//------------------------------// // Chapter 23: The Deep Power // Story: Harmony Theory // by Sharaloth //------------------------------// The Elements of Harmony do not conform to any of the accepted theories of reality. They are, in fact, inimical to any understanding of existence that also includes us. Scientifically, they are shattering. Spiritually, they are poisonous. Materially, they are impossible. Even philosophy fails here, as they cannot be apprehended by even the loosest of reasoning. They are, simply put, not natural. It might be tempting to claim them as ‘super-natural’, and considering the extent of a Harmony Event, this is not far-fetched. However, it is inadequate. The Elements are not simply something aside from nature or beyond it, they are completely, utterly outside of it. Beyond the scope of concepts like is and is-not. Their reality is self-contained and non-referential. They exist only because they exist, no more and no less. Even that might not be going far enough. They have no place in our world. Yet they are in it. What does this mean for us? Is this, then, evidence of some external being that has placed the Elements in our hooves? A deity, working their ineffable will through these devices? I think not. No, that would make things far too easy. No matter how much I may wish it otherwise, I have to accept the truth of it. I have only myself to blame. -From the seventh section of Harmony Theory by Twilight Sparkle Chapter Twenty-Three: The Deep Power The transport shuddered as it took off, causing everyone inside to stumble. “Jeeze,” Dash said, her wings flapping to steady her against the sudden acceleration. “You’d think they could have warned us.” “Gamma’s not wasting any time,” Astrid said, jerking her head towards where the spymaster was speaking in low tones to one of her agents. “Something about orders from the Crown.” Star Fall flinched at that, hard enough for Dash to notice through the shaking of the transport. “Full speed to the capital.” “Rarity’s gonna love it,” Dash said. “Everypony wears clothes.” Applejack chuckled. “Does sound like her kind of place.” She sobered as she spotted Astrid’s worried look. “So what about this person you want Star to meet? What exactly’s wrong with her? ” “She’s up in medical,” Astrid said, moving towards the narrow stairs up to the second floor of the transport. “Fall, you know what Cash tried to do to you? What he tried to do to me?” Star Fall nodded, expression turning grim. “I remember.” “He did it to her, only this time it worked.” “What was it he tried to do?” Applejack asked. “Loyalty,” Dash replied, her ears drooping at the thought. “He used Loyalty on them. Like he did to me.” She shook her head, trying to clear the memory. “It hurt, AJ.” Applejack frowned at the remembered pain in Dash’s voice, but gave her a quick nuzzle. “He didn’t get you, sugarcube. You beat him.” “And I’m hoping you can help Melody do it too,” Astrid continued as they climbed the stairs. “He made her, I don’t know, super-loyal to her master. Then Charisma killed him, and left her with the body. It’s… it’s seriously messed her up. I need you guys to promise to keep it cool, alright?” "When do I not?" Dash asked, forcing a cocky smile. Astrid rolled her eyes at that. "Look, I had to go through a lot just to get her on this ship. She’s not right in the head, and she knows it, but she can’t stop herself. She’s gonna do some weird shit, and I need you to understand that it’s not her fault." "We understand," Star Fall assured her. "Why don't you show us to Melody?" "Okay, just... don't touch the doll, alright?" Astrid cautioned. “I’m going to try to grab it, but I don’t want you thinking it’s okay. It’s… not.” "Doll?" Dash asked. "You'll see." Astrid led them to the medical area, pulling aside a blocking curtain. There, sitting on one of the beds, looking around with wary, darting eyes, was a brown pegasus mare. Dash frowned at the state of her, noting the dishevelled wings and wild, tangled mane. Her eyes locked onto them as they approached, and her wings immediately snapped wide and threatening. Dash saw that she was hunched over something, a unicorn doll. Astrid stopped about ten feet away. "Don't move," she whispered to them. "Remember what I told you, don't freak out." Star Fall and Applejack nodded, and Dash followed suit a moment later, still studying the ragged pony. Astrid crouched down, then leapt at Melody, her talons extended and reaching for the doll. Melody's eyes went wide and she twisted, putting the doll behind her and meeting Astrid's claws with her hooves, halting the charge. It was obvious to Dash's eyes that Astrid had let the pegasus succeed, but Melody grinned at the accomplishment, flushing with pride. "I saved him," Melody said, a hitching giggle following her words. "Yeah, you did," Astrid said, backing off a step. "I want you to meet a couple friends of mine." Melody's eyes darted to the two pegasi, suspicious. "The colorful one is Rainbow Dash. She's beaten up Charisma before. Her friend with the hat is Applejack. The smart-looking one is Star Fall, and she's my charge. Remember the rules?" Melody nodded. "Okay. Guys, this is Melody Drop." "Nice to meet you, Melody," Star Fall said. "Yeah, nice to meet you," Dash repeated, stepping forward with a hoof extended. Melody's wings snapped wide again, her muscles tensing. Dash stopped in her tracks. "So... you got messed up by Cash?" Melody nodded, relaxing but still unnaturally wary. "He came to Precious Corners more than a week ago," she began. She told them the whole story, from meeting Charisma to Cash staying at High Fashion's estate to the chaos he had caused and finally, to what he had done to her and her master. "I know it's wrong," she said, picking up the unicorn doll and clutching it close. Not like a filly would hug her doll, though, not for comfort, but more like it was the most precious thing in the world and she was desperate to keep it from harm. "I know it doesn't make sense, but I can't stop. I have to protect him. I... I just have to." “Thank you, Melody,” Star Fall said, smiling kindly. “Do you mind if I talk to my friends for a bit?” Melody shook her head and they withdrew from the beds to stand outside of earshot. Star Fall shuddered and looked to Astrid. “The details, Astrid, how was she found?” "With what was left of Lord High Fashion" Astrid replied. "Melody spent days defending his body, not leaving for anything. Anything. Even Gamma couldn't convince her to get away from it." "So she was just hanging around with a corpse?" Dash asked. Applejack took off her hat, holding it to her chest as she cast a sympathetic glance back to Melody. “The poor girl.” "Yeah, don't ask for too many details on that," Astrid said with a shudder. "It's kind of gross. Gamma gave me the job of getting her on the transport without the body, and I mostly managed it." "The doll," Star Fall reasoned. "You managed to shift her protectiveness from the corpse to the doll." "Yeah, wasn't easy," Astrid said. "You gotta realize that she knows what's going on. She knows that Fashion's dead, that she's protecting a doll. She knows that it's all crazy, but she can't stop herself. She wanted to get away from the body but what Cash did to her wouldn't let her. When I came up with the doll idea, it wasn't me that convinced her, she convinced herself." “Astrid,” Star Fall said, frowning. “You attacked the doll. Why?” “We’re playing Succession,” Astrid replied. Star Fall’s eyes widened in recognition and understanding, but Dash and Applejack shared a look of confusion. “Uh, pardon,” Applejack put in. “But could y’all explain that to the rest of us?” "It's a game," Astrid said. "Griffin hatchlings play it as part of our training. We called it Succession. The rules change from year to year, but the basics are pretty simple. The adults give each chick a doll, and they're told they have to protect it. Then the hatchlings do whatever they can to protect their own doll and also destroy each other's. Attacks can come at any time, and you’re not allowed to hide your doll or put it in a box or anything. It’s gotta be out in the open and with you all the time. Once your doll is gone, you’re not out of the game, you just become a permanent attacker with nothing left to defend. The winners are the ones left with a doll at the end of the game who also took out the most other dolls. Takes weeks to play, usually." "That's... huh," Dash said, scratching her head. "Sounds weird for a kids game." "It's part game, part training," Astrid said. "They watch you, see how you handle your protection duties. They see where you’re weak, where you’re strong. Then they spend time training your weaknesses out and making your strengths stronger. It goes in cycles, for years. Eventually Griffins get really crafty, form alliances, secret cabals, death squads. It's all about doing whatever we can to protect our charge." "How'd you do?" Dash asked. Astrid shrugged. "Not bad, not good." "You never won?" Astrid shook her head. "That's not entirely true," Star Fall said. "I never won, Fall," Astrid insisted. "But you never lost either.” Star Fall turned to the other ponies. “Astrid told me about this game before. You never lost your doll, right?" "Once," Astrid quietly said. "They were making a point." "They cheated,” Star Fall