Debriefing
(Play Debriefing while reading this chapter)
All agents across Equestria, and indeed the globe, rejoiced with the news that the most infamous traitor in their organization was not only captured, but dead. Some cleanup was necessary before leaving the abandoned manor, but Pandora was satisfied with the success of the operation. Many agents who worked with her applauded her for her patience and coordination, saying she deserved to be rewarded for her part in the mission. While she was flattered, Pandora wasn’t sure she cared as much as they did. At the moment, she had several things on her mind, but one thing stood out to her. Something she wanted to do before she went back home.
During the trip back to Vanhoover where their train was waiting, she paid a quick detour to the cemetery, purchasing a bouquet of flowers on the way. In no time at all, she found herself at the grave of a close family member that she’d missed for quite some time.
“Hey dad,” said to the grave. “I know I haven’t visited in a long time, but so much has been going on in the past thirty-something years. I’ve gotten married to a wonderful stallion who does nothing but love me and he even gave me beautiful children, whom I just adore and they’ve gone on to do amazing things. If only you were still alive so you could see them all, you’d love my husband. It’s been painful since you left us, but he’s so caring and nice. And you were right. I did make him very happy. I miss you, really I do. I’m sorry I can’t stay long but… I can’t thank you enough for everything you did for me, Mentor. I love you.”
Pandora placed the bouquet gently on her Mentor’s grave and sluggishly walked away, wiping tears from her eyes before boarding the train to Canterlot.
The next week, Pandora was called into the clan manor for an important meeting by Secretary-General Mandragora herself. Once she walked inside, she was amazed to see the Headmasters of the other clans had traveled so far to see her. Mandragora smiled as all agents present saluted.
“I see you are here Pandora. How does it feel knowing you organized the most important successful mission in our modern history?” Mandragora asked.
“Not that different than usual to be honest. Though I am relieved to be done with it.”
The current Headmaster of the changeling Torrent Clan, Neptune, stepped forward. “No need to be so modest. We have deported Khamsin back to our nation to be tried for his actions. Since he accepted the plea bargain, he will avoid death, but he will likely receive a minimum of twenty years for treason and conspiracy.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Indeed,” Mandragora interjected. “Today, I have an offer I would like to make you. You have proved yourself time and again to be a capable leader and organized enough to lead a nation. Now, I’ve been observing you since you came into the position of Headmistress. I have talked it over with the other heads and I would like to offer you a much higher position.”
“What? You mean…”
“Yes. Headmistress Pandora, I am offering you the position of Grandmaster of the Order of the Four Clans. This is a heavy responsibility, but I do believe you will not disappoint. What do you say?”
Pandora’s jaw dropped. What would she say? She didn’t know what to say exactly. It was a prestigious opportunity that very few were offered. However, it came with some drawbacks that didn’t quite sit well with her.
“I appreciate the offer, but I may need some time to think it over before I make my decision.”
“I understand. Take your time, but I will need an answer by the end of the month.”
The rest of the morning, Pandora’s mind was a jumbled mess as she thought about the kind of things she would have to do in her new position. Her husband noticed her distressed state that night in bed. When asked, Pandora told him everything that happened, seeking his advice.
“The thing about this new promotion, I can’t just quit if I accept. Grandmaster is a title that I will have to carry until I die. It’s not like Headmistress where I can retire if I get to that age.”
“Well, how do you feel about the opportunity?”
“I feel amazed that I’m offered it. Not to brag or anything, but I see why I was offered the title. Part of me wants to accept it, but at the same time I’m worried about us. About our children.”
“Do you want to take it?”
“Kinda.”
“Then I say go for it. I understand your worries about the family, but our kids are all grown up and living lives of their own. I want what’s best for you, sweetheart. If you feel this opportunity is worth it, then don’t let it pass by.”
“You really think I should?”
“If you feel strong about it, you have the support of me and everypony else. I married a strong, capable mare and I know you will be a strong, capable leader. You wouldn’t be offered the job if you weren’t.”
Pandora kissed him passionately. “Thanks for the advice, dear. And thank you for helping me get this far.”
In the ceremony hall in the manor, agents from around Equestria and major agents from the other nations gathered in anticipation for what was to come. Mandragora, dressed in her formal robes, stood in the center with Pandora knelt down in front of her.
“We are gathered here today to fill the emptiness of the passing of our beloved Mentor left in our Order, appointing a new Grandmaster. She may not be typical of such a title, but nonetheless she has more than earned it. Headmistress Pandora of the Cardinal Clan, I hereby dub thee Grandmaster Grimoire. May future generations benefit from you.”
