Hecate's Orphanage

by BlackRoseRaven

All The Help We Can Handle

Chapter One Hundred and Seven: All The Help We Can Handle
~BlackRoseRaven

Princess Celestia smiled at them, but Thesis could feel how closely she was watching as Princess Twilight Sparkle fussed over and scolded Cadence all at once, darting around her. Archon sat off to one side in his wheelchair, puffing away at his cigar in the company of the rest of Team 0-0.

Moonflower was just nervously looking at La Croix, and La Croix was staring at the floor, and Sombra looked as calm as ever, only watching with interest as Twilight grumbled her way around Cadence, fretting over her like... like a little puppy trying to 'help' a far bigger dog.

Cadence glanced up and gave Thesis a dry look as if she had heard his thoughts, and he grinned awkwardly in a way that teased he hadn't meant to compare her to a bitch, but Cadence only rolled her eyes before she smiled awkwardly when Twilight bounced in front of her, fluttering her wings fearfully, tiara askew on her head and diadem aslant as she blurted: “I was just so worried about you! I mean, all those things happened and then you just disappeared and now... Shining! Dammit, where's Shining! Shining!”

Twilight glared around the expansive audience hall,then blushed deeply when Celestia said gently from her throne: “Ambassadors Armor and Metanoia haven't joined us yet, Twilight Sparkle. Do you remember what we went over?”

“Oh! Uh. Yes.” Twilight smiled in embarrassment, and then she turned and hurried back up the steps to the raised end of the throne room, sitting in the seat to the right of Celestia. They weren't precisely 'thrones,' Thesis noted: they were more like comfortable, squishy lounge chairs. A quirk that he would have to mention to his mother when he got home.

Celestia nodded to Twilight as the Princess of Magic almost shyly lowered her head. Cadence smiled a little at this, then she sat up straight and saluted when Celestia's eyes turned back to her, but the Princess of the Sun – and clear matriarch of the trio – only gave a soft laugh before she said gently: “There's no need for that, Princess Cadence.”

“I'm not a princess anymore, Princess Celestia. I'm just...” 'Soldier' didn't sound right, and 'Swan' seemed too strange, so Cadence went with the next best thing: “An Orphan.”

She only realized after she'd said it how weird that probably was to say, but Celestia smiled at her all the same, asking: “Are you happy?”

Cadence looked dumbly at Celestia, and the Princess of the Sun chuckled quietly before she said softly: “Ever since I brought you into the family, Cadence, I've always wanted you to be happy. I gave you everything I could, but I know it wasn't what you wanted or needed. It was like telling a fish to just breathe the air and be happy it has so much open space around it instead of the cold and the wet of the ocean water.

“I always wanted you to be happy. I knew you weren't like us from the first moment we found you.” Celestia smiled slightly. “Do you remember? I had to restrain you myself. All you did was swear at everyone between shouting in Istallian.”

Cadence smiled lamely, blushing slightly as she waved her hooves hurriedly and said awkwardly: “There's uh... no need to talk about any of that.”

“I think there is. I think it might be very important.” Thesis said blandly, and he grinned when Cadence glowered at him. “What? You never know what might be key to a mission. Seriously.”

“We found you, wandering through the eastern wastes. You were alone and scared, and...” Celestia looked thoughtfully around the room before she said in a compassionate, kind, ever-so-slightly-teasing voice: “'Ready to fight you barbarian scum to the last breath.'”

Cadence laughed awkwardly, her eyes rolling to the side before she blushed deeper when Celestia continued pleasantly: “You, a fatigued, exhausted filly, took down four of my Royal Guard when they tried to restrain you before I used a spell to bind you down. It was very impressive. But after you realized we were friends...”

Cadence remembered: she had broken down, sobbing, confused, full of turmoil and emotion. Celestia had comforted her, and she'd been quiet, and hadn't known what else to do. Celestia had helped her, raised her, taught her things that had echoed through her heart and soul, and she only realized now they had because so much of what Celestia had taught her reflected all the things her father had tried to teach her.

She grew up in this castle, and Celestia had been like a mother to her, and until now she hadn't even thought of her. She had never said goodbye, never come running, only thought about her petty squabbles with Shine and... I'm such a selfish asshole. “Celestia...”

“No, Cadence. I'm glad. I'm glad you found where you belong. That you found your father. That you found your true calling in life. And that I could apologize to you... to both of you.” Celestia turned her eyes towards Sombra, smiling faintly before she murmured: “I always had a feeling, King Serenite, that I was... perhaps paying back one of the many, many debts my sister and I owe you. Righting some of the countless wrong that I inflicted on you.”

“All I have for you is gratitude, Princess Celestia, for your great kindness. I cannot forgive you because there is nothing to forgive; I can only reassure you that between us, all is well.” Sombra said gently, bowing her head to the mare, and Celestia bowed her head back in gratitude.

“I hope we're not interrupting anything.” came Miss Take's cheerful voice as she strode into the room with Shining Armor in tow. And then Cadence's eyes widened as she realized there was a third pony prowling behind them, a blue-haired Changeling with sour green eyes and an urchin-like crown atop her head. “I spoke to the Queen Mother last night as you asked me to, and she sent my little sister as an envoy-”

“I am still the Queen of the Western Hive and I demand respect!” Chrysalis snapped angrily, glaring furiously at Miss Take before she turned a horrible look on Cadence, adding grumpily: “And whatever you are, I am not letting you near my Hive. Don't even step close to me, golem.”

Before Cadence even realized it, the Swan had taken over, replying calmly: “We are not golem. We are Swan. But do not fear, we will respect your wishes; we have no urge to be near a locust.”

Chrysalis spat in the Swan's direction, then she squeaked, eyes bulging, when Miss Take seized her by one ear and firmly twisted, scolding: “Now that is quite enough, Chrysalis! Either behave yourself or I will spank you with Mother's full blessing, do you understand?”

