//------------------------------//
// 13. Soliloquy of a Wounded Heart 
// Story: Shades of Grey 
// by Inquisitor M 
//------------------------------//


13. Soliloquy of a Wounded Heart


The last corner. The final corner. End of the line. End of blessed ignorance.
A cold shiver passed through an already-trembling Rarity. The light splashing against the walls ahead was a drab echo of what it had been just a half-hour before.
“Report!” Splashdown yelled, and Vindicator’s voice echoed back towards them.
“Subject is down. No sign of Luna.”
Rounding the corner, Rarity’s nose wrinkled as she shut her eyes and shied away from the scene.
“He’s really, really sick.” Pinkie huddled over a prostrate Stormcloud, her voice little more than a whimper. “And Twilight says she can’t cast any spells on him.”
The once luminous walls were dark, and the long shadows cast by Twilight’s horn skittered and fled as Rarity stepped through her entourage, eyes flicking across every pony except the one on the floor.
“Rarity,” Applejack said from behind. “His breathin’s bad. Just like yours was.”
Rarity’s looked down and her chest tightened—Stormcloud’s horn was as dark and inert as the rest of him. She inhaled deeply, letting her lungs and barrel expand a little more than her usual poise allowed. “Twilight, can you add anything? It looks like Stormcloud is no longer ‘filling up the mountain’, as you put it.” Twilight stared back at her, eyes wide, mouth open. “Twilight, I don’t think it’s as bad as… I mean…”
Her legs felt weak and her mind started spinning. Even Splashdown was staring at her now. She stiffened, taking a firm stance and producing an equally firm voice. “There may be a lot of burn marks on the walls, but there are shreds of saddlebags in two different fabrics. That means Luna made it here, but that whatever happened left those shreds. I don’t see shreds of… anything else, do you?”
“No.” Twilight replied. “But I can’t do any magic at all; how could the princess have gotten away without us seeing her?”
Glory massaged his temple with a hoof. “Maybe I’m just a meat-headed pegasus, but Luna didn’t have protection. Seemed to me she just didn’t need it.”
Twilight’s head popped up. “Of course! Why didn’t I think of that? Luna could easily build in a resonance filter as a fail-safe. All she would have to do is—”
“Twilight!” Rarity said sharply. The whole chamber fell into a silence punctuated only by Stormcloud’s rasping breath. “Sorry, dear, but we need to get Stormcould outside immediately. I can’t leave him here. I just... I can’t.”
“Woah! No way!” Splashdown leapt towards Rarity. “You sympathise with his situation, sure, but you can’t just drag him out. Not exploding now is no guarantee of not exploding later.”
“Ah hate to say it, Sugarcube,” Applejack said, moving alongside Rarity, “but he’s right. We don’t know a darn thing about what’s goin’ on.”
Stormcloud spasmed and gagged, sucking down a rattling breath. Rarity shivered again. “Vindicator, Glory,” she said. “Would you please be so kind as to bring Stormcloud to the surf—”
“No!” Splashdown bellowed.
Rarity bristled, staring him down and growling faintly. “You, Splashdown, are one of Luna’s personal guard, sworn to protect her and follow her orders, are you not?”
“Yes, and Luna wouldn’t want to endanger any ponies.”
“We’re endangering him if we leave him here.” Rarity’s voice was low but hard, and Splashdown inched forwards, giving no ground to her intensity.
“That’s different and you know it.”
“Princess Luna put her guards at my disposal. Did. She. Not?”
Splashdown snorted and stomped over to stand with his comrades. “That’s not what she meant.”
Silence fell between them, Rarity’s heart pounding as she tensed her legs to ward off the trembling. The pressure in her head rose steadily. She gritted her teeth and pursed her lips. Still neither pony said a word.
Suddenly, Glory spread his wings. “For the greater glory, we serve in her majesty’s name!”
Vindicator nodded and stepped over Stormcloud. “Lodge a complaint if you must, Captain, but my brother and I will follow Luna’s orders until our dying breaths, even if you won’t.”
Glory threw his head back and bellowed. “For Luna!”
“For Luna!” Vindicator replied.
Splashdown sagged. “For Luna. Curse you.”


