Chapter. 5 New Beginnings
Ten years later.
It was a bright late spring day, the sound of birds chirping were coming from the open window and while there was the odd cloud or two in the sky; they did nothing to detract from the beautiful day that was underway.
Over in the single bed within the room was a lump hiding from the intrusive rays of the sun in a combination of green duvet, white pillows and books. Big large hardbacks and smaller paperbacks both; there seemed to be half a dozen scattered around the bed and night stand respectfully.
The lump hidden within the duvet moved slightly as it tried to find a new more comfortable spot to rest. Light snores were emanating from the mound as a new position was achieved and sleep fully took over once more.
“Spike! Get up you lazy dragon!”
Reality crashed around the dream world that had started to rebuild itself as the dreamer found that new comfortable position. With a groan and a mumble, a small purple scaled hand emerged from the cocoon of blanket to try and slap something; something that obviously was not there.
“Spike! It’s ten-o-clock. If I have to come up there,” the voice left the threat hanging but it promised something creative and evil if pushed.
A louder and longer moan emerged from the duvet before the scaled hand retreated and emerged with the rest of its scaled body. “I’m up! I’m up aunt Cadance! No need for the bucket!” a slight shiver travelled down his back green fins, and continued all the way down to the tip of his tail as he remembered his cold water baths for sleeping in.
“Good. Your breakfast is waiting for you. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us.”
“Right. Coming.” With a final yawn and a stretch, Spike extracted himself from his duvet and got out of bed.
The room he slept in was quite a large one, made small thanks to the book shelves that covered the walls; each one filled to the brim with books. The wooden floor had a soft green rug in the room’s centre, and by the window rested an old brass telescope that has been lovingly looked after.
At the base of the filly sized bed was a writing desk and chair that had sheets of paper scattered over its wooden surface. There was a quill and ink set positioned just out of the way so the dragon would have to reach to access it.
Situated next to the head of the bed was a night stand with two items resting upon its top; a bedside reading lamp made from glowing crystals, and a small picture frame.
Once Spike had gathered a few sheets of paper, a portable quill and ink set, and two of the books from the bed he placed everything into a yellow rucksack. A nod of satisfaction brought his eyes over to the picture frame.
The picture it contained was of a bright eyed purple filly that looked a few years younger than he was now. Her face was graced with a shy smile on it, clearly enticed out of her for the camera as she sat upright and as tall as she could. Situated on either side of the filly was a book lying on its side and a baby dragon sitting upright with its head turned to look at her. Even through the picture, the filly’s violet eyes sparkled with excitement and happiness.
While the posture of the filly was upright and straight, there was a distinct lean towards the dragon; with one of her hooves positioned around the back of the purple scaled baby.
This was a very important picture to Spike; it was a picture of him and his mother, taken just a few hours after she hatched his egg.
“Morning mum, I hope you have a good day today. I’m helping aunt Cadance in court today; she needs me as her scribe since her usual one is sick. It’s not the most exciting of things and I don’t get much time to study as I’m sure you’d like, but it is an important responsibility just like you took your responsibilities seriously, so will I.
“Well, I better get going; we’ve got to be ready for midday. See you later.” Slipping on his yellow rucksack full of paper, quills and books; did the little dragon finally leave his mother’s old room and made his way down towards the kitchen of his grandparent’s house.
It was a large but cosy end of terrace townhouse built over three stories with the master bedroom and a large guest bedroom on the top floor, both with their own private bathrooms. The middle floor held two bedrooms, a study and a family bathroom. The walls of the corridors and stairwells were painted a gentle yellow in colour and filled with more pictures of the occupants of the home.
Arriving at the bottom of the stairs Spike passed through the bright central hallway, ignoring both the front formal lounge as well as the powder room; before finally entering the family living area of the house. It was a large kitchen and a living room area at the rear of the property separated by an arch that was once a wall.
“Well look who finally decided to join the living. When did you get to bed last night, hmm?” came the cheeky comment from his aunt Cadance, currently sitting at the big farm style table within the kitchen area. She had a mug filled with ether coffee or tea; Spike couldn’t tell from where he was standing. Sitting next to her was a plate of waffles sprinkled with blue and green gems, a glass of milk and a bottle of syrup. His breakfast.
On the opposite side of the table sat his grandmother; honestly still a bit young to have an eleven year old grandson. She was short and had a light grey coat; the white and purple strips in her mane and tail were still vibrant and distinct.
