A grim assassin wandered into Canterlot castle’s main foyer. The rune stone was tucked inside his bag which hung loosely over his neck, but his eyes were filled with darkness; and he slouched towards the first wide set of stairs, resting upon them.
“Corvo,” said a voice. Corvo turned to see Celestia approaching him from the left hallway. He rose up, his brow creased. “It’s good to see that you have returned in one piece. I assume you have the stone.”
Corvo was silent, his head bowed low. He dug into his linen bag, pulled out the stone and said: “Yes, I have the stone from the woods.” He set the stone back in his bag. “However,” he started, staring solidly at Celestia, “why have you not told me of the dangers of White Tail Woods? Do you want me dead?”
Celestia’s eyebrow outwardly lowered as her other rose. “What do you mean, Corvo?” she said. “Of course I don’t want—”
“Then why have you not specifically told me of how lethal the forest was!” Celestia was taken aback. Both of her eyebrows lowered as she stood taller. “Is this your plan of killing me?”
“Please, I didn’t know how dangerous it would be,” said Celestia.
“Are you sure?” said Corvo. “For you carelessly sent me to my doom just to retrieve one of these stones. You gave me the impression that those woods were safe enough to simply walk into—like I am an expendable tool. You denied me of critical information!”
“Calm yourself, Corvo!” Celestia’s voice suddenly rose, nearly using the Royal Canterlot Voice. “Don’t accuse me of being your enemy! I want to save Equestria, as well as have you by my side in one piece. You must believe me when I say I didn’t know White Tail Woods was such a danger.”
Corvo fell to his knees, rubbing his temple as he slowly exhaled from the corners of his close mouth. “Do you mean that, Celestia?” he said softly. “Maybe it was these strange occurrences which created such a dark and dreary forest?”
Celestia nodded, then shifted her gaze to one side. “Yes.” She thought for a moment. “Corvo, you just said White Tail Woods was dangerous. What exactly did you find there?”
“I was too aghast for words at the time,” said Corvo. “I… I saw something. I saw a monster of horrible shape. It tried to kill me, and I ran.”
A monster? thought Celestia. Given our unexplainable and stretched situation, I shouldn't be surprised; however, there have never been those types of reportings before. "Corvo, is that what was so dangerous?"
"It is not just that. The forest seemed to be alive. The trees were always watching, listening to my every move. The fog lead me well-nigh to my bane."
"I see." Celestia adjusted her posture uneasily. "Well, again, I am sorry this had to happen. Before this, White Tail Woods was quite a normal forest. Since we just found out that the stones are scattered all around Equestria we can be a tad bit more wary when travelling."
“And I apologize for my outburst,” said Corvo as he sat up. “It is that… well, I nearly died back in the west. Apparently, I am also losing my powers. I suppose that added to my rather irrational stress.”
Celestia’s ears perks immediately upon hearing his words. “You are losing your powers?”
“That is right,” said Corvo. He sighed heavily and lay back on the short staircase. “I thought you and Luna wanted me to go to such a dangerous forest—judging by the impressions you have given me.”
“We did not know of it, and we truly are sorry, but... your powers?”
“Leave it for later,” he said. “No need for such woes anymore! I have retrieved the stone; and with the six ponies collecting their stone, that should only leave three stones left to gather.”
The front double doors swung open, and in came the main six. Each of them bore dark bags under their eyes, and each had their heads hung unreasonably low. Finally, Twilight reached Corvo and Celestia, and levitated a stone from within her saddlebag.
“We got one!” Her voice was high pitched, as if she had been holding her breath for a long period of time. Each of her friends groaned in frustration and scattered about.
“Yeah, that’s great and all,” said Rainbow Dash, “but this adventure nearly killed us. I think it’s best if we all hit the hay.” They all hummed in agreement and were all gone.
Celestia’s heart grew heavy, and her eyes turned grey. “You nearly died, Twilight?”
“Well, yes. But it’s all for Equestria, after all,” said Twilight, placing the stone back in her saddlebag. She looked to Corvo who padded the bag against his torso. “It’s nice to know you got a stone, too.”
