//------------------------------// // Chapter X – Third Time's a Charm // Story: Journey with a Batpony // by Gulheru //------------------------------// The Seat of the Covenant was remarkably calm tonight, as there was no meeting scheduled and no topic to discuss between the Lords of Noctraliya. Yet the glorious, rich chamber hosting the usual meetings was not empty. In the sacred silence and resplendent stillness of the place, Dusk Harvest was standing in front of the grand, centuries-old map of the Seven Mountains. It was a chart serving the Lords of Noctraliya for generations, hung up only for the biggest of summits, when the state of the domain was to be discussed. Dusk Harvest’s giddy, goldenrod gaze was focused on the Valleys, majestically represented on the parchment by throngs of blooming and fruit-bearing trees. Oranges and lemons were hanging abundantly all over them, with grapevines and watermelons aplenty portrayed just below the branches. This fertile land was enclosed within a girdle of high mountain slopes, the Mountain of Dusk towering above the region. Through the middle of the granite range, the Silverthread River was weaving itself left and right, cutting the Valleys into irregular halves, being aptly represented on the chart by a string the color of shining metal. While Dusk Harvest was in middle of his deep deliberations, a small bat perched on his shoulder nibbled his ear a little. The stallion chuckled faintly at those affectionate bites. “I-I know, Blossom, I sh-shouldn’t fret so much...” The pet nodded, as if concurring, then slid closer to nestle against the batpony’s neck, above his Lord’s, black cloak. However, despite its kind gestures, the stallion’s stare was invariably nervous. He was searching for inspiration in the ancient map. Involuntarily, he moved his gaze to the Border and then beyond, to the hills and forests under Equestrian rule. They were marked under the radiant sign of the Judging Sun, portrayed as almost threateningly appearing from behind the map’s edge. “Scheming, Dusk Harvest?” A mare’s voice, echoing through the chamber, caused the stallion to turn his head while his little companion fluttered, surprised. Azure Mist was calmly and elegantly approaching him, wearing a black, breathtaking and almost daringly laced ensemble, encompassing her cloak in a smart way. Her rich mane would most likely have been sweeping the floor if it was not held by a resplendent hairpin and the silver circlet. Earrings, full of sapphires, were swinging delicately from her ears and Dusk Harvest was certain it was one more pair that he had not before seen. “Me, s-s-scheming? N-no, Azure Mist. T-that’s your j-j-job,” he replied, granting the mare a polite nod of his head. “Preposterous!” she declared, her malicious smile followed by a laugh. She joined the stallion at the map, carefully trying to assess what was the place he had been staring at. “So, I trust all the preparations for the summit are done already if you allow yourself to waste time studying topography? Or did you decide, for once, to take a break before finishing your work?” Dusk Harvest rolled his eyes. “D-Don’t be r-r-ridiculous. E-e-everything was r-ready last w-week. And you k-know it.” “That I do. I am merely intrigued by your presence here, I confess,” she responded serenely. “Are you so giddy with anticipation you need to stay away from others for your own good?” Blossom hissed at the mare, yet Dusk Harvest but shrugged, seemingly unaffected by her remark. “I-I seek t-t-tranquility here, y-yes. A-And I am s-simply hoping th-this storm outside shall not t-t-take a week by i-itself. I-I hate being i-i-idle.” Azure Mist but smirked, seeing longing in the other Lord’s eyes. “Homesick already, Dusk Harvest? Missing the sound of parchments and abaci? And here I thought you enjoyed getting away from your paperwork from time to time,” she inquired, staring to the right side of the chart, where the lands of Dusk Family were marked in deep, leafy green. “Y-you know I am r-really h-hopeful when i-it comes to those t-talks with the P-P-P—“ He found it hard to finish the sentence, so he waved his hoof around, agitated. Blossom nuzzled against him as the stallion took a couple of slow breaths, visibly comforted by his pet’s affection. “Princess!” he finally screamed, sending rippling echoes all around. The mare granted him a polite smirk. “I think we shall reach an agreement, one way or the other.” She then stepped towards the map, staring at the stoic fortress of the Border. “Allow me to borrow your expertise for a moment, Dusk Harvest. Do you believe you could strike us an economically favorable deal?” “I b-believe so, y-y-yes,” Dusk Harvest replied and sighed profoundly. “A-as long as i-it shall not t-take a m-month or so... D-despite everything, I d-do long for my M-M-Mountain. I h-hate leaving my w-work u-unattended for e-e-extended p-periods of t-t-t—” Seeing as he was once again stuck. Azure Mist placed a hoof on his shoulder to try and calm him down. “There, there, friend...” She had to quickly move away, though, as Blossom attempted to bite her quite zealously. Dusk Harvest petted and placated his pet. His eyes, however, kept growing in anxiety, until Azure Mist finally heard him whisper. “... time...” Only after achieving his closure did he sigh in relief. The mare rubbed her chin, showing curiosity. “I know you count on our talks being fruitful...” “L-l-literarily.” “... but have you decided to step away from the plan we have forged then?” They both stayed silent for a while, Azure Mist giving Dusk Harvest a long but tense look, causing the stallion to bite his lip a couple of times and scrape the floor with his hoof before replying. “D-Do you s-still think our i-i-idea shall w-work?” “I see no other option,” Azure Mist replied sternly, but then smirked. “Well, that’s a lie. I do see other options, but I do not think we will be forced to utilize them. I’ve heard that the Princess is quite reasonable and might wish to uphold... certain values...” Dusk Harvest exhaled and shook his head at the other Lord. “A-and you h-have learned that f-from one of y-your p-personal s-spies no d-d-doubt.” His statement would be chastising if not for his shaky