Chrysalis turned beet red, but then nodded grudgingly, lowering her head and mumbling to herself before she childishly stuck her tongue out at Miss Take's back when the mare turned away. Then she glanced up when Princess Celestia said gently: “Welcome, Queen Chrysalis. It is very nice to see you, and I am glad that you could join us. We all need to work together to deal with this-”

“Yes, I know. Metanoia told me.” Chrysalis grumbled, waving a hoof grouchily before she turned a scowl back towards Cadence, studying her suspiciously.

Cadence glowered back, then she looked up as Princess Celestia brought things to order by simply raising her head, all eyes immediately focusing on her before she said gently: “Prince Thesis, if you would like to lead this meeting, I would greatly appreciate it.”

“Who tattled?” Thesis asked mildly, looking around the room, but Celestia only smiled at him, and the stallion smiled back after a moment before he became more professional, stepping forward and saying calmly: “Alright. Our mission here in your world is simple: find the enemy, figure out what they're doing here, and eliminate the threat by any means necessary.

“The enemy clearly expected us: their behavior suggests they either intend to engage us or they're attempting to slow us down. This is actually good news: our original fear when we arrived on this world was that they were looking to sow discord-”

“Present, but not yet ready for reaping!” called a cheerful voice, and Cadence scowled automatically as Thesis only looked up curiously at the Draconequus that had appeared, upside-down, in the empty air above him.

He gave a toothy grin, waggling his bushy eyebrows: he was mismatched in every way, from the one fang that jutted out of his maw to the tips of his scaly toes and hoof. His long body wiggled as he clapped a talon and paw together, saying brightly: “Celestia, you didn't tell me we had guests! Or well, you did, but you didn't mention they were so interesting!”

Cadence scowled moodily at Discord, and the Draconequus cocked his head before he gasped and grabbed his mismatched horns, then fell out of the air with a thump on his face, squawking: “She's back! She's really actually back!”

Discord rolled back and forth wildly, then he hopped up to his feet and bounced over to Cadence, leaning down with a grin before he suddenly quailed away, waving his arms violently as the mare scowled at him. The others only stared, before Discord huffed and crossed his arms, eyeing her moodily before he said finally: “Now, that's something even I didn't expect. Oh, sure, it's one thing to come back with the new hairdo and the boy-toy and the excessive tan – or lack thereof – but you've been cheating on me!”

Cadence looked moodily up at Discord, until the Draconequus leaned down and whispered behind one hand: “You've talked to the Hatter.”

The ivory mare blinked, opened her mouth, and was immediately silenced by Discord shoving a finger against her lips, shushing her violently before he suddenly became serious as he leaned down into her face, studying her intently. Then he leaned back just as suddenly, saying abruptly: “Fine. Yes. I get it. I know when I'm not wanted, and even worse, when I'm needed. I'll do it.”

And with that, Discord vanished from the spot, leaving Cadence staring in blank confusion at the space where he had been a moment before. Thesis cleared his throat after a moment, then broke the silence by saying awkwardly: “Well. If we can get back on track...”

All eyes turned back to him, and the stallion quickly became serious again, picking up as best he could: “We were afraid that the enemy was attacking here solely to attack us. The activity here suggests another motive, however, and past events suggest there is more than meets the eye to the Void incursions. Unfortunately, it's also a very real possibility that the enemy forces might attack for no reason but as retaliation against Cadence for being part of the force that successful stopped their previous attacks.”

“And because I'm the Swan. Loki wants the Swan.” Cadence said quietly, shaking her head with a grimace. No, that wasn't quite right, though, was it? “Or at least he wants to get rid of her... uh, me.”

Celestia frowned slightly at Cadence as Twilight shifted nervously, but Thesis quickly rose his hooves and reassured: “It's not just about Cadence. It's about all of us. Cadence and her team have just been targeted because they're the very best at what they do. And you know what they say about nails that stick out.”

“They get hammered.” Cadence said moodily, and Thesis gave her a mild look.

“Something like that.” he said, then he shook his head before turning his attention back to the princesses as Shining Armor looked almost apprehensively at Cadence. “We need to move against our mutual enemies. We've been given a lot of ideas and information, thanks to Miss Take and Shining Armor, and I understand why Equestria and her allies are pushing to be involved and that I can't convince you otherwise. But I have to advise you that your first order of business should be to protect yourselves.”

“We will be safe here. I have already shared knowledge of... things I had thought forgotten in the past with our mages, and Queen Chrysalis, if your drones-”

“Ugh. You ponies are so useless.” Chrysalis grumbled, rolling her eyes before she answered moodily: “I brought fifty drones with me. Undistinguished, no disguises. And there are fifty drones already here in the castle, assuming you haven't killed my poor babies.”

“No, we're very glad to have your support and theirs, Queen Chrysalis. Thank you.” Princess Celestia answered, before she turned her eyes towards Thesis. “Changelings are able to see and sense things ponies cannot. Princess Twilight Sparkle has already devised a shield for us as well that should be able to enshell all of Canterlot for a few days.”

Thesis nodded slowly, but Cadence immediately thought of the Aetherhaunts: a barrier would be meaningless to them. And she had the feeling that if someone like Stronghold showed up... she would just keep hitting it until it broke. “There are things that-”

“I broke through your stupid barrier. But I suppose you ponies don't learn very fast, do you?” Chrysalis asked sourly as she eyed Shining pointedly, and the unicorn cleared his throat as he looked away before Chrysalis turned a sneer towards Cadence, adding: “And this time, I don't think 'love' is going to be enough to save the day.”

