Life of a Queen

Blue nearly made it to the edge of the castle courtyard in the time it took him to realize just how different Ponyville was during the day. Ponies stood at every street corner, chatting idly as they went about their business. Compared to Canterlot’s congested streets, Ponyville’s almost seemed empty by comparison. Only the occasional delivery cart broke foot traffic.

“Alright,” Twilight began, withdrawing a piece of paper from her bag. “I have the shopping list Spike wrote for us. It has everything we need on it.”

“Ooh. If we’re lucky, we can get most of this in the Market Plaza,” Twilight cooed. “I think Applejack is supposed to bring in a new shipment today. We might be able to get something fresh.”

She looked about ready to start drooling. “We could pick up an apple pie. Or maybe some apple fritters. Heck, I’d settle for just some fresh apples at this point. What do you think, Blue? Blue?”

Twilight turned toward her companion. He seemed to be focused entirely on avoiding eye contact with the other ponies on the sidewalk. With an unimpressed look on her face, Twilight cleared her throat obnoxiously. Blue’s thousand-yard stare snapped back to the present.

“Did you say something?” he asked innocently.

“Yes.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I asked if you wanted to pick up anything while you were here. Do you have everything you need for your stay at my castle? You didn’t seem to have much in your bags.”

“Don’t worry about me, Princess. I travel light.”

The duo arrived at the Market Plaza. If not for the landmark statue of Twilight atop the fountain, Blue doubted he would have recognized the place beneath the dozens of ponies that congregated here. The empty market stalls of last night’s ghost town were now bustling with shopkeepers announcing their special deals.

Lines had formed in front of many of the stalls. The patient ponies spent their time chatting with one another while they waited. A commendable feat, given the sea of conversations that surrounded them. Several couples sat on the benches around the square, enjoying one another’s company. A group of foals entertained themselves by tossing bits into the fountain basin.

“Place sure is busy during the day,” Blue remarked.

“Yeah. This plaza is much more than just a market. A lot of ponies like to just hang out around here with friends, even if they don’t need to shop. I’m guilty of it myself.”

“It’s a bit chaotic.”

“That’s just part of what makes it fun. So many ponies in one place having a good time. It’s not too different from something like a club in Manehattan or those outdoor diners in Canterlot. It just takes some getting used to.”

“I’m not sure that I want to get used to it,” Blue muttered.

“Not a fan of crowds?”

“No.”

“I understand that. When I first got here, I thought all these ponies were crazy. They threw a surprise party for me to welcome me to town. I hated every second of it. But look at me now.”

“Now you’re just as crazy as them?”

“Possibly.” Twilight laughed. “I get that a place like this can be scary, but I promise that the ponies around here are as friendly as you’ll find in Equestria. If you give them a chance, you might find that you could make a lot of friends here. I know I did.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You’re practically a celebrity in these parts.”

Twilight shook her head.

“It’s not like that. These ponies don’t look at me like a princess, they look at me like they would any other friend. Get to know them, and I’m sure they’ll see you the same way.”

“I wish I shared your enthusiasm, Princess.”

“Don’t feel so down about it.” Twilight lay a wing over him to comfort him. “We’ve still got a lot of time to change your mind.”

Blue pulled himself away from the princess.

“No offense, Princess, but I didn’t come here to make friends.”

“Have you ever had one?”

He opened his mouth as if ready to rattle off a list. But the words died on his tongue.

“No. Not really.”

“Maybe the two issues have some connection,” she suggested. “All I’m saying is that it might be something worth looking into.” Blue considered her point in quiet contemplation.

Eventually, the lines wound down, and with it, their list of items. Everything from food for the week’s meals to writing supplies. Twilight made sure to keep them separate when she added them into her bags. As she struck the last item off her list, a familiar voice called out to her.

“Afternoon, Twilight.” An orange earth pony sauntered up, tipping the edge of her wide-brimmed hat. “Fancy seeing you out here.”