countered. Astrid shook her head slowly. "No, they didn't cheat. The rules don't say anything about the adults not participating." "Whoa, so the adults are the ones that made you lose?” Dash said, the very idea sparking indignant anger. “How is that fair?" "It wasn't about being fair," Astrid said. "It never was, the point of the game is to teach you about protecting your charge. I did that, but I didn't attack anyone else's doll. That's why I didn’t win the game. I wasn’t playing half of it. They had to show me how aggression could be important too." Her beak opened in a raptor’s grin. “I got the message. Didn’t win the next game, but I came damn close.” “It’s a good idea,” Star Fall said. “Melody’s fixated on protecting her master. You’ve gotten her to transfer that fixation onto the doll, but it’s a lie, and she knows it. So you play Succession, and every time she protects the doll from you, she reinforces the lie.” “It keeps her from cracking up,” Astrid confirmed. “Well, worse than she already is.” "And you think we can help her?" Dash asked. "I got no idea," Astrid sighed, exasperated. "Personally, I think Melody should have been left back at Harrenhorn, getting a ton of counselling and being kept away from sharp objects. But I didn't get a say there. Gamma wanted her along to get Spike to look at her. I think she was looking for an angle to get him to open up about what he knew. Leverage, you know? Well, that’s not gonna work anymore, and I’m feeling kinda responsible. So as long as we might be able to help her, I say that we try." "How?" Dash asked. Astrid shrugged. "I don’t know. I’m a badass warrior, not a shrink. But you, Fall, and I’ve all been through what she has. Cash screwed with us the same way he screwed with her. It didn't take, but… but it’s something." "Yeah," Dash said, looking back to where Melody was twitching, curled around her doll. "Yeah, we'll do what we can." *** Hard Boiled slept in fits and starts. Every time his mind wandered too far into unconsciousness a burst of pain from his horn would bring him back to near wakefulness. It was no way to get any rest, but it was all he’d been able to get since they had left Hoofprint. Still, it wasn't without its benefits. His wandering, half-asleep thoughts inevitably turned to the pieces of the grand puzzle he was solving. Ideas connected and changed in ways that his fully conscious mind would never have considered. Bits and pieces tangled in innocuous moments and offhand comments came together to shed light in unexpected places. He came fully awake just as one of those pieces revealed itself to him. "Good coffee," he mumbled, opening his eyes. Traduce stood by the small kitchen that the yacht boasted, preparing rations for use on their coming trek through the jungle. She gave him an apologetic smile as she saw him awake. "Sorry," she said. "No coffee on this boat." "No," he said, sitting up and rubbing at his aching head. "A detective I was working with on this case likes good coffee." He yawned, feeling almost as tired as he had when he had gone to bed. Perhaps a little worse, actually, with a new soreness in his neck and back from tossing and turning. "He says he picked up the habit while still a beat cop." "Interesting, but random," Traduce said, turning back to her preparations. HB grunted in response. He dragged himself off of the bed, wincing as the short hairs of his growing mane brushed his horn. "Why aren't you piloting the boat?" "Because we're here," she replied. "We reached the coordinates you gave me about an hour ago." "We made good time. Why didn’t you tell me?" "You were sleeping. You need it," she said, giving him a pointed look over her shoulder. "Exhaustion is a terrible enemy, and one we cannot afford to have you fighting." He snorted. "Not much luck of that. Can't sleep without my pain meds, and we're not likely to find any out here." "No," she agreed, but her serious gaze remained trained on him. "I could help you. Take some of the pain away." "Let me guess, you'd have to sleep with me first?" She shook her head. "No. I'd just need you to lower your defenses. That happens automatically during physical intimacy, so that would be the easiest way, but..." He considered it. "What would that mean for you?" "It would be uncomfortable," she admitted. "But I wouldn't actually be feeling your pain, so it wouldn't affect me as much." He nodded as he mulled over the idea. "You've got an ulterior motive," he said, not bothering to make it a question. "It would connect me to you. Let me know what you're feeling, where you are. It would make it easier to understand what makes you tick, gets you going." HB grunted in acknowledgment, it was about what he was expecting. "Would it let you influence me?" "Some," she replied. He could see her forcing herself to be truthful, the details that spoke of a deception both considered and discarded clear despite the throbbing pain in his head. "Not enough for direct influence, but you'd probably be more inclined to listen to my suggestions." "Then no," he said. "I wouldn't steal your will." She sounded bored, her voice betraying her hurt only in the subtlest manner. Another pony might not have caught it, even he might have missed it on a normal day, but HB was especially sensitive to the tells now. Every little hesitation, every slight waver sending a new pulse of revealing pain through his horn. "That would take more energy than it's worth." "I didn't think you would," he said. "But I need to be able to trust my own mind. Messing with that, even a little bit, isn't something I can allow." "You might not have a choice," she warned him. "If your headaches and lack of sleep debilitate you too much, I will take steps." He nodded at that, accepting it without comment or complaint. "How are we for stores?" "Not good," she said. "Assuming we can find good water in the jungle we're still going to be rationing food. I can eat the local fauna and be reasonably safe, but you're going to have to watch where you graze. Some of the plants out here are deadly." "Got it," HB sighed. "Can we conceal the boat?" "A luxury tub like this?" She laughed at the suggestion. "So it might not be here on our way back," HB reasoned. "We've got a day of overland hiking at least," she pointed out. "Losing the boat was always a possibility." "How soon before we're ready to leave?" "Half an hour for me to get this stuff packed and ready, and however long you need to get yourself pretty," she said with a wink. "Then I'll be on deck." He suited actions to words, staggering up the narrow staircase to the open deck. The tropical sun burned at his eyes, but it was a pain that barely stacked up against the agony already inside his skull, so he ignored the stinging light and stepped to the edge of the boat. The river was wide and slow-moving, the muddy waters like brown glass broken here and there by the shapes of animals and bits of debris fallen from trees. Insects swarmed under the trees, their shapes all but invisible were it not for the unnaturally hyper-aware state he found himself in. He could see things moving in those trees. Birds and monkeys and snakes and who knew what else. Eyes stared at him, fearful, wondering, hungry. Thousands of different creatures, all trying to stay hidden, to pretend that they weren’t there. Every deception coming with flaws that he could not help but pick out. He collapsed to his knees, dry heaving with his head hanging over the railing of the boat. “Stop it!” he hissed, pounding a hoof into the side of his head. The new pain gave him focus, something to distract from the million little details demanding his attention. “Turn off the magic!” He curled into a fetal ball, pressing his hooves against his eyes. He forced his breathing to even out. It wasn’t easy, and he lost track of time as he fought the helpless fear that was his rising panic. Once he had his breathing under control, he focused on his magic. It was running at a trickle, but that was more than enough to power the truth-detecting magic that was making his life hell. He realized with a shudder that it was the same spell he’d used in the market back in Hoofprint. He remembered forcing the magic, making it as powerful as he could. He remembered the slow response when he had willed the magic to stop. Clearly, he hadn’t finished the job, and was now paying for that inattention. The moment that thought crossed his mind, a spike of pain drove through his horn like it had been smashed into his head. The magic turned inward, following the focus of his attention. It seared away deceptions and revealed stark truth, as it always did. The spell hadn’t ended because he hadn’t wanted it to end. He was afraid, far from home and being chased by enemies who wanted him dead. His best defense was the insight his magic gave him, of course he wouldn’t want to shut it down. “My own worst enemy, huh?” he grumbled as the pain faded back to a manageable level. “No. I’m done with this.” He focused on his magic, wrenching control from whatever subconscious process had kept the power flowing to his horn. Then, with a cold sensation that washed over his body as if he had been plunged into ice water, he ended the spell. The sudden loss of information was like a numbing balm. The pain stayed, of course, but now it wasn’t being added to with every new bit of