Princess Celestia has kept many secrets from those around her, even from her faithful student. One secret, a human whom Celestia brought to Equestria, has suddenly appeared on the doorstep of the Crystal, where Princess Twilight Sparkle is resting.
Princess Celestia has kept more secrets than any other pony and from those around her, even from her faithful student. Some of them kept for personal reasons, and others, for the greater good. Some small, and others… well you get the idea.
One secret, though, a human whom Celestia brought to Equestria, has suddenly appeared. And right on the doorstep of the Crystal Empire, where a newly crowned Princess Twilight Sparkle is resting.
Just what is this human after and what of Celestia’s secrets does he know? More importantly, how will this affect Twilight and her friends?
Disclaimer: I don't own MLP: FIM. It belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust, not me!
Princess Celestia was surprised by the crash of the double doors, bringing an abrupt end to her daily routine of signing papers. While she kept her magical grip on her quill, her advisor dropped her papers with a startled gasp. Celestia could only wonder what was going on.
“You can’t come in here!” she heard Shining Armor shout.
Celestia looked at the entrance to see a crowd of her golden-armored royal guards, her captain at the head. They were surrounding the source of the supposed trouble, trying to prevent that pony from entering. It was not an easy task as the guards were having a hard time subduing said pony.
From the grunting and shouting, one voice shouted–no bellowed–over the others, “GET OFF ME!”
Celestia’s eyes widen. It would have been unrecognizable from the volume and it took her a while, but she knew who it was. “Guards, stop!” she ordered, standing from her throne.
Thankfully, the princess’ voice had been heard over the ruckus. The royal guards stepped aside, though with much confusion, especially with Shining Armor. Now, Celestia could see who it was standing before her.
The intruding pony was not really a pony, but a biped being. His mane was short with a raven black color, and his face had a fading red hue over the usually tanned skin. Most of his body was covered in clothing: a simple white suit of those of nobility completed with matching pants to cover his two legs.
Celestia’s eyes met with the blues glaring at her with accusation. This being, this human, gave off waves of hatred and the Princess suspected as to why.
“Everypony, leave us,” she ordered, her gaze never deterred.
Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. “Princess?”
“I said leave us,” Celestia repeated much more sternly. When they remained still, she spoke softly and sincerely. “He will not harm me. Now go.”
Now, the guards took their leave of the throne room and one by one, they were gone. Even the princess’ advisor left, though in a rush to avoid whatever was about to follow. Shining Armor, the last one, was at the door when he casted a glare of suspicion to the human. “Let us know if anything happens, princess,” the captain told her.
“I will, Captain. Thank you,” his princess replied, her gaze still on the human.
The doors closed behind Shining Armor, leaving the two alone in the throne room. For a moment, there was a silence that hung in the chamber. That was until the human spoke.
“’I won’t harm you?’” he repeated with a sneer. “What makes you think I won’t now, Celestia?”
Celestia calmly reminded, “I control the sun here. You realize I have enough power to do more than stop you.”
“Yeah, I do,” the human snorted, the soles of his shoes clicking on the floor as he walked to Celestia. “Do you know why I’m here?”
Though she suspected, the princess masked it with a reply of “I’m afraid I don’t.”
The human’s face twitched a bit, but he decided to humor the princess. “I was in the library, talking with Luna. We were discussing about teleportation spells when she told me something very interesting,” he barked a bitter laugh. “She told me the reason my being here in your god-forsaken kingdom, Celestia.”
Now, Celestia’s mask was broken with a look of surprise and even fear in her eyes. If the human noticed, he just stared back at her and continued. “A year ago, an alicorn princess had been testing with an advance spell. However, it had an unknown side-effect: it brought an other-worldly being here… that being was me.”
The human pointed an accusing finger at Princess Celestia. “My reason for being here is you! You stole me from my home!”
Celestia wanted to speak but could only stare. There was so much anger in the human’s voice, anger she had never seen before. It was like a burning fire or venom than just mere rage like Sombra was known for.
Lowering his arm, the human let out a dark chuckle. “And you know what else? I just learned that you personally kept that a secret from me! You tried to make sure I would not find out! All the scrolls hidden, all the guards silenced, and even your own sister was in on it!”
The princess opened her mouth to speak. “Please listen, Da–”
“No!” he cut her off. “You have no right to speak! Not you, of all beings!”
Eyes widen with surprise, Celestia remained silent as the human continued. Though powerful as she was, the princess was unable to fight back and let herself be humbled by the human before her.
“A year, Celestia–an entire year you kept this from me!” the human roared with outrage. “Was I just some sort of lab rat to you?! Did our friendship not mean anything?! What right do you have to keep this from me?! WHAT RIGHT?!”
The last words echoing off the walls, Celestia hung her head in shame. Everything the human said was true to the letter. She brought him here, and she hid that truth from him. And what buried the proverbial knife into Celestia’s heart was that the human was right.
“I’m sorry,” was all the princess could say.
The human snorted at that, grabbing and yanking his tie off from his suit. Soon, his jacket came off and joined with it on the floor. The sound of clicking echoed again, but this time, it was away from Celestia. The doors slammed opened again and the Princess raised her head to see the human bounded down the halls of the Canterlot Palace.
