“Well, well, well...my foolish other half finally decided to take a break for a change, didn’t she?” The motherly Celestia was replaced with a razor-toothed, demonic-looking, fiery alicorn. She was hot. No seriously. Her mane and tail were actual fire. “And just who are you?”
Thankfully, Celestia put up a barrier to confine herself to this room. Nothing was going to get in or out.
I sat down and observed the blazing queen. “You...you’re Celestia’s hidden aggression ponified. Daybreaker.”
“Ohoho! More like her hidden potential, young stallion,” she cackled as she sauntered over to me with a flip of her mane, “I’m the stronger, smarter, and more attractive version of that weak-minded simpleton! Haven’t you ever wondered why she let Twilight and her wittle friends handle all the big bad dangers of the world?” she asked in a mocking tone with her hooves pressed against my cheeks.
I swatted them away, and gave an equally mocking answer. “Because it was a valuable lesson in friendship?”
“No you dummy! It was because Tia is afraid. Afraid of suffering, afraid of disappointing her ‘little ponies’, and afraid of losing Twilight and her precious friends because of how much of an asset they are to my rule! Losing Luna for a thousand years made her weak heart even weaker...her stress grew. She knew she’d be too weak to constantly raise and lower both the sun and moon without her help…I offered her a way out, but she refused, ultimately leading in her sister’s safe return.” She turned to the side and flicked her flame tail, her eyes half-lidded, clearly an attempt to charm me, “But I’ll always be there...nagging her head and asking: What if? What if she gave into me sooner? What if she embraced her full potential? What if she never held back?”
It took me a moment to process what she was saying. Was this the true state of being of our former ruler? Someone so broken and haunted by what could be, that she was never able to embrace what should be? Is this the reason for...no way.
“So is that why she trained Twilight so readily?” I tilted my head, “Just in case her weak mind gave in to the flames of rage.”
As I spoke, Daybreaker would attempt to cast spells on the walls, only for them to have no effect. “Heh. Classic Tia. Always closing off the perimeter before she brings me out,” she turned to me again. “And you’re smarter than you look for a hunk of stallion meat. Ahahah! In case Celestia ever truly gave in to me and couldn’t control me, she made Twilight and her friends ready to use the same Elements of Harmony she so readily made use of but couldn’t control. In doing that, she ensured that Equestria would always be safe, even if she mentally wasn’t.”
I started to put my brain on it some more, but my train of thought was interrupted when the overheated alicorn slunk over to me with one of her hooves around my neck, “Um...hey now--”
“Have I ever mentioned that she’s always wanted a special somepony she can talk to as an equal? Someone that doesn’t have a shitty sleep schedule like her sister or a platonic student like Twilight?”
It was awkward to be in such close proximity to the mare while she brought up her relationship problems. “I...see. So she’s also very lonesome?”
“Oh you wouldn’t believe! But between you and me, she’s got a soft spot for Discord, but he’s never returned the sentiment, hmhmhm. Oh how much of a wreck she is!”
That didn’t surprise me at all. I knew the alicorn had some sort of feelings toward the being of chaos, hence why she was willing to give him extra chances. Even still, Daybreaker herself would provide an interesting perspective that would likely be more honest than Celestia.
“Okay then, what’s your--”
She cut me off with even more uncomfortable contact. Now she was nuzzling the side of my cheek with her own, “Can’t you feel it? That burning passion that she’s held back for so long? You of all ponies should be able to sense my troubles, since you’re such a great detective,” she drew a hoof right across my neck as her hot breath hit the side of my face.
Being quite honest, it was a rush, but I hated it. Why did she have to go to such great lengths to prove herself? Regardless, through the contact, I was able to sense her magic. Her aura was rather negative. So negative in fact, that I could feel her frustration. “I...see…”
“Yes, don’t you? But you have an opportunity, Mr. Vestige. You have the chance to become my king--”
“Ahah...no,” I laughed and pushed her away. Such a cliche method of temptation, honestly. “I’m married to my work. I don’t have time for any sort of commitment. More importantly, I’m busy in my pursuit of--”
“Cozy Glow. Yes. I’m aware. But you can’t just solve a problem without breaking a few eggs if you catch my drift.”
“Coming from you, that’s a laugh. Given that all you do is shoot magic and a problem and hope it goes away.”
Her flame grew. Seemed like the idea of her power being challenged was accepted as a more personal attack. She stepped toward me again, “Ooh...a feisty one, I like that about you. Because I am all-powerful, I need not worry about such things like that. Twilight and her little group of friends were always there when I needed them to handle the more intricate work.”
I sighed. Now it seemed like she considered herself and Celestia one and the same for that. “So you bottled up your insecurities due to the fact that you had nopony to turn to to properly discuss your problems.”
