//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 - The Question // Story: The Code's Apprentice // by Lapis-Lazuli and Stitch //------------------------------// "Even the best laid plans rarely survive first contact." "With the enemy, your Majesty?" "With anyone." - Conversation between Nightmare Moon and General Silent Night, at the start of the Lunar Rebellion. ~~~~That Same Evening~~~~ The Cloud Fortress H.M.S Commander Hurricane hung low in the skies next to Canterlot. Built out of solid but light Nimbostratus clouds, propelled by six massive fans and home to nearly five thousand ponies, it was the pride of the Cloudsdale Air Fleet. It possessed a fully functional weather production facility and had served as the premier forward command post for the Equestrian Military for nearly a hundred years. Pegesai flew back and forth from it, bearing messages to and from Canterlot Castle where the royal guard was mobilizing for the first time since the changeling invasion. Much of Canterlot society was abuzz with the news that Celestia herself was taking personal command. Even more shocking, she had personally called for charity and resources to help the town of Ponyville recover from the dastardly sneak attack. Money and other resourced poured in from the wealthy elite of Canterlot, each of them wishing to one up the others. Celestia had other concerns at the moment, however. Her secretaries and seneschals could handle the nitty gritty details. There were far more disturbing reports for her to sift through and analyze. Celestia shifted the pile of unrolled parchment sheets to one side of her desk, quickly glancing through each one. These she either discarded as being unreliable or set in a box marked "Plausible". There were dozens upon dozens of reports from Ponyville and while the initial ones had been very promising for her student, the newest reports painted a far darker picture. Celestia was now certain there were other players on the board now. Interspersed between the other reports was news of sudden attacks or infestations of this or that dark creature. Changeling hive activity was at the highest it had been since the Canterlot attack. While that itself was not worrying, what concerned her was that they were not acting with a single mind. The changelings were acting independently, striking at disparate targets and vanishing into the night. The Ponyville attack had been by far the worst, but calls were beginning to pour in asking for aid against the threat. The Equestrian Military had gone on high alert as of this morning, and every resource was being pooled and dispersed across the land. Celestia wanted to glower at the battle map that depicted the dozens of tiny red 'Threat' pins stuck in all over her peaceful land. Someone was trying to spread her out, thin out what forces she'd have at immediate disposal. The Battlemage Division had been deployed to nearly everywhere in Equestria by now to put out the thousand small fires that had popped up in the last day or so. The Wonderbolts - save for Spitfire and Soarin, who Celestia needed close at hoof for her trip to Ponyville - had delayed all of their summer shows as they reverted to the traditional elite scouting unit of the military. Indeed, save for the Royal Guard and the 1st Air Wing permanently attached to the Commander Hurricane, Celestia had no forces worth speaking of close enough to get to Ponyville in time. Even worse, Shining Armor and Cadence had gone completely out of contact. Luna at least had an excuse - she had been dealing with a border issue with the Griffon Kingdoms for months now. She was needed where she was, much as Celestia pined for her dearest sister in this difficult moment. It made a maddening amount of sense. A big mover and shaker had noticed the signs, same as Celestia had - and had something major brewing in Ponyville. Everything else was a massive delaying ploy, one Celestia could not ignore. Celestia had gotten so used to being the only one with pieces to move about the board, meeting an opponent had caught her completely off guard. Luna would have mocked her for her arrogance, and she'd have been right to do so. Celestia rubbed her forehead with her bare hoof, having dispensed of her royal jewelry for the moment. Worst of all her opponent appeared to be a cabal of Dissonance sorcerers, appearing out of nowhere. Reports dripped with snatches of conversation, groups of black cloaked and hooded ponies gathering in odd places. Cultists! In Ponyville! It was enough to make Celestia want to tear some of her mane out in frustration. She would have to bring the Solar Inquisition with her, and that very act would greatly anger her Apprentice. Twilight had such a beautiful, naive heart. She would not accept any reason for the people she loved and trusted to be put to the question or worse. And of course, none of this was a coincidence. She had been meant to see those cultists, to hear about a coven of sorcerers in that town. Her enemies knew what her response would be and had keyed it specifically to backlash horribly against her plans. Undoubtedly, they intended to try and destabilize her Apprentice and turn them to their wicked ways with the 'proof' of the evils of Harmony. Horseapples of course, but Twilight had not been trained to see through such deceptions. Celestia sighed deeply, resting her head on her hoof as she leaned on the ancient desk. Her elbow fit right into the little indent it had created over the last thousand years of doing this exact same pose. Celestia closed her eyes and inhaled and exhaled. She was no fool. Her enemies might believe she would never admit to a mistake, yet they would be