"Yes, I have," he said. "It should not be long before all seven stones are recovered."
Twilight nodded. Before she could go to her room, Celestia called to her. "Twilight," she said, "you said you nearly died; and yet you remain so calm. What... happened?"
Twilight sighed heavily and thought back. "Well, we nearly got buried under an avalanche of snow and rock—twice! And we did get stuck underground, in a cave, for several hours. Luckily, Pinkie Pie's Pinkie Sense got us to the stone. Boy, I will never understand that mare."
"Yes, yes. It's fine," said Celestia. She smiled wearily. "Please, I ask that you get some rest. I will be setting the sun soon for Luna to bring out the moon; and you look incredibly worn out."
Twilight yawned long but quietly and said: "Thanks, Princess Celestia. We'll be sure to get working again, first thing in the morning." Twilight walked down the hallway and up the staircase, leaving the alicorn and the assassin alone in the foyer.
Corvo blew hard, then turned to Celestia; but something he noticed was off. He studied Celestia's face, and noticed her darkened expression. Her head was slightly bowed low, and her eyes were glazed. She not only looked tired, but sad.
"Princess Celestia?" he asked. "You look grieved. Is something the matter?"
"You and Twilight, along with her friends, nearly died going to recover the stones," said Celestia monotonously. "All of you risked your lives just to get a single object—just to get closer to saving Equestria." She looked to Corvo with tiresome eyes. "And you, Corvo, risk your life, repeatedly, to save a country that doesn't even know you."
"Celestia," he said, "what are you going on about?"
"Luna and the others give you a hard time for being untrustworthy; and often at times, I don't even trust you. Yet even with so many of us trying to mentally bring you down, you are still willing to die just to help us. You and the six ponies. Yet here I am, doing nothing but watch while you help the ones who do not even like you."
"Strong words," said Corvo quietly. "I do what I can. Struggles is what I leave for the background. You see, Celestia, no matter how much power one individual may have, they cannot change or save the world—no matter what. I found that out the hard way." He then focused his eyes on Celestia's. "Remember what Princess Luna had said: you two must stay back to keep Equestria in check. In all honesty, your job is greater than my own."
"Still, Corvo," said Celestia, "what good are Luna and I doing now? You risk your life and here I sit on my throne, signing away at documents. If only I could help, if you understand me."
"I understand. You wish to help, yet the importance of your subjects casts a barrier between Equestria and the stones. But I say this to you: do not let your heart sink for the things you wish to do—for the ponies you wish to help—for your own troubles should be your first priority." He sighed, then placed an arm round Celestia's shoulder and smiled. "Do not think me risking my life is anything special. I have constantly risked my life for those who have needed it the most. I have fought foes whose wishes were corrupted. I have dealt with many things... yet helping Equestria comes closest to my heart. It may be a surprise, but it is one I think we should all be grateful for."
Celestia felt a warmness about her heart. She smirked humbly and meant it. "I guess you're right," she said. "However, I would like to discuss a few things with you. Two things in particular."
"And what may they be?"
"You said you were losing your powers." Celestia immediately wandered down a long hallway, with Corvo following. "What do you mean by that?"
"It means my powers are diminishing." He looked gloomily to his mark.
"Well, thanks for pointing the obvious," said Celestia sarcastically. "But in all seriousness, how is this happening?"
"I have noticed a pattern. My powers become weaker day by day. When I try to bend time, my control is cut incredibly short. When I manipulate the wind, a great weariness washes over me. The more I use, the weaker it becomes, and the wearier I become."
"So you only lose your powers if you use them?"
"No, that is not entirely it. You see, my powers had been diminishing at different magnitudes, regardless of my use." Corvo exhaled loudly. To Celestia he seemed depressed. "This is yet another occurrence I am incapable of explaining."
"This is what caused you to almost die?"
"Of course!" said Corvo clearly and thickly. "My Dark Vision hardly worked, and my physical body was weary, more than I have ever been."
