“How could you lie to me?” Twilight sobs to a stone faced Celestia. “All this time?!” She cries. Celestia just takes a deep breath, refusing to break.

“I had to Twilight. It was for your own good.” She says flatly. Twilight just scoffs, staring off into the carpet.

“You have to understand Twilight.” Celestia pleads. “You went through a terrible thing, that should of never happened to you. I couldn't in good conscience let you remember such a horrific event.” Celestia begs, the mask slowly slipping.

“So that made erasing my memories okay?!” She cries. Celestia just closes her eyes taking a deep breath, forcing the tears in her eyes to remain. She had to stay strong.

“No, it did not. I didn't want to at first.” Celestia opens her eyes, hoping that the tears will stay at bay. “But such a horrific event, for a mare of your age. It would have stunted you. You were already so reserved. I didn't want to risk you being alone forever.” She pleads.

“It wasn't your choice to make!” Twilight cries in anger. Celestia just closes her eyes again.

“Perhaps not.” She breaths deeply. “But understand Twilight, I did not do this on a whim. I asked your parents opinion, I asked Shining, and they all agreed it was the best choice.” She huffs.

“And Cadance?” Celestia's eyes fling open at the mention of her nieces name. She stares towards Twilight, hurt and pain evident.

“She didn't agree.” Celestia shakes her head, a remorseful look on her face. Tears coming to the surface again. “She damned me for it.” She confesses.

“Where is she? I want to see her!” Twilight cries.

“I'm afraid I can't let you do that.” Celestia says firmly.

“Why?!” Twilight bellows.

“Twilight.......” Celestia stands up, looking down at her broken student. “After that fateful day, Cadance was never the same. She blamed herself for what happened. She still does. Maybe one day she will be able to face you, but you have to let her come to you.” Celestia begs. Twilight just shakes her head.

“Why?” She whispers. “Why did she leave again?” Twilight's eyes continue to fill with tears as she chokes back sobs.

“I do not know Twilight.” Celestia confesses. “She would not tell me. Everything seemed to be going fine, until one day.....” She trails off. “I am sorry Twilight, truly I am.” She gives her student a pained expression. A single tear sliding down her muzzle. Twilight just looks at her with a broken expression, that will be burned into her memory for years.

She watched, as Twilight shook her head of tears. Anger carved into her features, before be turned to walk away.

“Twilight!” Celestia called after her but it was too late.

The door slammed closed as Celestia let the mask fall, and tears filled her eyes.

She fell onto her haunches and began sobbing to the empty room.

The sound of a ticking clock filled the emptiness of Celestia's heart, as she watched losing her faithful student.

All over again.

…...................................................................................................................................

“Eye, that hurts like a bitch!” The gruff sound of a stallion could be heard walking down the halls of the castle towards the medical room. “All these years and ya'd think I'd of learned not ta burn meself on the iron anymore.” The stallion hisses, holding up his left hoof, limping towards the door.

“Eye! Reeetro! Ya in there! It's Firecraft!” He yells, banging on the door with his shoulder.

“Come in.” The voice calls. He opens the door and steps inside, shutting it behind him.

“Thank Celestia, I could use-” He comes to an abrupt stop at the sight before him. The first thing he notices is the guard in the room, the second, is the ball and chain wrapped around Reeetro's leg, and the third, a metal ring on top of his horn. He notes with a worried expression, as he takes a cautious step closer.

“Eye? What's going on here then?” He questions septically. Reeetro finishes writing down something before placing the the pen down and giving him a tired smile.

“Firecraft, lovely to see you. Please, take a seat.” Reeetro beckons towards the bed. Firecraft raises an eyebrow, taking a quick look towards the guard.

“Ya wanna explain why he's here first?” He nods his head towards the guard.

“Her majesties orders!” The guard calls out.

“Eye, what if they're has been a problem with me danglely bits? Sure ya wanna stay fer that?” He gives a smirk to the guard who just holds position, unmoving. Firecraft huffs before turning his attention to Reeetro.

“Eye, Reeetro want to tell me what in the hay is going on here?” Firecraft prods trying to get an answer.

“I guess you don't get out much do you?” Reeetro replies, before the guard interrupts him.

“Reeetro! Off duty!” He yells. Firecraft gives him a stern look before turning back to Reeetro, who simply sighs.

“What seems to be the problem?” He asks. Firecraft looks him up and down, noting the bags under his eyes.

“I went an burned meself on the iron, just need a patch up.” He eyes him sceptically.