“Applejack!” Twilight crumpled the paper and tossed it into her bags with the rest, freeing her hooves to wave back at Applejack. “I was looking for you.”

“Were you now?”

“Yeah. Where’s your cart? Did I miss the new shipment?”

“Sorry, Twilight.” Applejack rubbed the back of her neck. “Trouble on the farm. Shipment won’t be arriving until tomorrow. But I still had a few things to pick up in town today.”

“Aww . . .” Twilight whimpered like a filly. “I was really looking forward to some of your Granny’s famous apple pie. Oh well.”

“Speaking of tomorrow, are you still free to come over and help?”

“Of course. It’s my only plan for tomorrow.”

“I’m sure Applebloom will be thrilled to hear that.” Applejack finally took notice of the blue thestral standing beside Twilight. “Who’s your friend? I don’t think we’ve met.”

Twilight motioned to Blue. “Applejack, this is Blue Requiem.” Then she motioned back to Applejack. “And Blue, this is my friend, Applejack.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Mister Blue.” She stretched out a hoof toward him.

“You, too.” He took her outstretched hoof. Coupled with her firm grip, the spontaneity and energy in her hoofshake nearly knocked him off his hooves. When she finally stopped, he took a moment to reorient himself.

“Any friend of Twilight’s is a friend of mine,” she exclaimed with a vigorous nod.

“Thanks.”

A wide grin spread over Applejack’s face as Blue returned to his evasive self.

“Well, I’d love to stay and chat with the both of you, but I’ve got to be getting back home soon. I promised Applebloom that she could help me with dinner tonight, and she’s a filly you really don’t want to keep waiting.”

“I can imagine,” Twilight giggled.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Twilight.” With a tip of her hat and an enthusiastic wave, Applejack disappeared back into the crowd and out of sight.

“So, that was the famous Applejack,” Blue said.

“That it was. See, you’re already making friends.”

“I feel like I’m going to be sick.”

Circling back around toward him, Twilight put a hoof on his shoulder.

“Yeah, that’s part of it, too. Come on. Let’s drop this stuff off at home and pick up Spike. Then we can head out to the Everfree. There’s no crowds out there you need to worry about.”

For the first time since he left the castle that morning, Blue smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’d like that.”

“We’re here,” Twilight sang as she took her first steps onto the rope bridge.

“You know, I thought the Everfree was supposed to be a dangerous place,” Blue mused as he followed after her. The bridge swung under their combined weight. “But that’s my third time through with nothing happening.”

“That’s because you’ve got me to keep you safe,” Spike boasted. He sat comfortably on Twilight’s back, a leather-bound tome in his claws.

“There’s that.” Twilight bobbed her head back and forth. “And I’ve been leading us on the safest path through the forest. There aren’t many monsters in this area, so we don’t have to worry about it. Try to go any deeper, though, and you’ll start running into manticores and hydras.”

“And you definitely don’t want to run into a hydra in the dark,” Spike said. “Believe me.”

The trio stepped back onto solid ground in the castle courtyard. Without the night hanging over it, the castle looked far less intimidating. Blue started up the steps, only to realize that Twilight and Spike had stopped.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

"Nope,” Twilight said, kneeling down and letting Spike climb down.

Blue hopped back down to join them.

“We’re just not going inside?” He pointed over his shoulder at the door.

“No need. With the rain last night, I was stuck inside the whole time. I already got everything I needed there. Now, I just want to take some notes on the outside architecture. I mean, just look at those beautiful archways. I can only hope my own designs can capture a piece of that.”

Blue marveled at the stars in the young princess’ eyes.

“You’re really passionate about this, aren’t you?”

“Of course. This has to be perfect.”

Somewhere behind the thrill, Blue thought he sensed sadness.

“Because you got the idea from her?”

Twilight turned to her assistant.

“Spike, would you mind helping me set this all up?” She removed a strange, compact wooden slab from her bag that she used as a flat writing surface. From a different bag, she produced a set of quills and ink, as well as a few large sheets of drafting paper.

