> (A)mortal
>  by RagingPonyRider
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> You're Looking for Me
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The moon shined down on Canterlot as rows of ponies made their way to the castle, chatting about what they’ll do to whoever would listen. Most of them were residents of the capitol, but anypony that could make it were there. This was the first time all four princesses would be present, so naturally the event would draw attention by sheer celebrity power.

        Nearly everypony was dressed for the occasion, and those that weren't at least had jewellery and other accessories to impress. It was almost blinding to him as he stumbled his way through the crowd. 

        “Hey, watch it!” one pony said when he bumped into her. 

        “Sorry.”

        The young mare locked eyes with him and gave an inquisitive look. Somepony going bare? “Out of town?”

        “Yes.” Back on pace, he walked with the other ponies, breaking eye contact. 

        Unfortunately for him, the mare wouldn’t let up. Smiling, she walked beside him and tried to matched his clumsy pace. “Where are you from?”

        “Don’t know.”

        “Oh...kay?” Didn’t know he hated her already. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? He bumped into her, after all. “Name’s Sterling. You?”

        “Don’t know.”

        She dropped her smile and glared at him. From the moment he bumped into her, she had an inkling that the stallion wasn’t here for pleasantries. She never expected him to be so stubborn, though. 

        “All the princesses will be there?”

She sighed. Finally, they were making conversation! “Yeah. They’ll all be there to talk and grace us mortals.” She laughed at her own joke. “But I’m guessing most of us are just here to pay our respects to Princess Twilight. She’s the one who suggested the Triple G be free to attend, after all.”

        The strange pony never turned around, only his flopping ears signalling his attentiveness. 

        “Are you with anypony?” Sterling continued. “Family? Friends? A date?”

        “No. You?”

        “Nah, my parents are just too busy with work overseas, so I’m celebrating my 18th birthday this week with this.”

        The stallion turned around to face his companion. “A unicorn.”

        “What, you’re first time seeing one?” Sterling smiled and nudged his side. “Pe-ga-sus.” She pointed at a random pony in the crowd. “Earth pony.”

        “Not mudpony?”

        Her mouth fell open and whipped her head around. When nopony looked like they heard, she turned to him. “What are you thinking, blurting that out like that?!” she whispered furiously.

        “I heard a unicorn say that when I entered the city. Something wrong?”

        “Are you a foal?” She stomped at the pavement. “You can’t just say that with ponies around!”

        “So you are saying saying it is allowed in private?”

        “Wha-no!” Sterling gesticulated with her hooves. Considering that she was keeping up with him in tandem, it was quite a sight. “It’s just...something you don’t say whenever you can!”

        “Ah. A slur, then.”

        “If you knew, why did you-oh, forget it.”

        “Does that mean there are times when it is appropriate to say it?”

        “Never mind.” She decided to let the matter drop and was left with a strong desire to smack the stallion. She would have ditched him if it weren’t for the tight squeeze on the way to the entrance, so she opted for ignoring him from now on.

        The castle was a magnificent sight. Light flooded out of every window as ponies passed through the door without pause. From there, it was only the matter of finding the princesses for the stallion. 

“Easier said than done.”

The stallion sank into the crowd, blending in with his neutral coat, and scanned the lobby. Even with the castle’s enchantments, it was a little too cramped for comfort and he was getting edgy.

Travelling room to room, his pace quickened with every failure. The princesses would naturally be surrounded, especially Princess Sparkle, but which one of them would be the least preoccupied?

“Luna.”

He slowed down, calming himself as he reformulated his plan.

Where there were not rows of ponies from outside, there were clusters of them around the tables of food. Talking, eating, drinking, laughing. His skin prickled anxiously as he breathed in rhythm. Did the castle just get bigger?

“So close, so close, so close, so close, so close. Where are they, where are they, where are they?”

He was so busy keeping from eye contact that he didn’t look where he was going. Eventually he decided to take refuge in one of the bathrooms.

“EEEEEK! Get out!”

Alas, fortune was a bitch.

He muttered a quick apology before being punted out with a magic bolt. He whipped his head back and forth, checking if any of the guards saw his little escapade. Either they didn’t notice or somepony replaced them with ponyquins. How they were guarding the place with their eyeballs frozen in place, the stallion didn’t know.

“Good.”

However, blending back in was not easy. The nearby elite caught wind and laughed, one even pointing at him. Whoever these ponies were, they were a tighter group and that much harder to avoid. 

“Look at him, bumbling into the mare’s room.”

“Is he even dressed for the occasion? Has he been under a rock until now?”

Before he could escape, an enormous earth pony wearing a gold vest leered down in front of him. Nevertheless, the stallion didn’t look at him, only directly at that “C” embroidered to his chest.“Hey, flyboy, why don’t you go home and get some clothes on? It’s going to get cold after the Gala’s done.”

“Thank you for the advice, but I have none.” He tried to move past him, but another pony in a similar vest blocked him.

“You hear that?” the hefty pony called out to his friends, who laughed with him. “Let’s get this guy to a proper bathroom and get him nice and warm.”

“Hey, look!” Another earth pony in a similar vest grabbed the stallion’s tail and pointed at his rump. “What’s a old bum like you doing without a cutie mark?”

“Trying to find one of the princesses.”

“Ooooh, smart plan,” the hefty pony said. “Maybe you can get them to give you one? Come on, old colt. I’ll take you to them.”

The group surrounded him but he was too quick. He jumped straight up and spread his wings, groaning when he heard several ponies gasping and screaming at him. 

He glided landed far away from the jocks, who was shoving aside party-goers to get to their target. They were effectively impeded, but out of his peripheral, he saw an armored white stallion marching towards him, no doubt to lecture him about proper indoors etiquette.

“Damnation.” He turned around and forced his way through the tiniest gaps of the crowd. He heard the sound of cups and plates clattering as they fell from his shoving, but he did not pause to apologize. 

Where are they? Hiding? In disguise? He heard of their gossip from other species. How one would banish you into the sun and the other would burst your eardrums if you beat her in chess. Why so many ponies would come to the Gala with them as the stars, he could only guess they did it to appease them out of fear.

“Sterling was not like that, though,” he mumbled as he turned around, sighing when he lost sight of the guard. 

“Somepony called me?”

He knew who the voice belonged to, but he was too late. He turned his head to the voice reflexively and saw the unicorn, dressed in beige and make-up. “Oh. It’s you, mister…”

He turned away, but she grabbed his hooved to face him. She scowled at his neutral face and huffed. “You still didn’t give your name, you know.”

“Have your parents not taught you to talk to strangers?”

“Geez, you’re more old-fashioned than I thought,” she groaned. 

“If that is your type, I do not have money.”

“Wha-wha-what? What do you think you’re...” She panicked and was glad nopony noticed them “I’m not that kind of mare!”

“You are of age yet young, accessorized, and engaged conversation as soon as I, an older pony, bumped into you. You must have thought it was a move.”

Sterling was about to shout at him but stopped at his gaze. It was no longer neutral, but cold and admonishing, even though his face was lax. The worst kind of reaction, one of silent disappointment.

“You…” After several seconds, she released the breath she’s been holding. She smiled meekly. “Is it that obvious?”
 
“I met a more experienced woma-mare before. Outside Canterlot. Do not try to pretend to be something you do not understand.” 

Leaving her to contemplate, he sank into the crowd once more. 

“Hey, wait!”

He was thankful for the nearby band playing. He walked through the trimmed grass-grass?

His long mane suddenly fluttered in front of his muzzle. He cursed the wind and checked his surroundings. As he feared, he was outside.

He did another perimeter check. Decorated trees, a string quartet, small tables carrying drinks, and, to his displeasure, two unicorn guards. One squinting at him, another whispering something to his colleague.

“Hey, you there,” one of them called out. “Wait just a-”

He was already on the move. 

“Stop!” 

The stallion walked like he’d never walked before. He no longer stumbled like a drunkard and kept his pacing firm, no longer bothering to avoid ponies and pushing them aside instead. He saw Sterling, still standing where he left her, brighten at his return.

“Hey, mister, about the-”

“Move please.”

“Unf! Hey, what was-” She was interrupted by the guards, who had an easier time moving through the mob, following behind him while he did the hard work. 

“Stop! Or we’ll use force!” One of the guards primed his horn, but the stallion kept running. “I warned you!” 

Suddenly, a white light covered him and he found himself immobilized. It was as if his body was coated with superglue. He couldn’t even move his mouth to scream as he was brought before the guards.

“Hey, that’s him, isn’t it?” 

“Yeah, it is! Good thing we were stationed outside, huh?”

The taller one released his magic and before the stallion could get to his hooves, the shorter one formed a pair of hoofcuffs and a rope around his wings. 

“What is going on here?”

Everypony’s heads turned to the majestic voice. It was Princess Celestia and beside her, Princess Twilight, who was just as shocked as everypony else.

“Guards, what’s the meaning of this?” Celestia asked sternly, not wavering from the sight of the struggling stallion.

The tall one bowed. “Princess Celestia, this is the wanted pony that’s been circulating around Equestria: Trotter.”

“Trotter?” Twilight asked, looking at her mentor, but she wouldn’t return her gaze. “Princess, who’s Trotter?”

Temporarily ignoring everypony, Celestia bent down and inspected the stallion. He matched the description: unkempt black mane, brown coat, lack of a cutie mark, pegasus. She nodded to the tall guard. “I see. But first, please undo his bindings.”

The guard’s jaw dropped. ‘But Princess Celestia! he’s a wanted pony, he’s-”

Celestia immediately shot him a harsh glare and he clammed up. “This is not the place for a scene,” she whispered to him. “Keep his wings wrapped, but take those cuffs off. We don’t want word spreading that a wanted pony’s here.”

“Yes, Princess.” The guards saluted and released the stallion.

The stallion got back to his hooves and looked at Celestia. “Finally, I meet you face-to-face.”

Celestia blinked in surprise. Even after capture and in the presence of one of the most powerful beings on planet, he did not miss a beat. He didn’t even look bothered by the attention he was getting from everypony. 

        “Who are you?” she asked him.

        “I do not know. And for now, I do not care.”

        He slowly approached her, the guards priming their horns again. “Not another step!”

        When he didn’t stop, Celestia stepped forward. “Both of you, stop.” She and the stallion were almost touching when they stopped. “Please answer. If you don’t, I will have to escort you out of the building.”

        “All I want is for you to fulfil a request of mine. I tried it myself, but I think I need someone of your caliber to do it for me now. That’s the whole reason why I came here.”

        “Mister, please calm down,” Celestia said gently. Onlookers were muttering to each other. She needed to get him out of here. “Just come with us quietly and you can talk to me as much as you’d like.”

        “That will not do justice. My patience has run dry. I need to show you what I mean.”

        He pulled back his hoof and swung it to her face.

        It would have connected if he wasn’t suddenly pushed back by a dark-blue alicorn’s magic. He was sent flying back, spinning wildly before crashing into a nearby marble pillar. He didn’t even let out a grunt.

        “Luna!” Celestia shouted at her sister rushing towards her. “What in Equestria were you thinking?” she asked harshly. She tried to keep herself to a whisper. Ponies everywhere screamed in terror and scrambled to get out of the castle.

“He was going to attack you!” Luna said. She gestured the guards to tend to the fallen stallion. “Why would you expose yourself to him like that? He was looking for you!”

“I was leading him away so nopony could get hurt!” Celestia groaned and faced Twilight, who was dumbstruck. “Help Cadence and the Elements lead everypony out of here safely. Luna and I’ll take it from here.”

“Alright, Princess!” Twilight chirped and sprinted out to find them. “Everypony! Stay calm and head for the exits. We have the situation under control!”

Celestia couldn’t stop herself from smiling as she  watched her pupil lead everypony out of the room. However, her smile faltered when she heard the cracking of marble. She turned around at where the stallion crashed but it was too late. 

Not just the pillar, but the ceiling it supported came crumbling down. In panic, the two guards ran out of the way. Luna rushed towards him but couldn’t make it in time. In just a few seconds, there was nothing but a pile of rock and ground marble all over the floor.

“No!”

The two princesses jumped and stared at Sterling, who galloped towards the ruin but was stopped by the guards.

        “Miss, it’s not safe here! You need to leave!”

        “Get him out of there!” she screamed, mascara running down her muzzle. “You can still save him, can’t you?!” 

        The words clicked in her mind and Celestia ran to the mess. She channeled all the strength she could removing the broken pillar. 

        “My little pony! Please be alive! Answer me!”

        “Is he alright, sister?” Luna asked, running next to her.sister, trying to stop her own tears. She blew away all the dust and powder and gasped. “Sister, is he...”

        “Stop shouting, please. And I am no one’s little pony.”

        Everypony stopped breathing as the stallion picked himself up, unscathed. He still had that neutral face and looked around the scene. “Damnation. Even that did not do it.”
        
