Luna’s office was dark, not so much from a lack of light but more from a prevailing comforting shroud. The heavy curtains muted the sun’s rays and allowed the subtler aspects of the chamber to be seen more clearly. Intricate symbols and carvings that only glowed when in shadow gave off a pale blue aura that were as bewitching as they were was gentle. A room full of contradictions and mysteries, just as Luna liked it.
Twilight followed Luna into her domain with rapt attention, only pausing for a moment when she saw Celestia had arrived ahead of them. The Regent of the Day’s normally gentle glow was gone and Celestia seemed almost earthly sitting comfortably off to one side, in a high backed chair obviously created with Celestia’s stature in mind.
Even as Twilight observed Celestia she couldn’t help but see her as diminished. This was not Celestia’s realm; Luna’s powers were ascendant here and Celestia, although a welcome visitor, was merely a guest. Her magic and strengths both bowed to Luna’s in this place of shadows.
Luna herself seemed to radiate a cool power. In her own ‘turf’ she was crackling with energy but despite the weight of magic Twilight sensed no hostility, only a slight melancholy which pervaded the room and Luna. She offered Twilight a chair with a simple flick of her horn before sweeping bodily around the desk.
The heavy wooden piece was stylised with intricate symbols and topped off with an impressive purple felt finish. Twilight could easily see Luna whiling away the hours at that desk and the careful collection of arcane objects covering its surface indicated just that.
It was matched by the various other items of furniture contained within the room. Sprawling book cases fought for space with shelves and caskets, all of which radiated a gentle magical aura.
Spheres and tiny mechanisms glowed faintly as Luna shifted them aside with a kind of reverence. These Mystical devices that were nothing like the mechanical creations which Twilight was designing now but seemed no less potent for being so. They were older and more steeped in power from a bygone age, no doubt relics from several life times of accumulation.
Twilight, despite her best efforts, found her own eyes lingering on the assembled antiquities. They seemed to draw the soul and for one as inquisitive as Twilight the urge to probe further was almost undeniable.
“I didn’t bring you here to admire my collection Twilight. Maybe during a quieter time I can show them to you, but now we have far more pressing matters to discuss,” Luna’s normally bright eyes were flecked with what? Sadness or maybe resignation?
Twilight looked back and forth between Luna and Celestia who both wore grim frowns. She’d seldom seen them so serious for years and felt the familiar shiver. Something of great importance was about to be discussed and she would no doubt be called upon to do some great deed.
Twilight often wondered if that was their plan all along, coaching Twilight and guiding her to some unforeseen fate. She was certainly the first pony either princess turned to when the going got rough. Always busy, just as I like it.
“Twilight with the completion of T.C.A.P we feel that the time is right to talk to you about a private matter. As we look to the future it’s important not to forget the past,” Luna’s face could not have been more impassive as she continued on.
Celestia gave a meaningful glance at Luna, “What we discuss here and now is not for the general populace to know about and though not secret as such we would rather that it was kept low key.”
They both fixed Twilight with an almost pleading stare and she felt another chill run up her spine, “You said it was something to do with Paperweight and his research?” Twilight’s head was spinning, what could he have found that would cause her two fellow rulers to act in such a clandestine manner? “And where is Cadence? If it’s this important then surely she should be here?”
“Cadence is already aware of our situation and has her own responsibilities to attend to,” Luna replied cooly.
Celestia gave Luna a pained look, “What we need most of all Twilight is to have your promise that you will not think less of us after what we are about to tell you. It’s not easy for beings such as us to admit we’re unable to correct a mistake of the past.”
Celestia’s ears drooped and Twilight suddenly saw a pair of tired cripples before her, not in body but more a stretching of the soul. A pair who carried their years not as others did, but in the heart.
“You both know I’d do anything I can to help,” Twilight urged and was rewarded by a simple smile from Luna who gazed at her like a glass of water presented to a stricken pony.
“Thank you Twilight,” Celestia almost whispered before bowing to her in appreciation, “The best way to make you understand is to show you rather than try to explain.”
Both rulers tensed as unspoken agreements passed between them and Twilight braced herself. With a simple nod to Luna, Celestia ignited her horn and the tense silence was broken by the sounds of ratcheting gears.
To Twilight’s interest one of the book shelves shuddered and as the grinding sound increased in volume began to drift backwards into the surrounding wall. There a full minute of clanking mixed with scraping before the bookshelf finally came to rest in its shadowy alcove and revealed a stone staircase leading downwards.