The royal guards then came into view of the opened doors, each one armed with their spear and ready to pursue the human. “Let him go!” Celestia ordered, gaining her guards’ attentions. “He’s to be left alone. No guards are to stop him from leaving.”
Once again, the guards were confused, yet ran about the halls to carry out their orders. The princess stepped down from her majestic throne and head towards one of the many glass windows. She stopped and stared down at the floor with a somber gaze. Shining Armor, the only pony who did not leave, approached her.
“Are you alright, your highness?” Shining Armor asked with concern.
Celestia raised her gaze, but kept it fixed on the glass window in front. “I will be fine, Shining Armor. I just wish to be alone,” she spoke in a quiet tone.
Nodding, the captain turned around, only sparing a small glance to the princess. He slowly trotted out of the throne room and the doors quietly closed behind him, leaving the princess in the following silence.
Left alone, Celestia let out of a sigh and her eyes were filled with sadness. In the thousand years of her reign, the great Sun Princess had lost another close to her… And this time, she was not sure if he would be return.
“Goodbye, my friend,” Celestia whispered as a small tear ran down her fur. However, she only heard the chamber’s silence.
The Friendship Express let out a loud whirl as it pulled into the train station. The train conductor, an old gray stallion, stuck his head out and announced, “Last stop, the Crystal Empire!”
Ponies poured out of the train moments later. While some continued on with their business, others who had never been in the Crystal Empire before were dazed at the crystalline buildings. In the center of it all was a tall palace rivaling the Canterlot Royal Palace as the shining spire nearly touched the artificial blue sky overhead.
After passengers disappeared into the station, the Crystal Empire guards strode in. There were three of them, all stallions in their decorative armor, yet only one had a bored look on his face. “Out of all the jobs we, why did we agree to inspecting cargo crates?” that one guard grumbled.
Beside him, his friend answered, “It was either this or be guarding the palace. Personally, I’d prefer not being there.”
“Why? It’s not that bad,” the first guard asked with a quizzical look. “The Elements of Harmony are there, after all.”
“That’s exactly the reason why I don’t want to be there. I already spend a day guarding them and they drive me crazy!” The second guard shivered. “Especially that pink one.”
“I don’t see anything wrong with that. She is kind of cute…”
“Hey guys, come over here!” a shout cut off the first guard.
The two guards turned to their fellow third guard standing near one of train’s cars. It was a cargo car, carrying supplies and trade goods, no doubt. The third guard stared at it with a curious, yet concerned look. Almost as if he was suspecting something.
It made the other two curious as they walked over to him. “What is it?” the second guard asked the third.
He turned to the others. “I think there’s something in here,” he told them in a quiet voice.
“Of course, there’s something inside. There’s cargo,” the first one said deadpanned.
“No. I mean something… alive,” the third guard said with wide eyes.
The first one facehoofed. “Do you realize how cliché that sounds? That sounds like something out of a horror novel.”
“I’m serious! I think there’s something alive in here!”
The second guard sighed and he walked to the train car. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Grabbing the handle with his hooves, he slid open the door. All the stallions gazed inside of the cargo car and immediately, three pairs of eyes widen at what they saw. “Dear Celestia…” one of them whispered.
Sitting inside the train car was a strange bipedal creature. Most of its body was clothed and lack fur on its body, save for the black hair on top of its head. The guards’ first guess was a hairless minotaur but the legs, while covered, were not that of a bull.
The creature slowly stood, grabbing a brown long jacket on the floor. After wiping off the hay on its dirty blue shirt and jeans, it noticed the three shocked guards and smiled. “Hello there,” the creature greeted in a male voice as it–no, he–waved a “claw.”
The first guard came out of his shock and waved back. “Uh hello?”
“I hope you don’t mind, but where I am exactly?” he asked.
“The Crystal Empire,” answered the third guard.
“Good then!” The guards quickly backed away as creature stepped onto the platform. “I would like to be directed to the Crystal Palace, if you can.”
That made the guards wary as their eyes were filled with suspicion. “What for?” came from the second guard.
The creature smiled. “To meet the new princess of Equestria, of course. I believe her name is Twilight Sparkle.”
Spike sighed irritably as he lied on Twilight’s bed in the Crystal Palace, provided by Princess Cadence. It was more soft and comfortable than the one back in Ponyville. Unfortunately, Spike did not enjoy the feeling as much when he saw Princess Twilight Sparkle trotting around her temporary bed chambers.
As usual, the young mare had a troubled look on her face. She would always be worried about some little thing and it would drive her to near insanity to figure it out. Whatever was troubling Twilight, Spike did not know and that had been keeping the young dragon on edge.
After moments of silence, Spike finally spoke, “Twilight, you really should stop walking around like that. You might make a hole in the floor… again.”
“Huh?” Twilight stopped. Seeing Spike, she gave a sheepish smile. “Sorry, Spike. I’ve just been thinking that’s all.”
“You’re sure?” he said, sitting up. “I know that look, Twilight. Something’s bothering you, you can’t really hide it.”
Her smile went away and her head sunk a little. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she answered in a defeated tone. “It’s just this whole princess thing is a little… tiring.”
Spike raised an eyebrow as he jumped off the bed. “‘Tiring?’ But you’ve only been a princess for a week, Twilight.”
