of his soldiers and beg for mercy. More would surely follow. He wouldn't be surprised if Flurry Heart had an insurrection on her hooves at this very moment. It was a hard-won victory, but a victory nonetheless. Within hours, his army would crush the last resistance and take back the Crystal Empire. At last.

"General!"

The lieutenant bowed deeply as he landed next to Morning Star, who merely raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"We've had an envoy from the palace, sir. It's the Princess. She wishes to discuss terms of surrender."

Now that was a surprise. Morning Star yawned callously and shook his head in disgust. "Come to her sense at last? Tell her she'll have to meet us here if she wants to beg for mercy."

"No, sir... it's the Princess."

Flurry Heart knelt in front of Morning Star, a miserable look on her face. She was missing her royal crown and adornments, and there were deep, dark circles under her eyes that hadn't been there a few days ago. The General, perched on a chair in his tent, eyed her with suspicion.

"I surrender. You have bested me and my Legion. I won't hold out till the bitter end, only to be slaughtered in my own throne room. Nor will I beg to be spared. I only ask that you show my people mercy and offer my Legion the chance to lay down their arms peacefully." Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke, and pinpricks of tears began to form in her eyes.

Morning Star said nothing. Beside him, the lieutenant leaned in and whispered into his ear.

"It's her, sir. We checked, and she's not a changeling or wearing a cloaking spell. If I had to guess, her soldiers have turned against her. It wouldn't exactly be a surprise."

Morning Star nodded slowly, then turned his attention back to the kneeling Princess.

"I am surprised by your sudden display of courage, but I accept your surrender. As you request, I will offer your soldiers one chance to lay down their arms. Any that refuse will be killed. As for you..." He let the moment sit in the air for a second, enjoying the tension. "You will be returned to Canterlot and put on trial for your crimes. The Crystal Empire and its land will be reunited with Equestria, and Harmony will be forever restored. Have you any more to say?"

"I..." Flurry Heart couldn't stop the tears now. "I... I'm so sorry. F-f-for e-e-everythi-thing. I... I thought I was..."

"Spare us your snivelling, traitor!" The lieutenant snapped, voice contorted with genuine disgust at the weeping Alicorn before him. "You betrayed your people to a foreign nation of slavers for nothing. You will be known forever to history as a coward and a collaborator - as you deserve."

"Thank you, lieutenant." Morning Star's even voice silenced the pegasus instantly. "Victory is ours at last. Take her away and send an envoy to whatever remains of the Legion. I doubt they'll refuse, but rally the troops to fight in any case."

"We should stick a spear in her right now. Sir. It's what the Regent would want."

"The Regent wishes to see the Princess sit trial. You are dangerously close to insubordination, lieutenant. It would be a fatal mistake to lose my favour after your sterling conduct during this campaign."

The lieutenant grumbled, but dutifully seized Flurry by the wing and dragged her out of the tent, kicking her when she didn't move quickly enough. Morning Star sighed and rose to his hooves. What a climax.

He should return to Canterlot at once, throw himself at the claws of Gallus and beg for mercy. Conquering the Crystal Empire was certain to impress, but his refusal to obey orders would be the more pressing issue by far. In a few hours, he could have the Princess loaded onto a chariot with a small bodyguard and be on his way. He would appoint one of his lieutenants to lead the siege to victory. His sense of elation at his victory was numbed slightly by apprehension. Gallus might well decide to have him hung for his abandonment - but who cared what Gallus thought? He was unhinged. It was only a matter of time before somepony stuck a knife in his ribs when he wasn't looking and took the throne for themselves. A returning war hero, for example.

Shaking his head, a cruel smile played its way onto his lips. It was a tempting idea, but he had no desire to play politician. Besides, it wouldn't be long before one of his own subordinates decided to do the same. Levitating his ceremonial astral barding onto his back, he took a moment to admire himself in a nearby mirror. He looked the very picture of a hero. How could Gallus throw him to the dogs, after everything he'd achieved? He was safe; he had no doubt.

Fastening his barding in place, he strode from the tent and began to bellow orders.

"Golden Sun! Golden, come quick!"

