Who Rules?: Shattered Hearts

Who Rules: Shattered Hearts

by Nom deCheval

Chapter Six

“I want to go with them!” Spike was stomping down the street, almost running beside Shining Armor, who walked with a purpose towards The Golden Oaks Library.

“No,” he answered, keeping his head forward.

“Why not?” Spike’s voice skirted near the edge of whining.

“I’ve already given you several reasons, but let’s try a new one,” Shining Armor turned his head to look at the baby dragon, “because I need you here.”

“You need me? Why do you need me?” Spike puzzled.

“Because you have the ability to send messages back and forth between yourself and Princess Celestia--and I’m hoping that extends to Princess Luna as well,” he answered.

“I--I’ve never tried to send a message to Princess Luna,” Spike replied.

“Well, you’re going to try it. We need that kind of quick communication right now,” Shining Armor was steadfast in his tone and gait.

The streets of Ponyville seemed darker. The sun was high overhead, the birds were singing, and the flowers blooming, but there was a shadow that hung over everything. This normally pleasant venture from the hustle of the world was now the epicenter of Equestrian might, as the military walked the streets in heavy numbers, waiting for their shot at redemption.

“I still say I should be going,” Spike huffed.

“Well, then let’s go back over the old excuses,” Shining Armor stated. “You’re too young. The mission is too dangerous. It’s a mission for the Elements of Harmony.”

“Trixie isn’t one!” Spike answered quickly.

“No, but she’s a good substitute for Twilight while they go looking for her,” he stated, nodding to a pony selling flowers from a cart.

“She’s not as good as me,” Spike mumbled.

“What is your problem with her, Spike?” Shining Armor turned to look at him as they walked. “You’ve been mad about that decision since you first heard about it.”

“She’s not a good choice! Twilight doesn’t like her or trust her. She’s just a fancy showpony when you get down to it. Rarity deserves better than her. The last time she--”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Shining Armor stopped and looked down at him. “What was that about Rarity?”

“She does deserve better than her!” Spike insisted.

“You’ve got to let her make her own choices, Spike. Rarity is a grown mare,” Shining Armor said.

“That’s what SHE said, too...” he grumbled. “Besides, if I don’t go, how am I going to prove myself to Rarity? You’re a grown stallion. You understand.”

“Uh, yeah,” Shining Armor turned and started walking towards the library once more. “Okay, here’s the thing, Spike: you’ve got to be yourself. You can’t go and try to prove yourself to anypony. Just be the pony--or dragon--that you really are, and let that carry you. You’ll find the right mare--or dragon--when the time is right.”

“I did find the right mare! Rarity!” he said earnestly.

“Well, okay, but,” he moved his mouth, hoping the right words would find their way out, “give her time, then. Let things...happen.” He winced.

“But how can I let things happen if I’m not there for her to have them happen with me?” Spike asked.

“Walked into that one,” he mumbled. “Well, how about this: you are staying behind to help not only defend and protect her home, but all of Equestria. Surely that will impress her, right?”

“Hmm, I suppose so.” He rubbed his claw over his chin.

“Exactly, and when she gets back, she’ll have to listen to all the stories about how brave you were and all of your amazing deeds here,” Shining Armor encouraged. “It’s a surefire way to get her to spend some time with you. She’ll want to know everything that happened while she was gone, and who better to tell her than you?”

“Hey! Good point! I’m sure to get some quality time with Rarity while I’m telling her stories,” he said.

“Exactly, and she’ll want to return the favor and tell you everything that happened on her rescue mission to get Twilight back. So, win-win situation.” They walked up to the door of the library, stopping for a moment outside. “Besides, I’m not kidding when I say that I need you here. I’m having to deal with some pretty horrible things here myself.”

He opened the door and they both looked inside. Queen Chrysalis smiled back at them.

“Why, Shining Armor,” she cooed, “how kind of you to drop in on me. I was hoping to see you soon.”

“Chrysalis,” he growled in response, “where is everypony? This was supposed to be a meeting before the others left for Coldheart’s world.”

“Oh it is. They’re already here, actually. They stepped into the other room for a moment.” Her smile was calculated. “Do come in.”

“Yeah,” Spike said, “I see what you mean.”

“What was that?” Chrysalis asked.

“Nothing,” Shining Armor stepped inside, Spike beside him, shutting the door behind them. “What has already been gone over?”

“Oh, all of the standard gibberish that you ponies have been repeating since I arrived. Honestly, how you are able to do anything on a timely basis I will never know. No pony here is able to make a decision by themselves,” Chrysalis’ voice was arid.

“Mind your manners, Chrysalis.” They all turned to see Luna walking down the stairs from Twilight’s bedroom. “You are a guest here.”

Her body was tall and regal, but her voice was still rough and harsh, a deep rasp coloring her words.

“Oh, but I am minding them, Princess,” Chrysalis said. “The mere fact that I am standing in this room should indicate that.”

“And we are grateful,” Luna answered, walking up to the changeling, “but we are also all on edge, considering recent events. So, please, try harder.”

“Try what harder?” Applejack asked entering the room, the other Elements of Harmony following behind her.

“Nothing, dear,” Chrysalis answered. “Just talking with Luna.”

“And now that we are all here,” Luna stated, “we can go over everything to make sure we are clear what is happening.”

“Again?” Chrysalis rolled her eyes.

“Indulge us one last time,” Luna sneered.

She rolled her whole head in response, but Chrysalis kept quiet.

“I want to thank you again for doing this,” Luna said to the other mares in the room. “The recent battle in Canterlot, combined with my previous encounter with Coldheart, has made it clear that this is a situation that calls for The Elements of Harmony.”

“Well, we’re right glad to help, Princess,” Applejack said, “but we’re also wantin’ to go and save Twilight just for her sake.”

“But don’t worry,” Rainbow Dash chimed in, “as soon as we get her back, we’re gonna send that two-bit nightmare queen packing!” She glanced at Luna. “Uh, no offense, Your Highness.”

“No need to apologize, Rainbow Dash. I am in accordance with your sentiment, completely,” Luna responded.

“Yes, well, for this to happen, we’re going to have to actually begin this rescue mission,” Trixie stated. “And the sooner the better.”

“Agreed,” Shining Armor said. “So, here’s the plan. The six of you are going to go to the portal with Luna, who will help get you to the pool and make sure that you can get through to the other side. After that, you need to find my sister, get her to the portal, and get back here.”

“Yes, thank goodness we went over that complicated procedure,” Chrysalis commented. All the ponies turned to look at her with disdain. She shrugged her shoulders and stayed quiet.

“From there, Luna will go off on her mission. At about that time, Chrysalis will begin her mission as well. And we will stay here, serving as the command center for the whole thing,” Shining Armor finished. “Report back as often as you can, each of you. Though I realize that is pretty much impossible from beyond the portal.”

“Ooh! Ooh!” Pinkie Pie raised her hoof in the air, waving in frantically. Everypony stared at her for a moment, her face contorting into one of extreme distress as she held back her thoughts.

“Yes, Pinkie Pie?” Luna finally asked.

“Ooh, what if we take a jar, and we fill it up with some of the water from the pool, and then when we need to send you a message, we can just poke a scroll through the jar of water!” She smiled proudly.

Everypony stared for a moment longer.

“I...don’t believe that will work,” Luna said.

“Never know ‘til you tryyyyy” she answered in a sing-song manner.

And then everypony turned to look away from Pinkie Pie.

“Well, Pinkie Pie aside, ah think that it’s about time that we hit the road,” Applejack said. “Are you ready, Princess?”

“One moment, Applejack,” Luna responded. “I need a pause to speak with Shining Armor alone.”