Cadence glared at Chrysalis, but she managed to keep herself from pouncing on the Changeling Queen. It helped that Miss Take almost immediately grabbed Chrysalis' ear, though, the Changeling Queen squawking and then blushing in humiliation as her older sibling twisted firmly. “Now that is quite enough! Chrysalis, dear, all I'm asking is that you behave for one silly meeting, we have guests. But if you can't or won't, you can go back home and tell Mother I took Gorgon instead of you. I only need one Soma, I already have a Spektra in Electra.”

“Electra is coming? You didn't tell me Electra was coming!” whined Chrysalis as she pushed uselessly at Miss Take with one hoof. “Metanoia! Let me go!”

“Apologize.” Miss Take said firmly, and Chrysalis grumbled before Miss Take sighed and said pointedly: “We're holding up the meeting, dear, and you know if I go to Mother and tell her-”

“Stop! Ugh, fine. Tattletale.” Chrysalis grumbled with a pout, and then she said grouchily: “I'm sorry I interrupted the meeting.”

Miss Take rolled her eyes, then she sighed tiredly before smiling apologetically as she released Chrysalis as Thesis asked slowly: “What do you mean, uh. Chrysalis is coming?”

“And Electra, they're very different. You'll like Electra, dear, everyone does.” Miss Take said brightly, nodding with a smile. “I'm only half-Changeling, as you know. Stronger in some ways, but my sisters are much more sensitive to certain things than I am. Between Chrissy and Electra, they should be able to quickly track down your 'friends.'”

Thesis looked blankly at Miss Take for a moment, but before he could say anything, Princess Celestia said: “This way, fewer ponies will be endangered and we can concentrate on defending ourselves. And in return for this kindness, Chrysalis, we'll deliver six barrels of Heartbrew to your Hive. Your Changelings will be well fed for a month.”

“Great. Fantastic. Sure.” Chrysalis grumbled, rolling her eyes again, but she shifted in a way that told Cadence she was surprised, and maybe even a little grateful. “I'm not doing this for any of you. I'm doing this because if I don't, tattletale will tattle on me.”

“Well, Chrysalis, my job is to keep you in line.” Miss Take smiled kindly as she leaned slowly in, and Chrysalis wilted and shrank away from the raw malice that her sister was emanating in spite of her friendly expression. “And I can do that by either talking to Mother or by beating you senseless. Which do you prefer?”

Chrysalis mumbled to herself, shrinking away with a blush, and Thesis cleared his throat before he said finally: “I guess you're as cunning as Mom is, Princess Celestia. I don't have much of a choice but to accept if I want to minimize the dangers here, do I?

Princess Celestia only smiled kindly, before Princess Luna suddenly spoke up, asking quietly: “And what of yourselves? Will you be safe? Why do you pursue these enemies if these enemies seek only to destroy you and whatever you hold dear?”

“Because the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good ponies to do nothing.” Thesis answered with a smile, before he shook his head and said in a quieter voice: “They want us afraid. They want us to sit back, do nothing, to accept that we can't save everyone. They want to break us by hurting others, people not involved with this. But none of us here can or will accept that.”

“This is... our fight.” Cadence said, as hard as it was to admit that it wasn't all about her, and maybe, that she needed help. Not just from her team, her friends, her family, but... “All of us. We have to work together. It's not just about stopping Loki. It's about showing him we're not afraid. About proving to him that there's more to this universe than... he thinks there is.”

“And what does Loki think?” Celestia asked, and Thesis smiled briefly.

“That for everything to be equal, everything has to go back to nothing. That because he's lost so much, he gets to take what he deserves from the rest of the world in blood.” Thesis stopped, then he corrected: “What he feels he deserves. Maybe he deserves a little bit of it. But... not like this.”

Celestia and Luna both nodded slowly, before Twilight Sparkle murmured: “There aren't really any bad guys, are there?” She hesitated, looking embarrassedly from Chrysalis to Sombra, before she offered a small smile to Cadence. “I guess we never stop learning lessons about friendship, do we?”

Cadence smiled back after a moment, although she couldn't help but reflect silently that all she wanted to think of Loki was as a power-mad asshole. Thesis, however, only nodded with a chuckle, before he glanced over at La Croix, Moonflower, and Sombra, saying finally: “Life takes you strange places. All you can really do is... get there.”

He halted, then cleared his throat before he looked back at the monarchs to say: “I want to get moving as soon as possible. Is there anything else-”

“Yes. I want to stay in communication with them. I request whatever it will require to make that happen.” Archon almost ordered, and Celestia gave him an amused look. “We should stay appraised of their situation. And this way we can also warn them in the event that Canterlot is attacked.”

“Director Archon, I feel I should remind you there are laws against smoking in Canterlot Castle. It's a historical structure.” Celestia said, even as she made a brief gesture off to one side, and a Royal Guard that was lingering near a side door saluted and excused himself.

Archon responded with a thick puff of smoke, seeming to look fearlessly back at Celestia, and after a moment the Princess of the Sun turned her eyes to Thesis, asking: “Has Director Archon already discussed this with you?”

Thesis nodded, then he tapped his Mission Drive, but before he could explain, Princess Celestia only nodded back and held up a hoof. “Then I suppose there's no need to discuss it any further. I know you're anxious to be on your way. Miss Take, when is your sister going to arrive?”

“I said we'd meet her outside of the castle. You know Electra, she's very uncomfortable in enclosed spaces. Even getting her to come to the city was a chore.” Miss Take replied kindly, before she smiled and added: “Shining and I will have our diaries, if you need to contact us at all.”

“Then go, with my blessing and my hopes that this will end quickly, and with as little bloodshed as possible.” Celestia said as she stood up, and Luna and Twilight joined her as Thesis and Cadence saluted. “Good luck, Cadence. Good luck to all of you.”