        His look of apathy was quickly challenged by shock when the princesses and Sterling surrounded him.

        “My stars! How are you alive after that?”

        “My little-I mean, mister, are you alright?”

        “You scared the crap out of us!”

        The stallion sighed, signalling the mares to stop talking with their muzzles so close to his. “I am sorry, but there is only one of me. Anyways-” he faced Celestia “-I want to tell you my request, and I will not be denied.”

        Celestia was stunned. He’s still on about that? “Of course, but first, we should get you to an infirmary, in case-”

        “No. I am uninjured and I will cooperate with your guards after you have heard me.”

        The princesses stared at each other, silently asking for the other’s suggestion. The Gala had been cancelled, the place was a mess, and they could use a shower right now. Then again, they never expected to meet a criminal of all ponies at their Gala. 

        “Very well,” Celestia relented, smiling slightly. “What do you ask of us?”

        Their eyes threatened to pop from their sockets when for the the first time, he smiled. 

        “I ask for your help in killing me.” He opened his wings and flapped a couple times. “Also, I think you need some new rope for me.”
> Tantalizing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

        He sat at his chair, stoic and facing the guard. His opponent did the same, waiting for the moment the pegasus would drop his guard for questioning. This was the moment they had been waiting for. They weren’t going to let up before him.

        But the stallion didn’t even blink, as if they were locked in a world-class staring contest. 

Over an hour.

        He got out of his seat. He felt Trotter’s gaze burn a hole through him, but he kept himself stern. He nodded at his unicorn guards stationed by the door before exiting the room. Trotter’s seeming invulnerability was backed up not just by the princesses, but by their testimonies. What better than to keep him locked with the ones that know him best?

        He closed the door behind him and faced the princesses. “He’s not going to talk, Princess. Should we get another pony?”

        Celestia nodded. “He’s still closing himself off. But first, get a tray of food from the Gala..”

        He hesitated for an instant, more than enough for Celestia to notice. “A glass of water for the nerves as well, Captain.”

        This time, he saluted instantly and jogged out of sight, his face burning as he sped up.

        Celestia stared into the glass and at the pegasus. “To think somepony could be guilty of such brutality.”

        “It’s the only incident, but you can’t wave off the rumors about him as well.” Luna held up several papers. “A ghost pony to a immortal monster straight from Tartarus. Why haven’t we heard of this?

        “Because it sounds absolutely insane?” Shining answered, holding the portfolio as tight as possible. “No offense, Princess, but every town has its share of secrets. Look at Ponyville. Anypony would sound crazy if they told a guard an immortal pegasus was in their town.”

        A pair of clopping hooves was heard from the end of the hall, signalling Cadence and Twilight. 

        “We’re done clearing the guests out.” Cadence looked at the pegasus, frowning as she placed a hoof on the glass. “He’s so…calm for somepony that’s been arrested.”

        “Just another sign he’s completely out of his mind,” Shining suggested. “According to the Manehatten records, he’s done some gruesome stuff during his visit.”

        She took the portfolio but Shining didn’t relent. “You really don’t want to see it.”

        “Shining, I’m a grown mare,” Cadence said and tugged it away from him. “I’ve watched more horror movies than you when we were young, remember? I’m not some little filly-eeeeeeek!”She slapped it close and tossed it back to Shining, her face turning several shades green.

        “I told you,” Shining muttered and handed it back to Luna. “And if you think I’m going to give my little sister nightmares with this, you can share some of your horror flicks with her instead.”

        Twilight frowned but kept silent about it. “What’s that? Evidence?”

        “Yeah. Some witness reports, sightings, and a couple photos of his latest activity.”

        “You mean like…murder?”

        “It looks like it, but a witness said that the victim killed himself. Trotter there-” he pointed at him “-is charged with assault, and we’re split on whether it was self-defence or not.”

        Twilight looked at the pegasus and shivered. The window was not only one-way, but enchanted for additional protection. Nevertheless, she could feel his stare on her the whole time.

        “Has he been sitting still like that this whole time?” Twilight asked. “Not even to scratch an itch or adjust his chair?”

        “Yeah,” Shining muttered snidely. “I don’t want to compliment, but  he’d make a great guard with that stoicism.”

        A few silent moments passed before the captain returned with a tray of food on his back.

        “Princess.”

        “Thank you, Captain.” Celestia took the tray and walked to the door. 

        “You’re going to talk to him, Princess?” Shining asked worriedly.

        “Yes, and I want Luna with me as well,” she said, gesturing to her. “Some familiar faces might calm him down.” She faced the captain. “Which includes the guards leaving us alone. Twilight, I want you to write down our conversation behind the glass”

        Twilight looked at Shining, who nodded solemnly. “Yes, Princess.” She magicked a parchment and quill at the ready.

        Celestia and Luna entered the room and gestured the guards to leave. With only the three of them left, Celestia magicked a third chair for Luna to sit on while Celestia sat on the captain’s.

        Trotter divided his attention between Celestia and Luna. He kept his face neutral and didn’t even look at the tray lain on the table.

        “Please, eat,” Celestia urged him. “I know it’s late, but even we’re not innocent of midnight snacking.” She smirked, her eyes making that slightest movement to her sister’s directions.

        “I thought we were to never mention that again.”

        “I do not eat.”

        Celestia frowned. “No? Such a handsome face, though. It would do no good to starve it.”

        “It makes no difference. This body has remained itself for over two years. Eating and drinking does nothing. When will you kill me?”

        “If at all possible, we are hoping to avoid that,” Luna said.

        “Coming from the pony that hit first.”

        Luna flinched. His answer had no malevolence, but she couldn’t back down now. “Only because you tried to punch-”

        “Luna!” Celestia chided. “This isn’t about that. We just wish to know more about you, mister…”

        “The guards called me “Trotter”.”

        “I wish to know what you call yourself,” Celestia said. “And please, eat. Might as well not let it go to waste.”

        “You eat, then. I have no name that I am sure of.”

        “Make a name for yourself, then.” Luna was losing her patience. This pony was making no sense. First he says he’s two years old, and now he has no name? “We must have something to call you by.”

        “Call me what you want.”

        “Would you prefer to be kept being called “Trotter”?”

        “It is preferable over other names.”

        “Such as?”

        “Walker.”

        “May I ask why?”

        “Overused.”

        Luna groaned into her hooves. If it weren’t for Celestia, she would have flipped the table. ”I’m not even going to ask what you mean.”

        “Just give us a name, any name, for us to call you by,” Celestia said, keeping strong for Luna.

        The stallion tore his eyes from the princesses and looked at the tray. A salad bowl. A whole pear. Apple slices. A glass of water. What a coincidence.

        Celestia resisted the urge to widen her eyes while Luna fell to instinct. “Is the food amusing to you?”

        “No. I was reminded of a name. Someone else’s.”

        Luna pressed on, throwing caution under her rump. “May I ask whose?”

        “Tantalus.”

        “Huh?” 

        It was Trotter’s turn to resist smirking. Her reaction was one of someone not getting a joke among their circle of friends.

        “Tantalus.”

        “Who’s that?” Luna reminded herself that she was supposed to remain calm, but she couldn’t resist asking. At least they were getting something out of him, right? And they were supposed to get him to calm down. “A friend?”

        “A resident of Tartarus. After stealing food from the gods, he was punished with eternal hunger and thirst there.” 

        Luna gawked, first at the food, then the stallion, then back again. “How do you know about that? I mean, I only delivered such threats because of the Nightmare’s influence.” She was close to hyperventilating. “I never carried it out!”

        “Maybe you forgot a memory or two.”

        At this point, Luna was frantic. She looked at Celestia, silently begging for support. 

        “I assure you, Luna, that you have never imprisoned anypony to Tartarus, for any wrongdoing,” Celestia said softly. She shot a glare at Trotter, who reassumed his blank face.

        Luna slowed her breathing and looked down. The glass of water caught her eyes, deciding for whatever reason to look so tempting to pour over her mane.

        “Perhaps I am not the one needing calming.” The stallion pushed the glass over to her. 

        Luna eyed the glass and back to Trotter, as if he was going to break it over the table and shank her throat with the remains. Not that it would do much, but the fear was still there. He did much more than that, didn’t he? 

It was only after he took his hoof back to his side that she took it, and even then, she wondered if baring her neck to him was a good idea. “I…thank you.”

        “You can thank me by killing me, like you tried before.”

        “Enough,” Celestia interrupted. They didn’t need to return to square one and get sidetracked a second time. “If you answer some of our questions, we might think of it.”

        “Ask.”

        Celestia opened the door and retrieved the portfolio. She replaced the tray with the folder. “First off, some clarifications. Have you been in Manehatten recently?”

        “Five days ago.”

        “Do you know of a mare named Gilded Lock there?”

        When he didn’t answer, she pulled out a photo of an auburn mare. She had a unlocked padlock for a cutie mark. 

        “Her? Yes, I met her.”

        “Do you know about her-”

        “Pimp?” His face turned stony as he focused all his attention to Celestia. “Yes.”

        “So you can attest to this?” She slid him the photo from the portfolio, making Luna bite her cheeks to keep a brave face.

        “Yes.” He didn’t even look at the photo when he answered. 

        “Do you know his name?” Celestia lifted the paper to his face. but he remained stalwart. A technique used by most guards involving looking through the distraction, sometimes evident by crossed eyes. “Look at him.”

        He ignored her, preferring to look directly at her unfaltering eyes. “No, I do not know his name.”

        “Take this seriously,” Celestia said, her voice turning grim. 

“I am. But I might no longer if you wave that picture around my face.”

She slammed the photo down and pulled a paper full of writing out in front of him. “Ms. Gilded Lock testified to the Manehattan Police Department about your…activity there.” She sighed and let the testimony fall limply to the table. She couldn’t be this hard on one of her ponies, despite his claims to the contrary. “Cooperate with us, and we might be able to reduce your sentence.”

“You will not kill me?.” His face turned even stonier, if that was possible.

“We might, but it will be difficult to kill you when you’re in a jail.”

He hung his head down. The princesses couldn’t see his face behind his mane, but from the way his frame shook, he was either seething in anger or sobbing. 

“What. Do you. Want me. To do?”

His tone didn’t change, but the change of speech pattern was enough to snap the princesses to attention. Celestia had to choose her words carefully. or all her preparations could shrivel for nothing and he would close back up.

“Why and how are you like this? What happened?” 

“I do not know.”

Celestia kept her gaze on him, but when he wouldn’t move or speak any further, she sighed. “We’ll talk more in the morning.” She gestured Luna to follow suit.

“Only one.”

“Beg your pardon?” Celestia asked.

“I will talk when there is only one other in the room. No guards. Everyone else can watch behind the window.”

He leered at the mirror while fidgeting with the photograph still on the table. Celestia snatched it, the remaining evidence, and the food tray away from him. She gestured to Luna to stand up.

“I can’t do that.”

“Then do not expect me to give a full answer.”

Celestia and Luna exited, allowing the two guards to resume their positions. With the clang of the door, Luna leaned on the wall for support while Celestia took the brunt of everypony’s attention. 

“What do you think?” Cadence asked.

“He’s a very difficult pony. It’s as if he’s trying to be rational at all times. Even his way of talking is like a machine.”

“A machine?” Twilight repeated. 

“Yes. But for now, we should get to bed. All of us. You recorded everything down, Twilight?”

“Yes, Princess,” she answered, holding up several sheets of parchment. “Uh, sorry. It’s nothing but scribbles, isn’t it? I’ll get this cleaned up immediately, Princess.”

“Please do, and send it to the captain when you’re done.” Celestia looked at her sister. She couldn’t take her eyes off the stallion. “Luna, don’t be scared of him.”

“I know, sister,” Luna said. “I have to be strong, I’m just worried.”

“He won’t be harming anypony else while we’re here, Luna. Remember that.”

“I just never saw anything like him. Him being immortal can’t be helpful.”

Everypony shivered at that. 

Celestia turned to face everypony. “From now on, I ask that none of you reveal what’s happened at the Gala nor what you’ve heard tonight. He will remain under Canterlot custody until we find more about him. Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor, I hope you’ll understand. You may stay and help. We could use all we can.”

“Yes, Princess,” everypony responded. 

“Uh, Princess Celestia?”

She faced Twilight, her hoof raised. “Will Trotter be questioned tomorrow too?”

“Yes. Until we learn more about him, we can’t do anything to help him.”

“But how are we going to help him? All he wants to do is die. How are you supposed to help somepony, an immortal, with that?”

For the second time that night, Celestia was caught off-guard. She kept her pace steady though. “First we learn as much as we can about him and the reason behind his immortality. To be honest, I don’t even know where to start with him if he doesn’t talk.”

“If so, who’s going to talk with him tomorrow?”

“We’ll decide on that after a good sleep,” Luna said, nodding at Celestia. “It’s two in the morning. We need all the rest we can.”

