Life of a Queen

“Twilight?”

Starlight’s voice echoed through the ruined chambers. Finding that she could only hear her own voice, she realized this wouldn’t be quite so simple. She skipped over the shattered stone floor and sidestepped a smashed chandelier as she passed through the grand hall.

“Twilight?”

She repeated as she broke off into the wings. The Mess Hall, the Sleeping Chambers, and the Military Wing all turned up empty. With her options dwindling, she decided to check out the library in the far corner of the compound.

With the roof having caved in years ago, the library offered little in the way of reading materials. Still, this didn’t stop the most recent addition to the Equestrian Royalty from picking through the mess as she searched for anything of interest.

“What are you doing?” Starlight asked, spying the princess standing alone in the center of the destroyed room. She carried an old-fashioned lantern at her side, providing just enough light to see the hundreds of loose pages splayed out in front of her.

“Part of the shelf collapsed,” Twilight explained, not bothering to look up. “Book fell apart when it landed. I’m trying to piece it back together. I’ve already got the first three hundred pages. I’m pretty sure I’m getting close to the end.”

“Is it at least a helpful book? Like an ancient spellbook or something?”

“No, it’s an old mystery novel,” Twilight said, her eyes sparkling as she pieced several of the pages back into the book’s spine. “I started it on a whim, but the set-up really intrigued me. And I couldn’t just leave a perfectly good mystery unsolved like that.”

Starlight stepped over a pile of debris to get to Twilight’s side. She glanced over the alicorn’s shoulder to check for herself. Seeing the evidence for herself, she stepped back and massaged the bridge of her nose with a hoof.

“Seriously?” she asked.

“What?” Twilight said, pulling her project out of Starlight’s view.

“Do you know what time it is, Twilight? I’ve been sitting back at the castle waiting for you to get home for hours now.”

With a wave of her hoof, Twilight dismissed the annoyed mare.

“It can’t be that late. Spike has been keeping an eye on the time.”

The student sighed.

“And where is Spike?”

“Over there.”

Twilight pointed to a lump of cloth and cotton that, before the centuries of exposure, might have been a couch. Atop the soggy nest, a small purple and green bump lay, his face covered with a leatherbound book.

“Really looks like he’s working hard,” Starlight snarked.

Setting her project aside, Twilight turned to see what was causing the fuss, wincing at the sight.

“I thought he was just reading,” Twilight explained.

“Right. I read like this sometimes, too.” Starlight lifted the book from the dragon’s snout. She tapped gently on the shoulder. When that didn’t work, she hovered the tome close to him and slammed it shut. The resulting puff of dust made her eye water.

“Monster!” Spike hollered, rocketing up.

“Nope. Just me.” Starlight put a hoof on his shoulder to calm him.

“Oh. Hi, Starlight.” His sleep-addled mind took a moment to register his words. “Wait, Starlight? What are you doing here?”

“It’s past midnight and I hadn’t heard anything from either of you all day. I was worried.”

“I appreciate your concern, Starlight.” Twilight gathered the loose pages with her magic. She tapped them against the floor to straighten them before tucking them into the book’s front cover. “But it was dangerous for you to come here alone.”

“I wasn’t alone,” Starlight clarified.

Twilight glanced over her student’s shoulder.

“You sure?”

“Yes. He’s waiting outside.”

The princess retrieved her saddlebags. Notes, quills, and sealed inkpots floated towards her, allowing her to sort and stash each piece of gear as she spoke.

“He?”

“He. Apparently, he had something urgent to tell you that couldn’t wait until morning. Not that I was sure you would even be back by tomorrow morning. Or . . . this morning . . .” She shook her head. “Whatever.”

“Right. Give me a second to get my things in order,” Twilight said. In addition to her written notes, she gathered several stacks of drawings and blueprints. By the time she had fitted everything into her bags, they were filled to bursting.

“You got everything, Spike?”

The dragon glanced down at the book he fell asleep reading.

With a smirk, Twilight took the book from his claws. She couldn’t help but notice the cover depicting a dragon guarding a princess from an unsavory-looking knight.

“This is what you were reading?” she asked.

He tapped his index claws together nervously as he nodded.

“I thought it might have some interesting ideas for game night with the guys.”

By some miracle, Twilight managed to add the storybook to her over-encumbered luggage. Behind her, Spike hopped down from his moldy pedestal.

“Alright. I think we’re ready to go, then,” Twilight announced, giving the ruined room one final sweep.

“About time,” Starlight said, trotting toward the door.

