//------------------------------// // Chapter 42: Changes 5 // Story: Piece by Piece // by Eltirions //------------------------------// 14 December 1008 Rarity had never been afraid of an approaching car before. But a car that contained Nightmare Moon… Beside her were Darkheart on the left and Lilac on the right. If they were as uneasy as her, they did not show it; of course, Darkheart was a Captain of the Night Guard and Lilac was a Changeling, so Rarity shouldn’t be so surprised at their ability to appear unbothered. Once the cars had come to a halt, Nightmare Moon was the first to be out of them, before the porter had even opened the door. She was just like Rarity remembered her: tall, dark and impressive. ‘’Your Majesty.’’ She bowed low, ignoring the pangs of pain from her bruises. ‘’Governess Belle. How are your injuries?’’ ‘’They are healing, your Majesty.’’ ‘’Good.’’ Nightmare Moon swept past her. ‘’Captain Darkheart.’’ ‘’Your Majesty.’’ The stallion saluted. Nightmare Moon nodded, and then turned her gaze on Lilac. ‘’And you are?’’ ‘’Lily Merrimare, your Majesty. I’m the Governess’ secretary.’’ ‘’Very well.’’ The Alicorn turned her gaze back on Rarity. ‘’We have much to discuss, Governess Belle. Where might we do so?’’ ‘’There is a lounge room nearby that we may use.’’ ‘’Lead us to it.’’ Rarity obeyed her command immediately, and soon enough they were in the room. It was sizeable and comfortable, more than large enough to fit their entire party. ‘’This conversation shall be held with just the Governess, Commander Dash and myself,’’ Nightmare Moon announced. ‘’You may wait for us outside or elsewhere in the Palace. We will send it to you if needed. Dismissed.’’ What? Rarity resisted the urge to gulp. Alone with the Empress… Rainbow would be there. It would have to suffice. Rarity took a seat on the couch; the Empress picked a simple but elegant chair, and Rainbow settled next to Rarity. The door closed. ‘’So.’’ Nightmare Moon’s eyes found Rarity’s, and she couldn’t look away even if she wanted to. ‘’How did this happen?’’ So Rarity told her. Told her what had happened that morning, all that she could remember. The breakfast, the news of the explosion, the attack, Twilight… All of it. Nightmare Moon listened, and thankfully did not interrupt. By the time she was finished, Rarity felt like she was close to crying just from having to relive it all again. Rainbow seemingly didn’t miss that, and the wing she draped over Rarity’s back was one of the most comforting things she could have experienced in that moment. She was just so, so tired. Nightmare Moon sighed. ‘’Thank you, Rarity, for telling me this. I needed to make sure that my information was correct. I do not blame you for this; I doubt the full complement of the Night Guard stationed here would have been able to hold off Twilight Sparkle. You did the best you could.’’ She rose from her chair. ‘’When night falls, I shall attempt to find Flurry via her dreams. It is possible that Twilight might be obscuring these dreams, but in that case I shall at least have a general sense of direction to follow. I need there to be a force ready to go the moment I have a location; we cannot let Flurry stay in the grasp of Twilight Sparkle any longer. Once Flurry is safe, we shall further discuss the future.’’ ‘’Understood, your Majesty.’’ ‘’Excellent.’’ That’s not the word I’d use. |-x-X-x-| 14 December 1008 Crystal City was beautiful, especially in the orange-golden light of dusk that coated it as the train pulled into the station. The blockade on transport had been lifted just in time for their train to not be disrupted too much, thankfully. And now they were here. Sweetie took a deep breath of the cold northern area and suppressed a shiver. ‘’So, to the Palace?’’ ‘’To the Palace,’’ Sunset confirmed. ‘’We just need to find… there.’’ One quick conversation with two members of the Night Guard later, and they were in a police car, headed for the Palace. It was a tad cramped, with all three of them in the back, but they made it work. Somewhat. ‘’So, what will you do when we get there?’’ ‘’Talk with Rarity,’’ was Sweetie’s response. ‘’If she’s awake yet.’’ ‘’Fair enough.’’ Before long, they were pulling into the Palace’s car park. Surprisingly, there were already a fair few cars present, guarded by Night Guard? ‘’Wait,’’ Sunset muttered as they got out of the car, ‘’I recognise these. They were in Ponyville. How… is the Empress here?’’ ‘’... huh,’’ Twinkle said after a few seconds of silence. ‘’That… yeah. That makes sense.’’ ‘’It does, but I’m still surprised.’’ Sweetie didn’t say anything. She had nothing to add, and everything to prepare for. They were led into the Palace - a stunning building that she would have paid far more attention to were it not for the circumstances - by two of the Night Guard, who kept a very close eye on them. Sensible, of course, but just a little bit off-putting. ‘’The Empress is in here,’’ one of them said as they approached a door guarded by four more Night Guards. ‘’Imperial Magician Sunset Shimmer, IIS Agent Twinkle Flower and Miss Sweetie Belle, here to see the Empress.’’ One of the guards at the door nodded, and then slipped into the room after giving a quick knock; she returned a moment later. ‘’They can come in.’’ The mare held the door open, revealing an elaborately-designed room filled with all manner of extravagant furniture and decorations. None of that mattered though. ‘’Sweetie!’’ Before she could even get a good look at Rarity, the mare in question had gotten up from the couch and galloped straight into her, almost tackling her to the ground in a hug. ‘’Oh darling,’’ Rarity breathed into her ear as they all-but-fell on the floor. ‘’It’s so good to see you.’’ ‘’It’s so good to see you too,’’ Sweetie replied as she hugged her sister back. She smelled the same as she always did, and it reminded her of home and comfort and easier times and everything the world wasn’t right now. But maybe it could be again, for a moment. |-x-X-x-| Twilight wasn’t a great cook, she could admit that, but she knew how to make some things. Dinner for tonight was bread and a simple soup, nothing special but hopefully enough to feed herself and Flurry. ‘’What are you making, auntie?’’ ‘’Soup,’’ she replied, ‘’and some bread. Not great, I know, but it is unfortunately the best we have. It’ll be ready soon.’’ ‘’Yay!’’ the filly cheered. ‘’I’m hungry.’’ ‘’Just a little more time.’’ ‘’Okay.’’ The filly sat down on her bedroll again. ‘’This is kinda soft. Not as soft as my bed though.’’ ‘’We’ll have to make do, I’m afraid.’’ ‘’Okay.’’ Twilight turned her mind back to the dinner, and not long after it was ready to be served. Two bowls of soup and some bread; what a meal.  Still, it was nutritious, and Flurry seemed to like it, so it wasn’t completely terrible. When they got to the mansion of her followers, she could have all the quality food she could ever need. Until then, they’d have to get by. ‘’So, Flurry,’’ Twilight began, ‘’I have a question, if you don’t mind.’’ ‘’Sure!’’ ‘’How did you get out of the Crystal Empire?’’ ‘’What do you mean?’’ ‘’When Sombra attacked,’’ Twilight explained, ‘’you were in the Empire, right? How’d you get out?’’ Flurry’s face scrunched up in thought. ‘’Uhh… I don’t know.’’ ‘’You don’t know?’’ Twilight raised an eyebrow. ‘’Yeah. One moment I was with…’’ Flurry trailed off, suddenly looking very sad. ‘’Anyway, it was like poof! And then I was with Auntie Tia.’’ That wasn’t the right answer. She had to know. Twilight had to know. She couldn’t just not know! ‘’Are you sure you don’t know anything about it?’’ ‘’Yes.’’ ‘’Hm.’’ There were ways to block memories. They were rare, but if anyone knew such dark magic, it would be Nightmare Moon. And she would definitely be interested in that information. Yes, that made sense. Nightmare Moon had altered the memory so Flurry couldn’t remember it. ‘’Flurry,’’ Twilight began, ‘’maybe I can help you remember. There’s a spell I can cast.’’ ‘’What does it do?’’ ‘’I can use it to look at your memories and try to find the memory of you escaping Sombra,’’ Twilight explained. ‘’I’m going to do that now.’’ ‘’Wait-’’ But the spell was already cast. Flurry went down to the floor, almost falling face-first into the bowl of soup, and then Twilight’s world darkened for a moment. I’m sorry, Flurry. But it’s necessary.