Author's Note

Hello everpony it took a while but here is the next chapter, please enjoy, have a nice hearts and hooves day. no current time table for the next chapter.

Meetings

Bankrupt Love

Chapter Three: Meetings

Cadence

Cadence and Flurry Heart both sat on the bed in her room, having dropped her disguise taking her original form. This was a meeting between her and her daughter, a disguise, no matter how much apart of her it was had no place here, luckily enough Flurry agreed to give her time to change. That just left them here in the room sounded by the silence they had yet to break.

Cadence didn’t know what was going to happen, the last time she and Flurry Heart had talked it ended in argument, and a bad one at that. She had said many things that she hadn’t meant. This would be the time to make for the past, if the changeling in her loft area had any indication for the level of forgiveness that she had, today she would regain her daughter. She could only hope that Flurry could forgive her mistakes as well.

They sat there for what felt like hours as one waited for the other to make the first move, it was Flurry Heart that gained the courage necessary to take the first step some mother you are Cadence thought darkly as she embraced her daughter with the first hug in over fifteen years, why either of them let it go on for that long she didn’t know. They sat there fro that one moment, holding on like the world was about to end, a silent tear flowing from closed eyes.

Cadence was the one to break the hug, as much as it pained her to do so, they had to talk. Flurry Heart was just as resistant to letting go, they separated, and went back to sitting beside one another on the bed. Flurry looked around the room then back to Cadence “The room hasn’t changed” she stared at Cadence “you haven't changed”Cadence picked up a little disappointment from the voice.

Cadence wanted nothing more to gloss over that, had she not changed? It had only been fifteen years, that was barley time to start a habit, she had grown content were she was, while it could always be better, there was nothing that she could really do “I haven't seen a need” she spoke as a mumble, not very happy with her own answer even though it was the truth.

“isn’t a need” she asked in a surprised voice “have you been out there” Flurries voice was full of concern “ponies are barley just surviving, they don’t have time to live, they work from sun up to sundown, friendships are nothing like they used to be, and there is almost no love left” she stood up her eyes pleading, filled to the brim with sorrowful pain “Cadence…. Mom they need us more than ever”

Cadence looked away from her daughter with a shy face, a grimace on her muzzle and shame in her eyes “I know” the response came slow, and forced out as she spoke, it was something that had to be said, but it was only the first part “but” she started looking her daughter in her eyes as she did. The light that once shined with hope was slowly fading into despair.

The words died, Flurry Heart taking up the slack that had formed in the conversation, her voice was heavy, her tone holding the last of her hope that the conversion might go her way “but what” she chocked out those words. She kept her eyes locked with mothers. Cadence tried not to shy away from the look.

Cadences voice was soft, almost distant as she said what had meant to the first time “it isn't our place to help them” she looked away “not anymore”

Cadence could feel the anger that washed off of her daughter, Flurry has never been good at containing her emotions at the best of times. This life that they now lived was far from the best for the young alicorn, this was far from the worst that they had even been through, but that was still enough to being out the monster. Flurry took a stance of defiance, and a Cadence knew what was coming.

Her voice dripping with fury, finally having a target to take out her ire on “are you just gonna sit here and do nothing while they destroy themselves” Cadence watched as Flurries horn flared with magic as the chest at the end of the bed flew open with a bang, a large tome floating out as she magicked it over to the two of them. The book opened and flipping through pages at a a speed that a normal pony could have hoped to even follow.

The two alicorns however saw ever page that flipped past, pictures of ponies long dead, letters that any historian would kill to get their hooves on slipped past them, centuries of memories of better times, a history of when the world was made up of their little ponies. Cadence was caught in a stupor, she hadn’t opened the book in so long, she hadn’t wanted to face that past, not after trying to drown it so many nights in a row.

Cadence was thrown from her thoughts as Flurry spoke again “did they not need our help” she flipped the last page of the book that held anything of importance, a family picture, not one of blood relations, but of kinship none the less. It was just outside of the castle of Canterlot, it was the transfer of power to Twilight, it was one of the last times that all of Equestria had so many important ponies together in one place. It would be the last picture that she had of all the elements, of Twilight not mourning over the loss of her friends.

