Giggling, Lady Cadence left the room of Shining Armour.
“Sleep well, brave stallion” she called back.
“How do you remove this lipstick?!” Shining asked frantically “I can’t show up for drills like this, I need to-”
She closed the door and left, skipping for her chambers.
She really did like Shining Armour.
True love was built on friendship and they’d been friends since they were foals.
And taking care of little Twilight had always been a good way for them to spend time together.
For that, she’d always be grateful.
She’d really need to look out for that little filly.
With a relieved sigh, she flung open the door to her room and readied herself for sleep. It was around midnight, well past her bedtime.
After a shower, toothbrush and all the necessary procedures, she reached for the blankets, knowing that sleep would feel very well-deserved today.
Catching something in the corner of her eye, she turned her head slightly.
Then she gasped, barely stopping herself screaming and stared at the thing hung on the inside of her chamber door.
It was a gas-mask.
With the most horrible blood-red goggles she’d ever seen.
It lolled morbidly by its straps on the upper centre of the bedroom door. What it was hanging from was a mystery.
Tentatively, as if she were afraid it would jump out at her, Cadence stepped towards it and took it off.
What she saw made her eyes boggle.
There was a knife impaled in the door, an expertly-crafted army dagger.
Pinned to it was the family photo in Twilight Sparkle’s bedroom. She could tell from the little handwriting and hoofmark.
There they all were. Night Light, Velvet, Shining Armour and little Twilight Sparkle.
There was a note behind it. She could see its corner just poking out.
With shaking hooves, she moved the photo and read the note.
No Interference.
Cadence ran. She ran as if there were bombs about to blow in the vicinity, as there had been in the Royal Council Halls. She needed to find help.
“Auntie!” she cried out “Princess Celestia!”
“Cadence?” The two alicorns nearly knocked into each other as Celestia came round the corner, her face tired, devoid of emotion “What has you so upset at this time of night?”
Cadence gasped for air, tears of horror running down her face.
“Aunt Celestia, you need to come quickly! I’m being threatened! Shining’s being threatened! Twilight’s being threatened! You need to see!”
Haggardly, she dragged her aunt to her chambers and flung open the door.
She stared, wide-eyed, at the inside of her bedroom door, bare and stainless. There wasn’t even any sign of the stab-mark.
No knife, no mask, no photo, no note.
“Wha...wha...it was...how...I...” she stammered.
“Cadence, are you unwell?” Celestia asked calmly.
“There was a knife, Auntie Celestia! S-stuck in the door! A-a-and there was a gas-mask...and Twilight’s family photo!”
“Cadence, you need to calm down”
“No Interference! There was a note! It said No Interference! Just like Earl Grey!”
The towering white alicorn was quiet a moment. Her face betrayed anxiety...and perhaps more than that.
Cadence had never seen her aunt ‘afraid’. But she definitely looked close.
“Lady Mi Amore Cadenza” Celestia said flatly “I must ask you to rest and ease your concerns. I will look into this...”
“You...need to put the Countess under arrest! Shining and Twilight, they-”
“Cadence, listen to me” Celestia placed one hoof calmly but firmly on her shoulder “I have looked into the reports and found nothing out of the ordinary. Nitpick had a close ally but it is not likely the Countess knew of this”
“But...but Earl Grey...the look she...”
“Cadence, my little one, the Countess gave him a nasty look before he came across the threat left to him. That, as far as we know, could just be it. He was worried. He grew suspicious. It was natural. But the Countess is still under house arrest, we have a guard at the manor at all times. Nitpick and Cumbersome have both been apprehended, the mercenaries have been driven off and...” She thought about the assassin.
“And everypony is safe. Now please, Cadence. You must get some rest. You’ve had a very hectic day and it’s important for you to relax and put it behind you” She gently nudged her niece towards the bed “You’ll feel better in the morning”
“I...I just worry about them”
“I do too, my treasured Cadence, but there’s no reason to fear. Shining Armour and Twilight Sparkle are safe and sound with me to protect them...And I promise you, I shall”
“Okay...” Cadence reluctantly made her way under the covers and rested on her side “I’m sorry...”
“It’s alright, my darling. Good night”
She gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead as Cadence always did to Twilight Sparkle. Closing her pink and purple eyes, Cadence, at last, found rest.
Celestia couldn’t help but check the door closely, just to confirm what she’d told Cadence.
Heading back to her chambers, her expression and thoughts darkened black as her sister’s night as she felt old wounds burning on her skin and the knowledge of long-forgotten threats resurfacing in the sea of her memories.
‘You’re back aren’t you...you evil, murdering scum!’
*
Bloodhound clenched his teeth as he applied the salve to the anti-septic soaked plaster to his wounded foreleg and held it tight with a bandage. Beside him, a purple-coated, dread-locked Fillypino unicorn mare cleaned her rifle and gave him a dark look.
“Those two twins really had it in for ya’, mate” Her accent was Horsetralian “I could imagine yer’ none too pleased with ‘em”
“You mistake me, Balisong. These wounds will be my marks of honour” He tensed his hoof as the bleeding subsided “Those two gave me one of the best fights I’ve had since the Iron Sun Insurgency”
“They nearly scudding killed ya’!”