While her face held a small caring smile there was an air of weariness surrounding her; one that never truly seemed to disappear, and it did not stem from her age. Currently she was nursing a mug of tea; Spike knew this because he’d never seen his grandmother have anything else.
“Morning aunt Cadance, granny Velvet; I’m not sure when I got to sleep last night, but it must have been after midnight. I know you’ve asked me to stop but the night sky is pretty and peaceful.”
“Oh Spike, you really are your mother’s son. Well go on and eat, the waffles will be a bit cold by now; but I’m sure you won’t mind.” Twilight Velvet gave a small smile as she took a sip from her cup, clearly somewhere else for a moment.
Spike did not hesitate; jumped up onto the chair next to Cadance he started to make quick, if still polite, work on the now cold meal in front of him.
“So Cadance, what is Shining up to? I haven’t heard from him this week” Velvet may have asked innocently, but this is a game that everyone at the table knew inside and out by now.
“I’m afraid he’s still in Manehattan at the moment. There are some suspicious inconsistences in their security reports that the Royal Intelligence Service have picked up on; and as former Capitan of the Royal Guard he decided to help encourage them in explaining why they’re there.”
“But surly the RIS have enough leverage to force the matter just by actively looking into it. Why do they need a prince to get involved?”
“Apparently he had already promised his help to the First Lieutenant of intelligence if and when she reached a particularly stubborn paper pusher.”
“So, no grandfoals any time soon?”
‘And there it is. The same song and dance since Princess Cadance officially became my auntie two years ago.’ Spike just shook his head as he finished the last of his waffles, washing them down with the glass of milk. Thankfully that was still cold.
Hat’s off to Cadance, she just took it with grace and replied with a simple “We’re working on it.” There was an ever so slight blush visible through her fur that graced her face with reply, however.
Looking anywhere except the eyes of her mother in law, they were drawn to the large wall clock in the kitchen. “Oh, is that the time. Spike, are you ready? We’ve got to be going, or else we’ll be in a rush. Thanks again for the coffee Velvet and I’ll drop off Spike when I’m done with him. Don’t worry about his dinner; I suspect he’ll be back some time around eight or nine tonight, so I’ll get him fed at the castle.”
Twilight Velvet escorted the two royal workers to her front door and after a few hugs and kisses goodbye; Princess Cadance and Spike –who had situated himself upon Cadances back– were out into the main streets of Canterlot, their destination the castle. Flanking either side of the two was a pair of royal guards.
Over the years Canterlot just seemed to get busier and busier; and while everyone seemed to know who he and Princess Cadance were, he recognised maybe a clawful out of the hundreds he walked past. Out of those maybe one or two where people he actually liked.
Their walk, however, was uneventful and with light conversation between them, time passed quickly and the castles main gates came into view. It was also where their escort bid their farewells.
Arriving with time to spare it was almost leisurely as the two of them got the last of the preparations set for the final spring court of the year. Princess Cadance and Celestia took turns reigning over court duty, giving Cadance experience actually holding court and also giving Celestia time with her latest personal student. Speaking of whom.
“Princess Cadenza, Spike. Good morning; are you holding court today?” Entering the throne room was a sky blue unicorn mare with an almost white blue mane and tail; her cutie mark was of a crescent moon with a single star within the moons arch. She held an air of confidence about her, but thanks to the Princess’s personal touch it had been humbled to more acceptable levels.
“Good morning Trixie. Yes, Spike and I will be taking court today. So what brings you by? I’d have thought Celestia would have gotten a hold of you for your lessons by now?”
Trixie Lulamoon has been Princess Celestia’s personal student for the last eight years; when the princess herself discovered the young mare’s own traveling magician’s show. Seeing genuine talent, as well as love, for magic within the mare she offered her the vacant spot of her personal student.
Celestia had tried to find a student before then, but for one reason or another none of the candidate's –be they chosen from her gifted unicorn school or suggested by the nobles– had held up to Celestia’s scrutiny.
It was a controversial pick and some of the nobles complained about the upstart until they were bluer than said mare; but over the years it seemed that Celestia knew what she was doing.
Once the mare in question had gotten accustom to lecture based teaching she excelled thanks to her own passion; scoring within the top five in every subject when compared to the other children at Celestia’s school. Honestly most of the lessons Celestia had with Trixie were more to curb her self-importance, than to actually tech her magic.
“I have not seen her at all this morning; she had already departed by the time I came down for breakfast. That is why I came here to see if you had swapped places at the last minute.”
