> Shattered Skies
>  by Arctikfox
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Prologue-



"What next?"

This thought hit the antlered Spirit as he looked down into the raging pool before him known as the life stream, a tool the Maker used to guide her works. Once, it was clear and pristine, and showed events clearly, but now, its waters were murky and every image it showed were of the same golden eyes.

Next to the forest Spirit, sat the Maker, her once white coat and fiery mane, now dulled by the darkness that loomed over her island.

"What will you do?" The Maker asked. Her question hung in the air as she looked on. "Shattered Skies?"

"I don't know." Skies said. His eyes darted from image to image, but nothing he saw changed, only fire and dust remained. The decision of what to do bore down on him and the feeling of suffocation gripped him. "I've never known."

"You're running out of time." 

"Time is already gone." Skies turned to the Maker. "But time isn't the concern here, is it? There's something you haven't told me?"

Weakly, the Maker stood and lumbered towards her old friend. She remained silent as she sat and waved her hoof over the pool, forcing it to calm, becoming a still surface. "There's nothing I can tell you that you don't already know."

Shattered's heart beat harder as memories, his memories, started to appear in the life stream. 

"As you know, I can not tell you how to defeat him, but I can show you a life spent wisely." The Maker's smile calmed Skies down, she knew the magic she enacted to link his memories was unsolicited and painful, but needed. "All you need is look and ask."

"Does this hold my memories only?" 

The Maker shook her head. "No."

Skies glanced back before staring into the pool, even though time flowed differently on the eternal isle, it was clear the Maker had reached her limits.

With a deep breath, Skies touched the pool. Ages passed before his eyes and when he blinked his eyes, nothing, and then everything.





The Maker looked over the land she created, to her, it was a bland canvas with limitless potential. She looked to create a world, one where anything was possible and wars were unheard of. A torrent of images, feelings, and sounds sat swirling through the time space steam; they showed the past, present, future, and much potential. She lifted her large white wings and ignited her horn in a brilliant glow.

The world soon contained both vegetation and water as well as rudimentary wildlife. There wasn’t much else to work with, but she had seen countless worlds in her time, adding to her creativity. If she started with the basics, how hard could it be?

After spending hundreds of years sculpting the planet, she ultimately admitted that it had been harder than she anticipated. The act of breathing life, true life, into a world was a daunting task that could not be achieved alone. After some careful thought, she decided to create beings to help her tame the land. Balance, that’s where all things must start. She would need harmony between all things, but enough chaos to keep life moving forward.

With these things firmly set in her mind, she dug deep into her wells of magic and started to sculpt the first two beings into existence; Discord and Harmony. They had near omnipotence and complete control over their aspects. They were avatars, embodiments of the natural forces of Push and Pull. They were polar opposites of one another, so naturally, they bickered, a lot. 

As the years faded, the two grew and were released onto the new planet, leaving the Maker to continue her work. "That takes care of that. Now, to something more primal. The elements."

Before she could do so, she realized that creating beings like Harmony and Discord took something out of her, something that could not be taken back. Doing this too many more times would eventually kill her. She was weaker, the next Spirits would need to draw their power from a different source, but that still left one question. Who would become the Spirits to watch over Equus?

For what seemed like an eternity, the Maker searched. Eventually, she found a world, the world, that could fulfill Equus’ needs. A few handpicked candidates later, and she had four lucky elemental avatars; one for Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. As each one took to their tasks with vigor, they chose new names for themselves in an effort to leave their old lives behind. The Maker had given them new forms as well, as their old, mortal bodies could never hold the power she bestowed on them. Fire was a serpent that wore blazing purple spikes down his spine while wearing a cloak of flame. Earth was a large stone bear that had moss and saplings growing over her back. Air was a small colorful dragon with dragonfly wings and a long tail. And Water was a great whale with multiple fins and chromatic scales, he was so large that he could flatten a city by rolling over.

The next spirits would have less power, they would more or less be there to help the avatars and watch the world more closely than the avatars could.

For Water, she created the spirits of Oceans, Lakes and Rivers, and the Frozen Wastes.

For Fire, she made the spirits of Volcanoes, Lightning, and Flames.

For Air, Weather was made, as well as the Wind twins. One was responsible for the Northern Gales and the other for the Southern Breezes.

And for Earth, the spirit of Crystal would guard the area in the northern hemisphere full of valuable gems and precious metals. The spirit of The Harvest would be responsible for the vast plains and decide where the mortals that would eventually populate this world would be able to grow, and how. And the last spirit to be created for Earth, was the spirit of The Forests. Responsible for the rest of nature, including all of the wildlife found in the vast woods covering most of the landmasses of the world.

She had to take great care in choosing a candidate for this position, for it would have to be a caring, responsible creature to care for the rest. While looking around for a candidate able to take on the most monumental of tasks, a young man caught her eye. As she watched his life progress, she felt a great sorrow; the older he got, the more obstacles leapt into his life in an attempt to ruin it. One day, his sorrows had finally worn a crack in his mind, enough to make an unforgivable mistake. She contemplated leaving him to his fate, but the Maker sensed that fate was working with him when a branch buckled beneath him as he changed his mind. Never one to challenge fate, she stood and shattered the barriers between the worlds, saving him for her own needs.

The years had gone by and the Spirits had molded the world into a habitable place for mortal species to live. The Maker introduced Ponies along with other mortal races like Griffons, Dragons, and Flutterlings. Each culture took a liking to the Spirits in their own way and all was peaceful, for a time.

Through the ages, Discord and Harmony grew to despise each other. Discord disappeared for a great number of years and when he returned, he had changed. Discord said that the mortal races were beneath Spirits and that they deserved to be ruled. This caused mixed reactions from the rest of the Spirits, but none more so than Harmony. She insisted that Equus needed guidance, not a dictatorship, that Spirits were meant to live beside mortals. Their opinions of one another degraded into hatred. Each Spirit chose a side, either out of conviction or desperation. Discord and Harmony saw no other option, the great Spirit war had begun.

The Maker saddened by the state of her world, created Alicorns, a race that knew not the strain of time, nor bound by mortal flesh, to keep the peace and guide the mortal races. They were meant to be a beacon of hope, a force that could stop the war and calm the spirits, but the Maker underestimated the situation and could not foresee what happened next.

Over the next few thousand years, the races fought for their Spirits and annihilated each other. Alicorns were among the most powerful of the races, therefore they were the first target of Discord and his renegades for extinction. Without so much as a warning, they were attacked with the full force of Discord’s army.

The battle was over soon after it had began, no one saw it coming and when the time came to support the Alicorns, no one was fast enough. Artorias the Alicorn capital lay in ruins, only two foals survived the slaughter, missed by the vindictive Spirits.

The Maker was too weak, She reached out to the few Spirits that still fought against Discord in an attempt to save the two foals. Through sheer luck and skill, the two foals were spirited away, unfortunately they now bore a greater responsibility than one could hope for and because of this, they were given special power to aid them against Discord.

While the two foals trained in secret, Harmony gathered the remaining spirits together for one last ditch attempt at victory.





Harmony looked around the cavern at each of the Spirits and wept, there were so few left. Each Spirit fought to win for their side and killed each other to do it. Some Spirits chose a support position and gave aid to those that fought, but even that left a heavy toll.

Five of Harmony's closest friends stepped forward. Harmony and Discord were the only beings who could forcibly activate the full powers of a dead spirit, and thus far, Discord had far more power than they could hope to face head on. However, if they could neutralize his power, it would give them a chance to end the war, all they needed was a chance. Which is why she could never express enough gratitude to the two defectors in her midst. Laughter and Generosity had joined her side. Ironically enough, Discord had laughed them off and given them to her without cause. While relatively weak spirits on their own, through the power of their own lifeforce and Harmony, victory was a real outcome.

“It’s not like we are going to die all the way right? I mean, c’mon, we will be awake in these crystal thingies, and we get to have all the glory, so you are really doing us a favor!” Laughter smiled at Harmony, her wings beating at her side in excitement. She was just trying to cheer everyone up, and to be honest, it was working.

"Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. You and your friends will be immortalized in stone, and will help end this atrocity. Not only that, you will continue to protect the world for centuries to come through mortals of your choosing. This I promise."

Small tears escaped her eyes as Harmony began the ritual. One by one, half of her remaining forces died in front of her. First to be consumed was Loyalty. As the spell widened, more fell, giving themselves over to the crystals completely. Harmony's elements soon became crystallized and hovered around the spell circle.

What Harmony didn’t tell her friends, was that the spell didn't end with their passing. Harmony awakened each of their stones, activating their consciousness, and allowing anyone they chose to wield their power. Then, with tears streaming down her face uninhibited, Harmony finally fell, leaving behind the most powerful artifact of all. Of course, she would always be part of the world, but it would be a long, long time before she walked the lands again.

To the observers in the room, there was a flash of light that lasted for a full minute, and then, all was silent.

Earth, having received a near fatal wound from Fire, sat, looking at their sacrifice and lamented. Had they really reached such a point? Each Spirit had a different reaction. 

Blue Line, Spirit of oaths was doing his best to hide his tears. Justice, or Feather of Truth, had a look of cold content upon his face. Innocence and Love were bawling their eyes out. 

Shattered Skies and Flowing Streams looked sad, but resigned. Streams leaned on Skies, trying to bury her face in his coat. They had been pushed to this, no going back now.

They had been given one opportunity, and there was no way they could waste it. Harmony told them what the Alicorns were, and what they meant. She had used her own life force, and now there were beings with the power to defeat Discord. Those that could withstand the repercussions of using more than one spirit-stone at once. Those that could lead in the absence of spirits. She had given them exactly what was needed.

Six good, honest people had just given their lives to create the ultimate tool, something that could restore balance. Earth would be damned if she let them go to waste.

Earth understood the gravity of the situation, six dear friends were now lost to them, but this wasn't the time to grieve. She looked at the Spirits once again to see who was up for the task she was about to lay out. Each of them were qualified, but only one would be about to get the job done, Shattered Skies. "Skies, I need to speak with you."

Shattered Skies sighed. "I know what you're about to ask me, and the answer is no."

Earth cringed at Skies' cold stare, it had been obvious from the start that Shattered Skies stood against Harmony's sacrifice, firmly. He had spent so many years fighting against all of Discord's forces, they all have. Earth looked at them, she could tell that they would all rather be on the front line trying to bring Discord down, but after Discord took the Alicorn Capital and the Spirit council's city from underneath their noses, the war had never been the same. "Skies, I understand you all want revenge for what he did to the Alicorns, but..."

"No, what he did wasn't just genocide." Skies was cut off by a hoof, Innocent's hoof.

"Please, don't say it."

Skies sighed, before continuing in a quieter tone "Regardless, my men are fighting as we speak and I need to be there."

Earth stood slowly. "I know Skies, you're noble to a fault, but there is a more important task for you to take care of. You left your men in the care of Storm Front, Sif, and Crystal. We both know that they can hold their own."

Blue Line and Feather of Truth stepped up. "What's the task? Why can't we do it?"

Earth shook her head. "You can't cover more ground than Skies and out of everyone here, Skies is the most cunning."

Earth's saplings shivered, which only meant one thing. "I am afraid we are out of time, everyone."

"I feel it too, a large force led by Discord has entered the forest." Skies confirmed everyone's suspicions "I will engage immediately while Blue and Feather take the sides, Innocence, you'll remain in the rear as a medic as usual-"

"No." Earth commanded. "Leave this to us, you and Flowing Streams take the Elements and carry them to the Alicorns. With them, this long, grotesque war will come to an end." 

The Spirits of Duty and Valor nodded at one another before Blue Line chuckled with his usual cheesiness. "We'll hold him off while you put an end to all this."

Skies hugged everyone there, but hugged Earth a little longer. "Stay alive, okay?"

A tear rolled down her cheek. "I will see you again."

And with that Skies disappeared into a dark cave, followed closely by Flowing Streams. Both Spirits raced for days to reach the farm that hid the two foals.

When they finally reached their destination, Flowing Streams nudged Shattered Skies. "So what do they look like?"

"Huh? Who?"

"The foals, silly." 

Skies cocked his head. "Weren't you there when we found them in the rubble?"

Streams shook her head. "No, I was in Stalliongrad, smoothing over a treaty, the rescue was you, Stormy, Sif, and Leo."

Skies thought for a brief second and tsked. "You're right." He rubbed his eyes, exhausted from the days he went without sleep. "Anyway, they're typical foals, one has pink hair and the other, blue. They were small and they stink, like all babies."

Skies looked at Steams who was brooding, Skies loved to poke fun at her love of anything newborn. He went to continue pressing her buttons but when he looked up he saw a large stone structure in a valley with small lakes surrounded by mountains on all sides, the perfect place for anyone to hide.

"We're here." Skies said.

An old stallion saw the Spirits approaching and started walking with his young child before meeting them halfway across a field of dead, dry marsh. "Hail, Shattered Skies, Lord of the Forests, and Flowing Streams, Lady of the Rivers. How may I assist you?"

"Greetings, Fair Watch." Skies bypassed the formalities. "We brought your charges' gifts."

Watch nodded and turned to his grandson, Clever Watch. "Go and get the young-"

"No," Skies interrupted. "We are in a hurry, Watch, the less the foals know the better."

Fair Watch chuckled. "But the foals are young mares now my lord. Celestia has become strong, she works the field everyday and studies her heart out, learning the history of the world. Luna is doing just as well and has decided to pursue studies in magic and how to apply them to actual issues, she is is also a very spirited dancer. Both mares are individuals I'm sure you would be proud of."

Fair Watch saw the strain on the forest Spirit's face. "You aren't here just baring gifts, are you?"

Skies gave a heavy sigh. "No, the gems that are contained in my saddle are weapons for them to use against Discord, this is the destiny that the Maker has set forth for them, all that's left is for them to gain their strength and face him."

"You can't!" Watch raised his voice. "I-I raised them to live a better life, not fight that monster."

"I know." Skies said.

"You and the other Spirits can't just push your war on them because you can't settle things like rational beings!" Watch started straining his voice.

"I know."

"And what about Harmony? If she and the Maker were that powerful, why can't they handle him!"

"She can't, at least, not any more."

Streams looked at Skies change in demeanor when Watch brought up Harmony.

"Why didn't Harmony bring the gems herself?"

Skies levitated Harmony's gem from his saddle.

"No." Watch's eyes widened.

"Yes, while you live in this hidden valley, the rest of us have been fighting Discord and losing. Those mares are Equus' last chance at balance. If they don't fight and use the special power the Maker has bestowed upon them, then we are doomed."

Fair Watch understood the situation that they were in and watched Shattered Skies and Flowing Streams morph into regular ponies. Skies, being a huge silver Pegasus, wrapped a scarf around his head to obscure his features. Streams, being an earth mare with a merlot coat and a dark brown mane, clapped her hooves in delight. Before Watch could ask the reasoning he looked where the two Spirits were and saw two mares, Celestia and Luna, running to meet them.

"Before they get here, are their memories still blocked?" Flowing Streams asked Watch.

"Yes, they don't remember what happened to Alicorns at all." Watch said coldly, it was obvious that he disliked this fact.

"Uncle who are our visitors?" Celestia asked sweetly. "It's so rare to ever see anypony else."

Luna perked up. "Are they staying for dinner?"

Watch looked at Skies for a response, but he just shook his head. "Sorry girls, these are very busy ponies and have a job to do, they just brought by a package."

"For?" Celestia asked.

"You." Skies finally spoke, startling Celestia with his sudden deep voice.

Skies saw Luna slump slightly. "This gift is for both of you, but it's not something you can have now."

"Then when?" Luna asked, her smile being so sweet that it made Streams almost squeal in delight.

"When we return." Skies smiled at Luna and Celestia before levitating the saddle that held six gems over to Watch. "We will be back, but until then I will leave these in the hooves of your uncle."

Watch hoofed his saddle to the Alicorn sisters. "Here girls, put these in my room and no peeking, if you do then no desert for a month."

The two Alicorns nodded vigorously and scampered off in excitement.

"Why'd you cover your face?" Streams snarked.

"They would have recognized me without my scarf, I went into the capital in disguise and your disguise should never be figured out, it's how you can live a regular life." Shattered Skies replied in an annoyed tone.

Watch sighed at the bickering Spirits. "When will you be back?"

Skies looked at the clouds. "In sixty years, well into the twilight of your life. It will take me that long to weasel Discord into giving us an opening big enough for those two to make their move."

"Sixty years to prepare them for a battle that could end with them either winning or dying? Talk about suspense."

"I will try and get a Spirit or two here to help them with advanced studies." Skies turned to leave with Streams. "Until then, watch."

Watch bowed slightly. "My lord."

Streams and Skies ran until they were out of the valley. 

"Do you think we can get Discord to give us a big enough hole?" Streams asked.

"Yes, if he thinks that he is about to win the war with one last battle, he'll throw everything he can at me." Shattered Skies said absentmindedly.

"Wait, you?"

"Yes." Skies looked to the keep once more. "But before then, I'll try and teach them what I can to prepare them for not only that day, but life after it."
> Chapter 1 -Awakening-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Awakening-



Thousands of years had passed since Discord's defeat, ushering in the age of peace. The Spirits that once roamed the world are now known to song and myth. One Spirit, however, felt a pull to wake.

The spirit was resting inside one of the last remaining great trees, thinking about his life and asking himself the same questions he always asked. 'Should I retire or return to this world? It has been a great many years since I was sent here, longer than can be counted, surely it is time to retire? This time I believe it may be even warranted.'

He had been in a self-imposed exile for almost a thousand years while recovering from wounds both physical and spiritual that had been dealt to him by a moon stained force that threatened to bring the world to its knees. 'Was it defeated?'

But his original question still remained.

"Should I return to the world?" he asked out loud, stirring the spirits and animals around the great tree he inhabited.

Skies wasn't completely shut off from the world, for if something happened in his forest then he knew something of it, and just like he had promised, he intervened where he could.

However, for the past millennium, he had not been able to physically exert much power except for dropping a branch to frighten someone or raising a vine to hold someone back. On the rare exception when the need was dire he could pull together the leaves, vines, loose branches, and other detritus of the forest into a likeness of himself, an avatar or golem of sorts, allowing him to interact with the world. Unfortunately, such extensive exertions were short-lived and could not be maintained far from his resting place, because it would leave him tired and drained for a time.

One night, however, six mares ventured into his forest in search of an ancient enemy. The same enemy who had wounded him all those years ago.

She was back, altering trees, riling up animals, and generally trying to scare the mares off.

His anger grew at first but evaporated when they dispelled the ghouls by themselves. He paused in his daze, opting to remain, watching and waiting.

The events played out in a way that seemed oddly familiar to him but at the same time alien.

Ultimately, six mares became friends and managed to reunite two long lost sisters.

Incidents like this happened on and off for the next two or three years. At one point there were even some bug ponies that walked through his forest accompanied by their queen, but they didn't stay long so it didn't concern him much.

'Time to stop messing around.' He chided himself. Smiling, he gathered his energy and power so that he could walk amongst ponies once more.

Slowly, pressure built up in the tree before a violent break split the trunk in two.





A loud, resounding snap was heard through the woods surrounding a small pony settlement near the Everfree Forest.

Most of the town's residents stopped what they were doing and looked directly east to the risen sun with expectant or shocked looks, but none were more shocked than a small, yellow Pegasus who had been tending to her garden.

"I wonder what that was...what do you think, Angel?"

The white rabbit shrugged and started to look excited, but shivered a bit as he tried to hide it, which had not gone unnoticed by the trowel-wielding mare.

Then, as if things couldn't get any weirder, all of her woodland creatures ran into the forest as quickly as they could.

She took a second to wonder to herself what in Celestia's name was going on when, after a short moment, many of the animals of Ponyville started streaming past her as well.

"What in Equestria is going on?" she asked before shrugging and figuring that they had a reason.

She did hope that they'd come back soon. They will come back... right?





Animals raced through the forest, they didn't know the path, but they still knew the destination.

Deep within an unknown Forest, bordering on Rumbling Rock Ridge, is a valley known as the Foggy Vale. Hidden from the horizon by mountains, disguised from above by large pines, it is accessible only to those who are allowed to enter by the forest Spirit. It is a sacred place that houses one of the last great Elder trees and something even more precious within, a spirit in exile.

The Elder tree, old and weathered, wore an enormous crack in her trunk. A crack that grew and grew as the Spirit within stirred, trying to awaken. While squirming, memories rushed through his mind. One memory stood out like a torch amidst candles in the darkness, the day one mistake would change his life for thousands of years to come. Old, withered images flashed through his mind of the person he once was.





The memory began hazily, a young man climbs into his car and throws a messenger bag to the passenger seat with disgust. He had just lost another job and he now needed to return to his lousy apartment, in his broken down car, in order to feed his rotten cat. He looked at his final paycheck and gave a breathless laugh before shoving it into his shirt pocket, mumbling to himself about how to achieve success, one has to move past failure. Just, this time the words felt a little more hollow.

He arrived home in a daze. He entered his apartment without bothering to close the door behind him. He grew more and more somber as the clock ticked away the hours. His body straightened quite quickly and a unknown happiness seemed to course through him without any obvious explanation. 

Over the next week he gave away many of his belongings, even his grotesquely overweight cat, Meat Muffins. 

After disposing of his material possessions, he walked deep into the forest, a thoughtful look on his face, until he came to a ravine. It spoke kind words to him, this maw of the earth told him to relax, be at ease, his troubles were almost finished. 

Taking a moment to survey his surroundings, he inhaled slowly before letting it all out in a relaxed stream of air. The rains that pounded his town during the past month left the subtle smell of fresh soil and rain water.

"This is a good place." he said, talking to the tree perched at the edge as if they were old friends.

In the last moments of our life we often think of the things that we will miss. The tree, being an old weathered thing, had the scars of time ravaging its decaying body. As the man ran his hand over the carving of a heart with his initials in it, he remembered love, and loss.

He also thought about his family one last time, the same one he was leaving behind. His mother and father had been abusive. Regretting having kids, they left the young man to act as a rock for his sisters and brothers to lean upon. As for the parents themselves, both were now gone because of how they lived their lives in squalor, eventually it catches you. The man wanted to hate them, but didn't, he pitied them instead.

He pulled out a photo from his pocket, a photo of him and his five siblings, younger children he had raised in lieu of real parents. The picture had been sparked by his catching of a large fish during a competition. Once he had taken it in, his sister had thought it a great idea to capture the moment as a family. They were grown now though, some with their own families, and didn't need him anymore.

Shoving the picture deep into his pocket once more, he heaved deep and began to fashion the noose. His hands fought the actions, but continued anyway.

With one last sigh he wrapped it around his neck, he then tossed the rope around a higher branch before tying it off and standing on a lower one.

A step, a short drop, and a sudden stop, it seemed like such a quick and simple way out. He looked at the carving once more before coming to the realization that this wasn't at all the way he wished to be remembered.

Reaching over, he attempted to untie the rope from around his neck, but that was simply not the plan fate had in store for him.

As he shifted his weight, the wood beneath him buckled and the rope tightened around his neck. The seconds that should have been quick and painless became slow and agonizing minutes. The man scrabbled at the tree, trying to get a grip, but underneath him the branch broke off.

He kicked and thrashed, trying to lift himself by the rope, but he wasn't strong enough. 

As everything grew dark and distant, black spots formed in his field of vision. The world looked fragmented and cracked, like fragile glass hit with a rock. It lasted a second before the sky shattered into a uncountable pieces. The last thought that occurred to him was one of his youngest sister.





"Where am I?" 

The young man asked as he looked around. The light hurt his eyes and the wind tickled his skin. His pain and exhaustion started to fade and he felt sadness his chest. 

He looked around and found that a serene lake laid just beyond the treeline. Sluggishly, he pulled himself to it along the ground as his legs were too weak to support him. As he crawled, he noticed that his body was unclothed, but pushed it out of his mind until he could sip from the prisine.

'Just a little more.' He thought to himself with one last pull towards the lake. The reflection he sought, wasn't one he had expected.

As he looked into the reflection, he noticed that his reflection showed something much larger with golden eyes before it shimmered, showing his own face. The Man rubbed water over his eye and stared again, trying to see the golden eyed creature, but the ghostly image never showed.

Looking around, the Man noticed large, celestial planets in the sky. The air was crisp and everything was quiet; no low hum of electrical lines, nor the sound of any creatures, just silence. As he lay on the grass, a sound did start to make itself know, a quiet laughing.

"Ah, so, you've finally awoken." A large, white, horse with ornate, shining, golden armor cooed. Along with the armor the being sported both a horn and wings, with a mane of rolling fire flickering between her massive shoulders. "Now that you're awake... hey!"

The mare looked around, the naked Man she had been watching over for the past few days had turned and sprinted away from her.

"Get back here!" The mare commanded as she appeared off the side of his running path.

"No!" The Man barked as he changed direction and ran. Naked.

"I mean it!" The mare roared again as she appeared farther away. 

"No, you can't make me!"

"Want to bet?" The mare asked with a smile as she disappeared. 

Soon, the Man lost his fiery maned pursuer. He ran and ran until the scenery changed. The vast forest gave way to tropical vegetation. The lakes and streams he passed were overtaken by a large, crashing ocean. 

Tired from running, the Man slowed to a walk. His bare feet stung from running, oddly enough, however, they were still clean. He looked around and didn't notice the ledge he was walking towards until it buckled, taking him to the surf below.

A feeling of fear shot through him as it would any being suddenly plunging down from a high cliff. He slammed his eyes shut just before he plunged into the ocean, the warm water and taste of ocean assaulting him before he was able to break the surface for a breath of air.

A lush island filled with large trees and three identical mountains lay before him. He looked around and the land he had fallen from was now miles away. 'What?' 

He cast his eyes back to the island and knew he only had one way to go. 'I hope there is nothing there that will eat me.'

In no time he reached land and slowly dragged himself ashore. Interestingly enough he noticed that when he fully exited the warm water, his body seemed no more wet than when he was in the forest.

Looking around for any signs of life he spotted a raven sitting on a branch staring at him, its stare didn't falter until the man turned to it. It took flight and flew a wide circle around him and then into the forest. "That seems… odd?"

With a few, unsure steps, he found himself drawn to the bird.

After walking for what seemed like hours, around lakes and through the thick, island forest, he reached a clearing. In the clearing, a structure stood tall and untouched by the forest. Large white pillars and open air design starkly contrasted with the beach and plant life. Its regal design gave the impression of a temple, but the lack of statues and ornate fixtures contradicted the young Man's suspicions.

"What is this place?" He muttered. Curiosity having got the better of him he kept walking and strode through the two outermost pillars. "Maybe this is the afterlife and I really am dead?"

The instant his foot crossed the threshold of the temple, an explosion of fire and light filled his vision. He felt like he was falling as the brightness surrounded him, before sending him flying backwards onto his back.

“How dare you!" The blast of heat felt unreal. "How dare you take your own life when you have family who care for you?! Who are you to run from them, from me?!"  An amorphous Hellfire, roaring and pulsing, swirled and gathered in a ball at the center of the cove. Torrents of fire seeped up from the surrounding ocean and the sky turned hellish yellow.

"I think I pissed something off." He uttered to himself quietly, so as to not tempt the unknown force surrounding him.

"I am indeed 'pissed off,' young one!" The amorphous hellfire swirled and rushed in front of him, slamming down on four hooves as the fires receded back into her her mane. A slender neck extended high and two glowing eyes bore down on the Man, a gaze that He dare not meet.

Shielding his eyes, he prepared for what was his expected damnation. In an ironic turn of events he found himself rethinking his past actions before admitting to himself that he probably should have thought through his action before his untimely demise.

The blazing Mare took two steps towards the man before putting one limb forward as if preparing to pounce.

"I'm-I'm sorry!" The man shouted in terror, tears running down his cheeks.

"And what exactly are you sorry for?" the voice asked as she stood up from her crouched position. The being seemed to have a more feminine tone, when it wasn’t blowing out his eardrums.

"I-I gave up?" His voice turned from that of the condemned to the confused. His tone turned the statement into a question. Had one moment of weakness led him to commit the unthinkable?

"Hmm, didn't quite catch that. What did you say?" The feminine figure was clearly annoyed as it loomed over him.

"I said, giving u-AH!" He fell back again as he shrieked in surprise as the being that he had been talking to transformed into an enormous white horse with ornate, shining, golden armor. Along with the armor the being sported both a horn and wings, with a mane of rolling fire flickering between her massive shoulders.

"Do I scare you?"

"Little obvious, don't you think?"  

"Good, that means you won't run away again because you know I'll catch you." She cooed as she strode past the baffled Man. "Now, follow me."

She looked back and promptly rolled her eyes at his flabbergasted expression. She mumbled to herself, before taking him under her wing. "Great, I broke him." 

"It's okay now," she said soothingly. "I know this is a lot to take in, but trust me, you have an important job ahead, should you choose to accept it."

"What is going on!" He shouted, surprised at his scream when he finally recovered from his mental tailspin. He coughed and closed his hands around her wing before continued at a more acceptable volume. "Sorry, um, what happened to me?"

She pulled on her wing, managing to free it on the second try, she shook it like a soggy rag as if to dry tears off as she spoke.

"In short, you died." The Mare said in a cold tone. "To be more specific, you committed suicide."

"I can't go back, can I?" The Man asked as a matter of fact.

"No and with the passage of time, your body is now too decayed to repair, even for me." The Mare watched as the Man doubled over and started to dry heave. "Breathe."

The Man's tears refused to fall as he collapsed to his knees.

"Breathe, young man." The Mare warned as she lifted her hoof. After a a few seconds went by, she shot her hoof to the side and kicked him so hard he spun around and landed on his back. "I told you to breathe. I worked for a month to get you well enough to wake up, can't have you ruining that."

"I'm sorry, my mind kind of went blank."

He was cut off by a sudden hard slap from a massive, white wing that shot out from behind the Mare's head. Rubbing the side of his head, he came to his senses. The winged horse adjusted her own stance so she was once again in front and looking down upon him. "Better?"

"Yeah, I really can't go back, can I?" He looked to her for confirmation, but her sad look only furthered his realization as his emotions kept crashing over him like a tsunami.

"It's okay now." she said soothingly. "If you truly wish to make it up to those you have lost and make amends, then I have, well, a job of sorts for you, if you wish to take up the task."

The Man sat up and looked at here with reservation. He tried to speak, but his voice refused to make itself known, so meekly, he nodded his head.

"I am nurturing a world, one that is as different as the one before, but better. I am in need of someone who can act as a warden of the forests. A spirit, custodian, and a friend to animals, if you will." She said as she turned to him, locking her shining blue eyes with his. "The job is yours if you will have it."

"What's the alternative?" The man asked.

"Your soul goes into the ether and chooses its own coarse." 

His brow furrowed in confusion. He tried to organize his thoughts before he spoke. "I can't imagine you look kindly on what I did. What makes me so deserving?"

She looked at him incredulously, believing the choice was clear. "You're patient. Aside from having the qualities I seek, I came upon you in the moment you gave up. Until that day a few months ago, you were steadfast." 

"Lotta' good that did." He said plainly. That earned him a hard slap across the back of the head, and while he was cringing from the hit he spat out. "Ouch, okay, take it easy, hothead. If you watched me for as long as you claimed, then I know you saw my amazing inability to keep a job for more than a few years. I could literally list you two minutes of burned job experience. You see where I'm going with this."

The Mare's eyes cast downward onto the Man as she sat near a large, stone slab. "I see where you're going with this, but I believe you do not."

"What?"

"What do all those jobs have in common?" The Mare asked 

Silently, the Man understood and nodded his head. "Lack of pension and a lot of frustration?"

"No... what?" The mare shook her head, confused. "What?"

"Nothing. Was is patience?" The man zipped his lip and stood by, silently. 

"Very good. Now the hard part." she said, saying the last part under her breath. "You also took the responsibility of raising your brothers and sisters and watched after them. That in and of itself deserves recognition."

Deciding to get down to business, he squared his shoulders and met her gaze. "Okay. So, when do I start?"

This caused her to turn serious.

"First, I must tell you what you will gain and lose if you choose to-" she was cut off by the dismissive wave of a hand.

"Putting aside the fact that I am currently talking to a myth and staving off a mental breakdown-"  He was cut off by a wave of steam snorted in his face.

"It's Alicorn, Rudolph. Not myth, got it?" She corrected him while sipping a cup of tea that appeared from nowhere.

"Right, Alicorn." The Man took a few steps toward the edge of the temple. "Things have already changed for me, I may as well see where I'm going next." He said, to which she nodded.

"That they have, Mr.#̧̭̬͂#͇̞̫̟̙̟̾̔̇̄̊̅̓#̺͍̣̒̀̂ͅ#̠͇͔͈̞̭ͪ̎̇̿͌ͫ#̫͙̝́̀̿͂#͍͉̃̓#̘̪͇̬͔͊̿͆ͅ#̭̜͔ͯ."

Much time had passed since the first meeting, and the spirit had developed an extreme dislike of his former name. Regretfully, this had caused him to forget portions of his former self, including his name. Only a distorted impression of noise had remained through the millennia.

"How did you know my name?" The Man demanded as he looked over at the Equine Deity and backed away cautiously. 

As he took a step back, the realization trickled in that he had just yelled at what could quite possibly been a deity, a being who had the power to incinerate him without a thought or throw him around like a rag doll in a dryer. He slowly shrank from his rigid pose. 

However, the mood lightened up a bit when she laughed.

"Mr.#̧̭̬͂#͇̞̫̟̙̟̾̔̇̄̊̅̓#̺͍̣̒̀̂ͅ#̠͇͔͈̞̭ͪ̎̇̿͌ͫ#̫͙̝́̀̿͂#͍͉̃̓#̘̪͇̬͔͊̿͆ͅ#̭̜͔ͯ, as I have said, I have been watching you for a long time, along with the rest of your world. Our dimensions lie close to one another, and at times they cross. That is when I pick out the gems, and maybe a couple hunks of coal to balance my world."

She sat up and teleported the Man to her, wrapping Him in a wing once more, and guided his face to look up at the sky.

The sky shifted and things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass flew across his field of vision, and soon there was too much shooting past to comprehend.

"In truth, I show you this so that I may guide you into becoming a warden of the forests, but ultimately the decision is yours. There will come a day where I may no longer hold sway over Equus-"

He looked up at the Maker's words.

"Equus?" His questioning face turned to her again, his face neutral, wanting to know.

With a smile and a quieter voice, she started speaking again.

"Yes, Equus is the name I've given to it. A place that needs someone that will watch over the forests and nature. Hope you like dirt and no air conditioning." She stated tiredly, eyes closing peacefully.

The two beings sat in silence until the Man looked out onto the horizon. He playfully sneered. "I haven't given you my answer yet. Isn't it a tad brazen to assume I'll take the job?" 

"I know you will, it is written on your face. Trust me, I have been doing this for a while now." she said, giving him a weary yet mischievous smile and bumping his side with a wing. "I have spent much time looking for the right beings to fill the roles that must be filled."

"Guess I'm the man for the job." He smiled up at her. She snorted in response.

A hoof went to her chest as her she took a sudden intake of breath and looked down at him with a slight smile. "So humble." She feigned being stunned for a moment before resuming her strict stoic tone. "Though you won't be a man much longer. As a spirit of the forest, your new power cannot inhabit your current form, but there are a few perks, for instance, getting to live forever."

"That sounds more an inconvenience than a perk." The man mumbled, being comically morbid. "Wait."

His expression shifted to one bordering on panic. There is only one thing that he knows that lasts that belongs in a forest.

"You're turning me into a tree!" He shouted before getting a face full of fiery tail.

She twitched her head, looking like she was trying to get rid of a fly. When she chose him to take up the job, she hadn’t expected him to be so odd. "What? No. Not only a wise choice but an entertaining one at that."

She smirked, looking as if a weight on her soul had been lifted, even if only for a moment. "You will take a form similar to mine."

"So, what will I be, exactly? A shrub?"

She scoffed in amusement. "Hah! Sure, monkey boy."

This Alicorn seemed leagues away from the prim and proper being he had believed her to be. She felt like a good friend that you could talk to, the same kind of friend that would barge into your house without warning, but would then spend all their time with you because there is nowhere they'd rather be.

After a brief moment of silence, she touched her horn to his head and magic started to pour in. He experienced no pain or pleasure, but rather a feeling akin to a rush of warm water followed by a dive into a cool river. Eventually, the feelings of wetness disappeared, leaving him with a sense of normality, and a slight worry that he wasn't worthy and she hadn't done anything to him after all.

"Wha'th'fu..." The Man gurgled before shakily rising. Wobbling slightly, he looked down.

"Be careful, you've been given much control and a great volume of knowledge." The Maker warned. "It will take time, but you will master it, until then, you must be exceedingly careful not to hurt anyone."

"Claws?" he asked before he lumbered past the Alicorn to the calm waters nearby.

As he looked into the reflection, he saw an quadrupedal figure with a brown coat with a leafy green mane that ran halfway down his back, between a set of wings, they were large with leaf patterned feathers. His tail feathers, however, were long and striped like a bird of prey. He looked at himself more and found antlers made of wood growing out of his head. “What is this?”





It was in the midst of this discovery that he made another observation. His eyes burned golden amber and were the size of baseballs. As he stared, the pupils contracted into slits before dilating again.

There was a terrible itching sensation all over his body, and he noticed that a green moss had started to spread across his coat like some sort of fungus. As he watched, it started to form into plates, gradually hardening into a chitin-like shell with a shade of white usually reserved for dead trees.

Once he collected himself, he examined his body further, finding an odd mark on his leg that traced all the way down to his back hooves. It resembled roots of some kind, wrapping around his leg in jagged lines.

"What the hell?" he asked, quietly looking over his newfound self.

"This is your new form, my little reindeer." she giggled with a excitement as she walked up to stand by his side. "You are now a warden of the horror and beauty that is nature, and your duty is to protect and manage the forests of Equus." she proclaimed. "But a word of warning to you, young one. While I gift you with great power and a great responsibility, you are not invincible. There will be times when you must fight, and during such times, you must remember this fact-"

The Spirit nodded. "You're only a man." 

She looked around and cautiously stated. "No, I'm pretty sure you're a forest spirit now."

"No, I was just quoting the servant of an emperor. Nevermind." he grumbled, realizing he had said the quote out loud.

She chuckled at his embarrassment. In truth, she knew the quote, but she liked the teasing. "Now, we need to give you a proper name for your station. How about Ardennes?"

"Shattered Skies." The new spirit said, the sky shattering being the last thing he remembered.

"Ardennes? Did you say something?" She asked, unsure if she'd heard him voice an opinion or not.

"Shattered Skies." He announced. "It is to remember why I have my duty as a warden of nature. Even though this mark doesn’t look like shattered glass."

She mulled over his choice of name for a while. The name was sort of macabre, considering she alone knew the inspiration for it, yet it held a deep meaning for this individual. After a couple minutes of deliberation with herself, she made up her mind. "Yes, your name will be Shattered Skies. Is there anything that you would like to ask me to provide before I send you off?"

Kind of too much, too soon. Maybe I should ask her what she needs. He shook his head and replied. "Maybe just some answered questions."

"I will answer to the best of my ability. You have but to ask." she responded, raising an eyebrow. 

Good, maybe I can get some clarity. He thought. "Who exactly are y-"

He was cut off by a large, white hoof being placed over his lips.

"All but that one. Trade secret." She said, winking.

"Fine. Is there any way I can have a different form? This one may scare people, and that would make my job quite a bit harder."

She smirked. "Oh, you don't like the form that I have given you?"

"You know that isn't the case, ’Mom.'" Her eye twitched a little at the joke. "I like the form and the new life that you're giving me, it's just that this form is a bit... intimidating, and it would make it hard to sneak around, if need be. If this is a planet with beings, give me leeway."

She motioned for him to sit at a table she conjured and poured him some tea.

"I've done this for a few Spirits already. I could give you the ability to take the form of any creature, though Equus is not ready for more of them-"

"What would you suggest?" Skies asked. 

She mulled it over, taking a careful sip from her own cup.

"Mortal civilization has yet to grow up on the planet, but the day will come when the spark of civilization comes to lift them to their full potential. One day they will make settlements and if you want to live among them that is your choice. I can give you any disguise you want. However, once you choose a form, you will be stuck with it." she said, stirring honey into her tea. "I could transform you into whatever you wish, and all you’ll need to do is envision the pony or creature you wish to look like."

"I would appreciate that very much." He puffed up. “Is it at random?”

She smirked and nodded at his antics and leaned over, once again touching her horn to his forehead. A tingling sensation quickly spread over his body before dissipating. "There, done."

After a short while of silence while they sipped their tea, the Alicorn looked up, and with a look of finality on her face, asked. "Are you ready, Shattered Skies?"

He looked back at her, already dedicated to his new cause. "Pretty much."

The alicorn rose to her hooves and brushed her wing over Shattered's mane, ruffling it. "Follow me."

After about a quarter of an hour's worth of awkwardly stumbling on his new legs, the duo arrived at a whirlpool. Images appeared to flash by in the swiftly whirling waters.

These images were mostly of ponies doing a vast array of different of things, some of them good, some of them not so good.

Two ponies raced by while leaves swirled in their wake, almost appearing to charge down into the maelstrom.

A man finding a box and looking into it with a startled expression on his face. Then that same man, much older, lying on his death bed, clutching a photo album to his chest.

A griffin fighting a large dragon, then a bright light taking off into the sky.

A group of mares gathered around the broken body of a man.

The same mares gathered around the statue of an Alicorn, openly weeping.

A man with wings and armor who was quite visibly pissed off, then a his daughter with similar pair of wings, sharing the same armor and expression.

A million more images like this flew by, swiftly being conceived and consumed by the water, each one filling him with a different emotion, until he felt as if every emotion conceivable was raging inside his chest.

"Wh-what is this?" he stammered.

"The life stream. It is the culmination of the past, present, and future. It is how I watch and guide Equus, and it is how I will guide you." she stated with pride. "All that's left for you is to dive in."

"I have one more question."

"What is on your mind."

"How many other Spirits are there?" Skies asked as he looked into the whirlpool to see the many faces of Spirits he has yet to meet. "Some look more powerful than others."

"That is something you have to discover for yourself." The Maker smiled. "But do not fret, you will do fine. Once you arrive, seek out the Earth Elemental, she will guide you and I suspect you two will be fast friends."

"Elemental?"

"Yes, there are four Elementals and above them are Harmony and Discord." The Maker waved a hoof to show the two Spirits in the whirlpool.

Skies smiled. "Anyone above those two?"

"An answer for another time." 

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Skies stepped forward and looked straight into the vortex. Right before dropping into the maw of time, he turned with one last question to the mare who had surprisingly discarded her armor in favor of light regalia. "I know it's a 'trade secret', but please, who are you?"

She smiled, knowing it was a rhetorical question, but decided to answer regardless.

"You know who I am, Skies. I'm #̫̮̺̦͍̽ͫ#̶̥̻͔͇̤̿͑̽ͅ#̠̜͖̰̟̽ͨ̂ͭ̈́͝#̡͇̟͓̃̃̈́̉#͕͓̖̟̋͑̐̏ͅ#̹͌͜ ̖̥̻͙̇̔ͬͥ̊ͭ̑#̜̐̉#͔͈̉̾̐#̯̗̼̦̹#̝͓̙̦̋͟#̧̮̗̂̑. My door is always open to you, come have tea sometime."

The last part of the memory consisted of her stepping up and giving him a warm hug.

Then the sudden feeling of being shoved backwards.





A great many animals surrounded a great tree deep in the forest. A tree that had a visibly growing crack in it, causing the tree to groan and snap from the movement.

After a few minutes passed, the tree split open and out seeped a Spirit covered in sap.

He stood and shook a bit, before wandering over to a nearby lake to clean off.

He was surrounded by thousands of animals who had never met him. One by one all the animals started to bow.

Once cleaned off, the stallion walked back up to the mound in front of the great tree, sat down and looked out over the supine animals. Unbeknownst to them, he hated the bowing. He was the spirit of the forest, not the king. 'Never a king.'

He cleared his throat.

"Greetings, my honored guests." He waved to the crowd with a raised hoof. "Please rise. It is my privilege to be among you once again. As you all know, I am the spirit of the forest, and I have been gone... for the better part of the past thousand years. I understand that some of you have business to attend to, so I ask that you to return to it now or sometime soon so that your companions will not worry. I sense that a couple of ponies have entered my forest looking for you."

After a moment about fifty of the animals left. Once they had left the sanctuary, he spoke once more. "Good. Do any of the remainder of you know where the wolf spirits are?"

As if on queue, a large, white wolf swaggered her way through the multitude of animals. As she reached the front, she stopped and spoke to him in the way that one would to an old friend.

"Many of us died in the war, Skies, you know that as well as I. We still remain, but we're spread thin, especially after your little 'nap.'" She grinned, making a show of revealing row after row of glinting teeth.

Smirking, Skies was relieved that his friend had made it out after he had been dealt his near fatal wound.

He rose and was pulled into an embrace by the large mother wolf. He squeezed back just as fiercely.

"Sif, it's very good to see you again. This takes care of so many steps for my return." He said as she chuckled then returned a statement of her own.

"Yes, we all know you'd be dead or stuck as a weed without me." She winked. The two released their embrace and sat down next to one another.

Skies turned once more to the gathered crowd.

"I thank all of you for the honor of your appearance." He gestured to the ruins of what was once his hideout from the world. "You are all free to use this place as your home, you are all safe here."

Every creature in the sanctuary bowed, and began preparing their leave.

Sif glanced towards Skies and asked. "So, no crazy stuff? No checklists or anything that causes head trauma?"

He looked over and gave her a quick half-smile. "No, not this time. I just want to relax and live my life a little. Plus, I'm tired of fighting." Sky turned to Sif. "What has happened since my exile?"

"I can only tell you basic things, most of which you are probably already aware of. If you want specifics, there is an owl that lives in Ponyville’s library named Owl... ah, something or other. I'm sure he can sate much of your curiosity." She replied as they stood and walked off through a nearby waterfall.

They stopped in front of a chasm, and she sat down next to the slightly smaller form of Shattered Skies disguise, Skyfall, a silver-gray pegasus with blue hair, but the same eyes so Sif could always tell who it was.. 

"I see you wasted no time is disguising yourself, Skyfall," said Sif.

"Excellent! Yes, bring to me this Owl-something!" Sky proclaimed with a raised hoof, completely ignoring his friend’s statement. Sif covered her face with a large paw in response.

She laughed. "You're such a dork."

He put down his hoof and smirked while opening several jars whose seals were covered with carved symbols, a barely visible glow coming from the grooves. As he gathered the materials for some tea, he looked over to Sif.

"What is 'Ponyville?'"

"It is a town filled with ponies. You remember those. Weird technicolor creatures that fear anything non-pony," Sif spat in annoyance.

"Peaceful?"

"Kinda. The town gets attacked by large creatures regularly and weird stuff tends to happen."

"Ah, well, sounds like the perfect place to try and live a normal life I guess."

"You're just saying that 'cause you're too lazy to walk farther."

"Sif! I am completely shocked and appalled at your accurate and factual statement!" Sky feigned offense before they both burst out laughing. 

Sif brought Skyfall into a hug. "It's good to have you back."

"It's good to be back."

"When you got hit I thought yo-"

Sky put his hoof on Sif's snout. "Shh, that was then, and I'm perfectly fine now."

Sif straightened herself out. It had been years since she left the forest. She had gone into hiding in case their enemies were hunting them. Sif had a life debt owed only to Sky, and she never felt like she fulfilled it, despite him saying she was always free to go.

"So, where to next, Sky?" 

"Nowhere. I go to Ponytown-"

"-ville." Sif corrected.

"Ponyville, thank you, and live in retirement. You should go and be with your kin." Skyfall knew that it was Sif's dream to revive her tribe and reestablish their culture.

"No, I am not going to leave your side, Sky."

"Sif, you're a nine foot long, grey wolf. You will scare off the ponies." Sky said trying to dissuade her.

"There is a potion I can drink that will make my form like a pony’s." Sif said. "I have been looking for the recipe for years, and I know I am close to finding it."

Sky sighed. "I would never abandon you, Sif. If you want to live in Ponyville with me, then I will respect your wishes."

Sif sighed in relief. "Good, until then I shall live in the forest and watch over you."

The two sat down for tea before Sky asked. "Do you know where Ponyville is?"

Sif shrugged. "I'm sure one of these woodland creatures know."

“Let’s get going then.”
> Chapter 2 -First Step-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-First Step-


Shattered Skies and Sif looked over the small village of Ponyville. Both had different opinions on its appearance; Skies thought it was a nice little village that would be ideal for a peaceful life, while Sif, on the other hoof, thought it looked too sheltered from the rest of the world.

"Tch"

"Oh, come on. It's not that bad." Skies deadpanned.

"You sure you don't want to look around for a better place to live? I heard that Arctic Wind is living near the Yaks. Wanna see if he’ll help you find a place?"

"He's still alive? Wow. No, he has a bad temper, plus that's too far." Skies waved a hoof dismissively. "Ponies nowadays can't be all that bad."

"You haven't seen the ways ponies have acted over the past thousand years." Sif scoffed. "Your consciousness has been bound to this one forest and you likely have only seen glimpses of the few ponies that dared enter it."

"True. Still, you should not make broad generalizations about creatures based on the acts of the few." Skies said before draping a wing over his companion.

"I know." Sif hummed while resting her head against Skies. "You should go, the sun is about to rise."

Skies transformed into his pegasus disguise and looked to the horizon. "Indeed, when I find a place, I will let you know. I wonder if my money is still accepted, it is a little old."

"I can take care of getting your money. It's gold, so it should still be accepted." Sif sighed knowing that the trek to get his funds would take some time. 

"Those sisters probably burned down my estate after my exile." Sky said, more as a statement than a musing.

"Yes, however, your basement and many of your belongings remained hidden."

"How so? I thought-" Sky's mind coursed with images of Luna and Celestia and of the event that lead to his exile. 

As her friend began to take upon a look of illness, Sif rushed to Skyfall's side. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, it's just… It's just that I saw memories of Luna, before she stabbed me. What happened after that?"

Sif wore a small frown. "You probably have some memory loss from the trauma you received."

Sif sat down and sighed heavily. "That night when you were..." Sif stopped and mentally reeled, the pain of not being there and almost losing a friend weighed heavily on her mind. "That night when you were driven through by Luna's blade, I, along with many of my kin, arrived the second you collapsed. We went into a frenzy and charged Luna, causing her to swing madly at us. I was able to get you out and to an Elder tree. Luna then fell to her dark side and became Nightmare Moon. After a fierce battle, Celestia used the Elements of Harmony-"

"Tch." Sky hated the very mention of the items, Harmony's sacrifice never sat well with him and he still resented Celestia for using them.

Sif, sensing no further comment, started again. "Celestia used the Elements and sealed Luna in the moon, a sentence that ended a few years ago."

"I'm guessing that’s what was roaming my forests a few years ago."

"That's the way I hear it." Sif deadpanned. 

Skyfall nodded. "We'll save that for another time. Time to go burn villages and plunder treasure."

Sif chuckled at Sky's antics. "It's good to have you back, Sky."

Skyfall had already started walking away before yelling back to Sif. "Say that in a week and I'll take it as a compliment."

After walking for about twenty minutes, Sky finally reached the village of Ponyville. It was quiet and filled with ponies flitting about their morning activities. Ponies greeted each other and made casual chit chat about the current day’s weather and activities. The ponies that passed Skyfall seem a little wary, and a mother even shielded her foal from walking past him at one point. 

Sky stopped and looked around. "Yep, seems like a good village, even if Sif may have been right about ponies and their lack of trust. Now all I have to do is find a real estate agent or something."

Sky looked around. I wonder, if I ask will the ponies run away in terror? Sky spotted a yellow filly and a red stallion setting up an apple stand. "Ah great, a father and daughter. Maybe they'll help." 

Sky started his labored walk towards the duo and stopped behind the stallion. "Um, sir could you point me towards a real estate agent." Sky sat there and waited. When he received no reply, Sky swallowed and let his even, baritone voice rumble so the stallion would hear him. "Sir."

The voice startled the filly who looked up in surprise.

"Excuse me miss, my name is Skyfall, may I-" 

Sky was cut off as the filly punched her father. "Big Mac! Ah think this s-stallion was tryin tah ask you somethin!"

"Ah'm sorry there fella, I got caught up in these... stand directions." The stallion called Big Mac jolted and stammered while his eyes met Skyfall's, making the realization that this Skyfall had a full head on him.

"That's quite alright sir, I just wanted to know where a real estate agent is." Skyfall said politely. Skyfall began to grow uneasy under the stares of the two ponies. He looked himself over, confirming that he was, in fact, still disguised.

Big Mac shook his head. "Sorry fer starin' mister, it’s just yer bigger than most of the ponies that come through here."

Skyfall chuckled and put his hoof on the back of his head. "Yeah I get that a lot." No I don't. 

The stallion nodded. "Well mister, my name is Big Mac and this here-" he gestured to the filly "-is Applebloom, my little sister."

Whoops. That’s his sister not his filly. Sky thought, and mentally sighed in relief. "I am Skyfall, I am new to town."

"Ah guessed as much, Ah'm very good with remembering faces and your’s is one Ah haven't seen before." Mac said matter of factly, all the while, Applebloom was struggling to appear uninterested in their conversation.

"Yep, I wanted a change in scenery, so I decided to look for a place to settle down.. Ponyville seems peaceful enough so I thought  ‘why not?’" A shrug of his wings punctuated his statement.

"Eeyup, few places in Equestria are like Ponyville." Big Mac chuckled, knowing Ponyville had its own share of monsters and freak accidents. Big Mac tried glancing at Skyfall's cutie mark but the saddle bags obscured it. 

"I enjoy peace and relaxation, hopefully I can get that here."

"Just retired?" Big Mac asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Y-Yes, how did you know?" Sky looked at himself again confirming he was Skyfall and not Shattered Skies.

Big Mac chuckled. "Lucky guess. Ya said ya wanted a peaceful place and usually when a stallion says that, they're retired. Judging from yer size, I bet you were a royal guard."

Not gonna acknowledge the guard comment... "I am retired, you're good. Anyway, I'm sorry to cut this short Mr. Mac, but could you point me towards the nearest real estate agent?"

"We have none of those, Mr. Fall, but the mayor would be able to help you." 

"Excellent, where would he-"

"-She," Big Mac interrupted.

"She be?"

Big Mac nodded. "Applebloom, show Mr. Fall where the mayor's office is."

Applebloom's eyes shot between her brother and Skyfall. "But Big Maaaac, Ah have a crusader meeting soon!"

Big Mac gave her a stern look. "Now Applebloom, ya can go visit yer friends when you're done."

"Fine." Applebloom looked at Skyfall sheepishly. "Let's go mister."

The walk from the stand was a little too quiet for Skyfall’s taste. Applebloom seemed scared of him, something that he lamented over briefly. Skyfall disliked when innocent ponies were intimidated by him. With a sigh, Sky decided to break the ice.

"So, you're a crusader?"

Applebloom's face lite up. "It's a club me and mah friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo have where we crusade to help ponies find there cutie marks!"

Sky felt that the filly had an obsession for the idea, if her enthusiasm was anything to go by. "Do you girls go on a lot of adventures?"

Applebloom’s beaming smile wilted slightly. "Yeah, but mah sister gets really mad sometimes when we mess up. A lot of adults say we shouldn't be so rushed tah find em, but we wanna get em now!"

Sky chuckled at Applebloom’s attitude about being shut down by her sister. "Lemme guess, over protective brother and sister who boss you around?"

"Yeah! How'd ya know?"

Sky smirked while thinking about his arguments with his younger siblings. "Oh, I know those tricks."

"Yer alright, mister." Applebloom said.

"I'm glad you think so, now all I need to do is convince the rest of Ponyville." Sky sighed while looking around, more ponies had woken up to walk around this village and that meant more ponies were eyeing him, though with varying results. Some treated him cautiously as one would a foaming stray dog, others with mild interest. "Your village seems very... untrusting, to say the least."

"Ah know, they all are afraid of random ponies or creatures that aren’t what they’re used too. Zecora was treated like a villain for the longest time before we finally met her." Applebloom got an idea, causing her to leap into the air, "Oh ah know! Me and the other crusaders can introduce you to ponies and get you acq-acquin-"

"Acquainted?"

"Yeah!"

"That sounds lovely Applebloom, though I’m afraid I can't." Sky said smiling.

"Awww, why?"

"We're here and you have a meeting to get to. In fact we've passed this building twice, you might be late." Sky said as he saw a pony who was presumably the mayor, entering the building with her assistants. 

"AH! You're right. Bye, mister Skyfall!" Applebloom said while scurrying off into the distance.

Good kid. Sky sighed and entered the circular town hall, knocking on the wood frame. "Anyone home?"

The assumed mayor's ears perked up at the noise before walking over with her head buried in a scroll. "Yes how may I help you...mister, wow."

How many ponies are going to look at me like a freak? Sky sighed internally before asking a question he already knew to break the ice. "Hello miss, I am looking for the mayor."

"I am her. Mayor Mare at your service, Mister...?"

"I’m Skyfall, I want to see if it is possible to move into your village." Sky said.

"Ah, a new resident!" The Mayor clapped her hooves before retrieving a paper and quill from a nearby desk. "Tell me, where are you coming from?"

Without thinking Sky responded honestly. "The Everfree."

The Mayor's quill tapped quietly. "The Everfree? That place is dangerous, why would you have lived there? No one lives there."

Mentally facepalming, Sky realized that the Everfree must be feared by now without a medium to keep its inhabitants under control. "I'm sorry, I misunderstood. I meant I passed through the Everfree when I got lost, I am originally from-" Sky paused briefly, he had not been integrated into Equestrian society long enough to know what countries were still around. Knowing this he decided to take a leap. "Neighpon?"

"You're neighponese?" The Mayor asked curiously, her new resident didn't look foreign enough to be Neighponese. Neighpon has not interacted with the world powers for at least the past hundred years, so seeing a native was rare.

"Half Neighponese. My mother was Neighponese, and my father was from Clydesdale." 

"Ah, that certainly explains your size." The Mayor looked Sky over and shook her head in an attempt to bring herself back to business. "So, you're seeking a house?"

"Preferably."

"Anything in mind?" The Mayor asked. "We have a few in the village, but they're usually unpopular."

Sky nodded, guessing said houses to be next to noisy neighbors; something Sky wanted to avoid. "I'm looking for something that can fit my size. Something with a few rooms."

"We have some houses that border Whitetail woods, those are some of the bigger ones."

Expensive. Sky thought. "Anything else?"

"We do have one other house, but it can never hold a pony for longer than a few days."

It’s probably too small or something. Sky nodded once more. "Well, I’m definitely interested. How about a tour?"

Four hours… Fours hours and nothing to show from it. 

Every house so far turned out to be a nightmare. All the houses for sale in Ponyville were placed in unfortunate locations. One of the houses we looked at was next to a DJ who was into dubstep and classical way too much, while another was next to a boutique that saw a lot of pony traffic. The remainder of the houses were too small for Sky, so the Mayor didn't bother with a tour.

Next the Mayor took Sky to the houses, or rather mansions, next to Whitetail woods. Both mansions were property of a stallion called Filthy Rich, so he could rent them to ponies and make more money than he really needed. He charged friends high amounts, but would charge outsiders even more, so the properties went unused.

The Mayor sat down outside the second Mansion. "So, do you want to know the prices before we proceed?" 

Sky looked at the Mayor. "Ma'am, if I had to ask, it's too much." 

The Mayor nodded. "Well then, Mr. Fall, I am sorry, but we have no more homes unless you want to build one."

"That is unfortunate. I'm guessing the one you have that can't hold any residents is too small?"

The Mayor looked surprised. "No, it's actually an estate."

Sky turned his head in confusion. "That's odd, what turns all the ponies away then?"

The Mayor shuffled her hooves. "Its um.."

"Um what?"

"J-Just forget it, Mr. Fall. You wouldn't be interested in it anyway. It's next to the Everfree. The estate is slowly being taken back by the forest."

The Mayor tried to walk away, but Sky blocked her escape. "Surely you can tell me what happened. You have me interested now."

Mayor Mare shook her head. "I'm sorry, after the last few times I am afraid that somepony will get hurt living there."

"Sold." Sky said happily, knowing what her reaction would be.

"Are you crazy?! It's It's-"

"It's?"

Mayor Mare inhaled violently. "Under Equestrian law, Title XLII, Chapter 733, Section 626 (12) (E), I can't sell you a house until you have seen it and inspected it thereby freeing the property owner, I.E. me, from any wrongdoing or fraud in said homes’ sale to you, Mr. Skyfall. I can't show you the house because of the state that it is in. It is a hazard to walk through, because it has been over ten years since it’s had any maintenance done. The issues with the house vary, but the main problem is that it is haunted.

The Mayor looked over at Skyfall who was busy staring at her with a half smile. "Haunted you say?"

"Yes." She lowered her head. She hated that even demolition crews wouldn't go near it. Thankfully the estate was now partially hidden behind trees and a hill, so it wasn't that much of an eye sore.

"Let's go take a look."

Mayor Mare backpedaled, panic to seeping into her expression.  

Sky, however, was not afraid to go and take a look. He has met ghosts before, and they were usually wronged individuals seeking peace, much like Sky himself. "Then I’ll go by myself and I’ll meet you at, say, your office?"

"But-But Title XLII, Chapter 733!"

"Yes, yes. Chapter 733 with the sections and things." Sky smiled while patting her on the head. "I'm a big boy, Mayor. Plus I've been around the block. Trust me, I'll be safe and sound."

Sky walked in the direction the defeated Mayor pointed. He wondered to himself if the house was actually haunted or just an outlet to all the ponies’ paranoia. 

The estate was located along the Everfree forest bordering Whitetail woods, far away from Ponyville. When Skyfall crested a hill, he saw an all too familiar grey blur in the tree line; Sif was hard to miss even if you weren't looking for her. As he neared, she stood and exited the tree line with three smaller wolves.

Sif walked quickly once Sky was close enough. "We have a problem."  

"Listen. She was a Gemini, I, a Libra. It was a one night fling, I swear it'll never happen again." Sky put his hooves up in mock fear.

The smaller wolves cackled and looked at their annoyed mother-figure before she growled. "This is no laughing matter, be serious."

Sky deadpanned. "Well, hello to you too, dear."

After a moment of silence passed, Sky nodded. "What's wrong?"

Sif clicked her teeth signaling another wolf to emerge from the Everfree. "While patrolling around and meeting up with more of my kin, we met a pack of some kind of creature. They attacked on sight, but their power in numbers was no match for ours, and most of them were destroyed. We saved one body and brought it back."

The wolf dropped a pile of logs at Skyfall's hooves. "A pack?"

"Yes, a pack. They were wolves made of wood. Do you know anything about this?"

"No. Were there any more out there?"

"Yes." 

Sky sighed. "Great. Let's put this off and get to where I'm going."

"Where would that be?"

Sky smiled widely. "Our new home, honeybuns."

The affectionate nickname caused the wolves to giggle. Sif, on the other hoof, curled her lips into a scowl.

"Sorry, I have a thousand years of playing to make up!" 

Sky trotted down the old, worn path. A cold wind grew stronger the farther Sky ventured. Sky’s ears lost track of the soft padding of his companion, so he slowed to allow Sif to catch up. Sky started to see why the ponies thought this place was haunted. He wasn't even there yet and all the signs of a bad horror movie started to play out. He yelped when he ran into a chest high stone wall. Sky rapidly scanned his surroundings and discovered a stone pillar emblazoned with text too worn to read. “I guess we’re here.” 

Sky looked out on the small valley, and saw the object of the Mayor’s fears. The house stood tall in the distance, with a field of dead grass surrounding it. Unlike the rustic, country style of the village, this house was medieval in design. The large house sat by the forest, standing three stories tall with what looked to be a chimney coming out of one side. The whole house looked to be made of stone with wooden beams throughout its design for support. The outer walls of the bottom floor were slightly different in that they were made of cobblestone instead of a smoother stone. The main building had many smaller interconnected buildings branching off to the sides. 

He walked through the field to the house, and gave the outside a thorough look; it was dirty and a few walls were in desperate need of replacing. He turned to see the field between the house and forest. The Everfree hadn’t quite taken as much of the property as the Mayor had implied, but not for a lack of trying. Sky nodded heartily. "This will do."

Sif deadpanned. "It's a dump."

"It's perfect-"

"-ly horrid."

"Sif, why do you always gotta attack things that I like?" Sky sighed.

"Someone needs to." Sif chuckled. "Anyway, what's next, buying the estate?"

"Yes, but first things first." Sky looked around slowly and reverted back to Shattered Skies. In his disguised form Skies could only use a fraction of his power, but in his normal form, he could use his abilities to their greatest extent. He breathed in slowly, dropping the disguise, and scanned the Everfree for as far as he could in search of the wooden wolves Sif talked about.

Sif looked at Skies, he was nearly eye level with her. "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure."

"Can you sense them?"

Skies exhaled and changed into Skyfall again. "No. I will need to meditate on this. I may still be weak from my exile, or..."

"Or what?"

"Or they're being cloaked somehow." Sky looked out onto the forest with ire. He had been back for only one day, and problems had already started to show themselves.

"What action do we take now, m'lord?" Sif bowed her head. She recognized the look on his face, he was angry. Years of serving as Skies’ noble second in command taught Sif how he thought, and thus how to act in response.

"We'll do nothing, for now." Sky made his way around the side of the house and saw a pony walking toward the estate. "Sif, retreat deep into the treeline. Someone is approaching. Remain close enough for me to call, I need to discuss this matter with you later. Also, if you see more of these... wooded wolves, grab as many as you can for me to examine."

"I will return with the funds needed to purchase the estate." Sif nodded and ran silently into the Everfree.

Sky watched the pony approach. She was a lavender unicorn with a saddle bag overflowing with books on her back. No doubt sent from the Mayor to lecture him on Chapters and Titles and Statutes. 

Nope.

Sky hurriedly walked into  the dilapidated house. "I guess I should see the extent of the decay."

Sif was right for once. The house was horrid. The decay was so much worse than Sky had anticipated. Support beams were rotted through and the walls were plastered with some form of mold, not to mention that the forest had grown into the structure with vines and roots poking through the floor and ceiling. I can undo much of this with root magic, but much more of it will need full replacement like the stone foundation.

"Now all I-"

Suddenly a wet knock sounded through the house, no doubt the result of that unicorn knocking on the decayed frame of the front door. "Excuse me, is anypony here?"

"Yeah, I'm in here!" Sky shouted from the back. He really didn't want to deal with...an Alicorn? How can there be another one?

Since being nearly slain by an Alicorn, Sky lowered his head preparing to attack if she did.

The Alicorn misinterpreted Sky's bow. "No. Please, rise. I may be a Princess, but nopony needs to bow to me."

Sky rose to his full height and stepped into the light causing the small Alicorn to shudder. Sky saw the Alicorn’s weary expression and cut the tension. "Thank you Princess, how may I help you?"

"Oh sorry." The mare shook herself from her stupor. "The Mayor came to me wanting my help; she was unclear about some Equestrian statutes concerning liability in selling houses. Apparently you're interested in buying Amity Manor?"

"I am, Princess." Sky looked her in the eyes, trying to figure her out. A new Alicorn hasn't appeared since-. 

Sky thrashed his head from a painful memory.

"Are you okay?" The Princess asked, worry edging into her voice.

"Yes, of course Princess." Sky kept the facade up.

"Please, call me Twilight. What's wrong?" She asked while magicking open some old blinds, trying to let as much light in as possible.

"I just have a headache, that's all." Skyfall sat down while Twilight looked him over. The room fell silent when Twilight realized she was violating another pony’s personal space.

She backed away slowly, rambling out a collection of apologies and intellectual explanations about why Sky could have had a headache. She stopped when she saw Skyfall's confused look. "What?"

Sky shook his head. "Nothing, sorry. It's not everyday you hear a pony talk like that."

"Sorry. I know many ponies dislike when I use scientific jargon."

Sky chuckled. "No, that's not what I meant. I understood everything you said, I haven't heard ponies speak like that in a long time."

It was Twilight's turn to laugh. "I grew up surrounded by books. I even lived in a library for a few years when I moved here from Canterlot."

Skyfall ignored the fact that she came to his 'soon to be' house to talk him out of purchasing it. "Ah you lived in Canterlot?"

Since Twilight became the Element of Magic and an Alicorn, all parts of her life were chronicled and talked about, so she thought it odd that an Equestrian didn't know this; even colonial ponies in other parts of the world knew that. "Yes, I lived in Canterlot as Princess Celestia's student, before she sent me here to learn about magic."

That name.

Skyfall felt slightly weak in the knees after hearing Celestia's name. He had not imagined to hear it so soon, let alone actually meet her former student. Skyfall wondered if she gained control over more of Equus since he had went under. As more questions arose in Sky’s mind, his curiosity prompted a question. "Where is the library?"

Twilight was about to happily answer before a small section of wall crashed to the floor, startling her. "AH!" She shook slightly, remembering that she was standing in the village’s haunted house with an enormous foreign stallion.

"Are you okay, Twilight?" Sky asked.

Nodding her head, Twilight remembered why she was there. "If I might ask. Why do you want to buy this place?"

"Oh, why do you ask?" Sky answered her question with one of his own.

"B-Because."

"Is there something I should know about this place besides it being a fixer upper?" Skyfall played coy.

"Yes. Well Mr. Skyfall, please don't freak out, but," Twilight thought the Mayor had not told Skyfall about it being haunted, but she could barely bring herself to say it. The thought made Twilight's coat go rigid and prickly. 

"But?"

"This place is haunted!"

Skyfall deadpanned at the shivering Alicorn. One thousand years and this is one of the country's leaders? 

Twilight looked at Skyfall's blank stare as if he had not registered a single word she said. "Didn't you hear me? I said the estate is-"

"Haunted? Yes, the Mayor told me."

"And, you're okay with that?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Skyfall didn't sense anything in the house, so his belief that the 'haunting' was probably a folk tale run wild.

Twilight’s jaw gaped at his indifferent response. "Well, I must admit, it's not everyday you see a pony willingly buy a haunted house."

Skyfall giggled and walked Twilight to the front. "I believe everything will turn out fine."

Twilight giggled. "You remind me of somepony." 

"Your brother?"

Twilight's eyes became saucers. "H-How…?"

Skyfall rolled his eyes. "You would be even more shocked to hear how often I get that. Y'know, the 'you remind me of my brother or father' thing."

"You don't sound too pleased about it." Twilight said with a small frown. 

"I'm okay with it, it's just..." Skyfall paused, unsure of himself. "It's a title I'm not overly enthusiastic about."

Twilight looked at Skyfall, she was only half truthful when she said that the Mayor had come to her seeking help. In reality, a hoof full of ponies sought her out concerning Skyfall and his intimidating appearance. 

She had tried to gather mental notes of Ponyville's newest resident, but most ponies she met were on a different plane compared to this stallion. Aside from the fact that he stood a full head above Big Mac, he also wore a foreign scarf and low hanging saddlebags that hide his cutie mark. If she had to guess, he was from a colony far to the east. 

When she mentioned Princess Celestia's name, his coat went rigid for the briefest of moments. Twilight didn't want to jump to conclusions, so she took a deep breathe and tried to look past these oddities to try and understand her newest subject, and hopefully befriend him. However, when looking over him, her eyes met his, and for a brief moment she saw a glimpse of Skyfall's tired expression before he smiled at her.

"I am sorry Twilight, but I have much to do. I still need to buy this place and draw up floor plans. I'm sure you're busy as well, being a Princess and all." 

"Ah, yes, I suppose you're right." Twilight said. "If you come into Ponyville and wish to rent a book, feel free to come to the library and get one. Just look for the large crystal castle."

"Count on it." Skyfall smiled watching the Alicorn leave. He then turned and walked inside, instantly dropping his smile, "This is worse than I thought."

Sky walked the grounds for the next couple of hours inspecting the estate, it became more obvious that it had been abandoned for more than a few years, based on the state of decay. Nearly everything would need to be redone, but it was nothing beyond his capabilities. Sky reached the edge of the property, and grinned widely as he pondered the house. The Mayor doesn't have to know about my intent to rebuild. I can use that to haggle a lower price. 

As he looked over the property once more, Sif walked out of the Everfree with a sack in her maw.

Sif dropped the bag. "I've got your gold."

"Excellent, now I can buy the deed and relax."

"Are you sure you want this?" Sif asked.

"Yeah, I want to relax. I've spent the past thousand years regaining strength. I want to try living a normal life again. Though I feel I will be dragged into something, eventually."

"You always are, doofus." Sif giggled before resting her head against Sky's.

"Yes, but I'm your doofus." Sky returned the gesture.

Sif looked at the house in the distance nestled by the forest. "So, that's your new home?"

"Our new home." Sky corrected.

Sif was about to retort with a snarky reply before Sky cut her off. "When you finish your potion you'll be able to join me, until then I can smuggle you into the basement."

Sif laughed bitterly. "The potion is complete, I just need one more ingredient. Unfortunately the ingredient isn't in the Everfree, or in Equestria for that matter."

"What is it?" Sky asked. "Nothing I can't make?"

"No, it's called Verdigris and can only be found in the Griffon Kingdoms, or, should I say, what's left of it. It's a toxic pigment from weathered copper that's used as a fungicide."

"What?" Sky asked in awe.

"It's a fungicide?" Sif repeated.

"No, the part about the Griffons. What happened to their lands?" Skyfall reiterated. "Weren't they a sprawling nation that was renowned for their metals and warriors?"

"Exactly, in the past." Sif started before Sky got up.

"This is going to be a long story, I can tell. I need to get that deed first, but I'll be back soon." Sky patted Sif on the side as he hefted the gold into his saddle bags and began walking.

Sif smiled as she watched Sky leave. She was glad that Sky's optimistic outlook remained intact to offset her skepticism, buthe frowned when she saw the familiar color of flesh protruding from under each of his wings. The scar that formed on both sides of his body was a mark he would carry with him for the rest of his life. A fact that Sif blamed herself for.





Mayor Mare poured through papers, still worried that she or her office would get sued in the coming weeks for selling a dilapidated house. The Mayor lamented, she ordered it to be demolished but it scared demolition ponies, so they wouldn't go near it. All the construction companies she wrote to said that the place was a lawsuit waiting to happen. Even Twilight's conversation with Mr. Skyfall ended with him still wanting the estate. Twilight said that after her conversation he seemed even more eager to move in. Mayor Mare was about to pull out a glass of Sweet Apple Cider before a slow knock rang throughout her office.

"Um, please come in, it's open!" The Mayor announced.

Skyfall walked in slowly, slower than a pony should. The look in his eye seemed off to the Mayor which, made a pit form in her throat. He lumbered in slowly, his large size casting an even larger shadow. Her fears were turned into awkward silence when his head hit her desk and his flank hit the floor in one simultaneous action. "Uggggh."

"Everything alright, Mr. Fall?" Mayor Mare asked. "Did the house scare you?

"Huh? No, I'm exhausted. I've walked a lot today." Sky said. If you just did more walking in the past few hours than in the past thousand years you would would be tired too.

Sky lifted his head off the desk. "Anyway, enough of the head trauma. I am here to purchase the estate."

Mayor Mare's fears were realized, he did want the estate, even after Princess Twilight's talk. Maybe if I charge a high price I can change his mind. Nopony wants to be ripped off. "Ah, the property will be 500,000 bits."

Sky knew the property was listed at 85,000, and caught on to the Mayor's little game of dissuading him. 

"Oh, is that all?" 

The Mayor stared at Skyfall with shock. "Wha..."

Skyfall looked at the Mayor's panicked expression. It was obvious she was terrified to sell him the estate, but for reasons that eluded him. "Though, I am concerned about the state of the property. The structures are riddled with dry rot and the foundation is crumbling. The repair costs alone will run into the thousands. Why, I'll have to demolish the entire thing and rebuild. Unfortunately, I'll have to make myself responsible for everything when the construction ponies are working."

The Mayor, having been a born politician, picked up on Skyfall's meaning and nodded her head. "I see. Well, what do you suggest?"

"Well." Skyfall stopped for effect and looked her in the eye. "I will buy the estate minus the rebuild costs."

"Ah, good, good." The Mayor said while mentally cheering. 

"Which will leave the bill around 55,000 bits."

Both ponies looked at each other in awkward silence. This went on for about a minute while the Mayor weighed her options. On one hoof, she could refuse to sell him the estate and continue having a large problem on her hooves. And on the other hoof, she could sell him the estate at a vastly reduced price and take a hit on the investment her office made when it bought the property. Both options were tough, but in the end she bit her lip and chose. She looked at the savvy business pony sitting across from her, and wondered what he was planning.

I wonder what kind of mane dye she uses… maybe I could get some as a joke on Sif...

"We have a deal." The Mayor said in a slightly bitter tone. Before Skyfall could announce his happiness, she continued. "Now that the price is agreed on. How will you pay? With bits or credit?"

Sky sat in silence for a bit. She said bits or credit, which lead Skyfall to believe that the trade of gold was now uncommon, and only used in large country-to-country transactions. These 'bits' were probably this era's equivalent of currency where metal coins are used in lieu of actual gold. Sky looked at his saddle bags which contained small deck shaped gold bars, I should tread carefully.

"That has become a little bit of an issue for me." Skyfall said calmly. "My credit information and other valid forms of payment are in my personal belongings that are taking a little longer to arrive than I first expected."

Skyfall looked at the Mayor's blank expression and thought she was about to order him out for wasting her time.

"Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, you seem like a trustworthy stallion, so as for right now I will let you remain on the property while I retain the deed. Just be sure to pay the bill as soon as your belongings arrive." Mayor Mare playfully stuck her hoof up at Skyfall. "And if you don't, then I'll sic the town's party pony on you ‘till I get it."

Sky chuckled at the absurd statement and held his hooves up. "You'll be my first stop, Mayor." 

The Mayor gave Skyfall the scroll and shook his hoof. "Welcome to Ponyville."
> Chapter 3 -Stranger Danger-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Stranger Danger-
 

Sif huffed, walking in the back door and out of the rain, her wet coat making every step she took a slushy one, worsening her mood.

"Raining?" Skyfall asked as he flipped another page in the morning paper.

"Wow, you're good. What gave you that clue?" Sif asked, letting every bit of her feral malice slip through. "All the water falling from the sky, or the fact that my fur is soaked and matted?"

"Nope." Sky said before winking at Sif. "I’m just a good guesser."

"Mhm, and you have the weather section of the paper folded up on the counter, which means you've read it." Sif stopped mid-stride when she saw a dish of potatoes and cheesy eggs. "Are these for me?"

"Yup." Sky flipped another page. "Now that I’m back, you can start eating right."

Sif huffed at his insinuation and sat across the table. She stuck out her tongue, but like always, it looked like a fleshy pink slug surrounded by white spikes. "So, it's supposed to rain all week?"

"Actually, it says it's supposed to be sunny." Sky folded up the remainder of the paper and looked at Sif. "The weather teams don't know what is causing it, and neither do the 'scientists' at the weather institute.”

"Storm Front?"

Skyfall hummed in thought. "Maybe, I haven't talked to him since my accident."

Sif cringed at the mention of the 'accident.' "Listen, Sky, I wanted to talk about how I let you down."

Skyfall booped Sif on the nose. "Eat your breakfast."

Sif chuckled and started rapidly devouring her food. The ferocity at which she attacked her meal made Skyfall chuckle as he stirred hot sauce gently onto his eggs. They had been living on the run down estate for a week, and already things were going back to normal. Sif felt happier now than she had in a long time, almost like she was complete again. The animals of the Everfree provided Skyfall with food from the forest, which was good for the both of them, because he was not in a mood to do much of anything now. Oftentimes, Sif would become so comfortable that she would call Skyfall downstairs to simply flip her over. The only reason she even left the house was to check with her pack; she had to be briefed on the happenings of the forest and the information her pack had relayed wasn't good.

Sif opened her mouth to tell Skyfall the news, but, like always, he beat her to it.

"Timber Wolf attacks up in the past month?"

"Y...Yes, how'd you know?" Sif asked.

Skyfall pointed to the paper. "It was pushed to page three, but the Equestria Daily seems to be stumped with the sudden increase in attacks on trading caravans. Even regular holiday travelers are getting attacked."

"My kin say the same. Every time we try to trap one and question it, they start tearing each other apart so they cannot be questioned. From our brief interactions with them, we have concluded that they are looking for someone.”

Sky consumed another fork full of eggs and turned to a paper pad. "From my studies of the bodies you've brought me, I’ve found very little. The only thing I discovered is that a soul is required to keep their wooden bodies animated. That, and whoever made them is using a very convoluted form of magic, alongside some minor alchemy.”

"So they don’t occur naturally?"

Skyfall shook his head. "Sadly, no. These 'Timber Wolves' were created. The purpose behind it all has eluded me so far." Sky looked out the window and watched a large airship touch down on his new property. "Ah, wonderful, they're here."

"Who's here?" Sif asked, slightly annoyed that her breakfast was being cut short.

"Unicorn construction firm, from Canterlot." Sky said flatly. "I need this place fixed up as soon as possible. We’ve lazed about long enough as it is."

"Won't they cut corners?" Sif asked, slightly put off by Skyfall’s apparent disregard for quality. "They'll use wood that is still wet, weak stone, and old nails."

"Yep, and I’m counting on it." Sky laughed at Sif's look. "You forget who you're talking to. The second they're done, I’m going to fuse all the wood together and push the nails out. The house will essentially be a tree, and there won't be a corner of the house I can’t see."

“What about the stone?”

Skyfall chuckled. “Most of the stone on the property is still good. I gave the company strict instructions to only replace the wood. They came highly recommended.”

"You hired them because they offered to do it for the cheapest price, didn't you?" Sif glared at Skyfall.

"I am both shocked and appalled at your demeaning and accurate accusation." Sky replied, his hoof to his chest in mock offense. Sif shook her head and laughed the way wolves do, in a series of growls and chirps. That or she had indigestion, Sky couldn't tell. "Anyway, they just need to make it look good. I'll make it strong. Plus, I only had to pay them half upfront."

Sif gave a loud snort and then finished the rest of her breakfast in one gulp, upset that her plan to vegetate in the basement all day had been ruined. Sif exited the house through the back door towards the Everfree and shouted. "Be careful the fresh wood doesn’t warp on you before you fuse it.”

Two loud knocks rapped on the front door, tearing Sky’s attention away from Sif’s sulking. I better answer that.

Sky opened his door wide, nearly breaking it, since it only hung on by a single hinge. Laughing nervously, Sky greeted the worker. "Good morning, are you Swift House, the owner of the firm?"

The stallion was a large, dirty, pink pony with a beard. "Close, I’m Swift Build, the co-owner. Are you Mr. Skyfall?"

"That I am. Are your boys ready to get to it?" Skyfall looked at the team of ponies setting up the construction site. "I see the gold I spent went to good use."

Sky looked a little closer and saw that Sif’s prediction had come true: the builders were using soft wood that had yet to be cured and hardened. This was an issue with crooked building firms. The builders tried hiding the stacks of wood under green tarps, but when a wind kicked up a corner, Swift Build blocked Skyfall's vision with his body. "My team is ready to build as soon as possible. We’ll have this house fixed up by sunset, Mr. Fall. It’ll be the best house you’ve ever lived in."

"Ah, good." Lying little shit. Skyfall secured his scarf and saddle bags around his body. "I'll be in town for the rest of the day. I'll be back around sunset. I hope all goes well."

Skyfall found the walk friendlier than he would have liked. Swift Build was still trying to block Sky’s view of the building materials, even though Swift was a foot shorter. Sky stopped abruptly at his property line. "Mr. Swift, I don't care about the quality of the wood, just make it look good and we'll be fine."

The pink stallion looked like a colt with his hoof caught in the cookie jar. He tried to respond with a rebuttal, but failed to come up with anything but sputtering.

"All I ask is that you leave the foundation, stone walls, and surrounding forest untouched. You do that, and your company will be paid the other half."

Sky gave Swift Build a threatening glare, then started toward Ponyville without another word. He hated when ponies tried pulling the wool over his eyes and acted smug about it, even if the tricks benefited him. Unfortunately, when he procured the construction firm's services, they had already known the reputation the estate held. Years prior, the Mayor had accidentally told them about the haunting when she sought them out to destroy the house and these shifty ponies used that as an excuse to hike up the price for rebuilding.

Sky noticed a family of farmers had occupied much of the land between his place and Ponyville, and made a mental note to try to make friends with them, or at least be cordial if he was going to pass their place every time he walked to the village.

Ponyville finally broke through the trees, allowing him exhale with relief. His muscles were sore enough as it was, and the distance he had to walk only made the pain worse. Throwing himself onto the first bench he saw, Sky let out a small, pained squeak. "Wow that hurts."

Sky massaged his legs before moving to his flank. The thousand years he spent in the Vale did nothing to improve his physical condition, and now he was paying for it. While looking around, Sky noticed that ponies were still wary of him. Nopony ever came within 10 feet of his bench. The ponies that walked the road in front of him were practically cantering to get away, never making eye contact.

What a way to make a stallion feel welcomed. Sky thought to himself. Almost immediately, he saw a familiar filly walk by the bench. Applebloom was walking and chatting with two other fillies, presumably going to school. "Good morning, Applebloom."

The sudden deep voice shook Applebloom and her two companions from their conversation. They cringed, their tails twitching in anxiety, as if they had been caught doing something wrong. Applebloom was the first to break the silence, mistaking his voice for somepony else. "Y...Yes, Big Mac?"

As the filly spoke, she turned to see the speaker before visibly perking up. "Oh, ah didn’t see you there! G’mornin’, Mr. Skyfall!"

The two other fillies looked a little scared of Skyfall due to his immense size. Skyfall readjusted his wing when he noticed the Pegasus filly gawking at his scar. "What are you three up to today?"

"Oh, we’re crusadin’ fer our cutie marks!" Applebloom announced.

Sky remembered that a cutie mark was like a rite of passage for a pony; it was like the first hunt for a Griffon or a Dragon starting its first hoard. Unlike the hunt or the hoard, cutie marks were supposed to be used to guide ponies into what they would be happiest doing. Most ponies, however, didn't see it that way. Ponies now used them to class themselves, and, at times, put others down. Sky didn’t want to ruin their fun with his outdated musings though. "That's nice. I hope you three are successful in your endeavor."

Applebloom cocked her head to the side. "End...ever?"

"An endeavor is goal that is achieved through hard work." The small, white filly answered from behind Applebloom.

"Right you are, little lady. Did you learn that in school?" Sky smiled at the filly, who only shied away at the sudden attention.

"N...No, but that is where we should be, right Applebloom?" The small unicorn nudged Applebloom and shot her a look.

"Heh, yer right." Applebloom looked back at Skyfall. "Ah guess we're goin’ now. Bye, Mr. Skyfall!"

Skyfall watched the three fillies run off toward their destination. Sky put huge stock in education, and rightfully so. A good education can open doors and can never be taken from you. I wonder what they teach foals nowadays? he thought, chuckling to himself. I should find that jeweler the Mayor told me about. I have some gold I could sell him... After getting up, he stopped a few feet from the bench, spacing out, as another thought came to his mind. I should also get a map so I don't have to keep asking for directions.

“Maybe one of the vendors in the market could tell me where the Jeweler is?.”

All of a sudden, the sky opened up and started raining, causing the ponies in the market scurry inside for cover. Sky also took the hint and made a beeline for shelter in a nearby cafe. "Guess the market will have to wait."





The coming torrential downpour forced the Cutie Mark Crusaders into the nearest shop. Fortunately, the nearest shop was the Carousel Boutique.

The top mounted door-bell rang, signaling that new customers had arrived. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique." The store owner struck a pose before realizing it was only her little sister along with  her two friends. "Oh, hello, Sweetie Belle. Why aren't you in school, and why are you drenched?"

"Well, Rarity." Sweetie Belle squeaked, all too familiar with her sister's use of rhetorical questions. "It’s raining really hard outside so school is cancelled." Sweetie Belle answered happily. Rainy days meant one important thing; she got to spend all day with her friends.

"Well, you three make sure to be quiet. The girls and I are having lunch together and prefer it to remain peaceful." Rarity said before trotting back upstairs to her workshop.

Sweetie Belle watched her sister trot away and turned to Applebloom quickly. “Who was that just now?”

"Uh, that was yer sister Rarity?" Applebloom answered sarcastically.

Sweetie Belle smacked the end of Applebloom's nose. "That's not what I meant. Who was that enormous stallion earlier?"

"Oh, that was Mr. Skyfall. He's new to Ponyville." Applebloom answered without much concern. Her attitude changed, however, when she saw looks on her friend's faces. "What?"

"He's kinda scary." Sweetie Belle said quietly.

"You thought Trouble Shoes was scary," Applebloom deadpanned.

"Because he is and..." Sweetie couldn't finish her statement.

"And what?" Applebloom tried to continue the conversation before Scootaloo finished her statement.

"And his scars."

"What? He don’t have any scars!" Applebloom defended. "And why are ya girls so worked up anyway? He ain’t that scary."

"Who ain’t that scary?" Applejack asked as she trotted down the stairs, on her way to get a box of apple juice. "Are you fillies in a fight with one of yer school friends?"

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle shared a look and answered in unison. "No."

Applebloom giggled. "There is a new stallion in town and ah think he scared these two by accident."

"Oh, you mean that Skyfall fella?" Applejack said uninterestedly.

"Ya know him?"

"No."

"...But." Applebloom was cut off by Applejack's blank stare.

"Twilight told us. Apparently he bought that ole, broken down place by the Everfree."

Sweetie Belle stared at Applejack in awe. "Do you mean the De Cerulean estate? Are you sure?"

Applejack returned a shrug. "If ya mean that run down piece a land, then yeah. Twilight and yer sister were talkin’ about it. Why don't ya ask them?"

Nodding their heads in anticipation, Sweetie Belle and the other crusaders walked up the stairs, Applejack in tow, to ask Twilight about the strange stallion. However, Twilight and Rarity were already in the midst of a deep discussion about said stallion.

"Nothing like it is in any book that I could find, nor was it in any archives that the Mayor had."

Rarity put her fetlock over her face. "Twilight, darling, there wouldn't be any documents of it, because it was never reported."

Rainbow Dash set her mug down. "Hey girls, since I grew up in Cloudsdale, can somepony fill me in on this haunted place that you two keep yammering on about?"

"I don't know about it either." Fluttershy added meekly.

Rarity looked around. "You two don't know the story?"

Rainbow raised her hoof. "Seriously, I don't." Fluttershy, Twilight, and Scootaloo followed suit by raising their hooves before Dash continued. "And I would really like to be filled in now, since I’ve sat here for the past thirty minutes listening to you and Twilight go back and forth."

"Well." Rarity huffed at Rainbow's blunt statement. "I guess I could tell you. I don’t think I’m very talented at telling stories, honestly, but I’ll give it a whirl anyway." 

"Pretend it's gossip, yer real good at that." Applejack quipped, poking fun at Rarity’s past time.

"Oh, ha ha." Rarity stuck her tongue out at her farmer friend before tapping her chin. "Where do I start?"

Sweetie Belle loved Rarity’s stories, even scary ones, so she was very familiar with this story. Rarity used to tell her stories when she was younger, and among all the scary stories that she told to her over the years, only three frightened Sweetie Belle: The lost town in the Everfree, the soul stealing Forest Spirit, and the tale of the missing heir to the De Cerulean estate.

Sweetie Belle bounded over and lay down next to her older sister. "Oh! Start with why the estate was built."

"Oh you remember the story?" Rarity asked.

"Mhm." Sweetie Belle gave Rarity a large, beaming smile.

Rarity smiled, and the storm raged outside, setting an atmosphere for the story. "The De Cerulean estate was built around ten years after Ponyville was founded-"

Still no documentation to prove that. Twilight noted.

"- and was the seasonal home to the House of Cerulean, a noble Prench family. They came here, and the head of the family gave the estate to his heir, Noble Gaze. If I remember the story correctly, he lived in Ponyville on and off for almost ten more years, until one day he just never came back." Rarity said, her friends listening intently.

"Big deal, Prenchy probably just went back to Prance." Rainbow said.

Rarity nodded. "Maybe, but that would be odd considering that his family came over looking for him, and nearly caused a war accusing the royalty of Equestria that they had him...disposed of. Of course the Princesses denied this, and the matter fell from the public eye."

Fluttershy knew what was coming, and hid behind her cherry blossom mane, shivering uncontrollably.

Rarity saw Fluttershy’s reaction, and continued delicately. "Over the years, many families tried living there, only to be chased out by something sinister. The most recent tenants lived there back when I was younger than even Sweetie Belle. I remember a stallion and a mare running through the town, screaming and banging on doors, frantically looking for help."

Rainbow Dash's eyes were the size of plates. "You lie."

"Never, ask my parents, or even Applejack, I’m sure she remembers." Rarity crossed her forelegs in offense.

Twilight cut in before anypony else could speak. "So you didn't actually see anything? So there's no proof."

Twilight looked at Applejack for support, but the farm pony shook her head. "Ah'm with Rares on this one, Twilight. Granny Smith says she seen things movin’ in the windows that couldn't be explained. So, if Granny Smith says it's haunted, it's haunted."

Rainbow let her hooves hang in front of her limply. "Wait, this stallion bought the place? Even after hearing it was haunted?"

Twilight nodded. "That's what spurred him on. It's like he wanted to live in a haunted house."

"That's an odd stallion." Applejack said.

"He ain't that bad." Applebloom interjected on Skyfall's behalf. "He actually seemed really sweet."

"You've met him?" Twilight asked, intrigued.

"Yeah, how d’ya know him Applebloom?" Applejack asked with slightly more ire than her lavender friend.

"He stopped by our apple stand and asked me and Big Mac where to find the Mayor. Big Mac had me take him to her before crusadin’." Applebloom said.

Applejack, the overprotective sister, bared down on Applebloom. She put her mug down after taking a swift gulp. "Mhm what'd ya talk about? Was that weird stallion sayin’ anything weird?"

"No." Applebloom shied away from her sister. "We just talked about the town, you, and Big Mac, and the crusaders."

"Applejack, darling, I’m sure Big Mac asked her to escort him as a show of goodwill." Rarity chirped happily.

Applejack rose an eyebrow. "Big Mac asked ya to go with him?"

"Ah said that already." Applebloom huffed.

Looking around the fashionista's workshop, Applejack saw others nodding their heads. "Right, ah guess ah missed that part, sorry."

Twilight sighed; Applejack's overbearing big sister instinct was something that she would never suspect her of having until she saw it for the first time when Applebloom was walked home by one of the local colts. Applejack chased that colt off like he was a rabid dog, and embarrassed her sister until she crying.

Applejack, having calmed down, felt embarrassed, so she retook her seat at Rarity's table and coughed into a hoof. "So Twilight, ya met this stallion? What's he like?"

"He's okay. I didn't talk to him for that long." Twilight took a long sip of her Merle Grey tea. "I said he looked like Shining Armor."

Rarity almost slammed her cup onto the marble table. "Twilight!"

"What?" Twilight asked in a placating manner.

"You never tell an attractive stallion that they look like a relative!"

Twilight squinted. "Okay, and how can you tell that he's attractive? You’ve never met him before."

Rarity stammered and tried to recover from her statement as Twilight pointed a hoof at her.

"Aha, I knew it, you do like my brother!" Twilight had been trying to prove this since the big Canterlot wedding, and now she sat there, victorious.

Rarity's head sunk into her hooves. "Fine." In an effort to change the topic, Rarity turned to Rainbow Dash. "What do you think of the new stallion, dear?"

“I don’t care.” Rainbow Dash sat back in her pillow looking really annoyed. "I don't have an opinion. The town does this everytime a new pony moves here. I really don’t care at all, I’m just not into gossip.” 

"I wanna throw him a party!" Pinkie Pie shouted.

"You want to throw everypony a party, darling." Rarity said.

"We should go and introduce ourselves!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

Twilight spoke quickly to cut her off from that idea. "No. I think that's a bad idea Pinkie."

"Why?" Pinkie's mane deflated slightly.

"He looked really tired when I saw him. I think we should put off any parties." Twilight explained before launching into other reasons. “He has probably traveled a lot to get here and wants to relax.”

"We can at least say ‘hi’." Pinkie grumbled.

"Ahm not going near that house." Applejack stated. "He's probably a hoodlum from one of them big cities."

"Maybe he's a secret agent!" Sweetie Belle said, earning a chuckle from the others.

Applebloom remembered overhearing Big Mac's conversation that Skyfall was retired, but wanted to play along with her spunky friend. "Ah think he's a pirate."

Scootaloo sat in silence. Seeing Skyfall’s scar upset her, and not because it was a little gruesome, but because she had one in a similar area under her wing. She looked out the window at the rainy sky, ignoring the conversations of the others, I wonder if he had the same problem I do? 





Skyfall sneezed into his cappuccino, and instantly regretted it. "It had just the right amount of foam."

"You want another one, dearie?"

"Hm?" Skyfall turned from his window to meet the owner of the voice, to see the newly acquainted shop keep, Mrs. Cake.

"Would you like another cappuccino with foam?" Mrs. Cake asked happily, completely ignoring the fact that she was covered in flour and other baking ingredients.

"No ma'am, I’m good with what I got." Truth be told, Skyfall still didn't have any money to make small purchases with. He had paid a representative of the construction company in gold bars to rebuild him a new house. The construction firm's agent informed him that transactions like that are meant for larger purchases. He just hoped that the jeweler could exchange his gold for coin, because he doubted that many places, such as Sugarcube Corner, would accept gold as payment.

Sky took a moment to observe Ponyville from his window. Even though it was pouring outside, some ponies were still trying to go places, presumably to finish their errands. Every few minutes, a thunder clap would strike and scare a pony or two. Sif was right; these ponies were terrified of everything. He brought the cappuccino to his lips. "They are indeed a sheltered lot."

"Mommy, why is that stallion talking to himself?" A colt pointed at Skyfall, who stared at the little Pegasus with a dumbfounded look.

"Pound Cake! Don't bother the customers." Mrs. Cake quietly scolded her foal and turned to Sky. "I'm terribly sorry, sir, my boy has just started talking recently. His father and I are working on teaching him to speak with a filter."

Why? Sky shook the question from his head. He was still new to this world. Most of what he had come to know has been swept away by time; the ponies, the places, and even the customs. So far, Ponyville, and the ponies that inhabit it, struck him as reserved and xenophobic. A fact brought up by the first Ponyville filly that he had met, Applebloom. Knowing all this, he went with the safest response.

"It's okay, Mrs. Cake; I’m just going through my errand list that's all." Sky looked outside, the storm had not let up in the slightest. "I better go because this storm isn't looking any better."

Sky tightened his scarf around his neck, and stood to his full height. "When is the tab due?"

Mrs. Cake shook herself from her apparent daydream. "Whenever you can pay it."

"Wonderful. You have a nice day, Mrs. Cake. You too, Pound Cake."

Mrs. Cake gave a short wave. "Bye, Mr. Skyfall."

"Bye bye, wacko." Skyfall chuckled at the toddler’s remark.

Skyfall exited the shop door before hearing Pound Cake’s mother scold him for name calling. The jeweler wasn't very far from Sugar Cube Corner, only about three blocks north. Mrs. Cake knew the owner, but in a village this small, knowing other ponies is a given.

Water soaked deep into Skyfall's coat and scarf, making him considerably more heavy. Luckily, his saddle bags were water resistant, so they didn't weigh him down any further. "Where is this- Aha!"

Skyfall found the jewelers business, The Silvertail. It was strategically placed between the bank and Ponyville's office for Canterlot affairs. It was also in plain view of the train station. Anyone with money would see the jewelry store and want to purchase something, especially rich officials visiting the office of Canterlot affairs.

Taking a deep breath, Skyfall entered the Silvertail and was met by a short, yet thin, stallion with a grey coat and silver mane. He walked around the counter daintily to meet Sky, but held his nose up in a haughty manner.

"I thought I wrote your boss a letter telling him I need the equipment moved next week." His voice was laced with great disgust.

Well hello to you too. Sky readjusted his scarf away from his muzzle and stared at the shop owner with a blank expression. "I believe you have the wrong idea there, little guy. I’m here to conduct my own business."

The store owner bowed his head in apology. "I'm sorry, my good stallion. Welcome to the Silvertail." He bowed lower and extended his hoof for a formal introduction. "I am Silver Coin, the owner of this shop."

Sky looked at the stallion's formal greeting, and copied his exact movements. "I am Skyfall. I’m new to Ponyville."

"And you chose to visit my shop?" Silver Coin smiled widely. "We have a wide selection of necklaces and accessories, though you don't seem like the stallion who wears jewelry. A gift for a mate perhaps, maybe an engagement ring?"

Sky stared at the stallion with a pained expression. Silver couldn't have known, but bringing up a mate conjured terrible memories for Sky. Whenever his family came up, Skyfall took great lengths to avoid the subject. "No no, nothing like that. I am actually here to ask some questions."

"About?" Silver Coin asked.

"Exchange rates."

"Exchange rates?"

Is there an echo in here? Skyfall raised an eyebrow at the thin stallion. It didn’t seem to be an odd request. "Yes, I need to know what the exchange rates are for gold in Equestria."

The stallion nodded in understanding. "How much do you have?"

Skyfall leaned over to get what the stallion was curious about. He searched for the neat pile of gold bars amidst the mess of paperwork that was the inside of his saddle. The small clink sound signaled that they had been found.

Silver Coin made a small hissing sound and walked over to a mare looking through the jewelry. "I'm sorry ma'am, but we're closing now. If you have anything in mind, let me know and I’ll give you ten percent off next time you’re in." The mare attempted to argue, but was immediately cut off by the prospect of a potential discount.

Skyfall just sat there, slightly confused. Why did Silver Coin change his demeanor so quickly? Before he could think of anything else, the mare passed by him, leaving only the two stallions in the store. Coin walked to the front door and looked around suspiciously.

"Follow me." Silver Coin said after locking the door. "My office is upstairs."

Whooow, stranger danger. Sky walked into Silver's office and saw a filly laying on the floor. She was facing away from them and reading a magazine. She had the same mane as her father, but wore large glasses.

"Silver Spoon, honey. Daddy needs to have a business meeting."

"It's okay, I don't mind." She said matter of factly.

"You aren't grown up enough for this, go to the kitchen." Silver Coin pulled the age card.

The filly whined. "You never let me see your meetings. How am I supposed to run the business when I grow up if I can't learn how you do business?"

Silver Spoon turned to Skyfall to plead with him, but jumped when she saw him.

Why do they always jump? Sky mused.

"Silver Spoon. Go to your room, now." Silver Coin ordered with authority. Sky could tell this was abnormal for their household.

“No!” Silver Spoon shouted. “I say I’m staying.”

“Silver Spoon, please, you aren’t old enough to understand yet.” Coin said.

“But I am! All I need is a chance to prove it!” Silver spoons voice cracked as she looked back and forth between her father and skyfall, looking for support from either of them.

“Maybe next time, hunny.” Coin stated firmly, breaking her resolve. He then patted her on the head, signaling it was time for her to leave. She left the room muttering under her breath about how unfair it was that she was always left out.

As soon as the door shut, Silver Coin trotted over to his large stone desk. "You know, Mr. Skyfall, my family has been in this trade for almost 600 years. I like to buy all types of metals, even the more mundane kinds like raw nickel, on occasion. I have never once seen a pony walk in to trade bars of gold. Well, real bars of gold, that is."

Silver Coin leaned forward, letting the shadow cast by desk lamp obscure his face as if to seem threatening. "Any fake gold is punishable by a year or more per ounce in the Pegasi Bay Royal Prison. So tell me, what do you really have?"

"Gold." Skyfall answered abruptly, ending Coin’s train of thought.

"Huh?"

Skyfall lifted his saddle bags and rested them on Coin's large stone desk. Skyfall leisurely opened one of the bags and gave him a small bar the size of a deck of cards. "I'm sure it won't be an issue once you check the authenticity." Skyfall sighed; he knew this may be an issue. Gold has always been a problem to trade with.

Silver Coin looked at him skeptically; the trade of gold was a long dead tradition used only in large country to country transactions, or the black market. When a pony traded gold in this day and age, the gold was usually a counterfeit, a cheap metal covered with a spell. It became such a problem that Princess Celestia made the punishment more severe by hard time in the mines.

Silver Coin looked over the gold bar and hurried over to a drawer to get a small card used for authenticating materials. The card was covered in runes, and the second it touched the bar it sizzled, leaving a number behind: 24k.

"I don't believe it."

"Believe what?" Sky questioned.

Coin grabbed the bar and looked at it once more. "This is 24 karat gold. How did you get this?"

Sky contemplated telling him the truth as a joke, but telling Coin that he stole the treasure from Griffonstone would have given Coin more of a reason to find him suspicious. "I just retired and my family has a thing for gold. Unfortunately for them, I don't hoard it. I spend it."

"Then this is a very good thing. I’ll admit, at first I thought you were trying to pass off altered copper, but now I fully understand." Coin winked at Skyfall as if to convey a message of understanding. "Don't worry; I'll exercise discretion and keep our transactions strictly confidential."

Skyfall nodded. "That's all I ask."

Coin beat his hooves on his desk in approval. "Excellent, so you want to trade the gold for bits or jewels?"

"Bits will suffice." Sky responded firmly, he had no use for jewels.

"How much gold do you want to sell?"

Skyfall reached over and pushed his saddle bag down, letting the stack of gold bars fall out onto Coin's desk. "I have a lot more where this came from, but I don't want to trade it all at once."

Silver Coin sucked his teeth. "I'm afraid that trading what you have here won't be a possibility."

"Why not?" First you're all happy, now you're backing out? What gives?

"I don't keep that many bits on hoof. If you want to trade gold with me, you'll have to sell me them over time."That makes sense. Silver Coin rooted through his desk drawer. "Let's see. The exchange rate for 24 karat gold in Equestria is about 50 bits a gram."

Coin put the bar on a scale and hummed. "Each bar is about 200 grams."

Skyfall nodded. The price of gold dropped since he got it. That's what I get for waiting to sell it.

"Comes to." Coin jotted down some numbers. "10,000 bits per unit."

"Wonderful. How many bars can you buy a month?" Sky began putting the gold back into his saddle, signaling that the transaction was over, and all that remained was the exchange.

After a few minutes of hums, Silver Coin looked over his financial records one last time to give his newest client an accurate estimate. "I can buy two bars a month, either one bar bimonthly or two bars at once at the beginning of each month."

Skyfall placed two bars onto Silver's desk and smiled. "Let's go with the lump sum at the beginning of the month."

Silver shook Skyfall's hoof and got him a large sack of bits. He could tell that trading with his new client would be lucrative for his business, and even more so for his family’s reputation.

With bits in tow, Skyfall walked out of the Silvertail, and was instantly covered in a torrent of rain. Oh, right, it's raining... 

Sky looked back to see Silver Coin waving bye. "Hey Silver, where's the library?"

Coin stopped mid wave and shook his head. "It was blown up a year ago by a villain named Tirek. If you want to rent a book, you can go to Princess Twilight's castle. She's turned her personal library into the new town library."

"Thank you." Skyfall turned and looked for the castle, but saw nothing until Silver coughed gaining his attention.

"That way, you big lug. Big crystal castle, can't miss it." Coin giggled and pranced into his shop.

That stallion creeps me out. Sky thought.

The rain started to lighten up, giving Sky the perfect chance to trot to the library before it poured again. After a minute, his muscles started to scream at him. Fortunately, he found the castle soon after he felt the pain radiate up into his thigh. If running gives me this much pain, I should start working out with my wings.

"Someone has good taste." The castle stood high and reminded Skyfall of architecture he hadn't seen since the first age of Equus. He heard another bombardment of rain coming and knocked on the large door with urgency.

"Alright, I’m coming. Relax."

A small purple dragon opened the door in a Prench maid outfit, which made Sky cock his head in confusion. Kinky.

The small dragon looked up and flinched when a thunderclap shook the building. "Um, can I help you?"

"Yes, I’m here to check out some books."

"Oh, that's right, we're a library. Come on in, mister." The small dragon opened the door wide allowing for his customer to enter and get out of the rain. Not much was said between the maid and his new mystery guest until they reached Princess Twilight's library.

Skyfall whistled at sheer amount of books lining the walls. From end to end, each shelf was organized and cleaned, ready for anyone to come along and make a selection.

"Like what you see?"

"Oh yes, yes I do."

The dragon extended a claw. "I’m Spike."

"Skyfall."

Spike shook his hoof and cocked his head. "Say aren't you..."

"The stallion who bought the haunted house? Yes." Skyfall was getting a little tired of the same question popping up everywhere he went. Apparently, all the ponies gossiped in Ponyville.

"Well I don't think it's haunted, that's just a silly rumor." Spike chuckled while walking to a table in the center of the library's floor. He stopped in front of a large book with many different colored bookmarks jutting out from all sides. "This is the directory. Any topic or genre will be in here, and it will direct you to its place."

Still not as good as Minerva's library. Twilight and the spirit of knowledge would probably be fast friends... or hiss at each other like a couple of rabid cats.  Sky thought while fighting off a fit of laughter.

"Sadly, since you're new, you can't check out a book." Spike said before giving Skyfall a form. "Until you fill out this sheet and get a library card."

Skyfall looked over the paper and raised one eyebrow. "Why does she need to know my hoof size?"

Spike shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, I’m just Twilight's assistant."

"How about just a name and address?"

Spike nodded after taking off the maid outfit. "Is there any book I can get for you while you fill that out? The application is what Twilight calls a formality on 'the road to learning!'"

Sky smiled and shook his head at the ridiculous impersonation. "How many history books do you have?"

"A lot."

Wow, thanks for being specific. "Do you have ones that focus on world affairs for the last thousand years?"

Spike nodded.

"And ones that focus on Equestria for the same period of time?" Sky asked while flipping the directory’s pages. Sky placed Twilight’s application between one of the pages, trying to avoid filling it out. I better get some random books so it doesn't seem too weird. "Also, some books on airships."

As soon as Skyfall finished with his demands, six large books were plopped down on the table beside him. "There, four history books and two books about airships. Do your foals like stories?"

Skyfall blinked at Spike. Why do creatures assume I have children?

Spike thought he asked an awkward question, so he gave Skyfall a thick, worn book labeled:



Spirits
The Truth Behind the Tales
Written by Fairies Tail 




"What's this?" Sky asked.

"It's one of the most checked out books in the library. It’s about the Spirits and how they came to be. Parents love to come in here and check it out to scare their unruly foals with some of the stories in it." Spike chuckled. "Doesn't fool me, though. I know Spirits don't exist. Well, except for Discord. I’m convinced he made that to spread chaos before he became good."

Skyfall was staring at the book for a long minute as he ran his hoof over the cover, questions racking his mind. Spirits are evil now? Doesn't believe in Spirits? Discord is back? He's good?

"Hey, are you okay?" Spike asked, shaking Sky from his thought-driven spiral.

"Huh? Yes, I just... love books." Skyfall opened the book slowly. What person/spirit/pony wouldn't want to read about themselves? He looked in the directory and from page 84 to page 192 there his name sat, 'Shattered Skies' in bold black letters. Why so many pages?

"My favorite Spirit to read about is Sakurajima, the Volcano Spirit who..." 

"What?!" Spike was cut off by Skyfall's shout.

"Ah... what?" Spike imitated in a quieter voice.

Sky flipped through the pages rapidly. Each page was either a half-truth or a complete lie. They documented how Shattered Skies was a major villain during the Spirit war and how he would devour the souls of any creature to fuel his own malice. This book went as far as to list victims of Shattered Skies’ corruption and even suggested he was responsible for both King Sombra's evil army and Luna turning to Nightmare Moon. The last page of skimming referenced a memorial erected in Canterlot to the last batch of victims over eight hundred years ago.

Skyfall looked at Spike who was standing in a defensive way. "Sorry, I just... remember this book from my foalhood and have been searching for a copy for a long time."

"I'm glad you found it, then." Spike walked over and placed the new library card in front of Skyfall. "Here, in case you want to check the books out and any more in the future. Just bring this card and write down the book numbers in the tablet next to the directory. Each book has a seven day rent limit before you have to recheck them out."

"Wow, Twilight has the system down pat huh?"

"She's... very organized." Spike cringed while thinking about her obsessive rearranging.

"Well, Spike, I will be renting these." Sky started putting the books into his saddle bags, stuffing them to capacity. It's a good thing that Silver Coin had large denomination bits to save space.

"Well remember, Skyfall." Spike grabbed Sky's face and got muzzle to face. “In seven days you must return them, or Twilight will be at your house on the eighth day at sunrise."

"I'm guessing she freaks out over her books like a duck over her ducklings."

“Worse.” Spike shivered in fear. “Much, much worse.”

Skyfall took back his face and laughed. "I'll be sure to do that. Goodbye Spike, I have a lot of reading to do."

With that, Skyfall left the library and took the quickest route through Ponyville to go home. Ponies still veered away from him, but that's something he felt he would have to get used to.

As Skyfall walked, he saw a recognizable group of fillies waiting in front of a carousel type building. 

The three fillies were staring at the door waiting for somepony, or multiple someponies. Sky quietly walked behind them and greeted them with his deep voice. "Hello, you three."

The Pegasus and Unicorn jumped and ran behind a giggling Applebloom. "Hiya there, Mr. Skyfall."

"I see you three had a relaxing day." Sky smiled.

"Yeah, how'd ya know?"

"You're all clean and not soaked to the bone like me." Sky hoofed to his mane as an example. "I've been running around all day without an umbrella like a dummy."

Appleblooms two friends giggled at that, visibly less scared of Skyfall this time around.

"Well, I must be off. Tell Big Mac I said ‘hey.’" Sky said, before walking onward.

"Wait!" Applebloom yelled. "Do you wanna come out tah dinner with us?"

"Not tonight Applebloom, I must get home and make dinner." Skyfall smiled and took another step before hearing Applebloom's voice again, but louder.

"It’s not just us, it's mah sis and her friends. Princess Twilight'll be there, too."

Sky thought for a second and sighed while looking at Applebloom's eager expression. Sif would bite my flank if she didn't get the double chili cheese pepper stuffed hot dogs I promised her. "I'm sorry Applebloom, I have somepony waiting at home for me to make dinner."

Sweetie Belle smiled widely as if she just found out some huge secret.

"Ah understand, I’ll talk to ya later, mister Skyfall! Goodnight!"

"Goodnight, Applebloom."

The second Skyfall rounded the corner, the front door to the Carousel Boutique swung open.

"Ugh finally, it took Rarity forever to find the right outfit." Rainbow lamented.

"’Perfect ensemble’ are the words I would have chosen." Rarity said.

Applejack saw how her sister and her friends were gossiping in a circle. "Okay you three, what are ya up to? Hopefully you didn't get in any trouble while you were waitin’."

Pinkie looked at the ground and found a large set of hoofprints. "Woowie, what pony made these?"

Applebloom Smiled widely. "Guess who we just saw!"
> Chapter 4 -Neighbors-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Neighbors-


The loud bangs at the front door could be heard from Canterlot to Yakyakistan. Newly fused wood creaked from strain, and old stones threatened to crumble as Twilight's barrage of hooves thundered against the innocent front door.

"You know she means to take you out this time." Sif said, circling her bed before laying down for a nap. She opened an eye and looked over at Skyfall who was lounging on a bed next to her. Sky was completely covered head to hoof in hard, wooden armor and sipping a cup of tea.

"She can try it." Sky grabbed another book. "These are only two days late and I doubt ponies are clamoring over each other to read..." He flipped the book over to examine the title more closely. "’The History of the Great Equestrian Ages’, by Glory Scrolls."

"Well, you have to leave eventually." Sif mumbled as the soft embrace of sleep began to wrap itself around her.

"Oh, and why is that, fluffy butt?" Sky ruffled Sif's fur in jest, but before he could withdraw he got a face full of the gray fuzz.

"You have to. I need you to get a few things from the list on the fridge. You need to replace that decrepit teapot as well." Sif stated.  “And spending the past two days in my den is starting to make you look like a basement cat.”

Skyfall hissed at Sif. "How could you say that about Ms. Teapot?" He picked up his cracked, leaking pot.

Sif rolled over onto her back and kicked the pot out his hooves and into the wall, shattering it.

"You broke my teapot!" exclaimed Sky.

Sif stretched her large paws into the air. "There's only room for one bitch in your life. Me."

Sky opened his mouth to comment, but was cut off by another tail strike to the face.

"I meant that in a scientific sense, hot stuff." Sif hummed, having found the perfect sleeping position. "You should get the items on the list before she has evidence you're actually here."

Without another word, Skyfall resigned to obey and walked up the basement stairs stopping at the very top. Sky reverted back into his spirit form so he could get a better idea of what was going on outside. "Let's see what we can see."

A rush of light filled his vision and before long he saw Twilight, along with three other ponies, milling about on his front stoop. Twilight had the most indignant look on her face, obviously annoyed at being ignored, while a pink mare was bouncing around the perimeter, looking in every window she came across. After watching the pink mare for a minute, Skies remembered that his house had a reputation for being haunted, so having fun wasn’t out of the question.  

The trees on the property swayed and cracked in a nonexistent breeze, making all four mares freeze, a fearful look evident in their eyes.

"Maybe I shouldn't scare them..." Skies mused, releasing the trees from his control.

"W...Well, Twilight, maybe you're being too forceful. A lady should always approach a door with poise." The white unicorn was going to try her luck with the door, and from the sound of it, she was confident it was going to work.

"Well then, Rarity, why don't you try?" Twilight said a matter-of-factly.

“There's a second name to put on my restraining order: Rarity.” For three days, an assortment of ponies had come to the estate to greet their new neighbor. Some ponies only got as far as the front post that marked his property. Skies appreciated the gesture, but retirement was supposed to be somewhat peaceful.

There was one mare that Sky could not identify and had yet to meet. She sat right behind Twilight looking frightened. Her cherry blossom mane was long and curled. With her head turned to the side, her mane rested over her face, hiding it from view. 

"Right, time to move. I just have to pick out a good area to appear." Skies searched the nearby forest and found a deserted tree with a tree house in it. "Puuurfect."

One problem came to Skies as he donned his disguise again. He looked around and remembered, the list is on the fridge which can be seen from a window.

Oh Come on! Sky thought when he placed his hoof on the frame seeking a distraction. Maybe if I...

Skyfall found a family of squirrels living in a tree. When he spoke to them they quickly bowed and agreed to help. The squirrels jumped from the tree and started to run around Twilight and the other ponies, gaining their attention.  "Time for me to move."

Crossing the distance in two strides, Skyfall snatched the list and leapt into the wall.  About a minute later he showed up a few miles away, emerging from the trunk of the tree house.

Skyfall smiled as he sat. It wasn't the first time he had walls that acted like a tree and allowed him to pass through. It proved to be invaluable in every place that he lived. Sky remembered that his wife laughed at his paranoia when she found out that he had replaced all the walls with living wood. She poked fun at him, sarcastically stating that if he didn't cover up the fireplace, a fat red monster would shimmy down and snatch him up. Her warning was an obvious shot at Sky’s reindeer-like appearance. Remembering the dead caused Skyfall a lot of mental anguish and even made his wound ache. Even if it happened almost fifteen hundred years ago, it still hurt.

"Right, the list." Skyfall hastily changed the topic in an attempt to rid himself of the plaguing memories of his wife and child that were racing through his mind.

The list had a bunch of random ingredients, as well as some groceries. Sif's grotesque writing caused Skyfall to groan. He squinted and rotated the note countless times to decipher what she wrote before shoving it into his saddle. "Curse that dog."

"Okay, I only need to buy powdered prisma crystal. I can get the rest from the Everfree though." Skyfall said. "I guess she's getting close to finishing her potion."

Prisma Crystal. Sky ran the name through his mind again to cement his goal. "Shouldn't be too hard."





"I can't believe him! I've tried to welcome him to Ponyville for three days. Three days!" Twilight seethed to Rarity.

"Well maybe he is in town?" Rarity said.

"For three days?" Twilight shot a wry look at Rarity before Applejack met up with them in front of Sweet Apple Acres.

"What are ya girls talkin ‘bout?"

"Oh, that new stallion has been ignoring Twilight all week and she's getting super bummed out that her welcome wagons are getting flats which is super not cool!" Pinkie spurted out.

"Right... anypony else wanna give that a try?" Applejack questioned.

Fluttershy trotted up next to Applejack. "The new stallion hasn't answered his door the past few times Twilight has gone to talk to him. He seems very shy."

"Reclusive is more like it. It is not healthy for a gentlecolt to stay secluded like this." Rarity said.

Applejack cut in before Twilight could whip around and gripe more about Skyfall. “And how is he a gentlecolt? Ya haven’t met him nither!”

Rarity harrumphed. “Any stallion who lives in a lavish place like that is obviously a refined gentlecolt. You haven’t gone to see it have you?”

“Nope.” Applejack sternly stated. “And ah ain't goin’ to neither. Y’all are encroachin on his privacy.”

Fluttershy rose her hoof to interject. “Maybe he’s just really shy. I was shy when I first moved here.”

“Ah don’t think he’s shy. He’s just retired." Applejack said.

"How? He's like the same age as my brother!" Twilight ran her hoof over the bridge of her muzzle. "When I find this stallion, he's going to get a piece of my mind."

"And your hoof!" Pinkie said.

Twilight looked at Applejack who was trying to hold in a bout of laughter. "Applejack, how did you know he was retired? Did you talk to him?"

"Hm? Oh, ah… no, Big Macintosh talked to him. He said this Skyfall feller seems real nice." Applejack said.

"So he talks to Big Mac?" Twilight asked.

"Just in passin’. Mr. Skyfall went into Ponyville a few days ago and bought a lot of stuff to put in that house of his." Applejack explained. "Big Mac and him talked for a bit when he ordered a whole mess of apples."

"What'd they talk about?" Twilight asked.

"The weather." Applejack cringed at Twilight's flailing reaction. "He should be ordering more today from the market though, shoulda run out by now."

Twilight smiled victoriously. "To the market!"

Twilight reared up to gallop, but was stopped by a demure cough. Fluttershy rose into the air slowly. “U…Um Twilight? I’m sorry but I have to go and feed Angel.” She didn’t wait for a reply before starting to fly towards her cottage. 

Everypony knew that she was terrified of meeting new ponies and Mr. Skyfall was no exception. Rarity and Applejack understood and didn’t question Fluttershy’s decision.

Pinkie Pie’s hair deflated slightly. “I’m afraid I can’t go with you either, Twilight. I have to take over for the Cakes today, since this week starts their vacation to the Bree-Hamas.”

“Hey guys, what are you doing?” A familiar voice piped up as she flew in.

Twilight smiled devilishly. “Hey, Rainbow Dash, in the mood to pull one of your pranks?”





A large head slammed down onto Big Mac's stand, scaring the filly hidden beneath. Big Mac recognized his customer by his olive drab scarf. "What's wrong there, Mr. Skyfall?"

Skyfall grumbled a string of muffled words.

"What's that? Ah can't hear ya." Big Mac asked.

Skyfall sighed and lifted his head slowly. "Sorry Big Mac. I've been running around all day looking for an alchemical ingredient. I was told by one shop that it's fairly common everywhere but here in Ponyville."

"Ah'm sorry to hear that. How many apples?" Big Mac asked before turning to his cart to fulfill an impending order.

"A quarter bushel of Galas, please." Sky said before resuming his complaining. "I tried to make an order to get the ingredient, but having a local resource would be better for me."

"Well, I don't know much about that science stuff. I only know a little to take care of the farm." Big Mac said before pointing down. "Applebloom, on the other hoof, is tryin’ to be one of those fancy potion makers."

"Ah'm here-oof" Applebloom tried hopping up onto the counter but needed her brother’s assistance, making her blush after almost falling. "Ah'm here. What are ya talkin about?"

"Mr. Skyfall here needs help finding something." Big Mac said.

"Whatchya need?" Applebloom asked, all too eager to help.

Skyfall's body seized from a sudden, scathing headache that radiated through his entire body. Sky’s muscles started to curl his body inward before releasing. He massaged his head with both hooves and looked around. All the ponies in the market saw it happen and murmured at the obviously painful display.

"Y...Ya okay there Skyfall?" Big Mac asked.

Skyfall wasn't okay, a figure caught his attention far off in the tree line. Some stallion stood in the shadows wearing a lumpy cloak. He swayed a little until a wind kicked up revealing his hooves, which were each a different color. His green eyes darted back and forth, scanning the crowd, until he gave up and turned away. The worst part in all of this was when Sky made a realization. Why can't I sense him?

"Um, Mr. Skyfall? You there?" Big Mac asked once more before looking in the direction Sky was looking. "What do ya see?"

"Uh, timberwolf. That's all." Sky lied, causing Big Mac to raise an eyebrow.

Applebloom tugged on Skyfall’s scarf. "Do ya need help?"

"Oh. Yes. Where might I find powdered prisma crystal?" Sky said.

"Oh! Ah have some." Applebloom cried. She leapt down from the counter and grabbed a backpack before trotting around the stand to meet him. The backpack was filled with papers and small sacks. She pulled out a small blue one and showed Skyfall the contents. "This?"

"Y...Yes! How do you have this?" Sky asked with astonishment.

Big Mac smiled. "Applebloom is takin’ lessons in potion making. That is her private stock of ingredients."

"Do ya want it?" Applebloom asked.

After a brief moment Skyfall sighed. "I can't take this."

"Why not? Is it not big enough? Take all of it!" Applebloom ordered, but Big Mac smiled at Skyfall with an all too knowing grin.

"I can't take your only sack of prisma powder. I need to pay you for it... or something." Skyfall said and reached for some bits to pay Applebloom.

"Ah don't want yer bits." Applebloom stuck her nose in the air. "Ya can pay me in another way."

"Huh?" Sky tilted his head to the side.

"I want ya to treat the Crusaders to dinner!" Applebloom shoved her hoof in Skyfall's face.

Skyfall grabbed her small hoof. Applebloom’s hoof was several times smaller than his, making it a comical sight. Skyfall smiled and said. "Any request within reason."

Applebloom cheered and trotted off to school, leaving a laughing Big Mac.

"She’s getting more powder today, isn’t she?” Skyfall asked.

"Eeyup!" Big Mac said, proud that his little sister was becoming a sly business pony. "Her class is taking a field trip to her mentor’s hut in the Everfree."

“Isn’t that unsafe with all the Timberwolves?”

“Nope. Zecora enchanted the path to make it safer so she could visit easier.” 

Skyfall still thought it was a bad idea for ponies to go near his forest with those things still there, but it wasn’t his job to watch Ponyville. He walked away from Big Mac’s stand and lamented. I was outdone by a foal. I'm never going to hear the end of this.

"So, ya were avoiding the Princess?" Big Mac asked suddenly, still within earshot of Skyfall.

"Yeah. Wait, how'd you know?" Skyfall did a double take.

"She seems a might angry." Big Mac pointed towards the approaching group of mares who were barreling toward the market. "And she has meh sister Applejack, the fastest land pony I've ever met. Ya might wanna skedaddle."

"And so I must." Now all I need is to get to the forest. Skyfall nodded. Being a full head bigger than the biggest pony in Ponyville made escape infinitely harder for Skyfall, who couldn’t blend in.

Twilight noticed Skyfall walking away from the stand. "Oh no you don't! You’re mine!"

Skyfall heard Twilight's yell, so he did the only thing a stallion could do in that situation: Ignore her and run the second he was around a corner to get away.

Twilight, along with her friends, began galloping faster the second Skyfall broke their line of sight. Their hoof beats on the ground shook the roots, giving Skyfall a slight indication of where they were.

Skyfall exited the alley the second the three mares passed, Twilight spouting crazy punishments as she ran. Sky remembered Spike's warning upon checking the books out.



"In seven days you must return them or Twilight will be at your house on the eighth day at sunrise."



"How can she be that mad? I've dodged her for three days." Sky stopped in his tracks. "Wait. Doesn't Twilight's possy have six mares?

Before he could think, he was tackled by a mare with a rainbow mane. Skyfall lay there in the center of a growing crowd, knowing exactly what was happening. It was a trap set up by Twilight, one that he would make backfire.

The mare started to groan and cringe, pretending her wing was hurt. The flash mob prevented Skyfall's five pursuers to get any closer, giving Skyfall time.

Game on Princess. Now what's your name, prismatic pony? Sky questioned. The crowd was all too generous to give an answer to Skyfall in the form of insults.

"Oh, Rainbow's so faking it!"

"Ugh, what happened to that featherbrain now?"

"I bet she's trying to scare this guy."

"What's going on? Did someone clock Dash yet?"

Skyfall sat there, giving a small nervous laugh as he held Rainbow Dash in his hooves. She put her fetlock over her eyes and began her act.

"Oh, woe is me, this accident has left me with a crippling injury. " She took this time to flap one of her wings at random intervals. "I'll never be able to fly again... Whatever shall I do?" Asking no one in particular. "I'll have to go hungry and homeless."

"Fake mourning!" A small pink filly with a tiara shouted.

Rainbow tried harder by flailing but was interrupted by a hoof placed against her cheek. The stallion who was giving a nervous laugh before was now dead serious and stared right into her eyes. Her thoughts were ground to a halt until the stallion spoke "No, Dash, I shall take responsibility for this travesty and nurture you back to health. I have scoured the earth all of my life for you Dash! Honestly, you don't remember me?! You know... from that masquerade in the griffon kingdoms... all those years ago? I have devoted my life to finding you! My fortune, my castle, my nobility! Gone. So that I may end this like it started on that fateful night, with one longing kiss.” The last part was but a whisper making the shocked pony’s blue coat turn deep purple. The crowd around them watched with intent silence, hanging on every word. Everyone was waiting for the final, climactic kiss, but instead, he turned to the crowd and said. "Oh look! It’s Princess Celestia wearing a sundress!"

Everyone bowed to the ground in respect, allowing Skyfall to sprint away from the crowd and into the forest.

Rainbow sat on the ground, still blushing from the close encounter. She was still confused. What was he saying? Was he about to kiss me? Should I have kissed him to ruin his attempt to out-prank me? Should I run now? So many questions flitted through her head at once.

"You okay there pardner?" Applejack asked.

Rainbow Dash stood up violently. "No! He embarrassed me!"

"Darling, you did try and embarrass him first." Rarity added. "And Twilight I'm surprised at you! Telling Rainbow Dash to stall him so you could give him a tongue lashing."

Twilight opened her mouth to retort, but Rainbow rocketed off into the air towards Skyfall's estate. True to Rainbow Dash's reputation, she was at his front gate in ten seconds flat.

Skyfall exited a tree a few hundred feet from his front gate and immediately he saw Rainbow waiting for him, seething. Uh-oh.

Rainbow sighed heavier and heavier every second it took for Skyfall to reach her. She couldn't make eye contact so she opted to scowl at the weathered plaque on a pillar that read 'De Cerulean'.

Stopping a few feet from Rainbow Dash, Skyfall stared at her and made things worse by opening his mouth. "What's wrong? Did I forget our anniversary again?"

Rainbow squinted at Skyfall angrily.

Oh boy here it comes...  Skyfall could feel that Twilight and her two friends were on their way through the forest, but they weren't fast enough.

"Who do you think you are!" Rainbow roared.

"Why are you so upset, Ms. Dash?" Skyfall asked, uninterested in Rainbow's anger.

"Y...You, you were trying to humiliate me... you featherbag!" The mare cocked back and hoofed him right in the face.

Skyfall didn't harden his skin or brace for impact, he let Rainbow take revenge. Skyfall looked up at her, a now much calmer mare. "Humiliate you? You tried to prank and embarrass me so you could hold me there long enough to have Twilight catch me."

Rainbow's eyes shot open.

"Oh, you thought I didn't know? You and Twilight planned to humiliate me." Skyfall turned his head toward his house. "You have a good day, Ms. Dash."

"Wait!" Twilight yelled as she ran up. "We saw what happened and it was an accident, don't be mad at Rainbow Dash!"

Skyfall stopped walking to hear what the Princess had to say, he had a feeling it would be entertaining.

"Sometimes Rainbow crashes, it was just an accident that you were standing there." Twilight smiled nervously.

Rainbow waved her hooves and shook her head trying to get Twilight to stop.

"Oh, so Rainbow crashed into me by accident and thought her wing was hurt?" Skyfall asked.

"Yes." Twilight smiled.

"So you didn't have a plan to embarrass me?" Sky looked directly at Twilight.

"N...no." Twilight was put off by Skyfall's burning golden eyes.

"But you did have a plan." Skyfall stated.

Twilight went to respond, but was cut off.

"That wasn't a question." Skyfall turned and walked away slowly.

"He's got ya dead to rights there, Twilight." Applejack said.

Rainbow bit her lip as Skyfall passed, his eyes bearing down on her. "I'm sorry, didn't know you would get so mad."

"You are not forgiven." Skyfall said calmly, trying to drive home a point.

Rainbow huffed angrily and rocketed off to a cloud house in the distance.

Skyfall left, leaving the group of mares in silence. They shifted around uncomfortably. Twilight wasn’t used to angering ponies and did not fully grasp what was going on.

“Wait! You still owe me overdue books!” Twilight shouted at the shrinking form of Skyfall.

“Er, Twilight? Ah think he ain’t in the mood.” Applejack put a hoof on Twilight’s whither. “Try something else.”

Rarity cut in. “But not today, sweetie.”

Rarity pulled a head scarf from her wardrobe in the void, and fastened it around her head. “Applejack and I are going to chat with the gentlecolt.”

“No ah ain’t!” Applejack shouted in horror.

“Oh stop being a scaredy-cat, Applejack. We’re just going to try and smooth over the boo-boo that Twilight and Rainbow caused.” Rarity cooed.

“But…” Applejack tried to come up with an excuse, but the element of honesty lived up to her reputation and failed to force one. “Fine.”

Rarity smiled and waved her hoof, dismissing Twilight. “Twilight, you should go and see how Rainbow is doing. I am sure she is breaking… something.”

Twilight felt horrible, she had lied about doing something horrible and was caught. Twilight raised her hoof to try and defend what she did, but dropped it. She watched Rarity walking towards Skyfall’s house, a reluctant Applejack in tow, and considered following. No that would make it worse. Sighing, she instead turned around and began her trip home. 

“Why do ah have to go?” Applejack muttered under her breath. “You know how ah feel about this place.”

“Oh puh-lease, Applejack, those are just stories and rumors.” Rarity stopped and held out a hoof. “Just look at this place. Before, it was dead grass and a dirty old house, now look at it. The house looks simply divine.”

“Ah think it’s too big fer one stallion.” Applejack said.

“You’re too critical Applejack.” Rarity had heard about Skyfall through her customers. Skyfall had not really interacted with Ponyville aside from the very few ponies he did business with, so naturally he became the talk of the town, much like Cranky Doodle Donkey before him.

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Rarity?” Applejack asked. “He did look pretty upset when he walked off.”

Rarity and Applejack arrived at the stoop before Rarity could respond. “I am not so sure now.”

“Well it’s too late to back out now.” Applejack said.

“What? No it’s not we haven’t…” Rarity was cut off by Applejack ringing the doorbell.

“Now it is.” Applejack smiled.





Skyfall shut his front door with a firm kick. “SIF!”

The echo of his voice and the silent response told Skyfall that Sif had left, presumably to take care of business. Sky walked into the kitchen to find another horribly written note.

-Gone to get the stuff you didn’t.-

“Figures.” Skyfall scoffed. She just wanted to see if I would get them, knowing they were easily found.

Before Sky could get upset at Sif’s prank, he heard the whistling of a tea kettle. Sky, having been known to enjoy the smaller things in life, wore a small smile on his face. “That sweetheart.”

Skyfall had an incredible knack for making tea; he prepared it with green tea leaves that were grown in partial shade. Sky gave it a slightly sweet taste by adding a small dollop of honey from Royal Bees. Sky sat down with his tea. “Finally.”

Before Sky could take a sip of his tea, the doorbell rang, echoing through the house. What is that awful noise?

Skyfall tried to raise the tea to his lips before another bell rang through the house. Of course there’s somepony here. Why wouldn’t there be? I was about to enjoy me time. Another bell chimed, indicating that the ringers were not going away. “On my way.”

Stopping at his front door, Skyfall put his hoof against the wooden frame of the door to see who it was, desperately hoping that it wasn’t Twilight. Rarity and Applebloom’s sister? I wonder what they want.

Skyfall grabbed the ornate door handles and opened the double doors just as Applejack raised her hoof to knock once more. “How may I help you?”

“Took ya long enough.” Applejack scowled, annoyed that she had rang the bell so much without a response.

“I forgot what the doorbell sounded like. I’ve become too used to ponies banging on my door.” Skyfall said, returning Applejack’s scowl.

“Oh dear.” Rarity said and stepped in front of Applejack, trying to quell the developing hostility. Rarity held her hoof out to Skyfall. “Good afternoon, Sir Skyfall. My name is Rarity. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

I wouldn’t call this a pleasure. And what’s with her hoof? Do stallions still kiss a mare’s hoof upon meeting them? Skyfall gently grabbed Rarity’s hoof and laid a delicate kiss on it. I hope this doesn’t get awkward. 

Rarity chirped with happiness. “See, Applejack, I told you he was a gentlecolt.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Yeah yeah, let’s just get this over with.”

I really hope Sif doesn’t come home while they’re here. “Would you two like to come inside for some tea?”

Rarity smiled triumphantly, she wanted an excuse to see the house for the longest time and now she had one.

Applejack followed behind an excited Rarity at a slow, cautious pace.

“Oh my! Sir Skyfall, this place is gorgeous.” Rarity said the second she set hoof inside. The foyer’s ceiling traveled up to the second floor, allowing for an elegant staircase.

“It’s okay.” Skyfall said. Unknown to either of the ponies that he was now playing host to, he had lived in many places that made the De Cerulean Estate look like a shack in a swamp.

Rarity’s mouth dropped at Skyfall’s flippant remark, making Applejack giggle.

Skyfall walked up the staircase sluggishly. “You two are welcome to have tea in the front room.”

Rarity wore a face of confusion when she followed Skyfall into his front room. “Sir Skyfall why…”

“Skyfall.” Sky corrected.

“Huh?” Rarity stuttered out after being interrupted.

“You do not have to call me Sir or Mister. Just Skyfall will be fine. You may also call me Fall or Sky. I’m not picky.” Skyfall sat and started preparing two extra cups of tea.

“R…Right M…Skyfall.” Rarity said, nearly repeating the title. She was unsure if he was angry or not; his monotonous tone dissuaded her from starting a conversation.

As he poured their tea, Skyfall noticed that he was somewhat curt with Rarity, and hadn’t even acknowledged Applebloom’s sister. “I apologize from my shortness. I just don’t like formal titles when they aren’t necessary.”

“Please allow me to introduce myself properly.” Skyfall gave both mares their tea. “I am Skyfall, your new neighbor. Rarity I’ve met.” He nodded to Rarity before turning to Applejack. “I have yet to get your name.”

“Mah name’s Applejack.” Applejack said. “I’m the owner of Sweet Apple Acres. Ah live up the road from you.”

“So you’re Applebloom and Big Mac’s sister?” Skyfall asked. He already knew, but the opportunity to make small talk was needed.

“Eeyup. They’re my kin.” Applejack said proudly and put her tea down without tasting it.

Rarity made a delighted humming sound. “This tea is splendid. Did you make this?”

“Yes. It took me…” Sky was about to tell them it took him three thousand years to get it right: The mixture, the leaf, and the additives. Sky had many recipes for tea, but he was known for his royal green tea. Sky looked at Rarity and smiled. “It took me a long time to get right.”

“Well you should feel proud. You should open a tea shop and sell this.” Rarity said and noticed Applejack’s untouched teacup. “Applejack! Why are you not drinking your tea?”

“Yall know I don’t like tea, neither does Rainbow Dash, you know, the reason why we’re here.” Applejack proclaimed, eyeing Rarity.

Rarity lamented, Applejack was right. “Skyfall, the reason we’re here is to talk to you about Twilight and Rainbow Dash.”

“I figured you were, that’s why I let you in. Mostly.” Skyfall chuckled.

“Wait, ya knew we would come to talk about this?” Applejack asked.

“No. I knew somepony would stop by. I actually thought it would have been Twilight, I’m glad to see that I was wrong though.” Skyfall said and prepared another cup of tea for Rarity.

“And why is that a good thing?” Applejack asked aggressively. “Yall got a problem with Twilight?”

“Calm down Applejack. I’m sure Skyfall didn’t mean it. Did you?” Rarity questioned hopefully.

“I did, but not the way you took it.” Skyfall calmly stated, giving Applejack a chance to calm down. “Twilight needs time to think. Using trickery to meet ponies isn’t a good thing. Hopefully she’ll understand why it was wrong and that she won’t employ something like that again.”

Applejack nodded in agreement. “Ah’ll admit it was mighty neighborly, but ya been avoiding her fer the past few days. How could she meet you if ya been cooped up in here?”

“Ah, you’ve caught me.” Skyfall laughed. Skyfall had been avoiding Twilight because of her affiliation with Celestia and Luna, but he could never tell Applejack that. “I have been avoiding her.”

“Why in Celestia’s name have you been avoiding her?” Rarity asked in disbelief.

“She rudely bangs on my door.” Sky said matter of factly.

Applejack raised an eyebrow, deciding to challenge the statement. “Does she now?”

“She does. But you know that. I'm sure you wouldn't lie about knowing?” Skyfall asked.

“Ahm the element of honesty, it’s kinda meh thing.” Applejack smiled at Skyfall and saw his facial expression drop. Twilight was right, he does look tired.

Memories of the element of honesty ran through Skyfall’s head. He secretly hoped that these ponies would stop referencing them, or that he would learn to eventually let go of all the guilt he held. Skyfall sighed long and loud. “She does bang on the door, but I avoid her because I’m reluctant to make friends.”

“Shy?” Rarity asked.

“Not really, just reluctant to make friends these days.” Sky stated quietly.

Applejack looked down at the tea that Sky had prepared for her. “Ah see why. Ponies won’t leave ya alone.”

Rarity looked around. “So, Skyfall, why is this room so barren?”

“Oh, I’m glad you asked. This is an entertainment room that I have yet to furnish. Hopefully when I get more bits I can… Applejack what are you doing?” Skyfall asked, staring blankly at Applejack.

“Ahm tryin to drink yer tea? What’s it look like ahm doin?” Applejack held the cup up to her lips, curling them back thinking it was hot.

“It’s hot Applejack, not scalding.” Rarity corrected by showing her the ladies way of sipping tea.

Applejack, on the other hoof, drank it like cider.

Rarity got over Applejack’s gross display of drinking and turned to Skyfall. “So, Skyfall, do you have any family?”

Ponyville must put a lot of stock in family. Sky mused and stirred his tea. He hesitated to answer, something that Rarity caught on to. “Y…Yes, but I haven’t seen them in… a long time.”

Rarity took the opportunity to switch back to talking about earlier. “That sounds just like Rainbow Dash, her parents live in Cloudsdale. Her aunt, Firefly, comes down on occasion, but when she does, Rainbow gets embarrassed from all the foal stories she tells.”

Applejack burst into laughing upon remembering one of the stories. “Ah’ll say. This one time Rainbow’s mom told us that when Rainbow was a filly she took her mom’s makeup and-”

Applejack wouldn’t finish her statement before somepony started banging on the door desperately.

Rarity rose to see who it was, but Skyfall raised a hoof. “No, I’ll get it.”

Without looking to see who it was, Skyfall could tell it was multiple ponies. They started ringing the bell and screaming for Applejack and Rarity.

Skyfall opened the door to find a two local guards and the Mayor. “Mr. Skyfall! Are Ms. Rarity and Ms. Applejack here?”

Applejack and Rarity turned the corner as soon as their names were called. Applejack waved her hoof at the Mayor. “What is it Mayor?”

“I’m sorry, but you two need to come with me immediately!” The Mayor stated with the utmost urgency.

“My goodness, for what reason?” Rarity asked.

“I…” One of the local guards stepped up when the Mayor began stuttering, looking for an answer.

Skyfall noticed their demeanor. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good.

“The local school foals took a field-trip into the Everfree and about fifteen minutes into the trip a pack of Timberwolves attacked, splitting the group. One group made it out, but Cheerilee and the other are still in there. I regret to inform you that…”

“Mah sister’s still in there!” Applejack went white with shock. “Do ya know where they are?”

The guard shook his head as Rarity started to tear up.

Skyfall looked on as both mares assaulted the guards with questions. “You should go if you are going to save them. They likely made a break for the place they were going.”

“He’s right. They were all going to Zecora’s. If ah know my sister, they would have started running there.” Applejack reared up and sprinted the second the words left her mouth.

Rarity turned to say something before Skyfall interrupted her. “Run.”

Rarity chased after Applejack. The Mayor and one of the guards followed soon after, while the other stayed behind with Skyfall. 

“Are you going to help?” The guard asked, almost demanding that Skyfall assist. “We could use somepony your size.”

Sky smiled, he wouldn’t lie to himself. He wanted to get to the bottom of the Timberwolf problem instead of relying on Sif’s kin to do it for him. Skyfall was still in no shape to go to battle. “I might. I have to ask somepony.”

“Coward.” The guard sneered and started flying away.

Once inside, Skyfall stared at the ceiling in silence. A mural of a bright sunrise overtaking a dark sunset spanned the foyer’s dome. Sky wasn’t one for taking things as a sign or using coincidence as an excuse; to him the mural just took his mind off the situation for the briefest of seconds.

The back door flew open as a large grey wolf glided in, skidding to a stop. Sif had urgent news for Skyfall, but she sensed the somber mood in the air and held her tongue.

“I’m retired.” Sky fidgeted with his scarf and started pacing. “If I go, I’ll be exposed to the world.”

“Not to mention the Princesses will come looking for you.” Sif reminded.

“Exactly! And according to those books that Twilight started a miniature war over, I was a menace.” Skyfall stopped pacing and walked to a front window, leaning on it for support. “Plus, how can I help? I’m too old.”

“Never stopped you before, Shattered Skies.” Sif smiled.

Skyfall looked down; his Pegasus body had become one of a Spirit. Skyfall had transformed into Shattered Skies without realizing it. “Sif?”

“Yes, my lord?” Sif smiled, her hair standing up on end in excitement knowing what he was about to say.

“Ready to move?” As Skies finished his question, Sif was already out the door speeding off into the forest.

Sif howled loud and long, hearing many howls in response.

“Guess I’m helping.” Sky laughed and teleported through the trees till he found Sif, she was sprinting as fast as she could to get to her scouts. “How does it look?”

Sif heard another series of howls and started running faster. “Bad. The place they're in won't last much longer.”
> Chapter 5 -Do I get an award for this?-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Do I get an award for this?-



Thirty minutes earlier


“Okay class, is everyone ready to go?” Cheerilee asked, the class of foals behind her cheering in excitement.

Cheerilee fidgeted for a brief second before entering the Everfree. She had scheduled a field trip to see Zecora, the local herbalist, but things were getting more dangerous in the Everfree as of recent. Weird sightings happened daily and timberwolf attacks were on the rise. Cheerilee bit her lip. This may have been a bad idea.

Cheerilee remembered that the Mayor encouraged her to do this field trip, ensuring everything would go smoothly. Famous last words. "Come on class!"

The foals followed along closely so they wouldn’t get lost on the way. Each colt and filly stuck close to one another for support from the imaginary monsters they saw in the shadows.

"So, what do you think is out there?" Scootaloo asked.

"I... I dun' know."  Applebloom said.

"I think..." Sweetie Belle started before something crept up behind her and poked her flank, causing her to scream.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon smiled nervously, having scared their friend unintentionally.

“S-Sorry, Sweetie Belle.” Diamond Tiara said. She tried to put her best hoof forward since becoming friends with the other three fillies. 

“Don’t scare me like that!” Sweetie Belle shrieked.

“I didn’t mean to, I just wanted to talk.” Diamond Tiara winced.

Sweetie Belle felt a little bad about snapping at Diamond Tiara. Everypony knew Tiara’s family life hasn’t been the same since standing up to her mother. Both her parents were prodding her to take over Filthy Rich’s company and were going to arrange her a marriage with a colt from a wealthy Prench family. Diamond Tiara wanted to become a philanthropist, but her parents didn’t approve, so they treated her coldly.

“It’s okay DT.” Applebloom said. “The Everfree just puts us a bit on edge.”

Applebloom looked over to Scootaloo, she was the only one who didn’t jump. “Ya okay, Scoots?”

Silver Spoon bumped Scootaloo, causing her to stumble out of her deep thought. “Equestria to Scootaloo!”

“Huh what? Oh, sorry girls. I was thinking.” Scootaloo smiled awkwardly.

Diamond Tiara sensed the situation and decided to change the subject. “When do you girls want to have a sleepover?”

Applebloom smiled. “Oh! I forgot to tell ya’ll.”

All of the fillies curiously cocked their heads towards Applebloom. 

“I made a deal with Mr. Skyfall, I sold him prisma powder in exchange for taking us to dinner!” Applebloom announced.

“Why?” Diamond Tiara asked.

“Yeah, why?” Sweetie Belle asked in agreement with Diamond Tiara.

“Well, nopony knows anything about Mr. Skyfall, so they keep spreading rumors about him.” Applebloom started. “The way ah see it,  that makes him an outcast, so if we talk to him, we can get his real story and help him!”

Ever since getting their cutie marks, Applebloom and the others became devoted to helping other ponies. The five fillies lost time talking about the questions they were going to ask their future host, but stopped when they all crashed into Cheerilee, who was completely rigid with her fur standing on end.

“What’s wrong, Ms. Cheerilee?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Cheerilee mumbled incoherently, looking back at the green orbs that peered out from the bushes deep in the woodline. She wanted to act and run away, but the foals would never keep up. She looked back and saw that some of the foals noticed them as well, causing them to panic and run in fear towards Ponyville. The wolves, however, didn’t move which meant they wanted something, somepony bigger.

“Ms. Cheerilee, what do we do?” asked one of the remaining colts.

Cheerilee looked straight ahead and saw Zecora’s hut. If all the foals ran, they would make it, but they wouldn’t last long even in the makeshift shelter. Cheerilee bit her lip and quivered in fear. 

“Class, when I say so, I need you to run to Zecora’s hut.” Cheerilee said quietly to the remainder of her class. She was unsure of what would become of the foals that ran away, but she needed to save the ones she could. Her class nodded and waited for Cheerilee’s signal. “Run!”

The instant everypony started to sprint, the timberwolves rushed to catch them. The feral beasts rapidly gained on the slow class, but suddenly, Zecora threw the door open allowing the panicked class to rush in.

Zecora slammed the door and instantly threw her own body against the door as something of a barricade. Not soon after gaining her footing, the timberwolves rammed it full force, sending Zecora staggering. She turned to the class. “Foals,  you must assist, if these beasts are to desist!”

The class stood as one behind the door and pushed in a desperate, futile attempt to keep the timberwolves from breaking through.

Applebloom squeezed her eyes shut and screamed. "Somepony, help!"





"Somepony, help!" The familiar voice of Applebloom called out.

"Sif, we need to hurry!" Skies shouted.

"I know!" Sif answered before letting out a guttural howl, signaling her kin to attack as soon as they arrived.

Shattered Skies leapt onto the path with Sif and sprinted towards the hut surrounded by their new enemy. According to the reports he read in the local newspaper, timberwolves targeted ponies and dragged them away to an unknown location, rather than simply killing them.

The timberwolves turned toward Sif and Skies. They, however, were caught in Skies’ trap when they tried to move their paws. Each of them were bound by roots which had grown from the ground and into their limbs. One by one, each of Sif's kin rose from their hiding places around them, teeth bared.

The ponies in the hut peeked out of Zecora's window when the timberwolves stopped banging on the door. They wanted to get a front row seat to the carnage.

Shattered Skies spread his wings wide and leapt at the bound wolves. "Kill all but one!"

Each timberwolf was torn, piece by piece until nothing remained. Sif's kin were ecstatic, fighting over what was left with joy. Sif stood triumphantly over the last one, her large paw pinning its limbless body to the floor.

Shattered Skies walked around the hut, scanning the immediate vicinity. "Good, none are still lurking in the shadows."

Pain moved through Skies as he walked, having not grown used to new movement from his slumber. As he walked around to the front, he saw Sif pass the one bound timberwolf to one of her kin before she pranced over to Skies and nuzzled him. "Just like old times."

"Oh yeah." Skies laughed.

"What should we do about the foals?" Sif asked. "Leave them?"

"No, I'm going to talk to them." Skies said before Sif blocked his path.

"Skies... my lord, I love you and I respect you, but that is a horrible idea." Sif's eyes pleaded for him to reconsider.

Skies placed his claws on her cheeks and kissed her head. "Nothing's going to take me away, Sif."

"Okay, if you say so." Sif said with unease while stepping aside.

Shattered Skies looked at the class of terrified foals.  This should go smoothly.

Skies knocked on the hut's door lightly. After a few more times of knocking with no response, Skies opened his mouth. "Excuse me, is anypony in there?"

Skies heard the sound of bodies hitting the door. Did they just block the door?

"Um, hello?" Skies asked again.

A symphony of whispers could be heard inside. Always the hard way with ponies.

Shattered Skies walked around to the window and peeked inside a high window with his large golden eyes. They were all dirty from the incident earlier. Delicately, Skies tried knocking on the window, slowly but surely directing their attention towards it.

The instant Cheerilee saw Shattered Skies’ eyes, she yelped and started crawling backwards, muttering the same words over and over again. "How can you exist..."

"It sounds like you broke somepony." Sif said.

"Shush, you're not helping!" Skies chided before turning back the terrified inhabitants. "Can you open the door? I'd like to talk."

Cheerilee saw that Button Mash was going for the door and leapt in front of him. "No, don't open it!"

"Why?" Button asked.

"Don't you know who that is!" Cheerilee shouted rhetorically.

Sweetie Belle put the pieces together and stared in horror at the window. "Shattered Skies!"

Okay, I get it, the stories are bad, but come on. Am I that terrifying? Skies ran his claw over his muzzle in distress. While the ponies inside the hut shrieked and ran around, Sif was laughing hysterically, mimicking the situation.

"Oh noo... noo." Sif let out another series of gut filled laughs. "She wasn't ready!"

"Sif it's not that funny." Skies said through his claws. Skies’ statement only made Sif laugh harder. He had enough of the situation and started phasing through the wooden wall. I've had enough of this.

"Sit down." All the ponies stopped and looked at the huge Spirit in awe. "Now."

Everypony cowered in fear, making Skies feel terrible. He started to squirm while they cried. The only one that didn't fully understand what was going on was Zecora. She noticed that her new guest was uncomfortable.

"You look so blue, for them to be afraid of you. I have learned your name, but not your aim." Zecora broke the silence.

Skies sat there, confused as to why the zebra was rhyming, but answered her question. "You were being attacked in my forest, so I came to help."

Cheerilee walked toward Shattered Skies, shaking like a leaf. "A...Are you going to eat us?"

Baring my teeth as a joke would probably be a horrible idea. Sky grabbed one of his antlers. What should I tell these ponies? It's not like I can escort them out of the Everfree... Or can I?

Cheerilee saw that Skies was thinking, but mistook the silence for him wondering if he should eat them.

"No, I won't eat you. One of you asked for help and I answered the call." Skies smiled at Applebloom. "I am here to help anypony who asks."

Skies turned and opened the front door, shattering it in its weak state. Oops. He looked at the class over his shoulder. "There is a stallion coming, he should help you get to Ponyville."

"But..." Applebloom stuck out a hoof, but was cut off by Shattered Skies disappearing into a tree, followed by the wolves running off into the forest, silently.

Scootaloo looked at her teacher, who was still shaking violently. "Ms. Cheerilee, what was that?"

Cheerilee sat in silence, dazed, trying to understand what she just saw.





Sif waited in a clearing, tapping her paw impatiently. Where is he?

Shattered Skies emerged from one of the trees near Sif, shaking his body like a wet dog. "That felt good."

"Too bad you're retired, huh?" Sif reminded.

"Let me have my fun, fluffy butt!" Skies shouted, causing chuckles from Sif's kin, showing approval of her pet name.

Sif deadpanned. "I swear. I'm biting you the second we get home."

Shattered Skies made a hissing sound. "Sorry, you're going to have to go home without me. I have to take the terrified ponies back to Ponyville and make sure they get out safely."

"You saved them. You don't owe them anything more." Sif looked her old friend in the eye. "For someone so bent on being retiring, you seem awfully eager to be involved."

Shattered Skies turned back into Skyfall for his meeting with the ponies. Sky couldn't look Sif in the eye. "I can't sit by and not help, Sif."

Sif leaned forward and kissed Skyfall on the cheek, surprising him. "I know. That's why I love you."

"Oh, that ingredient you were searching for? Prisma crystal? I got some for you; it's in your room." Sky caused Sif to stop in her tracks. She looked back at him and smiled, baring her teeth.

Skyfall smiled nervously and waved, Sif's creepy smile always made him feel awkward. "Have fun with your potions."

Sif sped away, laughing maniacally. Sky chewed his cheek. I really hope she doesn't make a mess.

I better go and get this over with. Sky thought, prompting him to walk towards Zecora's hut. I just hope that all this hasn't further ruined my reputation as a Spirit. That, and I hope the foals haven't been scarred for life.

"I see somepony!" One of the foals yelled from Zecora’s doorway

Skyfall looked up from his thoughts. All the foals that were in the hut were looking out at him from the windows. Their teacher weakly walked out of the hut.

"Hiya there, Mr. Skyfall!" Applebloom shouted from behind her teacher.

"H...Hello, I'm Cheerilee, the local school teacher." Cheerilee said, shaking still from the timberwolves. She looked around at all the wooden carcasses in disbelief. 

"Hi, Cheerilee. Hi, Applebloom." Skyfall nodded to both ponies. "I heard you had some trouble, I thought I could lend a hoof."

Applebloom smiled widely. "Yeah we were chased by timberwolves, and then a Spirit sho..."

Cheerilee covered Applebloom's mouth and turned to Sky, who had raised an eyebrow at the teacher's censorship. "We were chased by timberwolves, and we aren't sure what happened after that. Could you help us get back to Ponyville?"

"Sure, you seem to have gone through quite the ordeal." Skyfall gave her a reassuring smile. "Get your class together and we'll leave the moment you're ready."

Cheerilee gave a shaky smile. "T...Thank you."

While the class gathered, Sky looked around and found something odd. Zecora was giving Skyfall a curious look. That must be Applebloom's mentor. "Hello there."

Zecora blinked for a second. "Sorry, my head was in a flurry, it is getting late, you should hurry."

Cheerilee nodded in agreement. "Zecora is right, we must get back. Are you ready, Mr. Skyfall?"

"Ready." Skyfall smiled and started walking, followed closely by Applebloom, who waved Zecora goodbye.

"So, Mr. Skyfall, how did you know we needed help?" Applebloom asked.

"Your sister and lady Rarity were over my house and a guard came by to tell them that you were attacked."  Sky said.

"So the foals did make it out?" Cheerilee asked with tears in her eyes.

"Yes, they ran right to a guard to report what happened." Skyfall noticed Cheerilee slump in relief, she had been in a panicked state since they disappeared.

"Thank Celestia." Cheerilee said under her breathe.

How about thanking me? Skyfall thought. Sky looked at Cheerilee's class; he recognized a few of them from around town. He knew the three Crusaders, but frowned when he saw two foals arguing, one being Silver Spoon. Skyfall gritted his teeth and called her out. "Silver Spoon."

Silver Spoon's ears flattened at the mention of her name in such a harsh tone. "What?"

"I don't think your father would like hearing that his daughter was argueing with other ponies in a dangerous situation, now would he?" Skyfall said firmly, looking ahead.

Silver Spoon cursed him under her breathe. "Why should I listen to you? You can't even fly. Freak."

Sky looked at her over his shoulder suddenly, forcing Silver Spoon to cringe. "I heard that, little miss..."

Suddenly, a large timberwolf wrapped its jaws around Skyfall's neck, it tried to bring him to the floor, only leaving both creatures in a stalemate.

"Mr. Skyfall!" Applebloom cried.

Cheerilee was standing between the foals and their attacker.

Skyfall looked at the class and smiled painfully. "Go. I'll be fine."

Applebloom tried to stay behind, but was picked up by Cheerilee. "We need to go, Applebloom, he'll be okay."

"Ya don’t know that!" Applebloom cried. "We have to help!"

Skyfall watched the foals shrink in the distance as the wolf clamped harder on his neck. The timberwolf caught him by surprise, an act that should have been impossible in any forest. "Where did you come from?"

The wolf's jaws clamped down harder, and were dislocated by Skyfall’s neck growing several inches in size as he transformed. Sky reached over and grabbed the back of its splintered neck. With one long movement, Sky wrenching it back till he heard a snap, extinguishing its mana, thus killing it.

Sky cursed himself and touched his neck. A trickle of blood oozed out of small tears on both sides. "Sif is going to kill me."

I better get home. Sky turned to go home and lamented his eventual chewing out.





For the past ten minutes, Applejack had been pacing trying to get into the Everfree. Rarity tried to reason with the guards who simply held their stone-like appearance. A group of ponies gathered outside the forest, eager to hear what was going on.

"If somethin' happens to meh sis, why I'll... I'll." Applejack started to choke up and was brought into a hug by her brother. "Big Mac, what are we gonna do?"

"Here they come!" One of the guards yelled. They sprang up and took their positions around the entrance, preparing for timberwolves. After the group ran by into the arms of loved ones, the guards became confused. "Where are the timberwolves?"

Cheerilee was too busy to answer; she was looking over all the foals before collapsing to the floor. "Everypony’s alive."

"No, he's still in there!" Applebloom shrieked.

"Who's still in there?" Twilight asked.

"Mr. Skyfall, he came in and helped us before-" Sweetie Belle tried to finish her statement.

A colt finished for her. "A timberwolf grabbed him by the neck. He told us to run."

All the guards nodded to one another. "Nopony goes in, the Everfree is off limits."

Twilight frowned. "Who's going in to help him?"

"Nopony." The senior guard said firmly.

Twilight looked at her friends who nodded silently. "We're going in to save him!"

"No you're not, Princess. I have orders from Princess Celestia herself. If timberwolves attack this close to Ponyville, shut down the Everfree to everypony." The guard said without blinking.

"Even me?" Twilight asked in disbelief.

"Especially you."

"We'll see what she has to say!" Twilight shouted and ignited her horn to teleport, but was stopped by Cheerilee.

"Princess Twilight, there are some things I have to tell you about what happened in there." Cheerilee say, unable to look anypony in the eye for fear that they would think she was crazy.

Twilight placed her hoof on Cheerilee's shoulder. "It's okay, Cheerilee. I'll talk to you about it tomorrow, that way you can have a chance to rest and gather your thoughts.

While Twilight talked to Cheerilee, Rarity was almost pleading with the Mayor. "Mayor, there must be something we can do?"

"I can't go against Princess Celestia's orders. If she says that the Everfree is shut down, then it's for a reason." Mayor Mare squeezed her eyes shut. "I'm going to wait and see if he comes out, when he doesn't... if he doesn't, I'll go to his house and post the vacancy sign myself. This is my fault, after all."

Silence fell on the crowd and all the ponies casted their eyes to the Everfree, waiting in vain for somepony to come out.





"You are such a moron!" Sif screamed into Sky's ear while bandaging his neck. "I can't believe you. You let one of those pieces of trash sneak up on you just to spite me, didn’t you?"

"In my defense, I was chewing a foal out for scaring other- ow!" Sky yelped as Sif rubbed ointment in roughly. "I destroyed the timberwolf didn't I?"

"That doesn't matter; you put yourself in unnecessary danger. What would I do if you were slain? What would any of us do?" Sif was fuming; she fought the urge to bite him. “And look at you, you’re exhausted. I knew it was too soon for you to fight.”

Skyfall’s muscles ached and he developed a wet cough from all the exercise he did that day. He coughed and struggled against Sif’s grasp. “I’m not that bad.”

“You sound horribly sick.” Sif snipped.

“So my voice is a little... hoarse?” Skyfall opened smiled wide at his corny joke and received a swift punch in return."Ow! Come on, it takes a lot more than a few-"

"I don't care!" Sif cinched his bandage down. Sky reached up and grabbed Sif's paw and held it still. "Let go of me."

"No." Sky tried to look Sif in the eye.

"I said let me go, Sky!" Sif yelled.

"Not till you look at me." Sky reached and grabbed Sif's cheek and forced her to look at him. She was still looking away, eyes blurry. "Please look at me."

Sif's eyes slowly met Skyfall's. When she saw Skyfall walk in, covered in blood, she had horrible flashbacks to her finding his broken, withered body in the royal Pony Sisters’ castle.

"I'm sorry, I was reckless and stupid. I didn't mean to upset you, Sif, you know that." He caught a tear off of her face as she pushed into his hoof. "I'll try and take it easy till I'm back to what I used to be."

"Okay." Sif said quietly.

"I'll make us dinner, how about you go and finish your potion? How do double stuffed chili cheese dogs sound?" Sky said, making Sif smile a little.

"Throw in a quesadilla lathered in barbeque sauce and I'll try look past your transgression.”

"That's my girl." Sky said, patting her on the butt.

Much of the night was spent relaxing for the both of them. Sky read some books he ordered in his second floor study, and was Sif in the basement finalizing her formula.

Sif tested the potion on some of her kin, with varying results. The transfiguration potion she made had to be just right, but she didn't have the time or the patience to test each batch to get it right. Each wolf had a sip instead of a full bottle, so the effects would only last a few hours instead of a week. They each turned into a pony of varying sizes and proportions. One wolf had four eyes, and another was hairless. Sif went on and on until she found the perfect balance. When she did, she brought the vial up to her mouth and paused. "No, I'll surprise him tomorrow."

Sif woke up early, excited to show Skyfall her new form. She looked at the green bubbling ooze and gulped it down. The smell wafting off of the potion alone was enough to cause her to gag. "Note to self, work on the smell."

"Bottoms up!" Sif took the entire shot in one gulp. "Ugh! Oh meh lawd! Why does that taste like brussels sprouts?"

Sif doubled over, shaking violently. Her skin burned and her vision blurred. The entire transformation took what felt like hours, but was done in under a minute. She laid on the floor, completely exhausted. Sif wasn't worried about what happened, she knew when somepony drinks a potion for the first time, the effects will be extremely painful because it is altering your physiology for the first time. The painful effects are multiplied if the duration of the potion is more than a day. Sif's body being forcibly reduced to a form one third her size, coupled with all that made for a uniquely grotesque experience.

Sif walked over to a mirror and stopped dead when she saw her reflection. Everything that she was used to had been changed; paws were now hooves, and her razor sharp teeth were now slightly pointed molars.

Sif stepped from side to side, examining her body further. Her entire body was snow white with a coat quite a bit longer than that of the average pony. Most pony coats were about one centimeter long, but Sif's coat was ten times that, making her a fluffy pony. She even had a cutie mark, a crescent moon with a mountain peak behind it. Her eyes were sapphire blue as usual, so luckily Sif wouldn't have to convince Sky that it was really her.

"Well, time to get this show on the road." Sif clapped her hooves nervously and made her way to Sky's study.

The second she stepped into view, she noticed that Sky was pouring over a few of his old maps that her kin had recovered for him. She fidgeted for a second, wondering if he would like the transformation. Her question was answered when she heard a quill hit the floor.

"Wow." Sky said.

"That bad?" Sif winced with one eye still open.

"No, you're hideous." Sky said in jest. He walked over and looked at Sif; she was a full head and a half shorter than he was now, but a lot more curvy. "I knew you would make a good looking pony, but wow. I might have to beat the locals down with a stick to keep you."

"I think I'm disgusting." Sif deadpanned.

"You're just saying that because you'd rather walk around being a fluffy butt." Sky said cheerfully and looked at her cutie mark. "Well, you kept your fluffy butt, but still. Now all you need is a name."

"Silent-death-killer-assassin, queen of vegemite sandwiches." Sif rattled off in a demanding manner. "I demand that this be my name or I shall kick your legs out, you are very top heavy."

"How about we call you Crescent Sky?" Sky asked.

"That is a horrible name." Sif said as she started laughing. "I'd rather just go with Sif. I doubt anyone will link me to being a wolf. But fine, Crescent Sky for now. I demand a big dinner tonight."

"Deal. What do you want to do now that you have a disguise?" Sky asked.

"Breakfast. I want at least four different kinds of sausage in-" Sif was cut off by the doorbell. "Ugh, who is taking me away from my sausage talk!"

"Probably somepony asking what happened yesterday." Sky shrugged. "We could stay in and pretend we're not here."

The doorbell rang again, but longer this time. Sif looked out the door to the study. "It doesn't sound like they're going away. I could have scared them if I didn't take the potion."

"Well, now that you have, you can actually mingle with the ponies." Sky trotted over to his tea flamboyantly to make Sif laugh.

"Oh, yes, my dream to talk to the sheltered ponies about rainbows and butterflies." Sif put her hooves together and rested her head on them before gagging. "I miss griffons. At least they knew how to carry on a halfway decent conversation."

Sky sipped his tea while putting another red pin in a new map. "I wouldn't call systematic aggression towards surrounding helpless countries a good thing."

Sif heard the front door open. "One sec."

Sif walked through a hallway and stopped at the top of the foyer stairs. Since it overlooked the entire room, she could see all the ponies looking around. "And what do you think you are doing?"

The Mayor was followed closely by Twilight and the rest of the mane six. All the ponies stared at Sif in confusion; an awkward silence hit the room as it was flooded with light from the rising sun.

"May I help you?" Sif asked impatiently. "You barge into my home and then just stand there dumbfounded, I would like an explanation."

"Yes." The Mayor said first. "I'm sorry, but something has happened. We were unsure if Skyfall lived alone and-"

The Mayor couldn't continue, so a guard answered for her. "I'm sorry, but we have some bad news for you ma'am."

Sif stood silent for a moment and giggled internally. This could be fun. "Meet me in the living room then, I will be along shortly."

As the ponies filed into the living room, Sif walked back to the study and shut the door. Sky was too busy scratching himself on the couch to care what was going on. This is too funny to pass up.

Sif elegantly walked into the living room and sat in a large armchair by a lit fireplace. She looked at the ponies harshly. "Now, which one of you will tell me what this is about?"

The Mayor sat up slowly and started introducing everypony in the room, even the guards, before ending at herself. "And I am Mayor Mare. We have some bad news for you."

Cheerilee stood and walked to face Sif. "I'm sorry, it was my fault."

The Mayor walked to Cheerilee's side. "No, it was mine."

Sif sighed and rolled her eyes. "And what exactly was the collective fault here?"

When nopony said anything, Applejack gulped, gaining Sif’s attention. "Ahm sorry to tell ya miss, but Skyfall is gone."

Sif looked at Applejack with a blank expression. "Well, yes, when I got home today, he wasn't here-"

"That's not what she meant, darling." Rarity answered delicately.

Oh this is too good. Sif thought, trying her most to harness a look of dignified confusion.

Some of the ponies started to tear up; delivering bad news was never an easy thing. One of the guards stepped forward and gave her a torn scarf. "We found this in the Everfree. We didn't find a body, but we rarely do."

Cheerilee let out a sob the second the guard said 'body.'

"I see." Sif said. "So, you think Skyfall is dead and you all came to give me a death notification."

Everypony nodded.

Sif ran her hoof over the torn scarf. This thing is several sizes too small to even fit Sky. By the way they treated it, they actually think he's dead. "Who are you ponies to Skyfall?"

"We knew him." Rarity said. "He saved both my sister, and Applejack's. We owe him this much at the very least."

The Mayor looked at Sif's cold, unmoving expression. "I'm sorry. I know you must be in disbelief, but know that we will help in any way we can."

Sif laughed and tossed the scarf into the fire, incinerating it.

Rainbow looked Sif’s flippant behavior. "Hey! I know you're upset, but you don't have to burn his things!"

Okay, I've had my fun. Sif looked at the angry ponies with an amused look. "He isn't dead, and that wasn't his scarf.

Rarity grimaced. "Dear, I know this is a lot to take in, but-"

"I'll prove it." Sif held up a hoof and smiled, silencing the room. "Sky! Am I fat?"

Everypony listened intently for their fallen victim to answer.

"Yes, you're a porpoise."

Everypony wore a look of disbelief.

"Come here." Sif said.

"You com'ere!" Sky responded.

"Oh yeah? Well, I ordered pizza, with mushroom and black olives! I’ll just eat it by myself." Sif lied. She could hear Sky knocking stuff over to get to the door. "If you're lying to me I'm going to spank you till your coat is red."

The instant Sky turned the corner; he was met with a frantic Rarity. "We thought you were dead!"

"No, I'm alive and kicking." Skyfall said light heartedly and looked at Sif who wore an innocent smile. You are so going to get it.

"Oh my word! Darling, you're hurt." Rarity stood back after pushing his scarf aside to see the bloody wrap around his neck.

"I've had worse." Sky chuckled.

Applejack walked up slowly and brought Sky into a strong hug, a hug that he returned. "Thank ya fer helpin' my sister."

"Anytime." Sky smiled at the farmer. He remembered that she seemed reluctant to meet him the first time.

Sky looked up and saw Cheerilee looking sad. Sky walked over to her. "Did everypony make it out?"

She nodded, failing to make eye contact.

"This isn't your fault you know." Sky said. "Timberwolf attacks have been getting worse, it was just a freak accident."

Sif smiled, but noticed that Applejack's hug had been too tight, breaking the clotted wounds, causing them bleed again. "Sky, hunny, it's time to change your bandages again."

Sky looked down at the bloody wrappings around his neck. "Ah, and so it is. I'll see you all later, gotta listen to the boss."

Sky trotted away gladly, he hadn't expected a group of ponies to be in his living room. Having all the ponies waiting to ask him questions made him feel extremely embarrassed about the incident. Sky stopped and squinted. That pooch made me want pizza.

Sif laughed the second Sky turned the corner, knowing exactly what he was about to crave.

Rarity smiled at Sif. "You two seem very happy."

"Oh, us? Yeah I guess we are." Sif leaned over to stoke the fire. "I've known him since I was very young."

"Ah, love at first sight." Rarity swooned

"Huh?" Sif asked.

"You and your husband, was it love at first sight?" Rarity asked again, everypony wanting to know if Skyfall and her were an item.

"Ha!" Sif laughed abruptly. "Him and I? Married? No, we just live together."

Rainbow Dash scoffed. "You two seem very close to not be together."

Twilight looked at Rainbow, who seemed really agitated. "Rainbow has a point. You both seem to give off that impression from how you acted towards each other."

"We've been through a lot. He’s saved me and I’ve saved him." Sif said plainly. “He found me one day when I was lost on a mountain path and the rest is history.”

Fluttershy held a sad look. "Oh, I'm sorry, that must have been horrible for you."

"Eh, not so much." Sif readjusted herself in the seat to face the fire. "He’s always been good with showing up at the right time.”

"Crescent! Bandages!" Sky yelled. "And pizza!"

"He'll probably want me to bathe him too. Can't deny him that now can we?" Sif muttered to herself. Sif looked up as some of the ponies were blushing. "Well, you heard him. Time to go."

Twilight, putting off her awkward feelings after hearing what Sif said, turned to her. "It was nice to meet you, Crescent. Hopefully we can all get together and welcome you both to town the Ponyville way."

Twilight's statement made Pinkie Pie squeal in delight.

"Maybe. Got to see how the big guy feels about it." Sif said. She looked over at the pink haired pegasus, the entire time she was trying to say something, but couldn't. "Anyway, I guess I will see more of you around."

The group of ponies left and Sif turned, walking inside. She found Skyfall neck deep in the pantry, cursing up a storm. Sky turned and glared at her. "You ate all the pizza toppings, didn’t you?"

Mission accomplished. 





"Okay, Cheerilee, are you sure that's what you saw?" Twilight asked.

Cheerilee nodded solemnly. "Yes. I swore the foals to secrecy until I talked to you."

"That didn't stop the little ones." Applejack shook her head. "Applebloom and her friends were up all night talkin' bout that thing."

"What's the big deal? It's just another Spirit that we can zap with the elements." Rainbow lounged in the air, completely unphased by the news at all.

Twilight hoofed through her book directory and cocked an eyebrow at Rainbow. "We don't control the elements anymore Rainbow. Remember? We had to put them in the Tree of Harmony after Starswirl, us, and the pillars revived them?"

"Yeah, yeah." Rainbow moved her hoof dismissively. "My point is he can't be that tough."

"Spike! Where is that book on Spirits?" Twilight shouted.

Spike cringed at his name being shouted. "Uh, I lent it out to Skyfall."

"Ugh." Twilight put her head in the directory. "Of course."

"Um, are you okay Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." Twilight lifted her head slowly; her hair was a tangled mess now. "Wait, Fluttershy, you live by the Everfree. Have you seen anything weird?"

“Aside from the white wolves Cheerilee mentioned, no. However, my animals have been acting really weird lately. They used to be afraid of the Everfree at night and now they’re not.” Fluttershy said.

Applejack slammed her hoof on the table. “Ah bet that darned Spirit’s responsible fer all the timberwolves! Him “saving” Cheerilee’s class was just a ruse!”

Twilight had put the final touches on the letter to Princess Celestia then hoofed it to Spike to send. “I was thinking the same, Applejack. Once I send this letter, I’m sure the Princess will write back immediately with an answer to our new prob-”

Suddenly the seven ponies and one dragon were blinded by a bright, fiery entrance.

Twilight shook her head from the spots in her vision. “Princess Celestia? Princess Luna?”

Princess Celestia closed the distance from her to Twilight in two stride, making Twilight back up slightly when she saw the look in her mentor’s eyes. “Twilight, tell me everything. Right now.”
> Chapter 6 -Story  Time-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Story Time-


Twilight told Princess Celestia everything she had gathered from Cheerilee. Celestia demanded to see all the foals that witnessed Shattered Skies’ return. Each had the same story as the last, even giving his exact description. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna listened intently, but with vastly different reactions. Princess Celestia wore a blank expression while her sister could no longer look anypony in the eye.

Celestia’s gaze swept over the ponies in the room as she sighed. "You are all dismissed.”

Once the Princesses and Element bearers were alone, Celestia turned to Luna and rested her wing on her wither. “It’s okay, Luna. He won’t trouble you. We’ll double the guard and get to the bottom of this.”

Twilight looked at the sisterly display, shocked that the news caused this much of a reaction. “Princess, what is going on? Isn’t this just another Spirit?”

Princess Celestia looked at Twilight and visibly relaxed, there was no need to be so tense in her former student’s home. Celestia knew this was going to be a long day and turned to her guard that had arrived shortly after she did. “Captain, cancel the rest of my meetings for today and put the Solar-“

Celestia looked at Luna who gave a curt nod.

“-and Lunar court on suspension until further notice.” Celestia said abruptly.

“Yes, Princess!” The guard saluted and rushed out of the room. 

“Princess?” Twilight asked. The rest of the room was silent, including Rainbow Dash.

Spike walked in with a cart of tea and cookies for the Princesses who ignored Twilight’s question in favor of making their own cups of tea.

Celestia poured a little honey in hers and took a small sip. She smacked her lips gently and rearranged herself. “What do you all know about Shattered Skies?”

Twilight was the first to answer. “He was the mythological forest Spirit that would spread plagues. He was in league with many of the evil Spirits like Storm Front and Arctic Wind, enslaving populations to use their own life-force as fuel for his dark forests. He was also supposed to be responsible for corrupting many ponies and to send into Sombra’s army.”

Princess Celestia nodded the entire time Twilight spoke. “And do you know what he did to Luna?”

“He planted seeds of doubt in her mind and helped the Nightmare take over Princess Luna? Or at least that's how the legends go.” Twilight asked and looked over to Luna who was staring into her tea the entire time.

“Correct.” Luna said. “But what the books never told you was that he was once a friend.”

“Acquaintance.” Celestia corrected. “We knew him long ago, but he didn't start to worm his way into our lives until we were much older. He lived in the Everfree and barged in when some of the animals helped us build our old castle.”

Applejack squinted and looked to Twilight. “Told ya, that monster aint no good.”

Celestia nodded to Applejack. “It’s true; our first meeting wasn’t so great. He, along with all the other Spirits, thinks differently from us ponies. He often tried persuading us to change the way we rule.”

“You forget, sister, that it was I who offered him a place on our council. He was to help us with our reign.” Luna said.

Celestia looked over at her sister; she knew it would be hard for Luna to seal away Skies since they were longtime friends before his fall.

Celestia could see the curiosity written on everypony’s face in the room. She looked down at Twilight’s magic table and laid a hoof on it, summoning images from her memory. She stopped at one in particular, the day before Luna became Nightmare Moon. The table projected his image in her mind as she remembered it.

Everypony in the room aside from the Princesses gasped at the hologram of Shattered Skies. A tall being with devious features, his wings out and teeth bared. All, frozen in time.

Rarity looked at Luna with confusion. “Why would you have a thing like that help you?”

Luna winced a little, unable to look at the image. “He wasn’t a monster when we met him. I still can’t remember those days before I fell to the Nightmare.”

Luna could not bring herself to speak the truth. She remembered everything about those days. Her body acted on its own to her emotions and betrayed Skies in the worst way possible. Celestia informed Luna of much of the things she had missed when she was imprisoned on the moon, but few things stung more that hearing of his turn to darkness. Maybe I’m to blame for his fall.

“I don’t get it, why come back now? He hasn’t shown up in the past eight hundred years.”  Twilight asked.

Princess Celestia took another sip. “I’m not sure, Twilight. Most of the Spirits have been sealed away or have agreed to live peaceful lives. Whatever he’s planning, I’m certain it’s something complex and sinister.”





“I should buy a boat.” Sky said. His paper held out in front of him.

“What would you need a boat for?” Sif asked.

“I don’t know, boat things?” Sky said, sarcasm seeping from his tone. Noticing Sif’s sour mood, he folded his paper to concentrate on her. “Come on, Sif. It isn’t that bad. You botched the mixture up and now you’re back to being a fluffy wolf.”

Sif huffed. Her potion was mixed incorrectly and let the guise down far earlier than she wanted. All her hair, however, remained two feet long, giving her an appearance similar to a drowned rat.

“Whatever. What are we doing today?” Sif spat.

Skyfall tucked his paper under his cold tea and looked at his half-eaten plate of food, silently.

“What?” Sif asked.

“I’ve been thinking-” Sky was interrupted by Sif.

“Oh no, you’re finally going crazy.” Sif tried faking shock but looked too funny to do so with her long hair flowing in all directions.

“Ha ha, very funny.” Sky stuck his tongue out at Sif. “I think I want to go to the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.”

“Why?” Sif asked, tone growing serious.

“I need to know why everything on this planet remembers me as a that creature in the book. One or two tales I can deal with, but a novel is slightly worrying.” Sky looked at Sif with more of a glare than anything else. Sif could tell this upset him, but Sky couldn’t deal with having his name dragged through the dirt.

“Fine. Just let me send a reconnaissance party ahead of us.”

Sky got up and walked past Sif, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, you’re the best. Oh, and get a haircut.”

Sif slammed her paw down onto the table. “I demand forty-five strips of bacon for this!”

Skyfall laughed as he walked out of his backdoor. He was eager to find something at that castle, something that told everypony he wasn’t what the stories made him out to be. Sif quickly caught up to Sky as he leisurely strolled in the direction of the castle.

“Okay, the recon has been sent.” Sif said.

“Hm?”

“Of course, you’re oblivious.” Sif jeered.

“Not oblivious, just deep in thought.” Sky said quietly. “From what you told me, after Celestia’s fight with Luna, she fled the castle the next day and left a lot of things behind.”

“Yes, she couldn’t bear to look at things she and her sister shared. She used the Elements on Luna. That tore her apart.” Sif said. "A lot happened after that. So much so, that I had to seek refuge in neighboring continents."

Sif and Skyfall talked about the pony sisters; their separation and reunion. They talked until they reached a young wolf waiting by a rickety, old bridge.

“Feather, report?” Sif asked.

“Mother wolf.” Feather bowed. “We secured the perimeter, but the inside of the castle is occupied.”

“By?” Sif asked impatiently.

“There are large cats and another Spirit in the deepest part of the castle.” Feather bowed lower.

Skyfall donned his Spirit form at the mention of a second Spirit. He stood, looking at the small wolf with a smile. “Rise.”

Feather did as she was told and looked up, only turning her gaze as high as his chest. “Yes, my lord.”

“What did this other Spirit look like?” Skies asked. “Take your time and remember.”

Feather didn’t need time to remember, the Spirit had unique features. Since Spirits were scarce, naming one wasn't as hard as one would believe. “The Spirit had an elongated dog-like head. He walks on all fours, with dog-like hind limbs and ape-like forelimbs, and a long monkey-“

“Ahuizotl.” Shattered cut her off, his mood turning slightly sour. “Surprised he escaped Princess Sunbutt’s wrath.”

“He didn’t.” Sif said plainly. “I heard he was captured, and was being held in Tartarus like most of the other lesser Spirits.”

“You never did tell me what happened to the other Spirits.” Shattered Skies said, giving Sif a sideways glance.

“Well, like I said, most of the lesser Spirits were put in Tartarus or turned to stone. Spirits like you disappeared. I tried to find out where she imprisoned them, but came up short. The only information I was able to get was something about a mirror to another world.”

“Ah, well, we’ll get to that later.” Skies shrugged his large wings and started to walk across the ravine.

“Wait!” Sif yelled.

“What?”

“You’re just going to go in there?” Sif deadpanned. “With no one to back you up? What happens in the case he decides to fight you?”

“That’s why I have you, Fluffy Butt.” Skies cheered.

Sif rushed to catch up with Skies, but ran straight into his flank as Skies abruptly halted.“What’s wrong? Did you see something?”

“No.” Shattered Skies said quietly. He looked at what used to be a fortress and the former home of both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. “I guess the battle was worse than I believed it to be.”

The castle once sat in a valley surrounded by mountains in the distance. Its walls were seven stories high all around. Skies looked at the crumbling gate and lamented. It took three hundred years to finish the castle, and it was their home for more than double that time, yet here it sat. Ignored and in ruins.

“It’s a shame, isn’t it?” Sif asked.

“Yeah.” Skies answered under his breath.

“The village on the other side by the lake is far worse. Celestia left in such a hurry that the casualties from Luna’s rebellion are still there.”

Skies stopped and looked at Sif. “You’re kidding.” He saw the look on Sif’s face and a pit in his stomach formed. “You’re not kidding.”

Skies started walking faster. “I’m going to have to fix that.”

“You can’t fix everything Skies.” Sif reminded.

Shattered Skies ignored Sif’s rhetorical comment, choosing instead to continue his way across the bridge.

Walking through the halls of the castle, Skies stopped and noticed an ocelot hiss before trying to run into the darkness. A vine soon whipped up and around the ocelot like a snake, stopping its movement and forcing it into a constricted fetal position. The cat spat and hissed until a flower sprouted from the vine, releasing pollen that put it to sleep. Skies raised a brow as he passed, feeling the animal fighting its binds even after loosing its consciousness.

At the end of the hall where the cat attempted to escape, a faint light shone through the dark. Skies found a long winding stairwell after a few twists and turns. The closer he came, the more light he saw before hearing the unmistakable accent of Ahuizotl yelling something about hurrying up.

Sif and Skies stopped at the top of the stairs that overlooked a large, empty chasm that was now a sacked treasure room. The entire space had large roots poking out of the walls from years of neglect. Ahuizotl stood, shaking his fist at a group of ponies while his large cats walked around, sniffing through old, leftover boxes.

Skies heard the patter of many wolves coming down the stair behind him. He nodded at Sif as he melded into the secrecy of a nearby root. "Agitate him."

Ahuizotl and his felines smelled the wolves and turned to see that they had been snuck up upon. As Sif approached, Ahuizotl laughed. “Interesting, after a thousand years you finally show your cowardly face.”

“Cowardly? Coming from a sniveling cur like you, that doesn’t mean much.” Sif said calmly. She wanted to keep his full attention, so she aimed to agitate.

All the felines hissed, even a small, overly aggressive house cat. “I smelled you coming, mutt. You have no right to be here, so be gone with you!”

Sif chuckled at Ahuizotl’s dismissive attitude. “I have the only right here, fleabag.”

“I heard a nasty rumor. Your master and friend died long ago. Why don’t you follow suit with his failure?” Ahuizotl scoffed at the pack of wolves as they growled, but he became confused when they all went silent.

“Dead? I wouldn’t say that.”

Ahuizotl tried turning around, but found his paws had been bound to the floor along with the remainder of his posse. “What is the meaning of this!”

Shattered Skies slowly emerged out of a root and into the light. “I should ask you the same.”

Skies released Ahuizotl, who glared in return. Skies stared at the Spirit, waiting for him to move. “Let me ask you again in a different way. What are you doing here?”

Ahuizotl brought his shoulders back. “I’m here to claim the Sunset Effigy. With it I shall raise an unbeatable-”

Shattered Skies remained expressionless as Ahuizotl went on about taking over the world, but on the inside he was remembering the horrors caused by the Sunset Effigy. King Sombra stole it from the Spirit council and used it to hold the souls of those he sacrificed. Whenever a soldier in his army fell, he would use the effigy to bring them back, but the downside is that when he brought somepony back, someone else had to be sacrificed as a result. Before his defeat, he discovered a way to transfer their power to his own life, prolonging it and making him stronger. The more he used the effigy, the more he slipped into insanity.

“-and finally, the world!” Ahuizotl struck a victorious pose.

“And you think that the Sunset Effigy is in Celestia’s vault?” Skies asked.

“It is. After she left, all mention of it fell from knowledge. By the look of things, she forgot a lot more.” He chuckled deviously. “Help me and I shall offer you a seat of power in my new empire!”

Wow, he really has gone nuts. “Sure, sounds like a good deal.” Skies muttered uninterestedly.

Skies walked over to Sif and winked at her, letting her know that it was a ruse.

Ahuizotl smiled as Skies released his cats. “Wonderful, now all we need to do is get into that vault.”

Ahuizotl looked over the door, but was unable to open it.

“You’re never going to get that open, Ahuizotl.” Skies remarked.

“And why not? I know all many of seals and techniques to break them.” Ahuizotl sneered.

“That door was sealed by Princess Luna herself. No manner of pushing anti-enchantments can break her seal.” Shattered Skies walked over to the door, igniting the runes, bringing a mass of light and fire in shapes forming an intricate lock.

After a moment Sif whistled at sight. “Those are a lot of locks.”

“Yep, Luna is the best rune master I know. A few of these were put on by Celestia, but that’s like putting a doorstop on a bank vault. No, what Luna did was meant to be permanent.” Skies removed his claw from the door and balled it into a fist, then struck it, aggravating the runes.

Ahuizotl frowned, keeping his distance from Skies as a precaution. “So it’s impossible.”

“I said permanent, not impossible.” Skies said matter of factly.

Sif looked to Skies, ignoring Ahuizotl. “I’m pretty sure that door isn’t going to open.”

“You’re right, it won’t, but I’m not going through the door now am I.” Skies said, winking at Sif. “I’m going through the wall around the side.”

“Why the wall?” Ahuizotl asked.

“It’s the spot with the least amount of runes.” Skies said. “I can use my roots to create a passage large enough for me to enter, but it will take a week.”

“That’s not good enough!” Ahuizotl yelled, but was met with a glowing pair of golden eyes.

“I am not one of your henchponies, Ahuizotl.” Shattered Skies stood over Ahuizotl. “Do not forget that.”

Ahuizotl, not one for apologies, remained silent.

“Like I said, it will take a week. I will return periodically to check on the progress.” Shattered Skies said while walking away. “Catch you later.”

Sif waited until they exited the castle to speak. “So what’s your goal?”

Skies looked around, making it obvious that he saw the sun had set, but was really looking towards one of the crumpled buildings in the far off town, where a cloaked pony stood, watching. “Huh, it’s night already.”

“Um, Skies?” Sif said, snapping her toes in front of Skies’ face.

“Huh? What?” Skies asked.

“What’s your plan, dingus?”

“Steal whatever is in the vault and lock Ahuizotl in there.” Skies stated plainly.

“You know he may have knowledge about why that book of Spirits has so much misinformation in it.” Sif said. “He said you were killed one thousand years ago, only a very small few know that you were hurt. The rest think that you disappeared that night Luna snapped.” Sif said.

“I know, I caught that slip up as well.” Skies said. “I don’t have enough time to get it out of him before Celestia shows up.”

“And how do you know she will?” Sif asked, but received an amused look from her friend.

“Cause she’s going to send patrols around the Everfree looking for any signs of you or me. So if a patrol were to happen upon, say, a wolf, They would follow her back to a castle, where she would lead an assault to catch us.” Skies laughed.

“We could remain unseen.” Sif said.

“No, Ahuizotl wouldn’t know much to begin with. He’s better off as a messenger to distract her. Plus, it’ll give me enough time to get to their new castle. I need to speak with her, alone. Maybe then, I can fix this.”

“Back for barely a month and you’re already causing trouble.” Sif commented.

“Hey, I’m in retirement, but I can’t sit by while idiots like Ahuizotl taking my things now, can I?” Skies said.

“Where are you going to put it?” Sif asked.

“Not sure yet. We have a basement. You would have to start sleeping by my bed like a good doggie, but I know you won't mind.” Skies teased.

Sif leaned against Skies. “I’m happy that you’re not a rotting corpse.”

Skies kissed the top of Sif’s head in response.





Princess Celestia spent most of the day explaining Spirits and their habits. She also went into great detail about locking them in Tartarus. It was kept a secret, but Celestia told her student and friends about her crusade to imprison all the Spirits that were evil. The good ones were assimilated into society and have lived quiet lives since.

Twilight grew more impressed as the minutes ticked by; she never knew that her mentor had done so much for Equestria. In her eyes, Princess Celestia was everything she wanted to be, however, the side she saw was so different than the normal Princess she grew to love, that giving her a different name was almost appropriate.

Fluttershy raised a hoof.

“Yes, Fluttershy?” Princess Celestia asked.

“What are we going to do about Shattered Skies?” Fluttershy asked quietly.

“I will have the Everfree patrolled by the guard. We can’t afford to let him roam around now that he has shown himself. I sent for Shining Armor and Princess Cadance to come immediately. We will need all the help we can get.” Princess Celestia said firmly.

“You’re bringing in my brother and sister-in-law to fight that monster?” Twilight asked, shocked at her mentors move.

“Twilight, I know this is troubling for you, but your brother was an elite royal guard with multiple operations under his saddle, and your sister is the Princess of Love. They can handle it.” Celestia said in confidence.

Princess Celestia looked out the window and put her teacup down. “It’s time for us to leave, everypony. I know this has been a stressful day for you all, but it is time for us to hold our own council meeting.”

Luna didn’t move, however. She looked at Celestia for a second before speaking. “Tia, I wish to stay for a little longer.”

“I forbid it.” Celestia snapped, causing Luna to wince.

“But sister-“ Luna tried to speak, but was cut off by Celestia

“Sister, you know it’s dangerous to go near those woods now.” Celestia leaned closer and was nuzzled by Luna. “I can’t lose you again.”

“You’re right.” Luna said quietly before following her sister.

All of the ponies give their farewell to the Princesses as they left. The Mane Six sat in silence, looking at the image of Shattered Skies that was still frozen in a magical projection. Rainbow Dash couldn’t stand the silence any longer.

“Why don’t we just get the Elements from the Tree of Harmony and hit him with a little magic?” Rainbow flew into the air shadowboxing the air. “A pow and a woosh and he’s done for!”

“And where would you find him?” Twilight asked. “The Princess said he is very cunning. I doubt us going into his forest will make him show himself to us.”

“That’s right. And we’d be in his place of business, with him pulling all the strings” Applejack slammed her hoof on the table. “Might as well tie ourselves up now if that's out plan.”

Twilight sat back in her seat, rubbing her hoof over the bridge of her nose. She looked at Shattered Skies, he wasn’t anything special compared to the other things that tried to destroy Equestria. Why does this Spirit freak the Princess out?





Skyfall walked through the back door and quickly found his living room. He melted into the couch with a long, loud sigh. His calmness was unfortunately short-lived as Sif dropped a letter on his nose.

“Princess Twilight sent you a letter asking for you to return her books.” Sif walked away, snorting at Skyfall’s flailing response.

“That mare will be the death of me!”

“Are you going to go tomorrow?” Sif asked from the basement as she curled up to sleep.

“No.” Skyfall whined. “I should go do this now. I want to spend some time in the market tomorrow after sleeping in. It would be easier without having Princess Bookmonger acting as an alarm.”

“Good luck.” Sif called out in a sing song voice.

Skyfall walked his usual path to Ponyville through the night. His mood slowly improved as he went on. The stars illuminated his path and he had a little time to think about his day. Celestia left that castle in such a hurry that her most guarded vault was left untouched. Skyfall wondered what was inside, besides the Effigy. He stopped his line of thought when he noticed a lamp’s light shining through the darkness

Big Mac, Granny Smith, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle were standing at the front gate of Sweet Apple Acres, talking to Scootaloo. Their muffles turned to silence as Skyfall approached. The fillies perked their ears at the sound and became rigid as they didn't hear him until her was nearly to them. 

Big Mac held up his lamp to light up the dark path. “Who’s there?”

“It’s just me.” Skyfall walked into the lantern’s flickering glow. ”Didn’t mean to scare you, I’m just heading into town.”

“Well, ya did scare us!” Applebloom cried out.

“And how did I do that?” Skyfall smiled as he casually strolled past the filly.

“Well, with that new Spiri-“ Applebloom was cut off by Sweetie Belle’s hoof.

“Sh! The Princess said we’re not supposed to tell anyone!” Sweetie Belle hissed through clenched teeth.

So she already knows about me. I’m flattered. Skyfall stopped and looked at the three fillies. All of them were smiling nervously. “Sounds interesting. Did something happen?”

Big Mac laughed, diverting Skyfall’s attention. “It’s nothing Mr. Skyfall, just the usual shenanigans for this town. That’s all.”

Granny Smith creaked around Big Mac. “Big Mac, is this the youngin that moved into that haunted house down the road?”

Again with the house? 

Applebloom mouthed ‘sorry’ while Big Mac facepalmed and said. “Yes, this is our new neighbor, Skyfall. Mr. Skyfall, this is Granny Smith.”

Skyfall smiled and waved.

“Has he met Applejack yet?” Granny asked.

“Granny!” Big Mac’s mouth dropped.

“What? He’s a big, handsome stallion and yer sister needs a good-“

“Granny there are foals around!” Big Mac shouted while the three fillies giggled.

Skyfall pretended not to hear any of the borderline verbal assault being spewed out by Granny Smith. She eyed him suspiciously. “What are ya doin out this late at night anyhow? In the dark?”

“I have to make a last minute visit to the library.” Skyfall stated.

“Ah’m sorry.” Big Mac pulled Granny Smith out of Skyfall’s face. “Would you mind doing us a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Would you mind taking Scootaloo to Ponyville?”

“I’m old enough to do it myself!” Scootaloo protested.

“Not with what’s out there, you’re not.” Granny Smith said. “Yer too young to defend yerself against a lot of the creatures that come out of these here woods.”

“Fine.” Scootaloo pouted.

“Skyfall.” Big Mac presented his hoof. “Thank you.”

Skyfall smiled and happily shook his hoof. “It’s no trouble at all.” 

Skyfall looked at the small filly who was pouting and kicking the dirt with a hoof. “Are you ready, Scootaloo?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Alright, goodbye everypony!” Skyfall waved in farewell.

After some time, Skyfall noticed Scootaloo sneaking peeks under his wing. His scar there was hardly visible to any normal passerby, but if one were looking to where the wings met the body, it was rather apparent.  His legs being much longer than hers, he passed Scootaloo again, catching her eyes looking back to his scar. “Is there something that interests you, Scootaloo?”

Scootaloo blushed and hurriedly snapped her head straight forward, increasing her pace. “No. I was just looking around.”

“It’s okay to talk to me, Scootaloo. I won’t bite.” Skyfall chuckled nervously. “It’s my scar isn’t it?”

Scootaloo abruptly stopped walking. Skyfall came to a halt, turning to face the filly.

“Is it really that gruesome?” Skyfall asked.

“No. That’s not it.” Scootaloo said quietly.

After a few moments of silence, Scootaloo looked at Skyfall. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Yeah, feel free.”

“Can you fly?” Scootaloo asked, welling up.

“Yes, why do you ask?” Skyfall was caught off guard by the question. He couldn’t fly like regular pegasi because of his size, but if he flew like a bee, rotating his wings to get proper propulsion, then he could fly just as well. “Is it my size?”

“No.” Scootaloo gazed absently into the distance. In truth, she also heard the sneer Silver spoon spat at him in the forest.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand. What’s making you upset?” Skyfall asked, trying not to make enemies of his new neighbors. “Was it something I said?”

Scootaloo gave a small smirk and hesitantly raised her wings high enough to show him the underside, as well as her wing joints. She had a similar scar in the exact place he did, but her’s was from surgery, not a weapon.

“What happened?” Sky did his best to not grimace.

“I don’t like to talk about it. I had to have surgery when I was small.” Scootaloo said quietly.

“Then I shall not press.” Sky walked up beside Scootaloo, giving her an encouraging pat on the back. “Let’s get you home.”

“Right. Home.”

“Where do you live?” Skyfall looked out on Ponyville.

“I live with my step-mom, next to where the library used to be.” Scootaloo said solemnly. “She should be home, she always is.”

The venom in Scootaloo’s voice had not gone unnoticed by Skyfall. It was clear she resented her step-mom. “What about your dad?”

Scootaloo became tense, her hair standing on end. She started to walk a more carefully out of reflex. “He’s away. He is in the Royal Guard so I don’t see him a lot.”

Skyfall noticed Scootaloo stopped at a house.

Scootaloo smiled at Skyfall weakly. “Well, this is where I live. I guess I’ll see you later, Mr. Skyfall.”

Sky patted Scootaloo on the head. “You can just call me Skyfall if you want. Hay, you could even call me Sky.”

“Goodnight, Sky.” Scootaloo gave a genuine smile.

“Night, Scootaloo.”

With that, Skyfall made his through Ponyville. The nightlife was nonexistent, except for an apparent nightclub with a sign that said something about a DJ. The manic flashing of strobe lights and the bassy thumping of electronic music bled out out into the streets. Aside from this club, Ponyville was dead quiet.

Skyfall turned another corner and saw his destination. “I hope Twilight’s out.”





It was getting late and everypony was starting to tire from all the planning they were doing. Twilight studied books on plant life in the Everfree, while Applejack and Rainbow talked about where Shattered Skies could be hiding. Rarity looked through some old history books, and Pinkie Pie was in the kitchen making everypony coffee for the long night ahead. Fluttershy, however, read a book about animals; not to help the others with catching a Spirit, but rather to simply keep herself occupied.

Spike came running in, interrupting the air of focus throughout the room. “Twilight! Somepony is here to see you.”

“About?” Twilight asked, uninterested in his statement.

“It’s about some books that were checked out, but it’s-”

“Agh! Why now?” Twilight pouted. “I’ll lose my place.”

“If you want, I can go see who it is.” Fluttershy said, all too willing to stretch her legs and get away from Applejack and Rainbow’s bickering.  

“Are you sure, Fluttershy?” Twilight asked.

“Oh yes. It’s probably Lyra.” Fluttershy knew Lyra was in the library frequently, going through books and tomes for her own studies.

“Probably.” Twilight sighed.

Fluttershy walked past Spike as he sat down and started reading a comic book. He quickly lost touch with the world around him, until Rainbow Dash called over to him.

“Hey, who was at the door?”

Spike grumbled.

Rainbow inhaled suddenly to yell her question again, but Rarity held up her hoof, stopping her. “Excuse me, Spike?”

“Huh? Yes, Rarity?” Spike immediately dropped his comic book, full attention on the mare.

“Who was at the door?”

“Skyfall.” Spike said. He saw all of his friends get up and run past him to the door. “Uh, guys?”

Fluttershy looked out from the doorway, but the stoop’s light made it hard to figure out who was at the door.

“Hmm, you don’t look like Twilight.” The dark figure observed.

Fluttershy’s eyes flew wide open as she froze up. “Who’s there?”

The mysterious stallion walked into the light. “If you ponies invested more in street lamps, you would be able to see a lot better at night.”

“Oh M-Mr. Skyfall it’s you.” Fluttershy said, hiding behind her mane. She had seen Skyfall around Ponyville, but never actually met him due to his reserved nature. Ponies in Ponyville talked, and from what she overheard, he seemed like a sour, bitter pony. Though, Fluttershy confessed to herself, she had never talked to anyone when she first moved here, and many said the same about her.

Skyfall looked at Fluttershy oddly. “I’m sorry, you know my name, but I don’t remember getting yours.”

“I’m Fluttershy.” She said in her unusually quiet voice. She chided herself, every time she meets a new pony, she can’t help but whisper.

“Hello, Fluttershy.” Skyfall smiled.

Unknown to either of them, the rest of the ponies were eavesdropping. Each of them watched intently, even Rainbow, who earlier in the day was griping about how Skyfall humiliated her.

Skyfall and Fluttershy sat in an awkward silence for a time, both of them unsure how to proceed.

“Well, I have Twilight’s books. I’m sure she’ll want them back.”

Fluttershy looked at the books placed at her hooves and saw Skyfall turning to leave. Fluttershy knew how lonely it could be being the new pony in town. Maybe he needed another friend. Come on, remember your classes.

“I-I see you l-like to read about Spirits.”

“Huh?” Skyfall looked back and saw Fluttershy standing there, attempting what looked like a welcoming smile. “The book? Yeah, Spike offered it to me. It was pretty interesting.”

Fluttershy panicked. What do I talk about?

“So, you take care of the animals in Ponyville?” Sky questioned, attempting to fill the silence.

“Oh yes.” Fluttershy beamed. “Who told you?”

“Oh, a little birdy told me.” Sky sat down. She would take his comment as a figure of speech, but in fact a little, red bird had told him. All the animals filled Skyfall in on the going-ons of Ponyville and Equestria. They helped him get updated on the world so he didn’t trot around making himself look like a fool.

“Do you take care of animals too?”

Skyfall shrugged. “From time to time. I help them when I can.”

“Oh this is wonderful, what’s your cutie mark? An animal stuck in a tree?” Fluttershy was suddenly giddy; it appears Sky found out how to get her to come out of her shell.

Fluttershy looked over at his flank expectantly, but found only saddlebags. His hidden cutie mark confirmed a rumor that went around as well. She heard that his cutie mark was gruesome and hid it as a result.

Sky followed her gaze. Why is she looking at my flank? A few ponies have been doing this lately. “Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy realized that she had been caught staring and her butter yellow face turned pink. Her shy personality took over once more and she hide behind her mane.

Sky sighed inwardly. “I know that my flank is great, but is it so stare worthy?”

Fluttershy whimpered and crouched down. Rainbow Dash tried to fly out of the room to tackle Skyfall, but was stopped by Twilight’s magic.

“Rainbow, stop actin up.” Applejack put her hooves on Rainbow’s chest, stopping her from pushing forward. “Ah don’t think he knows that Fluttershy is an int…intro.”

“Introvert.” Rarity finished for Applejack.

“Thanks. That word.” Applejack said. Rainbow rose an eyebrow at Applejack.

“Really? You think he doesn’t know Fluttershy is afraid of other ponies?” Rainbow’s question made the others trade looks.

Pinkie giggled. “I think he’s just being friendly. It’s probably awkward for him to meet new ponies too.”

Suddenly they heard Fluttershy giggle, tearing their attention away to the door.

Skyfall smiled at Fluttershy. She opened up when he started to tell her a story about the time he and Sif went to a harvest festival and she got indigestion from a bad apple. Unfortunately, it was only partially true. The last harvest festival he went to ended with Sif biting the head off of an unruly griffon.

When Fluttershy peeked out from behind her mane, her eyes met Sky’s.

“See? I’m not so scary.” Sky said quietly, coaxing her out of her shell. “I apologize if my question earlier was brazen. It’s just that I’m not from around here, so I don’t understand why ponies look at my flank all the time.”

“Many ponies look at somepony’s cutie mark to figure out what they do.” Fluttershy sat and showed hers. “My cutie mark is three butterflies, showing that I’m good with animals.”

“And I always wear saddlebags, so ponies probably think mine’s embarrassing.” The realization dawned on Skyfall.

“Uhm… Yes, actually.”

“So ponies have been talking?” Sky asked accusingly out of jest. Fluttershy started to collapse in on herself until Sky held his hooves up to show he was playing. “I’m sorry again, Miss. I joke around a lot.”

Fluttershy could see that he was trying to be friendly, so she could try too. “So, what is  your cutie mark?”

Skyfall never liked his mark because of its meaning, but if it would stop ponies from spreading rumors, then it was worth it. He sat up and unsnapped his saddle before putting it on the ground and leaning over.

“Oh-Oh my. I wasn’t expecting that”

“Many ponies don’t. Most ponies have something clear like a music treble or a shield. Mine, however, is a shattered pane of glass.”

Fluttershy turned her head to get a better look. “What does it mean?”

A mistake. Skyfall thought before repeating the line he’s rehearsed countless times. “I fix other ponies problems. Whenever something goes wrong, I always end up being at the right place and the right time to help.”

Fluttershy looked like she had an epiphany, or a brain spasm. She smiled and looked back at the a set of double doors that had been cracked open. I hope the others like my idea.

“Well, I’ll take these books to Twilight.” Fluttershy started to pick up the books, but fumbled with them before finally getting them balanced on her head. “I will see you later, Mister Skyfall.”

“Please, call me Sky.”

Fluttershy smiled and blushed. “Goodnight, Sky.”

“Night, Fluttershy.” Skyfall turned around and heard the clopping of hooves as the door shut. How odd.

Skyfall felt good; better than he had in a long time. He walked into the night with the premonition of his life in Ponyville  getting a lot more interesting.





“Princess Cadance, letters from Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight regarding your arrangements in Ponyville as well as the requested information about the Spirit.” A crystal guard announced from a bowed position.

“Thank you! I’ve been waiting for this.” Cadance tore open the scroll with glee.

Shining Armor looked over, bemused at his wife’s over-eagerness to read Twily’s letter. He had felt some terrible pit in his stomach since hearing that Shattered Skies was real and in the Everfree, so close to his sister. “I know that you’re excited to see Twilight, but doesn’t it bother you that this thing is stalking the forest?”

Princess Cadance patted Shining’s thigh. “I want to believe the best of ponies. If Shattered Skies is back, then maybe he can be turned to good if he isn’t good already”

Shining nuzzled Cadance. “I always loved that about you. You see the good in ponies and try to remain optimistic.”

Shining continued on in a quieter tone as drowsiness began consuming him.  “Though, if he doesn’t want to cooperate, we will have no choice but to stop him.”

Princess Cadance ran her hoof over Shining’s face as he dozed off. Once he was asleep, Cadance reached for the letter detailing the events in Ponyville with the local school foals and Shattered Skies. She read the letter over and over before secretly summoning a journal with Celestia’s cutie mark emblazed on the front. Nopony knew she had this journal; she had hidden it from everypony, even Shining Armor.

Cadance read deep into the night, comparing the information in the letter to the information in the journal. She kept her intent a secret. Over time, a small smile grew on her face and as she repeated one word over and over. “Soon.”
> Chapter 7 -A Daring Effigy-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-A Daring Effigy-


It had been a full week since Skyfall stumbled on Ahuizotl's excavation, and it was finally time to crack the vault. He was in no rush to do so, however. Another unexplained torrential downpour had begun pounding the village of Ponyville, so Sky decided to stay inside for a bit in his study, pouring over maps and books.

"Morning." Skyfall chirped at Sif as she walked into the large shelved room. He received a grumble in return. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing!" Sif snapped.

Skyfall looked in her direction and raised an eyebrow. "Sif."

Sif's features fell. "Sorry. I've been trying to perfect that potion, but every time I make it I always end up with longer fur than I should. I was able to make the effect last a little longer, but if I stand out from other ponies then why make it at all?"

"I like the long fur. I think it's cute."

Sif pouted. "It's not cute."

"You're right, it's adorable." Skyfall laughed at Sif's glare.

Sif blew a raspberry at Sky and stood over his shoulder to see what he was doing. "What do you have there?"

"This is supposed to be the world map." Sky made a loud click sound with his teeth. "The borders sure have changed quite a bit. The Griffon’s territory has expanded and shrunk several times in the past few hundred years. Why is that?"

"Revolution. Republic. Monarchy. Revolution. Republic. Monarchy." Sif repeated. "Every time a leader has risen to power, they grow corrupt and eventually end up beheaded."

"It looks like Equestria has become the world's prime superpower with few nations to challenge it." Sky said absentmindedly.

"Sounds like you disapprove." Sif asked.

"Hm? No. I'm just making an observation.” Sky ran through a list of nations. “This isn’t right.”

“What isn’t?”

“There are some nations that have history that isn’t recorded.” Sky said under his breath while simultaneously flipping through a world atlas and a condensed history book.

“What nations?”

“Neighpon, Saddle Arabia, and anything regarding the Reach.” Sky stopped when Sif coughed to get his attention.

“Neighpon became isolationists shortly after your ‘death.’ Celestia has tried time and time again to reach out to them, but all attempts have been ignored, I told Fuji and she was not happy. Saddle Arabia was similar, but a civil war left their kingdom in shambles and they needed to rebuild.”

“And the Reach?”

Sif shook her head. “Any reference to Spirits actually existing has been restricted.”

Sky slammed his book shut and walked over to his desk, sitting down hard with a quill in hoof to record what she was about to say. “Explain.”

“I can only repeat what my scouts told me.” Sif sat down in front of his large acacia desk. “Celestia seemed... off after she sent Luna to the moon. She blamed you and regretted not striking the fatal blow. It was almost like she knew you survived.”

Sky raised an eyebrow at Sif’s assertion, but allowed her to continue uninterrupted.

“A century after the Nightmare Moon incident, she held mass book burnings and ordered the exile of thousands of Spirit followers to Foenum. As I told you before, the Spirits who didn’t submit were either locked in Tartarus, held under her watch, or sent somewhere else.”

Sky tapped his quill on the edge of the desk in frustration and ran a hoof through his mane, trying to figure out why she changed so much. “That doesn’t sound like her.”

“Banishing your own sister can take its toll.” Sif said.

“Yes, but book burnings? She loved books.” Sky looked at a dark portion of the map labelled ‘The Void.’

“I need to know where the others are.”

“The only pony that would know wants you dead and would separate your head from your body the instant she sees you.” Sif reminded.

“Unless she couldn’t move.” Sky smirked.

“Oh no, I know that look.” Sif moaned.

“What look? I don’t have a look.” Sky placated.

“Yes, you do! It’s that, ‘I about to do something incredibly stupid and I won’t tell Sif because she’ll hurt me’ look!” Sif growled.

“You’re not wrong-” Sky dodged a book flying towards his head. “-hey, watch it, that book is almost as old as you are!”

“No, you don’t get to be upset. You’re retired, stop doing dumb things.”

Sky reverted into a Spirit and grabbed Sif’s paws while she playfully tried hitting him and brought her into a hug. “Trust me.”

Sif fought, but gave up and pouted. “Cheater.”

“And how did I cheat?”

“You know I like hugs.”

“And I use them to win. It’s hardly a cheat, it’s strategy.” Skies laughed when Sif licked his face. The distraction gave Sif just enough time to tackle Skies to the floor and pin him down.

“So what are you going to do to keep Celestia from melting your face? Not to mention keep her from sending her entire force over here to annihilate you, since you’ll be letting her know you are in fact, alive.”

“Poison.” Skies said while smiling at Sif.

“I don’t get it. You’re going to poison her?” Sif turned her head. “That will never work.”

“It’ll work for three minutes. While she is paralyzed, I will ask my questions and escape before she burns Canterlot down.”

“And how will you get her to take the poison?”

“Tea.” Skies said plainly. “She still has her guard down, so I get one chance at this.”

“You’ve planned this out.” Sif said. “When are you doing this?”

“Tonight.” Skies rolled away from Sif and summoned a small, inch long vail. “I could only gather this much poison in that amount of time. Celandine, White Myrtle Petals, Black Trumpet mushrooms, and about a dozen other ingredients with Allspice to dull the taste. This vial will get me three minutes, maybe four.”

Sif cautiously backed away from the lethal liquid. “That could kill a full grown dragon.”

“Two actually.” Skies hid the vial and saw Sif’s questioning expression. “What? I need answers and I want them immediately.”

“Just be careful okay?”

Before Skies could answer, he heard a knock on the front door. Sif silently snuck off to the basement and Skies morphed back into his pegasus form. “I wonder who is bothering me now.”

The persistent knocking grew more frequent as Skyfall walked to the door. “Alright, I’m coming!”

These ponies are relentless. Sky swung his front doors open to find Applejack with her hoof up, ready for more knocking. “Yes, Miss Apple?”

“Hiya there Skyfall. Ah came over ta-”

“Invite me to a lunch or a party?” Skyfall responded.

Applejack chuckled softly. “Ah guess I ain’t the first?”

“No. Pinkie Pie has sent all manners of mail to my house and sent Rarity yesterday and Fluttershy the day before. Miss Pie has done everything but ask me herself.”

“She doesn’t want to annoy ya like she did with Cranky when he moved to town.” Applejack said. “She is trying really hard to be friends with ya. Why don’t you let her?”

“Fluttershy asked the same thing. I have nothing against her, it’s just that I have been busy with stuff so I don’t have the time right now.”

“Well, if ya want to join us for lunch yer welcome to.” Applejack smiled.

It was Sky’s turn to smile. “Usually she invites me to dinner.”

“Well we have a big how-di-do tonight at the Princess’s old castle, getting something from somewhere. I can’t remember.” Applejack confessed.

Sky’s smile faltered slightly. “Sounds… important.”

“Yeah kinda. It has to do with that Spirit that reared his ugly head.”

“Well, you girls be safe. Maybe I can clear some time to join you soon or maybe have some of you over for tea.” Skyfall said.

“Sounds like a party.” Applejack said happily before stuttering out an explanation about how she meant ‘plan’ as in a meeting time and not an actual party, but Skyfall helped her out by putting his hoof on her nose and telling her he understood.

“I will see you later, Miss Apple.”

“Applejack. I’ve told ya before, Sky, it’s Applejack.” Applejack scolded playfully.

“Sorry, old habits are hard to break.”

Applejack turned and started walking. “Don’t be a stranger there, Skyfall.”

Skyfall closed his door and immediately started walking swiftly through the house to get to one of Sif’s hiding spots. “Sif we’re going, now.”

“Huh-wha?” Sif mumbled as she woke up. “What’s going on? I thought we were going to the castle tonight?”

“Our time table has moved up.”

Sif heard the urgency in Sky’s voice. “Right. Moving. This new development has something to do with the Princesses, doesn’t it?”

“Yep. She’s sending her ‘Elements’ to the castle to get something.” Skyfall exited his back door and became a Spirit once again. Sif joined him moments later with some other wolves that were lying in wait for them.

“Any orders?” Sif asked.

Skies saw that the sun reached high noon. “Get as many wolves as you can together and have them start looting the castle. Anything of value should be taken to the cave on my property. You know the one.”

“The one with a waterfall that you keep saying you’ll explore but keep getting distracted?” Sif chuckled.

“I prefer ‘busy.’”

“I prefer ‘short attention span.’” Sif quipped, poking fun at Skies’ laziness.

Sif turned to a wolfling that was following them, she had grey fur with splotchy black patterns. “Quiet, go and tell the news to the others and have them converge on the castle in thirty minutes.”

“Right away!”

“So, Shattered Skies, what’s the real plan?” Sif asked.

“In, steal everything, out. I haven’t the time or the resources to set up anything for them. I’m sure a tied up Ahuizotl would be more than enough to distract them.”

“So you’re betraying him to mess with the Elements?” Sif asked rhetorically.

Skies scoffed. “Of course I’m betraying him. Have you heard how he talks about himself? Annoying.”

When Skies and Sif arrived at the castle, they saw that Skies’ order was taken to with extreme haste. Wolves were filing in and out of doors with books and scrolls. The larger objects were carried by either a larger wolf or many smaller ones.

Shattered Skies looked over to his lifelong companion. “I see my time in recovery didn’t go to waste. You’ve trained them all very well.”

“I try.“ Sif smiled at the compliment, she took much pride in her pack and he knew it. She was approached by Quiet, the wolf from earlier.

“Mistress.” Quiet bowed, showing submission.

“What is it?”

“We have the area secured and have begun removing the desired materials as ordered, however…” Quiet paused.

“What is it?”

“There is something around the castle we can’t explain.” Quiet started. “I have received reports of our pack catching a scent or a pony and when they go to investigate they find-“

“Nothing at all?” Sif asked and looked to Skies.

“It’s probably our little stalker.” Skies mused. “I felt a pony hiding in the rafters when we first came by. They were likely spying on Ahuizotl.”

“And now they’re stalking us.” Sif said angrily. “Quiet, root this pony out and bring them to me, if they fight, kill them.”

“Belay that.” Skies ordered. “Ignore this pony. Now go, fulfill your orders.”

Quiet looked at Skies with mild shock. She wasn’t born before Skies was cut down, so this was the first time in her life that she had served Shattered Skies and the first time that he had spoken directly to her. “Yes, my lord.”

The instant Quiet ran off, Sif looked at him. He could feel the imminent question and the even more imminent scolding. 

“This pony is here for Ahuizotl and whatever is in that vault. I have a feeling that the second I enter that vault, she’ll pounce.”

“She?”

“Yes. There are roots growing throughout the castle, remember? I can sense a sex at least. That or she is an incredibly slender stallion.”

Skies started to walk towards the castle. “Show time, Fluffy butt!”





Ahuizotl had his felines clear much of the large rubble away from the door in preparation for Shattered Skies, who was going to break the seal for him. He sat back and relaxed, waiting for his benefactor 

He had underestimated Shattered Skies; he knew that the reward for turning in a notorious forest Spirit would make him rich, so, during the week, Ahuizotl had gone through Canterlot's more shady channels to tell the Princess he could help her capture Shattered Skies in return for his amnesty from Tartarus.

Ahuizotl wasn’t prepared for Shattered Skies to arrive off schedule, however. “Shattered Skies, why are you early?”

“Early bird gets the worm?” Skies bantered.

Ahuizotl fidgeted, he knew if he failed Celestia, she would throw him into the deepest pit of Tartarus to suffer. Ahuizotl used his tail and signaled orders to the felines in the room. An act, although subtle, was noticed by Sif.

“You know he intends to-“ Sif was cut off by Skies wing.

“Yes, Sif.” Skies smiled before turning to Ahuizotl. “I think it’s time to break this seal.”

Ahuizotl thought his plan was going perfectly and played along. “Yes. It’s time for our partnership to become solidified. If you could, can you explain how you’re going to break this seal?”

Skies nodded. “Sure.” Skies walked over the massive marble doors and placed his claw against it, igniting the runes in a shimmering, cobalt blue. “The runes are thickest right here; they tap into the terrestrial magic lay lines that crisscross the entire planet, it’s much like the magic that dwells within most creatures, but more powerful. Unfortunately, the runes are so advanced that this seal can only be broken by the one who forged them.”

“But how will you get inside if you can’t break them?” Ahuizotl asked.

“I’m going the pull the runes apart enough to slip a root in, teleport in and push the doors open, where the seal is weakest. However, after about fifteen minutes the seal will strain and slam everything shut, so we will have to get in, steal what we can and get out. Once shut, the seal will learn about the breach and adapt itself. So one chance is all we got.” Skies waked a few feet to the right of the door and roots started clawing their way through the wall.

“Sif get everyone down here and ready them to storm the vault once opened.” Skies announced before waving Sif closer and whispered. “When the seal starts to quiver, he’ll make his move to trap us inside, position some wolves at a-”

“Yeah yeah, I know the deal.”  Sif waved her paw.

“One more thing.” Skies put his foreclaw on Sif’s muzzle. “I sense our guest is still here. If you can have her captured when she moves, don’t attack.”

Sif nodded and watched Shattered Skies disappear into a root.

Shattered Skies emerged from the root into complete blackness, there was no vegetation to scan the room, but Skies could sense the vast size of the room. He summoned a few orbs of light to illuminate the nearby area. “Wow.”

The room stretched on, the only things he could see were artifacts and random mementos that the Princesses wanted to keep. The ends of the room, save the door, remained blanketed in darkness. He placed his claw on the door and reignited the runes, and this time they glowed amber. “Thought so.”

After scanning the runes, Skies sighed in relief. It was now clear why Celestia never emptied the vault. Luna knew she was unmatched in rune weaving and expected nothing to get past this seal. This was placed right after he was cut down, and he could still feel the cold magic of Nightmare Moon.

Skies prepared to open the door, but paused and looked back. “I should look around to see what takes priority.” As he walked, he looked closer at the items inside of the vault. Some of these artifacts would drive a curator mad with glee. He spotted three of mage Meadowbrook's eight enchanted items; The puzzle box that if solved could answer any one question the solver asks, the key that opens any locked door, and the lantern that casts light in the direction of anything the user seeks, be it living or inanimate.

The deeper he walked the more he saw. Historical relics like Princess Platinum’s crown, Chancellor Puddinghead’s hat, and Commander Hurricane’s helm. Celestia and Luna kept them many years ago to preserve the history of Equestria and to show the unity between Earth ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi. 

Even Tirek’s enchanted bag that held a dark heirloom from his father was there. It could contain any wild magic, but only to a point before it would leak out and corrupt the user. Skies lifted the bag and confirmed it was empty. He remembered hearing about Tirek, but was in another part of the world when he attacked the first time.

Even Grogar’s bell was here. The same one he would use during necromancy to order the undead around.

Shattered Skies stopped and his blood ran cold when his eyes saw a figure in the darkness. It wasn’t a pony, but a weapon held up on a rack, a black scythe.

“Why are you here?” Skies said to himself. Luna’s scythe was her favorite weapon and she spent many years learning to use it properly. She detested fighting, even if she was good at it. Between both sisters, Luna wanted to love and be loved in return, she wanted to teach ponies and live in peace, but during her many years she always found herself in battles. Luna once confided to Skies that she had wanted to dance again, but lost her passion for it.

Skies ran his claw over the still, ice cold scythe. The signs were there, he knew that she became depressed, but wrote it off as Luna being in a temporary funk and not falling to her dark side. He patted the scythe and moved on.

“Wait a second!” Skies laughed to himself and magicked Meadowbrook’s lantern to himself. He thought about the Sunset Effigy and the lantern ignited with a ghostly white glow with one tendril pointing straight ahead. “Ha, gotcha.”

Shattered Skies walked a little more and found the cursed item he sought, the Sunset Effigy; a golden crystal orb that shone brighter the closer a soul came to it. It had many layers that constantly moved in opposing directions and the only time they ever lined up to see the core was when it was taking a soul.

Skies hated this thing, its creation happened 20,000 years ago and it was still as much a mystery to the world today as it was then. It drove many to madness and only one pony figured out how to use it to prolong their life, Sombra. He remembered the first time he met Sombra, before he was corrupted.

Memories flooded his mind.





King Sombra wasn’t always evil. Like many stories, he was an orphan for his entire life, despite the empire efforts to put him in a loving home. Princess Amore took a liking to him and opened an account, she would secretly funnel money to for his education.

Shattered Skies first heard about this colt when Princess Amore wrote to him, urging him to come to the Empire and that somepony needed help she couldn't provide.

Due to the lack of forests connecting Equestria to the Crystal Empire, Skies was forced to travel via train. Princess Amore was a large pink Unicorn who ruled her empire with kindness. She seemed almost frantic to Skies, even though her royal demeanor tried to convey otherwise.

“What’s wrong? You didn’t specify in your letter who needed my help or what they were afflicted with.” Skies said. Amore knew Shattered Skies was good at finding solutions for challenging issues, especially in regards to health often using the plants and animals he watched over for ingredients.

Princess Amore winced before trotting off toward a large building that read ‘Crystal General.’ “Please follow me.”

“Want to explain what’s going on now, Amore?” Skies followed close, they were old friends and he knew when something had shaken her to the core.

She stopped at the front of the hospital. “A few years ago, a colt named Sombra became ill during the crystal faire. I didn’t know about it until the next day when my court advisor informed me. He is fine every day of the year until we start setting up the faire. We’ve tried for years to figure out what’s wrong with him, but this year it got a lot worse. I finally caved and asked you to come, since you’re the best healer I know.”

“Then you should have contacted me sooner. Take me to him.” Skies said.

Without another word, Amore escorted him to the correct room and halted at the door. She knocked gingerly and waited for permission to enter. Usually royalty would barge in, but Amore was too kind.

When nopony answered, Amore opened the door and looked back at Skies. “They’re asleep.”

Skies followed Amore into the room and found a small lavender filly with a light blue mane draped over a dark colt. The mare held onto the stallion tightly while he shivered and sweat profusely.

“We need to wake them up, now.” Skies said.

Amore nodded and shook the sleeping pair gently, waking them. They both jumped when they saw the Princess so close while in such a intimate situation, they both blushed. Princess Amore smiled. “I see you two slept well.”

Hope smiled sheepishly before noticing the pony standing in the corner. Her eyes lit up. “Is that Shattered Skies?”

“Yes, he is an old friend of mine who is here to help.” The Princess said. She turned to Skies. “Skies, this is Hope and Sombra. Hope, Sombra, this is Shattered Skies.”

Hope waved and tried to talk, but mumbled instead. “Um, hi. I like your antlers.”

Sombra smiled and tried to greet the Spirit, but the pain he felt threatened to send him falling over.

Shattered Skies smiled at the young mare. “I would be more than happy to talk to you later, but I need to help this one.”

The mare smiled and nodded before grabbing Sombra’s hoof. “I’ll be outside, Shattered Skies will help you, I know it.”

Sombra nodded and squeezed Hope’s hoof weekly.

Shattered Skies approached Sombra’s bedside and sat down. “Sombra, there is something I need to ask you before we start.”

“Sombra will answer any question you ask.” Sombra answered.

“To understand what is going on, I need to bite you and consume some blood. Nothing is ever a quick fix, however, I’ll have some idea what’s going on. Is this okay?” Skies said seriously. “It won’t be much, but enough for you to feel it.”

Sombra shied away slightly. He was a little scared of the prospect of having his blood consumed, but he wanted to stop hurting so he could go and enjoy the faire with Hope. “Okay, Sombra agrees.”

The small, grey stallion held out a hoof which was then held by Skies’ claw before he bit down into the colt’s flesh making him yelp.

The instant the blood touched Shattered Skies tongue, dark images flashed through his vision and a pair of sinister green eyes stared at him from behind jet black hair that was obscuring a face. Skies squeezed his eyes shut and dismissed the images.

“What did you see Skies?” Amore asked.

Shattered Skies looked out the window to the crystal heart that pulsed purifying light. There was no mistaking it; this colt was infected with something that was trying to corrupt him. Skies bit his lip. I can’t cure him.

Sombra’s eyes started to water when he saw the Spirit’s hesitation. Skies put his claw on Sombra’s head. “Don’t worry; I’m going to help you.”

Skies stood up. “Nurse.”

“Yes, my lord?” The nurse answered.

“I’ve drawn blood so Sombra will be a little light headed. Giving him sugary food will help him get over it.” Skies winked at Sombra, who smiled weakly in return. “Extra cookies.”

“Did you help, Shattered Skies?” Hope asked.

“Hope, nothing is ever a quick fix. I need to study this, but I promise to help him.”

Hope smiled and hugged his leg. “Thank you.” 

Skies patted her on the head and left the room with Princess Amore in tow. “I need to return home and study this, until then give him tea with dry, granulated Jewelweed and make sure he has two cups every day until the faire is over. He’ll hate it, but it should dull the pain. Give him cookies to offset the taste.”

Princess Amore smiled. “Thank you for coming.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank my wife. I came here as soon as I did at her behest.” Skies stopped and bopped Amore on the nose. “I’ll have you know we were preparing to surprise you.”

“Oh? And what were you and my best friend going to do?” Amore chuckled.  

“Well, Crystal said to tell you when I got here since making the trip is impossible for her now.” Skies teased.

“Good, I like when my surprises happen sooner, rather than later.” Amore pushed Skies. “Now spit it out.”

“It happened a few months ago and we were unsure how to tell you, but... Crystal’s pregnant.” Skies said eagerly.

“What? How is she pregnant?” Amore stared at her brother in law with disbelief. Spirits were unable to conceive a child, unless the Maker gave them the ability to.

“It’s a long story, but we decided we wanted a foal and bam, pregnant.” Skies said before being assaulted by the giddy Princess.

“I'm going to be an aunt? Yes!” Amore started rubbing her cheeks in a circular fashion, almost unable to contain herself. “How pregnant is she? Has she started having weird cravings and mood swings?”

“Super pregnant. She's a porpoise.” Skies said monotonously before face-hoofing. “And yes.”

“Oh come on, it isn’t that bad, is it?” Amore asked sheepishly. She remembered how fiery her sister could get.

“Yes, yes it is.” Skies chuckled. “You don’t know what it’s like to be woken up at three in the morning to a crying, pregnant mare who demands that you, a hard working forest Spirit, march down the local deli to get her a sandwich that only they can make. Imagine waking the deli owner and having to explain, and keep quiet, the fact that; A.) Your wife is pregnant and B.) She wants a two foot long sandwich with pickles, thin mints, bacon, and mustard with root beer to dip it in.”

Amore hugged Shattered Skies. “I’m so happy for you both.”

Amore sat and put Skies head in her hooves. “So tell me everything. Do you know what the baby will be?”

Shattered Skies smiled. “Yes, we're going to have a little filly.”

“And her name?” Amore smiled in excitement.

Shattered Skies smiled. “That’s a surprise. Though Crystal and I know you’ll love it.”





Skies stood still, looking at the Effigy on its pedestal. The memory blurred out of his eyes. Sombra committed many crimes when he forcibly took the throne and imprisoned Amore. Rumors arose that Sombra turned Amore into a crystal statue and scattered her pieces so she couldn’t ever be whole again. He wronged many, but nopony more so than Shattered Skies.

Skies heard a loud pounding on the stone door from across the chasm.

“Hey, can you hurry up?” Sif roared. No doubt she was making it uncomfortable for Ahuizotl with her bellyaching.

Shattered Skies unceremoniously tore the Effigy from its place and made his way to the door, laughing the entire way. Magic started to radiate off of his antlers with a smoky, silver hue. Skies sat in front of the door and clapped his claws together, speaking in ancient Equus to form an orb of rune magic. Hopefully Luna left the backdoor she usually does.

A ball of blue light spun in his claw right before he slammed it into Luna’s rune lock, making it strain with fiery red light. After a moment, the door creaked and moved. Dust came falling from the top of the door and air came rushing into the vault.

“Alright, priority goes all the books, Meadowbrook’s items, Tirek’s bag, Gragor’s bell, and anything else with a magical signature.” Skies barked, sending all the wolves rushing in as swiftly as their paws could carry them.

Sif eyed the lantern on Skies hip. “Is that the Wayfinder Lantern?”

Skies turned to the side. “Yes, there is a trove of artifacts in there.” He could sense the mare in the rafters becoming anxious. He knew he needed to coax her more. “With these items, we could take Equestria. Tonight.”

“I see you do not disappoint, Shattered Skies.” Ahuizotl stood at an angle, placing Skies between him and the vault.

Skies gave Ahuizotl a hard look. Ahuizotl was in his prime while Skies was still gaining his strength. If Ahuizotl pushed Skies as the door shut then he would be a sitting duck until Luna arrived to open the door.

Wolves cycled in and out with boxes and scrolls, the piled everything in the main chamber so they wouldn’t be as restrained by the dwindling time that they had.

Ahuizotl held his hand out. “The Sunset Effigy. It’s what we agreed on.”

Skies didn’t even need to sense where the mare was, she would be upon them the instant the Effigy rolled into Ahuizotl’s hand. However, the second it did, Ahuizotl’s ear twitched. He spun around and grabbed the swooping mare by the neck.

“Aha! Daring Do!” Ahuizotl seethed.

“Ahuizotl!” Daring Do yelled as she kicked her legs.

Shattered Skies looked between the two; it was obvious they hated each other. Ahuizotl started to monologue about taking over the world and she responded with sayings like ‘I’ll stop you’ and ‘you’ll never get away with this.’

“What’s the meaning of this, Ahuizotl?” Skies asked rhetorically. “Do you aim to betray me?”

Everything went still.

“W-What do you mean?” Ahuizotl asked wearily.

“I meant what I asked. Do you mean to betray me?” Skies asked again, before walking around Ahuizotl.

“Surely I don’t know what you mean.” Ahuizotl moved, putting Skies between him and the door again.

“You said you had the castle secured and then this happens.” Skies pointed to Daring Do. She only starred in back in silence.

“This is my arch-” Ahuizotl was cut off by Sif scoffing.

“This looks like a trick.” Sif’s large, predatory eyes bore into Ahuizotl from the shadows. “No doubt she would steal the Effigy and Ahuizotl would blame you for the incident before demanding the rest of the loot.”

“That is preposterous you mangy mutt!” Ahuizotl yelled.

Sif and Ahuizotl went back and forth, buying Skies time to grow roots below Ahuizotl and his felines, who paid too much attention to their master to notice.

“Fine.” Skies tapped his claw on the floor and looked directly at Daring Do. “If neither Ahuizotl nor I summoned you, what are you really doing here?”

“I’m here to stop you from taking over Equus!” She yelled at Ahuizotl. “I won’t let the world fall to a maniac!”

She looked at Shattered Skies. “You’re better than this!”

Interesting. Skies thought before he heard the vault doors starting to strain.

Daring Do noticed as well and stared into Skies’ golden eyes before pointing at the doors. “He’s going to push you in and seal you!”

Ahuizotl and his felines leapt, but flew past Skies and the wolves. They landed inside the vault with a series harsh thuds, the roots that threw them still sticking out of the floor.

Daring Do flew into the vault with Ahuizotl and his minions, but Skies grabbed her with a root as the doors shut so she wouldn’t go all the way inside.

Ahuizotl scurried to get up and run for the door. He knew if he got stuck, Celestia would catch him and make him pay by sending him to Tartarus. “No! Shattered Skies, I will get my-”

The doors slammed and Skies looked to Sif. “How did we do?”

“We got most of the items you asked for; we’ll need to get back in for the rest.” Sif said.

“Nope, they can only be opened by Luna now, remember?” Skies asked rhetorically. “Not even Meadowbrook’s Key will break a seal like that.”

“What about her?” Sif gestured to Daring Do.

“We let her go.” Skies said firmly.

“Let her go?” Sif asked in disbelief. “She’ll fly right to Celestia-”

“Who already knows that I am alive.” Skies said while glancing at Daring Do. She looked put off by Shattered Skies decision. The root that held her placed her gently on the ground and released her. She slowly stood, eyes locked onto Shattered Skies.

“Why did you release me?” Daring asked.

“Since I’ve returned, I’ve been called things like a soul eating monster and a vile corruptor.”  Skies said plainly. “Most would have let me get trapped. Why did you warn me?”

Daring bit her lip. “I don’t like that bag of cats.”

Skies chuckled. “Yes, he always rubbed mortals the wrong way.”

“So all Spirits do know each other?” Daring asked.

“More or less. He was a bog Spirit, but was punished for drowning fishermen. His eccentric side came out shortly afterwards. Now back to business. Why did you warn me?”

Daring was unsure what he meant and was about to start talking when Skies continued. “You said ‘you’re better than this.’ What did you mean?”

Daring smiled. “You want to know why I’m not afraid of you.”

Shattered Skies nodded.

“I guess I should introduce myself.” Daring said. “I’m Daring Do, I’m an archeologist.”

Shattered Skies bowed slowly. It was obvious that Daring was still debating whether or not to trust him. “Shattered Skies; Warden of forests.”

Daring Do looked the Spirit up and down cautiously. “You know, most ponies think you’re a myth. Or dead.”

“My death has been greatly exaggerated.” Skies annoyed tone seeped through. “So was my life.”

Daring squinted slightly. “Was it?”

“Yes. I have only recently returned and I am trying to fix my reputation.” Skies asked.