“Exactly. I’ve travelled the world searching for a proper challenge for years upon end. If that’s the least of what their lieutenants have got, I’m looking forward to seeing what their leaders can do” His golden tooth glinted as he smiled “And to think, I thought these Equestrians were soft. When next we meet, I’ll know what they’re capable of and how to overpower them...then I’ll make them squirm in pain before I take their heads”
Around them, the other thirty-four mercenaries rested, many dressing their injuries, hidden in the hills a few miles to the mountains. Safe enough to light a fire without being spotted.
It hadn’t been their proudest day. As a rule, they tended to look down on Canterlot and its denizens. They’d only joined Bloodhound for a chance to earn some quick cash and keep the weaponry they took from Fort Alaric.
Instead, each of them had a black mark down on their résumé since tonight.
Balisong scowled and nursed the side of her neck.
“Well, me and Bovril are still smarting from our little fracas. Sergeant Star Hunter he said his name was. Gave us a proper dust-down. And you know what he got his cutie mark in? Astronomy! Bucking astronomy! He’s a part-time guard in Canterlot and spends his nights counting twinkly lights in his damn telescope and he still beat us!” She threw down her rifle and hissed.
“Ploughing scud, Bloodhound! We’re meant to be hard-flank mercenaries, veterans of the bloodiest battles in modern history! Most of us had a head-count before we even got our cutie marks! I got mine at the Siege of Maneila, making my own torturer, an actual Tikbalang, beg for mercy for five straight minutes! Armies across the known world curd themselves when they see one of us, let alone three dozen! How the buck could everything have gone this wrong?!”
“Because we didn’t know what we were up against”
The camp’s denizens rose and pointed weapons at the newcomer.
“Hooves down, boys and girls” Bloodhound commanded “It’s our contact”
“Bloodhound...” The newcomer glanced at the pegasus’s wounded foreleg “You look ploughing awful, what happened to you?”
“Had to hold the line. Couldn’t let them take any of us or our stuff. Your orders, remember?”
The stallion before him gave a proud smile and hugged him, taking care not to damage his bandages.
“You’re a good soldier, Bloody” He turned and smiled at the mare “Alright, Bali? Didn’t knock you around too badly, did they?”
“I once turned the tables on a Tikbalang torturer, Mr Cascadius, I can’t stress that enough” Balisong said sardonically, rubbing her neck “This? This is nothing”
“Good to hear it, love” He gave her a pat on the shoulder and gathered those present around the fire, his body illuminated in the dead of night.
“Right...Hello everypony. Good to see you’re all in one piece” His tone was formal, almost apologetic “First, let me start by saying I’m sorry. What happened here happened because I hadn’t properly planned things out. I acted too quickly, I lost control, I made a mistake. I take full responsibility. None of this will look bad on your résumés. You’ll receive the payment you were offered. This time, it’s all in hoof. And I do mean that”
There were understanding nods from his compatriots as Cascadius continued.
“But let me be very clear on this. What happened here will not be forgotten. Not by them...and not by us. And it won’t be the last time Canterlot sees us. Regardless of the end result, we still infiltrated the capital city of alicorn-ruled Equestria with the bare minimum of resources and interventions. That, in itself, is an achievement and you should be very proud of it”
He smiled as a teacher would to a class of A-and-B-Level students.
“We lost because we hadn’t planned for every possibility...next time will be different. It will be seven years before we can safely make our move...but that means we have seven years to gather everything we can. Weapons, recruits and most importantly Intel. We – find – out – everything! Everything there is to know about Canterlot and those that reside in it. Do this right and next time, there won’t be a thing that can stop us. Next time, we’ll come at them with everything we have” His face darkened “Tomorrow morning sharp, we send messages to everyone who owes us anything and tell them the time has come to repay their depts. I’ll secure you travel and passing in and out of the continent. Balisong,” he pointed to the mare “Any word from Corax? At all?”
“Yes, sir” Balisong answered “He’s left the Cognito, he’s hanging around in Western Tapiri, Llamalland to be precise”
“Good. Find him. Shadowplay” He pointed to a quiet, orange, blue-dappled batpony with a white ponytail and an eyepatch.
“Sir?” he asked, his voice little more than a whisper.
“You’ll get in touch with Blue Murder”
“As you wish”
“Gringore, you break the Cult of Piggsycorn’s leaders out of Manehattan Penitentiary”
A pale, green-maned mare with excessive lipstick and deep scars at the corners of her lips nodded, grinning morbidly.
“If I’ve missed anypony, you’ll know in the morning but move quickly. We don’t know if or how long we have before the Princess starts looking for us. Cover up any way you could be traced, don’t be caught in groups larger than three and above all, learn everything you can. Any information is useful. In seven years time we meet up, where and when you’ll know closer to the time but stay in safe contact till then”
He smiled, his eyes and teeth gleaming in the light.
“When we come back, there won’t be a single living thing that won’t see the flames or hear the screams of our enemies!”
His audience gave a great cheer, slamming their hooves and weapons on the ground in unison until Cascadius raised a hoof for silence.
“But for now, my friends...for now...” He got a notebook and pencil and smiled brightly.
