//------------------------------// // 11. Touch of Malice // Story: This Game of Mine // by Swan Song //------------------------------//   “Every exercise of your power adds a syllable to the greater song.” —Forgotten Force            S W E E T I E   B E L L E   With a heavy inhale, I took my fill of the fresh afternoon air and shuddered as energy coursed through my body, rousing stiff muscles to life. After basically no-lifing in my room for the last two days straight, trotting through the streets of Ponyville was a revitalizing change of pace. Today was a busy day, too. It was mid-afternoon, so lots of ponies were just getting off work or school, scurrying about to meet up with friends or grab a late lunch. It was difficult to watch them, knowing that any one of them could be Shadow. A stallion was opening up his market stall for the afternoon, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, a purse full of jingling coins at his side. He could have been Shadow. A bespectacled mare trotted past me, her electric blue mane flouncing as she rocked her head to a beat that only she could hear. She could have been Shadow too. A couple relaxed by the side of the fountain in the town square, one giggling softly while the other was likely whispering sweet nothings into her ear. Either of them could have been Shadow. Ugh. This was going to drive me nuts. I shook my head to free it of the anxious thoughts. They would do nothing but haunt me the longer I worried about them. “Something the matter, dear?” I turned to Rarity, who was trotting beside me with her head tilted in worry. “Just… exhausted, I guess,” I said with another sigh, turning back to watch the other ponies passing by in the street. Pangs of jealousy racked my core as I marveled at how anypony could be so carefree while my own mind festered with turmoil. “It’s been a long week, and it feels like it just keeps getting longer.” “I’ll say,” she agreed, coiffing her mane with a hoof. “Still so much to do today before our trip!” “Pretty much.” Last night had been… interesting. While I had been upstairs talking to Shadow, Rarity had received a summons from Button’s mother, informing Rarity of the best time to pick him up for the trip and a small list of things he’d be taking with him. Which, you know, would be totally fine and all… except for the fact that I hadn’t even mentioned the trip to Rarity yet. I hadn’t had a chance to! I was still upstairs hashing things out with Shadow! Ugh. But nope! Apparently Button was so excited that he’d completely jumped the gun and gave his mother the impression that I wasn’t just going, but I was taking him with me too! Because he’s an idiot. “I still need to wrap my mind around this… ‘Prosperity’ thing,” continued Rarity. “A video game party? I can scarcely imagine such a concept.” “I can’t either. I’m still not really sure what to expect.” “You said she was a developer of this video game?” “Something like that,” I affirmed with a nod. “She started off as an artist or something, then jumped over to public relations after a while. I’m not sure why.” “And you’re certain of her authenticity?” “Positive. She wore something that proved it—a badge of office, I guess you could say. Pretty much impossible to have unless she actually worked on the game.” She hummed in thought. “Well, I’ll take your word for it. As long as you know what you’re getting into. I would very much like an opportunity to meet with this ‘Prosperity’ myself, however.” She gave me an apologetic look. “I do hope you understand, it’s not that I don’t trust you or anything, dear! Just for my own peace of mind.” “That’s fine,” I replied. “I’ll feel better if you get a chance to meet her too.” “Yes, well, it’s certainly an extraordinary bit of providence that this event managed to settle on the same weekend as my own visit to the city!” “Yeah, go figure.” So far, my sister’s response to the whole arrangement had been one of curiosity, which surprised me. I had definitely expected more resistance, but she had taken the entire thing in stride, and, after I had explained everything, seemed elated by the prospect. “You must be absolutely thrilled,” she said, beaming at me. I gave her a shrug. “Truth be told, if it weren’t already paid for, and if you weren’t already going, I wouldn’t be either. It’s kinda just whatever.” She gave me a strained look. “Honestly, Sweetie Belle! I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time. I daresay, after this week, you deserve a bit of a vacation.” …Yeah, good point. This town wasn’t really doing me any favors anyways. A getaway was probably exactly what the doctor ordered. “You will be careful though, yes?” she asked as we trotted out of the town square and into the neighborhood streets. “I mean, you’re of age now, so I don’t want to suffocate you with worry or anything, but… well, a sister can’t help but worry.” “I’ll be fine. I have my ‘dancing’ lessons, and I’ll be with Button the entire