//------------------------------// // Those Who Dream By Day // Story: Through A Glass Darkly // by SpaceCommie //------------------------------// Fluttershy cautiously raised her head above the ledge, looking around quickly and popping back down. She turned to Pinkie and spoke calmly and quietly. “There’s, uh, ten guards here. That’s a lot more than I expected.” Pinkie pulled a handgun from her pack. “Does this mean I get to shoot somepony?” she said, far too loudly. Fluttershy waved frantically at her. “Be quiet, please,” she hissed. “We’re not shooting anypony unless we have to. It’s way too loud... but I don’t know what to do here, anyways. I don’t want to get too close.” “Okie—” Pinkie said loudly, and earned a glare from Fluttershy. “Dokie. Sorry,” she finished. “So what are we going to do? Wait, no! I have an idea!” “Shut up,” Fluttershy whispered. “Um. If you don’t mind, that is. What’s your idea?” Pinkie leaned over towards her and whispered in Fluttershy’s ear. Fluttershy’s eyes widened, but she nodded reluctantly. “Um, wait here please,” Fluttershy said. “I’ll let you know when.” She flew to the side, and lifted quietly into the air. She assumed a look of wide-eyed, fidgety confusion and flew gingerly towards the entrance. “Private, you’re not allowed to be up here!” one of the Night Guards called out. Fluttershy’s mouth opened in what was apparently complete surprise and terror. “Eep!” she cried softly, and dropped to the ground. “Oh, um, I’m really sorry about this. I just got really lost, and... could you please help me?” she asked, her voice fading into a near-silent whisper. She looked up at the guards with a faintly sheepish smile. “What, do you think you signed up for the Filly Scouts? Get the hell outta here.” “Oh, okay,” she said, and turned around. “Now, please.” Pinkie bounced over the ledge and launched into a musical number. “The enemies on your list— They get hit with arsonists. As the flames lick at their house, No one blames the little mouse. Fireponies fight the blaze In the smoky summer haze. While their cities all get razed. There are other better ways to... go! Go for miles, away from here. No one wants to be in there When the smoke is in the air. First you take some gasoline, Then you grab some kerosene. And when you hear their screams, You... know!” Pinkie finished, one arm lifted into the air, mouth wide, and looking triumphantly towards the Guards. They stood there, jaws hanging slack. “What,” one said. It wasn’t really a question. Fluttershy alit in front of Pinkie, and looked into their eyes. “Put down your guns and kick them over to me,” she said, unblinking. “Thank you. Now, let us in and forget we were ever here. Okay?” “Here we go, Pinkie,” Fluttershy said to Pinkie, who was grabbing their rifles and strapping them to her back. “And stop that, please. We’re not fighting our way there.” Rarity coughed weakly and opened her eyes. She looked around, getting her bearings. Pavement. She was lying on a relatively clean section of pavement. But it was still pavement, and why was she on pavement? And what was that thing looming over her, the enormous thing turning its head? She screamed, and knocked her head on the pavement. The shape leaned in closer, and Rarity whimpered. “Please don’t—don’t...” “Rarity. Rarity. You’re fine. It’s me. It’s Spike.” “What did Twilight have you do to me? Where am I?” she demanded. “Whoa, whoa.” Spike put his hands in the air. “I didn’t do anything to you. Well, I mean, sort of, but I’ll explain. And you’re in... oh, heck, I have no idea. But you’re safe now, I swear.” “Safe,” Rarity said. “What happened?” “Um.” Spike rubbed the back of his head. “You remember what Twilight was doing to you?” An involuntary shudder ran through Rarity’s body, and she nodded shallowly. “Okay. So she made you, uh, choke yourself, and you did until you went out, and I uh...” Spike paused. “I punched out Twilight and got you out.” Rarity’s eyes widened. “Oh. Well, thank you very much.” She looked down the alley for a second, her gaze distant. “I remember fire. The nightclub, did it—” Spike shook his head. “Is it alright?” she yelled. “I don’t know.” “How could you possibly not know?” “I don’t know, okay? I was—” “You were what?” Rarity screamed, her throat aching. “Do you have even the slightest idea of how much I worked to build that? How I worked? And now it’s gone?” “Worried about you,” Spike finished. “I was worried about you. And what the heck did you expect me to do about it, anyways?” “You could have at least—” Rarity started, pointing