“Who’s for take-out? My treat!”
*
It got boring in hospital.
Fancy Pants decided the first thing he’d do once he was out would be to go for a long walk, however much it hurt.
Though he’d likely get enough exercise taking home the steadily growing collection of get-well-soon gifts cluttering his bedside table.
Fleur had stayed by him however long she was allowed. The doctors practically had to plead with her to let the gentlecolt get some rest.
Swan Song, Golden Gavel and Silver Frames had shown up, all terrified at the news of his brush with death and relieved beyond words (Though they made a decent effort) to hear of his recovery. Despite how trying they could be, Fancy was glad to see them. They were good friends, fussy and exuberant at the best of times, but damn good friends.
Earl Grey had visited and, weeping by the end, told him of the terrible secret he’d kept hidden, expecting their lifelong friendship to end swiftly and violently.
He seemed quite surprised when his old student forgave him with little trouble. After all, Fancy Pants had tried to cover up the truth to keep those he loved safe just days earlier. Fancy did admit to feeling a little aggrieved at the knowledge but when he thought of what Earl had been threatened with, it was impossible to not see his reasoning. Earl had a wife and three sons who Nitpick could easily have dealt with in very much the same way as Pantaloon and Petticoat. And until experiencing very nearly the same fate, Fancy had been unaware of just what his parents had suffered through. Earl Grey, who was leading the murder investigation, must’ve known everything.
Earl had promised to make right his mistakes. With the threat, as far as he knew, lifted, he would reopen the case and make sure the killer was found and brought to appropriate justice.
He’d learned from Earl Grey that Nitpick, Cumbersome, Earwax and their henchponies had been apprehended, all caught in the act of high treason, ready to be sentenced accordingly by the afternoon. The lightest sentence would be upon that of Cringeworth, an accessory in kidnapping, attempted murder and sexual assault. He’d get six years. The rest would likely spend significantly longer in prison and, if they ever got out, exile from Canterlot.
The thought gave him immense satisfaction.
It wasn’t long after Earl Grey’s visit that Princess Celestia herself appeared by his bed.
Fancy made to rise from his bed in order to kneel but was stopped by a gentle hoof upon his shoulder.
“You require rest, good stallion, and more than deserve it” she said calmly “All of Canterlot will be relieved to know you are alright”
“As you wish, your highness” Fancy could move his limbs again, that at least was reassuring “The doctors here have saved me considerable time in recovering. One would hardly think I’d nearly died at all”
“I confess, Lady Cadence insisted she use her magic to heal your more grievous wounds” Celestia said, looking out the window “It was unorthodox but I allowed it. You may find your heart beating quicker than usual for the next few days so don’t do anything too arduous”
“What a bore, I was looking forward to a bit of polo later on” Fancy chuckled before his face fell and he grimly asked.
“Did we find him?”
“No” Celestia did not need to ask who ‘he’ was. She knew very well “But we shall. We shall make sure this is never allowed to happen again” She lowered her head “I do not know how this happened, I cannot imagine! But somehow a whole squad of international criminals found their way into the capital, made off with you, blew up the Royal Council House and would’ve killed anypony unlucky enough to cross them! And I couldn’t...do...a thing!”
“Your highness, please, that is simply not true” Fancy Pants rose his head and spoke in a level tone upon hearing the Princess’s voice cracking “You were in Bittsburgh, saving most of the city and its populace from a raging inferno. I...I was left in charge. And Cadence but she more than pulled her weight. What sort of Chairstallion am I that, while battle raged on across the city and all its defenders, great and small, excelled in bravery, wisdom and valour, was hung up by my hooves in the middle of nowhere getting tortured?”
“The sort of Chairstallion Canterlot needs” Celestia answered firmly “Let us conclude that neither of us are at fault and be done with it”
“As you say, ma’am”
“Do you believe you will be well enough to walk by this afternoon?”
“I will do my very best, your highness. If not, I have Fleur, Tom, Thousand and many others to support me”
“Excellent. I will not want you to miss the Royal Gathering”
“Certainly” Before Celestia left, Fancy Pants asked one last nagging question.
“Princess...the pony who tortured me...Do you know him?”
Celestia was quiet a moment, closing her eyes and swallowing as memories came flooding through her mind, grinding against her skull like the tips of daggers.
Memories she dreaded looking upon about much as the banishment of her sister.
“Yes...” she said at last “Yes, I do”
*
Countess Magnifying Glass had not slept a wink.
She lay upon the four-poster bed, propped up against the bedpost, not so much brooding as sulking.
How had everything gone so wrong in such a short expanse of time?
That night was going to be perfect. She’d been waiting for that night for so very long.
Yet now, she was worse off than ever and the only pony left who she could rely on was now threatening her.
And there wasn’t a thing she could do.
Monocular and Binocular, her daughters, hadn’t seen fit to worry too much about her father’s arrest. It wasn’t the first time he faced the courts and likely expected the whole thing to blow over in days.
In truth, they were openly more concerned about the significant lack of the things their father had promised.
More power.
More money.
Clothes and jewellery fit for a queen.
And so on.
