The train ride was fast, yet bothersome. Loud and obnoxious with dozens of other passengers crowding the cars. Thankfully, I was able to get off without any trouble. This wasn’t my first time in the Crystal Empire. I had been here long ago with my father, but that was far beyond my frame of mind. All I really hoped for was an audience with Cadence. I’ll admit, it was nerve-wracking. Not because she was a princess, though that did play a small part. No, rather, I was wondering whether or not she would take the time to listen to me. My idea was absurd. Convince the Princess of Love to convince the Princess of Friendship to give a filly a second chance.
Was I in my right mind? Maybe Quick Draw was right. But I’m not the type to give up due to one small problem. Not to mention the sights of the Empire itself was something to behold. Beautiful crystalline structures everywhere, true to its name. My memories of this place were cloudier than a rainy day, so I never imagined it would look this grand. The castle itself was far off in the distance. It looked like no more than a 20-minute walk. Suppose it was just long enough to take in some more visuals.
That’s just what I did. On the way, I noticed how differently the culture of the Empire was from Ponyville. The latter was more rugged with a yesteryear aesthetic, but this place had a more modern flair to it that I could get behind. Beautiful colors that lit the Empire up like a rave, even in broad daylight. The road beneath my hooves paved with a shiny texture. The gemstone-like buildings made for perfect structures to adhere to sturdy designs. There was no way that a place like this would be invaded.
At least, that’s what I hoped.
Regardless, my objective was certain. Speak with the Princess of Love, and get her viewpoint. Once that was done, I was certain I could convince her and her fellow Princess to grant Cozy Glow passage of some sort. After all, a child like that was certainly missing some kind of familial love.
“Well I’ll be damned,” the sight of the Crystal Castle left me confused. The guards looked rather bored, and there was absolutely no noise being made from within. Strange. She had been a princess for much longer than Twilight, so I figured her palace would be just as lively--if not more so due to her seniority. “This just makes my job easier, doesn’t it?”
I trotted up the steps. The crystal guards didn’t move or blink, nor did they ask me whether or not I had business with their ruler. I suppose it could have to do with the fact that I had my uniform on, so they didn’t feel the need to ask. Either that or their boredom had kept them from being bothered enough to ask.
“Gentlemen,” I said with a tip of my hat. Their eyes barely moved to acknowledge me. That was odd. But now wasn’t the time for distractions. I made my way through the palace doors. The creaking caused an eerie echo that made my ears twitch. “Gah...is it really that quiet around here?”
No one was there to give me any sort of direction either. So I had to use what knowledge I had of castle layouts and my tracking skills. “Hm…” I tapped the ground with my hoof, once, twice. Based on the flow of the air as well as the echoing sound, the throne room had to be… “This way.”
I travelled up several flights of shining steps, and down a long hallway until I reached a set of enchanting gemstone doors that reached the ceiling. Highly impractical, but this wasn’t the first time I had seen such architecture before. I decided to play it safer this time and knocked, which elicited a shocked sort of shouting from behind the doors.
“Who’s there--?! I mean, ahem--Enter.”
So she was alive. Thank goodness. Given how silent it had been on my way up here, she didn’t respond within three seconds. I would’ve had to alert my contacts under the assumption she had been harmed.
I entered the throne room, the doors making another creaking sound just as the ones did at the entrance. Had no one heard of oiling their hinges? “Greetings, Princess Cadence,” I removed my hat and prepared to take a bow.
“Please don’t do all of that. I’m just glad to see--I mean, you may rise, sir. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”
Surprising. A princess who didn’t enjoy needless formality? Maybe this would go more simply than I thought. I moved forward along the carpet that led to the throne. The room itself was the largest of all with an abundance of crystalline formations against the walls. Truly a beautiful sight. “Pale Vestige at your service, Princess Cadence. I’ve come to ask a few questions about--”
“Oh? Great! Or rather, that would be nice.”
She put a smile. A fake one. One that hid how much she enjoyed to have the company of someone that wasn’t a fellow noble or businesspony. I could tell from the way her cheeks spread in an unnatural fashion, along with the strain in her eyes to put on this facial expression. It was quite disheartening.
“Listen, I’m nopony special. I’m just a regular guy looking for an opinion. Don’t put on the false act.”
“Oh good. I was about to say the exact same thing,” she looked relieved, choose to relax into the back of her throne.
“Excuse me?”
“Hardly anypony comes to just...talk. I know it sounds strange, but everyone’s out there happily living their daily lives while I’m here either doing some paperwork or signing some new treaty or meeting with some self-important busybody who just wants to put on a mask to make themselves look better in front of thousands of others for the sake of their ego!”