No more was said as everypony walked to their respective rooms, too tired to think anything but their beds.





        “He didn’t sleep? At all?”

        Luna shook her head. “He didn’t have any dreams. Either he has remained awake or there’s something preventing me from entering his dream.”

        “Maybe he doesn’t need to sleep on top of eating?” Cadence asked, shuddering at the thought. Maybe “Tantalus” was his actual name and he truly escaped from Tartarus?

        “Let’s get the guards out first,” Celestia said. “Captain, dismiss them for the day to recuperate. They must be exhausted.”

        To everypony’s silent relief, the three ponies didn’t move from their original positions. The guards’ eyes were bloodshot, but nothing else changed. 

        “Would it kill him to tie his mane back?” Shining frowned at the stallion. His eyes were still obscured by that mangy mane. He opened the door and called the guards out. “Report.”

        “Prince Shining Armor,” one spoke. “He hasn’t made any movement since you left. We thought he might be dead, but his mutterings proved us wrong.”

        “Mutterings? You mean he was talking to himself?”

        “Yes, sir. It was sparse, about once every couple hours, but we couldn’t hear what he was speaking. He ignored us when we told him to be quiet.”

        “Very well. You’re all dismissed. Report to your captain and take the rest of the day off, Princess Celestia’s orders.”

        When the two guards left, all eyes fell back to Celestia, all but asking aloud: who’s going to talk to him next?

        “Does anypony here think they can talk with him?”

        Everypony either stared at their hooves or had their mouths agape. 

        “Uh, sorry, Princess, but I thought you were going to be the one to talk to him,” Cadence said. “After all, didn’t he come talk to you during the Gala?”

        She shook her head. “Not this time. I was thinking that somepony else could talk with him. Somepony he’s never met.”

        “Why? Wouldn’t it be better to have him talk with somepony he already knows?”

        “After the impression I left on him? Not at all. In fact, I thought the best choice would be you, Cadence.”

        A chorus a “Huh?” bounced off the walls as Celestia covered an imminent smirk. 

“Yes, you. Beside me and Luna, you’re the most experienced out of us. I think your empathic personality would also be beneficial in getting him to open up.”

        “The way you’re saying it, sounds like you’re manipulating his emotions,” Cadence muttered. “Can’t you just go in there one more time?”

        “Sorry, Princess, but I agree,” Shining said indignantly. “If he’s going to talk with anypony, it’s going to be me. I’m not letting somepony like him alone with my sister or my wife.”

        “I as well!” Luna added. “Let me talk with him. He won’t think of any trickery this time.”

        Celestia didn’t know whether to giggle or facehoof at the sight of the two struggling to butt each other out of the doorway. “What do you think, Twilight?”

        She quietly groaned, hoping it would come off as one of pondering, as she looked at the pegasus. “I know you don’t want me to, but…I think I should talk with him.”

        Even though she only meant it for Celestia, the entire hallway went quiet for a moment as Luna and Shining let their jaws drop.

Shining was the first to recover. “What did I say? Do you think I’m going to-”

“Don’t fret, Twilight Sparkle! The only pony he’ll be seeing is-”

“Princess Luna, just let me take care of him!”

As the two bickered, Twilight looked at Celestia, perplexed. “So what’s the call, Princess?”

Celestia sighed and tapped her hooves together for attention. “Basic democracy. Any objections?” When nopony let out nothing but sighs, she nodded. “Well then. All for Prince Shining Armor?”

One hoof

“Princess Luna?”

One hoof.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle?”

Two hooves.

Cadence was quick to silence Luna and Shining with her hooves before another argument sparked. “You know I trust your judgement, Princess. But can I just ask why you changed your mind?” 

“Twilight’s been studying friendship for years. I’m not saying she befriend him, but I think she’s the most knowledgeable when it comes to interacting with others, even him.”

Shining pushed away Cadence’s hoof. He tried, and failed, to look calm. “Princess, I don’t mean to offend, but you’re talking about letting the youngest and the latest of royalty talk, alone, to a potential psychopath.”

“You will make sure no harm comes to your sister, correct?” Celestia asked.

“Of course!”

“Then you may wait to intervene outside the room.”

Shining gave a harrumph while Luna walked to Twilight. “Remember: your safety is first priority. You don’t have to force yourself.” She handed her the portfolio. “You may leave whenever you wish.”

Twilight steeled herself and opened the door, her mane blowing back. 

The pegasus remained still as she approached the table. “Uh…hello, mist-urk! Shining?”

“Just a precaution, Mr. Trotter.” He marched behind him and held out a pair of cuffs. “Hooves behind your back now.”

“Shining, he’s not going-”

She stopped when she saw the stallion slowly but surely moved his hooves back. 

“There.” Shining made sure the cuffs were on extra-tight. “Talk all you want.” 

        “Shining, take those-” the door slammed shut “-ugh! Was that necessary?”

        When she received no response from the door, she sighed and sat down. She looked around the room, hoping for a good starting line to come to her. What was she supposed to do in this situation?

        “So, uh…have you slept well?”

        “No.”

        “Oh. That’s right, I’m sorry you didn’t get the uh…some proper sleeping…material.” She wished she had his mane. Or Fluttershy’s. “I’m sure we can get you out of here soon.”

        He made no indication he heard any of that. 

        She rested the portfolio on the table. “We just want to hear your side of the story. I’m sorry if we can’t help you, but we need to know more if you want us to even try.”

Still nothing. Was he waiting for a magic word or something?

“Oh! I’m so sorry! I was just so caught up that I didn’t…introduce myself.” She would have slapped herself if nopony was watching them. “I’m Twilight Sparkle. And you are…you don’t have a name. Sorry.”

She almost gasped when he turned his head up. His eyes were still obscured, but at least she could tell they were open.

“The latest princess?”

“Yes.” Her hooves were shaking with anticipation. No longer did it feel like she was talking to a ponyquin!

“Are you immortal as well?”

“Uh, last time I checked, no.”

“Hm.” He faced the window. “If only you two introduced yourself like her.”

        They could feel the floor shake, no doubt from Luna’s tantrum. Something along the lines of: “You knew us from the beginning!”

        “Even so, you don’t ask for a name without giving your own. Isn’t that common courtesy?”

        Twilight giggled at the image of Luna huffing while Celestia rolling her eyes.

        “Well, he’s got a point there,” Twilight laughed.

        “You said you wanted to talk to me. Please show me the photo and testimonies.”

        Twilight nodded but her hooves still trembled when picking out that photo. “Uh, can I ask why?”

        “A reminder.”

        He pulled the photo closer to him with his muzzle. He stared at it long enough for Twilight to think he had fallen asleep. 

His body started trembling. He was muttering something under his breath and Twilight leaned forward to listen.

        Laughter erupted, rebounding off the walls and deafening Twilight. He threw himself back, threatening to tip himself and his chair over.

        “So he offed himself?! Good for him!”

        Eventually, the howls dropped to giggles as Twilight got to her hooves. She was so startled she knocked over her chair trying to get away.

        “What’s the matter? I thought you wanted to hear what I got to say?”

        Twilight lowered her hooves and looked at him. It was jarring to see such a Pinkie-esque smile replacing his sombre appearance. She got chills just from the inconsistency.

        “Please sit. It wouldn’t do your royal rump well to sit on the floor.”

        “Uh, I’ll s-stand, thanks.” She corrected her chair but stood behind it, hoping it would somehow protect her from another outburst. 

        “Please, I insist.” His grin seemed even wider.”For now, this is the only way I can talk about what happened.”

        Twilight panicked. She didn't know why, but a part of her brain screamed at her to run. Didn’t Luna say she could quit whenever she wanted?

        But her legs wouldn’t move, at least to the door. She couldn’t take her eyes off his, like a beast ready to pounce. 

But he waited, smiling. 

“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

Twilight felt like her heart was going to explode. But she knew better. She wasn’t going to let the princesses down! After some of Cadence’s breathing techniques, she sat back on her chair.

“Sorry if I scared you. I just couldn’t hold it back anymore.”

“Y-you mean, laughing?” Twilight didn’t know whether to look at his eyes or his pearly whites. “At what?”

“That photo. Ever since last night, I’ve been holding back. Not very courteous, laughing like a madman in front of the princesses.”

She scratched her head, flabbergasted. “You were laughing…at the photo?”

“Yep.”

“That’s horrible!” She couldn’t stop herself. Her hoof slammed the table instead of his face. “I thought you were grieving!”

        “Why would I grieve for a pimp?” He leaned in. She could almost see her reflection off his teeth. “But don’t get me wrong. I just wanted to hurt him and leave him for the cops. I mean, wouldn’t you?”

        Twilight was so distracted by this new phenomenon that she almost didn’t notice. She scootched back, making sure she had enough space in case he decided to take a bite out of her.

        “You want to know what I got? Hmph.” He chuckled. “Where do you want me to start?”
> Assault
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Alright, so where to start? 

        Well, the night I arrived in the city, I guess.

        Pretty dark. I’m still not sure how the day-night cycles work. I was walking through the town without paying attention, just that I was going through as straight as I could. “The shortest point between two points” thing, yeah?

        It was a pretty nice city. Other than the occasional shouting from a resident and some graffiti here and there. Didn’t care where I was headed, but I tried to avoid alleys. I’m sure if you took the time to visit the city at night, you’d do the same.

        Anyways, after about an hour of walking, I got to what seemed like the center of the city. Prostitutes of all shapes and species leaning on walls, bars with absurd names, old newspaper decorating the pavement, and hotels where the aforementioned whores would take their customers. Man, Manehattan’s really the place to be if you wanna get laid and/or shanked, huh?

        Huh? Oh, sorry, it’s just that I’ve been paying attention to them most of the time. What, didn’t think I’d get lonely? Hey, it’s just one of those times when you see another side to life, you know? It’s like how people forget shit by drinking, but the other way around for me.

        Screw it, you wouldn’t get it anyways. Where was I?

        I found a nearby bench, looking around. I was so numb that I didn’t even notice… Ah, damn, what was her– Gilded Lock! Yeah, she was sitting right next to me.

        She muttered a quick “Excuse me” and stood up. Didn’t know lingerie counted as a uniform or what, but I asked her if she could spare a minute with me.

        She said “Sorry” but I told her I didn’t want her service, just her presence. She looked pretty stupid when she made another excuse with that cigarette in her mouth. 

        She said she was going to the bathroom. I asked her where her pimp was. When she asked why, I told her that I wanted to kill him.

        Hmph. We shared a quick laugh. Maybe that could be your payment for a little while?

        She must have taken an interest in me despite it all because she sat back down. She asked me my name, where I was from, yadda yadda yadda. All the things that Sterling girl asked me when I bumped into her.

        A bit more suavely than her, of course. That smile, her plastic mane, her blushed cheeks. God, how I wished to flay her skull.

        It got kind of irritating, her getting to ask all she wants when she just sidesteps mine. What a bitch, huh? So I asked her about work. 

        Worked mostly at night. I mean, none of these have the guts to ask for sex in daylight. Something about the nighttime fitting the mood for every species. She also prefered the quiet, young ones. You know, stallions kinda like you, those who prefer to stay home with the nearest source of entertainment being their biology textbook. 

        When she asked me what I was into, I told her I didn’t have a sex drive. She looked around us and saw a couple ponies snickering. She looked around, scoffed, and got off the bench.

        Hey, my kinks lie elsewhere. I’ll get to that later.

        I feigned sleeping, and peeped where she was walking. Down the nearest alley, where a couple mares stood in the shade with an orange stallion. 

        ‘bout time you showed up, he said. 

        Gilded tried to explain that I wasn’t a customer. 

        A slap. If he ain’t a customer, you’se job’s to make him one.

        The mares tried to stop him, but he just dragged the three deeper into the alley. I craned my neck, looking for anypony to stop them, but they just went about their business. 

I laughed right then. You’d think a modern city like Manehattan would have some competent police forces. I mean, this is like the place your uppity royals come to party while they pay off the cops.

Oh, don’t look at me like that. I’m sure your princesses like to indulge from time to time, too. I’ve seen that picture of her gorging on cake.

I looked around one more time. Everypony stopped staring, but I was still plenty visible. I couldn’t help smiling. If I was going to make a scene, I was going to have fun with it.

I walked to the alley. The pimp, I never got to learning his name, not that I cared, just shoved the two earlier mares off him and held them in place with his magic. I swear, you horned ponies are just too overpowered, yeah? You can restrain them with magic, you can make little shields, you can even make shit out of thin air, move celestial bodies. Damn.

Anyways, he was screaming at Gilded Lock, and I went in the alley with the best smile I could muster.

What? Don’t get fidgety now! This is the fun part! Oh, sorry! Yeah, this is exactly the kind of smile I had on me that night. I’m just so excited, you know? 