information that crossed his mind. He stayed like that for a while, simply breathing and staying still as he familiarized himself with a steady level of agony. Then, once he was ready, he climbed back to his hooves and took a fresh look at the jungle. There wasn’t much to see. Tall, broad-leafed trees that were spaced closely and entwined with other vegetation to the point of being impassably thick. The river wound like a meandering snake through this green sea, a mud-brown ribbon of clear space to break up the shadows of the southern jungle. Clouds scudded through the sky, rolling over each other in thick, billowing waves. He noted all of this and let out a relieved sigh. For a moment he had been worried that he’d still see the eyes in the shadows, and the claw marks on the trees. One thing that did catch his attention, though, was a thin trail of smoke rising above the canopy downriver. He regarded it for a moment, then turned away. He only made it two steps before he froze in place, his eyes narrowing as he warred with himself. “Bad idea,” he said, trying to start moving again. This time he only made it one step. “Come on!” he snarled. “You just got it under control again. It’s nothing, now get back down there and enjoy a shower while you have one.” His legs still refused to budge, and he finally had to admit defeat. “Damn it. I’m going to regret this.” His horn burst into copper light, and he turned back to look at the smoke. He stared at it, letting the magic burn through his mind, taking in every detail. The conclusion was inescapable. He shut off the magic, taking an extra moment to ensure that it actually was off this time. Then he rushed back down into the cabin. “Grab what you’ve got!” he called to Traduce. “We’ve got to go now.” “Why?” she asked, but was already pulling on her saddlebags. “We’re being followed. They’re almost here.” Her eyes narrowed, flashing green for a moment. “You’re sure?” He gave her a steady look. “Absolutely.” “It could be benign.” “It doesn’t matter,” he said, grabbing his holster and slipping it on. “We stole this boat, or near enough to make no difference. That means that any report of it getting back to Hoofprint will get somebody out here investigating. If it gets spotted – and it will get spotted, no matter what actions the people in the other boat take – we should be long gone before they take them.” She frowned in thought for a moment, but nodded. “Agreed. I’ve got the food and water. You grab the map.” She paused for a moment, regarding him. “Will you be able to keep up?” “It’s not an issue,” he replied. She held his gaze for a moment before turning and heading up the stairs without a word. He quickly gathered everything that he could and followed her, still stuffing his saddlebag as he came up on deck. The smoke was gone, but a distant buzzing sound could be heard. “Outboard motor,” Traduce said, eyes closed and ears twitching as she focused on the sound. “More than one. Not a river cruise, then.” “We don’t have a lot of time,” he said, then suited actions to words and leapt from the side of the boat. He hit the muddy water with a splash, not pausing as he rushed to the riverbank and pulled himself into what passed for dry land in the jungle. Traduce joined him a moment later, having taken a pegasus form to fly down without risking getting their food wet. “You have jungle experience, right?” “Enough,” she said. “Stay close, be careful of anything hanging into your face, and if you need to stop for any reason speak up.” “If they’re Cash’s people, they’ll be tracking us,” HB warned. “I know,” she replied. “Let’s hope they’re no good at it. Come on.” A burst of green fire washed over her, and when it was gone she had assumed her favored yellow earth pony form. She drew a heavy blade from her bags and began to hack an opening into the thick wall of the jungle. Hard Boiled looked back to the river one more time, the sounds of approaching boats growing louder by the second. Then, with an annoyed growl, he followed the Changeling into the shadows. *** "The ship is quite ex-ex... extreme?" Rarity said, stumbling over the new word. "I think you're looking for 'extraordinary'," Spike supplied, leaning against the rail of the balcony-like pegasus landing platform next to her. "Though I'm astounded that you're already using words like that." "It's coming to me quite easily," Rarity said, looking off the edge of the platform at the landscape swiftly passing below. "I am just as surprised as you. Though Applejack and Rainbow Dash both warned me that they learned quite quickly themselves." "Not as fast as you," Spike said. "But then again, they didn't have any experience learning other languages. You do." "Some," Rarity allowed. "So. Extraordinary. Yes. I like that word for it. Extraordinary, but ugly." "It is a weapon of war," Spike said. "They are often ugly." "Not always," Rarity mused, letting her eyes unfocus so that the passing world became a blur of shapes and colors. "I have often admired the elegance of a beautiful sword. And I once had the opportunity to witness a master spearpony practicing his forms. It was like watching a dance, the flashing steel of the spearhead making patterns in the air. Quite inspiring, I made a whole line of dresses based on it. They didn't sell terribly well, but bold lines and silver piping weren’t in that season." "Swords," Spike snickered. "I remember swords. It's been a long time since they've been used." Rarity sighed. "That’s sad. These new things those soldiers are carting around are just horrid. So boxy, so drab. No flair to them at all." "They're guns, Rarity." "Truly?” she asked, blinking in surprise. “Why, they look nothing like them!" "Designed for function over form," Spike said. "The firearms you remember were the exact opposite. These modern guns may be drab, but they're much, much more effective." Rarity's lips thinned as she looked back through the door into the transport. "Yes. I suppose they would be." She turned back to Spike. "Extraordinary," she said, carefully sounding out the word. "I do not think I shall be ready to meet King Scepter by the time we reach the capital." "The King won’t mind that you don't speak his language perfectly," Spike assured her. “And, officially at least, all the Royals are supposed to be able to speak Equestrian.” "It's the principle of the thing," Rarity insisted. They lapsed into a long, comfortable silence before she spoke again. "I do not believe I am prepared for any of this," she admitted. "Rainbow Dash is driven, as usual, but the way you and she talk about this Max Cash pony... I don't like it." "He's not a likeable guy." "No. I mean the way the two of you speak of him. I can hear the anger. You want to hurt him." Spike was silent. "Is the whole future like this? So... violent? The soldiers with their guns, this talk of war with that other kingdom, you and Dash. Dash! She has only been here for a few weeks, and yet she seems to fit in perfectly with Gamma and that Griffin and all these soldiers. Is that going to be my fate, too? Will I be talking like her soon? Ready to discuss killing ponies so easily?" "I hope not," Spike said, reaching over to lay a comforting claw on her shoulder. "Dash has been through things. It's changed her from the mare you remember. From the mare I remember, too. I can't say it's a bad thing, but it's something I don't want you to go through." She leaned into him. “Thank you, Spike,” she said. “I can’t imagine what coming to this place alone would be like. I shouldn’t judge, but…” “But you are anyway,” he finished for her. She nodded. “We should talk of something else. Tell me about this King. What is he like?” Spike chuckled. “I don’t really know. I’ve never met him, and I’ve been removed enough from Kingdom affairs that I don’t have a sense of his character. From what others have said he’s a decent ruler. He’s got good ponies around him, at least.” “Such as Fallen Star’s Professor?” Spike hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. “Yes.” “You were friends with her, right?” “I am,” he confirmed. “A long time ago she spent years with me, learning.” “I’m sure you taught her quite well,” Rarity said. He smiled at that. “I try my best.” “What is she like, then?” Rarity asked. “Both Dash and Star have mentioned her, but seem to have very different opinions.” “She can have that effect,” Spike said. “She’s a complex pony. When I was with her she was… younger. Didn’t have the weight of the world on her back. I certainly never imagined she’d choose to have a daughter like Star. She wasn’t the type.” Rarity frowned. “With Star’s parents still around, I’m still trying to understand how that part works.” “That’s politics,” Spike said. “I suggest just letting it lie. Twinkle Shine loves Fallen Star like she really was her own. I can guarantee you that, and in the end I think that’s all that matters.” “Yes,” Rarity said. “It is.” She decided to remain silent after that. The time seemed to pass with unnatural swiftness, minutes and hours draining away like the miles of terrain they sped past. Rarity thought through everything she had been told, everything she had already seen. If there were tears in her eyes, they were quickly dried by the wind. “I think you should stay in the capital,” Spike said suddenly and with great conviction, as if he had just come to a hard decision. “What do you mean?” “You’re right. This world, it’s too harsh. Too violent. I don’t want to see you get caught up in that. So you should stay in the capital. You’ll have a place there, at the Court of the Sun. You’ll be treated like the Lady you are, kept out of danger. You’ll get everything you always deserved.