“Twilight?” Blue started again. “I know it’s hard, but if you ever need someone to talk to . . . you know . . . about her—”

“Thank you for your help, Spike,” Twilight interrupted. “Blue, you can head inside if you want to. I’ll be out here for a while working on this. Oh! Don’t go too far in. There’s a bunch of traps and I’m not sure I’ll be able to find you again. There’s a few books in the reading room right inside if you’re interested.”

She refused to look at him.

Blue offered a sluggish nod in return. Taking her advice, he bounded up the steps and through the front door. He turned into the first room that branched off from the main hall. Based on the little that remained of the rotting furniture, he figured it must have been a den at one point.

Leaning back against the skeletal frame of a couch, he unbuckled his bag and withdrew a book from within. The red cover burned his eyes. He opened to the front page to avoid it, only to notice the signature penned on the inside cover. With a hiss, he flipped randomly to the middle of the book. There, in the middle of a chapter on the basics of telekinesis, he allowed himself to drift off into a world of paper and ink.

As the hours crept by, he grew more engrossed in the book. What started as a simple time waster evolved into actual interest. And as long as the pages kept him enraptured, he didn’t have to think about the princess. The next chapter focused on focusing magic into a light. The chapter after that, about the basics of combat. Each new paragraph offered invaluable insight into the uses of magic, and into the mare sitting alone outside.

She really is amazing, isn’t she? I have to tell her—

“Hey, Blue.”

The young dragon’s voice derailed any further thoughts down that line. Blue slammed the book shut and tucked it away as quickly as he could.

“Spike? Don’t sneak up on me like that. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“I did? Sorry.”

Behind the dragon, through the cracked glass of the window, the golden aura of dusk had already set in. The first few stars were just starting to peek out from their hiding places.

“Don’t worry about it. Is something up? Why aren’t you helping Twilight?”

“She’s finishing up now. She wanted me to tell you to start packing up.”

“Thank you, Spike.”

The dragon kept his claws folded behind his back as he rocked back and forth. The floorboards creaked under the constant shifting.

“So . . .” he said through pursed lips.

“What? Is there something else?” Blue inquired.

“What were you reading?”

Blue shifted the book further back under his wing until he was sure Spike couldn’t see it.

“Nothing important. Just something that Twilight lent me.” He scanned the room, looking for anything that might help him weasel out of this conversation.

“What’s it about? Dragons?”

“No.”

“Is it one of those detective novels she got caught up in last night?”

“No.”

“She didn’t give you one of her new Daring Do books, did she?”

“No, Spike.” Blue didn’t try to hide his frustration. “It’s a magic manual. It teaches basic spells and the like.” He flashed the book too quickly for Spike to get a good look. “Satisfied?”

Spike’s tail drooped.

“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to upset you. I’ll leave you to your reading.”

After a few deep breaths, Blue started again.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten upset with you. Forgive me. I’m not used to others being interested in what I’m doing. Not unless they’re planning to make fun of me, that is.”

Spike walked up beside Blue and plopped himself down beside him.

“It’s alright. I know how it feels to be picked on for stuff like that. The first time I visited the Dragon Lands, I didn’t really get along too well with any of them. But you don’t have to worry about that here with us. Especially when it comes to reading. I’m sure Twilight would love to talk about books with you.”

Blue removed the book from its hiding spot and set it on his lap.

“Can I ask you something, Spike?”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you really think of me as a friend?”

A soft clicking echoed through the room as Spike tapped his claw against his chin.

“I suppose I haven’t really known you that long, but you seem like a nice guy—”

“And what if I told you that I’m not?” Blue curled inward. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’ve hurt ponies that trusted me. That cared about me. Sometimes I wonder if I deserve friends like you and Twilight.”

“Everyone deserves a friend. No matter who they are.” Spike hit Blue’s shoulder with a playful punch. “At least, that’s what I believe.”

“I hope you’re right, Spike.”

“I usually am,” he said proudly.

