//------------------------------//
// Cantamen Primum - Bibliotheca Hieme (XI Pars - Penultima) 
// Story: The Witch 
// by DavidReinold 
//------------------------------//

We enter the room slowly, carefully, our feet almost colliding as I struggle to decide if I go ahead or behind. Both are equally appealing - get it over with and jump in, or wait in safety behind the shield of Twilight's charisma and talent. Having not fully decided by the time Twilight steps through the door, it is decided for me - I slip past Twilght and skirt off to a corner of the dank chamber.

The room is dimly lit by candles that stand on pedestals around the floor. The walls are painted a deep, engulfing shade of indigo. It doesn't appear at all the sort of thing one would expect in an office-like environment. But neither - I must remind myself - are cognitive miniature equines, nor an office complex on the moon. Clearly, I must re-prioritize my objections to the circumstances. The decorative state of our current room is not in need of scrutiny.

I turn my wavering attention instead towards the creature behind the desk at the center of the room - who also happens to be a pony. I almost didn't notice her sitting there, because she blended with the room so well. Her coat was dark, as dark as the paint on the walls, and she wore a helm and chest plate. On her forehead was a horn, and at her sides were wings.

"Nightmare Moon," Twilight spoke, approaching the desk, "I do hope we aren't interrupting your work."

The pony named Nightmare Moon retracted nonchalantly and smirked at Twilight. "Not at all! How can I be of service?"

"Plenty of ways," said Twilight, "but I can easily simplify that to two options for you to choose from. The first, quite simply, is that you confess your guilt and sit still while I do my job. This is the optimal route for all parties involved."

Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes, and I'd swear I heard a cough of some sort.

"The other should be quite implicit given the first option."

"No."

Twilight stepped forward apace.

"It wasn't a yes-or-no question."

"Well that's your fault, isn't it? I decline."

The tension between them was so strong, I had almost forgotten I was holding Twilight's magic paper. I unfolded it and read the text silently.

Take my wand.

I looked over to Twilight, who was holding the helix-shaped wand behind her back. It is glowing a violent hue of purple.

"Heath!" Twilight called out, just in time, "come over here and explain something to this mare, if you would."

I hurried over to her side, snatching the wand as inconspicuously as I could before taking my place. It is still glowing after it leaves her hand.

"Would you care to tell Nightmare Moon what becomes of those who don't come quietly?"

I hazard a glance at the paper.

Make something up. Oh yes, terribly helpful.

A moment later it adds, make her angry. I falter for a moment, before putting on my best business face and walking directly up to Nightmare Moon's desk.

For you, Twilight.

"Miss... Nightmare Moon, was it? Would you like to know what will happen if you don't do as you are told? Would you like to discover that truth? Because I have reason to believe you don't. Many reasons, actually. You are currently the most dangerous and most wanted creature in existence. Your base of operations resides within a vacuum. You are currently faced with the greatest spellcaster of the past millennium. Shall I go on?"

"Please do. I'm eager for you to get to the compelling reasons."

The room is, for a brief moment, completely silent.