//------------------------------//
// 2|3 ◈ Of Hearts 
// Story: Splintershard 
// by TheMajorTechie 
//------------------------------//

"Do you hear that?"

"Silence?"

"It means we've won."

She was never heard from again.





"R-right. Papers." Aero fumbled through the folder in his saddlebag. "I've got them right here."

Flurry Heart gave the documents he held a cursory glance. Emily felt a chill run up her spine as the alicorn turned her attention to her. "And what identification do you have, niece of Aero Wrench?"

"An ID card," Aero blurted before Emily could respond. "If you need more information on either of us, it's all in my saddlebag. Trust me--we're not here to cause any trouble."

"If she's your niece, then why don't see a resemblance?"

Aero grit his teeth. "Listen. Like I said, we're not here to cause any trouble. Emi here just happens to not look like me. We're here to tour the Crystal Empire branch of the Whirlwind company. If you want more evidence, call up Tornado from Whirlwind Canterlot and he'll tell you the same thing. Capiche?"

The alicorn took one final look at Emily before shoving the papers back in Aero's direction. "Very well then. I'll confirm your claims with Tornado. You may rest here at the station in the meantime. I still have the other passengers to greet."

Man. If that was supposed to be a greeting, then being on that mare's bad side must be an absolute nightmare.

"Well," Starlight finally piped up. "She's certainly changed quite a bit from the last time I saw her, that's for sure. I've known that mare since she was a foal."

"Babysitter."

"Wha--"

Emily grinned. "You were her babysitter, weren't you?"

"Usually not. Anyway, I really think you should stop talking out loud to me in public. There's a reason why I haven't been talking very much lately."

Fair enough. She was getting weird looks again from Aero, anyway. Queue the sound of Star's facehoof.





Emily shifted in her seat. They'd been sitting here for... what, half an hour now, from the looks of it? When was Flurry Heart gonna get back to them? She turned to Aero. He yawned.

"So... uh, I'm still a little confused about why you decided to help me in the first place. Besides the whole thing about getting a ton of money completely by chance."

Aero hiccuped, glancing back at her. "Well, first of all, it's the right thing to do, preventing war and all. Secondly, what else can I do with my retirement? I'd might as well make the most of all this time anyway. Even if you didn't have Starlight Glimmer's... what--essence? Soul?" he shook his head. "Nevermind. Point is, this is the most excitement I've had in ages. No more nine to five jobs--just spelunking through the world, solving problems, and completing quests! Well, not really completing any quests myself, but you know the deal. I just tag along and help when I can, really. What about you?"

"Mainly just want to go home, honestly. Once I figure out how to get back into my old body and open a portal, I'm out of here."

"Oh."

Starlight snorted. "Way to kill the mood, Emi."

Fine then. Time to talk some more.

"But, I guess... I could talk about myself a little more." She looked to Aero, who gave a silent nod to continue. "Alright. So. Proper introduction time. You already know my name, so we'll just skip over that. I'm in high school, or at least I was in high school before I hopped through a portal. I like sleep and food, and to be honest, I think Star's a little disappointed in me as I speak. There's a pretty big gap between me and her as far as our personalities go."

"Nice."

Wow. Brick wall much? The conversation was getting awkward again anyway, so killing it was probably for the best. She spotted Flurry Heart approaching in the corner of her eye.

"Alright, you two," the alicorn stopped in front of Emily and Aero. "As you suggested, I called up Tornado and requested your company records, which he kindly provided. You are cleared for entry into the Crystal Empire. However, due to ongoing security concerns unrelated to either of you, your movement within the Empire will be restricted to the industrial district and its surrounding area, which should be more than enough to suit your purposes. Your movements will be monitored for the safety of the public. Additionally, I will be checking in daily to ensure both your health and to reduce suspicion. I have arranged for your transport to a company-owned hotel near Whirlwind CE in the meantime. Enjoy your stay!"

...Wow. Talk about throwing a wrench in the plan. Was Flurry Heart always this big of a security freak?

"Nope. Again, she's changed. We all have."

A car pulled up beside them. Flurry Heart gave a nod to the driver and turned away.