“But of course, Your Highness,” Rarity said. “Come everypony, let’s go outside so they can speak.”

“Oh yes, it’s so nice to have the opportunity to see the citizens of Ponyville welcoming me yet again,” Chrysalis quipped.

“Yes, well, at least it’s a beautiful day for it,” Rarity replied with a smile. “Now, come along.”

They began to file outside, some more reluctantly than others, but eventually Luna and Shining Armor were alone.

“You know that she will vex you at every opportunity,” Luna stated.

“Who? Chrysalis? Yeah, I know. But I also know that she wouldn’t even be here if she didn’t think that this was something serious,” Shining Armor said.

“Still, I want you to be on guard. Watch her closely,” Luna advised.

“No worries, there,” he answered.

“There...is something else, as well,” Luna stated.

“What is it, Your Highness?” His head responded to her tone, twisting slightly.

“I have not been completely honest with you regarding Celestia,” she said solemnly.

“What do you mean? What haven’t you told me?” His eyes narrowed.

“Since the battle at Canterlot, it is not she who has been raising the sun. It has been I.” Luna kept her tone level and quiet.

Shining Armor’s eyes popped. “What?! But...but most of our plans, hell, all of our plans regarding you are based around the concept that Celestia is being kept prisoner somewhere. And we thought that because she was raising the sun every morning! Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?!”

“Because we need hope. Everypony here does, but you need to know the truth, as well,” she said.

“If she’s dead hope isn’t going to do us a lot of good, Princess,” he kept his voice firm but quiet.

“She is not dead.” There was no trace of doubt in Luna’s voice. “I do not know what has become of her, but I know that she is not dead. I have waited each morning to make sure that she was not raising the sun before I performed her service in her stead. If she had died, a new goddess would already have been born to replace her, and that has not happened.”

“What if Coldheart took her power? Didn’t you tell us that she had done that already on her world?” Shining Armor’s teeth were clenched.

“She has not. If she had, she would have raised the sun to prove it,” Luna said. “She would want us to know that she had that power.”

Standing there, he considered her words. “Fair enough. Still, this is a fine time to be springing this news on me. Couldn’t you have given me a little more warning?”

“No. If I had, you might have doubted my mission. I am going to save Celestia from what has befallen her, no matter the circumstances. Once I have done that, we will return here and plan our next step,” Luna said.

They stared at each other for a moment before he nodded his agreement. “All right. Just make sure that you get the others through the portal first, okay? Not only do we need the Elements of Harmony, but I want my sister brought home.”

“Do not fear, Shining Armor. I have already made a vow to see her brought safely home once more. I will not abandon that, either,” Luna explained. “Now, before you think of things to argue with me, I shall take the mares outside and depart. I wish you luck, Captain.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” he looked outside the window. Chrysalis was staring at the ponies with a gleam in her eye. “I’m afraid I might need it.”

* * * * * * *

“So, what do you want to do first?” Trueblood asked.

“Uh, I’m not sure. What are the options?” Twilight responded, uncertain.

“Well, it depends on what you’re in the mood for, I suppose. We can take things simple, or we can just jump right into the deep end,” she countered.

“I do have to admit, I’m kind of excited by this,” Twilight admitted.

“Don’t worry, that’s natural, Sparky,” she grinned, nodding slowly. “Want me to take the lead?”

“Would you mind?” Twilight asked.

“Oh no. I like it that way.” Trueblood smiled at Twilight, who blushed slightly.

“I don’t know why I’m having problems. I did this with Princess Celestia several times,” she said.

“You’re nervous because you are doing this without her,” Trueblood suggested. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you enjoy this.”

“Are you sure?” Twilight asked.

“Trust me,” Trueblood said with confidence.

“Okay.” Twilight nodded, relaxing a little.

She smiled back, and then turned to the waitress. “We will both have the chef’s special, with some rose water to go with it, please.”

“Of course, ma’am. Excellent choice,” the waitress smiled at the two mares, turned, and went off to place the order.

“This place is amazing!” Twilight remarked. “I just didn’t--”

She cut herself off.

“Didn’t what?” Trueblood asked. “Didn’t expect us to have anyplace that was nice? The farther you get away from Canterlot, the nicer the world becomes. There isn’t any place that flaunts any kind of wealth or luxury, but if you know where to look, you can still find it.”

“I’m sorry,” Twilight frowned. “I should have known better.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it! You’ve been here less than a week, so I think you’ve still got a little bit left to learn.”

“Do a lot of ponies know about this place?” Twilight looked around the room. The lights were kept dim, and the tables were all surrounded by light curtains, just translucent enough to see through, but dense enough to hide details. “Most of the tables seem to have somepony at them.”

“Enough to keep the place going,” Trueblood explained, “but I’m sure that the chef would prefer to be out in the open with everything.”

“Why isn’t he? What’s the problem with a restaurant?” Twilight asked.

She shook her head. “Fantasia only wants the best for herself. If anypony is enjoying a luxury, she feels that it is one that is being kept from her. So, most talented chefs, or artists, or singers, or, well, most anything, keep their talents hidden. A few, like the chef here, are willing to run the risk of having an underground place because it’s their passion.”

“It’s very brave of them,” Twilight stated. “What would Coldheart do if she caught them?”

Her eyes flashed open for a moment, as she turned her head at the thought. “You don’t want to know.”

“Oh...” Twilight looked down at the table. A lovely red tablecloth, lit by a single candle flame dancing inside a glass holder, covered a thick, uneven wooden table. The place carried an air of luxury, but it was mostly illusion. “How did you find this place?”

“Eh, I’ve got a few connections,” Trueblood bragged. “Most of the time it’s the friend of a friend repaying a favor, letting me know about these places. Truth be told, I’ve never been here, either.”

“What? I thought that you said you recommended this place before we came?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, I did. I highly recommend trying someplace like this. I just haven’t been to this particular place,” she answered. “Well, until now.”

“Well, thanks for bringing me,” Twilight smiled.

“Hey, you’re a visitor. I wanted to make sure that you saw at least something in The Six Kingdoms worth mentioning.” She finished her statement just as the waitress returned with two glasses filled, sweat beading on them, and set one down in front of each mare.

“Why didn’t you bring any of the others?” Twilight asked, taking a sip of the rose water. The aroma wafted across her muzzle a moment before the flavor hit her tongue. “Oh!”

“Haven’t had rose water before, huh?” Trueblood picked up her own glass and waved it back and forth beneath her nose. “I love this stuff.”

“It’s very good. Very different,” Twilight said, taking another sip, and then returning her gaze to Trueblood. ‘So, anyway, why not invite the others?”

“Could you really see Gilda here? Or Ditzy Doo?” Trueblood laughed. “And Husk isn’t comfortable in places like this--even in disguise. And Bea, well, she just hates this kind of place. Too fancy for her.”

A short, sharp laugh broke free from Twilight before she could stop it. “Sorry.” She covered her mouth with a hoof as her eyes darted back and forth, hoping no pony was staring.

“Still thinking of your friend back home when you think of her, aren’t you?” Trueblood tried to hide her smirk behind the glass as she took another sip of rose water.

“I can’t help it! I really am trying not to, but, well, Trixie and I have a bit of a history...” she trailed off.

“Oh, were you two lovers?” Trueblood asked bluntly.

Wide eyes and a firm shake of the head was the start of the answer. “No. No, we were not. Sweet Celestia, no.”

“Oh, okay,” Trueblood nodded with a smirk. “Sorry. Seems to have hit a sore spot.”

“Not...really,” Twilight answered. “So, in a way that is clearly not an obvious attempt to change the subject, why is this place called The Six Kingdoms, anyway?”

“Uh, because there were six kingdoms?” Trueblood answered. “At least until Fantasia made them all one kingdom, anyway.”