Cadence wasn't sure how she felt about Shining Armor and Miss Take tagging along, and even less sure about Chrysalis... although on the bright side, the Changeling Queen was someone she wouldn't feel bad about shoving into the path of a Voidborn, at least.

Electra, however, was a different matter entirely: she had a chitinous Changeling body, but hers was much smoother and sleeker than Chrysalis, the holes in her legs less noticeable and her features far more beautiful and expressive than the permanent scowl her sister seemed to wear. Her mane was like a golden, silken spiderweb, glowing with a faint, natural luminescence, and her eyes were like sunshine, warm and curious and gentle.

Chrysalis wore her ugly little urchin crown, which Cadence regretfully learned actually was some kind of parasite that hung out on the Changeling's head; Electra wore a big, floppy, yellow sunhat with a few flowers decorating it, and carried a red and yellow parasol that she further shaded herself with. Chrysalis stank like rotten soil and dead animal sweat; Electra had a faint soil smell too, but hers was like the earth of a well-kept garden, and only undertones of it existed beneath a gentle perfume of lilacs and vanilla. Chrysalis stormed around and glared at everyone and seemed to take pride in the fear and disgust she inspired; Electra had almost perfectly blended in at the little cafe they found her at, and the ponies around her hadn't been treating her like a monster, but rather like nobility who had graced them with her presence. Chrysalis growled and grumbled and yelled everything; Electra was soft and careful and charming.

Together, they made a strange group walking through Canterlot, and Cadence couldn't help but let herself drift from Thesis and team back towards this odd little.. .family, she supposed wryly, since Shining was the brother-in-law to... two Changeling Queens.

As she fell back, Miss Take looked up before she smiled brightly, saying warmly: “I know we have to be professional and all, dear, but let me introduce you a little more informally all the same to my dear big sister, Electra. She's a Spektra... do you know what that means?”

Cadence looked awkwardly at Electra as the beautiful Changeling gave her a little smile, and Miss Take chuckled before she explained: “Changelings come in many different types, but the most common are the Soma and the Spektra. Soma are like dear Chrysalis here, and her many drones. I suppose you would call them the hunters of the Changeling world. But Spektra, like Electra, are adept at collecting the energy residue in the air. It's much less efficient, but in large cities like this, Spektra can thrive in small groups because there are so many ponies putting out so many emotions.”

“But we are very rare. A mutation, some would say.” Electra said softly, before she gave Cadence a small smile. “My little sister has told me all sorts of things about you, Cadence. She seems very fond of you.”

“Thank you.” Cadence said awkwardly, not knowing what else she could possibly say. “Uh... so you're a Queen of a Hive yourself?”

“Yes. I have a small hive in the deep south of Equestria. We try and keep to ourselves as much as possible.” Electra said with a nod and a small smile. “We farm, mostly, and supplement that with gifts from a local village and the occasional rehabilitation.”

Cadence looked awkwardly at Electra, and Electra blushed before she shook her head hurriedly. “No, no, not sacrifices, of course! Changelings, especially Spektra, can absorb positive energy naturally. Charged gemstones and love vials are how we keep ourselves alive during droughts... not that we've had to deal with a drought for many years, of course.”

“Yes, Electra, because of your leadership.” Miss Take complimented, before looking pointedly at Chrysalis, who only huffed and looked moodily away. “Leadership is very important. Knowing your limits and recognizing the abilities of your hive, and that things are different these days than they were in the past. That this culture is different.”

Electra smiled awkwardly at Chrysalis, and then she turned her eyes back to Cadence, adding: “We do interact with the locals, but always as fairly as possible. We have structured a section of the Hive into a... I still don't know what to call it. Ponies are invited to dine, share intimacy, etcetera, while we entertain them. We also invite ponies on 'dates,' where the drones take on the role of a love or past love. I hope we offer them comfort or closure while we feed. My drones are all trained to be as gentle as possible, or to crystallize emotions to minimize the fatigue associated with such a drain.”

Cadence shifted slightly, and Electra smiled again, almost apologetic, before she continued: “We must live, and it is the safest way. We can only supplement ourselves so much from the lovefruit and the lovebugs we farm. These sate a Changeling's physical needs, but not the mental. It is... easier for a Spektra like myself to transcend our nature than it is for the Soma or the drones.”

Chrysalis grumbled under her breath, and Electra continued: “We can also learn to subsist on emotions other than love, but of course this is very difficult. Love, happiness, sensuality are all pleasing emotions, and gentle. Easy to digest, easy to process, they sate us and the resonating warmth settles us. Other emotions, however, like anger, passion, despair, envy, anxiety, eating them is like... Metanoia, what did you compare it to?”

“Well, different emotions are like different foods, of course!” Miss Take paused, then added mildly: “If the food also could make you feel an associated emotion, which I suppose some foods do, but I digress. Anger is spicy, and of course, makes you feel very annoyed at everything around you. Sorrow is like very heavy dairy. You feel bloated and heavy afterward, and like... like having a good cry.

“Changeling emotions aren't so different from pony ones. That's why we're compatible, why we can feed from you. When we feed off you, we leave a temporary numbness, a blank spot in your emotions, sometimes even in memory if we feed too deeply.” Miss Take softened, looking over at Shining Armor. “But of course, since our entire race literally lives off the energy of emotions, we're a little better at handling them than you are. So it's important for us to find that right balance: where we don't feed enough to steal away what you feel entirely... but enough, and at the right moments, where it keeps us alive, and perhaps helps you, too.”

Shining smiled a little at Miss Take, then he winced as Chrysalis smacked into his side and almost shoved her face into his, saying moodily: “Or at least, that's what the ponies expect us to do, to starve ourselves for them. You know, we were a predator species-”

“We are a predator species, dear, but you don't see bears gobbling down all the rabbits in the forest, do you?” Miss Take said disapprovingly, before she glanced up and down her sister and added: “And you could stand to lose a few pounds.”

