What will happen when an Alicorn goes to war?
Shining Armor let Flurry Heart play with his hair. Pulling it, ruining it, and robbing his mane of its majesty. It would typically hurt him and constantly take her off his back, but he was more focused on Cadance’s gloomy expression. They were home now; she could indulge in her
The deal with the Griffons passed and was agreed upon without great debate; Griffonstone returned to its semblance and peace, yet she wasn’t able to find anything pleasant in her achievements. Flurry had noticed her mother’s unwillingness to play with her, she saw passed the façade she had shown to Twilight.
Celestia, worried about her prolonged absence, asked if she could come to Canterlot. They had gone later at night, right on time for both Sisters to be present, though Luna was more evasive.
Cadance had lied. She lied about Trazyn’s abduction, she lied about the Griffons’ scare and hid the question.
How much her attempt was successful, Cadance could not tell, but she liked to believe she was successful.
She almost purposefully omitted the existence of the Dramatis Mortalis. It was her own burden, and she took it upon herself to hide it from the world. Maybe, at some point, she would reveal it. One day, she promised, at the opportune time.
‘Want to eat something?’
‘No.’
He tried to kiss her under Flurry Heart’s harried attacks. She alleviated his efforts.
‘Sleep? I sure need some myself.’
‘What… What will happen? Why did he… Why did he ask me that question?’
‘You said it; he wants to mess with you.’
‘But if it did happen?’
‘Because you plan to go to war with someone?’ he laughed it out. ‘You personally? Because it would explain that monster’s behavior,’ he pointed toward Flurry Heart, stymieing the pain he felt.
‘Maybe it might happen in the future?’ She paused to liberate Armor from Flurry. ‘Why “empire”? Really – why “Crystal Empire”? What do I have to pretend the country is one when it clearly isn’t?!’
‘Cadance!’ Armor shouted, scaring Flurry Heart and stunning his wife. ‘Don’t!’ he warned. ‘Don’t fall to what you are scared of.’
‘What will happen when an Alicorn goes to war?’ she repeated the question aloud.
He hugged her. He did know any other way beyond it.
It never failed to please her, even in worse positions. Flurry Heart made her little attempt by slamming in full flight into her mother, making her parents lose balance.
She was grounded by her father afterward.
Cadance, too.
****
‘Nightmare Moon,’ she played with the name. ‘I wonder what my name might be.’
‘Would be,’ she corrected. ‘Why do you want to know? You don’t have to know if you possess that aspect.’
‘What if I do?’
‘You don’t.’
‘How can you be sure?’
‘Because I know I am right.’
Cadance laughed. ‘Did you ask yourself that question back then? Or was it… pressed upon you?’
‘I had the time to ask it for myself – on my own. I know that feeling, Cadance; that is why I came.’
‘Had it rapidly conquered you?’
‘Relatively. I did not have a,’ she laughed, ‘Shining Armor – at the time. It was already too late when I had asked it. Me, Luna, not Nightmare Moon.’
‘Don’t hate me for asking.’
‘Why would I?’ she smiled. ‘We can keep it as our little secret.’
‘I prefer. Thank you. But she does know, right? Celestia knew I was lying to her face?’
‘She does. Of course, not about the Question. As I said, it is our little thing…’ Luna paused. ‘I support your actions. Know this.’
‘Like it will make a difference,’ answered Cadance, amusingly.
‘You are very impolite!’ she laughed at the answer. ‘I know this crown is more paper than metal, but you don’t have to throw it in the water! Trust me – there? Understand?’
Cadance laughed. ‘Will you two really follow through with your decision?’
‘Celestia needs it.’
‘You can reign in her stead,’ she leered.
‘She needs it more than you know. She has changed. And Celestia, when she thinks no one is looking, says so.’
‘She told Twilight?’
‘Soon, but don’t concern yourself with it. Soon everyone will know. For now, only you and Armor know of our decision. Plus, you will feel better when left alone.’ Luna paused and looked above. ‘I have other errands. Remember: I am always here.’
‘I know.’
‘Good night, Cadance,’ saluted Luna.
‘Good night, Luna,’ she saluted back.
****
‘Why did you bother with that one?’ accused Orikan.
Trazyn did not answer; he only shrugged.
‘It was a waste of time,’ continued the Diviner. ‘We could have left earlier, but why you’ve insisted on talking with that Cadance, is beyond me.’
‘Remembrance, dearest Orikan.’
‘Why bother? We won’t be returning. The ghostwinds are closing. Their rampant use of the esoteric will doom them in less than a century.’
‘Your prediction?’
‘Subsequent generations are getting more… outgoing with their abilities.’ He paused. ‘A calamity will befall them.’
‘Interesting.’
There was hidden amusement in Trazyn’s response. Orikan hated it. Even in that world that wasn’t theirs, he thought, the Infinite was interfering in his affairs all in the name of his obsession.
Orikan’s movement snapped into readiness, his hands gripping firmly on the Staff of Light. Trazyn turned and used his own staff to push Orikan’s to the side with rapid force. The Diviner lost balance and fell on the metallic floor of the Lord of Antiquity. Then to be pinned down by two lychguards.
‘It is my ship, Orikan,’ pleasantly warned Trazyn.
‘I will unleash hruds bio-forms on Solemnance!’
‘Do it and die.’
Trazyn abandoned Orikan on the floor, heading to amuse himself in guiding and verifying the work of a crew slaved to the ship for eternity.
Hours later, he was pleased to announce on the vox to no ears except Orikan’s that all was well and functions were working at optimal requirement.
Then they departed.