A couple days later, as the sun sinks toward the horizon over Ponyville, a chariot pulled by two Lunar Defenders touches down in front of the library. A small figure in a black cloak hops out and looks around. The guards unhitch from their vehicle and stand before the Scarlet Filly.
“Check the remains of the library. Make sure the princess is alright.”
Saluting, the pair head into the burned out trunk. Returning a few minutes later they run up to Scootaloo.
“There’s nopony here, ma’am!”
Scootaloo hops back into the chariot. “Fly me to the orphanage. Maybe she took shelter there.”
Hitching back up to the chariot, they spread their wings and fly. A few minutes later they touch down in front of the Little Hooves Orphanage. Scootaloo looks around the outside of the building for a moment before turning to the guards.
“No light on that I can see. One of you head inside and see if Princess Twilight is here. The other will go to Light’s Hope and check that building.”
They salute and go their separate ways as Scootaloo tosses each of them a key. Grabbing the orphanage’s front door handle to insert the key, the entire handle mechanism falls to the ground with a colossal thud. Scootaloo shakes her head as the stallion walks inside. Looking around, the guard shines his flashlight from place to place in the Main Hall. Glancing outside he spots Scootaloo’s glowing red eyes as she investigates the outside. Gasping, he stumbles back a few paces before composing himself and continuing as he mutters to himself.
“Those red eyes creep me right out!”
Sometime later both guards reconvene. Scootaloo walks around the side of the orphanage and approaches them.
“Report.”
“Light’s Hope was locked up tight. No lights in the windows. I used the key you gave me and looked inside. Nopony was there, but it did appear that renovations had just completed.”
Scootaloo puts a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. “Decimus did mention that to me. He’s supposed to return to take full possession of the base tomorrow.”
She turns to the other guard.
“How about the inside of the orphanage?”
“The orphanage was completely devoid of anypony and appears to have been that for at least a day or so.”
“How can you tell?”
“It was the same temperature inside as it was outside. Therefore nopony’s been running the units to condition the air in any way.”
“Ma’am, I did notice that the road from the orphanage to Light’s Hope was covered with tracks. Pony, griffon, foal, and youngling alike.”
Scootaloo sighs. “Yes, I noticed that too. Not a good sign.”
“Could Princess Twilight have simply packed up and left.”
The other guard nods. “Perhaps she’s on her way back to Canterlot as we speak.”
Scootaloo heads for the chariot. “Possibly, but unlikely. Fly me over the town and we’ll see if her chariot’s around.”
Saluting, they quickly do so. Scootaloo looks down from the vehicle as they fly as low as they dare. Spotting something she points a hoof.
“There’s the princess’ chariot up ahead. Land there.”
Hopping out, she runs over to the chariot and looks it over.
“This has been sitting her for a day or so.”
“Ma’am?”
Scootaloo points to the ground. “The wheels have sunk into the mud from that heavy rain we had the other night.”
She turns and walks back to her chariot.
“Raise Canterlot so we can contact Decimus.”
One of the guards reaches for a radio in the chariot and presses a few buttons before giving it to Scootaloo.
“Scarlet Filly to Canterlot. Come in please.”
“This is Canterlot. What do you see over there, my dear?”
“The library along with Light’s Hope and the orphanage are all deserted. There’s nopony here.”
Decimus groans. “Did you locate Princess Twilight’s chariot?”
“Yes sir. I’m standing right next to it. Judging from the amount the wheels have sunk into the mud I would say it hasn’t moved in days.”
“And her guards? Any bodies?”
“None. But they certainly visited the library. I’ve got fresh hoofprints going both into and out of here.”
“Did you send your guards to investigate the building’s interiors?”
“Yes sir. All three buildings have been fully searched inside and out. None of them are here.”
Decimus taps his desk. “It doesn’t make any sense. My sources state that the former Hero of Light along with his ship are still in Abyssinia.”
“Who could have done this then?”
“Hero of Light Arc MUST be behind it! Nopony else would be that brazen! Did you see any human-shaped prints in the mud.”
“None, sir. What should our next step be?”
“I’ll speak to Princess Celestia first thing tomorrow morning. Break the news to her gently. We can go from there.”
“Good luck, sir.”
Decimus sighs. “Thanks. I’ll need it. Feel free to use my quarters in Light’s Hope to get some rest before flying back here. Decimus out.”
Scootaloo gives the radio back to the guard and sighs.
“Princess Celestia isn’t going to be pleased to hear about this. But in any case, would you two like a few hours’ sleep before we head back to Canterlot?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“It’s a rather long trip for wings.”
“Fine. Let’s head back to Light’s Hope. But I still want to back at the castle by dawn.”