( II )


“How can you be so calm!” Twilight yelled.
Thunderer gave not so much as a twitch in response. He lay near the edge of the plateau, facing the tunnel: legs tucked in, eyes closed, breathing steadily. Twilight, however, hadn’t stopped pacing since Splashdown escorted her friends down to the chariots—except for a few seconds here and there to complain.
Eventually, Thunderer broke his silence, but not his placid exterior. “You’re the one who said they were unlikely to be in danger. Besides, they’re here.”
Rarity walked around the corner first, slowly followed by Vindicator and Glory—their wings locked across each other’s backs, holding Stormcloud aloft.
“Halt,” Thunderer said. “Report.”
Rarity gulped. “He’s breathing better, and we didn’t see so much as a flicker of magic on the way up.” 
And I didn’t get your companions burned to ashes.
“But that doesn’t make any sense!” Twilight prodded Stormcloud in the chest. “It’s absolutely consistent with a normal unicorn’s exposure. If Princess Luna had a way of curing him we wouldn’t have spent all day researching!”
Thunderer’s expression remained unmoved. “Then he remains here. He is too dangerous to remove from the tunnel. Should the worst happen, it may still provide some protection.”
“I…” Rarity took a deep breath as the guards lowered Stormcloud to the ground. “If he… If it’s the same thing I experienced, then there’s nothing more we can do for him. We have to find Luna.”
Thunderer’s brow twitched.
“Oh! I didn’t mean… I mean I wasn’t trying to say…” Rarity grimaced, backing away slightly. “At least you have two more pegasi to help with the search.”
Glory and Vindicator trotted up, standing stiffly to attention on either side of her.
“At ease, ponies. Vindicator, relieve Splashdown and guard our guests below. Tell him to join the search pattern. Glory, find Seeker and tell him to take a message to Canterlot. If you can’t find him quickly, go yourself. We need an emergency medical team plus the tutor, Sonata, and whatever she requires. Tell them Luna’s missing and to approach with extreme caution. Dismissed.” The two guards dove off the plateau’s edge together, leaving Rarity standing alone once more. “If she’s here, we’ll find her. In the meantime, we can hope that your boy wakes up and tells us what happened.”
Rarity nodded. She dropped to the ground with somewhat less than her usual grace and Twilight settled alongside her. 
“Rarity? Are you okay?”
Rarity nodded again, but her mouth had a nervous twitch and her eyes roamed sky and landscape without settling.
“It’ll be okay,” Twilight said. “Luna got away. We’ll find her.”
Rarity swallowed conspicuously and flinched when a hoof rested atop hers.
“Oh my gosh, you’re trembling!” Twilight wrapped her leg around Rarity’s neck instead, pulling them together. “Please try and stay calm, Rarity. I haven’t forgotten. I’m not going anywhere this time.”
As Twilight cuddled and nuzzled and hugged, Rarity remained silent. She blinked away a few tears, her breaths becoming increasingly jagged until Twilight sat up and gathered her into a full embrace. They gently rocked together, Twilight cooing quietly in her ear. Breath caught in her throat, and her face tightened into a grimace. 
A hoof began stroking her mane gently. “Please, Rarity,” Twilight whispered, her caressing becoming more frantic. “Please tell me what I can do.”
As if prompted, Rarity released a single, piercing wail, followed by sobbing that was more like silent convulsing. After a few intense and ragged gulps, her breath caught again.
“I’ll do anything,” Twilight said, her voice now cracking as tears streamed down her face. “I just want to help. I’ll do anything to help. Please…” She cuddled, and nuzzled, and hugged, but Rarity said nothing.


( II )


