The Fugitive

A soft silvery light shone through the bars of a tiny window just below the ceiling. He fell on the cobblestones, cracked with time and dampness, which paved the floor of a dark chamber somewhere in the depths of the capital's dungeons. A lonely shadow reflected in the light. Abandoned and forgotten by everyone, like an unnecessary disc in the sky.

The shadow was silent. But in her soul a hurricane was raging.

''She didn't even listen...threw me out like a lousy dog. Me - one of my most valuable confidants! The one who was responsible for so many discoveries. Discoveries, each of which was made for the good of the country...its subjects...itself. And what is the princess's reward? Execution?! Doom to death is a gratitude worthy of a cursed genius! And most importantly for what?! For trying to warn, not let the threat do more harm than it has already done! There are no wars without victims. Even if you have to fight over time. Who will now explain this to Her Highness... ''

Minutes dragged on like hours. The hours seemed like days. And the night never thought would end. But the shadow didn’t want to see the dawn. She knew that her death would come with the first rays.

Silence was the only companion of the doomed. It is viscous and anxious. Sometimes it seemed to the latter that being in it was part of the punishment. Over time, he began to consider it part of the main one.

Long ago, his gaze froze on a lonely strip of moonlight - the only thing he could catch on to in this damned place. And even though the prisoner looked thoughtlessly, completely lost in his thoughts, the strange changes were so noticeable that they instantly returned him to the real world.

Something appeared against a silvery background. At first it grew dim, giving way to darkness. Then, darkness began to take shape. It didn’t take the prisoner even a moment to figure out who was in his vision.

''Princess Luna, I...'' by inertia, he tried to fall in a bow, but immediately ran into the chaining chain.

''Not worth it, Hooves. You are far from the throne room''

He knew he was going crazy. But curiosity tormented his tortured mind. How far can this surprisingly realistic hallucination come in?

"Why...did you honor me with your visit?" taking what is happening for granted and deciding to relax, the scientist settled down more comfortably against the wall.

''To get to the truth. My sister can be harsh in her decisions - especially when it comes to the lives of her subjects'' Luna passed by, giving in full admire her slowly swaying mane, woven from the stars themselves ''Perhaps she was in a hurry with you'' the ruler of the night peered into window slits ''I want to know everything you know about what happened''

''I beg your pardon for my insolence...but what do you expect to hear? Over the past hours, you probably already learned even more about the incident than I did'' he didn't really want to grovel in front of his own sick mind. However, the vision was surprisingly persistent.

''This is true. But that is the testimony of the scouts. There is only one living witness at the moment.''

''And at dawn this mortal world will be rid of him'' the stallion sighed.

''If you haven't figured it out yet, it is possible that Celestia will change her mind.''

''Knowing our beloved ruler - hardly. However, I still have no choice. The blame for everything was a case - either my own carelessness, or a fatal coincidence of circumstances. The former probably makes me feel guilty. The second one...be that as it may, I happened to make, perhaps, the greatest of my discoveries. From a philosophical point of view, this is a very beautiful career ending...''

''And what is it?'' Luna looked at the silent scientist with a thoughtful look of her turquoise eyes. He was weak in psychoanalysis. But he knew for sure that if this really was a vision, then it reflected his most secret desires.

''Something has returned from a time when the laws of matter and reality meant absolutely nothing.''

''Are you saying that what happened is related to the recent release of Discord?''

''Maybe. Although one should not exclude the option of some...mmm...echo of his previous rule.''

''The few monsters are the only ones known to us. But none of them are capable of such destruction.''

''Oh no, don't even compare them. The being opposed to you has intelligence. Perverted and sadistic mind of a maniac. Believe me, I happened to be convinced of this from personal experience.''

''Is this really all that I remember to you?''

Doc winced. He shook his head and looked around. The moon came closer.

''What does this creature look like?''

''The filly…yes. An ordinary earth pony. S-strange, isn't it?''

''Everything is fine?'' the princess looked at the prisoner with slight bewilderment.

''Y-yes...sorry, the head is playing naughty, he-he-e-''

''I can be naughty too. If you know what I mean…''

The moon receded. The changes on the face of the prisoner alarmed even her - a thousand-year-old alicorn, who beheld nightmares that mere mortals never dreamed of. The night princess herself has already felt a certain incorrectness of reality around. The session was definitely worth interrupting. Straight. Now.

Doc opened his eyes to find himself lying on the cold floor. Rising from that ... rising? The scientist did not feel the constraining weight on his own legs. It was inspiring. But the enthusiasm vanished like a hoof, as soon as he saw the shadow on the wall. Someone else's shadow.

The silhouette, hidden in the night, stood a couple of steps from him, not giving a single sign of life.

''And when did my camera become a tourist attraction?'' the scientist chuckled timidly, approaching the uninvited guest in the madness of newfound freedom.