“Let me guess, besides Equestria there was The Griffin Kingdom, The Dragon Kingdom, um...and three others?” Twilight laughed. “Okay, I’m not very good at this I guess. I normally have much better chances to study.”

“Hey, don’t knock yourself, you got one of them right,” Trueblood stated. “Besides Equestria, there used to be The Griffin Kingdom, but the dragons were never organized enough to have their own country. They just sort of wandered through the edges of everypony else’s place. After that, there was The Crystal Kingdom, Saddle Arabia, Neighpon, and The Changeling Territories. Now, there’s just the one.”

“Did any of the other rulers survive? Besides Queen Chrysalis--er, Toy, I mean?” Twilight asked.

Trueblood winced. “You know, this really isn’t a very pleasant topic for dinner. We’re supposed to be having a good time, showing you the positive aspect of this world. Why don’t we change the subject?”

“Well, this still might be a little dark, but,” Twilight paused, “what happened to Canterlot? The place seemed deserted.”

“Yeah, another of Fantasia’s finer moments,” Trueblood sighed. “It’s been like that as long as I can remember, but despite what you saw, there are still plenty of ponies living there. They don’t really have a choice, actually. If they try to leave, they don’t...do well.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight cocked her head.

“Living that close to Fantasia has an effect on a pony. She exudes so much energy that ponies become dependent on it. She makes them love her, and eventually they get to the point where they can’t live without it. Literally.”

Thinking back to her own encounter with Coldheart, Twilight shivered. “Okay, yeah, but that doesn’t explain the empty streets. Why did the city and the castle seem empty?”

“The castle part is easy. It is empty. Coldheart lives there with Toy, that’s it. I used to live there, too, but, not so much now,” she explained.

“Not so much? Do you live there at all?” Twilight raised an eyebrow.

“Uh, well, that’s kinda complicated, Sparky. You see, sometimes things are just kinda bad between me and Fantasia, and other times--like right now, for example--they’re really bad. So, yeah, I do still have my own wing of the palace, but--”

“Wing?” Twilight interrupted in shock. “You have your own wing of the palace?”

Laughing softly, Trueblood nodded. “Yeah. When there are only three or four ponies living in a place that big, then you tend to have a large section that you can call your own.”

“Three or four? With you, Coldheart and Toy, that only comes to three. Who would be the fourth?” Twilight asked.

“Used to be a fourth. Not anymore, unfortunately. The fourth was--” She didn’t get a chance to finish.

“Attention!” A black and white dappled stallion stepped into the center of the room, speaking loudly and cutting off multiple conversations. “Attention, please. I’m afraid we have a bit of a situation and are going to have to ask everypony here for a few minutes of understanding. We’re going to have to have all of the candles blown out so that we don’t draw any attention to ourselves for an unspecified time. I apologize for the inconvenience, but we will resume service as soon as possible.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Trueblood said. “C’mon, let’s check this out.”

Nodding, Twilight got up and moved with the other mare as candles were going dark all around. A murmur wormed its way through the room, replacing the happier conversational background noise from a moment ago.

They walked up together to see the black and white stallion staring out a narrow slit in the door to the restaurant.

“Excuse me,” Trueblood caught the stallion’s attention. “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing to be concerned about,” he said with an uneven smile, “just return to your table. We’ll let you know when things are safe.”

“Safe?” Twilight asked. “That sounds like something that we should be concerned about.”

“Please, we don’t need a panic. If you would just return to your seats,” he gestured back into the room, nervously.

“What’s out there?” Trueblood asked. “Or should I say who’s out there?”

The stallion’s throat pulsed as he swallowed back some concern. “Some of the Empress’s forces are in the street. This happens every now and then. We just have to make sure that we stay hidden and it will all blow over.”

“Some of her forces? How many?” Trueblood asked.

“Oh, um, about a dozen...or two.” Sweat beaded up on his brow.

“Two dozen?” Twilight gasped. “That seems like a lot!”

“It is a rather large contingent. And a little more heavily armed than normal, too,” he admitted.

“Sounds like they’re looking for somepony, eh, Sparky?” Trueblood winked back at Twilight.

“Well, if we’re lucky, they’ll find that pony and be on their way,” the stallion said softly.

“Actually, if you’re lucky, they won’t,” Trueblood answered, and moved past the stallion to look outside. “Yep, those are Fantasia’s forces, all right. But it’s odd to see a squad that large, actually. She doesn’t keep much of a standing army in any one place. Doesn’t really need one.” She pulled back to look at Twilight. “Which means that she’s brought the army out of the mothballs. And sent them out pretty far from the castle.”

“That’s not good,” Twilight stated. “She’s mobilized a whole army just to come looking for us?”

“Maybe,” she answered, “or maybe not. But I know one thing, if we stay here, these ponies are going to be in big trouble.”

“Wait, what do you mean? Are they...looking for the two of you?” the stallion asked.

“We can’t stay here, then. I don’t want anypony getting hurt because of me,” Twilight said.

“I agree. So, we should reward Fantasia’s finest. Give them what they’re looking for, and lead them out of town in the process.” A twinkle shined on one of Trueblood’s teeth as she smiled. Twilight couldn’t help but smile back.

“Wait, you two are wanted?” The stallion’s eyes were wide, and his mouth open. He reached up and put a hoof on Trueblood’s shoulder. “You can’t go out there! If they get ahold of you, who knows what will happen to you.”

“Hey,” Trueblood put her own hoof over the stallion’s, “there are too many ponies here for us to take that chance. Besides, she and I aren’t going to just give ourselves up, are we, Sparky?”

“Not by a long shot!” Twilight assured him. She then looked at Trueblood a little less certainly. “But, uh, what are we going to do?”

“You told me you can teleport, too, right?” Trueblood asked.

“Yes! I sure can!” Twilight nodded.

“Well, then I think you and I get to play a little game of ‘how fast can the army gallop?’” Trueblood’s eyebrows danced up and down.

“Ooh, I get it. Okay,” Twilight’s face grew a little wider to accommodate her grin.

“Are you two going to be safe?” the stallion asked.

“Safe? Where’s the fun in that?” Trueblood slapped him on the withers, assuringly, and then turned to Twilight. “You ready?”

“I suppose so,” she answered.

“Then, on the count of three we go. Ready? One...”

Twilight stared at Trueblood, feeling a sudden rush of adrenaline.

“...two...”

She tried to feel something but excitement at the prospect of appearing in front of a gathering of guards that were hunting her down, but somehow, Trueblood made that seem impossible.

“...three!”

A flash of light filled the room, leaving the stallion alone.

* * * * * * *

Cadance sat perfectly still, her jaw locked and her eyes fixed forward. She could smell the food, but refused to acknowledge it at all. Unfortunately, she couldn’t stop her mouth from watering, or her mind from trying to identify every single odor.

The sounds of Coldheart eating wasn’t making it any easier. Every bite seemed to be amplified to an unbelievable level as she took bite after bite of whatever it was that she was having for dinner. The sound seemed to indicate a heavy dose of oats, but she could definitely smell some fenugreek and rosemary, so it wasn’t just a standard plateful of food. And, Celestia help her, she could smell strawberries. Her lips smacked, betraying her.

“I’m sorry, did you say something?” Coldheart paused between bites.

“No,” Cadance said flatly. “Don’t let me disturb you.”

“Oh, it’s no bother, really,” Coldheart stated. “I think I’m done, in any case. I couldn’t possibly eat another bite. And all this food just going to waste.” She let out a thick, fake sigh. “Oh well.”

“I’m sure that there are plenty of ponies in the castle that could use the food,” Cadance answered, her eyes still looking directly ahead. They were on one of the highest remaining balconies in Canterlot, staring out across the Equestrian landscape. She kept her eyes fixed on the horizon.

