//------------------------------// // 33: What Defines Us // Story: A Clash of Magic and Steam // by law abiding pony //------------------------------// Later that night, Rarity was fussing over her retainers’ injuries.  Lyra got the better of it, only sporting a nasty burn scar from where Rarity cauterized her wound. The bullet had passed straight through and missed anything important, the only reason she was alive at all, let alone walking around with bandages to help tend to the others.  Lock Stock was unconscious and breathing shallowly. He was heavily bandaged with what was left of the medical supplies, and a few ripped sheets along with it. Heavy bags pulled on Rarity’s exhausted eyes, but she wanted to give one last prayer for aid before she could allow herself some sleep.  “He should recover,” Suture promised after waiting for the inquisitor to finish her prayer. The medic was not fairing much better. She swayed on her hooves, barely capable of staying awake. “Since we were allowed to set up outside the field, the focused chill spell should keep any infections slowed down.  He’ll just need extra blankets and a fire.” Allowed, Rarity thought bitterly. She bit that anger down, and tried to focus on her friend. She was still emotional after hearing about Fluttershy, and the last thing she needed was to snap. Rarity turned to the medic. “Thank you for your aid. Celestia has worked through you this night.” Rarity’s exhaustion was catching up to her and sleep was more insistent.  She left the medical tent to claim her bed. However, an odd humming sound made her stop and look up to the stars. Coming in over the ruins were three figures, one of which was not flapping her wings.  No remaining Equestrian pegasi would be in the air, so Rarity was on edge in a heart beat. Unlike with Turnabout, we’re at war. I’m sure a few would love to - wait…  as the lead figure got closer, Rarity identified her through the moonlight. “Lady Twilight Sparkle?” The pegacorn came to a gentle stop while the other two fliers landed much harder. She could finally see they were carrying two limp bodies on their backs. Rarity’s emotions flared as they were placed on the ground with a touch more roughness than preferable.  “They were found alive, but unconscious,” Twilight explained to the troubled mare.  “A-alive?!”  Rarity had appearances to maintain, so she raced for Fluttershy’s side as quickly as she dared. The druid had dried mud in places and her mane was a disaster, but more importantly to Rarity, there was no sign of injury aside from a welt on the side of her head.  The pegasus of the pair hastily backed away from the inquisitor as she cradled Fluttershy’s head and checked her body over. “Rock Salt used some sleep stuff. Said she’d wake up by morning. The escort some time after that.” Dearly wishing she had some privacy to hug Fluttershy, Rarity had to settle for putting her down gently to stand up and gave a polite bow to the pegasus. “You honor yourself and the emperor for staying your hoof when I already thought her dead.” “You thought she was dead? We - well anyway.” The scout jerked his head at Twilight. “You can thank her for that. I would have just shot her instead of drug her. But uh. You’re welcome?” It felt supremely strange saying that to Rarity, so he was grateful that Twilight offered an out.  “The inquisitor and I have matters to discuss on how to liberate the Sisters. You can stay if you wish, but that won’t be necessary.” The thestral of the two soldiers gave her a concerned look. “Are you sure about that?  I thought she wanted you dead or something.” “These are strange times indeed,” Rarity spoke up, her voice wearing thin from lack of sleep and strained emotions. “May Celestia strike me down if I so much as harm a hair on Twilight’s head.” Honor mattered, and the declaration mollified the two soldiers. The pegasus scout gave a hesitant nod. “We’ll Ah, we’ll be by Luna. Whistle if you need us.” “Thank you.” Twilight watched them leave before once more addressing Rarity. “It has been a while.” Sighing heavily, Rarity shook her head. “I swore to arrest you if I ever saw you again. I suppose I will need Celestia’s forgiveness for that failure as well.” “If the penance for that leads to a resignation,” Twilight led on. “I know plenty of ponies already lining up to be regular customers should you ever wish to be a seamstress on the regular.” Scowling with no real malice behind it, Rarity conjured a magic comb and started to straighten her mane out so it’s natural curl could bounce back. “You live by your Creed, Twilight, as I must live by my faith. Besides, when Celestia returns, she will need my services more than ever.” “More than you realize,” Twilight replied with a dour frown. “Far more.” Eying the hybrid with reserved confusion, Rarity momentarily paused her brushing. “Care to explain?” Seeing that Rarity was already worn out by the day’s events, Twilight reconsidered her plan. I better wait until some sleep can clear her head. “Perhaps another time. You are weary, I’m sure, and it is something that can wait.”  Shaking her head again, Twilight waved off rebuttal.  Rarity’s ability to think was ebbing as quickly as her patience and the need for sleep was accelerating that decline. “Then I bid you farewell, Twilight Sparkle.” “We’ll be flying the engine into camp this evening. Get some rest and think about what you want to say to Celestia. Prayer is one thing, but an actual conversation is something else entirely.” Scowling at the impiety of it all, Rarity gave a hesitant nod. “I suppose there is some merit to that. Lyra was writing some sheet music since she’s the only one to bring an instrument. Her namesake, that is.” “I have no doubt some music will much appreciated. Sleep well, Rarity Belle, for the Sisters will be with us again. Just-” Twilight stopped in mid-air and gave one last concerned look. “It’s probably far too late to say this… Don’t go into this with expectations.  