Cicada looked at the tower like building. It was far enough away from other buildings and the main portion of town to look like it was out in the open, but just looking behind her reminded the Queen she was still in the capital. “So, you’re friend lives here?”
“Yes,” Twilight answered. “She used to live in a small, run down house further in the middle of Canterlot, but I gave it to her not too long ago. Last time I came to visit her here, she still had one last box to unpack. But then again, that may have been because she got distracted by all the books here.”
When the group entered, Cicada awed at how big it was inside. There were more books than she had seen when she first appeared in Twilight’s castle. Though, that wasn’t saying much since she had only gotten to see them that once, and wasn’t paying much attention to the number of books then.
Twilight called out for Moon Dancer, hoping they didn’t come when she was out and she just left the door unlocked, but the alicorn got a reply back and soon a tan unicorn with a red and purple mane wearing glasses came from elsewhere in the library.
“Hi Twilight. Came in for another visit?”
“Well, that’s one of the reasons. This is Fireworks” Twilight said, gesturing to Cicada. “She recently moved nearby and she’s going to be working on a project. She’s hoping she might be able to come in here now and again to find books to help with her research.”
Moon Dancer shifted her glasses to get a better look at ‘Fireworks’ “Well hello there. I’m sure Twilight has told you my name.”
“Yes, she has. And she’s said it multiple times just talking about you. You sound like a nice pony.”
“Thanks. I’m fine if you want to use the books here. I mean, Twilight gave them to me in the first place, so if she suggested you use the books here, it makes sense I let you. The only condition I have is that you tell me what it is you’re researching.
Cicada internally panicked. How was she going to tell Moon Dancer without revealing she was a changeling. “Well, you see… I um, accidentally mixed two spells, and apparently they made a new spell which for a brief time created a portal to another dimension. I uh, want to figure out if there was a way the version of Equestria I saw there could have been us.”
“Really? A cross dimensional portal caused by a mix of two spells? Tell me, how did you manage that?”
“Well, um, I’ve been working on a portal spell that can let more than one pony through as a way to improve a teleport spell, but another spell hit the portal I had been testing and made it see into the other Equestria.”
“May I see your portal spell?” Moon Dancer asked.
Cicada pretended that it was hard for her to cast the spell so it would look like it wasn’t perfect yet, but she did show Moon Dancer her portals before quickly making them disappear. The unicorn thought a few seconds before going to some of the bookshelves and soon pulled out a book.
“Here. You might want to start with this book. It’s just really old myths, but as some ponies have learned, some of the supposed myths are real.”
“Thank you Moon Dancer.” Cicada said, taking the book. “I can’t wait to see you again.”
As the queen started to leave, Pinkie ran up to Moon Dancer and hoofed over a letter.
“It’s an invitation to the birthday party I’m making for you.” She said, smiling.
Moon Dancer looked confused. “It’s not for months from now. Why are you giving me this now?”
“Well, we don’t normally come to Canterlot without something special going on so I wasn’t sure if I would get much of a chance to give it to you. By they way, there are a bunch more so you can send them when you want. I even already put their names down, but added some blank cards for anypony else you want to invite.”
“Uh, thanks I guess.”
“You’re welcome! And that reminds me… hey when’s your birthday Fireworks?”
Cicada turned back to look at Pinkie. The pony’s gaze just told Cicada to run, so she did.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN TOMORROW?” Twilight yelled. “You said tonight!”
“Yes, I did say that, but things have changed. The changeling you had with me was treated badly enough that I had to give him some of the love I had for him to survive. It was either I delayed the time until you could go find my sister, or you would never get there.”
Empress Twilight’s eye twitched before she started to give a crazy smile. “Fine, but remember, just because I don’t want to hurt you, doesn’t mean I can hurt others.”
Nymph looked with concern as the empress briefly left the room and came in with another changeling. Upon seeing the changeling, Nymph’s eyes widened. “Locust! I thought you were at the base!”
“He actually came and tried attacking the castle by himself today after neither you or your sister came back. He was especially concerned about you.” The alicorn explained with an evil smile.
Her eyes flashed a yellow color as he shot a blast of magic at the changeling. The spell ripped through him and his eyes went blank. Blood was splurting out from the hole that was left in him body. Nymph cried out once she registered what had just happened, but it was too late. Locust was dead, killed by the evil empress.
“You’re a monster!” She cried. “Not even my grandmother would have done something as cruel as that!”
“I do what I need to to get on top. You stupid bug race don’t matter to me. I’m better than any of you, and my ponies should be the ones in command!”
Twilight’s eyes flashed again. “I want the portal no later than tomorrow night.”
“You’ll get it the morning day after tomorrow after what just happened. I can’t do it any sooner than that and by your own fault.”
“Fine, but that will be your last chance.” Twilight told her before leaving the room with Locust’s body, not bothering to clean up the mess she had left. The changeling she had staying with Nymph was let back in to find the large pool of blood and a crying changeling princess. At first the changeling thought she was hurt, but after learning what happened became slightly less concerned.
“That was the last straw for the Empress.” Nymph told her cellmate. “When she leaves, we take Equestria and get rid of the ponies.”