Celestia's mind was fixed on the ground, despite gaiting forward. She thought hard about Corvo and his powers. "Do you think this is because of the tree in the Crystal Empire?" she said.
"Perhaps," said Corvo. "And perhaps not. While I will become more vulnerable, I will try and avoid using my powers. At this point, they do more harm than good to me."
There must be something off here, thought Celestia. This can't be connected to the tree for it doesn't have any relevant spec to saving Equestria. And this happened so suddenly I'm not even sure what will happen now. Can it really be that, even after we find all seven stones, we still won't be able to explain what happened? That's much too disheartening to even consider.
"Celestia?" said Corvo. Celestia flinched from her thoughts, and looked back to the assassin. He gazed at her with concentrated, grey eyes. "You said you needed to discuss 'two' things in particular with me. What is the other?"
"Well, I... um... I..." Celestia slowly stammered. She needed to get this out and know the answer. "Remember when you said you once had someone close to you and that she fell, and you said that it did not matter?"
Instead of Corvo's face darkening like the last time—which caught Celestia off guard—his expression did not change. It remained the same. He nodded and said: "Of course I do. Why bring it up?"
"You were pretty sad the last time it was brought up," said Celestia sternly. "What was that about? Why did you wave it off?"
"It would slow me down," said Corvo. "I will not afford to let emotions carry my thoughts. Yes, it is something rather difficult to talk about. But the ones that I have known well have been gone as of recently, and they will continue to be gone."
Celestia's instinct was to lash out on Corvo for being so cold-hearted. He left most, if not, all of his good memories behind him; and he dared to say that those memories would just slow him down. But Celestia shook her head and set her vision forth. They had finally reached Corvo's room—where she intended to go to. She looked over him and said: "You truly have powerful emotional strength." She silently sucked on her teeth, looked down to the floor then back to Corvo. "Listen, Corvo, I won't pretend to know how you feel. If this is how you wish to live your life, and how you wish to feel, then I will not stop you. I'm just glad you're here, helping us. I would even consider you a friend."
"A friend," repeated Corvo. "Yes, that would be nice. Please, let us discuss further plans tomorrow. It appears that you have a sun to lower, and I would hate to delay you." He then went into his room and shut the door, not looking back.
Celestia walked back down the hallway and to her room. She wanted to know more about his thoughts and the people he used to care for, but she knew that wouldn't lead them anywhere. This was the last time he and she talked about his past—his good past, that is.
* * *
Celestia and Corvo sat at opposite sides of each other. Celestia was lowered to her hind-legs, and Corvo sat on a wooden chair. His back was straight, and he rested a palm over his cheek. Amid them was a short wooden table. On it was a wide and thick chess board, its black and white squares heavily polished. And the board bore a full set of black pieces on Celestia's side and white pieces on Corvo's side. Surrounding them were the six ponies and Luna, each of them watching intently for the first move.
"I must say, Celestia, this was a good idea to kill time," said Corvo. "I would have never considered the suggestion."
"Well, we all need to play a few games every once in a while," said Celestia. "Yes, this should be a good game. I'd like to see how much of a strategist you are." If I can't get into Corvo's mind through words, then maybe I'm able to with a chess game. An absolutely friendly game of chess.
I truly wonder who will win, thought Luna. My sister has never even lost a chess match. She would always take the board game seriously. Judging by Corvo's concentration, it looks like he'll take this as seriously as she does. While I'm certain Tia—a chess master for my standards—will win, I do not understand why I feel so nervous for her. Maybe she is plotting something, or just wants to get to know Corvo a little more. Whatever the reason, all I can do is watch.
"Who do y'all think is gonna win?" said Applejack.
"I don't know much about chess, but I think Celestia could beat Corvo," said Fluttershy.
"Fluttershy, are you crazy?" said Rarity. "Corvo is an undeniable genius from what we have seen. While I admire Celestia, I think he may have this game in his favor."
"Give me a break, Rarity," said Rainbow Dash, smirking. "You're just a fan-mare of his. Admit it!"
Rarity's face suddenly started to burn from within. "I—I am not a fan-mare," she said hotly. "You take that back!"