The sisters are who they are, not who we believe them to be.” Too tired and bewildered by the warning, Rarity couldn’t say a word until the hybrid was long gone.  The next day Rarity slept long past noon. She would have slept even longer had her nose not roused her. Blinking slowly and feeling every one of her aches and pains, she saw Fluttershy stirring some tantalizing soup if the scent was anything to go by. Rarity sat bolt upright and looked around, not even remembering returning to her tent.  “Good afternoon.  Soup will be ready in a bit.”  The druid was somber, but not heavily so.  After checking the tent, she found no one else was present. She got up with the intent to join her friend by the fire, only to surrender to her emotions and collapse into a hugging embrace. One which caught Fluttershy off guard, but she recovered quickly enough. “I feared the worst when you didn't check in last night,” tears fell into Fluttershy's mane as sobs filled the tent. Having no reservations about hugging her friend back, Fluttershy let Rarity release her bound up nerves. "I'm sorry to have worried you, Rarity." They stared there for a time, until hoofsteps outside scared Rarity into hastily letting go. Fluttershy could see behind the mask, but she still had to put on an air of strength around others. Ignoring the tear stains on herself, Fluttershy took a handkerchief and dampened it from a waterskin. "Here, let me clean you up a bit." The outsider proved to just be a passerby, so it gave the mares plenty of time to powder their noses. Silence fell over them for a spell as both mares were lost in thought. Fluttershy resumed her watch over the cookpot while Rarity took the time to meditate a bit. Only the crackling fire and occasional bubble from the soup filled the air. It was a pleasant calming moment one that both were loathe to break with conversation. When the soup finally met Fluttershy’s approval, the clatter of tin bowls breaking the silence was enough to get the druid talking again. “The Lunarians are flying an engine over here.” “They are?!” Rarity accepted her bowl while barely holding onto it enough to keep from spilling. “It must be a small one then.” Fluttershy gave the unicorn a side look as she poured a bowl for herself. “According to them, it’s bigger than I am, but not by much.”  Seeing the bewildered silence from her commander, Fluttershy grabbed a spoon and took a bite. It was hardly the fare she could get from town, but it was still a few steps above anything she ever had in her Order.  Shaking herself to recollect her thoughts, Rarity set about eating as well. “Why am I so surprised?” she asked herself. “How else were they going to free the sisters?” Giggling lightly, Fluttershy pulled her mane out of her eyes. “They asked us to make a platform or flatten out some space near the statues so the engine and boiler have a level place to set down.” Rarity huffed and finished chewing a carrot. “What? They didn’t bring the limber along with it?  And here I was almost impressed.”  A sigh carried away the pittance of Rarity’s good mood. “You must have been awake for a while now. How are we looking?” Business was never very pleasant, and a death toll was the worst of all. “Eight of us are dead, including all but one pegasus. The Lunarians lost three times that many. Nearly everypony is injured on our side. The ones who aren’t are on platform detail.  At least it is a task we’ve grown accustomed to lately,” Fluttershy added, trying to lighten the mood.  Rarity touched the spot where a bullet had grazed her. The wound was superficial, but it still stung like the dickens. “How is Radiant Dawn?”  Rarity started eating quicker now. She felt the need to be out there doing something useful and sleeping in this long irritated her immensely.  “He’s on bed rest, or at least Suture and I asked him to be as much.” Rarity hummed in amusement. “Nopony short of the late queen herself could get him to take a breather against his will, Celestia rest her soul.” Rarity remembered the wound being masked by his duster, so was unable to see the extent of it the previous night. “Is there anything you can do for him or Lock Stock?  He had the worst of it.” Fluttershy shook her head, defeat threatened to drag her spirits down. “Lock Stock is not long for this world.”  Rarity’s breath hitched and she stared at her second. “His lung collapsed. Even if he could recover from that, infection is sure to set in, and when it does…” Recalling the pain she felt upon believing Fluttershy was dead, Rarity had no intention of repeating that. “He might moan and complain, but he must be sent to a hospital. I’ll see to it personally. As far as anypony needs to know, it was a hunting accident, and he fell out of a tree.”  Putting her bowl aside, Rarity grabbed a water skin to wash it all down before standing. “A short letter with my seal on it should keep anypony from interfering.” Having seen the sudden rush her superior was in, Fluttershy had also hastily ate her fill. “I will see it done. Although I can’t say Radiant Dawn will be happy about this.” Scowling at the need for deception, Rarity steeled herself. “True. But my word is my word. See to the escort while I impress upon Lock Stock and my instructor the need of it.” Respectfully nodding her approval, Fluttershy waited for Rarity to march outside before joining her.  Rarity did not have to search far. The beige unicorn stallion was overseeing the uninjured retainers moving the stone off of the platform they had been using before to lay a new dais down next to the statue. One of the unicorns dumped his collected stone on the ground and started sifting it around to make everything stable and level.  “That’s good enough,” Radiant griped as his injury made adding his efforts impossible. “We only need to keep the foul thing from sliding around, not pretty it up for them.”  