//------------------------------//
// Entering The Palace 
// Story: Just SMU and me 
// by ErraticOverlord 
//------------------------------//


Isn't it funny?

It's amazing how much of what's happened recently is like that.

Isn't it funny that Rainbow Dash, one of if not the only pony that knew what I was investigating arrived at the scene of my attack just in time to take me to the hospital?

Isn't it funny that the same Rainbow Dash then went to Las Pegasus, the same place I had next to investigate?

Isn't it funny that I spent time in Canterlot recently with Luna, the same pony who created SMU?

Isn't it funny that the mare who raised me like a daughter, Princess Celestia, hasn't shown up yet to see how I've been?

Isn't it funny that the same Princess Luna who designed SMU had similar gaps in memory after she became Nightmare Moon?

It is funny. It's too funny.

With the information I have now, I can say that Rainbow Dash started working with me on my research shortly after she found me interviewing specific ponies in Cloudsdale, ponies only she has a chance at identifying at this point. After Rainbow started working with me, I had some kind of plan, either one because I knew I was going to be attacked, or as a precaution. This plan was for Rainbow Dash to go to Las Pegasus in the event I got attacked. If I was that worried and the research was that important it would have had to be at the later stages at that point. This means that whatever reason I sent Rainbow Dash to Las Pegasus, she couldn't have continued my research, I think. Instead, she would be heading to Las Pegasus either to do something final with the research, like a field test or to get it published, or else find another pony who could finish it. Maybe if I had my notes, I'd be able to tell more specifics, but in either case it would make sense for Rainbow Dash to take the notes with her.

From these theories, I can deduce this: Rainbow Dash knew I was going to be attacked, she has my notes, she knows what I was researching and can fill in a lot of the gaps in my memory, and she may even know the pony who attacked me. The question is, why is she still in Las Pegasus when I'm not dead?

This breaks off into another two options: either she doesn't know I'm not dead, or whatever plan that was executed when I was attacked became independent of whether I was alive or not. So, whether I survived the attack or not, Rainbow Dash still needs to find somepony to print or continue my research because I'm what, compromised?

Hang on, what if I am compromised? What if SMU isn't just a device for giving me memories, but transmitting them elsewhere? That would mean that I already knew about SMU before the attack. I already knew that if I got attacked, I would be compromised. It seems a bit farfetched, but it might explain some things.

So, let's start at the beginning and assume I found something out of place. Investigation into this led me to discover the existence of SMU and the way SMU can transmit information to somepony. I realize that with this, any of my friends could be compromised and would tell the pony recieving the SMU data that I was on to them. I spend my time researching more and finally in Cloudsdale, I get the ability to distinguish the compromised ponies and the uncompromised ones. Rainbow Dash confronts me, and I recruit her to help me, knowing she isn't compromised. I don't get help from my other friends, either because I assume they're compromised, or because I was worried for their safety.

At some point, I identify the pony that SMU transmits to, which seems to be Luna, since she invented it. I find or guess that Luna's going to attack me, and give Rainbow Dash instructions for when that happens. Luna attacks me, gives me SMU, wipes out my memory of my research, and Rainbow Dash finds me and brings me to the hospital. After that, Rainbow Dash goes to Las Pegasus to finish the research or find an uncompromised pony who can.

So, if this is true, the best thing to do would be to stay here in Ponyville while Rainbow Dash finishes the research. Unless, since I just told Applejack everything Princess Luna already knows where she is. Which would mean Rainbow Dash is in danger.

I hesitate.

But, some things still don't add up. Why make SMU talk if it would be easier to just have it transmit the information silently? Why wipe out my memories if she wanted to be updated on how far my research was? Why hit me in the head with a chair leg, if magic was such a viable option? For that matter, why is my magic so weak right now? I feel like a little filly casting her first spells right now. What about what Applejack said, about having this type of research go on without Celestia knowing? Wouldn't ponies have noticed Princess Luna leaving Canterlot or entering Ponyville? Wouldn't Celestia?

I shake my head. No. There's nothing I can gain by just standing here and falling apart. If I can't go to Las Pegasus, I'll go somewhere else to get my answers.

I'll go to Canterlot.

"Twi."

Applejack breaks me out of my train of thought.

She pokes me in the chest with a hoof. "This is exactly what I'm talking about, going quiet for ten minutes at a time. So you're worried about this SMU character, that's fine. Seems harmless enough to me, but I don't hold with ponies tinkering with my brain, either. My advice, don't use it. It'll take a bit longer to learn or remember everything again, but at least it'll make ya feel better."

I shake my head. "Applejack, it's not all about that. There's something big going on and I can't just ignore it because it would be easier. I know I'm distant and I know you're worried but, if I just give up I'll never find out what's happening. I won't find out why the hospital changed, or why Rainbow Dash is as powerful as an alicorn, or why I can't use my magic."

Applejack takes a step backward, mouth agape. Then she closes it and looks down. "Twi, what was that last one?"

I squint my eyes and try lifting an apple out of a barrel, but it only wiggles for a moment and falls. "At first I thought it just atrophied, but it's like I haven't used it in years at least."

Applejack sighs, looking up at me again. She doesn't seem tired, even after bucking the trees and moving barrels for so long, but if anything she seems a bit worn, like an old blanket thinning out. "Well, Twi. I don't pretend to know what's going on, but I'll try ta help in any way I can. Ta be honest, I'm just glad we're talking again."

I pause. "Did we not talk to each other before?"

She laughs. "Not hardly. You avoided everypony like the plague for at least a few weeks before you got attacked, 'ceptin Rainbow Dash who hardly ever left your side. It didn't look like you were avoiding us to be mean, but whenever you saw us you just looked so sad. So, eventually, you just stopped seeing us. I tried talking to Rainbow about it, but she just said you were busy working on something, then flew off."