“Hmph,” she walked a bit closer and started to circle around me, “once again you prove that the youth of today isn’t lacking intelligence. That is exactly where I came from. Her rage, her passion, everything Tia has expressed but pushed down to avoid hurting others. I am her. She is I.”
The more I thought about it, the more this felt like the opening to one of those poorly done adult movies for mares and stallions. Her tail, while made of fire, was only slightly warm as it trailed beneath my chin. The queen’s gait had a more sensual sort of style now, with emphasis on her swaying...rear. “Uh-huh...and you wish to help her?”
“Naturally. Only by embracing her true power can she even come close to atoning for all of the problems she’s caused with her insecurities. Until then, I’ll be there...constantly in her mind...unless…” she stopped, and her tail flicked at my nose, “a certain somepony can help her?”
“Hmph.”
Meanwhile…
“Ugh! Why did sister insist on owning a place so large?!” Luna groaned as she searched every room in the house. That dominating sort of cackle could have come from anywhere. “I’ve checked the basement, the home theatre, the dining room, living room, kitchen, balconies, game room. All that’s left is the attic and our bedrooms. Oh dear Pale what is sister doing to you…?” She sighed and hurried up the stairs.
In their bedroom…
“Come now, dear boy. You’re wasting the opportunity of a lifetime! A literal goddess is offering herself to you and you ignore her?”
“You know I can relate to you in some ways?”
She scoffed and lied down next to me, “This will be good. Go on, my little detective. Indulge me.”
“The power. Feeling insecure about yourself...wanting to bury those feelings down. But it’s not healthy. You can’t just shy away from them forever.”
“Tch! Easy for you to say, Mr. Everypony. Sit on your ass in a throne for dozens of centuries and then try to have a legitimate companion that doesn’t like you for your status. Not to mention a portion of those centuries without your only sister to properly rely on. You get jaded as shit, kid.”
My head hung down. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to go on living for so long without someone to properly communicate with. To my left, Corkscrew was always there to support me. Even with my craziest ideas, he was always there. As soon as we were freshmen of the Officer’s Academy, he stuck with me, and I by him. He was never bullied while I was around, and I never failed an assignment due to his guidance. To my right, Quick Draw served as my rival in the Academy. She rarely showed her emotions, but she did care for us, even when she constantly scolded me and my plans. It was nice to have someone to keep close by in case things went horns/wings up. She had my flank, and we gave her reasonable outlets to rage at.
And me? I was their leader. A visionary for their lives. I assumed the rank of Squad Leader and became their guide as we opened our investigative studio. Fond memories of us, there were. Heh. I vividly remember the first time Corkscrew busted a set of robbers disguised as old mares. And Quick Draw using her wits to end some not-so-legal gem smuggling.
I looked up. Daybreaker was on her back, stretching. This again? Really? Even so...I started to understand her feelings. “...I think I get it now. Well, not entirely. I haven’t lived as long as you have, so I could never fully understand you. But...I think I want to help.”
One of her ears flicked, then that demonic smile stretched across her face, “Oh? You’re finally willing to help this beautiful goddess? Given that you settled for those regular mares down in Ponyville, you must have rather low standards.” She stood up, “Come with me, then. I’m done playing the subtlety game. I promise I won’t get too rough with you--”
“Excuse me? I’ve settled with nopony.” Standards? Just who was she referring to? I had no relations with anyone so far. “What? No. I’m going to give you something you likely haven’t gotten before: A chance.”
She started to lean against me once more. I began to sweat, but couldn’t really move due to her strong, overbearing...magic. “Mm-hmm...your eyes say no, but I know who you’ve dealt with. The schoolteacher, that rich old mare, that nature-loving yoga case…you settle for them and don’t bother giving me a look?” Her tail flicked, and she glared at me, “A chance for what?”
“I have not interfaced with any of those individuals. What I offer is a chance to work off your stress,” I tilted my head left and right to crick my neck and loosen my joints. “Come at me. We’re the same aren’t we, Daybreak? We should have an equal understanding of each other through combat?”
“Hah! I could squash you like a changeling egg in no time. What makes you think you stand a chance against someone as striking as myself?” she closed her eyes and boasted arrogantly.
I used this as an opportunity to play my most tactical and devastating card yet.
“Your flank is fat.”
“INSOLENT FOOL!”
A blast of heat...fire? Plasma? I had no idea. But a blast of it erupted from her horn. But I managed to dodge it fairly easily. In fact, the timing of her shooting was completely off. Was she losing control? It increased the temperature of the room as well, which made my eyes water. The amount of breathable air was slowly being snuffed out around me.
“HOW DARE YOU? MY FLANK IS NOT FAT IT’S….ROUND!”
“That’s what I mean,” I explained as the blast evaporated harmlessly against the barrier Celestia had put up, “You’re surrounded by those who no longer see you as subjects or you can see as slaves. You’re not the princess anymore. You’re a regular pony like the rest of us.”