time too.” “Button? Hah!” She gave a remarkably unladylike snort. “I imagine you’re far more capable of defending yourself than he.” “You and me both, sister,” I agreed with a chuckle. I decidedly left out details about Shadow. The last thing I needed right now was for her to think I was in any kind of danger, especially when I wasn’t even sure of that myself. Eventually, Button’s home came into view. It was a quaint, unassuming thatch structure, with few notable differences from the rest of the neighborhood. A lovely aroma wafted from the open windows… from which a small propeller top peeked out from behind the sill, slowly rising to reveal the brown face of Button Mash. “Oh hey, Sweetie Belle’s here! Hi Sweetie!” he exclaimed, and I waved back before his head turned back inside. “Mooom! They’re here!” “Well then go open the door for them, already!” “Okaaaay!” He disappeared from sight, and as we trotted up, the front door opened. “Hi guys!” he said with an excited grin. “Good evening, dearie,” said Rarity with a smile. “Hey Button,” I greeted, forcing myself to smile a bit too. “Sorry for logging off so early last night,” he said to me, shutting the door. “I was super-excited to tell mom, so I… kinda ran off on ya.” “It’s fine,” I replied with a shrug, letting Rarity and Button fall into step behind me as I made a beeline to the kitchen. I had been here so often that it was nearly as familiar to me as Rarity’s. “Are you feeling better?” he asked with concern. “You were a bundle of nerves after the whole deal with Shadow—” “Let’s not talk about that right now, Button,” I growled, taking a quick glance at my sister to see if— yep, she was giving me a look already. Not dealing with this! Before Rarity could open her mouth, I sped up my trot and immediately rounded the corner to the kitchen, where I found Miss Milano stirring a pot on the stove. Upon hearing my entrance, she whipped around in a heartbeat. “Sweetie Belle!” she squealed, rushing up and enveloping me in a huge hug, submerging my view in a sea of wavy brown mane and tan fur. “Oh honey, it’s so good to see you again!” “You too, Miss Milano.” Woo! Awkward conversation with Rarity averted! “And Rarity, you ol’ doll, how’ve ya been?” she continued, letting go of me as she hustled to give Rarity the same treatment. “Marvelous, Milano,” she replied courteously. “Lovely seeing you again as well, and thank you ever so much for inviting us over for the moment.” “Absolutely! It’s been weeks since our last little shindig.” She turned back to me with a mischievous grin. “And I hear somepony got their cutie mark~” Ohhhhh mare, here we go. “Yeah, like, a week ago.” I turned to show her my haunches. “Oh that’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, rushing forward to examine it with genuine fascination. “Equal parts graceful and awesome! Ugh, now I’m jealous.” Jealous? I let loose a light chuckle. “Hey, I’m up for a trade if you are.” I probably came off as a bit joking, but seriously, I wouldn’t have minded a heart-and-bottle mark like hers. I had always wanted to be a mom anyways. Kids were great! “I don’t think it works that way, hon,” she said sweetly, before shutting off the stove and heading to the door leading back into the hall. “Besides, I imagine you’ll need that talent of yours to whoop some flank tomorrow, won’t you?” “Pfft.” I grinned, following her along with Rarity and Button. “Like I ever needed a cutie mark to do that.” “That’s the attitude! Go get ‘em, tiger.” She turned to Rarity. “On that note, thank you so much for agreeing to take Button, despite the confusion yesterday. I don’t think I’ve seen him this excited since we got the Hoofbox!” “It shouldn’t be any trouble,” replied Rarity with an easy smile. “They’ll likely be at the event all day while I’m doing my interview with Cirque du Poné, though I hope to take them exploring around town for a bit the night before.” “That sounds like fun! I gave Button a little play money as well. Do make sure he doesn’t spend it all at one place!” “Knowing Manehattan, I wonder if that’s even possible. But I’ll certainly try my best!” “Good to hear.” As we emerged into the living room, Miss Milano turned back to us. “When does the train depart?” “Four o’clock,” I chimed in. “We’re taking the new direct line, so the ride there should only be about three or four hours.” “Ah, so you three should probably get going soon, I imagine?” She glanced at the clock, where the minute hoof had made it about halfway around the clock face. “Yes indeed,” said Rarity, adjusting the saddlebags on her back. “It’ll take a bit to get through station security, so we’d like to arrive at least twenty minutes in advance.” “Then I won’t keep you waiting.” Miss Milano trotted over to Button. “You all packed up and ready to go?” “Yep!” He picked up his saddlebag, which was lying by the hall doorway. “Got everything I need!” “Good boy.” She gave him a big hug. “You take care of yourself now, okay? Have