//------------------------------// // Entry 4: Rarity Interview/Appleloosa Visit // Story: A.K. Yearling's Heedless Almanac // by Vis-a-Viscera //------------------------------// As promised, I shall start this entry with the Rarity interview. Not only does it show the true reason behind the Queen's constriction to Canterlot these past few days, but that reason is likely what I owe my continued operation under the radar to, given my encounter with Prince Shroud the day prior. Besides, reader: you’ve likely wanted to know the mentality of an Element of Harmony for some time. Well, know this first and foremost: despite their lack of presence, they are not cowards. Their experience from facing the biggest threats in Equestria to date gives them an almost-encyclopedic knowledge of what can deal the most damage – and often, where it currently rests. This is why it distresses me that they show so li Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy are so certain their current countermeasures are effective. The Queen has fooled them before, with terrifying results. Now, I fear… she does not have to fool them in order to gain those same results. And part of that fear is confirmed through this talk I have with the Element of Generosity. (Interview begins) A.K. YEARLING (AK) Good afternoon, Miss Rarity. May I call you this for the remainder of this interview? RARITY (RA) You may Miss Yearling. Apologies for this… dreadful mess. It seems I am not… entirely forgotten since my reopening. (AN: Rarity was speaking of the various lengths of cloth and thick fabric draped around her showroom in the Boutique. Most of this was purple, and filled with white swirls. I would later find out this was the material for the very balloon holding the announcer (Moon Dancer) and the three judges (Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine) in the new Iron Pony competition aloft.) AK: Not a problem. Perhaps we may be better served going upstairs, as the- RA (rears up, yells): NO! AK: My apologies, Miss Rarity. I mean no offense. RA (calms down): No, that suggestion was sound. But… (sighs again) I am afraid that part of this Boutique is indefinitely closed off. To everypony. AK: Well, my first question was different but now I must know: does this have to do with... the Massacre, or an earlier such event. RA (after a long span of silence): ... It is. In fact, I have been… rather busy with attending to the rest of my friends’ pain. I shall be visiting Applejack myself, to ensure there enough hands available to tend to her farm while she is traveling to Bal-(stops as if having accidentally revealed sensitive information) Pardon me. AK: Again, my apologies, but: Surely you’ve taken time to mourn yourself? RA: I… cannot afford to. Even with all the bits I still possess. Because… Dash and the Queen have disgraced their Elements’ calling not mean I will follow suit. They deserve it more than I do. (Wipes at her cheek) Especially my poor friend, Fluttershy. It is all I can do to keep Pinkie from impoverishing herself, but… she is determined. To the extent I have had to forward my bits to Mr. and Mrs. Cake instead – she will take nothing from me. AK: You’re a good mare for doing this. RA: I would rather not go into why your praise may be regretted. But I thank you for giving it. Generosity is always a welcome gift, and a lady never rejects a heartfelt gift. AK: Yes, well. (I adjusted my cloak.) The first true question I have for you, though, has to do with something a bit different. There are rumor that Twligh- (Rarity noticeably winces at this. I adjust.) -the Queen, has met with you before her flight from Ponyville. How accurate is this rumor? And is there insight you may have that would illuminate what may have caused her to become what she is now? RA: There is no need to try and couch this story to protect me. It is, quite clearly, the worst-kept secret in this town. And the Queen’s current mindset centers more around what she makes of her… fellow scoundrels, rather than what Equestria makes of her. Of that (she rubs furiously at her forehooves) I no longer have no doubt. (Takes a deep breath.) But I shall tell you how that visit went. Shortly after her arrest for the alleged role in the deaths of Miss de Lis and Mr. Blueblood, she and I… did meet. I let her know of me and my friends’ fears of what she had done, and my regret over not being able to solve her case myself. She would leave soon after, leaving a notice in her library that she had headed overseas. (Her tone turned darker) Needless to say, you can see how accurate that missive was. AK: Yes – clearly her pattern of violence shows that her migration was to the Badlands instead, with the first happening matters. Was there any indication that she was inclined towards this, even from the beginning? RA: But it is… terrifying that she has shifted from even that modicum of decency. AK: How so? RA: Just before leaving… she asked me to take care of her assistant. I have*… seen