“Huh, she hasn’t said anything to me about leaving the castle; did she say anything to you Spike?” he shakes his head in negative. “I’m sorry Trixie, but I don’t know where she is then. Did she leave anything for you to get on with?”
“No, so it will be self-study…unless you would like some assistance with court today?” It was known throughout the castle that Trixie could not self-study for toffee. Amazing at practical, very good at theory when gently guided; but as soon as it came to self-studying, she folded like a house of cards.
Giggling slightly Cadance turned to Spike “What do you think Spike, think we could use another hoof around here today; or at least until Celestia returns?” He raised an eyebrow slightly, so small that there was no chance that Trixie could have spotted it. They did not need any help, Cadance barely needed his help. Her return was the smallest of nods; Cadance wanted Trixie here today for some reason.
“It’s the last session of spring, and they’re normally the busiest as people try and push things through before the start of summer. I suppose we could use a helping hoof.” While what Spike had said was true, Cadance has sat so many courts that she was use to the influx by now. Even Spike has had more experience with court than Trixie. But if Cadance wanted her here who was he to argue extra help.
Suddenly the steward appeared next to Trixie at the base of the steps to the throne; where Cadance was already seated and Spike was seated just to the back left on a small but comfortable stool ready with quill and paper.
The stallion in question was holding a thick scroll in his magic and had a small pair of reading glasses resting on his muzzle; he bowed to the seated princess. “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza; it is midday and Court is now in session. If you are ready we shall start to introduce the petitioners.”
“Trixie, there’s another stool just to the side there; if you can sit next to Spike and help him when he needs it, that would be great thanks. Ok, Quill Tip please start bringing our ponies in.”
The unicorn bowed once again, “very good Princess. Introducing the first petitioner…”
And thus started the long day of answering mostly pointless petitions; some were fair, one or two were actually good or meaningful, and the rest nothing but self-grandeur.
‘Mum, wherever you are I hope your day is better than mine.’ Spike though as he started taking the first of many notes that day. Huh, maybe Trixie would be useful today after all.
The birds where chirping, with the additional sound of small chicks in the air, the noise of a frog croaking somewhere nearby and the cicadas were calling for friends; all this proved that the forest was alive. A light breeze danced around the branches to the music of the wildlife, adding its own melody of rustling leaves.
In amongst all this forestry there was a mare unicorn reading what looked like a very old tome, using her magic to both hold it up and turn its pages. She was currently reading this book while doing sit ups, upside down and hanging from a branch three meters up a tree; gripping said tree branch with nothing but her hind legs.
The mare in question was tall with piercing violet eyes, her coat was amber in colour and her mane –as well as her tail– could almost pass for fire. On either side of her flanks rested her cutie mark; five white stars within a field of deep pink. There were a few white streaks in the centre of said pink field, most of them directed towards a star.
Sunset Shimmer was keeping herself occupied deep in the forest near her residence, as she was requested to do by her masters. She didn’t know the reason why they wanted her out of the way, but who was she to go against the people who had taken her from that horrible orphanage. They had raised her, look after her through sickness and made her strong so she could protect herself and Equestia.
And she was sick. She had forgotten nearly all of her past. She couldn’t remember a single thing from her previous life outside of this compound she called home.
Correction she had one thing from that dark past life. It wasn’t much; nothing as luxurious as something physical. It wasn’t even big enough to be a memory; it was a feeling. One she was certain was true; she had a child out there, somewhere.
She could not remember if it was a filly or a colt, she could not remember how old it was, she could not even remember what fur colour it had, or what pony tribe they were. But she knew for certain her child was out there and once she was fully trained and let loose on the word, she would find them.
After that was another matter, if they were happy then just seeing the child would be enough; no point barging in on their life and ruining it. If they were unhappy on the other hoof; oh prey for the poor souls who would be so foolish as to harm a predator’s child.
This was her one piece of the past, and she told no one about it. Sunset was sure her masters would be happy to help, to reunite them and become a family again; but this was something that Sunset needed to do on her own. Having a child so young could not have come from a good place; but she would face those demons and vanquish them with full prejudice.
It would not be easy with so little information available to her; but for a chance to see her child again, it was nothing.
Sunset’s left ear flicked and she moved the book eight millimetres to the right allowing the throwing knife to sail past unheeded and strike the tree branch she was exercising on.
“So there you are. When Master Crane Wing asked you to be discreet I don’t think he meant you had to go two kilometres into the forest. Nice spot by the way.” Sunset Shimmer looked down to her primary mentor, Tempest Shadow, and shrugged.