perilously wrong. She relived her mistakes a thousand times over, every single sunrise. Written in those first beams were the reminders of how often she had failed her little ponies. Yet with mistakes came wisdom, and every time she had failed she had gotten a little more skilled, a little smarter and wiser. She had honed her plans to be undertaken over centuries, carefully ensuring that when push finally came to shove her every move would be a winning one. Ensuring the right ponies met, fell in love with, and had children with the right ponies. Carefully preserving the ancient bloodlines. Carefully making sure the right ponies would raise Twilight, the right sibling to stand by her side. The right friends to meet her, the right challenges to test her. Despite every unexpected development, the plan merely absorbed their effects and counted them towards the ultimate goal. Celestia had long ago learned to plan for flexibility. Yet with each and every step towards her ultimate goal, that flexibility vanished. The closer she came to needing Twilight to be in a specific place, at a specific time to do a very specific thing, the more likely failure became. She was coming to the tipping point now, to where two centuries of work had brought Celestia. All of the elements were in place, all of the right circumstances set. All that remained was the filly, and the question of what would she do. At last, she would free this world from the poison of Dissonance that had taken so much from her. The knock on the door startled Celestia out of her thoughts, and she coughed to clear out her throat before speaking. "You may enter!" She commanded imperiously, eyeballing the mess of parchment around her. Bother it. She had more important things to do than worry about being neat right now. A Gold-armored royal guard walked in a moment later, saluting her. "Your Highness, Princess Luna sends her regrets. She will not be able to reach Canterlot in time to aid you. Furthermore, word has come down from the Hurricane. They are ready to depart at your command." Celestia nodded. "Understood. Inform them to stand down for the moment, take rest while they can. We have a long week ahead of us all." The Guard saluted and removed himself from the room stoically. Celestia sighed miserably and thunked her head into the top of the desk. She had been holding out hope that Luna would be here. No one knew the corruption of Dissonance better than she did, even if her past experiences had left her with a less than righteous zeal for rooting it out. Doing this all without her would be more difficult. She lifted her head from the desk and rubbed where she'd smacked it into the wood. What she would not give right now for Cadence to come soaring out of the sky with good news. She looked up to the balcony, and blinked in surprise. The setting sun framed the flight of the Alicorn of Love as she landed delicately upon the royal balcony. Yet there was no calm kindness in Cadence right now, none of the fluff and giggly love Celestia had come to associate with her presence. Her gaze was as hard as crystal, and she walked into the room with a ramrod straight spine. Celestia did not even need to exert to feel the waves of determination and barely restrained anger coming off of Cadence. Her pegasus roots somehow shone through her Alicorn form, and she looked like a battle goddess of old striding across a field of conflict. Celestia stared, wondering what on earth could have driven the chipper and eternally motherly Cadence to this extreme. Then, Celestia was struck with a thought that made her blood run cold. Motherly had always been a good word for Cadence, especially around Twilight. Cadence had loved that filly as if she had been her own foal. Celestia knew that when a mother felt her foal was in danger, she would often act with grim purpose to bring that threat down. Cadence clearly had learned some things in the past few days that she had not liked, and worse still - she seemed to think Celestia was the source of those things. Images flashed through Celestia's mind, of a dark blue Alicorn's accusations. Of fighting, yelling and anger. Of blows struck, and words said that could not be unsaid. Celestia grasped her desk as she strode out from behind it. No. She would not let that situation repeat itself. Not again, not this time. "Princess Cadence, it is good to see you safe and sound." Celestia began, moving into the smooth voice of serenity she could easily put on for all of her meetings. "I had worried that something had gone amiss when I received no reports from you or Prince Armor." Cadence had not yet spoken a word, she was simply glaring daggers at Celestia as she moved from behind the desk to stand in front of the youngest Alicorn. Cadence took a deep breath for a moment and slowly began to calm down apparently through pure willpower. By the time she spoke, Celestia could feel the power slowly emanating off of her. Another icicle of fear worked its way down Celestia's spine. Of all three living Alicorns, Cadence might very well be the strongest. She may have lacked the connection to the Moon or Sun that drove the powers of her sisters, but Love was a force strong enough to crack the world. And right now, Cadence was channeling enough love through herself to shatter Canterlot like an egg. Celestia even took an involuntary step back from her, trying hard to keep her air of controlled serenity from cracking. Cadence was not merely drawing from the love of her Husband this time, a power great enough to defeat an entire army of changelings all by itself. She was drawing from the love of a little unicorn that Cadence had long sworn to do anything