~~~~~~Ponyville Town Hall, about an hour later~~~~~~
"The bad news is pretty damn bad. One hundred and seventy five walking wounded, mostly those affected by the Chaos Taint. Town doctor's inform me it'll be a week before they're all completely back to normal, but that's just the start. We've got seventy five more who were seriously hurt by the valiant defenders of those kids, and they'll all have recovery periods between two and six weeks depending on what ended up broken." Valiant Struggle, Captain of the Ponyville guard coughed softly and continued speaking. "Another three hundred were affected in various minor and unpredictable ways by the Chaos Taint. Doc's figure a three to four day recovery period for them. I'm not going to bother listing the property damages - all of that is covered by the Crown's insurance policy. That brings us to the big issue."
The guard Captain looked around the table, taking in a deep breath before continuing. "Said big issue being the four dead ponies." A swift intake of breath came from the town council punctuated the end of his sentence before he continued. "Yes, I said four. In addition to the pony most often referred to as 'Screwball' - we found three other corpses stashed away in her home. All of the bodies had been... treated to look as though they had been killed by Changelings." He licked dry lips and sighed. "At the risk of sounding heartless, I have to say it is fortunate none of them were locals. We're pretty sure they're some of the migrant workers passing through town. We're working on trying to track their families as we speak."
Silence met this statement, and after a few more moments of it the guard Captain trudged on towards his conclusion. "We've thoroughly interrogated Lily Valley. She's currently locked up in Ponyville General, under observation. Under the circumstances, we'd be completely within our rights to charge her with starting a Riot at the minimum, and probably endangering foals if we want to stretch a little... the question is, do we want to?" He raised a hoof, forestalling the inevitable outcries for justice. "Look, this town is already unstable. Lily isn't exactly a community bastion, but her feelings are echoed by a lot of other ponies in town. We arrest her for letting her emotions run out of control - which I'd like to remind everypony here, she's done at least once a year and usually over way less important things - we are going to have problems."
Captain Struggle took in a deep breath before finishing. "Personally, I'm advocating levying a serious fine on her for the hospital bills and some 'community service' time, which we can enforce without making a big public to-do about things." He swept his gaze around the table to the half-a-dozen ponies that sat there in mostly contemplative silence. He hated having to clean up his language for these meetings, but ponies expected guardsponies to be stiff, formal, and most of all professional during crisis times. "I further recommend that we immediately and unconditionally make it clear that any further harassment of our new citizenry will be taken with stone-cold seriousness."
There was a silence as the Captain re-took his seat, filled a moment later by Filthy Rich, who was here to represent the business interests of the town. "I'd have to agree with the captain - I took the liberty of doing a flash-poll this morning shortly after the decree went out. Our citizens are cautiously optimistic about our new townsfolk, but that'll change in a real hurry if we start a witch hunt." The normally haughty pony was showing his pure-business side today - His face had gone as serious as a morticians. "I concur with the Captain. We need to keep this as low-key as possible."
Mayor Mare (who was technically chairing the meeting) nodded decisively. "We've got a motion and a second - do we have any alternative suggestions?" For a moment, silence reigned over the table - until a slim green hoof raised up and the mayor sighed. "Yes, Granny Smith?" she asked her in most tired voice - the Captain himself grimaced a little. The last thing they needed on something this serious was dissent, and Granny was notorious for being contrary just for the sake of being contrary.
However, the older green earth pony snorted derisively. "Ain't disagreein' with ya, Strugs. Nor you, Mr. Rich." She admonished, shaking her hoof. "I jus' wanted t' get my word in 'afore we close the book on this t'do. Ah might not terribly like the idea of changelin's livin in mah Ponyville, but even ah think threatenin' li'l foals is a damn crime. Ah think we oughter celebrate the young'ins who saved em." She noted, slapping the flat of her hoof against the table. "Make a big ol' hooey outta it, hold em up as pillars of tha' community. Yeah, yeah, even that wierd feller in the cloak." She waved her hoof airily. "Give em somethin' t' celebrate. Be good for the community."
The Mayor blinked in amazement at this show of... well, this lack of ornery disagreement, before nodding firmly. "That sounds eminently suitable. I think we can put this to a voice vote - all opposed?" She waited for only a moment before nodding. "There being no opposition, the measure passes. Captain Struggle, would you be so kind as to see to the matter of Lily." She paused. "How long until your investigation of the other one is complete?"
