//------------------------------// // Alae Iacta Est // Story: Conspiracy // by FallBlau //------------------------------// The gloom of the palace hallways dissipated as the flame was levitated into the darkness, revealing the various portraits that hung here and there along its faded walls. The sound of hoofsteps echoed softly as the Princess made her way down the hall – her candle leading the way. When she arrived at her chambers, she grabbed the latch, and gently opened the door. A flood of light filled the hallway as Twilight made her way inside. The room was just the way she had left it this morning – the books were tidily stacked upon the shelf of her personal library and her bed was neatly made. The only difference was a small, purple dragon, who lay dozing at her desk. She trotted up to him shook him gently. “Spike,” she said, “Get up.” “Huh, what...?” he murmured as he wiped some drool form his lip. "I'm back, Spike.” “So soon?” he asked as he got up. “Yeah,” she said as she went over to her head-dresser and laid her crown on the counter. “Did you do all the organizing I asked you to do while I was away?” “Yes, milady,” he said as he got up and leaned against the wall, rubbing his eyes. “All your memorandums are filed and ordered away, just as you requested. Took me almost the entire day, but it's done.” “Good – and I told you not to call me that. You know I dislike it.” “Terribly sorry,” he said, imitating a posh accent, “but you are royalty now. It's only fitting that I address you in a manner suiting to your rank and station.” She sighed as she trotted to her desk and pulled out a piece of parchment. She laid it on the desk and began to write, furiously dashing lines from the tip of her quill. “So, where did you go today? You left without telling me,” he said as he reclined on the bed. “Out,” she said, not looking up from paper. Spike twiddled his claws on his chin. “Out?” “Out, Spike, out.” “Out where?” “Princess Celestia and I went to visit Luna.” “Oh? How did that go?” “Spike, can we discuss this some other time? It's been a long day and I'm sorta busy at the moment.” “Fine, fine,” he said, getting up. “I understand. Is there anything else I can do for you?” “No, you're dismissed for the night,” she said as she dipped her quill in the ink. “You may go." “Oh....alright then.” He made his way to the door and stopped, looking back over his shoulder to see Twilight scribbling at her desk. “Oh yeah, before I forget,” he said, “there's someone waiting to see you.” “What? Who?” Twilight asked getting up. “Your brother.” “What? When did he arrive?” she said, moving closer to the door. “About an hour ago. I told him you had left this morning. He said that there was no rush and just to tell him when you got back.” “Where is he now?” “In the waiting-room.” “Well, send for him immediately.” He made his way to the door, but stopped. “Twilight, are you okay?” “Yeah, Spike, fine and dandy. Why do you ask?” “I don't know. You just seem...off.” “Off?” “Yeah, like you haven't slowed down since you've come in. Is something on your mind?” She immediately stopped writing and laid her pen on the desk. She then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I'm sorry, Spike,” she said slowly making her way towards him. “You're right. I've not been acting myself.” “Is something wrong?” She looked away, biting her lower lip. “Luna is very sick, Spike.” “Sick?” “Yeah, she was in pretty bad shape too when we left her.” “How serious is it?” “Quite serious.” “Oh, well, when will she recover?” "I don't know, Spike.” “I can see why you were upset now...” “I'm not upset, Spike, just tired,” she said, smiling softly as she placed a hoof on Spike's shoulder. “I'm sorry for acting so rudely. You're my number one assistant and I've been treating you like a servant. I don't want you ever to feel neglected or used. Can you forgive me?” He leaned his down, his cheeks turning a dark shade of crimson red. “Oh Twilight...come on. You know I'd do anything for you." She kneeled down and embraced him. “Thanks Spike. That means a lot. Now, can you go and fetch my brother, please?" “You betcha!” he saluted like a soldier and skipped to the hall. “Oh, and Spike.” “Yes, Twilight?” he asked he turned around at the doorway. “Catch!” she threw him a shimmering diamond which he fumbled as he tried to hold it in his claw. He held the precious jewel up to the light and examined it. “Oh wow! Thanks Twilight! You're the best!” "No problem, Spike. You've earned it. Now, go fetch my brother and you can go to bed." "It will be done!" he exclaimed and raced down the hallway. As his footsteps became more and more distant, Twilight slumped in her seat and held her head low. She made her way to her dresser and looked into the mirror. The face that stared back at her was not her own. It was a different visage than the one she had seen this morning – her vibrant eyes now replaced by a blank, impassive stare that seemed to see right through her. Twilight looked down, hanging her head low, as she allowed a single tear of remorse to fall from eye-lid onto the dresser below. She sighed and wiped her eyes with a cloth that lay near her, breathing shakingly as she straightened herself in her seat. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. She gasped as she looked into the mirror, “Come in,” she said melodically, applying some mascara to hide her reddened eyes. The door creaked open behind her and she heard her brother's familiar voice. “Were you successful? She glanced at the mirror as she brushed her hair, smiling. “Yes. It is done.” “Has Celestia been informed yet?” “No,” she said, placing the comb down. “I don't expect news of her departure to be known until tomorrow.” “Then that will give us time to prepare for the funeral. Is everything ready?” “Yes, I have all the invitations written down and ready to be delivered.” “Then the stage is set.” Shining breathed hard as he closed his eyes. “I'm ready." “As am I,” she said, smirking. “Good,” he said as he moved closer to her and laid his hoofs on her shoulders. She shivered as he slowly began to massage her back.” You know you're one of the most beautiful mares in all Equestria?” "One of the most beautiful mares, Shining?” “The most beautiful....” “That's more like it,” she said as she turned around to face him. “And how has my big brother been?” “The usual,” he said dryly. Twilight smirked. “Has Cadence not been showing my handsome brother any love?” she asked as she wrapped her hooves around his neck. “She’s been so frail these past weeks. It’s so odd. She constantly complains of headaches. Some days she lies in bed all day. Other days, she just wants to be left alone. I don’t know, but sometimes, I think, she’s starting to use that excuse more and more…” “Aww, my poor Shiny” she said, holding him close. “Let your sister help you...” Shining closed his eyes as his sister stood up and slowly began unbuttoning his crimson jacket. “Careful," he said, motioning. "The door is open. Somepony might catch us.” “We're guilty of far more serious crimes, brother. Does this really bother you?” “Not at all,” he said softly. “Good,” she said as discarded his jacket and started rubbing up and down the length of his well-toned chest. Shining shivered at his sister's caresses. “If everything goes according to plan, soon you will be Empress of all Equestria,” he said as he gazed into her eyes. Twilight moved closer to him, swaying as she held him by the nape of his neck. “And you will be Emperor,” she whispered. Their faces moved closer until their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss. She paused a moment and nestled her brother's chest. "You remember when we use to do this as kids?” "What? You mean how we'd sneak kisses when mom and dad weren't looking?” She smiled coyly. “Yes...” "I think they started to catch on to it...” he said. They both laughed. “Mom and dad...” “They always wanted what was best for us,” Shining said, making his way to the glass doors that lead to the balcony. Twilight followed close behind him. “Do you remember? How they treated us?” “They trained and groomed us for the Royal Academy since we were born.” “They knew they had to push us hard. Not everyone can have the honor of attending, but look at us now. This is all we have ever dreamed for, since the beginning. And here we are – right at the top.” Twilight turned her brother towards her as the cool wind of the night air brushed against their manes. “I love you,” she said softly as she stared up at her brother. Shining petted her mane, holding her head like some priceless jewel. “Our fates,” he said, pressing her hoof over his head, “are not our own. But you will always be my sister. Nothing can ever change that.” He raised her hoof up to his lips and kissed it softly. When they parted, Twilight looked down to the floor. “Do you love her?” she asked. “What?” “Do you love Cadence?” He didn't answer, merely shook his head. “Twiley...” “Answer the question.” “I…I don’t know. No, I guess not. Not anymore. I use to love Cadence with all my heart, or at least, I thought I did. But something’s changed between us. I don’t know what it is, but it’s not the same anymore. I…I can’t put it into words. It’s more than just intimacy or anything like that. It’s like we’re two entirely different ponies now… like we don’t even know each other.” “I thought I had lost you, brother, when you got married. You remember how upset I was...” “I know, Twiley...” “But even through all of that, my feelings are still the same. You’re the only pony in this entire world I can trust, who I can believe, who I can love… I need you, Shining.” He shook his head. “You realize, if I do this, I can never go back to Cadence." “Spare me, brother. You have no reason to be ashamed. You’re the most gallant and noble pony in all of Equestria. If anyone deserves to rule alongside me, it’s you.” “I’m just a simple soldier…It’s all I’ve ever been.” “Don’t begin to doubt yourself now, Shining. We’ve come too far for that now. You were made for greater things...” “Do…do you really mean that?” “Have I ever deceived you, brother? Ever lead you wrongly?” “No. You’ve always been a good and faithful sister” “Then trust me. All I ask is that you trust me.” “I trust you...” “Then Equestria is ours for the taking. Once we seize power, we shall rule everything together – as brother and sister. Colt and...” “Wife..” They both peered into each other’s eyes before leaning into another passionate kiss. “When do we make our move?” Shining asked as he wrapped his arm around her waist “Soon,” Twilight said as she guided him to the bed. “I still have to see what Celestia's intentions are in regards to her sister's title...but if I guess correctly, she will give it to me.” “Then you'll be her successor...” he said as he planted a series of kisses down her neck. “And then all we have to do-” “Is get rid of Celestia.” “How perceptive,” she said, smiling. “I try to be,” he said as he caressed his sister's body. After a moment, she stopped, and held his hoof in hers. “Remember this, though, brother - one crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.” He stared deep into his sister's eyes, then nestled her chest. “Then the die is cast...”