fun, don’t cause too much trouble for Sweetie and her sister, and don’t eat anything strange off the sidewalk.” “Mooooooom,” he grumbled. “C’mon, we gotta go!” “Hehe. Alright, honey.” She let go and straightened his bangs a bit. “Hurry along! And don’t forget to say goodbye to your father on your way out!” “I won’t!” “Bye, Miss Milano!” I said with a wave as I made stepped out the front door. “Bye mom!” said Button, falling into step behind me and only pausing to turn to a framed picture on an ornate nightstand in the living room. “Bye dad!” “It was lovely seeing you again,” said Rarity to Miss Milano. “You must visit sometime after I get back!” “Will do!” said Miss Milano. “Take care now!” We trotted back out into the open sunlight of the Ponyville afternoon, and I couldn’t help but turn to Button with a grin on my face. “You know, sometimes it’s hard to believe you’re the same age as me.” “Shut up, Sweetie Belle,” he grumbled. I stuck my tongue out at him, which merely elicited another grumble. “Come now, darlings!” beckoned Rarity, entering a brisk trot. “We only have half an hour to get on that train!”     Of course security was gonna be a pain in the ass. No, seriously. That poor donkey was being pulled aside for a ‘random security check’, despite having lived here for, what, four years now? Not only that, but there were now several guardsmares in Equestrian Transit Security barding, strolling along the queue and verifying everyone’s tickets and identifications with strange magical apparatuses. And, to top it all off, the line was winding outside of the actual train station, so we were just sitting here, baking in the heat! The nerve. The wait certainly wasn’t doing any favors for Rarity’s present anxiety, either. She kept checking the clock hanging above the security both, prancing about on her hooves as if she desperately needed a restroom break. “Oh, I really hope I have a chance to use the little fillies’ room before we board the train,” she muttered under her breath. Damn, were my analogies on point or what? “It’s okay, Miss Rarity,” Button assured her. “We still have twenty minutes!” “I know, I know, but— nngh!” She stomped an indignant hoof. “Stars, security never used to be this tight.” “I don’t even think there was security a few years ago,” I said with a chuckle. “This blasted little fracas with the gryphons, I swear,” she grumbled, glancing around the station, before her eyes caught several propaganda posters on the wall adjacent to us. “And honestly! The décor here is atrocious! Do they just fling these posters every which way?! They could at least straighten them!” Her magic aura appeared around one of the haphazardly-placed posters, and she pulled it off the wall, flattening the creases before replacing it in a more upright position. “There. Much better,” she said with a satisfied smile. “No need for the Princesses to have their lovely visages tarnished by a lazy custodian.” I stared at the poster in question. It was the same as the ones lining the alley where Diamond and Silver had jumped me. THE SUN AND STARS WILL PROTECT YOU. A chill shot down my spine like lightning, and I shivered. The memory of that day was not one I was keen on reliving. “Whoa, you okay there Sweetie?” asked Button, resting a hoof on my side. Rarity turned her head to me in curiosity. “Y-yeah,” I replied with a nod and a wave of my hoof. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just, um, need to use the little fillies’ room too.” “Sweetie Belle?! Button?!” came an accented voice to our left, and we all turned to see Apple Bloom and Scootaloo wandering down the street just a ways away. “Hey girls!” said Button. “Just got out of school?” I asked them as they trotted up. “Yeah, we were actually on our way to your place, Sweetie!” replied Scootaloo with a grin. “But… what are you two doing at the line to the train station?” “We’re going to Manehattan!” exclaimed Button. “Ya are?! Shucks!” groaned Apple Bloom. “Is that why ya left school at lunch without sayin’ anything?” “Yep!” he replied. “Miss Cheerilee let me head home early so I could pack!” “How long will y’all be gone for?” “Just the weekend, not too long,” I replied. “Awww,” moaned Scootaloo. “But we wanted to hang out with you this weekend! We haven’t seen you at school in forever!” “It’s only been, like, two days,” I said. “And I’m sorry, gals. The opportunity kinda came out of nowhere, and I just… I really need to get away from Ponyville for a while.” “Yeah, I… I reckon ya do,” admitted Apple Bloom, a crestfallen look overcoming her face. “Why’s Button going with you though?” asked Scootaloo. “Apple Bloom really wanted to hang out with him this weekend.” “Scoots, hush!” she whined. “Eternity party!” replied Button, apparently oblivious to the exchange. “Eternity… party?” asked Scootaloo, eyebrow raised. “We were invited to a big party being thrown by a group of Eternity players,” I explained. “Lots of video games and