In the guest quarters of the Royal Palace, Twilight's friends, who had just arrived there several hours earlier, began unpacking their belongings in their individual rooms, which had been prepared in advance to accommodate them.
Rarity, ready for any occasion, unpacked her huge assortment of dresses and formal attire that she had seen fit to bring to Canterlot with her.
“Phew,” she said, putting away the last ones. “Applejack!” she called through the bathroom that connected their two rooms. “How are you coming along in there?”
“I was done half an hour ago!” Applejack replied, reclining on her bed.
Rarity scoffed.
“You must not be planning on going out much then.”
“Nope,” Applejack smirked, imitating her brother.
Rarity laughed a bit as she trotted through the bathroom into Applejack's room.
“Why ever not, dear? Do you not intend to stay and enjoy yourself?”
“I'm going to a funeral tomorrow,” Applejack said plainly. “That's it. No fancy-schmancy dinner parties, no social shin-digs, nothing.”
“Well, you're no fun at all,” Rarity replied.
“Is there a party going on in here?” Rainbow Dash asked, entering from the hallway.
“No, we were just discussing things,” Applejack said.
“Like how awesome I am?” Rainbow asked.
Applejack rolled her eyes.
“Applejack here is being a fuddy-duddy,” Rarity said.
“Oh? Why's that?” Rainbow queried, slightly amused.
“She doesn't want to go out while she's here in Canterlot,” she replied.
“Well, she's no fun at all, is she?”
“That's what I said!”
“Now how in tarnation can y'all be thinking of going out? We're supposed to be going to a funeral tomorrow!” Applejack exclaimed.
“And we will, darling,” Rarity said, “But just because one pony's dead, doesn't mean we have to stop living, does it?”
“But she's a Princess!”
“So?” Rainbow asked.
“So? Y'all act like nothing's happened!”
“We barely knew her...” Rarity replied.
“Yeah,” Rainbow said, nodding. “So what's go you so bothered?”
“Nothing,” Applejack said, shaking her head. “It just seems… odd, is all.”
“What's odd?” Rarity asked.
“Everything! Something just doesn't make sense here. I mean, why isn't Celestia all broken up? And Twilight...she's just so cold. They don't seem right to me.”
“I'm sure they're both taking it very hard,” Rarity replied.
“They don't act like it,” Applejack replied.
“Who are we to judge?” Rainbow asked. “I mean, this stuff has gotta be hurting them more than anyone.”
“Rainbow's right,” Rarity said. “Could you even imagine what it must be to lose your sister? How would you possibly react?”
Applejack glanced to the balcony, where her own sister leaned against the banister, idly watching the stars above.
“I don't know...” Applejack replied.
“Lighten up, AJ,” Rainbow said, nudging her. “You and I could go out and do something ourselves tomorrow – forget all that fancy stuff that Rarity likes.”
“Hey!” Rarity exclaimed.
“You can't deny it,” Rainbow remarked.
“That's true, but you make me sound like some vain, stuck-up socialite.”
“You said it, not me,” Rainbow replied. “So whatcha say AJ? Tomorrow – you and me.”
“I guess,” Applejack replied, shrugging.
“Sweet,” Rainbow said, pumping her hoof.
“You think the funeral will be long?” Applejack asked.
“Probably not,” Rarity remarked. “It shouldn't take too long, I'd imagine.”
At that moment, Apple Bloom entered from the balcony.
“Look sis! Look at what I caught!” she exclaimed.
“What?” Applejack asked.
Apple Bloom opened her hooves to show the crushed remains of what had previously been a firefly.
“Oh!” Apple Bloom whined. “I smushed him!”
Applejack chuckled.
“The trick is to try to catch him without your hoofs touching.”
“I thought I did...” Apple Bloom said resigned as she cast the remains into the trash.
“Well, it was just a lightning bug,” Applejack consoled her. “You can try it again.”
“But now I feel bad,” Apple Bloom replied, lying on the bed. “I mean, what if I had been him and he had been me?”
“But we're not bugs, darling,” Rarity said. “Bugs are unfeeling – merciless even. They devour one another and not to mention, they’re just plain icky. There's no use in feeling bad over the death of an insect.”
“But...he was so cute.”
“Cute, indeed,” Rarity scoffed.
“I'm sure he forgives you,” Applejack said, trying to console her.
“You think so?”
“Of course. He knows you didn't mean anything by it.”