“Perhaps, but I’ll probably just leave it here in case I get hungry later. I can always throw it out if I decide I don’t want it by morning,” Coldheart replied. “Unless, of course, you would like some?”

Finally turning her head to the right, Cadance looked up at the figure sitting in the chair above her. Coldheart was staring down, a thin smile playing on her lips. Cadance returned it in kind. “I’m not hungry, thank you.”

“Don’t be so brave! You are recovering from serious wounds. I would hate to think that your strength is failing you,” Coldheart said. “How are you feeling?”

There were bandages over the gash in Cadance’s side, and over most of her limbs where the Dragoons had attacked her days earlier. Small scratches on her chest and face were left unwrapped, and were scarring over slowly. Her shoes, chestpiece, and crown were all removed, leaving her mostly naked. She only wore the bandages, a set of shackles that ran between her front legs, and a heavy wrapping that pinned her wings to her side.

There was also a thick collar around her neck, with a thin chain that led from it to a loop of cloth resting next to Coldheart’s forehoof.

“I’m fine, thank you,” Cadance answered.

“Don’t be so stubborn, you are welcome to eat with me, dear,” Coldheart said. “You only have to do one thing,” her eyes lit up pink, “love me.”

The corner of Cadance’s mouth turned up. “Go to hell.”

“Dear,” Coldheart began, “just how long do you think you’ll be able to hold out? I’m just offering you an act of kindness.”

“I’m not holding out,” she answered, “and you are anything but kind.”

“You know, I could not be more thrilled to have you here with me,” Coldheart stated. “I never even considered finding you on this world.”

“Don’t expect a thank you,” Cadance answered.

“I don’t. If anything, I know exactly what you are thinking. I know what you are feeling. I know what you are capable of,” Coldheart’s eyes sparkled. “I have finally found somepony just like me.”

Cadance’s face fell. “I am nothing like you.”

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza? Goddess of Love? Those sound perfectly familiar. I do believe that we are identical,” Coldheart explained.

“Identical?” An edge honed on Cadance’s voice. “I am exactly what you said. I am a Goddess of Love, and as such I would never bring this much pain and heartache to so many.”

“Ha!” Coldheart burst out. “If you believe that, then you are very, very delusional.” She leaned over, staring directly into the eyes of her more diminutive doppelganger. “Love brings more pain and heartache daily than anything else ever created. War and violence pale in comparison to the nightmare that love brings with it.”

Shaking her head, Cadance narrowed her eyes. “You’re wrong. There is nothing more powerful in the world than love. It is what makes ponies live. It is what makes a pony strong.”

“And it is what brings a pony to its knees,” Coldheart chided. “It is the ultimate form of control.”

“What is it that made you so bitter?” Cadance asked.

Pulling her head back, Coldheart turned away from Cadance. “I am not bitter. I simply realized my full potential, and took advantage of it.”

“And what has it gotten you? You are nothing but a shell of a pony,” Cadance answered.

“I am the ultimate power on two worlds,” Coldheart said smugly. “I am everything to everypony.”

“Really? Then who is it that loves you? TRULY loves you?” Cadance stared at her face.

A swipe of her hoof cleared the table in front of her, plates of food and glasses of liquid clattering on the floor.

“Everypony loves me,” she spat. Her head spun around, staring down at Cadance with a fire in her eyes. “And you are going to love me, eventually. You might think that you control love, but you cannot compare to me. Do you understand?”

“Oh, I understand perfectly,” Cadance stared back, meeting Coldheart’s gaze.

Coldheart pulled herself upright, settling down and letting the smile slowly return to her face. “Good. I apologize for that outburst. I don’t want to argue with you. I’m looking forward to finally having an equal with whom I can share my life.”

“I’m sorry?” Cadance asked.

“Oh yes,” she answered. “You will eventually come around to my way of thinking, and from there I will bring you up to my level--or near it, in any case--sharing enough power so that we will truly be sisters in our rule.”

“You must be joking,” Cadance’s voice was thick.

Coldheart turned towards Cadance, her face dark. “Do you really think so? Tell me, are you more disgusted by the idea, or disturbed by the fact that you are interested?”

“I’m not,” Cadance answered.

“You are. You would finally have a purpose and a direction in your life. You could determine your own fate at last, and not simply have to show others the best way to love.” Coldheart stood up, grasping the end of the leash with her magic. “And with every passing day you grow weaker and weaker. Soon, you won’t have the strength to resist at all.”

“I have more than enough strength,” Cadance growled.

“Really?” She yanked hard on the leash, and Cadance lurched forward, her chest slamming to the ground, her face landing in the scattered food that lay on the floor. Coldheart moved her hoof, putting it directly before Cadance’s muzzle, grinding the food to mush. “There is food right there. It’s not as pleasant now, but you may still eat.”

Raising her head up, Cadance stared daggers at Coldheart. “I told you, I’m not hungry.”

A placid expression looked back down. The two of them locked in a contest. Slowly, Coldheart’s face began to twitch, and then twist and turn upwards as she began laughing. A soft chuckle grew to a full chortle and finally an open guffaw.

“I cannot tell you how happy I am that we have found each other, Cadance.” Coldheart took a step back. “We are going to be the best of friends--family, even.”

“We will be nothing of the sort, Coldheart,” she answered, raising up from the floor, moving back to a sitting position.

“Oh, please, do call me Fantasia,” she said. “Now, come along, we have things to do. There are countless ponies wanting to show their love for me.”

A short tug on the leash brought Cadance to her hooves. Reluctantly, she fell in behind the Empress as she walked into the remains of the castle.

* * * * * * *

“There they are,” Luna whispered, gesturing from behind the copse of rock.

“What? That’s all? There can’t be more than two or three dozen of them! No sweat!” Rainbow Dash started to stand up, but felt Applejack’s hoof on her shoulder.

“Hold on, sugarcube. We don’t know what they got that we ain’t seein’.”

“She is right, Rainbow Dash,” Luna said. Her voice still carried a hint of roughness to it. “We must stick with our plan, and let this transpire in turn.”

“Um, or we could just wait until they all went to sleep,” Fluttershy suggested.

“That ain’t gonna happen, neither,” Applejack said, “but let’s go over what is gonna happen again. Princess?”

“As I have explained, the actual portal is inside the cave, the entrance to which we can see in the center of these gathered ponies.” Luna looked at the six other ponies in her presence. “It will be my job to distract them and draw them away from that entrance. Then you will go into the chamber and up to the pool.” She turned to look at one specific pony. “Trixie, you remember what I told you about activating the pool?”

“Trixie remembers,” she answered. “I can get us through. Do not worry about that.”

“And what, pray tell, do we do if there are more of these ruffians, or worse, awaiting us beyond the entrance to the cavern?” Rarity asked.

“Then I get to do things my way!” Rainbow Dash smacked her hooves together.

“Once again Rainbow Dash, that is not the ideal approach. Our main concern is not getting to the portal--I could insure that by myself--but rather getting you there as innocuously as possible,” Luna explained. “We must keep Coldheart in the dark, if possible. Any advantage we can gain is key. Is that clear?”

“And how does she learn if we take out all her guards?” Rainbow Dash held her forehooves out in front of her in curiosity.

“These guards are probably set to report on a regular basis,” Trixie said. “If they don’t report, then she will know something has happened.”

“Well, won’t Ms. Meaniepants know that Luna was here and get all curious and stuff, anyway?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Not if I do my job properly,” Luna stated.

“Aw c’mon! Don’t I get to bust any heads?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Ah’m pretty sure you’re gonna get that chance at some point, gal,” Applejack answered.

