//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 - Memories // Story: Null-Magic Pegasus // by Scors //------------------------------// Clack clack... clack clack... The sounds of the train on the rails irritated Silver's sensitive hearing, making it hard for her to sleep. She'd taken Doc's advice after talking with Clipper about her visit with him, leaving out the part about the psychologist being a complete nutcase himself. Clipper's reaction was completely opposite of what Silver had expected. He had literally hopped around the apartment like a little foal hyped up on sugar, screaming "We're going to Canterlot! We're going to Canterlot!" Silver couldn't help but laugh at him. He really hadn't changed in the past two and a half years, or even for the several years she'd known him before she went on the run. A small green nose tried to bury itself deeper into Silver's neck to escape the cold of the sleeping car. The pegasus wrapped a wing around the shivering filly, drawing her closer under the thin covers. Silver had never mentioned this little pony to Doc knowing he would probably be asking a thousand questions about her; Silver didn't want to answer any of those, she just wanted those memories buried. A part of her, however, would never let them go. No matter how bad Los Pegasus had been, Silver had gotten the little filly out of it. And this little filly pushed her to become a better pony, one Eight could look up to. A pony that the she could be proud of. The earth filly's name was Eight Beat, a name she'd given herself on the streets. Silver had no idea if she even remembered her original name, but Eight Beat definitely fit the melodic little pony. She had this amazing talent for music that went beyond anything Silver had ever heard, and that was a considerable amount. Eight could turn even the worst piece of music into the most amazing masterpiece. Perhaps the reason why she hadn't gotten her cutie mark just yet was that Eight never got a chance to show her talent. Silver burrowed into the filly's forest green mane with her snout, giving the pony a small kiss through the tangled mess. The musical little pony was close to Silver's heart, and she couldn't help but show it. The funny part of it was that she'd only had Eight for a couple months, but Silver knew almost everything about her. She and Silver were alone in the world back then, living day to day on very little. Los Pegasus, however, had opened the doors for both of them to have a new beginning. A new beginning. The words hung in Silver's mind. The beginning for the two of them had been a small park on the side of a mountain. It overlooked Los Pegasus in all its wonder while not being touched by the city's great lights. Silver had found the park completely by accident, out on a flight to help clear her head a little. The stars had been beautiful, shining brighter than ever before. Ever since Princess Luna's return, the nights had been Silver's most favorite time, and partially why she became a night-life DJ when she moved to Manehattan. Silver had been lounging on a green bench in the middle of a clearing, given an unobstructed view of the city below. Besides the brightness and beauty of the stars, the night had not been different from any other. But when a green filly with amber eyes hopped onto the bench next to her and had said "Hello" in her cheery voice, Silver's world took a turn. A turn that was fraught with more danger than anything Silver had ever experienced. But that turn led her to the train she was on, and the green filly beneath her wing. "Can't sleep either?" Clipper's voice came from across the dark room in a whisper. Silver started to shake her head then remembered that, unlike her, Clipper couldn't see in the small, dark room. Nighttime survival was a favorite pastime of her father, who loved to experiment with Silver's unique traits. "No, not really," Silver replied. "What has you awake?" "Can't talk about it," the silver pegasus replied plainly. She wasn't lying, she honestly couldn't talk about what had happened in Los Pegasus. She was sworn to secrecy by Princess Luna herself regarding those events. "Ah, Los Pegasus," Clipper chuckled. "One day, you're going to share." "Sure I will." Silver stated, her sarcasm more than obvious. "And what is Clipper thinking about?" "Our Hearth's Warmings we had together," Clipper replied. "I know you remember them. The overdecorated tree in the mansion, the two of us digging tunnels in the snow. Sterling being ever-watchful over the two of us, making sure we didn't set fire to those rocky perimeter walls. I'm still not sure how we managed it the first time. I miss those days, you know?" Silver nodded to herself, wrapping her tail around the shivering filly. Cold didn't agree with Eight very well and it was a chilly night. "Yeah, I remember those days. I remember we also set fire to the tree that year and my parents were sooo mad. I had to work snow duty for two weeks after that. And all because you wanted a simple cup of punch." The two pegasi laughed quietly at the memory. "Yeah, those were the times. Just you and me against the world," Clipper said as he held his hoof up. Silver grinned quietly at her friend as he stifled a yawn. "Now it's you (a nutcase), me (a screw-up), and the little fuzzball against the world." Silver groaned quietly at her friend's nickname for Eight. The filly liked it though. Silver never understood why. "Part of me feels we're better off now than we were, and we were pretty well off to begin with." "Oh, yeah, we were really well off. Your parents traveled eleven months out of the year, almost no cash to speak of, bordering on neglectfulness, and my parents were..." Silver felt her words slow as she said them, "Well, you know what my parents were like," "Yep, definitely better off now. Got our own room on a cheap, unheated sleeping car, on our way to Canterlot with only a hoofful of bits and a recommendation from a cellist, looking for a totally fresh start. Living the dream, right?" Clipper's mood suddenly became solemn. "Just promise me one thing, Silver?" "Yeah?" "Don't leave us, alright? I'm not sure what we'd do if you did." Silver felt a tug at her heart as she looked out the window to the sliver of moon that remained in the sky. She had run from her parents, yes, but she'd also left behind everyone who cared about her. Everyone she cared about. It was a decision she still regretted, but the past is the past and Silver couldn't change it. She knew who she wanted to be, and now she was determined to become that pony. A soft snore came from Clipper's bed. The orange pegasus had fallen asleep, probably from exhaustion. Either that or Silver lost track of time, which wasn't unheard of. The silver pony laid her head down next to her little filly's, encircling the foal with her own body, and allowed her mind to wander its untamed thickets. She felt Eight's slow breathing against her neck as the filly's shivering died out, sending small chills down her own spine. The pegasus looked at her little green pony, now peacefully asleep within her embrace, one more time. Silver closed her eyes and let her mind continue its aimless wandering, slowly slipping into her own land of dreams. It really was a chilly night... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Luna, I really need to rethink these late nights, Sterling thought to herself as she magically unlocked the white door in front of her. 