//------------------------------// // Responsibility // Story: DayBreak // by MyHobby //------------------------------// “And you’ve scoured Princess Twilight’s archives?” Time Turner asked. He hurried to catch up to the two mares. They stepped lightly, since they weren’t burdened with a coat and heavy, metal gear. “And you’ve found nothing?” “We’ve found everything we could,” Daring replied. “Looked through my collection, too. Nadda for the usable info, but it’s a start.” “So what’s the plan?” Time Turner looked to the rooftops. The sun set behind the crystal castle, turning its blue surface a deep purple. It loomed overhead as they drew closer. “Very, very few ponies are allowed in the sealed archives for obvious reasons.” Daring Do shook her mane. “Obvious reasons? Like what?” Care flipped up the collar of her plaid jacket as a chill wind brushed past. “Not much. Just a few of Sombra’s spellbooks, a complete history of Starswirl’s mirrors, everything we know about Ahuizotl’s Sun Devices, a few shadow trinkets, three swords that can control the weather, and Princess Sparkle’s thesis on stealing magic.” She smirked. “Nope. Nothing that we wouldn’t wanna give the general public access to.” “Okay, okay, the message is clear, Cap.” Daring returned the smile. “I figured we could just ask Luna. If we tell her why we’re going in, there shouldn’t be a problem.” Time nodded. “And if she refuses?” “In the unlikely event that she’s gone bonkers and can’t see reason…” Daring extended her wings. “I’ve gotten into and out of tighter spots.” “You’re talking about breaking in.” Care’s jaw dropped. She shot Time a glance. “She’s talking about breaking in!” “As a super-extreme last resort!” Daring waved a hoof. “Just in case things go belly-up. In that very unlikely, hypothetical event. Don’t overreact” Care stomped a hoof. “I might not overreact if you weren’t so glib about—” “Ladies, please.” Time Turner stood before the castle door, the edges of his duster swaying in the breeze. “We are guests here.” Care trotted past Time and Daring, her eyes narrowed. She gave the door three solid whacks. They waited. “You know, it’s a big castle,” Daring said. “Maybe he’s got a ways to go to reach the door.” Care knocked again. They waited. Time Turner took a step back and looked up. “You know, the castle doesn’t look so bad if you see it in the right light.” Care pounded the door until it opened. She stumbled through with the force of her swing and found herself eye-to-eye with Blankety Blank. “S-Spike turned in for the evening. Sorry I took so l-long.” His ears twitched as he averted his eyes. “C-come in. Please.” Daring Do galloped into the hall. “Come on, guys! I’ve got my notes in the library. Maybe we can cross-reference mine and Time—” “Wait!” Blankety coughed into his hoof. “Wait. I n-need to speak with C-captain Carrot.” Daring Do skidded to a halt. “Okay. Spit it out, stallion.” “A-alone.” Blankety Blank pulled his ears down to match his drooping shoulders. “S-sorry, Miss Yearling, Specialist Turner. It n-needs to be alone.” Time turned his eyes up in thought. He leaned towards the small, white earth pony. “Have we been introduced?” “N-no, I don’t believe so.” “Really?” Time lifted an eyebrow. “Because you remind me of…” He shook his head. “Well, a very long story. Never mind, then.” He lifted an armored hoof to Care. “Are you alright with this?” The skin around Care’s eyes tightened as she looked from Time to Blankety. “Yeah. Yeah, I am. I think it’s time Mister Blank and I had a good, long talk.” Daring wrapped a foreleg around Time’s. “Fine. We’ll just be on our way and let you and Mister Blank have a little”—her eyebrows danced—“alone time.” Time looked down at Daring. “That is very clearly not what is happening here—” “Shut up and go with it.” Daring dragged him away with small, jerking movements. “See you guys later. Feel free to stop by when you’re done. We’ll be working hard.” “This is hardly working,” Time Turner mumbled as he rounded a corner with her. Care took a few steps towards the throne room. She looked back to see Blankety Blank staring after Time and Daring, his ears perked and his eyes intent. “Hay, wasn’t there some big, super-important thing you had to risk showing your face over?” Care slumped against the throne with a butterfly emblazoned on the top. She didn’t dare sit in the chair itself. “You can question the wisdom of that particular relationship