Chrysalis scowled horribly, but she only sulkily let herself drop back a few paces, and Shining sighed in relief before he winced when Miss Take added scoldingly: “And you need to learn to stand up for yourself, dear. Chrissy is all bark and no bite.”

“Chrissy once defeated Celestia.” Cadence said before she could stop herself, and Chrysalis immediately puffed up, raising her head so high Cadence couldn't help but wonder moodily if it was going to pop off her neck.

But she deflated almost immediately as Electra said softly: “She defeated Celestia on borrowed power. On the love of an entire nation. Even now your compassion for your dear friend is very electrifying, Cadence. And that is nothing compared to the love you feel for...”

Electra blushed slightly as her eyes roved to the front of the line, where Thesis was already loudly arguing with Archon over his Mission Drive, and Cadence couldn't help but smile a little before Electra said softly: “I hope this isn't out of bounds, dear, but... I'm terribly sorry.”

“Electra!” cautioned Miss Take, and Cadence shifted, but then she simply nodded: of course they knew. Shining looked confused, and she wondered sometimes if even her friends could process it, but of course...

Chrysalis sniffed loudly, opened her mouth, and then went pale as the Swan said softly: “Speak of it and we will cut your tongue off with your horn, ghoul.”

Chrysalis tried her best to glare as she slowly shrank backward, and Cadence grumbled under her breath before she shook off the Swan. Electra studied her curiously as she spun her parasol, but then only smiled when Cadence glanced at her, bowing her head politely before she complimented: “You have a beautiful coat.”

“Uh. Thanks.” Cadence said awkwardly, then she smiled lamely as she looked over herself, saying finally: “I used to be... prettier, I guess.”

“You're still pretty.” Shining said, and then he blushed ever-so-slightly when Cadence looked back at him with surprise. “I mean pretty... good. Pretty good. You look. You are pretty good. Yes.”

Miss Take rolled her eyes as Chrysalis gagged and Electra only smiled, and Cadence shook her head before she turned her eyes ahead. But she let herself fall back maybe a step more, and Shining stepped closer to her as they continued their walk through Canterlot city towards the train station.

They boarded the train mostly in silence, and Cadence couldn't help but watch as they departed. She hadn't been paying much attention to the conversation or their orders, just following along on autopilot: all she had eyes for right now was Canterlot, watching as it faded into the distance behind them before she smiled faintly as a massive, spherical forcefield thrummed to life around it, glowing like a beacon for a moment before it dulled down to a glassy sheen,

She glanced up in surprise as Electra sat beside her, smiling at her kindly before she said softly: “I wanted to let you know, while we have a moment of privacy...”

Cadence and Electra both looked back over their seat in this far corner of the train car: their group was scattered down the seats, most of them watching as Miss Take pinned a whining Chrysalis in the aisle as she scolded her for something she had done.

Cadence rolled her eyes, then turned her attention back to Electra, who studied her intently before she asked quietly: “Will Danzsöngr hear me, or must I request her presence?”

“I... how did you know my name?” Cadence asked with a frown, and Electra smiled.

“Changelings, as you know, can siphon memories and behaviors as well as emotions. But Spektra are not so... violent. We are sensitive telepaths and empaths.” Electra paused as Cadence winced mentally and tried to clamp down on her thoughts- “No, that doesn't help. It just makes your memories... louder.”

She sighed, reaching up to rub at her temples for a moment before she cleared her throat and turned her eyes back to Cadence, studying her for a moment before she said softly: “I had a dream about you. About you, Danzsöngr. Not the pony, not the Swan, not Cadence; about who you really are. I knew you were coming. That was why I agreed to come, even though I know it puts me in danger, and I have had to leave my hive to fend for themselves, as much as I worry and fear for my children. They are my children. I love and name each and every one of them, unlike... some of us.”

She chuckled quietly, then she shook her head slowly before she said softly: “I was sent this dream. I was sent it by... by a strange and beautiful beast. She was gorgeous, and she was unicorn, but... not. She was powerful, and not to be denied. She spoke gently, but I felt like any moment, she could destroy me, if I displeased her.

“She told me that you would come. She was not sure when, but she said it would happen. She said you would come to defend the world, but that it was a trap: that the trickster has already acquired what he wanted here, your... casket. The coffin you were born in.”

Cadence frowned uneasily at this, and Electra studied her before she murmured: “I can see your memories, even the ones hidden away. But even your past becomes... dark to me, impossible to see through blurs and colors and... all the dust of time. But I want to tell you, it feels very important to tell you, that no matter what, Danzsöngr... you can be whoever you want to be. You don't have to be a tool. You don't have to be a weapon.”

Electra paused, then she gently leaned in and hugged the ivory mare, and Cadence's eyes widened in surprise as she stiffened slightly in the gentle, the warm embrace of the Changeling. But before she could react, Electra pulled away and smiled at her, then slipped out of the seat to head back towards her sisters, saying in her kind but firm way: “Metanoia, I think that's quite enough. Chrysalis, please don't provoke her so much, we have to work together.”

Cadence sat back in her seat, frowning uncertainly as she rubbed slowly at her face, wondering uneasily what that meant... and both when and why Melinda had contacted Electra. She shifted slowly and uneasily, before glancing up as her father slipped into the seat across from her with a kind smile, saying softly: “I felt as if you had called.”

“You always know, Daddy.” Cadence said softly, and she gave a brief smile before she shook her head slowly and looked up, chewing on her lip for a moment before she asked impulsively: “When you found me, it was because I had literally fallen from the sky, right?”

Sombra nodded, giving the mare a curious look. “That is correct, mi amore. You fell from the sky, and hit the ground with enough force to leave a crater. I found you in the bottom, only a filly, and I took you home. You were the answer to all my prayers.”