'By Luna.' Hahaha, I still can't believe I've held onto that. Sterling chuckled inside her own head as she looked up and down the wide, dark hallway she stood in. She'd lived here for almost three years, and it still felt like home to her. By day ponies would walk up and down it looking at the various works of art and tinkerers' toys that were lined up along the edges. At night, there wasn't a single peep to be heard throughout the entire building. Every day the residents of these apartments would try to get somepony to look at their wares, hoping to be spotted and hired for their talent. The ruckus they each made was amazing, especially when somepony not of the apartments walked by. Sterling had once been one of those ponies, though her means of going about showing her wares wasn't as enthusiastic as most of the other residents. While they screamed and hollered at the various ponies that came through, Sterling quietly let her small machines run on her table, always lit by the sun through the glass ceiling of the hallway. She let her work speak for itself and it paid off quickly. Word of Sterling's solar powered machines rolling and, in the only case of what she thought was her stupidest idea at the time, walking around on her table had spread rapidly throughout the city. Soon enough ponies from everywhere came to see Sterling's little marvels. Ponies were amazed that such small devices didn't need magic to work, that they could be powered by the sun itself. A small business owner offered Sterling a chance to mass produce her toys to sell to everypony in return for a small percentage of the profits. That was step one, and from that point her name became synonymous with technological innovation and solar power. Sterling had never left her studio apartment despite the amount of fame and fortune she quickly accrued. She didn't think her ego needed the boost, and the unicorn was content with her choice of home. It was humble, quiet during the nights and she didn't run into paparazzi around here. The artists alone kept them away with their bickering and paint-based wars. It was peaceful for Sterling, though at times it was eerily quiet. Sterling pushed the white metal handle on the door and it swung open, revealing her home for almost three years. The white tile floor showed signs of age and damage from heavy metal being dropped on it repeatedly. Three walls and the ceiling were sheetrock, sporting black burns and impressive dents from various failed experiments. The wall farthest from the door had been replaced with window panes, from the floor to the three-story ceiling. The largest scorch mark could be seen on the ceiling, near the center, a warning to anypony that wanted to anger Sterling in her own home. Out of the center of the right wall, hanging two stories above the floor and several feet from the windows and front of the room, sat a large, steel balcony that had been constructed soon after Sterling had found her fortune. The unicorn had always wanted a more humble place to live when she was at the Silver Mansion so she asked the landlord if she could have it installed. It was a very reasonable negotiation between the two that ended in the owner getting a guarantee that Silver would pay the costs for its installation, which she happily agreed to. The platform was solid steel, the railings along the three edges painted a dull red. Sheets of metal took their places within the railings, ensuring nopony fell off by accident. Sterling had opted for the solid sides instead of a fence mesh purely for aesthetic reasons, though she admitted to herself some privacy was nice from time to time. Along the balcony's length sat three different sections, the border of each only noted by the change of flooring and furniture. A bedroom, playing host to a small bed and two nightstands, occupied the side closest to the windows of the apartment. The white carpet was pristine, showing no signs of age or wear due to its very diligent caretaker. The edge of the bedroom section that hugged the wall also held a steep, wooden ramp that slid down under the rest of the balcony, eventually meeting the main floor below. The ramp showed lots of use beyond its years, sporting many hoofmarks from ponies traversing its length. A kitchenette took up the center section of the balcony and was equipped with an oven, fridge, and a single stove top. The laminated tiles were polished to pristine quality, and the small cupboards and sink were equipped with neon tube lights to provide illumination to the small area. Sterling didn't know why there were neon lights in the kitchen sink; perhaps it was from the late night of partying and not-so-reserved drinking she had prior to planning out the kitchenette. On the end opposite the bedroom was a small sitting room, equipped with a lush, red carpet and crimson couch. A floor lamp sat in the corner farthest from the wall, standing ready to illuminate anypony that wanted its assistance. That light had seen many a war between Sterling and others, but it still stood in its place, ready for duty at a second's notice. A redwood door was placed within the wall from this sitting area, across from the lamp, that lead to a miniature bathroom. No residence was complete without a bathroom that was easy to get to. Down below there were a dozen desks placed randomly about the main floor of the studio, each one with a single yellow crystal embedded into the back edge. Some desks had renders of various mechanical creations magically displayed above them while others held finished products awaiting shipment. These were Sterling's work stations, the places where she would brainstorm then create her technological marvels. The crystals allowed her to design the device in real-time before actually starting work on the physical form. They were her answer to blueprints, which she never liked using. "Flat paper, flat results" Sterling had said originally. Her partner, on the other hoof, needed them to replicate Sterling's designs. So they reached the compromise where Sterling would create a device they needed and her partner would have a special team disassemble them to scrawl out blueprints, so long as they put the original back together. Sterling put a bit of soul into every piece of work; she wasn't about to let it lay in pieces in some dustbin. The unicorn looked about the large room, her eyes using what little moonlight came in from the windows across from her to see everything. Nothing held its color or its shine in this dim light, but Sterling could still see the silhouettes of her devices sitting on the tables. The floating 'yellowprints', as Sterling called them, were glowing a soft yellow as they slowly revolved in midair. Such a large room and so little light to illuminate it. Sterling sighed and walked towards the ramp that came from under the balcony, letting the door into the studio swing itself closed and automatically lock. The wooden ramp creaked as the unicorn made her way up, her head held low from exhaustion. Normally Sterling did not have to do any real labor with her projects anymore, but she never felt right about it. She felt like she needed to help even if she was the boss, though her hooves and legs definitely disagreed with her. Oh, goody. Mail. Sterling thought as she reached the top of the ramp, At least that little enchantment on the door still works. And it's not burnt to a crisp, either. In front of her a magazine lay on the white carpet of her miniature bedroom. She shook her head and picked it up in her teeth, her eyes unfocused as she tossed it onto the bed. Sterling then flicked the switch on the wall, lighting the small open area. The main room over the edge of the balcony remained dark, swallowing any light that dared to travel too far. The unicorn climbed onto the unkempt gray sheets strewn across the bed, uprighted the magazine in her hooves, and opened the first page with her snout. Sterling didn't have the strength to use her magic tonight, nor did she want to. Magic was something she was gifted with, but it wasn't something she enjoyed using for simple tasks. Top ten independently wealthy ponies of Equestria. Where they live and what they're like, Sterling read the title in her head. Why are they sending this to me? Sterling turned the pages of the magazine one by one until she found the cover story and began browsing. What follows are various reporters of Vaneigh interviewing the top ten richest ponies and their employees, assistants, and families. Reporters include the infamous Snap Shot, the tantalizing Miss Feather, and even one article from Quill Slick herself. Richest pony number 1: Filthy Rich, lives in Ponyville, respects the elderly, etcetera etcetera. Rich is a good pony, he knows where he is. Richest pony number 2: Uptight snob of a pony, good publicity though, blah blah blah. Big, hot-shot reporter interview, yadda yadda yadda. Don't care, moving on. Richest pony number 3: Sterling Silver. Wait, what? Sterling shook her head as if to wake herself from some dream. She stared at her name on the page, under "Richest pony number 3:" She was wealthy, Sterling knew that, but she didn't realize she was the third richest pony in Equestria, excluding corporations and families. That was, of course, according to this gossip magazine which probably didn't cover a lot of bases with their research. That still did not stop them from putting her on this list, though. Sterling focused intently as she turned the page to her name, curious as to what the article had to say about her. Sterling read the article, whispering each word as she did so. "Sterling Silver, a young mare from the Silver Family estate in the west, currently lives in a studio apartment in the Artist's District, an apartment building devoted to the arts and talents of ponies and a ripe location for finding excellent talent. "Sterling Silver began her career with small business owner McBrinks-- 'McBrinks'? That's one point against this reporter. The guy's name was Max Blink, best business partner I could have ever found," Sterling said proudly, though quietly, to herself. "Guy gave me my lucky break and I don't think he's ever regretted it." Sterling returned to the article. "So, started with Max Blink, not 'McBrinks,' let's see what else we have here." Sterling silently skimmed over the various sections of the article, making sure the reporter had gotten her facts straight. She covered the exposition in Los Pegasus, that was a fun one, the commission by Princess Celestia herself, classified of course, general work day, work ethic, interview with--Sweets? Sterling sat up from the lazy position she had been slowly sinking into. The name of her friend on the page stood out to her and she returned to intently reading the article. Miss Sweets, the personal assistant to Miss Silver, finally agreed to an interview after two months of my asking and the promise that her words are written down in their entirety, in context. As my loyal readers will know, I am not a newspony that usually takes a statement out of context and so I promptly agreed. The loyalty to Miss Silver is far more impressive than any I have seen before, and her description of her employer, no more than twelve years her junior, was nothing if not glowing. What follows is the Question and Answer session I had with Miss Sweets over a delightful lunch. Sterling turned the page. Quill: "What is working for Sterling like?" Sweets: "Absolutely wondrous. Sterling is unlike any employer I have had before and she doesn't talk down to myself or any employee. It feels like, and is, a complete one-eighty from my previous jobs." Q: "What kinds of jobs have you had before and how does that translate to working with Sterling?" S: "Well, my specialty is pony interaction and public relations, but the jobs I've had range from door-to-door salespony to personal assistant of Prince Blueblood himself. I started when I was very young and have gained a lot of knowledge over the course of my life. "It all translates to working for Sterling by giving me a level of autonomy. If Sterling asks me to get something done I can do it. She has me doing almost everything from managing the construction workers of her first major project to assuring that she maintains her schedule during the day. Some days I'm actually run down to the bone (Sweets' attitude here is light and giddy for reader's clarity) but it's the best job I could have ever hoped for. I would not trade it for the world." Q: "And if you cannot get her requests fulfilled?" S: "Well, that depends on the cause. Sterling, unlike many of my bosses before, is a pony that pins blame where it belongs. If I make a mistake then I receive the repercussions, though I have yet to be fired. If it's a mistake of another pony, Sterling won't allow anyone else to take the blame and will ensure that the pony or company responsible is held accountable. "I have made mistakes working with her, but she hasn't fired me because she realizes, unlike many other ponies in her position, that one pony can only do so much. I always give her 150% of my best and I know that Sterling appreciates it, even if I do get the wrong color ink for her pen." At this point our conversation turned to more personal matters which I will not be writing about within this article. I had one more question, however, before our lunch ended. It was one that you, my readers, have been dying to know and so I asked it for you. Q: "My readers are wondering, Miss Sweets: what is Sterling herself like?" This elicited a large smile from Miss Sweets, something I found intriguing when talking about her employer. S: "Sterling is mostly like you or me, just a bit overly proper. She enjoys jokes, she laughs and smiles, and she has a heart. Sterling is the kindest pony I've ever met, and I've met a lot of ponies in my lifetime. Most of the ponies I've worked for over the years wouldn't give a soul on the street a second glance if they came up. I've seen Sterling take time out of her day, out of a completely packed schedule, to talk with fillies and colts that just walk up to her out there. (Enter proud grin) I've even seen Sterling actually help out a few of them. Don't get me wrong, Sterling Silver is not a pony that gives hoofouts; she won't just give money to anypony off the street. No rich ponies do anymore. Instead she does something that nopony, especially the rich ones, would do: she gives them a chance. Sterling gives ponies down on their luck a chance to get a job, a chance to make something of themselves. She doesn't give hoofouts which are one-time deals; she gives hope which lasts lifetimes. "The biggest thing you must know about Sterling Silver, if you or your readers ever meet her, is that Sterling believes in respect above all else. So long as you respect her she will return in kind, even if you do not see eye to eye. Even if you're both complete opposites, if you respect Sterling Silver she will give you her attention, she will give you a chance. She's honestly the best pony I've ever worked for, and I'm proud to say I am her employee, her personal assistant, and her good friend." ... I know you, my loyal readers, can't feel the emotions behind those words; you only have my written word that they were truly powerful. I have rarely found an employee that is this genuine in the praise of their employer, and despite being the third-richest pony in Equestria, richer than even Prince Blueblood himself, Sterling has gained the loyalty and friendship of two ponies at this table. One of which she has never met, but I hope someday she will. To my loyal readers, though numerous you may not be, I will write this: Sterling Silver is a pony to be respected and admired. She's the very example of what our rich side should be like rather than what it is. This is Quill Slick, newsmare of Vaneigh, signing off on another chapter. Richest Pony number 4: -- Sterling looked at the magazine still held in her hooves, slowly processing what she just read. She knew Sweets had thought highly of her but never knew she thought that highly. The silver unicorn couldn't help but grin as she reread the Q&A again, a sense of joy filling her within. "Wow, Sweets. I never thought of it like that," Sterling quietly said to the magazine, "I always thought I was just giving chances at a better life. I never considered myself as a bringer of hope. Shows how egotistical I really am, right?" Sterling chuckled to herself. "I guess someday I should meet some reporter or another. Maybe this Quill Slick, assuming you give her high marks." Sterling looked off over the head of her bed, out the window of the studio apartment. The sliver of a moon was barely visible through the large panes of glass. Its silver light made Sterling think of the flame of hope; a flame that she, a Silver, the heir apparent to the Silver fortune no less, apparently spread to the world. Sterling wasn't going to stop, either. It felt too good. Sterling Silver, the Fountain of Hope, the unicorn thought as she lay her head on her forelegs and let herself drift off to sleep. Yeah, just what I need: a boost to my ego. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Quick. Get up, Quick." The pegasus groaned, pulling the covers further over her head. She didn't want to get up, same as most mornings anymore. "Seriously, Quick?" Sterling asked as she pulled the covers from the filly's hooves. "Today is the day you decide to sleep in? Really?" Sterling's sister sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was still groggy from yet another sleepless night. The nightmares had started just a month before, and each night since they'd gotten worse. Sterling actually moved her little sister's bed into her room, though the filly hardly used it any more. Silver always felt safer nestled next to her big sister. Sterling's room was the quintessence of royalty, being grand in scale and ornate in design. The solid redwood floor was polished and waxed to the point that only the most skilled ice skaters could stand on it. From soft white walls hung some of the greatest works of art from various historical artists, the cheapest of which could buy a large house in Canterlot with all the trimmings. Flanking these masterpieces were marble columns, two set halfway into each wall, that shone as bright as the sun they reflected. A single queen bed sat between two grand windows opposite the opulent oak doors. Two dressers with full-sized mirrors stood guard over the entrance to the room and a large royal red rug with golden laces sat beneath the bed, allowing the occupant a cushioned experience in the morning. The Silvers were a very rich family, and they enjoyed showing it off. To one side sat a single white door, blending in with the walls, that led to a closet the size of an average hotel room. It held very little in the way of clothing, but for Sterling's parents it was the idea that counted. An equally large bathroom sat across from this closet, heralding direct access to the balcony pool outside. Sterling was the definition of a privileged filly, but she never let it go to her head. "Yeah, you try not sleeping for more than an hour a night for a month, see if you feel like getting up," Silver retorted, lightly jabbing her hoof towards the unicorn. A small pain shot up the back of Silver's neck and she quickly put her hoof on it, rubbing the spot as the muscles relaxed. A downside to having extreme reflexes was that cramps were especially painful, though they did not last long. Sterling just shook her head, a warm smile gracing her lips. Sterling was only three years older than Silver but she was forced to act far more mature. Mainly because she'd taken the responsibility of raising her little sister early in her own life. Their parents had wanted to put Quick Silver up for adoption the moment she was born solely because she was a pegasus. Sterling, however, did not want to give up the little foal. It took seven royal guards, unicorns no less, to suppress her tantrum. Even then her anger with her parents broiled within that magical barrier, waiting to be released. She may have only been three, but she wasn't about to let the little foal she'd wanted to meet for so long be taken away so quickly. Her parents agreed that if Sterling took responsibility that they wouldn't put her up for adoption. The unicorn quickly agreed and had never regretted a second of it, though it did have its challenges. Silver reached towards the nightstand for her baby blue shades. Sterling put a hoof on top of her sister's, gently pinning the pegasus to the nightstand. "Remember you promised me no glasses today?" Sterling looked into Silver's eyes. Many ponies found them unnerving, which led to a lot of teasing for the pegasus. Add to that her smaller size, Silver had some serious issues with bullies. And even if Silver dealt with those bullies she'd have to deal with repercussions for her actions, most likely ending in six months of physical therapy for the bullies, which meant a no-win for her. The pair's parents would not press the administration of Silver's school to do anything about it, which they needed to, making it harder for the pegasus to even walk the halls in peace. Silver looked at the ground, averting her eyes from Sterling's. The unicorn, however, put a hoof under her sister's chin and brought those silver pools up to meet with her own electric blue irises. No matter what anypony said, those eyes were the most beautiful Sterling had ever seen. "Do you even remember what today is?" Sterling asked the pegasus, her hoof still under Silver's chin. The little filly shook her head a little, not letting her chin slide off her sister's hoof. Sterling let out a chuckle as she pulled her sister in for a hug. Silver quickly returned it, wrapping her hooves around Sterling's neck. "Happy Hearth's Warming, kiddo," Sterling whispered. The filly tightened her grip so much that Sterling found it hard to breathe. Before the unicorn could do anything, however, Silver had let go, shot off of the queen sized bed and was out the double doors on the other side of the room. "Excited little bug, isn't she?" Sterling quietly said to herself as she recovered from her sister's enthusiasm. Sterling trotted to the doorway, always keeping herself in proper form should her mother decide to appear out of thin air. Silver Tongue wasn't especially good at magic, and as such couldn't teleport. Actually, that would have given Sterling plenty of warning if she could. The loud crackle of magic, the midnight blue light and the magical orb that had to dissolve. With Sterling's training with Silver honing her own reflexes she would have easily reacted to any unexpected teleport. Sadly for Sterling her mother always appeared out of thin air sans magic with her cold, sapphire eyes. The same sapphire eyes that made even the coldest tundra of the north look like a tropical paradise, if not a trip down an active volcano. Sterling took a deep breath as she descended the overly expensive marble steps to the first floor. The banister had green tinsel hanging from it that gently sparked as the unicorn passed, an enchantment she'd done herself. It was a little surprise she had cooked up. Sterling reached the first floor and looked at the, again, over-opulent marble door. Normally ponies didn't use marble for their doors, but her parents loved the look of the rock and had done anything and everything they could to make it appear the house was made of the stuff. It wasn't, but the slabs of marble that were stuck to the house's sturdy steel frame made it appear so. Sterling sat at the base of the stairs for a moment, looking out the tall windows that flanked the front door. The snow outside rose three quarters of the way up the doors, which were raised several steps from the ground. It was an impressive amount and the weather team definitely outdid themselves. Sterling made a mental note to thank them for her parents, who had requested a bit of extra snow for their fields. The two of them never thanked anypony unless they were in the company of their 'equals,' but they always did pay their debts. The sky was clear, its light blue color giving Sterling a happy feeling as she decided to follow the sounds of a squealing filly in the next room. And here I thought Silver would at least tone it down a little, Silver thought with a grin. Her sister's antics were always well natured even if they did go a bit over the top. Sterling spotted a silver mane in the archway, just in time to lose the grin that she had. She watched her mother's frozen sapphires and bluish-silver coat round the corner into the entranceway. If Sterling didn't know better, she could have sworn her mother's frigid personality had frozen her silver coat into its color. "Sterling, dear. Please reign in your sister before our guests arrive tonight. I do not wish for them to see her so... unruly. It would not reflect well on your father and I," Silver Tongue said in her usual haughty manner. She had gone all out for the Hearth's Warming party that was scheduled for that evening. Her mane was done in a classic bun and she wore diamond teardrop earrings that hung from delicate silver chains at the base of her ears. Silver Tongue's frosty silver coat had even been glossed to emphasize her cleanliness. The attitude she held, however, wasn't an act. "I am sure she will be fine tonight," Sterling replied courtly, hiding the animosity she held in her heart for the mare. Sterling knew it wasn't right to hate her parents, but they had earned it when Silver had been born and continued