The snapping of a twig drew his attention to his protégé stepping over several loose stones and wood. “Ah, Rarity my dear you’re awake, good. Good.”  His aches and pains got the better of him, making Radiant lay down. “Take a break, all of you. I won’t see any of us stress too hard over a traitor’s plan.” Rarity was already off put. He’s in a horrible mood. Not that I can fault the pony.  There was nothing for it, she had to speak with him. She quickly surveyed the dais they were making. It was largely just loose rock and gravel that evened out the small hill’s incline. Still, given the short amount of time they’ve had and the manpower shortage, it looked serviceable. “Instructor. I’m worried about Lock Stock. I was hoping to borrow Summer Song so she can fly him back.” “I have already taken care of that,” Radiant stated with a beckoning wave. “I apologize for not waiting until you awoke, but with that collapsed lung of his, I felt time was of the essence.” Joining his side, she could see how he favored his left foreleg.  “Thank you for looking out for him.  I trust you impressed upon Summer the need for secrecy,” she said carefully as to not insult him.  “Worry not child,” he said with a pained laugh. “Summer Song will tell them he ran afoul an alligator and got shot by accident. Terrible incident that was.” Sighing in relief, what Rarity forgot to ask was whether or not Lock Stock was conscious while Summer Song received her orders. Radiant Dawn carried on talking while hiding that little slip. Just a little insurance. Though no one told her one way or another she was still needed, Fluttershy felt guilty for not being there during the attack, and remained close by until directly dismissed.   Radiant fell silent as he stared off in thought, while Rarity was unsure how to move matters forward.  Turning his gaze to the statues, Radiant gave a self-depreciating grunt.  “Rarity, do you remember what I once said about failure?”  He glanced at her, and inwardly grinned when he saw the shift from pensive discomfort to analytical thought. “I recall it was that failure is the best teacher of all.” “No credit for half-answers, Rarity.” Caught between an annoyed huff at herself and trying to maintain her professional airs, she tried again.  “I believe your exact words were ‘Experience is a far better teacher than I am; failure, a better one still.’  If I am not mistaken.”   “That is precisely right.”  He winced as he started hobbling to the docks.  Both she and Fluttershy hesitated on whether or not they should help him, or the act would be insulting.  The wound had proved to be a half-ripped ligament. Instead they opted to walk closely enough to catch him should he fall.  “Do you know the fallacy of experience?” Rarity ponder the question for a spell. She eventually looked to Fluttershy who might have some insight, but the pegasus looked as clueless as she was.  “Overconfidence I would imagine.” “A simple answer, but a workable one.” Grimacing at his current weakened state, Radiant Dawn leaned against a house, but managed to fix a warm grin back on his face before the mares could see it.  He silently looked to Fluttershy to see if she might have any understanding, but like Rarity before him, he saw nothing.  “The fallacy is that once certain levels or rank has been reached, there is no need to prove leadership or competence.  Everypony bows to your whims as if there is no better move to make.  However, that right there is the trap. When ponies stop questioning you, it is all too easy for arrogance and complacency become your watchwords, and you forget the very lessons you learned.”  He pushed himself back up, allowing Rarity to steady him without complaint.  “The Lunarians may have been the ones who pulled the trigger, but the blood of our brothers and sisters is on my hooves.  I should have taken your advice in camping outside of the purging field.” Rarity’s elation in being vindicated was heavily blunted by the cost of being proven right.  “You couldn’t have known, sir.  We’re close to a thousand miles from the front lines.  Them coming here was beyond desperation.” “Ahh!”  He jabbed a hoof at Rarity’s chest and left it there.  “And that my girl, is exactly the sort of thinking that allowed us to forget just how wily our counterparts have always been.”  He put the hoof down to keep walking to the docks.  “A lack of imagination.  When it comes to Luna's safe return, our enemies would go to the ends of the Earth if they had to, because it is exactly what we would do for Celestia. But I failed to respect our enemy. Which is why,” he eyed her carefully, eager to see her expression.  “Until Celestia takes over, I pass command of our camp to you.” Taken aback so hard she bumped into a nearby house, Rarity was at a loss for words. Fluttershy however took it in stride. “A wise move, Royal Inquisitor. The Lunarians will be far less likely to attack again if our leader is both healthy and is known to keep her word.” Sensing that his protégé would be insulted for him, Radiant laughed quite heartedly before she could think to reprimand Fluttershy. “You chose your second well, Rarity.”  He regarded the pensive druid. “You understand much for somepony who spent most of your life among the trees.” Bowing out of respect, Fluttershy replied with just a touch of forlorn hope.  “The wisdom between the trees and the civilized are not as different as my brothers and sisters would like to believe.” “Is that right?”  Radiant said with grim mirth.  “Perhaps time will prove you correct.  For the moment…” He looked to Rarity with expectation.  “What shall we do, mission leader?” “We…”  Rarity didn’t like her options now that she had tied her hooves with a ceasefire, but it was her mess now.  “We play Twilight’s game.  