“Right. Another thing. Would you do me a favor and not tell Twilight about this?” He waved a hoof, gesturing at the air between them. “I owe it to her to tell her the truth myself.”

It took a moment, but Spike eventually nodded.

With their pact secured, the duo gathered themselves and joined Twilight outside. Covered in sketches that captured every facet of the castle, the many sheets of paper were scattered around the opening. The one still clasping onto her desk seemed to be a depiction of the castle as it had been back in its prime.

“Impressive,” Blue noted as he peeked over Twilight’s shoulder.

“You think so? I wasn’t too sure about these parts.” She pointed to a few spots on the drawing. “The castle is so run down that I had to take some liberties with them.”

“I think you did a great job.”

“Thanks. I’m just hoping that I’m able to capture some of that historic beauty in my own construction. I know it won’t be easy, but I think it’ll be worth it.”

With the aid of her two assistants, Twilight cleaned up her station. She rolled the drawings up neatly and stashed them away in their own separate pocket. A varied collection of straight edges, protractors, compasses, and a litany of other drafting tools were ferreted away next. The oversized clipboard went last.

“All set?” Blue asked.

“There’s only one thing left.” Twilight knelt down. “Spike, you ready?”

With her lowered height, Spike had no issue climbing aboard. Despite the sun still sitting on the horizon, the dragon yawned while he made himself comfortable. Once he settled, the group began their hike back through the Everfree.

They were nearly halfway home before Blue broke the silence.

“So, what’s the point of this school idea?”

“Spreading the message of unity and friendship to every species in Equestria.”

“You really think that will work? Most of them aren’t known for playing nice. I mean, could you imagine dragons and ponies living side-by-side?”

Twilight offered an unimpressed glare at Blue before shifting it toward the sleeping Spike.

“Nope. Couldn’t imagine it.”

“You know what I mean. Spike’s hardly the standard for a dragon. They’re dangerous. Heck, a lot of other races are dangerous. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s definitely not going to be easy.”

“I have to try at the very least.”

“I know. I just want you to know what you’re getting into. Just promise me you’ll be safe, Twilight.”

“Are you worried about me?” She teased him.

“I didn’t say that.”

Blue’s cheeks glowed red, causing Twilight to burst out laughing.

“I appreciate the concern, but I’m not afraid. It’s not like I’m some stranger to this. I’ve befriended plenty of dangerous creatures. A sea serpent. A draconequus. Even the notorious Queen Chrysalis—”

Before Blue could question the abrupt end to their conversation, he stumbled into Twilight, nearly knocking himself into the dirt. The collision succeeded in sending Spike crashing into the dust with a surprised yelp. The thestral shook away his shock and marched up to Twilight.

“Hey! What are you just stopping randomly for—”

As he spoke, he followed her line of sight into the treeline. It didn’t take long for him to find the answer to his question.

“Chrysalis?” Twilight whispered, inching forward toward the tall, dark figure.

“Impossible,” Blue gasped.

At the sound of her name, the changeling Royal turned and whipped around to face them. Her eyes widened as she spied the travelers. Without a second of hesitation, she broke for the cover of the forest, vanishing into the brush.

“Chrysalis, wait!” Twilight cried, rushing after her.

“Twilight, wait,” Blue cried. However, in the time it took to warn her, Twilight had already traveled beyond their sight.

“What happened?” Spike asked, climbing up from the small ditch he crashed into.

“No time to explain. Get on.”

Sensing the urgency in the stallion’s voice, Spike pulled himself up by the straps of the saddlebags. He clung tightly as Blue broke into a full-on sprint.

“Keep your head down,” Blue ordered as they plunged through the forest, dodging and weaving through gnarled branches and thorny bushes. Spike obeyed, ducking down as far as he could manage without losing his grip.

The stallion kept his focus forward, ignoring the bloody marks opening across his legs and flanks as he forced through the forest’s resistances. He gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder. It took a minute for him to spot the purple tail bouncing madly ahead.

“I see her. Don’t let go, Spike.”

“I don’t plan on it.”