tone. “U-u-unnecessary. E-enough to say th-that if she w-were to l-learn of e-e-eyes being k-kept on her, i-it s-surely would a-a-a—“ He closed his eyes in his struggle to finish, Blossom trying to comfort him with more nuzzling. “Affright her?” “Antagonize!” he hollered. “H-her, I mean...” It was Azure Mist’s turn to shake her head. “She knows well she has no authority here. Besides, she seems a scholar. I have my reasons to believe that she will gladly trade her discomfort for the possibility of learning about us...” Dusk Harvest closed his eyes and began pacing back and forth, Blossom trying her best to keep her balance on his shoulder. “W-we are trotting on l-loose snow, A-A-Azure Mist. L-Let us pray to the I-I-Immaculate Moon... th-that we and our l-lands are n-not crushed when i-i-it gives.” The mare only laughed. “Have you been spending too much time with Bright Crescent? Stop being melodramatic, Dusk Harvest. If anything, the Goddess shall make sure it is Equestria that will bear such avalanche.” The stallion finally stopped his errand and looked Azure Mist in the eye. “Y-you know I w-would like to d-deal with h-her a-amicably. E-engage in d-d-diplomacy. A-after all, w-we are to l-listen to the ‘w-wisdom new’ she sh-shall be b-b-bringing. So s-says the p-p-p—“ “The prophecy,” Azure Mist interrupted him, raising her hoof, “is also warning us quite plainly! And even if I am not agreeing with Midnight Eye’s and Crimson Shade’s immediate interpretations, I will not fall victim to any machinations of that mare...” Dusk Harvest did not reply immediately, switching his gaze from the mare to the hanging chart. His lips twitched a couple of times, like he attempted to say something but couldn’t as of yet. Blossom was keeping an eye on him all the time. “I-I am not a s-stallion of intrigue and y-you know it,” he ultimately stated. “I-I s-simply care for our f-folk to have their f-food. And I-I wish to a-a-achieve it... p-peacefully.” “Oh, do not fear about food, friend. We will not have to worry about sustenance and reserves for the next few, flourishing generations when our plan is successful. Peacefully or not quite so,” Azure Mist stated confidently, her mane shifting as she turned her attention to the map, sparks of excitement in her golden eyes. “N-not ‘when’. ‘I-if’.” Dusk Harvest pointed out, causing a look of discontent from her. “Do you not trust that our Goddess shall show us the way to overcome all of the obstacles?” There was an accusation in the mare’s voice, making Dusk Harvest squint his eyes. “Do not q-q-question my f-faith, A-Azure Mist. The G-Goddess is with u-us always. B-but Her p-plan might be d-different from y-y-yours,” he declared and paused. “D-do you t-take that into c-c-consideration?” Azure Mist stepped towards him, her eyes betraying rising irritation. Blossom hissed at her almost tauntingly and Dusk Harvest nodded, appreciating the gesture. “What I do, I do to benefit our lands and race,” the mare stated with conviction. “Y-You said y-yourself that a new i-idea came to y-y-you,” the stallion reminded her. “Yet n-nopony knows a-a-anything about it s-still. H-how can w-we be certain you sh-sh-shall not d-decide to do s-something d-drastic b-behind our backs? Y-you already h-have your p-personal E-Eyes o-on the P-Princess.” “So what if I do? This only grants us all an advantage,” the mare replied drily, turning towards the map and letting Dusk Harvest know that she was utterly disinterested in talking with him any longer. He, however, did not seem to care. “T-take it personally i-i-if you wish, b-but it is h-hard to trust in p-plans concerning the e-e-entire domain c-coming from a L-Lord that makes q-q-questionable d-decisions about her o-own Family...” Azure Mist shuddered visibly at those words. She painfully slowly turned her head towards the stallion, her expression masking a tide of anger. “I advise you to discontinue...” she whispered, pacing herself. “If you care for our folk so much... and truly wish for them to have their food... then stay silent and witness the scheme work...” “A-Azure Mist,” Dusk Harvest spoke gallantly up, although his eyes were filled with anxiety, “i-it is h-hard to b-believe s-somepony who i-is leading h-her son a-around l-like a trained p-p—“ “You would dare?!” Azure Mist was turned towards him in a blink of an eye, her fangs bared to their full extent. “I’ve stopped my son from staining our bloodline with lowborn blood! I’ve managed to quench a treasonous rebellion he tried to start because of his misplaced affection!” the mare’s voice was above furious. “I have taught him the importance of obedience! One that he, once my spirit goes to join our ancestors, shall also have to impose upon our subjects!” Blossom hid behind Dusk Harvest’s sepia mane, covering her head like a little child believing that if it can’t see the monster, then the monster also can’t see it. This time it was the stallion who was standing tall. “And s-senseless m-murder was y-your method?” he inquired, his voice trying its best to be strong. “My method was a necessary sacrifice!” Azure Mist shouted, the echo bouncing around the chamber like a blindly panicked animal, frightened at her fury. “I d-doubt you shall e-ever find the G-Goddess t-t-tolerating—“ “The Goddess knows that what I did was not to my benefit! I saved my son from a decision that would cost him the future! Of our Family and his own!” the mare shouted back, stepping closer to the other Lord. Her voice became thick with spite. “But what do you know, Dusk Harvest? You care not for the good of your bloodline at all! You dare insult me as a parent while you yourself don’t have any heirs! And I know you won’t have any!” The stallion became petrified. His face paled and his lips began quivering involuntarily. In his moment of shock, Blossom found her courage and began throwing a hissy fit at the other Lord, wishing to protect her master from harm. Dusk Harvest spoke up after a tense while. “A-Azure M-Mist, I-I-I w-w-will n-not h-have y-y-you—“ “Oh, forgive me!” the mare interrupted, faking shame and guilt. “You won’t have children unless that harlot of yours shall spread her legs for you out of pity!” Seconds were passing and the echo of the statement