“How does he know that?” Apple Bloom asked, her eyes getting big.
“I don't mean to interrupt,” Rainbow interjected, “But I gotta get ready for tomorrow.”
“Same here,” Rarity said.
“Alright then,” Applejack said, nodding. “See you both tomorrow then.”
“Goodnight,” they both replied in unison as they left.
“Before I do though, I'm going to take a shower,” Rarity said, moving towards the bathroom door. “I might be a while, though, if that's okay?”
“Oh, I know you will,” Applejack said under her breath.
Apple Bloom giggled.
“What was that?” Rarity asked.
“Nothing,” Applejack said, waving. “Take your shower.”
“Okay then,” Rarity said, closing the door.
Apple Bloom smirked.
“You really don't like her, do you?”
Applejack chuckled.
“Well, you see Apple Bloom, Rarity is a special sort of pony; she has to have everything just so or she's goes into a fit – and that gets under my hide like nothing else.”
“Is that why Sweetie Belle didn't want to be her sister that one time?”
“I'm not sure, to tell you the truth,” Applejack replied.
“Well, at least she's not mean,” Apple Bloom said.
“That's true,” Applejack remarked. “For all her faults, she isn't hard-nosed– at least, not intentionally.”
“So what were you saying, sis?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Saying what?”
“Remember, earlier – you were saying something about the bug.”
“Was I?”
“Yes, you said you knew that it forgave me.”
“Oh! Right, right! Sorry...yeah, I know he knows you didn't mean anything by it.”
“But how can dead things know anything?”
“Listen, Apple Bloom,” Applejack said exasperated. “It's a bug – don't worry about it. We all destroy things sometimes; that's no reason to get upset over it.”
“I know...but what if he had a wife and young'uns of his own?”
“You're getting ridiculous now. Look at it this way: if you hadn't killed him, he would have probably gotten eaten by a frog or something. It's the circle of life – the strong devour the weak.”
“But he never meant nopony any harm...”
Applejack sighed.
“It doesn't matter, I suppose,” Apple Bloom said. “Just another bug.”
“Exactly,” Applejack replied. “So, besides that, have you been liking Canterlot so far?”
“It's alright, I guess,” Apple Bloom said, yawning. “I just can't believe I'm in the palace again. It just doesn't feel real...You think I could go to the library and look around?”
Applejack chuckled.
“I think it's time for bed now, sis.”
Apple Bloom groaned.
“Do I have to?”
“We have a big day tomorrow, Apple Bloom. I need to be well-rested so you'll be ready for the funeral.”
Apple Bloom hopped from the bed.
“I guess you're right,” she replied, nodding.
“Now – teeth time.”
“Is Rarity done?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Good question!”
Applejack made her way to the bathroom door and knocked a few times – there was no response.
“I'll take that as a yes.”
Applejack opened the door and was greeted by a thick cloud of steam. The pungent scent of body-wash and perfume lay heavy in the air as the sister made their way inside.
Apple Bloom wiped the bathroom mirrors as she prepared her tooth-brush.
“Hey, Applejack,” she said, starting to brush.
“Yes, lil sis'?”
“Why do you think Twilight turned down being a Princess?”
“Well, she's already a Princess” Applejack replied.
“No, I mean – Princess of the Night. Wouldn't that be something everypony would want?”
“Not everypony, Apple Bloom. I don’t know much about magic, but from what I've heard, I'd imagine being the Princess of the Night is a tiring job. Raising and lowering the moon, looking after and maintaining the stars, it's all got to be quite demanding. Not sure Twi would like that...”
“But who else is gonna take over?”
“You sure do ask a lot of questions, don't you?” Applejack asked, smirking.
“I just wanna know, is all,” Apple Bloom replied.
“Well, I have no idea,” Applejack said. “I'm sure Princess Celestia will figure out something though.”
“If you say so,” Apple Bloom said, rinsing her tooth-brush.
“Don't you worry too much about all this,” Applejack said, gargling and spitting into the sink. “Come a week or two and this will all be sorted out, you'll see. Now – bedtime.”
Apple Bloom put up her tooth-brush and other things away and headed back into the bedroom, where she tucked herself in under the sheets of the bed.
Applejack turned off the lights in the bathroom and follow her sister’s example, sliding into the bed next to her.
“Do you need anything before I turn off the light?”
“No, I'm good,” Apple Bloom said, yawning.