He asked what I wanted, and I told him two things: Gilded Lock and him. He looked at me funny and said that he didn’t offer his services to deadbeats. 

I told him to let her go. When he did, he got a hold of me with that freaky telekinesis and brought me deeper into the alley. A one-on-one session. Excellent.

        He reached into a nearby dumpster and pulled out one of those twirly-knives, you know, the one you can do all kinds of flips and stuff? He said that if I came back to him without money again, he was gonna cut me bad. 

        And I said, and I quote: how many pills do you have to take to get it bigger than that knife?

        He musn’t have like that too much, because he threw me to the wall. I got up just in time for him to jab that knife into my eye. 

        Of course, it didn’t work. I don’t know how; it’s like my eyeball was made of concrete at that point. Whatever it was, I didn’t even feel the knife hit me. 

        At that point, I burst out laughing and punched right at his horn. It went flying out of sight, and he curled into a ball from the pain. I picked up his knife and held it to his throat.

        Don’t bitch out on me now. I asked for him, and I was getting him. 

        I didn’t kill him, but I did get him pretty good in the leg. Before he screamed, I pressed my muzzle with his. 

        And get your head out of the gutter.

        I started with his tongue, then his lips, cheek, ear, and finished with an eyeball. It was a lot harder than I thought. You know how big pony eyeballs are?





        Twilight didn’t look like she heard. Like him the prior night, she kept her body frozen in place. If she was scared, her paralysis was the only evidence.

        “And after that, I left him there and got the girls to call the police, or what sorry excuse of cops there were in that city. I walked out of there afterwards, and a few days later, here I am.” He leaned back. He kept his eyes on her. “You getting all this down, Princess Twilight?”

        Twilight blinked slowly and looked down. “I...I don’t know what to say.”

        “You don’t have to say squat. I did my talk. Now it’s Celestia’s turn to figure out what to do with me. I still wish she’d find out how to kill me though.”

        She sighed and walked to the door.

        “Hey.”

        “Yeah?”

        “Do you mind doing me a favor?”

        “Uh, sure? Anything to accomodate.”

        He smiled. “Do you think you can get me a copy of that photo? To keep, I mean?”

        Twilight returned stoic and fetched the portfolio before exiting.

        She slammed the door behind her. Shining noticed her trembling legs and dashed to her side. “Easy. Lean on me.”

        “Twilight, are you alright?” Luna asked. In a blink, everypony surrounded her.

        Twilight shook her head. “I think I need some therapy.”

        “She needs to rest,” Celestia said. “Cadence, do you think you can help her calm down?”

        “I’ll try.” Cadence prodded Twilight’s horn with her own and casted a spell through them. 

        “What are you doing?” Luna asked. Colors flooded from Twilight to Cadence.

        “Lightening the load,” Celestia said. “Emotions are not just hormones and chemistry. They are forces. Twilight is not just physically tired, but emotionally as well. This way, Cadence can learn what she’s gone through in that room.”
        
        When the two were finished, Twilight smiled. “Thanks, Cadence. I thought I was going to melt with all that tension.”

        “It’s nothing to worry about, Twi.” Cadence patted her head. “It’s a sign that you’re still a pony. Can’t say the same for him, though.” 

        Shining looked over Twilight, frowning. He pressed his hoof against the glass. “Princess Celestia, just let me in there once.”

        The stallion inside must have noticed. He looked at what to him was his reflection and smiled. Regardless, it made his observers shiver. 

        “I’m sorry,” Celestia responded. “The last thing we need is him getting defensive when we’ve just got him to open up.”

        “No.”

        Everypony looked at Twilight. Luna cocked her head. “What do you mean? He has shown his true feelings, and has admitted to the crime with, as far as I could see, no dishonesty.”

        “That’s what I mean.” Twilight shivered. Cadence wrapped a leg around her in comfort. “It’s...hard to explain.”

        “Emotions usually are,” Luna remarked. 

        “It’s more, though.” Twilight fought the urge to look at him. “He’s there, but he’s not really all there. Am I making sense?” Twilight chuckled nervously. “Everything he says and does, I don’t know. After a while, I couldn’t even move a hoof to write anything down.”

        “Maybe that’s part of his idea for a one-on-one session.” Shining snarled at him. He was bobbing his back and forth like he was listening to music. “Princess Celestia, just let me uncuff him.”

        After staring into his eyes, Celestia nodded. “Very well. I’ll come with you. I have made my decision.”

        “You have?” Luna asked dumbfoundedly.

        Celestia nodded again and followed Shining through the door. The stallion kept his head bopping but his eyes were on them. “So? What now?”

        “First, you’ll be uncuffed and released. However, you’ll be kept in the castle. You’ll be free to the castle as long as you are kept watch by any of us or the guards. Or would you prefer a proper jail cell?”

        “So I’m guessing that’s my sentence for self-defense?” With the cuffs gone, the stallion got off his chair. “So where can I go?”

        “If you’re not in a rush, come with us to the hospital wing. We can call some doctors to find what we can about your body.”

        “And find what’s wrong with me. Excellent.” His smile widened and walked out of the room. He smiled at Twilight, who fought down her trembling. “You’re too sensitive for you’re own good.”

        “Come on!” Shining shoved the stallion’s side and walked behind him. “To the hospital wing, now.”

        He walked with everypony, but kept staring at Twilight. “So did you ask the princesses about the photo?”

        “Uh, not exactly.” Twilight looked away. 

        “If you’ve got something to say, talk to me,” Shining interjected. “And no, we won’t be giving you a copy of that.”

        The stallion looked at him and back to Twilight. “You’re both related.”

        “That’s right.” Shining leered at him. “And don’t for a second think we’re done with you.”

        “Don’t worry. I doubt you’ll stop until I’m dead. I sure wouldn’t. But honestly, with you and four alicorns surrounding me, what do you have to be so uptight about?”

        When they arrived to the wing, a doctor reading a newspaper was already at the ready. “Princess-er, princesses! What can I do for you?”

        “Just a check-up, Dr. Milkweed.” Celestia gestured to the stallion. “X-rays, heart rate, magic signature, blood pressure, whatever you can get without harming him.”

        “Yes, Princess Celestia.” Milkweed raised a hoof to the stallion, smiling. “Hello, I’m Dr. Pan Milkweed. I’m one of the doctors here in the castle. And you are?”

        “Call me whatever you want.” He took the hoof and shook it. “Earth pony?”

        “Er, yes, that’s my race.” 

        “I’d thought the doctors here would be unicorns. What with the whole “magic telekinesis” thing they can do. A lot more versatile.”

        Twilight and Cadence’s jaws dropped. Shining was about to slap his head but Milkweed kept his smile. 

        “Just goes to show how exceptional I am at my job.”

        “Excellent.” The stallion released his grip and walked next to him. “I’m sorry if my remark came out wrong. You see, out of the two unicorns I know, none of them gave the best first impressions.”

        Milkweed frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that. May I ask how?” He was too late in noticing the princesses’ cue of shaking heads.

        “One was a wannabe hooker during the Gala and the other was a pimp. I ate the latter’s face.” 

        The doctor’s face fell and he looked back at his newspaper and back to the stallion. “You. You’re Trotter?”

        “You’re quite calm. A good sign for any doctor.”

        His eyes widened and he shuffled away from him. “Uh, Princess Celestia? Princess Luna? You know this is the Trotter from the news, right?” He held up the newspaper in front of them. 

        Luna grimaced and Celestia facehoofed. The morning papers showcased a photo of the Grand Galloping Gala. Specifically, the scene where the stallion was about to punch Celestia.

        Cadence took the newspaper and went cross-eyes at the speed of skimming. “Assassin...spy...wanted pony...ugh.” She passed it to Shining and Twilight. “It’s nothing solid. Just rumours.”

        “It’s nothing we don’t know so far,” Shining muttered. “Should have known this would be on the news. Didn’t think it would be this quick, though.”

        As Celestia and Luna read it over, the stallion walked beside Milkweed. “So, doctor. Lead the way. Did you read about how Luna caused rubble to fall on me, yet I survived?”

        The doctor didn’t know how to react. Trotter was friendly enough. That’s a good sign, right?

        “No, actually. I guess most ponies were already evacuated by then.”

        “Because doctor, there’s something very wrong with me. In more ways than one, I’m sure you’ve noticed.”





        “So what have you found out about him?”

        “Sadly, Princess Luna, nothing definitive.” Milkweed passed her a portfolio. “Basic tests, like you said, Princess Celestia. But nothing worked. Maybe he really is a ghost?”

        “What is this?” Luna blurted. “Were your equipment faulty? There is nothing here!”

        “No, those x-rays are right. He, as far as we know, no internal systems. Bones, organs, none. Not even his teeth showed up.”

Indeed, the only thing they could see was his silhouette.

        “The sphygmometer was worthless, as he said he felt nothing. I tried getting a blood sample, but all of the needles broke when we tried to force it through his skin. I couldn’t detect any magic from him either. The only thing we got from him was his body temperature, and it was completely normal.” He scratched his purple mane. “In short, we got squat.”

        “So nothing works on him? Then how are we supposed to…” Twilight looked at the patient’s room. “Should I talk with him again?”

        “No, just leave him,” Celestia said. “He’ll be kept in the castle and monitored at all time, doctor, so don’t worry. May we see him now?”

        “Yes, definitely. He was very friendly, but I suppose that’s not saying much?” Milkweed approached the door first. Common courtesy. “He’s reading one of the anatomy books. Makes sense he wants to learn as much as he can about-”

        He stopped in his tracks and gaped at the sight. A  creature, tall enough to for its head to touch the ceiling, was choking the stallion with its appendages. 

        It turned what looked to be its head at the ponies. Its white eyes scanned them and before anypony could react with a blast to its face, it disappeared. No burst of bright light, smoke, a pop, nothing. 

        The stallion fell to the floor, coughing. His eyes looked ready to pop from their sockets.

        “Trot-I mean, mister!” Twilight ran next to him. “Are you alright?”

        “I’m so sorry, Mr. Trotter!” Milkweed hoisted him to his hooves. “I should have reacted faster-”

        “We all should have,” Cadence said, mostly to herself. All the royals shared her look of self-pity.

        “What are you doing?” 

        “Uh, saving your life?” Twilight said blankly.

        “No. You ruined my death.”

        “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Shining shouted. “You were being strangled by some...thing! And you were in pain!”

        “I was. Suffocation is often painful to the victim.”

        Celestia peered at his eyes. He mirrored her.

        After a few seconds she frowned even deeper. “You’re back.”

        “I never left.”

        “No, I mean, you’re back to yourself.” She wasn’t sure what to say. What can you say to somepony that was nearly strangled yet so frighteningly calm?

        Luna took over for her. “Your speech is back to normal and you are once again aloof.”

        “Is that so?” He looked around the room. “I have already received the results from Dr. Milkweed. Is there anywhere else you have predetermined for me?”

        When Celestia shook her head, he took Milkweed’s hoof. “Thank you for your help, doctor. May I borrow this?”

        Milkweed recognized the object he held as the anatomy book he picked out. “As long as you return it, I guess.” He scratched his mane. “Will that be alright, Princess Celestia?”

        Celestia sighed. Why did today have to be so long? And she had to deal with the public press about last night, too!

        “I suppose this can count as reading material.” Celestia steeled herself. “But reading will have to wait. You were the only one who saw that...creature up close.”

        “I was reading this book. The creature appeared. Wrapped its hands around my throat. You came in. Disappeared as fast as it came.”

        “You know the creature?” 

        “No. First time I saw it.”

        “But you described its appendages as “hands”.”

        Luna caught on. “Yes, exactly! How did you know they were hands?” Equestria was almost completely composed of ponies and other equine life. The only known species possessing them were minotaurs, and that creature’s appendages were not a minotaur’s. Too spindly. Not furry enough.

        The stallion blinked several times. Did they finally get to him?

        “Hands?” He looked at his own hooves. “Hands. Why do I know them? Why do I know what hands are? Nails, fingerprint, feet, toes. Wait-huh? Why do I know those terms? Did I hear them from somewhere?”

        “It’s a breakdown.” Milkweed grabbed his hoof and ushered him onto the bed. “Princesses, prince. Please leave us. I can handle this.”

        “No,” Shining answered. “He’s mutilated a unicorn. We’re not leaving a berserk pony alone with you.”

        “He’s right,” Celestia said. “We’ll take over from-”

        “Man.”

        Everypony stopped to look at him. He was back on his hooves and looked around the room. “Where is he? That man?”

        “Hold on a second, just calm down,” Cadence coaxed. “We don’t even what that “man” was-”

        “He is the one that can kill me.”

        Without warning he pushed everypony aside with surprising strength. Celestia and Luna primed their horns, but he was already out of the room sprinting.

        “Where are you?! I know you are still here!”