Cadence reached out with her own magic taking the book from Flurry, flipping back a few pages to one held a picture of the Crystal Empire, it was a picture that was taken right after the defeat of King Sombra. The whole of the Empire was in celebration, a group of worn out ragged looking ponies that had fought to save it stood out in the crowd. She remembered that day, they had saved them yes, but at what cost.

The ponies of the crystal empire would rely on the protection of Equestria from then on, she would lead them yes, but from that moment on, she was so much more than a ruler. She had been seen as a god, what would happen if they did such a thing today, the alicorn in this age was more than just a myth, what would happen if they reveal themselves now. What would the population of today's world think of them.

She thought on if they even had the right to come back after so long, had they not given up their throne so long ago? Did they not have the chance to fight back against the very ponies that threw them from office? They ruled, and they ruled well all the way into the end, they of course were not perfect, no pony was, but in the end perhaps they ruled for too long.

Her eyes must have shown what she was thinking, Flurry Hearts face was one of held back anger, they had had this same argument before, and the end was just the same. Cadence wished not to act, and flurry wanted nothing more than to save those around her, consequences be damned. So there they meet again, so far way and yet right next to the other, mind and body separated by a distance and opinion.

“we have to do something” Flurry Heart said both determined and dishearteningly. Cadence knew the reason that she wanted to help the ponies around her, she was raised thinking it was her duty to help those around her. However that past was now long gone, their duty to the people that they ruled all those years ago has long ended.

“what would you have us do” Cadence responded, maybe this would be the chance to teach her a lesson, she wanted to help and that was fine, but she would have to plan this out herself. Cadence would let her see how impossible this all was, these ponies were not the same ponies that they ruled all those years ago, they had grown past them, grown past the crown that had been held over them.

Flurry Heart paused,cadence could tell that she was thinking, it was a long moment that stretched into a deafening silence. Cadence let out a sigh, “we would have to reveal ourselves, be it to everyone, or just the council” a serious look took the place of the calm one that was on her face not but a moment ago “how do you think they would react, how would any creature would react”

Flurry Heart couldn’t answer, Cadence took the silence and continued to talk “after we have every pony either running in fear or groveling at out hooves then what” her voiced was raised no quite yelling up in a harsh tone that left no room for a counter attack “what of those that don’t want our help, are we going to force that on them, drive them from the only home that they know”

Flurry was on the back peddle as Cadence spoke, only regaining her footing as she yelled back “Celestia and Luna would hav…”

Cadence moved from the bed, both of the alicorns in the room were standing, facing one another, anger and sadness burned in the both of them “THEY’RE GONE” she screamed it out. Cadence voice lowed as she slumped onto the bed “they aren’t here anymore” she looked sadly at her daughter. The facing of shinning armor looked back at her for a moment, fading away with a simple blink.

Flurry took a deep breathe as the world around them both came crashing down, silence fulled the room as both mother and daughter sat on the bed, they held each other up. They had this same argument before, and it had ended just like this before, Celestia had been there the first time, to mop up the tears that would be shed for days after, helping both sides. She wasn't here this time, and cadence couldn’t loose Flurry again.

Flurry spoke before Cadence could, her question was one that Cadence had been waiting on but still wasn't ready for, who could be ready to explain that she was going to lose the last place she had left of her father. “do you at least have a plan for dad”

Cadence knew that she was about to fully break her daughter, this was a hard lesson for any pony to learn, more so for an immortal like themselves. She hugged Flurry tighter as she let out a sigh “we both knew that this day would come”

That was not what Flurry wanted to hear, she hid her muzzle in Cadences neck like she was a foal all over again. A sniffle broke from her muzzle, tears spilled leaking into her very words “please, mom, please, not this soon”The weight of the world pressing down on her as she came to terms with what was happening “please, I cant” she choked “I cant loose dad again”

Cadence wrapped her hooves around her sobbing alicorn “I am so sorry honey”

Chrysalis

Chrysalis sat apon the love seat, still taking sips of the tea, the others having left her alone as they went to have a talk that she wanted no part in. She was in all terms an outsider right now, she could only guess at what was being talked about and had little care in the matter. She stopped after her third forced sip, tea was never her thing, she made to get up, taking the three cups that lined the table and brought them into the kitchen.

This was not something that Chrysalis was not ready for, she had been warned that Twilight Sparkle would be stopping by, that she could handle, a mother and daughter with emotional issues was not some thing that she wanted to touch with a pole of any length. This was the kind of thing that took a shrink to fix, and she was no shrink.

