Imperial Forclousure

The sky was slowly turning blue and purple, night was coming soon and Tiny felt spent. The last time she felt so tired was on the ship when Moon had her study from morning to night.
Tiny sat down on her bed, took off her satchel, put it on the dusty nightstand, and then went to lie down. Tiny thought to dust the room a little in the morning. It was surprisingly decent after a thousand years of abandonment… but could still use a thorough cleaning. She wondered if she could get Shadow to teach her about it; she used to clean their wagon with Mister Rich, but she guessed that some rags and regular water simply wouldn’t suffice here.

She breathed deeply the dirty air and relaxed under the silky blankets, falling asleep. Moon told her that everyone had dreams, but Tiny rarely did. Or perhaps she just didn’t remember them. So it was this night too; Tiny quickly drifted through the night as if it were but a moment, unaware of its passing until morning had already come. Tiny laid in bed for a while longer, until finally sitting up and getting ready for her day. She took her satchel, quickly brushed off the bottom of the dust, and left in search of some water. She traced her way through the winding hallways until she reached her destination, she washed her face under a stream from a water tank Moon created. She got her breakfast from the few changelings left at the castle, mostly to guard her as she guessed.

As Tiny sat down to eat, she thought about what her sisters would have her do today. In the last week, since Moon acquired her power, much has changed. Canterlot was now steadily falling under their control, and the way Moon went about achieving this fascinated Tiny.
Simply forcing them to obey her with all her power would’ve been very easy, Tiny knew even she could do that in a few days. But Moon seemingly did nothing of the sort; most of the time, Moon was back at the base doing little if anything at all. Tiny only saw her give out supplies she conjured to changelings and ponies; and, on occasion, speak to Celestia.
Ponies came to see if Celestia had indeed returned as they heard; then went straight back to their normal lives. No one so far tried to harm her or the bat ponies, while Celestia slowly reached out to the city’s officials and respected ponies alike. Some she bribed with treasure Moon provided, others had to see Moon first, and others still had to be convinced in other ways. That is what Tiny had usually been tasked with in recent days. When someone would ask for a favor, it was usually Tiny, Shadow, and the Thestrals who had to ensure it was done. Mostly it amounted to simply assisting ponies with improving their livelihoods.

They were forbidden to ask for compensation, and Tiny understood why. What they got in return was not taxes or power, but reliance. Moon could provide ponies with anything they needed, but Celestia made it appear as if Thestrals were the ones sharing. That helped to ensure that ponies wouldn’t abuse Moon’s generosity and even developed goodwill on their own. Tiny was already hearing good words being spoken about the bat ponies on the street, even though other tribes tended to distrust them naturally.

The process was deliberately slow and also very work-intensive, but Tiny could see it working. Celestia would soon start asking more ponies to contribute towards improving their own conditions and through working together, they will bond into a cohesive whole. With Celestia’s guidance and Moon’s magic, there would be no limit to the greatness they could create together. Tiny has heard about her sister’s style of governance, but seeing it put into action was another matter entirely. The plan was simple and elegant, but most of all, ponies wouldn’t even realize that it was her doing; they will believe it was their own achievement. Tiny could see why so many ponies idolized her.

Tiny finished her meal and asked the castle guards if they needed anything from Moon or if anyone asked for her. She was told that the changelings were starting to get low on love, which meant it was time for them to get exchanged for different ones. Tiny sighed, these ones had barely gotten used to her talking to them enough to not just stare at her in bewilderment. Tiny felt sad for them; they were so used to nopony paying them any mind that someone noticing them surprised them.

Tiny took out her books and notes. She figured she could impress her sisters with her knowledge the next time she saw them. She left her pencil between the pages she left off on and now it was as easy as flipping it open again.
She continued reading about the enchantment of metals for some time with mild interest, it wasn’t within her normal circle of interests. She was curious about how Flurry enchanted her helmet, but not much beyond that. The book was boring her and Tiny’s thoughts quickly started floating away. She thought about what she was going to do tomorrow, and then the next day.
After a minute of pondering, Tiny realized she had no idea what she was studying for. She loved magic… but what she would do with it when she was done Tiny did not know. Moon told her that power had to serve a purpose other than acquiring more power, but she had none.