was slowly dying out. Dusk Harvest stood his ground, yet his eyes had begun filling with tears, despite his best efforts of containing himself. Blossom was desperately trying to comfort him in her own way, nuzzling to his neck almost fanatically. In the meantime Azure Mist had an expression of self-righteous confidence on her muzzle, although her eyes were calm and cold. Dusk Harvest finally turned around, leaving. “M-may the J-J-Judging S-Sun b-burn y-y-your b-blood...” he whimpered, his voice full of grief, shaken more than usually. As the stallion was closing the doors behind him, without even the strength to slam them properly, Blossom looked back at Azure Mist and bared her fangs in a vicious, hostile hiss. Left alone in the chamber, the mare sat down on her rightful place at the marble, heptagon table. She gave herself a minute of calm breathing, composing herself after her sudden, although victorious, outburst. Then she curled her lips and, feeling calm and relaxed again, began practicing her kind, warm, friendly smiles. She was just about to check whether her hairpin was still where it was supposed to be, but the pony she ultimately desired to meet finally appeared. Crimson Shade, wearing his full, general’s uniform in addition to the Lord’s circlet and jet black cloak, firmly stepped inside the chamber. His bright, focused gaze was resting on Azure Mist. “Yes...” he began coldly, approaching. “I thought I heard your frantic shrieks bouncing around the corridors...” The mare but smiled at him coquettishly. “Oh, Crimson Shade, let us not be unpleasant towards one another, we have much to discuss.” The stallion immediately sat down on his throne, the emblem on his cuirass matching the sign of his Family engraved on the seat. “What did you tell Dusk Harvest?” he inquired on a warning note. “He bumped into me in the passage, he looked like a wreck.” “Nothing he didn't have to hear,” Azure Mist stated calmly, disregarding his tone. “Consider this a piece of ‘friendly’ advice then,” the stallion responded even more firmly. “Play your mind games on your own subjects.” The warning did not appear to affect the mare, however. A perfect, polite grin was still plastered on her muzzle. “Maybe I shall, indeed, consider it. But we have a greater ‘game’ to participate in. The one with Equestria. And my mind might be imperative in it. So let us focus on discussing our strategy, hmm?” Crimson Shade snorted. “Hard to talk a ‘game strategy’ through when one of the players is undermining the group and changing the rules without telling others, Azure Mist. Are you still going to be the odd one out and keep your intrigue to yourself?” The mare simply nodded her head, causing him to stand up abruptly. “We have nothing to discuss then. Farewell.” “Wait, Crimson Shade, wait,” she attempted to stop him with a dignified gesture. He remained standing, giving her a frigid leer, yet she did not seem to mind it at all. “I shall not reveal my plan until I am certain we have to use it. In the meantime, I have something else for you.” The mare stood up slowly. She approached the other Lord, whose irked gaze was not leaving her face, then took a rolled parchment out of the folds of her dress and passed it to him. Crimson Shade slowly took his seat back. He took the scroll, taking note of the broken, stabbed wax seal, and slowly began reading the contents. Azure Mist stood right behind him, like an alluring shadow. The stallion’s eyes soon widened in agitation. “You... you put your spy under her very nose?! Have you gone mad, Azure Mist?!” “No, Crimson Shade, this is what I call ‘caution’ and ‘finesse’,” she replied, leaning down towards his ear. “You could use some of those...” “I will not—“ Azure Mist pinned the parchment to the table with her hoof, causing the stallion to focus on it. “Keep reading, friend.” He continued the lecture reluctantly, soon moving away the mare’s hoof to see the entirety of the contents. His mouth hung open as he read out loud. “... ‘takes notes of all her findings.‘ She... she is spying on us after all,” his voice was filled with disbelief. “As I have suspected. But I did not want to put it before others,” the mare whispered into his ear, allowing her coiffure to mingle with his raw umber, short mane. “I thought you might wish to be aware of this fact first. Considering everything...” her tone was caring and seductive alike. “The... the nerve!” Crimson Shade whammed his hoof on the table, causing Azure Mist to back away, a smirk dancing on her lips. “They do not only think us feeble! After all those centuries, they would still wish us ill! I will not tolerate this!” The stallion stood up quickly, baring his teeth. He turned around, witnessing the mare’s concerned expression and deep understanding in her eyes. “I concur, Crimson Shade. We mustn’t let it stand. But... shouldn’t we keep to the initial idea for now? Until we find out even more about the Princess? Perhaps there is a way of using her thirst for knowledge to our advantage...” The stallion trotted in place for a moment, before storming towards the hanging map. “We do not need elaborate schemes, Azure Mist!” his tone was loud and frustrated. “The prophecy is fulfilling itself on our very eyes! Her ‘sweetened lies’ are obvious!” He stood in front of the chart, his eyes focused on the lands beyond the Border. “What we need is a way of finally assuring Equestria shall never again harm us!” “And we will have one, I promise you. Through my... modifications to our plan.” The mare stood next to the other Lord, placing her hoof on his shoulder gently. He did not seem to acknowledge her gesture, his eyes glued to the chart. He finally exhaled. “Strengthening the garrison was a better move than we thought. I would not mind sending more troops there, just in case...” Azure Mist cocked an eyebrow at her companion. “She is trying to spy on us, not invade us, and—” “I shall not risk any failures.” “Come now, be reasonable, Crimson Shade,” the mare trotted before him to look him in the eye. “We have probed Maretonia for a good reason. If their forces are comparable with those of Equestria, then what does it mean?” she inquired in a tone betraying she already knew the answer. “That they have