“Alright,” Applejack said, turning of the gas-lamp.
In the darkness of the room, Apple Bloom laid on her back, staring up at the ceiling as the sound of crickets echoed through the soft stillness. She propped her head behind her hoofs as she thought about what she had seen earlier. A million questions still raced through her head, but one suddenly reemerged from the abyss of her memory.
“Hey Applejack,” she whispered.
“What?” her sister mumbled, already half-asleep.
“Do you think I could ever be Princess?”
“Oh, Apple Bloom,” she groaned. “You can be anything you want to be.”
“You really think so?”
“Uh-huh, now go to sleep.”
She didn't respond, but rather, basked with a feeling of satisfaction as she recalled the fantasy that she had crafted with her friends.
“Princess Apple Bloom,” she said silently. “Queen of the Crusaders.”
The young filly gently nodded off to sleep as fanciful scenes of heroic triumphs and breath-taking adventures danced around in her mind. She smiled contentedly when at last she drifted away, unaware of what awaited her the next morning.
~
In another part of the palace, during the dead of a night, a white stallion tossed and turned in his bed. He mumbled under his breath, smacking his lips as he pulled on the covers, turning his head restlessly on his pillow.
In an instant of terror, he sprang from his sleep, panting hard as cold sweat trickled down his face.
He looked around in the pitch darkness and saw nothing. Realizing that it was only a bad dream, he breathed a moment in silent relief as he softly made his way out of bed –being sure not to disturb his partner.
Gazing at the bright moon outside, he trekked to the window and stared into the night, taking in the cool evening breeze as his mind descended gradually from its higher plain of illusion to the more modest trappings of reality. Yet, despite the peaceful environs, his conscience was still not at ease.
He groaned a bit as he stretched and propped himself against the chair that lay next to the window. He held his head in his hooves, wiping some of the sweat from his cheeks as he wondered alone in the darkness.
The indomitable silence of the room was only broken by a soft voice, aroused from its slumber. “Shining? What are you doing up?”
For a moment, the former Captain of the Guard didn't respond.
“Shining?”
“Nothing, my love,” he said plainly. “Go back to sleep.”
Cadance, sufficiently startled, roused from her place and instantly trotted to her husband's side.
“Is something wrong?” she asked gently, laying her hoof on his.
“No, no,” he said, motioning to her. “It's alright; just a nightmare.”
“A nightmare?” the Princess asked with concern. “What about?”
Shining shook his head.
“Nothing,” he said. “I can't remember...”
“Oh Shining,” Cadance said, holding him. “It's alright.”
Shining sighed, shrugging off his spouse a bit as he rested his head on his hoof.
“Is it something you want to talk about?” Cadance breathed silently.
Shining didn't speak for a long time; he merely rubbed his mane and sighed. A long while passed, and still Shining didn't breath to speak a word. Just when Cadance was about to pull away, however, he spoke in a low, murmured voice:
“I need to go see Princess Celestia...”
“At this time of night? Can't it wait until morning?”
“No, I don't think it can. I must go see her.”
Cadance shook her head.
“What do you want to see the Princess for?”
“I can't tell you, my love,” he said wearily. “It's something rather personal, but I fear the Princess is in great danger.”
“Great danger? Shining, what's going on?” Cadance asked, concerned. “Please tell me.”
Shining turned away.
“I can't tell you, but please believe me when I say: I must discuss this with the Princess, alone.”
“But, Shining, can't you just...”
Shining raised his hoof in the air.
“Please, love, trust me: you're better off not knowing. Do you trust me?”
Twilight's words from earlier echoed in his ears as Shining remember that she had asked him the same question.
Cadance nodded, looking down.
“Yes, I trust you...”
He moved towards his wife and lifted her chin, kissing her silently on the lips.
“Then stay here and go back to bed. I'll explain everything when this whole mess is over. In the meantime, I pray you'll forgive me for what I've done...”
Shining turned and didn't say another word as he headed out the door, leaving Cadance alone in their bedchamber. He traveled through the dimly lit corridors with a seriousness of purpose, walking diligently and with professional, military bearing until he reached the entrance to the Royal Quarters, where he was stopped by the two guards.
“Halt! Who goes there?” the brown one asked sternly, lowering his spear.
“I believe it's the Captain, Mer,” the gray one said.
“The Captain?”
“Former Captain,” Shining said, approaching then. “At ease men, no need to stand at attention for me.”