But they knew better than to pester their mother for those same things. They were likely off to the commercial district to waste their bits and flaunt their purchases.
She really would have to do something about those two.
“I made tea” A voice from nowhere in particular sounded as Cascadius entered the room, a mug of tea in his hands.
“I don’t want tea” Magnifying sulked.
“I didn’t make it for you” Cascadius retorted defensively, holding it close “This is my tea” He took a sip, smiled and sat down “You look lovely, by the way, very healthy”
“Shut up” she snapped.
Cascadius frowned, put the tea down on a nearby desk and stood, that horribly calm tone back in his voice.
“Sorry, what was that?”
The Countess’s ardour diminished significantly.
“N-nothing...” she squeaked.
The mercenary broke out in a chuckle.
“I’m messing with you. I can take general unpleasantness. I’m not sensitive or anything” He sat back down and sipped his tea “But you should know I’ve made plans”
“Good” the Countess took a grateful breath “How soon can we take action in Canterlot?”
“The same time we can take action in Ponyville. Seven years. Until your house arrest is over. No more, no less”
She let loose a frustrated growl, wringing her hooves and slamming them on the blankets of the bed.
“How am I supposed to wait seven years? What am I supposed to do with my life?! Watch paint dry?!”
“Have you considered writing fanfiction?”
“Oh shut up!” This time he only stifled a chuckle as the Countess groaned “They’re out there. My fetid little niece, that pernicious Doctor, their disgusting offspring, that miserable filly-fooling Mayor and Judge, that meddlesome Chairstallion, his painted pay-ride, the layabout prince, they’re all laughing at me! I can hear it in my sleep!” She grabbed her temples and rocked back and forth on the bed.
“Deep breaths, milady, deep breaths” Cascadius advised “You’ll want to know something, might cheer you up”
“What?”
“Our beloved monarch, thanks to her close circle, pretty much knows of your involvement in yesterday’s caper and the assassination of poor old Pantaloon and Petticoat all those years ago”
The Countess jerked her head forward.
“How is that meant to cheer me up?!” she squawked, flinging off the covers of her bed and setting about filling a suitcase “They’re after me, I knew it! I have to leave!”
“Er...magic barrier” Cascadius pointed out.
“I’ll worry about that later, hoof me my purse!”
“No” the stallion said flatly, deciding, on this occasion, to stop the Countess doing something stupid “Sit down, shut up and listen”
The Countess looked round with a look of indignation...and saw the look Cascadius gave her.
She did as she was told, sitting down on a nearby chair, her luggage spilling out its case.
“Now...as I was saying” the paymaster said calmly “They know you were involved. And they rescued the details of the assassination from the flames. I’ve taken care of this, however. Unlike some, I make sure to plan ahead in case of most, if not all, possibilities” He sat back down and sipped his tea.
“Milady...do you know how many mercenaries you’ve had me hire since you and I began our little partnership?”
The Countess gave him an awkward look and shook her head.
“Neither do I, but it’s a lot. You hire them for pretty trivial things too. The thugs your husband hired to raze Ponyville and Briefly Manor could’ve done half the tasks you set my mercenaries to for the price of a bottle of cider. But only the best for you, as we agreed”
“What’s your point?” She sounded worried.
“As you know, you always pay me in full. I receive the money and make sure our hard-working band of killers do the same. But you want to know the truth?”
There was a pause.
“I haven’t” he answered “Every mercenary you ever hired receives portions of his pay-check annually. That’s the deal”
“But...but I gave you what you offered them”
“Yes, you gave me the money, milady, I just haven’t given it to them” Cascadius explained, taking another sip of his tea “Not a single one of our workers has received his or her payment in full and won’t do so for at least eight years”
“But...but...but they’ll kill me!” she spluttered.
“Not while you’re still paying them. But of course, that’ll end if you’re ever sent to prison. I imagine if these charges are brought up all your finances will be confiscated. And my friends will never receive the money you owe them...Milady” He leaned forward and rested his chin on his hooves “That mural on the door to the great hall. What does it depict?”
“The High Hooves of Equestria banishing Rememberly the Bonnycorn” Magnifying Glass said with an air of pride.
“Yah-huh, and do you know what happened to the High Hooves?”
“The common ponies revolted. Formed the three tribes”
“Yes, but what happened to the High Hooves?”
The Countess was quiet as Cascadius answered.
“The Royal Army they boasted of? They didn’t have one. Their army was comprised of mercenaries, paid to keep order across the domain. But using money to protect you only really works when you have a lot of it. When the common ponies stopped paying taxes, that money soon ran out. And you don’t ever stop paying a mercenary who fights for you” His eyes gleamed “Their capital was Hycarion, correct? Well, there’s a reason it’s only ruins now”
“You...you mean...”
“Yep” Cascadius smiled brightly “If my lads stop receiving their pay, they’ll come right over to Canterlot and get it some other way”
“Wha...I...how...How Is That Good News?!” the Countess screamed “They’ll kill me! They’ll eat me alive!”