Making the walk, the guard with the appropriate key unlocks the door and holds it open for his companion and Scootaloo. Turning, she looks at them, her eyes aglow in the darkened Main Hall.
“Head for the barracks and get some sleep. We’ll head back at first light.”
They salute and walk away. Scootaloo gazes around the renovated entryway. New, more expensive looking furniture fills the room. Looking up, she frowns.
“There was a mural up there when I was here with Big Brother. Decimus had it painted over. Probably to try and cover up the fact he ever existed. At least in his mind.”
Walking down the corridor, Scootaloo comes to a large round metal door. She puts a hoof on it for a moment as she looks around.
“This looks original. Some kind of security vault.”
Shrugging, she turns and makes her way toward Arc’s quarters. Coming to a very ornate looking door, she pulls a key from her cloak and unlocks it. Entering, dim lights immediately come to life via a sensor. Scootaloo looks around clearly disgusted. Luxurious furniture now lines the perimeter with numerous expensive looking paintings and rugs. Heading to the bedroom Scootaloo removes her cloak and tosses it onto a gold-plated chest of drawers. Hopping up onto the bed she lays down and reaches for the lamp. Something on the nightstand catches her eye though.
“What the…?”
She spots a gem-encrusted picture frame. Picking it up she sees a smiling, winking, unicorn with a dark purple coat and a broken horn. Scootaloo shudders as she puts the frame back where she found it.
“Now THAT’S scary!”
Turning off the light, she rolls over and sighs. Laying there for a few moments the little filly looks back at the picture. Reaching over, she gives it a turn to face away from the bed.
“That’s better.”
Taking a deep breath, Scootaloo calls out.
“Big Brother? Can you hear me?”
Arc reaches out to her telepathically. “Yes. How are things going over there?”
“Decimus sent me to Ponyville to check on Princess Twilight. I told him she wasn’t here just like you wanted me to.”
“Good. What did he tell you to do?”
“Spend the night here at Light’s Hope before flying back in the morning.”
“Is my base a lot different?”
“Yeah. Lots of fancy furniture, expensive flooring, art, and gold plated stuff around here at the moment.”
“Ugh. Sounds more like a country club now.”
“The good news is that the vault doesn’t appear to have been touched.”
“I wonder if that was an oversight on his part.”
“You did tell me that it was supposed to be really secure though. Maybe he just couldn’t get it open.”
“Or he’s got more important things to do.”
“What’s in there anyways?”
“A ton of bits.”
Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. “Big Brother?”
“That’s a bunch of paychecks for being the Hero of Light. It’s going to be used to build us a house when I retire.”
“I wondered why you wanted me to check on that.”
“At the time I was more worried that Decimus might have used it to support his Council of Shadows, or something. But let’s get back on topic here. What did Decimus say about your report?”
“That he’d wait until tomorrow to tell Celestia. Honestly I would have thought he’d have wanted to do it as soon as possible.”
“All I can figure is that Celestia is like her sister and niece in that regard. Cranky if you wake them up in the middle of the night.”
Arc chuckles to himself. Scootaloo frowns.
“What’s so funny?”
“I just learned something.”
“Big Brother?”
“I’m braver than Decimus.”
“…what?”
“A couple times in the past I’ve had to wake a sleeping princess.”
“How’d that go?”
“Blasted once. Near-miss the second time.”
“So what should I do?”
“Get some sleep, but be sure to be back in Canterlot before dawn like I told you.”
“Okay. But what for?”
“So you can tell me what Decimus and Celestia do. Then I can figure out the next step of our plan.”
“I’ll do it, Big Brother. You can count on me.”
“Yes, I know I can, Scootaloo. Pleasant dreams.”
“Good night.”
Scootaloo smiles as Arc cuts the telepathic connection. Sighing, she stares up at the ceiling for a long time.
“Thanks for believing in me. But I’m still not sure if you can do what needs to be done next, Big Brother.”
She sighs and looks over at the picture frame again. Putting a hoof to it, Scootaloo lays it face down before turning herself to look the opposite direction and closing her eyes.
“Creepy.”
Meanwhile, Arc lies in his bed and stares up at his own ceiling. Twilight reaches over to him smiles.
“Everything alright, Arc?”
“So far, so good.”
“Are you sure there isn’t anything I could do to help?”
“You’re already doing it.”
“Oh?”
Arc takes her hoof in his hand. “You being gone will certainly get to Celestia. She’ll do whatever it takes to get you back safely, right?”
Twilight nods. “Yes. That much I know for sure.”
“If all goes well, I’ll be able to talk her out of this.”
“And if not? After all, you don’t have the Dagger of Eternal Slumber.”
Arc sighs. “Then I guess I’d need to get out of there very quickly.”