grown sloppy and weak,” the stallion immediately replied. “That, however, does not—“ “We have also given them a little scare. They know not what to expect from us, so they shall ask Equestria for some support, if they have not done so already. And that support, I presume, they shall acquire.” Crimson Shade cut the air with his hoof. “I am capable of remembering simple plans, Azure Mist! Their forces busy in Maretonia means their forces not present at our border. It does not change the fact that this ‘diplomatic mission’ is a ruse after all!” The stallion glanced back at the parchment, still lying on the table. “Even so, others need convincing of that still,” the mare pointed out, smiling enticingly. “And we need to wait for the final interpretation of the prophecy, no?” “The prophecy shall only confirm our fears,” Crimson Shade replied drily. “I thought you were fearless, General...” the mare whispered, stepping forward. She gave the stallion an alluring gaze, dropping her eyelids a little bit. The stallion stared back at her, surprised at how close she approached. Yet when met with her tempting stare, his expression began softening almost instantly. “You know I do not fear taking matters in my own hooves,” he told her, as she took another step. “Oh, wouldn’t I love for you to prove it...” Azure Mist whispered back, resting one of her hooves on his armored chest. “So, I suppose...” she added, her muzzle nearing his own, “... that you will wish to... support me and aid me in my plan...” “Against Equestria...?” Crimson Shade’s voice became soft and satisfied. “Yes...” the mare whispered, planting a kiss right next to his mouth, teasing him before going any further. “Against all who harmed us...” Yet at her words, the stallion’s face fell. He gently but firmly stepped back, leaving Azure Mist in a somewhat compromising position. She composed herself immediately, however, her eyes full of both disappointment and curiosity. Silence reigned for a longer while before Crimson Shade finally took a deep breath. “My Family’s wounds run deep, Azure Mist...” he declared stoically, his eyes escaping to the chart, where the Shade Family’s domain was marked in the grey hue of a granite, steadfast rock. “I will help you... but do not think that I forgot what the Mist Family owes us...” There was a spark in his gaze that caused the mare to speak up most cautiously. “I did not forget, Crimson Shade. I would, although, wish—“ “Our wounds run deep indeed,” he repeated like an echo. “And we shall always remember who caused them,” he whispered, not even bothering to stare at Azure Mist. She watched him as he left the chamber calmly, his armor rustling and his cloak sweeping the floor. After the door closed themselves, the mare whipped out a handkerchief from her ensemble and cleaned her lips calmly but thoroughly. She then collected the parchment from the table, glancing at the contents one more time. A smile danced on her lips. The plan was being executed perfectly so far. She simply could not wait to obtain another of Deep Mist’s reports. *** Twilight’s heart was racing at a truly unhealthy pace. Midnight’s stern words caused her to quiver in anxiety, despite her best efforts of composing herself. “Deep Mist is an Occultan...?” she whispered in disbelief, causing the batpony to grit his teeth. He began trotting in circles, from one side of the corridor to the other. “Soleespalu... Prokleyitu!” His volume was rising, alongside his fury. “Ipu ver cesa! Ipyi dzieti nascitai morturyi! Kirwe!” he ultimately shouted, punching the wall, only miraculously avoiding bending his steel claws on the sheer rock. He rested his forehead on the cold granite, his entire body shaking. Twilight had never seen him in such a state. She witnessed his sorrow when he told her about his wife’s death. She remembered well his joy when she saw her again in Canterlot. But she had never experienced his anger and grief shown in such a vivid way. It scared her. Pretty significantly. And yet she simply could not stand back and watch Midnight suffer like he did. She approached him carefully, putting her hoof on his shoulder. “Midnight...” She received no response at first, only a small, frantic shiver. “Midnight... please, talk to me...” she pleaded. There was no answer at first. But when the stallion did finally turn, his muzzle was nothing short of an icon of sorrow. “Twilight,” he whispered shakily, his eyes ferocious and his lips twitching as he tried to contain himself, “my closest comrade... my brother in arms... somepony I have known for years of service... turns out to be...!” He could not finish, simply letting out a vicious, angry hiss through clenched teeth. The mare could only stare at him, his anguished face causing her heart to crack and crumble into tiny pieces. He shook his head fervently yet again. “How could I have been so blind?! Bogine, dimitae ia! Bogine, adiumae ia!” His supplication were rending Twilight’s heart even further. “Midnight, you couldn’t have known...” “I should have known!” he snapped back at her, baring his teeth. “I promised to protect you! I gave you my word! And I have allowed a spy to sit under my very nose regardless!” He took a few breaths, then suddenly stopped shivering. He gave Twilight a long look, his eyes becoming desperate. He took a step back, his mouth twisted by grief. “Bogine... I have failed you, Twilight...” “No!” she declared immediately. The tone of his voice chilled her to the bone. “I have failed your trust...” “No, stop! What are you saying?” She took a step towards him, but he stopped her with his raised hoof. “I... I don’t deserve to... to...” Twilight had enough. Before she could realize what she was about to do, she pushed aside Midnight’s foreleg and embraced him tightly, nestling her head under his muzzle. She experienced... a strange warmth overtaking her as she felt his body so close to hers, even with his armor separating them. All other thoughts and sensations went away, as she focused on this wonderful, blissful closeness, one that felt amazingly new and compelling to her. She had hugged others before, of course, but this was... different. Special. Her heart was skipping its regular beat now and again. And right after it