to that quite adequately. And in her notice, she… Rather, I would show you that myself. (AN: Rarity presents me with her final letter at this point. I will make note of it later in this entry, during the exact time I read it- on the Express to Appleloosa.) AK: This is… remarkably different from how she is now. Even with the specter of being a fugitive for life over her head. RA: Do keep it, darling. I… would rather not have this reminder here, after what I’ve… my current commitment. AK: Is your assistant anywhere here? RA: Not presently. He is with Fluttershy, helping to attend to her pets. But he will return… tomorrow*. Regardless, her letter at least described intent to clear her name, which is why I did not press the matter when Fluttershy and Applejack were scouring eastern Equestria with Luna. She… no longer wishes to shy away from depravity. AK: I see. RA: I apologize for these next few words, Miss Yearling, but you do not. The Queen… when she was a Princess… was always curious to know of her situation and how to improve it. And the key to that was her obsession with the utmost accuracy in her writings. That was the first time she had… put quill to a blatant lie. And I fear it is also the last. AK: You… are uncertain that the Queen will continue her deceptive nature? RA: It is no nature – and it is the state she is currently in that drives my fear. The Queen has… violated, slain, and somehow assimilated our dear Princess Celestia into herself. (Her tone turns hysteric for the next sentence) She commands the very sun over our heads, Yearling! (Calms down) The way she spoke to us after showing that stolen talent, besides being utterly offensive... was that of a pony so uncaring of her subjects that she saw a lie as unworthy of them. And she now… sits on Her throne. AK (I did shudder at that point.): I think that will be all on that question. To news closer at hoof then. You mention that Miss Applejack is taking a trip to Appleloosa soon, and that you have made accommodations for her duties here while she is gone. Do you care to specify on this, and does this have anything to do with the upcoming Iron Pony competition? A.K.! I am surprised at you! That Applejack is willing to move as it is, with the loss of Fritter and Bloom, is a miracle in and of itself! AK: I did think it was impressive, considering her fledgling presence in Ponyville. That… does make my question all the more pertinent, though. RA: It does. I apologize for the outburst. Temper like this is unbecoming of a lady. And… yes, it does have a bit to do with her role in Iron Pony - or rather her lack thereof. Princess Dash has seen fit to ban her entire family from the event. And the reasoning seems to be tied to… how this event commenced last time. Now… I fear for everypony in attendance – on sidelines or in competition against those Canterlot ruffians. AK: You were told of the reason for this? I’ll come to this later, but that does tie into my next question. RA: I had a feeling it would. However, the details are… not specifically privy to myself. And to your first question… Junebug, Strawberry Sunrise, and Carrot Top will be more than enough to see to her farm. (A small smile grows on her face.) As long as Applejacks’s… proclivities toward Strawberry and Carrot hold.[ AK: What proclivities, if I may ask? RA: I shouldn’t say, really… (Her quiet tone tapers off.) No. It is of no consequence now, and such a quibble reminds me of... fonder, gentler times. (Smiles) From before, neither Carrot nor Strawberry were… big apple fans. AK (Even I chuckled at this): Goodness, that was Applejack’s objection? RA: The operative term is ‘was’. That they’re willing to be this forthcoming with their time is amazing, especially with Carrot’s attendance at that School Board meeting tonight. Poor dear, I think she may be risking inclusion into Iron Pony. I would not even wish that on anypony. AK: Understood. The third question is at hoof, then. It is about the Headmistress of the Arcane University. RA (voice low): How would you know of this? AK: Would I take this to mean you’ve no idea of her whereabouts? RA: No, actually. It is just that… any concern for her disappearance is very limited, despite her presence. What I do know is that one of her intermediaries is in Appleloosa as well - the patron who had originally bought the statue in the first place, and she is… likely either in the Crystal Empire or Cloudsdale. She was… far from the only one to depart Canterlot lately. AK: I do know of Sassy Saddles and Sapphire Shores, yes. Does this mean you have been notified of such developments? RA (indignantly): Very much so. By… our newly instated Queen and Princess. AK: They still regularly communicate with you? RA: They inflict themselves upon me. That is yet another thing I would normally refrain from mentioning to you. Mainly because it would likely take up your entire week. As the nightmares from it do to me every night. (Wipes at eyes again.) I should not be so elated that Luna lost her ability to witness my slumbering moments with her horn. AK: The alternative, however… RA: … came about because she refused to leave her sister’s side. I witnessed it, there was time enough between their driving into the Ponyville Center for me to find my way there. (A quiet sob escapes her.) What I saw will follow me into grave next to my wonderful sister. AK: Again, I am sorry for your loss.