Spike scampered across the room and up Twilight’s leg, sitting himself comfortably across her back. Together, the two of them followed Starlight out.

“Good evening, Princess Twilight.” Blue bowed, nearly pressing his nose into the dirt. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Yeah. I think I just need to play it nice and simple. Okay. That’s the plan then. Or will she expect me to be more formal?”

The sound of a clearing throat drew Blue’s attention to the castle door, where Twilight, Starlight, and Spike were all standing, watching him.

“I think ‘Good Evening’ will do just fine,” Twilight said, snickering into her hoof.

Blue’s cheeks burned red. He staggered back and bowed to the approaching trio.

“Princess Twilight? My apologies. I didn’t hear you arrive.”

“He’s worse than you are with Celestia,” Starlight scoffed, hopping down the steps and strolling past the bowing stallion. “You guys can stay out here and exchange pleasantries. I’m going back home and straight into bed.”

“Why don’t you go with her, Spike,” Twilight suggested. “Make sure she doesn’t get too far ahead.”

Spike answered with a vigorous nod. He hopped down off Twilight and sprinted ahead, barely managing to reach Starlight before she stepped out onto the bridge back into the Everfree.

“Sorry, Princess. I didn’t mean to upset her,” Blue said.

“Forget about her. She’s just tired and cranky, but we’d best keep up with her. Do you mind walking and talking?” Twilight ushered back toward town with her hoof.

“Yeah. That’s fine, I guess.”

Twilight passed, motioning for him to follow her.

“So, Blue, Starlight told me that you needed to talk with me?” Twilight asked as the two of them passed through archways of trees and back into the forest.

“Yeah.”

Blue glanced at Starlight and Spike. They were a decent stretch ahead, but not quite out of earshot on such a quiet night.

“Is something wrong?”

“It’s kind of a personal matter,” he explained, scratching at his mane.

Twilight followed his gaze to her friends. With an understanding nod, she slowed down, allowing the gap between the two groups to widen to a more comfortable distance.

“Better?” Twilight asked.

“I suppose so.”

“Then let’s hear it.”

He sighed.

“Princess, I’m in desperate need of aid. I didn’t know who else could help me.”

Twilight sized up the smaller stallion beside her.

“What seems to be the problem? Need help with a spell? Monster attacks? School exams?”

Blue raised an eyebrow.

“No, Princess. Nothing like that.”

“Well, if you’re going to make me guess, we might be here for a while.”

“Right.”

Blue stopped and took a deep breath. Twilight made it a few steps further before she stopped. She glanced back over her shoulder, studying the stallion with soft eyes.

“There’s something wrong with me, Princess.” Blue reached for the clasp on his cloak. With a snap, the garment unlatched, falling away into the mud. “I’ve heard that you’re the expert on things like this.” Blue turned away from her and extended his leg, giving the princess a clear view of his blank flank.

“I see your problem,” Twilight said, pressing her hoof to her chin. “You don’t have a cutie mark?”

Swallowing hard, Blue retrieved his cloak and covered himself.

“Please tell me that you’ve seen something like this before, Princess.”

“I can’t say that I have. Aside from fillies and colts, I mean. But no, never on an adult pony.”

Blue deflated.

“Then . . . I guess it is hopeless?”

Twilight raised a hoof.

“I didn’t say that. I’d be more than happy to help you with this, Blue. I happen to have a knack for settling magic-related mysteries.”

“You . . . you’ll help me?”

“I’ll do my best, Blue. Unfortunately, I’ve already got appointments for the next few days. But once I’m finished with those, I’ll have time to work on your case. Is that alright with you?”

“I mean, it’s not like I have much of a choice.”

“In the meantime, will you be staying in Ponyville?”

“I don’t have much of a choice in that, either.” He shrugged.

“Of course you have a choice. You could always go home. Where do you live? Canterlot? Manehattan? I don’t mind being away from Ponyville for a while if you need me to travel.”

“Well . . . I don’t really have anywhere to go back to.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sure I can work something out with a hotel around here or something. I’ve still got a few bits to my name.”

Silence overcame their conversation for a while. Up ahead, Starlight and Spike finally noticed how far the other two had fallen behind, but a solemn nod from Twilight kept them from getting any closer.

“Blue?” Twilight finally piped up.

“Yes, Princess?”

“You could stay with me.”

Blue tripped over a rock in the path, nearly toppling over.

“What?”

“My castle has plenty of empty guest rooms.”

“I couldn’t impose like that, Princess. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“You sure? The beds are comfy, and Spike is a fantastic cook. Besides, it’ll make my job easier if you’re close. It’s a win-win.”