stuff.” “Oh.” Her forehead scrunched for a few moments. “So, uh, an egghead party?” “Pretty much,” I said with a nod and a chuckle. That was an oxymoron if I’d ever heard one. “Papers, please,” came a voice to our right. “Hmm?” Rarity and I glanced up. “Papers, please,” repeated a stallion in guardsman’s barding. He had apparently strolled up while Rarity was distracted with the poster, and was staring intently at the little device in his hooves. “Oh! My apologies, ser,” replied Rarity, hastily levitating a few papers and cards out of a side-pocket of her saddlebags and hoofing them to the guard. “Mhm,” he grunted noncommittally and scanning the papers, before suddenly raising his voice. “Lady Rarity?!” “Er, yes, that’s me,” she confirmed, raising an eyebrow. “Oh!” He glanced up, flustered. “Oh, my apologies, Lady Rarity, I didn’t realize!” “It is no trouble, my good ser,” she replied with a casual wave of her hoof. “But it is! Had I known you were waiting in line all this time, I’d have let you through to the front!” “Ehehehe,” chuckled Rarity nervously as the heads of several ponies in line swiveled to her, no doubt curious to know who could possibly deserve the privilege of going before them. “I, ah, well… that won’t be necessary, Ser Guard. My status doesn’t entitle me to any special privileges over others.” “I beg to differ,” he implored. “As the Bearer of Generosity, you have been granted a complimentary ETS Express membership, courtesy of the Princesses, and it applies to you and your charges. The Express queue is right over here.” He waved a hoof towards a near-empty line to our right. “I… I see,” she replied nervously. “Well, I, ah, suppose it would be rather ill-mannered to refuse the generosity of the Princesses…” “That it would be, Lady Rarity,” he replied, lifting the rope barrier between the lines. “Right this way.” As Rarity hesitantly ducked under the rope, I turned to the other Crusaders. “Looks like that’s our cue. We’ll see you guys next week?” “Yeah, next week!” said Scootaloo, waving a hoof. “Don’t die!” “Bye, y’all,” said Apple Bloom glumly. With a last wave, we ducked under the rope and followed Rarity as she trotted towards the security booth. Ponies stared at us as we passed by, a few of them scowling in jealousy. Stars, did I hate being stared at. I fixed my gaze solely ahead as we approached the guardsmares at the front of the line. “Your saddlebags, please,” one of them grunted. “Er… sorry, we were in the express line…” “That means you get expedited security screening, not a get-out-of-jail-free card,” she explained impatiently. “Oh! Ahem, very well, my apologies.” She lifted all three of our saddlebags off our backs and passed them to the guardsmare, who began searching through them. “All weekend?!” shouted a familiar, shrill voice off in the distance. Everypony’s heads swiveled towards the sound of the shouting. Phew! We weren’t the center of attention anymore! But what was? “Silver, we’ve barely spent even a moment together in the last two days!” came the voice again, and I realized why it sounded so familiar: it was Diamond Tiara. “Goodness gracious, who could possibly be causing such a bedlam?” asked Rarity, trying to peer over the crowd. “Nopony important,” I grumbled, glancing uneasily at the guardsmare, who was taking her sweet time going through our travel belongings. Even if I couldn’t see those two bullies through the crowd, I didn’t want to be anywhere near them. “FINE! Go off on your stupid vacation, then! See if I care!” Vacation? Wait, was somepony she knew leaving Ponyville as well? As if on cue, a gray filly with silvery braided hair stomped into the Express line far behind us, her face an expression of barely-restrained anger. Horseapples. Not now, please not now— Silver Spoon glanced up. Our eyes met. Time stopped. The world fell silent. Everything disappeared… except her. Neither of us moved. No words were exchanged. What was there to say, when you were unexpectedly faced with one of the very last ponies in the world that you wanted to see? No. She deserved no words. She deserved nothing more than a pure, uninhibited display of my anger. Her expression morphed into one shock as she processed the fact that I was, in fact, there. No doubt it would turn into a sneer in seconds. I wondered if I could close the distance between us before she could open her mouth in time to sling her first insult. There was about thirty meters’ distance, which I could probably cover in a few seconds at a full sprint. I wasn’t the most athletic pony—certainly not as agile or sturdy as my friends Scootaloo and Apple Bloom—but all those years of Crusading had definitely given me a bit of an edge over other unicorns. Could I deck an earth pony though? I mean, sure, despite the natural hardiness of her race, she didn’t seem all that strong, and I doubt she got out as much as I did. She was definitely a bit taller than I was, but she was also skinnier. Maybe I could overcome what little extra earth pony resistance she had if I poured the momentum of my running head-start into the force of my punch— “Sweetie Belle, what’s the matter?” …Huh? I swiveled around. Button and Rarity were already past the guardsmare, who was holding my saddlebags before me, an unamused look on her face. “Get moving, kid, you’re holding up the line.” “Sorry, sorry!” Without looking back, I grabbed my saddlebags and scampered past the security checkpoint to rejoin my group as they made their way to the station platform.     