** RA: Loss is the exact reason the Queen and Princess torture me so. I… am disinclined to destroy such reminders of her recent actions in Canterlot and beyond. Not only because the state of what is left of those ponies is still in question, but… because of how they direct my anger. Toward my… obligation to stopping them. One they will not know of so long as I breathe. Applejack, however, has the strength of mind to destroy the mementos they send her of their killings in that capital. AK (shocked): Deaths?! I'd known of some, but... beyond the Caball henchponies? RA: And more besides. It is a grisly catalog, but I have kept the Canterlot tallies present. The Mayor will know of this after my return from Manehattan. (Motions to a folded piece paper on the dresser, next to a silk knitting case, each carefully labeled, and clearly filled with things that have nothing to do with knitting) The tally is in that case. I have prepared a copy with the original artifacts downstairs, but I dare not reveal it till after Iron Pony has commenced. There are too many eyes and ears in the city. AK: (AN: I obtain this memento collection here. The contents of it, again, will be presented during the end of this entry, as a tribute to those lost in the Queen’s consolidation period. As Rarity would have wanted, had she the time.) Then my final question will be brief. What are you and your friends’ goals as of current, whether resisting or enduring the Queen’s reign? And will these renegade ‘gold ponies’ in Ponyville play a part? RA: Why do you ask, darling? Surely you know of my apprehension toward the queen already. My decision is pending… the possible developments in light of the Iron Pony competition. Should they bear fruit, I will be enthused to increase my clientele… and my efforts to resist the Queen’s regime. AK: Well… (I hesitate to ask. But I must know if they are already working with them and are not telling me because of some unseen risk I represent) I ask because of knowledge, from inside sources from one of those who have witnessed their recent exploits talk of how their escape came through their retreat to a base in the Sugarcube Corner confectionery. RA: Sugarcube?! Miss Yearling, I must assure you, if I would have known of this earlier- AK (interrupting): Based on instructions you somehow provided. RA (nearly shouting): Now that is impossible! I have only mentioned any such route before, and the only pony to hear me was… Pinkie…. Excuse me, I must confer wi- (The door slams open. APPLEJACK (AJ) bursts into the Boutique, holding a copy of the Iron Pony poster.) AJ: -an’ of course Ah’m not allowed near the event with a ten-foot pole, Luna forbid ah remind Ponyville of how the Iron Phony who this is all bein’ flossed out to meet tied for dead last with me! AK: I-I’m sorry, Applejack, I didn’t know you were- RA (interrupting, shaken): You and I both. Apologies, but as I said before, my friends take precedence. I do regret the interview ending this abruptly. (I get up and start to leave.) AJ (to Rarity): This is horseapples, and you know it Rarity! You keep talkin’ of Twilight (Rarity twitches) and her crew like they’re some incomin' storm rather than sompony with a plan, and Ah’m tellin’ ya, (voice raises) NO storm thinks out this much! RA: And I have told you, darling, I will redouble my efforts regardless! But if you think somepony who did what she did to Cel- AJ (as the door closes behind me): She did it to BOTH her an’ Luna! The same trick, because it worked! An’ it’s happenin’ again! They don’t do this if they didn’t have backup plans! We’re not leavin’ till we find out what it is! (Interview ends) This interview taught me two things, reader. The first was that the Elements of Harmony, even separate and schismatic, still live and die on information. Rarity more than mo Applejack certainly seems the most invested in acting on the information after a short spell of despondency, as opposed to Rarity, who to this day resigns herself to it, or Pinkie Pie, who likely ignores it entirely. I suspect Fluttershy’s reception of the Queen’s totems to her tyranny may be a large part of the reasons behind her seclusion. The second of these, as it currently stands, was that the sane Elements of Harmony were being picked apart from afar – with an effort that almost defied logic. The Element of Kindness, Fluttershy, is all but shuttered inside her cottage. Pinkie Pie (Laughter) is so stuck between her attempts to either rehabilitate or inspire her fellow Elements she is fighting a losing battle to keep her