“Of course.” He watches as Reeetro proceeds to head towards the cupboard pulling out a cooling liquid and a cloth before dropping it to the floor. He sighs trying to pick it up, failing three times before he manages.

He heads back towards Firecraft items in mouth before setting them down on the table next to the bed.

“Forgive me, It's been difficult not being able to use magic.” He sighs tiredly. As he proceeds to uncap the jar, pouring the liquid onto the cloth.

“Eye, a can see that? But why in the hell can't ye use yer magic? Why ya chained up?” He asks with a worried expression. Reeetro finishes, handing the cloth to Firecraft.

“Hold that please.” He asks. “I'm under supervision.” He states flatly.

“Fer what?” Fircraft asks sternly. Taking the cloth from Reeetro and doing as told.

“Because I-” He begins before being interrupted.

“Reeetro! Off Duty!” The guard yells. Firecraft turns towards him an icy glare.

“Yer about to be off duty in a minute if ya don't shut yer pie hole!” He yells. The guard takes a step forward.

“Enough.” Reeetro states and the guard stops. “There's no need for that.” He says coldly. The guard shoots him a glare before stepping back. Reeetro turns his muzzle towards Firecraft.

“Will that be all?” He asks. Firecraft gives him a worried look, before nodding. “Great.” Reeetro states. He goes over towards his desk, pulling a small bottle from it before coming back and handing it to Firecraft.

“Keep pressure on the cloth for about an hour, and take one of these every four hours, they should help with the pain.” He pushes the bottle towards him. Firecraft eyes him sceptically before Reeetro continues.

“Please, I insist.” He gives him a wink. Firecraft just nods standing to leave the room. He watches as Reeetro sighs and heads back towards his desk. He offers him a glance before turning to leave the room.

He shuts the door behind him, feeling utterly confused. He looks at the bottle of pills in his hoof, giving it a experimental shake. He doesn't hear anything. Brow furrowing in confusion he opens the lid and notices a piece of paper inside. He pulls out the paper, it's a note from Reetro.

-Dungeon, Midnight tonight, Reeetro- Is all it says. His brow furrows in confusion even more before he relents walking back to his hut. He throws the paper in the furnace before sitting down, a worried look etched onto his face.

…..............................................................................................................................

The clock strikes midnight, as Firecraft makes his way into the dungeon, carrying a bag of tools with him and some nails in a pouch. He can't help wondering what the hell is going on.

A guard stops him at the entrance to the stairs, asking him to state his business.

“A got called to come and check out the locks on the cells.” He states with a blank expression.

“In the middle of the night?” The guard asks skeptically.

“Eye, ya want me to make sure that the prisoners stay in there cells? Or do you want ta explain to her highness why they've escaped?” He glares. The guard simply nods letting him through.

He wanders down, looking around, before the sight of a hoof waving through the bars gets his attention. He trots over noticing Reeetro. Giving him a stern glare before speaking.

“Eye now, what the hell-” He starts before being shushed by Reeetro who points towards the end of the room. Firecraft follows his hoof, his gaze landing on the sleeping guard at the end of the hall. He turns his attention back towards Reeetro, continuing in a hushed whisper.

“What in the hay is going on Reeetro? Why are you in jail?” The fire maned stallion asks. Reeetro shakes his head before speaking up.

“We don't have a lot of time. Something's happened to Princess Cadance.” He whispers stealing glances towards the sleeping guard.

“Eye, the Princess? What's happened?” He asks worriedly.

“I'm not sure, the day before Twilight Sparkle left she just seemed to change completely. Princess Celestia refuses to see reason and Spark and Reaper are missing.” He says in a painful voice.

“Missin? Are ya sure?” He asks, even more worriedly. Reeetro nods.

“A week after Cadance's sudden change, she claimed that Reaper attacked her, and threw him in here. Spark helped him escape and they went on the run for about a year. They were captured and brought down here but.....” Reeetro trails off.

“But?” Firecraft nudges.

“They- They didn't look right. They had bright green glowing eyes, I think they were imposters.” He says worriedly as the guard shifting in the corner causes them both to freeze They both release a sigh of relief as he continues to snore.

“I think something bad is going to happen Firecraft. Something soon.” He whispers with a pained expression.

“What do ya want me ta do?” He asks with a determined look.

“You need to find Spark and Reaper. The real Spark and Reaper.” He glances back towards the sleeping guard.

“Any idea where ta look?” He pleads.

“I heard rumours that ponies have been sneaking off towards the castles catacombs. I think that would be the best place to start.” He says, he freezes as the guards snoring appears to stop and he begins to shift in his chair.