She’s the reason why the Lunarians are here at all, and seems to know something is ahoof.  She wanted to say something last night, but hesitated. Cooperation will hopefully reveal what this angle of hers is before the Sisters are freed.” “So you noticed she has more pull than she should as well?”  Radiant commented while in thought.   “Oh yes.”  Rarity teased a lock of hair as she recalled her meetings with the pegacorn.  “The only reason she is here is because she is likely the source of their knowledge of the Sisters’ true location and status.  Even so, the Imperial Army, or the Emperor himself could have easily sidelined her; taken her information, and left her behind, but they didn’t.  It is my belief that while the Captain technically commands their expedition, she defers to Twilight, likely in all matters besides martial. That's not a level of trust a turncoat can earn in just a few years outside of being side by side in battle. She must have some leverage we're just not seeing.” Fluttershy shook her head, unseen by the others.  They can't see what's right in front of them. I'd tell her, but Rarity wouldn't believe it'd be enough. Radiant Dawn almost allowed some excitement to leak through.  “You know?  I just might enjoy this.” The sun was beginning to set as the Equestrians watched the skies to the southeast. The battered company of soldiers flew in loose squadron formations, with two peculiar sights in the center. The first was a group of four fliers all tied to a single piece of cargo that caught the light as it swayed in the wind. “Must be the engine of our salvation,” Radiant uttered derisively to Rarity as they stood on the decrepit docks.  I doubt Celestia will hold it against us.  Rarity wasn’t so sure if she could voice such a thought within earshot of Radiant Dawn. Honestly, if there's one good think to come out of the Lunarians' meddling, its that they forced the issue with using a machine. Surrounding her was Fluttershy, Lyra, and the three remaining unicorns who were uninjured.  All of which were ill at ease, Rarity's retains most of all. Unlike the militia before, the Lunarian regulars had already demonstrated a willingness and capability to fight and win. Even the other retainers were not so sure Rarity and Radiant could realistically hold the line should the Air Corps decide the ceasefire wasn't worth the trouble. Trying to remain calm over it all for the efforts Rarity would have to put forward soon enough, she surveyed the formation trying to see where Twilight Sparkle. It ended up being Twilight’s lack of flapping that caught Rarity’s eye, and then to the similar looking cargo that was latched to her. “Is that?”  She squinted, trying to see if her eyes were tricking her.  Is that Lady Twilight carrying a piece of the engine?  The cylindrical shape warded off any theories of it being a storage container. A dash of color caught her eye, drawing her attention to Twilight herself, and the pink form on top of her.  and carrying Pinkamena?!  The outburst nearly left her lips. Though many of the gathered Equestrians started to take notice as well, it was Lyra who caught Rarity’s attention.  “How in blazes is she doing that!?” “Must be that armor,” Rarity answered to quiet her friend lest Lyra embarrass herself with such candid outspokenness around the others.  Given how she’s in the middle of a pack of disruptor wearing soldiers, it’s not magic.  But then why  doesn't she flap her wings..?  A bitter thought crossed her mind.  Has she really invalidated the whole reason the Inquisition pushed to start this war? Lunaria has no need for the Tain. She’s already mastered whatever secrets it had. Her assumptions only solidified as the group of Lunarians came in close.  Half of them landed, revealing themselves to be loaded down with engine parts and tools.  The ones carrying the disassembled engine itself set it down along with Twilight not too far beyond that.  Pinkie Pie and Applejack went right to work reassembling the charlie engine for its final destination, while Rainbow and Twilight approached the inquisitors.  Given the lack of shore bombardment by the now undoubtedly rested inquisitors, the pair approached with only token apprehension.   Even though Radiant Dawn was clearly senior to Rarity, due to both his obvious age difference and the greater presence of gold on his uniform, Rarity was still the one to take the fore.  “Captain Rainbow Dash, Lady Twilight Sparkle,” Rarity began with polite professionalism that would fit more in a peace conference rather than enemies in a tenuous armistice.  “You’re up early.” The sun was not yet touching the horizon, but it was getting into Rainbow’s eyes, making her squint.  “Wanted to get all this done sometime before dusk so the non-bats can see Luna more clearly.  That and it makes formation flying easier for pegasi.” “A sound assessment.”  With a wave of a hoof, Rarity directed everyone's attention to the statues off in the distance.  “We’ve prepared the platform to your specifications.  Ten feet by twenty, and is as level as one can expect for hasty work done in less than a day.  It should bare the weight without slipping enough to matter.” “That's all we'll require on that front, thank you.”  Twilight started crossing off a mental checklist.  “Once we have the engine and boiler in place, I’ll have a better idea as to the calm spot the two of you can stand.”  She gave Rarity a cursory glance.  “I trust you’ve made good use of my father’s work and can cast spells through the charlie’s interference with those staves I heard about.” Irritated once again by the volume of intelligence Rock Salt had gifted to their enemies, Rarity bore it all with strained grace.  “You are quite right.” Rarity glanced at Radiant Dawn to see if he would object to saying anything further, so the older stallion gave a nod of acquiescence. The staves were heavily influenced by your father's work. It seems the Light family is destined for history.” Suddenly uncomfortable, Twilight asked a difficult question.  “How is he, by the way?  I have no idea what sort of dealings you have with him personally. My mother too, if you are able.” Rainbow looked at her friend, yet was afraid to show some concern of her own in front of the inquisitors.  Oh boy.  Here comes the blackmail or the guilt trip. Shaking her head, Rarity was in no mood for mind games.  Celestia’s freedom was paramount.  “I don’t have any dealings with either of them in any light, so I can not speak for your parents.” Twilight glanced at Radiant who shook his head. "It was my friend Topaz who worked closely with Night Light these past several months, and he's no longer open to questions." Though the elder inquisitor kept his voice level, no one could miss the resentment. “War takes from us all,” Twilight replied with a note of sympathy. I suppose if the Inquisition is working with him, then they must still be doing well. Clearing her throat, Twilight adopted a more amicable posture.  “Moving on…”  She looked to Rainbow Dash who stepped up. “Alright, you lot don’t like me and I sure as Tartarus don’t like you.  So let’s get the ball rolling, yeah?” Once the charlie had been reassembled, all of the flying Lunarians who still had working disruptors lined up in as tight a flying phalanx as they could manage.  Twilight was lifting the fully assembled engine and was staying in close behind the group.  Keeping pace along the ground was the corporal mage, who was the only one among them that could both see the currents of the purging field, and be trusted enough to obey without hesitation. Upon crossing the threshold of the field, Twilight was keenly aware of the armor’s temperature, feeling for any sudden rise.  This only made her shiver worse from the biting cold northerly wind, made all that much worse by the backwash of so many fliers.  It left the alpine mare’s teeth chattering.   More out of curiosity than intention on helping, mostly because Rarity didn’t believe her advice would be welcomed, she followed after Twilight Sparkle.  With the mage currently giving orders in a matter more organized than she expected, Rarity scanned around for Rainbow Dash, but the captain was too busy leading from the center.  The execution of this formation is impressive.  If I recall, this is quite the clever adaptation of a cloud pushing technique. As the group carefully navigated their way to the statue, the fliers started squirming.  Flying wall formations only worked when there was a cloud to work against. The absence of that resistance was causing muscle memory slip ups. Even then, flying walls were not meant to be as tightly packed as they were trying to be.  The formation started to break apart more and more, either by turbulence causing gaps that rippled through the whole formation, or by two soldiers’ wings hitting each other.  Rarity watched Rainbow Dash have her wing get slapped hard enough to make her tumble from the air. Spouting curses the whole time, she was quick enough to avoid hitting anyone below her. However, she had to completely fall out of formation.  Rarity hid her bemusement well as her erstwhile opponent was trying to find a spot to rejoin along the edges.  “My my.  That was quite the recovery.” “Shut up you pretentious nag,” Rainbow shot back defensively. “It’s like trying to swim behind a ship’s wake without falling behind.” Insults from Rainbow Dash were expected, and so Rarity let it roll off of her. Nothing ruffles the feathers of ruffians like her than not stopping to her level.  “Well I’m sure you’re an excellent swimmer at least. What I’d like to know is why you’re putting Lady Twilight in your formation’s wake.” Her hunch was right as Rainbow only grew more irate, but the unwillingness to speak of Twilight’s vulnerability only made her bite her tongue that much harder.  “That’s not something you need to know.” As if I can’t hazard a guess, Rarity mused while flipping her hair.  “Keep your secrets then if you must.”  A strong northerly wind kicked up, rocking the formation.  Small holes were opening up and not getting closed quickly enough. tendrils of the purge field were slipping through.  One such current of magic brushed Twilight’s right wing, causing the humming to dim drastically and throwing her off balance. What caused real panic was that the metal got hot frighteningly quick.  When the mage-corporal heard Twilight cry out in wordless pain, he blew into Applejack’s boatswain whistle, making him easily heard across the formation.  “Hold it steady lads!  Lady Twilight, set it down as best you can.” Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Silver had been trailing along, keeping a healthy distance from Rarity.  The call got all three of them moving to hastily kick away any major obstructions before guiding the engine down into place.  Rarity took some polite steps back so they wouldn't be so jumpy if they saw her. They quickly unhitched Twilight, who babbled manically as she turned herself towards Applejack who promptly opened the armor’s access panel and pulled the necessary levers to cut off Twilight’s magic from it.  Silver had prepared a bucket of river water, and was already dowsing the heated portion of armor. Rarity watched all of it, actually feeling inclined to help, but once again believed her aid would be scorned. A cooling spell would probably misfire anyway. Once Applejack signaled an all clear. The formation quickly broke apart as fliers scattered in all directions. Only a few remained on the ground between the statue and the engine to shield Twilight. Even so, small bits of the field grazed her armor, making it grow hot once more as her residual mana was cooked off. She frantically flapped her wings trying to cool them off, suppressing a painful cry all the while.  