Daring smiled. “My uncle would love to hear that.”

“And why is that?” 

Daring took her hat off and removed a picture from the brim. “My uncle, Gallant True, always insisted that the Princess was hiding something and that many of the stories about the Spirits were fabricated, but that’s a story for another time.” Daring replaced the photo. “However, he was smitten with you when he learned the truth.”

“And what would the truth be, Ms. Do?” Skies looked down at the brazen explorer.

“You aren’t evil and nor is your companion, Sif.” Daring asserted. “I’ve met Spirits on my travels like Lady Gale, Golden Heart and Flowing Streams.”

“Lady Gale, Golden Heart and Flowing Streams?” Skies eyes opened wide. “How do you know them?”

“Everytime I get in way over my head, one of them have jumped in to help me. For example; there was this giant snow creature in Yakyakistan that chased me off when I was digging for artifacts.” Daring said.

Skies and Sif made eye contact. “Arctic Wind.” They spoke in unison.

“Huh?” Daring questioned.

“Was it a giant white ape-wolf thing?” Skies asked.

“Yeah.”

“That’s the Arctic Wind, he deals with anything cold.” Skies said to a giddy Daring Do who was scribbling inside of a notebook. “For a mare so untrusting, you seem pretty excited.”

Daring tapped her quill in the side of her notebook. “I don’t trust anypony off the bat, but you did save me. I never took my uncle seriously until I met an actual Spirit and now that I’ve met his poster stallion for Spirits, I need to talk to him before I can bring myself to fully trust you.”

“Fair enough.” 

Daring smirked. “Good, now how many Spirits are there?”

“I don’t know.” Skies said quietly. “Before I was cut down, there were eight guardian Spirits left. As for the Elementals and the Lesser Spirits?” Skies shook his head. “There is no longer a way to bring them together. Your Princess saw to that.”

Daring squinted. “She is no Princess of mine.”

“Oh?” Sif asked in surprise. “I thought all ponies worshipped her blindly.”

“All but the ones who know the truth.” Daring said calmly. “I know how she banished many of the Spirits who disagreed with her. I have traveled with Flowing Rivers a lot and one night she told me everything.”

“I’m guessing she mentioned me?” Skies asked.

Daring Do nodded. “Many Spirits are really upset with what Celestia has spread about you. She has banned any references to Spirits being anything but myth and even has gone so far as to have all my artifacts screened the instant I reenter the country.” She gritted her teeth and cursed under her breath.

Shattered Skies stared at Daring Do, wondering if anypony felt the same as her. Fed up. “How is River anyway?” 

“She’s well. She thinks you’re dead, she said they all do.” Daring nodded and looked him over. “But here you are in all your glory.”

“Yes, my glory.” Shattered Skies said before hold up the Effigy. “I’m guessing you want this.”

Daring nodded. “Yes.”

“River tell you what it is?”

Daring nodded again. “Yes.”

“She told you what this did to my wife and little girl?”

Daring cringed and only nodded, failing to maintain eye contact with Skies’ burning mirrors. A moment of silence passed and the Sunset Effigy rolled over to Daring’s hooves, startling her. “You’re giving it to me?”

Sif stared at Skies. “Yeah, you’re giving it to her?”

Shattered Skies walked silently to the exit and waited. “Yes. She is sound of mind and I trust she will watch over it and never use it.” Skies looked over his shoulder to Daring. “Come.”

The walk out of the castle was silent, every step felt longer than the last. The second they passed the gate into the courtyard, Skies glanced at Daring. “You seem like a knowledgeable mare.”

“Thank you.” Daring accepted the compliment.

“Daring, may I ask you a question and ask for an honest answer?” Daring Do nodded. “You have kept River’s identity a secret, yes?”

Daring nodded. “Yes. She said it was sacred and something that only a few ponies should ever know.”

“She told you the truth. If a creature knows your identity, then they can rob you of your privacy. We have secret identities so we can lead somewhat normal lives. Do you understand?” Skies said.

“Yes, but I don’t see where you’re going with this.” Daring deadpanned.

“Put simply. If River trusts you, then so shall I.” Skies said and shrunk down to transform into Skyfall. “Spirits have few friends these days. I respect River’s judgment, so you must have done something to earn her trust.”

Daring Do smiled, remembering when River rescued her from being stranded on an uncharted island filled with insane creatures. Daring looked down at the Effigy. “So, what now?”

“That’s up to you.” Sky said. He turned and started walking in the direction where his estate was. “Either way, that artifact must never fall into the wrong hooves, unless you want another disaster to happen.”

Daring spread her wings and took off into the air, wincing at the ache in her left wing. She realized she must have sprained it when Skies pulled her from the vault.

Sky heard the uneven beat of her wings and caught on quickly. “If your wing is hurt then you shouldn’t use it.”

Daring landed and noticed the Skyfall’s expression become grim.

“We need to go.” Skyfall stomped on the ground, summoning one of Sif’s wolves. He started stomping on the ground again and again to hurry the wolf.

Quiet came running out of the castle moments later. “Yes, my lord?”

“Run, tell Sif that our guests came early and to take the long way home!” Skyfall yelled. “Sprint!”

Quiet rushed away, yelling the same order again causing the wolves to scatter into different routes.

Daring tilted her head in confusion. “What’s going on?”

Skyfall looked over Daring Do, she would be caught now that her wing was injured and Celestia would undoubtedly imprison her for treason if she were caught with the Sunset Effigy. “You’re coming home with me.”

“Well, this is a little soon. I mean, we just met and you haven’t even bought me a drink.” Daring said nonchalantly. Skyfall didn’t respond to Daring’s jest. “What’s wrong?”

Skyfall felt Celestia standing in front of the entrance to the Everfree, waiting. “Celestia arrived early. I thought I could trick her, but she anticipated me arriving early.”

“Okay, we’re wasting time then. Lead the way.” Daring said before following Sky into the darkness of the forest without another word.





A large red stallion paced back and forth impatiently, waiting for the Elements of Harmony, the nation’s heroes. “Where are they? It’s been thirty minutes since they were summoned.”

“We are early, Captain Fury.” Celestia said calmly. “They will be here soon and this entire ordeal will be behind us.”

“If you say so, Princess.” Captain Fury said as he glared at the approaching group of mares. “Princess, don’t you think it would have been better to bring Princess Luna along instead of the Elements?”

“We’ve had this discussion, captain. You and the court have pressed this matter since learning about his return. Luna isn’t ready to face that monster yet.” Celestia said firmly.

“Yes, Princess.” Fury said. One of the Wonderbolt’s elite flyers landed next to him, ready to report. “Fleetfoot. I hope you have good news.”

“Sorry, Sir, but we haven’t seen much. Some wolves were walking out of the castle and took off toward the lake before disappearing in the tree line.” Fleetfoot said. “We found tracks of felines and canines leading in along with something else.”

“Something else?” Fury asked, amused at the mare’s curiosity.

“Yes sir. It had weird tracks with three large toes on each leg.” Fleetfoot removed her goggles. “Sir, if I may, what are we dealing with here?”

“Classified.” Fury said angrily and dismissed Fleetfoot. “Now leave and join the others.”

Princess Celestia glanced at her captain of the royal guard. “Captain Fury, you should be calmer.”

“Sorry, Princess. I just want to take this Spirit down.” Fury said, shifting in his  gold plated armor.

Celestia looked at the forest and scowled. “So do I, Captain.”
> Chapter 8 -Arrival-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


 -Arrival-


Princess Celestia sighed as she painfully walked into her room, her hoof hurt from slamming it against the old vault door. She wasn’t one to show her anger, but frustration finally got the better of her. It had taken a lot of coaxing to get Luna to the old castle to open the vault, only to find Ahuizotl.

Celestia remembered Ahuizotl howling about Shattered Skies as she tore the portal into Tartarus open and let it devour him and his minions.

A knock echoed through her chambers. “Princess?”

“You may enter, Sweet Tart.” Celestia recognized the voice of her sweet maid through the door. 

“Tea?” Sweet Tart asked.

Celestia nodded as the small, light blue mare poured her tea. “Oh my, Princess, you’re covered in dirt!”

Celestia looked at her coat, which was usually pearly white, now blotted with dirt and foliage. “So it would seem.”

“Well, be sure to bathe before resting for the night, I don’t want your sheets getting ruined.” Sweet Tart remarked before leaving the room.

Celestia laughed quietly, maybe a hot bath could take her mind off of the world, even if for a moment.

After taking a long sip from her cup, Celestia’s nose wrinkled and she lit her horn to turn her bathtub faucets on. “Oh my, am I dirty.”

The sound of rushing water filled the room as she turned on the faucets in her large bath. At first she had thought a twenty foot wide bath may have been excessive, but it was one of the few luxuries she afforded herself.

“Hm, a bit murky.” Celestia mused to herself as she stepped in, letting the water overtake her body slowly. 

The princess sighed as she warm water soothed her tense muscles, After a long and restful soak, she attempted to wash herself only to find that she had lost all sensation in her limbs. She attempted to move more forcefully, but her muscles refused to respond, like they were saturated in thick clay. As panic filled Celestia’s mind, the lights flickered and a deep, baritone voice spoke out from all around her.

“Weird feeling isn’t it? The all-powerful Celestia, unable to move.”

Celestia’s eyes widened as two antlers broke the murky, herbal water.

A large stag head rose from the water mere feet from Celestia. She recognized Shattered Skies instantly, he hadn’t changed at all from when they last met. His eyes sprung open and he stared at her.

“No.” Celestia murmured quietly.

“Yes.”

Celestia tried yelling for the guards, but her voice would not carry volume above that of a regular conversation.

“Trouble speaking?” Skies lifted a leaf off of Celestia’s coat. “I know, after all these years you’re choked up to see that I’m okay.”

“How dare you touch me.” Celestia seethed.

“We need to catch up.” Skies floated toward Celestia slowly, he put his claw on her chest and pushed her against the tub wall to keep her from sinking. “Unfortunately, I have things to do.”

“When I get free, I am going to destroy you.”

“And that brings me to my first topic.” Skies winced as Celestia tried biting him. “Why did you imprison all the Spirits?”

Celestia sat in silence, for one thousand years she wanted this stallion dead and now he was in front of her, taunting her, and she couldn’t even lift her hoof.

“Don’t fight me.” Skies believed deep down that this was a misunderstanding and that her hate for him could be resolved. He inched closer to Celestia, grabbing her submerged hoof with his claw, trying to get through to her. 

Celestia’s face tensed at his touch. “I hate you.”

“Why?”

“You took my sister away.” Celestia’s eyes teared up in rage, her immense anger jolted her forward. “She loved you and you turned her into a monster.”

“No. Her transformation was something I was trying to stop.” Skies tried to continue, but Celestia wasn’t listening.

“You’ve killed so many of my ponies.”

“Where do you come up with these lies?”

Celestia started getting the feeling back in her limbs, soon she would be able to capture Shattered Skies and this nightmare would be over. She miscalculated her strength, however. With what was supposed to be a mighty kick to the face, she lost what little balance she had and started to sink when Skies let go of her to get away from her wild hoof.

“Why are you fighting so hard?” Skies used his other claw to pin her shoulder against the bath’s wall, preventing her descent. “I was never your enemy.”

Celestia stared back into Skies’ eyes. “You became my enemy when I learned you eradicated the rest of my species.”

“I did no such thing.” Skies hesitated to say, not because of the shocking statement, but at the fact that she knew about the other Alicorn’s fate, something that should have been blocked from her memory.

“Then who did, if not you?” Celestia seethed, believing Skies was trying to trick her.

Shattered Skies nibbled the inside of his cheek. It was mandated by the Pantheon of Spirits, before it dissolved, that all knowledge concerning the Alicorn’s fate be kept from the public. Mostly to protect Celestia and Luna than to hide information from them. Since it was Shattered Skies that proposed this to the rest of the counsel, it would be hypocritical to tell her exactly who it was. He had learned that Discord was an ally of hers and he was certain that he knew Skies was back, so telling her it was Discord would have spurred him to hunt Skies down, and that was a fight Skies was not ready for.

Skies opted to ignore Celestia’s question. “Why are you locking away Spirits?”

“Your aversion to my question speaks volumes.” Celestia smirked. “A few have told me about your crimes, hard to escape your past isn’t it?”

“Stop playing around and answer me.” Skies bared his teeth, attempting to intimidate the princess. “You and I are immortal; you know I can just take the memories without much of a problem.”

“I bet you’ve wanted that since we met; to sink your teeth into me while we were in a bath together.” Celestia said with a sly smirk, baring her neck. “I won’t tell you, but you can take me right from the source.”

Clever girl. “I have a good sense of time, Celestia. I can feel some of your strength returning.” Skies said to Celestia’s slight annoyance. It was obvious that she was trying to lure him into a false sense of superiority, but Skies could see the unadulterated rage in her eyes. “Just one more question before I go. All I ask is that you give me an honest answer.”

Celestia sucked her teeth. “Fine, if it gets you to leave.”

“What is your earliest memory?” Skies propped her up and floated away from her. “In as much detail as you can.”

Celestia was confused by his question. “The memory is of Luna and I, growing up with our caretaker, Fair Watch.” Celestia’s brow wrinkled trying to remember. “It was a modest farm and many creatures used to come and check up on us, but never as much as Fair Watch’s cousins.”

Skies nodded and gave a small smile. The cousins she remembers were him and Flowing Streams. And the creatures were other Spirits checking in on them. Most importantly, this meant that she didn’t remember what happened to her and Luna, meaning the memory block was still there.

“Why?” Celestia asked.

“Just seeing if you were losing you memory.” Skies chuckled as Celestia threw a weak hoof into the bath, splashing Skies in the face. When Skies looked up, he saw that Celestia had made it out of the bath and on to the floor. He could see that Celestia was pushing harder and harder to get to the door, almost too hard. “Celestia if you push any harder the poison will make you-”

Celestia’s head slumped down onto the marble floor. “-pass out. And that’s why you’re single. Too stubborn.”

Shattered Skies exited the bath and grabbed two large, white towels; one rolled up for her head and the other to cover her with. He placed his claw against her neck and pulled the rest of the poison from her as something of a courtesy. 

Skies stood and saw that the Solar Princess still slept like she did when she was a filly; in a ball with her hoof over her horn. He hardly spared himself time for reminiscence, as he knew he couldn’t face at her full power.

As Skies leapt from the window to the trees below he scowled, Celestia’s words echoing in his mind.



 “A few have told me about your crimes, hard to escape your past...” 








(One week later)


“Get off my couch!” Skyfall begged. “Don’t you have stuff to do? Like run from a giant boulder or fight an immortal knight that’s guarding a cup?”

“Been there, done that.” Daring Do stretched out, covering her head with a throw pillow. She hummed happily as a ray of sunlight peeked through the window.

“You aren’t on the run. Why are you hiding?” Sky asked.

“I’m visiting my cousin and I didn’t want to impose on her or her foal by crashing on their couch.” Daring said.

“So you crashed on mine?” Skyfall asked, leering at Daring Do. Her cocky smile made Sky chuckle. “Fine, when are you leaving?”

“Today.” Daring sighed. “My cousin and her filly are going to vacation to Canterlot tomorrow and I have to go ahead of them.”

“Oh, why not go together?” Sky asked curiously. “Is it because you’re famous?”

Daring nodded. “Yes. I wanted to keep the paparazzi away from them. That’s one of the reasons I parade around as A. K. Yearling. I used to have a hat and glasses, but ponies found out, leading me to change my look.”

“Oh, is that why you wear a wig and cloak?” Skyfall asked rhetorically, tossing Daring’s items to her. “C’mon, I’ll walk you to the train station.”

Daring smiled. “I’ll allow it.”

“Yes, your highness.” Skyfall bowed and took a sip from his mug.

“Oh did you make me some coffee?” Daring eyed the steaming mug Sky was holding.

“Huh?” Sky questioned, tilting his head.

Daring rolled her eyes and pointed at Sky’s coffee. “What is that?”

“Oh, this? It’s meat tenderizer.”

Daring gagged. “Ew, are you serious?”

“Ha, no. Coffee’s in the kitchen. Hurry up so you can catch the train.” 

“I’m going to come along as well.” Sif said. She exited the basement in her pony form and sat, showing off her fluffy form. “I’ve given up trying to perfect the serum.”

“Good, because you look so adorable like this.” Sky pinched Sif’s cheek.

“Yeah, yeah, I just wanted to look around Ponyville.” Sif tugged at Sky’s scarf. “Also I want your scarf.”

“Ha. You’re funny.” Skyfall said, taking his scarf back from Sif’s mouth. “If you want one, I’ll get you one.”

“Deal, let’s go.” Sif trotted outside, followed by a disguised Daring Do.

“This’ll be interesting.” Sky said under his breath.





Twilight sat patiently, waiting for her brother and sister-in-law to arrive. This had kept her up for most of the night. She was talking with her friends to pass the time since the train was running late.

“So when do you think the Princess will calm down?” Rainbow asked.

Twilight’s smile faltered. “I don’t know. She was furious about the Spirit escaping.”

“I would be too. He really messed with the princesses.” Rainbow said. “You heard what Celestia said. When Luna refused to keep the vault door open, she screamed about how he betrayed them.”

Rainbow stared at Twilight expectantly.

“Don’t look at me. I don’t know what she meant.” Twilight defended. “Princess Celestia never even told me he even existed, let alone that they knew him.” Twilight put her hooves in her lap. “If she was that mad, then it must have been something serious.”

Rainbow sighed and looked up the tracks. “So how is your brother and Princess Cadance? It’s been awhile since they visited.”

“One whole year.” Twilight said. She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “From the letters Shining writes to me, Cadance seems happy again.”

Rarity gasped. “I read about that, she hasn’t been outside the castle in months.

Twilight nodded. “It’s been rough on us all. I couldn’t imagine not being able to have a foal. Its been years, but all their attempts keep ending poorly.”

All of the mares nodded and agreed quietly.

The ever-impatient Rainbow Dash leapt into the air. “So when are we gonna take out the houseplant?” She asked enthusiastically.

Pinkie Pie giggled at Rainbow’s nickname for the Spirit, while the others shook their heads.

“If ya mean that Spirit that were supposed to be silent about, then never.” Applejack said, disinterested.

“But everypony already knows!” Pinkie Pie stuck her hoof in her hair and brought out the Equestrian Inquirer. “See?” Pinkie jabbed her hoof into the paper repeatedly. “It says that all the baddies are back and ready to compete in the disco dance-off in Canterlot.”

Rarity put her hoof on Pinkie’s and brought in down and away from Applejack’s face. “Darling. One, disco is dead. And two, the Equestrian Inquirer is made for farfetched rumors.”

Pinkie gasped and grabbed Rarity’s face. “Disco is not dead. It’s just sleeping.”

“In all seriousness, Pinkie. We should keep this to ourselves. The Princess swore us to secrecy.” Applejack reiterated. She didn’t continue and instead reached over to Twilight, hitting her on the leg.

“What?” Twilight asked. She looked in the direction where Applejack was pointing. “Skyfall? What about him?”

Applejack sighed and leaned in to whisper. “Look who he’s with.”

Twilight and the rest looked over at the quiet stallion as he whispered into a mare’s ear, making her laugh. They were too far to hear what was said, but close enough to guess the tone.

“You need to keep it safe.” Skyfall whispered. “Know that the instant you bring the Effigy to Canterlot, Celestia will be breathing down your neck, wanting to know how you got it.”

Daring laughed. “I’ve been in more dangerous situations.”

“No. You haven’t.” Skyfall said, bringing Daring down from her delusion that Celestia would just accept that a terrible artifact was retrieved with no trouble. “If Celestia is even half the mare she was one thousand years ago, she won’t hesitate to burn you and everyone that cares about you from the face of Equus.”

Daring stared at Sky’s unmovable expression, she knew he was serious, but the way he described her made her seem like a tyrant. “You think she would do that?”

Skyfall nodded. “It’s what I would do.”

Daring’s eyes started to open wide in shock before Sky held up a hoof. “You misunderstand.”

“Explain.” Daring said.

“You know what you hold, Daring.” Daring cocked an eyebrow. “Sorry, Yearling. You know what you hold. Celestia knows there is no way you could have gotten that unless you met me.”

“So what do I tell her?” Daring asked. “That I bumped into you and tricked you with a disguise?”

“No, I’m too smart for that.” Sky said to Daring’s skeptical look, which he returned. “You think a crushed hat and a leaf beard would throw me, a Forest Spirit, off?”

“Good point. Then what do I tell her?” Daring asked.

“Tell her you swooped down and took it from Ahuizotl when he wasn’t looking. Then say that I whipped you with a root, breaking your wing, after which you ran away with the Effigy with my wolves chasing you. Now, my wolves are too fast so throw in some sharp turns and end with you diving into the ravine by the castle.”

“But that paints you as a villain.” Daring looked down, she hated the idea of lying about good ponies, even if it kept her out of danger. “I can’t do that.”

Sky placed his hoof on Daring’s chin. “Stop. You need to sell me as a villain if you’re to fool Celestia, if you don’t she may use magic to read your memories and then she’ll know you’re lying.”

Skyfall heard the train approaching. “You’re a good pony. Don’t let yourself get caught up in my mess.”

“It’s good to have friends, Skyfall.” Daring chuckled.

“Yes, but not when you have a crazed Solar Nightmare after you.” Sky smiled and noticed that six familiar mares were staring at him from across the platform. The instant he waved, they figured out that he had seen them and looked in different directions. “Okay?”

“You’re alright.” Daring said. “Even if I still have some doubts.”

“One down, a few couple million to go. Stay in touch.” Sky hugged Daring.

“Uh, what’s with the hug?”

“We’re being watched and I have to come up with something better than ‘week old’ friend.” Sky said quietly.

Daring laughed and boarded the train. “Oh!” She ran off the train and scribbled on a piece of paper before shoving it into Sky’s saddle bags before running back onto the train.

Sky waved as the train left and reached for the note that was punctuated with a winking face. ‘If you’re ever in Canterlot, this is my penthouse address.’ Sky laughed and turned to walk. I better find Sif before she eats somepony.

Sky stopped at the tops of the steps. Something drew him to look towards Twilight’s group. When he did, he was met with a pair of light purple eyes staring right back at him. Sky found that he had to forcibly tear himself away to find Sif. Weird

“Who was that?” Cadance asked monotonously.

“Oh that was Skyfall.” Twilight said nonchalantly. “He moved here recently and has been reclusive so far, despite Pinkie’s actions to change that.”

“Why does he look sad?” Cadance asked.

“Probably cause Rainbow here keeps pickin’ on him.” Applejack jeered.

“I don’t pick on him!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Everytime I try to make it up to him, he just turns his back on me and tells me to leave.”

“That’s because you ain’t good at apologizing.” Applejack said.

Cadance looks to Rainbow Dash. “What does he do when you apologize?”

Applejack started snickering. “Slam the door.”

Rainbow huffed. “I don’t care if he’s mad at me or not.”

“Seems like you do, otherwise you wouldn’t get so mad about it.” Cadance said.

“What’s with your sudden interest in him?” Twilight asked.

Cadance smiled. “Just trying to get back to helping ponies find love, maybe I can help him open up for you girls. We’ll go to the castle and talk it over. What do you think, Shiny?”

Shining was reading a scroll from the local guard, updating him on the condition of the Everfree patrols. “I’ll meet you at the castle. I have to go see the lieutenant to get more information about these wolves.”

Cadance’s smile grew larger. “Okay, have fun.”

The instant Shining left, Cadance turn to the others. “So, castle?”

Rarity raised her hoof. “I will meet you all there, I must check on Sweetie Belle.”

“Nonsense, we’ll all go!” Cadance trotted past the fashionista.

“Twilight, are you sure she’s okay?” Rainbow asked. “Maybe she should take it slow.”

Before Twilight could respond, she started to gallop after Cadance, who wasn’t waiting up for them. She really was concerned for Cadance, but Princess Celestia promised her that everything would be okay.





Sif rang the desk bell over and over. “Hello?”

“Calm down, this isn’t Marecedonia.” Sky said in a harsh tone.

Sif huffed as Sweetie Belle rounded the corner. “Welcome to the Carousel Boutique! Hi, Skyfall!”

“Hey, Sweetie Belle. I didn’t know you lived here.” Skyfall stated.

“I don’t, I actually live across town. My sister Rarity owns this place and I’m watching it for her.” Sweetie smiled.

'I guess I never connected the dots.' Skyfall thought back to when Rarity hugged him and thanked him after the timberwolf incident. “Anyway, do you know where she is?”

“She’s at the train station greeting Princess Cadance. She said she wouldn’t be back until late tonight.” Sweetie perked up. “But I can help with most things around the shop.”

Sky looked to Sif and then back to Sweetie Belle. “My friend here wants a scarf.”

“Oh, what kind of scarf?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Sif smiled. “Just something simple like his.”

Sweetie Belle ran over to Sif’s hoof and grabbed it with her magic. “Alright, come on! Let’s see what my sister has. I can make you one!”

Sif looked back in horror from Sweetie Belle’s high-pitched antics to a chuckling Skyfall as she was dragged to another room.

“Yes, fluffy, go and see what they have.” Sky said. Sif looked back with daggers, he knew he was going to get attacked later, but it was worth it.

Skyfall felt something brush against him and Sweetie Belle looked back before turning the corner. “That’s Opalescence, she hates everyone.”

After waiting for the two to be out of hearing range, Skyfall looked down. “You and I need to have a little chat.”

“Oh? What about?” Opal asked.

“About what exactly is going on.” Sky whispered firmly.

“Right away, my lord.” Opal said in a snarky manner. She walked over to one of Rarity’s plush couches and sat next to one of her toys. “What exactly do you want to know?”

Skyfall walked over and laid down, petting Opal. “What are your master and her friends planning?”

Opalescence purred in delight. “How should I know? I don’t eavesdrop on their conversations.”

“I do not find this amusing, kitty cat.” Skyfall growled.

“Sorry, I really don’t know. Ask Owlolicious, all the meetings are at the castle and he’s always around the Princess.”

Skyfall continued petting Opal for a few minutes before his inner need to fulfill his charge drove him to ask Opal a few more questions. “Your master treats you well, correct?”

“Well enough.” Opal says. “I get three square meals a day and toys so I can’t complain.”

“And what about the other animals in Ponyville? A few don’t venture into my forest so I can’t ask them directly.” Sky asked quietly.

“I never hear anything bad, my lord.” Opal pointed out the window to a happy-looking dog and his owner playing fetch. “We’re all pretty happy.”

Skyfall glanced out the window and saw the same stallion and dog, but didn’t see the happiness Opal was talking about. All he saw was content. Sky’s attention was torn away by the doorbell.

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity called while entering. “What? Skyfall?”

Skyfall was lying on her couch propped up on one elbow with Rarity’s cat purring next to him, an image she wasn’t expecting. He smiled. “Well hello, Rarity.”

“Well look who finally came out from his house.” Rainbow said. “What’s with you lying like that?”

“Lying like what?” Skyfall asked as the other mares looked between Rainbow and Skyfall as the filed into the boutique. He raised an eyebrow and saw the others giving him a cursory look. 

“That!” Rainbow pointed and let out an angry grunt. “Don’t play dumb. You’re lying all.. all...”

“What did I do this time?” Skyfall asked.

“You’re lying like that in Rarity’s shop!” Rainbow Dash said.

Skyfall looked at himself and even he saw that his position could be mistaken as seductive, so he rolled over and looked back at Rainbow while running a hoof over his shoulder. “Is this better, Dashie?”

Skyfall knew that Pinkie Pie had called her this a few times, so it made for the perfect ammunition.

Rainbow let out a frustrated scream and darted right for Skyfall who had leapt out of her way as she passed.

Applejack jumped up and grabbed her tail, stopping her a few inches away from Skyfall; he was fast for his size, but not that fast. If Applejack didn’t grab Rainbow Dash when she did, then it may have turned ugly.

“Rainbow. Outside. Now.” Applejack demanded. “And you.” She pointed to Skyfall. “We need to settle this, so when ah’m done with her, I’ll be back for you.”

“I’ll be waiting.” Skyfall smiled.

The instant Applejack and Rainbow left, Sky looked over. “How are you girls?”

The group gave their own greetings, except Fluttershy, who whispered to herself.

Rarity shook her head. “Darling, not that I mind, but why are you here?”

“Crescent wanted a scarf.”

“Oh, wonderful, where is the sweetheart now?” Rarity said with a forced smile.

Sif must have offended her at some point. Skyfall thought as he saw right through her false smile. “She’s upstairs with your younger sister, Sweetie Belle. She said something about using some special materials.”

Rarity’s eyes shot open and she ran upstairs, yelling Sweetie Belle’s name. Unfortunately for Sky, Applejack had walked back inside.

“Why’d ya lie?” Applejack asked, referring to Sky’s statement about Sweetie Belle using special materials.

Sky shrugged his wings. “I prefer to have fewer ponies to speak with. Too many ponies can make things a bit too hectic.”

“Sweetie Belle might get in trouble.” Twilight deadpanned.

“I doubt that.” Sky remembered all the times Sif covered for him.

Princess Cadance nudged Twilight and whispered into her ear. “Introduce us.”

“Oh, right!” Twilight smiled. “Skyfall, this is my sister-in-law and ruler of the Crystal Empire, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Cadance, this is our newest resident, Skyfall.”

Skyfall bowed.

“Oh, you don’t have to bow.” Cadance chirped. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Skyfall grabbed Cadance’s extended hoof. “Pleasure’s all mine.”

Twilight noticed how long they were shaking hooves and hugged Cadance to her from stop shaking his hoof. “She and my brother have come to stay at the castle.”

“To help with Shattered Skies, no doubt?” Skyfall asked.

“Very perceptive.” Cadance said. “You know, Twilight,” Cadance looked over to her sister. “he really does look like Shining, or Shining looks like him. How old are you?”

“How old is he?” Skyfall answered Cadance’s question with a question of his own.

“Twenty-five.” Twilight said.

“Then I’m older.” Skyfall said

“No, I will not wear a dress!” Crescent cried shortly before everypony heard a loud crashing sound.

“Ah better stop that battle, before it turns into a war.” Applejack said. “You too Twilight, you know how Rarity gets.”

After the two went upstairs to confront the conflict, the only ponies remaining were Skyfall, Cadance, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash was in a corner, pouting whilst glancing over at Skyfall every once in awhile.

“So I guess we’re in an intermission.” Skyfall said in jest as sounds of fighting got worse. “Or not.”

“That sounds like it’s getting really bad.” Cadance said.

“It’ll resolve itself.” Skyfall said and sat down on Rarity’s couch. “These things usually do. Plus, Crescent really hates dresses.”

Rainbow laughed. “Don’t blame her.”

“Oh, she speaks.” Sky said.

Rainbow’s feathers ruffled and Skyfall was preparing for another over the top reaction, but he felt a small hoof on his arm.

“She just wants to apologize, Skyfall.” Fluttershy said quietly, looking into Skyfall’s eyes and he looked back for a long second. Cadance squinted and smirked when she saw the prolonged eye contact. Sky sighed, motioning Rainbow forward.

“When you calm down I will hear you out.” Skyfall said. “As for now, you are too angry and I think no good would come from a conversation where one of us is upset.” Sky said to Rainbow’s nod.

“What do you do for a living?” Cadance had been staring at the side of Skyfall’s head for the past few minutes. “I feel I know you from somewhere.”

“I’m retired.”

“From?” Pinkie Pie asked, causing Cadance to look over. “What? I’m curious too.”

“I flew sky ships.” Sky said, having known enough about airships to convince ponies that he flew them as a living.

“OH! what kind?” Pinkie jumped up. “I love airships. They look really cool and we barely see any around here.”

“It was an older ship with sails.” Sky said hesitantly. He knew that the current age used large balloons to keep their ships aloft instead of enchanted sails. Usually the balloons would make a ship faster; however, Storm Front would push wind into the enchanted sails to boost its speed exponentially.

“Oh, where is it?” Pinkie asked.

“It crashed.” Sky said absentmindedly. He started thinking about when he and Storm Front tried to stop Sombra’s advance on Canterlot and the enormous spike that cut the main mast from the deck of the ship, sending it hurtling into another galleon at full speed. “It’s not a big deal. It allowed me to retire.”

“Is that where the scar came from?” Rainbow asked.

“Rainbow!” Fluttershy scolded.

“What?” Rainbow held her hooves up, placating the angry looks she was receiving. “Everypony wants to know.”

“Am I really so interesting to everypony?” Sky asked.

“All done!” Rarity chirped, presenting Sif with her new scarf, a long sapphire cloth wrapped around her neck.

“Happy?” Sky asked.

“Yes.” Sif held her nose in the air.

The doorbell chimed as Sweetie Belle’s friends, Apple Bloom, Silver Spoon, Scootaloo, and Diamond Tiara, walked in. Applebloom stopped in her tracks and stuck her hoof at Skyfall. “You!”

“Me?” Skyfall asked, he knew she was mad because she had been looking for him, but it was funny to see little foals squeak in anger.

“Where have ya been?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Apple Bloom, that is no way to greet somepony!” Applejack chided.

“But sis! He’s been dodgin’ our deal.” Apple Bloom whined.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Skyfall chuckled to Applejack’s sneer. Her second title as living lie detector held true.

“Is this that deal about ya taking them to dinner?” Applejack asked.

“Maybe.” Skyfall said.

“The way ah remember it, you have to treat us to what we want.” Apple Bloom said.

“Hayburger and fries?” Skyfall asked.

Apple Bloom turned around and brought the others into a huddle, and after a minute, they came back, all six smiling. “We want you to treat us to dinner at your place.”

“Now girls, that’s-” Rarity started, but saw Skyfall hold up a hoof.

“A deal is a deal.” Skyfall stood up. “When do you girls want to have this dinner?”

Applejack opened her mouth to protest, but Skyfall beat her to it.

“And make sure to talk this over with your sisters, they are invited as well to watch you six.” Skyfall smiled over at approving Applejack.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders huddled together once more and their spokesmare, Apple Bloom, came back. “Tomorrow is Saturday, so would that be okay?”

“Saturday it is.” Sky motioned Sif to follow him. “I will see you then, I have some chores to do. Oh, what do you want to eat?”

Apple Bloom tapped her chin. “Surprise us.”

“Famous last words.” Sky received worried looks as he exited the boutique.

“So what chores do you have?” Sif snuggled into her new scarf.

“I want to go through that cave behind the waterfall. I keep forgetting so I’ll just go and see what all the fuss is about. Plus that’s where we’re keeping all the stuff from the castle.”

“Finally.” Sif said. “My pack hears weird noises when they sleep in there.”

“They sleep in the cave?” Sky looked at Sif who nodded in return.

“Where else would they sleep comfortably? There are hundreds of us. If we get too close to Ponyville, the guards freak out.”

“Good point. It’ll be nice to explore with you.” Sky noticed Sif’s coat stand on end. “What?”

“Nothing, that place unnerves me.” Sif looked at Sky and could tell he had an ulterior motive. “What’s really going on?”

“I’ll tell you when we get home.”





“He was certainly, interesting.” Cadance said.

“He can be a pain in the flank.” Twilight rolled her eyes and helped Rarity get out some teacups. “It took me a few days to get him to give back some overdue library books.”

“Well, you know ponies don’t take kindly to having their doors banged on.” Cadance giggled at Twilight’s sudden loss of balance.

“How did you?” Twilight asked.

“Come on Twilight. I’ve known you for most of your life. Remember when your friends were late to do a book report with you?”

“Oh, right, the report about Starswirl the Bearded.” Twilight remembered the terrified screams and the sounds of thrashing metal as she tried to get her friends to participate. “I wouldn’t have had to bang on his door if he would have just returned the books.”

“You all seem to know him.” Cadance talked to the rest of the room. “Did you all go to get Twilight’s books back?”

They all shook their heads and Rarity perked up. “He saved Cheerilee’s class from a pack of vicious timberwolves.”

“I thought that was Shattered Skies?” Cadance asked.

“Supposedly.” Twilight answered. It was widely speculated among the secret force Celestia had assembled that Shattered Skies started the attack.

“I saw some marks on his neck, I guess he was bitten.” Cadance said.

“Oh he was.” Rarity said enthusiastically. “We thought he was taken by the wolves and then we went to his house, where we found Crescent.”

“He has a very beautiful wife.” Cadance said as more of a way of finding out if he was taken or single.

“Oh no, she is just his lifelong friend.” Rarity poured Cadance some more tea.

“So he’s single?” Cadance asked.

“He is. Why do you ask?” Twilight asked suspiciously, wondering what Cadance was up too. It had been a while, but Twilight could recognize when Cadance was about to play match maker.

“Oh just gathering some information for when somepony opens herself to the possibility.” Cadance said as she looked at Fluttershy.

All the ponies in the room, even the foals, looked at where Cadance was looking. Fluttershy looked up from petting Opalescence. “Why are you all looking at me?”

Suddenly a loud thunderclap shook them all from their conversation.

Rainbow looked out the window and walked over to Rarity’s counter where the morning paper sat. “That’s weird. The weather factory didn’t call for a thunderstorm.”

Rarity perked up as a grey stallion with a dark blue and white mane walked through the door. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique and magnifique. I am Rarity, owner of this establishment. How my I help you, mister...?”

“Nimbus. And I’m looking for somepony.” The new stallion said curtly. “It’s extremely urgent that I find him as soon as possible.”

“Oh my.” Rarity said and looked back at the others before turning back to Nimbus. “What is the matter?”

“A crisis.” Nimbus said through clenched teeth. “Do you know a silver stallion with a navy blue mane?”

Applejack leaned towards Twilight. “Ya reckon he means Skyfall?”

Nimbus heard Applejacks say Sky’s name and scowled at her. “That is exactly who I am talking about. Now where is he?”

“Whoa there partner. I don’t know who ya are so I ain’t about to tell you where he is, until you tell me what’s goin’ on.” Applejack said.

“I’m his brother and it’s a private matter.” Nimbus said.

Applejack couldn’t tell if he was lying, but she could tell he wasn’t being forthright, so she pressed him for information. “Sorry pal. Ya won’t find him in Ponyville unless ya tell us what’s goin’ on. We like to help our own.”

Nimbus mumbled her words to himself. “’Won’t find him in Ponyville.’ So he lives on the outskirts?”

Applejack turned her head. “How did you?”

Without another word, Nimbus turned and left as the thunderstorm started to come down.

Applejack looked at the others. “What was that about?”

“I don’t know, darling, but one of us should go over to his house later to make sure everything's okay.” Rarity said.

“I can go.” Rainbow Dash volunteered. “He lives close enough to be considered a neighbor. I can see his house from mine.”

Cadance tapped on Fluttershy’s hoof. “I think Fluttershy should go.”

“What, why me?” Fluttershy went wide eyed.

“Call it intuition.” Cadance said, remembering the look Skyfall gave her. “Out of everypony here, I think you’re the one he likes the most.”

“Oh, oh no. I think he and Applejack are closer as friends.” Fluttershy shook her head and hide behind her mane. If Skyfall was receiving bad news, she didn’t want to see him sad.

“’Friends’ isn’t what I meant, Fluttershy.” Cadance saw Fluttershy eep at the statement.

“What are you talking about Cadance?” Twilight asked.

“You weren’t here when Rainbow and Sky were about to get into it.” Cadance paused and continued. “…The second time that is.”

Applejack groaned. “What happened?”

“It’s what didn’t happen.” Cadance nudged Fluttershy, making her look up. Cadance winked at Fluttershy, referencing how she melted Skyfall and coaxed him to accept Rainbow’s apology. The worst thing about all this is that both Skyfall and Fluttershy were oblivious to what happened, but her magic picked up on it. Mutual attraction.





“So, what is going on that you had to order my entire pack to take shelter in the caves for?” Sif asked.

“They’ll be safe in case things go south for me.” Shattered Skies positioned himself in front of the cave.

“Wanna fill me in?” Sif growled.

“Do you remember what the weather was today?” Skies asked.

“Clear with no rain, why?” Sif looked up, not surprised that weather ponies had messed up, again.

Skies looked up. “Do those look like anything a weather factory could turn out?”

“No?”

“Exactly. Someone is here.”
> Chapter 9 -Old Friend-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Old Friend-



“So, when do you think he’ll find us?” Sif asked.

“Oh he won’t.” Skies muttered.

“Then why are we hiding in this cave?”

“Because I don’t want him to find us.” Skies poked his head out from behind the waterfall. “I think we’re safe. We can go back now.”

“You two are friends, aren’t you?” When Shattered Skies didn’t reply Sif poked his flank. “Hey, I’m talking to you.”

“Sorry. Yeah, we were friends… kinda.” Skies started walking back to his house and signaled Sif to follow. “Shortly after the war, he and I had a falling out and we have avoided each other ever since then.”

“What exactly happened?” Sif asked. “During that time I had to go tend to my pack and when I returned you refused to tell me.”

“I’ll tell you when we get home. I don’t want to have to say some of these things again.” Skies said quietly.

“If you say so.” Sif and Skies fell silent. Sif lost herself in thought, pondering over a time long past when Spirits still mingled with the other races publicly. When she refocused. she found that they had almost reached their destination. A rogue thought pushed itself to the forefront of her mind. “How did your visit with Celestia go?”

“It was nice. She and I shared in a bath and she tried to convince me to stay. She wanted to 'read scrolls and chill’ but alas, i’m not that kind of stallion.”

“That bad?” Sif asked.

“Oh yeah.” Skies shrunk back into the form of Skyfall as he broke the treeline. “Towards the end of the conversation, I could feel the water beginning to simmer. It would have felt good, except for her malicious intent.”

“She fought the poison?” Sif asked rhetorically.

“And was winning, before she pushed too hard, forcing her magic to overload and shut down her mental consciousness.”

Sif entered the house behind Sky and rummaged through one of her various hiding places for her transfiguration potion and downed it. She hated the necessity of the potion and longed for the day she didn’t need it to sneak around, but Sky had told her that the days of the Spirits were over. She huffed at the notion and trotted into the kitchen as Sky put on a fresh pot of tea. “You think she’ll retaliate?”

“Yes.” Sky said simply. “But it’s going to be a while until she can.”

“Why is that?”

Sky smirked. “She still needs to find me”

Sif raised her eyebrows, giving Sky a dubious look. “Couldn’t Luna just locate you in your dreams?”

“She can try and visit me, but pinpointing my position would be much harder.” Sky took his tea off the burner as Sif retrieved the honey. “Plus, I feel that she is reluctant to try.”

“After what happened, I’d think she would be spearheading the attack.” Sif retorted bitterly.

“Honestly, her perception of me soured and her affiliation to the nightmare caused her to run me through.” Sky started trotting up the staircase.

“She still tried to kill you.”

Sky ignored Sif’s reminder as they both entered his study. The two story room was lined with bookshelves and trophies Skies had accumulated over the ages. Sif warned him that if anypony who knew their history saw them, they would compromise his identity, but Skyfall insisted that he could talk his way out of it.

Sif sat in her red beanbag chair next to Sky’s large, cluttered, dark, wood desk. She looked over a map laid out in the center and saw red circles and arrows, marking territories and routes through the Everfree. “What’s that?” Sif asked, tapping the map with a hoof.

“Contingency.” Sky stated matter of factly.

“For?” Sif asked.

“N.U.N.Y.A.”

“What’s nunya?” Sif tried looking at the map closer before getting her flank swatted with an old newspaper.

“Nun-ya business, now stop snooping, spooty pup.” Sky’s chuckled at Sif’s attempt to bare her teeth, her molars doing little to make Sky feel intimidated. “We’re here to talk about our newest visitor, not pry into an old Spirit’s paranoia.”

“Fine.” Sif flopped back into her beanbag and waved her hoof. “Tell me what’s going on and why Storm Front is angry.”

“He’s always angry, but I know what you mean.” Sky poured his tea and mixed in a little honey After taking a long sip, he placed the cup in his lap, wearing a thousand-yard stare, allowing memories to pour into his mind.

“It started towards the end of the war, when both sides went into a stalemate. During that time, many of the Spirits that were on Discord’s side were striking civilian targets or doing all sorts of terrible things.”

Sif raised one of her eye brows. “Yes, I was there for most of it. The rest I read in manuscripts for.”

Sky swirled his cup around, jostling the tea inside. “I’m just giving context, Sif.”

Sif eyed her companion and recognizing his serious demeanor, let him continue.

“Storm Front and I were sent by Harmony to capture a Lesser Spirit that was attacking villages for their gold. He was notorious for smashing into houses, killing everything, and fleeing, making it infinitely harder to find him.”

“Okay, that, I didn’t know.” Sif said and leaned closer.

“We chased him to a border region in what is now the Griffon Kingdoms and lured him into a trap. He tried fighting us, but I trapped him with some roots while Storm Front blasted him with lightning until he admitted defeat.” Sky paused and sipped on his tea, giving Sif a cold look.

“Ouch, sounds painful.”

“It was, Storm Front wanted Arimaspi to pay. I should have stopped holding him long before I did.” Sky said.

“What happened?” Sif asked hesitantly.

“We got important information from him after the tenth strike, but the strikes continued well into the forties. Storm and I left him at the edge of a ravine, we heard his fur coat grew back white instead of the lavish brown that he had once cherished.”

“What was the information?” Sif asked.

“Do you remember the battle of Reach that ended the Spirit council?” Sky asked and Sif nodded. “Discord rallied his armies and was able to move them in without us knowing. The information came too late though. He attacked in full force and we failed to get there in time.”

Sif remembered it all too well, she was put under Crystal and Storm Front whose job was to help buy Shattered Skies time. “You were missing from most of that fight.”

“Yes, I had a more important job.” Sky said. “And it tore Storm Front and I’s friendship apart.”

Sky put his cup down and used his magic to pull the blinds shut as he scanned the area for any being hiding within earshot. “Sif, before the council disbanded, we decided that what happened should be forgotten.”

Sif nodded, in understanding.

“We let Harmony and five other Spirits’ sacrifice themselves to become the Elements of Harmony.” Sky shifted uncomfortably and looked out the window when maintaining prolonged eye contact with Sif became harder to do. “All the Spirits contributed to it. Crystal made six vessels for their magic to inhabit. I and many of the lesser Spirits formed the seals to force them into the crystals. Once everything was done, we had to let their memory be forgotten to let Discord think he had won.”

Sif sat silently. The most loved Spirit in the world sacrificed herself and the Spirits that were her friends purposely let the world forget her. “That doesn’t explain why Storm is mad at you. You said all of the spirits helped.”

“We tricked him into giving us some magic. It was a vital part of the runes we had to use.” Sky massaged the bridge of his nose. “He loved Harmony. He admired her and wanted to be with her. Unfortunately, like The Maker, she only loved us like siblings.”

Sif stared at Skyfall. “He kept that very well hidden then. I never would have guessed.”

“Few knew. It killed him when I finally told him.” Sky said. “That’s the last time we really talked.”

“Why is he here now?” Sif asked.

“Even without talking to him, I know why. It’s because he wants to kill me.”

“But why? You two are some of the few Spirits left.” Sif asked.

“Storm Front thinks that I’m evil. From all the lies that are told about me, he no doubt thinks that I’m a soul eating demon, hell bent on plunging the world into another war.” Sky gulped down the rest of his tea and sunk into his chair and looked down at his cup. “I need more tea.” 

“We’ll need to go grocery shopping soon if you keep drinking tea at the rate you are.” Sif glanced at Sky who smacked his hoof against his face. “I need to go regardless.”

“Dinner for the foals?”

“Yep.” Sky said, walking out into the hall.

“Aren’t you afraid Storm will find you?” Sif called.

“No, he knows that exposing our identities like that is taboo.” Sky scoffed. “Wanna come along?”

“No, I’ve had enough excitement for the day.” Sif replied, sinking further into her chair happily.

Sky smirked, muttering “Fuzz ball,” under his breath as he left for Ponyville, but stopped when a thought crept into his mind.I wonder if ponies have developed any food customs? Unfortunately, there was only one place on Ponyville where he could get a definitive guide on what ponies ate, the library.





The closer Sky got to Ponyville, the more dread he felt. He knew Twilight was going to give him an extensive lecture because of what happened the last time he checked out a book. Her hoof prints were still visible on his front door.

Once he stood at the top of her stairs he froze, hoof inches from the door. He closed his eyes and knocked three times, slowly. It was quiet for a few moments, save Skyfall repeating ‘please don’t be home’ under his breath over and over.

The door creaked open, revealing a green serpent eye. The door then swung completely open. “Oh, it’s just you. Hi, Skyfall.”

“Hey, Spike.” Sky answered back.

“Here for a book?”

“Yep.” Sky said, causing Spike to step aside, allowing him to trot past him. He liked Spike; the little dragon minded his own business and didn’t pretend to be happy to see him.

“Oh, before you go into the library.” Spike called out, grabbing Skyfall’s scarf as he walked beside him. “Twilight and the others are having are here having a meeting. Thought you’d want to know.”

Sky nodded and continued on. He understood Spike's warning, wishing he heeded it the first time. Brushing off his paranoia though, he entered the library.

“Anything you need?” Spike asked.

“I’m looking for the most recently published cookbook.” Sky stated.

Spike flipped through a large encyclopedia to find where the book would be. Spike’s brow furrowed in frustration. “Agh.”

“Something wrong?” Sky asked.

“It’s this new system Twilight implemented. All these books are organized by new numbers and it makes finding them a pain.” Spike huffed.

“Need help?”

“Nope, I got it.” Spike said, finally finding the numbers and books that went along with them. He gathered them up and placed them in front of Skyfall. “I have to go see what Twilight wants.”

“How do you know-” Sky was interrupted with Spike burping up a letter. “Right.”

After a few minutes of reading, Sky could see that ponies had a very different diet than that of a millennia ago. Most food of their foods now consisted of sweets and grain. He thought of what a good meal would be, something that would be fairly new to ponies that grew up on stuff like ‘hayburgers.’

He smiled, knowing what he would make. hibachi-style vegetables and some meat for anyone who wanted it.

“Skyfall?” a voice addressed him from behind.

Sky turned and saw his ‘favorite pony,’ Rainbow Dash and mentally rolled his eyes. “Hello Ms. Dash.”

Rainbow looked around the room and landed. “Whatchya readin’?”

Looking over in slight shock, Sky eyed Rainbow who smiled nervously. “I’m reading a cookbook.”

“Oh, that’s right. You’re making dinner for us.”

“Us?” Sky coughed out. “I’m making it for the foals and their sisters-”

“And Scootaloo is like my sister.” Rainbow fiercely stared into Skyfall’s eyes..

“Right.” Sky picked up another book and started flipping through it.

Rainbow Dash sat down at his table and continued to try making conversation. “So, what do you like to do in your free time?”

“Uh, read, I guess.” Skyfall said, putting his nose in his book, trying to make it clear that he wasn’t interested in talking.

“So you’re a bookworm like Twilight, huh?” Rainbow asked in an unintentionally snarky manner.

“I suppose.”

“Do you like it in Ponyville?” Rainbow shifted in her seat, making the chairs uneven legs jitter on the ground.

“It’s nice?” Sky answered, unsure what she wanted from him.

After a long silence, Rainbow bit her lip. “I really am sorry about how we met.”

“I forgave you already.” Sky said, annoyed that she, like so many other ponies, was refusing to take a hint.

“So, trying to find a mare?”

Skyfall fumbled with his book and sputtered, giving Rainbow Dash a shocked look. “What?”

Rainbow realized what it sounded like and pointed to a book in his pile, frantically. “It’s one of the books you’re reading.”

Sky followed Rainbow’s hoof and saw what she was referring too.




A Mare’s Stallion:
A definitive guide on getting the perfect mare for you.
By P.B.




“No, Spike got me the books. He might be playing a prank on me.” Sky grinded his teeth slightly, he didn’t mind harmless pranks, but Rainbow would use this as ammunition to try and prank him later, something he would not enjoy.

“Oh.” Rainbow laughed and looked over Skyfall.

Sky dove back into his book, ignoring Rainbow when she opened her mouth to talk more. Thankfully, the library doors opened widely, interrupting whatever Rainbow might have said.

The group of ponies stopped their conversation and Twilight guffawed. “Rainbow? Skyfall?”

“Hi, Twilight.” Sky answered, while Rainbow flew up into the air and over to Twilight.

“Hey, Skyfall and I were just talking about stuff.” Rainbow said nonchalantly, shying away from Applejack’s accusatory glare.

“Ya sure about that, Rainbow?” Applejack asked. Rainbow landed and started mumbling under her breath.

Sky shrugged and attempted to begin reading, but  Rarity chose to sit uncomfortably close to him, disrupting his focus.

“Good afternoon.” Rarity smiled.

“I’ll be in my room.” Spike grumbled as he passed Shining Armor. Everyone in the room could hear Spike scoff and imitate Rarity’s greeting.

“What’s his problem?” Skyfall asked.

“Long story.” Everyone responded before Sky dug his nose back into his book, making everyone shuffle in silence.

“Y’know yer brother was lookin’ for ya?” Applejack asked.

“I know.” Skyfall said quickly. He figured that Storm made something up to find where he lived. Storm probably marched deep into the Everfree, presumably lying in wait to lull Sky into a false sense of security.

“Ah, ah’m glad he found ya.” Applejack smiled.

“Ohhhh, you’re looking at cook books!” Pinkie Pie started flipping through the extra cook books on the table. “What are you going to make?”

Skyfall opened his mouth to respond before looking over to Twilight, who was talking with a Princess Cadance and a stallion he assumed to be her brother, Shining Armor. Shining gave him a weary look before leaving. Cadance, however, smiled softly and stared back at Sky.

“Equestria to Skyfall?” Pinkie playfully knocked on his head before her hoof was brushed away.

“I’m thinking about making a hibachi meal.” Sky said.

“What’s that?” Pinkie looked over Sky’s shoulder trying to read the book in Sky’s hoof.

“You’ve never heard of hibachi?” Sky chuckled and looked around to shaking heads.

“Is that from Neighpon?” Rarity asked.

“Yes. Good guess.” Skyfall lied. “No doubt Twilight told you about my profile.”

Rarity and Twilight smiled nervously.

“What is this hiyabuchi?” Applejack asked.

“That’s T-17 classified.” Skyfall said sternly, but started laughing when Applejack gave him an annoyed look. “Seriously, if you seven haven’t heard of it then I’ll surprise you.”

Sky looked at the clock on the wall. “Speaking of which, I have groceries to get.”

A loud slam echoed through the room. “SKYFALL!”

“And that’s my cue.” Skyfall chirped, knowing that it was time to go. That voice was recognizable enough. Storm Front’s guise found him.

“That sounds like your brother.” Twilight stated, eyeing Skyfall curiously.

“Ah thought ya said ya talked to em’?” Applejack asked accusingly.

“Technically I said I know he is looking for me.” Sky hopped out of his seat with one beat of his large wing, leapt up to a high window and pushed it open. “I’ll see you ladies tomorrow for dinner.”

Skyfall disappeared without a sound, leaving the others confused as to why he just out the window.

Nimbus, Storm Front’s disguise, threw the library doors open. “Skyfa…ll.”

“Just missed him.” Twilight said.

Nimbus seethed. “AH!”

“What’s wrong, darling?” Rarity asked.

“I’m going to flay him alive when I see him. NO, I’m going to flay him alive and then pour lemons over his writhing form!” Nimbus raged as he turned to follow Skyfall, choosing to ignore the mares that were giving him a questioning look.

Rarity turned to Twilight. “What do you think that was about?”

“Skyfall can be irritating.” Twilight said.

“We should go help Skyfall with his groceries.” Cadance interrupted. “I think it would be for the best, since we’re going over tomorrow.”

“Cadance, the dinner is for the crusaders and their sisters.” Twilight said. “The rest of us were going to go to Sugarcube Corner.”

Cadance smiled deviously. “Nonsense, Twilight. You heard him. ‘I’ll see you ladies tomorrow for dinner.’ We’re invited.”

Twilight raised her hoof. “I’m not sure about this.”

“I am.” Cadance giggled.





“So then she goes right back to being a bully the instant Twilight and the others march in.” Skyfall groaned, deciding to tell Big Mac about the weird incident earlier regarding Rainbow. Being a good stallion that minded his own business, Sky felt it safe to build a friendship with Big Mac.

“She gripes about you all the time accordin’ to AJ” Big Mac said. “Rainbow’s a nice mare when she gets off that high chair of hers.”

“Eh, maybe.” Sky leaned against the stall. “In all my years, mares have always eluded my understanding.”

“Maybe it’s because ya walk blindly into situations that lead to even more awkward ones.” Big Mac poked Skyfall’s shoulder. “Speaking of which, I believe ya have a hunting party after ya.”

Skyfall smirked and looked back, taking note of Twilight’s entourage approaching. “Big Mac?”

“Yeah?”

“You talk too much.”

“Where have you been?” Twilight asked.

“In the market, I said I had groceries to get.” Skyfall said, making Big Mac chuckle and shake his head.

“Well I see that, but it was hard to find you.” Twilight’s annoyance was clear on her face.

“I’m the biggest stallion here.” Skyfall said pointing around the market. “I’m pretty hard to miss.”

“You can say that again.” Rainbow snipped.

“Thank you.” Sky responded before Applejack could scold her.

“Thanks for what?” Rainbow squeaked.

“You called me pretty.” Sky said.

“That’s not what I meant!” Rainbow shouted. She flew up into Skyfall’s face and eyed him. “I oughta buck your lights out.”

“Only if you tie me to the bed first.”

Rainbow drew her hoof back prepared to fight, but stopped when Sky turned to face her.

Skyfall didn’t respond to Rainbow’s threat. Instead, he chose to stare into Rainbow’s eyes. The others sat quietly, wondering what was going on while Rainbow’s hoof sat, suspended in the air.

“Interesting.” Sky turned and started walking towards the vegetable vendors.

Rainbow landed and marched after Skyfall. “Wait up! I’m not done with you.”

Skyfall hoofed Rainbow a note with some ingredients on it. “Make sure the carrots aren’t malformed and are large enough to grill.”

“What?” Rainbow became extremely confused.

“Chop chop.” Skyfall clapped his hooves. “Take Applejack with you, she’ll know what I mean. Right, Applejack?”

“Eeyup.” Applejack responded, secretly glad that Skyfall was able to shut Rainbow down before she did something she would regret.

“But wha?” Rainbow asked her surroundings before being nudged away by Applejack.

“What just happened?” Twilight asked before having a list thrust into her face as well.

“Squash and bean sprouts, take Rarity.” Skyfall gave Twilight a list and then turned away, meeting a very eager Pinkie Pie. “Yes?”

“List?”

“You want to help?” Skyfall asked.

“Yep!”

Skyfall just wanted to occupy Rainbow and Twilight. He didn’t mind the rest, even Pinkie Pie calmed down a lot around him. She must’ve still felt bad about pestering him, so he guessed that she wanted to help him with groceries to make up for it. “Mkay. Grab onions, eggs, rice, mushrooms, and these oils.”

Pinkie took her list and bounced away.

Skyfall looked over and saw Cadance whispering to Fluttershy, she nodded at Cadance and trotted away to meet Pinkie.

“I guess that leaves just us.” Cadance smiled.

Skyfall was fully intent on shopping with Fluttershy and Cadance, they both seemed relaxed and he wouldn’t have minded the company. Cadance sending Fluttershy away, however, meant that she may have wanted a one on one conversation. “I’m guessing you sent Fluttershy off so Pinkie would get the right amount of food?”

“Y-Yeah.” Cadance smiled through an obvious lie. “So, what are we getting?”

“Meat.” Sky stated, walking toward the post office.

“Meat?” Cadance asked curiously. “Are you joking?” Cadance saw Skyfall walking away from her. “Does the dish call for meat?”

“Yes?”

Cadance caught up to Skyfall, her mind was cluttered with questions. “Twilight said you lived in Neighpon, do they eat meat there?”

Skyfall thought briefly, dragonponies eat meat, but that may have changed. “Last I checked.”

“Griffons and dragons eat meat, but in Equestria, we usually have it on holiday occasions. Since meat can play havoc on our digestive system.” Cadance said matter of factly. 

Skyfall stopped and turned, giving Cadance an unhappy look. “Is that going to be a problem?”

“Oh no, not at all. Many ponies in Equestria have meat, but I guess we'll have to make a little. I know me personally, I don't want to get sick from eating too much.”

“I think I know a way to fix that.” Skyfall mused.

“So, Skyfall.” Cadance bumped Skyfall to get his undivided attention. “Tell me about yourself.”

“What’s there to know?”

Cadance gave a hard exhale. “Like, where you’re from and what you like?”

Skyfall gave Cadance an amused look, he knew very well how much ponies talked and that chances were extremely good that she already knew that information. “Twilight hasn’t told you?” Cadance’s look was all that he needed. “Listen, Cadance. I know that Twilight has likely complained enough about me for you to know the basics. Just talk to me instead of interviewing me.” Sky looked up at the building they had arrived at. “Besides, we’re here.”

Sky entered followed closely by Cadance. She looked around awestruck at the post office’s layout, making it obvious that she had never been inside one, She squealed when she found the kitty cat stamp collection, allowing Sky to slip away to get his package.

“Welcome to the Ponyville Post Office!” A gray mare stood behind a counter, smiling at them.

“Hi Ditzy, I have a slip for a package.” Skyfall walked over to the counter and pushed the pink slip across the surface.

“Oh hi, Mr. Skyfall. We got it in yesterday, I thought it was sent to the wrong place.” Ditzy smiled. “But I figured if it was wrong you would say something.”

“What’s wrong with it?” Sky asked.

“It’s a lot of meat. Are you throwing a party?” Ditzy asked.

“Kind of.” Skyfall shrugged. “I’m having some ponies over, and meat’s in the dish I’m making. If it’s a hit I’ll save you and your daughter some.”

Ditzy slide the large package over to Skyfall and beat her wings in delight. “Have a nice day Mr. Skyfall. And thank you for letting my cousin stay with you.”

Skyfall exited the post office and stopped when he saw the look Cadance was giving him. “What?”

“What was that?”

Skyfall held up his meat package. “It was cow, shrimp, and chicken.”

“Not that.” Cadance chuckled, grabbing the package and pulling it down so they were eye to eye. “You weren’t talking in circles or acting grouchy, you were sweet.”

“I prefer savory.”

“Can I ask you a serious question?” Cadance asked.

“O-k?”

“You look sad sometimes, and I know you’re single.” Cadance leaned in. “I want to help you get somepony to love and-”

“No.” Skyfall said quickly.

“But why?”

“Not interested in a relationship. How did you know I was single anyway?” Sky began to speed away from Cadance, he had heard that she was the Alicorn of love and that she enjoys pushing ponies together like dolls, but she was barking up the wrong tree.

“Twilight said you’re single, why won’t you give this a chance?”

“Cadance, I’m simply not interested. I just want to live my life in peace.” Sky groaned. “Plus, there’s no pony out there for me.”

“There’s somepony for everypony.” Cadance said hopefully. “You could make a family.”

“That possibility was taken from me a long time ago.” Skyfall said impulsively. He looked back to a shocked Cadance. He was unsure why she was so upset, but he shrugged it off and she hung her head. “I’m sorry. I appreciate you wanting to help me, but I’m not ready.”

“Yet?” Cadance asked.

Skyfall laughed. “Yet. Now come on, I see the others have gathered by the Apple’s stall.”

Even though Cadance was royalty, Sky felt relaxed and they enjoyed light conversation as they walked. She had so many questions that she seemed like a new foal asking about life. And secretly, Skyfall liked having someone to talk to that had a genuine interest in him and not just a fleeting curiosity. The conversation, had to end though when they both heard a filly’s screech. 

“But you have the stuff now!” Apple Bloom squealed.

“It’s not nice, Apple Bloom, he said tomorrow, not today.” Applejack stomped her hoof to punctuate her point.

Apple Bloom looked over at Skyfall causing her to point. “Then I’ll just ask Skyfall.”

“Ask me what?” Sky turned his head and heard Applejack muttering under her breath while scowling at Apple Bloom.

“Mr. Skyfall, we were wondering if we could eat today instead of tomorrow.” Apple Bloom tried her best to pout, but that age old trick didn’t work on Skyfall.

“Your pouting powers have no effect on me, Apple Bloom.” Sky bopped her on the nose. “I have faced the pouting goddess and only she can fell me.”

“Meh!” Apple Bloom said and crossed her hooves.

“Who are we?” Sky asked as four more heads popped out from behind the stall Big Mac was standing at. Before a small battle of wills came about, Sky looked around at the ingredients and then at the time, sighing. “Sure, we could do it tonight.”

“Are ya sure, Sky?” Applejack asked.

“Yep, let me just fill Crescent in.”





“And I have to stay in disguise all night, mingling with ponies?” Sif grumbled.

“Yes.” Skyfall said.

Three loud knocks rapped on the front door. “That should be them now.”

“What happened to retirement?” Sif called out from the bedroom.

“We can go back to being retired after dinner!”

Skyfall opened his front door and smiled at the faces of his eager guests, namely the little foals. They all looked hungry, except for Rarity, she looked ready to act as she threw her shawl around her neck. “I’m sorry; I’m not accepting Celestia’s witnesses.”

Sif chuckled from behind him and whispered. “No one is going to get that joke in this age.”

Twilight started snickering into her hoof and Skyfall pointed at her before disappearing into his house. “Ha, see? Somepony got it.”

Everyone looked at Twilight in anticipation.

“It was a group that formed after Princess Luna was banished, they were known for going door to door and annoyed… ponies… nevermind.” Twilight stopped when she saw the confused looks on everyone’s faces. “Let’s go inside.”

Sif walked back into the foyer. “Stop gawking. Sky needs help in the kitchen.”

Sif’s stern glare made their guests shift in discomfort. She never smiled when they spotted her walking through Ponyville. No one really enjoyed having a grumpy mare around, but she was Skyfall’s friend, so seeing her during dinner was an inevitability.

They trotted into the kitchen and saw Skyfall taking things out of cupboards and drawers. He moved pretty fast for a stallion his size.

“I must say, you’ve made this place look gorgeous.” Rarity complimented.

“I’ll say” Twilight agreed. “It looks like a completely different house from when we first met. Even the stone looks new.”

Skyfall ignored the compliments and took out a huge butcher’s knife and stuck it into the edge of his cutting board. “I only need a little help cutting and preparing. The rest of you can go relax or explore, just no going into my study.”

The Crusader’s faces lite up in excitement. They were about to run off until Applejack’s hoof stopped them. “Now hold on you five. Skyfall, what room is your study?”

“Large, iron door with a tree on it.”

“Heard that?” Applejack asked. “You see a door like that, stay away from it.”

The Crusaders nodded and scampered off, ready to answer their own mysteries about the haunted house.

“What can we do?” Fluttershy asked.

“I really only need one pony to help.” Sky said, watching Cadance start to raise her hoof. He beat her to the punch though. “I think Cadance would be best. The rest of you have questions about my estate.”

Before anyone could object, Sky motioned Cadance forward and shooed away the others. “Go on and explore.”

The group went their separate ways to see the estate, except for Fluttershy and Twilight who walked into the joined lounge room to relax. Cadance sat by, waiting to talk to Skyfall.

“So, what am I doing?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Cadance asked.

“Exactly.” Skyfall smiled. “I just wanted somepony to talk to.”

Suddenly a loud knock at the front door echoed through the house and Sif entered the kitchen, fur standing on end. “Trouble.”

“I thought so.” Sky pulled his butcher knife from the cutting board and started chopping vegetables. “Pinkie!”

Pinkie poked her head out from Skyfall’s pantry.

“Go. Let our guest in.”

Her face scrunched in glee and poofed into smoke. After a minute, Pinkie bounced into the kitchen with a blue stallion in tow. He stopped and glared at Skyfall. “…Brother.”

“Little brother.”

“Don’t call me that, heathen!” Storm bellowed.

“Volume, Nimbus. There are guests present.” Skyfall heard the ponies of the house converging on the kitchen.

“Is everythin’ alright?” Applejack asked.

“Yes, everything is fine. You girls can go back to exploring.” Skyfall said, his voice never rising above a low hum. “How about helping me with dinner. Nimbus?”

“Fine.” Nimbus said before taking a seat next to Cadance. “What’s for dinner, ‘brother?’”

Skyfall could hear the venom in his old friend’s voice. “Hibachi.”

Cadance looked between the two stallions, Skyfall had the same calm smile he wore since she met him, but this new stallion had a furious rage inside of him. Cadance could feel no love in him for his brother, only hate. She hopped in her stool a few inches away from the brooding stallion and tapped her hooves on the counter. “So, Skyfall. Where did you say you were from again?”

“Neighpon, although I’m half Clydesdan.”

“So that’s why you’re so large.” Cadance looked at Skyfall and then to Nimbus, he was smaller than Skyfall. “Are you and Skyfall-”

“Different fathers.” Nimbus said curtly, never looking away from Skyfall.

Cadance knew something was going on, she felt it, but couldn’t pinpoint the problem. “So, Nimbus, where are you from?”

“Griffon Kingdoms.”

“Oh?” Cadance was a little shocked; she had expected a similar answer to what Skyfall had given. The brothers before her, however, didn’t address the unasked question.

“You’ve asked me some questions. Now let me ask you some.” Skyfall asked, bringing out the meat. “Where are you from? Originally?

Cadance looked off in the distance for a second, trying to recall some of her earliest memories. “I’m not entirely sure. I was raised by an earth pony couple and I helped save a pony from a dark amulet. Before I knew it I was teleported to Princess Celestia and she adopted me.”

Skyfall turned to Cadance. “That is quite a story.”

“Oh yes, but Princess Celestia has given me a wonderful life. I just wish I knew more about my family.”

“Life's a journey we must discover.” Nimbus said under his breath as he grabbed a cutting board and started to help.

Before long all the ingredients were set. All the veggies were cut and the meat was prepared, ready to cook. Skyfall inhaling deeply. “Ladies, dinner is ready.”

The stampede through the house made his chest fill with warmth. He missed having ponies around to talk to, even though he wouldn’t openly admit it.

“Yay, I’m famished.” Silver Spoon said. She bounced into one of the chairs that was situated around a large stone and metal slab.

He watched the ponies follow suit, each taking a seat next to one another. Nimbus helped Sky bring the trays over to the grill and set them down. They all gave them a weird look.

“Raw vegetables?” Rarity asked.

“Our deal was fer-” Apple Bloom stopped her opening rant as Skyfall held up a hoof.

“Just scoop up what you want to have grilled and it’ll be dinner.”

Looking around slowly, one by one they piled food onto their plate and set it in front of them. Each plate was dramatically different than what one would expect. Rarity’s was an absolute mess of mixed food, while Rainbow had a perfectly organized plate with no one ingredient touching another.

“What?” Rainbow asked, noticing Skyfall’s curious look. “I don’t like when my foods touch.”

“Fair enough.” Sky brought over a package and set it down on the table. “I have one more question for you ladies.”

“What is it darling?” Rarity asked.

“Do any of you have a problem with meat?” Sky asked hesitantly. The looks on their faces told him they didn’t understand what he meant. “Meat, as in flesh.”

“Oh…” Rarity said, trying to hide her confusion.

“I don’t have a problem with it.” Cadance spoke up, showing her support before the others started ridiculing his lifestyle. “I don’t want any though.”

“Anypony want any?” Sky saw more of the ponies shake their heads.

“I’ll have some.”

He looked over to see a small golden hoof. “Fluttershy?”

She nodded her head, dodging the look from Rarity. A few more hooves raised, including all the foals for who wanted which meat. Soon, all but Rarity had a meat selected.

“What would you like?” Sky opened the package and threw some beef on the hot surface, making it sizzle immediately. The sound made everyone jump. “Sorry, I turned the heat on before you arrived, it’s the cooking surface.”

“Now, what would you like Fluttershy?” Sky waited for the small pegasus to talk, but Rarity was whispering something to her. Sky squinted and sighed. “I have many of the things one would find in a Griffon food market. Would you like me to surprise you?”

Fluttershy looked away from Rarity and nodded at Skyfall. “Yes, please.”

“Nimbus, you still like your steak rare?”

“Yeah.”

Sky wheeled a cart to the cooking station and started the process of making hibachi food. He secretly loved cooking, not because of the making process, but because of what it produced.

He noticed the Crusaders pouting. Sky laughed and tried getting them to look at him. “Did you think you were getting cake?”

When the Crusaders nodded, he winked. They had no idea what was in store for them.

Skyfall remembered back to the memories he had from before. He learned how to do hibachi style food to feed his sibling. Feeding kids vegetables was a pain, but grilling them in soy sauce made them want more than you could provide.

“I’ve asked before, but I’ll ask again. Have any of you had hibachi before?” Sky stood on his rear hooves and fastened an apron around his barrel. When Nimbus raised his hoof, Sky chuckled. “Besides Nimbus.”

“I read about it once.” Rainbow said, drawing the rapt attention of the entire room. “It’s just regular grilled food from the East, right?”

Every being with a pulse looked at Rainbow incredulously.

“What? I read it in a Daring Do book.”

“Regular?” Skyfall turned the lights low so that the light above the grill was the brightest. He grabbed the butcher knife and a simple long knife and clapped them together. “We’ll see if you still think its regular in a few minutes.”





The ponies laid on Skyfall’s couch in front of the fireplace, stuffed and moaning in delight. Each of their bellies was full and dumb looks sat upon their faces.

“I see ponies haven’t had that kind of food in Equestria yet.” Skyfall mused to himself. He noticed that some of the ponies had fallen asleep. Scootaloo started to shiver, so Sky placed his scarf over her.

“That was sweet.”

Sky looked back to see Cadance peeking at him from the doorway. He thought nothing of it, but he thought back to their conversation earlier about him being a sweet stallion and gave a quiet laugh, knowing she had caught him.

“It’s getting late, we should go.” Twilight said and hugged Skyfall. “Thank you for dinner.”

“Any time.” Sky hugged her back. He was being nice and letting them stay a little later than necessary because Nimbus was waiting to do something, and like Skyfall, he wouldn’t violate the old laws about exposing one’s true form.

Rainbow went to wake up Scootaloo, but Sky beat her to it and placed her on Rainbow’s back.

Sky knew that the time to deal with Nimbus was near. “The sun’s setting; it’s time for you little fillies to get home.”

Everyone stood and shuffled over to the door and said goodbye in their own way. Most of the mares hugged, except for Rainbow Dash who flew out and waved bye without looking. Cadance, however, gave Sky a long hug.

“Thank you for dinner.”

“No problem. You girls can stop by whenever you like.”

One by one they said ‘goodnight’ and left. Skyfall and Nimbus waved until they were past the estate pillars. Sky shut the door and started making tea while Nimbus sat in the counter, staring at that day’s newspaper. Sky put a stick of cinnamon in Nimbus’ tea cup and slid it to him.

They stared at each other, a silent battle raged between two old friends.





As the ponies reached Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity yelped.

“Oh no, my shawl!” Rarity patted her  form, hoping to find it. “I must have left it in Skyfall’s family room.

Rainbow looked back. “Just get it tomorrow.”

“No, I must get it now. I don’t want him thinking I just leave things lying about in a mess!” Rarity lamented.

“I’ll get it, Rarity.” Twilight said. “I have some questions for him from the guard that my brother hasn’t had the time to ask.”

“Anything serious?” Applejack asked.

“No. Just preliminary questions about what he’s seen since he lives so close to the Everfree Forest.”

“Thank you darling. I will see you later tonight.” Rarity hugged Twilight before Twilight teleported into the air and started flying towards Skyfall’s estate.

Twilight finally neared Skyfall’s house, but teleported to the ground and hid when she heard yelling and crashing. “What in Equestria is going on?”

Twilight peeked inside and saw that furniture was strewn about and large holes were formed in the walls. A few things were scorched from magic fire bursts and in the center of it all, Nimbus and Skyfall faced one another, both breathing heavily.

“You don’t get to pretend we’re on good terms!” Nimbus roared. “I finally found you and all you have to say is ‘I don’t know’?”

Sky stood calmly, staring Nimbus down. “I literally just got here. I don’t know what you want from me.”

“Answers!” Nimbus stomped, using his magic to make the house shake. 

“I have none.”

Nimbus leapt forward and smashed his hoof into Sky’s face. “You’ve been like this since you lost your family; cold and withdrawn.”

Twilight’s eyes widened in shock, she had no idea that Skyfall had lost a family.

“Never mention them again, Storm.” Skyfall said calmly, rubbing his nose.

“Mention what? The slaughter of your wife and child?”

The next thing Twilight heard was a loud, solid crack and tumbling. She looked inside and saw Nimbus with a bloody nose, standing a few feet from Skyfall; they were both glaring at each other.

With tears in her eyes, Twilight flew back to her castle as fast as she could. She felt so guilty about eavesdropping on their conversation and even worse about knowing a secret he wanted to keep buried.

Back inside Skyfall and Nimbus looked at each other, the lights flickered and they both grew in size. Shattered Skies, Warden of the Forests and Storm Front, Keeper of the Storm, stood, time had come to settle an old quarrel.
> Chapter 10 -The World-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-The World-


"So, how are we going to do this?" Storm Front stared at Shattered Skies, a once beloved ally and friend.

Shattered Skies stared on in silence, Storm looked exactly the same as Skies remembered. He stood a half a head shorter than Skies, but that is where the similarities stopped. Though they were both spirits, they looked nothing alike. Storm called himself a Kirin, light grey scales covered his body and his white mane went all the way down to the tip of his tail. His eyes were like electric blue lights, the same color as the markings on his body. Skies believed he could reason with his friend so he opened his mouth to ask why they had to even fight, but Storm Front blasted him with powerful lightning attack that sent him flying through the wall and into the forest.





Artwork by Mix-up


"Sif better be there already." Sky groaned to himself. He saw Storm approaching him, electricity enshrouding him. "We've always been able to talk out our differences Storm, calm down"

"Not this time!" Storm reared back throwing a small tornado at skies. With no time to dodge, it slammed into him. Ordinarily the tornado wouldn’t do anything but annoy shattered skies, but Storm had laced lightning in the midst of the wind, causing skies great pain. 

Shattered Skies stood slowly. After the Great Spirit War, he didn't do much fighting except for the occasional odd skirmish. He knew he was a little rusty, but to be thrown about like a ragdoll was a little surprising.

Storm hit Skies again and pushed him farther into the forest and into a small clearing.

Storm Front stopped and looked around, Skies was at a slight disadvantage now that they were in a clearing with little vegetation. "Two thousand years and this is what you are? Fight me!"

“You know, after you stopped by earlier, I half expected you to lay in wait and attack me inside the village.”

“So you have been avoiding me.”

Shattered Skies shot at Storm an incredulous look. “Wasn’t that obvious?”

“Enough” Storm roared and pawed at the ground, ready to charge. “You won’t talk your way out of this like you did in Neighpon.”

Skies chuckled at Storm’s reference. “That was your fault, not mine.”

Storm’s scowl deepened. "You're going to answer for your crimes, hypocrite."

“You actually believe that I’m evil, don’t you?”

“I have seen the graves.” Storm watched at Skies tensed and started to scowl. Even though they were in a clearing, he could still see the trees reacting to Skies’ sudden change in mood.

“I’m blamed for a lot. Fortunately, none of its true.”

Skies and Storm began to circle each other like two feral animals competing for dominance.

“You know if we go all out we’ll alert the locals and bring the guard down on us.” Skies noted.

“So?”

“Think about it. If we alert the guards, then Celestia’s little task force will come, and if they come, so will Celestia.”

“I have no quarrel with Celestia.” Storm scoffed. The clouds in the sky started to gather and swirl as the distant rumble of thunder slowly grew in volume.

“I have no problem with her either, but she has a problem with us.”

“I do not believe that.”

“She thinks we were the ones that killed the Alicorns.” Skies said plainly, unsure of the reaction he would receive.

“Ha! Now I know you’re lying.” The weather around the Everfree started to become hostile, random lightning strikes and patches of hail started to rain down, sending small animals rushing for their homes.

Skies stopped with his back towards the waterfall on his property. “I didn’t believe it either, but I spoke to her. On a hunch I read through some of her journal entries and some of the things I read would disturb even you. There is something going on and I need your help.”

“And where are the journals?” Storm asked suspiciously. 

“In a secret cave, let me get them-”

Storm Front reared back and slammed his hooves into the ground. “No, I have hunted you for two hundred years and now that I found you, you will not leave.”

“Like you have the power to stop me.” Skies closed his eyes and a familiar green moss covered his body before turning into pale white plates of armor.

“So that’s how it is? You want to challenge me instead of accepting your fate?”

“Just don’t hit me with your purse this time.” Skies smirked before taking another vicious blast to the chest. Had it not been for the armor he would have suffered more than just a broken rib… or twelve. His body was flung back through the waterfall and skidded onto the hard floor before crashing into a set of marble stairs.

“How was my purse, Skies!?” Storm bellowed as he jumped through the waterfall.

“Now!” Skies yelled.

Sif, along with fifty members of her clan leapt from the shadows. She saw as Storm tried to throw off the wolves that were piling on him until her giant form landed on him, pinning him to the floor.

“Sif?” Storm asked when he looked up at her smiling face.

“Hey, Stormy.”

Storm shook himself from his reverie. “How can you stay by his side after what he’s done!”

“I believe that I am the one you should be concerned with.” Skies stood at the ledge of an underground pond that complimented the cavern. In the confusion he was able to move to a safe position in case his plan failed.

He looked down and met Storm’s eyes with his own. “Sif, let him go.”

“Are you sure about that?” Sif asked.

“Yes, he’s staying under you because you’re a friend, if you weren’t, he would be up by now. Besides, I have something to show him.” Skies walked away from the edge and over to a crate of journals, nursing the deep bruise that was forming on his chest.

Sif slowly removed herself and smacked her tongue against her teeth. “Know if you try to hurt him, I will kill you.”

Storm Front shook his head. “One day I’m going to get you to tell me why you serve him so devotedly.”

“No, you won't.” Sif smacked him in the face with her tail as he passed her.

Storm Front walked up the stairs and looked around at the dimly lit cavern. The walls and ceiling were high; the cave was more than it appeared to be. With monoliths of different heights spread out in an orderly fashion along the floor the cave appeared to be more than what was seen on first glance, almost lived in. He looked around at the cut stone, metal fixtures, and in the center a large pool of still water.

When he stopped at the top, he saw Skies resting on a large pillow, drinking tea. “Of course.”

“What?”

Storm chuckled. “Nothing.”

“I’m glad to see you’ve calmed down.” Skies brought the small cup to his lips and paused. “Unless you planned on taking my head still?”

“It depends.”

A golden glow radiated from Skies’ eyes and a single journal levitated out from a pile and over to Storm Front. “I’ve tried to find out what happened while I was away. Unfortunately, I’ve had little luck. I only have a partial account of Celestia’s experiences from what I recovered from the Pony Sister’s Castle. This book is particularly filled with anger. She curses you, me, and every other Spirit that watched over this world.”

Storm Front hesitantly took the journal in his blue aura and raised a brow as he opened to the first page. He barely had began reading before he slammed it shut. “Wow.”

“Bad hoofwriting, huh?” Skies laughed into his tea. He had warned her years ago that legible hoofwriting was important and that she should just use magic to translate her words onto the page.

“Yeah.” Storm put his hoof on the bridge of his nose and rubbed. “Like she had a constant sneezing trip.”

“Don’t worry, after about three hundred more years she gets it and it gets clearer.”

Storm’s eyes lost focus on the world around him, unsure if he should continue reading, but if Skies was right, then fighting would be a huge mistake. On the other hoof though, he could just be stalling.

While Storm read, Sif snuggled up to Skies as he made tea for both of them. They all sat in silence for the rest of the night; Storm read all of the journals that Skies had recovered while Skies and Sif played Pai Sho, a game they both enjoyed.

After a long night, the sun started to peak over Ponyville and its warm glow illuminated the cave’s entrance, mixing the natural light with that of the candles.

“You should stop playing, Sif.” Skies said, hiding his smirk. Something the rest of Sif’s kin was unable to do.

“You cheated!” Sif pouted.

“You’re cute when you pout.”  Skies bopped Sif on the nose.

“You two should kiss and get it over with.” Storm closed the last journal and set it down. “That way this would be a lot less creepy.”

Sif stuck her tongue out. Storm had always teased them about their affection towards each other; it was something she missed having around.

“I’m glad you have calmed down and decided to believe me.” Skies crossed his forelegs and faced Storm. “I figured you would.”

“Calm, yes. Believe you?” Storm bit the inside of his cheek. "I’m not quite sure."

Skies sighed dramatically. “Are you serious?"

"Very," Storm said. "Had I not seen for the mass graves, then I would believe you."

Skies closed his eyes. 

Storm levitated the now cold tea pot over to himself and refilled his cup. "I've been awake for about a month, Skies. In that time, I tried to find some of the others, but I failed to locate them. I probed a shopkeep about the Spirits and he laughed until I got to your name. Do you know what he said?"

Skies remained silent.

"He glared and told me to leave, that ponies should stop trying to talk about the past." Storm stirred his tea. "That the dead should be respected."

"I learned that some ponies believe we never existed, while others consider us dead." Storm tittered. "I kept asking around until I got to Cahokia. Do you know what I found?"

"Graves?"

"Graves."

Skies read about himself quite extensively. The Cahokian graves were still visited by descendants and Celestia used the massacre to unite Equestria and allied nations against the Spirits. After fifty years the old city was torn down and Baltimare was raised in its place, but the graves still remain in its catacombs and in the history books.

"I found an entrance into Baltimare's catacombs and at all the remains."

Skies frowned upon hearing the word ‘remains.’

"Each body was mangled; their bones had been held together with roots and twisted until they were unrecognizable. There were black, barbed roots in each of their ribcages and spines."

Skies slammed his scaly hoof onto the floor. "What?"

"You see why I am so disinclined to believe you, no?" Storm looked over Shattered Skies. "Had it not been for your weak appearance, I would have not have restrained myself, but, seeing you now... I have my reservations."

"That's surprisingly wise of you." Sif jeered. "You usually leap before looking."

"I don't fight those that can't fight back." Storm affirmed. "In a real fight, you would fall."

Skies shot Storm an inquisitive look. "Oh, really?"

"Yes, really." Storm scowled. "You're still weak. When we fought side by side, you were a force to fear, but thousands of years, marriage, and a wound like that-" Storm pointed to Skies side "-has turned you frail."

Skies grimaced and whispered under his breath. "I'm not frail."

"Yes, you are." 

"He's right." Sif said stated.

"Double teamed, great." Skies sighed. "So what now?"

"I would cast a memory spell, but you and I both know I don't like that type of magic."

"Because you're garbage at anything that isn't combat oriented. Meaning I need to prove my innocence another way." Skies stood and started his way down the steps that lead to the bottom floor of the cave.

"Where are you going?" Sif asked.

"The castle."

Storm looked over to Sif as she coldly glared back. 

"You coming, Storm?" Skies called before exiting the cave through its waterfall. After a minute, Sif exited and wordlessly headed towards the house before Storm emerged quietly.

"After you."

Skies shrugged, ignoring the two’s conversation as he trekked onward toward the Everfree. As he re-entered the forest, Sif and Storm caught up to him. Skies was unsure of what he would find, but Luna's old observatory would be a good place to start.

Sighing, Skies shrank back to into his disguise. "I think traveling like this would serve us better."

"How so?" Storm countered, but transformed into his Nimbus disguise regardlessly.

"Some ponies like to walk around my forest and I have been trying to limit 'Shattered Skies' sightings as much as possible."

"Shattered Skies sightings?" Nimbus deadpanned.

"Yep, although some ponies just claim to have seen me to get attention." Sky stated plainly. "Or money."

Nimbus shook his head. "Money?"

"Celestia's guard is desperate to find me and as a result they've offered a bag of bits for any information leading to finding me." Sky looked back and smirked. "I've considered having Sif spot me in her disguise to claim the reward, a few times.”

"You’re an idiot, it's easy to find you." Nimbus mumbled. "Just find the area with the most drama and go there or-"

"I do not start drama!" Sky cut Nimbus off. 

"No, but it follows you." Nimbus started walking a little farther away. "Because you're cursed."

"Oh, ha ha." Sky laughed half heartely before they both fell into an awkward silence.

The silence remained until Nimbus coughed. "Hey, I wanted to apologize about what I said. Even if I end up having to fight you, I shouldn't have brought up your family."

"Don't." Sky said sternly, lowering his gaze to the floor. "I accept your apology, but please, that's something I just want to forget."

"Can't dwell on that forever." Nimbus said. 

"Which is why I want to forget it."

"You should move on and find love again." Nimbus found himself eye to eye with Skyfall.

"And you, Nim? Have you tried to find love?"

Nimbus glared. "Yes."

"Wha-? Really?" Sky became intrigued. He gestured to Nim’s entire body. "You found someone willing to deal with your...you-ness?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You punched a mare in the face once over some spilled soup."

"Yeah, but she was huge." Nim said, laughing under his breath after remembering the incident. 

"Truth be told, I always thought you would get together with a Griffon or a dragoness. She would bite and tear at you and you would-" Sky looked Nimbus over. "Well, you would probably do the same, you seem like a masochist."

Nimbus shrugged. "Guilty."

The morning wind that swept through the area rustled the trees. Rays of light pierced the canopy to light the way through the forest, something Sky loved to situate. The one thing that Sky held above all other guardians was his ability to use his medium to its fullest in the most subtle way. "You haven't lost your touch."

"Thank you."

"For a glorified gardener." 

"Bite me." Sky chomped his teeth toward Nimbus. "Celestia has done a wonderful job of screwing my hard work up, so any compliment is appreciated."

"What do you mean?" 

Sky stopped on a small hill that allowed momentary visibility of Ponyville and its surrounding area. "Nim, See that woodland over there?"

"Yes." 

"That is Whitetail Woods, for some reason, my magic is restricted there." Sky continued into the Everfree. "It alludes me, but whenever I try to use my magic there, it takes twice as much to achieve whatever it is I'm trying to do."

"I had a similar issue, but I found the root cause."

"What was it?" Sky asked, surprised. He thought that he was simply too weak.

"A weather factory in Cloudsdale." 

"Wonder if Celestia has something like that, but for forests." Sky thought out loud. Sky stopped and looked over to his old friend. "For a hot head, you're surprisingly calm, considering you tried to kill me a few hours ago."

Nimbus nodded. "After reading those journals it seems like I'm in the same boat you are."

"You are. When we get back, remind me to have you read this ridiculous book about Spirits I found at the library. It pretty much calls me cannibalistic murderer and you a fickle traitor."

Nim scowled. "You made that up." 

"Nope."

They both discussed what the book of Spirits said for some time. Their annoyance turned to a quiet somber look when they reached a small, ruined village.

Sky looked around, the village’s state. He remembered walking around the village with Luna during her nights.

"It looks like this place was just abandoned." Nim looked around.

"It was." Sky quietly made his way towards the castle, ignoring the skeletons littered around the village. He tried to forget the small filly, her unmistakable hat now sitting atop a withered skeleton, as well as the elderly couple that would now cling to one another for the rest of time. "Let's get inside."

"I'm guessing this happened when Luna changed." Nimbus thought aloud.

"I believe so. The last thing I remember is Sif carrying me into the treeline." 

Sky and Nimbus looked at the land as they made their way into the old castle. It was obvious that a small civil war erupted as armored skeletons laid about with swords stuck into one another. 

"She left without burying her fallen?" Nimbus fumed angrily.  Sky didn't comment, making a mental note to perform burial rights when he returned. The sky started to darken and swirl, Storm Front always had trouble containing his emotions and that lead to his magic reaching out and affecting the weather around him.

"You should calm yourself, I don't want anyone to know we're here." Sky said.

Nimbus stepped inside the castle and was instantly seething. "Of course the inside of the castle has no fallen ponies, just leave the ones outside to rot while-"

"I get it, Nim." Skyfall said quietly, unlike Nimbus, he had known those ponies. "The sooner we get to the observatory, the sooner you and I can figure things out."

Nimbus quietly agreed and followed Sky up a long set of winding stairs. The pitch black corridors were illuminated by Nim's horn alone.

Sky could feel his heart pounding louder and louder, reaching its peak when he saw the large door with a moon emblazoned on it. He stopped in his tracks.

"Come on, bub." Nimbus shoved him. "Putting it off will only make matters worse."

"This is where I was almost killed, you know." Sky sat down as memories of his battle with the Nightmare flooded through his mind..

"Yes, Sif told me." Nimbus strode to the door and pushed against it, but failed. "It’s sealed."

Sky shook himself out of his daydream. "Luna's observatory only granted passage to those she wanted in."

Nimbus rolled his eyes and made a sweeping motion with a hoof. "After you."

Sky noted Nim's impatient behavior and sighed before pushing the large, ebony door. After a few seconds, the edges of the door lit up and the hinges creaked open. "I guess the seal wasn't changed."

Sky walked into the room, and one by one, sconces with blue flames ignited, bathing the room in an eerie cobalt light. Everything was how he remembered it; the ceiling was a representation of the night sky and in the center laid a masterfully cut, crescent shaped crystal Luna adored. The crystal trapped moonlight and would illuminate the nearby floor, bathing it in a pale, silver light to contrast the flames lining the walls.

Sky stopped and sat a few feet from the crystal, staring at the floor. A large pool of dried blood painted the floor. Nimbus brightened his horn’s light and revealed hundreds of various prints all over the floor, representing ponies, wolves, and Spirits.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Then let’s get out of this room." Nimbus said quickly, hurrying past the doors and down the stairs, silently followed by Skyfall. Sky took the lead and led them both towards an old library where the smell of rotting wood permeated the air.

Sky walked over to a large cushion that looked as if it had escaped the test of time and laid on it, exhaling sharply before returning to his true form. Storm followed suit.

Once his nerves settled, Skies used a vine that had been growing on an outside wall to reach in and grow a bio-luminescent flower that partially lit the room.

"Showoff." Storm reached over and lit a lantern hanging on the wall.

"So, what now?"

"I don't know, you're usually the brains of our operation." Storm said quietly. He sat with his eyes closed and hooves crossed over one another. "Although I can say the world is hurting, so much that us Spirits can't just sit by and quietly watch."

"Explain."

Storm inhaled deeply and breathed out slowly. "From what I've gathered so far, Equus is in a state of unrest. Everyone wants a piece of Equestria. Some countries like Neighpon have all but shut the world away, while others like Yakyakistan are fighting whoever they don't like. Right now, the world is a powder keg, and with no Spirits or Alicorns to fix it, civilization will soon dissolve into full scale war that will spread over the planet like a plague." He took another breath to pause. "Just look, the leader of this country, supposedly running the most peaceful nation on Equus, has turned into a bloodthirsty hunter who will stop at nothing to end our lives! We can’t count on the diarchy, the citizens won’t be able to solve this on their own, and as if any other country is doing any better!" Storm slammed his hoof on the ground. "This is why we need to help!"

Skies looked at his reflection in a small puddle that had collected on the floor. "No."

"What do you mean, no?" Storm held his hooves up in exasperation. "This is part of our job!"

"No, we took it upon ourselves to act as peacekeepers." Skies shook his head and gave a small, weak smile. "That should have stopped when the council was dissolved."

Storm tried to retort, but Skies interrupted him. "We're viewed as villains, it would look more like evil would be taking over, not resolving the world’s problems."

Storm looked at the lantern's small wavering flame. "I can't accept that."

"What would you have me do?" Skies asked, looking upwards thoughtfully.

"Lead." Storm shot Skies a fierce glare.

"Those days are long gone, Storm." 

"Only because you want them to be."

"You're right." Skies looked on, a stony expression adorning his face. "Because this isn't a matter of a singular tyrant trying to rule the word, and we both remember how well that turned out."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean-"

"With our complete and utter defeat, leaving Discord to rule for almost 1000 years."

Storm ran his hoof over the bridge of his nose. "Maybe you're right."

Skies looked shocked. "Wow, are you actually agreeing with me?"

Storm let a smirk show through his stoic face.

"Hold that thought." Skies' ears perked up, shifting around like radars. "We aren't alone."

Storms ears started to shift around as well. He could hear the beating of wings and the light clopping of hooves. "It's a group of ponies. What do we do now, retreat?"

Skies glanced at the library door. "No, we would be seen and we can't disguise ourselves, that would blow our cover."

"How so?"

Skies looked at Storm skeptically. "They probably saw us walk in. Two random ponies in an abandoned castle their searching and then suddenly Shattered Skies and Storm Front show up. Come on, even a moron would pick up on it."

"Fight?"

"No, I believe you and I are strong enough to simply walk out." Skies stood. "I don’t feel an overwhelming power, meaning Celestia isn't here."

Shattered Skies and Storm Front made their way from the library to the throne room, but stopped in the dark of hallway to observe the group that was huddled at the base of the steps. Skies groaned quietly to himself the instant he recognized Celestia's task force and a detachment of guard, led by none other than Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor.

"Aren't those the ponies you had over?" Storm asked pointedly.

"Yes."

"And you say you don't start drama?" 

"I kinda just fall into it." Skies looked over at the group while Rainbow flailed her hooves. 





Thirty minutes earlier.





"We're getting close, Captain. We'll arrive in a few minutes." 

"I'm not your Captain anymore, Gleam." Shining Armor, shouting to be heard over the harsh wind that blew past them. 

"You're still my Captain, Captain." Gleam laughed. "Where are we landing, sir?

"On the outskirts, drop me, the guards, and the Elements off. Then, do a perimeter sweep." Shining Armor called.

A group of Pegasi guard carried the Elements and an elite group of guards toward the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. They’d been put on alert in case a Spirit was sighted. When the report of swirling storm clouds over the castle ruins had come in, the Elements were mobilized.

One by one, the Pegasi flew in and released the pony they had been holding before rocketing off into the sky. All the ponies were okay with the drop off except Applejack. She hated flying.

"You okay there, AJ? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

"S-S-Shut yer' mouth, Rainbow." Applejack sat down and used her stetson as a fan. "Just cause ya fly all the time and flew here don't mean ya get to rub it in."

The Elements watched as the guard quickly ran from house to house, shouting ‘clear’ as they swept the area. They seemed to move faster than what their bulky armor would allow.

"All houses are clear, Sir." 

"Good work, Lieutenant." Shining replied curtly. "Form up and prepare to move on the castle." Shining looked up and the Pegasi Lieutenant gave him the go ahead."The area is clear, advance."

Without another word, the team began moving slowly and methodically toward the castle. The lieutenants took point in front of Shining Armor who, in turn, trotted in front of the Elements. The entourage was surrounded by guards on ground and in the air.

Rainbow groaned halfway towards castle. "Why are we moving so slow?"

"It's for safety." Shining said.

"It's useless. We're just going to hit him with a little harmony and bam! Problem solved." Rainbow began to simulate cheering before Twilight poked her.

"You remember what the Princess said." Twilight frowned and looked at Shining Armor. "She said that he is the most dangerous thing we've ever faced."

"I know you want to alert the Princess, Twily, but this might be a false alarm."

"And if it isn't?"

Shining looked back. "Then you stop him with the Elements, they've always pulled through in the end."

"I guess you're right." Twilight said before trotting past her brother.

"What are you doing?" Shining called out in slight shock.

"I want to get this over with and get back home. Plus, we couldn't find Cadance before we came here and I want to read with her more."

Shining slumped. "Lieutenant, get your ponies to the castle, no need to act cautiously anymore." He ordered, brooding over the lack of tact.

Gleam chuckled. "Yes, Sir."

Twilight had never taken any other route to get to the old castle, she always took the path that led through the Everfree. Even so, she doubted that there was anything to worry about. That was until she saw the flickering of a light in the castle’s window, showing that something was there.

Shining Armor saw Twilight’s look of concern and ran up to her. He didn't need to ask her what she had seen, his little sister was smart enough to know when something was wrong. Shining looked back at the group. "I'll go in followed by the Elements. The rest of you keep the perimeter and call out if you see something."

They entered slowly looking all around. the castle was exactly way they had left it. No prints anywhere to be seen and no signs that anything had been disturbed.

Shining stopped in the center. "Okay we need a plan."

"I say we find him, tie him up, and blast him with a little Harmony juice." Rainbow landed next to Applejack who shook her head at her proposition.

"Can’t we just leave whatever is here alone?" Fluttershy whispered. "He could be watching us now."

Shining looked around. She had a point, the only light in the room was peeking in through the high ceiling windows, cloaking everything else in darkness. "We should get ourselves out of the light."

Rainbow laughed, flailing her hooves. "Oh, are you afraid of the big bad, boogie-pony."

The floor began to shake, causing everyone to give surprised yelps and Fluttershy to dive and cover her head with her hooves. "I think we should leave now!" 

"Oh come on, you guys. This castle is old, that was probably just the wind." Rainbow said nervously.

"The wind?" Applejack asked skeptically.

"Whatever. Let's just kick his butt and..." Rainbow boasted before sitting down silently.

Applejack laughed. "Finally, about time ya stopped complainin' and just sat tight."

"Rainbow, darling. What's wrong?" Rarity asked, waving her hoof in front of Dash's face. Rarity traced her eyes where Rainbow’s were locked and immediately became frozen in place like Rainbow.

Applejack tried shaking Rainbow and Rarity. The others looked around and tried to get them to snap out of it, but to no avail. "Ah know ya girls are a mite scared of this place, but it's no reason to act like statues. Rainbow, ya said yourself ‘he ain't that scary and ya could whoop him with a hoof tied behind your back.’"

Rainbow's eyes turned to saucers when Applejack brought up her boasting.

"What?" Applejack asked. "Ya don't remember talking about the beating ya would throw him if ya saw him?"

"Wishful thinking, I'm sure." 

All talking and murmuring stopped immediately.

"W-Who said that?" Applejack asked, looking in the direction of the new voice. The feral tone sent shivers down her spine. She and the others looked around to find the voice. The group was in a tight circle, facing all directions, except for Rainbow who had changed her gaze from a dark hallway to the throne, where a pair of golden eyes glowed.

One by one they stared on in a deafening silence until the voice spoke again. "I did."

"Why don't you step into the light?" Shining Armor called.

"I like it where I am, thank you very much." Skies shifted in the dark to get a better look at the ponies. "Thirty well armed guard ponies doesn't make this seem like a warm reception."

Skies looked around for an exit, but sudden movement disrupted his plan.

Twilight stepped out from the crowd slowly. "Please, talk to us."

"Twily, what are you doing?" Shining yelled in a whisper.

"Shining, relax. This might be a misunderstanding, and we could be intimidating a lost pony." Twilight placated.

"A pony whose eyes glow in the dark?" Applejack whispered.

Twilight looked back at the pony and her coat started to crawl, that was something she had overlooked. She stood and took a deep breath, if he hadn’t attack then maybe it wasn't Shattered Skies. Only one way to find out

"I am Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship." Twilight gave a small bow, causing her guards to tense. It was a sign of trust that wasn’t always reciprocated when you took your eyes off of a hostile creature. "Who are you?"

Princess of Friendship? Shattered Skies sat quietly, his instinct screamed at him to flee, but logically he wanted to try and set everything straight. This small Alicorn introduced herself formally and from his interactions with Twilight, as annoying as she was, she always meant well.

"Twilight Sparkle." Skies repeated, grabbing the attention of everyone in the room.

Slowly Skies walked out from behind the throne. His antlers pierced the light from the darkness, revealing his daunting figure. He could see their eyes growing wider and wider, some in shock and others in fear. 

He bowed. "I am the spirit Shattered Skies, warden of the Forests."

While bowed, Skies never broke eye contact from the group, effectively stealing any opportunity of a surprise attack. He looked at each of the Elements and was met with mixed reactions. The worst of all was Applejack who was shaking like a leaf.

"Well... It was nice meeting you all." Skies said, moving to leave, only to be blocked by a spear impaling itself in the wall. He looked over to the group of ponies, and there hung three more spears cloaked in a purple aura.

"By order of Princess Celestia, you are under arrest!" Shining Armor bellowed.

"I decline. Now if you'll excuse me." Skies was met with more spears, except this time they were aimed at his body. He disrupted their paths with stray vines, causing them to become embedded in the area around him. "Enough! I am not in the mood to fight you."

"Like you would stand a chance!" Shining followed up with a taunt much to the horror of Applejack and Fluttershy, but boasting never drew Skies into a fight. Anger could lead anyone to make a strategic mistake and Shining knew this. "Do you think we'll just let you leave?"

"No, that's what he’s for." Skies gestured behind the group.

"Do you think I'm dumb enough to fall for the oldest trick in the book?" Shining scoffed.

"Probably, considering he wrote the book." A new voice shook Shining and forced him to whip around. 

"Storm Front." Shining growled.

"Oh, so I don't need an introduction?" Storm scowled. "Then I guess we'll just cut to the good part."

"Storm." Skies voice echoed through the chamber. "We are not here to fight."

"It's your lucky day, Lap Dog." Storm Front smirked and haughtily walked past the group before ascending the steps to where Skies stood.

"How do you know him?" Twilight whispered to her brother.

"He is another one of the Spirits the Princess wants. He is a known accomplice and was in on one of the secret briefings." Shining replied. He spun his head quickly and saw Shattered Skies and Storm Front turning to leave. "Halt!"

Shattered Skies breathed in deep and looked angrily in their direction.

"It would be wise of you to leave and never enter my forest again." Skies warned. Twilight opened her mouth, but Skies held his hoof. "No, I am aware Celestia wants me, but I refuse to feed that spoiled little foal’s delusions."

Twilight was taken back by Skies’ statement. "Princess Celestia is no foal!"

Rainbow had snapped out of her paralyzed state long enough to get angry. "Hey, you can't call the Princess a foal just because she is forcing you to answer for what you did!"

Pinkie Pie cheered Rainbow on until she barreled toward Skies with all the speed she could muster.

"Rainbow, no!" Pinkie shouted.

Rainbow darted away at the last second, narrowly escaping a barrage of vines.

Shattered Skies sighed, he wanted to reason with them, but nothing they've shown so far had lead him to believe they would consider anything he said seriously. Their blind devotion clouded their judgement. He sat in a stand off, what was the harm in trying? "I will try to say this once, very clearly." He took in a deep breath. "Whatever it is you were told I did, is false." But before Skies could finish, Rainbow had plugged her ears. 

"We aren't going to listen to your lies!"

"Quiet, you little mosquito!" Storm Front shouted.

"Oh yeah? Horn boy!" Rainbow's wings flapped violently in anger.

While the two went back and forth, Twilight looked at the Spirit that her mentor had sent her after. He didn't act like the other villains they faced, no laughing, no maniacal plans, no monologue. He didn't even try to attack, save for acts of self-defense. He just sat there quietly, staring right back at her. 

Princess Celestia's words repeated themselves in her mind.

"Be careful, Twilight." Princess Celestia had placed her hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "He was my court advisor for a great many years, not to mention a cunning tactician. He will try and deceive you, when he does, that's when you strike."

Twilight looked around, the Spirit and Rainbow were still arguing when she signaled the other elements to get into position. The inner light started to emanate from each of them. 

"Shattered Skies!" Twilight shouted, prepared to unleash a beam of light. Her next few words died in her throat though, as the light petered out and refused to strike him down. "What?"

Twilight tried again with similar results.

The Elements had failed them.


> Chapter 11 -Unexpected Visitor-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Unexpected Visitor-


"I should do this more often." Sif mused to herself while taking a sip of some tea she made for herself. Her face cringed at the awful taste before she spit it back into the cup. "On second thought, I'll leave that to Sky."

Just then, Skyfall and Nimbus burst through the cave’s entrance. 

"Oh, speaking of the two devils." Sif chuckled until she saw that they were completely out of breath. 

"Sky do you have an explanation for what just happened?" Nimbus said between breaths, his chest heaving from the full-out sprint he had made from the castle.

"No." Sky said quietly. Since he was in a forest, he was able to phase through the trees, leaving him in a less exhausted state than his friend. 

Sif lumbered down the stairs in a lethargic manner. "One of you boys want to fill me in?"

"Celestia's task force stumbled on our little excursion and we left." Sky muttered out before attempting to make for the door, but a wall of fur and teeth moved to block his path.

"No, you don't get to leave unless you tell me what happened. Everything." Sif stared down at Sky. He tried to walk around her, but Sif jumped in front of him again. "I'll sit on you."

"Fine, but only cause you're so adorable." Sky poked Sif's cheek. 

For the next few minutes, Sky went into detail about what happened, even the bit about how they were spotted in their disguises by a passerby and were mistaken as Spirits. "...and after the Elements fizzled out, Storm and I ran in separate directions; him into the forest and me into the castle. The guards chose to chase me since they were there for me, and me alone, but they don't know that castle like I do. We escaped and now we're here."

"Looks like Celestia went in for the killing blow on her first move." Sif scoffed. "She is still as brutal as ever."

"I think she sent the Elements as a force of habit. They seem to be her 'cure-all' when it comes to problems." Sky held up his hoof at Sif's questioning look. "I've been reading old newspaper articles from the mayor's office. They get a lot of press."

"So what now?" Sif asked.

"Nothing." Sky walked out of the waterfall and onto the bank that lead to his house, followed closely by Nimbus.

"Nothing?" Storm asked. "What about what we talked about?"

Sky huffed. "The answer is still no." He looked back angrily. "I remember you agreeing with me."

"No, I said you might be right." Nimbus tried to argue his case until Sky arrived at his house and turned to him, giving a very tired expression, making it clear he wasn't changing his mind. "Now that you're back, the rest of the Spirits are going to try and seek you out, the good and the bad. Blue, Feather, Innocence, What are you going to tell them?"

"The problems are still there." Nimbus repeated, but this time it more as a declaration.

"There will always be problems. It's Equus." Sky sighed as Nimbus stomped past him, huffing and cursing his name under his breath as he left Sky to himself. "Why are you always such a hothead?"

"He looks upset." 

"Cadance?" Sky raised his eyebrow.  She had been sitting on his doorstep without her regalia, an oddly pleasing sight.

"The one and only!" She chirped. 

"What are you doing here?" 

Cadance's eyes opened widely and she fidgeted slightly. "I, um, I came to see if you wanted to get coffee? I know you're a tea guy, but I really enjoyed our conversation at dinner and I thought we could talk again." 

He stared at Cadance with a blank expression. "You want to get coffee?"

Cadance nodded slowly.

"With me?"

She nodded again, but this time more vigorously. "Yes."

After a quiet moment, Cadance started to pout, forcing Sky to yield. "Fine, I could use some relaxation after this morning. I guess it's time to try some of Sugarcube Corner's donuts."

Cadance turned and smiled back at Sky, silently beckoning him to walk next to her. He felt a nagging sensation that the day was about to get a lot more interesting.





For four hours, Cadance and Skyfall sat inside Sugarcube Corner drinking coffee and trading stories. Skyfall had to change some of his stories’ dates to make them era-friendly. The afternoon started to roll in, filling the bakery with a soft glow and long shadows that cascaded over everything.

"I miss having someone to talk to." Cadance sighed into her mug.

"Aren't you married?" Skyfall sipped his coffee. "Or are you at the point in your marriage that you've shared everything that can be shared, and it has become hard to hold conversations longer than 'Hey, how was your day?'"

"Yes." Cadance put her mug down and stared in surprise. "How did you know?"

"I was married once." Skyfall smiled. "We were friends at first and became lovers and eventually we were married."

"Did you have a family?" Cadance asked quietly.

"Yep, we had a little filly."

"Where are they now?" Cadance looked Skyfall in the eye in the most serious manner she could muster.

"Their time on Equus wasn't as long as mine. I have been without them for many years." Skyfall said quietly, almost to himself. Cadance felt that he was growing sad and reached her hoof out to console him, but it was interrupted by the bakery’s door being flung open.

"Cadance! There you are." Shining Armor called. "We've searched for you everywhere. Something happened at the old castle and I think you should be there when we brief the Princess on what happened."

"I've just been here having coffee." Cadance said, slightly annoyed, a tone that Skyfall did not miss. "I don't want to be a part of your little Spirit-hunt."

Shining glanced over to Skyfall, who stared right back. After a moment, Shining scowled at Cadance and walked away.

"Sorry about that." Cadance started.

"No, he seems lovely." Sky laughed before taking a long sip of his coffee. "I'm sure he never acts like this and that it's just because he’s stressed over his job."

"Mr. Skyfall, do I detect a hint of sarcasm from you?"

"Me? No, never."

Cadance tried to laugh, but slumped in her chair.

"You've been fighting?" 

Cadance nodded, her hair hanging over her eyes.

"Arguments spark up over nothing? One minute you're standing around and the next you've been bickering for an hour over how you ate your breakfast?"

Cadance rested her head in her hooves. "Is it that obvious?"

Skyfall reached over poured her another cup of coffee from the pot that the Cakes brought over. "No."

Cadance looked up to see Sky making her coffee, she hesitated to continue, but chose to anyway. "You noticed that we were fighting, me and Shiny have even argued about the way I eat lately."

"Again, I've been married before. Marriage has good years and bad years, it isn't over until one party stops trying." Skyfall looked over the young Alicorn and pushed her the coffee mug. "And from the looks of it, you're having a really bad year."

The sun made its way to setting, telling Sky it was time to leave. "Listen, Cadance."

Cadance looked up to Skyfall, her hair was slightly frazzled.

"If you ever need a place to stay or someone to talk to, feel free to stop by my place at anytime, day or night." Skyfall patted her hoof. "I’ve gotta head out now."

Cadance quickly made her way to Skyfall's side and gave him a fierce hug. "See you later, Skyfall."

"Just call me Sky."





"You're back late." Sif mumbled from the couch while she was snout deep in what looked like a medieval adventure book.

"Yeah, Cadance wanted to talk her afternoon away with me." Sky sauntered over to the large, black couch adjacent to Sif and threw himself on it. 

"I'm guessing something is on your mind?"

Sky exhaled and lifted his head, his hair ruffled and messy. "Yep. Me and Storm had a small argument about the state of the world, and he just won't let things go." He looked over to Sif who was now sitting upright. "What's that?"

"Lord of the Flings." Sif said quietly while trying to hide it under her butt. "It's a book."

"Yes, I can see that. Who is it written by?" He made his suspicion known through the inflection in his voice. Noticing Sif's hesitation, he wanted to drag this out.

"An author that has a pen name of P.B."

Sky reached over and patted Sif on the leg, opting to let it go. If she didn't want to share, then that is her business. "You want to go into town for dinner?"

"S-Sure." She wore a very surprised expression. "What happened to being a hermit and eating home?"

Sky fixed the scarf around his neck and walked to the door. "My day has been horrible so far and this makes us look like regular ponies."

"So that means I can start making friends?" Sif said sarcastically.

"Friends, enemies, I don't care." Sky opened the door quickly while still looking in her direction. "Just as long as you get ready quickly so we can go. If you don't, I'll wrestle you in the sheets later and this time there will be screaming involved!"

When he was finished shouting, he found Twilight with her hoof up ready to knock on the door and Rarity standing there with the most awestruck expression he's ever seen, the look of awkward embarrassment soon overtook both of them.

Sif trotted up the hallway, not knowing the situation. He tried to signal her, but her eyes were closed. "Fine, I remember the last trouncing you gave me, I walked a little funny for a week. This time I'm coming... out... on top."

"Ladies." Sky said through a hoof that was covering his face. "I understand what that sounded like, but-"

"No, it's fine." Twilight said quickly.

"No, seriously, I don't want you getting the wrong idea."

Rarity looked a little angry. "No, darling it's quite alright."

"But we landed on her leg, that's why."

Sif placed her hoof on Sky's shoulder, silently telling him to stop. 

"What are you ladies here for?" Skyfall relented.

"We came to ask a question, but it's been answered." Twilight said cryptically before trotting away, followed closely by Rarity. The entire incident leaving Sky in a mental tailspin.

"So, where to?" 

"The Hayburger?" Sif asked, spurring them both to start their long walk into Ponyville.

"You want a hayburger?" 

"Well, I am a pony right now." Sif answered, slightly annoyed. "My diet doesn't change when I transform, but I've wanted to try one for a while and it makes me look like a pony, so..."

"True." Sky chuckled, while looking at the sun setting and moon rising. In mere moments, the valley was bathed in soft moonlight and the sky was overtaken by a myriad of stars, something Skyfall always loved to admire.

After a few minutes of silence, Sif bumped Sky to take his attention off of the sky. "You should get a job."

"You should get a job, Fluffybutt."

"Real mature." Sif huffed.

"I'm just playing, Crescent-" Sky was cut off by Sif's tail smacking him. "What, you don't like the name?"

Sif pouted at Sky's questioning look.

"How about Sif?"

"That sounds worse." Sif mused. “It’s blatantly obvious to the point of throwing our identities in the ponies faces.”

"It could technically work.” Sky thought aloud. “It’s too obvious for them to believe, like hiding in plain sight.”

“If you say so.”

“And I do.” Skyfall nudged Sif playfully. “Next time don’t ask me to create names.”

Both ponies continued their quiet debate before reaching the village, shifting toward a more neutral topic when they merged amongst the townponies. 

"I think it would be a great idea for you to teach foals." Sif inserted. "You could set the groundwork for changing your bad reputation and you can give them a unique view apart from their history books."

"Cause I was there for most of the events?"

"Yep!"

Sky shook his head. "It would take too long, and for such a small group, it would never be effective. Plus there is that book. As long as that book is around, all Spirits will have a bad name." Sky further lowered his tone. "I have a strong feeling that things are about to get a lot worse, and I don't think teaching would be a good cover."

Sif looked over Sky questioningly. "Are we talking about 'a random worrying feeling' or the 'gut feeling' Spirits get?"

"The latter." Sky walked into the near empty Hayburger and asked for a booth for two before turning back to Sif. "My sudden return triggered something, and signs are popping up left and right."

Sif and Sky sat quietly as they ordered their drinks, but the instant the blue maned waitress left, she leaned forward. "Where's your proof?" 

"Aside from the seven foot weather Spirit that jettisoned fifty feet into the woodline?" Sky smirked at Sif rolling her eyes.  

"And here are your drinks." The waitress announced while magicking both beverages down, her red eyes peering at both Sif and Sky making it very obvious she was working hard for a tip. "Would you two like anything to eat?"

"She'll have a hayburger and I'll have a double deluxe hayburger, extra cheese, extra egg, extra mushrooms and..." Sky scanned the menu one last time. "...you know what, you better just put five times the normal helping of grilled onions."

Sky could see Sif's big eyes, giving him a silent plea. "Actually make that two, one for her as well. And a double order of sweet potato fries for the both of us." Sky looked up to Sif again. "Dessert?"

Sif looked down and pointed to an enormous pumpkin pie. "That."

The waitress's pen was shaking in her magic."Sir, that comes to fifty bits."

"Okay." Sky responded calmly, reaching over for the sugar to put in his tea. With one eye he leered at the waitress. "Pay isn't an issue if that is what you're thinking."

The waitress went wide eyed, hoping she didn't insult her customer. "I'll put this in right away, Sir."

"Before you go, do you by chance have the latest issue of the Equestrian Inquirer?" The waitress nodded to Sky's question. "May I have a copy?"

Sky watched the waitress trot away, for his request.

"Something wrong?" Sif asked. 

"I'm going to prove my point to you about earlier, plus I want to run the bill up." Sky reached out for the magazine as the waitress returned. "Thank you, miss.

"So what point do you want to make to me?" Sif's mouth shut when he showed her the mangled image of a spirit breaking into a weather factory. The title was 'Monster destroys weather factory because it took his cookies.' 

"Storm told me that he destroyed a factory recently because it was diminishing his ability to use his magic." Sky informed Sif. "In many eras since Spirits started to go into hiding, magazines like this have existed to inform the other Spirits in hiding of what was going on. They just put out some bogus stories and give everything a weird title to cover it up."

"So?"

"I've subscribed to them, and so far, Spirit activity is on the extreme incline. I read many of the issues they keep in the mayor's building. That's what is giving me the gut feeling." Sky sighed. "And with the failing of Celestia's little task force, she might over react and start playing hardball, just like that crusade in Saddle Arabia and the time she had that pirate problem."

"And the Prench revolution after that." Sif drank her sugar fix, apple soda.

"Huh?"

"Oh, right, you were sealed away for that." 

Sky waved his hoof. "I'll read about and then get your account. It's more fun that way."

After a few more minutes, the food arrived and they both fell into quiet contentment while they consumed their food. Sif had been too involved in eating to hold any conversation, so Sky looked out the window at the ponies that walked to and fro under Luna's night.

A few things caught Sky's eye as he looked outside. One was Applejack and her brother in what he assumed to be an argument. Big Mac seemed to be trying to hide his anger by walking away to avoid talking to her and failing at it, Applejack, however, wasn't hiding her own fury. She was in his face growling something and then Big Mac turned to face her and boomed 'You're alone' before they both stomped off in their own directions.

"Huh, so he can get upset?" Sky mused between bites.

Sif sat up and felt a rumbling in her stomach. "Uh, I gotta go destroy the toilet."

"Bombs away." Sky laughed as Sif shoved a stallion out of the way to get to the bathroom.

"The bill, Sir?" The waitress chirped out. 

Sky happily looked it over. '68.44'

The waitress was trying her hardest to give a sincere smile, to the point it looked strained. Sky could tell she was hurting for money, probably a single mom with two foals. She had a few hoof made pins on her apron that said 'I ♥ mommy' and the like. 

"Do you have an envelope miss?" Sky asked, startling her with his sudden question. She nodded quickly and left, returning with a small green envelope. "Close your eyes."

She did so and as she did so, Sky placed bits into it and put it in the front pocket of her apron. She opened her eyes and reached for it, but found a large silver hoof slap hers away so she couldn't look inside. "Ah, no peeking until after work."

She nodded and took the bill, thanking Sky for his patronage. 

Sky went back to looking out the window, but this time, instead of calm ponies, he saw a stallion running out from an alley, angry and apparently on the hunt. Sky's thoughts were interrupted by a pony sitting across from him, a pony that wasn't Sif.

"May I help you?" Sky asked.

"If I may, I just want to sit her for a bit, please." A quiet voice murmured out from under the cloak.

"Avoiding certain brown stallions with shaggy hair?" Sky sipped his tea.

"How'd you know?"

Sky glanced up and saw that the stallion was going from store to store, peaking in and looking around. "He seems very set on finding you, whoever you are."

The mare sat up and lowered her hood.

"Fluttershy?"

"Y-Yes, may I join you?"

"You may." Sky said immediately, causing her to relax. After a few seconds, he tapped his hoof lightly as he observed the stallions movements. "Now, may I ask, why are you hiding?"

Sky noticed Fluttershy shuffling her hooves and looking at the basket of fries, only half eaten. "You can have the rest of them."

"Oh, oh no, I wouldn't want to impose."

"You wouldn't be. They're paid for and I won't be eating them."

Without another word, Fluttershy leaned forward and started eating heartily, so much so that her image of shy and demure was almost shattered. She looked up with crumbs and ketchup on her face.

"Ma'am." Skyfall called.

"Yes, Sir?" The waitress appeared.

"Another hayburger please." Without another word from Skyfall, she disappeared to place the order.

"I thought you weren't eating?" Fluttershy asked.

"I'm not, you are." Sky took a long peaceful sip from his tea.

"Oh no, I can pay, you don't need to-" 

Sky held up his hoof. "My treat, it's clear you had a bad night. Plus, I gotta spend my money on something." Sky still saw the hesitant look on her face. "And the restaurant has so few customers that you can eat to your heart's content, you don't need to hold back."

Fluttershy relented and smiled gratefully at Skyfall.

"If you don't mind, why is he hunting you?" Sky said bluntly. "Did you kick down his front door?"

Fluttershy's smiled faded.

"That serious?"

She nodded.

"How bad? Like stalking and threats for something?" Sky tapped his hoof again when she nodded. "If you don't want to tell me, I won't pressure you, but you should tell the guards."

"He is a guard." Fluttershy said quietly. "We dated once and now he won't leave me alone."

"Name?"

"Dumbbell" She brightened up when the hayburger landed in front of her, diving in the instant the waitress left.

'Dumbbell?' Skyfall thought. Celestia was always strict with her guards, even though she put up a motherly attitude. Crimes, even petty ones, were treated very seriously.

"There you are!" Dumbbell called, interrupting Fluttershy's meal. "I've been looking for you everywhere, sweetie!"

Fluttershy shied away from the overbearing colt. He forced a fake smile and stared at the shrinking Pegasus, she made it painfully apparent they were not an item.

"I don't think she's interested." Sky said firmly.

"Oh, she's interested." Dumbbell scoffed and ruffled his feathers.

Dumbbell looked over and then down at the food. "A-Are you on a date?"

Sky and Shy looked at the colt as he grew more and more enraged. Sky squinted, unsure what the colt’s problem was. "We were just enjoying a meal together."

"Good." Dumbbell reached forward and grabbed Fluttershy's hoof, but found that his hoof was grabbed in turn by Skyfall.

"She isn't interested."

"You wanna go, Flightless?" Dumbbell chided and the waitress gasped from behind them.

Skyfall rose to his full height, looking down on the stallion as he stood a full head and shoulders above him. "I'm not from around here, but I'm guessing 'Flightless' is an insult. You should go, Bowlcut. Being reported to your superiors is going to be the least of your problems if you do not release her arm."

Dumbbell's scowl deepened until Skyfall put pressure on his hoof making the table sag in response to the increase in weight. Dumbbell winced, releasing Fluttershy and stomping away, cursing under his breath.

"I am so, so sorry about that." Fluttershy rubbed her hoof gently, unable to look at Skyfall.

"No, he seemed like a real piece of paradise." Sky glared at the stallion as he walked down one of Ponyville's streets. Every few seconds Dumbbell would look over his shoulder at the restaurant, only to find Skyfall staring right back.

"He was a piece of something, that's for sure." Sif muttered from the hallway the bathrooms were in. "Almost thought I had to step in."

"Right, you step in." Sky laughed. 

Sif, opting to ignore Sky's comment, walked over and looked at Fluttershy, her hoof was slightly bruised, but not as much as her pride. Being treated like that in public was definitely embarrassing. "I'll walk her home."

"No, I'll walk her home. It's my fault her hoof is bruised in the first place." Sky said firmly, letting Sif know it wasn't up for debate. "Is that okay with you Fluttershy?"

"You don't have to if you're busy." 

"Good thing I'm rarely busy then." Sky smiled and left the waitress another tip. He struggled his way out of the booth and whispered into Sif's ear, quickly enough that Fluttershy didn't notice. "Follow the stallion."

Without another word, Sif yawned. "I'll see you two later, I'm hitting the hay."

"Later, Fluffy."

"Goodnight, Crescent." Fluttershy smiled.

"I like this one." Sif said. "Goodnight Fluttershy, later Rudolph."

'OH no you didn't' Sky scowled, but Sif had already started giggling like a psychopath while running past the surprised waitress. He deadpanned back to Fluttershy. "Ready?"

"Y-Yes." Fluttershy said.

The night went on as Sky walked Fluttershy home. At first they were in the awkward stage of conversation where each attempt was thwarted by the inner skeptic that said 'they wouldn't want to talk about that.'

"So how's the weather treating you?" Skyfall finally asked and immediately regretted it. Fluttershy was a kind and sensitive pony who would probably view him as weird, or so he thought.

"It's nice. Winter is coming, so I have to start getting warm clothing for the baby animals that don't have thick fur yet." 

"If you need help, you know where to find me." Sky smiled and saw some guards up ahead, they were arguing amongst themselves pointing in the direction of the forest before running past, towards the Mayor's office. Sky shrugged it off and turned back to Fluttershy, having remembered something he wanted to ask about. "Fluttershy, may I ask you a something?"

"Yes, you may." Fluttershy said politely.

"Did you enjoy the dinner I made last night?" 

"Yes, it was delicious. I had no idea you knew how to cook." Fluttershy saw the amused look on Skyfall's face and shied away. "Not that it looks like you can't cook."

"No, it's fine, Fluttershy." Sky patted Shy on the shoulder with his wing. "I get that a lot actually, ponies assume I was an ex-guard or something because of my size and cutie mark."

"You're not?"

"No, is that what you thought?" 

"No, that's just what everypony says." Fluttershy said, slightly ashamed she participated in gossiping about him. 

"Interesting. How about you?" 

"How about me?"

Skyfall stopped on the road for a moment. "What do you think I did."

Fluttershy shifted around for a moment. "I-I don't care."

"Ouch." Skyfall chuckled and started walking again, but was stopped by Fluttershy stepping into his path.

"I-I meant that I don't care what you did before, in the sense that it's your business to share with who you wish." Fluttershy eeped after forcing her statement out.

"That." Skyfall said.

Fluttershy frowned and shrunk away as if preparing to be stricken, instead she found a hoof patting her mane.

"That, is incredibly wise." 

Fluttershy looked up at Skyfall's smiling face and she smiled in return. "You aren't mad?"

"Not in the least." They continued walking. "No one answer would have been right anyway, I've been many things; a doctor, professor, detective, politician, and many more things; all usually having to do with analyzing and fixing problems. I even fixed a washer once." Sky looked back at Fluttershy giggling at the last part. "Laugh now, but try being my size and fitting into a crawlspace."

Fluttershy openly laughed at the mental image.

When they crested the hill, they could see Fluttershy's cottage. A light still on for the critters inside so they wouldn't have to fumble around in the dark, showing exactly how much she cared for her animals.

"Well, end of the line, Princess." 

Fluttershy stumbled when Skyfall said Princess, clearly something she didn't anticipate. She opened her door and braced herself, but when nothing happened, she looked inside at all the animals sitting quietly looking past her to Skyfall. "That's weird."

"What's weird?" Skyfall asked.

"Usually, my animals run past me to play in the yard one last time before bed, but they're sitting quietly." Fluttershy looked back. "And they're all looking at you."

"That does sound weird." Skyfall said, looking inside at all the eyes staring back at him. Fluttershy went to go do something and Skyfall quietly told the animals to go back to their business. Soon the cottage roared to life, startling Fluttershy.

Skyfall could see a bunny peeking at him from the far hall. His arms were clung to his body and he didn't look Sky in the eyes, but right below them so that he was still looking at his face.

"Oh there you are, Angel!" Fluttershy called as she flew over to pick him up. "I want you to meet my new friend. Angel, this is Skyfall. Skyfall, this is my pet rabbit, Angel."

"It's nice to meet you-" Skyfall felt somepony crash into him and he turned around to see an all white mare. "S-Crescent what are you doing?"

"Trouble. Mayor wants your help." Sif panted lightly. "Sounds urgent from her tone of voice."

"Right." Skyfall said curtly and looked to Fluttershy and held up his hooves. "Sorry Fluttershy, but I gotta go."

"Thank you for earlier." Fluttershy said while hugging her rabbit who was abnormally docile.

"No problem." Skyfall called as he started off running with Sif.

In a dead sprint, they neared the town in mere minutes. "What's going on?"

"No idea, a pony was foalnapped, I think." Sif said over her panting.

"Timberwolves?"

"I don't know, all I was told is that they're lost and when the Mayor saw me, she begged me to get you." 

"Why me?" Sky shouted incredulously.

"I don't know, I think you're incompetent too." Sif laughed as Sky nipped at her heels.

When they got into town, a large group was formed by the Mayor's office, guards were assuring ponies that everything would be okay. The closer they got the low murmuring of the crowd turned into a steady roar.

"Skyfall!" The Mayor shouted, causing the crowd of ponies to part.

"Yes, Mayor mare?" 

The Mayor turned to Shining Armor and scowled, making him look down. "I... We need your help."

Skyfall looked around and saw familiar faces, the crowd was a search party. Many ponies wore somber faces while a few looked rather upset. Sky felt a pit in his stomach grow and he dreaded the inquiry, but hesitation often leads to situations becoming infinitely worse. "I don't even know what is going on."

The Mayor visibly tensed. She glared at the armored ponies standing behind her "The guards can't seem to be able to find six missing foals. They went missing this morning and have so far eluded these highly trained ponies behind me. We're trying to send out a search party to find them and you're an ex-guard." 

Sky could tell the Mayor held a great distaste for the guard detachment Celestia left in Ponyville. Even Shining Armor looked a little ashamed. Worse of all, some of the ponies Sky figured to be family members of the lost foals started crying. "You want me to help look for missing foals?"

"This town can't seem to keep track of their young." Sif said plainly, causing the ponies and guards to have mixed reactions from anger to disappointment.

"Right place, wrong time." Sky said in a low tone so only she would hear.

Mayor Mare looked around and approached Skyfall, whispering to him instead of announcing to the whole crowd. "We think Timberwolves are involved, and out of everypony here, you have the most experience with them. Aren't guards supposed to uphold their oaths even after retirement?"

Skyfall felt tempted to tell the Mayor off for assuming he was a guard. He huffed and glared at the Mayor who shrunk back "Why is it everyone assumes I was a guard?"

Shining raised his head and found Skyfall's statement very interesting for some reason, he wrote something down on a pad before shoving it into his armor. An act Skyfall didn't miss.

Sky looked over to the families; Big Mac who was holding Applejack in his hooves as she muttered to herself, Rarity and her parents were talking with a guard and the others were giving pictures out to the search party. Scootaloo's family, however, was unaffected, her father stood by with an annoyed look on his face. A thunderous conversation went on in Skyfall's head, but in the end, he knew he would give in so he nodded to Sif. "North East."

Without another word, Sif turn and sprinted away, confusing everyone there.

"Names?"

"Huh?" The Mayor asked.

"Names of the lost foals?" Skyfall said impatiently.

"You'll help?" The Mayor asked, the tension leaving her shoulders. 

Skyfall turned to Shining Armor who was nudged by his wife to produce the names. "The names are Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Twist, Button Mash, and Pipsqueak. Four fillies and two colts." Shining flipped his booklet closed and shoved it back into his armor. He tapped his hoof, if Sky was going to encounter Timberwolves, then his hide wouldn't fair well against their teeth. "Would you like some armor?"

"Nope, got my own." Skyfall said as he turned to leave. He walked for a little bit and planned his next move as he entered the treeline and disappeared from sight.

"What were you six thinking?" Sky said to himself before melding into a tree, worry overtaking him. Sky could feel the entire forest down to the last ant, so it took him virtually no time to find the foals, however, something Skies couldn't explain was with them.





"What do we do?" Apple Bloom whispered. Her coat matted and dirty from being dragged through the dirt, her heart having finally calmed down enough to allow her to speak. 

"I don't know." Scootaloo whispered back before turning to Pipsqueak, nudging him with her hoof. She nudged him again before realizing he passed out from exhaustion. A Ttimberwolf growled to make her stop, making her reel back in terror before it lumbered away angrily.

The sound of twigs snapping and howls echoed through the cavern they were dragged to. One by one, the Timberwolves filed out, leaving the foals alone. 

"Do we run?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"The wolves would still be outside." Button Mash said matter of factly. "And we can't leave without Twist."

"Ah agree, we get Twist and run!" Apple Bloom said a little louder than she meant too.

"Oh, but why leave?" 

The cave became dry and was flooded with an unusual smell that caused the small foal's noses to burn and their eyes to water. The each held their hooves to their face trying to block the smell from getting in.

"What's going on?" Pipsqueak woke up rubbing his nose.

"Something special."

"Who's there?" Apple Bloom shouted, causing a cloaked being to limp into sight.

"I am, my dear." 

Apple Bloom, along with the others tried squinting to see his face, but only saw sickly green eyes staring back. His voice sounded scratchy and the old cloak that laid unevenly across his body separated, showing a decrepit hoof. 

Apple Bloom swallowed hard. "W-Who are you?"
   

> Chapter 12 -Damage Control-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Damage Control-



Shattered Skies stood idly by as a cloaked pony limped into the cave. Timberwolves guarded the cave’s entrance and the treeline surrounding their location. He looked and could count at least forty small Timberwolves, and one the size of Sif. The darkness of Luna's night limited visibility, but in the forest that didn’t matter. 

"What's the plan?" Sif asked as she crouched next to Skies.

"Did you find Storm Front?" 

Sif shook her head. "We're in the process of locating him now. He may have transformed and flown  into the clouds, or he could have just left the area. Regardless, I doubt he'll turn up before we attack."

"Who says we're attacking?" Skies asked.

"That creeping grin on your face." Sif's eyebrow rose up and she smirked. "You know I love my job."

"Make it quick and silent, I don't want to alert the ring leader." The instant Skies finished his statement, Sif pawed at the ground and let out a series of guttural clicks.

"What about the big boy?" Sif asked, pointing to the large Timberwolf that was scanning the forest with his green eyes, looking around for the source of the clicking.

"He's all yours, I want to talk to our little stalker."

"Stalker?" Sif questioned.

"A cloaked stallion walked into the cave before you arrived and I saw him staring at me when we first moved here, shortly after a searing headache." 

"Are you getting a headache right now?" Sif looked him over with concern

"No, and that's what bothers me. This stallion is definitely who I saw that day and he might be able to affect me at will." The clouds in the sky briefly parted with the wind, letting moonlight rain down, giving every wolf a clear spotlight to their target. "Ready?"

As soon as the clouds returned to shroud the forest in darkness, Sif and her wolves exploded from the treeline in a silent charge and latched their jaws around the heads of the unsuspecting Timberwolves. The trouble with keeping guard at night is when the moonlight goes out, it takes a minute for eyes to adjust and apparently that went for Timberwolves as well.

Sif laid on top of the alpha, slowly tearing its head off as the creature made a futile effort to escape.

Shattered Skies walked into the cave, not bothering to hide his presence. He could hear a foal's voice, one that belonged to Apple Bloom.

"Who are you?"

Skies could see perfectly in the dark cave. The stranger stood unevenly on his discolored hooves, his hunched over body and overwhelming scent put Skies on alert, he knew that smell very well. Formaldehyde? 

"I am Shattered Skies." The being shifted on his hooves and smiled at the foals.

Skies opened his mouth to interrupt, but when he noticed that Apple Bloom was looking past the Stranger and right into his eyes he closed his mouth.

"No you're not." Apple Bloom said.

"What a cheeky little foal." The stranger said, his voice was emotionless like a puppet. "You should have learned from your studies, but no matter, you won't have much to worry about soon."

The other foals were whispering into Apple Bloom's ears, but went wide eyed when she whispered back to them. One by one they looked over the being's right shoulder to a pair of glowing golden eyes.

"You're not Shattered Skies." Apple Bloom said once more, but this time in a mocking tone.

"Is that right, Apple Bloom?" The stranger called, startling the small filly into silence when he proved to know her name. "Enlighten me, how do you know?"

Skies stepped forward and stood next to the stallion and lowered his head to the stranger's ear. "Because I'm right here."

The stallion immediately became rigid. 

Skies looked up at the foals, they were all there except one. He remembered talking to a foal by the name of Twist for a short time when he went into town to cash in his gold, but she didn't seem like the adventurous type, at least not in the sense of the other foals. "Where is the sixth foal?"

"Not even going inquire as to who I am?" The stranger chuckled before Skies threw him to the ground.

"I am not in the mood for games." Skies glared at the rising stallion and noticed his eyes were glowing the same green that the Timberwolves were known for.

Skies turned to the foals. "Leave."

"Do you think I would just let them leave?" The stranger laughed and tried to walk towards them, but found his legs bound to the floor by root.

"You don't have a choice." Skies started pulling the stallion into the ground and looked at the slightly frightened foals. "You should be leaving."

"Your Timberwolves-" The stranger started, but saw a wooden head roll into the cave.

"Are dead." Shattered Skies said and smiled deviously. "But an interesting choice of words. 'Your Timberwolves.'"

Skies grabbed the stranger's head and ripped the hood off, revealing a grotesque, worn face with unhealed gashes in it. The smell of formaldehyde hit Skies sharply and he threw the stranger to the ground again. "First order of business. Where is the foal?"

"Oh, she's with the rest." 

Skies looked towards the foals shrinking in the distance as they were followed by two of Sif's kin. "I told you I am not in the mood for games." 

The stranger sat up and removed the cloak, revealing his grotesque body that was covered in sewn on cutie marks. "Meet the others."


Skies bit his lip, he wanted to tear this thing to pieces, but needed information. He glanced over to Sif, she barely kept her anger under control and was forced to put her paw on a smaller wolf to stop its attack. The stranger stood and turned to show Skies all the cutie marks, placing emphasis on a small one by his tail, two crossed candy canes.

"No."

"I see you finally care about something." The stranger said emotionlessly, finally resting on his haunches, smiling wide with his sickly teeth showing.

"Why did you do this?" Skies asked in monotone.

"I didn't do this, you did." 

Skies sent a black barbed root into the monster and reeled when a fierce headache racked his brain. The pain caused him to double over and gag as a result. "What?"

Skies looked at the stallion that now had a huge gaping hole in his torso. He didn't bleed, he didn't whine, he didn't even stop smiling. Skies didn't understand why his attack lashed back on him.

"Shall we attack, M'lord?" Sif asked.

"No, it could be lethal for you." Skies squinted and saw that magic was surrounding the stranger's body, likely causing Skies' backlash. "I will ask one more time, what is your name?"

The creature smirked at Sif and suddenly the cave was turned upside down. "Wow, I see you like it rough!"

Skies had the creature pinned under his massive claw. "Name!"

"I don't have a name but the one you gave me, and the one you'll give me." The stranger found Skies’ claw moving up his neck and pressing down on his windpipe, making a whining noise.

"Enough of the poetry." Skies glared at the stallion, it was clear he wouldn't be getting anything from him. 

"Lonely Grave." The stallion's eyes started flickering and the green mist left  them. His face turned serious, signalling that it was the end of their conversation. "I've been waiting for so long, I have so much to show you!"

Lonely Grave grabbed Skies' coat and brought his head down. "I can't wait to get to know you again, big brother."

A sickening crack resounded through the cave shortly before the limp body of Lonely Grave slumped to the floor. His skin started to boil and evaporate, leaving the twisted skeleton of a pony. It’s bones were etched with runes that burned shortly before smoldering.

Shattered Skies stood and started to walk out of the cave in shock, he couldn't speak, nor could he look anyone in the eye.

"Necromancy." Sif spat. "What'd it say?"

Skies walked past her without saying a word.





One month later





"Twilight is at the front door again." Sif mumbled from the study's doorway, her nap having been interrupted to relay the information. "Shall I let her in?"

"No."

"Oops." Sif said sarcastically as she walked out of the room.

"Why oops?" Sky asked to no avail as hooves started clopping up the marble stairwell. "Damn her."

Suddenly, Skyfall opened his desk and started shoving his notes into it. He grew slightly annoyed Sif was forcing him to have visitors, she knew he was busy working on a way to track Lonely Grave. 

"There you are!" Twilight announced from the doorway.

"Here I am." Skyfall mixed his tea and looked at Twilight. She brought her friends, including her brother and Cadance. For a moment Sky thought about turning them away, but if they were all here, it wasn't a social call. "You know there isn't an invisible barrier, you can enter."

Twilight smiled sheepishly before entering. "We just wanted to respect your privacy."

'Rrrrright' "I thank you for that, Miss Sparkle." Skyfall just stared at Twilight while the others looked around Skyfall's large study. He knew it looked more like a trophy room than a study, but the actual study didn't get enough light so he often used it as a place to keep documents.

Pinkie bounced from place to place trying to figure out what the different artifacts were, her bubbly curiosity made the other ponies a worried that she would get them all thrown out. "Oh, what's this?" 

"Neighpon puzzle ball." Skyfall leaned back in his chair, he knew what was coming next.

"And this?"

"Ancient coin collection."

"And this?"

"Crystal Skull."

"What about this?"

"Piece of Equus' core."

"Oh! What about this, it must be super important, it's a pyramid?" Pinkie held up an ancient stone that shined with its bright reflective surface. It held down all sorts of information from old cultures.

"That, Pinkie Pie, is a paperweight." Skyfall wrinkled his brow and smiled wryly, he knew she was playing around and playing dumb. "Oh by the way, Pinkie?"

"Yes?"

"Have you been drinking your tea?" Skyfall asked rhetorically while preparing a cup.

Pinkie Pie smiled sheepishly. 

"Sif, Gingerroot." Sky called. "You know, Pinkie, I shouldn't have to tell you this."

"I know." Pinkie shuffled her hooves as Sif trotted past her and left a bag of dried root on the desk before trotting back out, huffing that her nap kept getting interrupted.

"What is he talking about, Pinkie?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah, what are ya talking about?" Applejack asked. "Ah didn't know you two were chummy."

"I bumped into Pinkie three weeks ago when I was shopping, and she let slip that she was feeling ill, so I told her to have tea." Skyfall started stirring the tea he made for Pinkie, sliding it over to the grateful mare when he finished. 

"Three weeks? You haven't left your house in nearly a month?" Twilight asked.

"And how would you know?" Sky asked pointedly, causing Twilight and Rainbow to squirm uncomfortably.

"Because I assigned a guard to watch your house." Shining announced to the relief of Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, how curious." Sky answered disinterestedly. "They mustn't be very good at their job then."

"They're the best." Shining said firmly.

"Pinkie?" 

"Y-Yes, Sky?" 

"Sky?" Everyone said in unison.

"Did I give you a list three weeks ago with the ingredients for you to mix in your tea?"

"Yes." Pinkie said, trying to keep her smile under the questioning gaze of her friends.

"Then I was in town and your guards missed it." Skyfall knew Shining posted guards to watch him, he didn't seem like the dumb soldier ponies made him out to be.

"Now, why are you here?" Skyfall asked.

"We're just seeing why you've been cooped up, darling." Rarity said happily. "It's been far too long since we've seen you."

Skyfall tapped his hoof on his desk, Rarity knew her lie wasn't bought.

"Then why is Shining Armor clad in platemail?" Skyfall gestured to Shining.

"You live near the Everfree." 

"And the notepad stuffed in your pauldron is for show?" Skyfall rose an eyebrow, but before it went any further he continued. "You may relax and have a seat if you want. I think Twilight will explode if she doesn't get a chance to look around."

The first to take a seat was Cadance. She trotted over to Sky's book-cased wall and started perusing. The others, however, stood there awkwardly until a loud crash was heard and the sounds of loud stomping approached the room.

The door flung wide open. "Sky!"

"Yes, Nim?" Skyfall lazily looked over at the second door. "You're mane is poofy again."

"Eleven letter word that is the synonym for exterior?" Nimbus asked, resentful that he had to come to Skyfall for help.

"Superficial, like your taste in women." Sky muttered the last part into his hoof as Nim stomped off, leaving a very embarrassed host. "He likes to do the crossword when we aren't training. He usually likes punching my trees, but I forced him to do the crossword instead. Less ruined landscape."

"Training?" Shining asked.

"Yes, my quarrels with the Timberwolves opened my eyes to how weak I've become."

"Ah heard ya ran into a few when ya went to save them foals. It was lucky they ran into you in the forest." Applejack said before covering her mouth with her hoof.

That night, Skyfall had to tell the Mayor that Twist wasn't anywhere to be found. Even as the forest Spirit, Lonely Grave did something to hinder his ability to use the forest. Something that baffled him immensely.

Sky barreled through the awkwardness. "Like Shining Armor said, I live next to the Everfree and my brother has remarked on my thinning physique, so him and I started getting back into the swing of things."

"Well that's nice." Rarity chirped. "It's important to stay in good physical condition."

"Indeed, mares don't like flabby stallions." Sky chuckled and looked at Twilight as she magicked a scroll to Skyfall. "What's this?"

"A letter." She smiled.

"Why Twilight, I don't know what to say. I'm touched." Skyfall received a swift strike on the head from the floating letters. "Fine, who's it from?"

"It's from Princess Celestia." Twilight clapped her hooves. "And this one is from Princess Luna, they both want to thank you for your valiant efforts."

"Valiant?" Skyfall laughed heartily before opening them to read, silently hoping they weren't going to explode. "That is certainly a first."

Twilight sat by silently, waiting for a reaction, but only saw Skyfall chuckle at Celestia's letter. "What'd she say? What's so funny?"

'Her writing is not this good.' Skyfall placed the scroll down and patted it. "Nothing much, just generic condolences. Princess Celestia just wanted to thank me for going above and beyond in helping her subjects and shared her sorrow for what happened. Then something about seeing me this year at a party."

Twilight wondered what he meant by party. She watched Skyfall take out a pen and quill shorty before writing. "What are you doing?"

Sky stopped and glanced up to Twilight, unsure of what she meant. "I'm writing back. Is that a problem?"

"Not at all, it's just not everyday somepony is brave enough to write back to her." Twilight said.

"And done." Skyfall finished with a hard and fast signature. He set the letter aside and slowly reached for Luna's letter, unsure of what it would say.

"Does anyone want something to drink?" Sif asked from the doorway.

Sky opened the letter and mumbled out the words, "More tea."

While Sif took everyone's drink orders, Sky read the letter.




Fair Night, Lord Skyfall,

I understand that past nights have been especially tough for you. I feel at fault because of this: I am the watcher of the night and for these heinous crimes to happen on my watch is disgraceful. Since learning about the first occurrence of your heroism, I have tried to find your dreams so that I may enter to assuage your anguish, but to my everlasting shame I have been unable to do so. I have accompanied my sister to many of her meetings in Ponyville and heard about you from not only the Mayor, but the Elements of Harmony as well.

If the time permits, I wish to summon you at the next meeting so that I may thank you properly.

Peace be with you, Princess Luna




Skyfall sat quietly, Luna's calligraphy was still top notch, and there was no doubt that Luna wrote this by hoof. She was the only one that dared to use blue ink. Sky reached for another sheet of paper and a new ink well to write from, as more habit than necessity. When they were small, Sky would write to them with different inks so they would have a little fun while reading. Celestia soon grew tired of it, but Luna always enjoyed writing fun letters. Sadly, Sky couldn't make fun letters to Luna without giving himself away, but he could write to her using an ink that reflected moonlight.

Sif brought up a pot of tea and set it down on a table that laid between all of them as they sat and discussed the room’s contents.

"What are you reading, Cadance?" Twilight asked, looking at the book Cadance was buried in.

"I don't know, there isn't a title. Sky, what is this book?"

Skyfall looked up and saw that Shining shot him a questioning glare, likely because his wife was on a nickname basis with someone other than her husband. Sky, like always, chose to ignore it and looked at the book’s binding from across the room and went back to writing. "That's the Count of Monte Cristo. A story about revenge."

The words, 'story about revenge' caused a mixed reaction, but Rainbow's reaction in specific was to stare at the book with rapt interest.

"Revenge?" Applejack asked, slightly appalled. "Why on Equus would you have a book about that?"

"What's wrong with revenge?" Skyfall asked. 

"While seeking revenge, dig two graves—one for your target, and one for yourself." Twilight recited perfectly. 

Skyfall chuckled to himself, having recognized the statement. 

"I've never heard of that book, now that I think about it." Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. 

"You live in a library." Rainbow Dash walked over to the bookshelf to see if Sky had any adventure books. "How have you never heard of it? Wait a second, none of these books have titles."

Skyfall ordered the books from another Spirit who had a special way of telling them apart, but he had them for so long that he could tell them apart even from across the room. "I've read them all and know each one by its look."

"What do you have?" Twilight asked.

"If you're interested, you may take one home with you." Sky signed Luna's letter and walked over to the bookshelf. He sat for a moment and hovered his hoof over the spines and stopped above a thick blue book. He offered the book to Twilight with the letter inside. "This book is called 'Macbeth'. I think you'll enjoy it."

Cadance closed the book and set it down. "Is there anything else to read?"

Sky reached out and grabbed a red book with gold trim. "This is up your alley, it's 'Romeo and Juliet,' a tragic love story."

Cadance snatched the book right out of the air and opened it up, only to find a hoof rest on the page. "Wait unitl you get back to where you're staying and have a box of tissues at the ready."

Cadance scoffed. "I can handle a little tragedy."

Skyfall laughed and held his hooves. "Okay, just trying to help."

Sky snapped to being very serious. "Pinkie, drink you tea."

"Meh!"

"Woman! Consume thy tea." Skyfall ordered, pointing his hoof at Pinkie until she drank the entire cup instead of the swishing she had been doing when she thought Skyfall wasn't looking. "Good."

"You never did answer." Rarity asked. "Why are you making Pinkie Pie drink tea?"

"She complained of stomach pain and after some questions I figured she might have a stomach virus coming on. That tea eliminates that." Sky looked over at Shining Armor who was lightly tapping his hoof. "But that's neither here, nor there. I have some business to take care of before I can continue." 

"Should we go?" Rarity asked.

"No, please, I have fruit in the fridge, feel free to help yourself. This won't take but a few minutes." Skyfall smiled softy. He watched silently as they started filing out, individually remarking on the house's design.

Shining Armor looked back as he made his way out and stopped when he saw Skyfall waving him back. "Shining Armor, come back and shut the door, if you will."

The door closed with a soft thud, the others having not noticed Shining's absence. Skyfall stood and started closing the curtains one by one as Shining sat on the large chair in front of Sky's desk.

"I know you want to talk to me." Skyfall stated as he sat before Shining.

"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean." 

Sky held up his hoof and closed his eyes. "Son, you and I both know you aren't here for 'funsies,' nor are you here because your spouse is near the Everfree. If you were here for the Everfree, then you would have brought a weapon. With what happened last month and the lack of headlines concerning the killer, I surmise you've hit a snag and you're doubling back to find out what you missed."

Shining exhaled, his suspicions were then validated to him. "You know, it's very rare for civilians to think like that."

"So, now everything's out in the open. Why are you here?" Skyfall opted to ignore the prince's silent assertion.

"I wanted to see if you remembered anything." Shining asked, making it clear he was grasping at straws. "We questioned the foals about what they saw, and their tale is a little disturbing.

"A classmate has passed away as a result, I imagine it would be." Skyfall said darkly. "I talked to Big Mac and he said Apple Bloom stopped eating, her mind crashed after she was hit with the news. I can't imagine the others fared any better."

"I hear the same happened to Sweetie Belle." Shining nodded. "I want to tell you their side to see if it jogs anything." Shining flipped open his notepad. "May I?"

Skyfall sat back and closed his eyes. "Yes."





The Abduction





"And then, boom! The display case fell over!" Button Mash cheered as he retold his tale of saving Pumpkin Cake from certain doom. 

"You know if you keep doing risky stuff like that, you'll get hurt." Sweetie Belle mumbled, her nose buried in a book she borrowed from Cheerilee.

Button Mash shifted nervously. "I know. Rumble thought it was a bad idea too."

"He thinks everything is a bad idea." Silver Spoon mumbled after blowing a bubble with her gum.

"Do not!"

"But it was awesome!" Pipsqueak said. "There was glass everywhere, and the Cakes were grateful."

"Scootaloo, what do you think of it?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Hm?"

"Are you okay?" Diamond put her hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder. "You've been distracted lately."

"Y-Yeah." Scootaloo smiled weakly. 

Diamond opened her mouth to call her out on the lie, but Silver Spoon nudged her and shook her head. "If she doesn't want to talk about it, then leave her be."

"But..." Diamond tried to protest. She could tell her friend needed someone and leaving her alone in silence may have been the worst thing for her, but pushing it wouldn't make matters better either. "Okay."

"What are ya starin' at, Mash?" Apple Bloom asked a suddenly stiff Button Mash.

"Twist. Those fillies are about to walk into the Everfree with Twist." Button Mash looked back to the others. "The Everfree is off limits, you remember what the guardsponies said when they went door to door last week."

"Twist? I haven't seen her in a few days. Twist!" Apple Bloom called out, soon followed by the other foals. "Stop, what are you doing?"

"Who are those three?" Silver Spoon asked before she continued calling out.

"Why isn't she listening?" Diamond Tiara asked.

The foals watched idly as Twist and the three foals walked into the forest without so much as even looking their way.

"We have to go get her!" Button Mash shouted towards Pipsqueak and Rumble. "You two and me will run in after them and you five go to get the guards."

"Nu-uh, she's our friend too!" Apple Bloom shouted, cheered on by Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

Rumble rose his shaky hoof. "Me, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon will get the guard."

Button Mash smacked his forehead with his hoof. "Fine, we need to hurry!"

The five foals charged into the Everfree without so much as a second thought to save their friend. It was easy enough to pick up the trail, Twist had a sweet scent to her and the tracks were fresh. 

"Where are they? It's been like five minutes!" Scootaloo yelled, slightly out of breath.

"I think I see them up ahead!" Pipsqueak yelled back.

The foals burst into a small clearing and marched towards Twist. Her back was turned and the three fillies faces were being obscured with matted, black hair. They each gave a wide smile, one had wings while another had a horn showing they belonged to one of the three tribes.

"Twist, you know the forest is off limits!" Sweetie Belle called.

After a moment of silence, Apple Bloom stepped forward. "Twist, come on. If we go now, no one gets in trouble, we'll just say it was a misunderstanding."

"There's no misunderstanding." One of the fillies stated. 

"It’s all according to plan." Another filly said

"She played her part, now for the next step." The last filly chided.

"Who are you three?" Scootaloo scoffed.

"Trapped. Snared. Cornered." The three called out in order before becoming one voice and giving a curtsy. "At your service."

"Although."

"That won't matter."

"None of this will." The three called individually.

"This is really creepy, guys." Button's commented. "These twins are making my hair stand on end."

"Yeah, but-" Scootaloo caught a paw to the side of her body throwing her against a tree, knocking her unconscious.

"Scootaloo!" The foals called out, unable to move at the sight of a large Timberwolf walking out of the bushes. Before long, they were surrounded by the hulking, wooden wolves. 

"What's the meaning of this?" Sweetie demanded.

"A worm doesn't know the purpose of the hook." The fillies replied in unison. 

Timberwolves grabbed the squealing foals, carrying them kicking and screaming into the black cave.





Present





"And that's where they waited until a large being claiming to be Shattered Skies supposedly showed up, followed by the real Shattered Skies who allowed them to escape."

'Finally, a chance to up talk myself' "Seems like this Forest Spirit saved the day." Skyfall smirked crossing his hooves. 'Maybe if I can have more good press like this, I can start to change my rep-'

"I think it's his fault." Shining said firmly.

'...and it’s gone.' "How so?"

"Gut feeling." Shining flipped a few more pages in his notebook. "We've sworn the families to secrecy regarding the incident. The first incident was handled poorly, and the information got out before we could suppress it."

"However" Shining tapped his hoof thoughtfully. "This case bothers me."

"Because Spirits are involved?" Skyfall asked.

"Spirits?" Shining asked pointedly. "Who told you there were more than one?"

"I recently read a book on Spirits." Skyfall said, looking slightly annoyed.

"R-Right." Shining coughed, he didn't mean to sound accusative.

"Relax, Shining Armor. I'm a recluse, not a superior." Skyfall mused. "If it helps, share what you want about the case. I may be able to help and enlighten you about grey areas I may know about."

Shining nodded. "Well, we have hit a dead end."

With a few more flips of his notepad, Shining stopped and gulped. "That night a month ago, we went to find Twist's parents, but the house had been empty for about a week. No forced entry, no signs of struggle, nothing." Shining shifted in his seat. "Yesterday morning, we found the parents and the lost filly, Twist. They were in a cave to the North, very dehydrated and malnourished. They appeared dead, but when the Mdical Examiner looked them over, he found that they were in a deep trance that took the Princess to break. They're in Canterlot for rehabilitation."

"They're alive, good." Skyfall let out a relieved sigh before rubbing his temples. "Soul Stopping."

"Yes." Shining said solemnly.

"Necromancy."

A thump was heard from outside the door.

"Huh?" 

"Did you have a copy of the Medical report?" Skyfall asked quietly.

"Yeah, I copied them down." Shining said. "Why are you whispering?"

"We have a couple of eavesdroppers." Skyfall chuckled. "May I see your note?"

Skyfall mumbled to himself. "Dilated pupils, Slugish, approximately eight days. All of this in addition to smoldering runes. Yep, necromancy."

Shining started laughing. "C'mon Skyfall, that's from foal's books. And even if it was, necromancy is is for-" Shining swallowed hard. "The dead, isn't it?"

His laughter slowed to a low chuckle when he saw Skyfall's face. 

"Right?"

Taking a slow breath, Skyfall pointed to a bookcase on the wall opposite the one the girls were looking through. "Third shelf from the bottom, second book from the left."

The book ignited with purple light and levitated over to Shining. The book was old and weighed a ton. "What is this?"

"It's a history book from the Griffon Empire. It's an antique, so be careful. Turn to page 394."

"Wereponies?"

"Whoops, sorry. Turn to page 349."

"Flesh golem?"

"If what the Medical report says is true, then what you're dealing with is a real monster." 'I can't believe I'm saying this' "I suggest you tell the Princesses as soon as you can."

The seriousness in Skyfall's eyes and the gut feeling he had prompted in Shining caused him to get up and start walking. "Thank you, Skyfall. It's been a pleasure talking to you, and I hope to talk with you again."

Skyfall bowed slightly as Shining exited, passing his sister and her friends.

"Y'know, for a guy that wants to stay uninvolved. You stick your nose in pretty far." Nimbus uttered from the doorway.

"Sometimes I can't help it." 

"You still haven't told me what happened in that cave."

Skyfall looked over to Nimbus, his same smug attitude present as he leaned on the door jamb.

Sky bit his lip. "I'm going out."

"Yeah, whatever." Nimbus chuckled as he turned to walk back to him room.

As Skyfall marched down the stairs, everyone stopped and stared at him, but he trotted out the door without saying a word to anyone. His signature scarf was forgotten on the coat rack.

"What's his problem?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I hope it wasn't something we did." Rarity muttered in worry.

"It's none of your faults." Nimbus called from the top banister. "I've known him for a long time. He's a calm guy and runs to clear his head. If he's running, then it's cause there's something he can't figure out."

Nimbus stared directly into Shining's eyes.

"Well, hopefully it isn't too bad." Rarity chirped.

"Eh, world's probably falling apart again." Nimbus mumbled, levitating a book behind him as he walked away. 

"Well, ah get like that mahself from time to time. Sometimes, ah just want to run and run until ah'm plumb tuckered out." Applejack said approvingly. "At least there's a Pegasus who knows how to run, right Rainbow?" 

After a moment of silence. "Rainbow?"

"I think she flew after him." Pinkie said from the doorway while wearing aviators and a flight jacket.





Skyfall slowed his gallop to a halt as he reached the top of the hill that overlooked Ponyville. He sighed happily as his run was completed without stopping, a feat he was unable to accomplish until earlier in the week. He sat for a few minutes to enjoy the sunset before continuing his run. The sounds of wings flapping and leaves bustling were easily heard from his location.

"Hey!" A voice called from behind him.

"What's up Rainbow?" Skyfall asked without looking. 

"I wanna talk." 

"We can talk and trot." Skyfall mumbled and stopped abruptly when Rainbow landed harshly in front of him.

"Stop." Rainbow ordered quietly before growling. "Please."

"Fine. What's up?" Skyfall took deep breaths to stop his panting. "And why couldn't this have been done earlier?"

Rainbow looked away from Sky., She bit her lip and mumbled to herself inaudibly. 

"Rainbow?" Sky called. After a seconds of no response, Sky poked her wing. "Rainbow Dash."

"I j-just wanted to see if you were okay, I mean that's what friends do right?" Rainbow asked, still unable to look at Skyfall. "And I might have wanted to ask you something."

"Thanks for the sentiment, but I'm fine." Skyfall reassured.

"Then why do you look miserable?" Rainbow looked into Skyfall's eyes. "Everytime I see you, you're never excited about anything. Is it Ponyville that's making you unhappy?"

"Where is this coming from?" Skyfall asked, completely confused. "If you mean the incident a month ago, I've moved on-"

"No." Rainbow shook her head. "You never smile."

"Yes I do." Sky said questioningly.

"No, you don't" Rainbow asserted. "I'll give it to you, you're a good faker."

"Rainbow, really, everything’s fine." Skyfall chuckled as he passed her only to find that leaving wasn't an option.

"You have friends and family, Skyfall. You can tell us."  Rainbow put her hoof on his chest. "Me."

"There ya are." Applejack said from the treeline as her and the group exited. "We were wonderin' where ya two ran off to."

"Why does Skyfall look so mad?" Pinkie Pie asked.

Rainbow grew a little worried at Skyfall's scowl and she drew her hoof away slowly.

"Ms. Dash, I appreciate the sentiment, but really, I'm fine." Skyfall hurriedly walked away from Rainbow and past the group of ponies, abandoning his run.

After a moment passed, Rarity approached Rainbow slightly upset. "What did you say to him?"

"Nothing!" Rainbow placated. "He got mad for no reason."

Rainbow saw the questioning looks her friends were giving her. "All I said was that he has friends and family and that he can rely on us."

Twilight brought a hoof to her mouth, a gesture that everyone missed, except Cadance.

"It's okay, I'll go talk to him." Cadance said sweetly.

"It's getting late, Cadance. Are you sure you want to go?" Shining asked. "I can go with you."

"It's fine, Shiny. There's been something on my mind that I need to speak with him about." Cadance patted Shining Armor on the head and turned away to catch Skyfall. 

"What do you think that was about?" Twilight asked her brother, noticing his unease with the situation as he stared at his wife trotting after another stallion.





"You okay?" Sif asked from the doorway. "You look like you want to hurt someone."

"Yes, actually." Skyfall grumbled as he walked past Sif. 

Sif noticed Cadance trotting up the house and kept the door open, knowing she would probably let herself inside anyways.

"Thank you, Crescent." Cadance smiled as she trotted past her and into the kitchen.

"Cadance?" 

"Yep, you looked mad so I thought I'd come and get your mind off of whatever’s bothering you." 

Skyfall shook his head, she was one of the few ponies he couldn't get mad at. He noticed Sif walk into the kitchen and open the fridge, before bumping Cadance with her butt. "What do you want, Princess?"

"You can call me Cadance, Crescent." Cadance smiled. "And I'll have some of Skyfall's tea."

"I can make tea!" Crescent said indignantly. "Skyfall, tell her I can make tea!"

"She can follow directions." Skyfall said. "If you want to, you can make some to prove her wrong."

Sif smiled and retrieved the tea kettle.

"I'll be in my study." 

"Can I come?" Cadance asked.

Skyfall turned, wanting to say no, but her large, purple eyes stole any resistance he had. "Fine, I know you’ll follow me either way."

Cadance silently cheered and trotted past him and up the stairs.

"This is going to be a long night.”
> Chapter 13 -Happenings-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Happenings-



Big Mac looked at the train schedule held in his hooves. Having arrived early to the station, he decided to take a seat and wait. In the more private moments of his life, Big Mac slipped into deep thought, often leading ponies to think he was either shy or just plain dumb. 

Selling apples for a living could be a taxing practice. Some days the apples outsell the stock and on others they go to waste. In short it was a very unstable business that solely depended on the appetite of the customer base on any given day. For generations, the Apple family sold their namesake and have gone so far as to export to major  cities seeking the 'organic' label in exchange for charging a premium.

A hefty sigh escaped the stallion's lips as he shifted on his bench.

The Apples were born into their lives knowing they would be bound to a farm and that fate was sealed when they received their cutie marks. Big Mac clearly remembered the day Applejack left the farm to go to Manehatten. He had rested his head on Granny Smith as his dear sister shrunk into the distance. The gesture wasn’t founded out of worry, but rather it was Big Mac trying to hide his anger. Anger over how he was stuck on that farm and anger because since the age of ten, he was perpetually the rock for his sisters to lean on for support of any form.

Big Mac held up his hoof and examined it, scars and cracks criss-crossed the hardened skin underneath the fur.

The life of a farm pony was one many Earth ponies were restricted to. Due to their genetic disposition, the only other primary option was a guard in the Equestrian military, something Big Mac knew he could never do because of his familial responsibilities. As a guard, he could sent his bits home, but then his sisters would have to manage the orchard without him. No matter how you sliced it, Applejack was not a one-mare workforce, and with Granny Smith in retirement and Apple Bloom being in school, the farm wouldn’t survive long without him.

Big Mac had been in deep thought for so long that he missed the train whistle and the ponies offloading the train. He stared at a spot on the floor until two claws wrapped around his neck.

"Deep in thought again?"

Big Mac shook himself from his daze. "H-Hey, Gilda."

"Hay’s for ponies." Gilda said as she hugged Big Mac, her feathers bristling as he returned the awkward side hug. "What were you thinking about?"

"Oh, nothing." Big Mac rested his head on Gilda's, earning weird glances from passing ponies. "Just the usual."

Gilda traced her claw on Mac's neck. "It's cute when you lie."

"Ah didn't lie." Big Mac said before she placed her claw on his lips.

"You were thinking about me in a bikini, weren't you?"

Big Mac gave a breathy laugh. "Guilty."

Gilda shivered suddenly and started panting, startling Big Mac. 

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I've been a little sick lately." Gilda said weakly. "I'm hungry too, so food would be nice."

"You want to go to The Hayburger?"

"They still got meat?" Gilda asked.

"Eeyup." 

"Good, cause I'm going to shove my face into the biggest meat I can find, your treat." Gilda tickled Big Mac's ear with her long lion's tail, making him as stiff as a board. "If you like, we could just skip the meal and go straight to dessert."

Gilda looked at Big Mac closely. "Ugh, your red coat makes it so hard to see if you're blushing."

After a quiet moment, Gilda kissed Mac on the cheek. "Come on, lover boy."

"G-Gilda, what about keepin' our relationship a secret?" Big Mac asked. "Ya said it'd be best for now."

"Eh, I'm horrible at it and Rainbow Dash knows about us." Gilda sighed. "Plus, it's a little late for secrets."

'What does that mean?' Big Mac thought as he caught up to his girlfriend. "How is the rebuilding going?"

"It's going great, daddy found some good help to rebuild the kingdom. As of last month, the last remnants of the divided kingdoms were swept away and united under one banner. In short, there is now only one king."

"Your father." Big Mac gulped. "Does he know about me?"

"No."

Big Mac nodded and looked at the ground as he walked.

"Not on purpose, Mackie, I just haven't told him because he is in meetings all the time. Though, there are members of daddy's court that know about you, like Horizon." Gilda chirped.

"Who's that? That doesn't sound like a Griffin name." 

"He is the Captain of the Yellow Squadron, and you're right. He's a pony. He saved my dad a few times and he trusts him with my life, so I guess he earned his place amongst the Griffins somehow." Gilda hummed lightly. "Daddy never tells me about his private life. Grandmother says it's for a reason, but I hate secrets. That's why I'm terrible at keeping them."

"So, how long are ya stayin' in Ponyville this time?" 

Gilda gave Big Mac a weak smile. "I thought I would stay for a good while, I'm not sure how long."

"Well, ah'm more than happy to hear that." Big Mac smiled. 

"Your sister won't be." 

"What makes ya say that?" Mac asked, only to have Gilda's claw push his face forward. "Applejack?"

"Hey there, Big Mac. Gilda." Applejack scowled from her booth.

"Hey, Applejack." Gilda deadpanned. She ruffled her feathers and sighed as she stared back at the apple farmer. "Is there a reason you're scowling at me?"

"There a reason ya got yer tail around my brother?"

Big Mac stepped between the two of them and glared at Applejack, clearly tired of her antics. "There is something we gotta discuss later, and this time we will finish our talk."

"You ain't tellin' me squat, Big Mac." Applejack huffed and stormed away from her stand.

"Get back here, Applejack! Y’all got customers to take care of!" Big Mac shouted. He knew she left and stuck him with the stall. As long as it didn't hurt anything, Applejack would often let her temper take over and remove herself from little spats like the one she just had. 

Big Mac turned to Gilda, with his mouth open like a fish. "I'm sorry, Gilda, I can't leave mah family’s stall unattended."

"It's okay, Mackie." Gilda patted her red farmer on his behind. "This way I can watch you work those big. Strong. Sweaty. Muscles." Gilda punctuated every word with a claw tap on Big Mac's legs.

Big Mac rose an eyebrow and leaned closer to his lover. "Well, if ya want to see me work, I can go slow and give you the proper instruction."

"Make sure to be thorough, sometimes I need a good workout." Gilda pecked at Big Mac's ear. "If you think you can handle it."

"A-hem."

The interruption snapped Big Mac and Gilda from their flirting.

"S-Skyfall?"

Skyfall deadpanned, avoiding looking in either of their directions. Big Mac was awestruck and Gilda was clearly embarrassed if the claw covering her face was anything to go by.

"I can explain."

"No need... Mackie." Skyfall lightly teased. "I know flirting when I see it."

Big Mac sat silently, a war raging inside him. Gilda didn't like keeping their relationship a secret, but many ponies wouldn't understand. He was left with the options of; telling ponies and risking the family business being affected, or keeping it a secret and risking Gilda being upset. His silence was shattered by Skyfall's deep laugh.

"You're an odd stallion, Big Mac. Introduce me to your mate."

Big Mac smiled, an invisible weight falling from his shoulders from another's unconditional acceptance. He coughed to clear his throat. "Skyfall, this is Gilda, my... er...  marefriend."

Skyfall took Gilda's outstretched claw, but didn't shake it. "It's been some time since I last met a Griffin, especially one so fierce."

Gilda's expression lightened. "I see you aren't all talk, big guy. Most ponies lie about meeting Griffins and fail at the compliments."

"I spent some time in Griffin lands, and I made it a point to learn the customs." Skyfall said happily.

Gilda nodded before bitterly adding. "Then that makes three ponies."

Skyfall sensed the tension and shrugged off the remark. He knew there was tension between the nations, but first meetings aren't a place for politics. "I knew Big Mac was seeing somebody, but a Griffin? It fits."

"How'd ya know?" Big Mac asked. "And how does it fit?"

"You sigh a lot whenever I see you, and you space out while looking at letters when you think ponies can't see you." Skyfall said matter of factly. "And you're quiet, you need someone to... what was it- work those big, strong, sweaty, muscles?"

Gilda was trying to keep her laughter down while Big Mac avoided eye contact with Skyfall.

"In any case, I'm happy for you two. We'll have to have you over for dinner some time, I need the company." Skyfall placed some bits on the table. "Thirty Gala apples."

Big Mac retrieved the apples and bagged them as he tried to continue the conversation. "Ah thought you and that white mare were a thing."

"Sif?"

"I thought her name was Crescent?" Big Mac asked.

Skyfall shook his head. "It's actually Sif, but you know who else shares that name."

Big Mac nodded. "Right now, I wouldn't wanna be associated with that either, ah can't blame her." Big Mac nuzzled Gilda. "So, you're sayin' you're single?"

"And not looking, yes." Skyfall stated, crossing another item from his list before someone shoved him. "Sif?"

Skyfall and Sif held a quiet meeting as Gilda and Big Mac talked. 

"Who are these two?" Gilda asked.

"They moved here a few months ago." Big Mac said before adding. "They like to keep to themselves and have few friends, but they're good ponies. "

Gilda nodded, this must be the stallion Rainbow Dash vented about in her letters.

Skyfall turned to the couple. "I'm sorry you two, something has come up and I must see to it."

"Nothing serious ah hope." 

"No, just a small mess." Skyfall added before trotting off towards his house.

"Well that's good." Big Mac hummed.

Gilda sat and looked over to Big Mac. "Want to do something special tonight?"

"Like what?"

"I want to relax in the forest with you, doing nothing but watching the stars." Gilda having obviously planned something. Unfortunately, Big Mac had to shoot her down.

"We can't."

"And why not?" Gilda's question was brimming with sass. 

Big Mac stepped away from the stall and brought Gilda close. "The forest has been off limits for months. Remember, a while back Shattered Skies was spotted and saved some foals including mah sister-"

"And they restricted it cause he saved foals?" Gilda asked.

"Yes, but-"

"I think it's just paranoia, sweetie. Plus, we're just going to walk in the forest, not destroy it." Gilda added. "My father's advisor told me not to worry about him and just to respect his forest."

Big Mac looked into Gilda's eyes, she was set on spending time with him. "Fine, for you."

Big Mac turned and looked back. "But we gotta keep it secret, okay?"

Gilda pursed her beak and zipped it. "My beak is sealed, lover boy."





"Okay, so tell me again. Why are they tearing down my trees?" Skies groaned as he flew through the forest towards the badlands to the east. Sif had rushed to the market to inform her master that Diamond Dogs were invading the forests until they met her and her kin.

"They need them to stick into tunnel walls to keep them from caving in." Sif said. 

"Did you kill any of them?" Skies asked.

"No, but they almost died of fright."

"I'm guessing you and your pack haven't been in Equestria for a while?" Shattered asked.

"No, we've been in the plains and mountains outside the reach."

Skies nodded and slowed to a walk as he exited the forest. He saw where the Dogs uprooted the trees and where they were cutting them down into pillars. Their work area was between a small mountain and the Everfree, the entry to their tunnel clearly visible in the side of the mountain. Wolves were walking in and out of the large bore that glowed from a fire within. 

Quiet ran up Shattered Skies and bowed. "It's good to see you, m'lord."

"Quiet, I haven't seen you in some time. How have you been?" Skies’ cheery mood uplifted the wolf's spirit.

"I've been scouting the lands near Canterlot, m'lord." Quiet rose when Skies tapped her shoulder. "Lady Sif rotated us so we don't get complacent."

"Wonder who taught her that?" Skies chuckled as he walked and glanced at Sif. "Now, Quiet, tell me what is going on."

Quiet took a deep shaky breath. "Earlier this morning on one of our kin's routes, we heard the chopping of wood. We checked up on it, and saw that Diamond Dogs were destroying the forest with no offering whatsoever."

"Really? And what did they do when they were confronted?"

"They dropped their tools and backed away before they were herded into the group you now see in the center of the plain." Quiet pointed to the group in the distance. "Sif asked them some questions and they requested to speak with you."

"Oh?" Skies asked. "Well, let us not keep our captive audience waiting."

Shattered Skies pretended not to notice, but the instant he exited the treeline, all the Diamond Dogs stared at him. He stopped a few feet from the supposed leader and looked down, with a look of contempt. The leader looked up and gave a defeated sigh. Skies looked him over, observing the leader’s golden groomed coat, graying trimmed muzzle, and jeweled collar. 

"First." Skies said, making all the dogs except the leader wince in fear. "I am not here to destroy you."

"No one said you were going to destroy us." The lead dog gruffed out, trying to sound respectful.

"No, but you were thinking it." Shattered Skies said firmly, having seen that look long enough to know it instantly. "I am here to know why you are destroying trees I planted over a millennia ago."

"Like I told yer giant fanged companion, we need them to keep our ceilings up."

Skies raised an eyebrow. "What is your name?"

The older Diamond Dog stood on his hind legs. "I am Chance Iron-paw, 46th in my name and leader of my clan. Or what's left of it, rather."

"Iron-paw?" Skies repeated. "I knew the first 26 of your namesake, your clan has made offerings to me in the past, why not now?"

"We have nothing to give but our lives and our gems." Chance said, his long golden coat standing on end. "The forest is too dangerous to live in and other nations drove us to these badlands. Even the Equestrian soldiers have taken to offering us protection for payment."

Skies figured the last bit of Chance's statement meant extortion and not actual protection. "Do you go to see Princess Celestia or Princess Luna?"

"We can't even get into Canterlot." Chance said quietly. "Let alone plead our case. I doubt she even knows we're here."

"And what of your living conditions?" 

Chance looked to Shattered Skies cloven hooves. "Deplorable."

Skies turned to look at Quiet who nodded, confirming Chance's answer. He looked back to the Diamond Dog and lowered his head to meet Chance's gaze. "Show me."

Without another word, Chance turned and led the Forest Spirit towards the mountain. The walk was brief, but the short distance didn't blunt the impact of what Skies saw.

The mountain that the Diamond Dogs called home was hollowed out and looked like a strip mine as the chasm went both up and down in levels. Families of Dogs sat in front of their run down homes that were bore into the walls as Sif's wolves walked around from place to place checking for possible dangers.

Only one hole in the ceiling allowed for natural light, the rest was done with torches that filled the cavern with a burnt, smoldering smell. In the center of the destitute mine sat an obelisk with paws etched into its sides.

"Good to see that Diamond Dogs can still make impressive feats underground." Skies mused.

"Thank you for the compliment, m'lord." Chance said. "But this used to be an iron deposit and our kind were forced to dig it out, we made it like this as a tribute to the ones we lost."

"How many?"

"A little over a thousand, we lost a third of our population making this mine."

"I heard fairly recent, that Diamond Dogs attacked some ponies that the Princess watches over." Skies referenced the Elements, trying not to be too specific.

Chance growled at the reference, causing two wolves to turn and growl back before Skies shooed them away. 

"You growl. Why?" Skies asked.

"Those Dogs misrepresent our kind. They belong to a thuggish group of barbarians that do nothing but lick each other's butts and eat their own puke."

"There's good and bad in all walks of life." Skies said monotonously.

"Yes, m'lord, but we suffer for it." Chance added and pointed to a cart of bodies covered in dirty, blood stained rags. "When they enslave ponies, the ponies come for us and seek retribution by stealing gems. When we fight back, we lose. We aren't fighters, m'lord."

"I know. You create, you forge." Skies walked towards the exit and waved for Chance to follow. "The ponies that attacked you, were they guards?"

"No."

"Families of the ponies that were enslaved?"

"No, m'lord."

"Then mercenaries." Skies stated.

"We aren't sure." Chance said, walking on all fours next to Skies.

"It was mercenaries, whoever is attacking you wants you scared. Otherwise you would have been driven out or worse."

As Skies made his exit, he stopped by a family of Diamond Dogs. The family was made up of varying breeds, but all belonging to shepherds. The youngest pup was standing on her father's shoulders, trying to see the Forest Spirit.

"Lina, get down!" The father scolded.

"But dad!" Lina whined.

Skies stopped and nodded at Chance to bring the family over. Within seconds, the family walked over to Skies and bowed in respect, except Lina who limped pitifully and stared in awe at Shattered Skies glowing golden eyes.

"Is this the first time you've seen a Spirit, Lina?" Skies asked.

"You know my name?" Lina's mouth continued to hang open.

"Yes." Skies patted Lina on the head, making her giggle. Up until that point, the family had been extremely tense, but the youngest pups giggles tore the daunting image Skies brought. He bopped Lina on the nose. "I hope to be seeing more of you all."

Shattered Skies smiled at the family and turned to continue out of the dreary hole followed closely by Chance. 

"What happens now, m'lord?"

"You're moving out of this hole." Skies said, an edge of anger clear in his voice.

Chance's fur ruffled and he squeezed his eyes shut. Unseen to him, Skies waved away Sif's wolves that rose in retaliation. "I'm sorry, m'lord, but there isn't anywhere else suitable to go. The north will freeze us to death and any closer to a pony civilization will be met with our end."

"Is that your final decision?"

"It is, m'lord, I must defy you if it means the end of us." Chance opened his eyes and looked into Skies' piercing gaze.

"Good." Skies said and nodded to Sif.

"Good?" 

"Yes. You're selfless when it comes to your people." Skies sat down and lifted Chance's head. "I know what they say about me. If you can stand up to who you believe is a soul eating monster, then you're a good Dog."

"You said the Everfree was too dangerous right?" 

Chance nodded.

"How about this?" Skies grabbed a stick and started drawing in the rough, chalky dirt. "I will allow you safe passage to a mountain range near the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. You can build yourselves a new home to live in, safe from invasion. Clear out the trees in front of where you make your entrance and use it for your tunnels."

"And in return?" Chance asked hesitantly.

"Twenty percent of what you dig up." Skies said nonchalantly.

"Deal." Chance held a shaky paw in front of him, the desperation clear on his face. With a firm shake, Skies watched Chance turn and chanter into his den.

"You sure this is a good idea?" Sif asked.

"Yes." Skies said. "The Everfree scares the ponies, but it can be home to them."

"I heard how you melted in that pup's paws." Sif prodded playfully.

Skies smirked. "Yeah, I'm a sucker for cute pups. Though her cuteness isn't what got me."

"Oh, then what was it?"

"She was missing a leg, I noticed it when she limped over." Skies said calmly, a quiet rage filling him. "If a new home in a scary forest keeps them safe, then who am I to deny them that?"

A thunderous roar and howl echoed from the cave. 

"I'm guessing they approve?" Skies asked no one as he glanced at Sif. "I'll clear the way, give them an escort every fifty feet or so."

Sif hummed. "Yes sir, Mr. Pushover."

Sif stood and waited for Chance as he lead the families out of the mine. The Dogs were ready in a matter of minutes, and carried their belongings in small bags, showing how little they truly had. 

Chance bowed. "After you, Lady Sif."

Sif rolled her eyes and walked into the forest as the Diamond Dogs ooh'd and aah'd at the trees moving to accommodate their large group size. She stopped and looked back at the hesitant dogs as one limping dog bounced past her into the forest. 

"Lina, get back here!" 

Lina was scruffed by large fanged jaws and placed on a furry bed, or so she thought.

Sif smiled at her. "This will go faster if you just take a seat and enjoy the ride."





As the day went on, an emergency meeting was called at Twilight's castle to join the princesses, Elements, and key members of the royal court for a reason Twilight had yet to piece together.

"I'm sorry for the sudden meeting, everypony." Princess Celestia said as she strode into Twilight's map room followed by her assistant, Raven. "I have received some horrible news and I felt it appropriate to share with you immediately."

The Elements looked at one another before looking back to their Princess. Twilight swallowed hard and closed her eyes. "We're ready, Princess Celestia."

Celestia's horn glowed. The table came to life, but instead of the Equestrian map being visible, it only showed Ponyville and its surrounding lands. She summoned tiles and placed on the table. "Captain Fury."

"Thank you, Princess." Fury stepped forward, the red color of his coat radiating across the room. "Before I start, your highness, where are your other advisors?"

Celestia smiled as her assistant, Raven, shot up and whispered to her. "Faithful is tending to some dignitaries, River Bend is holding a meeting with the three trading guilds, and I'm not sure where Graves is. As for the rest of the court, we're all present."

Twilight turned her head as she tried to listen closer. 

"Something interesting you, Princess Twilight?" Fury asked sternly.

Twilight smiled sheepishly. "Just curious."

"Just like you, Shining Armor." Fury glanced over to the old Captain of the Guard as he looked over the map. He smirked and rapped his hooves on the stone surface.

"It's good to know all your information before going in, isn't that right, Fury?"

Fury scoffed. "We all don't have the luxury, nor the familial ties to make one's self a prince."

Shining scowled at Fury's obnoxious comment, but Applejack dropped her hoof onto the table.

"Colts, you're both pretty, but ah think we're here for something."

Fury looked to his Princess before being shooed to continue. "Right, I'll cut the fat. We have reason to believe that Shattered Skies has made his first major move."

The map changed locations to a small mountain between the badlands and the Everfree, everything was normal until Fury was given a small black crystal. When he placed it on the table, it reacted by humming loudly as it changed the image to show smaller figured standing still.

"Earlier today, Shattered Skies and his wolf companions overtook a Diamond Dog mine before forcing them into the Everfree."

"Do we know what his aim is?" Shining Armor asked, looking at all the information as it was given to him. He spent years as a royal officer, studying many subjects, but no subject more than military strategy.

"He's either building an army or he just marched them to their deaths. All his wolves have to eat somehow." 

Princess Celestia looked at the figure that represented Shattered Skies, but she wasn't the only one. Luna too looked at the figure of Shattered Skies, but unlike the silent rage Celestia held, she felt sorrow. Sorrow for an advisor, a mentor, and a friend.

"Has anypony tried talking to him?" Luna asked.

Before the cacophony of snide remarks erupted about the Forest Spirit, Twilight rose her hoof. "I did when we met him in the castle ruins."

"And what did he say Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight levitated a notebook that she had brought with her looked inside for the right information. "He said that everything that was said about him is a lie and that after that day we should never enter his forest again."

Captain Fury scoffed. "Blatant lying, does he think we're that stupid?"

Luna sat in silence, prompting Fury to continue. "After our setback at the ruins, we can't rely on the Elements anymore."

The instant Fury finished, all of the elements sprang up in protest, except Fluttershy who rebelled by protesting silently and Pinkie Pie who was fighting her tea time.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Rarity sputtered. 

"Yeah, what are ya sayin'? That we ain't reliable?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, what's your problem!" Rainbow shouted.

Twilight just looked her mentor with teary eyes, a feeling of failure racking her body. "Princess, are you saying we aren't allowed to help? That I'm not allowed to help?"

Celestia smiled. "That isn't what I'm saying Twilight. This is actually my fault, I was foolish to believe that the Elements would seal Shattered Skies. Artifacts like the Elements are hard to understand, he may have discovered how to disable them long ago." 

Twilight remembered how confused she was when the Elements failed to ignite and tried desperately to understand where they went wrong, even going as far as to use them on dark magic crystals. In the end, she couldn't wrap her mind around why they failed, no one could. Everyone except Rainbow was worried, she chalked it up to it being a fluke before declaring their victory the next time they met.

"Well, they sealed Discord, didn't they?" Rainbow asked. 

Twilight perked up at Rainbow's question. "Speaking of which, where is he? I bet he could find Shattered Skies in no time, they're both Spirits."

"Discord has very little to say about the subject." Princess Celestia said bitterly.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." A draconequus body lanced through the room shortly before Discord rested on the root like chandelier to Twilight map room. "I could talk about him all day long, I just don't want to."

"And why is that, because it's fun to watch us panic?" Rarity deadpanned.

"No." Discord's uncharacteristically firm tone drew the eyes of the room as he levitated to the table. "I could tell you everything I know and you wouldn't be any closer to catching him."

"Personal experience?" Rainbow goaded.

Discord's claw ran down his his stomach to a thick patch of fur and with one glide upward, revealed a small scar four inches wide. "Personal experience, my dear."

The room fell silent and was broken by Discord's cough. He turned to Celestia who simply stared back. "I will offer my words again. You should leave him alone and stop pursuing him. It will only end poorly."

With that, Discord disappeared back into his dimension.

"He has been spending more time there lately." Fluttershy said to no one.

Fury grabbed the unit tiles and started placing them in key locations. "Alright, we're setting up posts at these locations to keep a lookout for any forest activity. Once we find his lair, we'll reconvene to make a plan of action."

Shining nodded in acceptance. "And until the time comes when we do?"

A neat pile of scrolls was placed before the Crystal Prince.

"We'll be bolstering the guard here in Ponyville." Fury groaned. "It isn't the wisest, but it's what's been agreed upon."

"That's right." The Mayor said quietly. "We can't expect to uproot the entire village and turn it into a fortress, like you so eloquently suggested."

"Ponyville has, is, and always will be a hotspot for trouble." Fury pulled a large scroll from the pile that sat in front of Shining Armor and read through it. "Nightmare Moon, Discord, Tirek, Shmooze, The Trotting Dead. You name it, and it's been to Ponyville."

Fury took a deep breath and scowled. "Not to mention home to the Elements of Harmony, the tree where they came from, and one of Equestria's own Princesses. Had it not been for this fact, I would relocate and raze this region. No more problems."

"Captain Fury!" Celestia snapped.

Fury bowed. "One thousand apologies my grace, but it is how I feel. To me it is the most direct and effective course of action. Not to say I will do my job of protecting this place any less."

"A little more restraint in your words would be appreciated. I support free speech, but insensitivity can hurt just as much as a strike." Celestia chided.

"Understood, your grace."

Cadance placed her hoof on the table. "Captain Fury, you mentioned you'll be bolstering the Ponyville guard?"

"Yes, Princess."

"What does that mean exactly?" Cadance asked hesitantly.

"It means that we will set up a small fort and bring in a garrison to watch over the area. We'll also take anypony wanting to take up arms against this monster to form their own division of the guard.." Fury smirked. "Don't you worry, Princess, we're going to destroy that Spirit and you'll be back in your empire before you know it."

Cadance gave a half-hearted chuckled. "Right... my empire."

"Raven, give Shining Armor the lists." Fury commanded and watched her do so. "Shining Armor, you've spent more time among the ponies here than I have. Are there any ponies you would recommend we talk to for becoming a guard?"

Shining had been staring at his wife whose mood tanked after hearing about them leaving Ponyville. He sat until Captain Fury said his name louder and with more authority. 

"Shining Armor."

"Huh?" Shining shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "Sorry, repeat what you said."

"Like I said, you've spent more time among the ponies here than I have. Are they any ponies you would recommend we talk to for becoming a guard?" Fury said once more, but slower and more loudly.

Shining didn't miss Fury's tone. Engaging Fury in a battle of temper was futile, so he let it go. "I have a few ponies in mind that would do well as officers."

"Excellent, names?" Fury asked.

"Yes, I would like to know as well." Princess Celestia turned to Shining Armor, a thoughtful expression on her face. "The ponies of Ponyville have always been peaceful, who do you believe could lead the guard?"

"Lead, no one. I only have candidates for officers, Princess." Shining Armor flipped through his notepad. "Star Hunter, Doseydotes, and Thorn receive and relay orders really well, Bulk Biceps is huge and would be a valuable guard, and Crafty Crate as a possible quartermaster."

Rainbow Dash watched as Shining flipped his booklet shut. "Hey, why aren't I in there?"

Fury answered for Shining. "You're an Element. We can't afford to lose you in a possible skirmish."

"What about Skyfall?" Applejack asked.

"What about him?" Shining tried to hide his scowl when Cadance perked at another stallion's name.

"He wasn't on yer list and he faced a bunch of Timberwolves twice since he's been here." Applejack offered to the mixed reception of the room. "Asking is at least worth a try." 

"I have heard a lot from Twilight about this stallion." Celestia said calmly. "I was quite surprised when I received a return letter from him. The only other letters I receive that don't have an ulterior motive are from Twilight."

"What makes him a mystery?" Fury asked.

Applejack snorted loudly to cut anypony off. "Nothin', he just likes his privacy, that's all. It's just that some ponies can't seem to respect that."

"Do we have any information on him?" Fury asked further. 

"I have some information from when I went to his house with the girls, while they were distracted, I scanned the place and investigated." Shining said.

"Shining Armor!" Cadance scolded. "How dare you invade his privacy like that. He invites you inside and you go through his stuff?"

"Yes." Shining Armor said calmly. "I needed to make sure he wasn't a threat. You seem to think too highly of him and might have been fooled by him trying to befriend-"

Cadance stood from her chair and smacked Shining Armor in the face before storming out of the room. Shining Armor rubbed his cheek and immediately bit his lip. "Why did I say that?"

Captain Fury sat back in his chair and rested his head on his hoof. "At any rate, what was the conclusion of your investigation?"

"He doesn't appear to be a threat." Shining Armor said, having snapped back into his professional persona. "He seems well traveled and has extensive knowledge about things that very few would."

Twilight's ears flickered at this. "What in specific did you find?"

Shining looked up to Princess Celestia who nodded in support. "He has antique books from other nations that discuss their history and culture. However, what is most concerning is his literature on Necromancy."

"Necromancy?" Twilight repeated as a few other ponies reeled at the news. "You mean like 'The Evil Mastermind Lowkey and his Legions of the Undead, issue number 42?"

Everypony deadpanned at Twilight, the room suddenly engulfed in silence.

"What? I read comic books too!" 

Princess Celestia nodded. "Yes, that very same. Had it not been for Shining Armor's description of the book and the knowledge that Skyfall urged him to tell me, then I would have had to send a guard to investigate him for possible use of black magic."

"Description of the book?" Twilight didn't understand what her mentor meant.

"Yes, it happens that I know the book he is talking about and have a copy for myself in my personal library." Princess Celestia hummed. "I have spent many a night reading it and learning about the creatures of Equus and their creations. I have issue 4 of 10."

"10?" Twilight gaped. "There were only that many?"

"Yes, I received mine as a gift from a Wind Spirit named Gale." Princess Celestia said happily. "Next time I come to Ponyville, I would like to meet with Skyfall and possibly see his library."

"And drink his tea." Pinkie Pie shouted before gulping down the rest of her medicated tea. "The good tea, not the bad tea. The bad tea hurts my laugh box."

"Princess, it's time we leave." Raven said.

The pull of the sun called to Celestia. "And so it is."

All the visiting dignitaries and Officers stood and left the room as Celestia silently waved to dismiss them. Once alone Luna scooted over to her sister.

"Sister, I will stay the night here in Ponyville. I wish to have a, tell me the term again, Twilight Sparkle." Luna held out her hoof, pointing at her fellow Princess.

"Sleep over."

"A sleep over!" Luna repeated.

"Oh, we can have s'mores?" Pinkie cheered.

"Some more of what?" Luna asked.

"No Princess, just s'mores. Two graham crackers, a piece of chocolate, and a melted marshmallow." Applejack said before leaning over to rib Rarity. "Or we can just bring a big ol' stallion around and Rarity will melt, there's our marshmallow filling right there."

"Yes, and these things called 'some-mores'" Luna cheered.

"You're killin' me, smalls." Pinkie facepalmed.

Princess Celestia smiled. "If I weren't so busy, I would join you. Good night, and have fun everypony."

As soon as it was just Princess Luna and her sleepover buddies, she clapped her hooves. "Excellent, what is the first activity?"

"Marshmallows?" Pinkie asked.

"Gossip?" Rarity asked.

"Scary stories?" Fluttershy asked. "I'm getting better."

"It is gettin' late, we could get some food from the kitchen and talk." Applejack offered.

"That's what I just said." Rarity said haughtily.

"No, you said gossip and ah'm not one to talk smack behind another ponies back." Applejack said proudly. 

Luna tapped her chin. "I am interested in hearing about how Ponyville has been doing. It is usually Nightmare Night when I come by, and never nearly the winter time like it is now."

"We can do that, nopony in Ponyville is really new except Skyfall and his siblings." Twilight said. 

"There's Gilda." Applejack muttered.

"AJ what's your problem with Gilda?" Rainbow asked.

"Nothing, she's just hangin' on my brother like a piece of unripened fruit." Applejack huffed. "Every time she comes to here she is always around."

"They might be dating." Rarity mused to Applejack's dread.

"Big Macintosh is dating?" Luna asked cheerfully. "Any mare would be glad to receive such a handsome stallion. He can be quite the intellectual once you get him to open up."

"He better not be dating." Applejack seethed and thought about what Luna had said. "What? Wait a minute. How do you know my brother?"

"So, where are these s'mores?" Luna's expression faltered at the stares and silence that quietly begged her to explain how she knew Applejack's brother. 

> Chapter 14 -Of Heart's Shadow-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Of Heart's Shadow-
 


"Come in." Skyfall muttered as he flipped another page of the book he was buried in. He had read it thousands of times, but to him, 'The count of Monte Cristo' was still one of his favorite stories.

Sif sauntered in, wearing the same disinterested look she usually wore. "Shining Armor and that red guard captain are knocking, again."

"Fascinating. Shining probably wants to know where Cadance is and thinks I'm harboring her." Skyfall responded with the same unemotional tone. 

"Aren't you?"

"No?" Skyfall threw his hoof up in a questioning manner. "If they're having marital issues, that's their problem."

After a second of silence, the banging on the door echoed up through the house and into the study. "Anything else, Sif?"

Sif looked back and kicked the door behind her shut. "It's been a week since the Diamond Dogs arrived at their new home. So far they seem to be working diligently. They cleared out enough space to live until they can craft themselves a new home." 

"And the pony scouts that have been flying around?"

"Storm made the weather around the Everfree more hazardous, so that means no crafted clouds or protection from random tornados, leaving them unable to scout."

"Sounds about right." Skyfall nodded in relief. "Oh, when was the last time I went to Ponyville?"

"I don't know. About a week or two ago." Sif shrugged and opened Sky's study door. "Not sure why, but Fluttershy keeps walking to the front gate and then she just turns around and leaves."

Skyfall memorized his book's page and closed it with a soft thump before setting it down on the table beside him. "Maybe she likes the house. Why bring this up? A lot of ponies do that to see the 'haunted' house."

"I bring her up because every so often she walks into the Everfree, unattended." Sif glanced back. "Ever since that Lonely Graves fellow fell apart in that cave, Timberwolves have dwindled dramatically, but they're still around."

"What is the point you’re trying to make, Sif?"

"Talk to her, tell her to stop." Sif said plainly. "Me and my kin can't be everywhere, so if one day she walks into the forest and we aren't there, then Fate may not be so kind to her."

Deep down, Sky knew Sif was right. "I will talk to her."

Sif nodded and left.

"It's a good thing I don't drink, ‘cause between the foalnappings and random pony adventures, I would have a whisky IV." Skyfall sighed as he reached for his book, but found only the surface of the table. 

Sky looked around and found his book had been placed back into the bookshelf. "That's weird, I don't remember shelving my book."

A cold chill settled into the room and a small stream of steam seeped out from Sky's mouth. He got up and refastened his scarf, ready to make the long walk to Fluttershy's cottage.

As Sky reached the door, he felt a presence watching him, and spun around quickly. The side door to his study slammed shut the instant he set eyes upon it.

After a moment, Sky took a deep breath. "Nimbus, are you slamming doors?"

"He's in town." Sif called from the first floor.

"Right." Skyfall said quietly as he backed away from the door and made his way downstairs, past a sneezing Sif. "You okay?"

"Yeah, my nose is running."

Skyfall patted Sif on the head. "Keep your eyes open."

"Why?"

"Reasons." Skyfall left his house and turned back to see the blinds to his study moving ever so slightly.





As Skyfall trotted into Ponyville, he had one destination on his mind, Sugarcube Corner. He needed coffee if he was going to talk his way around trying to prevent Fluttershy from entering his forest. He mused to himself about showing up as Shattered Skies and just telling her that it was a bad idea, but a guard would likely be posted nearby to watch her.

The market was abuzz with the going ons of Ponyville. Sky being as tall as he was, he was instantly recognized. As he made his way through the market, ponies greeted him. He didn't mind that some still kept their distance, but more everyday they seemed to treat him like a normal pony instead of some outsider.

Aside from noticeably chillier weather, the only thing to have changed with Ponyville was a significant increase in guards. Every direction you looked, you could see at least one standing and scanning for possible threats. 'Weird, probably a Celestia solution.'

Skyfall entered Sugarcube Corner, and suffice to say, it was an absolute mess. The line was out the door, the Cakes were rushing to fill orders, both the Cake children were fighting while their newborn was wailing, and Pinkie was cooking so urgently, things were getting burned.

In the corner sat Nimbus, sipping a cup of coffee.

"I see you beat the rush." Nimbus said sarcastically as Sky sat.

"Funny. So this is where you go?"

"More or less. I go to Canterlot sometimes." Nim said, trying to get a rise from Skyfall.

"Looking for a big stallion to sweep you off your hooves?" Skyfall chuckled as two ponies who were eavesdropping in the line reacted to what he said. One stallion coughed haggardly into his hoof while the other blushed and turned away.

"I'm more of a dragoness type of guy." Nimbus winked. "As you know."

Sky tapped his hoof on the table top. "Hey, quick question. Did you notice anything weird going on at the house?"

"No, though I'm guessing from the way you're asking something spooky happened?" Nim drained his cup in one gulp. "You aren't usually jumpy. What happened?"

"Nothing, just small things like misplaced items and doors slamming by themselves." The restaurant turned to silence at the end of his sentence. "Over the past few days, things have been rearranged and cabinets were left open. Just now, when I left my house, the shades moved by themselves."

"Haunted."

"Shut up, it's not haunted." Skyfall sighed and leaned forward. "I think you, me, and Sif would know."

"Whatever you say, bub."

"What are you two talking about?" Pinkie bounced over, her workload now gone as Sugarcube Corner lay empty.

"Sky's house is haunted." Nim said.

"It's not haunted, you boob."

"Am I a giggly boob?" Nimbus asked making Skyfall facepalm.

"You're impossible."

Pinkie Pie clapped her hooves in excitement. "We should have a sleepover at your house and try and talk to it!"

Nimbus and Sky looked at each other, then back to an eager Pinkie.

"That is a horrible idea." Nimbus said bluntly.

Sky opened his mouth to scold Nimbus, but stopped. "Actually, I agree. That's crazy."

Pinkie Pie held her hooves up. "Can't blame a mare for trying." 

Skyfall spaced out for a brief moment and was snapped back to reality when he remembered why he left the house. "Right. Pinkie Pie, do you know if Fluttershy is home?"

Pinkie Pie shrugged, inhaled deeply and yelled. "Applejack!"

Sky and Nim covered their ears in response.

"Why are you yelling?" Sky asked, but only found Pinkie pointing towards the door as Applejack strolled in.

"What?" Applejack asked, clearly more than a little frazzled, from what though, no one knew.

"Where's Fluttershy?"

"Schoolhouse." Applejack huffed. "That it?"

"Yup-Yup!" 

Without another word, Applejack turned and walked out.

"She okay?" Skyfall asked, gesturing at the door.

"I don't know." Pinkie said. "Applejack gets upset and I learned long ago to let the first few days of her funk ride out before cheering her up. She's always been different from my usual customers."

'I wonder what happened.' Sky looked out the window and saw Applejack at her stall, visibly irritated and miserable. "Well, I have some questions for Fluttershy, so I must be off."

"See ya." Nimbus muttered.

Sky turned to ask Pinkie where the schoolhouse was, but Pinkie cut him off. "It's on the same road you take into Ponyville, just keep left instead of right."

Pinkie giggled as Sky patted her on the head. "Thank you."





Skyfall chuckled to himself when he saw how rustic the schoolhouse was. It made schools over a millennium old look fancy. He saw two parents standing just outside of the building, presumably waiting to pick up their foal. Sky looked a little closer at the pair of ponies and saw that it was his business partner, Silver Coin, and a mare he guessed to be his spouse.

Silver started waving demurely at Sky as he approached. "Good day, Skyfall. I didn't know you had a foal to pick up."

"I don't." Sky said. "I'm here to see someone."

Silver Coin giggled before he waved the blue-green mare forward. "Hunny, this is Skyfall. Sky, this is my wife, Olive. Hun, this is the one who’s giving us the steady supply of business."

Olive smiled. "I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Skyfall. I just never imagined you to be as handsome as my husband says you are."

"Your husband says I'm handsome?" Skyfall realized that it was probably a slip of words and she was just paying him a compliment until he saw Olive nodding. "Well, I'm flattered. Are you here for Silver Spoon?"

"Yep, we're picking her up early. We're going to Canterlot over the weekend to see family." Coin said. "Who are you here for?"

"Fluttershy, I have to discuss something with her." Sky rose an eyebrow at Coin's winking. "Is there something in your eye?"

Coin sighed. "Well? Are you talking to her, or are you talking to her?"

"Just talking, Coin."

"You should find somepony, Sky. Living on the outskirts of town promiscuously rooming with a mare like Crescent is good for a romp from time to time, but you should settle down." Coin said to the approval of his wife.

"You think Sif and I are just living by the forest screwing all day long?" Sky asked.

"Sif?"

Skyfall shrugged. "That's her real name, but since there is a Spirit scare with a companion of the same name she thought it was best to avoid giving ponies the wrong idea. You see why?"

"We don't choose the name we’re born with." Coin nodded showing he accepted the excuse. "But back to you and that mare of yours."

"Oh no, look at the sundial, I gotta go." Skyfall backed away from the skulking stallion that was about to force him into another lecture about promiscuity and the values of being a family stallion, but Sky turned and trotted for the schoolhouse door and quickly walked inside to a stunned class before he sat down in front of the door, effectively blocking it from opening for the flamboyant stallion. "Sorry, ignore me, I'm here for the knowledge."

Cheerilee shushed her giggling class as Fluttershy stuttered and shook her head clear from the scare of Sky’s abrupt entry.

"Now canaries sing to talk to each other, but in the past they were used to warn of impending danger." Fluttershy talked about the history of canaries and their use in society and their roles now. She was well learned in the history and care of many animals, or so she portrayed to be. Sky sat by and idly watched until Cheerilee announced recess.

"Thank you for the lesson, Fluttershy." Cheerilee said. "I know the foals enjoyed it."

"Oh, it was no problem at all, Cheerilee. I love talking about animals and their care." Fluttershy chirped. "It feels good to have some fun after all the stuff going on."

"I would imagine." Cheerilee patted Fluttershy on the shoulder and leaned in to whisper.

Sky was shaken from his trance by an impatient Apple Bloom. 

"You're in the way."

"Huh?"

"The door, it's recess." Apple Bloom pointed.

"Whoops, sorry." Sky moved as he returned his gaze to the two mares and found that they were still deep in a quiet conversation, every few second one of them would glance his way. 'Must be serious.'

"Mr. Skyfall, could you watch the foals?" Cheerilee called. "Fluttershy and I need a moment."

"No we don't." Fluttershy nervously interjected.

Sky smiled. "Sure, no problem."

It took no longer than the time for Sky to step outside for the foals to notice they were being watched by  somepony other than Ms. Cheerilee.

"Buttons, stop!" A British voice called. Pipsqueak trotted next to Button’s, trying to stop him.

"Nope." Buttons replied.

"We were told not to ask." Pipsqueak warned. "We'll get in trouble."

"I don't care, I'm tired of not knowing." Button stomped over to Skyfall.

Sky looked down to the small colt as he mustered his strongest glare. "Yes?"

"I need you to tell me some stuff!" Button said a little too loudly.

Skyfall gave Button a wry look. "Okay?"

"Really?" Button Mash asked in surprise.

"At a price." Skyfall started laughing when Buttons lost his balance.

"Not fair!" Pipsqueak said, backing up his friend.

"No such thing as a free lunch kid." 

Button held up a hoof to stop Pipsqueak. "What's your price?"

"Oh, such a serious colt." Skyfall tapped his chin. "Well, it depends on what you want to know. I can answer a lot so I'll just take a week's allowance, anything with the 'birds and the bees' will cost you extra."

"What about information about Shattered Skies." Buttons asked, drawing the attention of the entire playground.

Skyfall rubbed the bridge of his nose, he wanted to answer questions about himself to set the record straight, but too much information and it could end up coming back to bite him later. "And what exactly do you want to know about the Forest Spirit?"

The foals started to form a group around Skyfall, murmuring to themselves. 

"I want to talk to him."

Skyfall chuckled. "I don't think he has an address, but I read that if you call for him in a forest he will find you."

"Really?" Apple Bloom asked. 

Skyfall shrugged. "It's what I read."

"I heard he steals souls!" Snips said. "My mom used to tell me that when I was younger."

'Great.' Sky thought. "Don't believe everything you hear." Sky turned back to Buttons. "Anything else?"

"Why are we not able to talk about him?" Buttons adopted a very serious look. His questions were far beyond that of what a foal his age should be asking, but Sky looked past this and chose to answer.

"That is a question I've been asking myself for the past few months." Sky said solemnly. 

"Well, he is kinda scary." Sweetie Belle said. "When he came for us, I was still scared of him and the way his voice sounds."

The foals started to talk among themselves, discussing the things they've heard and the stories they were told. Diamond Tiara of all ponies spoke up. "Maybe it's fear."

"Well, duh it's fear." Snails said. "He eats ponies."

"That's not what I meant you dolt." Diamond snipped. "I meant that we hear bad things and we have the wrong idea. Has he eaten anypony since he arrived?"

"There was that caravan that went missing." Snails said and shied away from the looks. "My dad was freaking out about it."

"Yeah, Ah say we talk to him!" Apple Bloom said.





Earlier





"I can't thank you enough for coming by, Fluttershy." Cheerilee said. "It's hard to get a pony to come in and share their educational experiences."

"Oh, it's no problem. Is it really that hard to find a pony to come in and talk about different jobs?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, I worry the foals won't know what to do with their lives once they make it out there on their own." Cheerilee confessed and moved to her desk. "I've had guards and a few of the residents come in and talk about themselves, but even then that is a limited selection."

"What about Skyfall?"

"What about him?" Cheerilee asked curiously.

"He told me he's done a lot of jobs. Why don't you ask him?" Fluttershy said absentmindedly. "He says he needs stuff to do."

"Maybe I should ask to see if he's qualified." Cheerilee brushed her hair with a hoof and sighed. After a moment, she looked at Fluttershy and gave her a questioning look. "So do you like him?" 

"W-What?" Fluttershy asked. 

"Don't play coy." Cheerilee playfully pushed Fluttershy's shoulder. "I see the way he looks at you."

"Oh no, we're just friends." Fluttershy smiled."Plus, I heard Princess Cadance gossiping to Rarity and saying that he wasn't interested in having a relationship."

Cheerilee smirked. "I wasn't talking about a relationship."

"What?"

"Oh come on, Fluttershy." Cheerilee winked. "As if you haven't thought about it."

Fluttershy shied away and hid behind her hair. "About what?"

"About waking up in those strong hooves of his." Cheerilee opened the blinds to find Skyfall being tied up by the foals.

Fluttershy chuckled into her hoof. "I believe it's time we go save him."





"Put him down!" Cheerilee ordered as she stormed out of the schoolhouse.

"But, Ms. Cheerilee, we have to sacrifice him." Apple Bloom defended and thrusted her hoof at Skyfall. "He agreed to be our sacrifice and to submit himself to our cleansing rituals."

"No I didn't!"

"Yes ya did!"

"No, you asked if I would accept being an offering and I refused to answer." Skyfall deadpanned to the tribal painted filly.

"Well, ya didn't say no, absence is consempt!"

"Consent." Sweetie Belle corrected.

"Right!" 

"Class, I'm sure Mr. Skyfall has things to do." Cheerilee chided. "You put him down now so he can go."

The class let out a collective 'aw' as they released their captive sacrifice. While the foals were untying him, Skyfall caught a glimpse of a bruise under Scootaloo's wing, causing him to momentarily grab her hoof. She saw where he was looking and her embarrassed scowling told him not to ask.

"It was nice seeing you again, Skyfall. Especially since no one was in danger." Cheerilee said.

"This time." Skyfall joked. "I have a habit of falling into interesting situations."

"So Fluttershy tells
me." Cheerilee said much to Sky's curiosity. Cheerilee looked at her class. "Go inside and open up your textbooks to page 102." After the cacophony of groans, she looked back to Skyfall. "I'll be blunt, Mr. Skyfall-"

"Just Sky is fine." Skyfall corrected.

"I'll be blunt, Sky, I need a pony to come in and share their life experiences with my class and give them ideas for their future that span beyond 'do what your cutie mark tells you.' It has been near impossible to achieve that with the stock of ponies in Ponyville."

Skyfall looked at Fluttershy who shied away. 'It would seem even Fluttershy isn’t immune to gossiping.'

Cheerilee took a deep breath. "I was hoping you would come in and talk to my class about your life."

After a long silence, Skyfall sat down slowly. "I've lived most of my life in other countries, Cheerilee. I don't think your school board would appreciate me sharing the views and customs of other nations. Put frankly, I think you would end up in hot water."

Cheerilee giggled to herself. "Then it's a good thing my education budget comes from the mayor and not the school board. The board doesn't have to find out. I just want my foals to learn from something other than a textbook."

'This could be a good thing.'

"What do you think?" Cheerilee asked.

"It's admirable." Skyfall said. "Like you, I share a love of education, and I am more than willing to share my knowledge... but-"

"There's always a 'but.'" Cheerilee looked at the ground with a defeated expression. "We don't have much money to pay you, but I can-" Cheerilee was cut off by a hoof held up to her face.

When Cheerilee looked up, she saw Skyfall shaking his head. "Money, I have. My condition is that we will hold class at my estate, and not-" Skyfall gestured at the old schoolhouse. "-that. Whatever that is."

"D-Deal." Cheerilee sputtered out. "I'll just need to get the foals to get permission slips signed by their parents."

"Awesome." Skyfall looked at Fluttershy. "Next order of business. Do you have time to talk Fluttershy?"

"Y-Yes." Fluttershy said shyly.

"Wonderful. Have a good day, Cheerilee." Skyfall waved at the schoolteacher as she rushed inside after hearing some crashing coming from the classroom. 

Skyfall turned his attention to Fluttershy and whispered. "Thank you for the assist, I was afraid I was going to be sacrificed." 

Fluttershy giggled. "Oh, no worries. The foals try doing that to everypony that comes around."

'I see why Cheerilee has a hard time getting ponies to come by.' Skyfall thought and looked back to see the class at the window staring at their sacrifice walking away.

"So, what was it you had to ask me?"

Sky looked at Fluttershy, trying to figure out the easiest way of going about it. Luckily, she picked up on subtlety really well. "I dropped by your house the other day to see if you wanted to go to lunch."

"Oh?" Fluttershy looked surprised. "What day?"

"Tuesday at two." Skyfall said. "But I saw somepony walking into the forest from your house. I've seen this pony in the treeline a lot lately. Do you know who it is?"

"Oh." Fluttershy said quietly. "Please don't tell the others."

Skyfall stopped and turned to face Fluttershy fully. "Your business is yours, Fluttershy. I'm just a little concerned. Why are you walking into the Everfree when you know it's dangerous?"

Fluttershy shuffled her hooves in silence. "I..."

Sky lowered his head to make eye contact with Fluttershy. "I won't judge."

Fluttershy, in a bout of bravery, inhaled sharply and started talking quickly. "The forest isn't as dangerous lately and I wanted to meet some new friends and I like walking in the forest because it helps me clear my mind and calm down-"

Skyfall put his hoof on Fluttershy's nose to make her stop rambling. "Yes, but you know you’re at a far greater risk for being an Element."

"I-I know, I just..." Fluttershy whispered.

Skyfall remembered that Fluttershy was on the task force to hunt him down, and this was an invaluable opportunity. "Aren't you on that task force to hunt down the same Spirit that owns the forest?"

"How did you know?"

"Ponies gossip." Sky recovered swiftly.

Fluttershy winced a little. "We are, but after we saw him recently, I get the feeling we're just a nuisance to him." She looked at the forest. "I wouldn't mind talking with him, I'm sure he could tell me so much about animals that it could revolutionize the veterinary field."

Skyfall silently agreed with her, but interaction could put either of them in grave danger. She would be viewed as a defector and he could be lured into a false sense of security. "I just don't want you getting in over your head, Fluttershy." 

Skyfall walked with Fluttershy into town. "So, where to?"

"Mayor's office, we're having a meeting for the new guard posts being built. Where are you going?"

"Mayor's office, I have to look up old documents for the ghost in my house." Skyfall said amusingly.

"Gh-Ghost?" 

"Weird occurrences that can't be explained." Skyfall said cheerfully. "Doors slamming, things flying from here to there with no reasonable explanation as to why. Stuff like that."

"And you're okay with that?" Fluttershy asked. 

"I could talk all day about some of the crazy stuff that's happened to me." Skyfall said monotonously. "It takes a lot to genuinely freak me out, so I'll try and find a solution."

"A lot of stuff happens to you?"

"Oh yeah."

"Like what?" Fluttershy asked, seemingly curious about Skyfall's life.





Fluttershy and Sky reached Ponyville before either of them realized it. Fluttershy hadn't said much because she was listening to everything Skyfall had to say. He told her of the time he sailed around the Dragon seas, but like always, Skyfall had to change around the details to keep his identity confidential.

"So what ever happened to Bones?" Fluttershy asked, wanting to know more about his time as a ship captain.

"Not sure. He probably took his ship and sailed away. He always had a knack for showing up to the least appropriate situations, like a wedding." Skyfall chuckled. "He always finds himself behind bars, so he may have fallen behind a pair that doesn't open with any tricks."

Skyfall looked up and Rarity huffed as she passed him. "What's her problem?"

"I should go talk to her." Fluttershy said. "I'll see you later?"

"Sure." Skyfall smiled as his golden coated friend flew away. 'She's a nice mare.'

The Mayor's office had a large collection of ponies outside of it. It would take at least two hours to be seen. Sky looked for a guard or anyone to ask. Luckily, Twilight Sparkle was there, seemingly discussing a matter of importance with a large red stallion that wasn't Big Mac.

Sky coughed into his hoof. "Twilight, I need your help real quick."

"And there he is." Twilight said, a fake smile adorning her face.

"Yes, here I am. Can you point me in the direction of the town's records?" 

"Yes, but first." Twilight tried stepping aside, but was lightly pushed.

"I'm Captain Fury, the new captain of the royal guard." Fury said curtly. "I have been looking for you, Mr. Skyfall."

Sky squinted before it dawned on him. "You're the stallion that bangs on my door nonstop."

Fury scowled.

Skyfall rolled his eyes. "I know Twilight told you I like my privacy."

Twilight stuck her tongue out at Fury. 

"Nevertheless." Fury boomed. "I need to talk to you regarding an important position."

"Sorry, fella. Wrong team." Skyfall said comically. The joke flew over Twilight's head, but Fury lived up to his namesake and was visibly upset. Why Celestia wanted an officer with such an uncontrollable attitude escaped Skyfall.

"Sir, I would appreciate you keeping jokes to a minimum." Fury said. "Upon closer inspection of the ponies in Ponyville and a recommendation from Princess Twilight, Princess Celestia wants you to 
Lead the Ponyville guard unit." 

"Absolutely-" Sky started.

Twilight smiled. "Excellent, I'll need you to fill in these info-"

"-not." Sky finished. "I've said it before. I am retired. No fighting, no politics, no subterfuge, and no paperwork. All I do now is swim, drink tea, read, eat unhealthy food, and a lot of sleeping past noon."

Fury sighed. "Sir, I know a fellow warrior when I see one. I know you'll join, it's why you charged into the Everfree twice without thinking about your personal safety and why you train on your estate before the sun even rises. You miss it and you're trying to convince yourself otherwise."

Skyfall bit his lip, was he right?

Captain Fury smiled and donned his helmet. "Princess, we need to assemble schedules for the militia." Fury nodded at Sky. "Sir."

Fury marched out of the building leaving a confused Twilight and a stone-like Skyfall. "I guess I'll see you around, Sky."

Twilight turned to leave and then turned around again. "Skyfall?"

"Yeah?"

"This might seem random, but do you like Cadance?" Twilight asked cryptically.

"Yeah, she's a nice mare. Drinks all my tea and talks my ear off, but nice." Skyfall said. "I hope she and I can remain friends even after she returns home."

Twilight's mood visibly improved before trotting out the door. "Bye, Sky!"

'These ponies...'





"Why can't I sense anything?" Sif asked herself as she stood completely rigid on the back of the couch, her hooves balancing her on the end table. She stepped outside for a brief moment and when she returned, all of the cabinets in the kitchen were wide open.

Sif walked slowly to the basement and found that it too has been rummaged through. She found and swallowed her potion which allowed her to transform back into a mother wolf so that she could use her sense smell better. She sighed in relief and stepped into the large foyer where she took a deep whiff of the house.

"What?" Sif looked around sharply. "I smell Skies, but he's in Ponyville..."

A sudden bout of stomping and crashing was heard upstairs before the creaking of a door was heard.

"Nope." Sif grabbed another transformation potion and sprinted out of the door toward Ponyville. She refused to stay in a house that was haunted.





Skyfall snuck past a staff-only door. He wasn't in the mood to wait in line to receive a platonic apology before being rejected. With little effort, he found the filing cabinet that held the housing histories of the town and after a few flips through the files, he found the folder for his estate wedged in the back. It was rebranded 'Skyfall' estate, but it was originally the 'De Cerulean' estate. The history of the estate’s ownership was surprisingly extensive. There were at least thirty different owners before Sky. Every report, ghost sighting, and demolition request laid inside with some papers torn and jutting out of the side.

A quick peek around revealed that no one was monitoring Sky as he searched the records. Chances were that he wouldn't be able to borrow them because they were supposed to be confidential, so he quickly placed the folder in his saddle bags and left. He chuckled to himself and mustered a country accent. "What momma don't know won't hurt her."

Skyfall stepped out of the restricted hallway walking backwards. He had been in enough restricted sections to know how to get off free. 

"A ninja, you are not." 

"Huh?" Skyfall asked and looked back to find a guard staring at him. "I wasn't doing anything."

"Don't lie to me, I saw you sneaking towards the staff only door." The guard accused.

"I was looking for a bathroom." Skyfall smiled sheepishly, to which the guard only rolled his eyes and pointed down the hall. "Thanks!"

Sky quickly trotted past the bathroom and out the front door, ignoring the guard's scoff as he left.

"Skyfall!" Called Derpy from behind. 

With such a distinctive voice among the ponies in town, Derpy was far too easy to pick out in a crowd. She was flying around and appeared to be looking for him.

Sky inhaled deeply and gave a loud, sharp whistle and a wave.

"There you are." Derpy wobbled as she landed in front of Sky. "Sif is looking for you."

"She must be if you know her actual name." Sky mused.

"Yes, she told me to tell you that." Derpy smiled wide. "I forgot where she said she was going. I'm sorry."

Sky saw Derpy's attitude turn a little blue so he patted her mane. "It's okay, accompany me on my way to find her and I'll call it even." 

Derpy smiled and nodded, following Sky shortly after he continued walking.

"So how has your day been?" Derpy asked.

"Oh, it's been okay. My house may actually be haunted." Skyfall said absentmindedly as he looked around for the brazen, white firecracker that was Sif. "How is yours?"

Derpy smiled and completely ignored the statement regarding a haunting. "It was bad to begin with. I forgot to make my daughter's lunch so I had to rush to do that and I was late to work. We received a lot of mail for Trottingham due to a clerical error so now I have to spend one of my nights this week to fix it all. Then for lunch I tripped and dropped my sandwich in a puddle of mud right after I stubbed my hoof. Then I spilled ink all over a customer and she threatened to have my job right before Sif came in looking for you."

Sky stopped and gave Derpy a sorrowful look. "I'm sorry you're having such a bad day."

"Don't be." Derpy said flippantly. "At the end of the day I have me and Dinky. I let everything roll off my back. If you can't change something, then there is no point in worrying about it."

"That's surprisingly wise." Sky swayed closer and nudged Derpy. "You know, if you ever need help or a foal sitter, I'm more than willing to help. And don’t worry about Sif. She acts tough, but she's really a softy underneath it all."

"Thank you." Derpy said.

"Hey, no problem." Sky replied enthusiastically and found a hoof on his arm.

Derpy wore an uncharacteristically solemn face."No, really. Thank you, it means a lot." 

Sky patted her on the head once more before he turned and walked into the only spa in town.

"Oh, greetings. A spa for two?" A blue mare asked, her foreign accent ringing in the air.

"No, I'm actually looking for a white mare. Is she here?" Sky asked. If Sif wasn't there, then he would have to search the forest for her. If it was that urgent, then she wouldn't have left a message with Derpy.

"Why yes, she is in the mud bath."

"Of course that mutt is rolling in mud." Sky sighed under his breath. "May I go and get something from her?"

"Yes, but please be quiet for the ponies relaxing." The blue mare clopped her hooves and disappeared behind an employee's door behind her. "Right through the hallway in front of you."

A nervous shuffling sound stirred Skyfall and when he looked back, he saw Derpy looking around with an uneasy look on her face. "Are you okay?"

"I don't like coming in here."

"Bad experience?" Sky sighed as she nodded. "You don't have to come in if you don't want to."

"N-No, I want to." Derpy looked around, obviously conflicted about the business.

Sky smiled and nudged her with his wing. "Then let's go. If you behave, I'll treat you and Dinky to a 'dinner when you want' card."

Derpy's mouth hung open and she shook her fear and stepped towards the hall.

"You ponies." Skyfall chuckled as he passed a now happy Pegasus. As he walked closer to the mouth of the hall, he could hear Sif's voice and a few giggles. Curious, he stopped just behind the curtain blocking the opening and listened.

"...and that's when he opened the door to find you and Twilight staring at him." Sif laughed. "You both thought we were doing something sexual."

Twilight gave an exasperated expression. "Well, yeah. He said something about pinning you down and making you scream in the sheets, then about him being on top."

Sif gave a hearty laugh. "He has a nice bed and we fight for it. The top is the winner. Though he is really strong and I have to make dirty moves to win."

"Oh my." Fluttershy said.

"Darling, that sounds..." Rarity started, but went off in a different direction. "So you and him never..."

"We never..?" Sif prodded.

Sky peaked around the curtain and found the Elements and a few other mares surrounding Sif on all sides as they rested in the spa. ‘Emergency task force meeting, my butt.’

"You know." Rarity said shyly.

Applejack sighed. "What she means ta say is, have ya bucked? Rolled in the hay? Sealed the deal? Treated yer flank as a paddle board? Rode that pony for the whole rodeo? Swallow-"

"Applejack!" Rarity scolded.

"What? Ya were thinkin' it." Applejack laughed.

Sif smirked and ignored the question. "If you're that eager to find out, why don't you ask him out for a date?"

"A lady doesn't pursue a stallion in such a manner." Rarity scoffed to the resounding laughter of the room.

Sif, however, wasn't asking Rarity, she looked at Fluttershy making it clear to her who she was talking too.

"Sif?" Twilight asked.

"Hm?"

"I thought Skyfall said he wasn't interested in dating." Twilight asked, still holding on to the secret about Skyfall's family and their suspected murder.

"He probably likes stallions." Rainbow said, expecting approval by the mares in the room. Instead, her awkward comment was rewarded with silence.

Sif looked at Twilight and made a few circles in the mud with her hoof. "He just needs a good mare to find love and solace in. I've known him for a long time and I am well aware of how attractive he is and it has made him cynical."

The lights in the room turned off, making all the ponies stand absolutely still except Sif who knew exactly who was there and where he was.

"I prefer conceited." Skyfall said right before Derpy turned the lights back on from behind the curtain.

"Skyfall!" a few of the ponies said in surprise.

"Yes, I heard there was a wonderful strategy meeting happening at the spa so I decided I needed to make an appearance." Skyfall said, slightly harsher than he intended. "Sif, I got what I needed, we need to go."

"Right." Sif groaned as she exited the mud and shook herself clean. "I'm not sleeping in that house ‘till it's gone."

Twilight looked perplexed. "If you don't mind, what are you talking about?"

Skyfall gave a small look of contempt at Twilight and everyone else present, making it very clear he didn't appreciate the gossiping of his love life. "Ghost."

"W-What?" Twilight rubbed her ears. "I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you right."

"There is a ghost wrecking my study."

"House, actually." Sif said, making Sky whip around.

"What?"

"Yeah, before I left it opened everything in the kitchen and furniture started to move around and the faucets turned on by themselves." Sif shivered.

Sky ran his hoof over his nose in annoyance.





"Where is he?" Cadance asked as she walked around the outside of Sky's house. The light sound of a waterfall could be heard in the distance. She had seen it before, but never took the chance to go for a swim.

Suddenly, she saw a white wolf walk out of the forest, and in through the cascading waterfall.

"I wonder."

> Chapter 15 -Dispute-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Dispute-


Twilight sat in the castle below a large stained glass window. She was comfortably lying on the ledge as she delved into a pre-release copy of A.K. Yearling's newest book, Daring Do and a False Effigy. The story detailed Daring’s adventure of collecting another dangerous, world-altering artifact, and her narrow escape from both Ahuizotl and Shattered Skies shortly before the latter betrayed her arch enemy. 

Twilight mumbled as she read, completely immersed in the story. During her short breaks between chapters, Twilight would think about the irony of her current situation. She loved anything by A. K. Yearling, but supporting this book would mean supporting the exposure of a closely guarded secret that she had fought hard to keep, even to the point of spreading a rumor that it was a crazy stallion pretending to be a Spirit. She worried about the situation that this might produce, but Princess Celestia’s words bubbled to the surface of her thoughts. 



Worrying helps nothing. If everything in your power is being done to fix something, then do not worry. If you can't change anything, then do not worry, for it is out of your hooves.

  

Twilight smiled as she remembered the wisdom in her mentor's words.

Just as Twilight re-opened the book to continue her adventure, a loud crash similar to shattering ceramic echoed through the halls. Shining Armor’s deep scream could barely be heard, all but drowned out but the shrill scream of Cadance. With a few short teleportations, Twilight appeared in the kitchen. Unfortunately for her, this landed her right in a hurricane of emotional conflict.

"Guys?" Twilight asked, shocked by the tension in the room.

"Stay out of this, Twily." Shining growled as tears rolled down his face.

"No. What's going on?" 

Cadance shook tears from her face. "Your brother has let paranoia overtake rational thought."

"You still refuse to tell me why you spend so much time at his house! You leave and I don’t see you for hours, sometimes days, and then you return as if nothing had happened!" Shining's 
tone, sharpened by years as captain, began to waver.

Cadance tried to fight back the tears. "Please stop assuming the worst, Shining. It hurts to be accused like this."

"Oh, then why don't you go visit your new coltfriend?!" Shining screamed. He instantly regretted losing his temper as Cadance burst into tears and teleported away.

"Shining Armor!" Twilight shouted. "That was too far!"

"I'm sorry." Shining whimpered as he sat on his haunches. He wasn't certain as to why he was acting the way he was. "I'm so sorry."

"You need to fix this." 

"How?" He asked, his throat feeling hoarse.

"We go find her." Twilight growled.  





Skyfall slowly lifted the cappuccino to his lips, preparing to savor the first flavorful sip. The moment his cup of joy touched his lips, Sif barked loudly, startling Skyfall and causing him to spill his drink all over the counter.

"It had the perfect amount of foam..." 

Sif laughed loudly from her recumbent position on the couch, not having realized that she’d startled him. 

"You got a little something on the counter, there." 

"No, it's fine. It's the curse of the cappuccino." Skyfall shrugged. "Now what was the bark for?"

"We have a visitor coming in fast." Sif rolled off the couch and jogged to the basement. "It's lovebutt."

The doorbell rang twice in quick succession, pausing before a soft, slow knock sounded on the front door. Skyfall’s ears perked up, he waited for the voice of someone demanding his presence, but none came. He trotted to the door and heard a soft sniffling sound. Skyfall closed his eyes and slowly counted down from three. Forty thousand years of living still didn't make comforting a crying mare any easier for him.

Sky placed his hoof on the doors and he heard Cadance struggling to speak.

"Please let me in?" Cadance finally choked out. The front doors opened slowly for her, revealing Skyfall standing there with a sympathetic look on his face. The sun had made its way to setting and the cool air marking the last days of fall rolled in, making her shiver.

"You look hungry. Well, I'm about to make dinner, you can help." Skyfall knew the best way to turn sadness around; focus on something else. Start up a good conversation and when opportunity shows itself, start to heal the wound.

Cadance smiled weakly and trotted inside. "Ah, it's warm in here."

"Yep, go to the bathroom and wash up. I'll be in the kitchen." Skyfall said.

As Cadance trotted away, she gave Sif a quick greeting before hurrying to the bathroom. 

Sif approached Sky, easing up from the intrusion. "She staying the night?"

"Probably." Skyfall chewed his cheek. "Go hide the bodies."

"Out of context, that sounds awful." Sif's comment earned her a wink from Sky.

Skyfall walked into the kitchen and started to take out the cookware. He smiled as Cadance came to the kitchen without any regalia or makeup. "Going for a new look?"

Cadance let out a low chuckle and shuffled nervously. "Yeah, kinda. In truth, I don't like all that stuff and I just want to be me right now."

"Well, I certainly won't stop you." Skyfall began to fill the sink with hot water. The steam rose and tickled their fur. "So, have you ever cooked anything before?"

Cadance opened her mouth to answer, but Sky cut her off. "Baking cupcakes doesn’t count."

She adopted a sheepish smile. "N-No."

"Honestly, how do you ponies survive?" Skyfall laughed. "Would you like to learn?"

Cadance nodded her head vigorously.

"Awesome." Skyfall poured a bag of assorted vegetables into a pot of near-boiling water, and pointed to a cutting board. "Grab a vegetable and start cutting."

Cadance reached for an onion and instantly shouted in pain, retracting her hoof. "Hot!"

"Lesson one: Be aware of hot things." Skyfall patted Cadance on the head, chuckling.

"That's not funny!" Cadance tried to keep her laughter in check, but Sky's amusement was contagious.

"Eh, maybe not, but you learned something." 

"Like what?"

Skyfall shook his head. "Grab a tomato."

"No."

"Why not?" Skyfall smirked.

"’Cause the water is hot." Cadance said warily.

"See? We're learning." Skyfall said, grabbing Cadance's hoof and moved it towards the water slowly. Cadance was increasing her resistance, pulling her hoof back the closer Sky moved it to the water.

"It's going to burn!" Cadance said.

"Are you here to learn?" Skyfall deadpanned. 

"Y-Yes?"

"Then trust me." Skyfall continued the advance. "When you shove your hoof into hot water, your nerves snap and it feels more painful than it really is. Plus, your hooves are cold, making it far worse. It’s not bad if you ease it in."

As she eased her hooves in, Cadance felt the hot water wash over her fur, but the burning sensation soon left. "Hey, you're right."

"See? I know some things." Skyfall replied. 

"I bet you know a lot of things." Cadance mused as she washed the rest of the vegetables. "I’d also bet you could easily be a teacher if you wanted."

"Actually I was for a short while a long time ago." Skyfall said. "Sif has been bugging me to take it up again."

"Will you?" 

Skyfall nodded. "Part time."

"That's nice." Cadance hummed as she washed.

"Just a quick question," Skyfall said as he sharpened two knives. "Are you staying the night?"

Cadance ceased her washing and went silent.

"Family problems?" Cadance began to sniffle, and Skyfall knocked on the counter to get her attention. "Listen, we can talk about it whenever you're ready. You may stay here as long as you want."

"Really?" 

Skyfall nodded. "Yes, really."

The doorbell rang again, but unlike the first time, it was accompanied by angry knocking. Cadance took on a fearful look, but was calmed by Skyfall's hoof as it was placed on her shoulder. "Stay inside, I'll talk to them."

Skyfall walked out a back door and looped around the house, waving a few wolves away as he passed the forest. He wanted to talk, not fight. When he turned the corner, he saw Shining Armor, Twilight, and Applejack standing at the front door.

"Open up, Skyfall." Twilight said, keeping a hoof on her brother's shoulder in an effort to keep him calm.

"I know you're in there!" Shining shouted.

"Actually, I’m out here." Skyfall cut in, stopping in the middle of his courtyard, eclipsed by the shadow his fountain cast. "Is there something you need?"

Shining scowled at him. "Give me my wife."

Skyfall squinted. Something was off about Shining Armor. 'I need to get close and examine him.' "She isn't mine to give, nor yours to demand." 

Shining huffed and let out a low growl. "Where is she?"

"She is not property, Shining." Skyfall scolded. "From what I see, you need to calm down."

Shining winced, taking a deep breath, trying to regain his focus. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm so angry."

'And now you're calm?' Skyfall thought, trying to decipher Shining's rage.

Twilight opened her mouth to talk, but stopped when Skyfall gave her a slight head shake, silently telling her to let it go.

"You're mad because your wife spends so much time at my house." Skyfall probed. When Shining didn't react, Sky pressed farther. "You think she's having an affair?"

Shining shook his head.

"That one day we would get married?" Skyfall continued, stoking Shining's ire.

Twilight and Applejack looked between Skyfall and Shining Armor, unable to understand where Skyfall was going with this provocative speech.

When Shining gave a half nod, Skyfall narrowed it down. "You think that Cadance wants to start a family with me?"

Shining sat quietly, every muscle in his body tensed. "You're going to eat those words."

"I'm waiting, and so is your wife."

Shining’s eyes became extremely bloodshot as he reared back and charged at Skyfall full-force, his horn blazing, summoning a spear of magic.

"Shining, no!" Twilight called.

As Shining got closer, Skyfall took a deep breath and gave Shining his best defense. 

"I'm sterile."

"Huh?" Shining’s red eyes cleared up and he tried to stop as he neared Skyfall. Unable to stop, Sky stepped out of the way and watched as Shining's spear evaporated before he tumbled lifelessly into the fountain’s rim.

A long silence sat on the courtyard as Twilight and Applejack watched the events play out. Shining silently laid under the fountain's waterfall, trying to understand his emotional volatility.

"Shining Armor!" Cadance shouted from the doorway. 

Shining could only stare at the water like a foal being scolded by its mother.

"How dare you!" Cadance shouted, running up to her husband.

"How dare me?" Shining retorted, his fury reignited. "How dare you!? You ran to his house the first chance you got!"

Skyfall shook his head as he walked over to Twilight and Applejack. Admittedly, he understood what Shining was feeling, but could only watch in silence at what he knew was about to unfold between the arguing couple.

Cadance and Shining began a hushed, yet heated argument, giving Sky enough time to explain the situation to Twilight.

"Twilight?" 

Twilight gave an apologetic look towards Skyfall. "Hey."

"How long have they been like this?"

Twilight thought it over. "They suffered a traumatic event last year. I thought they’d moved past it, but that doesn't seem to be the case. They started fighting like this shortly after Captain Fury and the elite guard arrived."

"And how am I involved?" Skyfall asked.

"I think you're just the scapegoat for a larger problem." Twilight answered honestly. "My brother has always jumped to conclusions, but it hasn't been this bad since the Officer's Academy."