Torches on either side of the now discovered brick passage flashed into an eerie blue light, their flames giving off no smoke. It was all a bit over dramatic for Twilight, but the sisters were nothing if not set in their ways. Still despite these thoughts Twilight felt a further tingle run through her. Magic, powerful magic was being unwound.
Even as she watched Twilight could almost see the runic seals of protection and preservation unlocking themselves at Celestia’s command. Twilight stared at the revealed passageway for a moment waiting to see what happened next. After a few moments of non-action she turned her confused eyes upon the others.
“I’m to go down?” Twilight asked growing tired of the theatrics.Neither Celestia or Luna had moved, both of them watching the tunnel with an expectant air. “So what is…..”
That was when the sound came from below, slow and steady hoof steps. What ever was making them was in no rush and Twilight felt her heart quicken. Her mind told her that all this drama wasn’t necessary, that there was nothing in Equestria that, given time, could not be explained.
What Twilight’s heart did was shudder in her chest as a creeping sense of dread and awful coldness began to creep over her. She’d faced down monster and demigods in her time, and could say with some confidence that she could hold her own; but whatever was coming up those stairs seemed to drain the hope out of her soul.
The heavy hoof falls sounded wrong. They had a grating quality to them that Twilight couldn’t place and was keenly reminded of boulders clattering down a cliff face. She looked back to Celestia and Luna who to Twilight’s astonishment had bowed their heads in what looked like shame.
Bewilderment mounting Twilight turned back to the doorway in time to see a darker shadow emerging from the stairwell. She felt a coldness; not of the skin but one that sapped at the soul itself. Despite all Twilight’s confident thoughts felt the urge to step back as this newcomer stepped into the room and paused stiffly.
It was an earth pony, well a pony statue; his once handsome features captured in grey stone that Twilight could have thought hansom if it wasn’t for his eyes. She looked into two pits of burning blackness, an utter void into which all hopes fell into ruin.
No that wasn’t it Twilight realised. It wasn’t that hope died in those eyes, it simply had no place. She looked upon this abomination and saw the cracks of age which riddled his form. Several of his features had been damaged, worn away and Twilight also saw evidence of what could only be weapon strikes.
Whoever this pony was he’d seen fighting, lots of it. Even at this cursory glance Twilight counted at least thirty to forty such marks that dotted the stone stallions body. Her gaze moved from the damage to the pony’s mouth where prominent fangs were visible, a large chunk of his bottom lip having fractured off at some point in the past.
Not taking her eyes off the monster before her Twilight hissed, “What is it?”
“His name is Impasse and he is a hero of Equestria Twilight,” Luna responded in a scolding tone.
Twilight shuddered and her eyes bulged, “Oh I’m so sorry I didn’t……” She quickly bowed in apology, having to make a physical effort in breaking eye contact with Impasse.
“Think nothing of it Twilight, you’re not the first to see me as an ‘it’,” Impasse replied, no trace of hurt in his voice. His deadpan voice grinding and stone like as his body.
Twilight straightened even as her mind raced, “Impasse? I’ve never heard of you before, where, what?” She couldn’t help but stare at Impasse, he seemed to drain all the warmth and life out of the very air around him.
“His service record to Equestria is found here Twilight, he gave it to Paperweight two days ago,” Luna explained with a trembling voice as she passed a well worn scroll to Twilight.
Even as she took it Twilight saw the age of the paper. It was cracked, fraying and quite frankly a miracle in itself. With extreme care Twilight slowly unrolled the scroll and winced as several flakes tumbled down.
Twilight studied the emblem adorning the document contained within and felt her breath catch in her throat. It was the ancient symbol of a united Equestria; the icon used before Luna fell to darkness over a thousand years ago.
She looked over the old writing and felt her heart quicken. The scroll contained a list of names: A place of recruitment, commanding officer and date of conscription……. Twilight felt her mind freeze, “You’re this Impasse? But that would mean you’re at least….” Her eyes drifted down to the last few lines which were blank; the release date was unsigned.
“Impasse is not the only one Twilight, there are many like him and that’s why we called you here,” Luna explained and Twilight creased her brow.
“There are others? How come I know nothing about them?” Twilight fought to keep her own voice level as she stared in shock at Impasse. He matched her gaze with an unmoving one of his own, the two pits of blackness regarding her with cold dispassion.
“Only a few; twenty four to be exact, but we owe them all a great deal and so I would like you to help them,” Celestia explained her voice almost as cold as Impasse’.