had been miraculously restored to its proper, full state, having stopped Midnight’s anguished outburst. Time itself must have stopped for a while. The sensation of the embrace imprinted itself in Twilight’s mind and made her forget about everything else around her. It did not matter that she was in a distant, strange land, in a dark corridor, after learning that a member of her entourage was an operative, assigned to spy on her. What mattered was her and Midnight. The two of them. She could somehow feel the sadness leaving the stallion. The cold grasp of it had melted, like ice melts under the spring sun. Twilight closed her eyes tightly, just so she could dive deeper into this unfamiliar yet wondrous feeling that had overwhelmed her senses instantly. She heard his surprised whisper. “Twilight...” It somehow managed to awake her from her pleasurable and absentminded state. Her cheeks burned brightly when she realized what she had just done. She let go of the stallion and stepped back, abashed and flustered like never before. Not as bewildered as Midnight, though. With his mouth hanging loose and his slit pupils widened almost enough to be mistaken for round, he looked properly shocked. And was blushing perhaps even more furiously than her. She knew she had to say something as the silence was becoming more than prolonged. “You did not fail me, nor my trust, Midnight...” she whispered warmly. “But I... I...” he stammered, trying to find back his tongue. “I don’t care.” Suddenly, the edges of his mouth twitched. He took a deep breath, then sat down in the middle of the corridor. He raised his head and forelegs towards the ceiling, but his words had enough power to pierce the rock and venture into the night’s sky. “Goddess, I know not what I have done to deserve it, but thank You for letting me meet Twilight Sparkle...” he declared solemnly, causing Twilight to laugh. “And I am grateful for meeting you, Midnight, every night...” she added her own line to his sudden prayer, causing him to happily exhale. “Better?” she asked as he got up. “Not really,” he admitted reluctantly, closing his eyes. “I have allowed my rage to affect me. It shall not happen again, I promise...” “Letting anger overtake you is never an answer to a problem. It creates but more trouble,” Twilight stated, trotting closer to him. “True. Our problem still stands...” Midnight’s cold response was. “We need to get back to our quarters and deal with Deep Mist.” “But how?” “Quickly!” the stallion pointed out. “Before he sends more reports to Lord Azure Mist... I presume that bat in Hollow Shades was carrying a letter from him. Kirwe, he played us for fools!” Midnight stomped his clawed hoof down. “He used the moment when you went out to search for me outside, yes...” Twilight assessed. “Then h—“ she stopped, as a realization struck her. She felt her eyes widening. “Midnight, my scroll! He must have my scroll!” The batpony slapped his forehead. “Of course! Bogine, that makes sense! When I caught him out of bed today... he wasn’t getting out, he must have been getting back in! The snake! Prokleyitu serpen!” Twilight trotted in place in distress. “Oh! I hadn’t thought about closing my doors for the day! He must have seen me with it the night before... I have all of my tips for the summit there! Personal notes! I don’t want anypony t—” Midnight stepped towards her and put his hoof on her shoulder. “Alright, Twilight, calm down. You were right, this is not the time to let emotions overtake you,” he stated, firmly yet trying his best to calm her down. “Enough of presumptions, we need to get our answers. So let’s move, I recall the way back.” Twilight nodded. “Yes... Yes, one moment.” She put her right foreleg to her chest and extended it ever so slowly, performing her favorite breathing exercise. This whole situation had made her pretty nervous and for a reason! ... and the very recent memory of her hugging Midnight caused her to repeat the routine a couple more times, just to avoid another deep blush desperately. “Alright, we can go,” she said finally. “I hope that was some strange rite of putting a curse upon Deep Mist...” Midnight declared expectantly before they departed, but Twilight simply gave him a skittish giggle. Her mind was full of questions and doubts. Learning that Deep Mist was a spy was as surprising as putting some matters into a different perspective. She recalled instances when she had spotted him glaring at her and Midnight more intently, or appearing a lot more reserved, not to say unkind. She could have pinned those actions on his skepticism and prejudice towards her, an Equestrian and an alicorn, but him being one of those infamous Occultani was a lot more logical. Not to mention proving that this quest of hers would require a lot more caution and... finesse to complete. Especially considering that she was now absolutely certain that Azure Mist was scheming something behind her back. As Twilight and Midnight were trotting through the muster field again, the mare felt more stares in her direction, but her occupied mind did not have any time for those. Also, the stallion’s vengeful, fierce look and prideful posture, strengthened by his Nightguardian status, was somehow mitigating the glances now. “Had I only inquired about this dagger before...” Twilight muttered to herself when they entered the tunnel leading straight to the Inner Courtyard. Midnight arched his eyebrow. “When did you even spot it?” “Yesternight, just after we arrived at our chambers. After Deep Mist’s map fell out of his backpack.” “Kirwe, why have I not seen it?” The stallion shook his head in disappointment. “It is rather hard to miss after all...” “But they don’t carry those around normally, I presume. Hard to blend in with a blade that signifies your position,” Twilight pointed out. “You are correct, of course, it does mark their duties. It is actually a pretty significant sign,” Midnight replied, closing his eyes for a second. “From what I can recall, Occultani receive the dagger when they are issued an important mission from their haspadr. It can also indicate that they are considered the head operative on an assignment, if they are leading a team... They would sign their letters with the