That left her alone as the two talked in the room, it was to her misfortune that the walls in this apartment were paper thin and she was forced to listen to every word that was said between the two. She did her best to ignore it, if Cadence or Flurry had wanted her to hear they would have talked about it out here. She did cleaned the dishes once more, it was a quick action only having the three glasses.

The cup levitated in her magic as she dried them, using a towel that hug on the counter, after she dried a cup she placed it back on the counter, not know where Flurry had gotten the fine china from. The first two went by with out problems, it was the third cup that became a problem, when it hit the ground shattering as Chrysalis’s magic fizzled for a moment. She stared at the broken china on the ground.

She went to use her magic only for the green glow to fizzle out once more, it would seem that she did have as much strength as she though she had. With a annoyed grunt she danced around the shards that marked the floor like a mine field, all the while looking for a broom to clean up the mess. It was as her eyes left the floor that the bottom of her front hoof found purchase on a sharp shard of tea cup.

He let out a curse as she jumped away from the offending glass shard launching herself into the the very small table and chairs that made up the dinning room set, with a crash her and the furniture fell to the floor. The embarrassed and bleeding changeling laid on the ground for a moment as she mind came to terms with what had just happened, the stinging in her hoof and the ache of her now bruised chitin making her feel even more stupid as she curled into a ball of pain,

she laid like that for a moment until the opening of a door forced her into the real world, at first she had through that Cadence and Flurry heart had heard that had happened and come out to she if she was ok, it was only when she opened her eye sand looked into the face of one very surprised Twilight Sparkle. They locked eyes for a moment, Chrysalis couldn’t even look away as they stared at each other, both of them going through a range of emotions.

Chrysalis gave sheepish smile, as Twilight’s became one of anger Not good Chrysalis thought as she did her best to scramble from her place on the floor.

Twilight sparkle

Today’s start was one of many surprises, Twilight had come to expect anything from this council that now ruled Equestria. They had brought many reforms to the world that she once lived in, but when she had woken up this morning at her usual time of 0530, she had not expected to be meet with an email detailing the dismantling of the Chrystal castle preservation program. She had nearly spit out the pot of coffee she was chugging from.

Twilight had to spend five minutes just getting her breathing under control again to read the whole email, it had turned out that she hadn't even gotten to the worst part, the further she read read the further her stomach sunk. It jumped back into her throat when she saw who the council had placed in charge of finalizing the plan, Fizzy Twinkle. She wanted to rip her mane out at that. This was Ponyville all over again.

She would have to be in charge of tearing down another piece of her world, she couldn’t keep doing this, it was one thing to leave that world so that it may lead itself. She knew that things would change, that is how life worked, but to be the one that had to break down that world that she once knew, that she had cared about was something of a torture. Twilight had thought about leaving it to some one else, but deep down she knew that she would have to be the one to do it, because if she didn’t, what was left of the wold that she once knew would be thrown to the wayside.

The melt down had taken up most of the time she had that morning, leaving her almost no time to get ready, she dashed around the large cave she called home. She was the only one that lived outside of the city, if only for the massive purple and green dragon that also called the cave hone. Twilight made her way around Spikes sleeping form, not even trying to be silent as she dashed around, at one point she would have tried to be more careful with the sounds that she made. That had been centuries ago when he would actually wake up.

Spike had long past the age of a light sleeper, once his dragon heritage of sleeping through anything but a war at their front door kicked in, he could sleep for days on end. Twilight left a note on the pile of gems that would be his meal for when he woke up, he had been sleeping for a week at this point, twilight would have worried sightly if his hibernation cycle wasn’t so soon, it would seem that she was loosing her faithful assistant once more for a few decades.

It was something that she had gotten used to, time was some thing that they had in spades, although she did miss the simpler years when they were younger and had more of that time to spend together. Twilight let out a sigh as she walked to the mouth of the cave, the entrance to her home was enchanted to keep out the elements and unwanted guests, to anyone who wasn't wanted they would just see a cliff face. To her it was noting more than a transparent glimmer, it felt like walking through a light mist as she made her way out onto the plateau that was her front lawn.