Blue sighed heavily.

“Very well. I won’t argue with you, Princess. If you think that’s best, I’ll defer to you.”

“Good. Now that we’ve settled that, there is one other matter we need to discuss.”

“And that is?”

“Tell me about yourself, Blue,” Twilight said.

“About myself?”

“Yeah.” Twilight flashed him a kind smile. “You see, there’s one other rule if you want my help. We have to be friends.”

“I don’t know if I’m really looking for friends right now, Princess.”

“Come on, Blue. Everyone needs friends.”

“She’s the Princess of Friendship, Blue. You’re not winning that argument. Believe me, I know,” Starlight hollered from somewhere in the darkness ahead.

Twilight puffed out her chest.

“And besides, if I get to know you a little better, it might help us in getting you your cutie mark,” she argued.

“Alright. I suppose it couldn’t hurt to try. What do you want to know?”

“As much as you’re willing to share.”

“My name is Blue Requiem. I grew up in a small village outside of Manehattan.”

“See? You’re off to a great start already,” Twilight cheered on.

“I really don’t know what you want me to say.”

“Tell me about your parents.”

“Never knew them.”

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” Twilight cleared her throat as she used her magic to clear a path through the brush. “Who raised you, then?”

“I grew up in an orphanage. Turns out that prospective parents didn’t want a freak with bat wings. When I was old enough and could take care of myself, they let me out into the world. I’ve spent my life wandering around Equestria, taking odd jobs and quick paychecks.”

“I’m sorry, Blue. I know that can’t have been easy.”

By now, Blue was lost in his memories. He didn’t hear the princess’ words.

“Most recently, I’ve been up in Canterlot. Heard that you were involved with solving a magical incident at the castle that even Celestia herself couldn’t handle. I thought you might be able to help me. So, now I’m here.”

Twilight’s eyes were misted over. She put her wing protectively over the smaller figure.

“That sounds awful. But you’re not alone anymore, Blue.”

He smiled in response, leaning his head on her shoulder.

“Your words are unnecessary, Princess. But they are kind.”

The rest of their journey passed in solemn tranquility. Soon enough, Ponyville appeared ahead. They snaked through the empty streets, eventually arriving at Twilight’s castle.

“Well, I don’t know about you guys,” Starlight began as they stepped into the foyer, “But I need some sleep. I don’t have any plans tomorrow, so please let me sleep in if you don’t need me.” She turned to leave, but twirled back around, suddenly aware of something. “ I almost forgot. Twilight. A letter arrived from Princess Celestia. I took the liberty of placing it on your desk.”

“Thank you, Starlight,” the princess sang.

“Yeah. Well, if you need me, I’ll be sleeping.”

Without another word, she marched awkwardly off down the same hallways she had escorted Blue down when he had first arrived. Even from here, they could hear her door slam.

“What about you, Spike?” Twilight asked, nudging the little purple dragon.

“I’m tired, too,” he yawned.

As they spoke, Blue retrieved his bag from where he left it. He checked inside, making sure the package hadn’t been moved or tampered with.

“Before you settle in for the night, would you mind showing our new guest to one of the open rooms?” Twilight pointed a hoof at the thestral standing on the other side of the room.

“He’s staying here?”

“Yes. For a while, at least.”

“Okay.”

“You’re the best, Spike.”

The baby dragon waved a claw nonchalantly.

“I know.”

Twilight turned to Blue.

“And speaking of our guest. Do you need anything? Food? Drink? Do you have any questions?”

“I’m alright, Princess,” he said.

“Glad to hear it. If you change your mind and decide you need something, don’t hesitate to wake me. If I’m not in my room, I’ll probably be up in my office. Spike can show you where those are when he takes you to your room.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’d best go see what I missed while we were out all day. Sleep well, you two,” Twilight said before taking to the air. She bolted down the same hallways as Starlight.

“Are you ready for me to show you to your room?”

“Yes. Thanks, Spike.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The dragon led them down the same hallway, too. As Blue surmised on his first visit, the rows of doors that lined the castle hall were indeed guest rooms. Once in the hall, he noticed a larger door at the end. On either side of it, stairways were carved into the cylindrical tower. A second door, as large as the first, sat atop the landing. Additional sets of stairs were visible, too, though he couldn’t see exactly where they led.

“This castle is impressive,” Blue mused.

“You haven’t seen the half of it,” Spike chuckled.

The dragon led him to the last door in the row on the left.

“Here you go. She’s all yours.”