Up ahead, Twilight broke into a clearing. She stopped in the center, chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Her head swung every way, searching for any trace of the changeling. A rustle of leaves caught her attention. She approached wearily, only for the beast to launch itself from the foliage, catching her off-guard as it dragged her down to the ground.

“Damn it,” Blue snarled.

Whatever had ambushed her, it stood nearly as tall as the changeling. Rather than the slick black chitin, the beast’s texture looked lumpy and uneven. It seemed to be coated in sticks and mud. It used its weight to its advantage, pinning Twilight down and lashing out with its fangs. She reacted quickly to raise her hoof. The beast obliged, sinking its stone teeth into her foreleg.

“It’s a Timberwolf,” Spike explained.

Another wolf appeared at the edge of the clearing, focused on securing its prey.

“You ready to fight, Spike?”

“Leave the big one to me,” he replied.

Blue felt the dragon’s weight shift. The temperature started to climb. As the two of them hit the edge of the clearing, they split.

Spike dove forward, rolling close enough to unleash a torrent of flame on the larger of the two. As the flames engulfed the beast, it snarled, releasing Twilight from its grasp. She followed up Spike’s distraction with a hearty kick to the creature’s center, sending it staggering back. Before it could recover, a fireball struck its flank, igniting the dry grasses and sticks and turning the bonfire into an inferno.

Sensing an opening, the second wolf rushed forward, only to be intercepted by a bodycheck from Blue. He knocked the beast aside with a surprising force, given his small frame. Before the wolf could even register the second attacker, Blue smashed its face into the forest floor, exposing its throat. Blue took advantage, and tore into the wood with his fangs.

The first bite broke through the exterior shell.

The second turned the wolf limp.

And the third separated its head from its body.

Blue wiped the muck from his chin and spat out a tuft of grass.

“You alright, Twilight?”

“I’m fine,” she snapped. “Did you see which way Chrysalis went?”

“I think we have bigger problems,” Spike pointed out.

The forest around them came alive. Shadows danced just outside their perimeter. Claws dug into the earth; howls filled the air. The trio gathered at the center of the clearing, standing with their backs together.

“I count seven,” Spike said.

“I count eight,” Blue countered.

Twilight stomped her good hoof.

“I don’t have time for this.”

Her eyes flickered with violet energy. Lightning arced around her horn. The clouds above started circling. With a furious cry, Twilight unleashed her magic. Blue scooped Spike in the crook of his arm and dropped to the ground. Ignorant to the true danger, the rest of the Timberwolf back closed in.

Blue squeezed his eyes shut as mystical energy tore through the night. Waves of magenta light rippled outward. Every fiber of fur on his body stood on end as the electricity washed over him. His teeth rattled in his skull.

The wolves weren’t as lucky.

The constructs collapsed wherever they were, wailing and squirming as the magic tore their bodies apart. Sticks, stones, and clumps of mud were pulled away without the slightest hint of force behind them. The beasts fell to pieces as Twilight’s magic tore their own magic from their bodies.

When Blue finally opened his eyes, all he could see were the piles of debris that marked the Timberwolves’ resting place. The thunder died down, leaving only the sound of a mare gasping for air. As soon as he found the coast clear, Blue released Spike and climbed to his hooves.

While he watched, Twilight shuffled back toward the trees.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to find her. She’s in danger out here.”

“Like Tartarus you are.”

Twilight’s eyes widened as she felt something pull on her tail. She kicked weakly at her captor, but Blue refused to let go.

“I have to bring her back,” she gasped. “I have to know the truth.”

“Twilight, that’s enough!”

As his voice echoed through the forest and through her head, Twilight ceased struggling. Blue tugged hard, dragging Twilight back to the center of the clearing. When he was sure she wouldn’t try to run, Blue released her. Instead, he put his fangs to use by slashing up his cloak. He cut the fabric into thinner strips and used them to bandage Twilight’s wounds.

She sucked a breath through her teeth as he went to work. But the tears in her eyes had nothing to do with the pain.

