//------------------------------// // “Ask not the sun, why she sets..... // Story: Stories in Stone, Reign of Night // by TDR //------------------------------// Stories in Stone Reign of Night By TDR “Ask not the sun, why she sets..... My name is Twilight Sparkle, First Daughter of House Loyalty,Youngest child of the Noble Sparkle family, Squire to the Demon of Dullahan, Lord Kaisur, Student of The Goddess of Night and War, Empress Luna of New Equestria, the Nightmare Moon. I am also a dead mare trotting. I have no idea how it came to this, no, that is wrong, I know exactly how it came to this. I remember every little detail leading up to this point. Every failure, every plan, every encounter and problem that has brought me here. Ahh the perils of having a perfect memory. So here I am in my last moments of freedom, writing my life story so I won't be forgotten. I started writing this months ago, when the Empress sent me to that wretched little town where this all started. I doubt she knew what would happen, or if she did, I doubted she cared. I digress. I am writing this because I want some one to know what happened, someone to look at the events objectively perhaps to see where I went wrong and how this befell me. I could only hope if they promote a new Grand inquisitor that my case will be noted then, but it will be far too late for me by that point. I am writing this because despite everything, I still have my love of books, to have my name as the author of one, even if it is my own pathetic tale is a better epitaph for me than any thing that could be carved on a head stone. I will explain everything as best as I can, as I do not know if you, the reader, will be familiar with the world as I know it, so I shall be making notes of it as well. The world that you live in may be vastly different than the one I inhabit now. The last few months have already changed the world irrevocably, the next few days may change it further, with or without my presence in it. I shall start where this all began for me. Ponyville. ************************************************************* There are six great houses in Equestria, Magic, Loyalty, Honesty, Compassion, Generosity, and Laughter. Each is based off on an aspect of the artifacts known as the Element's of Harmony and each is led by their chosen immortal bearers. It has been this way since Empress Luna and her Champions defeated the former ruler of Equestria. The Empress's sister, the Goddess of the Sun, known now by historians by the name of The Solar Flare. Strangely there is nothing bad to say about the former Goddess's reign. The books I have read about her only state that she was weak. There is nothing about corruption or evil. Most books state she was simply unfit to rule. However she refused to stand aside when asked. Her refusal to step down from a position of power was what sparked the Equestrian Civil War, or what the other races call the War of Night. After her sisters defeat and the reclamation of Canterlot from forces loyal to Solar Flare, the Lunar Republic began a campaign of securing Equestria from all potential threats. The dragons had already been routed and the seaponies nearly destroyed utterly by the Lunar Guard before the war even began. The Diamond Dogs gave up immediately considering how things had gone for them against the weaker sisters forces. A number of other races either signed agreements or surrendered when ordered. The only two holdouts were the Griffons and the Harpies. For the first time in the history of both of the races, the waring avian cultures joined forces against a greater threat to themselves. The failure of that alliance is still regarded as the biggest faux pas in recorded history. The joined avians managed to destroy one Lunar Republic outpost near the edge of their territory. This attack, even at such a small target did not go unnoticed by the Empress, though despite what was expected she only sent a small force out to retake the outpost. A group numbering no more that thirty ponies. The griffon and harpies pride was wounded by the reaction. They expected an all out war, not to be treated as if their army was little more than a pack of bandits that needed to be dealt with. Imagine their surprise when this small force they thought was an insult, not only retook the outpost, but also the three aeries in the immediate area around the outpost, wiping out the inhabitants to the last before moving on in a progression that destroyed four more of the griffons aeries before the Harpies and Griffons could organize a retaliation. The Avians sent three waves of battle hardened griffons and Harpies after this small band of Equestrians. None of the attackers came back and the extermination of aeries continued without even a pause. By the time the Republic force made it to the griffons capitol there were only three aeries left intact. Two of them had surrendered outright rather than face annihilation and by some small mercy their surrender was accepted. The last aerie where the leaders and the last of the Harpy race hid was not offered the chance to surrender. The small group was composed entirely of members of the 42nd, Luna's Hoof and was lead by those known as the Five Beasts of the Moon, Empress Luna's Generals. The resistance was offered nothing and not a soul inside was spared. The former capitol of the griffon Empire was turned into a macabre display of gruesome torture and death. Like Cindervale before it, the place was turned into an example of what happened when someone crossed Equestria. The world was changed after that. The Lunar Republic took control of the Griffon and Harpy lands as well as securing all of the former Dragon lands, tripling the land held by Equestria. A number of races also met their end entirely during that expansion. The Orc's and Harpies were both wiped out to the last, and the griffons were reduced to little more than a fifth of what they once were. Their gods were killed and those left were given the choice to swear fealty to the Empress or join their leaders in death. Despite the harshness of her actions The Empress proved she knew mercy as well and allowed the remaining Griffons and even the scattered Dragons that were left to join the Lunar Republic. They were accepted as equals, not as the subordinate or a sub race like most expected. The following years were considered by many to be the Golden age of the Lunar Republic. Princess Luna declared herself Empress and Knighted her Generals to become the lords of her new Equestria. The day's became shorter as the night took dominance. The sun was still allowed to rise and fall so that the world didn't freeze and farmers could grow crops. It was the markets and the life of those who dwelled in the cities that changed the most. Night became the time which Equestria was most active as nobles and workers still wishing favor with the new rule changed their schedules