Her friends pulled her closer to the engine which served as an island, as its innate disruption field was strong enough to protect itself even while powered down.  Once everyone calmed down a bit, Rarity felt she could walk over without causing a tizzy. Even then, once Silver noticed her approach and warned everyone, the others backed up a step and everyone but Twilight and Applejack pressed themselves against the engine. “Didn’t quite make it to our destination now did we?”  She didn’t put any derision into her tone, but the others assumed it was there.  Of the group, Twilight was the only one willing to speak without hostility. She gathered her courage and wits to at least act like she was simply attending a conference. “Mores the pity. Still, we’re only forty two yards away.”  The northerly wind was persistent and was blowing her frazzled mane over her face.  Tugging her hair out of her eyes, Twilight huffed. “We don’t have enough pegasi to both create the wall and control the wind. Can you hit the statue from…”  Doing some mental calculations, Twilight walked away until she was fifty yards from the statue. “About here.  The engine at half power should create a bubble of sorts where magic can still be used while the purging field is unable to reach you.” Rarity had walked with her and inwardly didn’t like the distance, but outwardly remained self-assured. “It’s certainly a far cry better than what we had to work with before. A spell is not aimed like a rifle but… Yes.  With some tweaks to to the spell’s guidance matrix… Yes I believe we can hit our mark.” “Are you going to be able to shoot through the disruption field or arc the shot above it?” Twilight asked with a dash of hope. “I must confess, I am eager to see how my father’s work has born fruit.” Eying the hybrid with mixed feelings, Rarity gave a melancholy sigh. Unlike that uncouth captain, I at least will not insult her intelligence.   “To put it simply, a spell bolt is encased inside the shell of an ice crystal. Provided the bolt is fast enough, it can pierce all but the largest machine’s dampening fields.”  With her magical senses, Rarity scrutinized the warring fields of the engine and statue. “Haven’t had a chance to see it in person yet since the purging field ignored such adaptations.” “Will the ice damage the stone?  Can they be damaged?”  Twilight asked worriedly.  “You don’t really expect us to have tested that, do you?” Rarity challenged with a raised eyebrow. Before Twilight could answer, Rainbow Dash arrived, and made it a point to not react to Rarity. “Lady Twilight,” she started, not wanting to reveal her familiarity with the pegacorn. “I’m going to get a team together to carry the boiler into place. The field shouldn’t cause problems right?” Humming in thought, Twilight considered it for nearly a minute. “It doesn’t have many moving parts, just hatches for fuel and such. It’ll be fine.” “Then I shall make preparations on our end. But before I do.”  Rarity glanced at Rainbow. “Captain, I would like to speak with Lady Twilight in private.” Looking at Twilight, Rainbow saw only mild trepidation, but the mare was not silently asking for a rescue. Scowling over the request, Rainbow recalled her conversation with Twilight the day before. “Alright. Just remember she’s still needed to finish setting up and running the engine, so no funny business.” Finally feeling insulted, Rarity had to resist turning her nose up. “I have not besmirched your honor, Captain, I would ask for the same courtesy.” Grumbling, Rainbow wanted to snap at her, but it was unbecoming of an officer. Her troops were always watching, and she remembered losing respect for her superior officer multiple times for doing the same thing. Settling for grinding her teeth, Rainbow nodded just a touch. “I’ll consider it.” “That’ll do.” “Need anything before I go, Lady Twilight?” That could have been worse.  “I’m fine. Perhaps some water or tea if we have any.” “Sure. We’re already siving some from the river for the boiler and to refill our canteens.  I’ll have one brought to you later.”  Rainbow said the last word more to Rarity as a promise.   As the thestral flew away, Rarity waved a hoof towards a road where there was no activity. “Shall we?” Swallowing the lump in her throat, Twilight nodded evenly enough and started cantering away with Rarity right alongside her. Unbeknownst to both of them, one of Rainbow’s scouts soared high into the air with a spyglass to keep watch over them.  Once a line of the moss covered spherical houses was between them and the crowds of activity, Rarity faced Twilight while she continued to walk on. “So I hear you’ve made quite the splash in Lunaria. Did you ever try the spiced teki noodles?” “I did actually. I normally don’t care for spicy foods, but the noodles grew on me.”  Twilight was unsure of Rarity’s real motive for wanting this talk, but was more than happy to remain in the pleasantries phase. “There was a restaurant on the corner of Glim and Sanders avenue. I swear I must have tried their entire menu by now.” A thin smile crossed over Rarity. “Good food is a real treasure isn’t it?” “Very much so, which is why I’d like to return the favor. There is a hole in the wall deli back in Canterlot smack in the middle of Peachtree Street. You won’t find better sandwiches.” Laughter fell out of Rarity. “A lady such as yourself going that far out of your way to eat sandwiches?” “You don’t really see the nobility on a day-to-day do you?  Not every meal is a feast or steak and lobster.”   “I suppose I don’t, my work carries me everywhere.”  Rarity was feeling emotionally strained. “I suppose it is far too late now,” she said with regret, “but this is the sort of thing I wanted between us. No status. No arrest warrant. Just a friend.”  