//------------------------------// // 141- Melinoë // Story: Changing Expectations // by KKSlider //------------------------------// I stared out across the city through the large window behind the throne. With no glass or protective enchantment, a very slight breeze flowed inwards through the open space. The green gate, which I was beginning to suspect was made entirely of Adamantium, held every last bit of my interest. How could the First Hive have that much Adamantium? Why did they use all of it on a damn door? What broke it downwards? The castle offered a better view of the third central district. From where I was standing, it looked like some sort of railyard. But the structures’ placement and size didn’t make sense if that was the case. If there were for some reason large scale railways going down into the Underhive, then the end of the rails should be in some massive exchange or station. The large square buildings looked more like something you’d see in a dwarvish hold in Tolkien’s universe… “Mother fucker,” I facehoofed. “Did something happen?” Luna asked me as she walked up from behind. “I have a hunch that that district over there is some sort of forge. From my understanding, it takes a lot to forge Adamantium and Mithril. If the First Hive was using those materials in bulk, which, judging by the color of that shattered gate, they were, then they would need some sort of massive forge complex to handle lots of it.” “How did you reach the conclusion that those buildings are forges? They could be anything. I see no smokestacks, no anvils, no discernable details at this distance.” “There exists many parallels between this world and Earth. Those buildings remind me of dwarvish architecture, a roughly fictional race conceptualized and popularized by a series of books. It just… looks dwarvish, I dunno. Angular architecture, underground city, love for digging and metal…. Maybe changelings are dwarves. Every Hive has some sort of connection to the underground– especially the Underhive, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Third Hive had its own somewhere. Keeping the Masquerade Protocol in mind, keeping your numbers underground would have been the best way to stay undetected. The comparison to dwarves falls apart there, as dwarves are notoriously greedy, while changelings are just starving. And I’m a bit too tall to be considered a dwarf.” I glanced at my changelings in the room, and compared them to the ponies also present. We were on average slightly shorter. “Then again, royals are outliers,” I muttered. “That is… interesting,” Luna said. “Are there more comparisons to Earth that you can draw?” “Other than the fact that every single species on Equus is present on earth, either physically or through mythology, except for changelings? Well, changelings exist in myth too, but I don’t think they were ever insectoid, just shapeshifters. They stole babies or something. If you’re asking for specific cultural comparisons…. All I have seen are ponies, and you are rather unique in that regard. Plato’s Republic never existed on Earth as we had no immortals.” “Plato’s Republic? Define that, if you would.” I shrugged, “A republic centered around a benevolent immortal. No need for real elections when you can implicitly trust someone to always have the best interest at heart.” “Were that true…” Luna stared into the distance. “Oh no you don’t!” I grunted before pulling her into a kiss. She blinked in surprise, and smiled after I broke it. “I am glad to have you by my side, Phasma. Had you arrived a thousand years prior, I doubt I would have ever visited the moon…” I snorted, “Nah, I’d totally enable your behavior or something like that. I’m not exactly a paragon of virtue, Luna.” “You care when and where it counts. Mostly. We shall work on that, though. You are not completely hopeless.” “That gate leads to the Underhive then?” Celestia asked, apparently eavesdropping from the other side of the throne. “Shouldn’t we be concerned about that?” I shrugged, “I warned Shining Armor. But it was broken outwards, not inwards, and this city has been desolate for thousands of years. We’re keeping watch on it, but unless there’s monsters hiding inside the city, which we haven’t discounted yet, we should be good. How long have you been listening to our conversation?” “Roughly all of it. I apologize, I didn’t really mean to eavesdrop, I just came here for the view.” “You didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you didn’t make yourself known or scarce?” “I… no, I did not.” Celestia coughed, “I see why that’s an issue.” “Mhmm?” “I’m sorry, Phasma and Luna. I am unused to