Land of Friendship and Magic

by Archmage Ansrit


Cutting deals

(Train, Present)

"Phantasma asked where had he learnt that." Flitter said.

"He said he learned those secrets from a fictional courtesan from an universe thrice removed from our own." Prosperity said. "He is a person with a really eclectic collection of pretty much anything."

"And with Typhon's machinery, ponies and changelings could learn many other things as well." Flitter emptied her glass, not bothering to count which one it had been. "Some of them didn't wait, however."

"So what happened after that?" Fancy Pants uncorked a new bottle.

"I found our missing changelings." Flitter said, having him refill her glass. "As it turns out, there was a large bathtub in the cabin, which could be used as a hot tub - with enough ink and space, you can do anything, and enchant it. Sure, large diagrams take more magic, but something that simple could use many small diagrams that a child could fill. Many of them found partners that week."

Prosperity was pressing her palms to her ears, using her tail to carefully bring her glass to her lips.

She so did not want to hear.

"Wind Whistler taught them how to use a little bit of Breath, so that they could draw in magic from the air itself and not get tired so quickly. We need less love than other hives as a result."

*****

Phantasma grew in ability

She was always so formal and humble, too. She was an anti-Starswirl, in that regard. He was easily-excitable, and somewhat arrogant, and he had the habit of assuming he was right first, then work to prove how right he was.

Phantasma was stern and gave an air of being aloof, but she was generous, and always pushed herself to be better, so that she could be guardian of all. She was the embodiment of her hive's philosphy; confuse and frustrate your enemies, hiding your family from harm. She was very afraid of making a mistake, too, that's why she trained with the others for subtlety.

Suzy's Ghost magic was like throwing gasoline at a fire. Ghost, phantom, apparition, vision, illusion - that's why.

Sadly, not long after becoming friends - not even a year - Phantasma's mother had her bout of paranoia...

We held a wake not unlike this one. Typhon's convenient machinery could make large amounts of high-quality liquor at very low costs.

We were exposed to his views on death. This is what he'd say:

"It might seem like their absence has torn something out of you, like they took something with them when they died, but that is because you are fixated on the wrong things. Remember that they have given you their time, and their love; that is a part of them that will stay with you forever." Or a variation of the sort. He never gets hung up on what he loses, because nothing gone is gone completely. Nothing lost is lost forever.

It has to do with the philosophy behind chakras. Life is hard, yes, but you should not let things cloud and poison your energies. That was the reason Clover was so unbelievably strong, and I shudder to think what would happen if Twilight Sparkle, already powerful as an emotional, somewhat easily-depressed filly, obtained the same aptitudes. There was a reason why Typhon never bothered making Wands or Needles for himself, after all - a reason that Twilight might just end up discovering.

Her heart is really soft; it's just a matter of her learning that soft does not mean weak. The way I've seen it, her social skills are abysmal, and doesn't know how to handle anything harsher than a disagreement between friends.

Regret? No... if anything, Phantasma would be the one... say, I think she didn't pass with regrets. I mean, you are safe, loved for who you are, and I know for a fact that she never missed a chance to tell you how much she loved you all. Even if she could not make it to this trip, I know she had faith in my ability to see it through.

Why, yes, your sister is going to be here; she was rather adamant in- yes. If you are sure, although it would be best if Fancy Pants stayed home, just for the meeting.

Chrysalis and her hive are not doing well, and she refuses us and our methods... if she develops more holes, I fear that she might attack after all.

*****

(Canterlot, morning)

Celestia swapped her 'old' accessories for the 'new' ones. The absence of the Sunblood-powered magic left her feeling... exposed, cold, naked, almost - it was silly, she acknowledged. Nevertheless, even after just a little bit of use they had felt like the embrace of an old friend, telling her that she was going to be safe and protected.

Those were difficult times.

Still, if what she heard was true, and this dragon was here - well, not 'here', if Twilight's letter about the duplicates was to be believed - then she did not want to be seen as needlessly aggressive. She had had enough of that after... no, she certainly changed her methods, but it wasn't until after she found out the thousand different ways she could have helped Luna, or the hundred different outcomes of her confrontation with Nightmare Moon, that she truly gave her 'sword' a rest, in favor of cleverness.

Not to say that she had let it dull or anything of the sort.