“Oh, I hope not,” Fluttershy mumbled.

“Do not fear, Fluttershy,” Luna smiled at the mare. “No pony wants to fight. Hopefully, this venture will be free of conflict.”

“I want to fight,” Rainbow Dash whispered.

“We got this, Princess. Don’t you worry none,” Applejack said. “You gals with me?”

“Indeed!” Rarity answered. “And I think I speak for everypony when I say that.”

“Then be prepared to act. You will not have much time,” Luna explained. “And good luck with your mission. Bring Twilight Sparkle back home.”

“We will, Princess. Twilight is our friend, and we ain’t gonna leave her lost on a strange world without no pony there for her,” Applejack stated.

“Excellent. Then I shall leave you, and when I draw them off, you go in. The stars will watch over you,” Luna said to them all, and then dissolved into a purple mist that climbed behind the mountain.

“Is it time?” Pinkie Pie asked, her eyes wide.

“She just left,” Trixie stated.

“Right,” Pinkie nodded. “So, is it time?”

The other five ponies turned and looked at Pinkie, who was trembling with anticipation.

“Uh, no, sugarcube. Don’t worry, we’ll let ya know, okay?” Applejack said.

“Yeah. Okay,” Pinkie nodded. She opened her mouth, and suddenly found a blue hoof covering it.

“Don’t say it!” Rainbow Dash said. “Just...don’t say it.”

A rumble coming from higher on the mountain drew everypony’s attention. All eyes shifted, watching as boulders and rocks moved, coalescing onto each other and shifting into position until they began to take shape. A large, central plate rose from the ground, with six smaller legs growing down to support the form. Gasps rose from the ponies on guard as one smaller and one massive pair of stones lifted high over its body, opening and snapping shut violently.

“Stone crab!” One of the ponies shouted.

Grabbing their weapons and rushing forward, the ponies ran up the mountainside as the beast roared out its challenge. Seconds later, another four ponies filed out from inside the cavern, joining their comrades in battle against the massive rock monster.

The ponies waiting for this moment rushed out towards the opening in the mountain--with one exception. Turning back, Applejack saw Pinkie Pie, still trembling. “Uh, Pinkie, that’s the sign. Princess Luna is the one that conjured up the crab. She told us that she was gonna do that, remember? We gotta go now,” she stated.

“Yay!” Pinkie pranced forward, rushing ahead of the others.

Watching the ponies attacking the monster, Applejack ushered her friends into the cave. “Move along, ya’ll. Let’s get inside quick,” she whispered.

One after another they filed into the cavern, passing by the orange-coated mare, until finally she too dropped down, her last view one of a pony in armor flying through the air after taking a smashing blow from the crab they battled.

Applejack hurried, catching up to the group that was forming on the far side of the cavern in front of the mystic pool that hung on the wall.

“Dang,” she whispered. “I expected to see something peculiar, but this is downright weird.”

“Well, I’m just grateful that we got inside so quickly,” Rarity responded, “though I must admit that crab-monster was rather dreadful. I felt a strong urge to rush up there and battle it myself.”

“Uh, why would you go fight a crab, Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I have to say, it doesn’t make sense to me, either,” Trixie commented.

“Darling, we cannot just ignore our own primal urges now, can we?” she countered.

“Trixie supposes that’s...” she trailed off, looking over at Pinkie Pie, who was pulling a medium-sized jar through the pool. “What are you doing?”

“Magic water!” Pinkie answered.

“It doesn’t work...never mind,” Trixie replied. “Now, everypony, gather near. We only have a short time. Let’s get through this gate, and hope that the other side isn’t guarded too heavily.”

Trixie activated the gate, using the knowledge that Luna provided. As one, they looked at each other, taking a deep breath collectively, and nodding in agreement. Moments later, they moved from their world to the one beyond.

* * * * * * *

“You sure you’re okay with this, Spike?” Shining Armor stated. “You can stay here if you need.”

“Hey, I’m ready to help out every way that I can! And with Rarity gone, somepony needs to watch over her stuff and take care of Opal,” Spike said proudly. “Spike the dragon, at your service!”

“Right,” he smiled. “I’m sure Rarity is going to be very grateful.”

“Well, I hope so. Remember, if you need anything, the Carousel Boutique isn’t far away at all. I can be here in a jiffy!” Spike carried a small bundle with him. Enough items to take care of any personal needs for the next day or two.

“I think I’ll be okay. I still remember the way that my sister organizes, well, everything.” Shining Armor looked around The Golden Oaks Library, taking note of all of the familiar items that decorated the space. An unconscious smile worked onto his face.

“Yeah, well, I’m kinda responsible for that, too, so don’t move anything around,” Spike said.

“Don’t worry, Spike. I also remember how Twiley throws a fit when her stuff is messed up,” he replied.

“Okay, well, then I’m off. See you tomorrow!” Spike wheeled around and scuttled out of the room with a wave of his claw. “Bye!”

Standing in the doorway, Shining Armor watched the baby dragon until he was almost completely out of view, and then stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He paused, taking a deep breath and looking around at the items on the shelves, the pictures on the wall. Walking over to one shelf, he stared at a picture that brought back memories. His sister with a hat on her head, and a large slice of cake in front of her. Her first birthday at Canterlot, and the first time that he got to spend more than just a little while with her after she left home. A full day of fun together.

The smile that was there slowly faded away as more recent memories came to mind. They hadn’t seen each other at all since the last night he saw her in Canterlot--since their conversation about Cadance.

The image of his sister lying on the floor, crying, while he walked away after telling her to go home was stuck in his mind. Now, she was trapped on another world, and he had no idea if she was safe or...if she wasn’t. She was gone, and Cadance was captured, also beyond his reach, at least at the moment. These two mares, each so important to him, and both so far away.

“I thought he would never leave,” a voice buzzed behind him.

The shelf shook as he spun around, his flank butting up against it. She was standing there, green eyes staring brightly, fangs bared as she smiled.

“Chrysalis!” His tone was less than happy. “What are you doing here?”

“What? Shining Armor, are you not happy to see me?” she droned.

“I just want to know why you’re here,” he answered diplomatically, stepping away from the shelf.

“Well, I’m going to be leaving on my mission shortly, before dawn, and I wanted to get everything in order before I left.” She moved easily, gracefully stepping over to stand beside the nearby couch. “And since you are in charge here, I obviously needed to see you.”

“All right,” he moved carefully, keeping her in his view as he stepped over across the room, “what do you need?”

“What an interesting way to phrase that.” She sat down on the couch, letting her mane sweep across her chest.

“What are you getting at?” he asked, not moving at all.

She frowned. “Shining Armor, please,” she pat the spot next to her on the couch. “come sit with me. We are both fighting for the same cause now.”

He hesitated, his face expressionless. With deliberation he stepped over to sit on the couch--on the far end away from Chrysalis.

“Now,” he began, “what do you need before you go?” he asked again.

“I was just wanting to know if there was anything that you could share with me before I was gone?” she asked.

“I’ve already given you a complete background for everything,” he replied evenly. “Was there something in the notes that you needed clarified.”

“Not really,” she stated. “I already knew everything that was in there, in any case.”

“Everything? That’s unlikely,” he answered with a laugh. “There were things on there that only the princesses and myself were aware of.”

“Oh yes, I know,” she smiled. “I try to keep abreast of things in Canterlot.”

He sat quietly for a moment, staring over at the changeling queen.

“Why are you here, Chrysalis?” he asked.

“Well, this really isn’t about information. This is more...personal.” She moved over on the couch, getting closer to the stallion.

“You must be joking,” he answered flatly.

“Not at all,” she said. “And don’t act so surprised. It’s not like you and I haven’t had our...moments.”

