Well, that worked out. Somewhat. It had been a few days since Nightmare Night had passed. In that time, I had met up with my team to discuss the nature of the badge that Starlight and Sunburst found. It was fairly simple to narrow down who could have caused it once I remembered who wore that gold fabric. So naturally, I put in a request to have an audience with Princess Twilight Sparkle. Unfortunately, she was somewhat busy due to the aftermath of the situation itself and likely having to clear up a lot of misconceptions. Including, but not limited to: why I put Svengallop down, the truth behind all of Celestia’s feelings, and just how to track down who caused all of this.
In the meantime, I had to be honest with myself; I had fallen into a bit of a mental slump. Part of me was terrified of what the public’s reaction would be towards Celestia’s freakout. I knew that the ponies, griffons, changelings, and dragons were all very understanding nowadays, but it still somewhat unnerved me. These were feelings that had been bottled up over the course of centuries. Would it be possible that the public could comprehend them despite not being able to live for a tenth of the amount of time as she has?
Just as well, I also thought about my own actions. Not just what I did to Svengallop, but also how I performed on that Night. I led my team into a seemingly unwinnable battle, and nearly got them burned to death. Yes, I know they were all willing to fight alongside me, but even so. It wasn’t something I took lightly. But I guess that’s the sacrifice one has to make as a leader. We have to be willing to put down everything we have in order to come away with a victory. Even if it means making difficult decisions in the heat of battle. No pun intended.
That aside, I felt...oddly guilty for planting one on Daybreaker’s lips. It was the only way I could get her to calm down and realize that she was actually valued in this world. Otherwise, she would have continued her rampage. Regardless, transparency was something that I kept as a priority when it came to my job. I wouldn’t dare hide something like that from Cheerilee. But I just hoped that she would understand the intent behind the act, and not look at the act itself. After all, it wasn’t like I wanted to sleep with her or anything. While she was physically attractive by textbook definition, Celestia was simply not my type. Which wasn’t a bad thing or an insult to her, mind you.
And apparently, there were also other groups of officers such as Bon-Bon, and Vinyl Scratch present at the situation. Whatever they did, I was optimistic towards the fact that they managed to get out without being harmed. But I wondered what their costumes were…
Meh, I’m sure I would find out eventually.
“Blerg.” I mumbled groans of annoyance as I got up out of bed that morning. Given how many days had passed since the incident, I had no idea what the day could bring for me. Would I deal with the scorn of my lover or the criticism of more opposing forces? Who knows?
I got up, showered, and headed out for breakfast today. I figured that I may as well deal with whatever wanted to show its face to me in a head-on fashion this time. Though, who exactly I came into contact with was the surprise of that day.
On my way to Sugarcube Corner, a yellow unicorn with a red and yellow mane approached me from around a corner.
“Pale? Thank goodness I ran into you…”
I tilted my head. “Sunset? What’s the matter? Don’t you have to attend school in your world?”
“Oh, I got up at like...5:30 my time so I could pop in,” she explained while she levitated a familiar journal in front of her, “I got a message from Twilight, and decided to return for a bit so I could talk to her. But I don’t have much time left since the portal I made is going to close soon.”
Curious. I did wonder how the passage of time worked in her world compared to ours. But that little anecdote wasn’t exactly important at the moment. What really caught my attention, was the fact that she was able to have a chat with Twilight in Canterlot and came all the way down here to Ponyville to see me in the same amount of time.
“I see,” I replied with an understanding nod, “So what exactly brought you to me?”
She put the journal away. “Twilight says that she wants to see you. She figured it would be easier if I came and told you since it would help sell how urgent this is…because it is, hehe…” she awkwardly rubbed her hoof into the ground, “Sorry. I’m just...really freaked out over what happened to Celestia, and had to come see for myself.”
I could respect that. Celestia was the only real mother-figure that Sunset had in either world. Should something drastic happen to those we care about, it should be paramount to ensure their safety above all else.
“Very good that you did. And I appreciate you coming all the way down here. As soon as I get something to eat, I’ll head up there.”
Sunset giggled into her hoof. “Hehe. I don’t think that’s a good idea. Twilight’s chefs tend to make way too much food for her nowadays because she spends a flankload of time reading and working, so she often misses meals.” She nudged me with the side of her leg. “Might be a good idea if you help clear some of it out, ya feel?”
Well, I couldn’t argue with that. Alright, new objective acquired. Finally have my meeting with Twilight, and eat a lot of good food that should not go to waste. “Understood. I’ll head over right away. But you should head on home now, kid. Before your portal shuts, I mean.”