own smile. Rarity (Generosity) is clearly devoting time to others to avoid coping with her own trauma. And Applejack (Honesty), the most steadfast and forthcoming of them all, is slipping further and further into clandestine duties to protect her family against her former friend. I cannot imagine the strain it places on her. The Queen, once favoring toward quick blitz attacks and surprise invasions, may overcome her friends by sheer pressure. And is for this additional reason – to deny so destabilizing force to Equestria’s peace – that I now go forth with one into Appleloosa. Not just the study of the Equilixirs, or to discover this intermediary's identity, but to ensure the best hope to see daylight – true daylight – in this little slice of Tartarus the Queen now delivers to all ponykind daily. To that end, my research at this time will represent this same personal angle I have shown in my previous entry – the time log for my return visit to my home in the Tenochtitlan Basin will return to the normal format. Day 1: The ride to Appleloosa with Applejack was quite… quiet. For once, the outspoken cowpony was not in the mood to talk. I admit, I did spend the first few minutes of the train ride here loving over the note that Rarity had given me – allegedly, the Queen’s last one to the group as a fugitive. Friends, I know you must hate me for what you think I've done, but I am innocent. I hope one day you will come to know that and that I can return when that day comes. While I don't completely blame you for not believing me, you all know that if I wanted to kill some pony, I would not go about it in that way. If anything, the sheer amount of evidence left behind should make it obvious I didn't do it, since I would never leave that much. By the time you read this, I'll be long on my way. I have passage across the sea and a friend that owes me a favor, so I will not be in your manes any longer. Please just let exile be enough of a punishment and leave me in peace. Always with love, Twilight Sparkle How could a monster like her know lo it all go so wrong for the Queen? I must find this out later. However, the goal at hand took precedence. Applejack, barely two seas to the left of me, was mostly silent. However, when I brought across my opinions of the Iron Pony competition (that it was a thoroughly corrupted symbol of the Mane 6 made to try and break Applejack as it was to victimize Ponyville) and of her interpretation of the Queen’s actions that writing her off as a simple evil-chasing sadist missed a lot of the method underlying her madness), she did brighten up some. It was limited, however. “Don’t let Rarity hear ya say that – that dame’s been through enough as is,” she replied. - Addendum I: Again, the attempts by the current Mane 4 to keep each other upright may keep them from rising above methods similar to their enemy. Another of my faint fears, reader. imagine what would happen if one of them started sinking to the lows the Queen does daily, even if to resist her. After arriving at Appleloosa, I took in the tone of the town. It was… quite emptier than I had last heard, even in the light of the exodus following Braeburn and Fritter’s deaths. However, the location of the statue itself, as stated before in my 2nd Entry, was not known – the collector had taken it. Finding the intermediary and the identity of this collector was my objective, so much as it pained me to let such a groundswell of information go, I had to part ways with Applejack at the main junction. Notably, she left with Cherry Jubilee – normally a Dodge Junction resident - talking of a ‘refugee spot’ before they got out of earshot. I will have to do more independent research on this later. For now reader, my target was Sheriff Silverstar. “By my stars, it’s the icon A.K. herself! How’re ya doin’ this day?” Naturally, I was fine. “Hm. Sure y’know already, but that’s a rarity an’ a relief.” He shook his head, mustache twitching as he spoke. “Don’t blame much of ‘my fellow ponies for the move – heck, it’s the first time somepony’s made a habit of getting’ the hell into Dodge – but its doin’ a number on us both! Jubilee’s Hill Ranch is almost fit to burst, and we’ve had to resort to hirin’ showmares t’retain enough ponies to keep the water flowin’!” I had wondered where the Alicorn’s Amulet’s other bearer was. But, unfortunately, she was not my first priority. “Do you happen to know the benefactor who took possession of the Thestrel statue?” “Y’mean the gold one? Sure, inspector of it's still in town if you can catch ‘em.” And his hoof pointed out toward the clock tower. “Just missed the original collector, however. Think I saw her in some of the old Wonderbolt gathering photos that Spitfire had, before..." His voice trailed off. "Best not to think o'how that turned out for her. Poor Stormy." My mouth had turned to cotton in its attempt to utter wishes of solidarity to her. "But I do know that patron. Think her name's Lightning Dust. Said it was