to be awake at night, and the rest of society followed. Over the course of a thousand years a new subspecies of all the races seemed to evolve. There were still the three main races of Pony as well as the three half Dragon races that were based off the pony tribes, but now there was a difference between those who lived in the sun and those who lived at night. Farmers and others who were awake during the day did not change from once was considered a stock pony coloration. Bright hues and fur coloration remained the same with them. The majority of ponies however had taken to living at night, their coats and manes were just as varied as they had once been, but the colors were more muted, the trade off was the better development of night vision among those of the night. One of the unfortunate side effects of this was since nearly all the nobles and 'important pony’s' coloration had changed with the generations. The ones that remained active during the day were easy to tell apart and a rift appeared between the nobility and the ones known as day walkers. It started as a insult and eventually became a stigma of a lower class or even a lower species of pony. The Empress frowned upon the practice, but did little about it as she and her Generals were working on the beginnings of the six houses and could not be troubled to stop every bout of the growing racism until it was already ingrained beyond repair. This persisted for several hundred years until a new crisis came about and a new lower class was created. A small number of ponies began to come of age without developing a cutie mark, at first it was considered an oddity, but as the numbers of those who's flanks were blank increased the worry did as well. Several studies were done, the ponies in question did indeed find their talents, though no mark appeared due to it. Fearing an epidemic of some kind, when possible those affected were shipped somewhere else so as not to infect others with what was becoming thought of as a curse. The majority of them somehow wound up in the farming community of Ponyville. Concerned about this development the Empress decreed that all of the blanks be sent to Ponyville for both their own safety and to cease the muttered unrest and growing panic about a possible epidemic. The Empress then sent her best student to oversee the research being done on the blanks to possibly find a cure, or at least a reason for the curse. This is of course where I come in. =============================================== I shut my book with a soft thud wishing that I could become engrossed enough in my reading that the droning of the guards pulling my chariot could be ignored. Sadly they had slowly gotten louder and louder in their musings and complaints since we left Whinnysor. “I still don't get this shit. Why the hell are we taking this damned mare all the way out here ourselves? Just dump her blank flank on the train and let her ride out here with all the other cursed.” the pegasus on the left grumbles. “You received your orders same as me. Ours is not to ask the why of the order, but to simply carry it out.” responds the one on the right. “Yeah, yeah, I get that, but I don't want to catch whatever the buck she has. Last thing I need to have happen is wake up and have my mark fall off my ass.” the first swears again. “What planning on trying to stick your dick in? That's the only way you'll catch it. Course that might be the only way you get any. Find a desperate little blank mare needing some action. Unless you swing the other way, but there's blank colts too.” the second Guard taunts. “Buck you.” "Now see I don't swing that way." I wince at their ignorance, though I am not able to help myself. The only cure for ignorance was knowledge, or removing them from existence, though the latter, while more effective, did not teach anything. I lean over the front of the carriage, nearly yelling at them over the wind, well at least I knew now why they had gotten so loud. “It does not work like that. The curse only effects those who are without a cutie mark. They simply do not get them. “I respond completely disgusted with these two already. “ If you already possess your mark then there is no way for you to lose it unless you piss of a skilled mage and she burns it from your flesh.” The pair flinched looking back as if they had not expected me to hear their conversation. If they had not wanted that then they should have talked quieter. “Umm, our apologies Lady Twilight we were unaware you had woken.” The one on the right blurted out.Clearly he was the only one with any survival instincts. The one on the left was clearly not as bright, granted his earlier words proved that. “ So you're saying the only way any pony can catch this thing is if they're still a kid, so any foals I have would get it?” I sigh at having to explain this, but it was the mission tasked to me by the Empress. Find a cure or a cause, and this level of ignorance running about would only stifle that goal. “As I said the curse only affects those who have not gained a cutie mark. Still there is no guarantee that it will. Some children of those cursed gain their cutie mark and some do not, like wise marked parents have a fifty fifty chance of their foal gaining a mark or not. The number has risen in recent years, but it is not yet an epidemic, just far too common for any ones liking.” “Errrrr. I still don't get it.” I slap my face with my hoof wondering if they had started waiving IQ tests for Guards. Perhaps there was a reason these two were on chariot duty. “In simpletons terms you can mount any mare that you like, cursed or not, and your chances of having a cursed foal are the same.” He ponders for a moment before grinning wide. “Any mare I like huh? So how bout you and.....” “If you finish that sentence I will order your wing mate to cut off your genitalia and feed it too you.” I snarl. “ Get me to Ponyville and then get out of my sight.” “We still have a bit of time before them Miss.” the guard on the right comments trying to stifle a chuckle at his wingmates clear discomfort. “The fly faster, and be silent. The longer I spend in the company of your mutual stupidity the more I like the idea of neither of you being allowed to procreate.” The cart lurches as the pair redouble their efforts and I sink back down out of the wind picking up my book once more. This is why I hate dealing with ponies, it's always about status, bits, or sex with all of them. =================================================== My name is Twilight Sparkle of House Loyalty, First Student of Empress Luna, the Nightmare Moon, ruler of the Lunar Empire of Equestria. I have been tasked with an important assignment by my Empress. One that modern medical science has yet to be able to comprehend. So the Empress gave the task to the most powerful spell caster in the land which unfortunately happens to be me, her student. A cutie mark is a