to fan the flames as time went on. "I will ensure that she is prepared and on her best behavior." Silver Tongue merely nodded before continuing across the entranceway to wherever she was going; Sterling didn't care enough to watch her leave. The silver unicorn walked through the archway her mother originally came from into the large living room. The room was the same size as Sterling's bedroom, except the white walls were replaced with large marble slabs and the pictures hanging from them were covered in green, red, and silver tinsel. The floor was not host to a red rug, but instead a glossy silver carpet bordered by white tile. Lights were strung about, glowing their unique magical colors. The large window that usually dominated one wall was covered with festive blinds specially designed to look like a brick fireplace. A tree sat in the center of the room, making its way to the high ceiling above where a single, silver streak was flying in circles around a white pegasus figure. The ornamental figure was standing upright on its hind legs and draped in a silver robe, wings outstretched to take flight. Yep, that definitely got her attention, Sterling thought as she admired the over-decorated tree. Silver icicles and large ornaments of all colors hung from the branches. Rows of magical lights encircled the trunk and all the branches that extended from it, lighting it from within. A fire hazard, but so was using candles, the usual tradition. A single photo of the Silver family in its entirety sat in the center of the tree, facing the entranceway Sterling came from. Over seven hundred ponies in one picture was a feat, but the Silvers were far too self-absorbed to let anything get in the way of their vanity. They had managed a certain pegasus out of the picture, however, which just added to Sterling's pool of rage. Normally Sterling's immediate family would have a large silver star at the top of the tree, a 'family tradition.' Sterling knew otherwise, though. Her parents had tried to hide the true topper to, in their hopes, discourage Silver from feeling like part of the family. It had not worked to begin with, and Sterling finding the original ornament (the white pegasus in her silver robe) really ruined that plan. Especially since the flimsy silver star mysteriously disappeared right before the tree went up. The staff had no choice but to use the one that was available to them. Sterling watched as her sister slowed to a stop, hovering in front of the two thousand year old pegasus ornament. Two thousand years, the same age as the Silver bloodline that Sterling had traced. Oldest surviving family in Equestria, second only to the princesses themselves, who were alicorns and as such viewed as immortal. Some research, however, hinted at the Silver family actually being older than even the alicorn princesses, but the credibility was sketchy at best. "What's her name?" Silver asked from above, still hovering in front of the ornament. "Bliss," Sterling replied simply from the ground, knowing her sister was asking her. Sterling knew Silver had not missed her mother's request or the silver unicorn's entrance. She missed nothing when it came to sounds, and everypony made a sound in one form or another. "Her name was Bliss, one of the original Silver Diggers," Sterling continued as Silver floated down to land in front of her sister, their eyes locking as her hooves touched the carpet. "Some say that she was the first to discover the original silver mines in the old land." Before the original Silvers stole it from her, Sterling added silently. It's a good thing those Silvers' daughter gave back the mines once she inherited them. "That topper was made by a filly no older than you for Bliss, who was her closest friend." Silver grinned as she looked up at the topper again. Sterling could not help but share the filly's genuine expression as she wrapped her forelegs across the filly's front, holding the small pegasus close. The embrace only lasted a few seconds, but it felt a lot longer for Sterling. There were times when Sterling questioned if her love for her sister was normal or not so normal. Her family had their skeletons in the closet, and Sterling knew almost every one. That kind of knowledge made a pony think about what they truly feel. The answer Sterling received from her own heart was always the same, however: her love was powerful, much like her magic, but she wasn't attracted to her sister. Sterling's heart wasn't that screwy, luckily for both her and Silver. Some other family members, however... Sterling pulled her head back as her sister tilted hers upwards, looking at Sterling with those big, silver eyes. "Sooooooo..." Silver started with a smile, "Whadja get me?" Sterling shook her head, giving the pegasus a little nudge. "That's for you to find out, little sis. Good luck." Silver's smile turned into that cute little smirk she got whenever she was given a challenge. Silver rarely failed challenges or puzzles, given her encyclopedic mind and sheer tenacity. That pegasus had once spent three months seeking out a hidden treasure from an honest to goodness ancient treasure map. She found it, surprisingly, when she finally turned the map upside down. "Do I really need luck?" Silver asked, her normally cheerful demeanor now replaced with her almost scary alternate personality. "Probably not, but it never hurts," Sterling replied as the pegasus closed her eyes. She was focusing on the sounds around them, listening for echoes that shouldn't belong or hollow tapping where there was flooring. Sterling knew it was going to take her sister a bit longer than normal this time. She had hidden the present in a new way, one Silver had no idea about. So it took Sterling by surprise when Silver's smirk turned into a grin. The pegasus walked off towards the entranceway, her head held high. There's no way she figured it out that fast, Sterling thought to herself as she quietly followed behind. The second Sterling turned the corner, though, that thought proved inaccurate. Silver was standing in front of the green tinsel wrapped around the banister of the stairs, the magical sparks reflecting off of her eyes as if they were mirrors. Sterling actively hid any body language that would give away the fact that Silver was right. She watched eagerly, however, as Silver lifted a hoof up to her chin. "You know, sis. I've never seen tinsel do this before," she said through her 'I've figured it out' grin. "I wonder..." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silver extended the hoof from under her chin towards the tinsel, the magic sparks dancing over it. She inched her hoof closer, feeling the strength of the magic start wrapping around her hoof, pulling her closer. Silver tried to pull back instinctively, but the magical force of the tinsel continued its pull, drawing the pegasus closer. Not good, Silver thought as she watched the world dissolve around her. The fine marble stairs under her hooves vanished, her sister disappearing in a puff of white smoke. She felt a stab at her heart, but Silver couldn't let it distract her right there and then. This wasn't real. No known Equestrian magic could directly affect her. It was a dream. It had all been a dream. A living memory that was now turning into a nightmare. The tinsel remained and so did the pull as Silver tried to fight back. A glowing purple ring began to form around her extended hoof, pulling her closer to the now-floating, now-black tinsel. Silver started beating her small wings as her hooves slid across the invisible floor, slowly nearing the tinsel. The pegasus wasn't exactly scared. She knew it was a dream now. Silver could feel the world around her far more than she should have been able to. She could feel the large sphere she was in, bisected by the solid floor she now scraped against as she fought the black tinsel. She even felt the purple ring around her hoof and the way her coat brushed against it. The black tinsel suddenly disappeared and Silver flew backwards, her wings still beating against the now dissipated force that drew her in. The pegasus hit the invisible wall behind her, pain traveling its way up her back. Silver closed her eyes and tried to slow her rapid breathing, focusing on slowing