“You don’t get it,” she pleaded. “I need to know.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Twilight,” Blue said, his voice muffled by the makeshift bandage in his mouth.

“That's why I have to find Chrysalis.”

“You really think that’s a good idea?” He pulled the bandage tight, causing Twilight to squeal. “I don’t care what you think, but you’re not going looking for her tonight.”

Twilight hung her head. A tear splashed down into the mud.

“Spike.” Blue grit his teeth. “You good?”

“Yeah.”

“Glad to hear it. Would you mind keeping an eye out? Warn us if you see any more wolves.”

“Right.”

Spike trudged to the edge of the circle. He marched along the circumference, making sure no other surprises would sneak up on them. As Blue sat down beside Twilight, she crawled into his lap, allowing him to stroke her mane while she fought back tears.

“She ran.”

“She did.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

Twilight curled up to him.

“She looked terrified of me. Do you think she heard about Celestia’s bounty?”

“Maybe it wasn’t her.”

That thought made Twilight’s breath catch.

“What?”

“I was talking with Starlight last night while we were trying to find you.” He moved his hoof through her mane. “She told me about something called a Wisp.”

“That wasn’t a wisp. It couldn’t have been.”

“Why not?”

“I-It . . . I know it wasn’t.”

“That isn’t an answer, Twilight. She saw you, she ran, she led you into a trap, and then she abandoned you in the ensuing chaos. Does that sound like Chrysalis to you?”

“I . . . I don’t know anymore.”

“You said she loved you. That doesn’t sound like love to me.”

“Or maybe I was wrong about her.”

Blue wiped the tears from the young mare’s cheek.

“What makes you think that—”

“Because none of this adds up, Blue. If she really loved me, why didn’t she come back?”

“We just decided that she was a Wisp, didn’t we?”

“I don’t mean tonight. For two months, I thought she was dead. Then I get a letter saying she’s alive but missing. And then nothing. We used to talk about what we would do after saving Celestia. She seemed so excited to come home and live with me in Ponyville. But she never came.”

“You’ve spent some time thinking about this.”

“Too much.” Crickets chirped in the long pauses between their words.

“You said that you needed to know the truth. What did you mean?”

Twilight swallowed hard.

“After she died, I started to wonder if maybe I’d been mistaken. She helped me through a rough time in my life, but we didn’t spend that much time together. I started to doubt whether I really loved her. But I decided that it didn’t matter. I put that chapter of my life behind me.

“But when I heard that she was still alive, I was so happy. It was like a piece of me had come back with her. It soothed a pain that I’d been ignoring for so long.”

By now, her tears had run dry.

“And now my past has come back to haunt me. When I read Celestia’s letter last night, all of those questions came flooding back. Had I made a mistake telling her that I loved her, or not? I thought that if I could see her again, talk to her, then I would be able to know. To know that I really did love her . . . or that I didn’t.”

“I can’t imagine what you must have felt these last few months, Twilight.”

The princess rose from the dirt. She took an experimental step with her wounded leg, but it buckled under the weight.

“I just want to go home.”

“What about Chrysalis?”

“You were right. That wasn’t her.”

“That doesn’t make it any easier.”

“No. I should be stronger than that. It caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting to see her and I lost my cool. I won’t do it again.” Her voice teetered on the edge of cracking.

“Isn’t that a little unfair to yourself?”

Twilight hesitated.

“What’s done is done. I can’t spend the rest of my life wondering what might have been. She’s made it clear at this point that she isn’t coming back for me. So, why should I waste my time caring about her? At this point, I think it would just be easier if she stayed away.”

“Twilight . . .”

She took another step. Although she still winced with each step, she refused to stop.

“Come on. It’s going to take up a bit of time to find the trail again.”

She marched off into the trees.

“We’d better keep up with her,” Spike said as he jogged past the lowly thestral.

Blue looked up to the stars. The last warmth of sunset had burned away.

“I suppose you’re right. Maybe Chrysalis shouldn’t come back . . .”