Twilight paused and scowled at Skyfall. "What was with that talk earlier? Were you trying to get my brother to attack you?"

"Yes."

"What? Why, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked. 

"Just chasing shadows in a mirror." Skyfall said, sighing at their confused looks. "It means I thought I saw something. Now, did you three run all the way here? Cadance got here not too long ago, and I know she teleported part of the way."

"Kind of." Twilight admitted. "We ran when we were passing Sweet Apple Acre because Applejack started following us."

"Ah thought somethin' serious happened." Applejack shrugged.

Cadance shouted in anger. "Are you serious?"

"Yes!" Shining stepped out of the fountain, having found his drive again. "Ever since the miscarriage you've been distant, and I try and try to help, but every time I do, I get pushed away!"

"Because sometimes, I need to be alone with my thoughts!" Cadance's voice was full of rage. "I love you, Shining, but I’m not going to put up with these accusations!"

"But-"

"No, I'm talking! You're not!" Cadance stomped her hoof. "I sit by every time you get like this and bring you down from your paranoid delusions, but this time I won't.”

"I didn't mean-"

"You know what? Leave me alone!" Cadance turned and stormed away from Shining as he sat with his hoof outstretched, futilely trying to somehow bring her back. Cadance slammed the front door to Sky’s house behind her.

Skyfall stood and approached Shining. Twilight and Applejack, fearful of what he may do, stood, but were waved down by Skyfall's wing. Shining slumped against the fountain and made a variety of sad gestures before dropping his head in defeat. Sky observed Shining Armor’s plight for a few moments before speaking. "Do you love her?"

Shining, shocked by the question, looked up. "Y-Yes."

"Then it'll work out."

"No, she hates me." Shining's head started to hang.

"I doubt that. She’s probably angry-" Skyfall was interrupted by Cadance giving a sharp scream from within the house. "-Oh yeah, definitely angry. But she still loves you."

Shining looked at Skyfall. "How do you know?"

"I'm old. Trust me, I know things." Skyfall rested his wing on Shining's shoulders in a reassuring manner.

"Listen, I wanted to apologize about earlier."

"Don't." Skyfall waved Shining's attempt at giving an awkward apology away. "You know, it's funny."

Skyfall tapped Shining on the shoulder and waved him forward to follow. Twilight and Applejack sat idly for a short while before deciding to slowly catch up with the two.

"What is?" Shining asked curiously.

"You and Cadance remind me of my wife and I. Almost to the point it's scary." Skyfall gave a small smile, remembering all the times she would stomp off shouting angrily while he sat there snickering like a fool. "Sometimes, nasty fights happen. Even the best relationships have scuffles where the best thing is a little breathing room. Some space to cool down."

"Did you two always make up?" Shining didn't need to explain what he was thinking; it was obvious that, given the choice, he would rush back and try to apologize to Cadance.

"Yes."

Shining winced a little. "She doesn't live with you?"

Twilight let out a gasp, drawing the attention of both Applejack and Shining.

"No, she died many years ago in a place very far from here." Skyfall said calmly. "She and I loved each other, and not a day goes by that I don't miss her. We fought and argued, but that's because I was stubborn and she was pushy. Well, pushy with me at least."

Shining took a long look at Skyfall. Aside from the size difference, the two stallions looked very similar. "What was she like?"

Skyfall gave Shining a sideways glance. "Honestly?"

Shining nodded.

"Almost exactly like Cadance. Even the way she storms off and slams doors before screaming is the same." Skyfall laughed. "Although, my wife was a little taller. Oh, and she would throw things at me."

Shining chuckled. "Then they're the same. Cadance likes to throw pillows at me when I act up."

"Ever heard of a chancleta?"

"No." Shining cocked his head.

"Good." Skyfall said curtly. "My wife loved shoes, especially the ones that look like sandals and wrap up your hoof. Whenever she got upset, she would wind up and whip one at me."

"Did it hurt?" Applejack asked.

"No, but I could be on the other side of the castle and she would still nail me with it." Skyfall reminisced.

"Castle?" Shining, Twilight, and Applejack said in unison.

Skyfall gulped and ignored the question. "Well, looks like we're at the front gate," he said, reaching the edge of his property.

"Are you letting Cadance stay the night?" Shining stopped and looked back to the estate in the valley. He could briefly see Cadance in a second story window before she angrily threw the curtains closed.

"Yes." Skyfall said. "You two need time apart to calm down. Take it from a stallion whose been in the same position. Take your time and think about what you're going to say and do. I'll talk to her and see what's going on."

Shining nodded. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me." Skyfall responded, waving his sentiment away once again. "This is completely up to you. For love to succeed, both sides need to put in an effort."

"I'll try."

Skyfall nodded and watched Twilight escort her brother away, leaving Applejack to stand there awkwardly.

"So." Applejack said, kicking a hoof in the dirt.

"Yep."

"Crazy stuff, them family problems." 

Skyfall glanced over. "You have a big family. I'm sure you see your fair share."

Applejack gave a half suppressed laugh. "Ah guess ah do."

"What do you want to ask me?"

Applejack started to walk away. "O-Oh it was nothin' there, sugarcube."

"You shouldn't feign disinterest." Skyfall deadpanned.

Applejack turned to face Skyfall. The sun's rays peeked through the trees as they both waited for the other to speak. "Do ya live here because you feel guilty about your wife?"

Skyfall sat, staring at Applejack, mind completely blank.

Applejack shook her head. "I'm sorry, ah shouldn't have asked that. It wasn't my place."

"No, it's fine." Skyfall said, waking himself from his stupor. "And the answer is yes."

With that, Skyfall turned to walk back to his house. "Have a safe night, Applejack."

Skyfall thought about Applejack on his way back, but not about what she said. Rather, his mind was set on the defeated look in her eyes.

The events of the afternoon played in Skyfall's head like a bad movie. Maybe Storm Front was right about being cursed with drama. His thoughts skewed as he approached his house and heard furious chopping through the open door.

"She's going Jack the Ripper on those vegetables." Sif said.

"Well, they were on her turf." Skyfall joked. 

"Are you sure she should stay? I think this is a horrible idea." Sif leaned a little closer. "What if she finds out?"

"She won't." 

"That's what you said before we had to escape the Griffon capital." Sif growled.

"That was not my fault." 

"Mhm." Sif whipped Sky with her tail as she passed him. "Just so you know, I'm heading out to get the status report on the Diamond Dogs. I’ve also gotta  investigate some insect ponies in the north."

"So I take it you won’t be staying for dinner?"

"With a ghost and a Princess? Fat chance." Sif huffed. "Oh, before I forget: There is an anomaly in the forest in the form of a village."

"Where?"

"Sixty miles due northeast." 

Skyfall closed his eyes, but without turning into a Spirit, he could only feel a vague sense of the village’s presence. "What about it?"

"We don't have the numbers to investigate it yet, but they seem to be ponies living in the Everfree." Sif waved her hoof in exasperation as Skyfall’s expression remained unchanged. "Ponies in a dark forest, see the issue?"

"I'll make a list." Sky smiled wryly.

Sif trotted to the edge of the forest. "Make sure you check it twice."

Sky summoned a vine and whipped it at Sif. "I dare you to call me Rudolph."

"Don't you mean, ‘you deer me’?" Sif laughed wildly as she ran into the forest to escape the vines thrashing to grab her.

"Brat." Skyfall muttered as he walked toward the kitchen where he found Cadance chopping angrily. Every clack of the board was followed with enraged mumbling. 

"How much money did they owe you?" Skyfall asked lightheartedly.

"Huh?" Cadance adopted an embarrassed look.

"The vegetables." Skyfall stepped forward to see that all of the greens were slashed and skewered messily. "Well, you certainly aren't getting any money from them now."

"Sorry." Cadance shifted under Skyfall's gaze.

He rested his hoof on her head. "Don't be. I have some frozen pizza."

"But I want to cook with you." Cadance pleaded.

"Another time perhaps." Sky retrieved the pizza and placed it in the heated oven. "I think you and I deserve a little time to unwind from our busy day."

"What do you want to do?"

Skyfall sat down on a couch in the living room and sighed as he reclined. "Old stallions like to talk, I think we should do that, nothing crazy like earlier, just about life."

"What's there to talk about?" Cadance asked.

"That's the beauty of spontaneous conversation." Sky laughed. "How about stuff around Ponyville?"


Cadance paused briefly and looked around nervously before she taking a deep breath. "What about Shattered Skies?"

Skyfall grew curious at the coincidence of his guest would asking that, but chose to indulge her. "Sure, what about him?"

Cadance smiled. "Have you seen him?"

"Nope."

Her smiled faltered. "Do you know where he might be?"

"Not really."

"Is there a way to contact him?" Cadance continued to pry.

"Why the sudden interest in Shattered Skies?"

Cadance looked at her hooves as she settled onto the other end of the couch. "I don't believe any of the things ponies say about him and I wanted to talk to him, one on one."

Skyfall looked Cadance up and down. If her questioning was a trap, then it was a good one. Chances were, if she was asking, she was sent by someone else who was catching onto his disguise. 

"I've never seen him myself, I think it’s just a hoax, to be honest."

Cadance shook her head. "I'm staying in Ponyville until either I find him, or he finds me. I don't care if I need to sleep in the forest to get his attention."

Skyfall held his hoof up to placate the pink Alicorn. "Please don't. You are free to stay here as long as you wish. The Everfree has grown quiet, but that doesn't mean it's any less dangerous."

Cadance’s wings hugged her body and she smiled up at her host. She opened her mouth and tried to speak a few times before settling for, "Thank you."

They both fell into silence for much of the night. Not an emotionally-charged heavy silence, but a content and peaceful one.

After dinner, Skyfall playfully poked Cadance. "Now that you're an actual guest, you may sleep in one of the guest rooms upstairs. Try the one in the east wing, it has a nice sunrise."

"Are you going to sleep?" Cadance asked.

Just then the door sounded with three loud knocks as Nimbus poked his head in. "Sky."

"One sec." Skyfall turned back to Cadance. "In a little while. Goodnight. I'll see you in the morning, lovebutt."

"Night." Cadance chirped as she trotted her way towards the guest rooms, leaving the two stallions alone.

Sky turned to Nimbus. "What is it?"

Nimbus sighed. "We're going in to town. Someone wants to see you."

"Someone or someone." Sky asked for clarification.

"A very old someone." Nimbus started to walk. "It's better if you see her now, before she rips your throat out."

"Her?"

"Yep."

Sky tightened his scarf. "Where to?"

"Hayburger."

After a long solemn trek, Skyfall and Nimbus walked into Ponyville and past the few ponies still outside, enjoying the cool night air. As they drew closer, the two disguised spirits saw a cloaked pony standing menacingly in front of a guard.

"Ma'am, I need you to lower your hood. It's for my safety, as well as yours." A guard commanded.

"Ha, ‘my safety’? I'm safer if it's up." The mare growled.

"We need you to comply, ma'am. If you don't, then we'll need to place you under arrest for failure to follow a lawful order."

"The answer's no." The mare shifted her cloak and revealed two metal boxes on her hips. "You can come and get it if you want to."

The mare dropped her hood, her teal fur and white mane shining in the street lights. She stared the guards down with her magenta eyes making her intentions clear. The lead guard charged her, and she instantly pulled a cord, hitting him in the chest with a smoking canister that dispersed into a cloud on contact, knocking the stallion out cold.

Sky groaned. This was no doubt Flowing Streams, the Spirit of the rivers.

The guards started to dogpile her and she fought back ferociously, kicking, biting, and snarling. However, as soon as she saw Sky and Nimbus watching her, Flowing Streams gave up her fight. 

"Stop resisting!" One of the guards roared.

"Okay." She said monotonously and sighed.

The guards stood around awkwardly, unsure if the spontaneous mare was goading them, but she allowed the guards to restrain her without resistance.. 

"We'll need to bail her out." Nimbus said.

"Looks that way." Skyfall nodded. "She'll be arraigned for resisting arrest first thing Monday morning, and we'll need to be there for it."

"So what now?" Nimbus chuckled. "Mead?"

"You know I don't drink, Nim." Skyfall looked around him, and noticed Rainbow Dash. They locked eyes briefly, and Rainbow quickly bolted to hide in a store. "I need to go home to prepare. I have that foal class in a few days."

"You're taking a class or teaching one?" Nim asked.

"Teaching." Skyfall sighed.

"On a Saturday morning?" Nimbus asked in disbelief.

"Yep. It's the only way the parents would allow it, apparently." Sky started to walk. "If you want to help, stop in."

"What's the subject?"

"No idea." 

"Winging it?" Nimbus trotted up next to Skyfall.

"Yep." Sky was about to duck into a nearby hat shop, but Nim grabbed his attention by smacking his lips.

"Yo, just a heads up." Nimbus said quietly. "Celestia will be here next week, so be on the lookout. Also, I saw two cloaked ponies duck into a shop when Streams started fighting, she sent a letter to me long ago that she was watching Inko and Honos for you, so expect them as well."

"Seems retirement isn't going to be kind to me." Skyfall mumbled. "Neither will my water bill."





Significantly shorter than a week later...





"Are you sure you want to have tea at his house, Princess?" Twilight asked. "I'm sure if I ask, we could have him come to the castle."

"Of course I am, Twilight. From the letters we've written to one another, he seems like he would be a wonderful host." Princess Celestia smiled down to her former student as they passed Skyfall's front gate. "Plus, it's nice to get away from castles and official meetings."

Twilight sighed. "If you say so, Princess."

"I do say so." Celestia giggled and brought her head down to Twilight, giving her a big smile. "Come on, when was the last time you had some real time to just take a walk and meet somepony for tea?"

"Well, his tea is really good." Twilight smiled back.

Celestia felt a warmth growing in her chest that she rarely felt on most days: joy. She took an interest in all her subject's lives, but many were afraid to write to her. But not the pony she was about to visit. Celestia’s schedule had been cleared for the rest of the day, and she intended to thoroughly enjoy her time off.

"This house is beautiful." Celestia mused aloud. Her stomach rumbled and startled her guards that had been on high alert. Each guard brandished their weapon and went ridged. "Calm down, everypony. That was just my stomach."

"Yes, Princess." The guards said in unison.

"Shall we knock?" Princess Celestia rhetorically asked as she lifted a hoof to the door and let out three light knocks. After waiting patiently, she looked around and Twilight gave her a shrug.

"Try knocking harder."

Celestia tried knocking again, but could only produce a few more quiet knocks.

"What the hell? Is a bird knocking on my door?" Came a voice from inside. Distant stomping grew louder and stopped as the large darkwood and cast iron doors were opened, revealing an agitated Skyfall. "Oh, it’s a very large bird."

Skyfall could feel Celestia's presence the instant she entered Ponyville. A power like her’s could be felt for miles when she wasn't masking it.

Celestia gave a kind smile. "It's wonderful to finally see the stallion behind the daily letters."

"D-Daily?" Twilight asked, shocked that someone was out-writing her.

Skyfall smirked at the large Alicorn. "I presume you're finally taking me up on the tea time I offered."

"You presume correctly." Celestia said and noticed that Sky was looking from pony to pony.

"Well, you brought a few more guests than I anticipated."

"Yes. Captain Fury demanded that I have an escort, and Twilight insisted on being here as well." Celestia's smile shifted into a look of concern. "That won't be a problem, will it?"

"Not at all." Skyfall laughed. "Come on in, I can finally give you that full body massage I've been writing to you about."

The guards grew angry at Skyfall's nonchalant attitude with the Princess.

Twilight looked at Celestia with a questioning gaze. "Princess, you like massages?"

Celestia laughed nervously. She knew that Skyfall was teasing, but since she was in front of so many ponies, she couldn't fire back with any risque quotes or comments, forcing her to stand idly by and wear a nervous smile. "Well, I believe it's time for tea."

"Princess, we'll guard the perimeter." The lead guard said.

Celestia nodded as she entered Sky's house with Twilight in tow. She took in the foyer’s designs as she entered. Even with all the architectural variety in Canterlot, the aesthetic of Skyfall's house was something she'd never seen before. "You truly do have a nice house, Sir Skyfall."

"Agh, just Sky, please." Skyfall waved a hoof in the air. 

Twilight squinted at Skyfall, making it clear that she didn't approve of his casual way of addressing the country’s monarch.

"Something in your eye, Twilight?" Skyfall asked.

"Maybe." Twilight continued her glare.

"Maybe she needs a full body massage, too." Skyfall said as he glanced to Celestia.

Celestia chuckled. "You are terrible."

"I try." Skyfall turned and walked down a left hall where the large dining area was. As he disappeared, Sky called back to his guests. "Ah, water's done."

"Princess, why do you let him talk to you like that?" Twilight asked, struggling to understand.

Celestia lowered her head to speak quietly into Twilight’s ear. "When you deal with as many nobles and dignitaries as I do that kiss the ground you walk on, it's nice to meet a stallion who doesn't care for title or status."

"You like the teasing?"

Celestia heard Skyfall whistling for them both and smiled. "All mares like a little teasing."

The aroma of strawberries and rain filled the hall, coaxing Celestia and Twilight into the naturally lit dining hall. The darkwood walls and marble banisters only added to the house’s comforting atmosphere as both of them sat.

"So, Twilight tells me you bought this house and renovated it. How much of it is original?" Celestia asked as she looked around at the large window, crimson drapery, and tiled ceiling.

"Almost all of it." Sky called as he balanced the tea kettle and cups on a plate while he walked over to the table. "Whatever isn't original has been remade to fit the original design."

"I remember the political fiasco when the previous owner disappeared, though I never actually visited." Celestia mused.

Skyfall started to pour the tea and saw Twilight's baffled expression. "Curious about the teapot?"

Twilight smiled sheepishly.

"It's a cast iron tea kettle that was given to me by a king." Sky said. 

"Which king?" Celestia asked. "There aren't many monarchs on Equus."

Skyfall finished pouring and set the kettle down before tending to his own cup. "King Leo, Ruler of the Deep."

"I've never heard of him." Twilight said in Celestia's sudden silence.

"How did you get to know King Leo?" Celestia smiled. "I know him quite well, though I have not seen him in some time."

Skyfall chuckled as he crafted another story, mixing truth and imagination to suit his guise. "Well, it is quite the tale. You see, years ago when I was much younger, I was sailing a cargo ship across the eastern ocean and two monstrous hurricanes formed on my way back to port. Me and my crew got caught in the hurricanes as they collided with one another. We tried to make it to one of the hurricane's eyes, but the mast had been damaged from a pirate attack the week prior, causing it to snap."

Twilight covered her mouth with a hoof. "That's horrible."

"It gets worse."  Skyfall chuckled. "When the mast snapped, the ship dropped from the sky like a lead balloon, but luckily my first mate was able to snag some wind on one of the support masts so we would hit the water at an angle. That in combination with a rogue wave kept us from being smashed to pieces."

Sky took a sip of his honeyed tea.

"So what happened next?" Twilight asked impatiently. 

"You love stories, I see." Skyfall smirked. "Well, I did what all great captains do. I went down with my ship."

Celestia gave Skyfall a surprised look as she added honey to her tea and mixed it around. "You really did that?"

"What? No!" Skyfall's laugh slowed to a low breathy mumble. "No, the rigging came loose with a violent gust of wind and wrapped around my neck before the ship dragged me under."

"You drowned?" Twilight asked. "That must have been horrible."

Skyfall shrugged. "I got my crew onto the emergency boats before it happened. I was content."

Celestia gave Skyfall a reassuring smile.

"King Leo was aware of my predicament and was able to keep me alive long enough until I was transported to their hospital. After a month, we grew to be friends and he took me to the nearest sea port."

"That's amazing." Twilight breathed in wonder.

"No, I'll tell you what's amazing." Skyfall's cheery mood returned. "That port was the same port my crew was taken to and they all thought I was a ghost for a solid week. Though, in retrospect, making moaning sounds and running around with seaweed on my head didn't help things."

Twilight clapped her hooves. "I like happy endings."

"You know what leads to happy endings?" Skyfall wiggled his eyebrow.

"No, what?" Twilight asked innocently.

Celestia face hoofed.

"Massages."

"Skyfall, I believe it wouldn't be good to tease young Twilight." Celestia said while Twilight looked between them both, very confused as to what either of them meant.

"You want a massage too?" Skyfall rose his eyebrow.

"Oh, I believe I'm too big for any massage you could give." Celestia smirked, having finally returned his teasing.

Skyfall gave her a look of 'Oh really?' "You never know, Celestia, I like my mares with some junk in the trunk." He let out a snicker. “And you aren’t the only one who’s ‘too big’ for the other to handle.”

"Now we're talking about furniture?" Twilight asked, thinking aloud.

Celestia stared in shock, never had one of her ponies spoken so brazenly to her.

"You know." Skyfall continued his relentless teasing. "Some jiggle for the wiggle; some cushion for the pushin'; some rump for the stump."

Celestia covered her face, trying not to meet Twilight's questioning gaze. "I yield." 

"I'm so lost." Twilight turned to Skyfall. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh nothing, just teasing a pent-up Princess." Skyfall looked at Celestia as she met his gaze with a sly smirk. 

"Oh no, I forgot!" Twilight yelped as she looked at a nearby clock. "I meant to meet Spike so we could go to the comic book store!"

Twilight's horn lit up as she waved to Skyfall and Celestia. "I'm sorry, the tea was great."

With that, Twilight disappeared in a flash of magic.

Celestia gave a deep sigh and slumped a little in her chair.

"Glad to finally be rid of her?" Sky asked.

"N-No, Twilight is one of my dearest friends. It's just, at times, she can be a little..."

"High strung? Uptight?" 

"Yes." Celestia agreed as she looked around. "I heard my niece was staying here. Where is she? I would like to say hello."

"Cadance is at the spa, I think. Everyone's gone. It's just us." Sky sighed.

Celestia nodded and started drinking more of her tea. She had a satisfied look on her face as she breathed in the steaming drink. "I haven't had tea this good in a very long time. It's a little embarrassing, but I forgot where I remember the taste from."

"Well, you're welcome to some anytime you stop by." Sky offered. "Though, next time, try to come without the entourage."

Celestia giggled into a hoof. "A bit pretentious, I must admit."

"Eh, just a little." Skyfall placed his cup down on the table and tempted fate. He waited until Celestia looked up from her tea so that they both made eye contact. "Princess, why do you hate Spirits?"

The question hung in the air for a long time. Celestia's expression went from surprise to a cross between anger and resentment. She tapped her hoof lightly on the table, every so often wincing,struggling to decide if she should share or not.

"I... don't hate them." Celestia said slowly. "They just cause problems. Do you know of Discord?"

"I've heard the name." Skyfall tittered.

"They're all very similar to Discord. Most of them thrive on disturbing the natural order of things. I know you are well educated on world history, so I won't diverge and make it seem like they're all bad." Celestia stared into Skyfall's unwavering eyes, feeling calm and forthcoming, like a patient before a therapist. "I led a campaign against the Spirits after the infamous sacking of Cahokia."

'Knee-jerk reaction, but okay.' Sky thought, trying not to openly criticize the deity before him. "Did you kill them?"

"No, I imprisoned them with the help of Starswirl the Bearded." Celestia said. "Though, a few are still out there, as I'm sure you've realized."

"Ponies can't keep secrets, especially here." Skyfall said, having satiated his questions for the time being. "Now that I remember, I did offer tea to one other mare. Where is your sister?"

Celestia looked a little surprised. "Now that makes sense."

"What does?" Skyfall asked.

"Earlier this morning, Luna sent me a letter from her room saying she wasn't going." Celestia summoned the letter to insure that she remembered correctly. "This would have made more sense if she gave it context."

Sky watched as Celestia's magic incinerated the letter. He knew Luna wouldn't come, it was just a formality. Living so close to the forest meant getting closer to Shattered Skies. 'Very interesting.'

"Well, be sure to tell her the offer is still available for her as well."

Celestia gave a long sigh. "And I was really enjoying this."

"Pardon?" 

Celestia pointed out the window. "The time has come to lower the sun and that means I must return to Canterlot."

"Well, my door is always open. Just next time, knock louder than a canary." Skyfall offered, eliciting a bout of giggling from Celestia.

"One more thing before I go." Celestia said as she wore a weak smile. "I am not sure if Captain Fury has asked yet, but there is an open position as Captain of a new guard unit that is being formed. I was hoping you would accept."

"He has, but for you, Celestia-" Sky watched as her face started to light up. "-I'll think about it."

Skyfall walked Celestia to the front door, escorting her to her guards. 

"You know, we never did get to that full body massage." Skyfall poked.

Celestia squinted over at Skyfall. "It's been a pleasure, Skyfall."

Skyfall bowed his head a little. "That it has. Goodnight, Celestia."

"And a goodnight to you, Skyfall."

As the front doors shut, Skyfall turned to see Nimbus and Sif staring down at him from the second floor, each appearing in the doorway of the room where they were hiding.

"So how'd it go?" Nimbus asked.
> Chapter 16 -Lemon Danish-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Lemon Danish-


Skyfall shot up in bed with a snort, the loud ringing of the doorbell and the clamoring of a great many mini-hooves shocked him awake. He felt a warmth snuggled next to him, and he was greatly surprised to find that Cadance  was sleeping with him under all of the covers, practically clinging to his foreleg. 'What the hell?'

He ignored the weirdness and trotted downstairs to find a large group of foals and their teacher standing in his foyer in front of a raggedy Nimbus whose hair looked like it belonged to an aging 80’s punk rocker in denial.

"Say good morning, class." Cheerilee said.

"Good morning, Mr. Skyfall." The foals chorused.  A few of them waved a hoof at him.

"Good morning, class." Skyfall said, then he looked up at Nim, who was waving his own hoof. 

"Hey, I gotta go post River's bail." Nimbus said. He wanted to see if Streams was okay.

Cheerilee looked from stallion to stallion, clearly worried about their conversation. Her eyes lingered a bit on Skyfall. 

Sky nodded and waved for the class to follow him as he clip-clopped up a staircase. They eagerly pursued their new teacher down one of the marbled corridors. Old paintings and swords lined the walls, eliciting varying reactions from each foal.

"Honestly, I was unsure where to keep you all for a class." Skyfall admitted. "We could do this outside on a clear day, but it's been rainy recently, and the fields are more like a bog, so I figured we could have class in one of the storage rooms."

"You have a storage room on the second floor?" Cheerilee asked.

"Eh, kind of. It's more of an old training room that leads out to a second floor garden." Skyfall admitted to the 'ohs' of the class. "Nimbus should have placed some books and maps in there so we could look them over."

Skyfall opened the double doors to the large, empty room with a few pieces of furniture covered in white sheets. Large windows allowed for plenty of light to shine on the parqueted wooden floor. Skyfall stepped aside so the foals could rush past him. 

Cheerilee stepped to his side. "Wow. I didn't know all this was here in Ponyville."

"I had to get many restoration ponies to come by and fix it up. They said the build date is about a century ago." Skyfall sighed as he saw a few sets of armor in the corner. "Seriously, Nim? The armor?"

"Ms. Cheerilee look, armor!" Pipsqueak called.

Cheerilee stood, trying to come up with something to say, but Skyfall beat her to it.

"Yes, Pip, that's armor." Skyfall strode over and picked up a piece. "My brother must have dragged it out of storage."

The armor was old and ornate, and being that it was a mixture of chain mail, plate armor, and leather padding meant it was heavy. Sky picked it up and gave it a little bounce. "It's too small for me though."

"Do you wear armor?" Button Mash asked.

Skyfall patted him on the head. "Once upon a time, yes. Now, who can tell me where these two pieces of armor are from?"

The foals raised their hooves. 

"Yes, Apple Bloom."

"Um, here?" She smiled sheepishly.

"No, I mean originally." Skyfall said, smirking. He placed the armor in front of him so they could all see it, he looked up and saw that a few hooves went down. "Look at the design and how it would be worn."

"Yes, Dinky Do?" Skyfall picked a filly from the back.

"I didn't raise my hoof?" She tried to defend.

Skyfall smiled sweetly. "Try anyway."

She came forward and looked at the armor to Skyfall's right. "It looks pieced together?"

"Yes, excellent." Skyfall patted her on the head. "I took ownership of these pieces when friends of mine lost them to me in a card game."

"Gambling is bad class." Cheerilee said immediately.

"Unless you win, then it's totally awesome and completely okay." Skyfall instantly returned. The class giggled at the banter between their teachers. "Now, let’s go a little deeper."

Skyfall lifted the armor. "Who wants to put it on?"

Button Mash and Pipsqueak shot their hooves up.

"Great. You two step forward. It will be big, but you will notice what I'm talking about." Sky started helping both colts into their respective armors, putting it on them as if they were really about to fight, fastening buckles and adjusting them as much as they would allow. He drew the buckles as tight as they could go, and the colts still looked like shrunken warriors. "Okay, boys, tell us what you feel."

"Awesomesauce." Button Mash said, his eyes wide. Skyfall chuckled. 

"No, like mobility and weight."

Button Mash and Pip shifted around in the oversized armor, struggling to stay upright.

"Heavy and stiff." Button said.

"Lightweight and flexible." Pip said. 

"Before I reveal some of the history behind them, who wants to take their last, best guess?" Skyfall asked.

Cheerilee rose her hoof. 

"Yes?"

"Medieval?" 

"No, anyone else?" Sky looked down.

Sweetie Belle rose her hoof.

"Got an answer, Sweetie?" Sky asked as she shuffled forward to examine the armor on Button Mash. She lifted the pauldrons and finally rested a hoof on a ribbon that was attached to the chest.

"Is it Prench?"

"Very good, Sweetie Belle. That armor was made in Prance and worn by a stallion named Iron Grip. He was a minister and a court justice during one of Prance's more troublesome times, like the Revolutions and et cetera" Skyfall grabbed the armor and helped Button Mash out of it. "Later on, the armor was claimed by a stallion named Honos who defeated Iron Grip at the top of the Palace of Justice. Honos wore it as a symbol for many years while he presided over the Prench courts while doing good deeds in his spare time."

The class, including Cheerilee, had a look of awe upon each of their faces.

"Did that really happen?" Cheerilee asked.

"Of course." Skyfall said, a little surprised a school teacher was unaware of Equestria's own history. He reached back and rooted through the history books. He pulled one out and after a minute of flipping, he found the period he was looking for. "Ah, wonderful. They have a painting of Iron Grip."

Skyfall showed the class the book. It was old and likely out of print, but the information was still good. "If you look closely, the armor in the painting and the one next to me are the same."

Pipsqueak shook his hoof in the air. 

"Yes, Pip?"

"What about this armor? It doesn't look like that at all." Pipsqueak said as he jostled around inside his armor.

"You're right. That armor is harder to pinpoint when it comes to historical origins. Had I not known the story behind it, It may have been lost to time." Skyfall chuckled. "I would ask for you all to guess, but the story is too good to put off."

Sky helped Pipsqueak out of the armor and he popped out of the bottom and fell back with a knife in his mouth. He spat it out and gasped. "Where'd that come from?"

Sky lifted the neck lining and found an empty holster. Sky picked the dagger up and held it before him. "This is a diving knife."

"Why does a suit of armor have a diving knife?" Cheerilee asked, slightly upset one of her students had stumbled upon it.

"Let me tell the tale and you'll see." Skyfall said. "Why does this armor look pieced together?"

"Maybe that's all they could find and they needed it?" Snips said from the back.

"You would be right in most cases." Skyfall placed the armor down and flipped through another book. "Every piece of this armor was taken by a worthy opponent."

"Was it won?" Apple Bloom asked. "Ah imagine the losing pony would be really mad?"

"The armor was taken after the end of a fight." Sky said.

"They fought?" Cheerilee asked, her eyes widening a little.

"Yes, often times to the death."

Cheerilee gasped, unsure how her class would react. They all didn't mind, they were young, not dumb. "What kind of ponies were these? I've never heard of such a thing."

"Put simply. They were pirates." Skyfall turned another book towards the class, showing a scene where two old ships did battle in the sky. "This armor belonged to a pirate named Black Horn and was left to be by a friend named Bones."

'Same stallion, but I'll keep that to myself.'

"Black Horn sailed from ocean to ocean plundering a great many ships. He stole from Cows, Sheep, Ponies, Cats, Dogs, Spirits, it didn't matter. At one point his bounty was so large, Princess Celestia herself ordered his capture and sent Spirits after him. Unfortunately, the one that succeeded, let him go because they happened to be good friends."

"The Princess associated with Spirits?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Yes, long ago." Skyfall said.

"Aren't they evil?" Tiara asked once more, but this time with a pad and pencil.

"No. Some Spirits can be misunderstood, but no one is inherently evil." Skyfall said. 

"What about Discord?" Diamond asked. "He was evil up until a few years ago."

Skyfall cursed mentally and chose to answer honestly. "Discord was never truly evil."

"Huh?" Tiara asked.

He hated saying it, but it was the honest truth. "Discord is a Spirit that thrives on chaos. Without it, he aches and becomes backed up, which could lead to an explosive release of harmful magic. So, evil no, but he handles himself very poorly."

"You don't like him?"  Diamond Tiara asked.

"I'm not overly fond of him, no." Skyfall sighed.

"How do you know so much about Spirits?" Cheerilee asked.

"It was my dissertation when I lived in Saddle Arabia." Skyfall walked to the window and saw Nimbus arguing with Streams.

"I thought you were from the east?" Scootaloo asked.

"I am. I was educated partly in Saddle Arabia. There is a library there that I stumbled upon that held information that proved to be quite extensive." 

"What's a dissertifi - disser - dessert?" Snails tried to repeat the long word.

"Dissertation." Skyfall restated. "It's a long essay required for a doctorate, usually in Philosophy and it's about forty pages long, but mine usually ran into the nineties."

"So you're a doctor?" Sweetie asked.

"Yes, in both history and in the medical field." Skyfall stood. 

"You're a doctor, doctor?" Scootaloo's question was answered with a curt nod.

"Yep, I’ve helped a great many ponies."

"I thought you were a guard?" Snips asked. "My dad said you were a guard."

"I was never a guard, per se, but I did serve in a military aspect." Sky rolled his eyes as the foals started raising their hooves. "Yes, Scootaloo?"

"Is that how you got the scars under your wings?" 

"Scootaloo!" Cheerilee scolded and started to angrily stomp over, but was stopped by Skyfall's firm hoofstomp.

"It is quite alright, Cheerilee." Skyfall looked back to Scootaloo and lifted his enormous wings, revealing the long, thick scars on either side. "Yes, I served someone who turned on me. She drew her blade and ran me through. She nearly killed me."

"How did you survive?" Scootaloo asked.

"With the help of someone very dear to me." Sky smiled down. "Luckily, I payed attention in school, so I knew to try and stay calm so I wouldn't bleed out faster."

"See class, school is important." Cheerilee said, full of pride while her class groaned.

Sky sat down. "It really is. If you don't develop the basics like math, then you will have nothing when you move on to harder subjects."

"Math is hard." Dinky Do mumbled.

Skyfall turned to Cheerilee. "What maths are they learning?"

"We've moved into algebra."

"Ew." Skyfall made a gagging noise and rested his hoof on the bridge of his nose. "Who is in charge of your curriculum?" 

Cheerilee shrugged. "I don't agree with it either, but that's what was set forth by the school board."

"What about special classes? Surely you’ve got electives?"

"What do you mean? Like shop class or cooking?" Cheerilee watched Skyfall nod. "Then no, we have math, Equish, geography, and arts."

"No science, chemistry, or physical education?" Skyfall's expression turned annoyed. "Y'know what, don't answer that. Whatever y'all are missing you're gonna learn here."

Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle started giggling.

"What?" Skyfall asked, confused at what he did.

"You were talking like Apple Bloom." Sweetie Belle poked Apple Bloom, earning a hoof smack from the farm filly.

"Sorry, I do that sometimes." Skyfall tittered and felt someone approaching. "Well, children, that seems to be all we have time for today."

The class stood up, too dazed from what they learned to say much. 

Cheerilee trotted over to Skyfall as the class gathered their things, she looked around the room and then back to Sky. "So was it all really true?"

"Every word." Sky missed teaching, but was slightly worried he started off to heavy for a young class. "Did I do well?"

Cheerilee nodded. "Oh yeah. Whenever you want to teach, let me know. I imagine some of the parents may want to listen to you talk."

"If it's that good, it could be every Friday. That way, you don't have to spread your workload too thin." 

Cheerilee thought for a second. "That sounds great. The Mayor asked me to give her my thoughts on the class for the future and I think she'll approve of the change."

"So I guess that makes us co-workers." Skyfall joked.

"Where is he!" A loud thunderous boom came from the front door, causing all of the foals to shrink down and look back at Skyfall.

"You all want to see something funny?" Skyfall laughed. "Come back and stand in the back stairwell."

As the stomping got closer, the foals scurried away just as the door flew open to reveal a very angry mare. "You!"

"I've been getting that a lot lately." Skyfall deadpanned. "How are you, River?"

River growled and charged Sky in a frantic, enraged sprint only to be sidestepped and tackled. "Ragh, let me go!"

"You fail, Nim!" Sky called down to Nimbus as he playfully pinned River's hooves to the ground, exposing her belly. "Now, are you going to calm down or am I going to have to resort to torture?"

River scowled. "Like you would."

Skyfall gestured to the class who stared at her curiously. The colts stared in awe, for River was extremely fit and curvy beneath her teal fur, and the fillies in wonder because she had a beautifully done mane. 

"What are you going to do?" River mumbled.

"Pink belly or raspberry?"

"I prefer whips and chains." River whispered. Luckily the class couldn't hear, but Sky could.

"Raspberry? I think I heard raspberry." Sky glanced to his class. "Y’all heard raspberry, right?"

"RASPBERRY!" The shouted in excitement.

"Raspberry it is." Skyfall pressed his face to River's belly and blew.  He watched her writhe in laughter for a good two minutes before she gave up. "I will see you all next Friday. Oh, and one more thing: homework!"

The class groaned.

"No actual writing involved, just thinking." Skyfall said. "I don't believe in meaningless homework."

The class, including Cheerilee, looked perplexed. "I said earlier that no one is inherently evil and by your faces I suspect some of you feel otherwise. Black Horn and Honos were brothers, they came from the same upbringing and stock. Why did they choose their path and why does the world view them differently?"

"Goodbye, Doctor Skyfall!" The foals said as they exited as they began talking among themselves.

"So." River said, having recovered.

"We will have a chance to talk, but not here." Sky said.

"There isn't much time, Sky. It’s getting bad out there and Nimbus told me you gave up."

"Retired."

"Same thing." River scoffed. "Not to mention there are four Alicorns that would like nothing more than to see your head on a pike. I think if we gather what we have, we can start to change things. Innocence and Feather will be here either late this evening or tomorrow morning, and then we can have a meeting."

Skyfall facepalmed. "Nimbus didn't tell you." 

"Tell me what?"

"Skyfall, who's this?" Came a cheery voice from the doorway.

River glanced at Cadance, then scowled at Skyfall. "Rudolph!" 





Sif muttered to herself as she sipped her coffee. The hustle and bustle of the marketplace proved to be too harrowing for her nerves.

"How about-"

"Away,  pink devil!" Sif shouted into her cup, drawing wary stares from the other patrons.

Rainbow Dash sat in the seat next to her. "What's wrong, Sif?"

"Nothing, I just want to relax." Sif growled before Rainbow slid a plate of danish over to her.

"Want one?"

"Lemon danish." Sif hesitantly took the pastry. "This isn't poisoned, is it?"

Rainbow deadpanned. "Really?"

"Hey, just asking." Sif defended as she took a bite.

"I wanted to ask you something."

"And here we go." Sif groaned.

"What?"

"I knew you were going to ask me something and you were using the food as a way to start the conversation." Sif deadpanned to Rainbow Dash while she tried to put on an innocent smile that would rival Fluttershy's.

"Guilty." 

"Right." Sif reached over and took one of Rainbow's donuts. 

"Hey, that's mine!" Rainbow yelped.

"Information ain't cheap, sister." Sif dipped her donut. "Now, what do you want to know about Skyfall?"

Rainbow's eyes grew slightly. "Who s-said anything about him?"

Sif raised an eyebrow. "So it's not about Skyfall?"

"Now I didn't say that." Rainbow whispered.

"Dash, everyone here wants to know something. I haven't paid for a meal in a month, you ponies give me free food to tell stories about living by the Everfree and about Skyfall. Though, there was this old stallion that wanted a few strands of my mane." Sif mused aloud. 

Dash looked around. The bakery had since cleared out, leaving only them. She twirled the end of her mane nervously. "I, uh, I just wanted to know where I stand with Skyfall, that's all."

"...Oh." Sif shied away from Rainbow. 

"That bad?" Rainbow winced.

"No, but you have it bad." Sif said. 

"Have what?" Rainbow's confused look turned to annoyance. "I'm not sick."

“No, but you've got a fever." Sif said, chuckling to herself. "Some Skyfall fever."

Rainbow started to turn red from the teasing.

"Oh relax, I won't tell him." Sif tried not to make eye contact so she wouldn't burst out laughing.

"Is it that bad?" Rainbow asked. "I know most ponies think I'm too bull headed to find my special somepony."

"Eh." Sif shrugged. "I try not to judge."

"Thank you."

Sif raised a brow. "You know, you aren't half bad when you aren't boasting."

Rainbow stayed silent and bobbed her head. Sif suspected that she had struggled with her cockiness throughout her lifetime. Going around claiming to be the best and rubbing it in would make more enemies than friends.

"I take it you've tried talking to Skyfall about how he feels?" 

"Not necessarily." Rainbow scratched her chin in an effort to keep her hooves occupied. 

"Then why come to me?"

"I just want to see if he still hates me." Rainbow said solemnly.

"He never hated you."

"But-"

Sif held up a hoof. "I've known him so long that the spread of my life with him dwarfs the time I've spent alone. Trust me when I say, he does not hate you. You just annoy him."

"Has he told you?"

"No, I just hear your voice and then a door slam, following by grumbling and stomps." Sif could only watch as Rainbow's head bounced on the table.

"I've tried to be neighborly to him, but he never wants to hang out."

Sif shook her head, laughing at Rainbow's pitiful expression. 

"What should I do?"

"I don't know. Ask him to a party or something." Sif started to pay more attention to her coffee. "That or trick him into owing you a favor so he has to accept."

"L-Like a date?" Rainbow said a little louder than she meant.

"Sure."

"Well, the Grand Galloping Gala is coming up." Rainbow mused. "I over heard Rarity talking about asking him to go so she would have some hoof candy."

Sif cringed. "Then you better beat her to it." 

Rainbow did not have to be told twice. 

Sif just stared on as Rainbow flew out of the restaurant at full speed, leaving a long streak of rainbow in her wake. "Well, I hope that doesn't backfire-oh my sweet baby Skies, she left her donuts! Yes!"





Canterlot Throne Room





"The overflooding in the north and the drought in the west have been fixed." Discord grumbled as he floated high above Celestia and Luna. 

"Thank you very much, Discord." Celestia smiled.

"Yes, commendable job." Luna looked over the reports to confirm the Draconequus' claim.

"Can I go now? There is a new book I wish to read and all the sentiment is making me ill." Discord's body turned blue.

"Yes, you may, after one more thing." Celestia said. "You have not been to Ponyville in a few months. I believe you should go and visit."

Discord's antics of popping things in and out of existence stopped before he landed before both Alicorns slowly. "I thought I made myself clear when I refused your order to confront him."

"That isn't what I asked."

"It's what you meant." Discord said curtly.

"Honestly, you two fight like a married couple." Luna scowled to no one in particular.

"Let's ask Luna what she thinks, mmm?" Celestia chirped, expecting her sister's undivided support.

"I think we should leave him alone." Luna stated. "I have asked you repeatedly to stop pursuing him."

Celestia's smiled faded into annoyance. "And I have told you I will not forgive what he did to us, all of us. I know you may still feel for him, but genocide cannot be forgiven."

Both Celestia and Discord watched as Luna stood and walked out of the room to leave both beings to their squabbles.

"The council believes you could bring him out of hiding." Celestia's smile returned. "If you did this, all of Equestria would see you as a hero. Don't you want that?"

"Your 'council' holds no sway over me. Not Fury, not Graves, not River Bend, and especially not Faith." Discord stated, making his mistrust for them apparent.

"Oh, that's too bad." Came a voice from behind Discord. "I thought we had hit it off so well, too."

"Faith, it's nice to see that you've returned from Trottingham." Celestia smiled down at the goldenrod mare.

"It's been a long day." Faithful said, readjusting her wings to fix at her sides better. "I just wanted to give you my report before going to my quarters."

"No rush. Give it to me when you're fully rested. I trust that you handled the situation with as much grace as you do in all your endeavors." Celestia complimented.

"You flatter me, Your Grace." Faith gave her a curtsy. 

Discord scoffed and started floating away.

"We aren't finished." Celestia called out, holding out a hoof in vain.

"It's okay, Princess, I'll try and talk with him." Faithful chirped as she trotted after Discord, who had been floating faster and faster away from her until they turned the corner.

"Oh, Discord." Faith called.

"Away with you, cretin." Discord floated through a few walls and came to a rest in one of the many storage rooms in the Canterlot castle. Discord watched as sand started to pour into room through cracks in the walls. "Here we go."

The sand kicked up from the floor and started to form into a large golden being with a long, black mane and claws. She closely resembled a cross between a pony and a sphinx. "You know ditching me has never been that easy."

"Not for lack of trying." Discord reminded. "Have you done something with your mane? It looks wonderfully atrocious, Faith. Or should I call you by your real name, Unfaithful. "

Unfaithful gave the Chaos Spirit a wry smile. 



"Quit beating around the bush. Why have you been refusing our orders to go to Ponyville to root Shattered Skies out?" Unfaithful scowled.

"Put simply, my dear?" Discord smiled. "I've never listened to any of you: you were only arrogant enough to believe I had."

Unfaithful's expression was unmoving. "Why must you be so difficult?"

"Me?" Discord sat in the air. "What about Graves and that little fiasco in Ponyville?"

Discord sounded genuinely angry as he snapped and summoned medical reports and news lines, shoving them at Unfaithful. 

"You three have no control over that thing, he just goes around committing atrocities. Do you even know where he is? Why should I listen to those who can't even control their own family?"

"Watch it, Discord." Unfaithul growled. "You were told to listen to us and we've ordered you to go to Ponyville. The lives of mortals are of no concern to us."

"My answer is still no." Discord said solemnly. "I will take this up with him when he returns. Do not push the issue, Unfaithful, do not forget that I am more powerful than you in every conceivable way."

Unfaithful gave a malicious grin. "But you still take orders."

"Not by choice." Discord said before snapping his fingers and appearing in the only place he could go where she couldn't easily follow, Chaosville. "Ugh, home sweet home."

As Discord floated to the window and lamented about the position he was in. The minutes ticked by like hours while he watched the colors of the sky change again and again. "Why must I always make things worse?"

"It is your nature."

Discord gave a half hearted laugh. "Psalm, when did you arrive?" 

"Quite some time." An earthpony mare floated into sight when Discord didn't turn around. He noticed her well groomed, rust orange coat and onyx mane. She looked at him with eyes that ranged from grey to blue that looked like a piece of hawk's eye. "I know that look."

"I suppose you do." Discord sighed. 

"Do you want to talk about it?" Psalm asked, her silk voice was a welcomed sound to Discord. 

"I keep getting asked to do things I have no desire doing, my dear. Frankly, it's getting harder to deny them." Discord let out an annoyed groan as a letter popped into view. "That's probably them now."

Psalm's eyes glowed and the letter floated and opened before her. "Hmm. No, it seems to be your friend from Ponyville. You know, the yellow one."

"Fluttershy's been sending more letters recently."

Psalm patted Discord on the shoulder as she floated to the couch with a bag of sour cream and onion chips. "Too afraid to tell her why you won't go to Ponyville?"

Discord only nodded to Psalm's question before he continued looking out the window.

"Not going to go and visit?"

"Why don't you?" Discord glanced back. "It's more urgent that you go and find Skies, maybe then the world will start moving to fix what I blundered. If I go, it'll only make things worse."

Psalm gave Discord an annoyed look. "I will leave you to your thoughts then."

"Plans?" Discord quipped.

"No, I sense that Chrysalis is having a mental breakdown, again." 

"Well, hopefully you can calm her down, again." Discord continued his emotionless response.

After a quiet moment of reaching out with her magic, Psalm groaned. "Yeah, she found the ice cream. Later, alligator. Gots stuff to do." With a loud clap, Plasm evaporated and left a scent of ozone in the air. 

Discord looked back to see that she left the empty chip bag on the couch with a frowny face drawn onto it. He wanted to laugh, but felt to terrible too find joy in Psalms attempt to lighten the mood. He turned to continue looking out the window.

"Skies."
> Chapter 17 -I Know You-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-I Know You-



"When are we going to get a chance to talk?" River growled into Skyfall's ear as they both poured ice into a large cooler. 

"As soon as Cadance is gone long enough for us to talk." Skyfall whispered.

"That filly sticks to you more and more everyday! She's like a dog humping your leg." River yelped when Sif smacked her with her tail. "You know I didn't mean it like that!"

"What are you two talking about?" Cadance asked, pointed more towards River than Sky. "Sounds important."

Sky glanced back. "Yeah, I forgot to pick up sunscreen and coconuts for today."

"Oh, I can get them." Cadance chirped brightly, her ears swiveling like little pink radar dishes.

"Would you? That would be amazing." Skyfall smiled. Cadance’s smile lit up like a Christmas tree. Skyfall pointed at the house. "There’s a bit bag on my desk. Take what you need."

River scowled at Innocence. "Inko, go with her."

"Aw! But-"

"No buts! Go, young lady." River commanded.

Sky gave Inko a small pout to lighten the mood. "Okay, I'll go for Sky, not you. You're cranky."

Cadance clapped her hooves in delight. She liked Inko and Honos, or Honny as he liked to be called. But River, on the other hand, seemed constantly irritated with Cadance. She was unsure what the mare's problem was, but River was one of Skyfall's close friends, so it wasn't her place to interfere. 

Part of Cadance dreaded the walk into Ponyville. She wanted space from Shining, but he tried to follow her every time she stopped in to visit the town. She desperately wanted to make up with him, but he still needed an improvement in attitude.

"Ready, Lovebutt?" Inko asked. Her cream coat and auburn hair were already groomed for the walk. 

As soon as the door shut behind Inko and Cadance, River spun around. "Alright, spill."

"I think this conversation is best meant for the cave." Skyfall sighed, making his way towards the waterfall.

"Fine." River said. "Let's go then."

"I'm coming too." Nimbus stood to follow, along with Honos. 

"Inko left behind one of her finches." Honos said, pointing at the bird on his shoulder.

"Technically, she's my little songbird. Isn't that right, Lea?" Sky said, making the finch chirp and stick her chest out in confirmation. 

"You still using the animals to report on that farce in Ponyville?" Nim asked.

"Kinda. Celestia's captain of the guard is really smart. He doesn't let any animals near anything sensitive. Funny enough, sweet little Fluttershy is their biggest information leak."

"Liar." Nimbus laughed. "That shy little filly is a spy?" Nimbus asked.

"Of course not." Sky scoffed. "She tells her animals everything to get it off her chest and they then come to me. Nothing of any real importance."

Sky, River, and the others grew quiet as they entered the waterfall. The cool water washed over them as they passed through the falls. The three spirits transformed when they entered the cave's main chamber. Skies and Storm stood, staring at their long time friends in their true form, once again.

"I see you still keep your fur as messy as you like." Skies laughed upon seeing Flowing Streams’ messy coat. She was a giant otter with long fur and light green markings on her paws and tail.

Flowing Streams stood on her hind legs, easily double the height of the others and stretched. "I’d  much prefer if we got to business, Cadance will not be gone long."

"I agree." Honos said, transforming into Feather of Truth, a large, hollow set of ornate armor. His eyes burned with an ethereal fire as he beamed around. "I get a weird feeling from her. It’s almost familiar."

"I agree." Flowing Streams said.

Skies waved a hoof, summoning roots out of the ground to form a table and chairs. "Then let us begin."

As the Spirits sat, they each carved notes magically into the wood so they would remember their talking points. Since the meeting was initiated by River, she was the first to speak.

"Shattered Skies, I have come to you in this hour of need to seek your allegiance. I have been informed that you have already denied one request and I ask you to reconsider your decision on the matter. Only we few can face this threat and stop it. What say you?" 

Skies sat silently, Flowing Streams spoke to him in the same official manner as when they were on the Spirit council, likely to relay to him the magnitude of the request.

"My answer..." Skies paused and sat back, feeling truly conflicted. Had he not seen and heard the things that he had in the past few months, then his answer would be a firm ‘no’ like it was with Storm Front. However, Flowing Streams was as calm and collected as she usually was. She didn’t normally act on knee jerk reactions, so she had likely been thinking about this for some time. "I do not have an answer as of yet."

Storm Front nearly choked. "What!? How come she gets a maybe and I get a no?"

Flowing Streams glanced over at Storm. "Because you would fly a dumb suicide mission into Canterlot and Skies knows that isn't what I’m asking him."

"Yeah, okay." Storm Front scowled and crossed his arms.

"What could I do to aid in your decision?" Streams asked, turning back to Shattered Skies. 

Skies looked at her with a sad look. "Bring my family back."

Flowing Streams inclined her head. She didn’t need to ask what he meant.

"I have seen too much death, Flow. Last time I tried to help the world, I was impaled on a scythe and locked in sleeping exile for a thousand years. Aside from small things, I don't have a drive anymore to help." Shattered Skies intoned. His voice lightly cracked as he finished speaking.

Flowing Streams saw the defeat in Skies' eyes. She walked over to him and wrapped her body around him in a hug. "You never told me how torn up you still were about your family."

"You know I keep things to myself." Skies said with a wry look. “And some things you can’t leave behind you completely, no matter how much you might want to.”

"I know." Streams nuzzled Skies beneath his chin.

"In the meantime, while Skies is working towards a decision, anonymity should be our prime focus." Truth broke their somber moment. "With that being said, I'm making a nod towards the elephant in the room."

"Or in this case, Princess in the room." Sif’s voice emerged from the depths of the cave.

"So this is where you've been at night, Sif." Skies made an attempt at humor as Streams retracted herself from him.

"I'm not sleeping in that house until the ghost is gone." Sif stated.

"I was wondering what was going through my stuff." Truth said. "But back to the issue. My lord, why do you have an Alicorn in your house?"

"Aside from it being the perfect cover?" Skies said. "She's having marital issues and, unlike many of the ponies I've met so far, I don't have to pretend to like her."

"And the fact that she looks like Anara." Flowing Streams fixed Skies with a soft gaze. "I know you want to have a family again, Skies, but please don't try and force a mold on others to fit what you need. It cannot end well."

Skies sighed. "I guess you're right."

"It isn't the first time either." Flowing Streams said, transforming back into River, signifying an end to the meeting. "Every so often you treat a filly or a mare like a daughter because you can't let go."

"I know."

"You need to let it go." River hugged Skies. "If not for yourself, then for the world. Because it needs the mighty Shattered Skies from the war and not the grouchy old stag you've become."

"I'm not grumpy. Storm is grumpy." Skies flicked a hoof at Storm, who scoffed in return.

River reached into her bag and brought out a small package wrapped in cloth. "Skies, you gave this to me years ago and asked me to give it to you when you needed it. I believe now is the time."

Skies started to tremble. "No, I can't look at it." He said, shaking his great shaggy head.

River shook her head and placed it in his hooves. "Then don't.” She said gently. “But eventually, Skies, you will."

Skies shrank back from her and took the the package gingerly. "I need to go talk to Cadance."

"Why?" River asked.

"She's probably back and I think it's better for everyone if I send her home. I should put an end to the act." Sky said as he walked back towards his house.

Sif stood to follow, but stopped when River walked into her path. "You and I need to talk." River glanced back at the others. "One on one, if that's possible."

"Then let's go into Ponyville and chat." Sif smirked. "We can drag sweet little Innocence with us like we used to."

"And we can go terrorize the ponies." River mused. "But first, we should go and back up Sky, in case Cadance goes nuts."

"I was thinking the same thing." Sif said before she grabbed a potion from a nearby chest and drank it to transform. "If my nose is right, she should almost be here."

Both River and Sif trotted out of the cave, past Storm and Honos, to reach the back of the house. They both stopped when they heard a pony scream.

"But why?!" 

"It has been a while since you've been here and you should go and make up with Shining." Skyfall said monotonously. 

"But you said as long as I wanted I could stay here?" Cadance's voice cracked and threatened to break. She stopped looking into Skyfall's eyes and started to tear up. "Don't kick me out."

"I'm sorry, Cadance, but you need to go home." 

At those words, Cadance started crying. Sky tried to lift her chin, but she jerked away and ran past Skyfall and into the room she had been staying in. The door slammed before a soft crying echoed through the hall.

"I got the feeling she hated being a princess, but I never knew how much." Sif muttered as she and River rounded the corner.

"I think it's best to give her some time." Inko said before tapping Nimbus on the shoulder. "As for you, we're resuming your lessons on anger management, Mister."

"Fine." Nim huffed. "No breathing exercises this time."

"Maaaybe." Inko tucked a clipboard under her wing. "Now scoot, to the waterfall."

As Nim and Inko left, Honos walked up to Sky. "Speaking of things to do, we need to up your training regimen. Grab some weight vests from the closet and meet me in the training room, my lord."

Sky laughed under his breath. "See you in five minutes."

Sky stopped and looked at Sif. "You two going out for the day?"

"Yep, me and River need to catch up." Sif said.

"Yeah, we gotta find a karaoke bar." River smiled deviously.

"Oh no. Spare the populace from your shrieking, please. You'll kill everyone and we'll be the only survivors." Skyfall groaned as he opened the closet. "And Sif farts in her sleep."

"I do not!"

"You're asleep, how would you know?" Skyfall laughed at Sif's indignant scowl. "Seriously, it can melt paint and turn coal into diamonds."

Honos laughed hysterically from upstairs while Sif stomped out of the house followed by a snickering River.

"That stag, I swear sometimes he ruins my nerves." Sif gripped.

River patted Sif's side. "Glad to see you two haven't changed."

"I haven't changed." Sif's tone saddened. "Sky, on the other hand, he's become a recluse that takes everything so slow it hurts. It's almost as if he’s afraid to offend his own shadow."

"You miss the antlers-first approach he had to everything?" River said.

"Not just that, I miss our ship and the battles we waged. Massive undertakings with him orchestrating it all. There were more friends back then." Sif kicked a rock in frustration.

"We still have friends, Celestia has just done a good job of hiding them." 

"Have you discovered where?" Sif asked.

"We know for a fact that there are some of us in Tartarus and some of us living in a supervised situation in Canterlot, but the ones that gave Celestia real trouble are harder to pin down, something about a mirror that's being guarded closely. Trying to get a spy in is exceedingly difficult." River stated. "We've tried to find this changeling queen to get her help with a spy, but she's all but disappeared."

As the duo neared the village, their conversation shifted to something more neutral.

"Are there any mares that Skyfall finds an interest in?" River asked.

"Even if he did, you know how he is." Sif rolled her eyes.

"I know, but we need to get him back on the horse." 

"Don't you mean, back in the horse?" Sif bumped River.

"You dirty girl."

Sif winked. "Although, there are a few ponies that I think want a relationship. Even more would just like to mate."

"Ah, I see that stud had some ladies that want to jump his bones, eh?" 

Sif shook her head. "You Spirits and your weird phrases."

River and Sif heard a voice echoing through the forest. It sounded angry. They looked at each other and made their way into the forest until they found a treehouse.

"What's this?" River whispered.

"Local foals hang out here after school sometimes. And the town wonders why they go missing so frequently." Sif said, making her agitation for the village known.

"Well, let’s say hi." River said as she exited the bushes.

As the two crept up to the treehouse, they could hear the dulcet voices of three fillies floating to their eardrums.

"Come on, Scootaloo, it isn't that bad." Sweetie Belle rubbed Scootaloo’s back, trying to calm her down.

"Yeah, just like our cutie marks, it'll come to ya." Apple Bloom said.

"No, I'm getting worse." Scootaloo lamented as she laid down.

"What are you girls doing?" River poked her head in around the tree trunk. She resembled a Whack-a-Mole turned on it’s side and glued to a tree, to a degree.

"AH!" They cried in unison. Sweetie Belle was frightened so badly that she actually flipped all the way over, landing on her back with her legs sticking straight up, and Apple Bloom’s mane frazzled out a bit.

"Whoops, you scared them." Sif said as she stood beside River snickering.

"Wasn't my fault, Fluffy butt."

"Sorry, girls; River doesn't know how to not be blunt with her questions."  Sif grinned.

"Ah, that's okay, Sif. We were just helpin' Scootaloo try and fly." Apple Bloom said.

"They call you Sif?" River whispered to Sif.

"Yeah, the ponies understand that I'm not really a huge wolf, so I’ve been able to use the name my dad gave me." Sif said winking at River.

"Oh, you really are a dirty girl." River whispered before turning to the smiling foals. "Weren't there more of you?"

"Yes, Silver Spoon is up in the treehouse and Diamond Tiara is grounded." Sweetie Belle said.

"Ouch." River said emotionlessly as she eyed Scootaloo. "So you can't fly?"

"I can fly!" Scootaloo squealed. 

"OK, then fly." River taunted.

Scootaloo readied herself and beat her wings as fast as they would go, lifting her six inches from the floor before they petered out. She stared at River, panting and sweating. "See, told you."

"I saw a hover." River said, much to Sif's annoyance. "What's wrong? No one teach you?"

"I have the best instructor ever!" Scootaloo cried. "Rainbow Dash!"

"Never heard of him." River muttered as she circled Scootaloo. She poked the filly in the side "Extend your wing."

When Scootaloo did so, River could see a small scar similar to Sky's. "Okay now slowly flap."

Scootaloo looked at her friends, who gave her encouraging nods so she would do so.

"No, put more power into the back. You're just pushing air up and down." River said, trying to help.

Scootaloo waved River closer and whispered. "I can't."

"Why?" River whispered back.

"It...hurts." Scootaloo said.

River tapped her chin and glanced at Sif who was talking to Apple Bloom about something. "Sif."

"What, you hussy?"

"Has Sky met this filly?" 

"Yeah, though they don't talk much, unlike this one." Sif pointed at a waving Apple Bloom.

River chewed the inside of her cheek. "Hunny, you should go and talk to Skyfall for help."

"I don't need anypony’s help!" Scootaloo said angrily, making River smirk.

Sif coughed. "I'm going into the treehouse with these two."

River nodded and looked back at a scowling Scootaloo. "I can recognize surgical scars when I see them." River pointed to Scootaloo's wing. "If you continue to let your pride get in the way, you'll never progress."

Scootaloo remembered Rainbow's stories of succeeding as a foal and Scootaloo hated the idea of having to ask for help, to her it felt like cheating.

River leaned in closer. "You should see Skyfall, I doubt he would tell anyone."

Scootaloo sat for a second in silence. 

River patted her head. "You ain't gotta answer."

With that, River walked to the treehouse and up the stairs. When she opened the door, she busted out laughing at the sight of Sif in a pink dress that was too small and a little tea cup held to her lips. 





"Let's see what you remember." Honos said, ready to issue orders to an armored and armed Skyfall. "Ready?"

Sky gave a curt nod in confirmation. Inko sat in the corner, having been ditched by Nimbus. She’d been drawing Sky in his armor while the rays from the sunset peered through the large windows. She’d had the penciled-in Skyfall strike a silly pose.

"1.	5.	3."

Skyfall drew a dull sword and slashed.

"6.	4.	2."

Loud thumping sounded through the house as Sky rolled and slashed as per Honos' commands.

"And lunge!"

The whooshing of air was followed by the sound of metal hitting wood when Sky impaled a practice dummy.

"Not bad, my lord." Honos said. "I see years of vegetating hasn't let you forget your form."

"All by accident, I assure you." Skyfall joked before his breath caught in his throat. "And so it happens."

"What?"

"Behind you." Sky said. “Prepare yourself: Winter is coming.”

When Honos looked behind him, he saw that little white specks floated outside the window as the sun’s rays were slowly blocked out by the dark clouds rolling in over the valley. "I take it this is Storm's doing?"

"You know it." Nim said as he pushed the room's doors open. "Took me all afternoon, but I've brewed up a snowstorm fierce enough to blanket the region for at least a month."

Skyfall, Honos, and Innocence deadpanned him.

"Relax, it won't be so bad it'll trap ponies indoors." Nimbus groan as he sat down. "I haven't done anything like that in a long time."

"The world doesn't want us anymore." Sky said, taking a seat of his own. As he did, the front door opened and shut. "We all know how the world reacted when Discord returned.

"I see the terrible twosome are back." Innocence hid her face in her sketchbook to hide her drawings as River and Sif trotted up the stairs and into the training room.

"You know it!" River cheered as she and Sif posed in the doorway.

"You two are a couple of doofuses." Sky chuckled. "I'm sure there are a few paintings in Neighpon of demons that resemble you from the shenanigans you used to pull."

"That wasn't funny!" River jeered. "I still can't go there because you spread that rumor."

"I did no such thing. You and Sif were the ones that painted a lord’s house with peanut butter, knowing he had a nut allergy. You're lucky all the dragon-ponies didn't hunt you down." 

River stuck her nose up. "He was a rude turd and he deserved it."

Sif nodded along with River.

"Who's side are you on?" Sky shouted playfully.

Sif smirked and walked over to Sky before sitting between his legs.

"Traitor!" River scolded.

"Sorry babe." Sif shrugged. "I like my stallions big and horny."

"Nice deer joke." Innocence smiled.

"Whoever said I was talking about his antlers?" Sif returned sweetly.

Everyone erupted into laughter when Innocence started coughing in shock and left the room. 

"So what do we do now?" River asked.

"Well, night is rolling in, so I'm going to turn in." Sky stood before three sets of armored mannequins crashed to the floor behind him.

"What was that about?" River asked.

"Ghost." Sif muttered before trotting out of the room and down the stairs, trying to escape the house.

"You have a trapped soul here?" River raised an eyebrow and looked around. "I can see some residue, but why doesn't it come out?"

Sky shrugged. "They'll come out when they're ready, but in the meantime, there's a book calling my name."

River looked around and scraped at the floor with a hoof, making her analysis. "Nimbus, you're my assistant tonight."

"Fine, but I'm Scooby." Nimbus threw the magazine he was reading on a nearby desk.

"No." River said. "I'm Velma and you're the glasses."

Sky shook his head and left before the two could continue their bantering. He was beat from the day, his hooves pulsed and his eyes felt dry. It was time for some well-earned rest and relaxation.

Sky exhaled hard as he reached his bedroom door, Cadance was still in the room next to his and had not come out since he had told her to leave. He could hear light snoring from within the room. She had likely cried herself to sleep. Sky felt terrible, and thought to make it up to her in the morning with hot cocoa.

The door to his room swung open and he cursed to himself. He didn't have any ingredients for it. So he shut his door and trotted down the hall past River and Nimbus. "Don't burn my house down again, I'm getting food."

"That was once!" Nim shouted. "And was technically River's fault."

"Wanna fight about it?" River growled.

Sky grabbed his bags and scarf and made his way down the little walkway from his house. The pathway was dotted with falling snow. 'Okay, cane sugar, cream, granulated honey, and coconut oil. The rest I can grow on the way home.'

His steps faltered for a second, but he continued anyway. "Why am I doing all this for Cadance?” He wondered aloud.

"Maybe because you want to have a child again so badly, you make her into something she's not." Came a voice from the brush.

Sky recognized the voice of a wolf when he heard it. "Reveal yourself."

Quiet stepped out slowly and bowed. "Evening, my lord."

"You think that I am treating Cadance like a child?" Sky asked curiously.

"Somewhat. We watch you my lord, you fidget over her, you clean up after her, and last week she hit her arm on the fountain when she was decorating it and you acted like a father, cleaning her up and telling her to be careful." Quiet said. 

Sky nodded, remembering everything Quiet was referring to. "That has not escaped me. It has become more and more apparent that I have a problem. I should apologize to her as soon as I get the chance."

Quiet nodded. "I am supposed to warn you that Luna of the Moon is here."

"Thank you, Quiet." Sky smiled, a little worn from the day. "Anything else?"

"Nothing official, my lord." 

"Oh, a personal question then?" Sky walked to the brush so it wouldn't be too obvious he was talking to a wolf. 

"It's not so much a question as it is a show of gratitude." Quiet fidgeted. Being this close to such a powerful and important being made her nervous. "You saved the Diamond Dogs, and in all my life I have never felt better about myself than when we helped them. But I'm confused."

"What are you confused about?" Sky questioned.

"If you're trying to hide, why help them? You knew Celestia's scouts were around, and you put yourself in the open.”

Sky patted Quiet on the head. "Simply put, it was the right thing to do."

The words hung in the air, Sky didn't even think about what he had said because they came out so naturally. He shook the thought from his head and turned. "Have a good night, Quiet."

"You too, my lord." Quiet bowed.

"Quiet?"

"Yes?"

"When it's just the two of us, you can call me Sky." Skyfall smiled. "Night, Quiet."

Quiet's blue eyes were as big as saucers. "N-Night, Sky."

Sky watched Quiet prance away into the darkness of the forest. "Silly pup. Now for those ingredients."





"What do you mean, you're completely out of granulated honey?" Skyfall rubbed his temples as Mrs. Cake looked over her stock book once more.

"I'm sorry, Skyfall, we used the last bag an hour ago and we won't have more ‘till tomorrow." Mrs. Cake smiled weakly. "I wish there was something more I could tell you, Dearie."

"No, it's fine. It’s no one's fault." Skyfall sighed. "In that case, I’ll just have a small black coffee and a pumpkin donut, please."

With donut in hoof, Sky sauntered over to a table and sat down. He looked out the window as the falling snow slowly blanketed the world in thin layers. Two mugs of hot cocoa smacked down next to Sky's hoof, grabbing his attention.

"You looked a little lonely, so I thought I'd come and crash your party of one." Rainbow Dash said, trying to keep up her trademark tough mare persona. She plopped down and scooted her seat a little too close.

"You're welcome to join." Skyfall grabbed a mug and sipped it. "You didn't drug this, did you?"

Rainbow's head snapped around at the question. "W-What? Why would I drug somepony?"

"Just asking. Wouldn't be the first time." Skyfall tried to not laugh while Rainbow muttered to herself. "Calm down, Speedy. I was joking about you drugging my drink."

"Mhm." Rainbow Dash eyed Skyfall. "So what are you doing here?"

"Drinking some cocoa before I go home and stare into the forest, slipping slowly into madness." 

"Sky?"

"Dash?"

"You're a very odd stallion, you know that?" Rainbow said, playfully punching him in the shoulder. Her smile was rather big, bigger than it usually was. Sky squinted a little and saw that she had put on mascara, and he also noticed that the pleasant smell of clean sheets wafted from Rainbow's direction.

"What are you doing out on the town?" Sky asked.

"Oh, nothing. I was training and felt like some hot cocoa, and since you were in, I thought I'd get you some." 

"Well, I have stuff to attend to." Sky chugged the rest of his cocoa and stood. 

A sudden commotion caused Sky to look down, Rainbow grabbed his hoof and pulled it down. "Please don't, I want to talk."

"About?" 

"I don't know." Rainbow said solemnly, refusing to look him in the eyes. "Anything, anything at all. I want you to talk to me like you do Fluttershy or Sif and not the way you usually do to me."

"And how do I usually talk to you?" 

Rainbow's hoof slipped off Sky's and she dragged it back to herself slowly. "I don't know. Like you think I'm not even worth a minute of your time."

"You're not wrong." Skyfall said bluntly, sick of Rainbow’s advances.

Rainbow's sad expression turned into one of rage. "Excuse me?"

"What? You heard me." Skyfall said calmly.

"So I am right?" Rainbow asked. "That's why you ignore me."

"I haven't the time for self-centered ponies who are too self absorbed to truly care about others." Skyfall turned to leave, only to find Dash zipping to block his path.

"I can care about others!"

"Can?" Skyfall asked rhetorically. "I rest my case."

Rainbow headbutted Skyfall's chest as he tried to walk past her. The only one in the shop was Mrs. Cake, but her belief on matters like this was to let ponies hash it out.

"I do care for ponies." Rainbow squeezed her eyes shut. "Some a lot more than others."

"I also don't like liars." Sky said, touching Rainbows mascara. "Training? I think not"

Rainbow shuffled around as Skyfall left to return home. She fell into silence, mentally chastising herself for her temper getting the better of her. Mrs. Cake trotted over and placed a single slice of banana bread before her and patted her back.

"Oh dearie." Mrs. Cake cooed. "Stallions aren't as dumb as we like to think they are. They just like to point things out less than we do. Trust a mare who married one."

Rainbow gave a solemn nod and slumped into a nearby chair. "More cocoa, please."

As Mrs. Cake trotted away, a shadow blocked some of the light that shined down from an overhead lamp.

"May I join you?" 

Rainbow looked up and her eyes shot open as she got up to bow. "P-Princess?"

"No bowing, Rainbow Dash, I believe we are familiar enough to skip the formalities." Luna said happily. 

"What brings you to Ponyville?" Rainbow grabbed the mug Mrs. Cake brought over. "Enjoying the snow?"

"Yes, it is the first time that I have seen natural snow in a long time." Luna said, accepting a mug of her own from Mrs. Cake. "I had to write a few quick letters to the cities of Equus explaining the unscheduled snow."

Rainbow looked outside. "Things are changing aren't they?"

"Yes, but snow holds a special place for me, so I welcome it." Luna chirped and took a sip from her mug before raising her mug to Mrs. Cake, silently commending a job well done.

"Oh. What does snow mean for you, Princess?" Rainbow asked.

"It's my earliest memory." Luna said. "My mother played with me in the snow while I was a foal, throwing snowballs with me at my cousins. We used to make snow-icorns and snow angels together."

Rainbow smiled. "You and Princess Celestia never talk about your family."

"It's complicated." Luna said. "But enough about me. Who was that stallion you were trying to headbutt?"

Rainbow smacked her own face, having not realized that anybody had been watching.





'Finally home, groceries put away, and snuggled under the covers.' Sky thought, curling up into a ball of blankets, but like every night before sleep grips him, thoughts and memories rush through his mind, this time they were of Cadance. 'Maybe I should check on her?'



'S-Shattered Skies, ah don't know how this works, but ah really need your help and ah hope you're listening. Ah was told to come out and ask for yer help.'



Skyfall threw his pillow across the room, knocking over a trash bin. He thought about it for a second, the voice he heard sounded familiar.  "Who needs sleep? Not me, apparently."

Quickly, Sky trotted through the house and out the back door before stripping away his disguise. Skies flew through the forest, trying to pinpoint the source of his summon. Within mere moments, he established a general direction and looked east towards the Apple's homestead.

Apple Bloom shuffled around on a hill that overlooked their house in the distance. "Mr. Skyfall was probably wrong, that Spirit ain't comin."

Suddenly, a strong rush of wind kicked up and Shattered Skies emerged from one of the apple trees, startling the young earth filly.

"You called, Apple Bloom?" Skies asked.

"You know my name?" 

"Yes, I know everyone's name." Skies walked closer and looked down at the shivering filly. "Are you cold?"

Apple Bloom nodded.

"Are you scared?" Skies asked quietly.

Apple Bloom nodded a little slower, yelping as she was scruffed by the Forest Spirit. She kicked and screamed before being placed between two large cloven hooves. 

Skies laid down and held the small filly, his warmth radiating out from his arms. "Now tell me what bothers you."

Apple Bloom sat, staring into the two large, glowing eyes. "Y-You don't seem as bad as ponies make you out to be."

"Thank you. I just wish others had the same open mind." Skies said sadly. "I bet many of the adults have nothing but bad things to say about me."

"The only ones that ah know that have said good things are Fluttershy, Mr. Skyfall, and Nurse Redheart." Apple Bloom grabbed Skies' face and pulled on it. "You're really real."

"Yes, as are the rest of the Spirits." Shattered Skies chuckled as Apple Bloom squeezed his cheeks together.

"There are more?" Apple Bloom asked. 

Skies nodded. "A great many. However, I believe I am here for you. What troubles you?"

Apple Bloom winced. "This big stallion, Mr. Skyfall told me that I could ask you for advice. He lives in this big, old house by the Everfree."

Skies faked a moment of thoughtfulness."I know the house you're speaking of. It’s  a bit of an eye sore on my forest. But he has started a garden and he respects the forest, so I leave him be."

"Yes, that’s the one." Apple Bloom smiled before shifting back to her solemn expression. "I need help with my family."

"Family fighting?"

Apple Bloom nodded. "That obvious?"

"I used to have a big family that fought a lot. Two brothers and three sisters. I can read a pony’s home life easier than reading a book." Skies looked out at the Apples’ house. Even from the long distance away, he could see Applejack, Big Mac, and Gilda in a fierce argument with Granny Smith as the referee. 

"They won't let me sit in, but whatever they're fighting about is serious. My big brother has threatened to leave." Tears started to gather in Apple Bloom's eyes.

"In life, sometimes creatures move on to start new families." 

"But I don't want him to leave!" Apple Bloom cried.

"There, there." Skies nuzzled Apple Bloom. "Tell me what lead up to the fight."

"Well, Gilda has been coming around a lot in the past year and she's been really nice to me, but Applejack doesn't like her. Lately, she's been staying for a month and Big Mac told us she was staying forever. Applejack tried to throw her out and Big Mac said that Gilda was his marefriend." Apple Bloom inhaled deeply so she could continue. "Then they whispered and Applejack screamed at Big Mac in a way I've never heard her scream and Big Mac said he would move if Applejack didn't stop being the way she was being and they told me to leave and now I'm here."

Skies started petting Apple Bloom. Even though she gave a condensed version, he understood what was going on. Applejack found out they were dating and flipped.

"Your brother loves Gilda, and from what I see, he wants to start a family with her."

"You think so?" Apple Bloom asked. "How would they have a foal?"

"You are far too young to know where babies come from." 

"I'm young, not stupid!" Apple Bloom pouted.

Skies smiled. "Oh, of course. And to answer your question, they would make a hippogriff."

Apple Bloom opened her mouth to question, but Skies interrupted her. "Top griffon, bottom pony."

"Ohhh. I've never seen one."

"’Cause they need medical attention the first few months of birth. If they do conceive, however, the baby will need a specific diet if it is to survive." Skies squinted, making a mental note to ask Big Mac about this later. "Wait, did you just say you've never seen a hippogriff?"

Apple Bloom nodded. "Never."

"Let me ask." Skies shirted, bringing his head lower to Apple Bloom. "How many other other sentient creatures have you seen?"

"Creatures that guard?" Bloom asked.

"Huh?"

"You said sentient, doesn't that mean somepony that guards something?" 

Skies shook his head. "No, sweetheart, that’s a sentinel. Sentient means someone that is able to perceive or feel things. Make their own decisions. They can usually speak."

Apple Bloom tapped her chin and looked at the sky. It took her a few minutes as she thought long and hard, trying to remember. "Ah've seen Griffons, Dragons, and Zebras."

"That's it?"

"Oh, and Diamond Dogs and Changelings."

Skies gave the filly a vexed look. "Cattlekind, deerfolk, Sheeple, Longma, Woodland Unicorns, Alpaca, Dragonponies? None of these sound familiar?"

Apple Bloom shook her head. "Should they?"

"Poor child." Skies brushed his cloven hoof over Apple Bloom's head like she was a cat. "There is so much you don't know about the world. You probably think Equestria and Griffonia are the only continents."

"They aren't?" Apple Bloom asked, her eyes wide.

"Maker, no."

"How many are there?" Apple Bloom cuddled into Skies’ arm and looked at him intently, completely unphased that he was a Spirit. However, it was still surreal for Applebloom to feel wanted by what she and other ponies considered to be a deity.

"There are ten, each more mysterious than the last." Skies smiled. "It is a shame you do not have a well traveled teacher that knows this. A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

"Ah do have a teacher that traveled places." Apple Bloom exclaimed.

'Yeah, Cheerilee looks like a real Daring Do type.' Skies rolled his eyes. "Then why has she not taught you this?"

Apple Bloom shook her head. "Ah didn't mean Cheerilee, ah meant Doctor Skyfall. He's been everywhere. Why, ah'll bet he would teach us everything if Cheerilee would let him!"

Skies sat quietly, he forgot that she was technically his student. Suddenly an idea crawled into his mind, a terrible idea, a terribly wonderful idea. "Then why don't you ask this Doctor to teach you?"

"Ah want to, but ah think it would annoy him."

Skies gave a deep chuckle. "If he is a stallion of education, then he will be glad to teach you."

In the distance, the open door of the Apple's homestead opened up, illuminating the freshly laid snow by the porch. Applejack, Big Mac, and Gilda rushed outside before looking in all directions. 

"Looks like our conversation is at an end." Skies sighed. He was enjoying his talk with someone who wasn't afraid of him.

"Wait, no!" Apple Bloom cried. "Ah still need help with my brother!"

"Would you like me to speak with him?" Skies asked.

"You would do that?"

Skies stood and patted Apple Bloom on the head. "I no longer have a family of my own, so I will do everything in my power to keep yours together. Let him know that he may summon me."

Apple Bloom reached for Skies and he turned. "Wait, what if he don't believe me?"

"Then give him this." Skies looked back and plucked a large feather and gave it to her. "Hold it near a plant and the plant will bow, making it clear this is no ordinary feather."

"Goodnight, Apple Bloom." Skies smiled at the awestruck filly.

After a pause, Apple Bloom shook herself and waved. "Goodnight, Shattered Skies. I hope I see you again!"

Without another word Skies melded into an apple tree. He watched Applejack run along the forest before skidding to a halt in the snow when she eyed Apple Bloom.

"There ya are, ya little miscreant!" 

"Applejack?" Apple Bloom said.

"What are ya doin' out here by yourself? And at night!" Applejack started herding her little sister toward the house before signalling her brother. "Don't ya know there’re Spirits out here that want to eat us?"

Apple Bloom smiled, knowing her big sister was wrong. "Ah was just playing guard."

"So ya wanna be a guard now?" Applejack sighed, unable to remain angry at her little sister.

"Yep, where's Big Mac? I wanna show him somethin'!"

Big Mac stood on the porch, watching his little sisters walk back from the forest. He felt his heart slow once he found out Apple Bloom was safe. Gilda nuzzled his side, helping him relax further. That was, until he saw a pair of burning, golden eyes retreat into the forest. "What was that?"





"Finally!" Sky exclaimed, doing a swan dive into his bed. "No more chores, tasks, or ponies that need my help. Just me and the warm sheets. I'm going to sleep in hardcore tomorrow." Soon the confines of sleep moved in on his mind, the light sensation of falling and the peace of mind washed over him. With the snowstorm picking up, it was cold enough to really enjoy sleep.

'There's that feeling again.'

A mysterious presence had made itself known in the past weeks around his house. At first, he believed it to be a ghost, but ghosts don't have hooves. The light shuffling of hooves was almost too quiet to hear. Suddenly a creak echoed through the room, putting a halt on all movement until the intruder was comfortable enough to move again.

‘Assassin? Maybe. Celestia has probably pegged me and is just toying with me.' Sky mused to himself while he played being asleep. 'This one is good, I can't even sense their magic.'

The sounds of breathing got closer and closer, when Sky felt that the intruder was within three feet, Sky snapped his eyes open and threw himself at the assassin, bringing them both to the floor.

As both the assassin and Sky hit the ground, the assassin let out a loud girly yelp.

"What?" Sky asked before flipping on a nearby light. "Cadance?"

"Hehe, hey." Cadance tried to shy away into the floor while under Skyfall's massive size as he straddled her chest.

"I could have hurt you, do you know that!?" Skyfall seethed. He was a sight, with his hackles up and crouched over Cadance. He looked like he could wrestle a grown minotaur into submission.

"I-I'm sorry." 

"This has gone too far. In the morning, I’m taking you home." Skyfall stood and let Cadance roll out from under him.

"Please, I just wanted to talk to you." Cadance pleaded.

"By sneaking into my room at eleven at night?" Skyfall growled. "No, I believe you had ulterior motives, and frankly I am no longer in an accommodating mood. Now leave."

"Not until you hear me out!" Cadance said firmly, trying her hardest to make Skyfall listen.

"No. I have let this go on long enough. I do not know what you want from me, but whatever it is, I can't provide. The town already thinks we sleep together, what would they think if they found us in a compromising position?" Skyfall tried to reach Cadance. "You have a Prince and you are staying in a random stallion's house."

"You aren't a random stallion!" Cadance proclaimed. "I love you!"

"Cadance, I think it's best if I take you home now." Sky couldn't see it before, but it was now obvious that she harbored feelings for him. "I have only ever had two loves in my life and they were taken from me. Besides, you don't know me."

"I do!" Cadance said, tears welling up in her eyes once more. "You're Shattered Skies!"

Sky's heart skipped a beat, but he stayed the course. "I don't know why you're saying this, but you're wrong and I think you need help."

Sky grabbed her arm to escort her out, but she spun around and stared him right in the eye. "I'm not leaving!"

"Cadance, stop this."

"Please don't push me away. I have been looking for you my entire life. I know you, you are Shattered Skies!" Cadance brought Skyfall into a fierce hug and started to sob. 

"You are… my father." 
 

> Chapter 18 -The Last Guardian-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-The Last Guardian-


"Cadance, stop this."

"Please don't push me away! I have been looking for you my entire life! I know you, you are Shattered Skies!" Cadance brought Skyfall into a fierce hug and started to cry. 

"You are… My father."

Sky's blood ran as cold as ice. He pushed her away gently and held her at arm's length. "Cadance, I think you have the wrong idea."

Cadance scowled. "Don't try to make this seem like I'm crazy. I know you are Shattered Skies. I've seen you transform!"

'When?' Skies thought back, he only times he transformed were in his house, the forest, and in the cave behind his house. All times he sensed no one around. '...sensed no one around.'

Breathing deep, Sky reached out with what little Spirit magic he could use as a Pegasus. But according to the magic, he and the other Spirits were the only ones in the house. He remembered Sif complaining about her inability to sense an intruder, leading her to blame ghosts. 'No.'

"I saw you." Cadance smiled deviously before trying to hug Sky again, only to wobble her arms weakly at her side while still at arm’s length. 

"SIF!" Sky bellowed, keeping Cadance well-away from him. 

"Yeah?" Sif shouted as she trotted inside from the forest and up the stairs before stopping outside Sky’s door. “What’s up?”

"Is there anyone else in my room?" 

Sif tried the locked door, unsure if she heard him right. She sniffed and continued on cautiously. "Um, no. Should there be?"

"No, I'm just being weird." Sky stared at Cadance as he replied to Sif. "That's all, thank you."

"Mhm, I'm eating the rest of the peanut butter for this." Sif said before trotting away.

Sky looked Cadance over. Believing this to be Celestia's doing, he cursed her for trying to lure him with memories of his daughter, cursed her to the depths of his being. As Cadance's smile wavered, he continued to stare as if her soul was laid bare for judgement. 

"Dad, you're starting to scare me."

"Don't call me dad." Sky demanded in a cold, serious voice. "If the Princess sent you because she thinks I'm her target, then go and tell her she is wrong and that I'm just a retired guard."

Cadance patted Sky's hoof. "I didn't come here at the Princess’s behest."

Her horn lit up and a small stack of journals bamf’d into view. "You have ones similar to these in your cave behind the waterfall."

Hesitantly, Sky grabbed one from the air and flipped a few pages. They were indeed the ones just like the journals in the crate that were recovered from the vault. "So you've been behind the falls."

"Mhm." Cadance hummed.

"Now comes the questions." Sky let Cadance go, but the instant he did, she tried to hug him again, only to be stopped by Sky's hoof. "Why do you think I'm the Forest Spirit."

"Fine. I'll tell you." Cadance sat down delicately and took a few deep breaths. "I've been your ghost. I wanted to learn about you because I had my suspicions. One day, you transformed to scan the house. I was under the couch. I. Saw. Everything."

"I still don't believe you." Sky lied. 

"You and Shattered Skies have never been in the same place at the same time."

"Coincidence."

"You live next to the forest."

"I like my privacy."

"Your all white housemate is named Sif."

Sky paused for a sec. "Unfortunate happenstance."

Cadance gave a wide grin. "You constantly have wolf and Spirit tracks leading in from the back door."

"Oh, really? I've never seen any."

"Because I clean them up!"

Skyfall smacked his forehead with a nearby journal, frustrated at his house guest’s quirkiness.

Cadance shuffled around on her hooves. "I can't believe you're real."

"Cadance, even if I was Shattered Skies, how would two Spirits breed and give birth to an Alicorn?" Sky mentally cheered as Cadance stopped her happy dance, she smiled and pointed to the journal Sky held in his hooves.

Skyfall started to skim Celestia's old journals. "Maybe you misinterpreted something."

One page had a unique, blue bookmark stick out from the top. Sky felt bad for Cadance and looked at the page, trying to help her through her delusions.



Year 1313, 8th of Frostfall.

This day troubles me. It has been many years since Shattered Skies went into hiding. His influence is still felt, even today. I have pushed his magic from many of the Equestrian forests, but today in my vain efforts to push it from the Everfree, something happened. The forest pushed me back with a burst of extremely violent power, powerful enough to almost overcome me. I saw an arc of Spirit magic erupt from the forest and land nearby. Believing it was my long awaited foe, I leapt toward it with all the power I could muster, ready to strike, but stopped when I heard the giggle of an infant. His infant.

There was no mistaking it, this foal was the child Shattered Skies thought he had lost. But the questions ran through my mind as much then as they do now. Where has she been? Why here? Why now?

I readied myself to strike. Everything about that Spirit needed to be removed from existence for the atrocities he committed. As I lowered my horn, I found myself unable to continue. I have done many things, but killing innocent foals purely because of her father’s identity isn't one of them. 

Her purple eyes stared at me with the same intensity as her father's. She giggled and grabbed my horn with her cloven hooves and tried to float up, but her four wings only waved weakly. Tiny nubs protruded from where her antlers would likely grow. Her tan fur was filthy and had caked on mud, the poor thing probably found herself looking for shelter in the storm the night prior.

For years I have hunted the Spirits down and dealt with them. And now I am staring at what is likely the last guardian. To hide her, I did the one thing I should have never done. I tried to force the foal into picking their disguise, but failed when an Earth pony couple interrupted the spell by stumbling on us. They believed her to be an Alicorn and now I am forced to deal with my mistake.

Please forgive me, Luna.



A tightness in Skyfall’s throat formed as he closed the journal. The way Celestia described his daughter was too accurate. Doubt still occupied his thoughts with only one way to dispel it.

"Cadance."

"Y-Yes?" 

Skyfall sighed, hoping he was right, because if she wasn't his daughter, then this night would get much worse. He dropped the form of Skyfall the Pegasus and transformed into Shattered Skies, the Warden Spirit of the Forests.

Cadance's eyes grew large at the enormous stag before her turned and cover the small distance between them in one stride.

"I'm going to bite you."

Cadance clutched at her neck. "What, why?"

"If you really are my daughter, then our blood will be the same." Skies moved closer. "I need to be sure."

Cadance hesitated and slowly exposed her neck. "I-I trust you."

Shattered Skies patted her hoof, distracting her before he surged forward, sinking his teeth into her neck. Cadance pawed at Skies’ chest and was released after a few seconds of sucking. She leaned back and fell against the bed, dizzy from the blood loss. She watched as he spit her blood into a cup sitting on the dresser before draining his own blood from a bite on his wrist.

"W-What are you doing?" 

Skies glanced over. "It takes a second, but if you are not my child, then our blood will separate. Your blood will clot and float to the top of mine, much in the way oil and vinegar separate when mixed poorly."

Skies heart dropped when he didn't see what he expected. The blood mixed.

Cadance watched as Skies set the cup on the counter before walking over to her slowly. His eyes started to well up as he picked her up and hugged her. 

"Anara." His voice cracked.

Cadance turned her head. "Anara?"

Skies nodded. "That's your real name. The name your mother and I gave you."'

"So you mean...?" Cadance’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.

"Yes, you are my daughter." Skies said, choking up and quietly started to release some of his pent up emotion through tears while he stroked Anara's mane. His mind was spinning crazily as he faintly struggled with the realization. But he held Anara tighter, and the tears flowed unbidden.

"Hey Rudolph, we need more...peanut... butter..." Sif trailed off as she entered with her empty jar. "Uh-oh. What did I miss?"





Skies and Cadance rested in a large pile of blankets, sitting in front of the roaring fireplace with hot cocoa in hoof as the snowstorm raged outside. 

"So wait, if Spirits can't reproduce, then how am I here?" Cadance asked as she grabbed a hoofful of chocolate marshmallows and started eating them dry.

"Just like your mother, never wants to actually put the mallow in the cocoa." Skies shook his head. "And to answer your question, Spirits can be allowed to reproduce with the help of the one who created us. If a Spirit tries without permission, then the female will miscarry. And that's a best case scenario. One day I'll tell you how the constellation monsters came to be."

Cadance swished her cocoa around in her cup. "So that's why every time Shining and I try, we fail."

Skies placed his hoof on Cadance's. "Yes, but Spirits do reproduce. It's rare, but they do. The Maker is a kind being."

"I'm not the only one? There are more Spirit offspring?" 

"Yes, but you are easily the most powerful." Skies grabbed a nearby pad and pencil and started writing. 

"Most powerful?"

"Yes, I imagine your latent power would be greater than either my or your mother's power combined." Skies gave the pad to Cadance to look over. "Now that you're here, I can start teaching you about our people."

"People? Is that what all the Spirits are known as?" Cadance asked.

"Kind of..." 

"In Celestia's journal, she said I was the last guardian. What does that mean?"

Skies moved closer to Cadance and placed the pad before them both. "It means you belong to the higher echelon of Spirits."

"I will teach you more when the time comes, but for now, know that there was at one time thousands of Spirits. We watched Equus and shaped the planet and did so for the better part of thirty thousand years. On the bottom rung of the ladder, you had the lesser Spirits, like Muses, Sirens, guides, and mediums. Next, you had the twelve Guardians who oversaw the planet's nature. Then you had the four Elementals that worked with the guardians and worked in the same way. And lastly, you had the two."

"The two?"

"Yes, Discord and Harmony." Skies glanced over at the room's archway and saw Nimbus and River trying to eavesdrop. "That was before the war, however."

"The war?"

Skies nodded and turned to stare at his house guests. "Why don't you two stop loitering in the hall and come meet my daughter?"

River audibly sputtered. "D-Daughter?"

Nimbus transformed and tsked. "Skies, are you okay? Have you fallen under a memory spell?"

Cadance opened her mouth to defend her legitimacy, but stopped when her father patted her hoof. "Celestia's journal and a simple blood test verified it. She is cursed, but no less my baby."

Storm visibly started to choke up while River started to squeal. "Oh my sweet baby Skies, I'm going to dress you up and do your makeup and force you to take pictures!"

River transformed into her natural otter-like form and pranced in place repeating ‘yes’ over and over.

Cadance smiled nervously at Skies, waiting for an explanation.

"Anara, these two are essentially your aunt and uncle." Skies waved to his companions. "Storm Front, the Lord of Storms. And Flowing Stream, the Lady of the Lake. They're Guardians, like you and I."

"Honos! Inko!" Streams bellowed. After a brief pause, door slamming was heard throughout the house.

"Yo?" Honos shouted from the foyer before strolling in with a sleepy Inko in tow. "It's like three A.M.! What gives?"

"And these two are the Spirits of Purity and Honor, Innocence and Feather of Truth." Skies said to Cadance, who waved sweetly in return.

"Princess Cadance? Boss, wanna tell me what's going on?" Honos asked.

"And this fluffball." Skies chuckled as Sif walked into the room in all her glory. "Is Sif, the only other woman in my life besides you and your mother."

"It's nice to finally meet the real you." Cadance's speech slowed as Sif walked over slowly and took one long deep sniff shortly before scruffing the love Princess.

"Ah, what are you doing? Dad, help!"

Skies smiled and watched and Sif walked in circles around her mentor, coming to a rest next to him, putting Cadance in the middle. 

"There, that's better." Sif smiled at a scowling Cadance. "What? You used to love that when you were a foal."

"Sif guarded your crib every night." Skies smiled widely.

"Yeah, when Crystal wasn't smothering you." Sif groaned. "I'm glad to see you don't act all pampered."

Cadance hung on to Sif's sentence. "Crystal?"

Skies nodded at everyone to leave, and leave they did.

"Your mother was the guardian of precious minerals. Crystals, ores, gems, anything that shined and glimmered. She tried to brighten up the world by showing love and she was loved by all in return." Skies brushed Cadance's cheek. "You're as beautiful as your mother was and twice as special."

Cadance leaned into Skies’ hoof. "Thank you."

Skies gave a long sigh.

"What's wrong?" Cadance asked.

"I have only just found you and already we are in a troublesome situation."

"The Princess?" Cadance watched as her father gave a curt nod. "What about her?"

"Aside from her hunting me with such desperation, she wants all Spirits gone and has let her nation fall to many of the vices that have swallowed some of the greatest civilizations in history." Skies grabbed a poker and stoked the fire before them.

"I grew up hearing how Spirits were evil and how they should be feared. I am ashamed to admit that I went along with this because it was what I knew the Princess wanted, but I didn't start harboring feelings of resentment towards that way of thinking until I found a crate of old, restricted books that were meant to be destroyed." Cadance smiled. "That's when I found out about you and some of your adventures."

"And how did you find this journal?" Skies asked as he held up Celestia's journal.

"I don't know." Cadance shrugged. "One day I was walking in the Canterlot gardens and I found it sitting on the ledge of one of the freakier statues."

"A question for another day perhaps." Skies smiled. "One day when there is less secrecy."

Cadance cuddled into Skies' side, prompting him to cover her with his large wing. She gave a large yawn and hummed. "I have...so many questions. I wish...everyone could start over."

Sleep took her as Skies kissed the top of her head. "Good night, sweetheart."

Even though the storm continued to rage, Skies could tell the sun was rising soon as the window grew lighter. He continued to stoke the fire while his daughter fidgeted in her sleep, shifting around until she found what position she wanted.

A soft clink caught Skies' attention. Cadance's crown had been laid on the fireplace's mantle, seemingly so she wouldn't forget something so noticeable in plain sight. It vibrated for a brief second and slide off the shoes it was sitting on before careening down onto Skies' head.

Fate was a strange creature. In one day, Skies found his daughter, had his whole world flipped upside down. And now his daughter's crown toppled, guided by no sensible force, down onto his head.

'This is her work.' Skies gave a soft laugh and turned to Storm Front and Flowing Streams as they entered the room.

"Poor thing fell asleep." Streams cooed.

Storm saw the look on Skies' face while Streams was too absorbed in Cadance's sleepy form. "I know that look."

Streams glanced back at Storm and then looked at Shattered's burning eyes. "You've made up your mind?"

Shattered Skies took a deep breath and brushed Cadance's hair with his hoof. "Storm, start laying the groundwork, figure out where our borders are and how to best defend them. Streams, get Feather and Innocence working on infrastructure while you look into the resources to get it done."

"And what will you do?" Streams asked.

"I will gather my power to make the Everfree a real forest. The same kind I used to make in the beginning."

Storm Front and Flowing Streams bowed and left.

"Cadance, you can stop pretending to be asleep now." Skies whispered.

"How'd you know I was awake?" 

"Heart beat." Skies smiled. "I thought you were tired?"

"I am, but Storm Front is loud." Cadance pouted.

"Yes, he's always loud." Skies readjusted Cadance's blankets. "Why don't you go back to sleep? I'll wake you in a few hours."

She shook her head in defiance. "No, I want to know what you and the others are planning. Are you building something?"

"Yes. To put it simply, we're going to start a nation."

Cadance stared up in shock. "I don't think I understand. You're going to start a nation? Where?"

"The Everfree." Skies smiled. "By the lake, in what used to be the castle of the Royal Pony Sisters."

She visibly gulped. "Are you going to try and fight the Princesses?"

"No. If I were to face them, especially the way I am now, I would lose." Skies stated firmly. "I am starting it for an entirely different reason."

"What's that?"

"A second chance." Skies booped his daughter on the nose. "Our reunion has spurred me to make a place where we don't have to hide, no one has to hide."

Cadance smiled, but that smile faded. "But only the forest will separate you?"

"Not for long." Skies said cryptically. "Give me a month and I'll show you something you'll never forget."

"Like what?"

"Nope, it's a surprise." Skies chuckled as Cadance playfully struck him.

"I want to help and I won't take no for an answer!" She said.

After a quiet moment, Skies tapped his chin. "To be honest, I don't know how you could help."

Cadance hummed and tapped her chin in the same way her father did. "If you're building a nation, I can get the dossiers of ponies and other species that could help it thrive. Ones that would be sympathetic to your cause. That would help, right?"

"Then that is what you will be in charge of." Skies said happily.

"What will it be called?"

Skies stared at the crackling fire, he had already had a name. "Farhaven." 

"Farhaven?"

"It means distant refuge. Your mother came up with the name." Skies smiled at her memory. "She didn't take no for an answer either."

Cadance grew quiet. "Can you tell me more about her?"





Hours passed as Skies regaled Cadance of funny stories from better times. Rays of light started to peek through the windows as the storm let up a little. Skies glanced out the window and saw a few wolves pacing outside, keeping guard. 

"Wow, morning already? Let's have some breakfast. I bet you'll love a cheesy omelette covered in salsa and-"

Sif barged in through the back door. "Skies!"

"Mmyes?" 

"Storm Front tried forcing his way into the vault and we need you to break the bindings." Sif huffed and sat down. "It's too early in the morning for his antics."

"Vault?" Cadance asked.

"Hunny, I need to go break your uncle out from his mess. Would you like me to bring you back something?" Skies held Cadance's chin with his hoof.

"No, I want to come with you."

Skies thought about it briefly and relented. "Okay, but wear my cloak. If a pony sees us somehow, I don't want you facing any political blowback."

Cadance scurried off to the broom closet, leaving Skies and Sif alone. Sif shot him a look that mixed happiness with fear.

"What?"

Sif chuckled. "Nothing."

"I know that look." Skies grimaced.

"I know you do." Sif walked closer to her mentor. "Don't get reckless now that she's back. You're still not back to how you were before getting stabbed and you're definitely nowhere near how you were in the war."

Skies took a deep breath. He knew full well that she was right. He looked at his body. Light scars criss-crossed his skin under his fur and he was thinner. "Maybe I should start training harder." 

Sif kissed Skies' head. "Just don't outdo me, okay?"

A loud crash was heard from the other room. "I'm okay!"

Sif snickered. "She has your clumsiness."

"That she does." Skies wore a solemn look. "It will only get more difficult from here. She'll want to stay here in Ponyville and I won't be able to leave her alone for long. And the longer all this-" Skies motioned in all directions."-continues, the harder it'll be to keep up my supposed neutrality."

"You aren't thinking what I think you're thinking?" Sif asked.

"From that reaction, I know you're thinking the same thing." Skies mused. "Captain Fury has extended a special offer to me and I'm going to accept it."

"It's reckless."

"I've done this kind of thing before, Sif." Skies raised an eyebrow. "Thrice, in fact."

"Yes, but joining Ponyville's guard unit?" Sif ran her paw over her face. "I know it's the best cover, but you'll be right under her nose and too close for me to help if you get exposed."

"And that's why it's perfect. We both know Celestia never expects these things." 

"And Luna?" Sif asked. "She's the tactician of the two. With her, Celestia can root out any spy or traitor at a whim. She thinks, and that's dangerous for someone in your position."

"Learned too well, didn't she?" Skies said proudly.

"Yeah, take pride in your student when she exposes you and tries to kill you, again." Sif jeered.

"Kill?" Cadance asked from the doorway, looking incredibly upset, even though she was stuffed into layered snow jackets with a dainty cloak barely covering her bloated form. "Who's trying to kill you?"

"More like who isn't." Sif yelped as she was swatted on the butt.

"Stop scaring her." Skies scolded and turned to his daughter. "No one at the moment hunny. We were discussing me joining the local guard to have a better cover and the consequences if I get caught."

"Why don't we just move to Farhaven then? Just you, me, and the others?" Cadance asked.

Skies nodded at Sif to follow and made his way towards the back door with Cadance. "Anara, it isn't that simple. I need to keep an eye on the active world, and if we're shut away in the forest, then it would only help us for a short time until Celestia burns her way in."

"I don't think she would do that." Cadance said. "She's always been more than understanding, I'm sure if you talk to her you could make her see."

Skies waved his daughter to follow as he started the long trek to the castle, a column of freezing wind assaulted them as the door opened.

The storm whipped around them as they walked to the woods and died down the instant they entered the treeline. "I tried talking to her already. She is blinded by someone close to her. When I talked to her, I noticed her power had grown, and she fought past an age-old trick I used to use to make even the most powerful creatures immobile."

"She didn't listen?"

"No. Towards the end she started to boil the bath water." Skies said and glanced back to Cadance's questioning look. "Don't ask."

Skies covered Cadance with a wing to protect her from falling snow. The pitter patter of paws on the snow could be heard before two wolves sprinted into view.

"Lady Sif, the seal is starting to expand and is dragging Storm Front into the vault." An enormous blind wolf barked.

"Thank you, Irmac." Sif said.

"Sif, continue the walk with Anara. I'll go start the releasing process." Skies smiled before turning to the two predators. "You two, lead the way."

When Skies and his two wolf companions disappeared, Sif and Cadance continued their slow trek through the quiet, sun blotched forest.

Cadance kept opening her mouth to start a conversation, but could never find the right words, so Sif started one for her.

"Your father hasn't been this happy in a very long time." Sif peered down at the stumbling Alicorn. "It brings me great joy to see that you survived as well."

"Lady Sif-" 

"Please, you are my master's child, call me Sif." Sif commanded.

"Master? My father owns you?" 

Sif nodded. "In a way, yes. He doesn't see it that way, but I owe him a life debt and have sworn to serve him until the end."

"A life debt?" Cadance asked. "I've only ever heard about that stuff in stories like the 'Sky Wars' Trilogy?"

Sif raised an eyebrow. "It is very often I hear those words. 'I've only ever heard about that stuff in stories.' It's a shame that our way of life has become a fable."

"I'm sorry." Cadance said. "I try and learn about other places as much as I can, but the libraries are very sparse when it comes to other cultures’ histories."

"It isn't your fault, young mistress." Sif said. "It's your aunt’s."

"H-How did you...?"

"I have eyes everywhere. I knew about you becoming the adopted niece of Celestia some time ago, but I never would have guessed that you were actually Lady Anara Mi Amore."

"You've been watching the Princesses?" Cadance asked.

Sif wore a grim expression. "Not because I wanted to, but because I had to, to keep your father safe. I didn't find out until recently, but she believes Shattered Skies lead a Spirit army against the Alicorns, resulting in their near extinction. That's why she hates Spirits."

Cadance remained quiet at the disturbing news. "Did he?" A sudden yelp escaped Cadance's lips as Sif whipped her pink flank with her tail. "What was that for?"

"That dumb question." Sif growled. "Your father values life. He raced to the Alicorns’ capital as soon as he found out about the seige. But he arrived too late."

"Sorry." Was all Cadance could say.

"No, I should have kept my anger in check." Sif said, mentally scolding herself. "As I'm sure you can tell, I am overprotective of your father."

Cadance bumped into Sif's side. "And I thank you for it. I'm sure without you, he might have fallen into a hole he couldn't get out years ago."

"Funny you mention that. He did fall into a hole once and needed my help getting out." Sif and Cadance started laughing together. "Yeah, that was before Celestia and Luna asked him to be her court advisor."

Cadance finally remembered something she meant to ask. "How long have Celestia and Skies been at odds? They seem pretty familiar towards each other."

Sif sighed. "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but it may help you to understand a little more about your father." She looked down to Cadance and smiled. "He has known both of them since they were born."

"Really?" Cadance said in surprise. 

Sif slowed her walking to prolong the conversation as they neared the castle. "Oh yes. When the Alicorn Capital was attacked, he rushed the capital and found both of them in the storeroom of a fruit vendor. Celestia was in a banana box and Luna was eating a pumpkin pie."

"You were there?" Cadance followed Sif as she entered the castle.

"Yes, as well as your mother. Storm Front. Bering, the Ocean Spirit. And two of the four elementals." Sif smiled down. "Luna took an automatic liking to your father, but she was always the more popular of the two."

"Princess Luna was more popular than Celestia?" Cadance asked skeptically.

"Oh yes; she was loved by the Spirits and many of the mortal creatures. She used to dance in the moonlight at the Spirit festival, and when she took the floor, no one dared to look away." Sif said happily. "Celestia on the other paw, tried to fit in, but in her youth, she was socially awkward and acted like a spoiled brat when no one paid attention to her. Skies spent a lot of time with her so she wouldn't feel left out. She probably tried to keep it a secret, but she loved him for it."

"Wow. That's..."

"Surprising?" Sif asked. "Don't get me wrong; your father loves them both equally, but there are times I know he wanted to spank both of them."

Cadance chuckled at the mental image of Celestia, bent over and being spanked like a foal. "But wait, if Celestia grew up around my father, then why does she want to kill him?"

Sif sighed. "I don't know the specifics, but the lie she believes is so rooted in her mind that she may disregard evidence to the contrary. I don't know who is responsible, but I know a Spirit is involved."

"Discord?"

Sif stopped at the top of the steps that lead down to the basement and took a seat. "Discord would be my first guess, but if it were him, I think he would make it more obvious."

"Get me out of here!" Storm Front's yell echoed through the chamber.

"Seems like he’s getting upset." Sif chuckled.

"But wait, I don't understand." Cadance said. "Why can't dad and Celestia just meet and clear this up?"

Sif patted Cadance on her head. "So innocent. Please, never lose that about you. You'll never regret it."

Cadance only sat there giving Sif a baffled look.

"If Celestia has been brainwashed, then the instant she sees Skies, she'll charge in and try to lop his head off. She is much more powerful than Skies is, and while he may be able to hold his own in a one on one against that living sun spot, he would eventually fall." Sif said. "We both fear this and have taken steps to avoid them meeting."

"Then why does he live in Ponyville?" Cadance asked, trying to be a smartass.

"He wants to clear his name, and this way he can hide in plain sight." Sif stuck her tongue out. 

"Agh! Watch it that hurts!" Storm Fronts voice echoed through the stairwell.

"Sounds like they're having fun." Sif declared.

"Don't you want to help?" 

"With getting Storm Front out of another trap?" Sif asked rhetorically as she walked down a hallway. "No, nice intent, but no. That stallion gets into too many traps because he rushes in head first."

Cadance copied Sif and left the stairwell. "What else can you tell me about my father that he wouldn't admit?"

"Oh my, you really are like your mother." Sif cackled. "Always looking for dirt on your father."

Sif told Cadance a few stories about Skies as they entered the throne room. Since Skies had decided to build Farhaven where the royal pony sisters used to call home, Storm had started preparations.

Cadance whistled as she looked into the large room with wolves and Diamond Dogs filing in and out of the rooms.

"Work fast, don't they?" Sif puffed up, making it clear she was extremely proud of her kin.

"You're their mother?" Cadance asked.

"I've never had pups, if that's what you're asking." Sif said. "I am their chief, the head of the clan, making me their mother wolf. Had I been male, then it would have been father wolf."

"How did you do that?"

Sif gave Cadance a wide, toothy grin. "I defeated my father in single combat. I cast him out once I won."

"That's horrible!" Cadance said in shock. "Why?"

"I was born too small and he left me on a mountain to die." Sif said bluntly. "Banishing him to the mountain he left me on was still too good, but Skies warned me against killing him."

"Lady Sif!" Called a young, female wolf.

"Quiet, what's going on?" Sif asked.

"There is a Thestral from Canterlot here with a message. We caught him as he flew low and dragged him here as per your orders in case a guard made it through." Quiet bowed.

"Excellent! Bring the lunar guard in." Sif snarled before turning to Cadance. "Conceal your features, we don't want your identity getting out yet."

Cadance brought her hood back up to hide her face and looked down the hall to see her the other Spirits followed by her father approaching. This elicited a happy giggle as she ran to hug him.

"There's my girl." Skies said happily. "So how about it? Some cheesy omelettes with some chunky salsa and some banana bread?"

"Food’s gotta wait, m'lord." Sif only called Skies 'm'lord' when non essential company was around. "Message from Luna."

All eyes in the room scanned over to the doorway as the aggrieved looking guard was carried in by the nape of his neck by a particularly muscular wolf and dropped unceremoniously before Shattered Skies. The wolf started wagging his tail, waiting for Skies to throw the guard, but chased a giant log instead.

The guard tried his best to look fearsome as Skies walked down the steps. "I-I have a message from her Eminence, the Lady of the Moon, and bringer of the night-"

"Give me that." Skies rolled his eyes and snatched the scroll from the guard. "I guess I have a message from Lunar love."

Skies turned to ask the guard a question, but he was shakily downing a vial of glowing blue liquid. "Stop him!"

Two wolves rushed, but were only able to break the guard’s fall as he collapsed. His head started to glow and he cringed in his sleep before going still.

"Memory potion." Skies said monotonously.

"Memory potion?" Cadance asked.

"Take the guard to the edge of the Everfree and watch him until he is recovered." Skies ordered before turning to his curious daughter. "Memory potion is used for when one wants to remove a section of their memories. From what I suspect, that was a powerful one that will remove all of today's memories permanently."

Streams looked over the guard before the wolves took him away. "Oh yeah, that's some powerful stuff.” He sniffed. “This is some A grade potion. No doubt Luna brewed this. This stuff was created to help disaster victims. Wonder why she gave it to him."

Skies looked down at the scroll. "At least she respects our wishes to stay anonymous."

"That's why we like her." Sif whispered to Cadance. "Respect."

Skies hoofed the scroll to Quiet. "Please take this to the old study room here; I will read it when I get back."

Quiet gave a muffled bark before sprinting down a hallway.

Storm Front approached Skies suddenly. "I completely forgot, but the guard unit asked me to come by and help them in their training, since they're under-staffed."

"You accepted their invitation?" River snarled.

"Do you have a better way to access their military strength and strategies?" Storm Front transformed and started running in place, clearly ready to take on the thirty mile sprint from Farhaven to Ponyville. "I know a thing or three about military experience. Don't I, dog face?"

"You're just mad ‘cause you didn't get the winningest division." Skies gave Nimbus and large proud grin. "Nous Resterons La!"

Nimbus scoffed and started running. "Tropic Lightning is better!"

"What are they talking about?" Cadance whispered to River.

"Old world stuff, best to forget about it." River nuzzled Cadance before disappearing down one of the long hallways.

"Now that that's done." Skies smiled over to Cadance. "You and I have a breakfast date with cheesy omelettes."

"And salsa!" Cadance cheered.





In a spare bedroom in Canterlot castle, which was actually kind of spacious as far as guest rooms go.





Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stood before a large mirror.  It was out of place in the modestly decorated room. Ornate fixtures and complimentary mints was the standard for Canterlot, but Celestia knew their guest wasn't a fan of being pampered.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, sister?" Luna asked. "I still think a meeting would be for the best."

"I have few other options, Luna. You and Discord have refused to aid my efforts in bringing the Forest Spirit to justice. Even my own Captain of the Guard has been unable to find him." Celestia had grown more sullen with every report of her guard's failings. She silently thanked the maker that none of her guards suffered permanent damage, but the aggressive response from the wolves proved to be too jarring for some resulting in letters of resignation. 

"And what about the Elements?" Luna asked.

"Luna, I told you I will hear no more of this argument." Celestia stated. 

"Why, because it makes sense?" Luna demanded. "The Elements refused to fire! Doesn't that tell you that there is nothing wrong with Shattered Skies?"

"You know he is a genius, Luna." Celestia stood and walked to the balcony, beckoning her sister to follow. "He never told us, but I know that he is one of the oldest Spirits on Equus. My council told me that he may have found a way to trick the Elements."

"And you trust them over your own sister?" Luna asked.

Celestia nuzzled Luna. "It's not like that. They are older than they appear and they helped me after your transformation. They have made Equestria a better place."

Luna looked into Celestia's smiling face and scrunched her own before looking out onto Canterlot's crowded morning streets. "Debatable."

A loud knock echoed from within the room. "Princess, Princess Twilight, the Elements of Harmony, and Captain Fury have arrived." 

"Wonderful. Send them in." Celestia smiled sweetly. When the doors opened, in walked seven tired beings and one very awake, Captain of the Guard. "Good morning everypony. I trust the late night train ride wasn't too taxing?"

"It was fine, Princess. Is everything alright?" Fury asked.

"Yes, everything is more than alright." Celestia cooed and sat down next to the giant mirror as the castle staff walked in with a large vat of coffee on a trolley.

Twilight smelled the wonderful aroma of study juice and processed the image in front of her. "Princess, isn't that the mirror to another universe?"

Celestia nodded. "Yes, I have recently reconnected with an old student of mine and asked her to come and aid us."

Suddenly the mirror started to glow and spewed out a screaming unicorn. She skidded for a second and toppled over, sticking her flank in the air. "Yep, that's harder than it looks."

"Sunset Shimmer?" Everyone asked in unison.

Sunset Shimmer scrambled to a more dignified position sitting on her haunches. "H-Hi." 




> Chapter 19 -Take on Me-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Take on Me-
 


"It's getting closer to Hearthswarming." Sif yawned at Skyfall, she stood in the doorway that lead to the rest of the newly renovated castle.

"I know." Skies took a deep breath of cold air as Sif paced around and laid next to him. 

"I heard the ponies are having a huge play in Canterlot about the forming of the Pony tribes." Sif tittered and looked down at the city plans that Skies had been drawing up. She licked Skies' face. "You forgot to add the hot springs" She asked sarcastically.

"Sorry, I'm a little spaced out." Skies sat up and rubbed his eyes with his hoof. "I had a thought early last night. What's the use in building Farhaven if we can't get the word out? We’ll just have an empty city."

Sif nuzzled Skies. "You can make one big announcement. Something that can't be swept under the rug. You can simultaneously declare your existence and your intention with Farhaven."

"That isn't a bad idea, but where?" Skies chewed his lip, mulling over different locations. "Can't be Canterlot."

"Why not? Celestia wouldn't dare attack you unprovoked in front of her citizens." Sif reasoned.

"You're right, even in private she may not attack unprovoked, but I was talking about the audience. Canterlot is the home to many nobles that are happy with the way things are. No, I want advertise to multiple cities at once." Skies paused. "Aha, got it."

"Got what?"

"Chicken butt." Skies started laughing while a playfully upset Sif struck him. "But seriously, what's the biggest event of the year?"

Sif thought for a second. "The Grand Galloping Gala."

"Exactly, the yearly party at-what?" Skies asked. "Grand Galloping Gala?"

Sif nodded. "It's a fancy party held every year at Canterlot Castle. The fête at Kaer Rainer stopped the year you entered your coma. No one wanted to get together for fear of a possible skirmish."

Skies closed his eyes and shook his head, frustrated. He looked out at the construction groups and saw a pair of Diamond Dogs arguing before coming to an agreement before they began to work together. An idea crept into his mind and a large grin started to form.

"No, bad winter tree dog!" Storm Front scolded as he exited a nearby tower with a large crate balanced on his back, glaring down at the back of Skies’ head.

"I haven't said anything yet!"

Sif shook her head. "No, Storm is right, it's a horrible idea."

"But I haven't said anything yet!"

"We can feel your intent." River mumbled as she walked onto the balcony, tired from organizing resources.

"I don't see any other way." Skies said. "Media from at least all over Equestria will be there. With our message out there, ponies will flock to Farhaven and the world governments will know there is a Spirit-run nation."

"Introducing a mystery superpower in the world, softening the powder keg." River finished. "Hm, I'm in. Plus, I want to see the looks on their faces."

"I still don't like it." Storm groaned. "Besides that, you and I are going to be late if we don't leave."

Skies stood and shrunk down. He shivered and extended his wings. "You’re right. I’ve been retired for too long."

“Too many coconut drinks?” River chuckled.

“No such thing as too much vacation.” Sky tittered.

Storm scowled. “Let’s go, if we wait any longer I may burst a blood vessel.”

With a clap of lightning, Storm teleported away suddenly.

“What’s his problem?” River complained.

“He’s mad at me because I refused the formation of a military in Farhaven.” Skyfall extended his wings and started to fly into the air slowly. 

"I see the years haven’t dulled their disagreements?" River took a seat next to Sif.

"You know how those two get." Sif said. "I swear after three words of complaining my ears flap over and my mind drifts."

"Truth." River looked over to Sif. "Wanna get some coffee and chill in a mud bath?"

"Mud? Bath? Me? It's like you know me."





"So, Sunset. How are you findin' Equestria now that yer back?" Applejack asked, trying not to fall over from the turbulent train ride.

Sunset smiled at her old/new friend. "Everything’s changed so much. I can't believe Donut Joe's is still around."

"I'm not surprised, his food is good." Rainbow said. "Especially the cabbage reuben."

Sunset Shimmer and the others had spent the last week together. Their meeting was shaky at first, but when Twilight wrapped her in a hug, the elements joined in to welcome their new friend. Sunset made it no secret that she was friends with all their counterparts in the other world, so naturally they talked her ears off with all the questions they had.

"Does the other Rainbow like reubens?" Rainbow asked.

Sunset nodded. "Yeah, but she actually hates cabbage. She has them with pastrami instead of corned beef and some stuff called sauerkraut. and dumps an entire tub of dressing on it. It gets so messy that Rarity wears a poncho when we go to a place called 'Thursdays.'"

Applejack started to laugh when Rarity crossed her hooves indignantly. "Oh hey, that's right, y'all eat meat don't ya?"

Sunset nodded. "Yep, it's pretty popular over there. I didn't have any for the first few months, but a family took me in and took me to a doctor cause I looked sick. After a few weeks of eating it, I became instantly better."

"Maybe I should try it, I heard it's good for the coat." Applejack mused.

Fluttershy nodded. "I have it every now and again, but never at my cottage. I could never, the cute little furry animals would hate me for it."

Sunset shrugged. "It's sad, but I love the stuff. I've had it almost every meal since I've been here."

"Sounds like someone else we know." Twilight said.

"Another pony eats meat?" Sunset Shimmer asked in surprise.

Rarity hummed. "Oh yes, a big gentlecolt named Skyfall. My date to the Gala." 

Fluttershy looked a little worried, but Applejack cut Rarity off. "Wanna mention how you're too yellow to ask him and just sit around saying that so nopony else will ask?"

Sunset backed out of the ensuing argument between Applejack and Rarity in favor of a quieter one with Twilight. "Wow, they sound competitive."

Twilight shook her head. "You know how those two get. Skyfall's a tolerable stallion, but he's different. Sometimes he cuts corners and acts a bit too flippant, but once you get past that, he's a regular, down to earth pony."

“Not too fond of him?” Sunset chuckled.

“I’m trying to be friendly, but there are a few things that he does that annoy me.” Twilight sighed. “He doesn’t return books on time, he doesn’t fulfill simple requests for information and he never answers his door!”

“Probably because you bang on it repeatedly.” Rarity huffed.

"Has he been investigated as being a possible Spirit?" Sunset asked. “I read in Celestia’s notes that Spirits have disguises, he could be one.”

"He was suspected briefly, but it was ruled out when Princess Cadance said she spent the entire day at his house when we faced him at the castle." Twilight reiterated. "From what I hear, he and his brother actually accepted the job of training the new guard unit."

Sunset nodded and an awkward silence sank into their conversation until Sunset remembered something to ask.

"When would you like to start studying the Spirits and how to get to them?" Sunset asked from the blue. "I'm sorry, I'm just really excited to work with you."

Twilight smirked. "Well, since you're so eager." Twilight said as she summoned her notes from her independent studies. "We can start right now."

Fluttershy watched in content silence as her friends either argued or gushed over notes. She wished she was bold enough to show her enthusiasm as much as any of them did, but those thoughts would have to wait because the looming, crushing abyss was calling to her. The soft drones of hymns and screams started to vibrate through the walls of her mind.  A rare calling that called a few times a day to her that demanded swift, immediate, violent action that can bring even the greatest heroes to their knees, begging for release.

"Um, excuse me, I have to go to the little fillies room." Fluttershy negotiated her way out of the train car and down the narrow hallway.

After the deed was done, Fluttershy made her way back to her car, but stopped when she saw that they were nearing a long tunnel. She disliked when the train went through tunnels because a thick darkness always overtook the poorly lit train. And that’s not to mention how every time it went dark in the train, something happened to her; sometimes Pinkie would fall on her, sometimes luggage would fly open. Luckily this time she wasn't near anyone.

Fluttershy yelped the instant everything went dark. She heard a door open and a pair of hooves dragged her sideways before the lights came back on. A pink hoof covered her mouth, trying to prevent her from screaming.

"Shh, Fluttershy it's me!" The foalnapper whispered loudly.

"Mm-mmm" Fluttershy muffled.

"Whoops, sorry, didn't mean to scare you." 

"Cadance?" Fluttershy asked. "W-Why are you cloaked and why did you drag me in?"

Cadance gave Fluttershy a bashful look. "Sorry, I saw you and wanted to talk. No one is supposed to know I'm here."

"Oh, well how are you?" Fluttershy smiled. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"No no no, I haven't seen you in a while." Cadance said. "I've spent the last week at Skyfall's and haven't seen much of you besides that day when you stopped by with cookies."

Fluttershy turned a little red. "I was feeling a little brave that day."

Cadance patted Fluttershy's shoulder. "Well, I'm proud of you. Just be around a little more, okay?"

"But what if I annoy him?" Fluttershy asked. "I just want to be friends."

Cadance gave Fluttershy a devious smile. "Do you think about him during the day when he isn't around?"

"Yes." Fluttershy said, cocking her head in confusion.

"Ha, right. ‘friends.’" Cadance giggled and saw Fluttershy looking a little discouraged. "Trust me, Fluttershy. He isn't annoyed and I think both of you would benefit from being around each other more. You need someone that has the same interests to talk to and he needs someone he likes around."

"He likes me?" Fluttershy asked.

Cadance gave her a half shrug. "He hasn't outright said it, but he did watch you leave, something he doesn't really do for just anyone."

Fluttershy smiled at the news.

"You should come by for dinner. It'll be just you, me, Skyfall, and Sif." Cadance clapped her hooves before nudging Fluttershy. "And halfway through, me and Sif will go somewhere else leaving you and Skyfall alone."

"Oh, I don't know." 

"Too late, going to talk to him about it the instant I see him! I have so much planning to do." Cadance cheered before pushing a protesting Fluttershy out of the cab and shutting the door behind her.

"Oh-oh my." 





"How much longer until those two get here?" Mused Spitfire as she lifted the sleeve of her bomber jacket to look at her watch. "Foalsitting is not in my job description and today is my day off."

"I'm sure they'll be here soon." Fleetfoot said. "Oh, there's Nimbus."

"Finally." Spitfire groaned and stopped. "Why is he running like that?"

"Maybe he likes to run." Fleetfoot responded sarcastically.

"No, he's running from something." Spitfire said a little louder than she intended, alarming the guards that were standing in the vicinity. "He keeps looking behind him. Guards!"

Suddenly, Skyfall exploded from the treeline, sprinting behind Nimbus, trying to catch up. "You cheated!"

"What?" Spitfire asked.

"You were flying, that's cheating!" Nimbus shouted desperately, trying to outrun Sky.

"That's not cheating! It's innovative winning!" Skyfall started to laugh while running, their heavy hoof stomps started to shake the ground near the guards, giving them an indication of how solid both Skyfall and his brother were. They ran harder and harder before Skyfall leaped and wrapped Nimbus around the neck, dragging him to the ground. They kicked at each other as they slid through the entrance of the parade grounds.

"I take it you're Skyfall?" Spitfire called from the new guard barracks. 

Skyfall spotted the thin Pegasus with a worn leather jacket and sunglasses pushed up. He got up and tripped Nimbus as he tried to stand. "Yes. You must be Spitfire?" 

"What gave it away?" Spitfire's irately retorted.

"The uneven lay of your wings matches the mare in the magazines." Skyfall finally reached the mare, and towered over her.

"Huh, you really are as big as Rainbow says."

"And yet another pony who knows about me before I meet them." Skyfall quipped, he turned to ask Nimbus a question, but he was already examining the guards’ post to see if it matched his standards. "How many guards are there?"

Spitfire hoofed Fleetfoot to give her the roster. "Ugh, right. You'll be in charge of twenty locals, another thirty from the surrounding areas, and a detachment of thirty from Canterlot's fourth division."

"So a small company?" Skyfall asked.

"You call eighty ponies a small company?" Fleetfoot asked before earning a small glare from Spitfire. "Excuse my comment, Sir!"

"Drop the sir." Skyfall muttered as he read over the roster. "I work for a living, though I do appreciate the respect. To answer your question, yes, to me a full company would have at least another fifty, but this is fine."

"Do you need anything else?" Spitfire asked. "If not, we'll just stick around and watch you guys play around."

"Play around?" Nim asked as he appeared from one doorway and disappeared down another. "She's joking, right?"

"Ignore him, he's... passionate." Sky tucked the roster under his wing. "The only things I need aren't too huge. Just a run down on your rank structure, your regulations, all available forms for anything, and a quartermaster."

"All of the except the last one can be done in the next hour." Spitfire mused. "The paperwork would just need to be printed off and the rank structure is on the back of the roster."

Sky glanced to the chart before shoving it back under his wing again.

"Good quartermasters are in short supply since the union fell on it's face."

"Your military has a union?" Skyfall asked skeptically.

"Nope, that's why it fell on it's face." Spitfire chuckled. "Nopony really gets a quartermaster cutie mark."

"Those things again." Skyfall grated his teeth slightly. "Nevermind, I'll have one trained."

"Don't like cutie marks?" Spitfire asked.

"Not really, I don't like being told what to do." Skyfall turned, showing Spitfire his mark; a pattern of shattered glass. "Until next time, Captain."

"Captain." Spitfire turned and started to walk with Fleetfoot.

"Well, he seems interesting." Fleetfoot chirped.

"That's a word for it." 

"Something wrong, Spits?" Fleetfoot opted to use her nickname since nobody was within earshot.

Spitfire looked around to make sure no one was listening. "I'm really curious as to who he is and why Captain Fury and Princess Celestia signed an order giving him the rank of guard Captain. He's a warrior alright, but where from?"

Fleetfoot rolled her eyes. "So what? He can run fast, but that doesn't make him a guard."

Spitfire shook her head. "No, that wasn't what told me he was a warrior. What was one of the first things he said to me?"

After a brief moment of playing the situation over, Fleetfoot shrugged. "That comment about you in magazines?"

"'The uneven lay of your wings matches the mare in the magazines.' Verbatim." Spitfire said. "Only aces know something like that. Not even you and Soarin notice stuff like that. With the lay of a Pegasus' wings, you could determine what route they may favor. I fly hard and fast while falling right to perform corkscrews, which gives me a slightly lower right wing. If my enemy knew that, they could catch me off guard and end me."

Fleetfoot nodded, silently understanding.

Spitfire flew up and sat on the roof of the mess hall with Fleetfoot. "I think I'll be watching Captain Skyfall a little closer than I was instructed to." 





"So how'd we make out?" Nim asked.

"Eighty men under our command. Divides things up nicely." Skyfall muttered as he took a second to read the rank structure.






Chain of Equestrian Command




Commissioned Guards. 

Captain of the Guard

General

Captain

Lieutenant

Enlisted Guards.

Centurion

Master Guard

Sergeant

Corporal

Guard



"Hey, Nim. Equestria has a Navy right?" 

Nimbus glanced at the sheet. "Yeah, ranks pretty much carry over if what I remember is correct. You only have the equivalent of the Army ranks there. No biggie." 

"Log this away, but I want these ponies to have some ship training as well."

"What's first?" Nimbus yawned. "It's almost eight."

Suddenly a choir of laughter erupted from the barracks. 

"Looks like rain?" Nimbus asked, flexing a little of his power to make the cloudy morning into one that was about to be wet.

"Well, if it ain't rainin’?" Skyfall mused before watching an evil grin creep onto Nim's face. 

"It ain't trainin.’ I'll go give the boys a nice, warm reception."

Storm trotted away chuckling to himself comically as he prepared himself for the beginning of training. The wind started to pick up the instant he disappeared into the barracks and the smile on Skyfall's face dropped. "So... how long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." The silky voice of a mare was the only sound he heard through the wind’s howling.

Skyfall went to turn around, but was stopped by the rumbling earth beneath his hooves.

"Don't turn around."

Skyfall tried to decipher who was speaking to him, but all he felt was a faint trace of magic. "You know, in some places, it's considered rude to spy on people."

"And what do you think?"

"I think, who would be odd enough to speak to me and not want me to see them?" Sky looked around the large courtyard and found that Spitfire and Fleetfoot were staring at only him from the top of the command tower. "I also wonder why no one here is looking at you."

"Very sharp." She said happily. 

"Now you're complimenting me?" 

"I am not your enemy, Skies." She said sadly.

"And there it is." Skyfall closed his eyes. "Who are you?"

"A friend."

Skyfall huffed and spun around to find a fading mirage, but could see that the mare had a black coat and a rust orange mane. "A friend?"

"Skyfall!"  

"I'm a popular stallion today." Skyfall told himself as he looked up and saw Pinkie Pie waving. The roar of Nim's voice came from the barracks and out came a line of awestruck stallions as they fell into ranks right in front of the flag pole. 

"Hello everyone, what brings you here?" Skyfall gave Twilight and the others a warm smile. 

"They wanted to visit." Fury said as he walked out from behind the group and looked out onto the three companies situated before the new Captain. "I'm here to get your signature and a picture of your cutie mark."

Twilight recognized the ritual from when her brother became a commissioned guard. "Wait, you joined?"

"I joined." Skyfall sounded a little less than enthusiastic as he turned, revealing his cutie mark. something that everyone present took a moment to look over. 

"Darling, is that really your cutie mark?" Rarity asked.

"Rarity!" Fluttershy tried to scold delicately.

"Afraid so." Skyfall quipped.

"What does it mean?" Twilight asked. Being a very knowledgeable mare, she could figure out most cutie marks like Fluttershy's butterflies or Pinkie Pie balloons, but a shattered pattern baffled her.

Just behind the group, ponies started to trot out of the barracks and form a sloppy formation in the center of the parade grounds.

"It's a reminder." Skyfall said cryptically as he turned to Nimbus who had stopped next to him moments before. "Are they ready?"

"No." Nimbus scoffed. "They are without a doubt the most undisciplined babies I've seen in a long time. Barely here and they all were wearing their gear and not one of them is wearing it correctly."

"Well. I'm sure you'll find that having trained, fourth division guards in your ranks will sort out the riff raff." Fury said as a matter of fact and with no small measure of pride. 

"I was talking about the fourth." Nimbus growled. 

"Wanna run that by me again, citizen?" Fury lived up to his name and let his anger show. 

"You heard me, these 'guards' are too self centered and were belittling the new guards. If I had my way, I'd run them ‘till their hooves bled." Nimbus seethed and opened his mouth for another line of threats, but found a large silver wing blocking his vision.

"Enough." Skyfall gave a firm command, causing Nimbus to shut his mouth. "What's done is done, with time they will grow closer to each other and mindless nonsense like that will be in the rear view."

Skyfall mulled it over and grinned. "How about we start the campfire songs now?"

The same mischievous grin that sat on Skyfall's face moved to Nimbus’. "Oh, Hearthwarming already?"

Skyfall passed behind Nimbus, presumably heading to the mess hall. "Go easy on them, Nim."

Nimbus whipped his tail and cracked his shoulders. "Since everyone here likes to pretend to be a real warrior and dress the part, that means we're going to act the part and train like we fight!" Nimbus inhaled and looked left quickly to make sure nothing was blocking his marching route. "Company!"

The company of ponies looked around nervously. "Right face!"

After the company turned in a sluggish and uneven manner, Nimbus looked at the group and cringed at the wear of some of the suits that the ponies wore. "Awww, y'all are going to chaff. Excellent. Since you all couldn't wait for instruction on the proper wear and fit of a suit of armor, that must mean that I'm useless! You see, when I feel useless, I get restless, and when I get restless, I like to run and that's what we're going to do, run until I get tired!"

A loud collective groan echoed through the crowd. "Huh? Y'all said five miles?"

A few more groans escaped the crowd. "Ten?"

"Oh come on, you're horseapples!" A particularly angry looking unicorn said from the crowd, making Fluttershy cover her mouth at the insult.

"Mares and gentlecolts, welcome your first blue falcon!" Nimbus let out a long, loud laugh. "Right, I'm horseapples and you're all running twenty miles."

Before anything else could happen, Nimbus inhaled sharply. "Forward, march! Double time, march!"

After a few seconds of bumbling around, Nimbus shouldered one of the walking ponies and threw the commands out the window. "It means run! Run now!"

"Why is he so violent?" Fluttershy asked.

"I don't know, Shining Armor never told me what guard training was like." Twilight muttered.

Twilight and the others looked over to Captain Fury, expecting him to be extremely upset, but were surprised to see him smirking. 

"They're breaking those ponies down to build them up the way they want them to fight." Fury said. "I would train the regular guard like that, but the Princess has put limits on what we can and cannot do. We even have to give out guards special attention, like one stallion that had an abnormal obsession with grape jelly."

"Well, all of this seems unethical." Twilight huffed. "Those ponies are going to be run into the ground."

"And they're all going to have nasty wounds when they get back from all that armor. Some of them already looked uncomfortable as it is." Fluttershy said, concerned for their collective well being.

"Where did Skyfall go? Surely he doesn't approve of this?" Rarity looked around for where he disappeared to.

"I saw him going toward the cafeteria." Sunset got up and walked a few feet. "Yeah, I see him in there walking around with a plate of food."

With that, all but Fury trotted toward the mess hall. When they entered, they noticed that for a military mess hall, it was actually quite nice. Blue walls and white floors were clean and accented each other nicely. Pictures and maps lined the walls and flags hung down the center from many of Equestria's allied nations. In the very back of the room sat a battered shield and a worn sword that looked better suited for a museum. 

The group looked and saw that Skyfall was chatting with a cream colored mare with an auburn mane.

"When they get back, they'll need medical aid. Thanks Inko." Skyfall patted Inko on the shoulder before she left behind a side door. He glanced at the group of ponies that had just arrived and continued his stride towards the buffet. "Hey, what's up?"

"Do you really approve of this?" Sunset asked, surprising Twilight with her blunt and sudden question. Seeing the spectacle obviously upset her.

"Yes, these eggs are begging to be eaten with cheese and potatoes." Skyfall gestured to the food buffet, returning her question with his usual wit.

Sunset glared at Sky.

“Not a fan of cheesy food? We have hot sauce.”

Sunset continued to glare, she did not find the aversion to her question as entertaining as Sky had.

Skyfall sighed. "Fine. The answer's yes."

Twilight looked between Sunset and Skyfall. "Um, right. Introductions. Skyfall, this is Sunset Shimmer. Sunset, this is Skyfall."

"I would say something to the affect of ‘nice to meet you’, but I believe you have a few questions regarding my training." Skyfall forked a few syrup covered sausages into his mouth as he gathered more food onto his plate.

"More than a few." Sunset squinted. "Why are you hurting them?"

Skyfall shook his head and let out a long ragged sigh before muttering curses to himself. "Someone, what is armed conflict?"

"A state of armed conflict is an aggressive disagreement between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state." Sunset said, showing that she wasn't just a pretty mare with a rocking mane.

"Well, you know a definition, but what is conflict in regards to war?" Skyfall asked. "Twilight?"

"Same answer?" Twilight said.

Skyfall rolled his eyes. "Anyone else?"

"Not fun?" Pinkie said.

"Grotesque." Rarity spat.

"Scary." Fluttershy said.

"Ah've heard stories from my Granny Smith. She said they were dark times in our history." Applejack said.

"Something that is sometimes unavoidable?" Rainbow said.

"Bingo." Skyfall pointed to Rainbow Dash, surprising her. "The exact answer I was looking for, word for word. You've earned your eating privileges."

Rainbow clapped and flew over to the buffet. She grabbed a plate and grabbed all the same food Skyfall had.

"I don't get it." Sunset tried to think it through. "What does war have to do with making them run in gear that will hurt them?"

"They put the gear on before they were told to and had no idea how to put it on." Skyfall said. "One false move on a field of battle and that's the end."

"Skyfall, darling. Surely you're taking all of this a little too far?" Rarity smiled, trying to bring Skyfall down from his dire state of thinking. "Surely this isn't necessary?"

"I think it is." Skyfall said firmly. 

"One wrong move couldn’t result in that much, could it?" Twilight asked.

Skyfall lifted his wings, fully revealing the long, fleshy scar down the side of his body. The ponies let out their own forms of surprise, ranging from gasping to a hiss noise. "Not to sound too grim, but yes, one wrong move can mean that much."

"Now that's a scar to drink to." Fury called as he opened the mess hall doors followed by a beige mare. "Desert, go and have a seat while I set some stuff up."

"Yes, Sir." Desert growled as she sat. Her chocolate hair covered half of her face showing only one blue eye, she stood with an annoyed look as she turned to sit down after Fury nodded at her.

"Skyfall, I had no idea you were hiding something like that." Fury chuckled. "How'd you get it?"

"Someone I trusted very much betrayed me and ran me through with their blade." Skyfall admitted nonchalantly as he shrugged. "That was a long time ago."

Fury nodded and lifted one of his pauldron, revealing a particularly dark scar on his shoulder. "Got this from a Bison chief when I was just starting out."

Pinkie jumped in with her usual ear to ear smile. "Oh, me next!" She reared up and pointed to her pelvis. "I got this rock sliding!"

Skyfall and Fury laughed as Applejack pulled her back by her tail.

"I'm sorry everyone, I was a bit busy with familiarizing myself with the guards on the roster to give you a proper greeting. Now that we've got that misunderstanding out of the way." Skyfall gave the group a slight bow before scanning it for their newest member. "It is nice to meet you, Sunset Shimmer."

Sunset raised an eyebrow, still in a disagreement at his methods. "Just Sunset is fine."

"I take it you're not originally from Ponyville?"

"Nope, I just got here. Well, back here, I should say." Sunset said.

"Moved away?" 

"Kind of." Sunset admitted. "I was raised in Seaddle before I went to the school for gifted unicorns in Canterlot."

"I didn't know you were from Seaddle." Twilight said. 

"Yep, Rain City." Sunset mused. 

Fury noticed his companion's agitation. "Sorry to interrupt, Skyfall, but this mare is Desert. She's your new lieutenant and medic."

"Have a medic and a second in command already." Skyfall informed. "Both of which I've worked with for years and in many different conflicts."

"Be that as it may, Celestia has demanded that she be your lieutenant." Fury scrunched his brow in anger before relaxing. "I hate to impede on you, but those are the orders."

"Then I accept." Skyfall nodded and looked over Fury's shoulder. "Desert, take a five minute jog to get that scowl off your face."

Desert smirked through her scowl. "On it, Sir."

"A stallion after my own heart." Fury mused. 

Skyfall tittered at Fury's comment and looked towards the elements plus one friend and dragon. "I'm about to go around this post and make some checks, do you eight want to tag along? We could catch up that way."

Skyfall watched as each one of them nodded. "Awesome."

"Well, I'll leave you to it Captain, I'll come by tomorrow for today's report." Fury adjusted his golden helm. "What time tomorrow?"

"O-five hundred hours." Skyfall said and he shook Fury's outstretched hoof. "I actually have a request of my own before I tour this base."

"Depends." Fury quipped.

"I want information on everyone in my company; names, dates, vaccinations, family history, addresses, and even what they're afraid of. Pretty much everything they wouldn't readily admit on paperwork." 

Fury wrinkled his brow. "Done."

"Until tomorrow." Skyfall nodded and watched Fury leave. It was clear to Sky why Celestia chose him. His powerful walk and stern gaze could win a battle before a sword was even drawn.

Skyfall sighed and let his eyes wander over to Fluttershy. While the rest of the group was talking amongst themselves about an old photo on the wall, she was looking at Skyfall.

Sunlight peeked through the ceiling windows, giving Fluttershy just the right amount of light to brighten her eyes. She took a second and gulped before walking over to Skyfall to talk with her usual quiet tone. "H-Hi. How are you doing?"

"I'm okay." Skyfall said in an equally quiet tone. "And you?"

"A little overwhelmed with all this military stuff."

Skyfall looked at the group and at the side door. "Come on, I think we can postpone the tour." 

Fluttershy nodded and followed Skyfall as he left out the side door, looking back every so often to see her friends involved in their own conversations.

"So everything's okay?" Skyfall asked Fluttershy as they made their way behind the buildings that lined the post's walls.

"Mhm." Fluttershy smiled. "Where are we going?"

"Top of the command building." Skyfall pointed. "It should have a good view."

Fluttershy fumbled over her hooves and accidentally leaned into Skyfall. Her face turned red as she scrambled to get away, keeping a greater distance than she had before. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine." Skyfall smiled. "I didn't mind."

Fluttershy gulped. 'Maybe I should try.'

Skyfall found that his walking path was starting to intersect with Fluttershy's. For a moment, it looked intentional, but then their paths grew a little further apart before she bumped into him again. "My dear, I think you may have lost your balance."

Fluttershy mentally scorned herself. 'Too much!'

Skyfall examined Shy's features and saw a mental conflict raging, so he bumped her back, albeit a little stronger due to his size. When he did, he caught a whiff of her mane by accident as she smiled up at him.

"So." Skyfall mumbled. "What do you like to do on your free time?"





Farhaven Later that day





As the day went on, more and more of the forest was being sheared away to make room for the city's layout. Diamond Dogs, wolves, and much of the wildlife that occupied the forest, worked together to make ditches and haul debris around in preparation to start construction of the buildings that would make up the town.

Earlier that day, Farhaven had new visitors that agreed to be locked up until the Spirits could talk to them; Changelings.

River sat in the large vault room, examining the runes, trying to find a weakness. All of a sudden, a thick stack of folders landed next to her, making her fall and yelp out in surprise.

"Sorry, Riv-auntie." Cadance chuckled nervously. "The dossiers were really heavy."

River gave Cadance an incredulous look and saw through her nervousness. “I know this must be odd for you, having a bigger family. Just take your time, no one is forcing you to call me auntie.”

Cadance smiled. “I’m happy that finding my father allowed me to find everyone else. I’m just trying to fit in as best I can.”

“You’ll do fine, Freckles.” River said happily.

“Freckles?”

“You had freckles as a foal, a few Spirits called you that.” 

Cadance clapped her hooves in excitement before looking down on what River had been doing.

"Whatchya doin?" Cadance said in a sing song voice.

"Trying to get into the vault. So far, I think I would have a better chance at restoring the Garden of Babylon." River said while she stood and brushed herself off.

"Babylon?"

"Forget it." River mumbled.

"Why do you need to get into the vault?"

River poked the vault door, igniting the floating blue runes. "Your father tasked me with tracking down Grogar and his prized bell is in that vault."

"Who's Grogar?"

River shook her head and looked up towards the ceiling. "It's a sad state of affairs when the education system fails like this."

Cadance turned her head in confusion before River waved her forward before ascending the large, winding steps. "I'll tell you while I go check on our newest guests. Oh, and grab the dossiers." 

River made a long annoyed groan as she took the first steps. "Grogar was a philosopher and the ruler of what was known as Tambelon, a small kingdom that inhabited this land before the Everfree Forest reclaimed it. At first he was benevolent, he even sat in on a few meetings with Celestia, Luna, and what remained of the Spirit council after the war. Before all that though, he was a simple ram who made a living as a traveling peddler."

River's tone took on a more solemn tone. "He was good friends with the water elemental, Kaikō, and the Spirit of Death, but eventually turned against the Spirits and stole the secrets to necromancy. We never knew what turned him to commit such atrocities, but whatever it was sure was powerful. It took your father many years to find him and cost the lives of some Spirits to seal him. In the end, Grogar experimented on his body so that he would never die naturally. His coat took on a grim color and smells of rot now."

"And what's in the vault?" Cadance asked.

"Grogar's Bell, the same one he used to control the dead."

"And why does dad want to find him?" Cadance asked, appalled at Grogar's history.

"Answers mostly." River said. "In the time shortly before you and your mother were foalnapped, King Sombra unlocked to mystery behind necromancy and used it against the living, trapping ponies in their own body while he forced them to work like slaves."

"Wait, King Sombra?" Cadance asked.

"Yes, the same stallion you faced in the north was the one that took you and your mother away from Skies." River stopped and turned to face Cadance. "By all rights, you should be dead. We never recovered your body, but then again, we rarely recovered any bodies Sombra got ahold of. Your father grieved for you both for so long, he changed."

"Changed?" 

River nodded. "Once, your father was very powerful and could influence a great deal. After… y’know, he became withdrawn and cold. The night you and him reunited, there was a fire I haven't seen in him in so long it almost startled me."

Cadance smiled. 

"Keep smiling kid." River patted Cadance's head. "With you by his side and that brain on his shoulders, you're going to see the face of this world change. Now, let's go see the changelings."

The smiled on Cadance's face dropped. "Changelings?"

"What?" River asked curiously. "Don't like changelings?"

"I don't have a problem with changelings, per se." Cadance tittered. "It's just their queen lead an army of them on Canterlot, during my wedding."

River tapped her chin. "I guess that's something to look into. At any rate, these changelings look malnourished and hiveless."

Cadance followed River, but were both stopped when Quiet sprinted into view. "Lady Streams!"

"Yes, my dear?"

"Trouble by the eastern tree line." Quiet said urgently.

River glanced at Cadance before turning into her large, Otter form. "It's always something. What is it?"

"Ponies."

"Ponies?" Streams jeered. "Just capture them!"

"Can't." Quiet said.

"And why's that?"

"They smell like rotting flesh."

Streams mulled it over. "I will go. Take Cadance to the balcony and guard her." 

"Come along, m'lady." Quiet used her head to push Cadance towards another stairwell.

"Fine." Cadance pouted, upset she couldn't help with the new guests.

Streams, however, was excited. She wanted to flex a little Spirit power before going back to her books. When she reached the enormous lake, she leapt right in and started to swim around so fast that a normal being would have their skin peeled off.

The wolves had herded the ponies into a circle and kept them in a tight group, when all of a sudden, the largest column of water they've ever seen formed into a cyclone before exploding, causing artificial rain. Each pony tried to back up, but only succeeded in crashing into each other before a giant otter smashed down in front of them.

River scowled at them, smelling the scent of decay on all of them.

The eldest pony limped out in front of the frightened group. "W-We surrender."

River sat on up her hind legs and looked down at the ponies with the most confused look she could muster. "Huh?"



> Chapter 20 -Farhaven-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Farhaven-



"Lord Storm Front."

Storm stood on the highest balcony of Farhaven castle as the storm he forged raged in the skies above him. He opened one eye when he heard his name. "Yes?"

Thorn, a lanky, brown wolf, stood behind him. "You've been summoned, m'lord. Lady Flowing Streams and Lord Shattered Skies await your arrival."

With a calm breath, Storm Front turned and made his way through the castle. He walked past the walls and under the ceilings on which many Diamond Dogs were working to reinforce. However, to Diamond Dogs, ‘reinforcing’ often meant tearing any previous supports down before rebuilding them.

Storm strode into the new meeting chamber that overlooked the lake and the surrounding area that would soon be the capital the the budding city-state. The large room extended up until the columns faded into the shadows of the ceiling before reappearing by the skylight dome. In the center of the room sat a round, ornate, stone table with a shifting map in the center. The room took on attributes of whichever guardian entered; for Skies, foliage grew on the pillars and for Streams, small waterfalls came from the ceiling and ran along the walls before disappearing into the floor. For Storm Front, small clouds moved a few meters above the center of the room.

"Finally." Streams jeered as Storm entered the meeting room. 

"It's a big castle, crybaby." Storm mumbled as he sat down. "Let's get this over with, I need to check on the new guards and their-" Storm made a quotation gesture with his hooves. "-injuries."

Skies saw the perplexed look on Cadance's face and leaned over so she would hear his quiet voice. "The hierarchy doesn't approve of our training techniques."

"No, one of the whining babies' fathers is a general and had a coronary when he found out his pretty little snowflake had 'booboos' because he wanted to play soldier." Storm spat. "And the worst part is the guard's name is actually Snowflake!"

"Right." Streams said before plopping down Cadance's dossiers on the table. "Well, first order of business before we get to the dossiers and the building plans. We have to elect a leader for all of this so that there is a final word and not a fifty-fifty standoff."

"Decide as usual?" Storm offered as he produced a coin.

"Yep." Streams asked and looked at Cadance. "When the coin hits the ground, point at the one you think would be best to lead."

Before Cadance could say a word, Storm tossed the coin into the air and when it clattered to the ground, everyone pointed.

Storm chuckled. "That's no surprise."

Everyone in the room, save himself, was pointing at Skies while he pointed to Cadance.

"Um, I decline."

"You don't get a choice, playcolt." Streams laughed. "You're the best one to lead."

Skies rolled his eyes and threw his hoof up in protest.

"Don't sass me." Streams chuckled. "You're a natural leader and your history will rally any Spirit to our side."

Cadance raised her hoof. "Why is that? I thought dad likes living in seclusion."

"I do." Skies said.

Storm smirked. "Your father-"

"Likes living in seclusion and many creatures like my tea." Skies gave both Storm and Streams a stern glare, silently telling them to keep his past confidential.

"Yes, many creatures like your father's tea." Streams said monotonously. "That's why he will be the Lord of this land."

"Fine, but the instant we're up and ready there will be changes. On that day all female officers will be required to wear tiny miniskirts." Skies declared majestically with his arm held high.

"Dad!" Cadance shrieked.

Storm and Streams were laughing while Sif walked up and slapped the back of his head. "Joking. But seriously, I'll do everything in my power to turn this sinking ship into a theme park."

Streams clapped her paws together. "Now, next order of business. As I'm sure you all know, we have two new groups of interesting guests that arrived within hours of each other. Namely, the Changelings and the flesh golems."

Skies threw his cloven hoof up. "Question, what is a changeling?"

Streams looked awestruck for the briefest moment and shook herself out of it. "That's right, they only started to really show up a few hundred years ago. They are an insect-like species that feed on emotion and can change into anything they physically touch. Kind of like mosquito with a wardrobe."

“Are they like flutterlings and glamourlings?” Skies asked, making notes to review later. "What do they want?" 

"Yep, very similar, and they want asylum mostly." Streams said. "There are about forty of them, and when questioned, they said they want to work and earn their keep. They seem rather intelligent and a few of them have already started to work with the Diamond Dogs in building homes and clearing caves."

"Possible outside affiliations?" Skies tapped a pen on his knuckle. 

Streams shook her head.

Storm chewed his cheek and looked over to Skies. "I think if they belonged to anyone, then they would have arrived in disguise. I questioned a few of them and they said they formerly belonged to separate, now defunct hives."

"Fair enough, Farhaven is a place for second chances, so long as they work and get along, then they are fair citizens here." Skies glanced over at Quiet who stood dutifully by the door. "Quiet!"

"Yes, m'lord?" 

"Summon all the Changelings and the undead and have them in two separate groups in the throne room."

"Right away!" Quiet said as she ran out the conference room door.

“Such a nice wolf.” Skies turned and saw an unhappy look on Cadance's face. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Cadance shook her head only to find her father grabbing her chin and lifting it upwards.

"Be honest, do you hate them for what they did to your wedding?"

"N-No!" Cadance shouted. "I'm just. I'm just wary, what if they try to take over again?"

"Sometimes creatures are blinded by a lie and led to do bad things. Those that feel remorse and seek to be reformed should be given a second chance. Remember, the promise of food and safety can drive many to commit what they otherwise would not dream of."

Conflict was clear across Cadance's face, but in the end she nodded. "You're right."

"Listen to him, he knows his stuff." Storm joked.

Streams wrote up the Changelings’ citizenship decree and rolled it up before sealing it. "What about the undead?"

"That is a little bit more of an issue." Skies said. "While it may be clear that the Changelings want asylum, these undead are too much of a rogue variable. Considering that a new undead enemy has made himself known, I would need to speak with them before coming to a decision. Especially since Lonely Graves is a necromancer."

"You never did tell me what he whispered to you." Storm said, being ignored by Skies entirely.

Streams saw Skies' reluctance to talk about it, so she continued. "We pretty much have the plans drawn up to build the city, but lack certain creatures to get it done in the time frame we need. Thanks to Cadance, we have the dossiers with enough information to track them down. The only problem I see is actually finding them and convincing them to come out to a barren land in the middle of a dangerous forest to build a city for rejects while having two deities breathing down your neck."

"Well, when you say it like that it sounds like fun." Storm jabbed.

"Good work, hunny." Skies kissed Cadance head, eliciting a giggle. "Divide the dossiers up by region, if they're close enough then we can nab multiple ponies up in one go. Also mark them by priority."

"Excellent." Streams muttered as she quickly organized the dossiers and tossed them aside for later. "Now for the most important part of today's meeting."

Storm sighed and brought out a magazine before setting it down. "This has become a problem."

Shattered Skies looked down and wanted to claw his eyes out. "I had a feeling this was going to come back to bite me."

"The Sunset Effigy, an artifact lost and taken back by the great Daring Do." Cadance read. "What's going on?"

"In short." Storm shifted in his chair. "That is possibly the most dangerous artifact on the planet for necromancers and a powerful one made himself known to Skies. If we don't reclaim the Effigy, then Lonely Graves may use it."

"What stopped him before?" Cadance asked.

"It was locked inside the vault downstairs." Skies groaned. "The same one I trespassed."

"So let's tell Daring Do, maybe she'll understand." Cadance reasoned.

Skies shook his head. "It's too late to take it off display, it needs to disappear."

"You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" Storm grinned.

"Unfortunately."

Cadance leaned toward Sif and whispered. "What are they talking about?"

"They're thinking of breaking into the museum and taking the Effigy by force." Sif said. "They used to do this every once in awhile when a civilization found an artifact they weren't supposed to have."

"Dad!" Cadance yelled again. "You can't just walk in there and steal from ponies!"

Skies gave Cadance a sympathetic grin. "Hunny, trust me, I know a thing or two about bypassing security. I will be perfectly safe."

Cadance glared, but found it harder and harder as she stared into her father's golden eyes. A small grin formed on her face and she lamented. "Can I help?"

Storm started to laugh in an uproarious manner. "It's like her mother's here!"

Sif placed her paw on Cadance's hoof. "Your mother was the one who often times initiated something like this. Whenever Skies wasn't being rowdy, she was the one stirring up mischief."

Sif lifted her head up from reading and looked to the center of the table. "Next issue is how do you case the perimeter?"

Skies sighed. "The last time I was in Canterlot, it was a small mining town with a sky port. Certainly not the trade hub it is today." He waved his hoof over the map, summoning a scaled, three dimensional image of Canterlot. "I would like to get into Canterlot and look around before even going to the museum."

"Day trip?" Storm asked.

"No, too suspicious." Skies stated. "Hearth’s Warming is three weeks away and I would like this operation finished well before then. Unfortunately, many of the gatherings coming up are after that."

Cadance tapped her chin. "There is a stallion in Canterlot named Prince Blueblood who is throwing a guild party. Anyone with any sort of influence will be there; Education directors, guild leaders, celebrities, ambassadors, dignitaries both foreign and domestic, and ranked military guards."

Streams sighed in relief. "Well, that sounds like some fun I'll be missing."

Skies looked at Storm with a thoughtful expression. "Could do us some good to go and start gathering information on the local leaders. Also, we could see if any of them would be sympathetic to our cause." 

"After the heist, we still have the matter of exposing ourselves to the world." Streams said.

"Well, we do love to expose ourselves." Skies muttered to himself and remembering that Sif suggested the Gala.

"Parade?" Streams asked.

"Too flashy." Storm said. "Walk in through the front door?"

"Too flippant." Streams replied.

"What about the Grand Galloping Gala?" Cadance asked.

“That’s what I thought as well.” Sif said.

Skies leaned in his chair and rested his head on his hoof, deep in thought. It was an idea he had thrown around, but the risks seemed too high to achieve safely. He had thought about the available press and the coverage he would get, but that would mean appearing in a room of many creatures that wanted him dead. 

"It's certainly a Shattered Skies idea." Storm jeered. "Brazen and theatrical."

Skies looked around the table and saw everyone smiling at the idea before smiling himself. "Looks like we have a show to put on."

Skies rapt his hooves on the table and looked at his daughter. "You'll find being a Spirit is a lot of public relations and theater, but you get much more freedom than a princess does."

Cadance closed her eyes are mouthed. ‘Thank you.’ She stopped herself and remembered a huge detail about the Grand Galloping Gala. "Wait, the Gala is invitation only, how will you all get in?"

Storm nodded and produced two tickets. "As ranked guards of the local unit, me and Skies have two tickets each, but he gave both of his to Streams and Honos, while I gave my extra to Inko."

"So how will you manage to get in, dad?" 

Storm laughed. "Yes, Rudolph, tell her how you're getting your ticket."

Skies rolled his eyes. "It's probably better that she doesn't know."

Cadance looked around at the others starting to snicker. "Is it a special technique?"

Skies facepalmed. "No, it's not a special technique."

"Bomchickawahwah." Streams started to laugh with Sif, but tried to stop long enough to explain. "Your father is wooing his way into a ticket."

"Am not."

"Yes you are." Storm said, taking a breath. "You see, Cadance, you're father is the Spirit of the forest, but there is a reason animals worship him."

"You know what they say about big hooves." Streams giggled. 

"And big antlers." Sif laughed.

"And with that, this meeting moves into the next phase; sudden execution." Skies blurted out and walked towards the door. "Come on, Anara. We have a court to address."

Cadance snickered as she followed her father out the door, down the hall, and into the throne room.

"All rise and bow!" Quiet said.

Skies walked in and sat in front of the throne in the freshly remodeled throne room. Much like the meeting chambers, the throne room changed depending on who was in it, but to a more extreme degree. As light came on through great windows on either side of the room, vines and branches decorated the walls and roots criss-crossed the floor. 

"Relax." Skies deep voice boomed. "I understand you are all tired from your journey and would like clarification on what happens next." 

He looked out on the two crowds and looked toward the undead ponies and found a mare standing in the front like their caretaker. "You, what is your name?"

"Page Turner, my lord." Turner bowed. 

"This may seem cold considering that the waiting area hasn't been constructed yet, but you and your group must stand outside until I conclude business with the Changelings." Skies commanded.

"Yes, lord Skies." Turner bowed again and shepherded her group outside followed closely by one of the wolf guards.

As the doors shut, Skies sighed and looked to the lead Changeling who shivered. "What is your name?"

"Tidy!"

Skies' eyes widened in surprise at the Changelings volume and waved the lead Changeling over. Tidy slowly stumbled over and shakily stood before Skies. The great Spirit took pity to the small Changeling and patted him on his head as reassurance. "I have no plans to harm any of you."

Their moods changed a little and the whimpering stopped. Skies had been briefed on their ability to feed on emotions, so it wasn't too far of a leap to assume they could read what he was feeling.

"Now tell me. Why have you come to Farhaven?"

"We came by accident." Tidy admitted.

"You came upon a new nation in the middle of the Everfree by accident?" Skies asked, giving Tidy an incredulous smirk.

Tidy shuffled his hooves. "We were looking for a cave to live in. Changelings haven't ever been very popular with other creatures, so we were forced to live in the Everfree among our own kind. Recently, a dragon claimed our cave, so we had to abandon everything and look for a new one. We traveled for days and once we neared here, we heard the loud thumping of trees being cut down."

"And that's when Sif found you." Skies finished.

"If that's the large wolf lady's name, then yes." Tidy said. "She had us sit while being guarded by the larger wolves until one of our youngest got away and started to try and help a Diamond Dog who was struggling with some knots. Then, Lady Sif told us to help if we wanted. After a few days of building and talking to the Diamond Dogs, they said that this was a place for second chances." 

Tidy looked into Shattered Skies' glowing eyes and lowered. "We're begging you to give us this second chance."

The Changelings bowed before Skies and he looked back to Cadance who held a sad, sympathetic look on her face.

"Tidy."

"Yes, my lord?"

"Is Tidy the name you were given or the name you chose?"

Tidy looked up from his bowing. "It's the name I chose, my lord."

"Good." Skies boomed as he reached for the sealed scroll Quiet was holding and held it in his hooves. "You all seem to have had a long, trying journey."

One by one the Changelings looked up at Skies as the light in the room grew brighter from the clearer day outside.

"From this day forward, you are citizens of Farhaven. I hold you all to an oath of defending your home and in turn you will have my word that I will do everything in my power to protect you from unfair persecution." Skies smiled down at the awestruck Changelings. "Welcome home."

The Changelings cheered and the foals ran up and hugged Skies, an act the Skies had to wave his wolves down from acting on. He held the sealed scroll out to Tidy. "Tidy, for the short term, you are my representative for the Changelings. Go outside and Flowing Streams, Lady of the Lake, will be out soon to explain the minutia of what that entails."

"Thank you, my lord." Tidy and the Changelings bowed before scampering outside.

Skies glanced to his cloaked daughter. "You okay?"

Cadance nodded. "Yes. I was worried, but their story is so sad."

"You'll hear that a lot as time goes by." Skies said sadly as he waved Quiet over to open the door and let the next group in. “The trick is not letting it cloud an otherwise sound decision.”

Skies watched the group of gilded ponies walk in slowly. They were just as cautious as the first group had been, but didn't shiver nearly as much. 

Skies glanced down at Page Turner. "Turner, how old are you?"

She looked around. "I'm twenty."

Skies raised an eyebrow and sighed. "And how many years have passed since your heart stopped beating?"

Page Turner's face, along with the rest of the group, turned into shock. "My lord, I'm sure there has been a misunderstanding."

"Young lady, do not start our meeting off with a lie." Skies scolded. "It is not something to be embarrassed of. I am very old and know quite a great deal about all beings, and I can smell the make up and formaldehyde from here."

Page looked down and poked one hoof at the floor. "Sorry."

"I see that this is something that you did not choose." Skies started. "Rest assured I will get the complete story at a later date, but as for now, please tell me a little about your life."

Page looked back to her group who nodded frantically at her. "I'm-I'm one hundred and twenty nine years young." Page chuckled weakly at her vain humor and continued in a shaky breath. "I grew up in a slum in south Albaneigh and one night when I was coming home from my second job, I walked into an alley and the next thing I knew I was in a pile of bodies out in the forest."

Skies looked over and one of the wolves he assigned to be his clerk was copying down Turner's statement and felt a tug in the Forest of someone who needed his help.

"Shattered Skies, ah need yer advice." 

Skies disregarded and continued to listen to Page's story.

"I stumbled around for a week before I was attacked by a manticore. It stung and bit me, but let go after that. It was then that one of the village elders stumbled on me and brought me in and explained to me that I was dead along with the rest of the village. Fast forward a century and a few mental breakdowns later, a group of Timberwolves attack in the night, tearing apart anypony they could get ahold of and we fled into the forest. A month of wondering lead us to walk out of the tree line and into a raging otter."

Skies listened intently, trying to find anything suspicious, but only saw an unfortunate event. "How many did the Timberwolves kill?"

"They killed our village elder and twenty nine of us, there are fifty two of us left." Page said. "We're looking for a home, even if it means being ridiculed."

Skies chewed the inside of his cheek. He concentrated and a root crept up from the floor and stabbed into Page's leg. When she didn't react, he tried to examine her and found traces of the same magic that put Twist in the hospital. He withdrew the roots, drawing Page’s attention and caused her to become startled. She looked up and backed away from Shattered skies slowly. "I see that you weren't lying to me."

Skies stood and looked out on the undead ponies. "What do you call yourselves?"

Page winced. "We've never had a name since we lived in seclusion."

"I would like to help you." Skies said and watched the expressions of the dead ponies fall. "I have much experience with what put you in this state. As an Elder Spirit, I know the Spirit of of the crossroads to death, and while she may not know how to reverse this, she may be able to help. In the meantime-"

The ponies held on with little breath as Skies winked. "I'll need to keep an eye on you all. From this day forward, you are citizens of Farhaven. I hold you all to an oath of defending your home and in turn you will have my word that I will do everything in my power to protect you from unfair persecution." Skies paused. "Page you are the representative for your clan and that means you will all gather and decide a name. With that being said, welcome home."

Skies grabbed a floating scroll and handed it to Page. "The ‘raging otter’ is outside and she'll explain what's going to happen. And don't worry, she's actually quite sweet."

The ponies shuffled out quietly, beyond happy to once again have a home.

"That felt good." Cadance said, but noticed her father's annoyed sigh. "What's wrong?"

"I'm not done, it's going to be a long day." Skies said. "There's a stallion in the Everfree that just summoned me." 

"Who?"

"Big Mac."





Earlier that day





The Apple family sat in the living room of their old farm house ready to hear what Big Mac was going to say. He waited until Apple Bloom was at school to gather the bunch because he knew it wasn't going to go well. Granny Smith sat there with the same quiet look she usually had while Applejack's hooves were crossed, scowling at Gilda. Braeburn was also there, but he had arrived a few days prior on a surprise visit and sat there looking a little awkward as the tension in the room rose.

Gilda and Big Mac sat on one of the couches, sitting flush against one another.

Big Mac too a deep breath. "Everyone, I have some news."

"Does it have to do with yer fancy talk?" Braeburn smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

"It probably has to do with bird brain." Applejack seethed.

"Do you wanna go!?" Gilda roared, but found Big Mac's hoof on her breast. She looked at him with an enraged expression, but his calm smile cooled her down.

Big Mac twisted his face into an uncharacteristic scowl. "Now, Applejack. Gilda has been nothing but nice since she got here, you need to let that accident go."

"Big Mac, she came here and terrorized Ponyville. Ah nearly had to fight her on three occasions and she's also the one who let that cart slide downhill, putting ya in the hospital for three weeks and puttin' the farm in trouble with the harvest being a month away. She's bad news!" Applejack yelled.

"Now, AJ. That's in the past and the cart was an accident. She came by every night and brought me scones and flowers to apologize." Big Mac placed his hoof on Gilda's claws. "And that leads me to why I brought you here."

Granny Smith smiled, it had been decades since someone was able to fool her. She saw the kisses and blushing expressions. She also saw a certain Griffon rushing to the bathroom in the morning before hearing gagging noises.

"Gilda and I are getting married." Big Mac said firmly before Applejack sputtered.

"Married! You aren't even dating!" 

Gilda rolled her eyes. "We've been dating for two years."

"Ah'm happy for you both!" Braeburn said, smiling at Gilda who mouthed thanks in return.

"Ah forbid it!" Applejack seethed. 

"It ain't yer decision!" Big Mac roared, surprising everyone in the room.

"She don't belong here, Mac." Applejack continued, scowling at her brother. "There's a reason ponies don't marry Griffons."

"I don't care." Big Mac stomped his large hoof onto the table, cracking it. "I love her and she loves me."

Granny Smith smacked her lips. "Is that true, young lady? Have you fallen for my little apple?"

Gilda stopped scowling and turned a little red. "Yes, I left the Griffon Kingdoms to live here with him."

"Then that's all ah care about." Granny Smith said firmly. "Love is blind and if yall are in love then welcome to the Apple family."

“Granny! Ya can't be serious." Applejack pleaded. "She's dangerous."

Gilda scowled. "Well sister, you're stuck with me because I'm pregnant!"

A thick silence blanketed the room.

"Care ta repeat that?" Applejack asked, chuckling.

Big Mac recognized Applejack's fighting mood and stood. "Gilda is having my child, if you don't like that, then you're letting old accidents interfere with your judgement."

"What's this?" Applejack threw up a hoof in disbelief. "She comes along and yer talkin' all fancy."

"This is the way I've always talked, you just never noticed." Big Mac groaned.

"And you, why are you here?" Applejack glared at Gilda. "Don't you have some Griffon to dominate?"

Gilda scoffed. "I've never done anything to you! Can't you just mind your own business?"

Applejack pointed to Gilda's stomach. "And everypony knows that Ponies and Griffons can't breed! After two weeks that foal will get sick, did you forget that? The medical care alone will sink the farm!"

Gilda looked at Big Mac with worry. "What?"

"The foal will live." Big Mac said.

Applejack's eyes narrowed. "Ah'm being realistic here, Mac, how many hippogriffs have you seen? Think about it. We don't have the money for it."

Gilda got up and ran out the door, much to Applejack's dismay when she realized what she had done. "She's really pregnant, isn't she?"

Big Mac gave Applejack a cold expression before going to follow Gilda, but stopped when Granny Smith called for him.

"Big Mac, com'ere." 

Big Mac was halfway out the door and inched toward the porch steps.

"This'll only take a second." Granny Smith walked up and hugged Big Mac. "Go with what makes you happy. Whatever you choose, we still love you."

"Thank you, Granny." Big Mac hugged back before running into the treeline after Gilda.

Granny Smith sighed and shut the door before turning to Applejack who had adopted a look of shame. "Yer old enough to know what you did and to have known better. Ah'm ashamed of how you treated that poor filly."

Applejack looked out the window. "So am I."





"Gilda! Where are you?" Big Mac shouted. "Please!"

Big Mac heard sniffling from a small pond up ahead. He rushed and skidded when he barreled through the bushes and collided with Gilda, forcing them both into the pond.

When they resurfaced, Big Mac was holding Gilda as she cried. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to worry. I-I understand if you don't want the foal."

"I still want the foal." Gilda said and pulled away just far enough to make eye contact. "And I still love you."

With that, they smiled and gave each other a reassuring kiss before Gilda rested her head on Big Mack's chest. "Oh Mackie, what are we going to do?"

"About?"

"Applejack doesn't accept us and I know she won't be the only one."

Big Mac swallowed hard, he knew she was right. They would never stop facing a life of being treated contemptuously and their foal will be treated as a second class citizen.

Gilda started to cry again. 

Big Mac held Gilda in front of him and wiped away her tears while giving her a warm smile. "Let's get out of this forest and figure something out, okay?"

With a sniffle, she smiled back. "Okay. Now how do we get out of here?"

Big Mac looked around trying to remember his way out and remembered what Apple Bloom told him she learned in class the week prior.





The week prior





"So what'd you learn in school today?" Big Mac asked as he prepared dinner, chuckling as Gilda tickled him with her tail.

Apple Bloom giggled, seeing Gilda teasing her brother. "Oh, Mr. Skyfall taught us about some armor and the history behind it. I thought it was weird at first, but in the end this bad pony and this good pony ended up being brothers."

"And he had the armor?" Gilda asked.

"Yep, he has all this really old, really cool stuff around his house." Apple Bloom said. "He even gave us homework that wasn't homework."

"Homework that wasn't homework? That's a first." Big Mac said as he stirred the spaghetti sauce. 

"Mhm. He wants us to think about how two ponies, born in the same place from the same family can turn out so differently." 

"What else did he teach you?" Gilda asked. "It sounds like he's trying to teach you all something useful."

"It was cut short ‘cause he had company, but we found out he's a doctor."

Big Mac glanced back. "Really?"

"Mhm, said he's a doctor doctor and doctor of history, he even knew a some stuff about Discord and Shattered Skies." Apple Bloom said, feeling like a know-it-all.

"And what did he say about that old mare's tale?" Big Mac chuckled.

"It's not an old mare's tale! You say that every time." Apple Bloom snipped. "And he said that all you need to do to summon him is to stand near the forest and call to him."

"Well, should I find myself in dire straights, ah'll be sure to call him and see if you're telling the truth." Big Mac stuck his tongue out at Apple Bloom, who stuck hers out in turn.





Present





'We'll be stuck here if I don't try.' Big Mac thought. 

"Mackie?" Gilda asked.

Big Mac closed his eyes. "Shattered Skies, ah need yer advice." 

After a minute of floating, Big Mac chuckled and started to walk out of the water. "I knew that was a hoax."

"What just happened?" Gilda asked.

"Remember before dinner last week Apple Bloom said that if you needed Shattered Skies, all you had to do was call to him?"

"And you called to him looking for directions?" Gilda started to laugh. "Classy. You really know how to woo a Griffoness, dontchya Mackie?"

A sudden jostle from the trees and the sounds of heavy hoof beats drew their attention to the daunting figure walking up from behind. "So Ponies believe me to be a hoax now?"

Big Mac stood next to Gilda and stared at the approaching Spirit.

Skies smiled sweetly at the couple he had come to know in his secret life. "I'm guessing you are the one's that summoned me?"

"I am." Big Mac said.

"And what do you need help with?" Skies sat down and scratched his chest, waiting for their response.

Big Mac and Gilda went from rigid to somewhat relaxed when it looked like Equestria's most wanted wasn't there to harm them. They looked over him; his large antlers, golden eyes, toed hooves, and leaf-like feathers proved that not only was he real, but directly in front of them.

Skies grabbed a loose branch and covered himself up. "I appreciate the attention, but if you stare any longer I may have to charge you for it."

Gilda chuckled and looked over to Big Mac and whispered. "I think he really is here to help." She looked into Shattered's eyes and took a few steps forward. "I've heard much about you."

Skies rolled his eyes. "Not this again. Listen, I don't eat souls and I don't cover my bed with the skins of ponies, those are lies that-"

Gilda shook her head and waited for the forest Spirit to stop. "I grew up on stories that weren't written in books. I was told that you saved our lands once by growing enormous trees for us to live in in exchange for us to end a war against the Zebras."

Skies ears twitched slightly as he squinted at the Griffoness. "Something that I made sure to be forgotten by time."

"Well, some Griffons still talk about it today." Gilda smiled. "My father's advisor used to watch me as a hatchling and would tell me about you and your journeys."

Skies smirked. "And what kind of being is your father's advisor?"

"She's a Griffon with green highlights in her feathers, she's young so you probably wouldn't know her." Gilda shrugged.

"Personality?"

Gilda looked at the sky trying to remember. "Um, she's always been free and very kind."

"Hates brussel sprouts?"

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Call it Spirit intuition." Skies chuckled to himself. 'Gale, Lady of the Wind, you would find a lavish position with the Griffons.' 

Skies stood to his full height. "Well, I thank you for not believing me to be the monster I'm made to be. Now how can I help you?"

Big Mac looked around. "Well, we need a way out."

"What drove you into my forest?" Skies asked. "Ponies get lost in my forest all day, only to have me point them towards Ponyville, but you two look like emotional wrecks."

Gilda looked at Big Mac who shook his head in return and looked at the waiting Spirit. "I wouldn't even know where to start."

"Try me." Skies said before Big Mac and Gilda started to talk, but the talking turned into rambling from both of them as they complained about the unfair treatment and the underlying second class citizen treatment. After thirty minutes, Skies held up his hoof. "Okay, let me get this straight. In a nutshell, you two love each other and had some fun in the Apple Orchard which lead to Gilda getting pregnant, and now that you decided to keep the foal, Big Mac's sister Applejack doesn't approve and the whole of pony society has this thing about non pony-pony relationships. So you two are left in a bind because you fear your child will only ever be a second class citizen?"

"Yes." Big Mac and Gilda said.

Skies started to laugh. "Forty thousand years and a transformation later and nothing’s changed."

"Huh?" Gilda asked.

"Nothing." Skies said as he reached out with his power and the trees started to uproot and pull themselves into new positions, leaving two new paths in the forest. "I will offer you two a choice. Go right and that path will take you back home to Ponyville, you'll go back to a normal life and continue on the way you were."

Big Mac glanced down the right path and then looked at Gilda before they both looked left. "And what about the left path?"

Shattered Skies sighed. "That is where I will be walking. At the end of that road is Farhaven, I like to call it my little home for second chances."

Big Mac and Gilda held a silent conversation for what seemed like a few minutes before Big Mac looked up. "Is it possible to see Farhaven before making our decision?"

Shattered's eyes lit up and the trees started to move back to where they were. "Yes, but I believe if I take us there, we'll go faster."

Before either Big Mac or Gilda could ask, Skies leaned down and wrapped his wings around them and evaporated into a tree and almost immediately reappeared in a new location, just inside a castle courtyard.

"Ah, where are we?" Gilda yelped as Big Mac tried to steady himself of his dizziness.

"Sorry, forgot to warn you. The first time is always jarring." Skies chuckled and he walked to a nearby balcony. 

"Dad!" Cadance called from the doorway, still cloaked from walking around the work areas of Farhaven. "Where have you been, all you said was you had to go and-" She stopped when she saw two residents from Ponyville that she too had come to know.

"Ah, Anara, wonderful." Skies extended a wing and waved her closer. "Big Mac, Gilda, this is my daughter and my light, Anara."

Cadance gave a small curtsy. 

"You all are in for a treat." Skies said. "I think it's time to finally bring this forest to fruition."

Skies looked down to Big Mac. "I've been waiting all month to show this to my daughter. Ready hunny?"

Cadance nodded and stepped up to the balcony railing and waved at Streams who waved back as she yelled for the build teams to get back from the forest.

Skies took a deep breath before disappearing into a nearby tree.

"S-So, um what's he going to do?" Big Mac asked Anara who remained silent, fearing that her voice would give her away.

All of a sudden, the ground started to shake and the trees started to crack. A distant whining sound could be heard, like a cord being drawn tight before an inevitable snap. Then all went silent for a few seconds, leaving everyone to look around wondering what came next. But they didn't have to wonder too long when the forest rocked violently and started to grow unchecked towards the sky. One by one, each tree grew ten times larger than what it had been originally.

When the trees stopped growing, a slow moving mist rolled out from the underbrush of the trees, giving the area a pleasant sight.

"Your father is good at his job, ain't he?" Big Mac chuckled.

"He sure is." Anara mumbled.

Skies emerged from a tree and stumbled for a second as he regained his footing. "It's been a very long time since I last did that." 

Cadance hugged her father. "It's pretty."

"Thank you hunny, I'm happy you like it." Skies kissed the crown of her head and looked up to Big Mac and Gilda. "Farhaven is a place for second chances, and as you can see it's still being grown. If you honestly want to live here, than we welcome you, you may be anything you want to be, but make sure it's what you want because when we go public, the world may not like it."

Gilda tugged on Big Mac's collar and whispered to him.

"If you two need time to think about it, you may."

Big Mac and Gilda smiled and nodded.

"Wonderful, let me get you two home." Skies said and looked at Cadance. "Then I'll be home and we're all playing Monopoly."

"What's that?" Cadance asked.

"Go and tell Streams, she'll tell you begrudgingly. Love you." Skies kissed her head once more before grabbing the beaming couple and disappearing.

Cadance giggled. "Love you."





"Are you sure you want us to leave, Princess?" 

Luna sat in front of Twilight's castle with an assortment of luggage in varying sizes and shapes. She glanced at her guards. "Yes, Princess Twilight knows I'm coming."

"Yes, Princess." Luna's guard said before flying away with the rest of his unit.

Luna knocked on the two large double doors that belonged to Twilight Sparkle and waited as she heard shuffling and trotting. "One moment!"

One of the doors creaked open, revealing a very tired Sunset Shimmer. "Oh, Princess Luna, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were coming by, otherwise I would have brushed my hair."

"It's no problem, Sunset Shimmer." Luna said. "I merely wanted to come by unannounced."

Sunset stepped aside and watched Princess Luna teleport all her luggage inside effortlessly. "It is good to see you, Sunset. I wished we had some time to talk, just you and I."

Sunset shuffled. "Oh, I didn't know you wanted to talk to me."

"It's nothing bad. I just wanted to talk to someone else who sympathises with having a villainous past." Luna said bluntly and watched as Sunset winced from her statement. Luna smiled and patted Sunset on the shoulder. "Sorry for being a bit too brazen with my remarks. All I wish to do is to connect with you and maybe have some coffee."

Sunset smiled. "Coffee sounds wonderful."

Luna smiled and started to walk, only to be turned around by Sunset when she pointed toward the kitchen. "On the way over, I was worried I was interrupting something."

"Oh no, nothing's happened the entire time I've been here. Frankly, I've been studying endlessly, but the information on Spirits is so scarce that we're left drawing blanks when it comes to making plans." Sunset said.

All of a sudden the castle started to quake and both ponies watched as the Everfree Forest started to grow and shift. This went on for a few minutes and when everything quieted down, everyone started to make their way outside to see what happened. The ponies stood there staring off to the forest with mixed reactions.

"Well, Princess. Something happened." Sunset quipped.

Luna recognized Shattered Skies' work. "Indeed, it looks like I arrived just in time." 

 

> Chapter 21 -Night Moves-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Night Moves-


An early morning in Ponyville brought the cool winter air and soft sunlight. Like most mornings, ponies were walking from place to place either shopping or seeing their friends. Ponyville was accustomed to the abnormalities that came with living so close to the Everfree, so when trees suddenly grew another ten stories taller, life went on as usual aside from the occasional curious glance.

Deep inside the forest, far from Ponyville and Farhaven, the portal to the vale shimmered as a frustrated Spirit tried again and again to execute the same spell.

"Um, Storm, why is my dad staring angrily at that pool of water?" Cadance whispered. 

Storm chuckled and tussled Cadance's mane before calling to his comrade. "You know it doesn't work unless she allows it."

Skies grunted and sat down shortly before Cadance trotted over and hugged him.

"What are you doing?" Cadance asked.

"Trying to open a portal." Skies said. "I have had many questions about a great many things and the only being that can answer all of my questions-"

Cadance watched as her father picked up a rock and threw it at the water, making a large splash.

"-Isn't answering her door!"

Storm walked up and smirked. "And you say I have a temper."

"You do."

"Uh-huh." Storm rolled his eyes before trotting away.

Cadance rolled in her father's arms and leaned against him. "How does the portal work?"

Skies glanced down. "Interested in Spirit magic, are we?"

"Well, I am a Spirit, even if I don't look the part." Cadance wrinkled her face and gave her father a mean look in jest.

"You're too cute." Skies petted her head. "Too bad it isn't working, I'll have to just explain it in theory."

Skies used a low hanging vine and extended it to the water before letting it lightly touch the surface, calming it. "It isn't too hard, it just takes certain conditions to be able to achieve the link. If you have a surface of water and you know the spell then you can easily knock."

"Knock?"

"Yes, to get to the Maker's realm, it requires that she be in a receptive mood. If not, then you just have a body of water like you saw earlier. Once you cast the spell, you should see the water begin to crack like glass and it will shatter once you try and enter. Then you'll feel a falling sensation and end up in her realm."

"That sounds a little too easy." Cadance thought aloud. "If that spell got out, wouldn't everyone try and go?"

"She has ways of getting around it." Skies chuckled. "To cast the spell outside of a Spirit's realm, you need to either be a Spirit or someone of considerable power."

"Spirit's realm?"

"It's where we are now." Skies whispered.

Cadance looked around and gave her father a wry look. "It looks the same as the Everfree."

"One of the entrances is in the Everfree." Skies stood and began to walk, waving Cadance to follow. "There are only a few entrances to the Equus, I try and keep it private."

"So we're no longer on Equus?" Cadance asked.

"Kinda. Sorta." Skies shrugged. "It's a pocket dimension that exists only for me. Many Spirits have one and they're usually close to one another like a large neighborhood. For example, if you travel far enough northward you'll reach Storm's realm."

Cadance followed her father as he walked toward an enormous tree that sat regally above the roofed forest, it was easily the size of Canterlot Castle. She looked around and found many things that piqued her interest; trees she'd never seen, animals she thought were extinct, and even hoof prints. "What is this place called?"

Skies glanced over to his awestruck daughter. "The Vale, it's where I stockpile my life's work. Every seed and animal to ever exist resides here in case something were to happen on Equus. Think of it as something of a backup."

Skies stopped at the top of a small ledge as it overlooked a small, hidden valley at the base of a giant tree. "And this is one of the last great Elder trees."

Suddenly, Skies smacked himself on the forehead. "Looks like I'll have to give you the rest of the tour some other time."

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot that I agreed to help the Cakes with their water heater." Skies groaned and turned around, walking away.

"I didn't know you were a repair-pony." Cadance giggled. "How'd that come up?"

"I was buying coffee for my staff the other day. Y'know, the day I was killing the Ponyville guard unit with teaching lessons. Well Mrs. Cake was told me the pony that usually fixes stuff moved to another town, so I told her I'd see what I could do."

Cadance chuckled. "Yeah, Shining told me about the lectures you forced them to sit through."

Skies stopped and smirked at Cadance. "So you are talking to that colt again?"

“He’s been traveling back and forth from the Empire.” Cadance gave a small nod and smiled sweetly. "So we're just talking. I still love him, but I told him that I need some space and that you're a wonderful psychologist."

“You’re leaving that poor stallion to run the Empire all by his lonesome?” Skies chuckled. “And here I thought I was a harsh taskmaster.”

“It’s not like that.” Cadance groaned at her father’s teasing. “The Empire barely has any issues to take care of, so I’m taking a vacation.”

“A vacation?” 

Cadance nodded. “A very long vacation that involves sleeping in and pouncing on you everytime you get home.” Cadance leaned against Skies and hummed. “And this way hopefully Shining gets the message and calms down.”

"Well, that's good. As long as he treats you like the goddess you are."

"Daddy!"

"What?" Skies laughed. "It's how I treated your mother."





"Princess Luna?"

"Huh?" Luna shook herself from her daze. "Oh, Sunset Shimmer, good morning."

"You seemed to be deep in thought." Sunset said as she walked from the doorway to join her at the long, crystal table. "Is something bothering you, Princess?"

"Luna." Luna said. "Please, call me Luna."

Sunset smiled. "So what are you so gloomy about, Luna?"

Luna sighed and debated with herself if she should open up to the young Unicorn. She had been sitting in the same spot throughout the night, looking out the window and secretly wishing to herself that she would not see any of the Spirits that she once called friends. Luna looked into Sunset's eyes and smiled. Out of the many ponies she's talked to, Sunset was the one that she could best relate to. "I'm hoping to not see Shattered Skies."

Sunset’s smile dropped as the adopted a look of confusion. "Isn't that what you're here for?"

"In earnest, I'm here to avoid my sister's incessant begging." Luna said, taking a sip of her stale coffee that she had brewed the night before and gagged. "My goodness, that is rank."

Sunset looked over at the pot of coffee that sat on the table and jostled it, watching the film over the stale coffee rip from the sudden movement. "Want me to brew a new pot?"

"No, that’s quite alright." Luna said. "I'll do it myself." A soft blue light enveloped the contents as the princess worked on making new cups for the two mares.

"So you came here to avoid Princess Celestia?" Sunset quizzed.

"I love my sister, but she can be such a nag at times. She wants me to go to our old castle and open a vault and I told her no. So naturally, she waits a few hours and asks again, and again, and again." Luna punctuated her words with the soft clink of the cup on the crystal table. "She also wants me to help her look for any Spirits that might still be around."

"Isn't that what should be done though?" Sunset asked. "From what I've read, Spirits disrupt the natural state of the world."

Luna shook her head. "No. Spirits are the natural state of the world."

Sunset sat back in her chair and tried to process what the night princess had just told her. Even from a young age, Sunset was told that Spirits were creatures to avoid, but here sat the country’s leader, telling her that they're essential to the world. 

"I see the conflict on your face." Luna said, glancing around the room for eavesdroppers.

"Please, Princess. I need you to explain this to me. Every piece of literature I have says the opposite."

"Are you familiar with the quote, 'History is written by the victors?'" Luna said.

"No?" Sunset said.

"It's an old saying that the Spirits use from time to time." Luna said. " It means that whoever wins the war determines the course of history, and in the end, the Spirits lost. Celestia blames the Spirits for many of the tragedies that happen around the world and she imprisoned them, but fails to see that she is blinded by her hatred for them."

"Why does she hate them?" Sunset asked.

"I think she blames them for me becoming... you know." Luna said. "But her anger isn't entirely her own."

"What do you mean by that?" Sunset asked.

"Her council hates Spirits and pushes her towards those decisions." Luna said. "I tried to pry, but they are good at stopping my snooping."

"So she's being tricked?"

Luna shrugged. "I can't speak with her about Spirits, she gets extremely angry. At one time, Tia loved the Spirits and often kept some as her close friends. At one time she even loved a Spirit. So all this confuses me."

Sunset tapped her chin in thought. "She did seem a little cold when she spoke about Shattered Skies."

Luna giggled into her hoof. "Yes, they've always been somewhat at odds with one another."

"Is he that mean?" Sunset asked.

Luna shook her head and smiled. "No, he's actually kind of sweet. I've missed him for quite some time."

"Were you and him ever a thing?" Sunset asked, raising an eyebrow at the dark blue Alicorn. Suddenly the coffee pot exploded, leaving the two mares coffeeless.

"Oh look a distraction." Luna said as she stood. "Looks like you and I are going to have to go into town for coffee."

Sunset chuckled. "As you say, Luna."





"I'm so sorry about this, Skyfall. I didn't think we would be this busy." Mrs. Cake said in a pleading voice.

"For the eighth time, it's fine, Mrs. Cake." Skyfall said as he worked the cracked relief valve off to replace it. He squeezed hard, but the caked up grease from the water heater made the job more difficult than he anticipated, not to mention the extremely chaotic atmosphere of Sugarcube Corner.

Sky glanced to the front from the hallway and saw a long line raging near the register as the clock struck nine. The Cake's newest foal, Coffee Cake was wailing, causing their other foals to become upset as well. All this went on while the to-go window was ringing with the cakes trying to balance everything.

With a loud click and spin, Skyfall set the valve and finished up his work. His coat was covered in grease from trying to work the parts off and on, but grease never bothered him.

Suddenly, the entire bakery went silent as Skyfall closed the access door on the side of the water heater. 'Finally.'

"Princess Luna, what may I get for you?" Mrs. Cake asked sweetly.

Skyfall's stomach dropped as he heard Luna's name. His heart started beating faster and a prickly feeling crept over his coat as he fought the urge to look at the sales floor. Sky tried to sense her, but could only catch a small trace of her magic, confirming that she was in fact standing only a few yards away from him.

"Just two coffees and some donuts." Luna replied, trying to imitate Mrs. Cake's sweetness.

"Coming right up!" Mrs. Cake said and was stopped by a customer.

"Where's my latte?" A thin, pea green stallion barked. "I've been waiting for fifteen minutes for my skim, pumpkin spiced latte. I need it to function if I'm going to catch-"

The stallion trailed off and looked above Mrs. Cake's head, prompting her to do the same. "Oh, Skyfall, there you are."

"I finished the water heater, it should be heating the reservoir as we speak." Skyfall smiled down at the relieved baker.

"I can't thank you enough." Mrs. Cake said, smiling up at Skyfall, who was glancing around the restaurant. "How much do I owe you?"

"A coffee and a plain donut." Skyfall chuckled.

The pea green stallion knocked on the counter. "Um, hello, my latte?"

Mrs. Cake looked around frantically and was stopped by Skyfall. "I'll watch the counter."

"You're such a lifesaver, Skyfall." Mrs. Cake smiled and disappeared to ask Mr. Cake about the latte.

Skyfall stood over the register and looked at the impatient stallion who stared back, scoffing and shifting his stance. Sky tried to fight the urge to look past the stallion to see Luna in the corner, but failed. He thought seeing her would be more painful, or even traumatizing, but all he felt was delight to see her smiling and talking with another pony. She even giggled and glanced in his direction a few times.

Once again, the pea green stallion swayed and stared at Skyfall. "Do you know when it'll-"

"Sir." Skyfall's voice boomed. "It'll get here when it gets here. Your latte isn't on my face, so glaring at me isn't going to make it appear, but it will make me scruff you and drag you out of here."

The stallion's eyes grew and he backed up. "Fine, I didn't like this place anyway."

Sky watched the annoyance stomp out of the bakery, surrounded by snickers and giggles.

"Funny stallion, why are you standing in mommy's spot?" Pumpkin asked from the floor, having stopped his screaming long enough to notice that Mrs. Cake left.

"Your mother is working so I'm watching the front." Skyfall felt drooling on his right hoof and lifted it to find a brown earth pony foal named Coffee. "I see you've stopped crying long enough to try and eat me."

Pumpkin and Pound Cake trotted past Sky and into the kitchen, leaving Sky alone with a drooling foal. Her red eyes started to water when Sky took his hoof back. "Fine, but I need my hooves so you can hang out on my back."

Coffee giggled as Sky placed her on his back. 

"I see you're good with foals too."

Sky looked back to the register to find Sunset Shimmer smiling at him. Sky shrugged. "Yeah, they love to ride on my back so I just relent and let them."

"You should have some." Sunset smiled. "I imagine you would be a great father."

Both Sky and Sunset stopped when they heard the clattering of pans before Mrs. Cake hurried to the front with a worried expression, followed by her two children bearing playful smiles. She stopped and quietly scolded them. "I'm sorry it took so long, Skyfall, he had a problem with our machines." Mrs. Cake stopped. "Where's Peabody?"

Sky shrugged. "He left, though if that latte isn't going anywhere I'll take it."

"No, I must pay you." Mrs. Cake insisted. "And not in food."

"It's fine." Skyfall waved his hoof dismissively. "It was no trouble, really, I have enough bits."

"Thank you." Mrs. Cake smiled sweetly before cocking her head. "Is that Coffee on your back?" 

Sky looked back to see the little brown foal curled up and sleeping quietly.

"She hasn't been this quiet in the last few days." Mrs. Cake added.

Sky shrugged again. "Foals like sleeping on me."

"You should have some." Mrs. Cake said. 

Sunset nodded and chuckled at the sight. "I said that earlier."

Skyfall grabbed Coffee and gave her to Mrs. Cake. "I have a child. Though, she's much older than Coffee."

"You have a daughter?" Mrs. Cake asked. 

"Yep, but she's in her twenties now. All grown up and living her life." Skyfall smiled sadly and turned with the latte in hoof. "It looks like your line is getting crazy again, I should let you work."

Mrs. Cake smiled and greeted the next customer as Sky walked around the counter and right into Sunset. "There's somepony I think you should meet."

"If you mean the Princess, then I think it's more appropriate to meet in an official capacity since she is technically in my chain of command." Skyfall said, referencing the fact that he was the new guard captain.

Sunset rolled her eyes. 

"I highly doubt it makes a difference." Sunset trotted to Skyfall's side and headbutted his wing trying to push him towards Luna's table while Luna sat and stared intently at Skyfall.

Sky patted Sunset on the head when she failed to move him. He handed her the latte and started walking towards the door, passing a waving Ditzy. "It's okay, Sunset. There's some errands I have to take care of."

"Scaredy cat!" Sunset playfully called.

"So that was Skyfall." Luna said from her table. "He seemed nice."

Sunset nodded as she made her way back to the table. "He's interesting to say the least, even if I do disagree with his training regimen. I tried to get him over here to meet you, but he was talking about how it would be inappropriate or something like that."

Luna tapped her chin. "That's right, he is the new guard Captain Tia appointed. He does look familiar. I've seen that cutie mark before, I just can't put my hoof on where."

Ditzy tapped Sunset on the shoulder. "Ma'am, are you Sunset Shimmer?"

"Yes?" Sunset glanced at the happy mailmare.

"Letter." Ditzy gave her the envelope before flying out out of the double doors.

Luna looked at the letter in Sunset's hooves and rolled her eyes. "Not this again."

"What is it?"

"Prince Blueblood has invited you to that infernal masquerade." Luna groaned. "It was fortunate that I decided to come to Ponyville, he is so... so..."

"Insufferable?" Sunset asked.

"No, he's clingy!" Luna said, holding her hooves before her and looked at the ceiling. "He means well, but he can't even take a hint."

Sunset smiled at the enraged Luna while she continued. "When I returned, he tried spending every waking second with me. I appreciate that he was there, but he's insatiable."

Sunset looked at the letter. 'Maybe it wouldn't be too bad to attend.'

"Are you going to attend?" Luna asked. 

"I might." Sunset smiled at the letter, happy that she was invited. "Though, I feel I should stop lollygagging and get back to finding Shattered Skies."

Luna nodded. "I will help where I can, but I still don't wish to be caught by him." She glanced out the window at Skyfall as he talked to Applejack who was pointing him off into town. "Though at this point, that may be unavoidable."





"I don't know, Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy said. "I thought you didn't like Skyfall."

Rainbow kicked gently as her hooves dangled over the lake dock, a withdrawn look on her face. "I didn't think I did either, but lately I think about him at the most random times and it infuriates me."

Fluttershy scrunched her face a little and felt conflicted sadness in her chest. She didn't know why, but she didn't like what Rainbow was saying.

"I told Gilda and she said that I liked him, but how can I like somepony like that? He's a jerk."

"I don't think he's a jerk." Fluttershy said.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "But he slammed the door in my face, over and over. And everytime I say hi, he grunts and walks past me."

"He's always nice to me." Fluttershy said, thinking about the times he stopped by her cottage to check on her or tell her about large animals that were spotted near her house in case she decided to go for a walk.

Rainbow put her head in her hooves. "What do I do? I was going to ask him if he wanted to go with me to the Gala, but what if that makes him hate me even more?"

"Wait, you wanted to invite him to the Gala? What about Scootaloo?" Fluttershy asked.

"She said she wasn't allowed to go this year. Something about her parents not liking her out of the house at night." Rainbow mumbled. "That's why I thought it would be a good idea to invite him so I could get closer to him."

Fluttershy tapped her hooves together nervously. "I-I was..."

"Huh?" Rainbow asked. "You say something?"

Fluttershy scrunched her nose again. "I was thinking... of asking him to go with me."

A strong silence moved over both Pegasi as they sat on the dock. Rainbow bit her lip and chuckled. "Well, I guess you two are pretty friendly, inviting your friends is natural."

Fluttershy's ear twitched. "I see."

Rainbow stood. "I should ask him before somepony else does, I know Rarity was talking about having some 'hoofcandy' as a date."

Fluttershy watched as Rainbow rocketed towards the sky.

"Friends?" Fluttershy mumbled to herself before taking off towards Ponyville herself.





"So are you going to the Gala?" Applejack asked.

Skyfall shrugged. "Maybe, I gave my tickets to a couple of friends."

Applejack shook her head as she rotated the apples on her cart. She sighed as she checked off her list before turning back to her neighbor as he leaned on her stall. "Well that wasn't very smart."

Skyfall cocked his head. "You know, you're speaking funny."

Applejack gave Sky a wry look. "You mean the way I'm talking?"

"Yeah, you usually have your accent."

Applejack smirked. "Ah guess somepony would call me out some time."

Sky stood by waiting for an explanation. Applejack stood by, since she had no customers yet there wasn't much in the way of avoiding the question.

"Can I be straight with you?" Applejack asked, resting her head on the apple stand.

"Shoot."

"I had a fight with Big Mac recently and he dropped his accent. It shocked me, he spoke in a way ah've-" Applejack coughed. "I've never heard before. Later that night Granny Smith got on me when I was complaining about him and she said maybe I should be more like him and learn to speak like everypony else instead of talking with our family's accent."

"And what do you want?" Skyfall asked without missing a beat.

"I don't know." Applejack removed her hat and sat down. "There isn't a thing I don't want."

"Explain." Skyfall moved to behind the stand and sat next to her.

Applejack glanced up at the large stallion staring down at her. She looked him over and saw that the top of her head only went to his shoulder. She shifted a little and took advantage of the shade that he cast. "You're a mountain, y'know that?"

"Yes and you're a firecracker, now spill." Skyfall said. "You said there isn't a thing you don't want. Call me crazy, but that's strange coming from an apple farmer. Those type are usually content with living on the farm with what they have."

Applejack nodded. "I don't know if I should be entertaining this."

Skyfall looked down and saw Applejack's hesitation. She shuffled and mumbled to herself, obviously fighting herself.

"I... When I was a filly, I wanted to go out and travel. I wanted to be somepony, do things, and have experiences I couldn't buy. Now that I'm older, I work on the farm and yeah, being the element of honesty comes with it's perks, but I want something more than an apple orchard to look forward to." Applejack sighed.

"And have you told anyone about this?" Sky asked. 

"Like my family or the girls?" Applejack watched as Skyfall gave a curt nod. "No."

Sky looked at the clock on the nearby convention hall and gave a loud hum. "I need to go and give a class to my guards. If you want, I'm free tonight, so I'll be home if you want to talk more about this."

Applejack shook her head. "No, I can't. With all the repairs being done to our farm equipment and the poor turnout from the last farming season, I can't afford any doctor's bills."

"Doctor bills?" 

Applejack gave a sheepish grin. "Apple Bloom let slip that yer... you're a doctor."

Skyfall rolled his eyes. "I appreciate the sentiment, but have you seen my estate? Any service I give is on the house."

"No can do, I have to pay you somethin.'" Applejack said. "Only thing I have is an extra Gala ticket, but I know how you colts are about fancy gatherings like that."

"Deal." Skyfall said, trotting away from the chuckling apple farmer. "See you at seven!"

As Sky made his way away from the apple stand and out of the market, he eyed the new guard complex on the outskirts of the village limits. Over the past two weeks, he and Nimbus pushed the guards physically, making them do mundane chores and exercises they hated so that they would hate both Skyfall and Nimbus, in turn, bringing the entire guard unit closer together. This was to give them a common enemy that they could see and hear. With time, they would learn to respect their commanders, or at least that was the idea.

Like many of his walks, Sky thought about everything that was going on. His mind was a hurricane of ideas and worries. Cadance still needed her curse broken so that she may take the form of a Spirit once again. Farhaven needed creatures to help with it's construction. Even Celestia needed to be addressed, was she brainwashed? And who is behind it all?"

"Atten-tion!" Called Desert from the center of the courtyard as Skyfall wandered in. All the ponies snapped to attention.

"Oh, here already." Sky mumbled and looked out into the crowd of guards. Some still had scabs from the 'full gear' run and most had bruises from falling off of the obstacle courses. One thing Sky did notice, was no one group was completely isolated from another, showing that they were getting along. Sky nodded at Nimbus. "Get them formed up properly and have them fall into the shipping bay."

Nimbus nodded and tapped Sky on the shoulder. "There's an issue."

"A Skyfall issue?"

Nim shook his head. "A Rudolph issue. In reference to four Spirits that hang around Celestia."

Skyfall sighed, his fears being realized. 

"Furthermore, they seem to know you intimately and not in the way you might like." Nimbus smacked Sky on the shoulder. "But that's for later, Sir."

Sky rolled his eyes as Nimbus shouted the proper commands for the guards to obey. Sky turned and made his way to the shipping bay. He was already regretting his decision to take part of this guard unit, but it was the perfect cover. Only thing left to seal the distinction between Shattered Skies and Skyfall was for both of them to be in the same place twice. 

The light sound of vibrating metal echoed through the large shipping bay as Sky hit the button to open the large door. As it opened, in trotted the guards who formed to sit in a semi circle around Skyfall as he flew up to sit his flank up high atop one of the many boxes.

To Sky's surprise, in walked a notebook-toting Twilight Sparkle with Nimbus and Desert trying to walk faster than her in a vain attempt to lose her in the crowd. Nimbus and Twilight teleported to a high box, cater-cornered to Sky.

"Good morning." Sky said.

"Good morning, Sir." The guards called.

Sky sighed, he knew why every time he found himself in some form of government, he usually found himself in a managerial position, but he still never liked it.

"How are you all finding Nim's chores? Quite the taskmaster, ain't he?" Sky said to the forlorn look of the guards and the cocky grin of Nimbus. "From here on out, things are going to change again."

One of the guards in the crowd groaned and before Nimbus bared down on her, Sky held up his hoof. "Rise, Firm Love."

"Y-Yes, Sir." Firm Love rose slowly. She was a bronze mare with a white mane and red eyes. She looked a little worried as Sky stared down at her, emotionless.

"I take it you don't approve of the changes."

"Permission to speak freely?" Love asked, her scratchy voice taking a firm tone.

Sky closed his eyes. "Granted."

"We all hate this, we're being worked harder than any other unit in the Stable." Love said, using the word ‘Stable’, Equestria's term for division. "And why? We haven't seen our families in two weeks and you don't tell us anything!"

The crowd around Firm Love spoke out in agreement.

Nimbus looked for any cues from Skyfall. Twilight nudged him to do something, but remained silent when Skyfall glanced at him.

"We want answers. There are talks that we're fighting a Spirit, but how can we? We're tired of the treatment and want to know why the princess commissioned a civilian to train already-trained guards."

Sky sat and stared at Love, waiting for her to relax as well as the crowd to go silent. "Fifteen months."

"Huh?" Love asked.

"You all think I've been unfair to you." Sky said, sighing as he clapped his hooves together and placed them in his lap. "You think that for some reason if war breaks out, you'll get breaks and have things explained to you."

"That's not-" Love started.

"Don't interrupt your commander." Boomed Desert.

"We'll get to the treatment and training regimen in a second." Sky kicked his hooves lightly.

Love found it hard to stare at her commander as he continued.

"'Commissioned a random civilian.' As for being a random 'civilian.'" Sky said to the audible laugh of Nimbus. "I know on one of your first days, Nim went through his record as he ran you all into the dirt. He told me that one of you called him out on the validity of it and I've been mulling over how to explain this all to you."

The guards remembered that two weeks prior, Nimbus was talking about leading charges in a few world wars, fighting dragons and all manners of mythical creatures, and the dark look he gave them when he was challenged.

Sky thought about how to explain everything to his guards, but without telling him that they were both Spirits, it would just amount to hot air in the end. 

"I could tell you that we've fought in three world wars on four different continents leading armies into battle and everything that I've seen. I could explain who I am and what it is I do, but in the end you believe what you want to believe." Sky said to the surprise of Nimbus. "All you need to be concerned with is the here and now."

Firm Love squinted, angry at how Skyfall avoided the question. "But that doesn't explain-"

"The dragon lands and the Griffon Kingdoms form an alliance and attack Equestria for its apples. What do you do?"

Firm Love and many of the guards including Desert looked baffled. Love looked around for one of the other guards to give her an answer, but she shrugged when no answer came. "I don't understand the question."

Sky looked down at her. "Equestria comes under attack. What. Do. You. Do?"

"Charge in and attack!" One of the guards in the crowd cheered.

"They've arrived with units that outnumber you three to one." Sky altered his question.

"Then we wait for more units, then charge?" Love asked.

"Against a force where one soldier is anywhere between twice to ten times your size?" Sky asked, holding his hooves up, questioning her logic. "And what about fire breath, artillery, or the Griffon Navy?"

Love shied away from Sky's blunt question.

"Do you think that you'll be able to take breaks from the front lines to see your family? That your armor will feel like pillows the entire time?" Skyfall leaned forward and fell from the box and glided to the floor. "And what about the fog of war?"

"Sir, surely the fog of war wouldn't be that bad for our superior Equestrian military?" Love asked.

"Desert, define the fog of war." Sky commanded.

"The uncertainty regarding one's own capability, adversary capability, and adversary intent during an engagement, operation, or campaign." Twilight recited, beating Desert to the punch earning an annoying look from her.

"Right. Do you think that uncertainty doesn't apply to everyone?" Sky asked and was followed by complete silence. He smiled and looked at the guards. "Just a food for thought on your days off."

The words 'days off' surprised the guards. 

"Take this as your safety briefing." Skyfall said. "Don't get in trouble, don't beat your spouse, kids, or goldfish."

Nimbus signaled Sky from the crate he was standing on. "I haven't told them about the schedule."

Sky ran his hoof along his face. "Right. From now on we're only doing Physical Training on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday, and Thursday will be class days; there is a lot you need to learn in the short time I think we have. As for you your weekends, you'll have three day rotating schedules. Nimbus, dismiss them."

Nimbus teleported and appeared before Sky in a cloud of electricity, giving a crisp salute that was returned.

Skyfall watched as the guards fought their smiles while Nimbus called them into formation and gave them his two cents before being released. Sky chuckled as they stampeded out of the bay, leaving only himself, Nimbus, Desert, and Twilight.

"Question, Princess?" Nimbus asked, seeing Twilight chew then end of her pen.

"Yes actually." Twilight said.

"Shoot." Sky said as he looked over some statistics Desert shoved in his face.

"Yes." Twilight said. "I still don't understand your question. We have no problems with the dragons or the griffons. Why would we go to war with them?"

Skyfall watched Twilight raise her pen, likely to make the another inquiry. "Only two things in life are constant; that's change and change."

Twilight bit her pen and looked at her notes, trying to understand. "Please explain further."

"Changing circumstances and money." Sky said bluntly. "You ponies aren't prepared for anything and from what Nimbus tells me, many of you are sheltered."

Twilight opened her mouth to retort, but stopped, she knew that Equestria was a utopia compared to other parts of the world, so instead she flipped a page in her notes to a blank section. "What are you going to do?"

"What I seem to do best; teach and avoid questions." Sky tittered and relented under Twilight and Desert’s annoyed glares. "Fine, I'm on base until six, so I'll go around and we can discuss what I'm going to do."

"No tricks?" Twilight asked.

"Nope."

"No evading questions?"

"Not if I can’t help it." Sky opened the door behind him and held it for Twilight.

"No screaming, 'what's that!' then running in the opposite direction?"

"Only if you start nerd gushing at the lesson plans." Sky's mumbled and watched as Nimbus and Desert made their way to the mess hall. "Actually, Twilight-"

"No!" Twilight shouted and got in Skyfall's face. "No backing out, Mister!"

"I was just going to say let's eat first, the mess hall has sausage and Saddle Arabian style omelettes." Sky mumbled, causing Twilight to blush from her outburst.

"Sorry." 

"Nothing food won't fix." Sky said as he turned, running his wing over Twilight's mane, ruffling it.





Applejack sat silently in Skyfall's study across from Cadance as she was writing a letter on the large, dark wood desk. She had arrived early to meet Sky, but Cadance was the only one home and offered to sit with her, an offer Cadance wouldn't let her turn down. "So, uh, Princess. How is it living with Skyfall?"

Cadance looked up and smiled, trying to think of a response. "It's nice. Had it not been for him, then I may have left Shining."

Applejack looked surprised. "Really?"

Cadance nodded. "Shining Armor has come over and we have a nice dinner in a quiet environment."

"Huh, I haven't heard about that." Applejack said, a little put off. "Everypony thinks that you left Shining so you could be Skyfall's mistress."

Cadance felt the weirdest sense of stomach ache run through her body at the image of her and her father doing things you would see in a dirty colt magazine. "No. Ugh, no. Skyfall would never make a move on a married mare."

"That's good to hear." Applejack nodded and heard the front door shut.

"Cadance?" Skyfall called.

"In your study with Applejack!" Cadance called back.

The sounds of hooves clopping on marble echoed into the room as Sky approached. As he neared, increasingly loud pattering could be heard against the window.

"Ha, beat the rain!" Sky cheered as he entered his study, taking his scarf off. "Good evening Applejack, I'm glad you're here."

"I'm not, I have to walk home in the rain now." Applejack mumbled.

Skyfall shooed at the farmer with his hoof. "Sleep here and go back in the morning."

"It's not a problem, I live up the road." 

Skyfall shook his head. "It's no trouble, now why are you here?"

Cadance giggled as Skyfall shooed her out of his chair.

"You told me to come by?" Applejack stared on with her wry expression.

"Yes." Skyfall rustled around his desk and brought out some incense, lighting it. "Now, why are you here?"

"To talk to you about what I want."

Sky glanced at Cadance who understood that this was a one on one conversation. She clapped her hooves happily and trotted out of the room. "I'll start dinner!"

"Hope you like easy made cheese noodles and hotdogs wrapped in bacon." Skyfall chuckled.

"They're okay, I'm fine with meat." Applejack shrugged. "So long as there's mustard and relish with an untouched hotdog."

"A mare after my own heart." Sky teased.

"Well, we are going to the Gala together." Applejack mused. "I hope nopony thinks we're dating."

"Ouch." Skyfall said as he smelled the scent of food cooking.

"Don't get me wrong, Sky. You're nice, but somepony else has already set her sight on ya." Applejack placated. She smiled when she saw Sky chuckling to himself.

"Hopefully, I find out who my secret admirer is." Sky shifted in his seat to lean back in his chair. "Now, you said you wanted everything, and that you and your brother have been fighting because of Gilda."

"I never said 'because of Gilda?'" Applejack squinted at Skyfall.

Sky held up his hooves. "Oops."

"So Big Mac has come to you too, ain't he?" Applejack scowled.

"Yes." Sky glared back. "But that's his business. This conversation is for you to have someone to talk to that won't judge."

"Promise?" 

"Unless you insult my tea. Other than that, I’m perfectly neutral."

The minutes ticked away as Applejack spilled everything. She continued talking through her meal with pieces of hotdog falling out of her mouth only to be scooped up and be eaten again. She explained how unhappy she was working on the farm and her desire to be something more than a farmer.

"...And now I don't know what I should do." Applejack said, hooves resting over the hat that laid on her lap.

Sky listened intently and prepared a response, but stopped when he felt a familiar creature enter his forest and call for him. He felt ice run over his neck and shook it off. "Applejack, have you ever given thought of making your farm an actual company?"

Applejack shook her head. "I don't want to ruin my family's farm by bringin' in them fancy machines to harvest our apples. We have always taken pride in -"

Sky held up a hoof before standing up. "Not what I meant. Right now you are a supplier to a few businesses across Equestria. How about going into business for yourself, sell what you want where you want with you at the helm?"

"I don't know, Skyfall. I'm not really a business mare." Applejack pointed to the mark on her flank. 

Skyfall approached Applejack and signalled her to follow. "Forget cutie marks. If you don't think you're a business mare, make yourself one and use the Gala to make all the right connections."

"Who would work the farm?" Applejack asked.

"I don't know, that's up to you." Skyfall said. "Personally, I heard Clydesdia has amazing workers that are as big as I am, so try there."

Applejack hugged Skyfall. "Thank ya kindly for hearin' me out."

“Anything for you, Applejack." Skyfall said as he felt a familiar being enter his forest. “If you’re still keen on staying for dinner, we can speak more on this, there. For now, I remembered there is something I must take care of.."

Cadance and Nimbus walked around the corner. Cadance smiled at the sight, but Nimbus scowled. He knew who entered Skies’ forest, but couldn't call him out on account of Applejack's presence.

Sky turned to leave, but was stopped by Nimbus. "You sure about this?"

"Yes." 

Sky walked down the stairs and out of the door, followed closely by Cadance. "Um, dad. Why did uncle Storm stop you and look at you like that?"

Sky walked in silence until he reached the forest's edge and reverted into Shattered Skies. He leaned down and kissed the top of Cadance's head. "Cadance, Luna is in my forest and I need to speak with her."

Cadance's eyes grew a bit and a sense of panic rushed over her. "N-No, you can't."

"Hunny, relax." Skies cooed. "After seeing her today, I think this is for the best."

Cadance tried fighting back tears. "Okay. Just come home, okay?"

"I will." Skies smiled. "I love you."

Cadance watched as her father disappeared into the forest. "I love you too."





Luna laid under a large tree that had a very cool stream of water rushing next to it. She looked up at the tree and surrounding forest, marveling at the beauty Shattered Skies had created. 

Many of the nocturnal animals were gathered around Luna and chattered at her, making her giggle.

One by one, the animals looked around when the trees started to shake and all at once they fled the area.

Luna's smiled started to sag and she adopted a forlorn look. "I always felt that I would be happy to find you alive."

Luna's answer was a light breeze that rustled the trees. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. "Tia said that I should help seal you away and that you’re the reason I turned into Nightmare Moon. It's kind of hard to argue with someone who doesn’t know the truth, huh?"

The trees rustled lightly in the wind.

"I do not know what to say."

"Then don't say anything." Skies spoke, prompting Luna to turn her head to see the Forest Spirit standing behind her through her tear filled eyes. Skies smiled down at his old friend. "Hello, Luna." 



> Chapter 22 -Masquerade-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Masquerade-



Luna's throat tightened up as her eyes watered. "I-I don't..."

Shattered Skies stood and watched as Luna tried in vain to say something, she swallowed hard a few times before a tear slowly descended down her cheek. Skies smiled, walking to her slowly, any reservations he had were now gone.

Luna gasped when Skies sat and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her upright and into a hug.

"Shhh."

"How can you forgive me?" Luna asked, sorrow heavy in her voice.

Shattered Skies didn't say anything at first, he was just happy that Luna was back to being the same mare he watched grow up. He held her at arm's length and smiled. "Nightmares can be terrible things, but you're awake now."

Luna smiled, sinking into Skies’ arms once more. "Thank you." 

For what seemed like an hour, Luna and Skies sat in eachother's arms, content with their reunion. The moon shined bright and it's beams peeked through the forest, giving the falling snow a light glow.

A stick cracked, grabbing Luna's attention. Skies didn't look because he knew who had arrived.

"You!" Sif growled.

"Sif?" Luna asked, unsure if she would lose air from a gripping hug or from vicious white teeth.

"Get away from him!" Sif snarled, signalling her kin to show their faces from the bushes to growl at Luna.

"Sif." Skies said.

"Sif, I know you may not trust me-" Luna tried to defend, but Sif was too enraged to listen.

"No! I'll eat you for what you did." Sif's fur kinked and stood on end.

"Sif." Skies asked again, slightly annoyed.

Luna's magic fluxed, but remained at a passive level, making it clear she didn't want to fight. "Please, Sif, I know you hate me, but please, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the Nightmare."

Sif's eyes grew with her feral grin, stretching the skin until it strained. "The only thing left of you after tonight will be the prints of where you stood when I took you."

"Sif." Skies' eyes glowed with a brilliant golden light. He stepped forward with his wings stretched to the sides. With his magic the entire forest shook and the light faded while the cries and howls of woodland creatures echoed around them.

The wolflings trebled and backed up, but Sif remained, crouched and snarling. "No, Skies! I almost lost you once and I will not let that happen again."

Skies continued to stalk forward, his fur on end. 

Sif's eyes broke contact from Skies' intense glare.

"Do you think me a fool?" Skies boomed, the trees amplifying his voice. "I understand in full what I'm doing."

Sif's snarling ceased and she looked to the side, indignant that she was being scolded.

Skies inhaled deeply and smiled before the forest went back to normal. He nuzzled Sif who returned his loving gesture. "I understand your overprotectiveness, but trust me, I believe Luna can be trusted."

"Okay." Sif said quietly in resignation.

"Go home and tell Cadance that I'll be at Farhaven."

Sif nodded and sauntered away.

"She hates me, doesn't she?" Luna asked.

"Yes, she does." Skies said solemnly as he stood, dragging both he and Luna into a tree to get to Farhaven faster. Luna stumbled when they emerged.

"Yep. Still hate that." Luna spread her hooves, trying to stabilize herself.

"Oh boo hoo." Skies chuckled as he walked towards the castle from the high garden. He stopped and looked back at Luna who refused to move away from the tree.

"Skies, I don't want to be here."

"We have to face the past eventually." Skies said, holding the door for her. "It's not like I'm going to stab you."

Luna looked off the ledge at the land, she saw tents dotting the landscape near half finished buildings. The mountain in the distance had a large bore in it with an ancient looking muraled wall being carved to look like Skies. "What is this?"

"Farhaven." Skies said as he approached Luna, letting the door close behind him. "It's going to be a new nation."

Luna gave Skies a sorrowful look.

"We should go and tell the others about you so they don't attack you the second they see you." Skies said, avoiding Luna's look.

"Why?"

"Getting attacked would be bad." Skies said in a sing-song voice.

"No, why are you building a nation? And why here?" Luna held her hoof out, gesturing to the land.

Skies sighed. "I know you know the state of the word, Luna. You were always the smarter one." Skies booped Luna on the nose, making her giggle. "Even you would like a second chance and that's what Farhaven will do for the world."

Luna's small smile fell. "You know when the world finds out, everypony-"

"Everypony?" Skies asked.

"Sorry. Every-one." Luna smiled nervously. "When everyone catches wind of this, the world will react and I honestly don't know what that will be."

"Well, I'm planning a big reveal, so hopefully it'll be somewhat humorous." Skies said to Luna's shock as he walked away.

"Big reveal?" 

Skies ignored Luna's inquiry and continued walking and humming to himself.

Luna reared up and trotted after Skies. "Hey, wait up!"

Skies gave Luna a devious smile and sprinted away from her and down the spiraling steps. They darted around the castle, scaring the inhabitants; changeling, Diamond Dog, Wolf, and undead, alike.

Skies stopped at the base of the vault steps and Luna teleported above him and landed with a high pitched squeal. "Gotchya!"

The clanging of tools was heard throughout the cavern, gaining Luna's attention. She didn't realize where Skies was leading her, but the sight of the vault made her sick to her stomach and what's worse, Storm Front, Flowing Streams, and Feather of Truth were glaring at her from across the room. Innocence, not so much.

"What is she doing here!?" Storm Front roared, causing a loud thunder clap to crash outside, making Luna shy away.

"Easy, Storm." Skies rested his wing on Luna, shocking the others. "She's our friend."

Storm snarled and prepared a barrage of insults, but was stopped by Innocence when she stood to walk towards Skies. She looked a little sad, but continued walking. 

"Why?" Innocence asked.

Skies looked down at her, fully aware of what she was asking. He was going to answer with a funny remark, but he sensed that the Spirits were on edge as it was. "I forgive her, that's why."

Innocence reached forward and lifted Skies' wing. "Even after she nearly killed you?"

Skies looked back at an ashamed Luna. "Yes, I can not hold her responsible for the events of that night."

Innocence smiled and nodded. She walked over to Luna and covered her in a soft, turquoise shawl she had been wearing. "Then I trust your judgement and forgive her as well."

Storm Front growled and exploded out of the room in the form of a bolt of lightning.

Honos and Streams calmly walked out of the room, clearly conflicted about Luna’s presence.

Luna wore a sad look as the Spirits left, but smiled when Skies rested his wing on her once again. "They'll come around, but like most things it will take time."

Luna sniffed. "Okay."

Skies slowly strode over to the vault door Storm and the others had been working on and pressed his hoof against it, igniting the text. "I assume you figured out the instant you knew where we were that my intentions for coming here weren't strictly altruistic."

"Yes."

Skies glanced back at his friend and former student. "You are by far the best magic user I've ever known and I will not be able to break this unless I have the key."

Luna cringed at the word, key.

"So the key is an action?"

Luna shook her head. "No, it's a memory."

Skies smirked. "So you were able to find a way to implement memory as something tangible to use in a seal."

Luna nodded. 

"Professor Mnemosyne or Doctor Hypnos?" Skies asked.

"I found some of Doctor Hypnos' notes that lead to my discovery of sealing with memory keys."

Skies stomped his hoof in frustration. "Knew it."

Luna giggled before taking on a more solemn look. "Unfortunately, the memory is a bit difficult to remember."

Skies glanced over. "Explain."

Luna tried to say something, but failed. When Skies saw this, he knew what memory she was talking about. He nodded and touched the seal again to look at the runes. "So you used the memory of stabbing me as the key to this door, leaving you the only one that could truly open this door?"

Luna nodded. "I was sent to the moon shortly after sealing it."

"I take it once the Nightmare was torn from you, you lost part of that memory?" Skies asked.

Luna nodded. "I opened it when Tia asked me to the first time, but I had to force it open by tricking my own seal. I would try again, but the only problem with it is-"

"-that it's a self learning seal." Skies finished. "Very good Luna, top marks my dear."

Luna smiled sweetly at the compliment.

"So let's open it legitimately." Skies said. "You have some of the memories and so do I. We should be able to open it."

"It could work, but-"

"There’s always a but." Skies tittered.

"A full moon was present when it was sealed and will need to be full again to be opened." Luna said. She watched her old mentor reading her seal and nodding happily at her work, filling her with a feeling she had not felt in some time, satisfaction.

"I understand. It would rouse suspicion if the moon snapped from a crescent to full in one day." Skies said. "But you're willing to open it with me?"

Luna nodded. 

"Wonderful, in three weeks we'll meet to open the vault." Skies chirped. "In the mean time, try and remember as much as possible about that night."

Giving a weak smiled, Luna looked at Skies. "I really don't want to."

Luna's chin was lifted by Skies' hoof. "I know, but once it's over, it's over. In the meantime, you have some Ponyville hooplah to stir up and I have a business trip to go through."

"Business trip?" Luna asked.

"Yep, there's a masquerade in Canterlot that I was invited to." Skies walked toward the stairway and paused at the bottom step. "Well, I was technically invited."

Luna smiled. "So how do I get in touch with you?"

Skies glanced back. "You know how, Moon Pie."

Luna's horn glowed, but she was unable to teleport out of the Everfree. The confusion on her face was apparent.

"There are wards blocking teleportation across Farhaven borders. Within the confines are fine." Skies muttered as if reciting a line. "Come on, I'll walk you out."

Luna smiled. "Well this will give us some time to catch up."

Skies smirked. "I’ll be sure to tell you all about my daughter."

Luna's eyes grew. "Huh?"





A Week Later





Big Mac stretched as he stared out at the small river, the banks were lined with ice, but not so much that water would stop flowing. He skipped rock after rock across the open water after examining each one briefly out of boredom. 

He murmured to himself, mimicking Applejack's frazzled speech. The growing tension in his house was almost more than he could bare, and keeping Gilda happy proved to be growing in difficulty.

"You okay, Mackie?"

Big Mac looked back, jostled from his thoughts to find Gilda standing by an apple tree, a little worried. She smiled when he waved her forwards.

"I'm okay, I'm just a little conflicted."

Gilda nuzzled herself into his lap. "About what?"

Mac brushed his hoof over Gilda's stomach. "Mostly about the foal, but also about us."

Gilda felt Big Mac take her claw and kiss it lightly. She sighed and sat up. "I don't want to take you away from your family, Mackie, but your culture won't accept us."

Mac nodded solemnly. "I know."

Gilda pressed herself up against Big Mac. "I need you to talk to me, Mackie, what do you want?"

Big Mac remembered the words Granny Smith said to him before he rushed into the forest after Gilda. 'Go with what makes you happy. Whatever you choose, we still love you.'

Big Mac looked out at the river. "I don't know."

A soft chuckle was heard a few feet behind both Gilda and Big Mac, prompting them both to look back to see Granny Smith standing behind them with a coat on. "Ya two are more lost than wood glue in a bakery."

"Granny, you shouldn't be out here." Big Mac tried to get up, but stopped at his granny's glare.

"Listen here, Mackie. Ah've been around for a long time and still have some fight in me, so ah won't hear none of this." Granny shook her hoof at a bashful Big Mac as Gilda chuckled. "From the looks of things, ya need some help deciding somethin.'"

"I don't know what you mean." Mac started, but flinched when Granny Smith struck him. 

Granny Smith brought both Gilda and Big Mac into a hug. 

"Granny?" Mac asked.

"Tell me what's going on." Granny requested. "It's that Spirit, isn't it?"

Big Mac sighed. "How'd you know?"

Granny snickered. "Gut feelin,' our family has always had a knack for running into Spirits too. Even met the harvest Spirit a few times, he took a liking to your father."

Big Mac stared on in disbelief. "Why didn't you ever tell us?"

Granny's smile dropped a little. "You know why, Mackie."

Mac nodded, knowing that the subject or spirits or his parents were always sensitive and often avoided.

"What did the Spirit offer you?" Granny asked.

Gilda gave Granny a questioning look. "How did you know he offered us anything?"

"Spirit's do that." Granny said matter of factly. "Most of them like to help, so they offer it. So what did he offer ya?"

"A second chance." Big Mac said solemnly, expecting Granny Smith to be upset. "He brought us to his castle and showed us what he's trying to make. I want a fresh start with Gilda in a place that at least gives us a shot at a normal life."

Granny Smith smiled. "Sounds like ya have yer mind made up."

Big Mac chewed his lip, she was right. His mind was set the instant he heard the words 'second chance' left Shattered Skies' lips. Mac opened his mouth a few times to try and make the situation sound better, but in the end he was still moving away.

Granny Smith hugged Big Mac. "Just promise to visit, okay?"

"Okay." Big Mac tried hugging back.

Granny moved and hugged Gilda. "Take care of him."

"I will." Gilda chuckled.

With that said, Granny Smith looked at her grandson and future granddaughter and walked away, smiling.

Gilda rested her wing on Big Mac. "Do you want to pack anything?"

Mac shook his head. "No, I'm afraid if we don't leave now, then I'll never be able to, especially if I see Apple Bloom."

Gilda stood with Big Mac. "To our new life?"

Big Mac leaned over, kissing Gilda and rubbing the side of her stomach. "Our new life."

They both looked off towards the setting sun near Canterlot as a firework exploded, letting a soft boom rumble through the sky.





Sunset Shimmer's ears flattened every time a firework exploded in the sky, she liked fireworks, but they gave her horrendous head aches. Other than that, she was enjoying the masquerade, even if the only activities were gossiping and dancing. 

At first, a masquerade didn't seem like a good idea considering all that's happened recently, but any qualm Sunset had was put to rest when she heard that it was invitation only and that guards would be posted everywhere. She looked out at the crowd and saw all manners of masks being worn; from the most ornate to the very plain.

Prince Blueblood's mansion was extremely lavish and pampered; fountains, statues, and servants dotted the entire estate. He spared no expense of the crown's money when he built it. He confided in Sunset Shimmer that not a day goes by that he does not regret wasting his aunts money in such a way.

"Ah, m'lady, I see you've taken another break away from the festivities?" A large white stallion asked from behind an ornate lion mask.

Sunset adjusted her simple blue eye cover with her hoof. "Hello, Prince Blueblood."

"Ah, why must you ruin the anonymity?" Blueblood groaned.

Sunset chuckled. "Sorry, how are you enjoying your party?"

"How am I enjoying it?" Blueblood asked. "How are you enjoying it? You seem to not be very fond of mingling with the other guests."

Sunset smirked, Blueblood had gone out of his way to make sure all of his guests were as happy as he was. Unfortunately, Sunset didn't like the callous approach to social issues that many of his guests fancied. "I'm enjoying the festivities just fine."

"Nonsense, you haven't danced. Not even once!" Blueblood chirped, clapping his hooves together. "Come on, we'll find you a date!"

Sunset felt Blueblood grab her hoof with his magic and pull her towards the group he had visited the most throughout the night. No doubt the group were the cream of the crop when it came to Equestrian high society; Politicians, leaders, mayors, even the occasional military official or two. Ponies Blueblood wanted connections with in case he ever needed one of them in his back pocket.

Reluctantly, Sunset went with Blueblood out of a sense of obligation to her former teacher’s nephew. "So who am I going to meet?"

"I have no idea!" Blueblood laughed.

"I get that it's a masquerade, but shouldn't you know everyone here?"

"I should, but this stallion is one I haven't met before." Blueblood admitted. "He even likes to play up his anonymity, he'll be perfect for you."

"I'm not looking for love, Blueblood." Sunset sighed.

"Of course you're not! But it's sure looking for you!" Blueblood cheered in a cheesy manner.

Blueblood weaved through the crowd that parted for him effortlessly when they recognized his lion mask. The crowd continued to part for them both until they arrived at his pool. They entered Blueblood's grotto, a place where the VIPs sat.

Sunset saw how excited Blueblood was and went along with his attempt at matchmaking. He dragged her with him into the grotto that was lit up with torches and ambient light shining through the pony-made waterfall.

"Ah, Mr. Lion, you're back!" A well-dressed white unicorn called.

"Yes, and I brought company to meet our newest friend."

Sunset waved bashfully and looked over the small group, she instantly saw who Blueblood was talking about. In the center of the crowd sat a large, silver stallion with an iron wolf mask with bronze fittings. He sat, leaned on an elbow while two mares wearing sheep masks talked to him.

"I don't know about this, Blueblood."

"Oh pish-posh." Blueblood shooed his hoof at Sunset. "Call me Blue. Now, let's go meet your future goodnight stallion."

Sunset continued to follow Blueblood, even though she was embarrassed at his constant romantic meddling. As she neared, the two mares that were talking with the stallion in the iron mask nearly swooned as he kissed both their heads and strode away from them and up to Blueblood.

"Mr. Lion, I was worried you left for the night."

"Of course not, Mr. Wolf." Blueblood chuckled. "I went to get a very good friend of mine to introduce you to."

"Mr. Wolf, may I introduce you to Ms. Phoenix." Blueblood pushed Sunset forward. "Oh, look at the time, I need to go and see if my wait staff needs anything, ciao!"

"H-Hi." Sunset said after having been pushed a little too close to Mr. Wolf.

Mr. Wolf glanced down and noticed Sunset's uneasy look. He chuckled before taking a step back and bowing slightly. "It's very nice to meet you, Ms. Phoenix."

Sunset bowed in turn. "Mr. Wolf."

"With introductions out of the way, how about we take a walk." Mr. Wolf leaned closer to Sunset so that only she could hear them. "If I'm here another minute, I might eat everyone here."

Sunset giggled and noticed the indignant look on the two masked mares that had fawned over Mr. Wolf. "I would like that very much."

Mr. Wolf draped his wing over Sunset and drew her closer. At first, she didn't like the gesture, but slowly she accepted it, especially when they exited the grotto and had to navigate the large crowd once more.

Sunset could only see ponies standing shoulder to shoulder as they walked. The sound of fireworks and music diminished as they left and neared a garden section. Every now and then, Mr. Wolf would glance back as if someone was following him. Suddenly, he stopped and removed his wing from over a very confused, Sunset.

"Sorry about the wing thing." Mr. Wolf said plainly. 

"Oh it was no problem." Sunset said.

"Still, I apologize. I would try to explain it, but I'll just leave it at politics." Mr. Wolf stated as he sat on the well groomed grass. He kept his back away from the crowd and every so often looked over, trying to see if someone was looking.

"So, how are you liking the party?" Sunset asked, trying to spark a conversation.

Mr. Wolf chuckled. "Ponies seem to be more concerned with themselves, contrary to how they make themselves out to be. Well, at least here anyway."

Sunset countered the instant he finished. "I'm sure there are some ponies that genuinely care about others."

Wolf held up his hoof. "You misunderstand. I do not mean to sound like I'm grouping all ponies into a single category, I am merely commenting on the ponies here in the Canterlot upper rings."

"Upper rings?" Sunset asked.

Mr. Wolf gave Sunset a questioning look, even though he wore a mask, the look still made Sunset shy away. "Are you not from here, Ms. Phoenix?"

"I was raised in Seaddle before coming here to go to Starswirl Academy." Sunset said.

"School for gifted unicorns?" Wolf asked, chuckling to himself. "Didn't realize I was in the presence of a scholar."

Sunset rolled her eyes. "I only went for three years before I... dropped out."

The fire maned unicorn  shuffled her hooves uncomfortably.

"You regret dropping out?" Wolf asked in a serious tone.

"Very much so."

"So you've never been to the lower rings?" 

Sunset shrugged. "I never knew there were."

Wolf stood and waved Sunset to follow him into the garden. He started talking the second she joined him near a large stag statue. "Did you know that Canterlot used to be a kingdom for the Unicorns? It was once home to unicorns like King Bullion and Princess Platinum."

Sunset shook her head. "Equestrian history was never a strong subject for me. Now, ask me a question about applied science or scientific theory and I'll show you a thing or two."

"I know a large Raven that would love you." Wolf chuckled, confusing Sunset. "Canterlot was built with multiple rings, the uppermost two rings being visible from anywhere, say, Ponyville, for instance. The other rings stretch to the valley below the castle and all the way around the mountain until you get to the harbor."

Sunset thought about it, but couldn't remember anything about a harbor. "Harbor?"

Wolf nodded. "It's a shady area where ships sail through the Platinum river from Horseshoe Bay to import and export goods; it's known as the fish district from the fish smell. It used to be called the Bay district, but thanks to bureaucrats, it received a name change."

"That's horrible." Sunset said in disgust.

"The ponies living in the Fish District don't think so. They've taken the name with pride." Wolf gave a breathy laugh, genuinely finding the situation funny. "The other districts are the Rein District, Paddock District, and the Sun District. I’ll give you two guesses which one is the Sun District." Wolf finished, gesturing to their lavish surroundings.

"You seem pretty knowledgeable for a Canterlot noble." Sunset said.

"Is that who you think I am?" Mr. Wolf asked, clearly amused. "Some noble?"

Sunset took a moment and stopped, the distant sound of music booming in the background. Her eyes strained in the dim light, but she looked over her companion. His onyx suit covered most of his body and a small, blue cape was draped over one of his left wing with a wolf emblem on it. What stood out the most was his size.

"You're a guard?" Sunset asked.