“He asked for me to be discreet and for my polymorph disguise. Figured it would be easier just to be absent.” Her voice was still fairly monotone and emotionless, but the lessons in faking emotions have paid off. When she actually uses what she has been taught; well she never lost at poker.
“Well come on down. You’re finally getting out of here.” It was with barely a glow before Sunset had silently teleported herself out of the tree and standing next to her mentor. “Jeeze you’re too good at that; can’t even detect the magic build up anymore.”
“It’s my special talent.”
“Keep telling yourself that, so what are you reading? I don’t recognise the cover.” They started walking through the forest without a care; they were the most dangerous things in this forest.
“Predictions and Prophesies” she kept it in her magic but otherwise didn’t reveal any more of it. It was strange being able to look her mentor in the eye; she really has grown.
“I don’t know that one. Where did you get it?”
“Basement of the library”
“The bas–, that’s the restricted section. You’re not meant to set a hoof down there, you know? Not without permission and just cause,” Tempest’s jade eyes narrowed down to slits.
“I have not set a single hoof down there.”
“Then how do you explain having a book that belongs down there in your possession right now?”
‘Left eyebrow raised, eyes still narrowed; no my mentor does not know how I did it. Leaving anyway, so it won’t hurt to tell her. Besides, I have other ways now.’ “Left most bookshelf has sufficient shadow to Shadow Step directly down to the basement; from there use self-levitation to move around. Reconfigure the Phantom Sword spell into a pair of tongs to take books out of the shelves.”
Both eyes were now wide open and staring at her student in a different light. “Wow, well done bypassing all teleport wards, the anti-levitation and anti-thief wards on the book shelves and even all the traps on the stairs and floor. Sigh, Do I want to know how long you’ve been going down there? I’m guessing that since you’re reading a book about prophesies, that you’ve read a lot of the others.”
At least Sunset looked a little guilty when she replied that she had been getting down there for the past four years. Now whether she was actually guilty or not was another matter.
“I’m plugging those holes up you know. You won’t be able to get down there again without permission now.”
“You said I’m leaving so I won’t be able to read them anyway.”
They continued on in silence through the forest until the wooden complex in the trees became visible once more.
Tempest Shadow led her directly to the reception hall where the master of each tribe was waiting for Sunset, apparently.
“Ah, Sunset. When I said to be discreet I actually wanted you close enough to be called upon. Our visitor earlier was upset that she wasn’t able to meet with you before she had to leave. Tell me Tempest, where was young Sunset?”
The pony speaking to the new arrivals was a Pegasus stallion. He was old enough that every piece of colour he may have had was now washed away by time. He was white all over and his right wing was favouring his large walking stick. This was Crane Wing, Master of Pegasi.
The three ponies in front of them were all wearing a ceremonial robe of untarnished white with gold trimming that covered all of their bodies and almost touched the floor, a symbolic statement saying that everything they said while wearing those robes is truthful to the best of their knowledge.
“She was in a clearing two kilometres south, south west of here.” Tempest was precise with her words, clear and full of respect.
“Ah, I know it well. The birds of the forest gather there and create beautiful music. I am pleased to hear you also enjoy such peace.”
Sunset bowed respectfully to the Master of Pegasi.
“Getting back to the topic at hoof. Sunset please remove the polymorph on yourself so you are completely focused on our words.” This was the Master of Unicorn’s who spoke, Bright Lance; a mare who must have been as old as Crane Wing. Her coat was a pale grey while her mane and tail were mostly white with just a speckle of grey scattered throughout. The most striking thing about her was her eyes; they were milky white and clouded. She was blind.
With the smallest of thoughts possible the amber and fire mane form of Sunset Shimmer broke with a flash of light, and in her place was a lavender unicorn with a deep blue mane and tail both containing one streak of pink; her height and body structure remained unchanged by this transformation.
Surprisingly for being blind, the unicorn thanked Sunset for removing the polymorph before continuing with what she had to say. “Normal protocol dictates that now you’ve completed your training with us, we place you within the world where we have yet to reach and influence. However, you are an exception to this; for you we need you to be able to move quickly to situations that require a heavy hoof.
“We have secured you a position which is flexible enough that you can be summoned at short notice and central enough that the established infrastructure is vast. It dose overlap with an agent already established in their location, but as you will be working different cases this will not be a problem.”
The final Master, the Master of the Earth, was an earth stallion named Thunder Stomp. By far the youngest, or perhaps the best aged would be a more appropriate thing to say. His coat was salt and pepper, and his mane and tail were cut so short it was hard to see what colour it was. He looked and sounded like a retired general from the army.