to protect. Cadence spoke calmly though, despite the massive power she held in check. "There were other things that required my immediate attention, Sister. It was only after I had learned everything that I decided to report to you myself. " Cadence did not move, she did not even seem to breathe. Her eyes were focused directly on Celestia and seemed to shine like the crystals of her empire. Celestia took a deep breath herself and carefully sat on the ground opposite Cadence. Cursedly, the sun was about to dip below the horizon. Pulling the kind of power she would need to contain Cadence was not going to be possible very shortly. "Indeed, and I thank you for your dedicated service to the truth, Sister. Please proceed." That meant diplomacy. She was going to need to convince Cadence not to use that power, whatever she might be concerned about. Harmony, let her not have had second thoughts about Twilight's Ascension now of all times.. Cadence paused before speaking, nodding her head slightly. "The events within Ponyville extend far beyond the changeling attack, Sister. Apprentice Twilight Sparkle has discovered and thoroughly explored the dark path. She was gifted a particular book by none other than the Shadow King. Twilight, being who she is immediately began to read that book and explore its ideas." Cadence now looked troubled, worried very obviously for Twilight's plight. "She has proven to be an incredibly able student of its teachings, much to my dismay. Regardless, she has been guilty of no crime against Harmony. She has sampled of the dark power and now fears that you will blame those around her that she loves for her errors. This led her further and further down the path at near record speed." Cadence took a deep breath, Celestia still listening calmly as she absorbed all of the information. Cadence's next words though, "She has reached the end of the dark path, Sister. She has unlimited herself with next to no help that I can personally detect." Silence reigned in the room, Celestia's mind whirling with that sudden and thoroughly unwelcome piece of information. Sombra. So. I should have expected that you would be the one moving the chess pieces. He had always been brilliant, always a master at upsetting her every little plan. He had a predator’s instinct for where to hurl the wrench into the gears and cause the most damage. It would be like him to be here, right as all the parts fell into place only to snatch one away. The second bit of news was far more troubling. Twilight Sparkle had more than a prodigious intellect, she had a capability and raw natural talent for magic that exceeded that of nearly any other unicorn alive. That she had easily learned the crude spells of Dissonance was unsurprising, that she had delved into its deepest secret and emerged sane and unscathed was impossible. However, Twilight had done the impossible before and more than once. All this meant was that she had help, somepony to guide her through the vital steps and show her the way. She did not doubt for one moment that Sombra had arranged that little detail as well, perhaps even secretly carrying out the act himself. That Cadence could not see that was understandable. Sombra had centuries to hone his skills before she had banished him into the mists of time. The centuries spent locked in madness had likely only made him even cannier. Twilight Sparkle, student of Dissonance was more than to be expected. Twilight Sparkle, Sovereign of Dissonance was a cause for real serious alarm. But all of those things, even the return of Sombra paled in comparison to the implications of Cadence coming to tell her this personally without Twilight in tow. Celestia could almost predict Cadence's next words, the poor, sweet softhearted girl. "Sister. Celestia. I beseech you." Cadence's voice had taken on the air of desperation, and the pulse of power inside of her seemed to grow stronger. Celestia instantly recognized that Cadence's motherly desire to protect Twilight was acting as some kind of magnifier for her strength. Cadence kept speaking over Celestia's thought, the words coming out in a rush now. "Stay away from Ponyville. Keep the Solar Inquisition away from Ponyville. Send aid, Send military aid if you must, but do not give her a reason to believe you are going to hurt her friends or her town." Celestia could even see where Cadence was coming from here. She saw a situation doomed to only become worse. Twilight clearly had been made to believe Celestia would indiscriminately put the town to the sword. Cadence was still speaking though, and the next bit of news was cause for cheer. "I believe in my heart of hearts that Twilight can be coaxed back from the path. Her closest friends still rally around her, and Shining Armor still believes in her. Give me time, Sister. I can bring her back to Harmony, I can bring her connection to us all back. Her friends will aid us. I beg of you Celestia, let me do what I do best." Cadence's last words were delivered with little sparks of power flaring from her wingtips, and Celestia felt her serenity crack for only a moment. All of what had happened would make the ritual even more difficult. Difficult however, was not impossible. Dissonance had always been vastly adaptable, and his was clearly its counter play against her. An ancient force of nature itself thrashing in the trap she had placed it in was still dangerous enough to break out of that trap . With Sombra moving against her everywhere else, she would find herself lacking many of the resources she might otherwise rely upon to assure her victory. Celestia had to admit as she silently ground her teeth in anger that Sombra had