"I'm a doctor of history." Mr. Wolf continued walking. "A Canterlot noble I am not."

"A title and a few yards of silk could fix that." Sunset added making her silver 'date' laugh.

"Indeed, and few more yards of silk could make me a Prench noble." Wolf lead Sunset through the garden and talked to her about world politics and from their conversation, Wolf started asking more pointed questions.

"I take it you don't live in a pony society?"

Sunset stopped, surprised at the sudden accusation. "Why would you think that?"

Wolf turned to her and smiled. "You've been saying anyone, not anypony."

"I-"

"Don't lie." Wolf smiled wider. "I don’t judge."

Sunset shied away a little.

"Ms. Phoenix, if it's that jarring, you don't have to tell me."

"It's not that, it's just you might think I'm crazy." Sunset said. "You seem like a nice stallion and I've enjoyed our conversation."

Mr. Wolf turned to face Sunset and looked down at her with his golden eyes that seemed to glow in the faded light. "Tell me and I'll tell you if it sounds crazy."

The sudden cold air in Sunset's lungs from taking a deep breath made her shiver. "I live in a place like this." Sunset gestured to the Canterlot skyline. "But it’s filled with humans-"

Everything after the word 'humans' made Mr. Wolf's ears ring as thoughts raced through his head. He watched as Sunset talked faster and faster, trying to get everything out. As he looked up, he saw two mares standing at the entrance to the garden, looking at him; they both had black coats, but one had a rusty mane with a silver siren mask and the other had a blue one mane with a gold bee mask. Wolf shook his head and caught the end of Sunset's rant.

"-and that's why I'm here at this crazy party."

Wolf looked at the garden entrance, but the two mares had disappeared. He looked down at the eager Sunset. "So a mirror connects both dimensions?"

Sunset squinted. "I didn't say anything about a mirror."

"Yes you did." Wolf proclaimed, knowing she didn't.

Sunset bit her lip. "Yeah, it was a mirror I found when I was a filly."

Wolf shrugged. "Well, crazier things have happened."

"You believe me?" The question hung in the air with a hint of disbelief.

Wolf smiled and walked back towards the crowd of chattering ponies as a seemingly popular song came to an end. He glanced back at her and waved her to follow, the closer she got the faster he walked until they both entered a gait as they laughed.

All of a sudden, Mr. Wolf came to a stop and whipped around so that when Sunset skidded to a stop, they were eye to eye. The crowd backed away a little as the small orchestra started with bassist as she played her instrument. 

"Dance?" Wolf held out a hoof to which Sunset grabbed in response.



Slowly, the rest of the orchestra picked up and a blue mare in a cheetah mask started to sing. One by one, couples started dancing as the song picked up pace.

Sunset didn't recognize the song, but her dancing partner was humming along in sync. "S-So, I take it you like to dance?"

Mr. Wolf lightly pushed her away while holding onto her hoof before twirling her around gently as he brought her back to his barrel. "Eh, I've had to learn over the years for my job."

"A history professor needs to dance?" Sunset chuckled.

"It has its uses."

Sunset kept up her quiet laughter at the absurdity of her new friend, but still enjoyed his presence. She kept up the dancing and noticed that he smelled like freshly fallen rain, a smell that made her feel pleasantly lightheaded. 

When the song came to an end, Mr. Wolf and Ms. Phoenix slowly separated and saw that the entire party was looking at them in awe. The stomping started and soon the estate was in an uproar of approval at the dancing display that they had just witnessed. Sunset bowed along with her partner and followed him off the dance floor.

"Y'know, you're a nice mare." Mr. Wolf said as if he was thinking out loud.

Sunset winked at him. "You're not too bad yourself."

A cloaked pony stood on a balcony, staring down at the two ponies, something Mr. Wolf didn't miss. He continued walking until he reached the edge of the estate and leaned on the stone banister. It was set up above the lower districts, a straight drop off that lead to the roofs of residential homes and stores.

"Quite a night, huh?" Wolf asked.

"Oh yes, I'm glad Princess Celestia suggested this to me." Sunset said breathlessly. "I was going to stay in tonight and research Shattered Skies, but I would have cried if I learned I would have missed this."

"I'm glad you had a good time." Wolf cooed as he stood on the banister.

"You're leaving?" Sunset asked, sounding slightly upset.

"Unfortunately, yes. Duty calls." Mr. Wolf said, looking directly at the cloaked pony as she stared back from the balcony with rose colored eyes.

Sunset frown and shuffled her hooves, clearly not ready for the night to end. The fireworks entered their final display for the night as the orchestra played more music in the background.

"Why so sad?"

"I don't want you to go."

Mr. Wolf smiled down at her. "We had a good time tonight, that's something to cherish."

Sunset gave him a pleading look. "Will I see you again?"

"Of course you will." Mr. Wolf winked at her.

"G-Goodnight." Sunset smiled.

"Goodnight, Sunset Shimmer." Mr. Wolf spread his wings and fell off the balcony the instant Sunset's name registered with her, making her jaw drop.

"Wait!" Sunset rushed to the edge and looked over to see two large silver wings angled to the ground, causing Mr. Wolf to pick up speed. A rush of wind blew past her as a cloaked mare dove off the balcony to give chase to Sunset's mystery stallion. "What just happened?"





Skyfall felt the wind whip past him as he dove down and right towards the rocky ground below. He held his breath as the details of his surrounds started to come dangerously into focus and the air was forced from his lungs when he shot his wings open to angle himself up, narrowly missing a fountain.

He smiled and wished that night had a rewind button, he never knew that Sunset could be so much fun and she was certainly worlds away from the detective he had come to know on a day to day basis. Silently, he wondered if he should tell her it was him, but that thought would have to wait.

The cloaked mare was finally out in the open and was giving chase. 'Looks like she took the bait.'

Skyfall beat his great wings faster and faster, causing him to pick up speed towards the fish district’s industrial section. He dipped and dodged away from cranes and low hanging walkways before shooting his wings out to make a sharp spin around a corner before latching onto the fire escape of a fish packing plant.

The cloaked mare slowly flew past the alley and Sky took control of surface roots to knock over a trash can, leaving him to watch as the mare landed to investigate the noise it made.

In his disguised form, Skyfall couldn't see who the mare was when she brought down her hood, but he could still see her shadow.

'Rose eyes and that haircut.' Skyfall groaned before stepping onto the fire escapes ledge and diving down onto the weary mare, knocking her to the ground. "Why are you following me, Rainbow... Yearling?"

Daring Do tried to sit up, but her head was swaying around dizzily. "Sky, anyone ever tell you that you hit like a jackhamm-"

Daring Do passed out when Sky tried to help her to sit up. "Wonderful."





Next Morning





Sunset hummed to herself as she played with her mane at the breakfast table in Canterlot castle. She tried to remember the words to the song she and her date danced to, but could only remember the words 'greatest night of your life.'

"Seems like you had a good night?" A regal voice asked from above Sunset Shimmer.

"Princess!" Sunset jolted.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Celestia smiled. "I woke up this morning extremely curious to hear about you and this mystery stallion of yours."

"Who said I had a mystery stallion?" Sunset's face betrayed her statement as it was wrought with worry.

"Equestria Daily." Celestia giggled as she summoned her issue right before Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset snatched the newspaper from the tabletop when she saw their picture and read it over. Celestia's newest advisor sets fire with her mystery stallion She opened the paper hurriedly to Celestia growing laughter. "Sunset Shimmer and a mystery stallion grew closer during the night and had a romantic dance as they looked at each other longingly. Earlier, a few mares and even a stallion were seen trying to woo this Mr. Wolf, but in the end he only wanted to sweep Ms. Phoenix, our own Sunset Shimmer, off her hooves. But in the end, the mystery stallion chose to leave the party wanting as he made a dramatic exit from the party. What's in the store for-"

Celestia went into unrestrained laughter when Sunset incinerated the paper with her magic. "My reputation is shot."

Celestia glanced down. "It's sweet, Sunset. You looked happy in that picture."

When Sunset didn't answer, Celestia patted her on the head. "What would you like for breakfast? My treat."

Without missing a beat, Sunset answered with her head buried in her hooves. "The biggest, greasiest Reuben you can find, lathered in dressing."

"I think I know a stallion, but first." Celestia said as her horn lit up, changing her features so she was only a little taller than Sunset. Her ethereal mane disappeared and was replaced with a light pink mane. Sunset looked on in surprise as Celestia's wings disappeared as well as her cutie mark and the image of a rising sun appeared on her flank.

"What is this?"

"It's my disguise." Celestia said. "Very few know about this so I suggest we slip out before anypony realizes we've left."

"You're a naughty mare, Princess." Sunset teased, following her mentor out of an employee door and down a set of back steps.

Celestia giggled quietly. "Please, call me Sunny Skies." 

> Chapter 23 -What is this?-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-What is this?-


A dull whining rang through Daring's head as she stirred from her sleep. She tried to open her eyes, but the sunlight bleeding into the room forced them shut as she tried to rise. The blanket slid off of her rising form and her arms shook, threatening to collapse under her weight.

"Anyone get the number on that train?" Daring muttered, swishing her mouth with spit to get rid of the dryness. She sensed a large pony sitting on the bed next to her and saw a glass of water come into view, a glass of water she then drank from greedily.

"You've been stirring around all night, I was worried I hit you too hard." A baritone voice tried to whisper.

"Skyfall?" Daring looked up and saw his face come into focus.

"Hey, Daring." Skyfall smiled as he grabbed a second glass of water for the dehydrated mare. He let Daring fall back into his arms and helped her to drink slowly. While doing this, he examined her head. "Didn't anyone ever tell you to avoid strange stallions in dark alleys?"

Daring squinted her eyes at Skyfall as she drank.

"Oh don't be like that." Skyfall brought the empty glass away from Daring, letting drops of water roll down from the corners of her mouth. "You tried to sneak up on a wanted Forest Spirit and he body slammed you. Why were you trying to spy on me, anyway?"

Sky stared down at Daring, waiting for a response. She huffed and crossed her hooves slowly, clearly still in pain as she winced. "Things have been quiet lately down in Ponyville and I saw you enter a mask shop, so I thought you were up to something."

"Well, you're not wrong." Skyfall said plainly.

"Want to fill me in?" Daring asked.

"Sure, over brunch." Skyfall said, standing up and striding over to a nearby recliner and hefting up a set of double saddle bags. He looked over to a messy-maned Daring with the covers hanging off her shoulders.

"Where are we going?" Daring asked hesitantly as she tried to get out of bed.

"Donut Joe's."

"What's that?" Daring asked as she fastened her cloak around her neck. "Sounds greasy."

"Oh good, then the name fits." Skyfall chirped.

"Wait a sec." Daring said as she finally looked out the window. "Where even are we?"

Daring pressed her head to the window and saw Skyfall approach in its reflection. She recognized some of her surroundings, she couldn’t quite put her hoof on where they belonged.

"We're in the slums of the Fish District. I'm not surprised that it seems foreign to you since we're on the other side of the mountain." Skyfall said grimly. "Now let's go, we have a little ways to fly until we reach the Sun District."

"Y-Yeah." Daring muttered as they both left the building. Looking back at it, it was rather clear it hadn’t been inhabited in years. "So, Mr. Rich-and-Mysterious, why are you shacked up in an abandoned building?"

"Because I'm cheap." Skyfall chuckled, but Daring noticed him dodge his question and bumped him with her flank. "Okay, okay. I'm here to avoid any documentation linking me to this location."

"And why is that?" Daring asked, suspicion thick in her voice.

"I'm going to rob the museum of Equestrian History."

"What!?" Daring shouted and crouched down, ready to pounce. She looked around for anyone that may have heard them, but the entire district seemed to be devoid of life. "You're joking right?"

Skyfall shook his head. "Sadly, I am not. A new enemy has made himself known to me and his abilities are too closely linked to the Sunset Effigy, which leads me to take action in keeping it out of his hooves."

Daring's mouth opened and shut a few times before she regained her senses. "Who is it?"

"A Spirit named Lonely Graves." Skyfall's anger leaked into his voice. "He’s the one responsible for the timberwolves, and the one who attacked the missing ponies near the Everfree."

"I can see why you're upset." Daring reasoned. "Who is he?"

"He's my..." Skyfall shook his head. "He’s a Necromancer who needs to be stopped."

Without another word, Skyfall turned and resumed trotting towards the Sun District. Daring Do followed him moments later, irritated at Sky’s constant dodging of questions. Not wanting to go on in awkward silence, Daring looked around at the buildings. 

"So how long have you been in Canterlot?"

Skyfall hummed. "About a week, I've been checking the perimeter of the museum for entry points as well as escape routes in the city in case everything goes south."

"Or you could just go in the front door?"

"Then my face would be seen going in more than once." Skyfall said. "After the heist, questions like 'have you seen the same pony more than once in the past week?' would be asked, and bam, my name would land right on Celestia's desk."

Daring shook her head. "You forget that I'm their curator, and that my uncle runs the museum."

Skyfall shook his head. "I will not risk ruining your life if I can help it. No, I need to do this with your anonymity in check."

Daring chuckled. "I appreciate the sentiment, but if an evil Spirit is going to use an artifact I recovered-"

"-was given" Skyfall interrupted.

"Recovered." Daring stated proudly. "-I have a right to protect it and keep it out of their hooves, even if that lands me in hot water with Equestrian royalty."

Skyfall stopped and turned to Daring, his eyes glowing like those of his true form. "Why are you so eager to help me?"

Daring smirked. "You think I'm a stranger to trouble."

"The truth."

Daring Do's facial features drooped. "The Princess's advisors saw through my lie. Princess Celestia's Captain of the Guard, Captain Fury, threw me in a jail cell and I was interrogated by Faithful, Celestia's political advisor."

"A political advisor questioned you?" Skyfall asked.

"It seemed odd, but in the end, when Princess Celestia was told of how I recovered the Effigy, she let me go with the artifact after it made Canterlot headlines." Daring said. "River, the head of the trade unions, put a few sanctions on my uncle and limited my passport permissions."

"Leaving you only able to visit countries that are allied with Equestria?"

Daring nodded. "I was relieved when I saw you yesterday."

"Why?" Skyfall chuckled. "Thought I would get you into your next big adventure?"

"Yes." Daring Do curtly. "And it looks like I was right."

Skyfall paused and turned to Daring Do before looking at her eager expression. "I see why Rainbow Dash likes you so much. You have a 'getting into trouble problem' don't you?"

"I don't have a problem, I can quit whenever I want!"

Skyfall started to fly up and away from Daring Do before he called down to her. "First step to recovery is admitting you have a problem!"

Daring Do laughed and followed him up into that air and followed him into the upper rings of Canterlot. She instantly noticed that the air was cleaner and was surprised when one of the guards flew up to meet them.

"Halt! State your business in the Sun District." 

Skyfall brought out a small sack and gave the guard a few bits.

"Ah, Mr. Loveless, it's nice to see you again." The guard chuckled darkly. "I take it you have more accounting business in Canterlot?"

"You know me, Fan." Skyfall said in a nasally voice. "Those nobles love sending me into that gross district to balance their checkbooks."

Fan chuckled. "And your friend?"

"I'm his secretary." Daring said without missing a beat as Skyfall hoofed the guard a few more bits. 

"That's right, my secretary."

Fan nodded and waved a few of the guards down to let them pass. "Welcome back to the Sun District, you two."

As Skyfall and Daring flew past the entrance, Daring glided closer to Sky so they could have a private conversation. "What was that about? I've never seen checkpoints between the districts before."

"Not sure. I imagine it's a knee jerk reaction from all the Spirit activity, or it's from the overflow of ponies in the Fish District trying to sell their goods in the other districts." Skyfall glanced back at a cabbage cart being turned away from the gate. "It's probably a mix of both."

"I can't believe the Princess allows this." 

"She probably doesn't know." Skyfall said sadly.

"Isn't she trying to kill you?" Daring asked. "Why defend her?"

"It'd be like trying to hate my own child if I did that." Skyfall chuckled. "I'm just disappointed in her. A few thousand years and she still hasn't grasped what it means to truly lead a nation."

"So you know her that well?" 

"Oh yes." Skyfall laughed as he angled toward the ground to land. "But that's a story for another time. We're here."

Daring looked over at the silver-walled building with big red letters emblazoned on the top. "Donut Joe's." 

Skyfall strode forward and headbutted his way through the doors. "Joe!"

"Love!" Called a voice from the kitchen.

"Morons." Muttered a waitress from the counter.

Sky trotted into the empty diner and over to the nearest table. Sliding into a seat, he rapped his hooves on the table as his stomach growled. The sun’s rays  disappeared and were replaced with thick, dark clouds. "Looks like rain. That makes for excellent eating weather."

Daring sat across from Skyfall and looked over the menu. She read it over and cringed at some of the artery-clogging options and marveled at everything’s low prices. "What is this place?"

"Perfection." Skyfall said, waving the waitress over. "Oi, Mocha!"

The mocha-colored mare cantered over to their table and greeted the two ponies with her Manehattan accent. "You want a cup of joes wit yous?"

"Yep, extra cream and I'll do my sugar." Skyfall chirped to the mare's growl.

"Yeah, you would do your own sugar."

Mocha trotted back to the counter to retrieve their order, muttering obscenities under her breath the entire way.

"Wow, she really hates you." Daring said.

"No." Skyfall smiled. "Where she’s from, that attitude is normal."

"Uh-huh." 

"And me spilling coffee on her might have something to do with it as well." 

Daring shook her head as she watched two more mares enter the restaurant. She recognized one of them from a headline regarding Shattered Skies a few months back, but the other one was a mystery to her. "Hey, Skyfall. Don't look now, but that Sunset Shimmer mare is here."

Skyfall looked over to the entrance and right at Sunset.

"I said not to look now!" Daring whispered loudly.

"What? I know her." Skyfall said defensively before looking out the window when he noticed they were walking his way to take a seat directly behind him.

Sunset glanced at Daring and greeted her. A greeting Daring returned before leaning over to read the menu again. "Do you know what you're getting?" 

"Same thing I usually get."

"Where is any of the nutritious food? It's all junk food and lard." Daring flipped through the menus with great speed looking for anything. "Aha! Lettuce sandwich."

"Ew."

"’Ew’? How can you not find that appetizing? As an adventurer I need the four basic food groups." Daring deadpanned.

"Joe has your four basic food groups; Beans, bacon, whiskey, and lard." Sky said loudly, nodding to a very proud Donut Joe as he walked out of the kitchen.

Sky acted like an excited foal which shocked Daring and any other bystander who may have caught a glimpse. A large stallion bouncing like a newborn was a weird sight, even in Canterlot.

Mocha walked over and set their coffees down. "You twos ready to order?"

"Well, now that you've asked-" Sky opened his menu, flicking it like a newspaper. "-I'll have two number nines. A number nine large. A number six with extra dip. A number seven. Two number forty fives; one with cheese. A lobster quesadilla. A pastrami Reuben. Twenty-five hot wings. Twenty barbecue wings. A large tea, and a caesar salad, how the 'et tu, brute.'"

Daring Do stared at an unflinching Sky, her expression growing in awe as his order grew. "You're going to eat all of that?"

Donut Joe, the waitress, and Sky looked at Daring. "Yes," they said simultaneously.

"I'll just have a lettuce sandwich and a cola." Daring buried her head between her hooves.

Sky heard Sunset talking to her friend behind him and it gained his attention when the white unicorn spoke.

"It's been so long since I've eaten out."

"I imagine so." Sunset chuckled. "What do you want to talk about, Sunny?"

Mocha asked them what they wanted to drink and like Skyfall and Daring, they ordered coffees before continuing their conversation. 

"I want to ask you how that party went last night." Sunny asked. "You really seemed to enjoy your first Equestrian soiree. Or was it perhaps the stallion you were enjoying more?"

"Sunny!" Sunset said in shock.

Sky leaned back to eavesdrop. 

"Come on, it's not like I don't know you went dancing." Sunny chuckled.

Sunset smiled. "Well, I did enjoy his dancing and the stuff we talked about."

"And the way he smelled?"

Sunset choked on her coffee. "Stop it!"

Sunny was laughing more and more as their conversation when on.

Skyfall glanced forward and saw the judging glare of Daring Do. Her hooves were crossed and her brow was raised like she was silently scolding him.

"What?"

"You know what." Daring whispered. "You're eavesdropping and trying to look at that pretty unicorn."

"Which one?"

Daring kicked Skyfall in the leg, making him jolt in his seat, jostling Sunset as she sat behind him.

"Hey, pal. Do you mind?" Sunset said before turning around to see Skyfall's eyes staring back at her. "Skyfall?"

"Hey, Sunset."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm in Canterlot visiting an old friend of mine and came to get some breakfast with her." Skyfall said quickly, having come up with the story the instant he saw Sunset enter the diner.

"Oh, who?" Sunset smiled. "The mysterious Skyfall has friends?"

"Oh ha ha." Skyfall fake laughed and held out his hoof to Daring Do. "A. K. Yearling was my roommate when I traveled abroad for my studies. Yearling, Sunset. Sunset, Yearling."

Daring waved at Sunset who waved in return.

"What are you here for?" Skyfall asked.

"Taking a break from my investigation with my friend, Sunny Skies." Sunset looked back at Sunny who was waving at Skyfall.

"Hi." Sunny's eyes grew wide when the waitress trotted out of the kitchen levitating plate after plate of food. There was enough food to feed an entire battalion of royal guards. "Sweet me, who is that for?"

"This fat colt." Daring said before laughing at Sky's indignant glare.

"Surely that would make you sick." Sunny reasoned.

Skyfall shrugged. "I have a fast metabolism."

"My word." Sunny looked over Skyfall. She had commissioned him as her new guard Captain, but never took the time to look him over thoroughly. Even though he sat in a booth, she saw that he was actually quite fit. She then glanced over at the waitress. "I wish to have all that as well."

The sound of Donut Joe tripping and falling over everything in the kitchen could be heard from the dining room. "BUCK YES!"

The waitress chuckled while making her way to the kitchen. "I think you just gave my boss a heart attack."

Sunny looked over at Skyfall and Yearling and got an idea. Maybe it would be good to connect with some of the locals. "Would you mind if we joined you?"

Sky had a mouth full of quesadilla and was unable to answer so Daring answered for him. "Sure ladies, there's enough of this stallion to go around."

"Wonderful." Sunny breathed into Sky's exposed ear as she passed.

'Oh, you naughty mare.' Sky thought.

Sunny sat next to Daring while Sunset Shimmer moved in next to Sky.





"So, Mr. Skyfall. Where are you from?" Sunny asked while trying to be flirtatious, an attempt to keep her cover worlds away from her identity as the Princess.

"I'm not from Canterlot if that's what you're asking." Skyfall said, stuffing cheese fries into his gullet. "I lived most of my life in Neighpon." 

"In a pony colony?" Sunny asked.

"Dragonpony, actually." Skyfall watched as Mocha returned with more plates of food, straining as she set them down covering every inch of the table.

Donut Joe walked out and pulled up a chair to sit at the table. "I see a mare has come in to challenge Skyfall's legendary appetite."

Sunny's white coat wore a slight tint of red, she had not really thought about how she would look while digging into the vast amounts of food that she ordered. "Well, it has been a long time since I've taken a break so I felt I deserved some good food."

"Well if it's been such a long time, why don't you retire, or at least take a vacation?" Sky said matter of factly before starting on his Reuben.

Sunny paused and thought about it briefly. She shook her head. "Can't. Too many ponies rely on me."

Sky looked up at Sunny's sad expression and then looked at the pastrami Reuben before her. It was a large sandwich glistening with a thick yellow cheese oozing from the side and topped with sauerkraut. It was majestic in size and scope, truly a monument to the ages with its aerodynamic design and aroma. Every bite could give you power, and every chew infinite bliss.

Sky leaned forward and picked up the creation that could stop the gods with one look and shoved it right into Sunny's mouth with an audible 'omp.'

"Skyfall!" Daring and Sunset yelled as both Sunny and Sky sat still, Sky holding the sandwich up to an utterly confused-looking Sunny. Joe chuckled and trotted back to the kitchen to avoid any possible food fight.

Sky narrowed his eyes. "Take a bite."

Sunny narrowed her eyes in return and slowly bit into the sandwich. Her chews quickened in pace until both of her hooves supported the Reuben. "Thish iis gerd, whawt der yur calr thish?" 

"Reuben." 

Sunny turned her head "A Reuben?" Sunny turned to Sunset. "Is this what you mentioned earlier?"

Sky deadpanned and then looked at Daring who shook her head. "Have you ever heard of a Reuben?"

"No, should I have?" Daring asked.

Skyfall looked at Sunset. "Surely you have, Sunny said you mentioned it."

Sunset smiled nervously. "It's a thing from where I usually live and that's nowhere near here."

"Unbelievable." Skyfall groaned and stood up. "Joe!"

The greasy stallion poked his head out from the order window. "What?"

"What have you done?!" Sky pointed at the Reuben.

Joe and Sky met each other’s gazes.

Sky turned to walk out of the diner.

"Sky, don't leave. Sky, don't..." Joe started laughing. "Sky, I looove you!"

Sky trotted back inside looking visibly upset. "No, I'm bucking done, I'm bucking done!"

"No you're not." Joe continued chuckling while Sunny, Sunset, and Daring sat in shock at the scene before them.

Sky snatched up Sunny's half eaten Reuben and held it in front of him. "This is rediculous!"

"There's nothing I can do, Sky. It's just a poor sandwich."

"WHAT IS MY LIFE?!" Sky clapped his hooves to his muzzle and wheezed. "I can't do it, Joe."

"I can't either."

"I can't do it anymore!" Sky started shaking his head and backing away from Joe while Joe moved closer.

"I'll tell you what, Skyfall. You can give up now, or we can figure it out, because I certainly can't do it without you, and I know you can't do it without me." Joe said as he grabbed Sky's scarf and brought him in close.

"I appreciate it, but look what we're dealing with, man!" Sky flailed at the Reuben.

"Sky-" Joe couldn't stop chuckling at their antics.

"We gotta draw the line somewhere!"

"Skyfall, we-"

"We gotta draw the line in the sand, dude!" Sky pointed at Joe as he started backing toward the restroom. "You gotta make a statement! You gotta look inside yourself and ask 'What am I willing to put up with today?' Not bucking this!" 

"AAAHHHHH" Joe ran into the kitchen screaming while his waitress walked past him nonchalantly with a fresh cup of coffee.

"You mares want a fresh cup of Joes?" The waitress said monotonously.

Sunny, Sunset, and Daring sat in silence unable to process what just happened.

Sunset took the brave lead into what happened. "What was that all about?"

"You mean those two buffoons? They've done this almost every day this week since Mr. Skyfall ordered a pastrami Reuben."  Mocha said with venom in her voice. "They make a crazy scene and then just go about like nothing happened."

"Like nothing happened?" Sunny asked.

"You'll see."

Sunset sat there in silence wondering if what she had just seen made sense. When Joe brought Skyfall in close, Sky stood like the stallion that she danced with the night prior.

Sky exited the restroom and made his way to the table of waiting mares. Daring didn't waste a second on addressing the situation she just witnessed.

"What in Celestia's name was that?" Daring deadpanned.

"What was what?"

"See?" Mocha said while cantering back to the kitchen to complain to Joe about his eccentricity.

Sky smiled and looked over to Sunset. "How is your food?"

"No!" Daring interjected. "You don't get to do that." She pointed at the spot where the drama unfolded. "And just go about acting like it didn't happen!"

"I have no idea what you're-Ow, ow, stop it!" Sky started laughing when Daring was smacking his arm with her hoof in mock anger. "Ah, stop! Someone will see us and then they'll know that you abuse me."

Sunset started recognizing the voice and eyes, this was definitely that stallion she danced with at Blueblood's party, even the way he said her name was the same. Sunset started to feel a little sad, why not tell her who he was?

Sunny smiled. "You two are a cute couple."

Daring sputtered and stopped her abuse immediately. "Me and this dweeb?"

"If dweeb means handsome and amazing, then I accept." Skyfall stuck his nose in the air. He opened his eyes and saw that Sunset was looking him over thoroughly. "May I help you?"

“S-Sorry." Sunset said. "I was just thinking that you looked like somepony I met last night."

'And she figured it out.' Skyfall thought. "Interesting, it's not everyday I hear about another pony as big as me."

"Indeed." Sunny said quietly, looking over him herself, trying to keep that flirtatious image alive.

To change the direction of the conversation, Skyfall brought Sunset's head back to her work. "Any success in trapping that Forest Spirit yet?"

Sunset Shimmer shook her head. "No such luck. We're trying to get scouts near the old castle, but his defenses are too strong. Our next step is to lure him out."

Sunset paused, but Sunny nodded at her, silently giving her approval to speak about it. A gesture that Skyfall picked up on leading him to figure out that Sunny Skies wasn't just another one of Celestia's castle staff.

"Since you're the Captain of the Ponyville guard, I only see information sharing as a benefit."

"I would hope so." Skyfall said.

Sunset thought for a second and jolted when lightning crashed in the skies overhead. She calmed down and continued. "When will your troops be ready?"

"Ready to Equestrian standards or my standards?" Skyfall dipped a quesadilla wrapped into a burrito into sour cream before taking a big bite. He chewed his food while looking at Sunny's questioning look.

"Is there a difference?" Sunny asked, strangely defensive.

Skyfall set his burrito down and sighed. "Yes. One I would trust with my life, and the other I wouldn't trust to make a cup of coffee."

Sunset watched as Sunny's expression went from passive to standoffish. "Last I checked, the royal guard goes through eight weeks of rigorous training before going to serve their nation."

"Define 'rigorous training.'" Skyfall chuckled. "I'm putting those ponies through a six month program."

Sunny's face fell. "What?"

"Twenty six weeks of training, physically and mentally. First day I took command of those foals, they didn't listen to orders and put on their armor incorrectly and then went for a ten mile run."

Sunny rolled her tongue against her cheek in thought. "That seems a bit harsh."

"Harsh today, alive tomorrow." Skyfall muttered. "I don't believe this Spirit to be a danger to us, but one day something will show it's head and they need to be prepared if they're going to save ponies."

"I believe he is." Sunny stated firmly.

Skyfall looked over Sunny Skies and recognized her hair. 'Celestia.'

"Even recently, he has gone so far as to taunt the Princess in her own bath." Sunny sighed and looked up at the castle as the rain started to come down.

Skyfall sighed. "Maybe he was trying to talk some sense to her."

Sunny shook her head. "From what the Princess tells me, he paralyzed her temporarily. That is not the action of a well-intentioned stallion."

"It is the wise choice if the one you're trying to talk to is a deity." Skyfall reached forward and touched Sunny's hoof knowing full well that it may have been Celestia in disguise. "You work closely with the Princess, don't you, Sunny?"

Sunny nodded. "I do."

"Can you tell me why she hates him so much?" Skyfall said and tried to think of an excuse. "It could help in apprehending him."

Sunny was quiet for a moment, she wasn't sure how to respond. Had it not been for the public venue, she would transform right then and there and say yes, but she liked her disguise and didn't want to change it. "I can ask her to."

"Thank you." Skyfall said, glancing up at the clock. "And with that we must leave. We have an important meeting to get to."

"We do?" Daring asked.

"Oh yeah, you'll love this." Skyfall chuckled as Sunset stood to let him out before grabbing his arm.

"Skyfall?"

"Yes, Sunset Shimmer?" Skyfall looked her right in the eye when he said her name.

She gulped, wanting to know if he was her mystery stallion. "When you get back to Ponyville, I want to talk with you, alone."

"Well, Hearth’s Warming eve is a few days away and I'm thinking of throwing a small party. You're welcome to join." Skyfall smiled.

"Great, I'll be there." Sunset smiled as Sunset and his cloaked companion left.

"Bye Joe!"

"Bye, spend money soon!"

Sunset sat across from Sunny as she finished her Reuben. 

"You think he knew it was me?"

Sunset shook her head. "He's smart, but I don't think he's that intuitive. You're identity is safe, Princess."





"That was totally Celestia." Skyfall groaned, stomping through the rain. "And she marched right into my diner."

"Yeah, it really came through when you started talking about how inept the Equestrian guard is." Daring chuckled.

"That's because they are." Skyfall proclaimed.

Daring started to fly next to Skyfall. "Surely they aren't that bad."

"Their answer for every engagement is to charge in headfirst." Skyfall deadpanned. "But the Princess isn't to blame for that."

"Then what is?"

"The past five generations haven't experienced any manner of open war." Skyfall mumbled.

"Are you saying that's a bad thing?" Daring scoffed.

"Yes, actually." Skyfall boomed, letting his word be known to Daring Do. "War is bad, I get it, but when you have many other nations that outclass you in number, drive, and strength, you need a fighting force that knows what they're doing. Otherwise you end up like the flutterponies."

Daring turned her head. "Flutterponies?"

"They were one of the first races to be brought to near extinction after the Alicorns." Skyfall said as he walked to the ledge overlooking the Rein District and took flight towards the skydock. "They were a nation like Equestria. It was filled with lovers and peace-loving beings, but Discord lead an army to their doorstep and used their lands to bolster his own; it took three hours to destroy their nation."

Daring glided silently next to Skyfall. "Did any of them survive?"

Skyfall nodded. "Yes, our forces arrived at hour three and we rode hard into enemy lines. Me and Storm challenged their navy and we pushed them back. We hid them away in the far reaches of the world and a few went to live in my realm. It's sad, but it wouldn't be the last time it happened."

"One day we need to sit down so you can tell me about all the history you've seen." Daring demanded.

"I'd be glad to tell it." Skyfall rode the wind down towards the skydock and flew out of the way of a battleship before landing at the end of a long dock.

Daring fumed. "That ship almost slammed into you."

"Yep, it happens. My galleon would put that one to shame if I still had it." Skyfall chuckled.

"You flew a galleon?" Daring asked, a little surprised.

"Yep, the Good Fortune." Skyfall wrapped his scarf over his head to hid his features from passing ponies, but still nodded when they looked at him in recognition.

"That name sounds familiar." Daring thought out loud.

"Well, if you find it, let me know." Skyfall turned and lead them down an alley. He stopped and they both watched as two large stallions bursted out of a window, releasing loud pub music as they fought amidst the broken glass. Sky grabbed Daring and moved around them to continue further down an alley to a sign that read. The Worn Siren

"So are we going in?" Daring asked, receiving a long sigh in return. "What?"

Skyfall gave her a sad look. "I'm not one for telling ponies what to do with their lives, but I fear this may be your last chance to turn around."

"Explain." Daring sat, waiting for an explanation.

"Things only get more dangerous from here. If you help me steal the Sunset Effigy, then they will know it was you and will hunt you down. You have a nice life and I implore you to change your mind."

Daring's face looked sad, she pulled out a picture from her shirt and gave a small, forlorn laugh. "I haven't been completely honest with you, Sky."

"I'm listening." Skyfall sat, waiting for Daring to talk.

"About a month ago, my uncle went missing." Daring said. "And what's worse, River, the trade union director, took control of his assets. I've tried to battle her, but every appeal is unanswered. I tried to investigate what happened to him, but in the end the only thing that I discovered was that he was studying you and the Sunset Effigy. He brought this to one of the court advisors and never came home."

"What was the advisor's name?" Skyfall asked.

"Graves, I think." Daring ran her hoof over the picture. "If betraying Equestria in the eyes of the Princess leads me to him, then so be it."

That name hung in the air, 'Graves." Skyfall shook his head and ignored it. "I'll help you find your uncle, Daring. If it's within my power, I'll do it."

Daring smiled sweetly. "That means the world to me."

"Here we go." Skyfall said breathlessly as he entered. The soft sounds of more relaxing tavern music echoed through the dark room. Daring stuck to Skyfall as he made his way towards the back and sat in a both. She watched as he produced an ivory pipe and started to hit it against his hoof to shake loose its used contents. 

"What are you doing?" Daring said, bringing her hooves up to her hood.

"Keep your hood on if you value your life." Skyfall said quietly. "Lean over the table and take the mead when the bar maiden brings it over. Make sure to look disinterested, no matter what happens or who you see."

"I hope you know what you're doing." Daring nodded. “Mind telling me why we’re doing this?”

"Getting us a job." Skyfall packed the sweet smelling Southern Star leaf into his pipe and ignited it. 

The dreamy eyed bar maiden danced over and placed two mugs of mead before Skyfall. She bowed and danced away. Even though the Worn Siren was dark and filled with smoke, Skyfall could still see multiple beings in the room looking over at him. One raised his mug, a gesture Skyfall returned with his pipe.

A large, light brown stallion walked across the restaurant and shouldered a few of the patrons before reaching their table. "My boss wants a word with you."

"Then bring him over." Skyfall offered.

"No, you come to him." The stallion commanded grabbing Skyfall's hoof before being forcefully wrenched away by it's owner.

"If your boss wants to see me, then go get him." Skyfall offered more forcefully, sending the stallion away.

"Uh, Skyfall. That was Biff, one of Dr. Caballeron's flunkies." Daring said. 

"You're right." Skyfall chuckled. "Make sure to stay in character when they return."

Biff returned with two more stallions, just as large as he was. "Dr. Caballeron wants to speak with you."

"Always the high road with you ponies, isn't it?" Skyfall tapped his pipe on the table four times, each time getting significantly louder than the last. "Go and tell Caballeron, from one Doctor to another. It's not polite to demand meetings."

The three stallions tensed, ready to pounce, but a loud cackle was heard from behind them. "I see that I finally found a stallion with some gusto!"

A greasy, goldenrod stallion sauntered into view. "I take it you heard about a little job opening?"

Skyfall repacked his pipe. "A little birdy told me there was a job and where I could find you. Though, I didn't expect these three blockheads to try and run me out the instant I got here."

Caballeron stopped his chuckling. "Yes, good help is certainly hard to find, but they serve their purpose. Luckily, the purpose you would serve is leagues above theirs."

"I hope so." Skyfall said darkly. "Otherwise you'd be spending a lot of money for me to just mill about."

"Not two seconds passed and we're already talking about price." Caballeron clapped his hooves. "Excellent."

Caballeron waved Skyfall and Daring forward.

"I didn't quite catch your names." Caballeron said. 

"I'm Dr. Spectre and this is my lover, Dr. Ravenhoof." Skyfall followed Caballeron as he walked through a mirror only to end up in an old library that seemed to be in Caballeron's house if the paintings were anything to go by.

"Turn the mirror off." Caballeron ordered as he waved Skyfall to keep following.

"This is a beautiful home you have." Skyfall complimented.

"Thank you, Dr. Spectre. It’s taken me years to collect all these artifacts." 

"They should be in a museum." Daring muttered.

"Huh?" Caballeron asked.

"She wants to get down to business." Skyfall recovered. "Only money concerns her."

Caballeron smirked. "I see your relationship dynamic, you love the history and she loves the value."

"Got us pegged." Skyfall shrugged, agreeing with his new employer, trying to make him feel smart. "But she has a point, when will we talk business?"

Caballeron pushed the back doors open, revealing a large pool modeled after a waterfall in the rain forest. A waterfall Skyfall recognized because he helped form it.

"I see you modeled your pool after the Mao waterfall." Skyfall said.

"Top marks, Doctor." Caballeron held up a glass of wine that his servant brought him.

Sky and Daring looked around at the other creatures around the pool. Sky chewed the inside of his cheek. "Explain this."

"Oh you won't be robbing the museum alone." Caballeron said. "And certainly not just the Sunset Effigy."

Skyfall and Daring Do looked at each other, feeling a monologue coming on.

"You'll be stealing... " Caballeron inhaled. "Everything inside the entire museum of Equestrian History!"

The sound of applause was heard around the courtyard.

"Everything that Daring Do has ever stolen away from me will be taken back in one fell swoop! In one night, I will elevate myself from living artifact to artifact to the heights that even Celestia couldn't imagine. I-"

"And how do you plan on transporting billions of bits in artifacts out of one of the most secure buildings in Equestria? Some of those artifacts will need special transportation and environments to store." Skyfall said as Daring pretended to swoon at his care for historical pieces.

Caballeron smiled. "I have bought a battleship, it left the port earlier today-"

'The one that almost hit me I bet.-

"-and the night after tomorrow, you and the others will go in under the guise of a cleaning crew and contain all the artifacts after knocking out the guards and place them into the Nassau Galleon in the center of the museum. Then the sky dome will be destroyed before my ship lifts the galleon out with you and the artifacts intact." Caballeron finished with his hooves stretched towards the sky in a victory pose.

"Why not fly the galleon out of there?" Skyfall mused.

"That's the best part, the galleon is one of the artifacts!" Caballeron nodded at one of his unicorn servants. He bowed and his horn lit up, showing images of the artifacts to look out for.

As the pictures cycled through the air, Skyfall muttered to himself, having seen many of the artifacts before. "So what's the price?"

Caballeron smiled. "How about a million bits, each?"

More applause echoed through the courtyard and before Sky could accept, Daring cut him off. "Two point five, each."

"Ouch." Caballeron said, feigning insult. "Surely you're overconfident in your importance."

Daring squinted. "If this goes south, our lives are over. Selling one of those artifacts would more than cover that payment, tenfold."

"She's got a point." Skyfall said.

Caballeron smiled. "Deal."

Skyfall smirked. "Now let's get to the details, show me this 'Nassau Galleon.'"

The servant nodded and cycled through the pictures until he arrived at the one he aimed for.

"I hope it doesn't fall apart." Skyfall's eyes widened as he examined the galleon. His tone dropped to a low whisper. "The Good Fortune?"
   


> Chapter 24 -Swinging on a Star-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Swinging on a Star-



Fluttershy smiled to herself as she held her small wicker basket in her mouth, trying in vain to keep her scarf up as a frigid winter gust kicked up. She shivered, but her destination peaked through the trees beyond the path.

The lush green valley of Skyfall's estate had been covered with a thickening layer of snow. The house, however, had stood above the snow and against the forest as proud as it always had. A white plume of smoke extended from its chimney to the overcast sky.

Fluttershy stopped and saw an arctic fox crossing through the field, she tried to call him over, but he seemed to be watching her from a distance and was intent on keeping it that way. He bounded twice before falling on his face, he gave an excited cry as he buried beneath the snow.

"Wonder what's wrong with him?" Fluttershy asked aloud.

"He does that." 

Fluttershy yelped when Sif stood up from the snow behind her, shaking bits of frost off her fur.

"I've been trying to catch that fox for a month." Sif raised an eye brow at Fluttershy's panting. "You okay?"

"Y-Yes. What are you doing out here in the snow?" Fluttershy asked, picking up her spilled sweets.

"I was stalking you." Sif pointed at the trail through the snow that ran parallel to Fluttershy's.

"W-Why?" Fluttershy looked around her for anyone else that may have been following her.

"I'm bored." Sif approached Fluttershy and sniffed her basket. "Sweets, huh?"

"Oh, yes." Fluttershy gave a small smile. "I baked too much and thought I would bring some to Skyfall."

Sif gave Fluttershy a wry smile. "Over baked, huh? Is that why all the cookies are in little hearts with butterflies on them?"

Fluttershy's coat started to go red while she tried to shrink away.

"Ease up, Shy." Sif patted her on the shoulder as she passed. "Come on, Sky isn't home, but you should get out of the cold before another snow squall hits."

"Oh, I thought he was back." Fluttershy said quietly. "I wouldn't want to impose."

Sif stopped and looked to the sky, trying to pick up when Storm Front was going to let loose another snow storm. When the sky grew even darker, Sif sucked her teeth. "Fluttershy, I insist. A heavy snowstorm is about to hit and you wouldn't make it to your house before it hit."

Fluttershy opened her mouth to retort, but Sif waved her forward. "No time to argue, looks like you're spending the day with me and Cadance."

Fluttershy scurried to catch up to Sif. "What about Nim and them other ponies that stay with you?"

"They're either at the guard post or they're elsewhere. It's just me and Cadance today. We've been in a grueling financial battle with each other for the past few days." Sif groaned.

"Oh my, that sounds horrible."

"You're telling me." Sif laughed as she opened the front door before shaking off the excess snow. "There's no way I landed on three hotels in a row."

Fluttershy stopped in the doorway. "Wait, what?" 





Same time in an abandoned shipping facility on the outskirts of the fish district.





"You think he'll betray us?" Daring chuckled as she dropped the rolled up maps on a large, half rusted table that sat in the center of an empty bay.

Skyfall took the marker out of his mouth and gave a sarcastic scoff of disapproval. "An honorable stallion like Caballeron? No. Never."

The abandoned shipping facility had proved to be invaluable for both Skyfall's and Daring's needs. It was far enough to not be noticed, but close enough to remain convenient. The grounds had two waterways that traced through it for what used to be ship access, leaving the center building on a small island accessible only by flying, teleportation, or by use of a small rotating bridge..

Daring walked around, looking at the facility's interior, making questioning huhs and hmms. "So why did you choose this place again?"

"It lays on a magical lay line." Skyfall muttered, drawing a few lines on light blue schematics before doodling notes next to them. He glanced up and saw the questioning look on Daring's face. "Lay lines, you know, the places on Equus where magic is at its strongest?"

Daring rolled her eyes. "You gotta get up early in the morning to pull that one on me, Skyfall. Lay lines are a myth, a myth that has been researched to the point the board of magical study refuses any more theories. It's like bighoof, or the headless horse, or..."

"Shattered Skies?" Skyfall raised an eyebrow at Daring.

"You can't sit there and say they're real. Are they?"

"They are." Skyfall rolled up one schematic before opening another one. "And Fuzzy is a nice mare."

"Fuzzy?"

"The Headless Horse, her name is Fuzzy. Real chatterbox, that one." Skyfall chuckled at Daring's baffled look.

"I'm either on the right track to making history or I'm in an insane asylum licking a window and trying to kick my head." Daring sat up and started to unbutton her shirt for comfort. "So when are we going to go with the others to start Caballeron's 'reclamation project?'" Daring punctuated her question with sarcastic air quotes.

"Our other associate will be going tomorrow." Skyfall said bluntly. "But we'll be going in twelve hours."

"Twelve hours?" Daring removed and folded her shirt into a makeshift pillow. "We're doing this alone?"

Skyfall nodded. "I made an anonymous tip to some guards earlier about one of the ponies at Caballeron's little get together. I figured that the guards would want to know that Mr. Sticky Hooves has a few wanted posters in the sun district for unrelated burglaries."

"And Caballeron will think he squealed, leading to a botched heist." Daring finished.

"Bingo."

"Bingo?"

"You're ruining the moment, Do." Skyfall chuckled as he traced three more lines and threw his marker down. "Done."

Daring stood up and walked over to the table. "You finished a heist plan that fast?"

"Mhm. Not my first rodeo, kid." 

"I'm not a kid." Daring squinted at Skyfall who laughed, rustling her mane in return. 

"To me, you're all kids. Even the Princesses are kids compared to my dusty flank." Skyfall grabbed a ruler and rolled out the floor plans to the museum that Daring so graciously provided. "Now, the plan."

Daring sat for a full minute in silence, staring at the plans. "Sky."

"I know, I know, you can start the praising."

Daring looked over. "...You."

"Yes, I'm really-"

"-dumb." Daring said in shock. "You drew circles on the skyline’s windows and wrote 'smash' next to them. Then you drew a larger battering ram on the Nassau Galleon. There's no way this'll work. And coming from me, that's saying something."

Skyfall started laughing.

"I don't get it, why are you laughing?" 

Sky pointed at the schematics. "Those are simplified exfiltration plans."

"You’re going to smash the windows and put a battering ram on the front of the ship?" Daring asked sarcastically. 

"No, once we have everything on board, I'll fly out of there." Skyfall tapped on the plans. "Biggest issue will be our escape route through the sky and our journey to Farhaven."

"But what about the actual museum?" Daring asked, slapping Skyfall's shoulder. "The lasers? The dogs? The guards? The six foot thick vault door?"

"No power. Dogs love me. Wrap up the guards. Floor isn't six feet thick." Skyfall recited, smiling at Daring when he finished. "Honestly, you ponies watch too many movies."

"How will you get the Nassau in the air?" 

Skyfall grabbed a photo from the set that Caballeron's servant provided him and slide it over to where Daring was sat. "This ship's name isn't the Nassau, it's the Good Fortune and she's mine."

"Of course." Daring chuckled. "Explains why it can't fly."

"Takes a special hoof to get her off the ground." Skyfall winked as he strode over to an old couch. "You should sleep, we have a busy night tonight."

Daring lamented and strode over to lay on the couch, adjacent to Skyfall. "Night, Sky."

"Night, Daring."

"..."

"..."

"Sky?"

"Yes, Daring?"

"You're old, right?" Daring turned over to look at Sky as he tried to read an untitled book.

"What do you want to know?" Skyfall closed the book slowly. "It's clear you want a bedtime story."

Daring gave a tired, breathy laughed. "Were you around when Roam burned?"

"I was." Skyfall smiled. "Kind of a funny story."

Daring inhaled sharply and rearranged her body so she was facing Skyfall. "Can you tell me about it?"

"Which part?" Skyfall asked quietly. "Their meandering political system? Most ponies want to know if Nero really played a fiddle while his city burned."

Daring yawned. "Everything."

Skyfall leaned to one side and ran his hooves over one another, trying to recall the memories from the time. "Where to start?" He smacked his teeth a few times. "Aha, let's start with how Secretariat won the throne from Seabiscuit in the second age."

Daring smiled.




Back to Sif trying to eat all of Fluttershy's cookies.




"Sif!" Cadance scolded as she entered the room, forcing the white mare to duck down to avoid a bunched up towel. "I take a bath for five minutes and you're here trying to eat Fluttershy's cookies."

Sif stuck her tongue out at Cadance before lobbing the caught towel back at Cadance. "They're too good to resist."

"Oh it's fine, Cadance. They were for Skyfall, but he isn't here." Fluttershy cooed. "They would become stale if Sif didn't want them."

Sif and Cadance saw the sad look on Fluttershy's face. Sif nodded at Cadance and left the room.

Fluttershy looked surprised as Sif strode out of the room and down to the basement. "Did I say something? Oh, no, I should apologize."

Cadance stepped in front of Fluttershy. "Sif's fine, Fluttershy. It isn't you."

"Oh, okay." Fluttershy sat back on the living room couch. 

Cadance smiled. "What's wrong, Fluttershy."

"M-Me? Nothing, I'm fine." Fluttershy struggled to fake a smile. Her hooves started to fidget so she grabbed a throw pillow to hold close in an effort to look more comfortable than she was.

Cadance sat next to Fluttershy and reached forward to place a hoof on her leg. "Be honest, Fluttershy. What's really bothering you?"

Fluttershy shook her head, trying to put her mane before her eyes to block Cadance's staring. After a few moments, she heard Cadance give a deep sigh.

"Oh look, Skyfall's back."

Fluttershy perked up, but only saw a smirking Princess. "So, you're sad because Skyfall isn't here?"

Fluttershy tried to deny this, but she lamented. "Yes."

"Want to talk about it?" Cadance asked.

"Dr. Wolf says I should." Fluttershy held the red pillow to her breast.

"Who's Dr. Wolf?" Cadance asked.

"Oh, he's a therapist who used to practice here in Ponyville." Fluttershy said happily. "He was our only wolf resident before he opened a larger office in Canterlot."

"A wolf therapist?" Cadance leaned back in Skyfall's recliner.

"I had trouble going at first, but Twilight brought me to his office and he helped me deal with my anxiety." 

Cadance raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, it helped a little." Fluttershy shied away. "He also told me before he left that I should open up more to ponies and confide in my friends more often."

"Will you talk to me about what's bothering you?" Cadance leaned forward in her chair, trying to meet Fluttershy's downward gaze. She waited for an answer, but a soft nod from Fluttershy was her only answer. "Wonderful, let me put on some tea and we can have some girl talk."

Cadance tried to make small talk with Fluttershy as she attempted to mimic her father's tea recipe. Every step was perfect; the mixture, the ratios, and even the right amount of honey in each cup, but once she took a sip she scrunched her brow and placed the tea down harshly.

"Something wrong?" Fluttershy asked.

"No, I just can't seem to make tea as well as Skyfall does." Cadance shook her head and magicked a tea cup over to Fluttershy's waiting hooves. "Sorry, but it just tastes like hot leaf water."

Fluttershy took a sip and shrugged. "Practice makes better."

"That's what Skyfall says." Cadance smiled sweetly. "Did you hear that from him?"

Fluttershy nodded. "He comes over every once in awhile to check on me and my animals before staying for tea."

"He stays for tea?"

"Oh yes, he forces me to sit and he makes it." Fluttershy sat back on the couch and looked out the window as it was pounded with sheets of white snow. "It's nice that he comes over for tea. Discord hasn't been talking to me lately."

Cadance thought about it possibly being connected to her father's return, but chose to forget about it. 

"I like when Skyfall comes over."

"That's not all you like, is it?" Cadance asked.

"What do you mean?" Fluttershy used a small spoon to stir tea tea.

"I think you know." Cadance asked. "You two would be perfect for each other."

"W-What?" Fluttershy asked.

"Nothing, sorry. All the business with Spirits has my head all cluttered." Cadance lied as she ran her hoof over her eyes, thankful she was able to recover as fast as she did.

"I imagine being away from Shining Armor stresses you out."

"Quite the opposite actually." Cadance chuckled. "I love my husband, but every once in awhile I need some time to unwind and Skyfall has been gracious enough to allow me to stay here while this whole Spirit business blows through."

Cadance bit her lip and thought about her husband. She knew the Empire was self-sufficient, but traveling back and forth to see her must have been taxing on him.

"How is it living with Skyfall?"

"It's nice. He is a good cook, so meals are always extremely good. He also likes to teach when the school foals come by, so I get to hear little tidbits about his life. Although, I will say that, at times, he is a bit cold. He is also very secretive and gets snippy whenever someone asks what he’s been doing." Cadance smiled deviously at Fluttershy. "Do you want to go and look around his study?"

"Oh, oh no. I couldn't." Fluttershy shook her head and placed her cup down so she could grab her red pillow again, but failed when Cadance teleported next to her.

"Come on, Fluttershy. Don't tell me you aren't the least bit curious? Skyfall will be gone till tomorrow at the earliest."

Fluttershy prepared to say no, but Cadance cut her off. 

"Skyfall said I could go inside his study at any time, he didn't say I couldn't bring in anypony." Cadance winked at Fluttershy. "Even if he found out, I know he could never be mad at you."

"What does that mean?"

Cadance bounded from the couch. "Follow me!"

"C-Cadance, wait up!" Fluttershy called as she took to the air to follow her. When she finally reached Cadance, she was sitting in front of the large wooden door, smiling like a child doing something she wasn't supposed too. "I don't think we should go in."

"I think Skyfall would be happy to find that you've taken an interest in him." Cadance cooed as she opened the doors. "Have you been in his study before?"

"I don't think so?"

"Oh you would remember." Cadance trotted into the large office and jumped in Skyfall's chair. She reached down and started to spin herself around and around. 

"Are you sure this is okay, Cadance?"

'No.' Cadance smiled. "Of course!"

"Okay, if you say so." Fluttershy landed and walked over to a lush couch that sat near the center of the room. She looked around and marveled at the statues and trinkets that seemed so old and foreign even an archaeologist would have trouble identifying them. 

"You like him don't you?" Cadance asked.

Fluttershy paused, she wanted to avoid the question, but telling her thoughts to another pony was exactly what she knew she needed. And who would be better to confide in than a Cadance?

"I-I do." Fluttershy said quietly, barely loud enough for Cadance to hear.

Cadance stood up slowly and walked over to Fluttershy as she sat on Skyfall's couch. "Do you want to talk about it? You've always been the quiet one of the group so we've never talked much. I promise I won't repeat what you tell me."

Fluttershy looked up Cadance who smiled down at her. "I... Okay."

"Would this make you feel better if I shut the doors, shut off the lights, and turned on the fire?" Cadance said. "Skyfall does that and it makes me feel better."

"I would like that very much." Fluttershy chirped.

In a few teleportations, Cadance reappeared beside Fluttershy with some hot cocoas and some blankets, excited to hear what she had to say. She gave the cocoa to Fluttershy and pointed her ears to hear everything. "How long have you liked Skyfall?"

Fluttershy played with the marshmallows in her cocoa. "I'm not entirely sure. I've always thought he was handsome, but he looked too... "

"Distant?" Cadance asked.

"Yes." Fluttershy said softly. "He looked very distant whenever he was around. Ponies bad mouthed him whenever he wasn't around, which was a lot considering he lives out here."

"Do you remember when you realized you started feeling for him?"

Fluttershy nodded. "It was two months after he moved here. I was walking into Ponyville and I saw a mother carrying her foal to the market and the foal dropped his stuffed animal. Skyfall walked out of a nearby store and picked it up to return it to the little foal before going back to what he was doing."

Cadance smiled sweetly, proud of her father. "What did the mother do?"

Fluttershy's face grew sad. "She snapped at Skyfall and asked him what he was doing to her foal."

"Oh."

Fluttershy nodded. "I thought about that for the rest of the day. Skyfall just nodded at the lady and turned around, unphased, and I admired that."

Fluttershy looked at the photos on the bookshelves. "I started thinking about him more and more, but we'll never be together."

Cadance turned her head. "Why?"

"He isn't interested in dating anypony." Fluttershy sighed. "I've thought about asking anyway, I've even walked here dozens of times, but I always turn around at the gate."

Cadance tapped her chin. "I could try and work my magic to get him to open up."

"Oh, no. I wouldn't want to impose." Fluttershy placed her hoof on Cadance's should before Cadance trapped her hoof with her own.

"If you want Skyfall, then I will help you." Cadance said. "But make sure you want this."

Fluttershy nodded. "I can try."

Cadance smiled. "Soon, we'll have to welcome you to the family!"

"Family?"





Skyfall sat in the shipping hanger, his shoulder leaned up against the wall as he looked out at the rising moon. The gentle sound of the wind and the water lapping at the sea walls put his mind at ease. 

"So my mystery guest is back." Skyfall said quietly without taking his eyes off the moon.

A soft chuckle was heard from the darkness. "How'd you know I was here?"

"Change in the air flow." Skyfall stated. "Are you going to tell me who you are this time, or will I be left with more questions than answers like last time?"

Skyfall glanced over at the shadowy figure as she slowly entered the cascading moonlight. Her black coat and rusty mane were complimented by her eyes as the glowed blue and yellow like a gemstone. 

"That was my fault." She cooed as she sat on the concrete, shipping dock. "I was so excited to see you that I failed to keep my distance."

"Do I get a name, or will you settle for beautiful?" Skyfall quipped.

The black mare smiled sadly. "I'm so happy you think I'm beautiful. You're exactly how I remember you."

Skyfall raised his eyebrow, unphased by his new visitor.

"I told you I am not your enemy." She said.

"That remains to be seen." Skyfall countered. "Friends don't withhold their names from each other. You know who I am, now who are you?"

An apparent internal battle raged inside the mare as she bit her lip and muttered to herself. When some time passed, Sky scoffed.

"Of course."

"Nightingale." She said curtly. "My name is Nightingale."

"Just Nightingale?" Skyfall asked. "And why have you followed me from Ponyville to an abandoned facility, Nightingale?"

"To warn you." Nightingale's voice took on a double tone as she spoke.

"So a Spirit has come to warn me?" Skyfall said pointedly. "A Spirit of what I ask."

Nightingale squeezed her eyes shut. "Please listen to me."

Skyfall scowled at the small, black mare. "Why?"

"Because you have to live." Nightingale said firmly. "I've watched over you since the Alicorns were massacred."

Skyfall laughed and shifted in his spot slightly to face her better. His calm demeanor made Nightingale even more unsure by the second as to if Skyfall would believe her. "And yet this is the first time I've met you. Granted, you know what my real identity is, but that doesn't prove you've watched me since the massacre."

A silent moment passed and Sky nodded with finality as he turned back toward the moon.

"You... " Nightingale started before swallowing hard. "You wept when you found the queen's body. I watched from the shadows as you rushed in past the twisted husks and slid to the queen before you held her to listen to her last request. You tore through creatures as you tried to fulfill both her requests and I've watched as you kept your promise. Even now, you still hold that terrible memory-"

"Enough." Skyfall's voice boomed through the shipping yard. He shook his head, tired of hearing her banter as he turned his back to her.

"I'm here to protect you, like you once did for me." Nightingale moved in and hugged Skyfall from behind. "Tonight at the museum, there is trap that is set to spring the instant you leave through the ceiling. A detachment of discharged night guards will try and board your ship to apprehend you."

"Night guards?"

"Not Luna's." Nightingale informed. "They are night guard rejects meant to fool you. It will be obvious to you that they're fake, but to those that see you escape will see-"

"-royal guards chasing a Spirit out of Canterlot." Skyfall finished.

"Please be safe. You now face your second enemy and she's far more shrewd than Lonely Graves."

Nightingale kissed Skyfall's cheek. "I'll see you soon."

Skyfall glanced up as Nightingale disappeared into a mirage of light.

"Seemed serious." Daring called from the rafters.

Skyfall gave a low chuckle. "Won't change anything."

"Why not?" Daring asked as she landed next to Skyfall.

"Our little friend just tipped us off. An enemy will show herself tonight and she seems to be affiliated with the necromancer I've been hunting." Skyfall smiled deviously.

"You really want that stallion don't you?"

"Oh yeah, he's mine." Skyfall stood up. "But one thing at a time. It's about time for us to move out, just need to make a few adjustments."

"Adjustments?"

Skyfall's form grew and a two toned laugh echoed through the large room. His golden eyes glowed in the shadows as he moved silently towards the main building. "Yes. They should be here now."

"They?"

"You ask a lot of questions, you know that?" Skies massive, antlered head shot out from the shadows. He pattered Daring on the head. "Tonight, we're going to put on a show."

Before Daring could say another word, Skies winked. "Put on your hood, unless you want ponies knowing you're helping the Forest Spirit."

Slowly, she pulled her hood up and followed the Chimeran Spirit through the dark hallway. When they reached the end, the sounds of talking grew until Skies entered their planning room.

"I see you all heeded my message." Skies commented the creatures gathered around the table as they commented on the museum's floor plans.

Daring looked over their guests; four earth ponies. A griffon. A small, blue dragon, and a cloaked Pegasus.

The griffon looked around at the others in the silence that sat above them all and spat as his red coat ruffled. "Looks like I shall by the one to give first greetings."

Skies raised his brow at the Griffon's ire, but let it go as he bowed. 

"I am Garnet, My lord. I acknowledged your summons and after much consideration, I see your cause to be noble and give my services to you."

Skies gave a shallow bow. "Then you shall stand by my side." 

Garnet looked up to See that Skies' wing was extended in a welcoming gesture, a gesture he accepted immediately.

"Now the rest of you." Skies continues when Garnet sat on his left. He watched as each guest introduced themselves and was invited to stand next to their new leader. One pony, however, remained cloaked.

Daring poked Skies' elbow and motioned him to come closer so he could hear her. "Is this the one Nightingale warned you about?"

"No, he isn't our enemy." Skies cooed before lifting his head. "Why don't you drop your hood and introduce yourself?"

That stallion's gaze cut through the shadows that cloaked his face. He reached up and pulled down the cloth to reveal a graying mane and a light blue coat. "I was sure I was going crazy when a random, cloaked stallion told me about this meeting before disappearing into a tree. Now that I stand here, I know I'm crazy."

"Hopefully, It's the good kind of crazy." Skies laughed. "I'm glad that you considered my invitation, Wind Rider."

Daring bit her lip. "I thought I recognized him."

"Easy, Ravenhoof." Skies commanded.

"Skies, he framed one of the elements. You can't be thinking of taking him in?"

"I am." Skies said with finality in his voice and a stern look to silence her. "Wind Rider made a mistake, he has paid the price and seems to want a new life. Isn't that right, Wind Rider?"

Wind Rider whispered. "I can't believe I'm doing this."

"I, Wind Rider, offer my allegiance to you until my last breath."

Skies chuckled. "Is that not the same thing you said in your youth when you took the oath of a wonderbolt for Celestia, what will convince me that you will keep this oath?"

"Celestia allowed me to be convicted by a military tribunal."

"Rightfully so." Daring commented under her breath.

"My companion has a point. You did commit a crime, why should I believe you?" Skies stepped closer to the former wonderbolt captain. "Why offer me fealty?"

Rider winced. "My jealousy ruined my life and you were kind enough to offer me a second chance."

"Then offer me your arm." Skies voice rolled through the room, ready to examine his life through his blood. 

Biting creatures to examine their lives posed a risk to users of blood magic. Used improperly, the biter would experience a mind melding of sorts and be affected, effectively changing the user, little by little. 

Skies was guilty of using blood magic too often throughout the ages, but he saw it as a necessary evil since it allowed him to solve questions faster.

Rider's determination showed itself when he sat up and pulled his sleeve back before offering it to the Spirit's open maw. With one firm bite later, Rider's head felt light causing him to lose balance fall sideways into Skies' arm.

"Wind Rider, you've earned your second chance." Skies said to Rider's small smile. He witnessed all the good that Wind Rider had done and the little evil that at times was all too necessary. "Farhaven awaits you."

"Thank you, my lord."

Garnet strode over and helped Rider to his feet. "So what's the plan, my lord?"

Skies summoned duffle bags over from the corner of the room and placed one before each of Farhaven's newest citizens. "Take these bags and make your way to the sun district. Find the alley named Enford way and get dressed. Remain in the shadows until I signal you inside."

Daring followed Skies as he walked out of the room. "I hope all of you have your affairs in order, because you might not be returning to Canterlot for some time."

Skies reached forward and disappeared with Daring into an old tree that had grown into the side of the building.

Daring stumped and fell over when they reappeared outside the museum. "You hate warning ponies when you teleport them, don't you?"

Skies chuckled to himself. "It's an urge I can't deny myself."

Daring laid down to stop her head from spinning. "Are you sure you want to do this? Ponies will see it as you being villainous."

"I know, but it's necessary."

The traveled archaeologist scoffed. "Stealing the entire museum is necessary?"

Skies looked down at Daring Do and gave her a wry look. "You've spent your career recovering artifacts from all over Equus; dangerous or otherwise. In the end, you showcased them here. This is to keep them away from ponies like Caballeron and to cover up the recovery of the Sunset Effigy."

Daring nodded. "I know... River is the leader of the trade union and I know she intends to sell my life's work to other countries for gold; likely to balance this countries mounting debt. I just hate that It's come down to this." She sighed and looked up at the old museum that she's known since she was a foal. "What will I do in Farhaven?"

"Nothing. Everything. It's up to you, really." Skies reasoned as he hefted Daring onto his back and flew into the sky. "If you want a museum to be built in Farhaven, then you just have to petition the court for one and luckily for you, you have my support."

Daring smiled. "Are you offering me a job?"

"Someone has to watch all this history." Skies said quietly as he glided through a window that had been conveniently left open. He stood and tisked to himself.

Daring looked around the dark museum exhibition rooms and mumbled. "That was easy..."

"Trap, remember?" Skies walked quietly to the front of the museum and looked down to see his team gathering across the street. "That was fast. Wonder when the others will be here?"

"Fashionably late as usual, huh, Skies?" 

Daring and Skies glanced over to see Honos, Inko, and Storm Front relaxing on an old chariot.

"I take it the guards are knocked out already?" Skies asked.

"Of course? You think I would save any for a lackadaisical reindeer like yourself?" Storm laughed as he jumped off the chariot. "So when's the trap getting here?"

"How'd he know about the trap?" Daring asked.

"Open window." Everyone said in unison.

"That obvious?" Daring commented. "It could have been an accident."

"At a world renowned museum?" Skies reasoned to Daring's shoulder shrug. "Well, I better let in our newest citizens."

"I'll get them." Inko said as she teleported away, leaving the others to make their way towards the museum's, stone antechamber. 

"So what's the plan?" Storm muttered absentmindedly. "Smash and grab?"

"No." Skies extended his wing and laid it over Daring's head. "This little one can deactivate any and all alarms, leaving us to pack up and load up the Good Fortune."

"What?" Storm asked. "Your ship is here?"

"Right?" Skies said in disbelief. "I'm one hundred percent sure that Celestia pawned it off when I was asleep."

Storm Front started laughing. "And she put it in the middle of all the artifacts she's guarded for the past thousand years. Oh, she'll be furious."

"That's half the plan." Skies stated factually. His playful mood changed when the double doors opened to reveal the fake night crew. "Excellent, you all look authentic."

"We smell authentic too." A  earth pony named Charge, added.

"What's the plan, my lord?" A black earth pony named Dash, asked.

Storm Front walked forward when Skies nodded at him. "All the guards are tied up at the moment. Take positions in the spots that Feather of Truth tells you two and wait for our go ahead."

Skies exited the room with Daring as Storm Front briefed them on the impending trap. He took a deep breath and pushed open the doors and felt conflicted when he saw the state that his old ship was in. "You put silly little flags on it... why?"

"It looked like this when we got it." Daring defended. "I'll go and turn the systems off while you do whatever it is you're going to do."

Skies smiled at Daring as she exited behind a 'staff only' door before brooding at his ship. "And they painted it sea foam green."

After a few minutes of examining the outside of the Good Fortune, Skies watched as the artifacts started to trickle in being hefted by whoever carried them. Daring flew back and stopped where everyone else sat to watch as Skies stood before a quivering ship. 

"Why is it shaking like that?" Dash asked. "Is it okay to fly out of here?"

Skies and the other Spirits started to laugh. The laughter grew as did the confusion among the disguised night crew.

Skies' laughter abated and he reach over and touched his ship, causing it to jolt upwards marginally before resting at a higher height. "First off, it isn't an it, it's a she. And second, she's more than fit to fly."

"Is she alive?" Daring asked.

"I think it's better if I show you." Skies said as he strode to the on ramp and started to walk towards the deck, each step caused something to change on the ship from the canvas unrolling to paint starting to crack. When he reached the helm, Skies tapped into the ship, giving it some of his power allowing it to pull on its restraints, breaking them.

Storm Front smirked and nodded at the amazed group. "Good, now load up the artifacts. The sooner we do that, the sooner we can pop the top and leave."

Storm Front teleported to Skies' side as he pumped more magic into the ship to repair one thousand years worth of decay and grime out of her, he grunted and stopped after a minute. "This damage will take some time to repair."

"More time than a few hours?" Storm asked.

"Much more time. It looks like being removed from me for one thousand years took its toll on her. Dry rot has seeped deep into her hull." Skies scratched his head. "The extra paint and knickknacks on her makes her heavier and will slow her down."

"Anything we can do to get her sky worthy?"

Skies chewed his cheek. "I'll start tearing off the frilly decorations. If what I'm suspecting is correct, then we'll meet armed resistance when we leave meaning we'll need to be able to defend ourselves at the very least."

"I'll go charge the cannons then. We won’t have anything to shoot with, but the threat should be good enough." Storm offered as he walked away from Skies who feigned romantic feelings for him doing so.

"Time to clean you up, you old girl." Skies chirped before grabbing a 'photo opportunity' sign and tossing it overboard for it to crash onto the marble floor.





Three hours later





"Everything is collected, my lord!" Dash said as he saluted Skies. "Every crevice of the Good Fortune is packed with cargo and ready for transport."

"Good job everyone." Skies complimented as he looked at the barren museum walls. "But there is one issue."

"What's that, my lord?" Dash asked.

"Where is the Sunset Effigy?" Skies asked.

Daring landed in front of Skies. "It wasn't in its case."

Skies broke eye contact with Daring Do and glanced around the room. "Storm, secure the ship and get ready."

"Bad news?"

"Yeah." Skies said under his breath. "Everyone, refer to Storm Front for your positions on the ship and prepare to set sail. Ravenhoof, you're with me."

"You heard the stallion!" Storm Front bellowed, jolting the bystanders to spring into action.

"What about me, my lord?" Wind Rider asked.

Skies set his hoof on Rider's shoulder. "You know as well as I that we have parts to play. Yours will come, but not this night. Go and prepare for our retreat."

"Retreat, my lord?" Rider asked, a little upset. "Why retreat?"

"I appreciate the gusto, Rider, but overstepping our bounds right now will lead to us all getting killed. Go and prepare for our retreat." Skies commanded in a deeper, louder voice.

Rider saluted and flew up to the mast to start his prep work.

"Are you still sure he was a good idea?" Daring asked.

"Yes. He is just over enthusiastic and has a need to prove himself." Skies mused. "Not unlike yourself at a young age, or even now."

Daring smirked. "Fair point."

"Now, take me to the Effigy's pedestal." Skies said, following Daring as she flew to the second level of the museum to an enormous, ornate, stone room with a glowing pedestal in the center.

"See, it's gone." Daring gestured to the where the Effigy had been displayed. "It was behind magical trip sensors. Lasers. Shatter and cut proof glass. And an expensive gravity well in case everything else failed."

Skies looked everywhere else except where Daring was pointing.

"What are you doing?" Daring asked. 

"The Effigy is still there, it's being hidden by refractive light." Skies said. "I'm looking for the caster."

"Oh, still such a sharp stallion." A mare came into view all of a sudden. She was sitting sweetly on top of the glass pedestal, smiling at both Daring and Skies. Her light blue coat glowed in the faded light of the room and her orange eyes smoldered when she looked into Shattered's eyes.

"River." Daring growled.

"Daring Do." River giggled. 

"She's a Spirit." Shattered Skies proclaimed.

Daring looked up at Shattered Skies' angry expression and backed up till she was next to him.

"Very good, Shattered Skies." River leaped off the glass case and hovered in the air. "You showed yourself, I guess it's only right that I meet you halfway, big boy."

The blue mare spun in the air like she was a dolphin swimming in the ocean and as she swam, her body changed. Her legs fused into a long tail and her head grew goat horns. Golden shells clacked as the bumped into one another from her ornate headpiece. River gave a long stretch. Her bones creaked before she glowered at her visitors. "That's better. Now, down to business."



Daring looked back at Skies. "Who is this?"

Shattered Skies stepped forward, putting himself between Daring Do and this new creature. "Good question. In all my years on Equus among both mortals and Spirit, I've never seen you. Even as a member of the Spirit high council, I would have seen you at least a few times. Who are you?"

The Capricorn-like Spirit floated down to the floor gently. "I don't expect you to remember me, traitor."

Skies squinted. "What is your purpose for being here?"

"You." River smirked.

"And your real identity?"

River started to laugh. "You really are a smart one aren't you?" The Spirit's body shook happily. "I don't remember you ever having such a cold look in your eyes, but this suits you... and me."

"Well, River-"

"Please, call me River's End!" End guffawed. "We'll get to know each other real well, real soon."

"Right." Skies felt the air in the room beginning to rapidly cool and watched as the walls started to leak water, first at a trickle and then into gushing holes. In the time it took for Skies to ponder their situation, the water was ankle deep and started to funnel out of the room.  "So, you're a water Spirit?"

End smirked, but yelped when a display case cruised past her leaping form. "Who dares throw furniture at me!"

Feather of truth lumbered in while his armored hooves thumped through the rushing water. His eyes burned with intense fire as he glared at River's End. "My lord, permission to fight this cur?"

"Granted." Skies said and admired the explosive anger that Truth directed toward River's End. He summoned golden spears and slashed at his dancing foe, trying to slay her in vain. Skies saw that she wasn't worried in the least. He bit his lip. "Daring, we better hurry. He can't hold her off."

Skies leaped forward and landed on the raised floor where the pedestal sat. "How do I get in?"

"I turned off the defenses, but that should have opened the case." Daring said as she looked over the glass enclosure. "Without, the passcode, I don't know how to open it without tripping the museum's alarm system."

"Who does the alarm notify?" Skies demanded.

Truth let loose a loud roar and tried to blast River, only to miss and take out a wall. When he did, a waterfall erupted and flooded the room more and more as the seconds ticked back.

"Everyone." Daring said. "Even the castle."

"Good." Skies said, glaring at River as she dodged Truth effortlessly. 

Daring yelped as Skies pushed her up and out of the immediate area of the Effigy. She tried to recover, but landed in the water as it rose.

"Hey, River!" Skies bellowed.

End spun around and with a stream of water, blated Truth clear out of the room. She looked surprised as she skulked closer. “Yes, Skies?”

Skies shot his hoof up and brought it down on the case, shattering it. River lunged forward to stop him, but they were both caught in the magical, gravity well. 

"You're an idiot!" River seethed. "You'll all die when the room fills up!"

Skies fought the extreme g-force and reached up to grab the Effigy. It glowed in the same golden light that Shattered's eyes possessed. After a few moments, it slowly rolled toward his hoof and exploded in light when it finally fell into his grasp.

Skies roared as he fought the downward pull. The strain fought his body as he glared at River's End. He almost collapsed, but a lightning bolt shot past him and collided with the gravity well, destroying it.

"Looks like you needed some help." Storm called.

River stood and backed away when the rest of the Spirits entered the room. She scowled and glanced at the Sunset Effigy in Skies' hooves. "You can't run from your mistakes forever."

Skies squinted as River mouthed two words and closed his eyes as she disappeared into one of the torrents of water before they spewed more water in with no signs of stopping.

"We should go." Skies sighed, but Storm stopped him as he passed. "What were those two words she mouthed at you?"

"I don't know." Skies lied, but his lie was met with a firm hoof.

Storm brought his head over and talked quietly so only they would hear. "Skies, what did she say?"

"I'll tell you later, it's not a conversation for a sinking museum." 

Storm nodded. "Gotchya."

They turned and ran to the Good Fortune. Skies launched off a stone banister and glided over to the waiting ship, it hovered mere meters above the water. "Storm, let's blow this popsicle stand!"

"Aye!" Storm Front's horn started to glow brighter and brighter until the lightning shot off in dangerous arcs around him. He reared up and let loose a vicious blast that cut through the museum's glass roof, leaving a large, gaping hole. The blast vaporizing the shards of glass into mere particles.

"Ready yourself for combat!" Skies bellowed. "Storm, Truth, Rider, Crunch, and Ravenhoof, stay on deck. Everyone else, man the below deck guns."

Skies flexed his powers and the canvas undid itself and with a mighty upward thrust, the ship exploded out of the museum and into Canterlot airspace. The creaking of the wood and the pulling of the ropes put a smile of Skies' face.

"Halt!" 

Everyone on deck looked over and saw three large metal ships, suspended in the air by larger balloons.

"Storm, it looks like rain, don't it?"

"Yep!" Storm swirled the air and thunder clouds started to form in the sky just outside Canterlot, giving them a clean escape route.

Skies turned the wheel dramatically and released all remaining canvases to catch all the wind the Good Fortune could grab. He glanced back to see a fourth ship rising from a sky yard that was built into the side of the mountain. It didn't have a balloon, but it did have two large forward facing, triple barreled batteries and one in its rear.

It ascended swiftly and two thick wings on each side gave off a thick jet stream as it blew past the three armored dirigibles. Skies scowled at the battleship as it put everything it had into catching up to the Good Fortune. He could see the fake lunar guards on the bow of the ship, likely acting as a boarding party.

"Skies! Hard to Port! Hard to Port!" Storm roared. 

The ship rocked violently as it dodged a few moments before an arc of fire flew past the Fortune's main deck, leaving a scorch mark along her side. The resulting boom, shook the houses below and soon, lights came on one by one in the city below.

"That thing has long range cannon on her front!" Storm shouted.

Skies looked closer and saw a port on her front that glowed red from the shot. At the rate they were going, the battleship would catch them before they reached the storm. "Storm, how we looking below?"

"One sec!" Storm looked around, any being that wasn't a Spirit was tied to the mast with a rope. "Ugh, we're good!"

Skies looked down to his main deck. "Hold onto your butts!"

The Good Fortune rocked forward as she slowed down in mid air. The Battleship barreled closer and when it looked like they were about to ram, Skies kicked a lever and for a few seconds everyone floated as the Fortune entered a free fall towards the streets below.

"Agh, what are you doing!" Daring screamed as the ground came dangerously into focus.

Skies and Storm laughed wildly as wind whipped over the deck. Skies continued until Storm stopped laughing and grabbed the mast in worry. With a violent heave, the ship's canvas extended and the Fortune made an arc below one of the bridges, grazing the water of a nearby canal before taking to the air once more.

Daring rose up with her hair looking like a hot mess. "That wasn't funny!"

"It was a little funny." Skies chuckled to himself.

"I demand my own office!"

"Gotta get out of here first." Skies winked.

Lights started to light up the sky as photographers started to take pictures of Skies as he flew the Good Fortune. "Smile people, we're going to be stars in the morning!"

Storm Front took the helm when they reached a proper altitude. "Rider, Crunch, go below deck!"

Skies waited until they did and he transformed into Skyfall. "You ready, Storm?"

Daring looked between them. "Ready for what?"

Storm's horn glowed with lightning, but Daring stepped in between them. "What's going on?"

Skyfall placed his hoof on her shoulder. "That mare in Donut Joe's might have been Celestia. She saw me in Canterlot shortly before all this. If I disappear along with this ship then she'll have more evidence to suspect me."

Storm smiled. "So I get to hit him with lightning, leaving our pursuers to pick him up to make sure he is not an enemy. When Sky 'wakes up' he'll shovel the Princess the noble hero act."

Daring looked back at Skyfall who nodded. "It was something I didn't foresee, but it may help us in determining who is behind this."

Truth walked up and struck Skyfall in the face. "Sorry, M'lord."

"What about me?" Daring asked. 

"Your identity should be safe from the princess, but you should wait for me at my estate. You'll be safe there." Skyfall was awestruck when Daring brought him into a hug.

"Thank you."

Skyfall hugged back and walked toward the railing. "You better land my ship right, Storm."

Storm smirked. "So long, hero."

With a flash of light and a loud crack, Skies flew off the Good Fortune's deck and down to the city streets. A thick cloud of smoke trailed behind him as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

The Battleship slowed and turned to intercept Skyfall's falling form before two wonderbolts rocketed past it to catch him. They grabbed his arms and flapped desperately to stop his descent.

"We got you, Skyfall!" Came a scratchy, female voice.

Daring stood at the back railing and watched as Skyfall was carried back to the castle.

"He'll be okay." Storm said without looking, keeping his mind in his task as he entered the storms wall.

"How do you know?" Daring asked, her steely character slightly shaken.

"He's too cunning." Storm said firmly. "He seems like he always has a plan."

"I hope you're right."





Gallant True was roused from his sleep as Lonely Graves entered his cell again.

"Ah, I see you're awake." Grave's said, his smile stained with a brown mucus.

Gallant could barely see through his swollen face. He attempted to sit up, but his shackles kept him from rising. He tried to spit at Graves, but his dry mouth refused to moisten so he settled for kicking dust in his direction. "Let me go!"

"Not until you tell me where Raven's library is." Graves demanded.

"I won't betray her." Gallant True said. "But you know this." 

Graves' eyes glowed green. "What did she do to earn your loyalty?"

"I won't tell you a thing." Gallant True sat against the wall and smirked. "Do your worst."

"I always do."

> Chapter 25 -Hearth's Fire-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Hearth's Fire-



The warm rays of a summer sun danced along a quiet hillside along the edges of Skyfall’s estate. Fluttershy and Skyfall wished to have a quiet picnic together, accompanied only by the soothing splashes of the nearby waterfall. Sky’s head swam with infatuation as he watched Fluttershy unpacking her picnic basket. He desired nothing more than to profess his feelings for her at even the most mundane of moments.

"Would you like a bite, my love?" Fluttershy held a fork full of pumpkin pie. Her delicate mane blew seductively in the breeze. "I baked it just the way you like it."

"You know exactly how to make me melt," Skyfall cooed as he took a bite.

"Oh, you're too sweet." Fluttershy covered her cheeks with her hooves to hide her flushed cheeks. She tried to look away, but Skyfall wrapped her in a hug. "But, you aren't interested in having me."

"It isn't that I'm not interested; I'm completely taken by you. Every time I see you, I overcome with emotions in a way I’ve never felt before... It scares me," Skyfall confessed, dipping his head in embarrassment.

Fluttershy turned around in Skyfall's grasp and buried her face in his chest. "Then let me be yours. We can end this game and become one!"

Skyfall squeezed his eyes shut. "That would require learning each other's secrets."

"I accept you." Fluttershy smiled. "There's nothing that could dissuade me from loving you."

The world around Skyfall started to ripple. He looked around as three butterflies flew past him, disappearing into the nearby pond. He tried to remember where he had seen them before, but his thoughts were interrupted by Fluttershy's hoof. 

"Is everything alright, Onii Chan?" Fluttershy's eyes were hidden by her damp hair.

Skyfall grabbed Fluttershy's hoof and scowled. "What did you just say?"

"You look a little shaken, Big Brother." Fluttershy’s form slowly started to melt and turn into water.

Skyfall shot to his hooves up and backed away from the checkered picnic blanket. He looked around as the world changed around him. He saw Canterlot burning in the distance, and a warm light from behind him suggested that the Everfree was suffering a similar fate. "What is going on?!"

In the corner of Skyfall's vision, he saw a white Alicorn, but no matter how quickly he turned she always remained just out of sight. The ground began to decay as lush green grass turned into a charred landscape. Four dark figures emerged from the darkness and began to laugh.

In the sky, an enormous unblinking eye stared down at him, red and bloodshot. 

Skyfall tried to transform into Shattered Skies to fight off his foes, but a sudden explosion of white stripped away the horrors around him. He was blinded, and the abrupt transition terrified Skyfall, but before he could react, familiar warm hooves wrapped Skyfall into a hug. 

"You must find a way to me," a weak voice whispered. 

"Maker?"





Skyfall shot up in bed, his burning lungs trying their hardest to suck in as much air as possible. His body felt unnaturally heavy; His ears rang. His bones creaked. His fur burned. Even the dim light in the room stung his pupils. When the ringing in his ears abated, Sky heard the rapid beeping of a heart monitor and the whispering of an unknown company.

'Storm Front is getting it for putting that much juice into that attack.' Skyfall groaned as he pushed himself back against the headboard.

"I see you're finally awake." 

A calm, serene voice commented from the corner of the room. Blue eyes and a metal clipboard were the only things Skyfall could see, as spots still danced around his vision.

Skyfall strained his eyes to bring the stranger into focus. "I am, but I did not expect a wolf to be watching me sleep."

The small white wolf gave a courteous laugh. "It's nothing like that, Mr. Skyfall. I was merely told to be here when you woke up."

"So how did you know to be here now?"

"Equestrian medicine can be wonderful at times" The wolf coughed into his paw. "Where are my manners?" The wolf stood up and gave a small bow. 

"Greetings, I am Doctor Wolf. Princess Celestia wanted me to help you with your rehabilitation."

"Rehabilitation?" Skyfall examined his body.

"Yes, it must have been quite a shock when you fought with those Spirits," He stood, walked over to the light switch and dragged it up slowly, allowing the room to brighten, "The Princess wants you to have a full psychological examination. She feared that you were in a coma and the instant you were escorted to the ground she teleported you to Canterlot General."

Skyfall listened intently. While his outward expression remained stoic, he felt relieved that his plan worked.

Doctor Wolf clicked his pen twice and smiled. "You've been out for four days, but you healed surprisingly well."

Skyfall removed his blanket and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He hopped off despite the Doctor's protests.

"What are you doing? You'll injure yourself!"

"I have to get home. I slept three days longer than I should have," Skyfall groaned, thinking of the thrashing Cadance was going to give him, "and Hearth’s Warming Eve is in a few days."

Dr. Wolf nodded. "Be that as it may, I still have a job to do, and I need to make sure you are okay."

Skyfall moved to walk out, but Dr. Wolf stood in his way and stared up at him. Sky glanced down. 

"So one exam and that's it?"

"The Princess wants you to be examined once a month," Dr. Wolf chirped as Skyfall sat down, "In truth, she came to me last month and said that she was going to ask you to be evaluated for a 'special assignment,' and that this was the best way she could help you."

Skyfall raised his eyebrow. "So as my ‘doctor,’ do you swear by an oath of confidentiality?"

"Yes, naturally,," Dr. Wolf responded as he backed up and returned to the large chair he had been sitting in previously. "Anything you say  will remain between the two of us."

"Re-heheheheally," Skyfall asked deviously. He contemplated transforming right then, but decided against it. Dr. Wolf seemed like a genuine character, and it would have been unfair to shock him in that manner. 

"Well, Doctor, where do we begin?"

Dr. Wolf flipped through his clipboard. He brought out a small purple notepad and turned the pages until he seemingly reach the one he wanted. "Let's start out with a classic. How do you feel?"

"Hungry, and oddly I feel a sudden need to go fishing." 

Dr. Wolf hummed. "Why fishing?"

"It's relaxing and it keeps my mind preoccupied," Skyfall looked out the window to see snow-covered roofs festively lined with multicolored lights.

"Is something troubling you?"

Skyfall paused and sighed, he knew he needed to clear his mind, and sharing his troubles  with a table flipping brute like Storm Front would never truly help. He needed to speak with an intellectual. "Is something bothering me? It's more a question of what isn't bothering me."

Dr. Wolf stopped writing. "Would you mind explaining?"

"Surely you've seen the state of the world."

"I have." 

Skyfall looked around. "Do you have a newspaper?"

Dr. Wolf reached off the side of his seat and pulled up a newspaper that had Skyfall's picture on the front. 'Hero defends Canterlot' 

Skyfall examined the front and rolled his eyes before looking through the paper. After a minute of reading, he tittered and handed the paper back to Dr. Wolf. "See?"

Dr. Wolf looked at the paper. "What am I looking for?"

"What isn't there?" Sky asked.

Dr. Wolf raised his eyebrow. "I am unsure where you are taking this, Mr. Skyfall. Maybe if you explain, I'll understand."

"Equestria has a considerable amount of beings that aren't ponies." Skyfall started. "Do you see a single article in the paper that mentions any of them? Specifically, the obituaries."

"No, but it is the Interloper Gazette, so I'm not surprised." Dr. Wolf reasoned. "It was the only thing in the waiting room."

Skyfall sighed. "I don't get the conflicting views in Equestria. On one hoof, you have ponies who love everything and want to make friends with anyone they see. On the other hoof, you have ponies who are mistrusting and go so far as to put down non-ponies. It's just like the meeting of the five tribes."

"Don't you mean three tribes?" Dr. Wolf asked.

"There were five," Skyfall ran his hoof through his mane and rested his head on his wrist. 

"I’ve studied abroad and read accounts of there being five as well," Dr. Wolf reviewed the purple book a before continuing. "You lived in Neighpon before coming here? I thought they were in a period of isolationism?"

Skyfall smirked, "Twilight's notebook?"

Dr. Wolf smirked, "She lent it to me."

"That mare," Skyfall laughed as two royal guards marched past the door.

"Looks like that's all we have time for today, Mr. Skyfall," Dr. Wolf packed up and fastened his messenger bag, "I have an office in Ponyville. Our next meeting will be on the first."

"So soon?" Skyfall chuckled.

"Well, our session is being cut short," Dr. Wolf shook Skyfall's hoof, "Until next time, Skyfall. Enjoy your holiday."

"Hey, you too," Skyfall watched the small wolf exit and greet the Princesses as he closed the door. After a few quiet moments, Skyfall looked out the window at the falling snow. He didn't turn when the door opened.

"Skyfall?"

Sky turned his head around to see Princess Celestia smiling in the doorway.

"Hey," Skyfall smiled back, "What brings you by?"

Celestia walked inside, followed by Princess Luna and Princess Cadance, the latter of which was poorly attempting to conceal a scowl. 

"We're here to check on you."

"Three Princesses have come to check on me? I feel honored," Skyfall tried to stand, but Celestia waved her wings slightly. 

"Please, conserve your energy. You took a powerful blast from a Spirit named Storm Front when you tried to fight them back," Celestia frowned, "But in the end, they escaped with many of the riches that took ponies their entire lives to gather. We tried to locate the museum's owner and curator, but we fear the worst."

'Oh, if you only knew.' Skyfall wore a sad smile. "Then I failed you."

Celestia shook her head, "No, the failure lies with my captain of the guard. He was tasked with Canterlot's security, and even though he rode into battle with his flagship, he was unable to stop the Spirits."

'So Fury was the one commanding that battleship...' Sky shrugged. "Then I must get back to Ponyville, there are preparations to take care of."

"See, Luna," Celestia said, "You said we shouldn't elect a local as Captain and here we have an injured stallion, eager to return to his post."

Luna rolled her eyes and set them on Skyfall. "Indeed so. I shall escort him to the train station if you wish."

"Nonsense, he shall have a coach transport him home," Celestia stated.

Skyfall shook his head and grabbed a nearby glass of water. "I hate stagecoaches, I'd love a train ride, though."

Celestia smiled sweetly. "Then a train you shall have. Sadly, I won't be able to escort you. I have an important meeting in the morning."

"I shall escort him, sister," Luna said, "My rule is almost over and I can be back before the start of the tomorrow night."

Princess Celestia leaned down and kissed the top of Skyfall's head, "We're expecting great things from you, Skyfall."

The room was silent until Celestia left the room, taking her royal guards with her. When the clopping of hooves went silent, Cadance turned and scowled at her father. Skyfall closed the blinds and met her piercing gaze with his smile.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Cadance seethed.

"Now, hunny, it's not nice to scold ponies for matters of necessity." Skyfall held up his hooves to deflect a flying ornate shoe. 

Luna looked on in curiosity. "I see you two have grown rather close."

Luna looked back and forth between Cadance and Skyfall waiting for an answer. When she didn’t get one, Luna rolled her eyes. 

"Fine, keep your secrets," Luna magicked Skyfall's medical chart from the bed he had occupied for the past few days and thoroughly reviewed the information. "Come along, Captain, we need to get you home."

She paused and teleported the document over to Skyfall. "Oh, you've had a few visitors. You should probably thank them when you get home."

Skyfall looked clipboard at the foot of his bunk and subsequent test information to see the visitor log. "I seem to be a popular pony."

"Front page press will do that," Luna commented as her horn lit up, transforming the area around them into the train station with a sudden pop. She glanced back and winced. "Sorry, I should have asked before teleporting us."

"It's fine, Princess." Skyfall waved dismissively. "Saves us the walk."

The whistling of an oncoming train could be heard in the distance. It was late and the snow fell lightly as Cadance pressed herself against Skyfall, humming to herself as the platform’s light slowly flickered.

"Princess Luna?" Sky asked, looking at the princess who stood a few yards away, just outside of the soft lamplight’s reach.

"Luna is fine," she responded curtly.

"Why are you standing so far away?" 

Luna glanced over coldly. "I prefer the dark."

Skyfall shook his head. "I mean, why are you standing alone?"

Luna's breath caught in her throat. She thought through the sentiment and turned to answer, but she stopped when she saw Skyfall's open wing, gesturing her forward. After a brief pause, she trotted over to join him. 

"Skyfall, may I ask you a question?" Luna asked as she sat with him in the light.

"Shoot."

"You look very familiar, where do I know you from?" Luna asked, eyeing the long scar down his side. She ran her hoof along the scar and smiled deviously. 

Skyfall rolled his eyes and looked at Cadance. "We've been had, she knows who I am."

"You're no fun." Luna pouted. "Wait, Cadance knows?"

Cadance's eyes shot open and she looked at Skyfall. "Luna knows?"

"Luna, Cadance. Cadance, Luna." Skyfall said before getting smacked by them both.

"We already know each other!" They yelled in unison.

"Then let me be more specific." Skyfall chuckled. "Luna, meet my daughter, Anara. Anara, meet Luna, one of my best students."

Luna and Cadance sputtered and muttered to themselves while Skyfall walked to the platform edge as the Ponyville Express screeched to a halt in front of him. He smiled back at them both. "Come along, ladies. We have much to catch up on. Then, we have a holiday to enjoy."

Luna and Cadance looked at each other hesitantly before following Skyfall into a dimly lit cab.





"This is unfair!" Nim cried from a pillar, high up in the foyer.

"No, it's not," Skyfall cooed as he stared at a sad looking Applejack.

"What'd he do?" Applejack asked, snow brushing past her through the open doorway.

"He knows what he did." Skyfall closed his eyes to relish in the sound of Nim fighting his magical bonds. "Now, what can I help you with, Ms. Apple? I do love your company, but tomorrow is Hearth’s Warming Eve, and a storm is about to start raging outside. What makes you trek all the way here through the snow?"

Applejack trotted indoors, shivering. "I've been thinking about what you said to me the last time we talked."

"Ah yes, motor oil does have the strangest taste, doesn't it?" 

"What?" Applejack asked.

"We didn't talk about drinking motor oil to make you coat more oily?" Skyfall asked, trying to 
remember. "Oh no, you're right. I was talking to ah-choo."

"Ah-choo?"

"Gesundheit." Skyfall said before laughing to himself.

"That was a bad joke and you should feel bad!" Nim called from the ceiling. "And who laughs at their own jokes?"

"Last I checked, chandeliers didn’t talk!" Skyfall barked. "Inko! Corndog!"

Inko's head poked out from the banister and shoved a corndog in Nim's mouth before stuffing three into her own mouth.

"Right, so back to our previous conversation." Skyfall waved Applejack forward as he walked down a back hallway. She followed hesitantly as he descended into the basement and then into a stockroom. He picked up a list and sat down in the corner. "Now, what did you think of my idea?"

Applejack shuffled her hooves. Skyfall's eyes looked up to examine her. Applejack didn't look in his direction, nor did she start talking until he put down his list and gave her all his attention.

Unbeknownst to them, Sif sauntered in just outside of the storeroom and sniffed the air. "Where is that bone?"

She walked around sniffing until she reached a closed door. Her chewing bone, that she used when she was in her normal form, went missing so often she swore it was playing hide and seek. Her ears picked up rustling in the storeroom accompanied by hushed voices.

"Applejack, it's just you and me down here. No one will hear us." 

"I know, I'm just a little nervous is all."

"Everybody gets nervous when their life changes like your's is about to."

Sif heard Applejack let out a deep sigh. "It's just big for me, y'know?"

"You'd be surprised how often I'm told that."

Sif tried not to make any noise as she listened closer. 'What are they doing?'

"Well, here it goes."

After a brief moment, Sif heard a grunt and another sigh. "I can't do it!"

"Easy now, Applejack." Sky cooed. "Just start out slow and work yourself up to speed. Logically, this is the best thing for you, even though at first it'll be hard and painful."

Sif backed away from the door, turned around, and tiptoed away as fast as her paws could take her, silently vowing to never repeat what she thought she heard. Back inside the storeroom, however, Sky felt Sif’s presence leaving and he chuckled to himself. Applejack raised an eyebrow as she tapped a hoof, waiting for Skyfall to stop giggling like an idiot.

"I talked to Granny Smith about hiring on extra help, but she's been fighting me on it." Applejack said. "Like you said, It would be hard and painful at first to hire them, especially financially, but in the end it could help."

Skyfall nodded. "Don't worry about finances, that I can cover. You just have to convince Granny Smith."

"I can't ask you to pay for my stuff, Skyfall. It just ain't in our nature."

Skyfall rolled his eyes. "Call it an investment and the first step on your way to making a business."

Applejack gave a half smirk and nodded. "What about the Clydes?"

"There is an ambassador to the Clydes that will be attending the Grand Galloping Gala." Skyfall wrote down her name on an extra sheet of paper and gave it to Applejack. "Her name is Maddie."

"Maddie?"

"I think it's a nickname." Skyfall reasoned. "I met her on my trip to Canterlot and I will introduce you two. The rest, is in your hooves and completely up to you if you strike a deal."

"All ah need is a shot." Applejack said happily, her drawl escaping for a slight moment. "Oh, another thing. Are you going to the town play tonight?"

"I wasn't planning on it." Skyfall mused. "Why? Did Rainbow Dash ask you to drag me there?"

Applejack chuckled. "She did, but that's not why I'm asking. The foals want you to be there, you missed their class last week and they were let down, so they wanted to wish you happy holidays."

Skyfall brought his hoof up to his chest, feigning injury. "Now I have to go."

"Y'know, you should try and talk to Rainbow." Applejack said. "I know it would make her happy this time of year."

Skyfall gave Applejack an ice cold look that would put the polar ice caps to shame. 

"Just a thought, Sky." Applejack shrugged. "I know she can be a show boater, but she means well."

"The showboating doesn't bother me." Skyfall shook his head. "From what I can gather, she is a mare that knows how to take until she's satisfied. If I chose to date her, which I won't because I'm not interested, she would get her way until she's sick of me then dump me. Likely the instant that I date someone else, she would become an interloper until that relationship is ruined under the guise of 'winning me back' then restart the cycle all over again."

Applejack nodded. "I wish I could tell you I knew her better, but I've seen her do something very similar." Applejack made a circular motion in the air with her hoof. "The whole, going back and forth, thing."

"I've been nice thus far, but there is only one pony I'd be interested in." Skyfall sighed as he stood.

"So there is somepony out there for you?" Applejack teased.

Skyfall stopped and thought about what he said before sputtering. "I'm not interested. Come, I'll walk you to the door."

Applejack giggled as she bumped into Skyfall as he made his way to the door. A short, quiet walk later, a loud crash was heard from the kitchen. Skyfall grumbled, "I better make sure they aren't destroying my house."

Skyfall slumped his way to the kitchen and sighed when he saw Luna and Cadance trying in vain to clean the destroyed kitchen. He heard Applejack snickering behind him. "Looks like we're having Chinese for the holidays."

Luna smiled nervously. "We can try again."

"No, it's fine." Skyfall side stepped to avoid a falling pancake. "There's a play I think we should see tonight."

Cadance scowled. "It better not be the one about the three pony tribes."

"It is."

Cadance threw a salt shaker which narrowly missed Skyfall's head. "I asked you if you wanted to go two weeks ago and you said no."

"Something came up." Skyfall placated.

Cadance looked past her father to see Applejack smiling nervously behind him. "A-Are you going on a date!"

Skyfall opened his mouth and paused. He looked back at Applejack shaking her head before smiling. "Yes."

Luna started to chuckle, knowing Skyfall's sense of humor. But unfortunately, Cadance and Applejack didn't. 

"What!" Cadance and Applejack shrieked.

"Oh calm down you two." Skyfall trotted past his awestruck daughter who had been staring daggers at Applejack to get his coffee. "To be frank with everyone-"

"I thought your name was Skyfall." Luna giggled.

Skyfall chuckled at Luna's joke. "To be honest with everyone, I want to avoid being caught under mistletoe and if I'm seen there with Applejack, then ponies will be too intimidated to try and kiss me."

"Hey, I'm not intimidating!" Applejack called. "Why not one of the Princesses, or Sif?"

"Sif hates plays and if I went with a Princess then it would cause rumors to surface. Especially rumors that would prove to be extremely unflattering to all involved." Skyfall reasoned. "Plus, if you go with me, then ponies will think two equestrian heroes are dating. Instant publicity for any up and coming business."

Applejack huffed and mumbled to herself. "That's dirty."

"Business usually is, Applejack." Skyfall said as he grabbed his scarf off a nearby hook. "It's just another game that you need to learn how to play."

"If you say so." Applejack grumbled as he strode to the door. He stopped and looked to the kitchen. "Are you two coming?"

Cadance was giggling from something Luna had whispered to her. "N-No, you two love birds go and have a nice night. Luna wants to tell me a funny story about an obsessed dragon pony."

Skyfall glared at Luna, knowing full well that she was telling Cadance embarrassing stories about him. "Have fun."

As Skyfall closed the door behind Applejack, he could hear boisterous laughter from the kitchen. 

"They seem happy." Applejack said as she shivered.

Skyfall trotted back inside and grabbed a blue scarf and tried to gave it to Applejack as he exited his house once more. She shook her head, but Skyfall kept his hoof outstretched. 

"You don't have your hat, you'll freeze if you don't take it." Skyfall rolled his eyes and wrapped Applejack in the scarf, not tolerating her polite denial when she was clearly freezing. "You earth ponies are always so stubborn."

Applejack followed Sky as he started walking into the darkness. She started to mumble, but finally choked out her thanks for the thick scarf.

Skyfall and Applejack walked for a while in silence. The snow storm had stopped beating the countryside long enough to allow for ponies to walk unhindered.

Applejack refused to look at her farm as they passed and even went as far as to put Skyfall between her and her farm.

"Something wrong, Applejack?"

Applejack shook her head and huffed.

'Like pulling teeth.' Skyfall thought as he glanced to see a waving Granny Smith from the Apple family porch, a sentiment that he returned. "Applejack, does this have to do with Big Mac leaving Ponyville?"

Applejack stopped in her tracks and glared at Skyfall. "How did you know that?"

"It was obvious when I talked to him." Skyfall lied, in reality, Sif had briefed him on their arrival hours before Applejack's surprise visit to his home stead.

Applejack's mouth opened and closed a few times. "Granny Smith told me last week that he moved away to start his own family."

Skyfall saw Applejack's sadness. "Is starting his own family so bad?"

Applejack huffed and stomped past Skyfall, but she found out that unlike most ponies, he wouldn't let her simply walk away. Applejack felt a pair of hooves drag her into a hug. "Let me go."

"No, you stubborn mare." Skyfall cooed. "Answer my question."

Applejack looked up and she shied away from Skyfall's piercing golden eyes. "What was yer question?"

Skyfall sighed. "Is starting his own family so bad?"

Applejack huffed again. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because."

"AJ." Skyfall's voice reverberated through his chest and into Applejack.

"I want Big Mac to be here and happy like he used to be." Applejack said coldly. "He's in love with a Griffon for a year and now he's moved away with her."

"So you knew they were dating?"

"Of course I did." Applejack chuckled darkly. "I was just in denial."

"I would ask you if you're biased against Big Mac dating a Griffon, but that would end up being rhetorical." Skyfall call out Applejack's aversion to other species shocked Applejack. "I think your real problem is that you feel that you're losing more of your family."

Applejack's breath caught in her throat.

"I won't force you to come to terms with anything Applejack, but I will leave you with a thought." Skyfall set Applejack down delicately. "Big Mac is starting a family and the way I see it, he's growing your family. In the end, is that a bad thing?"

Applejack sighed, but Skyfall cut off any thought she had. 

"Any thoughts you have are yours, Applejack. Unless you involve me, I won't get involved with your family." Skyfall turned and began walking before turning back to her. "Well, other than to give you some helpful advice."

Applejack looked at her house to see Granny Smith hoof pumping in her direction. She snickered and trotted to catch up with Skyfall. "So have you ever seen the Pony tribe story?"

Skyfall thought about it and gave a hearty laugh. "Yeah, you could say I was really involved with it."

"You're a weird stallion, Skyfall." Applejack shook her head and sauntered next to Skyfall. "So do you have any tips for starting a business?"

Skyfall glanced down and laughed quietly. 

For the rest of the walk, Skyfall and Applejack talked about what was necessary to start a business and how to avoid many of the holes that companies find themselves in that would lead to stagnation.

Applejack grew quiet when they entered Ponyville. Her mind was fogged by everything Skyfall had told her, she didn't deny herself that it eased her worries to know that someone was helping her, but nonetheless it was still a lot to take in.

"Skyfall! Darling." Rarity called from her shop as they passed. "Oh and Applejack, what are you two doing?"

"We're going to the play." Skyfall answered. "Are you going?"

Rarity nodded. "Why, yes. I was heading over to Sugarcube Corner to meet up with the others before going. You should come."

"Well hello to you too, Rarity." Applejack grumbled.

"I said hi." Rarity defended. 

"Uh huh." Applejack mumbled as she adjusted her scarf.

Rarity gasped. "Applejack, where did you get the scarf? You never let me make you scarves!"

"Sky gave it to me." Applejack pointed to the waving stallion above her.

Rarity looked between the two ponies and ran her hoof through her mane. "Well, it's a nice gesture between friends."

Applejack raised her brow. "Right. Anyway, come along Skyfall, we gotta find my sister and the others."

Skyfall followed Applejack as she started to walk away from Rarity, obviously a little upset with her.

"Gotta love the holidays." Skyfall sighed.

"Sorry about that, Sky." Applejack said. "Rarity's always like that. I know she's been waiting to ask you to the Grand Galloping Gala, but now that you're going with me she will be very upset."

"Eh, just another ball with ponies talking about inconsequential stuff." Skyfall replied as he walked next to Applejack. He waved at a few ponies as he passed. "Heh, ponies here seem to like me more."

Applejack nodded. "You’re a well known pony after you tried to stop that ship from leaving Canterlot."

Skyfall chewed his lip. He expected the press to take notice, but not so much so that ponies would recognize him instantly as being a hero. 'Insignificant setback.'

"We're here." Applejack announced as she sat before Sugarcube Corner's steps. They could hear laughter and light music on the inside. "You first, hero."

Skyfall bit Applejack as he passed. "Very funny, AJ."

When Skyfall opened the door, he jostled the small bell that tore everyone's attention to the front. He expected a mixed reaction, but Skyfall smiled at everyone's individual greeting that ranged from a wave to actually saying his name. "Hi everyone."

Captain Fury sat at a table with two earth mares, a turquoise one that was rested on his shoulder and younger white one that sat a few feet away reading a book. He held up a tankard and laughed. "You've been caught, Skyfall."

A few of Sky's guards had been there and started to call their captain out.

"What are you talking about?" Sky asked, but Applejack poked him and pointed up.

"Mistletoe, there, hotshot." Applejack chuckled, pointing up.

"Don't wuss out!" Nimbus half called from behind the counter, seemingly engrossed in a conversation with Mr. Cake.

Skyfall's hesitance earned the attention of the bakery.

"You ain't gotta, Skyfall it's just a silly traditi-mmph" Applejack's sentence was interrupted with a sudden kiss. Her eyes shot open before she slowly deadened her expression to annoyance. When they broke away, many ponies had been cheering, except a shy Pegasus in the back that started to fumble with her hooves.

"Sorry about that." Skyfall shrugged. 

"It's okay, not my first rodeo." Applejack said as she looked at the fumbling Pegasus. "Just didn't expect you to actually be one for tradition."

Skyfall smiled. “Well, had to shut the bakery up somehow.”

Twilight trotted over and ignored Skyfall's wave. "Applejack, can I talk to you?"

"S-Sure, about what?" 

Twilight grimaced. "About a certain yellow Pegasus."

Applejack closed her eyes and sighed. "She's here?"

"Yeah... " Twilight's expression said volumes about what she thought about their little show. “I know you know she is.”

"I gotta go, Sky." Applejack stood and started to walk. 

"Do what you gotta do, AJ."

Twilight snapped back at the use Applejack's nickname before turning to her. "What's that about?"

Applejack mumbled and left with Twilight, leaving Skyfall alone. He looked around and saw Fury waving at him. He trotted over and sat down. 

"Fury, happy holidays." 

"And to you too." Fury smirked. "I wanted you to meet my family. This is Breezy, my wife. And that filly over there is Pride. Girls, this is Skyfall, he recently put himself in the way of some very dangerous Spirits."

Breezy took Skyfall's hoof and shook it. "We've heard a lot about you, I hope Fury hasn't been too much trouble."

"No more than usual." Skyfall chuckled. He saw that Fury's daughter had turned away from them when her father introduced her. "So what brings you guys to Ponyville?"

"Fury's job. The Princess said that it would be better for us to live here while he's here to ease his mind." Breezy smiled sweetly, her soft voice was worlds away from Fury's usual sharp speech.

"Too much info, hunny." Fury said as he took a sip of his mead.

"Oh, sorry." Breezy sat up straight and placed her hooves in her lap, delicately, before she started to run her hoof over her chestnut mane that laid in a braid over her turquoise coat.

"Pride." 

The small white mare shrunk down from her father's voice. "Y-Yes, daddy?"

"Greet my friend."

Pride closed her book and turned around to look at Skyfall, she paused when their eyes met, but bowed soon after. "It is nice to meet you, Sir Skyfall."

Skyfall returned her bow. "And I, you, Pride. If I might ask, what are you reading?"

Pride reached over and grabbed the book that had been bombarded with bookmarks. "It's a new book mom got me for Hearth's Warming. Daring Do and the False Effigy."

"I haven't read it, yet." Skyfall replied. "I imagine it's quite good."

"Oh yeah." Pride bowed again before trotting away to read her book.

"Ready for the play?" Pinkie Pie cheered as she darted out of the room and towards Ponyville's event hall.

Applejack walked up and tapped Skyfall on the shoulder.

"Hey, Applejack." Skyfall double took Applejack's face and turned to her after her sad expression registered with him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing you had control over." Applejack sighed. "Let's go meet your fans before the play starts."

Skyfall nodded and looked over to see Twilight talking with Fluttershy who seemed to be trying to leave out the back. But before Sky could saw or do anything, Fury wrapped his hoof over his shoulder and dragged him out the door. "Let's go see get us a good seat, Captain."

"R-Right."

As Skyfall was brought to the events hall, he heard the voice of Apple Bloom calling to him. "Guys, look! It's our regal sacrifice!"

Skyfall smirked. "So I'm regal, now?"

The rest of the foals looked up and over to Skyfall as he approached. They stood and trotted over to him and crashed at his hooves before giving him their own special holiday greetings.

"They missed you and your class." Cheerilee commented from a nearby chair.  She walked over to Skyfall and hugged him. "And I missed the weekly break from teaching."

"Well, everything starts back up the day after Hearth's Warming." Skyfall tittered as the class groaned. He looked at them and saw that Scootaloo was a little further away than the others. He felt a tug on his scarf and looked down.

Button Mash had his scarf in his mouth, he dropped it and looked up. "Mr. Skyfall, can I ask you something?"

Skyfall brought his head down. "What is it?"

Button's voice cracked and he waved his hoof. "Um, uh, nevermind."

Skyfall patted his head, causing him to giggle.

"Well, we should go find our seats." Sky said and watched the foals scurry away. He took a few steps to catch up with Scootaloo, he lowered his head once more. "Is there something wrong, Scootaloo?"

"Huh?" Scootaloo jumped a little. "N-No, nothing."

Scootaloo looked around for someone and visually slumped after giving up. 

"Doesn't look like nothing." Skyfall proclaimed.

Scootaloo sighed. "My dad went to Canterlot a few days ago and said he would be back 'whenever.' I was hoping he would be home by now, 'cause the fridge is getting empty again."

The lights started to dim in the event hall. Sky tapped his chin. "Do you know what my friend River looks like?"

"Yes?" Scootaloo asked.

"Go tell her what you told me and tell her that you'll be eating at my place tonight." Skyfall smiled. "Tell her I'm going to teach you how to make real food."

"I can't, Mr. Skyfall." Scootaloo shook her head and tried to back away only to find that Skyfall's wing was stopping her from doing so. 

"I insist. Now go, demand your kingdom from River." Skyfall joked. "Listen to teacher."

Scootaloo giggled and trotted away.

Skyfall smiled and took his seat, preparing himself for a hilarious retelling of Hearth’s Warming.





"That was horrible."

"It wasn't that bad." Applejack tried not to laugh at Skyfall's over the top reaction.

"That is so off base to what actually happened it's like calling a watermelon a grape." Skyfall smacked his head a few times before slumping in the park bench he and Applejack had taken up residence on. "Applejack?"

"Yeah?"

"Earlier, when we kissed." Skyfall's sentence made Applejack tense up. "Fluttershy saw it, didn't she?"

Applejack wore a sad smile. "Yeah, she did."

"Do you know where she went?" Skyfall asked, not wanting Fluttershy's night to end the way it was about to.

The cold and silence that hung in the air between Skyfall and Applejack felt horrible.

"Applejack, what's wrong?" 

Applejack winced and slowly looked at her companion. She ran her hoof over her scarf. "Nothing, I was just thinking about earlier. Fluttershy went home half way during the show."

Skyfall closed his eyes and sighed, a thick breath of steam spread through the air.

"You really like her don't you?"

Skyfall's eyes shot open. "Huh?"

"You heard me." Applejack chuckled.

'Do I?' Skyfall paused and felt a weight on his chest that he had not felt in a long time. "Applejack, like I told you earlier. I'm not interested in a relationship."

"Because you think that the pain of eventually losing them will be too much to take?" Applejack asked.

"A pain we both know, I’m guessing." Skyfall countered.

Applejack's eyes turned themselves downward. 

"I don't want to bring anyone into my life. Things get too crazy and I can't do it all." Skyfall placed his hoof on Applejack's.

"Doesn't mean you should live life alone." Applejack closed her eyes. "Yer a good stallion and you should at least think about it. Either way..."

"Either way?"

Applejack cursed herself. "I shouldn't be telling you this, but Fluttershy likes you."

Skyfall nodded. "I know."

"You knew?" Applejack asked, a little in shock. “And you kissed me? What kind of stallion are you? What’s wrong with you?”

Skyfall placed his hoof on Applejack’s cheek to silence her. "I didn't want to give her false hope."

Skyfall felt someone entering his forest that should not be. "Speaking of which, I should go find her to apologize."

When Skyfall stood, Applejack reached up and grabbed his scarf. "Sky?"

Sky looked down. "Yes?"

"N-Nothin.'" Applejack muttered. "Make sure she's okay when you leave."





A heavy sadness sat on Fluttershy's chest as she sat by the window, nursing a hot cocoa that has long since lost any of its warmth. Many of her animals were hibernating and were not around to see her in this delicate state.

As Fluttershy rubbed her eyes as she looked outside. An enormous body of white walked out of the forest and cantered for a few feet before reentering. 

"W-Wait." Fluttershy said to herself as she put on her striped cap and flew out the door and into the forest without thinking.

"Wait, come back!" Fluttershy tried to chase the wolf as it ran faster and faster into the shadows of the forest. The cold air hurt her throat as she tried to breath to keep up her flying pace.

The wolf disappeared as Fluttershy entered a small clearing in the forest. She looked around desperately, trying to find any tracks in the snow and screamed when she couldn't find any. Fluttershy landed and started to sniffle. 

The sounds of heavy stomps through the snow approached from behind Fluttershy, but for once in her life she didn't care enough to look. Instead, she laid down and started to cry. Before she knew it, Fluttershy felt a wing fall over her body and the warmth of a pony sitting next to her. 

"What are you doing out here?"

Fluttershy shot up. "Skyfall!"

Sky kept his wing over the mare as she tried to rise.

"I..."

"It's okay, Fluttershy." Skyfall said as he looked up to the moon. "I know you saw a wolf, you probably wanted to meet Shattered Skies."

Fluttershy nodded. "Please don't tell the others."

"I won't, but you know this is dangerous. I warned you once, why did you not heed my word?"

Fluttershy winced. "It isn't that, I just..."

Skyfall looked down at the Pegasus as she shied away. He curled his wing under her and brought her closer. "When will we be honest with each other?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "I never wanted to bother you."

Sky shook his head before nuzzling Fluttershy. "Please don't, you've never been a bother to me. Now, what has you so upset?"

Fluttershy took a deep, shaky breath. She tried to summon any courage that she could, but ultimately failed.

Skyfall sighed. "You saw me and Applejack kiss under the mistletoe?"

Fluttershy nodded. 

"You didn't like it?"

Fluttershy hide behind her mane and shook her head. "N-No."

"You know that mistletoe is a tradition thing, right?" Skyfall cooed.

"Twilight told me it was created in Maredonia by a king's advisor." Fluttershy replied. "I trust Twilight, so I understand why it happened."

"It was actually a festival tradition, but that's besides the point." Skyfall tittered. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Fluttershy shook her head. "It isn't my place to tell you not to kiss other ponies."

A soft crackling was heard behind them and when Fluttershy looked up, she saw a small tree peeking up from the snow and stretching up and over the both of them. At the end of its only branch was a small bush at the end. 

"Mistletoe?" Fluttershy looked back at Skyfall and felt her heart pounding as he drew closer. "B-But, Skyfall. What about..."

Fluttershy's face turned a little redder as their lips touched. She closed her eyes to enjoy the kiss.

As they slowly broke away, Skyfall hummed to himself. "Honey?"

"Yes?" Fluttershy replied before shaking her head. "I mean, yes I use honey-flavored toothpaste."

Skyfall chuckled. "Nice."

Fluttershy looked nervous as she played with her hooves. She leaned into Skyfall and giggled up at him. "Um, so what do we do now?"

Skyfall looked at the moon again and ran his wing up Fluttershy’s side. "Want to go back to my place?"

"S-Skyfall!" Fluttershy's eyes shot open in surprise.

"For food?" 

Fluttershy started breathing again in relief. "O-Oh, yes, that would be nice."





Thirty feet away in the forest.





"So did it work?" Cadance and Luna asked Sif as she peeked out from behind the tree.

"Oh yeah." Sif mumbled.

"Finally." Cadance sighed. "It's felt like years since I agreed to help Fluttershy."

"You know if it goes that far, she might be your new mom." Luna stated and looked at Cadance giving a shrug. "Just reminding."

"I know, but as long as my father is happy. Speaking of which, I should go home and make cocoa!" Cadance chirped as she teleported away.

Luna smiled and her horn lit up as well until Sif chomped her jaws at her. "What is it Lady Sif? Are you not happy with how tonight's events turned out?"

Sif sat against a tree. "Not in the slightest."

"Do you not like Fluttershy?"

"I like Fluttershy." Sif said. "It's nothing, forget it."

"You forget, Sif. I've known you for most of my life." Luna trotted over and sat next to the large wolf. "Please, tell me what's wrong."

Sif sighed. "Do you know of any Spirit named Psalm?"

Luna shook her head. "I can't say that I do."

"Neither do I." Sif growled. "She said her sister will be along soon to see Shattered Skies."

"What does that mean?" Luna whispered as she watched Fluttershy and Skyfall enter the forest to walk to Skyfall's homestead.

Sif sighed. "I don't know, but either way, it sounds like trouble."

> Chapter 26 -The Third Shadow-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-The Third Shadow-



"You must find a way to me."

Those words circled Skyfall's mind over and over as he sipped his coffee. The holidays were over and life had finally reverted to its usual tedium. 

Farhaven continued to grow unchecked as more citizens arrived to start a new life for themselves. The other Spirits held meetings whenever Skies was around to address future problems and current debacles that needed his stamp of approval. Recently, more Spirits joined his cause in forging a new kingdom. Eternal Song, one of the muses of music, came to Farhaven with interesting news regarding a mirror to a world of humans. Unfortunately, the mirror sat deep in Twilight's castle.

Skyfall rubbed his eyes wearily. 'What's my next move?'

Skyfall's mind was so cluttered with the events of the past few days, he had forgotten that he was in the middle of an activity he enjoyed.

"Mr. Skyfall?"

Skyfall looked down to see Diamond Tiara jostling him from his introspection. "I'm sorry, class. I was just lost in thought."

"Everything okay?" Cheerilee asked as she helped Dinky's small group with their map assignment.

"Yeah." Skyfall set his mug down and looked at the large, holographic map that filled the center of the room. "Pause, class."

The class groaned and looked up. "The territories of..." Skyfall paused to look at his kingdom and Cheerilee's kingdom. "'Black Forest' and 'Flower Foal' have entered a full blown war, and you will not be able to cross their borders unless you want to join into said war."

A mix of groans and huffs filled the room as Skyfall sent in multiple units of airships to take one of Cheerilee's main cities.

"Hey, no fair!" Cheerilee shouted as she tried in vain to ramp up production.

Sif walked into the room and past the foals. She chuckled when she saw each group take on their individual situations. Sif cantered up to Skyfall, looked over his shoulder and leaned on his back. "How's your class?"

"It's fine." Skyfall replied as he looked down at the master copy that lit up a hologram of the world onto the floor. He had the only copy that had the fog of war removed from it so he could monitor how each group was doing. "These enchanted maps were a little pricey, but worth it."

Sif looked over each of Skyfall's resources and his statistics. "You gave yourself a bonus of two full-grown cities on each continent?"

Skyfall nodded and leaned toward Sif so that only she would hear. "Yes, In this game, I want them to learn to work together to defeat me. I'm their common evil."

"But will they see you that way?" Sif mused.

Sky watched as Diamond Tiara moved her units toward a city Skyfall had affectionately named 'Wonderland' before moving in stronger units in to cut off her escape route.

"That's mean." Sif chuckled.

"Reconnaissance is important." Skyfall said as his units exited their fog of war to attack, leaving Diamond Tiara to gasp on the other side of the room.

With a swift swipe, Skyfall paused all of the simulations at once. The class let out a collective moan of disappointment because that meant their lesson was over. The foals rose in their own time and made their way over to Skyfall's pillow.

"What did you all learn today?" Skyfall enjoyed learning by self-discovery. Books and worksheets were, at times, sufficient, but he believed true learning happens when one applies themself in something they’re vested in.

Diamond Tiara shot her hoof up.

"Yes, Diamond?"

"I learned that it's unfair for the teacher to have more of everything." Diamond mumbled to the laughter and stomping of her classmates.

Letting out a soft laugh, Skyfall nodded. "That is true. I take it you overheard Sif and I’s conversation?"

Tiara nodded angrily. Her classmates looked back and forth, perplexed as to what was going on.

"To brief the rest of you." Skyfall brought over his coffee and sipped it. "The game has been skewed from the start. For the past few weeks, I've had an advantage over you."

"That ain't fair!" Apple Bloom challenged.

"You're right." Skyfall cooed.

"Then why did you do it?" Cheerilee asked. "You took two of my settlements!"

Skyfall nursed his coffee and leaned to one side of the large, blue chair. "If a fly flies into a spider web, is it fair?"

The class had grown used to Skyfall's rhetorical questions over the past few months. After a while, whenever he asked a question like this they would sit back and think about it.

"But isn’t this a game?" Buttons asked. "Games are supposed to be fair."

"Games, yes. But remember what I said when we started? This is a simulation. Yes it has all the making of a nice game, but treat it as if your group was actually running a nation." Skyfall replied softly. "From what I see on my side, each of you are still in a decent spot and only one of you came close to collapsing. I urge you to rethink your strategies on your free time and during the next session you might have a little luck."

The class smiled and waved at Skyfall while Cheerilee shuffled them out. Scootaloo, however, stayed behind.

"Is there something I can help you with, Scootaloo?"

Scootaloo opened and closed her mouth a few times before finally choking out her response. "I'm having trouble flying."

"Oh?" Skyfall's curiosity was piqued.

"I was wondering if you'd teach me." Scootaloo muttered.

"Let me guess, River put you up to this?"

Scootaloo nodded slowly as she looked at the ground, unable to look at Skyfall in the eye. 

"When did she figure it out, or did you tell her?" 

Scootaloo's eyes widened and she craned her neck up to see Skyfall beaming down at her. "You knew?"

"Yes, from that time with the Timberwolves when I saw the surgical scar under your wing-"

"But-"

"-next to a bruise shaped like a stallion's hoof." Skyfall stated firmly.

Scootaloo sat down slowly and curled her tail next to her body. She tightened her wings to her sides and stared at the polished wooden floor.

Skyfall let the silence drag on for a few minutes. He glanced out the window and old memories flushed into his mind of an abusive father striking him so he wouldn't go after his siblings. The memories were old and faded and the faces were nothing but shadows, but that didn't dull their significance to Skyfall.

"You're not alone." Skyfall said, shocking Scootaloo, causing her to look up at him.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll try to not make assumptions about your home life, but I can tell when someone is being mistreated. That's why you sleep in that clubhouse of yours, isn't it?"

The look on Scootaloo's face was all the answer Skyfall needed. "You can tell me when you're ready, I won't force you."

Scootaloo visibly relaxed.

"But you won't be staying in that clubhouse another night. After we're done, Sif will escort you to the clubhouse to get your things and you will stay at a friend’s house until this is dealt with."

Scootaloo started to shake her head. "But if my dad finds out, he'll-"

"He'll do nothing." Skyfall boomed as he stood, cementing his word as law. He had a soft spot for orphans and he knew it. "As for your flying lessons, let’s head downstairs and have lunch. You can tell me about everything you've tried so far. Would you like that? I can make a mean omelette," Skyfall tempted.

Scootaloo nodded happily.

As the two began their trek downstairs, Skyfall stopped in his tracks and groaned.

"Something wrong, Mr. Skyfall?"

Skyfall craned his neck down. "Go and tell River that I’m letting you stay here tonight. I forgot I had a business meeting I need to attend. It shouldn't be too long, just give me about an hour."

Scootaloo looked up at him with puppy eyes, causing Sky to feign weakness.

"Agh, with the eyes. Fine. Pizza later?"

"If you insist!" Scootaloo giggled as she scurried away. 

Skyfall felt Sif staring at him. "Yes?"

"You're playing a dangerous game, Sky." Sif growled. "The more ponies you bring into this house, the easier it will be for you to be discovered. This isn't an era that is kind to creatures like us. If we're allowed to live, we wouldn't even get the luxury of a prison cell. We'd be thrown into Tartarus, and not the comfy crystal cells either. No, we'd go into that dark expansive waste. Or worse, we would disappear into that mirror Celestia has. Every Spirit that went there has never been heard from again."

Skyfall chuckled.

"What’s so funny?" Sif asked. "This is serious!"

"An old friend of ours has returned from Zebrica with some news regarding that very same mirror." Skyfall said. "Apparently she made a friend in Canterlot with some inside information."

"Finally, a breakthrough." Sif turned and walked outside. "The sooner I hear this, the better I'll feel."

Skyfall chuckled and followed Sif out into the snow and down a set of stairs. 





"As the representative of the Diamond Dogs, we are extremely hesitant to allow trade between ourselves and ponies." A tall Diamond Dog named Undertow said as he glanced up from a list. "Which is why we're asking for the guidance of a Spirit."

"Um, I don't know. Fight to the death or something." Storm Front mumbled as he sat in for Shattered Skies. 

Suddenly, murmuring started to grow louder as the trees outside creaked before a large white wolf leapt out from them, followed shortly by Shattered Skies.

"Aha, I withdraw my judgement and leave it to the Spirit of the forest." Storm clapped his hooves and teleported over the crowd and right in front of Skies in a flash of lightning.

"Morning, Storm." Skies took a step back. "Personal space, dude."

Storm Front grumbled. "This is the last time you're sticking me with court duty."

"I had a class to teach." Skies chuckled as he walked past the seething Storm Spirit and into the remodeled grand hall. One by one, different creatures started to bow, offering their own greeting to the Forest Spirit. The grand hall had been made to be more welcoming than the old dreary one. Statues of Spirits and long tapestries lined the walls with roaring fires on each side to warm the guests as each case was heard. All aesthetic cues pointed towards the throne that sat before tall, wide windows.

Skies sauntered up to the throne of the great hall. He looked at it and silently admired the craftsmanship of it. It was a large, white, stone seat surrounded by sculpted gold and obsidian flames with bowls of lit incense on either side of the throne. With a long inhale, Skies sat and looked out to the crowd.

"I apologize for my absence. Certain events required my attention. Now that I have returned, I will hear your requests." Skies voice echoed off the roots that grew up the walls and along the statues. "Quiet. What is the first order of business?"

"Trade dispute, my lord." Quiet barked.

Undertow raised from his bow to balance on his knee. "My lord. I requested a Spirit's judgement regarding trade with pony kind."

"Normal ponies?" 

"Yes, a new pony from Ponyville has arrived, my lord. We aren't sure how to go about it."

Skies tapped his chin. "I thought you meant the undead. Speaking of which, I still haven't spoken to Death about their predicament." He glanced at the Diamond Dog and magicked the list away from him and up to Skies' eyes. "What is the pony's name?"

"Big Macintosh." Quiet answered.

Skies raised his head to look out into the large hall. "Is Big Macintosh in this court?"

"I'm right here." Big Mac raised his hoof and walked forward, past many of Farhaven's citizens who were shooting him wary looks. "I came to request a building permit."

Skies willed the vines holding large curtains open to move them closed to give them privacy, per his court procedure. 

"Since your business is the same, I'll rule both cases at the same time. Got that, Smiles?" Skies glanced over at the Changeling who gave him a quiet smile. She had taken to court work happily when Skies approached her small hive for a being that could copy down what he commanded and translate it onto scrolls to act as official decrees.

Shattered Skies smirked at Big Mac. "I see that you took my offer to move here."

Big Mac nodded. "Gilda and I decided to start anew. Hasn't been easy."

"Nothing of this scale ever is." Skies replied. "Hopefully, in time, the citizens of Farhaven will be less distrusting of ponies and more accepting of creatures no matter what form they take."

Big Mac nodded. "I understand their hesitation."

Skies read the Diamond Dog's list. "I see Big Mac has offered you twenty bits for every ten feet of stone."

"He has."

"The problem?" Skies asked.

"He doesn't have any bits." Undertow tried to keep his anger in check. "He said that he hasn't gotten work yet, and that when he does, he'll pay. But we don't know if we can trust him."

Skies nodded. The Diamond Dog's reasoning was justifiable. "And you, Big Mac? What is your response?"

"Just that." Big Mac said. "I tried to explain that I would pay them back, and when they turned me away, I gathered wood to make the floor, but I was told I might need a building permit for that."

Skies rubbed the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "Farhaven isn’t developed enough to require building permits. Who told you that?"

Big Mac pointed at Undertow, who looked away angrily.

"Undertow, if I'm not mistaken, your clan has been building beautiful stone homes for the citizens of Farhaven." Shattered Skies glanced out the window to see the budding city of Farhaven. "And for free, I might add."

"We have." Undertow tried to remain confident in front of Farhaven's lord.

"Then why are you not only excluding Mr. Apple, but trying to hassle him about his lack of funds?"

Undertow stuttered and tried to speak, but Skies held up a hoof. "That was a rhetorical question. Don't dig yourself a deeper hole by answering it."

Shattered's eyes started to glow brighter. "Undertow, do you trust my judgement?"

The Diamond Dog sank further onto his knee. "Yes, my lord."

"I personally asked Big Mac to come to Farhaven. He needed a second chance in life just as much as the rest of you. Many ponies do, so try not to be as quick to judge as they were with your kind." Skies magicked a vine under his head and brought it up. "We must be twice as righteous if we are to succeed, and that will require that we all understand each other." Skies said as he brought Big Mac and Undertow their royal decrees via vine.

"Take this and let it serve as my decision. Undertow, I ask that you treat Big Mac and his wife as one of us and build him a house worthy of Farhaven. Big Mac I ask that when you can, contribute to our society in whatever way possible."

Both beings bowed before Skies and walked away from the smiling Forest Spirit.

Shattered Skies looked around for prying eyes and brought his hoof to his chest. A bright light emanated from his hoof as he brought the Sunset Effigy out from himself. 'What's my next step?'

Suddenly an incense stick set ablaze and turned entirely to ash.

"If I've been summoned, I must leave." Skies thought aloud as he magicked the curtains open. "Any more cases, Quiet?"

"Nothing pressing, my lord."

Skies nodded. "Then I will be with the council."

"By your word." Quiet bowed as Skies left.

"Good pup, that one." Skies chuckled as he trotted down the winding staircase to the basement where Luna sat. She had been talking to River and Akia while Sif had been issuing orders to her kin.

"Didn't miss anything, did I?" Skies asked.

Akia waved. "Hi, Skies! Nope, we're just catching up with Luna and hearing about your little love connection."

"Interesting." Skies mused. "Didn't know Luna cared."

Luna giggled and shied away from Skies’ attempts to hug her. 

Shattered Skies sat and stretched. "Did you ask Luna about the mirror?"

Akia shook her head. "I thought it best if you were here to hear it."

Eternal Song was a muse of the musical arts. She was a doe with tribal markings patterned over her front half. She had two thick horns with a long, scaly tail that whipped around as she walked. Her orange coat and cyan eyes glimmered when she tried to inspire creatures with the musical arts.

"Well, Eternal Song, now that I'm here, we can be briefed on this mysterious mirror."

Akia scoffed angrily at her Spirit name. “You know I like Akia more, it’s too much to go between the two names.” Her mood flipped back into the sweet mare she usually was. "I met with another muse in Canterlot. She-"

"Wait, a Spirit is in Canterlot?" River asked. "Under Celestia's nose?"

"She works for Celestia." Akia replied. 

The implications of this were grave. River sighed. "If a Spirit works for Celestia then the chances that the information is inaccurate are astronomical."

Skies held up his hoof. "It is also a possibility that she works for Celestia to avoid being sent to Tartarus. I did hear that Celestia offered quite a few lesser Spirits the option of serving her."

Akia nodded. "She accepted and offered her abilities up as payment."

"Which muse?" Skies asked.

"Beloved Myrtle." Akia responded. "I recognized her disguise and pulled her aside. I spent the week with her, and one night at a party, she told me everything when ponies became distracted with a dancing couple."

Skies chuckled, knowing that to be the same party he danced at with Sunset Shimmer. 

"And what did she have to say about the mirror?" River asked.

With a deep sigh, Akia's magic produced a dancing image outlined in smoke before her. "Years ago, Starswirl the Bearded helped Celestia track down and seal the Spirits into a mirrored universe. Starswirl created many portals using mirrors, but once he determined their danger to the fabric between the worlds, he smashed all but a few. The one he used to trap Spirits has the strongest barrier."

"That would explain why none have escaped." Sif mumbled from behind Skies.

"Indeed." River replied.

Akia swirled her hoof, igniting another scene. "Beloved doesn't know what lies on the other side of the mirror, but recently there were two near breaches; one by three siren Spirits and the second by an unknown entity."

"So the mirror is monitored closely?" Shattered mused.

"Yes, it sits in Twilight's castle and a unicorn that has been in the mirror verse for a long time has crossed over. I believe she is here to hunt you." Akia waved her hoof once more, forcing the smokey images away.

"Who do you think it is?" River asked.

"Sunset Shimmer." Skies stated. "She's the only one I can think of that says ‘anyone’ instead of ‘anypony.’"

"Surely that can't be your only clue?" River asked.

"That and she seems out of touch with modern-day Equestria." 

"So what's the plan?" Sif asked.

"Nothing for now." Skies stated as he looked at the giant vault door. "There are a few things that need to be addressed before we go on a crusade of finding and freeing our kin."

"Like what?" Storm Front scolded as he entered the chamber in a thunderous flash of lightning.

"For one." Skies boomed. "We need to get inside that vault. Then we need to establish ourselves as a nation and not as tribal savages that live in a forest. The more beings that come to Farhaven, the easier it will be to fix this mess."

"So we're philanthropists?" Storm tittered.

"Philanthropists, freedom fighters, boogiemen. I don't care what we’re called." Skies placed his hoof against the vault door, igniting it. "The Maker summoned me a few days ago and try as I may, I have been unable to enter her realm. She sent me a warning and so far two enemy Spirits have made themselves known to me."

"You mean Lonely Graves and River's End?" Storm asked.

"What?" River asked. "River's End? Meaning me?"

Storm shook his head. "Likely related. But what I don't understand is that both Lonely Graves and River's End whispered something to you and you have neglected to tell us."

River nodded. "I heard about that as well."

"What aren't you telling us, Skies?" Sif asked. "What did they say?"

Shattered Skies closed his eyes. "I wanted to explore all theories before bringing it to you, but thus far I have only found one viable option."

"What were the two words?" Sif asked.

"Big Brother." 

"That doesn't make any sense." Sif asked.

"After my examinations of the Timberwolf bodies, I have determined the magic that created them is mine, but an extremely corrupted version of it." Skies sighed. "I don't understand it, but somewhere along the line someone must have cloned me to create Lonely Graves at the very least. The others, I'm not so sure about."

"Seems like a Discord thing." Storm mumbled.

"I'm not so sure." Skies said. "If it were him, he'd have tried something more bold by now. No, I would go as far as to say he is purposely avoiding us."

"You think so?" Akia remembered the army Discord sent after them in the last battle before the Alicorn sisters sealed him away. "He seemed dead set on us up until his statue-fication."

"If he is avoiding us." Storm Front said. "Is it because he's afraid of us?"

Shattered shook his head. "Snakes don't avoid mice."

"You still think our power is outmatched?" River asked.

"In all the times I fought against him, he never seemed truly into the fight." Skies said. "At the time, I believed he turned into real evil, but now looking back on it I'm not so sure."

"So our next step?" Sif asked.

"We build up our home." Cadance walked down the steps and up to her father. "Right?"

"Yes, hunny." Skies draped his wing over Cadance.

Akia raised her hoof to question, but River whispered the situation to her causing a squeal of glee that Skies' child was still alive.

"Our next big event is to reveal ourselves at the Grand Galloping Gala. In the meantime, we look for exceptional creatures to further Farhaven's ability to sustain its numbers." Shattered Skies proclaimed. "In time, we will save our friends and hopefully fix this world."

"And the Maker?" Sif asked.

"I will continue to try and reach her. I have yet to speak to Death and if he can't reach her, then we’ll figure something out." Skies looked to Luna. "Now, we need to unlock the first key to this vault."

"Can't." Luna said plainly, making her form shimmer. "This is an illusion. I'm in Canterlot right now."

"Why?" Skies asked.

"Full moon isn't till next week. That's when my power will peak and we'll make real headway on the lock." Luna explained.

"I understand." Skies nodded and clapped his hooves together. "That leaves the loot from the heist."

Cadance rolled her eyes. "I'm still angry at you for that."

Skies kissed the top of her head. "Yes dear, I know. I promised to make you sushi, didn't I?"

Cadance smiled happily.

"Pushover." Everyone said at once before laughing uproariously.

"Yes, yes. I am, I'll admit it." Skies chuckled as he hefted Cadance onto his back. He looked up and winked at Cadance. "Ready to go count some booty?"

"I'm ready for booty." Storm mumbled as he laid down in front of some city plans before Sif sat on his back and started to grind her butt down onto a flailing Storm Front.

"There, you want booty? You got it!"

"Not what I meant!" Storm raged as Skies and Cadance flew up and out of the vault chambers.

Skies continued until he reached a vine that ran through most of the castle. He grabbed Cadance and teleported them outside onto the roof's lawn. No one really visited the high garden besides Skies, he found it had one of the best views of Farhaven. From there, one could see Farhaven in its entirety; homes, businesses, government centers, and even parks.

Skyfall scanned the city and found a large square cut in the ground with tarps over it. It looked like the makings of a museum from its scale. The Good Fortune was tethered down nearby with a ramp leading from its main deck to thick scaffolding nearby.

"That mare wastes no time, does she?" Skies thought out loud as he sat down to discuss Farhaven. "But enough of that, I think it's time to teach you how to support a thriving city.

"Skies!" River barked from the doorway.

"Uh, yeah?" Skies looked back, annoyed since he was in the middle of summoning materials to teach with.

"Emergency meeting." River's body shimmered and melted away into her giant otter form. 

"Concerning?"

"Us and the army at our borders." Streams floated into the air through an invisible current. "Thought you would want to know."

Skies sighed and felt a hoof on his chest. When he looked down, he saw Cadance giving him a very concerned look with tears in her eyes. Cadance shook her head, but Skies smiled down at her, assuring her. 

"They're here for you." Cadance whimpered.

"I know."

"Don't go." Cadance fell onto her father's chest. "Please."

Skies reached forth with his magic and felt the army at the edge of the forest. He chuckled, Celestia had sent a guard platoon lead by Shining Armor and the elements of Harmony. Soon, Twilight's voice started to echo through the forest in an attempt to summon him.

A soft sniffling could be heard from Skies’ chest. He looked down and brushed Cadance's mane to one side. "Don't worry. If ten thousand years of fighting didn't claim me, nothing can."

"Do you promise you'll come back?" Cadance whispered.

"You know, when your mother was pregnant with you, she asked me the same thing."

"She did?"

"Yes. There was a situation brewing near the Crystal Empire and the Princesses asked me to help. Did you know you got your name from their Princess?" Shattered poked Cadance's nose.

"Anara?"

"Yes, that was the name of their Princess when she was disguised." Skies stood and walked with a saddened Cadance. "Princess Amore otherwise. She was there when you were born and was also the first to know about Crystal's pregnancy."

Cadance slowed and poked her father's side. "You don’t talk much about my mom. Why?"

Skies bit his lip, looking for a way around his daughter's question. 

"I know now that she is gone, but I want to know more about her." Cadance pleaded. "I want to know how she lived and what happened to her."

"I can tell you her life story, but the ending is still painful." Skies replied. "You and your mother were both taken from me by King Sombra. I suppose it was fate that put you in the final battle that destroyed him, but it still leaves a mark." Skies ran his hoof over his heart. "A deep mark."

Cadance's mouth hung open slightly. "Sombra isn't dead."

Skies chuckled. "Of course he is, I read how you and the elements vaporized his ghost."

Cadance shook her head. "He came back and a friend of his was able to revive him. He actually won the empire, but his friend was able to talk sense into him, leading to us being able to release him from the Umbrum's grasp. After a change of heart, he saved the Crystal Empire from his own army, Me, Hope, and the other Princesses used our magic to turn him into a real unicorn. He lives in Canterlot with a mare named-"

"-Radiant Hope." Skies murmured.

"Yes, he vowed to search for the missing shards of Princess Amore." Cadance stated, confliction rising in her voice.

Skies fought a scowl that tried to show on his face. "...This is a conversation for another time."

"Are you okay, dad?"

"Yes, I just... " Skies rose once more and continued his walk to the council chambers. "When I find him, I will need you with me. I am not strong enough to see him by myself."

Cadance tripped up on her father's use of words. She had heard him get upset, but the cold rage that tore through the air when he spoke was something new. All she could do was nod in hope of trying to sooth his anger.

"Finally!" Storm called as Skies strode through the door. "It's about... What's wrong with you?"

Sif saw the look on Skies' face and shook her head at Storm, silently telling him to let it go.

"No." Storm challenged. "What's up with you, Rudolph?"

Skies stopped and glared at Storm. "I just found out King Sombra is not only alive, but living a life in Canterlot."

Storm slowly sat back in his chair. He glanced at the rest of the Spirits who started sat straighter in their seats as Skies joined them. "Er, right. Um, so about that army on our borders."

Cadance saw the tactfulness that everyone in the room used towards the news. She sat next to her father when he gestured her forward.

"You're a Spirit and the leader of a nation; you deserve a seat at this table." 

Cadance looked around and saw Storm Front, Flowing Streams, Sif, and one cloaked being with worn wrappings under their hood. She pointed and looked up at her father. "W-Who is that?"

"Hekate." Skies reached under the large, round, map table and rolled a few scroll before him. "Say ‘hello,’ Hekate."

The being slowly rose its arm and waved, the sounds of rags being torn could be heard with every movement.

Cadance waved her hoof nervously, it unnerved her that she was unable to see the Spirit's face. "If I might ask, what are you the Spirit of?"

"Death." Everyone besides Hekate said in unison.

Cadance sat back and gulped. "W-What?"

Sif leaned forward and looked past Skies to a shrinking Cadance. "Cadance, Hekate is the Spirit of the crossroads, she ferries the dead to the other side. She is a being of very few words other than 'leave' or 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.' For the most part she's a good person."

"What's a person?" Cadance asked.

The Spirits around the table slowly looked to Cadance and then to Skies.

"A topic for another time." Skies finished his notes and rolled the scrolls up. "For now, we have our first real issue. That pesky group calling me out."

"I thought it was an army." Streams asked.

"It's a small group of ponies with the Elements of Harmony." Skies corrected. 

"Then let's ignore them!" Streams scoffed. "If they enter the forest, make it so their trail loops back on itself. They'll walk around for hours."

Storm shook his head. "I say we strike. That way they won't think to challenge us in the future."

Streams threw her paw up. "Or it could provoke a stronger response from them the next time, causing a full blown conflict."

Storm growled. "And having them walk in circles will have them coming back again and again!"

Skies turned to Sif who had been listening to an update from one of her scouting pups. She sighed and leaned over to Skies the instant the wolf scurried away. "I just got word that there is no sighting of any additional forces in the area."

"You believe the Princesses are ignorant to the current situation?" Skies asked.

"It would seem so." Sif shrugged.

Skies sat back while Streams and Storm argued. He reached as much as he could without wasting too much of his power. Twilight sat between two trees at the border calling into the forest. He continued until he felt a few familiar ponies; Captain Fury and Lieutenant Desert.

"Storm." Skies called, getting his attention. "Go to the Ponyville guard barracks and summon our guard. The ponies accompanying the Elements are ours. This way you can put Twilight on the defensive for using our soldiers without notification; she's into regulations and this will throw her into a tizzy. Say that I'm out with Cadance, that should give me an alibi."

"Right." Storm shot out of the room on a bolt of lightning.

"Streams, I want you to flood the river by the dam. Nothing crazy, just enough to warrant the guards to evacuate the immediate area. Make sure to play the worried villager when you rush onto the Ponyville guard grounds."

"Gotcha." Streams laughed and turned into River before floating out of the room.

"What about me?" Hekate asked in a ghostly tone.

"Don't touch anything with a pulse." Skies chuckled.

Hekate gave a low rumbling chuckle as she melted through the floor.

"And us?" Sif asked gesturing to herself and Cadance.

Skies threw a hoof up. "Sif, since when do I go places without you at my side?"

"I have a list." Sif mused.

"Well, for this, you'll be with me."

"And me?" Cadance asked.

Skies placed his hoof on Cadance's. "I'm working on your curse hunny. Soon you won't have to hide, but for now, you must."

Cadance nodded understandingly. 

"It's probably best if you go home, that way if someone checks on you, you can cover for me." Skies kissed Cadance's head as she nodded.

With only two beings in the council room, Sif nudged Skies. "Aren't you worried about the Elements?"

Shattered Skies sat back. "A little. They didn't work last time, but there are ways to force a Spirit's power to work. I just hope that Twilight doesn't try it with Harmony."

"Is that why you sent Storm away?"

"Partially." Skies admitted as he rose. 

Sif nodded and looked down at her paw to see a ribbon tied around it to remind her of something. "Oh, on a completely unrelated note. Rainbow Dash means to ask you out."

Skies coughed. "What?"

"Just relaying information." Sif shrugged. "She wants you to go to the Grand Galloping Gala with her."

Skies sighed and glanced over. "That is literally number two on the list of stuff I'd rather not deal with."

Sif chuckled and walked through the chamber doors. 

"And I was going to revel in the heist’s loot today, like full blown maniacal rolling in treasure." Skies whimpered to himself as he melted into a nearby branch. 




One Hour Later




Twilight sat on her haunches, scowling at the forest.

"Come on, Twilight. Everypony else has left except us. I don't think he's coming." Rainbow groaned.

"She has a point there, Twilight." Applejack said.

Pinkie started to vibrate. "Um, girls."

"I think coming here with the guards scared him off." Rarity cooed, trying to ease Twilight's scowl from her face. "I know screaming into a forest for an hour is exhausting. I say we all go to the spa."

Twilight stood and turned around. "You know what? You're right!"

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Twilight, and Fluttershy started to walk, but stopped when they saw Pinkie's ears flush against her head as she stared off into the distance.

"Are you okay, Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy asked.

Pinkie's tail started to gyrate until she grabbed it. "G-Girls, don't look now, but here-tay is a pirit-say ehind-bay ou-yay."

"What?" Twilight asked.

"It's just Pinkie, she says nonsense like this all the time." Rarity rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"What is it, sugarcube?" Applejack trotted up to Pinkie and followed where she was looking. Her ears lowered when she saw what Pinkie did.

"What is this? Charades?" Rainbow asked. "Spit it out!"

"I believe what they're trying to say is that your summons were heard." A deep, booming voice echoed from behind them.

Slowly, the ponies that were facing away from Shattered Skies turned. When their eyes met, they stopped moving. After a long, quiet minute, Skies sighed and sat down.

Twilight and the others backed away slowly, while still maintaining eye contact.

"Really, I'm not going to eat you." Skies tittered.

"Twilight, he can read minds." Rainbow whispered.

Sif laughed from the treeline, having found Rainbow's absurd statement hilarious.

"Hey! You want some, furball?" Rainbow challenged.

Sif grinned, showing her long white teeth. "Gladly."

"Not helping!" Skies called, causing Sif to laugh even more uproariously. He sighed and turned back to Twilight who had been sticking her chest out repeatedly. "What are you doing?"

Twilight kept sticking her chest out. "F-Friendship!"

Skies stared on as the group of ponies tried to look fierce as they all puffed their chests out baring their own Elements. They looked at one another and tried again.

"Okay, Planeteers, calm down." Skies said. "Don't pull a muscle or anything."

Twilight looked at her Element and back to Shattered Skies. "How are you doing this?"

Shattered Skies raised an eyebrow and looked at Sif as she sat next to him.

"They think you're responsible for the conduit's failure." Sif thought aloud. She looked on at the ponies holding a quiet conversation. "It's rude to hold private council before another being."

Rarity opened her mouth to retort, but stopped when Twilight placed her hoof on Rarity's shoulder. 

"No, she's right." Twilight agreed.

"Twilight Sparkle." Shattered Skies called.

"Shattered Skies, I see you've finally answered me." Twilight replied, trying to be diplomatic.

"I apologize, but I was busy."

"Busy with?" Twilight asked.

Skies groaned. "Is there a reason you summoned me?"

Twilight Sparkle took a few deep breaths. "I'm sorry, we're starting off on the wrong hoof. I believe a proper introduction is in order. I am Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship."

Sif looked at Skies, it was no mystery what she was thinking. Trap.

"Before we begin any conversation." Shattered Skies said curtly. "Where are your other Princesses?"

Twilight sputtered for a second. "The Princesses are in Canterlot."

"Do they know you're speaking with me?" Skies asked.

"No." Twilight replied, received many questioning looks from her friends.

"So I could foal-nap you and no one would know?" Skies mused.

"Yes."

"Twilight!" Rarity scolded and shot her hoof up at both Skies and Sif. "This is dangerous. Princess Celestia has forbade us from talking to him without her say so!"

The individual reactions from Twilight's friends made it clear that she made a white lie to get them to show up with her.

"I have to agree, Twilight." Applejack commented to the nods of Rainbow.

Skies looked on at the two quieter members of Twilight's posse; Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. They both stared back at Skies, clearly wanting to say something.

"There are so many questions I have and they can only be answered by him!" Twilight roared as she shook her hoof at the amused forest Spirit.

"I'm an open book, Twilight Sparkle. You have but to ask." Shattered Skies looked around, he felt a presence looming, but couldn't pinpoint what it was. 

"Why does the Princess fear you?" Twilight asked.

The other mares cocked their heads at Twilight’s odd question.

"The Princess isn't afraid of him." Rainbow stated.

Sif chuckled. "She's terrified."

"Sif, stop." Skies commanded. He sighed and looked into Twilight's eyes. He didn't want to have such a serious conversation in an open field, but beggars can't be choosers. "Tia isn't rationally afraid of me."

"So you're saying she's under the influence of something?" Twilight responded aggressively. 

"Very sharp." Skies responded. "I'm glad you picked up on my use of words, top marks."

Twilight fought a smirk as Skies complimented her. 

"If I may, Twilight." Skies pawed the ground in thought. "I wish to ask you questions as well."

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie gave Twilight varying reactions from no to yes. Twilight took a deep breath and nodded. "It's only fair that questions be exchanged."

"Why would you risk your mentor's anger by speaking with me?"

Twilight gave a suppressed laugh. "I don't know."

Skies focused on the gem that sat on Twilight's chest. The Element of Harmony glimmered slightly, causing Skies to smile. 

"I want to know what controls the Princess to make her that angry. Whenever the slightest mention of you comes up, she starts to frown and she becomes short with everypony." Twilight got quieter as she spoke.

"In truth." Skies cooed. "I don't know what ails Celestia, but I suspect it is something that has been around for a long time."

Skies shook his fur to throw some gathered snow off of his body. "There is a reason that the world is the way it is, Twilight. Spirits have been imprisoned and because of it, the world has become unbalanced."

Twilight chewed her cheek. "How is the world unbalanced?"

"Do you read any news that isn't the Equestrian Times?" Skies mused. "Equestria has become Equus' jewel much in the way the Alicorn’s Capital of Artoria was in the last age. Unless the rest of the world is set right, you will have the same fate."

"Last age?" Twilight muttered to herself, focusing on those words. "How old are you?"

"I believe it was my turn to ask a question." Skies replied.

Twilight smirked. "You asked 'Do you read any news that isn't the Equestrian Times?' It's rhetorical, but still a question."

Skies chuckled. "Top marks again, Ms. Sparkle. I'm forty thousand years old."

Twilight reeled like she was hit with a newspaper. 

"To put it lightly, I am a god of the first age." Skies smirked. "Now, my turn. Where is Discord?"

"He is in Canterlot and refuses to visit." Fluttershy called, barely above a whisper.

"So he is avoiding me." Skies thought out loud.

A maelstrom of thoughts tore through Twilight's mind. A Spirit from the first Age of Equus must have known so much, but was it logical to trust him? The previous mention of an Alicorn city was the first she's ever heard. "You mentioned an Alicorn Capital. Why is it that no history book discusses this? Alicorns earn their wings through a great achievement, so why are you saying there was a city of Alicorns?"

"Alicorns earn their wings through a great achievement?" Skies repeated Twilight's insanity. "Alicorns are not made by such means, they are like most other races on Equus. They are born."

Twilight guffawed at this. "The Princess told me this when I earned my wings."

Skies shook his head. "Celestia and Luna never had a chance to grow up in Artoria. To them, Alicorns are a phenomenon." Skies sat down and rubbed his face. "I see now that letting them remain ignorant regarding their culture was a mistake."

Sif sighed. "Told you so."

"What happened to Artoria?" Twilight asked quietly.

"Ask Discord." 

The ground started to shake as soon as he uttered the Chaos Spirit's name.

"I think it's time to leave, Skies."

Skies stood and looked at the approaching being of smoke. A familiar feeling seeped through the air, it was the same magic he felt when Shining charged at him the day Cadance started staying at his house. Skies focused on the approaching blackness to see two horns and two red eyes glaring at him.

"What's going on?" Twilight called.

"Twilight Sparkle." Skies boomed. "You need to teleport yourself and your friends out of here."

"What? Why?" Twilight asked. "I still have questions!"

"Then you know how to find me!" Skies ordered. "This is a matter between Spirits."

Twilight bit her lip and lit up her horn. "This isn't over!"

The instant Twilight and her friends evaporated, the smoking fiend exploded through a rock. His course was unchanging as he aimed his horns directly at Skies. 

"We need to leave!" Sif barked.

Skies examined this monster; Rocks, trees, hills, nothing slowed him down as he steamrolled towards the forest Spirit.

"You won't live if you try to face that." Sif whispered. "We need to run."

Skies shook his head. "With that speed and force, he'll follow us through the forest, and we can't risk bringing him to Farhaven."

Sif pressed herself up to Skies. "Then I'm not leaving you on your own."

"That's why I love you." Skies replied happily.

"You're mine, Shattered Skies!" The fiend roared as he got closer. "Finally!"

The monster slowed as he neared. The smoke cleared, and out walked a red bull with armored chitin covering deep coal colored fur. It was no doubt a Spirit, but much like the others that hunted Skies, this one was unlike any he had seen before.

Skies swallowed hard, recognizing the physically stronger opponent. "Let me guess, you're going to call me ‘Big Brother?’"

The insectile bull paced. "No, you're no longer deserving of such a title."

"So you once called me ‘Big Brother?’" Skies prodded for information.

"Everything will be clear soon enough." The beast pawed at the ground, ready to charge when suddenly, large spikes made of crystal erupted from the ground, encasing the red beast, forcing him to remain still as he whipped his head around trying to break the pillars. 

"W-What?" Skies muttered to himself. "No."

"Skies we need to retreat." Sif called.

Skies looked all around him, he sent waves of his magic around wildly trying to find who summoned the crystals. 

"Skies!" Sif bit his neck, snapping him out of his frenzy. "I know what is going through your mind, but you need to live!"

In the treeline just beyond the beast, Skies saw two cloaked beings. The taller one stared at him with emerald eyes. She lowered her head and more crystals shot out of the ground, replacing the broken ones.

Skies grabbed Sif and leapt into a tree, reappearing in Farhaven’s construction site mere moments later.

"Skies, we just got word. Are you okay?" River called.

"Y-Yeah." Skies stood and strode past her towards the castle with a withdrawn look on his face.

"Wait!" River tried to follow, but found Sif in her way. "Sif, what's going on?"

The look on Sif's face said it all.

River asked again, but quieter. "What's going on? Where is he going?"

"He needs to see Cadance." Sif replied.

"Why?"

The next and only words from Sif shocked River.

"Crystal's alive."

> Chapter 27 -Breaking Seals-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Breaking Seals-



A few days had passed since the strange being made itself aware to Skyfall. He had been shocked by its amount of raw power, but more so by the fact that he couldn't sense it until it came within a few hundred feet of Skyfall, something that should have been impossible, considering the rage he felt emanating from it.

Shortly after returning to Farhaven, he hugged Cadance, but refused to speak about that, or what else he had seen in the treeline. Namely, the cloaked mare that had been summoning the crystals. Cadance had pestered him because she knew something bad had happened, and grew concerned. So, like all good parents, Skyfall did the best thing he knew he could do; take a coffee break at a local coffee shop called 'Third Cup' and read the newspaper, or at least try to.

Skyfall tried to enjoy his cappuccino, but every manner of pony wanted to talk to him about one thing or another, but none demanded his attention more so than the Mayor. 

"Skyfall?" 

Sky lowered a corner of the paper to see Mayor Mare giving him a weak smile. He rolled his eyes and folded his paper. 

"Sorry to interrupt your reading." The Mayor's mane was slightly frazzled. 

"It's fine, there’s nothing worth reading anyway." Skyfall stirred his drink as he watched the Mayor struggle to get into the seat next to him. "I take it you have a request of me."

The Mayor winced. "I do."

"Does it have to do with my position in the guard?"

Mayor Mare shook her head. "No, it has to do with my position as Mayor."

"No." Skyfall said curtly.

"But I haven't said anything."

"Didn't need to."

The Mayor furrowed her brow. "Captain Skyfall, please, just hear me out."

Skyfall let out a windy groan, even on his days where he wanted to relax, he was pestered by official business. He glanced over to see the Mayor fumbling with her hooves and he relented. "Fine, what do you need?"

"My re-election just took place. Every two years Ponyville has an election, but for the past ten elections I've run unopposed." The Mayor started off quietly.

"And in two years you'll have someone running against you?" Skyfall asked.

"No, nopony ever runs for it." The Mayor proclaimed. "After some thoughtful life choices, I've decided to leave for Whinneapolis."

"You're running for Mayor of Whinneapolis?" Skyfall asked pointedly.

The Mayor winced again and remained silent.

"If you're moving on, that's up to you. I try not to judge when it comes to life choices, but you do know that Ponyville will feel abandoned, not to mention leaderless."

"There's Princess Twilight and you." The Mayor offered.

Skyfall gave a hearty laugh. "Like I said, leaderless. I'm only a Captain by Celestia's commission and Twilight is busy fighting those Spirits in the forest."

"Which is why I'm here." Mayor Mare countered. "I want you to take over for me when I leave."

"Why?" Skyfall asked. 

"Frankly?" The Mayor said. "There's nopony else that could do it. Everypony else has a job and very few even come close to Mayoral duties."

Skyfall disagreed greatly, but the distress on the Mayor's face was all he needed to see. "I can try, if worse comes to worst, Celestia will turn it over to Twilight. Might even be 'Friendship' opportunity."

The Mayor chuckled as Skyfall whipped his paper open. "Do I need to dye my mane to be Mayor?"

The Mayor reeled back for an instant. "You know I dye my mane?"

Skyfall raised an eye brow. "So you do?"

The Mayor gave Skyfall a wry look. 

"Is your name even 'Mayor Mare?'"

The Mayor shook her head. "N-No, honestly this-" The Mayor gestured to her form. "-was the result of bad advice years ago that I've been forced to uphold. It would be weird for a Mayor to go from a grey mane to a pink one overnight and then go by a different name."

"True." Skyfall offered. "If Mayor Mare isn't your real name, then what is it?"

The Mayor looked around for any eavesdroppers and leaned toward Sky. "Gothic Writ."

"That..." Skyfall paused in shock which embarrassed the Mayor. "I did not expect."

"You see why I go by Mayor Mare." Gothic placed her head between her hooves.

"Do yourself a favor, when you run for Mayor of Whinneapolis, run under your real name and mane color. That way no one will be able to call out your credibility." Skyfall said.

Writ looked up. "You think I could win without this ponysona?"

"Yes." Skyfall said curtly. "Real leadership has nothing to do with a ponies name or look, contrary to what others say."

The Mayor nodded and stood. "So you'll be the next Mayor?"

"I can help, but be the Mayor? I'm leaning towards a no." Skyfall replied earnestly. 

"Will you think about it?"

Skyfall nodded slowly. 

Gothic Writ smiled and left Third Cup.

"It's very rude to eavesdrop, Pinkie Pie." Skyfall called without hesitation.

The burly, trench coat covered stallion behind Skyfall deflated and out popped the Pinkie explosion of sweets. She bounded twice and landed in the chair where the Mayor had sat moments before. "How'd you know it was me? Most ponies don't know I'm there until I throw confetti on them!"

"You have a slightly deviated septum which makes your breathing very noticeable. Plus, you smell of freshly made bread." Skyfall smirked. "Only a few ponies in Ponyville smell like fresh bread, but only one would drink their sugary coffee from a twisty straw."

Pinkie looked to her drink on the other table and saw her pink twisty straw. "You're very smart."

Skyfall chuckled. "I prefer cunning, but thank you. Now, what can I do you for?"

Pinkie giggled. "Just stopping by to say hi! We never really get to talk."

"And Rainbow Dash as well as Rarity came looking for me at Sugarcube Corner, leading you to play detective?" Skyfall asked rhetorically. He saw Pinkie's mouth open wide, but he stopped her with a hoof. "That's why I'm here, I know they're looking for me and I want to relax with some coffee."

"But why?"

"I like coffee?"

Pinkie giggled again. "No, silly. Why are you avoiding Rainbow and Rarity? Does it have to do with their names beginning with R?"

Skyfall tapped is hoof on his cappuccino. "You're observant, what do you think?"

Pinkie shuffled her hooves. "I'm not smart, I'm just lucky with my answers."

Skyfall furrowed his brow. "Lying is bad Pinkie. I've told you before, you don't need to wear a mask around me."

Pinkie's hair deflated a bit when she remembered the time he was talking about.





One Month In The Past





Sugarcube corner was deserted at two in the afternoon, mainly because it was that awkward time between lunch and dinner. The only two ponies in the bakery were Pinkie Pie and Skyfall.

"Hiya there Skyfall!" Pinkie bounced around Skyfall as he read that day's newspaper.

"Hi Pinkie." Skyfall groaned briefly.

"Whatchya doin?"

"Enjoying my lunch." Sky was being short with the spunky baker. Pinkie was a nice pony and Sky liked her, but she was a little too happy for ponies trying to relax. 

"Oh!" Pinkie said. "Sky, can I ask you a question?"

"Depends."

"On?" Pinkie asked.

"Can you?" Skyfall tittered at his attempt at humor.

"Why don't you like me?" Pinkie sat down calmly on the chair directly across from him as he lowered his newspaper before folding it. "I mean I try so hard to make you smile and you just don't" Pinkie started to deflate.

"I like you Pinkie, but do you want the real answer as to why I don't laugh?" Skyfall placed the paper down. Pinkie waited before nodding slowly. "Are you happy?"

"Huh? How can you answer a question with another question? That doesn't make any sense. I mean how can-"

"Ah. Ah. Ah. Pinkie, focus." Sky reprimanded, punctuating his sentence with three hoof taps on the table "Are you happy pretending to be perpetually happy?"

Pinkie and Sky sat in silence just staring at one another. Pinkie tried to answer, but kept sputtering at his question. When Skyfall grabbed his paper and reached for his coffee, Pinkie broke the silence. "You think I'm not happy?"

"It was rhetorical, Pinkie, I know you are not happy." Sky looked Pinkie in the eyes. "May I ask you some questions and ask that you answer them earnestly and to the best of your ability?"

"Y-Yes." Pinkie sat back slowly, unsure of what was to come next.

"If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build the same wall?" 

"No time, silly, it's already built." She giggled at the trick question.

Sky nodded and leaned closer. "Name all the numbers from one to one hundred, which have the letter 'A' in their spellings?"

Pinkie fidgeted nervously for only a brief moment. "None?"

"If there are six apples and you take away four, how many do you have?"

"The four you took" Pinkie spat out the answer without giving it any thought.

Sky leaned even closer to the sweating mare and loosed his final question. "You have two ships, one has 200 healthy ponies and the other has 400 terminally ill ponies and they are both on fire. With only enough time to save one, which do you choose?"

Pinkie reeled back at the grotesque question. "D-Do I have to answer?"

"No, but you should, if only to prove something to yourself."

Pinkie teared up slightly. "I would save the 200." She looked up at Skyfall while she whipped away a tear. "Did I pass?"

"It isn't a matter of passing Pinkie, those were questions to give some insight to your level of intellect. Judging from your answers and your lack of hesitation in answering them, I suspect you are a very intelligent young mare." 

Wide eyed and slack jawed, Pinkie was speechless. "You think I'm smart?"

"Yes, I also know you play dumb to make your friends feel smarter, thus making them happier. You shouldn't have to wear a mask around your friends Pinkie."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Sky looked at his lunch mate skeptically. "I see you frowning when no one looks. When Twilight sits here in the morning to read the quizer section of the paper, I’ve heard you answer faster than her. You don't have to wear your mask with me and when you're ready to admit it. I'll be here waiting for the real Pinkie Pie"

Pinkie prepared a rebuttal, but the buzzer from the bread oven started to sound, demanding her attention.





Present





Skyfall smirked at Pinkie. "So is Pinkie here to speak with me?"

Pinkie's mane poofed a little. "What do you want to talk about?"

"What do you want to talk about?" Skyfall countered Pinkie with the same question. 

"It's funny, my father always said that having a smart mare would turn stallions away." Pinkie chuckled. 

"My father was wrong about a great number of things too." Skyfall muttered cryptically before the sounds of beating wings rocketed into the coffee shop.

"There you are!" Rainbow called as she landed in Skyfall's lap.

"And here I am." Skyfall repeated monotonously.

"I've been looking everywhere for you!" Rainbow Dash looked up into Skyfall's eyes as he stared back emotionlessly.

"I would never have guessed." 

Rainbow looked up and over to see Pinkie Pie waving at her meekly. 

"Pinkie Pie? I thought you said you didn't know where he was." Rainbow chided. 

"Of course she knows where I am. We are married after all." Skyfall reached across a shocked Rainbow to sip his coffee. Pinkie was shaking her head rapidly at Rainbow's pleading look.

"That's mean, Skyfall-" Pinkie tried to scold, but Skyfall cut her off.

"You're right, Sweetie. What will the foals think. I know we've been dating in secret due to our status, but I think it's time to come to light with our family." Skyfall tried not to laugh at Rainbow's growing glare.

"That's not funny."

"Neither is you hunting me to ask me to the Gala." Skyfall muttered as he tried to salvage his quiet time through Rainbow's presence in his lap.

"So you did know?" Rainbow shifted in Skyfall's lap and pressed her hoof against his chest. "You could have said no instead of avoiding me."

"I'm going with Applejack as a business associate, I thought it best that she tell you." Skyfall reasoned. "Plus, you still haven't taken my advice."

"What advice is that?"

"See what I mean?" Skyfall tapped Rainbow's flank for her to hop off his lap, an action she did too slowly for his liking. "You would be a really nice mare if you didn't try so hard."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a foal class to give at the guard barracks." Skyfall stood and started to walk.

"Hey, I'm not done with you!" Rainbow called a she followed.

He glanced back at both Pinkie and Rainbow. "You and whoever you want to come are invited."

Skyfall opened his wings and took off with a sudden, powerful beat.

Rainbow turned to Pinkie with a defeated look. "Pinkie, can I ask you some advice?"

"What kind?" Pinkie responded hesitantly with an uncharacteristically serious tone.

"Advice about Skyfall and Fluttershy."





Farhaven's council chambers





The rays of the sun peeked in through the windows of the council chambers and onto the back of Cadance's neck, giving her a warm feeling. She smiled and lifted her head and wiped some drool from her mouth. 

"I see you've finally awoken." Spoke a cloaked being from the other side of the table, his voice was gruff and old.

Cadance had grown used to weird ponies appearing since she was reunited with her father, she stretched and leaning in her chair. Hekate floated into the room alongside Sif, River, and Akia.

"There's sleepy head." Sif pushed one of the large wooden chairs next to Cadance and chuckled as she felt the Alicorn sink into her fur.

"You're warm."

"Is she always so sluggish?" The same gruff voice asked curiously.

Sif chomped her teeth towards the cloaked guest.

"Easy, Lady Sif. I did not mean to offend."

Cadance looked up to see that the rest of the Spirits in the room were giving their guest an unwelcomed look. River sighed and placed her hoof on the table. 

"I believe some introduction is in order." River looked as if she would rather lick ice for an hour than introduce their guest. "Anara, this is Grogar, the former Ruler of Tambelon."

Grogar growled when River said 'former,' but River shot him an annoyed glance.

"Grogar, this is Anara Mi Amore, daughter of Shattered Skies and Lady Crystal, next in line to rule Farhaven." Cadance went wide eyed at the implication of being an heir to Farhaven, but decided to ask her father about it later.

"I've heard of you, Grogar." Cadance tried to smile, but found it hard when Grogar lowered his hood to reveal gaunt features. 

"Nothing good, I imagine." Grogar grumbled.

"I'm sure history may have mistaken some things." Cadance tried to be diplomatic, but Grogar laughed darkly.

"I doubt that, history usually gets me right." Grogar grumbled. "I swept this world in darkness for over three hundred years before a particularly annoying group of mares stopped me."

Sif chomped at Grogar once more, stopping him from continuing his gloating.

Cadance smiled thankfully up at Sif before turning back to the old goat. "I take it you're a friend of my father."

Grogar scoffed. "I was actually a friend of your mother. I heeded your father's summons out of respect for her."

Hekate turned towards Grogar silently and began to speak in echoing whispers. "You also didn't want Lady Sif hunting you down to leave another scar on your flank."

Cadance giggled when Sif bared her teeth at an indignant Grogar. "All I was trying to do was utilize a village."

"A village that had a pact with Shattered Skies." Sif growled.

Cadance saw the degrading situation and leaped into the conversation. "So Grogar, you knew my mother?"

Grogar's face lost the scowl it had been aiming at Sif and instead turned emotionless. "Yes, I knew Lady Crystal. In fact, I was at your parents wedding."

Cadance clapped her hooves in excitement. "Oh my gosh, you were at their wedding?"

"Yes, your mother was always very kind to me." Grogar smirked. "Your father and I rarely saw eye to eye. Often times, your mother had to keep us from fighting."

River scoffed while she rifled through scrolls. "The way I remember it, Crystal talked him down so he wouldn't turn you into a glorified house plant."

Grogar laughed. "Yes, back when he still had fire in his soul and was known as the Hero that rode hard in Artoria."

A long silence occupied the room.

"Sif, what does he mean?" Cadance asked.

Sif nuzzled Cadance. "Anara, forget everything you just heard and never bring it up to your father." Sif turned her searing blue eyes towards a grinning Grogar. "Some of us lack tact when bringing up the past and should know better."

"I take it none of you speak about Crystal?" Gorgar asked. "The foal probably doesn't even know the events surrounding the Spirit war. No doubt the work of the great Shattered Skies' anonymity."

Cadance sat back for a moment and looked around to see that the other spirits refused to meet her gaze. She had a great many questions that her father agreed to answer in the future, but what if that was a tactic to dodge the issue? 'What is my father not telling me?'

Grogar leaned over the table in Cadance's direction. "I can tell you a great many things about the ages before this one, I'm not a Spirit, but that doesn't stop me from living well after my time."

Cadance continued to look around for the others to interject, but it was clear that they didn't agree with her father's anonymity regarding the past.

"Would you like to know why your father has a scar on both sides of his body?" 

"Grogar." Shattered Skies boomed from the doorway, drawing the attention of the room.

"Ah, and thus the hero arrives-"

"Quiet, Grogar." Skies barked. "I don't appreciate you trying to plant seeds of doubt in my daughter's mind."

Grogar grinned and sat back in his chair.

"He has a point, dad." Cadance admitted. "There are things I desperately want to know."

Skies opened his mouth and paused, he thought back to when he made a decision to not tell the Princesses about the fate of the Alicorns and how bad things have become because of it. He closed his mouth and sighed. "Perhaps you're right. It may be time for you to learn our history."

"Really?" Cadance asked, surprised at her father's sudden change of mind. 

A long shadow emerged from behind Shattered Skies and started to form. Piercing blue eyes and a wicked grin were the only things that could be seen through the darkness.

"Dad, behind you!" Cadance shouted before firing a beam of magic past her father and into the shadow. It dissipated and reformed on Skies’ other side.

Shattered sighed and glanced to the tall, pony like figure next to him and shook his head.

"I thought it was funny." The shadow defended.

"Princess Luna?" Cadance asked as she watched the shadow evaporate to reveal a darker Princess Luna. "Or should I say, Nightmare Moon?"

Luna winced at the name and looked herself over. "I do look quite imposing, don't I?"

"Why do you look like that?" Cadance asked.

Cadance watched her father sat and run his hoof over his mane. "In order to lift the seal on the vault door permanently, we need to access a joint memory. If she has her armor on, then we can do this in one go."

"Won't that exhaust you too much?" River asked.

A feeling of dread had built up in Cadance's chest when she heard of her father taking such a risk, but she relaxed at the simple touch from Sif's paw.

"No choice." Skies said. "I fear we're running out of time. The worst that will happen is I'll be bed ridden for a week."

"Aww, just to get my bell back?" Grogar gave a sickening grin.

"You will never own that bell again, Grogar." Skies boomed. "After your assistance with King Sombra and your atrocities over the centuries, I should crucify you and place you by the harbor for the crows."

"Then why did you summon me?" Grogar growled.

"You have something I need." Skies brought his head high to look at the scowling goat, making his distaste for him very known. "Information regarding a pony that can perform Necromancy."

Grogar gave a laugh barking laugh. "There are a few that still live that can perform Necromancy, it isn't new anymore. What makes you think I would know this peon?"

"A sickening stallion with multiple cutie marks sewn to him and ghastly green eyes." Skies squinted his eyes to watch every minutia of Grogar's movement.

The old goat leaned forward and placed his hooves on the large table. He let his head hang slowly before tapping his hooves together and giving Skies a solemn nod.

"Hekate, make sure he stays here." Skies commanded before turning to leave. "Everyone else, meet me at the vault."

Cadance stood reluctantly, she looked at Grogar who had been staring at her.

"You're as beautiful as your mother was."

Cadance couldn't deny that she felt her skin crawl at his words, but smiled none the less since the compliment was a sideways compliment to her mother. To avoid talking to him more, she teleported thrice before arriving at her father's side.

"Don't let him get in your head." Shattered said immediately when Cadance appeared.

Cadance silently agreed with her father. She looked around the castle to look for a change in subject. The castle had gone through a great many renovations since Farhaven was established and still had a great many to go through before it could truly be thriving city. 

"Our people are really doing a number on the renovations, huh?" Skies remarked.

"That's what I was just thinking." Cadance giggled, brushing up against her father. "I think I like how it's looking so far. The dark and dreary was starting to bum me out."

"Well, one thousand years of abandon will do that." Skies chuckled. "I've always been a fan of stone and wood, so when Chance approached me concerning an enormous marble deposit in the mountains, it was too hard to try and find something else to use. He'll mine and place the stone, the living impaired ponies will chop the wood, and the Wyverns will lifts large beams and buttresses into place. So far everything is moving along nicely."

"Wyverns?" Cadance asked.

Skies pointed out one of the large corridor window to see four yellow, striped wyverns, and a large red Wyvern negotiating a large pile of stone over the lake. 

"When did they arrive?"

"Early yesterday. They were given downtime, but demanded a part in building so River placed them immediately." Skies admitted. 

"What about the Changelings?"

"Textiles and record keeping."

Cadance rubbed her ears. "Textiles? They're making cloths?"

Skies nodded while he continued his trek to the basement. "There are a few different types of Changelings and one of them can make silk naturally. So far they're very pleasant. Although, they refuse to get near you."

Cadance reeled back for a moment. "What? Why?"

"Because of what happened at your wedding and then the ensuing conflicts with some Changeling Queen afterward has put Changelings in an even tougher spot. They fear if they anger you they'll be turned away from Farhaven." Skies admitted.

Cadance opened her mouth to retort, but her father cut her off.

"You give them very angry glares and they have nowhere to go, so of course they're afraid." Skies stopped and glanced back at Cadance. "I've been looking into the incident when Canterlot was attacked, this Queen set Changelings back thousands of years. All I ask is that you give these Changelings a chance, they're each from a different hive and have something to offer, there is a chance you might like a few of them."

A smile crept onto Cadance's face when she saw her father's puffed cheeks and crossed eyes. "Okay, I can try."

"There, that wasn't so hard."

Everyone fell into silence until they reached the large stone doors in the lower chambers of the castle. Since the renovations started, the gargantuan room had considerably more items in it from large storage boxes to old furniture waiting to be restored. There were even work stations set up by Diamond Dogs so that they didn't have to travel from their caves to the castle.

Luna's breath started to sound shallow and labored when she looked at the vault, her eyes scanned the room, worry clear on her face. She jumped when a hoof rested on her pauldron.

"Easy, Luna. You're not her anymore." Skies cooed.

"What if the memory is too much?" 

"Don't lie to yourself." Skies cooed once more. "This will be a terrible ordeal on us both, but once we're done, we can both move on."

Luna kept looking at the vault door. 

"Are you ready?"

"No, but that won't help anything." Luna paused and placed her hoof on Skies chest. "A word of warning. Accessing our memories like this will bring up ones we forgot."

Skies breath caught in his throat, but Luna pressed her hoof into his chest, firmly. "If you're worried about my memories before you rescued me, I recovered them the same time the Elements stripped Nightmare Moon from me."

Skies gave a low half chuckled as he grabbed Luna's hoof to hold.

Luna shook her head in amusement and glanced at the others. "Are they going to watch?" 

"Yes." Skies said firmly as he stretched their hooves toward the door. "They're here to help us. Once this is over, both of us will be too exhausted to even move."

The runes on the door blazed bright white when Skies and Luna touched them at the same time. A light mist filled the room moments later and both immortals took a deep breath before their eyes started to glow, starting the flow of memories that could not be stopped.





A Memory Complete





The air around the room whipped and howled as reality started to crack apart. The walls of the basements fell away into nothingness and were replaced by a night sky and a civilization now lost. The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters stood in restored glory and in a large tree just outside the main gate stood a legion of wolves, parting for their matriarch.

Lady Sif lumbered through the crowd and entered the hollow tree, not bothering with formalities given the situation.

"Yes, Sif?" Skies mumbled as he wrote in a long scroll.

Sif stood in the doorway staring at Skies, he was surrounded by walls of tomes, vials, and artifacts. He had taken to teaching and healing creatures that had been all but incurable. She waited for him to look up, but grew impatient. "Skies, we have a problem."

"When does the world not have a problem?" Skies mumbled rhetorically.

"Not like this." Sif asked. "Something happened with Luna. She disobeyed your command."

The quill Skies was using clattered to the desk and he turned to Sif slowly. "What happened?"

Sif entered the tree completely, passing many worried ponies and animals. She wanted to keep the news secret, but time had passed for secrecy and the time for action was now. 

"How many?" Skies boomed, commanding Sif to answer.

"Just one." Sif stated with a slight bow. "But it seems very powerful."

Skies' fur ruffled and with a deep breath, the forest shook with rage. "I warned her creating life was exceedingly dangerous. That's one of the few rules I have; never create sentient life. It's far to unpredictable and dangerous."

Sif nodded solemnly, she knew that every time someone violated that rule, massacres occurred.

In the distance, Cadance, Sif, Storm, and River floated in the air, bearing witness to the events that a great many never knew the details to. Unfortunately, Skies and Luna had to relive this night in its entirety.

A young Unicorn mare trotted up and held up a scroll, her breath was labored due to her pregnancy. She had sought help from the Spirit with her birth and chose to lend what little magic knowledge she knew to him as payment. "My Lord, this may help thee in thy's situation."

The antlered Spirit reached for the scroll and opened it. He bit his lip and nodded. "Thank you, Star Swirl, this may do it."

Sif stood. "We need to hurry."

As both Sif and Skies ran to Luna's study, the night grew darker. Stars started to disappear and the air grew colder. The legion of wolves moved silently as they flooded the castle, Luna's night guards tried to spring on a few only to be pinned and silenced by the threat of teeth.

The four ethereal watchers floated alongside the warriors. Storm, Cadance, and River watched intently, but Sif kept her eyes shut, knowing what came next.

Skies and Sif skidded to a stop with four of Sif's strongest kin. They looked up at Luna's door, the characters that were etched upon it glowed blue before petering out at Shattered's touch. Skies looked over and touched Sif's shoulder. "Sif, I'll go in alone and you come in if I give the signal, but I doubt it'll go beyond a few words."

"Skies, this is a bad idea. You didn't see her earlier, whatever she created took her over. You'll die if she thinks you're an enemy." Sif pleaded, putting her own paw on Skies, trying to reach him. "We need to stop her."

"Be that as it may, I still need to try and talk her down." Skies stated.

"I need to go in with you." Sif stood, but found Skies hoof pressing her down further.

"No." 

Sif bit her lip. 

"Trust me, Sif." Skies smiled as he entered Luna's observatory. He couldn't hear the slew of cursing being flung at him from Sif as he closed the door, but he could hear a little chuckled emanating from the darkness. Skies strode into the light that the moon cast into the room before blue flames ignited around the room.

"Shattered Skies." The voice purred.

"I take it you're what Luna made?" Skies asked coldly.

"I am Luna." The dark figure stepped out from the shadows. She grinned at Skies and showed him her new look. "I say I look more mature this way, don't you?"

Silence filled the room as the forest Spirit scowled at Luna. 

"Oh? And why the hostility?" She lumbered forward slowly. "Am I still not good enough for you? Or are you waiting for me to give myself to you?"

"Who are you?" Skies asked curtly.

"Oh, satire?"

"Stop beating around the bush, creature. Where is Luna?" Skies boomed.

"You Spirits and your phrases." The dark mare deadpanned. "I am Luna, but if that name doesn't please you, then call me Nightmare Moon."

"Are you the product of Luna violating my commands?" Skies asked.

Nightmare Moon sighed and gave a weak smile, her voice took on the sweet tone Luna's usually had. "It is me, Skies. I just wanted to do this, for you."

Skies exhaled in relief. "Luna, this is dangerous. It's obvious that this Nightmare Moon you created is feeding on you."

"Are you mad at me?" Nightmare Moon winced.

"Yes, but your safety is my concern here."

"What is so wrong with creating life?" Luna's voice pleaded. "I wanted more friends and this is the best way, who else to understand me better than someone I create? They won't die or disagree with me, we can have a family."

"Luna, this isn't the way. Playing Maker is dangerous in more ways than one." Skies started to pace before Luna as she walked out onto a ledge. "I've told you that creating life is unpredictable. Often times, life is created and it takes on the persona of whatever it came into contact with first; if it was is rage, then it'll feed off rage and cause strife. If it's greed, then it will grow from wanting more. And if it's sadness then it will consume its host until they die. Point is, if you aren't careful these things become parasitic and jump from host to host. We need to strip you of what you created."

"Parasitic? Is that all I am to you?" Luna asked.

"Don't let this thing sway your mind, Luna." Skies called calmly. "You're better than this."

Nightmare Moon shrunk. "Maybe you're right. I thought if I could master something you forbade, then you would be proud of me and I could finally earn your love, but now I see I was mistaken."

"Luna, you have my love, but putting your life at risk won't prove anything."

Nightmare Moon nodded and descended the steps. She moved slowly and held her gaze to the floor in shame.

"I will help you rid yourself of this and we'll work through this together."

"Maybe you're right." Nightmare Moon whimpered as she walked.

Skies was unable to feel anything from Nightmare Moon as she drew close.The door to the observatory exploded open as wolves started to pour in, led by a frantic Sif. Skies glanced over and continued absentmindedly. "Right about what?" 

Nightmare Moon smirked. "Life is unpredictable."

"What?" Skies turned around to see two glowing eyes. His breath ceased to flow and he felt a long scythe run him through the side.

"No!" Sif cried as she flashed forward and slammed into Nightmare Moon, sending her across the room. Her kin charged past her to fight Nightmare moon in vain.

Skies wheezed, trying to get oxygen as Sif tried to stop the bleeding. He sensed that he wasn't healing from Luna's strike so he closed his eyes and tried to remain calm. Skies tried to speak, but was only able to choke out words. "Vale... Tree..."

Sif nodded vigorously and hefted Skies onto her back, his blood seeped down and dyed her fur red.

Consciousness drifted through Skies frequently, he could see Nightmare Moon cackling and swinging her scythe, felling wolves left and right so he reached for the scroll Swirl gave him and used what little magic he had that wasn't going to healing him to igniting the scroll. The scroll burned brightly and floated into the center if the room as Sif carried him away. 

The spell was designed to use on large monsters to allow for a quick escape. On most creatures it worked for an hour, but on a raging night Princess, everyone would be lucky for five minutes.

Sif sprinted through the castle and towards the exit. "Everyone, retreat to the Vale!"

One by one the wolves entered a symphony of howls as the ran out of the castle and into the forest. For four long days, Sif and her kin ran until they reached the worldly portal to Skies' Vale. Skies felt his magic evaporating and his life started to ebb away, Sif noticed this and ran even harder than she had been. Even in the Vale, they still had a full day's sprint until they reached the Elder tree. 

"Skies, you better live." Sif growled as she entered the sacred center of the forest. She sprinted up to the tree and lowered her Lord. She grabbed him by the scruff and dragged him to the bark. Skies smiled at her weakly before the tree absorbed him. "Don't leave me alone."

Sif's breath started to become shallow and tears started to soak her cheek. Her body collapsed under the weight of her own guilt and she openly sobbed while shivering against the tree. Her friend was on the brink of death and the feeling of failure wracked her mind.





Present





The vault doors creaked open as both Skies and Luna collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Cadance, Storm, and River came to and saw that Sif was curled around Skies' body.

"What do we do now?" Storm asked.

Cadance tried to swallow her emotions from seeing her father being slain, but she knew that it was the past and that her father was sleeping on the floor before her, alive and well. 

"I'll take Skies upstairs and start his recovery, one of you need to take Luna to Twilight's castle and make something up." Sif mumbled as she stood, hefting Skies onto her back shakily.

Cadance nodded. "I will, I'll tell them she's searching the sleep realm for clues."

River nodded. "And I'll inventory the vault. Storm, you guard the door. I think whatever is in there should go through Skies before being released."

"Agreed."

Cadance brushed her father's face, clearly worried about him. "Will he be okay?"

Skies mumbled in his sleep. "Maybe she's barn with it?"

Sif and Cadance gave Skies a questioning look.

"maybe it's Neighbelline" Skies mutters before giving a half sleepy chuckle.

Sif shook her head. "He'll be fine."





Elsewhere





Unknowingly, a cloaked mare sat in the tree line high above the valley and looked down open the budding city with envy. She had occupied this spot for much of the month and was able to avoid detection thus far.

"You know you're torturing yourself." Psalm asked as she approached her sister from behind, startling her.

The cloaked mare tried not to look at the judging glare of the mare that took a seat next to her. "I can't face them."

"You didn't have a problem with it when that bull attacked him." Psalm said pointedly. She moved and bumped Crystal. "And what's better is he recognized it was you."

"He recognized me by my powers and even then, that's all I had in me to do." Crystal looked at the castle and sighed.

"He still loves you, no matter what you look like." Psalm rubbed Crystal's back.

"And what of my actions these past thousand years? Are those forgivable?"

"You had your reasons, Crystal." Psalm smiled. "I won't force you, but the sooner you talk to him, the sooner you'll both be complete. Your daughter will be so happy to meet you"

Crystal shot Psalm a mean look.

"Sorry, I mean, meet you again, but with a more loving result. Now, time to beat Discord in Monopoly!" Psalm stood and disappeared into the realm of chaos, leaving the lone mare with her thoughts.

Crystal stood and started to shimmer into the chaos realm behind Psalm. She gave one more defiant look at the valley. "Soon I will see you, my love."


> Chapter 28 -Blue Diamond-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Blue Diamond-


It had been three days since the vault was opened, and Skies was forcibly put to sleep as a result of the stress his mind took. Cadance fretted over every sound he made and constantly checked him to make sure he was okay, something Sif joined her in doing. He laid in bed as memories he’d once forgotten came burning into his mind.  





Memories Once Lost





Skies opened his eyes, frigid air rushed into his lungs as he hefted a pile of dirt out of a muddy pit. Everything around him seemed familiar, but when he tried to move freely, his body fought him. Much like the vault, this memory was something he had experienced before and had to live once again. His heart skipped a beat when his arm came into view, bathed by a flashlight's beam.

His own fleshy, human arm appeared and rubbed across his brow before he went back to digging again.

"You done yet?" A voice growled out from the hill as another shovelful of mud was removed. Each motion of labor revealed something new; a hand, clothing, and even another smaller boy in the ditch.

"We're working, sir." Skies felt rumble out of his throat.

"Not fast enough!" A man's hulking body came into view, his glaring eyes tried to bore into Skies' soul. Memories of this creature started to flow into his mind. The man produced a hose and sprayed Skies in the face with water. "Enough breaky, more worky!"

The boy next to Skies tensed and growled, but Skies nudged him and shook his head.

"That's right, boy. Listen to your brother. Your sisters are busy with their own work, and you should be trying to do twice as much as them! You're a man, aren’t you?" The man growled before hitting the boy with another stream of water. "This retaining wall won't build itself."

Seething in anger, the smaller boy turned to climb the rope out of the ditch, but he quickly found himself being grabbed by the hair and dragged from the hole.

"You want to fight me?" The man brought his arm back to strike the boy, but Skies rapidly leapt to action and held his arm back.

"You will not touch him." Skies growled menacingly.

"Oh, big man wants to stand up to daddy, is that it?" Skies’ father teased, his tobacco-stained teeth being one of the few notable features of his face. He stood only a few inches above Skies, but he easily out-weighed him by a hundred pounds. Because of this, Skies spent the next thirty minutes being thrown around like a ragdoll. He nearly lost consciousness when he found someone heavy sitting on his chest. "No matter how old you get, I'll still be able to beat you down." His father bent low, his face mere inches from Skies’ as he taunted him.

Anger surged through Skies’ body. He wanted to end this creature’s miserable life more than anything else in that moment. Memories of a lifetime growing up with this monster ate away at his mind. He had long since forgotten these days, but he still remembered the reason he didn’t fight under this man's weight: his siblings.

Four shadows moved in the darkness, Skies could see them, the ones he left behind all those years ago. Names and details had faded away long ago, but he still remembered what each one looked like; he had spent many close years with these four figures after this night.

A fifth shadow moved near the ditch, but before Skies could see who it was, a blinding light shot through his eyes,  and the world stripped away into another scene. Visions started to swirl around Skies as he stood ethereally on four legs once more. 

Skies smiled as he then watched his own life. He saw himself getting older and winning custody of his sibling., He watched as his siblings grew up and started their own lives; one joined the military, two pursued college to become something more for themselves, and last one was working an internship at a local hospital. The youngest girl, born year after most of them left the house, however, remained living with Skies when he was named the only stable blood relative of their father. For what seemed like forever, Skies watched their recitals, plays, and concerts. He tried to be everything their father was not.

The torrent of memories rippled and swallowed him whole.

The bitter scent of cleaning supplies tingled his nose. Skies looked around and saw that his youngest sister was holding his hand as the two sat in a waiting room, as the rest of his siblings moped on a nearby couch. Regardless, the young girl’s smile seemingly brightened the scowls of the other four.

"Why do we have to be here?" The boy from Skies' recent memory groaned, although he was more of a young man now. He had a burn along his left arm, a likely accident from the reckless way he lived his life.

"You know why." A woman sighed as she stood to stretch, her long, straight hair resting evenly on her shoulders.

"Yes, but why?" The man asked once again. "Big Brother has been more of a father to us then that piece of s-"

"Ah!" Skies found himself scolding, much to everyone's amusement. "There are ladies present."

The small girl in Skies lap giggled, knowing that she was the one being referred to.

The youngest brother grumbled as he looked around the corner. "I think they want us to go in now. He'd be better off dead."

"Agreed." The third sister chimed in. "I say we go eat Chinese food, watch a movie, and forget that loser."

Skies stood. "We can do that afterword. Considering the situation, I think we can spare him this."

"We disagree." The eldest sister cooed.

"I know." Skies stepped forward and the rest followed him down the hall and past an orderly. A hospice wasn't a place to dawdle, so Skies made sure to take the direct path to their father's room, a dark room in the back of the building. He stopped outside, but the clear window allowed for their father to see them immediately.

"It's open." He barked.

Skies looked back to see that each sibling wore their own various expressions, none of which were very reassuring. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. With three strides, he reached their father's bedside and stood at the end of his bed as his siblings surrounded him, only being mere inches away.

"I know you all have mixed feelings about seeing me." The once daunting man spoke, his skin was cracked and decaying. He had contracted a rare disease and it caused his body to slowly decay while he still lived. The doctors confessed to Skies that it was extremely debilitating and that even the slightest trauma, mental or physical, could send him spiraling downwards to expiration.

"That's one hell of an understatement." The eldest sister spat, but found Skies hand on her shoulder. 

"Ah, I see you're still their rock." The man spoke directly to Skies. "I'm sure you will be able to convince them to forgive me."

Choosing one's words can be difficult, impossibly so when they are for someone you hate. Skies took a few slow breaths and looked at each of his siblings. Their eyes begged for him not to ask for their forgiveness., but they loved their brother too much to deny a genuine request from him. Luckily, they wouldn't have to. "I will not be convincing them of anything."

"Excuse me?" The father entered a coughing fit and wiped phlegm from his mouth onto his sleeve. 

Skies’ siblings’ glaring eyes bored into their father’s confused expression, something he found quite amusing.

"I'm going to die, boy. The least you can do is forgive me." His voice cracked.

Skies nodded at his eldest sister, who then turned and lead everyone out of the room, leaving Skies alone with their father.

"What is the meaning of this?" The man asked.

"I wanted to speak with you alone." Skies felt his voice straining with anger. His eyes swept around the room as he tried to avoid seeing the bedridden creature, but resigned to his memory as it forced him to relive the moment. After a quiet pause of staring, Skies chuckled. "Y'know, you deserve this."

The man raised an eyebrow and weakly furrowed his face into a scowl.

"You violently abused us for years, and this is what happens to you. I wish I believed in karma because this is simply poetic." Skies moved closer before the man could get the chance speak. "Shhh. Mouth shut, ears open."

Skies sat on his father's bed and fiercely locked eyes with him . "You can't even move, can you?"

The man squirmed and struggled to gasp out a labored breath as he tried to lift a finger before letting his arm drop back down to his side, exhausted. Skies wanted to smile at his weakened state, but that would lessen the impact of his discussion.

"Just going to stare at me?" The man growled.

"No, I'm just thinking about what I want to say to you." Skies said coldly as he looked outside to the light rain that had begun to fall. "I just want you to know that everything you're getting, you deserve. You have been a cruel man and because of it; you lost your kids, you've been divorced thrice, and you will leave the world a quarter million dollars in debt. The light will leave your eyes and not a single person will be here to care."

Tears welled up the man's eyes as he watched his eldest son stand and walk towards the door. "Don't."

Skies stopped and glanced back, unimpressed with the man's attempt at stopping him.

"I'm sorry."

Skies looked out the window to see his siblings laughing as they watched their youngest sister arguing with their middle sister about Chinese food as she jabbed her finger at the paper menu she had swiped earlier. "You're sorry?"

"Y-Yes, I'm sorry!" The man tried to shout.

"You are not forgiven." Skies said coldly as he exited the room, not giving his father so much as a courteous last look. He strode down the hall and his youngest sister ran to him and jumped into his waiting arms.

"Big Brother, tell them that Mei Fun is gross." She pouted. "Doritos are better!"

"Mei Fun is gross and Doritos are better!" Skies proclaimed, causing everyone to laugh.

"Um, excuse me, Mr. Skies." A voice called, confusing Skies. His human name wasn't Skies. As he turned, a tall, white Alicorn with a fiery red mane stared down at him. She lit her horn and the memory evaporated into a more recent one. The scene slowly faded into his final memory as a human.

'No.' Skies thought as he felt his body walking towards a tree he was all too familiar with. He stopped before it and was forced to watch as his hands fashioned a noose out of a thick rope before throwing the other end above one of the high branches. 'No, stop.'

The more Skies fought against the memory, the more it progressed. He knew what came next, he would fight and fall before meeting the Maker. Slowly, the events played out. He tried to escape the rope and the branch below him buckled, leaving a swift end to be a slow one. However, this time something was different. He felt magic.

A red glow surrounded the branch at his feet and deep laughter could be heard from the abyss below him. Skies tried to fight the memory, but darkness was rapidly swallowing him, and in that darkness sat something grim that was staring at him before the sky finally cracked and swallowed him whole.

Unlike the first time Skies died, he found himself in the center of the Maker's temple, but the pillars were cracked and sinking. Not only that, but the water lacked its beautiful ethereal luster and the trees were clearly dying.

Two hooves wrapped around his neck, the familiar mare's warmth put Skies' mind at ease. "I've been trying to reach you."

"I know." The Maker cooed.

"No voicemail?" Skies chuckled before pointing to the area around them. "What happened?"

"I don't have much time, Skies, so listen carefully. You will need to force your way to my realm." The Maker waved her hoof before Skies, summoning images of possible futures, none of which were particularly pleasant. "Something comes to unmake Equus. I have provided you the key to saving it, and you just need to do what it is you do best."

"Make tea and sleep past noon?" 

The Maker kissed his cheek. "Something like that. Once this is over, you'll be the one making the tea."

Skies felt his body growing heavy, and then he felt himself falling into the darkness that was rapidly enveloping him.

The Maker waved. "I can't wait to meet your daughter, she reminds me so much of you."





Farhaven Castle-Royal Chambers





Skies erupted up and out of bed, tumbling to the floor kicking and groaning. Everyone in the room looked over at the flailing mass of legs and antlers. Skies stopped and stood up. "How many days?"

"Three." Storm called, making his next move in the game of chess he was playing before Feather of Truth put him in check.

Skies fell back on his haunches and leaned against the bed. Sif and Cadance hopped down and leaned against him.

"Are you okay, dad?" Cadance asked.

"Yes, just a bit... shaken." Skies mumbled as he kissed both Cadance and Sif on the head. "Oh, and the Maker says ‘hi.’"

Storm stood from his game and turned his attention to Skies, as all Spirits did when they heard their deity's title. "You spoke with her?"

"Briefly." Skies sighed.

River moved forward. "It isn't good news, is it?"

"Nope."

"End of the world?" 

"Most likely."

"Bring it on." River smirked.

"No, don’t bring it on!" Daring called from the doorway. She flew over to Skies, enraged at his flippant attitude. "The end of the word is serious!"

"Hey, Daring." Skies chirped.

"Don't ‘hey’ me!" She growled, swatting him angrily, but in vain nonetheless. "We need to talk about what's going to happen!"

"You're right." 

"I am?" Daring asked in surprise. "I mean... Yeah!"

"I think the time for secrets has passed." Skies slowly stood.

Storm and River looked at one another with concern before unifying in their joined question. "What secrets?"

"Just the ones I've been hording about the Spirits that have shown themselves to us." Skies took a deep breath. "Opening the vault triggered some very old memories and it saddens me to say that I believe I know who comes for us."

"Who?" Cadance asked, in a soft tone when she noticed her father's reluctance.

Skies bit his lip and strode out of the room, followed closely by Sif and Cadance, leaving the room behind in a state of confusion.

"What do you think it is?" River asked no one in particular.

"Some personal mistake I imagine." Storm mused. "I've seen him like this only two other times. I think it's best to let him tell us in his own time." 

"That's surprisingly thoughtful of you." River chirped.

"More of a safety thing, really. The last time I tried to pry information from him, we demolished an entire city with our fighting."

Feather of Truth and Innocence looked at each other and shrugged, deciding to remain uninvolved.

Skies kept walking with Sif and Cadance in tow,who followed him even when he teleported into the forest and back to his home. He transformed once he reached his back door and paused when a large paw pressed itself against the door, shutting it.

"Skyfall, please speak to us." Sif tried to ask calmly, still shaken from reliving her memory. 

Skyfall leaned back into Sif and grabbed her paw before holding to his chest. Sif melted into the affectionate gesture.

"I just want to be here." Sif cooed.

"I know." Skyfall said soothingly. "It's hard for me to come to terms with mistakes that come back to haunt me. Just know that I trust you, and that when I'm able to, I'll tell you and Cadance everything. Now simply isn’t the time."

Cadance smiled at her father's show of affection towards Sif and turned to walk towards Ponyville. She smiled and giggled like a school filly at the thought of those two on a date. She walked around the corner of the house to find that Applejack was walking her way. 

"There you are!" Applejack called.

Cadance blocked her path. "Yes, here I am!" She called loudly to alert her father and Sif. "Right here, in front of you, by the side of the house, with you, Applejack!"

Applejack turned her head in confusion. "Y-Yeah, where has everypony been? I need to speak to Skyfall about the Gala. I've come by for the past two days and nopony has been here, what gives?"

Cadance looked around nervously and sighed when she heard the back door shut with a soft click. 

"Cadance?" Skyfall called from the front.

Applejack smirked and trotted to the front courtyard. "Finally caught you!"

Cadance trotted after her and started to worry at her use of words. She noticed that Skyfall was still relaxed and wore a smirk of his own.

"Caught me, I've been teaching Cadance how to camp these past few days." Skyfall shrugged. "Sorry, Cadance wanted to learn something useful other than her regular princess duties. Y’know, shaking babies, kissing hooves, that stuff. Only way to do that right was to walk into the forest and learn."

"That's mighty reckless of you." Applejack chuckled, having not caught the dark humor.

"I know, but it's been ages since I went camping. It was fun, except for the raccoons stealing our food while we were weren’t looking." Skyfall sighed and scratched his chest, silently telling Cadance for some privacy. "What brings you by, Ms. Apple?"

"I wanted to ask you some questions about the Gala." Applejack said quietly. "Every year Rarity makes our dresses, but I'm afraid that if ah... I go all froufrou'd up, I'll come off as a bumpkin."

"You're not wrong." Skyfall said bluntly. "Rarity is a master when it comes to the clothing business. I looked her up when I was in Canterlot and found that on top of having locations in Canterlot and Manehatten, she has about ten more shops in other cities around the nation. I was told by a partner of hers that she's trying to get in touch with Neighpon to set up a trade agreement for textiles."

"Oh wow, I didn't know that." Applejack looked surprised. "But wait, you just said I'm not wrong."

"Correct, Rarity knows textiles, not farming." Skyfall waved Applejack in to follow him as he walked in and down to the basement. "You see, business is mostly about appearance. Product is a... well... byproduct. If you show professionalism and play the right game, you could turn your farm into a thriving business. But that begs the question, how does one show professionalism, and what game are they playing?"

"I don't like these kinds of games." Applejack mumbled.

Skyfall stopped and tapped Applejack on the nose. "Then win and change the game."

Applejack rubbed her nose and silently agreed with his perspective.

"Now, clothing." Skyfall said to himself as he motioned Applejack to follow him. He mumbled ideas as he walked through his foyer and down into the basement. "Question, where's your hat?"

Applejack chuckled. "Took you long enough to notice. I gave it to Apple Bloom for Hearth's Warming. It’s a bit big, but she'll grow into it. Do you think I should get myself another?"

"No, but if you do, only wear it while you're working." Skyfall said curtly as he found a box that was labeled 'Property of River: Death to those who steal my stuff.' "Aha!"

The cold, circular storeroom had been filled with boxes and crates, along with some weird statues and artifacts. Applejack looked around and then up to see that the ceiling lead to the floor of Skyfall's domed foyer. It had a transparency spell on it so one could see light pouring through from above. Applejack had never been one to actively seek out architectural features, but she could recognize what did or didn’t look nice. Suddenly, her vision went dark. 

"Put that on."

Applejack shrieked and flailed for a moment before pulling the mysterious assailant off of her face to see a white, button-up shirt.

"Have you ever put on a shirt before?" Skyfall chuckled, prompting Applejack to roll her eyes and shove her arms through the sleeves. He walked around her as she adjusted the shirt to fit right. "Hmm, not bad."

Skyfall sat in front of her and unbuttoned the top two buttons so that you could see a small tuft of fur that stuck out from her chest. Applejack gulped at Skyfall's proximity. "Wouldn't it be better to leave them buttoned?"

Skyfall tittered and waved for her to follow him again.

Applejack walked sluggishly as she was getting accustomed to the way the shirt fit. To her, it seemed a little tight, but from her brief interactions with River, they seemed to be about the same size. "Isn't this a bit tight?"

Sky nodded and glanced back at her. "Yeah, River likes tight clothes. Not sure why."

Applejack finally limped into Skyfall's office and found him sitting by a small chest that sat on his desk. Slowly, he waved her forward and she sat before him, slightly anxious for what he wasn't telling her. 

"Applejack, close your eyes." Skyfall smiled down at her in a reassuring manner. She closed her eyes and heard the sound of something being opened. "Now, lower your head."

Applejack felt the cold touch of metal around her neck, and heard the quiet clinking of jewelry. She opened her eyes to find a small, blue diamond in the shape of a plumbob hanging just down to her chest, supported by a white gold chain. "S-Skyfall?"

"This once belonged to my wife for many years." Skyfall lifted Applejack's chin so that their eyes met. "Take good care of it."

"I-I can't accept this." Applejack lifted her hooves to take it off, only to find that Skyfall stopped her from doing so.

"Then keep it safe." Skyfall chuckled and pointed towards a mirror. "Go. Tell me how you look."

Applejack rose and walked slowly to the mirror, glancing back at Sky. She stopped and stared at herself when she reached the mirror. She recognized that the reflection was her own, but was shocked nonetheless.

"Do you like what you see?" Skyfall asked.

Applejack continued to stare in silence. The tight white shirt hugged her torso and hips while the necklace stood out as a subtle accent to the refined look. Applejack jolted when Skyfall entered her field of vision. 

"Easy, one last thing." Skyfall had a jar of some slick, clear jelly and dabbed his hoof in it before running over her mane, forcing it to lay across her left eye. "Now all you need is a white ribbon instead of a red one and you're ready for the Gala."

"I don't know what to say." Applejack breathed out.

"Thank me when you land your first big contract." Skyfall tittered. "I am your business partner after all. Can't have you failing now, can I?"

Applejack smiled sweetly at Skyfall. "Y'know. Rainbow and Rarity are a might mad at you for asking me to the Gala."

"I know." Skyfall said monotonously. "If they knew that us going was to help your business then I doubt they would complain."

"I told them that, but they're still a little..." Applejack paused, looking for a good word.

"Jealous?" Skyfall shrugged. "They're angry, I get it, but I'm not interested in being someone's eye candy."

"What about Fluttershy?" Applejack asked. "Weren't you going to take her?"

Skyfall laughed halfheartedly. "I think it's best for us to not pursue a relationship."

"Why?"

Applejack turned to face Skyfall fully. "Is there somepony else you fancy?"

"Relationships with me end very poorly, and I don't want to waste her time when another stallion could make her even happier." 

Applejack nodded. "Is this one of those 'if you love her let her go' type deals?" 

"No." Skyfall laughed. "I always found that to be a silly sentiment. I just think that.... my life and who I am and wouldn't mix well with her."

Applejack hugged Skyfall. "You're a good stallion, Skyfall."

Skyfall hugged her back, the way she buried her face in his fur felt odd, but he could tell that she had a rough few months with the leaving of her brother, and her responsibilities as an Element taking her away from the farm. "You do know that I have an open door, right?"

"Yeah." Applejack whispered as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm just stubborn."

"I know." Skyfall said as he heard insistent knocking on his front door. He looked outside and saw a small group gathered outside his door. He could see the Mayor, Captain Fury and Lieutenant Desert, Silver Coin, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow and a few other random ponies along with an upright walking wolf waiting for someone to answer the door.

"Wow." Applejack whistled. "Looks like a few ponies want a piece of you."

"I’m only gone for a few days and Ponyville’s already falling apart." Skyfall trotted over and sat at his desk.

"Yer... You're not going to let them in?" 

"That is correct. I am not going to let them in." Skyfall opened his desk to retrieve some folders. He looked up and smiled. "You are."

Applejack cringed at his statement. "Me?"

"Yep, it'll give you some practice on how to handle business that isn't done in the Ponyville marketplace." Skyfall said.

"But, the others will see me like this." Applejack said nervously.

Skyfall raised his eyebrow as he looked over his scheduling to see that he missed quite a few appointments. "Applejack, don't read too much into this, but you're a beautiful mare. You're dressed to succeed and now's your chance to show it off."

Applejack opened her mouth to retort, but Skyfall raised his hoof.

"Go shake your groove thang." Skyfall chuckled out. "You know you want to."

Applejack hung her head with a smile and trotted out of the room and down the stairs.

"Somepony is coming, Twilight. You can stop knocking."

With three long, deep breaths, Applejack opened the door, much to the shock of those standing outside. She fought a smile when Silver Coin whistled at her.

"Hi everyone, Skyfall is upstairs and ready to see whoever showed up first." Applejack tried coming up with a good way of dividing the group up so that they wouldn't all riot upstairs.

"Wait, wait." Rainbow cut Applejack off. "Why do you look like that?"

"Like what?" Applejack returned Rainbow's challenging tone.

"All." Rainbow gestured to Applejack, trying to formulate the proper wording. 

"Hot." Captain Fury said.

"Sexy." Desert continued.

"Like a wife." Silver coin swooned.

"I believe the word they're looking for is ‘presentable.’" Rarity chirped loudly. "Where in Equestria did you learn to dress like that?"

Applejack smiled nervously. "Skyfall gave me this for the Gala."

Rarity's curious look turned to shock. "He is moving in on my territory."

Applejack stepped aside and sat down. As the first of the group passed her to speak with Skyfall, she was left to fend for herself as the questions rolled in.

"So are you dating?" Silver Coin asked.

"No, we're business partners, and I want to start looking the part." Applejack shrugged.

Fluttershy let out a quiet sigh of relief, something the small wolf next to her picked up on.

"Ms. Fluttershy, may I speak with you?" 

Fluttershy smiled, unsure of what he wanted. "Y-Yeah."

Wolf lead Fluttershy to a small garden on the other side of the courtyard, away from the gossiping. 

"Is there something you wanted to ask, Doctor?" Fluttershy chirped.

Doctor Wolf smiled. "Just a few small inquiries, mostly regarding Skyfall."

Fluttershy broke eye contact and wore a small smile on her face while bringing her hoof to her lips shyly, remembering the kiss he gave her on Hearth's Warming.





Canterlot Castle





Celestia took a moment to relax as the large, white doors to the royal court closed for the day. Every day since Luna's return, the doors only shut for two hours, twice a day, to give the princesses some alone time with one another. They would eat and talk about the events of the day and on occasion play a board game.

The doors to the Night Wing opened revealing a sleepy-looking Luna with a bad case of bedhead. She walked in gingerly to not push her waking senses. Luna enjoyed sleep, and not just because it was her realm, but for the act in and of itself.

"Good evening, sleepyhead." Celestia called from the throne, prompting Luna to hiss and turn her ears flat against her head.

"Enough of thy screaming." Luna stated groggily.

"I'm just speaking." Celestia rolled her eyes.

"Nay. For the night, that is a thunderous voice thou art using." Luna sat on the throne next to her sister.

Celestia knew that her sister was being playful, but she had a serious matter to discuss with Luna. "Dear sister, there is something I need to show you."

"It's been five minutes, Tia. I just woke up, can it wait?" Luna groaned.

"Sadly, it cannot." Celestia sighed and summoned a stack of returned Gala invitations. She placed them before an unimpressed Luna while she poured herself some coffee from the machine behind her throne.

"Rejected invitations to the Gala, oh no. How will we possibly manage?" Luna mumbled monotonously.

Celestia giggled and lifted the one that was addressed to Neighpon.

The sipping of coffee stopped and Luna snatched the invitation out of the air. "It was opened?" She flipped through the letters and muttered to herself. "They've all been opened."

"Isn't it wonderful?" Celestia smiled. "It’s been ages since there's been a full turnout. I've been trying to balance everything, but we'll need to change locations for the Gala."

"Where to?" Luna asked. "This is going to be a lot of guests."

Celestia fluttered her wings. "Mont Saint-Maker."

"What!?" Luna said before entering a coughing fit. The coughing caused Celestia to erupt in laughter. 

"I've been having it restored. I was planning to surprise you with it this summer, but thought this would be as good a time as any to tell you about it." Celestia clapped her hooves.

"That place is still around?" Luna said in disbelief. "I remember we used to go there on vacation centuries ago, but I thought it sank into the ocean."

Celestia nodded. "The soft sand beneath it did make the entire castle sink about half way, but thanks to a certain Chaos Spirit, the process was reversed."

Luna nodded and opened another invitation to read what it actually said.




You are cordially invited to the 847th Gala of Equestria.

Our long, time honored tradition of unifying for a night of splendor has once again arrived. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have extended their deepest wishes for you to attend. A respondez, s'il vous plait (RSVP) will need to be sent in order for attendance to be registered so that all parties may receive a proper greeting by our court crier.

This year's guests include the Elements of Harmony and the new Captain of the Royal Guard, Captain Fury. All paragons of Equestrian society shall be in attendance. 

Certainly, rumors have circulated that Shattered Skies and a few other Spirits have returned. Rest assured that safety is at the forefront of everypony's mind until this threat has passed. To insure this, many guard captains shall be in attendance and guard numbers will be at an all time high around the Gala. They shall be lead by the Captain of the Royal guard and the newly appointed Ponyville Captain, Captain Skyfall.

I look forward to any response.

Warm regards, Princess Celestia




'I wonder if Sky has seen this?' Luna thought to herself. She was lost deep in thought as she looked through the list of attendees; Neighpon, all three Griffon Kingdoms, the Dragon lands, Zebrafrica, Saddle Arabia, and even Foenum. So many different creatures would be in one place at the same time; Ponies, Griffons, dragons, Deerfolk, Cattlekind, and even a few Spirits are bound to turn up. Luna smiled at her sister. "This sounds like it's going to be a great many creatures under one roof."

"Isn't it great?" Celestia giggled into her hoof. 

Luna looked down at the invitation again. "I noticed you gave that new Ponyville Captain a special mention. I take it you had a reason for this?"

Celestia nodded. "I learned recently from my old student that he is quite knowledgeable when it comes to Spirits. She told me in a letter that he has studied them and I believe he will be instrumental in capturing Him. Isn't that right, Sunset?"

Luna looked up and around to see that Sunset Shimmer had just entered the room.

"Yes, Princess." Sunset chirped.

Luna raised an eyebrow and looked between the two. "I take it there's something I don't know?"

Celestia nodded. "While you've been asleep for the past few days tending to your dream realm, we've been here trying to get to the bottom of whatever is going on in Ponyville."

Luna waited briefly before pushing the conversation forward. "Go on." 

Sunset walked up and sat before both Princesses. She reached into her saddlebags and pulled out a few scrolls, as well as her personal journal. "I've been out gathering information on Shattered Skies. I collected any information I could; physical description, speech patterns, sightings, and even what he’s said. Skyfall arrived in Ponyville shortly before Shattered Skies made himself known. He lives on the edge of the Everfree forest and is considerably larger than the average pony. He says anyone instead of anypony, and the most glaring fact is that he disappears for days at a time."

Luna was growing more anxious as Sunset continued to speak. "And where does that lead you?"

Sunset sighed and closed her book. "I think my data is nearly conclusive, but I would still like to ask you one question before responding to your own."

Luna nodded, silently granting her request.

"Have you ever seen any of Skyfall's dreams?"

Luna felt her stomach drop, it was impossible to enter a Spirit's dream unless she was given permission to by the owner. It is likely that Sunset discovered this from Celestia's journal. If she said no, then Skies would be found out. "Yes, I've been through his dreams."

Sunset nodded, sighing in relief. 

"Thank you, Princess."

"Why?" Luna asked feigning confusion.

"Had you not been able to enter his dreams, then I would need to start investigation for the worst, but thankfully now I can start investigating the best case scenario."

"Which is?" Luna asked.

"Skyfall is trying to find Shattered Skies. I don't know why, but I get the feeling he knows a great more than what he lets on. That's partially why his name is on the invitation: if he has the contacts we believe he has, then we expected a large turnout, but to have all the invitations come back with an RSVP was a little jarring." Sunset Shimmer gestured to the pile of letters. "What does he dream about?"

Luna panicked, but remained visibly calm despite her inner turmoil. She needed to make up a lie good enough to keep the two of them from prying. 

"Skyfall has a few random dreams, but none more prominent than a recurring nightmare that I've had to stop time and time again." Luna said, making sure to crack her voice to feign emotion. She coughed and continued. "Most nights, he dreams about the night his wife and child were taken from him, before a shadow ran him through, nearly killing him. Sometimes I'm too late and he wakes up from the nightmare without me preventing it."

"Poor guy." A young mare strode into the room.

Luna looked over to see a plum Unicorn walking with another pony through the same door Sunset had entered minutes before. Luna smiled at the mare, knowing exactly who she was. "Radiant Hope?"

"In the flesh, Princess." Hope smiled. "Princess Celestia summoned us from our travels in looking for Amore's shards. We figured this was a more pressing matter that needed to be heeded."

"And the pony next to you?" Luna asked.

The stallion rose his head and pushed back his hood. "It has been some time since last we met, Princess Luna. I apologize for not giving you a proper greeting. My mind has been in a state of disaster since hearing about Shattered Skies’ return." 

"You two do have some history." Celestia said. 

"History is putting it kindly, your eminence. I believe it was me, the old me, that put Shattered Skies down the path he's chosen. If there is a way I could save him like you, Princess Twilight, and Princess Cadance once did for me, then it is my very duty."

"Princess, who is this?" Sunset Shimmer asked before turning to Radiant Hope and the unknown stallion.

The mare gave a small curtsy. "I am Radiant Hope."

Sunset smiled and curtsied in return and then turned to the stallion that shuffled his hooves and refused to make eye contact. He looked nervous, much in the way a foal does on their first day of school. "And you, what is your name?"

The stallion gave Sunset a sheepish smile. "My name is Sombra, formerly known as King Sombra."
> Chapter 29 -Tradition-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Tradition-





The train bound for Mont Saint-Mare lurched as it left the final stop before heading off to its destination. With the Gala's commencement, Skyfall felt uneasy. The quiet clacking of the rails beneath the train droned out much of the chatter of passing ponies, leaving him to silently reflect on his many of the uncertainties for the coming night.


As a result of the Grand Galloping Gala’s changed location, Skyfall had to alter his plans. Originally, he was going to reveal Farhaven and then escape from the commotion while pretending to kidnap a pony that looked similar to Skyfall, but Mont Saint-Mare was quite literally a fortress, and escaping according to his plan would be nearly impossible. 


Skyfall sighed as the train neared the castle. He looked out the window and Saint-Mare grew larger with each passing moment. It had become painfully obvious that in the time since Luna's banishment, Celestia had become guarded by means of national security, and Mont Saint-Mare was readily made into a self sustaining super-keep.


Three soft knocks echoed throughout Sky’s train car, snapping him out of his thoughts. He shifted inside of his dark silver armor and reaffixed the small blue cape that blanketed half of his form. The cape’s silver trimmings glistened in the light as he leaned back into his seat.


"You there, Sky?" Nimbus asked as he opened the cab door. 


"Hey." Skyfall murmured as he slid over to the window to make room for River, Nimbus, Sif, Honos, Akia, and Inko, who each swiftly entered the car.


"What's up?" River asked. "You disappeared from the group like an hour ago."


Skyfall suppressed a chuckle. "Nothing, just thinking about what needs to happen tonight."


A silent moment passed over the car as a pair of guards passed their door, laughing to themselves while they joked about a pony they had just caught eating tubs of jelly in the bathroom. Skies looked up to River and gestured to his ears.


River's eyes glowed and a light mist formed from the air and permeated the train cabin. "No one can eavesdrop anymore."


"Good." Skyfall reached into his ornate, decorative armor and pulled out a list of attendees. "Have you all had a chance to read the guest list?"


"What list?" Sif mumbled, trying to peek over his shoulder.


"We didn't get one." River said.


Skyfall rubbed his temple gingerly. "Maybe I got one because I'm 'in charge' of security?"


Everyone shrugged, Skyfall shifted in his seat and turned to the rest of the car. "Then we'll run through it now. It shouldn't be a surprise that with an extremely long list of attendees, some familiar faces would appear. And by familiar, I mean old.  And by old, I mean Spirits..."


"What's wrong, Sky?" Nimbus noticed Skyfall's hesitance in speaking.


Skyfall leaned back and ran his hoof over his face. "Do you guys remember a Spirit named Sakurajima?"


Nimbus groaned while everyone silently mulled over the name.


"The volcano Spirit?" Sif asked. "Fuji, right?"


"The very same. She is in the delegation from Neighpon." Skyfall deadpanned. "And that means she'll recognize me when the Princess greets her."


"Ouch." Nimbus chuckled. "Wait, you're going to be with Celestia?"


Skyfall raised an eyebrow. "It was either me or Fury, and Fury has seniority, so I got stuck with standing next to her like the good little guard I am."


Akia raised her hoof. "So when things inevitably go south, what is the plan?"


Low chuckling rose in the air in response to Skyfall's indignant look. "Things only go south for a reason, usually to my benefit. But to answer your question: when things hit the fan, everyone except me is paired off. Inko goes with Honos. You two will get back on the train and make it look like you snuck away for some 'quality' time. Nimbus goes with Akia. There is a gathering point for VIPs and you both will be welcome there, considering Nim is my second in command. Sif goes with River. Chances are everyone will be too focused looking for signs of me that you two can slip around virtually unnoticed. I trust you two to gather information on anything suspicious."


"That's a dumb plan." Sif grumbled. "You're left virtually defenseless."


Skyfall smirked and shook his head. He brought his hoof to his chest and a soft golden light started to radiate under his hoof. When he pulled his hoof away, the Sunset Effigy appeared before him.


"So that's where it’s been." Nimbus mused.


"After all the disasters this thing has caused, I'm not letting it out of my sight." Skyfall said monotonously. 


Akia looked the effigy over. She saw the solid, amber ball giving off a faint light. She focused and saw that it was covered in elaborate silver fittings and wondered what she was looking at. 


River shook her head. "That thing is too dangerous, Skyfall."


"I know." Skyfall agreed. "But considering the caliber of the players out tonight, I think having a hidden trump card is something we need."


"If you think it will help, then I stand behind your decision." River said solemnly. “I just don’t like being too close to that thing.”


"What does it do?" Akia asked.


Silence enveloped the train car. The group looked to one another and then to Skyfall who held the ball in his lap. Skyfall took a deep breath and levitated the orb up above his head, and it began to shine brightly with the same golden magic that Skyfall possessed. "In short, it's a conduit.”


Skyfall paused and slowly allowed the orb to enter his chest once more. "Maybe this story is meant for another time." 


Everyone nodded in agreement. As they did, the train slowed and its piercing whistle cut through the air.


"I think we should go and join the others." Sif said. "If we're gone too long, things will look fishy."


"Good plan, I'll meet you at the castle. I have official Skyfall stuff to do." Skyfall stood and made his way out of the cab as quickly as he could. 


"He still hasn't changed." Akia shook her head. 


"He's getting there." Sif stood and stretched. "He was a wreck for years, but recently I notice he's starting to talk and move like the old Skies did."


"Hopefully our luck will continue to improve." River opened the door and waved for everyone to follow.


Back in the main VIP car, Fluttershy sat by idly running her hoof along the window frame. Her mind had been consumed by more intimate thoughts as of late. She couldn't think straight, nor could she stay fixed on a conversation without drifting off into her fantasies. Even now she was deep in thought.


"Are you okay, Ms. Fluttershy?" Dr. Wolf asked, having been seated in front of her for nearly the entire ride. He chuckled as Fluttershy snapped out of  her stupor.


"Yes, I'm sorry. Were you asking me something?" Fluttershy asked sheepishly.


"No, but I was observing you." Dr. Wolf smiled. "Have you spoken to him?"


Fluttershy's eyes darted around. "Spoken to whom?"


Dr. Wolf gave Fluttershy a knowing grin. "So why haven't you spoken to him? From how you say he acts around you, it seems like he may be receptive to you more so than others."


Fluttershy fiddled with the hem of her gold-trimmed amber dress. Though trying to play it cool, Fluttershy’s nerves finally got the best of her. "I don't know. What if I'm rejected?"


Dr. Wolf shook his head. "I do not believe he would reject you. He has some history with bad relationships, but just show him that you're there for him, and I believe you two could become something good."


Fluttershy nodded and was startled by Sif as she leaped over the back of the chair and onto the seat next to Fluttershy. "What are you two whispering about?"


Before either of them could answer, ponies began filing out of the train. The low rumble of talking turned into a soft roar as everyone stood up. Sif looked up to notice that Dr. Wolf had gotten up to talk to a nearby guard while Fluttershy was staring directly at Sif.


"Well hello there."


Fluttershy smiled weakly. "H-Hello, Sif. Have you seen Skyfall?"


"He's off doing 'top secret' Skyfall things. Which means he's probably off eating chips and drinking out of a coconut." 


Fluttershy nodded slowly. "Oh okay."


"Why?"


Fluttershy hid behind her hair. "No reason."


Rarity had been waiting at the door of the train for Fluttershy, but quickly left when Sif signaled her to give them room. Sif looked around and rested her hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder until they were the only ones left in the car.


"C-Can I leave?" Fluttershy asked meekly.


"Not yet." Sif cooed and turned to her timid acquaintance. "May I be blunt?"


Fluttershy nodded slowly.


"How do you feel about Skyfall?" 


Fluttershy started to whimper out a reply, but Sif cut her off. "And none of this 'he gives me butterflies' nonsense, be honest with yourself."


Fluttershy closed her mouth and tried to sort out her emotions for a good minute before attempting to answer. "I feel happy when he comes over for tea and sad I'm sad when he leaves. Since he walked me home before Hearth's Warming, I don't know what to feel."


"Do you love him?" Sif asked while she turned away to look forward solemnly.


"What?" Fluttershy asked in surprise.


Sif turned to the Pegasus and looked her in the eye. "I asked 'Do you love him?'" 


Fluttershy blushed. "I-I wouldn't say l-love, but I do certainly have feelings for him."


Sif took a long, deep breath. "IF you found out that Skyfall was a notorious pirate, wanted by nations around the world, would you stand by him?"


Fluttershy paused and gave Sif a thoughtful look. "It depends, did he hurt anyone?"


Fluttershy winced as Sif patted her on the head. "I think you're a keeper. I suggest you stop pussy-footing around and start pursuing Skyfall before one of those other mares get to him."


"Other mares?" 


Sif nodded. "Yeah, didn't you know your lover-boy is a hot commodity?"


"L-Lover boy?" Fluttershy choked out as Sif trotted away. 


"For what it's worth, I think you two would be a perfect match!" Sif called before disappearing off the train.


Fluttershy looked out the window at the ponies walking to and fro as she slipped back into her thoughts. She had never considered Skyfall's past. 'What do I do if he really is a bad pony?'





Mont Saint-Mare garden





Skyfall sat on the high balcony of Saint Mare's central castle and patiently listened as a resident mouse chattered at him. He was regaled of the mouse’s adventures trying to recover grapes for his family when the chef chased him off with a broom. 


"Mr. Mortimer." Skyfall interrupted. "I must ask. Have you heard anything weird in the castle over the past few weeks?" 


Mortimer reared up and tapped his chin thoughtfully. He nodded and scampered up Sky's armor and onto his shoulder, filling him in on the information he sought. 


"So there are Spirits here already, and they planned a trap?" Skyfall looked and saw the little mouse's head nod vigorously. "Did the planners see you?"


After a small pause, Mortimer nodded again. 


"Thank you, Mortimer." Skyfall sighed and picked him up off his pauldron. "You should move your family immediately, this island might not be safe after tonight." Worried chattering sang from Mortimer, but Sky shook his head. "Please, do not worry. There is a large suitcase on the train, and inside there is a daisy sandwich. Help your family aboard and feed them, it is probably best for you to come to Farhaven with me."


Mortimer smiled and bowed graciously after being placed on the neatly cut grass.


"Why is it that whenever you end up in a castle you always seek out the garden first?" Luna chuckled as she glided in behind Skyfall's resting form. She smiled at Skyfall as he watched the sunset from the balcony and a mouse scurried away from him. Luna nudged Sky with her hoof, but he was unphased. "What's wrong?"


"Tonight is not going to end well."


Luna nodded and pressed herself against Skyfall. "I know, but that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun."


A quiet moment passed by before Luna pulled away and grabbed Skyfall's head with both hooves. She turned swiftly and shoved her face into the side of his neck and blew raspberries, forcing Skyfall to laugh. He writhed about for a few moments and wrestled himself from her grip. Skyfall then turned the tables on Luna by wrapping her in his wings, threatening to tickle her from multiple angles.


"You wouldn't." Luna challenged.


"Doth the lady believe that I haven't the fortitude to bring everlasting torment to thine sides?" Skyfall threatened playfully. He sat back on his haunches and lifted her up and into a hug. "I could disable your magic for a few minutes and we could sit here, you being tickled and me laughing maniacally."


Luna rolled her eyes and rested her head on Skyfall's shoulder. "Ah, the famed hug attack." 


Skyfall chuckled and set the night Princess down onto her flank. "Oh, that's not good."


"What?" Luna asked.


"Close your eyes." 


Luna squinted and did so slowly. She felt Skyfall moving her mane to place something by her ear.


"And we're done."


Luna opened her eyes and slowly brought her hoof up to feel a flower on her head. "What did you do?"


Skyfall waved his hoof over the lawn and summoned another white rose. "I remember how much you liked blue lilies when you were a filly, you always thought they were the neatest present." 


Luna smiled sweetly. "I always wondered why, but I came to that realization years ago." Luna nudged Skyfall. "You always did take care of us, even when we were being brats."


A smile crept onto Skyfall's face as he walked towards the main castle. "I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about."


"I... remember a big stallion coming to see Celestia and I when we were growing up, though he often kept his face covered." Luna started with a calm, airy tone. "He had a pair of piercing golden eyes and he always smelled of freshly turned soil and rainwater."


Skyfall hung his head with a small smile while Luna crept up next to him.


"He would come around and teach me and Celestia things; cooking, cleaning, and how to live full lives. He told us about all the things our parents never got the chance to." Luna leaned in closer. "My earliest memory of him: I remember him finding us in a pantry before being carried out of a smoldering city on his back."


Skyfall squeezed his eyes shut. "How long have you been able to remember that?"


Luna nuzzled Skyfall's cheek. "I was freed of the memory block five years ago by the Elements of Harmony. I feared I would never get a chance to thank you, so in case I don't after tonight." She planted a delicate kiss on Skyfall's cheek. "Thank you for saving me and Tia."


"It has always been my honor." Skyfall started up a small set of steps. He smiled back at Luna as she waved before teleporting away.


"You two seemed cozy." 


Skyfall rolled his eyes as Rainbow walked out from the shadows before him. He spread his wings and flew up towards one of the skyports.


"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Rainbow Dash jumped and flew after Skyfall, catching up to him in mere moments as he dipped and dodged around spires to avoid her. 


"Rainbow, I'm very busy, so if you don't mind." Skyfall flapped his wings faster, but his attempt to escape was in vain against Rainbow’s superior flight skills. She dipped and weaved after Skyfall like a small bird mobbing an Osprey. "Land!"


"Mighty persistent tonight, aren't we?" Skyfall called as he flew straight up.


"I'm tired of the games!"


"So am I!" Skyfall groaned. He beat his wings harder and harder until he reached a large, flat cloud. He snapped his wings shut and zoomed through the darkness while Rainbow struggled to keep sight of him.


"Come out!"





Mont Saint-Mare Inner Ballroom





A lone guard strode into the ballroom. Fury wanted checks done every five minutes through the halls in a rotation to keep the party as secure as possible. Two Thirds of Canterlot’s entire guard force of was present and active in Saint-Mare, and had been for a full week.


"Are there any reports of suspicious activity?" Sunset asked after she teleported into the room, wearing a simple white dress. 


"None, Madam Inquisitor." The guard gave a curt nod before disappearing down another hallway.


Sunset Shimmer huffed and mimicked the guard. "None, Madam Inquisitor. Ah! I hate that word."


"Something wrong, Sunset?" asked a voice from behind her. Twilight Sparkle made her way through the crowd of waiting staff as they scurried to make sure the enormous ballroom was properly set up for coming party.


"Twilight? I didn't see you there." Sunset smiled sheepishly.


"I just got here. Is everything alright?"


Sunset nodded weakly. "Yes, I'm just trying really hard to keep Shattered Skies from being able to interfere with the Gala."


Twilight giggled. "I doubt that he will show up, Sunset. Last we saw of him, that bull was chasing him into the forest. I doubt he's dumb enough to show up, and even if he does..."


Sunset watched as Twilight brought her hoof to her chest and pulled the fabric away, revealing her Element of Harmony. 


"We have a little surprise for him." Twilight smiled. "Princess Celestia knows a spell to force the Elements to activate. If and when he shows, she believes he'll appear where everypony can see him, and that's when we strike."


Sunset slumped. "Why didn't I know about this?"


Twilight patted Sunset's shoulder. "A question I brought to Princess Celestia. She told me that it was better for you not to know because that would give you more of a drive to root him out and make him show himself."


Sunset nodded silently.


"She trusts you, Sunset, but Shattered Skies needs to be... captured." Twilight said.


Sunset caught Twilight's hesitation. "What do you think about the matter?"


Twilight looked around with a weary look and started to walk toward one of the empty corridors. Twilight tilted her head for Sunset to follow.


"Is there something wrong, Twilight?" Sunset whispered.


"I don't know." Twilight said. "But the last time we tried to apprehend Skies, I cast a spell to gather information on the magic Skies was using to prevent us from capturing him, but I didn't get the outcome I was expecting."


Sunset smiled. "Finally, some data." She swatted Twilight's shoulder. "And here you are hoarding research material."


Twilight gave Sunset a sad look. "That's the thing, there is none."


"Say again?" Sunset asked.


"Shattered Skies didn't cast any magic that prevented the Elements to fire, they refused to fire on their own." Twilight lamented. "I've searched for a reason, but no matter how much I scan and research, I come to the same conclusion."


Sunset ran her hoof over her face. "But the Princess has a spell for this, right?"


"That's just the thing. What if they don't fire because Shattered Skies doesn't need to be stopped?" Twilight rubbed her temples and looked around once again to make sure they were still alone. "Every time we see Skies, he politely tells us to leave and then disappears. There are no confirmed cases of him committing any crime-"


"The museum?"


"-Okay, there was the museum heist, but even then he didn't hurt anypony."


"He almost killed Skyfall." Sunset reminded.


"That was Storm Front, not Shattered Skies." Twilight stated. "I just want somepony to explain it all to me instead of having this endless amount of questions."


"Well, if the Princess is right, he'll show up soon or later and then you'll have your answers." Sunset thought aloud as Skyfall shot past them followed by an angry streak of blue.


"Get back here!"


"Uh-oh, she found him." Twilight mumbled.





In The Airspace above Mont Saint-Mare





"Rainbow, I think it's time to knock it off. I have stuff to do." Skyfall called back, but found that Rainbow was reaching for his hooves to throw him into a tailspin.


"Not until we talk!"


"Fine." Skyfall shot his wings out and angled himself as Rainbow shot past him. Sky snatched her hoof as she passed and caused her flight path to zigzag as she tried to straighten out.


"Hey!" Rainbow glared back, but found that Skyfall was gliding toward the rooftop courtyard. She scowled and mumbled to herself. "You better talk to me this time."


Rainbow swooped down to the floor and landed harshly. She looked around and saw Skyfall leaning against a railing to watch ships from the many visiting nations begin their docking procedures of rolling up their canvas and throwing out mooring lines.


"So you wanted to talk?" Skyfall sighed.


Rainbow shuffled her hooves. She opened her mouth to scold him, but found it shutting against her will instead.


A moment of apprehension passed over Skyfall when he looked at Rainbow. He had tried to avoid her and give her reason to stay away, but in the end it was obvious that his efforts had opposite the intended effect. 'Nothing is going right for me in this age.'