Twilight felt her mind reeling at such a situation, “How am I to help them? What did this and when?” Her previous conversations with Luna suddenly leaped into Twilight’s brain and she felt the world fall away. No point dwelling on sad things of the past unless you need to.
“I did,” Luna almost sobbed and Twilight’s suspicions were confirmed. She watched as Celestia embraced her sister, Luna buried her head in Celestia’s chest and let the pent up sorrow flow out.
Twilight stood there for several seconds, her mind piecing together fragments of old texts and history books she’d read. There were still consequences from the ‘Nightmare Wars’ where Luna had in her madness become Nightmare Moon which were still being felt today.
‘Bat ponies’ and the rarer ‘dark unicorns’ were both descendants of their cursed ancestors; unicorns and pegasi twisted my dark magic from those sad times. But as Twilight looked back to Impasse who’d not moved, she recalled one other group one that was said to be all gone now.
Earth ponies turned to living stone with all their emotions removed to be the ‘perfect foot soldiers’ for Nightmare Moon’s armies. It was said that the merest scratch from a lithi was enough to petrify any living thing. It was written that they’d all been wiped out ages ago, yet here was Impasse standing as undeniable proof that this simply wasn’t so.
Twilight felt her heart ache as she looked at Impasse with pity, “You’re a ‘Lithi’ aren't you? Impasse nodded and Twilight felt fresh determination flood her. He was a victim, a casualty and not a monster. “What do you need me to do?”
Celestia smiled hopefully for the first time since Twilight had entered Luna’s private study, “We want you to find a cure for them.”
Twilight nodded in understanding, “Of course, with my friends we should easily be….” Her response was cut off abruptly as Luna coughed meaningfully.
“This is a private matter Twilight, we must ask you not to enlist your friends in this,” Luna said, her eyes piercing Twilight like a lance.
“But surely they could be of great help? With everything that’s happened you can surely trust them too?”
She stared at Celestia and Luna in confusion and they met her gaze with immovable ones of their own before Celestia finally spoke, “Twilight, if we were to send the Chosen of Harmony off on a quest together don’t you think it would cause some questions and speculation?”
Luna nodded in support, “Indeed, far better to make this appear like just another research trip. Please Twilight it’s not that we don’t trust them, far from it.”
Twilight felt her certainty drain away. She knew her friends wouldn’t be happy about this but as she looked to her fellow rulers and then onto Impasse Twilight felt responsible to them too. They were all busy with their lives right? All of them had families now, foals to care for. Twilight could be gone for months on this mission.
With a final sigh Twilight nodded slowly, “Okay, for you I’ll do it.”
The corridor was filled with the sounds of power tools, the stutting whine of bolt drivers mixing freely with the striking of hammers and sizzle of welding torches. Twilight hardly noticed the noise as she pressed onwards towards Applebloom’s workshops, the heavily reinforced walls channeling and rebounding the noise until you could believe an army was at work.
That wasn’t too far from the truth and as Twilight emerged into the workshop proper she took in the scene with a smile. If T.C.A.P’s brains were the tower tops then the engineering bay was its heart. It was here that the technological inventions moved from being ideas on paper to becoming a reality.
The workshop was a hive of action all contained under a reinforced curving ceiling. A giant half pipe that doubled as the foundations for the complex above. Down here, secured under several meters of dirt and stone was where T.C.A.P produced its wonders.
Twilight vainly tried to pick out her chief engineer amongst the bustle and as always failed. Applebloom would always be in the guts of some construction these days, take a hooves on approach to any project. It was what made her such a good engineer, happiest when elbow deep in some machine.
Though many of the workers caught sight of Twilight as she opened the heavy doors they quickly resumed what they were doing. Applebloom was master here, not some distant director who came to visit and none wanted to earn the renowned wrath of their chief.
Twilight pressed onward, weaving around skeletal frames that would eventually become vehicles or components of some larger whole. If she was being honest then Twilight didn’t really know three quarters of what went on down here in the workshops, happy to trust Applebloom in running her own little empire.
“‘Big.D’ is that you?” The muffled call from above announced that Applebloom had found Twilight. She looked up to see a very large cannon barrel being supported by sturdy chains. It was at least the size of a cart, its length comprising of a latticework of metal surrounding a collection of crystals at its core.
Twilight still felt uncomfortable whenever she looked at the new ‘weapons’ T.C.A.P was producing these days. No matter how many times she told herself it was important to be well defended something in her soul just cried out against such a need.