a favor to her new guardian. Got real ornery when the inspector came some hours later, though." Lightning Dust? I would have to do research on that later - a Cloudsdale pegasus and Wonderbolt (or aspiring one), not only out of the city but ferrying for ex-Headmistress Cinch? But for now, I needed to know where that inspector was. Again, I owed my previous works towards the answer I got. "Only tellin’ you this because of how much I liked Daring Do and the Eternal Flower, but she’s clammed up in there. Said she’d be leaving when onna the same ponies she came with did.” “Do you know who it is? This showpony, perhaps?” “Oh, no. Showmare am-scrayed out of the town almost five hours after y’all showed up. And the pony she was with was all swaddled up too. Tell you what, though… I’d thought the showmare Fetter Keys rustled up before helping up efforts at Cherry Hill Ranch had shown up already when that pony did.” A chuckle shook his frame. “Reckon she’s safe and sound.” I asked what had propelled such a self-assured sentence. “Jus’ sayin’ I recognize how she looks – and if that’s true, who’s likely watchin’ over her. You’ll know when you see her.” And one service lift later, I did. “Sapphire Joy?” A Crystal Empire emissary! And to my surprise, not the first I’d seen! Indeed, the bright blue Crystal Pony ambassador was right before me. “I assume the bits I gave to Silverstar were wasted, then?” “He offered it, free of charge, as a Daring Do fan.” My left eyebrow raised. “And bribery? Honestly?” “No – but a little deception was necessary. Had to know you weren’t here on behalf of someone else.” “There are too many who have laid eyes on what I guard as is.” “Like the Queen?” “Thankfully, no.” Sapphire’s smile faded. “But I will need to have it destroyed.” Now I really was surprised. “But why?” “You will have to believe me when I say that what it represents cannot be replicated – by any unaffiliated by the Crystal Empire.” Strange. What link would a statue of the Thestrels have with the Crystal Empire? Nevertheless, I needed to know, and it would be thanks to what I had heard of Princess Cadance before that would help me. “I am with Dr. Hooves, on the request of Cadance from her missive to him two days ago. It involved the Equilixirs.” Sapphire’s eyes widened. “I… had hoped it would reach Cori, actually. But I do suppose it is for the best we do not include her in any more danger than she is rumored to have found.” Sapphire Joy then turned to face away from me. “I entrust you with what remains of this artifact, then, before we decide its fate. Do you happen to know any way of moving it out of mainland Equestria without using the Express or air travel? For purposes you will soon see later, using magic is out of the question and so is leaving it here.” I thought back to my knowledge from before. Magic past the Crystal Empire’s front stoop would likely be A) impossible due to the magic barriers, and B) traceable by the Queen, likely compromising the cargo. And if this held crucial information on a branch of magic-immune beings, it would likely prove pivotal to the resistance effort – for better or for worse (should the Queen know of it first.) In addition, the Guard was spreading over every stop of the Express. And between the sky blockade of Cloudsdale and what I would soon learn of, the second Edict of Twilight***, the Empire could likely not trust a critical establishment in too many cities to do it town-by-town. I was interrupted by Sapphire Joy pointing to the antechamber in the center of the tower. “This is what they use to lower the bell when it needs to be since the freight lift would not bear its size. The statue has been moved to the basement next to its knoll. Shall we?” Thank goodness for the lift. Four flights of stairs up, then down, then up again to leave would likely not bear will for either of us. However, the statue… did actually amaze me. In terms of what it was not. First of all, it was not of a Thestrel. However, the sweeping mane and horn/wing combo implied it was indicative of something else entirely. “The Thestrels have a link to alicorns?” I asked. Sapphire Joy didn’t match my raised tone. “Not just anypony. Look down.” I did. The plaque below it was faded, worn down with age. But I could understand most of what remained. The spaces below imply letters that were erased with time. _ _ _ _ _ ess Amore, may this stand for o_r Tribute as Eternal as thy Emissary, Somn_ _ _ _ _ _ _. To Thos_ _ _ _ s Thestrels here no_, and many mo_ _ to come. May _ _r Ci_y of Thestr_ _ Dorad_ pros_ _r for all Time Hatstir_up, Kinthanid, Sekhm_re, Horsthor - Addendum II: The four names would prove invaluable in finding out which Equilixir went to which pony (or changeling) from the new Thestrel hybrids that had been born in Ponyville. For now, however... A rumble came from my shirt pocket, and the gem inside it – the lone Equilixir that had not found a host. I had to clasp my hooves over it, to keep it from being one