He sighed softly. "Well, that depends." Captain Struggle licked a pair of dry lips, wondering why he was so nervous. When the Mayor arched an eyebrow in question, he sighed. "That depends on how long till Guardspony Trixie recovers and can sign off on everything."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Trixie folded her hooves carefully as she mulled over what her mother had just told her. Truth be told, she'd expected the intervening hoof of Celestia in this - but she hadn't realized just how pervasive that hoof had been. How much of her life - how much of both their lives - had been guided and manipulated by her? To what end? Of course, the revelation of the past few minutes put a whole lot of other things into sudden and sharp perspective. One thing was certain - a very long conversation was going to be held the next time they met.
Oddly enough though, Trixie could not find it in herself to be angry at her mother. Maybe it was simply that in the past year so much had happened to her to change her perspective on things. After what had happened in Hollow Shades and Appleloosa, she'd gotten an appreciation for the the value of personal sacrifice. Harmony, care for those who have been lost... She silently prayed for a moment before turning back to face her mother straight on. She smiled, and Phantasma smiled back at her. "Well, that's certainly something to know." Trixie remarked dryly. "Though I suppose I can understand why it was kept from me."
Phantasma nodded slowly. "I truly am sorry, little one. But both... my husband and I decided you deserved to know. As does she." She smiled wryly. "Of course, now I am slightly worried that she will... overreact to the knowledge, now that I don't need to worry about you doing the same." She chuckled drily and Trixie couldn't help but grin at the thought of her overreacting to something like this. "Fortunately, I am rather good at remaining hidden. I don't suppose you'd let your dear old mother bunk with you for a while?" Phantasma said with a wistful tone.
Trixie couldn't help it - she laughed, both at the look on her mothers face as well as the tone of voice. "Of course." She insisted - reaching out to squeeze her hooves. "Let it never be said that The Great and Powerful Trixie is not charitable to those in need." She proclaimed in her old, bombastic tones - which got an astonished look from her mother... and a burst of laughter too. Trixie giggled brightly. "Oh, don't laugh too much... Trixie - ahem.. I used to really act like that." She smiled wryly. "Until a certain someone kicked Trixie's flank, and taught her a lesson or two. Ugh, that was humiliating."
Phantasma grinned slyly. "That's how I met your father, you know." She commented - offhoofedly enough that Trixie turned to stare at her. Her mother laughed brightly. "Oh, yes. I was quite the arrogant little witch when I was young, and when I finally ran into somepony more talented than I was, I got awfully upset about it. It took a few fights - and more than a few bruised egos - to finally admit he was better than I was at combat magic. Of course, things were never quite formal between us until... well, as I just told you." She coughed softly. "He was a good pony, even back then."
Trixie shook her head bemusedly. "Can I ask you something?" She tilted her head, as Phantasma nodded. "Just how much of my life... of the lives of everypony involved in this mess... just how much did Celestia manipulate us?" She hesitated a little at the end, but rushed the words out - hoping that her mother wouldn't be overly offended by the insinuation. "I mean... Really, you've got to admit all of these coincidences and chance meetings are starting to look awful suspicious."
Phantasma sighed and nodded. "The Princess... she was never one to leave well enough alone. She worried so constantly, especially about her and her future. I don't think we'll ever know quite the extent of what she set up for the future, nor how many backup plans she had running." She shook her head slowly. "Now that she's vanished, it's possible nopony will ever know. But I'll say this for her, Trixie - Like her methods or not, she was always trying to keep the best interests of Equestria foremost in her mind." She nodded, firmly. "She was a manipulator, no doubt - but she loved her ponies. She loved this country, and every creature in it. Perhaps that's what drove her to such lengths. She loved us all so very much, that the fear of the ones she loved being hurt was simply too much to bear."
Phantasma looked past Trixie out the window, and Trixie followed her gaze to the shining sun hanging in the sky - just barely blocked by a stray cloud. "And that's what brought the whole thing crashing down." Phantasma whispered softly, and Trixie couldn't help but notice the pain in her mother's voice. And not for the last time, she wondered what Mother had not said about what had occurred between her... and Celestia.
