Note: This is meant to take place in the continuity of Fullmetal Pony. For this reason, this particular entry is rated Teen.
"Let us not dwell on ceremony. Ask your questions, please. I am ready."
"Haagh, even when you allow yourself to be questioned, you command the room."
"It's what I am meant to do."
"Fine, that's...ugh. I'm sorry, Your Highness, I should not be so irritable right now."
"No, you have every right to be. You wish to be with your foal, and I am keeping you from that."
"Well, there's truth in that."
"There's more than just 'truth in it,' Cadenza. It is simply 'the truth.' Now then, please..."
"You have such a way with... Fine, I hope you won't mind if I start off small."
"Whatever you wish."
"Where are we?"
"This is a special room that my sister had created some time ago, specifically to keep our meetings private. The room itself may change from time to time due to the nature of its creation, but it is always hidden by way of the small study we passed through. If you wish to know specifics, you will need to ask her. As for where in the palace, we are beneath the south wing, in an area that has never been developed too deeply. We are surrounded on all sides by the mountain."
"Okay. And she is you sister?"
"Correct. She is my elder."
"But you're the Princess."
"That's not a question, Cadenza."
"I...I know, but there's plenty of question behind it, trust me."
"I do trust you. And yes, I am the Princess. That's never meant that I have been alone, or that I do not seek counsel from those who are better qualified to give it. There are things that my sister Celestia knows that I do not, and things that I entrust to her that I cannot entrust to any other."
"So that's why you need all of this secrecy? This special room?"
"Yes."
"All right, then. That leads to my big question. Why is this secrecy necessary? Why have I never heard of your sister before? And assuming what I'm about to say is true, why has no one else heard of your sister?"
"I can address all of that with one answer: because we are being observed by something incredibly dangerous."
"I hope you intend to explain that...Your Highness."
"Please. Remember what I said about ceremony. While you are here, you should not hold yourself back. Speak freely, for we will."
"Sorry, it will take me some time to allow myself to do that. Being formal with you is what I'm meant to do."
"Ah, very well. The reason all of this secrecy is necessary, and the reason Celestia has been - and must remain - hidden from the public, is the same reason I have asked you to join us now. There is a great evil that is watching our every move, something that commands great respect. It has many plans for Equestria and her citizens, plans that I would sooner see fail. My sister and I meet like this to discuss whatever news we have learned, as well as to make our own plans to stop this menace before the end."
"What's this menace supposed to be? Discordants, like Whiteout?"
"No, nothing so simple. I will tell you everything about it later, but only if you agree to help us."
"You're my only family. Why wouldn't I..."
"Luna would like it if you agreed."
"Sister, please--"
"She wants you to help us. It's what she's wanted for years. But she cares for you, and the things she and I are doing are very demanding, even for us. So she insists on making sure you understand the risks first. She will never forgive herself if you leap before you look."
"Well. My sister speaks the truth, even if I would have been gentler about it."
"Forgive me... You said your name was...?"
"Celestia."
"Right. Celestia. Look, since you were honest with me, I'll be honest with you. If it's true that you are the sister of my aunt, then I'm sure I will get to know you very well. I might even enjoy your company. But right now? All I can see when I look at you is another pony who uses that gods-forsaken science."
"I beg your pardon. Have I offended you in some way?"
"Yes. Yes, you have."
"I apologize. What have I said?"
"Oh, it's not what you said. My aunt told me that this room was made by you. It's your own design. But I doubt that you took the time to carve it out of the mountainside, right? Now, I don't believe that my aunt is a liar, which means you must have used some other method. And I'm willing to bet that it was the same method you used to make that door back there. Am I right?"
"Yes."
"So you're one of them. You're an alchemist."
"Cadenza, please. Celestia does use alchemy - in fact, she's quite a talent with it - but it would be a grave error to simply label her an alchemist."
"Fine. But she uses it. She uses the same accursed science that gave Whiteout and his followers the power to attack the city. The same power they used to claim the lives of a half-dozen innocent ponies. The same ritual that took my fiancé from me and put him in an unfeeling body!"
"And you blame me for this, young one?"
"No, of course not. But it's all I know about you. You're supposed to be my aunt, my only other family, and that's all I know about you. And I have no love whatsoever for your damn science."
"I see. Luna..."
"Of course, sister. Come along, Cadenza. It's obvious now that bringing you here so soon was a mistake."
"May I still speak freely?"
"You may."
"Next time you intend to recruit me into a conspiracy, tell me about any other family I might have. Your Highness."
"Of course. We shall talk later."
"I want to know about her."
"You will. Privately."