“Oh no they won’t” he raised a hoof calmly “Because you’ll be safe and snug inside a dungeon cell, imprisoned for the crimes Celestia knows you are guilty of. But my chums wouldn’t be ones to travel all the way over here and go back home empty-hoofed. If you can’t give them what they want, they’ll find somepony else who can. When the High Hooves stopped paying their army, they burned Hycarion to the ground and slaughtered and looted everypony they met. And the same will befall Canterlot should you come to any unpleasant end. And now...” He leaned back in his chair “Celestia knows this. In the folder containing all your crimes against Canterlot, I saw fit to leave all financial records of the ponies you’ve hired. She now knows that harming you or your finances in any way would bring disaster upon the ponies she adores...and she won’t want that” He smiled “Will she?”
The Countess stared with her ice-blue eyes, her face blank as she carefully worked things out in her head.
Then she smiled.
And slowly began to laugh.
“Ha...haha...hahahaha...AHAHAHAHAHAHA!” She threw her head back, cackling like the Gloom Witches of old Equestria “I’ve got her! I’ve got her by the skin around her tender royal plot! She’s mine! Canterlot is mine! I can get away with anything! I’m invincible!”
‘Thwack!’
Her gloating was cut off by a short, sharp slap across her face from the stallion in front of her, glaring with contempt.
“Don’t. Be. Stupid!” he barked “I said the Princess can’t touch you, that doesn’t mean nopony will. Could be somepony who doesn’t know about this little detail or somepony who doesn’t care. Nopony is invincible! I make a living by burying those who say those words. The last pony who yelled that out at the top of his lungs was immediately frozen solid by exploding windigos! Everypony has a weakness and I make it a point to find out each one while defending my own with equal care. You should try to, at least, attempt the same! You sound like a damn fool and I severely dislike working with fools”
The Countess was quiet, holding a hoof to her cheek, looking considerably diminished as a pony.
Cascadius almost felt sorry for the pathetic sight in front of her.
“Things are escalating” he said calmly and firmly, like a lecturing parent “And we need to prepare for every prospect or threat that may come our way. Everypony has their weakness and we’ve got the next seven years to find out each and every one of our enemy’s”
He sat back down, smiling politely.
“Mister Hopscotch I told you about earlier? I don’t remember his name, it was quite long, clichéd and highly narcissistic but he thought he was invincible. He said his hoof-picked army was the best in the world, naturally superior to common ponies he kept saying. Well, when they got their superior flanks royally bucked in the war with Equestria many years ago, he went berserk. Everything he’d let himself believe was a lie but he couldn’t see that, even then. He blamed me. I was a mere pony, worthless, inferior, treacherous, fighting for money and thus I was responsible for his defeat. So he sent his forces after me. You know what defeated them?” He chuckled “A well-placed mortar at the nearest dam. Because despite their natural superiority in magic, flight, physical warfare, beauty and almost everything else so they said...not a single one of them could bucking swim! And after that, I made it a point to make sure Mister Hopscotch had absolutely no doubts that there was nothing ‘mere’ about this pony!” His face fell as he snarled resentfully for a moment before he took a sip of tea and relaxed.
“Wh-what was the point of telling me that?” the Countess asked anxiously.
Cascadius shrugged.
“Nothing much. I felt like getting it off my chest but my point is, milady...” he rose and turned to the shadows from whence he always appeared and disappeared.
“Don’t be like Mister Hopscotch. He didn’t have an easy time getting to know my bad side. Make me proud while I’m gone. Bide your time, learn what you can, don’t get overconfident...and you and I will dance on the graves of those who opposed us”
*
Twilight Sparkle quietly paced alongside her brother in the light of the morning on Canterlot’s bustling streets.
Her head was fixed on the pavement, trying hard to recollect.
“Twiley, you okay?” Shining asked.
Twilight’s memories flooded back to last night.
Her dream was interrupted by the familiar yet unexpected sound of the door creaking open.
Twilight Sparkle opened her eye a millimetre.
A stallion stood in the doorway and had just closed the door behind him.
The moonlight through the curtain and her father’s blue night light brought out his appearance clearly.
He was smiling.
But not at her. He hadn’t even looked at her.
Steadily, he walked over to the chest of drawers. His hooves made little noise but for slight taps, like the sound of clinking coins. Pausing at the drawers, he reached out with his fore-hoof and took hold of her family photo. Turning round, he carefully began removing it from the frame.
“Hey”
He showed very little surprise upon hearing the squeak of the little filly rising from her bed and staring at him with wide, confused eyes.
“Hello” he said, calmly, still smiling “Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
“You woke me up”
“Ah...sorry” He took a step towards her.
“Who...who are you?” The little filly clutched her little doll.
The stallion in her room answered, every word slow and drawn out.
“Just...call...me...Mister...Clever”
“Mister Clever?” Twilight blinked “Am...Am I dreaming?”
“Would you know if you were?”
“I suppose not. I don’t often know until I wake up”
“Well, there you are. I suppose you’ll know in the morning” He gazed at the photo “You have a lovely family”
“You...you can’t take it” she sniffed.
“I need it a moment”
“But...but that’s mum and dad and big brother Shiny! I...” she began tearing up “I can’t go to sleep without it! I start missing them! I miss the days when dad used to tuck me in and mum used to kiss me goodnight and Shiny used to tell me stories...p-please don’t take it”
“Don’t cry, little one, there’s no need to worry” Mister Clever sat down on the bed beside her “Now listen. The ponies in this photo? Your family? Well, I need this photo, just for a moment, to protect them”
“From what?”