Cozy pulled incessantly at the mare's forehoof, dragging her towards the brow of the ship. Grumbling under her breath, more amused than irritated, Luster allowed herself to be dragged by Cozy until the filly came to an abrupt stop, gesturing frantically into the horizon.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkening skies, Luster spotted what had gotten Cozy so excited. Her stomach tied itself into several knots as she took in the looming landmass that could only be Equestria.

"It's home." Cozy breathed the words with a pious reverence that seemed to drain all the breath from her lungs. "I... I can't believe I'm really seeing it again."

"Me neither." Luster murmured. Cozy glanced back up at her, a concerned crumpling her muzzle.

"It'll be okay, won't it? We'll be fine?"

"Of course." Luster ruffled Cozy's mane, unable to tear her gaze free from the horizon. "We'll be with the Griffons the whole time. Even if we do have to go deeper into Equestria, you'll have your amulet."

In a few weeks, it wouldn't matter anyway. As soon as Discord returned with the Bewitching Bell, she'd have the power to put a stop to this war once and for all. In fact, with the bewitching bell, she could do whatever she wanted. She could give herself and Cozy new lives.

"I'm not afraid." Cozy muttered unconvincingly. "I just... I'm not sure how I feel."

"Are you looking forward to being home?"

"It doesn't feel like home anymore." Cozy sighed. "Everything's changed. I just wish everything could go back to the way it was."

Back to the way it was. What a wonderful thought.

"I miss Canterlot. I miss teaching. I was so happy then, even though I thought I was miserable. I just... didn't know how bad things could get. Even Tartarus was better than this." She shook her head slowly, as if it might clear her mind. "Will you... will you be leaving me when we get there? To go and fight?"

"I don't think so." Luster smiled. "I'm pretty sure they just want me to stay behind and work in a lab. With any luck, the war will be over soon and we can both go..." She stopped herself before the word home could pass her lips.

"I just wish this war could be over now. I wish Princess Twilight could be here. She could have stopped this all from happening."

The words were like a knife raking themselves across Luster's heart, but she fought to keep a level head. Cozy clearly didn't realize the effect her words had had on her.

"Me too, Cozy."

And of course, she was right. This war should never have happened in the first place. In an instant, Luster felt a surge of anger flood through her. First Yula, now Cozy, and both of them were right. All of this misery wrought by greed and ambition - it all came down to a corrupt few. Gallus, the Emperor, even Flurry Heart wasn't innocent. With no Princess to keep them in check, this was the profit of their enterprise.

And yet...

Would she be any better? She was far from perfect. She'd made mistakes, done things she wasn't proud of - always for the right reasons, as if that made any difference. If she'd just kept a level head with Twilight... if she'd just kept Cozy at hoof's length and not gotten too involved... if she'd just had the good sense to turn down the task in the first place.

As much as the fact repulsed her, she bore the brunt of the responsibility for this sorry state of affairs. But if not her, who? Flurry Heart? She seemed an obvious choice, but she had been quick enough to side with the Griffons - and, from what she'd heard on the radio, all for nothing.

The guilt was unbearable. She'd never shake it off - it would almost certainly follow her into the grave. Discord had been right. Better to intervene as little as possible, and wash your hooves of what may come.

The Griffon's eyes glinted azure in the dark shadow that enshrouded his throne. A long, elaborate, crimson coat fell from his shoulders like fluid and spilled out onto the floor, making him seem twice as large as he was in reality. Every few seconds, his eyes bulged uncontrollably, and there was an ever-present tremor in his right hoof. Morning Star approached slowly, head bowed in deference. For the first time in recent memory, he was terrified.

"Regent Gallus. I have returned."

No response. Gallus let out a deep breath, then cocked his head to once side, inviting the General to continue.

"I will not insult your intelligence. I admit, I ignored your orders to pursue the conquest of the Crystal Empire. And I have succeeded, my Lord. All the land in the north, from the Crystal Palace to Mount Everhoof, belong to our great empire - "

"Silence."

Morning Star immediately shut up. Gallus leaned towards, a murderous gaze contorting his already haggard features.

"Equestria bled and cried for assistance while you enjoyed your folly in the north. This cannot go unpunished."

Morning Star didn't try to argue the point. He could see the Regent wasn't remotely in the mood for a debate. Instead, he stamped his hoof on the floor twice.

"Bring her in."