        “No!” Luna was the first to react. She teleported in front of him and held him in her magic. “You will not leave until you have answered-”

        She stopped when the creature appeared in the middle of the room, grasping the stallion’s neck in his hand. 

        “You!” Luna didn’t know how it kept bypassing the castle’s magic wards and dispelled her own, but she wasn’t going to let it discourage her. “Let him go now!”

        The creature didn’t seem affected by the Canterlot Voice and kept his eyes and hand on the stallion.

        “Do it. Come on,” the stallion sputtered. 

        A wave of magic filled the room. Shining and Celestia’s horns were glowing their brightest, and the latter’s mane was flickering like a bonfire.

        “You will release him, now!” she shouted. The stallion’s eyes turned paler with every second in his grasp. Working in tandem, she and Shining covered the room with the strongest barrier they could create. “You cannot escape!” 

        The man released the stallion. He stared at his own hand almost curiously before disappearing once more.

        Everypony sprinted towards the fallen stallion and either gasped or covered their mouths in shock. His eyes were wide open, but completely white like the creature’s. Other then that, he was immobile.

        Twilight had to keep her tears in. “Is he...really-”

        “We can’t jump to conclusions, Twilight,” Celestia said. Thankfully, magic still affected him so she could pick him up. “Doctor, we need all the hospital wing can provide. Call every doctor, nurse, and magic specialists you can. Go with Princess Twilight. She can brief everypony on what’s happened.”

        “Yes, princess!’ He gave an affirming nod before running out of the room with Twilight. 

        “Shining Armor. round up the guards. Defensive protocols. You’re familiar with it, yes?” 

        “Of course, princess!” Shining saluted and teleported to the barracks. 

        “Cadence, Luna, I need your help checking his mental state.” She was thankful for the countless beds in the wing. “Also we need to make sure that creature doesn’t try anything to him any further.”

        “But, not to be pessimistic, princess, but how can you be sure that creature won’t come back?” Cadence asked nervously.

        Luna harumphed. “If that creature has any intelligence, it would know better than to be in the presence of two of the most powerful ponies in the world. Right, sister?”

        Celestia nodded. She looked down at the stallion. His white eyes horrified her as they stared into nothing, but she couldn’t show any sign of weakness now.
> Personal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I threw the paper towel out and walked out. The bar was silent as I returned to my table. 

“Please tell me you haven’t killed anyone in there,” my friend half-begged me. 

“You don’t trust me anyways.” I drank my water. “You suggested we come here.”

“Yeah, and now I see that it’s a mistake.” He looked around. “And if you do decide to cause a ruckus, I can stop you.”

“You think you can?” I fingered my pocket. “Today’s a prep day. Someone’s going to die tonight.”

“Hsh!” He looked around nervously. “Don’t scare any of them off! We can’t blow it!”

“I could say the same to you. You seem eager.”

“Shut up! I-I mean-” he put his hands together “-sorry. You’re right. But I’m just antsy. The ride I got’s not that… trustworthy. You do have the money, right?”

“No. I’ll make him cooperate regardless, or he’ll be another body in the pile. You can drive. We lose nothing by it.”

He pushed his glasses up and squirmed in his seat. “I… I don’t doubt that. But is this really that important to you?”

I leered at him. He became flustered again. “I mean-I mean, I know how big this is, yeah? But you-you just go along with this plan that we don’t even know will work!”

“And yet you supported it from the beginning and still do.”

“Yeah. Sorry I’m bitchin’.” He looked at his watch. “So who’s next? We need to go soon.”

I looked around. A fat, tan man behind the counter. A biker lady with a bulging stomach. A teen that looked far out of his comfort zone chewing on a burger. An old man with his grandchildren. 

“Not a lot of choices, man. I told you.”

“The woman, then.” I got up and grabbed my gun.

“Wha-no!” He grabbed my arm before I could pull it out. He looked at her belly. “Don’t. We can’t-” 

“I can, and I will.” I approached the woman. Before she could look up, I shot her head.

She collapsed to the floor and screams filled the bar. I reached down and turned her head so I could see her face. I kneeled there for several seconds, even as people scrambled to get out. 

“Dude, c’mon!” My friend shook my shoulder, but I still stared into her eyes. “Goddammit! You really had to-she was pregnant, fuck! And you gunned her!”

“Thanks for reminding me.” I shot her in the stomach and ran out the door with him. “Where’s the ride?”

“Over here!” He led me to a truck and I saw the driver. 

I pointed my gun at him. “Drive or we vacate you.”

Without complaint, he unlocked the doors and we climbed in. Our driver looked at me. “So, uh...you did it? I thought you were only killing one. I heard two.”

“She was pregnant.”

He was sweating at this point. I kept my gun pointed at him.

“Did you have to do that though?” my friend asked behind me. “She didn’t need to be a sacrifice. What, did you read Macbeth before you left or something?”
        
"You were so defiant, yet you would still let her die?”
        
“Huh? What-”
        
“You had more than enough time to stop me. You could have fought me, fought back. Stopped me. Killed me. But you didn’t.”
        
“I just-I didn’t know-”
        
“You know me better than anyone else. You had your own gun. But you didn’t do a thing. You have no right to complain.” I turned around to face my friend. “If it’s any comfort, I got an offering from her.”

He blinked and pulled out a jar from his bag. “Really? Oh...okay then.”

I took the jar and pulled out the woman’s eyeball from my coat pocket. I put it in the jar and watched it float in a brown liquid, returning its empty gaze with one of my own.





“It is R.E.M.”

“Pardon? You mean rapid eye movement?” Celestia asked. 

“Yes, sister.” Luna hovered a magnifying glass over one of his eyes. “I could barely see it myself, but it’s R.E.M. He must be dreaming something. I will investigate.”

“No.” Celestia waved her hoof. “We don’t know anything about his body, much less his mental state. Who’s to say his mind is the same as a pony’s when his body’s not?” 

Suddenly, the stallion’s body convulsed, as if a million eggs were hatching inside him.

Luna stepped back in shock while Celestia herded Cadence behind her. When he stopped, his eyes returned to normal.

“I… where am I? What’s this?” He got up and looked at the room. “Huh. That was a nice nap, considering I never sleep.”

“Trotter!” Cadence was the first to reach him. “Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

“I told you, I don’t get…” It took a while to jog his memory. “That man! Where’s he now?” He looked around the room, expecting him somewhere.

“He’s not here anymore,” Celestia said. She checked him over and placed a hoof on him. “I’m sorry, but we want you here for the time being. That man, whatever or wherever he may be, is looking for you, and need to know more about him.”

“But enough of that. Are you sure you’re alright?” Cadence repeated.

He looked at them all one more time. “Yes. Other than a weird dream.”

“Ah ha!” Luna cried triumphantly. “I told you-”

“If there’s anything troubling you, you can trust us.” Celestia said. A bit too daring, but maybe he’ll start trusting them by this point?

The stallion stared into her eyes and folded his wings. “No. I just… want some time to think.” He put his hooves on his throat. “How did he knock me out? I never slept before.” He eventually laid down on the bed, keeping his eyes wide open.

Celestia sighed. She gestured Luna and Cadence to follow. “Call any of us if you need anything.”

“Like what?” he chuckled. “Cookies and warm milk?”

A tray carrying said items materialized on his bed. 

Celestia gave the best smile she could. “Like somepony to talk to.”

As they left the room, she could barely hear him utter “Cocky shrew”, but ignored him. They were immediately confronted with Shining, Twilight, and Milkweed. 

“How’s he?” the doctor asked. 

“He’s awake and unharmed. But he’s still pretty shaky.”

“May we go see him?”

“I would not suggest it, but if you wish, feel free,” Luna said. “It is not as if he will be leaving in that state.”

“Don’t worry, Princess Luna. The guards are stationed at every doorway. He’s not going anywhere,” Shining said. “But what about that creature? That man?”

“Can’t we defend against something like that?” Twilight asked. “Like Shining’s barrier during his wedding?”

Celestia shook her head. “That won’t work. I erected a barrier earlier myself, but he still managed to escape.” She turned to the door. “If there’s anypony who knows anything about that man, it’s him.”

“Then one of us should go talk to him!” Twilight said. “I’ll go and talk-”

“No, Twilight.” Cadence grabbed her shoulder. “The emotional stress you had the first time was enough to traumatize. I’ll go in this time. I’ll know what to expect.”

She exchanged one last glance with Shining, returning his scowl with a determined smile, before opening the doors. 

Surprisingly, the stallion was in the exact position as he was before. The tray was untouched. 

Cadence looked behind her. “Didn’t he say before that he would only talk to one of us at a time?”

Shining looked ready to exhale steam out his nose. “Any sign of trouble, Cadence-”

“I know.” She gave a quick hug. “I wouldn’t be doing this if you weren't here.” 

She closed the door and went next to the stallion’s bed. “I’m sorry about that. Shining can be overprotective, but he means well for everypony.”

No response. Should have known.

“Are you comfortable as you are? Want some more pillows or blankets?” She eyed the tray of milk and cookies. How could anypony resist double-chocolate like that? “If you don’t mind, I would like to continue where Twilight left off.”

“What’s there to talk about? I told her everything.” He turned his head to her. 

She couldn’t help but tense up. It was the first time she looked directly at him. It was like staring into fish eyes. She realized just what a struggle it was to talk to him like this. Reading him was going to be hard.

“I mean about your dream. You said it yourself that you don’t sleep, and you got knocked out by that mons-man beforehoof. I can’t help but think it wasn’t all a coincidence.”

He shoved the tray off the bed. She just barely caught it before it hit the ground.

“Why should I? I finally found something that might be able to kill me. No doubt he would have showed up if you have stayed outside for another minute.”

She was struggling to keep from frowning. “Why do you want to die so badly?”

“Every living thing has an instinct to continue living. It’s the complete opposite for me.”

“How do you know that? Just because you don’t have a pulse or can’t be hurt doesn’t mean you’re not alive.” It was absurd, even for her. If anything, those qualities only supported the rumor of him being a ghost. But she had to try to have him open up. “Are you saying that you’re not supposed to be alive?”

“No. Forget it, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”

To her surprise, he laughed. “You, a princess of your people, trying to sympathize with a psycho?” His smile instantly dropped. “That’s a bad idea. Look what happened to Princess Twilight after spending a half-hour with me. You only talk to me because there’s some bit in your ego that think I’m a pony that you can connect to. I’m not, and my dream proves it.”

She didn’t know whether to feel slapped or pat herself on the back. She got something out of him, but his remark made a mark on her. It didn’t help that he said it so bluntly. “That so?”

“Yes.” He got out of his bed, causing Cadence to get to her hooves as well. “Tell me. What’s your job? Celestia raises the sun, Luna raises the moon. What do you do, besides govern?”

“I use my magic to reforge and improve love between ponies.” She huffed. “Sorry if it doesn’t sound impressive.”

“Hardly.” the stallion picked up the glass of milk. “Emotions are the closest things I know that prove life is real. Structurally speaking, the only difference between a live body and a dead one is several volts of electricity.”

“Where are you going with this?” A chill went up Cadence’s skin, and she knew this was what Twilight had to face. 

“I guess that must have been the kind of mind I had when I killed her. All the rest, too.” He emptied the glass and looked it over before shoving it in his mouth.

Cadence couldn’t stop herself from gasping. He chewed on the top half of the glass and even rolled it around his teeth like wine. The sound of cracking glass might have well cracking bones.

After a quick swallow, he surprised her with a stainless smile. 

“If you’re as good with emotions as you say you are, can you figure out what emotion I’m feeling now?”

Easy enough. “Satisfaction, joy, maybe a bit of pride?”

“Check. Use your magic and find out. You can do that, can’t you?”

“Why? Why do you want me to?”

“You’re the one that wanted to learn about me. You may even read my mind to get at the dream. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

Cadence glared at him before readying her horn. This could be the closest she could get to him, and she couldn’t return to Princess Celestia empty-hooved. 

She knew what was going to happen. She heard several stories from Luna about her experience with other’s minds. She had to be careful all the way or she could damage his, or more importantly, her own mind.

“It’ll only be a moment,” Cadence said. “If you try anything funny, the guards and the princesses are right outside that door.”

“Of course. I’ll even put my hooves behind my back. Let’s just get this over with.”

She walked closer, keeping an eye on his own as her horn glowed brighter.

“You’re not pregnant, are you?”

“Huh?”

The stallion knocked his head onto her horn. Without warning, wave after wave of memories flooded through her horn. 

“You want to know my dream? You got it.”

He smiled. Her eyes were flashing, so it must have been working, even if he couldn’t feel a thing. When tears began forming, he stepped back and she slumped to the ground. 

“I’ll let you think on that for a while.” He pushed the plate of cookies to her. “How was that? Did you feel anything from that?”

Cadence turned away and quickly wiped her eyes. 

“You’re not sad. You’re scared, aren’t you. How does it feel to be the one on the trigger, looking at her eyes, and not give a damn about it all? I imagine it’s quite chilling to somepony like you.”