I open my mouth to speak, but she already knows the question. "No, Twilight. I know how you get working on something, but there was more to it than that. I think you found something out about us, or at least me, Fluttershy, and Rarity, something bad. I don't know what, or how, but something about us to make you sad enough to start avoiding us."

That makes sense, but what could be so bad I'd avoid my friends? "Any idea what I found out about you?"

She shakes her head. "I'm not perfect, but I don't think I did anything that bad. I don't even know of anything done to me that would make you so upset."

I'm just about to use SMU, but bite my lip. Applejack's right, I should try to avoid using it directly for a while. "Applejack, can you tell me anything you know about Princess Luna?"

Applejack raises an eyebrow, then chuckles a bit. "I dunno, Twi. You knew her much better than me. I know she was Nightmare Moon, and used to rule the Equestrian night, before then. She came back and we stopped her, turning her back into Princess Luna. She's been trying to pick up more of her old duties and to reconnect with some ponies in Ponyville, she's basically started running Nightmare Night. That's pretty much all I got."

Not as helpful as it could be. "I'm going to Canterlot to see her."

Applejack's eyebrow lowers again and she smiles. "Well, tell her I said hi when you get there."

I nod, my mouth even. "Applejack, Spike's still not back with my books, do you think you could make sure he stays out of trouble while I'm in Canterlot?"

She puts a hoof on my shoulder. "Sure thing, Twi. I hope you find what you're looking for in Canterlot."



%*%



As the train pulls into Canterlot station, I start to feel strange. That is to say, stranger than the strange I've been recently. It feels like something nagging in my head, that I try to focus on but always goes to my periphery.

It could be that you are experiencing a negative reaction due to proximity to Princess Luna, and her magical field. It is not uncommon for those who have suffered trauma to react to their attacker in such a way.

I didn't ask you.

It's odd, SMU was so tight lipped before, now it's offering information without my even asking. Is it because I'm getting closer to figuring things out?

I make my way down the Canterlot streets, looking for anything to keep my attention away from confronting Princess Luna. Unfortunately, everything's just about the same as it usually is, here. Nothing catches my eye, nothing keeps my notice, it's just normal.

So, I'm forced to think about Princess Luna.

Applejack's evaluation seemed pretty accurate. A fallen princess wreaks havoc through the land until she was banished and, upon her return, seeks to reintegrate herself into the world. That's basically it. As far as her abilities go, she is the ruler of the night and raises the moon and stars in the night sky. She used to bear one half of the Elements of Harmony, and she can change her shape at will. I think I also read something in the library about how she can dreamwalk? I'm not totally sure about that, though. Beyond that, she's a competent spellcaster and an excellent flyer, even though it's hard for her to match Rainbow Dash's speed, she has a high degree of control and grace in the air that I haven't yet seen matched.

So, let's go to worst case scenarios and say that after I ask Princess Luna about what's going on, she transforms into Nightmare Moon and attacks me. Well, at that point I could try to fight her directly, or see if I can escape and get Celestia to help. Escaping probably won't be viable, she's fast so I don't think I'd be able to get away. So, what if I fought her? Well, her spellcasting talent is above average, but not brilliant. She hasn't caught up on some of the advances magic has had in the last thousand years and, even though she can use magic otherwise forgotten by history, this puts her at a disadvantage. If I were a regular unicorn, then I might have problems, but I'm the Alicorn of Magic, so I should be okay.

I bite my lip as a thought strikes me.

Oh yeah, I forgot that my magic isn't working. If I tried to fight Nightmare Moon like this, I'd get creamed.

I mull over my other options as well as various other degrees of worst case scenarios, such as Sombra coming back to life, or a surprise Changeling invasion, before I find myself at the palace.

Walking up the steps, I go over my backup failsafes, in case of emergency. They pretty much amount to 'scream' and 'die', so I hope things won't go that far.

Some of the pegasus guards try to stop me, but I'm let through by the ones that either I know personally, or at least recognize who I am. I stop in front of one pair. "Excuse me, Sirs. Do you know where Princess Luna is? I need to speak with her."

One of them is a bit portly, and much younger than the other. He's gray, with his chestplate a little tight and his helmet a little loose. He speaks with a manehatten accent, that's not quite haughty, but a bit reserved. "Of course, Princess Sparkle. She's right down that hallway, up three floors and to the left. There should be another pair of guards in front of the door, so you'll be able to tell which door from that. I'll announce your arrival."

I hold up a hoof. "No announcement will be necessary. I'd like to surprise her."

The young guard looks uncertain, a frown coating the surface of his face, but the older guard he's with nods, relaxing him. "Very good, Princess Sparkle. Is there anything else we may do of service to you?"

I shake my head. "No, thank you."

As I trot away, I press my tongue against the back of my teeth, the last few events replaying in my mind. I'm glad that worked, but I'm not sure why it did. According to Celestia, Luna hates surprises and the guards should know that, so why would they let me go in without an announcement? In the Canterlot Palace, Luna outranks me, so there's no reason my orders should supersede hers. That is, unless Princess Luna already knew I was coming, then told the guards to let me in, no matter what. So, if she already knows I'm here, I can't even catch her off guard, making my coming in unannounced pointless.

Each step makes me more nervous, because I have to prepare for the worst, but I can't actually do anything. I'm rushing in here without a plan. I need to make a plan.

I shake my head. There's no time to make a plan. I need answers now, and this is how I'm going to get them. If something happens to me, I'd like it to be in the pursuit of knowledge.

I reach the door with the two guards in front of it, who nod to me wordlessly and let me in.

I open the door and see Princess Luna.