Blueblood had been dismissed already - and he had a hard time trying not to start skipping and prancing - and sent off to assemble his team and go off to have fun in the snow (though Celestia was unsure as to how he could consider being in the middle of a blizzard 'fun'). And now she just had to wait until the rumors started to spread before she started their plan; she had the time - and perfect excuse - to attend to the 'important matter of security' that the Guard had brought to her.

The dragon entered the room, wearing a golden dress and a scowl on her face.

For a moment, neither did anything. Prosperity stared at the princess, clearly upset, while Celestia gazed at the dragon apologetically.

Fierce purple eyes looked deep into tired rose eyes.

Nothing had to be said. They both knew what the other wanted to tell them.

One wanted to berate the other, perhaps give her a slap, then cry and wait for her to say those words that she so wanted to say.

The other wanted the first to let it out, to let Celestia know just how much she hurt; to assure her that, yes, she was sorry, and that she would do anything if it could help ease her pain.

A claw clenched, shaking... then released.

"That's all I can ask for." Prosperity sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"I know." Prosperity sighed again. "Even now, he'd do anything to keep the ponies safe, you know?"

"I... have considered it." Celestia said. "Just how much did he manage to hide from me?"

"Enough." Prosperity replied as she turned to the guard that had escorted her, nodding at him to let her friends pass. "I brought friends to make a partnership offer."

Three ponies entered the room. One, a snow-white unicorn of light build, with beautiful blue eyes and a golden mane reminiscent of Fluttershy's - albeit shorter -, wearing glasses, a thick white robe with red triangular designs along the edges, sleeves, and hood, which had cat-like ears sewn on top; she also wore boots, small ones on her forelegs, and long, thick ones on her hindlegs - if it were not for the plush carpet, Celestia was sure to hear the clicking of the metal horseshoes on the stone.

The second was a unicorn mare with proportions like those of Luna's back when she was restored. Black coat, yellow eyes and mane, and a cutie mark of the masks of Comedy and Tragedy.

The third was a teenager unicorn. She wore a dark green dress bordering on black, speckled with glittering stars; she also wore a round, wide-brimmed black hat with a black eight inside a white circle; she wore elegant green shoes. Her coat was also black, and her mane - short as it was - was yellow as well. Her eyes were hidden behind a red blindfold.

All three conducted themselves with... a regal presence. They bore a noble mantle, and far better than a good deal of the current generation of nobles - not unlike her dear nephew, once he dropped his exaggerated acting. The trio, notably the thin one, despite looking frail, and the young one, despite being the shortest in the room, held themselves like giants.

Celestia found herself smiling softly, and felt like it was easier to stay upright.

"If I'm going to entertain the idea of answering summons issued in your name, then I might as well do it right." Prosperity said, nodding. "I'm just the daughter and the librarian, after all."

"I am known as 'Snowmare', or the Black Queen." The young unicorn said, bowing slightly. "Following in the steps of my mother."

"I am known as the White Queen, or WQ for simplicity." The thin unicorn bowed as well.

"A thousand pardons, you highness." The last said, bowing. "I am currently lacking an appropriate pseudonym."

"You can be the elder Scourge Sister, if you- wait, there are others older than you, aren't they?" Prosperity began to mutter to herself. "How about 'Baffling Queller'? You are still better than all of them save Snowmare."

"That... might just work, although the meanings of the word are rather ominous."

"Good!" Prosperity clapped. "Now, we need complete privacy, so either we find somewhere, or they have to go."

Celestia didn't have to turn around to tell that the dragon was looking at her guards.

"There is a chamber for private audiences, follow me, if you please."

*****

The room itself was bordering on plain. It was more reminiscent of an office than anything belonging to royalty.

Which was just fine by them. Once biological and material needs were sated, it was wise to move on to something fulfilling; hobbies and such were excellent to avoid being caught in the clutches of greed and plain materialism.

The bookcase had books on law and taxes, the desk was an exercise in 'elegance through simplicity', and the most decorations were a pair of vases with flowers.

The curtains were drawn, and Prosperity brought a claw to her lips.

Celestia gave her a puzzled look, but nodded.

The youngest pony's horn started to glow, and a bubble expanded from her to sweep all over the room. Once, twice, and then a yellow sheen covered the window.