“WE have never had anything,” he stated. “You took a great many things from me, however.”

“Did I? I didn’t hear any arguments from you,” she said.

“I thought you were my wife.” His voice was level.

“Oh, you can fool yourself if you like, but you can’t fool me,” she said, placing her hoof on his leg. He quickly removed it. “I was the wife you always hoped she would be. I did the things that she wouldn’t--or couldn’t.”

“You have no idea what Cadance is capable of doing,” he laughed.

“Oh please. With the difficulties that the two of you are having right now, I’m shocked you haven’t come running all the way to the Changeling Territories to find me,” she said, moving her hoof back to rest next to his leg.

“Difficulties? What difficulties?” he countered.

“I know everything that is going on between the two of you. Your late nights alone. Her, shall we say, indiscretions.” Her voice was silky, even with the echo vibrating behind it.

“She...hasn’t done anything like--” He was cut off by the changeling.

“Dear, please, my spies are everywhere. They tell me everything,” she stated.

“Spies?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Oh yes. I could give you names and addresses if you like, but it won’t do you any good. You will never find them,” she answered. “And they have seen your wife when you haven’t.”

“Tha--that’s not true,” he stammered.

“Really? Is that what your heart is telling you,” her hoof moved back onto his leg, “or what your brain says?”

“I--I don’t want to have this conversation. You’ve manipulated me in the past, I won’t let you do it again,” he said.

“I’m not trying to manipulate you, Shining Armor,” her hoof moved up along his leg, “I need you.”

“What?” HIs eyes shot wide.

“I know your passion. I know you. And I am about to go into very, very hostile territory. I need to be at my best. My strongest,” she said. “I need to feed.”

“That’s not going--” he tried to protest, but caught himself short as Chrysalis moved her face over and began licking his neck.

“I’m not talking about something unpleasant. In fact, I can make it everything you ever desired,” her voice changed as she spoke. “Every pony you’ve desired.”

He turned to see an exact image of his wife.

“No!” He pulled away. “You change back. Now.”

A shimmer of green magic enveloped her, and she returned to her normal size, but not her normal form.

“Would you rather have something that you’ve dreamt of?” she asked in Celestia’s voice. “A regal princess that would submit to your every whim?”

“I--I...no. No, change back,” his mind was awash in images and thoughts that seemed distant and alien.

“Or perhaps,” another shimmer of green left a coat of lavender in its wake, “you want something very...taboo?” Twilight Sparkle smiled and stroked his inner leg.

“Change back, Chrysalis. I mean it,” he said with every ounce of willpower he could muster.

“Of course,” she purred as she resumed her own natural form. “I just want to make you happy. And, of course, I know exactly how to do that, don’t I?”

He could feel her hoof on the innermost section of his thigh, and his body was responding to her touch, despite his own protest somewhere in the back of his mind.

“You...you...” He couldn’t think straight. Gritting his teeth, he stared up at Chrysalis, who seemed to tower over him. “Get out of my mind. You--you’re messing with my mind.”

“Am I? Or are you just so stressed that it seems like it?” she said. “I will be gone in the morning, Shining Armor, and without the strength that you can give me, I might not succeed in my quest. Do you really want that?”

He opened his mouth, wanting to protest, wanting to argue, but he could only say one thing, “No. No, I want you to succeed.”

She smiled, her fangs baring as her tongue played along her lips. “Excellent.” Her hoof brushed against his groin, his erection rising before she touched it. “And you are certainly ready, but,” she pulled her hoof back, “I know that’s not the best way to please either of us.”

He shook his head. “No. No, I don’t want that.”

“You do,” she said. “You’ve thought about it ever since I left you, haven’t you? You’ve never even told her about it, have you?”

“It wasn’t her. She isn’t like that,” he said, staring at her, a glaze of uncertainty in his eyes.

“I know. She isn’t like that,” she growled, “but I am.”

Grabbing his body, Chrysalis lifted him up and pushed Shining Armor down onto the couch, shoving his face into the cushion and raising his ass in the air. Her hooves immediately moved beneath him, and began to stroke along his shaft.

“Tell me that you haven’t thought about it and I’ll stop,” she whispered in his ear. “Tell me that you haven’t secretly wished that Cadance would do it to you and I’ll leave you alone. With horrible blue balls, but alone,” she laughed.

“I--I...” He wanted to say more. He wanted to tell her to stop, but something was stopping him. Somewhere in his head he told himself it was her magic. That it had to be her magic.

“That’s what I thought,” she cooed. “You like being a toy, don’t you? She does that to you, still, doesn’t she? Just not the way that I do. You keep hoping that she’ll take you the way I do, but she won’t.” She bit his ear, nearly drawing blood. “That’s because she can’t. She may be an alicorn princess, but she isn’t a changeling. Let alone a changeling queen.”

Her hoof kept stroking along the length of his cock, lightly teasing it, bringing it to a state of steel-like rigidity. She refused to grip it. It was only a gentle touch, but one that drove him into a deep lustful state.

And then she removed her hoof completely. He gasped, feeling as though something that was a part of him just left, and he began to hump the air.

“Calm down!” Her voice turned harsh. “Stop moving and keep your ass in the air, do you understand?”

“Y--yes,” he mumbled.

A green glow surrounded Chrysalis once more, but her form didn’t change. Not all of it, anyway.

Jutting from between her legs was a large, throbbing penis. Scaly and green, it was covered in a thin, translucent slime. Shining Armor’s cock was something that could make him proud. It was a good length and thickness, and sure to please any mare, especially with the passion he used wielding it.

Chrysalis’s cock dwarfed his. At least three inches longer, it also had about half again the girth, making it a frightening tool to behold. She reached down between her legs, and let out a hiss as her hoof firmly grabbed her new appendage. Her mouth opened in a snarl as she began to pull at it animatedly.

“Don’t worry, I’ve made sure that it has plenty of lubricant,” she growled as she moved up behind him, removing her hoof from her own erection. Grabbing his tail, she pulled it aside, and moved on top of the stallion. Her cock wedged into his rump, pressing between the cheeks as she pushed forward.

“I’m going to fuck you, Shining Armor,” she whispered into his ear. “I’m going to take my big, hard cock, and drive it inside of you, and fuck you like a little, whining filly.”

He could feel the head of her cock pushing against his ass. Reflexively, he pushed back, trying to find a way to force her inside of him. Every time he pushed back, she pulled her hips back slightly, not letting him gain any form of control.

“Stop moving!” She slapped his ass firmly with her hoof, leaving a red welt. “I will fuck you when I’m good and ready, and not a second earlier!”

The waves of lust were pouring off of Shining Armor. It didn’t have the same taste or intensity as love, but it was still making Chrysalis’s mouth water. And the growing tension added a spice to it that she particularly enjoyed.

Slowly, she shifted forward, pressing until she felt the head of her cock push past the puckered entrance of Shining Armor’s ass. Her teeth grit together as a sharp intake of air sounded from below her. In a steady motion she moved her hips, pushing deeper and deeper into him until she felt as though he couldn’t take any more--and then she went one inch deeper.

“You’ve got such a cute little dick, Shining Armor,” she said, her cock filling him. “It’s a shame that it doesn’t compare to mine. But then, how could you hope to compare to me? You’re just a unicorn, aren’t you? I’m something more than that. Something greater than you.”

She pulled most of the way out of him, and then moved back, pushing back to her previous depth. She could feel the wetness dripping from her cunt, her own arousal reaching a profound level.

“And you like knowing that, don’t you? You like the fact that you are smaller than me. Weaker than me. You like the fact that something as grand and wonderful as myself would take the time to fuck a poor, little stallion,” her voice echoed with lust. “And it’s making you so hard you can’t stand it, can you?”