Luna,

I don’t know what happened to you, but I need you. I shouldn’t, but I do. I wanted to tell you everything, truly I did, but I didn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to trust you. What kind of mare does that make me?
You gave me everything I wanted and I gave you nothing. Now I’ve risked myself and others because I couldn’t bear to think of Stormcloud being left down there. I just wanted to help. That’s all I ever wanted, but nothing seems to work. The harder I tried the more I realised that I’m just vain, arrogant, and selfish. You treated me like a princess and I acted like a spoiled brat. Now all I’m doing is leeching my friends’ time and patience… and yours.
Generosity? Hardly. I have amazing friends, and it feels like no matter what I do, they are always supporting me. Yet, I’m never giving enough back. Twilight was glad I was there to look after you, but it’s only a dream. You don’t need me; I couldn’t even understand what you were trying to tell me. You wanted me to support you, and I failed. You wanted me to be honest, and I failed. I keep letting everypony down. I want to help, to be there for my friends; I’d give anything, but I don’t know what to do anymore.
I swear I spend more time angry at Pinkie Pie than laughing with her. I know that I’ve been ill, but it’s hardly the first time I’ve yelled at either her or Rainbow Dash. I feel like Applejack and I have quietly agreed that we just don’t really ‘get’ each other, and Twilight all but said I don’t spend enough time with her. And Fluttershy, beautiful, sweet, Fluttershy… I really do love her so much, but I can’t pretend I don’t love how much she needs me sometimes. How low of me to think so badly of my friends?
I can’t even think about Spike right now. He deserves better from me; he—
I need you because you understand, Luna. You look into me and you see—you asked, but you already knew. I know that my friends will forgive me for whatever I have done, but when they do, it will feel hollow, because I don’t deserve it. I know I should talk to them about these feelings, but I’m too afraid of losing their love, just like you were afraid of losing Celestia’s. How can I tell them the truth after I’ve hidden so much from them? You say you are not your sister, but I am not you, either. You laugh about Nightmare Moon. You are strong. You bear your burdens with grace, for the sake of those around you.
I don’t have that strength, Luna, and I don’t know what to do. I need to see you; I need to talk to you. I’m scared, but it feels safe to be scared in front of you. For the first time in a long while, I feel lost and alone.
So alone that I’m pretending you can hear me, Luna.


( II )


“Leaving your post, Vindicator?” Thunderer asked as the guard landed next to him.
“They’re spooked—and with good reason. What happened?”
Rarity was slumped against Twilight, having her main caressed in slow, deliberate strokes. Both ponies looked wearier than the midnight hour alone might explain.
“Just suffering the strain of a tough call. She’s strong, that one. She doesn’t deserve the day she’s having and she doesn’t have the training, but she’ll make it through.”
“Sir, about that call…”
“Splashdown explained,” Thunderer said flatly. “All ponies acted in good conscience, including you and your brother. Put it out of your mind and focus on the situation at hoof.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Also, I’ve had no report from Glory or Seeker. Whoever stayed behind is overdue.”
Thunderer’s hum rumbled like a predatory growl. “Our guests are our primary concern. Keep them calm, if you can, and alert Splashdown when you see him.” Without reply, Vindicator took off, and Thunderer turned his eyes back on the mares under his guard. “I haven’t been at my best, today,” he whispered to himself, letting his eyes fall closed. “It seems none of us have. Your sister is missing and I could use some of your wisdom, my princess. We all could.”
The night was silent and still. There was no wind to chill the bones, and the moon overhead was full and strong. Only the occasional sound of Rarity’s sighs tested the tranquillity around them.
Thunderer’s ear twitched. He was up on his hooves at lightning speed, but crept towards Stormcloud in a slow, stealthy gait, drawing Twilight’s attention. “There,” he said as the stricken stallion moaned quietly. “He’s conscious. Perhaps you might try to address him; he’s seen the two of you before.”
“Sure,” Twilight replied, pulling away from Rarity. “How are you feeling? I imagine you’ll want to talk to him, but just tell me if you’re not ready.”
After a few steady breaths, Rarity rose and paced slowly towards the stallion that, Thunderer’s warning aside, might have been mistaken for sleeping. She passed into the tunnel and lay on the floor only a few inches from his face. “Stormcloud? Can you hear me, darling?” The words flowed like honey on silk, and Rarity produced a bright, welcoming smile when his eye cracked open.
His first attempt to speak produced only a breathy groan, and his second barely managed a single, slurred word: “Uht… acked…”
“What?” Twilight cried. “Who? How?”
“Twilight, please.” Rarity frowned for a moment before turning her attention back to Stormcloud. “It’s all right. Take your time and tell us what happened. Who attacked you?”
Stormcloud rocked his head back and forth on the ground. “No… attacked… Luna…”
“What?” Twilight cried again, but Rarity’s scowl silenced her.
“Did you attack Luna? Did your magic get out of control again?”
“No… yes… came out—” Stomcloud burst into a fit of coughing. Wincing as he recovered his breath, he reached out a hoof to touch Rarity. She took his hoof in hers. “Curse,” he continued, “Alive… angry… attacked…”
“Does it mean anything to you, Twilight Sparkle?” Thunderer asked.
Twilight started pacing across the plateau. “I don’t know! Emotions are an integral part of unicorn magic, and it’s not uncommon for a pony’s instincts to do magic under stress, but… it doesn’t make any sense! Those parts of a pony can’t just disappear!” Changing direction, she came face to face with Thunderer.
“Focus, Twilight. Does it change anything we know about the situation?”
She chewed her lip and frowned. “No, I don’t think so. If something came out of him, it doesn’t look like it went back in. Even if it did, it would obviously be dormant now. I have to agree with Rarity; he clearly doesn’t mean us harm, and he’s not likely to explode anytime soon.”
“We don’t know for certain that he didn’t attack Luna, and if there is something out there, then either Luna can handle it—” he pointed a hoof at Twilight’s tiara “—or we’re going to need those shiny trinkets of yours.”
Rarity gently kissed the hoof she held then laid it on the ground. “He’s unconscious again.” She touched the Element around her neck and gulped. “We should go.”