The mountain she called home was the same mountain that they removed the sleeping dragon from all those centuries ago, a mountain that once over looked the small Ponyville that so many called home. That was along time ago however, the once quaint village had been replaced by the ever expanding New Canterlot, from up on high the city seemed so small. The lights of a million souls danced the dance of life, going about daily routines.

It was a sight to behold, any yet she can’t enjoy it as much as she once could, the candles that once shone with a light glow had been replaced with the harsh glare of neon and harsh electric bulbs. She let out a breathe into the cold morning air, a puff of steam leaving her muzzle as she did so, she lit her horn wrapping herself in her light pink magic. In a short cast spell her large alicorn stature was reduce to that of a small unicorns. She opened her closed eyes not having realized that she had closed them, for a split second she could have swore the saw it, the old Ponyville.

It was nothing more than an old memory coming to the surface, she shook her head clear, she didn’t have time to be in the the past, right now more pressing matters weighed her plate down. She reached out with her magic putting on a saddle bag that she had carried out with her earlier, with her alicorn body most bags wouldn't fit her, with her smaller size she could now wear it with comfort.

She opened the left side making sure that all the papers she would need for the day were present, it took less than a minute for her to be content, and moving to the other side, pulling her phone out of the pocket. Twilight used her magic to unlock the device, going directly to her emails. The email that had awaited her this morning was still on top making it easy to find it. She opened it once more, copying the text into is own file before attaching the document to a different email and sending it to a reporter she knew would love to have it.

Her and Flurry heart haven’t been getting along for a long time now, it was something that Twilight had made peace with, Flurry was an emotional person and felt that twilight had betrayed them when she got a job working with the very council that took their homes. Twilight understood her point, and even though her niece hated her now, she would help her as much as possible. They had the same goal after all, just different outlooks on how to go about it.

Twilight checked the time, she had to meet councilor Scroll out side of his office in less than ten, she put up her phone, returning it to the saddle bag. She took one more look around the mountain top before she lit her horn, pushing power into the teleport spell that would put her into the alley way that was just a stones throw from her place of work. If this morning was anything to go by it was going to be a long day.

Later that day

Twilight hated when she was right, which is funny because she was right more times than not. She Slumped on her office chair planting her face into the wood desk that took up most of the small office space she had. Damage control had been the most stressful part of her day, she knew that Flurry Heart would take the bait she had sent her, what she didn’t account for was the reaction that Royal Scroll would have.

She had know that the pony had been in a foul mood sense he went on his weekend retreat to one of his many houses, but even this was a little out there for the councilor. She had been answering calls all day about what the Crystal preservation program was, where the money was going, who would be in charge, and that was only after messaging a distraught Cadence. She pushed a long breathe out through her teeth. A knock sounded at her door.

She lifted her head “its open” she responded with a loud but soft tone of voice. It was very different being what could only amount to a glorified secretary than the ruler that she had been before, and in all honesty she felt bad for all the years that she caused stress to the handful of ponies that stood by her side planning her days. The door opened relieving a rather large pony in a three piece suit and top hat.

Twilight had to hold back a cringe as the older earthpony wattled his way into the office, he was a more, how do you say, stuffy pony. Age was not kind to the councilor, his once vibrant white coat was now just a dull gray, his mane and great handle bar mustache having falling victim to time as well, casting white veil over him. His voice was as soft as a pit of gravel and as pleasant as griffon talons on a chalk board, years of smoking the pipe that dangled from his muzzle wrecked his lungs, not helping his rough voice as he often coughed when he talked. Even with all this he tried to live up to the vibrancy of his past youth.

He coughed once, clearing his voice just enough to be understood as he stopped in front of Twilight’s paper covered desk “ah, lady Twinkle, what luck to run into you this late”

Twilight tilted her head at that and looked over at the laptop that was on her desk, the time was slightly after five, it was indeed late, even for her. She had a habit of being the hardest worker where ever she got a job at, it was something of a problem, no matter how hard she tried to work just as much as those around her , the work just seemed to fly by, before she knew what happened she had done a weeks worth of paper work in a day.

It seemed to be even worse of a boon to have here, while all the other councilors have assistants they weren't half as competent as she was, and in the end, she had councilors knocking on her door to file paper work they didn’t want to do, or need that extra hoof they didn’t have. That brought her to moments like this. Twilight broke out one of her most fake real smiles, replying to him with a tone that took many years to master. It was the nobles way to say, happy to see you, but also what to you want.