later.” Blankety approached slowly. He sat across from her, his back against the throne with the glyph of an apple. He looked from his throne to hers. “Symbolic much?” “Can we please get this over with?” Care wrapped her mane in a tight ponytail. “I have a job to do.” Blank flinched. He took a breath before speaking. “B-Blueblood’s in danger.” “That’s your job, huh? Blueblood’s bodyguard? That sucks.” She pulled off her jacket as the fires of friendship beneath the throne warmed her. “He hit on me once, when I first joined the guard. That didn’t last too long.” “S-sorry.” Blankety Blank rubbed his hooves together. “N-no, I’m not his bodyguard. I’m m-more of a shadow. I f-follow him and watch to m-make sure the ponies who want him d-dead… don’t get wh-what they want. It w-was supposed to be t-temp-temporary, but I can’t get solid evidence.” “What? You want my help to get it?” She held her forelegs out. “Dunno, if you’ve noticed, but I’ve kinda got a lot on my plate already. Now if you’ll excuse me—” “I th-th-ink the assassin m-might be working with them,” Blank said in a rush. He continued as she sat back. “S-same modus operandi. Royalty targ-targeted at social events. D-Dulcimer tried to p-p-poison Blueblood. Th-the assassin stabbed Celestia. Th-they might be connected.” Care’s ears snapped forward. “Dulcimer? The Viscount?” “Y-you know him?” “I know of him. You don’t get to be Captain of Celestia’s Personal Guard without knowing all the nobles.” Care rubbed her head just below her horn. “Never saw him as the murdering type. How do you know it’s him?” “Because…” Blank brushed his light blond mane. “Because I know what he wants.” Care let out a loud breath. “If you know it’s him, then nail him. If you don’t have solid evidence, use yourself as a witness. Why come to me in secret? Why not just give your testimony in court?” Blank looked at the thrones all around. He nibbled his bottom lip. Care stood up. “If you wanna double up investigations, you’re gonna have to give me something to go on. Why should I trust you with our information?” Blankety Blank sighed. He lifted a white hoof. It burst into green flames. Care nearly fell on her rear. She scampered across the room, gathering her jacket up in a spell to snuff out the fire. She let out a “Whoa!” when the searing green spread to every corner of his body. She slid to a halt and grasped the jacket. The fire died. A few cinders drifted down to the crystal floor here and there. In Blankety Blanks place, a small, black changeling sat. It lifted its head, bringing its blue, multifaceted eyes to bear. A smile traced its way across half of its face. A fang slid across a hard lip. “All th-things considered, y-you probably shouldn’t. Trust me, I mean.” Care’s hoof came out and struck him in the throat. She pressed him against the throne’s armrest, her eyes steely and her horn aglow. “What did you do to the real Blank?” “I am—” The changeling choked. “I a-a-am the real Blank! It’s a—hack!—a cover. I m-made him up myself.” “Why should I trust you?” Care snapped. “Why shouldn’t I just end you right this second?” “What r-reason did I have,” the changeling gasped, “to show m-myself to you?” Care scowled. “I dunno. Suicide by guard?” She lifted her weight from him and let him tumble to the floor. She pulled on her jacket, but left it unzipped. “So you’ve got my attention. Now what? What’s your game, changeling?” “My name’s s-still Blankety Blank,” the changeling said. “You don’t n-need to just drop it.” “Answer the darn question!” “I work for Twilight Velvet. On the p-police force.” The changeling extended shaking, transparent wings. “J-just ask her. She’ll v-v-vouch.” Care kept her eyes on him as she put a little distance between them. “What if I don’t believe you?” “Th-then Blueblood dies. And m-maybe a whole l-lot of other p-ponies, too.” He bowed his head, pointing his horn away from her. “P-please. Chief Velvet’s coming to Ponyville soon. You c-can ask her then.” Care stood still for a moment, doing nothing but breathe and think. She gave him a curt nod. “Fine. But I’m not taking my eyes off you for a second. Not one.” “G-good,” the changeling said. “Then m-maybe we’ll actually w-work together.” Care snorted. “Come on. Let’s show Daa—Yearling and Turner.” “N-no. We can’t tell them.” “Are you nutso? Are you bonkers? Do you even give a flying feather?” Care pointed down a random hallway. “Do you think for even a second that