Of all things to be concerned about, it was the new name that she was going to have a hard time adjusting to. All well and good however, she raised her head up high, proud in her accomplishments. Everyone applauded as she stood at the podium. She cleared her throat before speaking what she had to say.
“I’ve applied my life to know purpose, and to expose madness and folly. I have perceived this is but a chasing of the wind, for in much wisdom is much grief. And he who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. These are the words my mentor taught me throughout my time with him. I stand before you today to say that I would not be standing here without such grief or wisdom, for to deprive us of one would rob us of the other. The passing of Mentor filled us all with grief, but in the process it opened way to new wisdom. I guess what I’m saying is without grief, we cannot define what wisdom is. I believe you truly appreciate a reward much more if you earn it. Throughout my life, I have done many things, many of which I care not about and many more I wish I could do over. But it’s the ability to learn from mistakes and adjust to them, that makes a life experience. Many of us are born with a purpose. My purpose is to lead, yet how can I lead something I know nothing about? I have to learn from experience what makes a good leader, for information learned is more valuable than information given. And the information I’ve learned in the past years, is that I would be nowhere without my friends and family. They made me who I am, and today I don’t hesitate to say that if it weren’t for them, I would not be standing here giving this speech. Thank you, and I will do my best to lead us forward.”
That evening, Grimoire was in her new office on the top floor of the manor. She was furnishing it with her belongings as she awaited a certain visitor that she’d called. A knock at the double doors indicated his arrival.
"Come in. Ah, there you are Ordinance. I trust you had a good rest?"
"Yes ma'am."
"You did a good job, better than I was expecting. I must apologize though. Had I known Howitzer was your father, I would have asked somepony else to execute him."
"It's... no problem ma'am. To tell you the truth, I never saw him as a father. He took away husbands, wives, siblings, and offspring from others. How could I call somepony like him father? Besides, he was a full grown adult. He knew perfectly well what the consequences of his actions would be and he still proceeded to do them."
"Oh? Do you still show him sympathy then?"
"No ma'am. Those who make a fetish out of murder deserve no sympathy."
"Good. That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Now about your file. I have heard that you are a promising fighter and a loyal recruit. I believe that you have proved your loyalty to the Order by killing one of the most notorious traitors in our midst, despite knowing your relation to him. As for your skill, I've have seen you in action. You have potential, but you lack experience. You are sloppy in your strikes and slow with your defense. However, you are intriguing enough that I would like to take you on as a protege of my own."
"Uh, really?" Ordinance said confused. “Not that I’m questioning your judgment, but why me? I’m a terrible candidate for that kind of thing.”
"I am not going to lie. You are fairly low on the list of agents that I could choose from. I do not mean to dishearten you, but you are lucky I came to you at all. Your father has caused so much trouble that I am amazed you had the courage to stay in the Order. No doubt other agents hardly give you the time to prove yourself."
"That is correct, ma'am. Ever since I was just a colt, I was pushed aside and disregarded no matter what I did. My accomplishments all ignored, my mistakes got more punishment than called for, no matter how small, and I have thought countless times about just running away or just ending my life. All because I was Howitzer's son."
"Ah but you see, that is why I have interest in you."
"What?"
"Did you know that I too come from a similar background of taboo? I was born from incest. My biological mother was also guilty of adultery with her brother, my biological father. I was kept away from any possible opportunity just because of that. I wasn't even allowed to see my birth parents. But then my Mentor came to me. The previous Grandmaster saw potential in me and did not want to see it go to waste. And now look at me. Taking the helm myself. I was drawn to you because you remind me a lot of myself as a youth. My Mentor saw the negative consequences of alienating a child because of their parents’ actions. Now, I want to do something similar myself. So you see? Cut from the same cloth, you and I."
"You are seriously considering this? Thank you Grandmaster."
"It’s going to take some time to get used to that new title. Oh and, you can just call me Mentor. By the way, what is your real name?"
“I, uh… Why?”
“Well, your name will make it easier for me to find you should I need you again.”
“Err, my name….”
“Out with it boy, I don’t have all day.”
"....Flash Sentry, ma'am. I'm... not really fond of it. My father gave it to me as a joke."
"I see. Well Flash Sentry, I hope you can prove to me that you are not your father. I'm hoping that you have your mother's talent instead and the manners of somepony else entirely. I certainly hope you have the will to survive my training. I will not go easy."
"I wouldn't want you to ma'am. Considering what I’ve gone through, I am not afraid of hard work."