Twilight’s worried eyes went to her assistant. “That’s exactly it, Spike. I used a new spell, became a princess, and even went to another world! And all in a week! What’s next?! Will Changelings overtake Canterlot again? Is Discord going to cause chaos? Is-”
“Twilight calm down! Nothing is going to happen!” Spike cut her off. He paused and added, “Too bad Princess Celestia isn’t around to help you. She would know what to say.”
“Yes, I know. She and Princess Luna already left two days ago. And the girls are taking the train for Canterlot today.” Twilight sighed. “I wish they were here.”
The baby dragon was silent, hesitant to say anything at first. Then, he said, “You know what you need? Some cheering up. Maybe you need a small break to take your mind off of things.”
“You’re probably right. I sure could use one of Pinkie’s parties right now,” Twilight chuckled as she turned around…
“Did somepony say party?!”
“GAH!” a startled Twilight and Spike jumped at the sight of a pink blob with two eyes and fluffy hair.
After they both hit the floor with a thud, it was Twilight who looked up. Her eyes widen seeing a smiling Pinkie Pie standing right in front her and Spike. “Pinkie, how did you get in here?” Twilight asked.
“Through the front door, silly!” Pinkie giggled, as if it was obvious.
“Hey Pinkie, wait for us!” called out another voice, one more brash.
As she stood with Spike, Twilight looked past Pinkie and was surprised to see four more familiar ponies entering the room. “Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity?” she stared at her friends gathered with Pinkie. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to take the train for Canterlot!”
Rainbow flapped her wings as she landed on the floor. “We were, but we decided to put our plans on hold.”
“But why?”
“We thought we could stay with you a little longer,” Fluttershy said, timidly adding, “that is, if you want to.”
Rarity took a step from Fluttershy’s side. “We couldn’t just leave you, darling. After all, you must be exhausted after a week of excitement. The least we can do is help.”
“But Rarity, what about your shop and Sweetie Belle?” Twilight asked.
“I’ve closed the shop for a few extra days. And Sweetie Bell is staying over at the Apple Farm.”
“They’ll be fine, Twi’,” Applejack assured. “Big Mac is watching her, Scootaloo, and Applebloom.”
“Yeah, and the Cakes said I could have a few more days off!” Pinkie beamed.
“And the weather team will be fine without me,” Rainbow added. “I’ve got plenty of time to spend.”
Spike smirked. “Not too hard, since all she sleeps all day.”
“Yeah, that’s r-hey!”
While the others laughed at Rainbow’s expense, Twilight could only smile. “Thanks girls,” she said as the laughter died down. “I really appreciate what you’ve done.”
Though still annoyed at the others, Rainbow happily swung a foreleg over Twilight. “Hey, no problem. After all, what are friends for, right girls?” The others gave a nod of agreement to that.
Removing her foreleg, Rainbow asked, “So, what do you want to do?”
“Well…” Twilight began but uncertainty stopped her. “… I don’t really know. You’re still going to be here for a few more days.” She looked at her friends. “What do you think?”
Rarity was first. “Maybe we can go to the spa. It has been ages since we've been there!”
“Um, Rarity,” Applejack said, “we went there only yesterday. Maybe, we can try something else.”
“Oh very well,” the white unicorn sighed, turning to Fluttershy. “What do you think, Fluttershy?”
“Uh,” the timid pony froze, finding eyes on her, “well, I don’t, um, really know.”
Pinkie bounced. “I know what we can do! A par-” She was silence by Applejack’s hoof to her mouth.
“Not now, Pinkie,” she said, and Pinkie just let out a muffled “aww” of disappointment.
“Maybe we can think of it later,” Spike spoke up. “After all, Twilight’s got to meet with Shining Armor and Princess Cadence in ten minutes.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Wait, ten minutes?” She stared at the clock and her eyes widen with alarm. “Oh my gosh! I can’t believe I forgot! I need to hurry!”
The five ponies watched as their alicorn friend rushed out of the room. “Twilight, wait!” Spike called out as he quickly followed her.
Applejack asked Rainbow, “She does have wings, right? Can’t she just fly?”
“Uh, she’s still working on that,” the blue Pegasus answered nervously, remembering Twilight’s less-than-perfect lessons.
Rarity chipped in, “Well, I do believe Twilight may want us around. After all, we are here to help her.”
Nopony else gave any objection, and every one of them left the bed chamber to chase after Twilight and Spike.
“I still can’t believe it. My little sister’s a princess now,” Shining Armor said as he trotted down the halls of the Crystal Palace.
“Believe it. Twilight has come a long way,” said Princess Cadence as she trotted beside her husband. “Hopefully, she won’t be bothered as much as we are or Auntie Luna and Celestia.”
“Yeah, I know.” He gave a worried smile. “She’ll have little time to herself these days. I don’t think she can handle it by herself.”
“She still has her friends, Shining, and she can make time for us as well.” Cadence smirked and added, “Also, I think she has her eye on one of the guards. Flash Sentry, I think.”
Shining frowned. “Please don’t joke about that. Princess or not, I don’t want my sister to be near any of them. She’ll get herself into trouble.”
“Oh, I think it’s fine. Besides, he it does remind me of a certain stallion who joined the guard just to impress me me.” Shining felt his cheeks blush at the tease, while his wife chuckled.
“Captain Armor! Princess Cadence!”