with that statue. Sapphire Joy seized me around the barrel, and together we fall back to the stairwell. The Equilixir still vibrated knowingly. Were I ever in doubt about the influence of this statue, it would be now. “Curse it, that stung!” I panted. “Wait - that statue! That was of Princess Amore, wasn’t it? That was-” “Our Princess Cadance’s great-great-great ancestor,” Sapphire Joy huffed. She had almost lost her traveling cloak in the rush away from Amore's effigy. “While likely shows that the Thestrels have seen her as an object of reverence. It may yet be another Crystal Empire-affiliated alicorn that may seize the opportunity to use these Equilixirs.” “And you possess one right now.” “Right. I’ll see if I can find out more about this stone, then possibly hand it over to you. Without the Arcane University, your facilities may be the best to get a productive answer to the mystery of the Thestrels, should I not find it in due time.” My eyes swept back to the stature. “However, it looks like it has some powerful properties.” “You may not know the full extent.” Sapphire Joy pointed out. “Though my magic is somehow ineffective on this statue, I have kept a detector of my own around me, to possibly alert to other unicorns. The statue is not only trying to attract your… strange stone.” “An Equilixir. The other three of which are in those ‘golden ponies’ Ponyville has seen so often.” “I see… Still, it is not only drawing in your Equilixir, it is denaturing it to almost all magical and physical tethers. The process is slow, likely due to age, but still potent. Were we not at a safe distance, I doubt any coverings could restrain it.” “The information on this lays hint toward another town in Equestria – the desert city of Somnambula.” Sapphire looked warily back to that statue again. “Were the Queen to know of this…” Even I could see the dire implications. Direct links to the Equilixirs, the Empire, and Cadance? The Queen would be invading that Empire within the nanosecond. “Which is why we must destroy that statue.” declared the Crystal Pony Ambassador. “I will call this city’s demolition ponies for the job. The explosive may have been used for canal-openings and mine-tunnelings, but now it may be the only thing we-” “NO!” I almost bowled over the Crystal Pony with this. “This…development wasn’t in your normal attempts to find out about this statue, was it?” “It was not, no.” “There there might be magic within that might react negatively to such a disruption. “Surely a report back to it would be in order – especially of how it can draw an Equilixir Stone out of anywhere. We just have to make sure this town thinks it has been moved.” “But where shall it go in lieu of toward the Empire? I find myself short on trustworthy establishments to hold it in.” I remembered what Silverstar said before - and Applejack's new traveling partner. “There may be one.” Day 2: By the day's first light, two crates were leaving Appleloosa. One would go to Cherry Hill Ranch, in the most secure part of its basement as possible d guarded by the Sheriff Fetter Keys. The other crate would be delivered through Ponyville to Sire’s Hollow, and then to my home from there. Any Guard that opened it would find but an absurdly gaudy golden bed, part of that aforementioned passing-though showmare’s collection. The interaction Sapphire Joy initiated to attain that bed both shocked and disturbed me. Shocked since I’d never seen such a vivid contrast in voices; Sapphire’s low and collected, the other’s boisterous and belligerent. Disturbed because… Sherriff Silverstar was indeed right on the looks department. Would that I never hear the words ‘great’ or ‘powerful’ that closely together for the rest of the year. Neither mare would return with me for that trip, however – nor would Applejack, still tied up enough with business just outside Appleloosa that she would need to catch the evening train home. The showmare had been called to Dodge City for an encore performance – on such emergency notice that she had to depart without the bed she had carried here. Hence the trade. Sapphire Joy, however, was heading to the Crystal Empire to report her findings. Then she would be off to Somnambula, with a promise to deliver the choicest of information from there to both me and Hooves, the second I elaborated on our partnership. Her last words, however, chilled me to the core. “There is but one more significant detail about that Amore statue. The metal within it, before my detector spell was disabled, implied that it was likely made from metal specifically summoned by an alicorn, then made into the state it was by the spell of another. I do not like to consider what would happen should either those new Thestrels find themselves near it.” With Sapphire Joy being found out as the intermediary, however, I now likely know where the ex-Headmistress is stationed. My only hope is that I can get to the Crystal Empire without being dragged into further complications. While