She threw her hooves into the air. That was quite the unexpected rant. Though it didn’t surprise me. “I...can’t say I relate to that. But you have my sympathy.”
“Oh drop the sympathy. I don’t need it. I just needed to vent a little,” she rose from her throne and flew down to properly meet me. “When your husband is the leader of the Empire right with you, he insists on doing everything himself. Including watching our child, and dealing with all sorts of security inspections to make sure his precious wifey and kiddo aren’t in danger. I love that stallion, but he works too hard…”
Now that I could relate to. Minus the child part, of course. “Sounds like you both have a lot on your plate. But if I may be so bold, you didn’t look very busy just a moment ago.”
“That’s because I’m currently on a ten minute break. Mandated by Shining also. He says if I don’t stop for at least a little bit, I could develop loads of different health problems as I get older.”
“But aren’t you an Alicorn--”
That’s when she changed the subject. Now redirecting the proverbial buckball to my side of the field, “Anyway! What did you want to ask me, Mr. Vestige, was it?”
“Yes. A few things, actually. For one, do you think the Crystal Ponies are being given as many opportunities as the other species? What with schooling and learning how to handle their abilities?” My notes were out, my trusty pencil in my teeth as always.
“Well, admittedly, I’ve been working on that. Crystal Ponies have similar attributes to Earth Ponies. In fact, a vast majority of them lack horns or wings,” she started pacing the floor as she explained it to me. She was overjoyed to deal with a subject she had experience with given how her eyes lit up with a spark, “but the main difference is that their powers aren’t tied solely to the earth itself. Rather, they are closely related to the Frozen North portion of the land. Because of that, their abilities range mostly from controlling the foundation of the highly constructed molecules that form them. Which gives them a greater amount of finesse when handling it compared to traditional magic. Do you follow?”
I stopped writing for a moment. “Yes. So the stronger ones have the ability to concentrate their own sort of magic and create objects out of crystals?”
“It’s...possible. We’re still looking into it, but as soon as we have answers, we’ll make it public.”
“Excellent--alright, my next question is a bit more detailed, so I hope you’re prepared.”
The Mare of Love scoffed, looking rather confident in her ability to respond. “I know my home’s history better than the back of my hoof, sir. Try me.”
“This isn’t so much about your home. Rather, the world at large. I’m sure you’re aware of the situation involving Chrysalis, Tirek, Cozy Glow, and--”
“Sombra,” she interrupted me. Referencing the one who devastated her family and home, “he was no king. He was a fool. Too reckless in his desire to overthrow me and ended up banished for it. Rightfully so.”
“I agree--but my question isn’t about him. It’s about Cozy Glow. The filly.”
“Oh? What about her?”
I’d be lying if I told myself I wasn’t afraid of bringing this up to her. I braced myself for the worst as I spoke, “Do you think she deserved to be put to stone like the other two? She was only a child after all.”
Her answer, while understandable, was somewhat trite. “Well, I’m sure Twilight made the right decision. If she was truly evil and working with the others who were trying to harm my family, I can’t say I disagree.”
I decided to prod a bit more, my pounding heart ready to leap from my chest, “Allow me to ask the question in a different way. If that was your daughter--Flurry Heart. If she had been the one to cause trouble, would you put her to stone?”
The question caused her to stop, and take a step back. I knew very well that something of this caliber hadn’t been questioned of her before. She shut her eyes, deep in thought about it for what seemed like ages as I stood there patiently. I waited in complete silence until she finally responded.
“I don’t know what I’d do. I know I would do my best to stop her, and bring her back to reality. And I would take the time to have her understand what she did was wrong so she could improve herself. But Flurry Heart would never do something like that.”
I raised a brow, “But how do you know, Cadence?”
“Because I’m here for her, that’s why!” she snapped back, stomping her hoof, “and not just me, either. Shining Armor, as well. She’s got a whole family that will make sure she walks the right path.”
That’s when I played my card, “Really? Funny thing is, nopony asked that about Cozy Glow?”
Her anger turned to sorrow and confusion, “What?”
“Nopony asked about Cozy Glow’s family. Nopony ever tried to track her parents down and see how she grew up. She was lumped right in with Chrysalis and Tirek--two absolute tyrants who were fully grown and knew the consequences of their actions. Cozy on the other hand was a child. A disturbed one at that. A child who was never properly given a chance, nor understood. Do you think that is just? For someone so young to suffer for actions they likely didn’t understand?”