“Councilor Top Hat, a pleasure to see you as always” she put herself back into the role of Twinkle she used her magic to clean her desk off quickly, straightening up the mess of papers in a flash leaving then stacked and organized. The whole time never taking her eyes off her new guest “I had simply lost track of time, what can I do for you”

The councilor took the greeting in stride, he was part of the old families, one of the last great noble houses that had held control even after all this time. He knew the game and how to play it, he moved to stand in front of the desk, ignoring the chair that was pulled out for him by Twinkles magic. He let out small chuckle as he sucked on his pipe letting the smoke leak out of his muzzle “always work with you Fizzle” he coughed once more, his large form landing in the seat behind him as he caught his runaway breathe “it can be bad for a mare as young and beautiful as you”

Twinkle scrunched up her nose at the smell of the burning tobacco that assaulted her, she used her magic to remove the smoke, putting out the pipe in the process “so can second hoof smoke councilor”. The councilor looked only slightly annoyed that his pipe had been put out before he came too.

“ah yes, I always forget that you are not a fan of smoking” his hoof came up to the pipe taking it from his muzzle and placing it in a pocket on the inside of his suit “how you deal with the stress of working with Royal Scroll I will never know”

Twinkle had to hold back a snort at the verbal punch, it was a common feeling that the stallion was impossible to work for, he had standers that were as high as the sun, he went through no less than ten secretaries before she had taken the job. Even then it felt like even with her paper work prowess there was always a back log of thing to sigh or do.

“as I said councilor just lost time” Twinkle spoke as she moved some of the paper work that was inside one of her drawers to the top of the desk, she had a feeling that this is what the older councilor was here for. He had come to her with a request a mouth ago, he needed some one to reword a bill that he wanted to get through, Twinkle didn’t really work with bills often, most didn’t end well for anybody but the rich, but never let it be said that anypony of the Fancy pants family didn’t care about the lower class.

As soon as the paper hit the desk the older pony took them in his hooves leafing through them at a fast pace, he mumbled to himself as he read through, smiling when he got to the end “prefect as always Fizzle” he folded the document and placed it into his suit with his pipe “speaking of Scroll, any news on why he has a storm cloud over his head”

Twinkle was used to this by now, politics was the same as war for some ponies, and information was worth its weight in gold to the right hooves. She gave a shrug “he was fine before he went on his weekend retreat” she started to put up her own papers wanting to leave after the conversation came to an end.

“a retreat you say” the old stallions eyes gleamed “ heard anything about it”

Twinkle held her lips, debating on whether or not to tell, when it came down to it Top Hat was the closet thing to a friend that twinkle had, and if not friend than an ally. It was wanting to keep that trust strong that broke the seal “I heard he went to one of his family houses, in old Canterlot”

The gleam in Top Hats eye seemed to double “old Canterlot, always knew he was part of an old family, but not that far back” he reach a hoof into the jacket pulling out a golden hair pin, it was of course high quality. He placed it on the desk “for all the hard work you do miss Twinkle”

Twinkle knew better than to fight the gift, it was a good sigh after all, she would of course play it off “for me councilor, how did you know my birthday was so soon” it wasn’t and they both knew.

Top Hat laughed as he made to leave, standing from the chair and making his way across the office, Twinkle following suit, opening the door for her as they both stepped out of her office “I always take care of my friends lady Twinkle”

Twinkle faked a blush, she went to say something as a griffon approached them, a worried look on his face as he made a bee line for Top Hat, who gave a final nod to twinkle “it seems that I have other maters to attend to, have a nice night” with that he walked away with the griffon, talking up a storm about what ever matter demeaned their ever rare attention.

It was with that Twilight was free, she walked her ways through the mostly empty hallways of the capital building, doing her best to dodge anymore conversations that were necessary, she had plans tonight. It was with quick hoof steps that brought Twilight outside of the building and the busy streets of New Canterlot. The loud sounds of shuffling bodies and magic carriages echoed all around her as soon as she hit open air, it was a chaotic mess that would make Discord blush with pride.