Another giggle, and Sunset playfully rolled her eyes. “Okay dad. Thanks for worrying about me. I’ll head to my portal right away. Good luck with your case.” Her happy little smile went away in exchange for a more somber expression. “...And if it’s found out that Neighsay had something to do with this…”
Not another sad face. All I could do was employ my usual, best tactic: Hoof-pats upon the head. “Don’t worry about it,” I said as I ruffled her mane, “You just focus on yourself and Celestia. I’ll handle the difficult parts.”
Unlike Cozy, Sunset seemed to not mind as much. I could’ve sworn that I saw her blush from embarrassment with a newfound look of elation. Smiles like that were always the best because you knew they came from earnest effort.
“Okay, okay, stoooop,” she said with a bit of a snorting laugh. “You’re starting to remind me of the way Bulk Biceps gets when we lose a game of soccer.”
I gave her some space, and removed my hoof. It felt adorable to be compared to someone so...caring. “Ah, thank you, I suppose. But I have a job to do now. Take care of yourself, Sunset.” I started walking towards the train station.
“Of course,” she replied with a wave of her hoof as she went in the opposite direction, “Do what you can, Mr. Vestige!”
And with that, I was off to Canterlot.
A train ride later, followed by a formal escort from Flash Sentry and Gallus would take me there. Though, the pegasus guard had something to say before we entered the castle.
“Hey, uh--not sure how to say this. But can ya do me a favor?”
That was new. Why would one of the Guard’s finest need me for help? Seemed kind of strange, but I was more than willing to listen. “That depends. What are you asking?”
I noticed the young griffon shoot his friend a look of uncertainty. But Sentry only replied with a nod of reassurance. “Basically, I want you to see if you can find out what’s been bothering Twilight,” he requested, “I’m getting worried because she usually comes to me in private if there’s something she wants to discuss. But lately, she hasn’t said anything.”
That’s when Gallus jumped in. “And I’ve told him that the Princess of Equestria is super busy dealing with everything. I mena, it’s entirely plausible to imagine that she;s been so swamped with work, that she can’t spend time with you, Sentry.” He spoke of his fellow guard with a hint of snark in his voice. Unexpected, since I thought they were close friends. But maybe this is how they bonded, so I wouldn’t judge.
Sentry held his hoof up, and waved it back and forth. “Nah, nope. I’m not hearing that noise, brother. Twilight’s been busier than this and has managed to communicate her problems to either myself, Spike, Sunset, or her brother. But I feel like...I just have this gut feeling that she’s hiding something.” He put his hoof down, and looked at me. “Listen, Pale. You don’t have to go out of your way. And if it completely hinders your job, then I won’t bother you about it. But please at least consider seeing if she’s really okay. After hearing about what happened to Celestia, you can’t blame me for being a bit on edge.”
Gallus sighed. “...I guess not. But don’t make him do anything crazy, alright?”
I rubbed the back of my head. It was rather short notice to be asked something so...suddenly in the middle of a job, but I wasn’t going to be rude and refuse the request outright. “...I’ll see what I can do,” I said after a bit of hesitation, “But no promises. At the moment, I need to confide in the Princess and discuss the possibilities of what/who caused the costume curse a few days ago. If you’ll excuse me, gents.” I tipped my hat, and entered the castle.
As usual, Twilight would request that I meet with her in her private...meeting room. Hm. Anyway, I went up, and she was kind enough to offer me some tasty-looking crepes that were piled high on a platter at the tea table.
“Good morning, Officer Vestige,” she waved as I walked into the room, and shut the door behind me via magic. “Please, help yourself. The chefs made way too much for me to reasonably eat. Plus...between you and I, I think I’m starting to gain weight.” She poked the side of her flank.
I had already shoved one of those filled pastries into my mouth, but nearly choked. When a mare comments about her weight, it is a literal minefield of a conversation. I do not fear a fight with a sun god, but I do fear the idea of a mare mentioning her weight to me.
“...Yes, well. To be quite honest, so long as it doesn’t hinder you on a physical level, then you should be fine.” I swallowed the pastry, and chuckled. “Hehe...and to be fair, I don’t mind a bit of...wideness on a mare. If that makes sense.”
Twilight relaxed with a sigh. “Good. Because I’ve been exercising regularly, and been trying to get in shape for a certain somepony--” she stopped herself mid-sentence, and coughed. “Ack! Ahem! What am I doing? This is a business meeting, heehe…” Some sweat rolled down her forehead as she took a seat at the tea table.
I took a seat also, and put my hooves together. “Alright, give it to me straight, princess. You called me here because you want to discuss Svengallop and Celestia, right?”
When it was time for business, the awkwardness of the purple alicorn disappeared in favor of a more strict tone. “Exactly. And you’re here to talk about a piece of fabric that links somepony to the incident, right?”