Cadence smiled at this, and she hesitated for a moment before asking: “When you put me to sleep...”

“A glass coffin, like in the old stories.” Sombra said softly, studying her intently, and when she remained silent, he continued slowly: “It was constructed carefully. Enchanted to remain warm for a thousand years, to repel invaders and keep you safe. But to open easily from the inside. It was lined with feathers, and yes, your own blood was used in the enchantment, so the magic would beat with the beat of your heart...”

“My blood...” Cadence said slowly, looking down for a moment before she nodded slowly, muttering: “I still don't know why Loki would want it. Electra told me that she had a dream, that Melinda told her Loki came for the coffin. But why?”

“Perhaps he intends to try and put you back to sleep.” Sombra said softly, and Cadence nodded slowly before the stallion continued quietly: “We are heading towards where you were found, Cadenza. I do not think that is a coincidence, either. I... do not believe that Loki means to threaten the ponies here. Nor do I think this is precisely an ambush. He is watching you, judging you. I think he seeks to learn something from you... but what, I do not know.”

Thesis joined them as Sombra finished, frowning slightly as Cadence lowered her head. She remained silent for a few moments, but then finally looked up and asked: “What is it?”

“La Croix is warding the train against croc face, and... you should really get some rest.” Thesis said finally, and Cadence scowled at him before the stallion reached out and gently squeezed her shoulder, adding: “I think Sombra is right, by the way. Loki wants us guessing and running around scared. He knows, especially after his retaliation at... world B-30, that we're going to be desperate to intercept him.”

“He attacked the world La Croix visited because he knew we'd stop Bond- I mean, La Croix's old boss.” Cadence corrected quickly: she didn't really know if saying the giant crocodile's name would draw his attention to them or not, but she'd learned by now it was better to just believe in her friends, stupid or insane as they sometimes sounded. “He attacked Moonflower's world to demonstrate what he was capable of, especially when things didn't go his way. He already got what he wanted here, but he left Voidborn behind to fight us... test us, or maybe... for some other reason. How is he still so far ahead of us?”

Thesis could only shrug, before he said finally: “We can't focus on it. All we can really do is keep moving forward. We can stop him, Cadence, he's not infallible. You know that yourself.”

“Not really, I barely got a chance to punch him.” Cadence muttered, but she nodded all the same before she sighed and said finally: “I just wish we knew what was going on. That we could get some handle on what he's doing.”

“Bad things. Let that be enough. And for now, go take a nap. You're not physically tired but I can tell this is all starting to get to you.” Thesis instructed gently, and Cadence scowled at him before he said softly: “Do it for your boss, if you won't do it for your coltfriend.”

Cadence sighed tiredly, then she finally nodded grudgingly before shoving herself up from the table. She headed to the door, pushing through into the next car, then looked up in surprise as Thesis followed her with a small smile, slipping through and sliding the door closed behind him as he said mildly: “I'm following you as your coltfriend, not as your boss, so you can't file a sexual harassment claim.”

Cadence rolled her eyes at this, and then she reached out and grabbed him, turning him and slamming his back against one of the doors leading into the sleeping units, and he squawked before he gave a weak smile, adding lamely: “Although maybe I should be the one-”

“Shut up.” Cadence leaned in close, and their lips brushed together, but they didn't kiss as Cadence hesitated before she leaned against him and closed her eyes, murmuring: “I don't have feelings for Shine, but I do. And he's still... I'm happy to see him, to be here with him. To see them all. I want... I wish... I wish we could all live somewhere and be happy together and...”

Thesis smiled faintly, and then he nodded slowly as he wrapped his forelegs around her, saying softly: “He seems pretty great. And Metanoia is a lot of fun. I understand that. And it's okay you have feelings for him. I know that... there's a difference between having feelings for someone and-”

“I don't need you to reassure me.” Cadence grumbled, mashing her face against his neck and biting him for a moment, and Thesis winced before the mare hesitated, then she mumbled almost embarrassedly as she looked away: “Okay, maybe... maybe I do.”

Thesis gently squeezed her, and Cadence sighed and looked down before she muttered: “I don't even know what I want anymore. I just... I just know I don't want to lose you. That you're the most important thing in my life.”

Thesis looked absurdly touched at this, smiling warmly before he winced when Cadence smacked him and grumbled: “Don't say anything. More importantly, don't say anything stupid. Just... just shut up and be here with me and... make me remember what I'm doing here. What we're fighting for. What I'm fighting for.”

“The right to punch as many people as you want in the face, probably.” Thesis said softly, and god, how Cadence hated him and loved him and wanted nothing more than to be with him, here, in this moment, forever.

And yet she ended it by shoving him back against the door with a smile, shaking her head before she murmured: “Why are you such an asshole?”

“I guess it's what you need in your life, since you seem to like keeping me around.” Thesis answered, and Cadence thought for a moment before she smiled despite herself, leaned forward, and silently kissed him.

He kissed her back, then winced and tumbled backwards into the room when Cadence used telekinesis to yank the handle of the door, the stallion smiling awkwardly as she kicked the door shut behind them before she pushed a hoof down against his chest, pinning him under her. He cleared his throat, then looked around the cramped cabin before he pointed at the fold-out cot, saying lamely: “Hey, uh, shouldn't we-”

“No. I like it when you're on the floor.” Cadence said softly, and Thesis stared at her before he blushed as she pushed a hoof against his lips, saying gently: “Now shut up.”

Thesis didn't have much of a choice but to listen... and afterward, they sat with their backs against the wall together side-by-side, both ponies with their eyes closed and breathing slowly, a wry grin on Thesis' muzzle before he finally said: “Mom would kill me if she knew I'd done that. Totally unprofessional.”