ponies personal sigal. It defines who they are and what they are good at, though the mark itself is usually open to interpretation to it's meaning. Which is why a pony with three smiling flowers on her flank could be considered to have a talent for teaching rather than gardening. The main thing a mark does aside from help to identify a ponies place in society is that it is usually the sign of a pony reaching maturity, and that their path in life is laid out before them for all to see. While they still develop talents and find their way in life, the cursed are considered to be a ill omen. They are often shunned by others of their age group and family. The suicide rate for the cursed is quite high and even if they continue with their lives, no matter how full, there always seems to be a part of them that is missing. There is a longing there that cannot be expressed into words properly. Trust me, I speak from experience in this case, as i suffer from this malady as well, but I choose to not let it define me. Despite the fact others choose to try and define me by it. What the cursed can do with their lives is quite limited as very few of the more advanced trades, or jobs that require interaction with the public will accept them due to the stigma associated with them. There are exceptions of course. The military will always accept warm bodies, even with no one to fight the Empire always has a force ready just in case. Then there are the very rare cases like mine where skill trumps stigma. For the others, with no work or chance at bettering themselves, many turn to life on the streets often being cast out of their homes when their cutie mark fails to appear. This has caused a rather ridiculous spike in crime rates as well as a increase in dissident in the Empire. The Empress realized this was a growing problem and took measures to prevent a new lower class from being created with only marginal success. Which brings us to Ponyville. The town was founded as a refugee camp at the end of the first dragon war. It has served as many things over the years. A hub for trade, a mining community, a home to powerful spell casters, the birthplace and end of the Followers of the Sun resistance, a battle field, and a mass grave site. It was also the birthplace of two of the five Lords of the Empire, Lord Kaisur and Lord Pelt. The influence of these two has kept the town from simply being removed from the map, though once again it has a purpose beyond simply a place for the Empire's subjects to live. The Empress had all of the cursed that were either abandoned or wished for something more brought to the town with the intention of running it and turning it back into a thriving community. This plan worked quite well, though there were far more cursed than initial expectations and the town was expanded. Now at least ninety five percent of the known cursed reside in Ponyville. With the announcement of my task of solving the mystery of the affliction the number will likely sharply climb. Each of the great Houses will likely send a representative to this town as well since it has been announced that I shall be living here. While there is no known infighting among the Houses there has been a great deal of tension among them since the rift formed between House Compassion and House Generosity. No one but the Lords and the Empress know the reasons for it though it is rumored that the Lord of one house denied the other something. The issues with the houses are not my concern however. I did not wish to move here to study the curse, but it was safer for me here than in Winnysor Castle. Being the first student of the Empress placed me into a position of power where I was on par with the heads of the families. I only need to follow orders from the house heads or the Empress herself. My words carried just as much weight as those who fought for their positions in the ever changing social ladder. Just by being chosen I made enemies. Had I minded my own business and stayed out of politics I might have been fine despite that. I made the mistake of trying my hoof at politics and law a few times. The proper heads of my house, my brother, Lord Armor and Lady Cadence, his wife, expressed no issue with me one way or another. However I made the mistake of countering one of Lady Octavia's commands. Considering what she has been through in her life and how hard she has fought to prove herself worthy of the position she holds in House Loyalty, she has no respect for one who has reached the same level of power because they happen to be good at something. Still as long as I was the Empress's student she would be unable to touch me, for a while at any rate. The Empress, as I later found out, is some what fickle in regards to her students. When one stops growing as a practitioner of magic or reaches their peak, then the Empress loses interest and seeks another first student to train, leaving the first to their own devices. One who has fallen from favor of the Empress will not be missed if they vanish. While I have not yet reached my peak, I am no fool. Hence why I am here in this wretched place. Even if I fall from favor of the Empress now I still have a task which the House of Magic and Loyalty are in support of and thus remain untouchable until my work is complete, or I fail. And if I succeed in curing this curse, my status will grow immensely, preventing anyone from daring anything against me. After all how would one go about killing a savior? I do not profess to enjoy the manipulation I need to undertake, and if I had been smarter during my brief foray into the noble courts I wouldn't be in this position. Granted at this point in my life I am no longer a novice in it either. =================================================== “Lady Sparkle we have arrived.” one of the cart pullers states. I assume it's the smarter one as the voice grates on my nerves far less than I expected. I stand back up in the chariot, looking down at the town below me. In the moon's light it was easy to see a number of points of interest. The town was awash with activity and a number of faintly glowing lights and bioluminecent flowers were being placed about the cities limits. The cart descended towards a group of ponies that seemed to be waiting for it and I saw the pink haired form of the earth pony mayor among them. This was something else I had been dreading. Though I expected to be recognized, I did not however expect that I would be greeted as such. My prideful thoughts were quickly stifled as I noted the banners welcomed the Empress, not me. Torn between a mix of relief and annoyance at my own ego, I quickly left the chariot as it landed letting the gathered ponies rush forward to take my bags as the mayor bowed before me. “Greetings Lady Sparkle we have been expecting you.”The Mayor Mare states as she rises. “ Please excuse the state of things, the information about your arrival was lost