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “But you won’t be staying as well, I take it?” He shook his head. “I have to stop Cash.” “Is that more important than your safety?” “Yes.” She was taken aback by the casual certainty in his tone. Her hesitation only lasted a moment before she sniffed delicately and turned up her nose. “Well, then. If it’s important enough for you to risk your life, then it is clearly important enough for me to do the same.” “Rarity, please,” he reached for her, but she shied away. “No!” she snapped. “You’re one of the only friends I have anymore, Spike! I’m not going to let you just leave me behind to be pampered like some pet while you put yourself in danger!” She paused, frowning in momentary thought. “Well, some pampering would be quite alright, but not at the expense of being left behind!” He shook his head, falling back. “You don’t want to see what I’m going to do to him, Rarity. Trust me. You do not.” “No, I suppose I don’t,” she agreed. “But that’s a sacrifice I am willing to make.” She glared at him, ensuring that he saw the determination in her eyes. “And that’s final.” “Rarity–” “Final!” she snapped, then reached out to him and pinched his cheeks, an act made extremely difficult by the steel-hardness of his scales. “Now be a good little Dragon and accept that you’re not going to be rid of me ever again!” He shifted, but allowed a small smile to peek out. “Okay, Rarity. You win.” She gave him a curt nod, keeping her stern expression only for a moment before it melted and she leaned forward to hug him close. “Don’t leave me alone, Spike. I couldn’t bear it.” “I won’t,” he promised. Their moment was interrupted by a dark shape dropping out of the sky onto the platform. Rarity jumped and let out a shriek of surprise, while Spike just tensed and narrowed his eyes at the newcomer. It was a Griffin outfitted in light armor of red and gold, the gray feathers of his head and wings dyed a bright red. His beak was open as he gasped in heavy breaths that made his armor creak and his sharp, gleaming claws flex. He regarded them with dispassionate golden-brown eyes and swept into a bow. “Hail, master Dragon,” he growled out, his words made hoarse by the shortness of his breath. “And you, Lady Unicorn. I seek Agent Gamma on orders from the Crown.” “You will find her within,” Spike said, dipping his head to the warrior. “I take this to mean we are close to the capital?” “Mere moments from its sight, he confirmed. “I must be on my way.” “Of course,” Spike said. The Griffin bowed again and loped into the transport. “I think I understood most of that,” Rarity said. “He was saying we’re… near the capital?” “Take a look,” Spike said, grinning and pointing to the horizon. Rarity squinted into the distance, not sure of what to expect. Then she saw them: buildings. Tall, majestic spires and blocks of glass reflecting the fading light of the day. “Oh! It’s like Manehattan!” she cried. “I love Manehattan!” “Keep watching,” Spike urged. “Really? What could be so… special…” Rarity trailed off as more of the city became visible, and she began to realize the sheer size of the capital. An ocean of buildings stretched out before her, fields of houses studded with skyscraper mountains. Streets ran like rivers across the mammoth city, their lights just beginning to shine in anticipation of the coming dark. It was easily large enough to swallow ten Manehattans. “Oh my…” “Welcome to the capital of the Solar Kingdom, Rarity,” Spike said. “Wait ‘till you see the castle! I helped design it!” And, laughing, they watched the city unfurl beneath them. *** The transport sank from the sky, slowly descending onto the wide parade ground beside the Court of the Sun. Flights of Griffins and pegasus guards wheeled around and above it, ensuring that no one could interfere in the landing. Inside, Star Fall stood next to Gamma and waited for the ramp to lower and let them out. “How are you progressing with Melody Drop?” Gamma asked. Star Fall shrugged. “We’ve had, what, ten hours to work with her? It’s hard to say.” “Speculate.” “The mental distress she’s in is pretty severe. My psychology training is limited, but from the way she acts and what she says, I think most of that is self-inflicted.” Gamma quirked an eyebrow at that. “Not the result of the Element?” Star Fall shook her head. “As a root cause, definitely the Element at work. She’s obsessed with her master, and she consciously knows that it’s wrong. Artificial. The bizarre, self-destructive behaviours are her attempt to break that obsession. It’s like breaking conditioning, but done to herself.” “Interesting thought,” Gamma mused. “I want to keep her close. I believe her struggles will provide insight towards negating the Element’s power in the future.” “She needs real psychiatric help,” Star Fall said. “She should be in a hospital.” “Should she?” Gamma asked. “If it were for her own good, I would agree with you. However, my concern is greater than the life of one mare. Keep her close, watch her, and see if and how she deals with this issue.” “I…” Star Fall hesitated, prompting Gamma to give her a look that spoke volumes about her dwindling patience. “I don’t think I’ll be able to.” “Explain.” “I think you know,” Star Fall said, her wings sagging. “The King has other plans for me.” Gamma nodded slowly. “You are correct. I suppose it cannot be delayed any longer. Well, then, allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your upcoming nuptials. I’m sure you and Prince Regal Stature will be quite… happy together.” “Prince Regal?” Star Fall frowned at the name. She hadn’t expected the King’s choice to be someone younger than her. “I take it you didn’t know the identity of your betrothed,” Gamma said, her head bobbing slightly in apology. “Sorry for ruining the surprise.” “Is there some sort of formal procedure for leaving the Service?” Star Fall asked. Gamma snorted. “Hardly. You aren’t getting away so easy, Agent Fall. Princess to be or not, you are in the Service until I say you are no longer needed, and not a moment before. Is that understood?” For some reason Star Fall found herself smiling. “Yes,” she said. “I understand.” “Good,” Gamma’s return smile was small and tight, but it practically beamed for Star Fall. “Now, prepare yourself, I believe we are here.” The transport settled into place on the ground gently, shaking only a little as the crystal engines went dark. The main ramp lowered; a squad of Griffins snapped to attention as ponies began to make their way out. “Agent Gamma,” one of them said, saluting as the spymaster and Star Fall made their way down the ramp. “The King sends his regards, and is pleased that you have made it home so quickly.” Gamma returned the salute. “I serve at the pleasure of the Crown,” she said. “I assume you are to explain why the transport was directed to land here, and not at the military facilities where it belongs?” “The King is eager to meet your guests, and has directed me to escort you to the Dusk Hall where you will be received.” Gamma’s eyebrow quirked at that, but her voice showed no sign of what she might be thinking. “No time to freshen up?” “The King was rather insistent on seeing you immediately,” the Griffin commander apologetically replied. “Fair enough,” Gamma said, turning to look at the others who were just coming down the ramp. Spike and Rarity were walking together, the Dragon pointing out features of the castle to the excited unicorn. Applejack was coaxing a wary Melody Drop out into the open while Astrid and Rainbow Dash were trading jocular boasts behind them. They all looked at least slightly dishevelled from the trip, though Rarity carried herself well enough to hide it. Melody was the worst, of course, but that was only expected. Gamma turned back to the Griffin with an acquiescing nod. “Well, then. Let’s not keep His Majesty waiting.” It didn’t take long to get the group organized. The only hitch was in deciding what was to be done with Melody. She wasn’t fit to be presented to the King, and the guards were adamantly against allowing a clearly disturbed pony into the King’s presence. Gamma’s will and authority proved stronger than their unease, however, and Melody was allowed to accompany them. On the way Gamma gave the time-displaced ponies quick instructions on what they were expected to do for this meeting. “I don’t know how the King will want to greet you,” she told them. “But regardless of how he acts, this is not a social occasion. Bow when we bow. Remain silent unless asked a question. Reply with more formality than you are spoken to. This is for the King’s benefit, not yours.” “It’s okay, Miss Gamma,” Applejack said. “We’ve met royalty before.” “No, you’ve met divinity,” Gamma corrected. “And from the casual way you discuss those meetings, I can assure you the rules for mortal royalty are very different.” The Dusk Hall was one of the more popular throne rooms of the Court, if only because it also served as a ballroom and hosted the more