Skyfall sighed and pushed himself off the railing and found Rainbow standing in front of him. "Don't leave."


"Rainbow, I think it's best if you just pretend I don't exist." Skyfall closed his eyes, not wanting to make things worse than he already had. He felt two hooves slam against his chest. He looked down and saw Rainbow hitting him with soft thuds as the metal armor hit the leather layered beneath. "Rainbow?"


"Shut up." Rainbow mumbled and looked up. She was never one to show emotions, but it was easy to see something was bothering her. "I want to know the real reason you haven't been talking to me."


Skyfall gave Rainbow a sympathetic grin and grabbed her hooves. "I don't hate you. Sif tells me whenever you ask, and I guess the fault is mine for letting you think that."


"But why?"


"I know your type of personality." Skyfall shrugged sadly. "You are two faced, but not in a backstabbing kind of way."


"Yeah? Well backstabbing is all that comes to mind when I think of two faced." Rainbow mumbled from under her bangs. "I feel like you're making all this up just to cover up how you don’t like me."


Skyfall sat down and leaned against the banister. "Rainbow Dash." His use of her full name grabbed her attention long enough to see his sad expression. "I don't hate you, I am just reluctant to befriend someone who is so desperate to prove herself. You're afraid of looking weak to the point that you will lie to avoid it. What if you and I fell in love? You would be a loving partner behind closed doors and a cold companion everywhere else. You may even complain behind my back about spending time with me to make yourself seem even more desirable."


Rainbow's mouth opened and closed a few times and Skyfall continued.


"Tell me I'm wrong."


Rainbow slumped. "I just wanted to be friends."


"Sif told me you wanted more than just that." Skyfall admitted. "But don't be mad at her, I've known her since she was small and she would tell me anything."


Dash started to pout. "Mrs. Cake was right." 


"Right about what, if I might ask." Skyfall quizzed.


With a long sigh, Rainbow lamented. "She said that I should just be honest with you."


Skyfall laughed openly. 


"What?"


"Mrs. Cake fits the profile for you perfectly, Mr. Cake described her when they dated in their younger years and your attitude fits her to a T, so it isn't a surprise that she told you the quick fix." Skyfall laughed harder at Rainbow's shocked expression. "Let me guess, you just envisioned yourself with forty pounds of baby weight?"


Instead of denying Skyfalls assumption, Rainbow just grumbled to herself some more.


"You aren't bad when it's just you and me." Skyfall mused.


"I'm not bad, period." 


"Oh really?" Skyfall challenged.


"Yeah, really!" Rainbow flew up to Skyfall's face and flew right into Skyfall's armored hoof. She yelped and rubbed her nose. "That reminds me, I have a few questions for you."


Skyfall nodded. "Then ask."


"Where is that armor from?" Rainbow gestured to Skyfall. "We were talking about it on the train the instant you left. It looks really old, but also really special for dress armor."


Skyfall looked down. "Well first off, this isn't dress armor, it's real armor." He ran his hoof over the vine-like designs that the Alicorns etched into the enchanted metal and smiled. "Some good friends made it for me a very long time ago, I bet it's still a top shelf item, even today."


"Can I?" Rainbow held her hoof out to touch his chest and did so at his silent consent. She ran her hoof over his form and up over his pauldron. "Why does it make my hoof tingle?"


"The armor is enchanted with fire protection. It has some rudimentary protection for a lot of things, but none more so than fire." Skyfall cooed while lifting his arm to reveal small gems in the shoulder that had been hidden by the armor’s fold. "These gems relay the enchantment."


"That looks expensive." Rainbow chuckled.


"It is. I'm sure you could put a down payment on the whole of Canterlot with this just for its historical value." Skyfall smiled. "It has a helmet too, but I won’t need it for tonight, hopefully."


"Why do you say that?" Rainbow asked, absentmindedly. "Do you think Shattered Skies is going to show up?"


Skyfall looked Rainbow in the eyes. "Yes, and when he does, do not fight him."


"Why?" Rainbow chuckled. "I can handle him, plus I've got this."


Skyfall watched as Rainbow pulled her dress aside to reveal the Element of Loyalty on her chest. He stepped back as it glowed at him. 


"That's weird." Rainbow mused and moved closer to Skyfall, making it glow brighter. "It's never done this before."


Skyfall backed away, it was common for a fallen Spirit's element to glow when near another Spirit. He laughed nervously to himself. "Well, loyalty is very important to me. Maybe it likes me?"


Rainbow nodded and squinted. "Yeah, maybe."


"There you are!" Captain Fury called from the ground, prompting both Rainbow and Skyfall to peer down at him and his entourage. "You two! Stop doing the nasty, get dressed, and get down to where you're supposed to be!"


"We aren't doing that!" Both Rainbow and Skyfall called.


"Then why are you both sweating and panting with messed up clothes?" Fury laughed. 


Rainbow sputtered. "I was chasing him!"


"Uh-huh." Fury called in a sing song voice.


Skyfall rolled his eyes. "You caught us, Captain. Don't worry, if we have foals I'll name the first one after you!"


"Skyfall!" Rainbow shrieked.


"That's my stallion!" Fury cheered. "Posts, now!"


Skyfall put a hoof on Rainbow's mouth as she started her string of insults. "Shh." He watched as Fury disappeared behind a corner and looked at a very upset Rainbow. "You're in the Wonderbolts reserve, right?"


"Y-Yeah?" 


"Well in the guard, they have a darker sense of humor. He knew we weren't doing anything and was just messing with us. If someone plays jokes like that, the best thing to do is to joke along so it doesn’t escalate." Skyfall whispered as he stretched his wings and fixed his armor. "You should probably fix your dress though. It does look like we had a pre-party roll in the hay."


Rainbow sputtered again. "Why are you being so casual with me?"


Skyfall took a deep breath. "I’m sorry would you like me to be mean again?"


"So are we friends?" Rainbow asked hopefully.


"Not friends." Skyfall said and noticed Dash's immediate slump. "But as long as you don’t pursue me like you’ve been, I can at least talk to you like a normal pony."


A small smiled graced Rainbow's face.


"See you at the party." Skyfall took off gently from the ground and started his way towards the massive center structure of the walled city before calling back to Rainbow one last time. "But really, you look like a hot mess!"


Rainbow laughed into her hoof. "That jerk."


Unbeknownst to Rainbow, there was a familiar cloaked mare in the shadows watching their entire conversation. She chuckled and disappeared into green flame.





Mont Saint-Mare's Grand Foyer.





"There you are!" Celestia chirped as Skyfall appeared in the doorway. The sudden exclamation drew the attention of the entire room. Celestia smiled down the steps at her guard Captain as he ascended gracefully. "I take it the sights of Mont Saint-Mare haven't been too alluring for you. I would understand if they were, however."


Skyfall chuckled as he neared. "No, Princess. Just merely getting a feel of the old girl."


"Oh, so you're into old girls now?" Celestia hummed.


"One or two might have caught my eye, but alas, the city lacks the proper entertainment." Skyfall teased.


"Well then, what could be done to liven the city up to your tastes?"


"A lot of biting and whining." Skyfall smirked when Celestia choked on her breath.


"Skyfall!" Celestia scolded quietly.


"What? You were thinking it." Skyfall proclaimed. "And so was Applejack, weren't you?"


Applejack was standing behind Skyfall frozen in step when her name was called. "How'd you know I was here?"


Skyfall glanced back. "You smell like cinnamon and fresh cut wood."


Celestia looked around and tried to regain her regal demeanor now that she was caught talking in such an uncouth manner. "Greetings, Applejack. How are you this evening?"


"I’m okay." Applejack sat awkwardly, unsure if she heard everything correctly. "I've been hunting down my date for the better part of the hour."


Skyfall smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, got busy."


"Mhm." Applejack smirked and rolled her eyes. "Now that I found him, I'm going to follow him everywhere tonight."


Celestia held her hoof to her breast. "My Applejack, I had no idea you and Skyfall were together."


"No, Princess. You have the wrong..."


"It's nice to see that you've found somepony to get along with. I bet you two will have beautiful foals together." Celestia chirped and lowered her head to Applejack's. "Though, I must warn you. Once you have a child, you may never get your pre-pregnancy body back, so have fun with it while you can."


"But..."


Celestia clapped her hooves. "So much good news tonight!"


Skyfall nudged Applejack's shoulder and shook his head, discouraging her from setting things straight for their Diarch. "Let her believe what she wants tonight. We have more important things to be concerned with."


"If you say so."


Celestia turned and waved at Skyfall demurely. "Go and have fun, Captain Skyfall. I won't keep you and your mare from enjoying this night for such a boring task."


Skyfall bowed. "By your word, Princess."


Applejack opened her mouth to protest, but found Skyfall's wings wrapped over her and directing her to the open doors behind them. The low roar of approaching guests drowning out her pleas.


"First, the Honorable Lady Fuji of the Eastern nation of Neighpon!" The court crier called the instant Sky and Applejack disappeared from sight.


Skyfall sighed and looked around at the non-VIPs walking around the grand hall. Most of the building was mixed well, so bridging the awkwardness of entering a group that wasn't your own wouldn't be too bad. With a sharp inhale, Sky smirked at Applejack and patted her on the back. "Ready to mingle?"


Applejack smiled up at him nervously. "No."


"Well, it won't be that bad." Skyfall smiled sweetly at Applejack's fidgeting before she smiled at someone who approached from his blindspot. 


"Well, I'll be. I thought you two were off looking for them crystals." Applejack beamed.


"They were summoned by the princess, she thought Sombra could help." Twilight spoke more, but the words were drowned out by the dull roar as Skyfall slowly craned his neck to look at the stallion and mare beside Twilight.


The mare was instantly recognizable as Radiant Hope, the same filly Shattered Skies had met over one thousand years ago in the Crystal Empire and who pleaded with him to help her ailing friend.


"-silly me. You two, introduce yourselves!" Twilight chirped.


"Hello, I'm Radiant Hope!" The small plum mare waved happily before nudging her friend.


The ballroom was a blaze of light and noise as Skyfall's eyes met the dark stallion's smiling face.


"Greetings, you must be Skyfall. I was told to come and find you so that I may help you for the night. I am Sombra." Sombra bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you."


"You."






Shortly after the disappearance of the Crystal Empire in the Frozen Wastes






Snowstorms can be blinding. They can whip and shred your skin with ice and wind until you bleed. Skyfall raced through the tundra with what remained of Celestia's forces. They tried to keep up, but Skyfall's speed and the need to find Crystal and Anara were too great, and as a result, the guard soon fell out of sight.


The disappearance of the Empire took with it the last lead Sky had on his family and on the stallion that took them away. He taunted Sky as the Empire evaporated, saying his daughter was gone and soon his wife would be too.


Silently, Skyfall begged and pleaded with the Maker to spare them. The freezing air burned his lungs, but a dull, blue light radiating from the mountains gave him hope and newfound strength, so he continued pressing deeper into the wastes. 


As he neared, he could see a fading light leading into a cave.


"No!" Skyfall screamed as he ran into the cave. His legs felt weak and shaky, not from the exhaustion or cold, but at the sight that burned into his memory. His wife laid on the cold, red snow, barely able to lift her head. Were it not for the blood surrounding the mare, her white coat would have been indistinguishable from the snow, aside from the honeycomb on her flank.


"H-Hey." Honey Bee choked out from her broken form as she looked up at him with her piercing green eyes. Her golden hair had been blown around as if she had been thrown with great force.


Skyfall quietly walked to his wife and cradled her in his arms as her horn's magic sputtered out. He stroked her mane. "No." Skyfall barely choked out.


"Shh, it's okay." Honey smiled up at Skyfall as tears flowed freely down both of their cheeks.


"Please, no." Skyfall sobbed quietly.


Honey placed her hoof on her husband's neck and weakly pulled him into a hug. "Don't give me the waterworks, crybaby."


Skyfall hugged Honey tighter as he felt the life leaving her. "Maker, please... I can't..."


"You can." Honey Bee looked up and kissed Skyfall on the cheek. She smiled and sank a little in his arms, the cold no longer noticeable to her. "It's why I married you."


Skyfall cradled Honey as she tried in vain to smile. "You're everything to me... I love you so much."


"I love you more." Honey nuzzled Skyfall one last time before her head slowly fell into Sky’s chest with the remains of a small smile.





No roaring anger erupted from Skyfall. No pleas, no threats, no bargaining or denial of the situation. Skyfall held Honey and cried long and hard, letting his emotions die with her. He wept in that cave for long after the snowstorm passed. Eventually, Sif managed to find him, and help him bring Honey's body back to the Vale. 


Skyfall would be numb and reclusive from this incident for many years, until one Princess requested that he take her under his tutelage. 






Present






"You." Skyfall growled with an intensity that startled many of the nearby partygoers.


"Me?" Sombra asked nervously, backing away. "H-Have we met before?"


Skyfall stood and turned with his face contorted in rage. Applejack and Twilight spoke, but his ears had already flattened in an aggressive manner. Every inch he took forward was another inch Sombra stepped back.


"Skyfall?" Twilight spoke again. "Are you okay? Hello?"


"Everything okay, Sky?" Sif asked as she muscled herself into view. She traced Skyfall’s eyes to who he was glaring at and cursed. "Oh no."
> Chapter 30 -A Sore Reunion-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-A Sore Reunion-



The Gala started off with its usual glee of Equus’ various inhabitants regaling one another with tales of their lives, however, the entire Gala paused and fell silent when Skyfall's growl echoed through the room as he glared holes into Sombra.


"H-Have we met?" 


Sif pressed her body against Sky's massive form, trying to stop him. "If you want to keep your larynx, you should shut up and back away." She tried to shove Sky, but found herself unable to move the raging Spirit. "Sky, things have changed."


With a sharp bark, Sif roared for assistance. "Cadance!"


After a brief moment of confusion from the party, Cadance appeared before her father. "Hi, Sif. What's up?"


Skyfall stopped and seethed as Cadance and Sif put themselves between Sombra and Skyfall. Sif bumped Cadance and tried to speak in a tone only they could hear. "Your father is going to kill Sombra if you don't calm him down."


Cadance giggled for a moment and looked up to her father, but her laughter died in her throat as she saw the fury in his eyes.


In the most dignified way Cadance could muster, she tried to placate Skyfall. "Lord Skyfall, is there a problem?"


Skyfall’s gaze was fixed on Sombra, it was unclear what was going through his mind, but even he recognized as his thoughts grew hazy and an extreme distaste turned into hate. A faint trace of magic made itself known. At first it was unrecognizable, but the familiarity of it emerged. It was the same magic that drove Shining Armor to attack him a month before.


Unseen to those involved, Captain Fury stepped out of the crowd to see what the sudden commotion was, a small smirk creeped up the instant he did.


After being lost in confusion, Twilight regained her composure long enough to examine the situation more clearly. 'Why does he hate Sombra?' She chewed her lip and watched as Cadance brought Sky into a private conversation. Behind her stood the other Elements and a few close friends who had seemingly gathered from the developing altercation.


"Twilight, what happened?" Sunset asked.


"I don't know, but Skyfall became very upset the instant he saw Sombra. He's usually very calm, but something serious must have happened for him to act this way."


Radiant Hope trotted over and lead a frightened Sombra away from Skyfall's murderous gaze. Cadance and Sif whispered to Skyfall and led him into the garden shortly before the party resumed its merriment.


"Are you okay, Hope?" Twilight asked.


"I'm okay, but Sombra seems a bit shaken." Hope ran a hoof over her extremely quiet friend. "Are you okay?"


"S-Short answer? No." Sombra tried to smile. "He really hates me, huh?"


Everyone in the group nodded with wry looks.


"I can only wonder why." Sombra squeezed his eyes shut. "I mean, very few ponies even know about me or even who I am."


"Think, dear. Have you passed him since you two started your travels?" Rarity asked. "I know you've been all over looking for Amore's lost shards, but could there have been a misunderstanding along the way?"


Sombra shook his head, his normally well-kempt mane slightly frazzled. "I've tried extra hard to not step on any hooves, plus I don't recognize him. I would remember somepony that size."


Radiant's eyes opened widely and she whipped her head around to try and catch another glimpse of the large silver stallion. 


"Did you remember something?" Rainbow asked, flying up to see who Hope was looking for. 


Radiant Hope sat and rubbed her temples. "I recognize him."


"From where?" Sunset asked curiously.


"Back before the crystal empire fell. He was one of Princess Amore's closest advisers. I think he held the title of Baron." Hope opened her eyes to the shocked expressions of everyone around her.


"Are you sure, Hope?" Twilight asked calmly.


"Yes, he used to visit Sombra and I on occasion. I remember his cutie mark vividly, but whenever we’d ask him about it, he’d just say-”"


"-it's a reminder." A few of the ponies in the group repeated. 


Hope nodded slowly at the statement. "But how do you..?"


Sunset Shimmer nudged Twilight and gave her a dire look, silently communicating what they both dreaded.


"You don't think?" Sunset whispered.


"You don't suppose he was caught in the same spell the crystal ponies were, do you?" Fluttershy asked.


"That would explain why he was so mad at Sombra. He was a pretty vicious baddy in the day." Rainbow gestured to Sombra desperately downing a mug of cider. "No offense."


"None taken, it is my curse to bare." Sombra said solemnly through a wet cough. "And now that I think about it, I too recognize him. I fear my life has burdened his, and thus I must make amends!"


"You sure that's a good idea?" Applejack asked. "Sky looked like he was going to turn you into pretzel."


"I think he wanted to beat me like a rug more than bend me like a pretzel." Sombra fixed his suit with shaky hooves.


"He might have done both." Sif mumbled in Sombra’s ear, making him jump in surprise. Sombra panicked in lieu of recent events and tripped on his robe, sending him tumbling to the floor. 


"Is Skyfall okay, Sif?" Fluttershy asked.


"Yeah, Sky is cooling down outside." Sif said and turned to Sombra. "Give him time, he'll come around. Sorry, by the way."


Sunset passed her friends and walked up to Sif. "Sif, there are a few questions I need to ask you."


"Sunset." Twilight scolded quietly. "We should research this before asking."


"Asking is faster!" Sunset whispered back and turned to face Sif's questioning look. "Sif, how does Skyfall know Sombra?"


Sif closed her eyes and bit her lip, pausing for the briefest of moments to decide upon her answer. "That is a question you should ask Skyfall. I don't think it's my place to share. I may be his closest friend, but Skyfall's personal life is still private."


"Did I hear someone say Skyfall?" A voice called from the main doorway, dripping with elegance.


Everyone looked over to see a fancily-clad dragonpony smiling over at them. A stunning kimono accented her well-groomed indigo coat and pale yellow scales. Her elk-like horns were polished to a pristine white and her draconic tail flowed in the air as she sashayed over to the mesmerized group.


"Fuji." Sif mumbled.


"Sif." Fuji greeted. "I almost didn't recognize you in your formal attire, you look so..." 


"Stuck up?"


"Refined." Fuji said curtly. "I was going to say refined."


"Mhm." Sif reached over and grabbed a martini from a passing waiter. "And what brings the Empress of the East to Equestria? It surely couldn’t be the weather."


Fuji rolled her eyes. "Must we go through this every time we speak, I swear it is unlady like to act the way you do. You will shame your master with such flippant disregard to etiquette."


Sif finished her martini in one gulp and grabbed another before looking at the small amount of liquid held within the glass. "These things are like samples?"


"Are you not listening?" Fuji snipped. "It's been so long since we've talked."


"Um, excuse me?" Twilight approached from the corner of Fuji's vision. "You know Skyfall?"


Fuji met Twilight's gaze with her own. "Oh that's right, another Alicorn appeared in the world. Princess Twilight, right?"


"Y-Yes." Twilight bowed and rose when Fuji returned the bow. "Did I overhear Sif right? You're the Empress of Neighpon?"


“Yeah, run to her for answers.” Sif mumbled, not amused at Twilight’s tricky speech.


Fuji nodded.


"And you know Skyfall?"


"Very few world leaders don't." Fuji chirped before having her hoof stomped on by Sif. "Ow! That hoof cost over three hundred coins to hooficure!"


"ix-Nay alking-Tay bout-ay yfall-Skay" Sif growled.


"Hmf!" Fuji stuck her nose up in frustration.






Gardens






"Are you okay?" Cadance asked. "I've never seen you that angry."


Skyfall nodded. "I'm fine. I just got excited, is all."


Cadance rested her hoof on her father's shoulder. "I know, Sif told me."


Skyfall's breath caught in his throat. "How much?"


"Enough." Cadance said quietly. "She told me much of the events surrounding the fall of the Crystal Empire. She even told me about how my mother died: something you should have told me instead."


Skyfall cursed silently.


"I just wanted to know more about my life." Cadance cooed. "Don't be mad at her, please."


Skyfall shook his head. "I’m not mad at Sif, I'm mad at myself. It's just... I'm still apprehensive about all this. If I move too slowly then we may not be prepared for what may come, and if we're too hasty then we'll end up biting off more than we can chew."


With a firm hug, Cadance smiled up at Skyfall. "Which is why I’ve been so patient. She told me about some of your escapades, and your beautiful mind."


Skyfall smiled down at Cadance's loving eyes. "Beautiful mind?" Shining Armor emerged from the distant party from behind a large arch. He appeared to be searching for someone. "When was the last time you spent time with your betrothed?"


"He's my husband, daddy."


"Not until you have a Spirit wedding." Skyfall patted Cadance's head. "One where I can give you away and not watch from the sidelines."


"But that would mean this won't be a secret." Cadance gestured to herself and Skyfall. "Wait, are you saying what I think you're saying?"


Skyfall nodded slowly. "I believe I found a way to break your curse."


Cadance inhaled sharply in excitement and felt her father’s hoof on her nose. "But for now, you should go and spend time with Shining. I believe he is looking to have a romantic evening with you."


With a small kiss on the cheek, Cadance teleported away, leaving a smirking Skyfall to sit and watch as she reappeared near Shining and invited him to dance.


Skyfall sat against a nearby fountain and sighed, he contemplated just sitting idly by, but then Applejack, Sunset, and Twilight came into view. They looked around before Sunset spotted Skyfall's relaxed form.


"There you are." Sunset called as the group neared. "There’s a few things we need to ask you."


From the tone of her voice, Skyfall could tell it wasn't another consequenceless inquiry. His suspicions were solidified when Sif and Fuji emerged from the dance hall shortly after the three ponies arrived within reach of Skyfall.


"Well, I am Applejack's date tonight, though I'm sure I could save a dance for you." Skyfall cooed as he stood to his full height. He saw a devious smirk cross Sunset's face, she was smart, but also arrogant. 'She knows.'


Twilight approached closed and sighed. "I'm afraid this is serious, Skyfall. We stumbled across some information about you that we need cleared up."


Skyfall gave a slight head shake to Sif, stopping her and Fuji in their tracks. "Of course, Twilight. I'll answer anything you want me to."


Twilight nodded and looked between her and Sunset. "Why did you almost attack Sombra?"


Skyfall ground his teeth at the question.


"You clearly know him." Sunset said. 


"I do, but I'd rather not answer. It is somewhat a matter of sensitivity for me." Skyfall narrowed his eyes and noticed Twilight's minute facial twitch. "In case you're wondering, yes, it has to do with my family."


Twilight's eyes fell slightly and Sunset looked between them, confused. Applejack remained emotionless. She didn't appreciate the bluntness of the question, but she understood the implications were too dire to ignore.


"Did he?" Twilight asked sheepishly. "You know."


"Yes." Skyfall said as he passed Twilight and nodded for Applejack to follow him. "He did that to many families before taking the Empire through its little soiree through time. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some friends to meet and some security to check on."


Without a word from either Twilight or Sunset, Skyfall disappeared into the large dance hall with Applejack in tow. Soon after Twilight rubbed her head.


"Headache?" Sunset asked.


"A little. Can I tell you something without you sharing it with anypony else?" 


"Yeah, you can trust me, Twilight." Sunset cooed.


Twilight looked around and slumped visibly. "Good, because I hate carrying this secret." Twilight's horn ignited and a stream of cool, fresh water snaked up from the fountain and soaked her forehead to ease the headache. "A few months ago, I went to talk to Skyfall and I heard him and his brother in the midst of a fight. My curiosity got the better of me and I eavesdropped; something I've regretted ever since."


"You overheard about his family?" Sunset asked and smiled when Twilight looked up a little surprised. "Sorry, context clues."


"R-Right. Ever since then, I know he knows that I know." Twilight sighed into her hooves. "He was the first one I suspected of having affiliations with Shattered Skies, but every time I got close to discovering something, he talked in circles and I leave more confused than when I arrived."


"Any magical interference?"


Twilight shook her head. "No, I just..."


"You don't want to wrongfully accuse him because he annoys you?" Sunset asked.


Twilight didn't answer, she just sighed and teleported to a standing position on the other side of Sunset. 


"I see you'd rather go and join the party." Sunset laughed.


"There's that, and I just saw a pupil of mine I would love to introduce you to." Twilight clapped her hooves. 







"Applejack?"


"Yeah, Sky?"


"In case no one else tells you, you look beautiful tonight." Skyfall complimented as they strode towards the VIP section of the party.


"You think so?" Applejack looked up to her armor-clad date curiously.


"Yes, you would give a few goddesses a run for their money." Skyfall smiled.


"Halt, Sir. Only dignitaries past this point." Called a guard from the velvet rope that divided the two parties.


Skyfall looked around for a brief moment, the entrance to the VIP section was directly beneath a tall, open dome, and was at a natural intersection of a few buildings. 'This is where it'll happen.'


"Sir?"


"Skyfall?" Applejack called, snapping Sky from his daze. 


"Right, sorry." Skyfall looked down to the guard standing before him. "Problem?"


"Yes, Sir. Only dignitaries are allowed beyond this point." The guard puffed out his chest.


"Do you not recognize the Element of Honesty?" Skyfall hoofed to Applejack.


"Sir, I know, but-"


"And do you think Celestia would smile upon keeping a national treasure from meeting her allies?" Skyfall asked. "But you're right, allow me inform her of your cold negligence."


The guard stepped aside. "You may enter, citizen."


"Captain." Skyfall sassed back. 


"I'm not a Captain." The guard said angrily. "Can't you see the strips? I'm a Sergeant." 


Skyfall raised an eyebrow. "That was my rank, not yours, Sergeant."


The guard snapped to attention. "As you were, Captain."


"As you were." Skyfall held his head high as he passed with a snickering Applejack in tow. "I swear, ponies this age are too brazen with their speech."


"I think he just wanted to rile you up, big guy." 


Skyfall smiled at his companion. "Applejack, when we walk in, be sure to make eye contact with those who looks at you. They will be judging you, but as long as you remain firm, you'll do fine."


"Y-Yeah, no pressure." Applejack muttered as she fell in step behind Skyfall. The deeper they trekked into the crowd, the more stares were cast in their direction. Applejack grew more and more nervous as conversations shrank into hushed murmurs. She watched Sky as he sat down at a crowded table filled with many varying species. She took the seat next to him, but remained guarded.


"I'll be, so you are still kicking." Came a gruff voice from behind them.


"I'm still doing something." Skyfall chuckled. "Though, I've adopted all your stances on life these past few months, and sat idly by, drinking coconuts with little umbrellas in them."


"I heard you've been doing much more than laying around." Said a refined, Prench accent. "Well, laying around in that sense, you animal."


"Fluer, you wound me." Skyfall laughed before putting his hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "Let's get introductions out of the way first, shall we?"


Skyfall went to each creature and introduced them. "Fleur de Lis, I'm sure you know." 


Fleur reached over and took Applejack's hoof. "It is a pleasure to meet you formally."


Applejack's head spun as Skyfall proceeded to introduce her to everyone from Bison to Zebra and a few of the table’s passersby, each one stopping to greet both ponies. 


"And last, but certainly not least, Golden Heart." Skyfall took the outstretched hoof of a thin, tan Bull.


"Everyone, this is Applejack. She runs an aspiring apple company." Skyfall said bluntly.


"And there it is." A large Bison sneered. "Barely out of retirement and you start with your scheming. You truly are a shell of your former self, Rudolph."


"It was an introduction, not a scheme, Steak-boy."


The large Bison slammed his hoof onto the table before many of the guests turned their seething glares toward him, calming him down almost instantly.


Golden Heart started laughing. "You know he hates that name." 


"And I hate Rudolph." Skyfall replied with an unnervingly cheery tone. He dropped the smile and looked at Applejack who was smiling nervously. "Well, with introductions out of the way, There are some things I must attend to."


"Wait!" Applejack grabbed Skyfall's pauldron and glared up at him. "I can't talk up all these big wigs by myself."


Skyfall chuckled and shook his head. "You'll do just fine. You need experience talking to other heads of business, and most of the beings here are actually quite kind, except that Echidna in the corner."


"What does Echidna mean?" Applejack asked herself before inquiring further. "What's up with him?"


"Nothing, he's just eccentric and may talk you into mining the deposits beneath your farm." Skyfall said as he waved at the being before leaning into Golden Heart. "For tonight, I'll need you to keep Applejack distracted."


"You are up to something, aren't you?" Heart whispered.


Skyfall stood from his chair and winked at Heart as he turned to leave. "Nothing more than usual. I would love to catch up with you, but tonight is not a night to relax for me, there are a few events that must occur first."


“For what it’s worth, all of the Spirit community is talking about your supposed resurrection.” Heart smiled. “I’m happy that you’re alive.”


Skyfall smiled sadly. “You know where to find me if you decide to help.”


"Well, I'm sure we'll get our chance." Heart laughed as he patted Applejack's back as she glared at the back of Skyfall's head. "So, you're the Apple that runs that lovely piece of land in Ponyville. I've actually been there a few times."


The drone of the party soon drowned out Heart’s voice in Skyfall's ears as he melted back into the crowd. He dipped and dodged around many creatures as they either danced or reenacted scenes from battles long forgotten. He reached a side stairwell where Honos and Inko had been acting, their flirtatious show warded many would-be minglers away.


'Alibi is taken care of, and everything that can be done has been done. All that's left is the finale to this show.' Skyfall thought as he ascended the stairs. "You two complete your objectives?"


The illusion Inko had been maintaining fell as Honos nodded. "Yes, Sir. All I need is your signal to begin the advanced projection. It'll only last five minutes, but I don't imagine you’ll need much longer."


"Good. Inko?"


Inko nodded and brushed her auburn mane away from her right eye, revealing a milky white iris. "I'm keeping an eye on the brigantine. When the signal is given I can have her with little resistance and we’ll catch up on how their ships work. Their naval yard is surprisingly lacking in guards."


"Celestia means to trap us from a ground route." Skyfall mused. "It's no mystery that I have the Good Fortune back, but their war ships are likely waiting above the mainland. From that position they could swoop down and take out anything entering Saint Mare's airspace."


"Good thing we aren't arriving fashionably late." Inko chuckled. She glanced over Skyfall's shoulder and started chuckling. "All we need is Celestia to address her guests and we'll be set."


"Outstanding." Skyfall looked over his shoulder and his heart skipped a beat. "F-Fluttershy?" He mumbled to himself.


Fluttershy's cheeks looked slightly flushed. She wore a blue dress and her mane was wrapped into a tight, ornate bun. A brave expression sat upon her face while she stood before the silver stallion. 


Skyfall smiled when he saw Cadance peeking out from a pillar on the other side of the dance hall. He rolled his eyes and descended the steps slowly. "Ms. Fluttershy."


"H-Hi." Fluttershy smiled sheepishly and began to stutter. "I-I was wondering if you would like to... um..."


"Have some punch?"


"N-No, I meant to say, w-would you like to..." Fluttershy paused again.


"Play croquet?" Skyfall said playfully before Inko whipped him on his armored flank with a handkerchief. Skyfall smiled and mentally scolded himself. He felt nervous, but that was no reason to try and talk around Fluttershy. Skyfall saw her apprehension and took a deep breath of air.


"I'm sorry, this was a bad idea!" Fluttershy yelped as she flew up and out of the dance hall, unnoticed by all.


Sif started to approach swiftly to inquire as to what happened, but Sky waved her off as he walked in Fluttershy's direction. She had spoken about her fondness for Canterlot's gardens, and her wish to see the ones in Saint Mare. Skyfall’s mind had been so focused on his night's plans that he neglected the plans that others had in store for him.


The sounds of a water fountain slowly overtook the music of the hall as stone walls gave way to neatly trimmed hedges. Skyfall kept walking until he reached the center of the maze-like garden where Fluttershy sat. She stared down into a calm pool of water. Her neat bun has been undone and laid messily on her shoulders.


Fluttershy let out a series of long sighs as her hoof made small ripples into the water. She sank lower onto the pool's ledge and swirled her hoof in the water. 


"Maybe I should try and change?" Fluttershy whispered under her breath.


"And why would you do that?"


Fluttershy tensed as the water's ripples cleared to reveal two golden eyes staring into the water behind from her. Skyfall had settled onto the ledge beside Fluttershy while she was absorbed in her lamentations.


"S-Skyfall, I-"


Skyfall placed his hoof on Fluttershy's cheek, silencing her. "I'm sorry."


"Why are you sorry?" Fluttershy asked.


Skyfall gave her a numb look, deeply regretting what he knew had to be done. "I've let this get a lot further than it should have. I like you, Fluttershy, I really do, but a relationship between us would end nothing but poorly."


Fluttershy felt a pit form in her throat. She wanted to object, but she couldn’t find the words.


"I kissed you, and for that I am truly sorry. I know I've given you mixed signals, but you would be much happier with someone else." Skyfall stood to leave, but Fluttershy's grabbed his arm with surprising determination.


"Are you a bad pony?"


"Excuse me?" Skyfall asked.


"Are you... a bad pony?"


Skyfall closed his eyes and shrugged as his heart rate accelerated from Fluttershy’s touch. "Everyone has something they aren't proud of."


"That's not what I asked, Skyfall." Fluttershy retorted with an abnormally firm voice. "I asked if you were a bad pony."


Skyfall melted in Fluttershy's hoof and came to a rest against the pool, staring up at her as she peered down. "What do you think?" He sighed.


Fluttershy ran her hoof over Skyfall's arm and a small smile formed on her lips. "I think you overcomplicate things. You talk around so many ponies so you won't have to engage them directly. You can be cold and at times, I've seen you be mean to ponies who want nothing more than to be near to you. You have secrets, more secrets than I care for. But despite all that I think you're a good pony trying to do good, but find it hard to get the motivation."


Fluttershy held Sky's hoof to her chest. "Earlier tonight, Sif asked me if I would stand by you if you ended up being bad. I thought about the prospect before, but never actually considered it until tonight."


Skyfall smirked and gave a suppressed laugh. "So if I was a bad pony, would you still like me?"


"I wouldn't, but I can tell you aren't a bad pony, and you’ve never done anything evil." Fluttershy cooed. "You help small creatures and even allow a family of squirrels to live in your attic. When no one is watching, you help Applejack with her farm since Big Mac left. You’ve even taken the town’s foals in and started teaching them what you think will help them in their lives."


"And what if I'm really Shattered Skies in disguise?" Skyfall put his free hoof over his muzzle to make a comical display to tone down the seriousness of his question.


"But you’re not." Fluttershy cooed, smiling at her certainty. 


Skyfall brought his hoof off his muzzle and stared into Fluttershy’s gaze. He did not deny that he liked her, but would he be compatible with a mortal? Spirits had held mortal lovers in the past, but such relationships never ended happily.


"Do you believe that?" Skyfall asked.


"Yes." Fluttershy smiled.


A battle of morals and emotion fought within him. With great hesitance, Skyfall accepted her feelings as well as his own. "Then let's take this slow."


Fluttershy cocked her head in confusion.


"Sorry, I meant us, if we start dating. A Guard Captain and an Element would make headline news the day we announce it." Skyfall rubbed his brow in thought. 'Not to mention a new target for those four Spirits and Celestia.'


"Then let's keep it a secret." Fluttershy eeped out.


"I thought you didn't like secrets." Skyfall winced. "I would never force such a thing on you."


Fluttershy nuzzled Skyfall's chin and sank into his chest. "It's okay, when everything blows over we'll make it public, but for now we can see each other in secret."


Skyfall rubbed Fluttershy's back. 'This is going to blow up in the worst way.'


"Okay?" Fluttershy asked.


"Okay."


Fluttershy pulled away and looked up, she gave a half smile before craning her face towards her new love. Skyfall's hooves wrapped around her shoulders as they both tried to melt into their kiss, only to fall short and bump noses. The two giggled and Fluttershy hummed happily as their lips successfully met in a short kiss.


"Wow, Cadance was right." Fluttershy giggled.


"And what was she right about?" Skyfall asked, making a mental note to hunt down his daughter later.


"She said you would try and back out the instant we were alone." Fluttershy giggled as she rested in his lap.


"Yeah, I'm a regular romantic." Skyfall chuckled as he brushed Fluttershy's mane. He glanced up at a large clock and saw that he had a full hour before Celestia's address, an hour he would be all too happy to spend with me mare by his side.


"Fluttershy?"


"Yes?"


"Would you like to walk around the castle grounds with me?"


"I would like nothing more." Fluttershy slowly rose and kissed Skyfall's cheek as she did so. "What would you like to talk about?"


Skyfall joined Fluttershy in walking out of the garden, he had always talked about inconsequential topics whenever he visited Fluttershy, but if he was to be more involved with her, he needed to pry a bit. 


"Frankly?" Skyfall asked. "You. I know a good deal about the others, but I suspect I’m not the only one with secrets."


Fluttershy winced.


"You do?"


Fluttershy nodded. 


"I won't force you to tell me anything, I am just curious."


"It's okay." Fluttershy placated. "I just don't share much because I don't want to be made fun of."


The cool night air brushed over the grounds, making everyone outside shiver a little. Sky nibbled at the knot holding his cape to his back, and draped it over Fluttershy. Her weak refusal died as the warm cloth fell over her.


"Thank you."


"No problem, can't let you freeze." Skyfall stated as he moved back into the conversation. "I promise I won't make fun of you, but I understand your hesitation. Take your time."


Fluttershy's wings beat a couple times before her wings hugged her body as a smile swept across her face.


"So have you ever been to Saint Mare before?" Fluttershy asked.


"Yes, a great many years ago." Skyfall looked up to see two grinning mares staring directly at him. The goldenrod pegasus was taller than the other and had a pitch black masquerade mask with an ivory clasp holding it back to show off two green eyes. Her shorter unicorn friend had a groomed pale blue coat and a styled turquoise mane. Her horn had golden fittings along its length to show off her implied wealth. Something about the two gave Skyfall an odd sensation, but then again there were all manners of beasts and beings present for the Gala.


"So you're the guard Princess Celestia brought on for the Gala's security?" The goldenrod mare asked as he and Fluttershy passed them.


Skyfall nodded sweetly. "I am, although I feel it's unnecessary since there are already so many forces here."


"Captain Fury thought it best to make a show of force to our allies, that way they know we still have military might." The Mare chuckled and stretched her wings. "Forgive me, I am Faithful and this is-"


The unicorn next to her pulled Faithful's mane with her magic. 


"Bend, what's your problem?" Faithful barked.


Bend rolled her eyes and glared up at Faithful. "I don't care to mingle with a hick and a basement cat."


Faithful pulled her lips back to let loose a feral retort, but there was a loud poof as the unicorn disappeared.


"I hate when she teleports away in the middle of a scolding." Faithful sighed and glanced over to her two confused acquaintances. "Sorry about that, she can be... ornery."


"It's okay, I'm sure it's just the party making her flustered." Fluttershy replied.


"No, she's always like that with anyone who doesn’t look like they have a million bits." Faithful pushed her mane back into place. "I am Faith, Princess Celestia's royal adviser."


Alarms sounded in Skyfall's head at this new information. He reached out with his magic, but still felt nothing off about the mare before him. What he did feel, however, was a strange gem in the middle of the being before him. He smiled and held out his hoof to shake the mare’s hoof. 'Make it sound good, Sky.' 


"I'm Skyfall, former knight and new captain for the Ponyville guard."


Faithful's eyes lit up for a moment. "A knight? It's been awhile since I've met one of those, a long while."


Fluttershy stared at the side of Skyfall's head until he glanced at her, she was taken by surprise at Skyfall's introduction. It wasn't every day someone used the title of knight.


Skyfall shrugged. "It's been awhile since I've been one. You know, magic and getting tossed through time with the Empire."


Faithful rolled her eyes. "Yes I know, that is one thing that is happening more and more as advanced spells become public knowledge. It's something I've tried to censor, but with the 'assistance' of Princess Twilight Sparkle, events like that are increasingly more difficult to pin down."


"I take it she believes in unchecked use of magical knowledge?" Skyfall asked, trying to keep the conversation open until he could wean a definitive answer from the suspected spirit before him.


Faithful nodded. "Yes, and her experiments are only made easier by Princess Celestia. She treats Twilight like a daughter and gives her anything she wishes, even wings."


Skyfall raised a brow, he had heard of ponies in Equestria that didn't approve of Twilight's ascension, but for an adviser to openly speak against it was even more abnormal. "Well, hopefully we don’t get caught in any time spells at this night's Gala. Although the security does seem appropriate for it."


"And here I thought they told Captains more than that. Either way, please be present for the toast this evening." Faithful tittered as she made way towards the party. "I shall see you two again, enjoy the party!"


Skyfall chewed his cheek and angled his head towards Fluttershy. "Do you know her?"


Fluttershy nodded her head. "I do, she was the one to greet me and the others when we first came to Canterlot. If I remember correctly, she was instrumental in stopping a war with Yakyakistan, or so she told me one night when I bumped into her making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."


Skyfall sighed as the clanging of glasses could be heard. His breath caught in his throat. "They're toasting right now?"


"Doesn’t it seem a bit early?" Fluttershy asked before Skyfall started walking to the grand hall. "W-Wait up!"


As he neared, Skyfall could see Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight standing next to the Elements before the rest of the Gala. Skyfall stopped and gave Fluttershy an encouraging smile. "You should go be with your friends."


With a silent kiss, Fluttershy flew around the back of the crowd and appeared next to Rarity, who jumped at her arrival before assaulting her with questions. 


Celestia held her head high and smiled at the crowd sweetly.


"It has been many years since our numbers swelled to this size. Most of you don't remember a time when this many nations stood in one room to gather in peace with one another-"


Skyfall glanced across the Gala to see Honos motioning him over. Sky made his way to the archway leading outside while keeping Celestia in sight.


"I came running when I heard the clanging of glasses. Are we still on?" Honos asked, his eyes flashing blue, showing his eagerness to live up to his Spirit's aspect: Valor. 


"Yeah, we're still on. Make sure to tell the others that Celestia's Spirits are here."


"Is that all, my lord?"


"Yes, make your preparations."


"Everyone is in position, all that's left is for you to make your entrance." Honos bowed and disappeared in a cloud of embers.


Skyfall inhaled sharply and unlatched his chestplate from his body. "Let's get this party started."







"-and that's why this year I wish to propose a united effort to create a world council like the ones that existed in the past. Together we can stop the forces that divide us." Celestia announced to the cheers of the crowd.


Celestia exhaled in relief. 'Finally, headway on unifying.'


"And what, may I ask, are the forces that divide us?" Came a deep, two toned voice that echoed through the grand hall. Everyone followed Celestia's searing glare towards the speaker.


The large stag stood at the center of the domed hall across from the main party hall. He smiled as his golden eyes peered directly into Celestia's.


Murmurs grew into shouts as the room teetered on the edge of panic.


Celestia placed her glass on the floor and sneered. "Shattered Skies."
> Chapter 31 -Join or Die-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Join or Die-





"Shattered Skies." Celestia's fiery glare was unwavering, her tone was cold and filled with rage.


"Guards!" Cried a pony from the crowd. Her terrified voice caused many creatures to back away from Skies and Celestia as they stared each other down. Shortly after the pony’s shout, more guards darted into the hall. Most stood firm, but a few clearly were keeping their distance from the Spirit. Fury appeared off to the side of the Princesses and smirked the instant he saw the Forest Spirit standing in the open.


Cadance looked between both her father and aunt, waiting for them to act, but as she saw the storm clouds rolling in, she realized Skyfall must have had something planned, something that relied on her ignorance.


"Why have you shown yourself?" Celestia boomed.


Shattered Skies held his head high and let his eyes radiate with magic, ready for an attack.  "To make peace." 


Twilight's eyes lit up at the prospect of peace. She smiled up to Celestia, but the princess kept her piercing eyes locked on the Spirit. 


"Sister, let's hear him out. I'm sure we can reach an accord." Luna pleaded quietly.


"No. There will be no peace." 


"Tia, I can assure you-"


"No, Luna! He destroyed not only our race, but also many others! I will not allow him to make ruin of what remains!" Celestia seethed, and the crowd reacted with varying responses; gasps from the ignorant, and groans from the few who knew the truth. 


Twilight and the Elements stared in horror at the false revelation. Skies didn't let their opinions affect his outward appearance, but in truth they cut his morale like a knife.


Skies let out a suppressed laugh. "Tia, I have told you time and again that none of that was my doing."


"Silence!" Celestia roared. "Your lies will not be heard!"


Luna's eyes cast themselves downward, her memories had fortunately been unlocked, but to know the truth and be unable to share it to save her friend was like torture.


"Now, Tia, there are things you don't understand. Many things have been kept from you, but recent events have lead me to see that hiding the truth was a poor decision." Skies tried to soothe her anger, but the growing rage on her face told him he wasn’t met with much success. "If we can just sit down and talk this out, I know you'll see reason."


"I said silence!" Celestia whipped her head forward and fired a beam of fire that struck the center of Skies' chest. When the smoke cleared, a white, hardened moss appeared where Celestia’s spell had struck.


"One thousand years and you still stomp, kick, and shout when you don't get your way." Skies said to no one in particular. 


Celestia snarled, her eyes had become uncharacteristically bloodshot. "When will you stop talk-"


Skies shot open his wings and took on a borderline aggressive stance. As he slowly opened his eyes, a golden glow leaked out from behind his eyelids.. A deep rumbling erupted from all of the trees in Mont Saint Mare as Skies curled back his lips. "You shall hold your tongue, you petulant child!"


Skies folded his wings and relaxed himself. The ballroom was eerily silent. Not a single breath could be heard from any of the hundreds of guests gathered around the scene. Skies took note of the dizziness on Celestia’s face, and considered his next words carefully. Skies outstretched a hoof to step towards Celestia, but when he did so, many guards formed a defensive position around their princesses. Skies stopped and sighed in frustration.


"Mr. Skies?" Twilight called nervously, breaking the room’s silence. She felt a cold chill over her coat, but her resolve kept Twilight from backing down. She wanted to see a resolution to this conflict, no matter the cost.


"Twilight, don't." Called Rarity, but to no avail.


"Twilight Sparkle, I wish I could say it is nice to see you again, given the circumstances." Skies nodded respectfully.


Twilight remembered reading that many Spirits lived their lives by a set of rules and etiquette, but none more so than the greater Spirits. With an apprehensive breath, Twilight gave a shallow bow. When she looked up, Skies was in the same bowed position. 


"Skies, watch out!" Came Sif's voice. She exploded from a nearby arch and wrapped her teeth around a Wonderbolt that had tried to swoop in to attack while he was bowed.


"Very nice, Sif." Skies said while glaring at Fleetfoot who remained motionless in Sif's maw. "Is this how things are done in the world now?" Skies' voice grew in volume and spoke to more than just the ponies in the hall. "Attacking a Spirit as he bows in a show of respect?"


"I never wanted that to happen!" Twilight tried to defend, fearing possible violent outcomes.


"Regardless, I came here with an olive branch extended, and received not one, but two separate attacks." 


Skies swept his gaze around the hall. With a quick glance at the evident war waging in Celestia’s mind, Skies spoke. "The world is on the brink of collapsing and here we are having a party. Why?"


When silence followed his question, Skies continued. "Why? There are members of every race out there suffering and yet none of you care to raise a hand, hoof, or claw to help. If the problem doesn't affect you personally, you won't seek to change it." Skies chuckled. "I get it, I really do. You're comfortable, and in comfort you grow complacent and lazy. I've seen this happen in every age of this planet and even in the era that came before ours."


Skies stared directly into the eyes of creatures he knew to be Spirits before casting his eyes towards Twilight, Sunset, and the Elements. "I've spent the past few months looking into Equus' political and geographical affairs. I’ve seen the slums in Manehattan and Canterlot, and the ghettos in Fillydelphia, Seaddle, and Marami. That’s all not to mention the other parts of the world that still fight over basic amenities like water. What is wrong with you all?"


Twilight chewed on her lip momentarily, and closed her eyes tight. 


"You didn't even know the world was like this, did you?"


Twilight shook her head. 


"Your lies shall not sway us!" A wealthy-looking mare called from the crowd. "We provide only the finest opportunities for non-ponies in the world!"


Skies strode to the center of the room and craned his head around. "Chance, please enter."


All heads turned to the lumbering form of an finely-dressed Diamond Dog and what looked to be his daughter helping him in. "You called, my lord?"


Skies narrowed his eyes at Celestia, he knew there wasn't much time before she attacked, but he still had to try and sway the crowd towards his favor. More specifically, he had to convince the journalists who had been writing furiously since his arrival. "Please tell the crowd about all of the 'opportunities' you’ve been given, if that’s alright with you."


"For you, my lord, anything." Chance proclaimed as he stood up as straight as he could manage. "I am Chance, chief to the Diamond Dogs of the badlands. For all my life I have feared ponies, not for what you can do, but for how easily you can get away with it. When I was ten, a regime of guards swooped in and killed my mother, and five years later, a similar attack claimed my father. I became chief and vowed to never let something like that befall my clan, but I see now that it was only wishful thinking and naivety on my part. Until recently, ponies in the eastern badlands raided our camps and stole our precious metals, leaving survivors to cope with missing limbs and scars while we lived in poverty and amongst the dead. Needless to say, I hated ponies."


Chance's stance faltered as his back dared to give out. "However, I do not blame the entire race of ponies anymore. I've learned from some wise beings that are much older and wiser than I, that one can not hold a larger group accountable for the crimes of the few, but I can be upset when they turn a blind eye to it. My lord saved my clan, and for that, I will forever be in debt to his gratitude. Now, we have homes, education, and healthcare. We even have parks and places for our children to play. These are not the actions of an evil being."


With no more to say, Chance slouched as his back threatened once more to give out and bowed to Shattered before being helped away by his daughter.


Skies looked around to gauge the reactions of the creatures in the hall. He saw anger, sadness, and numb looks. "This happens all over the world and in every country except Neighpon, so congrats, Sakurajima."


"Thank you!" Called a voice from the back of the crowd that turned many heads. Lights started to shine through the crowd to reveal a large oriental dragoness with glowing bronze-like scales and a red mane reaching down her back.


More screams rang from the crowd as she drew the panicked looks of ponies and the awestruck stare of a certain purple dragon.


'Too bold, Fuji.' Skies smirked and glanced over at Twilight. "Spirits still roam Equus just as we have in the past. Now that the problems are known, all that's left is to sit down and discover the best way overcome them."


"Through you." Celestia growled as her dizziness abated.


"It is quite obvious that we won't reach an understanding." Sif said as she tossed Fleetfoot away after tearing up parts of her uniform. "We need to fall back and return to Farhaven."


"Farhaven?" Twilight asked.


'Nice execution, Sif.' Skies thought when Sif recited her lines perfectly. "Yes, Twilight. In the place of the old castle in the Everfree, I have carved out a new nation for those who want a fresh start. Somewhere that one can live without being ridiculed for what they are or who they want to be with. A place run by Spirits and mortals alike."


Golden Heart, the harvest Spirit, squinted his eyes at the news, and at Shattered Skies’ hypocrisy. Skies had always stood very firmly against Spirits holding any power over mortal society. Motivations aside, he believed it would only ever lead to corruption. “Why?” He asked loudly.


"Because the world has changed." Skies announced to the voice in the crowd as he turned towards the nearest exit. He stopped mid step before leaving. "I will be sending a representative to Ponyville in the coming weeks to open up a postal route. There is a certain large, red stallion in my city that wishes to send letters to his loved ones."


"What's his name?" Called Applejack, sounding very upset at the news.


Skies looked over and took the letter that Sif had hidden under her fur. He squinted at the manila envelope. "Big Mac, is that the name you’re looking for?"


"Y-Yes." Applejack said as the letter floated over to her.


"Now, I'm sorry for ruining your night. I shall take my leave."


"You are forbidden!" Celestia boomed before she fired another shot past Skies, setting ablaze the ground by his hooves. "You've weaseled your way through history and now you're here trying to usurp the world by making up false accounts!"


Twilight felt the temperature of the room rising as her mentor tried to protect the room from its intruder. The crown hidden around Twilight’s neck shined brightly in response to Celestia’s glowing horn.


"Twilight, it's time to seal him."


Skies reared up and slammed both hooves into Sif's sternum, sending her flying up and out of the hall, as the next events happened too quickly for anyone to anticipate.


The Elements shined blindingly and joined together in a multichromatic beam of energy that viciously launched itself at Skies. All Twilight saw before the hall was enveloped in burning white light was Skies pulling an amber ball out of his chest and putting it in between himself and the beam.







"Twilight?"


"Who said that?" Twilight blinked her eyes rapidly, thrashing her head back and forth in an attempt to find the voice’s origin, but her vision consisted entirely of uninterrupted white light. The sensation of weightlessness washed over her as she felt herself floating in the air.


"Relax, Twilight. I am not your enemy." 


The light started to fade, and Twilight's eyes suddenly gained focus on a flowery landscape with waterfalls surrounding her. Her weight was then delicately set on her hooves, and Twilight twirled to take in her surroundings until she spotted a tall, alabaster mare with a pale purple mane and a long horn with a subtle backwards curve smiling at her from a prone position upon a patch of colorful flowers. At first, Twilight's heart jumped, but a familiar feeling soothed her into calmness. "Who are you?"


The mare chuckled and crossed her forelegs. "You know who I am."


"Are you Harmony?"


With a soft nod from Harmony, Twilight gulped and tip toed through the garden towards her. She hadn't realized, but Harmony was enormous, easily two heads taller than Celestia.


"H-Hi."


Harmony sighed. "It is unfortunate that we had to meet under such circumstances."


"What happened?" Twilight asked while looking at the sky, which rippled like water.


"In short, the Elements were forced to go against their nature, and they were fired at an artifact whose sole purpose is to hold the power of a Spirit." Harmony spoke with pain and resentment in her voice.


"So Shattered Skies did something to fool the Elements into... what’s wrong?"


Harmony had interrupted Twilight with a stern shake of her head.


"He didn't enchant himself?" Twilight asked, making her best hypothesis known.


"No, the Elements refused to fire because there was nothing to purge him of." Harmony paused and shrugged. “Nothing that isn’t within his own power to change.”


"But!" Twilight shouted. "He... he's done evil things! He wiped an entire city from the map and destroyed the Alicorns!"


Harmony sighed. She stood up slowly and moved away from Twilight, slowly shaking her head.


"I'm being serious! You’re the only one that might be able to seal him." Twilight stomped her hooves as she followed her element. This gained Harmony's attention, and her ire. Twilight gulped as Harmony's eyes bore down on her.


"Your historical texts are falsified."


Twilight narrowed her eyes, challenging the Spirit before her. "Prove it."


Harmony sighed and looked to the sky as it rippled violently. She knew that their time together was nearly coming to an end. “I’m afraid we do not have enough time for that.”


Twilight looked up in amazement to the sky, which resembled a lake that had a barrage of small pebbles thrown into it. After a few seconds, the sky stabilized and Twilight gathered her thoughts. “What was that?” She asked, pointing a hoof upwards.


Harmony's ears flattened as she ignored the question. “It is apparent that you don’t trust Skies, but I ask that you at least seek him out and make an attempt to understand his side of the story. I consider him one of my closest friends, please do not allow your judgement to be clouded.”


"Friend?" Twilight asked, shocked that Harmony held him in such high regard. 


"I was friends with all Spirits, but he was closer than most. He always seemed to make time for me in any situation." Harmony remembered. "Skies had always been stern, and was usually quick to criticize, but he was there when it counted."


"But there is overwhelming evidence that he has committed unspeakable crimes." Twilight asked. “Why are you trying to convince me to overlook everything I’ve been taught?”


Harmony sat down as the sky rippled once more. "I heard him address the court, and I have seen the world through your eyes. He speaks only truth and is in need of help."


"If he's innocent, then why does the Princess want to imprison him, and why does he hide in a fortress in the middle of a dangerous forest?" Twilight’s boldness grew as only questions arose instead of answers. 


"All answers you seek must be found on your own time, unfortunately our’s has come to an end." Harmony cooed sadly.


"But I have so many questions!" Twilight shouted. "How do you see through my eyes? Are you still alive? Where are the other Spirits? What is the Great Spirit War?"


Harmony placed her hoof on Twilight's cheek. "I’m sure you will eventually find the answers to these questions, but I’m afraid I cannot help you in that pursuit. Be sure to keep this meeting a secret, lest you wish for the same fate that befell the Alicorns many years ago. There are many who work for Him, even in Celestia’s closest ranks."


"Him?" Twilight asked in bewilderment.


The scenery shined brighter and brighter, quickly growing blinding to Twilight’s unshielded eyes.


"Harmony!"


"Seek out Shattered Skies." Echoed Harmony’s voice from all directions, sending Twilight’s mind reeling with conflict. 







The light faded and everyone slowly rose to examine their surroundings.


"What happened?" Celestia asked as she rose steadily.


"You fired the Elements at me and failed." Shattered Skies’ voice echoed throughout the hall. In place of where Shattered Skies had stood before the attack was a smoldering wooden statue shaped just like the Spirit in question. The statue remained motionless, but Skies’ voice echoed from within. "I thought you would have learned years ago that they are not a tool to be abused."


"I see you've retrieved that accursed artifact." Celestia chided as she pointed at the Sunset Effigy clutched in the statue’s arm. 


Before Celestia had the chance to retrieve the Effigy, a large owl flew down and scooped it up in his talons before flying away. Celestia watched as the owl fled the scene, and a frown formed on her face when she gestured for her guards to follow it.


"Sorry about reclaiming the Effigy. Some things are too dangerous to leave to chance, or to be discovered by your minions that still skulk in the shadows." Skies sensed that Faith and her blue friend, River Bend, had appeared behind Celestia, and were reaching out with their own magic, attempting to locate where the Spirit was hiding. 


Skies opened his eyes to see that a few other Spirits from the party had come to join him on the commandeered ship. He shook his head and returned his magic to the statue he had been possessing.


"Who's the one skulking in the shadows now?" Came the low growling voice of the beast that attacked Skies in the forest, who then stomped his way through the crowd, looking in all directions.


'Could that really be my brother?' Skies thought. From the uncertain look on Celestia's face, it was clear she had no control over him.


Sif took note of the growing conflict and fled the event, barreling through a stack of guards, sending most of them flying or screaming out of the way. Sif ran down a nearby hallway as fast as her paws could take her.


With Sif retreating to the planned rendezvous point, Skies addressed the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlecolts, I wish you a safe evening, and please consider what I have said to you." Skies saw the bull turn and step out of the hall to follow Sif without another word. He could see subtle glances from to the two mares next to Celestia, confirming in Skies' mind that they were, in fact, the Spirits who sided against him.


With the crowd still shocked from the recent turn of events, Skies returned to his body and told his crew to prepare the ship for their departure. Skies felt around the island for nearby trees to possess, and eventually found one near a large window with a view of Sif’s attempted escape. Unfortunately, it seemed as if the bull were hot on Sif’s heels with no signs of backing down..


"Rage, stop!" Shouted a voice from down the hallway. Sand started to form from between the hallway’s tiles under the thusly-named Rage as he pursued Sif.


"Stop interfering, Unfaithful!" Rage bellowed as he was swallowed up by the shifting sands. "If Skies won’t fall, she will!"


Slowly the sand started to form into a giant, floating, green eye before it morphed into a chimeric sphinx with a pony's head that had jet black hair that covered most of its face. She smiled and a blast of sand erupted from the ground and slammed into Rage's chest, sending him staggering back. By now, Sif had stopped to watch the outlandish act.


Skies was horrified by the situation unfolding, and feared for Sif’s life. Using his powers to project his voice from the tree by the window, Skies said "I take it you're the eldest. Please, we can reach an understanding. If you truly are of my blood, then talk to me."


The Sphinx shook her head. "You will fall and no amount of sentiment will save you from us. We will find you in time, but for now, take our indifference towards you as a one-time act of mercy."


Shattered Skies was filled with sorrow upon hearing this. At a loss for words, Skies said the only thing he could think to. "I'm sorry."


Unfaithful stood tall and craned her head to stare out the window at the tree that Skies possessed. "Forgiveness is meant for the living."


The sky erupted in violent thunder and lightning, drawing everyone's attention up to look through the skylights which revealed Storm Front proudly hovering up in the clouds with hooves outstretched. Sif took advantage of the brief distraction to continue towards the rendezvous point as she sprinted through the castle’s hallways.


"So you've brought a friend? It matters not, our navy will be here momentarily. You'll find that Mont Saint Mare has been heavily warded, so you won’t be teleporting or wisping away. I'm also sure you've noticed the little watcher that’s been on the ship across from the one you’re at now." Unfaithful's cold tone could shake the most battle-hardened of warriors. "I think you'll be quite pleased to see the prototype ships we've forged just for you."


Shattered Skies left the tree and returned to his body. Shaken, he forced his eyes open to be greeted with the sight of a cloaked stallion on the frigate at the adjacent dock. Slowly, his hood came down to reveal dark metal plates mixed with woven mesh fittings, but the magic in the eyes was unmistakable. “Blue Line?”


"Guards!" Fury barked as he burst from a ballroom doorway. "Positions! We need to surround him and take him down!"


“Skies, we need to leave.” Flowing Streams placed her paw on Skies’ shoulder. “If we don’t, this will get worse. Sif will meet us on the way out.”


“Is Feather in position?” Skies asked.


“He is. He’s just waiting on our departure.” Streams gestured to Inko, and within moments, the large illusion camouflaging the Good Fortune disappeared.


The ship heaved and gained altitude as Skies stood. The mast let loose its canopy and wolves leapt to grab stray lines to fasten them down. With the limited amount of trees on the island, Sif wasn’t hard to find, even with tens of guards to play with, she was still making her way towards one of the outermost battlements with ease.


“Set course for the eastern battlements! We’re picking up Sif!” Skies commanded as the galleon changed course suddenly.


Skies watched as hundreds of guards poured out of the castle grounds and into the yard. Even Celestia and the Elements approached. Skies swept his eyes over the scene forming in front of him. He sighed, reflecting on the night. Everything went to plan, but why did Skies feel as if he failed regardless?


As the ship dipped down, Sif came into view. Many of the pony guards chasing her slowed to a stop right before Sif leapt into the air, shocked at how close the Good Fortune was flying to the castle grounds. Sif clattered onto the deck and cantered up onto the quarterdeck, where Skies was lazily piloting the ship back out of ground’s reach and into slow circles around the castle grounds.


“Have fun?” Skies asked.


“Yeah, the neighborhood kids didn’t want to play kickball, so we played cops and robbers.” Sif sighed. “Too bad I’m the one who wanted to do the chasing.”


“You do love chasing things.” Skies playfully poked Sif on the nose, causing her to blow a raspberry at him.


Down below on Mont Saint Mare, a large crowd had gathered on the castle grounds, including most of the island’s military, numerous of the Gala’s guests, and even Celestia herself.


“How can you two even do that in the midst of an escape?” Streams yelled.


“You’re just jealous that we look this good together.” Sif chuckled at her stressed comrade before clinging onto the ship’s railing as cannon fire lit the sky next to them ablaze. Mont Saint Mare’s forces hadn’t taken to the skies yet, but their cannons were extremely quick to deploy.


“Time to leave.” Sif said, gesturing to the cannons appearing from the sides of the docked military gunships.


"It was a nice try, but you only get half a star, Celestia." Skies called from over the side of the Good Fortune before pausing and giving a flippant shrug. "Which is pretty good for you, actually."


"Attack!" Fury roared before a single cannon exploded, missing the Good Fortune entirely and destroying a tree as it passed by the courtyard one last time.


Skies scowled at Fury as shards of wood rained onto the crowd below. "Do not be so reckless, you fool."


Before anyone had the chance to react, Skies threw the wheel starboard and barked out orders to his crew. The ship creaked and groaned as its sails caught the strong wind and sent the ship darting through the open skies above the waters. "Full sail, secure the cannons!"


The guests were puzzled and shocked, and military personnel quickly made way for the docks to get to their own ships and pursue the Good Fortune. Fury stood by Celestia as he observed his troops’ progress. Noting the Good Fortune’s speed and how far their ships were from being skyworthy, Fury grimaced. "Everyone cease movement!"


"Captain, we can catch him." Celestia said calmly, but the cold rage from earlier bit at the edge of her tone.


"I'm sorry, Princess, unless we already had a ship in the air, he would have gotten away. The best we can do is get his heading and send search parties later." Fury mumbled angrily.


"Captain! Incoming!" Roared Soarin as he flew out of the way of an approaching brigantine which sailed by the castle. The large ship dipped starboard to reveal the stallion captaining the pursuing ship.


"Skyfall?" Celestia whispered in amazement.


Fury’s scowl turned to a large grin as he nodded his head. "Right! All crews to your ships! Captain Skyfall will stall the Spirit, don't let him steal all of our glory!"


Fury reared up and sprinted toward the dock with his guards, directing them into the fleet’s various ships.


Celestia smiled widely as she watched Skyfall’s ship close in on the Good Fortune off in the distance.


"Why are you so gleeful, sister?" Luna asked, genuinely confused.


"Just reflecting on my choice of captain." Celestia turned and strode toward the main hall to formally apologize for the events that interrupted the year's most anticipated event.


"You okay there, Twi?" Applejack asked.


"I don't know." Twilight looked at her friends who all looked equally shaken up. "After the Elements failed-"


"-again." Rainbow sighed.


"Right. After the Elements failed again, did any of you see anything strange?" Twilight asked. The Elements looked at each other and shook their heads. 


"There was a mighty bright flash of light, but that’s about it." Applejack said.


"I think I tripped and bruised my knee." Rarity sighed.


As the cracks of cannon fire echoed through the air, everyone shifted their attention towards the distant battle. Rainbow flew over the ledge to watch. "On a more important note, are we going to go back Skyfall up?" 







The Good Fortune and the brigantine were locked in a heated battle. The two ships collided and fired their cannons at one another, or at least that was how it appeared to onlookers.


"Do we retreat for now, and let the world process your speech?" Honos asked Skyfall’s illusion, which flickered in and out of focus. "Or do we follow this up with another appearance?"


Skyfall teleported to take the place of his illusion and passed Honos without a single word, his face stuck in a distressed scowl.


"Are you alright, my lord?" Honos asked.


"My lord?" Innocence tapped Skyfall as he passed, but even the rarity of her being in her sheep form wasn't enough to snap Skyfall out of his trance.


"Skyfall!" Sif barked.


"Huh?" 


"You okay?" Sif asked.


"No, he's not." Storm Front landed on the deck of the Good Fortune. "Not by a long shot."


Skyfall started to slip on his dark silver armor that he had Honos stash aboard the ship shortly before the party came to a screeching halt. He gave Storm a wordless glance, unaffected by his statement.


"Well?" Storm Front asked.


"Well what?"


"When were you planning to tell us that you’re related to them?"


Everyone turned their gazes towards Skyfall, confused. Sif looked between the two and took a few steps towards Sky. "What is he talking about?"


Skyfall sighed. "I had to be sure."


"You had to be sure?" Storm Front scoffed, only to receive cutting glares from all around.


"We need to finish tonight's task, then when we meet at Farhaven, I will tell you all what I have been meaning to say for quite a long time." Skyfall shook his head sadly and teleported back to the deck of the brigantine. He climbed the steps to its quarterdeck where he un-lassoed the wheel. Skyfall squeezed his eyes shut and pulled away from the Fortune to return news of his ‘defeat’ to Mont Saint Mare.


Sif stood on the main deck of the Fortune and hung her head. 


"Why are you always such a fool, Storm?" River growled as she walked to the ship’s edge to dive into the water below. "You could see that what happened troubled him."


"He should have told us." Storm defended. "We have mounting enemies, and every bit of information counts."


Honos sighed and joined River. "Then I too have something to say about a foe that confronted both Inko and myself, but I shall wait until we all have a meeting."


“Blue Line?” River asked.


“But he-” Honos’ breath faltered.


“We saw him too.” River casted her eyes downward.


After a long moment of silence, everyone except Sif and Storm leapt from the ship into the waters below to teleport back to Farhaven with River.


"Not joining them, Sif?" 


"Just thinking." Sif said as she moved to the railing.


"About what?" Storm took the helm and increased the Good Fortune's speed.


"Just that all this seems too convenient to be coincidence. His siblings and Cadance all appear in the same year he re-emerges from his coma. That and none of you have been able to visit the Maker, and that Celestia, as powerful as she is, has been brainwashed somehow." Sif let out a low growl. "This is how it happened the first time. Too many coincidences and the world in a state of unrest."


"You think it's Discord?" Storm asked.


"I do. Where was he tonight? We all know how close he is to the Elements and the Princesses." Sif stepped and jumped from the ledge to the waiting River Spirit below, abruptly ending the conversation.







Thunderous applause resounded as Skyfall docked the brigantine at Mont Saint Mare’s harbor. Honos had made sure to make the battle’s aftermath looked convincing, so he fired a few grapeshots into the hull. It was enough to make the ship look battle-scarred, but not enough to sink it.


Sky could see Fury standing on the dock with a big smirk. He barked at his guards about the 'selfless act,' and the 'initiative' Skyfall took in chasing down Shattered Skies.


Skyfall released the wheel as the brigantine was tied to the dock by a few servant ponies. He then kicked down the gain plank which loudly clattered onto the deck.


Fury trotted onto the deck of the ship followed by Spitfire and Shining Armor. Fury laughed loudly and headbutted Skyfall in a show of affection. "That was outstanding!"


"Yeah, it was." Skyfall's tone remained barely above a whisper.


"What's wrong, Captain?"


Skyfall sighed and ran his hoof through his mane. "Nothing, just frazzled."


"He got away from you, it happens." Fury shrugged. "No one has ever come as close to fighting that monster as you have, and that’s twice now!"


Spitfire and Shining Armor smiled, nodding at Skyfall to show their approval.


Shining stomped once on the deck and gestured to the castle. "We should hurry, Princess Celestia said she wants to meet with Skyfall the instant he returns. No doubt the entire party watched for this ship’s return after it tore through the courtyard trying to catch that galleon."


"Then you should fly there." Fury patted Skyfall on the shoulder. "We’ll drink to this first chance we get."


Skyfall nodded and spread his wings, taking to the skies. He felt Spitfire flank him as he ascended. "Hey." He greeted.


"Hey." Spitfire's monotonous voice seemed oddly uncharacteristic of the bombastic mare. "So what'd you think about the Spirit's speech?"


Skyfall nibbled his lip. He knew that the appearance of him with a brigantine in such a timely fashion meant he had have been preparing before Skies even appeared. "Wouldn't know, I was too busy trying to counter Skies' incoming ship. I was a bit late though."


Spitfire eyed Skyfall for a while and nodded. "You should read what the papers have to say about it tomorrow."


Spitfire banked and flew off to the south, leaving Skyfall alone as he flew up and over a stomping and cheering crowd. The applause grew louder as he landed before Celestia and tucked into a bow. The crowd went silent as Celestia smiled and cast an amplification spell to make her voice more easily heard. 


"This is twice now that you have selflessly thrown yourself at a foe of Equestria, Skyfall." Celestia opened. "How does one reward a stallion who performs such a deed? What could hold enough meaning for a stallion who has already lived such a fulfilling life?"


Skyfall remained in a bow. "I ask for nothing."


"Nothing?" Celestia made little effort to mask her surprise. "No title? No land? Not even coin?"


"No, but I do have one request. However, it is a matter of relative secrecy, your eminence." Skyfall's ruse remained undetected as Celestia smiled and considered it for the briefest of moments.


"Whatever you ask, provided it be noble in nature, is granted." Celestia nuzzled Skyfall. "You may rise now, and on behalf of all of Equestria, I thank you."


Skyfall stood up and the hall erupted once again as he stepped down and through the crowd, pats and headbutts assaulted him while he tried to make his way to the cool night air.


After a long several minutes of accepting gratitude, Sky emerged and tried to put as much space between himself and the party as possible. 'I hate this.'


"Skyfall!" Pinkie Pie called from a small, domed gazebo near the garden. She was surrounded by the rest of the Elements, Sunset, Sif, and a few others. As he approached, he saw Cadance sitting on a bench, wrapped in a towel. 


"Hi, everyone. Is everything alright?" Skyfall asked before Fluttershy pounced him from the side with a hug.


"That was crazy, how did you know that thing was going to show up tonight?"


Skyfall ignored Rainbow and looked over at a shivering Cadance. "Are you okay?"


Cadance nodded through small tremors. "I think I'm getting sick. I keep shaking and I feel unusually cold."


'Note to self; buy plenty of soup and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.' Sky's thoughts were shortly thereafter cut off by Rainbow's hoof tapping on his chest.


"Didn't you hear me?" Rainbow asked with more than a hint of irritation in her voice. "What you did was amazing. How did you know that Spirit was going to show up tonight?"


"That's something I’d like to know as well." Faithful agreed as she approached the group from behind.


Skyfall glanced back and saw a green glimmer in her eyes. "I saw his ship's sails under the water while I was walking with Fluttershy, and the realization didn't hit me until I spotted a giant wolf sneaking around. So I ran to docks to form some sort of defense."


"And you didn't think to alert anyone?" Faithful asked.


"A large wolf was sneaking around." Skyfall repeated. "That would take quite a bit of explaining, and if I was right, which I was, there wouldn’t have been enough time to both report it and get a ship prepared. I was late enough as things currently stand."


Sombra coughed into his hoof, gaining Skyfall's hesitant attention. "But you saved what could have otherwise been an ugly situation. I know my word doesn't count for much to you, but I think you did the right thing."


The rest of the group had mixed reactions, but none was more standoffish than that of Twilight, who obviously had a lot on her mind as she gingerly nursed a glass of fruit punch.


Skyfall furrowed his brow at Sombra and played into his facade. "I'm sorry about earlier, I know you remember me from... before."


"I do."


"Then in that case, I take it you remember how horribly you hurt me." Skyfall continued.


"I do, and I'm so, so sorry for my past actions." Sombra choked out, remorse clear in his voice. Hope wrapped a comforting hoof around his neck as he awaited Skyfall's judgement.


Skyfall stood and started to walk away from the group, but stopped at the edge of the gazebo. "You are forgiven, Sombra. I know now that you aren't the same stallion you once were. I apologize to the rest of you, but tonight has been extremely tiring, and I wish only to bathe in peace."


The group bid Skyfall farewell as he left, disappointed at still having unanswered questions for the stallion.







Skyfall laid down on the cold, king-sized bed after a long, hot bath and sighed in relief as he waited for sleep to take him. Shortly after Sky’s head hit the pillow, three soft knocks echoed into the room, sending Skyfall into a full-body thrash of rage. He groaned in frustration, rolled off his bed and stomped toward the door as he prepared a long string of curses for the perpetrator. He inhaled sharply, ready to give an earful to the unfortunate pony awaiting him as he opened the door, but the sight of Fluttershy hiding behind her mane made him swallow his barrage of nearly-escaped cusses.


"H-Hi."


A slow hiss of air escaped Skyfall as he forced himself to calm down.


"Is this a bad time?"


"Of course not, Fluttershy. I can always make time for you. Please, come in." Skyfall stepped out of the way and let Fluttershy step into the room. "Is there something I can help you with?"


Fluttershy smiled and hugged his chest the instant he shut the door. "N-No, I was just worried about you."


Fluttershy looked up suddenly and backed away Skyfall, who was much too tired to think to return the affectionate gesture. "I'm sorry, that was too forward of me. Um, I'll just go."


Skyfall sat and leaned against the door, preventing the borderline-panicking mare from escaping. He reached over brushed her mane to calm her nerves. "I've had a long night, talking with you may just be the best thing for me."


Fluttershy tried again to hide her blushing cheeks behind her mane, but Skyfall moved her locks out of the way. "Will you stay the night and talk to me?"


Fluttershy paused and nodded slowly. "Just talking, right?"


"Of course. What else would we do, sit in the corner and stare at each other?"


Fluttershy giggled, but silenced herself quickly as her worries resurfaced. "Rarity tells me all about the romance novels that she reads. They usually start with talking and then the stallion grabs-"


"Let's not go off any of Rarity's possible interests, please." Skyfall laughed and walked through the door to his suite's kitchen. "I’d prefer to hear about what you're interested in. Oolong?"


"Chamomile, please." Fluttershy called. She followed Skyfall into the modest kitchen and watched him while he searched through the cabinets. "What do you want to talk about?"


Skyfall paused and looked back at Fluttershy. He liked her, but a constant internal war raged within him. Spirits always ran into problems when romance was brought into their lives. If a Spirit fell in love with a mortal, then they were both to be plagued with the looming presence of death, and the relationship would always end in heartbreak. Partnering with another Spirit, however, only lead to more problems. Two immortal creatures inevitably had all of eternity to disagree, and seeing an ex until the end of time was truly an annoyance that Skyfall would rather avoid.


"S-Sky?"


Skyfall shook himself from his thoughts. "Sorry, tell me about some of your adventures with the others."


"Which one do you want to hear?"


"Whichever one you want to talk about." Skyfall smiled. "We'll trade stories. I think we'll enjoy some time just to the two of us."


Fluttershy smiled and grabbed her steaming cup of tea while the lights from the party down below lit the room in a dim, colorful glow. "Well, this one time, I came home to find my home levitating in the air..."






Canterlot
Cemetery of Heroes






"Hurry and excavate the others, we only have five hours of night left." A cloaked stallion growled at the crews of hooded beings digging up the ground. He turned and flew over to a larger stallion whose green eyes pierced the night’s darkness. The mysterious stallion fell into a brief bow as he landed. "My Liege, if we stay on schedule, the rest of your list will be procured an hour before sunrise. That is well over enough time to cover our ground and leave the cemetery looking untouched."


"Good work, Easyglider. Grab who you can, but make sure to retrieve the ones I've listed first, and transport them to the catacombs. I will not stand to deal with another failure." The cloaked stallion drew back his hood, and his skin shifted in loose plates as he grinned up at the larger stallion. "Now go and wake the rest."


"Yes, Lord Grave." Easyglider's eyes glowed as he quickly took to the skies and flew off to fulfill his master's request.


Lonely Grave sat and watched as cloaked ponies hauled away coffins one by one. He remained silent, but the nefarious grin plastered on his face was one of someone much too close to achieving their goals.
 

> Chapter 32 -Budding Horns-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Budding Horns-





Canterlot Castle rocked as the door to Celestia's bedroom bent, its enchantments struggling to contain the fire inside. The Royal guards under both Celestia and Luna's command gathered outside the door, unsure of what to do.


Luna appeared from out of the shadows cast by a sconce, and the guards gathered around quickly fell into bows. "What is going on?"


"I do not know, Princess." A Thestral said, and lowered himself further into his grovel. "We started hearing Princess Celestia's voice approximately an hour ago and tried to enter, but by that time it was too hot for us to enter. We sent for you, but you were in the realm of dreams."


"That is what woke me. She is having a nightmare." Luna's eyes glowed. "One that not even I was able to turn."


The glowing enchantments shifted on the door as Luna lit her horn. Though unbreachable in its current form, Luna’s expertise in spellcrafting allowed her to grant herself passage while maintaining the protective aspect of the runes. With a loud 'pop,' Luna phased through the door and into the room. Luna was instantly met with searing flames, but she kept the fire at bay with an icy shield that encapsulated the lunar princess. With a shattering voice, Luna roared. "Awaken!"


Forces in the room washed back and forth from fire to ice until Celestia shot upright. The flames were extinguished the moment Celestia opened her eyes, and the temperature in the room dropped staggeringly quickly. Where there was once glittery luxury now laid frost-infuzed ash. Rays of moonlight poured into the room, revealing the damage which made the Solar Royal Quarters unrecognizable.


Celestia sat on her bed, one of the few things protected from the fire, due to its enchantment. The primary ruler of Equestria panted hard, and her hooves shook violently as she tried to process what happened. Images flashed through her mind of a burning city. She squeezed her eyes shut to try and forget them, but the screams that accompanied the imagery proved to be too much for even Celestia to handle as she flattened her ears against her head. With a guttural scream, she curled into a ball and Luna rushed to her side.


"Tia, what is wrong?"


"I don't know. I had a dream, but it was so real." Celestia's voice shook unsteadily.


"Breath slowly, sister. What did you see?"


Celestia slowed her breathing and looked her sister in the eye. "Fire, crumbling towers, all manners of creatures fighting to reach deeper into the city, and..." 


"And what, Tia?" Luna asked urgently. 


"Alicorns. They were fighting and falling in droves at the hooves of Spirits." Celestia's voice cracked. "What does this mean?"


"It was just a nightmare." Luna held her sister's head to her chest and stroked the whimpering goddess’ mane. Contrary to her words, Luna knew the dream to be anything but a nightmare, for she too had the same memory.


Far outside Celestia's door, at the end of the long hall, stood Discord and Psalm.


"I knew avoiding the Gala was a bad idea." Discord mumbled. "You need to go inform your brother, immediately."


Psalm shook her head. "Maybe you're right. My brothers and sisters are moving faster than I anticipated, and this only complicates things."


"Do you still not know where Lonely Graves is?" Discord asked monotonously.


"No, but it isn't a lack of trying. I felt him at the cemetery a few nights ago, but by the time I arrived he was already gone." Psalm growled. "By the way, a certain someone has left your realm, and is looking to go to Ponyville."


Discord closed his eyes and sighed. "I sense her, but you need to be the one to retrieve her."


"Why can't you?"


"She is already in Ponyville, and I refuse to be anywhere near Skies." Discord gave Psalm a solemn look. "I wish I could be of more help to you."


Psalm floated up and hugged the draconequus' neck before disappearing into a mirage. "Thank you."






Ponyville






"Yes, Apple Bloom?" Skyfall called on his student from the master map in front of the room.


"Ya, what do you think of Shattered Skies’ speech?"


Skyfall shrugged before moving several shipments of wood to one of the groups of students that he shared a trade contract with. "Didn't hear it."


"Didn't you at least read it in the paper?" Apple Bloom whined.


Skyfall chuckled. "Tell me what you thought of it."


"Isn't this a bit too political for class?" Cheerilee asked.


"Sir." Desert barked as she strode into the large cargo bay where Skyfall was holding class. "I've gathered the guards and had them lay out the gear as you've commanded. What’s next?"


"Sharp and efficient as usual, Desert." Skyfall complimented. "Class is coming to an end, divide the platoon into new teams and have them form up accordingly."


Desert saluted and trotted out, leaving Skyfall to turn to Cheerilee slowly. "To answer your question, no. Politics happen regardless of age, and the sooner they learn about them, the more well-informed their decisions will be in the future."


Skyfall rose up and looked down at his map. To the lay pony, it looked like a game, but in truth it was designed to teach the the class economic; how to manage time, resources, and other variables they had no control of, all while forcing them to live with mistakes, and form strategies around them. Every now and again, he would look up to see a few foals sweating and pacing before their own maps. 


"Time to turn in your homework." Skyfall called, and the foals stood and gathered before him. They were prepared to answer Skyfall’s ‘homework’ prompt, but it was obvious that most were conflicted. "Last week, I said my civilization had decided to tax all imports at twenty five percent, and put regular tax on stamps, sugar, all roads, and tea." Skyfall smiled down at the seven teams of three foals. "I asked you why I chose to do this, and what your civilizations’ responses to this would be." 


Sweetie Belle raised her hoof first, clearly unhappy with the sudden increase in taxation. 


"Yes, Ms. Belle?" Skyfall grabbed a quill and paper.


"You're building too much and need funds to continue." Sweetie Belle responded. "We have decided to break all treaties with you because of the sudden taxation, and we will send an ambassador to you to try and fix things."


Skyfall nodded and wrote 'War' next to their team name.


Diamond Tiara rose her hoof. "We say the same. Taxation is unfair without any way to argue against it, and we have sent a representative as well."


Skyfall nodded once more as he wrote another 'War' next to another name.


Rumble, Sunny Daze, Archer, and Truffle raised their hooves. 


"Truffle."


He sighed. "We have no choice but to pay the tax."


"Same." Sunny Daze said.


"Ditto." Archer pouted.


"We've sent gold since we don't have much, but these new taxes will ruin us, so we sent an ambassador along with it." Rumble smiled nervously at Skyfall as he scribbled more words onto his page.


Cheerilee whispered her response, but Skyfall chuckled. "Did you just say you wanted to join our kingdoms through marriage?" 


"It's the only way I can think to getting out of the tax. It’s too much for my kingdom to afford." Cheerilee reasoned.


"Fair enough." Skyfall wrote 'consignment/draft' next to Cheerilee’s name, and the other four groups. He paused with one group left, the uneven amount of students in Cheerilee's class left just Button Mash and Pipsqueak to try and manage a city all on their own. "And what about you, Button Mash? Pipsqueak?"


They looked at each other and swallowed hard. "War."


Sky's eyes widened. "Really?"


They nodded.


Cheerilee gasped, and scolded the two. "War is never the answer, you two. You were told to treat this practice as if it were the real thing! How could you arrive at such an answer?"


Skyfall sat back quietly to watch the nervous foals’ resolves as they were tested by their primary teacher.


"We had no other choice." Button defended.


"Why didn’t you do what the others did, and send an ambassador?" Cheerilee asked.


"What, just to have him turned away like the previous five? Every time we hit a hard spot and send someone to try and ask for help, they're turned away at the gate." Button Mash undid the latches and opened his map to show Cheerilee. "Every week or so, Mr. Skyfall has moved into our territory to push us into a smaller, more barren piece of land."


Skyfall's ear flicked at the use of some'one.' He smiled and put his hoof on Cheerilee's shoulder. "They’ve made their decision, and they’re plenty clear about what they've chosen." He faced the two foals. "As leaders of your nation, do you know what you've chosen for your people?"


"I do." Both colts responded. 


"Fair enough. Then all that's left is to act on your plan next week." Skyfall smiled. "The homework for next week, everyone, is to tell me what you all thought about the events at the Gala. What would you have done if you were there? Class is dismissed."


All of the foals trotted out in a large group, giggling as they passed the statue-like guards in the parade grounds. Button Mash and Pipsqueak, however, stood tall in front of Skyfall and Cheerilee.


"Cheerilee, I think it's best you head on home. These two seem to be teeming with questions about their choice." Skyfall patted Cheerilee on the shoulder, reassuring her. "I'll see that these two get home safe."


"Perhaps you're right." Cheerilee smiled sheepishly, not as well-rounded in world affairs as Skyfall. "I will see you at Scootaloo's parent-teacher conference. Remember, it's on Tuesday."


"See you then." Skyfall waved as Cheerilee left. When the door shut behind her, Skyfall turned to the two waiting foals. "So, what do you really want to ask me?"


"We want you to help us." Pipsqueak asked.


"With?" Skyfall asked. "Keep in mind that in the simulation, I am not myself. I cannot take personal affiliation into account while making decisions."


Button shook his head. "We meant in real life. We need guidance and you were the best we could think of."


"What is it you need help with?" Skyfall asked. "Surely there is nothing so pressing that you need my help."


Button Mash sighed and looked at Pipsqueak. "Me and Pip have always been friends. Not because we get along, but because we understand each other."


Skyfall sat down and sighed. "So both of you have experienced a similar loss?"


They nodded. 


"I can sympathize with that, but why come to me?" Skyfall asked.


"We want more than what we have." Button said soberly. 


"Greed is a powerful thing, Button." Skyfall lowered his head. "I sense anger in you, but I believe it stems from a lack of understanding. The question now is, what is it you don't understand?"


Button scowled up at Skyfall and tried to remain steadfast under the gaze of his golden eyes. 


Skyfall didn't move. "You have both lost a father, no?"


The colts looked at one another before facing Skyfall once more and nodding slowly.


"My father died in the royal guard."


"And my pa passed away in Trottingham from a shipping accident." 


Skyfall bowed his head slightly. "Death is never easy to cope with, but this brings a question to my mind. You two are some of the few foals in Equestria that know such a loss. Why is it that you two have chosen war instead of attempting to make peace again?"


"To change the state of the game. With you as the most powerful nation, peace clearly isn’t possible." Button's said. "Much like in our real lives, we want to be more than we are."


"So it isn't greed that guides you. It's purpose." Skyfall cooed. 


"We want to be heroes." Button Mash and Pipsqueak said in unison, making Skyfall smile.


"Then why come to me?" Skyfall asked.


"You threw yourself at Shattered Skies twice!" Button pointed out. "That’s not to mention all the other things you've done for Ponyville. You were hated and treated like a stray dog when you arrived, but you showed the town what you’re really like, and now most of them accept you. We want to be your apprentices!"


Skyfall closed his eyes. "You aren't ready yet."


Button scowled harder. "We are!"


"No, you're far too angry, and it’s clear you want to avenge your fallen in some way." Skyfall's voice dug deep. "I will not train someone whose life aspiration is to get vengeance."


"Is that because they say, 'in revenge you must dig two graves, one for your enemy and one for yourself?'" Pipsqueak asked disappointedly.


"No. Revenge brings closure, and at times, justice, but one must be emotionally stable for this to happen. Even at such a young age, you must have a clear mind to obtain what it is you really desire." Skyfall said.


Button sat on his haunches and slumped. 


"You two need time to think about this. Becoming an apprentice isn't a simple decision like what you're going to eat for dinner. This will change your life." Skyfall stood to his full height. "There is a saying, 'when the pupil is ready, the master will appear.' I can teach you how to live full lives, and achieve your goals. You must be sure in your decision, though, because if you lie to me, I will know, and the path will be lost to you. Forever."


Skyfall turned to leave the two foals to contemplate his words. He stopped at the door and let his voice fill the room. "Ask yourselves: What will you do when you achieve your retribution?"


With a final look at his class roster, Skyfall scribbled one last word before heading out to teach his guard unit how to properly sail Celestia's newest gift: the same brigantine he 'chased' himself in.





Class Roster


Teacher Marry into royalty and liquidate city
Cheerilee


Team 1 War
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Silver Spoon


Team 2 War
Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo, Cotton Cloudy


Team 3 Draft
Sunny Daze, Featherweight, Liza Doolots


Team 4 Draft
Archer, Snips, Aura


Team 5 Consignments 
Truffle, Snails, Aura


Team 6 Draft
Rumble, Peachy Pie, Twist


Team 7 Watch
Button Mash, Pipsqueak










Ponyville Guard Barracks
Later that day






"Goodbye, Sir!"


Some guards called farewells as they trotted away from Skyfall, having bugged him for two hours about tips and tricks on everything from diplomacy to making coffee. After the seemingly endless monotony, Skyfall desperately needed some quiet time in his office with a warm cup of tea. He trotted inside happily, but his smile slowly died when he noticed Desert sitting against his door with a lollipop in her mouth.


"Hey, Cap." She greeted after a pause.


"Desert." Skyfall responded curtly. "Any reason you're lounged against my door?"


"Keeping guard."


"For?" Sky asked.


"Princess Twilight." Desert pretended to look at something down the hall.


"How and why is she in my office alone?" Skyfall asked, slightly annoyed. "This door was locked."


"Magic." Desert sighed sarcastically.


"Good night, Desert." Skyfall said as he opened his door.


"Good night, Captain. Remember, Captain Fury will be here in a few days." Desert stretched her lower back and sauntered away. "He wants us to show him what our guards can do."


Skyfall ignored Desert and barged into his office to find Twilight reading some of his foreign books. 


"Twilight."


Twilight yelped and fell out Sky’s chair. She smiled sheepishly. "Hi, Skyfall. Didn't see you there."


"Imagine that, you didn't see me in my own office. Might be because I left, and locked the door on my way out." Skyfall raised an eyebrow as he spoke. "Anything I can help you with?"


"K-Kinda." Twilight teleported upright onto his office couch a few meters away. 


"What is it you need help with, exactly?"


"Spirits." Twilight saw the exasperation on Sky's face, and took a deep breath. "Something happened at the Gala that I haven't felt confident enough in to share with anypony."


Skyfall sat at his desk. "Does it involve ancient Spirits?"


"Y-Yeah."


Skyfall held up an edition of the Equestrian Times that had a picture of Shattered Skies captioned, 'Spirits Exist! An ominous warning on the horizon.' on the front page. "Isn't really a secret, Twilight."


Twilight shook her head. "I mean somepony other than Shattered Skies."


Skyfall watched Twilight nervously shuffling her hooves together, and thought about the possibility of her meeting one of his ‘loving’ siblings. 


"Can I trust you to keep this between us? From one lover of learning to another?"


"You came to me in faith, so yes. Whatever you say to me here will be kept a secret from the rest of Equestrian society." Skyfall sat back at his desk and watched as Twilight brought out her Element from a saddlebag she had placed by his couch.


"During the Gala, Princess Celestia cast a spell to fire the Elements, tricking them into thinking Shattered Skies was Discord. However, Shattered Skies was able to counter the Elements, and the blowback was formidable. Instead of hitting Skies, it washed over the entire Gala. For the most part it was harmless, but during the blast of white, something happened to me. At first I was scared, but then everything felt weird, and before I knew it, I woke up in front of somepony I didn't know."


"Oh Maker, you're pregnant!" Skyfall slammed his hoof on the table, only to receive a flying book to the head.


"I'm being serious!"


"Sorry." Skyfall rubbed his head. "It sounded like your story was going in that direction."


"Your mind is in the gutter." 


"Well, you aren’t wrong."


"Anyway..." Twilight glared at Skyfall. "No one else seems to know Spirits quite like you do, so I thought you were the best pony to bring this to."


"You saw a Spirit?" Skyfall asked.


"Yes, she called herself Harmony." Twilight looked up when she heard a cup clatter to the desk. She cocked her head at the mortified look on Skyfall's face. "Sky, is everything okay?"


"You just said Harmony, didn't you?" 


"Yes. Who is she?"


Skyfall covered up the spilled tea with a rag, and slowly poured himself and Twilight another cup. With a long sip of tea followed by a deep breath, he answered. "Are you familiar with Mewton's laws of physics having to do with actions and reactions?"


"Of course."


"And what of the concept of Yin and Yang?"


"I know it."


"Well, throw that out the window and familiarize yourself with only push and pull. Not in the literal sense, mind you." Skyfall looked up to see Twilight's eyes, eager for information, fixated on him. "You understand?"


Twilight nodded slowly.


"You know how Discord is chaotic, unpredictable, silly, and at times, very crude?" 


"Yes, he’s gotten better, but there are still times the old Discord shows up." Twilight's smile dropped when Skyfall gave her a serious look.


"His old self would make your worst nightmare look like a foal's cartoon." Skyfall sipped his tea and continued. "Discord represents 'push.' He changes things."


"I thought he was Chaos?"


Skyfall shook his head. "Lord of Chaos is something he coined himself. He is ‘push’, and one of two of the strongest beings on Equus."


"And the other is Princess Celestia, right?"


"No, Celestia only defeated him with Harmony’s aid."


"The Spirit I saw at the Gala?" Twilight asked.


"Yes, she is the other side of the coin. If Discord represents push, then she represents pull, the unifying force. From what I read, she was everything Discord wasn't, and was loved by all until she and five friends made the ultimate sacrifice to end the Spirit war, giving Celestia and Luna a weapon to use against Discord." Skyfall said.


"So the Spirit that talked to me was Discord's opposite?"


"No, she was his sister. They were both created by the Maker, from the Maker, and because of this, they are part of creation. It is written Shattered Skies and many other Spirits fought him in Harmony's stead after she sacrificed herself." Skyfall sat back and tapped his hoof. "May I ask what she said?"


Twilight sipped her own tea. "She told me to seek out Shattered Skies. She made outrageous claims and told me that the royal advisors are not to be trusted. Then at the end, she told me to seek him out, despite him being a known criminal.  I'm still not entirely sure of what I saw, though."


Skyfall nodded solemnly. 


"I wanted to talk to the Princess, but she is so committed to capturing him. I grew up hearing bedtime stories of the evil Forest Spirit that would steal your soul if you disobeyed your parents. My own mother checked my closet every night so I could sleep, because I was so scared of him." Twilight rubbed her head. "If I seek him out, and he turns out to be innocent, then Celestia and Luna may try and punish me."


Skyfall shook his head. "Luna wouldn't punish you for seeking him out."


"Why?"


"Because once upon a time she was Shattered Skies’ star pupil." Skyfall smiled. "If you want my advice, talk to Luna, and get her approval to send mail to Farhaven, then request an audience. If and when it's approved, go with your friends to learn the truth." Skyfall placed his hoof on the table and glared intensely at Twilight. "A word of caution: There are forces working against him, and it would benefit them greatly to see tragedy befall you while around Spirits."


Twilight nodded. "Understood. Thank you, Skyfall. Please forgive my intrusion earlier.” Twilight gathered her saddlebags and rose from her seat. “You really are knowledgeable. Too bad we can't talk academically more often."


Skyfall chuckled. "My couch is always open, especially after I’m done training my guards. Until next time, Twilight." Skyfall waved farewell as Twilight made her departure. When she closed the door behind her, Skyfall sighed loudly. Great, another liability.






Farhaven Castle






Feather of Truth closed his eyes and took a deep breath before maneuvering his spear with ferocity. He whipped it around and stabbed it in an arc around him before burying it deeply in the ground. Feather leapt onto the end of the spear, making it bow slightly. He had regularly practiced his combat skills since he returned from the Gala. From sunrise to sundown, he would work himself until he was completely out of breath, and then go even further. 


The light sound of clapping echoed from across the room, snapping Feather from his intense concentration. He peered up to see Cadance waving at him from the doorway.


"Impressive."


Feather jumped down and bowed before Cadance as she made her way over to him. "Lady Anara."


Cadance smiled weakly. "You don't have bow, Feather."


"I do, you are the daughter of my master, and Lady Crystal. Bowing is the least that I should be doing." Feather's bow remained until Cadance reluctantly tapped his shoulder.


"Why do you call my father your master? He doesn't own you, does he?" Cadance asked.


"No, but I have sworn my unyielding fealty to him, and Innocence has done the same. We have belonged to his house for millennia." Feather watched as Cadance's expression turned to confusion.


"Yes, but why? No one ever tells me about my father before he married my mother, who is another topic he avoids like it’s his job." Cadance added a bit of annoyance to the end of her sentence.


Feather chuckled and sat. "Long ago, your father took a prominent role in the world, and eventually found himself between two arguing Spirits. I had sworn fealty to one of those Spirits, but suffice to say, she wasn't exactly kind and caring. That was why your father appeared. Her name was Falm, Lady of the Black Swamp, and she controlled much land in the western half of what is now the Griffon Kingdoms. She was accused of intentionally spreading disease, and your father took it as a personal insult since she was using his forests to achieve this."


Cadance moved to a nearby bench and sat on it before beckoning Feather over. "What did he do then?"


"By then, Innocence and Blue Line had already joined him, but they were ordered to stand down when I attacked your father, who promptly sent me flying several buildings away as a result. I rose again to face off with both Innocence and Blue, while Shattered Skies imprisoned Falm for her crimes." Feather rubbed his shoulder. "Spirits can heal abnormally fast, but something about the way your father struck me never left. Even as he stood over my defeated form and forgave me, I still felt the sting."


"So you, Innocence, and Blue Line have a life debt to my father?"


"In a way, it was common for lesser Spirits like myself to swear fealty to a guardian or a Spirit more powerful than ourselves. Out of all the Spirits that rode under your father's banner, Innocence and Blue were my closest friends." Feather's voice got quiet.


"What happened to Blue?" Cadance asked. "If you don't mind me asking, that is."


Feather nodded. "It's fine. During the war against Discord, and the Spirits that sided with him, there was a time when we were backed into a corner. We had just made a very important sacrifice, and Discord's forces sprang on us by surprise. Your father wanted to go to the front lines to fight, but Blue and I demanded to go in his stead, for his job was far more important than fighting."


Feather closed his eyes and took a deep, long breath. "He accepted with much reluctance and regret. We headed out and fought long and hard until one of Discord's Spirits, Howl, flooded the field in smoke. Before long, illusions and apparitions filled the battlefield, and they summoned ghost-like forms of ourselves to fight. In the end, it wasn't smoke we were fighting."


"It was each other." Cadance added weakly.


"Yes, in the end I won, but in winning, I lost my best friend." Feather smiled and patted Cadance's leg. "I was lost to myself for a long time, until your mother spoke with me about loss and celebrating one's life. I owe them both so much, and there’s no way I’ll ever be able to repay them for all they’ve done for me."


"What was my mother like?" Cadance asked. "I've asked my father and many others, but all I ever hear is how great and beautiful she was. I need someone to tell me what she was truly like."


Feather smiled again. "Your father will speak to you either tonight or tomorrow about it, I have spoken to him on your behalf. He wants to tell you, but he fears the feelings that may return if he tells you prematurely.” 


"Is any of it bad?" Cadance asked.


"No." Feather placed his hoof on her's. "No, quite the opposite. She was everything to your father, and there is so much he can tell you. He’s just terrified that telling you will make you sad that she is gone."


Cadance gave a half-hearted laugh. "I’m already sad she’s gone, but not knowing anything about her is so much worse to me."


"Which is what I told him." Feather said. "Your mother wasn't as kind as your father, and at times she could be quite confrontational. During meetings with the Spirit council, either she or River would be the first to challenge something and demand action. The first time I met your father, they had been wrestling, and she was laying on top of him with a blush. They denied it, but King Jetsom accused them of sharing feelings for one another. As time went on, they grew even more affectionate, and when you were born, it was no surprise that you had such a command over love." 


Cadance's eyes were teary, but Feather continued.


"Lady Crystal would sing you to sleep, and always be there when you woke up. Even though she is gone, know your mother loved you dearly." Feather stood and bowed as Sif sauntered into the yard. "Lady Sif."


"Feather, I take it you're telling Anara about her mother?"


"I am."


"You know Skies planned on sitting her down tonight." Sif mumbled, annoyed at his dismissiveness.


"I know, but I felt telling her a small bit would alleviate her lust for information, at least for a short while." Feather bowed. "Now, I must return to my training."


Cadance smiled up to Sif. "Hi."


"Hey, fluffball." Sif smiled. "Why are you trying to strongarm Feather into giving you information?"


Cadance giggled while itching her scalp vigorously. "Because I'm frustrated with dad not telling me anything."


"Head itch?"


"Yeah, two spots on the back of my head itch really badly. That, and random pains coupled with an inconstant fever has made me all frustrated. I sought out Feather to answer some questions to get my mind off the itching."


Sif chewed her lip and examined the two small bumps on Cadance's scalp. "Tell your father about this."


"You think it’s a big deal?"


"What's a big deal?" Skies asked as he emerged from a nearby tree.


Sif raised an eyebrow and gestured toward Skies as he approached.


Cadance took a deep breath, unsure of where to begin. "Sif wants me to tell you about my scalp itching."


"Dandruff. You know it’s important to bathe, Sweetie."


Sif laughed and gestured for Cadance to continue.


Cadance groaned. "And that I have a fever that's going in and out."


Shattered trotted over, grabbed his daughter's head, and took a long look before running his hoof over her mane. He turned her head and gasped. "Oh no."


"What?" Cadance asked, worried at her father's tone.


"Sif, look at this."


Sif trotted over and whistled. "That’s bad alright."


"What is it?" Cadance asked again.


"I can see your brain!" Skies shouted. He giggled as Cadance pried her head out of his grasp. Cadance huffed and tackled her father to the ground, causing his giggles to erupt into full belly laughter. Skyfall held her up at arm's length as she swung and kicked in playful rage.


After some time of playing, Skies let Cadance down, and wrapped her in a warm hug. 


"I thought something was wrong, meanie." Cadance giggled.


"Nothing’s wrong. Your curse seems to be shedding away." Skies nuzzled his daughter. "Judging from the progression, it should be another month before it finally unravels."


Cadance went wide eyed at her father's words and ran her hooves over her scalp. "Y-You mean these bumps are horns?"


Sif jumped on Skies’ back and licked Cadance's scalp, making her yelp.


"Yes." Skies said. "I was researching other, quicker alternatives, but it seems that this is the result of one of two things; either the curse broke itself, or the harmonic blowback at the Gala cracked the curse just enough for your real power to leak through."


"Real power?"


"Yes, that's why you're running a fever. You can't use your full Spirit power while in a disguised state. For example, as Skyfall, I can do small things like speak to animals and make flowers bud. I can use some of my sensory ability when near a forest, however, I can't raise trees, heal as fast I can as I can now, or use most of my other abilities." Shattered Skies watched a griffon land in the courtyard just behind him, and looked back at Cadance, who was covered by a cloak due to Sif's swift action. "The more your power beats at your disguise, the worse the fevers will become. Eventually your disguise will drop, and the ailments shall pass."


"Then I'll be a Spirit?"


Skies nodded his head. "Then I'll be able to teach you all about being one, too."


Cadance kissed her father's cheek and teleported away, leaving Skies to deal with his visitor. He rose slowly and found the griffon in a bowed state.


"Who are you?" Skies asked as Sif and Honos flanked him.


"I am Dunwall. I have come here on behalf of my compatriots, seeking refuge."


"Well, Dunwall." Skies said as he glanced at the budding city below. "Where are your compatriots?"


Dunwall bowed lower. "They are in a ghetto outside of Seaddle. I've been sent in advance to see if the rumors were true."


"You flew clear across Equestria to see if a rumor was true?" Sif asked, her question layered with accusation.

Dunwall winced. "Yes, Lady Sif. We are in dire straits, and our community has been abuzz since the Gala last week. I volunteered to travel here because I’m the only one who knew the way."


Skies nodded at Sif. "Meeting."


Sif turned and sprinted away with Honos, leaving Dunwall and Skies alone.


"You live in Stocktown, don't you?" Skies asked, looking out at Farhaven. 


"I do, my Lord." Dunwall cautiously moved to Skies’ side. "It's cramped, and we get a lot of the sewage runoff from the main city, but it’s been a decent home until recently."


Skies raised a brow. "Explain."


Dunwall sat and took a slow breath. "We used to pay Canterlot a ten percent income tax, but recently, they've demanded as much as fifty percent of what we make. As a result, many of us have had to work several jobs, and even that isn't enough. River Bend has even started to tax our entry into the city. They charge five bits for each griffon, every time we leave the nest."


"They call Stocktown ‘the nest?’" Skies asked and saw Dunwall nod. "I will meet with my council, and give you an answer before you leave."


"Thank you, sir." Dunwall bowed as Skies walked into Farhaven castle.


Shattered Skies tried to clear his mind as he walked down the winding stairs, and through the grand throne room. He passed Changelings and Diamond Dogs on their lunch breaks, and waved them off as they tried to bow. Farhaven was still a budding nation, and because of it, not much happened. The Diamond Dogs worked on their tunnels to turn them into architectural art worthy of their Spirit Lord. The Changelings, on the other hand, lead normal lives, and rarely ever disguised themselves as another creature. Both groups worked with A.K. Yearling to record some of their history, a task she took to with dedication.


"Finally." Storm Front groaned as Skies strode into the room.


"Quit your bellyaching." River mumbled into her newspaper.


The room remained silent as Skies took a seat next to his daughter. He took a deep breath and looked around the room. "I guess I should start off with what I promised to tell you all after the Gala."


"Yeah." Storm said curtly.


"Watch it, Storm." River warned. "We get it, you're mad, but your anger has literally never helped anything."


Skies waited for Storm to calm himself before continuing. "The four Spirits that have shown themselves; Lonely Grave, River's End, Rage, And Unfaithful, seem to be my siblings."


"Like, in an affectionate sense, or..?" River asked after a pause.


"In a blood sense." Skies said. "They know things that no one on Equus should know. They know about the time before the beginning."


A quiet set of alarmed looks flew around the room. 


River bit her lip. "Is there no way we can verify this? It could be some crazy spell that tricks-"


"They know about the event that lead to my arrival." Skies said, silencing the group once more.


Grogar sat there tapping his hoof impatiently, knowing that Skies intentionally spoke cryptically.


"I don't know any specifics, but I would say they have been here for quite some time, and are set on conspiring against me." Skies said.


"You can't give us any roundabout date of when they appeared?" Storm asked, furrowing his brow and rubbing his head in annoyance. "Not even a ballpark figure?"


"Anywhere between last century and ten thousand years ago." Skies answered honestly. "They've done an amazing job of cloaking their activities, and their presence in history very well. I can surmise that some events in history were of their doing, but thus far, I haven't been able to even get close to real proof."


"So you've been researching this in secret?" Storm seethed.


"Yes. I had to be sure after a fifth sibling warned me."


"A fifth?" Storm mocked. "How many do you have? How many kids do you ha-"


A loud thumping and the sound of rapid movement erupted, and in the blink of an eye, Skies had Storm pinned to the floor. They both glared at each other, one summoning lighting in the area, and the other wrapping vines around the other's neck.


Innocence trotted over placed a hoof on Skies' shoulder. "This isn't a time for fighting, my lord."


Skies backed up and glared down at Storm. "We're friends, but don't you ever say a single word about my family."


Storm spat on the ground at Skies’ hooves, and rose to attack again, but found River glaring at him.


"What?" Storm spat.


"You're in the wrong, Storm. You need to settle your nerves." River scolded.


Skies sat next to a slightly alarmed Cadance and continued. "My fifth and final sibling's name is Psalm Nightingale. Fortunately, she seems untainted by whatever ails the other four."


"So that means I have-" Cadance paused and counted in her head. "-two uncles, and three more aunts?"


"That is correct." Skies said as he patted her head.


River turned to Honos and tapped his shoulder. "What about the black knight you encountered at the Gala?"


Honos nodded. "I'm still looking into that. I shall present my findings when I hit a breakthrough."


Skies nodded. "Maybe I can look into the files at the Ponyville barracks. This 'black knight' seems to have caught you off guard, no?"


Honos nodded. "I could sense his magic and the various techniques he kept circling around him and it wasn't of this era, I wasn’t prepared."


Honos transformed into Feather of Truth, and revealed the slash on his back. "To us, he disappeared, but when we returned that night, I found this jagged slash on my back and I’m sure he did it.”


Skies nodded. "Then I look forward to your report."


"My Lord." Feather bowed.


Skies stretched. "Before we enter the five hour long set of upcoming tasks, there is a developing situation in the west I feel I must bring to all of your attention."


"If it has to do with potential Farhaven citizens, that's all you." River chuckled and sat back in her chair with her hooves stretched out to the table.


Skies sighed. "It's about taking in a group of gryphons from a ghetto in Seaddle. I've made the conscious decision to accept them, but the problem lies in the city itself."


"How so?" Storm asked.


"Their home, Stocktown, is nestled between Seaddle proper and a large mountain." Skies waved his hoof, and summoned the coastal image of the city. "Our reveal at the Gala seems to have been a double edged sword. I knew that security across Equestria was on the rise, and basic training grounds are seeing an all time high in recruits, but that means travel will be restricted more."


"Leaving the griffons unable to make the journey here in mass numbers." Cadance said.


"Exactly." Skies smiled at his daughter. "Dunwall, a griffon from the area arrived, and formally asked if the news of our city was true. He confessed about the conditions in Stocktown, and I believe if they try and leave, the guards will turn it from a ghetto into an internment camp."


The Spirits looked at each other, most being very familiar with the ugly words.


"What's an internment camp?" Cadance asked.


Skies sighed. "Basically a prison. That's all I should say on the matter."


"Agreed." Storm, River, and Hekate said in unison.


"So, are we going to make any plans?" River asked.


Shattered nodded. "Yes, but our course of action needs to be carefully thought out, and not just a smash and grab. We can't expect the griffons to fly all that distance by themselves, especially not if they have young and ill."


"My Lord!" Quiet called as she ran into the council room and bowed.


"Yes, my shmoopy doople?" Skies called and smirked when he saw Quiet's tail twitch. "My little ball of fluffy love?"


Quiet's tail fought to remain still while Sif barely managed to contain her laughter. 


"Dad, stop it." Cadance chuckled and smacked her father's arm. "Try to ignore this goofball, Quiet. Please, what is it?"


"Yes, Lady Anara." Quiet bowed again. "There are more representatives here to see Lord Skies."


"More griffons?" Skies asked.


"There are a few griffons, yes, but I speak of dragons, a zebra, two minotaurs, a donkey, and a dragon pony." 


"They're here?" Skies asked.


"They have been stopped at Ponyville, and are being kept on the barracks grounds as we speak." Quiet said.


River groaned. "They've already started restricting flow to Farhaven."


"Not a problem. Thank you Quiet." Skies said. "I will visit them tomorrow, and try to straighten this out. For now, we move on to our growing demand for clean water."


"One more thing, Sire." Quiet called.


"What is it?"


"We caught a pony flying around that I think you should know about." 


"That's fine, let Wind Rider hold them until this is over." Skies smiled.


"I believe it is a little more urgent. Wind Rider told me to try and find you as soon as possible. It's another undead pony." Quiet said.


"Oh, then have him link up with the other, they'll settle the pony in." 


Quiet shook her head. "The pony was spying, and Wind Rider says he knows the pony."


Skies paused, and his smiled dropped. "Knows them how?"


"He says she’s an old hero that died in the Griffon-Pony War hundreds of years ago."


Shattered Skies' stomach dropped, the ponies that Lonely Grave tampered with were typically abducted and unknown. He sat and tapped his chin thoughtfully. If this was indeed a hero, then Lonely Grave wasn't staying idle in the shadows, as Skies had originally believed.


"This meeting will resume first thing tomorrow." Skies commanded as he stood.


"Dad."


"Yes, Anara?"


"I can help with the hearings in your stead." Cadance smiled widely for her father, putting the smile back onto his face. 


"Then while I go and inquire about what happened, I leave Farhaven in your hooves." Skies smiled, and trotted toward the overlook where Wind Rider set up his flight room. He turned to Quiet and sighed. "Go tell the griffon, Dunwall, that he may stay, and that we will discuss matters further in the morning. I have a bird to pluck."


"Right away, my Lord!"


Skies paused at the archway to the courtyard, where Wind Rider sat next to a tied-up body. The aura of Lonely Grave’s magic polluted the area, and the grass around the body was brown and dead.
 

> Chapter 33 -Mirrored Boundaries-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Mirrored Boundaries-
 


"My Lord." Wind Rider huffed as he lifted himself from atop the writhing corpse. "I'm glad you came when you did, this one has been getting increasingly annoying."

The corpse grumbled, and was promptly kicked by Rider. 

Skies stood and looked over the mare. Her tight, olive bodysuit, and armor plating did nothing to hide her light purple coat and yellow mane. He was confident Rider couldn't sense it, but the magic animating her body repulsed Skies, and made his skin crawl. Skies paced around the undead pony, who gave him a conflicted look of fear and anger. He tied her to the ground with roots, and grabbed Rider to speak with him out of hearing distance from their detainee.

"How much has she heard since being captured?"

"Not much, my Lord. I have treated her as an enemy, and have kept everypony around on a strict discipline until you arrived." Rider looked over to the mare who fought futilely against her restraints. 

"Excellent, Wind Rider." Skies said.

"Thank you, my Lord." Rider bowed. "But can you tell me what's going on? I know we have undead ponies, but this is too extreme. That is a former Wonderbolt admiral, how is she here?"

"It is a matter we will discuss later." Skies said darkly. "What were the circumstances of her capture?"

Rider pointed to an area above the Everfree, near where the undead ponies' lived. "I was taking a morning fly over the city, like I do every morning. I checked in with the Diamond Dogs, and then flew up above the clouds. When I was gliding down, I saw a mare hugged to the side of a large tree. I hung around, and saw that she was taking notes, so I swooped in. She saw me, and tried to fly away, but we collided then crashed into a house frame. One of Lady Sif's wolves grabbed her, and we tied her up.

"What'd the notes say?"

"It was in an old Wonderbolt's cipher, but it's basically a verbal explanation of the city's layout, and what I guess to be unit strength." Rider reasoned as he produced the note from his jacket.

Skies reviewed the page. As his eyes finished skimming over the document, he groaned. 

"What is it, my Lord?"

"Nothing, just that one of our enemies is moving faster than I anticipated." Skies rolled up the note and tucked it under his wing. He sighed and noticed Rider biting his lip. "Is there a problem, Wind Rider?"

"Permission to speak freely?"

"Granted with restriction." Skies raised an eyebrow.

Rider nodded and gestured to the former Wonderbolt. "That mare is an Equestrian treasure. Fairy Flight was one of the key members of the Wonderbolts, and died in one of the biggest conflicts Equestria has ever experienced. She was buried at the National Equestrian Cemetery, and now she’s over there, moving and speaking. How?"

With a long, labored sigh, Skies looked Wind Rider in the eye. "I can't answer that. All I know is that one of our enemies is tampering with the dead. Your actions have gained us an invaluable piece of evidence, and what I suspect to be our first prisoner."

There was a rapid patter of pawsteps from behind as Quiet approached Skies. When Skies turned his head to the wolf, he bowed. "Dunwall has been informed."

"Excellent." Skies nodded and made his way over to Fairy Flight. "You, intruder. What is your name?"

Fairy Flight's body seemingly fought against her will. As she tried to speak, a glowing rune in her mouth looked to be painfully shocking her whenever she tried to speak. 

"Silence." Skies cooed, and lowered himself. "We will do this in blinks, one long blink for yes, two rapid blinks for no, and three for unknown. Do you understand?"

Fairy Flight held her eyes shut briefly, and Skies smirked.

"Is your name, or have you ever been known as, Fairy Flight?" Skies asked.

The mare blinked once.

"Were you sent here with peaceful intentions?"

Two rapid blinks.

"Do you wish to return to your master?"

Tears slowly escaped the mare’s eyes as she quickly blinked twice.

Skies bit his lip and growled. He inhaled deeply, looked up toward the council room, and let his voice reverberate deeply through the surrounding forest. "Sif!"

Roots squeezed Fairy's limbs close to her body, and lifted her upright. Skies sat before her, and sank his hoof into the fresh soil that fell from the branches restraining her.

"Can you open your mouth?" Skies sat patiently and saw two blinks. "This is going to hurt, a lot. I need you to be brave, okay?"

Fairy Flight blinked once, and then closed her eyes as a root dug in between her lips, and dislocated her jaw.

"What are you doing?" Rider shouted, and leaped back in shock.

Skies glanced over to see Rider sweating, worried he aligned himself with a fanatical villain. Sif soon ran into view with a determined look set on her face. Skies rose his hoof and gestured to the writhing mare.

"What is this?" Sif asked.

"Lonely Grave has made his next move." Skies said.

"And why are you wrenching her jaw open?" Sif cringed at the wet crack of a joint being pulled out of place.

"To reveal this: The mark of Echo." Skies proclaimed as Fairy’s tongue and jaw hung limply from her tear-soaked face. Upon her tongue blazed a mark, a red, three-lined rune that kept her from speaking properly. 

Sif lowered her gaze and glanced at Quiet. "Go and summon our kin, this needs to be addressed. Tell them to wait for me by the lake."

"Right away, Mother!"

Rider looked between the two ancients in front of him, and then to the rune. "What is this?"

"It's a curse that prevents someone from communicating. If the victim tries to speak, they’re shocked into silence." Skies muttered. "It's a taxing curse that burdens the caster by forcing them to lose their own tongue."

"That's horrific!" Rider exclaimed.

"Not if you can just get it replaced." Skies lamented for Fairy Flight. He hefted her up onto his back and setting her jaw back into place for it to heal. He craned his neck and looked at her. "I will do my best to help you, if possible."

"What would you like me to do?" Sif asked.

"Have your kin survey the forest. If more are out there like this one, capture them and bring them to the geode cavern the Diamond Dogs found last week." Skies kept looking into Fairy's eyes. "It should be sufficient to keep any detainees there."

"It would be easier to dispose of them, Skies. If they're being controlled, then they're too much of a liability."

"The easier thing to do, yes. The right thing to do, no." Skies felt Sif lift the bound mare from his back. "I agree that it's a dangerous risk, but I would like to help if I can."

Sif nuzzled Skies as she passed him.

Rider shook his head. "Before last month, I thought undead ponies were just a myth."

"Before last year, you thought I was a myth too." Skies said curtly as he started his long walk back to the council room. He heard the sound of flapping, and glanced back to see Daring Do land in the courtyard behind him. "Ah, my favorite archaeologist."

"Hey, you got a minute?"

"For you, I have several." Skies smiled deviously, waving Rider away when he gave Skies and impatient glare.

"I wanted to talk to you about my uncle." Daring said solemnly as she walked toward Skies.

"Did you find him?" Skies asked.

"I didn't, but the royal guard did." Daring cast her eyes downward.

Skies closed his eyes, and draped his wing over Daring Do. "I'm sorry to hear, you have my deepest condolences. If there’s anything I can do to help, name it and it shall be done."

Daring shook her head. "N-No. I just wanted to talk to you, and tell you I've made my decision."

"Decision?"

Daring nodded. "You asked me to consider staying, and to become the curator for your museum, as well as a historian. With my uncle gone, there isn't anything left tying me to Equestria, and you promised me that you wouldn't interfere with me, or my historical records." She gave Skies a weak smile. "I-I really can’t say no to an offer like that."

"Then the position, and the museum are yours." Skies patted Daring on the head. 

"This means I can pick your brain about historical events."

"So it does." Skies chirped. "My house around eight?"

Daring let out a light chuckle. "Only if there’s spaghetti and meatballs."

"I'll tell Cadance." Skies waved at Daring as she flew toward her newly-acquired museum.





"What about our fresh water?" Cadance asked as her father opened the council room doors with Sif in tow. "Is everything okay, dad?"

"Short answer? No." Skies said, and waved Sif forward. She walked to the shifting table, and laid a bound mare onto it. She initially fought Skies' roots, but in the end, she just went limp and scowled. "We have a visitor."

"I knew you were into bondage, but this is getting to be too crazy." River laughed when Skies shot her a glare.

"Finally, something interesting." Grogar growled out. His bones creaked as he sat up slowly, looking over the mare. "Whoever did this is well-learned in the art of necromancy."

"Necromancy isn't an art, Grogar." Skies' cold voice made his distaste clear. "Hekate, is there anything you can tell me about this?"

Slowly, the ghostly collection of rags reached forward, lifted the mare in an invisible grasp, examining her. Two glowing, white eyes peered out from within, and then looked to Skies. "Recently, the boundaries between life and death have been disturbed. I believed this to be the result of exorcisms, or a mistake on my part, but I never would have imagined this to happen again."

Everyone looked at Grogar with annoyance, he lifted his hooves, and pressed them to the mare’s head. "This wasn't my work. This is far beyond even my ability. Tell me, mare. How old are you?"

The mare stayed silent. Grogar brought his hoof back to strike the mare, but he jolted and roared in pain as he was struck by lightning.

"You will not carry out cruelty in our presence." Skies demanded as he waved Storm down. "This will be the last time I warn you."

Grogar sat back and scowled at anyone who dared meet his gaze. 

Skies looked over to Hekate, and gave her a wry smile. "Can you, River, and Grogar study her? We need to learn what we can in case this problem continues to develop."

"It will be done, Lord Skies." Hekate lifted both Grogar and Fairy Flight before floating down through the floor.

"What about the meeting?" Cadance asked. "We still have issues to resolve."

"Issues that can wait for another day." Skies cooed as he walked towards Cadance. "There is something I want to talk to you about. I fear if I don't get this off my chest now, it will only become harder to do so."

"Is this about my mother?" Cadance asked, hope in her chest.

With a soft nod, Skies draped a wing over his daughter. "Yes. You've wanted to know long enough, and I feel it’s finally time to tell you." Cadance looked around the room for a place for them to talk, but Skies rested his head on hers. "Not here. Let's go back home."

Cadance looked up to the solemn Spirit and smiled. "Okay, but I'm making popcorn."





Skyfall laid by a small fire with his front hooves crossed. He looked over the cover of an old photo album set next to him. The lock was fastened tightly, and enchanted to only open with his touch. The smell of popcorn filled the air, and Skyfall closed his eyes. He knew Cadance didn't want popcorn, but rather it served as a distraction to direct her mind away from the nervousness of hearing details about her other parent.

"I have the cloudcorn!" Cadance bounced into the room happily, and landed harshly next to Skyfall, rocking him to the side. "Whoops, sorry."

"It's okay." Skyfall cooed and draped a wing over Cadance, who responded by bringing her hooves closer to her body, snuggling for warmth under the blanket that was her father's wing. Skyfall sighed, and pawed the album into sight. "Where to begin..?"

Cadance nuzzled her father's chin. "Start with how you met."

Skyfall chuckled. "It isn't the most glamorous event."

"What do you mean?" 

"You mother used to hate me." Skyfall laughed and undid the latch on the photo album. "I had been cultivating bees to release them into the world, so they could join the rest of the animal kingdom. A prankster named Bones thought it would be funny to release them into Crystal's domain. That resulted in her storming into my forest and demanding my head, before catapulting rock candy into my castle to infest it with ants."

Cadance's eyes went wide at this unexpected news. 

"She came on strong like a burning flame for the first few years. She pestered me, and picked on me relentlessly." Skyfall chuckled, and gave Cadance a knowing look.

"She had a crush on you?"

"And I, her." Skyfall smiled. "But we never acted on it.”

"Aww was my daddy a big nervous ball of fluff around mommy?" Cadance said in a baby voice, earning herself a nose covered in saliva. "Ugh, hey!"

Skyfall chuckled. "Yeah, your mother was something else."

"Was she the first mare you ever dated?"

Skyfall shook his head. "No, we both saw others before we finally got together. She dated more than I did, but that's because it wasn’t very easy to reach my estate."

"Antisocial?"

"Oh, no." Skyfall defended, and opened the album. "I just liked my privacy. I'm recreationally lazy."

"What did she look like?" Cadance asked quietly.

"Like this." Skyfall pulled a portrait from the album, containing a picture of him and Honey Bee. Her pristine white coat and golden locks were groomed perfectly, which starkly contrasted Sky's gruff and unkempt appearance. Honey Bee’s green eyes scowled up at Skyfall, while he smiled down at her. She looked like she was scolding him, and Skyfall was trying to calm her.

"She’s very pretty." Cadance said quietly. 

"She was beautiful." Skyfall replied. "It's obvious which parent you get your looks from."

Cadance giggled, and leaned closer to her father. 

Skyfall brought out another portrait of a Spirit in a lush garden. Her white coat and blue mane stood out against prismatic flowers surrounding her, while she stared into the pond with the same emerald eyes. Her delicate, translucent wings hovered just above her back, while her curved horn wore a silver ring with blue gem. "This is a week after I asked Crystal to be my wife. It took me years to gather the courage to ask her that.."

"You were afraid?"

"Terrified." Skyfall smiled.

Cadance grabbed the album, and looked through the various paintings and photos. She flipped the pages, and smiled at all the happiness she saw between her parents.

"I'm sorry, Anara." Skyfall said. "I meant to talk to you about her sooner."

"It's okay." Cadance kissed her father's cheek. "If I lost Shining Armor, I would be just as reluctant to speak about it. I knew, given time, you would tell me about her. I just wish she was here, is all."

"Your mother loved you." Skyfall said quietly as he grabbed one of the last pages. There was a bookmark, and he opened it up to a photo of Skyfall, and a very worn out Crystal holding a small, pink foal. 

"Is that?"

"Yes, that's you after you were born." Skyfall chuckled. "You were a little overweight, but still beautiful."

"I was overweight?" Cadance asked in surprise.

"Yes. When your mother was pregnant, she had the most vicious cravings for lamb, and easy made noodles. That was usually after eating a jar of sweet pickles." Skyfall deadpanned. "She would wake me up demanding that I go into the village to get the local food store owners to make her whatever she was craving. Luckily, they always understood, and just laughed it off."

Cadance smiled. "You still love her, don't you?"

"Of course." Skyfall kissed Cadance's head. "She gave me you."

Cadance grabbed a photo of Honey Bee dancing at the Spirit festival. "Can I have this one?"

"Absolutely." Skyfall cooed, and reached into a back pocket of the album. He rustled around, and pulled out a small silver ring with a blue gem. "This is your mother's wedding ring. I think you should have it." 

"You r-really want me to have it?" Cadance's voice shook.

"Yes. Your mother always talked about the day you would grow up, and how she would pass it on to you." Skyfall rested the ring in her shaky grip. 

Cadance laid her head down on her father's hooves, and closed her eyes. He smiled, and did the same. 

"When you were born, she was happy to find that you had taken more after me than her." Skies said. He paused as his daughter looked at him, clearly confused. "Spirit-form wise."

"Spirit-form wise?"

Skies nodded. "Much like in nature, the offspring take after each of the parents, and take the more dominant traits. You were born with many of my Spirit traits. When your body starts to revert, you will feel incredible increases in your power, and I will be here to help you through that."

"Will it be painful?"

"Growth often is painful, but honestly, I feel you will have some trouble getting used to how you look as a Spirit." Skies flipped the album until he found one of Cadance playing with a house cat. "This picture shows you when your antlers started to part your mane, much in the way they are now."

"What do you think I'll look like when it’s over?" Cadance asked quietly.

"I imagine your antlers will be more feminine than mine, and more swept back." Skies reasoned. "I know your wings are like your mothers; four beautiful, translucent wings."

Skies tapped his chin in thought. "Your fur was a brownish pink, your tail was a bit longer than mine, and your hooves were similar to mine, except smaller. You also had a small patch of white on your chest, right here."

Cadance giggled mid-yawn as her father poked her chest.

"Maybe that's enough for now." Skyfall whispered. 

"Dad, can you tell me about some of the adventures you and mom used to have?"

Skyfall hummed. "What would you like to hear?"

Cadance took a deep breath, and relaxed fully. "Something happy. Was she a good cook?"

Skyfall laughed softly. "No, but that brings to mind some stories of her trying."

Cadance hissed as a sharp pain emanated from her scalp, causing her father to look her over. 

"If you keep growing at this rate, you'll likely be transformed by the end of next week."

Cadance warily rubbed her head, not sure how to take the news.

With his daughter's silence, Skyfall hugged Cadance closer to his side, and started his tale of Crystal’s awesome attempt at making meatloaf, and the subsequent disaster following.





Twilight's Castle





Celestia huffed quietly as she stirred honey into her tea. 

"Um, Princess?" Twilight called.

Celestia blinked her eyes and rubbed her head. "Sorry, Twilight. I'm just not getting much sleep." Celestia sipped her tea, and looked at the ponies gathered around Twilight's crystal table. "I summoned you all here at the behest of my sister."

Sunset looked at her friends, and nodded. "Is it something bad?"

"I'm afraid so." Celestia's horn glowed, and light golden lines of magic started to form on the walls and windows throughout the room. "What I share with the seven of you must be kept a secret, even from your closest friends and family, under threat of imprisonment."

The mares before Celestia gazed at her with terrified expressions that cut her heart more than any words possibly could. "I'm sorry, but the implications and gravity of what I am about to share with you could compromise everything that has taken over one thousand years to accomplish."

Twilight took a deep breath, and hesitantly looked at everyone gathered around the table. "We understand, Princess, we won't repeat this to anypony."

"Thank you." Celestia said weakly. 

With another glow of her horn, the Crystal Mirror floated into the room, and was set in the corner. "I take it you all are familiar with the concept of interdimensional mirrors."

Twilight, Rainbow, and Sunset nodded, but the others gave a short shake of their heads. Celestia summoned a floating image of Equus, and looked up slowly so the others would follow her gaze.

"As I'm sure you all know, this is the realm we reside in." Celestia highlighted sections of the image, and a more detailed close-up appeared on the table, below the enormous green orb. "Our world is large and lush. Civilizations thrive across, above, and below it's surface."

Twilight looked at the mirror. "And the mirror connects Equus to the realm Sunset lived in?"

"Yes." Celestia's horn grew brighter, and the image shifted dramatically into Sunset’s realm. Tall skyscrapers and foreign machinery dotted its surface. Each pony ooh'd and aah'd at each image that appeared, noticing that they were similar to locations in their world, but was dramatically different at the same time. "Much like how this realm differs from ours, each Spirit hails from another, different realm."

Rarity guffawed. "Spirits came from other realms?"

"Not that I know about." Celestia said. "But they each can exit Equus and reside in their own realm, albeit smaller than one as large as ours. The realm that a Spirit resides in takes after their power and personality. For example, the Spirit known as Sakurajima would be a landscape of volcanoes, lava pools, and hot, beaches covered in black sand. A Spirit like Storm Front resides on a barren storm-stricken cliff surrounded by crashing waves, tornadoes, and other forms of extreme weather. I know this, because I've visited many of them in my travels."

"What does Shattered Skies realm look like?" Rainbow Dash asked, beating her friends to the question.

Celestia sighed with a small smile, and summoned images of Skies' realm. "It's a forest. A large, sprawling forest, with trees larger, and far more ancient than the ones surrounding my old castle. In the center is a lake with shimmering water, and a small fertile island where he used to sit, listening to the world. When I traveled there with my sister, we met all sorts of creatures that we have yet to see on Equus, and at one point stumbled on a small village of beings from all over Equus that are devoted followers who aided him in caring for the animals and plants of his realm. But the most noticeable trait of his realm was silence. There were the natural sounds of animals, and the occasional storm, but overall, the air was clear."

Rarity cocked her head at the conflicting images she held of Shattered Skies. "But isn’t he supposed to be evil?"

"Even Spirits can change." Celestia whisked away the image, and brought back the previous image of Equus, suspended in the air. Her face and tone grew more serious as the light in the room faded to better illuminate the image. "Now for the more dire news."

"This singular orb represents Equus." Celestia's magic moved through the air, and formed small, malformed lights that hovered above its surface. "Each light is the entrance to a Spirit realm. I've found that their realms vary in size and intensity, but are never as large as Equus. So, I am lead to believe that they exist outside the veil of our realm, but are still connected."

Twilight used her magic to record everything that was being said in a notebook in her saddlebag on the floor. "The Spirits never shared how their realms worked?"

"Sadly, no." Celestia said. "I believe most of them didn't even know, and the ones that did kept it to themselves, in the event a mortal-versus-immortal war became necessary."

"War?" Rarity choked.

"Yes. Spirits, unlike most mortal races on Equus, were more prone to infighting and war, which I believe is why Equus has such a hectic past." Celestia said with obvious uncertainty, before continuing. "That is why Starswirl the Bearded, and myself, worked towards making a prison where no Spirit could escape."

"The realm I live in is that prison, isn't it?" Sunset asked, silencing the room instantly. She knew the answer to the question, but she needed to hear her former mentor say it.

"Yes."

Slowly, another planet appeared next to the one representing Equus, the realm showed images of bipedal beings walking to and fro, before zooming in on Canterlot High, and the rest of Sunset's friends. 

"It's a prison?" Sunset asked, exasperated. 

"No." Celestia cooed. "Starswirl found a way to open up portals, and experimented with it until he stumbled upon a realm without any magic, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. There, Spirits could live in peace. They’d be away from us, unable to harm anypony, and without any magic, they could not return."

"Unless they were able to take it from us." Sunset said and glanced over to Twilight.

"Princess." Twilight called, recognizing Sunset's look. "Do you remember the three Sirens we fought against a few years ago? They were trying to get back to Equestria, and they knew all about the mirror. Were they Spirits?"

Celestia nodded slowly. "Yes, the three sirens you met were indeed Spirits. At one time they were well known, and even came to the grand ceremony after Discord's defeat."

"It's a good thing ya stopped them." Applejack said.

"Yes, I must agree." Rarity seconded.

"They were three difficult Spirits to seal, but far from being the most dangerous." Celestia said. "I was concerned with your recent report of your counterpart being able to open gates without an enchanted mirror, but you said it was destroyed after the battle, which put my worries to rest." Celestia's magic started to spread across the second image, highlighting areas of Spirit activity, but in her concentration, she missed the worried look that Twilight gave Sunset.

Sunset nodded, knowing that she and Twilight had dire topics to discuss later. "Princess, why is the area by Canterlot High so bright?"

"Many of the trapped Spirits still reside in the city surrounding the mirror. I can only guess they’re waiting for an opening to return here." Celestia said. "This is a land we can not let Shattered Skies get to."

Rainbow turned her head. "Why? Isn’t that exactly what we want?"

"For many other Spirits, yes. For a Spirit as cunning as him, not in the least." Celestia brought light back into the room, and transformed the image into a giant bear with tribal markings over her fur. 

"Who is that?" Fluttershy asked.

"That is the Earth Elemental." Celestia said. "She saw that I was able to lock many of the Spirits away, and chose to go watch over them, instead of engaging in what would have been a devastating battle with me."

"I'm sure you would have smeared the floor with her." Applejack gave a playful jab in the air, ruffling her white shirt.

Celestia giggled. "I thank you for the compliment, Applejack, but Elementals are powerful, and a pair of them can fight on par with Discord. In short, they are not a matter to be taken lightly. Any being that can sink a city with a flex of their power is too dangerous to assume victory over. Luckily for all parties, however, Earth was the more reasonable of the four."

"And she lives in that realm?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, which is why I have gathered you all here." Celestia said. "It has become clear after the Gala that we are grossly unprepared to challenge Shattered Skies. He appeared right before me twice, and I was powerless to stop him both times. If he wanted me dead, then I fear I would be so."

"Princess?" Twilight called. "I think we should try and speak with him. He said as much during the Gala, I think if we hear him out, he may prove to be different than what the history books make him out to be." 

Celestia looked at Twilight, her face was twisted between uncertainty, and understanding. Her mind raced back and forth between accepting and rejecting the idea.

"I... am not opposed to an option of peace." Celestia's tone was cold. "But we need to make a contingency plan in case that fails us."

"What's a contingency plan?" Applejack asked.

"Back up plan." Rainbow said curtly before speaking up. "So what? We go to Sunset's realm, and look for somepony that sympathizes with us?"

Celestia nodded. "Only four of you may go. Any more than that, and attention will be drawn to you."  Celestia shined lights around the city surrounding the mirror. "Earth has stayed near the mirror for much of the time she has resided in that realm. She and Shattered Skies worked very closely with one another, so if there is a being that can talk him out of what he is doing, it would be her."

Sunset nodded and leaned back. "So Twilight and I are going, since we know the area best. That leaves two spots."

"One." Celestia said. "I will send a guard with you, it may be a shaky start given how they must learn to walk on two legs, but I feel that they will recognize potential threats well before anything bad could happen."

"Who is the guard?" Twilight asked.

"We gathered dossiers, and were able to narrow it down to three candidates; Strong Back, Dark Night, and Flash Sentry."

"Ew, no, and absolutely not." Sunset said, much to a certain Princess' ire. "Rainbow is a Wonderbolt, she could fill the guard slot, no?"

"A wonderbolt, yes, but not a tested warrior." Celestia corrected. "I believe she would do well to accompany you, but a guard must still go with you."

"What do you all think?" Sunset asked the group.

"How about Skyfall?" Rarity said. “It makes the most sense. He seems to know Spirits more than any of us do and he is technically a guard.”

Celestia nodded. “He does know them suspiciously well. Had I not done such a thorough background check on him, I would be more worried.”

Applejack groaned as she gave Pinkie five bits. Pinkie giggled. "Told you he was in on everything."

Celestia raised an eyebrow. "In on everything?"

"Yeppie, if there is trouble or something important going on, he's either in the middle of it, or involved somehow." Pinkie chirped. "I made a bet with Applejack that his name would come up at least once in this surprise meeting."

"I blame that jinxin’ cutie mark of his." Applejack groaned. "I think that shattered glass means his luck involves him in everything."

"Perhaps." Celestia shrugged off the topic, and tried thinking reasonably. "There is a slight problem in sending him with you."

"And what would that be?" Twilight asked.

"He is training the Ponyville guard unit, and I sent word for him to train more guards. Captain Fury reported on his training method, and says that the guards under the tutelage of he and his brother fight harder, and more fiercely than the average guard. That is partially why I am here. Captain Fury is going to give them a surprise combat test to check their combat readiness."

"When will that happen?"

"Later today." Celestia smiled, and checked the time. "If all goes well, then he will have more guards added to his command."

"Surely he can accompany us to the other realm. I don't imagine it would take too long." Twilight smiled at her mentor’s cheery mood. "It would be funny to see him falling over on two legs."

Sunset giggled alongside many of the mares at the mental image. "And we can get a picture of it too!"

Celestia thought for a long moment, then nodded. "It is decided, then. During the next full moon, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, and Skyfall will search for the Earth Elemental." Celestia said.

"What about the peace talks?" Twilight asked. "Since the Gala, I have wanted to speak with Shattered Skies. If we can convince him to be our ally, we can accomplish so much more together."

"I take it you do not believe what the history books say about him?" Celestia accused.

"No." Twilight said firmly, as she looked deep into her mentor's eyes. "Or I should say, I have my doubts, which is why I must speak with him. I'm tired of finding one answer, then having three questions take its place."

Celestia nodded. "If that is your decision, I can not stop you. Just promise me to be careful around him."

Twilight saw sadness in Celestia's eyes. "I will, Princess."

Celestia stood and turned towards the door. "The guard's test will begin in two hours. If you wish to watch, you may join me at the Ponyville parade grounds, thirty minutes before five. Farewell."

With a quiet pomf, Celestia disappeared from the room, leaving baffled mares in her wake.

"So, crazy bit of news, huh?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah. I had no idea Starswirl was responsible for creating mirrored realms." Sunset said. "I wish I knew how he did it."

Twilight nodded. "I'm more concerned with how we are going to find an Earth Elemental in a city filled with strangers. We went all out with magic there on three separate occasions, but the Spirits remain uninvolved with the exception of the three sirens."

"We can talk to Earth about that once we find her." Sunset said, trying to quell Twilight's frustration.

Fluttershy stood and sauntered toward the door with an annoyed look upon her face.

Rainbow saw her friend’s irritation, and slipped out with her. "Hey, Shy, wait up."

"Do you mind if we fly? I'm late to start my dinner prep." Fluttershy didn't wait for an answer before flying up and away.

"Hey, are you okay? You seem upset."

Fluttershy sighed. "I am upset, but complaining won't help anything."

Rainbow nodded, and looked over to her friend. She had been upset with Fluttershy when she got closer to Skyfall, but in the end they were still close friends. "You know you can talk to me."

Fluttershy slowed her flight. "I know, I'm just upset with the Princess." 

"Why is that?" 

"During the meeting, she alluded to what Shattered Skies was trying to do as a bad thing, and I'm not so sure it is." Fluttershy said before correcting herself. "No, if what she says he’s doing is true, then he isn’t evil at all!"

Rainbow cringed. "I think we should take that one step at a time, Shy. I'm all for taking a firm stance on an issue, but remember, he is used to scare foals for a reason."

Fluttershy scowled at Rainbow's sympathetic look. "Is it so wrong to seek shelter from being ridiculed?"

"No, and that's not what I'm saying." Rainbow grabbed Fluttershy's shoulder, and they both landed on the road leading to Fluttershy's cabin. "All I'm saying is that you're my oldest friend, and I don't want to see you get hurt, okay?"

Fluttershy nodded slowly. "I-I'm sorry, I just have a lot on my mind."

"I know, and I'm probably to blame for some of it." Rainbow gave her friend a suppressed chuckle.

Fluttershy nodded and fell into silence.

"Listen, I know you like Skyfall-"

"How?" Fluttershy asked.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Everypony knows."

"Oh."

Rainbow smiled. "It's not a bad thing. Everypony is happy to see you take an interest in a pony instead of the other way around, but I'm sure you know I like him too."

"I know." Fluttershy nodded. "He is a popular stallion."

"He certainly is, but please don't let other ponies’ interests stop you from trying to win him over, okay?" Rainbow smiled, and saw Spitfire rocket by overhead. "Spitfire? Um, Fluttershy, I gotta go!"

With a loud crack, and the appearance of a thick, rainbow trail, Dash rocketed away after the Wonderbolt, leaving Fluttershy to stand there waving.

"I won't stop trying."





"Crystal, I think this is a horrible idea." Psalm said from the treeline of Ponyville, as she looked down at the parade grounds.

"I must agree, this could end very poorly." Discord reasoned as he stood deeper in the shadows, being careful not to let any light shine onto him, so he would stay hidden. "What if your secret comes out before you can explain anything?"

"Duly noted, both of you." Honey Bee said as she stood, looking at the ponies that passed the gate and filed into the base. "But I have stood by for far too long."

"How are you going to appear?" Psalm asked.

"I’m going to walk up to him and say hi." Bee chuckled.

"What about when you explain to him that you aren’t dead and that you’ve been around, but-" Discord coughed when Psalm threw dirt in his face. "Hey, I was being nice! It's a valid concern."

Bee laughed nervously and played with the ends of her mane. "I'm going to tell him the truth, and hope everything works out in the end."


> Chapter 34 -Cheating Death-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Cheating Death-
 

"I never should have taken that blasted position." Skies vented as he rubbed his brow. He looked down to Quiet, Sif's up and coming right paw wolf. Quiet waited in her bowed stance after giving Skies news of Celestia's arrival. "You say she is currently at Twilight's castle?"

"I do, my Lord."

Skies looked up from the grand throne he leaned on, and squinted towards the other side of the room. Nothing demanded his immediate attention, but there were still tasks and obstacles in Farhaven to work through, and his continued absence from Ponyville would surely soon start to raise suspicion. 

"What do you wish of me?" Quiet asked.

"Go and alert Storm Front. Tell him to bring on a very heavy rain storm. We have made a plan in case Celestia tried something like this before training was completed. Once you’re done with that, alert Flowing Streams to sit in the river a little downstream from the base." Skies stood and groaned quietly. "I knew there was a reason Fury was asking so many questions."

Quiet nodded and bolted down one of the side rooms. She rushed past a red stallion with such force that he reared up in shock. After regaining his composure, Big Mac entered the throne room, but stopped when he noticed Shattered Skies staring down at him from the throne’s pedestal. 

"Is there something I can help you with, Big Mac?"

"Y-Yes, my Lord." Big Mac said.

"You can call me Shattered Skies, or either part of my name. When we're around as few beings as we are now, you can forgo the honorifics." Skies waved his hoof, calling Big Mac closer. "Now speak, it's obvious something is on your mind. Your foal, perhaps?"

Big Mac nodded. "Gilda is getting on in her pregnancy, and she’s starting to worry the foal may become unhealthy. What do we do?"

Skies smiled. "It's a good thing you came to see me right away, it saves me the trouble of sending for you next week. Soon, Gilda will need to start drinking an herbal tea with Bloodflower stem extract."

"Isn't that poisonous?" Big Mac asked.

"Something you learned from your younger sister, I presume?"

Big Mac nodded slowly, slightly put off from the hazardous instruction.

"Well, yes. It can be extremely poisonous, but the toxins are easily cancelled if you dry the stem and strain it to make the tea-" Skies corrected. "-Something that I've taken the liberty to prepare in the past few weeks. I am able to make a tea out of it so she will only need one cup a day, but be warned, it tastes like a boiled leather bag. I suggest adding a little sugar to it."

Big Mac nodded, but concern still radiated from his shaky expression.

"Oh, on a different note, I have sent a representative to Canterlot to see about setting up a postal route from Farhaven to Ponyville." Skies said, lifting Big Mac's solemn look. "I know you leave our borders to check on your farm. I like your devotion to your family, but please be wary of dangers. I am the ruler of the forests, but even I am not omniscient enough to see everything in my forest at once."

Big Mac smiled. “I’ll be sure to do so. Winter is coming and Granny Smith never fares well in the cold. My only regret is that I can’t spend time around like I used to.”

“Because she is nearing the end of her life?” Skies asked, receiving only a slow nod in return. Skies sighed and ran his hoof through his green mane. “Such is life. She is your surrogate parent since yours left at such a young age. It’s understandable that you would want to see her off.”

Skies averted his gaze to the many statues that lined the spacious room. “It shouldn’t be much longer before you’re reunited. But leave that matter to me. For now, worry about your daughter.”

“If I may, my lord. How did you know my parents left at such a young age?” Big Mac bowed, and rose to see that Shattered Skies had disappeared, and that the vines that surrounded his throne now held bloomed, bioluminescent flowers.

“He does that.” Anara said as she walked into view, taking Skies’ place on the throne. “I overheard what you and my father were discussing. I wish you the best with your new child.”

Big Mac bowed once more. “Thank you, my lady. We’re both nervous and excited, yet terrified that something will happen.”

“Then that means your head is in the right place.” Anara said. “In the short time I’ve spent with my father, I’ve learned much. He always tells me that… what was it?”

Anara tapped her chin, her casual speech confused Big Mac, but when in doubt, it was always better to humble yourself before royalty.

“Ah!” Anara gruffed her voice to make it sound deeper. “One must posses the right thinking; only then can you see a clearer path.”

“You’re father seems to be a very wise Spirit.”

“He is, when it isn’t hidden under all the silliness.” Anara chirped. “Although, he is a master of avoiding questions.”





Lazily, Skyfall lumbered into his house, and up to his study. Having already felt the guard messenger half-sprinting her way to his estate, it wasn't difficult to figure out what type of visit Celestia was conducting. Plus, the four hundred ponies sitting in the tree line were too organized to be anything other than another guard unit. 

Sky sat before a large darksilver egg and swiped his hoof over its ornate middle ring, causing it to shudder and peel back, revealing his darksilver armor, and blue shoulder cape. He paused and chuckled at the visitor in his doorway. "If you stand on my shoulders we really will be a dog and pony show."

Sif bit her lip and remained quiet.

"What's wrong?" Skyfall asked.

"Nothing, thought I'd come by to see what you were up to." Sif said.

"You're a horrible liar." Sky chuckled and fastened his armor into place. 

"Where is Cadance?" Sif asked.

"She's at the castle. She is taking over court to get practice in running a nation by herself, no oligarchy." Skyfall stopped pulling straps and looked hard at Sif. "Now tell me. Why are you in a mood? I'll have no denial. Everything out, now."

Sif chewed on her lip. 

"Sif."

"I can't." Sif sighed. "They will soon make themselves known."

"If you're asking where my daughter is, I want to know the reason." Sky informed. "Especially if there is an ominous 'They' involved."

Sif's ear pinned back as the room's walls creaked with Sky's dire tone. His front of being chipper eroded into a cold glare.

Sif lowered her head. "I am oath bound to not tell you, my lord."

Skyfall softened his expression and beckoned Sif over with a weak hoof. Her eyes teared up as she rested her head against his chest. "I'm sorry, Sif. It’s not something that’s going to result in death or foalnapping, right?"

"No, it's-"

“Then it’s fine.” Skyfall cut her off and patted her head. "You've always been loyal to me. I should have never let the thought cross my mind that you may have had ill intentions. Whatever has your mouth sealed will play out." 

"Thank you." Sif said, her voice nearly failing her from inner conflict. She grabbed pieces of Sky’s darksilver armor and began to help him push them into place.

Skyfall chuckled. "You should hide your furry butt. That messenger will be here any minute."

"Captain!" Called a voice from outside.

"Or now is fine." Skyfall said as he pulled the last strap of his armor, before pulling his arm cape into place over his left arm. He sealed the egg, and strode toward the door, ready to deal with Celestia's test.

"Aren't you taking the swords that go with that?" Sif chuckled, knowing the answer.

"The swords that I've used, what, twice?" Skyfall mused. 

"Wait, you're taking nothing besides armor?" 

Skyfall shook his head. "There is a sword at my office that Celestia had made for me when I was appointed. I'll use that so I get brownie points. Still, I know it will break two swings in."

"No silver axe?"

"It’s a fake invasion force. I'll likely fell half within the first surge with nothing but bottle-necking them through small openings." Skyfall chuckled. "Rage won't appear. Too much exposure looks bad for Celestia, so he is only the option for Skies' arrival."

Sif nodded and pulled herself towards his desk. "Well, if you need me, I'll be under this desk, sobbing into a bowl cereal and rubbing dolls together." 

"Love you too." Skyfall laughed. The guard was frantically banging on the front door, and Sky finally took a deep breath, went to the door, and opened it only to receive yelling and a gust of stormy weather in return. 

"Captain, hurry! There is an army from Farhaven amassed by our base!" The mare cried.

'So that's your plan?' Skyfall silently cursed. 'Using your test as simultaneous news coverage to put Farhaven on the defensive.'

Skyfall nodded. "Good thing I just finished adjusting my armor. Let's go."

With a powerful flap of his wings, Skyfall rocketed into the stormy sky, and jetted off towards the Ponyville barracks. Like most fast-travelling Pegasi, Skyfall left a trail. It wasn't a rainbow or a collection of clouds, but a trail that lightly fractalized space in the fashion of his cutie mark. 

As Sky flew, his mind ran through all the political stratagems Celestia had invoked throughout the years. She likely planned to make everything look real enough to pin on Farhaven. Uncertainty sat in the back of Sky's mind: uncertainty that Celestia had malicious ulterior motives.

"Right." Skyfall said to himself before turning his head to the guard flying behind him. "Your name is Peak Performance, right?"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Peak, go upriver and tell the dam engineers to turn the power controls to the dam off in say-" Skyfall looked up towards the dam and then traced the river into the forest just past the parade grounds. "-an hour, then fly to Ponyville General and get all their non-essential personnel to the barracks. Do those tasks in that order, and do not deviate from my command. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir!" Peak shouted. “But in this heavy rain, the dam will overflow and cause a flood.”

“I know.”

Peak saluted and banked off towards the distant dam, unaware of the reasoning for her orders.

Skyfall could see a few of the painted heads that were supposed to represent the enemy force peering out from the canopy. He scanned the parade grounds and found that Nimbus was helping the guard force into their combat armor and rapidly issuing commands and instructions alongside Desert.

"Captain on deck!" A guard roared as Skyfall landed, causing the entire field to snap to attention before being waved along with a curt nod of his head.

"As you were." Skyfall said. "Everyone, grab your things and head to the flight deck of the aviation building, you will finish your preparations there."

Nim walked up to Sky’s side, avoiding eye contact in favor of scanning the treeline. "So, what are we lookin' at?"

Skyfall remembered that Nim couldn't see through the forest like he could. Nim only saw trees, and couldn't feel the four hundred or so raiders, poised to attack. "A four to one red herring."

"You're kidding me, right?"

"Afraid not." Skyfall chuckled. “I don’t know exactly what Celestia is planning, but I have a few guesses. Best-case scenario is that she’s doing this to set Farhaven up for a political nightmare. We just exposed ourselves, and an immediate invasion on a weak target is believable. It’s also likely that she cast some sort of spell to nullify all weapons on both sides to make everything look real enough until the illusion wears off. Worst-case scenario, she knows who I am and is doing this to provoke a transformation.”

“I guess now is a good time to tell you that Fury, Celestia, and the rest of the posse are here.” Nimbus said. “They arrived here an hour ago. Celestia wanted to see you, but I told her you were home, tossing and turning with Sif.”

“Nim…”

“What?” Nimbus groaned. “I had to tell her something.”

“Did that something have to be sexual in nature?” Skyfall chided.

“What’s wrong with that?” Nimbus asked. “You never had an issue with that image before. It’s convenient! They ask where you are? Oh, he’s off with the waitress. Wait...”

“What?”

“You’re actually getting together with one of these mortals, aren’t you?”

“No.”

“Yes you are.” Nimbus smirked and jabbed Sky’s side. “It’s Twilight, isn’t it? She wanted you to tell her your life story, so you gave it to her, biblically.”

“Nim, you’re a bit much sometimes. You know that, right?” Skyfall chuckled, knowing Nimbus was only playing with him.

“Skyfall.” Nimbus said in a serious tone. “Romantic relationships between Spirits and mortals never get a happily ever after. They just get a slow descent into sadness before a final goodbye. Even if you cheat the system and have children, they too will pass with time.”

“I know.” Skyfall turned to walk towards his office, the cold reality having hit him. At certain times in one's life, the obvious needs to be stated by another for it to sink in, and a well learned lesson resurfaced with Nim’s warning.

“Sky?” Inko called from the mess hall. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just lost in thought. How are you?” Skyfall cantered to the cream colored mare. “You look well-rested.”

“I am. Is there anything you want me to do?”

“Brunch?” Skyfall asked. “We’re about participate in an overgrown training game.”

“Really? I thought something more serious was happening.”

"Why do you think the Princess is here with the Elements, and the Captain of the Guard? Coincidence is rarely that kind."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Already in motion." Skyfall turned to leave, and felt magic surround him. With a crack, he was teleported to his office’s lobby. 

"Sorry, I know you like being asked." Nim mumbled as he faded into sight.

"It's fine." Skyfall said. “I probably would have avoided meeting our guests if you didn’t.”

The muffled sound of giggling could be heard from behind the door to Skyfall’s office. With a deep breath, Skyfall pushed the door open to see Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash standing on his desk, wearing an old helm with a bright blue mohawk.

“That is an ancient helm from the Battle of Bree.” Skyfall chided as he went to take his seat, ignoring the whispers and glances shooting around the room, as well as the rest of the ponies in his office. “I take it there is a good reason all of you are here when there is an invading force on their way here?”

Celestia smiled and stepped forward. “We were here to see how everything was coming along. Captain Fury heard of the force coming when we arrived, and thought it best for us to stay here until everything blew over.”

Skyfall leisurely wrote out a list of work orders and supply requests, his mind tearing through his experience of troop movements and strategies learned through the millennia. Each action held a consequence, and no matter how it seemed, outnumbering an opponent had no advantage with rookie soldiers.

The silence dug at those accustomed to the typical liveliness of interaction with royalty.

“Do you suspect me of lying?” Celestia eventually asked.

“Answer your Princess, Captain Skyfall.” Captain Fury demanded, after a long stretch of silence.

“Do I suspect you of lying?” Skyfall asked. “Is that not rhetorical?”

Before Celestia could respond, Skyfall leaned back in his chair and looked out the window to the forest. “No. There is indeed a force of four hundred invaders in the forest and you are here, so your story checks out.”

The number of invaders didn’t surprise anyone in the room, something Skyfall picked up on immediately.

“Does four hundred seem to be a bit much?” Twilight asked. She looked at Celestia who then looked at Fury who only shrugged.

Skyfall, in an effort to keep up the act of being a competent guard captain chuckled. “It’s no matter. They will fall regardless.”

“You won’t talk to them?” Sunset Shimmer asked. “Surely you could reach some sort of agreement. It doesn’t have to come to fighting.”

Fury sat down eyed Skyfall, who raised his eyebrow to Sunset. The other ponies in the room looked at one another with uncertainty.

“Four hundred isn’t really a ‘let’s talk’ number of ponies. That is an invasion force meant for one thing, destruction.”

“So you’ll fight them with a four to one disadvantage?” Twilight asked.

“I’ve commanded armies against more with less.” Skyfall grabbed the sword that Celestia commissioned for him upon his official decree of entry into the Guard. 

“Skyfall, darling.” Rarity called. “Surely a gentlecolt wouldn’t leap to fighting like this?”

“You’re right, but I’m no gentlecolt on a fighting field. Gentlemen fight for show, I fight to win.” Skyfall looked up to see sour reactions from most of the ponies in the room, save Fury who only smirked.

“Do you all remember what I told you about armed conflict?” Skyfall asked, checking his flimsy officer sword.

“At times it’s unavoidable?” Rainbow Dash said.

“Yes.” Skyfall nodded, and placed his sword aside. “Do you all seriously think four hundred ponies funneling out from a dangerous forest is something that can be avoided with words?”

Skyfall looked to Celestia who was struggling to maintain her calm disposition.

Even Fluttershy couldn’t look Skyfall in the eye as he bore down on the room.

Playing tricks with innocent mortals always played with Skyfall’s temper. He took a deep breath  to alleviate the scowl he felt building. “I must apologize to you all. War is a tough subject filled with conflicting opinions. When this is all over, we can discuss what could have been done, but the pieces are set, and all that’s left is the loss of life.”

Skyfall left in a hurried canter, leaving behind a room stunned into silence.





"What's your plan?" Nim asked as Skyfall marched through the hangar door.

Sky smirked at Nim in front of their squadron of guards. They each caught his sly look and shuffled into their teams once again. With a long, tentative look, Sky examined the position of the sun and whispered. "Thirty minutes."

Desert trotted into view holding Skyfall's sword, and held it out to him the instant she arrived. She hesitantly looked over Sky's armor as she knelt down. Each guard on the deck was eyeing Sky's darksilver armor. 

"Thank you, Desert. I must have forgotten this in my office." Skyfall said as Nimbus grabbed the ornate sword, and fastened it to Sky's side.

“What were our guests discussing?”

Desert sighed. “They were talking about a training accident, and that this is getting out of hoof. Captain Fury then assured them that all of their weapons were enchanted to only knock other ponies unconscious.”

“Called it.” Skyfall said, relieved from his worries. “Hope they can swim.”

“There is one more thing.” Desert said. “Lady Fuji has just arrived, and requests your presence immediately.”

“Huh, well that’s rather unfortunate.”

"They're all yours, Sky." Nimbus said as he stepped up.

Skyfall solemnly nodded as he acknowledged the unchallenged relinquishment of Nim's lead. He took a deep breath, and looked at his guards as the event's taskmasters, Princess Celestia and company, stood looking out from his office. "Everyone, gather in a horseshoe around me."

Immediately, Skyfall’s guards formed around him with levels of speed and attention that would make any normal Equestrian commander sweat.

Skyfall rubbed his brow, slightly upset with the situation. He was used to playing games like this with the Princess, but without Celestia telling everyone that it was a training exercise, they had to treat it like a real threat. This meant the potential loss of life, on both sides.

"I won't sugar coat this." Skyfall started. "Today will likely get very, very ugly."

The unshaken looks surprised Skyfall. "There is an estimated four hundred soldiers in that forest at the moment. Essentially, we're outnumbered four to one."

One by one, a realization sank into each of the guards. Audible gulps echoed through the silence. "Your training isn't finished, and you are definitely not ready for what comes next, but they're even less prepared. None of you have an obligation to stay, and if you wish to leave now, I will gladly sign any paper authorizing a transfer or dismissal from service without penalty."

After a pause, two guards stepped forward nervously.

“Delivery, Bells, it’s been an honor.” Skyfall said. “You may leave, the paperwork will be delivered to your houses in the morning.”

After a final, crisp salute, Skyfall waited for what he expected to be uproarious acceptance of his offer, but when no more volunteers came forward, he couldn't stop the smile that crept onto his face. "So after a few months with Nimbus and me, you've all become sadists?"

Nimbus scoffed. "You're the sadist. You get off on Sif pinning you to the floor and biting you over and over."

Loud laughter erupted at Nim's jab. 

"Guilty." Skyfall chuckled. "She's a fierce mare that needs a stallion to wear her out, and I'm all too happy to oblige."

A lull in conversation washed over the crowd, allowing the tall guard captain to continue his speech.

"Back to the situation before us." Skyfall looked directly across the airstrip and into the command headquarters where Celestia was likely watching and eavesdropping. He growled, but made sure that his guards believed that he was speaking to them. "Just be sure when you're all out there, remember, even though your weapons are dulled, they’re still weapons. Each life you take is on your hooves."

Silently, Skyfall raged at Celestia for allowing these events to play out, even if she wasn't the mastermind. "Don't think about it, just do what you needs to be done. I take responsibility for putting you all in this situation, a force that large should not have gotten this close."

As the words left his lips, Skyfall realized that his words were true, he didn’t sense them moving into his forest. For one or two to sneak in was one matter, but an army moving in was something else, something he should have noticed.

The guards looked around before Desert spoke. "How close are they?"

"I saw a few in a tree top on the way here. If they were reconnaissance, then a mile or two out." Skyfall said. “So they’re likely at our doorstep by now.”

A guard in the crowd moaned. "I'll never see Celestia's fat flank ever again."

Skyfall laughed hard at seeing Celestia's awestruck expression the princess in question walked onto the airstrip, and humored the guard. "She does have a huge flank, doesn't she? Built like a brick house."

The crowd laughed and hollered in agreement.

"I bet you could snuggle up between them love buns and not be found for days." Skyfall exclaimed to boisterous laughter. "I bet some of you have very sticky pictures of her on your hooflocker, don't you?"

Some of the guards laughed boisterously, and others did so nervously while avoiding eye contact, further kindling the laughter of the other guards.

The laughter dissolved with a soft pop of magic from the shadows of the flight hanger.

"Skyfall!" A voice called from behind him, a familiar voice Sky had been trying to avoid.

Slowly, everyone in the crowd turned with amused expressions before they devolved into nervous frowns upon noticing their Princess, wearing a fake smile. 

"Hello, Fuji. Where did you come from?" Skyfall eyed the dragonpony up and down. She glared at him with extreme hurt.

"Don't ‘hello’ me. That was incredibly disrespectful!" Fuji glared up with her amber eyes. "Not only have you scarred everyone here, but you have ridiculed your Princess."

Skyfall scoffed. "You have no investment in Equestrian politics, why are you pretending to be angry?"

"I am angry!"

Nim chuckled. "You're just mad because Sky doesn't write to you."

A mix of anger and embarrassment turned Fuji's sapphire face to a deep red. After fumbling her words, she growled. "I'm upset with that as well."

Skyfall rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for this."

Fuji growled at Skyfall.


"Fuji, the situation here is quite dangerous. You need to join the Princess and the Elements, and get to my office." Skyfall said coldly. "Captain Fury should be enough protection for the nine of you."

"You sure you don't want me here?" Fury called, more amused than he should have been.

"It's fine." Skyfall said. "This'll be over within the hour."

Skyfall's statement shocked everyone, Nim included.

"I'm staying here." Fuji growled.

"No, you're not." Skyfall commanded as he examined the sun once more. “Neighponese royalty has no place on the battlefield.”

Fuji stomped her hoof on the deck, causing a deep thud. "Skyfall, We have not seen each other since you walked out on our engagement! I will remain here until this is over, and then we will talk."

Skyfall heard murmuring throughout the crowd, and stomped loudly. The statement had been true, he did leave Fuji, but she was the one that ended the relationship. "Fuji." Skyfall's deep voice boomed off the surrounding buildings. "I will have no more of your delusions. I have given my commands, and they are to be followed. Now go."

Fuji huffed a cloud of flames as she turned and stomped away, her dragon-like tail swishing back and forth angrily. The rest of the group, minus Rainbow, followed after giving hesitant looks to Skyfall.

"Were you really engaged to the Princess of Neighpon?" Desert asked aloud.

"Yep, but she was engaged to an old friend of mine first, so I broke it off. But that is in the distant past now." Skyfall shrugged. "After that I found the love of my life, and Fuji never forgave me for not returning."

"You left her?"

"She left me. After the eighteenth time, you get a little tired of it." Skyfall chuckled, but stopped when Rainbow hovered over to the circle of guards. "Rainbow, go with the others."

"No."

“Sir.” Desert interrupted. “Wonderbolts don’t fall under the usual chain of command in the Equestrian Guard. She answers to no less than a Colonel.”

Rainbow sat and looked toward the treeline, Skyfall bored down on her, but a momentary glance from her rose-colored eyes declared that no amount of complaining would force her to leave.

"Fine." Skyfall said, startling Rainbow. "But you're in my flight group. You aren't under my command, but you're on my field and I won't have my squadron fall due to insubordination. Understand?"

"Completely." Rainbow flew over to the bay to look for a spare flight suit so she could gear up. “Where do you want me?”

“Get suited up and then report back.” Skyfall took a moment to take in the happenings of his unit. Each guard looked to the sky with subtle fear and anxiety rising in their chests as the storm went from bad to worse. That is, until Skyfall whistled.

"Looks like out situation just keeps improving, huh?" Skyfall looked on as Peak Performance, the pony that informed him of the army, landed before him.

“Sir, message delivered, and news from our recon team.” Peak waited as her Captain nodded slowly, with a bemused expression. “The invading force is just beyond the treeline and closing in. They say the army should arrive any minute now.”

"What's the plan, Sir?" Desert roared.

The flight deck was twenty feet from the ground, each guard under Sky’s command could make that leap and roll into a sprint. Desert examined the grounds and saw three choke points for ground forces. If Skyfall gave the command, they had a decent chance of holding the base. The only problem was, her Captain sat at the edge of the platform, motionless.

"Sir! Orders!" Desert roared.

"Hold." Skyfall mumbled as he felt every pony in the forest moving towards the wall. He looked to his guard company and nodded. "You will hold until I give you the signal. When I do, squads two through six will rush to the crate house, and drag all boxes of cornstarch into the open.”

The guards smiled in remembering when their captain used this same trick during training.

“Empty all of the boxes, place the majority of the piles near the choke points. Squad one, go now and get out hammers.”

“Sir, wouldn’t swords be better?” A guard asked.

“Not for what I have in mind.” Skyfall said. ”Go now and return immediately." Skyfall commanded, and the guards instantly responded.

"You're going to cook your enemy?" Nimbus asked. 

"They aren't my enemy." Skyfall mumbled. “I’m only aiming to teach our supposed leaders a lesson. They don’t seem to understand the true significance of this ‘battle.’”

“Until you went in there declaring your intention to kill.” Nimbus said. “At times you can be very cruel. Would it have not been easier to say we know it’s a ruse? ”

“How would we explain how we know?” Skyfall asked rhetorically.

“Fair enough.” Nimbus nodded, knowing no explanation was good enough. “So what now? Kill a few mortals and club the rest?”

“No killing.”

“Skyfall.” Nimbus said. “If a few don’t die then it looks too staged. They’re only ponies.”

“What has gotten into you, Nimbus? Mortal creatures deserve respect as well.” Skyfall squinted at Nimbus as he scoffed. “No killing.”

“We will see.” Nimbus chuckled.

Skyfall stood and strode towards Rainbow as she squeezed herself into a coat-tight flight suit that was emblazoned with his unit's colors of blue and silver, with their insignia on the flank; a shield with a silver rose.

Rainbow groaned at the suit. Stunt suits fit loosely to allow for some level of comfort while performing in shows. This suit, however, was a combat suit. It was pressurized, and was designed to fit uncomfortably tightly in non-joint areas, allowing for tighter turns and steeper climbs.

"A little help?" Rainbow asked, offering her leg as she wrestled with the crooked suit.

"Never fit yourself in a combat variant?" Sky asked.

"Laugh it up." Rainbow said. "In training, unicorns bound our custom models to us so we didn't have to."

Skyfall sighed and grabbed Rainbow's flank, forcing it to the floor before grabbing her shoulder and lifting it to his armored body. 

"Hey, what are you doing!?"

"Shush, there is a trick to this and it's easier if I show you, not tell you." Skyfall grabbed her elbows and lifted them above her head as he bit the neck of her suit and pulled back.

"Ouch!"

"Do you always whine this much?"

Rainbow paused and moved her arms. "Hey, that does feel better."

With only a few more complaints, and a bit of bickering, Skyfall managed to get the rest of the suit on, and zipped it up.

"There. Now you're ready." 

"What about you?" Rainbow asked, looking Skyfall's armor up and down. "Are you going to fly into combat in all that?"

"Who says there's going to be any combat?" Skyfall asked breathlessly. When he saw Rainbow's questioning look, he waved her to follow. One by one, the teams of guards climbed back onto the runway.

Rainbow looked at Skyfall's devious smile and followed his gaze onto the field to see that crates of sticky starch had been opened and placed throughout the grounds. "I don't get it."

"I don't get it either." Desert mumbled.

"You will soon." Skyfall watched as scores of ponies flooded out of the forest and through the openings in the walls. White clouds of dry starch exploded before the rain sent it down onto the invading force. The ‘enemy’ ran in different directions, looking for guards to fight. To Skyfall and the rest of his guard force, their behavior seemed to mimic roaches after a light was switched on.

"Sir, we need to fight!" Desert barked.

"No. You will hold." Skyfall's ear swiveled back towards the forest at the sound of rushing water. "I wouldn't want you to get wet."

"Sir!" One of the forest ponies barked at their hidden commander from the forest line. "The dam burst! We need to get to highe-"

The treeline erupted in a flood of river water. The trees jerked from side to side as the water tossed the ponies like fickle driftwood as they screamed for their Princess to save them. The outer wall of the guard’s base ripped open before the water took it and a few smaller buildings and a half dozen large containers with the surging water.

As the flood ransacked half the base, a lone river Spirit zipped to and fro, dragging ponies underwater and sending them downstream.

Slowly, Skyfall panned over to see Celestia's panicked face in the window of his office. She darted her eyes back and forth until they finally met Skyfall's judging glare. Of course, he couldn't hear her thoughts, but he imagined it was something to the tune of his indirect statement to her from before. 'Every life you take is done by your hooves.'

Soon after, the grounds glowed in a royal golden light that dissipated the waters, and gathered the remaining forces to the center of the parade grounds, shaken and sobbing, but alive.

"Guards." Skyfall called calmly. "Take up positions around the prisoners."

"Sir, they still outnumber us." Desert reminded.

"It's fine, they haven't got a fight left in them." Skyfall chuckled at a pony’s sudden, whiney outburst.

Teams of guards rushed from the deck to the soggy grass, causing trails of water to fly up as they circled their new prisoners. They took positions with their weapons at the ready, but a few of the guards recognized the prisoners, and confused murmurs grew into a loud roar.

Leisurely, Skyfall glided down and was soon met with Nimbus, Desert, and Rainbow Dash.

"Did you plan this?" Rainbow asked.

"Of course I did." Skyfall laughed at seeing the invasion force trying to stand as the sticky cornstarch sludge clung to their fur.

"How did you know that you were going to be attacked by Farhaven?" Rainbow asked, clearly not knowing who the ponies were.

Skyfall stopped and shook his head. "This isn’t the work of Farhaven. This is the Fourth Guard Division."

The statement hung in the air as their plot was uncovered. A large green stallion grunted and stripped off his armor so he could move freely. He was difficult to recognize through the face paint, but the stallion was the Colonel of the Fourth Guard Division, Iron Eyes.

With a gruff bark, Iron Eyes stepped out from the group with a large axe and glared right at Skyfall.

“You knew we were guards!” Iron Eyes barked. “And knowing this, you flooded your own base and drowned half my ponies?”

“Yes.” Skyfall answered coldly, shocking everyone.

"You sought only to bring us humiliation? You tricked us!" Iron Eyes shouted.

"Ha! The irony is rich, no?" Skyfall spat.

Celestia exited the post’s command center and made her way directly to Skyfall, more upset than he had seen her in some time. Many of the ponies on the grounds shied away from looking directly at her and chose instead to bow their head in respect, as if they were silently asking for forgiveness.

"Captain Skyfall!" Celestia boomed. 

Skyfall rolled his eyes and looked to Nimbus. "I get that alot, don't I?"

"Told you you're a drama magnet." Nimbus sat and summoned a bag of sunflower seeds. "Might want to put on some sunscreen."

Celestia calmed herself looked down to Skyfall. “I demand an explanation. If you knew they were a fellow guard unit, why didn’t you just end this immediately?”

With a light chuckle, Skyfall looked to Celestia. Years of political nohow kept her exterior calm, cool, and collected. On the inside, however, Skyfall knew her rage had doubled. "I never did anything to harm them, that was entirely the weather’s fault.”

"You will address me as Princess Celestia." The Princess corrected calmly.

"I will address you how I see fit." Skyfall scoffed, letting his anger seep through him until he felt Nimbus tug on his tail to signal him to ease back. He directed a fake smile at Celestia. "Princess."

"You will explain yourself." Celestia commanded.

"Princess, I think you’re the one that needs to explain." Skyfall tapped his hoof on the ground. "What is the meaning of sending the Fourth Division here? Do you not realize, had I not recognized this as being planned, your little force would have been wiped out? Four hundred plus ponies, dead or injured."

Celestia blinked absentmindedly at the claim and then scowled at the news that Skyfall knew all along. "So you recognized this as being a test, and nearly drowned everypony?”

"Had anyone died, it would have been your fault." Skyfall seethed under his breath. "You still think this is a game. Your sister learned her lesson, why didn't you?"

"What was that?" Celestia asked, unsure of what she just heard.

"I said conflict isn't a game, so stop treating it as such." Skyfall gestured to her defeated guards that were still exhausted from fighting the raging current. He spoke low enough so that only she could hear him. "I know you know, but just as a reminder, these ponies are not pawns to be sacrificed, especially for making a headline news story or to prove a point. They have families and lives of their own, yet you chose to try and pit them against an entrenched force that you know has been training to fight effectively while outnumbered. If you wanted to test our strength, then do it the honorable way!"

"Alright everyone, I think it's time to cool off." Fury chuckled out as he pressed himself against Skyfall. "C'mon big guy, you need to go home. You've had enough excitement for the day."

"I will stay, this is my base, and technically we just had our first victory." Skyfall smirked despite Celestia's sour mood as Twilight tried to talk out what happened with her in an effort to relax her mentor.

Skyfall turned and approached Iron Eyes. “Sir, if I may.” Skyfall said loud enough for everyone, including the Princess to hear. “Your unit’s speciality is amphibious assault, is it not?”

“Aye.” 

Skyfall gestured to the open guard gate. “I placed two of my squads downstream with a water recovery expert named River. You should find your ponies are safe and being tended to.”

Iron Eyes choked up at the news and hung his head. "That was one crazy maneuver you pulled." Iron rasped out. "Thank you, I suppose you do have a heart after all.”

Skyfall winked gave a curt nod and left the captain to deal with his troops.

The parade grounds erupted into thunderous stomping as guards on both sides showed their approval.

"Why are they cheering?" Rarity asked.

"Why indeed." Nimbus said as he appeared next to her and Fluttershy. "They aren't fighting, and disaster was averted. That is always a reason for celebration."

"Food, everyone!" Inko shouted from the Mess Hall. "I have enough for everyone!"

"How far in advance did you know?" Celestia whispered to Skyfall.

"Trade secret." Skyfall turned to Desert. "Take him to the infirmary, get some medicine on that wound, then get him to some food."

“No, tend to my ponies first.” Iron Eyes grunted before making his way to the river.

As Sky looked around to see if anything demanded his attention, he saw Fluttershy and sent her a wave of his hoof, which she returned with a delicate wave of her own.

Skyfall strode to the center of the courtyard, and smiled at his gathering guards. "I told you all that you weren't ready, so I don't have anything for you except a congratulations. You all listened to orders and kept your cool, even when four hundred invaders poured into the courtyard. Every one of you has this coming week off. That is your reward."

"That's not just because the base needs repairs, right?" A stallion in front called, making the crowd burst into laughter.

"What was that? You said you want to clean the entire base with your unit, Long Bow?" Skyfall asked, eliciting groaning and a cacophony of 'no's from the unit. "I'm just playing with you. Now go eat."

The horde of guards left, leaving Skyfall to himself.

"Are you going to join them?" Nim asked.

“No, they’ve earned this win and deserve a little down time.” Skyfall said. “Plus, I have some placating to do with my boss. My attitude got a little out of hoof.”

"Oh no."

“Oh no is right. She’s probably going to burn me like a marshmallow.” After a moment of tense silence Skyfall poked Nimbus. “What’s wrong?”

"Who is your friend, Sif?" Echoed the cheerful voice of Twilight Sparkle. "Your sister?"

Skyfall chuckled as he turned. "Sif doesn't have a sister."

Nimbus backed away slow upon seeing Skyfall's enraged look. "Everyone, I think we need to leave these two alone."

"Nonsense." Rarity chirped and waved at the white unicorn. She swooned at seeing her styled mane accented with her green eyes. "A mare with looks like this must-"

"Stop talking Rarity." Fuji warned, her voice taking on a dire tone instead of its usual cheeriness.

Celestia looked between the two ponies, it didn't take an Alicorn to sense their troubled past. 

"Sif, what is the meaning of this?" Sky barked, causing Sif to look away.

"I told you earlier, Skyfall. I was honor bound not to say anything." Sif turned and walked away, leaving everyone watch as Skyfall furiously glared down at his visitor. 

"H-Hi, Sky-"

"Don't." Skyfall growled.

"I don't want to frighten you." The mare cooed. She stood still, and tried again and again to say something to neutralize the situation, but she failed to find the words.

With a tentative step forward from the mare, Skyfall shook his head. "Stay there. Stay right there. Don't move."

Tears formed in the mare’s eyes. "Okay, but I'd like to tell you a few things, if that's alright."

Skyfall's silence allowed the mare to explain herself. "I-I know this seems impossible to understand, Skyfall. I thought I knew what to say, but I don't." Her voice shook. "I don't know what to say to you except that I'm sorry. It's really me, Sky, and I'm sorry."

A ragged breath tore into Skyfall as he inhaled, unsure of what he was seeing. "You're not my wife. You're not Honey Bee."

Gasps of realization spread through the eavesdropping ponies. One by one, they looked between the two ponies, and the rumors that circulated throughout Ponyville months prior of his family dying bubbled to the surface.

"I am Honey Bee, Skyfall." Honey took an unsure step towards Skyfall, and winced when he stepped back. "I want you just to listen-"

Skyfall's stone-like demeanor cracked as his eyes started to water. "My wife is long dead. Who are you!?"

"I had to leave, Skyfall." Honey placated as she stepped closer. "I had to leave to keep you and our daughter safe."

Skyfall bared his teeth, rushed forward, and grabbed Honey. He firmly grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to sit as his hooves pressed down. "How? I watched you die in the cold."

A lump formed in Honey's throat as obvious pain shook Skyfall’s voice.

"How are you here? Where have you been, huh?" Tears started to trickle down Skyfall's face as Honey smiled weakly up at him. She winced at Skyfall pressed down harder. "You’re dead."

Nimbus gave a nervous glance to Fuji, who returned the same look. A Spirit had returned from the dead: Something that had, until that point, been impossible. 
> Chapter 35 -One Long Day-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-One Long Day-



Honey's chest fell heavy, seeing her husband's pain burned her mind. She had not seen him for two thousand years, yet his looks, speech, and even the way he carried himself were untouched by history.

"Skyfall." Honey's voice came out a whisper, terrified of Skyfall’s response.

Skyfall felt his hooves strain as he held her in a vice grip, at realizing this, he slowly let go of her. His eyes darted over her, he did not want to believe that the being that saved him in the forest a weeks prior had been his wife, but some cruel illusion. Happiness and dread both filled his thoughts.

"Captain Skyfall?" Desert was the first to shatter the silence. "If I may, who is this?"

"That's right, you wouldn't have heard the rumors." Skyfall’s voice droned on as if talking to himself, knowing that Desert never partook in meaningless rumors. "This is Honey Bee, my..."

Honey smiled nervously and cut in. "I am his ex-wife."

"Oh, this is like one of my romance novels." Rarity said to herself, but audible enough for everyone to hear. Upon realizing everyone heard her, she tried to pretend it was on purpose. "Next, you-you tell us that you have evil siblings bent on destroying you."

Some of the ponies started to laugh, but Honos chuckled nervously and looked at Skyfall. In their experience, when ponies started to make extremely accurate guesses like Rarity's, it was often an omen of time growing short among mortal lives.

"Honey Bee!" A sudden bark pierced the air, drawing everyone's attention to the front gate as a black mare with a rust colored mane charged in. "I warned you that this was a bad idea."

"Psalm!" Skyfall called, letting the anger in his voice known.

"H-Hi, Skyfall." Psalm tripped up in her trotting to slide to a halt a few yards from her brother. She smiled up at two golden eyes glaring down at her in anger. “S-Surprise?”


"A very big surprise." Skyfall added, curtly nodding to Honey sitting by his side. He held out his hoof and waived her forward and waited as she sauntered up with a wincing smirk.

"She made me swear to not tell you." 

"Now who's this?" Sunset asked under her breath.

Pslam lowered her head and a loud clunk noise echoed after Sky brought his hoof down on her crown. 

"Sky, that hurt." Psalm teared up. "That wasn’t very nice. I'm telling Sif on you."

"Tell her, she's right there." Skyfall jabbed his hoof to the waving mare. "You're lucky I don't ground you for this little scheme you cooked up."

Skyfall paused and glanced over to the confused group of ponies. He couldn't make eye contact with Fluttershy, something in him started to feel like an open wound, gapping and sore. "Sorry, everyone, but this is Psalm-"

"Another ex-wife?" Rarity asked skeptically, with a small trace of tragic hope in her breast.

"No, my little sister."

All of a sudden, Twilight appeared out of nowhere like a smiling demon from Tartarus. "You don't say!"

"No." Skyfall scolded, ponking Twilight on the nose. "Back, tiny, library demon."

By this point, Twilight had clung to Psalm's leg and started to pout. "No, I need information."

"No, you want dirt." Skyfall accused. He jabbed his hoof into Twilight’s armpit to force her hooves off a laughing Psalm. He placed Twilight back before a confused Celestia like a foal before its mother. Skyfall adopted a worn look, as if stress had finally bore a crack in his facade. "I'm sorry, but I need to go home. As you can see, there is a lot I have to deal with."

He turned to Celestia and smiled. "Princess, feel free to come by later. I understand there is something about a mirror you want to talk to me about. I'll put on some tea, just in case."

With a knowing smile, Celestia accepted his offer with a slight bow of her head and let Skyfall take his leave.

One by one, the ponies started to wave, but not Fury. Fury wore the most enraged look he could muster and he was directing it at Psalm who smiled right back at him while brushing up against Skyfall.

Applejack stepped out of the crowd before Skyfall and was immediately eyed by Honey Bee. "Skyfall, there's some stuff I need to speak with you about. It's about the workers and a very angry Clydesdian pony named Maddy. She demanded that you be at the meeting."

"When's the meeting?" 

"Thursday at three." Applejack smiled.

"I'll be there." Skyfall turned and started to walk, knowing he would see at least some of them later.

Honey Bee swayed in her stance and approached Applejack slowly.

"H-Hiya there." Applejack smiled, but Honey looked down at her old pendant. Upon realizing that Honey was staring the pendant, Applejack hissed and went to remove the necklace. "Oh, this belongs to you."

Honey smiled and placed a hoof on Applejack's. "No, keep it. If Skyfall gave it to you, there's a reason."

Applejack stuttered as Honey walked away slowly after Skyfall. 

"This is going to be a mess." Pinkie mumbled to everyone's horror.

"How could you say that?" Rarity scorned. "I'm sure it's all just one big misunderstanding."

"Is that why Skyfall started to cry and demand to know why she wasn't dead?" Pinkie reasoned, dropping her ditsy pony routine in favor of speaking what she really thought. "I can tell he's going to have a long night, I'm going to make him some food and a pot of extra strong coffee. I can tell he'll need it."

"I'll help." Fluttershy offered as she flew up slowly.

"Ditto." Sunset said. “Plus, I need some coffee right now."

Twilight looked up to her former mentor and smiled, seeing her give a warm nod of approval. "Why don't we all go? Maybe we can all pitch in to help? Do you think it'll help, Nimbus?"

Nimbus raised an eyebrow at Twilight. "I'll help you girls out, that house is going to be a war zone for the next few hours."

"It'll be that bad?" Rarity gasped.

With a shrug, Nimbus sighed. "No idea, but I've known those two for most of my life and there are few things in this word that can drive that stallion crazy and that mare is the fuse for most of it."

Fuji bit her lip. "I must agree, they're only complete when they're with each other. I saw him at the gala and saw a glimpse of how he was and thought he had found someone new that could compete with her, but everyone said he is still single."

Fluttershy felt her heart go numb at the conversation, she landed and started to walk out a separate gate and caught a glimpse of Skyfall looking back at her when suddenly, someone poked her.

"Hey, Shy."

"Sif?" Fluttershy asked. "H-Hi."

Sif chuckled and waved her to follow as they separated from the group. "Don't give up, I'm still rooting for you. I also have four hundred bits riding on your win."

Fluttershy blushed before shaking her head. "It's over, Sif. How can-"

With a crack, Sif whipped Fluttershy's flank, making her yelp. "Yes, I nailed the tail whip. Anyway, sorry." Sif tried to fight off her achievement to continue. "What makes you think it's over?"

Fluttershy gulped, knowing she was supposed to keep their dating a secret.

"Come on, Fluttershy." Sif laughed. "I can smell your perfume on him when he comes home. I see the candies and flowers, and I know he makes special trips to see you. I know you two are dating."

"You approve?" Fluttershy asked.

"Of course I do, I can tell he loves you and that's how I know he won't give up on you." Sif said. "But I ask for you to be patient with him and to trust him. He’ll fight for you as long as you fight for him."

“Really?”

“Yes.” Sif said, but paused to give Fluttershy a serious look. “However, be warned. I know him, should you ever leave him for another or give an inkling that you no longer care for him, he will never come back.”

Fluttershy nodded slowly. Under Sif’s cold gaze, she felt fear and anxiousness. “I… understand. I don’t think that will ever happen.”

"Okay?"

"Okay." Fluttershy smiled.

"So now that I know your secret." Sif said. "Tell me about some of the romantic stuff he does when I'm not around."

"Promise you won't tell him?" Fluttershy winced, eager to have someone to gossip with besides her animals.

"Nope!" Sif chirped as they started to make their way into Ponyville.

What neither of them saw was the cloaked stallion in the Everfree grinning at Fluttershy. He had heard everything they said before disappearing back into the forest.





"I missed you." Honey cooed as she pressed herself against Skyfall.

"I missed you too." Skyfall ran his hoof over her mane. For millennia, no one on Equus had ever been as close to him as Crystal had. Having her back filled a void he never wanted to admit was there. "I'm going to put on some tea, you still take honey in yours?"

"Sure do." Honey smiled and waved before hearing a ragged gasp from the stairwell. She looked up and River leapt from the Bannister and glomped on top of her. She had left the engagement early and missed Honey’s return, otherwise the already outrageous scene would have been made infinitely more awkward.

"When you two are finished, I'll see you in the kitchen." Sky turned to the kitchen, a draw of concern across his face. He forced a hollow smile, but his mood was anything but happy. True, he felt a good ache in his heart at having his love back, but too much time had passed and too many questions hung in the air about where she had been and what she had done. 

He knew what he was going to hear wouldn't be easily accepted, but luckily, Spirits had time on their side.

"Want any help?"

Sky glanced back to Honey as she smiled nervously from the hall, having escaped River’s deathgrip. "You should go to my study and wait for me to fill you in on everything. I would accept, but there are some things that need to be arranged before she gets home."

Honey squinted playfully. "She? Have you taken another wife?"

"No." Sky said solemnly. He started to stir the water slowly. "I'm guessing Psalm did not tell you? Did you Psalm?"

Honey glanced back at the figure behind her to find that her sister in law, Psalm, had been preparing to sneak away. "What is he talking about, Psalm? What have you not told me?"

"Dad, I'm home!" The kitchen door clattered opened and the light clogging of hooves echoed through the marble halls. A pink alicorn trotted into the room wearing a flower crown on her head. “I made a hat from the flowers out back.”

He watched as Cadance disappeared into the walk in pantry, too cheerful to notice the presence of guests, he waved Honey and Psalm away.

Honey froze in place, had it not been for the slight trembling, she would have resembled a statue. Psalm pushed at Honey's chest to get her to move her into the hall, but she did not budge.

"Honey, Psalm, it's probably best if you two take a seat while I introduce you." Sky turned the stove off and cleaned his hooves, the opportunity for discretion now passed. "That way, the shock is a little lessened."

As soon as they sat in stoles just opposite the prep area, Cadance trotted back in, happily. "Dad, I figured you would want to know what happened today so I wrote up some notes and put them in your desk. Also, the mail route has been established and the proposal for delegates will be arriving at the end of the week."

Cadance smiled, but soon followed her father's gesture to two ponies behind him. "Oh, we have guests. Hello, I'm Ca..."

Cadance's eyes paused when they met Honey Bee's. She looked to her father, but he continued making his tea. Slowly, her heart started to beat like it pumped thick cream.

“I know you.” Cadance said. Memories of her father showing her dated photos from an old album flashed in her mind and one of the few photos she kept was of a blonde mare she came to know as he mother.

Honey Bee stood and shakily walked over to Cadance. "My name is Honey Bee. You may not remember but me-"

Words failed her as she stared into Cadance's watery eyes. They stood staring at each other for a full minute as they tried to speak. Soon after, Skyfall sighed, getting their attention.

"Anara.” Skyfall cooed to his daughter. “This is your mother, Honey Bee."

Like an overflowing stream, Cadance start to cry, which caused Honey to start crying. Skyfall set the tea to cool and strode over to Psalm. "You and I have a little reunion of our own, Missy."

"What? No happy crying?" Psalm smiled, tears welling up in her eyes at the sight. “No climactic reunion and stories?”

"That comes later, missy." Sky chuckled as he tapped Psalm on the head. "C'mon, there's a nice coffee shop in town you'd enjoy. Plus, there's a stop I need to make."

"Does it involve coffee cake?"

"Of course." Skyfall quietly exited the house after kissing his daughter on the head. He left Cadance and Honey to talk to each other in quiet tones and to come to terms with each other’s existence. "I think it's best to let them catch up."

Psalm nodded and followed her brother until they had stepped onto the road leading away from his estate. Every now and again, he would look at her, only to have it turn into a small smile.

“You’ve always been mentally resilient. I dare say too much for your own good.” Psalm complimented. “I can tell you hurt, talk to me.”

The request went unanswered as she watched her brother slow his pace.

"We should be good here." Skyfall mused before stopping and turning to Psalm, bringing her into a loving hug. "Please, let this not be a dream."

Psalm slowly returned the embrace. "It's not, BB."

"How are you here?" Sky asked. "I have come to know all of the Spirits on Equus, you should not be here."

Psalm smiled. "Neither should our brothers and sisters, but they are."

Skyfall had to accept it now, their brothers and sisters were on Equus, and all of them had the same power as a Spirit. Rage, Unfaithful, River's End, and Lonely Grave, and now, Psalm.

"I trust you've run into them by now?" Psalm asked.

"I have." Skyfall said. "I seem to be their motivation for acting the way they do."

Psalm nodded, cutting to the chase. "You are. Like them, I too hated you, but a certain someone came by and reminded me of who I was. More importantly, however, she reminded me of you, the real you."

Skyfall smiled, knowing of the being she alluded to. "She always had a knack for sticking that muzzle where it didn't belong."

"She said you'd say that." Psalm smiled. "She said to remind you who saved whom."

"How is the Maker?" Skyfall asked.

Psalm bite her lip. "Not good, she waits for you to find a way to her. A way that doesn't use the portals."

"I've been trying to get to her, is there a reason she can't use the portals?" 

"With every use of the portals, a little more poison seeps through each time, killing her." Psalm said. "A rancid magic has crept into the world and it gets worse as the days go by."

Skyfall closed his eyes and accepted his sister's words and remembered the words of the Maker all those years ago.

"There will come a day where I may no longer hold sway over Equus"

Skyfall thought aloud. "Had she really seen all this happening, even then?"

Psalm poked her brother. "She showed me your end and then your beginning, in the end, it was what brought me out of that horrible hold the monster held over me."

Skyfall brushed his sister's mane aside. "So there is someone behind the scenes pulling their strings?"

"Yes, but I dare not speak his name here." Psalm said. 

"Would a meeting chamber deep within a castle do the trick?" Skyfall offered, but Psalm shook her head. 

"Unfortunately, no." Psalm motioned to the surrounding lands. "We need a place that is cut off from this world."

"Like another realm?" Skyfall asked. "Perhaps a dream?"

"Perhaps, but I have no connections to the Princess and I fear she may be in line with him." Psalm turned her head to Skyfall's chuckling.

"It looks like our sibling's intelligence isn't as strong as they believe it is." Skyfall smiled and started walking again. "I will send a letter and Luna will tell us where we can meet. Then we can start making plans to save our family."

"Big Brother?" Psalm asked as she leaned against Skyfall. "I'm happy you're back."

"Me? I'm happy you're not trying to cut me in half." Skyfall began to laugh at his sister's indignant glare, but all joy was cut away as the sound of shouting was echoed through the forest. He saw Applejack arguing with a very large, very angry stallion by their front gate with Scootaloo cowering behind her. "I think we better hurry up."

Psalm and Skyfall trotted along the path and the voices of Applejack and her unwanted visitor grew louder.

"Get off my land!"

"Give me my daughter!"

"She doesn't want to go with you, you creep!" Applejack growled. She lowered her head toward the massive guard, but noticed Skyfall trotting towards them and gestured him forward. "Skyfall, I need your help."

"No Captain, I need your help." The stallion said, his scowl turning into a smug grin. 

"What is going on here?" Skyfall looked to both parties and then down to Scootaloo. He stared closer and a bruise had started to form under her wing, try as she might, Scootaloo couldn't hide it.

Before Applejack could respond, the Stallion barked up. "This inbred cow-mare has taken my daughter. I was coming by to pick her up and when we exited the gate, she rushed us and assaulted me. I demand my daughter to be given over and for this, thing, to face charges!"

"Interesting situation narrative." Skyfall took a moment to breath in the air. It didn't take long to notice the scent of alcohol wafting from Scootaloo's father. With slow, deliberate movements, Sky looked down at Scootaloo and addressed Applejack. "Applejack, could you take Scootaloo to my place and have Inko take a look at her? My estate is closer than Ponyville General."

Applejack nodded and looked to the stallion staring her down.

"Applejack, go now." Skyfall commanded as he stepped between the two. As Applejack, and Scootaloo left. Long Shift, Scootaloo's father started to smile deviously.

"Sir, I do believe that you are in violation of Equestrian Guard Regulation six seventy dash-"

"If you know what's good for you, you'll keep your mouth shut." Psalm commanded.

"And who is this civilian that assumes she can order me around because she's related to my Captain." Shift smirked. He knew he was in the wrong and was used to throwing around regulations to muddy the issue.

"Who said I was a civilian?" Psalm asked sharply. 

Shift scoffed and looked to his Captain who wore no emotion as his golden eyes pierced through the conversation.

"I am tired of this." Skyfall said. "You will relinquish your hold over Scootaloo or I will have you transferred out in the morning." Skyfall turned and started to walk away, but Shift turned to attack in a rage, fueled by his inebriation.

Skyfall turned and let Shift connect his hoof to his jaw. What Shift didn't know, however, was Skyfall hardened his stance and hitting him now was tantamount to hitting an ironwood tree.

Shift collapsed to the floor, growling in pain.

"Guardsman Long Shift, you've hit a superior officer and disrespected not only an officer of an allied country but your own. Based on the damage I've witnessed done upon your foal, I am ordering her out of your custody. I order you to turn yourself in for judgement. Should I find that you have not surrendered, I will retrieve you." Skyfall said coldly as he turned. "Do not tempt me."

“Please. Don’t.” Long Shift asked. “I need her.”

At hearing an honest request, Skyfall grimaced. “I should have you locked up without another word, but I am honor bound to listen. Report to me in the morning in full dress uniform at first light.”

Psalm glanced down at the seething stallion before catching up to her brother.

"So where to?" Psalm chirped.

"Today has been a very, very long day." Skyfall sighed, his mind racing with tasks. "I have so much on my plate right now; I have my daughter, her mother, you, our siblings, Farhaven, civil unrest, an army of undead, suppressed species all over Equus, crossbred foals, and a Solar deity trying to use me as her personal antlered ashtray. It's actually quite comical."

"What about that back there?" Psalm motioned to the stallion seething and sobbing in the dirt.

"That was a problem that is now finished." Skyfall sighed in relief. "No climactic fight where I tackle him through a window, no heartfelt conversation where I tell Scootaloo it’ll all be okay. Just an order and a possible arrest warrant should he not show up tomorrow. Worst that’ll happen is Scootaloo lives with a friend and I foal sit every now and again to ensure her recovery."

Psalm started to giggle and bumped her older brother. She tugged on his scarf and tried to whip it around like a mental patient. He rolled his eyes and pulled his scarf back before he saw her pout. "I'll make you your own."

"And coffee and a talk?" Psalm asked hopefully.

"I would like that, very much." Skyfall smiled.





Skyfall Estate
Several Hours later.





Skyfall sighed happily at his desk, taking another long sip of coffee from his small cup. It was late at night and everyone was asleep, or in the process of getting there. The appearance of both Crystal and Psalm on the same day made for a very interesting dinner. True to form, Skyfall insisted on cooking everything, and like always, Crystal butted in and tried to help only to burn soup.

During the entire dinner, Skyfall remained silent, not for some dark reason or a sense that something was wrong, but because Cadance wore a brilliant, engaging smile. He understood why, for most of her life, she had to make due with ponies that pretended to like her for status, but here she was with a real family that was growing. So he sat back and watched his daughter be happy, in content silence.

Three light taps pinged off of Skyfall's study window, ruining his focus on the night's events. The taps were too loud to be a regular Pegasus. And considering who needed to speak with him, he chuckled and gestured the being in. "You can teleport in, if that's what you're asking."

Before Skyfall could deliver the final word, Celestia teleported into his study and before his desk. 

"Evening, Princess." Skyfall greeted.

"Greetings, Skyfall." Celestia smiled weakly. "May I speak with you?"

"Very odd request coming from royalty." Skyfall said. "Typically, ponies of status demand meetings."

Celestia nodded slowly and waited for his banter to stop.

"You may." Skyfall accepted. "I take it there are more than mirrors on your mind?"

Celestia sat down slowly and warded the room so that no one could eavesdrop. The windows frosted with illusion magic and a slight chill fell over the room. "I have much on my mind, Skyfall." Celestia started. "But first I have questions."

Slowly, Skyfall put his coffee down and faced Celestia, knowing that the question could be of great consequence. "If you have questions, I have answers. Just ask."

Celestia smiled, but turned her gaze away from stallion before her. "Who are you?"

"What do you mean?" Skyfall asked, knowing not to tempt her anger with any foolishness.

Two magenta eyes snapped up to meet Skyfall's with a new intensity of her own. "I know you're much older than you appear. I spoke with Sombra after the Gala about you nearly attacking him. You clearly knew him. That would make you over fifteen hundred years old."

"Princes-"

"And I had the population of the Crystal Empire registered immediately after its return. It took some time, but after a thorough search of the records..." Celestia's sudden rage extinguished. "Your name was not found." She sighed and looked up to her host. "I ask again, who are you?"

"Cursed." A new voice called from behind a nearby door. Celestia averted her gaze and watched as Honey entered the room. "We both are."

"You're cursed?" Celestia asked, voice thick with unease and skepticism.

Honey strode past Celestia and up to Skyfall, coming to a rest by his side. "Years ago, we lived in the far reaches of the world and our work led up to a power crazed warlock. He ensnared the souls of an entire kingdom's population to create a special stone. We stopped him, but in return we became doomed, fated to watch everyone we held dear whither away. I'm sure your reports get extremely, uncomfortably detailed?" She asked Celestia, who looked on with a slight nod. "He made us unable to reproduce; I am barren, and he is sterile. Cursed to watch the ages."

Skyfall glanced over to Honey, unsure of the lie she was spinning, but knew that it had been rehearsed by a few disguised Spirits.

"Are you speaking of Grogar's sacking of Gryphus?" Celestia asked. 

"The same." Skyfall said as he brushed his hoof over Honey's shoulder. "Honey, it's okay. The Princess just wanted to talked business."

"You sure?" Honey asked. Skyfall, despite being away from her for so long, still picked on Honey's subliminal signals of concern. "It's fine, go and catch up with Sif."

"We'll talk later?"

"Yes, my love." Skyfall cooed as she stood to leave.

Reluctantly, Honey left, but not before glaring at Celestia.

"She doesn't like me very much." Celestia said while looking at the closed door.

"No, seems odd, but you are in the political spotlight, so that comes with the status." Skyfall shrugged. "But back to the reason why you're here. What are your other questions?"

“If what she says is true, that answers many of the questions I’ve built.” Celestia took a deep breath. "I take it you know about my council?"

"I do."

"And that I've been spying on you?"

"Unfortunately, I do." Skyfall shook his head in mock disappointment. "It was bold to make me a guard captain out of the blue, even if I had a little Spirit knowledge. It was hasty, if you had suspicions, you should have confronted me, my reactions would have told you everything." He slowly grabbed his tea, believing that any possible danger from Celestia was, for the time being, put to rest. "But I never expected you to go the cloak and dagger route, you're more keen to stomping your hooves and making shows of power."

Celestia wore a slight smile as she leaned her chair. "Only one other stallion has ever spoken to me like this."

Silently wincing as he forgot to feign fear, Skyfall held up his hoof and tried to apologize, but Celestia shook her head. "No, please don't apologize, you're right." She looked to the kettle beside Skyfall. "May I?"

"You may." 

Golden magic started to grasp the tea as Celestia made herself a cup, but she relented when Skyfall grabbed the cup and kettle. "Perhaps it is better if I make you tea, Princess."

"Just Tia is fine, and thank you." Celestia sat back and waited to be served, but nervously reached out for the cup when she realized Skyfall wouldn't bring it to her. With a tentative sip, she hummed and continued sipping. "Only one other stallion made tea this well."

"I don't suppose that I could have this stallion's name?" Skyfall chuckled. "Gotta know my competition for snarky, tea making stallions."

The smile faltered on Celestia's face. "Shattered Skies."

Skyfall nodded and internally noped away from that line of thinking.

"Did you know that once Shattered Skies was the court advisor for Equestria?" Celestia asked. "Sometimes he would disappear for months, but he would always return, usually to scold either myself or Luna."

"I didn't know that, he sounds like a hard taskmaster. Is that why you hate him now?" The question cut deep and Skyfall knew it, he suspected that Celestia didn't know why she hated him so much, only that she felt she had to. 

"I want to hate him, I've hated him for so long, but since seeing him at the Gala, I don't know anymore." Celestia said. "My council wants me to go full force into the forest, but I know Skies, he and the other Spirits would decimate our forces. In the end we would lose thousands just getting in the front door, they’re all too old to not see it coming."

"I take it you're against attacking him?"

"At first, no, that's what the Ponyville guard base was built for. Had everything gone to plan, then today would have been the day to attack Farhaven, but I chose to turn it into a test battle instead." Celestia reached up and took her crown and collar off. "Skies always told me to remove my crown by hoof, he said that it showed acknowledgement of my position and respect for its weight. I remembered this a couple of weeks ago and cancelled the attack."

Celestia ran her hoof over her crown. "Aside from being our advisor, he was our teacher. He spoke at length about a great many things. I wish I paid more attention to his lectures, maybe then I would be the shrewd politician my sister is."

Skyfall interested in his former pupil's news perked up. "Luna is a shrewd politician?"

"Yes, nothing gets past her." Celestia said. "She blew an entire companies cover for tax evasion just because their representative asked a question wrong. He used the wrong wording, something my sister said was a parapraxis, a slip of the tongue that revealed what the representative really wanted."

With a warm, sad smile, Celestia beamed at Skyfall. "She was always better at figuring stuff out than I was. Thanks to her, we saved hundreds of ponies and set right the criminal element in one of Canterlot's white-collar districts. I praised her, but she gave credit to Skies, saying that had I payed attention to him more, I would have seen the problems too."

"W-Why are you telling me this?" Skyfall asked.

With a delicate shrug, Celestia huffed. "I don't know. I need someone to talk to, someone that will just listen without an agenda. Someone that will tell me that I'm an idiot when I'm being an idiot."

Quietly, Skyfall stood and strode over to the large diarch and reached forward to hold her hooves. Celestia could feel his warm fetlocks around her’s before a hoof touched her chin to crane her face towards his. "Celestia?"

Nervously, Celestia answered. "Yes, Skyfall?"

"You're an idiot." Skyfall deadpanned before flicking her nose. "Now drink your tea, it's getting cold."

A giggle rose from Celestia as she sipped on her beverage.

"I believe it is my turn to ask questions." Skyfall said as he sat. "I take it you no longer trust your advisors?"

"No, I don't know if it's my sister's constant voice of protest or if it was the blast from the elements, but I'm starting to disagree with them more." Celestia said. "And these dreams I'm having are almost too much to bare."

"Dreams?"

Celestia shook her head. "Poor choice of words, when I sleep, it's as if I'm reliving a parts of my past. Some are recent, but one in particular was one from my foalhood."

Skyfall's stomach fell. "Explain."

"As I'm sure you know, Alicorns are created, when we achieve great feats, the Maker grants us with either wings or a horn."

'You're wrong, but continue.' Skyfall thought as he nodded. "Go on."

"But these memories are of me playing with a large alicorn couple in a city of Alicorns." Celestia rest her head in her hooves and continued. "Then screaming. A thick fog started to assault the city and feral Alicorns started to attack the populace, then horrible monsters emerged from the fog and cut down everyone in sight." Celestia took deep, calming breaths. "Then the images of a large, blue Alicorn placing me and Luna in a fruit pantry just outside the inner gates as a large bell rang desperately in the distance."

Celestia rang her hooves behind her head and looked up to nothing in particular. "Then crying and silence."

"I wake up every night in a cold sweat. Even Luna can't enter my dreams, nor can she stop them." 

Skyfall closed his eyes, knowing that the memory block had finally been undone. "What else do you remember?"

"I remember a group of ponies coming to rescue us and then we were wrapped up in a thick scarf. I'm guessing so we wouldn't see what became of our home." Celestia said. "Spirits attacked us and out of all the Spirits that I imprisoned, some spouted what seemed to be false statements about Alicorns being destroyed by Discord. Now, that doesn't seem so outrageous."

"Do you believe you were wrong to attack Spirits?" Skyfall asked.

An awestruck look moved across Celestia’s face. She went to chuckle, but found the breath to do so had escaped her and instead fell short.

‘What is she thinking?’ Skyfall thought, seeing her conflicted state. “You’ve seemed a little dazed since the Gala, Celestia, so I will ask once more. Do you think it was right to put the Spirits on trial as you did?”

"Yes.” Celestia answered, the temperature of the room climbed. “They were unnatural and hurt everypony they came into contact with." Celestia's firm, mental composure cracked as a light red haze grew in her eyes. "The best option was to separate us."

Skyfall now knew it was his brother, Fury, that amplified her hate, but even so, there was still immense hate for Spirits. "Princess, may I speak freely without you trying to incinerate me or erase my family from history?"

"I would deny you, but I know you'd just find another way to scold me." Celestia chuckled, taking a deep breath to diminish her anger. Beads of sweat formed on her brow as her heart pounded in her ears.

"I do not know what happened with you and the Spirits, but from what I can gather of the sparse documents out there, they were put on trial and sentenced to imprisonment for no discernible reason." Skyfall said. A simple statement tore Celestia deep inside, he could see resentment in Celestia’s glare, not for what she did, but that it was questioned. "You need to take steps to fixing the world you threw into imbalance."

"I threw the world into imbalance? I’m keeping it in balance."

"I learned long ago, Spirits keep the world in balance. They need to be able to maintain the world, if not, the power on their aspects here on Equus will run rampant. A river spirit watches the river and makes sure it doesn't dry up or overflow, without them to maintain it, you'll have droughts or flooding. I read the paper and these issues are on the rise. Recently Discord has been able to help, but even he can't handle what it takes all Spirits to achieve."

Skyfall looked Celestia in the eye. "You need to take steps to bringing Spirits back."

Celestia chewed her lip and nodded. “There are Spirits in my employ in Canterlot aside from my council. I will convene with them.”

Skyfall sighed, slightly annoyed at her flippant reaction. "You cannot treat this like picking out your next stained glass window, Princess. If something is not done…”

He took a deep breath, it seemed as if Celestia trusted him, but pressing too hard may undo the trust placed in him. Falling short of words, he closed his mouth and reclined back calmly.

“If something is not done, what?”

“What does your sister say about all this?” Skyfall asked.

Celestia looked to the night sky through one of the tall windows in her host’s study. “Free the Spirits.” Despite the possible cataclysms of the country and individual problems, the room was calm as if two ponies were merely enjoying a game of chess. “Skyfall, can I confess something to you?”

“Are you sure you want to, Princess?” Skyfall asked. “I’m a guard captain, not a deacon. I don’t feel I’m important enough for something like a royal confession.”

Taking that as her permission to speak, Celestia tittered in amusement at Skyfall’s newly found respect for her position as Dierarch. “Luna and I grew up around Spirits.”

“That is a complete and utter shock. What a twist.” Skyfall feigned shock with a flaccid voice. “Tell me more.”

“Smart-flank.” Celestia chided, shooting him a dirty look. She looked into her cup of tea and swirled it in silence, concentrating on the tiny mint leaf floating on the surface. “As a filly, Spirits visited us and taught me and Luna. Alot of them were disguised, but it’s hard to hide one’s identity when from day to day you act the exact same.”

She dipped the end of her hoof in her tea and did this over and over for a short time. “Fair Watch, and then his son Clever Watch, raised me and Luna. Both grew to dislike the Spirits and had been possessive over my sister and I. I have thought about it for a great many years, my love of them may amplify my attitude towards Spirits.”

“That is a dangerous mindset.” Skyfall said.

“I know.” Celestia curled her hoof, stretching the ligaments within as more of a nervous tick then purposefully. “Luna always tried to remain logical about things when growing up. She was amazing at every subject she picked up, the perfect student. Everyone loved her, and not me.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“Luna is loving. She thinks things through and was always able to take responsibility easier and more effectively than I ever could, even now.” Celestia giggled. “I remember I used to sneak out and get caught which always lead to me getting punished, something she would join in alongside me so I wasn’t alone. Perhaps if I went to the moon instead of her, the world wouldn’t be as bad as it is now.”

"It's not as bad as it looks." Skyfall said as he took a brief pause. "Have you considered going to speak with Shattered Skies? From what I hear, he was more than willing to speak with you."

Celestia laughed, throwing Skyfall off a bit. "You do not know him as I do. He'll talk his way around it and toy with me. In the end, I'll have more questions than answers."

"Maybe he'll listen, now that the world is on the brink of war." Skyfall said forcefully. "I overheard a great many delegates at the Gala, Equestria has fewer allies than they would like to admit."

Celestia magicked a map from the corner and levitated it above while magically highlighting three countries. "The Griffon Kingdoms, the Pony colonies of the east, and recently, Neighpon. Those are our only real allies."

"Then you must find more." Skyfall said. "And before you ask, I'll be blunt, you need to ally yourself with Farhaven."

Celestia chuckled. "That would need to take years to be done safely."

"A show of good faith?" Skyfall asked. "I know of a great many slums in Equestria, filled with species from other countries. Let them migrate to Farhaven unhindered, it will only bode well for you."

"I doubt they would want to move to Farhaven." Celestia's skeptical tone was not lost on Skyfall.

"I've heard the opposite, they're being kept there by someone in Canterlot's high command. A Spirit" Skyfall said, planting the seed in Celestia's mind. "I read that many Spirits were imprisoned and few remain in Equestria, but I digress. To put it simply, I surmise that the bulk of the Spirits are kept in this realm Sunset comes from."

"You know she lives in the mirror, don't you?"

"I do." Skyfall said. "I also know you're trying to get in contact with an elemental there. I guess what I'm trying to say is, in short, I'm throwing my name into the hat."

"You would venture into a foreign realm to help me?" Celestia's voice sounded weak and unbelieving.

"Yes, but my motives aren’t strictly altruistic." Skyfall laughed, trying to play off his self-invite. "I make it a point to explore the world and collect things, and this allows me to pursue a hobby of mine."

"Then you're the second to raise their hoof in support." Celestia said. "It makes me happy to have found another friend that doesn't want something from me personally."

"They're out there, you just can’t surround yourself with snakes." Skyfall mused as he stood and strode to his armor stand. "May I ask, who's my partner?"

"Sunset Shimmer."

Skyfall cursed mentally, some random pony he could deal with, but Sunset was a sharp mare; not as observant as Pinkie, nor was she as meticulous as Twilight, but when it came to intuition and tenacity, Skyfall surmised that she was on par with historically great detectives. "Wonderful, I enjoy her company, anyone else?"

"The fewer ponies we send through, the less strain on the gate there will be." Celestia stood and replaced her regalia. "I was going to send Fury and Shining Armor, but I believe you're the best fit so they will stay in Ponyville."

Celestia walked over to Skyfall and wrapped him up in a hug, she rested her head on his and sighed in relief. "Thank you for this, Skyfall. I hate to impose on you, but may I come by every once in a while to let off steam. This felt good."

Skyfall reached up and rested his hoof on hers. "Any time, Tia."





Farhaven
The Next Day





"So who are we waiting for?" Cadance asked as she stood on the bulky shipping dock, looking out onto the bays mouth that lead to Baltimare's Horseshoe Bay.

"We're waiting for Minerva, the Spirit of knowledge." Streams called up from the water as she lounged in her large otter Spirit form. "Although, she may have just flown in."

"Princess Anara!" A Griffon called as she raced towards the shore. "Trouble at the museum!"

"What's wrong?" Anara asked from beneath her cloak.

"There's a huge bird tearing apart the book section, screaming about something called the Dunkin' decimal cyst!" The Griffon coughed out through their labored breaths.

"The dewey decimal system." Streams said as she rested her upper body on the dock as her tail and legs kicked in the water. "That would be Minerva, our psychotic librarian."

"Another one of dads friends?" Cadance asked.

"Hardly, they have respect towards each other, but for about three thousand years, she and him fought over an overdue book." Streams started to sink into the water. "Good luck."

"Good luck?" Cadance asked and was struck by a realization. She ran to the ledge and peered down at Streams. "Good luck! You're sending me after her alone?"

"You're much better at dealing with crazies than I am. Just picture Twilight, but on steroids.” Streamed bobbed in the water and shooked her head. “On second thought, just imagine Twilight on a lot of coffee and sugar. Steroid Twilight brings really weird, really sweaty images to mind." Streams started to sink under the water. "Just quote something for me when you see her?"

"Will it help me?" Cadance asked in desperation. "What is it?"

"I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go." Streams said with a devious smile. "That will get her to stop freaking out about books.”

"I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go? Got it." Cadance said as she turned to follow the Griffon.

"Poor kid." Streams giggled as she sunk beneath the water. "So worth it." 



> Chapter 36 -Crystal's Love-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Crystal's Love-



"That wasn't funny!"

"Eh, it was a little funny." Streams chuckled as she backed away from Cadance's piercing glare. She was cornered in the royal chambers having gone and looked for their antlered leader, but found an angry princess demanding her attention.

"Raven cried for three hours about some pony named Jack. I still don't get it." Cadance barked as the doors opened revealing her father and her mother.

"Skies, help me against your daughter, it's like arguing with Crystal, trying to make me feel guilty." Streams chuckled as Cadance smacked her shoulder.

Skies smiled. "I would leave you to your scolding, but lucky for you we need to have a family talk." 

"Ah, see you later." Streams rose and slithered out as is through a floating stream of water.

Cadance trotted over and wrapped her mother in a hug. "What are we talking about?"

Skies smiled as he was brought into the hug as well. 

"I need to speak with you and your father about when the Empire disappeared." Honey smiled before kissing her daughter on the cheek. "Come, let's get comfortable."

Cadance shuffled around while her father lay on the floor and her mother next to him, ultimately, Cadance choose to lay between her father's hooves.

"So what exactly are we going to talk about?" Cadance gave her mother a questioning look. "We're together and that's what matters. Right?"

Honey placed her hoof on Cadance's. "Yes, but there are things you both need to know." She looked to Skies, who wore a conflicted look upon his face as he stared at Honey's horn. "About me and my life since the Empire fell."

No words were traded between the mismatched family as they lay in wait for someone to start. Surprisingly, Cadance was the one to break the silence. 

"Are you really my mother?" Cadance's voice didn't shake like she was afraid of the answer, her voice was calm and deliberate like her demeanor, something that the Spirits in Farhaven had begun to liken to her father.

Honey's face fell when Cadance questioned her status as her mother. "Yes. I am, but I am not the same mare as before."

Skies picked up on the use of words and knew that eventually, he needed to speak with Honey. Alone.

Like a floodgate being torn open, Honey tried to speak only to be interrupted by Skies’ voice. "Start after that night." With a solemn nod, Honey understood that he was trying to spare their daughter the heartache of their 'last moments' together. "That night in the cave, I felt myself slip-"

Skies knew of the feeling. When everyone passed into this world, there was a subtle pulling, much like the feeling of falling while you try and sleep, but without the sudden jolt to wake you up.

"-I fell and woke up in darkness." Honey said. "I bit and tore my way out of the ground to see that I was in a deep catacomb."

"Do you remember where these catacombs were?" Skies asked.

"No, I suspect that I was in another realm." Honey said monotonously. "Don't ask me further, I do not know much about the first years. Only that they were tainted with stuff I had to do to survive." Honey leaned against Skies and stared at an old tapestry on the wall emblazoned with the head of a golden stag. "I clawed my way out of those catacombs and the world I found was...different."

"How so?"

"It was exactly like this one, but in a constant state of decay. Cities lay in ruins and the land was covered with mutated monsters." Honey said, quickly moving from the topic so as to not relive the memories. "I found a portal and once I returned, I found out that it had been two hundred years since the Empire disappeared and fell into myth."

"Perhaps this would be better with some food?" Skies asked, knowing their conversation was about to take a dark turn. He saw Cadance's happy gaze peer up.

"Can I make something?" Cadance asked.

"If you want, you have free reign of the kitchen." Skies smiled as Cadance got up and bounded out of the room.

"I see you're just as tactful as ever." Honey cooed. She knew what Skies' silence meant, he wanted answers. Now. "You know all you have to do is ask." She pressed her face against his coat. "I never could deny you."

"Why haven't you changed into your Spirit form?"

Honey gulped loud enough to make a point. "I hate the way I look."

With a subtle touch of his head to her’s, Skies reassured Honey. "You don't have to show me if you do not wish to, but please, tell me the truth of everything before our daughter gets back, which will be a while considering I hid the measuring cups before coming here."

Honey smiled, but it faded into a sad look. "I won't beat around the bush by saying vague statements like 'I haven't been the best person, or the most faithful creature.' In short, I've been a very bad person."

"What have you done?" Skies asked, knowing that if she said bad, she meant horrible.

"Everything one can do to get revenge." Honey's tone didn't falter, she looked up into Shattered's eyes. "I don't regret who I am, just that I didn’t handle news of your passing as well as I should have."

Honey's hoof brushed against Skies' face. "I thought you two were dead, I nearly broke when I saw you. When Psalm found me, she convinced me to open myself up and follow her. I won’t lie, it wasn’t easy, but I slowly began to trust her. Then, she told me about you and Cadance."

There are certain things in an intimate relationship, especially one between spirits that have been around as long as them that you don't need to say. In this case, both Skies and Crystal knew that their time apart had affected them to the point that what they had may be too damaged to repair and needed more time apart, perhaps indefinitely.

"I would ask if we can work it out, but I knew from the moment I saw you that you've moved on." Honey buried her face into Shattered's coat once more.

"You're the mother of our child." Skies said before draping a wing over her. "I'll never stop loving you."

"Even though your heart belongs to another?"

"Even though my heart belongs to another."

Honey smiled as her throat tightened. "You always were the charmer."

"You always called me fool."

Honey chuckled. "That too." She magicked a floating image from earlier of Skies standing before his troops, lecturing them. "You've taken a brazen stance, being a Captain in her guard."

"Hiding in plain sight is our most useful disguise." Skies shrugged. "Judging from the way you glared at the Princess, I take it you've had a few run ins with Celestia? Bad ones, I assume?"

"Very. I’ve meet with a few of the princesses before, but never expected one to be mine own child." Honey cleared her throat and blushed. “I meant, ‘my own child.’”

Ignoring the archaic speak that Spirits fall into at times, Skies smiled. "If that's true, then I imagine you will have to break the news to Anara about the situation."

"I can't." Honey shook her head as she put a hoof on her mouth as if to stop herself from gagging. "She would hate me, and I don't think I could take that right now."

"She's our daughter, she will understand. Eventually." Skies reasoned softly. "Unless she takes after you and flies into a fit of rage and starts throwing her shoes everywhere over being five minutes late with our instant noodles-"

“Let that go.”

“And then rant for forty-five minutes about how you leave hair in the bathroom sink when she know it’s not your fault, the sinks on the fritz.”

“Skies, that was like twice.”

“Then proceed to lock the door each and every night, forcing me to sleep in the couch.”

Honey grabbed Skies’ face and wrenched it to face her own. "You won't let me live that down! That was like six thousand years ago!"

"Yes, I told you I wasn't going to let you live it down." Skies chuckled. "Amore always thought we were funny."

Honey stretched and started to think about their old friend. "She did, but she always laughed at everything you said, even if it was something obscure. I think she liked you."

"Well, I am very tall." Skies chuckled when Honey swatted his chest. He looked back and flexed his back. “And I am very amazing the beach.”

“You are so conceited.” Honey laughed to herself.

Skies wore a quite smirk as the momentary lapse in conversation caused Honey to sputter with her language, trying to figure out what to say next.

"I heard that Sombra was back and that he collected all but three pieces of her crystallized form." Honey said as she produced a hoof sized, red crystal from a pocket portal. 

“I heard the same. Celestia and the other heroes were able to break him of a curse that the Umbrum placed on him as a colt.”

Honey hummed to herself. “Was that the reason you couldn’t figure out what ailed him? I remember you making regular trips to the Empire at Amore’s request.”

“The Umbrum were always mysterious, but they had been gone so long I believed them to be extinct.” Skies sighed, wishing he had recognized the signs. “Aside from my own bias, he isn’t actually a bad stallion. A bit wimpy.”

"What are we going to do, Sky?" Honey sighed after another moment of silence. 

"We aren't going to do anything." Skies look down when Honey shot him a questioning look. "You and Anara are going to stay out of the fray, I won't be able to make sound decisions if I have to worry about you both."

For a brief moment, Honey snarled, preparing a barrage of insults as her retort for Skies' blatant assumption of her uselessness, but saw that serious look her husband was giving her.

"You know I know you're more than capable of handling yourself." Skies cooed as he placed his hoof on hers. "You were strong enough to survive death, war, and even being married to me." Honey chuckled before he continued. "But I need you to be there for our child, being a Spirit is new to her and even if she put on a brave face, she’s scared. My brothers and sisters want me and everything I stand for to be swept away. If I can't stop them, I need you to get our daughter to safety."

Honey closed her eyes and kissed her ex-husband's cheek. "I'll keep her safe."

"You sound hesitant, what's wrong?"

With a solemn sigh, Honey shook her head. "I know she won't like me... the real me, no one does."

Skies nuzzled the mother of his child. "I figured you had run ins in the past, but were they really so terrible?"

"Yes." Honey said curtly.

"Then show her the real you and ask for forgiveness when it comes time."

"I-I can't." Honey's tone threatened to shatter. "I know she'll never forgive what I've become, can't we just live like this? I can stay like this, pure, and just like it was in the beginning."

"You would ask that we live a lie, to protect our daughter's feelings?"

"Yes."

"A lie only gets worse, but that’s your decision." Skies' words cut her to the core. "Not admitting the truth when it is needless to keep it secret is cruel, especially to our daughter. I know if you just speak with her, she'll come around, even though at first it may feel a little painful."

"But-"

"Do you still trust me?" Skies asked.

After a pause, Honey nodded. "I do."

"Consider getting to know her before transforming. I won’t up and expose you unless you wish for me to, that’s your business.”

"And if she hates me?" Honey asked, a sad, hesitant look on her face.

"Then we work it out, together." Skies smiled.

"Okay." Honey's demeanor relaxed. Soon, she started to laugh louder and louder, much to Skies' confusion. His raised brow only made her laughter grow before she tried to explain. "I remember the conversations Amore and I had before we started to see each other. I would always say that you were like a rug at times because of how relaxed you were about everything and how you would lay everywhere and that's always when Amore would talk about wanting to lay all over a Skies rug."

"You never told me that." Skies chuckled.

"Eh, I figured she crushed on you hard enough, Mr. Animal." Honey nibbled at Skies neck, trying to tease him. "I missed teasing you."

"I can tell." Skies raised up slightly to confuse her before rolling over, wrapping her in a hug. 

Despite her protests, Honey went along and allowed herself to be embraced. She missed affection, real affection, from someone who knew her and not a front that she wore.

"Skies! Crystal!" Sif roared as she tore up the castle and into the room.

Skies and Honey shot up to meet Sif at the door.

"We have an emergency, it's Cadance!"

"What happened!" Skies barked.

Skies, Honey, and Sif ran through the castle before Skies pulled them through one of the many branches that cris-crossed the city; per his instruction.

"Cadance collapsed in the kitchen while tasting some honey, I think her magic is starting to show itself." Sif said urgently as Skies tore past her. She waited for Honey to follow before following behind them. "I've pulled everyone back so they won't be hurt."

"Good, tell me what is happening, exactly." Skies demanded, the worry in his voice clear.

Sif barked to move the crowd of beings before their approach. "It's her magic."

Those three words registered in both Skies' and Honey's mind as they skidded to a halt, just short of the kitchen's door. They knew what happened when magic was forceably sealed, especially a Spirit's power.

"Skies, I think I should be the one to go in." Honey said desperately.

For a moment, Skies had to take a deep breath to calm his mind. "No, I should go in, I can-"

"No." Honey stomped. "You're not good with controlling fluctuation magic levels. You can't bite your way to an answer."

Honey's words stung, Skies knew she was right, he couldn't absorb the magic to stabilize her. Fear seeped into his thoughts, forty thousand years of experience with life and his mind was blank. "What about the Effigy? It could take her power and-"

A loud crack rang through the halls as Honey slammed her hoof into Shattered's cheek.

"Why did-"

"Don't ever suggest using that weapon on our daughter again." Honey teared up in anger. "I hate that you had a part in creating it in the first place, you should have done everyone a favor and destroyed it. It's a coward's weapon."

"It can help." 

Honey drew back to hit him again and Skies wrapped her up in his arms to keep her from striking him again. "Let me go."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that, I just panicked." Skies admitted. He knew Honey understood, but she had hated many of the decisions he made and for good reason, she reminded him again and again of moral consequences. It wasn't until the fall of the Empire that he warnings struck a cord. "You can go in, I'll stay here."

Slowly, the magic began to seep into the hall, it carved edges into the stone, showing its potency. Honey moved to act, she knew how to counteract the magic, but that required her transforming, something that terrified her.

With a slow, even pace, Honey walked into the castle's enormous kitchen. The blue, ethereal magic that erupted from Cadance's unconscious body surged around, destroying whatever it touched. 

Honey dipped and dodged around the tendrils, making sure not to be touched prematurely. A young Spirit's magic was unpredictable, it was known to take on the attribute of whoever it touched unless one was careful.

"Anara, can you hear me?" Honey called. 

Slowly, Honey transformed, but turned the lights down at the same time so that the onlookers wouldn't be able to see her Spirit form. She cringed as she caught the image of herself in a nearby mirror, she hated that he once white coat was gone and that her wings were taken from her. She swallowed hard and turned her attention to her daughter, the one that mattered to her the most.

Emerald magic started to flow out in tendrils to meet the expanding magic, as they touched, bright flashes lit up the room. One by one, the arms of magic were forced back to Cadance's body and made to circulate around her body like a whirling torrent of contained fire.

Soon, Cadance started to convulse as Crystal stood over her body, scanning her. She could feel her daughter's pain as her power increased and decreased wildly. 

Crystal teared up, knowing that she had to transfer a small bit of power to her daughter to relieve the pain and force her change to occur, but her disdain for her hideous form weighed heavily on her mind. "I'm sorry, Cadance."

As she knelt down, her horn touched her daughter’s forehead and then Cadance's body shook as the transformation started to happen, antlers started to grow, breaking the skin and making it bleed, then her solid hooves cracked, becoming cloven. With a tentative step forward, Crystal laid down to her ailing daughter, knowing they were in for a long night.

“Mom.” Cadance called with a weak, strained voice.

Crystal covered her daughter's eyes so she wouldn’t be shocked, she leaned down and cooed into her ear. “It’s okay, I’m here.”

Outside the kitchen, Skies sat by, helpless. He would have sat by, waiting, but Sif nuzzled him, breaking him from his worries.

“Are you okay?”

“No.” Skies said, it hasn’t even been a year and life is still just as hectic as it was when we lived here the first time. 

Sif smirked, remembering the days they lived among ponies in the kingdom of the royal pony sisters. “I heard what Crystal told you earlier, about her past.”

Skies nodded, not wanting to speak about it in the middle of a castle hallway.

“Do you want me to investigate?” Sif asked quietly.

Trust. Trust was something he wanted to give to everyone, but in reality, Skies trusted no one, that’s why he had contingency plans for everything. He wanted to look at Sif and shake his head, but the truth was that if Crystal was a spy, it would be all too easy to destroy everything. “Sif, please be discreet about it. None may know.”

“It will be done.” Sif said as she backed away and into another wolf. “Oh, I’m sorry, Quiet.”

“It’s okay, Mother Sif.” The smaller wolf said as she rubbed her nose. “I just have a message for Lord Skies.”

“Ah, very well.” Sif smirked, flicking Quiet’s rear with her tail as she passed, showing silent approval. The instant she turned the corner, Skies chuckled.

“What’s funny, My Lord?” Quiet asked.

It wasn’t his business to tell Sif’s feelings, so he shook his head, declining to answer. “Nothing, my dear, what do you have to report?”

Quiet bowed. “Lady Raven, the Spirit of knowledge has requested your presence.”

“Ah, and here I thought something had happened.” Skies raised his brow when Quiet shook her head and rose.

“There is also an owl in the aviary that claims to have an urgent message for you.” Quiet’s demeanor changed as she looked around. “Something about an attack on Ponyville.”

“It’s likely what happened earlier today with Celestia’s attempts at a ‘Farhaven attack.’” Skies mused with sarcastic air quotes. “Could you escort me to the library? I’d like to speak with you.”

“Absolutely.” Quiet smiled. After she watched Skies seal the kitchen so his family wouldn’t be disturbed, he turned and lumbered. As they walked, she noticed that he seemed more tired than usual. “My Lord, is something the matter?”

With a wheezy laugh, Skies glanced down at the young wolf. “When’s something not the matter?” After his facetious question, he craned his head to Quiet. “Frankly, no more than usual. There is about four thousand other things I have to fix and I can only do so much. I made an error recently and we may be having a mass migration coming to Farhaven, more than we can readily feed.”

“How did you do that?”

“By convincing Celestia it was in everyone’s best interest.” Skies mumbled.

“Isn’t she evil?”

After a long sigh, Skies shook his large head. “There’s no such thing, well, not in a literal sense. I believe she’s just confused and is trying to do the best she can. I just hope that a peace between us can be reached before her four advisors do something to force our borders closed completely.”

“Do you think it will come to that?” 

“Historically, it usually does.” Skies said. “It is only now that I look back and see that our precarious situation may have been fixed had I trusted Celestia a little bit more.”

“Sire?” Quiet asked. “I don’t follow.”

Skies just smiled at the small wolf, he wanted to vent about all that he has done and that in earlier days, he would hang over Celestia’s shoulder and try to give her much needed advice. In the end, it may have harmed more than it helped. “Nothing, just musings of an old Spirit.”

They stepped out of the grand doors that lead to the main hall and they stopped to take in Farhaven as it basked in the setting sun. It had grown by leaps since they started to settle the land, houses were built, businesses were open, and statues were erected, even an elegant aqueduct snaked through the city to supply clean, mineral rich water. A fact River never let anyone forget, she even went so far as to open up a small utility company so she could advertise.

Overall the architecture to the city had no real theme, it took inspiration from each culture that hand a hand, hoof, or claw in its construction. Buildings sat by the water around much of the lake and expanded back in all manners of ways. Every species lived next to and with one another while having districts with a clearly dominant theme, even wyverns had their own style of fire blasted stone to live in, but stayed far enough from the large trees Griffons liked to sleep in. And all were overlooked by the great Diamond Dog stonemasons in their mountain carved halls.

To everyone’s delight, the city melded together and thus far, no real problems occurred.

“It’s amazing.” Quiet said. “I’ve been really surprised since the aqueduct was opened, the city is happy. Our wolven force has yet to even quell any real argument.”

“We’re getting there.” Skies nodded as he walked, but grinded to a halt when a small, red Hippogriff buzzed over and landed on his muzzle. 

“Serenity!” Gilda squawked as she flew up to retrieve her daughter. “I’m so sorry, my Lord.”

“No, it’s fine.” Skies chuckled as he sat and cradled the small, giggling Hippogriff. “How is she doing? Is the medicine agreeing with her?”

“Not really, she still gets sick, but Mackie sits with her until she feels better.” Gilda smiled as Skies gave her daughter back. “You look surprisingly well for giving birth recently.”

“My mother was a Northern Griffon and so am I, we give birth with little consequence to our health.” Gilda stated matter of factly.

“Lucky you.” A Diamond Dog muttered as she passed, much to the laughter of the passerbys.

“How are you and Big Mac handling life here?” Skies asked.

“We’re doing fantastic.” Gilda chirped a little, her feathers ruffling in pride. “Our place is between the new farmlands and the market district, so it’s perfect. Our only problem is the smell of manure and little Serenity here wanting to buzz out the window every chance she gets.”

“It sounds like you have your claws full.” Skies stood once more and turned. “I’ll take my leave, enjoy your day, Gilda.”

“Lord Skies?” Gilda interjected in Skies’ leave.

“Yes?”

“I know Big Mac has been worried about it, but I should ask; when will the mail route between Farhaven and Ponyville be opened?” 

Like opening a can of worms, Skies groaned mentally. He could have lied to her, but there was no gain in that. “Honestly, Gilda, there were talks to open a mailing route, but the representative that we sent through came back with a black eye. In short, it will take time until we open up a mailing route.” Skies looked around and leaned in to Gilda. “However, if Big Mac has a letter, I will be more than happy to deliver it, in person.”

Gilda smiled deviously at that sentiment. “Give me one moment.” She turned around and rustled in her bag before producing a letter, it was apparent that she asked about the mailing route, anticipating Skies to say yes. “This is Big Mac’s letter. Thank you for taking it.”

Skies grabbed it and smiled. “No, it’s my pleasure. This is some of the only entertainment I get.”

With a nod, they went their separate ways, as they did so, Quiet sucked her teeth. “You know Mother Sif would be upset to find out that you’re going to expose yourself to the ones that hunt you.”

“‘Hunt me,’ right.” Skies chuckled. “I know they traipse around my forest looking for me, only to end up dirty and sweat and empty hooved. There has only been two times where they actually found me, the other forty three the ended up walking in circles.”

“Mind telling me what you have planned, Sire?” 

The large museum was hard to miss, they didn’t have much time to speak before meeting Raven, so Skies chose to forgo his teasing. “I’m going to deliver this letter and make them all flustered when I disappear.”

“Why?”

“Partly to send a message.” Skies admitted. “They watch that forest so intently, that when their enemy calmly knocks on their door, it will show them that they fail, not only at Spirit hunting, but at anticipating me. Plus, it’s fun.”

“I watch them, Sire.” Quiet said. “What if they found a way to catch you?”

“Hm, good point.” Skies mused. “That would be bad.”

“Finally!” Daring barked as Skies reached the museum doors. “I’ve waited three days for you to actually come here.”

With a long, agitated sigh, Skies nodded. “Right, the release orders.”

“Yes, the release orders you were supposed to sign, days ago.” Daring said. “Without that, I can’t even take my artifacts out of their cases.”

Before another word could be uttered, a clipboard was shoved in Skies face, eliciting another annoyed groan. “Fine.”

Upon seeing the look on Skies’ face, Daring cocked her head. “Are you okay, Skies?”

“Yeah, it’s just that my daughter is going through power fluctuations, so I’m worried.” Skies whirled his pen around in the air. “Amidst everything else; Angry solar Princesses, evil shadow councils, ethnic tensions, and not enough time to spend with my mare-friend.”

“Mare-friend?!” Both Daring and Quiet sputtered before the eavesdropping citizens of Farhaven gasped.

“I do have a normal life, if you take away all the crazy stuff.” Skies looked between Daring and quiet. “What do you think I do when I’m not around? Meditate with my hooves crossed in a giant tree?”

Daring blushed a little and scratched her cheek.

“You totally think I do?” 

“Do not!” 

“You do!” Skies laughed as he passed her, giving her signed paperwork. “Anyway, where’s Raven?”

“The crying Griffon?” Daring asked. “She’s in the back office with the giant owl-emblazoned door.” She jabbed a hoof down the hall. “You can’t miss it, just listen for the crying and look out for the blue and white, painted Pegasus painting the ceiling.”

“Ah, I see Mix Up finally made it.” Skies said. “How does he like the museum?”