I’m gonna let them be oblivious to the changeling living right under their noses?” “No,” the changeling said. “Y-you’re too smart for that.” Care gave him a double-take. She sat down and scuffed a hoof. “But I hope th-that you’re also sm-smart enough to understand…” The antennae atop his head wriggled. “To-to understand that telling them would take up t-time we don’t have. Best to wait and l-l-let it come from a m-mouth they trust. Th-that trusts me.” Care inclined her head. “You could be buying time.” “Yes. Y-yes I could.” The changeling sighed. “In th-the end, it’s your d-decision.” Care pressed her lips together. She jumped to her hooves and trotted towards the library. “But r-remember that I just put m-my life in your hooves!” The changeling’s horn flared as he followed her, shrouding his body in fire and replacing black chitin with white hair. “If you d-decide to turn me in, y-you’ve basically killed me! D-d-don’t let all your guilt cl-cloud your good judgment—” “You stay out of my head!” she shouted. She whirled on him and bumped her snout against his. “Stay out of my mind, stay out of my thoughts! Don’t even think about feeding off of my emotions!” He gritted his teeth as his pupils shrunk. “It-it’s not exactly something I c-c-can turn off.” “I don’t take kindly to people digging through my private feelings,” she growled. “No… I’m sorry.” He took a step back and shut his eyes. “Y-you’re just… practically broadcasting it.” Care’s face softened and her cheeks flushed. She stomped a hoof. “Alright, then.” Blankety Blank opened his eyes. He hunched his shoulders and ducked his head. “‘Alright,’ what?” “I’ll keep your secret until Twilight Velvet comes.” She narrowed hard, pink eyes. “If you can keep mine. Fair’s fair?” Blank nodded. She marched away, double-time. “Sh-she wouldn’t want you to be s-so hard on yourself, you know.” Blankety cantered to follow her large strides. “Celestia w-would understand that m-mistakes happen.” “How dare you try to speak for her?” Care said, though there was no force behind her voice. There was just a heavy tiredness. “What makes you think you know her so well?” “Sh-she’s the most amazing pony I’ve ever m-met,” Blank said. A small smile touched the corner of his mouth. “Th-this shining beacon of h-hope and wisdom.” The smile faded. “And sh-she needs us. She needs her knights.” Care’s ear twitched. Blank caught the shift, but ignored it. “She saved my l-life, you know.” Blankety Blank watched the crystalline floor. “She’s the s-strongest pony I know.” “Strongest pony,” Care said. “The strongest pony in the entire world. But not invincible.” “N-nopony is,” Blank muttered. *** Hurricane hugged the corner of the hallway. The big pegasus who had carried her from the warehouse was talking with an earth pony security guard a few feet away. She waited as their conversation on sports dwindled. When they had exhausted their supply of game scores, the big pegasus motioned for the door. “Lunch hour for me,” he said. “What’d you bring?” “The wife packed asparagus. Again.” The earth pony stuck his tongue out. “She knows what that stuff does to me.” “Yeah, and so does everypony else at the Blueblood estate.” The big pegasus chucked his shoulder. “Come on, Crab Apple, let’s get lunch hour over with.” “I’m telling you, Zephyr,” the earth pony said as they trotted away. “It’s like she’s trying to poison me with these horseapples.” Hurricane squinted as they disappeared down the hall. “Thou dost not know poison, foal.” She bent down and crawled towards the doorway. She sneered. Her room had been unguarded. Her weapons had not been returned, but it was no major loss. There was barely anything between her and the outdoors. Perhaps this Dulcimer was not merely playing the fool. She hesitated with her hoof on the handle. Dulcimer could be playing her for the fool, of course. It was a dire choice, either way. She stiffened her back and pulled the handle down. Better to be hunted down by the unicorn than to be under his roof and command. Outside, rosebushes lined the walls of the manor. They grew tall, twice as high as her head. The flowers were dim and brown because of the chill fall air. Hedges were planted around the edge of the property; a wall to keep out intruders. They couldn’t keep her in. She grinned and ignored the burning sensation in her cheek. She spread her wings and took off. She jolted to a stop in midair. Sharp pain ran through her