“Thanks, Spike. Before you go, would you mind pointing out Twilight’s office. I remembered something I had forgotten to tell her. I’d like to tell her before I forget again.”

“Sure.” Spike pointed toward the larger door. “That’s Twilight’s room. You can usually find me sleeping in there, too.” He raised his claw to the room on the second floor. “And that’s Twilight’s office. She spends way too much time there.”

“You’re a lifesaver, Spike.”

“Now, if you don’t need anything else, I’m going to follow Starlight’s example and hit the hay.”

“Alright. Goodnight, Spike.”

“Goodnight, Blue.”

With that, the dragon scurried off through the heavy doors into Twilight’s room, leaving Blue standing alone in the hallway. Taking a mental note of which door he had been assigned, he instead made his way up toward Twilight’s office. Standing outside her door, he reached back into his bag and removed the package. The message: For Twilight had been scrawled across it in marker.

He stood motionless for a moment, staring at the door as if it were some sort of horrible monster about to crush him. It took several minutes to finally work up the nerve to reach for the handle. And as he grasped the brass ring, one of his ears twitched. He closed his eyes, drawing his focus entirely to searching for a sound.

Crying.

He could hear crying on the other side of the door.

A quick tug on the handle opened the door just wide enough for him to slip inside. Twilight sat at the far end of the cylindrical room, her legs on her desk and her head in her hooves. As carefully as he could, Blue approached her. He passed cluttered stacks of books and papers. The shelves on the walls were lined with various knick-knacks and relics he neither recognized nor cared too much about. Instead, he kept his eyes on the princess.

“Princess Twilight?”

The alicorn nearly rocketed out of her chair. Blue saw her slide a sheet of stationary into one of the piles on her desk before quickly rubbing her tears away with her free hoof.

“Blue? What are you doing up here?”

“I tried knocking, but you didn’t answer,” he apologized.

“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.” She sniffled and swallowed hard.

“Is everything alright, Princess?”

“Everything’s fine,” she explained. “Did you need something?”

Careful not to draw attention to it, Blue slipped the gift under his wing.

“I came up here to talk with you.”

“Oh? Well, I’m free right now. What did you want to talk about?”

Blue massaged the back of his neck.

“It’s the letter from Celestia, isn’t it? Is that what made you so upset?”

Twilight waved him off.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about. Just some . . . Princess stuff.”

“Fine. I wanted to talk to you about . . .” Blue sighed. “You know what, don’t worry about it, Princess. It’s not important and it’s clear you’ve got enough on your plate as it is.” With a wave, he turned to leave.

“I’m fine, Blue. I promise.”

“With all due respect, Princess, less than an hour ago, you were asking me to share my life’s story with you for the sake of friendship. But you’re already lying to me. I heard you crying, Princess. I just want to help you. The same way you want to help me.”

Twilight gestured toward the chair opposite her and Blue obliged.

“I suppose there’s no harm in it. You’ll find out about it in the morning either way.” Twilight plucked the letter from its hiding place. “Princess Celestia wanted to warn me about an announcement she’s making tomorrow morning. Well . . . a few hours from now, at this point.”

“Sounds like something big?”

“It is. She wanted to make sure that she didn’t spring it on me unexpectedly.” Twilight put a hoof on her chest and took a deep breath. “She’s searching for someone. By this time tomorrow, every pony in Equestria will be looking for her.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Blue reasoned.

“It’s a capture order. A criminal warrant,” she explained.

Blue leaned as far forward as he could without falling from his seat.

“Who for?” he asked.

Twilight squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.

“Chrysalis. The Changeling Queen.”

Blue slid back in his seat.

“Then the rumors are true? About you and Chrysalis. I heard them while I was rummaging around Canterlot. Every pony seems to have their own interpretation.”

“Ugh. Rumors.” Twilight threw her head back.

“I’m sorry, Princess. Given your reaction, she must have been important.”

“At one point, yeah,” Twilight moaned. “But I don’t know what to think anymore. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her. Maybe I had made a mistake. It doesn’t matter now, though. Now it’s your turn, Blue. Are you going to tell me what you came up here to say?”

“I . . .” Blue felt the weight of the gift in his bag. He felt a little surprised that it didn’t drag him down to the floor. “I just wanted to apologize if I seemed a little . . . unenthusiastic while we were out in the Everfree. I’m glad you decided to help me. It seems like we could both use a friend right about now, huh?”

Twilight grinned.

“Every pony does.”

“Goodnight, Princess Twilight.”

“Goodnight, Blue Requiem.”