“Princess Celestia would never let you. And even if you did manage to get away, she’d hunt you to the ends of the land forever.”
“Calculated risks.”
Twilight frowns. “How can you say that?! Don’t you understand just how much my friends and I love you!?”
Arc nods. “I do. That’s why I’m doing this.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“You and the others deserve to be safe in your own country and homes. With Decimus in command and Celestia in such a state, that can’t happen. I need to resolve this for everyone’s sakes.”
“We could just leave! Relocate to Earth!”
Arc shakes his head. “Celestia would just follow us. That and what would become of those we left behind?”
“But…!”
Arc puts a finger to her lips.
“It has to be this way, Twilight. You know this to be true.”
Twilight nods sadly. “I do, yes. But my heart aches even thinking about it.”
“Don’t worry. It will all be over by tomorrow night.”
She buries her face in his chest for a long moment before looking up at him soberly.
“Then I need you to do something for me.”
“Oh?”
“Follow me.”
Getting up, Twilight leads Arc out the door and down the corridor. Entering the Infirmary, the pair walk toward the bed slowly. Redheart greets them as they approach.
“Good evening, your highness. “
She turns to Arc.
“Sir.”
Spike waves happily. “Hi, Twilight!”
Rarity calls out from her bed. “Good evening. It’s rather late for a visit though.”
Twilight looks to the nurse. “How is Rarity doing?”
“She’s able to move around now with a bit of help.”
Rarity sighs. “Admittedly, my balance is still a bit off.”
Spike grins. “But I’ve been helping her stay strong by helping her move around the room here!”
Arc nods. “That’s good to hear. But if that’s the case why is she still in the Infirmary, Redheart?”
“Because I’m afraid she wouldn’t do too well in the Mid Deck right now.”
Rarity grimaces. “It’s rather crowded at the moment.”
Twilight turns to Redheart. “Could she leave though?”
“If there was a private room for her and somepony to keep an eye on her, yes.”
Rarity appears confused. “What are you getting at, Twilight?”
“Rarity? Would you like to spend tonight with Arc?”
“Oh yes, indeed! But you’ve been his constant bedmate since arriving. Which is fine, of course!”
“Well, I’d like you to take my place tonight.”
Spike grimaces. “WHAT?!”
Rarity gasps. “But… but you’re a princess now!”
Twilight shrugs. “What does that have to do with it?”
“Well… you should have the best of everything!”
“But what about Arc?”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Huh?”
Twilight’s ears droop. “I admit that I’ve been hording his attention all for myself these past few days.”
Spike frowns. “You haven’t seen him in a long time though!”
“That’s true, yes. But I need to remember that he’s not exclusively mine.”
Rarity appears hopeful. “Twilight, what are you saying?”
“I mean that you should spend the night with him, Rarity.”
“B-but my mane must look a fright! That and I haven’t even…!”
Arc steps forward. “Rarity?”
“Yes, Arc?”
“I don’t mind if you’re not perfectly clean or have a brushed mane. You’re still beautiful to me.”
Rarity smiles happily. “Then, yes! Yes I’d love to spend the night with you, Arc!”
Arc looks to Redheart. “Can she?”
“Yes, sir. With certain limitations.”
Rarity appears confused. “Oh?”
“Please be careful not to be too… rough with her tonight, sir.”
“What?”
“I’m certain you both have certain needs. But be sure to treat Rarity with tender care tonight. No rough love making.”
Arc blushes. “Yes, I’ll… take good care of her.”
He walks over to the bed and carefully picks Rarity up. She puts her hooves around his neck as she nuzzles his cheek and looks to her friend.
“Thank you, Twilight.”
Twilight smiles. “You deserve it, Rarity. Take care of her, Arc.”
“I will. Good night.”
Arc walks out of the Infirmary with Rarity in his arms. Spike grits his teeth as he turns to Twilight.
“What’d you go and do that for?!”
“Because it was the right thing to do, Spike.”
“But what about me?!”
Twilight frowns. “Come with me, Spike.”
“Where are we…?”
“Now.”
Getting up, Spike hops down from the bed and follows Twilight out the door and into the corridor. Walking a short distance they come to a door. Knocking, Twilight steps back. A few moments later Applejack opens it and look to them with a smile.
“Hey there, Twilight. Hi, Spike.”
Twilight sighs. “I’m sorry to bother you at this hour. But we need to talk to you.”
“Sure. Come on in.”
She moves to allow them in. Closing the door, she motions to a couch.
“Have a seat.”
They do so. Spike sits between the mares as Applejack speaks.
“So what can I do for you two?”
Twilight gestures to the young dragon. “I’m sure you’ve noticed Spike’s behavior around Rarity in the past.”
Applejack chuckles. “A blind pony could see that.”