her heart as well. The last thing she needed was a shot of adrenaline for something that wasn't real. Adrenaline never made these dreams any better, it only made them last longer. Alright, this is the first nightmare I've had in a while, Silver thought to herself as she stood on all fours again, still trying to slow her beating heart. She was back to her normal self, the memory she had been living now faded away. I know it doesn't help when I know it's a nightmare. Should, but doesn't. Silver glanced around at the black void around her. Aaaaaaaand this is a new one. Big sphere, sectioned in two. I'm standing on the divider. No obvious doors or openings. Only way out is to proceed. Absolutely wondrous. Alright, Silver, just keep a level head and you should get through this. The pegasus didn't really believe that, though. She knew if this nightmare wanted to it could scare her beyond her wits and it could, in theory, last for years. In reality she would only sleep a few hours, but her perception could make it seem so much longer. "Filia stellarum, quare vos facitis ausim num hic? Quid quaeritis?" A voice boomed, sending vibrations through the floor that Silver stood on. Her hooves slowly slid apart and she had to keep repositioning them to avoid falling. Okay, nightmare knows a language that I don't, Silver thought to herself, trying to keep her mind from panicking even more. Not sure how that works. The pegasus decided to respond to the empty void. She mustered what willpower she had and called out "Who are you?" Silence for seven minutes. Silver counted each second as it passed in her mind, each second that she looked around at the black void beyond her spherical prison. "The question here is: who are you?" Another voice replied from Silver's right. She jumped, turning to face the source. A single pegasus mare stood in front of her, her silver coat shimmering in the dark. Her black mane and tail were a mess, obviously neglected for several years. The mare's age showed on her face, large wrinkles dominating what had once been young. "Are you a soldier? Perhaps a gondola operator! Or even a baseball player! Oh, I bet you can swing BATS!" A burst of black bats shot up from in front of the mare, causing Silver to pump her wings and jump back further. Okay, totally not a normal nightmare, Silver thought as she stared at this mare. "Nice trick," Silver heard herself say, "perhaps you could host my birthday party." She had no control over her words. That lack of control added to the fear boiling within her mind. If this nightmare could control her, it could-- "Let the girl talk for herself," the mare replied, looking off to the center of the sphere. "It's not polite to use her as a puppet." "Okay, this is weird," Silver said out loud, really trying to keep herself together. The fear and panic within her was fighting for control every second, but Silver managed to keep it at bay. If she could just conquer it perhaps she could figure a way to wake up. "You wish to wake up, but we have only begun." The floor under Silver's feet rumbled again, this time causing Silver to loose her footing and fall flat. There was no pain, but the sudden feeling of a weight on her back kept her on the floor. "What are you, exactly?" "I-I don't understand," Silver said, her panic reaching a new height. She couldn't move, she could barely keep control of her own mind. She was losing this fight. She was losing control. Silver looked up, then instantly realized the source of the booming voice was the dark form in the center of the sphere. The one she'd seen the entire time but never registered. It was like black smoke rising from a single hole in the floor and ballooning outwards. The side of the cloud that faced Silver extended, slowly nearing the pegasus as she lay on the floor, unable to move. Silver wasn't one for screaming, but the urge invaded her mind and she pressed it aside, focusing on keeping herself in control of what mental strength she still had. There was still a way out, there always was. Silver watched as the black cloud dipped towards the invisible floor, touching it and beginning to take a new appearance. It began shaping into what Silver instantly recognized as a pony. The cloud slowly formed itself long, thin legs to stand on, shaping glossy black hooves under the pure black coat. The creature's neck was long and thin, reminding the trapped pegasus of an extra long pencil. Silver resisted the urge to squirm under the invisible force holding her down. She wasn't going to show any more fear if she could avoid it, though hiding it was growing more difficult. The cloud's head finally formed and where its eyes would be were two glowing spheres, golden as the sun but cold as the night. Its mane and tail retained their smoky appearance, flowing gently as the newly formed stallion slowly took a step towards Silver. "I do not believe we will require this," he spoke, his voice now quieter. The panic Silver felt and the weight on her back suddenly vanished. She slowly stood up, looking around for the old mare. "She was not supposed to arrive," the stallion spoke again, its golden orbs pointed towards Silver, "she was a construct of your mind." "Just as you are," Silver stated, looking at the smoke pony who was now over twice her height. Without the panic or fear weighing in her mind, she could think far clearer. Logic would win her this one, not emotion. The large, black pony tilted its head to one side then the other, small cracks in its neck echoing throughout the sphere they stood in. "Indeed, but my question still stands: Who are you?" "And I respond again: I don't understand," Silver replied. She spoke plainly, knowing this pony wouldn't hold any tactless answer against her. How could he? He was part of her mind; a temporary construct. "Well, then I guess we are finished here." The smoke pony looked Silver over, his glowing golden eyes never seeming to move. Silver just stood there, now utterly confused. "Wait," she began, "after all that--" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Sil! SIL!" Eight's voice squeaked as she screamed. Silver's eyes shot open, her body tensing up, ready for a fight. She looked around the small, sunlit room on the sleeping car. Her body felt cold, shivering despite the naturally warmed air around her. Silver's breathing was short and fast, like she had just run two marathons in a row. Her heart raced as if she'd done three. "Sil! Are you alright?!" Eight asked as she took Silver's head in her hooves, looking into the pegasus's frightened eyes, her own amber orbs filled with concern. Silver closed her eyes, trying to force her body to relax. It felt like she just had another nightmare from her fillyhood, but she couldn't remember. It was a blank. "Sil?" Silver opened her eyes again, looking at Eight Beat, who looked on the verge of tears. Silver nodded, putting her hoof on top of Eight's. "Yeah, I'll be fine," Silver replied, giving a reassuring smile to the filly. Eight wasn't convinced. She wrapped her hooves around her guardian's neck. "You had me scared," she whispered into Silver's coat as the pegasus wrapped her forelegs around the green filly. "It's alright," Silver whispered back, softly stroking Eight's mane. "I'm not going anywhere without you." What are you, exactly? Who are you? The words echoed in Silver's mind as she held the green foal. The pegasus had no real answer, but she knew one thing: she was going to find out. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sterling watched closely as Silver extended her hoof towards the tinsel, her grin of confidence plastered on her face. The pegasus had figured out how Sterling had hid her present this year a lot faster than the unicorn had planned. She just hoped the real present for Hearth's Warming was going to get here quickly. Sterling wanted to see the look on her little sister's face, which currently held her foalish grin. Silver slowly inched her hoof closer to the sparkling tinsel, the magic sparks bouncing off her coat as if it were rubber. Every aspect of Silver, from the hairs in her mane to the tips of her feathers, was effectively immune to any sort of magic Sterling could think of. She'd created an enchantment that was, in theory, self-sustaining. She just hoped her full theory on her sister as well as her enchantment were accurate as this would become an amazing way to hide Silver's present, among other items. The silver pegasus's hoof touched the tinsel and in a flash the enchantment on it broke, sending sparks flying everywhere. Sterling instinctively raised a hoof to her head, shielding her eyes from the magical sparkles that were now raining down on her. Silver in contrast just stood there, letting the sparks bounce off her coat and wings as she looked at the object now hanging off her hoof. Sterling hadn't thought her sister's grin could grow any more, but that was disproved when she walked up behind the pegasus. The elation was contagious it seemed as Sterling felt her own smile form. The first gift Sterling had gotten for Silver was a simple one: a filly-sized bowler hat, jet black and with a shade lighter band around it. In a single move, Silver flicked it off her hoof and let it float down onto her head, her ears poking out from under the rim. It suited her, in an odd-to-contrast-with sort of way, but what got Sterling was the joy in Quick's pure silver eyes. "You like it?" Sterling asked, already knowing the answer. Silver beamed as she took the hat off again, rolling it along her foreleg like a pint-sized show-off. "Absolutely! Just like the gan-- Um..." Silver's grin vanished and she started looking around nervously, holding the hat between her hooves. "...Stereotypical bad guys from the filly-appropriate movies I watch all the time," she said slowly, still looking around. "Dad's not home, kiddo," Sterling said plainly as she rolled her eyes. For being a pony completely enthralled with the art of warfare, their father Silver Bullion had this complete hatred of Silver watching gangster movies at the cinema or in the home theater. Sterling didn't mind too much if Silver watched movies like that, though. She knew the pegasus wasn't about to do something crazy or stupid, though the unicorn knew many ponies that would. "Oh," Silver said before regaining her grin, sliding her present onto her head again. "It's just like the gangsters! Thank you so much!" Silver jumped at Sterling and wrapped her forelegs around the unicorn's neck, holding on tightly but still letting her breathe. Sterling returned the hug, letting the embrace hide her grin as she thought Don't thank me just yet, sis. I still have one more trick up my slee-- Choking, not breathing! For the second time Sterling found herself strangled by the excited filly around her neck for just a moment before she let go and zipped off, this time to the window to the right of the front door. A single pegasus colt hovered in front of the window, smiling and waving from outside. His orange coat had a small dusting of snow and his golden mane and tail were even less groomed than normal. Sterling watched as Silver unlocked the front door, putting up a barrier to keep the snow out as she opened it and tackled the colt outside into the several feet of snow, squealing the entire time. Clipper had gotten to the mansion ahead of schedule, which Sterling was thankful for. A few moments passed as Sterling sat in the center of the entranceway, keeping the heavy snow out with ease, before the two pegasi floated out of the hole they had made and flew inside. Sterling closed the front door behind them as they flew in and proceeded up the stairs, Clipper talking avidly about Sterling's inviting him for Hearth's Warming. Silver waved a thank you at Sterling, her eyes conveying her happiness, before floating off with Clipper along the second floor hallway. Sterling mused over which pony would eventually make the first move when they were older. Silver may have been the younger, but she was the more forward of the two, if that was considered possible. Even at this age, she was close with her friend. She may not have understood the meanings of her actions on a level that Sterling could, but Silver wouldn't care either way. She was happy with her best friend, pegasus or not. Clipper, on the other hoof, was a year older than Silver. That wasn't saying much, though. Clipper wouldn't be the forward one, but he would be the one to put their feelings into words they both understood. The orange pegasus was a good colt, and had a kind heart. And the fact he thought Silver's unique eyes were neat was just the cherry on top. Sterling couldn't have asked for a better best friend for her sister. Clipper's parents, on the other hoof, had this entirely messed up idea that their son was trying to get in good graces with the Silver family, which wasn't even close to the truth. If he wanted to do that, he wouldn't be friends with Silver. At least they weren't around for the holidays, and while that may have seemed like a bad thing at first it had actually given Sterling a way to bring Clipper to the family party, maybe lessen the insults and blows to Silver from her relatives. Quick Silver wasn't exactly a welcome addition to family gatherings, but she was important to Sterling and that was all that mattered to both of them. Sterling smiled as she stood on the marble floor, tapping her hooves to the ticking of a clock somewhere else in the house. It was peaceful and quiet today, at least for a bit longer. The unicorn had every intention of enjoying the peace while it lasted. Despite how much she loved Silver, Sterling had to take some time for herself to stay sane. This kind of day gave her a good reason to just enjoy peace and quiet. No mother badgering her, no father trying to teach her some ancient battle strategy. No, this was Sterling's time and she was going to enjoy it. Sitting on her haunches, Sterling closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, feeling the magic start to flow like a warm wave over her body. She felt it rise and ebb, slowly forming itself into elaborate shapes and then breaking them to form others. Silver was immune to magic, a unique pony in her own right. Sterling was another unique pony in this world, capable of seeing the very essence of the world's magic. She could feel the emotions of the flow about her, ranging back thousands of years. Even with her eyes closed, Sterling could see the dark blue waves rolling on the floor she sat on, swirling with her own electric blue magic that seeped from her hooves. It was an amazing sight, something that only the unicorn could naturally see as far as she knew. Other unicorns would probably give their magic for just a glimpse of this wondrous sight. A new wave slowly began to form, emptying an area of the room of its natural blue flows. Sterling didn't have to turn around to see the golden disk behind her, the hard light forcing the soft waves of natural magic away. Somepony was coming, one she did not like in the least. Taking a deep sigh, Sterling let her magic flows come to a stop, cutting off her view of the magic world and opening her eyes to the physical. The unicorn always felt so relaxed after her 'meditation,' as her mother decided to call it. A little known fact about teleporting as a unicorn was that it took longer according to distance for most ponies. They had to subconsciously probe an area to ensure they don't wind up inside a wall or another pony, though many of them just think it's charging up the spell to go to the place they want. None of them saw the discs that Sterling could. Within a few seconds a golden pony-sized orb appeared in front of the door Sterling now faced before breaking apart to reveal the first Silver guest to arrive. His name was Silver Platter, which Sterling thought was a slightly ridiculous name but it was not her place to say anything. Platter's mane was a glossy gold, combed to match the style of the young Prince Blueblood, ensuring that every detail was mimicked perfectly. He probably even got the Prince himself to ensure it was accurate. His coat shone a bright silver, almost glowing in the light of the morning sun. He was very early, and Sterling knew exactly why. "Hello cousin," Platter said with a smile. It wasn't a smile one would give a cousin. "Hello, Platter," Sterling replied, her monotone voice giving away her lack of care. "You're early." "Yes, well, Aunty did say I could arrive whenever I wanted in the invitation," he