made a brilliant tactical play here. Her student, if she had been truly led so far astray would not wait for Celestia to come and speak with her. She would do as Celestia had taught her long ago - she would strike swiftly and without mercy. Celestia did not know how the blow would come, or from what angle. Yet she could not discount that Twilight would undoubtedly be fighting as though her back was against the wall. Yet Celestia could not relent. The Ritual would take place, and Twilight would be brought to heel. Celestia's heart broke at the thought of what might have to be done for that to happen, but it had not been the first time. Better to take those sins upon her own soul than inflict them on her poor Twilight. She felt her spirit harden again. She was sympathetic to Cadence, she even agreed with her on many levels. Celestia wished for all of her heart that she dared to simply let Cadence do as she said. Yet there was far too much at stake, and Celestia had come too far and done too much to stop things now. She took a deep breath and exhaled it. Harmony, Forgive me for what I must do. "Very well. Let's stop acting like fillies on the school yard and work together, Sister." She extended a hoof from where she sat towards Cadence. "There is no need to hold all of that power. I agree, there is nopony better suited to saving our little Twilight than you." Cadence's muscles suddenly relaxed, the massive bundle of held power slowly draining out of her. She walked wearily across the floor, nodding gently. "Thank you Celestia. The first thing we must do is tell Twilight the truth about her pa-" Cadence did not get to speak another word, a subtle blow of power striking her silently across the temple sent her sprawling across the floor unconscious. Celestia looked down upon Cadence with infinitely sad eyes for a moment. Her horn glowed with sudden power, weaving the spell of sleep over Cadence's unconscious form before turning to the door, her power grasping at it and swinging them open. "Guards! Come quickly! The Crystal Princess requires aid!" Celestia paused as she moved towards the door, royal guards pouring in to tend to Cadence. Forgive me Cadence. Harmony must prevail. I will throw myself upon your mercy when all of this is finally over. Celestia shied her mind away from the secret Cadence had nearly mentioned. Telling Twilight about that little fact was the absolute last thing she wanted to do. Cadence now in good hooves, she hurried down the hallway. She needed to leave for Ponyville right away. ~~~~The Golden Oaks Library, as night falls.~~~~ Twilight felt warmth deep inside of her. Though her friends had left not long ago, they had all embraced her, and promised to return once a few things were taken care of for the evening. Shining Armor had taken up a post downstairs, and Applejack had promised Twilight to ensure that Spike remained safe wherever he was. There was no justice or point in involving the baby dragon in all of this. That left Twilight alone with Lilith again for the first time since last night. The helpful unicorn was lightning candles and preparing bedding for the seven guests the library would be entertaining that evening. Twilight watched her move around the rooms from her place on the chair, a chair that felt like a throne seen in a dream. Twilight knew the next few days would bring many things, but there was still one thing she did not know. Without even thinking on it now, she tugged at the magical connection between herself and Lilith. She would need to discuss the uses of this with the Mayor later, but right now it served as a silent way to get her Acolyte's attention. Lilith was there in a heartbeat, kneeling in front of Twilight in silence. Twilight stared at the mysterious pony that knelt in front of her for a few long minutes, and Lilith simply waited. Twilight could take it no more. "Lilith." She began, speaking slowly. "Acolyte Lilith. Earlier today you said you would obey any command I gave you. No matter what that command might be. Was that statement wholly accurate?" Twilight had to be careful here. She may very well be playing with fire, and not even know about it. But this was the one variable she could not begin to account for. Lilith looked up at Twilight, puzzled. "Why...yes, Mistress. It was. Why do you ask?" There was a subtle offer in that voice, a hint of desire. Lilith arched her body in a way that was pleasing to the eye and caught the senses. Twilight had to smile at the little display. Not that I haven't been thinking about that all day, you minx. But it's not going to distract me tonight. Twilight nodded her head slowly, and looked around. A brief puff of magic closed and latched the door, another closed all of the blinds and curtains in the room, shutting the shutters and locking them tight. Lilith looked around, as if nervous. Twilight smiled faintly. "Acolyte Lilith, I think the time has come for you to come clean with me." Lilith did look suddenly frightened, subtly licking her lips but surprisingly not moving away. "I-i do not understand, Mistre-" A wave of Twilights hoof and a burst of power cut off her speech, leaving her wide eyed and trembling. Twilight pointed her hoof firmly. "Do not lie to me. I am tired of being lied to. You are the only pony now close to me who has not been wholly honest with me. So I am going to ask you very directly. I am commanding you, if my power means anything to you, to answer me with the entire truth. Not part of it, not even most of it. ALL of it." Twilight took a deep breath, focusing her suddenly fiery green eyes at the unicorn as she spoke in a firm tone, but very softly. "Acolyte, Who are you really?"