//------------------------------// // A Surprise In The Shadows // Story: The Secret of Smarty Pants // by Rough_Draft //------------------------------// Five – A Surprise In The Shadows Princess Luna landed on the veranda at the palace observatory, where her sister was waiting. She waited until her guards flew off before giving her report. “Sister, I have news from Twilight Sparkle. They have unleashed the Element of Patience and brought all the Elements of Harmony into accord. All eight ponies will be arriving by train tomorrow morning.” Celestia sighed with relief. “That is wonderful to hear. I only hope that there will be enough time to prepare.” Luna eyed her older sister as they trotted into the observatory. “You still suspect a threat?” The white alicorn nodded. “As much as I want this to be a joyous occasion, I’ve sensed that something’s amiss. Something cold and dark, gathering force.” “It’s less clear to me,” Luna admitted. “I feel anxiety and movement in the city, but that could be from anypony.” “Indeed.” Celestia glanced at the massive telescope that filled the inner chamber. “Discord?” On cue, the draconequus appeared out of thin air, wearing a white robe and slippers, and drinking a cup of tea. “You called, Your Highness?” He lifted a paw to his mouth and yawned. “Not that I’m complaining. Even at this late hour.” Celestia smiled. Luna knew that smile all too well. It was her sister’s teasing smile, the kind she wore before pulling a prank or developing a very crafty plan. “Discord,” said the Princess, “there’s something I need you to do.” “Hail Equestria!” the royal guards cried. They raised their hooves in salute and left their posts outside the throne room. “Hail Equestria!” Cold Courage and Black Storm replied. They took up their posts just in time to see Princesses Celestia and Luna leaving the throne room. “Good afternoon,” said Celestia. Cold Courage followed his partner’s lead and bowed his head as the royal siblings passed. Though he was patient, it seemed like they took forever to trot down the main corridor and make their exit. As was their custom, the two guards stood tall and silent. But Cold Courage couldn’t help noticing something strange out the corner of his eye. Something bright and pink was peeking around the corner. “Is that what I think it is?” asked Black Storm. Cold Courage fractionally turned his head to get a better look. It was a donut. With a pair of legs and a pair of arms. And it was whistling to the guards. “That can’t be real,” said Black Storm. “Probably one of Discord’s pranks.” Cold Courage frowned. “Hmm. But it might be a threat. Stay here. I’ll check it out.” “We’re not supposed to leave—” “That’s why you’re staying here. Trust me, Black Storm.” His partner frowned and shook his head. “Fine, go ahead.” He resumed his upright posture and stoic expression. Cold Courage trotted down the corridor. He caught a glimpse of the animated donut leaping up in surprise and racing away. Quickening his pace, the guard ran after it, hearing its whistle down the side hallway. When he noticed the donut going for the balcony, Cold Courage flew up and dove for it with all his might— Flash. He landed on cold, hard ground. Woozily, he lifted his head, stunned at his new surroundings. He wasn’t in the palace anymore. Instead, he sat in the middle of a dark and vast cavern. The walls were covered with enormous and radiant crystals, but there was hardly any light down here. The donut, however, was still there. It turned and waved at Cold Courage, then exploded in a puff of smoke. When the smoke cleared, Cold Courage swallowed. For the first time in a long while, he was afraid. “Not much of a guard are you?” Discord said casually. He slithered around the pegasus’s shoulders, wearing a friendly smile. “No, I’d say you aren’t really fit for the job. And leaving the throne room unprotected like that? Why, that would make you… a traitor.” Cold Courage shook his head. “Look, it was an accident, I swear! Let me go back! I-I won’t do it again!” The draconequus shook his head. “Tsk-tsk! Still not seeing the whole picture, are we? But whatever would your queen say about that?” “My—zzt—queen?” Cold Courage winced. His voice had buzzed when he answered. He knew he was done for now. “And so the traitor is revealed,” a regal voice called out from the shadows. Cold Courage looked up as Princess Luna appeared. She trotted toward him and Discord with a cold expression. “Ah, Your Highness, you’re just in time.” Discord lifted the pegasus up by his hoof and poked him in the chest. “This little bug was about to tell me why he’d joined the royal guard under false pretenses. Weren’t you, Cold Courage?” He glared into the pony’s eyes. “If that is your real name!” The guard swallowed. Then Discord snapped his fingers and the changeling’s disguise vanished in a wave of green light. He hung dejected in Discord’s grip, buzzing out a short curse. “We suspected Queen Chrysalis would make another move for some time now,” said Luna. She stepped up to the changeling and looked him in the eye. “If you want to be shown more mercy than she will be, you will tell us everything you know about her plans.” The sun was setting on the Crystal Empire, bathing the magnificent city in orange and red. From the window of her guest room, Applejack looked out at it, feeling homesick. The city reminded her of the time she spent in Manehattan, while the colors reminded her of autumn at Sweet Apple Acres. Right about now, Apple Bloom would be tending to the livestock and Big Macintosh would be bucking away in the orchards. “Guess I shouldn’t feel too bad,” said Applejack. “I’ll be seein’ them soon enough!” There was a knock at the door. Applejack turned and called out, “Who is it?” “Room service!” The door opened as a Crystal Pony in a red uniform stepped inside. He was pushing a fruit basket forward with his muzzle. “Your complimentary fruit from the Princess.” “Well ain’t that a fine thing! And nothin’ but apples, too!” Applejack suddenly felt a lot less homesick. “Just put ’em over there, thank you kindly.” She turned toward the bathroom. The banquet was in an hour, so she needed time to clean up and put on something nice for the occasion. “Excuse me, ma’am,” said the service pony behind her, “but where did you get that hat?” “This old thing?” Applejack turned around with a smile. “Well, that’s quite a story—” The words died on her lips. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The Crystal Pony was gone. She was staring at herself. No, a perfect copy of herself, but without the hat. The other Applejack reached up and grabbed the hat off the real’s one head. “Thank you kindly,” the impostor said in Applejack’s voice. Then she grinned. “What in tarnation—?” That was all Applejack could say before the green light swallowed her up. Then she falling into an endless void. Her last conscious thought was I should’ve never left Ponyville!