“Ugh,” Rarity grumbled, lugging the large sequined rug down the hall. “They could’ve at least given this to one of the lower maids. I’ve been here for six years, and I’m still doing the grunt work.”
She continued down the hall, the rug making swirch-swirch noises with each of her heaves. She passed by the occasional guard, who merely gave her an acknowledging grunt or tip of the helmet. She rolled her eyes at each display.
You’d think I’d have more respect around here, with all the task-
“Rarity!” a rough voice called out. Rarity looked ahead and saw a light blue Pegasus waving to her. Rarity smiled when she caught a glimpse of the rainbow mane and tail sticking out from the armor.
“Why hello, Rainbow Dash!” she said, closing their distance with a few trots. “How are you?”
“Just fine,” Rainbow said. “Feels like we haven’t talked in ages.”
“The feeling’s mutual, darling. I’ve just been so busy with all the tasks at hoof that I haven’t much time to cultivate a social life.”
Rainbow nodded. “I know what you mean. I’ve been trying to submit for the Wonderbolts, but always get guard duty on the night of applications.”
Rarity shook her head. “A travesty, darling. I remember when you were the fastest flyer in Ponyville.”
“Yeah.” A vague sadness came over Rainbow’s face.
“So, um,” Rarity said, eyes shifting every direction. “What are you doing right now?”
“Standing guard for the Princess’s quarters.” She motioned to the big black door behind her. “She’s in there with that prisoner she brought out a few weeks ago.”
“Oh. Has there been any…” She waved her hoof about. “…Interesting developments?”
“Not really. He just goes in every few hours, they talk a little, then he comes back out. Pretty dull stuff.”
“I must say, ‘dull’ wasn’t the word I was thinking of when I looked at him.” She shook her head. “I still remember his scene in the throne room. Such a repulsive fellow!”
“You should’ve seen him when we dragged him up. He was ranting about his stomach and telling weird stores about the Moon.”
“Well, maybe the Princess has straightened him out,” Rarity said with an affirming nod. “She was very pleasant to me when she gave me this position, so perhaps she has the patience to redeem that ruffian.”
“I hope so,” Dash went. “I don’t like the way he’s been looking at me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. It’s just that…He’s had this strange look in his eye the past few days. Like he knows something he’s not telling anypony else.”
Rarity tilted her head. “Could just be him trying to get back to the groove of living outside bars.”
“Maybe, but I still wouldn’t trust him.”
“Well, regardless how we feel, I’m sure the Princess can handle any skullduggery he might be planning.”
“Definitely,” Rainbow affirmed. “One wrong move, and he’ll be back in his dungeon faster than he can blink!”
Rarity smiled. “That’s the spirit, dear! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get this wretched thing over to the Thousand Year Memorial.”
Rainbow chuckled. “They decided to update that old dump, eh?”
“And not a moment too soon! That place was absolutely writhing with cobwebs and dust.” Her whole body shivered at the thought. “The old rug was so filthy that they didn’t even bother to beat it. Even some of the artifacts were filthier than a squatter’s refuge. How Sweet Leaf allowed it to get that bad is a my-“
“Ha!” A hard laugh pierced the door. Rainbow and Rarity both looked toward it, the former snapping into a fighting position.
Rarity gulped. “What was th-?”
“Ha-ha! Ha-ha!” the voice went again. It was raspy and harsh, like a stallion who’d chewed too much tobacco.
“Is that him?” Rarity whispered.
“I think so,” Dash went. She reached up and knocked on the door. “Is everything alright in there?” she called out.
“Everything’s fine, guard,” the Princess’s voice cooed. “We’ve just discovered something very interesting…”
For a few minutes after the Princess’s words, things were quiet. Then the door flew open so fast Rainbow just barely jumped out of the way. Nightmare Moon strode out, an intense happiness radiating from her face. Earth Shine soon followed, a similar glee filling his visage.
“At last!” Nightmare Moon shouted. “It is accomplished!” She turned to Rainbow Dash and stuck out her hoof. “Guard!”
“Yes, Your Highness?” Rainbow said, standing at full attention.
“Gather the rest of the Night Guard! We will be leaving on an expedition soon, and I will need as many stallions and mares we can muster!”
Rainbow saluted. “Right away, Your Highness!” She then flew down the hallway, ruffling many of the banners as she passed.
“And you!” Nightmare Moon said, pointing towards Rarity. “I want you to make sure my room is spotless by the time I get back!”
“Yes, Your Highness!” Rarity said with a bow.
“Do an especially good job! I won’t be coming back simply the Princess of Equestria, but a goddess of all time!”
“Of…course, Your Highness!” she said, a confused look on her face.
Nightmare Moon turned and galloped down the hall, Earth Shine trotting after her. Soon they were invisible in the long-stretching darkness filling the long passageway.
What a strange commotion, Rarity thought before entering the chambers. Her eyes could just make out the room in the bright moonlight, and her jaw soon dropped.
Oh my, she thought. Crumpled papers laid strewn about the floor, the bed covers were mussed up, and she was certain a small pile of drool had gathered below the table. Worst of all, the table itself seemed to be a twenty-foot long dust magnet. Rarity leaned over and took a sniff.
“Ah…Ah…Aah-choo!” she squeaked. She produced the hoofkerchief she kept on her and wiped her nose.
This place is absolutely filthy, she thought. How could the Princess have let this place go to Tartarus so fast?
But such considerations soon fell to the wayside as she began working. First, she grabbed the bedsheets and tore them off the mattress, throwing them into the laundry bin located near the chamber door. No need for these to gather any more dust, she thought. She then started picking up some of the discarded papers, throwing them in the trashcan as fast as she could.
“Gather up!” a loud voice called outside. Rarity perked up and wandered over to the window. In the courtyard, in front of the deep chasm lining the castle’s northern side, a large number of soldiers stood at attention. Nightmare Moon stood at the front of them with Earth Shine standing right beside her. A little filly with silver hair sat next to him, rubbing her legs and trying not to look at the stallion. They all then turned and marched out into the forest, the guards’ hooves marching in time with each step. Soon, they were gone from sight, their marching rhythm the only sign of their existence.
What is going on down there? she thought. The Princess was sure acting strange. Did that prisoner tell her something or-?
She stopped. She couldn’t hear anything now. Not the soldiers marching, not the wind in the trees, not the usual castle bustle, nothing. Everything stopped in place, as if a strange spell had come over the land.
“I wonder what’s-” she began, but she didn’t finish. Before the words had even left her mouth, Rarity was gone, as was the entire castle of Nightmare Moon.