in the preparations of the Empresses visit tomorrow for the thousand year anniversary of her victory.” The Midyear Moon Celebration, a thousand years ago to the day The Empress and her companions defeated The Goddess of the Sun and began the push to bring about a unified world. In my haste to prepare and get here I had completely forgotten the event. Not as if it was widely celebrated in any way within House Loyalty. Most of us followed Lord Jer'rahd's moods when it came to events and despite his stoic demeanor, it was clear to any from his house that he became far more morose and depressed around the Midyear Moon Celebration. It was also the time of the year he stuck much closer to the Empress. Considering how public their relationship was that he remained closer to her during this time wasn't noticeable to any pony aside from those who were closest to the pair. Despite spending most of my life near the Empress I never noticed her acting any different around this time of year. “That is quite alright Mayor. I do not expect there to be any fuss over my presence any way. I am here for research, not to run the place.” The pink haired mare barely hides a exhalation of relief. Most of the legislative branch of the government came from House Honesty or Generosity as both Houses tended to be well suited for the job of running things day to day. Mayor Mare, yes that is her real name, was from a side family of House Honesty. While not one of the cursed herself she was known not to treat them any differently than ponies who had their cutie marks, thus earning her the position here. When news of my arrival reached her ears she must have thought she was being replaced and been panicked by the idea. “Alright then, this way please Lady Sparkle, the library has been set up for you. No one has really used it for several years since the unicorn that formerly lived there passed on. It should have all the facilities you need for your research. If it does not please let me know and I will do what I can to ensure that you have what you need.....” She rambled on for a few more moments as we walked and I primarily tuned her out. It was the usual pandering to someone who was of higher rank and I already knew most of the lines. Halfway to the library however I was distracted by a number of shouts and curses from those carrying my luggage. Stopping to look back at the porters it seemed a pony had some how wandered into their midst and was tripping them up. My eyes narrowed a bit as a rather dirty pink pony with straight darker pink hair steps away from the group muttering to herself. A few half hearted kicks were aimed her way that the pony either ignored or took without so much as a flinch. The mare pauses lifting her head and meets my gaze, squinting a little as if she was having issue seeing what was going on, before she continues on her way stumbling over a few things as she walked. “My apologies Lady Sparkle. I did not expect her to be out this time of night. I rather wish you had not seen her.” the mayor stammers as I watch the mare walk off noting the slight bulge in her stomach and the blank flank she bore.. “Who is that?” I question. “ Pinkamenia Diana Pie. She's one of the Day Walkers who tends the farm outside of town. There are only a few of them. I can have her thrown out of town if you wish.” “No. Being a cursed and a day walker is bad enough without adding more to it. Besides she looks as if she is with foal. Just keep her out of the Empresses way tomorrow and everything will be fine.” “Of Course Lady Sparkle.” Day Walkers. One of the more polite slang terms for the the ones who work during the day tending the farms or other jobs that need to be done while everyone else is asleep. A thousand years after the fall of the sun Goddess and most of the races left in the world had taken up a nocturnal schedule as the Empress made the night last sixteen hours, raising the sun for a mere eight hours a day, just enough for crops to grow and to keep the world from freezing. A selection of her subjects chose to live during the day to tend these farms, perform Guard Duty or other tasks that needed to be done in the waking hours. Most of the Day Walkers were ponies who either had talents around things that could only be done in the sun or did not develop to adjust to the night like the rest of the world. Throw backs to another time. While those who walked in the day had brighter colorations than those who were active at night, it was little more than cosmetic. The thing that made the day walkers different from everyone else was their eyes. Day walkers pupils were much smaller than those who lived in darkness, often they were completely blind, or needed a bright light source to even see during the Empresses beautiful night. The Empress herself had once tried to prevent them from being a lower caste, but even she had difficulty swaying popular opinion at times. As such they were more often than not regarded as the lowest class in society. At least until the cursed came along, to be a Day Walker who was cursed was quite possibly the worse thing many could imagine and as such it was often used as a insult. I had heard that there were some day walkers here that were cursed, though I did not expect to meet one so soon. Out of all the pony types those that walked in the day had the lowest number of cursed leading some to believe that the night might be the cause. The Empress had the reports stifled immediately until more information could be gathered, it was one of the assignments she had suggested to test while I was here. With this being the first time I had met a Day Walker personally, I had also expected to feel the revulsion or nausea of the bright colors of their coats that many claimed to experience in their presence. Strangely though I could only feel pity for the mare as she continued on with whatever task brought her out into the night. ========================================================= “This is the Ponyville Library, Lady Sparkle. We have had it outfitted and have moved every ponies records here as you requested. There is a small apartment in the upper floor and a kitchen downstairs, the former librarian lived and worked here.” The Mayor droned on. I looked up at the massive oak tree with a combination wonder and shock. The trunk and leaves were vibrant, far more so than any other plant I had ever seen. Most plant life had adjusted to life without much sun and thus their coloration had dulled with time as they changed to suit the environment. This tree … , this tree was nothing like that. It was if it stubbornly refused to admit that darkness was greater than the day. It looked like images of trees I had seen in old books as a foal, it was far too bright and colorful to be real. “Ahh I see you noticed the odd look. The legend is that this tree was blessed by the Empress herself when it was planted and that is why it has such vivid