The two rulers of the Crystal Empire turned and saw a crystal guard approaching them. Shining stood tall, taking up his appearance as a captain, and asked, “What is it?”
The guard stood to attention and reported, “We found a strange creature inside the city. It’s requesting permission to enter the palace.”
“A strange creature?” Cadence repeated. “What is this creature? What does it look like?”
“Well, princess,” the guard cleared his throat, “it has two legs, mostly clothed, and I believe two arms.”
Shining Armor’s eyes almost narrowed, but kept his calm as he asked, “Why does he wish to come to the palace?”
“To meet with Princess Twilight Sparkle,” the guard answered.
Cadence’s eyes widen with surprise. A strange creature just shows up and wants to talk with Twilight? Sure, Twilight had been crowned recently and many ponies wanted to talk with their new princess, but this was extraordinary.
Shining, on the other hand, had his gaze narrowed. “Bring him to the throne room and keep it off limits. I want to see this creature personally.” There was an edge in his voice, one that Cadence noticed.
“At once,” the guard bowed and quickly turned to leave.
As the guard left, Cadence stared at her husband, and noticed a look in his eyes. Being married to him, she knew that look within an instant. Shining’s calmness was gone, replaced by anger and a hint of fear. Fear for Twilight of course, but Cadence was not sure where the anger came from.
Most of all, there was one other thing: recognition. Whatever this creature was, Shining Armor knew about it or at least suspected.
“Shining, are you alright?” Cadence asked with concern.
“What?” Shining turned to his wife. “Oh, I’m fine, Cadence. I just didn’t expect this to happen.”
“I see,” she said, looking at Shining’s eyes again. They had their usual calmness, yet there were still hints of that grim look.
“I’ll be heading to the throne room,” Cadence was brought back to reality by her husband’s voice. “I think it would best if you stayed where it’s safe.”
Cadence shook her head. “No, I’m coming along.” Shining opened his mouth, but she cut him off. “You may need help Shining. If this creature proves to be a threat, then I can use the Crystal Heart on it.”
After a moment, Shining sighed. “Alright, but make sure to keep the Crystal Heart at a safe distance.”
Cadence nodded and the pair rushed down the halls, towards their new destination.
“Wait up!” Spike called as he ran behind Twilight, who rushed past many servants in the palace halls. “Can you just-oomph!”
Spike was put to a stop, quite literally, when Twilight suddenly halted. The baby dragon rammed into her and bounced off onto the floor, while Twilight took a step forward. “Spike!” she turned to him, “are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Spike groaned. When he sat up, his eyes went past Twilight and they widen. “What’s that?”
Twilight turned back around and found what made her stop. Not too far away was the entrance to the throne room, guarded by a guard. The doors swung open to make way for another two guards to enter. Yet, Twilight saw a third figure accompanying the two guards but she could not make out its features.
Just then, the other Elements of Harmony caught up to Twilight and Spike. They saw the commotion and all became curious. “What the hay is going on here?” Dash voiced their thoughts just as the doors closed.
“I don’t know,” Twilight said, approaching the closed entrance. “Excuse me, guard, can you please open the door?”
The guard, a red stallion, remained firm as he answered, “I’m under orders from Captain Shining Armor to keep anypony from entering the throne room.”
“My brother?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“I’m afraid I was not told.”
She looked at her confused friends, then back at the guard. “Well, can you please tell us who just entered the throne room?”
“I’m afraid not, your highness,” the guard said.
“Oh come on!” Dash exclaimed. “Just what are you hiding? We’ve been in the throne room plenty of times! Just let us in!”
Applejack halted her. “Simmer down, Rainbow. There must be an explanation for all this.”
“I do believe so,” Rarity said, “but I am curious, just what is inside. Perhaps, you can let us enter.”
“I cannot, ma’am,” the guard said.
Rarity huffed. “May I remind you that you are in the presence of a princess of Equestria.” The guard almost winced as she continued. “Newly crowned yes, but a princess nonetheless. It is your duty as a guard to follow her orders, unless you wish to be punished for insubordination!”
“I… well…” the guard stammered.
Twilight took a step forward. “If you let us in, you will not be betraying your duty. I assure you.”
The guard sighed in defeat. “Very well, your highness,” and he knocked a hoof on the door.
The double doors swung open, and closed behind the seven of them. They found the guards standing near the perimeter of the throne room as usual, but for some reason, more than the usual number. That reason was the third figure in the room’s center with the two guards, its back turned to show its dirt long coat.
“What is that?” Rainbow said aloud, catching the strange coated figure’s attention.
The figure turned and the Elements of Harmony found it to be strange with its bipedal physiology–Wait, Twilight stopped. Bipedal, two arms, hands, fingers, clothes… Twilight’s eyes widen, finally realizing what she was seeing.
“My word!” Twilight heard Rarity gasped. The others had similar reactions, save for herself and her dragon companion.
“Twilight,” Spike whispered, “is that…”
“Yes,” Twilight whispered back, “that’s a human.”
Though she said it, Twilight could hardly believe it. A human was standing right before her. A human was here, in Equestria of all places. But why was he even here? And how was it possible?
“Hello, there” the human greeted, snapping Twilight out of her thoughts. She saw it–no, he–waved a hand to her. “You must be Princess Twilight Sparkle, correct?”