personal gatherings of the Royal Family. The polished floor reflected a high ceiling painted to resemble clouds lit by the falling sun, the effect somewhat like standing on the waters of a still lake at the close of day. Large west-facing windows looked out onto the terraced gardens and a patio that could serve as additional space for a party. In front of those windows were the thrones of the King and Queen, high-backed chairs topped with golden suns. Sitting on those thrones, King Golden Scepter and Queen Aqua Regia looked every inch as regal as their titles demanded. Their carefully groomed manes were cut to accent their strong features while their wings were held high and open, displaying near-perfect feathers. Flanked by statuesque Griffins and backlit by the setting sun, they could have been posing for a picture. The contrast between them and the group of weary travellers that were escorted in was striking. Standing slightly to the side of the King’s throne was the golden form of Professor Twinkle Shine. Her features were held in a schooled neutrality, but her eyes lit up as she saw Star Fall, a small smile breaking the careful mask of professionalism. Star Fall had to resist the urge to run to her mentor right there, knowing there would be plenty of time for that later. They came up before the thrones, Gamma leading the way. Astrid and Star Fall were both used to meeting royalty, and so dropped into bows with practiced smoothness. Rarity curtseyed with a flourish of her own, eyeing the two rulers critically. Melody also knew what to do, but her own twitching nervousness made her bow more of a collapse onto the floor. Dash and Applejack fell into their own bows, though they were paying more attention to making sure Melody was okay than to their form. Spike did not bow at all, only nodding his head in deference to the King. “Your Majesty,” the Griffin commander said, sweeping a wing out to indicate the ponies. “I present Agent Gamma and entourage, as ordered.” “Thank you, Captain Arnor,” the King said, dismissing the Griffin with a flick of his wing. “Rise, my friends, please.” They quickly did as he asked. “It is with a glad heart that we welcome you to the Court of the Sun. While we do not know all of you personally, we have heard of your legends and your deeds, and would like dearly to know you better.” He stood, his wife rising with him. “Gamma, if you would.” “Of course, your Majesty,” Gamma said, turning to the others. One by one she pointed them out, naming them to the Royals. “May I present Agent Rainbow Dash of Ponyville, recently come into your service. Applejack, of Sweet Apple Acres. Lady Rarity of Ponyville. Melody Drop of Precious Corners, a... personal guest. And this is Master Spike, Lord of Dragons and eternal friend of the Solar Kingdom.” “Our warmest greetings to all of you,” the Queen said after the introductions were complete. “While you are a guest within these walls I promise that you will want for nothing.” “Indeed!” the King said, his smile wide but his eyes locked on one particular pony. “I do see one face that is familiar to me, though. Lady Fallen Star, you know me, and I would be pleased if you did not greet me as a stranger.” Star Fall took a slow breath, stepping out from the group and up to the King. She looked to the Queen, who gave her a sympathetic look and nodded. Then she threw herself on the King in a warm hug. “It’s good to see you again, your Majesty.” “And you,” he replied with a chuckle, leaning down to give her a better grip. “It’s been too long since you last graced my home.” “Yes,” the Queen said, leaning in to add her own nuzzle as the King released Star Fall. “On that my lord husband and I agree.” She shot a pointed look to the King. “Will you tell her, or must I?” “Aqua,” he gently admonished her. “I was getting to it.” “I know, your Majesties,” Star Fall told them. “The Professor… she told me.” He looked surprised for a moment, shooting a wounded look to his chief advisor, but then shook his head and chuckled. “Of course she wouldn’t let me have my fun. Ah, well. Then you know why we are so pleased to see you safely home.” “I do have one request, your Majesty,” Star Fall said, taking a slow breath and glancing back at Applejack, who gave her an encouraging smile. “If it is within my power,” he replied. “I would like to get to know my future husband before the formal announcement.” He frowned for a moment at that. “So you know not only what my good news is, but with whom you are to share it.” This time the look he gave the Professor was chagrined. “I suppose I deserve this. I hope your revenge is well served, Professor.” “Don’t be petty,” the Queen chided her husband. “Regal is probably in his rooms,” she said to Star Fall. “If not there, then look to the observatory.” “Thank you, Your Majesties,” Star Fall said, stepping back and bowing to them. "Now, if my lord husband is done with the attempted dramatics, there is another who is quite anxious to see you," the Queen said, turning to the Professor. With that tacit approval, Twinkle Shine broke from her place and rushed over to enfold Star Fall in a tight hug. “I was so worried,” she whispered. “I made it,” Star Fall whispered back, reaching her wings around her mentor to add to the embrace. “I’m safe. But we need to talk.” “I know,” the Professor replied. “We will.” Gamma cleared her throat. “If that is the end of formalities, then I have some things to discuss with Your Majesties and the Professor.” The King nodded. “Of course. Our guests have been travelling for some time, and I am sure they want time to relax, refresh and restore their strength. In three days we shall reveal your presence to our Kingdom, an event that will bolster the spirits of our people in this trying time. Please, take full advantage of our palace!" “If you need anything at all, do not hesitate to ask one of the servants,” the Queen added. “They have been instructed to make your comfort their top priority. For now, they will lead you to the quarters we’ve set aside for you. On behalf of my lord husband and myself, we wish you a good night and the blessings of a bright dawn.” "We'll talk," Twinkle Shine said, squeezing Star Fall once more before letting her go. Star Fall nodded, then joined the others as a pair of servants guided them out into the hallway. "Wow," Melody said as the door closed behind them. "I didn't know the Royal family was so... huggy." "I didn't know they're Alicorns," Dash said. "I thought you guys worshipped Alicorns or something?" "They aren't true Alicorns," Star Fall explained. "They're winged unicorns. They are descended from Celestia, though.” She shot a meaning-filled glance to Astrid, who caught the look and began to hang back. “Look, you guys go ahead. I’m going to go find Prince Stature.” “It’s kinda late, Star,” Applejack pointed out. “Don’t you think it’d be better, for both of you, to try and buck that field in the mornin’? When you’re fresh and ready?” “I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready,” Star Fall replied. “So now’s as good a time as any. Thank you, though. I don’t think I’d have done this without your advice.” “Shucks, weren’t nothin’,” Applejack replied. “Good luck, Star,” Dash said, giving her a confident smile. “And if this guy isn’t up to snuff, kick him to the curb! Whatever the King wants, it’s your life.” “Thanks, Dash,” Star Fall said, then detached from the group and walked down a different hallway, Astrid at her side. “You sure about this?” Astrid asked as they made their way to the Royal apartments. “No,” Star Fall admitted. “But it’s got to be done.” “If you say so. I’ll be right there if you need me,” Astrid said. “Thanks,” Star Fall replied, and then they were there. Star Fall rapped on the door, steeling her resolve. She'd met the prince before, of course, she still remembered him as a wide-eyed colt hiding behind his mother's legs. They'd never spent much time around each other; for one she was five years older, and while she had been a frequent guest at the palace it had always been as part of her training with the Professor, leaving little time to interact with her fellow children. Now she was going to meet him, not as a fellow youth in the Court, not as a student of magic, not even as a subject. She was going as his future wife. How was she supposed to act? Formal or familiar? Reluctant or eager? Her wings twitched at her thoughts, anxious to take flight and bear her away. Yet it needed to be done, Applejack was right about that. She needed to know the pony she was going to marry if she was going to have any hope of happiness. "Come in," a voice called from within. She looked up to the Griffins flanking the door and they gave her a gentle nod. She looked back to Astrid who nodded as well, taking up a position across from the door and sitting down. Then, with a deep breath and a vain attempt to calm her fluttering nerves, she went in. The sitting room of the prince's chambers was filled with books. Some were stacked in haphazard piles, others set neatly along the shelves. The disarray made it clear that the servants were barred from this room, or at the very least commanded not to move anything. It brought a small smile to her lips, she remembered her own room looking much like this during the height of her studies, before she went to work for