“I'm sorry, sir,” the brown one apologized. “I didn't recognize you there at first. What are you doing out and about at this witching hour?”
“Please,” Shining said. “I have to see Princess Celestia. It's urgent.”
“Urgent?” the gray one asked. “What's urgent?”
“I can't tell you,” Shining said sternly. “This is for the Princesses' ears only.”
“Well, I don't know, sir,” the brown one replied. “It being the middle of the night and the Princess sleeping, and all…”
“Please,” Shining said sharply. “This is very important.”
“It’s not that simple, sir,” the gray one said. “We're under strict orders from Night Storm: no one is allowed into the royal quarters after dark.”
“As your former commanding officer, I order you to let me by!”
“No can do, sir,” the brown one said, shaking his head. “We would be defying authority then; and you know, as well as us, what the penalty for that is.”
Shining shook his head in frustration.
“Look,” Shining sighed in frustration. “How can I get by?”
“No chance of it, sir,” the gray one replied. “Only way is if we're ordered by Night Storm – he's the Captain of the Guard now, and he's asleep.”
“Then go and wake him up,” Shining said. “I will speak to him myself.”
The two guards looked at the other and then back at Shining.
“Well?” Shining asked.
“I'm sorry, sir,” the brown one said. “But to do that, we'd have to abandon our post. On top of that, he doesn’t like to be disturbed.”
“I have had just about enough of your impertinence!” Shining fumed. “Let me by, or so help me, I'll-!”
“No need for that, sir,” the gray one said, trying to calm him. “We'll go fetch him.”
The guard turned to the other.
“Mer', you stay here and keep your post while I go and get the captain.”
“Yes, sir!” the brown one said, snapping to attention.
Shining stood in several moments of prolonged expectation as he waited for the gray pony to return so he could talk with the Princess. An eternity seemed to pass until the guard returned with Night Storm following behind.
“I'm really sorry for waking you, sir, I really am; but our former Captain showed up and...”
“Is this the fellow?” Night Storm asked.
“Aye, sir,” the gray one said, nodding.
“What do you want here?” Night Storm asked, yawning.
“Night Storm, don't you recognize me?” Shining asked.
“Shining...?” Night Storm replied, rubbing his eye. “We'll aren't you a sight for sore eyes? What's the meaning of waking me up like in this? What do you want?”
“I must talk with the Princess,” Shining said. “It's of the utmost importance.”
“What about?” Night Storm asked.
“I can't tell you,” Shining said. “This is only for the Princess.”
“That's what he said, sir,” the gray guard said. “He wouldn't tell us either.”
“Look, Shining,” Night Storm replied. “You come barging in here at this hour and demand an audience with the Princess. It doesn't work like that – tonight of all nights, especially. We're on high alert at it is, so unless you have a damn good reason, I'm not letting you through.”
“Not even for a friend?” Shining asked.
“It's not about whether we're friends or not. I'm entrusted with the Princesses' security. I can't just let anyone go through.”
“But...”
“I'm sorry, my friend, but whatever you have to say to the Princess, can wait until morning.”
“But it can't wait until morning! Don't you understand? I haven't something she must hear!”
“You keep saying,” Night Storm replied. “But you won't tell us what it is.”
“Storm!” Shining exclaimed. “You knew me when I was in the cadet academy! We were in the same company! You know me! I’m no threat!”
“No, Armor, but that's irrelevant to the point. I'd suggest that you turn around and go back to your room and tell her Majesty what you wish her to know tomorrow.”
“It can't wait!” Shining said, struggling to push his way through. “I must tell her! PRINCESS!”
“Men, escort the former captain back to his room, before he wakes up the whole palace.”
“PRINCESS!”
The two guards set on him and started pulling him away.
“There's a good fellow, sir,” the one said. “Don't fight it.”
“PRINCESS!”
The two guards dragged Shining along the corridor until a booming voice caused them to stop.
“What's with all the noise?” Celestia asked, as she descended the stairs above, donned her night attire.
“Your Majesty,” Night Storm greeted her bowing, surprised at her presence. “I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”
“What on earth is going on down here?” she asked.
“Nothing, your majesty, I was just escorting your nephew-in-law back to his room.”
“What's all this?” Celestia asked. “Why are you holding him? Let him go.”
Night Storm nodded and motioned to the guards, who released Shining from their grip.
“I'm sorry, my Lady,” Night Storm said, bowing. “He was wanted to speak with you, but wouldn't give a reason – so I turned him away.”