Cadence didn’t say anything. She walked to the door.

“I thought you princesses, with all your power and knowledge, could help me. It seems I was wrong. There is only one man who can help me now. Thank you and everypony else for their efforts, though.”

At this, she whipped around. He was running to a nearby window.

“Trotter!”

“That’s it!” The door slammed open, “I knew something-hey!”

But he already left a broken pane behind. 

Shining peered down and saw him gliding away. He turned to the guards behind him. “All pegasi! Get him back here now! Search the entire city if you have to!”

After the guards left, he found Cadence supporting herself against the bed,

“Cadence! Are you alright?” He saw wet spots around her eyes. “Did he hurt you?!”

She snapped up at the sudden scream. “What? Oh! No, no, he didn’t! I just… read his dream.”

“He didn’t tell you it?” Luna asked. 

“No, he said that I could read his mind if I had to. I also got to pick up his emotions during the dream and right now.” She shivered and looked at the remains of the broken cup. “I’m, sorry, princess, but can we go somewhere else to tell you this?”

“Of course,” Celestia said. She picked up the glass remains onto the tray. “Luna, take Cadence to your chamber. I’ll join you after I’ve instructed the rest of the staff.”

Luna nodded and ushered Cadence away, leaving her to telepathically contact the castle staff. She didn’t know who was more dangerous: the creature called man or the stallion. Whatever they both were, she couldn’t slip up anymore.





She groaned as she walked in. The day felt especially long. Probably due to the Gala. A classic “Monday Syndrome”.

The lectures were over and she had go out again in the next hour. She was grateful for the plentiful leftovers in the fridge. 

She leaned against the chair, sipping her cold coffee. One more year and she’ll be able to work full-time. Too bad that after graduating, she’ll have to spend whatever she earns on repaying her loans. Her parents’ cash only lasts for so long.

The ding from her microwave awoke her from her daze. The warm smell of fried hay and sauce made her stomach rumble.

It didn’t take long and in under twenty minutes, she was out.

“This is your house?”

She jumped at the sudden voice and glared at the source. “You? It’s you, right? Trotter?”

“Yes. I would appreciate you not using that name.” The stallion leaned against the fence and tipped back his hat. 

“What in Tartarus happened?” She didn’t stop her pace, but kept her eyes on him. “And what’s with the outfit?”

“I found it at a dumpster. Convenient.”

“Huh?” Without thinking, she sniffed. “Urk! Why did I do that?”

“That should be my question.”

“Why in Tartarus are you wearing that?”

“Guards are after me.”

She looked around. She did notice a couple guards in the streets for the past week. “So… it’s probably stupid of me to ask, but how’s the last week treated you?”

“Cruelly. I finally found something that can kill me, yet he will not show himself.”

“Aaaaand you lost me.” She sighed. “Are you looking for me specifically, because if you are, I’m crying stalker.”

“No, our meeting was completely coincidental.”

“But you’re following me, because?”

“Trying to be inconspicuous.”

“And you think I’ll cooperate, why?”

“You seemed to care for me when you thought I had died at the Gala.”

She bit her lips and looked away. “Anypony would be sad when somepony dies in front of them.” There was obviously some spell cast on him to avoid injury. Why else would he be so aggressive on Princess Celestia like that if he didn't have a plan?

“That is the problem: I am not a pony, nor can I die. I can only wait for something to happen.”

She was getting a sense of deja vu. Should she scream for the guards after all? Stalking was a legit crime, isn’t it? “But seriously, you don’t think I’m going to call the guards?”

“After how you presented yourself at the Gala, I do not think you are the type to do such a thing. You seem to be the kind who likes to fight back before reporting to authority.”

“There’s no avoiding you, is there?” If he’s going to be so blunt, she won’t hold back either.

“For now, no. Do not worry, I plan on leaving town tonight.”

She sighed again. “So you know where you’re headed?”

“Wherever you are headed. I assume a restaurant or a cafe?”

“Close. A local bar, Between Two Rocks. Strange name, huh? But work’s work.”

That elicited a chuckle. 

“Yeah, funny name, I know,” She said, rolling her eyes.

“No, no,” the stallion said through his laughter. “It just reminded me of something is all.”
> Hold Up
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Come on, ya lightweight! Pour it!”
 
“I think you have had enough.”
 
“Buffalo dung! My liver’s had worse!”
 
The stallion looked at the bottle’s label. He really wanted to smash it over the drunkard’s head. Not like a fractured skull would be what killed him at this rate. “Pour it yourself.”
 
“You rassafraggin’ varmint!” He failed to grab the bottle, and after a few grumbles, he fell off his chair.
 
“Sooo, I’m guessing you won?” Sterling asked, smirking. “How’s it?”
 
“A waste of time, unfortunately.” Trotter pocketed the money and poured the remaining drink back into the bottle. “According to my x-rays, I have no liver to damage. His challenge was pointless.”
 
Sterling frowned before shaking her head and cleared the table.
 
The bartender nodded before returning to his tankards. He had been looking his way ever since the stallion entered, never having seen such a flamboyantly-dressed pony. Still, he had bits for that huge vodka bottle, so he couldn’t complain.
 
“Apologies, Mister Bartender, but may I loiter here for a couple more hours? Then I will be out of your mane for good.”
 
He nodded once more.
 
“Thank you.”
 
“Don’t worry, this place doesn’t get much traffic during the day,” Sterling said. “But seriously, you have a disguise and all, so you can’t leave yet?”
 
“The guards are still on patrol. When the sun sets, that is the best time to leave.”
 
“Why?”
 
“There is yet to be a Twilight Guard.”
 
Sterling didn’t know whether to react with awe or facehoof at the pun. “You got a point there.”
 
“I want to see if he will show up again.”
 
“Who?”
 
“The man. He might still be around here.”
 
She lost him again. What was a “man” supposed to be? “Well, whatever it is you’re looking for, I hope you find it.”
 
“That might not be the best solution.”
 
The stallion pulled the snoring drunkard up and laid him on another chair. He watched a pool a saliva form on the table and wondered how much he drank to turn it yellow.
 
“A good show, Trotter, good show.”
 
A serpentine creature formed on the chair next to him. “So you’re the one everypony’s talking about. I’ve heard of love at first sight, but with you, it’s the complete opposite for me.”
 
“I do not suppose introductions are in order, then.” The stallion saw Sterling fidget. “I suppose spirits of chaos do not visit bars often.”
 
“Not unless I have to.” Discord magicked two shot glasses and poured chocolate milk out of his nose.
 
“Do not bother. I cannot taste, and my non-existent stomach is insatiable.”
 
“Oh pshaw, Trotter. It’s all about the atmosphere, you know that!”
 
The pair clinked their glass and drank, not caring that two pairs of eyes were staring at them.
 
“Celestia wants me back? Tell her to fetch me herself.”
 
“Sorry, but with the rumours of a traitor-slash-murderer in the city, the last thing she needs to confirm it is with her getting into it.”
 
“And she thought getting the residential spirit of chaos would be a good idea?”
 
“Actually, I volunteered. If ol’ Sunbutt’s telling the truth, you can’t die.”

“And you think you can kill me? If so, you are free to try.”

“And nothing fazes you as well, apparently. Besides, killing’s not really my thing, Trotter. You stop their heart, break their neck, and that’s it. That’s not my style, Trotter. Too static.”
 
“If you are not trying to kill me, I have no business with you.”
 
“But I do.” Discord sneezed into a napkin, but instead of phlegm, a photo was printed into the paper. “This thing, whatever it is, got something funky about him, and I want to know everything. This is off the record, just between us abominations.”
 
“Do not compare me to you.”

“Aw, don’t be bashful. I know it doesn’t seem easy, but we’ve got to work together, you know?”
 
“The last time you worked with someone, you were betrayed and branded traitor.”
 
“Ugh don’t talk about him. And you don’t seem the violent type, just… an inquisitive soul.”
 
"Are you describing me or how the usual individual perceives me?”
 
“We’re getting off the topic.” Discord regurgitated his chocolate milk and threw it behind him, causing it to explode when it hit the wall. “This thing is nothing but trouble, for me, you, and Celestia. And while I would like nothing more than to investigate this thing, I can’t find it without it showing itself first.”
 
“So do not bother. However, I will continue my search for him. It knows what I need to know, why I… feel like I do.”
 
"Hm?”
 
“Do you wake up every morning, wondering why you have yet to die?”
 
“Eh, a couple times. Then I got bored of it. You feel that way too?”
 
“All the time. For over two years. Maybe even beyond that.”
 
Discord closed his once open mouth and slumped in his chair.
 
The silence remained, and Discord looked anywhere but Trotter’s eyes. They begged, dared him to continue the conversation.
 
“If you live up to your namesake, you would have known death twice or thrice.”
 
“Psh. I’m the spirit of chaos, not the spirit of impossibility.”
 
“Ah, but because it is an impossibility, is it not chaotic?”
 
When Discord scowled, the stallion leaned in.
 
“Chaos, change, discord, these things do not matter to me. The entire planet could collapse onto itself and it would not make a difference.”
 
"You don’t care what happens to anything? That’s pretty pessimistic.”
 
“Not at all. I am saying that change is a falsity entirely.”
 
Discord’s jaw fell and rolled off the table. He slapped himself back into the world and picked up his chin.
 
“I see you do not understand.”
 
“I understand perfectly well, and it’s horseapples!” Discord scoffed. “Everything changes. There is nothing in this universe that retains its shape forever. We grow old, we lose fur, our opinions shift, and nothing you or this man does can change that.”
 
“And yet, after thousands of years of shapeshifting and other events, you still remain as the entity Discord.”
 
Discord didn’t know how to respond to that.
 
“Let us look at it another way then.” The stallion spread his hooves out. “Why do you think everything is different and individual? Have you ever thought that everything, even time, is a part of a single thing? Then no matter what you change, everything will still be the same.”
 
If it weren’t for his eyes, everypony would have thought Discord was replaced with a wax replica.
 
“I have your attention now?” A tiny smile broke out from Trotter. “I will give an example. A train and a pony are racing. Assume the pony has a head start. You with me so far?
 
“The race begins. In one second, the train will move a much longer distance than the pony will, yes, but the pony will nevertheless gain some distance still. In short, the pony remains ahead.
 
“In another second, the train will close the gap further, but the pony keeps moving. Therefore, it can be assumed that as long as the pony keeps moving, there will always be a minute distance that keeps the train from overtaking the pony.”

Discord raised a talon, and a train set appeared on the table. He placed a figurine ahead of the train and pushed a button. The slower pony ran around the track, but eventually the faster train overtook.
 
“Hmm…”

“Discord?”

The stallion fought the urge to burst laughing. Who knew spirits could be sent into a reverie so easily?

“Are you perhaps having, what they say, an existential crisis?”

Discord magicked the train set away.

“I was wrong about you, Trotter.” He frowned. “Playing your little mind games all the time. You’re going to become a big problem later if I leave you.” 

He snapped his fingers but nothing happened. He tried several more times, but still nothing.

“What the-huh?”

“Thank you for the drink. If we meet again, I would like to talk with you again. It has been... enjoyable.”

The stallion exited, taking his remaining whisky.

“Hey, wait!” He tried teleporting to no avail. “What in the world-”

A short but shrill gasp escaped from Sterling, leaving Discord with enough time to look up.
 





 
It was about time for the sun to set, but he could still see the blinding ball. Either Celestia had extended daytime to prolong the search or his sense of time had worsened.
 
Regardless, he had succeeded in slipping past guards before. The complication would be at the city border.
 
As for Discord, he would likely return to the princesses any minute. The stallion considered himself lucky. If Discord had used his magic on him, there would be nothing to stop him from capturing him.
 
Trotter silently cursed. Streams of yellow tape and a crowd blocked the final intersection before the city entrance.

“Move it! What’s going on?”
 
"Keep back, miss! There’s a robbery going on!”
 
“Some crazy griffon’s in the bank with a crossbow!”
 
“Why hasn’t anypony gone in there? You’re the city guards, aren’t you?!”
 
“Let me in there! My sister’s in there!”
 
“Hey, watch it, pal!”
 
“Wait, hold it, get back!”
 
“What do you think you’re doing?”
 
“My word, I’ve never seen such— Hey, wasn’t that the outfit you threw out last Saturday, Monique?”
 





 
Everypony was huddled into corners trembled. The griffon spun on spot, pointing his weapon at whoever so much as twitched.
 
“How fuckin’ long does it take, you shit!” He shot into the air.
 
“It’s su-supposed to be opened by one of th-the managers!” the clerk sobbed. Her horn flickered.
 
“You stop working, you stop breathing. Got it?!” He pressed the crossbow into her rump, and her horn glowed brighter than ever.
 