Gamma. A writing desk sat in one corner, three pens and a half-dozen colored pencils scattered across its ink-stained surface. A few pages were left out, and she saw the complex diagrams of a magic circle partially drawn. The penmanship of the circle was done with the flawless precision of telekinetic magic, a power she was still terribly jealous of, but some of the notations scribbled along the margins were clearly the result of a pen held in the mouth. Much of the light came from a glowing crystal orrery that swayed gently from the ceiling. She felt some of her nervousness evaporate at the sight of this room. It was comfortably messy. Prince Regal Stature stood in the midst of the disarray, a book held in his magic floating by his face. He was chewing on the end of a pen, mumbling unintelligibly as he scanned the text. He didn't look up until she cleared her throat, but once he did his eyes went wide and the book and pen both fell to the floor. "Lady Fallen Star," he said, and she was surprised to hear a hint of wonder in his voice. "Your Highness," she said with a short bow. "It's good to see you again." He stared blankly at her for a long moment before snapping back to attention with a shake of his head. "What? Oh, right! Yes! Sorry. I, um... yes. It's good to see you... too." Star Fall frowned at his reaction. She hadn't been expecting him to be like this. They waited in silence for a few long, awkward moments before she spoke again. "So..." she began, then trailed off as she realized she had no idea where to go from there. "Oh, um... when did you...?" He gestured vaguely, his eyes roaming over the room, anywhere but towards her. "Just now," she replied, inferring his meaning as best she could. "Your father told me where you would be, and I decided, well. I mean, considering that we're... uh..." "Yeah," he said, nodding and staring at the ground. He didn't continue, leaving them both in awkward silence for a long moment. Star Fall sighed, at the end of her patience. "Your Highness, we're going to be married," she said, blunt and direct but feeling much better for it. "Before that happens, I think it's a good idea that we have some idea who it is we will be marrying." His eyes returned to her. "Yeah. That would probably be a good thing." "So. How should we do that?" "I... don't know," he admitted, gracing her with a sheepish smile that would probably have melted the hearts of many a star-stuck filly. "I was hoping you did." She returned his smile. "Sorry, your Highness." "Please, can we drop the formalities?" he asked, stepping over a small puddle of books towards her. She nodded in acquiescence. "Of course. I'm sorry, Prince Stature, I–" "No," he cut in. "I mean all the formalities. I don't think... I don't want to marry someone who calls me 'Prince Stature' all the time." He paused for a moment, then his eyes went wide with panic. "Not that I don't want to marry you! I do! You're an amazing mare and... and..." Star Fall held up a hoof to quiet him. "I know what you mean," she assured him, smiling to show him it was true. "Alright. Regal." She took a slow breath, stretching out her wings to try to still them. She looked at him and found him doing the same, mirroring her motion with his own wings, and nervously chewing on his lip besides. "Okay, this is going pretty badly. I don't want it to be awkward between us. I really don't. But I guess it's kind of inevitable. Neither of us wanted this, and I'm sorry you got forced into it with me." "I'm not," he said. That brought her up short, the honesty in his eyes beaming at her. "I'm not sorry. I meant it when I said you're an amazing mare." "Regal, you don't have to flatter me," she said. "I know, and I'm not trying to... do that," he sighed, running hoof through his already messy mane and leaving it in a far worse tangle than it had been. Star Fall tried and failed to hold back a snort of laughter at the way one of the curls was left wrapped around the base of his horn, as if it were a vine trying to climb a fence post. He gave her a quizzical look, and she pointed at the wild curl, laughing again at the way his eyes crossed trying to see it. With a grunt of frustration his horn lit up and his magic dragged at his hair, pulling it unnaturally straight, only to have it spring back into a bouncy tangle the moment he let go. “I’m sorry,” she said, giggling. “It’s been a long day. I don’t mean to laugh at you, but…” “No, it’s okay,” he said, though his cheeks were red from embarrassment and his eyes on his hooves. “I… like your laugh.” That comment, and the overeager sincerity of it, sobered her as quickly as a cold shower. “Regal. Please stop.” He looked up at her. “You’re trying too hard. You don’t have to fake it for me.” “I’m… no…” his wings snapped open and closed as he sputtered. “No. Star Fall, I’m not faking.” “You’re talking to me like some girl you want to ask to a dance,” she said. “We’re not courting, Regal. That ship sailed a long time ago without either of us ever knowing it was in port. I want us to get to know each other, but this… not this.” His ears drooped and his gaze once more found its way to the floor. “I just want you to like me,” he said, almost a whisper. “And I want you to like me,” she said, stepping over and forcing his chin up. “For real. Not because your father says we’re getting married, not because you think you have to. Before anything else, before everything else between us, I want us to be friends.” She smiled at him, reaching out with a wing to flick an unruly curl of mane out of his eyes. “So, Regal. Will you accept my friendship?” He returned the smile with the same sheepish grin he had flashed her earlier. “I’d love to.” “Thank you,” she said, backing off a step and looking around the cluttered room. “So, what were you reading?” “Amber Rose’s Commentaries on the Young Mage,” he replied. “I never read that one,” she said. “Though considering everything that’s going on now, I probably should. It’s a biography of Twilight Sparkle, right?” He nodded. “As soon as I heard about Rainbow Dash and Applejack I got every book on her life I could. Most of them just rehash The Magic of Frienship, but Commentaries has a lot of other information about her friends.” “Find anything interesting?” “A lot,” he said, picking up the book in question. “But Amber Rose doesn’t attribute anything, so I can’t confirm any of it with primary sources. You’d think a Royal advisor would know better.” “I think no one was going to call her on it, so she didn’t care,” Star Fall sighed. “But if you really want a primary source, Spike’s staying at the palace.” “Maybe,” he said, putting the book back down. His forehead creased with a frown and she could see him struggling with something. “Actually, I’m looking for something specific. None of the books talk about it, though, and I don’t know if Spike would know anything either.” “Oh? What is it?” “The Ascension.” Star Fall paused. “Regal, I know what your father is expecting of us.” He perked up at that, surprise plain on his face. “It can’t happen. Please tell me you understand that.” He blinked at her for a moment before shaking his head. “I understand,” he said. “Father thinks we can have an Alicorn foal. That’s not possible. I understand that, why would you think I didn’t?” “Because you’re researching the Ascension of Twilight Sparkle?” “Oh. Oh! No. I mean, yes, I am researching that, but not because of father’s… not for what he thinks will happen. I… Hmm. I, well…” He worried at his lip, running a hoof through his mane again. “I don’t know if I should say.” “Regal, we’re friends now, right?” He nodded. “Then you can tell me. If it’s a secret, I promise I’ll keep it.” He stopped fidgeting, looking directly at her. “Well, I guess since you’re going to be family anyway. It’s just hard to talk about. I don’t even know all that much about it, none of us do, but…” “But what?” she prompted. “Regal, what are you talking about?” “Maybe,” he said, muttering as if he hadn’t heard her. “Maybe I can show you.” “Show me what?” He reached out to her. “Come with me,” he said. “It’s easier to do it in the observatory. I don’t know why, it just is.” “Do what?” Star Fall demanded, refusing to budge. “Regal, I’m tired and you are being far too cryptic for my patience right now.” “I want to show you a secret,” he said, excitement making his voice tremble and his wings stretch wide. “Something my family’s hidden since before the Schism, the true power of our divine blood. I… I want to show you the Deep Power.” The observatory was dominated by the great lenses that could align to magnify the night sky. They swung on massive arms that reached out from the unadorned white walls. Most were retracted now, but kept polished and ready for use at the whim of the Royals. The domed ceiling was able to rotate at the will of the ponies using the observatory, allowing different parts of the sky to be seen. Right now it was at its rest position, pointing straight up to let a shaft of starlight, magnified and enhanced by one great lens, shine down upon the marble floor. The observatory had been built a century and a half ago at great expense, the Queen at the time fancying that she could read the future in the subtle movements of Luna's stars. Whether she could truly discern the future or not, the observatory had stood as a favourite