“Are you lost in deep thought? Or are you feeling fraught?”

Tiny looked at the smiling zebra, then up at the hole in the ceiling. It was brighter.

“I just…” Tiny looked down at her book. “I just don’t know anymore.”

“Don’t know where you head and which path to tread?”

Tiny nodded, “I just feel useless. Moon and Day do everything by themselves and I get to stay in here, with books; studying something that will never be helpful. I feel that even if I was as good at this as Twilight, there still wouldn’t be a place for me.”

“Hmmm…” Zecora hummed. “Twilight had much the same doubts long ago, your plight is more common than you know. Follow your heart and find your own way, and you might even surpass her one day.”

“Twilight? No… Zecora, thanks for trying, but you are making it worse by lying.”

Zecora looked annoyed for just a moment,
“I did not speak a single lie… but perhaps we should give a more personal example a try. My potent craft has saved lives but would still look rather weak; when Nightmare Moon can remedy the dead and give any what they seek.”

“I guess,” Tiny sighed. “Thank you for trying, Zecora. There is something I wanted to ask you. Why didn’t you take a student yourself?”

“It would be a wondrous thing to have a student of my own, but a pony is not compatible with these skills to hone.”

“Won’t I do? I can ask Moon to make me a zebra. She can do that now.”

“You are very capable… and adorable, but asking that much of you would be quite deplorable. On your bid, I shall concede; if you wish, you could still proceed. But do not think you can master it and prevail, potions are a craft only zebrakind can truly grasp and avail. Basic skills you may be able to obtain, but this craft is only our domain.”

Tiny spoke to Zecora for some time, even having her explain some basic principles of potion brewing. It was as straightforward as expected, but Zecora only mysteriously smiled when Tiny asked why only a zebra could master it.
But Zecora soon gave her goodbyes and left to gather her things. Tiny felt a bit sad that Zecora was leaving and going back to her forest, but she understood. Moon didn’t need her anymore.

Tiny quit studying for a while and took a break. Humming tunes to herself while lying down on a sleeping bag, she pondered. She thought about what she wanted to do with herself and what her sisters might need her to be.

While lost humming her tune, she almost missed the soft hooves on the stone,
“I am glad you are taking an interest in pony pastimes,” Tiny jolted despite the silky smooth voice.
“We may not be ponies, but they are our people nonetheless. The closer we resemble them, the easier it is to forget we are not the same. My sister and I do not sing often. You should be better than us.”

“I can’t be better than you, at anything,” Tiny sighed, then sat up and looked up at her sister’s serene face. It was still weird seeing her in the flesh, she was like a reflection of Celestia. Outwardly entirely motionless, but her eyes speaking where her features did not.

Moon smiled, breaking her stoic expression,
“My dear sister, I may be a thousand years older than you and have power that others can never achieve, but this does not mean that others cannot do better than me. My magic helps, but there is always more than one way to achieve a goal. See how you can achieve your goals, rather than dwell on the things you cannot do.”

“Does Celestia need my help again?” Tiny asked without enthusiasm, wishing to move on to business.

“No,” Moon answered with the slightest hint of a smile. “I think today should be the day to teach you a little bit about diplomacy.”

“Diplomacy?” Tiny asked, unconvinced.

“Indeed. Any princess should be taught the art of negotiation.”

Tiny stared at Moon for a long moment, waiting for her to give up the joke. But she never did. The foal slowly got up and reluctantly stepped closer to her big sister, looking up at her for an explanation.

“I believe now would be a good time for you to meet your host, Tiny. Are you ready?”

Tiny was not. She knew this day was coming, but she was not ready. Tiny remembered her host well, he was so miserable she almost felt like she did him a service by letting him rest.

But Tiny knew that her sister was right, “I am ready.” She would have to face it sooner or later, and Moon would make her even if she were unwilling.