rear-left leg. She looked down to see a thorny vine wrapped around her ankle. It dragged her closer to the rosebush. The bush snarled. She jerked away, snapping the vine. Another lasso struck her front-right leg. It was followed by several more clawing at her. Her eyes widened as the rosebushes collapsed and twisted around themselves. Wood snapped and crackled. Legs took form. Sharp fangs, long ears, blazing eyes. In concert, the rosebushes reconfigured themselves into timberwolves. They leaped and dragged her down to earth. They swarmed, biting and clawing and scraping and barking. She bucked one to pieces, but it was replaced by two more. They restrained her six limbs and went for her throat. “Enough!” The attack ceased. The timberwolves slid away, expanding and falling apart. Within a minute, the wolves were once again unassuming bushes decorating the manor grounds. Hurricane rolled over and examined her body. She hadn’t suffered anything more than minor bruises and scrapes. She looked up at the open doors to see a small, thin earth pony with a slack, brown mane. She pulled herself upright. “To what do I owe the assistance?” “We haven’t been introduced,” the pony said. “I’m Scuttlebutt, personal aide to Viscount Dulcimer.” He gave her a cheese-eating grin. “I suppose you’ve realized that escape is very unlikely.” “I shall be ready for it, next time.” Hurricane spat on the ground. “Unexpected though they were, timberwolves are not durable in the slightest.” “How adorable. You think that’s all you need to fear?” Scuttlebutt gestured to the upper windows of the mansion. “You’ve been watched since you arrived.” She looked up. In the higher windows, a pony sat with a bow. The notched arrow aimed directly for her heart. “Blueblood is paranoid,” Scuttlebutt said. “Dulcimer, moreso.” Hurricane frowned. “Blueblood knows I am here?” “Not in the slightest. He’s in Canterlot, grieving for his nearly-departed aunt.” Scuttlebutt all but glided down the steps with smooth, serpentine movements. “But his security still has its job to do protecting his home.” “And thus Dulcimer benefits.” Hurricane folded her wings across her back. “I am surprised the dastard has not come to gloat personally. Why did he send thee?” “He didn’t. Frankly, my dear, I’d like to keep this conversation between the two of us.” Scuttlebutt rolled his eyes. “Three of us, I suppose, if you include Fletcher up there.” Hurricane glanced at the bow. The string slacked as Scuttlebutt got closer to her. “The purpose of this conversation is not to force you to stay.” Scuttlebutt’s smile evaporated. “It’s to make you want to stay.” “Through threat of force?” “Through promise of victory.” Scuttlebutt leaned close to her ear, prompting the hair on the back of her neck to stand up straight. “You see, Commander, we serve the same master.” Hurricane leaned back. “I serve not Dulcimer—” “Not Dulcimer,” Scuttlebutt said. His left ear twitched down at an odd angle. “I have made sure the mirror is secure. Far from prying eyes who do not share our sympathies.” He lifted a package from his back and presented it to her. “Here. A token of my loyalty.” She carefully lifted the lid. A set of fifty throwing knives lay inside, created to her exact specifications. Not an ounce out of place, not a symbol distorted. Hurricane kept her mouth in a thin line while her heart rate increased. “Indeed. Then you understand what I must do.” “I understand that you have a better chance of success if you stay with Dulcimer for a time.” Scuttlebutt’s cheese-eating grin encompassed his entire face. “Does he share our cause?” “No, I’m afraid not.” Scuttlebutt rolled his eyes. “He has far too much ambition. He would never allow the rightful rulers of the land to take control. He wants the crown.” He shrugged. “Still, he is useful as a pawn.” Hurricane frowned. “It is a dangerous game you play.” “It’s a dangerous game we all play.” He bobbed his head from side to side. “And like most, it’s a game better played with friends.” Hurricane nodded slowly. “You have been in contact with… with the sisters?” “I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you if I hadn’t been given permission.” Scuttlebutt opened his beady eyes wide. “They hope they have your cooperation.” Hurricane worried her lower lip. “What of Dulcimer’s plans for Blueblood? Shall I slay the prince as he has requested?” “Blueblood doesn’t factor into our long-term plans. Do