"There, now no-one can listen in - not even through the vibrations in the glass." She said.

Celestia would have pointed out that it had been something she had thought of herself, what with having been on the other side of the equation against Typhon's impressive paranoia (although it was caution, not paranoia, if there really was somepony after you), but if it helped them feel at ease - and it was truly that important...

"Princess, what do you know about changelings?" WQ asked, making Celestia understand what a good deal of the conversation would be about.

"I have the impression that you know the answer to that yourselves." If Typhon, destructive as he might be, trusted them, then it was possible that they didn't-

"Well, we do not take the place of a real pony." The larger BQ said, confirming Celesita's thoughts. "However, there is another hive that has set its sights on Equestria; they are nowhere near to accepting our principles of cohabitation."

Celestia sighed mentally. Why was it that everything decided to threaten the country now? Nightmare Moon alone was more danger in one night than what had been seen since... Nightmare Moon... huh, she really should think that kind of things in advance. The point remained; the most dangerous situation for ponies in modern times were unruly dragons and threats against Equestria's allies that asked for their aid.

"And what do you know of the countries down south?" WQ asked, smiling cordially. "Specifically, of Equestria's southern neighbor?"

"I suspect that anything I answer is going to be incorrect." The princess sighed. So there was the place Typhon holed himself up whenever he dropped out of the face of the country!

She wasn't entirely mistaken; he did spend a good deal of time there.

"Not entirely. We simply live in the 'unwanted' portions of the country, and our changelings earn their places in society just like any other. One would think it would be maddening, living under two rulers, but changeling culture is very flexible and efficient in that respect."

"It's a combination of meritocracy and capitalism. We use love instead of money for the most part, however; to acquire a good or obtain a service, we use both money and love. The more you act for the benefit of the hive, the more you are liked, the more love you get, which allows you to do more things for which others will like you; changelings don't hoard love, not on either hive, since it's counterproductive to the task of gathering more love."

"We want an alliance with Equestria - this land is filled with more love than any other in the world." Well, they had changelings living there already, but Chrysalis could not be allowed to tarnish the reputation of changelings everywhere. Besides, it was not like they were the only shapeshifting race in the world, or even the country. "We have various things to offer for said alliance, too; I am, as my robe indicates, an expert on healing spells, and more, like keeping bogeymanes from being troublesome."

"Bogeymanes?" Celestia looked at them with confusion. "You talk about them as if they were real creatures."

Prosperity idly noted that it would be a perfect moment to play the 'record scratch' sound effect.

"Princess... aren't you Luna's sister?" Snowmare asked, baffled. "How can you not know that they are real?"

"Possibly the same way Typhon didn't know he had an epithet in thousand plus years." Prosperity spoke. "It just never comes up, you know."

"I always figured that she was referring to the nightmares that caused foals to think there were monsters in their closets, or under their beds."

"Well, it is not that." Snowmare pulled her blindfold off, revealing two normal, yellow eyes. "WQ, I need your glasses."

The white mare passed the accessory with her magic, and the glasses suddenly became dark.

"You cannot see my eyes, but I'm rolling them." Snowmare deadpanned.

"What is it, sis?" BQ asked, while WQ blushed and Prosperity slapped a claw to her face.

"She's using an incredibly saccharine image of kittens and/or puppies as a background." Prosperity guessed, and WQ just blushed harder and hid behind her hood - rather like Fluttershy, Celestia noted.

Celestia could, quite clearly, see Typhon's influence in his allies.

"I suppose that is one of Typhon's artifacts." Celestia hadn't seen much besides the rockets, armors, and weapons, but she had just about given up in trying to figure him out. Rather like Twilight with Pinkie.

"Yup." Prosperity said, while Snowmare's horn started to glow.

"BQ-Actual here, turn on your camera." Snowmare said, projecting an illusion over the wall.

"Prosperity, what is that?" Spike's voice asked, while the interior of the library appeared on the 'screen'.

"Something to talk with friends over long distances." The real dragoness answered, holding the point of view on her claw. She was using a tablet, with the screen-side camera active.

"We need proof of the existence of bogeymanes." WQ said.

"On it! Spike, if Twilight comes back early, tell her I'm away on important diplomatic business!" The white dragon then saluted and darted out of the building. The camera was still on, though all they got to see was the dirt road as it swung back and forth.