"Nuh-uh," said Rainbow Dash, laughing.
Twilight, meanwhile, was watching very carefully. She was almost sure that Celestia would win—there was no doubt about it. Yet Corvo gave off an unusual aurora, as if he had already planned out every move in advance, and he already won. His eyes were technical, scanning the board, its pieces, and Celestia's calm demeanor. Twilight's eyebrow involuntarily twitched.
"Since I am white, I shall move first," said Corvo. He moved a pawn two spaces forth.
"Good luck," said Celestia. Using her magic, she drew forth a black pawn two spaces, stopping exactly in front of Corvo's piece.
Corvo drew a white pawn two spaces, next to his first pawn. Celestia drew her pawn over his, claiming the first piece. Corvo placed his third pawn one space, next to where the second pawn was taken. Celestia killed the second pawn, too. Seeing an opening, he immediately drew his white-squared bishop three spaces left, standing over Celestia's first piece.
Celestia studied the board, her demeanor never changing. She drew her initial pawn to her right yet a third time, claiming another one of Corvo's pieces. He lifted his second bishop, moved it one space to the right, killing her black pawn.
His entire opening was merciless. Corvo now had two bishops eyeing down upon Celestia's king side, and none of her pieces were moved. He also had his white pawn ahead, ready to take down any other pawn which would move forth. Celestia noticed how aggressively he was playing. Any wrong move and she could now lose a valuable piece. Corvo simply tapped his chin in patience, waiting for black's move.
That's a very dirty opening, thought Twilight. Corvo could now freely move two bishops and a queen, and Celestia is trapped behind her pawns. There are the knights, of course, but they can't do much without being taken on their second turns.
Several minutes went by as Corvo and Celestia continued to place their respective pieces. White had now taken one knight, one rook, and one bishop, and black was now completely scattered about. Corvo's team was strict in order, tactically moving off to help other pieces. However, he noticed an opening in Celestia's side, right in between her second rook and the queen.
If I were to move my bishop there, she could easily kill it off, and there would not be a single thing for me to do, thought Corvo. He took half a minute to scan the board, and he was sure. Yes, moving my piece there would only guarantee its lost; and if Celestia did kill my bishop, there is no penalty—no opening she could leave off for me to attack. She must have already figured out I am incredibly familiar with chess, and I am aggressively tactical. But what would happen if I moved my bishop to her side? Would she think that I would be plotting something and not take the bait? Or would she take it? Well... there is only one way to truly know.
Corvo grabbed his white bishop, slid it over the board, and stopped it right between black's rook and queen. He drew his arms back, waiting for Celestia's move.
Why would Corvo do that? thought Luna. He is simply giving up his bishop? If my sister takes his piece, there will be nothing he can do to her. What can he be thinking?
Celestia took a minute to analyze the board, then moved her queen past Corvo's bishop, landing it next to her rook. She neither changed her demeanor nor did she comment on the ridiculous move. She just killed his piece and awaited his turn.
Now I see what type of person you are, Celestia, thought Corvo. You pick logic over feeling. I did not think you would do it, but you did. Now you just revealed several sources I can use against you.
Despite that odd move Corvo did, he's still winning, thought Twilight. I can't think like that. I know Celestia will get him... somehow.
Celestia brought her second knight to black's left, blocking the way for his rook. He could easily kill the knight, but that would mean losing his rook; for there was a pawn right behind the piece, waiting to kill any piece that captured black's second knight.
Corvo's pupils shook rapidly. He slightly frowned as he looked over the board. Interesting move. Despite me winning, the tables appear to be turning. Very interesting indeed, Celestia.
They continued to play for several more minutes. Corvo tried to deduce Celestia's moves ahead of time, but it was nigh to impossible. He looked close to being nervous, yet her expression never changed. While Corvo would study both the chess game and Celestia's face, Celestia only did the former. Not once did she look up or move uneasily. There was no way she could tell if he were nervous—not once had she looked to him. So Corvo drew a breath and concentrated, putting on a serious demeanor.