place of the royal families since. Star Fall had been here before, during her lessons on astronomy with the Professor. She knew that for all of its impressive size and engineering, the telescope of this observatory was actually one of the less effective ones in the Kingdom. The lights of the capital overwhelmed much of the sky, and the relative lack of elevation further obscured the stars the telescope was made to observe. Still, on a clear night the images it made were fantastic and had fired Star Fall's young imagination. Duties and events had intervened to prevent her from coming back to this place since, but it still held a special presence for her. The walk to the observatory had been quiet. Regal had refused to say any more about this ‘Deep Power’, insisting that he would tell her everything once they were here. The Griffins followed them at a respectful distance, but she noticed that the Prince hardly seemed to notice them. He had been raised with a pair of them always close by, and not the same two every time. He might not think of them any more than he would a piece of furniture. Certainly not anything like the relationship she had with Astrid. Another thing that struck her on the walk was the size of the pony she was to marry. Taller than the King, he was a full head and shoulders above her, practically towering. Yet he moved with such clumsy exuberance that when she wasn’t looking right at him she couldn’t help but think of him as shorter than her. It was a strange paradox, and she supposed it had a lot to do with his age. Once they reached the observatory Regal didn’t bother turning on the lights, instead moving to stand at the center of the circle of light. He raised his head and closed his eyes as the gentle starlight fell on him. His wings worked as if caught in slow-motion flight, and she had the strange notion that he was about to break into dance. He opened his eyes as she watched him, and smiled at her. "I think I can do it," he said. "Come over here." "Do what?" she asked, stepping up next to him. "Show you what I've seen," he said. He took a deep breath and his horn lit up as he began to gather power. Then he paused, a look of surprised remembrance crossing his features, and turned towards the guards. “Leave us,” he commanded them. His Griffins saluted and moved to the door immediately, but Astrid looked to Star Fall. “Go, I’ll be fine,” she assured her friend. Astrid nodded and followed the other Griffins without a word. "I’m not allowed to talk about this,” Regal said. “It’s not a bad thing,” he quickly added. “It’s just… Not easy to explain.” “Just try your best,” Star Fall assured him. “I’ll listen, whatever it is.” He took a deep breath and looked up through the open roof at the stars. “My family has a secret,” he began. “A legacy that has stretched back to before the Schism. Our heritage." "You're descended from the Goddesses, it's not exactly a secret," Star Fall pointed out. He shook his head. "No, not that. They’re tied together, but not the same thing. It’s… we have a power, one that goes beyond magic." "This ‘Deep Power’?" He nodded. "I don’t know how well I can explain it. Father says that it's our divine blood speaking to us, guiding us in how to lead the ponies of the world to prosperity. It's what makes us special, gives us the right to rule. Mother thinks of it like an allowance, something parceled out to us by the Goddesses so that we can carry out their will. Either way, it's not magic. It’s something more than magic, more primal. Deeper." "Primal," Star Fall repeated, thinking about it. "Why do you keep it a secret?" "Because not all of us have it," Regal said. "Less than half of us do, actually. My family is lucky. Both mother and father have this power, and so does Platinum Seal and Imperius." Star Fall thought about that, Platinum Seal was the eldest of Regal's two sisters, and Imperius was just older than Regal. One similarity between both of them jumped out at her immediately. "Neither of them are the heir apparent." "No, we don't use this power as a basis for the succession," Regal confirmed. "If the public knew about it, they would insist that the throne go to a pony with access to the Deep Power." “So that’s why you keep it a secret. But why? There's more, isn't there?" He nodded, still staring at the sky. She couldn’t see his face, but his nervousness was plain in the tense muscles of his legs and restless rustling of his wings. "It shows us things, sometimes. Things we don't always understand, and we can't always interpret properly. But we can't ignore them, either. It can... well, you remember the stories of King Overspear, right?" Star Fall nodded. Those stories were a favourite subject of the more entertaining history courses. King Overspear had been a Royal stallion whose madness had nearly destroyed the Kingdom in the days before it had secured the sunlands. He was eventually assassinated by his chief advisor, who had disappeared into obscurity immediately afterward, ostensibly to escape execution for her treason. The way the history teachers liked to spin it, she might have been hailed as a hero had she stayed, such was the hatred of Overspear’s reign. "He had the power, but he couldn't handle it,” Regal said, finally looking down at her. “He saw visions of the Kingdom united, and he became obsessed with making it a reality. But what he was seeing wasn't meant to be for another two generations.” “So these visions sometimes lead to madness,” Star Fall said. “A lot of families have unpleasant things that run in them. A bit of prophetic madness isn’t that bad, really. Just look out for the crazy ones, right?” Regal’s face scrunched up in pain. “What is it?” “There's another example I could probably use. One a lot closer to home." Star Fall opened her mouth to reply, but then shut it as a thought crossed her mind. She looked at the pain on his face and the answer was clear. "Your father." Regal looked to the ground, his face twisting further in grief. "His obsession with Alicorns. It's your fault, actually. It didn't start until you came along." Star Fall was taken aback by that. "I'm sorry?" He shook his head. "No. Don't be. I don’t blame you. You can't help being who you are, any more than my father can help being who he is. It’s just… the Deep Power told him you were special, and he interpreted it in his own way. Now he can't let go of that interpretation, and no one can convince him of the truth." "What about you?" "I don't think Father's plans of an Alicorn child will happen," he said. "But you… he’s right about you. You are special. Very special. More than I think you realize." She watched him for a long moment, considering what he’d said. "How?" "That's what I want to show you,” he said, excitement once again quickening in his voice. “I touched the Deep Power for the first time not so long ago, and I saw something in it. Something I think I can show you, too. Open your mind to me, Star Fall. Let my magic flow through you." She hesitated. This didn't sound like a safe activity, and she didn't know how far she trusted Regal yet, especially with what he had already said about this mysterious power driving his family crazy. Yet there was a sincerity to him, an innocence in his eyes that made her want to trust him. She had given him her offer of friendship, and she supposed it wasn’t sincere if she wasn’t willing to trust him this far. She took a deep breath, forcing her body and mind through the calming rituals she had learned in order to wield her magic. Then she nodded. Regal lowered his horn to her, touching her forehead just above her eyes, and she felt the magic pour into her. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. She thought of the immense power Umbra wielded, but this was something altogether different. It wasn't a power that could move mountains, she instinctively understood that. Instead it was a still power, a vast, calm ocean. It wouldn't tear apart the countryside, but it could shift continents as easily as a pony could slide a piece of paper across a table. The connection strengthened as the Prince gained confidence, and Star Fall felt her body slip away from her, like she was rising up the shaft of starlight into the cosmos beyond. Those stars poured over her and she was thrust into a space of endless, unbroken black. She tried to fly, but her wings were gone, tried to cry out, but she had no lungs. All she saw was empty darkness. Then, rushing towards her, a point of light that expanded into a galaxy of spinning lights. She crashed into those lights like she was falling into a pool, and as the swirling energies of the place surrounded her she felt her body again. She stood on a pathway of shining stars, amidst a glowing cosmos of space and power. She felt it all around her, flowing through her. The eternal vastness of this place, the infinite extent of it, it took her breath away. Somehow she knew that Regal was barely touching this power. As immersed as she felt, she was only sharing the small piece of this place he had inherited. She wasn’t afraid, even though she was lost in the depths of this place, even as she realized that she had no control here. She felt safe here, and she knew it would only take her where she needed to be. She was drowning in wonder, and she could no more stop it than she could stop the