Rarity you silly mare. Surprised by the admission, Twilight settled on a thin but honest smile. “I suspected as much after I had time to fully inspect your gift. You knew I would be close to machines so a simple enchantment would have faded away far too soon to be useful, I had an expert examine the stitching and everything for runes. When he declared it was clean, I realized it was a genuine gift.” A sad half-frown fell over the pale unicorn. “Yes, I suppose that is fair. So… Do ponies really enjoy it?” Instead of a simple answer, Twilight spoke while rubbing some moss off of a house after noticing there was an icon under it. “When I first arrived at the place where I would design my armor, there was a seamstress named Kerfluffle. Brilliant designer, she ended up making the leatherwork of my armor.”   The mention of the armor made the inquisitor try to study it more closely without being obvious.  “By her own words, she was ‘bewitched’ by the hat you gave me.” “Bewitched?” Rarity tittered behind a hoof. “Oh yes. She knew right away it was of Equestrian make, but when I refused to name who made it, she turned it into a guessing game that lasted a year.”  It had been annoying at the time, but Twilight was able to laugh about it now. “Then she begged me, as a Hearth's Warming gift to her, she only wanted your name. So I finally told her who you were. I was expecting recrimination or denouncement for over it. That she would request the hat to be destroyed. Much to my surprise, she insisted on making a dress to compliment it. In her own words ‘to marry your Equestrian heritage with your Lunarian future.’” “I’d love to see it someday.”  Rarity closed her eyes and hummed thoughtfully, trying to imagine what the dress looked like. “Might actually be possible since I’m sure your efforts here will at the very least earn you a pardon from Celestia.”  Images of what the dress could look like started to dominate her muse. “So how did the dress turn out?” It was Twilight’s turn to laugh wistfully. “First, you must understand, by then the hat was something of an icon for me. Some even joked I should make it my coat of arms. But when I first made my appearance with the dress in high society, everypony immediately assumed Kerfluffle designed both and flooded her with orders. I dare say you could be quite successful in the business.” Laughing politely, Rarity wiped a tear from her eye. “Quite the splash indeed. But your icon?  Surely you jest on my behalf.” “I do not,” Twilight said with, a touch of mirth. “Pinkie Pie was only half joking when ponies don’t recognize me at first at events if I am not wearing it. A least not until I let a spark off.” “Pinkie Pie…”  Rarity hung on the name long enough to make Twilight uncomfortable if she had gone too far. “So she was nobility before arriving in Equestria?” “I - I doubt it. No pony claimed to be her family, and she’s been quite busy in business circles.  She’s not exactly famous, her name has reached ears in court.”  There was nothing for it. Rarity might be insulted if I hold this back.  Ultimately, Twilight felt no ill will towards the inquisitor. Just that nagging concern of a righteous mare who had every reason to believe arresting her was moral. “I adopted her into my house as my sister. A - a new house that is.” “Your sister..?”  Rarity closed her eyes as her mind drifted to the only family she had. The love she had for Sweetie Belle was only matched by how much she missed her. “I suppose that explains everything doesn’t it?  Your love for her drove you to heresy. There are worse ways to fall, I suppose.” I got her thinking about it. Now to see if I can risk that extra step.  Twilight clenched her teeth out of rising stress. “Your honor, may I ask you to clarify something for me?” Fully expecting a verse quotation on the righteousness of enstripement, Rarity beat her to it. “Book of Light: chapter one, page ten, second paragraph.  ‘Our wayward brothers and sisters-”  “Pardon the interruption,” Twilight stated with polite firmness. Rarity’s mood started to sour on the spot if her growing scowl was any indication, so Twilight acted fast. “I just wanted to know something else.” Grumbling between her assumptions and the interruption, Rarity didn’t let go of the tension just yet. “Which is?” “The inquisition. Your loyalty is to Celestia first and foremost, and then the Solar Church, yes?” Blinking at the odd question, Rarity’s mind shifting gears released her pent of indignation. “Ah - well of course. They are -were - one and the same. Is that true with the Lunar faith?” “It is.”  Twilight shivered a bit. She was treading on dangerous ground now. “This is something I had to bring up with the Captain and the others, so I would be remiss if I did not offer you the same courtesy.” If this is about enstripement…  Rarity almost voiced that warning, but she had been caught out on an assumption with Twilight once, and wasn’t going to repeat that.  “It is my belief we are going to have two problems on our hooves when we free the sisters. The first is their posturing. Have you thought about it?” “Their posture?  Of course. They look like they’re fighting.” This should be easy then.  “I believe it is entirely possible the moment they awaken, if the shock of it doesn’t disorient them, they’re likely to believe they’re still on a battlefield. And behave as such.” Past thoughts and sleepless nights of Celestia never answering a prayer came rushing back. Twilight may not have said it directly, but Rarity could see the second message. “I - I have been worried much might be the case. But that is why both myself and the other inquisitors were here. To help subdue Luna and… it hardly matters now. I fully expect somepony to start shooting the instant the Sisters are free.” “I'll tell you the same thing I impressed upon the captain. Breaking our ceasefire at that moment would be very unwise,” Twilight warned carefully. She had already pushed Rarity a fair bit already, and she needed every inch she could spare. “Because neither sister will be speaking modern Equiss.” “No, that’s impossible. Even if their conscious mind has been asleep, their spirits have been with us all along.” “Now you’re just grasping at straws.”  