It was the thin edge of a very big wedge in Twilight’s mind, these were not weapons designed to kill, only stun or incapacitate the target. Non lethal warfare, it was a noble idea Twilight had to admit. She’d sworn never to invent something to kill or harm, but the more Twilight saw and understood about the world outside Equestria’s borders the more that idea seemed naive.
Not every race was peaceful, far from it infact. They had turned their hungry eyes on the growing power base that the Equestrian alliance had become. The tipping point had been when the dragons had signed up. That such a violent and monstrous race could set aside their nature and be willing to embrace a more peaceful life scared many other races. Although not formally allied, non aggression and mutual support agreements had already born great fruits.
Twilight snapped out of her world of politics as the grime covered form of Applebloom slid down a chain and landed on a raised platform before her. Twilight studied Applebloom, gone was the young filly of yesteryear, her childish looks growing into a beautiful mare (under all that grime anyhow). Just like her big sister, Applebloom was a forceful and proud earth pony.
Years of working with T.C.A.P had given Applebloom a strong physique and hooves that could bend steel. All set off nicely with the crossed hammer and wrench symbol in front of an apple blossom just visible under the oils coating her.
“Good to see yer D, what can I do yer for?” Applebloom asked cheerfully, wiping her face with an only marginally cleaner cloth to reveal the yellow coat beneath.
Twilight climbed the few steps until she could look directly into Applebloom’s amber eyes, the one place that Applebloom’s childish nature could still be seen these days and smiled in return, “Well I came to see how the installation and refit of the Bloomberg was proceeding.”
Applebloom cocked an eyebrow at Twilight, “It’s goin fine ‘Director’, is there some reason why you’d think it weren’t?” She brushed aside a lock of red mane to look Twilight squarely in the eye.
Twilight smiled guiltily, “Of course not ‘A.B’, your work is always the best.”
Applebloom gave her a look, “So what’s eatin yer up this time D, don’t tell me that after all that yapping about ‘For the good of all’ n ‘Need ter be properly prepared’ yer goin and changin yer mind about this?” Applebloom rolled her eyes, “Horse feathers n elbow grease Twi, yer even convinced me it was a good idea despite my own inclinations ter have Bloomberg tooled up. Don’t yer be backin out on me now.”
Twilight closed her eyes before answering slowly, “Of course not A.B, I just wish we didn’t need to.”
“Wishin don’t cut it Director. Gettin it done is what matters,” Applebloom replied with certainty. “Considerin all the things yer could have had us make these here cannons are right tame, don’t beat yerself up about it Twi.” Applebloom’s eyes sparkled, “Now he’s got some buck to him, but know when ter pull his kicks.”
Twilight nodded. Of course they were just being prepared, that made sense and they hadn’t really made weapons had they? More ways of keeping things safe and stopping anyone getting hurt, right?
“Alright D we’ve had the ‘chat’, now what’s really eatin yer?” Applebloom asked and Twilight knew she was rumbled.
“I need you to make a secure holding area for someone, one that can be warded and protected,” Twilight said her voice holding just a slight tremble.
Both Applebloom’s eyebrows arose, “Yer got some valuable passenger yer want kept safe? No trouble Twi, you work the spells I’ll put together the right metals and we’ll have a box that a dragon couldn’t get inter….” She trailed off as Twilight shook her head despondently.
“No A.B, we need a chamber to keep them in and away from the crew,” Twilight was doing her best to avoid using the word ‘cell’.
“Bloomberg ain’t no prison ship Twi,” Applebloom cautioned, the smile fading from her muzzle.
Twilight winced, “No it’s not like that at all Applebloom, we’re just being cautious that’s all.”
Applebloom folded her forelegs, “Yer not plannin on puttin another dragon on my colt are yer?”
“No, no. He’s a pony, we just need to keep him isolated from the crew that’s all,” Twilight assured, her mind drifting back to those black eyes and cold stare. She didn’t dare think what those manning the airship would do if they met Impasse.
“Find a cure for them,” Celestia had said, far easier said than done.
Impasse had been traveling the world, searching for a cure for him and his fellow Lithi. The stories of his exploits would have made a tale of their own had the princesses allowed them to be known. Now he’d stumbled upon a promising lead that may hold the key to saving the last few Lithi. To turn them back into true earth ponies. But he couldn’t do it alone and so Twilight had been given this quest.
The few Equestrians who knew about it the better, not all of them would be so understanding. This was the kind of thing Twilight had founded T.C.A.P for, to explore new sciences and magic. What better way to prove its value than fixing a grave injustice from the past?