Twilight was almost taken aback, but she answered uncertainly, “Um, yes. Yes, I am. Nice to meet you.”
The human smiled. “Nice to meet you too. I would like to shake your hoof, but…” he looked to two guards flanking his sides.
The doors swung open again, and Twilight swirled to see her brother entering. “Shining!” she gasped with surprise.
Surprise flashed across Shining’s face. “Twily, what are you doing here?”
“Here to see me, apparently,” the human spoke up, drawing glances to him.
Seeing the human, Shining’s eyes narrowed. “It’s you,” he said in an icy tone.
“Hello to you too, Shining Armor,” the human replied evenly.
Twilight stared at her brother. “Shining, do you know him?”
“I do,” he said, turning to the guards. “Guards, detain him.”
The two guards flanking the human grabbed him by the arm. Twilight’s eyes widen and she shouted, “Stop, what are you doing?!” She turned to her brother. “Shining, what’s going on? Why are you doing this?”
Shining’s gaze never left the human stared as he answered, “He was found near the train station, asking to speak with you. I don’t know what he’s capable of, nor why he wants to talks to you. For all I know, he could here to harm you.”
“But…” Twilight objected, but Shining cut her off.
“This is for your own protection. Please, Twilight.” The sincerity in her brother’s voice and his softened gaze made Twilight sigh in defeat.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine,” the human said and both siblings turned to him. The human was still confined by his two guards, yet he kept an unusual calm. “Knowing your brother, he won’t do any harm. Besides, he’ll learn that I’m free of any suspicion.”
“We’ll see about that,” said Shining, the edge returning as he looked back to the two guards. “Take him to one of the holding cells. I want guards posted twenty-four-seven.”
The two guards nodded, and trotted off with the human, following Shining Armor. The other Elements of Harmony and Spike moved aside and watched the human being taken away. “Wait!” Twilight called out. The two guards halted for their human prisoner to look at the curious alicorn. “You said you wanted to talk to me right? About what?”
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait for that,” the human gave her an indifferent shrug. “I’m going to be preoccupied in the next hour or so.”
Twilight paused for second. “Well… can you at least tell me your name?”
A smile spread on the human’s face. “Damien. My name’s Damien.”
That was all that said before the human was dragged away by his guards. The doors to the throne room slammed shut, cutting the ponies off from the human and leaving a curious Twilight in silence.
Cadence kept a steady pace as she strode down the palace halls. Her face and her walk remained passive and calm to hide her suspicions that raced in her mind. Beside her, Shining stared up ahead, giving a serious stare that made Cadence worry about him.
Things became seriously silent since the arrival of that stranger Cadence heard so much about. The guards were more active than before, what with their captain and prince ordering them about and placing them under new posts. Cadence especially noticed the numbers of guards increasing in the very hall she stepped in… and all because of the new arrival. She had not seen him, but she did wonder about the creature.
And all because of that stranger. She had not seen him, but Cadence was already beginning wonder about the creature.
The human, Cadence corrected herself. She heard of Twilight’s time in that other world and the bizarre bipedal creatures. To see one in Equestria was… surprising, to say the least. Her concern, however, was more focused towards her husband’s change of mood.
“Are you sure about this?” Cadence finally broke her silence.
Shining glanced to his wife. “I’m sure, Cadence. Everything should be fine with Damien in one of the rooms.”
“You mean dungeon.”
“It’s not a dungeon. It’s one of the guest rooms we haven't refurbished yet,” he frowned. “I don’t think we even have any here. Besides, he’s given fair treatment.”
“But keeping armed guards on him? A little too much, don’t you think?” Cadence pointed out just as they came across one of the many guarded doors. “He doesn’t seem like a threat.”
“You never know…” Shining said before he gestured to the guard to open the door. Saluting, the guard knocked a hoof on the door.
Now, Cadence frowned. Shining’s new tone did not settle well with her. “Shining, what’s this really about?”
Shining looked into his wife’s eyes. Those bright purple eyes pleaded for answers, and he found himself helpless, just like every other time Cadence used them on him.
The captain of the guard sighed in defeat. “I promise to tell you after we’re done, alright?”
“Alright, you also have promise me to behave.”
“You know me,” Shining replied with his all-too-familiar smile.
“Yes, I do.” Cadence smirked. As soon as she finished, the white door opened.
Entering the room, their hooves trailed across the floor, a rather darker shade of purple that spread up to the crystal columns that supported the alabaster walls. Right in the center of the room was the suspect at hoof–no, hand, sitting at a table.
“Hello, captain,” Damien casually greeted Shining before he nodded to the pink alicorn. “And Princess Cadenza. It’s a pleasure to see you.”
Cadence nodded back. “You as well, but I don’t believe we've actually met.”
“No, we haven’t, but I've heard about you,” he smirked slightly to the stallion next to Cadence. “Shining would never stop talking.”
“Damien,” Shining’s voice cut in before Cadence could react, “I’m start off with a couple of questions. I don’t want any lies, just truths.”
“Very well,” Damien agreed.
The captain took a seat across from the human and began, “How exactly did you get inside the Crystal Empire?”
“By taking the train.”
Shining raised an eyebrow, but continued, “Did you stow away? A few guards found you in one of the carrier cars on the Friendship Express.”