“No one has to know. You weren't that loud.” Cadence answered as she rested her head against his shoulder, before she murmured: “I needed to be a little stupid with you, anyway. The passion... it's... important You make me... passionate.”

“I'm glad to hear it.” Thesis said, and he hesitated for a moment before he gave the mare a small smile, asking impulsively: “Do we need to get married to go on a honeymoon?”

“I guess that's what normal people do. But we're not... normal, so... maybe not.” Cadence said after a moment, nodding slowly, and then she gave a small smile to Thesis before she shook her head and asked: “Where would we go?”

“I dunno. Somewhere with no one around, or somewhere where you could beat up a lot of people. Somewhere where we wouldn't have to worry about anything or somewhere where we would be so worried about whatever the hell is going on we wouldn't think about what was happening back home.” Thesis said, and Cadence gave him an amused look. “Hey. I'm trying.”

“Try harder. Do better.” Cadence said, and Thesis looked at her mildly. “I thought that was the philosophy you lived by already, anyway.”

“You know, you really sound like Mom sometimes. I hope that doesn't mean there's something to that whole, you know, you secretly want to-”

Cadence shoved a hoof against his face, then Thesis winced as she used him to climb to her hooves, shaking herself out once before she picked up her discarded armor. Pieces of it were laying all around the room, and Cadence smiled a little before she murmured: “You make me crazy.”

Thesis shrugged amiably, and Cadence gave him an amused look before the stallion picked himself up, brushing absently at himself before he said softly: “You know, you make me do things I'd never consider doing otherwise, though. And I wonder sometimes if that's a good thing or just a terrifying thing.”

Cadence chuckled quietly, then she answered: “Why not both?”

Thesis looked thoughtful at this, and then he nodded, admitting: “Yeah. It could probably be both. I mean, what else would a vacation in the killing fields be? Terrifying and exhilarating all at once. Thrills and exercise and running for your life.”

Cadence sighed, but then smiled when Thesis picked up her discarded bodysuit, saying softly: “Now come on, let's get you dressed back up and out there, Miss Professionalism. We should almost be at our destination by now, anyway.”

“No thanks to you.” Cadence said mildly, and Thesis rolled his eyes but smiled all the same as he calmly helped the mare slip her armor back on: another thing, Cadence reflected, that Shining had never done for her. And yet in some ways, this girding of cloth and metal, covering almost every inch of her body, it was more intimate, made her more vulnerable than when their bodies ground together and they pressed into each other...

Every strap was tightened, every plate was secured, every bit of equipment was slipped into its proper place. Her helmet slid onto her head, and Thesis checked her visor for her without her asking, tapping on his own Mission Drive and doing something, she wasn't sure what, as lights and information flashed over the glass before Thesis nodded and reached up to flick the visor back into hiding. “Looking good. Everything's ready, and we should be hitting our stop in about an hour.”

“Good. I'm going to go get everyone together.” Cadence said, and Thesis nodded, saluting her with a wry smile to show he'd gotten her unspoken point.

Cadence turned and headed for the door, giving him a small smile over her shoulder before she stepped out into the hall and headed back to the other car. And almost immediately, she found Miss Take and Electra both staring at her, Electra blushing and Miss Take clapping her hooves together as she asked excitedly: “Was it as good as it felt?”

Cadence stared, then one of her eyes twitched as Chrysalis said loudly: “I'm glad we could all come together on this trip to listen to Princess Prettypony bang her boyfriend to make her ex jealous.”

The Changeling Queen smiled and started to raise the bottle in her hoof, then she squeaked as a knife rammed through it, followed by two others that pounded into her holey mane and pinned her head back against the wall, Chrysalis going pale as Cadence glared at her furiously. She flexed her hoof, but before she could do anything that she could regret – not that I ever would – Miss Take sidled in front of her and said carefully: “Dear, Chrissy is just jealous and trying to get your goat. How about we drop the subject for now and talk about what we should be expecting, instead?”

Cadence grumbled under her breath, but then she nodded shortly before she called sharply: “Alright, listen up, everypony. We have about an hour until we reach our destination, and I want everyone ready.”

An hour always sounded like such a long time in Cadence's head. How was she supposed to talk for an hour, or use an entire hour to get everyone ready? But then, when they were actually doing prep, suddenly an hour was far too short. Suddenly it wasn't 'how am I supposed to use all this time,' but rather, 'how am I supposed to fit all this in to just one hour?'

Still, somehow she managed it: she always did, even when people didn't want to listen, when they had a thousand questions, when she kept getting interrupted or distracted by external influences she couldn't control.

When they pulled into the station, everyone, even Chrysalis, knew what they had to do and what their job was. But even Cadence was taken aback as they stepped away from the landing platform and found themselves entering a desolate, empty building, no pony waiting for them, the floor covered in red sand that had blown in through broken windows and doors that were hanging off their hinges.

“There was a fight here.” Thesis said quietly: that was obvious to Cadence, but she knew the stallion was working through what had happened in his own mind as he strode slowly through the wreckage of chairs, the stallion looking slowly back and forth. The platform had been dusty but otherwise spotless, although the doors there had been hanging open: the interior of the building was covered in dust and chairs had been smashed and there were marks here and there on the floor and walls, but whatever had happened, had ended very quickly...

“I think they ran away. Not just the lack of bodies, but the patterns. They panicked and ran.” Thesis halted, looking uneasily around the platform before he frowned, then slowly looked up towards the ceiling and murmured: “Well then. Guess that answers that.”

Cadence frowned, looking up as well before she grimaced at the sight of the bird that had been carved into the ceiling, then slashed through by several long lines. “Could Stronghold be back already?”