( II )


Picking their way down the path was simple enough work, but before the three ponies reached flat grassland, they heard shouting as Rainbow Dash sped off into the nearby forest. The rest of the ponies came running to meet them.
“Sir!” Vindicator shouted. “Heard something in the distance!”
“Go!” Thunderer replied, and the guard promptly took the air. He skipped the last thirty feet of uneven ground in one glide, but Applejack and Pinkie Pie had already veered off to follow Vindicator and Fluttershy ran straight past him.
“Come on girls!” Twilight shouted, running straight past Thunderer the other way. “Let’s stick together in case there’s something out here!”
In her wake, Rarity and Fluttershy reached the grassland side by side, exchanging nuzzles as they stopped.
Kindness. I truly do not deserve a friend like you, Fluttershy.
Thunderer fell in on Rarity’s other side, and for a moment she smiled and blushed—but only for a moment.
I’ve always had a guard; I just didn’t take the time to see her. I haven’t always been so kind in return.
The three ponies kept to a brisk trot, and Rarity was acutely aware of Fluttershy’s attention. Each time their eyes met, the pegasus would refresh her smile as if all else that had gone awry was worth nought—as if only that moment truly mattered. Rarity smiled back, but it might as well have been a filly’s crayon drawing on a threadbare puppet. She felt numb. She was that puppet. There was nothing but cheap twine between keeping her legs moving and crumpling into a tangled heap on the floor—one moment of inattention from every pony around her seeing her for who she truly was. But the smile… how could anypony fall for it?
Following shouts from in front, they quickly found the other ponies in a loose group. Applejack and Pinkie Pie stood between the approaching ponies and Twilight, whose horn glowed while undergrowth floated away. Vindicator stood next to the unicorn, staring at the ground where she worked, and Thunderer walked up in a plod so weighted and grave that it could have been a funeral march.
Please, no. If there’s something out here… if Luna couldn’t stop it—couldn’t even return to us… Anything but that.
To one side, Rainbow Dash lent against a tree, her head hung low and cheeks pale. “Splashie,” Pinkie said quietly, stepping aside and looking back over her shoulder. Beyond her, Splashdown’s blackened and charred body lay in a battered heap. One leg bent midway up the canon and a wing folded against itself along the wrong way.
I should be feeling more than this. I should be feeling something.
Fluttershy leapt forward. “No! No, no, no…” she kept repeating the word, her breaths coming shallow and hurried. Despite the damage, there was no blood, and the stallions chest still rose and fell slowly. “We need to splint his leg before he wakes up,” she said, suddenly divested of her panic.
Of course. Show Fluttershy suffering and she comes right out of her shell. How could I possibly think such a magnificent pony could need the likes of me?
Fluttershy listed off the things she would need, but the words slipped past Rarity without finding purchase in her mind. She watched Applejack and Twilight dart into the forest, while Vindicator took off toward the mountain.
“Rarity?”
She had no idea where the voice came from. She wasn’t even sure whose voice it was.
“Rarity?” the voice said again, a bleak, soulless whimper.
Pinkie’s hoof tapped her on the leg. The mare stood beside her, deflated and drawn, large eyes begging for release. Rarity pulled the string that controlled her leg and drew Pinkie against her, but her porcelain face held no smile. Even the fake, crayon smile was a lifetime away now.
That’s it then. I couldn’t tell them, but they’ll know soon enough. There’s nothing I can do about it now.


