Twilight Sparkle came into my home and sat down with me on the couch. I offered her some tea, and we got straight down to business.
“...and that’s what I’m asking of you,” she finished her explanation with a sharp exhale. “I’m not going to force you two to leave, but it’s something you should at least consider for the safety of not only Cozy Glow, but yourself and the rest of your fellow citizens.”
So she wanted us to get the heck outta dodge, huh? To be honest, I could kind of understand where she came from. Cozy’s life was in danger but at the same time, something within me knew that I just couldn’t turn and run with my tail between my legs. I had too much to stand for at this point.
“...Argh...I’ll think about it, Princess. I need to discuss it with Cozy as well. She’s grown enough to make her own decisions you know.”
“I’m aware,” she replied, “It would be downright unethical of me to not allow her input to be considered. You’re not aware, but...I’ve had my own time to reflect upon my actions too.”
That was good to hear. I wanted to know more, but nah. Now wasn’t the time for it. “That’s great. Self-reflection is an important action that we should all take time to put ourselves through. It may lead to a road of sorrow, but there’s always a light at the end of it.”
Twilight scribbled something down on a parchment with a quill via magic. “End of the road--or the tunnel? How poetic. But yes, I agree. The reason I brought it up is because I went to the Gargoyle territories a while back. I’m not sure if you recall or not. It wasn’t long after we had our first therapy session with Ms. Inkwell.”
Oh that’s what she had referred to. In that case, I supposed that it would be alright if I asked her a bit more about it. “Oh yeah, now I remember. Speaking of which, how was it when you went there? Were Tirek and Scorpan’s parents still around?”
“Yeah...about that…” she scratched the side of her head with a hoof. “Things weren’t looking too good. When I got there, King Vorak had already passed away…”
What? But I and many others thought that he was in good health and could stick around for at least a dozen more years. The fact that he was gone unnerved me, because my keen analytical mind had already drawn up several mental alternative probabilities.
Basically, I thought that there was more to it than that.
“Wow…” I responded as I set my teacup down, unable to properly think of what to say next. “Um...ah. What about their mother? Queen Haydon? Is she still around?”
Twilight nodded. “She is. Which makes it all the stranger. No idea how Vorak could’ve just...croaked so easily while his wife is still in good health. But regardless, I took some time to speak with her.”
“A-and what did she say?” I asked with a hint of anxiety.
The princess continued with a remorse tone--as if she regretted to repeat what she had heard. “...She spoke quite a bit about the history of her home and how she grew to feel annoyed at herself in regards to what Tirek did. And that Grogar might have had something to do with it.”
A Few Weeks Ago…
When Twilight visited Queen Haydon, they sat down outside in the palace grounds which overlooked the edge of the known world they lived in.
“Queen Haydon,” Twilight asked, “When you ascended the throne, what was it like?”
The gargoyle queen pushed her clawtips together as she gathered her reply in her head. “It was a...difficult time for us all. There were many who agreed and disagreed with the decision. But Vorak and I pressed on regardless.”
“I see…” Twilight looked over at the trimmed hedge sculptures. One of which was a perfect recreation of the Queen and her late husband. “It...must have hit you very hard once he passed away. But I know he’s proud of you for still being active in your role as Queen of this land.”
“Thank you, dear. And yes...I’d imagine he would be. The only problem I have is that I don’t q-quite u-understand…” Her voice grew shaky with a sense of dread.
“Understand what exactly?” the alicorn pleaded, “It’s alright. You can tell me. And I promise I won’t tell a soul.”
The Queen swiftly blew her nose with a tissue, and went on. “I appreciate the fact that you’re willing to listen. The problem I have is that Vorak seemed so...healthy before he passed. He had no underlying health conditions or any ailments prior. And then one day…”
Twilight shook her head, and levitated another tissue to wipe away tears from Haydon’s eyes. “No need to take yourself through it. You’ve suffered enough.”
Haydon returned the gesture with a smile. “...Thank you.”
“...And that’s what she told me. What do you think, Pale?” she asked once she finished her explanation.
“...damn.”
That was all I could say for a moment. Admittedly, that was a lot of information to process all at once. Vorak suddenly carked it out of nowhere? Yeah no, that didn’t exactly register as a likelihood. Sounded to me like a certain someone wanted to eliminate any and all possible opposition.
And it was on me and my crew to rise up instead.