what you wish.” Scuttlebutt jerked his head towards the door. “It will probably ease any concerns Dulcimer has about you. We don’t want the viscount to suspect your true loyalty.” “I only wanted to do what was necessary, Scuttlebutt,” Hurricane said. “I do not wish to see innocents caught in the crossfire.” “There will always be innocents in the crossfire, Commander.” Scuttlebutt smiled. “A crying shame, I’m sure.” Hurricane seethed. “Do not be so glib about—” A cloud of smoke flashed through the air, trailing sparks. It swirled before Hurricane’s face before flashing and dissipating. A scroll, sealed with a simple wax circle, fell into her waiting wing. She bit the wax in two and let the paper fall loose. “Our contact in the Royal Guard says they are moving Princess Celestia and Twilight Sparkle in mere days.” She lowered the scroll and looked off into the middle-distance. “And that Blueblood insists on carrying them in his personal airship.” “Well, well, well. Three birds with one stone.” Scuttlebutt chuckled. “Seems some innocents can’t help but jump into the crossfire, hmm?” Hurricane shut her eyes. Her ears drooped as she hung her head. “Unfortunately, your custom armor won’t be done by that time. You’ll have to make do with what the security detail can offer you.” Scuttlebutt slithered up the stairs and held the door for her. “Still, I think the world-famous assassin has her next target.” Hurricane stepped inside. She removed the thin, light knives from the box and slid them between her feathers. She flexed her wings and watched the wingblades shine in the sunlight. “Dulcimer promised me soldiers.” “Exactly correct.” Scuttlebutt gave a sharp whistle. “Zephyr? Come here, will you?” The big pegasus rounded the corner, his large, pale yellow forelegs pounding the carpet. He grinned and flicked his light gray tail. “Orders, sir?” “Hurricane here has a mission for you.” Scuttlebutt turned to her. “Zephyr here is the head of security, and a high-ranking member of our little coup. He’ll act as your lieutenant.” Hurricane looked him up and down with a furrowed brow. “Very well. The airship departs in two days, and we shall attack in three. Be ready at that time.” Zephyr gave her a light nod and turned for the hallway. “And Zephyr?” Hurricane said. Zephyr pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow. “Please…” Hurricane whispered. “Leave Blueblood to me.” Scuttlebutt escorted her to her room. She lay on her soft bed and cranked on her radio. The signal came through much clearer through the high-quality setup than through her homemade contraption. She covered her muzzle with a foreleg and allowed the music to wash over her ears. “Platinum… I am so sorry.” *** Lunch was quiet at Canterlot Castle. Luna spooned potato soup into her mouth as the griffons dug into their servings of fish. She smiled. Even though she had access to silverware, the little Stella was still getting garlic butter all over her feathers. Luna looked at Andean, who was also smiling at his daughter’s antics. He caught her eye and dropped his smile. “I’m surprised you decided to dine with us, Princess.” He twisted his head to the side to look her in the eye. “I had assumed you had other things to deal with.” “I have no excuse for being a neglectful host, King Andean.” Luna bowed her head, mostly to avoid his condor-like stare. “I only wish I could make this stay in Equestria a less somber affair.” Andean brought his giant talons together and hunched over the table. His sheer bulk covered nearly a quarter of it. “Then shall we at last talk turkey?” Stella giggled. Corona shushed her, but also had a smile on her beak. “Talk turkey?” Luna’s ears fell back. “I’m unfamiliar with the phrase, but I can assume it’s a pun.” “It just means to talk frankly. Without pretenses.” Andean clicked his beak. “I want ambrosia. I need ambrosia.” Luna sighed. “Have your talks with the breezies borne no fruit?” “No fruit and less medicine.” He pointed a nail. “But you Equestrians supply them with the pollen to make the ambrosia. You have the highest ambrosia concentration outside of Breezy Bastion itself. We already have a trade system in place, and we can no doubt simply make arrangements.” Luna spread her wings halfway. “King Ursagryph, all our ambrosia is already spoken for. It is bought by hospitals and pharmacists and universities. Not only that, but the breezies make an agreement with all their trade