there, however, I went through the collection of mementos. They are as follows in chronological order, each with a tag from Rarity that usually states A) how they died and B) why they died. One (1) jeweled locket belonging to earth pony Royal Pin, bloodied. Rarity’s note alleges he was the first in Canterlot to die, executed for apparently attempting to seek the death penalty for The Queen in her trial for the murders of Blueblood and Fleur. One (1) wing feather from pegasus Helia’s wings, bloodied. Rarity’s note says she was captured, extradited to Canterlot, and executed as the first violator of Ponyville’s new air curfew. Two (2) pieces of Sapphire Shores’ faux dress diamonds, tied together to two scraps of uniforms belonging to earth ponies Blue Cutie and Tarantella, backup dancers of Sapphire Shores. Rarity’s note, while it did not mention what crime they had committed, but said it was likely done out of spite due to her kinship with Sapphire Shores, since none of the other Mane 4 gained a copy of this memento.**** One (1) camera lens likely belonging to earth pony Long Shot, cracked. Rarity’s note implied he died shortly after refusing to photograph one of the Queen’s upcoming events (unspecified by the note.) Specifically, for remarking that he’d never take another photo unless it was of the Queen and her parents’ graves. One (1) orange lock of hair, belonging to earth pony Shimmy Shake: Rarity’s note said that she had tried to free Luna from her captivity, but the point that explains how she died is too tear-stricken for me to properly decipher. One (1) pane from a pair of reading glasses, belonging to earth pony Leadwing. Rarity’s note alleges it was in response to his wife Bittersweet’s attempt to quit from her job as a delegate of Canterlot in protest of the Queen’s rise to power. The note does not mention how he died, only that Bittersweet committed suicide two days later. Three (3) bandannas, each with blood and/or several crudely extracted teeth in them, belonging to three of Dr. Caballeron’s henchponies.**** Ten (10) golden shards and gem shards from different tiaras: Rarity's note calls them the ‘Sailor Stable’, a resistance group that had tried to assassinate the Queen shortly after she met the Mane 4 for the first time as a queen. (They belong to, in order, the unicorns Aqua Mist, Burning Heart, Juno, Love Melody, Saturnalia, Natural Satellite, and Larissa and the pegasi Charon and Umbriel.) ***** - Addendum III: I will try to find out more about this incident, as it is both the widest-spanning atrocity the Queen has committed and B) may link to several collaborators in the cities closest to Canterlot. Already, Queen Trottingham is responsible for Juno and Aqua Mist’s capture and delivery to the Queen, who were apparently stripped of life an hour bef****** set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free set me free - Addendum IV: I do not remember writing the above mantra. I had drifted off after trying to read through the list above it, due to exhaustion from not resting throughout the entire flight. I… am not sure what caused it. The stone, perhaps? No, I have accepted plenty of absurdities from these stones –from their seamless assimilation into other beings to their roots in both Somnambula and the Crystal Ponies, but artifacts do not have a mind of their own. Tomorrow, I hope to get back to my house and prove that further. As well as... start my biopic on one of the more personally disturbing members of the Queen's inner circle. *Rarity's noticeable facial flush during each of these instances leads me to believe she has been much more than just a confidant with Spike. Perhaps they are romantically involved? ** This most likely referred to Sweetie Belle's death during the Ponyville Massacre, but I was not willing to distress Rarity further to double-check. *** The second Edict of Twilight makes criminals out of any crucial establishment that harbors a criminal, subject to the same universal penalty of exile to Canterlot. Such crucial establishments includes: hospitals, restaurants, saloons, and supermarkets. **** Rarity’s note confirms what I discovered on these subjects from the 2nd Entry; that they belonged to Sapphire Shores' two associates and Dr. Caballeron's three henchponies discovered by Spearhead and Flash Sentry during their parlays into Everfree recently. Apparently, Commander Hel and the Night Guards tortured and executed them; the former group as an attempt to silence the rumors of her ignoble first performance in Ponyville during the Riots, the latter group for attacking Canterlot Royal Guards. ***** The leader of the Sailor Stable, Celena is still on the loose, but their captures were throughout Canterlot, Mustangia, Stratusberg, and Trottingham, as I discovered from the copy of the Canterlot TImes on Sheriff Silverstar's desk. ***** This was the exhaustion's cut-off point. I have left it as is to illustrate the mantra's apparent location in my notes.