colors now. I really don't know myself, plants were never my thing.” The mayor continued on about pointless town history as the porters started gathering my luggage to move it inside. “This will do nicely. Thank you. That will be all for now Mayor.” I state receiving a bow from the Mayor and the porters, though she lingered a bit as if wanting to say something else, whatever it was, was cut off by someone else. “Ah certainly hope this'll do, since you ain't going ta be staying at mai place. Sides this here's the second nicest place in town, rather fitting for ah student of tha Empress ah suppose.” quips a voice . My ears flatten as I turn my head catching sight of a pale orange coated mare with black stripes, sporting a sandy blond mane tied up with a cord at the end. Her body was partially covered in light armor that was festooned with pouches and pockets. A black, wide brimmed western style hat rested on her head covering her eyes. Despite the fact she was standing nearly right beside me leaning against the tree, if she hadn't of spoken I likely would have never seen her at all. Still now that I noticed her I quickly identified the sigal marking her armor and groaned in annoyance. The mayor and her entourage of porters spotted the half pony half zebra, clearly knowing who she was the group took off leaving my luggage at the door. It was never good to get involved in house politics if they didn't directly concern you. “I was wondering when one of you would show up. So how long has House Generosity been following me?” I snap, not liking that I was already being spied upon, despite knowing it was coming. “Just since ya got off the chariot. Not like ah fly any way. Yah wern't exactly trying to be hidden in that big silver thing any way ah 'spect” the orange and black pony states stepping away from the tree and closer to me with a wide smirk on her face. My eyes ran over the mare noting a number of hidden weapons and the usual odd components and gear of one of the intelligence gathering ponies that worked for House Generosity. The southern drawl and zebra markings announced her a member of the Apple family. The second great family of House Generosity right behind the Pelts. Her armor didn't cover her flank and her orange black coat was bare of any other markings. It seemed she was cursed as well, either that or she had covered her mark to get closer to me. One could never tell with House Generosity. “And what do you want?” I question. “Just makin mai self known fer now. Smart mare like you prolly knew one or two of us were gonna be here any way so no sense trying to keep that a secret. Names Applejack by the way.” “Eeerrr, right.” I blinked in surprise at the straight answer. “No offense, but I didn't expect an honest answer from one of you.” “Not all of us are secrets and lies Lady Sparkle. Some of us are a bit more diplomatic. Sides, everypony’s interested in finding out what causes tha curse. I'm here tah be tha contact from House Generosity, so get used tah seeing me. Also give me a hollar if you need help with something, got mai own vested interest in you succeeding in a cure.” Applejack chuckles a little.” Just a bit of warning for yah though. If yah ken cure this yer gonna make House Compassion look like foals. So it'll be them that yah need tha watch out for.” Applejack rambles on walking around me giving me the once over from under the brim of her hat. I've summoned and controlled monsters with claws bigger than me and yet this mare pacing around me made me feel more like a sheep staring at a wolf than any other thing I’d experienced. “And how many of those are here?” “Got a whole hospital full of um. My counterpart with them is probably there, trust me yah won't be able to miss her prissy flank no matter how hard yah try. But fer now you'll need tah deal with House Honesty's contact. Word is they're sending someone real important to keep contact and protect yah while your here.” Applejack points a hoof towards the sky. “Prolly them now judging by how fast they're going.” I look back to where the zebra pony mix was pointing, seeing a shape glimmering in the moon light headed right for the library. I look back to Applejack to ask her a few more questions only to find the mare was gone. “Delightful.” I grumble mostly to myself before looking back and watching the pegasus draw closer. As the figure drew near it was easy to tell a few things about the mare. First off, providing that the Shadowbolt flight suit she wore was authentic, and there was no reason to doubt it was not, the mare was from House Honesty. Secondly judging by the silver pips barely visible on the collar of her uniform she was a Squad Commander. While it was not that high of a rank, it was classed as officer rank and not a position I expected they would have pulled for guard duty, even for one such as myself. If that was what she was here for at any rate, while I had no reason to doubt AppleJack's word, I had no reason to trust her either, and with House Generosity it was better not to trust them too much. The sizable pair of saddlebags were another thing of note, clearly she was going to be staying here a while and had just arrived same as me. The last thing I noticed was her short mane, it was like a box of crayons had exploded and she had soaked her head in it. Her short cut tail was of the same mixed and rather bright coloration. This had me more than a little worried. I knew of only one pony who had hair like that, and to think that she was now here made me even more nervous about my job. The mare lands lightly before be snapping a sharp salute to me with her pale blue wing, not bothering to remove her flight mask or goggles. With the large opaque disks covering her eyes I couldn't read her expression at all, couple that with the pair of wing blades she had strapped to her sides tucked under the mass of gear and i didn't know what to expect.. “Squad Commander Rainbow Dash reporting for duty as ordered, Lady Sparkle.” Rainbow Dash, a name that I knew well. As a student of the Empress herself I was accustom to random tests and countless hours of study, honing my mind to be the best pupil I could be for her. This often left little time for any sort of socializing or anything other than practice and work. I had it easy compared to some of the other Houses however. House Laughter had the Platinum Swan. Lady Scale's personal musical group. Those who had heard the group had claimed their music was beyond unbelievable and after hearing them play even one song any other musician sounded like an ally cat yowling at the moon. The thing was once you were in the Swan you had to be perfect, all the time, every time. The group's turnover was insanely high as the stress of this requirement eventually got to everypony who ever joined the group. If you left the group however, you were done, you could count your musical career as finished for anything more