I nodded. “Correct. You may go first, Twilight.”
“Alrighty, then.” She levitated that trusty notebook of hers, and flipped through the pages via magic. “Okay, first up: Celestia. I’m going to assign her some friendship activities, and I’d like a member of your crew to keep an eye on her to make sure she accomplishes them. She needs to start living among her former subjects as friends so that she can lose that pre-conceived notion of having to hate herself for what she failed to do in the past. Make sense to you?” she asked as she looked up from the book.
“Savvy, indeed.” Huh. That sounded fairly simple, and effective. But who would be best to assist the alicorn? I’ll have to think about that later. “Alright. Understood. And Svengallop?”
“We’re going to make an announcement of his death to the public,” she explained as she put the book away. “Vinyl Scratch will join you for this, so don’t worry.”
Alright, that made me feel a little better. But now, I had something else to worry about. “Did you catch my letter? In it, I wrote to you about the fact that--”
She interrupted me. “Neighsay is trying to bring back the Storm King. Or he’s working for him in some capacity, at least.”
Wow, she caught on quick. But yes, that was exactly what I was referring to. Sadly, while we knew the ‘what,’ what we didn’t know was… “Why?”
The purple princess rose from her seat. “That is what we’re going to find out. C’mon, Pale. Time for us to pay our old friend a visit.”
In that time, we had finished off the crepes together. I had to admit, they were very good with an apple and cinnamon filling and hints of strawberry. But now, we had to focus. Neighsay was playing a key part in a bigger picture, so it was indeed time for us to find out just what it was.
And so, we went down to the dungeon to find the old unicorn stallion sitting on the bed behind the bars.
He made eye contact with us, and smiled. “Hello there, Princess. And I see you’ve brought me a visitor…”
I'm wondering that, too. My guess is magic.
Oh, come on, Pale. First, Cozy, now Sunset? What, are you starting an adoption agency or something? I mean, one pony as a daughter figure is enough. Two?
12-gauge or magic bullet, courtesy of Sunset Shimmer. That is all.
He sure has a habit of reassuring ponies with that gesture, including Cozy.
I'd be concerned about this, but...
Still a concern, but I hope it's laid to rest by this point.
😏 You're in a private room with Pale, Ms. Sparkle. I'm sure you shouldn't have a problem saying his name.
I vote either Quick Draw or Corkscrew. Just saying.
The fact that he's smiling at all while locked up makes it obvious that he's up to something.
10520510
Sunset was just joking. Pale just likes to take care of others and make sure they're safe. It's his job as an officer. XD
And don't worry, they know what to do. Pale has to face the public all the time with cases like these.
And bruh! What are you saying? She wasn't talking about Pale there!
Good choices. Those two would be very helpful.
And maybe, maybe not. Stay tuned to find out what he's planning!
10520544
😁 There you go with the fucked-up assumption. I know she isn't talking about Pale. I think you and I both know who she's smitten with.
...I thought Neighsay’s a pony supremacist.
10520575
Must've misread lol.
But yeah, I actually don't mind putting her and Flash together. At least as ponies.
10520604
He was at one point. XD
10521092
Oh? Who's that and what makes you associate him with that voice?
And I hope you're enjoying the story!
Why do I get the feeling Twilight and Celestia will be at each other's throats, mostly Twilight, for not being the ideal ponies they saw in each other nor being honest and forthright with their feelings in the future? This chapter seems to foreshadow that.
10521755
Well...they certainly have words to exchange with each other. I can promise you that.
10520510
After he gets his trial. Everyone has the right to fair and timely justice. Equestria hasn't completely turned into a tinpot dictatorship, I hope.
10521780
Mmmmm, I feel I was misquoted. So let me rephrase. Neighsay already had his trial. He was found guilty and was jailed in the dungeon. His magic is nullified, so he's no threat to anyone. Unless, if, and when he somehow escapes. Twilight already surmised to Pale that he was planning a way to escape and has given Pale full authorization to do whatever it took to deal with him should that happen.
However, theoretically, if that fails, then, and only then, will it be time for Sunset to take action. Now before you object to this, good sir, keep in mind Neighsay's transgression over the years-(luring key characters' parents to his cause)-without the diarchy's or Twilight's knowledge. Even after he was redeemed, he still kept it under the rug, even under Twilight's nose.
Plus, Twilight is planning to announce Svengallop's death to the public. She's not going to sugarcoat this, nor is Pale. So it's not completely a dictatorship.
10521780
Oh don't worry. Neighsay isn't as far gone as Svengallop was.
10521815
Exactly. Things can only get better from here as time goes on. Sunset is going to jump the gun like that.