partners not to export it. They like their monopoly, Andean. They aren’t going to give it up, and they will not appreciate a trade violation.” Andean laid his head in his talons. “For once, Luna, can we not make this about politics?” Luna opened her mouth. No words came out, replaced as they were by a tiny squeak. She tilted her head. “I-I am sorry?” “Politics were designed as a structure. A skeleton to hold up the workings of a society. It was designed so that life would run smoothly.” He slammed a fist on the table, rattling the dishes. “What good are politics if they get in the way of what people need?” “This isn’t just about politics, Andean.” Luna took a deliberate slurp of her soup. “It’s about honoring our word to the breezies.” She waved her spoon in a little dance through the air. “Celestia told me you hadn’t offered them iron. I’m sure they would appreciate access to something in relatively short supply in the rest of the w—” “I’m not trading our iron!” Andean roared. He stood on his hind legs and propped himself on the table. His wings spread as his fur bristled. Both the Royal Guards and the Blitzwings standing at the walls snapped to attention, spears and volleyguns at the ready. Luna set her spoon in the bowl. It clinked loudly in the still room. “Corona, perhaps you should show your sister the Stained Glass Gallery.” Stella had covered her head with her wings. She peered from between the feathers. “But I wanted to hear a story from you, Princess.” “Do as she says, Stella,” Andean said. He sank into his seat with a deep huff. “There are things we need to discuss alone.” Corona took Stella’s talon in hers and pulled her gently to the door. Natter bowed and led them down the halls, his throat bobbing. Luna drew herself up. She sat in the perfect posture for a princess: Back straight, head up, forelegs together, tail beside her right hip, and wings folded at her sides. “Andean, why won’t you trade your iron? There is nowhere richer than Felaccia.” Andean rubbed his eyes. When he met Luna’s gaze, they were pale and cold. His wrinkled face sagged as if it held a great weight. “You would do… anything to save your sister, correct?” Luna tried to keep her face still. A faint twinge in her cheeks pulled her mouth down. “Aye.” “Now the question is…” Andean Ursagryph tapped the fish bones on his plate. “Would you sacrifice your kingdom and everypony in it for your sister?” “Wh—what? No!” Luna pushed her chair away from the table. Her ears lay back against her head. “I… I have a responsibility to—” “As do I.” He ran his talons through his thick, feathery beard. “Terrible times are on the horizon, Luna. I feel it in my bones. I’ve seen it in my dreams. It’s not just my death that’s been prophesied anymore. A darkness engulfs the entire world. Swallows it whole. It’s cold and oppressing and smothering…” A shiver ran from the tip of his bear’s tail to the point of his beak. “It’s evil, Luna. I find that word to be naïve and childish, but there is aught else to describe the presence I felt.” He clenched his fists, nearly drawing blood from his palms. “We need that iron for our defense. We need it for our war machines and our weapons. We need it to fortify our homes.” Luna brought a hoof to her chest. She took a steadying breath. “Are not the dark times already here?” Andean snarled. “You think it can’t get worse than a couple of princesses on bedrest?” He shifted his massive frame. His rear claws scraped against the floor. “Sparkpowder, the fuel behind our volleyguns, was also a dead end with the breezies. It seems they have little desire for explosives. I have nothing they want. Nothing. Nothing!” “I can’t help you, Andean,” Luna said. “Perhaps Celestia, in her infinite wisdom, could find a solution, but I can’t.” “Then let me speak with Celestia,” he hissed. “Let me see her. Let her do her job and—” “She’s in a coma.” Luna’s voice shook. “She’s in a coma, and hasn’t woken up since she was attacked.” Andean stared in silence. Not a feather moved. Not a muscle twitched. “I’m sorry.” Luna turned away. “I wish for all the world that I could simply give your people ambrosia, but—” King Andean Ursagryph stood, sending his chair clattering to the floor. His talons left deep scars in the tabletop. “You’re a better liar than I thought.” He swept out of the dining hall in a flurry of feathers. His Blitzwings followed close behind, joined with a small attachment of Royal