“...No, I suppose not,” she sighed, “but what does Flurry Heart have to do with it?”
“Nothing at all, really. I simply brought her up because I wanted to have an edge in the conversation. We’re all biased towards our own. That much is certain. But when it comes to another, that changes completely, does it not?”
I could see the look of sympathy on her face. I may have taken it a bit far by bringing up her own child, but it was a necessary card to toss on the table. It was the only way I could get through to her in a reasonable way.
Her eyes turned cold. Full of judgement, and staring through my soul, “Just what made you bring this up to me? Are you brave or foolish?”
“Call it how you will,” I responded with a nonchalant shrug to suppress my fear, “My aim was to get your opinion on the incident regarding the imprisonment of a filly. Nothing more.”
“Ha!” she laughed rather sarcastically, “That can’t possibly be it. I deal with all sorts of ponies on a daily basis who say the wildest things. But that? You can’t have just come here to simply say some words and disappear.”
Perceptive. The Princess of Love was very keen in sensing the true feelings of another. I can’t believe that slipped my mind. Since I was caught in this play, I decided that I may as well go all in, “You got me, Cadence. In truth, the reason I came to you is because I wanted to not only get your opinion, but see if you could convince Twilight to allow the filly passage.”
“Why didn’t you just speak to her yourself?”
“I considered that. But I knew for certain that I would be turned down immediately. I’m a nobody, to be frank. No status, no special magic or skills, no authority. Nothing. I’m just a regular old guy with a regular old job. But you? If you were willing to hear my case, then it’s possible that she could be convinced. Not to mention your relation.”
“Not bad,” she said with the judgemental look in her eyes, “But this all hinges on the assumption that I’ll actually tell Twilight anything. What if I refuse?”
I had prepared for everything. Even if it wouldn’t go as smoothly as planned. “Then I’ll take matters into my own hooves. If you of all ponies won’t help seek redemption for a filly who had no support, then I’ll get the public behind the notion instead.”
“Is that a threat?”
I quickly shook my head. “Oh no, no threats here. The last thing I want as a stallion of law is to damage the credibility of my fellow officers by inciting a national ruler’s wrath. All I intend to do is make the public aware of what...incorrect acts have been done without their knowledge. So many ponies are out there, afraid to speak up for themselves out of fear of persecution.”
Cadence had the slightest frown on her face. I couldn’t tell if she was truly angry or disappointed with me. I was on eggshells waiting for her to grant me a response. “Okay, now let me ask you a question, sir. Is this a hill you’re prepared to fall upon?”
Enough was enough. If there was any moment to expose how I truly felt, now was the time. “Absolutely. I was in her position at one point during my youth. Granted, nothing as serious as threatening the world, but similar even so.”
As of now, she seemed more interested in hearing my own tale, rather than my objective. She took a step towards me, her head tilted to the left out of curiosity. “Please, go on.”
Well it was out now. No point in holding back. “I wasn’t a normal colt. I grew up without my mother. My father was strict. Overbearingly so. They fought all the time and it got so bad that she left one day and never came back. With no one else to turn his rage to, I was the target. He made me get up early every morning to run mile after mile and enforced heavy rules on what I could and couldn’t have. It was the same bland protein mix for dinner day after day. I grew to hate him. I wanted to leave and never return just as my mother did, and--” I stopped myself. Was this really going to change anything? I was probably boring her with my sob story, and my personal matters were getting in the way of my job.
“And…?” Much to my surprise, she didn’t seem bored at all. In fact, she was rather invested in my little tale. I had no idea how to feel now. My work was being disrupted by emotion. Yet, it would be rude to stop now. I had no choice but to finish what I started.
Or it was probably Cadence’s aura. Emotion was a strong thing, and I felt utterly compelled to continue. I gave a sigh of defeat, “I’ll spare you the extreme details. I got into the wrong things. With the wrong group of ponies. It felt good at first, to do what I wanted without giving a damn. But then, things took a turn for the worst. We launched bottle rockets and caused hundreds of bits in property damage to the nearby retirement home. Ponies were hurt. Nearly killed. And I had to accept the reality of the damage I caused.”
Cadence gave me a sympathetic frown. “I did not know that...but how did you change from a troublemaker to a lawpony?”
“The therapist who I saw to treat my crazed actions was also an officer. She kept me with her for a while until I was prepared to go back into the real world. I got a few odd jobs, studied law, and here I am now. All because of intervention. Something that Cozy Glow never got.”
“Ah. So that’s why you’re so passionate about this. I can’t blame you, but not every case is the same. There’s no guarantee that Cozy Glow will have truly changed.”