“Nothing you need to worry about. Little Twilight Sparkle, here is my promise” He gently tucked her under the covers “When you wake up in the morning, your family will be safe and the photo will be back where it belongs, in its frame, on its desk, just like always. And I only make promises when I know I can keep them. So you know this is true” He smiled earnestly. It was the smile of a teacher or even a parent, calm, kind, wise, protecting you from the terrors outside.
Twilight Sparkle stared at that smile.
“Okay” she lowered her eyelids “Only how am I going to wake up tomorrow if I can’t get to sleep?”
“Well, let me help you” He cleared his throat and pointed to her alarm clock “What noise does a clock make?”
“Tick-tock”
“Right, now, say it with me” He waved a hoof slowly from side to side as he sung.
“Tick...Tock...Tick...Tock...Tick...Tock”
“Tick...tock...tick...” Twilight felt her eyelids growing heavy as Mister Clever slowly and quietly began to sing.
“Tick-Tock. Goes the clock.
Forget your tears and sorrow
Sleep tight. Through the night.
‘Till all is well tomorrow”
The filly was soon asleep as the stallion got to his hooves and removed the photo, placing the frame back on the drawers, exactly in place.
“Tick-Tock. Goes the clock.
Recall the night you met me.
Shut eyes. If you’re wise.
You never will forget me”
Twilight had closed her eyes completely. But she still heard.
The metallic clunking of Mister Clever’s hooves, the creak of the door, the click of the look and the singing of one last verse in a much less musical tone, growling and gasping and, she was certain, slightly giggling.
“See-Saw. Close the door.
He cradled and he rocked her.
Tick-Tock. Goes the clock.
Even for the Doctor”
“Twilight?”
When Twilight’s mind returned to the world of ‘here and now’, she was standing in front of her brother, eying her with concern, as they stood in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace, amidst a crowd of the city’s most important ponies all conversing among themselves.
“Twilight, are you okay? Do you need me to take you home?”
“No, no, I’m okay. I’m okay, please...” Twilight clutched her elder brother’s fore-hoof “I don’t want to miss this”
“It’s okay, Twiley” He gave her a nuzzle “I’m here for you”
He was always there for her. Right beside her, just like in her bedroom photo, which, sure enough, had returned to its frame on her drawers when she woke up that morning.
Maybe it was all just a dream.
“Shining! Twilight!”
Both sister and brother found themselves wrapped in the forelegs of Princess Cadence, who hugged them breathlessly. Carcassonne, who’d been talking with the alicorn earlier, cracked a smile at the sight.
“I’m so glad you’re okay!” Cadence gasped “I got so worried!”
“Calm down, Cadey, nothing bad happened, did it?” Shining gave her a gentle pat on the head as Twilight gazed up at her.
“Did you have a bad dream too?” she asked.
Cadence stared at the filly and stallion before her. They were smiling, just as they did in that photo.
That photo on her door, pinned by that knife.
No Interference.
“Yes, Twiley. A really bad dream...I nearly lost the two of you”
Shining gave her a gentle nuzzle as Twilight hopped about.
“I know what’ll make you cheer up” She bent her knees meaningfully. Cadence smiled and did the same before the two chanted together.
“Sunshine, sunshine!
Ladybirds awake!
Clap your hooves
And do a little shake!”
As they fell about laughing, their moods thoroughly brightened, Carcassonne watched with a deadpan expression.
“This is seriously my life now” she muttered.
“Carrie, I’d like you to meet my favourite little filly in Equestria and her amazing elder brother!” Cadence called them over.
Carcassonne approached somewhat tentatively and smiled.
“Hey” she began “How you doing?”
“We’re good. Thanks for helping out yesterday, I’m...” Shining cleared her throat “I’m glad you and Cadence came out okay”
“Tch, no biggie” the scarlet unicorn said, shrugging “What, I mean, it’s not like I’m gonna’ let scum like Nitpick get away with murder...or anything else really. Cute filly you have there”
“Oh yeah, this is Twilight Sparkle, my amazing little sister. Say hello, Twiley”
“Shh...Shh...It’s the princess” Twilight piped up excitedly as Princess Celestia made her entrance. All ponies present knelt in unison.
“Greetings my beloved subjects” she announced “Yesterday, an attack upon our city, our home, was prevented by ponies who have proven themselves to be fearless heroes of Canterlot and unwavering friends, truly committed to the ideals of harmony. We gather here at court to ensure those involved in this chaotic event are given what they deserve”
She nodded and the doors to the right of her were opened as Privates Flash Sentry and Stumbler dragged in Nitpick and Cumbersome Clout, who struggled in their hoof-cuffs, pleading and lamenting their fate.
“Please! This is all a misunderstanding!”
“We have perfect alibis! Ask our servants!”
A stamp of Princess Celestia’s gilded hoof brought them to silence. The two guilty stallions knelt, trembling before their monarch.