“Bah! As if I were to listen to someone who grew up soaked in the blood of the enemies he defeated!”
Ick. That was one part of my past I hoped no one would ever recall, as true as it was. Another heat blast was sent my way, and I ducked beneath it. “Think about Cozy Glow. Think about how you threw a child’s life away simply because her thoughts didn’t align with yours!”
“Idiot! She threw her own life away! Nothing will ever change that!”
“Had it not been for Discord’s manipulation, she could be a fully grown, free mare after serving her time. But instead you want to be blind to your mistakes?!”
“I am perfect! I make no mistakes!”
Hot damn--literally. This was the key. This was the voice in Celestia’s head that kept her going but in the worst possible way. Always assuring that her decisions were correct and serve a greater purpose in the end, even if they seemed crazy and out of left field at first glance.
My eyes were red, my breaths had become labored and I started to cough. I felt like I was being cooked alive, but I had to get through to her somehow.
Blasts in rapid fire succession shot out. One came dangerously close to singing my legs. But again, I knew she wasn’t attacking with intent to kill. This was nothing more than an exercise of stress for her. Something to release her pent up rage upon.
Outside the door…
“Aha! I found--” Luna paused as she heard voices from behind the door.
“Yes! Squirm harder! Faster! Dance for me you fool!”
“Alright then, let’s dance!”
A blush tinged the moon pony’s cheeks. Yelps and grunts were heard and she felt uncomfortable. “Was sister actually...no! Impossible!” She had to take a peek...just one. But as soon as her hoof tapped the doorknob, she retracted it due to a painful shock.
“Ow! A barrier spell?” Her horn lit up, and she attempted to teleport in, but was bounced out rather swiftly. She landed right on her tail. “Gah! Did she know that I would come…?”
More grunting occurred from the other side of the door followed by the sound of furniture that rocked and creaked. Possibly being thrown about.
“Okay...I just need to take a moment and undo the spell…” Her horn lit up once more…
“Come on, you’re almost there!”
“You lowlife mortal! Put more effort in!”
“I should just walk away, right now.”
Inside the room…
“I think I’ve done quite enough,” I stopped moving and blew some ash off my snout, “you know you have loads of ponies here that are willing to treat you as an equal. It’s time to start acting like one.”
“Gah...but how will I face her…” I couldn’t believe it. There was remorse in those fiery, demonic eyes. “Tia...she hates me, wants me gone. Pushes me away...even though I am just as much part of her as Nightmare Moon is to Luna.”
I sat down on the bed. I was slowly coming down from the effects of the smoke and my eyes were returning to their normal color. “I’m no therapist or expert on your situation, but to me...you need to...accept that your past is a part of you and acknowledge your mistakes. That’s the only way I’ve managed to keep this job without going insane for so long.”
The fiery queen plopped next to me. The bed dropped down in her direction. “Just how much have you endured?”
“You don’t wanna know,” I shuddered at the thought of bringing up my darkest exploits, “you may have lived longer than I, but I’ve witnessed just as much bloodshed. At my own hooves and the hooves of others. But it’s not too late for you. You can turn your life around and make real friends...just as I did. Now do you understand my fight for Cozy Glow?”
Silence from the mare as she lied down on her bed. Her fiery mane and tail dissipated along with the barrier. That’s when her younger sister fell through the doorway.
“Ah! Ouch…” she looked up at us both, “Sister...is everything...are you doing...things to this stallion?”
“No, Luna.” She sat up, and dusted herself off, “I was just showing him what my true feelings were, and...I think I learned something.”
“Oh?” This shocked the former princess of the night. I suppose it was rather shocking to hear that she had learned something from someone like me. I was only doing my job. “This ought to be entertaining. Tell me, what did you gain from your chat, sister?”
“For one, that I probably should’ve put Discord under higher security a long time ago.”
Luna rolled her eyes, “Yes. That is very much certain.”
“What? You mean you thought so too?!”
“Pfft. Of course I did. Discord may be nicer now than he was thousands of years ago, but I never thought he was truly on the right path yet. That is why I rejoiced when you announced his house arrest to Fluttershy’s home all those years ago. He’s too much of a--how do the foals say--loose cannon.”
“I see...as for the main topic at hoof, Cozy Glow...I apologize, but I do not have any authority on the matter. We no longer govern this land. That decision will be up to Princess Twilight.”
I nodded. That much was obvious. Aside from that, I still required her opinion on the matter itself. “Understood. But my question to you is: Do you think she deserves forgiveness? Do you think she’s learned something in her banishment? Can she be saved?”
Celestia gave a heavy sigh, unable to even look at me for a moment.
“Please sister, be honest. The stallion is merely doing his job,” Luna persuaded her, “Regardless of your stance on the matter, know that I will not abandon you.”