“He seems happy.” Daring shrugged. “I’ve been so busy with the exhibits that I haven’t had the time to ask, I just admire the ceiling as I pass from room to room.”

“Wonderful, I know my next stop.” Skies continued to lumber and looked up to the ceiling. The ceiling had depictions of many eras that were unknown to Equestria. Civilizations and figures that looked better left to novels of fantasy than in a museum of history. Farhaven counted itself lucky that Raven allowed copies of her own personal library to be made.

As they neared, the light sound of music could be heard from a table where a stallion stood, sketching his next piece. Next to him where copies of some of the older history books ever created, with notes and smaller sketches drawn in them.

“Mix Up, I presume?” Shattered Skies asked, starting the stallion out of his daydream.

“Ah, hi Lord Skies, you scared me.” Mix Up patted his chest, trying to calm down.

“I take it you found yourself something to ‘take to the next level?’” Skies smiled, remembering that he had invited Mix Up to Farhaven after meeting him at the masquerade Blue Blood had thrown.

“I take it Loveless told you about me?” Mix Up asked.

“He did, He goes around to look for those that are in need of a second chance. He also told me of your art work being stolen by the Trade Union.”

With a solemn nod, Mix Up’s smiled dropped. “It was, some of my earliest works and some pieces I collected from famous painters under something called ‘reclamation act of Giffonstone.’”

“I’ve heard of it.” Skies said. “Hopefully, you won’t have to go much longer without them. Amazing work by the way.” 

“Thank you, Lord Skies.” Mix Up smiled as Skies stumbled away towards the master librarian’s door.

“Come along, Quiet, stop admiring.” Skies boomed as he strode away, spurring Quiet to catch up to him.

“Sorry, we haven’t lived in cities in a while so us wolves are a little awestruck.” 

“It’s understandable.” Skies went to knock on the door, but heard crying and knew she wouldn’t hear him, so he just pushed Raven’s doors open. “Why are you crying!”

“She let him go!”

“What are you talking about?!” Skies barked as the large, stone doors swung shut, leaving a very confused Quiet to slip away, not wanting to deal with a sobbing Spirit.

“Rose.”

“Who?”

“Rose!” Raven threw a pillow at Skies before it was cut in half by a vine. 

“Are you talking about Titanic? Again.” Skies groaned. “You can not let that go.”

“It’s your fault, your daughter came in here and reminded me!” Raven’s black feathers were ruffled and tissues were jammed up both nostrils. “She could have moved her, pasty, beluga whale body and saved him but no, she let him freeze, that door was huge!”

“Yes, the movie upset us all.” Skies deadpanned. “You need to pull it together, Raven, we have business to discuss.”

With a ragged sniffle, Raven looked up. “What is it?”

“It’s about the job.”

“Yeah, you want me to take care of the library.” Raven said. “I told you I can do that.”

“There’s something else.” Skies sat and looked around the large, circular room, it was covered in ornamentation, from statues to plant, to books and magical artifacts. “Something more.”

Raven’s apprehension took over. “Oh, I don’t know about this Skies. I agreed to watch the library, but I hate dealing with other beings.”

After rolling his eyes, Skies figured Raven still had a mistrust for mortal creatures, she considered them to be permanently ignorant and dangerous to unbiased knowledge.

“W-What is it?” Raven asked, know there were few jobs he would have in mind for her.

“I want you to teach.”

“Never.”

“But-”

“No, I can’t.” Raven waved her claw dismissively. “You know I can’t trust mortals, they think they know best and can’t accept fact unless it lines up with their own idea of what facts should be.”

“I want you to teach my daughter about our history, unadulterated by what side won. A true history.” Skies said solemnly.

Raven knew what Skies was asking and she raised to her feet slowly. Thousands of years ago, the Spirit council decided to keep the unbiased account of history for themselves to allow the mortal races to develop naturally, something Spirits still contest today.

“Are you sure about this?” Raven asked. “You were on the Spirit council, would this not go against that?”

“The Spirit council has been disbanded for a long time.” Skies said. “I want the world to know the truth. Of everything.”

“Even about you?”

“Even about me.” Skies stared at Raven. “I want the world to change. No. The world needs to change and it begins here, in this era. If we can lay the groundwork to set education right, right now, then our future has become that much safer.”

“So I can teach, unabated by regulations, just a true account of history and discuss themes
That took place, without some council authority trying to stop me?” Raven asked, leveling a blank stare at the lord of the forests. 

“I’m asking you to, so I’m behind you on this.” Skies said.

“I’ll need it in writing, signed in blood.” Raven summoned a scroll that was seemingly pre-filled out.

“I’ll sign in ink.” As he took the quill, his vision blurred and a dull whine rang in his ears. The paper fell from his grasp before his body forced him to sat down.

"Skies?"

As Skies sat there, he felt like his blood pump like paste, moving through his veins, he struggled to regain his composure. Time slowed until it seemed that minutes turned to seconds. By the time he regained his senses, Sif was standing over him with one of Farhaven's doctors, a Changling.

"Is he going to be ok?" Sif asked.

"Honestly, Lady Sif, I don't know. Physically, he seems fine, but I'm no expert on Spirits." The Changling sighed and removed the stethoscope from his head, being careful to avoid the dual, purple fins that ran down his head. "His emotions on the other paw, are in a tangled maelstrom."

"What does that mean?" Sif asked.

"Nothing." Skies said as he stood unevenly.

"Sire, be careful, if you stand too fast, you may pass out." The Changling warned before tapping his cheek in thought. "Then again, you are a Spirit so..."

"I'll be fine." Skies stated. "Just a little exhausted."

"You should rest." Sif said as she stepped to Skies' side. "I've sensed that you've been strained lately. I've remained silent, but this is too much too soon, it hasn't even been a year since your return."

Sif cocked her head as Skies started to walk towards the library's exit. "Where are you going?"

"To deliver a letter and hide at a certain mare's house."  Skies said cryptically before finally leaving the library, with Sif and the summoned medical staff watching with worried faces.





Sweet Apple Acres





Twilight huffed as she tossed a map from the table in frustration. She ran her hoof down her face and groaned. "This is impossible."

"You got that right." Sunset added as she stretched. "It's one thing to have a physical barrier, but add in the magic barriers powered by natural magic amplified by natural regeneration to heal any hole you make and you have-"

"A problem." Twilight finished.

"Honestly, you two, I don't see what the big deal is." Rarity said. "That monster hasn't attacked at all. You try to find ways in and he doesn't even act, sweeties, it's time to give it up."

Twilight shook her head. "Princess Celestia is counting on me. It's just like she says; the sooner we capture him, the sooner the world will set right."

"What does 'set right' mean exactly?" Pinkie asked, still choosing to speak her mind in lieu of constantly trying to brighten the mood. She turned a page of the book she read while being lounged in the corner. “Because nothing seems really wrong right now about him.”

Twilight shook her head once more. "I'm not so sure anymore." The memory of Harmony replayed in her head and the words repeated every day since the Gala, she knew she needed to speak with Shattered Skies, but her task was to capture him. She glanced out the window and sighed. "What do I do?"

"Well, whatever you do, just make sure he stays off my land." Applejack walked into the room with a clipboard. "It's been hard to get any workers interested in the farm since that city of his hit the front lines of the Equestria Daily newspaper.

"How is that going?" Sunset asked. 

"It's fine. Skyfall said he penned a letter to a foreign dignitary..."

"Of course he did." Twilight mumbled and began to mock Skyfall. “Oh look at me, I know important ponies and can write to embassies and talk to the Princess like she’s my old friend.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow and continued despite Twilight's ire. "...right, so he wrote a letter to a foreign dignitary from Clydesda and she wrote me a letter saying she would be here within the week."

"That's really good, Applejack!" Rarity guffawed. "Clydesda is starting to become well known across the sea, having some of their natives on your farm will do wonders for your business."

"That's what Skyfall says." Applejack smiled. "He seems to know his stuff. He's been more help than I can hope to repay."

"Sounds like you're crushing." Rarity cooed, but scoffed at Applejack's gagging motion.

"He's good looking, but no." Applejack reaffirmed. "I'm just not interested."

"Not even after that Hearthwamring's kiss?" Rarity wriggled her eyebrows. 

"Especially after that." Applejack mumbled. "I get that it's traditional, but I see him more like a... like a..."

"A business partner?" Sunset asked. "You too seem too friendly for that to be professional."

"They argue a lot." Apple Bloom said as she hopped past Applejack, her hand-me-down hat bouncing on her mane.

Applejack shrugged and sat down. "He knows business, well, actually he's good with ponies and knows how they think. He knows nothing about country living and looks at our apple sorter like Twilight would, but he means well, especially after Big Mac left. He doesn't pick up the work load, but he's helped me get my business going, we just argue at times."

"Wonder why?" Twilight said.

"What's wrong Twilight?" Sunset asked.

"Nothing!" Twilight snapped, but instantly regretted it when everyone gave her an annoyed look. "Sorry, I'm just frustrated. It's been months and we've come no closer to even getting close enough to talk to him."

"Hopefully our venture to the other world will yield results." Sunset put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "If anyone will know how to get to Farhaven, it will be one of these Elementals."

"Perhaps you're right." Twilight sighed, knowing that now, above all else, she wanted to speak to Skies, just the two of them, to know the truth. 'It isn't like he would just show up.'

All of a sudden, three soft knocks feathered along the door.

"I got it!" Apple Bloom called before bounding into the family room to answer the door, leaving the book she had just began reading. The other mares in the room went about their conversations, but stopped when Apple Bloom squealed. "You're back!"

"Hello, Apple Bloom." A deep, booming voice greeted before everyone heard loud, thudding steps. "How have you been?"

"I've been g... well." Apple Bloom corrected herself for proper grammar. 

"Well, you say?" The voice questioned in a playful voice. "I see you're learning something in that school of yours."

"Trying!"

"Wonderful, is your sister in?" 

Apple Bloom made a quiet humming sound. "She is, but are you sure you want her to see you?"

"Apple Bloom, who is it?" Applejack called, but to answer her question, two large sets of antlers entered the room before a bowed head rose to its full height.

"Good afternoon, everyone." Shattered Skies smiled at the awestruck expressions of the room. 

For a long minute, looks were traded around the room. Twilight cycled through the spells in her mind, trying to figure out a plan, but every plan was met with skepticism and uncertainty.

"What are you doing in my family's home?" Applejack seethed.

"In short, delivering a letter. To be more precise, delivering a message." Skies said as he summoned Big Mac's letter and levitated it over to Applejack who refused to take it. "Take it."

"No."

Shattered Skies rolled his eyes and floated it over to Apple Bloom

"Apple Bloom, don't take it!" Applejack shouted, but Apple Bloom took the letter and opened it anyway, over excited at Big mac's letter.

"It's from Big Mac!" 

"See." Skies said as he tried to turn, but found his hooves frozen into the floor. He glanced over to Twilight and Sunset, who were working together, weaving a spell to keep Skies still. "Huh, Quiet was right."

Slowly, both magics created a woven spell that crept up Skies' legs and around his body. Had this spell been cast on Luna, she would break it with a mere flexing of her magic, but this spell was surprisingly intricate. 

"I see you've noticed." Twilight said with a labored breath, the spell she used was new and as a result she was spending too much magic on its use. "Sunset and I can hold you for an hour, long enough for the Princess to arrive."

"And there it is, your utter devotion to fulfilling your sense of duty to Tia."

"Princess Celestia." Twilight said, slightly upset at Skies flippant use of her mentor's name. "You don't know her well enough to act like you are."

Skies raised an eyebrow at Twilight. "Okay." He looked over to Applejack and smiled as his body started to lose color. "One last thing, Applejack, your brother misses you. So if not for yourself, write back for him. It can be tough raising a newborn."

"Gilda gave birth?!" The room erupted.

"I'm an aunt?!" Apple Bloom cheered. "What's the babies name?"

"Read the letter." Skies smiled as his body started to turn to ash like smoldering firewood long after a bonfire. "Now, there's someone I have to see."

"Wait!" Twilight called desperately. "I need to talk to you!"

Twilight teleported and started flying in front of Shattered's face. She glowered at him. 

"You know where to find me." Skies cooed before the rest of his body disintegrated. Before he knew it, he woke up in the tree line inside his real body. He rubbed his eyes and examined the tree he sacrificed so he could make a golem. Sharp pain in his arms drew his attention Twilight's ethereal magic that had left deep bruises. "They're getting more dangerous."

A loud, angry scream echoed through the orchard. Articulate insults in combination with the 'royal' canterlot voice, the voice could have only belonged to Twilight.

"I must tread carefully." 

Slowly, Skies teleported through the forest to get to Fluttershy's house. He transformed and time started to slow again until he reached the door, his blood beginning to flow like paste once more. "F...Fluttershy?"

"Ar-re." A small rabbit answered the door and bowed, but yelped as he had to jump out of the way to avoid Skyfall's heavy hoof falls. "Y-You home?" A cold sweat moved over his body as gravity seemed to yank him to his haunches. Animals started to circle him, unsure of what to do. 

The floorboards creaked as Skyfall's heavy body slammed to the floor. He panted as darkness took his vision.

"Skyfall, is that you?" Fluttershy asked as she stepped out of the shower and stopped at what she saw. "Sky!"





Farhaven





"Mom?" Cadance's voice stirred Honey awake.

With a few blinks, Honey raised up and looked around the dark room. "Where are you? It's dark in here."

"I think we melted the lights." Cadance's voice sounded like a Spirit that wasn't masking their two toned voice. "Let me cast a spell so we can see what we're doing."

"No." Honey commanded. "Let me, if you are what I believe you've become, then you may destroy the castle."

Slowly, Honey's horn lite up in an emerald glow and sparked white light in the room. She smiled and a tear ran down her face as she looked at her daughter for what felt like the first time. "Anara."

Cadance took after both of her parents. She had golden eyes and a sand colored coat. Her crown like antlers had grown in and she gave a cursory glance at her clear wings and beat them a few times before they fell against her coat, becoming a design in her fur. Like a baby with a toy, she examined her blue mane and cloven hooves with extreme fascination. 

"Cadance jumped up onto her hooves and smiled at her mother. "So how do I look?"

"Beautiful." Honey smiled.

"Now show me what you look like!" Cadance cheered.
> Chapter 37 -Hidden Stress-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Hidden Stress-



Celestia's mind raced as she was forced to witness yet another unalterable dream. She had pleaded with her sister, insisting that there must be something to turn the dreams away, but every plea was met with more questions than answers.

Secretly, Luna knew what the dreams were. She chose to remain silent and let her sister struggle to the end just as she had after being purified by the elements.

Sweat beaded down Celestia's face as her head thrashed from side to side. "Where?"

Feelings of panic and sadness grew in her chest as a larger mare wrapped her in a golden cloth emblazoned with a shielded sun. Celestia felt safe while being cradled under this mare's wing. 

After frightened words rasped out of the mare's mouth, an armored stallion with a crown of wood and gold hugged her and kissed Celestia's forehead before a false wall opened to a winding staircase. The dark chasm glowed green, causing the stallion to growl. Sounds of screaming echoed through the room behind them and the thick billowing smoke from the city outside the window. With four last words in a language Celestia didn't understand, she was teleported away.

As the large mare appeared with Celestia in a long alley away from the apparent fighting, another Alicorn, a large, black stallion appeared with a foal of his own. A sigh of relief was exchanged between them as they had not expected the other to show.

Celestia could only watch as her white hooves stretched upward to the mare. Happy giggles escaped her throat when the mare nuzzled her, Celestia could see the mare she came to suspect as her mother look up as her pink eyes grew teary.

Her mother looked at her long and hard before tearing her vision away. When Celestia followed her mother’s glare, she saw Alicorns. However, the Alicorns she saw weren't whole, at least not in a living way. The cities citizens started to make their way into the alley at a firm pace, each body that walked in seemed normal at first, but the milky white eyes gave away that something was wrong. Jaws were clenched shut, but their lips tried to mouth words before their souls broke from the body, only to be wrenched back by magic.

As they neared, a large crab Spirit loomed overhead and began to cackle. His claws smacked together before one smashed down on a nearby building. "At last, my queen, thou left thine nest from on high? What a pity."

The stallion turned to Celestia's mother and unwrapped the scarf carrying the blue foal. The father kissed his daughter’s head, transfering the tiniest bit of magic to her before giving her to the mare. Words were not needed to figure out what sacrifice was about to occur.

The stallion took a firm step toward the Spirit and powerful magic shot from his horn, teleporting the queen and both foals to what Celestia could only surmise was a bakery storeroom.

The dream started to shake and all went still as a taller, slimmer mare with a red mane stepped through a wall that rippled like water. "That's all I can show you now, little one."

Celestia tried talking, but the mare placed her hoof on her head. 

"Seek out Artoria." The mare's hoof fell to the floor, shattering the dream like glass.

With a burning deep breath, Celestia shot up in bed to find her sister placing continuous wards around her to keep the raging fire and light from escaping, in an attempt to protect the castle and their security deposit.

"Is everything alright, sister?" Luna asked as a sentiment, she knew it wasn't alright.

"I want to go back." Celestia said as she dragged her hoof over the ashes that used to be her bed. "Take me back."

"I can't sister, What you saw was not a dream."

"Of course it was!" Celestia's anger spiked before she regained composure. She took many deep breaths before continuing. She suspected that they weren’t dreams for quite some time, she just didn’t want to admit it to herself. "No... you're right. If it wasn't a dream, what was it?"

"A memory?" Luna asked rhetorically.

'A memory?' Celestia rubbed her face and dispelled the flames. Golden light flowed to a room and brought forth a new mattress and sheets that danced with runes as she casted a spell to reinforce her sheets with burn resistance spells. "Guard?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Summon Doctor Wolf." Celestia mumbled as she grabbed a pitcher of water before unceremoniously taking several gulps down, letting water spill out the sides of the container and down her cheeks.

"I can't do that, Princess."

"Why not?" Celestia sighed, ignoring her anger. She crossed her hooves and sat up, hugging her pitcher of water as her disheveled mane clung to her sweat slicked coat.

"He is in Ponyville, per your request. He is assigned to Lord S-"

"I remember." Celestia said curtly.

"Guard, leave us." Luna's magic enveloped the door and closed it with a light thud. "Sister, I know you don't want to hear this, but you need to speak with him."

Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"He can help you, I can peek in at your memories when you're asleep. I know you saw what was happening to our kind, please speak with him, by now you must know it wasn't him." Luna's suggestion sounded like a plea.

"I saw Spirits attacking and-"

Luna smacked Celestia across the face with a thick clap.

Celestia rubbed her cheek and glared sideways at her sister. "Why did you smack me?”

"After what you saw, how can you sit here and continue to blame him? Blame all of them?" Luna asked in earnest. "All you have to do is sit down and ask him instead of listening to those cretins you have running your court."

"I trust them."

With an angry, ragged sigh, Luna scowled. "We have always regarded each other as sisters, but it must be clear to you now that we are not. Even so, I still hold you as my big sister. After all that we've been through, does my word still count for so little?"

"Luna, there is no one that I trust more than you, but-"

"No!" Luna covered Celestia's mouth and smiled sweetly at her worn, scruffy sister. "If you trust me, then please meet with him, I know he misses you even if he doesn't say so."

"So you have met with him." Celestia accused, smiling as a sibling does when catching the other in a lie.

"Of course I have." Luna smiled. “How could I not?”

"But the council-"

Luna shook her head. "No council. Try and meet with him without telling them, they will try and plan something if you do." She casted a spell to chill and refill the water in Celestia's near empty pitcher. "I don't want us to fight Shattered Skies, it would be pointless and I want us to be a part of what he is building, not trying to work against it."

"You trust him that much?"

After a long minute, Luna nodded. "I do. He can be manipulative, shifty, untrusting, and at times almost as stubborn as you, but in the end he has only done what's best in whatever he has been involved with, even us."

Celestia hung her head and mumbled.

Luna's ears lowered, but she couldn't hear, so she lowered to the ground and wiggled her butt before plowing into her sister to blow raspberries into her stomach.

"Fine! I said I'll meet him!" Celestia choked between laughs. "I just don’t know how to start it."

"I think I can help with that." Luna clapped as she stood. "I'll write him a letter immediately!"

As Luna trotted out of the room in favor of simply teleporting, Sombra was preparing to knock. He hurried to step out of the way and bowed, ignoring the look of annoyance Luna shot him as she passed.

"Sombra? What brings you to my door?" Celestia asked, looking at the clock on the wall. “And at such a late hour?”

Sombra wore a quiet smile as he entered. "I just wanted to talk."

Celestia raised an eyebrow and ran a hoof through her mane to remove some stray strands from her vision. "I have a feeling it isn't just the whim to talk that brought you to my door." She smirked. "At three in the morning."

"G-Guilty." Sombra winced. "It's about Skyfall."

"Of course." Celestia rolled her eyes. "Does he still refuse to meet with you?"

"Sadly." Sombra admitted. "I went to the Ponyville parade grounds and even looked for him at his house, but he always eludes me. Even Hope has trouble finding him."

"Huh, I thought that having your old friend by your side would persuade ponies to accept you more easily." Celestia mused. "This is peculiar. From his reaction upon seeing you it was clear that he knows you, but to avoid you completely even to the point of ignoring official business isn't like him." She paused and popped her eyebrows up momentarily. "Well, not like him concerning his professional life."

"And that's what I wanted to talk to you about." Sombra said curtly. After a few attempts of trying to organize his words, he just sighed and spat his thoughts aloud. "I-I think he's a Spirit."

Celestia cupped her hooves together and nodded. "That's something that I suspected in the beginning, but have since laid to rest. He knows too many ponies and too much history to be a regular pony, however, I think if he were a Spirit, he would have slipped up by now. His wife only solidified my theory of him being cursed. He lied about appearing with the Crystal Empire out of convenience. As for you, I think he may have lived through your rule in the Empire, looking for you for what you may or may not have done."

"And that would also explain his immense hatred for me." Sombra sighed in regret. "And his cutie mark."

Celestia raised a hoof and magicked her grand doors shut before sealing the room in a barrier. She never missed a beat, without a moment's hesitation, she felt someone trying to pry into the room with a spell before the barrier negated it. "My council has discussed the possibility of him being a traitor. After his actions during the sacking of the National Museum, I've decided to leave his identity untouched. I do theorize that his life is cursed, but that's as far as I get. I don’t feel that he is a traitor, but there is definitely evidence to validate an investigation."

Sombra gulped. "Have you not considered his allegiance?"

"Do you think it lies with Shattered Skies?" Celestia asked.

"It's a possibility!" Sombra said enthusiastically. "Sunset Shimmer sends us reports of movement into the forest from the patrol units and she adds notes-"

"That are for my eyes only." Celestia reminded, having known all along that Sombra peeks when he can.

Sombra's ears flattened. "Sorry, um, the notes did say that more and more species from Equestria are leaving and moving to Farhaven. If he trains them then he will have a formidable army."

With a labored breath, Celestia looked out the window and saw Ponyville in the far distance. "I believe it is time to try and make peace with Farhaven. A war right now would lead to destruction for the both of us."

"What do you mean?" Sombra asked. "I mean, Shattered Skies isn't somepony to turn one's back on, but right now you're the superior force. That and you have allies-"

"Had allies." Celestia corrected. "Our defense pact with the Griffon Kingdoms has been dissolved under their queen's behest. Shattered Skies' appearance and words at the Gala shook most of the foreign leaders in the room and now they are all sitting by, ready to let us fight it out like wild dogs, hoping that Equestria is the victor." 

"A weakened victor, ready for razing." Sombra said.

"Precisely."

"Do you think he planned it all?"

"No idea." Celestia said. "It wouldn't surprise me. But the issues within my own country that I've been too blind to see are real. No planning, no acting, just real hatred." She closed her eyes and summoned the morning paper. Flipping through it lazily and in silence, she found the ad she secretly ordered for a full time job reserved for non-ponies having to work in Canterlot for forty five bits an hour, twice that of what a pony worker makes. "Even so, it is clear to me now that even currency isn't enough to persuade other cultures to work with ponies."

Upset, Celestia incinerated the paper into small, floating shards. "For three thousand years, I've tried to be a leader and not once have I ever been able to lead properly."

In an effort to help, Sombra raised a hoof. "You've been the Princess for that long, surely you’ve done something right?"

With a solemn shake, Celestia scoffed at herself. "Luna ran the infrastructure, I was just the diplomatic side of it. When she left, my council came in and helped me." She brought her hooves up and crossed them to rub her shoulders. "All too convenient now that I think of it."

"It seems that I don't know the first thing about Equestria." Celestia admitted. 

"I feel that way sometimes too." Sombra said. "I was born an umbrum outside pony culture before being adopted into it, so I guess I have an excuse."

'Seek out Artoria.' Ghostly words echoed in Celestia's mind. 

"Princess?" Sombra walked a little closer to Celestia as a stunned expression crept onto her face. 

"Sombra, have you ever heard of Artoria?"

After some thought, Sombra shrugged. "Only once. During my studies in the Empire, before y'know, I came across its mention in mythic kingdoms. It was a thriving society one day and in the next, a thick, immovable fog wrapped around it. I believe that even today expeditions go in, only to have their name added to the long list of the lost. I think it's now called the Wisp."

Celestia scanned her book shelf to retrieve an old atlas. "Sombra, I have something to ask you."

"Yes, Princess?" 

"I am sorry to ask this of you, but at the moment, there is no one that I trust.” Celestia paused and waited until their eyes met. "Will you accompany me to the Wisp?"

Sombra felt a pit grow in his stomach. "Princess, I don't think it's a good idea. Especially if you show up in foreign waters with a large ship and guards in the midst of a crisis."

"No guards. Nothing official." Celestia said. "And if you accept, you can't tell anyone."

"What is it for?"

"Just a quiet expedition to the Alicorn homeland." Celestia stood and started to shrink into her disguise, Sunny Skies. "There is something I feel I need to do, if I'm able to do this, then maybe I can fix everything I've destroyed. And with a bit of luck, I can learn some truth for myself."

"Then I will be by your side." Sombra said. "When do we go?"

"Soon. I just need to set a few things in order first."





Fluttershy's house





The sweet scent of baked foods and herbal balm filled Sky's nose as he laid in a bed a little too small for his liking. Aside from the space, the cold sheets against his fur was enough to make him want to stay forever, that is, had a vile being not been sitting at the end of the bed.

"You can wake up now, mon capitaine." The taunting voice called. "Fluttershy will be some time. This will... give us some time to talk."

Skyfall opened an eye and glared down at Discord as he sat on the edge, hands together. "I must admit, Discord, I am surprised to still be breathing."

"Do you have such little faith in me?" Discord held a paw to his chest, but dropped his facade at Skyfall's burning stare. "Skyfall, if I wanted you dead, then I would have done so when you were in your tree. Waiting idly by for the ages to pass is not my forte."

"Unless it would satiate your inner desire to destroy."

Discord's expression softened further than it already was. "I don't expect you to trust me, I just want you to listen. Even though, with all the history we have between us, I don't expect this will be an easy pill to swallow."

"Why now?" Skyfall asked as he shifted onto his elbow. Fluttershy's cottage, as everyone knows, is filled with animals, however, the room was devoid of life and the window shimmered briefly, showing Discord's chaotic dimension before shifting back to the now large trees of the Everfree. "And why are we in your realm?"

With a snap of his fingers, Discord dispelled the illusion and the room shifted to more dull colors, but still looked similar to the spare room at Fluttershy's. "If it would put your mind at ease, you really are in Fluttershy's house." He snapped again and again, and with each snap, the room grew brighter and then more dull. "It's just that for our talk, I can't have any prying eyes."

"Interesting." Skyfall said before noticing Owlowiscious appear, perched behind Discord with a bandage on his wing.

"Is it?" Discord asked. "This was your sister's idea."

With eyes narrowed, Skyfall tried to stand up, but just leaned against the bed. "How is it you know my sister?"

"A question that I may be able to answer." Psalm said as she entered the room. She held up a hoof at her brother's visibly growing rage. "Calm down, Sky, there are things that we need to discuss."

"For what you described, not even talking in the Spirit realm would keep any information confidential."

"You're right, BB." Psalm nodded." But what I, we, have to say can wait."

"Explain." Sky glanced at Discord, he had been very respectful and frankly uncharacteristic in his speech thus far. He opened his mouth to speak, but Skyfall held up a hoof. "Psalm. Explain."

"No need to be a jerk, Skyfall." Psalm tried to sneer, but couldn't look her brother in the eye when he glared at her.

"Psalm, there is still much I don't know; about how you're here, how our other siblings are here, and now, how you and Discord know each other." Skyfall saw the unsure look Discord gave his sister. "And seemingly well enough to send each other wordless signals."

Psalm sat and held up her hooves to calm her brother. "Stop reading us, Sky. I promise, when I can, you'll get all the answers you want, I just ask that you trust me a little longer." 

After much hesitation, Sky realized that it could be, and likely was, a trap, but if he was wrong then he was alienating his last friendly sibling. "Fine."

Discord let out an explosive breath and whipped his brow before summoning a bucket to catch the enormous droplet of water. "And here I thought that I-"

"I am listening to my sister, I still do not trust you, you clown without an audience." Skyfall growled out in an attempt to insult Discord.

"That was too far, Skyfall!" Psalm's voice shook the house and her eyes oscillated between blue and orange light. "Discord is the reason that Unfaithful and the others haven't disposed of me."

Skyfall winced and relented his anger. He glanced up at Discord and let the issue drop momentarily. The three Spirits fell into silence, each wanting to say something, but not wanting to start an argument.

Discord broke the thickening silence. "We brought you here to warn you about Fury's move against Ponyville." 

"Fury's going to move on Ponyville?" Skyfall asked in astonishment.

"Yes, my lord." Owlowiscious cooed from the perch behind Discord. He flew unevenly to the bed post and landed roughly, wings smacking onto the mattress to gain footing enough to stand.

"Easy, Owlowiscious." Skyfall put his hoof on his wing and tried to ease his apparent pain through small levels of his magic. "Who attacked you? Without taking a deeper look, I can tell you have minor fractures in your wing and rib cage, as well as a severe burn."

Skyfall undid some of the bandaging and saw a deep bruise with arcing burn marks down his wing. 

"My Lord, I overheard some information from Captain Fury as he spoke with a cloaked stallion in Twilight’s castle. When I took off to come and warn you, I dodged a wild bolt of magic before a bolt of lightning knocked me out and into the forest." Owlowiscious cringed as he stretched his wing. "I was there for three days until a fox passing by found me, I would have gotten here yesterday, but he kept insisting on taking the scenic route before giggling like an imbecile."

Skyfall shook his head. "That fox, I swear." He face palmed as he sat. "I suppose we should get to it. What did you hear? I imagine it is of some consequence if someone tried to kill you for the possibility of me finding out."

Owlowiscious tucked his wings in an took a few deep, silent breaths, something Skyfall had seen Twilight do before talking to Princess Celestia. "Where to start?" He hummed to himself and began. "As I woke up from my nap on the root chandelier of Twilight's map room, I overheard two stallions having an argument. I knew Captain Fury, but the other one was cloaked the entire time. They bickered back and forth about you, my Lord."

"I started listening closer and heard mention of cannon fodder, something I know to be used as a military slang for expendable soldiers in war. Soon after that, I looked down and saw movement charts." Owlowiscious paused and looked Skyfall in the eye. "They plan on attacking Ponyville with a force three times that of the Ponyville guard, and they'll look like they're from Farhaven."

"How?"

"I didn't hear much of that part, but I heard reference to coming in under the guise of a friendly force before attacking. They plan on leaving some dead with Farhaven banners to frame you." Owlowiscious said. "One of that last parts I heard was that no one would be left alive and it would rally other nations against you."

Skyfall placed a hoof on before the owl. "Thank you for bringing this to me, had you not brought this to my attention, then I would not be able to help the outcome."

"One more thing, my Lord."

"Yes?"

"Fury made reference to Princess Celestia, he said she would be leading the counterattack against the fake force."

The implication of the statement was not lost as each being in the room, even Discord and Skyfall traded glances. The room shimmered in color, prompting a snap from Discord's paw. "Fluttershy is returning to the room."

With much effort, Skyfall climbed into bed and sat up. "Owlowiscious, did you happen to catch a time frame for the attack?"

Owlowiscious closed his eyes and shook his head. "From what I was able to read on the chart, it will happen after the sealing of the spear. I don't know the significance of that." 

"Owlowiscious." Skyfall placed his hooves in his lap and stared at him solemnly. "I need you and the other animals from Ponyville to start getting ready, the time will come for Ponyville to be evacuated. When that happens, I need all of you on alert; from the smallest bee to even the wyverns. Please tell Sif this message as well."

The room shimmered but more vividly, creating a sense of urgency. 

"What should I tell them, my Lord?"

"Get together and be ready to receive instructions, until then, gather information for weekly reports." Skyfall said much quieter as he prepared for Fluttershy to enter the room. "Now go."

As Owlowiscious bowed, Psalm kissed her brother's cheek. "Thank you for trusting me."

Skyfall placed his hoof on Psalm's head and smiled. "One of these days, I would like us to spend time together."

"We will." Psalm giggled as she, and the rest of Discord's realm, shimmered, becoming Fluttershy's house. 

"I see you're awake." 

Skyfall looked to his other side to see the bedroom door wide open with a small wolf standing in the doorway. "You're not Fluttershy?"

Dr. Wolf chuckled. "I suppose you're right." His paws thumbed quietly as he made his way to a chair that he seemed familiar with, judging by his backward leap into it. "Why is it I always see you after you've been out for a few days?"

Skyfall scoffed. "That's totally not true, what about the time you came by and I was on the inner tube behind my house?"

"Touche." Dr. Wolf offered as he reached between the seat of the chair to retrieve his clipboard. He paused and looked at Skyfall's questioning look. "It's not magic or any source of what Pinkie Pie has at her disposal, I just merely placed it here while waiting for you to return from your trip."

Skyfall went to retort, but Fluttershy walked in with a tray in her mouth. When the tray of food and tea was set on the bed, Fluttershy flew up and brought Skyfall into a hug.

"Are you okay?"

Skyfall placed a hoof on her shoulder, she had been very timid and never got this close unless Skyfall brought her in. For her to ignore her inner terror for intimate contact, she must have been extremely worried. "I'm fine, Fluttershy, I was just tired."

"I came home and all I saw was you on the floor, I flew to Ponyville when you wouldn't wake up and the doctors rushed over. They said it was like you haven't slept in over a week." Fluttershy pulled away and tried to scowl at Skyfall. "Is that true?"

Silently, mouthing the word 'No.' He couldn't tell her the truth that he had to live a double life, no matter how bad he wanted to. It would be easier to come out and admit everything. 'Fluttershy, the truth is, I'm Shattered Skies, Honey Bee is my ex-wife, and Cadance is really my daughter. There are four evil Spirits that want to kill me, but they're really my siblings. I secretly run a nation a stone's throw from your house and to top it all off you all might be in mortal danger from what is possibly the most powerful being on the planet at this present moment. If you're still interested in me, then you may need a CAT scan.’

With a long sigh, Skyfall shook the monologue from his thoughts and swallowed his worries. "I hadn't slept in only two days, Fluttershy, I got behind on my work and wanted to see you before catching up on sleep. I must have dozed off while waiting for you." Lying never felt good, but, contrary to popular moral standings and fairy tales of lies taking form, they served a valuable purpose; peace of mind, if only for a short while. "I'm sorry I scared you."

Fluttershy sniffed and nuzzled Skyfall. "Forgiven. Now, eat up." She pulled the tray over and stuffed a slice of pumpkin pie into Skyfall's maw. "You need sugar."

With a gasping exclamation, Fluttershy looked over the tray. "That's right, I ran out of whipped cream!"

"It's okay, Fluttershy." Skyfall smiled.

"No, I have to go get some!" Fluttershy flew up and grabbed a scarf before kissing Skyfall's cheek. "I'll be back soon!"

Without another word, Fluttershy bolted out of the window and into the sky.

"She adores you, you know." Dr. Wolf said matter of factly. "Although, you're a different story."

"How so?" Skyfall asked as he mixed the tea from the tray.

"It doesn't take a doctorate and years of clinical observation of creatures to see when someone is holding on to secrets." Dr. Wolf flipped the pages of his clipboard and sighed, pushing his glasses further up his face. "Especially large secrets concerning your presence in certain places inside the Everfree forest."

A cold chuckle escaped Skyfall. "And thus, the first real chess piece moves." He laid the small mixing spoon down and sipped his tea. "Cryptic sayings aside, you've known since the Canterlot museum raid, haven't you?"

The Wolf smiled. "Can't say that I didn't, I just put the pieces together and read what Fluttershy wrote to me."

"Fluttershy wrote to you about me?" Skyfall asked.

Dr. Wolf simply nodded before continuing. "If I might ask, many Spirits are afraid of being revealed. Why take the chance of that happening to help Shattered Skies?"

Skyfall hung his head and rubbed his face, glad he didn't transform, having mistaken the meaning of Dr. Wolf's statement. "Do you remember what we discussed when last we met?"

"About the civil unrest and supposed powder keg of politics right now, yes?"

"That's why. I see this to be the only viable route to fixing everything." Sky sneezed into his hoof and shook the pressure from his head. "I've seen all of this before."

"But it's so extreme. What about Fluttershy?" Dr. Wolf tried to call to Skyfall's sense of importance. "You know if she finds this out she'll be torn between you and her friends."

Skyfall winced. "Sadly, I know."

"So you planned this?"

"No!" Skyfall barked. "In all honestly, I wanted to-"

Dr. Wolf squinted at Skyfall's pause. "What?"

"You're still under that oath where you can't tell anyone stuff, right?"

A skeptical look shot Skyfall’s way as Dr. Wolf  removed his glasses to rub his eyes, he took a moment and held his face with his paws, glasses still held. "Unfortunately." Dr. Wolf rolled his eyes. "If that didn't exist, it would save me a great many headaches."

"Now, what were you going to say, my friend?"

Skyfall sighed. "I made an error in judgement and now my precarious situation has been complicated ten fold."

"So, you were avoiding Fluttershy?"

"I take it she wrote that to you as well?" 

They both smirked in silence, the oath that Dr. Wolf took to never divulge the subject of his client's confessions was not limited to facial gestures. In short, Fluttershy confessed her belief that Skyfall was avoiding her in one of their sessions.

"So why were you avoiding her?"

"To protect her, and me." Skyfall admitted. "As I'm sure you've come to guess, relationships between... you know." He gestured with his hoof for Wolf to get the point he was trying to make. "We aren't the type to be readily accepted and due to the conflict that is rising, I didn't want to see her hurt."

"What will you do when the time comes for her to know?" Dr. Wolf asked.

"If I had it my way, she never will." Skyfall leaned back onto the backboard. "She deserves to know, but I know she'll tell her friends and there is a chance that it could ruin my plans. In reality, she deserves better."

"Are your plans more important than Fluttershy's love for you?" Dr. Wolf asked. "What matters the most to you? Truthfully."

Skyfall saw the slightly disappointed look on Wolf's face, he likely suspected that Skyfall was being selfish. "Dr. Wolf, there is one mare that I love more than Fluttershy and in truth, I'm doing all of this for her."

"So you are stringing Fluttershy along?"

"Please, let me finish." Skyfall held up a hoof. It was apparent that Dr. Wolf disapproved of the implication. "To avoid misinterpretation of what I'm going to say, I'll be plain. Doctor Wolf, I have a daughter and not the world, nor the threat of death will keep me from putting her first. I do feel deeply for Fluttershy, but my child will always be my center, do you understand?"

Dr. Wolf's stern, analytical glare softened into a smile. "Completely. Had you answered in any other way, I would have thought a little less of you."

"Well, I'm glad something has come out clearly." Skyfall chuckled before Fluttershy flew through the window with a can of whipped cream.

"I'm back!"

Dr. Wolf and Skyfall started to laugh, much to the confusion of Fluttershy. "What'd I miss?"





Later That Day





Hesitation floated through Skyfall as he entered his house quietly. Honey would be understanding of his late arrival, but Cadance would use him like a washboard for becoming ill. Fluttershy told him of her concern while he was resting, had the doctors not ordered him to stay still, she was going to teleport him home.

"There you are." Sif cooed as her enormous paw reached into the hall as he passed to scoop him up and drag him onto the basement’s top step. "I see you made it home in one piece."

Skyfall chuckled as Sif sauntered down the steps before him, her large wolf body brushing the walls as she negotiated her walk to the large pile of hay. "I see you've taken my time out to worry."

Low cackling echoed from Sif as she circled around the hay, like most canines do before they lie down. "Once I heard you were just sleeping and at Fluttershy's, I knew you would be okay." She wriggled her brow. "I take it that Pegasus has you rejuvenated?"

"And people say I'm the pervert." Skyfall jibbed. "I woke up earlier today, but I wanted to spend some time with Fluttershy before coming back to handle more governmental hoo-hah."

"Hoo-haa?"

"Sophisticated technical term." Sky smirked. "Now, have you seen Cadance? How did her transformation go?"

Sif fought to suppress a chuckle. "Oh yeah, you could say that it was pretty eye opening."

"Don't do that to me, you know I hate surprises." Skyfall pleaded. 

"It's fine, Sky." Sif shook her head. "She has grown into her form and looks more like you than Crystal, I think you'll be happy to see that she kept the attributes from when she was a filly."

Three knocks thumped on the basement door. "Ah, speaking of the new Spirit Princess."

"Dad?"

Skyfall smiled when Cadance's voice called into the basement. "Down here, sweetie, I just got home."

Cadance walked down the stairs slowly and shakily. Her regalia was no longer a common thing with her, she wore her mane differently and covered her left eye with part of her locks. Without a word she strode up and hugged her father. 

"I'm okay, Cadance."

"Mom told me you used to do this alot."

"She probably means me getting in over my head with work." Sky smiled at Cadance. "I like what you've done with your mane."

"Oh that's not all." Cadance smiled and squeezed her eyes shut. A faint glow floated over her as her pink fur turned brown and a set of smooth antlers flowed back into what looked like a crown. Her wings separated and became transparent before forming to her body in a thing black design upon her coat.

"Wow."

Anara smiled at her dad. "Mom says I look more like you."

"You do." Sif mumbled playfully.

Sky shrugged. "I must admit, even I have to agree with that. Should someone see you like that, it will be near impossible to deny that you're my daughter."

Anara giggled and leaned against her father's chest.

"Are you okay, hunny?" 

"Y-Yeah, I just want to sit like this for a bit." Anara mumbled as she sat against her father for the first time in the form she was born with. Thoughts crashed over her of wanting a family and to know who she really was and the realization that she had finally achieved her lifelong goal.

"Uh-oh." Sif mumbled shortly before frantic knocks came from the front door. "You have a very eager, pint-sized audience waiting for you, Skyfall."

Skyfall groaned. "Today is Friday, isn't it?"

"Nope." Anara said as she straightened up and sauntered over to Sif. "But they did ask if they could stop by on Monday and you agreed."

"You two are going to leave me to the vicious mob?"

Sif and Anara looked at each other briefly and held a silent conversation filled with grunts and shrugs before coming back with a unanimous, "Yessir!"

Skyfall turned indignantly and walked out of the basement and into the foyer, making sure to seal the basement so no foal would accidentally stray down there.

With a sudden pull, the front door opened and a pile of foals toppled into the doorway while Cheerlilee rubbed the bridge of her nose in annoyance. 

"I see you're all eager to get in."

"Hi, Mr. Skyfall!"

"How are you all doing?"

"Well." The class said in unison and with proper grammar.

"Well, are you?" Skyfall asked in surprise. "Well, we're going to have to fix that after I impose more taxes upon you."

All the foal's groans turned to giggles after Skyfall removed himself from the doorway, allowing them to trot to the classroom. Cheerilee stopped and let the foal leave their sight so they could talk without prying ears.

"You know the Mayor has been trying to reach you?" Cheerilee asked. "It sounded really important."

"Honestly, no." Skyfall shook his head. "I've been so piled up with work and the fifty new guards Fury sent, I haven't really had time to do much else outside of that. Did she tell you what it was about?"

"Something about a job." Cheerilee said before taking a thick, thrice sealed scroll out of her saddle, giving it to him. "She mumbled something about 'this should take care of everything.'"

"Cryptic." Skyfall grabbed the scroll and stuffed it under his wing. "You’re taking off?"

"Yeah, I'm going to grab a bite to eat and maybe go see the Princess." Cheerilee said. "The school board is giving me cease and desist orders regarding your teaching, mostly being pushed by Filthy Rich. They say your 'ambiguous, mysterious' background and military affiliation could ruin the minds of young foals. Then, when I pressed for clarification, the representative made reference to you being a horrible role model because you're living in a house with five mares, one of whom is married and the other being your ex-wife."

"Well, at least they didn't insult my cooking." Skyfall said, surprised at the backlash.

Cheerilee shook her head. "They also don't like that you teach uncensored truth, both politically and historically." She smiled as she turned to leave. "I on the other hoof, think you're a wonderful teacher, I actually wish you had more time to teach, even I have learned some things."

A loud thumping was heard upstairs, prompting Skyfall to fly up and towards the classroom.

"It wasn't me!" Came Scootaloo's voice.

"What wasn't you?" Skyfall entered the room to see all of their maps sprawled on the floor. Upon a closer examination, he could see that Scootaloo's inability to control her flying sent the box toppling off the top of the high cabinet. "Well, that's one way of getting them down."

River strode in the room behind Skyfall after hearing the same thumping and likely surmised the same thing about Scootaloo.

"Skyfall."

"River?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Of course you do. Back five minutes and I’m swamped with meetings" Skyfall said. "Everyone, get your maps and start prepping." He looked at River with confusion as he shut the double doors to the room to have a hushed conversation. "What's this about?"

River smacked Skyfall on the head. 

"What was that for!" Skyfall tried to yell in a whisper.

"I've told you before about that filly's flying, why haven't you helped her?"

Skyfall rolled his eyes. "One, she hasn't come back to see me about it, and two, I can't solve everyone's problems, River. We've been here for forty thousand years, and even with all that time, it's still impossible to be in places at once."

River held up a hoof which was smacked down by Skyfall. 

"Two places at once, without magic." Skyfall grumbled. He stared on at River's angry look and lamented. "Listen, I know you have a soft spot for the filly, if you want me to help her, I will try, but you have to cover my class. Deal?"

"Teach foals? Ha-Deal!"

Skyfall grabbed the door handle and turned to River. "You have to start a new civilization and compete against them to help them learn actual skills." 

"Easy enough."

"Ha, yeah okay." Skyfall said as he entered the room to his eager class. "Change of plans guys, River will be your taskmaster for today."

"Where are you going?" Apple Bloom asked.

"With Scootaloo." Skyfall pointed at a surprised Scootaloo.

"Me?"

"Yep, is that an issue?" Skyfall asked.

"What will it be about?"

Skyfall motioned Scootaloo to come closer and when she did he lowered his head so that only she could hear him. "It's about your flying."

With extreme reluctance, Scootaloo nodded and walked past Skyfall with her head slightly hung. Her lack of confidante radiated from her sad expression.

River nodded at Skyfall, prompting him to leave the class and catch up with Scootaloo.

"Hey, Scootaloo?"

"Yes, Mr. Skyfall?"

"Let me see you in my study, I think there are some things we need to discuss before we get to the lesson." Skyfall said as he strode passed her.

The short walk was a silent one and things didn't improve when they arrived at his desk. Scootaloo refused to look Skyfall in the eye until he tapped his hoof on the desk. 

"Listen, Scootaloo, I think this will be easier if I just tell you what I've surmised so far." Skyfall said calmly. "Just nod your head if I'm right so we can continue, okay?"

Scootaloo nodded.

"We've addressed it before, but on one of the first times I met you, I noticed a scar under your wing, those are surgical scars, aren't they?"

Scootaloo bobbed her head.

"From injuries cause by your father?"

Once more, Scootaloo nodded.

"Did he cripple you out of anger?"

Scootaloo shook her head. "It was an accident. He was fixing something and fell off a ladder I was playing under."

"But the home life isn't filled with love. It's filled with drunken bitterness over your mother's death?"

Scootaloo didn't nod, but the silence may as well have been an affirmation.

Skyfall sighed in restrained agitation. "And you probably hear it all day long from ponies claiming that they would love to help if they could. About how sorry they are they can't fix your condition and about how strong you are to live through stuff like that."

Scootaloo's looked up to Skyfall's stoic face.

"And the entire time, you're just sitting quietly, grinding an axe at your father and silently wishing people would shut up because they don't know. You don't care for their tear jerking words or their beliefs that you're an orphan because you'd rather sleep outside then in a house with a condescending, labor-driving, creep?"

A final nod was all Skyfall needed. 

"Well, you won't hear sorry from me, other than me explaining this to you." Skyfall shrugged. "I've long since grown tired of stories where the orphan is rescued and the parents reform themselves. And you certainly won't hear a word to the contrary regarding your father, grind that axe as long as you want, hold a grudge, kill him in your thoughts, seek revenge, I won't stop you."

Scootaloo shook her head from her memories of wishing to be old enough to move out. "Aren't you supposed to tell me to forgive him?"

"Why? Out of some misplaced sense of narcissism? About how you should forgive someone for yourself because if you don't, you're giving them the power?" Skyfall chuckled. "That idiocy?" 

"Y-Yeah?"

Skyfall removed himself from his chair and moved so that when he knelt, he was at eye level with Scootaloo. "I learned a long time ago that not everyone deserves forgiveness, sometimes it is the better option to say 'not forgiven.' Disregard what peace obsessed ponies tell you to do and make your own decisions." He pointed a hoof to her chest. "Making your own decisions is one of the only real ways to learn."

"Is this wrong?" Scootaloo whimpered as her tail wrapped around her body.

"Is it wrong to hate?" Skyfall asked. "I can only tell you what I feel about hate for me, not for you. Skyfall hating something and Scootaloo hating something are drastically different. You have to learn if that's what you really want to do." He stood and patted Scootaloo's head. "In life, sometimes it's better to live without."

Scootaloo nodded in agreement. "So what next?"

Skyfall turned his head to look at her wings. "Easy, you're going to teach yourself to fly with my guidance. Then this tired issue of ponies giving you sympathy will be a thing of the past. Deal?"

She blinked, mind skipping a beat from his words, but didn't try to speak until Skyfall placed his hoof over her mouth. "I'm well aware that many ponies have tried to help you and that the hospital told you some bad news, but there are very few problems I can't take on. Meet me out back, I just have to put a letter away."

Without another word from Scootaloo, she galloped out of Sky's office and to the backyard.

"That was sweet." Honey said as she entered Sky's study. "Just to give you a heads up, Sunset Shimmer and company are here to speak with you." At his silence, Honey coughed. "Um, Sky are you okay?"

"You have to be kidding me!" Skyfall barked as the scroll Cheerilee had was opened and being read. His face was molded into a scowl from the information that laid within.

"What?"

"Mayor Mare just declared Ponyville in a state of Martial Law and left for Winneapolis."

He sat on his haunches and rested his fetlock over his eyes. “What is my life?”


> Chapter 38 -Preparations-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Preparations-



"You look cheerful." Twilight said as Skyfall descended his large stairwell, chuckling between whispers, obviously speaking to himself. She looked to her friends and waved at Skyfall to get his attention. "Sky, we're here to speak with you about something."

"As I guessed from everyone's sudden appearance at my home." Skyfall called, examining his guests. He stopped once he arrived at the foot of his stairwell briefly. "If you could, I am a bit busy today-" He noticed Sunset puff up with anger, but he put up a placating hoof. "-which means that there are some things I must attend to before I can talk to you about Sunset's mirror dimension. Rest assured that I will speak with you about it at length before you all leave. Until then, you have free reign of the house with the exclusion of my office and the kitchen drawer closest to the fridge."

Satisfied smiles graced the ponies in the room at Skyfall's change in demeanor.

"Now if you will excuse me, there is someone I need to speak with." Sky mumbled as he took a hallway just left of the stairs and through a small archway where Inko was resting, reading a hunting magazine. "Enjoying yourself, Inko?"

"More or less." Innocence groaned.

Skyfall huffed as he pushed through the extremely heavy back door before fighting with the swinging screen door Cadance insisted on installing. "I know you don't like our intrusive company, but it helps to at least try and be nice."

As Sky exited the house, he saw Scootaloo eavesdropping on an intense scene. She was crouched at the woodline so that she would not be seen, but far enough so she wouldn't be attacked.

"So the day has come to slay the vile beast! The devil's brethren!" The warrior roared as he bore his sword and shield against his foes. "Unleash thee!"

The monsters rushed toward the armor clad hero before colliding with his shield, shaking his body to the core and sending each leg into scalding pain from the pressure. He threw one snarling cur back and slashed downward, but to no avail. He stepped away, his heart beating while all the time being watched by poor little Scootaloo.

"Oh you sour beast!" He rushed the monster's line and swung wildly after jumping into the group of glowing eyed cretins. "You... swine of the darkness!" 

Two of the creatures bite each leg and dragged him to his knees while another stripped him of his shield with a mighty swipe before taking favor to his shoulder, biting down, weakening his fighting spirit.

"I've long awaited this blood orgy!" He roared as he fought with the last of his strength. He glared at his foes and fell. "Ah! Fool!"

Skyfall raised an eyebrow at the young warrior's actions, but Scootaloo just awe'd, she couldn't hear what he did, all she heard was the mewling of kittens, staring on as a kitten covered in leaves pounced around before his siblings tackled him.

"I see you found the kittens that live behind my house." Skyfall whispered, scaring Scootaloo.

Scootaloo held a hoof to her chest and took a deep breath. "I didn't hear you."

"Are you ready?"

"I think?" Scootaloo said. "But I don't know what to do."

Sky nodded. "Show me what you've tried."

In place of any words, Scootaloo crouched down and leapt into the air before flapping her wings as hard as she possibly could. She flapped her wings so that they spent more time on the downdraft then in full movement to compensate for their weakness. Unfortunately, she was too large for it to work. He examined the movement closer and it was now clear that while they may have been on the small side, that wasn't her main issue. Her main issue was the lack of muscle in the wing.

When her hooves touched the ground, her wings petered out and laid at her sides while she panted.

"I notice you don't flap like a regular Pegasus, why is that?"

"It doesn't give me enough lift." Scootaloo said plainly.

"And let me guess, that method of flapping used to work, but the older you get, the worse it gets?" Skyfall knelt down and examined her wings closer, lifting and stretching them to confirm his thoughts.

"That's right!" Scootaloo lite up. "Can you help?"

Skyfall tisked. "Flying like that, you will never get more than a few feet off the ground. And with the size of your wings, you'd be faster walking."

"B-But-"

"Flying like that will get you no where." Skyfall rubbed his eyes. "Who taught you?"

"R-Rainbow Dash."

Skyfall deadpanned. "She- One moment."

Like a bull in a china shop, Skyfall turned and entered his house. He looked in the large gathering room where Rarity sipped tea, her expression soured upon seeing him, clearly upset at being back-seated at the Gala. He stopped and heard Rainbow in the kitchen with Applejack and Fluttershy.

"-I know that's what you said and I can respect that, Applejack, but if it isn't official then I have to at least try. I don't mean to muscle in on you, Fluttershy, but you aren't official, right?"

Skyfall could surmise what they were speaking about, but tact was not in the agenda today. "Rainbow!"

"Ah, Skyfall." Rainbow stammered.

"Oh hey, Sky." Applejack coughed. "Didn't know you were there."

"No time, Rainbow, back yard. Now." Skyfall said curtly as he turned, but not before giving a conflicted look to Fluttershy. Not an angry look, but one that spoke volumes at a glance. He could piece together the topic of their conversation, but Fluttershy's lack of eye contact bothered him. She knew that in the presence of their friends, things must remain a secret. However, eye contact, or in this case a lack there of, felt like a sign.

Before long, Skyfall sat outside, tapping his hoof impatiently.

"What's up?" Rainbow Dash said as she flew to Sky and Scootaloo. "Hey, kiddo, I didn't know you were here."

"Scootaloo told me that you've tried to teach her flying and stunt working." Skyfall rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Since you're more familiar with her flying than I am and you're a professional flyer, could you to help her with a flying regimen?"

Rainbow's mood of restrained speech melted. "We've tried for years. I'm pretty sure Scootaloo has mentioned that little factoid."

"She hasn't, but it's something I can surmise on my own." Skyfall said. 

Rainbow leaned in so Scootaloo couldn't hear. "What are you trying to do to her? I know that you aren't dumb, but you can be cruel. You better not be trying to use her to anger me, because so help me I'll-"

Skyfall planted a hoof in Rainbow's chest and put enough pressure into his massive shoe to force her to her haunches. "Down, Rainbow. This is to help Scootaloo, nothing more."

"Nothing more?" Rainbow asked with a pointed glare.

"She sought out my help. I have trouble flying as I'm sure you and the rest of Ponyville guessed from day one." Skyfall's monotonous voice struck a cord with Rainbow, causing her to roll her eyes in annoyance.

"Stay or go, your choice." Skyfall turned to Scootaloo and waited for a response from Rainbow.

"If it's for Scootaloo, then I'm going to stay."

"You will?!" Scootaloo bellowed as she buzzed her wings, sending her into a hover.

"Of course, Scooter." Rainbow smiled.

"What are we going to do first?" Scootaloo asked. "Run?"

"Do you want to?" Rainbow asked.

Skyfall raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you learn how to use your wings first?"

Rainbow rolled her eyes again. "Every good flyer knows that the first things every Pegasus should do before conducting any extended wing training is go for a light job to get the blood flowing to the deeper veins in the wings."

"Huh." Skyfall said. "I didn't know that. I always figured learning technique first was better."

"Probably all that secret agent stuff you have going on." Rainbow jabbed at Skyfall's anonymity regarding his life. "Want to come?"

"I run in the morning, should you two find yourselves here around six, then yes, but as for now, you two go on ahead and I'll see you when you return." Skyfall glanced to the house and sighed. "I have some business I should catch up on."

"We'll go for a run, if we can't find you when we return, we'll just train without you." Rainbow stated emotionlessly, showing her seriousness. "I'll fill you in, whenever."

"Okay." Sky nodded as he leaned in to Rainbow, putting his head next to hears to whisper in her ear. "Pay particular attention to her wing rotations, make sure she does that."

She fought a giggle at his voice's vibration. "Why?"

"Because." Skyfall said. "What I want her to learn in the future needs the maneuvering muscles to be worked up. Her downward wing muscles are too weak, however her rotation muscles are perfect."

Rainbow huffed and turned her head to Skyfall, remaining mere inches away from his face. "No, I know a thing or two about Equestrian flying as well as thestral tactics and that will end up being useless."

"How long have you trained her?"

"Huh?" Rainbow cocked her head. 

"You've trained her for a few years, right?"

"Well, yeah. Ever since I got a job working for the weather factory."

"Then try this my way." Skyfall gave a genuine smile as he passed and spoke loud enough for Scootaloo to hear. "Start looking at flying in a different way."

Rainbow chuckled and trotted past Scootaloo. "Come on, Scooter, ready to step up?"

"Yeah!" Scootaloo shouted as she broke out into a gallop followed closely by Rainbow.

"Step up?" Skyfall asked no one. "Odd turn of phrase."

For a moment, Skyfall watched as Rainbow and her running companion fell into the distance. He quietly stood and his mind wondered to the ponies of ponyville whose lives were fleeting. He bit his lip; was it better to help one pony or give more time to doing something to help all?

"I think she's afraid that she isn't good enough for Scootaloo." A voice spoke from the open door in front of Skyfall, dragging his attention away."

"Sunset Shimmer?" Skyfall smirked.

"Hey." Sunset smiled. "Just thought I'd come say hi, that's when you stopped in front of the door."

"She's lying. She's been staring at you since you exited with Rainbow." Inko said from beneath the mountain of pillows on the other side of the room, startling Sunset.

"Thanks Inko." Skyfall chuckled.

Sunset coughed quietly, trying to suppress a boisterous smile.

"So, now that you're caught red hoofed, what is it you're so eager to talk about?" Skyfall avoided the awkward situation for Sunset's benefit. "If you're seeking me out independent of the others, it's because you have something private to discuss."

"Kind of." Sunset mumbled as she winced.

Skyfall nodded. "Then let us head to the waterfall near the lake, we won't have eavesdroppers there."

Sunset stepped off to follow Skyfall after he turned from her, neither of them saw the devious look Sif gave Inko as she entered the room.

"Waterfall?"

"Waterfall."

Both Inko and Sif tore out of the room to exit the front door and gallop around the side, giggling at their antics. They flanked Skyfall and began to crouch so they wouldn't be seen.

"Okay, this is good enough." Eagerness flowed over Sunset, causing her to trot in front of Skyfall halfway to the waterfall, throwing him off guard. She stared at him and got uncomfortably close. 

"O-Okay." Skyfall said, making his confusion clear. "Any reason you're like an inch from my face?"

Sunset opened her eyes wider, having not realized she was invading personal space and backed away far enough so they could talk and not have to flinch from one another's breath. "Sorry." She paused and organized her thoughts. "I wanted to talk to you alone."

Skyfall looked over his shoulder and back to Sunset and chuckled. "Yes, that's why we walked from the house to here."

"Shh." Sunset smacked Skyfall's shoulder. "I wanted to talk with you about coming to my world."

"I thought we decided that."

Sunset sighed. "Alone. Only with me."

Skyfall deadpanned. 

"I know it sounds a little weird."

"Bit more than a little." Skyfall said. It was clear to him that this wasn't a talk warning him about how different her world is and sat against a nearby tree, its enormous trunk and tall roots hide them from prying eyes. "I thought you had decided among yourselves that You, me, Twilight, and Fury were going with two more possible team members coming."

"I know." Sunset sighed as she too had a seat under the multistory tree. "But with the rising tensions between Equestria and Shattered Skies, Fury thinks that putting so many big pieces of the game board into one move is too much."

"Does he still think we're going to your world to look for a way to undo Shattered Skies?"

Sunset looked to her side and met Skyfall's accusing gaze.

"Or are you still keeping your hunt for the trapped Spirits on the down low?"

"Am I that transparent?" Sunset asked as she rested her forehead on her hoof.

"No, you just seem dedicated in your dogged pursuit of finding something to bring Shattered Skies in." Skyfall said. "Between you and Twilight, you like to physically try things where as Twilight works from the theoretical."

"Well, I do like to roll my sleeves up and get my hooves dirty." Sunset shrugged. "I'm dedicated to finding solutions to problems, even if they aren't my own.

"I can tell, if your persistent demands to talk to me are anything to go by." Sky chortled. "I saw you stampeding around the base to look for me. Had you waited patiently, I would have met with you more."

"So Desert was lying, you were in your office all those times I came to the guard barracks."

"Of course I was, but Desert knows the penalty for betraying her superior commander." Skyfall defended against Sunset's playful hoof strikes. "Hey, Sunset, I have a question about the mirror."

"Sure, what is it?"

"I remember reading from one of the letters the Princess sent me that the mirror has a time frame, what is it?"

Sunset tapped her head and remembered. "Once a month, it opens for three days. If we miss the time frame, we're stuck for almost a full month."

The mid-day sun hung high, casting shadows that danced all around them as they sat silently for a moment. Memories of what Owlicious said bubbled to the top in Skyfall's mind. Even he could see that he was backed into a corner strategically, should he accompany Sunset Shimmer like he was expected to, then that leaves the possibility that something would happen, preventing him from keeping Farhaven's names clear when Fury and his siblings attack, but on the other side, if he backs out, then it's too apparent that he knows something.

So the question is, should he go, or stay.

"Sunset, I'll go with you to your world, but we go, we must keep it a secret, even to the others." Skyfall said softly. "To clarify, we-"

"-Need to keep our departure a secret so we aren't followed." Sunset Shimmer said, winking at Skyfall. "I was going to bring that up too, it makes our chances of being followed very small."

"Good. Oh, before we go. There are a few things we need when we get on your side." Skyfall patted his body and sighed. "The list is in my study. Either way, we'll need some equipment and clothing, chances are it won't be that easy to find Spirits right out of the gate."

"I know someone that can help with some of it, but we'll need to go over so she can meet you." Sunset chuckled. "I think you'll find a few of our friends have some uncanny counterparts on the other side."

"Excellent." Skyfall smirked. "Now, let's go have this 'meeting' where you spring your human world on me."

Sunset widened her eyes, but chuckled when Skyfall winked back at her.

"Don't think you can come to my place without me knowing some of the reason you're here." Skyfall chuckled and silently thanked Akia for the intelligence regarding the mirror.

Sunset hurried up and closed the distance between the them as Sky walked back the house. As they rounded the bend in the path, Twilight and the others were standing by the back door.

"There you are!" Appejack called as she was the first to spot the two.

"Sorry!" Skyfall apologized loudly. "Sunset heard my waterfall and since I like it so much I wanted to show her."

"Nice save." Sunset whispered.

"Thank you." Sky chuckled.

"I take it you want to get to business?" Skyfall looked at Twilight as he passed. She raised an eye brow, sure he was about to run away from her. 

"I do, and it's kind of urgent."

"Then to my office." Skyfall boomed as he led the group inside and up into his study, avioding many of the piles of boxes that had the word classified written across the lid. One by one, they trickled in and as Applejack passed she chuckled. 

"By the way, Sky. The Clydes showed up last night with their ambassador, Maddie." 

"She's a firecracker isn't she?" Skyfall asked.

"Oh yeah, she certainly is a hoof full." Applejack smiled. 

"Ah-hem." Twilight coughed into her fetlock. Something was obviously on her mind as she moved to tap her hoof on the chair she sat in. "If you don't mind, there are some things that need to be addressed. Immediately."

Skyfall saw the scrolls under Twilight's wing and rolled his eyes. He moved through the room and sat at his desk, giving Pinkie Pie the daily crossword as he did so, much to her silent thanks. 

"Explain this." Twilight plopped down the first of her concerns in the form of a Foster Child request scroll. "This is disgusting."

Skyfall grabbed the scroll and read the information laid therein. Instantly he recognized Desert's hoofwriting. He glanced at the small pile of papers by the seething Princess before him and knew that if they came with this form, then it was the result of the internal investigation that he ordered on Scootaloo's father, Long Shift.

"It's a request for the removal of one Scootaloo from the Shift household." Skyfall turned the scroll in a flippant manner. "What about it?"

"How can you do this!" Twilight barked, slamming her hoof down. "You have no right to remove her from her father, you have no right to just dictate somepony's life."

Skyfall lit a candle and started to incinerate the letter, much to Twilight's irritation. "You're right Twilight, this letter is wrong. I see now that it was asking for the removal of a filly from her only father."

Twilight's breath caught in her throat. 

"If you would, please let me see the internal investigation packet you have and while you do that, you can read that letter from the mayor." Skyfall reached for the packet and pointed to a loosely rolled scroll on the nearby bookcase. "Yeah, the one with the three broke seals. It's next to the book, 'Leading From The Front.'"

Skyfall broke the confidentiality seal and began to read the report that began like most inquiry requests, just a great amount of ceremony and explaining who was present during the separate meetings and interviews. With three solid skims of the pages, Skyfall reached the back of Desert's evaluation and read her end of report summary.




Guard Unit: Ponyville Defense Garrison         Document status: (C)




Commanding Officer: Skyfall                                 Rank: Captain 
Officer requesting evaluation: Skyfall                    Rank: Captain
Officer conducting Evaluation: Desert                   Rank: Lieutenant 
Subject/s under investigation: Shift                        Rank: Guard



Reason/s for evaluation: Pattern of physical abuse accompanied with substance abuse. Multiple reports of adultery while on duty. Multiple reports of falsifying documents. Multiple reports of harassment. One count of impersonating a superior officer. One count of posing as a clergy member. One count of being absent without leave.




Sustained: Yes                                By whom: Skyfall                               Rank: Captain




Findings: I, Lieutenant Desert, conducted this investigation between the dates established in the narrative of this investigation. I find that Shift is guilty of all of the aforementioned accusations. I find that he is competent for duty, Upon authority of the evaluating Officer, I will drop all charges once monetary and labor compensation is fulfilled, withholding two; see below.

Should he fulfill rehabilitation courses and various community outreach programs for no less than one hundred and four consecutive weeks then he will be cleared of all charges. If at any time he fails to adhere to the final judgement passed by Captain Skyfall, he will serve the full time of two years in a military work camp and custody of one or all foals will be rested from him.

The other withheld charge and far more concerning issue is regarding the abuse of one, Scootaloo, daughter to Long Shift. I interviewed the foal and after some questioning, she stated that due to his abuse of substance, he is violent and holds her responsible for various acts she did not or could not perform. The filly is smart for her age and loves her father, but understands he father is sick. It is this Officer's belief that past trauma coupled with diverting blame and substance abuse is at fault here and see no reason to remove the child, pending Long Shift's compliance to the programs. Shift is ordered to appear before the company commander where he will be stripped of rank, punished, and have final judgement passed down upon him.



Additional notes: It should be noted that while in the process of interviewing the subject, Long Shift wasn't phased by the charges. upon mention of having his daughter placed into a foster home, he broke down crying and tried to bargain his way into keeping Scootaloo before being carried out by fellow guardsponies. It is obvious that he is very troubled and removing the filly could do irreversible damage.



Sighed: Lieutenant Desert.




"T-The mayor left?" Twilight asked in surprise. "And she left Ponyville in the administration of the guard."

Skyfall nodded slowly. "So when you say I have no right to remove scootaloo from a house she clearly doesn't want to belong to, nor do I have a right to just dictate someone's life. Keep in mind, as per this letter, I have the only right."

Fluttershy's face fell at Skyfall's mood, it was clear she did not approve. The others wore worried expressions when not twisted with disapproval.

"Well, I don't approve." Twilight retorted. 

"Martial law, I don't need the approval of anyone besides those above me in a military fashion." It hit him that his own personal experience with his father may be swaying his mood, so he sunk into his chair with a long, laborious exhale. "I'm sorry, Twilight. I've been stressed lately. I didn't mean for that to sound like I was about to commit a coup."

The packet holding the evaluation was slide across the desk to Twilight, she took it with her magic and started to read. After a few sucks of her teeth, Twilight placed the packet down and nodded, seemingly to understand Skyfall's position. 

Skyfall shrugged lazily. "I have to respect my lieutenant's results, I'll need to speak with Shift before passing final judgement. Until I do, nothing has been decided."

Twilight sighed after having read the same page Sky had moments before. "If this is all true, then I agree."

She rubbed her eyes and blinked to moisten them, having read the scroll multiple times in disbelief. "I have a suspicion that you knew about this long before you did anything, which brings the question to mind; what else do you know that you aren't saying?"

"I think we should tell him about the Crystal Empire, dear." Rarity cut in, trying to move their discussion along.

"Good point." Twilight grumbled as she glanced back to Rarity and then to Skyfall. "Where is Cadance, we need to speak with her."

"I haven't seen her today, I think she might have taken a day trip to Canterlot." Skyfall said, knowing full well Cadance was in Farhaven, learning stuff from Raven and living among the denizens of the melting pot. Heshrugged at Twilight's skeptical glare. "I've allowed her to stay here, Twilight, I don't leash the poor mare and demand an itinerary."

"Mhm."

"What is wrong, Twilight?" Skyfall asked, knowing he may have just opened the can of worms.

"I think it is better if we stick to business, Skyfall." Rarity said as she teleported to Twilight's side, putting a hoof on her shoulder for reassurance. "You and Twilight know that talk will result in an argument."

'Because you ponies pry too much.' Skyfall thought. "I do. If Twilight has concerns about supposed infidelity, then she may seek her answers, but do so knowing that I've spoken to Shining Armor and trust me when I say that he has nothing to worry about."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight's upset mood grew, not from any side effect from Fury's presence in Ponyville, but from genuine concern.

"And there it is." Skyfall squinted, putting Twilight off kilter for a moment. "You're angry because people are talking about my living situation with your sister-in-law."

'Which technically means you're my niece.' Skyfall shook his head at the thought, further enraging Twilight.

"I'm glad you think it's funny." Twilight mumbled.

"I don't think it's funny, Twilight." Skyfall cut in. "You Equestrian ponies are too nosy. Your brother and sister-in-law were... are having marital problems. After talking with Shining Armor for the first time, I could see why, it wasn't from hate or mistrust, nor was it from some cataclysmic event that forced them apart, he is worried that she will leave him and that is driving him to make brash decisions."

"Well, staying with a random-"

Skyfall slammed his hoof onto his desk with little effort on his behalf. The boom made everyone jump in place at the sudden volume. "I'm talking, you're not." He had to admit that his delivery on getting her to quiet down was a bit harsh, but she likely would not have listened otherwise. "I have done nothing but assure that stallion. I understand his position on the matter and can see his own worries. Cadance writes to him everyday, I know this because she writes the letters here, in my office, in the very same seat you're sitting in."

Twilight chewed the inside of her cheek in thought.

"I'm only providing a place for her to stay that's far from anything relating to him. Essentially, they're getting some time apart. Twilight, I'm much older than you, and infinitely more versed in matters of marriage." Skyfall paused and smirked. "On second thought, I'll do you one better. Oi, Honey!"

"What?!" The voice echoed through the house..

"Come'ere!" Skyfall rolled up a paper ball and pivoted in his chair.

"No! You c'mere."

"No!"

"Fight me!"

"I'll eat the rest of your cheesecake!" Skyfall shouted before speaking in a regular voice. "She has an obsession with cheesecake."

Sudden stomping echoed closer as doors were opened. Sky smiled and tossed the paper ball in the air just as the door swung opened in time to miss the ball, but in time enough to bounce off her horn. She squinted and picked it up in her emerald magic to launch it at him.

"Keep your paws off my cake."

"Nooo problem." Skyfall chuckled. "I like pumpkin pie more anyway." He gestured to Twilight. "Honey, can you please tell Twilight how marriage is."

"Why is she finally getting married?" Honey deadpanned to Twilight. "Are you getting married? That purple dragon, right?"

"No, Honey." Sky chuckled. "I wanted to-"

Honey Bee held up her hoof. "I was only playing, I can hear your voice clear across the house."

'I'm not that loud.' Skyfall pouted.

Twilight looked between Skyfall and Honey Bee, confused.

"You still don't understand why Cadance and Shining Armor are at odds. Having been married for a long time, Sky likely thought it best that I explain it since you all seem perturbed with him. I knew that before he even called for me, I could feel you anger from the other side of the house." Honey glanced at Skyfall and continued at his nod. "I take it you all have noticed that Cadance and Shining Armor haven't been all lovey dovey for the past year or so, right?"

Most of the ponies in the room nodded, except Sunset Shimmer who just stood by, looking on since she had no idea what was going on. All she knew is people in Ponyville took great issue with Cadance randomly moving in with a stallion who just moved in himself. Rumors of him being her lover and moving away so she could romp without the empire finding out.

"That's because that stage of love has passed." Honey informed and rolled her eyes before correcting herself. "That stage isn't really even love; it's more lust, infatuation, and novelty than anything." 

Honey watched the room's reaction at the implication that their pure Prince and Princess were a couple of lusty rabbits. "Point is, that 'love' dissipates and they're in the next stage of their relationship and Shiny isn't as good at this stage as he was in the first."

Skyfall caught the use of Shining Armor's shortened name, showing familiarity, something that did not add up for her. He slowly moved and wrote the nickname on a piece of paper to question he on later.

"They'll get through it, or they won't, but all signs are looking good." Honey smiled and turned to Sky, her smile dropped into a worried wince at his glare. Each pony in the room caught the exchange and looked between the two.

"That is all, Honey. Thank you." Skyfall forced a smile, defusing the situation for the others except Honey.

"I'll be in my room." Honey sighed and left to wait to speak with her ex-husband in private.

"Now, I think our diversion has worked long enough." Skyfall said. "Why was it you needed Cadance?"

Twilight ran her hoof through her mane, clearly flustered. "My brother sent me a letter this morning and said that the Crystal Heart's power was beginning to wain. A snowstorm has pounded on the barrier of the Empire since its return, but recently, it has tripled in strength. A cold front by Yakyakistan has come over and it putting pressure on the heart."

"So it's a heart attack?" Skyfall said, waiting for a laugh, but when only Pinkie and Sunset laughed, he held his hooves up. "Ha, see, it's funny."

"Not everything is a joke, Skyfall." Twilight grumbled.

"In the grand scheme of things, yes, it is." Skyfall thought back to all the countries that faced their end and how many times each one of them did, only to make it through, the Crystal Empire's shield faltering was such a minuscule issue compared to an invading army, or the aftermath of a natural disaster that it was laughable, although, there was no way that Twilight could know that. "Twilight, when you strip away all the mysticism behind that heart, it's a battery."

"But the heart has been the Crystal Empire's source of love for thousands of years." Twilight reasoned. "Their love amplifies its magic so it can shield the Empire."

"False, it's a conduit." Skyfall corrected, the maker of which having been in the room mere moments before. "The real shield is in the floor at the top of the central spire of the castle. The heart feeds power up the castle before being amplified and converted as it's distributed through the twelve crystal pillars. Then a field is blanketed over the area."

Twilight remembered back to Sombra's belief that Skyfall is from his time and was reasoned why he hating him so much. She called his theory a little far-fetched, but with Skyfall's knowledge of things that have been long lost, it wasn't so crazy of an idea.

"So what do you suppose we do?" Twilight asked. "Cadance is their Princess, they look up to her, their love for her fuels the heart."

"Sometimes conduits don't want to work anymore, Twilight." Skyfall said. "Have your brother pen a letter to the Queen of the Griffon Kingdoms. Most do not know, but she is an expert in barriers."

"Even magic barriers?"

"Her specialty is magical and alchemical barriers. The worst she would have to do is dig tunnels beneath the empire to for the base circle to prime her alchemical seal." Skyfall tapped his chin. "I would write to her, but I do not wish to let her know I live here."

"Another scorned ex?" Applejack shook her head.

"Not exactly." Skyfall deadpanned. "We never had any issues, but her brother and I had our disagreements. That's all I really wish to say about that." Memories of the Spirit war flashed through his mind and of the large twin Wind Spirits.

Skyfall paused and feigned insult. "And I'm hurt, Applejack. I don't have scorned lovers everywhere."

"Fooled me." Applejack laughed, knowing he knew she was only having fun.

Twilight wrote down her notes and sighed in relief. "Learning that the Griffon Queen knows alchemy is the first bit of good news I've had all week. With all the mounting issues, it's nice to have a possible solution for something."

"You know you can come to me whenever you want, we don't see eye to eye on most issues, but I can still help."

"I've told her that." Applejack called. 

"I need to be able to do this by myself." Twilight said. 

"A good leader seeks all points of view, even the obscure ones." Skyfall said, knowing that Twilight was secretly a fan of philosophical sayings. "Just know that I'm here should you need me. All anyone has to do is ask."

"So humble, now if you can just stop with your trickery." Twilight mused. 

"That's my payment, a little bit of your sanity for wisdom."

Twilight laughed. "Nonsense."

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men." Skyfall sang to himself as he grabbed a small mirror from his desk. "Now, on to business about this mirror."

"That mirror?" Twilight tried to suppress a smirk.

Skyfall laughed. "Funny. I mean the mirror in your castle study."

Twilight's amusement disappeared. "How did you know?"

"Educated guess." Skyfall winked and remembered what a certain feline whispered to him during breakfast that morning. "Now what would really be a feat of knowledge would be to say that one of us in this room is a secret anime fan and makes their pillows into characters, pretending they're in the books."

A pin drop could be heard as each mare looked to one another, but Rarity kept her eyes set straight ahead at Skyfall.

"Right..." Twilight turned to Sunset and moved to the side, allowing her more room in the group. Everyone got closer, except Pinkie who was busy doing her fourth crossword while lounged on her back. 

Sunset magicked a small map from the saddlebag Twilight had on and gave it to Skyfall. "This map is of my town, Twilight thought it would be best for you to have a map to get started early. She has also prepared a small novel-"

"-guide" Twilight corrected.

"-guide on my worlds infrastructure and some points of interest as well as some customs so you don't come off as inept." Sunset provided the bound book as well. "If you come off too pony-mannered then it could give us away."

Twilight nodded. "Yes, when the three of us go, it would be bad if we were spotted easily."

Skyfall remembered Sunset's request for just the two of them and gave a questioning look to Sunset who shook her head, silently telling him to drop it. He raised an eye brow and grabbed the map. 'I just hope they have plumbing and running water in this dimension.'

"What?!" Skyfall bellowed, causing the entire house to become silent.

"W-What?" Sunset asked.

Sky frantically turned the map and stabbed it with his hoof. "This! All of this, how?!"

To say that he was shocked would be calling an ocean a lake. His blood ran like ice as he looked at the map, he could make out skyscrapers and paved roads.

Sunset placed her hoof on Skyfall's. "I know it seems alien at first, but you grow used to it. You'll get your barrings, it isn't as crazy as it looks. Twilight was put off the first time she went too. Wait until you see what driving is like."

Skyfall rested his face in his left hoof and sighed, the Spirit council that formed upon entering this world worked hard to keep technology like that of the time before a secret, no divine intervention, no helping mortals along in extreme feats, and under no circumstances were inventions like the firearm and automobile to be invented. Despite that, there is a world were not only are they present, but widespread.

"Are there weapons?"

Sunset nodded. "Yeah, they have swords and their larger vehicles have cannons."

"No firearms?"

"Fire arms?" Sunset asked, confused. "What's a fire arm?"

Skyfall sunk in his chair, relieved. "Nevermind. Do you have additional maps?"

"I do." Sunset Shimmer smiled and took more rolls of parchment from Twilight's saddle and placed them on the desk. "So you don't have any issue with going?"

"None." Skyfall said. "All I need to know is when we go."

Sunset glanced to the room. "The next full moon is in three days, we leave then."

Skyfall knew the the next full moon was in two days, not three. She was keeping their plan of secrecy and would likely stop by later to fill him in on her plan to sneak into the castle and disappear, leaving Twilight a 'sorry' note.

"So with business taken care of, what are you seven up to now?" Skyfall smiled. 

Applejack leaned in and tapped Twilight's shoulder. 

"What is it, Applejack?" Twilight asked.

"You need to tell him where you're going." Applejack demanded.

At seeing her friend's pleading look and with the information already being offered up by force, Twilight sighed. "Fine."

Silently, everyone but Twilight and Sunset left the room, leaving a confused Skyfall. 

"I take it something serious is happening." Skyfall asked.

Twilight sighed. "To be short, we're going to Farhaven to meet with Shattered Skies."

Skyfall guffawed at the news. "Does he know that?"

"No." Twilight shook her head.

"And neither does the Princess, or anyone outside of the Elements." Sunset added. "There are too many things we need to know and too little sources to satisfy our questions. This is the most direct route, if he is as innocent as he claims, then we should be fine."

"And if he really is evil?" Skyfall asked.

Twilight and Sunset looked at each other with blank looks. Sunset sighed and continued. "We wanted your advice on this, what do we say to him, you seem overly familiar with how Spirits operate."

"Before I give you that advice, just know that what you're doing is reckless." Skyfall scolded. "With the world in this state of disarray, you could be seen as traitors, I suggest that whatever you see and hear is kept between you two."

"We know." Twilight said. "We just have questions that need answers... and someone named Harmony told me to seek Shattered Skies out. She said that he is right and needs help."

Skyfall's breath caught in his throat.

"She made multiple references to the Great Spirit War and since the Gala, I have searched and found nothing about it. At first I didn't want to believe her, but she said our historical texts are falsified." Twilight rubbed her shoulders. "Our time was short, but her insistence for me to find Shattered Skies has been on my mind since then."

A smile graced Sky's face at the memory of how Harmony was always able to get anyone to see a better side by her quiet persistence. 

"What do you think?" Twilight asked.

"If Harmony asked you to seek him out, then you must." Skyfall said holding his hooves up in a placating manner. "She was leader of the pantheon of Spirits, a request by her leaves Shattered Skies honor bound to treat you as guests, even if he is evil. Just make sure to make that known when his guards discover you on the way there."

Sunset and Twilight nodded in determination. 

"I see you two are ready to go." Skyfall stood and smiled. "I think it is time for us to part ways until time comes to go through the mirror. I must start setting some things in order."

Skyfall smiled as the group of poines left, Fluttershy, however, didn't stick around, nor did she look back while walking away with the others. Instead, she seemed to be having a very serious, hushed conversation with Rainbow.

"You should get to Farhaven, if what they said is true." Honey cooed as she leaned against him. She noticed Fluttershy's cold shoulder and kissed his cheek. "Mortals can be fickle things, dear."

"Y-Yeah."





Farhaven





"Lord Skies!" A wolfen guard barked as he cantered into the throne room. He knelt before Skies and Anara, taking a moment to gaze at his moss green and gold royal garb that was lain across Skies' body.

"Yes, Kilion?" Skies asked.

"We caught two intruders from Ponyville, they request and audience with you and claim to have been sent by the Great Spirit, Harmony."

"Then I am honor bound to respect their request, let them in."

As Skies and his daughter waited, he glanced to the side and saw some frosting on Anara's cheek, her new form had slightly longer fur and it was likely that she wasn't used to it yet. He chuckled at her messiness and licked his hoof. "Hold still."

Anara groaned as her father scrubbed her cheek. She batted at him with her cloven hooves. "Ew dad! Stop that! I hate that!"

"Now, Anara, you don't want to look like a barbarian in front of our guests."

"I'm dressed nicely!" Anara sputtered. "You and mom have an obsession with cleaning me!"

"Ahem." Sif coughed as she stood before the throne as the room was bowed in respect.

Shattered Skies looked down and smiled at Sif's wry expression. He nodded, dismissing her and viewed his company, pretending to not know that they were Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer. "It is considered extremely rude to enter a court with your hood up, you two."

Twilight and Sunset rose up and removed their hoods.

"Lord Shattered Skies, I am the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle, and this is my friend, Sunset Shimmer." She took a few deep breaths. "I have come to you seeking answers."

Twilight looked back and forth between Shattered Skies to Anara and back, clearly confused at her presence.

"I see that you have noticed my daughter." Skies extended a wing. "I am happy to answer any question you have, but I ask that you join us for dinner."

"Dinner?" Twilight asked, unsure of the gesture.

"Yes."

Twilight shook her head and tried to think of what to say, she expected him to be somewhat stern and try to talk her into leaving, but not to be invited to dinner with his daughter.

Skies waved his hoof. "It's Barbecue if you're interested."

> Chapter 39 -Mirror's Edge-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Mirror's Edge-



"So, Twilight Sparkle, I take it you enjoy the salad?" Skies asked. He smiled while he sat, relieved that she seemed to enjoy herself. He watched the princess stuff her face with greens, having moved passed her anxiety and suspicious treatment of the dinner that had been laid out before her.

With a green grin, Twilight nodded.

"It's a good thing that we were able to get the farms to start producing crops so soon." Skies looked out one of the large, open archways that replaced windows to see farmland off on the outskirts of the valley. "A few farmers moved in, including one from Ponyville, he grew what you're eating, Ms. Sparkle."

Twilight coughed into a hoof and took a deep draw from her cup. She smiled, believing she knew of who Skies referred too. "That might be Big Macintosh, he is a brother of a friend of mine."

"That would be his name." Skies said. "He just had a child recently, the first child born within the kingdom."

"R-Really?" Twilight said in surprise, having not been informed of Gilda's pregnancy by Applejack, only that Big Mac had run off with her. "With Gilda?"

"That's the mother's name. A healthy, Hippogriff filly."

Twilight placed her hooves on the side of her head and nearly swooned at the mental cuteness the foal might hold.

Skies glanced to Anara who smiled happily, she had tried to avoid looking at Twilight and spoke little so Twilight wouldn't be able to have that 'you sound familiar' moment. She sat on the same side as Twilight, a mere arm's length away. She wanted so badly to be able to openly talk to her sister-in-law, but the warning her father gave her about keeping her identity a secret robbed her of the ability to.

The dining hall, like the rest of the castle grounds, was reworked into fitting a more diverse and ornate design than the cold stone walls that used to fill the space. In content silence, Skies looked at his guests and rested on his right arm, leaning into the chair. "Not to darken the mood of the evening, but I have yet to ask, why has an Equestrian Princess and a world walker come to me, at nightfall, cloaked in secrecy?"

The happy tone of ignorance disappeared from Skies as he bore down on Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight paused and swallowed her food. "It is as we said, we need you to answer some questions."

"I remember the reason you gave me, but you haven't told me why you're here. The real reason." Skies cooed. "The reason that kept you from telling Tia about your diplomatic venture."

With a hard stare, Twilight understood that it was not a wise idea to try and hide her reason from someone over two thousand times older than she was. She was intelligent, and an Alicorn to boot, but in terms of the chess-like game that was politics, she was a mouse in a pride of lions. She jolted when a small flower bud bloomed in front of her and the soft laughing of the Lord of Farhaven tore away her attention.

"Twilight Sparkle, if you get that tense over a question about why you're here, I would hate to ask what your hobbies are." 

"S-Sorry, Lord Skies." Twilight said, trying to show respect. Now that she had spent some time in his presence, it was hard to see him as the subject of fables that scared foals into following their parent's orders. The mental image of luring the young away to steal their souls before devouring their bodies sat stale in her mind as a new image replaced it. Both the old and the new fought for supremacy in her mind.

"Please." Skies chuckled. "Drop the formalities, I want us to be familiar enough to speak our minds without one feeling that they will have their head put on a spike for speaking out of turn."

Twilight placed a hoof on her neck in shock and Sunset choked on her drink.

"Dad!"

"What? Did I say something?" Skies chuckled, earning a glare from Anara and Sunset. "Too brutal of an example?"

"A bit." Sunset interjected. "We're here for answers and it is already risky to come here against the Princess' wishes without you alluding to gruesome death."

Skies gave a half nod. "Granted. I apologize." He waved his hoof, dismissing the atmosphere. "Now, with the awkwardness out of the way, why are you here? I heard mention of Harmony, someone you should not be able to talk with."

Twilight's breath hitched. "Why is that?"

"Because." Skies waved at a guard to summon the castle staff. In rows, many beings that were just as diverse as Farhaven's population had come in to clean, much to the surprise of Twilight and Sunset. Wolves had brought in dinner, but Skies wanted to wait until after dinner to show that he not only lived among, but employed all creatures. "Let us go to the council chambers to talk, that way we have some semblance of privacy."

When Skies stood, Anara and their guests rose to follow behind him. As they journeyed through the spacious halls, the large, clear windows Skies ordered to be put in offered up a peaceful site of Farhaven in the fading daylight sun. colored crystal lights illuminated doorways and windows as well as much of the newly stone-paved roads where creatures of all kinds walked and lived.

On top of some of the buildings in a small district sat large Wyverns, happily content as young Pegasi, Changelings, and Griffons played on their head amidst the trails of smoke rising from their nostrils. Elsewhere, Griffons, Diamond Dogs, and Earth ponies directed the hauling of a large stone from a lake barge to the dock, each unsure of how exactly to complete their task. Most shockingly, along the center street walked a familiar red stallion with a small Hippogriff on his back, sleeping.

"Not something you see everyday, is it?" Skies asked from behind Sunset and Twilight, jolting them from their staring. 

"How are they getting along?" Sunset Shimmer asked. "I've never known a case of this many creatures that are this varied to live like this in peace."

Twilight remained silent, she hated it, but she had to agree. The more time that passed, the more wrong she saw with the world and how it operated. She wished she was able to help Princess Celestia fix it all, but a solution may lay with the ancient Spirit next to her.

"Without trying to sound too philosophical." Skies continued with his walk to the council chambers, but made sure they could hear him as they caught up. "Peace is an illusion, it causes us to become stagnant and complacent. There are little spats in Farhaven everyday, but we have our own guard force to police up those disputes. Even with that, at the end of it all, most creatures here have put aside their differences to help one another. We like to say this is a place for a second chance, but in saying that it reveals that they aren't really welcome elsewhere."

Skies glanced to Sunset and gestured to the crashed crane by the docks. "Last week, a crane fell on a changeling and all of her coworkers rushed to her side to help, even now they care for her until she is able to return to work; Ponies. Diamond Dogs. Minotaur. Deer. Bovine. Zebra. Dragons. Other Changelings. And even some of our not so living Ponies pitched in."

"Not so living Ponies?" Twilight asked.

"Undead Ponies." Skies said. "They don't know what to call themselves and neither do we, but we love them nonetheless."

"Come on, you can't expect us to believe you have zombies running around your city." Sunset rolled her eyes.

"Zombie is a bit much." Called a masonry worker as she exited a room she was allowed to live in while performing her trade within the castle. As if to illistrate, Skies' point, visible stitches were seen along her light brown body shortly before she whipped Sunset with her tail.

After the pony left, Skies sighed. "They resent ponies from outside Farhaven, you calling her kind Zombies would be like me comparing unicorns to walking phallic symbols."

"But that's not true!" Twilight sputtered.

"And neither is the stereotype of something lacking a heartbeat being mindless, brain eating vermin." Skies placed his hoof on the large stone doors that were ornately etched with scenes of Spirits from stories while being inlaid with protective runes. "Let us talk about that later, something more dire seems to be pressing us to talk." 

Twilight and Sunset walked into the room cautiously, even when flowers bloomed along the walls and small soft leaves floated through the air as both Skies and his daughter sat.

Skies looked on as both mares tried to examine everything, but endeavored to look as if they were just taking a long time to get to a seat. 

"Ahem." Anara mocked to get their attention. "Twilight, Sunset, please." She gestured to two seats nearest to her. "If my father wanted to harm you, you wouldn't have made it this far, please trust that we're being respectful." 

Sunset Shimmer understood that she and Twilight were not being as sneaky as they believed they were. They took their seats and wondered where to start.

Twilight took a few deep breaths to clear her head and cupped her hooves together as she stared at the large being that smiled down at her with two golden eyes. "I guess I'll start off by asking: what is the Great Spirit War?"

Anara gulped at the question, there was still so much that her father refused to tell her and now that he was honor bound, or so he says, to respect Twilight's request, she wondered what answers he would give.

"A long and gruesome campaign between Harmony and Discord that lasted for one thousand years, give or take a century." Skies rubbed his face. "If you can imagine the concept of a world war, where every country's sole export was for the war effort, that was it, every species fought for the Spirits who in turn destroyed each other for what they thought should be."

"And what was that?" Twilight asked.

"To tell you that, I must give you a little context." Skies sighed. "Wars have been ever present on Equus since the introduction of mortal species. We Spirits acted as mediators, even though that isn't our purpose, we-"

"What's your purpose?" Sunset asked to Skies' amusement.

"One question at a time, please. Now, some of us helped out the mortal races and would live among them and in some cases were worshiped by them while others avoided them altogether. That is where the issues began."

"A difference of opinion?" Twilight asked.

"Essentially, that's how all wars start." Skies mused. He waved his hoof over the table and summoned an ancient map of Equus with drawn borders with key areas of conflict represented by fire, and to Skies' guests, there was a lot of it. "Discord was of the side where mortals existed for the sole purpose of serving Spirits and Harmony was on the side of just that, harmony. The arguments and tensions went on for longer than it took for empires to rise and fall until the Maker made one race to solve everything."

"Alicorns?"

"Exactly." Skies smiled. "Top marks, Ms. Sparkle."

Twilight looked at the map to a black spot to the north, an area she knew to now be known as the Wisp. "At the Gala, when the Elements backfired, Harmony spoke to me and showed me a glimpse of the past. You were there and you ran in, pleading for help so you could defend the Alicorns."

Knowing the memory, Skies nodded solemnly. 

"Then she showed me an image of a burning city." Twilight's voice grew quiet.

"The Alicorn Capital was razed by Discord's forces." Skies said. "In the end, we arrived too late."

"Discord really attacked the Alicorns?" Twilight asked, becoming upset.

"Up until very recently, I believed that with all of my convictions. Having spoken to him just mere days ago, I'm not so sure."

Anara looked at her father with astonishment, mostly at hearing he spoke to Discord.

"I'll tell you later." Skies mouthed to Anara, but she just turned her gaze to Twilight's expectant face. 

"You need to stop the secrecy, daddy."

Skies waved his hoof again and an image of a younger Celestia and Luna appeared, both wearing different mane styles and garb. 

"Those two are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?" Sunset Shimmer asked. "They don't have their ethereal manes?"

"Oh, the whoosh thing they have on their manes?" Skies asked. "They like that alot, but yes, this is them, Tia's mane is pink and when it isn't enchanted she makes two long braids on either side of her head and brings the two braids back into a tail. Luna likes to put it up into a tail and let some of her bangs fall over her left eye."

"You seem to know them very well." Sunset said.

"I do." Skies smiled. "I tried to teach them various subjects, in the end, Celestia did what she was warned not to. So much magical talent, but behind an impatient mind it may as well be useless."

Twilight and Sunset looked at each other before snapping back to Shattered Skies. 

"I take it neither mare told you this." Skies expanded the image before them to show him and few other Spirits that Twilight remembered from Harmony's memory. "We tried to teach them all we could to prepare them for a lifetime of trouble."

Sunset Shimmer fought a smirk. She looked at Twilight as she tried to think of the next question and beat her to it. "So, Shattered Skies, if I might ask, who was the better student?"

Twilight guffawed and looked at her friend. "Sunset! That isn't a proper-"

"Luna." Skies said without hesitation. 

"What?!" Twilight and Sunset said in surprise, not expecting the answer.

"Luna is the better student." Skies said fully and waved at Quiet as she brought in a tray of coffee. "She is gifted in all subjects from agriculture to zoology. She took to education with vigor and always wrote at length about any subject I told her to research. I'm proud to have called her my student." 

"What was Princess Celestia good at?" Sunset asked in disbelief. 

"Combat, she enjoyed a good romp around and learning more applicable stuff like camping." Skies mused. "She really loved camping outside, that is if you could wrestle her away from the beach."

"The beach?" Anara asked, finally participating.

"Mhm, Celestia loves the beach. Whenever she went, she would make a shell necklace and make sure to get her mane cover in ocean water to give it that scraggly look." Skies said. "There was a time where I could see Luna running a nation through democracy and Celestia living on a sailboat, being herself."

"I think we're talking about four different ponies here." Twilight shook her head.

"Nope, your idol is secretly a beach bum in a monarchs body." Skies smile dropped a bit. "That is if you can get her to stop trying to kill Spirits and dissuade her from driving her country off the deep end."

"I guess that leads me to my next question." Twilight said. "I have heard that Celestia is being tricked and brainwashed, I don't understand this, how?"

"I don't know exactly. Chances are she could have trusted the wrong Spirits and made a large mistake." Skies blew on his coffee and set it down, deciding it was way too hot. "There are Spirits close to her that I suspect moved in after Luna was sealed. Chances are you've spoken to them without knowing they were Spirits."

"Illusion." Twilight nodded at Sunset. 

"They seem to be dead set on destroying me and everything I stand for." Skies looked out the window. "Even your own historical texts have been altered to show that Spirits are vicious, hellish creatures from a fevered dream out to eat souls."

Twilight raised an eyebrow at the over the top example.

"What? I'm bitter about being called a soul eating sociopath." Skies shrugged. "We're immortal, not statues."

Twilight sighed. "So what now?"

"That's completely up to you, Twilight." Skies lifted his hooves in front of him. "You two can return to Ponyville and I will never tell anyone that you came to see me, essentially your allegiance won't come into question and you'll be safe."

"And the other path?" Sunset asked.

"That's up to you, stay, explore, you may even return here to use our library."

True to form, Twilight's eyes opened wide with curiosity. "Tell me more."

Skies pointed a large hoof to the window to a large museum standing above the nearby buildings. "Do you see that building? The one with the black and gold gilded roof? Covered in gargoyles?"

"Yes." 

"That is our museum and library, the Spirit of Knowledge, a personal friend of mine, has agreed to run it and lend us a copy of a great many books in her personal collection. Many scriptures and novels thought to have been lost during the Spirit trials exist in that building and nowhere else on this planet."

After a long moment of silence, Twilight stood and calmly walked to the door. "Um, well, if you'll excuse me I must go."

Skies laughed. "I thought you'd enjoy that, after our talk, I'll walk you there and introduce you to the curator myself, but first we must finish our talk." 

Twilight teleported back to her seat and smiled nervously. "Okay."

"So I take it you no longer fear me?" Skies asked.

Twilight shook her head. "You still terrify me, I remember growing up and thinking that you were in my closet, but I can see now that you're trying really hard to seem kind."

Sunset nodded. "And putting that aside, we're still unsure if this is genuine or an act."

Skies held up a hoof, cutting off what would have been Anara's scornful words. "No, Anara, that is the wisest thing they can go with right now. It would be foolish for them to blindly trust me without evidence to what I've said."

With an unsure look to Twilight, Sunset took a deep breath. "If you don't mind, Shattered Skies, I have some questions and unfortunately, they're more pointed than Twilight's"

Skies gave a slow bow of his head. "I have heard much about you, Sunset, and about your world. Please, ask away." 

"Even if Princess Celestia has been enchanted, then there must be some fear for it to amplify, so I ask, why is she afraid of you?"

"I do not know." Skies said half heartedly. 

"There is an ancient civilization, Cahokia, that you're credited with destroying." Sunset stared into Shattered's eyes, temping her fate. "Did you?"

"No." Shattered shook his head.

"Then why does Celestia believe you did? To the point of making burial mounds and a memorial?"

"Because there was magic used there that I believed only I possessed." Skies hovered his hoof over a vine and with no degree of speed, it grew black and barbed. The onlookers in the room felt a chill. "I can manipulate any flora into something else with enough time. The vines that run all over Farhaven are a species out of the Foenum Rainforest, they grow fast and spread wide, but they can not become flowers without me, much like this barb you see in my hoof. Do you see it?"

With a few nods from his guests, Skies set the barb on fire with a nearby candle and sent away the vine. "That vine is of my own creation, should it pierce the heart and toxins enter your bloodstream, you will become immobilized, but not numb, your life force will slowly feed the earth. It takes weeks for someone pierced to die and you're awake for every second."

Anara covered her mouth in disgust. "Why would you create that?"

"As a punishment." Skies said matter of factly. "The peace you have in this era is unprecedented, in the other eras, evil, true evil, lived in the streets and creatures committed monstrous acts. Each Spirit had their own way of dealing out justice and that, was mine."

"Do the Princesses know?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, they stumbled upon a dark forest when they were young, I had a long talk with them and eventually Luna grew to understand but Celestia felt it to be too cruel. See, when the barb begins to work, a tree forms around them, a barren, white tree." Skies sighed. "In what is now Baltimare, near the Cahokian mounds, there is a forest with the same trees, barren and white."

"Is it reversible?" Anara asked.

"Yes, but it is very invasive and only a Spirit can reverse it, otherwise, no." Skies said.

"When did you last use it?" Sunset asked.

"During the Prench revolution." Skies smiled and thought back. "The monster Feather of Truth took down returned and that's when we found out he made himself immortal, so that was our solution. One of the toughest fights I have ever been in."

"Well, those are the questions I have for now." Sunset finished and sat back in her chair.

"So will you two return?" Skies asked.

"Maybe." Twilight said after a few quiet words were exchanged between her and Sunset. "There is much we need to discuss and there is the matter of you having a dangerous magic at your disposal."

Sunset cut in. "That actually doesn't bother me as much, I was able to discern something like that when I visited the Baltimare Catacombs with Desert."

"You and the guard?"

"Yeah, we're old friends and when we ran into eachother, we've become friends again, she even makes me stay at her place." Sunset smiled at Twilight quiet clapping. "She also tells me where Skyfall is going to be."

'I wonder if Desert is allergic to manual labor and being covered in lemon juice?' Skies tried to remain unemotional, but Anara fought a laugh when he failed.

"The best I can do right now is to speak to the others and see about returning." Sunset said.

Twilight shifted in her chair to glance at the library again, as if to make sure it was still there. "I think that I am finally ready to speak with the Princess about coming here, or at the very least, talking to you." She smiled at Skies and Anara. "Princess Luna always spoke very highly of Spirits, if I can get her support than it will be three Princesses against one."

"So Princess Cadance is in support as well?" Anara asked.

"I am not entirely sure, but she has always had the most open mind out of the four of us." Twilight smiled. "I haven't spent time with her lately, hopefully soon I can and see how she feels."

Anara clapped her hooves and smiled at her father who nodded in return.

Sunset and Twilight stood and adjusted their cloaks. Twilight gave a small bow to Skies. "I think it is time for us to leave, there are still so many questions I need to ask, but if we're gone much longer then we might be found out."

"Then take a few books with you." Skies waved at Quiet who was waiting by the door who then rushed off.

"Oh, we have no time to browse, knowing me I'll be there until next winter, or longer." Twilight admitted.

"And I'd end up living there." Sunset shrugged.

"Nonsense." Skies stood and moved to his guests, preparing to escort them out. "Quiet left and will meet us at the border with some books for you to read."

Both opened their mouths in protest.

"I know both of you enjoy more subjects out of academia, Raven, the Spirit of Knowledge will respond in kind." Skies moved the mares along. 

Twilight looked up to the Spirit. "There was also one thing that Harmony said to me. She was able to see through my eyes and I still don't understand how."

With a strained breath, Skies fought his words to organize them. After a moment, he stopped her from walking and turned to face her. Night had finally fallen and the moon shown rays of light through the windows giving everything a ghostly outline. "The Elements of Harmony were once Spirits, Twilight Sparkle. Loyalty, Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, and Generosity were all Harmony's closest friends. They shouldered the ultimate sacrifice for Harmony to give us a fighting chance, Harmony in the end, however, is their center focus and as a result chose to sacrifice herself as well. They live on in the Elements of Harmony and dwell within you and your friends." 

Twilight put a hoof on her chest, feeling a small surge of warmth in her chest.

"We ultimately won that war, but the world has a little less in it now." Skies' voice faltered at the memory of the six of them leaving. "Crystal made a tree deep underground to store the Elements and I placed deadly, black barbed vines to protect it, something I know you all have come into contact with."

"Those black vines were the same deadly ones you showed us?" Twilight's eyes grew to pin pricks.

"Yes, but you had the power of the Elements within you and you had good intentions so you were able to pass unharmed." Skies smiled and placed his hoof on Twilight's chest, over her own hoof. "Every Spirit that knew those Spirits, loved them, and I see a little of them in each of you. It was no accident that the six of you came into my forest that night and became the Elements of Harmony."

"You mentioned the Maker." Twilight said. "Is she the chief Spirit for Fate?"

"She isn't a Spirit in an old fashioned sense, she made the Spirits what they are, either a being of infinite power or just someone beyond my own comprehension, she made all this possible and at times she has a twisted sense of solving things, what we have come to call fate." Skies chuckled. "She did once, however, make reference to the Creator, but I chose to not get involved in that madness."

Twilight smiled. "Hopefully, Harmony's wish to help you comes true."

"So do I." Skies cooed as he looked out the large window to see Quiet running to the tree line with a satchel fill with books. "Let us get you home, I think you two will be too eager to read your books."

Sunset nodded as she followed behind Skies and apologized when she bumped into Anara. "Sorry."

"That's okay." Anara smiled. "Hopefully we can talk more when you come back." 

Sunset smiled, but kept her guard up. "That would be nice."

"A word of caution to both of you." Skies said. "Unless the situation calls for it, tell no one that you've come here, your inner circle is fine, but no one else."

"What about a certain Guard Captain?" Sunset asked.

"If you're making reference to Skyfall, the owner of that intrusive estate upon my forest, then it should be fine if he understands that your deaths may follow the release of the information I'm warning you about."

Twilight nodded. "Then that's how we will handle it."

Sunset took an even breath and leveled her look at Shattered Skies. "Just so you know, I still don't trust you. If I find evidence that you really are evil, I'll bring you in."

"Sunset!" Twilight gasped.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Skies smiled, causing the scowl on Sunset to falter into a small smirk. "It's a good thing Harmony convinced you to come here, I was tired of dodging your attempts to find me."

"Oh ha ha." Twilight mocked, clearly upset at all of her failed attempts while walking around the forest.

Skies turned, motioning Twilight and Sunset to follow, time for questions had come and gone. He knew that times in the future for more questions would come, but hopefully that was before all the problems present came to a head.





Two Days Later
Twilight's Castle





"Okay, so there has been a small, eentsy-weentsy, set back." Sunset Shimmer sputtered out from the castle stoop at seeing Skyfall emerge from the dimly lit path leading from Ponyville. 

"Twilight's awake and somehow bulldogged you into admitting you want to leave early, to which she agreed and now she's coming?" Skyfall mumbled, half coherent, looking as if he had a long day.

"Y-Yeah. That was brilliant." Sunset said, astonished at his comprehension of the situation. She looked him over as he passed her and trotted so she could walk next to him. "Are you okay?"

"I'll live." Skyfall mumbled. "Just alot of needless drama that I would rather take a break from."

With a knowing nod, Sunset agreed. "I think I know what you're talking about."

"Do you?" Skyfall asked, showing no emotion. 

"With Fluttershy?" Sunset asked.

"So you knew as well?" Skyfall thought aloud before he stopped and gave Sunset a tired stare. "She came to see me earlier yesterday and despite my attempts to talk it out, she made it clear that her decision wan't going to change, I now know it isn't without reason."

"I didn't mean-" Sunset stopped speaking at shake of Skyfall's head. 

"It's fine. She is free to live her life the way she wants." Skyfall looked to the crystal castle. "I would rather us just get to finding those Spirits, a little work would be good for me now."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Sunset Shimmer held her hoof up, stopping Skyfall from continuing to the castle.

"Maybe later, right now, I'm just gathering my thoughts on the issue. I am a little mad at myself for going against my better judgement." Skyfall lowered Sunset's hoof. "But thank you for offering."

"If you ever want to vent, I'm good at listening." Sunset smiled.

"I'll keep that in mind."

For the small walk from the path's mouth to the castle doors was quiet, the closer they got to the castle, the louder some familiar voices got. It was easily guessed that since Twilight now knew what was going on, she would alert the other elements, all of whom likely rushed over to wish their friends goodbye. 

Skyfall's hoof hovered above the first step to the castle. He heard Rainbow's voice calling to Fluttershy and Rarity, trying to get them to agree with her on some absurd issue. With no surprise to himself, Sky felt nothing, he expected to at least feel conflicted, but when no emotion came, he briefly wondered to himself if after so many years of life had he reached a level of stoic thought that only statues knew.

In taking one firm step, Sky ascended the rest of the steps without cause. He entered the castle in a hurry; normally, he would knock, but the sooner he was through the portal, the sooner he could get to work.

"S-Skyfall?" Twilight asked as she opened her living room door to see who was barging into her castle. "Oh, great, come in to say goodbye to everyone before we go."

Skyfall raised an eyebrow at Twilight as he passed her. He continued to walk despite her calls.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye?"

"Bye, Applejack! Bye Pinkie Pie!" Skyfall glanced back to the room he was walking away from, seeing everyone looking at him. 

"Bye, Sky! Have fun!" Applejack called as she sat next to Pinkie who chose to just wave quietly. 

"What's his problem?" Twilight asked Sunset as she arrived to the room. "He can be rude at times, but that is uncalled for. Why are you shaking your head, Sunset? Did I miss some... thing? Oh."

"Yeah." Applejack sat up on the couch and adjusted the rolled up cuffs on her shirt she enjoyed wearing as she looked to Rainbow and Fluttershy. "I wonder what has him in a kink? Would you two like to fill us all in?"

Fluttershy's face grew red in abject embarrassment while Rainbow took calming breaths. It was guessed by the others in the room what had happened and that the two in question were going to let everything go quietly.

"Oh, Fluttershy." Rarity put her hoof to her mouth. "You didn't."

Fluttershy nodded and spoke up. "I... told Skyfall that I wasn't interested in dating him."

The truth, however, was much worse. 

Applejack squinted at Rainbow, Applejack had known her long enough to know that she ignored her incessant warnings to not meddle in Fluttershy's relationship and did so anyway. What was worse, was Applejack knew the truth about their dating, they had chosen a spot near the Apple's farm and stumbled on them one day. When pressed, Skyfall admitted it and asked her to keep it quiet.

"Wait, so Fluttershy told Skyfall she doesn't like him like that and that's why he's mad?" Twilight asked.

"Skyfall isn't stupid." Pinkie Pie said. "He watches and he likely thinks that isn't the case." She looked to Rainbow, her hair still a slosh of pink on her head, but now pulled into a ponytail. "Is that the case, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow's eyes found it hard to meet Pinkie's blank look. 

"Pinkie, it was my choice." Fluttershy said, but Pinkie just stared at her in stead. To her surprise, Fluttershy tried to do her infamous stare on her to help defuse the growing agitation of the room, but Pinkie's blank look may as well been a mirror.

"Was it?"

Fluttershy drooped her ears and broke the stare, finding shame in the question.

"Can somepony fill me in?" Twilight asked. "This doesn't seem like a big deal."

Applejack shook her head and stretched her legs before making her way past Twilight. "I'll try and explain everything when you all get back." She gave Twilight a hug before doing the same to Sunset. "I have to go and give Skyfall a proper goodbye before he leaps through that mirror, wits first."

"I should too." Pinkie Pie leapt up, her smile vibrant again.

"I don't get it." Twilight mumbled under her breath, looking to Rarity who only mouthed the words 'I know' while motioning her forward, prescriptively to fill her in.

Meanwhile, in Twilight's map room, Skyfall was examining the contraption that was built around the mirror with mild impress.

"Never let it be said that Twilight can't build quality machinery." Skyfall admired. 

"I'll tell her you said that." Applejack chuckled, surprising Skyfall with a hug, a hug that had to be outdone by Pinkie's full body embrace.

"Hello, you two." Skyfall smiled. "You came here to see little ol' me?" 

"Ha. Little." Applejack mocked, having to rear up to put her hoof on his head. "You're huge and you know it."

Skyfall opened his mouth, but was promptly stopped when Applejack closed his mouth. 

"Before we start rambling, I want to apologize." Applejack said.

"You've done nothing. The fault lies with me and me alone." 

"Oh, Skyfall." Pinkie cooed, shaking her head. "Don't think like that, none of this is your fault."

"No, I promised I wouldn't get into another relationship, it never ends well." Skyfall said like he was stating facts. In a way, he was stating a fact, relationships between mortals and Spirits never ended in a way one would consider 'good.' "I guess it is another bit of bad luck I can chalk up to this mark."

Applejack and Pinkie looked at Skyfall's broken cutie marks before glancing at one another.

"Skyfall!" Twilight called as the sound of hooves grew closer. 

"Great, I just want to get this trek started and the Princess of Friendship wants to fix everything." Skyfall groaned.

"How do you-" Applejack asked and gave up at Skyfall's skeptical looks, Twilight was the Princess of Friendship, she does that.

The doors opened for the trotting group to enter, Skyfall looked on in annoyance before waving at Spike who was walking in the hall with a book, having grown a little since they last met. 

"We can't leave!" Twilight shouted.

"Why?" Skyfall sighed.

"We need to talk about what happened between you, Fluttershy, and Rainbow." Twilight said, clearly afraid that the situation, if left alone, would degrade into something worse.

Skyfall looked at Fluttershy, she tried to smile, but it faded into a frown and her eyes could no longer keep contact. Rainbow, however, never saw Skyfall's stare be cast upon her, instead, he looked through her until his gaze met Twilight's. "There is nothing to talk about. What's done is done and whatever life might have been is now gone."

The words cut deep to those who knew the full extent of what was going on. Twilight went to scold Skyfall, but his sudden turn to her confused her. 

"I have a question for you, Twilight." Skyfall stated as he jabbed a hoof to the machinery around the mirror. "I took a moment to read your notes, it says it allows for unchallenged access to the mirrored realm without the limitations of the moon. If that is true, then why did we wait for the moon cycle?"

Twilight turned her head in confusion. "You read my notes?"

"Yes, the ones over there." Skyfall pointed to an open book. "Sorry, too good to pass up."

Skyfall's mood baffled the room, he had dismissed any concerns and was busy asking about the portal. He tapped his hoof in anticipation of the answer, clearly suspicious of the time frame.

"Princess Celestia thought it would be best to keep the unrestricted access to the mirror a secret. Those involved were to be kept on a need to know basis."

"So Captain Fury doesn't know?" Skyfall said as he moved to the machinery's side.

"He shouldn't." Twilight said.

"So are we ready?" Skyfall asked.

"Yes, right after we discuss what happened!" Twilight stated, getting upset enough to stomp her hoof. "You need to stop running away from your problems and face them."

"Fine." Skyfall looked back at the portal inquisitively. 

"Good, now if you'll come over here, we can talk this out." Twilight smiled and waited for a moment, when Skyfall remained by the portal she sighed. "Um, over here, Skyfall."

"Here it is." Sky said as he smacked at a lever on the back of the box behind the mirror, getting it to kick on after the second attempt, causing it to ripple to life. 

"Skyfall!" Twilight scolded.

"If ponies don't want to talk it's bad to force them to, Twilight Sparkle." Skyfall took a step to the mirror. He didn't want to talk to someone whose mind was clearly made, it was clear that a relationship could have been easily undone by the simple pleading of a jealous friend. He looked back to Fluttershy and Rainbow, both of whom wore sad looks. Who was he to get between friends?

"Skyfall. Don't do it!" Twilight warned like she was scolding a cat ready to tip over a glass of water onto a very expensive laptop, ruining it. A set of events would lead any pony to participating in a month long battle with laptop insurance only to have it come back as irreparable. Twilight nodded, this is why she didn't have a cat. "Don't. Go. Through. That. Mirror."

"See, now I have to, you said not to." Skyfall closed his eyes and leaped through the mirror, much to Twilight's chagrin.

"That stallion is going to be the death of me." Twilight ran her hoof over her face in annoyance before hugging her friends. "I better go and make sure he doesn't play in heavy traffic."

Sunset chuckled as Twilight flew through the mirror, flying at top speed. She, like Twilight, hugged her friends, but when she got to Fluttershy, she felt her hold on a little longer.

"Please make sure he's okay. I need him to come back."

"I will, you have my word I'll watch over him." Sunset smiled before making her own way through the portal.

Lights, smells, and sensations exploded over her body as she was tossed between the dimensions before a feeling of gravity, pushing on her body, became noticeable. She emerged from the mirror, walking steadily on her feet into rays of sunlight that fought the silhouettes of the far off city.

She looked around and saw that even in the summer evenings, the school clock chimed for the hours. 

"Six in the afternoon." Sunset said to herself. 

"Sunset Shimmer?" Rarity said as she exited the front door to the school behind her. "What are you doing here, darling?"

"Rarity?" Sunset looked around, remembering that she came in after Twilight and Skyfall. "Have you seen Twilight and a blue haired man?"

"That's why I'm out here, I saw Twilight running around while I was picking Sweetie Belle and her friends up from summer school." Rarity smiled as she hugged Sunset. "I thought she looked like she needed help with something, but I didn't see this blue haired man you mentioned. Did you mean Flash Sentry, perhaps?"

"No." Sunset put her hands on top of her head and looked around. "Did you see the direction she went in?"

"She may have gone to Sugar Cube Cafe across the street, I saw Rainbow Dash waving her down." Rarity said and looked behind Sunset. "Ah, here they come now." 

"Heeey, Sunset!" Came the shrill, ear piercing, voice of Pinkie Pie. "We're over here!"

Sunset turned to see her friends, plus both Twilights walking across the street to meet her. Before she knew it, she was in the center of a group hug.

"Have you seen, Skyfall?" Twilight asked. She wanted to ask before the others started asking about their trip.

"No, I thought he came in before you." Sunset asked.

"He did, but when I got here, I didn't see him."

The mirror rippled violently as the glass wore a cracked pattern that began to rotate into a swirl. A whine like screeching metal and failing alarms filled the air forcing everyone to cover their ears and watch in astonishment as the eyes of the horse perched on top of the mirrored pedestal glowed.

The abnormalities that began to scare the people present stopped, a tall being emerged from the portal, fighting the glass of the mirror that had stuck to him like a sludge trying to pull him back. With three jerks, he freed himself and landed on his side.

"Would that be your friend?" Rarity asked.

The man struggled to rise on his legs, he felt a stiff breeze on his body and looked in the mirror he just came from and froze, fear growing in his heart as the seconds ticked by. The face that looked back at him was one he hasn't seen forty thousand years, his own, human face.

"Ahem."

"Huh-wha?" Skyfall turned and lost balance as he was not used to his new body. From a knee, he noticed all the people staring at him, causing him to do the same.

"Oh, I'm naked."
> Chapter 40 -A Parting Glance-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-A Parting Glance-



"Where is that book?" Cadence muttered to herself as she looked up and down each tall bookshelf. She huffed angrily, teleporting from the grand library appendix and back. Finally, the section she sought appeared, but the book slot was empty.

The spaciousness of the library echoed back her frustrated groans and growls. She looked all around the bookshelf with a hope that it had been misplaced.

"AH!" Cadance roared.

"Shh!" Raven hushed before throwing a book directly at Cadance's head. The impact caused her to tumble and take three shelves of books down with her.

"...Ow." 

"Well, that's what you get for yelling in a library." Raven levitated overhead and melted all the books with a wave of her black claw. Each of the books became grey and melted, globes of sludge moved up the bookshelves and once again became literature. "And I don't much care that you're the daughter of Shattered Skies, you will respect the rules of this library."

Cadance scramble to her hooves to look at the Spirit of Knowledge, a tall, black griffon with a Raven's head in place of that of an Eagle.

"I'm-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"I see you've taken after your father in the apology department." Raven turned, the clacking of her claws echoed in the quiet library as she left an awe struck Cadance across a marble floor.

With eagerness, Cadance followed the librarian as she walked away. Every now and again, she would look back in annoyance and huff before teleporting to another part of the library. After three times, Cadance found her and mustered up the courage to speak to her.

"Um, excuse me, Lady Raven?"

"What is it, child?" Raven aggressively shoved another book in its place by claw, a pass time she enjoyed. "I am very busy."

"I was wondering if I could ask you some questions?" Cadance asked.

"No, you must look for yourself, the appendix is by the grand library entrance." Raven jabbed her claw in the air past Cadance. "Sought knowledge is earned, not given."

Cadance winced. "That's the thing, Lady Raven, the information I seek is not in your library."

"What you mean to say is, not in Farhaven's library. My library has a copy every novelization and scripture ever created. If what you seek is not here, then it is either of no consequence, or it is simply because you do not deserve to know."

Raven's words cut like alcohol covered razors, but the curiosity ate at her still, not knowing something for a Spirit of Knowledge was like holding one's breath underwater, sooner or later, you relent.

"Fine." Raven slumped slightly at Cadance's pleading look. "What do you seek?"

"I want to know about the Great Spirit war and my father before-"

"Absolutely not." Raven teleported to the end of the long hall, where her office was and entered swiftly.

"What?" Cadance asked before flying to Raven's office. She knocked a few times and heard bickering on the other side of the large doors. "Lady Raven, please, I have to know and you're the only one that may know the entire story."

The talking became hushed and the door opened slowly. The large yellow eye of Raven came from the darkness and looked directly at Cadance.

"Please tell me, no one will." Cadance's plea was sincere. "My father won't find out."

"No." Raven closed her eye and pushed the door open to let her in. "That's because he already knows."

"So you'll tell me?" Cadance entered the large, stone rotunda that was Raven's study, two levels of tomes and artifacts lined the walls, all supported by black stained pillars. A large fig tree stood in the room off center, its sap rolling down the pillars from the branches that spanned the rotunda. Cadance looked around in awe and observed that on the walls above each bookshelf, a different scene was shown with either a Spirit fighting or a shining figure from many species she either didn't recognize or were straight from myth. A statue of a long necked owl was hanging from the roof with a sash in its claws that read, 'One makes you make a living while the other helps you make a life.'

"What does that mean?" Cadance asked.

"That is for you to discover, daughter of Shattered Skies." Raven lifted her claw as she summoned a large, circular table from a tar like sap the oozed from the rotunda's pillars.

"I see you've finally wrapped up your duties, Lady Raven." The gruff, old voice of Grogar said as he entered the room from a corridor behind Raven.

"I do not have time to entertain a child like you, Grogar. Away with you." Raven said, cracking her claws in annoyance as she sat. She summoned a few books, but noticed he was still in the corner smiling. "Listen... I know it's hard for you to understand what I'm saying, on account of half your brain being dead, but if you don't leave, I will literally hang you by your larynx and use you as pinata." 

"Oh, so violent." Grogar shook in delight. "You would do that in front of your Lord's child?"

"He is my Lord and I respect him, but using him to protect yourself would only make things worse for you."

"Don't I know it." Grogar smiled as he sat, despite the glare Raven was giving him. 

Raven smirked all of a sudden. "Fine, but Lord Skies is getting a comprehensive list of everything were going to go over, if you don't want to be on the list, then you should leave now." 

The game of intellectual chicken didn't work. "That's fine with me, I'm sure he'll want Lady Anara to have a comprehensive eye witness account of her father and what he's really like."

"Yeah, because you would know anything about anything." Raven growled. "Despite that, you will leave this room and allow me to begin teaching Lord Skies' child about some of his history."

"Oh? So cold." Grogar mused. "You won't teach her all of history? Just about her father?"

"She will learn history soon enough, Lord Skies wishes to have additional students for me to teach before that happens." Raven's black feathers flashed a grayish shade of brown and her eyes glowed white. "Now, leave."

Grogar's smile dropped. "By your command, Spirit of Knowledge."

The rotunda's doors slammed shut, leaving Cadance and Raven to sit by idly until three knocks came.

"Grogar! I swear if you continue with your pestilence, I will end you!" Raven's barking fell as Honey Bee walked through the door smiling. "Lady Crystal, I apologize, I did not realize you would arrive so early."

"Mom?"

"Hello, you two." Honey smiled.

"What are you doing here?" 

"Raven sent me a note saying you've finally asked her about your father." Honey summoned the note with her magic. "Your father asked Raven to contact me should you do so."

Cadance growled. "Why is this a secret! I just want to know about you and dad, every time someone speaks about either of you it's a tone of unrelenting respect or fear." She sat and drooped as her mother walked over to her, still smiling. "I just want to know my parents better."

Honey wrapped Cadance in a hug. "We know, sweetie, that's why your father asked me to be here. It is also partially why Raven is here. Together, we can answer your questions."

"But it should be you and dad." Cadance said. 

Honey nodded. "There are some questions only your father can answer, reserved for when he relents and sits down with you to answer them. I know he has been struggling with it from my talks with him, I thought you should know right away, but he wants to be patient."

"I prefer the word secretive." Raven chimmed in. "That was my one condition for accepting his job offer; no lying or avoiding the truth."

"And that is what he agreed to, but you have to see the reason in keeping some things close to the chest?" Honey glanced to Raven who rolled her eyes before looking back to her daughter. "Your father. He is very worried you won't understand why he had to do certain things. He came to me and nearly pleaded with me to set this up with Raven, so that I can explain things on a more personal level, more so than Raven ever could."

"Knowledge versus wisdom." Raven said. "I'm not so good with explaining one's mindset, just the facts given."

Cadance took a deep breath, now realizing that her father may have a more complicated past than she anticipated. 

"You can ask anything, hunny." Honey rubbed Cadance's side before gesturing to a table seat.

After the cloud of confusion caused by the sudden allowance of information lifted from her mind, Cadance bite her lip. "I suppose we should start with the beginning since you and dad have been around for a very long time. But I want to know about the war. I heard about what started the Spirit war when dad spoke with Twilight and Sunset Shimmer, but what happened in the war for everyone to treat dad the way they do?"

"And what way is that?" Honey asked.

Cadance rubbed her temples trying to put her thoughts into words. "I've been told by other Spirits that he is a hero and a lord, but I have no idea what they mean and other beings like Grogar make subtle allusions that dad is someone to fear. But to me, he is just lovable, caring, and a complete goofball. I don't see the stallion from either case, I've sat in on his court rulings and while refined, I have sat though hundreds of courts and still don't see the crown people place on him."

"And you want to know if your father is secretly a tyrant?" Honey asked, trying to understand.

"No." Cadance shook her head. "I know he isn't either of those, I can feel it in the way he cares for things. I just want to understand who he is."

Raven sighed and put her claw on Honey's shoulder before looking over her head and into Cadance's eyes. The sincerity showed through as Raven looked on in silence.

"You don't need to understand who your father is now, you need to understand what he has endured to reach this point."

Cadance gave a solemn nod.

"All you have to do now, is ask." Honey put her hooves on the table while Raven placed extra seals throughout the room to insure their privacy.

"Has dad done evil things?" Cadance asked, closing her eyes shut tightly.

"Yes." Honey said, her voice placid. "We all have at one time or another, but he has only ever committed evil because he believed it was the better path."

"How can evil be a better path?"

Honey shook her head. "You have known a short twenty-five years of blissful peace, Sweetie. The majority of this planet's history has been that of turmoil and of strife, both in planet conditions and with the creatures that live on this planet."

"What evil has he done?" Cadance pressed.

"We have all committed a great many evils over the past forty thousand years, Cadance." Honey said.

"But he is the one that is showered with honorifics like that of the soul stealer." Cadance said. "Even foals in the Crystal Empire still check under their beds for him. It took me a few months after hearing about it that I did research to discover that it was a legend about the forest Spirit that steals the souls of those that wont be missed, like those of bad disobedient children and wanderers." Cadance said, pointing to a fairytale book about Spirits that Raven was gesturing to to illustrate Cadance's point. "The nanny that Celestia hired when I was a foal read me these stories. I know the concept of soul stealing is bogus, but has he contributed to this legend?"

Honey cupped her hooves. "Your father has earned that honorific a great many times over. The souls that he has trapped would fill Canterlot and its mountain."

Cadance's heart sank. "What?"

"I am sure you've seen your father's black, barbed vine, correct?"

"The one that he made to punish bad creatures?"

"The same." Honey said. "Most of the Spirits from the Parthenon had something that acted as their own tool for passing down judgement, usually of a capital nature."

"I don't get it, dad said it locks them into a tree and saps their life-"

"Their soul." Honey interjected. "Many of the Spirits found his method a little harsh, even the Maker appeared and spoke with him about it. He would imprison them and trap their soul. The body would decompose, but the soul would remain until it was consumed by the tree. Then, a small tree Spirit would emerge from the tree and help lost beings through his forest. Something helpful taken from something hurtful."

Cadance's heart pounded in her chest at the news. "Dad would do that?"

"We all would." Raven said. "Your father trusts no one, when the pantheon first caught wind of his actions, they challenged him, believing that only the maker should be able to manipulate souls."

Raven waved a smokey claw, showing Skies standing above a few other Spirits, apparently scolding them as they all stood in a grove of dead trees. As the fog dissipated, Raven sighed. "Your father also has the horrible habit of being stubborn when he thinks he is right."

"I second that." Honey chuckled. "He is very smart, but locking horns with him was always a messy business."

Cadance placed her hoof on her forehead, her feelings in a torrent of uncertainty. 

"Lady Anara, you asked how evil can be a better path." Raven said. "I want you to remember this question after I tell you about the great war. Because that war would have been lost without a little evil."

With a hard swallow, Cadance nodded. "I'm ready."





Somewhere between Canterlot and Baltimare





"Are you okay, Princess Celestia?"

With a firm blink, Celestia shook herself from her day dream. "Sombra, I told you to call me Sunny, ponies can't know I'm their diarch." She moved her hoof up and tilted the wheel of the ship a quarter turn before checking the large compass that hung next to her. "I need to stop spacing out."

"You call that spacing out?"

"What?"

"T-Sunny, you sit there looking as if you're staring at ghosts." Sombra deadpanned. "We need to be honest with each other."

Sunny nodded and stood in silence for a long moment. She winced when Sombra gestured with his hoof for her to start. "I've been having nightmares and I can't stop thinking about it."

"What are they about?"

Sunny sighed and grabbed a rope to fasten the wheel so it wouldn't move so she could walk around the small ship she bought days before from a traveler. "I don't know." She strode down the stairs that lead to the main deck of the schooner. "I asked Luna to help me, but the only thing she tells me is that they aren't dreams and that she can't help."

Sombra, now usually one to tread carefully, decided to pry. "What happens in them?"

"There are other Alicorns in my dreams. They're there and then the dream shimmers, living life one moment and dying the next. Every night I sleep, I see a little more, as if it's leading to something."

"Are they getting worse?"

"The past two days, they've gotten marginally worse." Sunny rubbed her face.

"Maybe we should postpone the journey?" Sombra asked. "If you're bothered this much with a practice run, then we may be in real trouble on the actual thing."

"No." Sunny demanded. "I have to do this, I have to know the truth."

"About what?"

"Nevermind." Sunny huffy and turned. "You wouldn't understand." She reared back when Sombra teleported in front of her. 

"Understand what? Wanting to know where you come from?" Sombra asked. "Have you forgotten about my wanting to know where I come from?"

"I know." Sunny's tone fell into solemn understanding of his umbrum heritage.

"I was feared by the other ponies and one day, I ran into a snow storm and a voice claiming to be my mother drew me in. I wanted to know who I was so badly and for the pain I always felt from the crystal heart to stop that I willingly gave myself to it." Sombra's voice became monotonous. "And the rest, you know about. The enslaving, the betrayal of the Spirit that tried to help me, and my causing the monster you face today."

"Sombra, Shattered Skies turning evil was not your fault."

"It is, if I hadn't of destroyed his wife and child, he would probably still be on your side." Sombra sat against the railing of the ship. "I cast a spell on his daughter as he watched through a crystal projection and she turned to dust in my hooves, then I forced his wife to fight with a magic inhibitor against opponents three times her size for my amusement. Then tossed her bloodied body in a cave on the outskirts for her to freeze to death, leaving him to find."

Sunny shook her head. "That was the Umbrum, Sombra, they manipulated you into doing it."

"That doesn't excuse me." Sombra sighed. "He may trap my soul until the end of time, but if I can find a way to help him in some way before the end, then I'm okay with that."

"I don't think Radiant Hope would agree with your willingness to sacrifice yourself."

Sombra dug his hoof into the tan adventure shirt he had worn for his journey and pulled out a picture of him and Hope. "I don't tell her these things, she still thinks that we can talk to Skies civilly to reach an understanding."

"I should tell you this, Sombra." Sunny sighed, noticing his quiet suffering. "Keep it to yourself, but you did not kill Shattered Skies' daughter."

Sombra shook his head and held up a hoof. "Yes, I did. She disintegrated in front of my own eyes."

Sunny shook her head. "No. A little over twenty years ago, I traced Skies' magic to the border of a forest and found a small fawn. She was small and healthy, after much hesitation, I adopted her and she became my niece."

"No." Sombra's eyes shrank to pin pricks at the news, only one pony held that title. "Princess Cadance is really that fawn?"

"Yes. I've kept that news from her for a great many years, but I see now that I have done to her what her father once did to me." Sunny sat next to Sombra and looked to the night sky. "I have watched her grow into a beautiful mare and even get married for true love instead of politics. At times she was just like her father, bull headed and over analytical, but over time I grew the same respect for her that I denied showing to Skies."

"Do you fear that she will find out and reunite with her father?"

"No." Sunny shook her head. "She lives with one of the finest Captains in my guard. Skyfall is something else, I trust him to protect her against that happening."

"Do you trust him that much?"

"I do. We write to each other on occasion and he does not hold back where others would, he calls me out on what I say, forcing me to explain myself. I respect him." Sunny stood and moved to the wheel once more after a stiff wind came up to push the ship a little off course. "As you know, I am much older than I appear to be. I have known countless beings through my time and very few of them carry themselves like heroes, though many try."

"You think he is a hero? Like the Power Ponies?"

"No, comic book heroes are... fickle. And the Power Ponies are... something else." Sunny said. "Heroes, real heroes, do what must be done for the greater good. They don't traipse around town squares in capes having bouquets thrown at them."

"It seems like you know much about heroes."

Sunny smiled. "I have buried many of them and once, long ago, I was one as well."

"You were a hero?" Sombra asked.

"Yes." Sunny's smile faded. 

Sombra's eyes lite up as his smile grew. "Can you tell me?"

"You enjoy hero stories?"

"I enjoy good stories." Sombra shuffled his hooves nervously. "I collected stories as a foal and since my freedom was returned to me, I stop into every comic book shop we pass. One day, I want to write down the stories I come across so that time won't forget them." Sombra held up both hooves at the same level. "Stories and tales from both sides, not just the side that wins."

"That's ambitious of you, Sombra." Sunny said. "I must admit, I did not see that being a desire of yours."

"I'm not so good with writing, but I work at it so that I'll get better. Hope even agreed to be my editor."

"I'm not good at writing, either." Sunny whispered loud enough for Sombra to hear. "Skies always harped on me to practice, but like many other things, I never listened."

"It sounds like you were close, once."

"We were closer." Sunny admitted. "He and a few other Spirits took it upon themselves to try and teach me and Luna. Shattered Skies was around more than the others and tried to mentor us the best he could, but my pride got in the way of me learning from him. One day, long after the war ended, I ran away."

"Why?" Somra asked. "Was it something he did?"

"Kind of." Sunny said. "I pressed Skies for more information on what Alicorns were and I stormed away from him in anger. Then, a Spirit I called my mentor came by and asked me not to press the issue. Regrettably, that was that last time I saw Flotsam."

"Flotsam?"

"He is the Guardian Spirit of the Ocean and my mentor." Sunny looked to the horizon, as it was now made up of a distant ocean that shimmered in the moonlight. "Luna always did well at learning and following lectures, but I've never been good with schooling." Sunny started to laugh as he memories bubbled to the surface. "Luna and I were always around Spirits, but Flotsam was always proud of me, he tried to make things relatable. Once, when I stomped away from Skies as he tried to lecture me about something I did, Flotsam found me and forced me to listen to him."

"What did he say?"

"He said that he and Skies knew that not all creatures learn the same and that he was open to taking on an apprentice; something I jumped at." Sunny put her hoof on her chest as more and more memories raced through her mind. "Years later, my pride swelled once again and I ran away."

"Where did you go?" Sombra asked. 

"I drifted from town to town, then an old cloaked stallion found me and told me about an old castle, deep within a forest." Sunny tapped her chin. "It sounds more like a lure than anything else now that I think about it, but at the time, I just wanted some coin for food."

"What was it? The castle, I mean." Sombra asked.

"It was a guild." Sunny said bluntly. "Hidden in the forest, nestled under a cliff. If you weren't a member, it would look like a natural rock formation, so you had to become one before entering."

"What was it a guild of?"

"It was a heroes guild." Sunny smiled. "Wherever trouble appeared, they would send someone to answer the call, all while remaining silent about it. No gloating, just working for the greater good. It's something I wish I never left."

Sombra slipped away below the cramped deck and returned moments later, careful enough to not knock over anything in the small space. "So, will you tell me about your time as a hero?"

Sunny saw the small pad in his hooves, with him ready to write. "It's not something I talk about, Sombra."

"Why?"

Sunny's breath caught in her throat. "The guild was stomped out years ago. I received an urgent request for help, but after that every letter went unreturned. I sent a detachment of rangers, but they too disappeared."

"Did you ever find out what happened?"

"I went there, but I could never find the guild hall, I just accepted that it was gone and that I would never see it again. I was told by a passerby that four creatures stalked into the forest days after the letter was sent." Sunny sighed. "It was during the years of Nightmare Moon's rebellion and I couldn't answer the call fast enough."

"What were they like?" 

Sunny relented. "You won't give up until I tell you, huh?"

"Not likely." Sombra winked.

The sun started to rise over the horizon, independent of Celestia's magic. She covered her eyes and watched it light up the land. "I'll tell you, but first, why leave Radiant Hope in Canterlot? This is only a test flight."

Sombra shook his head. "She said she wanted to stay there. Sunset Shimmer met with her a few days ago and asked her to come to Ponyville. I haven't spent more than a few hours away from her since my return, but she insisted on me coming."

"She knows who I am?"

"She's a smart mare." Sombra remarked.

With a firm rub of her face, Sunny inhaled deeply. "I spoke before about learning from skies and my former mentor, Flotsam. They were grooming us to live as they had, for Equus, but I didn't want that, I wanted freedom."

Sombra sat down with his knees to his chest as he started to write.

"After the collapse of the Old World, it was clear that the great Spirit war had a more taxing effect, a post war depression. The remaining population of each nation fell into isolation. Soon, each nation became distant with each other and that distance bred suspicion, with bloodshed following soon after. Soon ponies and other beings were doing unspeakable things for fresh water, food or even to keep their population at a size to sustain a military. Mercenaries, however, thrived and lived quite happily, selling their sword to the vast paranoid sea of vindictive races. Equus was brought further to its knees, each race edging ever closer to extinction."

Sunny jerked the wheel of the ship to the side to fix their course as another stray bout of wind pushed against them.

"I loathe to admit it, but even as the world sat in such a state of decay, I only cared about what I wanted."

"You didn't want to fix the world?" Sombra asked.

"No. I was very head strong as a young mare." Sunny closed her eyes, angry with her younger self. "I thought, 'Why help a world that can't help itself?' I hated that me and Luna didn't know where we came from. I hated that I wasn't smart. I hated that we had Spirits that tried to steer us toward a path we didn't choose."

"My pride demanded that I strike out on my own and I did." Sunny huffed. "And I did not like what I found."

"What did you find?"

"Nothing." Sunny said. "No pony cared about anything. I journeyed all around, but my first stop was in a small fishing city named the Narrows. A mother and her foal were propped up against a wall and had frozen to death. I was shocked and tried to find help, but the town crier came by to tell me that she had been there for three days. Nopony even cared enough to help her and her foal, even in death."

Sunny gripped the wheel a little harder as her anger flared. "The Narrows burned down later that year and was deserted until colonists came in and renamed it Manehatten."

Sombra looked on at Sunny's cold expression.

"Every place I visited had a sad story like that. Soon, I grew tired of it and found a small, quiet village called Bower where I lived for eighteen years." 

"You lived in a village?"

"Yes?"

"What did you do?" Sombra asked, gesturing to Sunny with him quill. "Not to offend, but I can't see you doing much besides eating burgers and giving decrees."

Sunny stuck her nose in the air and huffed. "I'll have you know I became the town blacksmith."

"You, the town blacksmith?" Sombra started to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, I just can't see it." 

Sunny rolled her eyes. "I did have a life before being a Princess."

"If given the chance, would you return to being a hero?" Sombra's question hung in the air.

Sunny looked at her hoof and curled it to her chest. She could not deny herself, the thought made her happy. The large guild hall, eating and drinking with her companions. Complaining to the guild master about having to journey into swamp covered areas. Preparing herself for quests. And even the guild's greedy peddling merchant trying to overcharge for his wares. She missed it all.

"I think that smile tells me enough." Sombra said.

"I can't." Sunny said. "I'm running a nation and one of the biggest villains in history is on our doorstep. I just can't."

"Have you tried talking to him?"

Sunny sighed. "Not really. Luna and Twilight asked me that and the night before last, I told Luna I would try."

"Then why do this?" Sombra gestured to the schooner's deck. "You said you wanted to discover what these memories were, but ending a potential war seems a little more important."

Sunny remained silent, she felt her stomach drop when thinking about how mad her sister was going to be at her.

"Well?"

"I don't have an answer." Sunny's voice creaked, barely above a whisper. "I just want to know what these memories are. I feel if I don't try now, I'll never know."

Sombra wrote into his pad some more and hummed.

"What are you doing?"

"Starting a chronicle of this." Sombra exclaimed, changing the uncomfortable subject. "You're probably filled with stories. Maybe telling me some of them will help you remember?"

Sunny chuckled. "You're going to bug me until I tell you, huh?"

"Eh, you're not wrong."





Canterlot Castle





"So, Fury, let me get this straight. She left, under the cover of darkness, and you have no idea where she went?" 

"That sums it up." Fury stretched out on the large couch he sat on. "Faithful, you know she does this. She disappears for a few days and then she comes back. She did it during the locust out break. Did it when Manehatten burned, twice. When her sister returned. And every time something occurs that required her to act before getting that special task force together."

"I think as Captain of the Royal Guard, you would be a little more concerned." Faithful mumbled, brushing her mane aggressively. 

"If she dies, so what?" Fury dismissed Faithful's concern. "We can just replace her with a proxy."

"Yeah, because that wouldn't lead to a war." 

"I welcome another war. I'm tired of this sitting around." Fury growled. "How arrogant these ponies are, their status in the world has gone to their head. They all need to be reminded how unkind the world is. They hold war games, forgetting the actual gravity of the subject means."

"Is that why you stay in Ponyville all the time?" A voice echoed into the room.

"River, where have you been? And you found our little necromancer." Fury sat up to see his sister and Graves entering the room. "And yes, I enjoy being in the center of an active military zone."

"I would hardly call it a military zone." Faithful said.

"I think he just has a hard on for that new Captain." River Bend gestured with her hoof in a pumping, lewd manner. "Might want to leave his wife next to get caught up in the heat lust. You should consider her feelings, you beast."

Fury rolled his eyes. "That moaning mass of flesh?"

"Ouch." Faithful giggled.

"I only married her to keep up appearances." Fury waved his hoof in the air. "Aside from satisfying my lust when I demand it and taking care of that creature she birthed, I don't care."

"Is that why you moved them to Ponyville?" Graves asked. 

"Yeah, that way when it all comes crashing down, I can be rid of them both." Fury's tone lost its joy. "She knows too much about us to take the risk of letting her live."

"Just as long as I get the bodies, I don't care." Graves said darkly as he moved to the corner. He ignored his siblings disgusted looks as he sat to write notes into a scroll.

"What would our poor big brother say to us, now?" Faithful laughed.

"Probably that he is disappointed in us or something morally righteous." River chuckled. "We'll find out soon enough."

Fury's face twisted into rage as he stood. "The sooner we finish this, the better. I've been waiting thirteen thousand years to stomp him out, when all this is done, we can finally have peace."

"Are you going to talk to our little buddy from Farhaven?" Faithful asked. 

"They just arrived." Fury said and glared back. "Want me to say hi for you, Faithful?"

Faithful rose to her hooves and shook her hips as she passed. "I think I'll say hi, personally." 

The instant Faithful left, River gagged. Between the three remaining Spirits, their own insatiable desires were polarized as in they wanted one thing, but Faithful's desires ran rampant.

"Pathetic." Grave grumbled.

"That's my line." Fury said curly.

"I know we joke all the time about how all her lovers are going to be shocked about her real form, but if that gets her to stop banging everything with a pulse, then maybe we should." River's jest wasn't enjoyed by her brothers. "Where're you going?"

"To see my wife." Fury said as he disappeared in a poof of thick smoke.

"Well at least you're here." River looked to her younger brother and groaned when she saw him leaving as well. "You too?"

"I have more experiments to run."

"On all the undead you've been gathering." 

Graves stopped in his tracks. "You've been watching?"

"Of course."

Grave smiled wider than his mouth wanted to allow, causing his mouth to strain. "Do you want to see?"
> (H) Chapter 41 -Tight Purple Towel-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Tight Purple Towel-



"So." Rarity twirled her hair into coils as she walked around, examining the man before her. 

"So." Skyfall copied as he sat on a small stool, legs crossed in nothing but a tight, purple towel. He touched his fingertips together as he stared straight ahead, still astonished at his appearance. Much like his new acquaintances, who had different colored bodies to mimic their pony counterparts, his skin was a dark shade of silver and his hair was a solid deep blue with flecks of white, likely due to his incredible age. Deep down, he was glad his body didn't take on his Spiritual color scheme, that would have been infinitely harder to cover up. 

Rarity traced her finger down the deep scar on Skyfall's side, causing him to jump.

"Hey, watch the merchandise, sister." Skyfall warned.

Rarity smirked at Skyfall's embarrassment. "You are a big one, aren't you?"

"Yeah?" Skyfall challenged, making the onlookers laugh, adding insult to injury.

"Relax, Sky, they're just trying to help you." Sunset cooed while looking at the various outfits Rarity kept at the school. She pulled out a roman toga and shoved it back frantically when Applejack raised a brow at her. "A towel was the best we could do on short notice, we couldn't know you would emerge from the portal completely naked."

"Not that we mind." Rarity chimed as she measured Skyfall's broad shoulders.

"The helping I appreciate, but I feel like a piece of meat in a shark tank." Skyfall shied away from Rarity's thorough note taking and momentary, uncomfortably close pauses. 

"So what will he wear?" Rainbow Dash asked. "These clothes were made for us."

"Then it stands to reason that none of these clothes will fit." Twilight, human world's Twilight, said.

"Well, he has to wear something." Rainbow Dash threw a bobby outfit into the pile of nope. "He can't walk around in the buff." She leaned over and raised an eyebrow to a green cloth that was large enough to fit a man of Skyfall's caliber. "Unless you want to walk around in a kilt?"

"Not unless I have blue paint to complete the look." Skyfall said, making Rainbow laugh.

"Awesome movie." Rainbow said, the reference turning Sunset's head as she understood the reference, but knew he shouldn't have.

"So where did you get the scar from?" Rarity asked, much to Princess Twilight's silent pleading not to.

"That, Madam, is personal." Skyfall said. "I, however, have a question of my own."

"You have but to ask." Rarity turned and opened a closet where more clothes for the drama club were held.

"Why are we in the highschool at seven in the evening?" Skyfall looked to each girl in the room. "Is this even allowed?"

"It is." Applejack said. "After all that hoo-haw that's been coming over from Equestria, Principal Celestia gave up and started letting us take care of things. Plus, night courses for some college classes use the automotive section behind the school; us being here doesn't look that fishy."

"Unless someone were to look in and see eight females surrounding a poor, defenseless, naked, vulnerable man." Skyfall said. "They might even leave me to you wolves. Before you know it I'll be chained up in a basement left to survive the horrors of your whims."

"Is he always like this?" Twilight asked.

"Yes." Both Princess Twilight and Sunset Shimmer answered in unison. 

"He is the king of awkward situations." Princess Twilight grumbled.

"Oh, I'm royalty now?" Skyfall asked and was promptly hit with a pair of black briefs. "Ah, underwear. And clean, not bad." He put on one leg and then the other, noticing that each girl in the room had taken the liberty of facing away from him at break-neck speed. 

Standing triumphantly, Sky whistled. "Well, it's a start." As he spoke, the world started to tilt, but only for him. "And I'm going down."

Luckily for everyone, Sky was able to sit on the chair behind him before falling over, he had been on Equus for so long that walking on two legs was now a foreign concept.

"You okay?" Sunset asked.

"Yeah, just not used to legs yet." 

Night came slowly, causing the room to hold a soft orange light. Hushed conversation filled the room and Skyfall moved to the window, letting the rays of a setting sun hit him while silently remarking that the world was similar to the one that came before, giving him an unwelcome sense of nostalgia.

"So you two didn't tell us why you're here, and with... him." Rainbow said, jabbing a thumb to Skyfall as he moved to leaning against the piano, attempting to stretch his legs. "Or is he a boyfriend to one of you?"

Princess Twilight and Sunset looked to one another before shaking their heads. The latter fidgeted and glanced to Skyfall. "Okay, so, do you remember the problem that Princess Celestia wrote to me out of the blue about?"

"Evil Spirits, right?" Rainbow asked. "Shingle Cries?"

"Shattered Skies." Sunset corrected. "Well, it ended up being a much bigger problem than any of us thought and it turns out that there are a bunch of Spirits imprisoned here."

"Here?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes." Sunset said. "We need to talk to them to see if Shattered Skies has a  weakness or if there is a way he can be undone."

Sunset wanted to tell them that she wanted information and the truth about Spirits, but the official reason would have to do as long as Skyfall, Celestia's appointed Captain, was in earshot.

"So why is he here, we've never heard of either of you talk about him." Applejack said.

"Not like I have a name or anything." Skyfall stretched long and hard before taking a few slow, firm steps toward the closet Rarity was still rooting around in.  "My name is Skyfall, I would appreciate it if you used that instead of saying 'him.'"

A few of the girls looked at Skyfall, his attitude seemed out of step from the mischievous type person they thought they had figured out. They were speaking about him as if he could not hear them so his ire was at the very least, understandable.

Sunset sighed and gestured to Skyfall. "Girls, this is Skyfall, the Captain of the Ponyville guard unit and probably the only one that can help us find the people... Spirits, we're looking for."

Skyfall smacked his tongue against his teeth and waved his hand in a subtle chop motion in front of his neck to indicate for her to not go into more depth regarding the issue. 

"Sky, it's okay." Sunset rolled her eyes. "These are my best friends, they can be trusted."

Skyfall paused at the glass panned closet door and sighed heavily before entering. Sunset looked on in curiosity, she didn't miss his reaction every time he saw his reflection. 

"Sunset?" Twilight called, waiting for her to look over. "What's wrong with him? He seems... angry."

Sunset sighed. "I'll tell you all later tonight when he isn't around."

"You sure you wanna tell us then?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah." Sunset rubbed her arms. "I would like all of your help with this. You should know a little bit about him if we're all going to get along." She looked to Fluttershy, the only person Skyfall didn't bother looking at, let alone interact with. "Especially you."

The room fell into silence for what felt like an hour until the sound of soft clapping came from the closet, accompanied by Rarity giggling. The door opened fluidly and bounced off the door stop, revealing a very happy Rarity.

"Why are you so happy?" Rainbow mumbled.

"I am happy because I once again pulled off the impossible." Rarity clapped twice and turned to the side, giving the room the ability to see into the closet. Within, Skyfall looked at himself in the mirror with a slight frown. "What's wrong, Darling? I thought you liked it."

Skyfall turned and left the closet, giving Rarity a soft pat on the side as he passed. "The clothes are nice, Rarity. Thank you."

The girls watched on as Skyfall left the room in silence. No direction of what he was doing, only a simple look to the room before the door shut with a soft click.

"I'll go talk to him." Sunset said as she too left the room.

"He seems very upset." Fluttershy said, placing her hands in her lap. "I wonder if the other world's me has something to do with it?" She looked to Princess Twilight who stood and shook her head. "Did I... she?"

"I have no idea." Princess Twilight said. "I've known him for a nearly half a year and very rarely do I ever get a straight answer from him. He likes to answer questions with questions. He won't even divulge his age, in most cases, we're left guessing."

"How old do you think he is?" Rainbow asked. "He looks young, but his hair has that salt and pepper thing going on. Is he sick?"

Princess Twilight sat down and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Our group is split, some say late twenties, others say early forties. Now that I see his human appearance mixed with his hair, I'm lost."

"He seems like he gives you alotta' headaches." Applejack said. 

"You have no idea, let me fill you in on my life since he moved into Ponyville."

As the girls spoke of Twilight and Ponyville, the other Twilight, Canterlot high's Twilight, left to meet up with Sunset Shimmer and Skyfall. She looked through the halls briefly and heard the faint sound of speaking in a nearby bathroom. The closer Twilight got, the more clear the words became. With a subtle push, She looked in to see Skyfall sitting on the floor with his forearms resting on his knees and his head against the back wall with Sunset sat in front of him, talking him down from something.

"You know if you want to vent, I'm here." Sunset said as a shimmer from the setting sun beamed through the window, making her the brightest thing in the room. 

Twilight looked over the bathroom mirror and saw that a dark cleaning solution, likely from the janitorial staff, had been opened and splashed on it to obscure the reflection. 'Does he hate the way he looks?'

"Sunset, you're a good person, but I would rather not drag you down with needless drama." Skyfall's cold tone echoed. He looked at the clothes Rarity had assembled for him and bite his lip, realizing he may have been in too much of a hurry to get some alone time with himself. 

His white button-up shirt was worn, Rarity hummed at it and likely accepted that's what she had to work with, but the shirt was likely supposed to be thrown away from it's state as the frayed fibers on some bits of the shirt betrayed its age. The shirt was made to fit a smaller man as Sky's shoulders were too broad, forcing him to keep the top four buttons unlinked, revealing a blue t-shirt underneath. The dark cleaning solution stained his rolled sleeves, despite his best attempts to roll without staining. 

"You do fit your clothes nicely." Sunset smiled at his pathetic attempt at rolling his sleeves evenly. "Let me redo these."

"It's fine."

"No, you look like a slob." Sunset insisted as she tried to help Skyfall.

"I can do it myself." Skyfall smiled, pulling his arm away from Sunset's outstretched hand, only to have his wrist grabbed firmly and jerked down.

"I'm helping you."

"Yes, ma'am." Skyfall relented and sat still as Sunset fixed his clothes like he was a child on the first day of school. Mentally chuckling to himself as the one that had hunted him for the past few months was now fixing his messy sleeves. "Thank you."

"No problem, if we're going to work together, we have to trust each other." Sunset tugged the rolled cuffs to straighten them out and then went to work on his uneven pant cuffs. "Did Rarity say whose these were?"

Skyfall shrugged. "Mr. Ira's clothes, according to Rarity he is a visiting career instructor and leaves stuff here on occasion. She said that he shouldn't miss these due to not having seen them since he left them six months ago."

Sunset finished up and took a good look at Skyfall. "Huh, I guess that was a bit of luck that they fit." She looked as Skyfall moved, causing some parts of the shirt to strain from insufficient space. "Well, mostly."

"Yeah, and that these boot's previous owners kept them clean, no foot juice." Skyfall rolled on a knee and rose slowly, minding the multiple loops on his loose carpenter jeans. He looked outside at the setting sun. "So where to for the night?"

"I would say my place, but my foster parents would lose their minds if I brought a man home after being away for a couple of months." Sunset rolled her eyes. "They would probably assume I'm pregnant and coddle you to death."

"Ah, so you have the parents that over eager to have grandchildren?" Skyfall laughed for a moment and balanced himself on his feet. "Wait, do they know about you being a Unicorn?"

With a vigorous nod, Sunset stood up to meet Skyfall, but only reached his shoulder. "They do, I told them after Twilight came through the portal the first time and defeated me."

"Defeated?" Skyfall asked.

Sunset winced. "Y-Yeah, once, a long time ago, I kind of stole the crown of Harmony and tried to raise an army. I used the power and it Twilight was able to overpower me."

"You forced the activation of a Spirit's power?" Skyfall asked skeptically.

"Yes." Sunset cupped her hands and bowed her head. "It was too much power for me to take and I lost myself. I felt immense rage and a drive to conquer everything. Well... more of a drive to conquer. Twilight and her friends freed me, leaving me in a large crater."

Skyfall waved weakly in Sunset's vision to get her attention. "Spirit power is a very dangerous thing Sunset. It is possible, under certain circumstances to activate a Spirit's power against its will, but the cost is often too great for those who are not Spirits."

"The cost?" Sunset asked.

"To put it in simple terms, Sunset Shimmer, your life." Skyfall's words struck a deep cord with Sunset, her numb expression told volumes. "It sounds like Harmony saw something in you and chose to spare you from her wrath."

Sunset giggled. "How vicious could the Spirit of Harmony be?"

Skyfall paused to remember a few cases and a few leveled cities before shaking his head.

"That violent?" Sunset asked.

"All Spirits have some amount of power at their disposal. Harmony was near the top of the power pyramid." Skyfall could not help but look at the dirty mirror to see his blurry reflection. "If you're here, then she went out of her way to save you. Had she not, your soul would have been split into various pieces and you would become cursed. And that's only if it was strong enough to not be torn apart."

"Did you once use a Spirit's power?" Sunset asked. "We were all startled when the mirror began screeching." She leveled a stare into Skyfall's eyes. "Does using a Spirit's power curse you?"

"It can curse you, but I have no idea why the mirror did that for me." Skyfall lied. "It could be a multitude of reasons, it could even be the Spirits setting up a warning system for when things come through."

"You really do know a lot about Spirits, don't you?" 

"I do. I've lived among them and I have read a great many books that are now considered taboo in Equestria." Skyfall stated. "Although, there is a lot I still need to learn about life, or so Sif says."

"I think I know what she's talking about." Sunset chuckled, much to Skyfall's confusion.

"What's that mean?"

Sunset punched Sky's shoulder. "You won't let anyone close enough to actually tell them anything about you."

"So you want to know more about me?" Skyfall asked, bemused. "I don't know if you know what you're asking. All this is level T-seventeen classified, code Giraffe encryption."

Sunset face-palmed at Skyfall's annoying diversion. "Yes, I want to get to know more about you."

"Not on school property." The bathroom door opened, revealing Vice Principal Luna. "And certainly not in the boy's bathroom."

"Vice Principal Luna!" Sunset exclaimed. "We can-"

"No need, Sunset Shimmer, I have heard enough." Luna raised an eye brow to the bathroom couple. "I will not make an issue of what may, or may not, have happened. All I ask is that you and this ...young man?" Luna paused, confused at the man's approximate age. "-vacate the school grounds along with the rest of your friends. I need to close up the school, all classes have been finished for the evening."

Sunset nodded and made her way to the door. "Aren't the college courses going until eleven at night?"

"They would be, but a nasty storm is moving in and flash flood warnings are in effect so they have been cancelled." Luna placed a hand on Sunset's shoulder. "You all must hurry home, strong storms are not to be taken lightly."

Sunset smiled and waved Skyfall forward, a siren tone rang on Sunset's phone alerting them of a flash flood advisory. As if to illustrate Luna's warning, thunder crashed over the building, startling everyone before the sun's light gave way to dark clouds, dimly lit street lamps, and the occasional strobe of lightning.

Vice Principal Luna looked at Skyfall thoroughly as he passed. "You."

Skyfall stopped and looked down to Luna's inquisitive glare. "Yes?"

"You look familiar. Where are you from?"

"Are you asking whether or not I'm a pony?" Skyfall asked.  He noticed the Vice Principal's pause and smirked. "That question should suffice as an answer." 

As Skyfall left, he held up his finger to his lips, the universal symbol for silence. When he turned back around, the girls had congregated outside the room where they had been sitting and stared at Sunset and Skyfall as they walked up.

"There you two are." Rainbow said.

Another loud crash of thunder rolled through the skies above the school, nixing any potential conversation.

"You guys want to come over to my place?" Pinkie Pie asked. "My dad went on a business trip again, so if you all want to sleep over, you're totally allowed to."

Next to no thinking took place as the pitter–patter of of thick rain drops echoed on the schools roof.

"Yeah, let's do that." Applejack said as she and the others took out their car keys.

"That's wonderful." Rarity checked her phone. "Sweetie Belle is staying at Applejack's with her other friends. Everything is taken care of."

"Whose car are we going in?" Sunset asked, gesturing to her and Skyfall.

"I can take you." Fluttershy waved, only for Skyfall to turn and leave without looking at her. "O-Oh, I guess not."

"I'll drive the big guy." Applejack said, taking the sun glasses off her head and shoving them into a loop on her form fitting jeans. "I'll meet y'all there?"

"Will do." Rainbow called, already jogging away from the group. "Last one there buys the Chinese food!"

Those words sent everyone into a mad dash, leaving Skyfall to continue walking at his leisurely pace, alone. After a quiet moment when the footfalls left, he paused in the atrium and rolled his shoulders, cracking them.

"All that deodorant does nothing to hide the smell of formaldehyde." Skyfall boomed.

The sound of a heavy dragging was echoing from the second floor. Darkness grew like a sickness in the atrium as the storm picked up in strength.

"Not even a full day and you've already gained some of your senses as a person." Two, sickly green eyes peeked out from over the banister. His claws seeped over the railing and he rested his body against the half wall. "And here I thought you would disappoint."

"What are you doing here, Lonely Graves?" Skyfall asked. "Is this where you skulk off to every time my scouts get close to pinning you down? Or do you like pretending we don't know one another."

"And you know exactly who I am." Graves cackled. "Or, at least who I've become. I guess it's too much to ask for you to remember me from the time before."

Graves started to descend the stairs. His body lumbered from side to side with heavy steps under a lumpy coat.

"I remember you, Graves, I remember us all." Skyfall turned to the being approaching him.

"Good, then you'll remember what you did to us."

"Yes..."

"Yes?" Graves said, a brown, stinking liquid dropped from his eyes like tears as they widened in anger.

"Psalm told me about some of your lives after that day." Skyfall said, trying to keep an eye on Graves as he started to circle. A dense sucking feeling took him over, forcing him to a knee. "I just want to speak with you all and try to fix things."

"Oh, we are far past fixing anything, dear brother." Two large stallions walked up through the darkness, each clearly being from Equestria and worse, dead. Rot and decay spider-webbed their bodies and stitches tried their best to keep it all together like a thrift store teddy bear.

"Why are you tampering with the dead?" Skyfall put his hand over his mouth from the smell as Graves patted one of the stallion's cheeks before kissing him on the ear, delighting in his brother's disgusted expression.

"Such a shocking question coming from you." Graves growled. "Or do you still keep that a secret? Do you trust Grogar to keep that a secret for much longer?"

"Where are the others?" Skyfall said.

"They'll be along." Graves ordered the stallion to turn and walk. "One in particular wants to see you very soon. Make sure to have your raincoat handy, Big Brother."

The green aura left, leaving Skyfall in a dark atrium on his knees from Graves' draining magic.

"Skyfall?" Applejack asked as she turned the corner and hurried into a light jog until she got to his side. "Skyfall, are you okay?"

Everything slowed and Skyfall's vision drifted in and out of coherence.

"Skyfall?" Applejack swatted his face lightly, dragging him from his daze. "What happened?"

"N-Nothing, just got really, really dizzy." Skyfall got to his feet and stumbled before being helped by Applejack. After a few twists and turns through the school, Skyfall chuckled. "I should be glad you're a strong one."

"Well, thank ya kindly." Applejack chuckled out as she was waved away by Skyfall regaining his footing. She looked on as he stretched and rolled his shoulders. "Is it normal to be in highschools in your realm at night?"

"Nope." Applejack said.

"Then let's get going." Skyfall turned and walked in the direction he knew Applejack went in before coming back for him, only to have missed Lonely Grave by mere seconds. After a moment, Applejack followed behind silently.

The lack of words and the sound of rain brought back memories of Skyfall's human life. Images of school hallways flashed to a rain soaked lake shore and him being up to his torso in mud trying to rebuild retention walls. It wasn't uncommon for Spirits to remember their human lives in bursts, but it was uncommon for them to be extremely vivid like his were as of late. Memories of low points and the feelings of discomfort that came with them. Faces looked back at him when he closed his eyes and words reached him, only their names were kept in anonymity. He shook his head, bringing the dark hallways back.

"You okay, Skyfall?"

"Yeah." Skyfall said. "I think I might just be a little tired, that's all."

The sound of clopping echoed through the halls as lighting lit up the school. The stinging sour smell of formaldehyde wafted around the darkness, causing both Applejack and Skyfall to cover their noses.

"Why does everything smell like pickles?"

"Applejack, we need to run." 

"Why?" Applejack turned to look at Skyfall, but noticed a distinct lack of anyone around her. A soft thumping sound drew her to look in the direction they were walking to see Skyfall in a dead sprint. "Hey! Why are you running?"

"Demon pony!"

Applejack looked down the other hall and saw two sickly green eyes and instantly followed Skyfall, catching up and passing him before plowing through the front double doors and rolling to a stop in the rain. She looked up and scrambled to her feet as Skyfall skidded to a stop with an axe and stuck it through the handles of the door.

"W-What was that?" Applejack asked. "Where'd you get the axe?"

"A dead horse. Axe was in the wall fire staion." Skyfall breathed out as he took a few uneven steps backward, cradling his bleeding hand. "That should hold it."

The door buckled outward from the stallions sheer weight upon hitting the door.

"Although, the Maker has made it her life mission to prove me wrong." Skyfall turned and ran, grabbing Applejack and cradling his bloodied hand to his chest. "Which truck... nevermind."

Skyfall altered his course for the only truck in the parkinglot, he slipped in a few of the puddles and arrived as the doors unlocked with Applejack's control button. The eyes of the stallion glowed from inside of the school, looking out at the as it paced like a feral beast needing to feed.

Applejack frantically turned the truck on before Skyfall put his hand on hers. Time ticked by and the tapping of raindrops echoed off the roof as the radio and air conditioning kicked on, having the key turned far enough, but not far enough to turn the engine.

"Why are we stopping?" Applejack asked with sporadic breath, sounding worried.

"Because he has." Skyfall pointed to the eyes that watched them from the darkness of a classroom. "Let's get out of here, safely."

Applejack gasped. "Skyfall, your wrist, it's bleeding."

Quickly, Skyfall moved his hand away from Applejack's and pressed his opposite hand to his left wrist to slow the bleeding. "Sorry, I cut it when I punched the glass to get the axe."

With a few clicks of her phone, Applejack looked up the navigation application while keeping on a lookout for the undead stallion. The engine roared to life as the keys initiated the turnover. 

"I need to get you to the hospital." Applejack threw her SUV into reverse and started to move, but Skyfall shook his head.

"Just take us to Pinkie's, I'll be fine." 

"I could see the bone, Skyfall, that has to hurt." Applejack jabbed a finger at Sky's face and his poor attempt to conceal his pain. "You need someone to stitch that up."

"Ju-Just get us to Pinkie's." Skyfall adjusted his grip to stop the bleeding. "I have no records in your world, they might get the police involved and that's something neither of us need."

The reasoning was solid, but Applejack still hated the plan. "Fine, but you still need help."

A new, yet familiar feeling washed over Skyfall as the truck accelerated in the rain. He looked on as the surrounding changed and moved as Applejack controlled the vehicle, shifting gears. 

"So, you like driving a stick?" Sky asked.

"Stick?" Applejack raised an eyebrow. "I thought Equestria didn't have cars?"





Pinkie's House





"Hey, are you okay in there?" 

Repetitious knocking echoed through the small bathroom as Skyfall ran his wrist beneath the water. He growled as the small shard of glass he was trying to fish out slipped from his broken concentration. "I'm fine, just cleaning."

"We got the stuff you requested." Sunset said.

The instant Applejack and Skyfall got to Pinkie's house, they were bombard with questions as to why Skyfall had been bleeding like a stuck pig. He tried to cover the story up by saying he accidentally touched Applejack's butt, but Applejack spilled the entire story, minus the part about Skyfall knowing about cars. Now, Skyfall was sat inside Pinkie's now bloodied bathroom, using a pair of tweezers in a way they weren't intended to.

With a quick one handed flip of the door handle, Sky opened and stuck his arm out to grab the rustling bag he heard.

"We want to come in." Sunset said. "Fluttershy has some experience with treating animals at the shelter."

"And I'm good with a needle." Rarity added.

Skyfall used his foot to pull the door open, allowing his audience to see the bloody mess he made. He stared at Sunset, Fluttershy, and Rarity, trying to gauge their reactions. "I'm in the midst of trying to get glass out of my wrist, so if you don't mind blood, you can enter, but if you do, stay here and let me work."

Skyfall backed away from the door and picked up the tweezers once more. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

Without a moments notice, Pinkie Pie took the bag from Sunset's hands as she passed into the bathroom. "It's fine, girls, you can go upstairs and order the takeout. I'll stay here and help."

"Are you sure about this, Pinkie Pie?" Rarity asked.

With a happy nod, Pinkie smiled. "Yup-Yup, my daddy taught me, Limestone, Marble, and Maud alot about emergency medical care from a young age. I'm not as good as Marble, but I know how to dress a stab wound."

"Your dad taught you to dress a stab wound?" Applejack asked, her skepticism not lost on the room of shared sentiment.

"Yup! He teaches us alot of things, but nothing we aren't willing to do." Pinkie pointed to a faded picture on the display case, the man in it was aged, years of stress wore on his skin until permanent grooves folded his cheeks. He was saluting an unknown entity just off the picture's field of view, the tip of his hand neatly positioned between his brow and beret, it's shadow doing little to hide the prominent eye patch.

"That's your father?" Fluttershy said, surprised at the seriousness that the man portrayed. 

"He looks... nice." Rarity struggled to be nice.

"You mean serious." Pinkie rolled on her heels. "He can be serious, but I can always get him to laugh."

The sudden rolling of a shampoo bottle grabbed Pinkie's attention. "Whoops, bleeder in the bathroom! You guys get the food, remember, I want Coconut chicken. Skyfall! What do you want from the Chinese food place!"

"Meow." 

The room fell silent at Skyfall's dark humor before Applejack, Rarity, and Sunset started to giggle.

"That wasn't funny." Rainbow shook her head and walked upstairs.

Pinkie laughed to herself when she saw how sloppy Skyfall was at getting the shard out and tapped his shoulder to get his attention. "Do you have Chinese places in Equestria? I can get you a menu."

"No, that's fine." Skyfall said quietly as he grimaced, finally grasping the sharp and pulling it back slowly so as not to cause further damage. "I'll have Mongolian Beef with a side of boneless spare rib."

Pinkie looked back to see Applejack's thumb up as she was already calling for delivery. Pinkie closed the door slowly behind her, almost closing the pant leg of her nightwear in the door. 

The adrenaline that coursed through Skyfall's veins had long worn off, his hand shook as he laid down a small shard, bathed red and nearly indistinguishable on the red paper towel. The piece that initially lodged itself in his wrist cracked and splintered, leaving a quick removal to become an arduous task.

"Splintered huh?" Pinkie asked as she moved to sit on the counter, just opposite Skyfall. She quietly took inventory of the bag and tisked. "You had most of what you needed, but missed the iodine."

"I wasn't sure if your world had that or not." Skyfall watched as Pinkie placed a hand on his hip and bent down past him to access the space beneath him. She came up with a brown bottle and ran her hand down his arm, circling the wound.

"That is a very deep cut." 

Skyfall continued to observe and noticed Pinkie's eyes weren't wide with amazement as they usually were, they were serious. Her normal bubbly nature flip flopped to the woman that stood before him. Some part of him felt like she was scolding him for his blunder. In a way, she reminded him of how his world's Pinkie acted around him, mature and intelligent.

"If you pulled too hard left or too hard right, you have caused nerve damage." Pinkie grasped his hand and angled it while looking into the gore. "Good job on the glass removal so far, if I didn't know you came from Equestria, I would say you've done this before."

"I'll get the rest." Pinkie held out her open hand and flexed it impatiently when Skyfall wasn't budging. When he did, she maintained a firm, smooth grip on the tweezers and effortlessly removed three clear sharps. She tossed the utensils in the sink and grabbed a hand towel from the hook behind her. Running the towel under water before twisting it tight. She grabbed Skyfall's chin and held it up to his mouth. "You should bite down on this."

"It's fine, I've had worse." 

Pinkie wrenched Skyfall's hand up and popped the top off of the bottle of alcohol. "If you say so!"

Skyfall watched as Pinkie braced for a gut wrenching scream, she peaked up only to see a quiet, raised brow. "I found your lidocaine, that's how I was able to dig in my wrist for glass."

"Huh, I should have guessed that." Pinkie thought aloud as she started to apply the iodine to Skyfall's arm to disinfect it. "That takes the pain out of the next part."

Pinkie hovered a flame beneath the needle before getting a spindle out of the bag and chuckling. "We have sutures, but this is good enough. You just need to keep it clean."

"Pinkie, where did you learn all this?" Skyfall asked.

"You didn't hear me say this to the girls?" 

Skyfall held up his wrist. "I was a little preoccupied."

"My dad taught me." Pinkie said as she pierced Skyfall's skin with the needle, causing him to hiss in pain. "I thought you said you found the lidocaine?"

"I did, I guess that spot wasn't covered well enough." Skyfall smiled.





Later that night





The storm that pounded the town was nasty. Trees were swaying like the were made of rubber and the wind howled like a train whistle, and every so often, lighting would crash so loud car alarms would go off. Despite this, the girls were sound asleep while Skyfall laid awake in Pinkie's living room.

The rough, cotton blanket felt unusually harsh on his skin and the pain medication Pinkie administered had long worn off, his only comfort was a warm, brown, hoodie jacket that Pinkie said belonged to an ex-boyfriend of her sister.

A sudden weakening of the storm was nice enough to lure Skyfall onto Pinkie's back porch where he sat, watching as sheets of rain poured off the roof. 

Time ticked on as Skyfall sat, deep in thought.

Whispers pierced the rain and shadows gathered in the large, open yard among the trees. At first, Sky thought his mind was playing tricks on him until the shadows started to exit the small tree line as one. A shade held up an arm, stopping the crowd before breaking away, presumably to achieve what they were there to do. 

Skyfall stood slowly and lifted the hood of his jacket before walking into the rain, instantly feeling it through his only set of clothes.

The shade stopped and its eyes glowed pink for a moment. "Who do you answer to?"

"Wow, just met and you're already trying to bed me." Skyfall's monotonous voice offset the surrounding shades, unsure of who stood before them, be it friend or foe.

"Are you a Spirit?"

Skyfall knew that what magic he brought over would replenish, but very slowly due to the realm's apparent aversion to natural magic, having sensed a slow drag on his soul since arriving. He dug deep and forced his eyes to glow, answering the shade's question. It was then that he knew the shadows were Spirits as glowing eyes stared back from the darkness.

"You are a Spirit, but I must now ask, what name was given to you?" 

Knowing that Lonely Grave let slip that his siblings were hunting him, it was best to avoid throwing his name around to those he didn't truly know. Plus, Shattered Skies was the name he chose, the name that was given to him, a name the Maker had chosen, was Ardennes.

"My name is Ardennes."

"I have never heard of you." The shade said calmly, placing it's hands on an unseen belt buckle in front if its body. "I've come to know a great many Spirits and Ardennes isn't a name that I know. Judging from that name, you're under the Earth elemental's sect."

"I am."

"Who is the Forest Spirit?" The shade asked.

"The Forest Spirit was Shattered Skies, but he was slain one thousand years ago." Skyfall answered. 

"Right answer so far." The shade chuckled as he waved a few Spirits down, dismissing them. He looked back to Skyfall and ran his hand through his spiky, red hair. "If what you say is true, then Earth would want to see you to get you set up in this world."

"So Earth is here?" Skyfall asked.

"She is. When Celestia started persecuting us, she forced us here and prevented us from returning. Then Earth found a way to cross over on her own." The Spirit smiled before digging into his back pocket. "She talked about being there for the Spirits and about how Equus may be better off without Spirits in this age of peace."

Skyfall shook his head, causing the shade to stop his moving.

"I take it you have news from Equus?"

"I do, it's important that I find Earth immediately." As Skyfall finished, a scroll and four runes were shoved in his hand, each rune etched onto a different conduit that glowed brightly in his grasp before he fought to suppress his Spirit form's influence, causing them to dull. "What's with the junk?"

"If you really are a true Spirit, then you'll know what to do with them." The shade backed away. "We have had to put obstacles between newcomers and Earth to protect her, I'm sure you understand."

With a flash of lightning from the storm, the shades disappeared into the black night.

"Skyfall?" 

Sunset called from the porch door as it creaked open. Sky turned to see her trying to look through the darkness.

Silently, Skyfall walked through the rain and ascended the steps. "I'm here, Sunset, just enjoying the rain."

The look Sunset gave Skyfall tore into him, more than he felt it should have. She frowned and shook her head. 

"What's wrong?"

"You do this in Equestria too, something is clearly on your mind and you deflect it. Is letting someone close that painful?" Sunset asked, showing less restraint than earlier due to their seclusion.

"Nothing's wrong, Sunset." 

"Then why has your face been in a constant frown since we met at the castle?" Sunset grabbed his shoulders to force Sky to look her in the eye. "And your eyes water more, like now."

"It's raining, so it's probably the rain?" Skyfall tried to turn, but Sunset's kung-fu like grip kept him still.

"Your hood is up." Sunset deadpanned and stopped Skyfall's talking with a silencing finger. "I'm not Twilight, I pursue answers, not just demand them."

Skyfall couldn't help but to smile, Sunset was a hard mare to fool. All his wiles and trickery often held up like a wet paper bag when it came to her shrewd ability to deduce.

"So, will you talk to me?" Sunset asked, her eyes burned a look of defiance as she continued the stare.

"I don't think I have a choice."

Sunset giggled as she sat on the cushioned bench, patting the seat next to her. "Eh, not really."
> (H) Chapter 42 -Sleepless Sleepover-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Sleepless Sleepover-



Conversation passed into content silence as Sunset and Skyfall sat, watching the storm. She could tell Skyfall was gathering his thoughts, but she couldn't help but look at Skyfall as the streetlamp's cast itself on him from the side street. 

"I heard a little of what happened from Twilight." Sunset said. "She tried to keep it a secret, but everyone was very surprised."

Skyfall shrugged. "I'm not. I got dumped, it wasn't going to last anyway." He leaned back and rested his hands on his lap, trying to lie to himself as his heart pulled in every way possible. "I was being foolish when I tried to make that work. Fluttershy is a nice mare, but her and I are just too different. In the end, there wasn't much there aside from basic attraction."

Sunset's voice caught in her throat. She expected him to seem more sad, but his mood came off as hurt and vindictive, the opposite of the person she had come to know. When she heard 'basic attraction,' she thought aloud. "Wait, you and Fluttershy only got together so you could... uh."

"Hm?" Skyfall glanced over to see Sunset making a circle with one hand and slowly pushing her finger from the other in. "Is that what basic attraction means to you?"

"Isn't that what you meant?" Sunset asked.

With quiet laughter, Skyfall rubbed his face. The conversation lulled into silence as Sunset waited for an answer.

"Well?"

"Well, what?" Skyfall asked.

"Did you?"

"Did I, what?"

Sunset was embarrassed, but she persisted. "Did you and Fluttershy... fulfill your basic attraction needs?"

"Sunset Shimmer." Skyfall said in a sing song voice. "Are you really asking if Fluttershy and I had sexual relations? I know Rarity hounded Fluttershy about it without realizing the truth, but you? My lord, is it so hard to believe that her and I sipped coffee in content silence?"

"Yes."

"I swear, you ponies and your rumors." Skyfall hummed. "I mean, you're not wrong. But still, you all are rude for prying. A gentleman does not kiss and tell."

"Dear Celestia, I bet you're a raging pervert in secret." Sunset tried to suppress a laugh.

"No, but I do love to mess with people." Skyfall's laughter died into a nervous huff. He leaned forward and moved his elbows to his knees "I've been told before that I play too much when I get familiar with someone. Most people are too slow or too nice to actually do anything about it."

Sky grasped his left hand with his right and squeezed lightly to keep his concentration. "Honey was one of the few to really challenge me and get close to me."

"May I ask?" Sunset too leaned forward. "Why did you and Honey divorce?"

After a long pause, Skyfall shook his head. "Technically, she is still my wife. There was no formal procedure to break things off, but the time..." Sky paused once again and felt a sorrowful pull on his mind. "The time we spent apart and our actions during that time has formed a rift between us."

Sunset remained silent and made assumptions about the situation, assumptions Sky allowed her to keep. He looked over to see a pair of eyes staring back at him, a sympathetic smile piercing the darkness.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it."

Sky shook his head. "No, it's fine. If I didn't want you to know, I wouldn't have said anything."

He continued after distant thunder rumbled through the sky. "She thinks I don't know what she has done. A part of me wishes that were true. I'm letting her live in ignorant bliss because I know that telling me will validate her betrayal to me in her mind. Like so many things in my life I remain silent about what I shouldn't just to spare those I care about."

"Or to spare myself." Skyfall mumbled under his breath before continuing. "Honey has tried to be loving toward me and has even slept next to me on the nights she can't bear to sleep by herself. She respected that I had already had a relationship when she returned, but now that Fluttershy is no longer in the picture, she fears that pursuing a new relationship with me will only hurt us. Mostly because that means facing our own, individual demons. She has even told me that she believes Fluttershy will return and that when she does, she'll accept it."

"Do you love her?"

"Honey Bee or Fluttershy?"

Sunset Shimmer chewed her cheek. "Both?"

"I love Honey Bee, she is the mother of my child and for that she will always hold a place in my heart." Sky held his hand to his chest. "But as for a romantic sense, I don't know anymore. I've done things that at times seemed questionable, but I always had a reason and I never resigned myself to doing the easy thing because I feared the higher road. Sounds pretentious, I know."

Leaving the anonymity of the situation unchanged, Sunset prompted Sky to continue. "As for our little, yellow Pegasus? Do you still love her?"

Another folly of rain picked up, making the rushing water louder, but not so much so to effect the conversation.

"I never loved Fluttershy in the deepest sense. Had our relationship moved on, then maybe one day the fondness I feel toward her would develop into true love." Skyfall sighed. "Silver Coin, the Ponyville finance trader, has spoken to me many times before about love and I myself have been around long enough to have experienced much of what it has to offer. But why would I want to stay with someone who would let another's jealously dissuade her from remaining by my side?"

"What happened?"





An Unwelcomed Visit





"Skyfall. Fluttershy is here." Inko said quietly as she walked into Sky's study. 

"I know." Skyfall signed one of the last scrolls of his daily pile and set his quill down before rubbing his eyes. "And you don't need to say why, we both know that this was coming."

The door shut with a click and a soft knock came from the study's door mere minutes later.

"You may enter." Skyfall said before glancing to an outstretched Sif, her unwilling look made him pause for the briefest of moments. "See that Raven and Ravenclaw get onto studying more of those artifacts."

With no sound, Sif bounded from the couch and stalked past Fluttershy, not even gracing her with a parting glance.

"S-Sounds serious." Fluttershy smiled.

"It isn't. What made you stop by?"

Fluttershy let loose a strained breath. "S-Skyfall, we need to talk."

"You're breaking up with me." Skyfall leaned back in his chair and scratched his elbow. "You're breaking up with me because you can't stand to date in secret?"

"No." Fluttershy said weakly.

"Does it have to do with my ex-wife living with me?"

"No..."

"Does it involve the other four mares in my house?"

Fluttershy smacked her hoof on Skyfall's desk. "No, Skyfall, just listen."

To show that he accepted silence, Skyfall crossed his arms and waited patiently for the usually timid mare to talk. She tried to stare Skyfall down, but it was obvious that she couldn't bear to. Her facade was too out of character for her and as such, she melted into her own hooves. 

"Skyfall, I can't be with you." Fluttershy's voice shook. "I knew that other ponies liked you and I chose to ignore their feelings for yours. It was a mistake and I don't want to keep hurting them."

"Her."

"W-What?"

"Her. You don't want to keep hurting her." Skyfall corrected as he turned to look out the window, not wanting to look at the mare before him in fear she may start to cry. "Rainbow Dash came to you and begged you to stop pursuing me. At that point, you spilled that you were dating me and that degraded into yelling and then into tear filled arguing."

"But-"

"And the Rainbow Dash gave you an ultimatum; her or me."

"N-No-"

"Being she's your best friend from foalhood and fellow Element of Harmony, I can see I am sorely outmatched." Skyfall huffed, amused at the situation.

"You're being really cold about this." Fluttershy rubbed her arms. unable to look at Skyfall.

"What did you expect, Fluttershy?" Skyfall stood from his seat and walked over to the closest window. "Sadness? Bargaining? Anger? It is sad to admit, but most of my relationships end poorly. However, I do understand why you're doing this, but I can't say I approve."

"I know." Fluttershy slowly stood and walked to Skyfall's side and leaned against him one last time as a lover. She sighed, taking in his distinct aroma of turned soil and freshly fallen rain. 

Sky glanced down to the pegasus at his side and watched as she tried to move towards his face, only to have a hoof placed on her lips.

"What you're thinking never works, Fluttershy. One day, if you ever decide that you want to live for yourself, I'll be here." Skyfall moved his hoof from her lips to her cheek. "Trust me, I know."

After the tears started to roll from her eyes and onto his hoof, Fluttershy turned and flew out of study and then out of his life.

"You know, she meant every kind word she ever gave you." 

"I know." Skyfall said without turning to see the cream coated form of Inko at his side door. "That only makes this harder."

The sun beamed into the study, illuminating Inko and her auburn mane. "You should be more kind."

"I know..." Sky's shoulders drooped noticeably. "Why were you even eavesdropping in the first place."

Inko headbutted his side lightly. "You forget, me, Truth, and Blue, used to stalk you when you and Crystal were dating."

With a loud laugh, Skyfall nodded. "Back when you used to carry around that comically large hammer and be obsessed with buying a mansion."

"Hey, a girl has gotta have dreams." Inko smiled.

"Dreams." Skyfall's voice fell quiet as more inconsequential memories of his life that boiled in through his dreams came to mind. "I haven't had one in some time now."





The Next Morning
Present





The sound of a phone's camera and the snickering of many girls stirred Skyfall from his sleep. He noticed that seven of his new companions were scattered about on the back porch trying not to laugh. Upon closer inspection, Sunset was passed out with her legs rested across his lap and her upper body propped against the bench.

"I see you two got cozy." Rarity giggled.

Sky rubbed his face rigorously. "The storm was good last night. I came out to rest and Sunset came to visit."

"You came outside to sit by a storm, to relax?" Twilight, the Princess one, asked.

"Yeah, I haven't had real good sleep in the past few weeks so it felt calming." Skyfall gently rose to his feet and placed Sunset's legs down onto the bench gingerly. He patted his pant pocket and felt the runes jostle around. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work."

Just as Sunset woke up in a hail of flailing arms and legs, Sky disappeared into the house. "Wha? Why're you all here?"

Sky heard resounding laughter while looking around the spacious living room for a map. Pinkie had let slip that her mother was a geologist, a person in that profession was bound to have a map, or several, laying about.

"Pinkie Pie!" Came the scream of her sister, Limestone Pie. "Why is this behemoth in the house!?"

Sky looked down at the raging Pie sister who tapped her foot until Pinkie Pie and her entourage entered the house. 

"Limey, it's okay, he is a friend of Twilight and Sunset's. They didn't have anywhere to go so we had a sleepover; please don't tell Dad." Pinkie smiled wide at her sister who just stared daggers back at her and then at Skyfall.

Sky passed Limestone after seeing that she was intent on staying in his path.

"Hey, where are you going!"

Pinkie reached her sister and gave her a look, silently telling her not to pursue her usual aggressive behavior.

"who wants breakfast!" Pinkie roared, followed by the unanimous affirmations of her friends. She turned to ask Sky, but he had already disappeared into the dark hallway. "Where is he going?"

Sunset shrugged. "He seems to have a lot on his mind. After talking with him for a few hours last night, he seems... lonely."

"You talked to him for a few hours?" Princess Twilight asked. "I can barely speak with him for five minutes without wanting to pull my mane out."

"Well he is a major tease, but once you get passed that he can hold a very engaging conversation." Sunset rolled her eyes after Rarity wiggled her brow at the statement.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash looked at one another, Twilight mouthed Skyfall's name to Rainbow who only shrugged in return. Simultaneously, they turned when the shuffling of boxes alerted them to where Skyfall had gone. They awkwardly negotiated the hallway, both having not known the other was going to follow Sky.

As the light from the morning sun faded into the dim hallway, a beam of light poured in from a door that was left open. Twilight and Rainbow looked inside to see Skyfall separating four glowing items; A small white bone covered with black cracks. A small chunk of bark that had small indistinguishable words written over it. A blue rock with three slashes carved into it. And last, a crystal with mechanical carvings hacked into it.

He looked them over and cursed about their givers irresponsibility and how one was supposed to keep them separated. He pulled them apart after much wrenching and concealed them in a different fold of the black cloth they were kept in.

"What's that?" Twilight asked, startling Skyfall. He peered back to see Princess Twilight's human world counterpart enter slowly. "It looks like magic."

Skyfall sighed. "That's because it is magic, but it's something you shouldn't get near. I wouldn't want you all triggering a hurricane or a plague, or a hurricane that causes the plague."

"Those things can do that?" Rainbow Dash asked before leaving the hall without another word.

"And there she goes to tell everyone about my-"

"Skyfall!" Princess Twilight's voice tore through the house.

Without hesitation, Skyfall pointed at the timid human counterpart of the grape soda Princess. "Twilight, right?" 

"Y-Yes?"

"You guys have a mall here?"

"Yes?"

Skyfall heard Princess Twilight's rabid stomping and reached passed his new friend to shut and lock the door before gliding over to the window. "You coming?"

"Where are we going?"

"The mall?" Skyfall asked and deflated at her worried expression. "Listen, I have a lot of work and to be completely honest, your pony counterpart scares me. You seem calm and unassertive and much more pleasant to be around." He extended his hand eagerly. "So how about it? Show me around?"

Twilight looked back to the pounding door as her twin demanded it to be opened. Without realizing it, she was out the window and following Skyfall to the front.

"And where is it do you think you're going?" 

Both Sky and Twilight froze up and turned to see Sunset dressed and ready to go.

"Sunset, hey." Skyfall said quietly as he tiptoed away from the house. "There's a gigantic sale at the market for fish, it's Saturday only and the store closes at ten. No time to waste."

"It's eight in the morning on a Friday." Sunset Shimmer descended the steps gingerly so as not to make the wooden planks creak more than usual. The sound of Twilight finally barging into the room were heard a guttural roar and subsequent complaining about 'why does he do this' occurred. "I think you've made Twilight beyond furious, I think it's best if the three of us disappear."

"That. Is an excellent idea, let's get outta here." Twilight chimed in as she pushed her glasses back into position. 

Skyfall smirked as he started to jog away from the house as the reliable, faithful, clean, and morally righteous city transit bus rounded the end of the street.

"Where are you going now?" Sunset asked.

"Bus!"

"That costs money!"

Sky slowed to a slower pace. "Jogging is healthy."





The Mall





"It's a good thing you have a car, Twilight." Sunset sighed as she snuggled into the bucket seat of Twilight's car. "I have to admit it, I did not imagine you to be the sporty coupe kind a girl. I always thought you drove one of those smart cars or a minivan."

"Many people think that." Twilight smiled sheepishly. "My brother has a thing for cars and when I saved up enough for a car he made a deal with me; he'll match what I saved if it meant he could replace parts and tune up my car at will. I was hesitant at first because that would void any warranty, but he signed a contract stating he would cover any damage that was happenstance for five years."

"Wow." Skyfall spat.

"There's a contract for that?" Sunset asked.

"Yep, I wrote it up and he signed it." Twilight pointed to her pressure, temperature, and voltage gauges on her car's window frame. "I like to have any information I want available to me, so when I mentioned that, he was more than willing to sign."

"And we're here." Sunset said as the car swung into its spot. She turned and leaned on the center console to look at Skyfall. "So remind me, why are we here again?"

"Mall is filled with people, we're searching for clues." Skyfall tapped her seat to let him out. As he did, he explained the likeliness of Spirits still residing in Ponyville.

Sunset chewed her cheek at the thought of how she may live close to or even know a Spirit already. She didn't admit it, but she was silently terrified of Spirits, her own dark past having effected her deeply enough to view any amount of great power, dangerous to handle.

"So you really think Spirits live around Ponyville?" Twilight asked, making her way from the car and up to the mall's main doors with her companions. "From what I understand, they're beings of ancient power that at times tower over even the biggest of creatures. Aside from the events that have involved us, I haven't heard of anything like that here."

"Because they're probably trying to live normal lives." Skyfall pushed his way into the busy mall. "Most of them were tossed into this realm hundreds of years ago, anything they did then has likely faded into myth. No, they're here, we just have to make our presence known."

"How is that?" Sunset asked.

"Equestrian magic." Skyfall said. "That would be something they crave so that they could force their way through the barrier."

"Why would they do that?" Twilight asked. "To take over Equestria?"

"No, a Spirit's mission is to keep the world on track and keep it in a state of chaotic balance." Skyfall said. "Where one Spirit may appear to guide a creature into making the right decision, another may appear to guide them to something else. It keeps the world growing and changing. And thus, thriving."

Sky looked back to Sunset and Twilight before wondering into a Barns and Neighble book store. "Without Spirits, the world grows stagnant and gray. Everything becomes regimented and entire populaces fall under an illusion of what their ruler wants them to see."

"I thought Equestria was a happy kingdom?" Twilight asked.

"Oh yes, singing and eight foot candy canes, very cheerful." Sky scoffed as his head darted from side to side, scanning for the history section. He turned sharply and ran his finger along the book spines and stopped, still as a statue. "I hate the world and what it's become. I see the same sickness that ruined a great many civilizations in everyone there. I haven't had the heart to say it, but if I had the strength to stand back and let history take its course, I would."

"Skyfall, that is a horrible thing to say." Sunset scolded. "Are you saying, that if you had your choice, you would prefer to let Equestria fall?"

Skyfall flipped through the pages of a history book and bore witness to the very same evils he knew from the era before being a Spirit. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because the same negligence and complacency that sits in the mind of many Equestrians is the same weakness that lead to the fall of Rome, that lead to the start of not one, but three world wars, and lastly and more gruesomely, lead to turning a blind eye to the genocide of entire peoples." Skyfall grabbed the books placement tassel and placed it on one for the middle pages that outlined what he was talking about before closing the book and handing it to Sunset. "I have been around a very long time. I grow weary of seeing this same thing over and over. Like a bad joke that won't stop."

Sky turned and glanced back. "I'll be in music section."

Twilight and Sunset watched as their tall companion lumbered away without another word.

"Is he okay?" Twilight asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine." Sunset opened the book he had handed her and start to review the pages. "He's been really moody lately."

"Don't you know him, though?"

"Kind of." Sunset said. "He lives on the edge of the Everfree and I must admit, the first time I met him, I hated his guts. He was working an entire platoon of guards down to the bone, they all wore loose armor and by the end most of them were rubbed raw and bleeding while he sat back and ate pancakes."

"He did that?" Twilight asked in mild shock. "Why?"

"He is Ponyville's Guard Captain. Princess Celestia signed his commission because she believes in his ability to lead. She told me one night during dinner after I challenged the decision. She said that she has seen millions of ponies in her life and only two have ever held a candle to him." Sunset saw pictures of horrid internment camps and gruesome images before closing and shelving the book. "I've spoken with him a few times and the more I talk to him, the less I see a proud, witty Captain and the more I see of a tired, cynical pony at the end of his life."

"Maybe he's just lost his way and he can no longer see a the point of things." Twilight smiled and leaned forward with her hands cupped behind her back, breaking Sunset's peripheral vision to gain her attention. "Maybe. He needs a friend to help him find his way again."

"Are you implying that's me?" Sunset asked with a disbelieving smirk.

"Are you making the assumption I mean someone else?" Twilight retorted with a knowing look. "You helped me when I was lost, Sunset. He seems like he has much on his mind."

"Maybe we can both help." Sunset smiled as she hooked her arm around Twilight's and scooted her forward into a bouncy walk towards the music section. "We should force him to ride one of the kiddy rides and take pictures."

Twilight giggled into her hand. "That would be funny to watch, I bet he wouldn't be able to fit in any of them."

"I'd take that bet!" Sunset said before her voice died out. She looked on at the entire music section, with a guy as tall as Skyfall, it was hard to miss him. She hummed to herself at seeing he wasn't there. "Wheres Skyfall?"





Skyfall turned from the history section after leaving Sunset with the book and walked into the walled off section of the music area. After having skimmed the history book, it was clear that the last millennia had seen an unchecked advancement in technology. It was needless to search for direct references to the Spirits, books of legends and paranormal sightings were all too many. Most of the books in the bargain bin that sat near the edge of the store where no one would care to look was teeming with references. He grabbed one and intended on reading it while parusing for music.

Among the many Spirits that existed, Muses were the few that could not help but to stand in the spot light whenever possible. If this world was like the one before, then at least one of them would have a record deal.

"I heard you, I'll leave soon, I just want to see if the new-"

Silently stalking by, Skyfall saw a young woman, around the same age as Sunset and her friends having her ear destroyed through a cell phone by someone very angry.

"Ada-Ada-Ada-Adagio, calm down, I'll leave now, you happy?" The pink woman growled. "Usual place? Fine."

She swiped the phone off angrily, jamming it in her pocket before turning directly into Skyfall's back, slamming into him. "Hey! Watch where I'm going, you idiot!"

As the woman stomped away angrily, growling at anyone that got too close to her, Sky felt his pocket heating up. He kept the runes concealed, but even though they remained hidden, it was clear that they reacted to the woman's proximity.

Skyfall brought up his hood and started to walk after the disguised Spirit, but faltered in his walk when he remembered Sunset and Twilight. 

'No time.'

The thick crowd of the mall helped Skyfall blend in, even with his tall stature. Every now and again, the woman he tailed would look back. It wasn't hard to figure out that he may have been noticed as her worried looks increased, along with her pace.

Unfortunately, Princess Twilight and her posse caught wind of him being at the mall. As they were entering one of the many entrances, he tried to shrink the distance between him and the mystery woman. Sky groaned internally as he tried not to look in their direction.

"Hey, you in the hood!" A man roared. "Stay still, the police have been called and are on the way, don't make this worse!"

Skyfall's blood ran cold. He clenched his left hand and the legend book he picked up from the book store was still in his possession. He left without hiding it in his jacket, so security is after him for theft, but police for a discount book?

Swiftly, Sky became the center of attention in the sea of people, their gazes turned into a whirlpool around him, but his gaze was transfixed on his quarry. The Spirit stared directly at him and took a step away, causing Sky to step forward.

"I said stop!" The guard shouted. "Not one more step, the police will be here soon!"

"Skyfall?" Princess Twilight said, noticing the man's outfit.

Just then, the Spirit started to run and so too did Skyfall.

The crowd parted as the woman tried running away from her stalker, she dipped and dodged around the people she couldn't plow through and knocked over those she could. The longer this went, the longer people stared. Murmuring filled the halls as his boots thumped on the floor. Her heart started to pound harder as the heavy foot falls of her follower's boots smacked along the floor.

She desperately jabbed at her phone until she broke her pursuer's line of sight by darting down a maintenance hallway and through a utility door. She peeked out the door and saw the tall, hooded man blow past the hall's mouth, followed by two men wearing black uniforms and seven familiar girls.

"Aria? What is it? Why aren't you here already?"

Aria growled into the phone receiver. "Shut up, I'm being followed." She began to walk into the poorly lit maintenance hall and walked around bare machinery with uncovered ports and wires. "I started to run and he started chasing me."

"Did you get a good look at it?" 

"No, he was wearing a hood." Aria said. "I remember him from the book store, I don't know how long hes been following me."

"Do you think it's Blue Line?"

"No, he wasn't wearing a mask." Aria started walking faster. "Adagio, I need you to meet me at the back entrance, like now."

"Already there, I'll get the moron to get the utility door open when she's done flirting with the Weenie-Hut vendor." Adagio snapped her fingers to get the attention of her other friend before groaning. "We were waiting for you and saw some cops rush by, then you called."

"Hopefully they get to that guy." Aria strained to squeeze by some heavy equipment. 

"You sound shaken up, is he that scary?"

"I don't know, he stared at me like he knew me." 

Adagio laughed. "How does someone stare at you like they know you?"

"Shut up, I don't know." Aria snipped. "I just felt scared as he followed me, usually I would just dart around and then hit them with something, but this felt different."

"Sonata got the door open, we're going to meet you." Adagio said and switched back to the topic. "How did it feel different?"

"I felt like I was being hunted." Aria said. "I haven't felt like that in a very, very long time."

"Do you think he was a Spirit?"

"I think so." Aria touched the carved stone around her neck. "When I bumped into him, I felt my rune heat up way too much, I thought my anger did it at first, but the longer it lasted, the more I knew it wasn't me."

"Then you noticed the guy."

"Yes." Aria hurried her walk, suddenly feeling the same unease as she did when the hooded man followed her. The darkness of the maintenance hallways and the cool draft that blew through them made her shiver. "Anyway, I think he may have wanted my conduit."

"Another Spirit trying to get back into Equestria?" Adagio scoffed. "After what we pulled, you think they would just give up, it's obvious those Princesses are still watching the portal like a hawk, even if we could break the barrier, we would only be thrown back."

"And the tongue lashing from Placid Rain!" Sonata cheered as she and Adagio rounded a corner, meeting up with Aria.

As the call ended, Adagio sighed. "If you didn't recognize him, we need to go to Rain and report him so we can send this to Earth."

"She might not listen, she was pretty steamed at our little failure." Aria said.

"Well, that happens, she needs to know if there is a Spirit trying to get our runes."

The name Earth was spoken from the shadows as the hooded man emerged. 

"You!" Aria turned and stepped back quickly. "Why are you following me?"

"Why'd you run?"

"Cause you're following me?" Aria growled. "Now out with it if you know what's good for you."

"Aria Blaze,  Adagio Dazzle, and Sonata Dusk. You three still running around in your trio?" The man rolled his eyes and stalked closer.  

Adagio stepped between Aria and the Man. 

"You've always been very protective, Adagio." The man sighed, looking to each of them. "I didn't recognize you at first, but now I do. May I ask, why is it that you three still spend time with one another? All you do is fight."

"These two morons can't coordinate their own lives." Adagio sassed before scowling. "But that's none of your business, mystery man."

"Are you three still dreaming of living the rest of your lives being papered on some distant desert island?" The man chuckled, shocking the woman before him.

"So you are a Spirit." Aria grumbled.

"Yes." Skyfall admitted. "I'm looking for Earth. It's somewhat urgent."

"We wouldn't take you to Earth even if you were a Spirit." Adagio said. "We wouldn't risk getting sent halfway across the planet because we ousted our leader."

Skyfall hummed to himself in thought, considering dropping a name to shorten the length he believed he may have to go to see Earth. "Not even if I said I was Shattered Skies?"

Boisterous laughter erupted from Sonata. "Right, if you were going to attempt a name drop, next time try someone that isn't dead and gone."

'Dead and gone?' Skyfall thought, taking slight offense.

"Well, how about Ardennes?"

Aria tapped Adagio's arm before whispering harshly into it.

"Well, Mr. Ardennes." Adagio soothed and tried to turn. "We have to go."

"You haven't been dismissed." Skyfall's monotonous tone cut the cold hallway's atmosphere of uncertainty. He watched as the three girls turned to him. "I need to see Earth and I won't let you three hinder me again."

"Again?" Aria asked.

A tense minute passed the four Spirits as they stared at one another, unflinching and uncertain as to what was about to happen.

Adagio, Sonata, and Aria stood shoulder to shoulder as their runes glowed; ring, wrist, and neck respectively. They reared back and before they could let their siren voices destroy his eardrums, Skyfall slammed his rune onto the water pipe on the wall causing water inside, and the water in the drums down the hall to rupture and shoot hot steam through the hall, scaring the three Spirits.

"Run, now!" Adagio yelled as everyone's vision was obscured. 

The hall glowed blue as Sky held another rune, forcing the water vapor to grow heavier and the fog to dissipate. As he regained visibility, the three girls had already disappeared, but a phone sat on the floor screen still a glow.

"Bingo." Sky muttered as he saw the name adagio flash across the screen before the phone shut off from water damage. "Damn, need rice to fix this." He looked at the fire rune breifly and sighed. "That would fry the electronics."

Sky stood and stretched, feeling a lump in his jacket. He patted it and tisked at realizing he stole the book. "Now I gotta sneak back."

Slowly making his way to the opened door of the maintenance hall, Skyfall scanned the surroundings. He saw a smooth-top squad car sitting by the mall entrance with an officer at the wheel, talking on his radio, eyes transfixed on the doors.

A familiar woman walked out of the doors and passed the car, drawing the eyes of the officer inside before he scanned back to the mall's entrance. Her fire-like hair only screamed one name.

"Sunset?"

Her phone was buzzing with texts, dragging her attention down to it. Having not seen Skyfall, she nearly passed him until the sound of failed whistling snapped her from her daze.

"Skyfall?"

"H-Hey."

"Need help?" Sunset chuckled as she glanced back to the police car.

"A little." Skyfall said before being pushed further into the maintenance hall by the firecracker. She tore at him in a demanding manner, confusing him. "What are you doing?"

"Give me your jacket. They're looking for a tall man in a brown jacket." Sunset said, yanking off his jacket and shrouding herself in it. "If it's on me they might not link the two."

Words caught in his throat. "That's... actually really clever."

"Thanks." Sunset hooked Skyfall's arm. "Now come on, we need to stuff you in Twilight's trunk."

"Um, excuse me. Her what?"





Pinkie's House





"I can't believe you, Sunset, you skulked away with him and encouraged his delinquent behavior!" Princess Sparkle seethed. "I thought he was doing so well, too. But no, first chance he gets and this happens, your guard force questions us and now they're hunting him."

"It's not that big of a deal, the police don't really care if someone steals a bargain bin book from the book store, that's more their loss prevention's department and even then, it's a book no one wanted." Sunset said. "I mean yeah, I would like to know why he felt it was okay to steal, but I'm more concerned with the person he was chasing like a madman."

"I'm sure there was a good reason, Twi." Applejack said and started to chuckled as Skyfall appeared from behind her truck, mimicking Twilight's angry movements.

"There's no good reason to steal a book, it's disrespectful." Twilight barked. 

"Um, Twilight." Fluttershy said.

Sky turned and ducked behind Sunset's car and low walked to the house.

"Yes, Fluttershy?"

"Skyfall was just behind you, mimicking you. He's behind Sunset's car."

Twilight turned and angrily stomped toward that side of the car, only to have Skyfall walk out from the back and scurry up the stairs and through the open door Pinkie Pie held open for him.

"He is too silly." Rarity whispered into Sunset's ear.

"You have no idea. It's the same thing in Equestria, he is the worlds biggest tease." Sunset turned and followed Skyfall into the house and watched as he threw together a bowl of uncooked rice and delicately placed a phone into it.

"Water damage?" Sunset asked, only to receive a curt head nod. "Who does the phone belong to?"

"Adagio Dazzle."

"What!? Those three?" Sparkle shouted as she entered the room with the rest of the group. "Skyfall, we need to talk about your criminal behavior and your lack of-AH!"

The room filled with sudden blinding light. when it dissipated, Skyfall stood with two runes, the red and blue ones. When fire and water runes meets they can a great many dangerous things, but the one useful thing they can do is give of brief flashes of blinding light.

"What was that?" Sparkle asked.

"A makeshift flash bang to get you off your high horse." Skyfall said. "There are some things we need to discuss."

"Like?"

"First off, how is it that you know, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk?"

"We fought them the battle of the bands." Twilight rubbed her eyes intermittently. "They're sirens from Equestria that tried to return to take it over, why?"

"Well, they're Spirits, not Sirens." Skyfall placed the bowl of rice on a nearby table and grabbed a book from inside his jacket. 

"That." Twilight cut him off, obviously still upset at the book theft.

"Relax, I got caught up following the Spirit and forgot to put it back." Skyfall started to flip through the pages.

"See, told you it was an accident." Applejack said, throwing a hand up. "That's a good explanation."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I was going to take it regardless, I just got caught up and caught." Skyfall smiled as the group facepalmed. "What? You act like I have money to pay for things."

"You do."

"Not this realm's money." Skyfall stuck his nose in the air. "Princess Twilight should have bought me this book."

"So I have to pay for anything you need, otherwise you'll swindle someone into getting it for you"

After a brief pause, Skyfall smiled sheepishly. "Yes?"
> (H) Chapter 43 -Looking Glass-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Looking Glass-



"So, someone you can't name approached you and gave you these runes and said to find the Spirits. Now we have these runes and that's it? Nothing?" Twilight asked, glaring at Skyfall as he sat on the couch across from her and under the gaze of everyone in the room. He crossed his legs and sat comfortably, too relaxed for the situation.

"Yes." Skyfall pulled the cloth that was given to him out of his pocket. "And this."

Twilight eyed the cloth as it was lain on the table. "This is a joke, right?"

"Why? Is it funny?" Skyfall asked.

"Skyfall." Sunset called, snapping him from his teasing nature.

"This cloth is a map." Skyfall said.

"A map?"

"Yes." Skyfall clapped his hands lightly. "A very old, complicated map."

"I think it's time to go home and report to the Princess that this was a failure." Twilight sighed as she leaned back. "I can't even trust you to tell me the truth."

Skyfall's dumb look disappeared into a squint. He leaned forward on the couch and bared down on Twilight.

"Are you okay, Mr. Skyfall?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"You may return to Equestria, but I will remain here until I find what I am looking for."

Twilight took the statement as a challenge, the same kind that her mentor, Princess Celestia had warned her about. It was paramount for a leader to show resolve in their actions and not let a subordinate think they could achieve leeway over important decisions. "Skyfall, I am a Princess of Equestria, and the leader of this mission. If I say we are returning to Equestria, then we are returning, end of discussion."

"I will determine the end of this discussion, Twilight Sparkle. You, nor your Princess title hold any sway over me or my decisions and to think so is a delusion." Skyfall straightened himself into his full height while securing his runes in one hand, wrapped in their cloth. "You were given a title for nothing with no idea what it means to lead."

"We are returning to Equestria." Twilight said calmly, trying to keep her composure, a slight tinge of red hued over her cheeks.

"I am staying the course." Skyfall felt an odd pressure through his body as his anger grew exponentially, he took a deep breath, unable to understand why. He turned and started to walk away, but Twilight rose up to cut him off.

"We are going to-"

"Twilight Sparkle!" Skyfall's voice thundered through the house, scaring the people in the room. "Sit down, you petulant child!"

Twilight sat down with an awestruck look on her face.

Sky looked to her as he continued to walk, he mouthed sorry, but he had doubt Twilight was able to process it after having been roared at. He sighed and opened the door to find two, large black eyes staring at him before he slammed them door shut.

"And now you're slamming doors?" Rainbow asked.

'This isn't good.' Skyfall sunk to a knee as he braced against the door before the first hard kick slammed the door. "We have a visitor."

Sky recognized the stallion as being one of the monsters that chased him a few nights prior through the school, the ones that Lonely Grave controlled.

"It's a pony?" Sunset asked as she caught a glimpsed from a nearby window. 

"And there's someone out front! They're hurt, we need to help." Rainbow Cried as Skyfall pulled a large work table over to barricade the door. "Whose with me?"

"Wait." Skyfall said as he looked out the small kitchen window. He looked at the injured woman who was bleeding profusely, she was crying hysterically and pleading for help. 

He turned to see the girls looking at him, waiting for an explanation or a sign. 

"It's a trap."

Another strong kick bounced off the door, but this time, lower down, drawing a large crack in the wood.

"We need to help her, Skyfall, don't tell me you're that cold." Sunset scolded.

Skyfall rolled his eyes. "She's an illusion."

"What?"

"Last I checked, people have shadows during the daytime." Skyfall mumbled. "Twilight, I think you're half right, we need to inform the ponies back home about this. If that thing knows where we are, our presence is compromised and we'll need to alter our plan." Skyfall hated to admit it, but he tried to call Lonely Grave's bluff and failed. Months of inactivity and sporadic appearances left him underestimating his enemy.

"You agree?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, I agree." Skyfall looked up and didn't see or hear the hulking monster that was trying to break down the door. "Where'd it go?"

"It raced into the street before disappearing into a dead sprint." Rainbow said. 

"Which direction?"

"Uhh..." Rainbow thought for a moment and then pointed off to her side. "East, towards Canterlot High."

Skyfall closed his eyes and cursed mentally. "No."

Sunset picked up on Skyfall's sudden mood change and put the pieces together. "You don't think it's going to attack someone?"

"No, but I'm thinking it will do much worse." Skyfall thumbed to Applejack. "Could you drive us there in your truck?"

"I can only take four of ya, not much room I'm afraid." Applejack swiped her hat from the counter and slowly made her way to the side door.

Skyfall bounced his head on the door he was leaned against, lightly. He pushed off and pointed at the two Twilights and Sunset before walking out after Applejack.

"What's the plan here, big guy?" Applejack asked.

"Drive by the school, if what I think happened, happened, then I will need some time to think." Skyfall felt a light push on his back and the usual stern look of Twilight was that of panic, she wasn't dumb.

"What's going on?"

Skyfall bit his lip and lied. "I don't know yet."

Silence fell over everyone as Applejack drove them away from Pinkie's place and along the road to the school. Police cars were positioned intermittently along the road, investigating damages and rendering aid to people thrown over by the hulking stallion. Dread washed over them as Applejack slowed her truck and whistled.

In the center of the courtyard lay the statue that housed the portal, destroyed. Each mirror had a long, black spear protruding out of it. Naturally, Principal Celestia stood next to a few police officers as they took photos and made various gestures with their hand, seemingly in an effort to figure out what the Principal was saying to them.

"The portal." Twilight's voice cracked.

Skyfall threw open Applejack's side door and started to walk toward the portal, hastily.

"Sir, this is a crime scene, no entry permitted!" A smaller cop ordered as Skyfall marched forward. "Sir! ...S-Sir?"

Stopping a few feet in front of him, Skyfall looked down to see Sunset pressing her hands against his chest before rushing to bring him into a rough hug.

"If you barge through, you'll be arrested." Sunset whispered. "Something we do not need. We'll figure this out."

Skyfall patted Sunset's back, silently scorning himself for forgetting where he was. "Thank you."

"Sunset Shimmer?" Principal Celestia said before waving off the police, they had gathered their information and she was of no further use to them. "It's very convenient that you all show up, especially now."

Sunset smiled and released Skyfall as Celestia panned up to stare at the tall man her student had been clinging to moments before. 

"And you are?"

Skyfall tore his eyes off the desecrated portal to the strong academic leader. "Huh?"

"I asked who you were." Celestia said, gesturing to the ruined statue. "I've never seen you before and I know Sunset's parents. Plus, lately their little band has been surrounded by more and more magical mishaps."

Sunset winced through a smile, trying not to chuckle as Celestia playful banter. 

"I take it someone else has come over from the other side?" Celestia asked.

"That about sums it up." Applejack said.

Celestia brushed the bangs of her head and sighed. "And you still haven't given me a name. Mister?"

"Loveless." Skyfall said, looking at the hoof tracks that pathed through the grass and toward a decaying tree. "My name is Loveless, I'm a friend of Sunset's parents."

"Are you now?" Celestia said in surprise. "Is this true, Sunset?"

Sunset looked to Skyfall, eyes wide and slightly stunned at the name Skyfall chose, the memories of a masked stallion asking her to dance surfaced with a song she still hummed along to.

"Sunset?"

"Y-Yeah, it's true." 

Skyfall reached forward and shook Celestia's outstretched hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, miss?"

"Celestia. I am the principal here." 

With the subtle drag of his thumb over her hand, Skyfall smiled. "It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow academic, Celestia." He gestured to the vandalized statue. "Would you mind if I take a look?"

"Certainly, you may." She said. "There isn't much for the police to do I'm afraid, they've taken their pictures. It's the school's problem now unless they discover who did this."

Skyfall dropped his smile the instant he turned and stepped over the low hanging caution tape. He saw runes written along the wrappings that were wound tightly around the deformed spear. A shock of electricity shot out when he reached for it, making him weary to investigate, but with the portal broken, an urgency ran through his mind.

With a solid heave, the spear closest to Skyfall was torn from the rock and the tip shot wild arcs of lightning before dying out. As he tried to examine it, the spear grew grey and became dust in his hand. "Curse that man."

"What's wrong, Skyfall?" Twilight's human counterpart asked. "Was it magic?"

"It was, and a very powerful magic at that." Skyfall said as Rainbow drove up with the rest of their friends. He looked at his hand and a black spot remained until he forced what little magical residue out. "Actually, a curse."

"Aren't curses and magic the same?" She asked, looking to her royal twin.

"There isn't much literature on curses in Equestria." Twilight shrugged.

"Big surprise." Skyfall said as he grabbed his cloth of runes and held each one up individually, then a sudden bright, black light peeked from the cracks in the hand sized bone rune. 

"Is it really a curse?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, a very costly one to normal people." Skyfall shooed his companions, plus one principal, away. "If anyone touches those spears, they're body will decay slowly and their soul will be trapped even after death."

Sunset gasped and looked to Skyfall's hand. "You touched it."

"I know what I'm doing." Skyfall kept herding his audience until they were in the street, he gave them wary looks and took a few steps back toward the statue. "I need to undo this curse before anyone can touch it."

"Do you know what curse it is?" Twilight asked. "I don't know much, but I know curses require a counter-curse to dispel."

Skyfall paused and turned to Twilight. "That... is actually correct, curses are undone by counter-curses, top marks, Princess."

"But without magic how can you cast a counter-curse?" Sunset asked. "Even if we knew what it was, we can't remove it."

"The other way of dispelling a curse is to break it."

Without another word, lines of fire erupted from rune Skyfall held in his hand, scorching the ground with swaths of unknown symbols. He tensed as the ground grew hotter. Red hot lines formed smoldering the green grass away into magma, soon swallowing the portal whole. 

Cold dripping flowed from his nose. He brushed it away to see that his hand was now red with blood. Being the forest Spirit, some magics took a deeper toll on his body. Fire was almost the opposite side of the spectrum and one of the most difficult to control, causing strain on his soul and thus, his body.

Through an awestruck expression, Sunset looked to Skyfall and saw a glowing red piece of wood in his hand and heard the sound of chanting emanating from it grow louder and louder. She looked closer and streams of golden light pouring from the sides of his eyes before he shut them, stopping the light.

Just as sudden as the column of magma appeared, it vanished with dissipating steam, taking the spears with it. The only thing left to signify that something had happened was the patch of volcanic rock and the top of what used to be the portal.

A sudden expulsion of magic erupted, shooting skyward. The crowd jumped as this happened, even Skyfall. 

"What was that!" Rainbow shouted, having not came down from her fright.

"Like air when heated, crumbling curses need somewhere to exert their magic when released." Skyfall grumbled, obviously shaken.

With few deep breathes. he continued. "That curse was lain in with four runes forged into spears. Complicated, but not impossible." Skyfall swiped the smoking rune in the air to cool down the magma before shoving it in his pocket. "With that done, I need access to a large map, preferably not one that lists locations, but one with an overhead geographical view."

Twilight's frustrated grunt cut in. "Skyfall, how are we getting back home?" She stumbled towards the blackened stone. "The portals gone and you don't even care!"

"No use in crying over spilled milk." Skyfall smiled wide. 

"How can you smile?"

The rush of being backed into a corner by a difficult problem made Skyfall's mind become a maelstrom of thought and feeling. He wanted to explain to Twilight that when worlds are created and linked, multiple portals exist, much in the way a house is build with windows, doors, and vents.

"My my, that is a problem." Skyfall shrugged and turned toward Principal Celestia. "Do you have a map I can look at?"

"I do."

"May I?"

Celestia smiled at Skyfall's manners and nodded. "You may."

"Skyfall!" Twilight barked. "Wasn't the whole point of breaking that curse to open the portal?"

"No." Skyfall turned to leave and gestured to the human copies of the Elements of Harmony. "I broke it for their sake."

Twilight followed after Skyfall in a haste along with the rest of her group and an amused Sunset, still half consumed with her thoughts on what Skyfall called himself. As Celestia unlocked the front door, Twilight struck his shoulder repeatedly. 

"I swear, is there a mosquito trying to bite me?" Skyfall shook his head, mocking Twilight's weak strikes.

"I think you should tell her, Skyfall." Sunset offered.

"You're right." Skyfall moved his hand up to intercept Twilight's arm. "Gotta have trust and all that."

Using Twilight's arm to point to the portal, Sky drew out the wooden rune and drew magical formulas in the air. "The spears weren't meant to seal the portal, breaking the mirrors did that. As I mentioned before, the bodies would decay, but they would be bound, essentially dooming anyone effected to eternal torment, that was the goal of the spears."

"Who did this?" Twilight asked, regaining control of her arm.

"That's what we need to find out." Sunset spoke up as she followed Skyfall into the school where he disappeared silently moments before. "Sky, wait up."

"What's up?"

Sunset sighed and raised an eyebrow at Skyfall. "We both know you know more than you're letting on. Spill it."

Before any clever remark could be uttered, Skyfall felt Sunset poke his side, making him jump. "Fine." Skyfall chuckled. "There are some bad Spirits that are trying to steer us away from finding the good ones."

"Why?"

"Isn't that the million dollar question?" Skyfall picked his pace up to catch Celestia before leaning towards Sunset. "Question, why is she so eager to help us?"

"Principal Celestia decided it would be best to stop hindering us every time something magical happened. The last time she did so the Pony universe and the Human universe almost merged."

Sunset's words made Sky slow to a stop. "What?"

"Twilight didn't tell you?" Sunset said.

"Tell him what?" Human world Twilight called as her group stopped in the hall. 

"Sorry." Sunset snickered and pointed to the other Twilight. "I thought you told him the whole, you going demon, thing."

Sparkle cupped her hands and shook her head. "We haven't had that much time to talk and... I'm still kind of embarrassed about it to tell you the truth."

Skyfall smiled back at the timid doppelganger of Twilight. "It's okay, Twilight, we all have parts of our pasts that we aren't proud of." He lightly batted Sunset on the shoulder. "Some more than others."

Sunset rolled her eyes and gestured to herself. "Me and Twilight are the only two that can say we came back from crazy power grabs." She caught herself at using Twilight's name. "Our Twilight that is, not Princess Twilight. Her old Head Master goaded her into using Equestrian magic and a device Twilight made overloaded, causing her to become a..."

"Raging she-demon?" Non-Princess Twilight offered as she tried to hide behind her bangs.

"Yes, a raging she-demon." Sunset winced at the word usage, hoping to have some up with better words. "She created portals between the dimensions at will before I was able to close them and free her."

"What happened to the device?" Skyfall's curiosity got the better of him. 

"We don't know. Did you ever find out where that thing went?" Sunset asked, looking at both Twilight's, only for both of them to look at each other and say 'no.'

"Okay." Skyfall rubbed his eyes before leveling them at non-Princess Twilight. "Is there something else I can call you, this is getting confusing. Sparkles, perhaps?"

"Oh! What about Midnight?" Pinkie called.

"Pinkie!" The group scolded at the evil moniker Twilight hated to remember, as evidenced by the nervous pulling of her hair when it was mentioned.

"Midnight? I like it." Skyfall said. "I think I'll call you that from now on." Before anyone could answer, Skyfall turned and continued walking after Celestia while bickering with Sunset, trying to get her to tell him the story of when she lost control while she demanded that he not call her Midnight.

Midnight stood, extremely embarrassed of her new name while each of her friends pursued Skyfall to demand a different name be chosen, leaving her by herself while she slowly walked after them. The voices became whispers as she fell further and further behind, now focused on remembering the events of the Friendship Games.

"Why can't I ever escape that name?"

The sounds of a mop bucket sloshed ever so closer to her as a tall man whistled a foreign tune. As he passed behind Midnight, he smiled at her. "Memories are terrible things aren't they?"

"Yes. Well I have to be going." Midnight looked behind her at the smiling janitor and turned to leave, but as she did, she saw the same man, half way down the hall in a dimly lit display case. As she neared, the large space of the atrium overtook the hallway and the man rested his hands, propped up on his tool belt's satchels.

"You seem troubled." 

"How did you do that?" Midnight asked, pointing down the way she came, but trailed off in her confusion. Her heart started to pound in her ears as beads of cool sweat formed on her brow. "Is this, Midnight?"

"Are you asking if I'm Midnight Sparkle?" The man asked, clearly amused with a half smirk. "A word of advise from the wise, dwelling on the past won't change it."

"What does that mean?" 

The man raised his brow and started to dig in his utility belt. "Twilight, you've been a busy one haven't you?"

Midnight turned as the man moved from wall switch to wall switch after producing a small, flat rock that shown morphing glyphs dancing across its face.

"First you blow up the science lab at Crystal Prep Academy. You cause a small landslide at the Crystal Mountain resort, nearly killing your brother and his then girlfriend." The rock's glyphs pulsed a bright blue and froze with a single swipe of his hand. "And earlier this year you not only tore open and sustained nine portals, but withstood hosting a Spirit's power."

"Spirit's power?"

The Man smiled as shoved the rock into his belt. "Even if you had a conduit, that is quite impressive. Not more so than your redheaded friend, but impressive nonetheless."

"Um, if I may ask-"

"You may not." The man's smiling features disappeared into a stern, mechanical look. "Something has happened outside the... Actually, this would make no sense to you. Something is wrong, and I am here to give you a nudge so that it can be fixed."

Midnight stumbled forward and looked to see the man standing behind her, but much, much closer. "Your companion has underestimated the dire situation he has found himself in. Should he deplete his magic in this realm, then that which he holds will again be unobtainable. You need to get Skyfall to Lady Earth, but take care, Midnight Sparkle, she is kind, but she is cunning. She wants you just as bad as He wants her."

Midnight gasped. "Who is she? And why does she want me?"

"To be plain." The man smiled and grabbed her hand, shocking her with its frigged temperature. "She wants you to unlock the secrets of the item you lost the night you became Midnight Sparkle."

"My name is Twilight Sparkle." 

With a knowing grin, the man patted the top of her hand. "Fighting the truth only divides you. Just because Midnight caused such a calamity, does not mean that side of you is evil. The sooner you realize that and own who you are, the sooner this can move to the next step."

"Next step? But..."

"Out of time." The man smiled. "Now remember; the old Aileron telecommunications test site."

"Midnight?" A voice called.

"Hm?"

Midnight turned around to see Skyfall standing a few feet from her with a twisted expression. "You okay? You sound like you were talking to yourself."

"Yeah, I was just talking to someone." Midnight turned to see a small, woven bracelet on her hand and nothing but the vacant atrium before her. The display cases were frosted over with a thin layer of ice. "Did you see where that guy went to?"

Skyfall reached up and felt Midnight's forehead and shook it afterward. "You feel cold and you're sweating, are you okay?"

"Why is my forehead wet!" 

Skyfall chuckled and started to walk away. "Come along little Midnight, we have to hurry."

"Where are we going?"

"The library." Sky said. "Then we can start looking to see if anything stands out."

"Oh."

Skyfall looked at the fidgeting girl walking beside him, whispering to herself. 

"Stupid, stupid, stupid."

"You okay?" Skyfall paused in his stride and gave her an incredulous look. "Did I miss something?"

"It's nothing." Midnight sighed and continued walking only to bump into Skyfall's outstretched arm.

"I'm no psychologist, but that seems like a silent cry for help. Spill. Now." Skyfall said as he glanced ahead to see Rainbow Dash struggling from atop Applejack's shoulders as she tried to plug in a cord to the overhead projector. He shrugged, there was no real rush for time.

"I... um."

"Does it have to do with Midnight?"

Twilight gave an unsure nod. "It isn't just her, it's other things too."

"I won't force you to tell me, Sparkle." Skyfall paused. "I mean... I just told you to spill it, but if your set on keeping it to yourself, who am I to demand you to talk about it?"

Twilight paused and looked at her reflection. She never told anyone, but since the night that she turned from the magic, her reflection only showed the blazing eyes of Midnight.

"So it is Midnight?"

"How did you?" Twilight looked at Skyfall to see that his eyes bore the same intensity as her reflection, glowing eyes but gold instead of her own purple. He sighed and motioned her near an open display case. He grabbed a small trophy and winced as he held it. "What's wrong?"

Before another word was uttered, Skyfall pressed the face of the silver cup to Midnight's skin, causing her to cry in shock as it felt like a hot iron being pressed to her skin.

"Thought so."

Twilight rubbed the pained spot as she watched Skyfall place the trophy back before shutting the case. He remarked on why it had been opened and turned back with a solemn look on his face.

"You will tell no one of this." Skyfall pointed to Twilight's arm. "It's very important that you keep this to yourself."

"What happened?" Twilight looked at her hand where the mysterious man touched her and gulped. 

"I'm not sure yet." Skyfall said. "We need to get to the library now. When we go to see Earth, you will accompany us."

As they moved into the library, Princess Twilight was observing Principal Celestia working the computer that fed into the projector to show an overhead map of the area. 

"So it's a map that shows you the world as it is?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, it updates every year or so." Celestia said as she showed Twilight how to operate the website. "You don't have this where you're from?"

"No." Skyfall said as he entered, drawing the attention of the room. "Conventional technology in our realm is sporadic, but it's somewhere between medieval and early industrial."

"Medieval and early industrial?" Twilight said. "How would you know that?"

Skyfall ignored Twilight's question and scanned the map for anything that should stick out, but when all he saw was the roofs and grassy fields he sat down.

"What's wrong?" Celestia asked.

"I thought that the Spirits that came across would remain nearby." Skyfall rested his head against his fist and felt the heat radiating from his skin. "It was either that or they went somewhere and started their own city. The latter of which causes a huge problem for us getting home."

"Wait, are you saying that you were planning on the Spirit's help on getting us home?"

"Yes, I thought that was obvious?" Skyfall jabbed a thumb in the direction of the broken portal. "How else do you think we were getting home, the broken portal?"

"I thought you had a plan, I mean, you were so calm when we found the portal like we did." Twilight said and felt Sunset's hand on her shoulder.

"I think we should take Skyfall's lead on this one, Twilight." Sunset said. "He was able to dispel the curse and seems to have somewhat of a plan. Right, Skyfall?"

When Skyfall didn't answer, Sunset rested her other hand on his shoulder and then snaked it to his forehead. "You're running a fever."

"I know." Skyfall said as he stood and sat back down when his body wasn't strong enough to remain upright. "My body feels a bit off too. I think me being a human is a bit exhausting. That and dispelling that curse has taken much of my energy, walking is starting to hurt."

"Maybe we should call it quits for the day?" Rarity voiced up. "After a long day of work, if I'm too tired I start making mistakes and this seems to be something you do not want to flub."

"No, I need to find them." Skyfall's stubborn mood shown through.

"But you have no idea where to start." Rainbow said.

"Doesn't matter, the sooner I find them, the sooner this will be fixed." Skyfall looked up at the map in want. "All I need to see is some semblance that they're here and I'll go."

"But that will take all day." Rainbow said. "If you're sick, you'll only work yourself into something worse. Trust me on that, I've played through enough colds to know."

"The old Aileron telecommunications test site." Midnight said in the short lapse in conversation.

"Huh?" Skyfall asked and watched Celestia lean over him to type in the words, having heard what her student said. As the map contorted and skimmed along the ground swiftly only to slow as it neared the sea side facility.

"What's the Aileron telecommunications site?" Fluttershy asked.

"An old, abandoned place that was used for various forms of information transmission before it was shut down. They built a bigger one in the city, but that was decades ago." Celestia said. "As more and more satellites replaced long range towers, it grew obsolete."

"So who owns it?" Skyfall asked.

"I'm a principal, not a politician, Mr. Loveless." Celestia said. "It was shut down some time ago, I doubt there's anything there that would help. Maybe the owner is a someone you're looking for?" 

Midnight tried to not acknowledge the questioning looks that bore down on her. "Sorry, I guess that I was-"

"Absolutely right on the money." Skyfall said as he neared the image, shocking Midnight. "Where is this?"

"By the ocean a few miles from Camp Everfree." Celestia said. "I think that it's a red herring, Mr. Loveless. I would like to help you all, but the easiest way is to check the library archives."

"No. They're there, I know it."

"How?"

Skyfall walked up the projection and with his finger, pointed from location to location. "If it's been abandoned for decades, why are there so many clean cars and why are the dumpsters full?" He laughed loudly. "And there's a guy fishing."

"Okay, so people are there." Twilight said. "How do you know they're Spirits?"

Skyfall started to laugh more.

"What's so funny?" Twilight asked.

"I'll wait." Skyfall gestured to the picture for Twilight to arrive to a decision. After a minute, she scowled over at Skyfall. "I seriously don't get it, care to share?"

"What sits at the border of every major city on Equus?" Skyfall asked, gesturing to the image. "It's been awhile since I've looked, but I'm confident that it hasn't changed much." 

Twilight, not wanting to just be told the answer, squinted and took in the image once again. a clear trail could be seen between the wall and surrounding forest. At each turn in the wall, the path remained an even distance across, never getting thinner or thicker.

"It's a barrier." Twilight looked harder and traced her finger along its border. "I thought this place didn't have magic?"

"It shouldn't." Sunset said. She crossed her arms and looked over her shoulder to see Skyfall smirking to himself. She watched as he reached into his pocket and whispered to himself. 

Twilight looked back to Sunset and tapped her chin. "We spoke once that magic was believed to have been here long ago. Maybe it is magic? Even if just a little."

Midnight interjected with a quiet cough. "When I was in search of magic, it all pointed here. I never picked up anything other than Canterlot High."

Sunset shook her head. "That's because magic doesn't exist here. It can't. The only magic that's here comes through the portal."

"It can."

Sunset looked to Skyfall. He held a small, glowing rune in the air. "Those were created here?"

with a soft bow of his head, Skyfall affirmed. "They were. Judging from the spears that were dispelled, it is hazardous to mix the two. Had it gone to plan, the curse earlier should have just disintegrated and not blown up like it did. The magic should have popped, but not exploded."

"Wait, it wasn't supposed to be all boom like that?" Pinkie asked.

"Nope." Skyfall said. "And it also exposed some people on your police force as being Spirits."

"How so?" Celestia turned in her seat to give Skyfall a questioning look.

"When the runes scorched the ground with magics to make the magma, why were we not questioned? Did that not seem a little odd to you all?" Skyfall asked. "Furthermore, they arrived with astonishing speed and kept anyone, even themselves, from touching the spears."

A realization dawned over the room as Skyfall continued.

"I surmise it's been like this every time something magic related happened." Skyfall proclaimed. "When your courtyard blew up, twice. At the Friendship games. And even when Lonely Grave chased me around the school the other night. Nothing."

"One of the Officers was looking at you as you broke that curse." Celestia said. "He waved the others off before making a call on his phone." She looked over and shrugged. "At the time my mind was dizzy with all this magic stuff, but it does seem suspicious."

Sky dragged his hand over his arm and stared at the map once more. The thought that his presence may cause Sunset's friends danger weighed heavily on his mind. Like himself, many Spirits were vindictive creatures and having been tossed in a glorified prison may have changed them, turning them into magic seeking cretins.

"Girls." Skyfall said, cutting off any quiet conversation. "Can any of you stay somewhere that isn't one of your houses tonight? Preferably somewhere that isn't associated with a name search for you?"

Each of the girls in the room talked among themselves before Midnight raised her hand. "My brother is a police officer, we're related, but I don't think anyone would try to hurt us there."

Skyfall hummed to himself in thought. "Is he married?"

"He is engaged to my old babysitter?"

"Can you stay at her place? That is the last place anyone would think of. It's too obvious." Skyfall said.

"I'm sure she would love that, she always begs me to stay over like I used to." Midnight smiled. "And I know she would love to meet you all. After the Friendship Games, she has been more and more insistent about it."

"Excellent." Skyfall stood and turned to leave. "The eight of you will head there."

"You aren't coming?" Sunset asked, stepping into Skyfall's path. She placed a hand on his chest and tried to meet his gaze. "If you aren't staying with us, where are you going? It's not like you know anyone here."

Skyfall sighed and grabbed Sunset's hand to lower it. He canted his head to look his friend in the eye. "If I travel with you then it may give you away easier, I don't exactly blend."

When Sky turned, Sunset squinted. "So where are you going?" 

"Out."

"You're planning something." Sunset blocked his path, folding her arms and locking her leg to lean on.

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are." 

"No I'm not."

"Yes. You. Are." Sunset insisted. "You get that look every time you're evading my questions."

"What look?"

"That look." She pointed at Skyfall's face. 

"That's my face."

"A guilty face."

"What is this? An interrogation?" Skyfall asked. "I'm just going to wait around until morning."

"In the school?"

"...Maybe." Skyfall winced under Sunset's gaze.

"Mr. Skyfall will be staying at my place." Principal Celestia said with a coy smile. "It looks a little more normal for a man like Skyfall to come to my place instead of him following college age girls into a house."

"She has a point, you know." Pinkie said.

"Then it's settled." Skyfall said, trying to diffuse the situation. "We can meet here tomorrow and then go to Aileron telecommunications."

Sunset hugged Skyfall and followed the others after everyone said their farewells. 

"Those girls are truly the most rambunctious students I've ever had." Celestia broke the resulting silence left by the girl's departure. She looked over and patted Skyfall's shoulder. "I'm sure it's worse on the other end of that mirror."

"You have no idea." Skyfall said.

Celestia smiled. "Don't let Sunset get you down, she's always been a bit strong willed and hates when she feels someone is trying to fool her in one way or another."

"Arguing with her felt like I was arguing with my ex wife."

"Ex wife, huh?" Celestia chuckled. She picked up her purse and rustled through it for her keys. "If you're hungry, I know a great Italian place we could go. My treat."

After a solemn silence, Celestia spoke up again. "Skyfall?" She looked around and saw nothing but an empty library. "Looks like another lonely gamenight with sis."





Moments Later





Skyfall skulked through the shadows of the high school as he made his way to the treeline. He walked from hiding spot to hiding spot until he stood behind a parked school bus. He glanced through the bus' windows and saw Twilight and her friends congregating in the parking lot and cursed to himself. Soon, Celestia would walk out and his escape would be known.