“Lord Magistrate Nitpick of Lausenhaus Court, Sixth Earl of Speck, and Sir Cumbersome Clout of Loutly Towers. You have been found guilty of high treason, official misconduct, corruption, illegal warfare, the attempted murder of Chairstallion Fancy Pants...and involvement in the murder of Chairmare Petticoat and Lord Pantaloon” Celestia said gravely, eying with loathing “Have you anything to say?”
There was a pause as Nitpick and Cumbersome stared, goggle-eyed at the Princess.
Then Nitpick’s hoof shot to his side.
“It was him!” he exclaimed “He did it! He was the one behind it! I had no part in any of it!”
Cumbersome’s face turned crimson.
“Why you lying sack of worms! He made me do it!”
“I did nothing of the sort, you treacherous ham-hoofed toad!”
“Yes you damn well did, you backstabbing scum-sucking mollusc!”
“Enough!” Celestia adopted her royal tone, her voice echoing across the palace “As Princess of Equestria, I declare you traitors to the realm and enemies of the crown! I denounce you and attaint you! I strip you of all titles and holdings and sentence you to fifty-six years imprisonment and subsequent exile from Equestria! Privates Flash Sentry and Stumbler, you may take them away”
Hurling insults and accusations at each other, the two criminals were dragged away through the doors of the Royal Palace to be handed over to the awaiting police cart. Cadence and Carcassonne smiled triumphantly at each other.
“I’ve waited a long time to see that” the scarlet unicorn chuckled.
“Step forward, Miss Carcassonne”
The mare started at the Princess calling out her name as she awkwardly made her way to the centre of the court.
Celestia smiled.
“I am told you and your newfound friend, Lady Mi Amore Cadenza, did sterling work in uncovering these nefarious acts taking place in our city. All of Canterlot thanks you beyond words”
A week ago, Carcassonne would have said ‘Well it’s about time’. Now, for reasons beyond her knowledge, all she could manage was...
“Er...Thanks...That means a lot”
“Indeed. It is clear to me that you have learned much in these last few days and I will ensure you are rewarded appropriately. You will henceforth occupy a position on the Royal Council. Lady Justice of Ponyville was offered the position of Lord Magistrate but refused. We may consider you for the role”
“I...thank you, your highness, thank you” Carcassonne knelt and bowed her head, touched beyond words and blushing copiously.
“It is the least you deserve. Thank you, Carcassonne”
The scarlet unicorn stumbled back beside a smiling Cadence amid enormous rounds of applause.
“If my sister could see me now...” she began breathlessly, before being interrupted by Cadence’s gentle hoof on her shoulder.
“She’d be very proud, Carrie”
“Step forward, Shining Armour and the 3rd Palace Grounds Platoon”
Twilight gave an awed gasp as Shining Armour, Corporal Block Buster, Privates Flash Sentry, Stumbler, Timber Spruce, Comet Tail and six other mares and stallions stepped forward, saluted, removed their helmets and knelt.
“You brave ponies of the Royal Guard were first to the call to arms across Canterlot. Your dedication and resolution are inspirations to us all. Sergeant Shining Armour. I am promoting you to First Lieutenant of the Canterlot Royal Guard and Commander of the Palace. Corporal Blockbuster shall fill your former position and the rest of you shall be promoted to Privates First Class and all members of the 3rd Palace Grounds Platoon are awarded the Order of the Six Crowns. All guards who participated in the defence of Canterlot are also awarded the Order of Merit”
Sergeant Shining Armour took significantly longer getting to his hooves than he had his knees as he stared, open-mouthed while Stumbler was forced to place a firm hoof on Flash Sentry’s shoulder to prevent him from performing multiple mid-air cartwheels of victory. Finding their composure at last, the 3rd Palace Grounds Platoon bowed and dispersed.
Shining Armour craned down to hug his ecstatic elder sister.
“You’re the best, First Lieutenant Big Brother! You’re amazing!” she squealed.
“Step forward, Miss Photo Finish”
Unusually quiet and humble, the eccentric photographer stepped up.
“I am told you and your group of co-workers set out to rescue a prince of the realm and a prominent socialite from a painful end at dead of night. You let nothing stand in your way and were unafraid to face armed ponies intent on bloodshed”
“Zat is...quite correct. Zey had captured friends of ours. Ve did vat we thought vas right”
“I am very glad you did. Miss Photo Finish, I will ensure your deeds are known throughout Equestria and if you find yourself in need of funds or places to work with, know that the crown and Canterlot owes you a great dept”
“Your highness...I...Photo Finish...am honoured” She bowed her head low.
“Step forward, Fancy Pants”
Most of the court gasped as Fancy Pants appeared, gingerly walking with a gilded cane. Quite accustomed to seeing him so full of vim and vigour, this was almost alien to them.
Nonetheless, the Chairstallion seemed in good spirits as he smiled and bowed his head.
The Princess cleared her throat and began.
“Yesterday we very nearly lost you. It is true that only when we are so close to losing things do we really how precious those things are. Fancy Pants, you have carried out every duty and responsibility of Royal Council Chairstallion with competence and dedication unrivalled. I have been speaking with your fellow councillors and some of your most vocal supporters and decided...”
She took a deep breath.
