//------------------------------// // 38: Homesick // Story: Death of a Queen // by Arkane12 //------------------------------// Cadence shut the door behind her. After double-checking the lock, she continued forward. Her husband waited for her in the hall ahead, his helmet cast off and laying nearby. “Alright. Inkwell’s spread the word about our little break. We’ve got a little less than an hour before ponies start asking questions. Is everyone else already here?” Shining’s horn flared to life as he swept his helmet off the floor. “Thorax showed up a minute ago.” “How’s he holding up?” “Not well.” “I see. What about Twilight?” He slid the armor piece over his head. The light filtering in through the windows danced across the golden trim. A single tuft of his blue mane hung between his eyes. “She’s . . . alright.” “I guess that’s the best we can hope for, I guess. Let’s head in.” Shining stepped aside, motioning for his wife to continue. She led them into the rounded chamber. Twilight and Thorax were inside, studying the map of Equestria forged onto the center pedestal. The two of them were placing miniature models of Canterlot soldiers around the landscape, marking the routes for scouting parties. “Princess Cadence.” Thorax bowed slightly. “Glad you could join us.” “Apologies. There were a few ends to tie up.” “Then let’s get started.” Twilight cleared her throat. “First off. Have we successfully established that she is missing?” “She is.” Shining stepped forward. “I’ve spoken with Private Glaze myself. He’s adamant that she never left her room. Also checked with the perimeter guards. They’ve got nothing either. We’ve got teams sweeping the castle to make sure, but I doubt they’ll find anything.” “How did this happen?” Cadence demanded. “She can’t have just vanished.” Thorax sighed. “Who’s to say? She’s been training generations of changelings to infiltrate cities for longer than any of us have even been alive. Magic or no magic, she’s not to be taken lightly.” “It doesn’t matter how she escaped. She did. For now, the important part is finding her. Thorax, do you or your hive have any ideas?” Twilight asked. “A few. Since we received the news, I’ve been in constant communication with my changelings. We’ve been sifting through some of our older memories. Using that information, we compiled a list of places where Chrysalis would be likely to hide.” “That’s pretty impressive,” Cadence noted. “Don’t congratulate me yet. It’s a very long list. Besides that, we’re not entirely sure she’ll be in any of them. She knows we’re looking for her. If she draws the same conclusions as us, she might avoid every place on the list.” “It’s better than nothing.” Twilight shook her head. “I can send scouts to these places to search,” Shining said. “No need. I’ve already given the order to my changelings. If she’s there, they’ll find her.” “What about her hive?” Twilight asked. “What about it?” Cadence tilted her head slightly. “Last night, she and I were talking.” Twilight turned toward the window, watching the highest towers of the castle as though they held the answer she sought. “She asked me what I wanted to do when all of this was over. I told her that I’d go home.” “You think that’s what she did? Went home?” Shining questioned. Thorax answered for her. “It would make sense. After everything that happened last night, I could hardly blame her for wanting to go home. I had considered that. I planned on going to check on that lead myself.” “Then you can come with us,” Twilight offered. “Twilight?” Cadence asked, leaning away from the table. “Shining Armor, I want you to find me the fastest pegasus team you have at your command. We can take the chariots out to the hive.” “That’s a bad idea, Twilight,” Thorax interjected. “I know it’s a long journey, but this isn’t the first time we’ve made it.” Twilight explained. Thorax shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. By now, the dry season of the Badlands will have ended. You try to fly through one of those storms, it’ll tear you apart.” “You have another suggestion?” “Let me go.” “How is that better?” Thorax tapped his chitin plate. “Our armor’s tougher than it looks. We can handle extreme weather like that. It’s far less dangerous.” “I’m not sitting this out, Thorax.” “You might not have to.” Cadence interrupted. She turned to her husband, who prodded her onward with a nod. “Take one of the airships.” Twilight turned to Shining. “Would that work?” He shrugged. “Maybe not one of the luxury cruise ones. When I left, the guard had a few troop transports down at the docks. Those things are built for combat. Supposing you have an experienced crew, I can’t imagine a storm would bring one of those down.” “Any other objections, Thorax?” Twilight asked. “I’m not talking about just any storm here.” “I know.” Shining shifted his helmet. “But these things are sturdy. They’re built to withstand a cannon barrage. They’ll hold together through almost anything.” “Then what are we waiting for?” Twilight demanded. “Not so fast, Princess Twilight,” Cadence announced suddenly. “The airships are slow. There’s no way you’ll be back by the time your Court resumes.” “We don’t have any time to waste, Cadence,” Twilight argued. “These are your ponies, Twilight. They’re counting on you.” “I know, but . . . ” Twilight frowned. “I promised you that I wouldn’t give you any orders. If you’re determined to leave, I won’t stop you. You’ll have to deal with the consequences of that choice, though.” Twilight squirmed under Cadence’s stern gaze. “I know.” Twilight relented. Shining Armor rounded the table, putting a comforting hoof on his sister’s shoulder. “Don’t you worry, Twilight. I’ll put my best on the case. You can count on them. I promise.” “Thank you, Shining.” Thorax started for the door. “I suppose I’d better start packing then.” “I’ll have a team