than playing in a seedy bar somewhere. That was still better than the rumor of what happened if you failed in a performance. Generally any who did that simply vanished, some said the other members of the band killed them others say they simply fled as far away as they could get. The latter would explain why there were a number of wandering bards in the Zebralands. The Swan was required to maintain the utmost decorum and perfection at all times. More than a few musicians had died while performing in the swan, but so great was their drive to play that no one noticed until after the performance was over and their bodies stopped moving. House Loyalty had the Lunar Guard. A group of soldiers who were so elite and so devoted to the protection of the Empress that they cut out their own tongues when they were admitted to the unit so there was no chance they would ever betray any secrets they might overheard. I was often surrounded by these individuals, their black dyed coats, obscured cutie marks and similar armors made them indistinguishable from each other. Each was hoof picked and personally trained by Lord Kaisur himself. Like the Swan the only way out was death, also like the Platinum Swan admission to the guard was not mandatory, but it was strongly encouraged if you were selected by Lord Kaisur. My brother was one of these. House Generosity was a little more lax. The Grand Inquisitor was simply to be a impartial judge of the law and it was a position that changed often when it was felt that the current Inquisitor was no longer impartial or wished to step down. House Compassion's Surgeon General was much the same. A high position that oversaw all research into medicine and was in command of the medical corp, the Queens Cross. This tended to be a position that rotated a great deal as well, considering the stresses involved in keeping tabs on everypony’s well being. And then there was Rainbow Dash, the First Child of House Honesty. Lady Silvertail took a female foal from every generation and trained them as her own daughter. This was not far from what the Empress did with her First Student, but the focus was more on the physical rather than the mental. The First Child of House Honesty was trained, drilled and brought up to embody everything that House Honesty stood for and to be the very best at everything they did. With the exception of Lady Silvertail herself, there was no better flier in the entire world than Rainbow Dash right now. That she was so young old and had already achieved a rank that ponies in their fifties had never gotten close to was a testament to her skill. Honesty did not cheat the system to promote the First Child, Rainbow Dash had earned everything she had. What troubled me was that the Lady of Honesty rarely ever let her chosen wander far from her sight. I had no desire to meet Lady Silvertail again any time soon, the few times I had the mare absolutely terrified me with just a stern look, and she didn't seem to have any other expressions. “Why.... why are you here? Is Lady Silvertail here?” I stammer looking around. “Negative, Lady Sparkle. Lady Silvertail has assigned me to act as her liaison here, act as your guardian, as well as assist you in any way I am able. She is at present still in Whinnysor.” Dash belted out in a rather crisp if some what annoyed tone. “Really. She must think this task of mine far more important than anypony else does to send you here. This will likely be the first time in near history that the First Child has been present without the Lady Silvertail near by. I suppose i should be honored.” I respond, feeling my ego slowly build again now that I knew the Lady of House Honesty wasn't going to pop up. “No offense Lady Sparkle, but for an egghead such as you, you certainly don't catch onto things very quickly. Either that or you are too full of yourself to realize why I would be sent here instead of anypony else. This is a town for the cursed and station really doesn't matter when everyone is afraid of becoming infected.” I blink as the pieces falling into place. “Of course you're cursed as well.” I hear myself mutter in disbelief. ”I never knew that.” “I would expect you wouldn't. It's not something made common knowledge. Lady Sparkle. And by order it is still not to be made so.” I growl lightly,not liking that I would have to deal with this mare. It was bad enough that Applejack had told me that all the houses had a representative here, now I had a bodyguard to deal with. Particularly one who clearly didn't wish to be here either and seemed to be trained to be as blunt and crass as possible. “While I appreciate the offer I have to refuse, I do not need some pony watching over me while I try and save Equss here.” “Lady Sparkle you seem to misunderstand. This is not a request. I assure you I would rather be anywhere else aside from dealing with a sniveling noble mage who thinks she's better than everypony else, but I have my orders, and short of getting Lady Silvertail to change them there is nothing you can do about it.” “There is plenty I can do about it.......” I growl, as my horn starts to glow. I could probably just teleport her into a rock and be done with it. They would never find the body. “Not to shove my own credentials in your face, but you know my standing Lady Sparkle, don't you think you have more than enough enemies without trying to make one of the Lady of Honesty?” Rainbow Dash states not displaying a ounce of worry at the glow from my horn. I let my horn grow dark as I mutter swears in a number of languages under my breath. I rub my hoof against my face in defeat. Though I still spot the slight smirk at the corner of the mares face. “Fine, but you are not staying here and you need to keep out of my way.” “If that is your command Lady Sparkle. I need to secure my own residence and move it into position as it stands any way. That is unless you need some help with getting settled in.” “I'll manage on my own thank you very much.” I snap back. “Fine by me. I'll be back at sunset Lady Sparkle.” Rainbow Dash snaps a salute and takes off into the air again leaving me positively fuming. She was right however, I couldn't touch her or any of the ones sent by the houses, no matter how much they might aggravate me, I was on enough thin ice as it was. I needed to ignore them and focus on getting set up and starting my research. I was not fond of the fact that Rainbow Dash was correct in that I had a number of enemies simply from becoming the Empresses favored student. Octavia would surely end my life the moment the option presented itself, perhaps even before then if she believed she could get away without a murder being traced back to her. So long as the spotlight of the Empress's attention was on me I would be safe. I gathered the bags the porters left in my magic aura carrying it all inside. The longer it took me to find out some new information on the cursed, the