“Mister Fancy Pants of Briefly Manor. By the authority invested in me by the throne of Equestria and all ponies under it, I hereby name you Lord Minister of Canterlot”
Fancy’s monocle fell from his wide eye and dangled from its chain as he goggled in amazement.
Lord Minister. A title not held or even heard of since the departure of Star-Swirl the Bearded in the first century of Princess Celestia and Luna’s reign.
For the rest of time, his name followed Star-Swirl the Bearded in the annals of history.
“It is the least you deserve, good stallion” Celestia said, smiling proudly “And I am certain that you will be as good a Lord Minister as you were a Chairstallion. We wish you luck in your new career”
“I...I...” Fancy Pants gasped, struggling to begin his speech.
‘Oh bother’
“Thank you” And, feeling shakier on his hooves than ever, he took his position at the side of the throne, lower than the absent Princess Luna but on equal standing with Lady Cadence and Prince Blueblood.
He caught sight of his household, friends and aunt who, unusual for her, stomped in applause, her face wild with glee and pride.
Of course. A place in the history books.
At last he’d made her proud.
“Step forward” Celestia said one last time “Fleur de Lis”
All eyes turned to the tall, slim alabaster unicorn who stepped lightly toward the throne and bowed.
“Fleur de Lis” Celestia said, her voice humble “You bow to nopony”
And the Princess did quite the most amazing thing the young mare had ever seen her do.
She bowed. To her.
As did the rest of the crowd. All mares, all stallions, old and young, nobles, guards and socialites, even Blueblood and Cadence.
The only pony who couldn’t manage was Fancy Pants who sat before her just as surprised as she was.
Celestia rose, along with the crowd and smiled.
“You saved our most respected politician and, quite possibly, most of the city through your actions. You uncovered the plot to assassinate leading officials, held your own against hardened war criminals and boldly sought out and rescued Chairstallion Fancy Pants despite immeasurable risk to yourself. My good and gracious mare, you may ask for anything you would have of us. While it is in our power, your greatest wish is yours”
Fleur gazed up at Celestia then Fancy Pants then to the crowd as a single tear rolled down her blushing cheek.
Then she looked back at the stallion she loved with the look she’d always given him...and noticed the same look.
“I think I already have it...your highness”
Celestia gave her a smile of limitless pride and nodded her head.
“Spoken like a pony truly blessed by the magic of friendship. So be it, Miss de Lis. I believe that shall be all”
She knew it wasn’t but let the court clear nonetheless, giving her new Lord Minister a helpful hoof as he rose from his chair.
“Fancy...” she whispered “I think you know the first and foremost of your duties...” She subtly placed a small decorative box into his jacket pocket.
“I do, your highness” he said, breathing deeply “I do indeed”
Willing himself to ignore the pain in his muscles as best he could, Fancy Pants made for the palace grounds.
He found Fleur by herself, resting against a statue of Star-Swirl, Fancy’s new predecessor.
The crowd made way for him as if he were close to alicornhood.
He’d never get used to it but right now, that wasn’t significant.
“Fleur”
She turned and stared at him with those longing eyes.
“Hello...my lord minister” she mumbled “C-c-congratulations...I’m sure you’ll do very good work”
“Come now Fleur, we’ve more important matters to discuss...” He drew himself up “Fleur de Lis. For a long time I have looked to you for comfort and guidance in the trials I faced and...I know you have done the same with me”
He grew conscious of the crowd of ponies, most of whom he knew, observing the spectacle but he didn’t turn away.
“I could not have survived these last few turbulent days without you, Fleur de Lis, nor you I. And I mean that quite exactly. You have saved my life as I’ve saved yours and we’ve done so for no greater reason than...we cannot bear to be separated from each other...and every moment I feared I might lose you caused me greater pain than anything that monster you defeated could’ve done...so I’m ending those moments...forever”
“Fancy...” Fleur held a delicate hoof over her mouth as she gasped, tears starting to run down her cheeks freely “Do you mean you...”
“Yes...Fleur de Lis” He gave a slight grunt of pain as he got to one knee, the mare he loved steadying him gently, as his horn glowed gold and the box opened up in front of her to reveal the most wonderful and dazzling horn ring Fleur had ever seen, sculpted like a golden crown and adorned with a chain of pearl lilies.
“Will you marry me?”
Fleur found herself falling to her knees as her face met that of the stallion of her dreams.
“Yes...” she began to whisper before her voice steadily became a cry of untold joy as she wrapped her tender forelegs around his shoulders “Yes. Yes. Yes! Yes! Yes!”
“YES!” All eyes shot toward the butler, Tombola, who had jumped up on his hind legs with his hooves raised high.
He paused, returned to all-fours and straightened himself.
“I mean...ahem...congratulations, sir”
“Oh go on, Tom, don’t hold it back”
“Very good, sir”
At the butler’s sign, the rest of the household began to dance about with joy, elated beyond all measure as various members of the crowd did likewise. Fancy and Fleur looked out as dear friends and relations celebrated their love for each other before looking back at each other and sealing it with a deep, passionate kiss.
‘How sweet’ An unseen figure said as the prison cart he drove left the Royal Palace behind.
‘It’s always the ones we love’