being… to having equals,” she admitted while openly feeling guilty. Luna noticed the same thing I did, “So then you spy on your subordinates?” Celestia cringed, “Oh heavens, look at the time. It’s time for me to leave.” “No, you get back here!” Luna called out, chasing the fleeing alicorn. “And she wonders why I distrust Celestia,” I shook my head. “Your Majesty,” a changeling appeared by my side, saluting. “There is something you should see.” “You can run from your problems, but you cannot run from me!” Luna yelled as she tackled Celestia. “I, uh… yes, what is it?” I mumbled to the changeling. “Follow me, sir,” she said. The changeling led me over to another empty window frame, where a pony and another changeling were quietly talking. When I arrived, the changeling saluted and the pony, a pegasus turned to see what he was saluting. When the pegasus saw me, I tasted an outburst of anger and hatred, but the pegasus nodded politely to me before stepping away and quickly leaving. “I get the feeling I might have personally given him a smackdown or two,” I muttered to the two changelings. “It’s… okay, My King,” the second changeling said. “Not all the Royal Guards are particularly happy with changelings after Canterlot, but things have been improving.” “So long as they don’t do something stupid… What did I need to see?” The first changeling pointed to the snow on the windowsill, “There, sir. Look at the snow.” I leaned over and examined it. “Hoof prints.” She nodded, “Yes, sir. Someone’s been here.” I nodded, “Our brave explorer, no doubt.” I looked out the window. The university-looking district, whatever its real name and purpose, lay outside it. The Weave wasn’t providing an answer, so it was likely the Weave’s information had deteriorated over time, or something similar to that effect. “We think the pony came in for a view of the throne room here, then set off for the research district over there,” a changeling told me. “Then I think we have our next destination. Go inform Captain Shining Armor that once the outer district close to us is secured, we are heading to the university.” The changelings saluted, “Yes, My king.” They buzzed off, only to be replaced by a cross Luna and a remorseful Celestia. “Phasma, Celestia has something to say to you,” Luna announced. Celestia sighed, “I’m sorry for spying on you, Phasma. You too, Luna.” Luna shook her head, “I told Phasma he can trust you. This is not indicative of being trustworthy.” “I’m sorry! I just… live vicariously through others,” Celestia sighed. “It’s become an addiction at this point. Day in and day out of listening to nobles blather on about nothing has left me with cravings for normality. I… I think I have a lot of apologies to make. But I promise to make amends with those ponies.” Luna grunted and looked at me. “What, that’s it? You were caught doing something downright abusive of your station, and you just… realized what you’re doing wrong and apologized this quickly? Is she for real, Luna?” She nodded, “I know her better than anypony, and I can say with certainty that she is remorseful.” I stared at them for a second. Celestia gave me puppy-dog eyes. “Fucking ponies,” I sighed heavily. “Just… don’t do it again.” ‘I’ve got much, much bigger things to worry about than this soap-opera drama.’ Celestia brightened up, “Thank you, Phasma. I promise you that your patience will not go unrewarded!” “You arranged for the vacation, so I’ll give you a little leeway. But seriously, if I catch you doing anything scheming or scheming-related behind my back again, there’s going to be some serious issues.” “I– oh!” Celestia gasped. “Of course you would see it that way. Let me just say that I would never take action against a friend, Phasma. I’m sorry I even made you feel unsafe around me.” I blinked, “Uh… right.” Awkwardly, I shuffled back to staring out the window. Celestia chuckled behind me, “It’s never too late to learn new lessons, or retread old ones. I should write that down, that’s excellent teaching material…” “You and I have very different opinions on ‘excellent teaching material,’” I muttered, “but speaking of teaching, our guards have notified me of something interesting. These are hoof tracks in this snow.” I grunted an acknowledgement as I continued to ignore the message being sent over the Weave. ‘Really, that thing is just getting annoying now. The sooner I leave this room, the better. I’m not foolish enough to mess with that gem to get it to shut up. As nice as that crown is, I think I’d rather not touch it yet….’ Luna and Celestia walked up and inspected the window. “Furthermore, I suspect– that is to say, my changelings suspect and I am totally stealing credit for the idea– that whoever made these hoofprints likely headed to the research district over there. That’s the connection to teaching, by the way. When Shining gives the all-clear, I want to investigate there next. Should I… put it to a vote?” “I do not believe that is necessary, but I appreciate the gesture,” Celestia said. “I shall inform the guards of our next trajectory.” With that, Celestia sauntered off to harass whatever ponies found themselves in her way. Luna sighed, “We are in the early stages of cooperation, some hiccups are to be expected. I am certain that things will be smoothed out over time.” I eyed her wearily, “She admitted that she spies on her subjects. That seems kinda like a big deal.” “You heard her; she is starved of friendship, and seeks it in any form she can find it. Celestia will become a better pony after this small affair. Besides, I am sure that they will forgive you in short order for more or less ordering the early embarkation of this expedition.” “Sounds like you ponies are just walking soap-operas, then. Constant drama followed immediately by forgiveness. You could write a show about that.” It turns out, every single one of our guesses were right. The pony who had ventured into the city before us was in the large university-looking area, which was indeed the research district. She had seen us arrive and had seen us heading to her current hideout, and so had sallied out to meet us. “I see you brought some friends, King Phasma!” Daring Do yelled as she came in for a landing just outside the research district. “Mind introducing us?” I frowned, “You’re too far to confirm your identity. Tell me something only you and I would know.” I saw her shrug, “Is the fact that I saved your life not enough? In the ritual chamber, I’m the one who woke you up.” “Good enough. Come closer, and you might find that you recognize some of my new friends!” “Somepony you know?” Shining quirked an eyebrow. “She tried looting the Third Hive.” “... Oh no, do not tell me–” Daring Do had gotten close enough now to recognize who I was with. Given that they were wearing armor, missing their wings was an easy enough thing to do. “Oh, Princesses!” She exclaimed before bowing. “Rise, Agent Daring Do,” Celestia commanded. “There is no need for such formalities so far away from Canterlot’s throne.” “No, no, no, no, no,” Shining mumbled. “Daring Do, meet Captain Shining Armor, someone who thinks you don’t exist,” I smiled. “That’s the idea, King Phasma. Have you contacted my colleagues about the cultural exchange I asked for?” “.... I knew I was forgetting something. There’s probably a lot more things I’m forgetting, but I should really write that down.” “What is Agent Daring talking about, Phasma?” Celestia asked. “Uh… part of the cultural and scientific exchange between our people.” Daring nodded, “I have some friends who would do anything for the opportunity to properly study changelings. I guess I’ll just have to do everything myself and submit a written request, then?” “That would be the fastest solution, yes,” Celestia said. “I’ll look for your name in my incoming mail.” “Do you still have my contact information?” Daring looked at me. “I think so.” “Great. I’ve got some questions I need answered, and if any more occur to me, I’d like to write to you to get those answers. Where are you living?” “In Canterlot Castle.” “... Moving on up in the world, I see.” “I’d ask you how much of the past two weeks you’ve heard about, but I’m more concerned with where we are now, and how much you know about this place, and what you’ve done so far.” “Are we not going to talk about the fact that she’s Daring Do?! You know, the fictional explorer?!” Shining yelled. “You’re a character in books! How…” “I write about my adventures under a pseudonym. It brings in more bits, it’s fun, and I want to. That’s all there is to it, Captain Shining Armor.” Celestia frowned, “Are you not being compensated enough under S.M.I.L.E.? I can increase your pay if needed.” “You paid us enough, Your Highness. The writing just makes me sorta rich. And, uh…. S.M.I.L.E. is gone now. I’m a wanted criminal, as I’ve found out,” Daring shifted awkwardly. “I just realized that you’re probably going to arrest me.” “That won’t be necessary,” Celestia chuckled. “Last I checked, you were uninvolved in The Division’s wrongdoings. Consider yourself pardoned for being forced into Division-P against your own will.” “Ah, thank you, Princess,” Daring half-bowed. Shining groaned, “This is horseapples! Gah, how would Twilly even react to this…?” Daring sighed, “Do not share my existence