( II )


For almost two hours, Glory had pushed himself onwards, but when the gleaming white towers of Canterlot came into view his body rebelled against the need to stay aloft. His ankle screamed in throbs of white-hot agony and his lungs burned. His mind swam as the courtyard below defocused and swayed before his tired eyes. A few more flaps and his two back hooves found familiar grey flagstones to support them.
“Guards!” he screamed. He closed his eyes as bile rose in his throat. With his weight shifted back to stay off his smashed ankle, he stumbled briefly as his balance rolled like high seas.
“Get a medic, now!” somepony yelled.
“Must… see… Celestia,” he said in wheezing breaths. Finally, the rebellion won and his guts clenched, sending vomit and bile flying from his throat. On instinct, his left hoof reached for the floor to steady himself, sending a fresh spike of pain straight into his brain. An entire sun tried to eat him from the inside out. Somepony screamed.
Darkness...


( II )


Vindicator dropped a golden box in front of Twilight. She popped it open with magic and spread the emergency supplies across the ground while Fluttershy fussed over the collected sticks and leaves.
Rarity watched the three ponies set about making splints, their mouths moving but without making any intelligible sound. It didn’t matter anyway; there was no changing fate. Nothing hurt anymore: a wooden heart in a wooden doll. Pinkie nuzzled her slightly, eyes watering and lip quivering, and Rarity resumed stroking the thick, candyfloss mane.
I owe you so much more than this. You deserve to laugh, not cry.


( II )


The sparse forest made for good visibility, but it made stealth challenging. Thunderer slid from shadow to shadow on silent wings, stopping each time to look around and listen for any disturbance.  The forest was too quiet: something more than Splashdown’s crash was at work.
Something glinted. He sank to the earth around the tree’s thick roots, hugging the shadows tighter than before. Although he found the assumptions about Luna’s obsession with the night amusing, his current colour scheme was undoubtedly well suited to the task. Nevertheless, patience was crucial. When the night surrendered no warnings, he sloped forwards on hoof until a distant shape resolved itself into his Princess, tiara glimmering in the moonlight.
It was bent in the centre, and her coat was ruffled and marred all over. More strikingly, her mane and tail of stars had been replaced by an unkempt mass of electric blue hair. She crouched in the centre of a clearing, sleek, predatory, staring at something off in the forest. At the faintest of growls from Thunderer, her head twisted slightly. She kept her gaze far off into the forest, slowly turning until she could flick her eyes once, briefly, to where Thunderer hid. She raised a hoof and signalled: stay low, come to me.
Like a panther on the hunt, he prowled into the clearing.
“Who else is with you?” she whispered without shifting her attention.
“Vindicator and the six mares. Splashdown is incapacitated; the others are with him now.” Thunderer raised his snout towards his princess, detecting the faint waft of ozone in the still air. Whatever was out there had probably taken out Splashdown.
“Good,” Luna replied. “Bring them all up, but have the mares stay in the treeline. I will require both you and Vindicator for this.” Her head bobbed, tracking whatever it was that Thunderer couldn’t see. “Where is Glory?”
“Missing, as is Seeker, but one of them should be en route to Canterlot.”
Luna nodded. “Now hurry.”
Thunderer skulked as far as the treeline and started gliding from shadow to shadow, picking up speed as he left the clearing behind.


( II )