“You shall be acting as a librarian for a small town south west of Canterlot. A place called Ponyville. It is a quiet place, surprising considering its closeness to Canterlot; however it is explained with its proximity to the Everfree Forest. If you find yourself with down time, you can consider protecting the town a secondary objective.”
Crane Wing spoke up once again with an accepting smile on his wrinkled muzzle. “You have trained under Tempest Shadow, as well as all of us. There is little more we can offer you that you would not already be trying out. From the looks of the book sitting next to you, even the restricted section has become a simple challenge for you; though if you have need of it please just ask. We have access to books outside this site, so feel free to request information from us.
“After that all that is left is to remember that you are now a field agent. We do not exist to the world at large. If you are caught in your missions, we cannot help you. If you are found out, you are on your own to become invisible once again. We may be what keeps Equestia peaceful, but that only works if the world fears the dark. Our power is small but focused, that is how we work and how Equestria needs us. Do you understand, child?”
“Yes, Master Crane Wing. I shall not be found lacking.”
“I am sure you will make us proud. You need to be in Vanhoover by seven in the morning to catch the scheduled train to Canterlot City. From there you will need to connect to a different train that will take you south to Ponyville. I am afraid you shall need to acquire that ticket on your own.
“Your train ticket to Canterlot, however, will be waiting for you at Vanhoover Central; simply ask the information desk upon your arrival. The documentation for your new position will be waiting at the reception desk within the Canterlot train station. The desk will also be where you get your ticket to Ponyville.
“We also have some funds for you, to help you blend in and to acquire items that you may need for your new residence. There is one more items that we have prepared for you; Tempest if you would.”
Tempest stood up and left the room, she came back moments later and in her magic was a black body suit exactly like the one she was wearing. With great care, Tempest set it down in front of Sunset before describing the suit in detail.
“This suit is different from mine, it offers moderate stabbing and slashing resistance but its more useful feature, which my current one does not have, is the enchantment Shadow Blend. As the name suggests it assists the wearer by blending the shadows around them, making you harder to detect and allow you to focus on something else. Even your brightly coloured polymorph will be hard to detect within the shadows using this suit.
“Do not wear it in public. Apart from the fact that it is rare to see somepony wear so much clothing, the enchantments are always on when worn so the shadows will start to conceal you even when you don’t want them too.”
Sunset was touched by the gifts that have been bestowed onto her; it was one of the few times that she wished she knew how to properly respond to these kind gestures. “Thank you for such kind gifts. I shall use them to their full potential, I promise you.” Hopefully that was right.
“I am sure you will. Now if you are to make it to Vanhoover by seven it is best to say farewell now; you have a long journey ahead of you, and that is before the train.” The newest agent stood up and bowed respectfully to the three masters before retrieving the pouch of bits and her new body suit.
She left the book where it was when a clearing of the throat reminded her that she wasn’t supposed to have said book. Bowing one more time to her masters she left the room with Tempest right behind her.
“Sigh, what was the book she took from the restricted section Crane Wing?”
“’Predictions and Prophesies’ Bright Lance. I wonder what prediction she was looking into.”
“You know her best out of all of us, Crane Wing. What one do you think?”
“The problem is not which one she was interest in; but which one will happen first, Thunder. That mare has an endless thirst for information” Crane Wings responded.
Thunder Stomp just snorted “I cannot believe some of the things that mare can do, and I taught her some of those things. If she’s interested in that book, maybe we should be taking it more seriously as well.”
“Those reports of trouble beyond our influence you mean.” Bright Lance added to the three’s musings. “Yes, you may very well be right Thunder Stomp. Perhaps it is time our fingers got a longer reach?”
“Perhaps it is” Thunder Stomp nodded, “this new prince appears to be cleaning up Equestria quite nicely with his Royal Information Service. We will still be needed I fear, but hopefully to a lesser extent. Provided this RIS can survive the coming years and we are only marginally needed, then perhaps it is time to venture further afield.”
Crane Wing was only half listening to his counterparts as he flipped through the pages of the lone book. Using his wing tips on each page, Crane Wing finally finds the prophecy he suspects Sunset Shimmer had been reading. One that spoke of the moon and stars, of a one thousand year wait before evil returns.
‘What has garnered your interest in this one? You have been an avid star gazer since you came to us; have you seen something we all have missed?’ He shakes his head before returning to his peer’s discussion of faraway threats; wondering if the next big threat might just be a little closer to home.