Moon nodded, her expression unreadable. The purple tear opened and Moon looked on expectantly. Tiny said she was ready, but she lied. A lot has changed since that fateful day; but she was never indifferent to her host, she had known him since her first moment, after all.

“I need a moment…” Tiny asked. Moon cocked an eyebrow and closed the rift.

“Very well. I understand feeling nervous, but we must do this all the same.”

“I need to go get something. It’s important.”

Moon nodded once again and Tiny left back for her room. She hoped that she didn’t leave it in Daybreaker’s room…

Tiny found the stuffed dog on her nightstand. She stood there for a while, looking at it. It was the singular item that she still had from her host. It was his favorite toy. One of the few she took with her wherever she went. Tiny remembered how weak he was, it was so easy to take it all away from him. He was just like this toy, dirty and torn. She felt nothing back then, simply doing what was natural. But she took care to butcher those who harmed him. She didn’t know what to feel, but she always cared; she felt a ping of anger at the thought even now.

Moon looked at her with mild surprise when Tiny returned carrying an old, dirty stuffed toy. She said nothing though, nodding in understanding.

Stepping inside Moon’s domain was still scary, but Tiny had the toy with her this time. Immediately upon stepping inside, she felt soothed: Moon already bending the Dreamrealm to calm her down.

“And now we begin,” Moon declared. “What is your host’s name? It may make it easier for us if we can speak to him in a way that is familiar to him.”

Tiny deeply frowned,
“He was an orphan from a young age. No one taught him anything.”

“I see. Images it is then, only a small hindrance. I will teach him what he has to know, sister. Do not worry about that.”

Tiny stood there, looking around, waiting for something to happen. For pinch, or maybe pain, anything… yet nothing came. She blinked and staggered back. There he was, right in front of her, sleeping peacefully. More peacefully than she ever saw him. Perfectly comfortable tucked in a bed of the softest pillow and blanket. Tiny kinda felt jealous, actually.

Moon reappeared outside Tiny’s vision and approached, making no sound as she did.

“Such a fine youth,” Moon said wispily as she approached the colt. “A pity that you were not born in Equestria.” She proceeded to lay down alongside the foal, letting him rest on her soft side. Moon then began to hum a melody, deep and mournful. The foal soon stirred to the sound of Moon’s singing, slowly cracking his eyes open from his long sleep. It took him some time to realize that what he was resting in wasn’t a pillow anymore. His eyes shot open and he looked up at Moon’s face. She stopped her hum and slowly blinked her eyes. He stared at her for a while in both amazement and fear.
Moon slowly lifted her leg, beckoning him with an open embrace, her face entirely motionless. He looked over her form uneasily and reluctantly accepted her invitation, resting against her chest. Moon slowly caressed his head, resuming her hum.

Tiny looked on in silence; Moon’s tenderness did not exactly surprise her, but she had never seen this side of her before. Moon glanced at her to ensure Tiny knew that she wasn’t forgotten.

Moon stopped her humming and softly whispered to the foal in her embrace,
“You are safe. I will not allow any harm to come to you.”

The foal relaxed after seeing that the large mare did him nothing bad. He began to look around ever so slightly. Exploring his surroundings, he quickly discovered that he was not in his hometown anymore, but in a featureless void.

“You are in my domain. It is as empty or as full as I wish it to be. No need to be alarmed,” Moon explained. “There is a wonderous future that awaits you.”

Moon then looked directly at Tiny, the foal followed her gaze and froze. It took him a moment to realize that he was not looking at his own reflection. Moon gracefully stood and circled around the bed. He followed soon after.

“This is Tiny,” Moon began, petting Tiny on her withers. “She is my sister, and can be yours too if you would accept her.” He only stared blankly at Tiny, causing her to doubt if he even understood what her sister was saying to him. Moon nudged her lightly. Tiny reluctantly approached her host. He made a step backwards when she got too close for his liking and looked at her almost fearfully.

“Hello…” Tiny greeted, trying to sound as friendly as she could, but unfortunately was much less adept at this than her older sisters. “I’m…” Tiny didn’t know how to explain and looked at Moon for guidance, she only shook her head. As the fear evaporated, the foal started looking at her with curiosity. He looked at her, then back at himself.