He moved a pawn, but Celestia got his knight. He moved a rook back, yet she now trapped him with her second bishop.
Why can I not read her? thought Corvo, feeling cross. She thinks she is so clever, I see, for trapping me twice in a row. I can still bait her to come. Yes, that is all it will take. He drew his rook to the side, standing in strike position of her knight. But she retreated, moving back her bishop. Without noticing, he drew forth his other hand to move a pawn forth. Celestia took back her knight. What is she up to now? When I first baited her she took it. But now she retreats, leaving her knight vulnerable to my bishop. Corvo moved the bishop, killing her knight. Celestia killed his bishop with her queen.
The two are now very thin in pieces, thought Luna. Celestia has six pieces left, and Corvo has eight pieces. But the way this board is set out is so that Celestia can surprise attack from both sides. She's not only baiting Corvo to come forth, but is ready to take out another one of his pieces if he doesn't. I knew my sister would be winning; but this chess match isn't over quite yet.
Now both Corvo and Celestia took up to hours just for one move each, as the game began to gradually stretch, and the hours felt incredibly long and tedious. Corvo now got round, strategizing to eliminate Celestia's queen and her remaining valuable pieces.
After several hours, the only two ponies who were now watching were Twilight and Luna. The others were either sleeping or playing games of their own—Pinkie Pie was playing tic-tac-toe with Applejack. But they would never understand the mind games that the chess match was producing.
I got the queen, thought Corvo. While black's queen managed to take out his last two remaining pawns, he was able to kill the most powerful piece by waiting behind the board. Celestia now thought carefully. She had her king, one pawn, and one rook. Meanwhile, Corvo had his king, his queen, one knight, and one rook. He surrounded half of the board, but Celestia managed to get her pawn just one square away from his end.
Corvo shifted his eyes to her pawn, then back to his knight and rook about her last rook. Her king was to his right, and his king was facing her's on the same side. He had to think carefully. Corvo took several minutes to go over the entire match from the start.
Let us see here, he thought: I started with an aggressive opening; Celestia took my initial bait; we surrounding each other; she killed my knight, sacrificing her bishop for it; I finally got the upper-hand and killed her knight and rook; she took out most of my pawns with her queen while I sneaked up from the left; after many thought-out moves, she does not take my bait again; she retreats, suddenly changing her strategy; and finally, here we are after such a struggle. Corvo's half-closed eyes slightly opened up. On the inside he ground his teeth, smirking, looking straight through Celestia's trap. I see now. Throughout this entire match you have been constantly changing your strategies—to throw me off so I could not deduce your next one—and you pick logic over gut-feeling. And now, if I move my rook next to your king, it should be facing the end of my side, and you will move your pawn forth. Corvo did exactly that, and Celestia moved her pawn to his end. She swapped the piece with her knight from his side, placing the pawn next to Corvo.
Why didn't Princess Celestia take back her queen? thought Twilight. It's her best piece, and a knight is useless in this situation.
That's right, Tia, thought Luna. You chose the knight to counter him and attack from an angle.
Corvo moved his rook to his left. Celestia moved her knight upwards. And then Corvo immediately killed her revived knight using his queen; and now, Celestia could not harm any of his pieces with a first move.
Both Luna's and Twilight's face became aghast, and their eyes widened.
What was the point of that? thought Twilight. Nothing good happened to black's side, and now it looks like she can't do anything. Corvo... won. The very words in her mind left her saddened. While it was only a game, Twilight took it a lot more seriously than she would have liked.
Corvo moved his queen back. Celestia drew her king to his right. He moved his king to her left. She hovered her rook past his concern, aiming in between his queen and his king.
It looks like I have won, thought Corvo. You became too careless, Celestia. You were too desperate to throw me off, and it now looks like you cannot do a single good move. If only you were not so hasty and went over my pieces, you could have had a better setup than this. It has been fun, but it now looks to be in my favor.
He picked up his knight, placing it to attack Celestia's rook. Slowly, she hovered her king over to the side.