“Anypony else work here? Because I swear to your princesses that I’m going to shoot one pony for every minute she spends. You might as well help her out, and maybe you won’t get shot dead!”
 
Nopony stepped up. They looked away, whispering to themselves.
 
"Some nation,” he scoffed. “Won’t even help a pretty mare like her— Hey!”
 
The doors opened. A pony dressed in a dirty white coat and hat walked over to the counter.
 
The griffon pointed his crossbow at him. He froze. “The fuck do you think you’re doing, buddy?”
 
“Taking out a loan.”
 
“Real funny. Now unless you got a horn, get into a corner.”
 
“I’m taking out the loan so I can give you the money.” He reached the counter.
 
“Hey, you deaf?!” the griffon screamed. He swung down, knocking the pony’s hat off. “You. Corner. NOW!”
 
The stallion faltered but then straightened himself.
 
Some ponies gasped at who it was. The griffon’s mask covered all except his eyes, but they gave no sign he recognized him.
 
“Now unless you want to die, get over there.”
 
“But that’s the thing, mister. I want to die, but I just can’t, for some reason.” He smiled. “If you think you can, you’re welcome to try.”

The griffon struck him again, this time knocking him down. But in a few seconds, he was back up.
 
He pulled out a bottle inside his coat. “Well damn, it’s still intact.”
 
“Wine? You think you’re getting a drink anytime—”
 
“This isn’t wine, it’s just watered-down whisky. Want a drink?”
 
He slapped the bottle out of his hooves. Instead of shattering, it bounced and rolled into a table.
 
“So you know this brand?” The stallion smiled. “Yes sir, a whole inch of enchanted glass, this baby’s unbreakable.” He hit the counter a couple times. “But honestly, what are you trying to gain from this?”
 
“That’s no secret, is it?”
 
“If you wanted money, there’s a very popular wishing well in Canterlot. It’s how I bought this.”
 
The bolt’s tip dug into his ear. “Listen. I like jokes, but I tried fishing for gold, and it’s too little, too late.”
 
“Please, you’re scaring the ponies.”
 
“What do I care about those sheep!”
 
“The last thing you want is a “sheep” to be terrified. Whether they’re animals or ponies, no one works productively with poor morale. At least, not like this.”
 
“SHUT. UP!”
 
“If you’re serious about this, shoot me. You don’t come off as a liar.”
 
The griffon’s eyes narrowed when Trotter adjusted the crossbow so that the tip touched his forehead.
 
“Pull the trigger, and you’ll let everyone here know you’re dead serious.”
 
“SHUT UP!” He pressed it in deeper. “You think I’m afraid? I’ve killed before, ponies, changelings, and even my own! All for your fucking Crown! And it wasn’t because I was fucking afraid of your princess!”
 
“And nopony gives a damn. Tough.”
 
A click. Ponies looked away. The griffon trembled. A clack of wood.
 
Trotter picked up the bolt. “‘Made in Dragza. Anti-magic iron. For hunting only’. At least you’re properly representing. Oh don’t look so shocked, I told you I won’t die easily.”
 
“Jormun’s teeth. What kind of magic’s this?!”

“It’s not magic. Or at least, the magic you know.” He passed him the bolt. “So you ARE serious about this. Good.”
 
“He-Hey,” an earth pony spoke up. “That’s a fake, isn’t it! That’s fake!” He stood up.
 
“Excuse me, let me borrow this.”
 
“What, you gonna shoot me? Go ahead, and I’ll take off your—”
 
A click. A shriek.
 
“What- what the- I said—”
 
“Shut it and get back to your corner before I shoot her other leg.”
 
The earth pony did as he was told, hugging his sobbing mother.
 
“Mister Griffon, you’ve worked as a soldier, am I correct? Killing insurgents, spies, and such?”
 
The griffon didn’t look at him. Trotter lightly slapped his cheeks and returned the crossbow.
 
“Focus, sir. You’re in the middle of a heist. You–” he pointed at the clerk who jumped at being addressed “–keep working. Like he said, you stop working, you stop breathing. Anyways, you’ve dealt with these threats before, I assume?”
 
He slowly nodded. He shifted away from him. “Yeah. Yeah…”
 
“And for how long?”
 
The griffon just now realized the crossbow was back in his talons. Reflex took over.
 
“Nice, if a bit delayed. At least half a decade?” He chuckled. “Then again, I never went to the army, so I wouldn’t know.”
 
“What in the Underworld are you trying to pull?!”
 
“I’m just trying to help you.”
 
“By killing a hostage?!”
 
“Killing?” He frowned. “No, sir. I don’t kill. Hurt, however?” He smiled. “When it’s appropriate.”
 
“Don’t lie to me.” The griffon pointed the crossbow again, but lowered it. “Don’t you lie to me. You’re a killer, I know it.”
 
The griffon twitched when the stallion gave the deepest frown he had ever seen.
 
“In a past life. When I wasn’t what I am now. I still don’t fully understand its gravity. But I know I don’t gain satisfaction from killing. I don’t think anyone does.”
 
The griffon softened, but tensed back up and looked at the still-quivering ponies. “Clerk! You done yet! Can’t you magic it open?!”
 
“I can’t!” she cried. “Even an alicorn can’t force their magic through it without knowing the right frequency! And even then...”
 
“Pathetic,” he hissed. “What are you? What do want out of this?”
 
“I don’t really know what I am, but the townspeople named me Trotter.”
 
Now the griffon realized.
 
“You attacked one of the royalty?”
 
“Yeah. To show how serious I am about dying. Can you imagine going for two years, not sleeping, feeling, smelling, or tasting anything?”
 
The griffon shuddered.
 
“As for why… honestly, it’s on a whim. To pass the time. I don’t need the money.”
 
When the griffon scoffed, Trotter laughed. “I bet that’s the first time anyone’s ever heard that. We live in completely different worlds.”
 
“Money’s everything in this world. It’s the reason why these uppity twits stay where they are, living their lives like nothing but the color of their damned shoes are wrong while the bottom-feeders eat each other like wild beasts!”
 
The stallion’s smile widened but dropped.
 
“What? What is it?”
 
“I’m sorry, I’m just confused.” He shrugged. “At first, I thought you were some shell-shocked veteran, doing this out of insanity or envy. Then I thought you were doing this solely for the money.”
 
The griffon pointed his crossbow again. “What’s it to you? Some kind of fucking mind game?!”
 
“The rage of a suicide bomber combined with the discipline of a soldier. What element merges them?”
 
“YOU SHUT UP! WHAT DO YOU KNOW— Hrk!”
 
The griffon covered where his mouth should be with a talon.
 
“So that’s why. Now it makes sense.”
 
The griffon rubbed his talon on his wing. “Yes! Pneumoconiosis, from working in Diamond Dog mines! Happy now?!”
 
It was the stallion’s turn to be silenced as the griffon kept retching.
 
“I need money! I need it for an operation! But the only job I can get is in the mines! Weather work? Sky traffic? Plain physical labour? No!”
 
The entire building felt like it had dropped several degrees. Even the cacophony outside stopped, preferring to turn its collective ear as far as it could.
 
Trotter kept his frown.
 
“That’s all I wanted to hear. Miss Clerk, you’ve been on that door for at least twenty minutes. If you can’t—”
 
A creak escaped from the safe.
 
"Finally!” the griffon screamed.
 
“B-But that wasn’t me!” the clerk whimpered. “It’s the safety! It automatically unlocks itself if somepony’s in there!”
 
“Did a unicorn teleport in there?”
 
“The entire safe’s supposed to be enchanted! Nothing can get in or out once it’s locked!”
 
Trotter closed his agape mouth. “Wait here.”
 
He pushed the clerk aside. His frown turned progressively deeper until it flipped upside-down.
 
“Well sir, looks like we’ve hit both our jackpots.”
	
	
> Standoff
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	She rubbed her horn. She knew she should have gotten that coffee when she had the chance.

Why was a princess necessary for this? She understood that it’s her responsibility to uphold the peace, but the police force could handle it, couldn’t they? 

When the mob saw her, they scampered to the sides, leaving a clear walkway for her.

“Princess Luna!”

“Evening, officer. I have already been informed. A griffon has taken hostages in there, correct.”

“Urm, yes, Princess.”

“Hm? Has the situation changed?”

“We think so.” He scratched his chin. “A stallion in white got in before we could stop him, and I think he fired a shot at one of the hostages.”

“An accomplice? You let a stranger simply march in there?”

“We didn’t even see him until he got past us-Princess Luna!”

She ignored him and charged through the door.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but get out.”

        “Trotter?! I should have… By the stars… “

        “Not you! Him!”

        The figure teleported behind them. The griffon fired, but the bolt passed through and hit a window instead.

        “Don’t, sir. He’s here for me.” Trotter walked up to the man. “I said get out! You can kill me later!”

        The man tilted his head. 

        “Trotter, what’s the meaning of this!” Luna’s horn glowed. “Collaborating with another criminal?!”

        “Mr. Griffon, don’t mind her or the man. This yours, right?” Trotter picked up a briefcase and walked to the vault. “I’ll get the money. Keep an eye on them. We’ll be out in three minutes.”

        Luna only took a step for the griffon and the man to face her. She could use her magic to immobilize the robber and Trotter, but what about the man?

        “What’s the meaning of this, griffon?”

        He gulped. “Isn’t it obvious?”

        “Two bank robbers in cahoots with this...man? Or is it the other way around?”

        “I don’t even know what he-urk!” He hunched over and coughed into his mask. 

        The man turned around, silencing everyone. He walked to the door.

        “Stop!” Luna trailed behind him.

        The man raised his hands in the air.

        “Good,” Luna sighed. “Now turn around, slowly! And…”

        He opened his mouth. She could see something moving in it, but nothing came out. 

        “You cannot speak?” 

        “Actually,” Trotter said from behind. “he said something. It’s just....unpronounceable. Imagine the sound made when you put sand and glass into a blender.”

        “You heard him?!”

        “Yeah, but like I said, it’s gibberish.”

        Luna leaned over the vault. Trotter was almost done filling the briefcase.

        “Trotter, you cannot be serious about this.”

        “About what? The man or robbing this bank?”

        “About...all this!” Luna didn’t know what to do now. On one hoof, an immortal. On the other, an alien creature she knew nothing about. “Even if you get the money, do you think that man will stand by?”

        “He has so far, and you as well.” He shut the case. “If you want to stop me, do so. If not, move aside and let us pass.”

        She grabbed the case with her magic, but he wouldn’t relent. “You know we cannot do that.”

        Her fur stood on end. She didn’t need to turn around to see the man right behind her, leering with his white eyes. 

        “Do not worry. Princess Luna.” Trotter forced the case away and passed her. “Neither I nor the man will not harm you, at least directly.”

        Luna swallowed. The man didn’t let out a sound or do much, so how did he have such presence?

        “We said STOP!”

        That one word broke every surface in the bank, leaving everypony/griffon clutching their heads.

        “We will not stand for this any longer!” Luna’s eyes turned white. “Trotter, relinquish the case! Griffon, unarm yourself! If you will not, we will force you!”

        “Mr. Griffon, ignore her. We are leaving.” Trotter tapped the griffon’s shoulder. “Where to?”

        “We said-”

        “Princess Luna, if you wish, you can come with us.”

        Luna fired a warning shot near Trotter’s hoof. “We are in no mood for jokes.”

        “I am not joking.” The stallion pushed aside some glass shards away. “We, that is, the griffon and I, will come with you to the castle with the money. Dr. Milkweed still works there, yes?”

        She didn’t answer. Her horn glowed until it was blinding.

        “What is more important? Your money, me, or a life in danger?”

        Luna snarled. “You don’t think I know what’s at stake here?!”

        “If you do, do what you think you must. I do not care.”

        Luna looked around. The man remained still. The griffon felt out of place. Everypony else stared at her, waiting for her call.

        She heaved for air. After calming down, she rubbed her eyes. “But what of the man? You cannot say that he poses no threat after what he did to you.”

        “He only poses a threat to me, when he strangled me. He had yet to show aggression towards anyone else.” The stallion looked at the man. “And if he wanted to kill me still, he would have done so. It seems that he is restraining himself for some reason or another.”

        “And you believe that this...lack of evidence to be appropriate evidence supporting your claim?”

        “Yes.”

        She faced the griffon. “You believe him?”

        The griffon looked once more at the man. He lowered his hands and walked out the entrance. 

“My bolt bounced off his forehead. He’s helping me. Who do you think I’d trust?” He made his way behind Trotter, his crossbow lowered.

Trotter leaned close to him. “Alright, Mr. Griffon. Before we go any further, I need you to trust me.”

“Yeah?”

“Who is the money for?” 

He froze and his eyes fixed on Trotter’s.

“Do not try to convince me elsewise. No dying man would bother robbing a building to cure himself when he will just get caught in the future.”

The griffon trembled. He leaned close enough so only he and Trotter could hear. 