“Are we twins?” he finally asked.

Tiny shook her head,
“I was always with you. Every day of your life I was there, inside. I had no body of my own, and I couldn’t talk to you, but I was with you. When those workers beat you, and you wanted to give up, I stepped in and carried us away from there.”

He tilted her head at her, visibly confused at her explanation,
“We are not like you, young one,” Moon spoke, once again drawing near. “We may share an outward resemblance, but we are not ponies. My sisters and I have no natural shapes and must make use of others’ bodies. This is what happened to you, Tiny took your body at your most hopeless moment and brought you both to me.“

Tiny remembered about the dog,
“I kept it…” she said, offering it to him. “I knew you loved it.”

The foal stared at the toy for a long moment, before accepting it. The touch seemed to soothe him.

“Unfortunately, only one can be in control of the physical form at any given time; when a sister takes over, the host normally goes to sleep. That is until she willingly relinquishes the body back to the host,” Moon paused for a moment before she continued explaining. “Now, a way to separate you two has been found. Now you can both live your lives as was always intended. We both hope that you can find in yourself the strength to forgive Tiny for her usurpation even though much time has passed.”

“Am I going back to Bottle Street?” he suddenly asked, his eyes starting to shimmer with tears.

Moon looked at Tiny,
“No!” Tiny quickly stepped closer. “We are far, far away from there. You don’t need to worry about finding food or a home anymore. Moon will give you anything you need.”

“It is the least I can do,” Moon nodded. “Our kind’s life cycle is disgraceful, but it need not be so. Our hosts are just as much family to us as any of our siblings, after all, we were born together. I offer you the same kinship I found with my own host, should you wish for it. I also offer protection, food, and shelter should you have the need for it. You are free to leave or stay for as long as you wish. I only ask in return that you try to find harmony as I did with my host, for that advances our cause further than anything else.”

The foal nodded cautiously but said nothing, looking at them expectantly.

“Before we go, would you share your name with us?”

“Uh… Spoiled Milk, that’s what other ponies called me.”

“But they were bad! Don’t you want a real name?” Tiny asked.

He shrugged.

“Very well, Spoiled Milk it is,” Moon opened another tear and stepped in. Tiny gave Spoiled a nudge closer to the tear. He hesitantly approached. Tiny followed close by and touched the tear to show him it wouldn’t harm him. Taking his hoof, she walked in with him.

Moon waited for them on the other side, one of the changelings already by her side,
“This is the Castle of Two Sisters, my home. Tiny stays here and I offer you to do so as well. “This is Fuschia. When you require something, she will be here to provide.”

“Hello…” the foal said shakily. The changeling nodded silently.

“Now then… Tiny, from now on you shall teach him as I taught you.”

“Me?!” Tiny’s eyebrows tried to crawl to her temple. “Won’t Daybreaker…”

“No, you shall do this. You are perfectly suited to do so. Moreover, it will be of great benefit to you as well. Teaching will help you attain greater knowledge yourself.”

“But how am I going to study if I…”

“Tiny, please. Trust in me. You will appreciate this in hindsight. Teach him all that Mister Rich, I, and Daybreaker taught to you.”

“I’ll try…” Tiny said with a sigh.

“Not try, you will succeed. Now I shall leave you, you two have much to speak about. Fuschia will stay here for you, and the others will make sure you are safe within these walls.”

Moon disappeared through another tear, giving Tiny one final glance.

Without Moon’s gravity, the room felt still and empty, even though Tiny knew there were many changelings all around them. She looked awkwardly at Spoiled, and he looked back at her. She had no idea how to approach this.

“So… You probably have a lot of questions…” she began slowly.

He nodded,
“Where are we?”

“I don’t really know exactly. We are very far away from Bottle Street, that is for sure. We should ask Princess Twilight, she would know.”

“Who’s that?”

“Princess Celestia’s student, she is nice.”

“Okay... who’s that?”

Tiny realized that there indeed would be a lot of questions.