"We'll see how things turn out. I will talk to you tomorrow on your first assignment. If you will excuse me though, I have to attend the upcoming coronation. The Princesses are expecting me with the others." Grimoire looked in the large mirror in her office while holding a photo of the new princess-to-be. She looked at the frame and smiled as tears started to well up in her eyes.
"Um, ma'am. Are you... crying?"
"Hm? No, no. Of course not. It's just.... Well, I don’t normally get so emotional about these kind of events but this case is special. I guess you could call it… Liquid Pride."
“Though my story has ended, my new apprentice has many things in store for him. I hope he will make me proud. I look forward to it…”
Signed
Twilight Velvet
The End...
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Wow, excellent excellent EXCELLENT story. Excellent idea, excellent writing, excellent characters, just everything (for this type of story) is just....fucking great. In a world of hit or miss fanfiction, this is how hard you hit
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I'd comment more, but I don't wanna spoil it for anyone. But I will say I imagined Pandora to be Fleur de Lis and her husband Fancy pants
4451206 Thank you! I really appreciate the feedback, especially considering I've been having a hard time getting attention for this story.
I see my intention of misdirection regarding the identity worked.
While I don't think this is my best work, I've had a lot of fun with it and I do have two sequels in the works.
By the way, I don't particularly mind the story being spoiled (that new cover art pretty much gives it away) so you don't have to hold back. If you want, we can carry this conversation over PMs but that's up to you.
4451206 Also, thanks for the fave
Yeah, cover art does sort of give it away and I know Fancy Pant's appearance doesn't fit Night Light's but I just needed a mental picture to read it is all
4451449 At the time of writing this, the cover are was the same picture I use for my avatar. This new cover art as updated not even a week ago and the story has been done since February. Honestly, one reason I made the cover art was to get the story a little more attention because Twilight Velvet does not have a character tag (seriously Knighty?
) so I have found that stories with her in the cover or her name in the title tend to help remedy that.
So yeah, the parts concerning the identities was intentional as this story simply started as an experiment with twist endings. It has since evolved into something larger. Even with that plan, I did insert small hints (WARNING. ANALYSIS MODE [ON] OFF):
Pandora treated Cadance amicably despite not being fond of the royal family, especially with her vendetta against Celestia. That vendetta makes a little bit more sense when you realize who her children are.
She also mentions being a magic prodigy. We only know of two magic prodigies (Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer, going off the comics) and the latter went missing before the former got her cutie mark. If Shining Armor's barrier spell is any indication, he has some talent in defense magic too. The description of her children is another hint as her first child was a son while her second child was a daughter. The only other couple that I am aware of so far to have a son first and a daughter second are Applejack's parents and they were already named early in the project.
To top it off, two of the three major times Velvet was seen clearly, she was wearing a pearl necklace. Her mentor's gift from the Velvet box was in fact a pearl necklace which she cherishes and is almost never scene without. (ignore the fact that the necklace changed color from her son's wedding and her daughter's coronation).
Analysis mode ON [OFF]
4451596 sorry
I'm pretty damn stupid when it comes to deduction and inferring stuff. This is why I cannot for the life of me watch or read a lot of mystery. If something isn't out in the open, I usually can't find it. Like in the MMMMMystery train episode thing or even watching Scooby Doo. I'm a young adult and I still can't see how Velma figures out who is behind the damn mask!! 
4451647 S'alright, not a big deal. These subtle hints are mostly there for when people decide to reread the story again and can look out for stuff like these. I simply wanted to have some buildup so that the twist didn't end up being a Shocking Swerve.
I kinda had just gotten around to to reading this
but I am really glad I did. I really enjoyed this story and your artwork is awesome great work!! 
4693528 Thank you.
Keep an eye out for the sequels. They should be coming out in coming months.
4693553 oh you're welcome I really loved your version of Twilight Velvet
4693992 To be honest, Twilight Velvet is one of my favorite characters and I wish, REALLY wish she had a character tag, even if it's just one for both parents. But that aside, she is a pretty badass mom and she will have a major role in one of the two sequels along with her new apprentice (three guesses as to the type of fic it will be by the way, and the first two don't count
).
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For the other sequel, you may recall Photo and Hoity speaking of a son they had in the Briefing chapter, and their talk regarding Silver Spoon's attitude.
I post blogs detailing major projects so information regarding these two stories will be told in greater detail there. Hopefully, I will be able to fight writers block enough to get those stories out, seeing as how Ein Sof Zealotry is also being worked on.
Until then.
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EDIT: Yay, now there is a character tag for Vevlet.