closer I would be to my own demise. Right now though I simply wanted to get settled in and sleep, dawn was approaching faster than I liked after the tour of the town the Mayor gave me. Stepping into the library I was greeted with the same garish decorating for the Moon celebration that I had seen outside around town. I was also witness to the one responsible. The mare had no cutie mark so was obviously cursed as well, I really shouldn't have been surprised at this point. A well groomed and pampered purple mane fell in stylized curls over her back and around her faintly glowing horn as she hung up more streamers. Her white coat positively glowed from her fore hooves all the way down to the curled purple tuft at the end of her serpentine tail. Seriously it was like the half dragon had some how polished her white scales enough to make them like mirrors. It hurt my eyes to look directly at her in truth. The day walkers had nothing on the glow this one had. “Alright this is getting ridiculous. Who are you and why are you in here?” I snap, the half dragon yelps lightly whirling quickly, her polished rear claws clicking on the wooden floor as she turned to face me. “Oh. I really didn't expect anyone else to come and help me. Be a dear and start putting up those streamers on the other side of the room there. This place clearly hasn't been touched in years. If I had the time to clean it up a little first I would, but there is still so much to do.” “I'm not here to help you decorate. This is supposed to be where I am staying.” “Don't be silly dear this is a public library, not a hotel. There is one at the end of the street on the left, very large building you simply cannot miss it.” the half dragon states, completely disregarding my statement.” If you would like I can show you the way, just let me finish up in here. I do so love these festivals, it will be nice to have a bit of cheer around here at least for a little while. And the Empress herself is supposed to come here. How gracious is that?” I rub my head with my hoof, at this rate I was going to wear a bald spot in my temple. “First off, this is where the Mayor told me I was staying, second off who are you and why are you decorating a library when the ceremony is going to take place at the town hall?” “Oh I finished the Town hall hours ago and I had so many decorations left I decided to go ahead and decorate everything. Hmm, oh yes I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Dr. Reighnolds, though everyone calls me Rarity. And who might you be?” “Lady Sparkle of House Loyalty.” I snap back. Her answers were only increasing my headache, surely she couldn't be this stupid and ditzy. Particularly considering her title, though knowing she was a doctor made the chipper attitude make a little more sense. She was a member of House Compassion, she had to be in order to be a Doctor. While that didn't explain the decorations it did explain why she was the only one setting them up. Only a particularly caring individual would go out of her way to make sure that the whole town got to enjoy the celebration, not just those invited to City Hall when the Empress arrived. That didn't make her any less annoying to have in my new quarters. “Oh dear.... I'm afraid you caught me at a disadvantage. I didn't think they would put you here. I expected one of the manors on the north end of town would be where I eventually found you.” Rarity sighs, though she continues to set up decorations. “Hmm blue or purple? Which do you prefer?” She asks holding up two types of ribbons. “It's doesn't matter, and why would you need to be looking for.... you know what, never mind. I'm sure you're another rep sent here to get in my business. Well I’ve had enough for one day. Get out. Take your decorations and get out! The public library is now officially closed.” I rant shoving my luggage aside and throwing the door open with a spell. “But I'm not done, yet... I still have the banners to put up.” “I don't care about the bucking banners!” I scram, losing my cool enough for a small bit of flame to spark in my mane before puffing out. “ You are done. I want at least one night to get adjusted to this place before everyone comes out of the woodwork with demands or offering favors of me. So get OUT, OUT, OUT!” The half dragon huffs a little. A small puff of her breath blowing over the purple ribbon she held turning it instantly to ice. Her horn lights up and yanks down all the decorations that had been put up already. She growls a little and turns her nose up with a annoyed glare in my direction. She stops next to me the glare still evident. “It may be your title Lady Sparkle, but you certainly are not a lady.”Rarity grumbles. “I don't want to hear it. You want to bitch at me then do so later. I am quite sure I will be dealing with you again, no matter what I might want. For right now I want to be left alone. I have far too much work to be doing to be dealing with all this political nonsense already.” I growl back, noting a slight bit of pity in the annoyed glare the half dragon was giving. It was gone before I could respond and she strode out and I was able to shut and bolt the door behind her. “What else can happen?” I curse. I regretted briefly that I yelled at the mare, but at the same time meeting three house representatives in rapid succession before I had even set hoof into where I was staying had got on my nerves. I may have actually walked in and surprised Rarity, but I doubted it, if Applejack knew about me then so would she. House Compassion and Generosity were rather close considering the on again off again relationship of their House leaders. Rainbow Dash was being truthful about her part in this. Those of House Honesty did not lie. Of course did not mean that she was telling me everything she knew, or everything Lady Silvertail knew when she sent the First Daughter here. Pure honesty could be just as bad as a lie. I sighed my horn glowing as I let out a small pulse of magic finding three hidden recording crystals just with that simple scan. Of course the place was bugged, though I really didn't care, I had no plans to do anything about them as I was doing nothing beyond what I said I was going to do. I didn't know if Rarity or Applejack had planted them or if it was one of a thousand others who wanted to keep an eye on the Empresses student. Better to leave them for now, and do a more thorough search tomorrow I could always turn them off or mask my presence from them if I needed to. It did not take me long to find the bedroom, clean it up a bit and bury my head in the pillow. With a little luck I could at least sleep the full day away without any issues. ---------------------------------------------------------- I got EXACTLY what I asked for but only just. The sun had not even fully set when the pounding on the door started. I growled as I rolled out of bed sparing a last glance at the surprisingly