A house came into the picture as she finally stopped running; she was holding the camera away from her. Prosperity knocked on the door, and a little unicorn filly answered it.

"Hello, Dinky!"

"Prospit!" The filly then squealed. "Eeeh! Princess Celestia! Yay!"

"Good morning, my little pony." If it took Discord to get her to break her polite demeanor, weird devices didn't even make the list.

"Are bogeymanes giving you trouble?" The real Prosperity asked very sweetly, to which Dinky groaned and huffed.

"Seven just this week!" Dinky waved her forelegs wildly, as if trying to convey the craziness of it all. "Mommy would have been in trouble, but Sparkler came in with Miss Sweetie and Whitey and saved us!"

"Did you catch one?"

"There's two; they apologized, said that the mood of the others got into their heads and made them do it. They are in the broom closet right now, so that it doesn't get more." She nodded, then turned around to lead the way.

The blonde mini-pony knocked on the door of the hall closet.

"Slendermane? Slendermare? Princess Celestia wants to speak with you." Dinky called, and a sound answered.

It was a collection of sounds that cobbled words together, and, thought disturbing and creepy, Celestia caught a muttered swearword or two. It, quite appropriately, sounded like the voices she heard in her own nightmares, whenever the ghosts of her mistakes talked to her. Nightmare Moon's gloating, Luna's cries or her (imagined) anger, Discord's laughter at having bested Twilight...

Celestia's ear flicked.

"Hey!" Prosperity shouted, indignation clear on her voice. "There are fillies out here, you little Tulpa!"

"Forgive me..." The chilling composite voice spoke as the door opened. "If talking to the princess of the SUN is not a prospect that fills me with joy."

The creature was pony-like, but lacked any features. It could be easily mistaken for a tailor's dummy wearing a rather dapper black suit, if not for the odd movement where it looked like he had no bones in his body - only from time to time, nothing too extreme, and quick (blink and miss). In her opinion, that just made it worse; she could almost think of him as either too different from her subjects or pony-like enough, but his mannerisms were accurate enough to draw out that sense of familiarity just for those small moments of wrongness to stamp them to pieces. That, and the voice, made Celestia's ear flick again.

Luna should be the one dealing with them. Luna was the one that loved spiders and bats and snakes and wrote disturbingly-dark poetry in that little black notebook that Celestia pretended with all of her mental power not to know about (she really shouldn't have read it).

There was another, like the first, but with... more graceful features (what little of them there were), and a long, silky black mane and tail.

"You've got a mate? Congratulations." WQ said. "If you are truly one of the better-behaved ones, we have a business proposition for you."

"It would be wrong to prosecute somepony just because they are born different." Celestia said, nodding. "Freedom is the right of all sapient beings."

Both featureless beings visibly relaxed, although the movement sent a ripple jiggling through their bodies. Another flick of the ear.

"I am going to have a busy schedule ahead of me." Celestia sighed. "Before we proceed to make a mutually-beneficial agreement, are there any more surprises you wish to spring on me today?"

"Of course." Prosperity('s duplicate) chuckled. "The true bargain chip here is in my claws."

The dragon took out a single sheet of paper, waving it.

"I am the keeper of the library of the Storm Pillars, which we call 'Star Memory'. This here in my claw is the missing page of Starswirl's last diary."

"How are you so sure it's missing?" The faceless... mare asked, the twists on the head suggesting a quirked 'eyebrow'.

"Because it was Starswirl himself who tore it out and gave it to us for safekeeping." WQ said, sighing. "He was always so impatient; he tried out his spell before Clover had a chance to talk him out of it."

Celestia thought about it for a moment.

"Why is it that Typhon does what he does? Why fight and befriend changelings and dragons?"

"Typhon knows that things will happen around him; he is a character in a story." Prosperity answered, looking forlorn. "And things happen regardless of his intentions; he can only hope to overcome them as they came. Yet, he figured that, if the villains could have vast empires, why not him? Why play by their rules? Why let narrative causality cause him difficulties?"

"Ah, so he's not that different from us." The pair of horrors in the closet said in unison. "We will be glad to help in any way we can."

Celestia, then had a horrible, evil, terrible idea.

"Say, I am going to need help from somepony knowledgeable in scaring..."