“Hurry!” He pushes Firecraft towards the exit, motioning for him to leave. Firecraft nods before turning to leave.

“Firecraft wait!” Reeetro stops him halfway down the hallway. Firecraft turns around.

“Find Nebula! I don't know what you're going to find but it won't be good! Take back-up!” He pleads. Firecraft just nods before bolting out back up the stairs.

“Wha- Who goes there?!” The guard yells, suddenly jerking awake. He stand up groggily and begins to walk down the hallway, past the cells.

He passes the body of Reeetro, feigning sleep.

Reeetro breaths steadily, hoping for a miricle.

…................................................................................................................................

Star Nebula was passed out at his desk surround by a pile of books when the sound of a door being kicked open causes him to jolt awake, hooves swinging wildly in the air before falling to the floor.

“Nebula!” The frantic voice of Firecraft can be heard.

“Wha-Who-” Nebula jolts up from the floor, straightening his glasses. “Firecraft?” He quints trying to focus. “What brings you here?” He asks yawning before turning to look at his clock. “In the middle of the night, shoot.” He states clearly displeased with himself over falling asleep at his desk.

“Never mind that, we need to move!” Firecraft yells before rushing around his room seemingly looking for supplies.

“What? Can't it wait till morning?” He yawns, amused at the stallions antics.

“We don't have time!” He yells throwing a bag towards Nebula, the satchel hitting him square in the muzzle. “Pack all yer magicky shite, we need to move!” He says quickly.

“Magicky sh-” Nebula shakes his head at the audacity. “Slow down, what's going on?” He questions, no longer amused by the stallions antics.

“I'll explain on the way, but you an me need to go back ta ma hut to grab some weapons and leave now.” He says grabbing a large satchel for himself.

“Weapons?” Nebula's eyes go wide. “Why do we need weapons?” He asks worriedly. Pulling on the satchel before following a frantic Firecraft out of the study.

“I'll explain on the way!” He yells as he takes off into a gallop. Nebula following closely behind.

….........................................................................................................................

They arrive at Firecrafts hut as he begins pulling random weapons off the wall assessing their durability while Nebula stands in the doorway looking worried.

“So let me get this straight?” He asks suspiciously. “You want to go gallivanting into the the restricted catacombs in the middle of the night? On the seemingly wild allegations of Reeetro who tells you ominously that something is going to happen but have no idea what? He states disbelievingly.

“Look eye know it sounds mad, but eye don't understand how Reeetro of all ponies could end up in jail. He's got a cleaner record than anypony here. It don't make no sense.” He states strapping a large sword onto his back.

“I have to agree with you on that.” Nebula ponders, tapping his chin. “But of all the times for him to claim a threat is had to be today?” He sighs. “Princess Celestia is going to be furious if I don't show up tomorrow.” He huffs.

“Why? What's so important about tomorrow?” Firecraft asks, pulling sheild out from a box in the corner of his room before also strapping it onto his back.

“Um..... The wedding?” Nebula states obviously.

“What wedding?” Firecraft looks towards with with confusion.

“Shining Armours and Princess Cadance's wedding?” He states worriedly.

“Shining and what?! When the fuck did that happen?” He yells, surprised at the information.

“About six months ago?” Nebula tilts his head, straightening his glasses. “Everypony in the castle received an invitation.” He glances around the room. Taking note of the mess, he walks over towards an unopened pile of letters on a chair in the corner, flicking through them with his magic before releasing a hum as he find what he's looking for.

“See?” He states disapprovingly. Showing Firecraft the sealed letter, he's obviously neglected reading.

“Eye, fuck me am useless.” He mumbles. “Doesn't matter, this is more important.” He says pulling a helmet off a mannequin and placing it on his head.

“Indeed.” Nebula hums.

“Look we need ta go now, I've got a bad feeling about this.” He states rushing out the door and begins galloping towards the castle, towards the entrance to the catacombs.

“So do I.” Nebula whispers, shaking his head, before following after Firecraft.

….........................................................................................................................

In the faint glow of candle light, in a tower high above. The faint smirking lips of a Pink Alicorn can be made out. Watching as one large red stallion and one small purple one gallop across the large open field leading towards the castle.

“What do you want us to do?” The sound of two hissing voices can be heard.

The lips curl up into a smile, fangs emerging.

“Follow them.” The lips say before breaking out into a cackle.

Author's Note

We're approching the peak. Filles and Gentlecolts.

Regards

OnTheTrot