blade as well. When their quest is complete, they return the weapon to the Lord and return to their ‘normal’ lives,” he explained, his eyes growing cold and grim progressively. Twilight was listening with mounting curiosity. “How can you know so much about them if they are a secret force?” “A secret force that can always impose the Lord’s will if necessary and that we know is actually around. I have seen them... ‘in action’ once,” he revealed. Twilight spotted an almost unnoticeable shudder passing through him. “Besides, as Nocferrat, we have to be aware of some of Occultaniyi procedures, so we are not stepping on one another’s hooves.” “I see... It did not—“ Twilight wished to comment on the current situation without thinking it through. She stopped herself abruptly, but Midnight understood what she was about to say. “Yes, Twilight. That does not stop a Lord from appointing one of us Occultan,” he responded frigidly. “I’m sorry...” “Don’t worry, I know what you meant,” Midnight shrugged as they ventured into the Inner Courtyard. “For now, this particular situation will not stop me from appointing Deep Mist a victim of a few of my punches.” “Midnight, no!” Twilight stepped in front of him, almost causing him to bump into her. “This is not right. Exposing him shall be enough. You cannot assault him, even if he is a spy.” He inhaled deeply. “I do not care for ‘good manners’, Twilight. Besides, I doubt he shall be willing to stand down without some measure of... ‘coarcion’.” “It’s ‘coercion’,” she corrected him automatically. And then shook her head at her priorities in this dire moment. “Please, reconsider, Midnight...” She looked him in the eye, almost pleadingly. “I know it’s hard for you to deal with this... this treachery, but animosity and violence are never the right answers...” Midnight furrowed his brow, breathing in a couple of times. He then looked around. In the vast Courtyard there was nopony observing them intently, other than a few patrols, intriguingly glancing in their direction as they were passing by, minding their own business. Midnight, staying silent for a longer while, lead Twilight to Ebon Fang’s statue, gesturing like he wished to show her something on the plaque. “You are right...” he finally admitted, pretending to be talking about the monument. “But... despite this… ‘moral high ground’ of yours... you do understand my anger, correct?” “I do, of course!” she immediately assured him. “But, as I have told you, it won’t lead you anywhere good.” Midnight reluctantly nodded. “I am getting softer because of you,” he muttered and smirked, causing her to smile as well. “Alright, so what do you propose?” Twilight pondered for a while. “First, coming back like nothing is wrong...” “Agreed, naturally.” “Could you ask him to show you something on the map so that he opens his backpack, or suddenly refuses to do so?” Midnight rubbed his chin. “Bit of a stretch. Noctraliya we know inside out, that map was for the best passage through Equestria. But perhaps I will think of something.” His stare became more intense out of a sudden. “I will need you to stay in your chamber though...” Twilight was confused. “Why is that?” “Precaution. Occultani are fighters nearly as skilled as we are. And Deep Mist actually is a Nightguardian as well. If he will choose a confrontation then I need to know you are safe and out of harm’s way in the other room.” “Midnight, if anything like that happens, I am not leaving you to deal with him alone!” she protested zealously, stepping closer. “I could, perhaps, use my magic, or something...” He bit his lip and thought for a significant while. He looked to the side, exhaling. “Twilight, I cannot worry about him and you. Simply... promise me you shall remain in your chamber... at least until I am certain he is no longer a threat to you.” “But Midnight—“ “Twilight, please...” She stopped. She simply stopped. There was a note to Midnight’s voice that she had never heard before and the uniqueness of it, plainly, stunned her. She heard his timbre being equally caring and serious, warm and firm, affectionate and responsible. She watched his gaze soften. “... you are too important to me.” Time stopped once again. But Twilight could not care about the abundance of temporal anomalies that was occurring tonight. Even if the stallion’s words were the exact reason for this particular deviation from the regular flow of existence. His affectionate look, that exhale when he finished his sentence, the nervous smirk trying to take over his lips... It all was speaking volumes to Twilight’s mind right now. All of those signs, so subtle, so easy to overlook, were telling her more than what she had ever dreamt of knowing. And for a moment, for a brief moment that suddenly felt like centuries passing by, when the echo of his sentence was still ringing in her mind, Twilight could feel her heart glowing. “...light?” A distant voice attempted to invade on her moment of pure, unrivaled joy. “Twilight...?” She felt a hoof on her shoulder, slightly nudging her. She blinked a couple of times, realizing finally that it was indeed Midnight trying to contact her from the regular, mortal realm. “Uhm... sorry...” she whispered, smiling the warmest smile she could muster. “Have you glimpsed into Silverheaven?” he inquired, concerned. “Pardon?” “You were standing there like you just saw the Goddess Herself. Is everything alright?” He seemed genuinely worried. A part of Twilight’s mind was wondering whether he really was so oblivious to what he had just done to her heart. Couldn’t he have seen it beaming in her chest? “Yes... yes, everything is fine...” she said, lowering her eyes shyly. “It was just... It was... very nice to hear you say that...” she admitted reluctantly. It was an ecstatic reluctance, however. “Ha... I... I’m glad,” he replied just as timidly. They spent a moment simply gazing at one another, occasional exhale or silent, nervous giggle happening. Then Midnight shook his head. “Let us go. We must not wait any longer,” he declared firmly. “Right, yes,” she agreed. But, as they began walking, Midnight turned to one of his sly smiles. “Oh, remind me... I owe you a hug...” he whispered. Twilight’s cheeks flared as her mind seemed