Poorly done, thought Corvo. Once you place your king there, I can use my knight to stand in front of your king, and that will be Check. Celestia placed down her king. Now I can counter, surround both of your pieces with three of mine, and that shall be—
"Checkmate," said Celestia out loud.
Corvo's face froze. He took a moment to look over the board, and realized what he had been trying to do. He was so concerned with getting her king that he didn't realize her rook in the background. He was so concentrated on moving his pieces that he hardly paid attention to his own king. On one side Corvo was about to win, but on the other he left his king near a corner. Black's rook was placed half way over the board's end, and the king two spaces above it; and all of white's pieces—excluding the king—was hovering over the opposing king. He would have won if only he had been less careless.
"I..." Corvo whispered. "That is impossible."
Upon hearing those words, Twilight thought back to their train ride to the Crystal Empire. She then grinned and said to Corvo: "It is possible if it is proven."
Corvo took half a minute to take it in, and then he began to chuckle to himself, before laughing long but quietly. "Very good words," he said, smiling in satisfaction. He looked over to Celestia. "Congratulations. You beat me; and I will be honest when I say this: that was an unpredictably aggressive move."
Celestia, too, smiled and said: "Yes, it was good. You gave away too much, just by looking at you. I deduced nearly half of your moves until the end."
"That cannot be," said Corvo, inwardly creasing his eyebrows. "The entire game you kept looking at the board. Not once did you look to my face. It was impossible to read me."
"But I read your body language."
Corvo raised an eyebrow, as did Luna and Twilight.
Celestia chuckled. "Allow me to explain," she said. "In the first half of the game you were adjusting how you sat several times; and only when you stopped completely did I know you were always reading my face. You stopped because I kept the same expression, never looking at your face—therefore, you decided to be careful. But that was not fully it. You see, throughout the entire game you only played with your right arm. But at one point—specifically when I was retreating and broke holes in your strategy—you moved once with your left arm. Ponies without magic don't normally change their arms to play, unless they are nervous. Then anything can happen. And while you are not a pony, I was ninety-nine-percent sure that rule counted for you, too. So I took advantage of that, made you think I was always changing my strategy to give you something to latch onto. I knew that would cause you to only pay attention to my king; but you still payed attention to your other pieces and your king. That was when I revived the knight with my pawn. You see, the knight was the most useless piece I could have picked, perfect to throw you off. From there, well, I deduced your every move and hastened your strategy."
Corvo was utterly speechless. He went over her words, went over his thoughts during the chess match, and it all made perfect sense. For most of the game he was winning, but she managed to get him to believe things that weren't entirely true.
"I knew you would win," said Luna proudly to Celestia. "After all, you have never lost a chess match before."
"W-what!" said Rainbow Dash, looking up from her sleeping position. "Who won?" All of the ponies came in closer.
Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes. "Corvo lost, apparently. That was a very interesting game if I do say so myself."
"Verily, it was," said Corvo. "Celestia, I truly am astounded by your abilities at strategy. We must play again someday; but this time, I will make sure to analyze everything you want me to."
"Hey, Corvo," said Twilight. "I have studied chess for a while now, and I know practically every strategy a pony could come up with. But you fused plans together and relied on deductions, much more so than directly thinking ahead."
"And Corvo, I must say that I too am astounded by your abilities," said Celestia. "To tell the truth, I was very nervous. I only ever became calm when I reached my second to last move, right before claiming your king."
"Thank you for that, Celestia," said Corvo. "Well then, we should be off now. If my calculations are correct, we spent a little over ten hours on this game. It would be best if we all headed to the Crystal Empire immediately to place those stones."
They all nodded in unison; and after short chatter they all scattered about to get ready. Celestia was walking down to her room, alone, her eyes looking straight ahead. Her mouth was frowned, and a shadow was over her face. She quickly went over the chess match, then came to a final conclusion.
Now I understand how your mind works, Corvo, she thought. From the moves you did it would make sense that you're not just here to help us save Equestria. Somepony like that would never get so hasty with deductions. You will learn from your mistakes in that match, but there's no doubt about it: you're up to something—something ominous—and I simply cannot trust you until we fully get to the bottom of this case.