Twilight danced through it with grace, all the while keeping her eyes peeled on the road, soon she found her target a yellow taxi cab. She moved out onto the very edge of the road, brought her hoof up to her muzzle and gave off a whistle so loud it caused the street to go silent for a moment, letting the small unicorn hail the taxi that caught her eye. The taxi came to a stop in front of her, with her head held high she magic the door open and climbed inside.

She was greeted by the very familiar shouting of a yak “WELCOME TO YAK TAXI” Twilight smiled at the greeting “WHERE DOES PONY WANT TO GO”

Twilight buckled herself in “corner of twenty third and fortieth, please” she watched the yak press a button as they pulled out into the street, the red bit counter in front counting as they made their way through the crowed streets. Twilight turned her attention way from the price of the ride to just staring out the window and thinking. She would love to just teleport like she does to work everyday but the risk was to much just for easy transport. While magic was much more wide spread than it was a thousand years ago, the teleportation spell was still just as rare if not rarer.

So her just popping in and out of reality as she wished would definitely bring more attention than she wanted down on her. The only reason that she used the alleyway outside of were she would greet Scroll in the morning was because she warded the alleyway with a notice me not spell. If she did that for all the places in the city that she needed to go to creatures would start to notice ironically. If one was exposed to the spell to often they would start to build up and immunity.

Twilight hadn't even noticed that she had neared Cadences house until the cab came to a stop “PONY PAY NOW” the Yak in the front seat yell over their shoulder as Twilight pulled out a black metal magic card in her magic passing it to the Yak. They scanned the card, handing it back to Twilight “PONY HAVE NICE DAY”

“you as well” Twilight responded in kind stepping out of the cab and making her way down the street, it was one that Twilight hated to walk through at night. It was by no means a low income part of town, but that didn’t stop the beggars and street thugs from cluttering the back alleys, one had to mind their step after sundown. She come to the entrance of a apartment complex, the building was gated and locked to Tartarus and back, designed to keep out all those that didn’t have a key to get in.

Twilight fished the keys from her bag, making her way through the gates and front door. The building security waved her down, stopping her at the check point that he was housed it, flipping up his cap that covered his eyes “well if it ain’ Ms Fizz”

Twilight smiled as she stopped walking turning her gaze over to the ragged stallion, his light blue uniform was disheveled, his dark brown coat making it stand out even more as he moved to stand, taking his hooves off the desk they had been resting on. He removed his hand brushing a hoof through his silver mane straightening it out, placing it back only when it looked like he made some decorum of professionalism. Twilight let a small giggle slip “good after noon Night Watch”

“here to see Silver lining” Night Watch asked

“yes, it been a while we need to catch up” Twilight responded

“She got in not even thirty minutes ago” Night Watch opened up the check point door letting Twilight through “she seemed to be in a rush”

Twilight lifted an eyebrow at that, she hoped it wasn't for her, she didn’t want to stress Cadence anymore than she already was “did she say anything to you”

“nope” Night Watch said with drawing out the word “just blew through her like she had a devil following her”

Twilight’s anxiety flare for a split second as her mind went through all the of things that could have happened to her sister for her to rush back. It could have just been that she was rushing to get here before Twilight but she had a feeling that it was worse than that. She pushed past Night Warch as she made her way into the building proper “thanks Night Watch”

Night Watch had already made his way back to his desk, kicking up his back hooves “have a nice night”

Twilight almost didn’t hear the parting words, her legs already carrying her down the hallways and up the sitars to the Cadence floor, the whole way up her panic morphed into more and more bad thoughts of what might have happened, with all that has occurred today she had a feeling that she wouldn't like what she was going to find. Somewhere along the way she didn’t even realize that she had dropped her Twinkle form.

The door to Cadence room came into view and Twilight already had the key out and waiting, she stopped right in front of it, should she knock. She took a breath, letting her racing heart calm down, she was making a mountain out of a mole hill again. She raised her hoof to the door, inches away from knocking, when a loud crash came from inside the room, the key was in the door in a flash, and the door sung open.

Twilight took in the sene in front of her, shattered glass covered the floor, red blood dotted the floor, a black furred figure laid in a pile of furniture groaning in pain. Twilight's eyes narrowed as she looked closer at the now moving figure that looked back at her. Fury Spiked into her very being as she recognized the figure that laid on the ground, and all the pieces to the puzzle came to her at once.

She lit her horn preparing magic blast.