“My daughter, Gi-”

The stallion pressed his hoof to his beak. “Do not tell me any more. I will take the money to the castle. You get your daughter.”

“B-but how-why-”

“Because our princess here is more concerned with me and the man. Give me the crossbow.”

Seeing him, Luna immediately grabbed the weapon in her telekinesis, but Trotter held on.

“What do you think you will do with this?”

“Hold it for the griffon while he has to attend one more business. If you think he will run away, you can send your guards to escort him back to the castle afterwards.”

Luna bit her lip. “Have we not been lenient enough?”

“Do you want anymore ponies to be hurt? Does your sense of empathy not extend towards griffons? For all his threats, he has yet to harm a pony here.”

The griffon heaved again, this time, pulling the mask over his beak. A wet red smeared on his talon. The guards eyed him warily, as if afraid of catching his disease.

After a few seconds, Luna relented.

Two guards picked the griffon up and walked behind him. 

“Go do what you must,  Mr. Griffon. And your guards better not obstruct him in anyway, Princess Luna.”

As Trotter and the man followed behind her, she turned to face the stallion.

“Do not think we will be so permissive next time.”

“I am turning myself and the man over to your care. The griffon’s business is the least of your concerns.”





        “Princess Luna!” Milkweed ran to her. “Mr. Trotter? What happened-dear heavens!”

        “Luna!” Celestia ran up to her. “Are you alright? Were there any problems? Why’s the creature-”

        “Sister, please,” Luna groaned. “I just surrendered to Trotter’s ridiculous plan to minimize harm. My mind is, how you say, in a tizzy.”

        “Now is not the time for rest, Princess Luna. You have the man and I, do you not? And Dr. Milkweed, prepare for a patient.”

        “Why? Is somepony-”

        “Most likely, it is not a pony. Nevertheless, a patient is on their way here along with the bank robber.”

        Celestia looked at Luna, who nodded. “Indeed. The guards are escorting him to pick whoever it is now. It’s most likely a fellow griffon.”

        “If you need convincing, here is payment.” Trotter opened the briefcase. “But as if you will accept it.”

        “Obviously not!” Luna said. “How do you expect us to accept stolen money when it has be robbed right before our eyes?”

        “So you would refuse to tend a patient, Dr. Milkweed? Because he lacks funds?”

        “Of course not!” he shouted. “I’ll alert the staff.” He ran out the door.

        “Glad to hear it. He did this for nothing, then.” He dropped the case onto a table. “Is this amusing to you?”

        Celestia flinched. “Not really, no-”

        “Not you, him.”

        She followed his eyes and gasped. Somehow, the man was standing on the ceiling, leering down at three of them.

        “If you are done gawking, perhaps you could kill me now?”

        The man teleported in front of him. Before anypony could react, his hand grabbing one of Trotter’s wings.

        Celestia fired a beam at his hand, which passed right through. “Release him!”

        “Actually, I think he meant for this.” With his wing freed, he unfurled and shook them. Broken knives, paper clips, and keys fell out from between the feathers.

        “Are those for self-defense?” Luna jested.

        “No. They are in case your guards needs further convincing.”

        “Remind me again, why you are not cuffed.”

        A pair wrapped around his front and back hooves. 

        The doors burst open. A guard ran to them.

        “Princess! The griffons are here. They’re at the hospital wing!”

        Trotter walked to him. “Lead us. The man will kill me later-damnation.”

        Celestia and Luna turned their heads. The man was gone.

        “Blast it!” Luna muttered. “How does he keep doing that?”





        “Mr. Griffon!” Trotter walked up to him. “They made you take off your mask?”

        He laughed hollowly. “I wish it was just that.” He leaned closer. “My daughter made me, said I looked lamer than usual.”

        “Where is she?”

        He shook his head. “The doctors have her taken to the doctor’s office. They want to diagnose her first. Where’s the money?”

        Celestia cleared her throat. “You won’t be needing it. If the doctor’s willing to work pro bono, that’s his decision. Pardon me, but aren’t you the one who’s sick?”

        The griffon trembled. He looked at his scrunched talons and one could see steam coming from his nostrils. 

        “Relax, sir. What, you’re going to force the doctor accept your money or something?” Trotter asked.

        “I did all that for nothing-!” He curled into a coughing fit, peppering the floor red.

        “Guard, take him to a seperate office, while the other griffon-”

        “No!” He wiped his beak. “I’ll be fine, it’s her that needs the help-kuk!”

        A door opened. Milkweed walked up to him. 

        “You were right. Scans picked up inflammations along her stomach lining. There’s some bleeding pyloric ulcers as well. If it was one or the other, it could be treated with medicine. When did your daughter show these sympto-”

        “Since when did you think she’s his daughter?” Trotter asked.

        “Um, she told us that he’s his “old cock”-”

        “Does she know him?”

        “Um, she never said anything about him more than that-”

        “Do you know her name?”

        “Gilda Gretsky.”

        “Does she have any medical history?”

        “We checked. We have her address, citizenship, and medical bio, but no other history. If she does have anymore, it’s probably kept in the griffon nation, Fertrag. It’s definitely not here.”

        “Doctor, hurry with whatever procedure you must for the patient. Whatever you just described, it sounds urgent.”

        He looked at the princess, as if asking for permission. They nodded, and he ran out the door.

        Trotter face the griffon. “Sir, do you have any ID on you?”

        “No. Never had any.”

        “Impossible!” Luna shouted. “Every record of our citizens and immigrants...oh.”

        “An illegal alien,” Celestia said. “But an officer reported you mentioned working for me. A citizenship is a must.”

        “I was one of your privateers for protection against foreign threats a couple decades ago.”

        “That explains it.” Trotter snarled. “Wouldn’t want the masses to know their benevolent princess uses foreigners like this.”

        Luna whipped her head to Celestia, but both remained silent.

        “I was lucky to have inside help,” the griffon answered. “I forced her, threatened her to keep me and recommend me a job. In turn, I would pay rent.”

        “There you go.” Trotter shook his head. “What you gonna do now, sir?”

        “Wait for her.” He walked towards the door.

        “Wait!” Celestia caught up to him. “We have medical staff to spare. You sure you don’t need treatment?”

        Trotter chuckled. “Does he look like he want any?”

        After some walking, the four made it to the hospital wing. A red light above one of the room doors indicated its use. 

        “Well, it looks like she’s being worked on now.” Trotter sat next to the doorway. “Might as well relax, sir.”

        Celestia gestured to several chairs. “There’s something to sit down on if you-”

        The griffon sat on the other side of the doorway.

        “Why do I bother?” Celestia muttered out of everyone’s hearing.

        “Where’s the purple one, Twilight Sparkle?” Trotter smiled. 

        “Not here,” Luna said.

        “A mare of few words?” 

        “The pot calls the kettle black.”

        “Ah. You’re talking about our first time. Yeah, I don’t really talk much when I’m like that. I like personal talks more.”

        “So...this is how you’re really like?”

        “I don’t know. More importantly, shouldn’t you be interrogating us right about now?”

        “We have sealed the doors and windows so you can’t escape again.” Luna huffed. “But for now, the griffons are more important.”

        “Said no pony, ever.”

        Trotter pulled out his wine bottle and passed it to the griffon. 

        He pushed it away. “I don’t drink.”

        “I don’t either, but I told you this is watered down. And don’t worry, the girl’s not in danger anymore.”

        He looked at the bottle one more time before popping its cork.

        “Well, got anything else to ask us? You can ask whatever you want, although we can’t guarantee we’ll answer.”

        “We’ll start then,” Luna said. “Did you plan all this, Trotter?”

        “No. I wanted to leave the city tonight, but after a drink with Discord and now this, I doubt I’ll ever leave.”

        “Did you see what happened to him?”

        “I left him at a bar. He said you sent him to me, Princess.”

        Celestia nodded. “I never thought it would take him a week to find you.”

        “I have a habit of....blending in, whether on purpose or accident.” He saw the griffon hand him the bottle. He muttered thanks. After a swig he handed it back. “It also looks like I’m drawing more attention lately. What happened to him, anyways?”

        “He said he saw the man.” One of Celestia’s leg trembled. “He said he didn’t do anything, but his binge drinking of chocolate milk tells otherwise.”

        “I don’t think he’s lying,” Luna said. “At the bank, the griffon’s crossbow bolt passed right through him. An anti-magic bolt, to boot. Maybe he cannot touch us, even if he wanted to?”

“But he strangled Trotter with his hands.” Celestia  rubbed her horn. “We’re getting nowhere with this.”

“I think you’re missing the more obvious threat.” Trotter pointed to the griffon. “The fact that he pulled a crossbow out on ponies. Shouldn’t you be more mad?”

“He didn’t shoot anypony,” Luna said. “The officer said that you shot a pony instead.”

“Yep. Some stallion tried to play hero, I shot his mother in the leg, and he backed off. All in all, this went better than I thought it would.”

        Luna shivered. “Tell me why I shouldn’t toss you into Tartarus right now.”

        “Lady, if there’s something in there that could kill me, just tell me and I’ll head there myself.” His smile dropped. “What are you going to do about him, then?”

        “Arrest him, and-”

        “-leave him for dead?” Trotter finished. “In case you’re wondering, he’s got pneumoconiosis. In case you don’t know, it means his lungs are filled with dirt, coal, and who knows what else, from working at Diamond Dog mines. Even now, his lungs are being torn apart, and instead of stealing money for his own operation, he stole it for one girl who has a higher chance of surviving than him. Now why would he work at such a remote location in the first place?”

“She said she had no place to work here.”

        Everypony face the griffon. He clutched his talons around the bottle, scratching the label. “She said that she got fired in Cloudsdale, and couldn't find work anywhere else. She said that the only place that was always open was the Underground.”

        “But she doesn’t have the same symptoms as you do?” Celestia asked.

        “I...I made her quit when I moved in. If she died, my cover’s blown once the taxes and bills come.”

        “You could have gone back to Fertrag.”

        “No.” He slammed the bottle down. “I promised I wouldn’t.”

        Silence. 

“So after this, you’re going to lock us up?” Trotter asked. “Then what? What are you going to do so something like this doesn’t happen later?”

“This can’t be the only case something like this happened,” Celestia said. “We’ll investigate further, starting from Manehattan.”

“If you’re so sure this isn’t the first case, why haven’t you investigated before?” the griffon asked.

“Because this is the first time they’ve seen it in front of their faces,” Trotter chuckled. “It’s so much easier to handle the immediate threat, like Nightmare Moon, the changelings, Tirek. It’s all clear cut and there’s an easy and obvious target to blame.”

“And you’re giving a free operation to a griffon you don’t even know about...why?”

“You sound like you already know the answer,” Trotter said. 

He took another swig. He tipped the bottle over and struck the ground, repeatedly. 

“Get some rest, sir. The last thing she needs to see after surgery is an old drunkard.”

Trotter took the bottle. The griffon nodded and curled up, breathing soundly.

“He must have been exhausted. All that adrenaline and running around, with grey lungs to boot.” Trotter faced Luna. “He tried to find work outside of the Underground, you know. When he couldn’t do that, he went to the mines. You think he wanted to steal in the first place?”

“That’s enough, Trotter.” 

        Celestia walked forward, her eyes straight down into his. 

        “He will be diagnosed and treated in another room. And you will be charged as his accomplice and with assault on a pony.”

        “While I don’t mind that, I don’t think he’ll like being treated much.” Trotter stood up and looked at the griffon. “Not one, but two free operations? Are you trying to drown him with your pity?”

        She hoisted the griffon to a mobile bed. 

“After recovery, he will be sent back to Fertrag. Without any Equestrian identification, we can’t keep him here for long.”

“And the girl?”

        Before she could answer, Luna tugged his cuffs towards the exit.

        “That’s enough out of you. Come on.”

        “Alright, alright,” he chuckled. “I’ll play along. Let’s see how this…”

        “...what? What is it?” Luna turned around and gasped. Celestia followed suit.

        He body went rigid. His eyes glowed white.

        “Trotter!” 

        He fell over, twitching like a wind-up toy. 

        “Get him on the bed! Hurry!” Celestia shouted.

        Luna hoisted him onto a nearby bed. 

         Celestia looked around, looking for the man. “It’s happening again? When, where?”

        “His wing! His wing was grabbed before!”

        Celestia groaned. “I’ll strap him down. You get the griffon into another office with some medical staff.”

        After Luna left, Celestia looked at the now-still stallion. His eyes were still startlingly pale.

        She leaned in closer. It was rapid eye movement.

        She looked around nervously. Cadence told her everything she saw, and it horrified everypony, but she couldn’t deduce much. She didn’t know if the dream was a vision of sorts, whether it was fabricated, or even if it explained Trotter’s past.

        The image of Cadence’s disheveled face came to mind. She shivered. Maybe it would be better to leave it to the dream expert, right?