with others, Captain. As an Agent… as an explorer, I’d rather keep my existence a secret. It creates more problems if ponies start seeking me out.” “I would have you reinstated as an Agent,” Celestia said, “if you accept. I will have to recreate S.M.I.L.E., but I am sure you will have a place in it.” “That’s very kind of you, Princess. I think I’d like that. So long as you don’t stick me with a rookie or partner, at least.” The shrunken alicorn giggled, “I remember that demand of yours, don’t worry.” "Alright! Fine! I guess Daring Do exists!" Shining threw his hooves up. "Is there anyone else I should know about? Are you going to tell me the foal's book character Barney the Dragon is real? Based on somepony?" “This city. What do you know about it?” I steered the conversation back on track. Daring blinked, “Oh, yes. It’s your average forgotten city, though this one has an abundance of snow and ice. Interesting ruins, nothing left that wouldn’t decay over time… it’s several hundred years old, at least.” “Several thousand,” I corrected her. “... What do you know of it, changeling king?” “It’s name is Nisir, and it is the First Hive, the oldest known changeling civilization.” Daring huffed, “Figures you’d find out more despite only being here for a day.” “Yeah well, I got most of the answers from its Weave. Speaking of which, you saw the changeling king’s skeleton and his glowing crown in the throne room?” She nodded, “I did. And I remembered what happened last time I touched a dead changeling king, so I stayed far away. Figured you’d appreciate that.” “I do.” Daring chuckled, “Ha! I knew it.” “What else have you discovered about this city?” ‘Other than the fact that we’re dwarves, apparently.’ She pointed to the buildings behind her, “This place over here is the city’s university and magical lab. Or at least, it used to be. Time has gutted most of its contents, but there’s enough left to keep us busy studying it for generations. I mean, seriously! There’s some weird machines and contraptions in there that I can only guess what they’re for. Also, I think they stored information in crystals. They used books as well, judging by the empty book shelves, but I found some glowing crystals on a few shelves. Makes me think that they’re used as some sort of information storage device.” “You had my attention. Now, you have my interest. Take me to them, I might be able to use them.” “I was thinking that as well, King Phasma. I’m kinda glad to see you here, to be honest. So long as you share what you find, the crystals are all yours.” I smiled, “Lead the way.” The interior of the research facility was, just as Daring implied, unfortunately barren at times. Occasionally, we would see metal pans, toppled machines, and other debris in the halls and rooms. Little and large things that managed to survive the eternity spent abandoned, though had not made it through the passage of time unscathed. Daring Do led us to the laboratory she was currently cooped up in. Spending several days in the frozen city had meant that she had to find a place insulated enough to keep warmth, and the lab she chose kept enough warmth for her to make it her campsite. On tables and shelves that lined the room, Daring Do had placed and catalogued her findings. A thieving spelunker though she was, Daring Do was an archeologist at heart. A certain degree of professionalism was found in her method of organization; from suspected identity to location of origin, each item had a paper attached or next to it that described each object. In addition to her trophies from her kleptomania, the room also held a number of machines. They were all too complex for me to figure out what each did at a glance, but a few were familiar in build. Too familiar. “This here is my hidey-hole. You’re welcome to visit, but I don’t intend on leaving anytime soon,” Daring announced as she invited us in. “I see you’ve visited the entire city,” Celestia said, examining a few of the labeled curia. “I have. Some places I’ve examined less thoroughly than others, and many things I had to leave untouched as I was unsure how safe it was to move them, but I have a list of everything I have found in this place, located here or otherwise.” My breath caught in my throat when I saw one of the machines. It was pushed up against a wall to make room for a large table that held the remains of some clockwork contraption. The machine was familiar. I had seen something like it once before, months ago. Daring continued, “I’m actually running somewhat low on firewood to burn to keep warm. I was intending on making a run to Shimmervale, but now that you’re all here, I’m sure