He felt her magic grip his shaft, surrounding it and pulsing as it shifted along its length. It fell into rhythm with Chrysalis’s cock as it filled him from behind. The sensation of her thrusting into him, the force of her hips slamming into his ass, took him to a place he hadn’t experienced since...since she was revealed.

There was never a thought of being with another stallion. There was never a thought of having a mare do this to him--at least, not until she took him this way the first time. Since then, he had pushed it out of his mind--or so he thought. He still had no thoughts of being with a stallion, but having a mare do this to him was exhilarating.

“You like my she-cock, don’t you?” she hissed in his ear.

“Y--yes,” he murmured, softly.

“You love it, don’t you?” she slammed into him harder than ever.

“I--I do,” he admitted.

She laughed, her magic rolling over his cock in a steady flood of sensation as she pushed her hips harder and harder, thrusting into him with wild abandon. The pulsing of his cock grew more and more intense, and she registered it through her spell, sensing how close he was to release.

“You’re going to cum, aren’t you? You’re going to cum from me driving my big, hard cock deep into your ass. I want you to. I want you to feel your seed pouring out of you, and when you do, I’m going to cum harder than you. My dick is bigger. My cum is better. It’s that simple!” She spat down on his neck. Her forelegs gripped his sides, pulling her closer, and she unfurled her wings, using their power to drive herself quicker in and out of him.

With a scream he came. A hard shot of semen burst out of him, caught in the magic that Chrysalis kept around his dick. Right after his first blast, Chrysalis had her own orgasm. Her vagina pulsed, and her cum erupted from both her slit and the head of her dick. She brought her face down and sank her fangs into his flesh, tasting him on every level, drawing out the intensity of the emotion in that single moment.

Wave after wave of release surged forth, both physically and not, as the cum filled Chrysalis’s magical sheathe, and the lustful sensation filled her hunger. He writhed beneath her, his body twitching uncontrollably as all sense of control abandoned him. And he felt her over him, surrounding him and smothering him as she drained everything that she could from his body.

Unceremoniously, she let him drop. Pulling away, she transformed to her normal form, and sat back on the couch, the furniture moving slightly as she fell into it. Shining Armor slumped to the couch, his whole body trembling as he lay there, limply.

Chrysalis’ chest rose and fell sharply, her body recovering quickly. She looked over at the slumping stallion, and her mouth twisted up as his body turned and tried to step off the couch.

He staggered, his hooves not understanding their responsibility just yet, and he took a few steps away from the moment.

“Thank you,” Chrysalis buzzed appreciatively.

Shining Armor slowly shook his head. “No, thank you,” he said clearly.

“Oh?” she beamed. “You’re welcome.”

He turned around, his face expressionless. “No, you misunderstand. Thank you for reminding me what it was like to have something so intimate ruined by some pony who doesn’t understand what that means. Thank you for reminding me how much I love my wife.”

She raised an eyebrow. A green shell of magic floated up in front of her, a small cup containing a pool of his semen. Her long tongue snaked out and dipped into that well, slathering it around and pulling it back into her mouth.

“If you say so,” she replied.

“Get out,” he commanded. “You got what you wanted--what you say you needed--and now you have a mission to perform, don’t you?”

“Oh yes, I do. And I’ll do it to the best of my ability,” she hissed, “just like I do everything.” She stood from the couch, and walked over to him, looking down into his eyes. “Do sleep well, Shining Armor. I hope that you have pleasant dreams. I’m sure that I’ll be in them.”

His horn flared to life, and the front door to the library flung open. “Good luck with your mission, Your Highness. I truly hope that you succeed.” He spoke through clenched teeth.

“It’s ‘Your Majesty,’ actually. I am a queen, after all,” she replied.

She turned away and walked towards the door, her hips swaying far more than necessary. Turning at the last minute, she glanced at him, bit her lower lip, and then turned away and stepped out into the night.

The door slammed shut behind her.

Collapsing, Shining Armor looked up at another shelf in the library, spying a picture that was taken at his wedding. He stood there between Cadance and Twilight, all of them playfully embracing, the three of them with huge smiles on their faces.

* * * * * * *

“H--hello?” Fluttershy stuck her head inside the door of the building, gently looking around. “Is anypony here? I don’t want to disturb you...so I guess I’ll be going now!”

She spun around and took a few steps outside, only to see Rainbow Dash standing there, waving her back into the building. Shaking her head in opposition to this plan, Fluttershy stood there with wide eyes.

Twisting her head and staring intensely, Fluttershy vibrated it in a negative response to her friend’s urging. Stamping her hoof softly, Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes and nodded fiercely. Fluttershy opened her eyes as wide as physically possible and pulled her lips back tightly, shaking her head.

“Oh for cryin’ out loud!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “Would you just go inside!”

“Dash!” Applejack pleaded from behind the nearby bush. “Git down!”

“But she’s just standing there! She isn’t going to go inside at all!” she argued. “It’s like trying to send a statue into a race! This was a stupid idea.”

“The idea was that she would be the least threatening,” Trixie said. “And if something bad did happen, then we could go in a deal with the problem.”

“Well, it was a stupid idea!” Rainbow Dash countered. “Look at her! Seriously, look at her!”

The other ponies poked their heads up above the brush, and peered over at Fluttershy, who still hadn’t moved, shaking her head.

“Yeah, okay,” Applejack said. “That might have been a bit ambitious on our part.”

“Well, I certainly hope that we can get out from behind that dreadful bush,” Rarity stepped out. “I can feel the dirt just soaking into my mane.”

“Okay, fine, we’ll all go to the door,” Applejack sighed. “Probably a better idea, anywho.”

They marched forward, passing Fluttershy, who was still shaking her head in stiff defiance of the idea of going inside.

“You can relax now,” Rainbow Dash said walking past. “We got this.”

“Huh?” Fluttershy blinked, turning to look at her friends. “Oh, um, sorry. I kinda froze up.”

“It’s okay, darling,” Rarity soothed, “we appreciate you being willing to give it a try.”

Applejack entered the building, looking around as she did. “Hello? Anypony here? We don’t mean no harm,” she announced. No pony answered.

“I think it’s empty, ya’ll,” she looked behind her.

“Well, let’s look around. See what’s inside,” Trixie suggested.

“Trixie!” Rarity exclaimed. “This is somepony’s home! We do not just barge in and ransack the establishment simply because we wish to!”

She turned to look at her marefriend. “And Trixie isn’t suggesting anything like that, but we do need to figure out if there is anything useful that we can find out about this land. We won’t take anything, I promise.”

“I--I suppose that’s true,” Rarity admitted.

“Sure is!” Rainbow Dash stepped forward, moving into the house. “So let’s see what this pony has to tell us!”

The other ponies followed suit, with Fluttershy eventually poking her head back inside. “Is...is it okay?” she asked softly.

“Sure seems so,” Pinkie Pie bounced past. “BOOOORING, but okay.”

The house was very spartanly dressed, with only the bare essentials for living. A small kitchen was off to one side, with a tiny bedroom in the back. With the six of them inside, the space felt small and cramped.

“I wonder who lives here?” Applejack asked.

“Griffin,” Rainbow Dash stated.

They all turned to look at her, and she slowly looked back at them.

“What?” Rainbow Dash said. “My best friend in school was a griffin, remember? They always end up clawing up their furniture this way.”

She pointed to scratch marks in the wood structure of the bed.

“Bad dreams,” she smiled, “or good times. Could go either way.”

“What would a griffin be doing out here on their own?” Trixie asked. “Don’t they prefer high, rocky terrain?”

“Yep,” Rainbow Dash said. “That’s the norm.”