Guards. Luna’s voice cracked. “I will require a walk. I need to clear my head.” The guards that remained stood in silence, their thoughts to themselves. Luna licked her dry lips. “You are dismissed.” She vanished in a cloud of blue embers. The guards filed out two-by-two, headed to other posts or the barracks. One guard wasn’t supposed to be there. He took a scrap of paper from his side-pouch and held a pencil in his mouth. He wrote a few notes down and squirreled them away. Though the golden armor enchanted his coat white and his mane blond, he was still noticeably individual within the ranks. He slid easily into the routine, a routine he’d been part of for years. Nopony noticed that the guard wasn’t supposed to be there, because everypony knew his face. *** Luna sparked into existence in the castle gardens, just beside the large oak tree. The leaves were completely gone from its branches. It was, for all intents and purposes, dead to the world. “No,” Luna said. “It is not dead. Merely asleep.” “Funny you should mention that.” Luna whirled on the deep, forceful voice behind her. She let out a sigh and shook her head. “Shardscale, you startled me.” “Wow. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I snuck up on somebody.” Shard held a hand over her mouth as she coughed a deep, wet cough. She groaned and rubbed her scaly green chest. “Listen. We gotta talk.” Luna brought her eyebrows low. “You are unwell, Chronicler?” “Well, it’s not so much unwell as just…” Shard waggled a claw. “Yeah. Kinda unwell. For the most part okay, but...” She pinched the bridge of her snout. “Look. I can’t stick around here anymore. I gotta get a move on.” “I beg your pardon?” Luna’s tail flicked behind her. “No. No, you can’t leave now. Why would you? There are things you must record, things you must learn. You said you would help me!” “I said I would help, yeah. But this is…” Shardscale wrapped herself in her leathery, flowing wings. “Luna, it’s getting cold. Autumn’s almost over. Winter comes next. I can’t stay for winter.” She touched a clawtip to her side, which glowed faintly. “My fire couldn’t handle it. My heart couldn’t handle it.” “You’re abandoning her!” Luna shouted. Shard flinched back. Tears sprung from the corners of her eyes, sizzling as they dripped down her cheeks. “That was uncalled for.” “She’s still in danger, Shardscale.” Luna flared her wings. Shadows pooled around her legs. “How can you even think of leaving her alone?” “Because my fire could go out!” Shard pushed against the ground and lifted her body. Her scales shone in the midday sun. “If I’m caught out in a snowstorm, the fire in my heart could die. Then I’d be in my hundred-year sleep two centuries too early and I’d be no help to anybody!” Luna’s coat darkened a shade. “You would leave because you’re afraid of a little sleep?” “I have a responsibility, too!” Shard bared her fangs. “Dragons still need to be informed. Equestria relies on me for outside news. If I go to sleep now, when I wake up all my friends will be dead!” Luna gritted her teeth as her eyes glowed. Shard sucked in a breath. She let the muscles in her arms slacken. “Well, I guess you of all ponies could understand that, couldn’t you?” The shadows slipped away. The glow died down. Luna’s mane fizzled as her coat brightened. The rage left her face, leaving it hollow. “Go.” Shardscale rubbed her upper arm. “Luna, I’m sorry.” “Just. Go.” Shard searched for a word, but came up empty. A heavy sigh escaped between her teeth. She spread her grand wings and gave a single flap. The wind howled past Luna as the dragon lifted into the air, hoisted by the force of her downward stroke. Shardscale soared through the clouds, becoming a green speck in seconds. Luna’s chest tightened, threatening her with hyperventilation. She forced herself to breath at a normal rate. She clutched the sides of her head as the world swam before her. She leaned against the ancient oak with no memory of having stumbled over to it. Her eyes fell on the Dream’s Keep. “Celestia. Yes. I should go to comfort Celestia in her dreams.” Luna wiped away tears that had sprung unbidden to her face. “Don’t worry. I shall not abandon you. I’ll not leave you cold and alone.” She spread her wings to fly to the tall tower. She swallowed a small lump in her throat as the black hair around her cutie mark tingled. “Yes. No need to worry. Remember, Luna, you’ll always have me as a friend.”