The door to the throne room swung open, and in strode two soldiers, each with a chain in their mouth, from which they dragged the last Alicorn in Equestria. Seeing the surprise in Gallus' eyes, Morning Star allowed himself a small smile before daring to raise his head.

"The Crystal Empire is no more, my Lord. Without them, the Griffons will find no favour with the world for their war. The Yaks, the Hippogriffs and others will turn against them and join our side. In time, we shall push them back and reclaim every inch of land lost, then take much of theirs in recompense."

Playing on Gallus' greed worked wonders. The Griffon sank back into his throne and beckoned the Princess closer with his claw. Dutifully, Morning Star's soldiers dragged her closer and pushed her towards the regent, obviously unwilling to get too close. Gallus reached out and gripped Flurry Heart's neck, softly squeezing until her eyes bulged, enjoying the look of terror on her tired face.

"It's been too long, Princess. You slipped from my grip once, but this time, it looks like nopony is coming to save you." A grin cut across his beak, a twisted thing of pure evil that sent shivers running down her spine. "Take her to the dungeons. The era of the Alicorn is soon to come to an end - permanently."

Dutifully, the soldiers dragged Flurry Heart away. The Alicorn didn't resist or look up, preferring to stare fixedly at the floor. Gallus returned his gaze to Morning Star, who was relieved to see his mood had improved substantially.

"As for you... I suppose there is little harm done. You are correct. Now that the Crystal Empire has been vanquished, the world will doubtlessly turn against the Empire." He rose to his claws and swung his wings outward impressively. "Go and report to the war room for a briefing on the situation. There is much to be done."

A slow siren rang out its song as the ship came to dock against the port. Two Griffons approached, one clutching a lantern which he shone in the face of the figure descending from the ramp.

"Password?"

"Arimaspi."

The pair visibly relaxed and stepped aside. "Welcome to Equestria."

Luster joined the ranks of the numerous Griffons leaving the ship, her gait made awkward and unbalanced by Cozy clinging tightly to her forelock. The ocean was black as night beneath them, tossing and turning with force that threatened to swallow them whole. As they departed from the ramp, they were greeted by a small unknown town that had become a microcosm of an Equestria turned on its head.

At first glance, little seemed to have changed. Ponies wandered the streets, but where once they had done so with a stride in their step and a smile on their face, now they walked with their heads lowered and eyes that darted back and forth. Griffon soldiers were scattered everywhere, glaring at passers-by as if they had personally wronged them. As two passed them by, Luster could feel Cozy cling ever tighter to her.

"Golden Sun!"

Luster spun around and was confronted with a barrel-chested Griffon with deep blue feathers and light yellow eyes, wearing a simple golden chestplate with a series of sparks embossed upon it.

"You're Golden Sun, correct? I was told to expect you tonight." His eyes slid downwards and narrowed as he noticed Cozy Glow clinging to her hoof. "They didn't tell me you were bringing your brat with you."

"I - "

"It doesn't matter. You can share a tent." When Luster didn't respond, he slammed his claw down on the ground and snarled. "Pick it up! It's still a three-hour train journey to your assigned camp, and I don't have all night to stand here and stare at your vacant expression!"

Luster jumped, then frantically nodded, standing to attention.

"Yes sir. Sorry sir."

"Hmmph. Next train to Dodge City. There's an army camp three miles north-west of the town, within seeing distance of Canterlot. When you're there, you do as you're told, when you're told. I'm sure you were spoiled rotten in the Imperial Court, but it's not like that in the army. Waste our time, screw anything up, put a filthy hoof out of line, and there'll be consequences."

"Yes sir."

The Griffon turned away. "The station is just down that road. Get a move on."

Luster gave a small bow before heading off in the direction the Griffon had gestured. She was used to being treated roughly by the Griffons within the court, but she had no doubt the Griffons serving here would be a thousand times worse. By her side, Cozy let out a deep breath.

"You doing okay, Cozy?"

"Yeah. I'm just getting used to... all this."

"Don't worry. We'll be out of here soon."

Even as she spoke, the train station loomed in the distance, the main entrance blocked and guarded by two soldiers - one a Griffon and, surprisingly, one a pony. As they approached, the pony put out his hoof to stop her.

"Name?"

"Golden Sun."