The guest turned out to be a female earthpony.

''And not a year has passed since we met again.''

The silhouette came to life before our eyes, by the very fact of its existence, forcing the scientist to regret that he was even born into the world.

''Leave me...evil spirit!'' Hooves recoiled in fright, but the bushy tail had already wrapped around his lower back. She stood behind.

''How rude...'' perfect in their depravity legs hung around his neck ''Aren't you glad to see me?''

"W-what do you want from me?!"

The pleasant grip was gone. Before he could blink an eye, he met the floor again.

''Why are you so, doctor. You behave like an unreasonable child...'' the same legs were in front of his face ''I came to help you.''

Hooves expected to hear anything but these words.

''I would rather believe that the shifter queen rules the country than that a creature like you wants to help!'' the scientist flared up, jumping up on his hooves and reproachfully pointing one of them at the cunningly grinning earth pony ''And besides...you are just another illusion! Spawn of my aching head!''

The filly burst into pure girlish laughter.

''This cowardly oneiromancer Luna is used to hiding behind illusions. I am real. And my words are real - in contrast to the blatant lie that this crowned whore has poured into your ears.''

''How dare you...''

''Give up these games. You perfectly understand what I'm talking about'' cut off the filly, whose grin grew into a predatory grin ''She is no better than her sister. You are a tool for them. The only difference is that for one it has completely fallen into disrepair, while the other wants to squeeze out all the remnants of the benefit from you. They don't care about your fate. All the same, she is alone and you will meet her as soon as the rays of the sunrise touch these walls.''

The latter especially jarred Hooves, forcing him to cast an involuntary glance upward. Even if the night still ruled over the world, this rule could not last long. However, he was not going to give in, like a bachelor in defense of the diploma defending his convictions.

''I know the sisters much better than you think, monster. Everyone makes mistakes, and even they are no exception. The moon is one of those who keep their words. If she does not believe in my guilt, then she will make every effort to prove her to Celestia.''

''So why did she leave you alone with me?''

''Because… because…'' Hooves' voice trembled. And it's true, how does IT differ from execution?

''Understand, they do not appreciate you. They do not recognize your merits. Consumable material, no more. However, like all their subjects...

''Lies… all of them are blatant lies!'' unexpectedly for himself, the scientist broke into a cry.

His only answer was laughter. A caustic laugh, devoid of any pity for the unfortunate genius, deceived by fate itself.

''Truth. Bitter truth. Only by realizing it will you become truly free'' like a cat, the stranger bypassed the one gripped by doubts, not giving him a chance to escape the deadly grip of her words.

''No… they cannot… I don’t believe it… I will never believe it…''

''I see your true potential. Great knowledge is hidden in this head. Oh, how would they help the world if you had at least a chance to apply them in practice...''

''I had a chance...''

''And what did he lead you to? A fair ending?''

''Not…''

''But why? After all, you did everything so that the result justified all the hopes put into it.''

''A mistake… some fatal accident.''

''Accidents are not accidental. You know who is to blame for everything. Who didn’t give a word to say.''

The animal fear that had previously reigned in his heart was gradually replaced by righteous anger. It was unbearable for Khuvs to admit the fact that deep down he agreed with the words of the temptress. There is no accidental error. From the beginning, the problem was in the system. Vicious, rotten to its very foundations. In the one where the words of one dominate the words of all - regardless of what is said.

''Unite with me, Hooves. And you can change this world.''

''But why do you need it?..'' the doctor whispered hoarsely.

''We are birds of the same flight and we have one account. I understand you like no one else - after all, I myself knew the whole true essence of the sisters.''

''Madness...they have an army of many thousands on their side, and they themselves are immortal deities!''

''But on our strengths that existed long before them. Your mind will turn them into deadly weapons.''

Flashes of bright flame lit up the dungeon, surrounding the arguing duo with a wall of raging fire. Hidden in darkness, the figure of a stranger flickered ominously among the madness of the elements, as if being its revived incarnation.

''Retribution, so long waiting in the wings - will come true. Together, we will take revenge.''

Lights played in the eyes of the devoted champion of harmony. He saw no other way. He realized.

''They'll pay. For all.''

My dear student!

More and more often the news of your success in comprehending the teachings of friendship reaches me. It is gratifying to see how you grow before our eyes, becoming wiser with each lesson learned. However, the reason for this letter is different. A new threat has challenged Equestria - with its arrival the greatest challenge we have ever faced. Therefore, I ask you - not as a mentor, but as a friend - to preserve the bonds of friendship between the Elements at any cost. The time has come when any quarrel and any conflict is the worst of our enemies.

I understand that with my letter I will cause bewilderment in you, which will inevitably lead to many questions. Be patient and warn your friends. We will meet soon.

• Celestia