a hoof accusingly at him. “You could have...” She sighed. “I suppose there was nothing you could have done. But I still...” She sighed. “You said that you punched Miss Sparkle out?” “Yeah.” “I’d rather not be overly blunt about this, but how hard?” “Um. Probably not hard enough.” “Oh well. We wouldn’t want to make things too easy, would we?” “Guess not. She’ll never stop looking for us now. Not unless it’s a problem for her mission.” “Delightful.” Rarity sighed, and looked into the distance for a telltale glow. “Spikey?” she asked. “I’m rather cold. Would you mind...” “Lighting something on fire? Normally, no. But you’ve probably had enough smoke for the night.” Rarity coughed, and laughed weakly. “Maybe, maybe not. It’s a shame you’re coldblooded.” “I’m not, actually,” Spike murmured. “Oh. Then could I just—I mean, it wouldn’t happen to be a problem if I—” “Go ahead.” Rarity walked to Spike, and gingerly leaned into him. “Mmm. You are warm.” Spike puffed a flame into the night sky. “Oh. Right.” “So it really is all gone?” Rarity asked after some time. “Um. Yeah, probably. Sorry.” Rarity’s mouth opened and closed a few times, but no sounds came out. She breathed unevenly, gasping for breath. “Rarity? Are you okay?” She broke down crying, and threw her arms around Spike. Rarity sobbed quietly, and slowly, cautiously, he put his hands around her and let her cry until the tears stopped coming. Finally, Spike spoke. “So...” Rarity looked up at him, makeup smearing her face. “Yes, Spike?” she said, voice shaking a bit. “I don’t want you to think that I mind this, but I think we might want to figure out some way to get slightly less screwed.” Rarity wiped her face. “Hmm. Well, um. If I’ve read Miss Sparkle’s position correctly, she will at least have to plausibly claim that I’ve been involved in anything illegal before my accounts are frozen. You said that she will most likely continue to pursue us?” Spike nodded. “Well, in that case...” Rarity smirked, although it didn’t stay on her face long. “It may not be a bad idea to prevent her from doing so. I think we may want to contact some of the ponies she’s managed to alienate during her stay here.” “Like who?” Rarity squirmed her way out of Spike’s arms and began to pace. “I would say Applejack, but as much as she likes me, I’m not part of the family. We’ll talk to her, but I don’t expect much. Actually... I think we should try to talk to the sols, given the reasonably good odds that we’re about to be deemed enemies of the state. But going back to the frozen accounts, we really ought to go to the bank first. And I have quite a few favors that need to be called in while I still can.” “Sounds good to me,” Spike said. “Ready to go?” Rarity nodded, and they walked out into the city lights. “So, sols?” Spike asked. Rarity grinned. “It makes sense to talk to the only pony in this city that hates Sparkle more than we do.” Fluttershy and Pinkie moved down the corridor quickly and calmly, not giving any of the Guards more than a casual glance. The pegasus had learned that the best way to evade attention was to look like you belonged and were too busy to be engaged with. Unfortunately, she’d picked up a shadow at some point. He’d made some attempts to get the drop on her in these twisting, dim corridors, but Fluttershy was a lot better at this. She knew he was waiting. She’d figure out where, soon. They rounded a corner. “Don’t move! I’ll shoot!” a Night Guard shouted, pointing his gun shakily at the two of them. Fluttershy peered curiously at him. “Hard Knocks, is that you?” “Y-yeah. What’s it to you?” “Don’t you remember me?” Fluttershy asked quietly. “M-m-maybe. Doesn’t mean I won’t, uh, shoot you if you try anything!” “Oh, Hard Knocks. You’re not that kind of pony. Put the gun down.” He put the gun down slowly, gazing raptly into her eyes. “Thank you. Now, don’t tell anypony we’re here. You’re going to...” Fluttershy looked up briefly in thought. “Is there anyone waiting for you when you get done with your shift?” “Uh, Roseluck, my marefriend. Please don’t hurt her, I really—” “Nopony’s going to hurt either of you. Listen to me. You’re going to resign from the Night Guard, then go ask her to marry you. Then you’re going to open a flower shop. Okay?” He nodded rapidly. “Thank you,” she said, smiling sweetly. “Go.” “That was nice of you,” Pinkie said. Fluttershy shrugged.         “So can you, like, make ponies do whatever you want?” “Um. Not whatever I want, not really, not easily. What I want them to do matters. Loyalty, self-preservation, love... they all, um, take time to break. If I want them to...” Fluttershy paused. “If I want them to just, I don’t know, give me something, it’s not so hard. But killing... killing is different. Killing is hard.” Pinkie looked thoughtful for a second. “If you can get ponies to do stuff, why do you do it yourself?” “I have rules. Nopony gets hurt if they didn’t do anything wrong.” “Huh. Do they help? The rules?" “I hope so, anyways. Come on, let’s go.” The slot on the door slid back rustily. A pair of distrustful eyes narrowed. “What do you want?” If he gave any indication of being surprised by the appearance of a rather disheveled white unicorn and a dragon, it wasn't apparent. “I was hoping I could talk to somepony here,” Rarity said. “Really? And here I was, thinking you wanted to sell Filly Scout cookies.” “I’m afraid not, Mister...?” “You got a reason to be here, kid?” “Well, yes. As I said earlier, I’d like to talk to somepony—” The slot slammed shut. Rarity sighed, and nodded to Spike. He strode towards the door and tapped it carefully with a claw. The slot slid reluctantly open. “What do you want?” “Hey. I’m Spike. I’m a dragon.” "I would never have guessed! I took you for a chicken at first!” Spike leaned in conspiratorially. “Hey. That’s a nice door.” “Yeah, yeah, it’d be a shame if something happened. Go to hell.” The slot closed. Rarity sighed. “This is almost painfully cliched.” Spike nodded. “I sorta do like this door. It’s solid, you know?” “Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the cause, mon ami,” Rarity said. Spike slid a hand onto either side of the door, claws fumbling for purchase. Finally, finding a crack between the metal and brick, he pulled. The door crumpled slightly, but finally tore away from the wall. Cranky Doodle Donkey stood there, alternately trying to look bored and not entirely terrified. Neither was particularly successful. “Ah, damn it. Who do you want to see?” Rarity stepped into the door. “I was going to be coy and say that we’ll settle for whoever’s in charge here, but why waste time? I want to see Shining Armor. Does that seem reasonable to you, Spike?” “Absolutely, Rarity.” Cranky’s eyes lit up for a second, before subsiding. He sighed theatrically. “In that case, come on in. As if you weren’t going to anyways,” he grumbled. Rarity smiled benignly at him. Spike leered. “Take us to your leader.” “You two think you’re cute, don’t you?” Spike beamed. “We are cute.” Fluttershy looked cautiously into the main hall. The vast structure was empty, but obsidian pillars soared menacingly into the far reaches of the ceiling, and the low level of light was... “Spooky,” Pinkie said with uncharacteristic quietness. “Yeah. Come on, please,” Fluttershy said, stepping gingerly into the hall. “The garden is this way, if I remember the plans right.” “You do. So, what’s the plan here?” “I’m a little nervous about setting off some kind of alarm on the floor, but I can’t fly well enough to carry you,” Fluttershy murmured. “So I guess there’s only one way to do this.” Pinkie nodded. “Alrighty.” They walked some distance into the room. Pinkie looked uncomfortably around. She eyed the darker corners with a special nervousness. Fluttershy paused suddenly and looked around, her ears perking up. “Did you hear something?” Pinkie put a hoof to her ear and listened intently. “I dunno, maybe. Why?” Fluttershy pointed at the floor, which glowed faintly. “I’m, um, a little worried about that.” “Makes sense.” Shouts came from the hallway. “We’ve got an unauthorized entry of the main hall! Shoot on sight!” “I think we should be running,” Fluttershy said quietly, picking up speed. “Right behind you!” They ran, weaving between the immense columns as bullets whizzed by. Fluttershy breathed hard, eyes searching for the door. Pinkie looked at her, easily keeping up and smiling. “What?” the pegasus panted. “Finally, something is happening!” Fluttershy managed to roll her eyes. “Pinkie, door,” she said. Pinkie nodded enthusiastically, and they ran through. Fluttershy ducked to the side, and motioned for Pinkie to do the same. They both breathed heavily for a moment. “Okay, so this really isn’t very good,” Fluttershy said. “Um, Pinkie, do you have any idea how to buy us some time while we get into the maze?” “Yupperdoodles!” Pinkie said, tossing her pack to the ground. She dug around in it. “Rubber chicken... no, water balloons—well, sorta—no, black powder... meh. Oh, here we go!” She pulled out a nondescript gunmetal cannister with a small tube on the top. She fumbled around with