“Please, your majesty,” Shining said. “We must talk. It’s gravely important.”
“Can it not wait until tomorrow?” Princess Celestia asked.
“I’m afraid not, your majesty. It concerns your well-being.”
“My well-being?” Princess Celestia asked, taken back.
“Please,” Shining said moving towards her. “May we speak, alone?”
Princess Celestia sighed.
“Very well,” she said, rubbing her temples. “Night Storm, let him pass – we’ll get to the bottom of all this.”
“Yes, your majesty,” he grumbled. “Let him pass.”
The two guards stepped to either side as Shining passed by them, following the Princess as she led him through the Royal Quarters. They traveled down a hallway until they reached the Royal Bedchambers, and once inside, Celestia casually seated herself in a chair that lay near the door as Shining entered behind her.
“Now, what is it you wanted to tell me?” Celestia asked.
“Princess…” Shining began. “I think your life might in danger.”
“Danger?” Princess Celestia scoffed. “From what?”
“I believe my sister will betray you.”
The room became silent.
The Princess said nothing, and for a long time, only gazed at Shining; at last, she asked: “How have you come to this conclusion?”
“I have heard it.”
“And where did you hear this from?”
“I’ve heard it from a reliable source – I think she has designs on your crown.”
“Twilight? With designs on my crown?” Princess Celestia asked. “I think not….”
“It’s true! I swear by my life, it’s true!”
“And how exactly do you know this?” Celestia asked, raising her brow.
Shining paused. He had to choose his words carefully; this revelation could just as easily implicate him in his sister’s plot.
“The rumors say…”
“Rumors!” Princess Celestia exclaimed with a laugh. “Is that all? My dear Shining, perhaps you are naïve to court gossip, but there are rumors about everything under the sun. You can’t actually believe them…”
“But it’s true! Have you seen how she’s acting?”
“Yes, I have. Twilight has been nothing but useful these past few days; helping me prepare for the funeral and being a paragon of modesty. Now,” Princess Celestia said, trotting to the door. “Unless you have something else to offer me beside these baseless accusations, I would recommend that your return to your bedchambers and prepare for tomorrow.”
“Wait!” Shining exclaimed. “I can prove it!”
“How?”
“I can prove it!”
“Go on…” Celestia said.
“Here’s how I’ll show you my sister’s true aims: tomorrow you are going to offer her Princess Luna’s crown, correct?”
“Yes…”
“Then if she is ambitious, will she not take the crown?”
“Shining,” Princess Celestia said, sighing. “I have personally encouraged her to take it; I don’t think it would be out of place for her to. You remember how I offered it to her tonight? And how many times she refused?”
“It’s all just a feint,” Shining said. “Twilight is ambitious and calculating, you must believe me. I know my sister. She desires your power more than anything; and tomorrow, in front of all the people, she will not hesitate to seize it.”
Celestia rested her head on her hoof.
“Twilight…a traitor; I just can’t wrap my mind around it.”
“She is a master of deception.”
“And how do I know that you’re not simply jealous of your sister’s position and wish to take it for yourself?” Celestia asked.
“Princess…” Shining said stunned. “For all those years, I was your Captain of the Guard- your faithful and reliable servant. How could you now doubt my sincerity now?”
“I don’t know, Shining,” Princess Celestia said, getting up. “You are not my Captain of the Guard anymore, and I have never had any reason to doubt your sister’s sincerity, either. Now you come to me and tell me that you believe she is plotting against me, which is, quite frankly, very hard to believe.”
“But it’s true!”
“And yet, you have no proof to offer, other than malicious rumors. So what then am I to assume, other than you are trying to discredit her to me?”
Shining bowed his head.
“I wish there was a way to make your believe me, but I know nothing I say will convince you. But please Princess, for my sake and yours, remember what I have said: my sister envies your power. She will take the crown tomorrow.”
“Is that all, Shining?” Princess Celestia asked sternly.
Shining nodded.
“Yes, your majesty.”
“Good, then I suggest you go reflect on your own motives and prepare for tomorrow.”
“Yes, your majesty,” he said, bowing obediently.
“Guards!”
The door instantly opened.
“Yes, your highness?”
“Escort the Prince back to his room.”
“At once, your majesty!”
The guards led Shining back through the Royal Quarters and down the hallway to his room, leaving Princess Celestia completely in the dark.