Fluttershy pulled the last knot tight with her teeth and stepped back.
“Thank you,” Vindicator said, giving her a formal bow that elicited a muted squeak.
“Oh! It’s nothing… really.”
“Nonsense.” The burly guard stood to her side, inspecting his strapped up comrade. “For all we know you may have just saved a life, tonight. It will not be forgotten.”
A short distance away, Rarity’s porcelain mask cracked, and the thinnest of smiles shone through. Giving Pinkie a squeeze, she saw the darting shadow approaching moments before Thunderer hit the ground, hoofs digging deep into the earth to slow him.
“I found Luna,” he said, his even tone a sharp contrast to the gasps and brightening faces around him. None brightened more than Pinkie’s, and she slipped from Rarity’s hold to bounce energetically in front of the guard.
Could it be? Will it be all right after all?
“Vindicator, you’re with me,” he continued. “The rest of you, Luna wants you nearby, but out of sight.”
Vindicator trotted forward and stretched his wings. “Uh, boss? How do you want to do this? These mares aren’t exactly stealth ops material. No offence, ladies.”
“None taken.” Applejack stuck her nose in the air. “But we girls have crept through the Everfree plenty enough to keep out o’ sight. Wouldn’t wanna rain on your big, clumsy stallion parade anywho.”
“They’ll be fine,” Thunderer said with an about-face. “Rainbow Dash, you follow us at a safe distance and the rest can follow you to keep them further from sight. You’re up to that, aren’t you?”
Rainbow Dash gave him a stiff salute. “Yes, sir, Thunderer, sir!”
“Umm…” Fluttershy said. “We can’t just leave Splashdown alone out here.”
Thunderer cast his eyes over his comrade. “The best thing we can do is get this over with and get him home.”
“Oh… sure. I... I guess so.”
As the guards disappeared into the forest shadows, the rest kept to a quiet hustle. Even when Rarity fell to the back of the group, Fluttershy kept pace with her, never once falling more than a hoof’s reach from her side.


( II )


Celestia soared through the open castle doors and landed before the scrum of guards and medics. A blue unicorn mare broke away and faced her. “He’s in bad shape, your majesty: shock, exhaustion, some blood loss, impacted second and third phalange—plus suspected fractures.”
“Has he been able to relay a message?”
The unicorn shook her head. “No, Your Majesty. He hasn’t regained consciousness, and I wouldn’t suggest trying to wake him, either.”
Celestia’s wings stretched out—not fully spread, but arcing from her sides like sails at half-mast.  “I know my guards, Night Blossom. He called for me and I will hear his report as soon as it is possible.”
“Of course, Your Majesty, but might I suggest moving him to our infirmary first?” The medic’s hard tone left no room to believe it was a suggestion.
“He’s ready for transport now,” the palace guard said, hovering above the scene.
The scrum dispersed suddenly as Glory’s stretcher floated into the air on a golden aura of magic. “Lieutenant.” Celestia’s voice carried a crisp snap with it. “Find Swordmane immediately and have him summon every elite in Canterlot. Now.”
She folded her wings and smiled at Night Blossom. “Well then, my little pony. Where to?”


( II )


“What happened to Luna’s mane?” Twilight whispered.
“Ah don’t rightly know, Twilight!” Applejack already had one hoof stuffed into Pinkie’s mouth to stop her from cheering. “But Ah’m thinking we wait until she’s dealt with Celestia-know-what before we ask!”
Ahead of them, Thunderer and Vindicator slid through the shadows into the clearing. They crept alongside Luna and sunk to their bellies in the long grass. “Everypony is in position,” Thunderer whispered. The princess didn’t appear to have moved a muscle since he left. “What did you find?”
Luna didn’t move, but her mouth twisted into a smile. A particularly devilish smile. Perhaps even an evil smile. Her eye rolled around to regard Thunderer and she leaned towards him and whispered.
“You.”
Two arcs of purple lighting sprang from her horn, striking the guards on the flanks and throwing them into the forest. Thunderer caught a thick tree-trunk and spun through the air, his lifeless body bouncing like a rag doll as he hit the ground.


( II )


“Your Majesty?” Swordmane dropped his quill back in the inkpot and turned towards Celestia. “I have a full wing assembling plus ten chariots drawn by reserves and a dozen front-line unicorns ready to deploy with the medical field unit. Now, please tell me this is a drill.”
“I’m afraid not. Glory narrowly escaped after Seeker shielded him from some kind of magical assault. He tells me that Luna went missing shortly before she attacked them.”
“She?” Swordmane stared at the placid, unreadable face before him. “Surely you can’t mean—”
“That is your report, Shift-Captain. One pony is already down. If Luna has turned there will be more, and the Element-Bearers are still out there. One way or another you will bring them home.”
“Yes…” Swordmane fell quiet. “Of course, Your Majesty. Shall I prepare your personal chariot?”
Celestia trotted towards the doorway. “Yes, but it will be for Sonata and Winter Fire. I have other plans and will join you as soon as I can.”