~~~~~~~Canterlot Castle~~~~~~~
Rarity gently fluttered the fan almost as a reflex as she waited primly for the arrival of the chariot, watching Applejack and Pinkie Pie carefully out of the corner of her eye. Things were going so well here, it was easy to forget that the law of unexpected consequences was alive and well out there in the rest of the world. "She wouldn't say a word to either of you?" Rarity asked with a touch of concern coloring her voice. Both of the other ponies shook their heads and Rarity tsked firmly. "Our Queen is being stubborn, it seems." Rarity muttered with a much put-upon sigh. Twilight had grown immeasurably these past few weeks, but she still was a babe in the woods when it came to internal politics.
Fortunately, Rarity was not. "It's a family matter, Rarity." Applejack commented quietly, her voice soft and intense as it always was when this sort of subject came up, "Leave it be till she's ready t' talk about it." And that was that as far as Applejack was concerned. Of course, it would be impossible for Rarity to ignore it. Not with Night Light having taken up rooms in Cadence's wing of the palace, and Shining Armor attending to him personally. There would be questions from the Night Court that would need answering, and Rarity had no suitable answers for them.
Pinkie Pie took this moment to chime in, in her perky and unmistakable way. "Don't worry so much, Rarity." She proclaimed with a bright smile. "She'll be fine, and so will we. We'll have Ponyville wrapped up all neat and tidy before you know it." Pinkie did a little bounce in place - which sent her scandalously short skirts bouncing with her, showing off her well-toned flank almost directly into the Royal Guardspony's face. Anypony else trying that would have been utterly ignored... But Pinkie was developing a reputation, one that the Royal Guardspony was familiar enough with to break his stoic stare for just a moment to eyeball said flank. "Besides!" Pinkie continued, and Rarity smirked in amusement as the Guard snapped back to stoic attention. "We'll get to see everypony back home! I mean, it's only been a few weeks but still!" Pinkie's tail twitched violently for a moment, followed by her mane frizzing out for just a moment before returning to normal. "There's so many new ponies in town! I'm going to need to throw one epic Pinkie Pie Party!"'
Applejack rolled her eyes and Rarity couldn't keep the smile off her face - so she hid it behind the fan. "Yes, well - don't forget your assignments, dearies. And do make sure to check in on Spike for me." She frowned for a moment, thinking of the cute little purple dragon... and his desperate sincerity. "We can't have him doing something foolish, now with everything slowly moving into motion." She tapped her fan against her cheek for a moment, as she considered the possibilities of what else might be accomplished. "Applejack, I don't suppose you'd mind having a few words with Pokey for me? I'd like to know what the dear boy has been up to lately."
Applejack nodded once. They'd long ago established certain ponies to mean certain things. Ditzy was shorthand for discussing intercepted mail messages, Filthy Rich was for talking about moneyed interests in Equestria and so on. Pokey meant local information, specifically about those ponies who were prominent citizens. It was a good way to talk about gathering intelligence without tipping other ponies off to the actual meaning of the words. "Rainbow Dash will be making a stop back in town, too. Let her know what's been going on here." Rarity continued, gently stroking her fan along Pinkie Pie's cheek for a moment, and smiling softly. She would miss having these two here, but the needs of the Queen demanded.
Rarity looked up to the sky with a soft sigh. She wished she could go home and see Sweetie Belle, but that simply wasn't going to be in the cards for some time to come. Canterlot was more than a mere challenge - it was a test of every single skill she'd ever acquired moving amongst the high and mighty of Equestria. Fortunately, she'd had a little discreet help from a few ponies in laying down the law of her new Mistress' power. Unfortunately, that meant constantly reinforcing that power through subtle hints and political jabs delivered daily to the appropriate ponies. "And... I don't suppose you two could peek in on Sweetie for me?" She asked in a soft, plaintive voice.
Both of her friends nodded, and they gently came together. "It'll be okay, Rarity." Pinkie Pie proclaimed in a gentle voice, hugging her firmly around the neck. Applejack joined them, and for a moment they simply stood there in quiet intimacy until the sound of beating wings interrupted them. Pressing their hooves together, the three whispered in unison. "in the name of our queen, and the bright moon above - In Victory, Truth, Passion, Obedience, Power, So do we serve."
Rarity would serve as her Queen demanded. She only hoped Ponyville would survive those demands.
~~~~~~Somewhere in Ponyville~~~~~~
"So, we are agreed?" Said the first pony, his voice pitched low - quite low, in fact.
"Yes." said the Second pony, her voice high-strung and obviously worried. "This afternoon is proof positive that they cannot be trusted. We must make that clear to everypony."