it before latching onto a ring at the bottom, which pulled out to reveal a length of wire. “Flutters, put this on the other side of the door. It’s a tripwire.” Fluttershy raised an eyebrow, but nodded and flew across the doorway. “There anything to put it on?” Pinkie asked. “Yes.” “Alrighty!” Pinkie said, quickly securing the canister to the ground. “Do you think they know where we went?” A handful of bullets struck the edge of the door. More whizzed through. Fluttershy shrugged. “Probably. We should get to the garden.” “That’d be...” Pinkie took a second to orient herself. The main hall was to her back, the imperial palace to the right, and the garden.... “Oh. That’s neat,” she said quietly. Dingy hedges towered above the ground, only visible by dint of blocking out the stars. The interior of the maze was utterly black. It’s kind of... scary... Pinkie thought, eyes widening. Fluttershy waved her hoof frantically in front of her face. “Pinkie! We have to go.” “Oh, sorry, I just—” “We don’t have time for this. Let’s go.” They walked to the entrance of the labyrinth. Not a single photon of light left that entrance, like a night without the moon or stars. “It’s really dark,” Fluttershy said. “Yeah...” Pinkie agreed, looking around uncomfortably. “Um, Pinkie?” “Yeah?” “You seem a little bit...” Fluttershy said, searching for the right word. “Out of it.” “I don’t,” Pinkie said, the words coming out oddly clipped, “like the dark. It’s just really.” “Mmm. I think I have a light somewhere in here. Give me a second to get it...” There was a muffled roar, and a light glowed somewhere behind them. “I didn’t do that,” Fluttershy said, and then the screams came. “Ouch. What did you do, Pinkie?” Pinkie smiled invisibly in the dark. “Tripwire flamethrower.” “Figures.” “Never leave home without one,” Pinkie said, and fidgeted. “I really, really, really don’t like this. I didn’t expect it to be so... dark.” “You’re afraid of the dark?” Fluttershy asked quietly. “Maybe,” Pinkie said. Fluttershy made a noncommittal noise and looked both ways around a corner. “This way, I think. Um, if you’re okay with me picking.” “It was a super dry year,” Pinkie said wistfully, ignoring Fluttershy. “When I got my cutie mark. It hadn’t rained in months. The sparks from the fire were really pretty, drifting up at the leaves of the trees. Oh, and then the whole thing caught! I mean...” She giggled. “I ran—I mean, duh, but the entire stand of trees started burning! Oh, that was fun, fun, fun! Flames just jetting a hundred feet into the air... you could feel the heat on your skin, watch the embers dance their way into the air. Oh my gosh, it was just amazing. I’d never felt joy like that before! It felt so good I just wanted to keep smiling forever!” “Hmm,” Fluttershy said. “What about you? What is that?” “I don’t want to talk about it,” Fluttershy said, looking away. “Okie dokie! Ooh. I think we’re close.” They were, and they walked into a clearing in the labyrinth. The sky was more visible from here. Something standing in the center, though, blocked out the stars above. Fluttershy fumbled with the light and pointed it at the thing. And gasped. “Pinkie... what is that?” Pinkie bounced happily. “It’s Discord! Just like my Nana Pinkie told me. Ooh, doesn’t he look supercool?” “Pinkie,” Fluttershy said, a bit more loudly. There was an edge to her voice now. “What is he?” “A draconequus, silly!” “Uh. Isn’t this a statue?” “Nope, that’s him. He’s just stuck inside of it.” “Okay...” Fluttershy said skeptically. “A what? I’ve never seen a draconequus before.” “Draconequus. He’s like a supercool manifestation of chaos and stuff. And I don’t think he likes the princess very much, because he’s been stuck here for pretty much forever,” Pinkie said impatiently. “Now, are we gonna get him out or not?” “Wait,” Fluttershy said. “We don’t know anything about him. What if he—” “Wow!” Pinkie said. “I didn’t think you were so scared!” “I am not—” “Are too!” “If I was scared, why would I—” There was a loud crack. Fluttershy paused. “What was that?” Pinkie shrugged, and spun around. “Ooh, good, it’s started!” she squealed. “What started?” Fluttershy hissed, looking behind her. The statue had begun to crack, lines radiating out from its chest. They expanded and met, fragmenting the stone skin of the statue further and further into a spiderweb of cracks. There was a flash of light and a scattering of rock, and the statue disintegrated. Discord threw his arms back and yawned. “My word, that was boring! It’s good to be back!” He grinned wolfishly.