( II )


“Hey! How dare you hurt my friends, Princess Meanie!”
Pinkie Pie stood firm, four hooves planted wide and defiance in her eyes, but Luna simply lifted her face to the sky and burst into waves of cackling laughter. In a flash, Rainbow Dash appeared, hovering next to her.
“There’s no way you’re Princess Luna! She would never do something like that, so why don’t you just tell us who you really are before we have to get rough with ya?”
Her face turned side on to them. They could see only one insanely-wide eye and half an equally wide grin. When she spoke, her voice was an acidic hiss that sounded little like Princess Luna. “Foolish. Little. Ponies. Yessss, I am Luna, and Stormloud and so. Much. More.”
“All right,” Applejack said, striding forth from her cover. “Y’ain’t Luna, so why don’t ya just save everypony a whole heap o’ trouble an’ tell us what’s going on!”
Twilight broke cover, too, quickly followed by Fluttershy. When Rarity moved, her head was down and her hooves kicked up dirt as they listlessly struggled to step one in front of the other.
I know how this ends. Why even pretend?
Luna whirled suddenly, facing the mares down with wings opened wide. “It doesn’t matter! I don’t care about you anyway; I just need to hurt you to bring her.”
“That’s it!” Dash shouted at Twilight. “Are we going to zap this thing with the Elements of Harmony or what? Isn’t that how this is supposed to work?”
“Ha!” Luna roared. “Go ahead and try it! You’re too weak.”
“I’m still not sure what’s going on here,” Twilight said. “But the real Luna would know that Rainbow Dash is not weak. Are you ready, girls?”
Amid a chorus of agreement, Luna’s wings folded up and she relaxed. “You misunderstand me, Twilight Sparkle. I wasn’t talking about your pegasus. I was talking about her.”
She knows. Of course she knows. She’s Luna. It doesn’t matter any—
Fluttershy dashed in front of Rarity, wings spread and a deep scowl on her face. “That’s enough! Twilight, I don’t want to hear any more mean things about my friends!”
I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I’m so sorry.
“Sure thing, Fluttershy!” Twilight floated into the air in a radiant white halo as she triggered the Elements of Harmony. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash followed suit, the Elements themselves glowing brilliantly.
I’m sorry, everypony. I just… I can’t do it. I’m sorry, Luna, I’ve failed you again.

Pinkie lay on her back pressed into the corner between the tunnel’s wall and floor. Instead of seeing eyes full of shame hiding behind pink hooves, Rarity saw only vitriol—and judgement.
“Why did you do it?” Pinkie shouted.
“I didn’t mean to. I’m sorr—”
“Not good enough!” Pinkie reached out and grabbed Rarity’s head in her hooves, shouting right into her face. “Why did you do it?”
“I… I don’t know. I…”
“You don’t deserve friends like us! You’re a failure!”

Fluttershy’s eyes drifted shut as she, too, floated into the air. Her butterfly emblem lit up, Element and personality in perfect harmony… and then five mares dropped back to the ground with a bump.
“Rarity?” Fluttershy’s voice was sweet and soft.
Rarity’s porcelain mask was no more, and tears streamed down her face from squinted eyes. The heart pounding in her chest was not a wooden one—dolls didn’t feel pain like this. The pressure in her head rose and her face burned with tension. She expected to pass out, and when she didn’t, she wished she could. Expectation, failure, regret: this was all she had left. She felt the Element around her neck slip free and heard it hit the ground with an ignominious thud.
“Rarity?”
Opening her eyes, the thick glaze of moisture distorted the image of the angelic yellow mare in front of her. Breath caught in her throat as every muscle in her body tightened. She squeezed her eyes tight shut again, but the pressure still rose. She could reach out and grab Fluttershy; her friend wouldn’t have minded. But that consolation wasn’t for her. She didn’t deserve that. She hadn’t earned it.
A long, tortuous wail burst from her throat. She slumped to the ground, sucking in another breath before piercing the night with another bawling cry, and then another. She curled into a ball, hiding her head behind her hooves as she wept.
Five mares stared on, eyes wide and uncomprehending, jaws slack.
“If we’re quite done,” the voice from behind them said. “I believe this is the point where I start hurting you.”



End of Act II