The princess looked like she was two steps away from sobbing. “I...I don’t know. On one hoof, I genuinely don’t think Cozy Glow will have learned anything if she was so easily influenced by Discord’s trick and plotted with Chrysalis and Tirek to destroy us all. She seemed content to throw away everything she had for the sake of power, and I’m afraid she’ll simply do it once more when she’s released. Something I still don’t understand…it’s very possible she’s been plotting revenge this entire time.”
Okay. That was perfectly reasonable. “And on the other hoof?”
“...I feel like the child could possibly turn over a new leaf if given the opportunity. Luna herself was that troubled child once before…”
“Boo!”
“AH!” I leapt and fell off the bed. She donned that Nightmare appearance for the briefest of seconds. “Really funny…”
Celestia giggled a bit at the joke. A bit of levity never hurt anyone I suppose. But she continued her explanation. “Luna was once in her position as well. So I can understand. There also may have been...hidden demons behind her face. A mask she wore to cover her true intentions and desires...just as I with Daybreaker.”
I got up and shrugged. “Well, it’s obvious Chrysalis was trying to run the hive in her own sick, twisted way that she felt was best for the changelings--even though it wasn’t very good. Tirek wanted to prove that he could be better than his younger brother, Scorpan. Sombra...was just hellbent on taking back the empire out of his burning desire to prove himself and his worth. I dunno...maybe it’s possible that Cozy Glow’s motivations ran deeper than simple power?”
“What makes you say that?” Luna asked.
I turned my back and looked out the window with a somber feeling in my throat. I thought I heard a tapping noise outside, but it must’ve been my imagination. “In my line of work...I’ve found those who claim they have no reason for being the way they are, are lying. There’s always something somewhere that causes an individual to turn into who they are. In my opinion, no one is simply born evil or good. It’s how they’re raised and treated as an individual that determines everything. For example,” I turned back around and pointed at Celestia, “You weren’t born the caring, kind figure you always are. You took care of your sister and that kindness that brewed between the two of you is what led you to lead Equestria and defend it from those such as Discord when he first appeared.”
“That is...one way you could look at it, I suppose.”
I pointed to Luna. “And you...you weren’t born as Nightmare Moon. The darkness inside you brewed as a result of your jealousy. But once you overcame it, you became yourself and returned to who you truly were, right?”
“...Indeed.”
I tapped my hoof on my neck. “And I...well, I’ve already explained my background. But I wasn’t born an investigator, nor a bloodlusted colt. It’s who I decided to become that ultimately mattered. With that in mind, I’m willing to put my cards on the fact that Cozy Glow was not born this way, and she only acted the way she did due to the way her environment treated her. Is that a fair assessment?”
“But by that logic...why not free Chrysalis and Tirek also?” Celestia questioned me.
“Precisely, good guess. They’re fully grown immortal beings who have sunk so far into who they are, that there is no hope left for them. But Cozy? She’s a child. One who has the capacity to come face-to-face with her wrongdoings, and potentially correct them. Is that not also a fair assessment?”
While Celestia hesitated, Luna nodded. Seemed she understood more than her older sister. “Given that the occurrence of Nightmare Moon occurred during my adolescence as an alicorn...I quite agree.”
The sun princess closed her eyes and nodded once. If her sister was in agreement, then it only followed that she would be also. “If...I were to agree, what would be your next course of action, Pale?”
“Bring my case to Twilight. Only she can give the final say in the matter. From there...well, it’s on her.”
Silence between the three of us. It was a rather long and tiresome experience we had dealt with today. That’s when Luna suggested something. “Alright, everypony. Let’s head back to the resort and get some food. You need not make a decision right away, Tia. Pale and his friends will be here for the weekend.”
“That’s right. And for the record, my apologies for the comment about your rear end…”
Celestia laughed, “That’s quite alright. It was funny to see Daybreaker rage at the comment. And it’s partially true…” she blushed.
Luna trotted out of the room in a huff, “You need to make use of the resort’s gym, Tia! It’s there for a reason!”
“Hey hey...I will. Soon,” the sun goddess followed her out, “I’m too caught up in tasting all the food here.”
“That is the exact problem, sister!”
THUNK!
“Huh?” I heard a noise outside of the window, and ran over. There was nothing there at first glance. So I opened it. That’s when I found a gold trim emblem made of satin not unlike the one that Flurry Heart found. It had the letter ‘E’ on it. “...Hmm…” I put the piece in a bag and tucked it into my jacket before I left the room. “Very similar to the other one…”
But before I could get all the way out, I flopped down on the floor like a sack of rocks. As it turned out, the excess heat I endured from being trapped in a sealed room with an individual that was literally on fire caused me to pass out from smoke inhalation. I couldn’t move, it was hard to breathe, and the entire world went black. All I could do was pray that someone noticed.
And that there’d be some food left by the time I came to.