“I’m aware of that. And that’s why I intend to follow through on it myself. But I can’t do that without support from the public.”
“Passing on what you were taught…” I heard her laugh. Not a sarcastic one. It was more like a, ‘how cute’ sort of giggle. “I respect that. Even if your methods are extreme.”
I shrugged, having put my notes away the moment I went on about my personal life. “I do what’s necessary to keep things balanced in this world. Even if others don’t agree,” with that said, I walked towards her throne room doors, ready to make my exit.
“Wait, you’re leaving already?”
“My apologies. I realize that I’ve said too much. I need...to head home.”
“Oh...alright,” I could hear the sadness in her voice. It was apparent that she wanted me to stay and explain more to her. But anything else could cause irreparable damage. “Have a nice trip home, sir.”
“Thank you. I will, please think about what I said.” I don’t think so. That was a horrible display I just put on. Completely unprofessional. Just how was I going to save the child if I let emotion take over in such ways?
Sadly, once I returned home, things were no better. Quick Draw had already heard about what happened by the time I got there, thanks to my contacts who were stationed in the Empire.
She was not happy.
“Flash Drive and Guttersnipe have already told me everything,” my deputy walked up to my desk, and slammed her hooves down. “ARE YOU INSANE?!” Everything on my desk jumped into the air, and thankfully landed in their exact spots. “You go all the way out to the Crystal Empire and break down in front of the Princess?! Are you just a boulder that rolls down whatever hill it's on?! No! Even a boulder has more sense!”
“Listen I--”
“No look. You need to drop this case. Cozy Glow is locked away for good. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
I hated arguing, but I wasn’t going to stand idle. “How do you know that? Nobody else has even tried to deal with the filly before now. This is a case of injustice against someone who wasn’t completely sane. What child would do such a thing without reason?”
“Grrr…” she was mere inches from my face before she backed off. “I know about your situation, sir. About how some ponies can get another chance. But this is really beyond you. We’re not just talking about a few blow up houses and old folks. We’re talking about a threat to everyone on the planet.”
“Who’s to say I couldn’t have become that very same threat to all things?” I retorted, sharply, “Did you ever think about that? You don’t fix a problem by hiding it. That only breeds deception.”
She grabbed me by my shoulders. “Listen to me! You’re too far rooted in your own issues. You don’t comprehend the level of destruction someone could cause.”
I put my hooves in between hers and pushed them off, “It’s why I have this job in the first place. Otherwise I could be dead right now.”
That’s when the ever valiant Corkscrew came in, flying above both of us. “Uh...hey guys, why don’t we chill out for a bit? I’m making poutine, and then we can relax in the theater room before we head home. I got a great movie to watch. Yak Wars 2!”
“Hmph…” Quick Draw couldn’t resist the smell of fried potatoes with gravy and cheese coming from the kitchen down the hall. “I guess I can stay for a bit. Then after that, I’m headed home.” She left my office to go check on how it was cooking, I bet.
“Whew...that’s good. The last time you two argued, we had to rebuild this place! Hahaha!” His laughter made me smile. I wouldn’t dream of letting him turn out like me. Cold, bitter, alone.
“Heh! Good one, bud.”
He hovered in the air horizontally, “Captain. Don’t get upset with her. She’s just concerned for you.”
“I know, I know,” I got up from my chair and handed him a folder. “Take this.”
“Hm?”
“Insurance. If things aren’t going properly, then I’d like you to submit this to the newspaper. Then the public can form their own opinions.”
He stopped flying. The boy stood on the floor as he skimmed through the documents. “Sir...is this the best idea? If this goes wrong, then…”
I waved my hoof with a smile, “You said it yourself, right? Don’t play your cards unless you know there’s a chance of winning? Well, I’m going for it. If there’s even the slightest chance I can convince Twilight to allow Cozy a take at redemption, then I’m going for it.”
“...You’re going to offer yourself as a potential caretaker?”
“More like a watchpony. To keep her on the right path as she grows up, since we know she has no one else.”
“And if they refuse?”
I chuckled, “Then I’m prepared to expose their entire deck to the public to prove my point until they can’t.”
“I can’t say I completely agree, Captain. But you’re smart. If you know what you’re doing, then I believe in you.”
“Appreciated, CC. Now what’s this poutine stuff you’re making? I’ve never heard of it.”
I followed him out of my office. Tomorrow, things will start to change heavily. Whether or not this would earn me a commendation or lifetime banishment to the stars would be my gamble. A flip of the coin, per se. But I always picked heads. Why? Because I never looked back.
Not then. Not now.