sun. "What is this?" she asked, surprised at the clarity of her voice. It had a pure quality to it here, something she’d never heard before. The sound seemed to have ripples in the substance of the power. They chimed and rang like music, as if she could burst into song at any moment and it would only be right. "This is what I see," Regal said. She felt him here, with her in spirit though he did not seem to have a body of his own in this place. "This is how it manifests with me. More than a vision, less than truly being here." "It's amazing!" Star Fall cried. She could feel his happiness at that, his pride. "It's not what I wanted to show you, " he said. "Look." She turned, and the ocean of light and power swirled around her, the glowing nebulae curling and fading like spark-strewn smoke to bring her to a new perspective. What she beheld made the pit of her stomach drop away, as if she were falling from a great height. Spinning in the starscape were two enormous beings. When she looked at them she saw many things at once, too many to take in with a single glance. They were singular, yet they were multiple. They were the drops of water that made up an ocean. They were the ocean itself. Each a nation in their own right, each a whole being. One was light. It was a radiance so great that she knew to look on it with mortal eyes was to be blinded forever. So pure that there was no comparison to anything she had ever experienced before. It was warmth, it was beauty, it was everything good. Yet she could see a darkness in it, a place of shadowed light. That darkness did not diminish the purity of the whole, but rather sharpened it. The other was a darkness blacker than the deepest of caves. Yet it was not a lightless darkness, no mere shadow. No, for in the center of this consuming dark was a pale sphere that shed its own cold luminance, accentuating the black surrounding it. This darkness was cold, but not the violent freeze of the far north. This was an inviting coolness, the feeling of a gentle breeze on a hot day, the touch of the bedsheets at night. They were all these things, and they were Alicorns. Sisters. They spun about each other, locked in a cycle that held all the weight of eternity. Their movement churned the substance of the Deep Power, rippling out to the ends of this unending place. “The Goddesses,” Star Fall gasped out. She felt a distant sting, and was sure that back in the world she had fallen to the floor. “Regal, you can see the Goddesses!” "I can," he said, and she felt his delight to be sharing this with her. She could feel more of him, the connection he had made opening his heart to her. She saw with some surprise that his fumbling flattery had been genuine. He actually liked her, and was looking forward to spending more time with her. It was sweet, but she knew he was also disappointed that he didn't see the same from her. Everything was laid bare here, but for some reason it didn't hurt. It didn't feel like being stripped of protections. It felt right. It felt almost unremarkable. "Can you speak to them?" she asked. "They don't respond," he said. "I don't know if they can hear my voice, if I'm too small for them to notice. Or maybe I just don't know how to get their attention. But there is one other thing I wanted to show you. Something that convinced me that you really were as special as Father thinks you are. Look between them." She balked for a moment at the thought of approaching the two titanic beings, but the sense of safety here convinced her it would be alright. In the twisted perspective of this place, all she had to do was step closer and the lights were already washing over her, sweeping her closer to the Goddesses of day and night. She felt them as she approached, burning with opposing and complementary power. Between them, though, was something else entirely. She frowned as she came closer, feeling like this was something out of place here. It was a pocket of stillness, a piece of solidity. In a place of such fluid reality, its unchanging nature made it seem alien, unnatural. Yet it was not unwelcome. Details became clear as the starry lights fell away from her vision. It was a pony. A winged unicorn with a purple coat and a dark mane streaked with magenta, her glyph was a large starburst surrounded by five smaller stars. Of all the surprises Star Fall had been subjected to since she let Regal take her to this place, this was the greatest. In this world of constant motion, surrounded by the Goddesses’ eternal dance, this brought everything to a halt. “Twilight Sparkle,” she breathed. “This is what I wanted to show you,” Regal said, his own voice as hushed as hers. Star Fall's mouth dropped open, but there were no words for this. After a momentary infinity she managed to speak. "Are the others here? Her friends?" She knew the answer before Regal put a voice to it. "No. Just her and the Goddesses." Star Fall didn't respond. It had been a stray thought, a piece of remaining curiosity about how Dash and the others had managed to come to her time. She walked closer to Twilight's still form. The ascended unicorn floated in her bubble of calm between the Goddesses with her wings wrapped around her and her legs pulled in close. Her nose was tucked into her forelegs and her eyes were closed. She looked asleep. Images flashed around her, almost too quick to see. They showed scenes of the mortal world, events both pedestrian and exciting. "She's watching us," Star Fall said. "Even from here, she's watching us." She came right up to Twilight, watching the strange way the way the lights of the Deep Power bent around her. She was so different from Celestia and Luna. They were a part of this place, but Twilight was only in it. She lay between the Goddesses like the perfect representation of the mortal world, watching over all the little ponies. "Regal, how many people know she's here?" "All the Royal families," he replied. "None of us have been able to come here like this for hundreds of years, since the days just before the Schism. I'm the first. But there is a journal left over from that time, and it talks about Twilight appearing here." "Thank you for sharing this with me," Star Fall said, tears falling from her eyes and glittering like jewels as they joined the flow of power. "I don't know... I can't even say how much this means to me. Why did you ...?" "Choose to show you?” he laughed. “It was those images around her. When I first came here, when I first found Twilight, they were of you. They were all..." His voice and the sense of his presence faded away, as if someone had turned down the volume. "What?" Star Fall called, suddenly afraid. “Regal! What’s going on? What happened?” The lights of the Deep Power gave her no answer. She felt something change, a titanic shift that shook the ocean of power around her. She turned back to Twilight and found herself staring into the eyes of the most powerful unicorn who ever lived. They glowed, burning with power. Star Fall stiffened as she felt the magic of the winged unicorn. It had been contained while Twilight slept, but now, as she came partially awake, it could be sensed. This was beyond description. It made Rarity's incredible power seem like a guttering candle. It even dwarfed Nightmare Umbra. And unlike the Destroyer, this was a pure power. Magic without aspect, magic without corruption. Will given form. The power slammed into her, overwhelming the drowning flow of the Deep Power. Star Fall felt as if she stood next to an erupting volcano, the heat wrapped around her and drew her closer as Twilight unfolded from her fetal curl. Star Fall stopped breathing, unable to even look away as she stared into those blazing eyes. Twilight stretched forward, her wings spread, and with hooves made of solid power she drew Star Fall into a gentle hug and laid a tender kiss on her forehead. Star Fall snapped back to the world at the touch of those lips, gasping for air and tasting magic. The world was burning with the power she had absorbed, crackling in arcs of lightning around her. She reeled, disoriented as the energy burned across her nerves. It was only belatedly that she realized that she was floating a good five feet above the floor, winds whirling in a screaming vortex and static flashes dripping from her flaring aura like rain. The observatory was lit with her blazing aura. Regal stared at her from the edges of the observatory, clinging to one of the arms that held the great lenses. Astrid was in the room as well, shrieking something that she couldn’t hear over the crackling power and screaming wind. She closed her eyes, focusing on the power. It responded to her will, channelling out of her body and up through the open roof. The night above the castle lit up in a red aurora, ribbons of magic snaking across the sky. Given somewhere to go, the magic faded quickly, the wind dying and gravity regaining its hold on her. She dropped slowly, hooves touching scored marble with a quartet of soft clicks. She settled into a shaky stance, her wings trembling and her breath coming in heaving gasps. Finally, her crimson aura receded back into her skin, her magic no longer overflowing her body. "Beloved of Twilight Sparkle," Regal said, eyes wide with wonder and raw excitement edging his voice. "Father isn’t wrong about everything. You are special."