to have indeed decided to “glimpse into Silverheaven”. When the two of them arrived at their quarters, Midnight took a deep breath before putting his hoof on the doorknob. “Just stay in your chamber for now... Ready?” “Yes,” Twilight assured, trying her best to contain herself within the limits of casual behavior. Midnight opened the door without waiting longer. “Was that not an inspiring trip?” he declared quite convincingly, chuckling. “Indeed!” she replied, trying to act her part. The two of them witnessed Deep Mist staring at them from his bed, with an annoyed and slightly surprised expression. He was studying some parchment calmly. Twilight could tell it wasn’t her scroll, but her eyes lingered on it nonetheless. “Back so soon?” Deep Mist inquired casually, returning to his lecture like nothing had interrupted him. “Yes, we needed a break. Siegemaster Lawin was keen on showing us absolutely everything!” Midnight explained, taking off his hoofshoes and placing them by his own bed. “How are you doing, Altu Opar?” “Bleh...” the response was. “Whatever that bide, nausea or not, it is passing... but, Bogine, it felt like my stomach wriggling itself out...” The stallion grimaced. “We do not need details, friend...” Midnight assured, leading Twilight to her room casually and opening the door for her. “Thanks... I will take a nap for an hour or so and I think I should be good to go,” she stated, perhaps a bit louder than one normally would. “Good idea. I will get you something to drink in the meantime,” the batpony offered, giving her an approving wink when Deep Mist wasn’t watching. Twilight glanced at the other Nightguardian just before Midnight closed the door and she could have sworn that he appeared slightly nervous as he moved his grey fringe to the side, his eyes focused on the paper. Once she had been left alone in her chamber, Twilight felt the nerves winning over her. She began pacing the room, moving swiftly from one of its corners to the other. The rich rug mercifully decided to muffle her giddy hoofsteps. She didn’t know what to expect. A fight happening? A fierce argument? Deep Mist simply accepting that he had been exposed? There were many inquiries and little answers for her. She would have to simply sit and wait. She hated sitting and waiting! She, however finally took her place on the edge of the bed, staring down, having the promise she gave to Midnight in mind. Her brain instantly returned to his words. About her being... ‘too important’... She could have not stopped her heartbeat from going faster and, in the silence of her room, she could hear it pretty well. And, what was even more astonishing to her, was the lack of “Reasonable Twilight Sparkle’s” opinions on what had occurred recently. It seemed she was as astonished to hear such a... unique declaration as the rest of Twilight. The mare couldn’t tell for how long was she sitting down. Yet a sound of a conversation, although muffled by the door, made itself audible after some time. She delicately stood from the bed. She sneaked forward, trying to gain help from the rug once more, until she was capable of putting her ear at the door in her eavesdropping attempts. She did not expect to be too successful in those, however, especially considering the thickness of the wood and the two batponies conversing in their dialect. “... to robita ze delec, priyat.” Twilight recognized Midnight’s voice. “Ia znat, tac...” Deep Mist grumbled in reply and the mare could swear that he hissed. The lone sound of hoofsteps could have marked the end of the short exchange, but the stallion’s panicked shout suddenly resounded. “Nye, demora!” A moment of extremely tense silence followed. Twilight pressed her ear even closer to the door. “Ita... to bid vere, Altu Opar...” Midnight’s tone was as irked as one could have imagined, despite its faint volume. “Maednoc Wentr, tu spokoya...” “Tu prokleyitu, soleespalu tradit!” This fierce shout heralded an even fiercer struggle starting. One of the beds creaked violently. Then there was a swoosh of webbed wings and a harsh noise of a hoof hitting flesh, accompanied by a groan that sounded like Midnight’s. Twilight’s heart rushed madly. She was ready to storm into the room in an instant. However, just as she was moving her ear away from the wood, something hit the door on the other side. It had enough force to make her reel back, as she miraculously avoided the impact hurting her. A trembling sound of metal followed the thud. Twilight rapidly opened the door, witnessing a truly terrifying sight. On the level of her head, in the wooden surface, a firm, curved dagger was still quivering from the impact. And in the middle of the room, where the mare’s eyes were driven, Midnight was defending himself against Deep Mist’s vicious assault, being pushed away by an entire tide of lightning fast punches. “Tu bid tradit, Maednoc Wentr!” the grey-maned stallion screamed, barging into his adversary with his entire body. Midnight was quicker, however. As Deep Mist lunged forward, he dodged to the side and delivered an upward blow to his foe’s exposed gut. A grimace of satisfaction bloomed on his muzzle when the Occultan gasped for air desperately. “No, stop!” Twilight shouted, scared by this escalation of hostilities. Midnight turned his head towards her, surprised by her presence and scream. Deep Mist did not miss this opportunity. Still bent over from the last blow, he head-butted up, straight into Midnight’s chin, causing the stallion to stumble backwards. He followed that move with a fierce right hook. Twilight gasped in horror as her friend was sent to the floor. He fell with a painful grunt, holding his muzzle, his eyes glazed and defocused. Deep Mist turned around, his angered gaze resting on Twilight. His face twisted in a horrifying smile. Before the mare could react, he sprang using his legs and wings, towards one of Midnight’s bladed hoofshoes, still resting by the nearest bed. He grabbed the weapon in the middle of a swift turn and was already swooping at the other stallion, who was trying to get himself up, fighting the confusion. In the mere moment in which Twilight saw the razor sharp blades heading right for Midnight’s throat did she realize two