“Yes, I remember them. Actually, I asked to take that car. It had a lot more room for me to move around.”
“Alright…” Shining paused to think of something. “… can you explain how you got on the train in the first place?”
Damien sat there, constantly answering Shining’s answers with no sign of apprehension, and Cadence curiously watching the interrogation between the human and her husband.
Another whirl filled the air as another train left the Crystal Empire’s train station. A large crowd of ponies had gathered over the past hour, curiously inspecting two things. One had been the increase of guards investigating a train over. The other was the sudden and recent arrival of six ponies and a dragon, walking down the station’s wooden platform.
From said group, Rainbow Dash groaned for the umpteenth time. “Alright, just what are we doing here?” she asked, glancing down. “Weren’t we supposed to be back at the palace?”
“We’re here to look fer answers, Dash,” Applejack answered without glancing back at the hovering Dash above her and the group.
“What answers? We don’t even know what’s going on here!” Dash exclaimed in frustration.
“Now, Rainbow Dash, there’s no need to rush. I know we’ll find them soon,” Rarity said assuredly. Her look turned from calm to pensive. “But I admit, what are we doing here?”
“I’m sure Twilight can tell us,” Pinkie joined in and looked to her side. “Right, Twilight?”
She was met with silence. “Twilight?” Pinkie asked again.
“Just give me a second,” said the mare in question, whose muzzle was up against a levitating paper and quill.
Applejack moved to Twilight’s side, trying to glance at the paper. “Twi’, what are you writing?”
“A letter for Princess Luna,” Twilight replied whilst she wrote said letter.
“Why not Princess Celestia?”
“She’s away on a meeting in Appleloosa. I can’t bother her about this now. Besides, we need to find answers first.”
“But why come here?” an impatient Rainbow interjected. “And just who was that guy? What is he?”
This time, Twilight groaned. “Spike.”
“Hmm?” came from Spike, who was picking at his teeth. Noticing the four stares, he took his claw’s tip out and inquired “Oh, you mean that guy we saw?”
“Yes,” Dash breathed impatiently. “Do you know what he is or not?”
“Of course, I do! That guy was a human,” Spike proclaimed with a slight smug smile.
All eyes on Spike widen. “A human?” Applejack echoed. “You mean those creatures y’all saw in that other world?”
“Oh!” Pinkie raised an ecstatic hoof. “You mean when Twilight was a human and Spike were a dog, and had to go to that dance party?”
“Yeah…” Spike drawled, a little perturbed by his canine experience. “… pretty much, everyone there looked like the guy we saw.”
“Didn’t Princess Celestia say the only way was through the mirror?” Rarity pointed.
Now, Twilight broke her silence. “It is. That’s what I’m trying to find out,” she explained, rolling up her letter in her magic. “Spike, can you…”
“On it!” Spike plucked the scroll and puffed it away with his dragon fire.
As the letter flew in the air in a blazing green trail, Twilight turned to her friend. “Shining said the guards found him here.” She gestured to the train station. “We can ask around and find more about him.”
“But where do we start?” Rarity wondered out loud.
Pinkie, who was looking around, chirped, “We can ask them!”
Before anypony could ask, she already went down the platform, towards one of the train cars. Huddled nearby was a trio of Crystal guards, the closest out of the others there. “Hi, there!” Pinkie called out as she approached the trio.
Three heads turned, and one of them cringed upon noticing the pink pedestrian. “Oh, dear Celestia…” grumbled one of them.
“Excuse meeee,” Pinkie asked, “but do you know anything about a strange two-legged creature?”
Another guard, placed on the left, huffed. “Don’t we. We were just minding our own business when we just find this… this…” he paused to find the right word, “ whatever, then he comes out of the car and-”
“And I’m afraid that’s all we know,” the other guard on the right cut his fellow off. “He was taken to the castle by other guards. If you want to know more, you can ask the conductor, ma’am.”
“Up ahead, can’t miss him,” said the middle guard, who looked a little sick. Maybe it was the flu.
“Thanks!” And Pinkie bounced away, not catching a slight grumble from among the three guards.
Twilight and the others followed their pink friend down the platform. It was only a few short trots before they all came across the lead locomotive, which was rather isolated compared to the rest of the platform. “There’s nopony,” Applejack remarked.
“Maybe they’re taking a nap,” Pinkie suggested. She leapt up to the window and stuck her head in. “Helloooo. Anypony there?” her voice echoed.
“Pinkie, get down from there!” Rarity chastised.
No sooner than Rarity spoke those words, Pinkie fell back, and out came a head of an old gray stallion. “Yeah! What’d ya want?!”
The entire group just stared, Rarity more of horror, at the messy beard and wrinkled muzzle stared back at them. Only Twilight found the courage and spoke up, “Uh, excuse me? Are you the conductor?”
“Yeah, what’s it to ya?” he said gruffly. When he looked to Twilight, the sunken in eyes widen, and his tone was apologetic. “Oh, sorry your highness, didn’t you see there!”
“It’s alright,” Twilight tried her nicest smile. “I’m looking for some answers.”
“Certainly!” the conductor beamed, opening the door and stepping out onto the platform. “What can I do for you?”
“You had a strange creature aboard your train. Two legs, wearing clothes?”