Slowly, Skyfall entered the small treeline unnoticed before walking away at a more relaxed pace. Unknown to the others, Skyfall remembered that computers had a print option and grabbed a copy while they were talking about Aileron telecommunications so he could get there on his own.

"Somehow, I knew you were trying to pull the wool over our eyes." Sunset said from above.

"..."

"Did you think I was dumb enough to fall for this?" Sunset asked as she climbed down. "You're going somewhere."

"I was hoping you would indulge me." Skyfall admitted. "But, nonetheless, I have to go by myself."

"Why?"

"Because."

"Because why?"

"Sunset." Skyfall said, sounding exhausted. "I know you want to help me, but it's best if you stay safe with your friends. I can't do this and have you with me. If you're with me, I won't be able to concentrate properly."

Sunset felt herself awestruck. "Why?"

Skyfall paused. "I don't want you to get hurt."

Being much smarter than she let on, Sunset raised an eyebrow. "I don't doubt that, but I suspect there is an underlying reason."

"And what would that be?"

"You want to speak to the Spirits by yourself." Sunset squinted slightly. "I've been watching you Skyfall, even when you think I'm not. You know more than any other pony should about Spirits. Knowledge about this world. Ability to touch soul stealing curses. And eyes that glow."

"I picked up alot of stuff in Saddle Arab-"

"Yeah-Yeah, except this library you mentioned hasn't existed in six hundred years." Sunset leveled her eyes at Skyfall. "I researched libraries in foreign lands and the only one that would have anything decent enough to study was burned when the Princess trapped a small coven of Spirits."

Sunset sat on a nearby stump and cupped her hands. "So."

"So." Skyfall reached out with what magic he possessed to feel out an escape route. 

"Were you really caught in Sombra's time spell?"

Skyfall stared on in silence, unaware of what conclusion Celestia's inquisitor arrived at. He noticed the glint to a small gem hidden partly by her shirt's neckline.

Sunset Shimmer stood and closed the distance between her and Skyfall swiftly, only to  grab a branch and place it between both of them to keep her from touching his arm. He wasn't ignorant to the magic gem that let her read memories and minds of those she touched.

"I would advise against that, Sunset." 

"Why is that?" Sunset asked and winced at Skyfall's scowl. "It will answer so many questions."

"Questions you merely have to ask." Skyfall said sharply. "I understand you have conflicting feelings, but do not let them cloud your judgement into making poor decisions."

Sunset paused and stopped trying to get closer. "Who are you?"

Intended or not, the question tore through Skyfall's mind as it did whenever the question was posed to any Spirit. Memories raced through his mind as images played out from the many lives he lived and of the infinite faces he knew and loved.

Skyfall sighed. Outsiders believe that immortals eventually wish for death, but that belief was often proven in vain. Each Spirit found some something to live for, but the memories often left a sour taste in those that couldn't accept what immortality came with. Confusion for a sense of self.

Sunset waved her hand in front of Skyfall's eyes. "Sky?"

"I've been a great many things." Skyfall said. "But to you, I am a friend. I can't say anything more to you for your sake."

Sunset's stare wavered into a smile under Skyfall's gaze. She took off her gem and stuffed it into her jacket pocket and chuckled to herself. "You're something else, do you know that?"

Skyfall shrugged and tossed the branch aside only to find a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around his body.

"Sunset?"

"Sorry." Sunset looked up to Skyfall.

Skyfall patted Sunset's back and laughed. "I certainly see why Celestia made you her field agent. You certainly are tenacious. And not many people are able to anticipate my shenanigans." Sunset giggled before he continued. "You should probably catch up to your friends. I'm sure they're wondering where you are."

"I told them I had some stuff to take care of at my parent's place." Sunset smiled nervously. "Probably wasn't too convincing when I ran and jumped into the forest."

Skyfall turned let Sunset go after having been hugging for an awkward amount of time. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Nope."

"Nope?" Skyfall asked.

"I told you, I'm going with you." Sunset said and heard Skyfall's stomach rumble. "And you need food, so you're coming to my place."

"Not gonna let me off the hook, are you?" Skyfall gave Sunset a wry smile.

"Not a chance."
> (H) Chapter 44 -Moving Pieces-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Moving Pieces-



"So your foster parents had some money, huh?" Skyfall asked as he and Sunset walked along a lush neighborhood sidewalk. Each house had large, styled yards. Ornate architecture was commonplace. And not to mention each estate was gated within the gated community. Some houses were grand in size while others held a more modest appearance.

Sunset blushed at the implication. "Please don't tell the others, I try and remain modest since I have opportunities most don't. My parents are into owning things so the girls have only ever seen the small house I live in nearer to the city, but this is my real house."

Skyfall picked up on Sunset's self awareness, most beings that grew up with money never thought twice about what they have. However, people can learn to become jerks with money as it effects everyone differently.

"My lips are sealed." Skyfall said. "However, won't your parents be upset with you bringing home someone that looks as old as your principal? I mean, if I were in their shoes and my daughter showed up after being gone for months with a grown man, I would assume she was pregnant."

"Skyfall!"

"What?" Skyfall put his hands up. "It's a legitimate concern, I don't want to hood slide over your cars trying to avoid getting shot in the butt by angry parents who think I knocked their daughter up."

Sunset's face heated up at the imagined embarrassment. "There's nothing to worry about, they travel multiple times a year. My foster father is very traditional so he would probably try and return me to the foster care program if he found out I was dating someone your age."

"So fifty-fifty chance they'll be there?"

"Try a figure in the nineties." Sunset said. She low walked near the gate and peaked through a patch in the shrubbery, with a few jerky movements of her heart, a small fist pump to the side signaled her happiness. "Nope, they aren't here."

Skyfall glanced up to house they arrived at, unlike the mansions at the forefront of Sunset's neighborhood, this one she called home was a medium sized, two story house that looked more attuned to a northern countryside, with large, old trees dotting the landscape that blew gently in the frigged breeze of a coming fall storm. The black driveway cut the landscape for half an acre before splitting between two garages with a tall entryway in the center. Skyfall squinted and saw a small barn peeking out from the back of the plot where the house sat.

"So you live here?" Skyfall asked.

"Recently, yes." Sunset said quietly. "I used to live in a utility shed behind the grocery store until a police officer found me. He knew Principal Celestia and they helped me find a family through a placement program. Even kept it all quiet."

With a quick jostling of the rock wall next to the gate, Sunset found a small switch and unlocked the code box's power switch before continuing through the procedure of entering. "That was ten tears ago. I always assumed Celestia called a friend of hers because I was brought here the next day." She smiled as she stuffed the key into her pocket. "They tried to do the whole family thing, y'know, dining table dinners and game night. At first, their attempts were in vein because it just felt too weird, but after some time I enjoyed it and I have no problem thinking of them as my parents."

"And of your real parents?" Skyfall asked, stopping Sunset in her tracks. A cold reaction only meant negative memories, so Skyfall sighed and patted her shoulder. "So where do you think your foster parents went?"

Sunset stumbled for a moment and followed Skyfall. "Probably on vacation. Last I was here, they were discussing vacationing to the alps. I told them I wasn't too keen on freezing my butt off."

"What do they do?"

Sunset went to speak, but paused. "Uh, corporate something or other with warehousing." She waved her hand in the air. "I'm not really interested in their jobs. He has a high position in acquisitions and she is in charge of production."

"Nice." Skyfall said as he looked out at the yard, waiting for Sunset to open the front door, then for her to rush to the beeping alarm. With a firm pat on the back, Sunset quietly invited him in, but he didn't move. 

"You okay, Sky?"

"Is it normal for all of your neighbors to be gathered by their front doors?"

"Huh?" Sunset said as she pushed passed her guest to see that her neighbors were in fact staring at her and Sky. "No, that's weird." She tried to wave at them, but they all faded from the windows when she did. "Freaky."

Skyfall backed into Sunset's house and pulled her backwards with him causing her to bounce on her feet as he did so.

"What was with the ominous pulling?" Skyfall asked.

"Just alarms going off in my head is all." Skyfall mumbled as he turned around and raised an eyebrow at the not to subtle entryway. two winding stairs lined the walls and lead to the second floor, forming the archway for the rest of the first floor.

Carefully, Sunset removed her boots and placed them into a basket with her cutie mark. 

"Boots?" Sunset pointed to Skyfall's feet. "My mom does the whole Japanese thing and doesn't want shoes in the house."

"Oh." Skyfall leaned over and started to unlace his boots and paused with one boot off. "Wait."

"What?"

"Japanese?" Skyfall asked.

"Yeah, it's like our realm's word for Neighponese." Sunset shrugged. "I guess the translation was garbled."

"I guess so." Skyfall removed his other boot, ignoring the word usage and followed Sunset into her family's main living room. What he saw gave him pause. "Your house seems bigger on the inside than it does on the outside, much bigger."

"How so." Sunset looked at the house and then back to Skyfall, his lurching stomach caused her to giggle. "I think you might just be hungry, big guy. What do you want?"

"Tuna sandwich, if you got it." Skyfall said, but raised an eyebrow when Sunset began to look anxious. He eyed her and a smirk crept onto his face. "Yes?"

"I know we don't keep ready-made tuna pouches on hand so I'd have to make it from the can."

"You can't make food, huh?" Skyfall teased.

"I can!" Sunset proclaimed and caught herself. "But what's wrong with instant noodles?"

"Nothing." Skyfall chuckled as he turned to pass Sunset and flinched playfully as she punched his shoulder. "What? I said it's fine if that's all you know how to make. Noodles it is."

Sunset tried to act mad, but the uneven frown failed her.

After a few quiet minutes of getting the ingredients ready, Skyfall kept leaning over to turn the heat off of the uncovered burner. "Water in pot, pot on stove, then heat."

"Oh." Sunset said under her breath as she chopped a few scallions. She paused from her cutting and glanced over at Skyfall. "Do you know what movies are?"

"Yes?" 

"Ah, I guess Equestria invented those while I was away. "Wanna watch one while we eat?"

"Sure." Skyfall poured broth into the instant noodles. He grabbed the ingredients Sunset was cutting and tossed them into the pot. "You like spicy ramen?"

"Yes, not hot, spicy." Sunset said. She spaced out and jumped when Skyfall held a fork full of noodles, wrapped and ready for her to try. She wrinkled her nose from the heat and tried them, blowing out the steam while she chewed. "Good. Did you use hot sauce?"

"Kinda, I added a tablespoon of dried red pepper and beat it until it was powdery." Skyfall whipped his hands on the towel he fastened to his belt. "I like spicier, not hotter. They often go hand and hand, but I use dried peppers when I can."

"What else do you like to do besides cook?"

Skyfall tried the noodles and nodded before shutting the heat off. With a fluid move, he displaced the noddles evenly into the bowls and passed Sunset. He ignored the questions and tip toed. "Movie time."





Later that night





"So, you aren't from this realm, yet you knew exactly what you wanted to watch?" Sunset asked as she removed the fifth installment of her realm's space drama from her television.

"I know what I like." Skyfall shrugged as the field behind Sunset's house lite up in the quiet storm that raged in the clouds above. Among the lights of the room and sky, Sunset's phone lit up again as it had most of the night. He watched as she rushed over and scooped up the phone before lazily searching the pile of movies in her television's cabinet. She turned back and produced a horror movie before smiling sheepishly.  "Most of the time."

"The exorcism?"

A movie shifted from the pile and fell by her knee as she was knelt by the pile, silently debating what to watch. The title stood out to Skyfall, an almost phantom force forcing his hand up to point at it. The gesture drew Sunset's attention and an immediate 'ohh.'

"This is one of my dad's favorites. He always tries to get me to watch it, but I've never been interested." Sunset chewed her lip and read the synopsis on the back. "The Count of Monte Cristo. You know this story?"

"All too well." Skyfall said. "Very good story about revenge."

Sunset hummed and popped the movie in before plopping down next to him, only, she lost the balance she had as she rolled on her knee and leaned into Skyfall. Swiftly, she scooted away from her guest as he cast an amused glance at her.

"sorry."

Skyfall ran his hand through his hair and gestured to her phone. "It's cool, just make sure you tell Twilight and the others that you covertly tried to take advantage of me."

Sunset's face drained of color as Skyfall's words. "You knew I was texting them?"

"Of course." Skyfall gave Sunset a wry look. "I don't believe you slipped away from Princess Twilight without giving her a plan. You both anticipated me going out on my own and concocted a plan to keep me in sight."

With a quiet scoff, Sunset tried to play off the situation. "No, pshhh."

"So why are we stalling?" Skyfall asked, staring into Sunset's eyes. "And you receive texts sporadically, but there is always one at every thirty minute increment, like someone wanted updates on what was happening?"

With a hung head, Sunset sighed, she knew what she was doing was deceitful. The quiet chewing of chips forced her attention upward to Skyfall fiddling with the remote to get the movie started.

"It's not a big issue, Sunset. I know you're only doing it to make sure no one goes and gets hurt." Skyfall winked. "Can't get mad at that. Being concerned for others is a signal of a good upbringing."

Sunset huffed quietly at the words.

"Want to talk about it?" Skyfall asked. 

"Not really." 

Nodding without a word, Skyfall leaned back and draped his arm over the top of the large couch. He watched as the opening scenes played out, but felt a pillow hit his face. He looked over at a surprised Sunset. They sat in content silence for what seemed like forever until she was able to muster the courage to speak.

"Sorry."

"Why'd you hit me with a throw pillow?"

"I don't know. I'm surprised too." Sunset's hands were lapped over one another in her lap as she tried to keep transfixed on the movie. "I-ah, people usually try to pry, I didn't expect you to drop it."

"So you throw a pillow?"

"Yes?" 

Skyfall sighed. "I didn't ask because it's your business and I respect you enough to not pry."

"Huh, that's weird." Sunset said. "You usually just blurt out what you think even if it bothers ponies, regardless of how they feel. I mean, you never seemed to care even when they got upset with you. Why avoid prying into my life?"

"Most beings have their entire life written in the way they conduct themselves; their mannerisms, how they speak, what they wear. Usually trying to portray themselves as being different. I just remind them that not everyone is fooled." Skyfall adjusts his sitting so he can look Sunset in the eye easier. "It's a useful tool to drive people away."

"Why would you want to drive people away?" Sunset asked, slightly unnerved at his intense gaze.

"Why indeed." Skyfall said. "Care to take a shot at figuring me out?"

"You're inviting me to profile you?" Sunset asked.

"Yep, many try, but they're always wrong." Skyfall said. 

He watched as Sunset turned to him, like he was to her,  looking him over. She cycled through her phone and texted for a brief time as Sky watched the movie. Every so often, she would open her mouth to speak, but would not in favor of more texting.

"You're afraid of getting close to someone in fear they might die?" Sunset asked.

"Not pulling your punches I see." Skyfall chuckled and shook his head. "No."

"You have trust issues?"

"It's healthy to have trust issues." Skyfall said, sipping the sugary drink his host poured for him. "Not the reason, though."

Sunset looked to the movie they had been watching just as the main character was being arrested and whisked off to what was known as the chateau d'if, a prison island. "You're afraid someone will betray you?"

Skyfall paused mid sip and remembered the people he let down in his life. "Close."

"Then I have no idea." Sunset sighed and leaned back. "Okay, do me."

After realizing how it sounded, Sunset sputtered and tried to correct herself and guffawed when Skyfall started unbuttoning his shirt, but winked when she heard him laughing mid-strip.

"I'm sorry, it was too easy." Skyfall grabbed the throw pillow Sunset threw at him earlier and crossed one leg over another. After living as long as Spirits do, he had picked up a knack for deductive reasoning like other observant Spirits had, it was an ability one had to work at, otherwise it would never develop. He looked over his host with a weary eye and took a slow breath. "You regret your past, but few don't. You're more secure with yourself than you have been in recent years, yet you still practice protective habits to shield yourself subconsciously. You're quick to anger because your parents were quick to anger with you as a child, teaching you it's okay to snap when something wrong happens."

Sunset's eyes opened wide at Skyfall's prediction. 

'I'm being a jerk, I should stop.' Skyfall thought.

"How?" Sunset asked. She placed a hand on her mouth, believing it to be a trick. The quiet pause challenged Skyfall to go on.

"Then you entered Celestia's school for gifted unicorns and sought power, mostly because you grew up with nothing. Parents worked from check to check and your sights grew beyond your grasp. You came here and you can't form a relationship with someone because you're from another world and you know that ultimately they can't understand you." Skyfall saw Sunset becoming slightly upset, but he couldn't stop now that he was so far. "Ultimately, you want both acceptance and self validation, but feel like you can't have both. Aside from the friends you have, you eventually drive everyone away. Or, at least that's how you feel."

Sunset stood suddenly and tried to rush passed Sky, but froze when she was at arm's reach away.

When he was about to ask Sunset why she stopped, Sky looked to the movie and it too was frozen in time along with everything else; the rain, the ceiling fan, and even the bubbles in the drinks he and Sunset had.

"I've heard you can be very cruel at times." The shadow of a figure appeared in the archway that lead to the foyer. His body was ethereal, but his presence was ever looming, a chill wafting into the room from his direction. "I've been following you since-"

"Okay, can we cut the mysterious stranger thing. I've already dealt with it enough since I've come back." Skyfall chided. "Does everyone subscribe to mysterious stranger monthly?"

"She also told me your patience can run thin when it concerns participating in theatrics." The voice echoed around the room before a being leaned against the back of the couch where Sunset had been sitting much of the night.

Skyfall glared over to see a man in a neatly pressed, gray suit. His stance was messy and better suited someone tiredly standing in a line at a theme park. His eyes burned a cold yellow and what would be the whites of his eyes where a glossy black. "Great, more Spirits."

"Just me, Guardian." The man said. "I am merely a messenger."

"From Earth?"

"No. Her messengers found you your first night." The man gestured to Skyfall's pocket, making the contents inside glow. "I'm a messenger from up on high."

"The Maker?"

"Sure, let's go with that." The man nodded solemnly. "She beckoned me to watch as the pieces move across the board. I am here to deliver a message."

"Great, more messages." Skyfall rolled his eyes.

"You're in grave danger in this realm." The man said monotonously and dug in his pocket for a small note pad. He flipped through it leisurely and sucked his teeth. "She says that the life stream has become muddied and she can no longer see the time line as clear as she once had. Other realms have been poisoned to obscure this one. Much like your sister, she is unable to tell you who is behind this lest you reach her realm, but at this rate it may be too late."

Skyfall threw up his hand and scoffed. "Great. Any good news?"

"Sorry, Shattered Skies, but you know that isn't how this goes." The man said. "She instructed me to guide you so that you can not only remain alive, but continue moving forward. I told your little friend earlier today about the Aileron compound, but her timid insistence wasn't enough to spur you."

"why all this now? Why not just come to me when I first exited my exile?"

"Don't you listen?" The man asked. "The life stream is warped, your Maker can't see anything until an event gets closer to happening. I am here tonight to get you up and moving because another one of the other side's big players crossed the portal and is now here."

Understanding the meaning, Sky looked up to Sunset and was slightly saddened that he had dragged her and her friends into his problems.

"I do have some good news, however." The man rested his ice-like hand on Sky's, gaining his attention. "The Spirits that were locked here have no love for your siblings. They will help you, with a little convincing. However, it depends on you, if you can't shake them from their fear then they will flee. I have alerted the Spirit, Grand Shield, and he is making arrangements for anyone that could be used as a hostage; Your new friends, their families, etcetera. He is setting evacuations and countermeasures in place, although it may be too late for some."

"Would my siblings go that far?"

"They have in the past as you will soon find out." The man stood and sighed, letting a steamy, frigged breath of air escape his mouth. He looked to his watch that was stopped at ten minutes passed ten o'clock. "At midnight, your sister will show up at this house to capture you, but I am not sure if she'll stop here. The other Spirits in the neighborhood have fled, only few remain." He jabbed his thumb to Sunset, still frozen. "Her life may be in danger, Skies. I know you don't want anything to happen to her."

"So if you can see the future, why don't you come with me? With your help we could put an end to this." Skyfall raised an eyebrow at the man's flippant shrug.

"Your sister makes mistakes and I overheard her speaking to Crystal prep's head master. That's what caused our meeting." Time shimmered around them. "Looks like our time is up."

"So it would seem." Skyfall sighed. "How do I get to the Maker?"

"That will happen in time, Skies. You will know when it shows itself to you." 

"She always was cryptic like that." Sky groaned, rubbing his forehead with both hands.

"A word of caution, Skies." The man's form started to fade from sight. "You must get home now." He dug in his suit and tossed a thin scroll into Sky's lap. "Farhaven, Ponyville, Cadance, Crystal, and everyone are in real danger." With a firm push, the man rose and paused. "And a word to the wise, Skies. I urge you to stop parading around like you have been and start taking control of things, unless you want to lose everything for a third time."

Skyfall looked to the Spirit and his eyes widened as a small noose hung loosely in his hand. "What's your name?"

As time started to resume, the man disappeared and any movement Sky could see was a white fox running out into the still storm before falling on his face and fading from sight.

Skyfall stood and saw that Sunset's gem sat on the coffee table. He looked at her moving against time as it became unglued, so he grabbed her hand just as time entered its natural pace.

"Let go." Sunset demanded.

Skyfall remained silent, he remembered the man's words. 'Her life may be in danger, Skies. I know you don't want anything to happen to her.' He was right, Sunset had grown on him over the past months. He felt like he could trust her as a friend, being tenacious and smart, yet tactful when she needed to be. Out of everyone in Celestia's Spirit hunting troop, she was closest to knowing the truth, but somehow remained herself in the face of what may have been Equestria's boogieman.

"Let. Go." Sunset tried to leave, but after a second pull, she turned around to push, only to find herself in a hug. "...Just. Let me have a moment to calm down."

Skyfall sighed. "I'm sorry."

Sunset rested her head against Skyfall's chest and shook it weakly. "No, it's my fault, I asked for it."

"Still, I should have been gentile. It was clear you were sensitive to the information and I pressed."

Sunset's breath caught in her throat from confusion and she looked up. "What is with you?"

The soft tapping of rain grew as the storm started to open the sky for a downpour with only that sound filling the room. Skyfall looked down at Sunset while she stared up at him, an inquisitive look on her face.

All of a sudden, the peace was interrupted by the soft tones of Sunset's phone. The song started with various instruments while being led by a saxophone. Both Sunset and Skyfall knew the song, it was the same one that played at the masquerade they both attended. 

"Skyfall?" Sunset asked, letting the tone continue while still being held in his grasp. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Was that you at the masquerade?" 

Quiet laughter was all the verification Sunset needed to wind back and strike Skyfall's chest. "Jerk."

"What did I do?" Skyfall placated.

"You knew it was me the instant you saw me, didn't you?" Sunset accused. "And then neglected to tell me literally this entire time. You just love keeping things a secret, don't you?"

"A little." Skyfall winked and noticed that Sunset's phone was ringing for its third time. "Sunset."

"No, we need to talk about your obsession with secrets, it's unhealthy. I'm not leaving you alone until we talk about it. I will break you of that habit." Sunset demanded as she folded her arms, forcing Sky's arms lower and around her waist. She tried to remain angry, but her attitude fell as she looked at Skyfall's incredulous expression. "What? Afraid of a little interrogation?"

"No, but this is now the fourth time your phone has gone off, it seems-" Skyfall stumbled as Sunset tore out of his embrace to race over to her cellphone. "-important."

"Twilight?" Sunset said as she picked up. 

"Where have you been!" Twilight raged. "We were about to get ready to come over."

"No, me and Skyfall were just watching a movie." Sunset said, hearing Applejack laugh in the background, making it clear that she was on speaker. "We weren't doing anything."

"That's a guilty statement if ever ah heard one." 

"What? No." Sunset said.

"Then why are you outta breath?" Rainbow asked.

"I had to break away from Skyfall to rush to the phone." Sunset's nature to tell things how they are bite her as the other side of the phone erupted in laughter. "Not like that!" She sighed and turned to Skyfall to get him to back her up, but she stopped when she saw that he was putting his boots back on. "Why are you putting those back on? "

"Put what back on?" Rarity teased over the phone.

"You stop it." Sunset demanded in embarrassment.

"Now Sunset." Twilight started. "You know Skyfall has a reputation..." She started to whisper. "Did he force you into anything? If he did, I will inform the Princess immedia-"

"No, Twilight, he didn't force me into anything." Sunset pleaded.

"Sounds like you enjoyed it?" Pinkie Pie asked, clearing furthering the illusion.

Skyfall strode over and leaned into Sunset, making her gasp in surprise. He breathed hard and wrapped Sunset's phone hold hand in his own. "Babe, let's get back to it, they're killing the mood. Bye, Twilight."

"Skyfall! you piece of-" Skyfall reached over and swiped his finger to end the call.

"Hey! How can I explain what really went down if you do that?" Sunset scowled at her guest.

"No time, they'll believe what they want." Skyfall said plainly. "We need to go, this place is no longer safe."

"What do you mean by that? No one knows we're here." Sunset stated. "We're in a gated estate inside a gated community. If that isn't secure and hidden away, then I don't know what is."

Skyfall stopped and gave Sunset a blank expression. "Your police force has Spirits in it, it isn't a far leap in logic to assume an enemy can find out where you live. Plus, I got a message from a Spirit a few minutes ago."

"You lie."

"Oh? Then who froze your soda?" Skyfall pointed to Sunset's drink that had turned to ice. He watched as she picked it up in astonishment. "Your house is no longer safe. We need to get out of here."

Sunset nodded. "Should I pack?"

"If you want, I don't know when it'll be safe to return, if ever."

"But..." Sunset looked to the house she spent ten good years in. She huffed as she ran a hand through her mane-like hair. "With the storm outside, borrowing my dad's car isn't too far out of the question. He shouldn't be mad if I explain it to him"


─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────


"So, you two really weren't." Twilight asked as she awkwardly pushed her hands together in different positions, causing both Sunset and Skyfall to raise their brows at her. "And now you say there are a few new Spirits to look out for, a mysterious messenger and a raging she-demon?"

"Basically." Skyfall said, still sitting halfway in Sunset's father's car, one leg in and the other on the road, cycling through the on board navigation map. 

"Spirits can be inconvenient." Twilight sighed.

"Welcome to my world." Sky mumbled.

Twilight, Midnight, and the others looked around from the Driveway of Cadance's house, unsure of what to do next.

"What now?" Sunset asked.

"We drive to Aileron." Skyfall turned in his seat and rested his hands in his lap. "That is likely the safest place to be right now. You may hate the suggestion, but we should go."

"And what? Knock on the front door?" Twilight asked with a devious smile.

"Yes. How else would we get their attention? Sneak in?" Skyfall asked. He watched as the group before him milled about and shuffled their feet like a child being caught with candy. "It's no longer a mystery that you girls get into trouble."

"What if they want to hurt us?" Midnight asked.

"Then they would have done so already." Skyfall said. "I think going to Aileron now is the best course of action. No one sees it coming and we'll catch everyone off guard. That and we'll be safe behind that barrier. For a time."

The last words struck a cord with those present. Each one of the girls looked to one another before becoming transfixed on Skyfall as he nibbled on the edge of his thumb. Only a hand from Sunset to jostle his leg brought him out from his thoughts.

"Sky? That messenger had more to say than you told me, didn't he?"

"He did." Skyfall said. "But that information is for me, not you girls. There is a reason that portal was destroyed, he told me to get back to Equus immediately. Something terrible is coming and I have to be there to face it." He tapped the 'route' button to plot a course to the old compound. "The undead ponies, the broken portal, and this She-demon are meant to stall us. If we continue to let things distract us, we may not be able to make a difference."

"So what now? Still Aileron?" Rainbow asked.

"No, I think we should write to Celestia to see if there is something she can do." Twilight said. "Our mission is to meet these Spirits to get information about Shattered Skies as well as to find out what is really going on in our world. Or at least what they believe is going on. To tell them we need their help would put us in too precarious of a situation."

The words of the Spirit that spoke with Skies echoed on the wind for only him to hear. An urgent message of taking control to stop the descending path they were all on. He stood slowly from the car, causing it to rock gently. He stretched and groaned. "We're going to Aileron, Immediately."

"No, we need to come up with a plan." Twilight asserted.

"Then plan on the way. As we stand here, we're slowly being cornered." Skyfall's gaze bore down on Twilight. "I've been alive much, much longer than you have. You can't feel the noose tightening, but I can."

Just then, a soft boom could be heard reverberating through the earth as a cloud of dust and debris flew into the air, only visible in the repeated flashes of a now distant storm. Skyfall bite his cheek when he felt the wave, having lorded over the animal kingdom for such a long time, noticing echo location might as well have been as blatant and as obnoxious as a dinner bell. 

Porch lights from each house turned on as neighbors came out to look for the origin of the boom, including Midnight's soon-to-be sister-in-law.

"Twilight, what's going on?" Cadance called to Midnight, using her real name.

"I don't know."

"That came from my neighborhood." Sunset said before the realization hit her. "T-That came from my house."

"I'm sorry, Sunset, but that was likely your house being destroyed." Skyfall said, earning gasps and shocked expressions. "The Spirit was able to find out your address after all. She'll be here soon."

"What!" Twilight and the others called.

"That boom wasn't the explosion, it was echo location. She is looking for the biggest magical signature and that's us. Furthermore, she knows we know." Skyfall pointed to Cadance. "Sorry for informality, but get your stuff and get to your in-laws now, forget clothes or belongings, just animals and stuff that isn't replaceable." She looked at him in confusion for a moment before he threw his hands up, he hated doing so due to her resemblance to his daughter, but it wasn't an option for her. "Now. Unless you want to be here when that monster arrives."

Skyfall turned to the other girls in the group. "Get your bags and get in your cars and follow behind Sunset's car. You have two minutes."

"Now wait, Skyfall." Twilight cooed, trying to remain calm, only to have an insistent hand placed on her shoulder by Pinkie Pie, quietly letting her know that he was right.

"I hate running." Sunset sighed.

"So do I, but there is a time to pick your fights." Skyfall said. "She is much stronger than a regular Spirit and right now she is enraged, likely from wounded pride."

Sunset looked over to see a different Skyfall than before, he was slightly larger and his hair seemed off, it was hard to see in the dim light of the street lamp, but it was longer and darker.

The girls ran out from the house and one by one the vehicles roared to life. Sunset plopped behind the drivers seat and drove at increasing speerd out of Cadance's neighborhood.

The drive was quiet, save for the random sheets of rain blanketing the area every few minutes. Police cars drove by with their lights on, not bothering to pull any of the cars over despite going well over the legal limit. Sunset linked everyone in a group call over the car's speakers so they could stay in constant touch with each other. Twilight bounced potential plans over the call only to be challenged by different members of the group. 

Sunset looked to Skyfall while he sat, brooding out the window. Secretly, Sunset touched the hold button on the call so she and Skyfall could speak, privately.

"So, Skyfall." Sunset started, earning no reaction from her companion. Discouraged, she continued spell bound to break his mood. "I heard you have a daughter."

"I did."

Knowing that the possibility of treading on someone with possibly bad information was not the easier choice, nor the safest given the current circumstances, she felt the ever present drive to pursue the mission her former mentor gave her.

"That's odd." Sunset mused happily. "You told Mrs. Cake that you have one and that she's in her twenties now."

'What are you driving at, Sunset?' Skyfall thought before looking over at her. Try as he might, he could not remember the conversation she was talking about, he made it a point to befriend the Cakes whenever he went, mostly because he enjoyed their food. If he said he didn't and the talk happened, then he was a liar; if he accepts that he said he had a daughter, then it makes him suspicious for never discussing someone believed to be dead.

"I do, she doesn't live with me." Skyfall admitted. "I thought she and her mother both died long ago, but I was deceived. Both by Sombra and by my wife."

"She deceived you?"

Skyfall answered with a slow nod. "She deceived me and betrayed who she was."

The thick atmosphere of the car made it feel hard for Sunset to breath. She forced a smile and re-positioned her hands on the wheel. "Well, they're both back, surely that's good, right? You and your wife can move to mending your relationship."

The slow flood of emotion washed over Skyfall as he thought about everything that's happened. He stilled himself as he spoke, but his mind raced. "There's no mending what's broken. She moved on from me long ago, I believe she's back because she is chasing the past. Her and I try and there is love, but to be married again. It would take a very long time." He said. "As for my daughter. I'm taking foal-steps with her, most of the great years of her life were robbed from me; first day of school, first fish, so many firsts. Even giving her away at her wedding, stolen." 

Sky's voice cracked before he coughed to stabilize his breath. "I'm happy to have had her find me, but I know she is disappointed with me somewhat, even if she doesn't say so."

Sunset glanced over to Skyfall and scoffed. "How is she disappointed with you? You have led an interesting life so far and you're, mostly, a good stallion." She held up a hand and started to count Skyfall's honorifics. "Guard Captain. Is known by foreign leaders, which I still don't get how a simple shipping captain can know so many, but I digress. You said you were engaged to Lady Fuji. And on top of all this, you're extremely well off in terms of luxury."

"Honorifics, status, and wealth were for me. I wanted to be more for her." Skyfall muttered.

"I think you're just having parental jitters." Sunset giggled at Skyfall's shocked expression. "You're a good role model for the foals you teach, I know; me, Twilight, and the others watch you. Your daughter probably adores you, and if not, she should."

Skyfall smiled at Sunset's compliment, his fears eased.

"And as for your ex-wife." Sunset shrugged. "Her loss."

Their destination neared as the manicured street gave way to decaying road, lined with dark forest. The talking that was constant had slowed to paranoid mumbling.

"Ugh, Skyfall?" Sunset called as they neared the broken, hanging gates. She stopped a few yards from the opening and sucked her teeth as she took in the darkened, deserted compound. "It looks abandoned."

"That's the idea." Skyfall undid his seat belt and stood up and out of the car amidst the headlights of his companions. Since arriving, storms battered the area making the ground soggy as proofed by the sloshing sound emitted from his boot as he approached the dilapidated gate.

With a firm hand, Sky pressed the gate. Sparks of energy shimmered like a rock falling in a pool before fading away. Through the headlights gaze, drops of rain began to appear, but not before Skyfall saw a callbox off to the side of the entryway.

"What now?" Rainbow Dash said, jogging up from the next car back. "Look at the place, it's decayed beyond belief."

Skyfall looked at the compound and saw black rot everywhere. Old dirt on the walls and wood that was nearly eaten away with rusted barrels spread around. Trees and foliage slowly consumed everything. Had it not been for Skyfall's touching of the gate and keen eye to pick up on a new callbox, he would have been fooled as well.

"Rainbow, that callbox near you. What does the interface say?" Skyfall said, pointing.

"Callbox?" Rainbow looked around.

"Directly to your left." Skyfall said, as he did, she jumped as one would at seeing something appear before them suddenly.

Hesitantly, she looked it over. She blurted out the specifics of the flat screen with a number pad to the right, encased under a clean, steal hood. It looked out of place next to the decades old compound. "It says 'provide key.'"

"Is there a hole for a key?" Sky asked.

Rainbow looked around the device and Applejack had already made her way to the box and looked around it. "No."

"Hey, he asked me." Rainbow scowled playfully.

"Rainbow, last question." Skyfall walked to them and pulled the stolen phone from his jacket pocket. "Did you see the call box before I pointed it out to you?"

"No." Rainbow said. "It was dark, so I might have been focused on the forest more."

"Not likely. Only people who know it's here can see it, I pointed you to it so it appeared." Skyfall thought outloud.

"So, how did you see it?" Twilight asked, being ignored by Skyfall. When he did, she moved to walk toward him, but Sunset put her hand up to stop her.

"No entry without a key." Skyfall mumbled, cycling through the phone. He moved through the settings, the familiarity of a phone finally returning to him. He arrived to the phone's number at last and looked to the callbox's options. A tagline for security and secrecy is, and will always be, simplicity. 

The speaker on the box crackled to life. "Key accepted."

"You opened the gate?" Twilight asked in disbelief. "How?"

Skyfall shoved the phone in his jacket. "The phone number is the key."

The gate's unseen locks clattered away and the iron doors moved, taking with it an orange light to ween a hole in the magical field. Along with the barrier, the illusion melted away showing a much more up-kept facility.

"Let's go." Skyfall walked and sat in the car, meeting eyes with a very unsure Sunset. She roared the car to life and eased herself into the dimly lit facility. Moments ticked by as the convoy of vehicles circled around and slowed by the first large building just inside the entry.

"So do we knock?" Sunset looked around. "No one's here."

"Except for the guy standing with the umbrella in the shadows." Skyfall said, making Sunset jump when she saw who he was talking about him. "Pull up and stop next to him."

"Skyfall, you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yep, he is here to greet us." Skyfall saw the huge grin on his face as the car slowed to a stop in front of him.

"It's not every day we get celebrities to come visit us. Having a Princess visit us is quite the honor." The dark man said as he held out his hand. "We usually do this at a quarry on the outskirts of town, but-" He paused and caused his eyes to glow a ghostly white. "-Method of payment?"

Skyfall removed the runes from his pocket and placed them in the man's hand. "These were given to me in an effort to get me to find you through whatever trials you set up. We no longer have times for such things, we need to speak with Earth immediately."

With a solemn shake of his head, the man sighed. "That is unfortunate. I can not allow you to stay in that case. As I'm sure you remember, the higher order has to do things a certain way. I will have to-"

The man's speech slowed as he squinted, unsure of who he looked at. Golden eyes bled through darkness telling him all he needed to know about the Spirits before him.

The man sighed and rubbed his neck. "Sir, I'm duty bound to prohibit the entry of new Spirits without passing the test."

Skyfall reached into his pocket and clicked on the phone he had taken from Adagio. He swiped a few times and gave up before placing the phone in the man's outstretched hand. "If merit doesn't open the door, how about a returned item?"

Magic light left the phone as the man held it toward's his own phone. He sighed heavily and hung his head, apparently aggravated at the situation.

"With everything going on lately, I think I can make an exception for your party." The man grabbed Skyfall's outstretched hand affectionately and whispered. "Welcome back, Sir."

Sunset started to roll forward before eyeing her companion. "What was that about?"

"What was what about?"

"The hand touching, thing." Sunset said. "And him saying "Welcome back, Sir?""

"Jealous?" Skyfall teased before the car passed over a small bridge and through another barrier, revealing a well lit compound with a stunning night sky, clear of any and all light pollution. The car rolled to a stop in what looked to be the parking lot.

"Wow." Sunset muttered as she beheld an aurora in the sky that shown vibrant hues and tones. Her gaze came down to look at the compound itself. The dry, cracked exterior of the Aileron Communications center had been transformed into new buildings, some with art and others without. Banners and lights were strewn about the grounds. She and Sky stood up from the car, trying to see more of the sky. "This is-"

"Different?" Skyfall asked as he himself looked around before meeting the gaze of a tall, bronze colored man. He smirked and lite up a cigarette as he strode toward the parking cars.

"I take it you didn't fancy our little test." The man boomed before reaching for a handshake. "I'm Crossroad."

"You must be the one that gave me the runes." Skyfall shook the Crossroad's outstretched hand. "Given the circumstances, I couldn't participate in your little ritual."

The man laughed heartily. "After the scare you gave the girls, I don't imagine you would have even if you had all the time in the world."

"Scare?" Twilight asked as she walked up, earning a questioning glance from Cross. She tugged on Skyfall's jacket to get his attention. "You said you ran into them and that you found Adagio's phone?"

"Is that what he told you?" Cross asked, amused at Skyfall's discretion. He jabbed his finger at the second largest building on the premises. It was decorated with a large, stone bear out front that held thousands of carved names over its form. "He chased them like a man possessed through the maintenance tunnel and then scared them so bad they haven't left the HQ since. They've been on a very short leash since that little stunt at the school, but no one thought they would be called out and hunted like they were."

Twilight squinted at Skyfall, silently letting him know that she would be speaking with him later. She turned to Crossroad and smiled as wide as she could in an attempt to seem friendly. "I apologize for my friend's tenacity. We've been trying to find the Elemental named Earth and are somewhat desperate."

'Smooth, Twilight.' Skyfall thought.

Cross took out his phone and tapped out a message before shoving it back into his jean pocket. "Earth has been well aware of developments in this realm and who chases you. She is eagerly awaiting you." He waved to a pair of guards from across the parking lot. "Those gentlemen over there will take you to Earth."

Skyfall stepped off to walk, but Crossroad's hand rested on his shoulder. 

"Not you, big guy." Cross said. "People here think you're a Spirit hunter and are a little hesitant to see you. Once your companions finish, then you may see Earth."

Skyfall backed up a step and waved at the girls while they wore a worried expression. "It's okay, I'll catch up soon."

"You better." Sunset said before making her way to the guards.

With hands still waving, Crossroad and Skyfall stood on the sidewalk smiling at the leaving girls. A quiet chuckling was heard from Cross as his hand fell to his side.

"Thank you for the distraction, Cross."

Cross peered over, his joy now gone. "Imagine all of our surprise when three Spirits burst into HQ saying that they were just attacked by a Spirit Hunter with golden eyes."

"Yeah well, Earth wasn't listed in the phone book, so."

Crossroad scowled at Skyfall and scoffed. "Earth has demanded to see you first. Alone."
> (H) Chapter 45 -By a Thread-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-By a Thread-



"Do you know how hard it is to keep our existence a secret from the regular population?" Crossroad said, his annoyance clear as he led Skyfall into a set of large industrial building by the waterfront. Various lights and antenna sprouted from the roof like a steel Christmas tree reaching for the sky. "Very hard, in case you were wondering."

A waterway bisected the compound leaving two large land masses and a small island in its center. The rotating bridge linking the island was guarded and was kept in the undocked position so no access could freely flow without the proper permissions, if the Spirit leading Sky's reactions were anything to go by.

"One coming in with guest." Crossroad called to a hooded guard hefting a firearm. The firearm made Skyfall slow a step as he was under the impression from Sunset that this world had no weapons like firearms. The presence of vehicles and all the other technology in this world was obviously Spirit influenced, but one of the sole reasons for proposing a ban on most tech from the time before was now assembled and fully ready before him. 

At seeing Sky's pained scowl toward the rifle, Cross placed a hand on his shoulder. Their eyes met to convey that it would be talked about later, but not now. He drew a phone from his pocket and tapped a couple of times to dock the bridge, allowing them to cross.

Old tracks for train cars crisscrossed the compound. Making their way over the bridge, through a turn and between many tall, red-bricked buildings slapped with ducts and hazy windows. Throughout the area of Aileron, retired construction equipment, shipping containers, and industrial machinery was ever-present.

Golems of earth materialized from the walls of the largest building and moved large containers out of the way of a set of double doors, allowing them passage. "It's next to impossible to keep little shows like yours covered up. Even now, that footage of you diverting that curse is headline news. We were able to censor the one of you chasing the girls through the mall, but now you're in the open. We're creating counter stories, but news media can be a little tenacious."

"Had to break it." Skyfall shrugged.

"And then what happened? Boom went the portal." Crossroad stopped just short of another set of doors that held glowing runes. "Listen, my lord. I don't mean to be snippy, but you being here has put our sanctuary in jeopardy. We've had a hard fought peace and I'd like to keep it that way, many of us would. I received advanced word about you, so my worries about your identity have been shelved, somewhat, but the others are still in the dark."

Skyfall stared on as Crossroad slowly stopped talking.

"Just remember that when you speak to Earth." Crossroads turned and disappeared into the dark of the hall.

Skyfall thought for a long moment before pushing the doors open with no effort, the magic making them move as if weightless, he tried to grab them so they wouldn't slam, however, he missed. The room was a buzz with motion as he stepped through the doorway. What he saw gave him pause, the dark room was long and filled with people. Trees and shrubbery covered small hills with small, shop-like buildings surrounding the room like a village. A deep waterway ran through its center, it's luminescent water gave everything a ghostly, blue glow. The room stretched on in every direction for more than it looked like it should have, the ceiling reached up so far that the soft light gave way to darkness and only small twinkles could be seen to mimic a night's sky, but Skyfall saw small reality-warping cracks suspended by the folds of the room's walls, they were in a pocket dimension. 

With a closer look, Skyfall saw a bear statue holding the reality for that room as it was. It stood tall, half submerged in the pool with a single, bikini-clad woman sat on a ledge to its side, coconut drink in one hand and a fishing rod in the other.

"I see our newest visitor has arrived." The woman called, freezing the whole room with her voice. In near unison, the other Spirits looked up to see an ominous man standing in the doorway.

Skyfall looked from one side of the room to the other and spotted the siren trio: Adagio, Aria, and Sonata, glaring at him from just inside a small shop.

"Why are you standing in the shadows like a villain." Earth laughed, leaning back on the hand that held her fishing rod. "I was told someone was approaching the compound, but you're too cautious to be another Spirit thrown here from some Podunk section of Equestria."

"Earth, that's the guy who chased us!" Adagio announced, only to be waved down by Earth's calming hand as she sipped her drink. 

"I gathered that from your collective glare." Earth mused. She reached out to the man that was now the center of attention and snapped her hand shut to make the doorway behind him as smooth as the rest of the walls, effectively cutting off his route of escape. She stood up and set her rod down before walking forward, a path of stone extending from the ledge she stepped off to support her. Wherever she stepped, a path appeared.

Spirits began to emerge from their homes to join the ones that were standing in curiosity. A small feeling of belonging grew in Skyfall's heart at seeing Spirits gathered around him. Even though they looked different, he could plainly see their colors and their individual mannerisms, like recognizing an old friend after being away for too long.

Cold air wafted through the space causing his eyes to peer upward to Earth's smile. With the dim light, he could still see the human world gifted her with a slender and well-endowed frame of mocha skin. Her dark hair was pulled into braids and a ponytail, her shoulder length bangs did nothing to obstruct her unforgettable green eyes.

"So, you are accused of hunting down three Spirits of ours and yet you remain where you are, why?" Earth asked. She tapped down on the pillar she was balanced on and it shrank until it was level with the ground. "Adagio, Aria, and Sonata have told me who you impersonated. I must tell you, I won't entertain Spirits pretending to be others."

"Oh?" Skyfall chuckled, finding what was otherwise a serious situation funny. "And why is that?"

Earth's smile faded into a cold look. "Shattered Skies was a dear friend of mine. No one here thought it was funny, or particularly clever."

"If I may." Skyfall asked as he stepped forward, prompting Earth's guards to respond in kind. "We don't have much time. If we can bypass this." He gestured to the room. "we have much to discuss."

"Be careful young Spirit." Earth warned, not catching on to Skyfall's rhetoric. "I alone dictate the time here."

"Fine." Skyfall sighed. "None of you were there when I was struck down, so your stance on my identity is nil." Skyfall scolded, having become uncharacteristically irritated, looking around at the Spirits around him. "Why are you here? With the apparent means at your disposal, you stay. Our realm is in trouble, yet you sit here doing what? You live quietly on an abandoned compound."

"And who are you to question us?" Earth chuckled, causing a low roar of whispers through the room. "We were persecuted in droves and were made to live on this plain of existence. Celestia, the mortals, and other world leaders made it very clear, we are no longer welcome on Equus."

"Whether you accept it or not, we're a part of Equus. And what of the oaths you took?" Skyfall asked, rousing Earth's memory. "The Maker picked you for a reason. There's no ambiguous force that swayed you to accepting your aspect, but a clear and deliberate being. You can not feign ignorance or a stance of uncertainty."

"And yet here you are, challenging us instead of taking action yourself?" Earth questioned, letting her annoyed tone through. "You have yet to even share your name or show your face. Tell me why I shouldn't banish you away this instant?"

"Because that isn't like you, Earth." Skyfall cupped his hands and rested them in front of him. He could see the broken hearts of those around him. Spirits often grew attached to the cultures they lived in and even grew to have mortal lovers, the sting of rejection to these immortal beings was still fresh, even after one thousand years. "You always sought council of everyone, even going as far as to spend days with someone to understand them. You would weep when every friend, mortal or ageless, died. You aren't cold."

Skyfall spoke to everyone and looked around until he made his way back to her gaze, now more forlorn than dignified. She bore down on him and watched as golden light glowed from inside the hood.

"I can see it isn't what you want to hear, Earth." Skyfall removed his hood to show his iconic golden light. "But Equus needs you, it needs all of you. You have no right to interfere with what you have chosen to heed."

Reflection moved through Earth, drawing her to pace slowly and heavily on each foot toward the small pond.

"And why would we help those that hunted us, many of us are dead due to the Spirit trials." A Spirit barked as she stepped forward. "We fought through many wars and in the end we were held responsible for a crime Shattered Skies committed and paid for it."

"A crime Shattered Skies committed?" Skyfall asked, looking to Earth, who now knew who she spoke to.

"Princess Luna's transformation turned Celestia into an extremist against Spirits." She smiled sadly, eyes growing misty. "She used you as the catalyst to remove any Spirit that wouldn't register under her 'Spirit Manifest' doctrine and fall under her command. Many Spirits didn't believe her, but majority usually wins."

"'Used you?'" The Spirit in the crowd asked in confusion. She turned to Skyfall and squinted, grasping the handle of her blade. "Earth, you can't tell me you believe this peon is Shattered Skies."

"Placid Rain." Earth called. "Calm yourself."

"Seriously. Don't tell me you believe this is Shattered Skies." Cursed pointed at Skyfall. "I know you dislike talking about it, but Shattered Skies was impaled by Luna, no one can survive that. The last anyone saw of him, he was being carried away by Sif. You even saw the trails of his blood leading from the castle. That and his body was never found. And-"

Without saying another word, Earth reached up and summoned a stone hand to wrap around Rain's body.

"Silence." Earth said firmly, eyes closed and glowing from within. "Most of you are too young to understand, but only one being has eyes like this."

Without another word, Earth disappeared and reappeared before Skyfall. Her arms wrapped around him and squeezed.

"You did order me to stay alive." Skyfall chuckled. "I guess now I have the added factor of avoiding your heat seeking chancletas."

"You are such a jerk." Earth chuckled, melting as he rubbed her back. 

"I know, but that's part of my charm." Skyfall looked up to all the glowing eyes that stared back at him. He could see the wary looks of everyone there. His appearance must have felt like an omen to the ones that grew content. "Earth?"

"Yes?"

"I know this is sudden, but Equus needs our help." Skyfall looked down at Earth's green eyes. "I also need you to tell me about the last thousand years."

"I'll talk this over with you when we get some alone time." Earth whispered before tearing out of his arms. "OH!" A sudden, loud smack echoed through the room as she belted his arm.

"Ow, now why'd you hit me?" Skyfall held up a hand, prepared for more attacks from the girl with the strength of a bear.

"I told you to not work yourself too hard and eat more, look at you, you're too thin! And what happened to your retirement." This caused some laughter among those who knew Earth as a dotting mother figure. "And why are you dressed like a vagabond? I quit looking after you for even the briefest of moments and look at you. Sif has a lot to answer for."

Skyfall smiled at her ranting as Crossroad walked up.

"Earth, we have some visitors."

She perked her eye brows up and looked to Skyfall. "And you brought visitors."

"One or two." Skyfall shrugged. 

"Eight." Crossroad cut in, pointing at the side doors that were opening.

Earth disappeared and reappeared on the enormous bear statue, fully clothed in revealing fur armor regalia with metal fittings and a stylized steel bear head on her left shoulder. She smiled as she moved her hand, wisping her voluminous dark hair into its full size before weaving itself into a neater braid before clapping once. The room shuddered and faint, sparkling lights illuminated the hall until the glow from above matched the glow from the pool below.

Twilight and her companions were revealed and they watched on as glowing eyes now turned to them in judgement.

"-something scary... like that." Midnight's voice petered out.

"And who do I have the pleasure of meeting with in these hours of late?" Earth asked in a still voice that rang with the volume of a scream. She turned to Skyfall and opened her mouth, but paused when she saw him making a cutting gesture at his throat, silently informing her to not oust him as Shattered Skies. "...and with this lost companion that I found snooping in mine own underwear hamper!"

"Skyfall!" Twilight barked.

"That. Is a lie!" Skyfall shouted at Earth who then put her hand on her breast.

"I was so shocked to find him raiding my panty drawer." She rested her other hand on her forehead, feigning weakness. "I tried to stop him, but he was too forceful with the fondling."

"Skyfall, I can't believe you!" Twilight started stomping over to Skyfall while he held his hands out. "Literally, ten minutes!"

"Okay, seriously?" Skyfall asked, moving backward away from the angered Princess causing Earth to chuckle and stomp her foot, placing a wall of earth between Skyfall and the approaching purple princess. 

"I jest, Princess." The wall before Twilight eroded into dust to reveal the Elemental, smiling at her. "Skyfall and I are very old friends. He is one of the few that I trust with my life."

The look of surprise fell upon everyone's face, including Skyfall.

"Earth." Skyfall warned, not wanting to be revealed. 

"Oh, come on, Skyfall. You should have learned long ago, secrets only serve to make things easier in the short term, but always turn sour in the long run." Earth placed her warm hand on his cheek and met his gaze. The Spirits in the room began to leave with Earth's dismissive glance. She ran her hand down the front of Skyfall's jacket, catching the bottom and pulling him toward her before turning to her guests. "I hear you all are being chased by one we've come to know as Unfaithful. She is very old and very dangerous, so for your safety I am confining you to these grounds."

"What?" Sunset asked. "We can't, there are people counting on us to get back to Equestria, and what about our families? If that creature is rampaging around-"

"Sunset Shimmer." Earth's use of Sunset's name startled her. "I understand that you are concerned for the people in that town, but you eight are far more important than you suspect. Because of this, I, as the Earth Elemental cannot allow you to run brazenly into danger."

"Not to step on anyone's toes or nothin,' but you can't keep us here." Applejack said, clearly upset with Earth's statement. "We all have families to get back to and no one is gonna stop me from gettin' home." 

"All of your families have been evacuated already." Earth snapped her fingers and reformed the ground between them into a map of the surrounding regions that were under a severe disaster advisory. "I began evacuation once Unfaithful destroyed a house in the cloud district. Unfortunately, she is rampaging to draw us out, however, she is too powerful."

"But our families-" Fluttershy's voice quacked.

"Are being evacuated." Earth's cold tone struck hard. She paused at seeing Midnight, Twilight's human counterpart, before continuing. "They will be moved into a nearby city shelter until the situation is under control, so far, the death toll should be kept in the low hundreds."

"Hundreds?" Rarity gasped. 

"Yes." Earth raised an eye brow, amused. "Did you all think the worst you would ever face would be three sirens and a runaway conduit?"

Skyfall took a few tentative steps to place himself between Earth and his friends to stop her line of conversation, it was clear Earth did not like Twilight and the others. "Madam Earth, we've come here to talk to you. I think we can discuss what is happening in town later."

"Which is more immediate? Unfaithful, or Shattered Skies?" Earth asked and squinted into Skyfall's eyes in an attempt to read him. Soon, she dropped her head and nodded. 

"I understand." Earth said and began to fade into the ground below her. "I apologize for my rude greeting. I will be having my meal soon, I insist on you joining me in the gathering hall."

A weak grip embraced Skyfall's hand, turning his attention to the girl behind him. "Twilight?"

"What's going on?"

A quick look around revealed only them and their friends remained in the enchanted room. Looks of intense worry bore down on him as he held Twilight's hand.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked again, her eyes now buried behind her bangs.

Dropping any attempt at a cunning response, Skyfall squeezed her hand back. "Unfaithful, one of Celestia's Spirit council, destroyed Sunset's house driving us to come here, but by then it was too late for her to catch us before we took shelter behind Earth's barrier. We're stuck here until we can find a way to get back to Equestria."

"Are you saying Celestia sent her after us?"

"No. I've suspected Celestia to be under their influence and we dug too deep, now we're a thorn that needs removing. She likely doesn't even know about this." Skyfall said. "Likely."

"What about the others?" Twilight's eyes grew hazy with oncoming tears. "If we're here, what happens to our friends in Ponyville? If we're caught between Farhaven and rampaging Spirits."

As Twilight fell into the incoherent spewing of thoughts, Skyfall's mind churned. Subtle pushes from Celestia to journey with Twilight on this mission, Fury ordering fifty new guards into his unit, and the increase in captured undead at Farhaven. Owlicious' warning came to mind about the invasion beginning after the sealing the the spears, an allusion he believed was old word terminology for Spring, but now overly apparent that it was literal, four spears sealed him and his friends within the realm.

"No." Skyfall closed his eyes and began walking swiftly toward the sign that read, 'Gathering Hall.'

"Skyfall?" Twilight called, then felt Sunset jog passed her to get to him as he rushed away.

"Sky." Sunset strode next to him, looking at him only to see he stared straight ahead. His longer legs caused her to almost remain in a light jog as he whispered to himself loudly about missing signs and cursing his own existence. "Talk to me, what's going on?"

When no answer came, Sunset jogged just ahead of him until they were just out of sight of the others before putting him into a wall with her own body. "Skyfall."

"I need to get to Earth, Sunset, this is important." 

"So am I." Sunset grabbed his arm in a vain attempt to hold it to the wall to keep him still. "Talk to me. What's the matter?"

Skyfall glanced back only to see cold, dark concrete halls. "Sunset, I just realized that Ponyville is in danger more danger than I initially thought."

"We're in danger, Ponyville is safe on the other side of the portal."

"No." Skyfall cupped Sunset's face. "Celestia's council is going to attack Ponyville and stage it to look like Farhaven, we need to get back now. Ponyville is in danger."

"How could you possibly know that?" Sunset asked, struggling to keep him against to the wall. "The entirety of Ponyville has been under Celestia's close eye. I've been there day in and day out and there is nothing to indicate Ponyville will be attacked."

"Sunset, trust me."

She swallowed hard. "I try. But facts are, nothing in Ponyville screams that they're going to be under attack. What you're saying makes no sense, please talk to me and think this out before taking action."

"With time, inaction become action." skyfall's eyes glowed weakly, shocking Sunset, allowing him to effortlessly wrap her in his arms to move her out of the way. "I need to talk to Earth, Sunset, I can't go about this at a leisurely pace. I'm sorry."

"She has already made up her mind, lord Skyfall." A tall man rounded the corner wearing equipment comparable to an elite military unit, he was clearly battered and sported a freshly lain bandage over his forehead.

Skyfall looked at the man who jolted and chuckled. "Sorry, I'm Grand Shield, we have a mutual friend."

"The Fox." Both Skyfall and Shield said in an annoyed tone.

"He told me you were in need of some help."

Skyfall looked to Sunset who had not looked away from him since he moved her. Her eyes were no longer surprised, but now glared up, eating away the stone exterior he tried to uphold. "Go ahead with the others, there are some things I need to talk to Grand Shield about."

Silence. Sunset stared up at Skyfall, unmoving.

"Sunset." Skyfall rested his hand on her side. 

"We'll talk later?" Sunset asked, her voice filled with venom.

"Yes."

"Do you give me your word that you'll be honest?"

A long pause came from Skyfall as his heartstrings pulled. Memories of Crystal bubbled to the surface, the only time she got serious and demanded answers, she would tag 'do you give me your word?' in the sentence, knowing his true word was sacred to him. He looked into her hurt eyes and nodded. "I give you my word, Sunset."

Without another prompt, Sunset shouldered passed Skyfall and toward the gathering hall. After a tense moment, the hall grew quiet of footsteps.

"I see you still have trouble with members of the opposite sex." Shield chuckled.

"Laugh it up, fuzzball." Skyfall mumbled.

"Come, there is much to discuss and not alot of time to do so."





A dinner with the Earth Queen





The dinner was lavish, the gathering hall ornate. Earth lounged at the grand seat at the head of the long, wide, stone table, only she and her guests ate as she usually ate late at night to avoid the outrageous day crowds. While the girls nervously picked at their food, she looked upon each of them with either disgust or disengaged interest.

Twilight turned to meet the gaze and break the ice. "Madam Earth?"

"Just Earth is fine. I've never been one for titles."

Unsure of where to start, Twilight started with the obvious. "Why don't you like us?"

"Twilight!" Rarity scolded. Asking such questions was faux pas at dinners. "You can't assume she doesn't like us."

Earth held up her hand to halt the incoming correction from Rarity. "It's true. I don't like you." She caught the direct stares or passive glances from her guests and sighed. "Our mutual friend would scold me for such an action. To make him happier, I'll consider explaining why I dislike you."

"Mutual friend?" Midnight asked.

"Shattered Skies."

"Oh." Midnight went back to torturing her peas with a fork.

Twilight placed her spoon down and turned to Earth fully. "Earth. I think it's time we get down to business."

"This wouldn't involve the huns, would it?" Earth asked.

"What? No." Twilight looked on questioningly, catching Midnight's questioning look too.

"A nomadic people who left the steppes of Central Asia, traveled to Europe and threatened what was left of Rome's empire. Historians think they came from a Chinese tribe known as the Hsiung-nu?" Midnight smiled.

"R-Right." Twilight said and looked to Earth once more. "Not that. We're here about Shattered Skies."

"What about him?"

Twilight closed her eyes and swallowed hard, finding the words next to impossible to say. "We were sent here by Princess Celestia to see if you would help us by giving us a way to defeat him, or seal him if possible. But Me and Sunset spoke with him and he stated his innocence. Harmony wanted me to speak with him and..." Twilight's throat tightened. "all I want is peace."

"Twilight." Sunset said, trying to comfort her.

"You are a very kind child." Earth said, lounged in her chair. "Peace is, and has only ever been, a dream."

"No, you don't understand. Equestria has been at peace for almost one thousand years, since-"

"Since the Spirit trials?" Earth asked.

"That not what I mea-"

Earth held a finger to her lips to silence the room. "Let me explain."

Each of the girls stopped eating and turned to Earth as her stern look became soft.

"I am old, as old as the lands you were born upon. I have seen ages come and go like the changing of the seasons, much like many of the other elder Spirits. Civilizations rise, advance, and then somewhere along the line get sick of authority and fall into ash." Earth willed the center of the table to erode into loose sand and formed them to the many civilizations to illustrate her point. "We were always there to help pick up the pieces. We would make and you would destroy. Without Spirits, the world falls into disarray and becomes stagnant, like a pond."

Earth slowed her speech and looked to Twilight. "And what happens to the life in a pond that stagnates? No rain, no water, no nourishment."

"It dies."

"Yes. Let me ask. How many nations are at eachother's throat as we speak?"

Twilight gulped, knowing the answer from her mentor.

Earth smiled weakly. "Shattered Skies is a good stag, but he could never do it alone. He needs people to stand with him to help him reach what he is trying to achieve."

"Do you know what he is trying to do?" Sunset asked.

"No." Earth admitted. "But I've known him most of my life. He lives his life by very set rules and rarely deviates. Despite the nature he tries to portray, he is very kind and chose to put his life on the line for a great many during the Great Spirit War. Had he not been there, your world may look very differently."

"Earth, may I ask you something?" Twilight asked.

"Yes."

"What was the Great Spirit War?" Twilight asked. "I've heard vague references to it, but find nothing."

"That isn't surprising." Earth sighed. "It began over eight thousand years ago. Enough time for ancient civilizations to barely know it in legend." She leaned upon her arm and cupped her hands, tapping her thumbs together. "It wasn't a war in the most conventional means, but one that spanned over one thousand years and left ninety percent of the world's surface permanently changed and scarred. Sights like the Equestrian badlands, the void plains, and Foenum's suicide forest will never recover. Civilizations fought and some that were brought onto the planet no-longer exist."

"So a period of sustained conflict?" Midnight asked.

"Yes. However, in this era, Spirits that were accustomed to being solitary were thrust into high positions to lead nations against their own brethren. Large battles would ensue between Spirits and nations would fall. In the end, ruling over mortals was more popular than living beside them." Earth waved her hand to form the center of the table into a scene of battle with two armies sitting on the sides of a battlefield. "Shattered Skies was always a strong voice in the council and advocated people to grow up and talk it out, but he was the first to pick up arms against Discord's side once the Alicorns were destroyed."

"Alicorns?" Twilight asked, surprised to hear of the existence of more.

"Once a city sprawling with invention, culture, and happiness, is now a smoldering slag of ruin upon a lifeless isle. A great race now gone and defiled." Earth waved her hand again to show Shattered Skies fighting a large horse with blind eyes and bones woven in his braided mane. "Skies saved a few survivors, but losing the Alicorns affected him. That day his heart became a little colder. He then directed his rage to fighting a losing war."

Earth waved her hand for a final time, etching a symbol of an antlered crown into the table. "You say you were sent here wanting to know how to seal Shattered Skies and then stated that all you want is peace." She leaned on her arm further and glared at Twilight. "Do you think these aren't contradictory?"

Twilight chewed her lip. She looked to Earth, power flowed from her like a perfume and her firm body held gentle eyes. Her armor revealed much skin, but matched her own primal beauty.

"Don't tell me what your mentor would want you to say." Earth interrupted. "What does Twilight Sparkle think, deep down?"

"I-I don't know." 

Earth deadpanned and sighed. "Then we're done here until you give me an answer." She rose and walked from the table, only to hear a bowl clatter to the floor.

"Earth."

Earth looked back to see Twilight and scoffed. "Youth. You're given such power, but you choose to do nothing."

"I haven't made a choice yet." Twilight said, knowing their situation was dire and letting Earth walk away was bad.

"You have." Earth turned in the door way as her magic willed the doors shut. "With time, inaction becomes action."

Twilight sighed in defeat while the others tried to give her words of encouragement

However, Sunset did not, she leaned back at Earth's words. 'With time, inaction becomes action.' These words were uttered by only one other person, Skyfall, someone who had been suspiciously absent from dinner.





Earth's Spirit Village
Sometime later





Twilight sighed, looking at the water. The calm glow of the water put her at ease. Making circles in the soft grass, memories of dinner played in her head like a film. Why did she not try to think of something clever to say? Her mind drifted to Skyfall and the slight angry feeling she harbored toward him. Had he been there he could have figured out what to say.

Her mind started to spiral, as it does whenever she finds herself in over her head.

"Deep in thought, Sparkle?" 

Twilight turned and leapt to her feet at seeing an old enemy, Adagio Dazzle. Half expecting the worst to happen, She looked around the room for somewhere to take cover from, but the lax demeanor of Adagio with the added fact that she was holding a crate brought her down from her own panic.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Sparkle. At least not while in an Elemental's sanctum." Adagio chuckled as she knelt down, setting the crate onto the grass. Her usual wild hair was pinched into a ponytail and the tight outfit she wore in school was replaced with loose fitting cargo pants and a black tank-top, finished off with a pair of small square glasses on her face. 

With a soft pop, the crate's lid slid off and one by one Adagio revealed cloths before hanging them up on a nearby cloths line. She moved gently to push back her full hair as she knelt down to go through her laundry.

"You're not going to attack?" Twilight asked.

"That's what I said." Adagio shook her head, obviously amused at the confusion. She jabbed a finger toward a nearby red building. "This is my house, you were squatted in front of it, that's the only reason I'm near you."

"Oh."

Time passed as Twilight stood there, still, searching for words to say to who she believed was an enemy. Her own perception regarding Spirits felt challenged; first Spirits went from being myth to being real. Then her mentor revealed them to be the enemy and Spirits like Adagio only cemented that belief. Now, she has spoken with not only the Spirit she hunted to no avail, but to the Spirit within her own element and an Elemental that made very astonishing claims with no recorded historical backing.

Even now, she stands by someone she believed to be an enemy and it's almost as if she was looking at someone that only looked the same as Adagio; this Adagio wasn't portraying an aggressive nature, nor was she scowling; she was lightly humming as she placed cloths, one by one, onto the line. 

Bringing herself back to reality with Adagio's snapping of the crate's lid brought one question to mind.

"Adagio?"

Adagio looked over, cradling the box in her arms. "Hm?"

"You don't seem the same as the person I met at Canterlot high..." Twilight said and folded her arms loosely, enough to hold her elbows. "Why?"

"Are you asking why I'm not the same person, or why I'm not all "Mwahahaha, give me your magic?""

"Both."

With a subtle side-nod of her head, Adagio invited Twilight to follow. She watched as Twilight reluctantly followed her to the small front porch and looked on as Adagio nestled the crate under a wooden chair. "If you're not too afraid, you can come in for some tea. Or coffee. Whatever spins your rims."

The door swung wide to reveal Adagio's modest house, the wise use of space and large presence of wood put Twilight further into a sense of uncertainty.

"What? Do you hate wood?"

"No!" Twilight crowed. "It's just not what I was expecting."

"Well, I wasn't expecting you to accept my offer." Adagio chided. "Tea of coffee?"

"Coffee, please."

Without missing a beat, Adagio rooted through her cabinet and drew beans from a sealed cup to grind and brew. She looked at Twilight's dumbfounded look.

"Shocked I don't live in a mossy cave with bat guano lining the walls?" Adagio asked.

"That's not what I-"

"I'm joking." Adagio laughed under her breath. "I get that a lot from non-Spirits. One echidna Spirit does that and suddenly all Spirits are eccentric, hermit-like creatures that live off worms and wet socks."

"Echidna?"

"Long, bitter story. Forget I mentioned it." Adagio pressed the ground beans and after a few moments, a fresh cup of coffee was placed before Twilight, leaving her to watch as Adagio lazily grabbed a jug of dark tea from her fridge to plop down across from her.

Taking the silence as an invitation to try the coffee, Twilight accepted the black liquid and hummed at the flavor. She placed the cup down and took in the smell of a light chocolate smell. "Chocolate?"

"Chicory." Adagio poured herself a cup of tea. "I developed a taste for it when I was studying medicine in Cresent City, Bayou Country."

"Is that in Southern Equestria?" Twilight asked.

"Yes. I tried to do the same here, but no money."

"Ah." Twilight jolted like she was struck in the face. "Wait, you studied medicine?" 

"Yes, again." Adagio mixed lemon into her tea. "I enjoy the subject. When I graduated, I did that for many years until I was sent here."

"You're a doctor?"

"Yes." Adagio sipped her tea. "Don't get too excited, many Spirits have some soft of honorific following them. We certainly have the time to do so." 

"But, you tried to invade Equestria." Twilight said and immediately slapped a hand over her mouth.

"Why the over exaggerated slap?" Adagio chuckled. "You're kinda on the money, I did."

"It was rude, sorry." 

"Forgiven." Adagio placed a coaster under her tea before crossing her legs under the table. "Me and the nitwits were punished pretty hard for it by Earth so I might as well own it. I used stolen gems and tried to return to Equus."

"You wanted to go back that bad?" Twilight asked, tempting fate.

"Of course I did. I still do. Most of us want to return to our homes, even if we say otherwise." Adagio said matter of factly. "Even if the whole of the planet rejected us."

"Rejected you?" Twilight asked, desiring answers from a Spirit that was willing to talk about what the others wouldn't. "I know Celestia forced the Spirits here, but didn't the Spirits commit crimes?"

"They did." Adagio smirked. "Some of it was really fun."

"So isn't this deserved?" Twilight asked.

With a momentary pause of drink, Adagio set her glass down. "Princess, may I ask you a pointed question?"

Astonished at the polite demeanor, Twilight nodded.

"Do you have love for species outside that of Pony culture?" Adagio asked.

"I do. I've made many friends-"

A dismissive hand waved in the space between the two. "That's not what I'm asking. I'm asking, could you love other species to see who they are underneath? To say you could be in love with a zebra because they are someone you love and not see them as a zebra?"

"To love someone like they were your family?" Twilight asked, trying to understand.

"Somewhat." Adagio said. "Would you hold all Unicorns responsible for the crimes of one Pegasus?"

"No." Twilight snorted. "That'd be silly."

"It would." Adagio refilled her tea an offered some to Twilight, an offer she took after downing the rest of her now cold coffee. She gently swirled the smokey, black soup wit her finger. "Would it be fair to hold all Pegasi responsible for the actions of five Zebra?"

"No?" Twilight asked and hummed. "Are you implying that ponies held all Spirits responsible for the actions of a few?"

"No." Adagio moistened her throat with her drink. "All races on Equus held us responsible under the pretext that we could do something. Some of us exist only to test mortals or even lay waste with natural disasters, but all were hunted and put on trial. Some of us were unlucky enough to not make the popular cut."

"All races?"

"Your Celestia was the catalyst, but far from the primary aggressor." Adagio said. "I imagine Earth and your own Shattered Skies wouldn't want me to share this with you, but I'm telling you out of an expectation I'll get repaid with a trip home."

"So you're going to tell me what I want to know?" Twilight asked.

"Yes. I've met your Spirit of the Forest many times." Adagio chuckled and rubbed her eyes beneath her glasses. "He is quite the task master. Some of us saw the plan to eradicate the Spirits from Equus, perhaps if he was around, we would have actually done something. I doubt it, but it doesn't hurt to dream."

"You respect him that much?" Twilight asked. "Its hard to find someone that actually wants to talk about him."

"Respect him? That's a word for it." Adagio laughed. "The tight lips don't surprise me. We Spirits are very secretive. I guess it comes with age."

"How old are you?"

"Geez." Adagio scoffed, trying to recall her age. "Twenty-six thousand and change? Not sure anymore."

Twilight laughed, causing Adagio to burst into roarish laughter as well. The scene gave Twilight a third-person feeling, enjoying a conversation and sharing a drink with the image of someone she fought against. As the laughter died, Twilight sat with more questions than answers; a common occurrence as of late.

"For a mortal, you aren't so bad, Twilight." Adagio said and paused. "Oh, wait, that's right you're an Alicorn. You joined the 'always bikini season' crowd."

"Always bikini season?"

"It's a joke we toss around from time to time." Adagio adjusted herself lazily. She lifted her shirt up and thumbed her waistline down to show her toned body. "We as immortals have a metabolism that cycles constantly keeping us preserved so we look young. Convenient, cause if I had to live forever in the body of an old mobster slug creature in a desert I'd lose my mind. This way when I want a man I can lure him right in."

"Lure him in for what?" Twilight asked.

With squinted eyes, Adagio looked at Twilight and turned her skepticism into a pointed expression. "For sex..."

"Oh!" Twilight felt embarrassed and looked into her tea, avoiding the amused expression from Adagio. "I knew that, I was just thinking that it may have been for another reason."

"Nope!" Adagio chuckled. "I'm not one for pillow talk, just want a rough man to do what I want and leave when I've had enough." Seeing Twilight's shocked look, Adagio tapped her finger on the table. "You know nothing about Spirits, do you?"

"Not really." Twilight sighed. 

"Probably burned everything related to Spirits the instant the trials were wrapped up." Adagio chuckled. "Well, we Spirits aren't that different from you ponies. We enjoy the same things you do, we're just a little older."

"I don't think we have ponies that lure men to their homes to engage in that."

"Oh, trust me, it happens." Adagio said. "I'm a muse, it fits right in. Always has. Always will."

Conflict rose in Twilight's mind. "So if Spirits are the same, why would mortals be so willing to trap Spirits here?"

"I told you. We were trapped because we had the ability to cause trouble." Adagio reminded. "Before the war, we had a Spirit counsel that would find Spirits that were out of line and bring them to heel, but after the war the counsel didn't exist and some Spirits ran wild leading to public outcry. Then a city named Cahokia was destroyed and the souls of the ponies there were eaten by decayed trees, leading Celestia to start a crusade to uproot us. Before long many of us had our own families turning us in."

"Families?"

"Yes. Many of us had mortal families and our spouses turned on us." Adagio's voice fell quiet, revealing some pain. "Only Celestia knows the entirety of what happened during the trials, but her task force of StarSwirl the bearded and his lackeys hunted us down after the main order came down."

Understanding that there were at least three sides to every story, Twilight placed a hand on her chin in thought while Adagio continued.

"In one day, two thirds of the Spirit population was either destroyed, imprisoned, or sent here in exile."

"We freed StarSwirl almost two years ago and he has never mentioned it." Twilight mused, thinking back to her past adventures. "Then again, he has been traveling Equestria and has only stopped by once to discuss his travels."

"I hear myths are having trouble staying myths right now." Adagio said.

"Heh, yeah." Twilight groaned quietly. "All the stories I grew up learning are slowly being eaten away to become something else entirely. Shattered Skies exists, Starswirl and his companions are alive, Sombra is cured, Santa Clause is a myth-"

"Sombra's alive?" Adagio asked and hissed through her teeth.

"He was cured?" Twilight offered. "He isn't King anymore."

"I'm sure Shattered Skies loves that." 

"Why?"

"Skies hates him." Adagio shook her head and shifted in her chair. "But he would kill me if I blabbed, so I'll remain quiet."

"Hm, Skyfall hates Sombra too." Twilight mused.

"Interesting." 

With a fluid motion, Adagio stood and two steps later met the refrigerator. She stared into the abyss as one does when half bored, looking for something to do.

"Adagio?"

"Hm?"

"Can I trust you to not tell anyone about this?" 

"Yes." Adagio palmed a ball of cheese and peeled bits off to eat, playing with the strips in her hands beforehand. She turned back to the table and calmly sat down. "You're my ticket home. We haven't agreed to anything, but it's obvious no one is telling you things and if you want this kept secret, just stick up for me when I try to come with you."

Twilight hated the idea of introducing another potential villain to Equestria but agreed with Adagio's points. In addition to that, this Adagio seemed worlds different than the one she fought. 

"Don't have much of a choice." Twilight said.

"Great, all you have to do is ask and I'll answer your questions. This goes for when we get to Equestria too." Adagio dropped cheese bits into her mouth, clearly too eager about cheese. "No point in keep it a secret now."

"What about the Spirit War?"

Adagio paused and placed the cheese ball down. "I'll talk about it, but understand that you need to keep our exchange a secret, especially that part."

"Deal." Twilight said and looked out the window to see her friends looking for her. Clear by them calling out her name. "When can we meet up to talk about it?"

"It's probably best to talk about it when we get home to Equestria." Adagio said, jostling her tea that was now solid ice. "Hm, yeah perhaps it is time to end our little play date."

Twilight smiled as Adagio's sad expression. "It was nice to meet you, Adagio. That real you."

"I'll see you around, Sparkle." Adagio waved, watching Twilight leave to join her friends, bringing a smile to her face. As the air temperature fell, her smile fell. She glanced to her clock and the short hand had been beating the same tick over and over.

"Ms. Dazzle."





A dark room in a deep place





"So how'd you survive being cut down by your pupil?" Grand Shield asked. He was slightly taller than Skyfall, making him near giant size. His foot falls were heavy and scrapped against the ground as he swayed with each step. Shield smiled over his shoulder at Skyfall. "That is, if the memories are too much."

"They're not." Skyfall said. He lied, the memories would resurface every now and again at inconvenient moments like dinner and always bothered him. "Luna and I have reconciled. She lost control and ran me through with that cursed weapon of hers. Sif saved me by getting me to an elder tree-"

Grand Shield cursed under his breath as he looked at his phone. He noticed Skyfall stopped talking and looked to him to see his questioning expression. "Sorry, I have a bingo game going. Almost forgot my numbers."

"R-Right." Skyfall rolled his eyes knowing that Shield was checking his messages for updates and continued. "I entered a hibernation-like state once in the tree and recovered slowly. Since Luna's weapon is able to destroy a Spirit's regenerative power, it took a very long time. For all intents and purpose, it was a kill shot."

Grand smiled wide as he had been doing since they met. "Well, my lord. It is very nice to see you up and about."

Skyfall smiled. "I don't recall telling you I was Shattered Skies."

Grand slowed to a stop and put one hand on his hip and another on his mouth. 

"It's that little world hopper, isn't it?" Skyfall asked to which he received a curt nod. He moved to Grand Shield's front and stopped, giving him a stern look. "Who is he?"

Grand Shield let out a long, ragged sigh. "To be honest, my lord? I have not a clue, no one here does, not even Lady Earth. She tried to wrap him in a hand of stone and he just slips out like hes greased up. Every time he appears the world borders shake like a tremor." He said as he slowed by a large set of stone doors. "And here we are."

"I thought I was going to go see your security commander?" Skyfall asked. "I mean, the tour was nice, but come on."

"I know, my lord. Lady Earth requested to see you first." Grand said and waved at the walls, causing them to ripple, golem eyes opened along the walls to look around rapidly before snapping to Skyfall. They were inlaid as a security measure.

"That. Is creepy."

"I'd support stationing guards, but Lady Earth is kind of a powerhouse." Grand chuckled.

"Yep, a powerhouse build like a brick house."

"I heard that." Earth's voice permeated the hallway. With a soft pat, Grand smiled and left Skyfall alone before her door. 

Skyfall pushed the door open to see Earth sitting on a balcony clear across the expanse that was her two story living space. A mixture of lavish furnishings and old world knick-knacks filled her space. He walked through the apartment-like set up, being careful to avoid crates labeled with addresses spanning the globe. 

As he neared, he was able to see her looking out onto another realm chasm that seemed to be an extension of the one that existed in her main party chambers. Rooms of other Spirits lined the circular wall overlooking a small lush island, sitting under an illusion of the night sky outside.

Down small steps and over to the lounging Elemental he walked before stopping at her subtle hand motion. Her eyes darted to him from an electronic tablet. Contemplation passed between them before she moved to talk.

"Skyfall, is it true you were in a coma for a thousand years?" Earth swung a leg over the side of her couch to anchor her as she pulled herself upright.

"More or less." Skyfall admitted. "I remember some things from that time, but not more than a day's worth of memories. 

"That's not what I was asking."

"I know." Skyfall said. "It's just hard to grasp we're here now."

Her fingers sank into the lays of her hair and raked their way to her neck moving her hair with it, showing that her gaze now fell into his eyes. "Damn you."

She stood and walked passed him to shield herself in her apartment. Silently, her finger beckoned him to follow.

"You have no idea what you being here means."

"So I keep hearing." Skyfall said.

With a flippant flick of her hand, the opening to the chasm disappeared and instead painted a picture of an orange sunset over an adobe desert. The air between Skyfall and Earth felt wordless. Her eyes glowed and all manners of wards fell onto the room, nearly turning the room into a moss covered cave from her influence.

A sudden, crushing hug wrapped Skyfall. He felt her head lightly tapping against his chest in supposed frustration.

"That bad?" Skyfall chuckled.

"Yeah, that bad." She muffled out into his jacket. Her head reared back and green eyes bore up. "Your sister just arrived at the border of our facility and started bombarding the shield when I refused to go see her."

"No point?"

"Not really." Earth stepped back and fell back onto a nearby couch. "With us accepting to house you, this our sanctuary is compromised. None of us are safe once that barrier comes crashing down."

"Then do something."

"Still stubborn." Earth smirked.

"Earth, what happened to all of us." Skyfall took the couch opposite of the Elemental. "I assume you have ties to Equus still and know some of what's going on. We fought to stop this once, why are we hiding?"

"For a guy who acts like a shut-off cynic, you seem really interested in helping." Earth prodded.

"I just don't want the world to collapse and take everything good with it." Sky said. "You know what evils come from taking the "hands off" approach."

"And would you have a different view if your daughter was still lost to you?" Earth asked, her expression turning dark. "Is this new found interest in world order altruistic?"

"No." Skyfall said with no hesitation. 

"If the statement wasn't so blunt, I'd think you were lying." She cupped her hands and leaned back in her chair to look at the ceiling. "You. Are you really here to recruit us all?"

"In a nutshell? Yes." Skyfall said. "The planet's equilibrium is turned on its side. I haven't been able to reach the Maker. And worse, all of us are toted as story book villains." He couldn't read Earth's neutral reaction, though he tried in vain. "If what I believe is true, it's too late. In trying to destroy me, Celestia and the others have set in motion the catalyst for a world war. Ponyville and Twilight would have been attacked by Spirits, setting in motion a witch hunt for Spirits that will degrade into war."

Earth played with the fancy fraying on her pillows and slowly twirled the cords in her hands. "You would ask us to help a-"

"Yes." Skyfall interrupted. "I get it, they betrayed you, but that was the paranoia a thousand years ago. Don't hold the descendants responsible for their ancestors."

"You were always good with words, Skyfall." Earth smiled. 

Reviewing the conversation in his mind, Skyfall leaned forward. "What agreement did you make with Celestia? I know you came here willingly, there's no way you two would fight and be completely unscathed, even now. So you must have talked."

"We did." Earth said, reaching over to scoop up a passing cat. "She came to me with her morning sun behind her, believing it would give her extra power. It would be a fair fight had it not been for Rage and that cur River's End. With them, it made things a little more bleak." She slowed her petting and looked to Sky. "After a brief discussion, I agreed to come here to guide our kind. I wanted to tear her apart for what she did to us, but we needed someone to shelter us in this world. I assure you the switch wasn't too convenient either." 

"So what was the agreement?"

"We are to never return to the world or interfere in their affairs. Any future endeavors will have our complete cooperation and obedience. Failure to do so will result in us being hunted and sentenced to Tartarus which forced Spirits to roam a scape of shifting sands, darkness, and ruins that belonged to no civilization."

"You." Skyfall squinted and turned his head slightly. Her demeanor and complete acceptance was leagues away from the Earth that lived in his memory. "You want this war to happen."

"I do." Earth's eyes glowed strong. "I am disgusted with how they've taken that planet, turning it from the paradise we all made into a sad shell."

"And what of the war we all fought? We did that, not them." Skyfall said. 

Grief struck Earth, her expression changing from sad to angry to neutral. "I know."

"What's the matter?" Skyfall asked, Earth being one of the few people he genuinely trusted. 

"I grieved." Earth said, tears welling in her eyes. "When I heard Crystal passed away with your daughter, I grieved as if I lost my own family. I tore me apart, you were too numb to see the hurt of the others around you. Then, we lost you. My heart shattered at the news and since then I have tried to live away from forests, you are one of my best friends and I never stopped mourning." She looked to Skyfall as he sat, listening. "Now you're back and I'm angry at you. I'm angry and I don't know why."

"I didn't want to put hardship on you and the others." Skyfall said. "I just need to talk to them, maybe they can be helped to return."

"Word of your arrival has moved to the Spirits that weren't present at tonight's little gathering." Earth said. "Many don't believe you're actually Shattered Skies. And the ones that do think you'll be fighting a losing battle. Most of us are just tired."

"That, I understand." Skyfall said in earnest.

"We'll have a few days to catch up. Soon we'll make a plan for all of us to get out of here, until then gather your strength and meet with my security commander, she'll update you on the minutia of what we're looking at." Earth noticed Skyfall's silence, signalling he still had one conversation piece of note. "Something on your mind, Ardennes?"

"Guns."

Hanging her head, she knew this way coming. "Yes, the firearms."

"Why?"

"You don't win battle with wishes and smiles. You used to say that." Earth said. "As I mentioned earlier, our early days here were very harsh. I made a decision and allowed their development. Firearms have been limited throughout the world as of late and aren't commonplace, but history is much like ours in the time before. This time, however, we were able to step in and stop many of the historical catastrophes that might have happened. Didn't stop them all, but the track record is good. Being immortal helps too."

With a silent nod and a hug, Skyfall took his leave. He stepped out into the large maintenance hall to see Grand Shield. Quiet buzzing came from his pocket and after a brief moment, he pulled out a phone encased in a protective shell. He tapped and hissed as he quickened his pace, shoving the phone into his pocket. "We should hurry, our operation's commander just messaged me directly to hurry along and bring you."

"Then we better not keep them waiting." Skyfall chuckled and followed Shield through winding hallways and security doors, in front of curious people and shocked bystanders. They continued until they arrived at a steel door in a hallway of sensors. Shield lifted his card to swipe, but paused.

"Lord Skies."

"Yes?"

He paused and took a deep breath. "During the war, I fought against you. I remember some of the atrocities that came from losing battles against the major Spirits. I know it's not my place, but please consider the families when passing judgement."

Skyfall's eyes rested onto Grand's back as he slide in his card key, remaining silent as he followed him in to almost the center of a large room. Full of monitors and electronic maps with various colored floating orbs carved like planets in the very center, he looked on at the impressive set up they had.

"What is this?" Skyfall asked.

"It's the room we use to monitor the barriers of the different realms. We hold mission briefings here for our various excursion teams." A familiar voice called as the harsh tapping of shoes echoed from behind Skyfall, drawing his attention.

The woman was dressed in olive drab cargo pants, boots, and a tight white shirt with a laurel wreathed planet on the breast. Her long, straight hair was pulled back into a fiery rust orange ponytail, showing off her onyx skin and blue-gray eyes.

"Psalm?"

She smiled and wrapped her arms around Skyfall. "Hi BB."

"So you're the Earth's Operation's Commander?" Skyfall raised his brow. "How'd that happen? And why didn't you tell me?"

Psalm kissed her brother's cheek. "Our time is running kind of short, it's quite a tale, but it'll have to wait later."

Her arms fell to his side as Skyfall looked around to see more familiar Spirits than he had in Earth's presence. Spirits he had served with and against in the Great Spirit War, now clearly his sister's close council in manners of defending their own realm's borders. With each set of eyes Skyfall met, a heartfelt nod was returned.

"First and foremost." Skyfall said. "How did you follow me here? The highschool's portal is sealed."

"There are always more than one link between realms, Big Brother." Psalm ran her hand over a nearby terminal before calling out location codes, sending the map into a rapid fluctuation of colors and zooms before showing a gaping hole of rock in the earth. "Like tunnels in a mine to keep it from collapsing."

"A rock quarry? How?"

"With events that put pressure on time and space, the force has to escape somewhere. It riots through limbo and into other verses." Psalm jabbed a thumb to the satellite image. "With the increased incidents over the past few years at the main highschool portal, we had to seek out other locations to cross. Two years ago, we found that a rift formed at a local camp called camp Everfree. So we sent a corporate puppet there to buy a large section of the land it owned. After dishing out some large numbers from the bank and a runaway conduit that some highschoolers put down, we bought the rights to the land and built a quarry a few miles from the camp."

"Does Unfaithful know about it?" Skyfall asked.

"Not to our knowledge, no." A large Spirit sporting a Mohawk interrupted. 

"The other end of the portal is in the badlands, a bit of a walk, but easier than the next best thing." Psalm said.

Skyfall nodded and stood silently, deep in thought.

"Any questions?" 

"A great many." Skyfall said in earnest. "But first, there is a nagging thought in the back of my head as to who is pulling the strings behind the scenes. Is there a place here that we can speak?"

Psalm sighed and broke her eye contact with her brother's waiting expression. "I fear this knowledge comes too late." She waved her hand and commanded the computer's artificial intelligence to show the barrier worlds. She called for filters to be revealed and the worlds grew red and cracked as if magma boiled to the surface, a thick cloud of ashy smoke snaking its way from planet to planet. 

"What is this?" Skyfall counted as much as twelve vibrant worlds with three times as many being nearly faded from sight. "I recognize Equus and the realm we currently inhabit."

"It's... difficult to explain." Psalm said sadly, hanging her head in shame. "All I can tell you is that if balance isn't brought back soon, then every world will be affected."

"World ending cataclysm?" Skyfall asked, uncharacteristically happy.

"Yes?"

He looked over the lines of smoke to their own sources. A small, blue world with tiny islands was untouched with an aurora borealis fending the smoke off. That same smoke erupted from a broken world, just opposite the small blue one on the grand world map. A large cord of smoke was stabbed into each world and Skyfall squinted to see where on Equus it met, he recognized the location, Prance. Prance being a natural cross point for many magic lay lines. 

"So, Psalm." Skyfall's voice fell flat at a realization, believing he knew who laid at the center of the problems that followed his family.

"Yes, Skyfall?"

"Lately, have you been having nightmares about him too?"
> (H) Chapter 46 -A Long Time Coming-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-A Long Time Coming-



Five full days passed as Skyfall and the others sat, watching plums of smoke pollute the sky until the light was blotched out only letting a few stray rays in every so often. Twilight and her friend's attempts at leaving were met with overwhelming resistance from Earth's compatriots. So they remained, helplessly watching as the news reported Ponyville and the surrounding counties to be in a crisis from the natural disaster that scattered its residents to the wind like so many leaves.

Sitting, unable to act or return home.

Standing on the compound's concrete wall that bordered the river, Skyfall thought in silence, staring at the water as he had for most of the time, only tearing himself away when approached by people.

"I know I've asked this a few times before, but are you sure you're okay?" Psalm asked, her clothing and demeanor more stern now than it was when she came to Skyfall's house. Neat pressed uniform, insignias embroidered on each arm, and clean styled hair kept affixed by a geode hairpin.

"No." Skyfall answered honestly. 

"I figured." Psalm rested a hand on Skyfall's back as she came to stand behind him. "I have to admit, I was a little more than shocked that you were able to figure out that our father is the one that turned us against you. I suppose that is a little obvious when one thinks about it."

"No." Skyfall said. "I knew it was him. Finding out that not only you five were alive but that you might all want to kill me for what I did put my mind through hell, something I'm sure he had planned out from the get-go."

Skyfall turned slowly to see the grounds full of people looking to him, including Twilight and her friends. He paused as he realized he was in thought for so long he didn't hear anyone arrive, nor did he realize that he now stood in a puddle of water up to his ankles.

Looking down into Psalm's eyes, Skyfall gave her a sad look. "Psalm, I know we've avoided talking about it. But before my death, was I good to you?"

"Of course." Psalm's confusion was clear from the awestruck look on her face. "How do you mean?"

"You were too young to really remember our father. When you were born I returned with our eldest sister and took all of our siblings away from our him, physically and legally. You are the only one that doesn't really know him, at least before all this." Skyfall looked to their reflection in the puddle they stood in, noticing that their magic was also reflected in their image. "Perhaps that's why your magic is vibrant." 

Psalm smiled. "I knew this news would hurt, but we have each other and soon we can help our siblings remember who they are too. We can bring them to our side."

"No." Skyfall shook his head. "They have each committed crimes against nature and must answer for them. When this is over, they will be held for trial."

"But Sky, they're our family." Psalm's voice faltered.

"So? And I'm a guardian Spirit sworn to uphold the balance." Skyfall said as a matter of fact. "Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. Each of them have caused so much pain to the world to cause so much unbalance that the Maker is dying, that's why she sealed herself off." He saw more Spirits gathering as the skies darkened with smoke and rain. "Our siblings need to face judgement. Maybe then, Maker willing, we can be family again should the punishments be kind."

After a long, quiet moment, Psalm lowered her head. "I know..."

When Earth emerged from one of the many buildings, she silently beckoned Skyfall over.

"Will you stop me from doing what I may need to do?"

Psalm shook her head. "No. When the time comes, I know you'll do what's best. That's why I'm moving everyone under my command to Farhaven."

"No, Psalm, you need to protect everyone here."

"After we open the portal to get you and the others home, this sanctuary's defenses will fail." Psalm looked to the shimmering shield that blanketed the area. "You know it, I know it, Unfaithful knows it. We can return when this has blown over, but the onslaught will breach those walls."

Skyfall's stomach dropped. He hadn't intend on leaving the hundreds of innocent Spirits defenseless. He began walking toward Earth in a haste, but slowed when Earth gave him a subtle shake of her head. Soon Psalm caught up and tugged on his jacket to slow him to a normal walk. 

"Earth and the others know you're right. Deep down their hearts agree with you. It's an inconvenient truth, but truth nonetheless." Psalm hooked her arm around her brother's. "Earth said she's made up her mind regarding a few measures and wants to speak to you in private. The real you."

"Great."

Earth watched as Skyfall approached with her second in command and glanced over to see Twilight standing next to her, slightly more depressed than when she had arrived.

"So Princess, given any thought into what path you're going to choose when fate demands a choice be made?"

Twilight took a deep breath, folding her arms gently. "It's hard to see Shattered Skies as anything but a villain, everything about him gives me the impression that he is somebody to avoid, even if everyone says otherwise." She looked up to Earth's green eyes near hidden behind her chocolate hair and mocha skin. "Is there a way to find out what really happened for myself?"

"There is." Earth smiled. "However, the Spirit of knowledge now resides in Farhaven, the center of your enemy's home. Knowing this, would you still trust the information even if you were shown?"

"No." 

"Smart girl." Earth chuckled and placed a heavy hand on Twilight's shoulder. "In a situation like this, I suppose the better question to ask is what feels right?"

A feeling bubbled up inside Twilight, the same feeling of fullness every time her and her friends used the Elements. She placed her hand over her heart before a soft glow bled through. 

"I see the reports are true, you do hold Harmony's power within you." Earth cooed.

"I feel like Shattered Skies can be trusted." Twilight said.

"Is that Harmony speaking?" Earth asked, amused at Twilight's answer.

"It is." Twilight smiled, making Earth chuckle at her blunt answer. "But it's my answer too. If Harmony has protected me this far, putting my faith in her is the least I can do."

Earth's hands squeezed lightly. "Celestia may not like the answer, especially in her conflicted state."

"What does that mean?" 

"That's for you to discover. I just hope you stand steadfast in the fire of your mentor's judgement. However, I would keep this decision of yours as close to the vest as possible." Earth said as Skyfall and Psalm stopped shortly before them. "We have been given a short window to get you home. If we don't take it now, you may be here much longer than you want to be."

"Where's the portal?" Skyfall asked.

"A quarry a few miles away from what was Camp Everfree." Earth pointed to the main living quarters. "Everyone, please get some food and a shower, we leave in ninety minutes." As Skyfall turned to follow the group, Earth caught his eye, stopping him. "You and I need to talk about what comes next."

Sunset stopped to see Skyfall talking to Earth, a sudden feeling of dread gave her pause and she didn't understand why. She turned to follow Skyfall, but a large man in plated carbon armor gave her a subtle head shake, commanding her not to interfere. 





Skyfall stood, looking out at the sea of eyes that starred back at him. The large briefing room he met Psalm in a few days prior was now filled with Spirits, quietly waiting after Earth's words. His heart sank as Earth delivered the crushing news of her official answer regarding her involvement. 

"So in the end, after the oaths we took, you've all decided it's best to stay out of the world's affairs?" Skyfall chided, tired from games. He wanted to scold each and every Spirit for what he saw was unnecessary inaction. He wanted to yell about having the power means having the responsibility and that the ones that called for Spirits to be put on trial are now several generations removed. However, that was only something reserved for dramatic stories and not reality.

"...fine." Skyfall watched as the Spirits wordlessly stood and bowed in respect for him before taking their leave, some not even having the courage to look him in the eye. Fear took hold of each and every one of them.

Hollowness sat in his heart as he looked at the empty seats. He knew that Earth was bound to an agreement of nonaggression by Celestia and that each of the Spirits was afraid of being killed or worse, being used as a weapon against their kin.

He looked onto the cylindrical map table and hung his head as his arms kept him propped up. Specifics couldn't be displayed, but the fresh, glowing red crack in Equus' orb only screamed trouble.

Earth moved her hands along Skyfall's side and wrapped them around his waist, hugging him from behind and burying her face in his back. "I'm sorry, Skies."

"It's okay." Skyfall sighed.

"No. I wanted to help." Earth cooed and loosened her grip so Skyfall could turn to hug her properly. "You could bring your people here. It would be a little difficult at first, but we could make this realm our new home? The war would take Equus and we could help this world."

"Equus is our home." Skyfall said. "I have people there counting on me."

"People?"

"Yes." Skyfall stated. "Farhaven has issues. The races don't get along with each other as well as they should, they bicker and fight, but I see it slowly disappearing into cohesion. I can't let that go, not when there is a real chance."

"Sounds like your mind is made up."

"I guess it is." Skyfall smiled and let Earth pull away until her face was mere inches from his.

"I have one last piece of bad news before we get moving."

Skyfall laughed and rolled his eyes. "I've had a few let downs in the past week, I doubt it's more soul crushing than all those." His laughter died off as Earth's guard lowered their heads, including Psalm. "That bad, huh?"

Earth stepped backward and grabbed a folder that Psalm held out. With a quick flip, she checked the contents and then gave it to Skyfall. She tried to summon a reassuring smile, but failed.

Slowly, Skyfall grabbed the classified folder, as marked on it's cover, and opened it to see a hanged man.

"I don't get it." Skyfall said, momentarily shocked from the gruesome image and looked at the picture again, noticing that Psalm was tearing up and that there was a second picture behind the first. Lifting up, Sky noticed the pictures were almost identical.

"It's you, Skyfall." Psalm said.

"What?" Skyfall asked emotionlessly.

"The second one is from my memories, the first one was taken a month ago." Psalm said. "I wasn't sure of who the man was until I took the photo."

"Why?"

"We don't know." Psalm's voice whispered. 

"Is he still up?" Skyfall asked.

"If we get less than twenty feet from the body, it disappears and the area grows hotter until we're forced to back away." Psalm looked to Grand Shield for confirmation and received a nod in return.

"When did he appear?" Skyfall asked.

"Approximately a month ago." Psalm said. "I found out about it about one week later."

"Then why keep it from me?" Skyfall closed the folder and held it to Psalm who retrieved it slowly. Looking at her, he summon a soft look, if she kept it from him then it was for a good reason.

Wordlessly, Psalm moved to a wall display that sat just off stage in the darkness and tapped on an unseen keyboard. This caused projectors to roar to life and kick out extra light for detailed holograms, illuminating the area that Aileron sat in and beyond. She looked up and continued to type away, adding line upon line and layer upon layer until.

"Lay lines." Skyfall said, knowing what he saw. "And I'm at the center."

"Yes." Earth said. "That's why I ordered Psalm's silence. These lay lines didn't exist when we surveyed the area, they split naturally. Something you know doesn't just happen. We believe it's the Maker giving you a sign."

Skyfall glanced to Earth, rubbing his arm in shame. 

"Sky, I-"

"No." Skyfall said. "The less said about this, the better."

Psalm choked on her breath. "You two can't be seriously thinking about this? I won't let it happen."

The image of a hanged man hung on the monitor and it was as if Skyfall could once again feel the noose tightening around his neck. He rubbed his neck and sucked in air through his teeth. 

"Skyfall..." Psalm called, her voice breaking.

"I have no choice, Psalm." Skyfall continued examining the image, remarking on its similarity to his final human memory, faded as they were.

With tears in her eyes, Psalm wrapped her brother in a weak hug.

"I'm coming back, Psalm." Skyfall rubbed her back to reassure her. "The situation is desperate, so it requires and equally as desperate gamble to get out of."

"It's cruel."

"Yes." Skyfall smiled. "But what are all the alternatives?"

With the mood dying off, Skyfall held his sister at arm's length, but before he could utter a word, Earth appeared next to him with a scroll sealed with his daughter's stamp, the one she kept in Farhaven. He reached up and snatched it to read the contents within. Her words were calm, but urgeant. He slowly rolled the scroll, silently containing what he knew would be a mad dash out of Aileron.

"There are more cogs moving in this machine than I would like." Earth looked to the monitor and snapped her fingers to change the cover images to areas on interest around the city that lite up like fires. "You show up, Unfaithful attacks, and then we loose contact with two Spirit sanctuaries in two days." She walked slowly to the front of the stage and stopped, being the only illuminated being in front of a dark void that was the nonexistent audience. "Ponyville has been taken over by an occupying force of guards and Farhaven is under siege by something unseen coming from the forest, your shield will remain, Ponyville will not."

Skyfall narrowed his eyes, realizing that Earth had withheld this information.

"Your barrier has held long enough, but Storm Front's barrier failed almost immediately." She only looked down into Skyfall's eyes as he glared holes into her. "We have an opening to get you there, but the situation is weighed in their favor."

"Why hold the information from me?" Skyfall growled.

"The same reason why I ordered Psalm to not tell you." Earth cupped her hands.

"Misinformation?"

"No." Earth said. "Orders."

"From whom?"

Earth chuckled weakly and looked to the floor. "We all answer to someone, Skyfall. Just know she isn't your enemy."

Skyfall nodded, having uttered the same words himself to lesser Spirits. "Then we go our separate ways." He turned to pass Earth, but stopped when she held up a hand. "What?"

"I don't want to leave on such sad terms." Earth smiled and laced her fingers and rolled herself on the balls of her feet. "I may have told a fib when I said there was no way I could help you." As the side door opened, people of different shapes and forms walked in, still shrouded by darkness. "You see, no Spirit under my protection or command can interfere with the realm of Equus, however, a few deserters have made themselves known. Haven't you?"

Soft chuckles rose up as Earth moved to let more light into the front row. Skyfall watched as thirty two Spirits walked and ascended the steps on either side, revealing themselves.

The lead woman stopped and bowed and was then followed by the rest. Each person had a different manner of dress on from wild west to medieval. When they finished filing in, the crowd moved to let in a man wearing a cattleman hat and spurs. Everyone looked to him and to Skyfall, it seemed as if he jumped right off an old western, complete with black leather vest, rope, and gunbelt.

"It's good to see you again, Redemption." Skyfall said. His eyes scanned the others and their identities jumped out at him.

"I haven't heard that name in a long time." A sudden gruff laugh squeezed through a rough voice. The man rubbed the back of his neck in a small show of shame. "People 'round here started going by their fake names to hide the fact they was once Spirits. We remember a time where we weren't hiding in the shadows."

Skyfall looked at the rest of the volunteers, recognizing them as being decent people, ones he fought alongside and against long ago. Each bowed there head ready to serve, but even with them, he would still be vastly outnumbered if they were attacked with the number he suspected.

Earth felt a pain in her chest, an instinctual pull that let her know when others nearby were troubled. She looked up to see Skyfall scanning her deserters. A wordless smile passed between the two, if the Spirits fought in the battle, Aileron would be implicated in helping Farhaven, thus making them a target as well.

Diplomacy was tricky, but so were friendships. Earth bit her lip, conflicted about what to do. 

"I think it's time to go." Skyfall said to those around him, he looked at Earth and gave a slight nod to the side door. "All of us. Aileron won't be safe when the sun sets."

"I know." Earth waved her hand over the nearby display to initiate an evacuation order. She looked at the globe highlighted on one of the monitors. "This is the third time we've had to evacuate. This time, I don't think we'll last where ever we end up. We could come back, but that's if Unfaithful doesn't annihilate everything."

"Equus needs Spirits for far more than just fighting and keeping balance, Earth." Redemption said. "Hell, Phobia is a lesson spirit and Calliope is one of the great muses for poetry. We're going, but many of us aren't famous fighters like Black Horn or Grand Shield, we just want to protect those who can't protect themselves."

"I am sympathetic to your worlds, Rider." Earth said, calling Redemption by his assumed name. "But I need to protect our kin, they are afraid they will befall the same fate as many during the trials. I understand their fear, if in the very least."

"That's why we need courage." A child stepped forward, snuffing our a cigar into the sole of her light-up sneaker. "If the introverted forest hermit survived being killed and is ready for another round, then so should we."

"Agreed, we should be rushing into that portal." A large male boomed with a noticeable trottingham accent. Earth smiled at the tall, ironclad man with black skin and long, lined scars.

Earth bowed her head. "I will speak with the others on the way to our next fallback point. Maybe being chased out will help them to understand the severity of what is unfolding. I will maintain neutrality, but as a favor I will tell them of this."

The Spirits crossed the stage and stood behind Skyfall while Earth raised her hand to summon a large stone bear. Floorboards creaked and steel strained as the bear pushed through the ground, glowing with green runes with a bear claw outline in the center of the belly.

"Psalm, activate the Yosemite protocol. We're evacuating."

"Yes, Ma'am." Psalm swipped her hand as Earth's secret security detail that shadowed her revealed themselves and filed out of the room. Red lights turned on and blinked on and off very slowly.

"With Skyfall's party heading toward the portal, our evacuation route should be clear all the way to Manehatten's outskirts." Earth held her hand out in front of her as black, coarse fur grew, the cracking of bones and small seething sucks of air escaped Earth as she stood, struggling to force herself to change. The others looked on and her left arm was now as a bears. She held her arm out and pushed it against the statue, igniting it in a violent green glow.

"It's time to leave, now." Skyfall smiled as Earth fell into Grand Shield's arms, completely exhausted. The ground shook below them, the telltale sign that Earth opened a large chasm below to sink the facility to protect it from invaders. He turned and saw Earth giving him a quiet smirk and a delicate wave.

"See you soon." 





Rumbling echoed through the earth as Aileron's courtyard erupted into action. Riverboats were cut from their moorings in their storehouses and tethered to the docks, waiting for Spirits to board them. Also, more vehicles pulled out of unseen garages to be lined up behind the small bus Twilight and the others were instructed to sit in.

Skyfall strode out of the main building to see a chaotic sight that would make any enemy happy, Spirits were afraid, the sky was black with smoke, and they were fleeing. He fixed his eyes straight ahead toward the bus, ignoring the looks he and the others received from frightened people looking for guidance.

"Skyfall, what's going on?" Twilight asked.

"We're leaving."

"Yes, but why is everyone else?" Twilight asked.

"They're evacuatiing too." Skyfall had a silent word with the driver as Twilight and the others continued to look around as they took their seats.

"But why? They're safe here." Twilight said. "And they're Spirits, they have nothing to worry about, right?"

"Wrong." Skyfall pointed to a spot on the map for the driver before taking a moment to look back, giving her a sobering look. "Spirits are people, Twilight. They feel, often too much. They're afraid because they fear losing what they've made over these past thousand years or even being forced to fight their own kin like in the past." He gestured to the crowds boarding the boats with suitcases, many of them either crying or shambling about with their heads down. 

Skyfall turned to the driver and stopped before getting off to talk to the large group that stopped in front of the bus. He looked to Twilight, meeting her confused expression. "Look at them, Twilight. Make your own determination as to what Spirits are, because you may be the one passing judgement one day." He knew she harbored a small bias toward Spirits. "What are they?"

Twilight closed her eyes and turned her head to look out the fogged window. When she finally opened her eyes, her heart sank. Many of the Spirits had children who tried to fight them while being brought on board the boats, her brain processed what she only ever saw in history books. Suitcases stuffed with what they could carry and looks of defeat.

A worried look was passed back to Sunset who sat still, having understood what it meant all along. Once more, Twilight tried to look at what was going on and saw Earth being carried, weak and drowsy, limp in someone's arms. 

Sudden stomping shook the bus as Skyfall leapt on wearing a different jacket zipped up to his neck with a throat cover closed. "Driver. Ready?"

"Waiting on you." 

Skyfall looked to Twilight and Sunset. "I need to tell you this because it's important, know that I wish I could break this to you both in an easier way." Worried looks painted both girls' faces before Skyfall took a slow breath. "Ponyville is occupied by an enemy force and Farhaven is under attack. We're returning to a warzone."

"W-What happened!?" Twilight barked.

"I don't know yet, that's all the information I have on hand at this moment." Skyfall stood tall and looked at the six other members of Sunset's group sitting in the bus. "What are you six doing here?"

"We followed, Sunset." Rainbow said bluntly.

"Yes, dear, we weren't sure what to do so we just tagged along." Rarity smiled.

"Well, you six can't come." Skyfall said, thinking of the insanity that would follow with having two of each disaster in his life. "The world wouldn't end, but you are unprepared for that realm."

"No, we're staying with Sunset and Twilight!" Pinkie Pie leapt forward and hugged Sunset from behind. 

"Our minds are made up, Skyfall." Midnight said from her seat just next to Sunset. "We held a meeting last night at bed time. We love our families, but it's clear now that if we don't help, then this only gets worse."

"So like it or not, partner." Applejack punched Skyfall's shoulder. "We're in it for the long haul."

"And you?" Skyfall asked, looking at Fluttershy.

"I'm in." Fluttershy whispered while she twiddled her fingers.

"Then we need to go." Skyfall turned and tapped the driver on the shoulder. "Follow at four car lengths distance, no more."

"Yes sir."

"Aren't you riding with us?" Sunset asked, confused at Skyfall's motion to leave.

"I'll be in the vehicle just in front of you." Skyfall took a step off, then back up onto the bus, reaching up to fiddle with the radio and whispering to the bus driver, seemingly to reaffirm something and got a lazy nod in return. The radio lite up with a dull green before beeping twice with intervals of static screeching over the speakers. 

"Operation channel is zero seven. Press to talk." The driver said, flipping through a knitting monthly magazine.

He paused and saw Psalm walking behind Grand Shield who carried Earth, a brief look passed between the two. Skyfall understood Psalm needed to stay with Earth, but he didn't like it. "Remember. Four car lengths." Sky looked up to the driver and then to the girls to enforce what he said. "And press to talk for radio."

"We know how a two way radio works." Rainbow chuckled.

"Just sayin.'" Skyfall laughed under his breath before making his way to the dark truck staged in front of them. 

Just before they pulled off, three hooded people boarded the bus in a quick scurry, sending the bus driver to look back at them scornfully as they tried to hurry to the back.

"No, you three can beat it. You'll only cause trouble." The driver growled over the mic. 

"We're allowed to come." The lead woman called from the back.

"Uh-huh." The driver adjusted the radio's controls and aggressively snatched the radio from it's mount. "Transport to command vehicle."

"Dusty, please no." A blue woman pleaded.

"No, young lady. Earth has given me strict orders to not transport you. Anywhere." Dusty pressed the mic again. "Transport to command vehicle."

"There a problem?" Skyfall's voice echoed over the speakers.

"We have three stowaways on the bus." Dusty glanced to the hooded girls and then to the river boats that were nearing capacity. "How do you want me to proceed?"

After a tense moment of silence, the radio's static kicked up. "Names?

"Adagio, Aria, Sonata." 

Everyone's eyes opened wide and turned back to see the girls lower their hoods, each revealing themselves as old enemies. Light static broke their attention as Skyfall's voice echoed through once more.

Twilight moved to the front and grabbed the mic, pressing it down as instructed. She intended to honor the agreement Adagio and her made. "I think they'll be fine coming along." She looked back to Adagio, remembering their secret talk days prior and how there would be resistance. "I think they mean well."

Static filled the bus for what felt like minutes until the strained void of Skyfall broke through. "They'll behave. They know what's at stake now."

The girls hung there heads and went about doing their own thing; adagio looked out the window and brought her legs to her chest, trying not to look anyone in the eye, Aria skimmed through her phone while stuffing earbuds in, and Sonata smiled brightly at Pinkie Pie who moved a few seats when they boarded. "Hi, I'm Sonata!"

"You sure about this, sir?" Dusty asked as the line began to move and angle toward the gate.

"Yes, they'll be fine. We're moving, keep radio traffic to emergencies, we don't know what unfaithful will be able to pick up."

"I have a bad feeling about this." Twilight heard Sunset say. Looking back to see Sunset leaned forward over the corner of the chair, covering her mouth with her hand.

"I agree." Twilight pushed back in her chair. "I feel as if Skyfall is going to do something reckless." She paused and then bobbed her head for a moment ignoring her own mental grievances with him. "Well, more reckless."

A loud smash rang through the yard as a truck forced the front gates open before speeding away. Before anyone had time to ask about the scene, the bus lurched forward swiftly placing everyone firmly in their seats by sheer force.

As their speed picked up, their concern grew. Having ridden buses for years, everyone except Twilight knew it wasn't normal for buses to travel down roads at almost twice the legal limit. They looked around at the scenery wisping by, a once green landscape was scorched black and transformed into rocky holes in the earth.

"Dusty, why are we going so fast?" Aria called.

"We're on a time crunch, Chika." Dusty shouted over the engine's loud cycled crying. "The instant we left the barrier, that beastie and her little entourage were able to sense us."

Simultaneously, everyone looked back to see three vehicles behind them catching up. They were from Aileron and weren't troubling, but the group of oily, black ponies were.

The transport started to bounce lightly on the malformed road. A near week of Unfaithful's anger caused roads in the area to break and blister with potholes.

"All vehicles, be advised of hazards in the roadway." A drawled voice cracked over the radio. "Our path leads straight through the center of town and out the other side. Unfaithful likely didn't expect us to roll out like we did, so we have a decent head start."

Twilight looked around at the carnage caused by Unfaithful as they finally entered town. A resounding gasp was heard as buildings were literally overturned like a foal's doll house. Families sifted through the wreckage as work crews stopped to look at the black convoy tear through the disaster zone. The sound of the lead truck's train horn could be heard by everyone, turning even more heads.

"What is this?" Rarity asked.

"This is what a Spirit can do?" Midnight asked in horror and awe. "How?"

"I don't know." Twilight said, pulling Sunset's attention.

"There was nothing we could do Twilight." Sunset put her hand on Twilight's shoulder as they passed a wide recreation court with tents. Life seemed to slow to a crawl as the image was burned into their memories. Rows of mounds lain side by side with light blue sheets placed on top. Twilight closed her eyes, pretending not to understand, but at seeing that many shoes still attached, it was hard to lie and say they were piles of laundry.

"Sympathy is good." Dusty said, loud enough to bring Twilight's attention to his stare through the rear view mirror. "But this wasn't any of your fault. Let it make you stronger."

"Why would I want to get stronger from something so sad?" Twilight asked.

"To save other lives." Dusty said. "As we drive, look at the police, firefighters, and emergency crews. They see it and use it to save others. You must be the same way if you're going to lead one day."

"Who says I'm going to lead?" Twilight said to herself.

"No one. But, you have the power to help, thus, you have the responsibility." Dusty said and increased the speed to catch up to Skyfall's request of four car length minimum. "Or open a coffee shop, whatever gets you off."

Sunset sat back and chewed her thumb nail, Dusty's words reminded her of Skyfall's almost word for word. She looked out the window at the carnage, thinking of the time she grabbed Skyfall in the hallway and wished she had touched his skin with her amulet to see his mind. She bit down harder when she remembered how his eyes burned gold for the briefest of moments.

"Are you okay, Sunset?" Midnight asked, gaining Sunset's surprised attention.

"Y-Yeah, I'm just thinking."

"About Skyfall?" Midnight asked.

"No." Sunset shook her head and began to play with her hair.

"Don't lie." Rarity moved a seat over and smooshed into Twilight before peeking around the seat. "I saw you eyeing him."

"And he does frustrate you. That means you care." Midnight said matter of factly. Rarity looked at her and traced a question mark in the air, forcing her to explain. "I read that on a wiki."

"He's a good stallion, but I'm not loooking for a relationship." Sunset flippantly and lazily waved her hand like she was clearing smoke from her face. "Plus, he just got out of a relationship and we're kind of in the middle of a fight."

"Oh, your first fight!" Rarity clapped her hands. "So the other night with you and him at your house was a little more hot and heavy than you let on! Oh, I knew him calling you babe was a sure sign."

"Don't say stuff like that! I told you there's nothing to tell!" Sunset said and folded at Rarity's devious smile. "Honesty." She grumbled, not wanting to discuss her love life or lack there of with her friends.

"Oh, does he have another woman?" Rarity asked.

"If I dated him, I would be the other woman." Sunset Shimmer paused and tapped her lip. "I think. Like I said, he just got out of a relationship, so I would never want to be in the position of a rebound girl."

"Isn't he a little old for you?" Twilight turned in her seat. "He's like ten years older than you."

"That would make him like fifteen years older than Fluttershy." Sunset Shimmer crossed her arms. "Didn't hear you complain then."

"Oh, I did. We all did." Twilight defended. "But then they started dating in secret and..."

"It blew up?" Sunset asked.

"Oh yeah."

"So you want to avoid doing things in secret cause you want it to work?" Rarity asked, making Sunset grumble to herself even more as she was now the center of everyone's attention.

"If it goes that far, we need to be honest with one another, otherwise there isn't trust." Sunset shook her head. "And I'm highly doubtful it will, he has his wife to think about." She paused and gestured to herself. "And just look at me, I'm not really looking for love myself."

Rarity gasped, clearly enjoying the twists and ignoring Sunset's protests. "And he's married? Such adultery! A secret romantic rendezvous in the back of your car after tennis practice! What would your parents think of having an older married man on you-"

Rainbow pushed her legs up to get her leaned up on the seat so she could stick her hand over rarity's mouth.

"They've been apart for some time... that's another mystery we need to talk about. I'm not shy like Fluttershy, I'll confront him on things and he knows it." Sunset's words tapered off. It's not abnormal for friends to wonder what it would be like to date, so whenever Sunset thought about it, it was just a musing before going back to whatever she was engaged in. Skyfall was handsome, but she genuinely enjoyed spending time near him, contrary to when they started. 'Why is my mind foggy?'

"Maybe that's what he likes?" Applejack called from under her hat.

"Maybe." Sunset mused. "But I just need time enough to pin him down and question him to see if he likes me. If he does, then I'll consider having dinner with him, or whatever ponies do now for dates. But that's only if he likes me."

"He does." Applejack's voice piped up once more from under her hat.

"How do you know?" Rarity asked skeptically. "You've never dated anyone before."

Applejack leaned forward and caught her hat in her open hand. "That's because ah haven't found a fella good enough to bed." She winked at Rarity and then looked to Sunset. "And he looks at your butt when you aren't looking."

"He does not!" Sunset Shimmer guffawed.

"He kinda does. A lot." Fluttershy said. "He also keeps his eyes a little longer on yours than he does anyone else's."

"Well, once everything is done, you could always try and get answers then." Midnight proposed. "Lay everything out and see where you stand with one another. If he did get out of another relationship."

"It isn't like that, girls. Him and I are only in a business relationship." Sunset said more to herself than anyone else on the bus.

Meanwhile, Dusty was leaned over the wheel, tuning out their conversation, or at least trying to. He stroked his mustache, reminiscing about the days he last set hoof in Equestria and of the ships he built. Before he knew it, ruined buildings became forests as their convoy sped out of the city and into the country side. The girls were still teasing Sunset in favor of having to look at the gruesome examples Unfaithful left out for all of them as a warning.

"Command to convoy." Skyfall called over the speakers, killing all conversation. "We're diverting course. Keep right at the fork and not left as planned. If the barricade careens into your path, hit it."

"Diverting course?" Sunset said and heard a loud smash of a wooden roadblock being blown to smithereens by the large pickup truck that acted as their lead vehicle. She looked out the window to see the forest in about twelve inches of water. "That's not normal, the forests should be dry this time of year."

As the vehicles cut right, they slowed to climb up the hill. The higher mountain path gave them a better view of the valley and its waterlogged state. In the far distance, the dam that provided power to Ponyville and the city had a large spike jetting from it like a victim in some horror movie. 

"Lead to Command." The radio kicked on once more.

"Go ahead."

"Sir, we have an issue." The man's voice sounded tired and strained. 

"I see it." Skyfall mumbled. "Vehicles, stage in the clearing by the noose tree."

The bus screeched to a halt mere inches behind the command vehicle as each unit tried to pack it in on the small clearing road. The girls stood inside the bus to get off, an instinct that they picked up from years of schooling and city buses. Even if the one they stood on was more militaristic then they knew, it was still a bus.

Dusty lifted the hood to check the source of smoking and sucked his teeth. "Transports disabled." 

A Spirit strode up in a duster and threw up a hand. "What do you mean it's disabled?"

Dusty wrapped an arm around the man's shoulder and pointed. "Tundra, remember yesterday when I said I thought I heard grinding? Look, I was right, the wheel head malfunctioned and the serpentine belt is about to go. It likely stalled on the incline and it's literally red hot."

"Well yeah, this transports finished." Tundra chuckled, knowing if they drove it then a more serious problem would arise. "Either way, we're here."

"You can say that again." Calliope, the Muse of Poetry, said, placing her hands on their heads. 

A rock quarry was supposed to be a jagged hole cut into the earth. Different marbles and granite would be carved out, leveling cliffs to travel downward that wound around the quarry until they reached the bottom. Stained white with loose sediment and dotted with towering machinery that hauled the rocks to sort, quarries were ugly scars on the earth to those who enjoyed natural beauty. However, as the group stood atop the cliff that overlooked the quarry, they each stood in awe as the features that defined a rock quarry lie under waterfalls of water that poured in.

"Welp." Rider gruffed out as he opened one of the vehicle's rear cargo door and motioned for the others to offload equipment. "Looks like were in a bit of a pickle."

Skyfall stood by, a sour look on his face as he tore his eyes away from the lake to see Rider holstering a pair of guns into his gunbelt. He paused and examined the dual guns as they shifted with Rider's adjustments.

"Easy there, Sky." Rider held up a hand and drew a gun. "It's, not a gunpowder firearm. I know it was one of the council's first decisions once formed."

"It's still a gun." Skyfall murmured and looked over to see the girls still getting off the bus. "They weren't banned for their existence as a gun, Redemption, the council banned them because with the advent of magic, guns would become almost unmanageable and would be just another obstacle for life to overcome. Multiple times inventors have been steered away from their creation to make something less lethal, but I do not deny that they will help."

"So a Spirit Council outlawed the use of hand canons?" Midnight asked, making Skyfall's eyes become pinpricks. "For someone that isn't a Spirit, you seem to know much about them?"

Skyfall looked back at Midnight, having approached him immediately once getting off the bus. "I-ah."

With a shake of her head, Midnight interrupted Skyfall. She looked at him with a sheepish look as she held her hands to her chest. "I'll ask about this when we aren't in danger, but please, I must know."

With the conversation moving back to two, Rider whistled. "Well, my lord. It seems like you have some smart mares nipping at your heels. I can't wait to see the tale you'll spin when they finally figure it all out."

Phobia, the fear Spirit, skipped up and saluted Skyfall. Her damp black hair cascading down her face and over her shoulders highlighted her milky white eyes, off putting for those that didn't know her. 

"Now's the time, Phobia." Skyfall said and went back to thinking. He stood quietly and looked at the noose, trying to avoid looking at it since they arrived, but it drew his attention. His vision blurred as his feet carried him to the tree, something that caused everyone to stop and stare, knowing the tree was cursed. The magic circle tensed as he passed over, a golden glow that pulsed and died, fading from existence.

With a hand, Skyfall brushed against the tree's bark and over a carved heart with letters now foreign to him of what he knew used to be his name and a name bore out of the trunk. Decay rote across its body and the scars of time still etched throughout.

"Hm, It's the exact same." Boots attached to a hanging body floated just out of sight as his mind fought the pain to look up, and then he did. Two sockets looked back at him from a face as emotionless as a statue. The clothes were dirty and holes were dug into the skin from animals and the elements having their way with it. He looked closer and noticed that the body wasn't real.

'Come to me.' A voice called on the wind as it threatened to knock Skyfall over.

"Skyfall?" A hand rested on Sky's shoulder, causing him to snap back and wrench the hand, only to soften when the owner yelped.

"Sunset?" Skyfall let go of the hand slowly. "I'm sorry."

Gripping her hand with a strained smile. "It's okay, I didn't think you would be that focused on the tree's trunk."

He looked back only to see a noose swaying in the breeze. 

"I wanted to ask you something." Sunset asked, earning his full attention. "When we get back and everything is over with, I want you and I to have an honest conversation about how we feel for each other."

Closing his eyes, Skyfall sighed. "Okay, we'll talk." 

"Really?" Sunset smiled.

"Yes." Skyfall's attention was torn away by the water in the quarry becoming murky and disturbed. "If we make it through this, ask me all the questions you want."

Deep rumbling erupted from the earth as Unfaithful made herself known. A crown of black hair parted the water so still it was more a mirror than a pond. The crown then rose to make way for a stone creature the height of a crane, its long legs hefting the body just above the water as it lumbered towards the cliff.

Rocks tumbled off the cliff and into the water below.

"RIder." Skyfall called and had Rider's gloved hand fall onto his shoulder. "The portal is in a cave at the very bottom of the quarry, isn't it?"

"Yep."

"Look at you all." The monster's reverberated said as she continued to lumber up the path the quarry's shape made naturally. "A week of hiding in your hole and you come right to me?"

"Skyfall, with her being that size, we could escape her easily." Rider clamped his hand down onto his hat to keep it from blowing away in the sudden wind. He looked around at the surrounding forest as it grew an oily shade of black. 

"We can't retreat, she's left no room to." Skyfall removed his jacket and let the wind take it. "This is a one-way trip."

"Good." Unfaithful boomed. "It seems you all realize you've been beaten. Fighting would be useless against me."

"I beg to differ." Skyfall called, causing his sister to pause. He knew that she passed policy in Canterlot with no regards to anyone, causing hardships for most and ruin for some. Broad strokes left intellectual room for overlooking small tactics like evasion. "We will have our day to battle, but it won't be today." 

"Cute." Unfaithful's eyes burned green and the black trees secreted ghoulish ponies. "After a week of waiting and I still have nothing maniacal to say, only our little brother's minions." The Spirit tsked. "No matter, I only seek one of you. The rest of you are free to leave."

"Psh, like we'd trust anything you have to say, betrayer." Rider called. 

"I only want the one named Skyfall." Unfaithful glared into her brother's eyes, enjoying the fact that she held his real identity over his head and letting him know that at any time she could oust him. She paused at his unimpressed expression, it seared her mind making her want to stomp the life from him. Slowly, she opened her great mouth to scorn, but saw the noose swaying the breeze.

The horde of oily creatures emerged from the forest and approached the group, making them back step toward Skyfall's location on the cliff.

"I'll leave the decision up to you, Skyfall." Unfaithful grinned, black sludge oozing from her teeth. "Fight and die, give up, or hang yourself on that noose."

Deep down, Skyfall wanted to save his sister but the sick look in her eyes wasn't her.

"I could point out to you that literal millions have suffered under you and that's not how you were raised, but we know this. Apologies are long past, now." Skyfall called. 

"Apologies are like rain on the mountainside." Unfaithful's mood changed from her primal complacency to a more somber tone. "If you kill yourself, I'll spare the little ones, if you fight me, I'll make sure they suffer. Hanging yourself would be a fitting punishment to your cursed life."

Twilight gave Skyfall a worried look, but it was only returned with a cold smile. Each of the girls looked to him warily as a smile in the situation felt wrong to each of them.

"The choice has already been made." Skyfall stated. A loud earth-shattering kaboom erupted, shaking the quarry and surrounding region. The shaking knocked Skyfall over as well as a few other members of their troop.

"What?" Unfaithful said as she turned slowly to see Pinkie Pie and Phobia giggling from the shoreline as water began to funnel an underwater cave. Phobia wrapped Pinkie in a hug just before disappearing into the maw. Immediately, vicious bubbling gurgled up to the surface as the cliff's side began to shear away in edged chucks, taking sections of the forest with it to disappear into the black whirlpool.

The wind whipped and kicked violently as more of the water disappeared into the maw, allowing the real hole to appear as a prismatic gap of torn space.

Unfaithful fought the dragging current that wrenched her enormous body down into the loosening mud. With roars and cursing, she sank into her element.

"Now's our chance!" Skyfall called, seeing the oily creatures falter from Unfaithful's broken concentration. "follow the downward path to the portal, once it's done sucking in material it will collapse, get in before that happens!"

A shout of acknowledgement cried from those around him before making their way to the portal, avoiding soaring debris as they struggled to run upright.

A loud, rupturing gasp of air snapped the sky, nearly sending everyone to the ground when the portal's force doubled. Trees were pulled from the earth and drifted in the air like feather-light kites cut from the string.

Watching the group running for the portal, Skyfall saw as they looked around and shouted to one another before they kept running. The wind began to whisper at him once more, beckoning him to the noose, turning his head to the tree.

"Man. Of all the ways." Skyfall stepped toward the tree and knelt at its trunk once again and patted the side. He wondered if he really had the strength to do it, to hang himself just to reach over the barrier between living, death, and the ethereal. 

"Well, time's up." Skyfall stood and felt a warm touch sensation on his leg where his pocket was located. He dug in slowly and drew out a small photo of him and his five siblings, younger children he had raised in lieu of real parents, children that had grown, lived their lives, and hated him for what he was about to do, again. The picture was still of him with a large fish during a competition. Memories burned in, ones he didn't realize he lost. His sister, now named Unfaithfil, complained of the fish stink that entire day. 

Having the noose already fastened, Skyfall stepped up onto the same branch he had that started forty thousand years of trouble, trying to do it again.

"Why are you..." A voice whimpered above the wind.

Terrified eyes looked up to see Sunset standing at the mouth of the road, just yards away from the tree. Tears filled her eyes as she took shaky steps forward, a hand on her mouth in disbelief. It was clear it was hard to process what she was seeing.

"Stop." Sunset Shimmer choked out.

"I can't Sunset." Skyfall said as he stood, back firm against the tree atop the branch. He looked at her, hoping she would turn back knowing she wouldn't. He saw the portal clearly and as a result so did everyone standing by knee deep in rushing water ready to cross. In horror he saw people he called friends try to make their way back up the path only to have Spirits pick them up and throw them into the portal's maelstrom. Looks of betrayal and pain flashed over faces as the maw swallowed them.

"Talk to me!" Sunset screamed, having found her voice. 

Motioning for Sunset to approach him, Skyfall removed the noose, but still held onto it while stepping down to her level. He tried in vain to smile, but couldn't as she still looked so hurt.

"Please don't tell me you're going to kill yourself to keep the rest of us safe." Sunset smacked his across the face believing that to be the answer. 

"I need to Sunset, that's all I can say now."

"You don't come back from that!" Sunset yelled into his chest, unable to make eye contact. "Death ruins the lives of those you leave behind, don't you get that? Sif, Honey, Inko, Nimbus, Honos, River, your guards, your class, Ponyville, Twilight and the others! 

She paused. "Me."

Sunset looked up at Skyfall's glowing golden eyes, making her go still as he smiled in the same warm way he did since he met her. A warm hand touched her cheek and brushed it gentility. "There is so much I can't tell you. I want to, but it would only put you at risk. I'm sorry for that."

"But you can trust me." Sunset said.

"I know, but I don't trust myself." Skyfall snatched Sunset's wrist just before the portal entered it's last stage of suction, the attempt to close, as the natural world does when there is an unmaintained tear in dimension.

Like a rag doll thrown about in a hurricane, Sunset was pulled back. She clung to the hand that held onto her and tried to pull herself closer. As larger parts of the forest were torn up, she looked to Skyfall as he stood firm in a tornado or power, protected by the golden barrier around the tree. Knowing what he was trying to do, Sunset tried digging her fingers into his flesh to drag him with her, but he only looked at her sadly.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry you had to see this." Skyfall said. "We'll talk next we meet."

"Skyfall, no!" Sunset felt him loosening his grip. As she flailed, she caught a glimpse of the roots that kept him planted to the ground and ignored them. "Please, this isn't right."

"A matter of perspective I suppose." Skyfall said low enough to where he thought she couldn't hear.

"Skyfall." Sunset said. "I'm-"

Weightlessness and the rush of wind rushed over Sunset Shimmer's body as she tumbled end over end toward the portal, she mentally cursed Skyfall just before her version transformed into a kaleidoscope of color and sound. She felt her body pull and stretch, shrink and push as Equus spat her out violently into the air, just in time for an orange snake-like oriental dragon to scoop her up.

"I got her!" 

"Good job, Fan!" A cattleman hat hefting bull with a rough face called as he struggled to walk on all fours and instead favored his bipedal stance with his front hooves on his guns. "Now come down here so we can regroup."

"We have to go back!" Sunset flailed in Fan's grasp. "Skyfall's in danger."

"Sunset." Twilight was the only one trying to make sense of what she saw while the other girls were still having a surreal moment at seeing themselves in pony form. "Was he really trying to... y'know."

"Yes, I think he's taking Unfaithful's ultimatum." Sunset looked at the portal spitting out material at an incredible rate, she knew she would be torn apart it she tried. She started to walk towards the gyser, but found a tall clothed Cattleman in her way. "Move aside, Rider."

"I have strict orders to keep yall safe. So that means we go to Farhaven. Or camp in the forest, whichever is safer." Rider said.

"But Skyfall-"

"Is a big stallion, knows what he's doing." Rider held up a hoof when Sunset's horn glowed, ready to try and throw him aside. "Listen, little lady, what did he tell you?"

After a brief, tense moment, Sunset growled. "He said he would talk to me when he sees me."

"Then there you go." Rider stepped out of Sunset's way and fanned himself with his hat. "From the look of things, we must be in hangman's valley. Not far, but not close."

"Farhaven is south west of here." Twilight said. "Ponyville is directly west." She paused and looked to Rider. "And this is Rumbling Rock Ridge. If I remember correctly, the Diamond Dogs used to occupy a large section on the southern edge."

"Rumbling Rock Ridge?" Rider chuckled. "Well, it used to be called hangman's alley for more macabre reasons."

"Apparently many things used to." Twilight said to herself as she saw smoke rising in the distance from Shattered Skies' forest. 

"Twilight! Look! Hooves!" Pinkie Pie said, giggling to herself from the floor as the others awkwardly walked toward her.

With a genuine laugh, Twilight smiled at her friends, thinking of the awkward greeting they would all have.

"Rider, what do we do?" Phobia asked, emerging from the small mountain of trees and earth the portal spat out. Her black greased hair clinging to her ghostly white coat. "If smoke is coming from the forest, then that means Farhaven is having a siege and Ponyville is the staging area. Neither is safe."

"Then we go to Farhaven from the side." Rider started walking, he looked up to Fan who hung in the air with her arms and legs crossed comfortably. "Fan, grab the girls and let's go."

Adagio, Aria, and Sonata stood by as the group began to move toward the smoke. They looked to one another with concern.

"Do we go?" Sonata asked, shuttering as her magic refilled from the laylines. "I, like, want to help, but I don't want to go back to not having music."

Aria scoffed. "I say we split and head for Las-"

"No." Adagio said and started walking. "Shattered Skies allowed us to come along, without him, we would be fleeing to another deadend with the others. Our time as vagabonds are over."

Sonata smiled at Aria's grimace and both of them trotted to catch up to their group that was deep in conversation moving toward the forest in a deliberate pace.

Smoke blacked the sky as they reached the edge of the forest, Twilight looked to the Spirits as a tree began to twist and bend. It spun and lifted its roots from the ground and stood high, emblazoned with the bones of past creatures. It spoke in long drawn out words from a mask made of weathered bones. "Who comes seeking entry?"

"Grover?"

"Redemption." Grover said. 

"We're here seeking passage to Farhaven."

"If it is passage you seek, then it is a path you're given." Grover began to meld back into being a tree before offering up guidance. "Tread carefully, betrayal is afoot."

Looks of apprehension passed over the ground before they stepped foot into the forest, immediately meeting familiar yellow eyes staring at them from the dark shadows of the trees.

Twilight smiled. "Sif!"

"Hello, Twilight." Sif stood, pained from a dark spot beneath her fur. "I see you have company."





Gray Lights





Skyfall stepped up and refastened the noose, but heard someone banging on the golden barrier that lain around the tree. Unsparingly, he looked back to see a much smaller creature trying to enter.

"You must truly hate me." Skyfall said.

Her eyes were painfully wide with rage as she clawed the cracked barrier. She shouted so hard against the wind that her voice cracked. "Get out here, coward! I lived through hell because of you."

Skyfall stepped onto the branch and felt a small crack wear in the wood.

"How dare you rob me of my revenge!" Unfaithful voice cracked again, like a child having a toy taken away. "You weren't there! I kept us together but they died because of you!" She smashed her head against the barrier, cut her forehead bad enough to bleed. He only watched her with sad eyes. She punctuated her sentences with every hit oh her head. "My children hated me. Our siblings hated me. My husbands hated me. In the end, I died because I wasn't able to be loved. You!"

"...I loved you." Skyfall said, shocking Unfaithful. He felt the portal ramping up as it closed and dug into his pocket to take the picture out of them as a family. Having been the only one full blooded sibling and the closest in age to him, he knew she felt the most pain. 

She watched as the branch snapped beneath Skyfall, She growled at her revenge being torn from her. He kicked and thrashed, his body screamed at him to lift himself from the rope.

The picture in his hand slipped away and flew towards Unfaithful, landing against her fur. She grabbed it and looked at it with a scowl.

As everything grew dark and distant, black spots formed in his field of vision while wind and debris tore around him. The world looked fragmented and cracked, like fragile glass hit with a rock. It lasted a second before the sky shattered into a uncountable pieces. The last thought that floated into his mind was his own name.
> Chapter 47 -A Coming Storm-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-A Coming Storm-


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Earlier in Spring

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"Grave, where are you leading me?" 

"To the catacombs beneath the city." Grave said, a wet cough interrupting his mild tone. The darkness of the stairwell blocked much of the light that emanated from his horn. "You need to breath slower otherwise you'll get lightheaded, Bend." 

"And since when have there been catacombs of this size beneath Canterlot?" Bend asked, a question that went unanswered.

Bend jolted her younger brother with magic, scorching his leg, an act of violence that went unacknowledged. She watched as his leg's wound healed, changing to a new, discolored layer of skin. His new fur highlighting the tinge of decay over the rest of his body.

"Answer me, whelp." Bend spat.

"Are you so spoiled that you've lost the ability to divine where you are?" Grave scolded, slowly turning his hunched body to eye the lithe mare behind him. "We aren't in Canterlot anymore."

Bend scoffed and held her hooves inches from one another, concentrating to form a line of light between them. Soon, an orb appeared and with it three points protruding like spikes appeared.

"Did you figure it out?" 

"Prance-ish?"

Grave smiled and continued down the winding stairwell.

"Want to tell me why you opened a portal and transported us halfway across the planet?" Bend chided.

"You wanted to see what I was up to?" Grave's rhetoric flowed from his mouth as a hot, moist breeze blew past them with the sound of gurgled whispers. A scent of smoldering leather stung his sister's nose, a sensation he no longer knew.

Sound and sight dimmed as the stairway opened up onto a plane of voided light and skull-filled walls with beings shambling just outside the light's reach. She looked on between the close-spaced arches to the lights in the distance and hummed to herself. Thousands of beings walked through a city carved deep into the earth. A bowled city with the center being its lowest point, Grave had formed an encampment for his left over experiments. Oily black creatures lumbered around the city, beings that Bend had seen before and had come to know as Grave's personal guard even though he never viewed them that way.

"You have been busy." Bend said. "I know of your pit of filth beneath Canterlot, but this is astounding." She looked to her brother and scowled. "Why a city built from the catabombs? Aesthetics?"

Grave scoffed at his sister's question.

"You do know that he forbids us from taking actions without his approval?"

"My lord?" A hollow voice from the darkness called. "I have updates availible, when you're ready."

"Oh? You have friends." Bend mocked. "Isn't that sweet." She looked from her brother to the stallion, one covered completely in dark, tarnished armor. "What's your name?"

"Of no concern to you." Grave said. "He serves me. I picked him from a battlefield all those years ago, after some modifications to his battered body, I've made use of him. He's been a very good tool." Grave stoically patted the stallion's flank.

Bend looked around at the creatures that stood by, barely illuminated from the dim torches. Most of the creatures were ponies with other species sprinkled in, each bandaged or splinted. A dull roar of voices grew, alarming Bend for the briefest of moments.

Grave turned to the armored stallion and gestured to him with a flicking motion. "Update?"

"We have successfully reanimated most of the recovered bodies. The ones that needed to be scrapped were bodies that had been buried in place of the actual target. Not surprising, sometimes famous individuals go missing and they replace the body for the funeral with an unclaimed cadaver by accident."

Grave grumbled. "Sometimes it is hard to identify who dies after a particularly grueling fight." He lumbered toward the chasm that laid on the other side of the furthest doorway. "And what of their ability to fight?"

The stallion winced at the question. "We believed that through muscular rejuvenation, we could cut their recovery time down by a quarter, but the magic that was pumped into them only helped in stabilizing the souls within their bodies."

Grave started to brood. "So when will they be ready?"

"At least three months for minimum efficiency. Most will miss the operational window. Most of them need to build up the muscles that have decayed or relearn how to move entirely and that's only the cooperative ones. A good portion of them needed new limbs, mind you." Blue Line sighed and cracked his neck. "Breezy looked over a few samples I sent her and she remarked on their unstable makeup, so rushing their development will destroy their shelf-life."

"I do not care for shelf-life, Phantom." Grave scolded, calling the stallion by his assumed name that remarked on his own destroyed body. "If they decay, we'll replace what can't keep up, their fragility is of no consequence to me. Nor are their feelings on the matter." He brushed his hoof over Phantom's fake limbs that hide beneath the worn shielding. "Something you know all too well."

"And what of the foals you requested?" Phantom asked.

"Were they brought here?" Grave smiled.

"They're in your laboratory as per your request." Phantom's monotonous voice droned on with a cold and unconcerned tone as he read through twenty more points of interest before Grave interrupted him. 

"Handle what you're supposed to. I will be in my lab, do not interrupt me."

Bend and Phantom stood by in silence as Grave skulked away, mumbling to himself in delight. As the light dimmed, Bend turned to Phantom and hesitated to ask, fearing the answer. 

"He isn't... you know."

"No." Phantom said. "At least not to my knowledge. He brainwashes them and the ones that don't become his puppets, he turns into monstrous things called halflings." He turned to see the confusion on Bend's face and sighed. "Not the creatures your thinking of. These creatures are reanimated corpses that attack in packs, they mutate and crawl around."

"That's disgusting. The poor things." Bend said, extremely disgusted at the perversion of life. "He has always had a taste for the occult, even in the time before-" She paused and looked to Phantom as he stood as still as a statue. "Are you?"

"From the world before?" Phantom asked. "Yes. I'm not one of the Lesser Spirits that were made here on Equus."

"Right." Bend said slowly. "Maybe you can give me some insight."

"Thanatomania bordering on fanaticism." Phantom turned and strode toward the stairwell that Bend had came from. "That is the best way to describe your brother."

"Y-Yeah." 

Phantom sighed and looked to Bend as she followed behind him. "He tells me much about you and your other family members."

"Does he?"

"Even him."

"Then you know that Skies needs to be brought down?" Bend asked, strobing her eyes as the light in the stairwell increased suddenly. She looked back to see a small etching on the wall that held the invisible portal.

"I have my own motivations for aligning myself with y'all." 

"And those would be?" Bend asked.

"He isn't who I thought he was." Phantom said plainly. "I served a few Spirits and every single one was gilded. At least you all don't pretend to be righteous."

"Old Blue." A stern voice echoed through the hall, snapping Phantom's attention forward to see a goldenrod Pegasus smiling toward him.

"Madam Faith."

Faith smiled and moved to stand before Phantom, running her golden hoof down his chest, a numb shell that was permanently affixed to parts of his body. "It's been too long." 

"Yes, I've been busy."

"My brother has always enjoyed stealing my things."

Phantom hummed. "I thought you were away with Sir Fury, catching up on battle meetings. Or what amounts to one with you two behind closed doors."

"I'm wounded, I only have eyes for you." Faith smiled.

"Considering that you have eyes everywhere, I'll remain with my mindset that you and Fury are having an intimate relationship on Celestia's meeting table."

"Such a spoil sport." Faith ignored the accusation and turned to River Bend. "Sister."

"Hello again, Faith." Bend rubbed the bridge of her nose, trying to bleach the image of her sibling's romp out of her mind. "I see you haven't taken your trip to the other world yet."

"I wanted to talk things over with Fury before leaving and decide what our game plan is."

Phantom stood still like ice as his eyes scanned over to Bend, the coldness of the blue turning to red and then back again. "A plan that involves many positions for assault and yelling, I'm sure."

Bend couldn't help but chuckle at Phantom's humorous shot at her sister and her sister's sputtering.

"What has gotten into you, Phantom? This isn't usually like you."

"Yes it is."

"No it's not. You never spoke to me like this before." Faith brought her mouth to his ear and breathed deep. "You used to enjoy my company. What happened, sugarplum?"

"You sold me to your brother and he forced me to stand in silence, cloaked in magic while you and Captain Fury 'talked' about Discord's return. Remember? A few years ago? Fury came into the room and you let him dictate policy; over the table, the chairs, and then you left, presumably to dictate policy in the bed where he and his wife sleep at night."

"Sister!" Bend scorned, disgusted. "Ugh, what is wrong with this family?"

"A lot." Phantom said, staring down Faith's mischievous grin. 

"From what I remember, you enjoyed it when you dictated policy my way." Faith flirted.

"That was before I discovered you negotiated with half of Canterlot, over most of Celestia's political allies and some of its competition." Phantom sighed, glancing at the setting sun. "If you don't mind, I must go."

"Oh? To pay respects?" Faith chuckled. "I see some things never change. Dismissed."

Phantom left the room, he couldn't admit it, but he would love to see the whole of Canterlot fall. The perversion Faith, Graves, Fury, and Bend, exerted over the inhabitants made them all weak and subtly tainted. Faith laughed often, saying to the inner circle that she could order the slayings of anyone she wanted and the masses would beg for it. She had no one under any kind of spell, at least not magical spells.

Faith kept politics in line for Celestia through sex and secrets. What's more threatening than someone you once slept with holding your entire social well being by a thread? Married stallions like Fancy Pants bowed to demands like someone would for water in a drought.

On the rare occasion, Faith would be denied and then Captain Fury would step in with his fourth stable strike force. Scrounging up evidence to execute search warrants and taking ponies by force, often with no violence since the modern breed of pony would rather live than fight. All being done too often, a deed done in secret.

After this, River Bend would step in to liquidize assets of the pony captured or keep the riches for herself in the ocean temple she resided in for times so long ponies believed her to be long dead. A mare in charge of taxes and trade guilds, her wealth was built on the broken homes of beings across Equestria and across time. All was not too evil as she was one of the largest employers on the continent. 

Then last, and least. Phantom scowled. Lonely Graves, the sickest individual even by history's standards. Each of the terrible siblings kept secrets as did their big brother, but the sickness that dwelled in his mind was deep and varied. Phantom was no stranger to studying, he knew enough to know when something was wrong with a being's mind. Graves spoke to beings not there and often created undead from different body parts in an attempt to make lovers for himself, a task he succeeded in. However, mindless creatures propped against his chamber walls made for little conversation.

In public light, each of the siblings had a somewhat beneficial stance to society. An accomplished bureaucrat, one that formed pacts with allies much needed. A warrior for which society felt secure behind. A business-mare that represented one of the largest trade guilds and an employer for millions. And a shadow to connect it all.

A yelp echoed in the hall as Phantom nearly collided with Fury's daughter, Pride. "Lady Pride?"

"Oh, that was you, Phantom." Pride smiled up, studder stepping the trucking stallion. "How are you?"

"I'm well, and you?"

"I'm good-"

"Now, Pride, we've spoken about this. The correct response is 'well' not 'good'. One does good, one feels well." Phantom said.

"Yes, I know." Pride rolled her eyes. "I'm only ten. Leave me be, you nun."

Phantom chuckled. "Me? A nun? You enjoy torturing me with your grammar, don't you?"

Pride shuffled her hooves. "A little."

"Well, where are you off to now?" Phantom looked down the hall she traveled in and noticed a small pack on her flank. A dread fell over him as he remembered Graves talking about an upcoming attack in Ponyville.

"I'm going  to the train station with mom." Pride shuffled her hooves more. "Mom says we're moving there permanently for daddy's job. I'm kind of nervous."

Phantom took a deep breath to clear the weight from his throat. "Well, I'll be sure to visit you. But, Lady Pride, I must ask you do one thing."

Pride looked up to the dark, shadowed faceplate of Phantom's. Her alabaster coat striking him as her purple eyes contrasted the dark overtones, a red mane coiled in spirals off one side of her head as it was neatly clipped with a stripped shield hairclip.

"Anything for you, Phantom."

Phantom placed a loving hoof on the filly's shoulder and remembered some of the best advice he has ever received. "We all know Ponyville is constantly in the news for troubles that strike it. If trouble comes to you, use your mind, it's your greatest weapon. Your mother is your only concern, it may seem scary, but running can be more heroic than fighting a losing battle. So please, stay safe my dear."

"I didn't say I was going to Ponyville?" Pride asked with an accusing smile.

"I know." Phantom chuckled. "Promise me."

"I will, Phantom. You taught me well."

"That's my girl."





Farhaven





"Mom." Cadance called as she strode into her parent's personal library.

"Yes?"

"Mooom."

"Yes." Honey said again, closing the large tome before her.

"Mo-" Cadance felt her mother's magic clamping her mouth shut and the surroundings of the room shifted until she lay before her very annoyed, very disheveled mother.

"What is it, baby?"

Cadance knelt down and rolled around until she managed to squirm her way into Honey's side.

"What do you need, Sweetie? Mommy's writing letters to some of her and daddy's friends." Honey sighed as a mothers do when their daughters come to them for advice. "Is it that suitor of yours? What's his name. Grinding Farmer?"

Cadance dispelled her mother's magic to scold. "Mother! His name is Shining Armor."

"A grinding farmer would be more fun." Honey levitated an apple up so that she could take herself a large bite and paused. "With the corset and a lead. A big strong stallion just on you like a lion on its kill. now that I can get behind. Or in front-"

"Mom!" Cadance covered her ears and shook her head. "That is so gross. I need bleach."

Honey laughed fully. "How do you think you were born? Your father knows how to get what he needs."

"I thought you and dad went to the maker and I was made from a piece of each of you?" Cadance asked, rolling to her side to look at her mother.

Honey chuckled. "The Maker allowed us to conceive, but your father and I did so the normal way."

"Normal way?" Cadance asked, earning herself an incredulous look.

"The same way you and your hubby have tried." Honey summoned two nearby, miniature statues and started bumping them together aggressively. "Just more furniture breaking and mane pulling."

The doors to the room opened to River and Inko whispering harshly to each other. Before either of them could realize what was going on, Cadance leaped towards them, only to be held in the air and levitated backwards by Honey.

"Wonderful!" Honey called, pulling River and Inko both into the room after her daughter. "Eavesdroppers can join the conversation too. The more, the better."

River laughed quietly, floating mid air trying to hike her shirt down. "We stopped by to see what you were doing today, but we heard you telling Cadance about you and Skies, so we were getting ready to skedaddle."

"Yeah, don't want to revisit the dark times." Inko said jokingly.

"Mother!" Cadance scolded, shocked at the revelation.

"I literally haven't said a word." Honey defended as she set her companions down.

"You and dad were that bad?" Cadance asked.

River nodded as she smoothed out her tight shirt, pulling on the center to let her chest floof out. "Anara, your mother is a Spirit known for her beauty and passion and your father presides over the animal kingdom. Are you really surprised?"

Shivers ran up Cadance's spine at the mental imagery.

"It's natural." Honey stuck her nose in the air, a defiant look on her face.

"No, when I get it down and dirty, it's after going to a sports bar and it's with timid stallions. I don't cause structural damage." River said.

"Or noise complaints." Inko added. 

"Hypocrites." Honey chuckled as she patted Cadance's hoof. "So, Sweetie, you needed help with your Colt toy?"

"You said I did." Cadance's retort was met with her mother and aunts snickering at her. "What?"

"You don't have to say it, dear." River said. "We see it."

"See what?" Cadance held her hooves out in confusion.

"You're unhappy." The mares of the room said in unison.

River sighed and dug her muzzle into the collared shirt pocket, a light blue to compliment her brown coat. She spat out two tickets to the much coveted play, Catsablanka.'

"Who are these for?" Cadance asked.

"You two." River said. "Fleur sent them via a messenger, but I hate dressing up and Inko hates frou-frou plays. We decided to head to Joe's instead. Then we might go to Canterlot and ruin a golf course or three."

"Windmills gotta die." Inko added.

"Golf?" Cadance asked. "Joes, in Canterlot?"

"Nope! Joe's is here." River exclaimed. "I wrote to him after Skyfall told me about it and Joe agreed to open a location here. I'm sure I should have made that sound more official, but that's that." She paused and stared blankly as her stomach growled. "And that's my cue to go."

Without another word, River and Inko disappeared into the darkness of the corridor, letting the tickets float gently to the floor.

Cadance smiled weakly at her mother with the tickets in her magical grasp. "S-So, you want to go to a play?"

"No."

"Oh." Cadance said meekly. 

"And neither do you." Honey smiled as her hoof touched Cadance's chin. "We haven't been separated for over a thousand years to spend time together silently watching a poor rendition of Titanic."

"Again with that name." Cadance mumbled.

Honey grabbed the floating tickets and hopped up. 

"Where are we going?" Cadance called after her mother.

"You'll see!"





Canterlot
Later that evening





"OI! Who wants good seats? You want good seat? No sticky!" Honey yelled into the crowded Canterlot streets. She waved, bogged down by the trenchcoat she wore and smacked the tickets. "Nice seats, premium seat, you ain't gon' get these seats anywhere but here!"

"How much?" A stallion asked.

"More than you can afford, pal!" Honey shoed the stallion away.

"Mom!" Cadance scolded from under her own, coated disguise.

"Watch this." Honey whispered back.

"No, seriously how much?" The stallion demanded. "I would like better seats for me and my mare."

"Two." Honey said.

"Hundred? Deal!" The stallion cheered.

"Thousand." 

Cadance inhaled sharply and entered a coughing fit, as did the stallion. The proclamation hitched everyone's attention onto Honey, causing her to smile deviously.

"No seat deserves two thousand bits!"

"Unless they're seats next to the royal box seat." Honey smacked the tickets with every word. "You seem like a nice, wealthy stallion, so I'll sell them for fifteen hundred."

"I'll pay three!" A mare called from behind the stallion, much to his horror. One by one ponies started to out bid the poor stallion as he tried to keep up, only to fall behind richer ponies.

Cadance could only stare in horror as her mother flashed her a mischievous glance.





"Rich ponies are so easy." Honey chuckled as she took another spoon full of the rocky road ice cream from the dripping bucket and lobbed the ball into her mouth. "Dangle something that is seen as a status enhancer before a mortal and boom, instant money."

"My mother is a crook." Cadance droned to herself. 

"A beautiful crook."

"A beautiful crook." Cadance said, trying not to smile. She looked to her mother who was wearing a large, happy grin. After a few moments of staring, Honey laughed loudly.

"What are you staring at, goofball?"

Cadance tilted her head slightly in thought, examining the situation in her mind. "I always wondered what my parents would be like."

"Sorry." Honey gurgled out from a cream filled mouth.

"It's not a bad thing." Cadance giggled. "I'm actually happy you and dad aren't the ones I envisioned you to be."

"Did you see me as a quiet, yet stuffy mare whose hard to please?" Honey asked. "You'd be astounded at how many creatures I meet that have that pre-image of me."

"I thought both of you would be like that. In highschool I dated a stallion named Buck Withers, his parents were like that and somehow due to my status as Princess I always believed I was destined for that." Cadance's heart pounded as she met her mother's questioning look. "What? Did I offend you?"

"Yes!" Honey said.

"I'm sorry, I just thought that parents-"

"No, not the parents thing." Honey waved her hoof and evaporated the bucket of ice cream into shards of crystals that flittered out of existence. "This Buck thing. He sounds like a douche bag."

"Mom!" Cadance tried to suppress a boisterous laugh.

"What? The way you talk about him makes me think he had a reputation as a bully and someone who has a less the reputable relationship among mares." Honey said. "Like a stallion who takes you to the toilet to make out. You dated someone like this?"

Cadance smiled at her mother's ire. She had only given the stallion's name and her mother picked up the tones immediately and determined a reputation from someone her daughter dated over a decade ago and whom she had never met.

"He live in Canterlot?"

"Last I saw, yes? He's married now."

Honey sat up and rolled her shoulders. "We're going to visit him."

"No!" Cadance exclaimed in a shocked chuckle. "You're not going to antagonize my ex."

"Antagonize? No." Honey smiled. "Just remodel his yard in waste from the septic system that runs under his house."

With two hooves buried into her face, Cadance groaned, remembering her father's words before her mother's return. 'She was always prone to mischief, especially if she felt wronged in any way. Once your mother and a Spirit named Black Horn got into a four year long prank war that ended up in both of them being banned from eastern Stalliongrad.'

"Maybe we can just spend some time together?" Cadance asked and received a light kiss to her cheek.

"If that's your wish, the Spirit of Serenity shall grant thy request." Honey cooed.

"Spirit of Serenity?"

"Eh, more or less an honorific. Officially I watch over precious resources like gems and metals. However, I also cater to all sirens and muses." Honey kicked her hooves gently off the bench as she looked out onto Canterlot's busy streets. "Unlike your father, or one of the major guardians that control more vast areas like the oceans, part of my power resides in creatures and their emotions. Much like you and love."

"My power resides in other beings?"

"I believe so." Crystal said. "You're still coming into your own so your powers will fluctuate and change depending on what you come into contact with. Many lower Spirits became charged with the first elements they touched, for example; The hero named Berry Booms was shocked by lightning and then became so fast the world stood still for her. That was before being captured and imprisoned in a comic book by Celestia."

"So my powers will change?"

"It's very likely. I tried to keep my magic restrained as you broke free from your binds." Honey cupped her hooves. "I don't want my ailments to infect you."

Cadance looked to her mother with wild concern, which came off like a look of constipation. "But I heard you shooed away dad so that you could help me?"

"Yes, your father is smart and resourceful." Honey complimented. "There is only one other Spirit that rivaled him in strategy, even now this plans move in his absence. However, when it comes to souls and the care required to lead yours from the maelstrom of emotion you were in, only someone with vast amounts of emotional experience could help you. Luckily I am here for you. Your father was completely useless then. Like a napkin in a hurricane."

A hoof rested on Cadance's knee as Honey finished. 

"Plus, If Sky did it you'd turn into a glorified houseplant."

A half-hearted chortle escaped Cadance after the tender moment. Ponies slowed as they passed, trying to eavesdrop on what may have been construed as a romantic rendezvous. She looked up to see her mother smiling down at her and was given pause.

"You okay?"

"It's nothing, I have yet to see you this happy." The canterlot evening soon gave way to night as Honey stood and waved Cadancce to follow. "Wait, where are we going?"

"To see an old friend." Honey chirped and looked around to make sure no one was following them. "I think her house is around her somewhere. Oh, duh... teleportation." 

With a quick teleportation, Cadance opened her eyes to see the luscious surroundings of a neatly trimmed courtyard. Tall fountains and statues melded in with cut shrubbery all neatly maintained.

"Lady Bee?" An old butler with a green coat asked.

"Hi Jeeves, we're here to see your charge."

"Again, Lady Bee, teleporting in is rude." The butler chided and turned toward the grand mansion doors. "But I know you won't listen, never have. Follow me."

"Sorry, Jeeves. I love you." Honey called as she trotted after the aged butler.

Cadance giggled at her mother's banter with the butler before following them. The mansion was a home befitting that of royalty. Large pillars gripped the walls from floor to ceiling where clouds sat, light illuminating them from within the light the darker corners. The longer she walked through the house, the more familiar they seemed. Old paintings and statues started to stand out like ones she saw in Farhaven castle.

The distant sound of singing echoed through the corridors shortly before Jeeves came to a stop before a large set of purple doors emblazoned with a golden unicorn head. Cadance squinted and saw faint trails of mist swirling before the door.

"Thank you, Jeeves." Honey chirped. "It was nice to see you again."

"My Lady." 

Honey waited for Jeeves to turn the corner and gestured Cadance closer. 

"You father hasn't taught you about realms yet, has he?"

"I've been to his realm, but no." Cadance shrugged.

"If you mean his little garden, then you have yet to see his real realm." Honey smiled. "It can be a little overwhelming for those not accustomed to jumping fully across world lines."

Honey touched the large doors and the mist became more visible. "Do you see the mist?"

"Yes. I saw it when we got here."

"The mist trails are actually strands of torn reality." Honey started. "Every Spirit that is brought into existence by the maker was first birthed into a realm of their own since bringing a being of such raw power would permanently taint the lay lines of the surrounding lands."

"Lay lines?"

"Natural magic that flows through the planet." Honey said. "Each Spirit's realm has places where foreigners may enter, but if the make-shift entrance is too far from their portal, they do this." She tapped the door. "Official portals are neatly coupled with the Equus realm, but these back doors are teeming with strands, as you see."

The singing reached a climax as Honey pressed the door to enter, revealing a very large, white Siren. At first Cadance was alarmed, but her mother's flippant behavior put her somewhat at ease.

"Honey Bee?" The Spirit's singing voice stopped as she caught a glimpse of her guest. 

"Hey Fleur." 

The large siren erupted into a typhoon of water and reappeared before Honey in the form of a Unicorn, bringing her into a strong hug. "Bro, you're back and in one piece, thank the maker. I received your letter just moments ago, it sounded so urgent!"

"It is, but that's for another time." Honey placed her hoof on Fleur's arm and smiled, finding solace in the moment.

"F-Fleur de Lis?" Cadance asked in shock, earning a shocked look from Fleur in return.

"Uh, Princess I can explain." Fleur's iconic accent was absent and her usual showy way of standing had been replaced by a static slouch next to her mother with her wet mane clung lazily to her neck.

Honey huffed at the awkwardness. "Cadance, this is Fleur, she is one of my oldest friends and the Spirit muse of beauty. Fleur, this is Cadance. My daughter."

Fleur raised an eye brow for a moment and then looked to Cadance and back a few times until Cadance's horn glowed, revealing her antlered form. Fleur's mouth dropped as she brought her and Honey into a hug.

"You. must. tell. me. everything."

And so hours passed as Honey retold of her and Skies' reunion and the shocking news that her child was not only alive and well, but living with her father.

"I'm surprised he took it so well to be honest." Honey said while lounged out on a large, ornate couch. "I thought he would have eaten me alive after being away for so long."

"Or barricade himself inside his house." Fleur chuckled and clapped her hooves. "Oh, Cadance, there is so much I can tell you about your father that he wouldn't want me to say."

"Then you probably shouldn't." Honey chuckled.

"I. Will. Anyway!" Fleur's sing-song voice echoed.

Meanwhile, Cadance was rubbing her temples. "Mom, did dad really go that nuts when he saw you?"

"Yeah, it wasn't the wisest thing to do on my part." Honey rubbed her arm as she stared up to the ceiling. "I was worried, had I went reintroducing myself in an indirect way, he would suspect me to be an impostor."

"Did he bite you?" Fleur leveled her eyes at Honey who refused to even try and answer. Cadance looked between her mother and the lady of the house. "Honey. Did your husband bite you?"

"...Yes."

"And did he do anything to you?" Fleur gave hey friend a reassuring look.

"...No."

"Then you know what that means, sweetie, that Stallion still loves you." Fleur chirped and snuggled into her couch as Cadance looked on. "And you have your daughter too, ugh, I'd kill to be you."

"Mmhm." Honey hummed. "You would drive Skies up a wall."

"Yeah, you're probably right. That husband of yours needs a mean mare, I know myself, I am high maintenance." Fleur stretched and noticed Honey giggling. "What?"

"High maintenance is when a mare demands alot of attention. You, need borderline worship." Honey said, causing Fleur to harrumph, adding the silliness of the claim. 

As silence fell over the room, Fleur waved to Cadance, who had been silent for most of the visit. "Oh, Darling, tell us about you and your husband, the prince, right?"

"Shining Armor? What about him?" Cadance asked, causing Fleur to inhale with her teeth clenched in a wince.

"That bad?" Fleur asked.

"It's kind of bad." Honey turned on the couch to face the center of the room instead of the ceiling.

"Our marriage is great?" Cadance asked. "I stay in Ponyville and he returns every now and again to check on the Empire. It nearly runs itself so a vacation every now and again doesn't hurt. He comes over and we talk, it's a little awkward cause he still suspects something between dad and me, but I think he trusts me enough to believe me. I think he is with his parents in Canterlot's Cloud District currently." She sipped her tea and placed it down. "He sends me letters and we have a date every so often."

"Ouch." Fleur said, ending Cadance's line of thought.

"What's ouch? What's wrong?" Cadance asked, confused at her mother and Fleur's reactions.

Fleur gestured to Honey impatiently. "Can you give your daughter advice, please? Y'know, teach her to handle her business."

Honey Bee palmed her cup and rolled it in her hooves thinking. "The reason Fleur is acting like this is because you are clearly unhappy with Shining Armor, in more ways than one. Take it from two femme fatales from the time before, we know a hot relationship from a cold one where you two sleep in different rooms."

Cadance shook her head and brought her hoof to her chest, seemingly proud of what she was about to say. "I'm the Princess of Love, I know when I see a loving relationship or not."

"Then why are you in denial." Honey accused bluntly. "Do you love Shining?"

After a brief moment of silence, Honey asked again. "Do you love Shining Armor?"

Cadance quietly touched her hooves together. "You mean like you love dad?"

"This isn't about your father and I." Honey said, adopting a more motherly tone. "Are you going to stay with Shining, even though he is mortal and you are, in fact, immortal? It is not uncommon for a Spirit to court a mortal, but the briefness of the ages takes them too fast, but leaves the hurt much longer. We have all come to know the hurt, but some listen to their hearts anyway."

Cadance closed her eyes and nodded. "I plan on remaining with him."

"Don't misunderstand me, Anara." Honey cooed. "I'm impressed with the stallion. He loves you deeply and goes out of his way to make sure you are safe and happy. He has protected you in more ways than you know. He is successful and has done nothing but bring you honor and by extension, brought our house honor."

"So why do you think there's a problem?" Cadance asked with a weak smile. "You like him and dad seems to tolerate him. He also brings our house honor, is this okay with you and dad? That I stay with a mortal?"

"The honor and thoughts are for your father and I, I'm talking about you." Honey stood and strode to her daughter so that she could sit next to her. "Me and Sky talk about you and Shining. Your father loathes to admit it, but he likes Shining as well, but we both see that you're unhappy and it worries us."

"I'm happy. As you said, he does everything for me and what's more, he takes over the majority of daily duties in court." Cadance reasoned.

Honey sighed. "It's not what you say, it's what don't say."

"I talk about Shining all the time." Cadance said. "We even go on dates still."

"And the fighting?" Honey reminded, a flood of emotion flooding into her from Cadance. "There is no love coming from you when you speak about him, not an inch of passion, nor is there that spark in your eye when you meet your true love." She brought Cadance into a hug as they sat there, saying what she and Sky wanted to to convey their concerns. "I want you to love and be loved in return. I want you to fall to a hurricane of passion so intense that you can't think straight. I want you to give someone your world worth having it."

"Well, sounds easy." Cadance said.

"Me and your father just want you to be happy, or at least willing to be. Hiding in the castle tower isn't the best way to hide."

Knowing she was caught, Cadance giggled. "Then I will try."

Honey wrapped an arm around Cadance's head and smiled. "I know it's cheesy and cliche, but love is passion, it's easy to find, you just ignore your head and listen to your heart. Eventually the one meant for your soul will appear, sometimes in the most bizarre ways. We as immortals will see kingdoms rise and fall, races come and go, and even those we know as family turn to dust as a distant memory." She held Cadance at arm's length and smiled. "So there is no reason to go this journey without finding love, if you haven't loved, you haven't lived."

Cadance smiled. "You sure you aren't the Spirit of love?"

"I try." Honey chuckled. She sighed and grew somber. "If Shining is your chosen partner, then you both must rekindle the love. That will require him to learn about you, and by extension your father and I. I am not one to keep secrets like your father, he must know and so must that sister of his, and ultimately her close friends. I know you're close to them as well. One of which will be much more startling than the other."

"Yeah." Cadance laughed darkly. "Learning that dad is his father-in-law will be jarring."

"Right... your father." Honey tried to laugh, but her mood betrayed the truth of her statement.

With the seconds melting away the tender moment, Fleur paused her hoofheld game and looked over lazily, interrupting the mares. "So, do you girls want to stay the night?"

Honey smirked. "Only if you invite the others."

"Others?" Cadance asked.

"Yep, most of the Spirits that were allowed to stay in Equestria are mandated to remain in Canterlot's eastern cloud district so that Celestia can keep an eye on them." Fleur said. "Surely you noticed that the guards here were sporting Silver swords."

"I thought that was a rich pony thing." Cadance rubbed her neck in embarrassment. "Why would they be silver otherwise?"

"The high class hoo-haw is a rumored cover." Fleur rolled her eyes at the ludicrous rumors that flew around her memories as she was forced to live a life of being famous for being famous. "Silver can inflict lasting wounds on Spirits if given certain enchantments."

Honey looked to Cadance. "There's a reason your father has a silver set of plate armor in his study."

"And with that, I'll summon the girls." Fleur clapped her hooves and trotted out of the room happily.

"I'm about to be poked and prodded all night, Aren't I?" Cadance asked.

"You know you secretly love it."





Canterlot Royal Council Chambers





"Are you okay, Faith?" 

Faithful's piercing green eyes tore themselves away from the cityscape to see Fury standing in the doorway with his helm beneath his arm. "Yes, Fury, I'm just thinking about how I'm going to do this."

"Its a plan five thousand years in the making and you choose now to reflect?" Fury asked. "Seems pointless."

"You would know all about pointlessness."

"Ouch, what has you in a mood?" Fury asked as he closed the door behind him. The silence following his question filled the room, only armored hoof falls could be heard until he plopped next to Faithful. "Need someone to talk to?"

"If I needed someone to talk to, I would consult delegates, not my brother." Faithful growled as she stood and cantered away from the window seat. "Shouldn't you go and see your wife and child? You're spending more and more time from them. You wouldn't want a repeat of the last three spouses you've had."

Fury chuckled darkly as he watched Faithful pace from one side of the room to the next.

She caught his devious look and scowled at him. "If you came here for that, you should have at least left your wife so she isn't pining for a husband that isn't coming home. Adultery ruins marriages."

"Ruining marraiges? That is your expertise, sister. I'm just along for the ride."

Faithful turned to scold her brother, but found that he closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. "Oh, what? Are you going to grab me like some common tavern wench?"

Fury's eyes bore down on Faithful. She glared back until she caught a glimpse of her brother walking through the courtyard that her room overlooked. She bowed her head and relented.

"Father."

The body clone of her brother began to malform into a wretched, sad form of a pony. Green skin hung like melted wax under a white mane as it bore up to Faithful, pleading for her to stop whatever was happening to it. "It's been a long time, Unfaithful." 

"Not much to report."

"Oh?" The voice echoed in a wet raspy tone. "Then I take it you do not know of your brother's entrance into the mirror?"

"I do."

The being convulsed and a new limb extended from the body before it swung, hitting Faithful in the face, sending her head snapping to the side. "You wanted to speak with him outside my view?"

"No." Faithful said.

"Liar." The voice drew out the word in a long whisper. 

"It is no lie." Faithful seethed. "I merely wanted revenge."

"Not before I'm through with him." The voice faded, ending the conversation. The body knelt to the floor and as the influence left its body, so did life.

The doors to Faithful's room opened, revealing two of her siblings, Fury and Bend.

"Sister, what's... oh." Bend recognized the use of body snatching magic and it's brutal after effects. "Who was it?"

"Who do you think?" Faithful sighed in complete disgust as she summoned a bottle of rum from a nearby cupboard. She looked at the dead creature on the floor and grimaced. "Disgusting, doing that to someone."

"why do you care?" Bend chuckled. "Acts like this are hardly new to us. Mortals come by and serve a purpose, then leave, that's the shape of things."

"We were mortal once." Faithful chided. "Or have you grown so comfortable in your wealth that you actually believe your past is all one big nightmare? That you were always destined to be a wealthy mare of Canterlot?"

Bend tsked at her sister. "You always get like this after you speak with him."

"He and I barely talk, that is a very bold claim to make." Faith said, cantering over to a crystal decanter. She rummaged through the cabinet next to the alcoholic container and retrieved a label-less jug.

Fury rolled his eyes. "Enough you two. Faithful, what did he say?"

"He was warning me not to take my revenge in the neighboring realm." Faithful downed a gulp of colored liquid and simmered. "I think the little black spot went and told him what we were planning."

"That is happening more and more these days." Fury said. "I task agents to follow Grave and they always turn up, weeks later, made into macabre centerpieces. Lately, however, they aren't coming back at all."

"You think he is planning something?" Faithful asked.

"An army of undead soldiers sounds like planning." Bend mumbled, drawing her siblings' attention. "Recently, he showed me some of what hes been up to. In short, he is building his own forces of undead beneath Prance."

"Purpose?" Fury asked.

"I don't know." Bend said. "But this leaves us with a small problem."

"How so?" Faithful asked. "I mean, I agree that's a problem, but what are your thoughts?"

Fury glanced at Bend and grumbled. "Grave went through the portal today. Judging from the time frame, it was shortly after Bend left his lair. I've just received word from Twilight's guard staff that the portal hasn't been working for the past hour."

Faithful noticed Fury's angry breathing. "And?"

"And, Princess Celestia recently took a night excursion to Baltimare and back." Fury said. 

"Yes, we've established time and time again that that type of stuff is normal for her. We can't really keep her on a leash." Unfaithful paused and shook her head at the mental image.

"I'm mentioning it because she flew there with that lacky, Sombra. That, coupled with her rereading many manuals on survival and looking at various stores in the lower Fish District for travel gear and the lack of anyone else being informed as to why leads me to believe she is going to disappear for a long time." Fury scowled. "We obviously can't let this happen before Ponyville is razed."

Bend chuckled. "Looks like everything is on your shoulders, Faithful. We've finished our tasks for the mission."

Faithful raised her eyebrow in question. "You have?"

"Yes, our trade deals with smaller nations have been skewed unfairly in our favor." Bend smirked. "Not to mention taxes and fees are at an all time high for both import and exports. Sales tax and income tax are high as well, that took some time, though."

"And the higher taxes have led to ponies having to resort to illegal activities like prostitution and narcotics." Fury sat and pulled a pad from his armor. "Local media is also pressing Guard related incidents in a negative light, leading the public to mistrust and disrespect of the guard."

Fury shoved the pad away and looked to the city and his sister walked to the window. "Brother noticed the unrest immediately upon his return, but even he can see that it's too late for anything to be done. That's likely why he warded his little nation in shields and has thus stayed away from interfering. Smart. A regime change at this point would become child's play."

"I've been in the castle for too long, I didn't think it was this far." Faithful said matter of factly.

"It is." Fury said. "I've been sending raiding parties into non-pony settlements for years to indulge in any baser instinct they wanted to satiate. With the creation of Farhaven, they'll come to know a better life and their hate for Equestrians will grow. It was a noble action, but brother will fail."

"And our revenge will be complete." Faithful said, her words giving off a hollow feeling. She turned and eyed her siblings, each of them stood silently, waiting for her to speak.

"While I'm gone, attack Ponyville with a force of mixed units." Faithful pointed to Fury. "I know Grave was gathering cadavers from local trade roads around Equestria, he is bound to have enough variety to match Farhaven's demographics. As planned."

A thoughtful hum escaped Faith. "See that they're trained and ready. Then assemble members of your personal stable, fill it with noteworthy ponies you can lose." Faithful eyed Bend. "Buy some ships, nothing fancy and all paid for with used bits, no credit. Assemble gear that looks readily thrown together. Then gather extra guard ships and equipment. Make sure every pony has a set of each."

Fury and Bend nodded at the implied reasoning.

"And where will you be?" Fury asked.

"I will write to Celestia requesting her presence with guard units in Ponyville to be sent the day after the attack." Faithful sighed and grabbed a small messenger bag and a lumpy balled up cloth. "I'm going to go and see if I can't do something about our brother."

Bend rushed to confront her sister, but met her sister's hoof instead. "No, Bend. You and Fury have had your chance to capture him. Now, it's my turn."

"And what is your plan?" Fury asked.

"I have something somewhat special for our little Spirit of the Forest." Faithful said. She rustled her hoof into the small bundle of cloth and pulled out a purple, hoof sized device, it glowed and tore open a portal in the center of the lavish room. She took one tentative step into the portal and glared back. "Once I have him, we can escalate plans into the next stage immediately, make sure to be ready."

The torn edges of the portal flapped in an unfeelable breeze as magic forced Faithful into human form. She shivered, still unfamiliar with transformation. Long black hair fell to and past her shoulders as the neat bun she wore came undone. The room where the portal had taken her was not unfamiliar, as she had been there many times before, however, never during the day.

Faithful fixed her ruffled blouse before opening its door to a long, crystallized hallway that led to an atrium with the words 'Crystal Preparatory Academy Est 1472' inscribed on stone floor in a semi circle.

"M-Miss Faithful?"

Faithful turned and smiled at the only person walking around. "Long time, Principal Cinch."
> Chapter 48 -Murky Water-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Murky Water-



Today, like most days in Spring, Sweet Apple Acres was warm and the morning passed into noon with the farm being a buzz with large, dark stallions hefting barrels of apples from the orchard to the barn. The iconic scene of apple emblazoned ponies running from tree to tree was now for family albums of the past.

The quiet rustling of pages was the only sound in the house. Applejack sat in their living room, hair in a ponytail with a pen in her mouth, she grumbled to herself. With each page she turned, she had to grasp a new business concept.

"Applejack! I'm going out with the girls!"  Apple Bloom called, but paused in the open door as her sister motioned her forward. The book Applejack had been buried in was set on the coffee table and was replaced with a mug of coffee.

"Didya' finish your chores?"

"Yep." 

"How?" Applejack said in surprise. "It's barely noon?"

"Well, I only had to wash the windows and sweep the house; before the big-uns' came, I would be busy til' late, now I sleep in and I'm out before noon." Apple Bloom tilted her hat back, its rim being worn from years upon her sister's head. "So can I go?"

"Ya gon' now, Apple Bloom." Granny Smith said as she entered the room. "Yer' sis and I got alot to talk about."

"See yall at dinner!" Apple Bloom called with a smile as she ran out of the door and down the road, jumping over barrels and running under stallions as they continued working, now used to the filly and her antics.

"She's getting older everyday." Applejack said, looking at her sister disappear over the hill before turning back to her studies.

"We all are, Missy." Granny said, resting in the seat next to the couch Applejack was situated on. Her body had been weakening for years, but as of late the rest she gained from the presence of the Clydes helped her gain back a little strength. "That filly comes up to your chin now."

"Yeah, she really hit that growth spurt. Guess I've been too busy to notice."

"You've always been like that." Granny Smith's tone of the ratchety grandparent was gone, a serious atmosphere taking its place. "Even from Apple Bloom's age, you've been good at thinkin' about the farm and the family money."

Applejack growled in annoyance. "Now Granny, I've said it before, the Clydes are a great help and this way we-"

"I'm not here to talk about the Big-uns." Granny cut in. "I agreed to let them help, it was you that slowly cut the family out of the orchard."

"No! Granny." Applejack, in a fit of frustration, tossed her pen and turned on her couch. "I keep them there to direct the Clydes. I moved our family into the front end work so we can better sell the product. If they remained in the fields as kickers then they would be too tired to sell. We have more ponies that specialize in their fields. It's synergy."

A long sigh escaped the old mare. "Listen to you, Applejack. Synergy, Specialize, product. That silver stallion has his meat hooks into you, doesn't he?"

"Yes!" Applejack exclaimed. "And I like it. Because of him, our family is slowly getting away from the immense debt we've been buried in."

"We would have made it on our own, Applejack. Just don't be in such a hurry to side with him and lose the farm." Granny warned. "I don't know what he wants, but talking to him is like talking to a statue that talks back."

"You've never said more than a few words at him, Granny." Applejack rubbed her head, aggravated at her unyielding family member that was too stuck in her ways to see things her way.

"I have." Granny Smith said. 

"When?" Applejack asked.

"Soon after your brother left with Gilda." Granny said, earning a slight annoyed look from Applejack. The subject of Big Mac and his sudden leaving was still sensitive for her.





Months earlier





"For a big stallion, you sure do walk quietly." Apple Bloom said, trying to walk quietly next to Skyfall. "How do you do that?"

"Trade secret." Skyfall chuckled, shifting under the bucketed saddle. "Ask me in a few years and I may tell you."

"But in your house your hooves echo in the halls when you walk. We always know when you're coming to teach when the booming gets louder." Apple Bloom said. "But here there isn't so much as a thud. Even I make small thuds."

"Apple Bloom, can you run back to the house and tell Granny we're done for the day?" Applejack said before kicking a tree and emptying it of its fruit.

"Will do!" Apple Bloom called as she tore away from them and down the orchard path.

Applejack sighed as she glanced at Skyfall. "Sorry about that. She's always been talkative."

"No problem. She is one of my students now so indulging in their curiosities is implied in the job description." Skyfall moved next to Applejack. "You, on the other hoof, are more my concern than your sister. Especially as of late."

"Am I now?" Applejack asked and turned to kick the next tree. When she reared forward, Skyfall opened his mouth in wait for Applejack to move into position. "I don't have any curiosity that needs attention."

"What about your brother?"

Applejack's face went blank before kicking the last tree particularly hard. She seared in pain and fell forward into Skyfall's arm. She winced and turned to see her hoof growing red under her fur.

"Sorry about that." Skyfall offered.

"My fault. I throttled it too hard." Applejack rubbed her hoof and avoided eye contact.

"You still haven't vented about your brother properly." Skyfall tried hefting Applejack onto his back against her protests.

"I'm too heavy there sport, put me down." Applejack squirmed in Skyfall grasp. She felt him move her further up onto his back the orchard's path move. "Um, Skyfall?"

"Yes?"

"What are you doing?"

"You hurt your hoof." Skyfall offered, with Applejack still half us his shoulder. Her flank resting on his arm. "If you put pressure on your leg then you may suffer worse damage."

"I'm fine."

"Yes you are, but you need help in this instance. Let me help."

Applejack sighed and let herself be pushed up on top of the apples they collected. "You sure this isn't too much weight?"

'Yes, you're a porpoise.' Skyfall thought. "It's fine. You can pay me in thoughts." 

"You're a weird fella."

"A little." Skyfall agreed as he moved. "But being odd has its uses."

"Really? Like what?" Applejack asked, chuckling to herself.

"Got you on my back, didn't I?" Skyfall asked as a playful smirk painted his face. 

"I only needed help 'cause you asked me about Big Mac." Applejack huffed.

"So it does bother you?"

Applejack squinted at Skyfall who only returned the look with cold engagement. She wanted to outlast him in the game of silence, but she felt unsettled at the unusual statue-esk eyes that bore at her. 

For brief moments, she would try to start only to end up sputtering and trying to piece her thoughts together. Emotions rose up in her mind: anger, sadness, regret, hunger. All the emotions she bottled up tried to force their way out, causing her to jumble words.

"Perhaps too early." Skyfall mused. He stopped and took a long breath. "Try starting with one word concerning your brother. What do you feel about him the most currently?"

Without hesitation, Applejack spat. "Disappointment."

"Why?"

"Because he left us!" Applejack growled. Unlike most mares that would shake when talking about such an event, Applejack was enraged like a father would likely be. "He up and left with some Griffon hussy!"

"Is it that he left-" Skyfall stated calmly in the face of Applejack's rage, turning his eyes toward the farm in the valley before them. "-or, that she is a Griffon?"

Applejack paused at the insinuation of not liking Griffons.

"I don't hate Griffons."

"But you hate this one?" Skyfall asked. "I know about Gilda's first appearance in Ponyville. I imagine everyone does. I heard that you treated her differently the instant she arrived at your home."

"How-"

"Is it true, Applejack?" Skyfall asked sharply, like a father to their child.

"I-I did." Applejack confessed. "She and Big Mac had a relationship in private. Griffons and Ponies can't have foals. He'll only get hurt in the end. I know that the Hippogriffs exist, but to just make new ones by smashing our kin together can't be done."

"So you treated their relationship that way because you were afraid of him getting his emotions hurt?" Skyfall chuckled. "Altruism does not seem to be the correct answer, Applejack. What's the real reason?"

"That is the real reason." 

Skyfall promptly sat and let Applejack roll off his back. She slid and landed onto her back, she remained there, feeling her hoof was swollen with incredible pain. She could only look up at Skyfall as he turned around, blocking the setting sun to move closer, creeping her out.

"I like you, Applejack, but I don't have the time, nor the energy to play psychologist to the whole of Ponyville." Skyfall placed a hoof on hers, staring on. "Did you hate Gilda because she was stealing away Big Mac's attention to the family? He chose to start a family; why is that so bad?"

"Because." Applejack scowled, but only golden eyes looked at her, unblinking. "Because I don't want to lose more family. He should stay with his kin. He shouldn't have left."

"You wouldn't have accepted her and by extension many others, he knew that so he took his wife and unborn child somewhere that would." Skyfall said without pause. "I'll ask again. Why is starting a family so bad?"

"Cause he had family."

"One day, you too may start a family. Apple Bloom may start a family." Skyfall gestured to the farm in its entirety before helping Applejack back up. "Families do that. Kids grow up and move, starting their own family. Just because he is gone, doesn't mean he is gone."

"You sound like Granny Smith." Applejack tried to stand, only to once again be hefted onto Skyfall's back. 

"Do I? Didn't know she had a deep voice." Skyfall's playful mood returned.

"Got less of a drawl though." Applejack played back. "Y'know, you should stay for dinner. You always find an excuse to disappear, I'm sure she would love to meet you."

"I would love to, but I really do have a lot to do." Skyfall smiled. "Ma-"

"Maybe next time?" Applejack asked. "Well, sorry to tell you this, but I told Granny you were comin' to dinner!"

"No you didn't." Skyfall said. He chuckled at Applejack's failed attempt at a pout. He felt Applejack shift on the apples as he neared the barn. "But if you're going this far to get me to go to dinner, I might as well go. This way we can tell Granny about your pregnancy." 

"I knew it!" Apple Bloom Yelled from a hay pile.

"Wait, What!?" Applejack yelped from the apple pile, finally catching what Skyfall had said. "I'm not pregnant!" She turned her ire at her little sister. "You thought I was pregnant?"

"No, I thought you two were-"

"It's true, your sister is-"

"Clamp it, you two!" Applejack negotiated herself from the apple pile and onto three good hooves. Looking at Skyfall as he fought a laugh, she tapped his nose. "I ain't fallin' into one of your word games, Skyfall. None of that implying." She turned to Apple Bloom. "We're just friends."

"But he is coming to dinner?" Apple Bloom smiled deviously.

"He is. As a friend." Applejack limped away and into the house, followed by her sister who was getting whispered at harshly.

Two old eyes watched Skyfall from the house. He looked on as they didn't move from him. Reading someone's eyes came with experience. He had never formally met Granny Smith, but he had seen her in passing and every time she looked at him they were the same eyes; mistrusting on borderline loathing.

Until today, Skyfall made polite moves to avoid prolonged contact with the grandmother due to her apparent mistrust.

"Ya comin!" Apple Bloom called, sparking Skyfall to place the apples down and follow them into the house. 

Soon, Skyfall began to feel bad for Big Mac. They were of like size and he could barely fit into the doorway. 'That poor, poor stallion, how did you perform the sacred two in the morning bathroom run?'

A small rustic house on a farm. Simple. Skyfall imagined if one needed anymore words to describe the house, then something was wrong. He smelled the scent of cinnamon, fish, potatoes, various cooked vegetables, and, of course, apples. Granny Smith had indeed placed supper on, and even moved fast enough to rest in her corner chair before they returned.

Fluidly, Skyfall sat and met Granny Smith's gaze. To him, a clear scowl painted her face.

"Granny, don't be stiff now. Say hi." Applejack said, snapping Granny out of her daze and into a ratchety ol' pony that ponies were used to seeing.

"Hi there, sunny." Granny greeted.

Skyfall squinted at Granny, understanding that at some point in the night the old pony may turn sour against him.

Dinner in the Apple house went as dinners go; talking of the day and story telling, mostly from Apple Bloom about embarrassing things Applejack does when no one is looking, like singing into a hair brush. Skyfall was encouraged to eat more and so he did, even sharing stories of his own between bites, although more watered down and ambiguous. The day's twilight moved to darkness across the farm as talking moved them all closer to midnight.

With dishes done and hearth growing cold, Apple Bloom was long asleep beside Skyfall and Applejack fought the last bit of consciousness she had before sleep took hold mid sentence, leaving Granny Smith and Skyfall alone once more.

Knowing there would be 'talk', Skyfall grabbed a blanket and tossed it over Applejack. He rose to his full height and looked to the old pony standing by the kitchen door that lead to the barn. Silently, she opened it and disappeared into the night.

'What is she doing?' Skyfall thought as he too disappeared into the night to find Granny Smith alone in the barn. She turned slowly to face him as he moved into the light.

Skyfall squinted and spoke slowly. "I would ask you what's going on or compliment the night, but the way you and I have both acted toward each other tonight says that there are words to be said between us."

"Yer a smart stallion." Granny Smith mumbled. 

"Thank you, but I doubt we came here to discuss my ability to think." Skyfall said.

"Yer right." Granny squinted. "I'll be blunt: What do you want with my Applejack?"

"Nothing." Skyfall said. "She's exceptionally bright, despite her attempt to be otherwise. Why?"

"You come around and befriend my grandson, then he disappears." Granny said. "I knew about them dating a long time ago, but it wasn't until you came 'round that he got the idea to follow that darn Spirit into the forest. Now you're around my remaining grandchildren. One starts talking fancy like and the other talks about working on machines." She tapped her hoof. "You're the only common thing here, so I'll ask again. What do you want with my Applejack?"

After a long pause, Skyfall walked to stand further in the light. 

Before he could retort, Granny Smith started again, becoming impatient for ponies that wanted to craft words. "I bumped into Zecora in the market, I talked to that there Zebra about you since she's your closest neighbor."

Skyfall smirked "I thought you were my closest neighbor?"  

Ignoring the diversion, Granny Smith stared on. 

"So you asked other ponies about me?" Skyfall asked, well aware now that Smith did not trust him.

"I did." Granny Smith said. "I'm not the dumb farm pony the town thinks I am. I know when ponies are buying up stakes in the Apple family business, Applejack doesn't check on that muddiness, but I do. So I asked around."

"And?"

"Don't get me wrong, Mr. Skyfall. I'm not tryin' to attack you, but I don't trust you." Granny admitted.

"You're protecting your family. I would do the same." Skyfall said. "But why ask others about me?"

"Because I don't trust you to tell me the truth." Granny Smith stated to pace. "Y'see, something about you bothers me and I didn't understand what it was until I bumped into that Zebra."

"I'm mildly interested in what someone who has had little time with me has to say about me." Skyfall challenged.

Granny Smith stopped and turned in anger, but paused. Her ire was plainly stocked by Skyfall's insinuation that what she was about to say was already flawed.

"You remember that little stunt yall pulled with the Timberwolves?"

"I remember, my neck still hurts from it." Skyfall said.

"Yet you don't have any scars. One pony fights a horde of Timberwolves and then their horde disappears soon after." Granny paused, letting a moment of reflection pass before continuing. "I went to thank Zecora for shelterin' the little ones after that debacle, but she said you were the one responsible for removing them wolves. I saw a weird look on her face when she said it but didn't ask her more until a week ago when she needed Apple Blossoms. Y'know what she said?"

"Thank you for the flowers?" Skyfall asked.

"You're a liar, Mr. Skyfall." Granny Smith said curtly. "I don't know about what and I don't need evidence to see when a stallion is hiding something. I've seen it on a thousand ponies to know it when I see it."

"Are you implying I'm here to hurt your family?"

"No, I know that's one thing you aren't here to do." Granny Smith said and eased back slightly. "You wouldn't help as you've been doing. The girls are taken with you, the little one more openly then the big one. You even helped Mackie with his own family."

"I would deny involvement, but you kind of have my hoof in the bear trap." Skyfall chuckled and thought to himself, wondering how far he should seek out what she believed she knew. "I am still interested in what conclusion you arrived in after talking with Zecora."

"She said you aren't what you seem. She was very clear on that and I agree, there is something wrong with your eyes. Most seem to fall for it, but I've seen it before." Granny Smith looked through the barn window into the house and caught the family picture from when Applejack and Big Mac were still little. "Everything that's been happening lately came after you moved into that infernal haunted house down next door. Yer life seems to be kept private against the tryins' of the town, but to me nothing is clearer than yer attitude toward this family."

"Then what's the issue, Ms. Smith?" Skyfall asked. "I have stakes in your business without your permission, true, but why do you think that means it's from malicious intent?"

"Cause the last time a stallion came around acting like this we nearly lost the farm." Granny said. "Then years later, I lost my son and his wife and it won't happen again. These two are the only ones I have left."

Skyfall closed his eyes, understanding. He turned to leave, knowing nothing else would truly put her at ease.

"I saw one of you."

Skyfall slowed to a stop to listen.

"When I was a filly." Granny Smith sat down gingerly, tired of standing. "I was fool-hardy and strong headed, all the foals in my class could never out-do me in anything. My pa raised me fearin' the forest and Spirits. Other foals in my school said soul stealin' Spirits like that forest Spirit were just stories to make us respect the rules."

With an amused shake of her head, Granny continued. "One day I was dared to run in and out of the forest and I was dumb enough to do it and get lost. I was brave for the first few hours, but soon the sun set and all manners of critters came out. I remember the fear I felt as I scrambled to hide. Not many ponies know what happens in that forest when the sun sets."

Skyfall spoke. "Well, history books do say that the Everfree is a daytime only forest, night time usually spawns the darker myths. You aren't meant to be in that forest when light leaves. At least that's the way it was left."

"For seven nights I survived that forest, I became very familiar with a carving on the wall of a cave." Granny Smith's ear rotated when the barn's owl hooted, startling her. "Two golden eyes. No matter where I tried to run, golden eyes followed me and at every turn hoof beats and gruff neighs followed me. When I was finally found it took years to stop from being scarred at night."

"So what does it have to do with me?" Skyfall asked.

"I forgot those eyes, for decades I forgot them until Applejack got lost in the woods as a foal. Then, a few months ago, a stallion buys some apples with those same eyes, your eyes, bear the same resemblance of the ones that chased me in that forest." Granny's calm mood offset the statement's weight. "I lost my son and daughter-in-law shortly after meeting a stallion like you to get our farm back. They died suddenly by a tree they planted in the orchard. Doctors said they died of natural causes, but that was a lie. I don't want to lose my grandbabies."

"You won't." Skyfall said abruptly, slowly turning to Granny, who breathed a breath she didn't know she held. "I don't know what happened to your son and his wife, that's not my business, but I don't believe Applejack and Apple Bloom are in danger."

Granny Smith nodded and rubbed the side of her head trying to fight sorrowful emotions she still held from losing her only child. Silver hooves entered her vision, bringing her gaze upward to haunting eyes.

"I know what you believe I am. I won't bother denying it. I know you'll keep this mostly to yourself." Skyfall said, air growing still. "Just know Applejack and Apple Bloom are in good hooves. I don't intend on harming them, nor do I mean to take them from you."

"And the stake in our business?" Granny Smith asked.

"That's for me. It has nothing to do with you or your family." Skyfall said, not turning his gaze away from Granny Smith.

Granny locked her old eyes with Skyfall, feeling like a foal at the hooves of her father's judging gaze. For many years now, her only concern was that of her grandfoals and the farm. In the storm of uncertainty, she silently accepted Skyfall's help, but knew she would never admit openly to it, her pride stood in the way.

"So yer goal here is only to help?"

"More or less." Skyfall turned. "It is time for me to leave, your grandfoals are rousing from their sleep."

"I'm not done." Granny said.

"No, but I am." Skyfall continued to walk, but Granny sharp breath signalled the oncoming of a deepened statement.

"I want to make a contract."

With much sadness, Skyfall slowed to a stop. If the old pony alluded to his identity and then demanded a contract, then she knew what she was asking. Contracts with Spirits were dangerous and often held prices much heavier than what one stood gained.

"Absolutely not." Skyfall said, looking to his side, loud enough for Granny Smith to hear and enough to see her wounded expression. "My price is too high for you and higher still for your grandfoals. Don't be so reckless with Spirits in the future."

"B-"

"Goodnight." Skyfall disappeared as the barn's side door opened to reveal Applejack, rubbing her eyes from sleepiness.





Present





Granny Smith slowly paced through the story, leaving key points out so not to directly reveal what she believed Skyfall to be. She wasn't a mare for secrets, but Skyfall was right, she should be more cautious around Spirits. Having lived so long, even she could feel the change coming.

"So you mean to say you weren't counting the apples that night? Wait, are you saying that Skyfall isn't a pony?" Applejack asked.

"All I'm saying is that he is harboring secrets and that you should be cautious." Granny Smith warned, she had a familial need to warn her kin.

"This is a lot." Applejack sat back. "You talked to him in the barn, alone?"

"Yes, don't get hung up on details, missy." Granny said. "I just need you to distance yourself from him a little."

The book before Applejack was pushed away with a light huff, she leaned back into her chair and shook her head. Eyes closed and taking a deep breath, she looked to Granny Smith. "I'm sorry, Granny, but I can't. I know things haven't been easy since ma and pa passed, but thanks to him we're finally moving up. I think he's just a private pony and that kinda puts ponies off."

"Now listen, we-"

"Granny." Applejack's authority shinned through. "We always made end's meet, one way or another, but none of us Apples had the ins figured out and because of that we were short changed and moved aside. Now, I bring this to Skyfall and he always reminds me that he does very little." She points to the book on the table and then to a working saddle filled with books and pads of paper. "I know you hear me comin' home late at night half the week. I crash in so late because I'm at his house reading. Hes been tutoring me and so far we're good. He makes a few decisions over my head that I don't agree with, but in the end its always helped."

"What about your friends?" Granny asked.

"He's not too friendly with most of them except Pinkie Pie. He's okay with Fluttershy, but the others he keeps at a distance."

"And that don't seem odd to you?" 

"That's between them, it doesn't concern me." Applejack threw her hooves up. "He seems to like me enough to want to help me make something of myself, everything he brought to us has helped."

"What about the automatic quality apple sorter?"

"That is a mistake, he admits... That was a horrible idea." Applejack chuckled, remembering the three day long 'I told you so' campaign she went on, tormenting him cause she couldn't let it go, like when you paint the shed in the wrong kind of paint and she said 'don't leave it outside' only to do the thing she said not to do cause it was in the shade, then she brings it up every time you have a chore to do; yeah, like that. "This is one thing I can't do, Granny, he's good and I want to keep him around."

Granny chuckled and reached out for a hug, a hug that was happily returned. "Yer old enough to make your own decisions and be with who you want to be with. Just promise me that you won't let him get the best of you."

"Oh, I won't." Applejack chuckled. "He's not smart enough to do that."

"Oh really?" Winona barked from her slumber beneath the coffee table. "Sure he'd love to hear that!"

"What's up, girl?" Applejack said in a cute baby voice. "Did we wake you up? Did we? Huh? Oji-boo-boo."

Winona howled. "Dammit."





Farhaven
Big Macintosh Von Haven





Meanwhile, one of Farhaven's smallest citizens was balanced atop the head of a mighty serpent. She poked the lid of the dormant beast, temping fate itself.

"Serenity!" Gilda yelled from the kitchen window, scarring the small Hippogriff. "Get off Mr. Flan, now!"

"But mom." Serenity poo-poo'd.

"I said now!" Gilda's voice echoed out as Big Mac placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder, stealing her attention. She kept darting her eyes back and forth from Big Mac to her child, only to sigh in defeat.

With a huff, Serenity stood proud; or stubborn, she didn't know too much about either, but knew she didn't want to go back home, she wanted to explore.

A deep, rumbling voice rose from Mr. Flan's enormous form. "Perhaps you should listen to your mother this time, little one? It is unwise to temp your parent into grounding you."

"But why?" Serenity asked. "I want to see the city, home is boring."

"Oh? Such a well spoken mare at such a young age?" Flan asked as being of his size does when they speak civilly; slow and deliberate.

"Daddy teaches me everyday he comes home." Serenity smiled. "He was worried about me, but one of the big Spirits told me I was progressing slightly above normal for someone of my ...mix?"

"The wording confuses you?" Flan asked, his body moving to orient his coils around the filly. At Serenity's understanding nod, he too smiled. "You're half Griffon and Half pony, that means you get the best traits of the two species. On occasion you may get some bad traits, but thus far they seem non-existent or at the very least dormant."

"Why?"

"Why what?" Flan asked.

"Why refer to me as a mix?" She asked.

"Because that is what you are, my dear. As most creatures are." Flan said. "You are the mix of two beings. Although, some may use that word as something derogatory." At seeing the filly's confusion at the word, he flicked his massive tongue as serpents do. "As an insult."

"Why?"

"Because there are many beings out there that dislike the union of different species."

"Why?"

"Because. They grow up learning it and they become cemented in their own beliefs to the point..." Flan paused and squinted. "To the point they have pink hair coming out of their noses and smell of skunkberries."

"Why?" Serenity asked and erupted into a giggling fit as Mr. Flan forked his tongue at her exposed side, broadcasting how ticklish she was. Her laughter sent her slipping from Flan's oily scales and onto the ground.

"Now, Serenity." Red hooves came into view and the sent of coffee wafted into the air. "I hope you aren't causing too much trouble for Mr. Flan."

"I'm not, Daddy." 

"I hope she's being respectful." Big Mac smiled up to the large serpent, a sight that would have once terrified him but was now as normal as passing a neighbor by the mailbox. 

"As kind as the breeze, Macintosh." Flan flicked his tongue as Serenity again, sending her into another fit. "Serenity here was just regaling me of her wish to see the city."

"Oh, has she?" Big Mac turned a questioning look to his daughter, causing her red coat to grow crimson from embarrassment. "We've talked about this before, Serenity. You're not old enough to go exploring on your own."

"I know, Daddy." Serenity crossed her arms in angry acceptance.

"Well, maybe if one of the Lord Skies' council members went with her?" Flan offered deviously.

Macintosh chuckled to himself and sipped his coffee while narrowing avoiding a drop that would have been sure to stain his tan dress shirt. "Temping offer, but I couldn't ask them to foalsit, 'taint proper."

"Then what about a council member and Skies' own daughter?" Flan smiled.

"Now you're just being cruel. They would never find the time and I wouldn't dream of asking." Big Mac turned to see a masked Lady Streams and Lady Anara, smiling at him. He paused at taking another sip.

"You need someone to foalsit?" Anara asked with a smile, clapping her hooves quietly.

"Can I, Daddy?" Serenity's smile threatened to shattered his sanity.

"Um-uh."

River sauntered up and grabbed the small foal, knowing the answer already. "It's okay, Macintosh, I'm just checking the drain-off from the streets into the estuary, Anara is just seeing the city, no roughhousing today."

"I appreciate the offer, but Serenity must complete her chores before she's allowed to go out." Big Mac said. "That include you going to pre-school and finishing your morning class."

"Dad, it's the weekend." Serenity pouted. 

"I know, but you're having trouble with your ones and twos. Those are important."

"Well, papa has spoken little one." Anara smiled. "If I see you later, we can play."

As Anara and Serenity smiled, brainstorming what they would do later, two spirits were having a silent stare off.

The moment passed between Flan and Stream, he eyed her odd disguise. Her colorful mask and large back gourd hide her identity making her look more like a vagabond, but it was still somewhat amusing.

"See something you like?" River asked, unamused. 

"Always." Flan chuckled and laid his head back down. "The drain off on this street is good, Lady Streams. I'm just resting before I start moving through the pipes."

"Ah, well I trust your word on that." River turned, foal in tow. "See you all at sunset."

As River and Anara walked away, Big Mac smiled, he wanted to have Serenity explore but was too afraid to let her go alone. With him working the smithy and Gilda acting as a merchant clerk, they've been too busy to properly take their child around the city. She grew quickly, something he was reminded of with every step she took, even now as she walked to the nearby school.

His concentration was shattered when a small pebble bounced off his flank, snapping his attention back toward the doorway and to a very warm looking Griffoness.

"I think there is some plumbing you have to clear before work, sweetie." Gilda disappeared into the house, leaving the door cracked open.

Dumbly, Big Mac looked back to Flan as Flan tried to pretend to not have seen that. "Well, I-ah, gotta go."

"Yes, Big Mac." Flan tried not to laugh. "Go flush that pipe. I heard that plumbing can get a little mucky. You're going to have to snake that drain deep."

Like a deer caught in the headlights, Big Mac turned and slow walked to the door to not excite himself any further.

"Speaking of snaking drains, I should go." Flan turned and disappeared into an alley's dark shadow, making sure to evacuate before any beds could be destroyed.





Later That Day
Outside the schoolhouse





"Mom, where are we going today?" Serenity asked.

"We are going to the market. I have to get some ingredients for dinner tonight. I also have to get a new bracket for the bed." Gilda said looking down at her daughter. "I have off of work tonight so I plan on making you and Daddy dinner. He feels guilty about falling on the bed too hard."

"But v-what are we having?" Serenity asked stumbling on her Word pronunciation, being to excited to concentrate on her speech.

"Anything you want." Gilda said, smiling down to her daughter's acceptance. As they both passed through one of the cities many gates, gates that supported the aqueducts that gave water to all of Farhaven, Serenity rattled off names of dishes only to be told that she was too young to have that type of food. Obviously being met with resistance, this caused a continuously chuckle at the hippogriff's pouting.

"What about Chili?" Serenity asked.

"Chili's fine." Gilda said. "Your father loves chili. I see that something you two have in common. Even if you like to douse your Chili in hot sauce. Everything with you is hot sauce."

Serenity smirked at her victory. Bouncing on the ends of her hooves and claws. The small residential street they walked down turned left into an Open Marketplace. Her father having been a blacksmith and part-time on call guard his business always kept him in the marketplace, off early and running into the late hours of the night

As mother and child, they moved through the marketplace from stall to stall stopping particularly long at a dragon's stand.

"Looking for anything in particular, Miss Gilda?" Razzor asked as he sat lazily upon a scaled green pillow. He sat smoking out of a long tube connected to a metal sphere that set on another pillow behind him but still in sight. With a mighty blow of smoke, he looked down in amusement at the awestruck creature and removed the pipe with his purple mangled claw.

"I don't know." Gilda said. "Why don't we ask the little chef."

"I want that." Serenity proclaimed, pointing at the big blue pepper. Her eyes almost glowed as she looked at the spicy exotic jeweled before her. "I see that every time I pass and I've always wanted to try it. What does it taste like?"

He thought, scratching his chin. "To be honest with you, that pepper isn't that great, it tastes like cantaloupe. I just keep it there cuz it looks good." He admitted with a flip of his claw. "You've been getting progressively spicier with your choices. Why not try one from saddle Arabia?"

Nearly threshing her head so hard as to alert her daughter, Gilda silently commanded no.

Before  serenity could agree to the pepper from saddle Arabia, the purple dragon shifted his claw over to a set of white peppers he had come in from the Griffin lands. "On second thought, how about you try some of these. The Griffins called them Bushwackers, I think that should be your next level of hot."

Gilda chuckled knowing exactly what Bushwackers were, the pepper was so hot that make you freak out and whack a bush. Not an elegant name but better than an inexpensive centerpiece that tasted like cantaloupe and much better than a different one from Saddle Arabia.

"Okay." Serenity said sadly having already gotten excited for the pepper she saw from the land of sand ponies.

As razzor placed the peppers in the bag he grabbed the one from saddle Arabia while Gilda wasn't looking and went to Serenity tossing and in a moment before Gilda could see. "That'll be two gold."

"Two gold?" Gilda asked skeptically. "It should be four?"

"Your husband did some work for me on my wagon, so this is a discount." Razzor winked.

Gilda scowled playfully and placed four gold on the counter before turning to grab her bag and daughter in one smooth motion.

"Come on serenity, stop buying all the peppers. We have what we need." Gilda said

"I know." Serenity mumbled before heading toward their father's shop. Having been mere yards away, it only took seconds until Big Mac was in sight, sending the small, red filly into a full Sprint and tizzy directly into her father's chest as he was on his lunch break.

Laughing deeply, he kissed the top of her head and looked up to join in a kiss with Gilda, both receiving looks of disgust from their child.

"That's gross."

"Oh shush, there will be a day where you enjoy doing that too." Gilda smiled as Big Mac landed another kiss on her cheek. 

"I thought you had work today?" Big Mac asked bouncing Serenity on his knee.

"I did. But, that was before we had that leak. Now I'm home for a few days until they can clean the office. I thought I would come out and get some ingredients with Serenity and make you dinner later." Gilda said. "With you at home I can be on call for a night shift, but that's about it."

"That was very helpful thank you." Big mac smiled. "It's going to be a very busy day for me, the princess came down to relay some orders her father wanted completed. I'm trying to make sense of them, and I know exactly how to make them, but I have no idea what they are."

"Can I see? Or is it top secret?" Gilda said the last part in air quotes.

"It is, but they're over there on the table." Big Mac said. "Everything I get from the castle is top-secret, but a lot of it's just small things like new hinges they want made or a certain type of nail or a certain way they want their metal coated before being heat treated."

"Listen at you. Heat treating and all that official business." Gilda smiled having not really gone too far into what Big Mac was doing at the marketplace, she knew he was a blacksmith, but she didn't know he knew what he was doing to the extent he was talking about. At seeing the plans, Gilda stopped her laughing. "These aren't hinges, babe."

"Hm?"

Big Mac walked over while serenity played with a small set of armor Big Mac had made for her but kept at the Smith shop. "What do you mean, are they not just a regular order?"

"No. These are sears and lock plates." Gilda said, picking up the schematics. "I've seen them before, my father used to try and develop these further for cannons, but these are much smaller. Do you have measurements?"

"Yes, these are about the size of one of Serenity's hooves. They're extremely small but the way that they're making me heat treat them makes it a problem because I can't force that much pressure on them. The bits themselves can take it, but it's trying to angle the Hammers and tools down into them to get it the way that the schematics call for. What are sears?"

"I'm almost certain that these are some variation of lock system that my father used. If it is, then they're making small cannons?" Gilda chuckled at the thought. "Maybe it's for a children's toy? They're going to make a little Cannon so they can fire them in each other."

Big Mac paused, and reached for other schematics he had, laying them out before Gilda, stealing all amusement from the air. "I don't think they're for children."

At seeing the schematics, she saw detailed etchings for handles, barrels, small triggers that you would find in a crossbows. Gilda read over the margin notes, taking her time to read the measurements. She didn't know much about cannon-design or about what it takes to make a cannon go boom, but she did recognize that the barrel and lock system called for a heavier than normal metal.

"Hand cannons." Gilda said from the bottom most wording on the last schematic. "They want hand cannons? That just sounds wasteful."

"Do you think I should bring this to the castle ask about it?" Big Mac asked. "I'm not sure this is right?"

"Who cares, its money." Gilda said flippantly.

"I know that. I'm just wanting to know if I'm making the right things here." Big Mac said looking at the schematics once more. "Even if they are hand cannons, cannons are usually made to be one giant piece, this is like fifty different pieces I'm having the make and most of them are small."

"Maybe you could ask Garnett, he is representative of the Griffins, he would know since this seems to be based off a design from the kingdoms." Gilda said.

"Perhaps you're right." Big Mac said. He moved to grab the schematics and saw the princess walking through the market. "On second thought, I think I'm going to ask the princess directly."

"That doesn't sound like a good idea Maki." Gilda said. "I don't know how the ponies do it, but with Griffin's we don't talk to royalty or at least we don't let commoners talk to nobility without being talked to first."

"It's kind of the same with ponies, but we're not in a pony civilization, nor are we in a griffon one. Shattered Skies talks about having a cohesive Kingdom, so far it's been going well but if we're going to have a split between nobility and common people, then we're no different."

Gilda smiled and rubbed her husband's back. "I'll support you, I think it's a bad move but I can't stop you."

With a little claw on flank action, Big Mac yelped in surprise and laughed his way into the market to follow the princess.

Farhaven knew not to haggle the princess out of respect. Every few days it seemed the princess would visit the marketplace and walk around the different sects of the city. Most of the time she was guarded, however, today she walked alone.

Big Mac, being the large goof that he was, wasn't hidden by the crowd despite the larger creatures like Griffin's, dragons, Deer Folk, and the other large-bodied creatures that moved through the busy streets.

Before he could speak, Big Mac saw recognition across the princess's face.

"Hello, Big Mac." She smiled.

"Good morning princess." Big Mac said with a small bow. "Er, again I should say."

"You don't have to bow to me." She said. Truth be told it's always made me uncomfortable.

"Yes, Ma'am." Big Mac nodded and stood by trying to formulate his words in his mind as he had not thought beforehand.

"Everything okay?" Anara asked.

"Yes princess. I mean no." Big Mac looked toward his shop to see his daughter peeking out of the door. "I want to talk to you about something your father commissioned me to make."

"You work in the Smithy right?" The princess asked. With a thoughtful look toward the shop he kept peeking at, she saw to childlike eyes looking at her.

"Yes princess, I'm Apprenticing under Gran Marco."

"That's right." Anara said. "That's the dragon Smith Stormfront was really excited to bring over from Manhattan." She peeked around Big Mac who tried desperately to put himself between the princess and his daughter as he believed his daughter's staring was rude. "Is Serenity in your shop?"

"She is, Princess." He nodded and almost sputtered as the princess trotted past him toward his shop, her hoof falls pounding the ground betraying that she outweighed him putting in his mind that trying to accidentally walk before her was a bad idea for two reasons alone.

"With my father hogging all the spotlight I never get a chance to spend much time with the people here. That and we promised to play earlier." She smiled. As she neared Serenity began to step out of the door waving at the princess.

"Hello again, little bird." The princess smiled.

"Serenity." The small hippogriff said boldly.

As the two went about discussing what Serenity does on her free time as well as during school, Big Mac caught the insistence gesturing of his wife, Gilda.

"Um, princess I know this is a little sudden, but I need to show you something." Big Mac held up his hoof toward his workstation.

"I really don't know much about metallurgy." She said. "My husband does, b- nevermind." Anara caught herself and walked to the workstation.

"It's not the metallurgy that I have an issue with Princess." Big Mac said. "It's more my concern about what it is made to be."

A curious statement like this kindled the princess's own curiosity, drawing her to the plans.

"Good morning Gilda." The princess smiled at the Griffin who stood by a little flabbergasted that her name was known.

After a moment of reading the schematics, the princess stood by and began to sift through the paperwork. "Like I've said, I don't know metallurgy, but I do know job orders. These were not commissioned by my father, is that what you were asking?"

The princess turned to Big Mac, still garbed in his work gear and looked over his red coat and dingy spots of black from soot. "I don't imagine you approached me in the marketplace just to know that. What's the matter?"

Big Mac, knowing very little about cannons, looked to his wife who then spoke up.

"Princess, these are schematics for small cannons. I look through them and found a paper that stated they were to be used for Motors, but I know cannons when I see them." Gilda said. Knowing that she perhaps spoke out of turn, gilded bowed slightly and respect. "I apologize if I overstepped my bounds."

"No it's fine." The princess said taking the stack of papers and flipping through them quickly stopping every few pages, squinting as she did so. Suddenly, a paper was torn out and held up in front of the princess as she scanned the paper swiftly.

"What's the matter princess?" Big Mac said.

"These were commissioned by Stormfront?" Anara said.

Knowing that new inventions had to be passed through a council with the leaders of the city and her father, she raked her memory trying to remember if this had come up as she had sat through every meeting true to form as she rarely left her father's side.

"What's the matter, princess?" A Voice asked from the shops front door.

The room turned to see Stormfront staring at the princess, A displeased look on his face.

Not being one to back down, Cadence growled internally. It was all too convenient he would show up when something like this would come into question.

He broke his angry look to smile at the princess, closing the distance in mere steps. With his magic he took up the scrolled schematics and read them over.

"Want to explain?" The princess asked

"I would, had I not been ordered to remain silent about it." Stormfront smiled, his demeanor betraying his intentions. "This is for a new type of defensive weapon."

"Then why did it not come up during the council meeting?" Her eyes transfixed on Stormfront's.

Looking at Big Mac and a Gilda, he purposely peered over to their child silently informing them that this conversation was to remain only between them. "Sometimes, princess, we need to do things outside usual channels of government so that we can protect ourselves. Your father understands that very well, I daresay better than most."

At seeing the mistrustful look from the princess, Stormfront Shrugged. "You can ask your father when he returns."

"I intend to."

Stormfront turned and left the Smithy having completed what he set out to do. This left Cadence with an uneasy feeling as to the legitimacy of the order.

"Well this just got worse." Big Mac said. "Princess do I complete the order?"

"Yes." She said, trying to think her way out of the situation she just put herself and an innocent family in. She has seen that look before, there was something going on and her father's agenda kept the issue clarity as fine as murky water.

"If you could, complete the orders and as they get completed have one of the wolf guards take them. I imagine at that point Sif will become aware and she will be able to do something. And say nothing of this, to anyone."

Cadance thought to herself as to how her father would attempt to solve the situation.

A gush of water and screams moved down through the market, drawing everyone's attention.

It would have been something to ignore, but river sprinted past the Smith door cursing loudly at people that needed to get out of the market. Moments later different guards and a few wolves rushed past the Smith door colliding with people and sending them careening over Market stalls before a river of water stampeded through the marketplace.

Since the market, like most markets, was a place of widespread trade the council decided to put it very close to the water. Cadence noticed that the stampede of water floated above the ground without touching it. At the mouth of the shops entrance, she looked where the water was going and where it had come from. It seems three spirits and a half a dozen magic users were struggling to keep the torrential onslaught of liquid from destroying the commercial hub of Farhaven.

In unison, different species leapt up and began building what looked to be an aqueduct underneath the column of water. Wood, steel, stone, and ice formed a ramshackle way to fix the situation with river running around using something that looked reminiscent of crossbows from beneath her cloak.

"Princess?" River signaled Sloan, an ice Spirit, to a stop as she made another pass through the marketplace. "What are you doing here?"

"I should probably ask you the same, what's going on?" Anara asked, looking at the freshly made aqueduct.

"Eh' you know, saving the world, shaking babies, kissing hands. All in a day's work." River said smugly, looking at the patch job with pride. "Yeah, we were trying to reroute an underground spring to give the Diamond Dogs more access to water since they like to burrow within the mountain. But it just backfired and the underground spring erupted into a geyser. So now we have a lake of hot water."

"That doesn't sound good." Anara said, confused at River's Sly smirk.

"Oh no, it's catastophic. There was a bit of Farmland your father planned on using for asparagus, but the hot water makes it too wet and now it won't be firm enough for most crops." River said. "I told him, this might happen."

"So what are you going to do now?" Anara ask, genuinely wondering how her aunt was going to solve the situation.

"Princess." Big Mac said from Anara's side. "I'm going to go ahead and get to work on those orders and do what we talked about."

"Oh, yes please." Anora said. "I'll tell my father when he returns, hopefully it's nothing."

Cadence looked back to see Rivers suspicious look melt into one of amusement. "Trouble?"

"I think so. Stormfront is commissioning hand cannons and I had no knowledge of it, do you know anything?"

"No. If you are sure they are hand cannons, then those are strictly outlawed on orders of your father." River said and look toward the Castle. "That's something he has been against since we founded the council all those years ago."

"Should we say something?"

"No." River said. "With everything going on, he might be trying to override your father because he believes your father isn't doing enough. It happened in the past which led to them fighting. Physically. Never ended well, but it's not unlike him."

Accepting the answer, Anara turn her attention back toward the issue at hand. "So you never said what you were going to do with it?"

"Oh. I'm turning into a hot spring. I got permission from your father, in writing, like five thousand years ago that I was allowed to open a bathhouse." River said tapping her chin. I don't know where I'll put it, but I know he knows because it was a thing, it was a huge thing at dinner. I made it a thing and it was mine."

"You seem very adamant about it"

"Damn right. You ever been to a hot spring?" River asked. "That's like one of fifty businesses that need to exist here for this place to succeed."

Completely caught off guard by River's zest and insistence, Anara looked on as the mare began rattling off the different services that far Haven needed.

"- Ramen Shop, and two sports bars just so you can have your favorite one and look at the other one and say yeah screw that place they spit in your food-" River insisted. She took a deep breath and looked at the princesses awestruck face. "Sorry went off on a rant."

"No it's fine." Anara said. "If you wouldn't mind, can I tag along while you try and fix this?"

"Sure, you and we haven't spent much time together." River said and turned around before adjusting her cloak to lay limply over the mechanics fastened to her legs. She caught Anara eyeing her machinery and chuckled. "What? You like my little invention?"

"I saw them for a moment while you were trying to stop that River of water from destroying the market. What do they do?"

"We'll talk and walk." River said, motioning Anara to follow. She had to actively remember to not call her Cadence in front of regular people, having spent so much time around her in her regular pony form. As they walked, River and Anara had to look to see if there was any additional damage caused by the column of water. Multi-ton stone settings in the walls along the marketplace we're hit so hard with the water that they were actually moved. The stone settings being the outline that all houses were built upon when they designing sections of the city.

"How can water do this?" Cadence asked.

"Easily." River said. "Water is one of the most destructive forces on this planet. I mean sure you put water in a cup and you spill it on something chances are it's not going to destroy it, but you get a few million gallons of it and send it toward target it's going to cause damage."

Cadence, in her disguised form, followed River as she crawled beneath the aqueduct and ascended the stairs to the Diamond Dogs main hub. 

Streams of water flowed down delicately from the stairs leading up to the cut Halls of the Diamond Dogs. Cadence had to admit that she had yet to be to any of the hubs, only the common areas. Each hub was a location for species within far Haven, species were able to live in any Hub they wished but their own culture was preserved within these locations.

Looking around, Cadence noticed the tall ceilings and natural structure that was the Diamond Dogs home. Natural rock, be it Mineral or ore flowed in one from the wall into cut pillars and statues.

As they made their way deeper into the now ankle-deep water, Diamond Dog work teams moved toward the hole in the center of the room.

"You know, when I asked for more water I didn't mean I wanted a pool." The gruff voice of Chance, The Diamond Dog's senator and former Chief said with a smile moving slowly from his office into the open air antechamber.

"Well I do what I can." River said knowing that Chance knew full well who she really was.

"I hope you have a solution. We Diamond Dogs are not too known for our lavish accommodations." Chance said smiling like a grandparent to their grandchild.

"I'm going to have to reroute the water through all of your pillars to cut down on the pressure." River said producing clipboard from beneath her cloak. "It'll destroy some farmland in the process, that's why I was trying to reroute through the center but we saw how that went."

"Oh my." Chance said holding a paw up to his long furred chest. "I hope that doesn't cost too much."

"How about nine."

"Nine hundred?" Chance asked seemingly happy with the amount. "I knew you Spirits wanted to help, but that's amazing."

"Thousand. Give me nine thousand and I will fix your hole in the center and reroute the water throughout your pillars to give you hot flowing water." River said tapping her clipboard. "I'll throw in a mist machine, it'll add some ambiance to your stone hall."

"Hissing at the amount," chance rubbed the white fur beneath his jaw. "We have the finances for that but that's really high."

"Well, when you laid these halls you did so without the thought for running water. You're in a position now where you want amenities like running water, that's going to have to cost you like the other hubs. nine thousands been the base cost for all of them. Additional fees apply with additional chambers." River looked to her side to see a disguised Cadence scanning the open hole in the floor that bubbled water.

"Why?" Cadence asked.

"Why what, little missy?" Chance asked.

"River said that you cut these caves without the thought of running water, that sounds like a like a pretty big oversight." Anara scanned over back to chance and was struck by his sympathetic look.

"It's not something we've become used to." Chance smiled understanding that the princess's perception wasn't the same as theirs.' He tried to smile through the awkwardness believing that she said this out of ignorance and not out of spite.

"Oh... sorry."

"Don't be princess." Chance said with a warming look. "That was the past, and the future that we are all going to build won't see that return.

"If that's all, Senator." River smiled with a bow and motioned for Anara to follow.

River exercised a little bit of her power to stem the flow of the water until later. Once again making their way into the light, turning toward Anara who was still embarrassed from the misunderstanding. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just feel a little embarrassed."

"It happens." River Shrugged. "You should have seen your father the first time he met up with the dragon ponies of the East. They ended up loving him, however, the initial reception was very funny."

"I know no one's perfect, but I hate forgetting that the world can be a little unfair. I always think I look pompous when that happens."

"Well, it's not about where you start." River reminded. "That's something the maker would tell us whenever we were down in the dumps."

"What was she like?"

"You would know her if you saw her, she is power incarnate. A presence that feels like something that should not be there but is a part of everything." River said as she tried to search her mind for words that would do the maker justice.

"Though my words fall short by miles in terms of description." River slowed to a stop and looked at Anara realizing she had never seen her at any of the other hubs.

"That was your first experience in a species' hub, right?"

Shying away from the accusation, Anara nodded. "Was it that obvious?"

"Not at first, but I'm usually very busy trying to get the infrastructure right. It wasn't until I saw how chance interacted with you that your inexperience came to mind." River clicked a pen and brought out her clipboard scribbling small notes in the margin. "I know your father wanted you to go around to the hubs, but I never caught when he wanted you to do so."

"He wanted me to go around to the different parts of the city?" Anara asked, the task being light years away from what she expected her father to want her to do.

"When I spoke to him, yeah." River said. "Like most things he probably wanted to talk to you first, probably to avoid little incidence like in there."

"He does that a lot, he tries to prep me." Cadence said letting some of her aggravation to her voice.

"Well, he does really love his prep, when it came to proposing to your mother he almost had to have a yes before asking. I imagine he does more so with you because he loves you and wants you to succeed." River smirked and shoved the pen into the cuff of her shirt. "My way of learning, however, is to throw the chicks out of the nest. How about you? You feel like being a little naughty and jumping the gun?"

"Gun?"

"You want to go to the other hubs and meet the people that call you princess?" River said, cutting to the chase. "It's better to ask forgiveness than beg permission."

"I don't know." Anara said not wanting to anger her father.

"Trust me, I've known your father long enough to know that sometimes you need to just do what you feel is right." River said smiling in a more devious manner. "That, and you and me can go to Joe's. We can get everything to go and go pick out in your father's study looking for his private journals."

"Sold"

"That's my girl."
> Chapter 49 -Taboo-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Taboo-



The sky clapped with distant thunder as Applejack sauntered up to Skyfall's door. She had come by every few days to check on the place and struggle through a few books that he said she should read. With a firm push of the door the lock turned, having recognized her touch through magic. She grumbled to herself as she ascended long, winding, marble stairs. Checking on the place was fine for her, there was usually someone in the house to say hi to, but today the only life in the house were the shadows that danced from the coming storm.

With strained breathe, Applejack tried to think about a chore or task that she could do instead read through the extremely dry material that was business strategy. Skyfall told her to read as much as she could from his personal library, but to read the business oriented books first, then between the business textbooks and regular literature to become familiar with a small book titled, The Prince.

Soft whispering of a song could be heard from Skyfall's office as Applejack nudged the door open. 

"Mr. Hallow?"

The lithe bull that Skyfall had introduced her to at the Gala was standing in Skyfall's armor with an embarrassed look on his face. His bright blush bled through his tan coat as he hurried to strip before leaping into Skyfall's seat.

"Hello, Applejack, I didn't see you there." Hallow said. 

"Yes you did." Applejack chuckled, remembering to follow Skyfall's instructions to call Hallow out on his attempts to out-sly. She tried not to laugh at his indignant look. "You were wearing Skyfall's armor and grumbling in a deep voice."

Hallow huffed and crossed his arms. "Fine. Yes I was."

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, Hallow. Since Skyfall went on his business trip, I wear his armor from time to time too." Applejack smiled until she saw him produce a small recording device. "What's that for?"

'Since Skyfall went on his business trip, I wear his armor from time to time-'

Applejack gave Hallow a wry look as he snickered to him. "Ha-ha."

Hallow furrowed his brow and erased the recording. "I thought it was funny." He smiled at his trade partner. "So, I take it you're here to read some of Skyfall's books?"

"Yep yep." Applejack sighed as she lounged on the blue couch, a slightly larger version of what Rarity enjoyed. "How about yourself? Or did you miss Skyfall by a few days?"

"No, I saw him before he left. He said you would be in to read and that I should help you if and when I could." Hallow shrugged. "Hes always done that, gives an order and then just disappears."

'Order?' Applejack thought. she had heard other members of Skyfall's household phrase things in the same way before, it never sat right with her, why order ponies around that were supposed to be family?

"Thinking, I see?" Hallow said.

Applejack smiled sheepishly. "Yes."

"It's a good thing, but it can be dangerous to contemplate things about others without seeking other views, lest you want to arrive at the wrong conclusion." Hallow's silly mood melted into a warm smile. 

As inviting as the smile was, Applejack remembered that Skyfall explained to her that in business it was smart to keep personal things close to the chest. She watched his smile drop slightly as if he was disappointed in her decision.

"I see Skyfall has already started teaching you politics." 

"He's trying." Applejack said. 

Hallow leaned forward in Skyfall's chair to give Applejack a more dire look. "I would be wary of listening to Skyfall's advice. He can seem nice at first, but he can be conniving and cynical." He held up a hoof to stop Applejack's sharp retort. "He is a decent stallion to be sure, but I've known him infinitely longer than you have. Trust me, given long enough, you'll see his darker side."

"What do you mean by darker side?" Applejack's anger curbed off into confusion.

"He is analytical." Hallow said. He stood and walked over to Applejack leisurely. "You seem to mean something to Skyfall, so I doubt he would be upset to hear that I have spilled a few of his secrets out to you." With a lazy gesture, he invited Applejack to walk with him. They walked in silence through the marbled, painting filled halls and passed a glaring Sif who bore holes into Hallow as he tried to avoid her predatory gaze.

"Won't we get caught in the rain?" Applejack asked.

"We have an hour and a half before it rains." Hallow said as another clap of thunder rumbled through the sky.

"Uh, you sure about that?" 

Hallow smiled. "You see the leaves on the trees?"

Looking up, Applejack saw what she always had, trees, however with Shattered Skies they were now ten stories tall. A light breeze pushed the trees to life as they sat there almost staring back at the apple farmer.

"Leaves often turn upside down when a storm is approaching, making the tree look lighter than usual. They would stay right-side-up if it were a small rain band. However, this particular breed of oak takes an hour and a half to turn and they haven't started yet, so we have a minimum of an hour and a half." 

Light laughter escaped Applejack as she walked out from under the tree. "You sound just like Skyfall when he talks about that kind of stuff. You sure you two don't have a secret gardener's club?"

"Secret gardener's club? No." Hallow chuckled as he took a while to respond, lost in memory. "We just share a love for nature."

"Well, he certainly is close enough to it with his house sitting on the doorstep of two forests." Applejack mumbled and pointed her hoof to the thicket of enormous trees. "That's the Everfree and that way down there is Whitetail. In case you're curious. I know you're new here."

"Yes, thank you. As for Skyfall, he always has been close to nature." Hallow said before glancing back to see Sif skulking into the forest, still glaring his way. "He has also always been very recluse. Aside from small villages and his spouse, he tries to spend his time alone."

"That doesn't sound like him." Applejack said and caught herself. "Well, kind of. He enjoys his alone time, but he also tries to spend it with our local school foals, teaching them what he feels they should know. Not to mention he is a guard captain."

"-And your business partner."

"Yes." Applejack nodded heartily. "After my brother left, we hit a rough spot until he came by to help. He helped my family out so much, I can never repay him." 

"Are you sure all of this wasn't his plan?" Hallow mused.

"What?" Applejack asked. "No, there was no way for him to have been able to-"

"Was he not friends with your brother?" Hallow raised an eyebrow to Applejack.

"How did you-" Her eyes widened before a hoof rested on her shoulder.

"I assure you, I do not believe he talked your brother into leaving, I'm merely challenging you to think." Hallow smiled. "It's simply good life strategy to think passed what is presented to you."

"Skyfall told you to do this, didn't he?"

"Eh, maybe. He said to help you, but didn't say how." Hallow scratched the underside of his chin. "I just see that you mean a great deal to Skyfall. Helping you helps my friend. And Maker knows he needs it, especially now."

"What's going on now?" Applejack asked. "Is he keeping a secret from everyone?"

"We all have secrets, Applejack." Hallow said. "But he keeps more secrets than anyone else I know, and I know a great many creatures. He has piled so much into his life right now that I stopped by to aid him because him and I are forced to be entwined due to the roles we play; officially I'm just a trade broker. I want to help, however, he needs something closer, something I can't provide."

"What's that?"

"A trusted shoulder to cry on." Hallow said plainly.

"Why does he need that?" Applejack asked, a little more than shocked. "He doesn't seem like that type of stallion?"

"All masks and paint, I suppose." Hallow said cryptically. "Just be sure to be as understanding with him as hes been with Ponyville."

Dropping the line of thought, Hallow turned his path towards the far off guard's barracks. He peeked at a small list of goods he had imported to the parade grounds and silently gestured to the list and then to the grounds, quietly gaining Applejack's approval before continuing. 

"How many friends do you think Skyfall has?" Hallow continued.

Chewing her lip in thought, Applejack shrugged. "I don't know. More than I can count probably."

"That's a thoughtful answer." Hallow said. "He has known so many beings and many of them have been able to respect him in one fashion or another. But, how many of them would you say he trusts?"

"Well, if they're friends, wouldn't they be trustworthy?" 

"A reasonable answer, but not correct in regards to Skyfall." Hallow challenged. "In the entire time I've known him, the amount of beings he is able to say hes trusted is barely enough to fill up his office."

"So about a dozen?" Applejack asked.

"Yes." Hallow sighed. "I am one of his oldest friends, but he does not trust me."

"Why not?" 

The tall bull shook his head. "Too guarded."

"Yes, but why is he guarded? What happened?" Applejack asked before her words fumbled as she saw a Pegasus flying low overhead. "Fluttershy, down here!"

"Applejack?" Fluttershy muttered to herself as she locked her wings to glide down gently. "I thought you would be at the market today. Oh, and who's this?"

"It's about to storm and I had business today." Applejack nodded to Hallow. "This is Hallow, Skyfall and I are in trade deals with him to export apples through his company." She gestured to Fluttershy. "Hallow, this is Fluttershy."

"Oh, many beings in many nations know who you all are, Applejack, Fluttershy needs no introduction." Hallow bowed slightly before beaming at her. "Are you another one of Skyfall's friends?"

Her breath caught in her throat as thoughts flooded her mind. Fluttershy was unsure as to where she stood with Skyfall. She remembered the hurt in his eyes when she told him they couldn't be together and still felt the shock of his flippant acceptance of the ordeal. It took her a week to gather the courage to confront him. "I don't know."

Hallow narrowed his eyes slightly. "Sounds about right." 

The small group started walking again, but Applejack nudged Fluttershy as she reluctantly followed. As their whispering grew, Hallow began to eavesdrop on their candid conversation.

"You were flying to Skyfall's house. Why?" Applejack asked plainly. 

While throwing caution to the wind, Fluttershy began to open up to her long-time friend. Deep breathing could only go so far as Applejack's questioning eyes looked at her. "I wanted to apologize to Skyfall."

A flash of anger graced Applejack's face, causing Fluttershy to wince. She took a moment and collected herself, but couldn't help but to keep an angry stare.

"I'm sorry, Applejack. I know I came to you for advice in good faith, but I can't stop thinking about him." Fluttershy started to tear up. "Rainbow Dash begged me into making a decision and I felt it would save our friendship, but all it's done is caused me pain." 

Applejack slowed to a stop as Fluttershy's legs gave out forcing her to sit.

"Since I told him that, I can't even look in his direction." Fluttershy's voice shook. "So I'm going back to ask if he'll have me back."

"Oh, Fluttershy." Applejack cooed.

"I know." Fluttershy murmured through teary eyes. "I'm causing everyone problems, but my heart keeps me up at night with nightmares of him. When I wake up, I reach over for him and cry when my hoof falls to the covers." She wipes a tear away with her hoof. "It hurts. It hurts so much."

As Applejack wrapped her friend in a hug, she tried to think of what to say. Aside from her family life know-how, relationships weren't her forte. Fluttershy had sought her out one day in her barn, crying as she was now, seeking advice. Try as she might, Applejack couldn't remain mad at the small Pegasus.

"I'm sorry, Hallow, I'll catch up later." Applejack said. 

"That's okay, Applejack." Hallow turned to leave, but stopped midstep and grumbled to himself. He turned and cursed himself as he approached Fluttershy's sad state. "Fluttershy?"

"Yes?" She sniffled.

"I'm a friend of Skyfall's. May I ask you a question"

"O-Okay?" Fluttershy shied away from the tall bull and his green eyes peered down at her. She felt uneasy about sharing her and Skyfall's relationship or lack thereof with someone she did not know.

"Has Skyfall ever told you that he loves you?"

"No." Fluttershy shook her head. "Why do you ask?"

Hallow sighed. "As I said before, I am one of Skyfall's friends, one of his oldest friends. Which in his life this is about as close as I get to seeing a glimpse into his mind." A rouge wind blew across the path they stood in, sending a frigged chill up their spines. "Has he told you anything that strikes you as odd?"

"No." Fluttershy shook her head. "He would come over every now and again to drink tea with me. We would sit in silence and talk about the forest."

"Anything else?" Hallow asked with a stern look, causing Fluttershy to not be able to look Hallow in the eye and warm up to a light shade of red.

"Nothing that ponies don't usually talk about."

"Fluttershy." Applejack chuckled as she picked up subtle cues. "You didn't."

"What you do behind closed doors is your business." Hallow rolled his eyes. "I want to know if he said anything about himself. Something that he would trust you to know. You don't have to say what it is, just that you know a secret of his."

A silent shake of her head told Hallow everything he needed to know. 'He doesn't trust her one bit.'

"Is that whole trust and being guarded thing you were talking about?" Applejack asked.