Inwardly ready to run away if Rarity got truly angry, Twilight soldiered on. “But sure, I’ll play Discord’s advocate. It’s been well over nine hundred years since they vanished. If they come out of this still thinking they’re on a battlefield then the language barrier is going to be there, and they’re not going to take a moment or minute or however long it would take to commune with their own spirit. Can you speak anything of old Equiss aloud, or brought anypony who could?  Because I don’t think such a person is alive today. Well, aside from the obvious,” she added while waving a wing in the statue’s direction.  Again, it played on Rarity’s darkest thoughts.  One that she held back for so long. Do I really know who Celestia is?  Does she even know of me?  The answer that was beginning to make the most sense was horrifying.  Worse yet, Rarity knew Twilight had no idea how hard her questions actually were.  Twilight slowly started to regret asking the question. She saw Rarity’s professional mask slipping away into one of horror. Terrified of what may happen next if Rarity’s train of thought was allowed to go on, Twilight jumped to keep talking. “In light of all that, I brought ink and paper. I need you to communicate with Celestia so the captain can do the same with Luna.” The pitch was made, and now all Twilight could do was wait for any backlash. Rarity had to grasp the lifeline of scripture. A dark shadow fell over her face as an angry tirade materialized in her mind. Then it stopped. She stared the hybrid down, her tone ice cold. “You already told the captain all this?” “Y-yes.”  Twilight was sweating feverishly now, and backpedaled a bit.  “You convinced a thestral that Luna has been deaf and dumb her whole life, and to her whole tribe of ever since the Civil War?!” she shouted with vitriol.  “That - Ah - that’s about the same reaction she had.”  Twilight forced a sheepish half-grin.  Every bit of Rarity’s training demanded retribution. She got up into Twilight’s face. “Were we not under a cease-fire, I’d demand your head. But I have something more fitting in mind. When Celestia breathes once more, you can face her judgment then and there.” Seeing that even in this state, Rarity was not about to break the ceasefire, Twilight felt emboldened enough to walk away from the intrusion into her personal space. “Oh believe me, your honor, I very much plan on that.  In fact, I want to be there when you tell her all about enstripement. Mostly to correct you should you feel the need to bend the truth to save your hide.” So this was about - wait, what? The snarl on Rarity’s face morphed into one of concerned shock. “Why would we talk about-? Are you that certain you are in the right about this?” “Merchant’s Creed seventy four: knowledge equals profit.”  Twilight dusted herself off, and flexed a stiff wing that was still aching from the hot metal. “You have access to a lot of things when you are a noble scion, inquisitor. Archives of old forgotten things for one.”  A dangerous smirk of her own played over Twilight’s face. “Such as Celestia’s peacetime writings. The original copies, you know of them, yes?  The very ones the scriptures are adapted from.” For the first time in a long while, Rarity felt fear deep in her soul. “You can't honestly be saying those writings would rebuke enstripement. The scriptures are interpretations and direct translations, or near enough to matter.” “Ahh, and there it is,” Twilight said triumphantly. Now it was her turn to approach Rarity, who stood her ground. “There is something to be said about death of the author. You’ve never read the originals have you? It’s practically a dead language so why bother, right? Inquisitors have more important things to worry about. Leave it to the church scribes and archivists, who I might add barely do anything other than copy writings from decaying paper. And I can tell you, none of them had read it either or they never would have let me do the same.  “Like everypony else, you trust what you’ve been taught. Just like your teachers, and ones before them, and the ones before them!  The one truth no priest or bishop was even aware of. ‘Near enough to matter.’”  Twilight actually laughed at the audacity of the phrase. “I couldn’t have said it better myself. Well the original writer of it all is coming back, my dear inquisitor, and she has a lot of catching up to do.” Before she got into Rarity’s personal space, Twilight backed off and made to leave. “You came to me wanting a friend today, so I tell you this as a courtesy from one friend to another.  That way, when Celestia herself proves me right, you’ll have already processed just how much these lies have defined us. How much the pillar of honesty has been so thoroughly shattered by ponies who are long dead that we don't even know it existed in the first place.”  Twilight lingered a moment, pensive regret falling over her for being too harsh. “I best be ready to help finish preparing the charile, so I must take my leave.” A war waged within Rarity. As Twilight walked away, she magically grabbed the noble’s wing, finding it as slippery as grease to her magic, but it was still enough to get the pegacorn’s attention. “And what happens if you’re proven wrong?  That it is exactly what Celestia had envisioned or wanted?!” “If..?”  Twilight let the simple question hang in the air, adding weight to what was already going through Rarity’s mind. “Then Celestia was never worthy of my faith.”  Twilight resumed walking away. “Find what peace you can, Rarity Belle. This - Awakening that everypony is so gleefully sprinting towards will shake the very foundations of the world.”