It rankled Twilight a little that Celestia and Luna wanted things done quietly, it seemed to stand in the face of everything that Equestria stood for. surely the general public had a right to know about Impasse and the others?
“Did it ever occur to you Twilight that Impasse and his fellows don’t want to be known about? That they would rather be forgotten than seen as monsters?” The voice in Twilight’s head made her jump, it seemed to be speaking right into her mind without using the normal courtesy of using Twilight’s ears.
It was like a shard of ice being pressed into her brain, all sharp edges and cold inflections, yet under that was a friendliness at odds with the voice. As if the speaker was trying to be comforting despite the unsettling nature of the communication.
Twilight turned her head around as she realised the workshop was growing quiet. A spreading pool of muted astonishment was spreading from the entrance to the engineering bay. Its source was a heavily cloaked pony who carried a chill aura of ice about them.
As Twilight peered closer she saw hints of a blue mane and two bright green eyes watching her from across the crowded room. They were slitted like a cats, but held a cheerfulness at odds with their sinister appearance.
To Twilight’s magically sensitive eye this pony was surrounded by a sphere of cold, even the ungifted could feel the warmth being leached out of the air and see the small ice crystals forming around the figure. Several workers began to mumble as the newcomer dropped their hood to reveal a unicorn mare.
Her coat was black as coal while the hints of mane revealed themselves to be a mixed hue of light and dark blue strands. She smiled with a warmth, totally at odds with her appearance and Twilight could make out the sharp teeth lining her mouth. “Sorry to disturb you at work, but I thought it was best that I came to see you as soon as possible your highness.”
There it was again; the mare’s voice was warm and friendly. Just like any pony you would have heard talking in the street. If Twilight had closed her eyes and simply listened she would have never known it came from such an unusual character.
Twilight’s attention was drawn to Applebloom who was grinding her teeth and looking angry, “What yer all gorpin at? Haven’t yer seen a dark unicorn before?” Her workers now suitably chastened went back to their tasks with vigor.
All the while the sinister mare continued to stare at Twilight with an excited, quizzical expression. Twilight sighed, that explained the voice in her head at any rate. Dark unicorns were all about mind magic; seeing, reading and influencing others thoughts. It’s what gave them such a bad reputation apart from the obvious similarities to one Nightmare Moon.
“Most ponies would have the good grace to keep out of others heads, it’s quiet rude you know,” Twilight thought and the newcomer smiled.
“Sorry your highness, it’s that I didn’t want the others to hear your doubts but still wanted to reassure you that nothing malevolent was intended by Luna or Celestia in keeping your mission on a need to know basis,” She advanced through the thronged workshop, taking great care to keep her distance from the others while a glittering carpet of ice crystals proceeded the mare.
“Glad to meet you both, I’m ‘Foresight’. I….er would shake your hooves but well you know,” Foresight smiled up at the pair and Twilight could almost hear Applebloom’s mind whirring.
“Well that make a little more sense Twi, if yer gonna have an ‘ice heart’ on board,” Applebloom said levelly before Twilight shook her head.
Twilight smiled apologetically at Foresight. Dark unicorns had gained that nickname which was mostly unfounded, they were just like normal pony folk inside barring the need to be in very cold temperatures. Fortunately they also had an impressive skill at using their magic to create a frigid aura of cold about themselves.
“It’s fine,” Foresight replied to the unspoken fear in Twilight’s mind before turning to Applebloom, “But I you’re mistaken Applebloom, the chamber Twilight is suggesting is not for me.”
Applebloom’s eyes narrowed, “Now see here you, I didn’t give yer permission ter go pokin around in my head! How did yer know I was called Applebloom?”
Foresight laughed with real humour, “It’s on the door to your workshop of course.”
Applebloom visibly coloured and mumbled something before grabbing a wrench and shimmied up the chain again, leaving Twilight and Foresight staring at each other with interest. “I see this is going to be an interesting trip Twilight. You probably don’t remember me, I was only a filly when you came to that awards ceremony so many years ago. Unsurprisingly I know an awful lot about you though and am glad to be working with your highness on this mission.”
Twilight found herself nodding in agreement before narrowing her eyes in suspicion, “Did you just - ” It had been subtle, but the overwhelming desire to agree with Foresight had been thrust upon Twilight.
Foresight laughed again, “Sorry Princess I just couldn’t help but see for myself how strong you were. I promise I won’t do it again.”
Twilight frowned, “Yeah I can see this is going to be an interesting journey indeed.”