“Yes, I remember him!” he reminisced with a fond smile. “The lad was a real help. Always gave a hoof around, moving the heavy crates and whatnot.”
To that, Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Really? What can you tell me about him?”
“I'm sorry, miss, but you'll have to wait until Prince Armor is done questioning the suspect.”
Fluttershy replied with a meekly 'meep.' The guard in front of her tried his best to look passive as possible, as did his partner. "Oh, I see," Fluttershy hid behind her mane a little, trying to protect herself from the guards' stoic looks. "I'll just come back, then."
So, Fluttershy turned around with disappointed trots. Finding the 'human,' as Twilight called it, was not hard. The real trouble was trying to get past the guards. When Fluttershy first appeared at the door, the guards would not allow anyone to pass them, even an Element of Harmony. So, Fluttershy had tried to follow Rarity’s example from earlier.
“Um, well, I'm friends with Princess Twilight, and I was hoping, if you don't mind, could you, maybe...”
Key word: tried. Five times, Fluttershy tried to get through, and five times, she had been given the same answer: wait until Shining Armor was done. All she did was to turn around and walk down the hall. ‘I hope Twilight and the others are having a better time,’ Fluttershy hoped, deep in thought.
A little too deep that Fluttershy barely noticed another pony walking in her direction. Her wings fluttered a little, nearly brushing against something silver. Fluttershy was surprised to see the other mare stopping and balancing a tray on her back. “Oh, I’m sorry!” she apologized while she stepped aside.
The mare, dressed in a maid outfit, kept the tray balanced on her back. “It’s alright,” the mare gave a smile. “No harm done.”
After returned the smile with her own meek look, Fluttershy eyed the tray on the maid’s back. It was an assortment of different foods–salad, rice, some fish, and even a little bit of meat. There was no hay, grass, or any food suitable for a pony’s diet. “Um, where are you taking that?” Fluttershy wondered.
“Have you heard about the new guest?” the maid asked, and Fluttershy nodded. “Well, Prince Shining Armor requested get some food for him. To be honest, I don’t know what sort of creature eats all these foods.”
Fluttershy held down the urge to say anything. She had been around different animals, so she was used to seeing the diets of herbivores and carnivores. Judging by the different foods, the human seemed to be an omnivore and would need more than one food group to keep him fit. No wonder Shining Armor wanted it to be delivered.
A thought sparked in Fluttershy’s head. “If you don’t mind, I could take that for you,” she said.
The maid cocked an eyebrow. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. I know Cap-I mean Prince Shining Armor,” Fluttershy assured, correcting herself mid-way. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Alright,” and the maid hesitantly slid the tray into Fluttershy’s hooves.
The maid went the other way, and Fluttershy went her own, hovering back down the hall towards the two guards and the door in between them. She wobbled little, careful to not tip over the tray on its side and spill the food all over the floor. By the time Fluttershy landed at the door, she held up the tray. “Excuse me,” Fluttershy held up the tray. “I’m here to deliver the food.”
The two guards were already suspicious. One of them asked, “What happened to the maid?”
“She said was a little busy. She gave me this to take this to the new guest.” Though it was not a total lie, Fluttershy gave a smile, as wide as one of Pinkie’s, to pull it off. “Do you want to ask Prince Armor? I can send this back, but I’m not sure if he likes his food cold…”
The two guards glanced to one another. “Very well,” the other conceded and gave a knock.
The door opened immediately, left slightly ajar. There were sounds a little too faint to know what was being said. Nonetheless, Fluttershy gave a nod of gratitude before she took her first trots inside. The moment the door closed, she could see and hear everything clearly.
In the center of the room, Shining Armor was sitting at a table, right beside his wife. The two of them were talking to each other, trying to keep their voices down to a whisper. Their faces, on the other hand, showed clear irritation.
“Shining, just stop it.” That was Cadence, clear weariness in her voice.
Shining himself countered it with a stubborn reply. “Cadence, please let me take care of this.”
“I just think that this has gone far enough.”
“Just one more question, alright? Then, we’ll talk about this.”
“Shining, we’re getting nowhere with this. At this rate, you’ll be asking questions until Sombra comes back!”
“Wow, you two really are a married couple. I only saw this much bickering from a pair of old donkeys. By the way, how was the wedding, Shining? I heard you had a bit of a bug problem.” That came from the third party, the human, sitting across from them.
“Damien…”
Sighing at her evenly irritated husband, Cadence rubbed a hoof on her temple. “Look Shining, you can’t keep doing this and–Fluttershy, what are you doing here?”
Fluttershy gulped a little finding not only Cadence, but Shining and the human, staring at her. “Um,” she squeaked as she lifted the tray. “I’ve brought some lunch.”
“What happened to the maid?”
“Well, I, um, took this for her.” Again, Fluttershy tried to put on a smile, hoping to push away any suspicion.
Fortunately, there was none of that, only tired eyes that softened at the Element of Kindness. “We might need a little break. Thank you, Fluttershy,” Cadence said.
“Yeah… Sorry you had to hear all of that,” Shining apologized.
“It’s no trouble,” Fluttershy assured, though her mind screamed with surprise. She had never seen Shining and Cadence argue like that. If she was right, seeing the entire thing would have even made Twilight nervous.