"That wont be easy. They have royal backing to be here." Observed the third pony, in a neutral voice utterly lacking inflection of any kind. "You will not convince The Nightmare Queen to reverse her position, and The Crystal Sun will take her lead on this matter."
"Tsk." Said a fourth pony, in a rich and sneering voice. "It will not matter what they think. The common folk will rise up against this perversion of Harmony. We will bring about the Sun's Glory's plans, as we have agreed. Dissonance will be leashed and shackled."
The four ponies nodded in quiet agreement, and began to lay plans for the future.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lyra slipped into the dimly lit room, and calmly crossed the much polished wooden floors. The place was quiet, for once - but that's what made it a good place to meet with... certain other ponies. At least during non-business hours. The Clop was still one of the hottest night-clubs in Ponyville, and had only grown more popular with every new show Vinyl and Octavia came up with and performed here. The place was attracting hot talent from all over Equestria these days - but most importantly to Lyra, it often had musicians and other individuals walking into and out of the place with regularity. Which meant she could slip in, well... mostly unnoticed.
"Good afternoon, Agent Heartstrings."
A smooth and much-cultured voice rolled across the room like a marble across the floor. Lyra had to smile slightly, as she gently and silently trod across the floor towards the source of that voice. She hopped up into the booth where she sat, and leaned back into the soft cushions with a sigh. "Afternoon, yourself." She returned with a sly chuckle. "Really. After working together as long as we have, you're still going to feed me that Agent horsepucky?" She asked with a cocked eyebrow.
The mare across the table smiled back at her sheepishly after a moment. "Sorry, Lyra." She admitted, scratching the back of her head with a hoof. "You know how the boss gets about these formalities." She continued, then laughed softly. "Fuck, are you hearing me? I even sound like her. I mean, geeze. Used to be that I actually hated all of this formal crap and now I'm spouting it like I'm my aunt." She shook her bright orange mane slowly and grinned. "Look, let's start over. Hey, Lyra - how's Bon Bon doing?"
Lyra grinned at her. "Not bad, Carrot Top." She jokingly teased, leaning back into the bench with a gusty sigh. "Bon's is good too. So." She folded her hooves over her belly and grinned. "Hell of a day, huh?" She observed with an amused tone. "I mean, my girlfriend and your roommate both end up attached to our mysterious VIP, there's a chaos mage, and a bunch of other fucked up magic going on. Now we've got six corpses, and no good explanation for five of them - and the explanation we have for the sixth ones is kinda sketchy at best." Lyra drawled out, lining out their problems.
Carrot Top sighed softly. "Yeah, It's a real mess. I've been waiting for a letter from the boss about what we're supposed to do about this crap - but so far, nothin. Any word from our good friend the Mustache?" She asked with a quirk of her lips. Lyra shook her head and Carrot snorted. "Not surprised. They probably don't even know any of the details yet back in Canterlot." She shook her head. "Does the Mayor know about our two special dead guests yet?"
Lyra shook her head. "And she's not going to. That's EIS business, not hers." She said, very firmly. "So keep Captain Struggle out of it. Right now we need to focus on the more important problems - like what in Tartarus we're going to tell the boss about this fuckup." She growled, putting her head in her hooves. "We got blindsided. Worse, it's starting to look like Tia's got some things she isn't telling any of us and that worries the crap out of me. Bon Bon..." She paused. "Bon's really cares about her, Top. Like, serious face, no joking cares about her. Not just in the usual sense like she mothers everypony under the age of forty. She was worrying about her last night to the point of drinking."
Carrot nodded slowly. "Ditzy too. She was asking me if I had any ideas on how to help an intellectual shut in not be so lonely. I haven't seen Ditzy this worried about somepony that wasn't Dinky since... well, ever." She paused, and rubbed at her chin. "I think we need to keep a really close eye on this unicorn, Lyra. She's pulling this town into the same place it was when Twilight was here, and I'm worried that with things set up the way they are..." She said, her voice slow and thoughtful. "That it's gonna set this whole thing ablaze." She shook her head slowly.
Lyra nodded slowly in reply. "Yeah. Boss isn't going to like that, though - so we ought to keep it between us for now." She bit down at her lip, chewing it in thought. "So. You want to write the letters, or should I?" Carrot Top looked away at that, and Lyra sighed. "Yeah. It's never easy reporting deaths." She looked up at the ceiling of the club, wishing it would give her the answers to the mysteries that plagued her. Damnit, Bon Bon. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into...