things. Just how much she had grown to care about Midnight Wind... ... and just how fast was she able to cast her spells. The room erupted in a flash the color of raspberry. A concentrated, radiant beam of Twilight’s magic hit Deep Mist solidly on the side, sending him flying off towards the distant wall, muzzle first. Her ears ringing from the amount of emotions did little to muffle the sound of the impact. The Occultan let out a lowly groan and slumped towards the ground, remaining motionless. Twilight rushed to Midnight. “Are you okay?!” she inquired, her voice and entire body shaking. “Y-yes...” he replied slowly, his eyes still slightly vague. “Was there always two of you?” Twilight gently helped him up and steadied him. He shook his head fervently, getting rid of the remnants of confusion while she began apologizing. “I-I-I am so sorry, I heard noises, I came to check, I was afraid, I did not think clearly, I shouted, I distracted you, I—“ “You,” he stated warmly, putting his hoof on her shoulder, “saved my life... I am not sure who is in whose debt here, but I am okay with calling it even from now on...” He shook his head again, exhaling and blinking a couple of times, while the mare smiled broadly, fighting the urge to toss herself on Midnight’s neck in relief. However an anguished grunt from the other side of the chamber made them both turn. Deep Mist was trying to stand up, holding his mouth. A trickle of blood was going down his foreleg, red drips staining the stone floor. The Occultan glared at them in silent hatred, just before his eyes widened in horror. “Nye...” his muffled voice sounded. He touched the right side of his muzzle in panic before his stare focused at a particular spot on the floor. There lay a broken batpony’s fang, its white hue stained by crimson. “You cursed witch!” Deep Mist screamed at Twilight. “You will pay for this, I swear it ab Bogine!” The mare stood motionless, even in the face of his tone of unmatched fury. Midnight took his place in front of her, shielding her with his own body. “Leave now, Deep Mist. Before I draw your blood,” he declared firmly, causing a shudder to pass through Twilight at his strong tone. “You would attack me in defense of this... this... this soleerania wench?” the Occultan’s shouts were gaining in volume. “I serve Noctraliya, Maednoc Wentr!” “You serve Azure Mist and nopony else...” Midnight riposted. “Prokleyitu tradit! Don’t lecture me! You betray all of us! You betray Bogine! For her!” Deep Mist spat in Twilight’s direction, causing saliva and blood to mark the floor before him. She took note that the batpony was bleeding from his nose and that, indeed, his right fang was missing from his mouth. And his eyes were filled to the brim with rage. “Mark my words, Knaze,” the Occultan hollered, pointing his hoof at Twilight in accusation, “we will not bow to Ekwestriya and we shall not listen to Sewira Soleeyi lies!” Twilight was too stunned by the loathing in his voice to properly reply, her body quivering in shock and her eyes stung by tears. Deep Mist took a step towards her, baring his teeth. A vicious and savage hiss from Midnight stopped him dead in his tracks. “Leave. Now!” he ordered. “Tell Azure Mist that she shall not harm the Princess with her vile schemes. And that if she shall try and send another Occultan our way,” he paused and trotted forward, his voice becoming unnaturally calm, “I will personally cut out his eyes. Just as I shall carve yours from your own skull if I ever see you again...” Deep Mist breathed out, his eyes widening at the threat. He took a step back intimidated and appalled by Midnight’s shocking words. It took him a while to find his words back. “May Bogine forget about you in your hour of need, Maednoc Wentr!” the grey-maned stallion screamed. “You would betray all of us to Sewira Solee! This witch of hers cast her spell on you! Tue bide prokleyita, soleerane!” he hollered at Twilight in self-righteous anger. But she could simply stare in awe at what was occurring, her body refusing to move. “Be gone!” Midnight shouted even louder than Deep Mist, stomping his hoof. He then approached Twilight, giving her a warm look. She managed to glance at him, as he stood in front of her, emboldened and steadfast. He took his place right next to her, putting one of his strong, leathery wings over her back and stretching the other in front of his chest, shielding both him and her. It was a gesture of stalwart protection, one that caused Twilight to share in the stallion’s audacity against Deep Mist’s fury. Midnight inhaled. “I would have killed you, Deep Mist, even against the holy laws of Neskaza Lunee... But violence, vengeance, anger... are never the answers,” he declared, glancing at the mare intently. “You live only because of Twilight. Think about it.” The Occultan but hissed violently. “Curse upon your false mercy! Curse upon you, Midnight Wind! Upon you and her!” He trotted past them, his muzzle twisted in now powerless anger, ready to leave without even daring to go for his belongings. And yet he turned just before exiting. “May this love of yours be your downfall...” he whispered insidiously just before slamming the doors behind him. Twilight’s mind resounded in the echo of Deep Mist’s departure. One word was bouncing around her mind, unbound, free, unique. Nothing else mattered, but this one term that she had just heard. Midnight folded his wings, until now screening her. He did not say a word, but took a few, sluggish steps forward, his gaze blank. She could hear him breathing heavily as he remained turned away from her. Twilight’s body decided to move on its own. She advanced towards him. She was driven forward by one expression, still filling her ears, her mind and her heart. Where it surely belonged. “... Midnight...?” she heard herself whisper as she was just behind him. He turned around. His mouth half open and his eyes keen, compelling, focused on her. He took a nervous breath. “Yes...” he answered the question she did not have to ask. Then he gently yet swiftly reached for Twilight’s muzzle, pulling her in for a deep and yearning kiss. For the third time that night, time ceased to flow. And Twilight wished for it to stay that way forever.