"Yep, he can only truly love those he trusts." Hallow said, letting the implication sink into Fluttershy's mind. "He's guarded and has been for a very long time."

"But why?" Fluttershy asked.

"Mostly due to betrayal." Hallow said. "I am very sorry, Fluttershy. If you know little more about Skyfall than what most know, then it sounds as if he does not trust you."

"I betrayed him." Fluttershy began to tear up, but felt a hoof on her shoulder and saw that it was her new acquaintance. 

"It was nothing you did. These betrayals happened a very long time ago." Hallow said. A moment of quiet content moved on as he stood there. "I told him along time ago if he didn't move passed his selfish needs, then he would alienate ponies needlessly."

"Who betrayed him?" Applejack asked. "Was it the same one who gave him that scar?"

"Scar?" Hallow asked. "Oh, the rib scar. No, that was done by an old student of his that nearly killed him." He chuckled, acting contrary to the mood of his companions. "We all told him it was a bad idea to teach her, but he insisted because she begged him too."

Applejack and Fluttershy looked at one another, unsure of how to react.

"No, his first major betrayal was at the hooves of a stallion known as Oasis. They were inseparable in the old days, even competed with one another in feats of strategy. But that is in the past." Hallow's gaze fell to distant images as he spoke. "I probably shouldn't tell you this. However, Skyfall needs friends to understand him, especially now. Ones that will stick by him no matter what happens around him."

Darkness bathed the lands around them as an enormous hulking structure slowly emerged from behind the mountain peaks. Steel and fire. That's what both Applejack and Fluttershy saw as it drew closer, looming like another cloud in the sky. One by one, several aviation squadrons appeared in the air next to it.

As slowly as it appeared, it turned towards the empty field between Ponyville and the guard post. Three large batteries of cannons with several smaller cannons dotted its frame. With the ship fully turned, the mark of Celestia was emblazoned onto its side.

"So its come to this." Hallow sighed before turning to Applejack. "I think you should get your family packed up and ready to move."

"Why?" Applejack asked. "I mean, that big ol' thing looks scary, but it's probably here on a visit."

Hallow rolled his eyes. "What would Skyfall say if he were here?"

Taking the situation in once again, Applejack could almost hear Skyfall's mumbling speech about paperwork, but from popping in to Skyfall's classes that he gave to both the foals his own guard, she looked at the situation for what it was; an invasion force.

"I think I'll see about getting Apple Bloom and Granny Smith into the cellar." Applejack said, feeling that the once comforting symbol of Celestia was now a beacon of warning.

"No. Get them into the forest. Hide them away from your farm." Hallow insisted. "I'll be sure to see Fluttershy home before heading to the guard post."

"Do you think it will get that bad?" Applejack asked.

Hallow glared at the guard barracks as a familiar red stallion exited the ship and started issuing orders. His speechlessness was answer enough for Applejack. With a solemn nod, she began to run as fast as her legs would carry her, leaving Hallow and Fluttershy alone.

"I think you should go too. Packing some things would be a wise idea if this gets ugly." Hallow looked down at Fluttershy, silently commanding her before peering back to the action. 

Fluttershy watched as Hallow kept viewing the guard post. He was different than Skyfall in many way, especially speech. Skyfall, in some ways, spoke in cold facts while this bull tried his best to remain warm.

At times, Skyfall would change his behavior to the point he would seem like another stallion. When he was around his guards, around royalty, around his house mates, and around her. It occurred to her, she didn't know him, he was too good at covering up who he was that he likely didn't even know anymore.

She had spoken to Sif before about how he acts, but she was too close to him to see it. Fluttershy tried to figure it out. Being close to Spirits like Discord, she was used to changing moods.

Spirits like Discord.

"Hallow."

"Huh? What is wrong, Ms. Shy?" Hallow glanced back.

"Skyfall is a Spirit, isn't he?" Fluttershy beamed up into Hallow's eyes and felt a tinge of fear wash over her as his eyes narrowed at her. He turned slowly and walked into the forest behind them, silently beckoning her to follow.

A few minutes of quiet walking caused the fear in her to grow, but the shaking in her hooves dwindled numbly. Hallow's movements seemed to slow in time before speeding up and snapping back again. Her head spun, trying to look at Hallow as he stopped. "Wha...?"

"Why do you think Skyfall is a Spirit?"

Dizziness overtook her, forcing her onto her haunches. "I have a Spirit friend and Skyfall acts just like him when he isn't causing chaos."

"I guess he and Discord always did share some sort of connection, but how much of that can be attributed to spending eons with one another is unclear. Most greater Spirits act with some degree of oddness." 

Darkness blurred Fluttershy's vision as she tried to look around at the trees near her. The voice she heard was two-toned and more raspy then she remembered. "Why does your voice sound weird?"

As the being stepped closer, Fluttershy could make out a hulking body before her. Being around animals for most of her life, it wasn't hard to see it as an enormous, black fox with scaly legs. "Hallow?"

"Yes and no. My name is Golden Heart. I am known as the Spirit of the Harvest, though since you're around Spirits so often you know that it isn't just limited to crops." The Spirit tried to smile, but ultimately failed. "But that won't matter to you soon."

"You're a-"

"A Spirit." Heart nodded slowly. "And you've walked into a thicket of poisonous mushrooms whose spores have been kicked up in the storm's winds. Not serious if treated, but extremely fatal if you remain here."

The heartbeat Fluttershy felt didn't thump fast like she thought it would, but remained at a constant pace. She looked around to see the small pink mushrooms dotting the tree trunks around her and then tried to look at Golden Heart, who hung his head noticing her exhaustion from moving as little as she was.

"You're an old friend of Skyfall's, why? I didn't mean to hurt him." Fluttershy asked as he lungs began to spasm. She tried to fight it, but the feeling of cold liquid running through her veins forced the rest of her body to fall to the floor, motionless. Her studies in flora provided her with instructions on how to act when poisoned, namely, remain still so as not to hurry the spread of poison.

"No, it was nothing you did. To protect him and the rest of us from his mistakes, you've come to know too much." Golden Heart said as a matter-of-fact. "His action and inaction have led us to becoming uncovered. And now, to possible war."

"Skyfall is Shattered Skies. Isn't he?"

For the first time since entering the forest, Hallow chuckled before taking a long, slow breath. As he exhaled, a thick mist escaped his mouth. "Over the thirty seven thousand years I've been alive, you would be surprised to learn how often someone makes a realization like that before taking their final breath." He looked into her eyes, eyes that showed nothing but pained acceptance for what was about to happen. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"I am too." 

Ready to pounce on his vulnerable prey, Golden Heart crouched, but instead found several pairs of teeth wrapped around his neck, legs, and tail in an attempt to immobilize him.

"Any reason you're hindering me, Lady Sif?"

From the floor, Fluttershy could only watch as a set of giant paws set down in front of her before light sniffing ruffled her fur. Try as she might, she couldn't look at what was smelling her, only that its fur was white.

"We are under strict orders from Shattered Skies to protect Ponyville. Most specifically from incidents like this." Sif said, an undertone of cold rage bubbled to the surface. "Are you so bold as to try and kill a pony while he isn't here? And are you foolish enough to believe that he wouldn't have ordered us to follow you as well?"

"He always was overly suspicious." Heart said. He looked around at the scene and rolled his eyes. "And now I'm the bad guy."

A soft gurgle pulled Sif's attention down to the mare at her paws. Fluttershy tried to rise up, but lurched forward to clear the froth from her mouth with a wet heave of her lungs.

"Quiet!" Sif barked, summoning the wolfling before another thought passed.

"Yes, my Lady!"

"Get Fluttershy to Zecora as fast as you can. She'll understand what to do. Once you stabilize her-" Sif looked through the treeline to see another large ship hovering closer to Ponyville. "-get them both to Farhaven. As well as anyone else you come across, by force is necessary."

Within seconds, Quiet scruffed Fluttershy and tossed her up to hold on before sprinting through the forest.

"You should be ashamed." Sif scolded.

"I was tying up loose ends, Sif." Heart said flippantly. "She guessed his identity, how can I just ignore that?"

"Everyone guesses his identity, sometimes they're right." Sif barked. "We even tried to lie about me, but I just found it easier for everyone to call me by my real name."

"And you don't see a problem with this?" Heart stomped a wolf off his paw, only to have three more attach to him. Sif waved them away so a fight would not break out, knowing that even she wouldn't be able to restrain him. "At this point, they would have to be morons to not see that Skyfall and you are a duplicate of Shattered Skies and his Wolf companion. You're playing it way too close."

"And that's why it works, Heart." Sif began to pace around the fox Spirit, having a full two heads above him. "They're easily dissuaded because it's too much of a coincidence. Most of them at one time or another have thought of Skyfall as being Skies, but why would an 'evil' mastermind parade such a fact before those hunting him? That would not only be arrogant, but reckless."

"But that's what you're doing." Heart defended.

"And that's why it's unexpected. They run around with that thought but get nowhere." Sif said. "If we tried our hardest and moved into society and tried to act as the opposite of everything that the image of Shattered Skies and Sif are, then one good slip up leads to our downfall."

"So you're hiding in plain sight?" Heart asked.

"Exactly. In every era whenever a Spirit attempted to live among mortals, the quickest ways they were uncovered was by acting like something that they weren't." Sif jabbed Heart's ribbed, jolting him. "River in a puritan colony, exposed. Storm Front in high society, exposed. You so far in Ponyville."

"point made." Heart grumbled. "I see his reasoning."

"These mushrooms have a hallucinogenic side effect, so you better hope that she wakes up believing that." Sif bore into Heart's eyes, clearly not afraid of him, nor the fact that he was one of the twelve Guardians. "If not, you've exposed my lord and all of us."

As she turned to leave, Golden Heart sighed and called to her. "Lady Sif, where are you going?"

"You know... Golden Heart. You've always wondered why Skies doesn't trust you." Sif held her paw out to Heart, gesturing to all of him. "Many of you gossip among yourselves in your own castles about him being cold, recluse, and at times evil, but he has never up and killed someone innocent because it suited him."

"Debatable."

Sif narrowed her eyes in the mean scowl she leveled at Heart. "I don't pretend he's perfect. Many of you old Spirits from the time before have something wrong with you, but at least he tries. The world would not be as poisoned as it is had the Maker not molded you all from the soul of a human. Time has tainted you and so here we stand, on the brink of another war and you have no idea why."

"So Shattered Skies broke one of the taboos." Heart shook his head.

"Of course he did." She turned and smacked him with her tail, ignoring further attempts from him at conversation. "And to answer your first question, I'm going to warn Farhaven of war, I've wasted enough time entertaining your inability to see strategy and reason."

The wind blew, taking Sif and the hundreds of eyes of her kin that watched him, leaving him to stand there among the poisonous mushrooms contemplating Sif's assertion. "I can't see what?"





Farhaven
Earlier that day





"Flowers for the lady?" 

"A croissant for the lady?"

"Jewelry for the lady?"

"All of you are kind, but I must decline. It is not my place to accept gifts from you for free." Honey bowed as she refused the gifts offered to her as she passed through the market with Anara, who was in her Spirit form. The shop owners did not offer Anara anything, it would be foolish to try and goad the Princess of Farhaven with gifts.

She continued, laughing with her daughter through the streets and admiring the architecture. 

A changeling turned the corner and met face to face with Honey. He reared away slowly as a small mammal would a predator before flying away as fast as possible.

"You sure are popular with Stallions." Cadance chuckled.

"It's a gift." Honey bantered quietly as she turned and began to trot away lightly, with an amused Anara in tow. "Your father better get back soon, he and I need to have a talk."

"Is it about why you haven't transformed yet?"

Slowing to a stop, Honey glowered. When Cadance tried to meet her eyes, she turned so that it was impossible. She sighed and began to walk towards the castle in silence.

Taking the cloak that masked her body and raising the hood, she shrank into her alicorn form and smiled. "See, it's not so extreme."

Mentally groaning, Cadance followed her sullen mother. Every time she had brought up the topic of her mother's Spirit form, even hinting at it, Honey would get bent out of shape and avoid direct contact with her. Enough was enough, Cadance followed her mother, but saw her aunt passing by before she stepped in between Cadance and her sulking mother.

"Hey there, Littlefoot." River beamed. "Where do you think you're going?"

"To talk to my mother." Cadance tried to squeeze passed, but found a hoof on her nose.

"Talk to me, we don't talk enough."

"Auntie, I know that, but right now I need to get to the bottom of this." Cadance teleported passed River and promptly found herself submerged in a floating bubble of water. "How did you-"

With a devious smirk, River pointed to the large gourd leaned against a nearby shop wall.

"Fine." Cadance grumbled before the water evaporated and trailed into its container, leaving her completely dry. "You gotta show me how to do that."

"Sorry, kid. Spirit trick." River hefted the large gourd onto her back. "A Spirit's aspect is an extension of one's self, magic can only go so far with water. I control rivers, underground streams, estuaries, brackish inlets, and anything else related to water and ecosystem melding that isn't in the ocean. That's Flotsom's job."

"Flotsom?"

"The high king of the mere-creatures." River shrugged. "He used to be more involved, but he has since become a recluse much like your father. Many of us did after the war, but he had the best hiding place. Unless we find ourselves in need of going to the bottom of the ocean we'll never see him."

"I think my sister-in-law and her friends met a ruler of an underwater kingdom once." Cadance tapped her shin and then violently shook her head clear. "No, I need to talk to my mother. Why did you stop me?"

"Because you were pushing something that should not be." 

"Why?" Cadance demanded. "Why is it my father tries to keep things from me?" She tried to continue, but found River's arm around her shoulder to guide her into the nearby alley.

"I mean, I love him, but this is unfair. I'm twenty seven. I've been the leader of an empire. I do taxes. I have degrees. I've had sex, lots of it! I've married the stallion that I've had the aforementioned sex with. So why doesn't he trust me?" Cadance seethed, but winced when River cocked her hoof back for a smack, much in the way she does to Storm Front when he is out of line. Her eyes snapped shut for the hit, but no hit came, but only a small pat on her check.

Light poured into the grassy alley as it did through the trees and over the small pond. A moment of quiet contemplation sat over River's face as she looked to the quiet body of water. An almost artistic sense of movement rippled through the pond as two small streams poured into the pond.

"Your father will kill me for this, but he has underestimated your desire to know, so I will satiate you." River turned and sat at a small tree. She smiled as she let the gourd fall from her back and onto the ground before patting the spot next to her. "If I wanted to, I could submerge us in the pond so I could show you more faster, but you also need someone to tell you this, not merely be shown."

With much uncertainty, Cadance took her seat and watched as River dig into her saddle bag that was attached to the gourd. A small green box was pulled onto River's lap before another one was given to Cadance. Then, a small wicker box was placed between them.

"What is this?"

"Lunch." River sat and opened each box. "Courtesy of Fuji. She is here waiting on your father, she has some political voodoo to talk over with him."

"But what is the food called?"

"What you have in your lap is a bento box and the food on the center is Onigiri rice balls. I know they're triangles." River sighed. "Just roll with it like I have for the past few thousand years."

As they started to eat, Cadance mentally screamed. She anguished, not at the food, but at River's silence. She was about to demand answers, but stopped when River took a long sip of her tea and looked Cadance in the eye.

"Anara."

"Y-Yes?"

"Do you know where your name comes from?" 

Cadance thought about it, but realized that the topic never arose with her father in all the talks she had with him. "No. I have thought about its origin, but never asked."

"Does it strike you as odd?" River asked in earnest.

"I mean, a little, but sometimes there are weird names." Cadance shrugged. "What does it stand for?"

With a happy smile and a wave of her hoof, mist appeared and turned to water before becoming a small tome, bound in grayed bark. She opened it to reveal photos, ones taken a very long time ago based on the faded imagery portrayed within.

"When you were born, news of your birth spread over the world like wildfire." River looked to Cadance and showed her the copy of her and her mother moments after birth with her father's chest floff in the photo. "You are the first and only offspring of two guardian Spirits."

"I know, and that's why other Spirits were unsure about my parent's betrothal." Cadance said.

"That is true, but it is not the only reason your parent's marriage caused a stir." River continued to flip through the book. "Your name's origin, in itself, is a taboo."

"A taboo?"

"Yes. When I heard your name, I recognized the origin immediately. It's Arabic for something known as a pomegranate flower. Coincidentally your mother's favorite flower." River flipped the book until a once vibrant, orange flower appeared between the pages. "I was from a certain tribe of creatures before coming to this world and we knew the word as 'wanderer.'"

"Auntie, what does that word mean? Arabic?"

"It's the language of a tribe from the world that came before." River set the book down and reached out for Cadance's head to bring her into a hug. "Listen to me, Anara. You must never tell anyone about what we are talking about. Not me, not even your father. The consequences could lead to the end of everything we know."

Cadance reached up and patted River's hoof. "Then a pond probably isn't the best place for this talk."

"We are safe within my realm." River smiled. "I teleported us when we walked into the alley, I just cast an illusion so you would think we were still in Farhaven."

With a quick look around, the sky's blue color had turned to an expansive cosmos of stars with a borealis that painted the sky every bright color one could conceive.

"Is this what all Spirit realms look like?"

"More or less. The ground is usually very different, but the sky that connects us all is ever impressive." River chuckled. "I always forget, Skies likes the solace of having a tall roofed forest so his sky is rarely visible."

Cadance looked to River and saw her point to the pond before resting her hooves in her lap. "I want to share something with you. May I?"

With a slow nod, River took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Skies is so hesitant with you. Out of all of us, he fears the most, even though he keeps that solid as a statue stance of his."

River held up a hoof when Cadance tried to ask a question. "He fears rejection from your love. He comes to me, Sif, and I'm sure a few others when he begins to worry. He keeps it from you because he is a secretive person, but so to not worry you."

"Person?"

"Another name for a creature." River lied, but caught herself. "No. A person is what you would call a member of a tribe, one like I mentioned before."

She looked to the pond. "This pond is one from Equus. I took it soon after arriving to Equus because it's where I emerged. Even now, I remember waking up in an expanse of cold darkness before the Maker appeared before me to offer me this second chance."

"Second chance?"

"Yes. A taboo among Spirits and the first official decision reached by the grand Spirit council was that what I'm about to tell you be kept unknown even from each other." River chuckled. "Lot of good that did, many of us shared our pasts with one another as the ultimate sign of trust."

"Your past?"

"Cadance. I'm dead. So is your mother, father, Storm Front, and every Spirit that is considered to be one of the old Spirits." River said as a matter-of-fact. "Spirits like Sif and Ahuizotl are considered new spirits and are souls from this realm."

"I don't get it?" Cadance asked, her mind racing.

"You will. All I ask is that you try and understand." River rolled back on her haunches and looked at her niece. She paused for a while as Cadance looked at her lake filled realm, beginning slowly. "Once upon a time, I lived in a world much like yours, as did your father and mother. We never knew each other in that life, but knew the same things. It was cold and unforgiving, but that's what we knew and as a result became byproducts of it."

"One night, like so many, I was driving home from my waitressing job at a diner to get some sleep for my job the next day. Life wasn't great, but I had little hobbies to fall back on. I would go and hike around and navigate around rivers when I wasn't giving tours from a raft that we let float down a turbulent river. I would never reach home, however."

Cadance gulped as her throat felt dry from hearing her aunt's taboo tale.

"I was caught in a heavy rain and lost control of my car." River realized Cadance had no concept of what a 'car' was and sighed. "Car being a metal room we traveled around in, like a carriage that pulled itself." She continued when Cadance thought for a moment and nodded. "A larger car called a semi lost traction as well and pushed me towards a guard rail. Any help was too far away as my car careened into the river, a jagged piece of metal tore through my car door and impaled my legs, keeping me inside as it sank. I left behind my sister and mother, but the Maker told me they lived full lives after my passing, so I'm content."

Tears began to fall from Cadance's eyes as she listened to the story. Emotions tore through her, she tried to think of all the theories she had made when she overheard her father mention the 'time before,' but her heart beat too hard. "So my dad and mom..."

"Died to come here." River nodded. 

"Does it h-hurt?" Cadance closed her tear filled eyes.

"Mine did to a point." River shrugged. "But since then I've lived a thousand lives in ways I've never dreamed. So my ending isn't as sad as it seemed. I only wish my mother and sister knew that."

"I'm sorry." 

River patted Cadance's back before brushing the mane from her face. "Don't, I didn't tell you that to sadden you. But if you are to understand, you must know a little about where we come from."

"Where we come from?"

"Yes. You are the offspring of two human Spirits and that makes your soul human, in every sense of the word." River said. "Some Spirits reproduced with creatures of Equus and that makes their soul that of Equus, but you are unique."

"I'm a Human?" Cadance asked.

"Your soul is. In a way." River gave a small nod. "And that comes with a great power and curse. You can do more than the sum of your parts when your heart calls for it, effecting true change."

"Humanity, if you've ever overheard the word." River mused. "I think your father fears telling you this because for once in his life he is baffled by a concept he truly doesn't understand, one I believe you embody."

River smiled at Cadance and rested her hoof over her niece's. "Forgive the grandiose words, but our kind thought humanity was love of people, something to give you strength to stand so that you in turn could give others the power to stand. Others attributed a dictionary's worth of words to the meaning, including the names you've given your elements, but those are not what make humanity so powerful. It's love."

"Love?"

"Yes. Love is life and has the power to connect us all." River patted Cadance's hoof as another tear feel from her cheek. "Love is everything; Be it love of one's self or love for the world. You must decide which path you take."

Cadance took a breath to break her shaky breathing and tried to give a courteous laugh. "I thought I was the Spirit of love."

Smiling weakly, River nodded. "The Maker was there when you were born. She was the third one to hold you after you parents. You are the only baby she appeared for. You are so much more important than you believe." River reached up, inviting Cadance into a hug, one she accepted with need. "We are all watching you, Anara. You've made us all so proud. No matter what you do, me, your mother and father, and every other Spirit that watched you will always love you."

"I love you too, Auntie."

"Just remember, sometimes all someone needs to change is to just be understood. If you always give someone that chance you'll always give them a chance to love."

"Okay, Auntie. I'll give understanding a chance." Cadance closed her eyes, content in her need to know.

River opened a portal just beyond the pond and rubbed Cadance's shoulder. "Now go, seek out your mother. There is an answer that has been waiting too long."

Cadance stood and smiled with a renewed purpose and kissed her aunt's cheek before trotting toward the portal. When she disappeared, River leaned into the tree.

"I see you kept the true meaning of her name a secret."

"Do you always lurk in the shadows?" River grumbled and looked over to a small, white fox, eating the half of her bento box she didn't finish.

"Eh, more or less." The Fox downed a salmon sushi and smiled. "It's my job after all."

"Uh huh." River groan begrudgingly. "I took a leap of faith trusting you all those years ago. Will you still not tell me who you work for?"

"Can't toots. And you can't threaten me by ousting me either." Fox stood up on his hind legs and brushed his fur a little. "I have to get back to senor Skyfall." He pulled his fur up to look at a small silver watch. "Make sure that portal in the badlands is up, I'll work on getting the other realm ready."

"Now?"

Fox hummed as he disappeared. "Eh, in like ten minutes."

"Evil little weasel."





Farhaven Castle





Cadance ascended the stairs of the castle and saw Sif running into Farhaven barking at creatures and a few Spirits before they all pointed toward the castle. She smiled and strode into her father's private library.

"Mom?"

"Hi dear." Honey called from a pillow as she read a book. "What's the matter?"

"Mom, I wanted to ask you about transforming again. I want to help you."

Honey sighed. "Cadance, we've been over this. I'm-"

"Mom, It can't be that bad. I was unable to transform until recently but look at me, I'm fine." Cadance stood before her mother after having pestered her for half an hour, transformed. Her proud antlers and crystal like wings were shown off to illustrate her point. As Honey looked on, her eyes grew teary from the child she mourned for having grown into such a beauty.

"You are beautiful." Honey smiled as she sat onto a nearby pillow. "But transforming is not my problem, it's what I look like that is the issue. Please, don't take it personally."

With a faltering smile, Anara looked at her mother. "It's kind of hard not to. I've seen dad, Sif, and everyone else in their Spirit forms, but not my own mother."

"I know, I just want to find a way to fix myself before you see me." Honey winced. "That way I can explain. I don't want to disappoint you, it would steal my heart."

"But I won't judge. I promise I'll try to understand." Anara smiled, remembering River's words. "No matter what you look like, I'll give us a chance."

Honey's mouth fought a teary smile as she felt true love radiating from Anara's smile. "Okay." Her voice grew to have two tones, one Anara thought sounded familiar. "Just let me explain before saying anything, okay?"

"O-Okay."

Green flame sparked around Honey's hooves. It grew, engulfing her and burning away the white coat and blonde mane to reveal holed, black chitin and a blue mane. She towered over Cadance who bore up in shock.

"Chrysalis?" Anara asked in a whisper.

"Cadance. My name is Crystal." Crystal tried to smile through terrified tears. "I am your mother."

Scrambling erupted as Anara jumped up and ran out of the room, saddened and confused.

"No." Both mares said to themselves as one left and one followed.
> Chapter 50 -Prelude to War-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Prelude to War-



"Anara!" Crystal yelled as she tore through the castle, knocking over butlers, maid, guards, and workers alike. Her eyes were wet from her panicked state, causing her running to become sloppy. She turned sharply and lost her balance, sending her careening into a display table, shattering it. "Anara! Wait!"

With a shaky stance, Cadance stood in the grand throne room, shielding herself by her father's ornate throne, being careful to remain in her Spirit form so if she needed help it would be easier to call for it. She stared daggers at Chrysalis as she hurried to her hooves, brandishing a worried, hurt look.

"Stay away from me." Cadance barked.

"I-I will." Chrysalis nodded vigorously, not willing to upset her daughter further. "Just don't run, please."

A burning desire drove Cadance to want to shout the walls down and force Chrysalis out of Farhaven, to accuse her of posing as her mother. Ultimate punishments flashed through her mind as memories of a ruined wedding and multiple nation-ending coups stoked her anger. She fought a grin at imagining Chrysalis in the stocks, having tomatoes pelted at her, but a dread grew as realization replaced hate. Her enemy just hesitantly claimed to be her mother.

"How can you be my mother?" Cadance asked somberly.

Chrysalis choked on her words and took a deep breath on the third attempt to talk. "That's a good question after everything I've ruined." She stepped forward, but took an immediate step back when Cadance distanced herself further. "I... As your father told you... long ago I died."

"You mean the second time you died?" Cadance asked, spurred by her talks with River earlier about taboo. Deep down, if she wanted answers, she knew she needed to press advantages when they presented themselves.

Chrysalis hung her head. "Yes, the second time." She sat down and looked at the throne room, reaffirming that they were alone. "All those years ago, I slipped from all senses and awoke in a torn land with all forms of creature you can imagine infected with sickness. I survived in this realm of radiation and strife until I discovered a way back through a dead elder tree. Once I was back... you and Skies were gone."

"So four years ago when you sat in the Royal prison, when you told Twilight "Changelings came from a tree" you weren't lying?" Cadance asked.

"I was telling the truth, but not the whole truth." Chrysalis said. "If Celestia learned of my real identity, then I would have been executed along with the other changelings."

"Why become evil in the first place?" Cadance asked.

With a ragged breath, Chrysalis shrugged with tears in her eyes. "I don't know." She looked up at the rafters to see her husband's forest magic spider-webbing branches up the walls, she feared making eye contact with Cadance. "I was hurt. My family was taken from me and I wanted revenge. While in that torn realm, I discovered who tormented me and began my war. I know it's not a good excuse, but I hurt so bad, I wanted to hurt others in return." She closed her eyes. "Like a child."

"Who was it? The one who trapped you?" 

"Celestia's council." Chrysalis scuffed her hoof into the ground as she redirected her eyes further from Cadance. "They out resourced me at every turn, so I stuck to secrecy and attacked their weak points. Eventually I had an opening to take out celestia and expose her."

"My wedding?" 

Chyrsalis gave Cadance a hurt look and began to trot away into the castle's corridors with tears streaming down her neck. Her sobbing grew as she ran harder and harder.

Wordlessly, Cadance sank fully onto her haunches. "Is Chrysalis really my mother?"

"Yes." Sif emerged from the shadows, making no sound but the sound of her breathing.

"You knew?" Cadance asked, a cold, confused expression painting her face.

"I knew." Sif affirmed and nudged Cadance to her hooves. "When your mother appeared, your father ordered me to investigate her. What he did not know, was that I already suspected her." She stood, large wolven body swaying on her paws as she looked down at the lithe doe. "I never forget a scent once I become familiar with it and your mother always smelled of desert sage. I tracked her years ago until I found a tear between dimensions that reeked of chaos magic."

"Chaos?" Cadance asked quietly. "Are you saying Discord helped her?"

"Yes." Sif said. "I don't know why since he disappeared soon after your father returned, however, I know he is still around. I smell his desire every now and again, a perversion of magic only he can achieve." The throne doors opened to reveal many of her father's council walking in. "But now we need to get you to safety."

"What's the meaning of this?" Cadance asked.

After a tense look, Sif relaxed. "Anara, it pains my heart to say this, but a warship has landed in Ponyville. Your father suspected something like this would happen and has given me orders to raise the alert level should that come to pass. We are now moving from a pre-war standby to a conflict standoff."

"W-What?" Cadance asked.

Honos walked around from Sif in his armored Spirit form and slowed. "Lady Anara, in the event of war, I am to be your guard."

"War?" Cadance nearly shrieked as creatures of all kinds passed her. "That can't be, they haven't done anything."

"Our enemy is making the move, not us. They likely decided squashing a fledgling nation would be easier than an entrenched enemy." Sif said with an annoyed sigh. "They landed a battleship in ponyville, they don't parade those out for insignificant reasons and I don't see a royal show in Ponyville. The operational cost for one week on that ship would level Ponyville's yearly budget."

"Maybe it's for the guards?" Cadance said, trying to make sense of the sudden, aggressive move by Equestria.

"Anara." Sif cooed with her deep voice. "Staging a mobile fortress a few miles from our borders is a prelude to war. We will try diplomacy, but battleships are not the sign of someone seeking fair diplomacy."

Deep down, Cadance knew Sif was right. She felt a paw rest on her shoulder.

"Three months ago, your father theorized this would happen, but was only unsure of the exact date." Sif placed a paw on Cadance to steer her from the throne room. "It is likely that they will try everything in their power to draw us out and then Farhaven would be razed. In terms of strategy, the enemy has laid in wait, watching Shattered Skies and now we suit them as an enemy. Your father told us all at that meeting that "we are a fruit ripened and ready, they will come.""

"When did this happen? I attend all meetings and I don't remember this." Cadance stated, having tried to absorb everything that unfolded at the informal meetings her father held.

Sif looked around and insured no one was around to hear. "Because it was a meeting that only four attended in place of the usual representatives." She sighed at Cadance's hurt look at being left out. "After this is all over, your father left you a letter beneath the waterfall in the cave, explaining it all. He told me that should I tell you to keep it a secret, the plan depends on it."

"But-"

"You must go and talk to your mother now, there is no more time left." Sif said. "I know she isn't perfect, but she loves you. My father tried to eat me at birth, so count yourself very lucky." She looked up to the room of Spirits and officials just through a doorway, waiting for her and winked at Cadance. "If you're so set on hating your mother, hear her out and see if your anger is well placed."

River's words sank into Cadance's mind about giving love a chance. With a hard, dry swallow, Cadance nodded. "I'll try. I promise to at least hear her out."

"There's the fighter that smacked my snout when she was born." Sif nuzzled Cadance and disappeared into the grand council chambers.

"I smacked her snout?" Cadance asked herself with an amused grin. She turned and walked through the castle to find Chrysalis. For being a large castle, it was easy to navigate with different themes pointing toward the different wings. Since so many lived in Farhaven now, the castle reflected its ever-growing diversity. 

The idea of war weighed heavily on Cadance's mind as she passed the large windows that looked down onto the lake city of Farhaven. She grew up believing war was never the answer, but the view of Farhaven gave her a cold, comforting feeling.

Cut stone halls and angular designs mimicked that of the Diamond Dog boroughs inside the mountain. They were so grateful to her father that they carved a statue of him in their halls and became the primary stone masons for Farhaven. Even their leader, Chance, relinquished his chieftain roll in favor of a council seat, seeing it as a valid way to not only further the Diamond Dog way of life, but elevate their stance in society.

Griffons flocked in from slums throughout Equestria, having to threaten violent protest when the guards were ordered not to let them leave. They were welcomed into the large trees from the forest. They gave their knowledge of military combat and metal working to make better tools and outfitted many in the town with metal fittings for their houses. Even lending aid by bringing in ships to start trade, an institution Equestria has actively tried to suppress which led to small time piracy and smuggling to gain a favoring in Equestrian harbors.

Changelings, both reformed and not, excelled with textiles, mingling colors and shapes to make clothes for Farhaven to wear. They fit in everywhere since they could adapt so easily. A few of them felt obligated to offer up espionage services to Skies, but he turned them down, stating that he would never force something upon those who do not wish to fulfill that role, much to their delight. Their patriarch, Thorax, had reluctantly allowed some of his citizens to resettle despite the passive aggressive letter he sent to Farhaven's leaders, fearing the move harkened a possible second coming of an evil monarch.

As every new race came in, they melded with who was there, even ponies, the species that had put most of them through dire straits. Mereponies helped fishers, livingdead ponies helped in the hospitals, Cattle and Sheeple helped earth ponies with farming, Longma and dragons helped with many of the smithies and places that needed fire, Woodland Unicorns became teachers and apothecaries, and even the enormous wyverns offered up scales for superior armor and boiled large water reserves to provide Farhaven with hot, running water through its newly installed aqueducts that flowed to all parts of the city and then down like waterfalls to clean the streets, warming and otherwise fridged valley. 

Pain washed over her when she imagined the lives they had being burned away by overwhelming cannon fire.

The distant image of a red stallion balancing a small hippogriff in his head while walking next to a familiar griffon tipped her mind toward something darker.

"I need to find Chrysalis." Cadance said to herself, hearing a fall beside her, drawing her attention.

"Princess Anara!" A Changeling shouted through strained breath. "We have a problem. I just saw Queen Chrysalis running through the castle, she impersonated a blonde mare before running out into the city!"

"Which way did she go?" Cadance leveled her stare toward the portly Changeling.

"Toward the western gate, I believe." He said. "We should be safe, but I knew I needed to tell you."

'The western gate?' Cadance paused and her stomach dropped. "She left before the emergency level was raised." She began to trot out of the castle. "Thank, you, Dale!"

"She remembered my name?" The Changeling's wings chattered against his back as he held his hooves to his face.

Long and hard, Cadance ran. She summoned her cloak and draped her body as she leaped out of the castle doors and teleported from spot to spot as she ran, exhausting her magic to get out before the gates closed. Confusion moved through the crowds by the seven story gate coming to a close. Dozens began to hurry into the gates as Cadance teleported before the deep thud.

Knowing the path was long and being disadvantaged by her mother's head start, Cadance began to run. Animals hung in the trees, they too fled to Farhaven as the smoke began to rise in the distance. As time passed, the distant streak of smoke grew into a long column.

Before long and before her mind could proceed to worry, the forest opened up to widely spaced trees allowing for a panoramic view of the valley Ponyville was founded in and the realization of war sank in like a lead weight in water. Her heart beat fast as she came down from the sprinting she didn't realize she was in. Her vision flashed between looking to the warships and of her father's home.

Conviction moved through her as she raced toward the estate and through the deer emblazoned, stone posts that marked the beginning of his lands. The path she had taken almost everyday since finding her father stretched on for what felt like minutes, until she reached the large wooden doors at last. Thrusting them open, she was met with eyes looking back at her. Familiar eyes.

"Lady Anara?" The voice of Inko whispered from beneath the form of a large, orangish-red feathered being with swaths of purple to tint her plume. She stood upright, her body resembling that of a griffon, but no lion parts, only four legs with talons, all beneath two large wings. She smiled as she stood in the foyer amidst the whirlwind of voices.

"Inko?"

"Yes." Inko moved and drapped the cloaked Cadance with a massive wing, guiding her up the stairs. "My Lady, you should not be here. Your father would be very upset by this."

"I know, but I'm looking for my mother." Cadance pleaded. "Have you seen her?"

"Yes, I am leading you to her." Inko stopped just short of Skyfall's study and knocked her talons against the metal plaque, setting off a sickening clacking noise. 

"Yes, Inko?" Honey's voice bled through the door, sounding more raspy than usual.

"I have the water you requested, my Lady." Inko turned and placed her claw on Cadance's shoulder. Both turned to see the handle jostle and unlock. With no smile or emotion whatsoever, Inko glanced out the window to black plumes of smoke and then to Cadance to whisper. "Please be gentile with her."

"I will." Cadance saw what Inko had seen through the window and took a deep breath before trying the handle. With the door now open, she saw her mother wrapped in cloth and sitting behind father's desk. "Mom?"

Honey went ridged at Cadance's voice.

At seeing the reaction, Cadance's heart and mind went to war. Her mind roared with memories of wrong doing and thoughts of punishments she wished she herself could pass down through official court hearings that she knew Chrysalis would fail. Her heart, however, felt sorrow at seeing her mother's terrified reaction, she wanted to go over and hug Honey and go back to the days they just spent together staying up late and trading stories. To the silly night she spent among her mother's friends, being the subject to kissy faces and tales of her foal years.

'What do I do?'

"I know." Honey said. "You're conflicted at seeing me."

"Yes." Cadance admitted, stepping forward, each step adding to Honey's slight trembling. "That now makes two parents of mine that are hailed as villains. One of which I've been up against more than once."

Honey tried to fight a smirk at the situational humor. "Well, exceptional children are often the product of unremarkable parents."

"That's not what I'm trying to say." Cadance moved slowly through the study and lowered her hood as she neared her father's desk. Honey faced away from the side Cadance appeared on until she touched her back. "Society dictates I should forgive and forget. I like to think I'm forgiving mare."

"That's a bad thing to be if you're a country's leader." Honey smiled weakly.

"I know. Father and I have talked about that at length, it's mostly me talking and him sitting patiently, listening to everything I say. Whenever I talk about the Empire, he tries to not criticize as much as I know he wants to." Cadance sat near to her mother. "I'm trying to learn. I really am. But this..."

"It's shocking, I know." Honey said, facing her daughter with tear matted cheeks. "Your father told me to wait until he returned to show you. Our plan was to sit down and he would tell you who I was and get you to think about it all, then I would transform."

"I wish I would have known that." Cadance deadpanned.

"I know, Sweetie." Honey reached toward Cadance to rest her hoof her daughter's cheek and paused out of fear. A light gasp escaped her when Cadance grabbed the outstretched hoof and held it. "I wanted to tell you the instant I saw you in the kitchen. To be honest, the moment I realized who you really were my heart felt like it would rot away from shame."

"Dad should have given me more credit." Cadance sighed.

"He does, dear." Honey said. "Trust me, he does. I've known him nearly his whole life and the one of the biggest obstacles in our relationship is his secrecy. But this time it was to break the news to you gently and in a situation where we were able to ease the tension more."

"So, he knew?" Cadance asked. "How long?"

"Honestly? I think deep down he knew the entire time that I wasn't the Crystal that left that day in the cave. But as for seeing me, I showed him a week before he went through the mirror." Honey said sadly.

"Tell me."





Last week





Skyfall's eyes seared as the night had long fallen, given way to the night and long queues of paperwork waiting for official seals to be handed out. The house held laughter from the first story as Applejack was over speaking with Honos and River, having come by more often to learn more about white collar business.

Light knocking tapped on the door, sending the sleepy Alicorn to her haunches and nearly off the couch.

"I think that's your cue, Luna." Skyfall smiled. "I'll see you next week before I go. And again, sorry about the paperwork."

"It's okay." Luna smiled. "We have next-next week and it's my turn to pick the board game."

She shimmered out of sight as the door opened to reveal Honey, smiling wide. "Good evening, dear."

"Hello, hunny." Skyfall rolled up a scroll and sealed it with silver and blue colored wax before stamping it with his cutie mark's symbol. "Not having fun with our guest?"

"No, Applejack is a fine mare. I just thought that since you were alone, I would come and pay you a visit." Honey smiled, but the smile wore on as Skyfall raised a brow at her. "What?"

"And?"

"And what? I didn't say anything." Honey said.

Skyfall placed the scroll on a pyramid of papers. "We've known one other longer than most. Your tail kinks slightly when you're nervous and embarrassed by something.

"It does not!"

Skyfall smirked and reached for the next scroll. "Fine, keep thy secrets."

Honey slumped, knowing she was had. "I came to speak with you about my thing."

"What thing?" skyfall asked nonchalantly, tormenting Honey. "The thing about the stuff with the guy? Or the stuff about that thing in Manehatten? Or perhaps, the thing with the guy that has the stuff? That stuff? I think the thing is more important than the stuff but the guy says the guy-"

"You're evil." Honey mumbled, eyes turned skyward, running her hooves down either side of her face. 

"Or." Skyfall paused as he cracked the seal on the scroll labeled: 'tectonics' "Have you come to tell me about your little escapades in Canterlot the day of our child's wedding and the resulting parade of events years later?"

In shock, Honey looked forward to see her lover's golden eyes piercing the void between them.

"Is that the "thing" you wanted to talk about?"

"You investigated me." Honey said and paused in understanding. "Of. Course."

"Do you blame me?" Skyfall said, frozen in movement like a cat caught looking at its prey. "Cadance's safety and wellbeing is chief among my concerns."

"Even above Farhaven?" Honey asked, trying to playfully simmer down the tension.

"I would let Farhaven burn to the ground with everyone in it by my own hoof before I let harm come to our child." Skyfall's eyes portrayed the honestly within. "Even from her mother."

Honey looked into his eyes, she still felt taken with him even after more than a milllenia apart. He loved Farhaven, but to make a gruesome statement only showed the unwavering love he had for their child. And when he said 'our child', her heart fluttered.

"So you still see me as your wife?"

"Of course I do." Skyfall chuckled without missing a beat. "You birthed our child and for that you will always hold a place in my heart. I took my oath seriously the day we gave ourselves to one another."

"But." Honey's smile lessened.

"Yes, there is always a but." Skyfall said, finally moving to a lounging position in his chair. He looked out the dark hued window and saw the village still lit in the night. "We both are smart enough to know what happened in each other's absence."

A cold spike struck Honey's heart.

"You betrayed your vows and so did I. It is what it is." Skyfall shrugged. "Long ago we decided to try and love again if one of us fell, so I will never fault you. We weren't each other's first, nor were we the last."

"But I..."

"I know." Skyfall admitted. "When I said I still loved you for becoming the mother of our child I didn't mean it in a familial way. I still hold you in my heart. Were things a bit different, I would let you take me."

Honey guffawed at Sky's bluntness. "Sky!"

He rubbed his shoulders and feigned a shiver. "I would let you splay me out on the desk and have your way with me, you commanding mare, you. Just, on me like a fat mare on a slice of cake, ravenous and hungry. Slobbering, receipt still in hoof."

Sky started speaking louder to where if someone was eavesdropping outside the door, they would be able to hear. In lieu of this, Honey waved him down. "Stop, we have guests and our daughter is downstairs."

"Yes, the daughter we made. I can see it in your eye, you want another." Skyfall stood and flopped onto his desk and collapsed to a side. "Oh my, you seem to have that research paper, Miss Honey. What was that? It's late and you think there's room for extra credit?" He ran a hoof up his leg and looked to Honey with half closed eyes. "Well, if you won't tell anyone, I'm sure I can let you participate in some... extra circular activities."

The blood rushed up Honeys neck and into her cheeks. Her husband always knew what buttons to press, even before he was her husband.

"I see you're still hot for teacher." Skyfall sat up and crossed his legs on the desk. "You always did enjoy the clothes that came along with-"

The large, dark wood desk jolted as Honey leaped and tackled Skyfall over the desk and onto the ground. The contents on the desk went flying into the wall and the table next to his desk that held writing supplies and the odd book folded under their fall. Sky began to chuckle until he felt a rush as he saw Honey kissing his neck, proceeding only to move down to his chest.

"Honey."

"Mhm?" Honey pawed at his body like a rabid animal.

"Honey?"

"Mmmm." She continued, obviously overthrown within her own mind until a hoof grabbed hers and wrenched it back.

"Chrysalis."

With a long, panicked breath, Honey raised up until her torso rested on his pelvis between his legs. "So, you really do know about me..."

"Yes." Skyfall said.

Without wasting another word, Honey's horn and eyes glowed, burning away the facade to reveal a long, slender body of one of Equestria's most wanted. Between his legs.

"Oh my."

"T-That bad?" Chrysalis asked, trying not to look into her husband's eyes too long.

"No." Skyfall grabbed her face and gave her what she needed. A deep, love filled kiss. She pulled back, but found his hooves wresting control away from her, forcing her to accept it. As they separated, he chuckled. "So that's the last I want to hear about any flip flopping about us. I still love you, deal with it."

"And about us in the mean time?" Crystal asked. "You just got out of a relationship with that yellow pony."

"We can be real about this." Skyfall cooed. "We need to ease back into things, grow back together otherwise you and I would never last. Plus, I must admit I grew interested in another before you returned."

At knowing how their hearts worked, she understood what he meant. "That wasn't Fluttershy?"

"Sadly." Skyfall admitted. "I gave that a good try but she broke a cardinal rule of mine and dumped me at the behest of another."

"I hope she wasn't put off by my presence. Having an "ex-wife" living with you does spell disaster." Chrysalis admitted. "I mean, I'll try and steal you back with my wiles."

"Oh, I don't doubt it." Skyfall chuckled.

"But you're still a one mare, stallion." Chrystal deadpanned.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I like to stick to one partner at a time."

"Flotsam had four hundred wives." Crystal said, causing Skyfall to groan.

"This again?" Skyfall said. "You used to bring this up every eighty years. I'm a one trick pony, babe. Multiple mares just ain't my thing, sorry. Herds are for the indecisive and I'm not courting an entire village."

"No they're not." Chrysalis said plainly. "They're for stallions with enormous libidos, if you love more than one then allow them to love you. Flotsam kept most of his wives happy-"

"And pregnant." Skyfall reminded with a solid nod. "And he got nothing done because of it. And what's this about the libido? You can speak from centuries of experience with me, you're always satisfied. Or, do you think I can't keep up now?"

"I never said that." Chrysalis sputtered into a laugh.

"Yeah, but were thinking it."

"No I wasn't."

"You looked like you were thinking it." Skyfall squinted.

"No I wasn't, I know you can keep a mare like me satiated. And then some." Chrysalis said, thinking about some of the more promiscuous situations they've been in. At seeing his playful look, she laughed. "What?"

"Nothing."

"No, you do this. What is it?"

"Nothing, you've finally accepted your insatiable status." Skyfall chuckled at Chrysalis' baffled look. "Think back, "a mare like me.""

A playful swat clapped against his shoulder. "You jerk."

"Yeah, but you like it."

"I do." Crystal smiled. "But I am a big girl and know when to hold myself back."

"Oh really?" Skyfall challenged.

"Yes. Really." Crystal poo-poo'd.

"Then why do you have me pinned to the floor by my pelvis?" Skyfall pointed, causing her to grow slightly flustered at the realization.

"That's a good question." She mused as she looked around. "We kind of made a mess. We cleared your desk and knocked over your lamp." She rustled her body a moment and sighed. "We even broke a leg off of your table. I'm sorry, Sweetie."

"Um, Honey?"

"Yes?"

She followed his pointing hoof. "That isn't a table leg-"





Present





"Mom!" cadance barked.

"What?" Honey said. "It was right where we're sit-"

A hoof clamped onto Honey's mouth. "Mom, you have a serious problem."

"What?"

"You share too much about you and dad." Cadance said.

"But you wanted to know more about us." Honey laughed lightly.

"Yes, but not your intimacies." Cadance gagged. "Leave your freaky, sexual escapades to yourselves."

A quiet moment passed between then before the stare they held melted into boisterous laughter. They hugged one another, but the sound of an explosion rocked the countryside, dragging them back to the reality they were avoiding. War.

"What do we do?" Cadance said, looking out the window as her father always did between scrolls. "I was so bent on finding you that my mind went blank concerning Ponyville."

"It happens." Honey nuzzled Cadance. "I fear I know who is leading that battle. We must now run."

"To Farhaven?" Cadance asked.

"No." Honey said. "Your father believes they will send a force there too and Farhaven has wards activated now, making it near impossible for someone that isn't your father to enter. Luna would be the only one I could think of that could bypass those defenses."

"Then let's find Luna?" Cadance said.

"If I know your father, he already has her working on her own plans. Likely gathering members of her own guard to lay in wait to help turn this when it reaches its climax. I spoke with her recently, your father entrusted some of the tools Celestia hid in her vault after the trials to her." Honey shook her head. "I wrote to her years ago before I attacked your wedding and warned her of the day. She met me and after some strained greetings, she allowed me to continue under the condition that no one was to be harmed. After everything was done, I was to set everyone free and we would put the ones deserving of judgement on trial."

"Wait." Cadance held up a hoof. "That's why she wasn't there to defend Canterlot that day?"

"Yes? What do you think happened?" Honey asked, surprised, believing it was obvious.

"Wait, then why didn't she tell dad about you?"

Honey shook her head. "She understood that was between him and I."

"So if Luna is unreachable; where do we go?" 

"Unfortunately." Inko said, opening the study door. "We don't have an escape route, so we have to hide and hunker down."

"What about the forest?" Cadance proposed. 

"We would have to leave immediately. And even then, we would be out in the open. Soon troops will start burning the forests edge to smoke out anyone hiding." Inko said.

"Then underground." Cadance said. "There is a mare on the edge of Ponyville who lives in a cave system. Maud has always been tolerable of me, if we go immediately, we might be able to warn her and save some of the towns-ponies. That way, we might be able to at least hide."

"A fine idea. Follow me." Inko disappeared down one of the corridors that housed her room. 

Cadance and Honey sprang up and cantered down to Inko's room, waiting behind as she tapped on the door in a rhythm that dispersed the hold spell, thrusting the door open only to clatter onto the doorstop roughly. Rushing into the room, Inko reverted into her disguised form and rooted around a large, stone closet.

"My ladies, you should look for equipment to put on in case we get into a brawl." Inko called, tossing all manners of tools onto the bed. "Using magic may draw attention when we need secrecy."

Honey moved to the bed and moved through the pile of equipment on the bed while Inko struggled to pull on form-hugging, black clothing to which satchels and armor could be placed. Its mute colors would blend into the shadows serving it a second purpose, camouflage.

"Cadance, you should suit up too." Inko offered.

"I've never really been in a fight before. There was this colt in the second grade, but aside from that I've been safe." Cadance said.

"Talking your way out of a problem is nice, but short swords are quieter." Inko held out a sheathed blade to Cadance, shaking it until she took it.

"I'm not sure about this." Cadance said.

"I know, sweetie." Honey appeared before Cadance with an outfit similar to Inko's and a cloak. She pushed Cadance to her haunches and gave her the clothes. "This time, we're on our own. I wanted Feather of Truth to teach you how to fight, but time escaped us."

"We must go immediately." Inko said, hefting a handled metal rod onto her back. "We can return when their sweeps become patterned, but now it's too dangerous."

"What about the ponies downstairs?" Cadance asked, receiving a questioning look from Inko. "The voices I heard when coming in?"

"That was a spell I was casting. It makes it seem as if there are people talking around the corner constantly, when you go to check it appears around another corner. It's useless to us now, but the spell will soon start to spread to Ponyville and will cause the guards havoc around nightfall." Inko opened the door and started to walk down the hall, taking wide, slow steps to make rubbery spandex ride up where it would naturally.

Cadance turned to leave after Inko, but stopped at Honey's touch. "Mom?"

"Anara, are you okay with me?" Honey tried to force the words from her, but nearly failed. "I know I'm not perfect, but I need to know where we stand."

Cadance's neutral expression melted into a weak smile. "We can talk about it after all this. So far you've been good to me, so who you were is not something to be concerned with now."

"Thank you." Honey smiled. She jumped as light filled the room just before the sound of a loud explosion rocked through the country side. Honey forced herself up off her haunches and into Cadance, taking her to the ground as glass butterflied into the room.

"You okay!?" Inko roared as she leapt up the stairs and off the wall to reach the room Honey and Cadance laid in.

"Yeah, what was that?" Honey called, barely able to hear herself.

"Shock and awe." Inko rubbed her ears. "Skyfall's gonna have a pond on his property now. And several large rocks. Times up; now or never."

Helping Cadance to her hooves, Honey cursed to herself at having to retreat. "Lead the way, Inko. We'll save who we can, but I fear saving ourselves will be hard enough."

With haste, the three mares grabbed what gear they could and negotiated their way out the freshly shattered back window in an attempt to not be seen. Cadance flew and landed with Honey while Inko simply jumped, landing on her hooves like she was floating on a cloud.

Soon, the forest swallowed them and concealed them from the raid parties flying overhead. Inko, having been under Skies' lordship for many millennia and subject to walking around the surrounding forests, guided her party as they rounded around Ponyville through the forest to get to the cave's entrance that laid halfway to the town's swimming lake.

As they moved, their silence grew more defining as screams were heard in the distance which drew Cadance's attention. She looked over to see the large, hulking warship above Ponyville, eclipsing the center of town. Droves of warriors moved in waves, slamming down prisoners and shackling them.

"Mom, we have to help them."

"No." Honey slowed to a stop with Inko. "Actions like that is what Fury is counting on."

"Fury? The Captain of the Guard?" Cadance asked while moving slowly, emotionless.

"Yes, I will tell you more when we get time to regroup." Honey trotted back and pushed her head against Cadance to re-initiate her heightened pace. "They know they're being watched."

Cadance gave one more parting look to Ponyville. She could see ponies she knew being thrown down or beaten down, if you fought back the punishment was only more severe. It was clear that death wasn't on the agenda. At least not yet. Formations of Pegasi flew in arrowheads far above the village, being careful to not interrupt the spells unicorns were casting in the air. All this centered on that same warship, with a proud red stallion on its bow. The last sight she witnessed before running deeper into the forest was of Spike being carried away by Rainbow Dash as guards leaped for them, a green flame burning something in Spike's claws before being snuffed into the dirt beneath Rainbow and three more guards.

Traveling skyward, the flame angled toward Canterlor before being struck with a spell, dissipating the flame into embers and falling into sparks.

Fear and pain filled Cadance, but more importantly, the sense of helplessness she felt every time a disaster happened around her. She wondered silently to herself if disasters followed her and everyone she loved, a silly thought she believed.





A secluded dock
Southeast Fish District





Seagulls perched on the railing of the newly christened "Caged Crow." The black paint running slightly from being applied with an uneven, inexperienced hoof of its captain. She sat on the swing that was lowered from the deck, smiling at the work she had finished.

"Tia, are you sure it's okay to keep ignoring your responsibilities?" Sombra peeked out through a port hole from the cramped space of the scooner's deck, head wrapped in a pale canvas.

Sunny sighed and glanced over at Sombra who coughed bashfully.

"Sorry, Sunny."

"It's cool." Celestia reached up and pulled the cloth from her own head to let down her pink mane. "It'll be fine, I put Faith on it. She'll handle everything. Once I go, Canterlot will be able to run itself. They have my sister's guidance, they don't need me anymore."

She pulled herself onto the crow's deck and capped her paint buckets, but stopped when Sombra appeared next to her.

"You're not coming back. Are you?"

Celestia stopped, thinking about the words she uttered moments before. She reviewed in her mind if Canterlot and Equestria would be fine without her. Sitting on a nearby step, she shook her head.

"I... don't think I am." Celestia looked up at the castle that had been her home for the past few hundred years. She admired Canterlot and the size it became, having grown so large it had to separate into four distinct districts; Cloud, Stable, Rein, and Fish.

"But everyone looks to you." Sombra said.

"They will have another to look forward to." Celestia offered. "My sister is more than capable of ruling. I know she will be upset with me at first, but I know she understands. These nightmares drive me to leave, but I'll stay away even when I solve them." She stood and moved to the railing. "I'm not dumb, Sombra. Given time, Shattered Skies would use me to start a war between our states. Luna knows him more than I ever could, she can stop this. She's always been more decisive in politics than I am."

Sombra lowered his head at Celestia's view of herself.

"No." She said. "If I'm to be honest. I'm tired of this. I sit in court and forget where I am to the point I skip through hour long talks because I reminisce about being everywhere else."

"And of the Spirits you watch over in Cloud district?" Sombra asked, knowing that was a pressure point for her remaining in Canterlot, doling out tasks to Twilight Sparkle and her team in place of taking action herself.

"I don't know anymore." She said. "A part of me wants them to be thrown into Tartarus while the other part of me doesn't care what they do. Having known Spirits, I know there can be good ones out there, but they're loose weapons capable of immense destruction."

"So are you." Sombra said, earning a scowl from Celestia. He gulped and approached the railing beside her. "You're one of the greatest powers on the planet. In my travels there are some stories of you calling down a column of fire from the sky to eliminate your enemies. You rule a nation, a military, and are able to reflect light from the sun to bring the morning and nights faster or slower at your command. That is power."

Celestia opened her mouth, but Sombra continued. 

"Equestria holds you on a pedestal and would do near anything for you. Foals wear costumes, colts and fillies hang posters, and adults read books. All influenced by you." He cupped his hooves and looked over to Celestia. "Sometimes people need a second chance. Perhaps, that includes Spirits as well."

"They destroyed my kind." Celestia nearly barked.

"That may be, but I destroyed lives too." Sombra said. "Not all of them attacked the Alicorns, if they did I believe things would be different."

Celestia tried again to talk, but Sombra looked her in the eye.

"When we leave, I imagine you'll have another chance to decide the pony you want to be." 

"That's impossible, I am who I am." Celestia said, prompting Sombra to turn and head toward the entrance leading below deck. "Do you think I'm in the wrong regarding the Spirits?"

"I don't know, that's not my lane to decide." Sombra said, stopping to turn to Celestia. "But you told me when the Umbrum were torn from me upon my revival thanks to you and the other princesses. I was forgiven and I was given a fresh chance to start over and be the pony I wanted to be." He looked away toward Canterlot, its architectural mixtures through the ages coupled with poines traveling to and fro. "I didn't realize I wanted to be forgiven. Maybe I was too angry to see it, but I was relieved to have it. It allowed me a chance to be me. Maybe you need the same."

And with that, Sombra disappeared below deck.

"Absurd." Celestia shook her head and slumped onto the banister. "I deserve the apology, it's my culture and family that was stolen from me."

Her words played in her mind. Having stolen away much in the trials; culture, family, life. She looked to Canterlot once more and the imagery in her nightmares shadowed over the city, making it as the Alicorn capital. Burning, filled with screams. Her mind then filled her vision with the homes of the Spirits she persecuted. A hollow thought came to her mind. 

'What if I'm wrong?'

A burst of green flame landed at her hooves, searing at the touch when she snatched it up, knowing who sent it.

"Spike?"

The half torn scroll was hastily written in a shaky hand. She tried to read the text and growled, snapping magic over the parchment to clear the writing, something she had to do with her own hoof writing from time to time.

"Ponyville. Send. Guards are attacking." Sombra read aloud over Celestia's shoulder, having re-emerged from under the ship. There were a half dozen other words on the charred parchment. They both recognized a messenger intercept spell that struck the paper, a tactic used to cut communications, A set of steps to enact when attacking an opposing force.

"It's half torn, I imagine there was more." Celestia burned the scroll and rushed passed Sombra, nearly knocking him down. She knew if Spike sent the letter in such a manner, there was no possibility for his misunderstanding, Ponyville was being attacked. The memory of her heroes guild sending her a similar cry for help before their light disappeared from the world. Her own oath from that guild bubbled to her mind as she blasted a crate, smashing the lid to reveal her own light armor.

"Tia, what's going on?" Sombra called. "You need to assemble the guard!"

Celestia paused, running through likely outcomes molded by centuries of trial and error. The letter implied her own guard was attacking. If her own guard attacked then there was no way Fury would not know about it. If he was on her side, he would take action without her approval. If he wasn't, the guards wouldn't be of help anyway.

"Celestia!"

"I'm going." She said, her voice firm. "I should have remained in Ponyville until this entire issue was laid to rest."

Knowing that with a wave of her horn, she could dispel most foes, Sombra stood silently. He watched her step into her leather armor, fitting its separate pieces to loops before pulling them tight with her teeth. Once ready, she leaped up and out of the hold. Sombra followed, but nearly fell down the stairs when the ship jerked upward.

Alone, Celestia, from her disguise of Sunny, undid all ties from the mast letting the canvas run free. The scenery turn lopsided, the loose jetty lifted up with them as the rope drew tight. A sudden correction slammed the dock back into the water when her magic slipped loose the knot that kept them moored.

"Hey! You need to pay your fee!" An angry dock worker yelled, levitating up crates and jettisoning them toward the fleeing ship.

Hastily tying a line from the mast to his waist, Sombra cursed under his breath. "Tia! If we fly like this we're going to alert the guard!"

Knowing he was right, she halved the canvas once she was halfway through Rein district. She looked down at Canterlot's center for production, steam stacks and crowded cobblestone streets. Having found herself disappearing to this district many times to get away from court duties, she knew it too well as the district River Bend lived in to control the trading guilds, a task she had failed in as of late as smuggling and crime were on the rise in all districts, but mostly in Rein.

"Sunny, where are we going?" Sombra asked, once the wind died down.

"To Stable district." Sunny adjusted her course to avoid the tall clock tower and a larger trade frigate she became sandwiched between. Ignoring the yells of deckhooves as she zoomed past, she narrowed her sight on the Rein-Stable district wall. Each district was walled off in its own section, an act she convinced ponies was in case the outer walls were breached, but in actuality, it was for the casts demanding that other rabble stay away from them. Didn't help crime, it just shut ponies up and kept them away from her court.

"Why?"

"I need to see what the navy is doing." Celestia said. "That way I'll have my answer."

Minutes passed by and a small guard skirmish vessel approached them heading toward Fish district, its captain glancing over to Sunny as she passed, giving her a hard look. It picked up speed and flew away, forcing Celestia to pick up her own speed and curse.

"Sombra, get armor on." Sunny called.

"Why?"

"That guard ship will be upon us soon. It's likely going to the dock we stayed at, it might be able to get to us before we get out of the city." Sunny zoomed passed the district wall and snapped her head right to look far out to the large lake that most of the navy's ship would be moored in. Her heart sank at seeing Fury's entire detachment emptied from its section. Having had no time to mobilize herself and her own ship, that task would be impossible for Fury without advanced warning.

The Caged Crow rocked harshly as Sunny corrected their heading toward Ponyville. She reopened the canvas as blew past every checkpoint out of the city, swift enough to escape any craft that began their fresh pursuit.

"What are you thinking?" Sombra asked, undoing his line and ascending the small stairs to the wheel. "I saw the navy yard too. You don't think this is intentional, do you?"

"Doesn't matter. We're heading to Ponyville now." Sunny reached over and turned smaller wheels beside her to lower the Crow's altitude and skim along the ground, hugging the hills as she did to avoid anyone following her.

As night began to fall, hours of travel ticked by under Sunny's gaze. Columns of smoke sprouted from the earth as Fourth Stable ships hung above the road far ahead. A massive warship hanging above the town far to the horizon.

With no order, Sunny brought the wheel hard port and jerked the nimble ship East. Shielded by Skies' enormous trees, her ship slowed and crept through the forest. Trees on the boarder of the forest Skies manipulated were spaced further apart than the ones nearer to Ponyville.

"Plan?" Sombra asked.

"Land on the outskirts and walk our way in." Sunny said. "If those ships are stationed above the routes leading in, they're trying to prevent entry when they should be stopping an attack."

"Unless they wanted it that way." Sombra said, having been too familiar with the suppression and domination of populations. He and Sunny didn't need to talk about what they both knew was true, Ponyville was being attacked by Canterlot.

A small pond covered by tree canopy emerged in the forest and Sunny wasted no time in setting the Crow harshly down into the water, bouncing like a rubber ducky, sending waves onto its shore.

"You ready." Sunny asked, leaping down the steps and trotting over to Sombra who was struggling to affix saddles to himself.

"As ready as I'm going to be." Sombra's hooves shook slightly, betraying his nerves. He felt Sunny grab his hooves to calm them against herself.

"You don't have to go." Sunny offered. "I can do this alone."

"I need to just as much as you do." Sombra rose to his hooves, looking to Sunny as she shared a thankful smile. "I'm your first mate, I'll follow."

A red scroll appeared before Sunny, sealed with gold wax and emblazoned with a pyramid mark, Faith's symbol. She gripped it, silently terrified of what may lie within the letter. What the letter says would show the depth of treachery she suspected. She bent the scroll and snapped the seal, itself unraveling in her hooves. Pictures fell from the scroll and onto the deck of the ship as she read.

---



From Office of the Royal Council

My Princess, I am saddened to inform you, however it is my duty to brief you as your advisor. 

Our investigation into Ponyville has come to a head. Farhaven has infiltrated Ponyville, and through subterfuge, gained their allegiance. Early this morning we attempted to drive out approaching Farhaven incursion forces, but were met with heavy entrenched resistance from many members of Ponyville's population.

I regret to inform you that your former student and fellow Princess, Twilight Sparkle has been making diplomatic trips to Farhaven. We documented this and allowed it to go on, believing she was seeking peace. Attached are authenticated photos of Princess Twilight and your inquisitor, Sunset Shimmer, making their entrance into Farhaven and then into Shattered Skies' royal castle. They are both cloaked, but I assure you that if you inspect the photos you will arrive at the same answer.

We are trying to negotiate terms with her, however she does not seem interested in what we are trying to discuss. We will continue to try to bring her back into the fold.

We ask that you gather the remaining stables and attack in a week. Captain Fury believes that application of force will drive Farhaven back and then the battle will be fought on our terms.

Please remain safe in Canterlot, far away from the fighting. Our guard is more than a match for Farhaven.

Signed, Faith

Office of the Royal Council



Sunny snarled, incinerating the letter in an instant.

"Bad news?" Sombra asked, shying away slightly from Sunny's inferno.

She knelt down and picked up the photos that came with the now departed scroll. With silent anger, her harshly flipped through the pictures. They were truly of Twilight and Sunset entering Farhaven. Thoughts and questions raced in her mind as to why they would betray her. Being very fond of Twilight, she wanted nothing more than to sit her down and talk to her in a very loud tone.

"I can't let them kill Twilight." Sunny said, igniting the photos in bright fire. 

"What if you find out she sided with Shattered Skies?" Sombra asked.

"Then I'll imprison her in Cloud District with the other Spirits." Sunny spat before her anger simmered away. "No. I will keep her in the castle and help her to escape the mental manipulation I know she would be under. I will save her."

"What if she isn't the one in need of saving?" Sombra asked.

"What?" Sunny asked, searing as she stood by trying not to scowl.

"You okay?"

"I have a headache, that's all." Sunny spat. "It will go away soon."

Sombra squinted, seeing the red at the ends of Celestia's vision. "Fury mobilized his guard to attack Ponyville. We both suspected that back in Canterlot, Spike wouldn't misunderstand that. This doesn't seem normal, not by a long shot, even speaking as a former villain."

"I-"

Their sight changed as Sombra teleported them both onto the shore. He looked at her with a skeptical look, having interrupted what he suspected to be a sharp reply about being older and wiser. He casted a spell the struck her between the eyes. "Sorry, this should relieve your headache."

She stood and felt at peace under Sombra's magic. Sombra was right, this wasn't normal. Ponyville was under attack and was being shadowed by a massive warship, one that was not of typical Equestrian make. She stepped off into the forest, deciding to seek her own answers.

Close on her heels, Sombra concentrated on Sunny. Silently weaving spells onto himself for protection her etched spells onto a pad he brought with him in case he needed it. 

He knew what he saw in her eyes.
> Chapter 51 -Push and Pull-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Push and Pull-



Nothingness existed now, emptiness in every sense of the word. With strained flexing of eyelids, no light was seen. No heat or cold, nor sense of any kind was felt.

'This again.' Skies thought, curled into a ball as he felt a falling feeling. He winced to keep his eyes open after an eternity to see stars, colossal and bright, rush past him as a singular hole in space tore open with a prismatic light raging through.

Infinite space became blue sky as the hole swallowed the nothingness effortlessly. End over end he tumbled, his wings outstretched did little to steady his decent before slamming into the forgiving ocean like a drop of water. The taste of the warm sea assaulted him before he was able to break the surface for a breath of air, his wings outstretched beside him in an attempt to keep his large body level.

An island filled with large trees and three identical mountains lay before him once more. The island was known to few Spirits as only select Spirits were ever invited to the Maker's sanctum.

In a short time, Skies made his way to the shore and pulled his body from the water. The water moved from him and stayed in the ocean, drying him within moments as he made his way to the perched Raven. It sat, watching the path to the Maker and briefly chatted its beak at Skies' approach.

"Miss me?" Skies cooed to the bird as he instinctively began the path in haste, noticing that the once lush trees were decayed and bent in ill positions. His hoof beats sounded hollow as the stone path crumbled beneath him into dust.

The island coiled around with paths that went to different portals to link the whole of Equus, with this knowledge, what once took hours to locate took mere minutes. The lakes and island wildlife were all neglected. Worry growing within his heart, Skies began to gallop harder, only proving to struggle against the sand-like path. 

Finally, light broke through the darkening forest. In the clearing, a structure stood tall and untouched by the forest amidst a once vibrant lagoon. Large white pillars and open air design once contrasted with the beach and plant life, but it was now decayed like everything else. Its regal design gave the impression of a temple, now a ruin of its former self.

Skies trotted past the barrier he once did as a human, without hesitation. He looked around frantically and at last saw a large mare sitting by the ocean water, gently dipping her hoof in. With a slow pause, she turned and looked up with tired eyes and smiled at the descending stag before being brought into a hug.

"I see you finally found your way back?" 

"I got your message." Skies said.

"A little macabre, I know." The Maker said. "But it was too specific, I knew you would understand the instant you saw it. I also hoped you wouldn't hold it against me."

Skies held the Maker at arm's length and looked her over. The life-giving light that rolled off of her was dimmed into sad illumination as every part of her was figuratively grayed over; Dull mane, dingy coat, and pale features.

"What happened to you?"

The Maker smiled and dipped her head slightly, struggling to look up. "The world. I once foresaw a day where my hold over Equus would wane and something darker would start influencing life. I regret to say that the day for this has come and gone. Leaving me to sit and contemplate what seems to be the twilight of my life."

"Sounds like you've given up?"

"There's no fighting this one, Sky." The Maker waved her hoof over the space next to her as a cup of tea struggled to appear, flickering in and out like a bad lightbulb. "This path was set long ago by forces even out of my control."

"So you'll sit and just decay like this realm?" Skies asked.

"Of course."

Skies felt his heart grow heavy as he looked to the quiet smile sat on the Maker's lips. Arguing was never above him when it came to the Maker, she enjoyed the back and forth banter, often citing it as her more cherished pass time, but with Equus being as it is he couldn't say a word.

"Well? Aren't you going to fight me?" The Maker asked, glancing over to the stag as he sat down beside her. "Give me one of those infamous hypocritical tongue lashings and call my life into question?"

"Nope." Skies said. "Right now, even I don't know where to go. The world is so messed up that I'm starting to think it's better off that Spirits don't return." With a brief pause, Skies sighed. "Or that Spirits were ever a good idea to begin with."

The Maker set her cup down and closed her eyes. "This is not your fault, Sky." 

With an incredulous look, Skies looked out to the calm ocean. He remembered pieces from forty thousand years worth of memories. Burned forests, vast ecological blunders, and now another war with more desecration of the dead. After another quiet moment, Skies looked to the Maker, but met a hoof instead.

"I insist on you dropping your retort. You're conniving and maniacal, but you're a good person." The Maker opened her kind eyes and moved her hoof to his cheek. "I chose you, do you think I mistook you for another? I chose each of you for what was inside and not just your accomplishments in life. Taking care of five siblings and being strong enough not to forgive speaks more for you than words ever will."

"Lot of good that did me." Skies pushed into the Maker's hoof. "Cat's kind of left the bag on this one."

"So you know about your father?" The Maker asked, only receiving a gentle nod in return. "Then I also surmise that you know of your siblings as well?"

"Psalm found me along with Crystal." Skies said. "The others weren't as happy to see me."

"So much has happened since my sight of Equus left me." The Maker said to herself, looking toward the murky time-pool. "The last I was able to help with was guiding Psalm out of the hell-scape your father placed her mind and body in."

"Are all of their minds trapped?" Skies asked hopefully, wanting to believe their hatred was a device used against them by their father.

The Maker shook her head. "No, the only one that needed such a method was Psalm. Having never truly known your father, he was never able to use her memories against her. In the end, her love for you was too different an emotion for him to control, allowing me to rest her from his grip."

"And Crystal?" 

"She was found by Psalm a little over two years ago in the badlands." The Maker said. "Psalm helped out many Spirits over the past thousand years. She has achieved a great many things, you should be very proud."

"I always have been." Skies said. "The others though, have been around for much longer than I believed."

"Yes. From what I can tell, they appeared just before the Great Spirit War." The Maker waved her hoof to cause a slight breeze to pass over the lagoon, moving the dead air from them. "Or should I say that's when their realms connected with the all of yours."

"Then why did I not see them until recently?"

"I recognized that all of your siblings appeared and sealed off their realms once I sensed the stink of your father on them. He has infected them and they grew to hate, if he forced control on them then I could help, but they have grown with a taint that I have no sway over." She looked to Skies who was listening solemnly. "Unfortunately once you killed yourself, their lives took dark turns and I regret to inform you that each of them died before their times, even Psalm."

Skies' throat tightened as he brought his clover hoof to his face, hating the imagery that played out in his mind. Because of him, his family never recovered from the circumstances they were born into.

"I tried to look in on the families each of you left behind, but yours didn't thrive." The Maker spoke honestly. "If it's any consolation, Psalm passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by the family she built, holding the hand of her son named after her big brother."

"And the others?"

"That is for you to discover my old friend." The Maker cooed and she ran a hoof down his back, patting him. "You will need to discover what happened to them on your own. This matter is for you and you alone. Hatred can blind and they need someone to help them."

"-Only allows them to act through their own desires easier upon that which they hate." Skies said, firmly against what evil he knew an angry Spirit was capable of. "Even as a means to an end, I've heard a little of what they did. It's not something easily forgiven."

"Then the choice may be yours to make. But I should remind you your soul isn't so untouched by dark deeds. You do remember the Alicorns." The Maker said unhappily, knowing what Skies was thinking. "Life or death; judgement or forgiveness. We should all be so lucky to have such black and white decisions before us."

Reflection moved through Skies as he scanned the once vivid sky. In times passed, one was able to look into the Maker's sky like the sky of Equus and see the reflection of each realm, represented by enormous ethereal orbs that moved across the horizon like leaves upon a lake, only now the sky was gray and cracked.

"Cadance is going to be upset with me." Skies said, his thoughts turning outward to his child and the only bastion he had for comfort.

The Maker chuckled, opting to follow his change of subject. "I heard that daughter of yours grew up to be a real beauty. I knew she would be, but the path I saw for her ended up being very different."

"Yeah, I can't help but see her mother in her. Crystal says she's more like me, but I hope that isn't true." Skies said quietly. "I thought I had died when Cadance came to me, calling me her father. I assumed I was caught or that I had finally snapped before actually hearing her out."

"I heard she had a little help finding that journal of Celestia's."

Skies squinted slightly to the Maker's mischievous grin. "You helped her?"

"I watched over her when she reappeared, but I was too weak to help, that was someone else."

Knowing the Maker to be a somewhat direct mare in casual conversation, Skies noticed the distinct avoidance of name dropping and let the issue rest, opting only to give the Maker a delicate hug.

The Maker gave a warm smirk to Skies and patted his shoulder. "You've been through much, and yet there is still much you must weather before the future I saw long ago comes to pass."

"So you were able to see past this point?" Skies asked with a smirk of his own.

"Yes, but you know the rules. I can never divulge time altering events with you, not even to save myself." The Maker said. "But I will acknowledge some points of the past. For instance, the boundaries of the living and beyond have been disturbed a great many times. Many of those that have returned are from historical texts."

Closing his eyes, Skies cursed. Fighting the dead was troublesome enough and he had figured out that Lonely Grave had acquired some reputable pawns, but if what the Maker was suggesting was right, the whole of Equestria's historical heroes were now pieces on the board for Grave to use.

"We've done a good job breaking everything, huh?" Skies asked.

"You have." The Maker said. "But, I know you'll fix it." She moved closer to Skies and rested her head against him. "Did you know, when I gave Spirits their power, I didn't have a direct control of what you would all look like?"

"No?"

"No. I gave your souls the power that best suited you and your bodies changed with that power. Very rarely did I ever try and change the outcome. Only when I thought the final result was something too damaging or if parts conflicted. You, however, came out like a vision from a nightmare." The Maker said. "The Spirit of the Forest was always meant to guide and protect those in need."

"Yes, as I've done?" Skies defended, feeling slightly insulted.

"Yes, throughout your life you've done your duty. What I refer to is when the mortal races arrived, you spent more time in a disguised form, you jump in to correct their issues and help them then complain to yourself silently about it all. Yet, when the Spirit war broke out, you stood firmly on the side that meant living beside the mortals." The Maker moved her head away and turned to the antlered Spirit. "I never asked, but why? With your intellect and influence, the war would have been solidified with Spirit rule. Something I believed you would have supported over a race that constantly tries to cut down what you make."

"History always smiles on the side of giving beings more rights, not taking them away." Skies said. "I know you chose to not involve yourself in the war since it was the natural course of the world and as such it required you to remain silent, but even you must see that having the world ruled by Spirits under a chaotic regime would have turned the planet into a smoldering slag."

"You didn't answer the question."

"I..." Skies paused and took a deep breath. "...know what it's like to live under the complete power of another with the threat of violence to keep you in line. You've seen my life, I am against those that would let the world return to such a dark state. At the risk of sounding pretentious, I will fight that to keep the right to live free."

"No compromise?"

"Never." Skies chuckled, knowing the Maker was playing with him now. "Not even in the face of really good herbal tea."

"You'll never find a mare with an attitude like that." The Maker said, acting like a mother.

"I already have my hooves full with love." Skies said and held his hooves before him. "Cadance, Honey, Sif, Luna, River, Inko, and you."

The Maker lifted her brow. "And what about Fluttershy?"

A pit grew in his stomach as he ran his hoof over his face.

"You two were a couple of rabbits."

"We were barely past a kiss or two."

The Maker grabbed a journal from the large table, struggling to teleport it to her, flipping the pages as she succeeded. "Let me go through almost every relationship you've ever had. Hmm, a date or two then a long kiss followed by sudden, aggressive-"

"I get it." Skies closed the book, making her laugh. "It's really creepy you have that life journal. Knowing a Spirit's sex life by the flip of a page is scary."

"I'm just teasing, Sky." The Maker opened her book once again. "Though, that Sunset Shimmer is very kind in her own way. She reminds me very much of Crystal."

Relationships between Spirits and mortals never ended well. He shook his head to move the thought of Sunset from his mind and looked to the Maker. Her eyes, still holding the embers of the inferno that used to rage within peered to him behind a delicate smile. 

"I see you've opted to smothering your feelings, again. Your secrets are slowly poisoning you." The Maker said, not veering her gaze. The press of her hoof to his chest barely registered to him as the pressure was almost too weak to feel. Magic radiated into his soul and conjured a memory of Alicorns he once knew, bringing him pain. "Let them go."

"Stop that." Skies said. "You know that's not an option."

"I know." Light faded as the skies above of the island darkened with rain clouds appearing from the horizon to block the soft sunlight that beamed down. "But you hold onto a wound that is slowly choking you."

"Holding onto old wounds is common for Spirits. Our bodies are made of tougher stuff than our minds." Skies smiled, trying to diffuse the stare he was receiving.

The Maker rose to her hooves shakily and began to move to a path that lead deeper into the island.

"Follow me."

With no words, Skies followed the Maker through the one time heart of Equus. As time continued on from his first time on the island, it grew in size and scope, adding valleys and rivers. Time lurched as they strode through the forest, under passes and over small ravines until they reached the cave. Like everything else on the island, the cave was cold as it lead into a dimly lit center with a raging whirlpool, much like the time-pool the Maker would stare into.

"I am too weak to let you pass through the time-pool, I fear even if I wasn't, it is too murky to get you where you need to be." The Maker waved her hoof, both igniting the whirlpool with light and releasing a loud pop in her arm. She bit her lip to quell the pain to no avail. She sat and met Skies' hooves.

"You're dying."

Statements like these were never uttered as questions, but as realizations. Skies tried to meet her gaze, but she only smiled toward the pool. 

"Ardennes, you must realize as I have that some things really are destined to happen." She said, using her pet name for Skies to lighten the mood. "You were destined to be who you are as I am destined to stop Typhon from leaving his own realm at the expense of my life."

"So, his new name is Typhon?"

"Yes, and as long as I am here, he is sealed." The Maker leaned her body back and sighed in relief from her aching muscles. "Once he showed his intentions, I was able to link his influence to mine. Even as I die, my seal remains strong."

"Then leave this realm. Staying here will kill you."

"Should I leave, the seal will weaken until it dissolves." The Maker said. "But in my death, Typhon may never know life."

"Why keep it a secret?"

"I... don't know?" She smiled wider and touched her chest. "I guess my own heart wanted to spare you. Hearts are such fickle things. Even mine."

She peered up to him with a vacant look. "You must let what happened to the Alicorns go, if you do not then he has won and you will die. You need to be at your full power to face him, only heart can defeat him, not strategy, not cunning, and not that Effigy you defied nature to create. I saw this once, long ago before even the first Spirit was made."

Weakly, she turned to look at him on the same level, bringing his head down with her authority. "I saw a Spirit with antlers surrounded by light, standing on a pyre of cups. The world was behind this being and through this being love flowed, amplified by what should have not been. Only through this may the unending cycle of destruction be wrought."

"And you believe the Spirit to be me?" Skies asked, an incredulous look on his face.

"Yes, something drew me to you that day. Through the ages you've come out on top. The vision had you a few pounds lighter, but there was no mistaking those antlers." She motioned to Skies' chest. "Light left you when you saw the Alicorn capital. Trying to bring them back through manipulation of life and not talking about it doesn't heal the hole within you. It's time to let them go."

"I won't, it's not my way." Skies' voice was cold. "It wouldn't be right."

"Neither is morning those long passed. I never wanted such an event to happen to any of you, but the heart of those from the time before are so easily swayed to such evil. A consequence I did not foresee." She shook her head, knowing that any line of questioning or reason would not sway him from this one topic. "If you won't change for yourself, then change for those around you; love, past and future. You will not find real love again as you are."

"I'm not looking for love."

"Your heart is, I sense it through you. Someone recently has brought you to your knees, I don't know who he or she is but there is an ember in there."

"You're starting to sound like my daughter whenever Twilight and her friends come over to harass me." Skies mumbled. He shied away from the Maker's swatting hoof, causing him to giggle.

"You tease too many a mare, you need to get married and have more kids. Like twelve or twenty, around there."

Skies openly laughed. "Why is that?"

"You have too much energy, kids will exhaust you. You need it, it'll curb some of that sass you have going on."

"Your two little Princesses exhaust me enough for all lifetimes. One is fine, but the other is being a real psycho."

Faint smiling fell from the Maker, much in the way one does when they remember something bad. She took a slow breath and pumped more magic into the pool, now fully laying against Skies.

"It is time." With a hoof to his lips, she stopped him from talking. "When you go through the portal, you must not face the forces that attack that village as Shattered Skies. They count on you doing that because that will rally nations against Farhaven. You must risk your life and fight as Skyfall. In whatever way you can."

"-and what-"

"Your soul can't take the strain from the Sunset Effigy. I fear you've become to damaged by using it already." Her hoof fell to her side, the last of her strength now gone. "You have no more time to waste, Sky. You must go and leave me now, I fear you will no longer see me before the end. For what it's worth, I'll miss... what are you doing?"

The Maker felt her body lift into the air.

"Are you so weak that you can't even give me a hug?" Skies asked, seemingly in a cheerful mood.

The Maker drapped her head on his shoulder and smiled in defeat. "I fear so."

"Good." Skies walked awkwardly to the portal.

"Sk-Skies, what in the name of me do you think you are doing?" The Maker looked back to see herself dangling over the abyss. The unchecked whirling forces cause the air to cool and lick at her lifeless legs. "Do you have any idea what you're about to set into motion?"

"Yep."

The bluntness of the answer shocked the Maker, forcing her to look forward at the calmest look she believed could be mustered in the light of the matter.

"You will die alone if you stay here and I can't let that pass. There is always another way, you just need to look."

"There's no changing your mind on this?"

"Well, 'fraid not." Skies smiled and leaned forward before arcs of electricity lapped around them beating the walls like drums. 

The Maker dropped her head onto Skies' shoulder knowing what was about to happen would happen regardless of her protests. Her wings wrapped around Skies as the portal exploded around them and swallowed them both whole.

"Jerk."





Maelstrom
Equestrian Badlands





As matter was swallowed by the portal from the Human Realm, a gaping, violent spew tore through the Badlands. Tethers of the barrier that separated both realms lashed across the sky in hues of blue light. First rock, then water fell and crashed on the infertile ground before screaming was heard by bystander animals. 

Disguised Spirits and their charges appeared far above and fell, missing the debris with the help of magic wards, vaporizing the stone, wood, steel, and water as it passed through the ward.

As the enormous rocks collided with the grounds, craters formed and allowed the water to pool, giving the falling beings an area to land on. 

One last body was thrown from the portal. As Sunset tumbled end over end, a large orange oriental dragon snaked up and scooped her from her fall.

"I got her!"

"Good job, Fan!" A Cattleman called up.

"We have to go back!" Sunset flailed in Fan's grasp, nearing bucking her face. "Skyfall's in danger." 

"Sunset." Twilight was the only one trying to make sense of what she saw while the other girls were still having a surreal moment at seeing themselves in pony form. "Was he really trying to... y'know."

"Yes, I think he's taking Unfaithful's ultimatum. He was about to hang himself!" Sunset looked at the portal spitting out material at an incredible rate, she knew she would be torn apart it she tried. She started to walk towards the gyser, but found a tall clothed Cattleman in her way. "Move aside, Revolver."

"I have strict orders to keep yall safe. So that means we go to Farhaven. Or camp in the forest, whichever is safer." Revolver said. He tapped his revolvers and cycled the chamber to see if any needed loading.

"But Skyfall-"

"Is a big stallion, knows what he's doing." Revolver held up a hoof when Sunset's horn glowed, ready to try and throw him aside. He gripped a revolver handle and narrowed his eyes. "Listen, little lady, what did he tell you?"

After a brief, tense moment, Sunset growled. "He said he would talk to me when he sees me."

"Then there you go." Revolved stepped out of Sunset's way and fanned himself with his hat, diffusing the situation. "From the look of things, we must be in hangman's valley. Not far, but not close."

"Farhaven is south west of here." Twilight said. "Ponyville is directly west." She paused and looked to Revolver. "And this is Rumbling Rock Ridge. If I remember correctly, the Diamond Dogs used to occupy a large section on the southern edge."

"Rumbling Rock Ridge?" Revolver chuckled. He looked to his compatriots who shook their heads. "Well, it used to be called hangman's alley for more macabre reasons."

"Apparently many things have changed." Twilight said to herself as she saw smoke rising in the distance from Shattered Skies' forest. 

"Twilight! Look! Hooves!" Pinkie Pie said, giggling to herself from the floor as the others awkwardly walked toward her.

Rarity tried to stand, but fell like a new foal trying to learn. The others stood, wobbled legs and strained expressions as they did their best to remain upright. Except Fluttershy who was comfortably sitting.

With a genuine laugh, Twilight smiled at her friends, thinking of the awkward greeting they would all have. She thought that there would need to be some sort of difference in name to make her friends as being different, having two Raritys both being called Rarity would get stressful, fast.

"Revolver, what do we do?" Phobia asked, emerging from the small mountain of trees and earth the portal spat out. Her black greased hair clinging to her ghostly white coat. "If smoke is coming from the forest, then that means Farhaven is having a siege and Ponyville is the staging area. Neither will be safe."

"Then we go to Farhaven from the side." Revolver started walking, he looked up to Fan who hung in the air with her arms and legs crossed comfortably. "Fan, grab the girls and let's go."

"What do we do then?" Twilight asked, her mind drifting back to darker thoughts of processing the image of Skyfall approaching the noose.

"We move to Farhaven and speak with one of the Guardians." Revolver grumbled, hopping down from the craggy hill he climbed on to root through an overturned truck that had been sucked through the portal. He moved a revolver from it's holster with special mechanical claws and checked the chamber again as if worried about damage. "We report to them, then we can see about getting you all settled in somewhere."

"N-No, about Skyfall." Twilight said, monotonously. "We have to do something."

"We can't." Revolver paused and looked at his body in the water's reflection, he stood upright, but hands were replaced with flexible hooves and the basic three fingered, metal tools he had affixed to the palms. Tight clothing to fit his form was adjusted to fit his new body. "This'll take some getting re-used to."

Excited cheers erupted from the Spirits as they changed to their Spirit forms. Twilight and Sunset sat in awe at each figure, a rainbow of features showed themselves from an elephant to a serpent floating in the air.

"W-What?" Twilight stammered. "I thought the forms you just had were your Spirit forms?"

"Ha, 'fraid not, miss." Revolver threw a satchel around his neck before whistling to the Spirits to simmer down. "It seems you've been honored with seeing some of our Spirit forms and the disguises we wear. Many live and die never knowing this, count yourselves as trusted."

Sunset breathed deep and walked to Revolver, reprompting the conversation. "We have to go back."

"I know what you think you saw, Sunset." Revolver said. "But we all have our orders as well as me having extra tasks to accomplish. And both orders require us going to Farhaven."

"But Skyfall?"

"He is a very big boy, he can handle a little Spirit." Revolver said, worry not present in his mood whatsoever.

"But that Spirit had all of you on the run!" Sunset pointed to the air where a sliver of space was still disturbed, linking the realms. "He's there by himself! And he... he was going to-"

"-buy us time." A large bull named Theseus, said. "Skyfall has been through worse. If you are true friends to him, never trust what you see from him at first, ever."

"You can say that again." Twilight grumbled and magicked the moisture from her fur as well and helping each of her friends get used to their new bodies by explaining how to move. She looked to Revolver who was pointing and calling out instructions. "Mr. Revolver, how do we get to Farhaven?"

"Follow the wolves." Revolver pointed to the forest as a white wolf stood and walked into the brush disappearing from sight. 

"Shattered Skies must know we're here." Sunset mused.

"I thought the wolves belong to that large wolf?" Twilight asked. "Sif?"

Revolver began to walk and passed the would-be Princess. "They're all hers, but Sif has given her life to Shattered Skies. Each of these wolves grew up thinking of Skies as something between a father and a master, and as a result hang on his every word and praise."

Adagio, Aria, and Sonata slowed as the group began to move faster toward the forest. They looked to one another with concern.

"Do we go?" Sonata asked, shuttering as her magic refilled from the laylines. "I, like, want to help, but I don't want to go back to not having music."

Aria scoffed. "I say we split and head for Las Pegasis"

"No." Adagio said and started walking. "Shattered Skies allowed us to come along, without him, we would be fleeing to another deadend sanctuary with the others. Our time as vagabonds is over."

Sonata smiled at Aria's grimace and both of them trotted to catch up to their group that was deep in conversation moving toward the forest in a deliberate pace.

Smoke blacked the sky as they reached the edge of the forest, Twilight looked to the Spirits as a tree began to twist and bend. It spun and lifted its roots from the ground and stood high. It spoke in long drawn out words from a mask made of weathered bones. "Who comes seeking entry?"

"Grover?"

"Redemption." Grover greeted. 

"We're here seeking passage to Farhaven."

"If it is passage you seek, then it is a path you're given." Grover began to meld back into being a tree before offering up guidance. "Tread carefully, betrayal is afoot."

Looks of apprehension passed over the ground before they stepped foot into the forest, immediately meeting familiar yellow eyes staring at them from the dark shadows of the trees.

Twilight smiled, surprised to feel happy seeing the wolf. "Sif!"

"Hello, Twilight." Sif stood, pained from a dark spot beneath her fur. "I see you have company."

"Are you okay, Lady Sif?" Revolver called, kneeling at her side.

Her large paw wrapped around Revolver's bent form. Sif smiled and wrinkled her nose at his stench. "It's good to see you, but you still smell like a manure farm." She saw his glare into her side and cut to the chase. "The fight wasn't a clean one if that's what you're wondering. We aren't ready to face off against a military just yet and they took advantage of that."

"Is Ponyville alright?" Twilight asked. For a brief moment she contemplated asking about Farhaven, but if Sif was here waiting patiently then it wasn't in immediate danger.

"No." Sif turned and made a wet smack of her jaw, calling hidden wolves forward. "It was their platform for attack, the town was taken before the battle even begun. I haven't been able to get near it to collect any intelligence at all and we still have people there."

"What about Farhaven?" Revolver asked.

"Can't get to it." Sif said. "Skies' forest is fighting them, but they have chosen to try and bombard the barrier from ships stationed above the forest between Farhaven and Ponyville. Close enough to pick away at the shield's endurance and far enough to be out of range of our own, feeble artillery. They strike at anything coming near the wall so our option for counterattacking is non-existent. I left Farhaven seeking a few of our citizens, but I was blindsided."

"Someone from the inside fed them information?" Revolver asked.

"Yes." Sif growled. "When the attacks first started, the obvious truth screamed at us when they nearly breach the gate. Someone deactivated Storm Front's thick barrier of storm, but Lord Skies' shield activated along with the others and locked the whole city down, it almost faltered, but Princess Luna seems to have reinforced it without anyone knowing. So here we are, trying to discover a weakness to exploit. We attacked a few of their stockpiles and supply caravans, but this past week has been rough."

"How did you get out?" Twilight asked.

"Underground cisterns. River was working on them in secret to get the water to flow easier and to give my kin an easier path instead of barreling through the city streets." Sif silently told her kin to stand beside Twilight and her friends. "That was five days ago, that option isn't available to us until we disperse the patrols, camps, and ships flying overhead. One of my wolves could make it through, maybe. But all of us? No."

"So where to now?" Twilight asked.

"We're going to take you to Pinkie's sister. She has kept our presence a secret and Fury's commandos can't navigate the deep tunnels like we can. The Princess of Farhaven is with us as well, adding another level of risk for us, she is out looking for her own way around while we've been sent here to intercept you." Sif smiled as the mares yelped from cold noses passing through their legs. They balanced dumbly on the wolves backs. "Sorry about this, but we need to move fast."

Quietly, Sif noticed the lack of her master. She knew he was okay from the Spirit's lax demeanor, but him being absent pained her heart as every second was another soldier the enemy added to their entrenchment.





A Few Days Later





"You really are a jerk." The Maker mumbled from atop Skies limp form.

"Yeah, but even you have to admit I have my moments from time to time."

"From time to time, yes." A soft kiss landed on Skies' cheek as the Maker struggled to stand. "The land has changed so much, where have we landed? A cave?"

Shattered Skies looked around and saw the darkness of the cave offset by crystalline torches and all flooded with the sound of a waterfall.

"This is the cave behind my house." He groaned, having forgot how heavy the maker actually was. 

"This is where you thought to go when we jumped in?" The Maker asked.

"Yes, I enjoy it here." Skies pointed to the boxes and tea set just behind the Maker as she limped onto a pillow. "Although, the cave is supposed to have an earthy scent, not this smokey flavor."

Tentatively, Skies stood and made his way toward the falls and transformed as the water rushed past his shoulders. The sight he beheld sank his heart.

The sky looked like a storm had rolled in with a tint of sick yellow, the oblivious would assume this, but these were not rain clouds, they were the signs of a major fire with no sign of slowing. The forest called to him, screaming in silence as it burned. Skyfall pressed his hoof into a root and felt thousands of creatures, some living, some not, all around Ponyville.

Visually, Skyfall saw two large, hulking, metal structures. Ships, one high above Ponyville and the other anchored in the lake the dam kept in check; each ship resembling something close to a battleship or what amounted to one on Equus. The guard base he could see from his house was overrun with fourth division guard banners and a camp laid in the center held what seemed to be some of the Ponyville residents.

Skyfall followed the plums of smoke and they lead directly to the markets and houses of Ponyville. The raid was long done; houses sacked, some burned while books and belongings were burned in long smoldering piles. Now they've moved into the framing process by which Fury will justify the attacking of Ponyville. Keeping the residents alive as living shields to ward off any counterattack, only to toss them to their death as they leave to punctuate his point. The fate that awaited them being much worse as they would be used in every dark sense of the word before the end.

"So I guess the question is: what will your next step be?" The Maker asked.

"If we were a few thousand years younger, I would say fire and brimstone, maybe a little plague." Skyfall mused. "But this will take some planning."

"Planning with time you do not have. What will you do if you take Ponyville?" The Maker asked. "Once you do, you prove that you personally care about mortals. Thus, putting them in danger. Like a duckling from its mother, the rest of their race may reject them."

"So, what are you really asking?"

"Will you sacrifice the mortals you've known for a few months to keep Farhaven safe? Or, are you going to save them and put the beings of Equestria at risk." The Maker looked to Skyfall when he looked to her. "Will you sacrifice the few to save the many?"

"I asked Pinkie the same thing." Skyfall said. "I told her the answer was to go with saving more life."

"And?"

"Without context, I would let them be with fate." Sky sat, mouth slightly open, looking at the carnage. "But fate can be very cruel and I've also said that those that have the power to act have the responsibility to act."

The Maker chuckled, knowing his answer. "Then I will remain here, Lord Skyfall. I feel my magic returning, in an hour I should be of use to protect some ponies. So don't be afraid to call upon me."

"After all this, should we make it through, I would like you to meet my little girl." Skyfall said as the Maker turned to walk back to the cave.

"Nothing would please me more."

A soft wind blew, carrying a fresh whiff of smoke on it. Brief melancholy entered Skyfall's mind before being pushed out by the want to do right by the denizens of Ponyville. Sky turned and hit his hoof against a tree, taking a chunk of bark off of a branch. He waited until it bled sap before biting into it, reaching out with his power to feel Farhaven in a state of panic. Voices echoed as he spread his consciousness to find Sif. Each of the Spirits that had arrived over the past few months was in full regalia and standing by in the town square in case the barrier that protected Farhaven should fall.

The trees of Farhaven heaved violently, forcing all speech and movement in Farhaven to lull, allowing Skyfall to pinpoint River's location.

"Shattered, have you returned?"

"I have." Skyfall's Spirit voice echoed through the council's chambers. "Get word to Sif and her kin on the eastern watch by the badlands to try and find some of our lost friends if she has not already. Get them post haste by any means necessary."

"Sif left a week ago. I think she's hitting the enemy's weak points, but we're cut off here." River stood, waving off Skies' council to walk into another room with no one inside. "What do you want us to do, Lord Skies? It's bad here, we have supplies and can wait the enemy out for a month at most, but Ponyville is either destroyed or nearly so."

"I want you all to hunker down." Skies let his voice permeate the whole of Farhaven. "Our enemy is counting on us to rush to Ponyville's aid, a brash and dangerous move."

"Many of the militia here have mobilized and want to help." River said. "They say that Storm Front told them to should the time come. They have firearms..."

With what little control Sky had in his disguised form, he shifted his mind and felt the group of militia ready for war. An odd feeling presented itself, Storm Front never told him that he had trained units in the city. Granted, some Spirits just don't mention things they believe are small, but the timing struck a cord with him.

"Do not allow them to leave the city. As long as you are behind the barrier, you are safe." Skyfall focused his attention onto River and the room she stood in. "Apprehend the militia immediately and place them in the crystalline chambers along with Grave's pawns. Wind Rider spoke to me of this before leaving, he has acted in my stead to raise a security force. You are in command. Please hurry."

"Right away." River affirmed, turning to enter the council chambers once more to grab some of her equipment. "My Lord, there is something I must inform you of. Lady Crystal and Lady Anara left the gate before the city was sealed, Feather of Truth was not able to reach them."

"I understand." Skies heart ached, knowing they were likely in their estate. "Remain within the city, Be ready when I call to you. The rest is for me."

He could tell River didn't like it and would likely ignore his command to just remain uninvolved, but other matters demanded his attention. With haste, Sky let go of the tree and trotted into his house and up the stairs to see Inko in Spirit form, waiting in the doorway of his study, hunkered down with a bolt of magic, waiting to see who approached. Upon seeing Skyfall, she stepped aside and at last he saw Honey and Cadance going through his desk, each covered in dirtied armor.

"Dad, I can explain!" Cadance placated until she was brought into a hug with her mother by her father.

"Both of you shouldn't be here." Skyfall said calmly, holding them both at arm's length, making sure to meet his eyes to his wife and daughter.

"It's my fault, Sky." Honey placed a hoof on Skyfall's back. "I showed my true self to Cadance and we had a small fight. Then we were locked out of Farhaven."

Sky leaned back to look both mare in the eye before turning his question to Cadance. "And?"

"It's not something to be concerned with now." Cadance said, clearly conflicted.

"Then that's the best answer that could have arrived, any other decision would have been bullheaded." Skyfall kissed Cadance's head. "And if I'm right, you went to see Raven after I left."

Cadance nodded her head. "It was nice to hear a little more, but she told me that there are many things only you can tell me, so I'm back to square one." She said before mumbling. "Mostly."

Having caught the "mostly" part of the sentence and the quiet way in which with was uttered. Skyfall's heart fluttered, causing him to take a deep breath. "I take it there is something you discovered that you didn't like?"

"Y-Yeah."

"She knows the second and third taboo." Honey said calmly, eliciting a reaction from Cadance.

"Is that what they're called? The second and third taboo?" Cadance asked before being startled at her father's glare that he shot at Honey.

"I didn't tell her." Honey glared back. "This is something you should have told her. Our daughter is a Guardian Spirit, she's nearly an Elemental's strength. She needs guidance, not protection."

A new side of Honey emerged before Cadance as she watched her father step back and sit on the couch across from them, hooves rubbing his face in frustration. He signaled Inko to shut the door before opening his mouth.

"No." Honey shoved a book into his mouth with her magic. "No silver tongue from the silver stallion."

Cadance giggled before thinking on the words her mother just spoke. "Wait." 

"Yes, Cupcake?" Honey asked.

"What's an Elemental, again?" Cadance asked.

"A being with immense power. There are only four and since you came into your own, your power hasn't stopped pooling, I believe that since you're father and I are individually powerful, you took hybrid traits." Honey said matter of factly. "Eventually, I would like Earth to speak with you about it and tell me whether or not you would be considered one since only one of like power would be able to notice." She finished as Cadance watched another book float up and beam her father in the head, causing him to curse.

"Watch it!" Sky growled, reaching up for the book that was thrown up and away from his grasp. "That book is a classic."

"Screw your classics. Why have you not explained these things to her yet?" Honey challenged. "She needs to learn how to use her power before she sneezes and we have ocean front property one hundred miles inland!"

Skyfall sighed, feeling the judgement of his child and his wife. "Cadance is still young and I wanted to spare her the heartaches and headaches that come with being a Spirit, at least for a little while longer." He squinted at Honey and huffed. "And a similar reason as to why you didn't tell her your real identity when you first met."

"I was waiting until a good moment to-"

"No you weren't." Skyfall interjected. "You figured it all out the instant you saw our daughter in the kitchen when you got here. You waited until you could show her the real you before showing her the you she has come to know."

"Dad, that's mean." Cadance scowled before Honey patted her leg gently.

"No, he's absolutely right. I wanted you to know my personality and who I am inside before showing you the villain." She smiled. "I was waiting until your father came back to show you."

"Yeah, cause he totally doesn't keep secrets too." Cadance said beneath her breath.

"Hey, I'm right here." Skyfall chuckled.

"What? You do." Cadance said. "I want to know you and mom. So far mom has shown me who she is at the risk of our relationship. You won't even tell me about your past, even how you died."

Skyfall closed his eyes and lowered his head in shame.

"Cadance, that isn't a good topic to bring up." Honey put both hooves up toward Cadance trying to calm her while casting a worried expression toward Sky. "Maybe we should change the subject."

"No! I want to know. I hate secrets and I have accepted them so far but please, I want to know you both and be your child." Cadance's voice became hoarse.

"You are and will always be our child, Anara." Skyfall opened his eyes, but kept them turned toward the floor. "Your mother isn't one to keep many secrets, which is why she showed you her true form, but I keep secrets to protect myself and others." He held up a hoof to stem the oncoming onslaught of demands for explanation. "I am who I am. One day, you will know all of my secrets because I will teach you everything I know, the good, the evil, and even my memory magic."

"No. Skyfall, she can't-"

"She can. And she will." Skyfall gave Honey a forlorn look. "She must if she is going to keep safe."

"Memory magic?" Cadance asked.

"The blood bite thing I do." Skyfall said, still not being able to look his daughter in the eye. "Through blood, I can see a being's memories. For you, it will be random images at first, but with time you will be able to see all of a being's life or only mere fractions, all within seconds. As you are my daughter, you may be able to further master it."

"It's dangerous." Honey said in defiance. "That's why the council outlawed it."

"The Spirit council?" Cadance asked.

"Yes, we all decided it was too dangerous." Honey looked at Skyfall and sighed. "But your father is the only one that can teach you to use it safely."

"Why was it outlawed?" 

"Because mortals attempted it and became lifeless husks, unable to withstand the strain of experiencing another's life. They would attempt it and every emotion rushed through them at once like a bolt of lightning. Pain and pleasure in every variation, stuck at maximum until they withered." Honey shook her head. "A Spirit whose name is now lost attempted it and was driven mad, forcing us to make the determination to outlaw it. As a consequence, your father was bound by oath to never teach another, but I believe he ignored that and taught others anyway."

"I did." Skyfall said. "But only one."

"The night princess?" Honey asked to which Skyfall nodded. 

"She can stand the strain and to my knowledge, she has stuck to the secrecy I swore her to."

Honey chuckled and placed a hoof on Cadance's leg. "Your father and Luna used to get into all kinds of shenanigans. They would just up and disappear. They were always getting into trouble."

"Were not."

"Were too."

"Were not."

"were too!" Honey proclaimed. "Remember the Kraken?"

"That wasn't our fault."

"You stole its eggs."

"We were hungry?" Skyfall defended to Cadance's light laughter. "How was I supposed to know they belonged to a fully grown Kraken."

"So you really were Luna's teacher?" Cadance asked.

"I was. Her and Celestia both had a great many teachers as we believe that it takes a village, not an individual, to truly raise a child." Skyfall glanced out the window at the columns of pluming smoke. "But I was the Spirit Luna chose to become her master. She became my apprentice and for hundreds of years she learned, finally passing every test I gave her to be who she wanted to be."

"Does she know the taboos?" Cadance asked.

"No. The first few taboos are extremely private, including the fact of what we are and our names."

"And your deaths?" Cadance asked.

"Yes." Skyfall nodded. "With information on someone's death, one could potentially cripple a Spirit. Or at least that's the belief. At the very least, our deaths were all very different, some of us were more painful than others."

"Oh." Cadance cooed, at last understanding that her father didn't have a peaceful passing. "I'm sorry I pushed so hard."

"Don't be." Skyfall was at last able to meet his daughter's gaze. "You have a right to know everything about your parents. In the light of recent events, maybe it's more important some things are told to you now, by us, instead of having the enemy blurt it out to interrupt you in a fight."

"Sweetheart, maybe this is a conversation best saved for after everything has calmed down?" Honey offered, to which Skyfall shook his head firmly.

"I suspect my death is something that will come to light for our child sooner rather than later. You know who we're up against, I want her to hear it from me, not my deranged family." Skyfall adjusted himself in his seat, uncomfortable at the shocked expression Cadance wore at hearing about more family. 

"Where to start?" Skyfall sighed. "Cadance, as you know, our souls are not ones from this realm, we were taken at death from elsewhere and brought here to start life and maintain it. Death being the catalyst allowing our souls to change."

"Because of humanity?" Cadance asked.

"Yes, push and pull. A dichotomy that acted as the starting point for most of this." Skyfall motioned his hooves together and then apart to illustrate his point. "This requires those that were chosen to be of a sound soul. This means that they died naturally. When a plant bears its seeds, it's done naturally as a premature seedling won't take root."

"But River died of-"

"Naturally, meaning not of their own hand." Skyfall interrupted. "A car accident isn't covered under the taboo."

"Taboo?"

Skyfall gave a reassuring look to Honey who only looked away, folding her ears onto her head. "Pony society rarely sees it, but where we came from it was something that persisted and eventually tore families apart, like it did to mine when I left."

Cadance swallowed to moisten her drying throat. "What happened?"

"I killed myself."

"W-What?" Cadance's body felt struck with a numb chill. "I don't understand."

Skyfall knew that she was in genuine shock at the news. He stood up and sat next to Cadance, just opposite of Honey and brought her into a hug, knowing he made the right move. "I know it's a lot to take in, but hearing this from me is the way I want it."

"Why?" Cadance's eye grew teary. "Why would you do that?"

"Why does anyone do anything?" Skyfall shook his head. "I told myself for centuries that reasons I had once were justified, but upon reflection I knew my siblings no longer needed me. Out of selfishness, I had no room for closure and one bad day tipped my hand. After coming here, I've lived well for longer than I could imagine, evolving with the times. A part of me hoped to forget the past, but the saying "you can never run from your past" seems to have prevailed."

Cadance turned and placed her hooves on her father's face and looked at him with tear filled eyes. "You loved your siblings, didn't you?"

"Still do." Skyfall said, thinking of the horrible crimes they've committed. "Always will."

All of the sudden, Cadance brought him into a strong hug, startling both him and Honey. Without much pause, Honey nodded at Skyfall with tears of her own and hugged Skyfall and Cadance.

As Skyfall embraced his wife and child, a warmth he barely recognized came back and he smiled.

The door creaked open and a cough came from Inko, an unspoken signal that she had something to say. Slowly, the trio looked up from the couch toward the tall white avian creature.

"I apologize Lord Sky, but there are guards walking toward the estate. They're not your guards. We must retreat to the forest once more." 

"So it begins." Skyfall chewed his lip. "Honey?"

"Yes?"

"I need you to take Cadance and flee."

"No." Honey said. "They'll be expecting that. If this is Fury, then he's already watching the estate to see our escape route. We should go out guns blazing and take Ponyville now while they're unaware."

"Not bad, but they want this to look like Farhaven." Skyfall said. "This cannot be an all out fight, we won't win. We need to trick Fury into making mistakes." He paused and smiled slowly. "Say, babe, you can change at will, right?"

"More or less."

"Agh, I'm such a jerk." Skyfall started to laugh.

"What's the plan?" Honey asked.

"Inko." Skyfall called. "Take Cadance down to the cellar and unlock the back door on the way, make sure it's open and resting on the frame, but not completely ajar. Cadance, I need you to cast the house in illusion spells and barrier incantations. The second we're escorted off the premises, Inko will know the ones to cast."

"Are you sure?" Inko asked.

"Yes, please do it now, I need to discuss the next step with Honey. Alone." Skyfall stood and walked to his desk after kissing Cadance on the head.

As the door closed, Honey stood and walked toward the desk. "What do you have in mind f-agh." She flailed as black cloth landed on her face, blinding her with the dark fabric for a moment. "Socks?"

"Put them on."

"Why do you have leg socks!?"

"Don't question why I have them!?"

"You want to do that, now!"

"No!" Skyfall paused and shrugged after a moment. "Yes."

Honey gave Skyfall a skeptical look, not understanding his angle. She enjoyed her and Sky's intimacies, but the situation was near chaotic. "What's the plan?"

"I need you to change into Fury's wife, Breezy. You know who I'm talking about?" Skyfall asked. "She's the one with the chestnut mane that laid in a braid over her turquoise coat. Obsession with baking."

"Talked a lot about her garden? Unhappy marriage? Looking for love?"

"Yes."

With a flick of her mane, Honey transformed into Breezy and slipped on the socks, drawing them tight and high against her coat."Sexy enough for you?"

"You could drop the disguise then I might pounce on you." Skyfall teased, making Honey grow impatient and bring him into a kiss. "So forceful. I might swoon."

"Those guards will be here in six minutes, better make it look like you've been rutting your boss's wife for hours." Honey hopped up onto the desk and threw everything on the ground. "Well Mr.Skyfall?" She smiled deviously, enjoying the part she was playing a little too much. "My husband is so busy with work he has no time to pay attention to little ol' me. My drain has been clogged for years now." 

Chuckling to himself, trying to become serious for the ruse, Skyfall played along. "Well, we can't have that, Mrs. Fury. I know my way around some plumbing." He leaned in and Honey hooked a hoof around his neck to crane him over her, drawing his body onto hers. "I better flush the pipes and snake the drain."

Honey's breath grew heavy from anticipation. "Well, they are jammed and you are... my plumber. Oh Maker, Skyfall."

Sky backed up slightly and let Honey rest on his desk with an expecting look on her face. He smirked and backpedaled to heft his armor up onto his shoulder along with a cloak.

"No." Honey snapped up and slammed her hooves onto the desk between her legs. "Don't start my engine and rev me once!"

"I'm sorry, babe. You have to look sexually frustrated." He opened the door trying to avoid Honey's death glare. "I'll make it up to you."

"You better." She chided as he disappeared with haste into the hall. A quiet moment of contemplation passed before she fell backward and slide down from the desk and into his large chair. "The things I do for that man."





"Uh, Sergeant?"

"What, Wheel Well?" A gruff stallion groaned back as the guards stopped at the front door.

"What's that banging sound?" The private asked.

"I hear groaning." Another pony said.

"Maybe someone is hurt from trying to hang something?" A mare said as she tried the door. "It's locked."

"Try the doors." The Sergeant said. "I hear the groaning too, it sounds like somepony is in some serious pain."

As the ponies started trying doors and windows, one of the older guards chuckled to himself and sat against the fountain. He took a can of tobacco and put in a lip after hitting it against his knee. "Ohhh yeah, that mare sounds like she's in some pain alright."
> Chapter 52 -Unconquerable Enemy-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Unconquerable Enemy-



The Fourth Stable Sergeant put in charge of Skyfall's retrieval rolled his eyes having become impatient with waiting for his team to get the job done. He barged into the house, past his guards standing by awkwardly and stepped passed his timid guardling standing in the study's doorway. "Captain, this is serious. We've been instructed to retrieve you, please come with us..." The guard focused on the mare lained up on the couch, seemingly tired. He blinked and sputtered. "Miss Breezy?"

Crystal smiled when the guards finally verified they recognized her as Fury's spouse. She hated actual acts of infidelity, but relished in the fact that only she and Sky knew that she wasn't Breezy. From time to time, being a shape shifter helped, but her tactics weren't as calculated as some of the ideas her husband had. She had to admit, for the lack of time given, he came up with a gem of a plan.

"Miss, the Captain won't like this." The Sergeant said, glancing around the study before looking to the team leader who simply shook her head, affirming that Skyfall was absent. Aggravated, he looked to Breezy once more. "And miss, you'll need to come with us. Captain Fury will need to be told of this."

Crystal rolled off the couch and whipped her tail in the guard's face as she passed. "How would you know what Fury likes? He hasn't pleased me in years."

A silence fell over the room while the Sergeant and most of the guards left, save one. He stood by, armored with scarred, iron plating with only flacks of his blue mane peeking out over a goldenrod coat. He tried to stand by without saying so much as a word, but his restrain wore on his appearance. He turned and left the house along with his squad, but before exiting he turned to a private and ordered her to be posted at the residence.

As the group shrank into the distance, Cadance balanced herself on old boxes just below the basement's window well. She chattered to herself incoherently.

"Please be alright." Cadance said, looking out a ceiling window in the basement.

"They'll be fine, my Lady." Inko said, earning a worried look from the young Princess. She didn't say it, but the situation worried her too. Having stood by Skies for ages, he was still in a severely weakened state and a head-on battle would be more than his body could take.

With few words between them, Inko and Cadance shrouded the house in various barriers to shield their presence as per Skyfall's command. He didn't say so, but Inko knew that it meant keeping his child safe and away from the fighting. Whether the plan would follow through, was unknown to all.





Stalking through the forest, Skyfall lumbered under the weight of his armor. Smoke fogged the forest, even being a mile away he could tell that the magic incinerating his trees was high powered and aided by fire gems. Long lines of guards stood, letting loose torrents of bright orange. Fury wasn't dumb, it was clear he had laid in wait, studying his enemy and knew what the likely angles of approach would be. He didn't need to know the pawns when the board was burned.

Teams blasted the trunks of the skyscrapper trees, letting them boom along the grounds like miniature earthquakes.

Piles of burned carcasses signaled Fury's second precaution, remove animal intruders. Likely victims that strayed too close when the trees started to be burned or of house pets that couldn't run fast enough. Captured then killed.

Additionally, a larger pyre wore a more grim message, destroy natives periodically to show prolonged suffering. Skyfall saw it all before as it was an age old tactic to turn views of a larger populace through shock alone.

Acres of grass were now smoldering stretches of ashen dirt. The vibrant center that was Ponyville was nearly too different to compare. Smoke blocked out much of the low hanging sun, leaving a dusk to darken the town. Guards walked the streets, scanning, looking for stragglers. There was little aside from the charred remains of animals and ponies alike, destroyed grassland, and the burned away forest. Some houses were burned out shells and two large prisoner camps were on opposite sides of the town, leaving a third to take up what used to be the cargo depot of the Ponyville Guard's barracks.

"This is horrible."

"You must be Skyfall." A monotone voice said from the shadows, snatching Sky's attention. 

"Who're you?" Skyfall asked looking into disinterested eyes. The smoke and fire dimming his senses, it took him longer than he liked to see who spoke to him.

"Maud."

"You're not a guard." Skyfall relaxed, seeing a mare wearing a singed frock, recognizing her.

"No. I am here to bring you to my cave." 

"This is suddenly taking a very kinky turn." Skyfall squinted.

"Growl." Maud said, no emotion whatsoever.

"Did you just..." Skyfall started to ask if she tried to counter quip, however, the disaster behind him stole that light-hearted moment. "Why your cave?"

"Sif is there." Maud turned away and left, only looking back briefly. "She told me to relay: "he's useless without his bitch biting his ass.""

"Well, she's not wrong." Skyfall chuckled, knowing only one being spoke like that and would have as little tact as to send the message along with a random mare. Picking up on her features, he remembered a photo Pinkie shoved in his face repeatedly and the affiliation was more clear. "Lead the way, Ms. Pie."

The fogged forest went from nearly bleak to clear with their distance from Ponyville growing, Maud led Sky through a small opening in the ground at the base of an enormous rock, cautioning him about his size and the hole as she did.

"So, you live in a cave?"

"Yes."

"I've never seen you in Ponyville before." Skyfall said. "Pinkie speaks a lot about you, but didn't mention that you lived at the town's limits."

"She knows I like my privacy." Maud said. "She tells me you like the same."

"I see, that must be why she kept her distance from me when I first arrived." Skyfall mused. "I heard she can be very invasive at times."

"She gets excited." Maud turned her head. "But lately, that has been replaced with more docile moods. Something I surmise you're at fault for."

"I hope so." Skyfall said before bumping into Maud, who had turned and stopped before Skyfall.

"Do not impose your will over my sister." Maud said, eyes still relaxed and disinterested.

"Your sister is her own mare." Skyfall side stepped the awkward mare and continued walking. "I merely respond to her, it's Pinkie that sought me out. I assume she came to you after my questions regarding the moral choices of saving a group of ponies over another."

Maud walked behind Skyfall, silently.

"With being one that keeps her emotions in check, I assume you are very upset by this." Skyfall looked back, receiving no sign from Maud. "Can I get a blink, something?"

"She came to me." Maud said.

"You disapprove?"

"I disapprove." Maud said before they walked headlong through bushes and into a cave system. Its twists and turns brought them through illuminated tunnels and finally to light.

"Because it's morbid or because it questioned your sisters intellectual and moral judgement?" Skyfall stopped before a large chasm, decorate with foliage and waterfalls. "Whoa."

"Mr. Skyfall." Maud said. "My sister likes you and that's enough for me. However, please leave Pinkie out of all plans that you are currently forming." She turned and walked down a set of stairs to a small, purple colored gazebo. A large white wolf rested, her paws hanging off a ledge and into a pool. 

Skyfall raised his brow. "This much time has passed, can these ponies be so distrusting?"

Maud's return roused Sif from her sleep, a light whine escaping her as she twisted to edge herself away from the pool. She looked up and grinned slightly at Skyfall.

"Sif, are you okay?" Skyfall asked, at last seeing flecks of blood on her fur. "How did this happen?"

"Yes I am and the blood isn't mine." She winced and Skyfall's hug. "But I have bruised ribs. Fury really is every bit the terror I believed him to be."

"Well, we'll make sure to take advantage of surprise." Skyfall brushed dirt from Sif's fur.

"Sky." Sif whimpered quietly. "I'm afraid to tell you, but. He has Sunset, Twilight, and some of the others."

"What!" Skyfall shouted, causing Sif to shoot her ears back. "Explain."

"There isn't much to explain." Sif sighed. "Twilight flew into a fit once she saw Ponyville. Taking advantage of that and the Spirit's need to help, she talked them into helping her rush Ponyville the second they saw an opening. Farhaven is locked up tight, leaving us stuck between the two." Sif caught Sky's glance to Maud, who was resting on a pillow, staring at them. Ignoring his subtle warning, she continued. "I tried to stop them, but Twilight Sparkle is head strong. In the end, me saying "it's what Skyfall would want" wasn't enough to sway them. I think she tried to throw her title around to stop Fury."

"That filly..." Skyfall said, cursing to himself about her recent bought of bossiness.

"We left half the Spirits with Twilight's other worldly friends in a nook beneath a tree near where they entered. Grover seems to be watching over them and moving patrols around in circles.

Sitting slowly, Skyfall cursed again. His attack force cut in half and the potential for royal leverage now gone wore heavy, heavier than he'd like to admit.

"Thoughts, my lord?" Sif asked.

"Does Maud know?" Skyfall asked.

Subtly, Sif glanced to Maud. "I think so. She knows more than I thought she did, but she doesn't talk about it." 

"Okay." Skyfall rubbed his eyes, believing it safe to assume she knew everything at that point and respected that she knew the situation to be dire enough to keep secrets, or at least not confess unsolicited truths. "Maud, can you keep this between us?"

She stood and walked over to Skyfall's side. "If you save my sister, I will help you in any way possible. Your secrets aren't my business."

"Do you understand what that might mean?" Skyfall asked. "Having never met me, are you sure you want to promise such a thing?"

"I don't care." Maud said firmly.

"I think, coming from a mare of your stony exterior, I might actually believe you." Skyfall said, turning to sif with a relieved sigh. "What about the Elements? Do you have any information? Dead? Unit strength?"

"It's bad." Sif said. "Fury attacked us himself, not even rousing his guards. He let Twilight go on and on, letting her get angrier and angrier. When he decided he had enough, just transformed and killed some of the Spirits in an instant. The others were beat down and captured with little effort. Twilight tried to strike, but he backhanded her through a steel door. She's alive, her shield saw to that, but she looked shaken."

"What about Sunset and the Elements?"

"I saw her stand down. She wasn't a match for that thing." Sif said. "She was very shaken up from what happened to you on the other side of the portal and hesitated. She ended up being a liability to one of the Spirits that was struck down. Four of the Elements have been captured and are being kept hidden away. I presume at the castle. Applejack and Fluttershy made it to Farhaven and are also being kept hidden away. " Her voice fell quiet, knowing not to discuss Golden Heart's actions and in lieu changed the subject. "Was it true? What happened to you."

"It is, but I'm going to have to explain this when we get more time." Skyfall shifted under the rub of his armor, having had no time to fasten it down properly. "And you? How'd you escape?"

"I knew this would happen. Revolver and some of the more seasoned Spirits stayed back with Twilight's friends despite her friend's protests. I hung back and ran the instant he attacked. I encountered a few guards and tore them down as I ran before a large one broadsided me with a hammer. " Sif shook her head. "This can't be a head on fight. Not one we can win, at least."

"I don't intend for it to be." Skyfall said. "There was a reason I tried to increase the foliage in density and size around Ponyville. It seems Fury created a counter measure for that too."

"So how are you going to attack?"

"I'm going to have to infiltrate them. When I was given control of Ponyville, I recovered the layouts for the town and its utilities so I could avoid destroying plumbing so the town's ponies wouldn't catch on." Skyfall said. "I didn't plan ahead for such a way in since I believed it easier to just zip around Ponyville from tree to tree, striking at guards from the dark. With the green being burned away to cinder, makes it much more difficult."

"Tell me." Skyfall said. "Who else is here? And what kind of hardware are we faced with. Also, I know you have troop numbers."

"Grave is here. Somewhere." Sif said, a tinge of distaste in her mouth. "The other two aren't, no idea if they're hanging back. As for equipment, I know you saw the two warships and flame throwers. They have basic weaponry; long distance and close quarters. Nothing too special to be honest, just a lot of seasoned guards."

"I suspect it's his entire guard force. Fourth Stable was the smallest, but that's meaningless here." Skyfall said, silently noting their strength. "I know Unfaithful is likely in the human realm. As for River's End, she's probably providing continued finance for this as well as pulling large number deals while this is going on to muddy the financial facts once this is over. Typical Bureaucratic smoke screening." 

"So, do we smash and grab?" Sif offered. "Lure the main force away from Ponyville and have a few spirit teams move on the prisoners at the same time and run?"

"No." Skyfall said, sitting against Maud's couch. "Fury will see that coming."

"What about sneaking in as a guard to cause this setup to malfunction?" Maud said.

Sky and Sif turned to the hardbody mare.

"That's a good idea." Skyfall accepted. "But instead of espionage, we could do one better."

"Like what?" Sif asked.

"We turn their weapons back on them." Skyfall said. "Fury will likely be unable to control his temper. Especially when he sees me and learns what I did to his wife."

"What..." Sif prompted.

"What?"

"What did you do to his wife?" Sif squinted her eyes, looking him up and down. "You didn't copulate, did you?"

"Okay, how am I supposed to answer that?" Skyfall deadpanned.

"I don't know, you're the one saying you had sex with his wife."

"No I didn't, you did. I said-"

"Yeah yeah, so you and your sister-in-law had promiscuous incestual relations." Sif flipped her paw, feigning disgust, attempting to get a rise out of Skyfall.

"I did not bang my sister-in-law."

"You implied you did."

"Because Honey is disguised as her!" Skyfall defended.

"So you had your wife dress up as your sister to get your sick kicks, you-"

"I've had enough of your sass." Skyfall cut in. "I swear, I'm going to spank you."

"Oh no, I'm next on your sick sexual crusade." Sif rolled onto her back, pretending to swoon.

"You two are very odd." Maud said, earning shocked expressions from Sif and Skyfall having forgotten she was there. This only sent both beings into rambunctious laughter, their emotions from the situation having been to stirred to do much else.

As the laughing died down, Sif took a deep breath. "So, what now?"

"We need to regroup with the Spirits that stayed behind. With them, we get put thoughts to action." Skyfall said. "Twilight getting herself captured makes this infinitely more difficult. Chances are, Fury knows my identity and will out me when the time is right, prolonged conflict won't bode well even if we win. That is, if Unfaithful has reached him or if he figured it out by himself."

Sif stood and winced, earning a firm hoof from Skyfall. Silent protest of her body sprang forward as she pressed on his hoof, causing her more pain.

"No, you must stay here. Heal. I'll go and find the others and bring them here." He turned to Maud, looking for any silent ques before talking. "Is it okay with you that we use this cave as our situation room?"

Maud blinked and looked to the vast chasm opposite the space. "I've sealed many of the tunnels leading here except the one we entered and one other. Use this place as you will." She turned and walked through a doorway cut from the rock into a tighter living area, but was followed closely by Skyfall. "Yes, Mr. Fall?"

"Maud, I need to know what information you might have." Skyfall looked back to Sif who had reluctantly accepted his command. She grumbled to herself, bringing a small smirk to Sky's face due to her adorable scowling face. 

"I don't have much." Maud said. "Zecora and a few others escaped. From what I can see of their camps is a few others did as well."

"And the Elements?"

"They're at the castle, like your friend said." Maud pulled out a small map as she sat onto a lush, purple pillow. She pointed from place to place. "I've been looking for a way to get in and save Pinkie, but I would get us both killed. I caught a glimpse of them through a hall window as they were being moved from room to room, they look unharmed."

"So they're moving them around to prevent advanced raid planning." Skyfall thought aloud. 'It looks like Fury has had this planned out for some time. Ponyville's layout makes it hard for any military force to take and hold it. Its round schematic and valley location scream unholdable and vulnerable to air bombardment. Ponyville was a trap, centuries in the making.'

Maud bore into Skyfall's expression, trying to read his thoughts. He chewed his lip as his eyes darted back and forth around the map like a stallion possessed. Having kept her confidential conversations with Pinkie a secret from everyone, she knew that the Elements had trouble with the silver stallion, but she only saw just that. A stallion.

"Maud, can I trust you to watch over Sif?" Skyfall asked, his eyes remaining on the map.

"Yes. I don't have any medical training, but I can help her move around and concentrate on getting better."

"That's all I ask." Skyfall turned to leave. "She'll heal up before anything happens, but she needs rest. If she gets restless, offer to play a game with her."

"Like fetch?" Maud asked, getting a chuckle from Skyfall and a snort from Sif.

"No, a board game if you have one." Skyfall exited Maud's place and walked toward the secret exit. "I will be back with the others. Hopefully it goes well."





Three hours later





Maud rolled the dice and cursed, having to now pay Sif three hundred dollars in hotel fees. She watched Sif count the money in victory before the limp body of a bull fell through the entrance like a pinball on its hopeless fall past the bumpers. He collided with the shore of Maud's pond and let out a pained hiss, gripping his side with both hooves.

"You didn't have to hit so hard." Revolver groaned.

"You lied." Skyfall emerged from the shadows with Spirits and mortals in tow.

"Just a little. I was following orders."

Maud and Sif looked on as the disguised Spirits trickled in with the six people-turned-ponies in tow. They each wore a different emotion from scared to unsure.

""I was following orders" is never a good excuse." Skyfall mumbled as he passed, eyeing Revolver's side arms. "You all had firearms stashed away in the trucks."

"They helped us out of that fight." Revolver rose to his hooves.

"Yes, but in doing so, you broadcast our location to the entire scouting force running through the forest!" Skyfall shouted. "That's a basic rule! Aside the fact that those guns complicate an already unknowable situation, we have to now worry about preventing hand cannons from becoming commonplace."

"I don't-" Revolver tried but was cut off.

"I know you don't see the reason behind censoring them, this has always been the argument. But in a world of magic that's been weaponized, it's one more thing that kills indiscriminately. It's harder to trace, anyone can use it, and worst of all, it can be stockpiled for mass genocide."

"It can protect!"

"So can magic!" Skyfall roared. "At least with magic, a skilled paladin can trace and locate the caster. A bullet is nameless, we don't have the technology for firearm projectile analysis. You're creating chaos..." He stopped, remembering Discord was reformed but was suspiciously absent from the raid. Shaking the thoughts from his head, he turned back to Revolver. "Listen. I'm not blind to a firearm's potential. In this situation, it gives us a leading edge. But you must see that they will sway this world into developing like ours did. Maybe the magic in this world can prevent them becoming what they were, but the chaos coming will destabilize the planet. Earth knows this, which is what baffles me."

"I disagree, my lord." Revolver said, knowing that Skies long stood against bringing in technology from the time before. "Lady Earth seems to have a plan, but I can't speak about the details of it. Sorry."

"I am loathe to allow them, but they will save more life here."

"So we have your blessing?" Revolver asked.

"You don't need a blessing." Sky said, offering his hoof in agreement. "Just keep in mind what they are."

"Yes, sir." Revolver said and grabbed Sky's outstretched hoof, grasping firm in his acceptance. "What's the plan?"

Skyfall looked at the rag-tag group of Spirits around him and motioned them forward with his wing as he ascended Maud's stairs that lead to her living room.

"Sif!" A small, manila Woodland Unicorn called as she crested the top to see the large she-wolf. 

"Hi, Melly." Sif smiled. "I see you took your chance at mischief the second it was given."

"Naturally." Melly smiled wide, yelping at the Minotaur's hand that poked her flank. 

"Greetings later." He said, nodding toward Skyfall who was waiting patiently to start.

"Thank you, Anthem." Skyfall stood at Maud's stone dinner table and motioned her forward after noticing she held various maps and charts. He eyed the quality as they were rolled out. "These are to locate the samples of rock you take around Ponyville?"

"Yes."

Looking over the maps, he nodded in approval as he started with a gasp of air. "How many of you served with me in conflict?"

Revolver, Melly, Anthem, Aria, and a Hippogriff named Sea Shard raised their arms. The rest in the room voiced whether or not they server against Shattered Skies or with another major Spirit.

"How many of you still love the mortal races enough to risk your lives?" Skyfall asked.

The room fell silent at the question. Spirits were immortal, but never impervious. If a Spirits were to be dealt a strong enough blow in any form, then death would come for them as it does for everyone else, but their disguises were always more vulnerable. This being a problem with assassins during the Spirit trials, many remained in their Spirit form only to then be pursued by the hunters guild and their silver weapons.

"We aren't attacking in full regalia?" Revolver asked.

"No, doing so would see us losing the battle. Even if we win." Skyfall said.

"Uh, explanation?" Melly chimed in.

"The Maker saw annihilation with her limited sight if we attack the mortal forces as full Spirits. The world will see Spirits returning and attacking Ponyville, nothing else." Skyfall said. "So I ask again. How many of you are willing to risk your lives?"

No arms climbed to the task, only looks of defiance. 

"So you came expecting an easy victory?" Skyfall asked.

"No, my lord." Revolver spoke. "But we don't want to die. We haven't had a fight like this in so long that it almost new to us. Everyone back at Aileron had reservations about this, but knowing this puts it in a new light. Your ability to fight came into question at the meeting that Earth held." He lifted his hat and swept his mane back firm against his head, hating that he had to be the one to relay information. "With all the misinformation going around, we don't know who you are anymore and from the reports that many of the higher ups have read, you don't either. We aren't dying for mortals and we aren't dying for a Spirit trying to fight another losing battle."

Passing the lack of confidence, Skyfall raised a brow. "So, you're going to remain neutral?"

Revolver looked around, the silently appointed voice of the group. "I think so, Sir. I'm sorry."

"Fine." Skyfall turned to leave and paused at the stairs. He spoke without turning, cold orders flowing from him like steam from ice. "I'm sending survivors here. You will protect them as Spirits without being seen. Failure of you to do so and my possible survival will see you re-exiled."

Ignoring the looks that beamed at him in shock, Revolver opened his mouth with a snarl. "You can't jus' gon' and order us around like that. If we don't wanna' protec-"

"You will protect who I send here, or their fate will result in formal charges for you." Skyfall's body glowed from the Effigy within, broadcasting his will and desire to carry out his threat. "Being so cowardice proves you aren't who I meant to bring. Now, remain."

Without another word, Skyfall left and was followed by three mares and a small filly.

"He has the Effigy?" Revolver thought aloud as he sat down.

"He does." Sif said, earning the room's attention. "You know he may execute you should you resist. I suggest following the order you were given."

"He can't just exercise his will over us, Sif." Melly complained.

"He can and he will." Sif said. "You saw the ships and the soldiers, you know how serious this is. That, and his child is here in harm's way."

"His child?" Melly asked.

"The one everyone thought he lost. She's alive and by his side constantly." Sif said. "You all know he is fighting his siblings and trying to keep his family alive and well. Even Lady Crystal."

"We heard she was alive too." Revolver said. "A very curious thing considering Honey's body was recovered. We can't just regrow bodies at will."

"Sky knows this. He verified it's her, but he's keeping his thoughts close to the chest." Sif admitted. She rose to her paws and made her way toward the cave's opening. "I'm going, I trust you'll do the right thing."

"What do we do?" Twilight's human turned pony counterpart asked. "Is there nothing we can help with?"

Sif eyed the pony and knew that each of them were not the real Elements of Harmony, but dopplegangers. She hadn't inquired as to their origin but knew they were from the other side of the mirror, as to why Skyfall brought them was beyond her.

"You, and your friends will remain here." Sif said, cutting the tension with her voice. Looks of defiance rose up from the human mane six, but faltered at Sif's great stare. "You, like when Twilight tried to attack Ponyville, would only be a liability. I haven't the time, nor patience to explain it, but the fact that there are now fewer of us should serve as testament to the gravity of what I say."

"We can help." Applejack asserted, still shaky on her unfamiliar hooves.

Not being one for talking around the issue, Sif grumbled. "You will remain, and when this is over, who knows? You could help immensely." Sif rested her head. "But now you're weight, not a tool. Even I can see that. Perhaps prepare salves and bandages for survivors."

As the cavern fell to silence, Maud set cool drinks on the table and summoned a board game. "Anyone up for a game?"





"Sky!" Adagio called from behind Skyfall.

"Go to the cavern and wait!"

"No, I want to help!" Adagio shouted back. She had to admit to herself it shocked her to shout. Having been away for so long, and the circumstances in which she was expelled, she long believed that she was passed helping anyone that wasn't within her own circle. She looked back to who followed her and saw no-one, her lifelong companions had already turned back. In the time it took to look forward, two golden eyes bore down upon her.

"Are you sincere? Or you just trying to gain favor. You and I have had our spots in the past, I don't believe you are being overly forthright."

"I don't blame you. Frankly I don't really have a reason to be here behind you, however, when thinking clearly, even though it's hard to in a mess like this, I want to. If for no other reason than to help Twilight."

"And what is purple prose have to do with this?"

"I've spoken with her a few times now, as much as I loathe to admit it, especially to you, there seems to be some shift in mortals that I can get behind." Adagio said, her stare not moving from Skyfall.

"Really? And what was it that you talked about?"

"She came to me with questions and I didn't see any reason to hold back any information. Why would I? The council's been long dead. You saw to that."

Ignoring her snide remark, Skyfall pressed. "How much did you tell her?"

"Enough. Just enough to satiate her questioning, and enough to not piss you off when you found out." Adagio smiled nervously, uncertain of what he would do but only received an incredulous looking return.

"I'm not a tyrant, Adagio." Skyfall winced. He knew his reputation wasn't the best, not referring to the soul eating Herald of Disaster that everyone made him out to be in the history books.

"Never said you were a tyrant, but you are secretive, or so I hear."

"I swear, everyone just wants to get my business. Just can't let him retire. I sever ties, everybody thinks you become a hermit. Wonderous." Skyfall sat down, and rubbed the bridge of his nose as he does when things agitate him. 

"Listen, you need help and I'm offering it. I'm not here to die, but I'm offering to help and in more ways than just standing by and erecting a barrier when necessary. And hopefully when this ends, if this ends, you'll recognize that and let me stay. Maybe even forgive our... my history." Adagio sat, waiting for what would possibly be her future boss to finish his silent freak out.

"It's not like I have much of a choice. I guess I'll have to involve you in my plans. But as a word of warning, we're facing a real demon, running won't save you." Skyfall turned to her fully, and let a moment of silence pass between them and acted as he does to people he wants to understand. "This is going to be a very difficult task. We aren't going in guns blazing like Twilight did, nor are we going in as a hero. You and I are going to infiltrate the camp located in the barracks."

"Why not just go to the camp that's farthest away from everybody? Why go to the one that's most heavily guarded?"

"Because it doesn't make sense. Imagine you were the leader of a guard Force trying to lure an enemy into a trap? You would place an enticing Target, in this case being the camp, on the very edge of your occupation. You would have it set up in such a way that made it look as if it was inconsequential. Minimal staff very loose fitted shackles. He knows this, that's why it's there, it's a trap." Skyfall tapped his hoof trying to look at all angles, no matter which way one sliced it, all camps were traps, it was just a matter of choosing the weakest one.

"So you go to the most heavily guarded one?" Adagio asked, not following. Some Spirits knew more than others about certain topics, that's just how it was. Someone interested in music wouldn't research culinary techniques, let alone wartime strategy. The older a Spirit was, the more they had time to dedicate to certain topics, they don't just magically know they actually had to learn the field.

Skyfall chuckled, looking around at the dimly-lit crystals along the wall. Deciding this is a good as places at as any to come up with a strategy with what was possibly his only Ally for infiltrating the bases, he shoved his hoof in the dirt, tracing lines like a child in the sandbox.

"Please look at my diagram, I know you are not too accustomed to wartime strategy judging by the look on your face, but I'll try my best. The camp on the outskirts, as I said, is a trap-"

"It's a trap." Adagio said in a Gruff voice.

"... yes. Anyway, it being on the outskirts gives the illusion that it's lightly guarded which is what makes it a trap, now the guard Force has burned away a lot of the forest and much of the grass leaving me virtually blind. He knows it's a foolish move to attack the Guard base, even in some sort of last moment ditch effort chess move it's stupid. That's where the middle camp comes in, that is where a lot of the sensitive hostages are going to be. Namely the school foals, the elderly, and any visitors that were here when the seizure for occurred."

"So where do you want me?"

"I would say for you to go into town and pretend to be caught, but I know that's going to get you killed." Skyfall said and moved through the different possible outcomes. "At this point they're not taking hostages that are found after this lockdown. They know we've arrived, Twilight saw to that with her little attack. If she hadn't have attacked I would have a few more options. But now it's gotten worse."

"She doesn't strike me as a leap before you look type of individual. Even passed her own book smarts." Adagio said. "I stayed back with her friends and my friends and everything just happened in the blink of an eye."

"From what I read, she was very meticulous but meeting her friends turned her more Reckless." Skyfall paused, surprised that he was having a civil conversation with someone who used to be his enemy. But that's kind of the nature of life. Change and change are the only two constants.

"Are you thinking on that whole changing change thing again?"

"Don't you have a prom to be ruining somewhere?" Skyfall said, drawing Ponyville from memory in the dirt.

"Wise ass. Continue with your little plan." Adagio laughed, softly striking a small rock to scuff part of his map playfully.

"Anyway, I don't know where to place you in this plan. You can't go on oversight, there's no communication ability. You can't infiltrate by yourself, that will get you killed."

"My Lord, I know you're not overly familiar with my abilities. I can remain just out of view when I sing certain spell laced songs, it helped me in the past with hunters, but that's because I'm not a fighter, not in the traditional sense anyway." Adagio Shrugged at Skyfalls amused look. She wasn't a fighter. She did participate in Battle of the Bands, but that's singing.

"That won't help you with infiltrating the base though or with any of these camps, I know they have some sort of spell negating effects the closer you get to the camps. I saw their paladins, with the thousand years I've been gone they must have created dictionaries of new spells that I cannot comprehend as of yet. It'll be hard enough for me to get in." Skyfall scratched his chin thinking of some way Adagio could help. "I have an idea, I won't force you into it but it would help even if only a little. I have some acquaintances that live on the outskirts. one lives on a farm one lives in a tree the other one lives in a cottage. All being on the outskirts, where patrols are bound to be thin, allowing you much more maneuverability to get around these ponies. If in the action you want to take out a few and thin their forces, that would help."

"If it means you smile upon my position after all this is over that I'm glad to help."

"Adagio, I don't hate you. You made very bad decisions in the past, we all have, me included. It's not what you say that makes me dislike you, it's what you do. It's been a thousand years, A lot can change in that time. Who you were then was who you were then, so far you seem to want to help, so I accept you for that. I just hope you're doing this for better reasons than to just look helpful."

"Yeah me too." She sat there, not thinking, just absorbing the situation as a light hum vibrated through the walls. It happens every few minutes, cannons were pointed down as scout ships flew overhead, just a possible scare tactic the enemy used to demoralize those in hiding.. "So what do we do now?"

"Once we actually get to Ponyville, it won't take that long. This isn't some story where it takes four days to infiltrate by crawling on your belly. I just need to get to the command camp, once I do, I can finagle our comrades out of that camp and funnel them into the forest. That's going to throw them off kilter, it'll surprise them. At that point, Fury would have to respond in force believing he's been duped. That and he's already off-kilter due to me banging in his wife."

"You h-what?!"

"Okay I didn't literally bang his wife, it just looks like that." Skyfall held up his hooves trying to placate the surprised look Adagio gave him.

"Okay but how do you do that, do you think you just fall for that?"

"I do. It's too shocking, that's what makes it believable. That or the worst case scenario is that he was going to use her as cannon fodder anyway. In which case he will still respond just to save his image in front of his soldiers. What soldier respects a commander that just accepts his wife's infidelity?"

"Okay that sounds too complicated and too dumb to work."

"And that's why it's going to." Skyfall said. "Tricks like that worked all the time during the Spirit war."

A thick, heavy pressure fell on the area, causing both Adagio and skyfalls ears to pop. Usually one could feel werful magic spells, but for one to be so extreme for their ears to pop alarmed them.

"We should get going." Skyfall said using his wing to Snuff out the plans in the dirt. "I think the end game just began."

"After you, my Lord."





"You're not getting away with this." Twilight said, eyes glaring toward the armored stallion looking out a window, one of many that lined her own study.

"Little miss, I'm not a comic book villain. Yelling your last final attempt at reason never works in real life." Fury turned to the bound princess. He looked at her as she was laid against the couch, still struggling against her bonds. "Your little attack cost the lives of a few of your pieces. I told you that night that you should just sit and wait for your little savior to appear but you've done nothing but try to escape. If I didn't have use for you, you and all of your friends be dead already. That's the only sad part here is that you don't get to learn that lesson."

"Pieces? Lessons? What is wrong with you? Aren't you the princess's sworn captain of the Guard? Why are you doing this?" Twilight demanded again, not expecting an answer.

"I remember seeing you the first day you started school. It's guard custom for higher-ups to make an appearance at that little Institute. I really thought it was much use considering what that Institute was really for, but who was I to argue?" Fury moved to Twilight's desk and unlatched his armor, removing it with a resounding thud. He looked at Twilight with eyes that burned orange, knowing she had enough experience with spirits to know how to identify when one was staring directly at her. "I would sit here and tell you all about your friends, history, and about how the entire time you've been here hunting spirits they've been running circles around you almost quite literally. But you've proven again and again, over and over, that you. Do. Not. Listen."

Twilight scowled and silence.

"We separated all your friends and their families into rooms here. None of you have any pertinent information regarding anything." Fury scoffed. He rested in a large chair, taking a very long breath of relaxation, soon, he began to root through the desk. "You know, since this began I really haven't had time to just sit and take this all in. With all the meetings I have I don't really get to pay attention to what happens here. Probably should have considering how long this plan has been in prep. But, what astonishes me the most is you and the relic that is the Princess, and that whole mother-daughter mentor thing you have with her. It's some twist of fate that she trusts you as much as Shattered Skies trusted her."

"What does that mean?" Twilight narrowed her vision. She knew there was a lot she didn't know, nor did she believe she really wanted to. Deep down she hated the thought that her mentor might be someone capable of the atrocities that she's overheard since she began her little mission to take down skies.

"I realize this is all confusing to you. Had you been less of a cur, I would have told you all and more. But we have a guest." Fury smiled, lifting is hoof and curling is slightly to maneuver a rune around Twilight's Mosel, effectively stopping her from talking.

The door opened, no knock no jostle of the handle, revealing a pink haired Mare. Taller than most and clear to see that she wasn't your run-of-the-mill Pony. She glided in once she made eye contact with Fury, a smaller Shadow of black close on her heels.

"You know, I was wondering when you're going to finally make your move and come in here." Fury said resting his head against his hooves with his elbow upon the desk. "And you even brought Sombra."

"Cut the nonsense, Fury." The mare barked. "Explain, now."

"Explain what? Do you not recognize an occupation? I swear I've met some dumb monarchs in my time, but you seriously are up there." Fury's once professional and respectful attitude toward royalty was obliterated by the hateful look and non-caring mood that was now present.

"I'd recommend that you watch your tongue. I will burn it out, again." Her eyes gravitated toward the shocked Pony on the couch. 

Twilight was not that simple, she knew there will always be stuff she didn't know and that somehow something will always come by to shock her. She took advantage of Adagio's willingness to share the information nobody else would. But to see someone she believed to be her mentor, now she knew was her mentor in disguise, that look could only come from the princess. Furthermore, the implication Fury just spoke only meant that this has happened before. As Twilight looked, she saw the slow panic move into Celestia, they both knew that Twilight figured it out.

"And thus, the First Pawn Falls." Fury angered his expression. "I told you, all those years ago. You kill your Pawns when they get too smart."

"Things have changed, Fury." Sunny said under her breath.

"Yes, they have."

Fury shifted to one arm, examining the princess. "I once considered bedding you. Had I not had orders not to, I'd see you bearing children every other year. Aside from your immense power, that's all you really good for." He chuckled at Celestia's indignant look, making it clear that he was eyeing more than just her face. Looking then to Twilight, viewing her in the same predatory way. "Once all this is over, you both are likely to live. It'll be a much different world but you two will be treated well. Strong mares breed strong soldiers."

"You've gone mad." Sunny said. "I can help you."

"Mad? No, I'm being realistic, you're living this fairytale and I'm done. One thousand years, I've drifted, came and gone and allowed this, this false peace... You're a talking figurehead that only equates to a big gun, a nuclear deterrent."

"I guess I've lost some of my mojo, I'm monologuing." He turned in Twilight's chair and looked out at the camp set up in front of the castle, then to Sunny. "Had you actually listened to my brother when he warned you, you might have been able to do something, but now you're a hostage like everyone else."

"We'll see about that." Celestia tensed trying to release her power and revert back to her true form. She hissed and growled trying to fight against a suppressive magic, fighting so hard that's sparks of lightning arced from her body striking the wood and fabric around her, blackening it. With an exhausted breath she looked to Fury in shock. "What is this?"

"Are you serious? Do you not recognize it or you just asking out shock?" Fury asked rhetorically as he stood and walked over to Twilight. He caught the questioning look of Twilight and then turned to her. "Should I fill her in, Celestia?"

"Please don't."

"Have you figured out why you can't use your magic yet? I know you've tried, you look at your horn, you tense up you sigh, you get let down." Fury scowled, bringing his lips up into a smile and shifted his vision between princess and pupil before running his hoof over the cutiemark of the latter. "There is so much you do not know. You couldn't even be trusted with her secret identity." He examined the increasing Panic on Celestia's face and strode back to the desk. "Couldn't even be trusted with the secrets of how Spirits used to be identified and captured. First, you cancelled out the magic by rooting the Lay lines across for non spirit magic in an area. Send the population into a frenzy, then anyone who could still use Magic is a spirit. However that's not what stops our beloved princess from using her magic that's the other side of the algorithm."

"Fury stop."

"I have no reason to. Why should I drag this out any longer, I don't benefit from it." Fury let his own sense of debauchery out from a look. "Unless there's something you can offer me that I can't just take. Which as of now you'd be completely powerless to stop me from exercising any sort of will over you. Keep that in mind and be quiet."

Understanding the silent check of power, she remained silent.

"See, even a being as powerful as this realizes that this little maneuver of ours truly cripples." Fury looked to Twilight and dispelled the runes from her muzzle.

"What's the other part of the algorithm?" Twilight ask avoiding Celestia's hurt expression.

"Turning the population against the spirit. There's not much one can do to dampened Spirits power. They're strong physically and magically, but mentally every single one of them is flawed. And that spirit of the forest that you ignored all advice to seek out is one of the most flawed creatures ever made."

"But why does Celestia's Magic not work?"

"Because she's not a spirit, you nitwit. Just because someone can disguise himself doesn't mean they are spirit."

Ignoring the insult, Twilight glared at Fury. "You sound like you know a lot about spirits and hunting them."

"Of course I do. You should really stop trying to ask questions to answers already given to you." Fury rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair, ignoring Sombra's vain attempt at a judging look. "Celestia was the one to figure out how to root Spirits out. This entire situation in Ponyville is just a mirror of a technique she perfected over centuries. And sure, you can bring up the debate about the sword or the Swordsman, about which is worse. But what of the sword maker?"

"At the end of the day this is all just philosophical nonsense. You, your friends, their families, Celestia, even this town were all just a means to an end. What's worse, nobody ever asks why Celestia granted a bunch of backwater farmers an expanse of land next to what was hailed as a nightmare Forest. You have only ever existed to lure shattered Skies into a trap, both mentally and physically."

"I've only held out this long in the odd chance he might be alive. Unfaithful went against our orders and attacked you all when you were in that Realm. I haven't heard from her since but I highly doubt she's dead. Spirits have a weird way of coming back from the dead. You never know if they're really actually gone." Fury looked at Twilight long and hard. "To answer your question completely, Sparkle. Ruin a spirit mentally and that places them in a state where they don't want to survive. It's too much of a hassle to do the round-robin with them. Be a hero, you destroy them, they come back to foil your plans, repeat."

"But why destroy them? Me and my friends-"

A loud slam fell upon the desk Starling Twilight. "Do not start a friendship talk. I've had to sit through enough of Celestia's readings of your lessons. Nice peace-time moral talk, what happens when somebody doesn't want to be friends? Do you just accept to go your separate Ways? What if they're hungry and don't want to live under your rule? They come after you, then what? Zap them with some lights and they go away for a year? That's another rinse repeat situation. You eradicate your enemies, making friends with them one day only means inviting snakes into your bed the next."

"You're wrong."

"Celestia cursed you with everlasting life. For reasons that allude all of us, certainly wasn't brought it for anyone's approval. But you'll see, from my bedchamber, but see nonetheless." At seeing the look of disgust on Twilight's face, Fury Shrugged. "It sounds macabre, but by being with me you'll be safe from what is to come."

"You're going to plunge the world into chaos?"

"No. Everything's going to squared away and reorganized. We will take control and remove the last of the spirits from other continents. But aside from that ,the world will be indistinguishable from what it is now. Or at least Equestria will be. But beings like you and the princesses will be kept on a shorter leash but you'll be safe, well fed, and happy."

"And Pregnant." Twilight sucked her teeth

"I would never force you into it. I could, all too easily I could, but that's more Graves fetish. In time you would want to, especially once you see it my way." Fury's voice lost its harsh tone. "I am not above taking multiple lovers, you two will be happy."

"I doubt that. Your view is wrong and twisted." Twilight fired back. She rested on the couch with a smile. "It's not my job to fix your worldview. You will screw up eventually, if I've learned enough from Spirits it's that their names somewhat mirror who they are. All I have to do is wait."

"Interesting." Fury said. "It looks like you spent a lot of time around my brother. You're beginning to speak like him too."

"Your brother?"

"There's so much you don't know." Fury chuckled. "The one at the epicenter of all this, Shattered Skies, is my older brother."

Twilight didn't change her expression, it made too much sense to. What was certain, is that her questions would be answered eventually, all she had to do was wait.
> Chapter 53 -Peace Walker-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Peace Walker-



Skyfall laid, looking on as guard's went to and fro, completing their wartime tasks. This wasn't a war, this wasn't even a battle. Trained soldiers against an unarmed populace wins every time, numbers are very rarely able to turn the odds when magic was involved.

For much of the day, Skyfall laid beneath the netting that covered the various cargos that were dropped lazily between the barracks houses. For being an elite guard unit, he noted the their lackadaisical approach to everything they were doing. They just walked around on the patrols not really looking anywhere, not checking, not noting any change whatsoever. This Stable wasn't an occupying force, they were strictly for raids, most of which avoided press coverage.

Having believed it would have been harder to infiltrate, he was extra cautious, even contemplating killing a guard that heard the side gate clatter as he jumped over it. Much to his surprise the guard lost interest and walked away, seemingly never to report, he knew this because he was only 10 yards away from the gate and aside from hourly patrols no one came to investigate. This all being a stark contrast from the smell of a burned stench, wafting over the barracks from the plumbs of smoke on the horizon. Fury was relentless with the dead.

Have you only been gone a week, it was amazing what changed aside from the forest being burned away, the sky was dark with storm clouds, raising the question: where exactly was Stormfront? Knowing him he would have struck already, being as excitable as the disasters he shook to unleash.

Slowly, enough to not raise any wandering eyes, Skyfall moved to look at the detainees captured by Fury's forces. His heart sank, he didn't see any of the foals, nor did he see any of the top players that he's come to know. Flipping through his mental profiles, Skyfall pondered where they could be.  

The next few minutes passed like slow falling sand. Skyfall maneuvered his body so he could get a better look at the command building. Going through the mental torture that was battlefield allocation, he determined that they must be in the command building split up into different rooms, one for important hostages and another for non important ones.

Skyfall noticed the small amount of grass along the buildings, not being enough to teleport anywhere, it was certainly enough to at least get a readout on the building where the vibrations would tell him how many bodies were inside. Not who, but at least give him a ballpark figure.

Briefly, he considered bringing Adagio to help him steal a guard uniform so he can maneuver around easier, however, that very rarely worked. Guards tend to remain in their units for years, they know who's supposed to be there and who's not.

Crawling, Skyfall was able to reach out and touch the grass, stretching his magic into the building to feel that a hair above the normal number of bodies were in it. This all meant that Fury made a decisive choice. Keeping possible enemy combatants locked up in their barracks or separating them amongst the town, that was likely the choice that he faced. Very wise, he would be able to keep an eye on them whereas if they're in the town, separated, the second an attack sparked they would be able to become a problem.

Silently, he had to admit he was worried for them, brutal tactics would dictate to just put enemy combatants to death. You have your hostages with the civilians, a trained guard force would be infinitely harder to keep control of even if they are equestrian. Dragging them out and executing them was the unfortunate go-to.

But how to move into the barracks? Skyfall laid there for another half an hour creating and rehashing plans in his head over and over. Being experienced didn't help much when it came to a set up this closed shut.

"What now?"

He looked around and then back to the detainees cell. About fifty bodies sat in various states of sadness some emotional some stoic. He squinted and saw a mare that looked just like Twilight but white. Not having to wonder who this was, all the pictures on Twilight's desk from all the "summons" Skyfall had to answer informed him well enough.

This is going to piss Twilight off.

For the next hour, Skyfall laid still waiting for his chance to flag down Twilight, Twilight's mom Twilight, not actual princess Twilight. Luckily enough every once in awhile she would look around, almost as if to look for help. Being in a dark shrouded place allowed Skyfall to maximize his chance.

Once again, Twilight velvet looked around, but this time in Skyfall's direction and caught the glow of a pair of golden eyes.

He looked on as she inhaled sharply gaining the attention of everyone around her who then looked where she was looking at a pair of golden eyes. Out of nowhere, the courtyard erupted in murmurs, further dragging the attention of every single guard around, including the guard making his around behind Skyfall.

Unfortunately, Twilight's reaction earned her a strong punch from one of the guards. Skyfall smiled at her seemingly snark reply once the dizziness passed from the strike, remarking that he would have to pound her harder if she wanted to feel anything, succeeding in making the guard feel sexually flustered enough to walk away at a superior's raised brow.

'Note to self take her out to dinner', Skyfall thought as he walked backward in through the back door to the barrack's rear stairwell.

As he climbed, he heard a patrol of guards coming his way so he ducked into a broom closet, silly but worked almost all the time. Mumbles grew louder as the guard passed and then fell into silence, no doubt complaining about checking on the noise in the courtyard.

Skyfall exited the broom closet and made his way toward the barracks room throwing the door open suddenly to catch any opposition off its guard. With one beat of his wings Skyfall took one guard, forcing a young stallion to the floor and slowly choked him out, startling everyone in the room.

As conscious left the stallion, stood upright and looked around.

"Barricade."

"Yes captain?" Barricade barked quietly appearing off Skyfall's shoulder.

"Is anyone dead?" Skyfall asked

"Yes. Team Eight led by Power Strip was executed two nights ago." Barricade said firmly, having been no stranger to a situation like this. "She lead her team in the middle of the night to escape, Fury made an example."

Understanding the decision, Fury wanted to demotivate any further attempts at escape. In the process he demoralized any resistance.

"What's the plan captain?" A young stallion named Marne asked as he broke away from the group collected around him. 

Skyfall recognize the stallion as someone who had joined the guard and from day one wasn't sure about himself, then slowly grew out of his own uncertainties to become his own leader. He smiled at the young guard and nodded toward his armor. "Nightfall."

"But sir that got team eight killed." Bastion said lumbering past Marne. His Gruff voice coming out from a lip of tobacco. "I'm for fighting but against the entire stable, that's not winnable."

"You're right it's not winnable. At least not for all of you, not as you are. I wanted to have more time to train you but there was just not enough time." Skyfall moved toward the window knowing that every window on the base must have been warded from the outside so that you could not see anybody move on the inside. Good for invading outside forces to keep troop movements unknown, however, in this case it acted more as a trojan horse. "As night falls, so shall we. Even with the forest burned away, it will still provide cover as we flee with the encamped Ponyville detainees."

Bastion, often being the voice of the Guard unit when nobody else would speak, piped up. "Sir do you really think we can grab all eighty of those ponies and run into the forest?"

"Yes." Skyfall's sudden answer air causing light chuckles to erupted from the guards.

Skyfall lifted the cloak from his armor and let the drape fall to the ground. "Night is only a few hours away, the enemy doesn't expect any movement this night, they think they've won. It's a few hours to go until we move, go over battle strategy, I think you are mature enough as warriors to absorb the necessary information and execute plans the way I want you to execute it. Got that so far?"

A resounding thud, much lighter despite the circumstance, erupted.

"Marne, put on that unconscious guards uniform, you'll fit, might be snug, but it'll do. In the event a guard comes in here, pretend you knocked out that sack of flesh on the floor, understand?" Skyfall said, a ploy flimsy enough to work given the number of bodies in the room.

"On it sir"

"The rest of you, has anyone collected any information whatsoever that would help?"

Bastion shook his head. "Sorry sir, we tried. They just seem like a regular guard unit to us."

"That likely means their abilities are in fighting, exclusively. They probably don't have much experience in occupation. That works in our favor. Good job." Skyfall turned again to the window and looked outside, taking in more information now that he was able to move freely instead of being hunched beneath netting.

"Sir, if they are specialized in fighting and not occupation. How are we going to get out of here this place is crawling with them."

"They're going to go to sleep at night, there's no point in further beating a beat dog, which you all are. I can tell by the looks on your faces, you are all demoralized. Imagine it's the same for those trapped ponies, they're terrified. At this point they're overconfident, it's been about a week since this began, everyone's tired and they're bored. Worse off they look like they've become complacent. It was one of the rules that I taught you all. The first few months I began training you?"

"Complacency kills." The guards around him said in unison.

"And when it comes to striking. Force and balancing out the success to be in our favor. Who was our friend?"

"The night."

"It's sad to say, but you are all only half done with this basic entry-level training that I was putting you through. I held my tongue because it was what the princess wanted. Understand, what is to come is going to require training like this to be second nature and that will require years of training. I'm holding you to your Oaths until this is over. Once this is over, I will allow you one last time to leave the service. If it that point you want to stand you're bound for life. But for now, let us have our minds on the here and now."

A solid silence came from everyone, another method of acceptance from the room.

Most of the room still wore a defeated look, these stomps of acceptance were only second nature. With their mind so consumed on the situation if it all were to turn into a fight they would most certainly die. At least the ones brave enough to stand.

"Sir." Bastion prompted Skyfall. "May I have a word in private?"

"Yes." Skyfall said and followed Bastion into the corner of the room to the furthest most window that overlooked the courtyard.

"Sir I don't know what kind of special move you have in mind but please let me know. After seeing Captain Fury transform into a beast and slay five spirits in the time it takes me to put on a shoe, even I have to admit I'm a little shaken at that. That monster... Fighting that is a death sentence, I know it and I know you know it too."

"I know you said private, but I think this conversation is meant for everyone." Skyfall said and turn to see the room looking at him. 

"I know you saw Captain Fury change. And I'm loath to admit, I've known about this for some time. You all asked when you got here about what your purpose here in Ponyville was. Despite the princesses insistence, I decided to keep it from you because it was important at the time." Skyfall took notice of the tension in the room and how it raised as he mentioned both the captain and then their beloved princess, brows furrowing and shoulders raising in defense. "In short, the princess wanted me to raise a force to fight spirits. It's become common knowledge to those in the know, however for the majority it has been kept under wraps, especially after the gala. I know all of you heard whispers here and there of a spirit appearing at the gala and then there was that article a newspaper wrote that was then written off as satire. "

"So Spirits are real?" A voice from the crowd asked softly.

"Do you really need to ask that after seeing what Fury changed into?" Skyfall asked.

Looks of fear moved through Skyfall's guards. At seeing this, Skyfall took a deep breath and raised a question. "By a show of arms, how many of you grew up reading the book about the Spirits written by Fairy Tail?"

"The great majority of the room lifted their hoof into the air."

"This may come to shock you, but in lieu of what you saw you may accept this answer now. It's all true, at least in the way that they exist not necessarily the actions that were taken. The histories, the powers, everything."

"So that rumor about Shattered Skies being real..." Bastion said his gruff voice becoming shallow.

"He is real and he is in that Forest. They are all real, but that book is satire at best. I wanted to finish training you before telling you."

"Why?" Marne asked.

"I wanted you to figure out the truth through your own means, not just to be told. Telling you now at this point after seeing what you've seen changes very little especially if you stay in my guard force."

"We were assembled to hunt spirits?" Bastion asked..

"You were, but that's not what I was training you for. The Equestrian High Council wanted some force at a beck and call of a mad ruler. Spirits aren't that different from your regular run-of-the-mill Pony."

"But literally everything you've ever taught tells us that they're not to be trusted."

"But what if I was a spirit?" Skyfall asked. "Anyone can be a spirit, they blend in and that's the way they like to live. They just want to live a life. And your oaths swear you to protect the innocent. Not just in the ones that agree with you. Above all, protect life. Understood?"

After a long, contemplative moment, another resounding thud came.

"Excellent, get some rest, anyone that has any information for me come forward. Also if anybody seen Fury's wife Breezy. Come forward with that information as well."

Skyfall moved through the room toward the Lieutenant's room, she had been suspiciously absent since he entered the room, the commotion was apparent, having been from the albatross she would have known.

Gently, Skyfall opened up the door to see desert sitting at the window, rocking lightly in her reclined chair.

"Captain."

"What's wrong, Desert? I know that little show of force didn't scare you. You're smart enough to know when you're selected for an assignment that isn't your typical duty station. You didn't need me to tell you that you were here to hunt Spirits, you figured that out out on your own. From talking with your old pal Sunset Shimmer, I suppose."

"Right again, Captain."

Skyfall shut the door the soft click and walked around the desk to see desert with a blank look on her face, her clean cut fur now dingy and her usual glaring expression gone. "What are-"

Desert turned suddenly, and wrapped her Hooves around skyfall's neck bringing him into a kiss. Stunning her Superior officer. After a few seconds she broke away and rest her head on his shoulder.

Knowing that it was the situation, and not any sort of romantic gesture, Skyfall let it go.

"Sorry."

"Don't be." Skyfall said, catching himself and laughing tenderly. "I mean we have to name the kids and you're going to have to get used to my size but mares always do."

"Are you always this inappropriate and sexually awkward?"

"I try. Sometimes it doesn't work, sometimes I come off as a weird sexual tentacle monster, but you know I try where I can. My name may or may not have been Donny Salami in another life."

"We are all going to be charged with treason after this." Desert angled her muzzle into skyfall's neck. "We will be on the run."

"Well, it is hard to bare children on the run. It also might be a little awkward when the rest of the platoon finds out that you and I have sexual relations in the middle of a hostage situation. The profound fraternization that would have had to occurred-"

"Captain."

"Yes, Dear?"

"You are a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen."

"If you think my antics are bad, you should see me and my wife when we are away from public eye."

"I'm stuck with you aren't I?"

"The instant you were transferred, pretty much!"

Desert smiled and brought her head away from Skyfall with her arms still stretched around his neck, placing a thoughtful kiss on his cheek. "Thank you... you know, for coming back. Overheard your talk with the group, they likely haven't brought it up to you because everybody called it as a lie. But we heard about what happened on that mission you went on. About you dying."

"For another time." Skyfall said. "Do you know where they're keeping the princess, the elements, and sunset? They will be Fury's best pieces for hostage negotiation, he's likely going to parade them out and then kill them and make it seem like the spirits, the innocent ones, did it."

"I do. Fury exposed his intentions to me. When he took over, he had all the guards, our guards, in the courtyard surrounded by his own guards. Being the next highest in command, we came to my quarters to negotiate terms. When I said I wouldn't give command up to him, he acted as if he was going to take me on my own desk. Going as far as to take his armor off into nearly choked me out." Desert chuckled at this. "I was scared at first I saw the look in his eye he wasn't going to do it."

"He didn't force you?" Skyfall asked, his eye narrowing slightly in thought.

"No."

"He wanted to strip away all morale and confidence you had." Skyfall said. "I've suspected but I've never been able to find evidence of how he fights. The history books are very sparse on information regarding questions on conflict, every single book makes it seem like they just rushed toward the enemy and fought, but I know that can't be true."

Skyfall moved deserts unkempt Mane from her neck to see a host mark and looked down at her hip to see another one.

"Did his guards?"

"No, that was from Fury when he forced me down. But I know his guards will soon. When he was talking to me I saw the truth in his eyes, and the truth in his guards eyes. We're at the end of the rope here, in a day or two he would give the signal from that giant sky ship above the village would fire, causing all sorts of chaos to unfold. But I imagine a few hours before that he would order the execution of the vast majority of the village and a few of the spirits he's kept under lock as cannon fodder and let his guards rape the rest."

"And you read this in their eyes?"

"You made it pretty obvious that being from the albatross was something of note. I hate to admit it, but I've had experience with these kinds of creatures firsthand. And I know how the meaning of how devastating they can be."

Skyfall brought desert into a hug and patted her back, going through this can't be using and he understood that. Mortals were always weaker than Spirits, but the one thing they all shared in common was fragility of mental state when pushed.

"Sir, are you a spirit?"

"I suspected that out of everybody, you would be one to ask me that. Being Sunset Shimmer's as roommate, you no doubt overheard those theories."

"I have. And if I'm going to fight for you. I need to know, I don't want you to lie to me. Can I trust you to at least be truthful with me and trust my judgement that I won't judge you in return?"

At seeing Skyfall's hesitation, she winced believing she overstep your boundaries. She tried to think of any way to ask him that didn't sound like a challenge of authority.

"I'm sorry, Sir. It was not my place to ask. It's a princess who assigned you here, it's not my place."

"No, it's okay, I know not all ponies follow their commanders blindly. If this goes poorly, you're right, you all will be branded as traitors. If this goes well, the worst I imagine that will happen is that this will be swept under the rug and all of you will be placed under a gag order with the penalty of death weighing over anybody who repeats what happened here."

"The princess wouldn't stand for that! She wouldn't condone the senseless attack of the city within her borders."

"You'd be surprised. Ponyville isn't a city, it's just a well-known town. Smell difference I know, but still a difference." Skyfall said as sudden movement in the courtyard drew his attention. One of the 4th stable guards rushed toward a the detainees and grabbed away a voicive mare to bring her behind one of the nearby depots. "I think we're going to have to make our move before nightfall, as twilight falls I think we're going to have to snap in action. Can I trust you to follow orders? Even if it means possible treason?"

"Our guard Oaths are for the population of Equestria just as much as they are for the royalty. I'll follow the orders as long as it makes sense."

"That's all I can ask of you." Skyfall turned and walked toward the door lumbering in his armor that fit tightly over his body. He paused at the door and turned to Desert who looked on as he left. "And to answer your question, Desert. I am."

"Yes sir. I'll be ready within the hour." Desert smirked and turned to begin slipping on her under layer to her armor.





Another part of the compound Breezy, otherwise known as honey, set rolling a pen up a desk and letting gravity rolled back down.

"Breezy can you knock that off." a Gruff sergeant bemoaned as he sat at the head of the room filling out paperwork. "I understand this isn't pleasing to you, it's not pleasing to me either."

Honey looked at her fellow captives, only Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were present. At least everybody in terms of importance that wasn't of use elsewhere in her opinion. Everyone wore varying levels of stress from mild stoicism to panic.

"So what is my idiot of a husband up to? I didn't get this bit of information, he barely looked at me before ordering you to send me here." Honey asked.

"I told you time and again, Breezy, I cannot divulge your husband's business to you. He's been very busy taking over since this Guard Unit's last commander died."

"Sounds about as useful." Honey crumbled a piece of paper before turning to Rainbow Dash. She sat emotionless, obviously very worried.

A guard from the 4th stable shoved his head into the door, opening it just enough stick his head through. "Sergeant, Captain Fury is requesting your presence." At seeing the Sergeant's confusion, the guard Shrugged. "I have no idea sergeant, something about eyes and the prisoners getting excited."

"None of you cause a ruckus, I'll be right back." The sergeant said as he stood from the desk, tapping a statuesque guard in the corner. "Make sure nobody leaves the room."

After watching the sergeant leave the room, Honey took the opportunity to cast a small illusion. The guard reacted as if he saw it, but rested a moment later as if deciding he was just half asleep.

While eyeing the elements, heavy one visiting Crystal Empire Prince, too distracted by the situation to notice the small amount of green fire rolling over Breezy's form to reveal Honey. She sat there for a moment waiting to be noticed, but after a minute had passed she was a little saddened and astonished that they were that struck to realize she changed.

From beneath Rainbow's assuring wing, Rarity peered over and noticed Honey. At seeing her excitement, Honey motioned her forward. She went to speak but stopped and looked at the guard.

"It's okay Rarity, I assure you he can't hear us. To him we're all just carrying on as normal." Honey said, she noticed the guard looking around as if you heard whispering. "Though we may have to speak at a softer tone speaking too loud may betray the illusion."

As she spoke the four Mares, Dragon, and Shining Armor All hesitantly stood.

Shining Armor moved past the elements and toward Honey. "You must be Skyfall's wife?"

"In a manner of speaking, stud." Honey smiled, amused at the situation where one party knew the other but the other was ignorant as to the facts.

"How do you get in here? Were you disguised as Breezy?" Shining Armor looks Honey up and down. "Full disguise magic is very rare and very hard to learn." He looked at the guard and noticed the slight Shimmer across the room and smirked. "Also I can't use my magic, you are going to have to teach me how to do that."

"You're always so full of questions." Honey said as she patted his cheek. She look to the other captives and motion them to follow.

"Honey. I heard something about Skyfall." Rainbow said, her voice very soft.

"I would imagine so." Honey said.

"I'm so sorry sweetie." Rarity said

"Don't be." Honey said, waving her horn as blue crystallized dust condensed from the air and into the guards face to reinforce the illusion. "Who do you think sent me here?"

As they moved toward the side door to leave the concrete confines that was the classroom Skyfall would use to teach physical maneuvers on rainy days, the door handle jiggled and the grumpy voice of their captor leaked through. 

"Breezy I don't know how you got out but you know I told you all to stay still..."

The tired eyes of honey and the sergeant met prompting her to give a devious smile. Hello.

"Who're-"

The Sergeant's head snapped to the side as a large white hoof moved past Honey to connect. She looked to identify the owner to see shining armor scowling as the sergeant slumped to the floor. He reached forward and looked around, taking one of his arms to drag him inside past Honey and the others. This left a turquoise mare to stand just outside the door, dumb struck.

"Sorry about that." Shining Armor said. "We can't have anybody raising the alarm on us."

Honey smiled at the shocked reactions from Spike, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and the newest addition, Breezy, the real Breezy. She flipped her hoof at the other guard, silently signaling to do the same to him.

As Shining Armor struggled with the remaining guard, Honey looked Breezy up and down.

"Aren't you Skyfall's wife?" Breezy asked.

"I'm my own individual past my husband, thank you very much." Honey said as she moved into the Hall, bringing Breezy to turn and walk beside her. "We are going to need you to come with us."

"Why?" She said. She constantly Looked around, worried.

Honey opened her mouth but stopped at seeing the small filly by her hooves. Situationally, it was obvious what Fury had planned by bringing his wife and his child to Ponyville. If the plans had been as far prepped in advance as she believed, there's no way he put his family in danger had he not intended it. How do you tell a mother and a child that their beloved family member put them In harm's way and intended them to be killed and used for political gain?

However, speech-craft wasn't Honey's Forte.

Honey slowed to a stop and turned to the worried mother. "Judging from your worried reaction you didn't intend to be here, but being that close to Fury, I'm sure you know what he is."

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Everything that needed to be said was said by Breezy's downward gaze to the floor.

Honey lowered her head down to Breezy's level. "What is your husband planning?"

"Mom, what is she saying?"

"Adult stuff, Pride." Deep down she knew what Honey was really asking. She looked her in the eye and with unwavering confidence. "I trust my husband to make the right choice when it comes. If he doesn't and I was wrong, I still have nothing to worry about."

"If that's your conviction, I won't change you. But you're still coming with me." Honey said.

"Sweetie, if she doesn't want to come with us we cannot make her." Rarity tried to say but toward the end her speech became jumbled when Shining Armor rested his hoof on her shoulder.

"Rarity's right, Honey. We can't make her come with us. We aren't taking hostages."

"That's a shame, cause I am. I liked you better when you were punching ponies." Honey said flippantly as she turned her attention toward the detainees. "She's coming with us and that's that. Shining Armor, I suggest you go and put on the regular guard's uniform. You are going to escort us to another building and if anybody asks you're going to tell them you're moving us as per your sergeants orders."

"But we can't take Breezy if she doesn't want to go."

"Listen Boy Scout, I'm the one rescuing you. Not the other way around. I'm taking you all to my husband then we're all going to get out of here, none of this honorable fighting, none of this last-ditch effort, last-stand nonsense that all the ponies seem to be very fond of. So go put the armor on. Now."

Rarity sat, eyes open, having never heard what looks to be a runway model backsass a military guard in such a manner, she had to admit she liked it. "I see what your husband married you for."

"That's right." Honey said, moving her hair into a tight tail onto the other side and began walking, motioning Breezy to follow and giving her a hard look when she hesitated.

Jumping around on his shoes as he struggled to put the armor on the go, Shining Armor caught up and passed Breezy as they approach the back door. "This is going to look suspicious if we go out the back door."

"Won't matter in about five minutes." Honey mumbled.

"Why is that?" Shining Armor asked as the door opened to an empty alleyway.

"I heard the Moon Rises very early in the spring."

"Yes... What about it?" Shiny armor prompted.

"Boy my daughter really knows how to pick them..." Honey whispered under her breath. "You remind me of Skyfall when we first met."

"What was that?" Shining Armor asked, his ears rotating around trying to hear better.

"Nothing, stuntfarm." Honey said causing Rainbow to laugh.

A guard approached the barracks they were being led to, and stopped at seeing shining armor in disguise.

"Where are you taking them? They're supposed to stay in the command center." The guard said harshly.

At seeing the Commander's wife at his child, the guard tapped as hoof. "Especially those two."

"Orders changed." Shining Armor said hiding his eyes below the brim of his helmet. "Sergeant said bring them here, Fury has ordered something special be done with them."

"Huh, never thought I'd go that far. An entire guard barracks?" The guard mused darkly under his breath. "Whatever, proceed."

"Will do." Shining Armor said absentmindedly.

"Excuse me?" The guard barked.

Shining Armor shifted beneath the helmet's brim and saw the rank on the guard's lapel. Lieutenant. "Right away, sir."

"Carry on." Lieutenant said as if out into the building and running his hoof along Honey's flank as she was the last one to enter. "Don't Stray too far."

As the door shut behind Honey, the rest of the group looked back at her expression of amusement. "I'm going to put him in the ground first."

As the door slowly close behind them with the soft click, the small window let in a beam of light from the setting sun that barely illuminated the small waiting space. Looks of shock appeared at Honey.

"I can't believe you said that to you." Rarity said. "These must be ponies pretending to be equestrian guards, I can't believe they snuck in this far under the princesses nose."

"No, they're real guards." Shining Armor said. "All this is very confusing, I tried to get information out of one of the guards and was struck in the head by the hilt of a sword. Aside from the fact that she struck another Pony, I'm technically a foreign diplomat. That goes against everything in the code book."

"That's because they're not following the code book." Rainbow said. "They're attacking the innocent, I know of at least two ponies that are dead now because of them." She shook her head. "If we can just get word to the princess-"

"She already knows." Pinky cut in. "Unless I'm very wrong oh, she's already here."

Honey stood silently, listening to their conversation and became astounded at what pinky said. She knew her husband was quite fond of the pink pony, enough so he tried to actively sensor any information around her while trying to make it seem as if he wasn't.

"What do you think, Honey?" Rarity asked.

"I think unless we get out of here soon, many more are going to die, after their worst dreams are realized." She moved past the group to ascend the stairs. "And that begins after the linking up with my husband."

"What can he do against entire stable?" Shining Armor asked.

"Nothing, this isn't some movie where the good guy battles the evil forces and wins against impossible odds. We need to get everyone out of here. And now."

"That doesn't sound very heroic." Rarity said.

"Heroics get you killed." Honey said as she pulled herself up the stairs and into the door, opening a space filled with guards. Being short on time, she sighed heavily. "Where is he?"

"Nearly the entire room acquainted with Honey pointed in one direction at the same time. As Honey moved toward the far door small fits of laughter bubbled up.

"Uh-oh somebody's in dog house."

The statement only added to the giggles. With the sudden amount of noise the Lieutenants door swing open to reveal Skyfall.

Honey felt her heart flutter when she saw the recognition on Skyfall's face and the resulting release of tension at seeing her in front of him safe and sound.

"Miss me?"

"Very much so." Skyfall said lifting his hoof up to Honey's chin and bringing her into a kiss. Doing this half as a sign of relief and half to feed her as he now knew what her ailments was.

The room erupted in whistles and o's before being shut down by Desert's scowl, still understanding that they had to be quiet for the illusion to work.

"Um, sir? I think you need to see this." Bastion said, still glued to the window, eyes fixed on the central Courtyard.

Knowing Bastion wasn't one to over-react, Skyfall separated from the group in lieu of saying his greetings and move directly to Bastion side.

Mentally cursing, it was unmistakable to see a small team of photographers in the courtyard taking pictures of the detainees let around by 4th Stable officers.

Before long the rest of the room moved to the window as he had to see the same thing.

"What's going on? I don't get it." Desert said, thinking allowed along with some of the regular guards wondered.

"Take notes." Skyfall said. "This is how you sway a war before it even starts."

The main doors to the headquarters opened revealing Fury, Twilight, Sunset, and the centerpiece of Furies attack, Celestia.

Skyfall bit his lip. "Shit."





"My lady we cannot go." Inko insisted.

"I can't sit here." Cadence said, impatiently tapping her hoof. There were ponies in danger and meekly sitting by was something she no longer was content to do, no matter who was sent to save the day. Having felt the dull roar of the energy that pooled within her, she grumbled as she ascended the stairs, dispelling the invisible barrier Inko had set up, believing Cadence didn't notice.

As the barriers were dispelled, they shattered into splinters of light drawing Inko's attention. Having seen that defiant look on her father's face many a time, Inko followed Cadence silently, a small smile painting her own face. "Cadence, I know you want to fight but this is going to get everyone killed. Your father ordered me to keep you safe and to keep you here. He's a fan of loopholes, but not having loopholes exerted over him. I know exactly what he meant when he said to take you to the basement."

"Why does he think I can't fight?" Cadence stopped at the top of the tall, stone stairs, angrily looking back at Inko who was still at the foot of the stairs of the dimly lit basement among the barrels and crates that belonged to her father from his travels.

"Listen. I know you're excited, but you're leaping to conclusions." Inko said and followed Cadence up the stairs, knowing that if push came to shove, Cadence would be able to escape her through sheer force.

"I'm not leaping to conclusions." Cadence insisted. "I love my parents, or am trying to, but this is the first real issue that I have with them. They're treating me like I am a fragile gem."

"To some extent I agree with you." Inko said, taking a more official stance beside Cadence. "I've overheard your mother talking about it and I've heard his reasoning for it and I have to agree. For example: If you were to run into a mugger, there's no doubt in his mind that you'd be able to handle yourself, even going as far as to erase him should you choose. However, if you were to fight a seasoned warrior and battle commander like Fury, even if he had a tenth the power you do, he would still win and then you would be used as a tool against your parents, and by extension the rest of the Spirits, and even Farhaven. This isn't a unique situation, being as old as we are, we've seen this hundreds of times over history. At this point we might as well make a manual of what not to do."

"But to sit me in a basement?"

"The original plan was to move you overseas." Inko said. "There at least you would have been safe, and out of the hands of anyone that wanted to use you as a game piece."

"Overseas?"

"To either the Gryphon Kingdom or to Neighpon." Inko admitted, not seeing a reason to shroud the truth. "Did you think the appearance of Fuji was random? She came running at your father's behest and agreed to shelter you on one condition-"

"This is outrageous!" Cadence barked. "I am not some helpless doll. I doubt I have that much importance in the first place!"

"He knows you aren't helpless. You were once used as a game piece against him. It crippled him." Inko said. "The resulting situation left you lost the time, your mother cursed, your father exiled, and potentially the whole of the race of spirits persecuted and imprisoned."

"How could me being used as a game piece cause all that?" Cadence asked in anger, believing Inko was trying to use a past catastrophe as an excuse to calm her down.

Reading the situation, Inko rolled her eyes. "Sombra used you, Cadance. You may not have been told this, but long ago, the Empire and the kingdom your father ruled over were close and as such you were brought there many times to see their empress, one whose name serves as your surname, Amore. When Sombra took over, it was during a day you and your mother were visiting, this sent your father into a rage, but attacks were never issued cause you were Sombra's shield. The Princesses dared not go against your father and as a result the attack came too late. That lead to you being tossed through time, your mother disappeared and was found half dead and dying in a cave. That ruined your father, one of the strongest people I know. That led to him being damaged, if not, then a situation like Luna turning and running her blade through his lungs could have been avoided. We'll never know, but that's what I think. Are you familiar with the butterfly effect?"

"I am." Cadence admitted, having learned it from her independent studies away from the tutelage she was forced to endure. "Alter one small event in the past can have dramatic consequences in the future? Correct?"

"The very same." Anko said. "I guess it's time to fill you in on what happens in those wartime meetings your father holds without your knowledge."

"Won't you get in trouble?"

"It's up mommy-daddy situation. Daddy said no, mommy said yes." Inko shrugged her shoulders. "I have to follow Big Mama's commands too."

Cadance followed Inko as the latter strode up and into the house. Having become fed up with the basement, Inko walked up to the door, the same one the guard that was posted outside of and knocked. "Housekeeping."

"What?" The guard asked as he turned and opened the door dumbly, only to find that the door was forced open, throwing him off kilter. A single claw reached out and wrapped around the his neck, choking him before dragging him into the house. The last thing that registered to the guard was the soft click of the door closing as an aggravated sigh of the white Spirit that captured him. 

"That was easy." Inko mumbled before motioning Cadance with a lazy head jab. The house was still warm from the beams of sunlight that tried to break the thick smoke that blanketed the area.

Knowing the illusion sat over the house still, Cadence followed casually behind Inko as she was lead to Skyfall's spacious storage area he used as a classroom.

As both Spirits walked into the training room, Inko shut the door and then sat were Sif usually did, a large Blue pillow tinted white from all the shed fur.

"We're not going to win."

"What?" Cadence reeled back. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean to say is that this battle is unwinnable. I know it, Sif knows it, and this is the same conclusion your father reached and approached everyone with in a surprise middle of the night meeting. Why middle of the night I don't know. He is in a fan for theatrics, I just think he was just bothered by it.

At seeing Cadence's rapt attention, Inko continued. "You're married to Shining Armor, right?"

After Cadence nodded, Inko shook her head. "I imagine he filled your head with tails of romanticized, warrior stories, the type that the hero wins after standing against an evil enemy force through impossible odds?"

"He was was a fan of historical battles."

"Okay. Well sorry to bust people's bubbles, it's all garbage. I'm sure you can find one or two lucky incidents but I've peaked at those books and they're simply fake. After your father fell, I along with many others, melted into the Gryphon forces, mostly because I know thier Queen and I know that she would watch after us. Us being me and some of the other spirits."

"But if my father and mother are both Guardians, Stormfront is a guardian, Fuji is a guardian, and we have other Spirits in Farhaven. Not to mention me, Luna, and Twilight. We should be able to win this."

"Force doesn't win you any battles when strategy can overcome it." Inko corrected. "I've listened to some of your father's classes when he teaches his guards, he gives them a very watered-down romanticized version of what he really wants to teach them. I on the other hand had to learn through mud and steel when your father taught me, soon after I pledge myself to him.

"I don't understand, I'm sorry." Cadence said trying to comprehend what Inko was saying about Force.

"Strategy, positioning, and prep. It's much more complicated than that, but I think that does pretty good job of boiling it down." The look they shared was a sobering one. "We failed at all three."

As an instructive tool, Inko reach behind her in grabbed the map Skyfall used to teach his class of foals. She opened it in and it erupted in moving colors and shapes, she looked over for a moment and laid it out before Cadence.

"What do you see?" Inko watched as Cadence couldn't make out what she was trying to relay. Minutes passed and the silence grew to be deafening, like sound itself grew bored. Removing the map, Inko pointed. "Your father has created unwinnable situation. I suspected he was trying to kill two birds with one stone. This map looks just like Equestria but upside-down, each of his student's cities is a major city on the equestrian map. His City is Cantorlot. They are still playing their game, but I see him in this room late at night running over scenarios. This area on the map, that's Ponyville, it's a small Non-player city and every single time they play, the students try to defend that town and as of now. Not one single defense has been successful.

"Okay but you can't compare a game to real life." Cadence said.

"No, but if you look at the map it's much more than that, it's much more in depth and your father has led campaigns over and over again. He knows when to play out of a situation and come out ahead. Ponyville is unholdable as it is. It's located in the middle of an open field amidst the forest, down the river from a large dam. Stone's throw from Canterlot's full force. The escape routes are abysmal and bottlenecks refugees. To the South you have ghastly Gorge and the Badlands. To the East you have Forests, crags, and ridges. To the West you have part of the Everfree forest and much undiscovered territory that the entire Council believes is where Fury is hiding more forces. And to the North of Canterlot.

Cadence looked at the map letting it sink in, seeing the lesson.

"We got information, and by we, I mean Sif, that this plan has been in prep for what seems to have been generations."

"You think Ponyville's only purpose is to have been a trap?" Cadence asked.

"Perhaps not at first but the situation is too obvious now." Inko said. "I didn't talk to your father as much when he was here, we just didn't have the time. However I believe I know what his plans are and I'm going to execute them as best I can."

"What would that be?"

"Very likely your father is trying to set up multiple fallback points to send civilians, anyone he can save without getting in an open conflict. The instant open conflict emerges it will be time to pull back everyone and let things happen in the way they're going to."

"He's just going to let entire population die?"

"I know this is hard to swallow, Cadence, but this is war. You have to save who you can without sacrificing additional people." Inko knew younger creatures always believed the sentiment to be cold, but in conflict it was more accounting than the thought. Save who you can.

"I don't think you would do that." Cadence said and saw the look on Inko's face. She closed her eyes and accepted it. "No you're right. I hate this."

"We all hate it. But the worst part isn't now, it's going to be what comes after."

"Full scale War?"

"No." Inko said. "If what your father believes is going to happen comes to pass, we might be dealing with a cold war and let me assure you it's no less grueling than an actual armed conflict."

"Well. I can't just sit here." Cadence said firmly as she stood up. "You can stay here, I'll tell my father gave you the slip after all this, if we make it through."

"Yeah, you're forgetting about your father's little bite thing. He's going to see this exact conversation." Inko said amusingly. "And trust me when I say he's going to see everything."

"That sounds like we're going to need reinforcements if we're going to be successful." Cadence said trying to think of where she should be able to muster the strength. "Any ideas? Since Farhaven is locked off to us?"

Cadence caught a shimmer of light outside the window, a flicker of red Shone through the waterfall briefly and dissipated.

"The waterfall?"

"What about it?" Inko said.

"I just saw something." Cadence turned and move toward the window and opened it slightly to see a guard passing below her.

"Okay seriously don't." Inko called out before a barrel was lifted up and thrown out the window to crash onto the guard below. "Okay, there's no way the others didn't hear that."

One by one, the other guards moved to their fallen comrade to see what happened only to receive additional barrels.

"Okay you can't knock them all out with barrels." Inko said, stepping to the side of floating barrels that soon careened out the window.

Cadence silently cheered in victory as Inko moved to the window to see guards unconscious on the floor and a pile of wood and steel debris

"Wow. I wonder what they thought happened to the guards that were knocked out before them..."

"See I know something."

"Well, if you ever get into a fight so make sure you have a barrel handy." Inko looked over to see Cadence wiggling her butt before leaping out of the window and gliding to the floor.

"Haha, very funny. Get back up here." Inko insisted.

"I saw somebody enter the waterfall, we have to go check it could be somebody that could help us."

"Or it's an enemy and we're going to get their position. That can happen too... Or just ignore me as you walk away toward the waterfall I told you not to enter. Wonderful." Inko said as she followed suit and glided to the ground.

"Cadence, seriously we need to get back to the house. the longer we stay out here the more exposed we are. We need to get to cover."

As the sound of the waterfall grew louder, they could hear the barks of many more guards running toward their Fallen comrades.

"There's more in the house!" A guard roared as he flew up into the open window.

"See, now we can't go back." Cadence said.

"Probably was the barrels, all the barrels that flew out from the second floor window by themselves." Inko mused.

"Yeah, well I didn't have a choice." Cadence said. "I was taught to follow my heart and this is what feels right."

Ignoring the skeptical look from Inko, Cadance walked into the water. As it flowed over her head and shoulders, she shivered beneath the chilled waterfall and shook the wetness from her coat as she emerged. She looked back to see Inko do the same as she entered.

"I'm sorry to have to put you in this position, but I can't not to do something. It's not in me." Inko looked between her and the rest of the cave in shock, making a sound like a gasp and a sigh before being brought into a bow. Panic began to rise in Cadance's mind. "Oh no, are you okay?"

After a moment of silence Cadence poked Inko's shoulder. "Um, Inko?"

"My, you really did turn out beautiful. But I knew you would." A smooth, motherly voice said from behind Cadence.

Cadence looked over, peering up to see an Alicorn smiling down at her from the ledge her father usually sat on. A coat of white, a mane of dull fire, with eyes that forced unprepared glances away like the sun.

"An alicorn?" Cadence asked unsure of how to take in the situation.

"Hello, Anara."
> Chapter 54 -Mind Over Magic-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Mind Over Magic-



"I don't get it, how is she here?" Desert asked. "She condones this?"

"I would answer that, but I feel at this point it's kind of redundant. I'm a captain, just not Captain Obvious." Skyfall said slightly amused at the situation, his light chuckling causing the guards to groan.

"What's funny?" Desert asked, letting her disapproval known through the tone of her voice, her eyes burning a very stern look into Skyfall.

"If I may." Honey said tapping desert on her side gain her attention.

Having only had passive conversation with her, desert didn't really know who honey was aside from being her Captain's wife. Ex-wife? No one really knew or summoned enough courage to pry. Looking at the rest of the companions that honey had brought with her, aside from Shining Armor, they weren't real assets to the team so what kind of situational or tactical advice could she produce. In deserts opinion, not much.

"What my husband means to say, is that by producing this country's leader and bringing along multiple press teams, they have ensured at least initial public reception once this is all over." Honey pointed to the various note-takers that sat by the Princess and the collective look of the detainees as Fury spoke on. "Those newspapers will be ready to hit the stands the instant this story breaks to the world."

"Are you saying they're going to perform a smear campaign?" Bastion asked rhetorically.

"No, at this point it's complete misinformation." Desert said. Looking at the situation, it was clear that she had seen it before in the North. "Whoever receives this news first is going to believe that version of the story over anything else that comes afterward."

"Very well put, Desert." Skyfall said, looking at his guards and silently dreading the fact that they were not ready. He had explained as much to them since they began his training course and only having been half done with their initial base training, they were still tainted by the act-now-think-later mentality that plagued most of the Guard units.

He scanned each and every one of them, having been with them long enough to know their flaws and what would likely kill them, or in this case get them killed.

Marne, a young stallion from the third Guard stable stepped forward silently asking for permission to act. When his advance went unchecked, he offered his own prompt. "What do we do, sir?"

"I guess the presence of the Princess does change the circumstances." Skyfall said. "If she's here in such close proximity to this destruction, then she knows what's going on. Likely any attempt to step in to save the detainees would result in complete failure, and any resistance upon our notice would result in immediate death via sunfire."

"She wouldn't do that!" A faceless voice from the crowd stated causing said crowd to split revealing a small red Mare named Pool.

"She would." Skyfall said. "She isn't cold hearted, don't get me wrong, but at that point we are enemy combatants and we would be seen as a small part of a bigger problem. If she believes we are from an enemy camp, she will do what is necessary to protect what she views as hers."

"But you just capture us, right?" Pool asked.

"No. Try a column of fire from the sky. You've never read about her previous fights in the history books? Did it never strike you as weird how a monarch and someone who controls solar energy wins wars?" Skyfall offered. "From what I understand, the Princess hasn't fought in any battle in a very long time. I imagine most you think that she's just a talking figurehead, especially over the course of the past few years regarding the elements."

Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie all looked up towards Skyfall catching his meaning.

"Let me assure you that in terms of combat ability there are very few that match your princess of light in raw power. Despite her attempts to portray otherwise." Skyfall said, once again turning his gaze to the outside.

Scanning the grounds, he focused in on Celestia and more importantly her facial features. Tired eyes, a forced smile, and barely rested wings. It was clear she wasn't happy, as per usual tell for unhappiness was her silence. Skyfall stood, observing the Princess for a little while she followed Fury around the compound as he spoke long and loud to the reporters, loud enough to at-least be heard clearly through glass a story high. She looked around slowly and peered up to where Skyfall and his guards stood, looking out the window. For a brief moment their eyes met, something Skyfall knew should not have been able to occur through magically shielded windows.

His stomach dropped at seeing the recognition cross her face. Still features remained, her Blank Stare boring into Skyfall.

"Uh, guys I think she sees us." Signal said. This added a layer of fear through the room as their Captain had just got done telling them that she could, and willingly, annihilate anyone on a whim.

The windows and walls were not soundproof so when Celestia finally broke eye contact they could all hear her commanding her Captain of the Guard and various supporters to go to the other camps to see the quote-unquote traitors. Like A Mother Goose, she used her wings to herd the various ponies up and out of the parade grounds. Earning questioning glances from Fury that melted into approval.

"What just happened?" Bastion asked, looking on as the group left.

"That's something I would want to know as well." Skyfall said, questioning if you could believe his own eyes. Soon approving and thinking to himself, Good girl.

"So, do we follow the same plan?" Marne asked. "She's gone now so?"

"No." Skyfall turned and marched over to the armor he had set down before reapplying it to his body. "We have to move now."

"Skyfall." Honey called. "It's still daylight outside, any concealment advantage is absent until tonight. Are you saying we should attack now?"

Having been on the battlefield with her husband a great many times, they both knew what each other was thinking tactically. So the proposed order to attack during daylight was near to a suicide mission.

Honey stepped up closer when Skyfall didn't answer. She lowered her head to his ear and began a whisper. "Skyfall? What's going on?"

"I think the princess is giving us a window." Skyfall whispered back. "If we act now we may be able to get ourselves into a situation that favors are numbers."

"Why would she do that?" Honey asked.

"You saw what she did." Skyfall said. "I know you don't trust her, but I know that look."

"Hit and Run?" Honey asked.

"Hit and Run." Skyfall smiled, kissing his wife surprising her and the room. He turned and lifted his head as Celestia and her Entourage fell below the crest of the Hill. "All of you have 10 minutes, assemble and put on your armor, if there are any letters you all want to have sent to your family upon any possibility of your death make sure they are in your foot lockers. Say your prayers, give your wishes, from here on out your life is really will be in danger."

Some acted with hesitation, others with certainty as the room moved into silent action. Skyfall headed toward his Lieutenant's office and passed Desert as she was now standing by the office door, already geared up.

"Sounds nice." She said with no emotion

"Of course it does." Skyfall melded into the office and moved toward Desert's window. Followed immediately by Honey, shining armor, and half the elements of Harmony.

"Um, sweetie, are you sure this is the right thing to do? I'm sure if we-"

"Shhhh." Pinkie said as she clamped her hoof over Rarity mouth.

"Thank you, Pinkie." Skyfall said knowing instantaneously who shut Rarity up from uttering a very situationally blind statement.

"No, I think she has a point." Rainbow Dash defended. "I think we need to go and say something."

A little astounded, the room turned toward rainbow who is standing by, firm in her statement.

"Are you not the one that constantly runs head long into battle?" Desert asked.

Embarrassed, she blushed but kept her eyes transfixed on Skyfall.

"She has a point." Skyfall said. "Your personality doesn't necessarily convey a sense of restraint."

"This has nothing to do with me." Rainbow said quickly. "This is serious, you're going to get everybody killed."

With an aggravated sigh, Skyfall turned but met Honey's hoof as it slapped across his chest. She smiled waving him down, signaling that she wanted to talk.

"You... and I really haven't had a chance to speak to one another." Honey said meeting rainbows gaze slowly. "I would suggest to you and your little friends to remain silent. This isn't something you can just zap away."

"I know that." Rainbow said firmly.

"You say that, but I see in your eyes the second you see something that's going to bother you you're going to leap head first. That's your nature and it's hard to fight your nature. Trust me, I know." Honey said smiling at Rainbow. "This isn't a Nightmare, this isn't some Shadow Emperor, and certainly not a Bug Queen. If you mess up here everyone dies."

"That's what I'm saying to you." Rainbow threw up a questioning hoof.

"Yes but you don't understand the meaning of what you say. In this situation I doubt any of you do." Honey said and looked to Shining Armor. "Not even you, despite your position, I doubt you even grasp what's truly going on."

"I understand a fair bit." He admitted. He cast a concerning glance to Skyfall who stood by silently. "I would try to spend more time around your husband, but my wife staying at his house makes me not to happy with him."

"It's partly for protection." Honey said, earning a skeptical look from Shining.

"She doesn't shut up about him. I know what's going on, I'm just..." Shining shrugged weakly. "My father says I'm resigned to what's going on and to divorce her, but I can't." He looked up and earned a very angry look from Skyfall, putting ice in his veins.

"That is my husband's way. He keeps secrets." Honey then turned to Skyfall and their eyes met with understanding. "It's something that I've come to accept I still don't approve. I can say that you are wrong, Shining. My husband isn't using your wife."

"Secrets are secrets. Some things are better left unsaid." Skyfall moved toward deserts desk. "I imagine I'm going to have to explain a lot of this once it's done. Some of which are going to shock you, Shining."

"You make it sound like we're all going to be fine after this." Rainbow said. "I know we haven't had the best relationship, but at least acknowledge that we're in trouble here."

"I would think my actions so far would be sufficient enough to answer that question." Skyfall said. "You overheard what I was saying to my guards. You are all National Treasures along with Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy, the latter of which has been suspiciously absent."

"We don't know where she is either." Pinky said. Her worry wore thick in her voice. She looked to Skyfall waiting for Assurance. "You don't think she -"

"No." Skyfall said abruptly. He caught a subtle look from Honey as his answer was a little too passionate for the situation. "You are all assets to Fury to be used in a moment of his choosing. He wouldn't allow his guards to harm any of you. No she's somewhere else."

"You think something from the forest took her away from here when the attack started?" Honey asked clearly alluding to Sif and her wolves.

"It's a possibility. I would ask, but it would likely be kept from me since this is a battle situation." Skyfall said with no degree of screening. Someone attuned to the situation would be able to pick up the reference too Farhaven. 

"So what do you want us to do?" Rainbow asked, accepting Skyfall for who he was and that he would never answer her earnestly.

"You three have not been trained as guards, or as Warriors-" Skyfall held his hoof up at Rainbow's ire. "If it was a single bugbear than I wouldn't be concerned, but this is a full-scale battle you would get lost in the scrimmage and we would have to drag out your bodies out after the battle."

At seeing the spoiled looks of the elements before him Skyfall rolled his eyes and explain it further. The only ones out of your group that I could really use now would be Pinkie and Rainbow. And sadly, pinkie would be the only one I would be able to use because rainbow would be okay on one on one dog fights, however, you'd be concerned about your friends, making you sloppy.

"So why not use Pinkie?" Desert asked

"She'll keep the other safe." Skyfall said and look to pinkie with a soft nod. "Also, she is an element and as a result she is more valuable as a game piece and would be captured to be used to gain the other five."

"We aren't game pieces!" Rarity shouted.

"But you are." Honey cut in. "The second you six became elements your time as a run-of-the-mill creature was over."

Having had silent reverence for Honey, Rarity was slightly put off. "What are you trying to say?"

"Welcome to the great game." Skyfall left, talking would do them no more good as time was now up. They had to move.

"Where is he going?" Rarity asked.

"Same place we're going." Honey said and turned, motioning Desert to grab the others and follow.

The guards gathered around in a semi circle around Skyfall, who stood there silently, finely yanking on the straps that held darksilver plates over his body. He knew what the game plan was, but he needed to relay it in such a way where unseasoned guards would be able to understand it and execute at a moment's notice.

"Is everyone's Affairs in order?" Skyfall ask. "Show of arms who isn't?"

They were either done or scared enough not to raise their arms as no one did.

"Good." Skyfall said looking around. "Armor fits quite a bit better than the first day you were here doesn't it?"

Low chuckles escaped some of the guards as they remembered the horrible run they did their first day. Each lesson was harder to learn then the last as their time with the unit grew.

"In a moment I will give your squad leaders instructions on targets you are going to hit." Skyfall said, gesturing to the squad leaders to come to the front. "This isn't a prolonged operation, I expect this to be done within two minutes time. With the main game pieces now firmly gone from this post, the guards are likely in a state of relaxation, they expect us to attack in the night which makes this attack very promising."

"Two minutes?" Desert asked under her breath.

"Yes." Skyfall said, looking backward to his lieutenant. "You must always favor haste over cleverness. More often than not, battles favor the one that acts first."

Seeing the confusion over his guards face, he tapped his hoof on the concrete thinking of a simpler answer.

"Sucker Punch?" Rainbow offered.

"Exactly." Skyfall said. "We are going to hit them, blindsiding them when they don't expect it. You will all to run up, neutralize whoever resists by any means necessary, grab the detainees, and run into the forest. Understood?"

A soft hoof beat rumbled through the room, the situation now not calling for more subtly .

"Where to once in the Forest?" Desert asked. "We need a heading if we're being tailed."

"North." Skyfall said, rousing Honey's attention. "There is a large tree with a tunnel at its base-"

"Sky." Honey called, earning a reassuring look from Skyfall.

"You will take the townponies there. At the tree base, go through the tunnel and take the path until it reaches a small deserted village. Stay in that village. And. Do. Not. Stray." Skyfall said darkly. "If you do, you will die."

"Sir, there's nothing like that in that direction." Desert held her hoof up questioningly. "I think I know the tree you're talking about, but there’s no tunnel and certainly no village. Its sparse forest floor?"

"There is. And it's not the tree you're thinking of."

"But-"

"Follow my orders." Skyfall commanded nonchalantly.

One by one the squad leaders came up, taking the resulting silence as time to do so. Skyfall whispered the targets into their ear, and in the order they came up in, the squads stood up and moved toward the door ready to execute.

"Remember." Skyfall said, his guard looking back at him as he approached the door with them. "Move silently, strike exposed necks, and don’t look back."

Knowing that many of the guards were not a costume to taking life, the mental wounds that they would sustain from this would stay with them for the rest of their lives. Especially young stallions like Marne.

One last solid stomp to show that they were ready to move rumbled through the room. Any look of fear was now gone, set right by looks of certainty, something Skyfall made sure to try and teach them whenever moving into an uncertain situation. Long nights of waking them up randomly and forcing them to run into a room unsure of what they'll find. Sometimes it was breakfast, sometimes it was a captured timber wolf, or at least the reanimated one. They never liked it, but after time they were able to turn on and off what they displayed now.

With nothing else left to say, Skyfall lifted his hoof and punched the floor, setting loose a torrent of soldiers flooding through the door. As they moved so too did Skyfall.

The main double doors to the guard barracks flew open, threatening to fly off their placements as Squad leaders silently directed orders to their squads. Eight teams ran at different speeds and different directions. Some of the guards from the fourth stable had barely enough time to realize who was rushing them before they were felled.

The quiet courtyard of the parade grounds erupted in sounds of clashing metal, wet gasps, and successive thumps. Skyfall scanned the area and saw his teams completing their tasks of removing patrols of guards on the walls, leaping up to remove air patrol, and to see guards funneling in and out of buildings.

The lip of the wall that surrounded the barracks shielded the ground attacks as they surprised unsuspecting ponies. As for the air, Flying ponies could only wear so much armor and favored their wings but not other spots that were much more vital.

"So you are alive."

Skyfall scanned over to see the head of Fury's guard Force standing in full regalia. The same stallion that lead the fake offensive on his post before Skyfall washed them all away with River's help.

"I was wondering where you were at." Skyfall mused.

"Interesting counter-offensive you concocted, captain." Shield said. "But I have to tell you to stand down. Fury gave me special instructions to take you alive, if you do so I'll speak kindly about you to him."

"Do you always feed that line to individuals you're trying to have killed?" Skyfall asked, noticing the captain's contempt at his guard Force being slain so easily.

"Fury said you weren't the typical pony." Shield took his helmet off and place it on the ground and took a spear out from the shield adorned to his back. "You will die a traitor's death."

Rubbing his eyes, Skyfall ignored Shield's charged toward him as a spear flew out from where the detainees stood and pierced him through the side causing him to slide down and skid to sky falls hooves.

Skyfall walked away from the captain as he grumbled something about being avenged and approached his guards as they tried their best to stand in a formation.

Being no stranger to violence, Desert gathered the numbers and approached Skyfall. "Seven dead, twice as much minorly wounded, the base is clear minus the guards running away."

'Seven?' Skyfall thought to himself, soundly astounded that casualties were so small. "Gather the bodies, they're coming with us."

Skyfall looked to his guards as they each wore varying levels of stress on their face. "Don't worry about formations now just move around and get the carbon dioxide out of your systems."

Shambling into action, the guards moved, covered in blood to their comrades’ side to pick them up and move them and the detainees into the forest. Some guards having to take a minute to collect themselves and one going as far as to ask where he was, repeating until Desert slapped him.

"Sir." Desert Sat next to Skyfall. "Are you sure this is the way you wanted to play out?"

"This was the only way it could play out." Skyfall remained as more and more ponies funneled from the post and into the forest. "You're from the albatross, I know about your run-ins with Griffin Scouts and Pirates. This is why I chose you."

"You knew this would happen?" Desert asked.

"Not this specifically." Skyfall admitted. "But I knew something would eventually happen and I needed somebody that could take and direct orders under stress."

"So that's why you were a dick to me when we first met?"

"Yes." Skyfall said. "That, and it was clear you had an attitude because you got sent to a "fluffy, frilly little town where your career would die.""

Desert smirked and flagged down one of the squad leaders, and gestured to one of the supply depots. "Make sure your team grabs all the crates of rice and ready made food. Take what you can carry, burn the rest. Leave them with nothing."

Derset turned back to skyfall's amused smile.

"Doing that will take rations away from their soldiers, they'll get hungry and sloppy."

"Good call." Skyfall said, catching Deserts surprise at getting a compliment as he was rarely one to give such a praise to those in leadership.

"Should we go sir?" Desert asked. "Most of the detainees are in the forest now."

Skyfall let the question hang as he felt Honey come up on his left side opposite of desert.

"Everyone's off the field." Honey said as she continued her stride past Skyfall causing him to fall in line behind her. She look back to Desert as she followed behind sky, and waited to catch her eyes. "He's one of those last person off the field type of stallions. Old habit of his."

"Yep." Skyfall said as he crossed the threshold past the parade grounds and through the side gate that led to the forest.

"Sir?" Marne called from the crowd, a deep laceration on his neck, deep enough to hurt but not deep enough to be life-threatening. "What are we going to do?"

Seeing the signs of an individual in conflict with them self mentally, Skyfall knew that panic and fear would threw him in contrast with his own sense of Duty. This meant much of the crowd that was truly unseasoned.

"Marne, at this point we're going to move and we're going to get these refugees to safety. At that point we're going to conduct what is known as guerrilla warfare. We are going to hit them in their weak spots and wait for the opportunity to show itself for us to change this tide. As it stands now, we would lose in a fair fight."

"What about Farhaven?" Marne asked. "I heard..."

Skyfall saw hesitation as Marne looked around, but waved him to saw what he wanted to ask.

"I heard they accept creatures of all kinds."

"And I heard that it's a cult that performs horrible murderous rituals." Bastion, not one for rumors, spoke up in defiance.

"We should at least try." Marne offered, only to receive a flippant hoof from Bastion.

"I've read some of the reports that came in, they're suspected to be responsible for all the merchants and ponies missing from trade routes." Bastion said, causing a worried murmur to rise up from everyone as they continuously moved deeper into the forest.

"So those are the rumors that are going around." Skyfall said, entering the conversation. He looked around to the guards and detainees that now looked to him for guidance. "How many of you've heard this?"

Nods, gestures, and verbal affirmation spring up confirming that they had done with ponies do best, spread rumors.

"Let me assure you, that they are not bloodthirsty cannibals."

"How do you know?" Mr. Cake asked from the crowd.

"Because. They've accepted some Ponyville residents as citizens and I know they're doing very well." Skyfall said, looking to the Elements, making it clear that he spoke about Big Mac.

"As it stands, that's a non-option. We're refugees caught between two nations. Afterward, we may need to take shelter with them, but that must be a conscious decision from each of you. Skyfall said. "But keep in mind who just tried to kill you all. For now, we walk."

The statement certainly caused a fuss with in the groupings as ponies look around in a panic. A few of the ponies that called themselves Skyfall's friend, such as silver coin and misses cake, spoke up to defend the decision.

The most unlikely of all step forward. Rainbow looked at the guards and town ponies and completely ignored Skyfall. She remember the way to the royal castle of the pony sisters and began walking through the forest.

"Darling, where are you going?" Rarity called amidst the silent standoff.

"This Haven place. In that brief amount of time we had when Twilight was captured, she mentioned Farhaven. She said that wolf told her about some cavern on the south end that would lead into the city." Rainbow said shrugging her shoulders as she took flight and slowly hovered forward in the air.

Accepting the answer, Skyfall flew up and next to Rainbow.

"I need you to tell me everything you know." Skyfall said as he hovered in front of her. In no time, she told him everything, everything she saw and heard, including what guards would murmur about. Mulling it over, Skyfall fell to the ground slowly. 

"everything okay, Sky?" Honey asked.

"Change of plans." Skyfall said. "There may be a window to get this group, and the Elements, into Farhaven. In terms of high profile, this group and whatever group Twilight is in will be their main targets. I need you to get them into the city."

"No, I'm staying by you."

"There is literally no one else." Skyfall offered. Slowly, turning to Shining Armor. Before a word could be uttered, Honey smacked Shining Armor's Shoulder, startling him as he was busy scanning the forest. 

"This guy can do it." Honey smirked.

"What?" Shining asked. "No, I don't want to get the Empire caught up in this war. I respect what you ponies are going through, but I can't."

"You have the power, thus you have the responsibility to keep these ponies safe while in route to Farhaven." Skyfall said in a fatherly tone. Seeing Shining's ire, Skyfall scoffed. "And the Empire is involved whether you want to admit it or not."

"I understand responsibility too well, Skyfall. That's why I still lord over the Empire in my Wife's absence, even if the title is a formality." Shining said, weathering the desperate looks beside him. 

"Follow me." Skyfall commanded Armor to follow. Honey stopped everyone with a subtle hoof and watched as her husband and son-in-law walked into the brush.

The soft discussion on the ponyville residents dimmed as they continued. Skyfall leading and Shining Armor left looking on, slightly concerned what was about to happen. He went ridged when Skyfall turned his head slightly, enough to be heard. "You made the smart decision."

"Then why make this presentation of dragging me away from the others?" Shining asked.

"Because you have to go against your better judgment if you want to be with Cadance." Skyfall slowed as the forest ended just short from the crest of a hill. "I'm pulling you away cause I don't want people overhearing what we're talking about."

"Okay?"

"I know you and I don't really talk, for good reason, but there it is. There's been rumors that Cadance is the crown in my harem. Guards talk and through repeated passing you no doubt heard a much more lewd version of something that would've seem innocent." Skyfall motioned Shining into nodding. "I know these have gone around, I don't bother stopping them, ponies talk and fighting it only makes it worse." He bent his head low enough to meet Shining's gaze directly. "I am going to be very direct with you."

"I'm ready."

"Do you think I'm having sex with your wife?"

A flash of rage passed Shining's face and he struggled to catch his breath, fighting a gut response of striking Skyfall. After a moment, he reluctantly answered. "Wouldn't you?"

"Yes, but I'm asking you." Skyfall said, mood as calm as if asking for the time.

"I hate to admit it, but there's no way you aren't. I want to win her back, everyone makes snide remarks about me not leaving her. And the news headlines, you-"

"I wouldn't blame you if you did leave her." Skyfall bobbed his head, seemingly understanding Shining's own situation. "She vents to me about the predicament she's in. She hates this, knowing everything to be one way and the only person she's trusted to share her life with thinks she's screwing around."

"Surprising." Shining grumbled. "Considering when she's with me she talks about you and your wife. She doesn't shut up about it." Shining shook his head. "Look, I understand what you're trying to get me to do and I appreciate it, but it may just be the right time to move on. You've won."

Shining turned to leave but met and outstretched wing. "If... you break my daughter's heart, I will demolish you."

"What?"

Skyfall left the question hang as he repositioned himself between Shining and the forest. "You will escort these ponies to Farhaven under my orders. In the event you get out and are questioned, you can tell the media you were ordered by an Equestrian Officer."

Shining chuckled, having known Skyfall was right, the allusion that Shining wasn't a guard anymore was correct. Having left the Equestrian guard days after his coronation as Prince stung, but was a necessity to keeping the politics as un-muddied as possible. "As you order."

With a calm turn, Shining left and was passed by Skyfall's wife, Honey. He looked back to see the back of Honey's head; having known she wanted privacy, he left without another word. Once along among the trees at the forests border, Honey sighed. 

"Are you trying to tell Shining that you're his father-in-law?"

"Sorry." Skyfall shied away. "It kind of slipped out."

"To a potential enemy?"

"Yes." Skyfall looked at Honey who wore a bored, expectant look. Like many things, Shining Armor was an avoided topic, like the presence of body odor or the appearance of sudden weight gain. A temporary nuisance. 

"You like him?"

"I do." Skyfall said. 

"But you don't approve of him for our daughter?" Honey asked. "And you're conflicted."

"I am. You like him too, I am all to familiar of your history with him, but he harbors a silent contempt for the Spirits." Skyfall said. "Whether he knows of it or not. How will he react to Cadance when he discovers the truth, the whole truth."

"We can keep it secret until the time of his passing, that's only another sixty or seventy years. By that time Cadance can tell Twilight who will likely be more accepting of Spirits." Honey shrugged. "I've waited longer for less."

"No." Skyfall sat slowly. "Our daughter deserves to life as herself in the open. It's our job to make that a reality."

"At the risk of exposing ourselves?"

"We're naked all the tim-"

Honey slapped Skyfall's chest causing him to give a breathy laugh and rub his collarbone. "I'm being serious."

"I know, geez." Skyfall grumbled. "If we want to be a part of our daughter's life, that requires us to be a part of it, not just by proxy. We will have to be who we are, and with her. That includes me being Shattered Skies and letting her inner circle know my real identity and you the same."

"I was afraid of that." Honey bit her hoof.

"It'll be fine, they "rehabilitate" people all the time. What's one more?" Skyfall chuckled. 

"Yes, but this would make our child a target."

"I know." Skyfall murmured. "I am acutely aware..."

Seeing her husband's resignation to her statement, she felt a familiar pain in her chest. "What is it that you aren't telling me?"

With a heavy sign, the air being so hard spittle flew forward as he himself staggered on his hooves. "This battle is only a start to our problems, my love." Skyfall said. "You are aware of the spies within our borders and likewise of the ones we have in Celestia's own care."

"Normal course of ruling?" Honey said matter of factly. "Did you get any troubling information?"

"I did, alot of it." Skyfall welled up with mixed emotions; sadness, clarity, regret, purpose, and last duty, the most harrowing of all. In a rare moment of lifted fog, Skyfall turned to Honey. "You and I have always kept our secrets, somewhere along the way we accepted that and grew to love one another anyway. You are aware of what I did when you left as am I now aware of you actions."

"What's the purpose of this?" Honey squinted.

"My father... seems to be the one directing all this." Skyfall admitted. "He seems to be the one that weakened the Maker along with my siblings by poisoning the realms."

"How?" Honey asked, pausing every few word, working out a long equation in her head and washing through emotion to emotion like a child solving a puzzle, unable to connect the pieces. "That was 40,000 years ago? This is a little... I don't know-"

"That's not the important part."

"Then what is?" Honey asked, her breath falling short from the shocking revelation at learning her father-in-law was on a level strong enough to effect the Maker.

"It didn't hit me until I saw Celestia earlier, but I think after all this she is going to her home."

"How can you know?" Honey challenged. "She doesn't even know where it's at?"

"She will learn the way." Skyfall droned on in a monotone voice.

"Yes, but how dammit?" Honey fumed, her mood turning sour. "After this, we will likely either end up dead or with her captured."

"I don't know." Skyfall mumbled. "I think I'm becoming exhausted."

Honey took a moment and examined her lover, passing her eyes over small tenses in his muscles and focusing in on his eyes that loosened and tightened over and over again, a telescope out of focus. "Passing through the portal and over realm boundaries sapped all the strength you were saving."

"I feel it, though I hate to admit it."

"Then we have to retreat." Honey said. "I, nor you, am in a position to fight. I feel Shining Armor fighting against what you told him, but though reluctant, he will complete the task you gave to him." A desperate look passed between them as they grew more quiet. "I... think I have a plan."

"Tell me." Skyfall asked, being completely out of ideas.

"We've sat and brainstormed possible solutions, this having been one of the less fortunate ones. It's unwinnable, that's a given." Honey said, side nodding to the airship off in the distance. "The plan was to strike where they weren't, but Fury is smarter than that, what happened at the barracks was a fluke, you know this..."

"I do."

"Then why not, you of all people, acknowledge that to your team?"

"It served no purpose, they need to believe they can win as they escort the ponies to Farhaven." Skyfall said.  "Otherwise their fear may get the better of them."

Accepting the answer with a delicate nod of her head, Honey continued. "The only way we can save more than we'll lose is if we hit both camps at the same time and let the ponies run."

"The guards will hunt them down."

"Not if it's their Princess battling a known foe." Honey said and melted with brilliant green flames to reveal the black exoskeleton she was infamous for. "Celestia will be too distracted to realize what she's doing, allowing for a smash and grab."

Having loved the cunning his wife was capable of, Skyfall upward for a kiss and chuckled after the bug queen obliged. 

"What?"

"It's not often that you're the taller one." Skyfall chuckled. "Usually you're the one that down-"

"Hey, now-"

"What?" A voice sputtered from behind them, snapping their attention back to Shining Armor who returned seemingly to request something.

'Damn this fire!' Skyfall roared in his mind as his body leapt up to absorb the blast from Shining Armor. "Stand down!"

Shining whirled his head wildly, summoning spectral spears and translucent bands to stop the bolts coming from a surprised Chrysalis. 

Leaping between the two, Skyfall withstood as a spear shattered upon hitting his armor, the jewels burning red hot, signifying that Shining was putting lethal magic into the ballista. In the same moment, Sky leapt forward and swiveled back as Desert appeared from Shining's blind spot and sucker punched him in his horn, stopping the show.

"How!" Shining demanded.

With a simple movement of his hoof, Sky ordered Desert to stand back. "There is so much you do not know, Shining."

"Does Cadance know?"

"What?"

"Does. My wife. Know." Shining glared as he slowly stood.

"She does." Chrysalis said, stepping forward, weathering the hate being leveled at her. "We will all talk about this when this is done."

Feeling the void of trust, she sighed.

"You can get us to Farhaven as a leader or as a prisoner." Desert said, breaking the stand off. Shining turned back to her to challenge, but stopped when she brought her hoof up. "I'll do it again, Loverboy."

"This is happening too fast." Chrysalis said as the pair of ponies disappeared through the brush.

"You're telling me." Skyfall muttered. "I expected as time drew on for our cover to be challenged from time to time, but Shining is smart, he won't fall for illusion magic."

Forgetting the incident for later, Chrysalis turned back to Skyfall. "With these recent developments, what do we do?"

"The usual path we would take is currently on fire." Skyfall said. I will run up ahead to scout some areas, I feel it best that you go and tell Shining where to go. He could take them North along the river and be exposed or South through the swamps, there's a small cave system there. Bayou swamps you can go there too and hunker down until the fires burn itself out, but that means waiting outside the walls longer and some ponies need medical attention."

Chrysalis morphed into Honey as they walked and their conversation too morphed in tone to a calm discussion about where to take them refugees.

"Are you seriously talking about walking through the swamps? Rainbow asked, her anger seeping through at her being a hostage for the situation.

"That I am. You'll have protection as long as you're in the swamps, if you want hunker down and wait for sunrise when they'll be the least active." Skyfall shook his head when Rainbow hovered up looking for a direction, as he waited, he caught the subtle glance cast his way by his son-in-law.

As Rainbow landed, Skyfall tapped her on the shoulder. "What's your input?"

"Why are you being so nice?" Rainbow asked unfamiliar with the attention Skyfall was paying her.

"You, along with Shining Armor, are going to be the ones that Lead the town Folk to Farhaven. I can't be the one to do it. I cannot do everything." Skyfall said.

"Do you think I should wait for everybody or move as you get them?"

"Moving as one mix a bigger Target, but you'll be in the forest. That should give you cover."

"And what about shattered Skies? He might feel us moving a large Force to those gates and mistake us as the enemy? "

"Has he hurt you in the past? "

"No, but neither has a snake? That doesn't mean he won't hurt us now." Rainbow said.

"Solid reasoning." Skyfall admitted. "But trust me, we're expected."

Rainbow turned to ask what he meant, but Skyfall had already turned to Desert as she had appeared behind him just a moment before.

"Sir, where are we moving?" Bastion called.

"To the swamp." The burning Forest would have forced all the would-be predators away from the area in. And the natural thicket that grows in the swamp will protect us from air patrols and random scouts. The hazardous terrain and soupy nature of the land makes travel hard on all."

"When do we strike again?"

"You don't." Skyfall said, catching a few glowing eyes from within the forest. "You will escort these ponies to Farhaven under the command of Desert, Rainbow Dash, and Shining Armor. In that order."

"And now?" Rarity asked, a tone in the resulting silence.

"And now we walk." Rainbow said as she was the first the pierce the thick brush."





"Hello Anara."

Cadence stood, meeting the eyes of the Alicorn as she stood to her full height, being just as tall as her father was.

Inko raised from her bowed position with the subtle push of magic from the maker.

Cadence noticed this and turned to Inko and then back to the tall alicorn. "Who are you?"

"That's the maker." Inko said. "She is the being that brought us all here. The one who makes all."

"An alicorn?" Cadence asked. "From Artorias?"

"No." The maker smiled as she finished descending the steps, her gate calm but weak as she neared Cadence.

"But you're an alicorn." Cadence said still unsure if the being before her truly held the type of power the title of Maker would come with.

"You're skeptical. You get that from your father." The Maker said standing mere arm's length from Cadence. "You take the form of an Alicorn, but you're not one. Are you?

Understanding the meaning Cadence nodded. "I have to admit I'm not really sure how to greet you. I'm new to being a spirit."

As Cadence lowered her head, the maker brought up her arm and wing before wrapping Cadence in a hug. "So let's start off with a hug."

Shocked by the gesture Cadence looked up.

"I remember holding you as a baby." The Maker said before using both of her hooves to hold Cadence to get a good look at her. "I see you found Celestia's journal in the garden that led you to your father?"

"You're the one that sent the journal?" Cadence asked in shock.

"No, but I was the one that suggested it." The Maker smiled. "I see you hold the same resolve your father does when given a muse."

Feeling a chill move over her coat she thought back to the oddity of Celestia's private Journal just appearing before her in the garden all those years ago. "You orchestrated all this?"

"In a way." The Maker chuckled. "I was too weakened to help, but wasn't too weak to ask for help. That's all I can say for now."

"More secrets." Cadence grumbled.

"No secrets. Just topics that would take time to understand. Time we do not have." The Maker looked to the waterfall as Shadows of guards collected outside.

Shouts of orders about getting the traitors within the waterfall were given before the body's tried rushing into the water only to evaporate into the water.

"What happened to them?" Cadence asked

"I teleported them to a certain Rocky prison within Seaddle's bay." The Maker smiled. 

"That's amazing." Cadence said.

"Thank you. But let's talk about you and your drive to help your father."

Cadance seethed, believing the intent behind the topic to be another reinforcement of her eggshell treatment. "I know he's intending on me not to help and for him to handle it alone but-"

A subtle hoof from the Maker, and a small jostle from Inko stopped the rant, killing it at its start.

"Your father and I very rarely saw eye-to-eye." The Maker started. "Often enough, I would invite him and a few others over to have tea with me. Your father, his best friend Oasis, and the fire Elemental were three of the most bickering individuals I've ever met, but they were wonderful to have over. However, this is one situation that I must agree with him with."

"But I can fight!" Cadence said, placing a hoof over her mouth when a subtle eyebrow from the Maker was cast her way. "I want to fight..."

"And this coming from the little filly who sat in a castle, fantasizing about being rescued from her knight in shining armor?" The Maker prompted. "From the same filly that lectured peace over violence from within her kingdom? I've watched you grow up, one of the few that I was able to watch. I know, aside from watching your guards’ train and your husband train, you are not a fighter. At least not as you are."

The Maker quietly laughed to herself at Cadence's indignant arm folding. "I'm glad to see you willing to pick up arms in defense of those who can't raise them, but you would be a liability to your father and to your mother."

"So what do I do?" Cadence asked. "I can't just sit here."

"I know." The Maker nodded. "Although, helping people escape isn't fighting now is it?"

The content nodding of Inko turned into panic at the insinuation. "Um, ma'am, this is bad idea."

"And that's why it works." The maker smiled deviously along with Cadence as they both turned their gaze to Inko.

"I'm going to have to be the bodyguard aren't I?"

"Wait, why are you helping me? I thought you'd be on my father's side?"

"I'm on no side. But I'm not blind to the situation, there are forces opposite of me at work here so to maintain balance I must set my own pieces in to act." The Maker said. "That includes me actively correcting them."

Cadence understood this to be the same phrasing her father would use over and over again. She accepted it and tried to think of how to help the ponies escape.

"If I'm going to move you, then I should at least tell you what I've deveined your enemy to be planning."

After a moment, the Maker motioned for Cadence to follow her onto her father's ledge."

"Fury is your father's half brother." The Maker turned to Cadence's placid expression and saw that this wasn't revolutionary information. "Your uncle would likely see you as a tool to get to your father so you must avoid him at all costs. My sight has been dark for many years but I can still see bits and pieces. I believe as your father believes, Fury intends on taking the detainees out sometime tomorrow to transport them and that's when he will have every single one of them executed including the reporters that now follow him around. Leaving investigators to "stumble" on the information."

Cadence opened her mouth to speak but the Maker continued.

"If I know your father, he will go for the camp of detained ponies with a higher number." The Maker said. "If he was to see you that would be very bad for you and him."

"So I'm going to go for the smaller one?"

"Yes. Fury will be waiting for your father at the larger one, they both expect this. This doesn't mean that the smaller one is any safer, Fury will have them killed when your father springs upon the larger group." The Maker said. "This is a game that has played out hundreds of times and there's not much you can do to get around it."

"Except this time there is?"

"Yes." The Maker smiled warmly. "Celestia, Fury, and the rest of her counsel see you as a pawn, but you've come to me today with a will to act, not react. So that means you are not planned for and that gives us the element of surprise."

"So how do I take the small camp?" Cadence asked.

"That's something for you to decide." The Maker said and lied down. "Your father left me here to protect anyone that came this way, though, my ward will do that and I have no intention to lay about. Use that information as you will."

Cadence tapped her chin, realizing that now she was now in charge of herself and doing something she never dream she would have done.

Inko opened her mouth, but the Maker shook her head. "You know her father's headstrong, always has been."

"He's not going to like this."

"There's a lot Ardennes doesn't like." The Maker said. "But he takes it in stride. He'll probably do that thing where he simmers quietly and then just accepts it after everything is okay. He's not an overly emotional person."

Cadence turned to hear what the Maker was talking to Inko about, it was another instance where somebody knew her father infinitely better than her, although this time it was warranted.

Without a word being said, the Maker lifted her wing and pulled Cadence closer. "I know what aggravates you that your father tells you nothing. You'll learn as I have that to get around this you must talk to people close to him. This will push him to tell you himself."

Catching the Makers wink, Cadence smiled and acceptance.

"You two should probably rest, night will be upon us soon and you'll need your energy." The Maker said being no stranger to tactical approach.

"In the meantime, is there anything you could tell me about my parents?"

"Usually I would tell people it's none of my business to share the details of our lives, however, you're their child and you knowing more about Sky might actually help him. Your mother has always been a little more transparent."

"What does that mean?" Cadence asked.

The Maker casted a soft look toward Inko, silently conveying that she wished to have a moment with cadence, alone. Accepting the gesture Inko stood and left, moving into a small back cave where Skies kept various crates.

Cadence didn't understand and began to feel crippled underneath the Makers presents.

"Please relax." The Maker said. "There's nothing you can say to me that would make me harm you. You know, your father was terrified of me when we first met." She smiled at the memory. "Of course back then I did come on strong, it didn't stop him from flailing calling me a horse lady.

"Horse lady?" Cadence asked.

"Among other things." The Maker said. "He always had that gimmick of being smart whenever people were talking to him. But he has mellowed out somewhat with age, but especially when you were born. Few things changed him over the course of his long life, one was the issue that now drives Celestia to hunt Spirits and the other was your birth."

"Where was I born?" Cadence asked never having really thought to ask.

"The old capital of the Griffin Empire, Rough cliff, or what was once known as the Griffin Empire. It's now home to a Unicorn colony, I believe." The maker said without hesitation. "You only spent a few days there before your parents brought you home to what was then their Castle in the land of the deer folk in Northern Foenem. You're actually a very early birth, your parents were in Griffin Stone for a conference and in the middle of a meeting your mother went into labor."

"Really?"

"Really really." The Maker nodded and summoned two cups of hot tea before them as a small trickle of Honey appeared from the void between them. "The Gryphon kingdom is on the western end of the continent known as Foenem. Beings forget this little fact cause it's technically a giant island, but the small island chain to its south connects them.

"I've heard of it, but not much I'm afraid. Is it that much of it a mystery?"

"No. There is somewhat of a disconnect between the continents of Equestria and Foenem not to mention being thoroughly disconnected from the other eight."

"So I'm not an equestrian?"

"Nope. You are a soul not born of this realm in a body not born of another continent. Yet, you are a princess here."

"Does that make me a pawn? I never thought I deserved the Crystal crown but I somehow work past that and now I find out I'm not equestrian." Cadance said, looking into the whirlpool that was her tea, unsure of how to feel.

"That's the biggest question for me, and I believe one of the biggest ones for your father too. Knowing your mother she probably doesn't care, she's more of a live in the moment type person."

The Maker ran her win along Cadence's side to gain her attention. "It was so weird to me that Celestia didn't imprison you or Exile you. She took you as her niece, disguised you as an alicorn and gave you a king to rule alongside you. I've been trying to look through history more thoroughly since I came here a few hours ago, it's still murky but I can see that she's done nothing to put you In harm's way. Not even your father's siblings know about you. Which I find to be very curious."

Unsure of how to read the situation, Cadence looked at the Maker and bit her lip. "Are you trying to show this in a light where Celestia is an okay person? After putting all the spirits on trial, my people and your people, I don't get what you're trying to say."

"I'm not trying to sway you into anything, I'm just telling you what was." The Maker said sipping her tea.

"What am I supposed to tell my father when he passes judgment on her?"

Jostling her tea, the Maker hummed. "You grew up in in Pony Society, they are just as much your people as Spirits are. I know what you meant when you said Spirits as being your people but you must keep this in mind at all times. You are not your father. Nor must you be." The Maker rested her hoof on Cadence's. "You must not make decisions to gain the approval of your parents, it won't work and it will only serve to injure things further. As much as I love your father, I know and he knows that he's not in a place to pass judgment. I know what he's trying to do, and I approve, but you must take it upon yourself to make your own decisions and in a way to bring balance back."

"I've heard my father speak about this over and over, about spirits keeping balance." Cadence said, looking at the Maker, unwavering, the Makers presence now becoming familiar to her. "He keeps saying the typical dad thing, I know you'll understand when you get older."

"You're asking me for the purpose of spirits?" The Maker asked rhetorically, knowing where Cadence was going with the line of thought. "Spirits exist to foster life and death. Spirits aren't inherently good or inherently evil, despite them appearing to be so. What your father means by bringing back balance is swinging the pendulum back when it's swung too far. One spirit may whisper in the ear of a mortal, causing them to do great things where another would do the opposite. Each spirit is different, your parents watch over not only a realm but over an aspect of life. Your mother is the spirit of beauty, now beauty isn't just that of aesthetics, it's a plethora of things but she also watches over the precious metals stones and treasures you may find naturally, what the mortals call gems are actually integral parts of the environment. This doesn't literally mean she goes around protecting gemstones only that she was the one that forged them and created them, like a fire Ruby. Your father does the same but with forests."

"And animals?"

"Your father is the Forest Spirit. He was given the power to help the animals, but that was for another. One who is no longer with us."

"So there are different Spirits for different things?"

"Yes." The Maker nodded. "Spirits of action, spirits of thought, spirits of the planet like the original Guardians. Greater and lesser, spirits come in all shapes and sizes just as the mortal races do on this planet, coming in all shapes and sizes. Only difference is that Spirits came first."

"And spirits come from another Realm?"

"That brings in another discussion entirely." The Maker turned, excited at Cadance's want for knowledge. "Sif, your father's faithful companion, is a lesser spirit but she and her soul were born of this realm. Your father, an elder spirit, comes from Earth." The Maker said, holding her hooves out before her and summoning two palm-sized Celestial orbs.

"So there are spirits that aren't from where my parents are from?"

"Yes. There must always be a foundation for this realm, and those Spirits are that foundation. Without a foundation, protective barriers between realms collapse. After the spirit War, new Spirits were birthed from Heroes, you've read about in books and heard about and tales." The Maker said.

"This is a lot to take in." Cadence said. "So when Celestia banish all the spirits, she upset the foundation? Which through Equus out of balance?"

"Yes and no." The Maker said the realm that your friend Sunset Shimmer inhabits is linked to this one, the same with Tartarus. She kept them there and their magic flows in and out of that portal, however it's not the same as them being here that's why this planet has survived so long without them being here directly. Specifically the Earth Elemental. Without her one of the great pillars is missing. Air, has also been absent, I am unsure where he is."

"So how do we bring them back?" Cadence asked. "I'm sure a few hundred spirits coming back would upset the planet. Especially if they all see Celestia as their enemy. My father wasn't able to convince them to come back, how would he be able to help the situation?"

"I think you underestimate your father." The Maker chuckled and then looked up at Cadence. "But it's not him that has to convince the spirits."

Cadence didn't understand the prompt and looked at the Maker like she had four heads.

"Remember, Anara, you are made up of both worlds. Your father needs you, more than he realizes."

"It would be easier to get close to him if he didn't have so many secrets." Cadence thought aloud.

"As I said before, you must seek your own answers. Your father learned this long ago, and that led him to developing the memory technique where he takes the information he wants." The Maker said not letting her disapproval remain unknown.

"Are you condoning me to go behind my father's back to learn more about him?"

"Oh trust me, your father already knows I'm going to propose this to you. Even if you disapprove, you are an adult and you must make your own decisions."

"I'm getting a subtle hint that you planned this out quite far in advance." Cadence accused with a sly smirk and receiving a Sly smirk in return.

"Maybe."