"So what are we gonna do now?" Emily flopped face-first onto the bedsheets. "We're not allowed to go outside of the hotel or the company building place thing, we're stuck miles from home, and for all we know, that scroll might as well have been moved all the way back to Canterlot!"

Aero shrugged. "I've got nothing."

"Y'know, Emi, I do exist still. I knew Flurry heart when she was a foal. Just let me talk to her, and we'll see what happens."

But that was when she was a foal! Didn't Starlight say that she'd changed since then?

"Yes, but hear me out--I think Flurry Heart's like this because she's lost just about everyone she's loved. You heard about what happened to Cadance, right? That was her mother. And her father, Shining Armor, likely died of old age long before then, too." Starlight paused. "To be honest, her situation now parallels what went down with Twilight Sparkle quite well. She's only a push away from abandoning it all if you ask me."

Oh. Again with Twilight Sparkle. Wait, wasn't Starlight caught off-guard by Cadance's disappearance not too long ago?

"I'll admit, that was a lapse of my memory. I do remember that Cadance vanished shortly before my own demise. As far as Twilight Sparkle goes, do you have a question about her? I know I probably rushed a bit on the few times I talked about this place's history."

Emily shook her head. Being lectured on national history could wait for later. She turned over, staring at the ceiling.

"But seriously, are you good on letting me take over for a few minutes if Flurry Heart decides to check in on us?"

"Yup."

Aero glanced over his shoulder. "Hm?"

"Nothing, Aero. Just talking to Star. She wants to talk to Flurry Heart, I think."

"Alright. I'll just be... well," the stallion looked around. "Standing here, I guess."

A knock came at the door. Emily sat up.

"Hello, I am here to check in with the two of you," Flurry Heart's muffled voice began, "Do you find your accommodations comfortable?"

"Yes. Actually--" Aero opened the door. "My... uh, niece wants to speak to you for a moment."

The alicorn raised a brow. Starlight had better be ready for this. 

Emily closed her eyes, letting the same old feeling of Starlight's possession spell wash over her. The mare took a deep breath, hopping off the bed.

"Hi, Flurry."

"Hel--huh?" Flurry Heart cocked her head. "What is the meaning of this, Aero? I have no time for such casual conversation!" she began to turn away.

"Wait!" Starlight lit her horn, slamming the door shut before the Princess could leave. "I... have something to confess."

That caught her attention. Flurry Heart whirled around, her own horn lit. "Do not stop me from carrying out my duties!" she seethed. "You're walking on thin ice as it is."

Emily could feel her heart racing as Starlight readied a response. "I am Starlight Glimmer, former Arch-Magus of Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Flurry Heart rolled her eyes, turning again for the door. "Alright, Aero, tell your niece that she needs to go see a doctor or something. I'm--"

"Remember Whammy?" Starlight smirked. "Twilight told me all about the fiasco you caused when you lost it in Ponyville Hospital."

"I--"

"Or what about Sunburst, your old Crystaller? What about Luster Dawn? You remember her, right? Before she... well, disappeared, like your mother did."

The alicorn looked over her shoulder. 

Starlight stepped closer. "I still remember the war like it was yesterday, Flurry. 'Cause for me, it practically was yesterday. I was one of the casualties in that fateful clash in Canterlot, but I awoke one day in this body; a body that wasn't my own. If you wish for more evidence to back my claims, I can cast my old self-levitation spell."

Flurry Heart narrowed her eyes. "Yes. Please."

"Very well then. Observe--" Starlight lit her horn, letting her aura envelop herself as she lifted off the floor. She hovered for a couple of seconds before drifting to the Princess. "--Is this convincing enough?"

"You make a convincing argument, yes, but for what reason do you attempt to sway me into thinking that you are indeed Starlight Glimmer?"

"I'm on a mission to prevent another war."

Flurry Heart snorted, bringing a hoof to her chin. She glanced at Aero. "May I step outside for a moment?"

Aero opened the door again, watching the Princess exit the room. Flurry Heart's aura grabbed hold of the doorknob, shutting the door behind her.

"Did... did it work?"

Starlight shook her head. "I have no idea."