you won’t mind helping me fell a tree for firewood.” ‘–drills, saws, empty glass vials, what looked like a faucet in the back, and strange contraptions with pipes and containers–’ I slowly pushed the table out of the way, so that I could get a better look at the machine. Symbols were etched upon its surface. I had seen one just like it back in the Fourth Hive. I had seen one in the Ascension chamber’s laboratory, and later had found a book belonging to the First Hive. With a trembling hoof, I brushed the surface of the machine. Frost cleared away, revealing a three pointed crown. A glowing, three pointed crown. ‘–The last page of the recovered section showed a royal with a large crown, and changelings bowing to them. There was a circle on the center of the crown that seemed to radiate out something. Light, energy, I couldn’t tell–’ “Ascension,” I gasped. “Phasma!” Luna yelled, appearing at my side. Just in time too, as my legs suddenly fell out from underneath me and I collapsed into Luna’s forelegs. The ponies and changelings look to me with equal parts confusion and fear. “Ascension,” I repeated, the pain in my voice clear as day, even to myself. “What is it, Phasma? What about Ascension?” Luna asked, hugging me tightly. “It was here, in the First Hive,” I gasped, not taking my eyes off the horrible machine. “A synthetic Weave. That’s what the Ascension process was for! We were butchered to make lesser versions of Panar’s Gift! How many of my family… How long have we been trying to achieve its greatness again…? How many were sacrificed?” “You’re having a panic attack, Phasma. Just breathe in and out,” Luna whispered to me. “I’m here for you. You’re safe, with friends. Just breathe.” When I snapped out of it, I found myself wrapped up in a blanket, with Luna pressed to my side in the blanket. “Luna?” She looked up and smiled, “You are back. I was worried there, Phasma.” “The machines–” I began to say, but saw that the lobotomizer had covered by a sheet. “Do not worry about them. This is just an unfortunate, unexpected reminder…” I looked around; the changelings and ponies had more or less set up in the room, securing the place and directing reconnaissance squads from the research district. Celestia, Shining, and Daring Do were discussing an ancient object that resembled a clock. “I… I’m sorry,” I whispered. “There is nothing to be ashamed of,” Luna replied. “This is unbecoming of a king–” “Had we found ourselves in a room resembling the moon, I would think that our positions would be exactly reversed,” Luna cut me off. “We all have our demons. Us two more than anyone else. But we also have each other. Lean against me, so that I can lean against you.” “... Okay. Where did this blanket come from?” “Daring Do had volunteered it. Extra supplies are being retrieved from the surface for her in return, as she has plenty of insight to offer. If it is alright with you, we would like her to stay in this city as long as she wants…” ‘Daring Do seems competent enough. No more freeing villains, at least. That’s my job.’ I sniffed, “.... Okay. She didn’t mess with Panar’s Gift, so I guess she learned her lesson on not touching MacGuffins. Just… make sure she doesn’t break anything. Especially the gem.” Luna nodded, “I would think an archeologist would understand the importance of not disturbing their findings, but I will be sure to pass your worries along. She seems… amiable to you. You saved her life, correct?” I nodded. “Then she will take your order to heart. Speaking of, she is headed our way.” The pegasus approached us cautiously. From her emotions, I tasted what I assumed to be concern. A bit of fear mixed in with the smallest traces of love. “King Phasma, I’m glad to see that you’re alright,” she began. “I’m f– I’ll be fine, in a minute,” I admitted. Daring nodded slowly, “You kinda freaked out there. Normally I would tease you about something like that, but considering you faced down The Prophet and certain death without any fear, I just kinda got concerned that a machine made you lose your marbles. If The Prophet couldn’t scare you, then what the hell did? Your changelings and friends filled me in, and… I, uh… Yeah.” “Yeah,” I agreed. “... I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through, but I still would like your help. You’ve identified one of this room’s mysteries immediately, and I’ve got a lot more stockpiled. With your help…” I let out a shaky breath, “Just give me a minute.” Luna squeezed me tighter, and Daring nodded once more. She left to talk again with Celestia and Shining Armor, leaving me alone with Luna. “I have seen it countless times,” Luna told me. “Though it is only now, in this age, do we finally understand it. PTSD, as Twilight told me.” I nodded, and she continued, “It is not something to be ashamed of. Ponies have been suffering it since swords first clashed. Just do not let yourself suffer alone, Phasma.” “I know.” “I know you know, I just am concerned that you will try to keep this burden to yourself. I’ve lost many, many friends that way.” I looked down at Luna, and stared her in the eyes. The sadness she felt spoke volumes about the pain she endured in her time. ‘She’s lost lots of friends to suicide…?’ “I won’t leave you like that, Luna,” I said. “You’re stuck with me. I just… I’m the one who always falls apart, while you always seem to be in control of yourself.” Luna smirked, “That just means I get more snuggling time. It is crucial to a pony’s health that they get the required amount of hugs each month, and I have been running a deficit for a thousand years.” I chuckled, “At least you get something out of this mess.” ‘Does that mean that Luna is starved of physical contact? In any case, I’ll never be against hugging these cuddly ponies. They are all adorable… and delicious, but they don’t like being told that. If Luna needs hugs to remind her she’s not alone anymore, I’m happy to help.’ “Sometimes, I fear that when I awaken in the morning, I will find myself on the moon, alone,” Luna whispered. “That this has all been a dream my mind has conjured in the passing centuries.” ‘That answers that question.’ “You don’t need to be afraid of letting go of me, but you can keep hugging me all you want,” I told her. “I intend to.” “Good. I love you, Luna.” “I love you too, Phasma.” A few minutes later, Daring Do returned. She had something under her wing. “Are you ready?” She asked me. “I am. I presume you’re going to show me what’s under your wing?” Daring Do flinched, “What?” “How do you know she had something under her wing?” Luna asked. “I… isn’t it obvious?” “No,” Luna shook her head. “I do have something. The fact that you knew is a good sign, I guess?” Daring suggested. Then, extending out her wing, she revealed three crystals set in metal rings. “These seem to be some sort of recording devices, and I was hoping you knew of a way of activating them. The fact that you could sense them proves that my hopes were placed well.” I cleared my throat, “In that case, I’ll stay seated here with Luna. The last time we were in an abandoned Hive, I had visions of the past. If these give me visions again, Luna can make sure I don’t break my nose when I collapse.” “Sounds like a plan,” Luna winked. “Keep hugging the bug.” “They were in an order,” Daring muttered to herself. “I think it was… this one first?” She grabbed one of the crystals, and offered it to me. I tried picking it up with my magic, only for the crystal to glow green, and my vision blackened. A changeling princess hunched over her desk, speaking into a microphone. Only, the part she was leaning towards was the crystal and metal disk that I had touched. I was floating beside her, watching her. The recording showed a small circle of existence centered around the crystal; the princess’s workshop was cluttered with tools, papers, and other lab equipment. The princess herself was a pale gold changeling royal, with a few scars on her face. Interestingly, she lacked any holes in her hooves and the rest of her body. Whatever ancient changelings ate, it was clearly enough to keep away the effects of starvation. Or, the royals had hoarded food even back during our golden age. I wouldn’t have been surprised. “Log number eleven-dash-beta. Princess Arista Narmer, first of my name, et cetera, et cetera. Scouts have reported Ur’s fate; the city is dead, just as we feared but dared to hope otherwise. We can't glean its fate from its corpse, so as per the Masquerade Protocol, the city was scuttled. With Ur’s death, Nisir is the last of the Seven Jewels. One less bitter ought to be less surprised than this; we alone have access to the Crystal Empire, and thus, hunger is never an issue for us. But Ur’s death stings no less by this fact. We are alone now. The only Hive.” Princess Arista slumped over, pushing a pencil across her desk. “Such a concept is… terrifying. We have survived so much… I am not alone with these fears. Emperor Megatypus ordered the construction of the Arc Project; Tiamat Station is to be retrofitted for the worst possible outcome. Should Nisir fall, then Tiamat, being the most isolated and secure station, will be the heir of the Hive Eternal. However, with its isolation, food becomes an issue. Project Warmth has…. Failed.” She spun her chair around, looking