ready and waiting within the hour.” Shining nodded. He followed Thorax out, not bothering to close the door. Cadence cast her eyes downward. “I’m sorry. I know being a princess isn’t the glamourous job most ponies think it is. You have to make a lot of tough decisions. Though I may not agree with you, I’ll support you in whatever decision you make. I owe you that much.” “You don’t have to apologize. It’s not your fault. Besides, you’re right. What would Celestia say if I abandoned my royal duties for something as selfish as this.” “I guess.” Cadence sighed. “I should probably head back to the throne room before Inkwell starts giving orders on our behalf.” She tried to chuckle at her own joke, but it rang hollow. On that somber note, she too left. Twilight stayed behind in the meeting room to study the map. She examined the mountain edges, the slim curves of each shore, the little figures splayed across the map that represented the lives of dozens of her loyal subjects. Despite her best attempts to lose herself in the intricate details of the sculpture, she incessantly found herself drawn to the barren dirt of the Badlands. “Twilight?” She glanced upward. Applejack stood in the doorway. “Did you need something, Applejack?” The orange mare removed her hat. “I apologize if I’m interrupting something.” “No. Just . . . thinking.” “If you need some time, you’ve just got to ask. We’ll wait out here for you.” She turned to rejoin her party out in the hallway. Behind the earth pony, Twilight could see the rest of her friends gathered, discussing something in hushed whispers. “No. I’m alright.” Twilight plastered on the most convincing smile she could manage as she followed Applejack out of the meeting hall. The other mares fell silent as she approached. “Hey. Everything alright? Seems like you guys left the Court pretty suddenly,” Rainbow Dash pointed out. “Yeah. There’s a small situation, but we’ve got it under control.” “Chrysalis?” Fluttershy asked. Twilight nodded. “Did something happen to her?” Applejack inquired. “No. She . . .” Twilight drew in a deep breath. “She left.” “She what?” Rarity sputtered. “She . . . left. Her room was empty this morning. We don’t know where she is. She left.” The words felt wrong on her tongue. “She left.” “Oh, Darling.” Rarity rushed forward, throwing herself over Twilight in a fit of hysteria. “That’s just awful. How could she do such a thing?” “I don’t know,” Twilight muttered. With a bit of effort, she slipped free from Rarity’s grasp. “Thorax is going to look for her. He’s already got his changelings searching.” “You’re not going?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “No. I’ve got a job here to do,” she said flatly. “That’s mighty selfless of you, Twilight.” Applejack tipped her hat. A new voice rang out. “I think Celestia would be proud.” The friends turned toward the entryway. There, flanked by a pair of her umbral guards, stood Princess Luna. “Princess Luna?” Twilight asked, amazed. “Girls, would you mind if I spoke privately with Twilight for a moment?” The elder alicorn moved slow and spoke through gritted teeth, but she stood proud on her own four legs, her head held high. “Of course, Princess.” Twilight’s friends bowed as they retreated back into the throne room. With a gentle nod, Luna dismissed her own entourage as well. When they were alone, she finally addressed Twilight. “It took me centuries to put the good of Equestria before my own. It is a burden I struggle with to this very day. But it always came naturally for Celestia. It would seem she passed that kind strength on to you.” “What are you doing up?” Twilight scratched at her mane. “It was the funniest thing. A group of guards informed me that they needed to search my quarters for a missing changeling. I must be honest; I was a little afraid to be left alone in my room all day with such a threat on the loose. I figured I would be safest in a room filled with ponies. And then it occurred to me: what better place is there than the Royal Court? There are always ponies watching the throne.” Noticing Twilight’s concerned expression, Luna followed her overly dramatic speech with a hasty wink. “Are you okay to be out of bed, Princess?” Twilight inched closer, unnerved by Luna’s unsteady gait. Luna chuckled and waved her off. “I am. I understand your skepticism, but I assure you that Doctor Heart provided me with a clean bill of health.” “Honestly, Princess, you don’t have to do this. I’m alright handling the Court for today. With all due respect, you look like you can hardly walk.” Luna tapped her chin. “Did you do something to my throne?” “N-No,” Twilight stammered. “Well then I do not need to worry about walking, do I?” “Luna . . .” The older alicorn sighed in defeat, her features darkening. “Twilight, I want you to listen to me. I know I have been . . . difficult these last few days. There is nothing I can say or do that warrants forgiveness for my actions.” The younger alicorn opened her mouth to argue, but Luna continued unimpeded. “But I think I finally understand what you saw in Chrysalis. Celestia had faith in you. She trusted you, no matter how dire the situation. I should have given you the same consideration. Instead, I endangered your life and the lives of others. I have been a terrible ruler and an even worse mentor. I promise you that I will answer for this. Until then, allow me to give you this small comfort. “Go to her, Twilight. Show her that she does have a home here.” Twilight searched for any excuse to stay behind. Luna needed her. The Court would realize something strange afoot if Luna suddenly returned. She even argued that Chrysalis probably didn’t want to see her anyway after leaving her alone last night. “Princess Luna . . .” She heard none of those thoughts, though. Instead, only a single one occupied her focus: “I need to go pack.”