"Hold on a second." Turning around, he leaned into a sheet of parchment illuminated by a dying candlestick propped atop a barrel. "Fine. Go ahead."

The remaining soldier stood aside and allowed them to pass. The interior of the station was much the same, filled with soldiers with travel bags slung over their shoulders. A few of them glanced back at the pair of ponies in their midst, but none bothered to challenge them.

The ticket booths were shut and windows smashed in, but it didn't look like any tickets were required for the services being run. Luster glanced up at the timetabled routes. The next service to Dodge City would be in ten minutes. Platform six.

The train had already come into dock by the time the pair arrived. As soon as they had boarded, Luster collapsed into a nearby chair and felt her eyes fall like shutters. Cozy followed suit, looking slightly more relaxed now that the pair of them were alone together. Luster yawned and stretched her hooves.

"Cozy?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm just gonna take a..." She stifled another yawn, eyes drooping. "A quick nap. Wake me up if anything happens, okay?"

"Okay..." Cozy sounded unsure.

Luster felt bad, but she was too tired to stay up for Cozy's sake. What was wrong with her? She'd never felt this tired before. Closing her eyes for the final time, she drifted off to sleep...

Wait...

"Hello, Luster."

Luster glanced around, eyes wide. The train had vanished, replaced with an ink-black void and a voice she knew all too well.

"Discord?"

The black void flashed white so quickly it made her head spin. Shutting her eyes tight and reeling backwards from the brightness, she glanced around and quickly spun to face the hazy dark figure approaching her. Groaning, she rubbed her head and blinked rapidly in an attempt to clear her vision.

"You think you could warn me next time?"

"I could. But that wouldn't be any fun, would it?"

"Of course." Luster glanced around, but wasn't able to see anything else of note. "Am I... dreaming?"

"I thought it the easiest way to conduct these little training sessions." Discord snapped his fingers. "Princess Luna wasn't the only pony with the power to shape dreams. Tell me, how are you feeling?"

"...fine?" Luster was confused. "Is... should something have happened?"

"Why don't you try some magic? Try levitating yourself up into the air."

Luster had no idea what was happening, but she complied. The moment she did...

"Woah!"

She felt her body rocket upwards with only the slightest impetus, flying far higher than she had ever been able to take herself before. Struggling to control her flight, she eventually managed to descend relatively slowly by making tiny jerks of her horn. As soon as she found herself back on sweet solid ground, she collapsed in a wheezing pile before Discord, who looked positively overjoyed.

"Oh, how wonderful! I did so hope that would happen. How do you feel? Not nauseous, I hope."

"I... you... how did you do that?"

"Simple enough. My dream, my rules. You now have powers consummate with those I'd expect you to have when you take the magic from the bell. I want you to learn to control that magic before I turn it over to you. It would be something of a poor lookout if your first act with it would be to fling yourself a hundred feet into the air and splatter against the ground like you would have just then."

Luster snarled. "Great. Thanks for the heads-up."

"Think nothing of it. Now, let's try some curses."

Flurry didn't look up once as she was forced into the court dock. Before her stood an assembled panel of Equestrian soldiers, headed by none other than the new General of the E.U.P..

"General Morning Star. Please pass judgement."

Her trial had taken less than five minutes, and had consisted of her crimes being read out and her lawyer making a feeble defence before sitting down and bowing his head, as if ashamed to have been seen defending her. All in all, it was more than she had expected.

"Flurry Heart, you have been found guilty of treason, murder, warmongering and other crimes too numerous to make this list. You have shown no remorse for your actions and have bought Equestria to a state of total war. For these crimes, you will pay with your life."

There was no reaction from the court, not even Flurry. She had expected nothing less.

"Your execution will be scheduled for three weeks from now, to allow us time to gather further information as to the exact nature of the concordat agreed between your breakaway nation and the Griffons and gather any further information we feel pertinent."

Flurry dared glance a look up at the words. Catching sight of a burly stallion grinning sadistically in the corner, she wished immediately she hadn't. Once again, she looked away.

"That is all. Do you have any words you wish to share with the court?"

Flurry said nothing. Morning Star reached out and tapped the gavel beside him on the table twice.

"May Providence have mercy on you." This time, he didn't even bother hiding his smile.

Victory was as sweet as ever.