“Well, this here pony kept things simple. Or ain’t been here for a while,” Applejack said. “There ain’t nothin in the kitchen. No food at all.”

“Nothing?” Rainbow Dash asked. “That’s odd. Gilda always had a few snacks lying around. Though most of them looked a little too scary to eat--even for me.”

“Wh--what was it?” Fluttershy asked.

“Trust me, you don’t want to know,” she answered.

“Tell me,” Trixie began, “are griffins also prone to trap doors?”

“What was that?” Applejack asked.

“Ooh! A trick door? What kind of trick does it do?” Pinkie Pie pranced over.

“Not a trick, darling, a trap door,” Rarity explained. “Sort of like a secret door.”

Trixie’s horn moved the bed aside, and brushed back a thick coating of dirt from beneath it. The outline of a door revealed itself.

“Woah! How did you even spot that thing?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“A trap door is a performer’s best friend,” Trixie said. “Just a trained eye in action.”

“Uh, should we open it?” Applejack asked. “I mean, comin’ in here is one thing, but goin’ ahead and pryin’ that thing up, well, it seems a bit like we’re pokin’ our nose into this griffin’s business.”

“Yes, we are,” Trixie opened the door, it moved with a loud creak as the wood pried apart. “If this griffin had something this important to hide, I think we need to know what it is.”

“Darling!” Rarity stepped over to Trixie. “We should make that decision as a group.”

“I...” Trixie looked at Rarity. “You’re right, of course. Trixie should have waited. I’m sorry.”

“Nah,” Rainbow Dash stuck her head down into the hole, “I would’a done it if you hadn’t.”

“What do you see? What do you see?” Pinkie asked.

“Not much,” she answered, “it’s really dark.”

“Let me help with that,” Rarity said. A spark from her horn rose up, and floated down into the space below the trap door.

“Woah,” Rainbow Dash gasped.

“What is it, sugarcube? What do you see?” Applejack asked.

Lifting her head back up and out of the space, Rainbow Dash carried a somber expression. “Uh, guys, I think you kinda need to see this for yourselves.”

Rainbow Dash lowered herself down past the trap door, leaving the path cleared for the others. One by one, they all followed her down.

The chamber below the room was as large, if not larger than the house that rested above it. It was not a natural space either, being dug out by the hoof--or claw in this case--of a living being. All around the room, on every wall and on the tables that had been constructed down here, were objects and images. Drawings, jewelry, clothing, feathers and other personal items decorated everything, each carefully placed, and each carefully labeled.

“It...it appears to be a shrine of some sort,” Rarity commented.

“Oh my. This is written like these items belonged to somepony who suffered a tragedy,” Fluttershy said. “It talks about tracking griffins down and returning them. Something about restoring the family.”

“Yeah, that’s some pretty major stuff,” Rainbow Dash said. “Griffin’s live in small groups, with the elders of the family holding the highest rank. They have this belief that if the family line is completely broken, the spirits of their dead can’t rest properly and stuff. Even Gilda took that seriously.”

“Then where did all of this come from?” Trixie asked.

“Yeah, and who’s Goldfeather Morninglight?” Pinkie asked.

Everypony looked at her. She just pointed at a small alcove in front of her.

“Who?” Applejack asked in return.

“Don’t ask me! I don’t know her. It’s all these notes that brought her up,” Pinkie said.

They all stepped over to the alcove. Dozens upon dozens of notes were layered there, resting on shelves and wedged into gaps in the wall. Each and every one of them named Goldfeather by name, some with just that, and others with her full name.

And they all were thanking her for reuniting their families.

* * * * * * *

She had vowed not to sleep until she found her sister. That was days ago, with the only breaks taken being to raise the sun and the moon to continue the cycle of the day and maintain the morale of Equestria. The rest of the time she spent combing through the caves beneath Canterlot.

Luna was exhausted.

The cavern system was vast and ranged throughout the mountains which held the capital city. She and Celestia had ventured through them frequently before her lunar exile, and she knew several areas of them quite well. That was before the destruction that buried her sister, and when she was fully awake and at her peak. Right now, they seemed like an incomprehensible maze.

And a few thousand feet above her, Coldheart sat on the throne of Equestria. Her blood boiled at the thought, the image of that monster walking through the halls of her castle. Sleeping in her and Celestia’s chambers. Eating their food. She closed her eyes and let the air draw in and out of her lungs for a moment.

“Celestia?” she asked out loud, her voice echoing around her as she opened her eyes. She dared not yell the name, in case the sound carried too far above. She walked forward, her hooves clicking against the hard stone beneath them.

She knew that Celestia was alive. She had to be. There would have been a sign--a replacement for her. What she didn’t know was where she was, and what happened to her.

And how close she might be to death.

It would be quicker to move through the cavern as a mist, but her senses weren’t as acute, especially with her exhausted. Her vision and hearing might be just slow enough to miss a key moment. Pass over a wing or a mane peeking from behind a rock and her goal was missed. So, she walked, deliberately and carefully, scanning every room and every corner.

The first time she ever ventured into this cavern on her own they had just begun to build the castle. The image was still clear in her mind. They found the cave when they broke ground, trying to set the foundation. The engineers told Celestia that they needed to reconsider the location, move it to a more stable place. Celestia stood on the mountain, staring out over the landscape, seeing far into the heart of the country--seeing the ponies that she loved so dearly.

She told him that there was no place in Equestria with a stronger foundation than this mountain. He disagreed, and begged her to move once more. She told him that she knew that this mountain was meant to be her home, and the place Equestria would look up to every day. As their debate continued, Luna left, choosing to look into the cave.

It was a long way down, passing jagged rock and jutting stone, until Luna finally found a firm pediment. The darkness then--as now--held no mystery. She could clearly see the size and shape of the cavern, and the way that it worked deep into the heart of the mountain.

The sound, however, was something new to her. The clicking of her hooves sounded odd. It was clearly stone, she could feel it under her, but the sound was wrong. To find out what was wrong, she decided to cast some light on the matter.

As her horn lit up, the light caught in the first crystal, refracted, and spread to the others around it. Splitting and passing, it surrounded her and filled the chamber, shining around her in a million separate points.

The chamber looked like the night sky filled with stars. Luna gasped, seeing her night appear around her in a way--in a place--that she never imagined. And she knew in that moment that Celestia was right. That this was the place where Canterlot was to be born. This was the foundation from which greatness could be built.

“Celestia?” Luna called to her sister, snapping herself back to the present. Her voice was still rough, but it carried far enough. Just far enough.

“...here...” A weak reply froze her in her tracks. Her ears twitched, turning around as she tried to locate the voice.

“Celestia? Celestia, say something!” she urged.

“...I am here...” The voice was still weak and distant.

Locking in on her voice, Luna began to sprint towards it. Tears streamed behind her as she sped up, coating her face. “Tia, I’m here! Don’t worry, I’ll be there in a moment!”

Her horn lit up, tiny lights cascading in order through the gems and crystals along the walls, guiding her to her destination. As the light fell down at the end of the trail, Luna came to a sudden stop.

“Tia?” she said softly.

“I knew you would come for me, my love,” Celestia answered.

A cascade of stone rested across her body. The golden armor she had been wearing was broken and scattered. Her rear legs and one wing were trapped beneath a massive boulder that towered above her. Bits of dried blood were spattered over her normally pristine alabaster coat.

And with all of that, she smiled. A wide, warm smile that lit up the room as much as any light that Luna could conjure. Her eyes, darker magenta than normal in this dim light, still glowed with hope and life. Swallowing hard, Luna tried to keep her gaze focused on those eyes and that smile, but it was the most difficult thing she had ever done.

On her forehead was a shattered stub of bone, rough and jagged, broken away.

Celestia’s horn was gone.

...to be continued