said. "Besides, I thought you would be happy to see me. After all, we are family." Platter moved his face closer to Sterling's, his amber eyes crawling over the filly, a grin of what Sterling recognized as lust on his face. The colt was half again the young filly's age and yet he had this ridiculous notion that she would reciprocate his misplaced and, quite frankly, disgusting feelings for her. Despite giving him very unsubtle hints, the colt continued to pursue Sterling like some lost foal pursuing a piece of candy. Sterling could not knock some sense into him without her mother retaliating for him and he wouldn't take anything less at face value. In short, there was nothing Sterling could do to keep this colt from pining over her. "Yes, we are," Sterling said, narrowing her eyes at the pony in front of her. He was taller than she was, but Sterling wasn't about to back down. Perhaps she could push Platter's buttons, try and find the one that would snap him and give her a reason to get some kind of restraining order. Or give her a good chance at the self defense argument, that would work very well. He'd be thrown in jail and she would be down one less nuisance in the family. "Which means we can't be together, Platter. How would the world see the Silver family then? A group of incestuous ponies that lace the entirety of Equestria? It would not look good for any of us." Sterling slowly formed her own grin, mimicking her sister's when she knows she has someone by the ropes. Though, these weren't the ones Sterling was aiming for when she started. That sometimes happened to Sterling, but she just went with it. Ninety percent of the time the results were far more enjoyable. "Well, I'm sure--" "Sterling, is that Silver Platter I hear?" Silver Tongue's voice floated from around the corner to Sterling's right. She dropped her grin and her posture back into neutral as Platter's face suddenly looked like a foal with his hoof in the cookie jar. "Yes, mother," Sterling replied loudly, not taking her eyes off the colt's. "Platter has arrived early to help with the preparations." Sterling allowed herself a small smile towards the colt in front of her, surprise on his face evident. "Oh, excellent," Silver Tongue replied as she turned the corner into the entranceway. "I would appreciate some help setting the table, dear. It will be quite the party and I assuredly cannot do it by myself. If only more staff had volunteered to stay perhaps we would not have to resort to doing such menial labor." Silver Platter nodded in silence, still surprised at Sterling volunteering him for actual work. He couldn't say no, however. He had to stay in his aunt's good graces if he wanted to keep hitting on her eldest daughter, and he couldn't say no to anything if he wanted her happy. So, with his tail hung low and a small glare at the filly unicorn behind him, Platter walked off after his aunt towards the dining room where the table would be set for a large, formal dinner. Sterling just sat and smiled at herself for a moment before allowing her conscience to get the better of her and went off to help. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A small humming in front of her slowly brought Sterling out of her restful sleep. Her head bobbed slightly to the familiar tune as she twitched her muscles. It felt early in the day, Sterling guessed about seven in the morning. The humming continued as she slowly opened her eyes, rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof. "Morning, boss!" A bright, cheery voice exclaimed as Sterling sat up in her bed, the sheets the same mess as the night before and the night before that. In front of Sterling a pale green unicorn with a particularly bouncy disposition sat on her haunches, grinning at the silver mare. "Tweet? How did you--" Sterling's answer came before she could even finish the question. It came in the form of a snore originating from her fridge in the next room. "Of course. Ratchette. That mare can pick anything mechanical," Sterling explained to herself. It was early and she wasn't up to thinking too hard. "You know, boss, you look really cute when you sleep," Tweet said through a grin as she stood on all fours. "Tweet, you remember the first thing I said to you when we met?" Sterling said through a groan. "'Ow, that's my tail, get off of it'?" Tweet replied, her grin equalizing into a warm smile. Sterling groaned again. "After that." "'Why did you dip my robot in oil? You've short-circuited the capacitors!'" Tweet was obviously enjoying playing with her boss. "Wait, that was you?" Sterling pointed a hoof at Tweet, who nodded, still holding her smile. "Remind me to dip you in oil next time I get a chance." "Ooh, sounds kinky." Sterling glared at her grinning friend before continuing. "And what I was getting at, Tweet, is that I prefer a complementary relationship, so please spare me the one-sided experiences," Sterling stated as she slid off the bed onto her own hooves. She rotated her shoulders to release the tension of sleeping on her stomach, letting the muscles unwind and allowing herself freedom of movement once again. Tweet just nodded, her smile getting a tad larger. "Alright, why are you here and why does it merit Ratchette breaking into my home and sleeping in my fridge?" Tweet's smile faded. "There's been an incident," she said plainly as Sterling walked into the kitchen, the green unicorn following closely. Sterling wasn't entirely worried about anypony being hurt. If they had, Tweet would not be here. She was the kind of pony that would ensure anyone hurt would be immediately taken care of before bringing Sterling into this. Her normal priorities may have been odd, but she had the right ones first when it came to the safety of others. Tweet took a deep breath before continuing. "We had a power surge." Sterling stopped in her tracks, her mind processing the words almost instantly. "How is that possible?" she asked as Tweet walked up next to her. "We're not on the city's power grid and the condenser is grounded." "It was the Lux, Sterling. It surged the building's entire grid, blew every breaker and fuse." Sterling stared at Tweet, trying to process the statement. The Lux was the centerpiece of Sterling's new club, the one thing that would truly become her legacy. But how could it generate enough power to blow a system designed to stop power surges? Sure, the first line of fuses would have broken but the entire seven-layer system? How could a device like that even produce the power? It just didn't make sense. "I'm guessing Ratchette has no idea how it happened, does she?" Sterling asked as she opened the fridge door. The yellow-orange unicorn with her light yellow mane was curled in a ball on the bottom shelf, catching up on some sleep she most likely lost the night before. The mare loved the cold, and couldn't sleep in any temperatures above forty degrees. Tweet responded, choosing her words carefully. "No. From what Ratchette told me last night about the Lux it's not even supposed to generate power. The thing that she kept going on about the entire trip here was that the power jumped the burnt fuses and breakers, like it was trying to get out of the building." Sterling closed the fridge, her light breakfast of waffles in her hoof. She offered some to Tweet who promptly turned it down. Sterling tossed some on a pan and into the oven for her anyway. Tweet just narrowed her eyes at Sterling before returning to the issue at hoof. Her foal-esque attitude was replaced with one far more serious, the side of Tweet almost nopony knew existed. "What I don't get, Sterling, is what it's even supposed to do. I know you want it to be a big surprise and everything, but what exactly is this great project of yours? And why is it capable of blowing out a seven layer system that you and Ratchette built, by hoof I might add, so quickly?" "Well, Tweet," Sterling said as she watched the red elements in the oven begin to glow, "if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise." Sterling smiled despite herself. Even with the Lux malfunctioning like it was, nopony was hurt. That meant she could hold onto the secret just a bit longer. Besides, it was better to show ponies than to explain; words alone were not enough.