somewhere outside of view. “No crystal from the Crystal Empire can withstand the stress needed to form a new Crystal Heart. However, there are promising surveys from Panar’s Labyrinth. Given its proximity to Panar’s Labyrinth, Project Warmth will be completely transferred over to the research station Tiamat. Overseeing the project….” Her voice became more and more distorted towards the end, eventually breaking off completely into static. Once again, everything faded from view. I slowly awakened, finding myself once again in Luna’s hooves. “I’ll never get tired of waking up to you,” I said, yawning. Luna blushed, “What did you see, Romeo?” “Is that a Shakespeare reference? I would have thought he would have lived during your absence.” “Shakespony was a playwright while I was still in Equestria. What did you see?” Luna pressed again. Daring Do nodded, “Please, I’m dying to know.” I explained what I saw, giving an abridged version of what I saw. “The Crystal Empire,” Luna whispered. “That is not a name I have heard in a long time. The Crystal Heart, as well. The changelings were trying to replicate it, too. That is… the least surprising thing I have heard in a long time. Of course your kind would be attracted to it like moths to a flame. No offense, Phasma.” “None taken, what was special about it?” “It projected a field that kept the Crystal Empire safe from the winter gales outside its field. It was powered by love and positive feelings, so I imagine it was an excellent source of food for Nisir.” My eyes widened, “Free food? Yeah, that sounds like something we’d be interested in. Hey wait a second, doesn’t the Princess of Food have a heart made of crystal on her ass?” “The Princess of what?” Daring repeated. “Cadence does have the Crystal Heart as a Cutie Mark. Celestia believes she is distantly related to the city’s dynasty,” Luna confirmed. “That’s… interesting.” “It is. Perhaps she will lead us to discover the city’s fate? It would not be surprising if her Cutie Mark has more meaning than just love and family. Do not tell Cadence this, as Celestia and I wish to keep it a secret from her. We do not want to burden her with the idea that she must find the ruins of her relative’s civilization, or something equally horrid.” “Okay?” ‘I guess I can keep that a secret from her. Worst case scenario, I shift the blame onto Luna and Celestia if she gets mad at me. Or maybe just Celestia.’ “You too, Agent Daring Do.” “My lips are sealed, Princess.” Luna nodded once. “Good. Now, this… Tiamat station?” I shrugged, “Maybe it’s the Second Hive? If they made it the official fallback point of Nisir, then it would make sense if the survivors went there.” “I see. Panar’s Labyrinth?” “Never heard of it,” I shrugged. “Still, a remarkable discovery,” Daring wrote down some notes. “Showing you these was the right move. Six other cities like this place, though if the comment about scuttling them was true, then we probably won’t find them.” “Six more dwarven holds,” I chuckled. “Shame about that. I guess they were vital to keeping the Masquerade Protocol intact, but we became restricted by the Protocol; it’s kinda hard to create a brand new city within a mountain without the locals finding out.” “Dwarven holds? What are those?” Daring looked up from her notepad. “I’ll explain later. The second recording?” Daring Do retrieved another crystal, and offered it. “I’ll finish writing some notes and theories while you’re knocked out, I guess.” I tried picking up the recording, and once again the abyss claimed me. I was in the same small bubble of a workshop again, though this time it was a lot messier. Pieces of paper had become piles, and several pieces of broken tools littered the floor. In the center of her work space, Princess Arista had a massive diagram of some sort of spell. From what I could tell, it looked to be related to consciousness and the Weave. The symbols I recognized helped me reach that conclusion, but offered no further insight. She cleared her throat, “Log number five-dash-theta. Princess Arista Narmer, first of my name, so on. We have made a breakthrough on Project Ether. This Weave-adjacent plane of existence is traversable in some manner, though the only skilled traveler is the alicorn Princess Luna. Given the Masquerade Protocol, we cannot converse with the young immortal.” I chuckled at the thought of Luna meeting changelings early. “However, with the right adjustments, changeling royals can access the Ether. Our first small, restricted foray into the Weave-adjacent realm has yielded spectacular results; contact has been made with life forms not of this world. Utterly alien and