Still, Fluttershy came forward, the tray in her hooves. The moment it was on the table, she glanced down at the human’s strange appendages on the table, one calmly resting atop of the other. Fluttershy's eyes trailed upward, and she almost let an 'eep' upon finding two hazel eyes staring back at her. “Sorry,” she murmured.
“It’s alright,” said Damien, who somehow managed to hear that. “So, what kind of food did you bring?”
“Um,” Fluttershy’s eyes went back down to the tray, “slices of cooked chicken breast mixed in with spices, rice… and some salad? And I think some bread?”
She did not notice it, but Damien’s eyes faltered for a fit, going down at the food, then back up at Shining. “Meat?” he asked, surprised.
“Yes, meat,” Shining replied, calmer than before.
Now, it was Damien’s turn to have a silent moment. “So you didn’t forget. Thank you,” he said with surprising gratitude before he turned to his right. “You too… Fluttershy, was it?”
Fluttershy nodded, watching this fascinating creature with curious eyes. She would have said something, but Shining spoke again, catching the others’ attention. “Damien, I still have to ask one more question to ask,” he said.
“Then why don’t you ask it?” Damien gave a glance that was as indifferent as his own question.
Leaning forward, Shining finally came out with it: “Why do you want to talk to Twilight?”
Sitting back, Damien smiled and said, “I just want to talk.”
Shining’s face deadpanned at Damien. “You just want to talk.”
“Yes, talk. Just have a simple conversation, see how the role of princess is doing for her, then leave. There’s no harm in that.”
Fluttershy, listening to the entire thing, filed that bit of information away. The response did not sound like there was no malice behind it. Perhaps, Damien would be freed, and this tense moment would finally be over.
Sadly, her spark of hope was gone, and the worry returned when Cadence butted in. “Shining, you’ve asked all your questions, and he’s answered them truthfully.”
Shining turned to his wife. “Cadence, I…”
“What, Shining?” she interrupted him. “He hasn’t done anything wrong to deserve this.”
“Your wife is right. I haven’t broken any laws,” Damien pointed out. “I only asked to meet your sister.”
“That’s why you’re in here,” Shining retorted to Damien, “Otherwise, I would’ve let you go, and none of this would’ve happen–”
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!
Tapping hooves on the door killed any ‘conversation’ in the room. Feeling the awkward silence between all three parties, Fluttershy waited with baited breath. It felt like forever, as nopony bothered to answer the knock.
There was another knock on the door. Now, Shining called, “Come in.”
The door opened once more, and in came a Crystal Guard. “Message for you, sir!” he said, holding out a scroll in his hoof.
Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief when she and the others saw Shining leave the table. The expression on his face was impassive, but at least, there was no answer or apprehension. The captain took the scroll with an audible “Thank you” and unfurled it with his magic. “It’s from Twilight,” Shining remarked.
Cadence walked over to her husband. “What does it say?”
Shining frowned a little after reading the letter. “She wants us to release Damien. She said she talked with the conductor of the Friendship Express. He confirms Damien’s story. Several passengers also can confirm it.”
He passed the scroll along, and Fluttershy’s ears perked upward as Cadence read the letter aloud. “‘Dear Shining, I have reason to believe that the Crystal Empire’s newest visitor, Damien the human, should be free. I met with the conductor of the Friendship Express, and he says the human boarded the train legally. We’ve search the train and there is no sign of magical items or anything that could bring me any harm. I order for Damien, the human, to be released and enjoy what the Crystal Empire has to offer. I will be waiting in the city plaza to talk with him. Signed, Twilight.’”
The messenger guard added. “I can vouch for the letter, sir. I was there when Princess Twilight came to the station. She personally sent me to give you this letter.”
Shining’s gaze darted from the guard, then back to Cadence. After a few moments, he said defeated, “Alright. You win.”
“So, I’m free to go?”
Shining turned to Damien, sitting at the table with a small, innocent smile. “It looks like it, yes,” he told the human with swallowed pride.
Fluttershy stood by the table, watching the entire debacle with both worry and relief. It over was over now, but the letter made her wonder. It was not like Twilight to talk so forcefully to her “Big Brother Best Friend Forever.”
Cadence strode up beside Shining with an apologetic look. “We’re so sorry about all of this. We hope you will have a nice stay in the Crystal Empire.”
“Well then,” Damien said, standing up. “I hope you don’t mind if I leave then.”
Shining saw Cadence’s poignant gaze on him, so he slowly moved aside. Cadence was not as hesitant as her husband, and the door way was cleared. Fluttershy was still reeling back from all she witnessed and did not let it all sink in, until Damien had left.
When she did, she rushed out of the door and cried, “Wait!”
Fluttershy saw Damien barely a few feet out of the door, and she came to a screeching halt. “I’m sorry, but you’re new here, and you don’t know your way around, so I thought I… I show you around?”
Fluttershy lost her voice when she saw her face was less than an inch from the human’s leg. She creaked her head up, and then, she realized just how tall the human. His height could match Princess Luna, and maybe even Princess Celestia.
Damien eyed the yellow pegasus. “You’re one of Princess Twilight’s friends, right?” he asked her, and Fluttershy nodded. Smiling Damien, gestured his hand to the hall. “Lead the way.”
The comforting tone made Fluttershy smile, and she began to lead Damien out of the Crystal Palace.