comfortable thing I had just left before making my way down to the front door. I winced as the pounding grew louder, the entire door shaking from the blows. This certainly wasn't the Mayor. I yanked open the door with my magic ready to scream at who ever was coming to bother me this early. Though the door had barely been opened a crack before it was forced open the rest of the way slamming into the wall with a sound like a cannon that knocked and entire shelf of books to the floor. A yellow pegasus with a long pink mane stormed in and immediately stomped up getting in my face. “I'm going to make this short and sweet because I bucking hate dealing with this shit. What ever horse shit you plan on spoon feeding the other representatives, I want in writing and for someone else to deliver it. I'm told I’m supposed to help you, but buck that! I want nothing to do with this stupid shit you are doing. Send me the letters and you won't even have to see me and I'm fine with that. My boss wants an update once a week. I don't care if the letter says nothing more than you found nothing, leave the flowery bullshit to me, I just want to be left alone, do that and you can expect the same. You don't send me something I will be back here and come down on your stupid purple ass like a bucking hurricane. Am I clear?!” The mares teal eyes had locked with my own the moment she stormed in and practically froze me in place. It was like she was physical holding me with just the angry look. “Who are you?” I stammered. The mare blinked as if surprised at my comment, though the glare quickly returned. “By the bucking stars you don't know anything do you. I knew this shit was a waste of time. I've got a cabin at the edge of town, six thirteen push cart lane just send the reports there. And hurry the buck up and fail this stupid shit already so I can go home.” The mare whirls around her long pink tail nearly striking me in the face as she storms out. I wasn't certain, but I was sure the mare made a rude gesture with her wing before slamming the door behind her. I was certain however, that the gray rabbit on her back did indeed flip me off. “What the heck was that?” I grumble wincing as another knock sounded at the door though the source didn't bother waiting for me to open it for her before the rainbow maned Shadowbolt entered the library. I flatten my ears at the intrusion, turning away from Rainbow Dash and heading into the kitchen to see if there was any food or at least coffee. It was to early in the night to deal with this nonsense. “I see you met Flutterbitch. She really hasn't changed much.” Rainbow Dash chuckles. “Yes well, I don't even know who the heck she is.” I shout back glad the conversation at least was insulting to someone else for once. “You're kidding right? She's the representative of House Laughter. Not sure of her last name, or even if she has one, but her stage name and the one I always knew her by is Fluttershy.” I yank open another cabinet finding a collection of cans, the first few are empty though I am finally rewarded with a half full can near the back. I make a note to yell at someone randomly, who puts empty coffee cans back in the cabinet? No matter, sweet relief is only a brewing away. “Great that makes three delightful contacts and an assassin I have met since coming here. So what's her story any way?” “Singing idol, was a star member of the Platinum Swan until recently, she got pulled from the group and sent here. I knew her as a filly, she was much shyer then, hard to get more than a few words out of her. Constantly bullied, Me and my friend Gilda stuck up for here every once in a while, but then Gilda got suspended for hurting some pony in a fight and I got taken away for training. Didn't hear about her again until she took over for the singer who retired from the swan. Supposedly she's a nightmare to work with, voice of a goddess though.” “I can see the first part of that clearly. She dangerous?” I question getting a shrug from the Shadowbolt. Some body guard this one was turning out to be. I sigh, my ears twitching a bit as the smell of coffee fills the air. “Well since she doesn't have a cutie mark she's going to be on my list of ponies to see. No matter what she thinks I am going to do.” I grumble glancing over at the pegasus.” Why are you here again?” The cyan pegasus smirks.” Like I told you yesterday. I'm supposed to be your bodyguard and assistant.” Rainbow Dash chuckles. I sigh waving a hoof, my horn glowing as I fill a mug with the coffee, there wasn't anything to put in the cup and I was not a fan of having my coffee black, but anything was better than nothing Taking a sip of the black brew I looked over at her over the top of the mug. “Shouldn't you be calling me Lady Sparkle then?” Rainbow Dash flinches a little though she shrugs in defeat. Score one point for me, if only a small one. “Hehe, oops forgot who I was talking to for a moment Lady Sparkle. First assignment and I already screw something up.” Rainbow Dash snarks rubbing the back of her head. I knew a number of nobles that would have had a fit for their title being ignored, heck I normally would be one of them. After seeing some of the other contacts from the Houses, and my spectacular first contacts with them, making nice to the one who was supposed to protect me might be the best plan. That the First Child was my guardian might keep some other ponies I had pissed off from trying anything. Even if the Empress eventually lost her interest in me, anything happening to the First Child would bring the entirety of House Honesty down around their heads with Lady Silvertail right in front. Suffice to say this rainbow haired mare was safer than I was in the political field. The Empress might forgive a screw up, but she would also forgive the repercussion if she felt it was warranted. Lady Silvertail did not play the house politics game. If you did something she didn't like she either told you directly to stop, or if it was bad enough simply removed you from being a issue. She and Lord Kaisur were quite alike in that way. “Don't worry about it. If we are going to be working together the titles would just get long and annoying before long any way. Still in public make sure you use it. Otherwise just call me Twilight.” I say watching the confused expression cross the mares face. That was two points for me, i was on a roll today, yay for coffee power. “Well this is a bit of a change from yesterday. Did I miss something?” Dash questions. By the stars this mare was annoying, still I needed her. “ I got some sleep. “ I lied. “Sounds about right I know a bunch of ponies who get like that if they don't get a nap. Alright Twilight call me Rainbow Dash then, or just Dash, or Rainbow, never Rainy though...” “Alright .. Rainbow. I'll do that.” I roll my eyes, this was going to be the longest assignment of my life. Welcome to Ponyville Twilight Sparkle... ugh.