Moonflower looked up nervously at this, and Thesis frowned a bit before he shook his head nervously, muttering: “Wouldn't be very good for her if she is back already. Going back and forth from the Void to the physical plane hurts. And it's not like Stronghold is exactly the most stable creature we've ever seen, anyway.”

Cadence grimaced at this as Moonflower looked uneasily down, before he looked up and asked worriedly: “But... she could be, couldn't she? Does that mean she'd be even worse?”

“We'll deal with her if she shows up again, don't worry. I don't think she did this, though: I don't think she'd give them a chance to get away.” Thesis said, and Moonflower nodded uncomfortably as he chewed nervously on his lower lip. “We need to take a look outside. Chestnut is a small town, but...”

Thesis broke off, like he didn't know what to say, and Cadence couldn't blame him as they made their way to the door opposite to step out onto the dusty road. And the ivory mare grimaced as they looked out into the late afternoon of what seemed almost like another planet, her eyes roving slowly back and forth as Miss Take murmured: “Oh my.”

“This is all wrong. And everything is... muffled.” Electra said uneasily, as the strange group stepped out into the red desert that had washed over the world. The town in the distance was covered in drifts and dunes of sand, some of which stretched as high as the rooftops, forming ramps towards the poisoned, pink and purple sky above.

“Les sables du temps.” La Croix muttered, his eyes roving slowly across the sands: clouds of dust danced silently above the ground, clogging the air and hiding the streets of Chestnut from view, giving cover to whatever might be lurking there... “There be a Darkwater, and there be an endless desert. Bondye done taken that desert and poured it all over this place. He be expectin' us. No use pretendin' otherwise. And to do this...”

La Croix strode forward, shaking his head before he shouted, only the faintest tremor in his voice betraying his fear: “Bondye! Come out and fight, show yourself, y'hear? I ain't runnin' away from you. You ain't nothin' but a bête who done been leashed by a false dieu.”

A chuckle came from the air as a wind whispered teasingly around them. The wind turned, blowing up the sand in front of them and kicking the dust up, which sparkled for a moment in the air before the sand coalesced into a grinning crocodile skull, Bondye rasping: “All you and your priestess managed to do was make me more powerful. It is just as Loki promised... I am ruler of all of Darkwater!”

“From what I heard, there ain't much left o' Darkwater.” La Croix said quietly, and Cadence looked at the zebra with surprise, but he only glared at the apparition of Bondye. “Do you even know what you done? Or you so drunk on power you lost sight of what breaking the crossroads means, for you and all of us?”

“It doesn't matter, La Croix. Darkwater is mine, and now I have set my sights on higher goals. On more souls!” Bondye snarled, before Cadence and Moonflower both spun around as there was a tremendous smashing behind them, but La Croix didn't so much as flinch as the Bondye head grinned at him.

Wind whipped by, blowing a tidal wave of dust against the wall of the station, and Thesis grimaced as he saw readings flash over his visor as Miss Take and Shining Armor both leapt backward. But they all knew what had happened already, Cadence thought, as Sombra said quietly: “We had no intention of leaving. If you wish to face us, then why not-”

“Shut up, mud donkey.” Bondye said contemptibly, and Cadence narrowed her eyes dangerously. But Bondye didn't so much as look at her, instead focusing back on La Croix as he said coldly: “My new priestess has claimed the souls of this town for me. The Nzambi guard the borders, to ensure you do not try to escape, and the wastes will devour your friends if they try and run away. At the witch's hour, you will fight my priestess for my amusement. Kill her, and perhaps I will let you serve me again, La Croix.”

“No. I will never serve you, Bondye.” La Croix whispered, before he rose his head and snapped: “But I will see you punished for bein' so stupid and arrogant to think-”

“I made the right choice. Loki requires my powers. Only I can control the remnants of Darkwater. I am Orisha... I am God of Darkwater! Not even He Above can stand against me now!” Bondye declared, and then the head of sand leaned forward and hissed: “And if you will not serve, La Croix, you will be sacrificed. But you will not defeat the Queen of Cursed Shades, my humble and loyal servant.”

“We'll see about that, Bondye.” growled La Croix, and the Loa glared at the effigy of sand before it simply snorted and blew away in the next gust of wind.

The moment it was gone, La Croix slumped, breathing hard as he lowered his head, and Cadence studied La Croix for a moment before she asked quietly: “Did you know?”

“Oui.” La Croix murmured, and then he sighed and shook his head slowly as he looked away. “Ain't been able to contact mon frères for... too long now. Lost the ability to look into Darkwater, too, and well... once we figured out that Bondye... it just all came together.”

He halted, then he shook his head slowly before he glanced up as Moonflower mumbled: “Well... I... I know that you can stop him!” he suddenly burst out, spinning towards La Croix with a fire in his eye, the zebra staring at him dumbly. “You're better than him and you're better than that Goddess of Curtains too! You'll... out... stripehorse magic them both! I know you will!”

“Gee, Moony. Thanks.” La Croix said dryly, but he did give a small smile all the same as he straightened a little before he said softly: “All I know is... I'll do what I gotta do. And that Bondye ain't gonna play fair, so all y'all better get ready for a fight yourselves.”

“We will help as much as we can.” promised Electra, before she asked quietly: “When will he come for us? Midnight?”

“Nah. Three in the mornin'. It be darkest before the dawn.” La Croix answered with a brief smile, and then he shook his head slowly and looked down at the sand-covered city, murmuring: “I just hope that Veliuona ain't playin' as nice with him as he thinks she is, or we in for a real mess if things get out of hoof.”

Cadence only smiled thinly, flexing a hoof against the ground before she turned her eyes back over the lost city below in the unnatural desert, silently promising that she was going to do everything it took to stop Loki from repeating the disaster here that he had visited on every other world, even if it felt, in her heart of hearts, like they had arrived too late.