As the train began to pick up speed. the three of us made our way down the hall, passing along the doors to the private cabins. “One-fifteen… one-sixteen… one-seventeen!” Rarity slid open the cabin door, and trotted inside. “Looks like this one is ours!” “Great, awesome,” I said, sliding in behind her and carelessly shucking my saddlebags onto a seat. “So anyways, I really, really gotta go potty, like right now be back in a few!” “Do hurry, would you?” Without a moment’s hesitation I backed right out of the doorway and made a beeline straight straight towards the lavatory down the hall, ducking inside and slamming the door shut. A cold silence fell over the room, enveloping me in its deafening embrace, a stark contrast to my heartbeat reverberating artillery salvos within my skull. I hesitantly approached the mirror over the sink, wondering what chaos-infested demon would return my gaze. But it was just my familiar green eyes staring back at me, only the barest of twitching eyelids betraying any inner turmoil. Resting my back against the door, I slid to the floor. Pony hooves had probably been all over it, but I didn’t care. The sharp cold of the tile flooring helped stave off the deluge of frightening thoughts that had occupied my mind over the last few minutes. Stars, what had come over me? I had actually wanted to charge Silver and punch her. And to be honest, I still kinda did right now! Here I was, on the absolute cusp of being able to escape Ponyville and all of my problems for a weekend, and that damn filly just had to show up. Why?! Okay. Okay, okay, okay. I needed to calm down and think this over. I turned on the sink and splashed some cold water in my face, then took several deep breaths to ease my mind. There was no reason to get upset. Silver Spoon didn’t have the teats to try anything on me without Diamond nearby, especially not outside of school. That, and she had looked mega-surprised to see me. Maybe she wasn’t trying to follow me around after all? Besides, I didn’t even know what she was doing at the train station. She might not even have been on the same train. In time, I felt the anger dissipating. The pounding of my skull receded into a distant, dull rhythm as the rest of my senses regained control, and... Oh, huh. I guess I really did need to use the restroom after all. I took my time as I went about my business, giving my mind some much-needed extra space to steady itself and calm down… until a short rattle of the doorknob reminded me that there were others on this train in need of the facilities. Whoops. Quickly rinsing my hooves and drying them off, I opened the door— “Finally, do you know how long I’ve been—” I glanced up. “Oh dear." “Oh fuck me.” Silver Spoon, of all ponies, was standing just outside the door to the lavatory. She winced as my colorful language graced her puerile little ears, and I felt a sublime satisfaction in knowing I had caused her some degree of discomfort. Somehow, that alone was enough to hold my fury at bay… but only barely. I felt a hoof twitch, anxious to leave a bruise so inflamed that her future foals would wince in pain. For a short moment, neither of us spoke, but it took no time for her wide-eyed expression to darken. “Sweetie Belle,” she said in a cold tone, her eyes obscured by the light of the sun refracting off her glasses. “Twatwaffle,” I shot back. Thank you, Freya, for your colorful arsenal of disparaging swears. “You need not be so crass,” she muttered under her breath, and she tried to step past me into the lavatory. “Hah. You are gonna try and lecture me about being crass?” I snapped back, holding my ground. “Somepony as vile as you doesn't deserve anything less.” “Vile?” She puffed up her chest and stared me straight in the eyes with a mock resolve that utterly failed to disarm even a smidgen of her malicious aura. "Ironic, coming from you! You, who left me a bruise that still aches even days after it was so mercilessly delivered in a drunken rage! I, on the other hoof, have done nothing to earn such a—" “Don't make me laugh!” I growled, slamming the lavatory door shut with a loud WHAM and causing her to jump. “You're one of the most vile, disgusting, sociopathic creatures I've ever had the displeasure of sharing oxygen with. The fact that you're here, right now, is a testament to that.” “My being here is testament to no such thing—!” “Then explain to me why you're here!” I challenged, stepping