completely unique, we have begun the study of these apparitions. Volunteers were found, and so the creatures have been granted physical form. One particular subject has shown exceptional intelligence, suggesting sapience…” The recording had cut off much more abruptly, flinging me back to consciousness ungracefully. “Shining reports excellent progress, and no activity at the center-gate. The Underhive sleeps soundly, and we are not disturbing its slumber,” Celestia’s voice welcomed me back to the waking world. “Speaking of slumber, It seems Phasma has awakened once more,” Luna said as I stirred and opened my eyes. “Shorter recording this time,” I grunted. “I had missed your earlier explanation,” Celestia said, “but I am glad to be here for this one. I’m also glad to see that you’re okay, Phasma.” “Huh? Oh, right… I fainted. Yeah… I’ve got a beautiful mare to tend to my needs, so I lived. Barely.” “The most beautiful in all the lands,” Luna said, dramatically flipping her mane back. “What did this vision entail?” I explained the second recording’s contents to the ponies. Luna shivered, “To think that they were spying on me, so long ago… Thank Faust they did not act against us. If Nisir is what they achieved when they worked towards city-building, I shudder to think of what they could build if they had put their minds towards war.” “Probably not enough to win,” I guessed. “Changeling legends state that we fought Equestrians in open-warfare long, long, long ago. We were so thoroughly defeated that we decided to conceal our existence.” “I recall no legends of such battles,” Luna said, tilting her head. “I doubt we would have left any intact, if we could help it. Anyways, the things they found in the Dreamscape…” “They could be Nightmares,” Luna voiced my thought. “Yeah. That could be why Nightmares are so interested in our extinction; maybe we were the ones to kick the bee’s nest?” “Would certainly explain a few things,” Celestia muttered. “Perhaps. There is one more crystal, maybe it can confirm these suspicions…” “In you go,” Daring cheered as she held up the last recording crystal. And in I went. Princess Arista Narmer was not in her lab. She was standing in a hallway, front of a metal door, one with a glass window. She stared through its window, writing down notes that I couldn’t read. She levitated the crystal before her, so that she could speak into it while working. I could not see anything through the glass window, unfortunately. “Log number ninety-dash-omicron. Princess Arista Narmer. Cooperation with subject 001, codenamed ‘Epitaph’ has yielded substantial amounts of information.” ‘Aha! Gotcha now, bastard!’ I cheered. ‘Now I have your origin story! That means I’m allowed to defeat you, villain!’ Princess Arista continued, finishing her notes and flipping to an earlier point in her notepad, “Subject 001, codename ‘Epitaph’ has requested to be referred to as its own self chosen name. Following repeated successful attempts at cooperation, this luxury was granted. Additionally, cooperation with the lesser instances has been in our favor, and so the luxury was extended to those instances as well.” Princess Arista lowered her notepad, instead focusing all of her attention on the glass window. “Henceforth, Subject 001, codename "Epitaph" shall be referred to as its self-designated name..” Her voice distorted and broke off into static, but this time, the vision did not end. “– name…” She attempted to say, but broke into static again. The door and wall around it melted away, leaving just me and Princess Arista standing on a metal floor. “– name…” A voice, deep and rumbling, echoed forth from the abyss beyond. “This world's death shall be my legacy. Upon its gravestone, I will carve its Epitaph. The last words ever spoken shall be my name.” Tendrils of inky black liquid curled onto the platform, gripping it and writhing around each other. Two eyes appeared in the darkness beyond our sphere of existence. Green colored, with red slitted pupils. Purple smoke billowed from the eyes, a sign of corruption, if what Luna told me was correct. The eyes stared at me. Not Princess Arista. Me. “The Apex Predator of Equus. The Devourer of The Sun,” Epitaph growled, stepping out from the shadow. His form materialized around him; hooves connected to legs, which in turn connected to his barrel. He had smoky grey fur, and a billowing black mane that shielded his neck. Atop his face, one long horn curved backwards, like a changeling drone. It blazed in black-purple flame, flickering without light. He bared his fangs, and his deep voice reverberated in my own chest. “King Sombra, Lord of the Umbrum.”