“He has quite the crush on her.”
Spike shakes his head vehemently. “It’s not a crush! I’m in love!”
Applejack turns to Spike. “Are you now?”
“Yes! She’s the most beautiful mare I’ve ever seen!”
Twilight frowns. “Is that all?”
“What else is there?!”
“A lot, sugarcube.”
“Huh?”
Twilight puts a hoof on his shoulder. “Spike… love is a wonderful thing. But it’s a two way street.”
“I know! Rarity loves me too!”
Applejack raises an eyebrow. “Is that what she told you?”
“Well… not exactly. But we’re always together!”
Twilight nods. “Doing what?”
“I help her out in the shop. She always brings me snacks and tells me how good a worker I am.”
Applejack makes a circular motion with her hoof. “And…?”
“And I want to marry her someday!”
Twilight sighs. “Spike… I should have told you about love before we got to this point.”
“What’s there to tell? You meet somepony you like, fall in love with them, and get married.”
Applejack frowns. “Then what?”
“Live happily ever after.”
Twilight shakes her head. “There’s a lot more to it than that.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Building a relationship. Learning about each other. Talking endlessly about what you both want. Growing along with one another mentally and physically.”
“But we’ve done all that!”
Applejack bows her head. “No, you haven’t Spike.”
“What’s left to do then?!”
Twilight sighs. “Everything.”
Spike frowns. “That doesn’t make any sense!”
Applejack nods. “As far as a relationship goes you and Rarity never got past friends.”
“That’s where it starts!”
Twilight turns Spike’s head to look at her. “Right. But think of it this way. A relationship is like a plant. First comes the seed. Sometimes it sprouts. Sometimes not. Part of it is taking care of and providing what the seed needs. Light, water, and time.”
Applejack smiles. “Let’s say it does grow. What then?”
“You water it more and help it grow, right?”
Twilight nods. “Right. But does that always work?”
Spike shrugs. “I dunno.”
Applejack shakes her head. “You can do everything right, and still lose the plant. It’s the same with a relationship.”
“What can cause that?”
Twilight sighs. “Any number of things. Say that you planted a seed and did your best to take care of it. But the plant itself didn’t grow.”
Applejack puts a hoof to her chin. “Maybe you didn’t give it enough water or sunshine. Maybe it was planted out of its normal growing season. Maybe the soil wasn’t right. Maybe the seed wasn’t viable. You won’t always be able to figure it out.”
Twilight looks at Spike soberly. “What we’re saying is that you can do everything that you believe needs to be done, and still not have your plant blossom and bloom.”
“Like my relationship with Rarity?”
Applejack nods. “Afraid so, Spike. Rarity likes you as a friend, yes. But she wants something different in a husband.”
Twilight smiles at him. “You’re a very nice dragon, Spike. And I believe that you think you’re in love.”
“But I am!”
Applejack sighs. “Then you want what’s best for Rarity?”
“Of course!”
“That’s Arc.”
“But I can be there for her too!”
Applejack shakes her head. “She wants him though. So if you really love her, you’ll let her be happy with him.”
Twilight quickly interjects. “Now, that doesn’t mean you two can’t stay friends.”
“Right, sugarcube. But you need to understand that she’s head over fetlocks in love with Arc.”
Spike puts his head in his claws. “I… don’t really know what to think right now.”
Twilight pats his head. “You’re a smart little dragon, Spike. I know you can figure this out and do what’s right.”
Applejack nods. “We have faith in you.”
“Do I have to let her go?”
Twilight sighs. “Romantically, yes. Like we said, if you really care for Rarity, you’ll do what’s best for her.”
Applejack smiles. “The day may come when somepony does that for you, Spike.”
“For me?”
Twilight nods. “As nice and handsome as you are I’m sure you’ll be very popular when you get older.”
“And maybe you’ll turn a somepony’s head whom already has somepony’s eye on them.”
Twilight appears sober. “Right. Wouldn’t you want that individual to do what was best for you and them?”
“I guess so. But what about Rarity? Am I just supposed to forget about how I feel about her?!”
Applejack shakes her head. “No, sugarcube. However, I might just have the solution to your problem.”
“What’s that?!”
“Confess your feelings to her.”
Twilight appears confused. “Applejack!”
“That might be for the best, Twilight. After all, we both know Rarity’s completely smitten with Arc. And Spike here deserves to know how she feels too.”
“But we already told him about…!”
“It needs to come from her mouth. That and she’s better at explaining things like this.”
Twilight sighs. “Fine. But I only ask one thing of you, Spike.”
“What’s that?”
“That you listen to what Rarity has to say. Whatever it is just remember to respect her thoughts and wishes.”
Spike grins. “Okay! I can do that!”