closer. “My reasons are absolutely none of your business, but if you must know, I am on vacation!” she snapped back, stomping an indignant hoof. “And I would very much appreciate access to the facilities, so if you would kindly—” “Bullshit!” I pointed a threatening hoof mere inches from her muzzle, and she quailed before me like the feckless coward she was. “Why does it just so happen to be that you of all ponies are here, on the same day, at the same time, aboard the same train, traveling to the same city?!” “Excuse me, princess, but I have just as much right to be here as you do!” she snarled, slapping my hoof out of her face. Looked like she did have some teats after all! “Oh, so that means it’s okay for you to follow me around?!” “Follow you?” She barked a sharp laugh. “What preposterous raillery. What in all the Stars would compel you to even dream that I would purposefully seek out your company?” “I dunno!” I replied, throwing my arms in the air. “Maybe so you could hound me while I’m trying to get away from you? Maybe so you could pick up dirt to laugh over with Diamond when you get back? Sounds about right, considering you’re just her bitch that does her dirty work!” Her eye twitched, and she gave me a crooked grin. “If that’s your understanding of my relationship with Diamond, you’re even more simple-minded than I thought.” “Oh yeah? What, you two shag each other behind the schoolhouse every day during lunch or something?” “Don’t project your nauseating homoeroticism upon me, Belle,” she said with a cold scowl. “I am nothing like you.” “Then what?” I challenged her. “All I see is you following her around like a cowardly dog too afraid to do anything without her master.” “Then you prove just how blind you really are.” Her entire expression darkened as her scowl transformed into a menacing, predatory grin. “I am not the dog, sweet little Belle. I am the master.” …What even the fuck? “Believe it or not, there is another pony out there as daft as you are,” she continued, slowly trotting around me. Her tone became mockingly instructive, like Miss Cheerilee during a lesson… except, you know, eviler. “Diamond Tiara is reckless, unimaginative, and blunt. She is a conceited little twerp that acts with all the subtlety and grace of a Gryphosi berserker, motivated by her own self-inflated ego and an incessant need to seek external validation from her peers.” Her eyes flashed my way with a malevolent gleam, but her lecturing tone did not abate. “Luckily for me, that also means Diamond is a gullible, versatile little tool. She is easily open to suggestion, and acts with uncompromising intent and brute efficiency. I need only supply a proposal with the barest hint of a favorable outcome for her to desperately latch onto it with all the vigor of a starved hound, and proceed to execute it in the most spectacular manner imaginable.” The filly waved a dramatic arm into the air. “And, when her deeds are done, when several fires blaze in her wake, when she so proudly proclaims herself the sole perpetrator of her crimes, it takes only moments for her collective victims and their witless support to descend upon her like vultures. Predictably, she runs off crying and begging for amnesty from her simpering father, who, with his vast network of connections, can always be relied upon to deliver it at a moment’s notice. “And where am I, all this time?” she says, trotting up to me and stopping just inches short of her muzzle meeting mine, her eyes sharp like daggers and her teeth bared in a malicious, gleeful grin. “Why, I am safely hidden away in the shadows, watching the dramatics unfold without having broken a sweat.” I felt a bump at my rear, and I realized that Silver Spoon’s overwhelming presence had unconsciously compelled me into backing up against the wall behind me. The filly looked completely different. Gone was the image of the hapless little duckling I had once thought her to be. Now, she were at the center of a gaping maw, a vortex sucking the life and color from everything around her. “All the world’s a stage,” she continued as she trotted to my side, “and all the mares and colts merely playthings. Time and again I set you all up like dominoes, and it takes the merest nudge to send you crashing upon each other in a sea of carefully-orchestrated chaos, while I stand back and laugh.” She met my gaze once more, her eyes akin to the infinite nothingness of the void beyond the Stars. “You may think yourself above me, sweet little Belle, but I answer to nopony. Not Diamond, not the Headmaster, and most certainly not you. “The only pony I answer to… is myself.” She blinked, then shuddered just a tiny bit. “Well. Myself and my mortal needs, of course. But I suppose they are one and the same. Good day, Sweetie Belle.” Silver slid the lavatory door shut with a loud shrrrk, leaving me alone in the hallway, with nothing but the gentle hum of the train engine to accompany the raging inferno in my mind.